Rating 2M
Settling In.

By: Awatcher2

Chapter 5. Once More With Feeling.

Outside the Magic box. Warren has worked out all the calculations, and he sets up his device with all the frequencies and ranges to see if he can manipulate the chip. Takes it for a test run. He wants to see what mind games he can play with Spike.

Inside the Magic box late night.

Spike: Steady bit. Focus.

Dawn: How much more focus do you want?

Spike: Giles said I have to be all strict in my training and stuff. No letting you slack off. Since we only train couple nights a week no distractions.

Dawn: Well can't we go back to the punching bag? I was really focused on that?

Spike: Sounds like bit, wants to kick some right tidy butt. That vamp ain't going to stand a chance.

Dawn: Why me? What's he want with me?

Spike: Don't know bit. Don't care. I will find out where he is, then me and him will have a talk all good and proper like.

Dawn: You don't think he'll try to attack Buffy while she's out patrolling do you?

Spike: Your sister can handle herself. My job is to make sure that you can too. Now we have to work on some more counter moves. I'm going to come at you and I want you to counter attack. Just like I showed you. (They try it once and it's fine.) That's great bit, but I want you to do it again, and this time with... (Before he can say another word. His head explodes and is Flooded with pain. He's getting a head ache like when he goes to attack someone.) Owww. (He holds his head.)

Dawn: Spike are you ok? Is it the chip?

Spike: Yeah. Went off, like a bullet in my brain.

Dawn: Was it cause you were in attack mode? (They have practiced before in the back yard briefly. This has never happened before.)

Spike: Not far as I know. I wasn't intending on hurting you. I was just demonstrating. I should watch how into the training I get. The chips acting more fang keeper than usual.

Dawn: (She goes over to make sure that he is ok.) I'm sure it's a fluke. Of course I know you weren't trying to hurt me. Guess your chip's just acting up. Maybe we could just do the talking part of the training. You know where you get me all psyched up. You're really good at getting people motivated in that way.

Spike: I've thought about motivational speaking for the demon realm. Blogar, the under demon says if I ever need a job down there I'm in. Says I'm a real natural talent at rousing people to carnage.

Dawn: He's right. You speak and people want to go and bash heads. (They both laugh.)

Spike: Come on bit, why are you having trouble wrapping your mind round this?

Dawn: I just don't know if I'll be good enough. I mean he really wants to dance with me. I mean bite me. I mean... I don't know what I mean. It's all I can think about. What if he gets in the house again?

Spike: With the de-invite spell Tara did. NO ones getting in the house less, you me or your big Sis invites them in, now that Anya's moved back in with Xander.

Dawn: Guess I'm just scared. I mean I'm no Buffy. And it doesn't always work, what-ever this is.

Spike: That's 'k bit. Doesn't always have to. Just when you need it to. So this vamp wants to play does he? You just show him how Nibblet play's when she's got all her marbles with her. Sides. I'm gonna stake him, soon as I find out where he is.

Dawn: Are you?

Spike: Sure will. He won't be dancing with you anytime soon. Sides I don't know about dancing, but there is a point where your body goes beyond the moves you learnt, training and instinct, become one with your actions and environments. That's how I beat the slayers. If this vamp wants to dance. That's how you'll beat him.

Dawn: Yeah sounds good. Ok. Let's get back to this training.

Spike: Sure now that my head's all settled again. Chips in my noggin, stirring up my brain, interrupting all this training. Now lets do this again, and I want it Once More With Feeling.

Dawn: (Rolls her eyes and laughs.) Whatever. (They practice. This time she is able to focus on the training.)

It is a couple of days later and Spike finally has a handle on the where the vamp hangs out. He goes to the place which is an old abandoned warehouse and waits for him.

Syica: (Comes home from feeding. He finds that he should feel sated but all he can think about is the one that got away. He thinks about the dance, and what a battle it will be. Most humans are a two minute deal. Some quick chat. Very little resistance, and instant happy meals. But that girl, the way she stood up to him. There was something there. One of these days they were going to have it out, battle of wills. Of course he would win, because no matter how special she seemed. She was after all a mere mortal. He enters the warehouse unaware he is being watched. Then from out of no where he goes flying backwards.)

