Title: Unexpected Welcomes
Author: NevermindDaria
Disclaimer: The following intellectual property has been, in part, previously claimed by its various owners. All other intellectual property is my own.
Rating: PG13
Summary: Flaming Post-Grave fic: Spike returns from Africa to all-around unexpected welcomes. Xander stops acting like a rancid pile of dung. Dawn finally gets to be a real person. Buffy starts to like breathing again. Part 7 - Supporter.
Setting/Spoilers: Set four months after "Grave".

***

Dawn was pacing around her living room nervously, not realizing she was very entertaining to the two adults sitting on the couch watching her.

DAWN: Honestly, Xander, I'm sure Buffy can handle grilling the guy herself.

XANDER: Yeah, but it's more fun with two people to gang up on the poor kid.

DAWN: Yeah, and it's always the father figure type that gets the guy all scared.

Xander and Dawn both smiled genuinely, while Buffy looked on with just a bit of melancholy. Then there was a knock at the door.

DAWN: (suddenly really nervous) Eek! He's here! Do I look ok? Who should get the door? You two'll go easy on him, right?

BUFFY: (getting up, very momish) You look lovely. I'll show him in, then Xander and I both get to grill him, and there's nothing you can do to stop us.

***

Dawn stood outside an apartment door, looking as though about to burst from excitement. After a moment, Willow opened the door and invited Dawn into Xander's apartment.

WILLOW: Hey, Dawnie! You said you had news?

DAWN: Bryan! Date! Wow!

WILLOW: (motioning to the couch) Ok, you have to tell me everything!

DAWN: God, Wil, he's just the greatest guy. When he came to pick me up, Buffy and Xander went all concerned parent on him and he was so sweet about it. We went to this really cute English pub type place, and he just has the best sense of humor. He had me laughing all night. It was only awkward when we were driving to the restaurant. Then he started telling me funny stories about soccer and it just felt right, ya know? And he's really smart, but he's not all "look at me, I'm genius boy" about it. And then, when he'd walked me to the door at the end of the night, he kissed me!

WILLOW: (giggling) Should I hear the rest of this?

DAWN: Oh, he was a total gentleman. It was just a peck, really. A really, really nice peck! And he said he wants to see me again!

Both girls sat a moment, giggling.

WILLOW: I'm so happy for you, Dawnie. Bryan sounds wonderful, and you deserve no less. (humbly) And I'm really glad you felt like you could talk to me about him.

Dawn hugged Willow, and noticed she was getting misty eyed.

DAWN: I'm glad you want to listen. Sure, I have Martha Clay now, and it's really nice to have a friend my age who's not trying to get me into trouble, but I really like having someone to girl talk with who's known me for a long time. I missed you, Willow. I'm glad you're back.

WILLOW: Oh, Dawnie...

The two girls were both crying, but happy tears. Then came the giggling.

***

SPIKE: Is he good enough for her?

WILLOW: From what she's told me, he's a prince.

Several hours after our last look in on Willow, Spike had replaced Dawn on the couch. He was just then looking very much like a protective father.

SPIKE: Well, he better be, to court her.

WILLOW: (quietly) God, Spike, she's forgiven me. I don't get it. I mean, it's wonderful, and I'm glad she's even speaking to me again, but how am I supposed to act? Like nothing happened? That I didn't threaten to turn her back into a ball of green stuff? How -

Spike gently planted both hands on Willow's shoulders as if to stop her thought process.

SPIKE: (stopping her verbally as well) You said it yourself. She's forgiven you. In these things, it's never about you, it's always about who you've wronged. Moving on is a lot like going back to how things were, just you have to be really humble and apologetic if what happened ever comes up.

Willow looked as though Spike's eight hundred pound monkey of a soul had climbed onto her back.

WILLOW: Yeah? So how's that been working out for you?

SPIKE: (with a bitter laugh) I wouldn't know. Nobody's forgiven me.

WILLOW: (without hesitation) I have. Anya has. Xander hasn't staked you, so I guess he's getting there. And Dawn - Dawn will forgive you soon - you just need to give her time. Buffy's the only one who you have to worry about.

SPIKE: No surprise there. It's always been about Buffy. Bloody hell. Willow, how can I possibly ask for her forgiveness? How can I even let her know I've come back?

At a loss for advice, Willow simply put her hand over Spike's in a gesture of support.

***

Ok, ok, you'll have to wait a bit longer for the payoff. So sorry to those who were waiting for Sunday. It is, by the way, Sunday that I'm posting this, but it might not show up until tomorrow. Next post will answer a certain pervasive question, and you just might like my answer. Look for it Tuesday.