Author's Note: Okay, I know it took me forever to update, but I had this huge author's block. Combine that with exams, trips, friends, a lot of homework, and drama club and you get no free time. Hope you guys understand. Please, review! I'll thank you forever =)

About two weeks later, Spike was asked to baby-sit Dawn again. It was like hell, just sitting there, listening while her friend Janice talked wonders about her brother and how much he liked her.

It was really awkward. For both of them.

Once they were watching TV. Dawn was sensing Spike glance at her occasionally. To be perfectly honest, this was driving her insane. She just wanted everything to be back the way they used to be. When Buffy was alive, Spike was bad and in love with Buffy, and all she felt for him was a little crush. Nothing big...like now.

She sighed loudly. "Gosh," she whispered.

Spike sent her an odd look. "Everything all right?"

"Yeah..." she gave it a second thought. Maybe he wanted it too. To return back to normal. "No."

"What?"

"Not everything is alright. Spike, I don't want this anymore. This... coldness. I really miss what we used to have, that... friendship. It was so cool. So fun. And I... miss it. This... gap, it is really hurting me. It's like, I don't have anybody left anymore. You were the only one I could talk to before, and now I can't. Please, Spike. I just want things back the way they used to be."

Spike smiled sadly at her. "Nothing would make me happier, bit. But things can't be back like that. Now, let's watch the telly, okay?"

Dawn looked sadly at him, before staring back at the TV.

Nothing was the same again. Things between them were really odd, cold. But not cold in a harsh way, just cold in the it-hurts-too-much-to-speak-to-you kind of way. Spike only went over there when the witches asked him to look over Dawn .

About a month later, they were kind of getting used to the fact that they weren't going to be the best friends they used to be. Well, getting used as much as they could.

Then, one day before Dawn's birthday, she went home early. That was rare, because usually she'd get home as late as she could. But even rarer was the fact that she arrived with a bunch of friends. They were laughing hard.

Willow and Tara stared at them, without saying anything. Spike was in the kitchen, he was in charge of sitting Dawn again.

When they spotted the witches they got quiet suddenly.

"Go on, tell them," Janice whispered to Dawn.

"I bet they won't let us," she whispered back, and looked at her friends for support.

A boy with brown hair gave her a little push. "We'll support you," he muttered to her.

Dawn nodded at him. "Uh, guys, can I talk to you for a sec?" she said, leading Willow and Tara to the kitchen.

Spike was lighting a cigarette when he heard a lot of noise coming from the living room, and then the three girls coming in the kitchen. Dawn shot a quick glance at him. Their eyes locked for a moment, then Dawn broke it and started talking.

"Um, as you know, or I hope you do, tomorrow's my birthday." Willow was going to start saying something, but Dawn cut her off. "Let me finish, okay? Um, my friend Sam found out that there will be a open mic night tomorrow night. And we were hoping that you would let me go. It'll be totally safe. There's no alcohol and all my friends will go. It'll be a perfect way to celebrate. Please?"

"Oh, Dawnie. But we were planning to throw you a party, with the whole gang. You know, Anya and Xander would be here. And we were going to figure the way to make Giles to come too."

"Come on, Will. We can do that when I return. Besides, they are my gang. My friends. Don't get me wrong, I love you guys. But I want to have fun with my friends, for once, instead of Buffy's."

Willow looked kind of hurt. "Dawn... I,"

"Oh, my God, Willow," she said, hearing the sadness in her voice. "I didn't mean it like that, you guys are all great. And I really appreciate what you've done for me. I just-"

"No, Dawnie, it's okay. I know what you meant." Willow said. She gulped and continued. "Of course you can go. But Spike will go with you."

Spike looked up. "What?" both Dawn and Spike said.

"Well, I'm not risking you getting hurt."

"But I won't. I won't get hurt. I'm turning seventeen tomorrow! Please, Willow, I'll be with my friends. Can't you trust me?"

"Dawnie, I do trust you, it's just that I'd feel safer if Spike goes with you."

"Well, have you asked Spike if he can go? Maybe he has plans, or he simply doesn't wanna. Like all the baby-sitting you've made him do. I don't need someone to sit me. He's got to have an opinion, right?"

Willow looked at Spike. Spike glared at Dawn, who just looked back with an emotionless look.

"I, uh, um, whatever," he said, shrugging.

"Dawnie, I know it's your birthday. But do this for us, we'll feel safer knowing Spike's with you, even if you're with all your friends," Tara said.

