Buffy relaxed on their bed, smiling because she had made Spike take a
shower first. She was almost sleeping again, lying sideways on their bed,
one hand dangling off the side. Birds were singing, Spike was humming
loudly in the shower, his pants were ringing... His pants were ringing?
She groaned, dug the cell-phone out. "Hello?"
"... Um... I'm sorry. I was... looking for Spike. I must have the wrong number."
"No. This is Spike's phone. And his girlfriend."
"Oh. Buffy. Um.... Then... just... tell him Madison called ok?"
"Yup. All over it."
Madison gave a forced smile. "I'll just bet. You have a good day."
"You betcha." Reluctantly, she said, "Um... Madison?"
"Yes, Buffy?" She was not gonna take shit from that blonde twit.
"I.. Um... Thank you."
For starting your day on a happy note? "For... What?"
"For saving me." It was said in a low, almost reverent voice. Buffy knew when she had a debt.
"It's... Um... Your welcome." She was extremely surprised. She didn't think she'd see the day. Of course, she didn't think she actually needed THANKING either. It was just what needed to be done.
Buffy bit her lip a moment, then Madison spoke again.
"Buffy... You don't... owe me, or anything stupid like that."
"Yes, I-"
"No. It's... a gift, Buffy. From me to... To Dawn, or Spike, if that'll make you feel better, ok? I don't really like you. And you really don't like me. And we're ok with that. So... I mean... I don't want anything from you. There is no debt."
"You didn't let me die. There'll always be a debt."
"Jesus christo! Are you this stubborn with Spike? Fine. Wanna pay me back? Don't kiss other guys. And keep Spike off my back about the guys I see and what I do with them."
Buffy laughed. "He told you?"
"Yeah. Not the prettiest discussion we've ever had."
Buffy sighed. "You are not kidding me."
"Yeah, well, you were right about the working thing-"
"I know! That's what I told him. But... Um... hey. He's in the room now, so... Here he is."
"Bye, Buffy."
"Bye, Madison."
Spike's mouth was hanging open, and he nearly let go of the towel that he was holding around this waist as he accepted the phone. "H-hello?" Buffy didn't look mad. That was good. That was really good.
"Hey."
"Hey, Madison..." He gently scooted Buffy out of his way so that he could sit on the bed. "Something up?"
"Um... I talked to Trevor?"
His eyes widened, and he grinned a little. "And?", he prompted.
"And.... um... he was still mad at me."
He blinked. "Oh. I'm sorry, pet. Me and my big mouth. I'm really sorry. And I'm repeating myself."
"No big, Puppy. I just screamed right back. I told him he needed to pull his head out of his ass, I was sorry, I loved him, too, and I was here now, and wasn't that what mattered?"
"And?"
"And I told him that he knew where I'd be. I'd wait. And I went home. And the next morning he came over and made me breakfast."
The grin came back. "So? He's not mad at you anymore? Or what?"
"So... He loves me. I love him. And... we're being very slow. Exceedingly, excruciatingly slow."
He nodded. "That's the best way, pet. Really. Believe me. I'm glad you're happy."
"Happy... that's such a... strong word. I'd settle for frustrated. But... it's good. It's good, isn't it?" Slight worry.
"It's good, Madison. Very good." Reassuring tone.
"I hoped so."
"Well, you know you can believe me. It's good. Oh! And guess what I'm doing tomorrow."
"Hm?"
Chuckled. "I have a date, and it's not Buffy." The expected gentle smack from his girlfriend came right on cue.
"Ohhhh... trouble in paradise. You gonna kiss her?"
He laughed. "Probably not. It's Niblet."
"Mmm... You better not. That'd make for a freaky episode of Springer. Vampire's sleeping with the slayer and making out with her sister... "
He stuck his tongue out and made a 'euck' sound. "No! Madison!"
"Hey. Just saying. Besides. I think Dawn would break your nose if you tried."
He chuckled. "She nearly did the other night, but that's a different story. Taught me never to grab her, that's for sure."
"WHAT in God's name did you do to that poor child?"
Buffy gave him an inquisitive look.
He chuckled. "She slapped my butt, so I grabbed her in a headlock, and she popped me one in the nose."
Both women laughed. "Good on her. She's tough."
"Yeah yeah."
"Tell her I said hi, ok?"
He smiled. "Sure. I'll talk to you later, Madison. And tell Trevor that I said he's a very lucky man."
An almost audible eye roll. "Yeee-ah. I'm sure that's what he thinks, too."
He chuckled. "If he's got half a brain, he does. Whether or not he will admit it is another thing."
She laughed. "Yeah. I know. I'll talk to you soon, ok?"
"You'd better. Bye, pet."
"Bye, Puppy."
He hung up his phone and stuffed it back in the jeans pocket. Noticed Buffy lounging at the head of the bed, watching him. "What?"
She smiled. "She's not... completely God-awful."
He chuckled softly. "Thanks, I think."
She gave a quick nose crunch. "I... I thanked her."
He smiled. "You didn't have to, luv. She already told me that she did what she did, used her gift, to pass it on. She asked ME not to thank her." Chuckled. "Course, I did anyway, but still."
"She... she said that there was no debt."
Spike grinned at her. "She's right. That's the way she explained it to me, too."
"She did say I could repay her. Will you help me?"
He cocked his head. "Depends. What is it?"
"Spike... I need your help to do it. Will you help me?"
Shrugged. "Sure. What do I have to do?"
Buffy gave him a big smile. "You have to stay off her back about the guys she's with and what she does with them."
He winced. "Damn it. I knew I should've gotten you to tell me BEFORE I agreed." Snorted and turned his back on her. "You tricked me."
"Yes I did."
He sighed defeatedly. "Fine. If I HAVE too."
She hugged him from behind. "You promised."
He leaned back against her, purring softly. "Alright. And I don't break promises." Glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. "Aren't you forgetting something?"
"What's that?"
He bumped her backwards. "Shower's yours, now."
She bit his shoulder teasingly. "Well fine. don't cuddle with me."
He chuckled. "Well, the shower can always wait." Nuzzled her gently.
========================================================================== ==========
Buffy nuzzled her head against Spike's shoulder. "I just think it's sweet is all."
He chuckled softly, gently rubbing her side with the arm that was around her. "Never thought I'd see the day when the word 'sweet' and myself were in the same sentence, luv."
She lifted her head, bit along his jaw. "Mmm... Not exactly sweet, but tasty."
He purr/growled softly, cocking his head a little to give her better access. "Your opinion, luv. I am looking forward to it, though. Been awhile since I hung out with Lil' Bit."
"I know..." She kissed down his neck. "She loves you, ya know."
Spike made a quiet 'Mmm' noise, his eyes half lidded. "Yeah. I know. I love her, too. I feel like... You'd probably think this is stupid."
"You never know." She stopped kissing his neck. "What?"
He made an annoyed sound, before answering. "I feel like.. Like I'm her big brother, or something. Felt like it for awhile, now. Since before your mum..." Trailed off. There was no need to say it.
She nodded, her hand touching his gently. "I know. I think she feels the same way."
He grinned. "You really think so?"
She hid a grin at his excited tone. "Yeah. I do."
He chuckled happily, his hand resuming it's earlier attentions on her side. "You know, we never did really decide what we were gonna do. Just.. movies, you know?"
"Yeah, well, go rent some, then."
He looked at her. "Naw. Bit'd kill me cause I'd get all the 'wrong' stuff." Chuckled.
"Well, take her with."
He blinked. "Well. I guess that proves where the brains are in this relationship." Looked at her. "I'll go ask her... If you don't mind, that is, luv."
She gave him a look. "Why would I mind?"
He stood up and turned around once. "Well, if you feel that it's safe to let a specimen like me go wandering around unescorted..." Playful tone, but he looked so serious...
"You're not allowed to eat the video people," she scolded seriously.
They both gave each other mock scolding looks for a moment, before both started laughing quietly.
She rolled her eyes a few moments later. "Go get her. There's money on the counter."
He grinned, retrieved the money, and trotted up the stairs, almost bouncing with every step.
Dawn laid on her back on her bed, her legs swinging off the side. She giggled attractively, then, "Devon!" Rambled on.
Spike paused at her door, knocked twice, then opened it a little ways, sticking his head in. "Hey, Bit. Got a little proposition for you."
She covered the mouth piece of the phone hastily, shooting him the teenaged, "oh-m'-god-I'm-on-the-phone-with-a-hot-guy-and-you-JUST- interrupted-me" look.
He blinked innocently, and moved to close the door. "Fine, Niblet. If you don't want to help me pick out the movies for our night tomorrow, I'll just leave you to your conversation." Began to pull the door closed.
She squealed quickly. "Umm... De-Devon. Yeah. I'll call you back, ok? Something just came up. Bye." Hung up the phone. Looked at him. "We're still on?"
He smiled at her. She was giving him her patented 'Bambi eyes' look, which he could never deny. Even if he wanted to. "Of course, Bit. Just you and me. All night. Movies, pizza, wings, and a sugar rush."
Another excited squeal, and she grabbed her leather jacket. "Got money?"
Held up the two twenties from the table. "Of course."
"Let's go."
Twenty minutes later, the pair were perusing the shelves of the local Hollywood Video. Spike cocked his head. "I think... eight movies, maximum. Since we have a week to watch them. We can each pick four."
"No way. We pick eight together. You. Are. A. Freak. You cannot pick four movies that won't traumatize me for life... Of course, I hugged you naked. Not much tops that."
He laughed, startling an old couple who had been looking at the travel videos two isles over. Gave them an apologetic look, even as he tried to curb his snickering. "I had a robe, Bit."
"SO does not even matter. That was... disturbing beyond all necessity."
He snorted again, but managed not to scare anyone this time. "Okay, Bit. You win. What do you feel like?"
She made a pouty face. "Clueless?"
He balked and shuddered. "Hell no. Harmony...." Growled.
She glared. Snatched a video without looking and thumped it on his chest. "Fine. Whatever. This one."
Spike looked at the tape, and promptly started snickering again. Hard. Not wanting to scare the elderly couple again, the vampire moved to one of the columns that were spaced around the store, leaning on it while trying to compose himself, the video hanging loosely in one hand.
"Whaaaa-aaaat?"
He held out the video, unable to speak at the moment.
Her eyes widened at the title. 'Snow Vixens On Vacation, the Sequel'. "Ewww!" Slapped it out of his hands, and left it on the ground where it lay, and grabbed his wrist, dragging him away. Her face was a nice, even shade of blood-red embarrassment.
Spike was still chuckling. "Guess that'll teach you to pick up 'movies' without looking first, eh, Platelet?"
"Shut up," she muttered, her face still flaming. Oh my god... Snow Vixens On Vacation, the Sequel???
He just kept laughing quietly. Finally, "Okay, Bit. Easy on the wrist. Tell you what, I think I'm in a comedy mood. What do you think?"
"I second that." Let go of his wrist. "In the non-sequel kinda way."
Another snicker.
She grinned. "Shut up and pick a movie."
He cocked his head, walking from one end of the isle to the other, occasionally picking a movie up and reading the back, before putting it back and moving on. This was more like the way someone would pick out a CAR than a movie.
Dawn tapped her foot, irritated that the carpeting muffled the sound, which lessened the effect of her boredom.
He glanced at her. "Do we want just comedy, or romantic comedy, cause I happen to like You've Got Mail."
"Sounds good. I want one gory movie. How 'bout Blade? Or... Oooh... Bon Jovi's got a new movie out, 'Something something Muertos.' S'about vampires. And it has Jon Bon Jovi."
He laughed. "Both. Get both, and I'll find somethin' else here."
"Okay!" Dawn chirped happily and went about her way.
About an hour, and fifteen dollars worth of movies later, the pair were on their way home, when Spike suddenly paused in his tracks.
"What??" Dawn had almost tripped over him when he stopped.
He grinned at her. "Hey, Bit, remember a year or so ago, before your sis started bein' nice to me, and your mum let me take you for icecream that once?" At her affirmative, he continued. "Does that little place over there look familiar?"
She followed his gaze and laughed. "Yeah. Mint chocolate chip in a waffle cone."
A slow smile spread over the vampire's face. "We've still got money. Up for a treat?"
She rolled her eyes playfully and hooked her arm through his. "What a stupid question. Am I up for sugar with my favorite vampire?"
He laughed. "Good point." They walked up to the small parlor and he opened the door for her playfully. "After you, m'lady." Exaggerating his accent to make it sound funny.
She giggled, blushing a little bit.
He followed her in, paid for their orders, and they took a booth near the back. The same place that they'd been the first time. Spike licked at his plain chocolate cone absently, looking around. "Hasn't changed much."
Her eyes got wide. "Oh my god."
