Chapter 4

“So, the wanker doesn’t know that I’ve been helping you?”

Buffy rolled her eyes. “No, he doesn’t. Giles isn’t your biggest fan. He would freak if he found out I was seeing you, even just to help me with patrol. He doesn’t need to know.”

Spike grinned. “Disobeying the watcher? You are your mother’s daughter.”

She took in a deep breath. “Is that the only reason you’re hanging with me? Because I remind you of my mom?”

He shook his head. “No, I also like your sparkling personality.”

Buffy slapped him lightly on the arm. “Now, I know that’s a lie. Besides, Giles isn’t my watcher. He’s just my guardian. He should be used to me disobeying him by now.” She stood up when a thought occurred to her, going over to the mantle above the fireplace and snatching up a framed photo. Buffy took the picture out of the frame, handing it to him. “You should have this.”

Spike gazed into the photo to see a picture of Elizabeth holding a bundle that he assumed was Buffy. It must have been taken right after she was born. “I can’t accept this, you should keep it.”

Buffy waved her hand in the air. “I have a lot of copies. I think my mom would have wanted you to have it.”

Spike nodded, tracing his finger over Elizabeth’s delicate features.

For some reason, the tender expression on Spike’s face bothered Buffy, but she didn’t understand why.

He glanced back up at her. “Thanks, love, I really appreciate it.”

Buffy watched as he placed the picture in his duster pocket, nodding after a moment and knowing that she did the right thing.

“Your father was a bloody pillock to walk out. He missed out on getting to know a pretty amazing person.”

Buffy figured that he meant her mother, but the look he gave her proved otherwise. “Well, I have Giles now. He’s been a really good father to me. At least I know how to handle him.” Her eyes widened when she heard a key in the front door. “Shit, he’s home early. You have to get out of here.”

Spike was taken by surprise when she grabbed his arm and pulled him over to the back door, shoving him through. “You know how to handle him, huh?”

She sent him a glare. “Yeah, but that doesn’t mean he can’t still ground me. I’ll see you tomorrow night.”

Spike nodded and without thinking much about his actions, placed a soft kiss on her cheek. He pulled away in shock, realizing that the same expression was on her face. He was just used to sneaking around with Elizabeth; it became a habit to give her a goodnight kiss. Even though he knew that Buffy was completely different from his former love. Spike gave her one more look before walking away from the house.

Buffy let out a sigh as she watched him go, shutting the door behind him.

“Who was that?”

She turned around to see Giles standing behind her. “Oh, that was Willow. She came over to study.”

Giles raised his eyebrows. “Why didn’t she stay for dinner?”

Buffy shrugged. “You know Will; she has a ton of studying to do. Sometimes it’s better on an empty stomach.” She cursed herself for being so bad at lying, but sighed in relief when it looked like Giles bought it.

“Have you finished all of your homework?” he wondered.

Buffy nodded. “Yep, got it all done when I came home. I didn’t even patrol tonight.”

Giles was surprised to hear that, but not disappointed.

Buffy stretched, letting out a fake yawn. “Wow, it’s getting kinda late. I think I’m gonna turn in now.”

Giles glanced down at his watch. “It’s only eight.”

“I’m just exhausted from all that studying. Goodnight, Giles.”

He watched her head up the stairs in confusion, wondering if there was something that she was keeping from him.


* * * * *


Buffy made it to her room and decided to get some actual studying done, so she wouldn’t feel as bad about lying to him. She just managed to crack her text book open, when her cell phone rang next to the bed. Buffy smiled when she saw who it was, answering on the second ring.

“Am I going to regret giving you this number?”

Spike chuckled on the other end. “I just wanted to wish you sweet dreams, love. I didn’t get a chance to earlier, what with you rushing me and all.”

Buffy wondered if he knew about the nightmares she had been having lately, but figured that wasn’t likely. “Yeah, you’re just lucky we didn’t get caught. I think we should go to your place next time.”

He shrugged, even though she couldn’t see him. “That’s fine with me. I’ll see you tomorrow; don’t let the little vampires bite.”

Buffy laughed, rolling her eyes at the same time. “I’ll keep that in mind, goodnight.” She hung up and lay back in her bed, staring up at the ceiling and waiting for her heartbeat to return to normal.


* * * * *


Spike clicked his phone shut and continued to gaze up at her bedroom window, lighting a cigarette and taking a long drag from it. He would remain there for as long as it took until she fell asleep. Spike knew that Buffy could take care of herself, but she wasn’t a Slayer. He couldn’t be there to protect Elizabeth when it counted, but he would be damned to let Buffy suffer the same fate. She was in his care now, whether she wanted it or not.

“I knew I sensed someone else out here.”

Spike groaned at being caught, hating himself for not hearing the watcher’s approach. He flicked his cigarette to the ground, stepping on it in the process. “It’s been a long time, mate.”

Giles stepped closer to him. “Not long enough, but apparently it’s been longer for me than it has for you.”

Spike nodded. “I can tell, you’re looking more gray than usual.”

Giles ignored the comment. “What are you doing here, Spike?”

“What do you think? I’m keeping a watch on your girl in there, making sure that no beasties get her.”

Giles shook his head. “That is not your responsibility.” He pointed to the house. “That girl is not Elizabeth. She’s young and vulnerable to the ways of the heart. I won’t have you put her through the same pain that you put my charge through.”

Spike was starting to lose what little patience he had left. “That wasn’t my bloody fault. I went to another dimension, it’s not like there was a sign saying that I would be returning in eighteen years. I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. I would have never hurt Elizabeth if I could have helped it. I loved her more than anything. Do you know how much it kills me to come back to a world without her in it? That she died and I could do nothing to save her? Buffy is the only thing that I have left of Liz. I won’t rest until I know that she’s taken care of. I’ll do everything in my power to make sure that she stays safe.”

Giles wasn’t about to back down. “How long has Buffy been involved with you?”

Spike held his hands up. “It’s not like that; I’ve just been helping her on patrol. If you must know, it’s only been about two weeks.”

“And are you developing some kind of feelings for her?”

Spike remained silent, which was all Giles needed.

“I won’t go down that road again, not with Buffy. I want you to stay away from her. Do I make myself clear?”

Spike shook his head. “I’m afraid that I can’t do that, Ripper. I’ll leave when Buffy tells me to.”

Giles had a feeling he would say that and decided to let the matter go, for now. “You will help her patrol, but nothing more than that. Buffy deserves to have some semblance of a normal life. I know that is the one thing Elizabeth always wanted for her. I can’t tell you what to do, but if you hurt her in any way, I will make sure that you regret it.”

Spike nodded after a moment, admiring the way Giles stood up to him. He may not care much for the other man, but knew that Giles would do anything for Buffy. That was something they had in common.