| TITLE: The Last of the Sunnydale Gang (tLotSG) Chapter 14 AUTHOR: Inquisitive One EMAIL: [email protected] or [email protected] RATING: PG-PG13 DISTRIBUTION: Sooner or later my site http://www.angelfire.com/tv/inqstive1sfanfiction and any lists I send it to. If you want it let me know. TIMELINE: Takes place after season finale then goes off into its own universe, so if you haven't seen the finale and don't want to know what happened then don't read. SUMMARY: Dawn and Spike are the only two left of the Sunnydale Gang. NOTE: I know very little about lawyers and I never really paid attention when they discussed pregnancy and childbirth in school so excuse the screw-ups. _____________ Chapter 14 THAT EVENING "Dawn you sure about this? I could do this myself" Spike says looking at Dawn as she stands beside him her arms wrapped around her middle. "I have to." she slips her hand into his Spike opens the door to the reception area ushering Dawn inside. As they enter Hank walks out of the conference room. "Hank" Spike greets "Hi Dad" Dawn says giving her father a weak smile. "Spike" Hank nods "Dawn you alright sweetie?" he asks concerned at Dawn's slight nod he continues "Mr and Mrs Conroy are here. They are Thomas's parents" Spike swallows a growl nodding "So are Clinton and Hannah Richards." he informs them "You sure you want to go in there Dawn? Spike and I can handle them" Dawn moves closer to Spike nodding. "I'm sure" she follows her father into the conference seeing one of the men that had raped her sitting there beside the woman from the grocery store talking quietly. 'Thought a suit would make him less of a slimeball' she muses. She then sees a couple in their mid50s sitting near the suited slimeball. 'The possible grandparents' Spike sensing Dawn's nervousness squeezes her hand. "Dawn, Spike have a seat." Hank says "Dawn, Spike this is Mr and Mrs Conroy" he introduces them to the older couple "their lawyer Mr Vandenberg. And the Richards lawyer Mr Montgomery" Nodding in greeting Dawn and Spike sit down not saying a word to the others. Spike trying to keep from killing someone and his chip activating remains impassive. As he begins to think of ways he should have killed his grandsire and why 'Angelus... evil. Stake through his bleedin' heart. Holy water in wounds.' Dawn sits down her eyes remain on her father or one of the other lawyers. 'No thoughts of those bastards.' she squeezes Spike's hand looking at him she gives him a small smile "Look Mr Summers we are not debating whether or not your daughter would be a good mother we're discussing what is in the best interest of the child." one lawyer argues "And my clients would like to know who exactly is this child's father. So they can take care of their own" "Yes but do your clients have the financial resources to care for the child?" asks the lawyer for the middle aged couple. "And what kind of example would either your clients make for fathers?" he says looking at Spike pointedly Spike narrows his eyes "What makes you think I'd make a bad father mate?" he demands "I've done some research... William Branford doesn't exist" Mr Vandenberg remarks looking at Spike Spike lifts his brow "If I didn't exist how am I here?" he smirks "At least not one unaccounted for." the lawyer adds "The Branfords were almost annihilated over a hundred years ago. All that's left are a handful of Branfords and none of them are named William. From what I found the last Branford named William died over a hundred years ago" Spike sighs 'Bloody hell I shoulda known that would come up' he looks at the lawyer "Look I am that William Branford's great-great grandson. The reason there is no record of me is that me Mum was a hippy who went to London got knocked up and didn't have the presence of mind to go to the hospital when I was born. That's why I don't have a birth certificate." Spike lies "And you've spent all these years without a birth certificate?" Mrs Conroy asks dubious Spike nods "Yes" "What do you do for a living?" Mr Vandenberg questions "Can you support this child?" Spike looks at the man his eyes hard "I do what I want for a living... right now I work as an appraiser. And supporting this child... I have more money then even you." "From what?" Mr Montgomery demands "Some I inherited from a friend... the rest I made on my own." he shrugs playing with Dawn's hair absently "This child needs a stable home" Clinton's wife states. "I don't see why you won't just take the damn test" she glares at Spike "Watch it" Spike says warningly "Is that a threat?" Clint demands "For watchin' the language mate." Dawn strokes Spike's arm "Spike" she says softly "he's a little overprotective at times" she says "Look the only way I would even consider the test is if there was an agreement that none of you..." she looks at them "Have any contact with my daughter." "If its our granddaughter we deserve to see her" Mrs Conroy argues "I don't want her anywhere near whichever one is her biological father. I don't trust your son..." she looks at Hannah "Or your husband to not hurt her. Spike may look like the big bad" she gives him a small smile "but I know he'd never hurt her or me. But I can't say that for them" "This child needs a stable environment" Mr Conroy states "And she will" Dawn replies "Spike's been there for me. He's made sure my life's stable and normal. She's going to in a stable and loving home... with us." she runs her hands over her enlarged middle. "We want to know who the father is to set this all to rest." Mr Conroy states his eyes narrowing "Unless you know who the father is." "Well I don't." Dawn retorts her eyes flashing "Your son and his friends took that knowledge away." "Well then just do the test so we know" Mrs Conroy pleads "NO" Dawn says angrily tears filling her eyes "Why don't want us to find out the truth?" Hannah demands "Is the kid really his?" she nods at Spike "Because I don't think knowing is going to change anything. The fact is they raped me and to me that means they have no right to know." "Allegedly they raped you" Mr Vandenberg argues Spike hears Dawn's heart rate and the baby's heart rate jump in surprise. He looks at Dawn her face pale "Enough" he growls standing "Spike" Dawn says softly standing she puts her hand on his arm Spike puts his arm around her shoulders pulling her against his side hugging her his eyes on the lawyers "Never say she wasn't raped by those bloody wankers. You ever say it again I will rip out your tongues and feed 'em to you." he looks at the stenographer "Be a luv and tear that up." he smiles charmingly at her then looks back at the others his eyes cold. "They hurt my Dawn. Be glad I'm good or I'd rip you all new air holes." he snarls "Hank you deal with them. Dawnie's not comin' back 'ere." "But..." Mr Montgomery begins to protest Spike turns glaring at the man Dawn still at his side "I said she's not comin' back. If you want to ask 'er somethin' write it down give it to Hank. I'm not puttin' Dawn or the baby in a stressful environment." he walks out the door pressing his lips to her temple "You OK luv?" he asks softly resting a hand on her stomach Dawn nods blinking back tears she looks at him "Can we go home?" she asks softly "Sure luv" LATER: THE CONDO Spike walks into the unfinished nursery to find Dawn sitting on the rocking chair "Dawn luv are you OK?" he asks crouching before her Dawn sighs "She's quiet now" she tilts her head thoughtfully "they scared her. She doesn't like them" "I didn't either" "Spike I saw the look on his face when..." Dawn pauses "Spike if he gets her he's going to hurt her. She's just a baby Spike. How can he hurt a baby" she finishes with a sob holding her arms out to Spike. Spike stands picking Dawn up he carries her over to the bed in the corner of the room. He sits down with Dawn in his arms "Shh" he rocks her "I won't let that happen Dawn. She's stayin' with us no matter what happens. Even if we have to run." "I'm scared" Dawn sobs hugging him tight "It'll be OK Dawnie" Spike assures kissing her temple "I promise" he listens as Dawn drifts off to sleep her breathing ragged from her tears. |