Buffy turned as the vamp she had just dusted disintegrated and watched as
Gunn staked the last of the vampires. Angel dusted himself off and allowed
Buffy to help him to his feet. Gunn walked over to them, shaking the dust
out of his baggy coat.
"Ambushes are always fun." Gunn said.
"Yeah, as long as it's YOU ambushing THEM." Buffy said.
"What else in this town can we kill?"
"Not much. This was actually the first nest we've had in weeks. I guess Glory's running the vamps outta town with her Hellbitch vibe." Buffy sighed. "Hopefully this will all be over soon. Although somehow I doubt it."
"She doesn't sound tough from the way you described her."
"Do I look tough?"
"Not really. You're tiny. Tiny doesn't equal tough. But you are. Believe me, you.. I get it."
"Exactly."
"Well, I better get back to the gang. I was supposed to bring home some Mickey D's."
"See ya Gunn!" Buffy called.
Buffy and Angel looked at each other for a moment and then headed home. Joyce, Dawn, and Giles were all in the living room watching the TV. Angel took Buffy's coat and hung it on the coat rack with his.
"Buffy? Angel?" Joyce called.
They walked into the living room. "Back by popular demand. How's everything with the home team and do I smell popcorn?" Buffy asked.
"Cheddar." Dawn said.
Buffy sat down and took a small handful. "Mmm. Artificial cheese flavored powder. Nature's perfect food."
"Did you two have a nice time?" Giles asked.
"Do you mean fun as in getting ambushed or going to the Bronze?"
"You were ambushed?"
"We're fine. Gunn was there to help out."
"Did you have a nice time at the Bronze?"
"You know, I think we did. Much needed fun. Apart from Willow's headaches and Spike's cameo appearance."
"Spike was there?" Dawn asked.
"Unfortunately." Angel said.
"You know, for a keeps to himself kind of vamp, he's, like, everywhere I go." Buffy said.
"So, um.. What was he doing? Did you, like, talk to him about.. You know, stuff? What'd he say?" Dawn asked.
"I dunno.. He's cranky the Bronze got rid of the flowering onion appetizer."
"Huh.." Dawn went back to her homework, muttering stuff to herself.
"Well, I'm just relieved to have you home. To be honest, I wasn't feeling all that safe with you gone." Joyce said. Giles sat up straighter and Buffy motioned to him with her eyes. Joyce got it. "At first.. Until I remembered that Mr. Giles.. Rupert.. was here
and I felt much.. much safer."
"Yes, well, my ego thanks you for your little ruse, but I'm forced to agree that I'm barely and adequate substitute for a slayer and a vampire in the house." Giles said.
"I thought you were adequate." Dawn said.
"And the accolades keep pouring in. I'd best take my leave before my head swells any larger. Good night."
"Night." Joyce called.
Buffy walked Giles to the door while Angel sat on the couch talking to Joyce. "So. Dawn. Was she, you know..?" Buffy asked.
"As far as I can see, she appears to be coping very well. Extremely well, considering the extraordinary circumstances of her origin." Giles said.
"Then let me ask you something. We, Mom, Angel, and I've been going a little easy on her these past few days. You know, letting things slide.. bedtime, chores.. And other things."
"Oh, I don't think that's at all wise."
"You don't?"
"The best thing you could do is behave exactly as you always have. Any special treatment at this stage could undermine Dawn's sense of normalcy."
"You think so?"
"Absolutely."
"Thanks." Buffy turned towards the living room and yelled, "DAWN!"
Dawn appeared, immediately defensive. "What?"
"What did I tell you about borrowing my clothes without asking?"
"I didn't take your clothes!"
"Bull."
"I'll just.. Yes." Giles slipped out the door.
"I never touched your stuff!" Dawn said.
"Oh, really. Then where's my blue cashmere sweater?"
"Heck if I know. I didn't touch your stuff." Dawn ran upstairs.
"Buffy, that was just a little bit harsh." Angel said.
"Angel. I'm going to be harsh with you if you don't start toughening up and showing Dawn some authority." Buffy said.
"Ok, I'm going to ignore that last part, but the harsh part.."
"We are not playing Bondage Babe!"
"Didn't say there had to be bondage."
"Angel! My mom is standing right there!"
