Chapter 6

Back at the house, Alex was sitting on the back porch by herself just enjoying the quiet for a change. She didn't realize that she was crying until she felt the tears sting her eyes. It was a little cold so she wrapped her arms around herself as she cried. She then heard footsteps coming her way and stopping right in front of her. She looked up to see Spike standing there. "You okay, love?" Alex looked away from him and shook her head.

"I've been better." Spike nodded and sat down next to her.

"Buffy told me, do you think you can do it?" Alex looked at him.

"You mean kill my father? Sure, it's just an everyday thing that I'm sure every girl my age has to go through, why not." She looked down again. "My mother couldn't even stop him and she was a lot stronger than me. What makes anyone think that I can do it?" Spike looked at her, really starting to feel for the girl.

"Buffy thinks you can. She believes in you and coming from her, that's a lot. Hell, I believe in you too, of course I'm sure it's not much coming from me." Alex gave a faint smile.

"It's a lot, thanks." Spike returned her smile.

"Don't mention it. Don't worry too much about this; I'm sure you'll do fine. Just know how lucky you are to be here with Buffy. She won't let anything happen to you, trust me on that. She's pretty amazing that way." Alex looked at him.

"You love her?" She asked.

"Is it that obvious, I can't even be mysterious anymore." Alex laughed; she had to admit that it was good talking to him.

"Sorry that I took the mystery away from you." She told him.

"Don't worry about it. I think it's been gone for a while." Alex nodded; she noticed that the tears were still coming down her face. She didn't think they would ever go away. Spike noticed and decided to pat her back in a comforting way. She was so tired of everything that she rested her head on his shoulder and let him comfort her and for the first time in her life she actually felt safe. Spike was surprised by the affection the girl was showing for him, but he kept rubbing her back. She reminded him of Dawn and like he would do anything to protect his nibblet he would do anything to protect this other young girl. "You know, I'm feeling a little deja vu here." Alex lifted her head up and looked at him.

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"A little while ago me and Buffy were sitting out here. She was upset about her mum being sick and I tried to comfort her and she actually let me. This situation just reminded me of it." Alex nodded. Buffy didn't tell her much about her mom or how she died. She figured that she didn't wanna talk about it and didn't wanna push. Alex just yawned and rested her head back on Spike's shoulder. Inside the house Buffy was watching Spike and Alex through the window. She caught most of their conversation and then felt bad about eavesdropping. When she saw Alex rest her head on Spike's shoulder she couldn't help but think about how cute it was. She knew that Alex probably reminded Spike of Dawn so he probably felt protective of her just as much. Upstairs, Dawn was writing in her journal. She destroyed her other ones after she found out she was the Key. After things got better she talked Buffy into getting her another one. She finished her entry and got up to close her blinds since it was dark out. She looked out the window and she saw someone standing outside. She then realized who it was. Dawn ran to her door to warn Buffy, but it wouldn't open. She kept pulling and nothing.

"Buffy!" She yelled, and then the window shattered. Downstairs Buffy heard the noise and headed to the stairs when Spike and Alex came back in the house hearing the window also. They both followed Buffy up the stairs. Buffy came to Dawn's door and tried to open it, but it wouldn't budge. She then put her Slayer strength into it and the doorknob broke off and she kicked the door open. She went inside, Spike and Alex behind her. What Buffy saw was Damien holding Dawn with his hand around her throat. Tears were streaming down her sister's face.

"So nice of you to join us." Damien said.

"Let her go." Buffy said, angrily. Damien laughed.

"I don't think so, I have a better idea." Buffy tried to grab Dawn when Damien disappeared.

"Dawn!" Buffy yelled, but it was too late. She was gone.