Series Title: The Vampire and the Key Series
Title: Make ups and getting caught
Author: Nyte Brayker
Disclaimer: All the same blah. But the band belongs to me
Summery: Set after 'Wish'. Spike forgot Dawn's Sweet Sixteen, Dawn's been changing, and a secret is exposed.
Dedication: To Aduil Aha, Mini Gypsy Witch, Ace, and Me who without interesting lunch conversations this wouldn't be possible.
Rating: PG-13
Note: Thanks to my friend Sam for giving her definition of falling head over heels in love. The Volley Ball Net theory.
Pairing: D/S,W/T, & X/A
"One more time, from the top!" Chris, the lead singer said.
Dawn began to play the beginning chords to Skid Row's "Youth Gone Wild". She was the lead guitarist and she was good. She was so good, that Sydney, their bassist, said she was bad.
When she'd turned 16,she'd changed, and in a big way. She was a lot more serious about her guitar playing, according to her memories; Joyce had started teaching her acoustic at age 10. Then for her Sweet Sixteen Angel and Buffy had sent her a Fender and an amp.
A week later, she'd answered an ad for a guitarist, and had gotten the job. The band was called, 'Idioderm.' Chris as the front man and second guitar, Sydney was their female bassist with an attitude, Jax was their drummer, and she was their first guitar, Chris called her his "Golden Girl."
Another change was her clothing. She wore baggy pants, mostly black, DeMartens boots, black or red formfitting shirts, a studded collar or pyramid bracelet, and on occasion, black lip stick.
"We'll meet back on Tuesday, before the gig at the Bronze," Jax said when they finished," Now, get outta my apartment," After a moment, he added," Just kidding."
She packed up her guitar and amp. "See you guys on Tuesday." She went out the door, guitar case on her back, amp in her left hand, and her right was in her back pocket, poised in the position to grab the stake in the waistband of her pants, in case of a vamp attack. She looked at her watch and saw that it read 7:30.
"Hey, Dawnie," Willow greeted as she came in the back door," Tara and I are going to the Magic Box to meet up with Xander and Anya."
"Patrolling?" Dawn inquired as she sat down, placing her guitar against the kitchenette's wall.
"We're going out of town for a few days to locate an idol for Angel," Willow reminded her," Weren't you paying attention at dinner last night?"
"No, I was trying to memorize the first chords of a song and plus, I was eating. Eating and thinking at the same time is hard," Dawn replied, covering her real reason for being distracted.
"Anyway, Spike's going to stay here for a few days," Tara told her as she entered the kitchen.
"I don't need a babysitter," The teen pointed out. She was still angry at Spike because he'd forgotten her birthday 3 weeks before," I'll be fine on my own. No vamps can enter the house unless I invite them."
"Actually, we were more worried about house parties and demons like that mmm-fashnik guy," the red haired witch returned," We just want you to be safe, Dawnie."
Knowing that she'd never win the argument, she smiled, and went to watch TV. Sydney had once given her some useful advice. Tell them what they wanted to hear and then go and do the opposite.
Spike walked down Revello Drive, thinking, and humming a Sex Pistols song. He fingered the jewelry case in one of his duster pocket and then he got to rehearsing what he wanted to say.
Dawn was mad at him because he forgot her birthday and it was too late when he'd remembered that he forgot.
He entered the house through the kitchen and listened. There wasn't a single heartbeat in the house. He saw a note on the refrigerator. It read:
"Spike,
Gone to a gig. I'll be home by midnight.
Dawn"
She must really be mad if she didn't say,' love Dawn'. He thought for a moment and then an idea came to him.
The house was silent when she slipped in the front door and she guessed Spike must've gone back to his crypt. Placing her guitar case near the stairs and noticed the bouquet of deep red roses on the bottom most stair.
With a sigh she walked up the stairs and into her bedroom. A quick scan of the room indicating Spike's presence. But she knew that he was in the room.
"Spike, show yourself," Dawn ordered, placing her hands on her hips," Or I'll look for you and stake you myself."
"Hell hath no fury like a teenage girl with a motive," Spike said as he stepped out of the closet.
"What do you want?" was the next question.
"Luv, I know I missed your birthday and your Sweet Sixteen to boot," Spike started, kneeling," And I'm sorry. But for the past 3 weeks my life's been a lot more hellish than usual."
"Your point please," Dawn asked, playing with him a little to get what she wanted to hear out of him," I don't like waiting."
