The Song Remembers When

"We'll get through this, together." She said firmly, caressing the back of his hand.

"I know we will." Riley said, nodding his head and hoping he felt as confident as he sounded.

Twenty minutes after pulling out of the driveway, they were driving up to the hospital's main entrance. Steve stood leaning over a wheelchair and waiting for them just inside the lobby door.

"Sir, your chariot awaits." Steve said with a flourish, as he bowed in front of Evan.

"Thanks, Uncle Steve." Evan laughed.

"Where's Nick?" Riley asked, noticing the absence of Mrs. Bishop. The plan had been that Nicole would help settle Jordan in, while Steve took care of Evan, and Buffy and Riley completed the admittance forms.

"She's with Graham, sorry guys. You know what she's like when it comes to you or him needing her." Steve said looking at Riley.

"Yeah, she becomes mother bear." Riley sighed, grateful for Nicole's insistence at staying with Graham.

"No kidding. Honestly, I don't know how she figures they survive without her, when they go home at night. Mother protector, maybe it's a good thing we don't have kids after all." Steve said shaking his head.

"So how is he?" Buffy said, holding onto Jordan's hand as they walked into admitting.

"He'll live to cut himself again." Steve smirked.

"This is getting a bit tiring isn't it." Riley sighed. "I mean next time could he try something just a tad more dramatic?"

"You two are horrible." Buffy said, smacking Riley's arm.

"He's received two pints of AB and is hand is being sewn together as we speak. I'm hoping to have him out of here by.." Steve looked at his watch "9:00."

"Record time. Last time we sat in Emergency for 6 hours before they'd release." Riley said taking a seat.

"Well that's because you didn't call me." Steve said, looking for the woman who was supervising admitting.

"You were on vacation, or on the golf course, or something." Riley teased.

"Funny. Elizabeth are you here?" Steve called, but stopped when the woman came out of her office.

"Sorry Dr. Bishop, I was just on the phone. If you and the Finns would join me in my office." The older woman said walking.

Buffy looked at Riley, but it was like he didn't hear the woman refer to them as a couple, or maybe he just didn't care enough to correct her mistake. Buffy wasn't sure how she should feel until Riley smiled at her.

"She thinks a woman like you would never want to marry a guy like me." Riley said, squeezing her hand.

"Why not? A woman like me would only be too lucky to have a guy like you want her." Buffy replied, squeezing his hand back in response, before dropping it to follow the woman down the hall.

"Really.." Riley smiled to himself.

"I'm taking my two stars upstairs, we'll see you all in awhile. I'll meet you in Jordy's room." Steve said, backing the wheelchair out of the office. Riley almost laughed at the sight of Steve loaded down with the kids' bags, which hung from his neck. With one hand, he pushed the chair, while the other held Jordy's hand, listening to the two kids talking excitedly. It was a shame Steve could never have children of his own, he'd make an amazing father.

Finally, after what seemed like hours of filling out forms and then waiting, Steve walked into Jordy's room wearing scrubs and a surgical mask draped around his neck.

"All right, we have Evan set up, but I wanna give you some idea of what to expect during the next several weeks." He said, sitting down in a chair opposite Buffy and Riley, his demeanour now slipping into that of the renowned oncologist.

"Ev's in a germ free environment that contains a special ventilation system, so there are certain procedures you'll have to follow."

Buffy and Riley nodded and looked intently back at Steve.

"First you're going to have to wash your hands before you go into Ev's room and wash them often while you're in there. We can't take a chance of bringing in any germs, so that means no one can him bring fruit, plants, or flowers. Obviously, someone with a cold or flu will be strictly forbidden to visit. Also, wearing a surgical mask and scrubs is a must."

Steve continued, describing the procedure used for the transplant. "Now Evan has a flexible tube inserted into his chest..." Buffy, Riley and Jordan flinched, ".called a central venous or CV line, so we can draw blood and give him medication without having to stick him with any more needles. Evan's going to be attached to it as long as he's in the hospital. The bone marrow will be given through the line along with his intravenous feedings. The transplant is similar to a blood transfusion, so it won't hurt him."

"The old marrow was destroyed and for a few weeks after the transplant, the new marrow can't produce mature cells. This will be the time Evan's at his greatest risk for infection and bleeding. Now, other complications we may have to worry about are anemia, where he can feel tired and weak, and he can bruise easily. Red blood cells and platelet transfusions will be necessary until his new bone marrow has fully grown. Also, I might decide to use growth factors to stimulate his white blood cell production. If I have to, I'll give Ev intravenous immunoglobulin injections to reduce his risk of infection. While I'm infusing the marrow, a nurse will be checking him for fever, chills, chest pain, any sign that he's having an adverse reaction."

"Ev's recovery will be slow, so I don't want you to become alarmed by that. There's a chance he'll be nauseous and run a fever during the next several weeks, too. I'll warn you both, Evan *will* be extremely weak and it could be months before he gets his energy back. Also, there's a chance he could come down with graft-versus-host disease."

Jordan giggled when she heard that name. Riley shot her a look and said, "Quiet, young lady."

Steve smiled at her. "Yes, Jordan, it's a funny name for a disease. Anyway, this happens when the "graft" -- the donated marrow -- recognises the "host" -- the recipient -- as foreign, and begins to attack certain organs, such as the skin, liver, and intestines."

"After the transplant, white blood cells will regenerate first, usually followed within a few weeks by the red blood cells and platelets."

This was the part of the job he hated, telling loved ones, particularly parents. Seeing the hope in their eyes, then bursting it by lying out before them the long road their family member would have to take. Recovery was never simple, or easy. He knew that the Finn/Summers family would pull Evan and his parents through this. It was nice to see Riley with someone again, someone who would be there for him in difficult times as well as the good. During his briefing, he couldn't help but notice the way Buffy and Riley turned to each other for comfort, the way their fingers entwined tightly together, or the looks they shared.

Hoisting himself out of the chair, Steve said. "Okay guys, now that I've told you what's going to happen how about we go down and see how Evan's doing. All right?"

