A/N: For any of those questions asked see other chapters. Well here you go.
I went over this chapter with extra care. Hope you like it.
Chapter 12:
Spike walked down the long hallway to Angel's hospital room. Boy he hated hospitals. Everything about them screamed despair. He looked at the door to Angel's room. He took a deep breath and the opened the door. He saw Cordy, the kids, and Anya sitting in a chairs. They were laughing and joking around. He looked over at Angel. He was pale, but he looked happy.
"Hey everybody." Spike said.
"Spike you're here finally. We need to go know." Anya said.
"Ahn, give me a second." Cordy said.
"Kids say goodbye to daddy." Maddy and Connor went over to Angel and gave him hugs and kisses.
"Bye, kids."
"Bye, dad." They said as they followed Anya outside.
"Okay, now you're sure that you'll be okay right?"
"No it's fine, Angel. I'm good. Hurry up and go Cordy." Spike said dragging his seat next to Angel's bed.
"Okay I'm going. I'll see you later, honey." Cordy said. She gave angel a quick kiss on the cheek and walked away.
"So what's been going lately?" Angel asked.
"Peaches it's only been a few days."
"Hey I thought we were over the whole 'Peaches' thing."
"It'll be your nickname forever, Peaches. Just thought I shouldn't use it in front of everyone."
"Okay so you can keep the stupid nickname. Although I never knew where it came from."
"I don't know either. Just started to call you it one day."
"Boy you're a weirdo. So nothing new."
"Started seeing a therapist."
"What? Are things really that bad? You have to pay someone to listen to your problems?"
"First, yes things are pretty bad and I got all these things that I wish I could tell you, but I can't. Second, I'm not paying Willow. She's a friend of Buffy's and she agreed to do it for free."
"Oh Buffy." Angel said in that annoying 'I just figured something out' voice that Spike hated so much.
"What about Buffy?"
"Nothing. It's just great to see that you're still friends with her. Its just friendship right?"
Spike sighed loudly. "Yes we are just friends. How many times do I have to say this? We are just friends."
"Will, I know you better then you know yourself. I know you almost as well as Wes does. You like this girl. You may even be in love with her."
"No I'm not. It's just friendship." Spike said trying to convince himself more then trying to convince Angel.
"Right that's why you have that deer caught in the headlights look. William just admit that you really like her. I mean she's a great person. Everyone really likes her. She yelled at dad."
"What she yelled at dad!?"
"Yeah the last time you guys were here. She told him that he didn't deserve a son like you."
"Wow she didn't tell me that. Still that's what you do for friends."
"Still don't get it. You both have a thing for each other. I can see it. Call it wisdom."
"No I'll chalk it up the Demerol that they have to be giving you."
"Oh come on. Face it little bro, you're falling for this girl."
"Too much too soon. No I'm not falling for Buffy."
"Fine. Let me just say denial doesn't suit you."
"What's that mean."
"Well let me see every girl that you've been friends with has turned into a romantic thing. And you've always fallen for the bad ones too. I think I don't need to say anymore then that, but I will anyway. Faith was just wrong. She was bad made you do bad things. Cecily, well she just wasn't your type. She was snobby and that doesn't go with your laid back attitude. Dru, Dru was a bitch. She cheated on you and made you feel like you weren't good enough. Buffy isn't like that and if you aren't in love with her I'm going to think that you're a masochist."
"Look it's my life right. Let me take it at my own pace."
"Alright so let's say you take it at your own pace. What happens if she moves on? What happens then?"
"She said that she isn't ready for anything anyway. We both need some time."
"Will, you haven't been with anyone in over a year. Move on with your life."
"I'm trying."
"Well not hard enough."
"Look I thought you weren't here to judge. Maybe I just don't want to be with anyone right now. I'm just trying to get my life in order. How can I be responsible for anyone else?"
"You were always the one that said that you wanted to be married and have a big family with the a successful career. What happened to that guy?"
"He died. Okay he died. A long time ago too. He's been dead. I woke up and I realized everything doesn't come with a shitty picket fence and that life is tough. Just because when I was younger I had things mapped out doesn't mean that I can follow them now. Things change."
"Yeah I know things change. Do you think I planned to get sick? No, but that doesn't mean that I'm not going to do everything that I wanted to do before then. Listen I'm happy and you aren't."
"Who said I wasn't happy?"
"I did. I can tell."
"I was never a happy person."
"You were a happy kid."
"I was a kid. Name the last time I showed happy emotions."
"Well they don't show, but I know when you're happy."
"So I may not be totally happy. I'm good. I'm having a nice life. Just let me figure things out on my own. I promise I won't screw up."
"I know you won't. I just want you to be happy. That's all."
"Well just let me figure out what happy is. I'm trying to be me first. Okay so that sounded a little Oprah-ish, but you get it. I have to figure out what I want out of life."