"We'll be quiet." Angel's hand moved down to Buffy's hip and slowly moved to her thigh, bringing it forward. "I promise."
Buffy giggled slightly and put her forehead on Angel's shoulder. Joyce stood in the doorway and watched the happy look spread across her daughter's face. Joyce cleared her throat and Buffy and Angel broke apart.
"I'm going to bed. You two keep it down. Please?" Joyce asked.
"We'll try mom. Angel's just being really bad right now." Buffy said.
Joyce walked by Buffy and whispered in her ear, "Punish him good." Buffy's eyes widened as Joyce went up the stairs. "Night!"
"Goodnight Joyce." Angel called. He looked at Buffy. "What's the matter with you? You look like you're a normal girl who's just seen a ghost for the first time."
"It's nothing. Just something my mom said that shocked me." Buffy said.
"What'd she say?"
"Well, I think she's finally accepted that you and I are together for good and doing the nasty."
"What'd she say?"
"She said 'punish him good.'"
"Take her advice. I won't complain."
"I've got class tomorrow!"
"In the afternoon."
"And one in the morning too."
"Fine." Angel started up the stairs.
"Fine?"
"Fine." He was about half way up now.
"Where are you going?"
"To bed." He made it up the stairs and turned the corner to Buffy's room. She heard the door shut before she blinked and went up after him.
Buffy opened the door. "Now that's just.. wrong." A shirtless Angel sat on the bed taking his pants off.
"Oh, you decided you were tired? Well, I'll be in the bathroom brushing my teeth while you get ready for bed." Angel swept past her and into the bathroom, shutting the door.
"This is wrong on so many levels!" Buffy said to herself, starting to get undressed. "I was only playing. Angel and his stupid ga..AMES!" Before Buffy had realized it, Angel had come back in, silently closed the door, and tackled her to the bed.
"My games are always fun." Angel said, kissing her deeply.
"As soon as the police leave, we're going over there." Buffy said to Angel as they walked through the door late afternoon. There had been a mass murder on a train that had arrived in Sunnydale last night. Buffy had read about it in the papers and told Angel when he had picked her up.
"Dawn!?" Joyce asked, coming into the foyer.
"It's me and Angel."
"Is Dawn with you?"
"No. Isn't she here?"
"She never came home from school. Buffy.. The news said something about people murdered.."
Buffy and Angel started to head back out the door. "It's not Glory. It isn't about Dawn, Mom. She probably just.. We'll find her."
"Buffy.."
"We'll find her. I promise."
They headed out to the convertible and sped off. Buffy and Angel split up when they hit Main Street. Buffy searched the Magic Box, Espresso Pump, Starbucks, and a few other places Dawn liked to hand out. Angel checked the Bronze, the carousel, and the public library. They met back at the car, but neither of them had found her. Angel drove over to the Sunnydale Cemetery and stopped.
"Spike?" Buffy asked.
"Spike." Angel said.
They got and walked up to Spike's crypt. Buffy kicked in the door and strolled in. Spike jumped and turned to look at them.
"Bloody hell!" he yelped.
"Spike, we need your help. Dawn is.. here." Buffy said, seeing her sister.
"Spike was telling a story and he was just at this cool part. Can he finish, please?" Dawn asked.
"What the hell is this? What is she doing here?" Angel asked.
"Just hanging out."
"Here?!"
"Just let him finish the story, okay? Then you guys can do the lecture?"
"Yeah, okay. Let's hear the story Spike's been telling my little sister." Buffy said, staring at Spike.
"Go on, Spike."
"Right. Yeah. So I knew the girl was in the coal bin. I ripped it open, very violent, hauled her out of there.. and gave her to a good family in a nice home where they were never ever mean to her and didn't lock her in the coal bin." Spike said, glaring at Buffy.
"What? That's so lame."
"I was just about to send her home. Knew you'd be fretting." Spike said to Buffy.
"Dawn, grab your things and let's get outta here." Angel said.
"Ease up. She just wanted a break from the routine. A little rebellion's healthy. Builds character."
"I don't want to hear one more word from you." Buffy said, walking out of the crypt with Angel and Dawn. "Mom is worried sick about you!" Buffy said as they walked back to the car. "Angel and I looked all over for you! And then to find you enjoying story hour at Spike's crypt.. A crypt Dawn! Not some 'Hot Dog on a Stick' boot at the mall, but a real live crypt with a real dead vampire. Why doesn't that register with you? Crypt plus vampire equals bad."
