A/N New chapter! Going to try to update a new chapter at least once every other month.

Everything ok Buffy?"

Buffy turned to look at Aisling who'd fallen in step beside her. "Yeah. I just… yeah."

Aisling tilted her head concerned, "What's wrong?"

"I saw Angel getting a little too close to that vampire who invaded PT Night."

Aisling raised her eyebrows and started rubbing her arm. "Oh… did you ask him about it?"

"No." Buffy said, "It's just… strange, isn't it? Why didn't he just stake her."

"You have a lot to learn about vampire lore," Aisling said as they walked together. "Killing your sire – killing the vampires you have sired… it's…"

"Difficult? It's not like vampires shave souls."

Aisling smiled as though she was amused by Buffy's naivete. "Siring is complicated. Drusilla was made with the idea that she would survive her first year. It's different than when you sire minions with a specific purpose that are supposed to be dead after a few months."

"And Drusilla."

"Is kind of both," Aisling said. "She was created with a specific purpose… but the kind of purpose that lasts. And adding the soul into the mix… killing someone he turned may be extra hard for him. He knew Drusilla. He spent like… 40 years in her presence before the soul."

"He killed Darla."

"Darla was trying to kill you." Aisling said, "And I guarantee that it's a different circumstance."

"Why are you defending him?" Buffy huffed, "I thought you disliked him."

"I do." Aisling said, "But you love him. You should at the very least hear him out before you cut him out."

Buffy sighed. "Can you tell me how she was turned?"

Aisling winced and looked away. "I believe Da' said Drusilla was Angel's masterpiece… whatever that means. Spike never went into any details regarding Drusilla's siring. Whether it was because he believed me too young… or because I was a child… or simply because he didn't want me to be traumatized further… I don't know."

Buffy winced as they walked up to Ms. Calendar and Mr. Giles conversing with each other.

"Do you own anything else?" Ms. Calendar said.

"Well… no, not as such."

"Rupert you're going to have to trust me."

"All right I put myself entirely in your hands."

"That sounds like fun." Ms. Calendar said, Aisling resisted the urge to gag. "Ok. Tomorrow Night at 7:30 right?"

"Yes."

"Nice," Aisling said. "Gross. But congrats on another date." Aisling said.

"Right, yes," Giles said in the awkward way that Aisling knew meant that Giles had no idea how to reply to her. Giles turned his attention to Buffy. "Uh, did we, uh hunt last night?"

We? Aisling thought to herself as she stared at Giles head tilted.

"I did a couple of quick sweeps downtown," Buffy said,

"Any Encounters."

Buffy looked at Aisling who looked down at her toes.

"Maybe one vampire. But Angel handled it." Buffy said.

Aisling blinked and stared at Buffy her head tilted but didn't say anything about it.

"Well, I've been doing research on your father Spike, Aisling. And Apparently, his paramour used to be Drusilla. The woman who attacked us during the Parent Teacher Night."

Aisling rolled her eyes. "That's old news. They broke up when I was seven."

Giles gave an awkward smile "Yes, But… perhaps he can give us information as to why she's here."

"It's not hard to figure out," Aisling said. "She wants her family back together. Darla's dead, and she's probably been alone for the past 8 years or so. Angel and Spike are the last of her family."

"And you're just now mentioning this?" Buffy said annoyed. "That this Drusilla might be planning on… stealing Angel away?"

"I'm mentioning it now ain't I? And I thought Angel would have spoken to you about it." Aisling said. "I have a sick father to take care of. Not to mention worrying about whether or not the woman who tortured me for a year was going to kidnap me to finish the job. As well as homework and trying to have a social life while dealing with a curfew that ends at sundown – in the middle of November. Excuse me while I neglect to remember to tell you a few things."

"Even still… the profile of Spike and Drusilla is fairly unappetizing."

"No shit," Aisling said. "Drusilla's favourite people to feed from are kids. And Spike liked to kill slayers. What's your point." Then she winced and turned to Buffy. "Back before he got his soul. He wouldn't now."

Buffy waved her away.

Giles looked at Buffy as though finally seeing her expression for the first time, "Are you alright you seem a little glum?"

"I'm fine."

"Why don't you take the night off?" Giles said.

"Ok," Buffy said a small smile forming on her lips. "That'd… be nice."

