Buffy walked out of her room finally, it had been hours since the incident
with Dawn. She could tell that Dawn had also remained put, since her door
didn't open or close.
Buffy walked downstairs to see her friends sitting on her couch in the living room, drinking coffee and talking quietly. Anya had come since Buffy was last downstairs, and was explaining something about her day at the shop. They all looked up when they saw Buffy enter the room.
"You guys camping out or something?" Buffy asked sarcastically.
Xander smiled and stood up. "We just wanted to make sure everything was okay. You know, make sure Dawn doesn't do a disappearing act again."
Buffy nodded. "Oh! You mean you want to be nosy and see what happens when Spike comes over."
Xander flushed. "Yeah, pretty much."
"Mm hm. Well, at least you're being honest with me."
Xander sat back down after Buffy took a seat of her own with the Scoobies. They made general small talk until after what seemed like an eternity to Buffy, the doorbell rang.
Willow stood up and walked over to the door, obviously not realizing her friend's eagerness to see the bleached vampire.
"Spike! Hey. Come on in," Willow greeted him politely, moving aside so that he could walk by.
"Evening Red."
Buffy looked at the clock, which told her it, was 9:52. He was right on time. She stood up and walked over to Spike.
"Hey."
"Slayer," he nodded at her.
Buffy was about to speak again when her attention as well as the vampires was turned to the stairs. Dawn was walking down quietly and slowly toward them. Her eyes were red and glazed. She shot Buffy a look that made her blood run cold. One of those, "I hate you" looks that Dawn did so well. Dawn then turned from her sister and walked to Spike. She didn't speak; she just looked up at him sadly.
"Nibblet? What's wrong?" Spike asked concerned.
She shook her head and leaned into him in response. He wrapped his arm around her and looked down at the young slayer.
"Dawn, what's the matter? Were you crying."
She nodded again, not wanting to speak in fear that she may burst into tears again.
The sadness that Buffy saw she had caused her own sister made her heart ache. The guilt was almost unbearable, but she knew it would be best to just leave it alone for the time being.
"Do you wanna talk?" Spike asked.
She shook her head again, moved away from him and walked into the kitchen. Spike followed her along with Buffy.
"Dawn, what happened? If something's bothering you."
"No!" She finally spoke at him more than to him, "I don't want to talk."
Dawn stormed away and out the front door as Buffy selfishly thanked the lord that Dawn didn't tell Spike about what happened. She knew how protective he was of her little sister and feared that he might go apeshit on her if he found out. Buffy wasn't so worried about the fact that she knew he could hit her, she was more worried about structural damage to the house if she and Spike had a fight. Spike turned to Buffy, a thoughtful frown on his beautiful face. He shook his head and looked at Buffy.
"So, do you know what's wrong with her, or is it just one of those raging teenage hormone things?"
Buffy was about to answer when the phone rang. She wasn't sure whether she or Spike should answer it, but she took the phone from the receiver just in case it wasn't Angel.
"Hello?"
"Hi."
"Angel."
"Hey Buffy."
Silence. This is how most of their conversations were, stoic.
"So, how've you been?" Buffy asked.
"Okay. You?"
"Okay."
"That's good."
"I think so."
More silence.
"Do you want to talk to Spike?"
"Please," Angel told her, sounding a little more eager than he had hoped. Buffy nodded though she knew Angel could not see her silent response. She handed the phone to Spike and walked outside. Spike watched her and came out of his daze when he heard Angel shouting into the phone.
"Yes, I'm here, bloody stop with the noise you prat. You know that patience is a virtue right?"
"Spike, just stop talking for once and listen okay."
"Fine, on with it then."
"Okay, so we've been doing some research on the Delegation and it's not going to be on the Hellmouth like I thought."
"What, why not?"
"To many demons, they want to be off the radar."
"Uh-huh, so where is it then?"
"Nevada, in the desert, outside of Vegas."
"What? Well, that's bloody inconvenient seeing as how I have no transport. My car needs a new engine and I can't take to motorcycle to Nevada, seeing as how I'm going to have to drive during the day."
