Title: Family Ties (Sequel to Sold)
Author: UniDagger
Email: sj10113@alltel.net
Feedback: Yes, please!
Distribution: Just let me know.
Spoilers: none
Pairing: W/T, B/S, X/A…you know, the usual *G*
Rating:
Disclaimers: Joss and Co. own all.
Summary: When grandma calls, Tara and Willow rush back to another dimension to rescue her, aided by the slayer. Is it just a rescue mission? Or is Destiny calling. And if it's Destiny calling, how did she get their number? Inquiring minds, want to know.
NOTE: No bunnies, and no strange men with cheese slices appearing for no reason.

It had watched them for months. A few times it had managed to interfere and get some locals to do his dirty work, but the vampires and demons here were pathetic. He would have thought, being on a Hell-mouth, it would increase the strength or intelligence of these creatures somewhat, but he'd been sadly disappointed. They all acted afraid of that girl they called 'Slayer'. "A girl!" He fumed from his watching place. "Not even a witch."

The word caused him to lick his lips in anticipation. He had almost had her, the blonde, but her red-headed lover had interfered. No matter, he would take them both back and he would be richly rewarded. Perhaps, as a gift, he'd be given the blonde. His thoughts were interrupted as the object of his obsession stepped out of a building followed by her friends.

"I'm telling you it is imminently important that we make a decision now." Tara stressed as they headed downtown. "But hon, it's just not a decision I can make right now. I have to think about it." Willow answered.

"Will, I hate to say it, but Tara is right." Buffy interrupted.

"What?!" Willow turned her head to look at her friend.

"Well, she made a very valid point. Every time we go out for pizza, it takes you at least thirty minutes to decide what you want, then you change your mind…and quite frankly, I'm starving to death." Buffy's stomach chose then to rumble, emphasizing her words.

"Ok, ok." Willow grumbled. "It's just they have so many good kinds, why cant they have a buffet?"

"We could have gone to the Buffet two hours ago when we first started discussing pizza." Anya put in, earning a look from her fiancee. "What? It's true."

"How about you do the 'blind pointy' method, Will?" Xander suggested, wrapping his arm around Anya and following into step behind the girls.

"Because I never get what I want that way."

"Then you do know what you want?" Buffy asked hopefully. Willow groaned, "No, but I know what I don't want!" The gang rolled their collective eyes and resigned themselves to death by late-pizza. "I'm sorry guys," Willow sighed, "But…it's pizza. And you just can't rush some things." This last was obviously pointed at Tara, who blushed deeply and found the buildings across the street very interesting.

They finally reached the Pizza Parlor and after a few other tummies rumbled accusingly, Willow finally let Tara choose. Over a hot gooey bite of pizza, Xander expressed, "I say Tara gets to always chose for Will. Faster food for us." Willow kicked him under the table, "Traitor."

"Ow! Sorry, Willow but it wasn't me. It was my stomach….." he froze then, deepening his voice, "Eat now…talk later." Willow laughed as she reached for another slice, Xander swearing he had lost all bodily control to his evil stomach. The gang continued their meal, mixed with every day chatter and teasing, totally unaware of the burning eyes that glared at them with hatred. With a final look at Tara, he growled lowly and walked away to put his plan in action.

Part 2

(A few evenings later) Buffy walked tiredly into the house and kicked her shoes off, shutting the door behind her, incurring a resounding thud as it bounced of Spike's head. "Oh! Spike. I'm so sorry." She whirled and opened the door back, giving him a sheepish smile. Spike gave his sideways look and shook his head. "It's alright love. I'm not against a little pain now and again."

Buffy rolled her eyes and walked into the kitchen. Her muscles ached from the nights slaying and she wanted some hot tea. The thought made her miss Giles. She'd never really cared for it until he'd started offering it as a 'cure all'. Remarkably, it very often did help. The kettle was already plugged in and some banana nut bread was sliced and on a plate next to it. A little note said "Hope the evening went well. –T " Buffy smiled and helped herself to the munchies, taking the plate into the living room where she sat down and began to nibble. Spike sat down next to her, picked up her feet and began rubbing them. "Ohhh.." She moaned, the bread slipping from her limp fingers back onto the plate. "That is so good."

