Dawn gave Spike her 'sweetest, darling, angelic' expression. "So.... umm..."
He glanced down to where she was walking next to him. "Um what, Bit?"
Her smiled widened a bit. "Well, you said to not borrow Buffy's shirt... so..." She laced her arm through his. "I was thinking, ya know, maybe you could get me one here. Since, ya know, we're gonna be in the store."
He gave a deep, exaggerated sigh. "Well... Maybe. If I feel like it."
She leaned her head against his arm. "You will. Maybe shoes to match?"
He threw an arm around her neck and jerked her to him playfully. "What was that, Niblet?"
She gave a faked, "Gaaack." "Just a comment on how neat it must be to live in a non-abusive home."
He chuckled and tousled her hair a little before releasing her with a gentle shove.
She huffed at him, and straightened her hair quickly. The store was in sight. Then, a panicked, "Spike, pull your coat open!"
He jumped and jerked it open. "What? Is there something on me?"
She scurried behind him. "Don't move, ok? Just for a minute."
He blinked, but stood still. "What are you doing, Bit?" Slightly suspicious tone.
There was a small tearing sound, a rustle of fabric, then the smoothing of. She stepped around him again. "Just fixing. I saw some people I knew go in the store."
He cocked his head at her. Something... no. Several things were different. The short plaid skirt was higher by about three inches, the slit had been 'elongated' (meaning that she'd ripped it), and there was another button undone on the white button up shirt she was wearing. He shook his head. "Oh no." Reached to put the button back. "We've had this discussion, Bit."
She made a protesting noise, slapping his hands away. "Oh my God. None of that."
He gave her his, by then, patented 'big brother' look. "Dawn."
"No! Your hands never go there!"
"Then you rebutton it."
An incredulous blink. "Why?"
"Because I said so, and because we're going to see your sister, and I don't want her thinking that I can't handle a fifteen year old."
"Have you SEEN pictures of Buffy when she was fifteen? And, for the record, 'Because I Said So' has been an inappropriate answer since I was six."
He gave a soft growl. "I don't want anyone gettin' the wrong idea. Especially males."
"It's not that bad."
Snorted. "I know what I'm talking about."
"You only think like that because your brain is stuck in the ninteenth century."
He blinked. "It is not. I'll have you know that I'm very modern. I've been driving since they invented the car."
"Spike, you don't think a woman carpenter is appropriate for 'This Old House'."
He cocked his head. "What does that have to do with anything? And I'll have you know that is a valid view. She could get hurt."
"SO could he!" She made a dismissing noise. "That's not the point. The point is, I think I look pretty."
"You're beautiful, Bit. But you don't need to flaunt it." He gave her a dashing smile. "The other girls should at least have a *chance* with the males."
She laughed, rolled her eyes. Buttonned the button. "There."
Blinked, cocked his head. "And the skirt, Lil' Bit."
She shook her head. "One or the other. Besides, it's not TOO high." Only about five inches above her knees....
He snorted. "Pull it back down, or I'll do it for you." He couldn't possibly be serious.... right?
Another eyeroll and she began her stroll to the building.
He reached out, and gently seized her shoulder. "I have to do it, then?"
Her mouth hung open. "Spike...."
"Dawn. I'm serious, Bit. Your sister'll kill me if I let you go in there with something shorter than most of your night shirts."
She gave him a small glare. "At least get out of the streetlight, and give me your jacket."
He gave a small snort, escorted her into the shadows, and spread his jacket open to give her a bit of privacy to fix her skirt.
She snorted back at him, and walked back in front of him. "Better?"
He gave a sigh, and shook his head. "Dawn, that's barely any different. Fix it."
"It iiiiiis," she pouted desperately. "I look like a nun."
He gave a soft chuckle. Time to resort to a bit of bribery. "Bit, listen. I don't want Buffy mad at me, and you don't want me mad at you. If you fix the skirt, the RIGHT way, I'll get you anything you want in the store. Up to about..." Tugged out his wallet and skimmed through the contents. "Let's set a seventy five dollar limit."
She pinched the material on either side of her hips, and with one expert tug, had it back down to the 'won't get you arrested' length.
He cocked his head for a moment, the strange thought that she looked like she'd done that... many times before. He'd have to start watching out the window when she was due home. He gave a mental shrug, and smiled at her, then, to her suprise, he took off his jacket and handed it to her. "Here. You can at least look a little tougher." A playful grin.
She tried to quell the almost giddy smile on her lips. "Really?"
He nodded, waved the jacket at her again. "Not like I need it to keep warm."
She grabbed it excitedly and slid it on. Held her arms out. "Whadaya think?"
Spike gave an appriciative nod. "Looks great, Bit. Very tough." 'And no guy can possibly stare at her ass in that, either', he added with a mental smirk.
She gave a giggle, and skipped a few steps. Oh yeah. Tough. Stopped skipping to swagger.
He bit back a small laugh at her obvious attempt to imitate his walk.
She stopped, and gave him a fake mean look. Started to walk like- HEY! When did she learn to walk like that?
He chuckled softly, and moved up next to her again. As they entered the store, he whispered, "You're *sure* about the blue jeans, right? I don't look like some sorta farmer?"
She stopped to look him over. Spiked hair, the red nylon shirt, jeans, and the boots. Dawn smiled. "You look good. You're lucky I'm with you. They'll think you're dating me, and won't be stupid enough to hit on the Slayer's man."
He blinked at her. "Hmm. And also boys will stay away from you. This is a good thing." Playfully.
She sniffed superiorily, and shoved him away from her. "Right then. You walk over there."
"Oh no you don't. Do you want that seventy five dollar shopping spree, or not?"
She smiled. "Right. Come over here and glare at all the boys. I have clothes to pick out." She stopped abrputly. "We dont' know where she's working. This place is huge, Spike. We're never gonna find her in-"
The vampire had his head cocked, drawing in small breaths, mouth slightly open to maximize sense of smell. He froze for a moment, and then motioned to her and began moving toward the pants department. "This way."
She followed but said, "We can only say hi. We have shopping."
He was focused on his tracking, and just gave her a slightly dismissive wave.
She rolled her eyes. "The amazing Spike-Doll. Goes from love-sick to scent-hound in .003 seconds... Just add Buffy-sighting incentive... New from Mattel."
He paused, shot her a look over his shoulder, then returned to tracking.
She laughed and kept up behind him.
They reached the pants department, and Spike came to a sudden halt. There was a guy talking to Buffy... And not just any guy. A small growl escaped him as he recognized *Jesse*.
Dawn ran directly into his back. "*Oof!* Hey. What's going on?" She looked around his shoulder at the scene.
Buffy laughed at something the guy said, and tucked her hair behind her ear. She must have missed a piece because the guy reached over and tucked it behind her ear, too. He had one hand on the counter behind her, his body angled towards her.
Spike's eyes flashed gold, and held it for an instant, a deep growl coming from within him. He was going to kill that boy... He TOUCHED Buffy. He touched HIS Buffy.
Both of Dawn's hands wrapped around his forearm, and pulled. "Spike..."
He snarled again, but let her 'restrain' him. They both knew that, if he decided to attack, there was nothing Dawn could do to stop him. Kept growling, eyes flashing from blue to gold and back again.
"Spike... come on. Chill out."
He trembled slightly with barely repressed rage, rumbling deep in his throat with that, as Dawn had called it, 'I'm going to rip your head off and play lively games with it' growl.
Dawn tugged on his arm, an almost scared tone in her voice. "Spike. There are other people here. Don't scare 'em."
He started drawing in deep breaths, trying to calm himself. Buffy wouldn't be happy if he made a scene. But, really, how much of a scene was a murder in Sunnyhell? He could staunch the blood spray relatively quickly...
As Buffy chatted with Jesse, that familiar tingle ran up and down her spine. She casually turned, scouring the area. Spidey senses. Which was weird. She had sensed other vamps here, sure, but... only Spike gave her an almost warm feeling. But that was impos- her eyes locked with his.
He blinked, noticing her eyes on him. Gently disengaged himself from Dawn, and moved toward her a little, an... angry/upset/hurt/pissed look on his face.
Dawn stood by, a helpless look on her face.
Buffy stepped away from Jesse. "Just a minute... I... I've got to ask this gentleman if he needs help..." She stepped towards Spike, one hand resting gently on his arm, propelled him away from Jesse.