He nearly dropped the cone. "What??"
"Michael just walked in."
Spike swiveled his head and fixed his predator's gaze on the boy who had just entered the parlor.
Dawn let out a tiny whimper. "He is soooo cute."
Spike, on the other hand, let out a small growl.
Dawn batted at him, never wavering in her adoring stare. "Stop that."
He snorted. "Human males, especially the teenaged variety, have one track minds, Bit. And *you* are not going to be a part of that track."
She licked her cone and noted absently, "I'd run the mile for him."
He growled again. Slightly louder. Then cocked his head at her. "I thought that guy you had on the phone earlier was your main obsession this week."
"Mmm... See.... Girl's might have one-track minds, too, but we have multiple lanes." Used her finger to drop some ice cream on the table. "Oops. I'm gonna go get a couple napkins."
He grabbed her arm. "No you are not. You just want to go over there and fawn over that wanker."
"Spiiiiiike..." She whimpered. "One. That hurts. A lot."
He loosened his grip. Not enough to let her wiggle free, though.
"Spike... ice cream is melting into a sticky mess on the table. Napkins. Harmless. Unlike some people I could name."
"I'll get them, then."
"Spike..." Pleading doe eyes.
He sighed, and released her arm. "Napkins, Bit. No boy. Just napkins."
"Right." Started for the counter, and 'bumped' into Michael. She acted surprised, and laughed as they chatted for a minute. Blushed and tucked her hair behind her ear, gesturing to Spike. One cute nose-crunch later, Dawn was writing her number down on a 'harmless' napkin for him, waving, and grabbing a few for her 'accident' at the table.
When she returned, Spike was leaning back in the seat, head cocked, expression unreadable, making a soft sound that she couldn't identify as either a purr or a growl. It was too soft.
She smiled nervously and rubbed a little too enthusiastically at her mess.
Sound got louder. Growl. Definitely a growl. And he was staring at her, unblinking.
She fidgeted, wiggled in her seat. Licked at her ice cream. "Say something. Or... or blink."
Blinked.
"What?" She cried defensively.
"Was I speaking a dead language a minute ago? Did you just not *hear* me when I said, 'napkin, no boy'?"
"I- but- that WAS only napkin!"
"Napkin that you wrote your phone number on and gave to aforementioned boy."
"But there was no touching. Therefore, no boy. No kissing, or hugging, or touching. No boy."
"Dawn."
She cringed and shrunk back in her seat a little bit. Spike not calling her 'Bit' was like her parents using her full name... and shouting at the same time.
"You bumped into him on purpose. I saw that. Don't even bother denying it."
"Just a tiny bump. We BARELY even *brushed.*"
Blinked.
She bit her lip and looked up at him through her lashes.
He watched her for a few more moments, then sighed, visibly deflating. "Just don't do it again, okay?"
She grinned. "Ok. I wouldn't have, normally, but Janice heard, from the guy she's been.... well, not, DATING exactly, but they make o- nevermind. Anyway, she heard from him that Tom said that Michael said that he thinks I'm really cute."
He raised an eyebrow. Apparently the gossip chains hadn't changed much in the last century. He said as much.
She smiled. "Who cares? He asked for my number."
"I reserve the right of the man of the house to screen phone calls."
"Assuming you can pry yourself off Buffy's mattress to grab the phone first?"
He growled at her. But a play growl, this time.
Just another cocky grin. "Ooooh. Scary."
He stood up, slowly, growling softly, picking up the bag of videos almost as an after thought, and moved toward her predatorially.
She stood from the booth and walked backwards to the doors. Kept her eyes on him warily. "Spike..."
Thankfully, there were no employees at the front of the store, as he continued to stalk her right out the door, still play growling, and smirking as well.
Dawn squealed, and turned to book it out the door, and slammed straight into someone. She turned in the arms that were holding her, still scrambling to get away from Spike.
Spike paused in his tracks, and had the totally irrational urge to hit himself over the head with the bag of videos. He'd just chased Dawn right into the arms of the very 'boy' that they'd just been arguing about. Of all the bloody rotten luck.
The boy's arms tightened around Dawn, holding her close, and he glared over her head at Spike. "Your date giving you a hard time, Dawn? He need to be taught some manners?" Dawn's eyes closed in mortification. Oh m'gooooood...
Spike's eyes grew wide. "Date!", he practically yelped. "I'm not her bloody 'date', ya wan-"
"He's... just a friend," she babbled, pulling out of Michael's arms. "Just... just a guy. He... um... kind of sees my sister."
" 'Kind of sees' my ass," Spike muttered, a soft growl slipping out despite his attempts at control. "Let's go, Bit. Excuse me." Slipped past the boy and out the glass doors, expecting Dawn to be right behind him.
She tried to take a step in his direction, but Michael's hand closed firmly around her arm, much like Spike's had been. "She's not going home with you."
Spike turned, pure will keeping him from vamping and snarling at this impudent human. "I happen to live in her house, so that's gonna be rather difficult, *mate*." Said in a tone that made it obvious that he meant the exact opposite.
"Michael... it- it's ok... He's... we're ok. Don't worry. He's... really nice when you get to know him..." Her shoulder was lifting with his hand. "Kind of hurting..."
Spike's eyes flashed, and he took a step toward them.
Michael planted a hand on Spike's chest. "Back off, jerk." His hand loosened on Dawn's arm. "Are you sure you don't want to come home with me? Cuz... he looks dangerous, Dawn."
" 'Dangerous'?", Spike growled. As in, really growled. "I'll show you 'dangerous', ya wanker, if you don't take your hands off my little sister." Said it totally without thinking, driven by total emotion.
Which he did, quickly, because, no matter WHAT the letterman's jacket said (football and weight-lifting) he was not a complete idiot.
Dawn placated both at once, or attempted to. "Michael, really... Spike's fine. He'd never hurt me... We were just.. kind of playing tag... I swear..." She smiled nervously. "I'm sorry... I swear.. he's not usually like this..."
Spike just stood there. Looking for all the world that, if that boy so much as looked at Dawn the wrong way, he was going to throttle him. Bypass the emergency room and go straight to the morgue kind of throttle.
She turned to Spike, her eyes shining a little bit, looking watery. "It didn't hurt. I promise." Turned back to Michael. "We're gonna go, but... call me, and we'll do something." Mouthed another apology and, one small hand clutching at the leather of Spike's duster sleeve, started walking away.
When they got far enough away that Spike was certain that the wa- Boy, couldn't hear them anymore, he said quietly, "Sorry, Bit. I didn't mean to-"
She smiled, and tucked herself against his side shyly. Ignored the bruises forming on her arm now. "Did you mean it?"
"What?"
Shyly, happily. "That I'm your little sister?"
Spike shifted his bag of videos to his other hand, so that he could wrap his arm around her, the hand stroking her hair. "Of course I did, Bit."
She smiled. Then, quietly, "He didn't mean to hurt me."
Spike nodded. "I know. Neither did I, and I'm sorry, Niblet." He squeezed her gently. "You *are* my little sister, you know. And I love you. I can't help bein' protective from time to time."
She grinned a little bit. "I know. I was very proud of you for not biting him."
He chuckled. "I was proud of me for that, too."
She blinked up at him. "We're not gonna tell Buffy about this are we?"
Grinned. "Tell Buffy about what?"
"Right."
He let go of her and paused for a moment, his head cocked. Grinned at her. "You know something?"
She grinned back. "Huh?"
He darted forward, tapped her on the shoulder. "You're it." Took off toward the house, not running half as fast as he could.
She gave a cry. "NOT FAIR!" Took off after him, at top speed.
He laughed as he ran, turning to jog backwards and gauge her closeness.
She sprung at him as he turned again, her arms catching around his knees.
Spike went down in the grass of the Summers front lawn, on his back, laughing happily.
Buffy had peeked out the window, seeing if they were coming, and what was keeping them. Saw her little sister flying tackle Spike to the grass, their movies sliding across the pavement and grass alike as Dawn tickle attacked Spike's ribs.
She chuckled a bit, and kept watching, a curious expression on her face.
Spike yelped and tried to roll, laughing and calling for Dawn to stop, trying to scramble to his feet, the bag of videos momentarily forgotten. "Bit! Ahhh! Come on...." Laughed. "Don't do THAT!!!"
She kept him pinned, grinning evilly, her fingers tickling his sides mercilessly. "Bwaaa-haha!"
"Nooooo! BIT!!" Fought down the insane urge to call for help. Squirmed, letting out something that closely resembled a squeal every now and then as he writhed on the grass.
She laughed delightedly, finally out of breath, and rolled to the side.
Spike lay there in the grass, panting for a few moments. "Dawn...", he said, trying to keep the minor chuckles that were still escaping him to a minimum. "Never, and I mean NEVER do that again."
She grinned. "Okay."
"What about me?" Buffy called from the doorway.
Spike rolled onto his side to see Buffy move out onto the porch. "Bloody hell," he muttered. "You *saw* that?"
A smile quirked her lips. "Maybe."
He went to push up onto his hands and knees, searching for the dropped video bag. "Bloody stupid... damn little... where'd it go?"
Dawn still laid on the grass and pointed above her head. "Over there."
He half crawled over to it, and sat next to it, pouting slightly. "I can't believe... Bleedin' embarrassing..." Still muttering, too.
Buffy smiled and came to sit between them. "What took so long?"
"We stopped for icecream," Spike supplied sulkily.
"Yeah," Dawn parroted. "Just icecream."
"And then, we somehow wound up playing tag, and then I got pounced." Glared at Dawn. "Not in the rules, Niblet."
She blinked innocently. "What rules?"
Half growl from the pouting vampire.
Dawn laughed and moved to lay beside him. Put her head on his leg. "Sorry."
He gave a soft laugh, and one hand moved to stroke her hair gently. "I know. I know. Just... either never do that again, or warn me before hand. Because, as a surprise, you're lucky that I didn't pass out on you."
She arched her eyebrow at him. "What?"
"It could happen," he said defensively.
She laughed. "Yeeee-ah."
He half growled at her. "It could. Or, at the least, I could've wound up with hiccups."
"Oooh... How dire..."
He poked her side. "I can fight back, too."
She jumped. "No way."
He chuckled. "See? Think twice before you pounce a vampire, Bit. I owe you, now. And I'm not gonna warn you, either." Evil chuckle. Both of them had almost forgotten that Buffy was out there with them.
Buffy grinned at their banter, was about to remark when she picked up the phone ringing in the house. "Ooh. Phone."
Spike jumped, having almost forgotten his girlfriend was out there with them. "Oh." Gently moved Dawn off his lap, whispering, "It might be 'Michael'..." Semi-sarcastically.
Dawn gave him a look and booked it for the house, sweeping up the phone. Didn't even hear Spike behind her. "Hello?"
He leaned against the doorway to the dining room, watching her on the phone, the bag of movies once again in one hand.
"Oh..." Shy, "Hi. I didn't really think you'd call is all." Small laugh.
He cocked his head, then shook it, giving a small half snort, and headed into the living room to drop the movie bag on the coffee table then flop on the couch.
A few minutes later Dawn deposited herself on the couch with Spike and Buffy.
The vampire cocked his head. "Hope you didn't make any plans for tomorrow, Bit."
"Nope. Just wanted to make sure I got in ok."
Half snort.
She gave him a look.
"Um... who and why?" Buffy asked.
To Dawn's surprise, Spike covered for her. "We ran into one of her school pals at the icecream place, luv. I was playing with Niblet, and the kid thought I was actually stalking her. Little misunderstandin's, s'all."
Buffy gave a half-laugh and an eyeroll. "Yeah. Cuz you'd stalk Dawn. Geez. At least he was smart enough to not start anything with you."
Dawn shot him a relieved look.
Spike chuckled. "Yeah. Kid showed a bit of intelligence. Knew not to mess with the Big Bad." Assured.
Dawn smiled. "Yup. Spike was DEFINITELY making sure he knew I was ok."
Buffy 'hmmmm-ed' and nodded. Yawned hugely. "Guys... I hate to say it, but I'm beat. I've got to work in the morning, so I'm gonna get to bed."
Spike cocked his head for a moment. "I'll be up in awhile, luv. I think Bit and I are just gonna stay here for awhile. Maybe watch the telly."
She nodded, kissed Dawn's forehead lightly, murmuring an "I love you". Smiled sleepily at Spike, brushed her lips against his. "Love you."
Spike sank back into the pillows, purring softly. "Bloody hell.... One of these days, that phrase isn't gonna have that effect on me anymore. Either that, or I'm actually going to melt."
Buffy smirked as she passed him, her fingers tousling his hair, and she went to their room.
Beside Spike, Dawn smiled hugely. "Mmmm... what's on tonight?"