Jordan jumped out of bed, she had been wanting to run down to Evan's room ever since the nurse had her change into her pj's.

After washing their hands and putting on scrubs and surgical masks Buffy, Riley, and Jordy, with her scrubs hanging down loosely, and Steve walked to Evan's room. They were glad Steve had told them what to expect because lying in bed with his pj top unbutton, lay Evan with his CV tube inserted. He looked tired, weak and pale; a nurse was busy checking his vital signs.

Walking over to him, Buffy gave her son's hand a squeeze since she couldn't kiss him while wearing a surgical mask. Evan, though tired, laughed at the sight which confronted him, everyone dressed as hospital staff, especially his younger sister wearing scrubs that hung on her like a poncho.

"Does everyone have to wear those, Uncle Steve?" Evan asked, giggling.

"Uh huh, as long as you're here they do." He answered.

They sat with Evan until they noticed his eyes getting heavy with sleep. Getting up, Buffy and Riley hugged him and wished him goodnight and promised they'd be there first thing in the morning.

Jordan had already fallen asleep in the chair. Picking her up, Riley carried her back to the room and pulled off the scrubs. Waking her up to say goodnight, Riley bent over and kissed her.

"Goodnight princess, you have a big day ahead of you tomorrow so get plenty of sleep."

"Nite, Daddy." She said as her eyelids closed. "Love you."

Walking out of the room Buffy and Riley disposed of their scrubs. Steve stood in the hall now waiting with Nicole and Graham.

"How do you feel?" Graham asked, seeing the look on Buffy and Riley's faces.

"I was going to ask you the same thing." Riley cracked.

"Stupid, tired, hungry, and grateful that my friendly neighbourhood doctor was around. You?" Graham said sheepishly.

"Nervous, terrified, tired, and hungry."

"They'll be fine tonight, Riley. I've asked the nurses to keep a special eye on the two of them." Steve said as he waved good night to the nurses on duty.

"Anyone hungry? We have a fridge full of turkey and ham." Riley said, picturing a huge turkey sandwich with his name on it.

"Starved. Steve, Nick?" Graham asked looking at the couple.

"Nah, I'm hearing my bed calling me." Nicole yawned.

"Oh, that sounds good to me." Buffy said through her own yawn.

"You guys better go home and get some sleep yourselves." Steve said smiling. "You two look like you're going to drop any minute and tomorrow's gonna be crazy."

"Make sure the Galloping Gourmet here gets to bed, too, will you?" Steve said nodding at Graham.

"I think Willow will take care of that." Graham said, wiggling his eyebrows.

"You two are in heat, or something, I swear." Buffy snorted.

Riley asked. "When is Jordan scheduled to go into surgery?"

"10:00, so I suggest you get here about 8:30 or 9:00. Like I said, you're gonna have quite a day ahead of you tomorrow."

"Oh, I'm there. There's nothing like a cold turkey sandwich before bed." Graham agreed.

"Now you're making my stomach growl." Steve grumbled.

"Say good night, doctor." Nicole said, steering Steve in the opposite direction toward the doctor's parking lot entrance.

"Good night, doctor." Steve said, using the oldest joke in the world.

"Night, you two." Buffy called.

"Bring me leftover turkey tomorrow." Steve called over his shoulder.

"You got it." Riley laughed.

<><><><><>

Chris, Cordelia, Angel, and Giles walked into Riley's office and shut the door

"We shouldn't be disturbed in here with Joyce, Kate, and Bryan watching the kids." Giles said, taking a sip of brandy after sitting down at a round reading table located in the room.

"Where's Willow? I haven't seen her in over an hour." Chris asked, as she sat down with her glass of wine next to Giles.

"Oh, she's up with the girls in the Jordan's room playing Barbies. Seems Willow never got to do this as a kid, said she was deprived of this rite of passage." Cordelia laughed. She knew Willow was enjoying hanging out with the girls, and since Nicole's phone call two hours ago she'd calmed down considerably.

"And Kevin?" Cordelia asked.

"Conference call with one of his assistants. Seems my husband splits his time between sitting on committees and playing secret agent man. There's something going down that even his trusted wife doesn't get let in on.which lately seems to be the case." Chris sighed.

"From what I've heard, he holds more than just the President's ear."

"He's an important 'off the books' advisor to the President, which can sometimes take up a great deal of his time and the family's." Chris said, sipping her wine.

"He calls your house?" Cordy blurted out.

"Yeah, but it's lost the excitement. Now a days, I just tell the kids 'Dad's on the phone with the old man', and they know what's happening. Kevin missed Myles' whole soccer tournament last fall cause the 'old man' was constantly calling him away from the games."

"And to think I'll miss the girls' game cause it's daylight." Angel almost chuckled, wondering which was worse.

"They're tapping him for the future.."

"Really! That's so cool." Cordelia gushed, suddenly excited at the idea that she could soon be friends with the next President and First Lady..if her friends could only see her now!

"Yeah, but we're still talking at least 5 years, and I'm.."

"Ladies, they'll be back soon, you can discuss this later." Angel interrupted, looking at his watch.

"Buffy and Riley." Chris said, straightening up in her chair.

"So what did you want to tell me that's so important?" Giles asked, since it was unusual for Angel and Cordelia to need his advice on demons, since Anya worked with them. Between her first hand knowledge of almost every demon in existence and Wesley's researching abilities, they hardly ever called him. And Chris he had just met the other day. He knew she was an expert in the paranormal, so he was sure it couldn't be a haunting he was to help with.

"Giles you remember the attack Cordy got while getting off the plane?" Angel asked the retired watcher.

"Yes, she said it wasn't anything, just a headache caused by the flight."

"Well, it wasn't a headache, she had a vision sent by the Powers."

"Oh, my! This is not going to be good is it?" Giles asked removing his glasses to clean them.

"It was about Jordan." Cordelia said. "They told me I needed to protect her."

