FIC: These Roads We Travel (20/?)

[Kimber <kacoe@xxxxxxx>]

TITLE: These Roads We Travel (20/?)
AUTHOR: Kimber (kacoe@xxxxxxx)
DISCLAIMER: All BTVS characters belong to Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy.

SUMMARY: The long awaited next story in "The Road Series".
SPOILERS: Everything is fair game.
DISTRIBUTION: The usual suspects. Anyone else, e-mail me please.
AUTHOR'S NOTES: This comes because I've had so many great responses to
the series and many people begging for another. Be careful what you wish
for.

{{Indicates flashbacks}}
-----------

Lisa was sitting on the edge of the couch in a private waiting room.
Giles had made arrangements with one of the administrators so they could
all have some privacy. Next to her, holding her hand was Laurel. Her
father was sitting across from her and Faith was standing at the window.

Daddy, whats going on? She gripped Laurels hand tighter. Ive
seen that look before. Something terrible is gonna happen, isnt it?

Jason shook his head. No. Not at all, princess. There are just some
things that I need to tell you. I think its time. He sat back and
gathered his thoughts carefully. Youve questioned me about your
mother ever since I can remember. I want you to know that there are
reasons Ive kept information from you, very important reasons, but it
seems to me that those reasons are of no consequence now. He sighed
and finally looked up at her. Are you sure youre ready for this?
Because this. . .this is everything. Its everything you ever wanted to
know. . .and maybe even some things you didnt. To tell you, Id have
to tell you everything.

Lisa looked over at Laurel and the Slayer smiled at her. Its up to
you, Li.

She turned back to her father and nodded her head.

Jason sat forward and took a deep breath. No matter what, I did things
the way I did them for your own good. You need to understand that. I
was scared and young and I may have made mistakes but, my intention was
always to keep you safe. He glance over to Faith, who had not moved
since they arrived. I was twenty-five when I was working in England as
a psychologist for a private firm. Thats how I met your mother. She
was one of my patients. I was sent to the states to take care of her,
help her heal and get a second chance at life, the chance she so
desperately deserved and needed.

It was strictly business for the first year, but slowly I fell in love
with her. How anyone couldnt is a mystery to me. She was so full of
life and her eyes. . .well, in her eyes you could see to the soul of her
if you looked close enough. We decided not to get married but still
raise you on our own without anyones help. I was almost twenty-seven
when you were born. . .right in this hospital on the eighth floor. As
soon as the firm found out about us, I was fired. It was difficult in
the beginning, but I got a great job at a local hospital and we were
making due  we were okay. He smiled. But then your mother got a
phone call on the night of your christening. She was called away on
business and wasnt sure if shed make it back alive. She was in a very
dangerous line of work. So the night of your christening, she left and
I havent seen her since.

Jason closed his eyes and tried to keep his voice steady. I didnt
know about the phone call until recently. I didnt know she got called
away, that she *had* to go. All these years I thought she left you and
me and didnt think twice about us, but now I know the opposite was
true. She cared and she loved and she went off to work in order to
protect us  to protect everyone. He sighed. All those years I
didnt know.

Lisa watched her father as he spoke. She saw the subtle changes in his
face, the rise and fall of his voice, the hand gestures he made when he
was nervous. Shed never seen him cry until now. Daddy. . .

Jason opened his eyes and smiled at his daughter. Im okay, princess.
I need to do this. He sat back and continued. After your mother
left, I moved you to England where I was accepted back at the firm. I
was hurt and angry and bitter. I wanted to erase any sign of her in
your life, so I changed your name and burned all the pictures of us. We
stayed in England until you were ten years old and I met Janna, who was
a friend of your mothers. You know the rest of the story from there.
We moved back to the states, to Sunnydale, and here we are.

Tears fell silently from Lisas eyes. You burned the pictures? Is
that why I could never find any? Jason nodded. Daddy, how could
you?