He knew she could feel the vibrations caused by his too-low-for-human-hearing growl when she touched him. Looked back toward Jesse, the growl raising in volume, and his upper lip curling slightly.
Her fingers tightened on his arm, and she sent Jesse a small smile. Pulled Spike around a corner.
He turned his semi-murderous look on her. "What the hell is that wanker doing here? With you? Touching you?"
The famous phrase fell from her lips. "It's not what you think-"
"Really?" Quiet, dangerous, with a definite growling undertone.
"Spike... I swear- it's not- he's just..."
"Just the guy you *kissed*." The growl got louder, but it was pained sounding.
She stammered a minute, then, "But... You're the guy I kiss *now*."
Dawn had crept closer, her eyes widening in shock. Buffy had KISSED that hotty?? Whoahhhh...
Growled again. "I hope you told the jackass that you're taken." Fierce possessiveness, still with that pained undertone.
She bit her bottom lip. "I was getting to that."
He gave a growling snort. "Didn't look like it."
"He just... showed up. I was. I just... I don't want to hurt him."
He snorted again, and ran his fingers through his hair with a small sigh. Looked around. Have to calm down. Have to calm down or kill someon- something. "So. This is where you work, eh?"
"Stop it."
Exasperated sound. "Stop what, Slayer?"
Eeoh.. 'Slayer'. He was mad. Waaay mad. "That... mad, avoidy thing. Stop it. You KNOW I don't want him."
He looked at her. "I want to believe you, Buffy..." Looked out into the store and growled when his eyes focused on Jesse. "But how can I even START to calm down.. when that... that.. BOY is still here? Still, obviously, wanting you. Touching you... It makes my blood boil to the point where I can't even see straight, and all I want is to kill something." Snarled. "Preferably him."
One hand rose to cup his chin, force his eyes on her. "He's just a boy, Spike. He doesn't know... anything about us. We've done a lot, been through a lot. He's just a kid."
He looked at her, knowing she could feel the tightness of his jaw. "And yet, you obivously see SOMETHING about him, or you wouldn't have bloody KISSED him."
"He was kind, and sweet, and... yeah, he's gorgeous. He's your opposite in every way. THAT'S what I saw in him. Someone who wasn't you."
He gave a soft growl. "Oh, then by all means, that definitely fixes everything." Sarcastically. "There goes all the hurt and pain right out that little air duct over there. Wave to it."
She made a frustrated noise. "You *know* that's not how I meant it. I wanted to see... if I could be happy with someone who didn't have one thing in common with you. And you know you're beautiful."
He was about to let go with another sarcastic tirade, but her last comment made him falter. Looked at her, confusedly. "I'm *what*?"
Buffy sighed. "God, Spike, you know you're gorgeous."
He cocked his head, ran a hand over his hair again, and looked down, apparently appraising himself. "Hmm." Looked at her, a ghost of a smile on his face. "Good thing I have you here to tell me, what with having no reflection and all." Looked across the sales floor at Jesse again. "I don't see how this applys to Mr. Rich Boy over there."
"I wanted to see if... someone who wasn't you could make me happy."
Looked to her again, traces of anger still present on his face, but much less... 'grrrr'y than before. "And?", very quietly.
She looked down, gave a small shrug. "I'm here, aren't I?"
He reached out slowly, cupped her chin much as she had him a moment earlier. Made her meet his gaze. "I love you, Buffy. And... I don't do well when someone that I love is suddenly with someone else. You know that." A flash of when he'd caught Druscilla with the Chaos demon went through his mind and he blinked. Why the hell did THAT still hurt?
She gave him an earnest look. "I'm not with anyone but you."
He nodded slowly. "I know." Shot one last growl in Jesse's general direction. "I still hate him, you know."
She nodded. "I know. I still love you, you know."
He sighed. "I know, luv. I also know that I don't play well with others."
A smile played at the corners of her mouth. 'Luv', not 'Slayer'. Off the hook. "You're gonna have to adjust."
"I don't do that well, either."
Another smile. "I know."
He gave a small smile of his own, and cocked his head, moving toward the register she had left vacant in her haste to keep him from killing Jesse. Walked around it appraisingly. "So, this is where you work, huh?"
"Yeah, I-" She broke off as he walked BEHIND the counter. "Spike! Get out!" She was ushering him away. "You're not allowed back there."
He chuckled and let her shoo him out.
Jesse, who had been leaning on a nearby counter, cleared his throat and spoke up. "So... he's your boyfriend, isn't he?" Slightly dejected, but not really, cause he'd always had the feeling that a wonderful woman like Buffy would have someone.
Spike snorted. "Damn right, I am."
She shot Spike a glare. "Um... Yeah... When we... I wasn't dating him then."
"Oh," was Jesse's only response.
Spike picked up a stapler and began examining it absently. Fancy looking thing. An *electric* stapler?
She stepped closer to him. Ran a hand down his arm. "Jesse... You weren't a rebound."
Spike bristled when she touched the boy, and he growled softly.
Jesse gave a small smile. "Yeah.. I should've known that you were too perfect not to be taken. I'm not *that* lucky."
She smiled, the hand touching his cheek. "You will be, and then you'll be like, 'Buffy who?' Just wait and see."
He smiled softly at her. "Thanks, Buffy." Looked at Spike, slowly extended a hand. "You're a very lucky man."
Spike looked at the outstretched hand for a moment, then grasped it firmly, shaking slowly. "Thanks, but I kind of already knew that." A smile at Buffy. And a kind of 'see? I can not kill him' look.
She grinned proudly at him.
When the two men released, Jesse gave Buffy a half wave. "I'll see you around, then, Buffy. Have a good night."
Spike leaned against the register counter, blinking absently, and playing with the electric stapler again.
"Bye, Jesse... Um... Have you been in Sporting?"
He gave a small nod. "Yeah. In fact, that's where I'm headed, and then home."
Spike gave a small snorting sound, saying without words, 'She doesn't need to know where you're going, wanker'.
She leveled Spike a look, then, "The little brunette behind the counter thinks you're gorgeous."
Jesse blinked, then gave a small smile. "Thanks for the tip." One last wave before leaving.
And now Spike had a very eloquent 'oh' look.
She watched him leave, then turned to Spike, her hands on her hips.
He gave her a sheepish look. "Sorry." Suddenly raised his head and sniffed. "I almost forgot... Where'd she get to?"
"Who?"
"Niblet. We came to visit you." Another deep sniff, and he'd pinpointed her. Locked eyes and sent her an 'it's okay now' look.
She bit her lip tentatively, hugging the duster around herself nervously.
"S'ok, Bit, c'mon over!" He smiled encouragingly.
She walked over, a smile pasted on her face. "Hi, Buff!" Kept the duster tight to herself, just to hide the skirt.
"Hey, Dawn. I didn't even see you."
"I saw that guy. He's HOT. Do you think *I* could date him?"
Spike's jaw dropped, and his eyes widened comically. "Bit!"
She shrugged. "He's hot, Spike."
Behind Spike, Buffy nodded, then said, "I don't think so, Dawn. He's a little too old."
She pouted a moment, then, "Spike's like... a hundred years older than you! And... technically, if you wanna get down to the wire, *I'M* older than him. Hi, mystical ball of energy, millenia old, shoved in this body? So.... technically, it wouldn't be cradle robbing or anything."
Buffy gaped. "I- no! No!! And... Spike and I are... different. And.... NO!"
Spike, meanwhile, was valiantly trying not to laugh, and focusing on the electric stapl- *POP!!* "OOOWW! Bloody hell!!" He dropped the stapler and began trying to pry the staple out of his hand.
The girls jumped to attention, both trying to pull it out of his hand at once.
"Ow ow! Come on... You're bloody makin' it worse... OWWW!" Buffy had yanked it out... taking a small piece of his flesh with it.
She winced. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I-" She smacked him in the head. "Why were you playing with a stapler??"
He fishmouthed. He was standing there, BLEEDING, and she HIT him!? "Well, I... it.. looked interesting."
She rolled her eyes and shoved a tissue at him. "It's a stapler." Moaned. "I'm gonna get fired."
He blinked, holding the tissue to his hand. "Why? It was an accident. And no one's around."
"I hope not. Personal scenes? Very frowned on. What're you guys here for anyway?"
