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Chapter 4


“Come on, answer the door. Even you can't screw that up,” Jenny mumbled to the door, her toe impatiently tapping. She'd rung the bell at least three times, knowing full well he was home. As she debated ringing a fourth time, she finally heard the tell-tale footsteps approach the door. With a few clicks, the door opened at last.

“Jenny! Hello, sorry it took me so long. I was upstairs when you rang. What can I do for you?” The man asked, holding the door slightly wider as a full smile graced his face.

“Well, I was on my way home,” she responded, brushing past Hank and walking straight into the living room. “Thought I would stop by to see how you were coping with Buffy's unfortunate accident.” She glanced around as if she'd never really seen the inside before.

“Well, you know, it's been rough,” he answered as he affected a very concerned look. “But, the doctor said she didn't think there would be any long term damage. I'm sure she'll pull through just fine, ” he smiled confidently.

“Yes, I'm sure. Where's Dawn?” She questioned curiously.

“Over at a friend's. I don't think she can bear to be in the house where Buffy hurt herself.” The reply came out so spontaneous and convincing that Jenny wondered if he actually believed that.

“Yeah, I'll bet that's it,” she smiled. The silence that followed stretched uncomfortably. It was Hank who finally broke it.

“Oh, boy, where are my manners. I was just having a drink to celebrate the doctor's good news. Care to join me?” He asked, waving the glass in his hand.

“Gee Hank, I wasn't aware you needed an incentive to celebrate,” she offered in reply. Hank's countenance froze momentarily, but he recovered quickly.

“Not sure what you mean by that,” he stated.

“Oh, nothing,” she covered. “Say, I heard your firm offered you a new position. Lots of travel and everything,” she casually remarked.

“How did you....I just heard....you can't have.....” Hank fished.

Jenny shrugged, “News travels fast. So, I assume Buffy will take care of Dawn while you're gone?”

Hank laughed out loud. It was a harsh sounding bark of a laugh, that cut off abruptly as a look of repressed anger cut across his face. “No, I haven't accepted the position. I couldn't leave Buffy and Dawn here alone. In case you haven't heard, Buffy's too stupid to handle the laundry, much less take care of Dawn.”

“I really wish you hadn't said that,” Jenny sighed.

“Yeah, well, I wish Buffy had half a br....” Hank replied sarcastically, only to be cut off.

“But I'm kind of glad you did,” Jenny offered with a steamy glance. “If you hadn't, I couldn't really do this,” Hank watched Jenny as she slowly eased forward, approaching him with all the grace of a feline predator. Fire sparked from her eyes as a knowing smile curved her lips. This man was sooooo predictable.

Hank remained frozen in place as Jenny took the glass from his hand, her other hand snaking up his arm. It trailed across his shoulder, to gently cup his cheek. She licked her lips anxiously, patiently awaiting his response.

“And I'm glad that you're glad,” Hank finally said as his initial shocked expression turned to one of anticipation. After a moments pause, he dipped his head down to pursue the promise of her waiting lips.

Jenny tilted her head up slightly as she leaned in further. Their lips now just inches apart. Jenny knowingly smiled and set into motion. Her knee came up swiftly, slamming with brutal force into Hanks sensitive crotch.

The unexpected move instantly sent Hank's hands to cup the offended area. As he doubled over from the pain, Jenny's hands gripped his hair and expertly pulled his head to meet with the second blow from her knee. The man dropped like a stone to his knees as he covered his face, his aching manhood fast forgotten. Blood was already starting to seep between his fingers from his nose, as surprise and confusion reigned in his eyes.

“What the hell was that for?” He screamed indignantly.

“That,” she began, “was to make sure I have your attention.”

“You bitch!” He cried from beneath his fingers. “I think you broke my nose!”

That comment earned Hank a meeting with Jenny's right fist, sending him sprawling sideways in the floor.

Jenny squatted down, balancing her elbows on her knees. “Now, Hank, let's try this again shall we?” She smiled sweetly, “Do I have your complete attention yet?”

The man wisely kept his mouth shut, just nodding affirmatively.

“Good,” she responded with cheer. “Now, I worked very hard on making sure you were offered that position, so you *will* take it. You will also sign a Power of Attorney to Rupert and I to take care of the girls while you are out of town.”

