Hi… ^_^ I wrote this awhile ago and I just started posting at ff.net so I'm posting it now. This takes place the morning before Buffy is resurrected (like I said it's old). So even if it's a little old, please enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own BtVS or any of its characters. Joss does.

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Spike walked into the Summers household a few minutes before sunrise. He walked downstairs to the basement, which had been transformed into a sort of mini-crypt. The little windows had been boarded up and there were curtains hanging around the walls. Some furniture was located around the place: the four-poster bed, an easy chair, and a TV. Not much, but it was home to him now. He still had his old crypt, and used it for down time. But he had to take care of Dawn now and so his lifestyle had been forced to change. Spike settled into the easy chair and closed his eyes for a moment.

Half an hour later Dawn loped downstairs and into the kitchen. She had heard Spike come in earlier and knew soon it would be time to get up and go to school. She opened the refrigerator and fished out a package of blood. She opened the cupboard and pulled out a package of Pop-Tarts then deftly grabbed a mug with that same hand. She poured the blood into a pot from the dish-drain and set it to simmer. The Pop-Tarts went into the toaster as Dawn leaned back against the counter and waited.

For several weeks, this had been their routine. Spike would come back from a night of patrolling and head on downstairs. This would be Dawn's cue to get up and get herself ready. Spike didn't like to get up from his rest so Dawn was usually on time for school or else she'd hear it. Dawn would arrive downstairs fully dressed for school and make her breakfast. Then one morning, on a whim, Dawn had warmed up some blood for Spike. Tentatively, she had walked downstairs into the basement turned crypt with a mug of warm blood. She was hesitant because the basement was his place now, and she didn't want to disturb what little privacy he had left. She knew he had moved in to take care of her, and she appreciated it. Willow and Tara had offered, but Dawn thought it better if they stayed at the college. Besides, everyone always checked up on her anyway. So Spike was her guardian now. She had walked downstairs, and seen him getting ready for his daytime sleep. He was just about to doze off when she set the mug in front of him, then turned and walked away. Spike had at first been angry, until he noticed the offering. Then he quietly picked up the mug and drank gratefully, wondering why Dawn would do that for him.

This happened every day since then, albeit with some changes. Dawn began to bring her breakfast down too, so they ate their meal together in a companionable silence. Words were not needed in the morning.

This morning was just like all the others. The Pop-Tarts came up and Dawn put them on a small plate. She took the near boiling pot of blood and poured into the mug. Then she carefully balanced the plate in one hand and the mug in the other and walked downstairs. Spike was napping in his easy chair. She knew he was waiting for her. She set the mug down in front of him, same place every time. He opened his eyes and looked his thanks, then picked up the mug and began to sip. His face changed to the demon visage, but Dawn didn't mind. She was used to it by now. She promptly began to munch on her Pop-Tarts. Neither of them realized that this was the last time their morning routine would include just the two of them.



I don't know if I want to develop this story and write more pertaining to it or not. Any feedback is appreciated. ~ Spitfire Maguire