Earlier at the Summers house.

Dawn: (She has just come home from school. She has stayed out late. So it's dark. She knows Buffy wants her home until the vamp threat is out of the way. But she couldn't resist hanging out just a little.) Hey Buffy I'm home. (She gets no answer. She sees the light on the machine. She goes to check the message. Spike has left a message for Buffy saying he's going after the vamp at the old warehouse. In this shady part of town. The light was on so no one else has checked the message. She wonders where Buffy is. She knows she should stay and wait. But she goes to find Spike at the old warehouse, she knows the location.)

Back at the warehouse. Moving out of the shadows.

Spike: Just the vamp I've been looking for.

Syica: (Wipes the blood from his face.) Don't think we've been formerly introduced. I'm Syica. You would be?

Spike: The vamp who did that. (Points to his bleeding face.) Also the one who going to grind you to a big pile o' dust.

Syica: So you're not going to introduce yourself, and we are not going for coffee? Just checking. (He lunges at Spike.)

Spike: (He blocks. Then he grabs his arm and maneuvers him into a wall.) Thinking not less we're using your dust as ground coffee beans.

Syica: (He propels off the wall. He kicks Spike in the chest.) Fine I'll just make up a name for you. Let's see. The slayer's lap dog? Shell of the vamp I should be? How about just, whipped much? The vampire formerly known as...

Spike: As long as you spell it out with your dusted body. I don't much care. (His fist connects with Syica's face.)

Syica: Hope I'm not hitting any tender spots. (He does a triple combo punch, which connects with Spikes face.) Does she just say sick and you go? Rumour has it you use to be a vampire at one point.

Spike: (Puts on his game face.) Rumour has it that I still am. (He grabs the vamp and throws him across the floor.)

Syica: What's the attraction, that makes you trail after her so? That you degrade yourself?

Spike: She is family. Buffy and Dawn are blood. You wouldn't understand.

Syica: I don't want to. You give our kind a bad name, living and sleeping with the enemy. (He gets up and goes after Spike again. Using force to match the fury and rage he is feeling.)

Spike: We don't usually get much sleeping done.

Syica: There must be something about them that draws you, keeps you coming back. Did the witches enchant you? What is it about them? (He is trying to figure what it is about Dawn that has him hooked. He is getting out his frustrations.) You are what our kind should never become.

Spike: (Grabs him up and slams him to the ground. This time he follows threw on the action.) Don't worry, now you won't have to fret bout becoming like me. (Raises his hand and brings down the stake. Then his head explodes, with pain. ) Awww. (He is in complete and utter pain.)

Outside in their van eavesdropping.

Warren: I love this toy. Dance for me puppet dance. (He listens to Spike's anguish with enjoyment. Spike twists in pain in the warehouse.)

Andrew: Good I'm glad. He's so bad and evil. He was going to rip off Mr. Boba Fett's head. Let's teach him a lesson.

Jonathan: Yeah we are super villains. (They take turns playing with the frequency device. Warren turns away to listen in on the events inside the warehouse.)

Andrew: You've had it for long enough. I want it.

Jonathan: No it's my turn. You give it to me. (They struggle for control of the device between themselves. Suddenly they send it flying across the room. The device freezes, the frequency changes and things take on a bad turn in the warehouse.)

Back inside the warehouse.

Spike: His head still exploding in pain. (He drops the stake in his hands.)

Syica: (Slips away from what was almost his demise.)

Dawn: (She arrives some moments earlier. She saw the end of the fight. Saw Spike about to put the stake in Syica. Then she sees him hold his head in pain, like before. She runs over to assist him, and that's when things take on a terrible turn.) Spike are you ok?

Spike: (He is only conscious of the waves of pain that are flooding his head. The pain then turns primal. It changes from pain to rage. His primal instincts take over and have control of him. The full force of the darkness in him is released. Something in his head is stimulated due to the inappropriate feed of the signal. He lashes out. Anything around him is in sudden danger. The flooding of pain is replaced by waves of violent thoughts that stream threw his mind. The frequency is one that the Troika did not intend, or know they could tap into. But they have found a way to bring the primal and dark to the surface. His will to do good, is abandoned by tidal waves of darkness. He picks up Dawn and sends her flying across the room.)

