A/N Thank you all for reviewing!

1443—Leaving behind a trail of bodies, Charlotte finds shelter in an abandoned church in and remains there for some time. Reports say she encounters a family with the shared name of her watcher—Edward Kenneth. She tortures the patriarch of the family, turns him into a vampire only to drive a stake into his heart shortly after he rises. The mother and children are left unharmed. There was an investigation into the relatives. Excluding the name, there is no relation to Edward Kenneth.

1499—Charlotte travels to Marseille, lingers there for no longer than two days before, with no forewarning nor consciousness, retreats in her journey. She randomly travels to Spain, slaughters her way through a village, circles another before, once again, retreating.

Eventually, with no apparent self-awareness, she roams to what she knows, what was her home before she turned. Even after several centuries, Charlotte is drawn to what she called home. And, as she does every time she returns home, Charlotte settles where she once laid her head alongside her brother. It is of no concern to her that the village is a stark contrast to what she may or may not remember.

Once where her domicile was rooted is now two homes surrounded by shacks and trees. Again, this does not seem to disturb Charlotte who, if refused into the place she previous inhabited, merely lays her head outside. One fortunate survivor described Charlotte's arrival and stay—before the slaughter of their neighbours—as amicable.

Nevertheless, in spite of her peaceful lodging, once the moon rises and the sunrise falls approximately three times, Charlotte rises when darkness sweeps the village and all is quiet. She then, as per usual, proceeds to slaughter those who have settled in her home. If uninvited or refused, Charlotte sets the home aflame before butchering anyone else in sight.

Once enough blood is spilled and she is sated Charlotte abandons the village until she, inevitably, returns home.

1599—Charlotte's century long year absence is concluded by the brutal execution of a Slayer. This results in an eleven-year hunt as her watcher, after being discharged by the Council because of his affection for the Slayer, vows vengeance.

1610—Charlotte halts in her trek to execute the aforementioned Slayer's watcher before she then secrets herself for another long term absence.

—In contrast to what earlier reports state, this is Charlotte's most prolonged absence as she is becoming astute at covering her tracks.

1767—Charlotte's eminence gathers a following in Carmarthen once bodies begin to heap, steered by a young carpenter—he was eventually identified as Calvin Sayer. This culminates in a public declaration of her apparent divinity which results in a mass slaughter in her name. Charlotte grows tired of her stay and, subsequently decimating her followers once labelling them whimsical, Charlotte departs from Carmarthen.

The only valuables she takes with her is Calvin Sayer.

— Aside from her intimate association with what would become known as the Whirlwind, Calvin Sayer is subsequently known as Charlotte's longest surviving siring then, in a rarity, her companion.

Situated at Charlotte's right hand, Calvin has been termed as Charlotte's sounding board, a vigilant shadow, her unwavering disciple and—according to survivors and reports—has been referred to by her as her eldest son.

"Mid seventeen hundreds. Only two hundred or so years to go."

Hurriedly jotting down Charlotte's century-long drought, Willow underlined it as she had any other time the woman had gone unaccounted for. In all capitals underneath a list entitled 'Big Bad's Big Historics' she scribbled down the murder of yet another Slayer at the hands of Charlotte. Then, re-reading the name that stood out most to her, Willow hastily wrote it down with a murmur.

—Calvin Sayer. Mega toady. 1767-? If unalive...a weakness?

Uncrossing then recrossing her legs when they began to fall asleep, Willow shifted in the wooden chair she'd been occupying most of the day. Her gaze skimmed the page so she could locate where she left off, and once she did the redhead resumed her reading. The tip of the pen tapped against the hardback of the reference book in chorus with Xander's light snoring, the only noise in an otherwise eerie quietude.

Buffy and Giles had all but worked themselves into a fraught slumber. Meanwhile, Anya and Xander had eventually gotten some shut-eye after dozing off once every other hour once the words in the books had started to blur together. The only one who remained alert and awake was Willow. She had gulped down far too much coffee in a self-assigned mission to uncover some useful information before her friends roused in a rested but still flurried state.

"Strung up for the Watcher's Council to see. Just like Giles had said and...Oh, God."