"I don't understand, why does she need protection? Why would the Powers."

"Because she's going to be the next slayer, Giles." Angel said, answering for his wife.

"Oh, Dear God!" Giles said, shaking his head in disbelief. "Riley won't like this at all. I specifically remember the problem he had dealing with Buffy being a slayer. How's he ever going to handle this?"

"Oh that's the least of his worries," Cordelia said, waving her hand as if she were brushing away Giles' concern. "It gets worse."

"How can that be? The poor child's going to lose her innocence. She'll be forced to grow up before she even has time to enjoy her childhood and in all likelihood, her life's going to be cut short."

"And yet that's her destiny," Angel sighed, "and there's no way out."

"I'm afraid she's not the only one who has to face their destiny." Chris said quietly.

"Who then?" Giles asked.

"Evan." Chris answered. "His is just as important and I've been warned that both children's' lives are in danger."

"Oh, Bloody Hell!" Giles said, banging the table. Chris picked up her glass of wine just as his hand connected with the tabletop.

He apologised for his outburst. "So sorry, I hope I didn't cause you to spill you wine."

"Not at all." She answered smiling back at him. "And I can thoroughly understand why you're upset, they are my niece and nephew."

"How do you know all this?" Giles asked, smiling slightly at the woman.

"Claire told me." Chris answered matter-of-factly. "She said Evan's surrounded by darkness and not because of his leukaemia."

"Claire? You mean Riley's late wife, Claire? You're expecting me to believe that you've been talking to her." Giles blinked. He didn't want to believe any of this, yet Giles knew in his heart, they spoke the truth.

"She has Giles, believe her." Cordelia said, laying her hand over the older gentleman's.

Chris nodded her head. "Yes, she was sent here to protect Evan and needs our help."

"And the Powers want me to protect Jordan." Cordelia chimed in. "So we figured with the close connection between Jordan and Evan there has to be a common aim between them. That's why we wanted to talk to you, and since Angel already knows about Jordan, Chris and I thought the two of you might be able to shed some light on Evan's role."

"We're the only ones who know?" Giles asked, wiping his glasses again.

"No, Kevin knows. If there's one thing I've learned being married to a Senator, you do not keep secrets from each other, they can bite you in the butt." She smiled, leaving it at that.

"And he's not here because.."

"He doesn't think he'll cast much light onto this, but says if we need him he's here for us." Chris spoke as she picking her wineglass up off the table.

Chris, taking a sip, started the discussion. "All right, from Cordy's vision we know Jordan's destined to become the most powerful slayer in history. But when Claire appeared to me she also warned me to help her protect Evan, because his destiny's even greater than Jordan's."

Leaning back in his chair, Angel scoffed. "What destiny could be greater than that of the Slayer?"

Cordelia, shooting a look at her doubting husband, answered. "He's to become a warrior of light so powerful that darkness itself is afraid. *For once* the Slayer is to take a back seat and serve him. Jordan's destined to share her power with Evan and act as his champion, until he's ready to take his rightful position as leader in the fight against darkness."

Rubbing the bridge of his nose while deep in thought, Giles remembered something he'd read during his days as a watcher.

"The Watcher Chronicles foretold of set of slayer twins who *together* are destined to fight darkness. They said, one twin is to lead and the other to follow. But I always thought the prophecy was referring to identical twins that shared a calling. Now the prophecy also mentions one still more powerful, but the inscription regarding this has never been fully translated, they've been working on this for years."

Wrinkling his brow as another thought crossed his mind, he looked around at the other three.

"Do you think it could be interpreted as two fraternal siblings who have shared power?"

"How can that happen, Giles?" Angel asked. In his 250+ years, he'd never heard of two siblings considered the 'Chosen One.'

"Let's just think about this a moment." Giles said, getting up and walking over to the desk. Pulling open drawers he found and took out a note pad. Bringing the pad back to the table so the others could see, he sat down and began to demonstrate his theory. Using lines and circles to signify a family tree, Giles mapped out the children's genetic background.

"First of all, let's consider Jordan. As a slayer, she's destined to get enhanced strength, agility and prophetic ability. Also, she's descended from a genetically altered father who has enhanced strength and agility. Genetic alterations can be passed on from one generation to the next. That means she already has some of the traits, but they could lay dormant, or maybe she's just never had the opportunity to use them. So, when she gets her slayer powers, everything would be doubled, making her the most powerful slayer in history."

"Okay, that explains Jordan," Said Chris, "but how does Evan fit into this scenario?"

"Evan is descended from a former slayer and Buffy, up until the time she gave birth, *was* the most powerful Slayer. However, we don't know if Buffy's power was hers alone or if it can be passed to the next generation. There's only one known case where a slayer's child lived to adulthood and I don't know what happened to him. I'll have to call the Watcher's Council and ask them to research the chronicles."

"Nevertheless, Evan, like Jordan, is descended from Riley, so he too should've inherited some of his genetically altered traits. In fact, I feel he already has some of the powers. When he was in sports, the boy's natural strength and agility always surpassed those of his team-mates."

Pausing a moment to let the others grasp what he just said, Giles continued.

"So, now have two siblings with a lot of potential. Tell me what's going to happen when one sibling passes on part of her genetic makeup to the other, in the form of a bone marrow transplant?"

Angel's eyes lit up and he grinned.

"Since her bone marrow is in Evan, it will grow throughout his body. Theoretically, Evan will be sharing Jordan's body, which means, her traits and abilities. So when her slayer powers kick in, so will his, along with what he's inherited from Buffy and Riley. Jordan meets her destiny as the most powerful slayer in history and Evan would become the most powerful person in the world, since his powers come from two slayers."

Giles nodded his head.

"But there are two things I don't understand?" Angel asked.

"And that is?"

"Evan can become the most powerful person in the world, but that doesn't necessary mean he's a leader. And the prophecy says the slayer is the champion until the warrior is ready to take his rightful place."

Chris answered him. "The warrior must be trained to lead, without that both children are doomed. That's where we come in, between the four of us, Evan can learn both the preternatural and the supernatural."

