Title: The shell without Humanity
Rating:PG-13
Disclaimer:Not smart enough, or enough money so it ain't mine. DAMN YOU WHEDON!
Summary: AU on Grave. During, not after so it's more original than most.

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There had been silence between them for over an hour. The four of them had broken into the crypt in an attempt to hide from a friend gone psycho. It seems that is a running theme. People going psycho and trying to kill all their friends. Not of the good. Xander and Dawn had kept there perspective distance. Dawn still not believing what Xander had said. But the doubt had been chewing at her mind all night. It was only dominated by the fear of those black eyes showing up.

Jonathon and what's his name were still bickering every now and then. But for the most part they remained quiet. Xander was quick to tell them to shut up. He himself was on edges, his pacing was making her dizzy. Finally she couldn't take it.

"Xander stop it already. Jeez making me dizzy."

Xander automatically rose up to the challenge in her voice.

" Well I'm sorry if my worrying about my friends makes me a bit nervous and I can't sit down. I guess your too busy thinking of your rapist-wannabe best friend!"

He didn't know what hit him. All he knew was his cheek stung and he had a angry, teary eyed teenager in front of him. Giving him a glare that could stop a rhino cold in it's tracks. Her voice shook as she spoke, barely containing her rage.

"How can you say that. That I don't care. That I don't care someone is trying to kill my sister. That someone I considered my friend is trying to kill everyone I love. That I don't care Tara died. How dare you say I don't care!"

She was crying now. Tears streaming down her face. Xander stood there for a second shocked at her and at himself. Snapping out of it he slowly wrapped his arms around her. She didn't pull away, instead she wrapped her arms around him and sobbed it all out. All the emotions that had built up. Tara dying. Buffy getting shot. Willow trying to kill her. Spikes betrayal. All the while Xander was murmuring to her.

"Oh god dawnie I'm sorry. Sorry. It's going to be alright..."

Jonathon and Andrew just watched the whole scene play out. Andrews eyes started to tear up. They looked at each other and Andrew rushed him clinging to Jonathon weeping uncontrollably. Jonathon was rigid, looking like he wanted Willow to find him and end his misery.

Dawn and Xander turned to observe the scene and started chuckling weakly. Dawn sniffed and rested her head on his chest. Xander saw his opportunity.

"I'm sorry dawn. It's just I'm scared and angry. Hope you can forgive me and my big male emotional stupidity."

Dawn smiled against his chest and hiccupped a laugh.

"That's you cave man Xand. If you want you can punch Jonathon, nice male show of emotion."

Jonathon grew pale as he tried to pry himself from the still weeping Andrew. It was Xanders turn to smile. He was about to respond when they all heard a singing coming from outside. It sounded like someone was walking towards them. Xander put Dawn behind him and shushed the whimpering nerds in the corner. The singing became clearer. The voice recognized by everyone.

"No you'll never make a saint out of me...yeah yeah..."

Dawn immediately went to the crypt door and peaked out. Xander was right behind while the Duo sat back still shaking in fear. At first she didn't recognize the vampire. His trade mark peroxide blond was replaced with jet black. But her eyes caught the blue eyes and duster, the recognition kicked in. Without thinking or registering the fact he was walking in the sunlight she ran out with Xander and the Duo in tow. Xander immediately noticed the vampire under the sun. He also noticed the similarities between uberwillow and Spikes new appearance. Instantly he knew this was dangerous.

"Dawn stop!"

Dawn didn't hear him, she just kept running, seeing red. Spike stopped at Xanders voice just as Dawn reached him with a right hook in full swing. Before her fist could make contact a hand caught it faster than the eye could register. Dawns rage unhampered struggled for a bit, but his hold was firm. Before his head turned to her she registered his touch being colder than it had ever been before.

"Hey bit."

The only thing that chilled her more than the emotionless voice was the icy stare landed on her. But it wasn't too long before she was brought out of her thoughts by Xanders voice.

"Let go of her Spike!"

His gaze changed from her to Xanders defiant glare and simply let go. Dawn stumbled back a bit from the struggle and fixed him with the angriest glare Xander had ever seen her wear. He also notice Spike didn't even flinch. Just calmly looked at all of them as if expecting them to just start talking about the whether. Finally Dawn broke the silence.

"Is it true?"

His attention was now focused on her. Something insider her flinched. For some reason she suddenly wanted to run away. This wasn't her Spike. This was something else. But she pushed these things down and continued.

"Did you? Did you try and do that to her?"

Spike looked her dead on. No malice, anger, hatred, guilt at all. Just simply said.

"Yes."

This time Spike didn't try and stop her as her hand came down across his cheek. He didn't move a muscle as she stared at him. First in rage. Then searching to see if any emotion came to the surface. When none did she got angry again.

"Don't come around anymore. I don't want you anywhere near my friends ever! hear me!"

She was screaming by the end and just stood there glaring at him. Daring him to challenge her. And further down searching for the pain she knew would hurt the Spike she knew. But nothing. Not even a tick or twitch. He just stood there. Shocking her even more was when he smiled. Cold and uncaring filled his face as the grin spread. He started to chuckle which grew into a laugh. It infuriated Xander to no end.

"You smug son of a..."

Like with Dawn he caught the fist. But unlike Dawn, Spike started squeezing. His smile staying in place as he heard a knuckle pop out of place. Xander started to wince and cry out. Dawn stood to the side dumbstruck. Realizing the chip was gone or malfunctioning. Before she could react Spike slammed his fist into Xanders face then kneed him in the head toppling him to the ground. Dawn immediately went to Xander helping him sit up. Turning her gaze to the vampire before her she was startled to see his eyes become two black voids and the fact he was standing in sunlight. He still wore the creepy grin on his face.

"You might wanna find your sister. She'll be expecting you soon."

With that he turned and headed in the direction of his crypt resuming his song. With those words a chill traveled up her spine. He had seen Buffy today. Fear stabbed at her when she realized the possibility her sister could be dying. Xander felt the same thing and they scrambled to get back to the magic box.

Jonathon and Andrew watched as the two left. They looked at each other.

"Mexico?"

Jonathon nodded in agreement. With that they both ran to hit the boarder

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A/N:I'm putting this story on hold. Got another brewing that might take up some time.
But don't be afraid to review.
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