Chapter 28

By Christmas break, the Academy had settled again, and none of the Potentials had an excuse not to do homework when they'd all come with laptops courtesy of the Council. Buffy worked through her frustration at still not being pregnant with fight training for the Potentials each day. It was really just an extension of the classes she was already teaching at the college, so she rationalized her increased involvement with the school.

Little Thomas Harris was in kindergarten, Dawn was traveling more for her magazine, and Connor had turned eight. After Spike and Angel had actually gotten along at Connor's birthday party, Angel, at Cordelia's urging, had invited the family to stop by on Christmas Day…if they wanted to, and didn't have plans already filling the day, of course. Kara immediately accepted, giving her mate a look that said in no uncertain terms that they would be there. He conceded that "they could probably drop by for a minute on the way to Sunnydale", and both vampires retreated to their corners again.

Dinner would be at the Giles residence. The Pierces, Willow, Tara, and Michael were spending the morning with the children at the Academy, so the rest were free until the evening to fit in other plans. The Harris' had just moved back to Sunnydale in November so that Anya could take over the shop. She complained about Giles not keeping it up to her standards, but really, was more than thrilled to be behind the register again. The Magic Box had felt more like home to her than most of the places she'd lived. Giles was now back full time to what he loved most – research – translating texts for the Council that came in the mail for him. It meant that Joyce had to try a bit harder to get his attention, but she'd never seen him happier.

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"I'm glad you've joined me for lunch today, Kara. We haven't had a chat in a long time," Giles stated.

"All you had to do was pick up the phone," she teased.

"Yes, well…I didn't want to intrude on your busy schedule."

"I'm not that busy during the day anymore, Giles, with the girls at school. I'm more than happy to have lunch with you. Something specific on your mind?"

"Well, besides missing your company, I've been curious how the twins are developing. The world has never seen children like them, as you know."

"Always the Watcher…well, aside from their powers, my daughters are pretty normal. Lillian loves to draw and read, and Ana's made lots of friends at school. They know not to use their abilities at school, and so far, we haven't had any problems with possible exposure. I have no problem switching schools or tutoring them privately if that changes. They have ballet lessons, and piano lessons, just like any other girl. They excel at practically everything, but I don't know how much that has to do with their special heritage, since Spike and I both did well at school in our youth."

"And their powers? How are those coming along?"

"This isn't going to end up in some research paper for the Council, is it, because they don't need to know anything about my daughters, Giles. No one outside the family needs ever know my girls are special until they're adults and can protect themselves."

"I assure you, Kara, I'm only curious for my own interest. I'd never jeopardize the safety of the twins."

"I just wanted to be clear. Well…Ana's agility and dexterity continue to improve, and she has very little fear about taking risks. I keep finding her in trees. She's fast, strong, and graceful, like you'd imagine a Slayer would be if they grew into their powers instead of having them dumped on them all at once. Lillian has no trouble communicating telepathically with as much eloquence as she can verbally, though it's easier for her to do with other children. She, Connor, and Anastasia play together as a cohesive unit…"

"Astounding…"

"Yeah, it takes a little getting used to…and she can control hearing thoughts right now, so I don't have to keep her at home. Lillian developed something new a couple months ago, though…"

"Oh?"

"Spike startled her, and she disappeared, went invisible. It seems to just be a defense mechanism, for she can't do it normally. We had to work with surprising her so she could learn not to have the reaction. The girls had just started school, and I don't want to imagine what might have happened if she had done it the first time around all the other kids. We just deal with this new stuff as it comes up, just like anything else. Otherwise, as long as Lillian protects herself from the sun, she's fine."

"The sun, you say? She's become more sensitive to UV light?" Giles asked.

"Yep. Enough that she'll sunburn quickly if she doesn't have sunscreen on. I made sure her teacher knows that Lilli needs to put it on before going out for recess. Lillian is pretty good about remembering, since she doesn't want the pain, and she wears hats and long sleeves when the weather isn't too hot. I'm hoping she'll have more of a tolerance when she gets older, but we'll have to see."

"Amazing…it seems some of the vampire demon's DNA was passed on, after all…"

"Possibly. It's not like human children don't have the same problem, though. Just look at those kids who have to live in the dark their whole lives. Lillian is fair enough to sunburn all on her own."

"True. Her complexion does lean towards the shade of ivory. And what of Ana, lately?"

