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Author Note: Hey everyone. Thanks for the reviews – glad you're enjoying so far. Here's where it gets a bit strange and depressing. Sorry – I'm not even sure I like how it has turned out but hopefully you will manage to enjoy it anyway. And it will get happier again – things between Dawn and Spike will go fluffy again soon.
Anyway, read and review with your (constructive) criticism or glowing praise (I wish).
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"Ok, I'll try her cell."
Dawn picked up the phone and dialled Buffy's number to be met by the answerphone message.
"Spike, she's not picking up. I'm worried now. That demon said he set it all up. What if they hurt her?"
Spike put an awkward hand on her shoulder. "She'll be fine, love. She's the Slayer. A few vampires aren't going to even mess up her hair."
"So what do I do? Do I call Xander? Giles? He said he'd be back with his master and I'm in no hurry to get married yet."
"It's what do we do, love. I'm not gonna abandon you like I have in the past. I won't let him get his mitts on you."
Dawn smiled weakly.
"Don't call Xander…or Giles. They can't help us. Bring your cell phone and keep trying Buffy."
"Where are we going?"
Spike shrugged, "If we keep moving we'll be ok. He'll be able to track us if we stay still too long."
They left the house and made for Spike's motorbike when another demon who looked like he was from the same family as Jackson but who had eaten a lot more eggs as a child sprang in front of them.
"Oh bloody hell. Nibblet, stay back, find me a weapon if you can."
Spike began his assault on the demon, punching and kicking but the demon was a lot stronger than Jackson. It smashed Spike against a car and was about to smash him through the windscreen when Dawn fired an arrow into his back from a crossbow. The demon turned round and hissed.
"That hurt. You are a very disobedient bride. Why master chose you is beyond me."
Whilst the demon was distracted Spike wrenched the arrow out of it's back and drove it into it's eye.
"Quick, Dawn, the motorbike," Spike roared.
Whilst the demon howled and pawed at it's eye, Spike and Dawn managed to drive off. They rode for a long time, even after they realised nothing was following them. Eventually they pulled up at a motel and Spike hid the motorbike in some foliage.
Spike grabbed Dawn's hand and pulled her towards him, "We can't stay here long. Just a rest. Grab some food, sleep. I'll guard."
"Spike, you're wounded, and the sun is gonna come up soon. What are we going to do?"
"I'll heal quickly. Let me do the worrying Nibblet. Come on, we'll get a room."
When they had secured a room, Spike closed the curtains and hung a blanket up as an extra precaution against the sunlight which would be rearing its head in a few hours.
"Try Buffy again. I'll go get you some food from the vending machine."
Dawn dialled Buffy's number but again was met with the answering phone. She decided to leave a message telling her where they were and what had happened and to call her as soon as possible.
Spike came back ladened with junk food.
"Any joy?"
"No she's still not answering. Why so much food Spike? I'm not that greedy."
"Well, uh, stupid machine swallowed my quarters so I might 'ave roughed it up a bit."
Dawn raised an eyebrow but investigated what he had brought anyway.
"How long do you think we've got?"
"A few hours, I'd say. I'm relying on Buffy getting through here because when that sun comes up I'm grounded."
"Spike!"
"Ok, ok so my plan wasn't exactly thorough."
"Well we should keep driving then, or go get a car with blacked out windows."
"Don't worry. I'll protect you."
"That's great Spike but you weren't exactly instilling the fear of god into that other demon were you. He pulverised you."
"He bloody well didn't. I'm right as rain and we got away didn't we."
"Perhaps I should call Xander. He could drive out here and pick us up."
Spike growled softly, "Yeah, if ya like."
Dawn called Xander, who was immediately panicked by what she told him. However he readily agreed to drive out there.
Dawn pressed the 'End Call' button on her phone and looked at Spike, "He'll be here as soon as possible, probably a couple of hours. He said he'd try to black out his windows somehow but if he can't….is there a sewer network here?"
"I'm not leaving you Dawn."
"Yes, but if I leave you and go with Xander then you'll need to get out of here."
"That boy can't protect you."
"Spike listen to me."
"I'll be fine Nibblet."
"Good."
Dawn sat on the edge of the bed and sighed. "Sorry for getting you into this Spike."