"Well, Spikey was getting a widdle bwuuue wiffout his Buffy-wuffy," Dawn teased, playfully.
Buffy raised one eyebrow.
Spike play growled and pounced at Dawn. "Shut up! And I let you wear my jacket."
She laughed and hopped back a step.
Buffy rolled her eyes, smiling. "It's nice to see you two. Now scoot."
He ducked his head and moved toward Buffy slowly. "Not even a goodbye kiss?" Playful grin.
She gave a belabored sigh, her eyes smiling, and her lips brushed the corner of his mouth
He gently pulled her to him for a moment, and rested their foreheads together. "I love you."
Her eyes closed, and a smile curved her lips. "I love you, too."
He bumped their noses together before parting, a gentle, playful gesture. "See you in a few hours, luv."
Couldn't help the smile. "Yup. You guys have fun. Don't break anything."
The two sisters stuck their tongues out at each other, and with a laugh, walked their seperate ways.
He cocked his head at Dawn. "So. What have I been conned into buying you?"
She pointed at a pair of jeans. "When you pull the cord by the crotch, it gets lower, kinda into a 'V', and it kinda makes your belly look toner."
He sighed. It was Wal-mart all over again. Picked up the jeans. "Anything else?"
"Uhhhhhh-huh." She led him to a sales rack, and piled seven shirts in his arms. "Those."
He grunted under the load. "Okay... Now what?"
"You pay, and I go home and try them all on."
He started to head for the nearest register.
Dawn stopped him in his tracks with her coo-ing.
He looked over his shoulder. "What, Bit?"
"You need these."
"What?!" He honestly couldn't SEE over the pile in his arms.
She sighed, took her shirts back, and piled them neatly. "The jamma's." She pointed with her free hand.
He blinked and looked at them. Dark blue and black flannel jammas. "Hmm. I don't know, Bit. I don't usually wear pajamas."
"Feel."
He shifted the jeans to one hand, and obediently felt the jammas. Ooh. Soft. Would probably be really warm, too... He cocked his head.
"And they're... ya know.... grrrrrr guy colors. Soft."
He cocked his head the other way, then picked them up, laying them across the jeans. "I may find some use for them. You never know."
Dawn rolled her eyes. "Ya never know."
He grinned, then turned around, heading back the way they came.
"Hey," Dawn yelped. "Where're you going?"
"To a checkout."
"No nononononono... We can't check out with Buffy."
"Why not?"
"Because she'll make me try everything on, and I already have, and I REALLY like the clothes, can we please check out over there???"
He stopped, looked longingly toward where Buffy's checkout was, then gave a deep sigh and turned around, trudging back to Dawn.
"Two and a half hours and she'll be home. Besides," she pouted, "I thought you wanted to hang with me today."
He smiled. "I do, Bit. And I am. And I'm loving it. But you know me."
She cracked an imaginary whip. "Whipped?"
He snorted at her, then chuckled. "And wrapped. Can't forget that."
"That, too."
=======================================================================================
They barrelled in the door, and Dawn continued her rant. "I'll model the new clothes real quick, and then we'll change into jamma's. It'll be cool."
He dropped the bags that he'd carried home on the couch with a sigh, then. "Wait a minute. This isn't a sleepover, Bit!"
"I know, but you HAVE to break them in."
He snorted. "Perfect. I'm gonna look like a blueberry."
"No, sir. We got that black tee-shirt."
"Yeah yeah." Tossed the bags with her things to her. "Go on. Let's get the fashion show on the road."
She grinned and scurried off the change. A couple minutes later, she called down, "READY??"
"And waiting," he called back.
She walked down the stairs in the adjustable low-riding jeans, one bare hip cocked out, and a short black lace top with flared sleeves. She smiled hopefully.
He clapped twice, and then said, "And you're not goin' out with those jeans that low. Ever."
She pouted. "But look. You can see my belly button. And my two-pack!"
He cocked his head. "I noticed. And no one else will."
She stuck her tongue out at him. Pranced away to come back a few different times, different shirts, different 'adjusted' levels. It came to the last outfit. "READY?"
A chuckle. "Dawn Summers, come on down!"
She smiled, and came down. "Don't freak. I borrowed the boots from Janice." Because Dawn Summer's most definitely didn't own a pair of knee-high black boots. She had picked up the red leather skirt on the trip, and told no one of it, and wore the black lace shirt she had worn earlier. She looked down at her bare thighs, said thoughtfully, "I might wear fishnets, too... but I'm not sure how it'd mix with the lace."
He blinked once, slowly, then, "And add another thing to the list of things you are never to wear outside this house."
She stomped her booted foot. "No. Tell me I don't look way cute."
"'Cute' would not be the word I'd choose, Bit. What would your sister say?"
She tugged on the skirt, and it fell about an inch and a half. "Better?"
"Barely."
She tugged again, pouting, and it DID go down another inch or so, but it was also now coming off her hips. She arched her eyebrow.
He gave an exaggerated moan, and flopped over on the couch. "If I ever catch you outside in that, Bit, I'll kill you and whoever's with you."
"No... I'm wearing it tomorrow."
Sat up. "Like hell you are."
She stood, one hip cocked to the side, her hand propped on it. "I've been planning this outfit since he asked me out."
Sat up. "Since WHO asked you out!?"
"Michael! And Devon is the day after, with the jeans and red shirt."
His eyes and mouth were wide, and his mind was racing with various maiming and torture senerios.
She sighed. "Fine. If 'cute' isn't the word you'd use, what would you?"
"Too bold for a fifteen year old."
"That's not a word." Gave him a look. "You'd let Buffy wear it."
"That's TOTALLY different!"
"Because you like to see someone you date in REALLY attractive clothes!!!"
Soft growl. "Because the point is to rip them off!" Balked at himself. Damn him. Why the hell had he said that out loud?
She arched her brow. "I see. Me wearing this automatically makes me a slut."
"NO!!!"
Started unzipping the boots, hobbling on one foot, then the other, kicked them off. "Right. I'm gonna get in my jamma's now."
He leaned forward, elbows on his knees, head in his hands. Him and his big, bloody mouth.
She debated staying in her room, and not going down at all, but she decided that non-confrontation wasn't her thing. She marched downstairs, into the kitchen, now jamma clad in moons and stars. She grabbed a pint of icecream and a spoon, flopped down on the couch.
He looked at her out of the corner of his eye. "I'm sorry, Bit... Really. Wear what you want. I can't very well stop you."
She sighed. Compromise, right? "No leather skirt but I keep the boots?"
He cocked his head, considering. "Okay.. I guess. But I do insist that you run it by big sis first."
She gave a very good cover pout. It felt kinda ok to have someone worry enough to tell you no. "I won't let him tear my clothes off."
In spite of himself, he chuckled. "Better not. And remember, I'd know instantly, anyway"
She was confused. "No sir."
He chuckled again. "I'd be able to smell things like that, Bit. Just so you know. I always know."
Her eyes narrowed as she zeroed in on him. "At the icecream place, did Michael...?"
He cocked his head, then leaned back on the couch. "Did he what?" Innocently.
She stuck a spoonful of icecream in her mouth, blushing. "Ya know. Could you smell him?"
He took a deep breath. "Well, there WERE alot of different, conflicting scents in that parlor... Can't really be sure of any one thing."
She fixed her doe-eyes on him. "Spike... It's important." She played her ace in the hole. "I mean, if I know he wants me in my normal not-trying-to-look-anything-but-comfy clothes, I won't HAVE to dress up like that."
He stared at her. Then, quietly, grudgingly, "Yeah."
She set the icecream down. "Really?"
Slow nod.
Her whole countenance lit up, and she launched herself at him. A high pitched squeal accompanied her at the speed of sound.
He 'oof'ed, when she hit him, then chuckled quietly. "Easy, Bit. You're gonna crack my ribs. Gettin' a bit of your sister's strength, I think."
She loosened her arms around his sides, but looked up at him, smiling.
He sighed, quietly. It was worth possibly having to kill some teenaged males later to have his little sister smile at him like that. Wrapped one arm around her and squeezed gently. "You know... I think I need to go do something."
"What?"
He gestured down at his 'day' clothes. "Well, can't have you bein' the only one ready for bed, now can I?" Smiled at her.
