How You See Me
Chapter 5

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Author's Note:
I know this is kind of drawn out, but I'm buying time because I really have no idea where I'm going with this story. Please stick with me though, feedback is always appreciated.

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Spike swallowed and let the last drops of the liquor burn it's way down his throat. He contemplated the empty bottle for a moment and then hurtled it at the wall in frustration. It shattered with a crash and the tiny fragments joined those of bottles previous on the cold floor of the crypt.

He didn't think he could stand it any longer. He hadn't been able to sleep since Dawn's visit, all the possible things that could have happened to Buffy ran through his mind, giving him no peace. He was sure something had happened to her. Unlike the Scoobies, Spike had long ago come to terms with the fact that life wasn't fair, and he knew that trouble followed Buffy like darkness followed light. He also knew that no matter what, Buffy wouldn't put her friends under any undue stress if she could help it. She was most unselfish person he had ever met, always putting others before herself and even under these circumstances he could imagine her thinking 'Yeah, so what if I died? Can't have Dawnie staying up and worrying about me all night just so I can have some alone time..'.

But even so, he had vowed that he wasn't going to go searching for her like some pathetic puppy dog. He was determined to mind his own business and wait this thing out. Whatever it was. She could hold her own, hell, he'd never been able to kill her.

At least that's what he'd vowed 7 hours earlier, but as daylight had rolled slowly by, seeming to take more time than ever before, he'd lost his resolve and now he was impatiently waiting the last 20 or so minutes before sundown. He was itching to be out there. To try and track her down, to pump his sources for information, to check the local baddie hangouts..Even if he ended up being of no help, at least he would be doing something. Just to do anything would relieve the tension that was building up in him from sitting around all day.

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"She's not back yet?" Dawn asked needlessly. She already knew the answer from the sullen faces sitting around the table at the Magic Box.

"I-I'm sure she'll be back soon Dawnie." Tara soothed.

"Yeah..yeah, of course she will." Dawn smiled weakly.

"So, how was school Dawn?" Xander asked cheerily, trying to lighten the mood.

"Oh, boring..boringer and boringest. Y'know, the usual."

"How about first period, that was history right? What'd you learn?" Willow asked, narrowing her eyes at Dawn.

"Um, well, I learnt that..uh, the war of 1812 was in 1812! Who knew?"

"Dawn! You skipped AGAIN, the school called, what's going on?"

"It's not what you think..I know I promised not to cut any more classes but this was important.."

"Apocalypse?" Anya asked eagerly.

"Well, no."

"Well then it couldn't have been that important."

"I went to see Spike about Buffy."

Willow sighed.

"Dawn, think about it, Spike..vampire..anti-sunlight, he isn't going anywhere till sunset, you could have seen him after school." Xander stated.

"Well I saw him after school yesterday and I got in trouble!" Dawn pointed out.

"Maybe you should get the point that hanging out at Spike's is not cool."

"Xander.", Willow interjected, "Dawn, I know you're worried about Buffy. And we all understand, but skipping school is not right and please let us know when you're going to see Spike ok?"

Dawn nodded, "No more skipping, got it."

"Did Spike know anything?"

"No, he saw her last night but only for a bit, then she went off..."

"I guess we better start looking into it..." Willow said. She sent a worried look, over Dawn's head, to Xander.

He nodded. "Yeah. Dawn, how about I take you home so you can get started on your homework alright?"

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Sundown. Finally. Spike stepped out of his lair and felt the frustration seep from his body. Just being able to leave the crypt eased his tension. It had been closing in on him all day, but now he was able to prowl the streets, go anywhere, do anything.

He decided his first destination would be Willie's and was on his way there when five vampires stepped out of the bushes in front of him.

Spike rolled his eyes.

"Hurry up then, I have places to be."

"You're not going anywhere tonight Spike."

Spike chuckled. "You don't know how much my blood is boiling for a good fight right about now, too bad you're just a bloody sore in my side instead of an actual challenge."

"You may find yourself eating your words. We're more of a challenge than you think."

"Bullocks! You and what army?"

"This army.."

Spike's ears picked up a rustle behind him and when he turned to see what it was he froze in shock. Twenty or so more vampires had stepped out of the darkness, completely surrounding him.

"Bloody hell.."

TBC...