A/N: So this was a challenge fic requested by Tempestt. Here is the challenge and the summary basically:
Buffy is resurrected, and boy howdy is she pissed. She keeps it to herself, but watches with resentment as the scoobs have no problem shrugging the slayer duties back onto her shoulders along with Dawn's care and the financials. After hearing from Dawn how Spike cared for her during the summer, and witnessing his continued concern for his girls' wellbeing, Buffy forms a plan. She goes to a local worlock/wizard/witch and gets 3 matching rings, (any worn object really) that have a seriously advanced cloaking spell. She goes to the solicitor that handled her mother's will and sets up secret accounts, transfers the rest of her meager funds and contacts an agent to sell the house and the contents. She does all this without speaking to anyone. Once its ready she goes to Dawn and tells her to pack one small bag, mostly with mementos she can't leave behind, like the family photo album. Dawn is not whiney. All she wants is to be with her sister, and trusts her completely. She suspects what's going on and fully supports it, being mad at the Scooby's behavior herself. She packs and follows Buffy to Spike's crypt. Buffy asks Spike to take them away, it never once occurring to her that he could say no. It never once occurs to him to say anything other than yes. He gets a bag together, cleans out the Desoto and they head out.
They stop over in Las Vegas for a while. Spike takes their seed money and manages to work his way up the ranks from a small time poker games to a huge tournament (demon friendly of course!) where he cleans up. Meanwhile the girls are having a ball, shopping (money provided by Spike's winnings) dancing and generally having a good time.
Together they set up house and live quite happily together. Can be anywhere, even outside the country. Or maybe they travel for a year. Slow build up to Spuffy. Spike is definitely man of the house. Buffy may choose to slay, up to author. Scoobs finds them. Maybe Angel asks the oracles to reveal their location. Up to author if Spuffy returns to Sunnydale or stay where they are, but scoobs and Angel are unsuccessful in breaking them up.
Story Warnings: Sexual situations, swearing and violence.
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Chapter 1
Buffy stood there looking out the window in her bedroom. It was just before sunset and only the second day since she had been brought back from the dead. Everyone was already downstairs waiting for her to come down and join them for dinner. This was the first time all day that she had been able to get any time alone. They had all been hounding her with questions, well everyone but Dawn, Dawn was a silent pillar of support. She was close by, but not questioning her about her time in Hell. The only one that knew the truth about where she was, was Spike. Buffy didn't know why she told him at all. It had just came out. There was something about the look in his eyes that told her he would understand. That he wouldn't weigh her down with questions or acts of concerns. And he didn't disappoint her. He was understanding and was allowing her to come to terms with it on her own. Buffy knew though that if she needed to talk about it he would be more than willing to listen.
Buffy had spent most of her time since being back just completely lost and numb. Today though listening to how she didn't have much money anymore and she was now going to have to try and figure out how to get money to pay for the bills and medical bills from her mother's hospital stay. She was going to have to work, patrol and take care of Dawn who would be starting school soon once again. For the first time since she was brought back Buffy felt something other than numb, she felt anger. She was angry that her friends, the people who were supposed to be her family, not even offering to help her out. Willow and Tara who were living here weren't paying the mortgage or the other bills and they weren't offering to pay rent currently now either. Buffy had wanted to ask who had been paying the bills if they weren't and there was barely any money in the bank account. Buffy could feel the resentment coming off of Dawn at her friends and it wasn't just because they brought her back from the dead and didn't tell Dawn or Spike for that matter. There was an anger inside of her and Buffy didn't know how long it would be before she blew up from everything. All she could do was try and push it down and push forward like her mother would want her to be doing. The problem is she just couldn't seem to bring herself to. She knew she should be more than happy to be alive and back with her friends and family. At the same time though, she was at peace in Heaven with her mother. She was warm and filled with light and love. And now she was here in a cold, dark and evil world. A world where she didn't want anything to do with it, but she was now forced to be in once again. Forced to fight for her life over and over again because her friends, the people that love her, decided her fate without any thought other than a selfish one.
Buffy pushed away from the window and headed down the stairs and into the kitchen where everyone was standing around. Tara was cooking some kind of pasta meal that Buffy couldn't bring herself to care about. She hadn't really eaten anything in the past two days. She just wasn't hungry. She was more tired and worn out than anything in the moment. Buffy saw that Dawn was working on something while she sat at the island. Buffy went over and spoke.
"What is that?"
"It's my homework. I've been taking courses since the summer to work ahead. If I take a few extra courses each year in the summer I can graduate a year or even a year and a half early." Dawn answered calmly.
"Oh, then what?"
"Then I'll go to University. I want to have a Masters in Social Studies with a Bachelor in Law. I want to be a social worker that focuses on both human and demon laws."
"Why would you want to do that?" Xander asked as the others could hear the conversation.
"Spike was telling me about some of the things he saw around the world. He told me about human and demon children being trapped in abusive homes and situations because no one is there to care enough to get them out. I want to help other children be in safe situations. Having the duel degrees would allow me to be a social worker and a lawyer, which would also let me be a child advocate. Did you know that Spike helped free people from concentration camps back in World War Two? He's also helped create safe houses for demons that are in war zones or children escape from an abusive home. He's helped them stay hidden and given new identities." Dawn said proudly.
"I highly doubt that very much Dawn. Spike lies quite often. The Watcher's Journals were very clear about what type of monster Spike was and is." Giles said with a condescending tone.
"Spike told me about those journals and said they are all made up stories and lies. Like how he killed an entire orphanage ten years before he was even killed." Dawn said in a challenging tone.
"I'm sure he was mistaken. The Watchers who recorded the activities over time would never lie and create false stories within the Journals. It would go against everything they stand for." Giles said back.
"It makes sense to me. They wanted the Slayers to kill every demon and vampire they saw. They didn't want to risk them finding out that some vampires and demons are actually good and harmless. They wanted a girl to be their killer and they weren't going to risk them turning against the Council. It's why that stupid barbaric test was created, so they could kill off the Slayers that were too independent and rebellious. Lying about powerful vampires seems like an easy step when you think about the number of Slayers were killed by Watchers." Dawn said.
"That is a complete load of folly. That is not why the test was created and I do not appreciate Spike trying to make it seem like the Council and Watchers are the evil ones. Spike is nothing more than a soulless vampire who would have been killed by Buffy a long time ago if it were not for his chip. I will not have him manipulating your thoughts and beliefs to suit his demonic ways." Giles said offended.