He flipped on the TV and chuckled. "Well, would you look at that? A Moonlighting marathon."
She made an absolutely glowingly happy face, and a low squeal.
He smiled at her obvious happiness, and stretched a little. It wasn't long before his head had lolled back on the couch pillows, and he was fighting dozing off, despite the late hour.
Dawn had fallen asleep some time earlier, her head lolling on Spike's shoulder, one hand still buried in the popcorn bowl on his lap.
Spike started awake at a loud (to him) commercial. Dawn, on the other hand, was still sound asleep. He smiled, and moved her slowly, getting to his feet, then scooping her gently into his arms and carrying her upstairs to her room, waking her up enough that she could change clothes without his help. Still, he waited in her room to tuck her in. Not even really knowing why he really wanted to all of a sudden.
She emerged from the bathroom, pajama clad, a dot of toothpaste in one corner of her mouth, and plopped on her bed.
Spike tucked her in gently, and gave her a kiss on the forehead, and a quietly whispered, "I love you, Bit."
She smiled sleepily, and, cuddling down into the covers, muttered, "Love you, too... Love having... big brother..."
Spike paused in his tracks, and something in his long dead heart melted. "I love having a little sister, too, Niblet. Goodnight."
Moved slowly out the door, into the bathroom to strip down to boxers, then headed into his and Buffy's room to go to bed.
He did his best to crawl over her to get on his preferred side of the bed without waking her, and snuggled down into the covers once he'd made it. Buffy let out a sigh, and turned directly into his arms. He purred happily, and wrapped her in his embrace, slowly dozing off with his nose buried in her hair.
========================================================================== =============
Buffy blinked blearily at the expanse of pale flesh she had her face shoved in. Mmm... Spike's back. She didn't even remember him coming to bed the night before. A slow smile took her lips as she thought over the evening. She was so glad Spike and Dawn were friends. It kept Spike in line, and, well, Dawn in line, too, she guessed. It also gave Dawn someone to talk to other than her sister, which, as sucky as it was, was something that Dawn did need.
Beneath her, the vampire shifted in his sleep, nuzzling into the pillow and letting out a quiet sigh, his usual purr still rumbling from within him.
She turned her head just a bit, and placed a kiss on his back.
Another sigh, and the purr got louder as Spike mumbled something into the pillow.
She squirmed up, nipped at his neck. "What was that?"
A soft chuckle and he turned his head slightly so that he wasn't talking into the pillow. "I said: It's too early."
"Mmm... I beg to differ..."
He nuzzled into the pillow again, mumbling, "Go beg somewhere else..." A soft chuckle came from within him as he spoke.
Buffy pressed her face to his back, and he could feel the smile. She sucked gently on his neck. "Mmm... Talking about begging, huh?"
He chuckled again. "You started it."
She moved her head to whisper enticingly, "Maybe you wanna finish it?"
He grinned into the pillow and purred softly. "Slayer, luv, you got about three hours more sleep last night than me. And I was fighting for my bloody life part of last night. Against your sister, none the less. I'm tired, and I stand by my 'too early' statement."
She pouted, but slid off his back to sit up and stretch. "Mmm... Ok. I'll just have to find someone I can have in the mornings. I'll keep you for night, too, though."
He rolled slightly onto his side and regarded her with one half open blue eye. "Bad joke, luv. I'd kill whoever you found."
She winked. "Whoever said I'd tell?"
He growled softly. "I said 'not funny', Slayer." Turned his head the other way, not looking at her, the quiet growl still rumbling from within him. So much for sleeping.
She scooted next to him, still sitting, the grin fading off her face slightly. "Did you ever notice, when you get mad, you call me Slayer?"
"Must be reflex." Still not looking at her. And still growling.
She laughed again, and stood, pulling on jeans under the baggy tee-shirt she'd worn to bed. "Honestly, Spike. I'm just gonna go out and get an 'AM lover'." Chuckled.
He sat up quickly and growled. "Slayer..." Sighed and looked at the pillow. "You already found one, remember?" Growled again. Apparently at Mr. Gordo, because he wasn't looking at her.
She stopped in mid-pull, the sweater lodging over her head. A brief scramble later, Buffy sputtered, "What?"
"That 'Jesse' wanker. Or did you forget the guy you *kissed*, so quickly?" He almost spat the sentence out, the low growl rumbling below the words.
"Spike... I told you that didn't mean anything." She paused, tilted her head, considering. "Well... Actually, I guess it meant everything."
His head snapped up and eyes locked on her flashing gold for an instant. Oops. He'd misunderstood her statement.
"I just... it showed me. Yes. Jesse is... gorgeous, and rich, and sweet, and shy, and nice." She shrugged and made a helpless face. "But that's not what I want."
He blinked, confused. "Wait a minute... Then what are you trying to say that *I* am?"
She laughed and moved to the bed, knelt over the sheets, her hands tangling in his hair. "You're sexy, and bold, and strong, and caring." She stared into his confused eyes, and clarified. "And you're mine."
Slowly the confused look faded, to be replaced with a huge and slightly goofy looking grin. Brought one hand up to caress her cheek. "Yours. Always and only yours." The growl had transformed into a purr.
She smiled cutely. One hand slid down the sheet to settle enticingly between his hips. "Morning, noon, and night."
He gave a soft growl, but not one of anger. Smiled at her. "You know what? I'm not tired anymore..."
Buffy stretched slowly, making a low noise in her throat the entire time.
She knew what she was doing, and HE knew it, too. He patiently waited for her to finish her stretch, before pouncing and flipping himself on top of her, purr/growling softly, almost playfully.
She turned her head to the side when he would have kissed her. Yawned prettily. "I'm sorry... it's too early."
He gave a chuckling growl. "You little.."
"Tease?"
He flopped over onto his side next to her. "That fits." Chuckled, rolled over, and closed his eyes. "Tell me when it's *not* too early anymore."
She sat up and hit him on the shoulder.
He fake snored. But it lost a little of it's credibility when he snickered.
She stood up. "I'm... just gonna head on to work, then." Placed a chaste kiss on his forehead. "I won't be home till late. Going out after work." Yes, she was evil, but a tiny bit of jealousy was never a bad thing.
He opened his eyes and looked at her. "Who are you 'going out' with, luv?"
She shrugged. "Um... people."
A half growl, which somehow managed to sound indignant. "Oh, so you say." Sniffed halfway convincingly. "I don't even get a 'love you'?"
She patted his head. "Bye, Spikey."
A soft whimper. Pitifully, "Buffy..."
She looked back at him, eyebrow raised. The ball was in his court. "Yes?"
Quietly, pitifully, "I love you."
"I love you too. I'm gonna be super late tonight. Don't wake me." What? Was he NOT going to ravish her?
He got up slowly, sitting on the side of the bed. "When do you have to be at work?"
Looked at the clock. "Soon." Liar. In over an hour.
He got up slowly, stretching, much like he'd done in a certain pool so many months ago, muscles rippling. "Oh, sure you don't have a few moments?"
She knew every inch of his body-intimately, but that didn't stop her from being dumb-founded at how sexy she still found it. "I'm not sure."
He stood up, moved toward her slowly, predatorily. The 'cute puppy' act hadn't worked, so now it was time for 'ferocious tiger'. Slunk around her, deliberately breathing on her neck, brushing his body against hers. Began nibbling on her neck, making his way up to her ear. Once he reached it, he whispered. "Make some time, then."
Strangled noise. "I could be persuaded..."
Turned up the volume of his purr to the point where it was vibrating HER where their bodies touched. "Really? What do I have to do to convince you?"
Her eyes drifted shut. "A little bit of that...."
He grinned. "Whatever my love desires..." Went back to his attentions, moving around to the front of her throat.
She turned her head, her mouth meeting his.
He slowly maneuvered their bodies to the bed, laying over her, purring loudly. "I love you, Buffy," he whispered in her ear, before returning to her neck.
She moved slowly beneath him, smiling when he captured her hands over her head. "I love you, too."
-========================================================================= ===========
Buffy gave a little sigh, and sat up. "God... Have to leave now."
Spike yawned and sat up next to her, pulling her backwards to him in a quick hug, kissing the top of her head. "Might want to get a brush, first, luv."
She gave a small chuckle. "And makeup, and... bathroom stuff..." She relaxed against him. Coughed. "Can I be sick today?"
He nuzzled her gently. "Well, as much as I'd love for you to, I have a date tonight." Grinned.
She gave him a look. "You are SO lucky it's my little sister."
He laughed, and kissed her cheek gently. "Only you, luv. I love you."
Buffy smiled, nuzzled against him. "I'm gonna try to be really late, ok? So you guys can have your fun."
"We'll welcome you whenever you get home, luv. The more the merrier."
"I know, but Dawn missed you. She was... outlandishly patient when we-" Still didn't like to speak of it. "Anyway, she really missed you. I'm definitely not horning in."
Chuckled. "Nice phrase."
Rolled her eyes. "Shut up." She looked around the room, confused, tugging on the hem of her sweater. "Where're my pants?"
He snickered, pointed... up? Up. At the light fixture.
She blushed. Snatched them down, pulled them on. "Bye."
"I love you." Smiled at her from the bed.
She looked back at him, the sheet drooping in all the right places, hair tousled, lazy, content smile... Closed her eyes against it. "God, I love you."
He smiled again. "See you tonight, luv."
She sighed and closed the door behind herself.
Spike lounged around for the next fifteen minutes or so, before finally getting up, slipping on the blue jeans that Dawn had talked him into, and the coordinating red shirt. He figured that his Niblet would like that he was wearing what she'd picked out for him on their 'date'. He headed downstairs and into the kitchen.
Dawn looked up at him over her cereal. "Morning. Buffy looked decidedly rumpled this morning."
He chuckled and ran his fingers through his own still tousled hair. "Well, she was occupied earlier. I take it she got off to work okay?" He went to the fridge and pulled out the orange juice, looking for a glass.
"Uh huh. Nice threads, buddy."
He grinned at her. "Well, a beautiful young friend of mine picked them out for me."
She tossed her hair. "Beautiful, huh?"
He chuckled. "Yeah. She's beautiful, and intelligent, and a little too... creative, at times, but, that's just her way."
She smiled brightly. "That's what Michael says, too. See? You guys have something in common!"
He growled at her, playfully, though. Any guy who was willing to stand up to him, had to have something going for him. Not that he'd ever admit that out loud. "Shut up, Bit." Returned to looking for a glass.
"Dishwasher, bloodbreath."
He growled again, but went to the dishwasher. "If you'd unloaded it this morning, which you were supposed to do, they would've been in the cabinet."
"I just got up, and *my*, shouldn't you be cheerier since you just got laid?"
He tried to growl, but it came out as more of a half laugh. "I thought you needed therapy from thinking about that."
"Oh, I do, but admitting what caused the scarring is the first step to recovery."
Spike just snorted, pouring himself a glass of orange juice and replacing the container in the fridge.
She grinned at him. "We'll get you house-broken yet."
He blinked, then realized that he hadn't even *thought* about drinking from the container this time. Sighed. "Damn it. You Summers women...." Snorted. "I've been bleedin' whipped."
She cracked her imaginary whip. "That's right. Hop along, Cassidy. The TV beckons."
He gave a soft, play growl, and headed into the living room, muttering to himself about being trapped with a slave driver all day.
She plopped on the couch at the opposite end from him, and put her feet in his lap. "What's on?"
He shrugged. "Mornin' tv isn't my strong suit, Bit." Handed her the remote.
She flipped it on, surfed and surfed, but came up with nothing. "I have an idea."
Head cocked. "Oh?"
"Let's do movies all day, then go out when the sun's down."
He grinned at her. "Hmm. Sound like it *could* work..." Pretended to consider.
She nudged him with a toe. "Spiii-iiike." Her Bambi/Toaster/you're-my- hero/I'll-cry-if-you-say-no eyes.
He blinked, as if he'd ever intended to deny her. Smiled. "Today's our day, Bit. Which basically means that you dictate. Pick a movie."
Quick squeal and then, magnanimously, "You can pick."
Raised eyebrow. "Well, how generous of you, Platelet." Thought a moment. "Let's start with some action. Blade."
She did a quick 'spirit fingers'. "Wheee! You chose what I was gonna!" She got up to shove it in the VCR, and flopped back on the couch, her fleece jamma pants and tank top the perfect ensemble for the occasion: couching it with Spike.
He chuckled softly, and settled back against the couch pillows, relaxing. "Guess you're rubbin' off on me, Bit."
"I hope so. Cuz me being like you? Disturbing. But... on the ups? It would DEFINITELY bug Buffy."
He laughed. "You really would wish that on your poor, hardworking, world- saving, sister?"
"Blah blah. I'm the green-glowy ageless energy trapped in the rather mis- proportioned body of a fifteen year old."