“I will *not* sign over my kids,” Hank seethed, now sitting up a little.

“I didn't ask you to. You will simply have us a guardians in your *many* coming absences. You will still have all your parental rights,” Jenny offered.

“You can't just come in here and demand Buffy and Dawn,” he stated. “You think you're the first to try? Not even close.”

“Yes, I am well aware of what everyone has tried. But I'm not some little girl you can slap around, and I'm done trying conventional methods to protect those girls. In fact, Rupert and I are more than willing to try unconventional at this point,' she menaced.

“What do you mean?” Hank questioned, shrinking back slightly.

“You know,” she said as she stood up, her hand propped on her hip as she swiveled around. “This house sure is dangerous. I mean, with all the accidents Buffy's had, it's amazing you've been so lucky to avoid them yourself.” She turned back around to face Hank, her expression conveying her intent. “But you can't really tell when your luck is going to change, can you?”

Hank eyed her, his face clearly skeptical, as she pulled a packet of cigarettes from her jacket pocket. She slid out a cigarette and placed it between her lips. Then pulled out a lighter and glanced at him as she asked, “You don't mind if I smoke do you?”

Not getting an answer, she shrugged and lit the cigarette. As she puffed at the cigarette, she calmly picked up the glass Hank had been drinking from earlier. Without warning, she tossed the drink in his face, eliciting a surprised shout from him. She settled back into a squatting position in front of him, the hand containing the cigarette lighter held directly in front of his face. She looked purposefully into his eyes and with a flick of her thumb, the little flame sparked to life.

“You're freaking crazy!” Hank exclaimed, trying to scramble back, but found he was against the wall and had no where to go.

Jenny nodded appreciatively. “Probably,” she responded. “But I'm not the one who got drunk and then had a tragic smoking accident,” she finished, very matter-of-factly. Hanks eyes widened as he realized that she was entirely serious. “Now, do we have an understanding?”

Hank paused, as if considering a moment. Jenny simply shrugged and leaned forward, “Have it your way.”

“OK! OK!” He shouted. “Whatever, just don't.....don't kill me.”

“Deal,” she said cheerfully, clicking off the lighter. “One more thing Hank, the girls will never know about our little arrangement. I'll have my attorney bring the papers by tomorrow. And don't think you can weasel out of this,” she said as she made her way to the door. “You really wouldn't want to find out what Rupert had planned for you. My plan was much quicker and involved a lot less pain,” she finished with a smirk, then closed the door behind her.

**********

Giles glanced up as his wife made her way down the hallway outside Buffy's hospital room. She was bearing a thermos that he hoped contained tea. He was really in need a calming cup about now. He hadn't left the hospital yet, nor had Spike who was currently sleeping in a chair situated in the hallway. Angel hadn't even left the room since the nurse had allowed him in.

“Where'd you go?” Giles asked, as Jenny hugged him strongly.

“Ran by the house. Figured you could use this,” she said, holding up the thermos.

“Have I told you how amazing you are lately?” Giles asked, as he took the offered tea.

“You just did,” she smiled. “How are they?” Jenny asked looking over at her step son, then through the window at Angel. “Both sleeping I see.”

“I tried to convince them to go with Willow and Xander, but they both refused to leave,” he explained.

“Hmmm. Should I be jealous that all three of my men are enamored with a younger woman?” Jenny asked teasingly.

Giles smiled slightly at her comment. Jenny really had an unusual sense of humor. “Speaking of younger,” he began, “someone should see to Dawn.”

“Oh, I ran into Hank when I was at the house. He said Dawn was over at a friends. Janice's I would guess. I'll talk to him tomorrow and get him to let her stay with us until Buffy is better,” Jenny informed him.

“Hank may not be bothered to care for Dawn, but I don't think he'll agree to that,” Giles commented.

“Oh, you never know, he's might appreciate the offer,” Jenny argued.

“Appreciate, perhaps. Accept, no. We've never had luck before trying to get them away from him for even a short amount of time, why would we be able to now?”

“I just have a feeling our luck is about to change,” Jenny stated casually, then leaned up to place a gentle kiss on her husbands cheek before disappearing into Buffy's room.

If Giles didn't know his wife better, he would say she was up to something.






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