"I'm just helping you out…like friends do." He looked sideways at her with a coyness she had never seen in him before.
"I've missed you." Dawn spoke quietly.
"I've missed you too Nibblet." Dawn gave him a hug which took him by surprise but he relished the love she was giving off in waves.
Dawn pulled away and sat down again.
"Spike…"
"Yes Nibblet."
"No, never mind."
He knelt by her, "Tell me."
"I'm just thinking…"
"That's dangerous, love."
"Seriously, Spike, the demon…Jackson said his master chose me because I was pure."
"Yeah I heard that. Pure as pure can be."
"If I wasn't pure…he might not want me any more."
"Yes but you are, love."
"You could make me impure."
Spike put his hands up and stepped backward quickly. "No way. No. No."
"I'm right aren't I. It would work."
"I don't care love. It's not going to happen."
"Spike, this could help me, save my life."
"Yeah but it would be the end of mine if your sister and her chums found out."
"They needn't know and even if they did find out they would understand."
"I don't care Dawn. I'm not doing that to you." His tone was angry.
"Jeez Spike, it's just sex. It's stupid that this master demon guy cares but it's just sex."
Spike turned away, "I can't."
"Why?"
Spike said nothing.
"It doesn't have to mean anything Spike. I know you love Buffy but is it so terrible to think of being close to me?"
"Of course not."
"Then why?"
"God, Bit, because you're pure and innocent and sweet and good. I'm…I'm a monster. I could never ruin you. I've done too many bad things to you and yours."
"You're not a monster. You've changed. You have a soul! That has to count for something."
Spike suddenly vamped out and knocked her to the ground, pressing his lips to hers in a harsh and painful kiss. He tasted her blood and pulled away. She covered her mouth, touching her cut lip, trembling.
"You see Dawn. I am a monster. I can't be trusted. Don't tempt me to come near you again."
Dawn blinked back tears and glared at him, "You're just trying to scare me."
"Wrong. I'm showing you how I am."
"I know you Spike. I…"
"No you don't. You know babysitter Spike and friendly Spike. You've never seen me evil."
"You're not evil anymore."
"Yes I bloody well am."
Dawn rolled her eyes. "Fine if you don't want to help me…I'll ask Xander. He may not be as strong as you but he steps in when he is needed."
"Fine!" Spike exclaimed. "No, wait, not fine. If that boy lays a finger on you I'll snap his neck."
"Spike! We have run out of options here. Demons are coming. Strong demons you can't fight. The sun is coming up. Buffy is not coming. This master guy is obviously not gonna stop until he has me. If I have to go to Xander I will."
"Over my dead body."
Dawn rolled her eyes.
"Ok, over my dusty body."
"Fine by me."
"Hey!" Spike looked hurt.
"Nibblet….don't make me do this. You know I can't. I'd feel so guilty."
"I'm asking you to."
"I know."
"I have to lose it eventually."
"With someone you love."
"With someone I love." Dawn said meaningfully.
Spike's eyes widened, "But you hated me a few hours ago. You girls are so fickle."
"I never hated you Spike. You hurt me but I could never forget what you had done for me and Buffy."
"Nibblet…I…"
"You don't have to say anything. I know you are in love with Buffy and I would never want to come between that."
"…I love you too."
"You don't."
"Buffy never loved me. She used me and I used her to some extent. I did…do love her. You're right there but I'm never going to be back in her life…but you…you've always had faith in me…trusted me…even when I didn't want to be thought of as trustworthy, you always saw my heart. You're very special Dawn…but I can't do what you're asking me to do."
Dawn sighed in defeat, feeling rather exhausted, "Xander it is then."
"No, Pet."
"You know I had a major crush on him when I was younger. His floppy hair…his cute grin…those deep brown eyes."
"I know what you're trying to do love."
"I'm just stating a fact."
"You're trying to make me jealous."
"No I'm just…"
"It's working."
"I'm sure he's looked at me funny before. Like a few weeks ago he came into my room while I was changing and I swear his eyes popped out of his head."
"I'll bloody kill him…Dawn" Spike said warningly.
"I bet he's a good kisser."
