Summary: Set after the end of Cast Me Not Away and its follow up stories. This sequel is longer and darker than the intervening short stories. It deals with family, children, immortality, life and death, and making amends. We will also be jumping around in time a bit, so look sharp.
Author's Notes: I debated for a long time before writing this one, although the idea was there before I even finished CMNA. Some of you will believe that I have ruined the previous stories, which is fine. All I ask is that if you're unhappy with where this goes that you'll go back, re-read Cast Me Not Away through Silver Bells, and then you can flame me if you'd like. I'll calmly pull out the fire-extinguisher and ignore you, but that's alright. The themes have been there; I just hadn't quite managed to elaborate on them yet. (Oh, and before anyone screams Nika, Wesley, Spike and Buffy will survive. More than that I won't promise.)
Rating: PG-13
Chapter 18: May 2016
Hannah glanced up as the student aid came into the room. The teacher glanced at the slip of paper the aid handed to him and then looked straight at her. "Hannah, they want to see you in the principal's office."
The rest of the class broke out in snickers, and she rolled her eyes. Hannah knew very well that she hadn't done anything worthy of getting called to the Principal's office, which probably meant that either Wesley or Nika was picking her up early for some reason. They had done so a couple of times before when something big had come up. That was why she wasn't expecting what she did find.
Hannah froze just inside the door of the office. Her mother stood there, hair greasy and clothing unkempt. There had been a time when her mother had simply been her mother. When she had been aware that something was wrong, but hadn't thought much of it.
After not seeing her mother for over two years, however, Hannah saw her with almost a stranger's eye. The cheap, stained clothing, the lank hair, the canvas shoes that had never been in fashion. She had never minded when Nika or Wesley—or even Buffy—came to pick her up from school. In fact, she was proud of her Watcher and his family, proud of Buffy and Dawn and Connor.
For the first time, Hannah realized that she was ashamed of her mother.
"Mom," Hannah said. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to get you," Mara MacDougall replied. "Did you think I'd let them keep you forever? We need to leave now."
Hannah shook her head. "No, mom. I don't live with you anymore."
"You're my daughter!" Mara replied, her voice rising. "You're mine! Those people, taking you away , putting ideas in your head. We have to go now." She glanced around, and Hannah could see the paranoia in her eyes. "They're watching us."
Hannah realized with horror that her mother had finally completely disconnected from reality. She wasn't surprised, exactly, but the shock of seeing her mother again for the first time in years hit her hard. "Mom, they're not watching us," Hannah replied. "You aren't supposed to be here."
"What? I can't see my own kid now?" Mara stared at her. "You're coming with me. You don't belong here."
It was something Hannah had feared—that she really didn't belong. That she would grow up to be like her mom. That she was wrong in the head.
She was the Slayer. What would happen if she went nuts?
"Mom, I can't go with you," Hannah replied, tears coming to her eyes. "I'm living with really nice people now. It's permanent."
Mara reached out and seized her arm in a tight grip. "You're my daughter! My blood! They've turned you against me. Well, we'll just see about that. You'll understand. I'll make you understand."
Hannah was paralyzed with fear. It was possible. Maybe her mom had gotten custody back. What if she couldn't live with Wesley and Nika any longer? What if they had decided they didn't want her? It had happened before.
In that moment, Hannah was suddenly ten again, before her mom had taken to her bed completely, when she'd fly off in fits of rage, when it had been her job to keep her mom as calm as possible.
In that moment, Hannah forgot she was the Slayer.
"What the bloody hell is going on here?" Enid came bustling into the office, her sharp eyes taking in the tableau in front of her. "Hannah? Are you alright, cariad ?"
Enid 's voice broke Hannah out of her stupor. " Nain ?"
The older woman somehow managed to insert herself between Mara and her daughter. "You don't belong here," she stated in a flat tone. "Hannah is ours now."
Hannah wasn't sure what exactly happened, but Mara blinked as though coming out of—or possibly going into—a trance. "I should go," she muttered. "Don't belong here."
"We'll take good care of Hannah," Enid said.