"He hasn't manipulated anything. It's my own beliefs and thoughts on the matter from my experience and the materials that I have read. I asked Spike questions he told me and also supplied me with books from different people both human and demon of recounting the events. I made a logical opinion. You don't get to blame Spike for everything and you don't get to act like he isn't different from the vampire he used to be. Spike doesn't kill people, because he chose to. He could have just done it and pushed through the pain, but he didn't. He could have other people kill and then he drank from them, but he didn't. He didn't have to help out with fighting demons or stopping the world from ending, but he did. You all are so hung up on the fact that he is a vampire you don't give him any credit to all of the things he's done against his vampire nature." Dawn said with anger at Giles.
"You weren't around for all of the times he's tried to kill one of us Dawnie. He's not who you think he is." Xander said back.
"Are you the same person you were when you were sixteen? Should I be judging you and treating you like you were some stupid sixteen year old? You wouldn't like that very much now would you? You think because he's a vampire that makes it okay to ignore all of the progress and change he's gone through and adapted to? All the times he saves your lives in the past few years. He's the one that has been doing the patrolling while Buffy was gone. He's the one that took care of me." Dawn said back.
"We were here taking care of you too Dawnie. It wasn't just Spike." Willow said slightly offended.
"Oh really? Who paid the bills? Who made sure there was food in the fridge? Who stayed up with me when I was sick with the flu? Who took me to school to register for new courses for the summer? Spike did it all." Dawn argued back.
"Spike wasn't paying the bills, Giles was." Willow said now getting slightly mad herself.
"I was not paying the bills. I assumed that you and Tara were living here that you would be the ones to step up and take care of Dawn and the bills." Giles said.
"Nope they didn't. Spike did. They didn't move in until two weeks later. If it wasn't for Spike I would have been living in a cardboard box eating out of the dumpsters. Maybe you all should try being nice to him because if it wasn't for him I might not be alive." Dawn said back happy that she clearly shocked them by finding out that Spike was the one to pay the bills.
Before anyone could say anything to that the front door was unlocked and opened. Everyone, but Dawn was shocked that the door was being unlocked as they believed they were the only ones with a key. When they saw Spike walk into the kitchen they were all shocked and Xander was angry.
"How the hell did you get in here undead?" Xander said.
"I have a key you moron. Ello Niblet, Buffy." Spike said with a gentle voice and small nod to Buffy.
Buffy just looked at Spike and didn't say anything. Spike could see in her eyes that she was still very much dead. She didn't care about anything right now and Spike knew it would take a long time before she did.
"Spike, how did you get in when I know the door was locked?" Giles asked frustrated that Spike could just walk in whenever he wanted it seemed.
"Because I have a key." Spike said slowly as they just wet over that fact.
"How the hell did you get a key?" Xander asked with outrage.
"I gave him one like four months ago." Dawn said as she rolled her eyes.
"Dawn, why would you give him a key without telling us?" Willow asked clearly not happy about this.
"Because he was practically living here for four months. Why shouldn't he have one so he could come and go. It's not like you were around to ask." Dawn said with attitude.
"I've clearly walked in on the wrong moment." Spike said obviously picking up on the tension in the room.
"All the more reason for you to not be here Dead Boy Jr. So why don't you leave your key and get the hell out of here and go back to your dark and damp hole in the earth where you belong." Xander said with anger.
"Because he's allowed to be here whenever he wants. If you don't like it then you can be the one to leave." Dawn said with attitude once again.
"How's the homework Little Bit?" Spike asked hoping to cool off the room.
"It's coming. I could actually use your help with my Calculus."
"If you needed help why didn't you ask me? I would have totally helped you." Willow said slightly offended.
"Because Spike is smarter than all of you." Dawn said like it was the most obvious thing in the world as she packed up her books. "Let's go in the living room okay?" Dawn said to Spike.
"Sure Bit." Spike easily agreed.
Him and Dawn headed over into the living room and sat down on the couch. Buffy moved over and looked through the doorway to see Dawn showing Spike the questions in her homework that she didn't understand. She watched as Spike calmly explained to her what she needed to do and helped her work through the problems instead of just telling her the answer. Buffy didn't know how long she stood there watching Spike calmly teaching Dawn Calculus. She had blocked out anything outside of the image in front of her. Before she died she would have been applaud at the thought of Spike being this close to Dawn and helping her. She would have been applaud at the thought of Spike having a key to her house so he could come and go as he pleased. She knew that Spike was in love with her, but she always thought it wasn't true. That he just believed he loved her. Yet now seeing them together like this it was so clear that he loved Dawn. He stayed to help take care of her, to raise her, to pay the bills. The soulless vampire was the one to step up and take care of her little sister and not her friends and family like they should have. Buffy found that anger within her starting to grow at the thought that her own friends had betrayed her not once, but twice. They should have been the ones to take care of Dawn. Spike was and they were just acting like he didn't keep her alive for these past almost five months. They were still treating him like less than dirt and that made Buffy even madder.
Buffy was snapped out of her thoughts when a hand was placed on her right forearm. Buffy turned her head to see Willow standing there looking concerned.
"Hey you okay? You kinda spaced out on us there."
"Fine." Buffy said as she turned away from Spike and Dawn and faced the others.
"We were talking about having Willow perform a no invite spell so we can block Spike out. She was saying that she could make it so that only she could invite Spike back in. Anyone else and it won't work." Xander said.
"Xander wants to do it right away." Anya said.
"Pretty sure Willow has done enough spells to last her a life time recently don't you think?" Buffy said with a slight anger tone in her voice.
"I know there was that whole hitchhiker business and I'm totally sorry about it. I had no idea that would happen, but in my defense no one has really raised the dead before. This is a simple spell that will keep Spike out of the house." Willow said in her own defense.
"Now that you are back he'll go right back to being creepy and obsessive with you. He'll stalk you and Dawn. It's not safe to have him around here." Xander said.
"I would agree with Xander. I was not aware of the amount of time Dawn was spending with Spike. It's not good to encourage the relationship between them. Spike is clearly influencing Dawn and manipulating her mind. Vampires don't see age and with her affection for Spike he could easily take advantage of it seeing as he will not be involved with you. Dawn is almost sixteen and would be perfect age for Spike to start grooming to be in a relationship with him. You must take this seriously Buffy." Giles said in his Watcher tone.
"Spike looks at Dawn like a little sister, he always has and he always will. Spike can come and go anytime he wants." Buffy said.
"Buffy really you must think clearly about this." Giles said with disappointment in his voice.
"I am. I'm not punishing the one person who was there for my sister when I was dead. I would have thought the people who claimed to love me would be the ones to look after her. But apparently it was the one person who had every reason to leave. You don't get to be disappointed in me. I get to be disappointed in you, in all of you. If you don't like Spike being here then you can be the one that leaves." Buffy snapped before she turned and went into the living room and sat down in the chair by the table.