Spike growled and pushed Dawn ever so gently back on the bed, "Don't say such things."
"I bet he is." Dawn spoke, her heartbeat increasing in pace.
Spike silenced her with a soft kiss. She moaned softly as she felt his cool lips on her warm ones, a kiss so different from the harsh one he had tried to scare her with.
She smiled as he broke the kiss, "Maybe you are a better one."
Suddenly they heard a smash and a scream in the distance and they looked into each other's eyes, both in fear.
"Spike we have to do this now." She struggled with his pants.
"Dawn I can't do this. This isn't how your first time should be."
She looked into his eyes and realised he would never be able to do it so she was the one to hurriedly push herself down on him and cry out because it hurt, more so than she had expected. She looked at the pained expression in Spike's eyes because he was the one causing her to suffer and she kissed him, silently telling him it wasn't his fault. They heard a roar from outside and a large, green demon with a double set of jagged teeth and scaly wings burst inside.
Dawn gulped in fear, "I'm guessing he's their master."
"No I'm their master, Joseph by name actually." A short, grey haired demon stepped out from behind the larger green one. He looked almost human if it were not for his red eyes and blue tinged skin.
"You are a stupid girl Dawn and you…vampire…are going to die."
Dawn jumped up, "No he's not. What has he got to do with any of this."
Joseph frowned, "Hmm, let me see, he hurt Jackson, he helped you escape and wait…oh yes…he just took your virginity!"
Dawn wavered, "Ok I see your point. Apart from the last bit. I was the one. Not him. I just used him to make me impure."
Joseph raised an eyebrow, "You are far too feisty to be my wife and you are not pure so the binding cannot go ahead. I can kill you though…you have rather inconvenienced me."
He began to advance on Dawn but Spike launched a flying kick against him knocking him to the ground.
Joseph glared panting and looked to the green demon, "Kill him already."
The green demon easily threw Spike against the wall and bit into his shoulder. Spike groaned, slipping out of consciousness.
"Spike! No!" Dawn screamed.
Before she knew what had happened the green demon's head was on the floor and Buffy was standing triumphantly next to it, large sword in hand.
"Buffy!"
"Dawnie. It's ok. I'm sorry." Buffy ran to give her sister a hug. "Are you ok?"
"Yeah I am now."
Joseph tapped his foot impatiently.
Buffy looked at him quizzically, "You waiting for me to kill you too?"
Joseph pondered it for a moment and then turned to run. Before he could make it to the door Buffy had sliced his head off too. "He should have been more patient."
Dawn smiled, "Thank god you came Buff."
"I'm sorry Dawn. I shouldn't have left you."
Dawn shook her head, "No it is not your fault. I should have been prepared. What is it with all these demons wanting me to be their brides? Anyway Spike helped me a lot – he really did protect me." She looked at his unconscious form in the corner. "Not that it looks like it at the moment."
Buffy looked at Spike and smiled, "Yeah, poor Spike. Your wannabe-husband sent some vampires to distract me who stole my phone! Anyway they weren't too hard to dispatch but I couldn't get your messages. Finally when I killed the demon giving orders I was able to get my phone back. I started running and called Xander so he could give me a lift. I can't believe I almost lost you."
"You didn't though so let's just go home. Oh but Spike and daylight don't mix."
"It's ok. Xander brought some dark blankets and he brought a van so we can bundle Spike in the back and just cover up the back windows. I'll go and start on that. You want to stay here?"
Dawn nodded and when Buffy had left she crawled over to Spike. She stroked his hair gently and eventually he woke up.
"Nibblet? Are you ok? What happened?" He saw the decapitated bodies of Joseph and the demon. "Oh…that happened."
"Buffy came just in time. She killed them and we've got a van so we can get you home." She touched his shoulder, which was already healing. "Does it hurt?"
Spike shook his head. "The Slayer saved the day again then. Are you ok? With everything?" He said meaningfully.
"Spike I'm fine. I did what I had to do…thanks for letting me."
Spike closed his eyes, "I didn't want to love."
Dawn sighed, "I'll go and see how they are getting on." She winced a little as she got up.
Spike just looked at her, "Oh Nibblet."
"Spike…I'm fine." She paused and then walked out into the sunshine.