"So, what are we a private club or something? I can see the button's now 'We Save the Finn Kids'."

"Cordelia, this won't be easy, and sarcasm is not called for." Giles said, cleaning his glasses

"I figured that when I saw you take your glasses off 100 times." She mumbled, as Angel's elbow met her ribs.

"Jordan will receive slayer training, the Watcher's Council will see to that." Giles answered, "But Evan is a different story, his training has to encompass all areas to succeed. As Chris pointed out, the four of us can direct him."

"When Evan comes back to California, Giles and I can start his training." Angel suggested. "Spike and I can teach him defence skills and how to detect a vampire's presence."

"I'll have him read my Watcher Chronicles and work with him to hone his slayer skills. Remember, the boy will probably be prophetic like his sister and something like that needs special handling."

"When he comes to visits us this summer, I'll have him work on some cases with me so he can learn the spirit world.

"I can give him direction from The Powers That Be." Answered Cordelia.

"Riley and Buffy will object, they both wanted Evan to lead a normal life." Chris said doubtfully, as she took another sip of wine

"They don't have to know." Angel said as he turned to her.

"That's true." Declared Giles. "It would make things easier in the long run. If Buffy and Riley knew, they could thwart our plans, throwing the world into chaos."

"So, we're all in favour of not telling them?" Cordy asked.

"You've got my vote." Chris said.

Angel nodded.

"I think you could say it's unanimous." Giles answered.

As they started getting up from the table, Giles stopped "Angel you said two things?"

"Oh, yeah. I was just wondering who the 'third more powerful yet' will be?" Angel asked looking at the group.

"Shit." Cordelia mumbled.

"We'll deal with it as it comes up, or we have a clue, until then we work with Evan and Jordan." Giles spoke wondering the same thing.

"Agreed, but I can't help wondering..." Angel sighed.

<><><><>

Just as the group was stepping out of Riley's office, Buffy, Riley and Graham entered the front door.

"How did the kids settle in?" Giles asked, stepping to his stepdaughter and helping her off with her coat.

"Fine. Both were asleep before we left." Buffy smiled gratefully at Giles.

"No excitement?" Chris smiled, moving away from Riley, who she'd just hugged.

"Other than Jordy's insistence on sleeping in Ev's room." He said closing the closet door.

"The way she protects him..if I didn't love her already, well I'd love her to death." Buffy said, as she slipped her arm around Riley's waist.

"Well, they share a special relationship, I wished I had one like that." Cordy smiled

"So, how you feeling, Gray?" Chris asked, noticing the sling around his neck that supported his hand.

"Fine, dumb, clumsy." Graham shrugged sheepishly.

"Well you gave us all a good scare, no more of that." Giles ordered.

"No, sir. I have no future plans of trying to cut my own hand off." Graham replied wryly.

"Well that's good to hear cause man that blood's gonna be a bitch to get out of that linen tablecloth." Cordelia winked at him as she moved away from the group.

"Now, if you'll all excuse me, it's time to tuck the twins in for the evening."

"I'm coming, sweetheart." Angel said, following his wife up the stairs.

"I need to go make a phone call." Buffy said, as she reached up on her tiptoes to place a kiss on Riley's cheek

"Lindsey?" Riley asked, trying to keep the jealousy out of his voice.

"No, Darla. I wanted to wish her, Spike and Drusilla a Merry Christmas." Buffy smiled, she knew Riley was jealous of Lindsey, and she revelled in it! Riley Finn was jealous because of her.

"Any idea where Willow is, Giles?"

"Playing Barbies with the girls. They're up in the play room." Giles said, moving down the hall toward the den with Chris.

Buffy and Riley were left in the hallway alone, staring after their friends and family.

"Any idea why those four would be in my library?" Riley mused, watching Giles and Chris wander down the long hallway.

"Plotting a mutiny?" Buffy joked, as she slipped back into Riley's embrace.

"Highly doubt it.no with Chris involved, it's more of a campaign." Riley said, stifling a yawn.

"It's been a long day." Buffy said simply.

"And it's only gonna be longer tomorrow." Riley sighed, pulling her tighter to him.

"Look, I'm gonna see if I can pull a Summers' traditional card game together." She said, pulling him with her down the hall toward the back of the house.

"You go ahead. I'm gonna check on the girls and put them to bed. Plus, I promised Gray a turkey sandwich." He said, kissing her quick before pulling away to climb the stairs two at a time.

Buffy just stood there staring after him.

"He's all mine" Buffy said out loud to herself.

"Don't count on it." A voice spoke to her in the silent front hallway.

Buffy looked around, expecting to find Dawn lurking there in the shadows playing a trick on her, but she was alone.

"Okay, I'm tired." She said to herself, rubbing the back of her neck.

"You know Riley and the girls are mine. You'll never take my place in their hearts, so quit trying."

Buffy felt the hair stand up on the back of her neck under her hand.

"Alright, now I'm hearing things." She said, shaking her head and moving off toward the kitchen to use the phone.

<><><><>

Riley was moving down the upstairs hallway toward the girls' playroom, when he felt a cool draft cross his path. Stopping, he pushed open Jordan's bedroom door to see if a window was open. Seeing nothing, he closed the door and continued down the hall.

"Are you trying to replace me in the lives of our children? I'll never let you."

Riley stopped abruptly and looked around.

"Shit, I'm going crazy." He laughed, running his hand through his hair , when he saw nothing in the lighted hallway.

<><><><><>

"Hello?" Came a breathless voice.

"Merry Christmas, Darla!" Buffy burst at the sound of her friend's voice. It was weird how after her rebirth, the two women had become friends. Darla was a different person, or should one say, a different vampire.

"Buffy! Oh, it's so good to hear your voice. I really miss you all this Christmas."

"Well, you told me last year you'd never go away for Christmas again, and there you are in England." Buffy teased.

"I know, I know! But Spike and Dru were homesick, and you know I can't let them run loose across the English countryside together."