Spike looked up at her with concern in his eyes and Buffy just pulled her legs up to her chest and closed her eyes. Spike continued to help Dawn with her homework for the next hour until Tara spoke and said it was time for dinner. Dawn put her books away and went into the kitchen to see the still not happy faces of the others. Spike looked over at Buffy and knew she wasn't sleep, just pretending to. He decided to leave her be and let her continue on faking sleep. He couldn't blame her for it. He would be pissed off at the world and everyone within it if he was ripped out of Heaven, by her friends no less. Spike went out the back door for a smoke.
"Where is Buffy?" Giles asked.
"She's in the living room. I think she's asleep." Tara answered.
"Has she eaten anything since being back?" Giles asked with concern.
"I don't know." Tara answered.
Giles went into the living room and over to Buffy. He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and called her name.
"Buffy, you need to wake up and eat something."
Buffy didn't want to eat. She didn't want to be around any of them, but she knew by the tone of voice that Giles was using that he wasn't about to let this go. Buffy opened her eyes and just gave a nod. She didn't want to talk to any of them. She didn't want to see any of them. She didn't want to hear any of their voices. Buffy was trying to figure out how to get them out of her house. The problem was Tara and Willow lived with her. They had moved in after she died to help take care of Dawn and yet it didn't seem like they were doing any taking care of at all. They were sleeping on her mother's bed, eating her food that Spike was paying for. They didn't seem to be contributing to anything in the house or with Dawn.
Buffy got up and headed into the kitchen to see Dawn sitting down eating her pasta while the others stood or leaned against something. Buffy went over and grabbed a bowl and put a small amount of pasta into it just to please everyone and hopefully it would be enough to get them out of her house for the while. Buffy leaned against the counter as Spike walked back in and went to lean against the doorway into the living room behind Dawn.
"It's almost time for you to patrol Buffy. Without you here I am sure the vampires and demons have been increasing." Giles said.
"Spike's been patrolling and taking care of it." Dawn said.
"Yes well Spike is not a Slayer, it is not his job. He is no longer needed for it or in here for that matter." Giles said still not pleased with the level of involvement that Spike has been in.
"Someone has to do it while you were off in Merry Olde after abandoning the Bit. Buffy just got brought back two nights ago the last thing she should be doing is patrolling." Spike said with anger in his voice.
"Oh really and what should Buffy be doing then?" Giles said with a challenging tone.
"Anything she bloody well wants. She should be on a bus heading for the beach for a month and just recuperatin' and relaxin'. Not out fightin' demons and vamps when her head isn't in the game." Spike snapped back.
"And you know what her head is like? You just want her weak so you can continue to be here and act like there's a reason for it." Xander said with his own anger.
"Are you people blind or just that stupid? She was brought back from the dead after almost being dead for five months. You don't just wake up and hop right back into life." Spike said.
"The best thing for Buffy is to get back into a normal routine. If she pushes off her responsibilities then she will continue to do so and people will get hurt and killed. She is the Slayer. She is the one to be taking care of Dawn and raising her. It's her responsibility now and she has to step up and handle it. It is that simple. I will not tolerate you hindering her in her recovery." Giles said with a deadly anger.
"You lot are the ones that are going to get her killed. But why listen to the bloke that has died and woken up in a coffin? The only one in the room that knows and understands what she is going through is me and you lot are too stupid and stubborn to listen to me. Your pushing will get her killed." Spike warned.
"That's enough Spike. You don't know what you are talking about. Buffy is fine and she can handle this. You really should go back to your crypt Spike. You're not needed anymore." Willow said.
"I need him and want him here. And considering this is my house you don't get to kick him out." Dawn said.
"We live here too Dawnie. We get an opinion and vote. You're out voted this time, three to one." Willow said calmly.
"And who was the third? Because last I heard Buffy told you all that if you didn't like Spike here to get out. So until you pay the mortgage like Spike is currently doing, you don't get a vote or an opinion. Don't like it then you can move out." Dawn said with anger in her voice.
"Dawnie, sweetie were not trying to cause any problems." Tara said gently.
"Really, because it sounds the exact opposite." Dawn said.
"They just want Buffy to go back to normal so they don't have to worry about patrolling or anything but their own lives. That's why they did the spell and brought Buffy back to life. So she can take care of everything again." Anya simply said.
"That's not why we did it. She was in Hell. We had to get her out." Willow said with anger and disgust that Anya would say something like that.
"Look, why is not important. What is, is that Buffy is back and as such she has responsibilities that she must handle. It's time for her to be the adult and handle what needs to be done. Starting with patrolling." Giles said.
"Ya Buffy can handle it and she is fine. So Dead Boy Jr, you can stay the hell away from her and just leave. Preferably town because Buffy is fine." Xander said.
"Fine eh? You do realise that she hasn't even spoken up yet right? The only thing she did say was for you all to get over me being here. Nothing since, and nothing since this conversation started. That's fine to you?" Spike pointed out.
"Because she know we're right." Xander said back.
"Wow you lot really are stupid." Spike simply stated.
Spike looked over at Buffy and saw her playing with the food in the bowl looking down at it. She hadn't eaten anything at all since being back and Spike knew why. He might have come out a vampire, but he knew about what happens when someone was dead for almost five months. Spike pushed away from the doorway and went over to the cupboard where the tea was kept. He picked up the kettle and put water into it and turned it on as he spoke in a gentle tone.
"You shouldn't eat that Luv, it'll hurt your stomach. See if you can keep some tea and toast down first before you eat something more complicated."
Buffy looked relived that she didn't have to eat it so she placed it down on the counter.
"She needs real food to keep her strong and give her strength." Giles said.
"Her stomach hasn't had anything in it for almost five months. It's like someone that has been in a coma, you don't hand them pasta or complicated food when they first open their eyes. She needs bland and simple food in small amounts to build her stomach back up. If she can keep the tea and toast down she can move on to something else later like ice cream and soup. She eats anything too rich or hard on the stomach and she'll just get sick, Slayer or not her stomach is an organ that needs to be reintroduced to food." Spike explained.
"That makes sense. I'm sorry Buffy I didn't think of it like that." Tara said apologetically.
"It's fine." Buffy said with a shrug.
Dawn's phone beeped and she pulled it out of her pocket and looked down at it to see that it was a text from one of her friends.
"When did you get a cell phone?" Willow asked.
"Spike got it for me like four months ago so we could talk during the day if I needed him." Dawn answered as she read the texts. "Oh ya I totally forgot. My friends are asking if we're still on for tomorrow night." Dawn said as she looked at Spike.
"What's tomorrow night?" Willow asked.
"Spike said I could have a few friends over and we would make pizza and just hang out for a little while. They want to know if we're still on." Dawn said unsure of if she should have people over after what happened.
"Why didn't you ask us if you could have people over? We live here Dawnie, maybe we don't want to have a mini party." Willow said.
