familytiesch5

Turning to Xander, Anya asked lightly, Did she just say

Nobody answered as Spike moved to position his legs around Buffy so that he was sitting on the step above the two girls, his legs splayed out around them, with both girls pulled tightly into his embrace. His chin resting on Buffy's shoulder, she snaked one hand up around his neck and squeezed affectionately.

Spike looked over at the Scoobies as if he expected them to protest his proximity to the girls; when no one said anything, he closed his eyes and began purring again. Buffy sighed as if she had suddenly become complete.

Anya swung around to face Giles and demanded, Did she just say

Giles nodded, his gaze never leaving the threesome on the landing. Dawn had still not regained consciousness, and Buffy had her eyes closed. At Buffy's declaration, though, Spike's eyes flew open and he regarded Buffy and Dawn intently. A myriad of emotions played over his dazed countenance, which finally settled into an expression of loving gratitude as he rested his head back on Buffy's shoulder once again.

Willow bit her lip. As she stared at the trio on the stairs, she wondered what had happened between the time they had left Buffy and Spike alone up until the time Buffy came down to greet Dawn. Although she didn't have Spike's permission, she gently probed his mind and soon picked up images of Spike trying to talk to Buffy, ask her what happened, where she'd been.

Pet, what... he tried again, confusion and concern over her behavior battling his instinctive delight at her attention. Buffy cut him off by pulling him into an embrace, which he automatically returned. She slowly and deliberately licked the bite marks she'd left, and Spike growled with pleasure. She pulled back and tenderly stroked Spike's face. She cocked her head, as if searching for a word. Suddenly, she smiled and proudly exclaimed, Spike's entire face lit up as she named him. He picked her up and spun her in his embrace, laughing happily. Buffy giggled and wrapped her legs around his waist so that he was holding her, then kissed his neck again. Spike pulled back and caught her lips in a passionate kiss, which she returned eagerly. Suddenly, Buffy pulled away as if she'd heard something, struggling out of Spike's grasp. Spike asked, afraid he'd done something wrong. Buffy turned back and gave him that brilliant, unclouded smile again. She rushed out the door, with Spike close at her heels, as he belatedly realized that Dawn had come home.

Willow pulled away from Spike's mind completely and turned back to her friends, who had divided their attention between the Witch and the family' on the stairs once they'd realized that Willow was again probing somebody's mind, most likely Spike's.

I was trying to see what happened upstairs after we left. She shrugged in embarrassment, realizing that she really hadn't gained any new information but had glimpsed a private moment between Buffy and Spike.

Xander read his best friends' face, looked over at Spike and Buffy, and frowned. He suspected that Willow had seen something he didn't even want to think about.

Listen, missy, you stay OUT of our minds. There's no telling what you might see. He mock scolded her, then glanced at Anya. If you think what she says out loud is bad... He let the thought trail off purposely and Willow, Tara and Giles shuddered almost simultaneously.

I promise, no wandering around in anyone's head without permission. She conceded, holding up some fingers in what was probably supposed to be Girl Scout's Honor' but ended up looking like a Vulcan greeting.

Ok, well, Klaatu Verata Nictu or whatever to you, too. Xander held up some fingers and wiggled them half-heartedly before turning his attention back to the stairs.

Ok, is anybody getting a case of the serious wiggins here? I mean, they haven't even moved in like forever.

Xander lifted his arm in answer to his own question, and four arms shot up in kind.

Willow giggled nervously. Got them, had them, will have them for a long while. However, she couldn't help but be touched by the way Buffy cradled Dawn's long limbs in her own, cooing into the dark hair as she smoothed it down, or the way Spike embraced them both, nuzzling Buffy and occasionally picking a few strands of Dawn's hair away from her face.

Suddenly, they heard a moan. Dawn's eyes fluttered open, and she stared into the eyes of her older sister--her older sister that, to her knowledge, was supposed to be dead. She shifted her frightened gaze to Spike, whose head was almost directly next to Buffy's since he was leaning over her shoulder. He looked down at her with joy and happiness written plainly on his face, and after reading his expression, Dawn accepted that Buffy was alive and holding her. She threw her arms around her sister and began to sob. Buffy? It's you, isn't it! It's really you! Buffy simply held her as she cried, crooning comforting sounds as she rocked back and forth. Spike soothed, Now, now, pet. Shhhhh....it's alright, Nibblet. Shhh...

After a few moments, Dawn was able to calm herself enough to pull back and study her sister, then turned to the vampire holding them tenderly. Spike, something's wrong...different. Why isn't she talking? Spike shook his head, his confusion surfacing as his own more primal aspects were still closer to the surface than rational thought. Dawn turned to Giles.

What's wrong with Buffy? How did she come back?

Giles leaned forward and sighed. That, Dawn, is a very good question. The Watcher looked to Willow for help; Spike was obviously not forthcoming at the moment and the Witch was the only other person who had seen' Buffy's return.

Willow met Dawn's questioning gaze and shrugged helplessly. Swirly vortex thingy.

Dawn seemed satisfied for the moment and snuggled into her sister's embrace.

Buffy herself had ignored the entire conversation, and although Spike had been listening he was still overwhelmed by Buffy's possessive show of affection. They were completely wrapped up in their newly formed family unit, and none of the Scoobies had the heart to disturb them.