I was angry, Lisa. Angry and hurt and I wanted to start my life fresh
with you. It was us against the world, kiddo. He reached into his
back pocket and pulled out his wallet. I burned them all to try and
get rid of her. I thought that if I erased any trace of her in my life,
that Id feel better but, He shook his head. Every time I looked at
you, all Id see was her. He opened his wallet and pulled out a dog
eared picture. He handled it reverently and stroked the faces that
looked up at him. I burned them all but one. This was taken the day
you were born. The first time your mother ever held you. He
whispered.

Lisa looked at the picture in his hands. That was it. That was what
shed sought out for sixteen years. Proof of who her mother was, of
what she looked like, how she smiled, how she wore her hair. .
.everything. Her father held the key to all her questions in his
hand. She stared at it as the tears fell from her eyes, but didnt
move.

Jason held out the picture to her. She could almost make out the tiny
baby in the faceless womans arms. She could almost see her face and
the pure joy that was radiating from her. Almost.

Lisa. Jason pleaded. Take it, its yours.

She looked up at him with a sadness in her face that cant be
described. Its the kind of sadness that puts a lump in your throat,
makes your voice hitch in your throat and sends a shiver down your spine
from simply looking at the person who has been afflicted with such an
expression. She shook her head no.

Jason looked at her quizzically and was about to say something, but
stopped when he saw his daughter rise from the couch and walk over to
Faith.

Faith continued to stare out the window at nothing in particular. She
knew Lisa was standing next to her but didnt dare turn around. Her
face never changed, she never moved a muscle and the only way you could
tell there was a real person standing in front of the window, was
through the tears that flowed freely from her eyes. Tears she shed
without shame and without hiding. She simply stood there and let them
stream down her face. Finally, she took a deep breath. Did you ever
feel like you needed something, but wasnt sure what it was? I mean,
youd feel empty and hollow in this one spot deep down, but didnt know
why? I searched and destroyed, I fought and I cried, I screamed until
my voice was hoarse, but I still couldnt find that one thing that was
missing from my life. I beat the hell out of every demon and vampire
that crossed my path and on the inside, maybe I felt like they had what
I wanted. . .like they were keeping it from me or they knew the secret
to getting it. I didnt even know what it was until, Faiths voice
cracked and she paused a moment gathering all the courage she had.
Slowly she turned to look at Lisa. Until I held her in my arms,
Faith reached up and touched her cheek. They both gasped at the initial
contact. Until I touched her baby soft skin and looked into her eyes.
I didnt know what I was missing, Faith unclenched her other hand to
reveal a faded baby picture and held it up to Lisa. Until I held
Hope.

Lisa let out the breath she was holding in one loud sob. She collapse
into Faiths arms and they both went to the ground, crying openly.
Faith stroked her daughters hair and rubbed her back. Its okay,
Li. She whispered and looked up at Jason. Its finally okay.

-----

Buffy stood in the doorway and watched the scene before her unfold. She
looked to Laurel, who was also a bit weepy and smiled.

Laurel got up and walked to Buffy, putting her arms around her waist.
I love you mom.

Buffy kissed the top of her head. I love you too, kiddo. More than I
can even say sometimes.

Laurel looked up at her and smiled sadly. I miss my mom. She
whispered. I miss her so much and it never gets easier or better and
thats why I did the spell and Im sorry that I made you scared and that
you thought something happened to me but you have to understand that Id
do anything to get her back. Laurel sobbed. Id even risk my life if
there was a chance she could be here with me, with us. She buried her
head in Buffys shoulder and cried.

God, Laurel. Buffy whispered. Come on. She took her daughters
hand and began to lead her out of the room. Theres something we need
to do.

Wait. What about Lisa? She looked back at Faith and Lisa who had
since stopped crying and were whispering to each other. What if she
needs me?

Im okay, Lau-Lau. Lisa looked at Faith then at Laurel. Really.

Maybe we should go with them. Faith said to her daughter as she wiped
the tears away from her cheeks. She gave Lisa a knowing look.

Lisa nodded and they both got up off the floor. Okay. Family trip.
She walked over to Laurel and hugged her. Were in this together.
Everything, all of it, Im here for you, Lau. You know that, right?

What are you guys being so cryptic about? She looked at the three of
them. Whats going on?

