Chapter 6
Dawn looked at her face in the hand mirror Spike had brought her. It really wasn't bad, a little bit of makeup would hide the worst of it. Spike was right. She was going to have a scar on her eyebrow. He sat next to her on the bed. She tilted the mirror so that if he hadn't been a vampire she would have seen him reflected there beside her.
"Is it weird?" She asked.
"Not having a reflection?" He said.
She nodded. He shrugged. "Somewhat. You get used to it after a while."
"How do you shave?" She asked "or dye your hair?"
"I shave by touch and the hair dye is pretty much a no brainer. They give you enough of that stuff for long hair so I just make sure I use all of it and get it gooped on real good." He said.
"What color is your hair naturally?" She asked.
"Brown," He answered.
"I like it blond." She said with a smile.
He chuckled. "So do I."
Dawn nodded. They were both silent for a little while. Spike's hand stroked her hair. She closed her eyes enjoyed the touch of his fingers. She realized for the first time that it wasn't just a matter of staying here until she healed. She didn't want to leave.
As if he'd read her mind, he said, "Gonna be all healed up pretty soon. Guess you'll be going back to your house."
"Yeah. I'm sure you're anxious to have your crypt to yourself, and your bed back." Dawn answered.
"Couch is comfortable and I've enjoyed having you 'round, Niblet. So what do you want to do tonight? I'll go rent some movies but I'm puttin my foot down on chick flicks. We gotta have some decent explosions. And no pullin the sick person card on me. You don't exactly qualify anymore." Spike said.
Dawn grinned at him. "Can we order pizza and just stay in? Do they deliver pizza to a crypt?"
"There's a place off main that does, have 'em delivered all the time here. They make a mean blood and anchovy pizza." Spike said.
"Oh, uhm I was thinking cheese." Dawn said turning a bit pale.
"Cheese it is then. I'll go grab some more beer and give them a ring on the payphone. Be back in a jiffy." Spike said.
While he was gone Dawn made up the bed and showered and changed clothes. She wished she had makeup but it was one of the things Spike hadn't grabbed when he was at the house. She pinched her cheeks until they were red and bit her lips. It had worked for Scarlett O' Hara in Gone With The Wind. She left her hair hanging down her back. Spike liked to run his fingers through it. Dawn glanced in the hand mirror again. God she was being so obvious but how exactly do you let a 124 year old vampire know you like him? And shouldn't he be able to figure these things out for himself by now? I mean, even a guy would learn something after a century or so, right? She should have talked to Buffy about these things, not that Buffy would have done anything but yell from the moment Dawn mentioned Spike.
Dawn sighed dramatically and tossed her hair over her shoulder. She made a poor, sputtering fire in the fireplace. It would have to do. She grabbed some candles out of the cabinets and set them around the room. She found a book of matches from Willy's and was lighting the last one when she heard the crypt door squeal open. She ran and dived on the bed, leaning back trying to look natural.
Spike walked down the stairs cursing, "Bloody hell did the electric company finally figure out I was tappin into the main line?"
"Uhm, no, I just thought candles would be nice." Dawn said weakly.
Spike stopped and looked at Dawn, one eyebrow raised. He nodded briefly and put the pizza on the counter top of the kitchenette.
"One slice or two, Niblet?" Spike asked.
"Two I guess." Dawn answered.
Spike threw a couple of slices of pizza on a paper plate and nabbed one for himself. It was true he didn't have to eat, that didn't mean he didn't enjoy it from time to time. He sat down cross legged on the bed next to Dawn. He passed her pizza to her and along with a cold bottle of coke.
Dawn chattered aimlessly while eating her pizza. She was beginning to think she should have had Spike bring back a movie, some hopelessly romantic one like Sleepless In Seattle. She was nervous. This is Spike, she tried to tell herself, you've spent over a week with him, no reason to be nervous. No reason at all, except that she was beginning to suspect that there was a possibility he was beginning to see her as more then Buffy's little sister.
"Spike, tell me a story, about something you've done." She said. She liked hearing Spike's stories. He always told them in the most animated way. He drew you in and could actually put you in the story.
"Alright, did I ever tell you 'bout the time I met Billy Idol? Bloke stole his look from me you know." Spike said.
