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Chapter 9 – Reflecting


Buffy walked into her house, surprised and grateful that her father wasn’t
waiting on her. She didn’t want to know what was going through his twisted
mind, and she had no intention of finding out. As quickly and quietly as she
could, Buffy jogged up the marble staircase, hurriedly making her way to her
room. Opening her door, she froze when she saw her father sitting in the
armchair in the shadows.

Buffy’s hand gripped the doorknob, her knuckles turning white with the
force. “Daddy,” she said quietly.

Hank never looked at her- he just continued staring out the window with his
scotch in his hand. Buffy thought about turning around and heading to one
of the guestrooms, but there was no use putting off the inevitable. Taking
a deep breath, Buffy stepped into the room, making sure to leave the door
open. Her father rarely drank, and if his violent tendencies when he was
sober were any indication, she didn’t want to know what he would act like
with a little alcohol in his system.

“I’m a horrible father, aren’t I?” Hank’s voice asked quietly.

Buffy stared at him incredulously for a few moments, not sure if she even
wanted to witness this little mood swing of his. “Why do you care?” she
asked quietly, not wanting to say anything to get her in trouble, but at the
same time, what could she say to him?

“My only daughter, and I can’t even stand the sight of you,” he said softly,
more to himself than to her. Buffy didn’t say anything- she already knew
this was true. “You already know I never wanted you,” he commented.

“Yeah,” Buffy replied in an indifferent tone.

“You’re a constant reminder of what could have been,” Hank continued in the
same soft voice. “Of the happiness I could have had with your mother if I
had stayed, but I didn’t want it. I wanted my freedom.”

‘Oh, you have got to be kidding me,’ Buffy thought, fighting not to roll her
eyes. ‘Alcohol makes some people crazy, some violent, and some tired, but
my father? It makes him sane.’

“You don’t want to live here, do you?” Hank asked, still not looking at her.

Buffy didn’t say anything, instinctively knowing that whatever response she
had could come back to haunt her.

“Where’s your boyfriend?” he asked, finally looking at her.

“I don’t have a boyfriend,” Buffy replied softly. “I told you, he was just
over here because of a school project.”

Hank stayed quiet, either not believing her or simply taking what she said
as the truth for a change.

After a few minutes, he stood on shaky legs and began walking toward her.
Stopping in front of his daughter, he stared at her for a long moment. “You
look like your mother,” he said in a voice that almost sounded depressed.

“Is that good or bad?” Buffy asked in an unreadable voice.

For a second, she could see the man that she knew as her father emerge from
his alcohol laden state, glaring at her. Buffy prepared herself for the
explosion and was surprised when he simply turned and walked out of her
room.

Buffy let out a breath she didn’t even know she was holding before walking
into her adjoining bathroom and turning on the faucet. A few minutes later,
as she was pulling her hair off her neck as she prepared to lower herself in
the tub, Buffy heard a humming sound coming from her bedroom. Frowning, she made her way back into her room and looked for the source. She noticed it
was her cell phone, quietly vibrating on the surface of her dresser.

Buffy picked up the phone and headed back into the bathroom, flipping it
open as she walked.

“Hello,” she said softly, stepping into the tub.

“Are you alright, luv?”

Buffy smiled at the concern in his voice. “I’m fine, Spike.”

“You sure, you’re not just saying that? He’s not there right now, is he?”

“No, Spike. I am most definitely alone,” she replied, immersing herself in
the steaming water as she leaned her head back, attempting to alleviate the
ever-present tension in her body.

“Where are you?”

“Taking a bath,” Buffy said, closing her eyes.

Spike had to suppress a groan as the image of her naked body entered his
mind.

“Spike? Are you okay?” she asked when he stayed quiet for a while.

“Uh…yeah…fine, Buffy. I’m just fine. So…when are we going to get to work
again?” he asked.

“I don’t know. Depends how long my dad’s mood holds out.”

“His mood?” Spike replied in a worried tone.

“Yeah, I came in tonight, and he was being all broody and reflective.”

“How long will that last?”

“I’m guessing until the effects of the scotch wear off,” Buffy replied.

“I’m worried about you, luv,” Spike said softly.

“Spike, you don’t even know me,” Buffy said in a gentle tone.

“Doesn’t mean I can’t be worried about you,” he responded, the tone of his
voice rising slightly.

“Are you saying you want to be best friends now?” Buffy asked with a smile
beginning on her lips.

“Is that all you want?” Spike asked in a rough whisper that sent chills up
and down Buffy’s spine. She stayed quiet for a moment, contemplating the
many different meanings of that simple phrase.

“It’s been a long day, Spike,” Buffy said, her own voice coming out in a
whisper. “Why don’t we save the decision making for another time, okay?”

“So that’s not what you want,” Spike said softly in a dismayed tone.

“That’s not what I said,” Buffy replied gently. “You’ve been amazing, I
just don’t want to have any more serious conversations for a while, if
that’s okay?”

“Okay, luv,” he said quietly. “What about Saturday? We still going, or do
you think your dad will object?”

“It should be fine. He’s usually out with his current flavor-of-the-week, so
I don’t think it will be a problem. That is, if you’re sure you want to go
with the new girl who you hate, as far as everyone else is concerned,” Buffy
said, smiling brightly.

Spike chuckled. “Yeah, I’m not sure if it will do wonders for my
reputation. Maybe we should just take a rain check…or better yet, call the
whole thing off,” he replied in a sarcastic voice.

“I figured you’d try and get out of it,” Buffy said with a smile. “I knew
you were just putting on a show for your parents' benefit.” Buffy giggled
when she heard him laughing on the other end of the phone.

“I better go, pet. I just wanted to check on you.”

“How’d you get this number anyway?” Buffy asked, suddenly realizing that
she never gave it to him.

“I’ll see you at school, Summers.”

“Spike, don’t you dare hang up! How did you-“

“I have many persuasive techniques, pet,” Spike replied, the smile obvious
in his voice.

“That’s not an answer,” Buffy said, her brow furrowed in confusion.

“Well, that’s all you’re going to get tonight. Good night, luv,” he said
in low voice.

Buffy shivered at his tone. “Good night. And Spike?”

“Yeah, pet?”

“Thank you,” she whispered, bringing a smile to his face.

“You’re welcome, Buffy.”





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