"Cause it was Spike?" Dawn asked.
"Spike. Hanging out with Spike is not cool, Dawn." Angel said.
"It's dangerous and.. icky." Buffy added.
"I don't think Spike is icky." Dawn said.
"Well think again sister, he's.." Buffy stopped and looked at Dawn. "You have a crush on Spike."
"No, I don't! It's just he's got cool hair and he wears cool leather coats and stuff. And he doesn't treat me like an alien."
"Spike's a killer, Dawn. You cannot have a crush on a thing that's dead and evil and a vampire."
"Right. That's why you're not with Angel."
"Angel is different. He has a soul."
"Spike has a chip. Same diff. He fights demons too ya know. He told me about some pretty gross fights actually.."
"Dawn, having a soul is completely different from having a chip." Angel said. "Spike is a monster. Plus, you're only fourteen years old."
"I like hanging out with him, is all. And even if I did have a crush, he'd never in a million years notice. Not with you around." Dawn said to Buffy.
"What does that mean?" Buffy asked.
"He's totally into you."
"Heh?"
"Come on. You don't see it? Buffy, Spike's completely in love with you."
Buffy stared at her sister in shock. Angel stared at Spike's crypt with contempt, a vow never to let Spike get one second alone with Buffy. Dawn rolled her eyes and walked away.
Buffy, Angel, and Xander entered the train, Xander armed with a flashlight. The bodies had all been taken away, but there were tape outlines of the victims and the odd bloodstain here and there.
"Tell me again what we're looking for." Xander said.
"Clues." Buffy said.
"Ok. Can you give me a clue as to what kind of clues?"
"I don't know. Something. Anything. Just want to make sure this was a vamp attack. And if it was, how many are we talking about?"
"Well, Sunnydale's Finest didn't leave a lot for us to examine. And who knows how many people have traipsed through here already."
"Xander.."
"What?"
Buffy started to speak, but closed her mouth. "Never mind." Xander started to turn away. "Dawn said that.."
"Yeah?"
"Forget it."
"Buffy!"
"Dawn things.. She says that.. Spike might be in love with me." Xander started to laugh hard. "It's not a joke."
"Oh I hope not. It's funnier if it's true."
"I'm serious. This is serious."
"Right. Serious big bunches of flowers with little cards attached, 'Buffy, Buffy, you're so sweet.. You are.. you are good enough to eat.'"
"So you can stop laughing now."
"I don't think so."
"It's creepy."
"No, not creepy, cause it's not real. I mean, how upset can you really get over Spike's fevered day-dream that's never gonna happen?"
"I guess."
"So where did Dawn.. How did she come to this.. extremely entertaining conclusion?"
"She was with Spike yesterday afternoon. I think she's got a little crush on him."
"What?"
"I knew he had this weird fixation for me, but.."
"I'm the one she's got a crush on. Me."
"Let's go. There's nothing here." Angel said.
"It's always been me. Big funny Xander. And then she just suddenly decides I'm not the cool one anymore? Why is that okay?"
"Hey Big Guy, what're your thoughts on this?"
"He lays a hand on her, he's dust."
"Well, aren't we just peachy?"
"I'm dead serious. Spike knows not to touch her. If he crosses the line, he's got a long night ahead of him."
"How do you mean 'long night'? He plans on doing it tonight?"
"He means Spike only comes out at night. That's the only time he could ever touch me." Buffy said. "But Angel won't get to him before me."
Buffy and Angel walked off the train and left. By the time they got home, it was nighttime. They walked into the house and heard Joyce talking.
"But they didn't get that it was a copy of bill of lading, they thought it was another order form, so now I've got two shipments of Greek amphorae on my hands." Joyce said. Buffy walked a little into the kitchen and saw Spike sitting on the counter. Angel growled low enough that only Buffy heard it.
"Funny. And really, how many of them do you need. Amphorae." Spike said.
Joyce saw Buffy and Angel standing in the door. "Buffy! Angel! Spike came over to apologize. Our missing child drama."
"Even though it was so not his fault." Dawn said.
"And he just decided to hang for awhile?" Buffy asked.