"Okay I get that. I mean just because I got married at twenty-two doesn't mean anything. You still have lots of time to find that one person. Although I think that you already found her."
"Let's change the subject. Let's talk about you. What's new with you?"
"I watched TV all day. Do you still watch Passions?"
"Tape it and then go home and watch it."
"Ha well I get to see it everyday."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - -- - - - -
"Alright so let's hit the mall food court. I need to put these down for a second." Willow said holding up a few bags. Shopping had gone well. Willow and Andrew had spent money and Buffy had bought Dawn an outfit.
"Mmm, mall food is so nutritious." Buffy said sarcastically.
"Come on mom I want to get a Happy-Meal." Dawn said dragging Buffy by the arm.
"Okay it looks like someone is hungry." Andrew said.
"I just don't like mall food." Buffy said. "It's not healthy."
"Oh come on Buff, when did you get all health hazard-y." Willow said.
"I've been like that since I had Dawn."
"Well come on let's go before she terrorizes all of Tokyo." Andrew said.
"Okay, so let's go." Buffy said. - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - -
"We can go to my house and I can cook dinner. Mall food isn't nutritious." Cordy said to Anya as they stood in line for the McDonalds.
"Cordy this is about getting away for a little while. Besides McDonalds isn't that bad." Anya said.
"Okay so we get the kids McDonalds, what do you want?"
"Some pizza I guess. How about you?"
"I think I'm going to get Mexican food. Maybe a burrito."
"Good. So we'll eat and then we'll do some more shopping."
"Okay. Kids what do you want?" Cordy asked her kids. When she didn't hear them answer she looked down to see that they weren't there.
"Madison! Connor! Anya where are they?"
"I don't know?"
"Oh my god! Anya we have to find them!" Cordy said running out of the line and calling her children's names. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - -- - - - - -
"Connor come on! Mom is gonna kill us." Maddy told her little brother.
"I'm just looking at the dogs. I want a dog like Spot." Connor said ignoring his older sister.
"Kid, come on. We have to go." Maddy was getting really upset and she couldn't see her mother or Aunt Ahn anywhere.
"Come on can't we just look at the dogs for one more minute. And don't call me kid."
"You are a kid."
"Oh just because you're ten doesn't make you a grown-up. Now I want to look at the dogs. Go if you want to."
"I can't."
"Why not."
"Because if you get lost then I'll get in trouble. It's better not to spilt up."
"Well then stop whining. They'll come for us sooner or later."
"Yeah and after that mom'll blow a gasket." Maddy looked around to see if her mom or aunt were anywhere to be found. Just then she saw her. It was Dawn and her mom.
"Hey look its Dawn and Uncle Spike's new girlfriend."
"Dawn." Connor said and turned around to see.
"Oh someone has a crush." Maddy said in a singsong voice.
"Do not. I just think she's nice. Plus if Uncle Spike and her mom get married we'll be cousins."
"Whatever. Let's say hi when they pass."
Dawn pulled Buffy while Willow and Andrew followed behind. Dawn was looking through the stores as she made her way to the food court. She was looking at the pet store when she heard her name.
"Hi Dawn." Maddy said.
"Hey." Connor said.
"Connor! Maddy! Hi." Dawn said.
"Maddy? Connor? Where is your mom?" Buffy asked in a concerned voice.
"Oh doofus over here wanted to look at the dogs and got us lost." Maddy said.
"I'm not a doofus.
" "You're a gigantic doofus. I don't know where Mom and Auntie Anya are."
"Buffy do you know these kids." Willow asked.
"Yeah this is Spike's niece and nephew."
"Oh where are they're parents?" Andrew asked.
"I don't know. Where were you going before you got lost?"
"The food court."
"Oh we were just going there. Come on we'll take you there." Buffy said. Just then she heard Anya and Cordy screaming for Maddy and Connor.
"Cordy over here," Buffy yelled. Cordy and Anya turned their heads and saw Buffy, Dawn, Maddy and Connor. Cordy ran over to them.
"What happened to you guys? I thought I told you never to separate from me in the mall." Cordy scowled.
"Sorry mom. It was Maddy's fault." Connor said.
"Oh no it wasn't. It was all his fault. He wanted to look at the dogs."
"You know she's a pathological liar." Connor said.
"You don't even know what that means."
"It doesn't matter just don't let it happen again. Oh thanks for finding them Buffy. Would you like to eat with us? We were just going to have McDonalds or something."
"Sure, that's all Dawn wanted anyway."
"Okay. Oh hi I'm Cordelia Flannery. Are you Buffy's friends?"
"Yes, I'm Willow Osbourne." Willow said.
"I'm Buffy's brother, Andrew Schafer." Andrew said.
"Oh come on let's go then." Buffy said.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - -- - - - - -
"So you're a therapist. Who's your weirdest patient? Did you ever get one who thought they were a dog. Ever had a pathological liar?" Anya asked as she took a bite of her pizza.
