Chapter 3

Buffy walked into her house later that day to find her father waiting for her in the living room. "This can't be good." She said and wondered what she did wrong now. Her father got off of the couch and walked over to her.

"We need to talk, Buffy." She nodded and figured a lecture was coming, but this time she didn't know why.

"What about?" She asked and Hank looked like he was thinking about how to start the conversation.

"I have some business to take care of in New York. I would be leaving in a few days and will probably be gone for a couple of months." Buffy was surprised by that.

"We're going to New York?" She asked and Hank shook his head.

"No, I'm going to New York. I can't have you come with me." Buffy felt hurt, but she tried not to show it.

"So, I'm just gonna stay here by myself?" She wondered and Hank shook his head again.

"You know I can't let you stay here alone. I called an old friend that lives here and asked him for a favor. He was actually a friend of your mother's. Anyway, he has agreed to let you stay with him until I return." He explained and Buffy couldn't believe what was happening.

"You're making me stay with some stranger?" Hank knew this would be difficult. His daughter could always be stubborn, just like her mother.

"He's decent and has a son around your age. I'm sure you'll be fine." He said as he walked away from her and Buffy then panicked. She felt tears in her eyes and didn't care if he saw them.

"Can't I go with you? Please, daddy. I promise I won't be in the way. You won't even notice me. Please, take me with you." She pleaded and Hank looked at his daughter for a brief second, before he looked away again.

"I'm sorry, Buffy. It would be best if you stayed here. You should pack what you would need." Was the last thing he said before he went upstairs. Buffy couldn't help the tears from falling down her face as she sat on the couch. She buried her face in her hands and continued to cry.

Hank pulled up to a big house a few days later. Buffy looked at the place where she would be living for the next few months and again felt saddened. She couldn't believe her father was dumping her here. They got out of the car and walked to the front door. Hank knocked and an older man opened the door. He was dressed in tweed and wore glasses. He seemed kind enough. "Mr. Summers, it's nice to see you again." Hank nodded.

"Same to you, Mr. Giles. This is my daughter, Buffy." Giles turned his gaze on the girl.

"It's nice to meet you, Buffy. Your mother talked about you constantly." Buffy felt saddened at the thought of her mother and wondered why she never met this man before. Hank decided to change the subject.

"I'm really glad you could take her on such short notice." Giles nodded.

"It's quite alright, please come in." He said and Buffy walked into the house, followed by Hank. He handed her the bag he was carrying and gave her a look.

"I'll call you later, Buffy. You be good and stay out of trouble." He said and all Buffy could do was nod. He gave Giles a smile and then walked out of the house. Giles closed the door and looked at the young girl.

"I'll show you to the guestroom. My son should be home soon. There's no telling where he is right now." That didn't make Buffy feel better as she followed after Giles.

Buffy put some of her stuff away when she was left alone in her new room. It wasn't so bad and it was definitely bigger than her room at home. She placed Mr. Gordo on her bed and lay down. "Say hello to your new home." Buffy said to herself and then looked around the room. "It's more like a prison." She stated as she hugged the pig close to her. The place wasn't so bad and Mr. Giles seemed nice enough, but she still felt sad and even more alone. She wished things could be the way they were back in LA when she was younger, before her mom died. They were a happy family then, more or less. Her dad would do stuff with her. Now he could hardly even look at her. Buffy was broke out of her reverie, when she heard voices downstairs. She left her room to see what was going on and decided to listen at the top of the stairs. She heard Giles talking to someone and figured it was his son. Her eyes grew big when she recognized the voice. She would know that voice anywhere. She was staying in Spike's house. Could life get any worse?