Summary:       Buffy has come to some decisions about her relationship with Spike.  She's told Willow and Xander.  Now she just needs to tell Spike and Dawn.  But nothing is ever as easy as it seems in Sunnydale. 

Disclaimer:    Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy own everything.  But I wouldn't mind leasing Spike from them for a couple of weeks :)

Feedback:     As always, appreciated.

Seeing Spike Through Buffy's Eyes

Chapter 2 - Dawn

Buffy was humming a little tune as she made her way to Spike's crypt.  Things had gone better with Xander and Willow than she had expected.  There was no blood; that was always a plus.  She was happy things were out in the open.  One less worry.  Now she could direct her attention to the important stuff, like finding a job, keeping Social Services off her back, helping Willow with her recovery and finding a way to defeat Rack.  Just another day in then life of a Slayer.

But how was she going to tell him?  "Spike, I've confessed the whole sorted deal to my friends.  We are officially a couple."  No, that wouldn't do.  Maybe she shouldn't tell him at all.  Maybe she should just wait until the next Scoobie meeting, then she could kiss him in front of everyone.  Sort of a surprise.  The thought made Buffy giggle.  No, he would be dust on the spot.  The shock would kill him, if that were possible.  Well, I just tell him straight out, she thought.

Buffy paused for a moment at the door to Spike's crypt.  She was nervous.  What if didn't react like she wanted him too?  What if he bailed on her now that they didn't have to hide from everyone?  Maybe his attraction to her was in the fact that they had to hide.  The naughty little secret they shared.

"Pa-lease!" a voice said in Buffy's head.  "After all that he's said to you about how he hates sneaking around.  He'll maul you in public every opportunity he gets.  If nothing else, he'll do it to irritate Xander."

Buffy took a deep breath.  Now or never.  She swung open the door to Spike's crypt.

"Spike?  Spike, I need to talk to you."  Buffy walked into the room.  She had expected to find him sitting on the couch watching TV.  After all, it was almost time for Passions to start.  But, there was no Spike to be found.  Probably still sleeping.

She shimmied down the ladder that lead to the lower floor.  "Spike, wake up.  I've got big news."  Buffy looked towards the bed as her feet touched the ground.  Still no Spike.  She walked to the middle of the room.  It was 2 o'clock on a Saturday.  Where could he be? 

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"Get out!  Get out and don't come back!  You're not my friend!  You were never my friend!  Why don't you leave?!  Just leave and never bother us again!"  Dawn was screaming at Spike.  He had never seen her this angry.  But she was right.  Everything she had said had been the truth.  It was his fault.  All of it was his fault.  Maybe they would be better off if he left.

Spike grabbed his blanket off the couch, covering his head as he walked out the door into the afternoon sun. 

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Buffy stared around the empty crypt once more before walking out.  Definitely no Spike.  Well, she probably should go home anyway.  It would be better if she told Dawn what was going on.  Maybe Dawn could help her think of a way to tell Spike. 

Buffy knew Dawn had a soft spot for the blond vampire.  He had come to mean so much to her while Buffy was gone.  He had helped Dawn through her grief.  He had protected her, spent time with her.  Buffy felt a twinge of regret.  Over the past couple of months, Spike hadn't been able to spend as much time with Dawn as he usually did.  Buffy not wanting him around the house because she was angry and confused had put an effective stop to Spike and Dawn's friendship.  But now that Buffy and Spike were together, he could spend more time with Dawn.  Maybe even stay over sometimes.  Buffy smiled.  The three of them could have a date!  Watch videos, order pizza, and this time Spike wouldn't have to leave. 

Buffy was contemplating the thought of finally having Spike in her bed for an entire night as she walked through the front door of the house. 

"Dawn, I'm home."  Buffy went to the kitchen, opening the door of the frig.  Ew!  She desperately needed to go to the grocery store.  Nothing left to eat but cottage cheese and apples that had seen better days.  She grabbed the orange juice before shutting the door.  That's when she saw the note. 

'Buffy – Janice and I went to the mall.  Be home before 6. – Dawn'

Great, now her sister was missing in action too.  Why was it whenever she had wonderful news, no one was around to hear it?  Buffy poured herself a glass of juice.  Well, she might as well start on the grocery list.  She'd call Xander at the Magic Box, bum a ride to the store.  Hopefully, he needed to pick up a few things too.  And they should swing by Willy's.  Buffy wanted to pick up a few packets of blood for her boyfriend.

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"Thanks for the ride, Xan.  I appreciate it," Buffy said as her and Xander carried the groceries into the house. 

"No problem, Buffster."  How could three small women eat this much food?  "Always happy to help out a friend in need of transportation.  But, you know, you do have a perfectly good SUV parked in the garage.  I could teach you how to drive it, if you want."  Although he didn't mind playing taxi service, Xander did wish someone else in the group would learn to drive. 