"Well I don't ever have interesting patients and if there were any I wouldn't be able to tell you because of confidentiality." Willow told her.
"What do you do?" Willow asked her.
"Oh I'm a forensic examiner."
"Oh that sounds like an interesting job." Andrew said.
"Yeah it's okay. Makes good money. What about you?"
"Oh I'm a doctor."
"That's cool."
"What do you do, Cordelia?" Andrew asked.
"I'm a magazine editor and call me Cordy."
"So why are you here, Andrew. You said something about living in LA." Anya said.
"I'm here to testify against Riley, that's Buffy's ex-husband, and for moral support."
"Oh so you've met my brother."
"Oh Spike's your brother?"
"Yes, he is. What do you think of him."
"Well let me just say that he is one good-looking guy." Andrew said.
"Yeah that he is." Willow said.
"Yeah Spike is a nice looking guy. Smart and funny too." Cordy said.
"Yes he's a great guy." Anya said.
"We were trying to force Buffy to realize just how great he is." Andrew said.
"I know we were trying to do the same thing at a family barbecue that she went to. I really think that they would make a good couple. Spike really needs to get on with his life and he seems to really like Buffy." Anya said.
"Yeah well she really likes him. There's just so much mamba jumbo about them just being friends. It's all shit. They should just stop playing around and get it on already." Willow said.
"Willow!" Buffy said. "The kids are right there." Buffy said signaling to one of the kids tables they have in the mall.
"Oh Buffy they can't hear us. I think she's right though. Although it should be Spike who's doing the jumping, but he's always been the more passive type. She might as well jump his bones." Anya said.
"Well someone better jump someone's bones before they stay in this whole friendship denial stage. All I know is that Spike is a little gun-shy after his previous experiences." Cordy said.
"Yeah well Buffy is a little gun-shy as well. I mean her failed marriage has left her a little nervous about love and guys in general." Willow said.
"Yeah everyone is a little gun-shy. Can we please get of this subject." Buffy said.
"In a state of denial. Spike is in a state of denial as well. He was telling Angel about how he does like you, but you guys can't take it further then friendship. You both should really communicate better." Anya said.
"Okay really this is making me uncomfortable. If I can't avoid this then I'm just going to go over at sit at the kids table." Buffy said as she got up and walked over to the kid table.
"They really need to start talking more. I mean they both seem to be falling for each other." Cordy said.
"Yeah well like we just uncovered they are both a little gun-shy." Andrew said taking a sip from his drink.
"So did anyone see that special on the Discovery Channel." Cordy said.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - -
"Hey kids how are the Happy Meals?"
"They're good. Are you my Uncle Spike's girlfriend?" Connor asked.
"No, my mom and Spike aren't together. Although I think they would make a cute couple. Spike would make a great step-dad."
"Yeah he's a good uncle." Connor said.
"So how come you aren't dating Uncle Spike." Connor asked.
"It's complicated." Buffy said.
"My mom said that there isn't anything complicated about love."
"Well there are just some things that make things hard to work out." Buffy couldn't believe that she was explaining herself to a six-year-old.
"My mom and dad are still married, but it's almost over. Soon she'll be single again and then maybe they could date. We'd be like cousins if they got married." Dawn said.
"Dawn I'm not getting married to Spike. We aren't even dating." Buffy said. She didn't want Dawn to think that Spike was anything more then a friend.
"I know, but if you were and you fell in love and got married then we'd be like cousins." Dawn said in a matter-of-fact voice.
"Yeah that would be cool. Then you could come over to our house for Christmas and Thanksgiving and holidays like that." Connor said.
"Yeah that would be cool. And then I could ride in Spike's car all the time."
"Did you meet Spot the dog?"
"No is it a good dog?"
"Yes, it's a yellow lab."
"Wow is it pretty?"
"Guy dogs aren't pretty. They're handsome. That's what Uncle Spike says." Buffy listened to the conversation and couldn't believe that six-year-olds knew her emotions better then she did.
"Just don't hurt him." Buffy looked across the table to see Maddy taking another bite of her cheeseburger.
"What?"
"If you decided to stop denying everything don't hurt him and I can probably promise he'll do his best not to hurt you." Maddy said taking another drinking from her soda.
"What makes you think I'll hurt him."
"You probably won't, but you've been warned."
"Warned by an ten-year-old. What would you do to me if I did hurt him?"
"I'd be there to pick up the pieces. Everyone's been there to pick up the pieces. Daddy was there with the last girlfriend. She was a really mean lady."
"Really? How so." Buffy knew about Dru, but she won't to hear this girl's version of the story.
"She cheated on him."
"You know about that."
"Puh-lease I'm not two. I'm ten."
"You were eight or nine at the time."
"I was always smarter then my brother. I was more intuitive and sneakier. Listened in on phone calls and all that. Helps when you're always over at his house. He used to babysit Connor and me. When she moved into his house he would see us less. She said that she didn't like kids. I wanted to tell her where she could go, but I thought that I would get in trouble. I was glad when he finally saw that she was a bad lady."