Youll see. Buffy smiled and tucked some hair behind Laurels ear.
Soon enough, youll see. Come on.

-----

How is she? Xander walked up to Giles in the waiting room.

The same. He smiled wearily. Shes bruised everywhere,
malnourished, frostbitten. . .

Wait. Frostbite? From what? The complete lack of snow we have in
California?

I dont know, Xander. All I know is that shes alive. . .barely.
Giles looked up as Faith and Lisa entered with Buffy and Laurel trailing
behind. Faith, I trust everything is,

Everything is fine, G-man. Faith smiled and put her arm around Lisas
shoulder. Right as rain.

Everythings so not fine. Laurel pouted and walked over to Giles.
Somethings going on, Papa, and they wont tell me what it is. She
leaned up against him. And its very annoying.

Giles looked up at Buffy. You havent, I mean you didnt. . .

Buffy shook her head. No. Not yet.

You too? Laurel looked up at him. Geez, its a conspiracy.

Hardly. Lisa smirked at her. She looked over to Buffy who nodded her
head, then looked at Laurel again. Lau, you were with me during the
most important time of my life just now. And now, Im going to be there
for the most important time of your life. Lisa put her hands out in
front of her and Laurel grasped them. I want you to come with me, I
want you to *not* ask questions, She smiled. and I want you to
promise me youre not gonna pass out or anything.

Thats a tall order despite the fact I have no idea whats going on.

I know but. . . .trust me?

Laurel smiled and leaned her forehead against Lisas. With my life.
You know that. She whispered.

Lisa reached up and cupped Laurels face with her hands. I love you.
She whispered.

Laurel smiled. I love you too, Li. She leaned in and kissed her
softly.

Lisa kept her eyes closed after Laurel broke away. I cant believe we
just did that in front of our parents.

Uh, huh. Me either.

Theyre still standing there. Right?

Laurel opened one eye then quickly closed it. Uh huh.

Well talk about that later. Buffy looked at them. After you two
get back from where youre going. Now.

Lisa took Laurels hand and ushered her out of the room quickly.

Buffy watched them leave and turned to Faith. I cant believe. . .

It was like we werent even in the same room. Faith smiled. That
was so. . .amazing, B. Do you realize what we just witnessed? Wow,
Laurels got it bad.

And so does Lisa. Buffy smirked at first, then her expression changed
to one of shock. Oh my God. . . oh my God.

What is it, B? Whats wrong?

Buffy shook her head as if she were trying to get rid of the cobwebs.
It wasnt working. the first oh my God, well, that was for the fact
that our daughters are dating and the second one was me actually
realizing you have a daughter at all.

What? Xander looked at both of them.

Faith smiled broadly. Yeah. . .our daughters are dating. She
laughed. Thats wicked cool.

-----

Jason watched as the two girls walked down the corridor hand in hand.
He sighed to himself and smiled. Finally, after all these years, things
just might be okay. Everything just *might* work out in the end the way
it was supposed to.

After all, this was what hed worked for all his life. . .to ensure that
the prophesy would *never* come true.

Things are beginning to look up. He whispered to himself in his
native British accent, then turned his attention to the group of people
in the waiting room, focusing on one in particular. But not long for
you. He smiled widely, and reached into the collar of his shirt. He
pulled on his skin and literally pulled it off. He threw the face mask
in the trash on his way down the hall and chuckled to himself. Well
now, isnt this an interesting twist of events? He pushed through the
double doors leading outside, snickering to himself all the way.


TBC


PS
By the order invested in my, by the State Comittee of The Woods Outback
and The Gutter Affairs Council, I officially declare that it is illegal
and immoral and punishable by almost death to release the wet noodles on
the listmum just because she's suddenly addicted to cliffhangers and has
gotten REALLY REALLY good at them. *BEG*

--
~~Kimber

"Lisa's Personal-Pit Pet" *eg*
a.k.a. The Light Lobster
Tourist number 2
List Gutter Lust Goddess (yeah, I've finally given into my fate)
Proud Member of the BtVS Writer's Guild - ~~Because Fic makes anything
possible.