XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

“God, this is gonna be interesting,” Spike said

“You look good,” Illyria said, “It’ll be okay”

“Yeah, cause it’ll be interesting when the teachers see you”

“Then I shall assume the Fred look”

“No, don’t do that. Elena knows you better in your normal form”

“Speaking of her, where is she?”

“Upstairs with Kate. Maybe I should go get her”

“I will”

Illyria headed upstairs, as Spike had a mug of blood, watching her go

“Everything will be fine,” Wesley assured him, “It’s all about Elena”

“I don’t know what I’m worried about. Elena’s a smart girl”

Illyria returned moments later, leading Elena down the stairs, hand in hand, as Spike followed them outside to the car. With his nerves slightly on edge, Spike drove off towards the school, partially listening to Elena talking about her school life. They arrived there, as Elena led them into her classroom. Spike and Illyria instantly felt uncomfortable with all the other parents and their children

“So, you must be Elena’s parents?” asked one of her teachers

“Yeah, that’s right. I’m William and this is my girl, Winifred”

“So you’re not married?”

“He, no, cause it’s exciting enough as it is. So, Elena?”

Spike looked around and saw his daughter talking to one of her friends

“She’s doing quite well in all her schooling,” the teacher replied, “She’s a very intelligent little girl for her age. Quite artistic too”

“Influenced by Granddaddy Angel,” Spike muttered

“What was that?”

“Nothing. Er, continue”

“She’s also quite musical. She has a lovely singing voice”

“Gets that from me,” Spike grinned with pride

“I’ve never heard her sing,” Illyria said with a frown

“Haven’t you? Oh, you don’t watch cartoons with her, that’s right”

“Those cartoons are highly annoying”

“Before I continue, what’s with the blue hair and tan?” the teacher asked

“She’s got a bit of Celt in her,” Spike replied quickly, “From way back. She’s a traditional girl, this one”

“I don’t follow the old ways anymore”

“And moving on”

“Remember when I said that Elena is artistic?” the teacher said, “Well, she also has a very great imagination”

“This can’t be good,” Spike thought

The teacher led them over to the far wall and showed them the children’s drawings of their families. Spike instantly saw Elena’s and beamed with pride over his daughter’s artistic ability. Her drawing stood out quite easily…for perhaps the wrong reasons

“For some reason, she’s drawn your face as disfigured,” the teacher said, pointing out Spike’s vamp face, “And with yellow eyes. And you, Winifred, she’s dressed you in what she calls ‘Mommy’s battle armour’”

The picture showed Spike and Illyria in combat against a couple of vampires and a furry demon, while Elena, Lindsey, Kate and Wesley were watching from the sidelines, popcorn and soft drinks in their hands. Dracula was also there, seen to the side of the picture, while Oz was in his werewolf form, playing the guitar

“Elena is quite good,” Illyria smiled, “The others should see this”

“Indeed she is,” Spike agreed

“She says that the person with the guitar is Oz as a big playful puppy”

“Yeah, Oz, he’s a playful guy. He’s not that hairy. Shaved recently”

“So, what do you say about this anyway?” the teacher asked

“I agree that Elena has a great imagination,” Spike said, “I’m guessing she got it from a friend of mine. He runs an occult shop. Elena probably sees us as heroes”

“Why shouldn’t she?” Illyria said

“I don’t disagree,” the teacher said, “I’ve heard Elena state that you two are the greatest parents ever”

“Well, she’s the greatest kid ever,” Spike said with a smile

“Anyhow, I’ll leave you to it. I’ve got other parents to see”

She headed off, as Spike turned back to Elena’s drawing

“Is that all we’re here for?” Illyria asked

“Yeah, it is really”

“It wasn’t that bad as you made it out to be”

“No, it wasn’t. I was expecting bad stuff, but Elena’s doing quite well. Now, where is that little terror of ours?”

“Over there,” Illyria replied, pointing her out

The pair headed towards their daughter, but at that moment, Charles Gunn burst into the classroom, flanked by four vampires, all grinned menacingly in their vamp faces

“Oh this can’t be good,” Spike said

“Spike! Long time, no see,” Gunn said with a grin

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

“I wonder how they’re going,” Lindsey said with an amused smile

“Spike and Illyria at school, surrounded by children,” said Wesley in thought, “Yes, I can imagine just how well that is going”

“Guess we’ll find out later tonight when they get back”

“Or tomorrow, if the schoolkids wear them out first”

“True. Anyhow, I’m going out on patrol. Take it easy”

“Holding the fort here”

Lindsey grabbed his jacket on the way out, as Wesley returned to his books. It felt weird being alive once again. He also felt a little uncomfortable around his friends, even after a year when he tried to destroy the world. He knew it wasn’t his fault, as Wolfram and Hart were the reason for his corruption, but Wesley couldn’t help but feel responsible for that night. Shaking his head to clear his mind, Wesley went back to his books, trying to lose himself amongst the text

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

“Long time, no pleasure whatsoever,” Spike said, “What are you doing here?”

“What can I say? I missed you, buddy,” Gunn replied

“You will leave now,” Illyria demanded

“Uh no, I don’t think so”

Gunn raised his crossbow and shot Illyria in the shoulder. Spike growled and vamped out, lunging at Gunn and taking him down. Two vampires grabbed Spike by the arms and lifted him up, before throwing him across the classroom. The teachers, parents and children were running, screaming from the room, as Illyria removed the bolt from her shoulder and stabbed it into a vampire’s heart, reducing him to dust

Spike got to his feet and kicked a vampire in the stomach, then grabbed him by the back of his shirt and threw him onto several desks, as the second vampire swung his fist. Spike ducked the swing and clocked the vampire, then rammed his head into the bookshelf. Grabbing the vampire by the hair, Spike repeatedly bashed his face on top of the bookshelf, then flicked his wrist, popping out a stake and dusting the vampire

Illyria took on the third vampire, trading blows with him, having the upper hand in battle, until she swept his legs out from underneath and staked him upon landing. Rising and turning, she recoiled slightly when she saw Gunn before her. He lashed out with a knife, but Illyria caught his wrist, before raising the crossbow bolt. Gunn grabbed her wrist and drove his knee into her stomach, before headbutting her, then swinging her around into Spike’s path, just as he dusted the last vampire. As the pair went down, Gunn zoomed in on Elena, enjoying her fear as he picked her up and quickly raced outside, as Spike and Illyria tried to untangle themselves

“Dammit, he’s got Elena,” Spike growled, “He’s taken my daughter!”

“Then we shall take her back,” Illyria said, getting up

Her clothes were replaced by the leather outfit, as she removed her hair band, letting her hair fall out across her shoulders. Spike grinned as they followed after Gunn

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX