"Spike." Dawn moaned waking from her slumber.

"God I love it when you say my name." Spike answered.

"Spike, Spike, Spike." She laughed repeating his name.

"I love you." He sighed looking down at her.

"I love you too." She smiled pleased.

"How are you feeling?" He asked considerate.

"Better." She answered. "But I am kinda hungry." She answered.

"Wan't me to get you something." He started to pull away.

"No." She whined. "In a minute." Dawn pulled him into her not wanting to let go.

"You need to eat." Spike demanded. "I am not leaving Dawn, I promise I will be right back with food."

"All right hurry." She moaned.

Dawn waited impatiently, really wanting to take a shower now knowing she couldn't stand long enough. Spike walked in the room with a bowl of cereal and placed it in her lap sitting next to her.

"Thank you." She said scoffing down the food.

"Slow down Dawnie." He smiled.

"Im hungry." She smiled.

"You usually take a shower in the morning don't you?" He asked.

"Yes, and I seriously want one now but I can't stand and the bath tub isn't in yet." Dawn frowned.

"Wan't help?" He asked slyly.

"Uhm...I would rather you not bathe me like a child." She said sarcasticaly.

"It honestly wouldn't be like that." Spike got a evil look on his face.

"Spike, I am a little too week for that don't you think." She rolled her eyes.

"I am just kidding luv. I will behave." He promised.

"All right." She sighed. "Just let me finish eating."

"Fine." He smiled.

Dawn finshed her cereal and put it beside her bed. Then she looked at Spike reluctantly, not excited to take an actual shower with him when she was this weak. Knowing she would want more, knowing he would want more, knowing this was going to be near imposible.

"Ready?" He asked softly.

"Nearly." She answered.

Spike just rolled his eyes and walked over to the other side of the bed helping her out slowly. He cradled her in his arms and lifted her off of her feet into his arms. He carried her into the bathroom and shut the door behind him and rested her against the wall.

"I feel like a gimpy old women." Dawn sighed in defeat.

"You don't look like one." He smiled. "Now come on and stop complaining." Spike silenced her. "How do you wanna do this?"

"I don't." She pouted.

"No I mean...if you honestly want I can keep most of my clothes on that would be weird but if your gonna be uncomfortable-"

"Shut up and strip bitch." She joked.

"All right." He sighed in relief and turned on the shower letting it heat up. He walked over to Dawn who was leaning against the wall. He reached down to help her undress. He slowly pulled her shirt off of her as she shivered. "Cold?" He asked.

"Not really." She sighed. He reached down to unbutton her jeans. "I got it." Dawn said pulling off her jeans.

The both undressed and Spike helped her into the shower as she almost fell over on the way in. Dawn faught trying to stay up on her own but ended up having to lean on Spike for strength which in it's own way made her weaker. Spike helped her out of the shower and into her clothes, carrying her back to bed.

"Thanks." She said stairing up at Spike who was looking down into her eyes.

"Anytime." Spike answered as she laughed. "No honestly anytime." He said playfully. "Maybe when your not so weak."

"It's a plan." She sighed.

"I'm glad." He smiled kissing the top of her hair.

"I knew you would be." She smiled. "I can't believe I am so weak that you have to wait on me." She sighed.

"You saved my life Dawn, that;s why your so weak, I think I owe you this." Spike wrapped his arms around her. "I wouldn't want it any other way."

"I would I feel like a little kid, you bathe me you dress me...oh shit my hair." She remembered she needed to brush it.

"I'm on it babe." Spike jumped out of bed and grabbed one of her hair brushes.

"Oh my God. You are not brushing my hair." She protested.

"Fine here." He handed her the brush and sat next to her as she sat up.

Dawn tried to brush through her hair as she moaned in pain from reaching over her head.

"Will you let me do it now?" He asked annoyed.

"Oh fine." She sighed in defeat.

"Good." He took the brush from her and brushed the knots from her hair gently, careful not to pull. "Done."

"Thanks." She said annoyed.

"No problem. You need to let me take care of you and stop fighting this so much. You'll be back on your feet before the day is over, being a slayer and all." Spike assured her.

"Yeah I guesse so. I kinda want to go see how everyone is." She said looking at him.

"Well I have to go down and get some blood...Angel bought some. So when I go down i'll ask how there all doing." He grinned.

"Fine, don't leave me here long it's sorta boring you know." Dawn said monotone.

"All right pet." He kissed her forhead and walked down the stairs.

Spike walked into the kitched. He saw the entire crew huddled together talking. "What's going on?" Spike asked taking a glass of blood from the fridge.

"Giles is comming over later to talk about what he found in the book." Buffy answered. "How's my sister?" Buffy asked not wanting to see Spike walk back up those stairs.