"That's bull and you know it. Those two are as harmless as two chipped vampires." Buffy laughed. It had been at least 7 years since Spike had discovered his chip no longer worked, yet he failed to return to his wicked evil ways. Instead, with love and patience, he'd helped Dru reform her's.

"I know. Truth is I'd miss them if I weren't with them." Darla said, throwing her head back to laugh.

"Speaking of missing someone, have you talked to Lindsey?" Buffy asked, changing the topic.

"You know we're on the outs." Darla stiffened slightly at the mention of her boyfriend.

"I know, but I also know you were talking the last time I called Lindsey."

"Well, it got worse. He's been moping since you and Ev left. Told me that if I wanted to join Spike and Dru in England, he wouldn't stop me. Said that they'd be better company than him." Darla pouted.

"Oh, Darla, I'm sorry. It's my fault he's like that."

"No, it's his. He's just too attached to Evan for words." Darla explained,

Darla thought, but didn't add.

"Oh, Darla, things are going to be so complicated here." Buffy cried suddenly.

"What the hell are you talking about!" Darla asked.

"Evan.we found a match."

"Buffy that's amazing! Oh my god, who?" Darla's happy voice asked excitedly.

"Jordan, Riley's oldest daughter."

"That's amazing. Oh honey, I'm so happy for both you and Evan. I wish I could be there to hug you both."

"Well you may not when you hear that we're doing the transplant tomorrow morning." Buffy cringed slightly as she waited for Darla to say something.

"Why would I not want to hug you both over that. Evan needs the transplant as soon as possible, and I'm just a friend. Lindsey.." Darla suddenly remembered.

"He didn't take it to well did he?" Darla asked.

"No, and that's an understatement." Buffy chucked, despite the pain she felt. She'd never meant to hurt Lindsey on purpose, but she thought keeping him out of the loop was best for all concerned.

"That's Lindsey." Darla murmured.

"He basically attacked me and my relationship with Riley. I'm just glad I told him over the phone." Buffy said, imagining the scene she would have had on her hands, had she told Lindsey in person.

"Linds' will survive."

"He's coming here. Told me there was no way Riley and I could keep him away from *his* son. I had to remind him who Evan's real father was."

"Oh, bet that didn't go over to well either."

"Nope, not at all." Buffy replied sadly.

"So, what you gonna do?"

"Told him I wasn't gonna put up with his shit."

"Good girl." Darla laughed, surprised that Buffy had stood up to Lindsey.

"Maybe you should come back, Lindsey's gonna need your help dealing with Evan and Riley." Buffy said taking a deep breath.

"Lindsey's a big boy, he can get through this on his own. Besides Buffy, if he'd wanted me there, don't you think he would have called me? And as I told you already, we're not speaking. I haven't heard hide nor hair of him since I left for London. I think we're over this time." Darla's sad voice worried Buffy.

"You can't be serious! Lindsey loves you. The two of you fight all the time, but it's part of the charm of your relationship." Buffy said, quickly trying to cheer up her friend.

"Well, the charm's worn off finally." Darla said, fingering the ring Lindsey had given her.

"He loves you." Buffy tried again.

"No, he puts up with me, he sleeps with me, but he loves you."

"Darla..."

"Hey, I knew all along his feelings for you, I just hoped that someday he'd look at me the same way."

"Darla, I think you're wrong, he loves you, not me. He wouldn't do anything to hurt his relationship with you. You're the best thing that's happened to him."

"You think so, Buf?" Darla asked hopefully. "Because I don't know what I'd do if I lost him to someone else."

"Yes I *do* think so." Buffy assured her. "Besides, who would want to get on your wrong side. I've never met your demon, but from what Angel's told me, I don't think I'd want to. I heard she makes Angelus look like a choirboy."

Buffy heard Darla chuckle as she remembered some of her demon's past exploits.

"Yeah, she's been known to aim low when she has a vendetta. Luckily, I have good control over her."

Darla asked how Evan was doing and sounded concerned when she was told he was getting weaker by the minute.

"But, with the transplant tomorrow, we're hoping that all his illnesses are behind us." Buffy said, smiling to herself. Yes, to have Evan healthy again was rapidly becoming a dream come true.

The two women talked on for another few minutes. Darla telling Buffy about her exploits with Spike and Dru, and Buffy telling Darla about the latest stalker incidents with Willow.

Before they drifted too far away from the subject, Darla wanted to thank Buffy again for reassuring her about her relationship with Lindsey. Buffy was always the voice of reason.

"Thanks Buffy, I don't know what I'd do without you. You always find a way to make me feel better."

"Hey, what are friends for if it's not to help each other out."

"Tell you what, Buf. If Lindsey *does* get outta hand, I'll be on the first plane to Boston, don't worry. You've always been there for me, I'll be there for you."

"I thank you, and I'm sure Riley would, too."

"Oh, I was hoping you'd tell me about Mr. Drop Dead Gorgeous Millionaire. Is he still as good looking as he was back in college? You've told me so much about him over the years."

Darla had been Buffy's confidante over the years when it came to Riley. Darla was the only one who had no preconceived notices about Riley, so she'd listen to Buffy talk about him for hours. Over the years, Darla had felt like she knew this man herself.

"Definitely, even more so. Darla, he's more amazing then I ever could have remembered. He's so loving, and caring, you should see him with Evan and his own daughters." She gushed excitedly.

"So how are things between you two?" Darla smiled happily for her friend.

"Like nothing was ever wrong between us. He still loves me as much as I love him. I almost forgot what a giving lover he is, all he cares about are my needs! Let me tell you, I can't remember the last time I made love with a man like that.... oh wait a minute yes I do! It was him!" Buffy laughed, she felt like a high school girl talking about her newest crush.

"So, things are good?"

"More than good. He bought me this amazing necklace, it's a key to his heart. It's beautiful, with its diamonds, rubies and emeralds, but the symbolism of it is what makes it really special. I swear I'll never take it off."