Reaching for her lukewarm coffee, Willow's eyes flitted away from the passage that recounted the Slayer's death and she promptly turned pages. The redhead downed what was left of her coffee, setting it down with a breathless gasp before she rubbed at her glassy eyes.

"Boy, it's a good thing cameras weren't a big thing back in the day."

...Tap, tap, tap...Knock.

Willow jolted in her seat and bit down on her tongue to refrain from screeching, catching the book before it could tumble from her lap. Holding a hand to her chest, the redhead's eyes snapped to the window when she heard a scuffle. Breathing in sharply through her nose, Willow swallowed thickly with a large, dark figure fluidly stepped into view from the other side of the window.

Illuminated by the compound light, the figure was a mere outline of a body with no features. That was enough to jog the worst thoughts in Willow's mind but, when the figure raised its hand and placed it on the window, Willow felt paranoia creep up her spine. Her hands clutched the arms of her chair while her eyes glassed over when the hand furled into its palm before rapping on the glass.

It tilted its head and she knew that it was staring at her. This time, Willow didn't fight the ear piercing scream that ripped from her throat.

"DEMON!"

Springing up from her chair, the book thumping on the ground when it fell from her lap, Willow's horrified yelps resulted in everyone's eyes snapping open in unison. Chiming in on the petrified screaming, Xander clumsily scrabbled to his feet, bumping into Willow with another dreaded scream.

"What? Where?"Xander cried out once there were no screams left to voice, reaching for the nearest object to brandish threateningly."DEMON!"

Adrenaline rushing through her veins, Buffy shot to her feet with her stake at the ready, clenched in her fist and prepared to plunge into the threat. She made a rush for the door, pushing aside the chair that contained her ex-watcher.

The force of the collision resulted in a drowsy Giles being knocked from his chair. He hastily caught himself when he reached out to steady himself on his desk, the books stacked atop of them toppling on to the ground.

"Bloody hell."

Clearing his throat, the ex-watcher looked over at his shoulder at Buffy."What is it?"

Buffy lifted one shoulder in a shrug as she covertly glimpsed out the window through a gap in the opened curtains. Eventually, she exhaled in exasperation when she couldn't catch sight of anything.

"I can't see anything. It's all...night-time out there."Pressing her lips together with an impatient shake of her head, Buffy glanced over to Giles with resolution."But there is something out there. I know there is."

"There is! It's...It's—"Stumbling over her words, Willow tucked a lock of hair behind her ear when all eyes snapped to her. She swallowed thickly before hastily crossing her arms."well, I don't know what it is. But it's something. I'm sure it's something."

Buffy made a comforting sound, parting her lips to comfort her sleep deprived friend but promptly snapped her mouth shut when a hasty tapping resounded from the door.

Rap, rap ra—Knock, kno—knoc—KNOCK.

Willow made a sound that was a mix of self-satisfaction and alarm."See? That's what I heard! But now it's frenzied and with purpose."

Extracting a makeshift stake from his desk drawer and a pickaxe that abruptly came out of nowhere, Giles' bleary eyes cleared before clouding with purpose. He straightened to his full height, fluidly situating himself at the doorframe with a sharp nod at Buffy.

"What?"Xander's eyes widened in panic and the weapon he'd snatched up—the remote control—was waved with a flourish."You're, uh, you're going to open it?"

His eyes darted from Buffy to Giles who shared a look before the ex-watcher gestured for the Slayer to unlock the door. This subsequently answered Xander's question and, when Buffy unbolted the door, Xander exhaled a shaky laugh.

"Great. Just invite the vamps in to kill us!"One arm flailing frantically at the air, his travesty of a weapon being unintentionally wielded, Xander's uneasy chuckles continued in a strident intonation."Hey, why don't we make it all easy-peasy by getting all in a single file line with our nummy necks at ready?"

Adopting a defensive stance, Giles' brow furrowed."As always, Xander, your candour is not appreciated. Especially if, in this case, part of it is...spot on."

For a moment, Buffy looked apprehensive as Xander gestured at her to think her plan over. But it wasn't enough to sway her and, with a final look at Giles, she expeditiously unbolted and unlocked the door, hand twisting the handle.