"It's not a party just three friends. I'm fifteen, I'm allowed to have friends. Spike said I could because it's a Friday night and I got an A on my last two mid-terms. I just don't know if it's a good idea now." Dawn said.
"It's fine." Buffy said.
"Are you sure? I can totally cancel and just say that you got back from a vacation and need to rest." Dawn said with understanding in her voice.
"You're doing well in your courses?" Buffy asked softly.
"She's doin' really well. She's completed two courses already with a final grade in the ninety percent range. She's workin' on course number three and four right now all University level. She got an A on her two mid-terms last week. I said she could have a few mates over to celebrate her hard work." Spike answered.
"It's fine though, I can tell them that something has come up and just do something else really Buffy." Dawn said not wanting to overwhelm Buffy.
"No you should have them over. You've been working really hard on your school work even though it's summer. Spike's right you should celebrate and be rewarded for it. They can sleep over if they want." Buffy said.
"Are you sure though?" Dawn said really unsure.
"Ya. I'm proud of you, you deserve this. I want you to have fun. I'll be fine." Buffy said.
"Ok, but here's the thing, um, they aren't exactly human." Dawn said slightly unsure.
"What do you mean?" Buffy asked confused.
"During the past four months with the Bit being around me she met Clem and that led her to meetin' a few of my other mates. They had kiddies around the same age as the Bit and they became friends. They're all harmless demons I swear I would never take her around anyone even slightly dangerous." Spike said.
"We've become good friends. It's cool not having to hide that my sister is the Slayer or that I have Spike in my life. They're half-demons and half-human so they have souls and are good people. I would totally get it though, if you weren't comfortable with them in the house." Dawn added.
"Have they been here before?" Willow asked shocked.
"Ya a few times." Dawn said.
"Where were Tara and I?" Willow asked.
"Out somewhere. Spike was here with us." Dawn said.
"Why the hell would you be friends with demons? How did this happen and we didn't know about it?" Xander said with anger.
"Because you've had your head up your arse the whole time." Spike said back.
"Dawn, you should not be friends or interacting with demons, even if they are half-breeds. It's not safe." Giles said in his Watcher tone.
"Why not? We've been friends for like four months now almost. We've hung out at each other's place. I've met their parents and siblings. We've gone to movies together, out shopping together. What's the big deal? They have souls that you guys are always going on about. Their parents work for a living in town and are good people. What's the big deal?" Dawn said.
"The big deal as you put it, is that they are still part demon. They can still be dangerous and you shouldn't be around them. You are a young impressionable girl and you should not be involved within that life." Giles said.
"But it's okay for me to help with research on local demons when one comes up? It's okay for me to be around Anya who is an Ex-demon? It's okay for me to be hunted by a Hell God, but I can't be friends with safe and cool people because they have half-demon blood in them? How does that make sense exactly?" Dawn said.
"You know them?" Buffy asked Spike.
"Ya Luv I've known them for forty some odd years. I'm a Godfather to six of their children. They are harmless demons who make an honest living and raise their children. I trust them." Spike answered.
"Then okay. Have them over." Buffy said to Dawn.
"Buffy you can't be serious." Giles said outraged.
"Why not? None of you cared that apparently Spike was the main care provider of Dawn while I was dead. You don't get to start caring now. Spike wouldn't let Dawn be hurt or be around anyone dangerous. If he says they're not that's good enough for me. You don't like it then don't be here." Buffy said sounding exhausted.
Spike went to make two pieces of white toast while he spoke to Dawn.
"Bit, do you understand the rest of your homework?"
"Ya I totally got it now. It was just that one part in the book that didn't make any sense to me. I'll finish that chapter tonight before I go to bed. I'll leave it down here so you can check over it before I move on to the next chapter. This chapter is the first step to the next chapter's work and if I don't have it right then the next chapter will be a total mess."
"I'll check it over later." Spike said.
"I have work tomorrow at nine until one remember?" Dawn said.
"Since when do you work?" Tara asked shocked.
"I started volunteering three months at an animal shelter to get my volunteer hours for school. After I had the hours I didn't want to leave and they offered me a job working part-time. I work about twenty hours a week." Dawn said.
"Tried tellin' her she didn't need to be workin', but the stubborn Bit won't listen." Spike said as he got the toast and tea ready.
"You work hard enough to pay the bills here. The least I can do is work so I can have some money for things I might want or need. I like working there and it'll look good for my University applications." Dawn said.
"Why didn't you tell us you were working?" Xander asked.
"Because you hardly talk to me and never ask how my life is when I do see you, which is almost never." Dawn said back with attitude.
"That's not true." Xander said.
"Sure that's why no one but Spike knew I was working." Dawn said back.
"Do you have the money I gave you for the food for tomorrow night?" Spike asked.
"Yes I have it to get the food. The others will be here around five." Dawn said as she brought her bowl to the sink.
"Will you be here?" Buffy asked Spike.
"If you want Luv." Spike said gently.
"You should be. They don't know me." Buffy said.
"Then I'll be here. Bit go finish your homework please."
"I'm going. I have a few chapters to read in my English book assignment. I'll get my Calculus done first then read a little bit. Be safe tonight."
"Always Bit."
Dawn kissed Spike's cheek before she turned and headed up the stairs. Spike turned to Buffy.
"Here Luv, why don't you take these upstairs and take a nice hot bubble bath and relax. Your body is gonna feel rundown for a good week, Slayer healing and all. The best thing for ya is rest Luv. I'll handle the patrols." Spike said gently as he handed Buffy her cup of tea and two pieces of toast with just butter on them.
Buffy took them and just gave a nod. She was thankful that someone else was going to be handling things for a little while for her. She knew what she was supposed to be doing, but she just couldn't bring herself to do them. Buffy didn't say anything else, she just headed up the stairs and went into the bathroom. She was going to do exactly what Spike had said for her.
"I do not want you around her Spike. I do not need you making her weak just so you can manipulate and take advantage of the situation." Giles said.
"Then take care of her. You don't want me around? Too bad. None of you lot seem to be interested in taking care of either of them so I will. I'm not manipulating either of them as for taking advantage you lot have the market on that. You didn't want to handle all the nasties that are here so you go behind my back, behind the Bit's back and bring her back from the dead. And just like the idiots you are you didn't even stop to think about the consequences or checking to make sure she was in a Hell dimension. She's Heaven's chosen one, how the hell can you be so sure that she was even in Hell? You didn't bother to check. You didn't bother to ask someone with more experience and knowledge than you. You didn't even think about anyone else's feelings but your own selfish ones. If this had been about what was best for Buffy you would have checked which dimension she was in first. You would have talked to the Watcher about it. You would have told me about it and I could have put you in contact with the right people to help you do it so she didn't wake up in her bloody coffin. You all wanted her alive so you could go back to living your lives without a care in the world. She's not okay so either take care of her or stay the hell out of her life. I got work and a patrol to do. Leave her the hell alone tonight and quit talking about her like she's not even in the bloody room." Spike said with anger as he turned and stormed out of the house.
