Note: I don't own Mary Poppins, nor any other character in this story. Poppins belongs to Disney ( I think ), and Buffy characters belong to Joss Whedon and his clique.

Chapter One: The Nanny

Dawn...

The small Summers girl could hear her name being called out, but it seemed miles away. Why would she walk all that way just to talk to some person? She'd rather stay sleeping in her bedroom surrounded by a thick blanket, and keep her small head on her soft feather pillow. She let out a long, peaceful sigh. There was no point on waking up. She didn't have school, and at last she could hide away from the world. She didn't have to dwell on the fact that her sister was a slayer, she didn't have many friends, and how everyone thought she was a psychopath.

Dawn...

Soon she could hear the mystery person draw back the curtains, and now she could feel the warm sun on her face. She didn't like it. She let out a small groan, and rolled onto her stomach. She grabbed the edge of her blanket and heaved it over her head.

I think not!

And then off came the blankets. "Comfy... " Dawn put her head under her pillow. The battle was soon over when she was pushed off the bed. She landed on the floor, and opened her eyes. She pouted, and whined. " Hey, I told you I was going to get up!" She suspected this was Buffy's doing, until her gaze fell upon the stranger in the room.

"Good morning, Dawn. I will be your nanny."

Dawn could believe her ears. " Nanny? " She repeated, with an arched eyebrow. She was in high school! She didn't need a nanny, or a babysitter, or whatever!

"You will refer to me as Ms. Poppins." Dawn took notice that the lady had an English accent, which reminded her of Giles. Of course, she was a feminine Giles. "I know what you think; you are too old to have a nanny, correct?" She watched Dawn nod slowly, still taken aback by all of this. "Your older sister has informed me of some troubling issues you have, such as your immaturity and problems with stealing. I suppose she wants you to act more your age."

Dawn gritted her teach, and resentfully. "That vile piece of--"

The woman shook a finger at her, "There will not be any name calling under my instruction, understood?" She didn't wait for the girl to answer back, "Miss. Summers said that she would show me the guest room, but she was in a bit of a rush and so she forgot. Would you please show me? "

Dawn got up from the floor and without saying anything; she brought the woman into her mother's room. She leaned up against the doorframe, and watched as Ms. Poppins enter the room, and began inspecting it. She decided to end the silence between the new nanny and herself, and said, "That's a funny bag."

"Carpet."

"You carry carpets in it?"

"No, made of." Mrs Poppins explain, as she settled her things at the foot of the bed, "Hmm. Well, it's not exactly Buckingham Palace. Still, it's clean. Yes, I think it will be quite suitable. Just needs a touch here and there."

"This was my mother's room," Dawn informed with a hint of annoyance backing her voice.

The nanny took no notice, "Ah yes, I'm deeply sorry for your loss. Now first things first, I always say a place to hang a hat is on a hat stand." She glanced around the bedroom in search of what she needed, as she took off her hat. When there wasn't anything in sight, she opened her bag. Dawn crept to her side, she was curious to see what was in the bag.

"There's nothing in there." She stated.

"Never judge things by their appearance. Even carpetbags. I'm sure I never do." And with that she pulled out a large hat stand. Dawn stood their amazed.

"Are you you a witch?"

Mary Poppins didn't answer that, and she continued to pull things from her magical bag. Dawn watched with wide eyes, taking note of the things that came out: a mirror, a lamp, and some other fancy British trinkets until she pulled out a measuring tape.

"Now, lets see how you measure up."

"I'm five foot six," Dawn had stated, as she took a giant leap back.

"Come now Dawn, I don't bite." She pulled out the measuring tape, and scoffed. Soon in an awkward silence she measured the youngest Summers.

"And?" Dawn said through her teeth and she folded her arms across her chest.

"Just as I thought, spoiled little brat."

"Hey, no I am not!" Ms. Poppins eyed her carefully, "Well, lets see you then!"

Mary Poppins smiled, "Very well." And she measured herself, "Mary Poppins, practically perfect in every way. Now, Dawn. Lets play a game."

"I'm not eight, you know." Dawn let out a sigh, "What's it called?"

"Well begun is half done."

"I don't like the sound of that."

"It's otherwise titled, clean up your room." Mary Poppins grinned, and winked at the girl. She moved out of the room, and back into Dawn's.

In every job that must be done

There is an element of fun;

You find the fun, and snap! The job's a game;

And every task you undertake becomes a piece of cake,

A lark! A spree! It's very clear to see, That a

"Where is that music coming from?" Dawn shouted, covering her ears. And yet, that tune. What she was saying, and her voice was so ... hypnotizing. "Where's Buffy?"

Spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down,

The medicine go down, medicine go down.

Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down

In a most delightful way.

Dawn began to feel the motion of the song. Her head began to bob from side to side, and she actually began to pick up things. She scooped up her blanket and pillows and placed them neatly on her bed. She threw garbage in the garbage can, and she put her books on her shelf. And all this was done with the snap of her very well manicured hands.

Mary Poppins opened up the window, and glanced at the robin in the tree. The robin stopped feeding its babies, and turned to this enchanting woman, and began to whistle.

A robin feathering his nest has very little time to rest

While gathering his bits of twine and twig.

Though quite intent in his pursuit, he has a merry tune to toot;

He knows a song will move the job along, For a

Spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down,

The medicine go down, medicine go down.

Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down

In a most delightful way.

Mary Poppins had opened her mouth to sing the next verse, but was interrupted by a tall man leaning on the doorframe, with peroxide dyed hair, and glistening, icy blue eyes.

"Spike!" Dawn shouted gleefully, as she dropped her school binders. "This is Mary Poppins."

"'Ello, Nibblet." Spike grinned, and turned to ... Mary Poppins? "Who are you?"

"As Miss. Summers had informed you, I am Mary Poppins. As I'm sure you are an, " She paused for a moment, "Upstanding gentlemen, you will be formal and call me Ms. Poppins."

"Upstanding m'arse," Spike chuckled, and pushed off the door and into the room. "So another bird from the mother country, eh? What you doing 'ere?"

"I am Dawn's nanny."

"Dawn's nanny?" Spike said, as he tried to hold back the laughter. "What, did Giles recommend you?"

"Mr. Giles, why yes he did. Do you know him?"

"He's like a bloody father to me," there was a hint of sarcasm in Spike's voice as he muttered that.

"Interesting," Mary Poppins eyed the man more curiously, and then turned to Dawn. "Well that looks better. Thank you. That will be sufficient. Hats and coats, please. It's time for our outing in the park."

"Guess I'll come 'long, 'ave nothing better to do." Spike shrugged his shoulders, and took out a pack of Marlboro and his trusty zippo. "Off we go then?"

"Spike, I hate to break it to you, but its daylight."

"Your point, Miss Summers?" Mary Poppins questioned as she raised an eyebrow.

"Well, he's a vampire."

"Now, Dawnie, you should see the enchanted things I can do." She winked at her. "Now, on we go!"