I Don't own BTVS

Act I

Scene

I

The smell of summer was still fresh, not yet worn away by the thunderstorms and changing leaves. Buffy Summers had always liked summer. There was no school, she could stay out as late as she liked. There was even a rest bit from the beasts that clustered around the Hellmouth. Her nights in the summer were mostly peaceful and lazy, tonight being the exception. Her father was coming to visit her. Truthfully she had not seen Hank Summers since her freshman year of high school. Now she was dutifully awaiting her father in a nice French restaurant, The Bistro.

Buffy sat at the bar wishing she could sip on something stronger than a soda to ease her nerves, when a familiar voice called to her.

Charlotte: Wow is that really you Buffy? I swear I thought you had died or something?

Buffy: Yeah...it has been ages...so how have you been?

Buffy's mind: Oh my God who is this person? I know she used to hang out with my group but I don't think we were friends per se. Actually, I think I hated her. Yes now I remember, she was the slut of the cheerleading squad. She fucked everyone in school.

Charlotte rambled on about her engagement and how they're moving here from Los Angeles because they worry about the city's influence on their future children. It was all Buffy could do not to laugh. Instead she scanned the room looking for her father and trying to find a way to politely escape. When she saw Spike, saunter into the restaurant.

Buffy's mind: What is he doing here?

Charlotte: So we're going to have a bunch of kids.

Buffy's mind: I can't sit through another brain dead story about her wonderful boyfriend. Spike will have to do.

Buffy: Oh... Well.. hmmm I got to go see my date.

Buffy left the bar escaping Charlotte by walking towards Spike. All the while Charlotte's brown eyes were locked on her to determine if Buffy was telling the truth and watched as she gave Spike a soft kiss. Charlotte turned to the bartender.

Spike: What the hell Slayer? Why are you here and more importantly a kiss really? Is Captain Card board not getting your motor running?

Buffy: I'll explain later just pretend to be my date.

Spike: No!

Buffy: Why not?

Spike: None of your goddamn business. Now shove off?

A girl with a wannabe Drusilla look came from the bar.

Dru 2.0: Who the hell is this?

Spike: Baby it's not what it looks like. She's just some crazy bint from work.

Buffy had a sinister smile and put on her sad puppy dog eyes: What are you talking about honey? We have been dating for two years and (eyes welling up with tears) your cheating on me? I thought we had more than that?

Buffy inwardly laughed and thought to herself: and the Oscar goes to Buffy Summers.

Dru 2.0: Oh God I didn't know. I am so sorry.

The girl stormed off. Buffy wiped away her eyes giving the biggest smile to Spike. He glared at her.

Spike: You bitch why did you do that?

Her eyes seem to sparkle with wicked joy: Oh don't be upset. I was simply trying to help you from an unhealthy behavior pattern where you sleep with some idolized copy of your crazy ex-girlfriend. Or maybe... it was because I was just bored.

Spike's voice dropped lower and became more predatory: One day this chip will be gone and I will be bathing in your blood.

Buffy rolled her eyes as her father strolled in through the doors of the restaurant as Charlotte bolted from the bar, jumping on Hank like a lion on a juicy steak. Buffy eyes widened as she watched the happy couple kiss passionately. Spike examined the trio with a growing fascination.

Charlotte: Buffy this is my fiancé I was telling you about earlier.

Then grim realization hit Buffy then.

Buffy's mind: That's why he wanted to see me. He was telling me he's remarrying.

Buffy: This is my father.

Hank: Oh honey, remember I told you about my daughter. Well this is my daughter Buffy.

Charlotte: Oh my god, I thought your daughter was sooo much younger. I would never have guessed you two were related. You are just so young looking Hanky... Oh my god this means I'll be my besty's step mother.

Hank: I didn't know you two knew each other.

Charlotte: Yes we went to high school together for a year. We were like best friends in cheerleading. All the other girls were sooo bitchy.

Spike laughed loud enough to get the group's attention.

Charlotte looked at Spike: Oh I am sorry this must be sooo awkward for you. Buffy aren't you going to introduce us to your boyfriend?

Spike mocking: Yes pet, aren't you going to introduce me to your family?

Buffy's face grew pale: What? Oh...yeah because I told you... that we are dating and... well...this is William.

Spike: I prefer it if you all called me, Spike.

Hank scanned Spike up and down and called over to the hostess: Table for four and the best bottle of whiskey this place has.

The Hostess sat them at a table at the back of the restaurant.

Charlotte: Hanky boo you know how I hate whiskey.

Hank: Yes that's right give the ladies a nice Marlowe.

The hostess: I am afraid I'll have to see some ID.

Hank pulls out a crisp fifty: You really don't need to do that.

Hostess: I'll be right back.

Hank: Do like cigars Spike?

Spike: Yes I do.

Hank: Well it's your lucky day. I just got a gift from my friend in Cuba.

Hank pulled out two cigars and handed one of them over to Spike.

Charlotte: Hanky Boo! You said you would quit smoking after my grandfather died of lung cancer.

Hank: Oh honey, I promise I will quit before our wedding day. Now Spike, where did you and my daughter meet.

Spike smiled charmingly at Charlotte: It seems like a long time ago, don't it pet? Let's see, it was the night of your parent-teacher conference and I was hanging out in the library when Joyce introduced us and there was a chemistry between Buffy and I right away. Unfortunately, we were both with the wrong people and hated each other but after a few years, I saw her talking to some fraternity boy and she was just too beautiful for such a ponce that I realized this is the girl for me.

Charlotte: Oh that is so sweet, isn't it Hanky boo?

Hank: Yes.

The liquor and wine arrived. Spike and Hank took shots of whiskey together while Charlotte and Buffy sipped the Marlowe.

Spike: Tell me where did you two meet?

Charlotte started to tell a long winded story about how they met, when they're going to marry, and how they are going to settle down in Sunnydale. Hank looked over at his daughter and realized something was wrong.

Hank: Buffy what's the matter?

Buffy: What is the matter? You really don't know?

Hank: No, I don't understand honey. I wanted you to meet the love of my life and to tell you that I am moving here to be closer to you. Yet you seem unhappy. Why?

Buffy: The love of your life? Let me get this straight. For the last four years, you completely and totally cut your only daughter out of your life, so you can fuck your way through every bimbo in LA. Then finally what? You had some realization that you actually want to get married and be a father again?

Hank: Yes, but the way you say it makes it seem like a bad thing.

Spike more mockingly says: Yep she likes to do that with people's plans. We're trying to work on it. Aren't we pet?

Buffy with utter annoyance and confusion: I can't take this I got to go.

Buffy stormed out of the restaurant.

Spike: Well it's been nice meeting you but I should go check on her.

Spike follows.