Mara turned and shuffled out. "Good care," she agreed, sounding drugged. Hannah stared after her mom, her heart thudding in her chest. She glanced around the office, seeing the office personnel standing there, staring at her.
Mr. Colson, the assistant principal, a stocky, balding man in his thirties, came hurrying in. "Mrs. Rhys, you're here. I'm sorry. I was called away to take care of another matter, and—" He looked around, seeing the avid looks the secretaries and student aids wore and Hannah's pale face. "In my office."
"What is going on?" Enid demanded as soon as the door was closed.
Mr. Colson shook his head. "I really am sorry, Mrs. Rhys, Hannah. Mrs. MacDougall showed up, demanding to see her daughter. Our records indicated that she no longer had custody, so we thought it best to call Hannah's guardians. As I said, I was called away on another matter. I'm not sure who sent for Hannah, but that was not my intent." Mr. Colson met Hannah's eyes. "I am very sorry that you had to go through that, Hannah."
"It's okay," she said faintly. "It's not your fault. Mom can be really persuasive when she wants to be."
Enid put a comforting hand on Hannah's back. "I'm taking the girl home," she said firmly. "She's not going back to class today."
"Of course," Mr. Colson agreed. "Again, I apologize. That scene never should have happened." He looked grim.
Enid nodded, satisfied that his apology was sincere. "Mistakes happen," she said. "Most people don't think there's anything wrong with a mother wanting to see her child."
Mr. Colson nodded, relieved that things had been smoothed over. After the fiasco the previous year with the football player, he had no desire to upset the Wyndam-Pryces yet again. They were fiercely protective of their ward. "Thank you. Please, Hannah, take as much time as you need. If you want to speak to the school counselor, or—"
Hannah shook her head, cutting him off. "No, that's okay. I'll be fine, really." She looked over at Enid . "Can we go now?"
"Of course." Enid stood, accepting the handshake that Mr. Colson offered. "Thank you for calling me so quickly."
"I'm just glad you arrived when you did," he admitted. "I wasn't sure how I was going to get rid of her short of calling the police. If it happens again, I'll be calling them first."
"That's probably a good idea," Enid agreed. She led Hannah out of the office. "Are you alright, cariad annwyl ?"
Hannah nodded. "I'm fine, Nain , really."
Enid patted her arm. "Good girl. I know just what we need."
"What's that?" Hannah asked, knowing that it was probably food. Enid 's solution to most things included food.
"Chocolate," Enid replied, knowing about Hannah's sweet tooth.
Hannah managed a smile. "That sounds perfect."
~~~~~
Nika rushed into the house, a worried frown creasing her brow. " Nain ?"
"Right here, Danika," Enid called from the kitchen.
"How is she?"
"In her room, working on homework," Enid replied. "I've already called Wesley, and he said he'd try to make it home soon, but this negotiation is tricky."
Nika sighed. "I'll be glad when he's here, but the damage has already been done. Neither of us wanted this to happen."
"No one could have predicted this, cariad ," Enid assured her. "You know the social workers thought she was completely nutty."
Nika shook her head. "I've already called Connor. He said he'd make certain that the custody agreement is airtight."
Enid ran a soothing hand down her granddaughter's hair. "Nika, you know it's safe. There isn't anyone in the world mad enough to hand custody back to that woman. They've already terminated her parental rights."
"I know," Nika whispered in reply. "I do not want to lose her, though."
"Nika?"
She turned to see Hannah in the doorway, staring at her with wide eyes. "Oh, sweetheart," Nika said, embracing her. "I'm so very sorry. That must have been terribly distressing for you."
"Mom said—"
"It doesn't matter what she said." Nika's tone was firm, no-nonsense. "You're one of the family , and you're not going anywhere."
Hannah hugged her tightly, not wanting to let go. Seeing her mother again had brought back a lot of memories, few of them good. At the time, Hannah hadn't seen much wrong with her life. She had known that her family wasn't like most, but she didn't realize how bad it really was until she'd lived with her Watcher for a while.
