Growing Up

Chapter 4

Buffy and Spike were laughing as they walked into the house later that day. They saw Joyce waiting for them, along with Giles. They stopped because they were surprised to see Giles there at that time. Joyce noticed something about Buffy. “Honey, what happened to your face?” She said as she touched a bruise on her daughter’s cheek and Buffy winced at the touch as she tried to think of what to tell her.

“Well, it was a funny story actually.” She said as she looked at Spike and he saw the look on her face and turned to Joyce.

“Right, it was my fault. I elbowed her in the face by mistake. I wasn't paying attention and didn't see her behind me. I felt really bad about it.” Spike stated and Buffy nodded as she looked back at her mother. Joyce looked at both of them and wasn’t sure if she really believed it, but she nodded anyway.

“Okay, as long as you’re alright. Come on, Buffy. Why don’t you tell me how school is going?” Joyce said as she took Buffy’s hand and pulled her out of the kitchen, without saying anything else. Buffy let her mother pull her away because she figured Giles wanted to talk to Spike alone. Spike looked uncomfortable after they left.

“I guess I better head home now.” He said as he was about to walk out the door, when Giles stopped him.

“Please stay a while, William. I was hoping we could talk.” Spike turned back to him and crossed his arms over his chest.

“What, you bought me something also because you know that won’t work with me.” Giles shook his head.

“I am aware of that. Why didn’t you tell me that you have been feeling neglected by me? I thought that when you moved out it was because you wanted to be away from me.” Spike sighed and shook his head also.

“I didn’t move just to get away from you. I was fine here, I’m just older now and I knew it wouldn’t be cool to still be living with my parents. It wasn’t because of you.” He said the last part quietly.

“I’m sorry that I haven’t been around much, but I would like to make it up to you.” Spike shook his head again.

“I’m okay with it, dad. I’m a grown man; I don’t need you to be around all the time anymore. It’s not me you have to make it up to, it’s them and I don’t think you can just buy them something every time. Buffy may go for that, but I know Joyce won’t. Buffy needs you more than I do. She needs a father right now. Her old man abandoned her and her mum and she needs to know that it won’t happen again. She needs to know that you’ll always be there.” Giles was surprised at what his son said. He couldn’t believe how grown up he was.

“Yes, you are quite right. I love Buffy as if she were my own just as I love you. You know that I love you, don’t you?” Spike nodded.

“Yeah, I know. I love you, too. Even if you are a ponce sometimes.” He mumbled.

“I heard that.” Giles said and Spike smiled at him.

“I was hoping you would.” Giles returned his smile.

“I’m glad we had this talk, son. You can stay another night here if you like.” Spike thought about it and then shook his head.

“No, it’s okay. I did move out for a reason; think I should go home tonight. I’ll see you later.” He said and Giles nodded as Spike walked out of the house. He watched him go and then turned around to see Joyce standing behind him. He gave her a smile and she smiled back as she walked over to him.

“Is everything okay?” She asked and he nodded as he placed a kiss on her forehead.

“Yes, I believe everything is fine now. I have quite a smart son. I wonder why I never realized it before.” Joyce agreed and thought about Buffy.

“Yeah, I think we have both been clueless about how smart those two can be.” Giles nodded and put his arm around Joyce as she rested her head on his shoulder. He thought about how lost he was after his wife died and when he decided to move away from England to start over. He never imagined that he would ever find love again so soon, but he was grateful for Joyce and Buffy. He loved his family and he wouldn’t change anything for the world.


* * * * *


Buffy walked into class the next day and smiled when she saw her teacher. She walked over to him. “Hi, Professor Donovan.” She said and he looked up at her.

“You know you can call me Angel. What can I do for you, Buffy?” Buffy took a deep breath before she answered.

“I just wanted to say how much I really enjoy your class. I’ve learned a lot. You know, in the short time that I’ve had.” She said and he smiled at her.

“Well, I’m glad to hear that.” Spike then chose that moment to walk into the classroom and stopped when he noticed Buffy talking to Angel. “If you ever need any help, you know you can come to me.” Angel was saying and Buffy gave him a smile.

“I’ll be sure to keep that in mind.” Spike rolled his eyes as he walked over to his desk. Buffy noticed him and moved away from Angel as more students started to walk into the room. Angel then started to write something on the board and Spike went over to Buffy.

“Does someone have a crush on their professor?” He whispered in her ear and she glared at him.

“That’s none of your business. You shouldn’t be eavesdropping.” She told him.

“I can’t help it. Your life is just so interesting.” He said sarcastically and she rolled her eyes.

“So what if I like him? Why do you care? It’s not like anything would happen anyway.” Spike nodded as he answered her.

“You’re right about that. He’s your teacher and you know that’s against the rules. He also happens to be engaged.” Buffy felt hurt when Spike told her that. She also felt a little embarrassed.

“Oh, I knew that.” Spike rolled his eyes.

“Sure you did. You should sit down now. Class is about to start.” Buffy nodded and went over to her seat, without saying anything else. Spike watched her go, with a sad expression on his face. She seemed to really like Angel and it wasn’t right for him to tease her like that. He saw how hurt she looked when he told her about Angel being engaged. He couldn’t help it though. He didn’t like seeing her so close to him. He couldn’t really understand the feeling he was having, but he didn’t like it. He watched Buffy for a bit longer as she was writing something down in her notebook. Spike couldn’t deny it anymore. She was very beautiful. He always thought so, but he would never admit it. He then started to realize what that feeling was that he was having. It was jealousy. When the hell did that start to happen?