"He's a romantic."

"He has a practical side to, he bought me my Boxster."

"You can't call a Porsche practical!" Darla screamed in laughter at her friend.

"I know, I know, but it makes me feel better accepting it. I mean it's that one luxury I've always denied myself, and here he is giving me it." She giggled.

"Does he have a single brother?"

"Yes, he does, but you'll have to fight Dawn for him, seems we have a new relationship blooming right under our noses."

"BUFFY!!!" Willow called through the house.

"Look, I have to go, Willow needs me."

"Say hi to gimpy for me, and the rest of the gang. Give Ev a big kiss me, okay?"

"I promise."

"And if you need help with Lindsey, call me."

"I promise."

"Love ya, girlfriend." Buffy said brightly.

"Right back at ya!" Darla laughed.

<><><><>

Riley had finished tucking the girls in and was coming downstairs in search of a turkey sandwich. He was famished! It was hard to believe they'd only eaten a couple of hours ago. Moving into the kitchen, he reached for the light switch, and jumped just as Xander walked in through the back door.

"Shit, Xan, can you knock or something." Riley laughed at his silly reaction.

"Well, you could have done the same thing! I look up and on goes the kitchen light, scared the shit out of me!" Xander said, placing a hand over his heart.

"So, do you want a sandwich?" Riley asked, moving to the fridge to pull out the leftovers.

"Truth was, I came up here to poke around the fridge myself."

"Mason in bed?"

"Yeah, I just carried him down. He fell asleep watching a movie with Myles and Travis." Xander said, taking the bread out of the breadbox.

"I thought I was stuffed when I was finished eating, but man on the way home from the hospital, my stomach started growling when Graham's did." Riley said, placing the turkey on the kitchen table.

"Anya said she didn't know how I could be hungry again!" Xander laughed, buttering the bread.

"Woman don't have a clue when it comes to the male digestive system." Riley said, cutting the turkey and laughing along with Xander.

"Is Graham joining us?" Xander asked, wondering how many pieces of bread to butter.

"Yeah, he just went to let Willow know he's back safe and sound. Do you think I should cut some dark meat?" Riley said, staring down at the turkey.

"Did I hear you're serving cold turkey sandwiches?" Wesley asked, entering the kitchen with Marc hot on his tail.

"Sure are. What's your poison Wes?"

"I love things dark, it's a Watcher thing, so give me dark meat and maybe some dressing." Wes said grinning, as he pulled up a chair to sit down

"Could someone make mine for me? Kinda disabled here." Graham said, coming through the kitchen door and holding up his bandaged hand. "Willow gave me 20 minutes to eat, drink, then get back upstairs; seems she wants to play nurse."

"Did I hear food being offered?" Kevin asked, entering the kitchen rubbing his eyes.

"Oh look who's off his cell phone finally!" Marc cracked, as he searched the fridge for the mayo and dressing.

"Have you been told today? Gray how are you feeling?" Kevin asked, as he smacked Marc in the ass as he passed him.

"I've been better. Right now, I'm a little groggy, but the need for food has won out over sleep. A little more meat there, Riley." Graham instructed. "I haven't had dinner yet."

"I heard there's a meeting down here and I thought maybe you could use my help." Giles announced, walking into the kitchen while tying up his bathrobe. "I'll take some ham, if there's some left."

"Sure, Mr. Giles, I got it right here." Marc answered, pulling out a large container filled with the honey glazed meat and setting it down on the table in front of Giles.

"Well, just about everyone's here." Riley said, looking around at the full table. "That is, except for Dad. He still follows the farm timetable, early to bed, early to rise."

"But not tonight, I'm not. You don't think I'm going to stay upstairs with all you hooligans down here making a ruckus do you?" Bryan Finn said, leaning up against the doorjamb.

"Okay, I'm making a beer run, any orders?" Kevin announced "Wes, you wanna help?"

"Sure."

"Make mine a Guinness." Giles smiled, grateful for Riley's refined taste in beer.

"Make that two." Bryan announced

"I'll have a Harp." Marc ordered, his mouth watering at the thought of his favorite Irish beer.

"Rye, Gray, Xander?" Kevin asked, trying to keep everything straight, hoping Wes was paying attention.

"Harp for me. Gray do you want dressing?" Riley answered, reaching for the dressing.

"Oh, yeah. I'll have a Coors light." Graham said, watching Riley build his sandwich.

"I'll have a Coors, too." Xander added.

"What's all the noise?" Angel asked, entering the kitchen. At times like this, he truly missed not being human. How he use to love cold turkey sandwiches...

"Graham was hungry." Marc smiled.

"Angel, there's some fresh stuff in the meat drawer for you." Riley offered.

"Don't mind if I do, and Kevin make mine a Guinness, too. So, what's the topic of conversation this evening?" Angel asked, plopping into the chair opposite Giles.

"What am I going to do about Lindsey?" Riley asked, before taking a swig of beer that his brother had just handed to him.

"Buffy told me he's coming tomorrow for the procedure and I just know he's going to butt in where he's not wanted."

Angel decided it was time for him to speak up. He was starting to really like Riley and didn't want him to make a mistake that could set his relationship with Buffy and Evan back.

"Well, he does have a point Riley. All along, Lindsey's been there for Evan's illness, and Buffy's known he wanted to be there for the transplant. So all I can say is, try not to put yourself in a position where it's going to upset Evan.

"That's the last thing I want to do. Believe me." Riley admitted

"Who's Lindsey?" Bryan asked.

Riley turned to his father to explain. "He's Buffy's law partner."

"Oh, that's nice, he's supportive of her. So, why are you all worried about having him be at the hospital?" It seemed only logical to Bryan that this Lindsey would want to be there for Buffy.

"Because, he feels he's Evan's father and he doesn't want Riley to have anything to do with his son."

Xander piped in. "The guy's very possessive when it comes Evan and Buffy."