"Protesting me taking care of her, but she's better." Spike answered.

"She's a lot like me." Buffy smiled. "I never thought she would be but she really is." She looked around the room.

"Yeah she seems to be following in your footsteps."Spike smirked, Buffy nodded.

"She wanted to see how every one was doing." Spike said.

"Good I guesse." Buffy answered. "Nothing interesting really. Were all worried about her." She paused. "I mean I know she loves you but that really weakened her after already being hurt by Drue." She frowned worried about her little sister.

"She's tough." Spike smiled.

"I know." Buffy answered. They shared a moment of respect, not for one another but for the mere fact they both shared the love of Dawn.

"So wait he's been up there with her all this time?" Xander questioned in anguish.

"Listen Harris, she's weak right now no need to worry bout me being a lone with her." Spike glowered. "But 's not like it matters." Spike toyed with him.

"What?" He looked confused.

"Your not gonna stop me from...well ya know." He smirked.

"Oh, you don't know how much I wanna stake you." Xander hissed.

"Mmhmm." Spike smiled.

"Spike will you stop antagonizing him." Buffy frowned. "I wan't to talk to her you can stay here until I am finished." She paused. "And both of you behave while im gone." She demanded.

Buffy walked up the step and opened the door to Dawn's recently oversized room, due to the addition. She looked at her sister who suddenly looked over to her.

"Buffy?" She asked looking at her sister curious as to why she was there. "Where's Spike?" She asked nervous.

"Downstairs, what you can't be away from him for more then ten minutes?" Buffy asked sickened. Dawn thought back to earlier when Spike stumbled into her room speaking those words 'like I can stay away from you for more then an hour, and that's bloody pushing it.'

"What's up?" Dawn asked feeling as if she were healing more and more by the second.

"I just wanted to talk to you about a few things." Buffy answered. "Please don't be mad when I say this."She pleaded as Dawn nodded. "I am not going to try and stop this thing between you and Spike, because I know you love him and because your are eighteen." Dawn smiled realizing Buffy did remember her birthday...but not enough to get a gift, she thought as she fiddled with her necklace. "I love you and I want what is best for you. I don't think Spike is that." She frowned.

"Buffy-"

"Let me finish. He is evil no matter how much you wan't to deny that, no matter how appealing he is. And even if he had some sorta of feelings for you, he is not of the good, ya know." She looked down at her sister. Looking much older then before, Buffy never noticed how much she had changed, since she had been with Spike. He had changed her, not her as a person but he made her more mature, stronger almost. It scared her because it meant she didn't need Buffy anymore, but she needed Spike. She was almost jealous, it was like Dawn had abandoned her as everyone else had.

"I love him, that has to be enough or life will lose meaning." She frowned.

"I'm sorry." Buffy looked solem. "I wish you hadn't fallen for him. I wish I could have protected you from him."

"That's rediculous, he is the one thing that holds me together Buffy. Right now, he is what had made life worth while." Dawn looked at the blond slayer. "Don't feel like I won't always love you, you are so important to me, you have always protected me, you died for me. But Buffy now it's time you take care of yourself." She comforted her, as Buffy jumped into her arms hugging her.

"I love you Dawn, your just all grown up now." Buffy sobbed.

"It happens." She smiled.

"Well I guesse I'll go down and see if Giles is here with any news." Buffy spoke hesitant. "See ya sis." She smiled and left the room.

Dawn waited feeling her body regain strength. She was pretty much back to normal now. She cracked her nck from side to side feeling stiff. She wanted to do something now for some reason anything but be in this room cooped up. Mainly she wanted Spike back with her, what was taking so long. She heard a few whisperes outside the door obviously not meant for her to hear.

"Nibblet?" Spike asked walking into the room.

"Yeah." She said looking at him.

"So whats was that all about?" He asked curious what Buffy wanted to say to his girl.

"Nothing, just a sisterly talk." Dawn smiled.

"So feeling better?" Spike asked walking into the room and sitting next to her.

"Much, I feel no pain what so ever." She answered as Spike ran his fingered acorss her collar bone.

"And the weak feeling, is that gone?" He asked focusing on tracing the lines in her chest moving his fingers up to the side of her neck.

"No." She answered uncontrolably honest. She wasn't weak from loss of blood, it was his fingers along her neck.

"Oh, but-" He paused realizing what she meant as she blushed. He smirked. "Like this?" He asked moving his hands down her chest.

"Mmm." She wimpered making her answer obvious. Spike took pleasure in the way she reacted to his touch.

"Feeling better you said." He smiled as if he had an idea. He leaned in and pressed his lips against her collar bone tracing the bone with his tongue. He moved up and met his lips to Dawn's. He reached his hand up the back of her shirt.

"Spike-" She moaned. She tried to push him away.