Dawn: (She is scared. Spike has never hurt her before. She can see he's in pain. But there is something else happening here too. She can only get out a choked up sound.) Spike?

Spike: (He goes after the creature in front of him, there is no remembrance breaking threw the pain, just a need for destruction. He drags her off the ground and picks her up, he carries her over to the rails he's about to send her flying again.)

Dawn: (She's too shock, scared and hurt to react.) Spike, stop it. What are you doing. (She starts screaming cause she is really scared.)

Syica: This is what you do to family? Glad I made the enemy list. But I believe this particular dance space is already filled. Miss Muppet promised me first kill. Sorry. (He goes after Spike, sending Dawn and Spike flying, but she doesn't fly over the rails, and she gets knocked to the floor again.)

Outside the warehouse.

Jonathan: He's going after Dawn. Stop him. (He remember Katrina, and Warren's promise that no one would get hurt.)

Warren: (Just sits there listening to Dawn pleading with Spike.)

Andrew: I'm not liking this very much.

Warren: Ah. Don't think we can stop him. Too bad. (He sounds dispassioned. Like he doesn't care.)

Jonathan: I'm not letting another innocent person die. Like Katrina. (He goes over finds the device and smashes it to pieces.) I don't like this any more. Someone is always getting hurt. He could have killed her. Did you hear the screaming?

Warren: Relax. No one died. Sides now we know that it works. And I don't know what happened in there, but I say bonus. We have our own version of vampire frankenstien on our hands. If he'd go after someone that he likes like that. Think of what we could make him do to someone that we didn't like. This is cool.

Andrew: It is cool. But it was kinda scary with the screaming and stuff.

Warren: We got a new weapon. Point vamp, aim frequency, and vamp goes all attack mode. Sweet. Knew when I found out what the chip does it would be cool.

Jonathan: Did you miss the point? He could have killed her. I don't want to be a part of this any more. I want out.

Warren: What do you mean you want out? What are you talking about. Things are just getting good.

Jonathan: Good like with Katrina?

Warren: Why do you keep bringing that up? She gone, get over it.

Jonathan: This whole time, I really thought you cared about what happened. But you really don't do you?

Warren: Course I care, but you don't expect me to spend the rest of my life crying about it do you?

Jonathan: It would be nice, if you had taken a day to care. I am through following you. I am not a part of this any more. I'm leaving.

Andrew: (Just looks alarmed at Jonathan's speech. But he does not say anything.)

Warren: Where are you going to go? To Buffy. Sure she would love a first hand account of tonights little incident.

Jonathan: Better to take my chance with the devil I know, than the devil I don't. I don't want to do this super villain thing any more. I like the kind that does hurt any one. (He names a couple of villains)

Andrew: One is from D.C. and the other one from Marvel. You can't compare the two.

Jonathan: You know what I mean. I'm leaving. (He gets his jacket and get ready to leave the van.)

Warren: Ah Jonathan..

Jonathan: What?

Warren: Don't forget your magic bone you just might need it. (He throws the bone at Jonathan.)

Jonathan takes it and leaves.

Warren: Some people can't handle the super villain game they shouldn't play. (Goes back listening on the scene in the warehouse. Thinks that if Jonathan goes to the police they will have a problem. But he thinks he has a ready solution for that.)

Andrew: (Just sits really quietly. Absorbing all that's happened.)

Back inside the warehouse.

Spike: (The waves of pain stop flooding his brain. He sees the young vamp coming at him and Dawn.)

Syica: Is that why you live with them? Makes it easier than hunting when you are ready you have an easy kill at hand?

Spike: (He looks and he can see Dawn and the expression on her face.) Dawn. (He just remembers the pain, and the sudden rage.)

Dawn: (She has finally gotten past the initial shock.) Stay away from me! Both of you. Stay away from me. (They can hear the emotion in her voice.)

Syica: Least I tell you that I want you for snack food. He pretends to like you and then tries to kill you. Least I never lied. Nice family you have there.