"Yes," Giles said, "You could spend some time with Angel."

"I don't know," Buffy said looking conflicted. "He might have other plans." She said before she grabbed Aisling and walked off.

"Woah," Aisling said as Buffy dragged Aisling away. "Could you be careful?" She asked her tone huffy.

"Look… I know things with Drusilla are difficult to talk about." Buffy said. "I saw how you were during Halloween, I saw the bleeding scars. I know…"

"You don't," Aisling said calmly. "And I hope you never ever find out." Aisling said, "What I went through… I wouldn't wish on anyone."

Buffy paused and sighed, "But… knowing what Drusilla wants… knowing that she probably wanted Angel back… that's important."

Aisling sighed and leaned against the lockers. "I doubt Drusilla wants him as is." She said honestly.

Buffy furrowed her brow before it smoothed out. "Soulful."

"Yeah." Aisling said, "She'd probably first try to concoct a plan to get rid of the soul first."

"But that's not possible is it?" Buffy asked worriedly.

Aisling shrugged, "I don't know. I don't know anything about how he got his soul. So… that's something you'd have to discuss with him."

"What about Spike?" Buffy asked, "Will Drusilla try and make him lose his soul."

Aisling nodded. "Yeah." She said. "Probably." Aisling sighed, "Whether or not she succeeds is another story."

"You seem oddly calm about this." Buffy said, "If Spike loses his soul—"

Aisling looked at her, "I know, and I am worried but I also know what Spike is like without his soul. And while I don't want him to lose his soul… I know what to do if he does."

"Stake him."

Aisling looked at Buffy, "Could you?" She asked softly. "IF Angel lost his soul and reverted to who he was could you stake him? Or even better if you're mother became a vampire, if Willow suddenly just turned evil could you?"

Buffy opened her mouth and then paused before closing it again. "I see your point. But how can you know he won't feed?"

"He'll feed," Aisling said when Buffy looked at her annoyed. "But I know what you mean." Aisling looked at Buffy. "And I don't." She said,

"Then—"

Aisling looked at Buffy and sighed, "I'll figure it out." She said. "I staked my best friend. I'll figure out how to deal with my father."

"I get the feeling a fledge is different from a vampire who's killed two slayers."

"Yeah," Aisling said. "And Spike is different from the Vampire you've ever known." She said before Xander and Willow appeared.

"What's up with her?" Xander said as Aisling walked passed him.

"We were just discussing potential possibilities should something go wrong," Buffy said. She said looking at Willow meaningfully.

Willow cut on quickly and the two meandered behind Xander quietly speaking.

Aisling sighed in her class as she sat beside Buffy while she and Willow passed notes to each other. The sounds of the world history class waffled around her.

"I just don't see why everyone's always picking on Marie Antoinette." She heard Cordelia say, "I can so relate to her. She worked really hard to look that good, and people just don't appreciate that kind of effort."

Hard to appreciate the effort to look good when you dying of starvation. Aisling thought to herself.

"And I know the peasants were all depressed"

I think you mean Oppressed." Xander cut in.

"Whatever." Cordelia said dismissively, "They were cranky."

"The French Revolution did spark the reign of terror. Which then led to Napolean's reign" Aisling cut in. "So… in the immediate aftermath chopping off Louis XVI's head probably wasn't the best move." She said, "I mean… acting rashly seldom works right?"

"Yeah." Xander said, "But people were dying." Xander said, "You can't expect people to think calmly and rashly when human beings are dying right."

"I mean… true." Aisling said, "I guess it depends on perspective. Is it better to die via the guillotine or the slow painful way of starvation?"

"Uh… hello." Cordelia said, "What does this half to do with Marie Antoinette."

"Marie Antoinette was killed because the peasants were hungry." Aisling said, "The people up top were so busy focusing on the nobility they neglected to realize the real threat was just beneath them."

"Well, I mean…" Cordelia thought about, "Marie Antoinette was going to let them have cake."

"I heard that was a vicious rumour started by the peasants," Aisling said.

"Why would it be vicious."

"Cause Cordelia if you don't even have the money to buy bread – why would you have the money to buy cake?"

Cordelia paused and her eyes widened, "Oh… they thought she was mocking them."