"I've been thinking about that myself.  Monday morning after I get Dawn off to school, I'm going down to the Sunnydale DMV.  I called last week.  They offer a driver's ed class.  I'm going to sign-up."  Buffy thought it was a good first step toward the semi-normal life she wanted to start exploring.  "It would be embarrassing if Dawn learned how to drive before I did."

Xander placed the last grocery bag on the counter in the Summers' kitchen.  "That's a great idea, Buff.  Maybe you could talk Willow and Anya into taking it with you.  Team effort and all." 

"I think you are sick of driving all of us around town.  Not that I blame you.  Can't picture you as a chauffer.  Although I'm sure you'd look adorable in one of those cute hats."  Buffy smiled at Xander.

"Oh, God.  Don't even mention that to Anya.  Next thing I know, she'll be wanting to ride in the back seat and she'll start calling be James or something."  Xander shuddered at the thought.

"Don't mention what to Anya."  Dawn strolled into the kitchen.  She took a seat at the counter. 

"Nothing important.  Just torturing Xander.  How was the mall?"  Buffy was putting away the groceries as she talked to her little sister.

"You know, the mall.  So, what did you buy?" Dawn said trying to change the subject.  Her and Janice had almost gotten caught lifting a pair of earrings from a department store.  She couldn't look her sister in the eye.  She knew that Buffy would know something was wrong.  But then again, Buffy hadn't paid attention to Dawn in weeks.  Why would she start now?

"The basics.  Milk, bread, eggs, chocolate."

"Blood?"  Dawn had started snoopy through the bags, coming across the one from Willy's.  "Since when do we need to keep a full supply of blood in the house?"

"Gotta go!"  Xander jumped up from his seat.  "Anya's waiting for me back at the shop."  Xander had already heard the Spike speech.  He didn't want to hear it again.  Especially if Dawn got all 'that's great' and 'I'm so happy.'  "I'll see you both tomorrow." 

"Bye, Xander.  And thanks again."  Buffy turned toward her sister as soon as Xander walked out the back door.  "Dawn, I've got something to tell you.  Something I think you're going to like."

Dawn raised one eyebrow as she waited for her sister to continue.

Buffy could feel the heat rising; she was starting to blush.  Why had it been easier to tell Willow and Xander?  "I, uh, I came to a decision.  I know how much you like Spike –"  Dawn cringed.  " – and I know how helpful he was while I was gone.  You sort of bonded with him.  So, I hope you'll be happy about the news."  Buffy looked up at her sister.  Dawn had a strange look on her face, but Buffy continued.  "Things have happened over the past couple of months, and although I'm not going to tell you the details, let's just say that they've been good things.  Sort of.  Spike's been here for me since I came back.  And, well, we sort of built a friendship around that being-here-thing."

Oh no, thought Dawn.  If this was going where I think this is going…

"Anyway, the friendship thing has sort of grown too."  Buffy hesitated.  "I'm not saying this right, so I'm just going to come out with it.  Look, Spike and I are dating, okay?"

The last thing Buffy expected was for her little sister to faint, but that's exactly what happened.  Dawn almost hit the floor before Buffy could catch her.  "Dawn?  Dawn?  Dawnie, wake up!  Come on Dawn.  This isn't funny."

Buffy carried her sister into the living room, laying her on the couch.  She knelt down next to Dawn, smoothing the hair back from her forehead.  What had just happened?

"Buffy?"  Dawn was regaining consciousness.  "Buffy, did I faint?"  Dawn was a little out of it.

"Yeah, you fainted.  Scared the hell out of me.  I didn't think it would be that much of a shock.  Are you okay?"  Buffy looked into her sister's eyes.  She was worried about her.

Dawn looked back at her.  How was she going to tell her?  Buffy finally admitted she had feelings for Spike on the same day Dawn had run him out of town.  This was NOT going to be a good conversation.

"Uh, Buffy.  Have you seen Spike today?"  Dawn wasn't sure how much Buffy knew.  It couldn't be that much, or she wouldn't be looking so concerned.

"No, actually.  I went by his crypt this afternoon, but he wasn't there.  Why?"  Buffy questioned her sister.

Dawn pushed herself into a sitting position on the couch.  "Well, he stopped by earlier.  We were talking.  I was a little mad.  I think I said something to upset him."  Fright briefly passed over Dawn's face.

"Dawn, I'm sure that whatever it was, Spike won't hold it against you.  He loves you.  You're like, his best friend."  Buffy couldn't understand what had Dawn so worried.  It was Spike.  She'd apologize and everything would be fine.

"Buffy, you don't know what I said."

Dawn repeated the conversation back to Buffy, word for word.  In a few minutes a scream could be heard echoing down Revello Dr.  It was the sound of the Slayer yelling at her little sister.

"YOU SAID WHAT!"

---TBC