He gave a half growl. "No. You're not. You're Dawn Summers, my best friend/little sister. You're not a Key. Not anymore. You can't be, when the lock doesn't exist anymore." Such certainty. Total assurance.
She looked away from the screen to smile at him. Genuinely. Happily. "I know."
He smiled. "Good. Don't you ever forget it, either."
"Never ever. Now shhh.... They're about to spray blood from the sprinklers." A sudden thought. "Do they HAVE places like that??"
He blinked. "I don't think so..." Rubbed at the bridge of his nose. "Bloody hell. Your sister really does have me whipped. I was about to say something that... Never mind."
"What?"
Sighed, still rubbing at his nose, as if he had a migraine. "I was going to say: 'I don't think so, and I sure as hell hope not'."
"I'll bet they do. Out in LA. Or maybe underground in New York."
"Possibly. Never seen one, though. And I've been in both places."
"I wanna see one."
Cocked his head. "One what?"
"A vamp club like that. Where they spray blood through the sprinklers."
He looked at her. "Dawn, first of all, this is a movie. Blood is far to thick to spray through sprinklers. And second, you would be the snack if you ever were in one of those places." Backpedaled. "That is, if they actually existed. Which they don't."
She gave him a cool look. "Right. They don't. Of course they don't. And you've also never been to one. I mean... um... if they were real."
"Exactly. Which they are not." Looked to the tv. "It's just something that the imaginations of a writer dreamed up."
"Uh-huh. Know what'd I do if I found a place like that?"
"Run in the opposite direction, find your sister, tell her about it, then go home and do your homework."
She smiled charmingly, and showed him her prettiest finger. "I'd rig it to a well of holy water. After the blood flowed a few minutes, mixing with the holy water, they wouldn't notice, but then it'd start to burn. I'd sit up on a wall and watch."
Spike blinked and a small shiver passed through him at the thought. He swallowed. "Uh... good idea, Bit. Very... inventive."
"Uh... oh... but.... uh... I'd make sure you weren't there, even though you never go to those places... cuz... they don't exist."
He nodded. "Right. Don't exist." Stare at the TV, and don't freak out.
She gazed blankly at the screen, then, "I'm *not* a little kid."
"I know that, Bit."
"Then why do you lie to me?" Still staring sightlessly at the tv.
He sighed and looked over at her. "Bit... Okay. I'm sorry. Look. I just don't want you having nightmares or something."
She rolled her eyes, not looking at him. "Spike... Do an instant replay of my life. Then review your statement. Feel free to laugh afterwards."
He just looked at her. "Dawn, *I* have nightmares. Knowing about these things doesn't make them any less scary."
She pulled her knees to her chest, pouted right good and proper. "I don't lie to you."
He nodded. "You're right. You don't. I just want to... Well, two things. Keep you safe, and keep your sister from kicking my ass for fillin' your head with monsters and such."
She sent him a reluctant grin. "My head as opposed to my house?"
He cocked his head at her, then looked around. "Where's a monster? I don't see one."
She chuckled. "Me either."
He growled playfully. "How about now?"
She stretched and yawned.
He blinked, then cocked his head at the tv for a moment. "They really don't do realistic makeup on these things." Vamped. "I don't look anything like that. And their fangs are too short."
"I know.We watched it for Film class last year, and, I just went, 'Their fangs are too short to bite anything. That's such a crock.' Well, needless to say, I had some fancy footwork to do around the guidance counsellor."
He laughed, with fangs, which was, needless to say... interesting. "Yeah, I bet."
"I also don't like how... if you just get BITTEN you get turned. I mean... it's like... 'Oh no! Vampire spit! I'm being turned!'" Eyeroll. "Whatever."
He chuckled again, and shook off the fangs. "I've always wondered where that myth came from. I mean, millions are killed by vamps world wide every year, and only... hundreds are actually sired."
"Dunno. But they're retarded."
He chuckled. "Blame horror writers. Only one who ever got it close to being right was Anne Rice. And that was just.. too close for comfort. I swear, I think she actually DID interview a vamp to get all the information she had."
Dawn fanned herself. "Only vamps I'd ever date. Armand, Lestat..."
He growled. "Hope you have a nice funeral planned out, then, Bit."
"Why's that?"
"Cause they'd just as soon eat you as look at you."
"No way. The only reason Armand even TURNED Daniel was because he couldn't stand to see him die."
Spike just blinked. "Still. The majority of REAL vamps can't even feel that kind of affection. For every one of me, there's a million Angelus'."
"Which, I guess, if you were into that kind of kinky Sado-masochist, bondage thing, would be a real turn on," she muttered thoughtfully.
Spike actually shuddered. "Bit, let's talk about something else... I don't like where this conversation has gone."
She looked at him sharply, a flush rising on her cheeks. Had NOT meant to say that last part out loud. Did not even want them to think she KNEW what those things were...
Spike, meanwhile, cleared his throat unnecessarily, and stared at the movie, which suddenly seemed very disturbing.
"Right.... so. You've Got Mail? Cuz I think we've seen this one one too many times."
He nodded. "Yeah. Or Ghost. If we want to stick with the supernatural theme, without the... realism factor."
"Whichever," Dawn squeaked. "I'm getting popcorn." Escaped to the kitchen.
When she returned, Spike was stretched out across the couch, the opening scenes of Ghost playing on the tv.
"Ugh. Couch hog."
He pulled his legs up out of her way, letting them hang off the couch a little.
She crawled into the open spot, and pulled his legs back up, into her lap. Munched the popcorn.
He grinned at her, eyes half lidded as he watched the movie. The familiar strains of Unchained Melody were now playing. He reached over, got a handful of popcorn, and popped a couple of kernels in his mouth, chewing slowly.
Halfway through the movie, Dawn's head was on his hip, out cold, napping contentedly at one in the afternoon.
Spike too was close to sleep, one hand that was stretched along side was stroking her hair gently. This really was turning into a perfect day.
He didn't even mind the *blue* jeans anymore.
The ringing phone started Spike out of a role playing dream involving a pottery wheel and Buffy, with Unchained Melody playing in the background.
Damn phone.
Thankfully, it was on the end table of the couch, so he didn't have to disturb Dawn, who was still sleeping on him, in order to answer it. "Hello?"
"Hi. Is Dawn there?"
He blinked. Male voice... Vaguely familiar male voice.. Asking for Dawn. "Who's callin'?"
Slightly defensive. "Michael. Who's askin'?"
A half growl in the voice, more out of instinct than any real malice. "Her big brother." He gently jostled Dawn's shoulder, covering the mouth piece of the phone. "Bit.. Phone for ya."
She mumbled at him, swatted sleepily, and pulled at the fabric of his jeans at his knees, burying her face in them.
"It's Michael." A small grin at her snuggling. He loved his little sister.
Mumbled again, "Shhh... don't ca-" She sat up, her eyes huge. "What??"
He grinned, held out the phone. "Michael for you."
She plucked it out of his hands. "Hello?" Tried to sound as lucid, and calm and cool, and sexy, and... NOT squealy as possible.
Spike lounged back against the pillows, turning his attention back to the end of the movie.
"Oh. Um... That.. that sounds really fun, but.... Um... I can't. I... yeah... I have plans for tonight. But... maybe tomorrow?"
Spike smiled a little. *He* rated above Dawn's crush-of-the-week. That made him feel good.
"Oh yeah. That's perf- I mean.. I'll have to check, but... I don't think I have anything planned." Cocked her head to the side. "My big..? Oh. Yeah. Spike. No, he's cool. Oh," she said casually, "I'm sure he hates you."
"Damn straight," the vampire said quietly, with a small chuckle.
She shoved out a foot to hit his lightly. "No. It was the TV. He's in the kitchen... ya know... making lunch. But yeah... tomorrow. For sure. Bye."
He accepted the phone after she hung up and set it back on the end table, cocked his head, regarding her. "So?"
Hoped he could ignore her blush as valiantly as she was. "So what?"
He grinned. "Where's Lover-boy taking you tomorrow? Just in case I want to chaperone."
Oh wow. A new level to 'beet red'. "In that case, we'll be in LA. Hurry to beat us there."
Soft chuckle. Looked back to the TV.
She bit her lip. She was going out with Michael tomorrow. Bronzing it, no less. Dancing, and few and tight clothes, and heels, and 'evening' makeup. Wheeeee! She slid her eyes to Spike. And HE wasn't shitting bricks. Well. He wasn't... growling, or, hyperventilating, or threatening to lock her in her room till she was forty. Again. Well.
Spike, in fact, seemed close to dozing off again, his eyes drooping and blinking a little as the movie came to an end and Sam Wheat went into the light.
She nudged him with her toe. "Spike?"
Blinked, rubbed the bridge of his nose for a moment before looking at her. "Huh?"
"Um... 'member when we went dancing on our roadtrip?"
A lazy smile came over his face. Did he ever. "Yeah."
Dawn remained oblivious. "Do... um...do you remember what I wore?"
Blink. Smile faded a bit. "Yes." He looked at her. "And you're not wearing that tomorrow. And your sister would agree with me."
"But, I look really grown up and pretty in it."
"Too grown up." Snorted. "In my day, you'd be picked up by the constables for dressin' like that."
"Yeah yeah, in your day I'd be married with six kids by now."
He growled softly. "Not if you lived with MY family."
She smiled. "Good for your family. Um.... how about.... ooooh. I'll steal Buffy's red lace shirt, and black pants"
He covered his ears. "Oh, no. I didn't hear that. Bit, don't tell me your plans for stealing from your sister. She can tell when I'm lying, and I know she'll ask me where her clothes went."
"You can tell her they got taken to the- to LA. But... Do you think he'd like?"
"Who? The wank- Michael?" Snorted. "Bit, it's YOU he likes. Not your clothes-" Cut himself off. "And totally ignore how that came out sounding."
She covered a laugh. "I know. But... do you think it'd look... pretty enough?"
A slightly different memory came up, and his eyes got wide. "Uh, Bit, if you're gonna steal your sister's clothes, pick something else, okay? And don't ask me why, unless you want more excuses for therapy."
She started to speak, but stuttered to a stop. "You- ewwww. Oh my God. That was on my TOP TEN LIST to borrow."
He laughed, hard, shaking the couch. "Oh god, Bit... I love it when you get that.. 'I'm-so-disgusted-with-you-I-can't-even-articulate-it look! You look just like... Like your big sis.." Laughed again.
She gagged a minute more then, "Well... actually... that shirt has a high success rate. Maybe I SHOULD wear it..."
He growled and shifted into a position that said 'I am about to pounce you'.
She just arched an eyebrow. "Yeah. We're just gonna screw on the catwalk of the Bronze."
Spike play growled again, and moved toward her. "Pushin' it, Bit."
She grinned. "You're right. The backseat is a much more feasible venue."
"Run."
She stuck her tongue out and ran.
He chased her all over the downstairs, and finally they wound up back on the couch, both laughing. He reached over and tapped her shoulder. "Gotcha."
She tapped him back. "Ha."
Snorted. "That's cheating. I'm not runnin'."
She grinned at him, then made a shocked face as she looked at the clock. "Holy cow. It's like... already four."
He grinned. "Yep. Time flies, and all that. That, and we slept for almost two hours."
"No way."
He raised an eyebrow. "You dozed off a little after one, and here it is four."
Dawn moaned. "I still have to shower, and plan, and get an outfit ready..."
"For *tomorrow*?"
"Tonight. We're going out. And yes, for tomorrow, too."
He cocked his head. "It's just me and you, Bit. No need to be dressy." Motioned to his outfit. "This is what I'm wearin'." He grinned all of a sudden. "Hey, I have an idea."
She leaned back warily. "What?"
Still grinning. "Your sister's gonna be at work till... Nine or so, right? Let's go surprise her. And I'll finally get to see where she works."
Dawn smirked. "You just wanna make sure everyone at work knows she has a boyfriend."
Snorted. "Damn straight."
Eyeroll. "Sissy. She's been gone for... less than eight hours."
He blinked. "And how does that make me a sissy?"
"Cuz... I can see it in your eyes, you're all, 'I miss my love,' " she mocked in a wavering British accent. Hands clasped over her heart, eyes raised to the ceiling dramatically.
He gave a snort at her. "Do you want me to kill you? Because you're pushing it."
She blew him a kiss. "Truth hurts, is that it?"
He moved to get up, play growling. "Two words. Run. Now."
She did, with a squeal, throwing herself up the staircase, and barricading herself behind her locked bedroom door.
He chuckled, having never even intended to climb the stairs. He trotted back to the couch and flopped down again. Let her change clothes, and then they could go.