"Yes," Aisling said.

"I have trouble believing that," Cordelia said.

Aisling shrugged, "She was young when she married Louis, I don't know how young she was when the revolution broke out it's possible, she was just naïve and didn't know any better." Aisling said, "Lots of us make mistakes just most of us don't screw over hundreds of people if we screw up." Aisling went quiet as she thought about it.

Lots of us make mistakes most of us don't screw over hundreds of people when we do. Aisling sighed and lay her head down on her desk.

She wanted to protect her father, and heal him… but in doing so was she dooming others.

Aisling didn't have to think about it for long she knew she was.

"Drusilla and Angel were friendly with each other." Willow said, as Aisling walked behind them on their way out of class. "Maybe he was just… I don't know trying to get information out of her."

"It's possible." Aisling said as she walked behind her. "Back in the old days She practically worshipped the ground Angel walked on." Aisling said.

"Spike told you that."

"Yeah."

"What's going on?" Xander said coming up behind them.

"Buffy caught Angel speaking with Drusilla – the vampire who orchestrated the attack at Parent Teacher Night." Willow said quickly.

"Willow do we have to be in total share mode?" Buffy said.

"Hey it's me, if Angel's doing something wrong, I want to know." Xander grinned, "Cause it gives me a happy."

"Aww. I'm glad someone has a happy." Buffy said sarcastically.

"No you just need cheering up, and I know just the thing." He started waving his arms, "Crazed dance part at the Bronze."

"You know I can't go." Aisling said as they started climbing up the stairs to the couch area. "Dad doesn't want me out after dark."

"Unless you're with me." Buffy said with a smile. "And I'll be there."

Aisling huffed, "If people in my life could stop considering me weak that would be great." She sighed. "Besides I'm still grounded for the actions I did at The frat house."

"I don't think you're weak." Buffy said, "I thought you're dad lifted your grounding."

"Nah." Aisling said, "He let me go out Halloween because I was voluntold, but after that I was put right back under house arrest. The actions of Halloween really got him spooked, he wants me where he can see me."

"Yeah, but is the place you live really that safe? I mean it's a vampire home isn't it? The boundary spell only works on humans."

"Technically, in the most technical way possible the house is actually under my name" Aisling said, "I signed the lease, so yeah the barrier magic is still in play."

"The landlord let you sign the lease?" Willow said, "Isn't that illegal?"

Aisling raised an eyebrow at Willow, "I use magic to keep people believing that Spike is my dad – what's your point?"

Willow looked interested, "Really?" Willow said, "Did you have to like change people's minds magically or…"

"No!" Aisling said sounding horrified and terrified, "No there was just magically created government documents. Aisling said, "Jeeze Willow… no. No. I would never – no." Aisling's breathing started to get erratic.

"Hey," Buffy said stepping forward, "Hey, it's ok." Buffy said she dropped her bag and, Aisling pressed her hand against her chest as she suddenly found it difficult to breathe. "Shh. Willow didn't… it's ok." Buffy said, "Come on. Take a seat." Buffy turned to Willow, "Go get Mr. Giles." She said before turning back to Aisling, "You're ok." Buffy said, "You're safe."

Aisling tried to remember the techniques her therapist had taught her when she was in the middle of a panic attack. "I can't…" Aisling tried desperately to breathe but she couldn't seem to focus long enough to get herself to stop hyperventilating. "I can't ground." She bit out.

Buffy didn't understand what she was talking about, "Ground?"

In her mind she remembered Drusilla standing in front of her forcing her to relive that horrible day.

"Hey. Hey what's going on?"

Buffy turned to see a dark skinned man standing in front of her. "I… I don't know." Buffy said, "She just.,.. my friend said something, and Aisling panicked."

"Ahh." The man knelt down in front of Aisling, "Hey. Can you focus on me for a second."

"I can't." Aisling looked at him. "I can't remember the ground techniques. I practice them every day, but I can't…"

"Hey, that's ok." He said, "Your mind is complex, it's hard to access things when you're in a panic. Do you want my help? I have a few techniques that might help you."

Aisling nodded, her panic causing the movement to be jerky.

"Ok." He said, "Ok. Now. Can you tell me 5 things you can see?"