Angel groaned and knew he was going to regret what he was about to say. "I'll take you."
"What?" Spike asked, completely not believing what he heard.
"I said I'll take you. If you make me repeat it again, I'll kill you."
Spike laughed. "Okay mate, take it easy."
Angel sighed and continued to tell Spike everything he knew.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Buffy sat outside on the porch with her head on her knees. She was tired, and confused, and frustrated, and didn't feel like being around.people. But of course, as if on cue, Spike stepped outside and sat next to her.
"Hey Slayer."
"Why are you always around when I'm miserable?"
Spike smiled. "Because that's when your alone I reckon."
Buffy laughed. "Yeah. And I can be alone with you here."
"Thanks ever so."
"Anytime, Spike. So, did you have a nice conversation with Angel."
"As nice as it could get."
"What did he say?"
"I'm leaving tomorrow," Spike told her abruptly.
"What? Tomorrow?"
"Yeah, Angel's coming at around nine, got to get in as much driving as we can before the sun rises."
Buffy nodded understandingly, she wasn't going to argue.
"So really, what was wrong with Dawn?"
Buffy couldn't think of a lie so she settled for the truth this time. "I hit her."
Spike merely nodded understandingly. Buffy's eyes widened and she shifted where she sat so that she was facing him.
"When?" She asked knowingly.
Spike turned to Buffy. "About five years ago I s'pose. Can't tell you the exact date love, but it was when Dru and I had first come to this bleeding town."
"When Angel kidnapped her?"
"Yeah. I threw her against a wall."
Buffy remembered the large bump that Dawn had on her head, and realized that that never actually happened. She laughed.
"I always thought Angel did that."
"Nope."
"Well it doesn't matter, it never really happened anyway."
It took Spike a minute to realize what she meant, but when he did, he just choked a laugh.
"Yeah, but I still feel bloody bad about it. Every time I see her I think that she still hates me. I mean the way I treated her then, I'm like, was that really me?"
Buffy nodded, a little surprised that he was admitting to actual guilt.
"But you know that I would never do that again, right? Even I could, you know I wouldn't hurt her, right?" Spike smiled, "she brings out the best in me. Summers women tend to have that effect."
"I know Spike," she told him as she placed her hand gently on his knee. She felt it again. That warmth that she felt in her; even with the slightest touch he could make her feel warm. She had the urge to pull back her hand, but decided against it. Buffy was ecstatic when he placed his hand on hers, causing the feeling to intensify, and she wanted him then more than ever. She was tempted to just jump on top of him and have sex with him right there on the porch; she decided against it however. She looked into his beautiful blue eyes for a moment and completely lost herself in him.
Spike was looking back into Buffy's Hazel eyes completely in awe. He didn't want to move for fear that she might realize her hand was on his knee. He was so confused. Why did she have to be so fucking ambiguous? Was she trying to send him a signal or was she just feeling sorry for herself. He had decided a long time ago that he wasn't going to get in the type of relationship, if one could even call it a relationship, that he had with her before. The self-destructive type, it wasn't beneficial for either of them, except for the fact that the sex was amazing.
Spike leaned in a little, testing the waters. He didn't want to go to far, and get his head kicked in. But Buffy didn't fight, she merely cocked her head to the side as if she was expecting it. He leaned in further and placed his mouth against hers, kissing her deeply without a fight. To his surprise, she kissed him back, with passion that she had never had before. She sat up and swung her leg over so that she was on his lap. Spike was ecstatic, but he didn't want to seem to eager. He pulled back from their kiss, and looked into her eyes sadly.
"I'm sorry," he told her quietly as he shook his head, "I can't do this again."
Buffy was speechless as he moved her aside, stood up and walked around to the front of the house.
"Pillock," he muttered to himself before seeing Dawn sitting on the front stairs. She looked up at him and he could tell that she had been crying again.
"And what's this, Slayer?" He asked her kindly as he walked over and sat next to the youngest Summers.
She wiped the tears from her cheeks. "Nothing."
"Buffy told me what happened."
"Oh she did did she? I guess that makes it okay then? What a martyr, I bet SHE feels a lot better, good for her."