She smiled, and released him, yawning. "Gonna break 'em in?"
He grinned and got up. "Yeah.. I guess." Took his bag and headed upstairs. A few minutes later, he came back down, stood about halfway up the stairs, and did a little turn around, letting her look. "Well?"
She applauded. "We rock."
He laughed and flopped on the couch next to her. Within the next hour, both were dozing off, Spike laying on his back on the couch, with her stretched out nearly on top of him, her head on his chest.
Dawn had been out for some time, but she was cold, a shiver every once in a while racking her.
Spike was just awake enough to pull the quilt that layed over the back of the couch down over both of them, smiling when Dawn smiled in her sleep and snuggled down closer to him. Slowly, his eyes closed and he drifted off.
Buffy crept in the door some time later, wondering what movie they were watching this time. She was in the mood to join them. She peeked in the living room, and the words stopped in her throat.
Spike was asleep on his back, Dawn on his chest in a ball, a quilt covering them both. Spike had new pajama's on, hell, pajama's period, and there were black boots on the floor. She smiled softly, turning the TV and lights off, leaving them to sleep on the couch. She must have missed one heck of a party.
A few moments later, Spike's eyes fluttered, catching a scent that told him that Buffy was home. He opened his eyes, and yawned quietly, becoming aware of the lump of Dawn that was curled on his chest. He smiled softly, then gave a small frown when he realized just how hard it was going to be to get up, and not wake her. Finally, he decided on moving slowly, scooping her into his arms as he stood, grateful that a small snort was the only action that she took. That, and fisting a hand in his pajama shirt, and nuzzling closer. He slowly made his way up the stairs, doing his best not to jostle her as he did so.
Buffy heard his footsteps on the stairs, and kept pulling on her pajama's. When he didn't enter their room, she stepped out, and watched him duck into Dawn's room.
He gently layed the lump of slumbering Key in the big overstuffed chair near her bed, before moving to turn the covers down, picking her up again, and putting her on the bed, then tucking her in gently, all without so much as breathing, not wanting to wake her. He smiled when she nuzzled her pillow, and bent to press a small kiss to her forehead. "Night, Lil' Bit," he whispered, almost inauditably. "I love you."
Dawn gave a little sigh,and cuddled down into her blankets again.
Buffy smiled from her spot in the doorway, and slipped back into their room, and into bed.
Spike slipped out of Dawn's room, moving with all the grace and silence that his species was known for, and, with a yawn, headed back to the room that he and Buffy shared. Cocked his head as he closed the door. Small smile. She was faking sleep. "Do you spy often, luv, or was that a one time thing?" Of course he'd known she was there. He could always sense her a mile away.
She peeked one eye open at him. "One time thing."
He chuckled softly, and sat on the side of their bed, stroking her hair with one hand. "I love being with Niblet, but I missed you today."
She gave a small smile. "I missed you, too."
"I love you, Buffy." His eyes shone in the semi-darkness of their bedroom, and he leaned down to kiss her, pressing his lips to hers lovingly, then moving to lay down next to her and gently nibbling at her neck.
She lay still, letting him play at her neck. "I love you, too."
He gave a soft growl, and moved his nibling to her collarbone, one hand playing with the buttons on her pajama shirt.
She stiffened slightly in his embrace, pulling back in the smallest degree, the tension flooding her body.
He blinked, and stopped his minstrations. "Uh... luv? Are you mad at me?"
She shook her head, not quite looking at him. She moved closer, nuzzling her cheek against his chest. "Can I- can we just-"
Ah. He gave a slow nod, slipping his arms around her, purring softly. "Of course, luv. Whatever you want." He held her close, smiling when her body relaxed against him. "What brought this on, though, luv?"
"I love you. And... I just... it's not always about... ya know."
He sighed, nodded. "Good."
Buffy pulled back slowly to look in his eyes. "Good?"
Tigerwolf says:
He gave her a soft smile. "In.. every relationship I've ever been in, luv... On the part of the other person.. that was all it was. All it ever was. With Dru. With Harm, even though that one... not on my part either." Paused a moment to gather his thoughts. "I love you, and I'm content with whatever we're doing. Just talking, or even... just being in the same room. And it's a.. almost a relief to me that you feel the same way. It lets me know that you love me as much as I love you. That each other's company is enough, no matter what."
One hand settled over his heart. "I want.. *you*, Spike... Not..." her hand slid over his torso, indicating his body, "you."
He chuckled softly. "I understand, Buffy. And you have no idea how good that makes me feel." Gently seized her hand, placed it on his chest, where the purring almost gave the illusion of a heartbeat. "You feel that? All for you. Only you, luv. Every part, inside and out. Remember? All or nothing?"
She smiled. "All."
Another soft chuckle. "Same here." He snuggled up against her, nuzzling his nose against her back. "And, as a bonus, I get to be warm all the time." Playfully teasing tone.
She smiled, tangling their hands.
Spike smiled and moved up so that he could put his head on their pillows, rather than the mattress as his previous position entailed. He kept his arms around her though. "So, aside from me nearly gettin' you fired, how was work, luv?"
She sighed. "Fine, I guess. A couple of super nice people, couple of mean people. Same old. Dusted a vamp in the changing room."
He chuckled. "Just can't escape a calling, can you?" Lowered his voice conspiritorialy. "You know... I think there might be a vampire in this very room..."
She gasped. "There goes the neighborhood."
He chuckled softly, nuzzling her and purring loudly. "Nothing to worry about, though. This one's tame." Squeezed her gently. "And if you tell anyone that I said that, I'll be untame again very quickly."
She gave a soft laugh. "I promise. As long as you don't tell anyone I didn't slay you."
"Well, that'll kinda be obvious, seeing as how I'm not dust, and all."
She said around a yawn,"Shhhh... they don't know."
He chuckled softly, then said, "Luv?"
"Hmm?"
"Something's been bothering me lately. About the Ohana."
She shifted, faced him. "What??"
He absently stroked her hair with one hand, making his 'thinking' face. "The money, while we were on the trip, and that payed for the Ohana, and all. Where the hell did that come from? And why did it stop when we got back home, aside from the leftovers from the RV place."
She smiled, completely at ease. She smoothed a finger over the frown lines on his face. "Someone is looking out for us." She gave a wistful smile. "Maybe someone who loves us up there was taking care of us when we couldn't for ourselves."
He cocked his head, considering, smiled softly. "That's a nice thought. Maybe you're right..." He felt sleep trying to claim him, and valiantly attempted to fight it. "Buffy? Do you think... Do you think your mum would like me living here?"
"I think she'd be ok with it. I'm happy, and... we love eachother."
He nodded. "Yeah. That's the feelin' I get, too. Just wanted to see what you thought..." He trailed off into a deep yawn, and reached down to pull the sheets up over the both of them, snuggling closer one last time. "G'night, luv."
She smiled as her eyes drifted shut. "Night..."
A shimmering light developed in the corner of the room, and a form slowly stepped forward, solidifying the closer it got to the bed. Joyce glowed as she smiled at the sleeping pair. She laid her palm on the bed-side table. There was a small shimmer of light, then she bent to brush her lips against Buffy's forehead. "I love you."
The next morning, Buffy woke, finding a hundred dollar bill on the bedside table. Written, in her mother's script were the words, "Ohana means family. All of it. No one gets left behind. I love you, girls. Mom"
END
==========================================================================================
Author's Notes, Tigerwolf: Well guys, this is it, Ohana is officially over. And, finally, you get the money answer. *grins* Would you believe that we came up with the fact that it was Joyce doing the money way back in chapter four? And we planned this ending waaaayyyy back then. *laughs* So, hopefully all your questions have been answered. If not.... well, go back and read it again. *chuckles* Cause I'm pretty sure that we've wrapped this one up well. Be sure to watch for our next collaboration, "Complicated", due out... probably round Christmas, because we always like to archive a few chapters before we post. And Sunrise? This has been a great ride, and I'm sad to see it end. Lookin' forward to working on Complicated. =) -Tiger
Author's Notes, Tequila Sunrise: Guys, I don't have a lot to say this time. Ohana was a fun venture. Complicated will be, too. I'll be wrapping up Convoluted soon. Thanks for the wonderful support. You guys are great fans. Thanks again. Remember: sleep is your friend. Tiger, you've been great, as always. =) Love ya girly.