"Something wrong pet?" He asked softly.

"Not here." She answered. "There all downstairs."

"Good, I like danger." He nibbled at her ear.

"Spike." She whispered. "Stop." She said looking into his eyes. Damn look at those eyes. They pierced through hers making refusing almsot impossible.

"All right." He sat up feeling rejected.

"Well don't get all pouty." Dawn teased.

"I'm not." He frowned.

"Spike."

"What, well come on honestly what do you expect." He looked at her. "I didn't think it was so simple for you to refuse me."

"Simple." Dawn laughed out loud. "Try damn near impossible."

Spike smirked and took her hand pleased by what she said. "Come one get dressed were going some where." Spike lifted her onto her feet.

"All right." She answered going through her clothes. "What kinda clothing am I looking for?" She asked.

"How about this." He said holding up a dress from her closet. It was black and short almost too short. She had it for a halloween costume years ago she was a cat but she had worn black pant's underneath it.

"Spike it's a little short."

"Exactly." He answered slyly.

"Fine, anything for you." She said smiling sweetly.

"Thanks pet." He said tossing her the dress. Dawn quickly threw it on and put some eye liner on her eyes.

"Im ready." She answered.

"Good." He grabbed her hand and walked down the stairs.

Dawn looked around to see an empty house. "Where is everyone?"

"You'll see." He asnwered pulling her out the door and down the street as she protested.

They arrived at the Bronze and Spike held the door for her practically pushing her inside. She looked around her sister was there, Anya, Willow and the whole scooby gang. She notcied a lot of ehr friends were there and some people from school she didn't even know.

"A party for your eighteenth birthday babe." Spike whispered into her ear. "Mostly planned by Buffy." Dawn smiled with glee.

"Hey Dawn!" Janice her best friend walked over to her excited. "Oh who's this?" Janice asked with a flirty glare.

"Janice this is Spike. Spike this is Janice my best friend." She said introducing them.

"Cool. Dawn come dance with us! She insisted pulling at her arm and dragging her onto the dance floor.

Dawn started dancing with Janice and a few of her other friends. Spike noticing every move she made realizing what a great dancer she was. Swaying her hips seduclively on the dance floor. Spike walked over to get a drink preoccupied thinking about how much he loved this girl how much he needed her.

Dawn continued dancing as a boy that went to her school who had just graduated with her a matter of weeks ago came up behind her and started dancing with her "Hey Dawn." The boy said smiling.

Dawn didn't mind they were friends but he was starting to go a little farther then she wanted, putting his hands on her hips. He started moving his body closer to hers brushing up against her. Dawn didn't stop him, thinking for a minuite what it would be like. To be with a human, some one like Brandon, that was his name. Someone who could give her a life that was normal, have children get married, and grow old together. With Spike she knew someday she would get old and he wouldn't want her then not as an old women, something would have to happen. Then she thought about it and what she really wanted. Not a normal life, but an eternal one with Spike, with him forever it was promising.

Dawn realized Brandon dancing with her again. She turned around and looked at him as he stopped. "I'm gonna get a drink." She smiled and started walking over to her sister but Spike stopped her standing in front of her. "Hey." She said looking into his eyes.

"Who the bloody hell was that...do I need to kick his ass?" Spike asked confused.

"No Spike. Don't worry about it he's just a friend." Dawn assured him.

"He wasn't bloody well dancing like he was just a friend." Spike seemed angry. "Neither were you."

"Spike honestly, were friends." Dawn was worried as she felt regret burning through her stomouch.

"That's fine." He pouted crossing his arms.

"I'm sorry. But Spike, don't be so testy." Dawn said looking up at his stone expression.

"I'm not." He hissed angry with her.

"Please don't be like this, it's gonna ruin my entire party." She pleaded biting her bottom lip.

"Fine." He said glumly.

"Come one Spike, dance with me." She said dragging him onto the dance floor this loosened his mood. "Don't be upset with me. I don't want any one but you."

"All right." He said smiling. They started dancing as Spike pushed his hips into hers. I'll bloody show her she doesn't want any other man.

She put her arms around his neck. He leaned in and pressed his face against hers. She breathed in the scent of him, his intoxicating smell made her feel faint. He placed his lips against her neck gently. He pulled away as the song ended and walked off leaving her in the middle of the dance floor wanting more. Ass. She thought running after him.

"Spike are you mad?" She asked concerned.

"No pet." He smiled, and he honestly wasn't just annoyed he would much rather be with her at his place than here with people he didn't care for.

"Promise." She asked.

"I promise." Spike answered.

"Good. And I promise if you stay a while I'll make it up to you." Dawn said Spike gleaming at this comment.

"All right, I will be holding you to that." He said getting a devilish look in his eyes.