"I told you we should have asked him." Anya said once the noise from the door slamming was gone.
"He does make a good point to some degree. Why did you all not ask him about bringing Buffy back? Why did you not look to see which dimension Buffy was in? As much as it pains me to say, Spike does have a great understanding and knowledge of magic. He would have been helpful to use as a resource. He at least would have made sure to dig the coffin up first." Giles said with anger to Willow more than the others.
"Spike doesn't know more about magic than me. I did all of the research and got everything that we needed. With the spell we had to do it on her grave. We would have dug the coffin up if we thought the spell worked. We were interrupted." Willow said confidently.
"There was also a small chance that Buffy could have come back wrong. Spike wouldn't have let us correct the problem. He would have protected Buffy and she wouldn't have wanted to be a danger to anyone." Xander said.
"Ah so you didn't tell the vampire about it just in case you had to kill Buffy. Spike was right about one thing, you are all imbeciles. Why were you four not taking care of Dawn and the bills?" Giles asked now having the chance to now that they were alone.
"Giles man, I have my own bills to pay. I can't afford this place, plus the hospital bills. We couldn't report Buffy's death because then child services would have been involved and taken Dawn." Xander said.
"So instead of child services being involved, you let Spike, a vampire, take care of her. And you two? What is your excuse for not helping out with the bills and Dawn's care while you are living in this house?" Giles asked Willow and Tara.
"We were here taking care of Dawn. We've been busy working on the spell and getting everything ready. Dawn was doing good and the bills were being paid we thought by you. We didn't know." Willow said.
"And you thought my paying your bills would be alright? Why did you both not go and get a job during your time off from school? Were you never planning on working and allowing someone else, who does not live here, to pay your bills?" Giles asked annoyed and disappointed.
"We were working on bringing Buffy back. After that we would have figured it out. Buffy would have been working while Tara and me were in school. We would have figured it out. We just haven't had the chance to with the way Buffy has been these past two days. We can talk about it with her tomorrow." Willow said.
"Yes, well I suggest that you do. The sooner we can get Spike out of her life the better off she and Dawn will be. I'm going to head home. I suggest you both talk about this and see what you are prepared to do to help Buffy as you are both living under her roof." Giles said.
"We'll talk to Buffy about it tomorrow." Willow said.
"Come on Ahn, let's get going home to." Xander said.
Giles, Xander and Anya left the house leaving only Tara and Willow left in the kitchen.
"What do you think about what Spike said, about maybe Buffy wasn't in a Hell dimension?" Tara asked gently.
"I think he's only saying that to try and make us feel bad for leaving him out of this. He wants Buffy to be weak so he can be the hero and take advantage of her. He's acting like he's the only one that cares about her. Plus everything with Dawnie. We really shouldn't have let this happen. We need to try and get Dawn away from Spike. We don't need him around here and we can't just let him manipulate the two of them." Willow said with strength.
"I don't think he's manipulating them. I think he cares about them. He's just doing his best. We really haven't been paying much attention to Dawnie recently. We've been so busy focusing on bringing Buffy back. We did just leave her to be dealt with by Spike. That wasn't the right thing to do." Tara said.
"I know and looking back yes we shouldn't have done that. So we make it right and be there for her. Buffy just needs to see we are here for her and she doesn't need Spike. I know it'll be hard at first for her to adjust to having to work and patrol, but she'll get used to it and get into the routine of it. She just needs time to adjust and then everything will go right back to normal." Willow said confidently.
"And if it doesn't?" Tara asked with worry.
"Don't worry about it Baby. Everything will. You'll see." Willow said confidently. "Now why don't we call it an early night?" Willow said as she moved over to Tara with a playful smile on her face.
"That sounds nice." Tara said back with a smile.
They both giggled as they left the kitchen and the dirty dishes behind and headed up the stairs.
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It wasn't until three in the morning when Spike came through the front door to the house. He had just spent his night working for a demon helping him moving heavy crates onto a truck. Each crate weighed roughly five hundred pounds and even though Spike was a vampire it was still heavy. He did that for six hours before he went on patrol and got into three demon fights and staked eight vampires before finally coming back here to check on Dawn's homework before he could then go back to his crypt and get some sleep. Spike closed and locked the door and started to head into the kitchen. He stopped when he saw Buffy sitting on the couch with only one light on. Spike leaned against the doorway as he spoke.
"What are you doing awake at this hour Luv?" Spike asked gently.
Buffy shrugged before she spoke. "Couldn't sleep. What's in the bag?"
Spike had a small brown paper bag in his hand. He spoke as he pulled the item out.
"I know it's not your favorite flavour, but it's better than nothing." Spike said as he held up a pint of vanilla ice cream.
Buffy got up and gave a small smile as she took the pint of ice cream.
"Thanks maybe this will help my throat."
"Something wrong with your throat Luv?" Spike asked with concern as he followed Buffy into the kitchen.
"Just a little sore." Buffy answered as she went and grabbed a spoon before sitting down on a stool at the island.
"From not being used. How do your lungs feel?" Spike asked with concern.
"Ok I guess. I just feel rundown like you said." Buffy said with a small shrug as she took a small bite of the ice cream.
Spike turned to look at the sink full of dirty dishes and dirty pots on the stove. He let out a sigh before he spoke.
"Would it have killed them to clean up after themselves for once?"
Spike removed his coat and started to move the dishes around from the sink and onto the counter.
"What are you doing?" Buffy asked with an empty voice.
"Washin' up."
"They can do them in the morning." Buffy said.
"Except they won't. The Bit will get up at seven-thirty to get ready for work. She'll come down here and see them and she'll do them instead of eatin' breakfast before she heads off to work. She's already workin' twenty hours a week plus her school work. She doesn't need to deal with cleanin' up after somebody else before she goes to work." Spike said as he filled the sink with water and soap.
"They really haven't helped out at all?"
Spike let out a sigh as he turned off the water and put some of the dirty plates in.
"I know you really want me to tell you that they have been helpful and great for you kid sis, but I can't." Spike said as he started to wash the dishes.
"What can you tell me?"
"It's not important Luv. You're back and they will help you out now with everything." Spike said not wanting to hurt Buffy.
"It is important though. They're my friends, my family, they were supposed to be here for her when I wasn't. I was dead and Giles apparently left to go back to England. Tara and Willow moved into Mom's room, but apparently didn't pay any bills. You've been paying them. They didn't know Dawn had a job. This is important Spike. I need to know and I know you'll give me the truth. You don't lie. You always said why lie when the truth hurts so much."