"Browns without a problem, like I did as a kid, though I try to keep her covered in sunblock, too. No need to risk skin cancer. Her hair just keeps getting darker as she gets older. Ana is a lot like me. It's kind of scary," Kara admitted.

"I don't see that as a bad thing," he complemented.

"True, and she doesn't have my shyness, thank goodness, but Lillian isn't so fortunate. She hangs back until she's sure of her place in a situation, and only then, does she join in like everything's okay. I keep telling her she has nothing to be shy about, but it seems to be part of her natural personality."

"I don't think you need to worry, just yet. Most children grow out of that as long as they're encouraged to blossom. Our own Willow has come so far, just because someone believed that she could. Your family will be at Christmas dinner, like usual?"

"Oh, yes. We're going to stop briefly in L.A. on the way up, but we'll be there in time to eat. The girls are excited about it. They've never gotten to see Connor on Christmas before," Kara replied.

"Angel and Spike are getting along?"

"They're…civil. In front of the kids, they behave, lately, so Cordy and I are willing to risk it. It's possible Wesley and Fred will be able to come in, so that will be nice, too."

"Yes, I hear good things about the work they're doing in Cleveland. Their young Slayer seems to be quite talented."

"That's what Willow's always saying."

Giles paid the check, and they parted ways after a warm hug.

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"How did I get roped into being the Slayer's guinea pig?" Spike complained.

"It's a favor to your cousin, and besides, you're the only 'safe' vampire handy. It'll be fun! You get to toss around little girls that have probably gotten cocky with how much they've learned," Kara teased. "I'll be having lunch with Tara." She kissed him, nudged him towards the gym, and went inside the school.

Spike grumbled the whole way over. He and Buffy still didn't get along if left alone with each other for very long, and with the Slayer being in charge of the class, she was going to take great pleasure in tossing him around – he just knew it. She was giving some kind of lecture to the teens when he walked in.

"Ah, Spike – being on time would be handy, 'kay?" she said in a falsely sweet voice.

"Well, I'm here now, Slayer. Who else could you trust with the kiddies – Peaches?"

Her eyes narrowed briefly at his insult to Angel (old habits die hard), and then it was replaced by her all-business-General-Buffy look as she turned back to the girls.

"Spike is here to give you girls an example of confronting a vampire on patrol. We're going to run through mock scenarios where you will try to stake him. Remember, a vampire already has his weapon built in. They don't need stakes, swords, or crossbows. What's the first rule of slaying?"

"Don't die!" the class chorused.

Spike rolled his eyes and took off his coat, draping it over a chair. He rolled his shoulders and stretched his neck from side to side, making audible cracks that had the teens cringing. He stepped onto the mat, hands relaxed at his sides.

"Who's first, Slayer?"

"Me. We're going to run through an example they'll be trying to replicate."

"Any time, luv," he replied, grinning. He'd rather be fighting the Slayer, anyway.

Buffy commenced her standard attack upon meeting a vampire, Spike blocking her blows, but not returning them. Buffy made a deliberate mistake, knowing he would capitalize on it, and found her back to Spike, his face poised over her neck in the correct position for a bite. He released her, and they stepped away from each other, ready to go again.

"That's what you don't want to do," Buffy instructed. "You never want to give a vampire access to your neck. He wins, and you're dead. This time, we're going to run through a textbook staking." She arched her brow at Spike, silently asking if he was ready, which gained a short nod.

Spike attacked as a fledgling would, easily giving Buffy the chance to sweep his legs out from under him. She straddled him and plunged her fist down to his heart, mimicking the staking. Buffy immediately popped up and faced her class again.

"Um, I have a question – if he's supposed to be a vampire, then how is he out in daylight?" one of the girls asked.

"I'm special," Spike replied, winking at the girl. She blushed and ducked her head.

"Moving on," Buffy said impatiently. It would take a blind person not to notice that the teens thought Spike was a major hottie, and she didn't want them distracted. It was hard to keep them focused, as it was. "Who wants to volunteer to stake Spike first?"

The girls murmured amongst themselves, before one of the oldest finally stepped forward. Buffy smiled inwardly. The girl was one of the technical best, and had an attitude the size of Texas. She was going to enjoy seeing the harmless vampire beaten by a little girl.

"Okay, Rita. Just start with what you know best. Don't worry about hurting him. Spike can take it."

"Thanks ever so, Slayer," he retorted irritably.