Always.
Tequila Sunrise
He glanced down to where she was walking next to him. "Um what, Bit?"
Her smiled widened a bit. "Well, you said to not borrow Buffy's shirt... so..." She laced her arm through his. "I was thinking, ya know, maybe you could get me one here. Since, ya know, we're gonna be in the store."
He gave a deep, exaggerated sigh. "Well... Maybe. If I feel like it."
She leaned her head against his arm. "You will. Maybe shoes to match?"
He threw an arm around her neck and jerked her to him playfully. "What was that, Niblet?"
She gave a faked, "Gaaack." "Just a comment on how neat it must be to live in a non-abusive home."
He chuckled and tousled her hair a little before releasing her with a gentle shove.
She huffed at him, and straightened her hair quickly. The store was in sight. Then, a panicked, "Spike, pull your coat open!"
He jumped and jerked it open. "What? Is there something on me?"
She scurried behind him. "Don't move, ok? Just for a minute."
He blinked, but stood still. "What are you doing, Bit?" Slightly suspicious tone.
There was a small tearing sound, a rustle of fabric, then the smoothing of. She stepped around him again. "Just fixing. I saw some people I knew go in the store."
He cocked his head at her. Something... no. Several things were different. The short plaid skirt was higher by about three inches, the slit had been 'elongated' (meaning that she'd ripped it), and there was another button undone on the white button up shirt she was wearing. He shook his head. "Oh no." Reached to put the button back. "We've had this discussion, Bit."
She made a protesting noise, slapping his hands away. "Oh my God. None of that."
He gave her his, by then, patented 'big brother' look. "Dawn."
"No! Your hands never go there!"
"Then you rebutton it."
An incredulous blink. "Why?"
"Because I said so, and because we're going to see your sister, and I don't want her thinking that I can't handle a fifteen year old."
"Have you SEEN pictures of Buffy when she was fifteen? And, for the record, 'Because I Said So' has been an inappropriate answer since I was six."
He gave a soft growl. "I don't want anyone gettin' the wrong idea. Especially males."
"It's not that bad."
Snorted. "I know what I'm talking about."
"You only think like that because your brain is stuck in the ninteenth century."
He blinked. "It is not. I'll have you know that I'm very modern. I've been driving since they invented the car."
"Spike, you don't think a woman carpenter is appropriate for 'This Old House'."
He cocked his head. "What does that have to do with anything? And I'll have you know that is a valid view. She could get hurt."
"SO could he!" She made a dismissing noise. "That's not the point. The point is, I think I look pretty."
"You're beautiful, Bit. But you don't need to flaunt it." He gave her a dashing smile. "The other girls should at least have a *chance* with the males."
She laughed, rolled her eyes. Buttonned the button. "There."
Blinked, cocked his head. "And the skirt, Lil' Bit."
She shook her head. "One or the other. Besides, it's not TOO high." Only about five inches above her knees....
He snorted. "Pull it back down, or I'll do it for you." He couldn't possibly be serious.... right?
Another eyeroll and she began her stroll to the building.
He reached out, and gently seized her shoulder. "I have to do it, then?"
Her mouth hung open. "Spike...."
"Dawn. I'm serious, Bit. Your sister'll kill me if I let you go in there with something shorter than most of your night shirts."
She gave him a small glare. "At least get out of the streetlight, and give me your jacket."
He gave a small snort, escorted her into the shadows, and spread his jacket open to give her a bit of privacy to fix her skirt.
She snorted back at him, and walked back in front of him. "Better?"
He gave a sigh, and shook his head. "Dawn, that's barely any different. Fix it."
"It iiiiiis," she pouted desperately. "I look like a nun."
He gave a soft chuckle. Time to resort to a bit of bribery. "Bit, listen. I don't want Buffy mad at me, and you don't want me mad at you. If you fix the skirt, the RIGHT way, I'll get you anything you want in the store. Up to about..." Tugged out his wallet and skimmed through the contents. "Let's set a seventy five dollar limit."
She pinched the material on either side of her hips, and with one expert tug, had it back down to the 'won't get you arrested' length.
He cocked his head for a moment, the strange thought that she looked like she'd done that... many times before. He'd have to start watching out the window when she was due home. He gave a mental shrug, and smiled at her, then, to her suprise, he took off his jacket and handed it to her. "Here. You can at least look a little tougher." A playful grin.
She tried to quell the almost giddy smile on her lips. "Really?"
He nodded, waved the jacket at her again. "Not like I need it to keep warm."
She grabbed it excitedly and slid it on. Held her arms out. "Whadaya think?"
Spike gave an appriciative nod. "Looks great, Bit. Very tough." 'And no guy can possibly stare at her ass in that, either', he added with a mental smirk.
She gave a giggle, and skipped a few steps. Oh yeah. Tough. Stopped skipping to swagger.
He bit back a small laugh at her obvious attempt to imitate his walk.
She stopped, and gave him a fake mean look. Started to walk like- HEY! When did she learn to walk like that?
He chuckled softly, and moved up next to her again. As they entered the store, he whispered, "You're *sure* about the blue jeans, right? I don't look like some sorta farmer?"
She stopped to look him over. Spiked hair, the red nylon shirt, jeans, and the boots. Dawn smiled. "You look good. You're lucky I'm with you. They'll think you're dating me, and won't be stupid enough to hit on the Slayer's man."
He blinked at her. "Hmm. And also boys will stay away from you. This is a good thing." Playfully.
She sniffed superiorily, and shoved him away from her. "Right then. You walk over there."
"Oh no you don't. Do you want that seventy five dollar shopping spree, or not?"
She smiled. "Right. Come over here and glare at all the boys. I have clothes to pick out." She stopped abrputly. "We dont' know where she's working. This place is huge, Spike. We're never gonna find her in-"
The vampire had his head cocked, drawing in small breaths, mouth slightly open to maximize sense of smell. He froze for a moment, and then motioned to her and began moving toward the pants department. "This way."
She followed but said, "We can only say hi. We have shopping."
He was focused on his tracking, and just gave her a slightly dismissive wave.
She rolled her eyes. "The amazing Spike-Doll. Goes from love-sick to scent-hound in .003 seconds... Just add Buffy-sighting incentive... New from Mattel."
He paused, shot her a look over his shoulder, then returned to tracking.
She laughed and kept up behind him.
They reached the pants department, and Spike came to a sudden halt. There was a guy talking to Buffy... And not just any guy. A small growl escaped him as he recognized *Jesse*.
Dawn ran directly into his back. "*Oof!* Hey. What's going on?" She looked around his shoulder at the scene.
Buffy laughed at something the guy said, and tucked her hair behind her ear. She must have missed a piece because the guy reached over and tucked it behind her ear, too. He had one hand on the counter behind her, his body angled towards her.
Spike's eyes flashed gold, and held it for an instant, a deep growl coming from within him. He was going to kill that boy... He TOUCHED Buffy. He touched HIS Buffy.
Both of Dawn's hands wrapped around his forearm, and pulled. "Spike..."
He snarled again, but let her 'restrain' him. They both knew that, if he decided to attack, there was nothing Dawn could do to stop him. Kept growling, eyes flashing from blue to gold and back again.
"Spike... come on. Chill out."
He trembled slightly with barely repressed rage, rumbling deep in his throat with that, as Dawn had called it, 'I'm going to rip your head off and play lively games with it' growl.
Dawn tugged on his arm, an almost scared tone in her voice. "Spike. There are other people here. Don't scare 'em."
He started drawing in deep breaths, trying to calm himself. Buffy wouldn't be happy if he made a scene. But, really, how much of a scene was a murder in Sunnyhell? He could staunch the blood spray relatively quickly...
As Buffy chatted with Jesse, that familiar tingle ran up and down her spine. She casually turned, scouring the area. Spidey senses. Which was weird. She had sensed other vamps here, sure, but... only Spike gave her an almost warm feeling. But that was impos- her eyes locked with his.
He blinked, noticing her eyes on him. Gently disengaged himself from Dawn, and moved toward her a little, an... angry/upset/hurt/pissed look on his face.
Dawn stood by, a helpless look on her face.
Buffy stepped away from Jesse. "Just a minute... I... I've got to ask this gentleman if he needs help..." She stepped towards Spike, one hand resting gently on his arm, propelled him away from Jesse.
