"I tried to stop him. Really I did." Dawn was sorry that she had failed to keep the only actual secret her sister ever told her.

"Dawn, it's not your fault. He just wanted to hurt me. It's alright. I promise. I don't blame you. I know you would have stopped him if you could."

"Come here, Little Bit." Spike pats a spot on the couch between Buffy and him. Dawn walks over and sits down. Buffy and Spike both put their arms around her and hug her.

"Its okay. Everything's fine. I mean, they may not like Spike right now, but that really doesn't matter, does it? All that matters is that he's part of the family now." With that Buffy looks at Spike hoping he wouldn't mind what she said.

"That's right. We're one, big, happy family. … …Well, …most of the time anyway." He smiles back at Buffy and then gives Dawn a kiss on her forehead.

Buffy couldn't help but smile at her dysfunctional, but very special family full of misfits. A Slayer, a Lovesick Vampire, and a ball of energy that opens portals to the unknown realms of the universe. But they were all she had now, and that made them her greatest treasure. An idea pops into her head.

"Dawn, I was wondering if you would mind if Spike moved in? …That is, …if he wants too."

"No, not at all. It'll be like having double the protection, and double the fun."

"Buffy? Are you sure you want this?" Buffy knew he was wondering if it was her way of getting Riley back for his little stunt and he didn't want to push their relationship and mess things up.

"I'm sure."

"Besides, it's like your living here already. You spend every day over here practically." Dawn was excited about the idea of having an actual family again. She knew that she and Buffy needed him as much as he needed them.

"Okay, Little Bit. How 'bout we go pack? If you're so anxious to get me over here, then you get to help."

"Fine, as long as we can take the Jeep. I don't think your stuff will fit on that bike of yours, not that I don't like it. But it's not exactly feasible, is it?"

"I don't suppose so. … …Come on. Let's go before it gets too late."

Buffy, Spike, and Dawn walk out and towards the car for a new beginning. Dawn finally has a family again. And as weird as it may be to others, it was perfect for her life and filled with love. She caught herself thanking the monks that created her for her life now.