"You." She said, "Ummm Buffy…" She looked around. "That poster over there," Aisling looked up, "The ceiling? And… uh.. the locker."

"Good." He said, "Good, you're doing good, And four things you can here."

"Umm." Aisling closed her eyes, "I… I hear people in the hallway." He said, "I hear my own voice. I hear… lockers closing. I…" Aisling took a deep breath. "I hear… someone tapping their feet?"

Buffy and Aisling turned,

"Sorry." The boy said, "Don't mind me."

Buffy's eyes widened, and she hurried forward to give him a hug, "Ford!" She yelled giving him a hug.

"Hey." The man said to Aisling who had started hyperventilating again. "Back on me." The man said, "Tell me three things you can feel."

"Aisling focused back on him, or tried too. "Umm."

"What's going on with her." She heard Billy Fordham asked and Aisling felt her heart rate spike as she worried about being considered a freak again.

"If you two don't mind can you go talk somewhere else, you're interrupting Aisling's attempts ground herself." He said before he turned back to Aisling, "Come on. 3 things you can feel."

Aisling touched her leather jacket. "My jacket." She said, "Umm you're hands on my arms… and Aisling reached out and touched the floor. "The floor."

"Good. Good. Very good." He said. "Ok… now. 2 things you can smell."

"Ax body spray." Aisling said immediately with a soft giggle. "And… " Aisling sniffed her shirt. "Laundry detergent."

"Good." He said. "Very very good." He said, "Now… hard one alright? 1 thing you can taste."

"The taste of saliva when you haven't had something to drink for a while." Aisling said immediately.

The man nodded, "Are you feeling better?"

Aisling nodded, "A little… thank you by the way Who are you?"

"Stephan Platt." He said, Helping Aisling back up to standing position. "I'm the new guidance counselor."

"Oh." Aisling said, "Umm thank you for helping me."

"Not a problem, I'm aware of how hard it can be to think when you're in the middle of a panic." He told Aisling, "You should probably get something to eat, Panic like that can sap your strength."

"This ain't my first time." Aisling said.

Stephan looked at her concerned, "Aisling… do you.."

"I see a therapist once a week." Aisling said, "I'm taking care of myself… today was just… I was caught off guard by something someone said."

"Well even still… my door is always open." He said. Aisling smiled and nodded taking a few deep breaths, Once Stephan Plat had left a can of coke appeared in her line of sight. She turned her head and was surprised to see Xander standing there.

"Here." Xander said, "When I got frightened like that it often left me feeling exhausted afterwards." He said.

Aisling smiled and took the cook from him, "Thank you." She said, "This is kind of you"

Aisling opened the coke and quickly took a small sip before she sighed and stood up, she noticed that Buffy was speaking to someone animatedly.

"Thing we should interrupt them?" Aisling said, just as she stood up, Willow appeared with Giles at her heals.

"Aisling." Giles said, "Willow said you were in distress."

Aisling nodded, "I was… taken off guard by something that was said." She said, "It sent me into a bit of a panic. I'm fine." She said, She smiled at Willow.

"Yes… Willow said she suggested something about…"

"I know what she said," Aisling said firmly cutting him off before he could say it again. "It reminded me of a dark times and I'd rather not discuss it. I was helped by the new guidance counsellor, I am working through my trauma with a therapist and I don't have a desire to discuss my past with every single person I come across. I'm dealing with it. I'm going to therapy once a week. I'm fine today was just…. A slip up." Aisling looked between the two of them before she nodded to Buffy. "Let's go see Buffy's new friend." Aisling frowned… "Or old friend given how chummy they seem."

"I hope not." Xander lowly so low that Aisling was certain she wasn't really meant to here.

Buffy noticed them approaching, "Hey Ash." Buffy said standing. "How are you feeling?"

"Better."

"That… uh… grounding-" Buffy said the word Grounding as though she wasn't sure she was using it correctly. "Thing… the whole name five things you can see—"

"Yeah. IT's one of the things that I use to bring me back to the present." Aisling said she grinned at the newcomer, "Hello."

"Oh, Sorry." Buffy immediately started to smile. "This is Ford," She immediately started to introduce, "Billy Fordham this Aisling, Xander and Willo and that is the school Librarian Mr. Giles."

"Yes, Well." Giles said, "If I am no longer needed."

