Author: Bitten And Staked

Title: City of Angels - Chapter Two - The trouble with teens.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Summary: Dawn gets a pep talk from Spike about helping Buffy out around the house, but then lands herself in trouble when her father rings and wants Buffy, Dawn and Spike to come visit him in LA. Seems Dawn might have told a little white lie to her father.

Timeline: set in between season 5 and 6, in my alternate world where Buffy didn't die. Spike's crypt is trashed during the final showdown and Dawn convinces Buffy to let him stay since he protected them both.

Series: Part 2 of ?

Pairing: Buffy and Spike. Romance, love and nooky.

Rating: PG13

Disclaimer: everyone else owns Buffy and all associated with her.

Feedback: always welcome so email me - webmaster@talesoftheslayer.com

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

"What do you want for breakfast Spike?" Dawn bubbled at him as she danced around the kitchen.

Spike was sitting at the island reading the paper, he looked up at her as she spoke but just smiled in response. Dawn sat down opposite and rummaged through the cereal boxes for the prize, spilling it all over the counter.

"Niblet don't do that you know it drives big sis insane and while we're on the subject you need to help more around the house." He gave her his best 'do as your told' frown, the one he'd been practicing in his room.

Buffy was just about the enter the kitchen when she caught his little speech. It was such a different tack to the one she always took, it was more like placing the idea in Dawns head rather than banging it home with a hammer. She hung back in the living room and listened.

"But she has slayer strength." Dawn whined at him as she repacked the cereal boxes.

"But she isn't a cart horse. You want people to treat you like a grown up then you have to learn to act like one."

"What would you know? You're always acting like a kid." Her tone was sharp and Spike knew she got that from Buffy.

"Platelet I'm not telling you what to do, just a suggestion is all. Think about what Buffy has been through this past year, how much stress on her it's been. Big sis is hurting more than she'll admit, we both know she's stubborn but I can see it when I look at her it's a whole world of hurt. C'mon Dawn." He gave her a soft look and a little smile over the top of the paper, Dawn caved and Buffy sighed.

"Okay, I suppose she always has a lot on her plate and I do want to be treated like the grown up I am." Dawn pouted at him as she rounded the island to where he was now standing and planted a kiss on his cheek. "I'm off to the mall."

"Back before dark okay, lots of nasty things out there that like tasty little women to eat."

Buffy could see Dawn roll her eyes and smile at him as she headed towards the front door. She was about to head back upstairs when she heard him come up behind her.

"Sneak." He grinned wide as she turned to face him.

"Can't be a sneak in your own house." Buffy jumped as the phone rang, she didn't move a muscle towards it because Spike was blocking her path.

"It's probably for me." Dawn had grabbed it.

"Sneak." Spike whispered into Buffys ear as he passed close by her and walked into the living room. Her knees felt weak but she justified it as the phone making her jittery rather than his dulcet tones breathed in her ear.

She watched him flick the TV on and swing his feet up onto the table. One arm behind his head like a pillow he looked so relaxed like he belonged there.

"Buffy its dad. Something about LA." Dawn held the receiver out to her with an impatient look, Buffy returned a look that said 'stay put'.

Dawn gave Spike a worried look that he knew meant 'I'm in so much trouble'. He had perked up at the word LA, there's one place he never wanted to go near again. He could just imagine Angel welcoming him back with open arms, only to stake him in the back.

"Okay dad, Monday sounds fine. Okay. Fine. What? No, it's just... Okay... He'll be there." Buffy shot a look to Spike who looked confused. "Okay, see you then. Bye." She slammed the receiver down on the hook.

"We're going to LA for two weeks starting Monday." Buffy folded her arms looking less than pleased about the situation.

"See you in two weeks then, I'll take care of the place for you. Best go pack niblet." Spike relaxed back into the sofa.

"You misunderstood me. I said we're going to LA."