New Beginnings

New Beginnings

Part 13

Dawn opened Buffy's door, expecting to see her picking up shards of glass and porcelain. Instead, she found an empty room. Mr. Gordo lay on the sink in quiet survey of the miracle that had taken place in here just days ago. Dawn retreated, closing the door quietly. From downstairs, she could hear cupboard doors opening and closing in the kitchen.

"Buffy?" There was no answer, save some shuffling noises coming from Mom's old room.

"What-cha doin'?"

"Fixing it up for Spike." Buffy was standing on a chair, hanging heavy blankets over the window.

"Yeah, about that. I like Spike as much as the next guy. Okay, make that more than the next guy. But why is he staying with us?" Buffy let out another sigh, and sat on the bed, motioning for Dawn to join her. The younger sister sat carefully, in awe of the older one's drastic change in attitude toward the vampire.

"Spike and I have a lot in common. I'm not gonna go into it all with you. Ley's just say he needs us and we need him, okay?"

"Cool. Does this mean you won't be freaking anymore when I hang out with him?" Her face looked hopeful.

"Yes, but he is still to allowed to share stories about abused children in coal bins." The elder gave the younger a parental stare, earning a giggle from Dawn. "Do you think Mom would approve?"

Buffy looked a bit sad, but pushed the feeling away, forcing herself to answer her sister's question. "Of Spike staying here or him using her room?"

"Both. Either."

"I think she liked Spike. I know for a fact that she liked him more than she did Angel."

Dawn just smirked. "I can't imagine why…"

"While we're on the subject…"

"Oh, please don't start with the Angel thing again. I just didn't like him, okay?"

"Why? Because he wasn't scary and naughty and didn't tell you bedtime/horror stories?"

"No, because he wasn't good for you."

"Oh, yeah. And you think Spike is?"

"I can't put my finger on it. With Angel, you cried all the time, You moped, and brooded and became Depressed Buffy. Whenever you're with Spike, it's like he brings another part of you out to play. You seem more alive with him." She threw herself back onto the bed, legs still dangling. "He makes you Fun Buffy. Well, when he's not pissing you off."

"Hey, now. Language."

"Oh, please. I think we're long past protecting my virgin ears."

"Maybe. But I can still try, can't I?"

"No. Give it up."

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

Spike had given up on finding something decent to eat downstairs, and now stood in the doorway to Joyce's bedroom. The two Summers' girls were ribbing each other and giggling up a storm. Perhaps Buffy was right. If this is what it meant to live with a family, then he was sure to never choose an empty crypt again.

"Is this alright with li'l sis? Me stayin' and all?"

"I think I can handle it. Just don't hog the bathroom, and don't leave the toilet seat up." At that, the girls' laughter started anew. Spike felt the urge to remind her that he didn't have any use for her bathroom, but quickly caught on to the joke.

"Oh, and another thing," Dawn ground out through the hilarity. "Try to keep the volume of your sexual escapades to a respectable level on Saturday mornings!" Dawn caught up in the hysteria, lost all sense of tact and continued to laugh it up. Buffy's giggles stopped instantly and were replaced with a look of terror. Spike overcame his initial embarrassment and addressed the offending teenager.

"Um, Dawn. I'm staying here because your sis asked me to. Not to shag her, okay?" Buffy buried her head in her hands, very close to bolting from the room. "She's just barely able to accept me as a friend. There will be no 'sexual escapades' any time soon." At that, Buffy did dash from the room.

"Oh, buggar. And where did you learn such offensive morals in the first place, little one?"

"Don't give me that innocent act. I know what you built that robot for. And it wasn't for a Checkers partner."

She had him there. What had he built a Buffy robot for, anyhow? It certainly wasn't for the stimulating conversation. The bot had proven to be a bit airy between the ears.

"I won't pretend it had nothing to do with sex. But that wasn't the initial purpose. I needed Buffy, Nibblet. I needed her more than I had ever needed a person before. I told her how I felt and she deinvited me from her life. I couldn't stand the loneliness any more. And that's what this is about. Buffy doesn't want to be alone anymore either."

"Yeah, I get that."

"And for God's sake. Don't say anything so bloody stupid again, or she'll change her mind. Okay?"

"Sorry, Spike." Dawn dipped her head, then rolled her eyes up toward him - puppy dog fashion. Spike reached out and pet the top of her brown head, then shoved it back gently in a playful manner.

To Be Continued