Title: Forgiving Evil

Chapter 1/12: Before Sunrise

Author: Anna

Feedback: is greatly appreciated

Note: This takes place after season six. I wrote it last summer, but abandoned the story after I ran into some writer's block. I'm working on slight revisions, but basically the story's been completed. It's very fluffy, but hey, happiness is good :)

Buffy woke up just before sunrise when she felt her spider-sense tingle in a familiar way. 'Spike' she thought, but she quickly dismissed the idea. Lately, Buffy had done a lot of thinking when it came to her relationship with the blonde vampire. They had both made some big mistakes last year and it had all come to a climax in the bathroom that horrible night. She knew he'd never hurt her intentionally and she knew, just from the look in his eyes, that he was sorry. But he was gone now, and she missed him. Even when she was angry with him, she took comfort in the fact that he would always be there, within her reach. Now she didn't even know if he was ever coming back.

          Unable to fall asleep again, she got out of bed and headed to the bathroom. She showered an towel dried her hair, then dressed and went downstairs to the kitchen for an early breakfast. Spotting her new coffee maker, which had been on sale, she hummed to a tune in her head while she made herself a cup. She also spotted last night's dishes, but quickly turned and pretended that she didn't. Dishes, what dishes? Yes, denial and procrastination were her friend.

          When her coffee was made she decided to watch the sunrise. As she walked out the front door, she stepped on two white envelopes. She bent down to retrieve the mysterious letters and nudged the door closed with her hip, and it closed far enough to satisfy her.

          She tucked the one labeled 'Dawn' in her pocket and sat down on the steps to open the one addressed to her. After she gently tore open the seal, she pulled out a letter. As she began to read she dropped the coffee mug and it shattered as it tumbled down the steps and hit the cement.

Dear Buffy,

          If you're reading this, then you've obviously found my letter. I hope you're not preparing to tear it or burn it, although I'd understand if you did. But please hear me out. I'm sorry. I know that doesn't change anything, but I need you to know that. I'm sorry for everything I've ever done to hurt you and I want you to know that if I've done anything good in the past two years, it was because of my love for you.

          I just got back and I have a few loose ends to tie up, but I thought these letters would… prepare you. I'll be back on Friday. If you want to talk things over, meet me at the Bronze at 9pm. I hope you'll come. I've missed you.

                                                                  

                                                                       Love Always,

                                                                   Spike

          By the time she had read the entire letter, there were silent tears running down her face. The outside world dimmed and she retreated into her thoughts as she stared blankly ahead, and that's exactly how Dawn found her an hour later.

          Dawn had woken up when she heard Buffy showering, but stayed in bed as a futile attempt to fall back asleep. Half an hour later she was getting restless so she decided to get up. As she brushed her teeth she noticed the quiet that was always present in the house. With Willow and Tara gone the house felt empty.

          She dressed and headed downstairs, expecting to see Buffy sitting in the kitchen. When she didn't find her big sister, she called out but received no answer. Suddenly Dawn noticed that front door slightly ajar and rushed outside, sensing something was wrong. She was relieved to see Buffy sitting on the front steps, but noticed her catatonic state and became worried again.

          "Buffy? Oh my god, Buffy! Are you okay? What happened?" When she received no reaction she became frustrated and slapped her across the face.

          Buffy jumped back. "Dawn? What are you doing up so early?" she asked.

          "Why were you all non-reaction-y?"

          Buffy sighed and pulled Dawn's letter out of her pocket. Silently she handed it to her. As Dawn tore open the envelope and quickly read the letter, Buffy noticed all the emotions that went across her face. Before Buffy could sort out her sister's feelings, Dawn looked up.

          "So what are we going to do?" she asked nervously.

          "I honestly don't know, Dawnie." She reached out and tucked a piece of Dawn's hair behind her ear. "I think he's truly sorry and I think we should give him a chance, so I'll meet him at the Bronze on Friday like he asked-"

          "Really?" Dawn asked happily, but quickly changed her expression to one of indifference. "I mean, that's cool. He asked me to go to his crypt before sunset. I guess I'll go. I might get to slay some stuff on the way home."

          Buffy hid a smile at Dawn's act. Honestly, she was trying to contain her own excitement. As she cleaned up the spilled and broken cup of coffee, Dawn began rambling.

          "So what will we do until Friday? Do you think he'll come around? No, wait. That wouldn't make sense… do you think he'll lurk? He always used to do that. It was kinda comforting… ya know, in the creepy way. Sow hat do you think he'll say? The standard apology or full on his knees begging? 'Cause that would be cool." Suddenly she became worried. "What if he's just stopping by to say a proper good-bye and then he's gonna leave again? Oh, what if-"

          "Dawn," Buffy said calmly, "you're rambling. It's not good. Please stop."

          Dawn took a long, deep breath. "Okay, so what do we do now?" she asked slowly.

          "Well," Buffy answered, "we train." Dawn's face brightened considerably.

Author's Note: So, what do you think?