In time with Buffy's movements, Xander took a large step backward, protectively guiding Willow with him who, with a pitiful but fond smile, took his remote/weapon from him. With a firm pull of the handle, Buffy opened up the door, free hand holding her stake aloft. Giles bustled out from behind the door, following Buffy closely as the Slayer, after listening out, took a step outside the home.

Xander and Willow carefully eyed the pair as they ventured outside the house and into the darkness. Silence befell the household, the darkness outside only illuminated by the dim light seeping out from Giles' home.

"I don't see anything."

Giles kept his weapons brandished while he glanced down at the Slayer."Buffy?"

"Nope. I don't feel..."Buffy slowly dropped her hand by her side, shrugging a second time as she turned to face her ex-watcher."Maybe we scared it off—"

Behind the Slayer, a large figure loomed in the doorframe, smoothly sliding into view of those inhabiting the house. Willow, Xander and Giles' eyes rounded in panic. While the ex-watcher reached for his Slayer with his weapon held above his head to strike at the figure, Xander and Willow moved to lunge for it.

The three shouted for the Slayer while the figure looming over her simultaneously chimed in.

"BUFFY!"

"Buffy."

While Xander, Willow, and Giles barely had time to reach her before Buffy raised her stake and revolved on her heel. Inches from driving her stake into the figure's chest, her wrist was abruptly caught in a hand. Buffy raised her unoccupied hand, fingers furled into a tight fist and reared it back.

"Buffy! It's me."

Riley.

Buffy instantly dropped her hand and snapped her head up with wide eyes. Giles, Willow, and Xander stopped in their tracks, relief flooding through them. The Slayer stepped back into the home, tugging Riley with her. The light shone down on Riley who donned all dark and camouflage. He entered Giles' home further, swiftly shutting the door behind him before, after releasing the Slayer, he rushed to the window to inspect the darkness outside.

Buffy watched after him, her eyebrows knitted together."Riley?"

The racket rousing her from her deep sleep, Anya finally showed her face as she languid sat up on the couch she'd passed out on, carding a hand through her disheveled hair. Eyes blearing and features contorting into a scowl, the ex-demon directed an indignant glower at the alarmed group.

She lazily stretched and stifled a yawn."What? I was sleeping."

Serving Anya with a puzzled expression and slumping against the back of the couch, Xander held a hand to his chest, his heart hammering against his ribcage. Anya rose to her knees on the couch, arms winding around her boyfriend from behind with a quiet murmur.

"Uh, anyone missing when we were all deaf just a teensy-weensy bit?"Xander breathily asked as he struggled to catch his breath."Just me?"

"Breathe, Xander, or you'll asphyxiate yourself."Anya softly urged, reaching up and around to cover Xander's hand with her own."You barely have enough life left as it is."

Willow flumped into Giles' desk chair and joined in on the Riley staring fest alongside Buffy and Giles. The soldier was still gawping at the darkness outside, hand clenching his holster. Noting his ghostly white knuckles sported bloody gashes, the three shared a glance of suspicion.

Buffy nodded at Giles and Willow before calmly making her way over to Riley, arms crossed over her chest.

"Riley?"Buffy restated with a forced smile, elevating an eyebrow at his get-up."You need to work on your conspicuousness—"

Feigned smile instantly dropping from her face when Riley turned to face her, Buffy bluntly inquired."What happened to your face?"

Worry filled Buffy's eyes as she stared up at her boyfriend—her would be boyfriend if they hadn't been late in divulging their actual jobs—reaching up to touch his beaten face. Now able to completely see his face in the light, Buffy scanned his slashed lower lip, the fresh black, and blue around his swollen and a lengthy, bloody laceration across his jaw.

"It looks worse than it is. I'm fine."

Forcing what looked like a strained smile, Riley attempted to brush off the subject."You should see the other guy. He's dust but i-i got him."

Humming in feigned praise with a light, awkward chuckle, Xander raised his eyebrows wryly. Clearing his throat, he motioning to Riley then his outfit pointedly.

"Where's the rest of your Avengers?"

Riley's eyes pinned to Xander while they rounded in concentration and horror as he recollected what had befallen his comrades. The Scoobies, stunned into silence when the soldier let out a shaky breath, witnessed the color drain from Riley's face and his shoulders feebly slump. Xander shifted uneasily when Giles sent him a scolding look, lifting his shoulders in a helpless shrug.