"I'm fine." Aisling said with a small grin, "Sorry to have bothered."

"Not at all," Giles said, "I'd rather be called and not be needed and be not called and something dire have happened." He said.

Aisling smiled and Giles took his leave. "Hello Billy, sorry for the whole…" Aisling said she looked back at where she'd been huddled. "That."

"Not a problem." Billy said, "I know I've done that a few times in my life. Like you're whole world is crashing around you and you can't escape it?"

"Yeah?" Aisling said surprised, "Yeah that's… yeah." She sat down beside Xander and Willow, "SO… what brings you Sunnydale?"

"Yeah." Buffy asked turning toward him excitedly. "You going here now?"

"Dad got the transfer and boom, he just dragged me out of Hemery and put me down here."

"Been moved around a lot myself." Aisling said, "Sucks, doesn't it? Especially when you've finally made a few friends."

"Well, given Buffy is here, I can't say it's been all bad." Billy said, "And you're not so bad either."

Aisling smiled her face taking on a flushed red tone, which immediately fell when she noticed Buffy's stare.

"So…!" Willow said trying intervene, Aisling turned her head in the direction of Willow and could just make out Xander looking vaguely bored and annoyed, as though he couldn't wait for Billy Ford to leave. "You two were sweeties in Fifth Grade?"

"Hardly. For wouldn't give me the time of day."

"Well, I was a manly Sixth grader couldn't be bothered with someone that young."

Aisling looked to the ceiling trying to recall where she'd lived during fifth grade. Age 8 she'd lived in New York. Age 9-10 She'd lived in Iowa. Age 11-12 England for a short time. And… Age 12 She'd lived in Cleveland for about Six months, and then 13-15 she lived in Las Vegas.

"England!" Aisling. "I lived in England in fifth Grade. Dad had a thing there during fifth grade."

"Interesting." Xander said, turning toward her looking eager for the subject change. "Tell us everything about that."

Aisling flushed. "Sorry. So sorry. Sometimes my mind goes on tangents. Talking of fifth grade had me trying to remember where I lived during that time. Sorry. Please. Go one about your time."

"Not a big deal," Buffy said oddly enough looking vaguely relieved.

"We just heard that Buffy listened to I touched myself from the Divinyls." Willow said ever helpful.

"Ugh. Willow."

"What?"

Buffy rolled her eyes and turned back to Ford. "Are you Busy tonight? We're going to the Bronze, or at least Willow and Xander and I are" Buffy gave a half look to Aisling, "You coming too?"

"If I can convince dad to let me go, and I can make it to your house before sundown sure." Aisling caught the confusion on Fords face. "I'm 1) grounded and 2) dad doesn't like me out after the sun goes down."

"Alone." Buffy said, "Doesn't like you out alone." Buffy said, "And you'll be with friends, heck you can even come to my place before the sun goes down." She looked at Ford who was looking between the two of them confused. "Aisling father's is a bit protective," She explained, "But anyway regardless it would be great if you came."

Aisling thought of it. "Maybe. I'll make a call."

"I'd love to come." Ford said before turning to Willow, Xander, "But if you already had plans, would I be imposing"

"Only in the literal sense." Xander said.

"Ignore him." Aisling said standing,

"Ok, then," Ford Stood buffy standing with him, "I gotta find the Admissions office, uh. Get my papers in order."

"Well, you know what? I'll take you there, and I'll see you guys in French." Buffy grabbed Fords arm.

"It's good to meet you" Ford said as he and Buffy walked off together.

Xander smiled as they walked away, before it slipped, "This is ford, my bestest friend of all my friends. Geeze doesn't she know any fat guys."

"Careful Xan." Aisling said, "You're green eyed monster is showing."

"Oh! That's what that song is about?"

Aisling chuckled, "Never change Will." She said patting her shoulder.

"Hey!" Xander said, as Buffy and Aisling entered The Bronze together. "May favourite girls got to show up."

Aisling rolled her eyes, "Hand me a pool stick." She said, "I need to kick someone's ass."

"Oh, you think you can beat us."

Aisling raised an eyebrow, "Maybe." I giggled, "Want a wager?" She said giggling at them.

"Really?"

"Hey… food's expensive." Aisling said, "And Dad's injured."

