The mood over Sunnydale was a quiet one. The moon rose every night but with it very few vampires. Since Willow had tried to destroy the world, Buffy had regained her reputation as a very much alive Slayer and the vampires and demons had decided to back off. She had finally got over being pulled out of heaven and being made to carry the burden of the responsibilities of the slayer again. It was eerily quiet though which usually meant something big and bad was secretly planning something Buffy would have to save everyone from.
Dawn was feeling good, well as good as could be expected from the circumstances. She was also confused and nervous and scared of losing Buffy again but she was at high school and doing ok. Willow and Giles were still in England and although Dawn missed Willow she knew it was going to be awkward when she came back. She had tried to destroy her after all but then again Buffy had gone all homicidal on her too and she was over that.
"Dawnie? You in the kitchen?" Buffy's voice called from the stairs.
"Yep."
Buffy walked into the kitchen, smoothing her hair with her hands. "Dawn, I need to talk to you."
Dawn's eyes immediately widened, "Is everything ok? What's happened?"
Buffy smiled, "Nothing, nothing of the bad variety, sorry I didn't mean to sound so serious."
Dawn nodded, "So what's up?"
"Well, if it's ok with you, I need to go away for a few days."
"Why?"
"I'm not exactly sure myself. The slayer sense is tingling plus Giles gave me a call and said he got word of a group of vampires a couple of hours away from here. I figure I should go sort it out." She stroked Dawn's hair absentmindedly.
Dawn smiled, "Sure, you should go check it out. I'll be fine here. I won't let any strangers into the house blah blah blah. It's so quiet here anyway so don't worry."
"I should be back by Tuesday because I doubt these guys can be too much of a problem and I'm not too far away so I can be back in a hurry and I've asked Xander to check in on you every day and you've got his cell phone number. I could ask him to stay if you want?"
"Seriously Buffy, I'll be fine. It's only three days, assuming the vampires don't turn out to be super strong. Oh god have I totally jinxed it now?"
Buffy grinned, "Yeah, now I'm for it. No, I'll be fine too Dawn. I'm the best Slayer in town."
Dawn gave Buffy a hug, "That you are."
Buffy pulled on her jacket and grabbed her bag. "Now no staying up too late, not too much junk food and stay inside when the sun goes down. Oh and please do your homework."
Dawn rolled her eyes, "Yeah yeah. See you soon and be careful."
As Buffy pulled the door shut, Dawn smiled. She had the house to herself for a few days which meant unlimited tv. Her smile fell a bit as she began to worry about Buffy already but she reminded herself that she was the Slayer. She was gonna be fine. And it was the weekend so homework could definitely be left to the last minute. She made herself a sandwich in the kitchen and plonked herself done in front of the tv to watch whatever mind numbing programme it churned out. Just as she was beginning to get very bored the doorbell rang and she sprang up to answer it.
"Hey Xand."
"Hey Dawn. Reporting for duty as requested."
"Very efficient. Well as you can see I'm fine. Pizza in the oven. A selection of videos and not a demon in sight."
"Good work comrade."
"You wanna come in? I could put another pizza on."
"If it's ok with you, I'll pass. I've got a meeting planned with the big boss guy at my construction company, possible promotion material and I want an early night. You know if I stay I'll end up watching videos with you until the wee hours of the morning."
Dawn shrugged, "That's cool Xand. Good luck with your meeting, I'm sure you'll ace it."
Xander smiled, "Thanks Dawn and videos tomorrow?"
"Sounds good."
"Ok, so you know the number if you get into any sort of trouble. Night Dawn."
"Goodnight."
She watched him walk to his truck and then shut the door sadly. She would have liked the company but she understood. A pleasant smell wafted through the living room and she grinned 'Mmm pizza'. Just as she sat down on the sofa, video remote in one hand, slice of pizza in the other the doorbell rang again. Dawn rolled her eyes, 'What did Xander forget this time?'
She opened it to find Spike standing on the doorstep.
"Oh, it's you."
"Well yeah, who were you expecting? Is big sis' in?"
Dawn shook her head, "No, she's gone away for a few days."
"Oh."
"Something about a group of suspicious looking vampires. Well I suppose most vampires are suspicious looking. Anyway some vampires need slaying and she's the one to do it."