Dawn shook her head. That was all the provocation Spike needed. He launched into his story with glee. Dawn settled back against the pillows and watched him talk more then she actually listened to him. His blue eyes were expressive and when he was telling a story, especially about himself, they sparkled. As he talked he stretched out beside her, propped up on one elbow.
"So what were you like before you were turned?" Dawn asked.
"You don't want to hear those stories, Niblet." Spike said.
"No, I really do." Dawn persisted.
Spike grumbled and growled a little. "I was a nancy boy. I mooned after one girl my entire existence. I was a bleedin hopeless romantic. I made Buffy mooning after my Sire look like amateur night at the Improv. Dru turning me was the best thing that ever happened. I'm a much more interesting vampire then I ever was a man."
"It must be nice, to have all those memories." Dawn said.
Spike smiled at her. She felt her stomach do a slow flop. She looked away because his eyes on her were too intense.
"Memories aren't worth much less there's someone 'round to remember them. Sure I've got a whole passel of stories but the only one 'round who remembers them is the big pouf and he's not one to over share. The thing that makes memories real and solid, are the people around you that remember them." Spike said. He knew Dawn still turned the idea over in her mind that she wasn't real. It bothered her that most of her memories weren't real. He reached over and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. She reached up and touched his lips almost reverently. He cupped her face with his hand and leaned over. His lips brushed hers ever so softly. Spike could hear her heart trip hammering in her chest. Dawn held her breath. She didn't want him to pull away and she was afraid even one shuddering breath would shatter the moment.
Spike took a deep breath. He could smell her desire and he grinned inwardly, sometimes being a vampire had its benefits. He kissed her harder, lips probing, asking. She moaned softly, granting. His hand strayed down her neck, he paused feeling her pulse and then slide down to her waist. He reminded himself not to go further. He would bet that Dawn hadn't had very many boyfriends, or very much experience. Dawn threaded her fingers in the hair at the nape of his neck and tugged him closer to her. He went willingly, levering his body over hers. Suddenly Dawn pulled away panting. Spike pushed himself off her to the edge of the bed.
"Sorry, Niblet, I got carried away."
"No, it's-I wanted-I mean I wanted it. I just, wow, kissing you isn't like kissing any of the guys in school." Dawn said.
Spike chuckled. "Come here, Niblet."
Dawn scooted over next to him. He wrapped his arms around her and buried his nose in the crown of her hair. She smelled like she tasted, sweet with just a hint of spice.
*
Dawn worried her bottom lip between her teeth. Her bruises were gone, her ankle healed. There was no reason for her not to go back home, except that she wanted to stay here with Spike. He had found out a few days ago about Buffy's trip to LA. According to his sources, the Slayer was still gone. Dawn paced the room, maybe she could sneak into the house, and then what? Move the rest of her stuff into Spike's basement without an invitation. She couldn't do that so she walked to the magic shop. Anya's mouth would spread the word faster then anything else that she was "back". She walked with her head bowed, her hands in her pockets. She was so wrapped up in her own thoughts and her own world that she didn't hear Spike until he was next to her.
"Gonna leave without saying goodbye, Niblet?" Spike said.
"Nah, I haven't packed yet. I thought I'd go do it after I'd let Anya know I'm back from where ever I ran away to." Dawn said.
"San Francisco." Spike said.
Dawn looked up at him and arched an eyebrow. "I ran away to San Francisco?"
"Course you did, bloody interesting city. I went and found you of course." Spike said matter of factedly.
Dawn grinned. "Of course, where did I stay in San Francisco?"
"Place called the Brass Trolley downtown, clean enough place but not high priced. Decent part of town. I found you down by fisherman's wharf, near the sea lions." Spike said.
"Oooo, I like sea lions." Dawn said.
Spike nodded. "Brought you home right and proper soon as I found you."
"That was very chivalrous of you." Dawn said with a grin.
"Yup, bleedin knight in shining armor I am." Spike said.
Dawn sighed. "Plus, it looks good for you from Buffy's point of view."
Spike walked beside her quietly for a moment. "I don't give a flying fuck about looking good for Buffy anymore, Dawn. I thought you knew that by now."
Dawn shrugged. "Are you sure about that? I mean she's Buffy and I'm not. I might have been made from pieces of her, but I will never be her."
