Dawn was so over that particular crush. Really she hadn't thought of Spike in that way for ages. So she barely looked up from what she was doing when she heard his voice, calling out to the girls to get ready. Ready for the thing she wasn't part of. And then she did look up just in time to see him turn on his heel and leave the kitchen, girls in tow, and it hit her like a ton of bricks. Oh my God! She was so not over him. She felt a lump in her throat, this latest discovery adding to the frustration that had been building up inside her. Buffy barely talked to her, the house was buzzing with potentials and once again she didn't really fit in. And here she was, pining – again! Still? - over a guy who wouldn't even look at her, a guy who was in love with her sister, slayer extraordinaire – who did look at him. Dawn slammed down the plate she was holding hard enough to break it.

"Now what might that poor plate have done to evoke your wrath, niblet?"

Oh please. Please can the floor open up already and swallow me whole? She was rooted to the spot, unable to move, and even if she had been able she wouldn't have been willing. No way would she -

"Hey, look at me, little bit."

OK...she would. She turned but refused to meet his eyes. He studied her face for a moment and then gently touched her cheek.

"Hey", he said again, and it sounded so soft she couldn't help but look at him.

"What's up with you?"

She swallowed, trying to get her voice under control. Then she shrugged and looked around, indicating the kitchen and the house.

"All of this. All those girls. And Buffy – and..."

She took a breath and met his eyes.

"...and you."

She was so tired. Tired of hiding, tired of feeling all alone. Spike closed his eyes for a moment. Bugger. He'd hoped it wasn't his fault...

"Look, Dawn -"

"I'm sorry, OK? I'm sorry I'm still not over this stupid crush, I'm sorry I'm such a pathetic -"

"Hey!"

Spike grabbed her shoulders.

"It's – not something you can control. It controls you. But it'll pass. One day you will wake up and wonder what you saw in me, and that's a good thing because you deserve so much better than me."

Dawn broke away from him.

"Stop it! You don't see me that way, I get it, and why would you? But don't freaking make it sound like you're doing me a favor!"

"Niblet..."

"There's nothing you can say to soften the blow. You of all people should know about that."

He gave her a small smile.

"I do."

Dawn deflated, her shoulders slumping, and she looked very young all of a sudden.

"Will it ever stop?"

"Yes. You'll find someone, someone who does see you that way, and it'll stop."

"Really?"

"Really."

He pulled her close and held her for a moment, and then he let go to reach for the weapon he'd come back in for. Raising it in a salute he said:

"Baby slayers're waitin'."

With a nod and a smile he was gone, and Dawn stared at the kitchen door for a while before she started to pick up the broken pieces.