It was the difference between eating stale bread from the sale bin at the discount grocery store and feasting every day. It was the difference between worrying that the mail carried an eviction notice and knowing that the roof over your head would be there year after year.
The idea that she might be killed, that the Slayer's life was a short one, couldn't touch the security Hannah experienced for the first time in her life.
Nika stroked Hannah's hair, reveling in the opportunity to mother the girl. "Do you really think we'd let you go?"
Hannah shook her head. "I guess not. It's just—"
"Whatever she said, your mother does not know you," Nika murmured. "She does not know your strength and your spirit." She pulled back to look at the girl. "Go have a snack. Tomorrow I'll call you in sick, and we'll go do something. Maybe Buffy will want to come with us. It'll be a girls' day out, hmm?" Nika gave Hannah's cheek a loving touch.
Hannah nodded eagerly, accepting the cookie that Enid handed to her. "Eat," the older woman said. "You're too thin."
The Slayer grinned. Enid said the same thing to everyone, even Angel, who didn't eat people-food. Of course, Hannah got the sense that Enid just liked tweaking Angel.
"Yes, Nain ," she replied obediently, biting into the cookie.
Enid sniffed. "You think I don't know," she said, her eyes boring into Hannah's. "This is where you belong, child. This is where you were meant to be. Never doubt it."
Hannah didn't know what to say.
~~~~~
It was obvious that they were trying too hard. Or maybe it wasn't too hard, but their reassurance was palpable. The next day, Nika and Buffy took her shopping. They had a girls' day out as promised, and then Spike, Buffy, and Meg all came over for dinner. Hannah noticed that all of her favorite foods were present. It was like her birthday, but not.
Maybe it was over-the-top, but Hannah appreciated the gesture. It meant a lot to her.
She allowed herself to believe that things were better, that her mom wouldn't show up again. A week went by, and she let her guard down. Things were back to normal. Wesley was hounding her because she was dropping her shoulder. Spike was giving her a hard time about tripping over a tombstone while on patrol.
It was the typical after-patrol thing, but special because Wesley rarely went out with them these days, and she'd had the company of both Spike and Wesley out that evening. Nika brought them tea when they came in, and Enid came in to talk. Hannah relaxed further.
She should have realized that's when life hits you the hardest.
The ringing of the doorbell interrupted the conversation. Nika and Spike were arguing over a movie they'd gone to see with Buffy and Wesley. Her Watcher was refusing to comment, and so he was the one to answer the door.
Hannah, in a state of drowsy contentment, perked up slightly when she heard the voices. They sounded all too serious for her taste. A man and a woman followed Wesley into the living room. "Hannah, perhaps you'd best join us in my office."
She saw the look that Wesley gave Nika, and she knew what that meant as well. It meant that Nika was supposed to come too and that it was really serious.
Hannah felt numb following Wesley and the strangers back into his office. She could barely feel Nika's hand on her shoulder, trying to steady her. "Hannah, this Detective Green and Detective Schultz. They're from the Los Angeles Police Department."
"I don't understand," Hannah said. "What—"
"You might want to sit down, Hannah," Detective Green, the female detective, said. "This is difficult."
Hannah shook her head. "No, I'd rather stand."
Detective Schultz sighed. "I'm very sorry to tell you that your mother was killed earlier today."
"She was killed?" Hannah asked, not understanding. "Somebody killed my mom?"
Detective Green shook her head. "No, I'm very sorry. At the present time, it appears as though Mrs. MacDougall might have jumped from a building. We're waiting for a full investigation, but..."
Hannah didn't know if she was supposed to cry or not. Would she be a horrible person if she didn't? If she didn't cry, did that mean she didn't love her mom? What kind of monster didn't love their mother?
Apparently, her shock passed as grief for the detectives, and they left, murmuring their condolences. Hannah could feel Nika's arms around her, but she couldn't make sense of it. Her mom was dead, and all she could feel was relief. Now Hannah really wouldn't have to live with her ever again.
Hannah never could quite remember how she managed to get to bed that night, or how she made it through the next few days. Her emotions were so mixed that she couldn't seem to make sense of anything. The twins were especially nice, and Buffy came and said she knew how Hannah felt, and Nika hugged her a lot.
