Dawn was fixing coffee and she decided to make waffles. Well, she got them out of the freezer and put them in the toaster. That was her cooking. She must have learned from Buffy.

She sensed someone approaching, Buffy had taught her how to do that, but she wasn't sure who it was. Then she smelled vanilla, Buffy's favorite fragrance and turned around to see her sister. Instead she saw Spike, in her house, in a robe and she guessed not much else by the look on his face.

She screamed. "BUFFY!" As loud as she could.

Spike finally noticed her and stood there frozen. Not sure what to do next. "Hey, lil' bit. Home early, eh?"

********************************************

Buffy heard her sister scream, but she didn't know what at. She ran down the stairs as quick as she could after making sure her robe was tight. Buffy made it downstairs to see Dawn staring at Spike. Uh-oh. I'm in serious trouble.

"Dawn, stop screaming. Sit down. Let's talk." After several minutes of trying to coax Dawn into a chair, she finally sat down. Spike had finished preparing the coffee and brought both Dawn and Buffy a mug. He got the waffles out of the toaster for Dawn and gave them to her. Then he sat down next to Buffy with a cup of his own. He liked the warm temperature on a cold morning. Not that he was cold this morning, … He looked at Buffy smiling.

"Stop that. It's freaking me out. Spike you don't smile." Dawn was so confused. His goofy looks weren't helping much.

"Sorry." He said pouting. Then Buffy turned and kissed his little pouting lips and he started smiling again, this time somewhat more Spike-like and less William.

"Don't do that Buffy. I thought you hated him?" Dawn asked astounded.

"I never hated him. I just wouldn't let myself love him. –Boy, dying once or twice really does give you a new perspective on life." Buffy laughed slightly. Then she saw Dawn's face and got more serious. "Dawn. Do you want to know the truth?"

"Everything? For starters: When did this start?" She said pointing at her sister and Spike.

"Last night actually lil' bit?" Spike said smiling.

"I told you to stop that smiling. And last night? Why last night?"

"Easy. Glory." Buffy simply stated, no emotion or anything.

"Glory. As in the lady, the God that made you … you die. What did SHE do? SHE'S dead!" Dawn huffed.

"Correction lil' bit. She WAS dead. …Well, actually I guess you are right. She died again last night."

"When Willow, with some help from the powers that be, brought me back, they had to make the balance between good and evil stay, well, …um…balanced."

"And the solution was. Buffy, the good. And Glory, the Bad." Spike said with some satisfaction. "Last night these two forces were to battle and tip the balance."

"I still don't get how this gets you two…well…um…involved." Dawn stated, emphasizing the last word.

"Well, when your not sure if your going to see the next day, you start to prioritize and what's first on that list is…" Buffy stated but Dawn cut her off.

"And I'm guessing that for you two is was se…" Spike cut her off.

"Wrong kiddo'. Love. The first thing that comes to mind when your life is on the line is love. True love, intoxicating love. Isn't that right Buff?"

Thinking about last night and earlier this morning. Buffy rubs his hand. "Umm, that's right William."

"William? Who the hell is that?" Dawn screeched, staring at Buffy and Spike's hands, not wanting to believe this.

"Sorry sweetie. It slipped out. …Dawn, that's Spike. That's the man he was and the man he's become." She stated smiling at her Spike.

Spike nodded. "That's my real name. But its…"

"Is something for Buffy only. I get it Spike. To me that's who you'll always be anyway." Dawn smiled trying to encourage them. They sounded so happy together. It was strange, but somehow she knew they belonged together. "So, does everyone know?"

"Well, uh, actually…" Buffy began. "No one but you. We didn't tell them last night. Thought better of it. They still don't trust my little vampire here." Buffy said as she leaned over and put her hand on his chest.

"Now my time for the questions. Dawn, why are you home early? And, does Dad know that you're here?" Buffy asked worried.

"I thought something was up, so I convinced him that I was homesick so I could find out what it was. I think I was a little late. …But, come to think of it…I guess there were a few things up last night, eh Spike." Dawn smiled knowingly at Spike and finished her tale. Short and sweet. It reminded Spike of the way Buffy tells stories. Buffy and Spike gave her a look to stop her little innuendoes. She decides to change the subject before being beat by the two strongest people in the world. "Now, what happened with Glory last night? I want details."

"That's my cue to leave." Buffy gets up. "I'm going to go take a shower. Be back later." She leaned over and kissed Spike, right on the lips. Dawn was still having trouble getting used to them. But she was happy for them. She always knew they would end up together. Buffy left and Dawn turned to Spike.

"Now. What happened and how did Buffy beat the little bi…" Spike cleared his throat.

"Dawn. You know Buffy doesn't like it when you talk like that."

"Grow up Spike. She's not here. And besides Glory is one."

"I know."