"That doesn't make it okay Dawn. I'm not here to defend her, I'm just here."
"Oh like you wouldn't take her side," Dawn mumbled.
"Okay. You know what, if you're just gonna bitch at me then I'll just be leaving, alright?" Spike told her threateningly, beginning to get up from where he sat. Dawn quickly grabbed his arm.
"Please don't go."
Spike smiled and sat back down. "Do you want to talk about it then?"
"I really don't. I've cried enough for an. ever. It just makes me so mad. Why would she do that?"
"You don't know? She just randomly smack you?"
"No. She was mad that I told her she doesn't like to hear the truth because she can't deal."
Spike laughed. "Well that certainly in't a fallacy."
It comforted Dawn to know that someone would be on her side. She looked at her feet, and decided to bring up a subject that she dreaded.
"When are you leaving?"
Spike sighed unnecessarily. "Tomorrow."
Dawn jumped up. "What? Tomorrow? NO! You can't, it's too soon. I-it's, that there's not enough time."
"Time for what love? Didn't realize that we had any plans."
"I-I don't know, it's just, how can you leave me so soon?"
"I'm not leaving forever, I'll be back."
"You can't know that."
"No, I can't."
"Take me with you!"
"What?"
"Take me with you, to the Delegation."
"You know I can't do that, L'il Bit. Not only will they then kill Angel and me, but they'll kill you too. I can't put you that kind of danger."
"I'm in danger all the time!"
"Dawn, I won't let you."
"What if I went undercover?"
"Dawn, they'll know you aren't a vampire."
"Then make me one!"
"What!?"
"Make me like you, then I could go!"
"What, don't be stupid."
"I'm serious!"
"No you are not! Don't be an idiot! Now shut up and no more cheek from you, or else. or else I'll do something violent."
Dawn's eyes narrowed. "I HATE YOU!" She shouted.
" Well I hate you too! Okay?" Spike shouted.
Dawn pulled back her fist and Spike knew what was coming. Like sister like sister, Dawn punched his jaw with force. She turned around and stormed back inside.
"Well," Spike thought aloud, "that went better than I thought."
Buffy walked downstairs to see her friends sitting on her couch in the living room, drinking coffee and talking quietly. Anya had come since Buffy was last downstairs, and was explaining something about her day at the shop. They all looked up when they saw Buffy enter the room.
"You guys camping out or something?" Buffy asked sarcastically.
Xander smiled and stood up. "We just wanted to make sure everything was okay. You know, make sure Dawn doesn't do a disappearing act again."
Buffy nodded. "Oh! You mean you want to be nosy and see what happens when Spike comes over."
Xander flushed. "Yeah, pretty much."
"Mm hm. Well, at least you're being honest with me."
Xander sat back down after Buffy took a seat of her own with the Scoobies. They made general small talk until after what seemed like an eternity to Buffy, the doorbell rang.
Willow stood up and walked over to the door, obviously not realizing her friend's eagerness to see the bleached vampire.
"Spike! Hey. Come on in," Willow greeted him politely, moving aside so that he could walk by.
"Evening Red."
Buffy looked at the clock, which told her it, was 9:52. He was right on time. She stood up and walked over to Spike.
"Hey."
"Slayer," he nodded at her.
Buffy was about to speak again when her attention as well as the vampires was turned to the stairs. Dawn was walking down quietly and slowly toward them. Her eyes were red and glazed. She shot Buffy a look that made her blood run cold. One of those, "I hate you" looks that Dawn did so well. Dawn then turned from her sister and walked to Spike. She didn't speak; she just looked up at him sadly.
"Nibblet? What's wrong?" Spike asked concerned.
She shook her head and leaned into him in response. He wrapped his arm around her and looked down at the young slayer.
"Dawn, what's the matter? Were you crying."
She nodded again, not wanting to speak in fear that she may burst into tears again.
The sadness that Buffy saw she had caused her own sister made her heart ache. The guilt was almost unbearable, but she knew it would be best to just leave it alone for the time being.
"Do you wanna talk?" Spike asked.