"Well, I got started talking about the gallery. See, there was this bill of lading.." Joyce started, but Spike cut her off.
"Oh, don't get us all laughing again, Joyce. Anyhow, I really need to talk to your eldest." Spike said, hopping off the counter.
"What about?" Angel asked.
"Got a bit of info you might be keen on knowing."
"Sorry. All out of cash. Maybe you should hit on Giles.. hit up Giles." Buffy said.
"I got a bead on the guys who killed those people. The ones on the train."
"Do tell."
"I'll do better than that. I'll show." Buffy hesitated, staring at Spike. "What's the matter?"
"Nothing. Just.." Buffy said.
"Two vamps. Holed up in a warehouse downtown."
"Abandoned?"
"Are there any other kind in this town? Well, what you waiting for? Grab your coat and pointy sticks."
"Angel, can you stay and help me with some crates?" Joyce called.
Angel looked at Buffy, not wanting to leave her alone for one minute with Spike. Buffy nodded at Angel, letting him know that she'd be fine. "Sure Joyce."
"Oh! Wow!" Willow said.
"Yeah." Buffy said.
"I mean.. Whoa! Ga!"
"You can stop when you get to 'moo.'"
"He actually told you? He said, 'I love you?'"
"I didn't let him get that far. But I could see the words coming."
"Honey, did you, somehow, unintentionally, lead him on in any way? Send him signals?" Joyce asked.
"Well.. I do beat him up a lot. For him, that's like third base."
"Buffy, I'm really worried." Willow said.
"So am I. He could become dangerous." Joyce said.
"Not really. As long as it's chips ahoy in Spike's head, he can't hurt me or any of you guys. Besides, this'll blow over. I'm sure it's just some weird Spike thing. He'll have the hots for some Gak Demon before we know it." Buffy said.
"I don't know. Sometimes these things can get pretty twisted. Besides, Angel's upstairs fuming. I wouldn't put it past him to jump out the window." Willow said.
"I don't know. He said only if Spikes laid a hand on me. He wouldn't do anything rash because of Spike."
"He loves you."
"Which one?"
"Angel. He loves you enough to just.." Willow made a stabbing motion.
"Only if he touches her." Angel said from the foyer. Willow jumped. "He can say he loves Buffy all he wants. He knows he'll never get her. He's always been scared of me."
"But you made it clear, right? That it could never happen. That there was no possible way ever." Willow asked Buffy.
"Yeah. I think so.. I don't know. I was kind of thrown." Buffy said.
"You have to talk to him again, Buffy."
"What? No! I have to avoid him again."
"Not until you shut him down completely. If he thinks he has even a little chance with you, there's no telling what he'll do."
"Maybe. Angel, you've known him the longest. What should I do?"
"Tell him to fuck off." Angel said harshly.
"Angel!" Buffy stood and pulled Angel into the hallway. "Sweetheart, are you ok?"
"You're mine."
"Yes, I am. Spike knows that too. Now why he's got this stupid infatuation with me, I have yet to figure out. It's going to stop though. Tonight."
"It's not that Buffy. I know he's going to stop, but it's something else."
"What?"
"I marked you."
"You what me?"
Angel touched Buffy's shoulder. "This had big significance in the vampire world, Buffy. Spike, of all vampires, should know not to mess with you."
"Angel, I'm not a possession. Don't treat me like one."
"I'm not."
"You are and it's starting to piss me off. I love you, you love me. I don't own you just like you don't own me. Now I'm going to go make sure Spike knows that." Buffy walked to get her coat. Joyce and Willow came in to the foyer.
"I know this is hard, honey, but I think you made the right decision. Better to nip this in the bud before.." Joyce said.
"The bud nips me?" Joyce smiled and brushed a stray strand of hair away from Buffy's face before going into the kitchen.
"Buffy, if you want, I can go with. Back you up with some scowlin." Willow said.
"Thanks, but I think this is something I have to do myself. I mean, maybe I'm wrong. Maybe this whole thing's been blown out of proportion and Spike's gone back to wanting me dead." Buffy said.
"Here's hoping." Willow crossed her fingers.
"Angel, I love you. Spike and everyone else knows that." Buffy kissed Angel passionately and turned to leave. She stopped and turned back to Willow. "You know what, though? There is something I'd like you to do while I'm gone."
"What?"