"I don't want to hurt you. I never want to hurt you." Spike said sadly.
"I know. But this is something I need to know even if it hurts, but I don't think it will. Not anymore than being pulled out of Heaven. Tell me please." Buffy said sadly.
"I wasn't 'round for the first two weeks. Not somethin' I'm proud of. Spent the first two weeks blind drunk. Had injuries after the fall, eight broken bones besides a shattered leg and three crushed organs. Didn't leave my crypt. Your Watcher took off right after your funeral. One they so politely had at noon in the middle of the cemetery so I couldn't be there even if I could figure out how to get there. Didn't matter that I was the one injured and all, that I caught your body from the fall. In case you survived somehow. They took Niblet and your body and left, didn't even check to see if I was behind them. I wasn't. I had to hide out under some cardboard boxes until nightfall came." Spike said with emptiness in his voice, but Buffy knew that had hurt him more than he was letting on.
"I'm sorry Spike. They shouldn't have done that. Not after everything you tried to do." Buffy said.
"Used to it." Spike said with a shrug before he continued. "Anyway. It was two weeks before I really saw the Bit. I hadn't seen her since that night. Figured your mates were lookin' after her. I couldn't really walk with a broken leg to begin with. Clem came by with blood and booze for me every couple of days. When the Bit showed up I could tell she was hurtin', but with more than just loosing you. She came in and I could hear her stomach all growly. She looked like a wreck. Black bags under her eyes, hair all unkempt and unwashed. Seein' her sobered me right quick."
"Why was she like that?"
Spike moved on to the dirty pots as he spoke.
"She had been on her own for the past two weeks. No one was there with her. Red and Glinda hadn't moved in yet. The rent hadn't been paid, the utilities bills hadn't been paid, not since your Mum passed. They shut the water and electricity off a week before that. The bank sent a letter about unpaid rent. She had been using her pocket change to get as much food as she could, which wasn't much. She called your mates no one answered or called her back. She didn't come to me because she knew I was injured. She stole some food a few nights before she came to me. She felt so guilty about it, but she was starvin' and no one was helpin' her. Seein' her like that. This fifteen year old girl that had lost both her Mum and big sis not too far apart. Livin' all alone in that house with no money, no electricity, no water, no food. I almost killed all of your mates for doin' that to her." Spike said as he finished the dishes.
"They just left her alone? For two weeks? They just left her." Buffy said with anger in her voice for her friends doing that to Dawn, someone she loved whole heartedly.
"I'm sorry to say Luv, but they did. I got her to go downstairs in my crypt to take a shower. Then we went out for dinner. She ate a whole pizza herself. She stayed at mine that night. The next day I went and used my savings, paid the bills so they were all up to date. Bought her food and took her home. Red and Glinda moved in the next day. Their apartment was goin' up in rent and they couldn't afford it on their student loans. They moved in to save money. They told the Bit that it was so they could be there for her and take care of her, but it wasn't. They're actions said otherwise. You don't move in two weeks after someone had been dead to finally take care of the sister that was left behind. Glinda I think had good intentions of wanting to be there to help the Bit, but she got distracted and swept up with Red and her magic plans. The Whelp wasn't around much and when he was he barely said two words to Niblet."
"So you took care of her." Buffy stated.
"No one else was. I promised you I would protect her till the end of the world. I love the Niblet and I take care of the ones I love. She gave me a key and I started stayin' here most nights. I started workin' for different demons helpin' out in factories or security. Workin' ten hours a night then going out to patrol. I'd come back here make the Bit breakfast before catchin' some sleep. I'd cook dinner, clean, started teachin' the Bit how to drive and some self- defense moves in case somethin' every happened to her when I wasn't around. She wanted to do some school work during her months off so she could graduate early and leave this town behind. I'd help her with her homework and study. For four months it was just us. Thought about just takin' her and leavin' but knew you wouldn't like me leavin' your mates behind to get eaten so I stayed."
Spike went over to the fridge and grabbed some food out so he could make Dawn a lunch to take to work.
"Thank-you for everything you did for her. I never expected for you to have to do that." Buffy said with honesty in her voice.
"It's what was right. Never have to thank me for that Luv."
"What are you doing?"
"Making Niblet a lunch to take to work before I check her homework." Spike said as he rolled his shoulders and let out a groan.
"You okay?"
"Fine Luv just sore. Spent six hours movin' five hundred pound crates onto trucks for a mate of mine before patrolin'. I'll be fine after some kip. How are you doin?" Spike asked with concern.
Buffy went and put her spoon in the sink before she put the ice cream back.
"That helped my throat thanks." Buffy said before she went back over and sat down.
"Buffy, Luv, it's just us. You don't have to pretend with me. How are you doing?" Spike asked gently.
"I'm so tired, but the thought of closing my eyes scares me. I keep thinking I'm going to wake up in that coffin, not being able to breathe. Was it like that for you?"
"Not at first. But after that initial blood lust wore off, ya I had a bit of a sleeping problem. It went away after a while. That first time is the hardest, then it gets easier."
"So then how do I get myself to sleep?" Buffy asked sounding lost. A tone that Spike hated coming from Buffy.
"For me I made the room I was sleepin' in completely different from what the coffin felt like. I slept with a light on so it wasn't dark. Opened window so I could feel the wind and know there was air. Scented candles so you don't smell dirt. Had some classical music playin' softly. It might sound silly, but it helped me sleep and when I did wake up I knew I wasn't in that coffin."
"Makes sense. I'll try that."
"How you feelin' besides weak and tired?" Spike asked as he put Dawn's lunch in the fridge.
"At first I was numb, mostly I'm still numb. But in moments today I've been so angry at my friends that it takes everything in me not to beat the living hell out of them for what they did. Even Giles for betraying me like this by leaving Dawn here on her own. He's the oldest in the group. He should have stepped up and took care of her. Now after hearing what you said. Tomorrow they need to answer some questions. I need to know why they did this to me. Why didn't they check to see what dimension I was in? Why?" Buffy asked hurt and angry.
"I wish I could tell you that they had good intentions, but I can't Luv. If they wanted what was best for you they would have checked first. Red raised the dead, something as simple as a multiple dimension locator spell would have been nothing to her. I think they spent so much time with you being the strong one, the leader, they didn't know how to do it without you. They didn't want to do it and with you gone they would have had to make the decision to either continue your fight or walk away. Watcher walked away. The Whelp did, he stayed in the city, but he checked out of the fight. Demon girl never cared as long as her tail was safe. Glinda is so submissive she followed Red around trying to help her with the spell. And Red did it to prove that she could. To be a witch that can say they raised the dead, brought back a Slayer after five months. She'd of been the talk of the demon world. She's gettin' power hungry and that is gonna be dangerous to this world. Someone willing to so carelessly violate this world's rules like that. She stepped foot on a dark path that night."