Spike grinned and continued the massage, working the kinks out. Buffy finally managed to begin nibbling again, with momentary pauses of ecstasy as muscles and pressure points were relieved.

"Love?" Spike asked after awhile.

"Yes?"

"Have you given thought to what I asked you?" Spike kept his eyes focused on the feet he was rubbing.

"Spike. I don't think it's that good an idea. I mean….I hate to admit it but yes, I feel things for you. But I can't honestly tell you that it's anything like what I felt…what I still feel for Angel. I mean…" She trailed off, not really knowing what she meant.

"It's okay. I'll take what I can get."

"That's not fair to you."

Spike looked up then. "That's one of the things I love about you, you know."

"What? That I'm unfair – "

"No. That you are honest." Spike ran his hand along her leg.

"I don't know how the other's will feel about it." Buffy sighed.

"So ask them."

"Ask us what?" Dawn asked as she came down the stairs.

"Dawn! It's 4 a.m. you should be sleeping." Buffy scolded, pulling her feet away from Spike.

"So should you. Besides, I was thirsty." She walked towards the kitchen.

"Aw. You weren't worried about Big Sister where ya, Lil Bit?" Spike teased.

Dawn looked back and shrugged. "Maybe." She walked to the fridge and got a bottle of water out then came out and sat between her sister and the vampire.

Buffy hugged her. "You don't have to worry about me you know. I'm the slayer."

Dawn looked at her. "That didn't stop you from dying before."

Wanting to change the subject, Dawn hurried to repeat her question, "So what did you want to ask all of us?"

Buffy looked at Spike then back at Dawn. "It was nothing, Lil Bit." Spike answered. "I should be getting back to my crypt soon."

"Spike wait." Buffy took a deep breath. "Dawn?"

"Yes?" Dawn asked, looking from Buffy to Spike and back to Buffy. "What?"

"Spike and I… I mean, I've been kind of…." Buffy cleared her throat. "That is, I mean…"

"You and Spike have been what?" Dawn prompted. "Seeing each other?"

Buffy stared at her. "What? You think none of us have noticed 'the looks'?" Dawn asked. "I'm not dumb you know."

"No, I know you aren't dumb. Ok, so you know and?"

"Are you asking if I'm cool with it?" Dawn asked. Buffy nodded. "Yeah, sis. I am. You've kinda been happier since you two got together. And Spike is…well…Spike. I kinda like him." She grinned at Spike, then groaned when he ruffled her hair.

"So, do you think you'd mind if he….moved in?" Buffy asked.

"I'm ok with it. It'll be kinda nice having him here. Do we have to cover all the windows? I can do it tomorrow after school."

"Woah, slow down girl. We haven't made a decision yet, and Willow and Tara still need to be talked to." Spike reminded her.

"Why? They won't care." Dawn asked.

"Well, I did try to bite Red once." Spike reminded. Then, "Ok, maybe twice."

"But you can't bite anybody anymore." Dawn frowned. "But even if you could…you wouldn't, right?"

Spike looked at her. "Honestly, Kitten, I don't know. I am a vampire. It's my nature."

"But Angel doesn't." Dawn pressed.

"Dawn." Buffy started.

"Dawn, Angel is a better man than I am. I've done a lot of changing the last year or so, but is it because of this chip? Or is it truly me? I don't know the answer to that. I won't lie to you."

Dawn thought a moment. "Well, I don't think you would bite us. Whatever. I'm going back to bed, see you in the morning. I hope you do come live with us Spike." She gave Buffy and Spike a hug then went back upstairs.

"Wow." Spike breathed.

"What?" Buffy asked.

"She's still an innocent. Believes good conquers all. Even after everything she has seen." Spike looked at Buffy. "I'd do anything to keep her that way you know. Safe and all. And I don't think it's the chip."

Buffy smiled and kissed him. "I know. Come back tomorrow. I'll talk to Willow and Tara in the morning."

They kissed again which caused more kissing, and it was an hour before Spike actually left for his crypt, having to run the entire way. He reached the door and entered just as the sun was beginning to light the sky. With a smile he shut the door tight, and went down to his bedroom for a good morning's rest.