"Well I would say that you're very smart for an ten-year-old."
"I try and look out for him, but I can't do it all the time. You seem nice and I know you like kids because you have a kid. Dawn seems cool too. I know Connor likes her. He seems to like you. Granted I'm not sure what that looks like, but trust me that he likes you that way."
"You're very insightful. Thanks."
"You're welcome. Just remember what I said. He doesn't need that again and from what Dawn says you don't either."
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"You ever think about what it would have been like if you and Cordy had stayed together?" Angel said in a sleepy voice. He hadn't really been sleeping, but drifting and doing some serious thinking.
"Jesus Christ, you were supposed to be asleep." Spike said as he jumped up from his chair dropping some papers.
"I was just thinking. Do you?"
"Do I what?"
"Ever think about what it would be like if you and Cordy had gotten married."
"Where did that come from?"
"I don't know I was just thinking. I mean things would be very different."
"Cordy and I only went out a few times. We weren't right for each other. That's why I introduced her to you. She was more your type."
"Yeah I know and I'm glad you did, but things would be different."
"As much as I hate to say this Cordy was just a rebound girl."
"For Faith?"
"Yeah, we broke up when I was seventeen. I dated Cordy for a little while after that. She was the first girl I went out with after Faith. It would never have worked out anyway. She liked older guys and I'm a couple of months younger then her."
"You two didn't."
Spike looked at his brother with a shocked expression.
"If you're asking if I had sex with your wife the answer is no. Like I said it was a few dates and I was just trying to deal with being somber and having a normal relationship."
"Good cause that would be very creepy. Just imagine it though. I mean I was busy at the time what with work and all. What if you and her had stayed together? You'd be Maddy's real dad instead of just her godfather."
"I'm fine with just being her godfather. I don't think that we would have gotten married even if we did stay together, though. I wasn't the marrying type back then and like I said it was a rebound thing."
"So you don't hold any feelings for her?"
"Okay what kind of question is that to ask? She's like a friend and she's my brother's wife. I love her as a friend and as a sister."
"Yeah, but you never wonder. I mean you've always been so concerned with everyone else's love life and not your own. Don't you wonder what would happen if you hadn't set me up with Cordy. Or Wes and Fred for that matter."
"Fred and Wes are soul mates and you and Cordy are soul mates." Spike said in a matter-of-fact voice.
"Oh that's sweet, but you know I doubt believe in that shit."
"Then why did everything turn out so perfect for you."
"You call lying in a hospital bed perfect?"
"You know what I mean. I believe in that shit as you put it."
"Yeah I know that for some weird reason you believe in it. It was just a simple question."
"I know, but Cordy and I weren't meant to be and Fred and I never even thought about each other like that."
"Yeah I know it was weird to ask. I was just thinking about how my family doesn't deserve this. If Cordy had been with you then she wouldn't have to go through this. Maybe if we had gotten that divorce. . . "
"No don't talk like that. That whole divorce thing was just a bad memory. Don't think about it."
"I know. It's just it was my fault that we were even thinking about it. I mean I was working so much and all that. You've seen those cop shows and how the cops always get a divorce and all that. It's actually very true."
"You stuck it out. You guys realized how much you loved each other and forgot about it."
"Yeah well I guess you're right. It's nice having you around to make me realize when I'm saying something stupid."
"Glad to be of service. Now go to sleep."
"Okay. Goodnight, Will."
"Goodnight, Angel."
- - - - - - - -- - - - - -- - - - -- -- - - - -- - - - - - -- - -
"Okay well that was fun. We should do it again sometime." Cordy said.
"Yeah it was really interesting and I'm sure the kids would like to hang out again." Buffy said. The group had finally made their way to the parking lot. They were all still on the whole Buffy and Spike situation, but Buffy had come to ignore it.
"Yeah and then we could see Buffy squirm when we talk about her and Spike together." Willow said.
"Oh that would be great fun." Anya said, "We could also do it when Spike is there and see them both squirm"
"Oh that's hilarious." Buffy said sarcastically.
"Okay let's let Buffy off the hook for a little while. I was thinking that maybe Dawn could come over to the house on Saturday" Cordy said.
"Oh well I don't want to burden you what with the whole Angel thing." Buffy said.
"Come on mom please." Dawn said giving her mother the pout and the puppy dog eyes.
"Buffy I promise it won't be that big of a deal. Spike is coming over to the house and taking the kids out to the park and then the movies." Cordy said.
"Well okay then."
"Great that's going to be so cool." Dawn said.
"Well we better be going." Buffy said.
"Yeah see you Saturday."
"Okay. Bye Cordy. Anya."
"Bye."
A/N: Hey so whattcha think. It's a little fluffy chapter in the middle of everything angst-y. Some Spuffy is on the way I promise. Just keep waiting. Good things come to those who wait. Review please. Like I've said before I LOVE reviews. They just make my day.