There was something about Tara that always made Dawn agree with her. She shrugged. "Yeah, okay. He can go." She watched out of the kitchen without looking at Spike.

Seconds later he heard her friends asked how had it gone, and she telling him they could go but there was going to be a chaperone. A bloody chaperone. That was what he was.

Spike arrived at about 7 o'clock. Tara opened the door.

"Hi," she said.

"Hello, pet."

"Uh, Dawn's getting ready. You're early. Some friends of her are picking her up about at eight."

"I had nothing to do at my place."

"Yeah, I figured.... uh, Spike? Can I talk to you about something?"

"Sure thing. What about?"

"Dawn."

"Oh."

"She's been acting kind of weird lately. I know something's wrong. She tries to act as if she's all happy, but I know she isn't. I'm worried about her. Don't you know what' wrong with her?"

"Why would I know?"

"Because you're her best friend. At least you used to be. And she trusts you. You were the one that helped her out of her grief when Buffy died."

"That was a long time ago. Things have changed, pet."

Tara sighed. "I know. I just thought you might know if something's up."

Spike thought of something convincing to say. "Well," he began. "I know she and her little boyfriend broke up. Maybe that's it."

Tara shrugged. "Maybe. I doubt it, though."

Spike eyed at her, curious. "How come?"

"Promise me you won't tell her I told you."

Spike gave her a weird look, but agreed anyway.

"Well, the other night I talked to her. She was still dating that guy. She didn't tell me exactly what was going on, but I found out that she was really confused."

"Confused?"

"Yeah. I mean, she said she was dating this guy that she really cared about, but there was this other guy she liked, but she shouldn't like. That he was... I think dangerous is the word she used. Anyway, she seemed pretty upset about it, and about the fact that she thought the guy -the bad one- didn't like her back or something. Um, Spike, is there any chance you know who that guy is?"

Spike shook his head silently. "No idea." Tara gave him a sad smile.

"Well, if you get to know something, would you please tell me? I'm worried about her." Spike nodded.

Dawn chose that moment to walk down the stairs. Spike heard her steps, and turned to see her. She looked stunning. She was wearing black leather pants, and a baby blue top that matched her eyes. Her hair down like a dark bright waterfall, and blue eyeshadows that made her eyes to stand out, and bright pink lip gloss. Spike stared at her in awe. Tara stood up to hug her.

"Oh, my God, Dawnie. You look awesome! You're gonna break some hearts." Sure she will, Spike thought.

Dawn giggled. "Thanks, Tara." Spike couldn't stop staring at her. When Dawn looked back at him, he came back to reality. "Hello, Spike," she said.

"Hello, bit. Oh, I- I brought you a present ."

"Spike, you shouldn't have..."

"I know." He smiled and handed her a little box wrapped in a red shiny paper. Dawn took it from his hands hesitantly, and started to tear the paper apart carefully. She found herself facing a little black box. "Open it." She heard Spike said. Dawn nodded. Her lips formed a perfect 'O' when she saw what was in it. It was a necklace. A gold necklace with a diamond in the shape of a tear hanging from it.

"Oh, my God. Spike, this is beautiful."

Spike smiled at her. "I'm glad you liked it."

"Are you kidding? I love it! Oh, my God, Spike! Thank you!" She threw herself at him, giving him a big hug. Making his chest ache a little.

"Tara could you help me, please?" she said, handing the necklace to the witch.

Dawn walked to a mirror and stared at her refection. "It looks great on you, pet," Spike said, walking beside her.

"Don't do that," Dawn said.

"Don't do what?"

"Don't stand there. I can't see you reflecting. I know you are a vampire and all, but it's still creepy." Spike nodded and moved away, smiling at her. She smiled back.

The moment was broke by the ringing of the doorbell. "I'll get it," Tara said.

Two boys, one with brown hair and the other with black hair walked in the house. At least we know they're not vampires, Spike thought, sarcastically.

"Hey, birthday girl!" one of them said.

"Hi there!" Dawn greeted them, the next thing she knew she was being hugged and congratulated by her friends. "Let me introduce you. These are Tara and Spike. Guys, these are Sam and Brad," she said, pointing the brown haired and the black haired, respectively. "Uh, Spike's the one that's coming with us." They nodded. "So, where are Janice and Chris?"

"They'll meet us at the club, they wanted to get early to apart our places," Brad said.

"So, should we get going, then?" Spike asked. They three teenagers nodded at him. "See you later, Tara."