A/N: And finally, Chapter Seven…

The Showdown…

There was a faint knock at the door and Buffy stumbled over herself to reach the door first, almost retching the door of it's hinges she sighed in relief. "Annabelle."

The blond teenager looked at the woman before her in confusion, "Why are you in my house?" She asked as politely as she could under the circumstances.

Buffy opened the door wider so that Annabelle could get past her, as if inviting the girl into her own home. "You're dad and Faith invited me." She smiled, and Annabelle found the looked to be slightly condescending. "They think we should talk, they're in the kitchen."

Annabelle raised an eyebrow in an 'oh really?' expression that Crystal was overly fond of before ignoring the blond and following the hallway to the kitchen.

Faith and Spike both sat at the breakfast isle with pensive looks on their face. Both of them had a hand missing from the counter top so Annabelle assumed they were holding hands for support.

Buffy ushered Annabelle to a seat, like the teen couldn't guide herself, and the teen waited for them to start talking.

Buffy beamed at them all, however the light dimmed at Faith who was staring resolutely at the table top. "Well; we've come up with an arrangement." Buffy announced finally.

Annabelle looked at the blond in confusion, "An arrangement?" She asked slowly.

The condescending smile was back again, "Yes, but you don't have to worry yourself with the arrangements," The blond looked over at the silent couple with barely hidden distain. "We've all agreed."

Annabelle fought the urge to roll her eyes, "Agreed to what?"

"Well," Buffy sat down on the stall next to her, with an air of excitement. "Because your dad has had you all to himself all these years," She gave him a quick glare for emphasis. "You'll be coming to stay with me over spring break in a few weeks. You'll love it – you can meet my friend Willow, she's really smart and knows loads about computer-"

"wait." Annabelle ordered, not even looking at Buffy, "I'm going to stay with you over spring break? And you guys are just ok with this?" She asked the silent duo opposite.

Faith looked ready to reply but Buffy jumped in front of her, "Of course, sweetie. They want you to get to know your mom!" Buffy beamed at her again, it was starting to give Annabelle a headache.

Annabelle shook her head, "So then why would I be staying with you?" She asked peevishly.

Buffy's smile faltered slightly and Spike looked up from the table for the first time. "Because I'm your mom." She answered.

Annabelle stood and backed away from the blond that was trying to hold her hand. "No, you aren't." She snarled. "You aren't even my mother."

Buffy stood up as well, a stern expression on her face, "Don't talk to me like that young lady." She warned but Annabelle scoffed.

"Or what? You'll ground me?" She laughed, though there was no humour, only tears, "You'll leave? Abandon me again?"

Buffy floundered for a moment on how to respond, obviously not having expected a response. "Because I am-"

"If you say you are my mother one more time, I will throw you out of this house!" Annabelle shouted, gaining surprised looked from everyone at the table.

"Mothers don't abandon their children for fifteen years, they don't just turn up out of the blue one day. They are there when you have your first crush and when you learn to swim," Annabelle hastily wiped the back of her hands over her cheeks to rid them of tears. "You didn't want me, Miss Summers, you didn't want to be my mother when it might have mattered so I don't want you now. I have a fantastic mom; who is kind and funny, and who watched all my dance routines and went to all the school plays."

Annabelle took a deep breathe before continuing, "Please get out and don't come back, maybe I can contact you in fifteen years when I'm ready."

Buffy looked at the girl in astonishment, "You can't mean that,"

"Actually I really do, I don't care why you came back. Just go." Annabelle said and when Buffy stayed exactly where she was Annabelle dragged the shocked woman out of the house and shouted through the door, "If you come here again, I'm calling the cops!" She sobbed, finally breaking down into chocking sobs.

Small arms turned her away from the door and pulled her into a comforting embrace, "Thank you, baby girl." Faith murmured into her hair as he sobs died down. "Shh, it's over now. I don't think Buffy's stupid enough to try to come back."

Swollen red eyes looked up at Faith with sincerity, "I really love you, mom." She vowed.

Faith grinned down at her daughter with a look of devotion and love, "I know you do, baby girl. So do I."

A/N: And that is where I am leaving it – better that than nothing, sorry it took so long to update life is just so… there are no words for me really…

Anyway, read and review I hope to hear from you guys! Please don't be too mean…