Spike grabbed her by the shoulders and turned her to face him "And if it was Buffy I wanted I wouldn't have spent the last three days kissing you." As if to punctuate his statement he leaned over and captured her lips with his. Every other kiss had been sweet and tender. This one was none of these things. It was hungry and possessive. When Spike finally pulled away from her, Dawn could have sworn she saw his eyes flash gold for a moment. She could hear him taking deep gulps of night air. She touched her lips tentatively and they felt bruised and swollen but in a good way. She grinned so this is what all the heroines in the romance novels felt like. Her entire body tingled and her knees felt wobbly.
After a moment Spike spoke, "Ok so, let's go talk to Anya. We'll fill her full of details of your errant trip to San Francisco and my brave and daring rescue. That'll be sure to have her going off the way she does, won't take long 'til Big Sis hears about it and returns probably with the Big Pouf in tow. Bloody hell it'll be a family reunion."
*
Dawn sat in the living with her hands clasped in her lap. Spike sat beside her smoking a cigarette, something he wasn't allowed to do in Buffy's house. Buffy was due home any minute. She had called from the road and let Dawn know she expected her to be at the house when she got home, no excuses no exceptions.
"She's going to kill me." Dawn said.
"No she won't. She might be a bitch but she's gonna be happy to see you. Probably thought you were dead." Spike said.
"Ok, so she won't kill me. She'll just toss me out on my ass." Dawn said.
"Would that be so bad? Seems we got along okay in the crypt before, down right homey if you ask me." Spike said snubbing the cigarette out and tossing it out the half open window.
"You'd let me come back to stay with you?"
"No, Niblet, I'm goin to toss you out on the bloody street. 'Course I'd let you come stay with me." Spike said. He didn't add that he rather wanted it that way anyhow. He and Dawn weren't sleeping together and somehow for the first time in 124 years it didn't really matter to him.
They both heard the car pull up. Dawn fell silent. As if by rebellion, Spike slouched further back in the couch, making himself thoroughly comfortable. He yawned when Buffy walked through the door. The Slayer was livid. He'd seen that look often enough, it was usually directed toward him.
"Dawn, you have a lot of explaining to do." Buffy said. She didn't even acknowledge Spike's presence.
Dawn opened her mouth to speak but no sound came out. She took a deep breath. "I ran away, to San Francisco."
"San Francisco? What the hell is in San Francisco and what in the hell did you have to run away from? Late homework?" Buffy stormed across the living room, a miniature living breathing force of nature.
"You were going to send me to Dad's." Dawn said simply.
"Dawnie, I didn't mean that and you know it. Running away isn't the answer." Buffy said.
"Yeah and you have so much room to talk." Dawn said crossing her arms over her chest.
"I had just sent my lover to Hell! I think that warrants more of an excuse then I had a fight with my sister." Buffy yelled exasperated.
"It always does. If I have a problem you've had a bigger one." Dawn looked at Buffy sullenly.
"You know, I'm not going to do this. I'm not going to turn this into a contest. You're grounded." Buffy said.
"No, I'm tired of being treated like I'm 14. I'm tired of you threatening me with Dad every time you can't handle it. You're still trying so hard to be Mom and control everything. Guess what you get to save the world you don't get to control it. That's not part of the slayer deal. I'm moving out." Dawn stood up and started for the stairs. Buffy grabbed her arm. Dawn shrugged loose.
Spike sat back and grinned. This was going to be a show.
Dawn looked at her face in the hand mirror Spike had brought her. It really wasn't bad, a little bit of makeup would hide the worst of it. Spike was right. She was going to have a scar on her eyebrow. He sat next to her on the bed. She tilted the mirror so that if he hadn't been a vampire she would have seen him reflected there beside her.
"Is it weird?" She asked.
"Not having a reflection?" He said.
She nodded. He shrugged. "Somewhat. You get used to it after a while."
"How do you shave?" She asked "or dye your hair?"
"I shave by touch and the hair dye is pretty much a no brainer. They give you enough of that stuff for long hair so I just make sure I use all of it and get it gooped on real good." He said.
"What color is your hair naturally?" She asked.
"Brown," He answered.
"I like it blond." She said with a smile.
He chuckled. "So do I."