Wesley was the one who went to the funeral with her. They were the only ones there besides the minister. Hannah wasn't even sure who made the arrangements for the funeral, but she assumed it was her Watcher. She didn't train, and she didn't patrol, and no one asked her to.
The worst part was that Hannah couldn't cry. She knew she should, but she couldn't make the tears come. There was guilt and relief and horror filling her head and heart in equal measure.
And Hannah was scared to death that she was going to turn out to be just like her mom.
She was unprepared for Spike's appearance at her bedroom door two nights after the funeral. "Let's go."
"What?"
"We're goin'." Spike gestured at her impatiently. "Get your gear."
Hannah was too caught up in her emotions to question Spike's commands. Besides, she was the Slayer. She was supposed to be patrolling. That's what she did.
No one stopped them as they left the house. Hannah strapped her helmet on and climbed on the bike behind Spike. She let the sound of the air rushing over her soothe her nerves.
She noticed the vampires immediately. Apparently Spike had known exactly where to find them. Hannah didn't waste any time. She jerked her helmet off, pulled a stake out of her pack, and took off running.
When the first vampire disintegrated, a great burning rage seemed to erupt out of nowhere. She was screaming, but she couldn't tell what she was saying. The anger made everything intense, but she felt detached from her own body at the same time.
Strong arms pulled her off the last vampire, and she watched as Spike staked it, hanging onto her with his other hand, as though she'd run away otherwise.
Hannah was taking great gasping breaths, and she was crying. There were tears streaming down her face, but she was quiet now.
Everything was still as death.
"Come on, luv," Spike murmured quietly, pulling her into a rough embrace. "Tell me what happened."
She couldn't. She couldn't put it into words lest it was true. They would all know then. They would figure it out, and—
"Hush now," Spike said, still holding her. "Nika and Wesley are worried sick about you. Tell me what's goin' on in that head of yours."
"I'm a horrible person," Hannah said against his chest, and suddenly the tears were coming again. She was sobbing against Spike's chest and telling him everything—how she hated her mom and never wanted to see her again. How she was relieved her mom was dead and that she was glad she didn't have to go back to her. How she was afraid that she'd go crazy, and she was the Slayer. What happened when a Slayer went nuts?
Spike was saying something, repeating it over and over, and the words finally penetrated her daze. "She didn't deserve you, luv. She didn't deserve to have you."
"I hated her," Hannah confessed.
"She didn't do right by you, Sweet," Spike replied. "It's alright to hate her."
"You're not supposed to hate your mother."
"She wasn't any kind of mum. It's gonna be okay."
Hannah sniffled and pulled back. "What if I'm like her? What if I go crazy?"
"You're stronger than that, luv," Spike replied. "Trust me, I lived with a bloody loon for a century. You're not crazy."
She made a choked sound that might have been a laugh. " Thanks, Spike."
He smiled at her, and Hannah could have lost herself in his eyes. She loved him, she realized. It wasn't a schoolgirl crush, and it wasn't romantic love—it was something else altogether. Spike was like her guardian angel, even though she'd never tell him that.
"This world, our world, is where you belong now, Hannah-luv," Spike said quietly. "Don't doubt that."
Because Spike was her hero, Hannah could believe him. "Okay."
"Let's blow this joint," Spike said, a grin forming. "We'll go take a ride."
"Ice cream?"
Spike laughed. "Whatever you like, pet. Best milk the sympathy while you can, yeah?"
It wasn't like that, and they both knew it. "Yeah," she agreed.
For the first time in a while, Hannah felt as though the earth beneath her was stable again.
Chapter 19: October 2014
"Are you sure you're okay?" Buffy asked as she supported Spike into their house.
He sighed. Spike was getting really tired of the mother hen act. "I'm fine."
"Do you need blood now, or do you want to wait?"
"I ate before we left for the airport, Buffy."
"I know, but you're still looking kind of pale."
"I'm a vampire." Spike raised an eyebrow and glanced over at her. "Buffy, really, I'll be fine."
She was quiet. "I worry about you."
