Chapter 21: What Gibbs Would Do

A/N: I'm back on this story. Hopefully I'll be able to get back into the swing of updating it on a semi-regular basis again. All those mini-fics might have destroyed Musie's concentration for anything over 500 words. Chapter title comes from something shown on NCIS all the time (I don't own that show). You'll see it in the first paragraph.

Challenge: partially to answer a forum request/challenge by DeepBlueJoy for a story with a 'person of color' as a main character – who doesn't die immediately.

Warning: more see-sawing Robin, but he will calm down eventually…I think.

Thanks to my beta: AerynSpeedleCaine.

Disclaimer: BtVS and AtS characters belong to Joss Whedon / Mutant Enemy. I claim no rights to any copyrighted material. Please do not copy or take this story without my permission.

Hospital hallway near the waiting room

As soon as he heard Tara blurt out that Buffy and Spike had a sexual relationship, Robin stopped dead in his tracks, turned around and stormed back out the front door without looking back. A few minutes later, Bernie joined him. First thing he did was smack Robin in the back of the head.

"What was that for?" his adoptive son complained.

Bernie just glared at the boy and growled, "For being more hormonal than a pregnant teen. And seeing as how I was there when Nikki was carrying you, I know how bad they can get. I thought you were going to wait until you heard the whole story before making any judgments on Buffy's involvement with your mother's killer."

Times like this, Robin regretting shaving his head 'cause right now, he really felt like tearing his hair out. He settled for sighing heavily and sitting on the bench to talk out his frustrations. "I don't know what it is about her, Bernie. I barely know the woman, but she's got me so mixed up that I don't know if I'm coming or going. When we heard that a couple people had been shot in her backyard…my heart almost stopped, I was so afraid it was her. But hearing that she willingly slept with that monster…" he trailed off after spitting out the first part of the sentence.

"Boy, you really should have stuck around a few more seconds to hear the rest," Bernie chided. "Sounds like we're coming in during the third act – with no idea of what happened in the first two. Something in particular is making me wonder if it's a play we're watching or a movie."

The words were enough to confuse the hell out of Robin – which put him in the same position as Bernie. "Huh? What are you talking about?"

"I'm not sure, son," Bernie admitted. "But there is a whole lot going on that we don't know about. First things first, though…you need to have your head on straight. I think I know what's messing you up."

"Yeah? Care to tell me?" Robin half-snarked/half-pleaded.

"She's a Slayer. Because of that, you put her in the same category as your mother – which automatically puts her on such a pedestal that no mere human could live up to. And that's all these girls are, Robin: human," Bernie reminded him.

Sighing sadly, Bernie went on, "We've watched firefighters, cops, soldiers and god knows how many other professional people who put their lives on the line for their fellow man. Those same people who protect and serve humanity can make the worst choices in their private lives. And they chose to serve; Slayers don't get that luxury. Not really. Even if they don't want to be a Slayer, demons and vampires will search them out wherever they are. It's fight or die once they're Called. And the Potentials who are found and trained without being Called don't even get satisfaction of knowing it meant something."

Bernie laid his hand on Robin's shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "And your mother wasn't the saint you make her out to be in your memories. She made her share of bad choices as well. You're living proof of that. But she never truly regretted it – apart from knowing you would probably have to grow up without her if she was Called after you were born. All I'm saying is that you should find out why Buffy turned to Spike before you write her off. And get your hormones under control for all our sakes," he teasingly added.

Robin blushed, but nodded that he would try. "It's just…she gets to me, Dad. And yeah, part of it is probably that she's the Slayer – who wouldn't be attracted to a hero? But…I don't know…despite our first meeting, I can't help but think she's a strong person. Plus the fact that she's trying to raise her little sister while keeping the world safe; at least you were there to help Mom with me. I'll admit, her looks don't hurt either. Those eyes of hers…if I were poetic, I could write a book of poems about those eyes," he admitted, blushing even more.

Deciding he had enough embarrassment, he got up and they made their way to the waiting room to meet Buffy's friends and family.

A/N: Next…Old Watcher meets new.