Last Request by kittyfajitas

Story Notes:

I've found myself with a lot of time on my hands and I've decided to use it to improve my writing/story telling skills. I'd definitely appreciate any feedback you have to offer! Warnings and rating may change.

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Chapter 1 by kittyfajitas

Author's Notes:

I may have read the line about Dawn as an energy ball in another story. I posted on SR to see if anyone recognized it from a story and got no response, so maybe it's a product of my fevered imagination. If the line is yours, please let me know and I will change it or credit you, whichever you prefer.

Dear William,

If you're reading this, then the worst has happened. I pray to whatever benevolent spirits that might be listening that the contents of this letter never see the light of day. But, since these words are being read, I will go on the assumption that you are feeling very lost. Based on past experience, this probably means you are also injured severely and/or "completely pissed." Whichever way you are, I know it is because you love my girls as much as I do. I didn't always show it in the right ways, either, you know. But all I can say in my defense is that it is extremely hard for someone as ordinary as me to do what it really takes to care for two such extraordinary girls. I'm not able to protect them, now. But the truth is I never really have been. But you can, because you're also extraordinary.

Dawn is all alone now, same as you. She is going to have a hard time understanding why life has thrown all this at her, and she's also smart enough to start asking the really big questions about her existence. She is not just my little girl, she is the Key. And I have a feeling this means more than we can imagine. She is going to be in as much danger as Buffy always has been, and I am asking you to be her protector. More than that, I'm asking you to be her guardian. The papers are drawn up, I've given you everything you need to take over my affairs as my (much younger) half brother. Hank won't be a problem, you know how to deal with men like him. All you have to do is call the lawyer's office that delivered this to you and they will set you up with the paperwork to sign. They keep late hours so you shouldn't have any problems getting what you need. I've left a package with everything you will need to be "legitimate," as well as a few other things, in my desk at home.

I do ask that you at least listen to what Rupert and Buffy's friends have to say, and give it some thought before you reject it out of hand. Unless it's really ridiculous, of course. But I am trusting that you will do whatever it takes to protect Dawn, even if the others don't agree. You're the only one other than Tara that didn't treat her badly when we found out about her origins, and you're the only one left that's strong enough to keep her safe.

I know the two of you will pull each other through the hard times ahead. If there is such a thing as an afterlife, I will be watching over you and doing what I can to help.

Thank you, William.

With All My Heart,

Joyce A. Summers

Spike lowered the letter and couldn't believe what he just read. The Slayer's mother trusted HIM to care for his Platelet. Might be because you refer to her as "your platelet." She always was a perceptive chit. Alright, then. He should probably try to sober up.

"So where have the lovebirds scampered off to tonight?"

"They said they were gonna meet Xander and Anya at the Bronze. I'm not sure if they'll be back tonight, it sounded like they had a lot to talk about."

"Alright, then. Well, it's been pretty quiet lately so I 'guess' the bot can handle patrol alone… But why would I want to hang around here with a teenage chit who's just not the green ball of energy that she used to be?"

"And why wouldn't I want to go to Janice's when all there is to do here is learn how to cheat at poker with a vampire that's tyrannical about where and when I clip my nails?"

"The sound is like chewing on tinfoil."

"Who in their right mind would chew on tinfoil?"

"Exactly!"

WHUMP

Dawn and Spike both started at the sound from the front of the house. Spike immediately turned off the faucet where he had been rinsing their dinner plates.

"What was that?" Dawn asked. Her answer was the sound of the front door handle being jiggled and a scratching sound that would have sounded ominous even if they didn't live on the Hellmouth. Dawn turned her eyes away from the shadowy hallway that led from the kitchen to the front door to see that Spike had gone preternaturally still, his head cocked slightly to the side as he listened. "Whatever it is, it's talking."

"I told you we should prepare for Friday the 13th on the Hellmouth! Especially when it comes in October. And what you just said is definite horror movie dialogue. "

"I'm going to go have a look." Dawn bit back a comment about how saying that was a sure way to guarantee a bloodbath. You'd think the vampire in the house would know that. Then again, it was Spike. If there was going to be a bloodbath he would probably be the perpetrator and not the victim. Dawn was only a little disconcerted to find that this thought comforted her.

Spike took three silent, decisive steps toward the hall and then spun back on his heel to face Dawn. "Stay here, be quiet, find a weapon." He spun back around and was halfway down the hall when a plaintive cry was heard.

"Dawnie! Dawn, are you here? Spike? It's me! Open the door, please! Oh god."

Spike froze in his tracks. The silence seemed to stretch on for an eternity but in actuality lasted no more than three seconds before Dawn whispered, her voice shaky, "That's not the bot."

Spike and Dawn's eyes met and then they were both racing toward the front door. Spike got there first and practically ripped the door off it's hinges as he yanked it open. A figure collapsed through the doorway and he barely managed to catch her before she hit the ground.

"Buffy?"