"And it's appreciated, but not necessary," Spike insisted. "I'll be just fine in a few days."
Buffy paused. "Couch or bed?"
"Couch," Spike said firmly. "I've been in a bloody bed for too long. When is Xander bringin' Meg over?"
She hesitated. "In a while. I told him I'd call."
"There's no reason for Meg to stay away, luv," Spike replied. "She'll worry." When Buffy was silent, Spike frowned. "You told her why it took us a bit longer to come home, didn't you?"
The Slayer wouldn't meet his eyes. "She would have worried."
Spike shook his head. "Buffy, she probably knows. Knowin' Meg, she's probably worryin' herself silly tryin' to figure out what Xander's not tellin' her. Harris never was very good at lying."
"They were at Disneyland ," Buffy replied. "I'm sure they haven't had time to think about it."
Spike shook his head, knowing that there was no arguing with his wife sometimes. "Fine, pet, but give Harris a call. It's better if Meg knows what's goin' on."
He watched as Buffy opened her mouth to say something and then changed her mind. "I'll call as soon as I get you settled."
Spike wanted to tell her that he didn't need her help to get settled, and he only wished it was the truth. It had been five days, and he still wasn't healed. Even a vampire had to take some time to recover from a hole in the chest, and having everyone poking around his insides hadn't helped matters any.
The truth was that it would be at least another week before he was ready to see action. It was probably going to be months before Buffy stopped her hovering. Her worry combined with her guilt wasn't making things very comfortable for him.
Spike let her fuss over him because it made her feel better, and then he watched as she went off to call Xander. He could hear her side of the conversation quite well from the living room. Harris was asking her what had happened, and she was giving the short version of it.
"Spike wants to see Meg," Buffy said. There was a pause. "How did she find out?"
Spike smirked as he leaned back into the cushions of the couch. Not that he was happy to have worried Meg, who seemed to be afraid that one or both of them wouldn't come home someday, but it was nice to be proven right occasionally.
No sooner had Buffy put the phone down than it rang again. Spike could tell it was Angel on the other end immediately. The older vampire had come back the night after the big battle, not wanting to be away from the business for too long. He'd stopped in to see Spike before departing, and Spike had had a hard time biting back his laughter.
Buffy had been right. A shaved head didn't suit him.
The Slayer came hurrying back out into the living room. "I've got to go," she said, sounding worried. "Cordelia just had a vision, and they're going to need me." Handing him the phone, she said, "Xander should be here in a little while. Maybe you could call Wesley to come over, or Nika."
"Slayer, I don't need that much looking after. I'll be fine." Spike rolled his eyes. "Get out of here already."
"Love you," Buffy said, pausing to give him a quick kiss on the lips, and then she was dashing out the door.
As much as Spike loved her, he gave a great sigh of relief to have her gone for a while. "Finally, some peace," he muttered, turning on the TV and beginning to flip through the channels.
~~~~~
Meg didn't waste any time heading up the walk, not even bothering to wait for Xander. Disneyland had been fun, but it had been tainted for her. She'd seen the look on her uncle's face, and she could tell that there was something he wasn't telling her.
She unlocked the door with her key and rushed towards the sound of the television. "Dad!"
"Wait, Meg!" Xander warned from behind her, but it was too late. She'd already flung herself into her father's arms, burying her face in his chest.
She didn't see the look of pain on his face, nor did she see him shaking his head at Xander, warning the other man not to say anything. "How was Disneyland , luv?" Spike asked when Meg finally pulled back. He managed to keep the strain out of his voice with some effort.
"It was great!" she replied enthusiastically, then her face fell. "Did you get hurt?"
Spike made a face. "A bit, moppet, but I'll be fine in a few days. Until then, I expect you to keep me company, yeah?"
She nodded, looking around. "Where's Mom?"
"Went out with Angel and his crew," Spike replied. "Peaches needed her help."
"And you couldn't go ' cause you're hurt?" Meg asked, frowning. "Did I hurt you?"
Spike hastened to reassure her. "No, luv. You won't ever hurt me just by givin' me a hug."