She shook her head again, moved away from him and walked into the kitchen. Spike followed her along with Buffy.
"Dawn, what happened? If something's bothering you."
"No!" She finally spoke at him more than to him, "I don't want to talk."
Dawn stormed away and out the front door as Buffy selfishly thanked the lord that Dawn didn't tell Spike about what happened. She knew how protective he was of her little sister and feared that he might go apeshit on her if he found out. Buffy wasn't so worried about the fact that she knew he could hit her, she was more worried about structural damage to the house if she and Spike had a fight. Spike turned to Buffy, a thoughtful frown on his beautiful face. He shook his head and looked at Buffy.
"So, do you know what's wrong with her, or is it just one of those raging teenage hormone things?"
Buffy was about to answer when the phone rang. She wasn't sure whether she or Spike should answer it, but she took the phone from the receiver just in case it wasn't Angel.
"Hello?"
"Hi."
"Angel."
"Hey Buffy."
Silence. This is how most of their conversations were, stoic.
"So, how've you been?" Buffy asked.
"Okay. You?"
"Okay."
"That's good."
"I think so."
More silence.
"Do you want to talk to Spike?"
"Please," Angel told her, sounding a little more eager than he had hoped. Buffy nodded though she knew Angel could not see her silent response. She handed the phone to Spike and walked outside. Spike watched her and came out of his daze when he heard Angel shouting into the phone.
"Yes, I'm here, bloody stop with the noise you prat. You know that patience is a virtue right?"
"Spike, just stop talking for once and listen okay."
"Fine, on with it then."
"Okay, so we've been doing some research on the Delegation and it's not going to be on the Hellmouth like I thought."
"What, why not?"
"To many demons, they want to be off the radar."
"Uh-huh, so where is it then?"
"Nevada, in the desert, outside of Vegas."
"What? Well, that's bloody inconvenient seeing as how I have no transport. My car needs a new engine and I can't take to motorcycle to Nevada, seeing as how I'm going to have to drive during the day."
Angel groaned and knew he was going to regret what he was about to say. "I'll take you."
"What?" Spike asked, completely not believing what he heard.
"I said I'll take you. If you make me repeat it again, I'll kill you."
Spike laughed. "Okay mate, take it easy."
Angel sighed and continued to tell Spike everything he knew.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Buffy sat outside on the porch with her head on her knees. She was tired, and confused, and frustrated, and didn't feel like being around.people. But of course, as if on cue, Spike stepped outside and sat next to her.
"Hey Slayer."
"Why are you always around when I'm miserable?"
Spike smiled. "Because that's when your alone I reckon."
Buffy laughed. "Yeah. And I can be alone with you here."
"Thanks ever so."
"Anytime, Spike. So, did you have a nice conversation with Angel."
"As nice as it could get."
"What did he say?"
"I'm leaving tomorrow," Spike told her abruptly.
"What? Tomorrow?"
"Yeah, Angel's coming at around nine, got to get in as much driving as we can before the sun rises."
Buffy nodded understandingly, she wasn't going to argue.
"So really, what was wrong with Dawn?"
Buffy couldn't think of a lie so she settled for the truth this time. "I hit her."
Spike merely nodded understandingly. Buffy's eyes widened and she shifted where she sat so that she was facing him.
"When?" She asked knowingly.
Spike turned to Buffy. "About five years ago I s'pose. Can't tell you the exact date love, but it was when Dru and I had first come to this bleeding town."
"When Angel kidnapped her?"
"Yeah. I threw her against a wall."
Buffy remembered the large bump that Dawn had on her head, and realized that that never actually happened. She laughed.
"I always thought Angel did that."
"Nope."
"Well it doesn't matter, it never really happened anyway."
It took Spike a minute to realize what she meant, but when he did, he just choked a laugh.
"Yeah, but I still feel bloody bad about it. Every time I see her I think that she still hates me. I mean the way I treated her then, I'm like, was that really me?"
Buffy nodded, a little surprised that he was admitting to actual guilt.
"But you know that I would never do that again, right? Even I could, you know I wouldn't hurt her, right?" Spike smiled, "she brings out the best in me. Summers women tend to have that effect."
