A week later, the entire family was sitting in the Kellogg's huge family room. It was three days before Thanksgiving, and they were simply enjoying each other's company. Helen came into the room from preparing lunch.
"Spike? Telephone for you, dearie," she said, holding out the portable telephone. Spike took it and walked into another room.
"Hello?" He said, "Yes, speaking. She what? I…I…yes. Yes of course. Someone will be there tonight. Uh, okay. Yes, thank you. Thanks very much, Doctor." Spike hung up the phone with shaking hands. He turned and went into the other room. His now tan skin was pale, and he was trembling slightly. Everyone turned to look at him as he walked in.
"Spike? Baby, whats the matter?" Harmony asked, concerned about her husband.
"Everyone listening?" Spike asked, "Good. Everyone, er, it's Buffy. She…she's awake." There was a silence before Rupert laughed.
"Very good, Spike," he chuckled, "You almost had me." Everyone looked at Spike, waiting for him to laugh and agree. Instead he shook his head.
"No, Rupert. I…I mean it. She's awake. Someone has to go to her." Everyone looked shocked.
"I'd go," Willow said, "but I…it'd be…I don't know. Weird." Xander and Angel nodded enthusiastically. Spike looked to Rupert.
"No Spike. It's best that you go, I think. Yes, definitely," Rupert said, and everyone agreed. Everyone agreed except Spike, that is.
"What! She hates me! She was sure that Joyce 'n' me were sleepin' together! And I got custody over Dawn! Surely one of you sees reason here!" Spike exclaimed, his rough British accent taking place of the cultured, slightly southern accent that had taken its place. "Bloody hell. You all are barmy, ye here me? Bloody barmy!" Everyone looked at him. Willow did puppy dog eyes.
"Goddamn it. Fine. I'll go. But if she ends up dead, it's not my ruddy fault, you get me?" He said, glaring around the room. "Now, Niblet. What are we going to do about this? You want to stay with your Mum and me, yeah?" Dawn jumped.
"What? Of course! She's not…she won't try and get custody will she?" Dawn asked nervously. Everyone looked uncomfortable. Rupert explained that she might, but she wouldn't get it. Spike and Harmony had been damned fine parents, and no judge with half a brain would let her leave them. It was agreed that Spike would go to her hospital in Los Angeles, take Buffy shopping for clothes and other necessities, and then bring her back to his house in New Orleans. Spike groaned throughout the whole ordeal, but agreed to go anyway, mostly for Dawn's sake.