Chapter 12:
Spike walked down the long hallway to Angel's hospital room. Boy he hated hospitals. Everything about them screamed despair. He looked at the door to Angel's room. He took a deep breath and the opened the door. He saw Cordy, the kids, and Anya sitting in a chairs. They were laughing and joking around. He looked over at Angel. He was pale, but he looked happy.
"Hey everybody." Spike said.
"Spike you're here finally. We need to go know." Anya said.
"Ahn, give me a second." Cordy said.
"Kids say goodbye to daddy." Maddy and Connor went over to Angel and gave him hugs and kisses.
"Bye, kids."
"Bye, dad." They said as they followed Anya outside.
"Okay, now you're sure that you'll be okay right?"
"No it's fine, Angel. I'm good. Hurry up and go Cordy." Spike said dragging his seat next to Angel's bed.
"Okay I'm going. I'll see you later, honey." Cordy said. She gave angel a quick kiss on the cheek and walked away.
"So what's been going lately?" Angel asked.
"Peaches it's only been a few days."
"Hey I thought we were over the whole 'Peaches' thing."
"It'll be your nickname forever, Peaches. Just thought I shouldn't use it in front of everyone."
"Okay so you can keep the stupid nickname. Although I never knew where it came from."
"I don't know either. Just started to call you it one day."
"Boy you're a weirdo. So nothing new."
"Started seeing a therapist."
"What? Are things really that bad? You have to pay someone to listen to your problems?"
"First, yes things are pretty bad and I got all these things that I wish I could tell you, but I can't. Second, I'm not paying Willow. She's a friend of Buffy's and she agreed to do it for free."
"Oh Buffy." Angel said in that annoying 'I just figured something out' voice that Spike hated so much.
"What about Buffy?"
"Nothing. It's just great to see that you're still friends with her. Its just friendship right?"
Spike sighed loudly. "Yes we are just friends. How many times do I have to say this? We are just friends."
"Will, I know you better then you know yourself. I know you almost as well as Wes does. You like this girl. You may even be in love with her."
"No I'm not. It's just friendship." Spike said trying to convince himself more then trying to convince Angel.
"Right that's why you have that deer caught in the headlights look. William just admit that you really like her. I mean she's a great person. Everyone really likes her. She yelled at dad."
"What she yelled at dad!?"
"Yeah the last time you guys were here. She told him that he didn't deserve a son like you."
"Wow she didn't tell me that. Still that's what you do for friends."
"Still don't get it. You both have a thing for each other. I can see it. Call it wisdom."
"No I'll chalk it up the Demerol that they have to be giving you."
"Oh come on. Face it little bro, you're falling for this girl."
"Too much too soon. No I'm not falling for Buffy."
"Fine. Let me just say denial doesn't suit you."
"What's that mean."
"Well let me see every girl that you've been friends with has turned into a romantic thing. And you've always fallen for the bad ones too. I think I don't need to say anymore then that, but I will anyway. Faith was just wrong. She was bad made you do bad things. Cecily, well she just wasn't your type. She was snobby and that doesn't go with your laid back attitude. Dru, Dru was a bitch. She cheated on you and made you feel like you weren't good enough. Buffy isn't like that and if you aren't in love with her I'm going to think that you're a masochist."
"Look it's my life right. Let me take it at my own pace."
"Alright so let's say you take it at your own pace. What happens if she moves on? What happens then?"
"She said that she isn't ready for anything anyway. We both need some time."
"Will, you haven't been with anyone in over a year. Move on with your life."
"I'm trying."
"Well not hard enough."
"Look I thought you weren't here to judge. Maybe I just don't want to be with anyone right now. I'm just trying to get my life in order. How can I be responsible for anyone else?"
"You were always the one that said that you wanted to be married and have a big family with the a successful career. What happened to that guy?"
"He died. Okay he died. A long time ago too. He's been dead. I woke up and I realized everything doesn't come with a shitty picket fence and that life is tough. Just because when I was younger I had things mapped out doesn't mean that I can follow them now. Things change."
"Yeah I know things change. Do you think I planned to get sick? No, but that doesn't mean that I'm not going to do everything that I wanted to do before then. Listen I'm happy and you aren't."
"Who said I wasn't happy?"
"I did. I can tell."
"I was never a happy person."
"You were a happy kid."
"I was a kid. Name the last time I showed happy emotions."
"Well they don't show, but I know when you're happy."
"So I may not be totally happy. I'm good. I'm having a nice life. Just let me figure things out on my own. I promise I won't screw up."
"I know you won't. I just want you to be happy. That's all."
"Well just let me figure out what happy is. I'm trying to be me first. Okay so that sounded a little Oprah-ish, but you get it. I have to figure out what I want out of life."