"De-invite Spike. Precautionary."
"Of course. Angel can go with me to get the supplies." Willow smiled as Buffy walked out.
"Ambushes are always fun." Gunn said.
"Yeah, as long as it's YOU ambushing THEM." Buffy said.
"What else in this town can we kill?"
"Not much. This was actually the first nest we've had in weeks. I guess Glory's running the vamps outta town with her Hellbitch vibe." Buffy sighed. "Hopefully this will all be over soon. Although somehow I doubt it."
"She doesn't sound tough from the way you described her."
"Do I look tough?"
"Not really. You're tiny. Tiny doesn't equal tough. But you are. Believe me, you.. I get it."
"Exactly."
"Well, I better get back to the gang. I was supposed to bring home some Mickey D's."
"See ya Gunn!" Buffy called.
Buffy and Angel looked at each other for a moment and then headed home. Joyce, Dawn, and Giles were all in the living room watching the TV. Angel took Buffy's coat and hung it on the coat rack with his.
"Buffy? Angel?" Joyce called.
They walked into the living room. "Back by popular demand. How's everything with the home team and do I smell popcorn?" Buffy asked.
"Cheddar." Dawn said.
Buffy sat down and took a small handful. "Mmm. Artificial cheese flavored powder. Nature's perfect food."
"Did you two have a nice time?" Giles asked.
"Do you mean fun as in getting ambushed or going to the Bronze?"
"You were ambushed?"
"We're fine. Gunn was there to help out."
"Did you have a nice time at the Bronze?"
"You know, I think we did. Much needed fun. Apart from Willow's headaches and Spike's cameo appearance."
"Spike was there?" Dawn asked.
"Unfortunately." Angel said.
"You know, for a keeps to himself kind of vamp, he's, like, everywhere I go." Buffy said.
"So, um.. What was he doing? Did you, like, talk to him about.. You know, stuff? What'd he say?" Dawn asked.
"I dunno.. He's cranky the Bronze got rid of the flowering onion appetizer."
"Huh.." Dawn went back to her homework, muttering stuff to herself.
"Well, I'm just relieved to have you home. To be honest, I wasn't feeling all that safe with you gone." Joyce said. Giles sat up straighter and Buffy motioned to him with her eyes. Joyce got it. "At first.. Until I remembered that Mr. Giles.. Rupert.. was here
and I felt much.. much safer."
"Yes, well, my ego thanks you for your little ruse, but I'm forced to agree that I'm barely and adequate substitute for a slayer and a vampire in the house." Giles said.
"I thought you were adequate." Dawn said.
"And the accolades keep pouring in. I'd best take my leave before my head swells any larger. Good night."
"Night." Joyce called.
Buffy walked Giles to the door while Angel sat on the couch talking to Joyce. "So. Dawn. Was she, you know..?" Buffy asked.
"As far as I can see, she appears to be coping very well. Extremely well, considering the extraordinary circumstances of her origin." Giles said.
"Then let me ask you something. We, Mom, Angel, and I've been going a little easy on her these past few days. You know, letting things slide.. bedtime, chores.. And other things."
"Oh, I don't think that's at all wise."
"You don't?"
"The best thing you could do is behave exactly as you always have. Any special treatment at this stage could undermine Dawn's sense of normalcy."
"You think so?"
"Absolutely."
"Thanks." Buffy turned towards the living room and yelled, "DAWN!"
Dawn appeared, immediately defensive. "What?"
"What did I tell you about borrowing my clothes without asking?"
"I didn't take your clothes!"
"Bull."
"I'll just.. Yes." Giles slipped out the door.
"I never touched your stuff!" Dawn said.
"Oh, really. Then where's my blue cashmere sweater?"
"Heck if I know. I didn't touch your stuff." Dawn ran upstairs.
"Buffy, that was just a little bit harsh." Angel said.
"Angel. I'm going to be harsh with you if you don't start toughening up and showing Dawn some authority." Buffy said.
"Ok, I'm going to ignore that last part, but the harsh part.."
"We are not playing Bondage Babe!"
"Didn't say there had to be bondage."
"Angel! My mom is standing right there!"
"We'll be quiet." Angel's hand moved down to Buffy's hip and slowly moved to her thigh, bringing it forward. "I promise."
