Author: Aine
Rating: For the moment, PG-13 for some violence.
Disclaimer: Yeah yeah, I know I don't own 'em...
Note: Thank you to Muse for betaing this part. The song is 'Behind Blue Eyes' by Limp Bizkit.

Ten Years Later:

No one knows what it's like
To be the bad man
To be the sad man
Behind blue eyes
And no one knows
What it's like to be hated
To be fated to telling only lies

But my dreams they aren't as empty
As my conscience seems to be
I have hours, only lonely
My love is vengeance
That's never free

No one knows what its like
To feel these feelings
Like i do, and i blame you!
No one bites back as hard
On their anger
None of my pain and woe
Can show through

But my dreams they aren't as empty
As my conscience seems to be
I have hours, only lonely
My love is vengeance
That's never free

No one knows what its like
To be mistreated, to be defeated
Behind blue eyes
No one knows how to say
That they're sorry and don't worry
I'm not telling lies

But my dreams they aren't as empty
As my conscience seems to be
I have hours, only lonely
My love is vengeance
That's never free

No one knows what its like
To be the bad man, to be the sad man
Behind blue eyes.

"Red! That's wicked awesome. Who knew you were an artist," Faith playfully shoves her friend.

Surprised, the redhead almost falls over, "Whoa! What the hell Faith? Where'd you come from?"

"Holy shit! You didn't tell me you could write, sing, AND play! Why you hide it?"

"Hey I'm a bad ass. If people find out that I write mushy stuff, no one would be scared of me any more." Willow playfully pouts at her best friend.

"Ah yes. The name, Willow, just strikes fear into the hearts of anyone who hears it spoken. You're fulla hot air Red. You get a pleather jacket and you call yourself a bad ass."

"Okay, I just never thought I was any good. Hey, we goin to school today?"

"Nah, It's Friday. We haven't been since Monday, why go today?"

"Alright. What're we gonna do?"

"I got some spray paint, you wanna do a number on the bridge at the park?"

"Um okay... sounds like fun." The redhead tries to act enthusiastic.

"Rupert Giles?" A young voice on the telephone asks.

"Yes, this is he. Who may I ask is calling?"

"Officer Crystal from Sunnydale P.D. We picked up a Willow Rosenburg, and I understand that you are her foster parent and legal guardian?"

"Yes that is correct, what did she do this time?"

"We caught her and her little friend spray painting the bridge in the park."

"I'll be down to pick her up, thank you officer."

Back at Giles's

"Damn it Willow!"

"Uh oh... somebody's pissed." The redheaded teen scoffs.

"Yes. Yes I am pissed as you so kindly put it. You are the smartest person I know, and not to mention the most talented. And you waste it all on trying to be a bloody bad ass. You put graffiti all over the walls and you quit going to classes. I just don't know what to do with you," Giles sits down on the couch looking defeated.

Distressed, Willow tries to defend herself, "It's not like I killed anybody. I mean, I just painted on a wall, just this once. There were a bunch of other kids there, and I didn't wanna be the goody goody. You don't understand. It's bad enough that I have to deal with bein a fifteen year old girl. But I don't even have parents like a normal kid. So I have to try to fit in extra hard. I've had four foster families in 10 years. Been with you and Jenny what, 4 years? So, why don't you just give me back? It's what everyone seems to do with me when I get too much for them. My Papa murdered a woman and gave me away. My first foster family didn't want to deal with my issues, JESUS! I was five Giles! Did you know that I was outside of that damn convenience store when he shot the lady?!"

"Hey darlin', Papa's just gonna go inside for some food. I'll be right out sugar."

"Okay Papa. I'll play with Bessy." The tiny redhead looks up at her Papa and smiles. "Good girl." He pats his daughter on the head and nervously walks into the convenience store.

Giles moves over to his foster child and embraces her, it was the first time she's opened up to anyone about what happened ten years before.

Willow continues, "I was in my own little world playing with a doll that my mom made me."

Humming a little tune, the redhead makes her doll dance to her melody. "Wow, you're a good dancer Miss Bessy." Willow sits up straight as she hears yelling from inside the store. "Hm... is that Papa? Why is he yellin'?" Then the little redhead hears a loud bang before her Papa runs out of the store and picks her up, and keeps running. He doesn't stop running until they reach a homeless shelter.

