Thanks a MILLION and a half for all the amazing feedback. You all are so sweet and you ROCK! Thanks again, and here's the third part.

~*~

Dawn walked down the hallway, pulling her hair back as she went. She paused outside Willow'a room and wondered when she'd moved from the living room to bed. And more importantly, how had Dawn gotten to her room? She had no recollection of moving from the couch. She sighed and moved on, knocking softly when she reached Buffy's door. After a few moments, she opened the door quietly.

"Buf--" She gaped, "Good Lord." She whispered. Her sister was all wrapped up in blankets with Spike. Dawn smiled and leaned against the doorway, careful not to make any noise. The scene was cute, but there was sunlight streaming through the open blinds, and it was dangerously close to Spike's head. Dawn tip-toed over, slid the blinds down, and hurried downstairs.

~*~

When Spike came downstairs, he was fully dressed, and Dawn was sitting at the kitchen table with a glass of orange juice.

"Morning." She said, and he nodded a greeting. Dawn smirked, not about to let this go, "Sleep well?"

He raised his eyebrows, "Yeah. You?"

"Oh I slept GREAT." Dawn said enthusiastically. "But I bet you and Buffy slept better. MUCH better."

"Nibblet..." He warned, going to the fridge.

"So. You and my sister, huh?"

"Don't start."

"Start what?" Buffy asked, coming into the kitchen, changed into a pair of jeans and a blue halter top.

"Nothing." Dawn said abruptly. She glared at Buffy beforepicking up her bag, "I have school. I'll be at Janice's till 6. I'm helping her with Spanish homework."

"No crazy stuff." Buffy warned, "And no vampires."

Dawn gave her a venemous look and slammed the door behind her.

"Lil sis is pissed at you." Spike commented, "Why?"

"I didn't stop the car accident from happening. She's angry."

"It wasn't your bloody fault." Spike said firmly, handing her a hot cup of coffee, "And Red's getting better. So the lil bit will just have to get over it."

"She will, eventually." Buffy said, though she didn't sound convinced. Spike sighed and wrapped an arm tightly around her waist and tugging her so she stood against him.

"What do I have to do to make you smile?" He murmured, burying his face in her hair.

Buffy laughed a sarcastic little laugh, "Hmm...change the world?"

"You got it." He said, then bent his head and kissed her softly. Buffy sighed and leaned into him, taking comfort in his cool embrace. When they pulled aprt she smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes.

"I should go." She said, "I have a meeting with a social services guy. Interview."

"Want me to come?"

"No. I don't think you entering in a ball of smoke would go over well. Just stay here. Hang out. I'll be back."

"And if Red asks why I'm here?"

"You've found anest of vamps for me to kill."

"In the middle of the day?"

Buffy rolled her eyes, "Make something up. You're good at that."

She grabbed her keys and kissed him quickly before leaving.

"Love you." He muttered to the door, then turned away to find something to do.