She looked doubtful, but then she nodded. "Okay." To Spike, at least, Meg appeared adorably determined. "I'm gonna draw you a picture. Will that make you feel better?"
"Absolutely, moppet," Spike replied, watching her dash off. He looked over at Xander. " Thanks, mate."
"It was my pleasure," Xander assured him. "You've got a great kid."
"I like to think so." Spike waved him into a seat. "You want to stay for a while?"
Xander shook his head regretfully. "I don't think I can. Teri's coming home tonight."
Spike smirked. "You'd better get goin' then. We'll see you soon, though?"
"Yeah, of course." Xander frowned. "You sure you're okay here on your own, Spike? I can't stay, but I could call someone for you."
"I'll be fine," Spike insisted. "I need people to stop flutterin' around. I'm in one piece, an' that all that really matters, yeah?"
Xander finally nodded. "Yeah. Take care, Spike. I'll bring Teri by when you're feeling better."
Spike watched as the other man left, letting out a deep breath. His chest was throbbing, the pain radiating through his limbs as well. It had been a long time since he'd been hurt this badly, and he didn't like it. He didn't like feeling this helpless.
He let his eyes drift shut as sleep overcame him.
~~~~~
Enid let herself into the house quietly, knowing very well that Spike was probably sleeping. She'd heard enough about his injuries to send her over as soon as Buffy had called. Nika was working and Wesley was with his new Slayer, and so the task fell to her.
Not that Enid minded. She had always had a soft spot for William.
" Nain ," Meg greeted her in a loud whisper. "Dad's sleeping."
"That's as it should be, cariad ," Enid assured her. "People who have been injured need lots of sleep. They heal faster that way."
Meg nodded, although she still looked doubtful. "Is he going to be okay?" Meg had absolute confidence that Enid would tell her the truth. The older woman had a tendency towards frankness that some of the other adults found alarming, but Meg liked it.
"He's going to be just fine, Margaret Joyce," Enid assured her. "No matter who you are, healing takes a bit of time. You'll have to be extra helpful the next few days."
"I can do that," Meg replied confidently.
Enid smiled, patting her cheek. "Of course you can. Now off with you. I'll start dinner soon, but until then I'm sure you have something you're working on."
"I'm drawing Dad a picture," she replied. "He said that would make him feel better."
"I'm certain it will." Enid watched the child dash off, smiling to herself. Meg was a sunny child, but she had the feeling that Spike and Buffy would more than have their hands full when she reached adolescence. Spike, at least, would have to beat the boys off with a tire iron.
Enid went to the kitchen, setting the bag she'd brought down on the counter and starting to pull out various ingredients. The older woman was quite certain that the coven in Cleveland had done all they could for the vampire, but she had a few more tricks up her sleeve. Nika, of course, knew most of her secrets.
Getting remedies to work on a vampire wasn't easy. Technically, a vampire was dead, as was the flesh. Most covens were comprised of humans, looking out for human welfare, who had no compelling reason to find remedies for demons' problems.
Enid , on the other hand, had worked with a number of different species. She had a few potions that would work even on a vampire.
Once she had prepared the tonic, Enid warmed up a large mug of blood and brought both over to the couch where Spike was sleeping. "William," she said softly. "I've got something for you."
Without opening his eyes, he murmured, "Buffy put you up to this."
"She's concerned for you," Enid said with some amusement. "Women fuss when they love a person. You'll just have to get used to it, I'm afraid."
Spike cracked one blue eye. "What do you have?"
"Blood and something that should help you heal." Enid waited as he pushed himself into a sitting position with difficulty. "Would you like me to take a look at that?"
Spike hesitated. "May not be a bad idea," he allowed. "Not while Meg's around, though. Don't want her seein' it."
"Of course," Enid replied, handing him the mug of blood.
Spike drank it down quickly. He'd been starving and he hadn't even realized it. He drank the other mug she held out just as fast, raising an eyebrow. "That's not too bad," he allowed.
"Medicines do not always have to taste bad." Enid smiled at him. "Now, I told Buffy that I would stay here until she returned. She thought this little job might take longer than expected."