Rita smirked, shook out her limbs, and attacked just like she'd been taught. Spike was doing an admirable job of avoiding her blows, but he was clearly on the defensive. Buffy focused on the girl's technique, looking for any flaws. Suddenly, Spike took an opening, and hip tossed the girl to the mat, hard enough to guess how it could be in a real situation.

"Ow," she muttered.

Buffy's eyes widened, then she moved full speed to pin Spike to the wall, holding him up by his throat.

"What the bleedin' hell is your problem, Slayer!" he croaked out.

"How long ago did your chip stop working?" she growled.

"What are you talking about? I didn't even hurt the girl."

Buffy leaned her face in closer to his, her eyes glittering menacingly. "If I heard her say 'ow', I'm sure you did, and you didn't even twinge."

Buffy suddenly found a third hand at her throat, claws pressed to her skin.

"Get your hands off my mate before I rip them off," Kara growled, her volume just loud enough for the three of them to hear.

"Uh, Mrs. Pierce?" The girls started to move forward to help their teacher, only to be stopped by an invisible wall. They all heard a voice in their heads. Stay out of this girls. This doesn't concern you.

"Buffy, let him go. Spike is not a danger to your students," Kara murmured in the Slayer's ear.

Buffy finally released her grip, knowing this was a fight she couldn't win. "Outside. Now!" she demanded of the other two. Once they were around the side of the gym, she spat out her questions.

"How long has his chip not been working? How could you not tell any of us? What the hell are you doing with a dangerous killer, Kara?"

"We didn't say anything, Slayer, because it's none of anyone else's business. The chip had to come out. It was misfiring, and would have fried his brain," Kara replied. "As for Spike being dangerous? The only people that are in danger from him are those who would hurt our family."

"So, you're just okay with him being unrestrained? He could have been snacking on people this whole time!" Buffy argued.

"Oh, please, Slayer! Do you actually think I would jeopardize my family over a free meal? I'm not the same vampire you first met, Slayer. I thought even you would have noticed that by now," Spike replied.

"Buffy – let it go," Sebastian said, joining the group.

"What! How can you say that? He's not the same William you thought of as a little brother, Sebastian."

"No, I'm not. That William couldn't have fought his way out of a paper bag, and probably would have pissed himself at the sight of all I've seen. Bas knows my past. I haven't hidden a bloody thing."

"Buffy," Sebastian gently began. "It's true that Spike is not the young man I once knew, but he's not the vampire you used to know, either. He has a wife, and children, and you know he loves them with all of his being. You've seen it. He doesn't need a chip or a soul. Kara is all the incentive he'll ever need not to return to his old life. Can you really look at Spike over the last ten years and only see a killer waiting to be free?"

She sighed, seeing her husband wasn't going to budge in his argument, and turned back to Spike. "I don't like you," she said plainly.

"I don't like you, either, Slayer, but I wouldn't kill you. Not unless it came down to survival," Spike replied honestly.

She gave him a curt nod, and spun on her heel to return to her students.

"I'm sorry," Sebastian said.

Spike waved it off. "Don't worry about it. She's only going by what she was taught. It's ingrained into a Slayer not to trust a vampire. Same rule still applies: as long as she doesn't attack me and mine, she's perfectly safe. For your sake, if nothing else."

"I suppose we're back to having an awkward Christmas again," Kara sighed. "The chip's been out since 2003. We didn't say anything because it just wasn't an issue. The only difference it makes in our lives is that Spike can protect himself from human attacks again."

"I understand, Kara," Sebastian assured. "I trust the both of you completely. I'll talk to Buffy. She's usually pretty reasonable once she's calmed down."

"Yeah…We're going to go…"

"Of course. Give my love to my goddaughters."

"Always, mate."

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The group was assembled in the Giles' living room.

"What's this meeting about, Sebastian?" Joyce asked.

"My wife felt we needed to have a family meeting. Buffy, would you like to explain why everyone's here?"

"Spike's chip is gone. Since it's not a secret from the two of us anymore, I thought the rest of you should know, too," she stated.

"Okay. And?" Xander replied. Buffy's eyes widened in surprise.

"You aren't…concerned?"

He turned to Spike. "Should I be?"

"Nope. I enjoy taking your money too much on poker nights," Spike teased.

Xander shrugged. "That's good enough for me." There were several nods in agreement.

"None of you are shocked or surprised?" the Slayer pursued.

"Kara, he did this with your approval?" Giles asked, confirming.

