Chapter Thirteen - My Sister Will Be Suspicious

Buffy woke up surrounded by the smells of cigarette smoke, leather, and whiskey, plus an earthy sort of scent. They were all smells that she associated with…

"Spike." Buffy jerked upright, the memories of the night before hitting her like a bowling ball. Nausea struck quickly and Buffy had to clamp her hands over her mouth to make sure she wouldn't vomit.

"Buffy?" Spike poked his head in the bedroom. He looked a little worried. "Look, pet, I swear, nothing happened last night and-"

"I remember what happened last night, Spike," Buffy interrupted. She wasn't being strictly truthful - she didn't remember everything - but she remembered most of what had happened, and it was enough. Spike looked derailed.

"Oh. Alright." He held out a bottle. "Painkillers?"

Buffy took two aspirin, fought to keep from vomiting all over the place, and made her way out of Spike's crypt. "You sure you're okay?" Spike asked, looking a bit concerned. Buffy nodded.

"I'm fine," she replied. "No one can know of this."

"Of course not," Spike replied, nodding. "Um, see you later, Slayer."

Buffy stepped out of the crypt into the sunlight. She couldn't quite believe that she had really woken cuddling with Spike's duster. And, if her memories of the night before were correct, she had gone to sleep cuddling with Spike himself.

"God, what the hell is wrong with me?" Buffy muttered. "I break up with Riley and go running into Spike's arms? I will never drink again." The lingering nausea made it all the easier to make that promise.

Buffy slipped into her house quietly. She didn't expect anyone to be awake; it was still early. No one would be awake.

"Well look who finally got home?" a voice behind Buffy asked. Buffy jumped.

"Dawn?" she demanded. Dawn was smirking behind her. "What are you doing up?"

"It's a Wednesday, stupid. I've got school," Dawn replied. "Just because you've been out all week doesn't mean I am. Today's the last day before break."

"Damn," Buffy swore. She had forgotten that Dawn had school. "Dawnie, please don't tell Mom I've been out all night."

"Where have you been?" Dawn demanded. "Giles came over last night. He was worried about you. He said you and Riley broke up. And then you never came home. So where were you?"

"Dawn-"

"You smell like whiskey," Dawn said, wrinkling her noise. "And cigarettes." Suddenly, Dawn's eyes went wide. "Did you spend the night with Spike?"

"What? No!" Buffy replied quickly. Dawn's jaw dropped.

"You did! You totally did! Oh my God that is so awesome!"

"What?" Buffy asked, completely lost. Dawn squealed.

"Does this mean that you two are dating?" she demanded. Buffy made a face.

"No! Dawn, Spike and I are definitely not dating."

"Oh." Dawn looked disappointed. Buffy raised an eyebrow.

"Dawn, in what universe is that disappointing?"

"This one," Dawn retorted. "Spike is super cool! Mom likes him. And he's a lot more interesting than Riley."

"I can't believe I'm hearing this," Buffy groaned. "Are you seriously saying that a soulless murderer would be a better boyfriend for me than Riley?"

"Spike isn't that bad! He helps us! He patrols with you and chats with Mom and always helps me with my homework if I need it."

"Spike helps you with your homework?" That was the first Buffy had heard of that. Dawn shrugged.

"He's lived through a lot of history. And he's good at English. Though you wouldn't know it from how he talks."

"Are you sure spending time with Spike is a good idea?"

"I always have a water bottle of holy water with me, just in case," Dawn replied dismissively. "But I've never had to use it. Spike wouldn't hurt me."

"Has everyone gone crazy?" Buffy demanded of no one. "Spike is your study buddy and he drinks cocoa with Mom!"

"Hey, smells like you were drinking more than cocoa with him," Dawn retorted. Buffy sighed.

"Don't tell Mom," she told Dawn firmly. Dawn rolled her eyes.

"What do I get out of it?"

"I'll let you keep studying with Spike," Buffy replied. Dawn looked supremely unconcerned.

"You can't stop me."

"I can stop Spike," Buffy threatened. "If I told him I would stake him if he went anywhere near you, how long do you think it would take for him to stop helping you with your homework?"

Dawn made a face. "That's not fair," she protested. Buffy shrugged.

"I'm the older sister. I get to make the rules. Now go. Your bus will be here in like two minutes." Dawn stuck her tongue out at Buffy as she walked over to the door.

"Hey, Buffy?" she asked as Buffy began to climb up the stairs.

"What, Dawnie?" Buffy asked. Dawn shrugged.

"Spike is a pretty cool guy. Just give him a chance. Please?"

Buffy rolled her eyes. "Get to school, Dawn." Dawn stepped out, closing the door quietly behind her. Buffy quickly checked on her mom, who was sleeping soundly. Buffy hoped she hadn't been too worried the night before. As far as Joyce had to know, Buffy had gotten home late from patrolling. To make sure the story would be believable, Buffy pulled off her clothes - she had been wearing them the day before, so they made it pretty clear that Buffy hadn't been home - and hopped in the shower.

Dawn's arguments refused to leave Buffy's head, but in turn, she refused to agree with them. Even if everyone else in Buffy's family had apparently gone insane, Buffy knew that Spike was dangerous.

Even if he hadn't done anything to hurt her when she was drunk the night before. Even if he had given up his bed for her and allowed her to stay so she wouldn't get hurt walking home. Even if he had been as comforting as any of her other friends would have been.

Buffy suddenly groaned and leaned her head against the wall of the shower. A memory of the night before had just resurfaced.

She had asked Spike to be her partner in the caroling contest.

That would be fun.