Buffy giggled slightly and put her forehead on Angel's shoulder. Joyce stood in the doorway and watched the happy look spread across her daughter's face. Joyce cleared her throat and Buffy and Angel broke apart.
"I'm going to bed. You two keep it down. Please?" Joyce asked.
"We'll try mom. Angel's just being really bad right now." Buffy said.
Joyce walked by Buffy and whispered in her ear, "Punish him good." Buffy's eyes widened as Joyce went up the stairs. "Night!"
"Goodnight Joyce." Angel called. He looked at Buffy. "What's the matter with you? You look like you're a normal girl who's just seen a ghost for the first time."
"It's nothing. Just something my mom said that shocked me." Buffy said.
"What'd she say?"
"Well, I think she's finally accepted that you and I are together for good and doing the nasty."
"What'd she say?"
"She said 'punish him good.'"
"Take her advice. I won't complain."
"I've got class tomorrow!"
"In the afternoon."
"And one in the morning too."
"Fine." Angel started up the stairs.
"Fine?"
"Fine." He was about half way up now.
"Where are you going?"
"To bed." He made it up the stairs and turned the corner to Buffy's room. She heard the door shut before she blinked and went up after him.
Buffy opened the door. "Now that's just.. wrong." A shirtless Angel sat on the bed taking his pants off.
"Oh, you decided you were tired? Well, I'll be in the bathroom brushing my teeth while you get ready for bed." Angel swept past her and into the bathroom, shutting the door.
"This is wrong on so many levels!" Buffy said to herself, starting to get undressed. "I was only playing. Angel and his stupid ga..AMES!" Before Buffy had realized it, Angel had come back in, silently closed the door, and tackled her to the bed.
"My games are always fun." Angel said, kissing her deeply.
"As soon as the police leave, we're going over there." Buffy said to Angel as they walked through the door late afternoon. There had been a mass murder on a train that had arrived in Sunnydale last night. Buffy had read about it in the papers and told Angel when he had picked her up.
"Dawn!?" Joyce asked, coming into the foyer.
"It's me and Angel."
"Is Dawn with you?"
"No. Isn't she here?"
"She never came home from school. Buffy.. The news said something about people murdered.."
Buffy and Angel started to head back out the door. "It's not Glory. It isn't about Dawn, Mom. She probably just.. We'll find her."
"Buffy.."
"We'll find her. I promise."
They headed out to the convertible and sped off. Buffy and Angel split up when they hit Main Street. Buffy searched the Magic Box, Espresso Pump, Starbucks, and a few other places Dawn liked to hand out. Angel checked the Bronze, the carousel, and the public library. They met back at the car, but neither of them had found her. Angel drove over to the Sunnydale Cemetery and stopped.
"Spike?" Buffy asked.
"Spike." Angel said.
They got and walked up to Spike's crypt. Buffy kicked in the door and strolled in. Spike jumped and turned to look at them.
"Bloody hell!" he yelped.
"Spike, we need your help. Dawn is.. here." Buffy said, seeing her sister.
"Spike was telling a story and he was just at this cool part. Can he finish, please?" Dawn asked.
"What the hell is this? What is she doing here?" Angel asked.
"Just hanging out."
"Here?!"
"Just let him finish the story, okay? Then you guys can do the lecture?"
"Yeah, okay. Let's hear the story Spike's been telling my little sister." Buffy said, staring at Spike.
"Go on, Spike."
"Right. Yeah. So I knew the girl was in the coal bin. I ripped it open, very violent, hauled her out of there.. and gave her to a good family in a nice home where they were never ever mean to her and didn't lock her in the coal bin." Spike said, glaring at Buffy.
"What? That's so lame."
"I was just about to send her home. Knew you'd be fretting." Spike said to Buffy.
"Dawn, grab your things and let's get outta here." Angel said.
"Ease up. She just wanted a break from the routine. A little rebellion's healthy. Builds character."
"I don't want to hear one more word from you." Buffy said, walking out of the crypt with Angel and Dawn. "Mom is worried sick about you!" Buffy said as they walked back to the car. "Angel and I looked all over for you! And then to find you enjoying story hour at Spike's crypt.. A crypt Dawn! Not some 'Hot Dog on a Stick' boot at the mall, but a real live crypt with a real dead vampire. Why doesn't that register with you? Crypt plus vampire equals bad."