"Please, come in!"Pushing up his glasses with his finger, Giles stepped aside and gestured for Riley to pass."Yo-You look like you're in great need of rest."

Xander and Willow instantly made sounds of agreement while Buffy, embracing Riley's arm with her own, motioned for him to follow her.

"I second that. Come on."

He limply followed when Buffy pulled him in the direction of the couch, Anya shuffling up to make room for him, Xander turning to face them. Giles and Willow slowly followed everyone to the couch, the redhead dragging a chair with her still seated in it.

"Forrest and I managed to take down some but we got separated evading a duad."Tangling his hair in his fist, Riley slicked his hair back, eyes darting back and forth as he tried to recall when he'd last seen his friend."I remember that he was chasing one that was trying to feed on a human. The rest…"

He shook his head with a humorless chortle, his eyes glazed over with sheer tribulation."we were several men down before we even managed to dispose of a few."

"They were starving by the looks of it and there..."Complying when Buffy gently pushed him down onto the couch, Riley exhaled a heavy sigh."there was too much."

Rubbing his arm in comfort, Buffy shared another pointed look with her ex-watcher over Riley's head before she sat down beside him.

"Where was this?"She softly asked.

"On campus. It was on campus."The disbelief in Riley's voice was transparent and proof that he hadn't encountered anything like what he'd witnessed that night."A swarm of vampires were feasting on students. We were called in when one got inside."

Inside? Buffy mouthed in disbelief, it slowly fading into determination when she tightened her grip on her stake.

"When did the attack happen?"

Pulling at his hair before wiping a hand down his face, Riley took a moment in an effort to gather his bearings. He felt five pairs of eyes searing into him with both worry and curiosity.

Riley swallowed the lump in his throat, eyes boring into his worn-out boots. He felt burning shame soaring through him as Buffy murmured something comforting.

He felt shame at how she—the Slayer—who'd more than likely experienced something similar dozens of times to the point she could pick herself up and dust herself off, was comforting him. It was humiliating because he'd been trained to endure, to pick himself up, dust himself off and keep going.

But, as he'd just learned, there was a limit to what he could endure. He was completely out of his depth. And, as that thought kept running through his mind, Riley burrowed into Buffy's tight embrace.

"It wasn't an attack."Riley breathed out, wetting his dry lips with another somber, sighed laugh. He wrung his hands, brows knitting together thoughtfully as his nail picked at drying blood."No. It wasn't an attack."

Interlocking his fingers and squeezing in an attempt to conceal his trembling hands, Riley lifted his head to meet Giles' questioning gaze.

"It was an extermination."

"It's gripp—ing."

Emphasising her words with a skip in her step, Lottie casted a small smile over her shoulder at Spike who lazily strolled a step behind her. Arms outstretching and theatrically waving around her, she tipped her head back and beamed up at the night sky as if the sun itself was shining down at her. Her lips parted in awe while she studied the stars twinkling down at her before she carried on with her gamboling.

Watching after her attentively as she cavorted, Spike reached out and carded his fingers through her hair. Tresses swirling through his fingers when she pirouetted round and round, he affectionately clicked his tongue in time with her dancing.

"What is, poppet?"He drawled through a gust of smoke, it swirling around him.

"The Hellmouth."She absent-mindedly answered, staring open-mouthed at the ground beneath her in veneration."It drones."

Shuffling her feet in a parody of the twist, a slow smile stretched at Lottie's lips.

"It's like walking on pins and needles."

Pressing her lips together to refrain from smirking, Lottie decelerated her gait and patiently awaited for Spike to fall into step beside her. Stomping out the cancer stick, Spike came up behind her with a low snarl, revolving out of sight when she looked over he shoulder. An amused giggle spilling from her lips, Lottie twirled after him with outstretched arms, trailing after him.

"On the subject of eccentrics…"Circling Lottie with a hum when she was close enough, and garnering an awed sigh from her when his coat swirled around him, Spike finally fell into step by her side."How is your mumsy?"

The corners of Lottie's lips twitched knowingly.

"Are you fishing, daddy?"A pair of doe eyes peered up at him, flickers of green intermixing with brown. Her pupils dilated when he met her gaze."Hmm?"

