It was late enough in the evening for the grass to become dewy, making Dawn's back soaking wet. She desperately ignored her date, Derek, thrusting on top of her. She began to count the seconds until it was over. The only thing visible to her was the stars, twinkling, as if they laughing and pointing at her. Derek was Gretchen's boyfriend. Gretchen and Dawn had been friends since the 3rd grade (or at least Dawn's memories of 3rd grade.) During sunset some months ago, Dawn was walking her way back home from Gretchen's when Derek offered to walk with her. When they were halfway there, Derek grabbed Dawn and threw her into some nearby woods. He raped her and told her if she ever told anyone, Derek would just say she was lying. If Dawn didn't do what he said, he would tell Gretchen that she came on to him. Given the situation that Dawn was in at home, she wasn't in any position to be accused of lying. Plus, she wanted to keep her friend. This was what it was like for Dawn ever since.

Dawn couldn't tell anyone what was going on. Buffy would end up killing the bastard, making things a hell of a lot more complicated then they had to be. Xander would do the same. Willow and Tara would just go and tell Buffy, or the police. Dawn didn't want anyone to know because she knew she would lose her friendship with Gretchen. If there was anything Dawn needed more then anything right now, it was her best friend.

Dawn and Derek always met in the same spot. It was the same wooded area halfway from Dawn's house. But tonight was different. When they met up, there was some sort of campout/celebration church thing. Dawn started to walk back home, but Derek grabbed her arm and led her to one of the cemeteries. By the time they got there, the sun had already gone down.

"I don't think we should do this now," Dawn's voice was shaky. She knew something was going to happen. Derek didn't say anything to her. Instead, he threw her against the wall of a mausoleum. Dawn's head hit it hard. She cried out in pain and Derek started laughing. He grabbed Dawn's face and brought his in closer.

"We're going to do whatever I feel like doing." He slapped her and then he kissed her—hard. Derek threw Dawn on the ground and then sat on top of her. He began kissing all over her face and then her neck. Dawn tried pushing him off.

"Derek, I really just want to go home right now. Please!" Derek punched her in the chest.

"Shut up, you whore!" Derek lifted up her skirt, yanked down his pants, and began the monotonous process that Dawn had become so used to. Tears started rolling down her cheeks and started counting the seconds. 4 one thousand, 5 one thousand, 6 one thousand, 7 one thou—

Before Dawn could finish (and Derek) a black blur knocked Derek of her. Dawn shot up to her feet and was about ready to run for fear of a vampire when she stopped herself. Derek was getting punched. Then kicked. A man in a black jacket—Spike! Another minute went by of Spike beating the life out of Derek before he realized that Dawn was running away. Spike stopped, but gave a good kick in the head to Derek to make sure he wouldn't be running away. Spike took off after Dawn. Before she could get out of the cemetery, Spike caught up with her and grabbed her by the waist to make her stop. They both just stood there, not saying a word to each other, not facing each other. Dawn didn't feel like she could ever face Spike again. Now he knows about Derek and me. He actually saw me having sex with—

"Bit," Spike said gently, interrupting her thoughts.

"What Spike?" Spike could tell from Dawn's voice that she was crying. Spike slowly turned her around. Dawn's face was wet with tears. Her lip was bleeding from when Derek slapped her. Spike wanted to taste her lip. He reluctantly stopped himself and wiped with his finger instead. Spike couldn't think of anything to say to her except,

"Who the bleedin hell was that prick?"

"He…He's Gretchen's boyfriend."

"Your best friend Gretchen?" Spike didn't know why that mattered, but he asked anyway. Dawn just nodded her head. Spike looked down at the ground for a moment and looked back at Dawn. He pulled her into his chest and hugged her. Dawn didn't say anything or even make a sound. Finally, a little voice said,

"I feel like an idiot, Spike."

"Why do you feel that way?"

"I just never wanted anyone to see because if they knew what was happening, they would--" Spike gently pushed Dawn back.

"Whoa, this has happened before?" Dawn started staring at her feet. She couldn't bring herself to admit it. Spike twitched his jaw. I'm going to fuckin kill this guy and then I'm going to fuckin kill Buffy for not even paying attention to what the fuck is going on and then I'm—

"Spike," Spike was in deep thought about what he was going to do and Dawn knew what he was thinking, "Spike, please…don't tell Buffy. Don't tell anyone. I don't think I would ever be able to face anyone if they knew about me. I'd prefer for them to think I was a little brat then a victim, you know?" Spike nodded. He agreed with the little bit. He knew it would make things worse for everyone.

"Your secret dies with me, lil bit." A moment later, they heard moaning. The two looked over to see Derek trying to drag himself away. Dawn looked back at Spike.

"What're you going to do him?" In all honesty, Dawn didn't want to know.

"Bit," Spike stroked Dawn's hair, "I want you to wait in my crypt. I'll be back with in a little while." Dawn nodded and went her way in. Spike walked on over to Derek. Derek noticed a shadow hovering over him. The last thing Derek ever saw was Spike going into game face and then the lights went out.

After 15 minutes or so, Spike entered his crypt. He was massaging his temples, like he had a migraine—or like his chip had gone off. Dawn was sitting on his couch with a look of concern.

"Spike, you going to be okay?"

"I'll be fine, pet. My pain is nowhere near the kind that you're feeling now." Dawn stood up.

"Spike, I'm sorry I made you—"

"It's find, luv. Don't worry your pretty little head about it," Spike lit up a cigarette, "C'mon, then. Let me walk you home before big sis gets worried about you." As much as Dawn didn't want to leave, she nodded her head and followed Spike out the door.

When the duo reached the Summer's house, Dawn walked to her door. Spike stayed on the sidewalk. Dawn turned around.

"Aren't you coming?" Spike smiled lightly.

"Afraid not. It's a better view over here." Dawn kept walking, but stopped, and then ran to Spike and put her arms around him.

"I love you, Spike." Spike smiled and rolled his eyes.

"I love you too, Bit." After a minute, Dawn finally let go and ran into her house, not looking back. Spike lit another cigarette and made his way to the liquor store. He was going to need it tonight.

When Dawn walked into the house, Buffy was standing next to the staircase. Willow and Tara were on the floor facing the coffee table, Xander and Anya were on the couch with the game of Life in front of them.

"Where have you been tonight, little girl?" Buffy had her serious tone. Dawn didn't take it too seriously anymore.

"I was out."

"With who?" Buffy had crossed her arms, trying to make herself more authority-like.

"A-a friend."

"That friend wouldn't have the name Spike, now would it?" Dawn crossed her arms, mocking her older sister.

"Maybe."

"Dawn, just because you have a crush on a guy doesn't give you the right to stay out all night!"

"I wasn't out all night! And even if I was, Spike would have protected me!"

"Dawn, I don't want you hanging out with him, he's just—"

"You just don't get anything, do you?" And with that, Dawn stormed up into her room and slammed the door shut. Buffy dropped her arms and sighed.

"Buffy, is everything going to be okay?" Willow was so concerned about the Summers sisters lately. Everything was always off with them.

"Yeah. She just has a case of the butterflies for Captain Peroxide. She'll get over it." In the distance, the scoobies could hear sirens. Finally, they saw cop cars and an ambulance fly down the street. Xander looked over to Buffy.

"Think we should go check it out, Buff?"

"Mmm, sure. I'll go. I need to have a little discussion with Spike about the Dawn sitch anyway," Buffy grabbed her coat, " I'll catch you guys later."

This is my first Buffy fanfic. I've been obsessed with Spike and Dawn lately. Yeah, I'm weird. Leave feedback if you want. Be gentle.