"Cause it was Spike?" Dawn asked.
"Spike. Hanging out with Spike is not cool, Dawn." Angel said.
"It's dangerous and.. icky." Buffy added.
"I don't think Spike is icky." Dawn said.
"Well think again sister, he's.." Buffy stopped and looked at Dawn. "You have a crush on Spike."
"No, I don't! It's just he's got cool hair and he wears cool leather coats and stuff. And he doesn't treat me like an alien."
"Spike's a killer, Dawn. You cannot have a crush on a thing that's dead and evil and a vampire."
"Right. That's why you're not with Angel."
"Angel is different. He has a soul."
"Spike has a chip. Same diff. He fights demons too ya know. He told me about some pretty gross fights actually.."
"Dawn, having a soul is completely different from having a chip." Angel said. "Spike is a monster. Plus, you're only fourteen years old."
"I like hanging out with him, is all. And even if I did have a crush, he'd never in a million years notice. Not with you around." Dawn said to Buffy.
"What does that mean?" Buffy asked.
"He's totally into you."
"Heh?"
"Come on. You don't see it? Buffy, Spike's completely in love with you."
Buffy stared at her sister in shock. Angel stared at Spike's crypt with contempt, a vow never to let Spike get one second alone with Buffy. Dawn rolled her eyes and walked away.
Buffy, Angel, and Xander entered the train, Xander armed with a flashlight. The bodies had all been taken away, but there were tape outlines of the victims and the odd bloodstain here and there.
"Tell me again what we're looking for." Xander said.
"Clues." Buffy said.
"Ok. Can you give me a clue as to what kind of clues?"
"I don't know. Something. Anything. Just want to make sure this was a vamp attack. And if it was, how many are we talking about?"
"Well, Sunnydale's Finest didn't leave a lot for us to examine. And who knows how many people have traipsed through here already."
"Xander.."
"What?"
Buffy started to speak, but closed her mouth. "Never mind." Xander started to turn away. "Dawn said that.."
"Yeah?"
"Forget it."
"Buffy!"
"Dawn things.. She says that.. Spike might be in love with me." Xander started to laugh hard. "It's not a joke."
"Oh I hope not. It's funnier if it's true."
"I'm serious. This is serious."
"Right. Serious big bunches of flowers with little cards attached, 'Buffy, Buffy, you're so sweet.. You are.. you are good enough to eat.'"
"So you can stop laughing now."
"I don't think so."
"It's creepy."
"No, not creepy, cause it's not real. I mean, how upset can you really get over Spike's fevered day-dream that's never gonna happen?"
"I guess."
"So where did Dawn.. How did she come to this.. extremely entertaining conclusion?"
"She was with Spike yesterday afternoon. I think she's got a little crush on him."
"What?"
"I knew he had this weird fixation for me, but.."
"I'm the one she's got a crush on. Me."
"Let's go. There's nothing here." Angel said.
"It's always been me. Big funny Xander. And then she just suddenly decides I'm not the cool one anymore? Why is that okay?"
"Hey Big Guy, what're your thoughts on this?"
"He lays a hand on her, he's dust."
"Well, aren't we just peachy?"
"I'm dead serious. Spike knows not to touch her. If he crosses the line, he's got a long night ahead of him."
"How do you mean 'long night'? He plans on doing it tonight?"
"He means Spike only comes out at night. That's the only time he could ever touch me." Buffy said. "But Angel won't get to him before me."
Buffy and Angel walked off the train and left. By the time they got home, it was nighttime. They walked into the house and heard Joyce talking.
"But they didn't get that it was a copy of bill of lading, they thought it was another order form, so now I've got two shipments of Greek amphorae on my hands." Joyce said. Buffy walked a little into the kitchen and saw Spike sitting on the counter. Angel growled low enough that only Buffy heard it.
"Funny. And really, how many of them do you need. Amphorae." Spike said.
Joyce saw Buffy and Angel standing in the door. "Buffy! Angel! Spike came over to apologize. Our missing child drama."
"Even though it was so not his fault." Dawn said.
"And he just decided to hang for awhile?" Buffy asked.
"Well, I got started talking about the gallery. See, there was this bill of lading.." Joyce started, but Spike cut her off.