"My thoughts exactly." Dawn smiled and Spike laughed catching what she meant about holding her to it.

Dawn walked over to her friends. Willow smiling approvingly. She sat with the Scooby gang and ordered a drink as Spike went to the bar to wait more then drink, someimes he would walk over to her and talk or dance with Dawn a few times mainly he was waiting until he could get her alone.

"Well I think we should go back to the house to unwrap presents." Buffy said looking at Dawn who was smiling at the thought of presents.

They all walked to the Summers home ready to watch Dawn open her presents all except Spike. They walked inside piling their presents on the table Dawn waiting excited.

"Mine first." Anya demanded.

Dawn took the present from Anya it was in a pink Victoria Secret bag. Dawn opened it and pulled out what was inside. Langere it was black and laced and gorgous. Dawn had a hint of a smile in her eyes but tried not to show it but rather look shocked.

"I thought ya know, you and Spike-" Anya smiled as Xander cut her off.

"All right my gift." Xander handed it to Dawn as Dawn glanced over to Anya to give her a pleased look trying to sneak it in so no one would notice, Anya got the messege.

Dawn opened up Xander's gift. It was a set of ice skates. They were fancy and had red roses along the outside. "I love them thank you so much Xander." She smiled giving him a hug.

"Here." Buffy said handing her a big box.

"Ooh, it's big." Dawn smiled unwrapping a black leather jacket that went to the bottom of her butt. "Oh my God I love it Buffy thank you so much." She jumped up and hugged her sister.

"I hoped you would like it." Buffy said smiling.

"I love it." Dawn said admiring her jacket.

"Okay D my gift now." Faith send handing her a knife. It had ancient writings along the handle and a gorgous blue hugh to the blade.

"I love it! It's incredible." Dawn said hugging Faith. "Thank you so much."

Dawn opened the rest of her presents from Willow it was a book of spells from Tara an expensive red dress. Angel got her three hundred dollars in cash, a little exesive but he wanted to make a big impression. The rest of her friends from school have her money and a few clothes.

"Thanks so much everyone I love the gifts." Dawn thanked them all and went upstairs gifts in her hands.

Dawn grabbed the Langere and threw them on covering herself in only her new leather jacket. This outa be enough to make it up to him. Dawn smiled at herself. Knowing Spike brought out the worst in her liking it more then she let on.

Dawn climbed out the window as she had many times before to hang out with Janice or before Spike had left when she would go down to spend time in his crypt. She jumped onto the ground shrieking as she fell. She stood up and brushed the dirt off of her coat. Dawn recovered walking down the street to Spike's crypt. She clutched the coat around her shivering from the cold. She anticipated Spike's reaction to what she was wearing, or not wearing. She hoped that he wouldn't react badly thinking she was being too forward, she wondered why she was still so self conscious around him, she knew he loved her. She listened to the sound of her heals clicking on the pavement. Finally she arrived to her destination. She was nervous thoughts clouding her mind, reservations about her...outfit. She opened the door and as she saw him siting on the couch watching the television then suddenly looking to her, all of the thoughts faded away.

"Nibblet!" He shouted in excitment.

"Spike." She said pleased shuting the door behind her.

Spike looked at her confused. "Nice jacket." He said wondering why it seemed she had something very short underneath it her now bare legs covered by jeans earlier that day.

"Thanks, Buffy got it for me." She smiled.

"Oh." He said standing up by the couch Dawn still by the door. "What else did you get?" He asked uninterested.

"Willow got me a spell book. Tara got a dress. Angel gave me three hundred dollars." Spike growled at the thought of Angel trying to impress her. "And Anya got me this." Dawn said slipping the leather coat off of her shoulders and dropping it onto the floor.

Spike's face dropped in shock. Then the shock quickly faded into an evil smile. "I'll have to thank Anya for that later."

"What can I say the girl has taste." Dawn said jokingly.

"Thank God for that." Spike said walking over to Dawn.

"Told you I would make it up to you." Dawn pressed her lips together pleased at Spike's reaction.

"You deffinetly follow through with your promises." Spike licked his lips ready to unrapp his gift.

"Yeah." Dawn smiled.

Spike put his hands on her hips pulling her into him. Spike leaned in a placed a fiery kiss on Dawn's lips. She wrapped her arms around his neck. Spike grabbed a hold of her legs pulling them around him. They tumbled onto the bed sinking into each other, forgetting completely where they were their passion heating the room around them. The longing for one another consuming them completely.

So I hope you like this chapter. I have been working hard to get it up quickly. The next one will come faster if I get more reviews. Honestly I will get it up very quickly if I get more reviews I haven't been getting that many and it is truly sad. :(. So please review if you want more and the next chap will be up sooner rather then later. Thanks so much. Luv -Kirsten