Author's Notes, Tigerwolf: This is for LizD. A 'Mary Sue' is an original character, usually female, that is actually a PERFECT version of one of the authors. Madison, is not one. Thank you.
She groaned, dug the cell-phone out. "Hello?"
"... Um... I'm sorry. I was... looking for Spike. I must have the wrong number."
"No. This is Spike's phone. And his girlfriend."
"Oh. Buffy. Um.... Then... just... tell him Madison called ok?"
"Yup. All over it."
Madison gave a forced smile. "I'll just bet. You have a good day."
"You betcha." Reluctantly, she said, "Um... Madison?"
"Yes, Buffy?" She was not gonna take shit from that blonde twit.
"I.. Um... Thank you."
For starting your day on a happy note? "For... What?"
"For saving me." It was said in a low, almost reverent voice. Buffy knew when she had a debt.
"It's... Um... Your welcome." She was extremely surprised. She didn't think she'd see the day. Of course, she didn't think she actually needed THANKING either. It was just what needed to be done.
Buffy bit her lip a moment, then Madison spoke again.
"Buffy... You don't... owe me, or anything stupid like that."
"Yes, I-"
"No. It's... a gift, Buffy. From me to... To Dawn, or Spike, if that'll make you feel better, ok? I don't really like you. And you really don't like me. And we're ok with that. So... I mean... I don't want anything from you. There is no debt."
"You didn't let me die. There'll always be a debt."
"Jesus christo! Are you this stubborn with Spike? Fine. Wanna pay me back? Don't kiss other guys. And keep Spike off my back about the guys I see and what I do with them."
Buffy laughed. "He told you?"
"Yeah. Not the prettiest discussion we've ever had."
Buffy sighed. "You are not kidding me."
"Yeah, well, you were right about the working thing-"
"I know! That's what I told him. But... Um... hey. He's in the room now, so... Here he is."
"Bye, Buffy."
"Bye, Madison."
Spike's mouth was hanging open, and he nearly let go of the towel that he was holding around this waist as he accepted the phone. "H-hello?" Buffy didn't look mad. That was good. That was really good.
"Hey."
"Hey, Madison..." He gently scooted Buffy out of his way so that he could sit on the bed. "Something up?"
"Um... I talked to Trevor?"
His eyes widened, and he grinned a little. "And?", he prompted.
"And.... um... he was still mad at me."
He blinked. "Oh. I'm sorry, pet. Me and my big mouth. I'm really sorry. And I'm repeating myself."
"No big, Puppy. I just screamed right back. I told him he needed to pull his head out of his ass, I was sorry, I loved him, too, and I was here now, and wasn't that what mattered?"
"And?"
"And I told him that he knew where I'd be. I'd wait. And I went home. And the next morning he came over and made me breakfast."
The grin came back. "So? He's not mad at you anymore? Or what?"
"So... He loves me. I love him. And... we're being very slow. Exceedingly, excruciatingly slow."
He nodded. "That's the best way, pet. Really. Believe me. I'm glad you're happy."
"Happy... that's such a... strong word. I'd settle for frustrated. But... it's good. It's good, isn't it?" Slight worry.
"It's good, Madison. Very good." Reassuring tone.
"I hoped so."
"Well, you know you can believe me. It's good. Oh! And guess what I'm doing tomorrow."
"Hm?"
Chuckled. "I have a date, and it's not Buffy." The expected gentle smack from his girlfriend came right on cue.
"Ohhhh... trouble in paradise. You gonna kiss her?"
He laughed. "Probably not. It's Niblet."
"Mmm... You better not. That'd make for a freaky episode of Springer. Vampire's sleeping with the slayer and making out with her sister... "
He stuck his tongue out and made a 'euck' sound. "No! Madison!"
"Hey. Just saying. Besides. I think Dawn would break your nose if you tried."
He chuckled. "She nearly did the other night, but that's a different story. Taught me never to grab her, that's for sure."
"WHAT in God's name did you do to that poor child?"
Buffy gave him an inquisitive look.
He chuckled. "She slapped my butt, so I grabbed her in a headlock, and she popped me one in the nose."
Both women laughed. "Good on her. She's tough."
"Yeah yeah."
"Tell her I said hi, ok?"
He smiled. "Sure. I'll talk to you later, Madison. And tell Trevor that I said he's a very lucky man."
An almost audible eye roll. "Yeee-ah. I'm sure that's what he thinks, too."
He chuckled. "If he's got half a brain, he does. Whether or not he will admit it is another thing."
She laughed. "Yeah. I know. I'll talk to you soon, ok?"
"You'd better. Bye, pet."
"Bye, Puppy."
He hung up his phone and stuffed it back in the jeans pocket. Noticed Buffy lounging at the head of the bed, watching him. "What?"
She smiled. "She's not... completely God-awful."
He chuckled softly. "Thanks, I think."
She gave a quick nose crunch. "I... I thanked her."
He smiled. "You didn't have to, luv. She already told me that she did what she did, used her gift, to pass it on. She asked ME not to thank her." Chuckled. "Course, I did anyway, but still."
"She... she said that there was no debt."
Spike grinned at her. "She's right. That's the way she explained it to me, too."
"She did say I could repay her. Will you help me?"
He cocked his head. "Depends. What is it?"
"Spike... I need your help to do it. Will you help me?"
Shrugged. "Sure. What do I have to do?"
Buffy gave him a big smile. "You have to stay off her back about the guys she's with and what she does with them."
He winced. "Damn it. I knew I should've gotten you to tell me BEFORE I agreed." Snorted and turned his back on her. "You tricked me."
"Yes I did."
He sighed defeatedly. "Fine. If I HAVE too."
She hugged him from behind. "You promised."
He leaned back against her, purring softly. "Alright. And I don't break promises." Glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. "Aren't you forgetting something?"
"What's that?"
He bumped her backwards. "Shower's yours, now."
She bit his shoulder teasingly. "Well fine. don't cuddle with me."
He chuckled. "Well, the shower can always wait." Nuzzled her gently.
========================================================================== ==========
Buffy nuzzled her head against Spike's shoulder. "I just think it's sweet is all."
He chuckled softly, gently rubbing her side with the arm that was around her. "Never thought I'd see the day when the word 'sweet' and myself were in the same sentence, luv."
She lifted her head, bit along his jaw. "Mmm... Not exactly sweet, but tasty."
He purr/growled softly, cocking his head a little to give her better access. "Your opinion, luv. I am looking forward to it, though. Been awhile since I hung out with Lil' Bit."
"I know..." She kissed down his neck. "She loves you, ya know."
Spike made a quiet 'Mmm' noise, his eyes half lidded. "Yeah. I know. I love her, too. I feel like... You'd probably think this is stupid."
"You never know." She stopped kissing his neck. "What?"
He made an annoyed sound, before answering. "I feel like.. Like I'm her big brother, or something. Felt like it for awhile, now. Since before your mum..." Trailed off. There was no need to say it.
She nodded, her hand touching his gently. "I know. I think she feels the same way."
He grinned. "You really think so?"
She hid a grin at his excited tone. "Yeah. I do."
He chuckled happily, his hand resuming it's earlier attentions on her side. "You know, we never did really decide what we were gonna do. Just.. movies, you know?"
"Yeah, well, go rent some, then."
He looked at her. "Naw. Bit'd kill me cause I'd get all the 'wrong' stuff." Chuckled.
"Well, take her with."
He blinked. "Well. I guess that proves where the brains are in this relationship." Looked at her. "I'll go ask her... If you don't mind, that is, luv."
She gave him a look. "Why would I mind?"
He stood up and turned around once. "Well, if you feel that it's safe to let a specimen like me go wandering around unescorted..." Playful tone, but he looked so serious...
"You're not allowed to eat the video people," she scolded seriously.
They both gave each other mock scolding looks for a moment, before both started laughing quietly.
She rolled her eyes a few moments later. "Go get her. There's money on the counter."
He grinned, retrieved the money, and trotted up the stairs, almost bouncing with every step.
Dawn laid on her back on her bed, her legs swinging off the side. She giggled attractively, then, "Devon!" Rambled on.
Spike paused at her door, knocked twice, then opened it a little ways, sticking his head in. "Hey, Bit. Got a little proposition for you."
She covered the mouth piece of the phone hastily, shooting him the teenaged, "oh-m'-god-I'm-on-the-phone-with-a-hot-guy-and-you-JUST- interrupted-me" look.
He blinked innocently, and moved to close the door. "Fine, Niblet. If you don't want to help me pick out the movies for our night tomorrow, I'll just leave you to your conversation." Began to pull the door closed.
She squealed quickly. "Umm... De-Devon. Yeah. I'll call you back, ok? Something just came up. Bye." Hung up the phone. Looked at him. "We're still on?"
He smiled at her. She was giving him her patented 'Bambi eyes' look, which he could never deny. Even if he wanted to. "Of course, Bit. Just you and me. All night. Movies, pizza, wings, and a sugar rush."
Another excited squeal, and she grabbed her leather jacket. "Got money?"
Held up the two twenties from the table. "Of course."
"Let's go."
Twenty minutes later, the pair were perusing the shelves of the local Hollywood Video. Spike cocked his head. "I think... eight movies, maximum. Since we have a week to watch them. We can each pick four."
"No way. We pick eight together. You. Are. A. Freak. You cannot pick four movies that won't traumatize me for life... Of course, I hugged you naked. Not much tops that."
He laughed, startling an old couple who had been looking at the travel videos two isles over. Gave them an apologetic look, even as he tried to curb his snickering. "I had a robe, Bit."
"SO does not even matter. That was... disturbing beyond all necessity."
He snorted again, but managed not to scare anyone this time. "Okay, Bit. You win. What do you feel like?"
She made a pouty face. "Clueless?"
He balked and shuddered. "Hell no. Harmony...." Growled.
She glared. Snatched a video without looking and thumped it on his chest. "Fine. Whatever. This one."
Spike looked at the tape, and promptly started snickering again. Hard. Not wanting to scare the elderly couple again, the vampire moved to one of the columns that were spaced around the store, leaning on it while trying to compose himself, the video hanging loosely in one hand.
"Whaaaa-aaaat?"
He held out the video, unable to speak at the moment.
Her eyes widened at the title. 'Snow Vixens On Vacation, the Sequel'. "Ewww!" Slapped it out of his hands, and left it on the ground where it lay, and grabbed his wrist, dragging him away. Her face was a nice, even shade of blood-red embarrassment.
Spike was still chuckling. "Guess that'll teach you to pick up 'movies' without looking first, eh, Platelet?"
"Shut up," she muttered, her face still flaming. Oh my god... Snow Vixens On Vacation, the Sequel???
He just kept laughing quietly. Finally, "Okay, Bit. Easy on the wrist. Tell you what, I think I'm in a comedy mood. What do you think?"
"I second that." Let go of his wrist. "In the non-sequel kinda way."
Another snicker.
She grinned. "Shut up and pick a movie."
He cocked his head, walking from one end of the isle to the other, occasionally picking a movie up and reading the back, before putting it back and moving on. This was more like the way someone would pick out a CAR than a movie.
Dawn tapped her foot, irritated that the carpeting muffled the sound, which lessened the effect of her boredom.
He glanced at her. "Do we want just comedy, or romantic comedy, cause I happen to like You've Got Mail."
"Sounds good. I want one gory movie. How 'bout Blade? Or... Oooh... Bon Jovi's got a new movie out, 'Something something Muertos.' S'about vampires. And it has Jon Bon Jovi."
He laughed. "Both. Get both, and I'll find somethin' else here."
"Okay!" Dawn chirped happily and went about her way.
About an hour, and fifteen dollars worth of movies later, the pair were on their way home, when Spike suddenly paused in his tracks.
"What??" Dawn had almost tripped over him when he stopped.
He grinned at her. "Hey, Bit, remember a year or so ago, before your sis started bein' nice to me, and your mum let me take you for icecream that once?" At her affirmative, he continued. "Does that little place over there look familiar?"
She followed his gaze and laughed. "Yeah. Mint chocolate chip in a waffle cone."
A slow smile spread over the vampire's face. "We've still got money. Up for a treat?"
She rolled her eyes playfully and hooked her arm through his. "What a stupid question. Am I up for sugar with my favorite vampire?"
He laughed. "Good point." They walked up to the small parlor and he opened the door for her playfully. "After you, m'lady." Exaggerating his accent to make it sound funny.
She giggled, blushing a little bit.
He followed her in, paid for their orders, and they took a booth near the back. The same place that they'd been the first time. Spike licked at his plain chocolate cone absently, looking around. "Hasn't changed much."
Her eyes got wide. "Oh my god."
He nearly dropped the cone. "What??"
"Michael just walked in."
Spike swiveled his head and fixed his predator's gaze on the boy who had just entered the parlor.