"And what if I was?"

"She misses you. I feel it always."Lottie emphasized her proclamation with firm pats to his chest, just over where his heart once thumped."And she was my compass."

Walking her fingers up his chest and clicking her tongue in time with each step, she touched his cheek gently.

"Led me down the yellow brick road."

Spike's head snapped up and his eyes rounded."That right?"

Nodding with a knowing grin, Lottie cupped Spike's cheek before she altogether retreated, twirling on her heel and wandering off ahead. He was swift to follow, once again falling into step alongside her, Lottie's fingers furling in the arm of his duster.

"The stars weren't aligning as promised and they weren't divulging the forecast. They weren't conversing with me at all. It was most unusual."

There was a flicker across her face that Spike instantly caught, noticing how her eyes dimmed with something pained. It was gone as soon as it appeared but he made note of it, fingers spreading and arm raising in a silent urge to release the leather of his duster and take his hand.

She did.

"But you know mummy."Lottie cheerfully exclaimed once she snapped out of her daze, her eyes once again illuminating and mouth curving."She's graced with a wicked tongue. She got them yapping."

Tongue skimming across his teeth, Spike raised his eyebrows.

"Got them proper henpecked, don't she?"

Batting her lashes at him with a nod, Lottie let go of his hand before entwining both of her own around one of Spike's. Lottie nestled into his side with a tranquil purr, her cheek pillowing on his shoulder as their paces slowed and they simply wandered down the road.

"The estrangement is painful. I don't like being piggy in the middle when the pastime isn't fun."

Slumping into her embrace with bared teeth and no forewarning, Spike bowed his head almost shamefully. Carrying his weight and imitating him by bowing her own head, Lottie's brunette locks oscillated in front of his eyes.

"I tried. I fettered her good and tight with her favorite chains, made her scream the way she likes. Then the way she doesn't like but I know she does like. Her eyes glow..."Spike's eyes shined as he glanced up at the moon through brown tresses, his mouth twisting into a pensive smile."I even tied up Miss Edith 'cause she was gossiping when she wasn't meant to."

His shoulders then slumped as he shook his head."Nothing worked."

He promptly hissed sharply when Lottie, in response to his passivity expression, tightened her grip tight on him. The threat of his bones snapping was alarming. It sent a shockwave throughout his body, a throb soaring up and down his arm. It was a needed and welcomed consolation and, with a barely audible mumble of her name, Spike reciprocated by pressing his mouth to her temple.

Lottie lifted her head from his shoulder with reassuring brown hues, tilting her head almost innocently. She gradually relaxed the right grip she had one him once he relaxed.

"But the sap didn't last long. Soon as you left he was ashes to ashes."

She smiled as soothingly as she could, wanting to abolish the dejection in his eyes."You schemed with the Slayer and you know she doesn't like not being part of the game. She was left out."

"She tell you that? I told her I was thinking of her the whole time and I was. She wanted to blow up Sunnyhell? I'm all for it. She wants to spill blood from here to soddin' Timbuktu? She can have at it. But the world?"

Shaking his head with a series of 'no, i ain't havin' that', Spike tugged Lottie into his side while in need for easement as he steered her down another road. There was a few moments of silence between them as they listened in on several conversations while passing friends, families, or couples. Girlish giggling sounded across from them as a pair of teenagers conversed before it was overwhelmed by a young couple arguing down the street.

It was all too much for Spike who, after grounding his teeth together, resumed his declaiming.

"It was bleedin' Angelus getting all in her head, that was. He wasn't Angelus, you know. He was all...i don't know but he was all for it."

Scoffing as he vividly recalled his grandsire histrionically declaring his master plan in the ears of Drusilla, himself and a gathering of intimidated minions, Spike felt familiar rage soar throughout his body.

It was a plan solely meant to finally end the Slayer in a blaze of glory but, most of all, encage Angel in perpetuity. Angelus hadn't recovered from the violation of the soul nor having been front and center but helpless while Angel had been in the driver's seat.

"The end of the world. He amped it all up, brainwashed her 'cause she loves this bloody world."Tightening her grip on his hand, Lottie peered up at Spike with wide eyes as rapped his fingertip against his temple with an indignant sniff."Her nearest and dearest, the melodies, dancing, dresses, diamonds, you name it."

