Disclaimers: I own nothing except Catherine Lassaday. She belongs to me. And that sounded a lot stranger than I meant for it to...
Karma: Thanks for reviewing! It made me feel all loved. I think I kinda confused people because they thought the last chappie was the end, I never planned for it to be the end... I do plan to show the meeting and all that jazz. And yes it will get darker once Tara gets involved. Please keep reading, reviewing and telling me whatcha think.
Dawn Summers sat at the top of the stairs, an amused smile was spread across her face. She was happier than she had been these past four months combined and it all had to do with two of the three people currently in the living room. Spike and Willow. Anya was currently in the room with them and she was being, well, Anya like. But Anya was the only one Willow and Spike could think of who wouldn't freak out about the plan. She was also the only person they knew of who had seen thousands upon thousands of marriages. It didn't matter that she had helped end most of these marriages. In fact, that was one of the main reasons as to why Willow called Anya in the first place. She could tell them how not to act. This made the entire "lesson" entirely entertaining for Dawn to watch.
"Okay, and no pet names at the meeting." Anya instructed the couple on the couch.
"Why?" A curious Willow asked.
"Because it is a sign of weakness." Anya said matter of factly.
Spike cocked an eyebrow. "How is it a sign of weakness?" He asked disbelievingly.
Anya glared at him. "Well, not only that but it's just tacky. And you said you wanted my help." She pointed out. "Either you listen or I leave."
"Spike, behave." Willow hissed as she absently laid a hand on his knee in an attempt to stop him from opening his mouth and pissing Anya off even further. If Willow knew one thing in life, it was not to piss Anya off when she's trying to help you.
"Now, that sounded like a wife." Anya beamed proudly.
"Really?" A surprised Willow asked.
Spike rolled his eyes. Seeing this, Willow slapped his chest lightly which caused Anya to beam even further.
"Just like a wife." Anya said ecstatically.
Before Spike or Willow could say anything, the door bell rang.
"Dawn, honey could you get the door instead of eavesdropping on us?" Willow asked with a smile.
"Actually, I was spying." Dawn corrected as she moved to answer the door.
The teenager lazily opened the door; quite unaware of the can of worms she was about to open. She had no idea of all the trouble this one visit would cause. In front of her stood a middle-aged woman with short brown hair and a broad smile. "Dawn Summers?" She asked after looking down at the clipboard in her hands.
"Yeah?" Dawn hesitantly responded.
"I'm Catherine Lassaday from social services." The woman said with a smile. "I'm looking for William or Willow Giles, are they home?"
Dawn gulped and pasted on a fake smile. "Yeah, they are. I'll go get them. Would you like to come in?"
Catherine smiled. "Of course." She walked into the house and stood impatiently in the hallway. Catherine looked down at her watch. Four-forty. She had twenty minutes to evaluate her newest charge's home life and check into the office before she would go onto over time.
"Um, Willow? Will? Some one from social services is at the door." Dawn said nervously.
Spike and Willow exchanged looks of uneasiness which both held the same question, 'are you ready?'
"Well, I guess we're on, eh, Red?" Spike asked lowly.
Willow nodded and grabbed Spike's hand for support. "Remember, this is for Dawn. Behave. Don't be Spike. Be William. I know he's still in there somewhere."
Spike sighed unnecessarily, and allowed Willow to pull him into the hallway. 'She wants William? I'll give the little witch William.' He thought to himself.
"Mr. and Mrs. Giles? I'm Catherine Lassaday from social services." The woman said with a smile.
"William Giles." Spike responded in a crisp, upper class accent.
Catherine smiled and shook Spike's outstretched hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Giles. What part of England are you from?"
"London. And William, please Mr. Giles is my father." Spike responded automatically.
Catherine immediately turned her attention to Willow.
"Hi, um, I'm Willow Giles." Willow said nervously as she shook Catherine's hand. This wasn't the Spike she knew. He was actually listening to her and behaving. Willow couldn't believe it. Spike never listened to any one. She shook her head slightly as she realized that Catherine was talking to her.
The social worker smiled. "There's no need to be nervous Mrs. Giles, uh, Willow. This isn't a test. I'm just here to make sure Dawn is well cared for, happy, and loved."
"I am." Dawn said as she poked her head in from the living room. "Happy and loved that is."
"Nibblet." Spike said warningly.
Catherine smiled. "It's all right, Mr. Giles- William. I like hearing what the children have to say about their living conditions. So, you're happy here, Dawn?"
Dawn nodded. "Happier than I have been in a long time."
Catherine smiled. "That's all I needed to hear."
Just then the back door opened and Tara walked into the house. "Honey? Are you still here? I think I l-left my book here."
Spike and Willow exchanged looks of shock. Tara. What were they going to do?
"Who is that?" Catherine asked.
"Willow's sister, Tara." Dawn lied.
"She said 'honey'." A confused Catherine pointed out.
"Tara's my, um, lover." Anya said as she poked her head into the room.
"And you are?" Catherine asked.
"Anya."
Tara walked into the room and stared at Spike and Willow. 'Why is Spike's hand around my girlfriend's waist? Why is she leaning into him? They aren't really... No. Tara. You're just over reacting. Something has to be going on here. Something is always going on here.' "Um, hi?" She said.
Willow looked at Anya with a look that clearly said, 'Do something!'
Anya took a deep breath, walked over to Tara and kissed her on the cheek. "Hi, honey."
Tara looked at Anya like she was crazy. "What's going on here?" She asked.
"Oh, this is Catherine Lassaday from social services. She's here to check up on Dawnie." Willow said as she slipped out of Spike's grasp.
Catherine smiled and looked down at her watch. "It's very nice to have met you..."
"Tara." She said.
Catherine nodded. "Well, I'll have to be going. Mr. and Mrs. Giles, it has been a pleasure. Expect me back next week for another check up. I'll let myself out." She said before leaving.
For years, Tara had remained calm, cool, and collected. She had never really let emotion out. Now, she glared across the room, her eyes dark with anger. "What is going on here!"
TBC
Hee hee. I like using cliff hangers for this story, don't ask me why... RR and tell me whatcha think!
Karma
