familyties ch 7 to post

As Dawn woke the next morning, she had Buffy's arms firmly wrapped around her as an immediate reminder that the last night's events had not been a dream. She gingerly extricated herself from her sleeping sister's arms and turned to regard her thoughtfully. After a moment, she realized that Spike was still with them, also asleep, spooning his lean body against Buffy's back.

When neither stirred as she slipped from the bed, she left the room and went downstairs for breakfast. Giles was already sitting at the table sipping his tea and skimming one of the texts he kept in the house.

Ah, good morning, Dawn.

She rifled through the cabinet until she found her box of Captain Crunch, took a bowl and spoon from the drainer and the milk from the fridge, then sat down across from Giles at the table.

After a few moments, Dawn swallowed her mouthful of cereal and pinned the Watcher with her piercing gaze.

So. How exactly did Buffy get not dead?

Giles put his teacup down and wiped his mouth in a nervous gesture.

We don't know yet, Dawn. There are so many questions, and as of yet, no answers.

Dawn nodded as if she'd suspected as much.

Ok, well, what's the deal with Spike? I mean, I know she didn't still hate him before she died, but... She shook her head, not knowing what else to say.

Giles cleared his throat and leaned forward on his elbows, fingers laced together and resting against his chin.

Well, er, it seems that the state of mind Buffy is in... He paused, then tried again. Buffy is reacting on a primal level, and she, for some reason, sees Spike as, well, as her m-mate.

Dawn studied him for a moment. Are you joking?







Are you on drugs?

he replied testily, looking as though he wished he were on something.

Dawn shrugged.

She finished her cereal and rinsed the bowl out.

Giles stared at the girl as if she'd grown another head.

Okay? Dawn, are you quite certain you are okay' with this?

She turned to face him, lip trembling, but resolve face firmly in place.

Giles. My sister is back from the dead. You can't blame her for being a little wiggy, right? We don't even know what she went through to make her like that...or maybe it's just like she has to relearn how to be the way she was, like she was just born. She shrugged, then continued.

Either way, she's back and if she's a little overly possessive, I'm not complaining. As far as Spike goes, well, I already knew he was part of my family, what was left of it. This just makes it official.

Giles regarded the girl intently for a few seconds before she impulsively leaned over and hugged his shoulders, then left the room, bouncing up the stairs.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

As Dawn made her way to the bathroom, she paused at the doorway of Joyce's old room. Spike was awake now, still laying behind Buffy and gazing down adoringly at the sleeping woman. His fingers traced patterns down her arm and he leaned over to place a tender kiss on her cheek.

Sensing Dawn, he looked up and smiled. Dawn returned his smile and came over to sit down on the edge of the bed. Staring at her sister, she said quietly, I think we have stuff we need to talk about.

Spike nodded and carefully got up off the bed, grabbing his boots from the floor before straightening up and giving her a quick peck on the cheek.

Listen, Niblet, all in good time and whatnot. I've got to eat. I'm going down to the pit to grab a baggie.

He paused at the doorway, wondering if Buffy should be left alone.

I'll sit with her, bring her down if she wakes up. I don't think she's gonna hurt me, she added, as if to allay the doubts he'd had about leaving her alone with Buffy.

Spike reached over and affectionately tugged a hank of her hair, and Dawn caught his hand, giving it a squeeze.

She said we were a family, didn't she, Spike? She said,

He nodded cautiously.

Do you think she meant it? I mean, for when she's better, back to herself? If she ever does get better? Dawn seemed to be begging for comfort, but Spike couldn't bring himself to lie.

I really don't know, bit. All I know is, she wants us to be a family now, and I intend to give her what she wants.

He rubbed his fingertips over her bite wound, almost completely healed now, and smiled ruefully.

Dawn had turned to sit on the bed next to Buffy's sleeping form and missed the gesture, never noticing the marks. With one last glance at the two sisters, Spike left the room.

Boots in hand, he thumped down the stairs in stocking feet, throwing out his now-customary morning Rupert' to Giles as he passed him on the way to the basement door. He descended into the basement--now somewhat affectionately referred to as the pit' since Spike had moved in and made it his own, complete with black paint covering windows and walls and a crookedly tacked-up Sex Pistols poster Dawn had found at the mall--to retrieve a bag of blood from the mini-fridge he kept next to his bed.

Spike threw on a fresh pair of faded blue jeans and a gray t-shirt and changed his socks, then went back upstairs. He padded into the kitchen and threw the blood bag into the microwave and hit the blood' button. As a joke, Dawn had taken a tiny sticker and written blood' on it with red ink and stuck it over the beverage button, which, by trial and error, Spike had discovered heated one bag perfectly. Pulling out his favorite mug, Giles' old Kiss A Librarian mug, he retrieved the heated blood and poured it, then sat at the table.

Giles came in from the living room and sat across from him.

Spike. We need to discuss...this.

The vampire nodded, sipping his breakfast.

I know, mate. He met the Watcher's gaze steadily, then leaned forward and said earnestly, Rupert, you know I'd never hurt her, right?

Giles met his gaze with clear eyes. Yes, Spike. I know that. I became convinced of your...devotion, before she died, even if I didn't want to admit it. I know that you'd sacrifice yourself for Buffy and Dawn, and that you'd never hurt one of them intentionally.

Spike swallowed, moved by the forthright admission. Although he and Giles had struck up a strange sort of Odd Couple' friendship for Dawn's sake, they hadn't really talked about Buffy or her death since the funeral. It was simply too painful for either one of them.

Spike picked at one polish-free nail as he said quietly, You know, I'd protect the you and the Scoobies, too. Not only Buffy and Dawn.

Giles nodded briefly and with a small smile got up to make a new pot of tea. For the next few moments, both men silently pondered the miraculous--and admittedly unsettling--events of the previous night.

Soon, though, the household peace was shattered as Dawn made her way noisily down the stairs, announcing cheerily,

Buffy's awake!