She found herself pinned to her door, his lips on hers, and she felt the familiar, but somewhat comforting feel of his cool body pressed against hers.
"Don't make me mad," he mock threatened," What I'm bloody trying to say is that I want you take me back." He reached into his pocket and pulled the case out," I bought this at a jewelry store."
She raised her eyebrow at the word' bought' and he opened it. In it was a silver I.D bracelet. The top was engraved and it said,
Dawn Michelle Summers
She looked on the inside of the bracelet and saw another engraving. This one read,
Dawn
Happy Sweet Sixteen
Love
William the Bloody
"Spike, it's beautiful," he put it on her wrist and she smiled," So how about chocolate ice cream and some TV?"
"Love to, Luv," was his answer as he led her downstairs.
"I'm sorry that I remembered that I forgot the amulet," Willow apologized as they pulled in to the driveway and then they headed towards the house.
"No problem, Wills. It could be worse,"Xander pointed out as they walked past the living room. They were halfway to the dining room when he added," Did anyone else besides me see Spike and Dawn making out on the couch or is it just me?"
Spike heard something and then felt something pressed against his back. Opening his eyes, he saw Xander reflected in Dawn's eyes, and the Whelp had a crossbow.
"Get away from her," Xander stated and he complied," What do you think you're doing you undead cradle robbing thing?"
"Xander, please don't hurt him," Dawn plead and he put the crossbow down," If you would believe the fact that I can explain everything, I think that our conversation should go well." By that time Spike had moved to sit behind Dawn. Glorified brick layer or not, a pissed off person with a crossbow was no vamp's friend.
"I think it's cute,"Anya piped up," It's only fair because Buffy got Angel and Riley. So why shouldn't Dawn get Spike? They make such a cute couple.'
"An, honey, you're not helping,"Xander replied,"Dawnster, I'd say all of us want an explanation."
"Well it all started a month before my 16th birthday and it was like falling into a volleyball net. No matter how much I tried to get out, I couldn't."
"Spike, do you have anything to contribute?" Willow asked and she had her resolve face on.
"I love Dawn and you can go ahead and stake me for it. But I'd never hurt her and I'd kill anything that would try to. Human or not," he answered, daring Harris to make a move.
"I think we should deal with this after we get back from L.A,"Tara suggested and Dawn shot her a grateful look," Right now the important thing is getting that idol and giving it to Angel. I'd say this is a minor thing compared to what will happen if we don't." Xander, Anya, and Willow looked at Tara for a moment and Spike stood.
"Listen,Red,if you want me to beat it and not bloody come back until you get back, I'll understand. Dawn could go to her friend Sydney's for a few days," Spike offered, hoping to get on Willow's good side.
"Actually, you can stay, but no funny business or I'll turn you into a toad when I get back," Willow replied," As long as you two both act like adults."
"What was that?!"Xander asked as they crossed the lawn to get to the car. Amulet and all.
"If we want Dawn to act responsibly, we have to treat her like she can handle responsibility," Willow told him, plus I threatened Spike mentally if he misbehaved."
"What did you threaten him with?"Anya inquired," I hope it wasn't fuzzy bunnies, that would be inhumane."
"Something much worse," she assured him.
Dawn snuggled up to Spike as they watched TV, he put his arms around her, and pulled a blanket around them. He was room temperature and she could feel his well sculpted chest under his shirt.
"What did Willow threaten you with?" She asked after a moment.
"To restore my soul," Spike answered, kissing her forehead," Imagine how much fun I'd be if I were like tortured soul boy."
"What if Buffy finds out?" Dawn said suddenly and felt Spike tense up," Don't worry, if she tries to stake you, I'll stop her. Or I'll threaten to stake Angel."
"You'd do that for me?" Spike raised his scarred eyebrow at her.
"Of course. She staked my boyfriend so why shouldn't I stake hers?"Dawn replied," My Spike."
"Should we tell Buffy?"Anya asked as she drove,"Dawn and Spike do make a cute couple."
"Dawn should be the one to tell her,"Willow answered.
"Am I the only one who sees the wrong in this whole thing?"Xander commented,"We're talking about Spike."
"I saw into his thoughts,he'd never do anything Dawn wouldn't want, and if he did he'd probablt stake himself,"the red haired witch informed them.
"I still don't like it,"Xander put in his final 2 cents and sat back in his seat.
To be con't..…