Bryan's green eyes flashed with rapidly growing anger. "Well, this Lindsey guy can't have Evan, he's Riley's son and a son needs to be with his father! His *natural* father, not some wishful want-to-be.

Riley was surprised at his father's outburst. True, Bryan Finn was a fiery tempered Irishman, but Riley didn't know he'd be so hell-bent on keeping Even within the family.

"Riley, you tell Buffy that Lindsey better stay away from Evan. I don't want my grandson put up as a prize in some relationship tug-o-war."

"Dad, you don't need to get so worked up over this." Kevin said, placing his hand on his father's arm to calm him down. "Riley will take care of everything, we're not about to lose Evan."

"Kevin's right, Dad. Let me take care of everything, I'm not going to let Lindsey push Buffy, Evan or anyone around. If it's a fight he want's...." Riley said with resolve.

"I'll deal with Lindsey for you, Riley." Xander said, through a mouthful of sandwich.

"I thought you were friends with him?" Riley said looking up at Xander.

"I put up with him for Buffy's sake. I've never really trusted his true intentions when it came to Buffy and Evan, there's just something there that...well it bothered me." Xander said, shrugging his shoulders.

"Are you sure about this? I mean, I don't want to put you into the middle of anything." Riley tried to explain.

"Don't worry about it, I'd love to make his cockiness feel a little off kilter for awhile. Angel, can I count on your help?"

"Oh, I'm right there Xander, you just say the word." Angel smiled rubbing his hands together and the glee in his eyes almost made Riley laugh.

"I'll be the official timer of his time in Ev's room. No way he's gonna spend any more time with Evan than the rest of us. You're the boy's father, you deserve to be with him through the whole thing." Wesley said, his own distrust of McDonald making him speak up.

"You guys all seem to know him better than we do..." Kevin started.

"We do, but even though you haven't met him Kevin, what's your gut feeling about this guy?" Angel asked, sipping his mug of blood.

"I don't like or trust the bastard." Kevin said, matter-of-factly.

"Well your bang on, Senator. When it comes to that guy, always trust your first impression, cause it's never wrong." Xander smiled.

"I'll check out to see where he's staying." Marc said, reaching for another couple slices of bread.

"What? I'm a growing boy!" Marc snapped when he saw the look on Kevin's face. Okay true, he'd just wolfed down a huge sandwich, but it had been hours since he'd eaten.

"Just forgot that you were the human garbage disposal is all." Kevin said, sipping his Guinness.

"Wait till your own boys eat you out of house and home Mister, and you'll know how your mother and I felt." Bryan said, wagging a knife at Kevin.

"I'm thinkin' while he's occupied at the hospital, I'll run a check on his airline tickets and see just how long he's planning on staying in town." Graham said, between bites of his sandwich. He wasn't about to let some two-bit attorney steal Evan away from Riley, no matter how slick he was. If McDonald wanted to play dirty, all Riley would have to do is contact RAGE's law firm and then McDonald would *really* see how rough things could get.

"Don't forget to ask how many return tickets he's got booked." Riley suggested. "He might not be able to get Ev on a plane right away, but there's nothing stopping him from booking a seat for Buffy. I know she's got to go back, but I don't want him dictating when."

"You got it, buddy."

Angel took another swallow from his mug and then suggested. "I can call Darla in London and find out if Lindsey's starting to set up client meetings for Buffy. If he *is*, that's a sure-fire way of knowing he's going to use a guilt trip on Buffy to get her back. Darla and I go way back and she'll tell me everything that's going on.

"If Darla's in London, how would she know Buffy's schedule?" Giles, asked.

"Because Lindsey always tells Darla what's going on at the office. Darla knows more about what goes on there than Buffy does herself." Angel answered.

"Darla is Lindsey's girlfriend correct?" Riley asked. "And she has the same background as you, right Angel?"

"Yeah, but she has a lot older and more experienced than I am." Angel added.

"To keep in touch, all Darla has to do is plug in her palm pilot into a secure land line to access the McDonald Summer's office network. Lindsey had that done so she could work from anywhere. Being a vamp and all, it's hard for the office manager to sometimes make it in."

Angel almost laughed out loud at the look on Bryan Finn's face.

"That McDonald boy is dating a vampire?!" Bryan said, looking from Riley to Angel.

"Appears so Dad." Riley smiled knowingly at Angel.

"Well there's another perfectly good reason to keep that man away from Evan." Bryan said, waving his butter knife at Riley.

"And she and Buf are great friends." Xander chimed in. "Darla would never do anything against Buffy if she could help it, even if it *did* involved Lindsey. Those two are almost as close as Buf is to Willow."

"Good, it looks like we've got the beginnings of a plan and the Lindsey McDonald Conspiracy Council is in business." Riley said, raising his bottle of beer in salute.

Everyone raised their bottles and said. "Here, here!"

As Riley, Kevin, and his father cleaned up the kitchen, Riley watched his father. Somewhere since he'd arrived earlier in the week, Evan and Buffy had won his father over, but when he wasn't sure. Thinking how protective Bryan had been about Buffy and Evan in regards to Lindsey made him smile.

"Okay all, I'm off to bed. I'll see you two at the hospital in the morning. Rye, relax okay, everything's gonna be fine." Kevin said, patting Riley's shoulder as he moved past to leave the kitchen.

"Thanks Kev, it means so much to me that you're here for all this." Riley smiled at his older brother.

"Wouldn't miss it for all the world." Kevin said, moving to the door.

"Hold on Kevin, I'll come with you." Bryan said, moving to follow his son.

"Uh Dad, can I talk to you for a minute?" Riley ventured, not sure exactly what he was going to say to his father.

"Sure son." Bryan said, stopping to face Riley.

"I...I just wanted to thank you."

"For what?"

"Saying what you did about Lindsey. You didn't have to, you've made your feeling clear about Buffy and I." Riley couldn't bring himself to look his father in the eye.

"The two of them are family Riley, part of your family, which means they're mine as well. I know I was a huge jackass, but son I realise now what the two of you have isn't a passing thing, you really love that woman."