Dawn let out a tiny whimper. "He is soooo cute."
Spike, on the other hand, let out a small growl.
Dawn batted at him, never wavering in her adoring stare. "Stop that."
He snorted. "Human males, especially the teenaged variety, have one track minds, Bit. And *you* are not going to be a part of that track."
She licked her cone and noted absently, "I'd run the mile for him."
He growled again. Slightly louder. Then cocked his head at her. "I thought that guy you had on the phone earlier was your main obsession this week."
"Mmm... See.... Girl's might have one-track minds, too, but we have multiple lanes." Used her finger to drop some ice cream on the table. "Oops. I'm gonna go get a couple napkins."
He grabbed her arm. "No you are not. You just want to go over there and fawn over that wanker."
"Spiiiiiike..." She whimpered. "One. That hurts. A lot."
He loosened his grip. Not enough to let her wiggle free, though.
"Spike... ice cream is melting into a sticky mess on the table. Napkins. Harmless. Unlike some people I could name."
"I'll get them, then."
"Spike..." Pleading doe eyes.
He sighed, and released her arm. "Napkins, Bit. No boy. Just napkins."
"Right." Started for the counter, and 'bumped' into Michael. She acted surprised, and laughed as they chatted for a minute. Blushed and tucked her hair behind her ear, gesturing to Spike. One cute nose-crunch later, Dawn was writing her number down on a 'harmless' napkin for him, waving, and grabbing a few for her 'accident' at the table.
When she returned, Spike was leaning back in the seat, head cocked, expression unreadable, making a soft sound that she couldn't identify as either a purr or a growl. It was too soft.
She smiled nervously and rubbed a little too enthusiastically at her mess.
Sound got louder. Growl. Definitely a growl. And he was staring at her, unblinking.
She fidgeted, wiggled in her seat. Licked at her ice cream. "Say something. Or... or blink."
Blinked.
"What?" She cried defensively.
"Was I speaking a dead language a minute ago? Did you just not *hear* me when I said, 'napkin, no boy'?"
"I- but- that WAS only napkin!"
"Napkin that you wrote your phone number on and gave to aforementioned boy."
"But there was no touching. Therefore, no boy. No kissing, or hugging, or touching. No boy."
"Dawn."
She cringed and shrunk back in her seat a little bit. Spike not calling her 'Bit' was like her parents using her full name... and shouting at the same time.
"You bumped into him on purpose. I saw that. Don't even bother denying it."
"Just a tiny bump. We BARELY even *brushed.*"
Blinked.
She bit her lip and looked up at him through her lashes.
He watched her for a few more moments, then sighed, visibly deflating. "Just don't do it again, okay?"
She grinned. "Ok. I wouldn't have, normally, but Janice heard, from the guy she's been.... well, not, DATING exactly, but they make o- nevermind. Anyway, she heard from him that Tom said that Michael said that he thinks I'm really cute."
He raised an eyebrow. Apparently the gossip chains hadn't changed much in the last century. He said as much.
She smiled. "Who cares? He asked for my number."
"I reserve the right of the man of the house to screen phone calls."
"Assuming you can pry yourself off Buffy's mattress to grab the phone first?"
He growled at her. But a play growl, this time.
Just another cocky grin. "Ooooh. Scary."
He stood up, slowly, growling softly, picking up the bag of videos almost as an after thought, and moved toward her predatorially.
She stood from the booth and walked backwards to the doors. Kept her eyes on him warily. "Spike..."
Thankfully, there were no employees at the front of the store, as he continued to stalk her right out the door, still play growling, and smirking as well.
Dawn squealed, and turned to book it out the door, and slammed straight into someone. She turned in the arms that were holding her, still scrambling to get away from Spike.
Spike paused in his tracks, and had the totally irrational urge to hit himself over the head with the bag of videos. He'd just chased Dawn right into the arms of the very 'boy' that they'd just been arguing about. Of all the bloody rotten luck.
The boy's arms tightened around Dawn, holding her close, and he glared over her head at Spike. "Your date giving you a hard time, Dawn? He need to be taught some manners?" Dawn's eyes closed in mortification. Oh m'gooooood...
Spike's eyes grew wide. "Date!", he practically yelped. "I'm not her bloody 'date', ya wan-"
"He's... just a friend," she babbled, pulling out of Michael's arms. "Just... just a guy. He... um... kind of sees my sister."
" 'Kind of sees' my ass," Spike muttered, a soft growl slipping out despite his attempts at control. "Let's go, Bit. Excuse me." Slipped past the boy and out the glass doors, expecting Dawn to be right behind him.
She tried to take a step in his direction, but Michael's hand closed firmly around her arm, much like Spike's had been. "She's not going home with you."
Spike turned, pure will keeping him from vamping and snarling at this impudent human. "I happen to live in her house, so that's gonna be rather difficult, *mate*." Said in a tone that made it obvious that he meant the exact opposite.
"Michael... it- it's ok... He's... we're ok. Don't worry. He's... really nice when you get to know him..." Her shoulder was lifting with his hand. "Kind of hurting..."
Spike's eyes flashed, and he took a step toward them.
Michael planted a hand on Spike's chest. "Back off, jerk." His hand loosened on Dawn's arm. "Are you sure you don't want to come home with me? Cuz... he looks dangerous, Dawn."
" 'Dangerous'?", Spike growled. As in, really growled. "I'll show you 'dangerous', ya wanker, if you don't take your hands off my little sister." Said it totally without thinking, driven by total emotion.
Which he did, quickly, because, no matter WHAT the letterman's jacket said (football and weight-lifting) he was not a complete idiot.
Dawn placated both at once, or attempted to. "Michael, really... Spike's fine. He'd never hurt me... We were just.. kind of playing tag... I swear..." She smiled nervously. "I'm sorry... I swear.. he's not usually like this..."
Spike just stood there. Looking for all the world that, if that boy so much as looked at Dawn the wrong way, he was going to throttle him. Bypass the emergency room and go straight to the morgue kind of throttle.
She turned to Spike, her eyes shining a little bit, looking watery. "It didn't hurt. I promise." Turned back to Michael. "We're gonna go, but... call me, and we'll do something." Mouthed another apology and, one small hand clutching at the leather of Spike's duster sleeve, started walking away.
When they got far enough away that Spike was certain that the wa- Boy, couldn't hear them anymore, he said quietly, "Sorry, Bit. I didn't mean to-"
She smiled, and tucked herself against his side shyly. Ignored the bruises forming on her arm now. "Did you mean it?"
"What?"
Shyly, happily. "That I'm your little sister?"
Spike shifted his bag of videos to his other hand, so that he could wrap his arm around her, the hand stroking her hair. "Of course I did, Bit."
She smiled. Then, quietly, "He didn't mean to hurt me."
Spike nodded. "I know. Neither did I, and I'm sorry, Niblet." He squeezed her gently. "You *are* my little sister, you know. And I love you. I can't help bein' protective from time to time."
She grinned a little bit. "I know. I was very proud of you for not biting him."
He chuckled. "I was proud of me for that, too."
She blinked up at him. "We're not gonna tell Buffy about this are we?"
Grinned. "Tell Buffy about what?"
"Right."
He let go of her and paused for a moment, his head cocked. Grinned at her. "You know something?"
She grinned back. "Huh?"
He darted forward, tapped her on the shoulder. "You're it." Took off toward the house, not running half as fast as he could.
She gave a cry. "NOT FAIR!" Took off after him, at top speed.
He laughed as he ran, turning to jog backwards and gauge her closeness.
She sprung at him as he turned again, her arms catching around his knees.
Spike went down in the grass of the Summers front lawn, on his back, laughing happily.
Buffy had peeked out the window, seeing if they were coming, and what was keeping them. Saw her little sister flying tackle Spike to the grass, their movies sliding across the pavement and grass alike as Dawn tickle attacked Spike's ribs.
She chuckled a bit, and kept watching, a curious expression on her face.
Spike yelped and tried to roll, laughing and calling for Dawn to stop, trying to scramble to his feet, the bag of videos momentarily forgotten. "Bit! Ahhh! Come on...." Laughed. "Don't do THAT!!!"
She kept him pinned, grinning evilly, her fingers tickling his sides mercilessly. "Bwaaa-haha!"
"Nooooo! BIT!!" Fought down the insane urge to call for help. Squirmed, letting out something that closely resembled a squeal every now and then as he writhed on the grass.
She laughed delightedly, finally out of breath, and rolled to the side.
Spike lay there in the grass, panting for a few moments. "Dawn...", he said, trying to keep the minor chuckles that were still escaping him to a minimum. "Never, and I mean NEVER do that again."
She grinned. "Okay."
"What about me?" Buffy called from the doorway.
Spike rolled onto his side to see Buffy move out onto the porch. "Bloody hell," he muttered. "You *saw* that?"
A smile quirked her lips. "Maybe."
He went to push up onto his hands and knees, searching for the dropped video bag. "Bloody stupid... damn little... where'd it go?"
Dawn still laid on the grass and pointed above her head. "Over there."
He half crawled over to it, and sat next to it, pouting slightly. "I can't believe... Bleedin' embarrassing..." Still muttering, too.
Buffy smiled and came to sit between them. "What took so long?"
"We stopped for icecream," Spike supplied sulkily.
"Yeah," Dawn parroted. "Just icecream."
"And then, we somehow wound up playing tag, and then I got pounced." Glared at Dawn. "Not in the rules, Niblet."
She blinked innocently. "What rules?"
Half growl from the pouting vampire.
Dawn laughed and moved to lay beside him. Put her head on his leg. "Sorry."
He gave a soft laugh, and one hand moved to stroke her hair gently. "I know. I know. Just... either never do that again, or warn me before hand. Because, as a surprise, you're lucky that I didn't pass out on you."
She arched her eyebrow at him. "What?"
"It could happen," he said defensively.
She laughed. "Yeeee-ah."
He half growled at her. "It could. Or, at the least, I could've wound up with hiccups."
"Oooh... How dire..."
He poked her side. "I can fight back, too."
She jumped. "No way."
He chuckled. "See? Think twice before you pounce a vampire, Bit. I owe you, now. And I'm not gonna warn you, either." Evil chuckle. Both of them had almost forgotten that Buffy was out there with them.
Buffy grinned at their banter, was about to remark when she picked up the phone ringing in the house. "Ooh. Phone."
Spike jumped, having almost forgotten his girlfriend was out there with them. "Oh." Gently moved Dawn off his lap, whispering, "It might be 'Michael'..." Semi-sarcastically.
Dawn gave him a look and booked it for the house, sweeping up the phone. Didn't even hear Spike behind her. "Hello?"
He leaned against the doorway to the dining room, watching her on the phone, the bag of movies once again in one hand.
"Oh..." Shy, "Hi. I didn't really think you'd call is all." Small laugh.
He cocked his head, then shook it, giving a small half snort, and headed into the living room to drop the movie bag on the coffee table then flop on the couch.
A few minutes later Dawn deposited herself on the couch with Spike and Buffy.
The vampire cocked his head. "Hope you didn't make any plans for tomorrow, Bit."
"Nope. Just wanted to make sure I got in ok."
Half snort.
She gave him a look.
"Um... who and why?" Buffy asked.
To Dawn's surprise, Spike covered for her. "We ran into one of her school pals at the icecream place, luv. I was playing with Niblet, and the kid thought I was actually stalking her. Little misunderstandin's, s'all."
Buffy gave a half-laugh and an eyeroll. "Yeah. Cuz you'd stalk Dawn. Geez. At least he was smart enough to not start anything with you."
Dawn shot him a relieved look.
Spike chuckled. "Yeah. Kid showed a bit of intelligence. Knew not to mess with the Big Bad." Assured.
Dawn smiled. "Yup. Spike was DEFINITELY making sure he knew I was ok."
Buffy 'hmmmm-ed' and nodded. Yawned hugely. "Guys... I hate to say it, but I'm beat. I've got to work in the morning, so I'm gonna get to bed."
Spike cocked his head for a moment. "I'll be up in awhile, luv. I think Bit and I are just gonna stay here for awhile. Maybe watch the telly."
She nodded, kissed Dawn's forehead lightly, murmuring an "I love you". Smiled sleepily at Spike, brushed her lips against his. "Love you."
Spike sank back into the pillows, purring softly. "Bloody hell.... One of these days, that phrase isn't gonna have that effect on me anymore. Either that, or I'm actually going to melt."
Buffy smirked as she passed him, her fingers tousling his hair, and she went to their room.
Beside Spike, Dawn smiled hugely. "Mmmm... what's on tonight?"
He flipped on the TV and chuckled. "Well, would you look at that? A Moonlighting marathon."
She made an absolutely glowingly happy face, and a low squeal.