"Okay I get that. I mean just because I got married at twenty-two doesn't mean anything. You still have lots of time to find that one person. Although I think that you already found her."
"Let's change the subject. Let's talk about you. What's new with you?"
"I watched TV all day. Do you still watch Passions?"
"Tape it and then go home and watch it."
"Ha well I get to see it everyday."
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"Alright so let's hit the mall food court. I need to put these down for a second." Willow said holding up a few bags. Shopping had gone well. Willow and Andrew had spent money and Buffy had bought Dawn an outfit.
"Mmm, mall food is so nutritious." Buffy said sarcastically.
"Come on mom I want to get a Happy-Meal." Dawn said dragging Buffy by the arm.
"Okay it looks like someone is hungry." Andrew said.
"I just don't like mall food." Buffy said. "It's not healthy."
"Oh come on Buff, when did you get all health hazard-y." Willow said.
"I've been like that since I had Dawn."
"Well come on let's go before she terrorizes all of Tokyo." Andrew said.
"Okay, so let's go." Buffy said. - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - -
"We can go to my house and I can cook dinner. Mall food isn't nutritious." Cordy said to Anya as they stood in line for the McDonalds.
"Cordy this is about getting away for a little while. Besides McDonalds isn't that bad." Anya said.
"Okay so we get the kids McDonalds, what do you want?"
"Some pizza I guess. How about you?"
"I think I'm going to get Mexican food. Maybe a burrito."
"Good. So we'll eat and then we'll do some more shopping."
"Okay. Kids what do you want?" Cordy asked her kids. When she didn't hear them answer she looked down to see that they weren't there.
"Madison! Connor! Anya where are they?"
"I don't know?"
"Oh my god! Anya we have to find them!" Cordy said running out of the line and calling her children's names. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - -- - - - - -
"Connor come on! Mom is gonna kill us." Maddy told her little brother.
"I'm just looking at the dogs. I want a dog like Spot." Connor said ignoring his older sister.
"Kid, come on. We have to go." Maddy was getting really upset and she couldn't see her mother or Aunt Ahn anywhere.
"Come on can't we just look at the dogs for one more minute. And don't call me kid."
"You are a kid."
"Oh just because you're ten doesn't make you a grown-up. Now I want to look at the dogs. Go if you want to."
"I can't."
"Why not."
"Because if you get lost then I'll get in trouble. It's better not to spilt up."
"Well then stop whining. They'll come for us sooner or later."
"Yeah and after that mom'll blow a gasket." Maddy looked around to see if her mom or aunt were anywhere to be found. Just then she saw her. It was Dawn and her mom.
"Hey look its Dawn and Uncle Spike's new girlfriend."
"Dawn." Connor said and turned around to see.
"Oh someone has a crush." Maddy said in a singsong voice.
"Do not. I just think she's nice. Plus if Uncle Spike and her mom get married we'll be cousins."
"Whatever. Let's say hi when they pass."
Dawn pulled Buffy while Willow and Andrew followed behind. Dawn was looking through the stores as she made her way to the food court. She was looking at the pet store when she heard her name.
"Hi Dawn." Maddy said.
"Hey." Connor said.
"Connor! Maddy! Hi." Dawn said.
"Maddy? Connor? Where is your mom?" Buffy asked in a concerned voice.
"Oh doofus over here wanted to look at the dogs and got us lost." Maddy said.
"I'm not a doofus.
" "You're a gigantic doofus. I don't know where Mom and Auntie Anya are."
"Buffy do you know these kids." Willow asked.
"Yeah this is Spike's niece and nephew."
"Oh where are they're parents?" Andrew asked.
"I don't know. Where were you going before you got lost?"
"The food court."
"Oh we were just going there. Come on we'll take you there." Buffy said. Just then she heard Anya and Cordy screaming for Maddy and Connor.
"Cordy over here," Buffy yelled. Cordy and Anya turned their heads and saw Buffy, Dawn, Maddy and Connor. Cordy ran over to them.
"What happened to you guys? I thought I told you never to separate from me in the mall." Cordy scowled.
"Sorry mom. It was Maddy's fault." Connor said.
"Oh no it wasn't. It was all his fault. He wanted to look at the dogs."
"You know she's a pathological liar." Connor said.
"You don't even know what that means."
"It doesn't matter just don't let it happen again. Oh thanks for finding them Buffy. Would you like to eat with us? We were just going to have McDonalds or something."
"Sure, that's all Dawn wanted anyway."
"Okay. Oh hi I'm Cordelia Flannery. Are you Buffy's friends?"
"Yes, I'm Willow Osbourne." Willow said.
"I'm Buffy's brother, Andrew Schafer." Andrew said.
"Oh come on let's go then." Buffy said.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - -- - - - - -
"So you're a therapist. Who's your weirdest patient? Did you ever get one who thought they were a dog. Ever had a pathological liar?" Anya asked as she took a bite of her pizza.