"I know Spike," she told him as she placed her hand gently on his knee. She felt it again. That warmth that she felt in her; even with the slightest touch he could make her feel warm. She had the urge to pull back her hand, but decided against it. Buffy was ecstatic when he placed his hand on hers, causing the feeling to intensify, and she wanted him then more than ever. She was tempted to just jump on top of him and have sex with him right there on the porch; she decided against it however. She looked into his beautiful blue eyes for a moment and completely lost herself in him.
Spike was looking back into Buffy's Hazel eyes completely in awe. He didn't want to move for fear that she might realize her hand was on his knee. He was so confused. Why did she have to be so fucking ambiguous? Was she trying to send him a signal or was she just feeling sorry for herself. He had decided a long time ago that he wasn't going to get in the type of relationship, if one could even call it a relationship, that he had with her before. The self-destructive type, it wasn't beneficial for either of them, except for the fact that the sex was amazing.
Spike leaned in a little, testing the waters. He didn't want to go to far, and get his head kicked in. But Buffy didn't fight, she merely cocked her head to the side as if she was expecting it. He leaned in further and placed his mouth against hers, kissing her deeply without a fight. To his surprise, she kissed him back, with passion that she had never had before. She sat up and swung her leg over so that she was on his lap. Spike was ecstatic, but he didn't want to seem to eager. He pulled back from their kiss, and looked into her eyes sadly.
"I'm sorry," he told her quietly as he shook his head, "I can't do this again."
Buffy was speechless as he moved her aside, stood up and walked around to the front of the house.
"Pillock," he muttered to himself before seeing Dawn sitting on the front stairs. She looked up at him and he could tell that she had been crying again.
"And what's this, Slayer?" He asked her kindly as he walked over and sat next to the youngest Summers.
She wiped the tears from her cheeks. "Nothing."
"Buffy told me what happened."
"Oh she did did she? I guess that makes it okay then? What a martyr, I bet SHE feels a lot better, good for her."
"That doesn't make it okay Dawn. I'm not here to defend her, I'm just here."
"Oh like you wouldn't take her side," Dawn mumbled.
"Okay. You know what, if you're just gonna bitch at me then I'll just be leaving, alright?" Spike told her threateningly, beginning to get up from where he sat. Dawn quickly grabbed his arm.
"Please don't go."
Spike smiled and sat back down. "Do you want to talk about it then?"
"I really don't. I've cried enough for an. ever. It just makes me so mad. Why would she do that?"
"You don't know? She just randomly smack you?"
"No. She was mad that I told her she doesn't like to hear the truth because she can't deal."
Spike laughed. "Well that certainly in't a fallacy."
It comforted Dawn to know that someone would be on her side. She looked at her feet, and decided to bring up a subject that she dreaded.
"When are you leaving?"
Spike sighed unnecessarily. "Tomorrow."
Dawn jumped up. "What? Tomorrow? NO! You can't, it's too soon. I-it's, that there's not enough time."
"Time for what love? Didn't realize that we had any plans."
"I-I don't know, it's just, how can you leave me so soon?"
"I'm not leaving forever, I'll be back."
"You can't know that."
"No, I can't."
"Take me with you!"
"What?"
"Take me with you, to the Delegation."
"You know I can't do that, L'il Bit. Not only will they then kill Angel and me, but they'll kill you too. I can't put you that kind of danger."
"I'm in danger all the time!"
"Dawn, I won't let you."
"What if I went undercover?"
"Dawn, they'll know you aren't a vampire."
"Then make me one!"
"What!?"
"Make me like you, then I could go!"
"What, don't be stupid."
"I'm serious!"
"No you are not! Don't be an idiot! Now shut up and no more cheek from you, or else. or else I'll do something violent."
Dawn's eyes narrowed. "I HATE YOU!" She shouted.
" Well I hate you too! Okay?" Spike shouted.
Dawn pulled back her fist and Spike knew what was coming. Like sister like sister, Dawn punched his jaw with force. She turned around and stormed back inside.
"Well," Spike thought aloud, "that went better than I thought."