He knew she could feel the vibrations caused by his too-low-for-human-hearing growl when she touched him. Looked back toward Jesse, the growl raising in volume, and his upper lip curling slightly.
Her fingers tightened on his arm, and she sent Jesse a small smile. Pulled Spike around a corner.
He turned his semi-murderous look on her. "What the hell is that wanker doing here? With you? Touching you?"
The famous phrase fell from her lips. "It's not what you think-"
"Really?" Quiet, dangerous, with a definite growling undertone.
"Spike... I swear- it's not- he's just..."
"Just the guy you *kissed*." The growl got louder, but it was pained sounding.
She stammered a minute, then, "But... You're the guy I kiss *now*."
Dawn had crept closer, her eyes widening in shock. Buffy had KISSED that hotty?? Whoahhhh...
Growled again. "I hope you told the jackass that you're taken." Fierce possessiveness, still with that pained undertone.
She bit her bottom lip. "I was getting to that."
He gave a growling snort. "Didn't look like it."
"He just... showed up. I was. I just... I don't want to hurt him."
He snorted again, and ran his fingers through his hair with a small sigh. Looked around. Have to calm down. Have to calm down or kill someon- something. "So. This is where you work, eh?"
"Stop it."
Exasperated sound. "Stop what, Slayer?"
Eeoh.. 'Slayer'. He was mad. Waaay mad. "That... mad, avoidy thing. Stop it. You KNOW I don't want him."
He looked at her. "I want to believe you, Buffy..." Looked out into the store and growled when his eyes focused on Jesse. "But how can I even START to calm down.. when that... that.. BOY is still here? Still, obviously, wanting you. Touching you... It makes my blood boil to the point where I can't even see straight, and all I want is to kill something." Snarled. "Preferably him."
One hand rose to cup his chin, force his eyes on her. "He's just a boy, Spike. He doesn't know... anything about us. We've done a lot, been through a lot. He's just a kid."
He looked at her, knowing she could feel the tightness of his jaw. "And yet, you obivously see SOMETHING about him, or you wouldn't have bloody KISSED him."
"He was kind, and sweet, and... yeah, he's gorgeous. He's your opposite in every way. THAT'S what I saw in him. Someone who wasn't you."
He gave a soft growl. "Oh, then by all means, that definitely fixes everything." Sarcastically. "There goes all the hurt and pain right out that little air duct over there. Wave to it."
She made a frustrated noise. "You *know* that's not how I meant it. I wanted to see... if I could be happy with someone who didn't have one thing in common with you. And you know you're beautiful."
He was about to let go with another sarcastic tirade, but her last comment made him falter. Looked at her, confusedly. "I'm *what*?"
Buffy sighed. "God, Spike, you know you're gorgeous."
He cocked his head, ran a hand over his hair again, and looked down, apparently appraising himself. "Hmm." Looked at her, a ghost of a smile on his face. "Good thing I have you here to tell me, what with having no reflection and all." Looked across the sales floor at Jesse again. "I don't see how this applys to Mr. Rich Boy over there."
"I wanted to see if... someone who wasn't you could make me happy."
Looked to her again, traces of anger still present on his face, but much less... 'grrrr'y than before. "And?", very quietly.
She looked down, gave a small shrug. "I'm here, aren't I?"
He reached out slowly, cupped her chin much as she had him a moment earlier. Made her meet his gaze. "I love you, Buffy. And... I don't do well when someone that I love is suddenly with someone else. You know that." A flash of when he'd caught Druscilla with the Chaos demon went through his mind and he blinked. Why the hell did THAT still hurt?
She gave him an earnest look. "I'm not with anyone but you."
He nodded slowly. "I know." Shot one last growl in Jesse's general direction. "I still hate him, you know."
She nodded. "I know. I still love you, you know."
He sighed. "I know, luv. I also know that I don't play well with others."
A smile played at the corners of her mouth. 'Luv', not 'Slayer'. Off the hook. "You're gonna have to adjust."
"I don't do that well, either."
Another smile. "I know."
He gave a small smile of his own, and cocked his head, moving toward the register she had left vacant in her haste to keep him from killing Jesse. Walked around it appraisingly. "So, this is where you work, huh?"
"Yeah, I-" She broke off as he walked BEHIND the counter. "Spike! Get out!" She was ushering him away. "You're not allowed back there."
He chuckled and let her shoo him out.
Jesse, who had been leaning on a nearby counter, cleared his throat and spoke up. "So... he's your boyfriend, isn't he?" Slightly dejected, but not really, cause he'd always had the feeling that a wonderful woman like Buffy would have someone.
Spike snorted. "Damn right, I am."
She shot Spike a glare. "Um... Yeah... When we... I wasn't dating him then."
"Oh," was Jesse's only response.
Spike picked up a stapler and began examining it absently. Fancy looking thing. An *electric* stapler?
She stepped closer to him. Ran a hand down his arm. "Jesse... You weren't a rebound."
Spike bristled when she touched the boy, and he growled softly.
Jesse gave a small smile. "Yeah.. I should've known that you were too perfect not to be taken. I'm not *that* lucky."
She smiled, the hand touching his cheek. "You will be, and then you'll be like, 'Buffy who?' Just wait and see."
He smiled softly at her. "Thanks, Buffy." Looked at Spike, slowly extended a hand. "You're a very lucky man."
Spike looked at the outstretched hand for a moment, then grasped it firmly, shaking slowly. "Thanks, but I kind of already knew that." A smile at Buffy. And a kind of 'see? I can not kill him' look.
She grinned proudly at him.
When the two men released, Jesse gave Buffy a half wave. "I'll see you around, then, Buffy. Have a good night."
Spike leaned against the register counter, blinking absently, and playing with the electric stapler again.
"Bye, Jesse... Um... Have you been in Sporting?"
He gave a small nod. "Yeah. In fact, that's where I'm headed, and then home."
Spike gave a small snorting sound, saying without words, 'She doesn't need to know where you're going, wanker'.
She leveled Spike a look, then, "The little brunette behind the counter thinks you're gorgeous."
Jesse blinked, then gave a small smile. "Thanks for the tip." One last wave before leaving.
And now Spike had a very eloquent 'oh' look.
She watched him leave, then turned to Spike, her hands on her hips.
He gave her a sheepish look. "Sorry." Suddenly raised his head and sniffed. "I almost forgot... Where'd she get to?"
"Who?"
"Niblet. We came to visit you." Another deep sniff, and he'd pinpointed her. Locked eyes and sent her an 'it's okay now' look.
She bit her lip tentatively, hugging the duster around herself nervously.
"S'ok, Bit, c'mon over!" He smiled encouragingly.
She walked over, a smile pasted on her face. "Hi, Buff!" Kept the duster tight to herself, just to hide the skirt.
"Hey, Dawn. I didn't even see you."
"I saw that guy. He's HOT. Do you think *I* could date him?"
Spike's jaw dropped, and his eyes widened comically. "Bit!"
She shrugged. "He's hot, Spike."
Behind Spike, Buffy nodded, then said, "I don't think so, Dawn. He's a little too old."
She pouted a moment, then, "Spike's like... a hundred years older than you! And... technically, if you wanna get down to the wire, *I'M* older than him. Hi, mystical ball of energy, millenia old, shoved in this body? So.... technically, it wouldn't be cradle robbing or anything."
Buffy gaped. "I- no! No!! And... Spike and I are... different. And.... NO!"
Spike, meanwhile, was valiantly trying not to laugh, and focusing on the electric stapl- *POP!!* "OOOWW! Bloody hell!!" He dropped the stapler and began trying to pry the staple out of his hand.
The girls jumped to attention, both trying to pull it out of his hand at once.
"Ow ow! Come on... You're bloody makin' it worse... OWWW!" Buffy had yanked it out... taking a small piece of his flesh with it.
She winced. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I-" She smacked him in the head. "Why were you playing with a stapler??"
He fishmouthed. He was standing there, BLEEDING, and she HIT him!? "Well, I... it.. looked interesting."
She rolled her eyes and shoved a tissue at him. "It's a stapler." Moaned. "I'm gonna get fired."
He blinked, holding the tissue to his hand. "Why? It was an accident. And no one's around."
"I hope not. Personal scenes? Very frowned on. What're you guys here for anyway?"