"Every ten years there's a new chapter as the page turns—"Spike recited the words from memory while Drusilla's crooning resounded in his ears and flashes of them dancing on New Years went through his mind."A new decade that rolls in and gets her all worked up."

He jabbed the tip of his finger against his temple once more before letting his hand fall by back his side, fingers curling into his palm afterward.

"I knew she'd be in a strop with me 'cause I went behind her back and thrashed her Daddy into next Sunday but..."

Spike trailed off with a disgruntled snarl and he reared back his foot before, with all the force he could muster, colliding it with a nearby bench. It instantly loosened from its bolts embedded in the ground and, after being served with another kick, it belted through the air and knocked into a nearby tree.

Wide-eyed and unable to form words for a moment, Lottie's eyes watched after Spike as he proceeded to use a nearby lamp post as his punching bag.

"Something was out of order. I knew it. I couldn't feel mummy's cheeping anymore."Hugging herself with a sheepish mewl when she felt the grief radiating from him, all remnants of amusement faded from her face."Even the postcards weren't pretty anymore. Last one wasn't even scratched when she was delivered."

Retreating from the dented lamp post and cradling his torn and bloody knuckles, Spike's ears picked up on the shame seeping from Lottie's words. Misty-eyed and drained, he was swift to make his way over to her his non-bloodied hand unlatching her arms from one another so he could pull her in close.

Mortified, she shifted from foot to foot and hung her head."I should've gotten there quicker."

"Oi, now that's enough of that."

Bending at the knees as his fingers took hold of her chin, Spike continued his light chiding until Lottie raised her head and met his gaze. Her eyes zeroed in on his bloodied knuckles, his skin torn and swollen. The pad of his thumb stroked her skin, brushing back and forth until she followed the movements with her eyes.

"Look at me for me?"

As expected, her eyes snapped up to his almost instantly, fingers clenching leather in her fists. She peered up at him owlishly, desolation greatly quelled as he continued his caressing.

"It's not your fault. No matter what went down between your mumsy and me, you'll always be our baby."

Keeping up his ministrations until she was placated and soothed, Spike's features steadily softened when she eventually beamed up at him.

His mouth twisting into a ghost of a smile, Spike squeezed her chin fondly."'sides we're immortal. Who knows what'll happen?"

Mouthing his words back to him with a reassuring nod, Lottie shuffled further into his clutches with a needy susurration, fingers unfurling from leather so she could wind her arms around his middle. Pillowing her chin atop his shoulder, Lottie nestled as close as she could, lashes fluttering against her cheek as she closed her eyes.

"All better then?"

Lottie hummed low in her throat."Mmm-hmm."

One hand cupping the back of her head, his fingers twining in her dark tresses, Spike pulled her in closer. They swayed from side to side, the movement lulling them into a state of tranquillity and seclusion. The tight grasp she had around him was, much like earlier, close to bone-crushing but reassuring. And as Spike relaxed which indicated he was feeling better, Lottie gradually began to feel the same.

Her eyes slowly opened, then slowly rounded as lifted her head from Spike's shoulder. A mix of colors glared back at her over Spike's shoulder.

"Oh, look. Neon."

Lottie's eyes widened again with intrigue as she gazed up at the bar's sign. The vivid lettering stared back down at her, drawing her even more. Only a third of the lettering shined while the others were poorly lit and sparked neon every few seconds.

"I smell home."

All trace of serenity drained from Spike's face as he turned them around, following Lottie's line of sight. His eyes hardened and jaw tightened as he looked up at the sign. Willy's Place.

"You smell it?"

Brusquely nodding at Lottie's hushed question, Spike's eyes trailed after her as she walked around him, hand brushing down his arm.

"That's 'cause it's a demon bar. Vamps flood the place this time of night when the Slayer hunts."

Turning around in time with her, he shook his head when she neared the bar."Come on."

Murmuring a 'come on, pet.', Spike made a move to resume their wandering, putting one foot in front of the other. But, going by how curious she looked, Lottie was already resolute in her desire to see what was inside the bar. And Spike knew that, unless he insisted or presented her with something more palatable, there was little he could do but comply.

The neon flickers reflecting in Lottie's eyes, she dreamily smiled."I want to go in."