"Your dad is injured?" Ford asked surprised, "How did that happen?"

"Accident in Prague." Aisling said, "It's… it's slow going." She lined up the pool stick shot two balls and ended up in the net. "So…" She said straightening up. "What were you guys talking about before we rudely entered.

"About the ninth-grade beauty contest and the swimsuit competition that Buffy entered."

Aisling chuckled, "Nice." She said,

"Oh my God," Buffy groaned as Ford got ready to make his play, "Ford stop that. The more people you tell, the more people I have to kill"

Ford gestured with his cue stick at Buffy, "You can't touch me summers, I know all your darkest secrets."

"Care to make a small wager on that?" Xander said, as Ford hit the cue ball and straightened up.

"I'm gonna go get a drink." Buffy said, "Ford, try not to talk."

Aisling thought about it, "Yeah I'm—" She looked off in the distance. "Never mind, I'm good here."

Buffy looked confused but shrugged and I walked off. Aisling watched as Buffy approached the bar only for Angel to turn and reveal himself.

"That's Angel," Willow said as Ford was just watching the two of them.

"He's Buffy's Beau." Xander stands walking to stand just beside Willow. "Her special friend" Xander started arranging the cue balls on the pool table.

"He's not in school right?" Ford said turning back to them,. "He looks older than her."

"A little." Aisling said, "Honestly I don't get it, but whatever." Aisling said, "I'm a jaded person."

"No, you're not." Xander said, "I've met people who are a lot more jaded than you."

"Awesome, means the therapy and pills are working." Aisling said, "Good."

Ford looked confused but decided not to speak up about it. Aisling was grateful he decided not to bring up the panic attack she'd had earlier that day. It increased her perception of him by a little.

Whatever conversation Buffy and Angel were having didn't last long, Buffy walked away from the bar without a drink.

"Didn't want that soda after all."

"Not thirsty," Buffy said as she walked up to the group.

"Hey, Angel," Willow said.

Aisling looked at Angel and looked back down again.

"Hi," Angel said to the group.

Buffy turned around, "This is Ford." Buffy introduced. "We went to school together in L.A."

Ford reached out and shook Angel's hand. "Nice to me y— Woah." He said surprised looking down, "Cold hands."

"You're not wrong," Xander said as he readied his cue stick. Aisling reached out and lightly pressed her foot down on Xander's toe. A light warning to shut up.

Everyone else ignored him. "So, you here visiting Buffy?"

"No, I'm actually here to stay," Ford said he turned to Buffy before looking back up to Angel. "Just moved down." Aisling could see the small smile on Buffy's face, excited to have an old friend join her.

It made Aisling think about Jackson in Las Vegas, and suddenly she had a desire to call him.

"Hey, Angel," Willow called. "Do you want to play?"

"It's getting really crowded in here tonight." Buffy said she turned to Aisling, "I'm a little hot, She turned to Ford. "You want to take a walk?" She turned to Aisling, "I'll be back later alright."

"I'm fine Buffy. You and I both know that I'm safer in a crowded room." Aisling said.

Buffy rolled her eyes but turned to leave.

"What's her problem?" Ford softly asked as they left the room.

Aisling groaned as she took her shot. "Da' has her doin' it too."

"Least he cares," Xander said, a note of jealousy in his voice as he took over for her. "Some parents… they just let their kids do whatever they want." He lined up his cue stick. "And then when the kid comes home…" Xander shot the ball a little too hard that instead of it going into a net it jumped off the table completely and wound up on the fall. "Crap." Xander hissed.

Aisling stared at Xander surprised, "I'm sorry." She said, "My complaining was thoughtless."

Xander sighed Willow disappeared and reappeared with a cue ball in her hand. Xander sighed and took it and placed it back on the table. "I'm sorry." He told Aisling. "I just…" Xander sighed, "It's nice having a parent who cares."

Aisling looked at him. "It just burns that some good parents are people like my dad."

Xander didn't answer, but then again, he didn't need to.

A/N Did you enjoy that? Let me know what you thought. Your favourite part. Your least favourite part.

Yeah. I introduced Stephan Platt to the much earlier than he does in the series. I thought he'd be good to help Aisling calm down. But he isn't her main psychiatrist/Therapist (That job belongs to someone else)