Unexpected Visitors -- and no, not aliens.

[magic_courtney]

I stare at myself in the mirror. My hair was in two french braids, made me look younger..but mum did my hair, not me, and I wore something..else, than my run down clothes. A white tank top, no..it will not reveal anything, thus I have nothing to reveal, a skirt..another mum..it was a cute skirt. Black with white checkers. My shirt had writting on

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[magic_courtney]

I take a deep breathe, my chest heaving and shoulders shaking. I was shaking. A normal life? But, I wasn't real. At times I didn't feel real at all. I was a product of a spell, nothing more.

Tears ran down my face more so, and I sniffled. "Daddy.." I say, again habit. "C..C.." I stuttered. Courtney, stop BEING a retard! "C..could I perhaps atleast write her a ltter?"

She sang me to sleep, she loved me. I knew it. Why couldn't they? I guess the same thing they are thinking bout me and my father. I loved him, I did. He haunted my dreams ever since I was six.

I don't have to be alone anymore, but I need my mother! I feel safe with her...Please, I beg silently. Let me just write a bloody note to tell her..and maybe, she wouldn't be mad at me?

That would break my heart more than anything. Either one of them saying the words that no child ever wants to hear, no matter how tough they are.

"Please?" I beg..."I'll stay..just let me let her know.."

Alright. Court? RETARD! BLOODY RETARD! You sound EIGHT! You FOURTEEN! Act like a adult. Not a child!

"Please?"

[forever_spike]

I was relieved when she said she'd go with us. And I rested my head against her and held her tightly...knowing that I'd be crying right now if I could.

Pull yourself together you bloody ponce...

"Of course, but don't tell her where yer goin' or with who. I don't want her comin' after us and harmin' Buffy or her friends."

Letting go of her, I stood up and ran my hand through her hair.

"Pack few things too...I'll 'ave to take yer shoppin' tomorrow night. It'll be our first father daughter outtin'."

Smiling, I reluctantly let her go and waited for her to get ready to go. Damn...I really felt like a cig right now...but I knew it'd tip off Dru that I had been here.

[magic_courtney]

I intake a deep breath, and nod my head.

"O..o..kay!" I stumble for words again. I need a special helment, or something. Taking a breath for courage, I walked over to my mother and gave him a shy, yet caring hugg. I put my head into his shoulder, he smelt of smokes, old spice, and whisky. He looked, spoke, and smelt exactly how I remembered. It was comforting..oh so comforting.

I back away, untangeling my arms from his neck, and back away. I smile shyly, hang my head down.

I picked up some new clothes I received when the minions, or as I always called them "worshipers" took me shopping at mums request.

Unintentionaly, thoughts drift over to Darla..my grandmother, wonder what became of her? Not that she was so peachy being around.

I put almost everything, which was nothing; A book, the only one I read since I really can't..Phantom of the Opera, clothes, and..I was forgetting something else. I written the letter, and placed it on the bed.

Ted.

I squat down on my fours and reach under my bed for the prize I needed!

Ah---HAH!

Grabbing the dirty, disguisting companion of mine, I pull it out and stand up. I sit on my bed holding the tattered teddy bear. I had it since I was a baby. Though it was missing a eye, a nose, it was faded and wripping apart. I still hang onto it. Its my innocence.

I put the teddy bear in my bag, and picked up the bag. Looking at my letter in my not-so-tiddy-writting skills and turn to my father and his companion.

"I'm ready.." I say softly, shyly. Though, surprise! You could hear me!

[oreosnapplejuic]

Tears had formed in my eyes as I stood aside and watched Spike and Courtney interact. I wished my father had been that loving to me. Sure, he took me shopping at Neiman Marcus when I had visited him in high school, but I hadnt heard from him since. It was hard. I came from against the wall and next to Spike. Taking his hand in mine and whispering in his ear.

"You're a wonderful father."

I made a wish that someday we might ba able to have one...who knows, maybe Spike would be the one to Shanshu, not Angel. The prophecy spoke of a vampire with a soul, but didnt say which one. I squeezed his hand in mine and spoke to Courtney.

"Courtney, I have a sister a couple years older than you. I bet you two will get along great."

I was afraid of her hating me. Most girls hated the women their fathers are with after their mother.