"Well, Spikey was getting a widdle bwuuue wiffout his Buffy-wuffy," Dawn teased, playfully.
Buffy raised one eyebrow.
Spike play growled and pounced at Dawn. "Shut up! And I let you wear my jacket."
She laughed and hopped back a step.
Buffy rolled her eyes, smiling. "It's nice to see you two. Now scoot."
He ducked his head and moved toward Buffy slowly. "Not even a goodbye kiss?" Playful grin.
She gave a belabored sigh, her eyes smiling, and her lips brushed the corner of his mouth
He gently pulled her to him for a moment, and rested their foreheads together. "I love you."
Her eyes closed, and a smile curved her lips. "I love you, too."
He bumped their noses together before parting, a gentle, playful gesture. "See you in a few hours, luv."
Couldn't help the smile. "Yup. You guys have fun. Don't break anything."
The two sisters stuck their tongues out at each other, and with a laugh, walked their seperate ways.
He cocked his head at Dawn. "So. What have I been conned into buying you?"
She pointed at a pair of jeans. "When you pull the cord by the crotch, it gets lower, kinda into a 'V', and it kinda makes your belly look toner."
He sighed. It was Wal-mart all over again. Picked up the jeans. "Anything else?"
"Uhhhhhh-huh." She led him to a sales rack, and piled seven shirts in his arms. "Those."
He grunted under the load. "Okay... Now what?"
"You pay, and I go home and try them all on."
He started to head for the nearest register.
Dawn stopped him in his tracks with her coo-ing.
He looked over his shoulder. "What, Bit?"
"You need these."
"What?!" He honestly couldn't SEE over the pile in his arms.
She sighed, took her shirts back, and piled them neatly. "The jamma's." She pointed with her free hand.
He blinked and looked at them. Dark blue and black flannel jammas. "Hmm. I don't know, Bit. I don't usually wear pajamas."
"Feel."
He shifted the jeans to one hand, and obediently felt the jammas. Ooh. Soft. Would probably be really warm, too... He cocked his head.
"And they're... ya know.... grrrrrr guy colors. Soft."
He cocked his head the other way, then picked them up, laying them across the jeans. "I may find some use for them. You never know."
Dawn rolled her eyes. "Ya never know."
He grinned, then turned around, heading back the way they came.
"Hey," Dawn yelped. "Where're you going?"
"To a checkout."
"No nononononono... We can't check out with Buffy."
"Why not?"
"Because she'll make me try everything on, and I already have, and I REALLY like the clothes, can we please check out over there???"
He stopped, looked longingly toward where Buffy's checkout was, then gave a deep sigh and turned around, trudging back to Dawn.
"Two and a half hours and she'll be home. Besides," she pouted, "I thought you wanted to hang with me today."
He smiled. "I do, Bit. And I am. And I'm loving it. But you know me."
She cracked an imaginary whip. "Whipped?"
He snorted at her, then chuckled. "And wrapped. Can't forget that."
"That, too."
=======================================================================================
They barrelled in the door, and Dawn continued her rant. "I'll model the new clothes real quick, and then we'll change into jamma's. It'll be cool."
He dropped the bags that he'd carried home on the couch with a sigh, then. "Wait a minute. This isn't a sleepover, Bit!"
"I know, but you HAVE to break them in."
He snorted. "Perfect. I'm gonna look like a blueberry."
"No, sir. We got that black tee-shirt."
"Yeah yeah." Tossed the bags with her things to her. "Go on. Let's get the fashion show on the road."
She grinned and scurried off the change. A couple minutes later, she called down, "READY??"
"And waiting," he called back.
She walked down the stairs in the adjustable low-riding jeans, one bare hip cocked out, and a short black lace top with flared sleeves. She smiled hopefully.
He clapped twice, and then said, "And you're not goin' out with those jeans that low. Ever."
She pouted. "But look. You can see my belly button. And my two-pack!"
He cocked his head. "I noticed. And no one else will."
She stuck her tongue out at him. Pranced away to come back a few different times, different shirts, different 'adjusted' levels. It came to the last outfit. "READY?"
A chuckle. "Dawn Summers, come on down!"
She smiled, and came down. "Don't freak. I borrowed the boots from Janice." Because Dawn Summer's most definitely didn't own a pair of knee-high black boots. She had picked up the red leather skirt on the trip, and told no one of it, and wore the black lace shirt she had worn earlier. She looked down at her bare thighs, said thoughtfully, "I might wear fishnets, too... but I'm not sure how it'd mix with the lace."
He blinked once, slowly, then, "And add another thing to the list of things you are never to wear outside this house."
She stomped her booted foot. "No. Tell me I don't look way cute."
"'Cute' would not be the word I'd choose, Bit. What would your sister say?"
She tugged on the skirt, and it fell about an inch and a half. "Better?"
"Barely."
She tugged again, pouting, and it DID go down another inch or so, but it was also now coming off her hips. She arched her eyebrow.
He gave an exaggerated moan, and flopped over on the couch. "If I ever catch you outside in that, Bit, I'll kill you and whoever's with you."
"No... I'm wearing it tomorrow."
Sat up. "Like hell you are."
She stood, one hip cocked to the side, her hand propped on it. "I've been planning this outfit since he asked me out."
Sat up. "Since WHO asked you out!?"
"Michael! And Devon is the day after, with the jeans and red shirt."
His eyes and mouth were wide, and his mind was racing with various maiming and torture senerios.
She sighed. "Fine. If 'cute' isn't the word you'd use, what would you?"
"Too bold for a fifteen year old."
"That's not a word." Gave him a look. "You'd let Buffy wear it."
"That's TOTALLY different!"
"Because you like to see someone you date in REALLY attractive clothes!!!"
Soft growl. "Because the point is to rip them off!" Balked at himself. Damn him. Why the hell had he said that out loud?
She arched her brow. "I see. Me wearing this automatically makes me a slut."
"NO!!!"
Started unzipping the boots, hobbling on one foot, then the other, kicked them off. "Right. I'm gonna get in my jamma's now."
He leaned forward, elbows on his knees, head in his hands. Him and his big, bloody mouth.
She debated staying in her room, and not going down at all, but she decided that non-confrontation wasn't her thing. She marched downstairs, into the kitchen, now jamma clad in moons and stars. She grabbed a pint of icecream and a spoon, flopped down on the couch.
He looked at her out of the corner of his eye. "I'm sorry, Bit... Really. Wear what you want. I can't very well stop you."
She sighed. Compromise, right? "No leather skirt but I keep the boots?"
He cocked his head, considering. "Okay.. I guess. But I do insist that you run it by big sis first."
She gave a very good cover pout. It felt kinda ok to have someone worry enough to tell you no. "I won't let him tear my clothes off."
In spite of himself, he chuckled. "Better not. And remember, I'd know instantly, anyway"
She was confused. "No sir."
He chuckled again. "I'd be able to smell things like that, Bit. Just so you know. I always know."
Her eyes narrowed as she zeroed in on him. "At the icecream place, did Michael...?"
He cocked his head, then leaned back on the couch. "Did he what?" Innocently.
She stuck a spoonful of icecream in her mouth, blushing. "Ya know. Could you smell him?"
He took a deep breath. "Well, there WERE alot of different, conflicting scents in that parlor... Can't really be sure of any one thing."
She fixed her doe-eyes on him. "Spike... It's important." She played her ace in the hole. "I mean, if I know he wants me in my normal not-trying-to-look-anything-but-comfy clothes, I won't HAVE to dress up like that."
He stared at her. Then, quietly, grudgingly, "Yeah."
She set the icecream down. "Really?"
Slow nod.
Her whole countenance lit up, and she launched herself at him. A high pitched squeal accompanied her at the speed of sound.
He 'oof'ed, when she hit him, then chuckled quietly. "Easy, Bit. You're gonna crack my ribs. Gettin' a bit of your sister's strength, I think."
She loosened her arms around his sides, but looked up at him, smiling.
He sighed, quietly. It was worth possibly having to kill some teenaged males later to have his little sister smile at him like that. Wrapped one arm around her and squeezed gently. "You know... I think I need to go do something."
"What?"
He gestured down at his 'day' clothes. "Well, can't have you bein' the only one ready for bed, now can I?" Smiled at her.
She smiled, and released him, yawning. "Gonna break 'em in?"