Spike: (Facing Syica.) Shut up. (Turning to Dawn.) I don't know what happened bit. I would never hurt you. I.. I wasn't myself. Please.

Dawn: You just did. And it seemed pretty much like you to me. (She has tears forming in her eyes.)

Spike: (He gets up to try to explain.) Dawn I...

Dawn: I hate you. Stay away from me. You are evil. How could you do that?

Entering the warehouse finally. Buffy makes her way onto the scene in front of her.

Buffy: Dawn, Spike. (Sees the vamp.) You again?

Syica: And you. Now we got that out of the way. I'm sure I don't want to interrupt this family reunion. Just promise me you won't let him have a taste before I do. I would love to stay and chat see what happens. Sure this will be interesting. Did I mention duck.

Buffy: (She turns around. There is no one there. Turns back. He's gone.) How does he keep doing that? I even fall for it when there is nothing attacking me from behind? (She sees Dawn and the look on her face.) Dawn are you ok? What did he do to you?

Dawn: (She sounds tearful. She sounds out each word.) He tried to kill me.

Buffy: That does it. I'm going after him.

Dawn: Not him Buffy. (She points at Spike and gives him a dirty look.) Spike. Spike tried to kill me.

Buffy: What? (She shakes her head. Like she didn't hear the words.) That's impossible. Dawn: Are you taking his side? He threw me and he was going to throw me over the rails. He wanted to hurt me. I can't believe you're taking his side.

Buffy: Spike wouldn't. (She looks over at him, and see the confusion, guilt and shame on his face.) Did you?

Spike: I don't know what I did. Pain in my noggin. Bit on the floor. Me on the ground. It's sketchy. I would never intentionally hurt Nibblet.

Dawn: But you did. You wanted to kill me.

Spike: Dawn no. It wasn't me. I don't know what happened. Chip went off. Then my head was flooded and I wasn't in control. I.. Please bit. You have to know.

Dawn: All I know is I'm not staying in the same house with you. I want to go. Buffy I want to go.

Buffy: We have to figure out what happened. What's this about the chip going off?

Spike: Been doing that lots. Without me trying to get all fangy. Then this time don't know what happened.

Dawn: I don't care what happened. Are you staying here with him? And taking his side. Cause I'm leaving. (Looks at Spike.) Don't ever come near me again. (She takes off.)

Buffy: Dawn. (She calls after her. She just keeps going.) What did you do?

Spike: It was the chip. I would never go after her like that. I love you, both of you. I would never. You better go after her Buffy. I need to figure out what happened.

Buffy: (She is sure that he does love them. She knows there must be another explanation. She can see all the emotions on his face. He looks horrified, and in shock. She wants to go over to comfort him, but she knows she has to go after Dawn.) We will figure this out. I just have to make sure she's ok.

Spike: Go. (He wanted nothing better than to have her come over to him, and say that she believed him, but she didn't accuse him. He knows how scared Dawn was. He's horrified that he caused that. He tries to figure out what could have happened. And if it will happen again.)

A few hours later Warren is parked in a different van near the Summers house. He wants to hear what they are talking about. He uses some high-tech devices to eavesdrop on the conversation inside where everyone has just gathered.

Inside the house upstairs. Spike is outside Dawn's room. She hasn't spoken to him, since the incident, she is upset. He did not physically hurt her, but she is scared and emotionally upset. It's because someone she loves almost hurt her. She reliving the whole Willow experience all over again. Buffy is with her making sure she is ok. Spike is outside the room feeling destroyed about what happened. He knows he loves Dawn and would never hurt her, but he almost did. He is doubting himself and really feels unsure about what happened. He hears Tara's voice downstairs and makes his way down. Half way down he hears Xander's and he creeps down the rest of the way unnoticed by anyone.

Tara: (Puts her jacket on a hook.) Where's Spike, Buffy and Dawn?

Xander: They are upstairs trying to comfort Dawn. She still really freaked out by what happened.

Willow: Yeah and I don't think she's speaking to Spike right now. Can't blame her I guess.

Tara: Yeah but it was an accident right?