"Well I don't ever have interesting patients and if there were any I wouldn't be able to tell you because of confidentiality." Willow told her.
"What do you do?" Willow asked her.
"Oh I'm a forensic examiner."
"Oh that sounds like an interesting job." Andrew said.
"Yeah it's okay. Makes good money. What about you?"
"Oh I'm a doctor."
"That's cool."
"What do you do, Cordelia?" Andrew asked.
"I'm a magazine editor and call me Cordy."
"So why are you here, Andrew. You said something about living in LA." Anya said.
"I'm here to testify against Riley, that's Buffy's ex-husband, and for moral support."
"Oh so you've met my brother."
"Oh Spike's your brother?"
"Yes, he is. What do you think of him."
"Well let me just say that he is one good-looking guy." Andrew said.
"Yeah that he is." Willow said.
"Yeah Spike is a nice looking guy. Smart and funny too." Cordy said.
"Yes he's a great guy." Anya said.
"We were trying to force Buffy to realize just how great he is." Andrew said.
"I know we were trying to do the same thing at a family barbecue that she went to. I really think that they would make a good couple. Spike really needs to get on with his life and he seems to really like Buffy." Anya said.
"Yeah well she really likes him. There's just so much mamba jumbo about them just being friends. It's all shit. They should just stop playing around and get it on already." Willow said.
"Willow!" Buffy said. "The kids are right there." Buffy said signaling to one of the kids tables they have in the mall.
"Oh Buffy they can't hear us. I think she's right though. Although it should be Spike who's doing the jumping, but he's always been the more passive type. She might as well jump his bones." Anya said.
"Well someone better jump someone's bones before they stay in this whole friendship denial stage. All I know is that Spike is a little gun-shy after his previous experiences." Cordy said.
"Yeah well Buffy is a little gun-shy as well. I mean her failed marriage has left her a little nervous about love and guys in general." Willow said.
"Yeah everyone is a little gun-shy. Can we please get of this subject." Buffy said.
"In a state of denial. Spike is in a state of denial as well. He was telling Angel about how he does like you, but you guys can't take it further then friendship. You both should really communicate better." Anya said.
"Okay really this is making me uncomfortable. If I can't avoid this then I'm just going to go over at sit at the kids table." Buffy said as she got up and walked over to the kid table.
"They really need to start talking more. I mean they both seem to be falling for each other." Cordy said.
"Yeah well like we just uncovered they are both a little gun-shy." Andrew said taking a sip from his drink.
"So did anyone see that special on the Discovery Channel." Cordy said.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - -
"Hey kids how are the Happy Meals?"
"They're good. Are you my Uncle Spike's girlfriend?" Connor asked.
"No, my mom and Spike aren't together. Although I think they would make a cute couple. Spike would make a great step-dad."
"Yeah he's a good uncle." Connor said.
"So how come you aren't dating Uncle Spike." Connor asked.
"It's complicated." Buffy said.
"My mom said that there isn't anything complicated about love."
"Well there are just some things that make things hard to work out." Buffy couldn't believe that she was explaining herself to a six-year-old.
"My mom and dad are still married, but it's almost over. Soon she'll be single again and then maybe they could date. We'd be like cousins if they got married." Dawn said.
"Dawn I'm not getting married to Spike. We aren't even dating." Buffy said. She didn't want Dawn to think that Spike was anything more then a friend.
"I know, but if you were and you fell in love and got married then we'd be like cousins." Dawn said in a matter-of-fact voice.
"Yeah that would be cool. Then you could come over to our house for Christmas and Thanksgiving and holidays like that." Connor said.
"Yeah that would be cool. And then I could ride in Spike's car all the time."
"Did you meet Spot the dog?"
"No is it a good dog?"
"Yes, it's a yellow lab."
"Wow is it pretty?"
"Guy dogs aren't pretty. They're handsome. That's what Uncle Spike says." Buffy listened to the conversation and couldn't believe that six-year-olds knew her emotions better then she did.
"Just don't hurt him." Buffy looked across the table to see Maddy taking another bite of her cheeseburger.
"What?"
"If you decided to stop denying everything don't hurt him and I can probably promise he'll do his best not to hurt you." Maddy said taking another drinking from her soda.
"What makes you think I'll hurt him."
"You probably won't, but you've been warned."
"Warned by an ten-year-old. What would you do to me if I did hurt him?"
"I'd be there to pick up the pieces. Everyone's been there to pick up the pieces. Daddy was there with the last girlfriend. She was a really mean lady."
"Really? How so." Buffy knew about Dru, but she won't to hear this girl's version of the story.
"She cheated on him."
"You know about that."
"Puh-lease I'm not two. I'm ten."
"You were eight or nine at the time."
"I was always smarter then my brother. I was more intuitive and sneakier. Listened in on phone calls and all that. Helps when you're always over at his house. He used to babysit Connor and me. When she moved into his house he would see us less. She said that she didn't like kids. I wanted to tell her where she could go, but I thought that I would get in trouble. I was glad when he finally saw that she was a bad lady."