He grinned and got up. "Yeah.. I guess." Took his bag and headed upstairs. A few minutes later, he came back down, stood about halfway up the stairs, and did a little turn around, letting her look. "Well?"
She applauded. "We rock."
He laughed and flopped on the couch next to her. Within the next hour, both were dozing off, Spike laying on his back on the couch, with her stretched out nearly on top of him, her head on his chest.
Dawn had been out for some time, but she was cold, a shiver every once in a while racking her.
Spike was just awake enough to pull the quilt that layed over the back of the couch down over both of them, smiling when Dawn smiled in her sleep and snuggled down closer to him. Slowly, his eyes closed and he drifted off.
Buffy crept in the door some time later, wondering what movie they were watching this time. She was in the mood to join them. She peeked in the living room, and the words stopped in her throat.
Spike was asleep on his back, Dawn on his chest in a ball, a quilt covering them both. Spike had new pajama's on, hell, pajama's period, and there were black boots on the floor. She smiled softly, turning the TV and lights off, leaving them to sleep on the couch. She must have missed one heck of a party.
A few moments later, Spike's eyes fluttered, catching a scent that told him that Buffy was home. He opened his eyes, and yawned quietly, becoming aware of the lump of Dawn that was curled on his chest. He smiled softly, then gave a small frown when he realized just how hard it was going to be to get up, and not wake her. Finally, he decided on moving slowly, scooping her into his arms as he stood, grateful that a small snort was the only action that she took. That, and fisting a hand in his pajama shirt, and nuzzling closer. He slowly made his way up the stairs, doing his best not to jostle her as he did so.
Buffy heard his footsteps on the stairs, and kept pulling on her pajama's. When he didn't enter their room, she stepped out, and watched him duck into Dawn's room.
He gently layed the lump of slumbering Key in the big overstuffed chair near her bed, before moving to turn the covers down, picking her up again, and putting her on the bed, then tucking her in gently, all without so much as breathing, not wanting to wake her. He smiled when she nuzzled her pillow, and bent to press a small kiss to her forehead. "Night, Lil' Bit," he whispered, almost inauditably. "I love you."
Dawn gave a little sigh,and cuddled down into her blankets again.
Buffy smiled from her spot in the doorway, and slipped back into their room, and into bed.
Spike slipped out of Dawn's room, moving with all the grace and silence that his species was known for, and, with a yawn, headed back to the room that he and Buffy shared. Cocked his head as he closed the door. Small smile. She was faking sleep. "Do you spy often, luv, or was that a one time thing?" Of course he'd known she was there. He could always sense her a mile away.
She peeked one eye open at him. "One time thing."
He chuckled softly, and sat on the side of their bed, stroking her hair with one hand. "I love being with Niblet, but I missed you today."
She gave a small smile. "I missed you, too."
"I love you, Buffy." His eyes shone in the semi-darkness of their bedroom, and he leaned down to kiss her, pressing his lips to hers lovingly, then moving to lay down next to her and gently nibbling at her neck.
She lay still, letting him play at her neck. "I love you, too."
He gave a soft growl, and moved his nibling to her collarbone, one hand playing with the buttons on her pajama shirt.
She stiffened slightly in his embrace, pulling back in the smallest degree, the tension flooding her body.
He blinked, and stopped his minstrations. "Uh... luv? Are you mad at me?"
She shook her head, not quite looking at him. She moved closer, nuzzling her cheek against his chest. "Can I- can we just-"
Ah. He gave a slow nod, slipping his arms around her, purring softly. "Of course, luv. Whatever you want." He held her close, smiling when her body relaxed against him. "What brought this on, though, luv?"
"I love you. And... I just... it's not always about... ya know."
He sighed, nodded. "Good."
Buffy pulled back slowly to look in his eyes. "Good?"
Tigerwolf says:
He gave her a soft smile. "In.. every relationship I've ever been in, luv... On the part of the other person.. that was all it was. All it ever was. With Dru. With Harm, even though that one... not on my part either." Paused a moment to gather his thoughts. "I love you, and I'm content with whatever we're doing. Just talking, or even... just being in the same room. And it's a.. almost a relief to me that you feel the same way. It lets me know that you love me as much as I love you. That each other's company is enough, no matter what."
One hand settled over his heart. "I want.. *you*, Spike... Not..." her hand slid over his torso, indicating his body, "you."
He chuckled softly. "I understand, Buffy. And you have no idea how good that makes me feel." Gently seized her hand, placed it on his chest, where the purring almost gave the illusion of a heartbeat. "You feel that? All for you. Only you, luv. Every part, inside and out. Remember? All or nothing?"
She smiled. "All."
Another soft chuckle. "Same here." He snuggled up against her, nuzzling his nose against her back. "And, as a bonus, I get to be warm all the time." Playfully teasing tone.
She smiled, tangling their hands.
Spike smiled and moved up so that he could put his head on their pillows, rather than the mattress as his previous position entailed. He kept his arms around her though. "So, aside from me nearly gettin' you fired, how was work, luv?"
She sighed. "Fine, I guess. A couple of super nice people, couple of mean people. Same old. Dusted a vamp in the changing room."
He chuckled. "Just can't escape a calling, can you?" Lowered his voice conspiritorialy. "You know... I think there might be a vampire in this very room..."
She gasped. "There goes the neighborhood."
He chuckled softly, nuzzling her and purring loudly. "Nothing to worry about, though. This one's tame." Squeezed her gently. "And if you tell anyone that I said that, I'll be untame again very quickly."
She gave a soft laugh. "I promise. As long as you don't tell anyone I didn't slay you."
"Well, that'll kinda be obvious, seeing as how I'm not dust, and all."
She said around a yawn,"Shhhh... they don't know."
He chuckled softly, then said, "Luv?"
"Hmm?"
"Something's been bothering me lately. About the Ohana."
She shifted, faced him. "What??"
He absently stroked her hair with one hand, making his 'thinking' face. "The money, while we were on the trip, and that payed for the Ohana, and all. Where the hell did that come from? And why did it stop when we got back home, aside from the leftovers from the RV place."
She smiled, completely at ease. She smoothed a finger over the frown lines on his face. "Someone is looking out for us." She gave a wistful smile. "Maybe someone who loves us up there was taking care of us when we couldn't for ourselves."
He cocked his head, considering, smiled softly. "That's a nice thought. Maybe you're right..." He felt sleep trying to claim him, and valiantly attempted to fight it. "Buffy? Do you think... Do you think your mum would like me living here?"
"I think she'd be ok with it. I'm happy, and... we love eachother."
He nodded. "Yeah. That's the feelin' I get, too. Just wanted to see what you thought..." He trailed off into a deep yawn, and reached down to pull the sheets up over the both of them, snuggling closer one last time. "G'night, luv."
She smiled as her eyes drifted shut. "Night..."
A shimmering light developed in the corner of the room, and a form slowly stepped forward, solidifying the closer it got to the bed. Joyce glowed as she smiled at the sleeping pair. She laid her palm on the bed-side table. There was a small shimmer of light, then she bent to brush her lips against Buffy's forehead. "I love you."
The next morning, Buffy woke, finding a hundred dollar bill on the bedside table. Written, in her mother's script were the words, "Ohana means family. All of it. No one gets left behind. I love you, girls. Mom"
END
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Author's Notes, Tigerwolf: Well guys, this is it, Ohana is officially over. And, finally, you get the money answer. *grins* Would you believe that we came up with the fact that it was Joyce doing the money way back in chapter four? And we planned this ending waaaayyyy back then. *laughs* So, hopefully all your questions have been answered. If not.... well, go back and read it again. *chuckles* Cause I'm pretty sure that we've wrapped this one up well. Be sure to watch for our next collaboration, "Complicated", due out... probably round Christmas, because we always like to archive a few chapters before we post. And Sunrise? This has been a great ride, and I'm sad to see it end. Lookin' forward to working on Complicated. =) -Tiger
Author's Notes, Tequila Sunrise: Guys, I don't have a lot to say this time. Ohana was a fun venture. Complicated will be, too. I'll be wrapping up Convoluted soon. Thanks for the wonderful support. You guys are great fans. Thanks again. Remember: sleep is your friend. Tiger, you've been great, as always. =) Love ya girly.
Always.
Tequila Sunrise