Walking up the front steps of the Summer residence Spike could hear the t.v. He took his key out of his pocket and unlocked the front door. Stepping threw the threshold he looked for Dawn in the living room. Not finding her in the there Spike walked into the kitchen. Seeing her standing at the sink washing dished he sighed in relief.

"What are you still doing up?" he asked leaning against the door way.

"Spike you're home! How was patrol?" she asked.

"Boring all I could find was a couple of vamps just digging themselves out of their graves."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. Are you going to bed now?" he asked.

"I need to finish the dishes."

"I'll finish the dishes, you go to bed."

"Spike you know I can't. Every night I see her."

"I know me too but she wouldn't want us to mope around forever."

"I know it's just it's so hard and all I want is to make the pain stop and I can't." Dawn said with a sob

"Come here." Spike said opening his arms

Dawn walked over to him and put her head on his chest as he wrapped his arms around her. He kissed the top of her head and rubbed her back as she started to sob.

"That's it 'nibblet just let it all out no reason to hold it in." he said in a strained voice

"It's so hard and I've been trying to do what she said. I've been trying to be strong and to live but I can't. Every morning I wake up and remember she's gone and she can't come back. We can't do any of the things we used to do anymore. We can't talk, we can't laugh, we can't fight, and I just want too talk to her again and tell her I love her. I want to tell her she was the best big sister any one ever had and I can't. I can't do anything anymore."

"I visit her every night you know. I talk to her and just sit by her because I think that she might be lonely." Spike with a snort, "How stupid is that?"

"That's not stupid. She'd like that."

"You could go see her if you want. I'll take you."

"That would be nice." Dawn said pulling away from him.

"Just don't tell the watcher he'd have my hide if he found out."

"I promise I won't tell him." She said shaking her head.

"Alright but you have to go to bed the second we get back."

"I promise."

"Go get your coat."

"Thanks Spike." Dawn said with a smile.

"You ready?" he asked

"Yeah."

"Let's go then." Spike said as he opened the door

They walked to where she was buried in silence the only sounds were their footsteps on the pavement. If you had happened to see them you would have thought they made an odd pair. A man who appeared to be in his early twenties dressed in all black with bleach blond hair and a teenage girl dressed in bright colors with long brown hair. They seemed to have the weight of the world on their shoulders. If you looked even closer you would see the girls make up was slightly smudged from recent tears.

"Well here we are." Spike said as they approached the grave.

"Yeah. Who brought her flowers?"

"I did. Her grave looked so normal and she was anything but."

"She would appreciate that." Dawn said as she tried to smile.

"I like to tell myself she would but she would probably hate them."

"No she would love them."

"Either way thanks for telling me she would." he said as he put an arm around her.

"She would." Dawn said with conviction in her voice.

"Buffy Anne Summers 1981-2001 beloved sister, devoted friend, she saved the world a lot." Dawn said reading the inscription on the head stone.

"She was a great friend. You never messed with her friends or her family, she'd kick your ass for sure I learned that the hard way."

"Spike."

"Yeah 'nibblet."

"How long can we stay here?"

"For as long as you want."

"Thanks." Dawn said sat down next to her hero's grave.