"You're right, I do."

"Well then, I'm here for you and them. Don't say that Bryan Finn ever turns his back on family." Bryan said, hugging his son quickly.

"Thanks, Dad."

"You heading upstairs?"

"No, Buffy and I have somethings to discuss."

"You've kept that poor girl up waiting for you?"

"No she was playing cards with Dawn, Chris, and Joyce. I told her I'd meet her in the games room where they're playing cards, she's probably waiting for me as I speak.." Riley smiled at his father's concern for Buffy's health.

"Well don't keep her up to late, tomorrow's a full day, you both need your sleep. Good night, Riley." Bryan said, leaving Riley alone in the kitchen.

<><><><><>

Buffy and Riley sat cuddled on the couch together, enjoying the peace and quiet of the house. It seemed as if everyone else had gone to bed leaving them alone for a change.

"Hmmmm..it's nice to be with you like this. Just us." Buffy said, snuggling into his side.

"Know exactly what you mean. Unlike Graham and Willow, we can't just disappear every time we want a quickie." Riley groaned.

"Do you think, they think no one knows.your Dad said something to me about it."

"He did?"

"Yeah, but he was fine with it. Said if he were single and Graham's age he'd be disappearing too with Willow." Buffy laughed.

"Well, at least he's mellowing out in his old age." Riley groaned again, as he moved his neck quickly.

"You okay?" She asked concerned.

"My neck's sore is all."

"It sounds like it's killing you. Let me see." She said, getting up from her place beside him, and moved behind the couch. Placing her small hands on his shoulders she started massaging.

"Mmmmm..feels good." He sighed, leaning back into her hands.

"You're so tense." She said, as she worked out the knots.

"Buffy, have you forgotten that's where I carry my stress? Or did you forget about all those massages you gave me in college." He said, growing slightly hard at the memory of the full body massages she'd give him after he'd go toe to toe with Maggie Walsh.

"No, I haven't, just wanted to see if you'd remember. Those memories kept me warm on many a cold night." She whispered in his ear, causing him to shiver.

"Hmmm...." he sighed as her fingers released a knot, "I know what you mean. I use to dream about these hands."

"Daddy!!!!!" Tristan's scream echoed through the house.

"Daddy! Tristan's having another nightmare." Hope called sleepily down the stairs.

Buffy looked at the clock and noticed it was after midnight.

"Another nightmare?" Buffy asked

"She hasn't had them in awhile, but lately..." He said starting to get up.

"No, you sit here, I'll go. And when I get back we can talk about that full body massage." She said, nipping at his neck before she waltzed past him and out the door to calm down Tristan.

Riley smiled to himself as he watched her ass sashay out of the room.

"God, there goes a sexy woman." He whistled, but stopped short when a brisk breeze blew over him, and a crystal decanter that sat on the bar went flying across the room. Riley jumped to his feet, a horrible feeling passing over him. Twice in one night he'd felt it, felt her, smelt her perfume.

"Claire?"

The room suddenly got bitterly cold and Riley could see his breath form a fog as he exhaled.

"Claire, if that's you, show yourself." Riley demanded, looking around for a vision of his deceased wife. In the past, he'd had dreams about her that felt too real to be true, but this was different. The hairs stood up on the back of his neck, and his heart seemed to be trying to explode out of his chest.

A glass hanging from a holder over the bar slipped off and crashed to the floor.

"Now honey calm down, it's not what you think!" He said, turning towards the bar. Riley couldn't see anything, but he knew that Claire's spirit was in the room.

"Claire, there's no need to get upset, there's nothing going on." He said pleadingly.

An ashtray was picked up from an end table beside the couch and hurled in his direction. Luckily, he ducked just in time as it whizzed passed his head and hit the wall behind him, shattering into small pieces.

"Baby, stop!"

Another glass was hurled from the bar, this time it hit him on the back of the head as he turned to the opposite side of the room.

Looking frantically around to see what direction the next missile was going to be coming from, Riley was shocked when he was physically picked up and thrown across the room to land in a heap next to the pool table. Trying to get up, Riley was shoved back down and his arms and legs jerked straight out like he was shackled to the floor. He couldn't move.

"Claire, sweetheart, please! That's enough!"

Riley watched helplessly as glasses fell and bottles broke. The room, while this chaos was happening, remained icy cold. The mirror behind the bar was frosted white.

Then, as suddenly as the attack started, it was over. The room's temperature rose back to normal and Riley could move his arms and legs again. Slowly rising to his feet, he was still apprehensive, waiting for something to come flying through the air at him, but everything was still and quiet until the door was opened and Buffy walked in.

"My God, Riley, what happened?" She said looking around at the mess.

"Don't tell me you didn't feel it." Riley said disbelieving, as he started to pick up broken glass from the floor.

"If anyone would know an earthquake when they felt it, I thought it would be you."

"I didn't feel a thing." She answered shaking her head.

Looking at her, he said. "You were higher up, naturally the shock would be more cushioned upstairs than down."

"Uh, huh. Yeah." Buffy said quietly, letting the topic drop. Looking around she felt her stomach tighten, this didn't feel like any earthquake to her.

"Riley what's that on the back of your head?" Buffy asked, seeing a large lump forming at the base of his skull.

"Oh, I bumped my head when I lost my footing." He lied. How was he going to tell his current lover that his dead wife was back and jealous as all get out?

Coming up to feel how swollen the lump was, Buffy turned all motherly as Riley winced from the pain.

"You poor baby. I'll get you some ice." Buffy said, moving to the bar to get ice out of the freezer.

She didn't know what was happening, but she knew it wasn't a damn earthquake. Her own earlier experience was making her wonder what the hell was going on. Why would Riley lie to her?

Coming back to him, she placed the ice wrapped in a bar rag on his head, and surveyed the room.

"Tell you what, after I pick up this mess, how about you and I go upstairs into my room and I'll give you that full body massage I promised you."

Riley didn't want to face Claire's wrath again that night so he declined her offer.