Chapter 7-

That night, Spike went back to his crypt, without saying goodbye to Dawn, and not without trying. She didn't answer, or open the door. So he just left and went home.

At home he sat and pondered what would happen next. What should he do, what shouldn't he do. The thought of leaving her so she wouldn't get attached and so he could prevent himself form causing any problems crossed his mind. He realized he had some sort of feelings for her now that weren't just friendly feelings. He wanted her in a lusty sort of way, maybe even love. That would jeopardize the whole plan and process of the way things were supposed to go.

So without putting much thought into it, because that would only make things seem more complicated, and he couldn't think like that right now, he left. He packed the things he would need, money, clothes, some blood to tie him over for a couple of days. Enough stuff that would give him time to figure out where he was going. He needed to go away was all he knew. He jotted down a quick letter for Dawn, letting her know what was happening.

He didn't know where he was going and he didn't know for how long. All he knew was that he needed to go. And so he did.

The next morning Dawn awoke, a calmer and more understanding person. She went down to the kitchen, after she was showered and dressed. She plopped down at the island, joining Buffy, who was having her morning coffee. "Good morning, Buffy," Dawn greeted her with a smile.

"Well good morning, Miss Mary Sunshine. What's got you in such a happy mood?"

"I've just realized how much of a brat I've been and how unfair it is to Spike."

"So you've forgiven him completely?"

"Yeah. He's been forced to do something he wasn't really into doing. So I'll let him be and he can come around in his own time."

"Uh-huh," Buffy said giving her head a short nod, with a confused look on her face. "Anyway, speaking of Spike, I found this letter at the bottom of the door this morning." Buffy handed Dawn the letter.

Dawn looked it over, "What's it about?"

"I don't know, I didn't read it."

Dawn opened the envelope and unfolded the paper inside. She read over the writing, her eyes scanning the paper quickly. A look of confusion, followed by hurt and anger marring her features. "I don't believe it! I can't believe he did this!"

"What?"

"He left!"

"What, Why?" Buffy took the paper Dawn handed to her.

"He says that under the circumstances, it would benefit both of us if he left!" Buffy looked over the note with a frown on her face.

"I'm sorry, Dawn, but maybe it's for the best. You can have a normal life without the thought of Spike looming over you," Buffy said trying to comfort her.

"Yeah, yeah," Dawn responded, rolling her eyes, "Everything's about me having a normal life! Well what if I don't want a normal life, what if I want Spike?"

"You don't really want Spike, Dawn. You just think you do because you're young, confused, and married to him." Buffy put a gentle hand on her cheek, but Dawn turned away from the gesture. "You think you've got everything you need right now, but just give it a few weeks. You'll see what I mean." She gave Dawn one last comforting smile. "Hurry, or you'll be late for school." Dawn nodded deftly in response.

Dawn never went to school that day. Instead, she had made her way to Spike's empty crypt. She was hoping that the letter was just a hoax, that Spike really hadn't left. "Spike!" she called, his name echoing throughout the structure, bouncing off the walls. She looked around the top half, noticing everything was right where it always was.

When she reached the lower area, it was official, he was gone. She crawled onto his bed and hugged his pillow close to her. She breathed in his scent that had been left behind on his sheets and pillows, a tear running down her cheek. More tears followed as they soaked into the fabric. She laid there like that all day and into the night.

Later that night, when Spike hadn't returned, she gave up and went home. Walking through her front door, she was bombarded with questions from Buffy. "Do you know what time it is? Where have you been, and I know you didn't go to school today! Just because you don't have to worry about being taken away any more, doesn't mean you can continue carrying on like this!" Dawn brushed past her, going up the stairs to her room. "Dawn, we're not done here!" Buffy grabbed her shoulder, turning her to look her in the face. "Where were you?"

"At Spike's."

"Why?"

"To see if he was really gone. He is."

"You were there all day?" Dawn nodded.

"I'm going to bed."

"Now? Aren't you hungry?" Dawn shook her head, reaching the top of the stairs and going to her bedroom, closing the door behind her.