He smiled at her obvious happiness, and stretched a little. It wasn't long before his head had lolled back on the couch pillows, and he was fighting dozing off, despite the late hour.
Dawn had fallen asleep some time earlier, her head lolling on Spike's shoulder, one hand still buried in the popcorn bowl on his lap.
Spike started awake at a loud (to him) commercial. Dawn, on the other hand, was still sound asleep. He smiled, and moved her slowly, getting to his feet, then scooping her gently into his arms and carrying her upstairs to her room, waking her up enough that she could change clothes without his help. Still, he waited in her room to tuck her in. Not even really knowing why he really wanted to all of a sudden.
She emerged from the bathroom, pajama clad, a dot of toothpaste in one corner of her mouth, and plopped on her bed.
Spike tucked her in gently, and gave her a kiss on the forehead, and a quietly whispered, "I love you, Bit."
She smiled sleepily, and, cuddling down into the covers, muttered, "Love you, too... Love having... big brother..."
Spike paused in his tracks, and something in his long dead heart melted. "I love having a little sister, too, Niblet. Goodnight."
Moved slowly out the door, into the bathroom to strip down to boxers, then headed into his and Buffy's room to go to bed.
He did his best to crawl over her to get on his preferred side of the bed without waking her, and snuggled down into the covers once he'd made it. Buffy let out a sigh, and turned directly into his arms. He purred happily, and wrapped her in his embrace, slowly dozing off with his nose buried in her hair.
========================================================================== =============
Buffy blinked blearily at the expanse of pale flesh she had her face shoved in. Mmm... Spike's back. She didn't even remember him coming to bed the night before. A slow smile took her lips as she thought over the evening. She was so glad Spike and Dawn were friends. It kept Spike in line, and, well, Dawn in line, too, she guessed. It also gave Dawn someone to talk to other than her sister, which, as sucky as it was, was something that Dawn did need.
Beneath her, the vampire shifted in his sleep, nuzzling into the pillow and letting out a quiet sigh, his usual purr still rumbling from within him.
She turned her head just a bit, and placed a kiss on his back.
Another sigh, and the purr got louder as Spike mumbled something into the pillow.
She squirmed up, nipped at his neck. "What was that?"
A soft chuckle and he turned his head slightly so that he wasn't talking into the pillow. "I said: It's too early."
"Mmm... I beg to differ..."
He nuzzled into the pillow again, mumbling, "Go beg somewhere else..." A soft chuckle came from within him as he spoke.
Buffy pressed her face to his back, and he could feel the smile. She sucked gently on his neck. "Mmm... Talking about begging, huh?"
He chuckled again. "You started it."
She moved her head to whisper enticingly, "Maybe you wanna finish it?"
He grinned into the pillow and purred softly. "Slayer, luv, you got about three hours more sleep last night than me. And I was fighting for my bloody life part of last night. Against your sister, none the less. I'm tired, and I stand by my 'too early' statement."
She pouted, but slid off his back to sit up and stretch. "Mmm... Ok. I'll just have to find someone I can have in the mornings. I'll keep you for night, too, though."
He rolled slightly onto his side and regarded her with one half open blue eye. "Bad joke, luv. I'd kill whoever you found."
She winked. "Whoever said I'd tell?"
He growled softly. "I said 'not funny', Slayer." Turned his head the other way, not looking at her, the quiet growl still rumbling from within him. So much for sleeping.
She scooted next to him, still sitting, the grin fading off her face slightly. "Did you ever notice, when you get mad, you call me Slayer?"
"Must be reflex." Still not looking at her. And still growling.
She laughed again, and stood, pulling on jeans under the baggy tee-shirt she'd worn to bed. "Honestly, Spike. I'm just gonna go out and get an 'AM lover'." Chuckled.
He sat up quickly and growled. "Slayer..." Sighed and looked at the pillow. "You already found one, remember?" Growled again. Apparently at Mr. Gordo, because he wasn't looking at her.
She stopped in mid-pull, the sweater lodging over her head. A brief scramble later, Buffy sputtered, "What?"
"That 'Jesse' wanker. Or did you forget the guy you *kissed*, so quickly?" He almost spat the sentence out, the low growl rumbling below the words.
"Spike... I told you that didn't mean anything." She paused, tilted her head, considering. "Well... Actually, I guess it meant everything."
His head snapped up and eyes locked on her flashing gold for an instant. Oops. He'd misunderstood her statement.
"I just... it showed me. Yes. Jesse is... gorgeous, and rich, and sweet, and shy, and nice." She shrugged and made a helpless face. "But that's not what I want."
He blinked, confused. "Wait a minute... Then what are you trying to say that *I* am?"
She laughed and moved to the bed, knelt over the sheets, her hands tangling in his hair. "You're sexy, and bold, and strong, and caring." She stared into his confused eyes, and clarified. "And you're mine."
Slowly the confused look faded, to be replaced with a huge and slightly goofy looking grin. Brought one hand up to caress her cheek. "Yours. Always and only yours." The growl had transformed into a purr.
She smiled cutely. One hand slid down the sheet to settle enticingly between his hips. "Morning, noon, and night."
He gave a soft growl, but not one of anger. Smiled at her. "You know what? I'm not tired anymore..."
Buffy stretched slowly, making a low noise in her throat the entire time.
She knew what she was doing, and HE knew it, too. He patiently waited for her to finish her stretch, before pouncing and flipping himself on top of her, purr/growling softly, almost playfully.
She turned her head to the side when he would have kissed her. Yawned prettily. "I'm sorry... it's too early."
He gave a chuckling growl. "You little.."
"Tease?"
He flopped over onto his side next to her. "That fits." Chuckled, rolled over, and closed his eyes. "Tell me when it's *not* too early anymore."
She sat up and hit him on the shoulder.
He fake snored. But it lost a little of it's credibility when he snickered.
She stood up. "I'm... just gonna head on to work, then." Placed a chaste kiss on his forehead. "I won't be home till late. Going out after work." Yes, she was evil, but a tiny bit of jealousy was never a bad thing.
He opened his eyes and looked at her. "Who are you 'going out' with, luv?"
She shrugged. "Um... people."
A half growl, which somehow managed to sound indignant. "Oh, so you say." Sniffed halfway convincingly. "I don't even get a 'love you'?"
She patted his head. "Bye, Spikey."
A soft whimper. Pitifully, "Buffy..."
She looked back at him, eyebrow raised. The ball was in his court. "Yes?"
Quietly, pitifully, "I love you."
"I love you too. I'm gonna be super late tonight. Don't wake me." What? Was he NOT going to ravish her?
He got up slowly, sitting on the side of the bed. "When do you have to be at work?"
Looked at the clock. "Soon." Liar. In over an hour.
He got up slowly, stretching, much like he'd done in a certain pool so many months ago, muscles rippling. "Oh, sure you don't have a few moments?"
She knew every inch of his body-intimately, but that didn't stop her from being dumb-founded at how sexy she still found it. "I'm not sure."
He stood up, moved toward her slowly, predatorily. The 'cute puppy' act hadn't worked, so now it was time for 'ferocious tiger'. Slunk around her, deliberately breathing on her neck, brushing his body against hers. Began nibbling on her neck, making his way up to her ear. Once he reached it, he whispered. "Make some time, then."
Strangled noise. "I could be persuaded..."
Turned up the volume of his purr to the point where it was vibrating HER where their bodies touched. "Really? What do I have to do to convince you?"
Her eyes drifted shut. "A little bit of that...."
He grinned. "Whatever my love desires..." Went back to his attentions, moving around to the front of her throat.
She turned her head, her mouth meeting his.
He slowly maneuvered their bodies to the bed, laying over her, purring loudly. "I love you, Buffy," he whispered in her ear, before returning to her neck.
She moved slowly beneath him, smiling when he captured her hands over her head. "I love you, too."
-========================================================================= ===========
Buffy gave a little sigh, and sat up. "God... Have to leave now."
Spike yawned and sat up next to her, pulling her backwards to him in a quick hug, kissing the top of her head. "Might want to get a brush, first, luv."
She gave a small chuckle. "And makeup, and... bathroom stuff..." She relaxed against him. Coughed. "Can I be sick today?"
He nuzzled her gently. "Well, as much as I'd love for you to, I have a date tonight." Grinned.
She gave him a look. "You are SO lucky it's my little sister."
He laughed, and kissed her cheek gently. "Only you, luv. I love you."
Buffy smiled, nuzzled against him. "I'm gonna try to be really late, ok? So you guys can have your fun."
"We'll welcome you whenever you get home, luv. The more the merrier."
"I know, but Dawn missed you. She was... outlandishly patient when we-" Still didn't like to speak of it. "Anyway, she really missed you. I'm definitely not horning in."
Chuckled. "Nice phrase."
Rolled her eyes. "Shut up." She looked around the room, confused, tugging on the hem of her sweater. "Where're my pants?"
He snickered, pointed... up? Up. At the light fixture.
She blushed. Snatched them down, pulled them on. "Bye."
"I love you." Smiled at her from the bed.
She looked back at him, the sheet drooping in all the right places, hair tousled, lazy, content smile... Closed her eyes against it. "God, I love you."
He smiled again. "See you tonight, luv."
She sighed and closed the door behind herself.
Spike lounged around for the next fifteen minutes or so, before finally getting up, slipping on the blue jeans that Dawn had talked him into, and the coordinating red shirt. He figured that his Niblet would like that he was wearing what she'd picked out for him on their 'date'. He headed downstairs and into the kitchen.
Dawn looked up at him over her cereal. "Morning. Buffy looked decidedly rumpled this morning."
He chuckled and ran his fingers through his own still tousled hair. "Well, she was occupied earlier. I take it she got off to work okay?" He went to the fridge and pulled out the orange juice, looking for a glass.
"Uh huh. Nice threads, buddy."
He grinned at her. "Well, a beautiful young friend of mine picked them out for me."
She tossed her hair. "Beautiful, huh?"
He chuckled. "Yeah. She's beautiful, and intelligent, and a little too... creative, at times, but, that's just her way."
She smiled brightly. "That's what Michael says, too. See? You guys have something in common!"
He growled at her, playfully, though. Any guy who was willing to stand up to him, had to have something going for him. Not that he'd ever admit that out loud. "Shut up, Bit." Returned to looking for a glass.
"Dishwasher, bloodbreath."
He growled again, but went to the dishwasher. "If you'd unloaded it this morning, which you were supposed to do, they would've been in the cabinet."
"I just got up, and *my*, shouldn't you be cheerier since you just got laid?"
He tried to growl, but it came out as more of a half laugh. "I thought you needed therapy from thinking about that."
"Oh, I do, but admitting what caused the scarring is the first step to recovery."
Spike just snorted, pouring himself a glass of orange juice and replacing the container in the fridge.
She grinned at him. "We'll get you house-broken yet."
He blinked, then realized that he hadn't even *thought* about drinking from the container this time. Sighed. "Damn it. You Summers women...." Snorted. "I've been bleedin' whipped."
She cracked her imaginary whip. "That's right. Hop along, Cassidy. The TV beckons."
He gave a soft, play growl, and headed into the living room, muttering to himself about being trapped with a slave driver all day.
She plopped on the couch at the opposite end from him, and put her feet in his lap. "What's on?"
He shrugged. "Mornin' tv isn't my strong suit, Bit." Handed her the remote.
She flipped it on, surfed and surfed, but came up with nothing. "I have an idea."
Head cocked. "Oh?"
"Let's do movies all day, then go out when the sun's down."
He grinned at her. "Hmm. Sound like it *could* work..." Pretended to consider.
She nudged him with a toe. "Spiii-iiike." Her Bambi/Toaster/you're-my- hero/I'll-cry-if-you-say-no eyes.
He blinked, as if he'd ever intended to deny her. Smiled. "Today's our day, Bit. Which basically means that you dictate. Pick a movie."
Quick squeal and then, magnanimously, "You can pick."
Raised eyebrow. "Well, how generous of you, Platelet." Thought a moment. "Let's start with some action. Blade."
She did a quick 'spirit fingers'. "Wheee! You chose what I was gonna!" She got up to shove it in the VCR, and flopped back on the couch, her fleece jamma pants and tank top the perfect ensemble for the occasion: couching it with Spike.
He chuckled softly, and settled back against the couch pillows, relaxing. "Guess you're rubbin' off on me, Bit."
"I hope so. Cuz me being like you? Disturbing. But... on the ups? It would DEFINITELY bug Buffy."
He laughed. "You really would wish that on your poor, hardworking, world- saving, sister?"
"Blah blah. I'm the green-glowy ageless energy trapped in the rather mis- proportioned body of a fifteen year old."