"You know a lot about magic." Buffy stated.
"Been around a long time Luv. Seen it before. Mark my words Red is gonna want more and more and when she can't get it through herself. She'll go somewhere else for it. Witches can get high off the power of magic. They can become addicted to it and they keep pushing the laws until they do something they can't change. Dark covens are hidden all over the world wreaking havoc on it. Watcher doesn't nip this in the bud soon she'll be well on her way."
"Tara should know better though. That's what I don't understand. Why would she go along with it without saying something first? Why wouldn't Anya. She must know about witches and dimensions." Buffy said looking for answered.
"Don't know why they didn't. Maybe they did. But Red wouldn't listen. I can't answer for them Luv. Glinda is submissive like I said, she might not have spoken up too much and just opted for supportive girlfriend role. I don't know Luv. I think when you're ready you should ask them and get the truth."
Buffy stood up and went into the living room to the desk and grabbed some papers before she came back into the kitchen.
"I was going through these earlier. I'm broke. There's only a small amount in a College fund. If you've been paying the bills then why was money coming out of my account after I was dead?" Buffy asked as she handed Spike the papers.
"What? That can't be right. I paid out of my own account. Had to open one up just to do it. Always get paid in cash, I needed an account to pay the bills. Who had your bank card pin?" Spike asked as he looked through the bills.
"Willow and Xander would have been the only ones to know it. I'm broke and it's not from paying the bills. What little money was left after Mom's funeral and life insurance was taken out. I wasn't even alive and my credit is ruined."
"These are restaurants, expensive magic books for dark magic. There's purchases for what I'm assuming was for the spell, an urn worth a few grand. They were plannin' on bringin' you back from the dead, yet they're usin' your money to live off of and get supplies to do it. This is bullshit. I'm the one takin' care of the Niblet. I'm the one patrollin' and workin' every night to pay the bills and these bloody pillocks can't work to make their own dosh for their dirty spells." Spike said with anger.
"It's like I don't matter anymore to them, maybe I never did. When I needed them the most they were off betraying me. They didn't take care of my sister. They didn't pay the bills. They used my money to live off of and to get their magic supplies just to rip me out of Heaven. And now that I am back they just want me to go right back to patrolling and now finding a job and taking care of Dawn. While they do what? Nothing. Willow and Tara live here, but they don't pay rent or pay anything towards food. They've been using my money. They aren't in school so why aren't they working? Giles just up and leaves the day of my funeral. And Xander acts like Dawn doesn't exist. I'm so pissed and what makes it worse is that even though I am this pissed off that I could just put them in the hospital. I still feel numb. Like all I'm doing is just waiting to die again so I get to go back to that warm and safe place. So how do I do it? How do I go back out there and fight the evil in this world with that death wish that you killed two Slayers from already? How do I leave Dawn behind again to bury me? How can I even trust that if I do die again that my friends won't do this to me?" Buffy said sounding angry and frustrated at the situation.
"It's why you can't go back out there Luv. Why I said that you need to rest and recover. And as much as it would kill me, if you wanted to go see Angel I would drive you there. If getting away and seeing him would help you then do that. Do whatever you need to do to get back into living. I'll do whatever I can to help you do that."
"Thanks, but seeing Angel only brings up more questions. I don't want to see anyone. I don't know what I want, but right now I don't want to see any of them. And I know they will be back here tomorrow with more expectations and I just can't do it. Not tonight anyways. Maybe once I get some sleep I'll be able to handle it."
"Not sleepin' will only make the world seem worse Luv. You need to sleep and let your body rest. I'll get out of your hair once I go over the Niblet's homework and let you get off to bed. I'll be here tomorrow after sunset. Go on up and try and sleep Luv." Spike said gently.
"You can stay if you want. Dawn said there was a cot down in the basement that you had been sleeping on. It's late you can crash here if you want."
"Ta Luv." Spike said sincerely.
Buffy got up off the stool and turned and headed out of the kitchen and up the stairs. Spike let out a sigh and rubbed his hands over his face before he picked up Dawn's homework and started to go over it. Buffy headed to the bathroom first before she went into her room. She closed the door and then took Spike's advice. She turned on the bedside lamp to give the room enough light that it would keep the room from being pitch black, but not too bright that she couldn't sleep. She opened her window and let the cool night breeze come in. She then went and lit a few candles to fill the room in a soothing scent. Finally Buffy went and put in an old CD that was filled with slow songs and put it on. She made sure the volume was low so it wouldn't keep her awake or wake anyone else up. With that done Buffy got into her favorite sleep clothes before she got into bed. She laid down and faced the window. She could see the night sky and the stars from the way she was laying. Buffy took a few calming breaths and closed her eyes. Slowly she fell asleep.
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It was almost five o'clock and Buffy was still in her room sitting down on her bed. She had slept for ten hours and she did feel a lot better physically anyways. Her body wasn't as stiff and sore. Her hands were healed up now as well. Physically she was feeling good, stronger. Mentally and emotionally she was still pissed. She wanted to confront her friends, friends that had arrived a couple of hours ago. Friends that haven't come up to see her yet because they figured she was sleeping still. She knew she should go down there and confront her friends, yet at the same time she couldn't bring herself to do it. She was trapped between anger and all consuming numbness. It felt like someone else was in her body and she was just there living out the physical movements. Nothing felt real, she didn't feel real.
There was a knock on her door before it was opened to reveal Willow on the other side. Willow walked in as she closed the door as she spoke.
"Hey you're awake. How are ya feeling?"
"Better."
"Good. I wanted to talk to you real quick before Dawnie's friends get here." Willow said as she went and sat down on the bed with Buffy before she continued to speak. "So I know I haven't been that great bestie recently. I'm sorry about Dawnie and not being there for her. I just… I just couldn't get passed you dying and being trapped in Hell. It consumed me. I couldn't sleep I kept dreaming about you being hurt and calling out to me. It was destroying me. So I pushed and I pushed to get everything I needed to bring you back and get you out of there. But now you're here and you're safe again. I promise I won't let you down again. Tara and me are gonna get jobs to help pay the rent and the bills. I made up a resume already and I made one for you. I thought we could go out tomorrow and job hunt together. And Tara and me are gonna be here more so Spike doesn't need to be around so much. I will be complete supportive friend and help you anyway that I can I swear it Buffy." Willow said sincerely.
"That's great Will." Buffy said as she forced a small smile on her face.
She wanted to scream and yell at Willow, but she looked really upset and like she wanted to make things right. As angry as she was, she just couldn't bring herself to yell at her or call her out on how she left Dawn on her own for two weeks. As much as Buffy hated what they did to Dawn she could also understand that Willow would have problems after she died. The problem with that was, everyone was having problems including Spike. He was the one seriously injured in the group. Yet he still managed to take care of Dawn.