Spike frowned. "I'll be fine, Enid ."
The older woman chuckled softly. "And how will you make dinner for Meg, my lad?" At his grimace, she nodded. "Just so. There's no shame in accepting help."
"I've been doin' nothing but accept help the last few days, Nain ," Spike replied. "Buffy's been hoverin' like a bloody mother hen. It's a bit much."
Enid smiled and kissed his forehead. "She will relax as her fear of losing you passes. Don't you worry. "
Spike sighed. "Right. I guess I can put up with it for a while longer." He raised an eyebrow. "How's that new Slayer of Wesley's doin'?"
"She's fine," Enid replied, a thoughtful expression on her face. "The girl has had a difficult time of things, however."
Spike nodded, his blue eyes sympathetic. "Thought so. Girl's eyes were too old."
Enid nodded. "They are." She hesitated. "Your wife may present a bit of a problem as to her settling in."
"Tell me about it," Spike muttered. "Hopefully, now that Buffy's worked some of her anger off staking that bitch, she'll settle."
"I wouldn't hold my breath."
"I'm undead, Nain ," Spike replied with some amusement. "I can hold my breath indefinitely."
Enid shook her head at him. "Smartass," she reproved, although with no heat. "Hannah will need you."
"Me?" Spike asked, surprised. "She's got Wesley an' Nika, and it looked like she was getting on just fine with Connor and Dawn. Not that I won't help, mind you, but Wesley—"
"Is her Watcher," Enid replied easily. "Hannah will need you in much the same way that Dawn needed you."
Spike frowned and then shrugged, wincing when the movement sent a flash of pain through his chest. "I'll be around."
"Good," Enid replied, standing. "Then I will start dinner for your daughter, and you can get some more rest. I'll take a look at your injuries later."
Spike didn't think he'd be able to sleep again so soon. After all, sleeping was about all he had done for the last few days. Something in Enid 's concoction seemed to have a soporific effect, however, and he drifted off, dreaming about Slayers and the scent of wood and blood.
~~~~~
Wesley knew that Nika was keeping a careful eye on Hannah. The girl had just returned from her first day of school and had spent the afternoon training. When asked, she'd said that school was fine, but hadn't offered more information than that.
Davey was talking a mile a minute about the pick-up football game he'd played after school, and the winning goal he'd scored. When the boy finally ran out of gas, Wesley looked over at Will. "How was your day?"
Will shrugged , much as Hannah had done. "It was okay."
Wesley and Nika exchanged looks. "Those boys aren't coming after you any more, are they?" Nika asked.
Will wouldn't meet her eyes. " It's okay, Mum. It's like you said. I've just got to ignore them."
Nika made an unhappy noise, but didn't say anything. Wesley caught her eye and just shook his head slightly. They both knew that there were some battles their son would have to face alone; if they intervened, there was a strong possibility things could get worse.
"What about the other students in your class, Hannah?" Wesley asked. "Were they friendly?"
Hannah hesitated slightly before answering, "I guess. I mean, I am the new kid."
"Just know you're always welcome to bring guests here, cariad ," Nika said.
"Thanks." The gratitude was sincere, but both adults caught the doubtful tone that seemed to indicate that she didn't think she'd have much opportunity for it.
As dinner was finished, Wesley stood, fully intending on cleaning up the kitchen. Nika started to protest, but he shook his head. "Let me take care of you," he scolded gently. "You know the doctor said it would be better if you took it easy."
"You're too good to me," Nika replied, raising her face for Wesley's kiss. While the boys groaned in disgust, Hannah watched intently. She couldn't quite figure it out. Everybody was so nice to each other—and not fake-nice either. It was like they really liked being together.
It was weird, was what it was.
Hannah stood with Wesley and started helping him clear off the table. "You don't have to do that," he said. "If you have homework—"
She shook her head. "I don't have much, and I want to help."
He smiled warmly at her. "Then I'll be happy to have your assistance."
Hannah glanced towards Nika, who was also smiling her approval. She couldn't help but wonder how she could keep those expressions on their faces all the time.
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