Things were back to normal again. Spike came over more often, and nobody mentioned what had happened between them, for fear of the dreaded cry of "Get out, get out, GET OUT!"

The only change was in Dawn. She was mostly the same as she had always been, but lately she'd done things differently. Her makeup was more noticeable, her hair was perfectly coiffed. Overnight, she had changed from a gangly teenager to a very attractive young woman. No-one noticed the change more than Spike. To everyone else she was just growing up, maturing, going through what they'd all gone through; but to Spike, she was becoming a dangerously beautiful creature, capable of inflicting painful heartbreak that not even Chuck Norris could endure. Already she was killing him, strutting around in short skirts, her hair done in strange intricate-looking designs that he could never have done for Drusilla, bless her black heart. He'd always love her, but he had to move on. Every fibre of his immortal being was telling him to move on. Certain parts of his being had already chosen someone. But he couldn't be with Dawn. It was wrong, on so many levels. Even as the Big Bad, he'd never stooped so low. Sure, he'd killed children, even young girls of Dawn's age, but never had he... No, that was getting into Angelus territory, and that was a place he had vowed never to go. Not after what Angelus had done to Drusilla. He could never do that, never forgive that. So it appeared he was destined to live out his days wanting what he could never have. It was too bad really; they'd be such a perfect match. It was at that point that Spike decided to switch the TV on and switch his brain off.

Dawn was sitting on her bed, thinking of that night at the Bronze. The way Spike had looked at her had awakened a monster inside her. This monster had tasted blood, and wouldn't calm until it had been sated. That "good, down low tickle" just wouldn't go away, but she tried very hard to stop it. Thinking of the way she'd felt that night, the way he'd looked at her, she could feel herself getting flushed, her skin prickling. As she thought of him, her hand found it's way up her skirt. She pressed it against herself, trying to calm the tingling, only to find it was getting stronger. She started to move her hand, finally finding relief, if only a tiny amount. She pressed harder and moved faster, feeling an incredible pressure building slowly, too slowly. She rubbed her hand faster, pressing only her fingers to her core, faster and faster, the pressure building, building, building until...BAM! Her inner walls clenched hard as her orgasm hit her, making her shudder convulsively.

Dawn fell back against her pillows, breathing hard, her cheeks flushed with a rosy pink hue. She laid there in post orgasmic bliss until she heard the kitchen door open and shut, and a voice called out to her.

"Dawnie, you home?". Spike placed a leather bound notebook on the kitchen bench, along with his duster, and took a seat at one of the stools.

Dawn came down, still looking flushed, but beautiful, and skipped into the kitchen.

"Hey there Niblet. How was your day?"

"It's not over yet. It just got dark," Dawn replied with a wink.

"Hey, do you want some hot chocolate? I was gonna make some anyway," she got in before Spike could react to her suggestive wink.

"Only if you've got some of those little marshmallows."

Dawn busied herself making hot chocolate, trying to get her mind off what she'd been doing. She realised that it was having the opposite effect, as she noticed Spike surreptitiously sniff the air. Just that simple act made her panties moist. Spike knew what she'd been doing, and just the thought of that seemed so naughty and forbidden. If she kept up this train of thought then she'd have to go and change. Thank God the hot chocolate was ready.

"Here you go!" Dawn sang, as she plopped a mug down in front of Spike.

"How about a little finesse, love," Spike replied as he sucked some spilled hot chocolate from his fingers.

Yep, she definitely had to change now.

Spike glanced up, his fingers still near his mouth, to see Dawn staring at him with a look that could only be described as hunger, in her eyes. If he'd known what was about to happen, he still wouldn't have been prepared.

Dawn flung herself around the kitchen counter and lunged at Spike. Their lips connected quite violently, and Spike had to grab ahold of Dawn to stop himself from falling off the stool. Dawn seemed to take this as a sign of passion, and she wrapped her arms around his neck. In all of her assumed confidence, Dawn had no idea what to do. Once their lips had connected, she'd used up all her kissing knowledge. Spike seemed to understand this, as he took over, moving his lips gently against hers. Dawn followed his lead and slowly opened her mouth, allowing Spike's tongue to slip in and caress her own. She moaned softly at the intense feeling, something she'd never before experienced. She felt she could almost cry with all the intense emotions flowing freely through her. She couldn't believe that she was kissing Spike.

He was kissing Dawn. It was too good to be true. Surely he would wake up any minute now. But no, that was definitely Dawn's tongue sliding against his. Those were Dawn's lips pressed against his own. No dream could be this realistic. Spike was pulled from his thoughts by a wandering hand. He grabbed Dawn's hand and gently pulled away from her.

"Sorry love. I don't think we're quite ready for that yet."

Dawn pouted, but her eyes were smiling. "I just wanted to...explore a bit. I've never done this before, you know."

"I do know, Niblet, which is why I think we should go slow."

Dawn's pout grew deeper. "I want to try things though! I'm ready. I can handle it!"

"I can't love. I'm a vampire, and as much as I care for you, right now all I'd really like to do is throw you against the wall, rip off your panties with my teeth and drain you while I rip you apart from the inside out!"

Dawn shivered, but Spike could tell from her scent that it wasn't from fear. He could feel his pants tightening as her scent grew thicker. He knew he had to get out of there, or he really would get violent with her. He kissed her briefly, grabbed his duster and left. It was only then that Dawn noticed the notebook sitting on the bench, forgotten in Spike's hurry to leave. She picked it up and opened it. On the first page in a beautiful old fashioned hand was written simply "For Dawn. Love Spike"

Dawn grabbed a pen and headed up to her room to start the first entry in her new diary.