Xander: I don't know Will. This feels like all too familiar territory. Buffy romances vamp, a few good sex filled nights. Evil resurfacing, everyone she loves in danger.

Anya: Well technically only Dawn has been put in danger, which I think was an accident, and come on, it's been more than a few sex filled nights. I know. I use to live here, my room was right across the hall and... (Sees them all looking at her.) What? Not as if I could help overhearing stuff. Besides Dawn has super strength I'm sure she's ok.

Xander: But that's not the point.

Tara: (To Anya and Xander.) How did you know?

Anya: Oh I found out when that vamp tried to attack Dawn. Go Dawnster, and your spiffy slayerness or whatever it is.

Xander: I found out from Anya.

Anya: Yeah, but Dawn said I could tell you. Willow how did you find out?

Willow: Oh Xander told me.

Anya: You sure do have a big mouth, sweetie.

Xander: What you never said I couldn't tell Willow. You just said not to tell Buffy.

Anya: Blabber mouth. And you get upset cause I share a few of our little sex-capades with everyone. Ha.

Willow: (Rolling her eyes.) Let's get serious for a second. Xander do you really think this could be Spike going evil again, or something like that?

Xander: It's in their nature. Look at Angel. Even after he stopped being evil, and faith shot him with that poison filled arrow for vamps, first chance he got, he had himself a Buffy sandwich put her in the hospital. She could have died, and that was when he was good. And if Angel does that, well what can we expect from Spike?

Willow: But that was different. Buffy let Angel bite her and drink her blood, he was going to die, she didn't want to loose him. Slayer blood was the only thing that could save him.

Xander: Yeah, but I bet he didn't even hesitate. He almost killed her. She has bad taste in vampires that's all I know.

Anya: Well maybe we should bring this up at the meeting. I mean not about her having bad taste in men and all. It's kind of considered bad manners to mention that with Spike, who's her husband standing right in the room.

Tara: Maybe we could find a gentle way to brooch the subject, at the meeting.

Xander: Yeah let's open this official Scoobie meeting with Buffy we think your husband might be an evil blood sucker, and we want to look into staking him as an early solution. That would go over well.

Willow: Yeah this is a Scoobie meeting. Maybe Spike shouldn't be here for this one. I mean it's not as if he's really a Scoobie. Well now that he's married to Buffy it's a little different, but he's still an...

Tara: You mean outsider. (She doesn't sound too pleased. She remembers just how hard it is to feel included. She also remembers the recent bonding her, Spike and Xander had.) I'm not sure that's fair Willow. Aside from being married to Buffy, every time we have an emergency he's always been there. He did work with us over the summer. I'm just saying.

Xander: I think Willow is right. This is just Spike being Spike. What else could it be?

Anya: So you think he's just going to up and turn evil. Even after all that's happened with him and Buffy, and the way her feels about her. Her and Dawn in fact.

Xander: Once evil, always evil. It's just what's in the nature.

Anya: Do you feel that way about Spike or does that logic apply to ex-vengeance demons?

Xander: We're not talking about you right now. Besides you and Spike are different.

Anya: How exactly is it different baby?

Spike who has been listening to the whole exchange choose this moment to enter the room. He's heard enough, and although not surprised. He thinks they should get an ear shot of who they are, and their little nasties, shoved in their faces.

Spike: Yeah Xander why don't you enlighten me. How's Anya's past so different than mine?

Tara: Spike. We didn't see you standing there.

Spike: What so then you might have all showed some restraint with this episode of kick the Spike and chat about how evil he is?

Tara: (Feels ashamed.) I'm sorry. It's just till we know what's going on we were just trying to explore the possibilities.

Spike: Yeah, so I heard. The first thing you could all think of was me turning evil?

Willow: Well it wouldn't be the first time, a vamps gotten into a relationship with Buffy and gone all psycho. No offense. (Doesn't sound sorry for saying it.)

Spike: Oh none taken. After all as far as hurting Dawn goes, if I did. I'm only taking over the title from the reigning champ, which is you Red.

Xander: Hey it's not fair to bring that up.

Anya: Why not? It is part of Willow's past. Just like evil is part of Spike's and being a vengeance demon a part of mine. Just saying.