"Oh, don't get us all laughing again, Joyce. Anyhow, I really need to talk to your eldest." Spike said, hopping off the counter.
"What about?" Angel asked.
"Got a bit of info you might be keen on knowing."
"Sorry. All out of cash. Maybe you should hit on Giles.. hit up Giles." Buffy said.
"I got a bead on the guys who killed those people. The ones on the train."
"Do tell."
"I'll do better than that. I'll show." Buffy hesitated, staring at Spike. "What's the matter?"
"Nothing. Just.." Buffy said.
"Two vamps. Holed up in a warehouse downtown."
"Abandoned?"
"Are there any other kind in this town? Well, what you waiting for? Grab your coat and pointy sticks."
"Angel, can you stay and help me with some crates?" Joyce called.
Angel looked at Buffy, not wanting to leave her alone for one minute with Spike. Buffy nodded at Angel, letting him know that she'd be fine. "Sure Joyce."
"Oh! Wow!" Willow said.
"Yeah." Buffy said.
"I mean.. Whoa! Ga!"
"You can stop when you get to 'moo.'"
"He actually told you? He said, 'I love you?'"
"I didn't let him get that far. But I could see the words coming."
"Honey, did you, somehow, unintentionally, lead him on in any way? Send him signals?" Joyce asked.
"Well.. I do beat him up a lot. For him, that's like third base."
"Buffy, I'm really worried." Willow said.
"So am I. He could become dangerous." Joyce said.
"Not really. As long as it's chips ahoy in Spike's head, he can't hurt me or any of you guys. Besides, this'll blow over. I'm sure it's just some weird Spike thing. He'll have the hots for some Gak Demon before we know it." Buffy said.
"I don't know. Sometimes these things can get pretty twisted. Besides, Angel's upstairs fuming. I wouldn't put it past him to jump out the window." Willow said.
"I don't know. He said only if Spikes laid a hand on me. He wouldn't do anything rash because of Spike."
"He loves you."
"Which one?"
"Angel. He loves you enough to just.." Willow made a stabbing motion.
"Only if he touches her." Angel said from the foyer. Willow jumped. "He can say he loves Buffy all he wants. He knows he'll never get her. He's always been scared of me."
"But you made it clear, right? That it could never happen. That there was no possible way ever." Willow asked Buffy.
"Yeah. I think so.. I don't know. I was kind of thrown." Buffy said.
"You have to talk to him again, Buffy."
"What? No! I have to avoid him again."
"Not until you shut him down completely. If he thinks he has even a little chance with you, there's no telling what he'll do."
"Maybe. Angel, you've known him the longest. What should I do?"
"Tell him to fuck off." Angel said harshly.
"Angel!" Buffy stood and pulled Angel into the hallway. "Sweetheart, are you ok?"
"You're mine."
"Yes, I am. Spike knows that too. Now why he's got this stupid infatuation with me, I have yet to figure out. It's going to stop though. Tonight."
"It's not that Buffy. I know he's going to stop, but it's something else."
"What?"
"I marked you."
"You what me?"
Angel touched Buffy's shoulder. "This had big significance in the vampire world, Buffy. Spike, of all vampires, should know not to mess with you."
"Angel, I'm not a possession. Don't treat me like one."
"I'm not."
"You are and it's starting to piss me off. I love you, you love me. I don't own you just like you don't own me. Now I'm going to go make sure Spike knows that." Buffy walked to get her coat. Joyce and Willow came in to the foyer.
"I know this is hard, honey, but I think you made the right decision. Better to nip this in the bud before.." Joyce said.
"The bud nips me?" Joyce smiled and brushed a stray strand of hair away from Buffy's face before going into the kitchen.
"Buffy, if you want, I can go with. Back you up with some scowlin." Willow said.
"Thanks, but I think this is something I have to do myself. I mean, maybe I'm wrong. Maybe this whole thing's been blown out of proportion and Spike's gone back to wanting me dead." Buffy said.
"Here's hoping." Willow crossed her fingers.
"Angel, I love you. Spike and everyone else knows that." Buffy kissed Angel passionately and turned to leave. She stopped and turned back to Willow. "You know what, though? There is something I'd like you to do while I'm gone."
"What?"
"De-invite Spike. Precautionary."
"Of course. Angel can go with me to get the supplies." Willow smiled as Buffy walked out.