"Yes. I removed it magically, after it started putting him in seizures. The pain was excruciating whenever it misfired. I couldn't block all of it from coming through the claim, so I know it had to be ten times worse for Spike. Scariest few days of my life," she replied. Her mate squeezed the hand he was holding, then pressed a kiss to it.

"Then, I don't see where the problem is, Buffy. If Kara trusts her husband, then I trust her judgment. And even I can admit that Spike has changed from the vampire he used to be."

"Thanks, Rupert. I'm feeling all warm and fuzzy," Spike added. "Looks like the only one with a problem is you, Slayer. I know that you're wired to not trust vampires, but I've had the chip out for years. If I still had a hankerin' for Slayer blood, there were any number of patrols I could have taken my advantage out of you. Not to offend anyone's 'delicate sensibilities', but Kara's blood is the best I've ever tasted, and…"

"I offer it freely," she finished for him.

"Awww, that's so sweet!" Anya gushed. Xander shook his head, grinning. After this many years, he was used to his wife's odd sentiments.

"Well, I've certainly learned more than I wanted to. Any other news anyone has to share?" Joyce asked, wanting to move things along.

"Nope. We've got kids to pick up from daycare."

"I've got a date," Dawn said.

"Dinner plans."

"Papers to grade."

They all shuffled out, hugs and kisses exchanged as they moved out the door. Buffy stayed seated in the living room, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. Sebastian had come in a separate car.

"I'll see you at home, love?"

"Yeah. I'll be along in a while," she murmured.

Joyce shooed him out the door, then sent Giles into his study. Mother's intuition was telling her Spike wasn't the real cause of her daughter's upset.

"You want to tell me the real reason for this fuss, now that we're alone?" she prompted Buffy.

"I don't know what you mean. Finding out Spike is chip-less really did freak me out, Mom."

"I don't why it should. He's family, Buffy. He stood up for your husband at your wedding. You'd even become what I'd almost call friends. Now, try telling the truth."

"I don't need this," she argued, standing up to leave. Her mother's hand on her arm made her pause.

"Honey, you're 28 years old. You're too old to be running away from your problems or trying to pass blame on others. I've hardly seen you around in weeks. What's really going on, hmm?"

"Fine," she muttered. "I don't like being retired, okay?" Buffy said irritably. "I thought this would be everything I had ever wanted, but I feel useless now. Seeing Spike spar with one of my girls, and having her say 'ow' without him having so much as a twinge – it gave me a reason to be the Slayer again. Turns out, it's a comfortable role for me. God, I am so screwed up! I finally have everything I dreamed of – a totally normal life – and I'm not happy! Why isn't this making me happy, Mommy?"

"Oh, sweetie…it's hard, sometimes, to actually get what you want. I think that you've felt…abnormal for so long, because of your calling, that you put unrealistic expectations on what 'normal' would give you. You thought it would complete you if you got that dream."

"That seems to make sense…"

"And a typical life is not a fairytale, honey. There's real work involved, and boring days, and mundane chores. I've had enough time to realize that being the Slayer is just as much Buffy as Buffy is the Slayer. No one can cut off such a big chunk of their life and still feel whole. It just doesn't work that way."

"I think your wisdom skipped a generation, Mom. I never come up with this stuff on my own. No wonder I'm not pregnant yet. My potential baby's soul is running away screaming in terror over how much I'm going to mess it up."

"Sweetie, you're not going to be a bad mother. And Sebastian will be there, too. You have a wonderful husband who knows you very well. Listen to him every once in a while."

"Yeah, he knows I'm nuts."

"Oh, baby, I don't know where you got this worrying streak from," Joyce teased. "You've worried about every little thing since you were a little girl. I want you to think about what would make your life feel more fulfilled, instead, okay? If it's finding a town where you can slay vampires, then go do it. I've hated to see you so unhappy this year."

"It's sucked on this end, too. I'm sure even my husband is sick of me by now. Thanks, Mom. I think I'm ready to go home."

Joyce hugged her oldest. "You do that. He's probably pacing the house, waiting to talk to you."

"Yeah," Buffy said, smiling in agreement. Her husband was very predictable. "We'll see you at Christmas, 'kay? I promise to be Cheerful Buffy, ready to party."

"Alright. Drive safely. I love you, sweetie."

"Love you, too, Mom." She rushed back for one more hug. "Thanks."

Buffy hurried out, anxious to get home. She felt much lighter after her confessions.