Spike: Yeah if you want to dig up past nasties why don't we start with that, and work our way up. Willow. You while acting like a magi-addict, went to Rack's magi-crack house, and almost got Dawn killed in the process. Anya. You got a thousand years of badness on me. And some of those stories you tell, they put me to shame, and I've been pretty bad in my time. No offense.

Anya: Oh none taken. Sides it's true. But that's just it. That is my past. Just like that stuff is yours. Till you go psycho or something. (Not meaning it that why.) I didn't mean it that way. Not like your going to drain us all dry in our sleeps. Least I hope not.

Spike: Tara you did that spell that went all wrong, to try to hide the fact that you were a demon. Almost got everyone hurt. I hadn't been there to kill that other invisible demon Buffy could have got seriously hurt. Still understand why you did it, you were trying to hold on to the one you love.

Tara: You are right. We've all done things, were less than proud off. I'm just concerned about Dawn.

Spike: Yeah I get that. But you. (He points at Xander.) You're just loving this aren't you?

Xander: Not if I don't have reasons for my opinions. You've done some really awful things. I'm just trying to protect my friends.

Spike: Call that protecting your friends? Where do I begin with you. I might be many things, but least I'm not a hypocrite. Protecting your friends, if that means calling a dancing demon to town, getting half the town scorched. Almost getting Buffy killed, yeah I'd say nice way of protecting your friends.

Xander: But I didn't know what was going to happen. I just wanted a happy ending.

Anya: Yeah look how well that turned out. (Remembers the wedding she's never going to have, with Xander.)

Spike: All I'm saying is, I not letting you stone me out here, without throwing a few back. I've got my flaws and I've been bad, but least I'm man enough to admit it. I worked with you all. I'm married to Buffy, but no matter what, first opportunity and it's kick the Spike. He's evil. Played that game, tired now. Even Ripper is no Saint. Dusted Ben, not a thought, just wanted to protect Buffy. Least he admits who he is, most times. (Looks back at Xander.) Oh did I mention, nice touch there with the wedding, real smooth. (Throws out the final parting shot, then leaves the house.)

Buffy hears the arguing from upstairs and makes her way downstairs after Spike leaves to see what's going on. She enters the living room, and asks for an explanation. All she gets is this uncomfortable silence from everyone in the room. Then finally Xander speaks.

Xander: Spike left in a bit of a tiff. He overheard a conversation we were having that's all.

Buffy: It must have been some conversation to make him leave, a meeting that has everything to do with him. So come on Xander enlighten me.

Xander: We were just saying, it might not be the chip. It's probably his past come back to haunt him. He's violent by nature Buffy. What if he's found a way to over come the chip, and this is just his natural tendencies coming to the surface.

Dawn who's been upstairs has heard some of the yelling too. She leaves her room, and sneaks down stairs just far enough to hear what's going on.

Buffy: That's not fair, we all have past. Just because who you are is rooted in darkness, that doesn't mean that's who you are. If we dug up the each others past we would be here all day. But the point is, he's not doing this. Not on purpose, something else is happening here. Something that is making him act uncharacteristically and getting violent.

Xander: Still not convinced here Buffy. Still think it's just the chip malfunctioning and we're seeing his real side. We all know if that chip ever came out he'd drain us all drier than the Sahara.

Buffy: Is that what you think? This whole time. While we've been married? While he's cared for Dawn and worked with you, with me, with us all?

Xander: Stands to reason. Look at Angel. He worked with us. He worked with you, but when all was said and done. Jenny's gone, Willow's fish are still dead and he tortured Giles. There is no good in a vampires nature Buff. Without that chip, we'd be dog meat.

Buffy: Maybe you should speak for yourself Xander. I wouldn't blame him.

Willow: Xander is not just speaking for himself here Buffy.

Buffy: I can't believe this. You too Willow?

Willow: It's not that I want to believe the worst, but you have not had a lot of luck with vamps. Not in the romantic sense of the word. I know he cares about you and Dawn. But that's you and Dawn. I haven't see enough, to prove that he's really changed.

Buffy: How can you say that! He worked with you all summer. He took care of Dawn. He was there for every moment. Fighting with you, risking his life. How can you say that?