"Well I would say that you're very smart for an ten-year-old."
"I try and look out for him, but I can't do it all the time. You seem nice and I know you like kids because you have a kid. Dawn seems cool too. I know Connor likes her. He seems to like you. Granted I'm not sure what that looks like, but trust me that he likes you that way."
"You're very insightful. Thanks."
"You're welcome. Just remember what I said. He doesn't need that again and from what Dawn says you don't either."
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"You ever think about what it would have been like if you and Cordy had stayed together?" Angel said in a sleepy voice. He hadn't really been sleeping, but drifting and doing some serious thinking.
"Jesus Christ, you were supposed to be asleep." Spike said as he jumped up from his chair dropping some papers.
"I was just thinking. Do you?"
"Do I what?"
"Ever think about what it would be like if you and Cordy had gotten married."
"Where did that come from?"
"I don't know I was just thinking. I mean things would be very different."
"Cordy and I only went out a few times. We weren't right for each other. That's why I introduced her to you. She was more your type."
"Yeah I know and I'm glad you did, but things would be different."
"As much as I hate to say this Cordy was just a rebound girl."
"For Faith?"
"Yeah, we broke up when I was seventeen. I dated Cordy for a little while after that. She was the first girl I went out with after Faith. It would never have worked out anyway. She liked older guys and I'm a couple of months younger then her."
"You two didn't."
Spike looked at his brother with a shocked expression.
"If you're asking if I had sex with your wife the answer is no. Like I said it was a few dates and I was just trying to deal with being somber and having a normal relationship."
"Good cause that would be very creepy. Just imagine it though. I mean I was busy at the time what with work and all. What if you and her had stayed together? You'd be Maddy's real dad instead of just her godfather."
"I'm fine with just being her godfather. I don't think that we would have gotten married even if we did stay together, though. I wasn't the marrying type back then and like I said it was a rebound thing."
"So you don't hold any feelings for her?"
"Okay what kind of question is that to ask? She's like a friend and she's my brother's wife. I love her as a friend and as a sister."
"Yeah, but you never wonder. I mean you've always been so concerned with everyone else's love life and not your own. Don't you wonder what would happen if you hadn't set me up with Cordy. Or Wes and Fred for that matter."
"Fred and Wes are soul mates and you and Cordy are soul mates." Spike said in a matter-of-fact voice.
"Oh that's sweet, but you know I doubt believe in that shit."
"Then why did everything turn out so perfect for you."
"You call lying in a hospital bed perfect?"
"You know what I mean. I believe in that shit as you put it."
"Yeah I know that for some weird reason you believe in it. It was just a simple question."
"I know, but Cordy and I weren't meant to be and Fred and I never even thought about each other like that."
"Yeah I know it was weird to ask. I was just thinking about how my family doesn't deserve this. If Cordy had been with you then she wouldn't have to go through this. Maybe if we had gotten that divorce. . . "
"No don't talk like that. That whole divorce thing was just a bad memory. Don't think about it."
"I know. It's just it was my fault that we were even thinking about it. I mean I was working so much and all that. You've seen those cop shows and how the cops always get a divorce and all that. It's actually very true."
"You stuck it out. You guys realized how much you loved each other and forgot about it."
"Yeah well I guess you're right. It's nice having you around to make me realize when I'm saying something stupid."
"Glad to be of service. Now go to sleep."
"Okay. Goodnight, Will."
"Goodnight, Angel."
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"Okay well that was fun. We should do it again sometime." Cordy said.
"Yeah it was really interesting and I'm sure the kids would like to hang out again." Buffy said. The group had finally made their way to the parking lot. They were all still on the whole Buffy and Spike situation, but Buffy had come to ignore it.
"Yeah and then we could see Buffy squirm when we talk about her and Spike together." Willow said.
"Oh that would be great fun." Anya said, "We could also do it when Spike is there and see them both squirm"
"Oh that's hilarious." Buffy said sarcastically.
"Okay let's let Buffy off the hook for a little while. I was thinking that maybe Dawn could come over to the house on Saturday" Cordy said.
"Oh well I don't want to burden you what with the whole Angel thing." Buffy said.
"Come on mom please." Dawn said giving her mother the pout and the puppy dog eyes.
"Buffy I promise it won't be that big of a deal. Spike is coming over to the house and taking the kids out to the park and then the movies." Cordy said.
"Well okay then."
"Great that's going to be so cool." Dawn said.
"Well we better be going." Buffy said.
"Yeah see you Saturday."
"Okay. Bye Cordy. Anya."
"Bye."
A/N: Hey so whattcha think. It's a little fluffy chapter in the middle of everything angst-y. Some Spuffy is on the way I promise. Just keep waiting. Good things come to those who wait. Review please. Like I've said before I LOVE reviews. They just make my day.