"Good so tomorrow after breakfast we can head out and maybe grab some lunch afterwards. There are a bunch of places that are hiring around town so with any luck we could have a job soon. Are you gonna come down and meet Dawnie's friends?"
"I'll be down. Who's all here?"
"Everyone. I think they all want to see who Dawnie's friends are. Did you know Spike was here today?" Willow asked showing that she was slightly bothered by it.
"I said he could. He got back at like three in the morning. He did the dishes, made Dawn lunch and then checked her homework. He was tired and sore from work. I said he could crash here last night. I'll be down in a minute."
"Ok"
Willow headed out of the room and back down the stairs. Buffy knew she couldn't spend the night in her comfy sleep clothes. She needed to be down there to meet Dawn's friends and put up a front for her friends. She was pissed, but maybe if she just tried to live her life that anger would go away. If she just remembered that they lost a close friend and there is no right or wrong way to grieve a death she might be able to get rid of the anger. Besides it's not like someone else was going to live her life for her. She could only let Spike patrol and take care of Dawn for so long. She was living again and she couldn't just ignore the fact that if she didn't patrol someone innocent could die. She had to push through just like she always has done.
Buffy reluctantly got up and got changed into some jeans and a long sleeved black shirt. She brushed her hair and put on some makeup before she left the safety and isolation of her room and down the stairs to see her friends once again. She saw that everyone was in the living room minus Dawn and Spike. Buffy looked down the hallway and saw that Spike and Dawn were in the kitchen getting things ready for the pizza dinner Dawn was having with her friends. Once again it was Spike taking care of Dawn and not the others.
"Buffy, how are you feeling?" Giles asked with concern.
"Better now." Buffy said as she went and leaned against the doorway to the living room.
"You look better, more rested. Good you will be ready for a patrol tonight. I will come with you just in case you need some guidance. Willow has informed me that you both are going out tomorrow to apply for jobs. That's good. Getting into a normal routine will help you readjust to being back." Giles said approvingly.
"Ya. You guys staying around for this tonight?" Buffy asked referring to the sleep over.
"Not really. Just thought we'd come by and see what they looked like. We're gonna head to the Bronze." Xander said.
"Ya you should come by after your patrol." Willow said with a smile.
"Buffy needs to be here after her patrol. She can't leave four teenage girls in the house alone." Giles said.
"Spike's here." Anya said.
"Yes well he shouldn't be alone with them. It's dark now he can go back to his crypt. You will not be going to the Bronze until later. One of you can always stay here to keep an eye on the girls while Buffy patrols. Once Buffy returns you can leave for the Bronze. Rather simple." Giles said.
"I can stay here if you guys wanted to go early." Tara offered.
"Good. Now Buffy we need to leave in about an hour. I suggest you eat something and get ready." Giles said.
"Ya." Buffy said before she moved away from the doorway.
She headed into the kitchen to see Dawn laughing at something Spike said as they cut up some mushrooms for the pizza.
"Hey Buffy." Dawn said as she saw Buffy.
"Evenin' Luv. How you feelin'?" Spike asked.
"Fine. Are you all set for your friends?" Buffy asked Dawn.
"Ya almost. Spike is just helping me get the food cut up. Are you hungry? I could make you something." Dawn asked.
"Got that covered." Buffy said as she went over to the freezer and took out the pint of ice cream from last night. She grabbed a spoon and sat down on a stool at the island and began to eat.
There was a knock at the front door and Dawn spoke.
"That's my friends. I'll be right back."
Dawn left the kitchen and went over to the front door. She saw the others all sitting there looking at the door waiting to see who was on the other side.
"Really? This isn't a freak show. Don't you all have lives to live?" Dawn said with attitude at the others' actions as they were clearly more interested in what her friends looked like compared to who they were. Dawn rolled her eyes as she went to open the door.
"Hey guys come on in." Dawn said with a huge smile to her friends.
The three girls walked into the house and the others could see them. The one had purple hair and really pale skin, but other than that she looked normal. The second had all black eyes and pointed ears that were partly hidden under her green hair. The final girl had red tinted skin in sections that looked like scales and really long nails that were painted blue. Once everyone was inside Dawn closed the door.
"Who is all of these people?" The girl with the purple hair asked.
"Just some people I know. They are leaving in a minute though. Come on Spike is in the kitchen with my sister. She just got back from being away for a little while." Dawn said as she guided her friends towards the kitchen.
"Hey Spike." The three girls all said at the same time.
"Ello Pets. How have you birds been?" Spike said with a warm smile as he hugged the girl with green hair.
"Good. We've been staying out of trouble." The girl with red skin answered.
"This is my sister Buffy, Buffy this is Kris." Dawn said as she pointed to the girl with purple hair. "Tole." Dawn said as she pointed to the read with red skin. "And Mel." Dawn said as she pointed to the girl with red skin.
"Hello. It's nice to meet you three." Buffy said trying to sound friendly.
"Thanks for letting us have a sleep over tonight. Did you enjoy your vacation?" Tole asked.
"Yes it was nice thank-you. You guys make yourselves comfortable. I have to go out shortly, but I'll be back later. Dawnie, Tara is gonna stay here until I get back." Buffy said.
"Ok. Come on let's bring your stuff up into my room." Dawn said to her friends.
They all headed up into Dawn's room and Spike turned his attention to Buffy.
"Where you goin' Pet?"
"Giles is taking me out on patrol."
"I thought you were gonna rest for a bit Luv."
"I did. I'm fine. Willow and me are gonna go job hunting tomorrow." Buffy said with a shrug.
"Do you think that is a good idea?" Spike said with concern.
"I'm alive so I need to start paying the bills. I need to work. I can't change that I'm alive so I'll just have to figure it out. You work tonight?"
"I could, I said I'd be here though."
"It's fine. They don't scream evil to me. Tara will be here until I get back. I appreciate what you did for Dawn while I was gone. I have to try and figure this out now though. Maybe if I just get into a routine I won't be so angry and numb."
"It's some something you can just stick a bandage on Luv. It takes time."
"Something I don't have. It's fine. It's what Slayers do right? I'm gonna get ready to head out. I'll see you around." Buffy said as she got up and put the ice cream back into the freezer before she headed up the stairs to get ready for patrol. Spike let out a sigh. He hated that Buffy's friends were forcing everything back onto her. She had been brought back from the dead three days ago. She deserved the right to be struggling and taking a break for herself. She deserved the right to be a train wreck for a while. Spike was going to keep an eye on her and make sure that she was at least taking care of herself, because her friends obviously weren't going to be.