Willow: I mean sure he worked with us all summer and took care of Dawn, but Buffy you told him to take care of Dawn. And the best way for him to do that was to work with us. I haven't seen anything to lead me to believe he's fully changed. I'm not saying that he doesn't love you. But everything he does is related to you. He doesn't do anything that you haven't asked him to, or change unless it has something to do with you. I can't think of one example of him doing something unselfish, that didn't have something to do with you.

Buffy: You are one to talk. (Points out the night of her addiction it was Spike that looked back.) Not me, and definitely not Dawn, we were just going to leave, but he's the one who turned back. Helped me do the right thing and look after you. That was selfless, it had nothing to do with me or with Dawn or with anything. He saw how upset I was he was not trying to score points, if anything it might have in that moment made me and Dawn more upset with him, but it was all about you Willow. Seeing you in misery at your lowest moment, and caring about that.

Willow: Well he would know about lowest moments.

Buffy: Think you've said enough. You all have. He's my husband, and I know this is something else, this time. I just know it. I'm not going to let anything happen to Dawn. But I could use your help here, but with or without it. I'm not letting you exclude him this way. Now are you with me or not? (She want's them to be on her side, but that means them being on Spike's Side too.)

Tara: Of course Buffy. We will try to do more research and see what might be going wrong. I can tell he loves you and Dawn and I don't think he'd be so upset if he was really turning evil.

Anya: Yeah me too, I mean he let me stay here. Oh and he bought me a gift certificate. Anyone who knows how to give money as a gift, can't be evil.

Willow: Oh yeah. That's really reassuring Anya.

Anya: You didn't let me finish. I know he loves Buffy and Dawn. I did stay here, and I've seen him. I'm there with you Buffy. Spike's past is like my past, in the past. And she, sells sea shells by the sea shore. Bet ya can't say that ten times fast.

Buffy: Well how about it. Xander, Willow?

Willow: I just don't know Buffy, but I know you love him, and I'm willing to try to look for a different answer, but he goes all Angelus on us and I'm not waiting around to be breakfast. (She remembers the incident in her dorm, that happened just after he got his chip put in.)

Xander: That goes double for me Buffy. He even blinks the wrong way at Dawn or any of us, and I looking for a nice dusty solution.

Buffy: Why can't you see it's not like that Xander?

Xander: (Getting up and going over to Buffy.) And why can't you ever see what's right in front of your face? (He looks her straight in the eyes.) We care Buffy, we care about you and Dawn, and we just want what's best for you.

Buffy: I know Xander. But if you care about me, you have to respect my choices, and that means not talking about dusting my husband, before we figure out what's wrong.

Xander: Fine Buff. I'll look around for other reasons too. I will give Spike a chance. But I'm not going to have a repeat of what happened last time, with Angel.

Dawn hearing enough she makes her way up the stairs. She is still upset with Spike, but she is scared and confused, because they are talking about hurting him, and it's all her fault, she thinks. She packs a bag. She doesn't want to stay in the house, she just wants to escape from all the sudden turmoil that's come about. She goes back downstairs.

Dawn: Buffy. I'm staying with Xander and Anya tonight.

Buffy: I thought you'd stay here. (She sounds hurt.)

Dawn: I just can't right now with everything that's happening. I just need to clear my head. Sass things out.

Buffy: (Remembers Spike saying that.) Fine Dawn. (She realizes she has to find Spike and let him know that she is still with him.) Xander, Anya is that ok.

Xander: Of course. We love having the Dawnster over.

Anya: Then we can pay the game of life for more real money, and after I win. You can pay it off by putting in more free child labour hours. (She smiles.)

Xander: Anya.

Anya: What I was just joking. Sides I always collect cash after I win. Only way to do business. Only way to play the game of life.

They all leave for their perspective homes. Willow and Tara go off to find a solution and Xander Anya and Dawn go to their house. Buffy is left in an empty house, as she prepares to go find Spike. Warren has gathered a pot of gold in information, and goes about seeing how best he can use the information he gather for his own benefit.

Xander once home away from everyone else. Makes an important phone call.



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