Chapter 2
10 minutes later, Dawn and Spike reached the house on Revello Drive.
"Are you gonna stay here with me, Spike, " Dawn asked nervously.
"Yeah...at least until the sun comes down..." he said, looking at Dawn who was now looking sadder. "Or maybe as long as you want me to stay."
Dawn cheered up and leaned in to hug him.
"Thanks."
As they walked into the house, she heard him whisper, "Your welcome."
"Why so quiet, Spike."
"Do you feel that?"
"What?"
Spike didn't know exactly what it was, it wasn't threatening...but...strange.
He shrugged thinking maybe that fall from the tower did more damage than not.
"Never mind. It's nothing."
Dawn looked at him for a second...and then shrugged it off too.
Together, in companionable silence, they walked around the house, hanging up heavy curtains and sheets, making the house vampire-friendly.
"Do you want to have mom's old room?"
"Yeah...that'll do."
Thank God she didn't mention me having Buffy's room. I'd probably break down again.
"Spike..."
"Yeah Nibbl't?"
"I'm scared, " she said...tears forming in her eyes as the memories started to flow through her mind.
Spike...all barriers down, leaned forward, pulling her tightly to him. He kissed her and together they sat down on her bed. Spike pulled her into his arms and just held her.
His undead heart was breaking all over again to hear the little one's heart wrenching sobs. Dawn was crying as if she had lost a part of herself.
He thought about something.
Back at the shop...when Buffy had been telling them all what Dawn meant to her.
Buffy: Your asking me to kill my sister?
Giles: She's not your sister.
Buffy: No...she's not. She's me...the monks made her out of me.
Spike pulled back and looked at Dawn. Yeah, she had different features than Buffy, but their essences were the same. No wonder he had always liked having the Nibblet around him. He leaned in and held her tightly.
She hadn't completely left him then.
Spike pulled Dawn into a tighter grip...
Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you God.
"Spike..."
"Yeah.."
"You're squishing me."
Spike gave his first real laugh.
"Sorry Pet."
"Why are you looking at me like that now?"
"I just realize something."
"What."
"You...are...Buffy."
Dawn's face dropped...and tears formed in her eyes.
"No I'm not."
"Yeah...little one. You are. Not all of her...but a part of her.
"You just want me to be."
"No...I love you just as much as I loved your mom, but I don't love you like I love Buffy."
Dawn gave him a confused look.
"Here...I'll explain. See...at first I didn't get it. But while that Glory Skank had you held up last night, after Buffy came out of her coma that is...."
"What coma?"
"I'll get to that in a
minute. Anyway...as I was
saying...Buffy and Giles and the rest of us were trying to figure out how to
free you and how to fight Glory without the whole world going to hell. Well, Buffy was telling Giles... who said
that the only way to save us all was to kill you. Buffy told him to go ahead...ask her to kill her sister all
sarcastically and Giles said that you weren't her sister. She agreed.
And then she had this strange look on her face when she
said..."She's me...the monks made her out of me...She's the only part I
...I feel closer to her than..."
" I don't understand."
"You are her. To complete her sentences for her: The monks made her out of me. She's the only part I love. I feel closer to her than anyone." " She knew you were a part of her. That's why she couldn't let you die."
"Then why didn't you kill me."
"Cause I love you too"
Dawn looked shocked. "You don't."
"What is it with you Summers' girls? Why won't you believe me when I tell you I love you."
"I'm just shocked Spike...you love me?"
"Would I risk my own life for anyone other than my favorite family?"
Dawn chuckled.
"What about Willow, Tara, Giles, Xander and Anya?"
"Well...they're extended family."
"I know I'm going to regret this...but how?"
Spike gave her one of his old grins and then said,
"Well...Willow and Tara are like Sister and Sister in law. Giles is dear old dad. Xander is like a younger punching bag...I mean brother. And Anya...well...Anya is just plain fun to have around."
Dawn laughed and giggled. "I know what you mean. It's like watching a TV show...the episodes to 'The Adventures of Anya and Xander's sex-capades."
Spike chuckled.
"I better not find you checking any of those kinds of shows out for another...at least 4 years."
"Spike...the age limit is 21."
"Yeah...well...your mature for your age...so I'll say 18."
"Spike..."
"Yeah?"
"Thank you."
"Your welcome. Uh...Sweets, are you hungry or anything?"
"No...I don't think so."
"I think you should get some rest."
"Okay."
"You'll be right by if I need you.."
"Yep...I'll be right next door."
Spike tucked her in, smoothed back her hair, and kissed her forehead.
"Weird."
"Howzat?"
"I've never had a vampire tuck me in before."
She opened her eyes and looked at him in a saddish-half smile way, " I like it."
Spike gave her a lopsided grin.
"I like it too Nibblet. Now go to bed. Before I threaten to beat you."
Dawn giggled, but turned over and closed her eyes.
She was asleep in seconds.
Spike watched her from the doorway...making sure she was really asleep before heading for Joyce's room.
He wasn't sure he'd be able to sleep...but seconds after his head hit the pillow...he was out...as quickly as Dawn.
****** ***** ****
Spike looked around and realized he was in the cemetery. He started to head towards his crypt when he felt his senses pulling him to the left. When he turned...he saw something move quickly...running.
He couldn't tell what it was...so he decided to chase it.
It lead him around and around the cemetery...and then stopped before a single grave under a tree.
As he reached the spot...it disappeared.
He looked down...and found himself at Buffy's grave.
Buffy Anne Summers
1981-2001
Beloved Daughter
Devoted Friend
She saved the world
a lot
As he read the words...the pain and grief of loosing his love came crashing upon him again...and he dropped to his knees in front of her grave. He leaned forward and kissed the headstone. "I miss you so much, Slayer," he whispered.
He heard a noise...and looked behind him.
Nothing was there.
When he turned around again...Buffy was sitting next to him staring up at him.
He screamed and back up.
She chuckled soundlessly.
He blinked several times, but she didn't disappear. She was however surrounded by white light with rainbow colored fringes and he could see somewhat through her. But she wasn't completely translucent.
He reached towards her and stopped.
She blinked at him. And leaned towards him.
She said one sentence to him,
"Tell the others what you told Dawn."
Then she sat back, reached forward and caressed his face, and then was gone.
Spike woke up.
TBC…