Description: Buffy's not feeling well, Spike won't go away, and Dawn knows more that she should. The Scoobies lives are about to be changed forever.

Rating: PG-13

Pairing: Buffy/Spike (did you think otherwise?)

Buffy's alarm clock pulled her out of her deep sleep. She threw her arm over and hit the object with full Slayer strength. The small clock broke into pieces, springs, and batteries flying.

"Guess I gotta get another one of those." She grumbled as she pulled herself from bed. She picked up her watch and checked out the time. '10:35. Gotta get up."

Buffy had recently landed a job at a local lawyer's office as a secretary. It took her about fifteen minutes to get there, and an hour to get ready. It paid well enough. It took care of the bills and put food on the table for her and Dawn. And she only had to work five days a week. She started late today because her boss had an early trial and wouldn't be at the office until after lunch.

Buffy chose her outfit carefully. She wanted to look professional, but at the same time young and hip. She decided on a knee length black skirt and a beige sweater. It was only November, but southern California had gotten quite cold. She pulled her hair into a tight ponytail and applied a light coat of make-up.

She glanced down at her watch and grimaced at the time. "I'm gonna be late. She hurriedly slipped on a par of heels and took off down the steps. Grabbing her house keys at the bottom, she threw on her coat. She took a mental note making sure she hadn't missed anything, locked the door and was out.



Dawn trudged through school like every other day. After classes she took off over to Janice's to bring her her books. She was there for almost two hours before she could escape the never stopping mouth of Janice.

The cold autumn breeze whipped around, and Dawn pulled her coat tighter. 'Knew I should have worn a heavier jacket.' Dawn thought as she walked down her street against the wind. Her hair flew out around her, and Dawn began walking a little faster to get out of the cold.

She bounded up her porch steps and dug her key out of her pocket. Sliding it into the hole, she pushed the door open and jumped inside. She shut the door again and proceeded to take off her coat and shoes.

She made her way to the living room and pushed the blinking red light on the answering machine.

"Message one: Buffy, it's Giles. I just called to check up on you and Dawn. I should be able to get a flight sometime next week. Uh.give me a call back when you get this.you have the number. Goodbye.

Message two: Dawnie? Hey I'm gonna be home early around 6. Figured I'd stop for Chinese.or maybe pizza. Your choice, call me back. Bye.

Dawn listened to each message smiling at the thought of Chinese food instead of her or her sister's horrible cooking. She picked up the cordless phone and dialed Buffy's work number.

"Simon and McGregor Legal Office. Buffy speaking."

"It's me." Dawn said picking up her book bags and heading up the steps as she talked.

"Hey Dawnie. I should be done here in about an hour or so. What do you want?" Buffy asked in a cheerful voice.

"How about pizza? Pepperoni sound good?"

"Whatever. It's your choice tonight." Dawn could hear the gentle clicking of the keyboard over the line. "So I'll pick up a medium, pepperoni pizza?"

"Why don't you make it a large." Dawn suggested.

"Do you really think the two of us can finish a large pizza?" Buffy asked. "I mean I know you can eat Dawn but still."

"Actually I was gonna call Spike up and see if he wanted to come over for a little movie night."

"Ugh that's just what I need. A night with my kid sister and the tag along vampire." Buffy mumbled. She acted as though the evening sounded like a complete horror, but deep in her mind she was looking forward to it.

"Oh come on Buff, it'll be fun." Dawn giggled. "You know life is always interesting when Spike is around."

"Oh yea, that's a little bit of an understatement." Buffy laughed. "Listen Dawn I've still got a little more work to do, but I should be home in an hour."

"Okay. I'll call Spike, he can pick up some movies." Dawn said. "Bye."

"Bye Dawnie."

Dawn clicked the talk button on the phone and proceeded to call Spike's cell.



Spike was laying in his crypt staring blankly at the ceiling. His mind wandered to thoughts of Buffy and their on again, off again relationship. He couldn't figure out what she was thinking sometimes. Some days she only wanted to be in his arms, curling up on a patch of grass in the cemetery during one of their patrols. And other days she wanted nothing to do with him.

Suddenly a shrill ringing erupted from the other side of the crypt making Spike jump.

"Bloody hell." He cursed jumping off the cement sarcophagus that served as his bed. "Soddin telephone." He picked up the small object and pressed one of the tiny buttons. "Yeah." He asked rudely.

"Spike?" the voice asked.

"Niblet, what do you want?" Spike asked slumping down in his chair. The dust flew out around him as the weight of his body impacted the fabric.

"Geez, nice to talk to you Spike." Dawn said sarcastically. "I was just wondering if you wanted to come over for a movie night."

"I don't know Bit. I'm really in the mood for some violence."

"Oh come on. Buffy's gonna bring home pizza and you can get the movies. It'll be fun." Dawn was close to begging.

"Niblet, you know I'd love to but I gotta patrol tonight. With Big Sis working and all."

"Please Spike! Please, please, please, please!" Dawn begged.

"Fine, okay." Spike complied.

"Good. You can get the movies. Don't go getting all scary movies either like last time. Don't think I could take another Fright Night." Dawn laughed at the memory of their last movie night.

"Yea, yea, alright. I'll pick up some chick flicks for you and the Slayer. But don't think we're going to be watching some weepy love stories." Spike walked as he talked picking up his duster from the chair and slipping it over his shoulders. "I'll see you in bit Niblet." He hung up the phone without even waiting for Dawn to say goodbye. "Another lust filled evening with the Slayer. Sounds like fun." His duster billowed out around him as he opened the crypt door and exited leaving the door to shut with a loud slam that echoed throughout the empty crypt.