Sample for watcher_pryce
Getting the children out of the hotel wasn't as hard as we thought. Thank god Angel had left earlier, no doubt to pummel some demon into submission. Or whatever it is Angel does when he's out there alone looming on the streets. As long as he wasn't looming over us, it was fine by me. Cordelia kept an eye out just in case our boss would suddenly leap out from the sewer entrance, as he is wont to do. I swear, he does that just so he can snicker at the looks of pure fright on our faces. One of these days he's going to give me a heart attack with that little joke.
I ushered the kids to the car, lamenting the fact that there weren't any seats for them. I'd have to remedy that later on. They'd need other things as well. Clothes, mostly, shoes, toys, a proper bed...a good place to stay. Damn, what were we getting ourselves into? Or at the very moment, what was *I* getting myself into? I'd not even rounded the corner or Marilee started about ice cream and moment later Alicia was pouting because I said no to McDonalds. McDonalds! Really, I ask you. No, we were going get some proper food. Which was why I was currently in a grocery shop with two children.
"I down't like beet," Marilee pouted from where she sat in the shopping cart.
Sighing, I put the pot back again and glanced at her. "Well what *do* you like then? So far you've not liked beets, sprouts, carrots, beans, peas and asparagus," I held up my hand to show her just how many things those were.
"Well doh," Alicia rolled her eyes, tugging on my coat. "Like who feeds kids that gross stuff? Aspathingies are for adults!" She crossed her arms over her chest and gave me a very familiar glare. I swear if I'd not known better, I'd say she was related to Cordy. "I want McD," she repeated again.
Heaving another deep sigh, I started to push the cart again and gave her a stern look. "And I told you we're having healthy food. We can have ice-cream for desert." There, that should work.
"Hehehe," Marilee smirked down at Alicia who stuck her tongue out at her.
"Girls," I sighed, finally settling on some bread to make some of those melted cheese things. Shouldn't be too hard right? Just put cheese on it and put it in a pan. Should work just wonderfully. And they've both told me that they liked cheese. So yes, that would work out wonderfully.
"Can we have chocolate milk?" Alicia asked, tugging at my coat again. She was looking at the fish section we'd paused for. Rather mesmerized at that.
"Certain..." I blinked at Marilee as her tongue darted out as she glanced at the fish as well. "...ly." Oh my good bloody god. She had a forked tongue? How did we not notice this? How-how-how... Shaking my head, I took hold of her hands and glanced at them. And yet, there were webs between their fingers. Small ones, not fully grown, but there they were.
Right.
"Alright then." Grabbing some of the fish they were ogling and quickly grabbing some ice cream while passing the frozen section I made a beeline for the cash register. Damn, just our luck isn't it? We *would* wind up with demons, half demons. Still they were children and they needed our help. They were damn well going to get it to.
"Are we going home now?" Alicia asked, looking up at me with fearful eyes. "Or-or are you going to put us in a home?" The unspoken 'like everyone else' was so clear at the end of that sentence it made my heart ache.
Frowning, I stopped the cart and blinked at her. Marilee was looking white as a sheet, bottom lip trembling. Picking her up I pulled her into my arms and grouched down next to Alicia. "Of course not," I said softly. Giving them both a smile, I tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. "We're not going put you anywhere. We're going to my flat, and have some food. Then you two can have some ice cream and watch cartoons. Alright?"
They both still looked a little doubtful but nodded. Then a tiny smile appeared on their faces as we made our way to the check out register. There was absolutely no way these children were going to the official where ever they put children that have no parents, or other caretakers. We were going to take care of them, find them a good...home. I was going to make sure of that.
Besides, Cordy would kick my arse if we did anything other then that.
"Come on, girls. Let's go home."
"Can we call Cowdy there?"
"Errr... We'll see about that."