Chapter 13

Spike left the hospital two days later and Buffy was helping him into his apartment. She helped him to the couch and he sat down. "Can I get you anything?" She asked and he shook his head.

"Just come sit with me." He said and she nodded as she sat down next to him on the couch. He put his arm around her and pulled her closer. "I'm glad I'm back home. I hate hospitals." He told her.

"Yeah, I can relate to you there." Spike kissed the top of her head. They were both sitting there in silence, when Whiskers started to rub herself against Spike's leg. He smiled down at the cat as Buffy picked her up. "I think she missed her daddy." She said and Spike started to pet Whiskers, who was now lying in Buffy's lap.

"I missed her, too." Spike replied and the cat then jumped off of Buffy's lap and ran into the bathroom.

"I guess she really had to go." Buffy said when there was a knock on the door. She looked at Spike and shrugged as she got up and answered the door. She had a huge smile on her face when she saw who was standing there. She gave the man a hug and he hugged her in return.

"It's good to see you, too." He said as Buffy pulled out of the hug.

"I'm so glad you're okay, daddy. I was worried when I didn't hear anything from you." She told him and Hank nodded.

"I couldn't manage to call you, but I'm really glad to be home. I'll be happy if I never have to see New York again." Hank stated and Buffy gave him a pout.

"I was kinda hoping we could go there on vacation." Hank smiled as he looked at his daughter. He really missed her.

"I'll take you anywhere else." He said and Buffy smiled this time.

"Sounds good to me. I've always wanted to go to Europe." She told him.

"We'll talk about it later." Hank replied as he walked into the apartment and Buffy closed the door once he was inside. Spike smiled when he saw Hank.

"I knew nothing could keep you away for long." He said and Hank nodded again.

"I heard about what happened. I'm glad you wouldn't let a bullet get you down." Spike shrugged.

"I learned from the best." He replied and Hank agreed.

"Angel didn't tell me much, just that you took a bullet for my daughter. I wanted to thank you. I knew I made the right decision when I brought her here." Spike nodded and then started to feel a little nervous. He hoped Hank would still think that when he found out about them being together. Buffy decided that now would be a good time as she walked over to Spike and sat next to him. She held his hand in hers and gave it a comforting squeeze.

"Daddy, we have something to tell you." Hank raised his eyebrows when he saw how close his daughter was to Spike. Buffy decided not to wait for him to say anything and took another breath before she spoke again. "Spike and I have gotten pretty close since I've been here. We're actually seeing each other now and we hope that you would be okay with that. I know this isn't what you had in mind; it wasn't what we had in mind either. It just happened and I'm really glad it did. We love each other, dad. I know it's sudden, but we really do." She stopped then to see the reaction on her father's face and she couldn't tell what he was thinking. Spike had a worried look on his face as he waited for Hank to say something. It took a little while before Hank decided to speak up.

"What do you want me to say?" He wondered and Buffy took another deep breath as Spike gave her hand a squeeze this time.

"I want you to be okay with this. Spike is the one that wasn't sure about it at first; I was the one that pushed him. I really hope you won't fire him." Hank laughed as he shook his head.

"I'm not going to fire Spike. He's one of the best police officers we have. I do know how pushy you can be when you want something. There's really nothing I can say. You will be 18 soon and you'll be free to make your own decisions. If this is what you both want, then I won't stand in the way." Buffy had a huge smile on her face now as she got up and hugged him again.

"You don't know how happy I am to hear you say that. I love you, daddy." Hank held his daughter tighter.

"I love you, too. I just want you to be happy, Buffy." He told her and Buffy nodded as she pulled out of the hug.

"I am happy." She said as she gave Spike a smile and he smiled back at her. He then grew serious when he looked at Hank.

"I would never let anything happen to her, Hank. I love her very much." Hank nodded and could see how sincere Spike was.

"I know you do. You're a good man, Spike. I honestly don't think my daughter could be with anyone better." Spike was touched at what Hank said and gave him a smile.

"Thank you, that means a lot." Hank returned his smile.

"Just take care of her and we won't have a problem." He told him and Spike nodded.

"Always," he replied and Buffy was so relieved that everything seemed to work out. Hank nodded again and looked at both of them.

"Well, I guess I should get back home. I have some unpacking to do. You'll be coming home soon?" He asked Buffy.

"Yeah, I'll be home later tonight. I just want to say here for a bit." She explained and Hank gave her one more hug before he left the apartment. Buffy sat back down next to Spike after her father left and gave him a passionate kiss on the lips.

"What was that for?" He said a little breathless when she pulled away.

"I just felt like doing that. I want to make sure you're taken care of before I leave." Spike tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.

"I think I'm well taken care of." He whispered as he kissed her this time. They soon became lost in the kiss and right now, that was all that mattered.