[magic_courtney]

I stand, with the bag over my shoulder, and smiles some at Buffy. Still quiet. I shrug softly, and slightly.

"Is she nice?" I ask. Kids my age, or a few years older than I was..well, nervous. What if she thought I was stupid..or ugly, or that I smelt? I don't smell! I promise!

[oreosnapplejuic]

I smiled.

"Yes, she's nice. And her friend Nicole...well, Nicole can be nice. But I bet Dawn will love having you around. Im sure of it."

I was trying to make conversation as she packed her belongings.

"What do you like to do for fun?"

[magic_courtney]

I looked around the room for more stuff..damn, guilt weighed down on me. What if dad were to hurt her? Mummy. If he did..I'd be hurt. Bitterly, I comprehend that my feelings doesn't get to be acounted much. Oh well..I am still a kid. Not even a 'young' woman yet. I wish I was..all those models, having good bodies, but..me? I'm tall, and skiny. And ugly.

"What do you like to do for fun?"

I looked at her..my mouth hung open. "I..um.." I shrug, "I ...sing?" My voice quiet, I doubt it will ever be vibrant as hers was. or dads. I bet if I screamed, I'd sound like a mouse. Yes.

[oreosnapplejuic]

"You sing? Wow."

Sure, I could mumble a tune or two, but I wasnt a songstress. Sure, I was forced to sing when Xander summoned that demon, but that was all but a dazzling performance. Spike had a pretty good voice though.

"I bet you got that from your dad."

I smiled once more. I wanted her to be comfortable living in the house with us.

"What about snackfood? Do you have-you know what? We can just go grocery shopping later. Get all kinds of goodies."

[magic_courtney]

"I like Strawberries." I begin. She'll never be a mum, not to me, but..some reason, I can see her as a friend. To talk about boys with, God knows I can't talk to my dad or mum about boys -- or the other stuff. You know...YOU KNOW! S-E-X. Yes, I'm too immature to think of the word, I have to spell it out. It's embarsing!

"Strawberries are good.." I nod.

[oreosnapplejuic]

I smiled. It looked like she was warming up to me.

"Strawberries are good. I agree."

I turned to Spike, who was standing right there. To let Courtney get the rest of her things.

"You think she'll like me? Living in the house with us and everything?"

I remembered him saying that it was 'our' place and smiled.

"You're planning on moving in? I mean, I cant complain about that idea."

[forever_spike]

I smiled as Buffy and Court got along...and at the little side comments Buffy gave me. If she had any idea...

"I'm sure she will."

Wanting to kiss her, but feeling that it would be inappropriate in front of Court, I just smiled and nodded.

"Know it might be difficult, but it's what's best fer Court. She'll need her father 'round."

[oreosnapplejuic]

I turned to Spike and smiled.

"Difficult? Please. I'll enjoy every second of it..."

I smiled and nudged him with a side comment.

"...and I think the room is more than big enough for the both of us."

[magic_courtney]

I smile politely, as I sit on m bed, awaiting for the conversasion to end. It was always rude to say something when someone else is speaking.

Never speak out of turn.

I held my teddy close to me, as I sat there listening. I was done.

Yet, the thought of my mother still burned in my mind. I close my eyes tightly, and bite my bottom lip savagely. Once they were through, I turn my head towards the couple. My father, and his girlfriend.

"Ready.." I say simply.

[oreosnapplejuic]

I turned my head towards her and smiled sweetly.

"You have everything?"

she nodded and I turned to Spike.

"I guess it's time to go then?"

I began to walk towards the door.

[magic_courtney]

I stood up, nodding my head respectively. Holding my back, as my torn up teddy was laying face down on, I sway a little, out of boredom. I nod my head again. "I guess it is.." I say softly.

And I know now, that no one would understand. Not like my mother..and..my mother is the only one that I know would appreciate things that only I could..like the stars, the earth..music.

Walking out of the apartment my head immediately goes up to the sky, looking at the stars. Beautiful.

"I'm ready.."

[oreosnapplejuic]

I followed Courtney out. Spike's hand in mine. That was all the affection that I was willing to show inn front of her. At least for now.

"The house is this way."

I began to walk towards it.

"I really hope you like it. You'll have your own room and everything. And you wont get bored, theyres always someone there. And you'll have your dad there too."

I gave his hand a squeeze.