She concluded her desire by departing from Spike's side, beckoning for him to join her as she began to amble in the direction of the entrance. Only to come to a rapid stop when Spike called her name.

"We don't want to go in there."

"We don't?"Brow furrowing, Lottie sent him a questioning look over her shoulder."Why don't we?"

"Got better things to peek at."Spike tensely remarked, fingers twisting with her own as he nodded down the road."I'll show you the ol' high school ruins. Made a right mess on parent/teacher night, I did."

He attempted to don his signature, hubristic grin as he slowly retraced his steps back onto their path, encouraging her to follow. Tilting her head and training her eyes on his features, Lottie remained rooted in her spot. As her lips pressed together tightly, eyes gaze boring into him he knew, without a doubt in his mind, that she was aware something was wrong.

His grin didn't reach his eyes, nor did his eyes glint roguishly. Something wasn't quite right.

"Why not?"Lottie questioned in monotone, articulating the words slowly.

Spike said nothing. He merely stared back at her.

"You love demon bars. There's always a brawl."

Tugging at his hand with a broad grin, she urged."Come on."

"I'm not welcome in there, love."Spike gently declaimed, his jaw clenching as he ground his teeth."Got clobbered last time. It's why I didn't bother much to escape from the Watcher's, ain't it?"

Her nose wrinkled in disapproval at his notions, confusion flickering in her hues.

"But you're...you."

She declared her conviction with vehemence as she launched herself at him, fingers tightly seizing his chin to force him to look down at him as he did her earlier while her other hand braced on his shoulder so she could shake sense into him.

And she tried. Lottie shook him with vigor as she preached, the action in stark contrast to how her hand on his cheek caressed gently, urging him to keep her gaze.

"You're Spike. Slayer Of Slayers..."Eyes growing heavy and hooded, Spike tuned in to her fervent proclamations with a nostalgic curve at his mouth. He burrowed into her palm longingly, her words evoking a series of memories to flash through his mind."William The Bloody, one forth of The Whirlwind."

The memories came to a sharp halt, them fading away as he recalled where he was, and what he was. And he was harshly reminded of how he was now a shell of what he used to be. Broken.

"That's what...it's what I was."

Straightening to his full height, Spike shook her head with a forced laugh. No, no, no. No. He let out a strained growl, shrugging off Lottie's clasp before he bundled her up against him, hands tightly grasping her forearms. Lottie gave no reaction to the manhandling but she did abruptly cease her fawning and attempts at coaxing him out of his self-hating mindset.

"It's what I was. Not what I am. No. No. I'm..."

Inclining his head when he found himself unable to carry on with her staring up at him with perseverance, Spike cleared his throat.

"I'm defective."Spike's nostalgic smile subsequently slowly faltered after his proclamation."Got knocked off the royal seat when those G.I Joe bastards played operation with my head, didn't I?"

With Spike's firm grasp on her forearms and Lottie perched up on her tiptoes, the pair fell into tense silence after his impassioned declamation.

"But you're my daddy."Lottie quietly posited, unfazed by his ramblings.

Another forced laugh fell from Spike's lips as he finally lifted his head to look at her, his grasp on her weakening.

"'Till the end of the world."He candidly enunciated. Promised.

Sinking back down on her feet with a pensive mumble, Lottie's features clouded as Spike's hardened again. She understood his reasoning but, even so, she thought there was no reason for it. No matter what had prodded at him, no matter what had befallen him, he was still Spike.

"Y'know, a few months ago none of those halfwits would've had the bottle to snarl in—"

Releasing Lottie from his grasp and unable to meet her bemused gaze, Spike's fingers curled into his palm a second time and he choked out a wry laugh. He drew in a breath he didn't need to refrain from baring the humiliation he felt before pointing at the door.

"If I can't enjoy a cheap beer with demons that I wouldn't have hired to clear out yer mum's little birdies…"He paused to swallow when Lottie's hand reached up to take his gesticulating one."then what's the buggering point?"

Tilting her head to the other side as she tangled their fingers again, the pad of Lottie's thumb skimmed across his knuckles. Then, with a firm yank at his hand, she squeezed it tightly with her own before pulling him along behind her.

"Me."

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