"Then my papa comes out of the building, picks me up and starts to run. I didn't know what happened," Willow looks up at Giles. She has a lost look in her eyes as she begins to cry. "Papa took me to the shelter we had been staying at, he told me that he might have to go away for a little while. I started to cry. He took his beat up old baseball cap and put in on my head," Willow allowed herself a little giggle at the memory. " He patted my head, and swung me onto his back and headed to the police station. We walked into the station and he took a look around and a deep breath. He noticed a little blonde girl crying. So I go over to her and we end up falling asleep." Willow smiles softly at the thought.

"Sweetheart. Darlin' you have to wake up for Papa."

Slowly, Willow opens her eyes, "Papa?" She sees that her Papa is crying, so she throws her arms around him and starts to cry herself, "Papa, what's wrong? Did I do something bad? I'm sorry Papa, I promise to be good."

"No, no baby. I have to go away. I did something very bad."

Hearing people talking, the little blonde girl starts to slowly open her eyes. Yet, when she catches the first glimpse of Willow's father, her eyes go wide with fear. When the tiny blonde sees that Willow is crying she takes Willow into her arms, "Go away, I won't let you hurt her."

The man looks down then back at his daughter. He kisses her forehead, "I love you darlin' forgive me." The officer drags the redhead to a holding cell.

Willow frowns a little before continuing, "He really was a good guy. I mean yeah, killing a lady is bad and all. But he really did have a good heart. I never missed a meal, even though we had no money. He told me stories at night, before I fell asleep, about Mama. She was so beautiful Giles. My papa never let me forget that. Even though I never would have then, and I still haven't." Willow now was sitting, curled up, across Giles's lap, her arms around his neck. Pulling away a little, Willow looks into Giles's eyes, "Giles?"

"Yes Willow?"

"Are you gonna give me away?" Tears threatening to spill down the redhead's cheeks.

Smiling gently, "No I am not." Brushing a stray hair out of Willow's eyes, "I was actually wondering if you'd let me well, us, Jenny and me, adopt you. I never want to replace the special place in your heart that you have for your father. However, could I possibly ask if you'd create a new space in your heart for me? I've grown to love you like I would my own flesh and blood over the past few years."

"Really? You want to keep me around? For like... ever?"

Smiling, "Only if you want to, I don't want you to feel pressured."

"Oh Giles! I promise, I promise that if you adopt me I'll do better in school. I'll actually go to school. I'll do anything! I would love to be your daughter."

"Wonderful, I'll just have the papers drawn up. Now, it's quite late, and we've had quite an emotional evening. How about we get some rest, and tomorrow you can have you friend over. What's her name? Hope?"

"Her name's Faith you ol' goof." Tripping over her words slightly, "G-Giles?"

"Yes?"

"Could um... could you maybe take me to see Papa? I want to tell him that I'm going to be adopted, and how I'm doing. I haven't seen him in a few months."

"Of course Willow. How about we go on Sunday? I'll call the prison and tell them that you will be there."

"Thanks Pop... it's umm... it's okay if I start calling you that? Even though the adoption hasn't even started yet? Oh! What about Jenny? Does she want me? Did you even talk to her about it? Or was this a split decision thing?"

Before Willow could continue her babble, Giles put up his hand to silence her, "Yes Willow, it's okay for you to call me anything. I feel honored. Yes, Jenny knows. We've been discussing this option for quite a while, and she is thrilled with the idea of having you for a daughter."

Also ten years after the shooting

"Tara! Time for school kiddo! I'll be in the car!" Buffy yells upstairs then goes outside and starts the car.

From upstairs Tara yells back, "Yeah Buffy, I'm coming," Tara quickly throws her jacket on and grabs her backpack for school.

Tara's father seemingly comes out of nowhere and block's her path to the front door. "You ready for your first day of school? You sure you want to do this? I mean, you are only late a month into the school year, but I could still home school you if you want."

"Daddy, I'm totally ready." A car horn honks outside the house, "Oh Dad, I gotta go. Buffy's waiting. We'll see you guys tonight at dinner." Tara kisses her father's cheek and heads out the door calling, "Bye Mom, I'll see you later!"