This episode is called Happy Birthday Buffy! Enjoy!


Chapter 1: Self-defense


Dawn stood in the training room practicing the kicks Buffy had shown her. She was excited to be finally learning to defend herself. She had always dreamed of being a slayer and knew that would never happen and was actually willing to accept that but being able to train with Spike and Buffy rocked.

After Halloween, Buffy had agreed she needed to learn some way to defend herself against the world of the evils. Dawn diligently continued practicing because Spike said using the same muscles for the same action over and over again teaches rote memory so when faced with a situation, your memory would take over handling the techniques automatically. Dawn had shrugged and agreed because she just wanted to learn all she could.

Spike and Buffy stood in the corner of the room trading blows and practicing their skills as well. Spike was teaching her a perfectly balanced round kick that allowed her to use both feet to place the kicks and still jump over her victim to land on her feet. So far she had managed to be caught by Spike many times because she never managed to land appropriately. She was getting frustrated but knew she could do it.

Spike repeated the action on the dummy to show her again how to do it and Buffy repeated the action getting closer before falling and having to get back up. She sighed and looked over at Dawn who was perfectly landing each kick. She grinned eager for a break, "Ready for some punches? I'll show you how to wrap up your wrists."

Dawn grinned and eagerly watched as Buffy wrapped up one of her wrists and she did the other. She was like a sponge totally sucking up every bit of information. Buffy then showed her how to punch the punching bag appropriately and Dawn repeated the process. Buffy went back over to Spike determined to get this move down pat. She asked, "Show me again."

He grinned giving her a big kiss and she moaned into the kiss as Dawn shrieked, "EWWWW. Not in front of the 15 year old guys!"

Spike chuckled and broke away to climb up the dummy twisting so he got two kicks on the head before twisting to land on his feet facing the dummy to land a kick into the back knocking him onto his front. Buffy took a deep breath as Spike fixed the dummy one more time and Buffy let out the deep breath as she climbed up the dummy to land two kicks on his head as she twisted around perfectly to land on her feet to swing a kick out to kick him onto his front.

Buffy cheered and Spike grabbed her by the waist and they kissed until Dawn yelled again, "Come on guys give it a break! I'm still a kid here!"

Buffy laughed and broke away to look at Dawn, "You think you are so cute throwing that I'm just a kid around while yelling at me yesterday about how I treat you as a kid."

She was slowly inching her way up to Dawn and suddenly tickled her bringing her to the ground as Dawn rolled around on it and Spike jumped to where Buffy was and started tickling her. Dawn and Buffy were giggling and Spike roaring out laughter while trying to tickle each other so much they didn't notice Anya come into the room yelling, "You guys are loud and scaring away my customers!"

All three guilty people stood up trying not to look Anya in the face as Dawn and Buffy turned red and Spike just smirked. Anya shook her head, "Think you three can control yourselves now?"

Buffy nodded still being red as Dawn nodded as well. Spike just continued to smirk and Anya rolled her eyes and closed the door behind her. Dawn threw a kick at Buffy and punched her while Buffy managed to block both, "That's great Dawnie!"

Spike beamed a smile at her, "You're awesome. You will be able to kick any guy's butts who get out of line in no time."

Dawn beamed a happy smile proud to be finally able to start to defend herself.


Buffy sat on the couch along with Dawn and Spike. Her head rested on Spike's arm that was wrapped around her shoulders.

Anya and Xander sat together on the rug snuggled in close with Anya's back resting against Xander's chest.

Tara sat in a chair curled up in a blanket. Spike and Buffy were just about to go out to patrol as soon as The Transporter was done. The movie was jammed pack with action making it impossible for Spike and Buffy to leave before it was officially done.

Finally the credits filled the screen and Dawn got up to turn off the movie and turn on the lights. She turned around to face the group just as Buffy spoke up, "I don't want to celebrate my birthday this year. It's been a mess so far this year. With Willow now in England, us being the victim to tons of spells, Dawn almost being taken away, me coming back to life, and with you guys already planning Anya and Xander's wedding, it just doesn't feel right."

Dawn frowned and Spike frowned even more, "But luv you always celebrate your birthday."

Buffy rolled her eyes standing up in her Yum Yum pajama bottoms that didn't match her black silk shirt, "That's the point. I've always celebrated my birthday. Let's see what has happened so far shall we? We couldn't talk and the whole world was silent on my birthday. Angel lost his soul which caused him to kill Jenny, almost bringing Hell on Earth not to mention the death of Willow's fish and his own death. I lost my super powers because Giles betrayed me. Oh shall we talk about another?"

Xander held up his hand, "I think we got it. Because bad things always happen you don't want any birthday celebrations."

Buffy nodded, "Exactly. Now with that being said we are going out patrolling."

Tara frowned, "Shouldn't you get dressed in something other than that?"

Buffy glanced down and sighed. Spike took her hand dragging her up the stairs, "Nibblet get into bed and we will tuck you in."

Tara looked at the others and Xander grinned, "Surprise party! Buffy can't not celebrate her birthday. I say we do our best to make it a power free day and instead make it a normal old surprise party. How does that sound?"

The gang got excited until Spike yelled, "Bitesize get in bed before I get hungry."

Dawn laughed as she called back to the group in a whisper, "We can talk about it tomorrow. Night guys."

The gang all yelled night and she quickly got into bed just in time to be tucked in. Spike came down the stairs first and started collecting their nightly items for patrol. Stakes, holy water and Buffy's trusty cross bow and arrows were packed. Spike collected his stake gun just as Xander walked up behind him stating, "We have decided to have a surprise party. Don't tell Buffy."

Spike nodded, "Right. Now get out of here before something slips."

Xander smiled and left with Anya. Spike finished packing up the stuff and turned just as Buffy came down the stairs dressed in all black. "Sexy!"

Buffy laughed as she slapped him gently on the arm as he whistled at her appreciatively, "I'm just wearing black. Nothing special."

Spike wagged his eyebrow at her, "But you wear it so well you sexy thang you."

Buffy laughed as Spike caught her by the arm to pull her against him. As he slammed his lips against hers he swung her around in a circle. She wrapped her legs around his waist to hold on and suddenly he broke the kiss, "We best be off before neither of us are in the mood anymore."

Buffy protested, "Too late."

Spike grinned pulling her out the door carrying the bag for her, "Which cemetery first luv? Your bloody choice tonight."

Buffy shrugged and Spike said, "Pick a number."

Buffy said, "6."

Spike grinned, "Ok that's your choice let's go."

Buffy protested, "But where is that?"

Spike just kept running making Buffy run to keep up with him, "Come on and find out."