"Right then. Well I'll come back later." He turned and walked away.
"It's so weird," Dawn whispered to herself.
Spike stopped and without turning round said, "What's weird love?"
Dawn looked surprised, "Oh nothing."
He continued walking until Dawn changed her mind and said "You…us. We used to be friends. You vowed to protect me."
"I am Bit. I wouldn't let anything hurt you."
"You didn't even ask who was looking after me or whether I was ok."
"That's cos I know your sister love. I knew she would have someone looking after you. She'd never leave you in danger."
"You don't care anymore. Which is fine because I understand but all I'm saying is that it's weird how our friendship just dissolved."
"Circumstances changed Nibblet."
"You mean how you tried to rape Buffy."
Spike looked away and paused before speaking, a slight edge to his voice "I mean a lot of things Dawn but yes that played a part. I got a soul, Dawn and you couldn't understand how that makes me feel but let's just say I don't think I'll ever get over it."
"I can imagine a soul might be tough." She said slightly sarcastically.
"I meant what I did to Buffy."
"Fine but I think Buffy's forgiven you."
"That I don't deserve."
"Maybe I agree."
"I'm sorry Dawn. Never meant to hurt you or your sister."
Dawn softened slighly, "I know. Things just happen that way."
"I'll go then."
"Sure."
Dawn shut the door and leant against it, eyes firmly shut.
When she opened them she screamed. A large slimy purple demon was standing in front of her leaning against the wall.
"Hey baby."
As he opened his mouth she screamed again as he revealed a blue forked tongue and two rather sharp canine teeth. He grinned evilly at her.
"Don't be scared baby. I don't wanna eat you. In fact I don't want anything to do with you. I'm just the delivery guy, well let's say picker up guy. It's my master who wants you."
Dawn fumbled with the door behind her but he extended his arm to push it shut. She look frantically about for something to attack him with.
"Don't even try it…" he fished a sheet of paper from his pocket, "…Dawn. Pretty name. Sister of the Slayer. Hmmm you were a human form of the Key. Interesting bio Dawn."
She screamed again as he put his hands on her shoulders.
"What does your master want with me?"
"To make you his bride. You're very lucky Dawn. He selected you out of a list of thousands."
"That's so not gonna happen. You read it yourself, my sister's the Slayer."
"You'll be bound to him before she gets back from her 'trip'. Once you're bound you can't break the spell."
"You set up those vampires. You sent her away."
"Well I can't take all the credit. I did have some help but basically yes."
"Why me?" Dawn whispered.
"As I said, you have a very interesting history Dawn. You're beautiful, young and so very pure. Yes pureness was quite a big factor in his choosing you. He was gonna choose the daughter of the guy who owns Mars, as in the confectionery, not the planet. Well I say guy when he's actually a werewolf but anyway she was a bit too popular with the boys. Bit of a 'slut'."
"Oh I'm not pure at all. I don't know when you had that bio done but I'm definitely not pure anymore. Sex every day."
The demon smiled, "You can't fool me. He knows you're pure. He can sense these things. Anyway we must be going. You don't want to keep your new husband waiting do you?"
"I already told you. I am not going."
"You can't fight me Dawn." He roughly grabbed her arms and tied them behind her back.
"No, but I can." Both of them turned round to see Spike standing in the middle of the room, full vampire visage on.
The demon looked surprised, "Spike?"
"Jackson," Spike said evenly.
"Shame to see you on the good side."
Spike said nothing.
"Fine, I don't want to get messed up. I'll have to come back with my master, who may I add is not going to be happy with you." He said pointing at Dawn.
Spike grabbed his hand and broke the finger, "It's rude to point Jacksy."
Jackson roared and pounced on Spike, sharp nails forming on his fingers. He started to punch him but Spike threw him against the wall and then stalked towards him to throw him to the floor. Jackson narrowed his eyes and then darted past Dawn and out into the night. Spike stared after him, still growling.
"You ok Bit?" He untied her wrists.
She rubbed her arms but nodded, "Thanks Spike."
"You might wanna call your sister. He'll be back, with more of them. I doubt his master is a pretty sight and he's gonna be angry."