He gave a half growl. "No. You're not. You're Dawn Summers, my best friend/little sister. You're not a Key. Not anymore. You can't be, when the lock doesn't exist anymore." Such certainty. Total assurance.
She looked away from the screen to smile at him. Genuinely. Happily. "I know."
He smiled. "Good. Don't you ever forget it, either."
"Never ever. Now shhh.... They're about to spray blood from the sprinklers." A sudden thought. "Do they HAVE places like that??"
He blinked. "I don't think so..." Rubbed at the bridge of his nose. "Bloody hell. Your sister really does have me whipped. I was about to say something that... Never mind."
"What?"
Sighed, still rubbing at his nose, as if he had a migraine. "I was going to say: 'I don't think so, and I sure as hell hope not'."
"I'll bet they do. Out in LA. Or maybe underground in New York."
"Possibly. Never seen one, though. And I've been in both places."
"I wanna see one."
Cocked his head. "One what?"
"A vamp club like that. Where they spray blood through the sprinklers."
He looked at her. "Dawn, first of all, this is a movie. Blood is far to thick to spray through sprinklers. And second, you would be the snack if you ever were in one of those places." Backpedaled. "That is, if they actually existed. Which they don't."
She gave him a cool look. "Right. They don't. Of course they don't. And you've also never been to one. I mean... um... if they were real."
"Exactly. Which they are not." Looked to the tv. "It's just something that the imaginations of a writer dreamed up."
"Uh-huh. Know what'd I do if I found a place like that?"
"Run in the opposite direction, find your sister, tell her about it, then go home and do your homework."
She smiled charmingly, and showed him her prettiest finger. "I'd rig it to a well of holy water. After the blood flowed a few minutes, mixing with the holy water, they wouldn't notice, but then it'd start to burn. I'd sit up on a wall and watch."
Spike blinked and a small shiver passed through him at the thought. He swallowed. "Uh... good idea, Bit. Very... inventive."
"Uh... oh... but.... uh... I'd make sure you weren't there, even though you never go to those places... cuz... they don't exist."
He nodded. "Right. Don't exist." Stare at the TV, and don't freak out.
She gazed blankly at the screen, then, "I'm *not* a little kid."
"I know that, Bit."
"Then why do you lie to me?" Still staring sightlessly at the tv.
He sighed and looked over at her. "Bit... Okay. I'm sorry. Look. I just don't want you having nightmares or something."
She rolled her eyes, not looking at him. "Spike... Do an instant replay of my life. Then review your statement. Feel free to laugh afterwards."
He just looked at her. "Dawn, *I* have nightmares. Knowing about these things doesn't make them any less scary."
She pulled her knees to her chest, pouted right good and proper. "I don't lie to you."
He nodded. "You're right. You don't. I just want to... Well, two things. Keep you safe, and keep your sister from kicking my ass for fillin' your head with monsters and such."
She sent him a reluctant grin. "My head as opposed to my house?"
He cocked his head at her, then looked around. "Where's a monster? I don't see one."
She chuckled. "Me either."
He growled playfully. "How about now?"
She stretched and yawned.
He blinked, then cocked his head at the tv for a moment. "They really don't do realistic makeup on these things." Vamped. "I don't look anything like that. And their fangs are too short."
"I know.We watched it for Film class last year, and, I just went, 'Their fangs are too short to bite anything. That's such a crock.' Well, needless to say, I had some fancy footwork to do around the guidance counsellor."
He laughed, with fangs, which was, needless to say... interesting. "Yeah, I bet."
"I also don't like how... if you just get BITTEN you get turned. I mean... it's like... 'Oh no! Vampire spit! I'm being turned!'" Eyeroll. "Whatever."
He chuckled again, and shook off the fangs. "I've always wondered where that myth came from. I mean, millions are killed by vamps world wide every year, and only... hundreds are actually sired."
"Dunno. But they're retarded."
He chuckled. "Blame horror writers. Only one who ever got it close to being right was Anne Rice. And that was just.. too close for comfort. I swear, I think she actually DID interview a vamp to get all the information she had."
Dawn fanned herself. "Only vamps I'd ever date. Armand, Lestat..."
He growled. "Hope you have a nice funeral planned out, then, Bit."
"Why's that?"
"Cause they'd just as soon eat you as look at you."
"No way. The only reason Armand even TURNED Daniel was because he couldn't stand to see him die."
Spike just blinked. "Still. The majority of REAL vamps can't even feel that kind of affection. For every one of me, there's a million Angelus'."
"Which, I guess, if you were into that kind of kinky Sado-masochist, bondage thing, would be a real turn on," she muttered thoughtfully.
Spike actually shuddered. "Bit, let's talk about something else... I don't like where this conversation has gone."
She looked at him sharply, a flush rising on her cheeks. Had NOT meant to say that last part out loud. Did not even want them to think she KNEW what those things were...
Spike, meanwhile, cleared his throat unnecessarily, and stared at the movie, which suddenly seemed very disturbing.
"Right.... so. You've Got Mail? Cuz I think we've seen this one one too many times."
He nodded. "Yeah. Or Ghost. If we want to stick with the supernatural theme, without the... realism factor."
"Whichever," Dawn squeaked. "I'm getting popcorn." Escaped to the kitchen.
When she returned, Spike was stretched out across the couch, the opening scenes of Ghost playing on the tv.
"Ugh. Couch hog."
He pulled his legs up out of her way, letting them hang off the couch a little.
She crawled into the open spot, and pulled his legs back up, into her lap. Munched the popcorn.
He grinned at her, eyes half lidded as he watched the movie. The familiar strains of Unchained Melody were now playing. He reached over, got a handful of popcorn, and popped a couple of kernels in his mouth, chewing slowly.
Halfway through the movie, Dawn's head was on his hip, out cold, napping contentedly at one in the afternoon.
Spike too was close to sleep, one hand that was stretched along side was stroking her hair gently. This really was turning into a perfect day.
He didn't even mind the *blue* jeans anymore.
The ringing phone started Spike out of a role playing dream involving a pottery wheel and Buffy, with Unchained Melody playing in the background.
Damn phone.
Thankfully, it was on the end table of the couch, so he didn't have to disturb Dawn, who was still sleeping on him, in order to answer it. "Hello?"
"Hi. Is Dawn there?"
He blinked. Male voice... Vaguely familiar male voice.. Asking for Dawn. "Who's callin'?"
Slightly defensive. "Michael. Who's askin'?"
A half growl in the voice, more out of instinct than any real malice. "Her big brother." He gently jostled Dawn's shoulder, covering the mouth piece of the phone. "Bit.. Phone for ya."
She mumbled at him, swatted sleepily, and pulled at the fabric of his jeans at his knees, burying her face in them.
"It's Michael." A small grin at her snuggling. He loved his little sister.
Mumbled again, "Shhh... don't ca-" She sat up, her eyes huge. "What??"
He grinned, held out the phone. "Michael for you."
She plucked it out of his hands. "Hello?" Tried to sound as lucid, and calm and cool, and sexy, and... NOT squealy as possible.
Spike lounged back against the pillows, turning his attention back to the end of the movie.
"Oh. Um... That.. that sounds really fun, but.... Um... I can't. I... yeah... I have plans for tonight. But... maybe tomorrow?"
Spike smiled a little. *He* rated above Dawn's crush-of-the-week. That made him feel good.
"Oh yeah. That's perf- I mean.. I'll have to check, but... I don't think I have anything planned." Cocked her head to the side. "My big..? Oh. Yeah. Spike. No, he's cool. Oh," she said casually, "I'm sure he hates you."
"Damn straight," the vampire said quietly, with a small chuckle.
She shoved out a foot to hit his lightly. "No. It was the TV. He's in the kitchen... ya know... making lunch. But yeah... tomorrow. For sure. Bye."
He accepted the phone after she hung up and set it back on the end table, cocked his head, regarding her. "So?"
Hoped he could ignore her blush as valiantly as she was. "So what?"
He grinned. "Where's Lover-boy taking you tomorrow? Just in case I want to chaperone."
Oh wow. A new level to 'beet red'. "In that case, we'll be in LA. Hurry to beat us there."
Soft chuckle. Looked back to the TV.
She bit her lip. She was going out with Michael tomorrow. Bronzing it, no less. Dancing, and few and tight clothes, and heels, and 'evening' makeup. Wheeeee! She slid her eyes to Spike. And HE wasn't shitting bricks. Well. He wasn't... growling, or, hyperventilating, or threatening to lock her in her room till she was forty. Again. Well.
Spike, in fact, seemed close to dozing off again, his eyes drooping and blinking a little as the movie came to an end and Sam Wheat went into the light.
She nudged him with her toe. "Spike?"
Blinked, rubbed the bridge of his nose for a moment before looking at her. "Huh?"
"Um... 'member when we went dancing on our roadtrip?"
A lazy smile came over his face. Did he ever. "Yeah."
Dawn remained oblivious. "Do... um...do you remember what I wore?"
Blink. Smile faded a bit. "Yes." He looked at her. "And you're not wearing that tomorrow. And your sister would agree with me."
"But, I look really grown up and pretty in it."
"Too grown up." Snorted. "In my day, you'd be picked up by the constables for dressin' like that."
"Yeah yeah, in your day I'd be married with six kids by now."
He growled softly. "Not if you lived with MY family."
She smiled. "Good for your family. Um.... how about.... ooooh. I'll steal Buffy's red lace shirt, and black pants"
He covered his ears. "Oh, no. I didn't hear that. Bit, don't tell me your plans for stealing from your sister. She can tell when I'm lying, and I know she'll ask me where her clothes went."
"You can tell her they got taken to the- to LA. But... Do you think he'd like?"
"Who? The wank- Michael?" Snorted. "Bit, it's YOU he likes. Not your clothes-" Cut himself off. "And totally ignore how that came out sounding."
She covered a laugh. "I know. But... do you think it'd look... pretty enough?"
A slightly different memory came up, and his eyes got wide. "Uh, Bit, if you're gonna steal your sister's clothes, pick something else, okay? And don't ask me why, unless you want more excuses for therapy."
She started to speak, but stuttered to a stop. "You- ewwww. Oh my God. That was on my TOP TEN LIST to borrow."
He laughed, hard, shaking the couch. "Oh god, Bit... I love it when you get that.. 'I'm-so-disgusted-with-you-I-can't-even-articulate-it look! You look just like... Like your big sis.." Laughed again.
She gagged a minute more then, "Well... actually... that shirt has a high success rate. Maybe I SHOULD wear it..."
He growled and shifted into a position that said 'I am about to pounce you'.
She just arched an eyebrow. "Yeah. We're just gonna screw on the catwalk of the Bronze."
Spike play growled again, and moved toward her. "Pushin' it, Bit."
She grinned. "You're right. The backseat is a much more feasible venue."
"Run."
She stuck her tongue out and ran.
He chased her all over the downstairs, and finally they wound up back on the couch, both laughing. He reached over and tapped her shoulder. "Gotcha."
She tapped him back. "Ha."
Snorted. "That's cheating. I'm not runnin'."
She grinned at him, then made a shocked face as she looked at the clock. "Holy cow. It's like... already four."
He grinned. "Yep. Time flies, and all that. That, and we slept for almost two hours."
"No way."
He raised an eyebrow. "You dozed off a little after one, and here it is four."
Dawn moaned. "I still have to shower, and plan, and get an outfit ready..."
"For *tomorrow*?"
"Tonight. We're going out. And yes, for tomorrow, too."
He cocked his head. "It's just me and you, Bit. No need to be dressy." Motioned to his outfit. "This is what I'm wearin'." He grinned all of a sudden. "Hey, I have an idea."
She leaned back warily. "What?"
Still grinning. "Your sister's gonna be at work till... Nine or so, right? Let's go surprise her. And I'll finally get to see where she works."
Dawn smirked. "You just wanna make sure everyone at work knows she has a boyfriend."
Snorted. "Damn straight."
Eyeroll. "Sissy. She's been gone for... less than eight hours."
He blinked. "And how does that make me a sissy?"
"Cuz... I can see it in your eyes, you're all, 'I miss my love,' " she mocked in a wavering British accent. Hands clasped over her heart, eyes raised to the ceiling dramatically.
He gave a snort at her. "Do you want me to kill you? Because you're pushing it."
She blew him a kiss. "Truth hurts, is that it?"
He moved to get up, play growling. "Two words. Run. Now."
She did, with a squeal, throwing herself up the staircase, and barricading herself behind her locked bedroom door.
He chuckled, having never even intended to climb the stairs. He trotted back to the couch and flopped down again. Let her change clothes, and then they could go.
Author's Notes, Tigerwolf: This is for LizD. A 'Mary Sue' is an original character, usually female, that is actually a PERFECT version of one of the authors. Madison, is not one. Thank you.