Dawn nodded. They were both silent for a little while. Spike's hand stroked her hair. She closed her eyes enjoyed the touch of his fingers. She realized for the first time that it wasn't just a matter of staying here until she healed. She didn't want to leave.
As if he'd read her mind, he said, "Gonna be all healed up pretty soon. Guess you'll be going back to your house."
"Yeah. I'm sure you're anxious to have your crypt to yourself, and your bed back." Dawn answered.
"Couch is comfortable and I've enjoyed having you 'round, Niblet. So what do you want to do tonight? I'll go rent some movies but I'm puttin my foot down on chick flicks. We gotta have some decent explosions. And no pullin the sick person card on me. You don't exactly qualify anymore." Spike said.
Dawn grinned at him. "Can we order pizza and just stay in? Do they deliver pizza to a crypt?"
"There's a place off main that does, have 'em delivered all the time here. They make a mean blood and anchovy pizza." Spike said.
"Oh, uhm I was thinking cheese." Dawn said turning a bit pale.
"Cheese it is then. I'll go grab some more beer and give them a ring on the payphone. Be back in a jiffy." Spike said.
While he was gone Dawn made up the bed and showered and changed clothes. She wished she had makeup but it was one of the things Spike hadn't grabbed when he was at the house. She pinched her cheeks until they were red and bit her lips. It had worked for Scarlett O' Hara in Gone With The Wind. She left her hair hanging down her back. Spike liked to run his fingers through it. Dawn glanced in the hand mirror again. God she was being so obvious but how exactly do you let a 124 year old vampire know you like him? And shouldn't he be able to figure these things out for himself by now? I mean, even a guy would learn something after a century or so, right? She should have talked to Buffy about these things, not that Buffy would have done anything but yell from the moment Dawn mentioned Spike.
Dawn sighed dramatically and tossed her hair over her shoulder. She made a poor, sputtering fire in the fireplace. It would have to do. She grabbed some candles out of the cabinets and set them around the room. She found a book of matches from Willy's and was lighting the last one when she heard the crypt door squeal open. She ran and dived on the bed, leaning back trying to look natural.
Spike walked down the stairs cursing, "Bloody hell did the electric company finally figure out I was tappin into the main line?"
"Uhm, no, I just thought candles would be nice." Dawn said weakly.
Spike stopped and looked at Dawn, one eyebrow raised. He nodded briefly and put the pizza on the counter top of the kitchenette.
"One slice or two, Niblet?" Spike asked.
"Two I guess." Dawn answered.
Spike threw a couple of slices of pizza on a paper plate and nabbed one for himself. It was true he didn't have to eat, that didn't mean he didn't enjoy it from time to time. He sat down cross legged on the bed next to Dawn. He passed her pizza to her and along with a cold bottle of coke.
Dawn chattered aimlessly while eating her pizza. She was beginning to think she should have had Spike bring back a movie, some hopelessly romantic one like Sleepless In Seattle. She was nervous. This is Spike, she tried to tell herself, you've spent over a week with him, no reason to be nervous. No reason at all, except that she was beginning to suspect that there was a possibility he was beginning to see her as more then Buffy's little sister.
"Spike, tell me a story, about something you've done." She said. She liked hearing Spike's stories. He always told them in the most animated way. He drew you in and could actually put you in the story.
"Alright, did I ever tell you 'bout the time I met Billy Idol? Bloke stole his look from me you know." Spike said.
Dawn shook her head. That was all the provocation Spike needed. He launched into his story with glee. Dawn settled back against the pillows and watched him talk more then she actually listened to him. His blue eyes were expressive and when he was telling a story, especially about himself, they sparkled. As he talked he stretched out beside her, propped up on one elbow.
"So what were you like before you were turned?" Dawn asked.
"You don't want to hear those stories, Niblet." Spike said.
"No, I really do." Dawn persisted.
Spike grumbled and growled a little. "I was a nancy boy. I mooned after one girl my entire existence. I was a bleedin hopeless romantic. I made Buffy mooning after my Sire look like amateur night at the Improv. Dru turning me was the best thing that ever happened. I'm a much more interesting vampire then I ever was a man."
"It must be nice, to have all those memories." Dawn said.
Spike smiled at her. She felt her stomach do a slow flop. She looked away because his eyes on her were too intense.
"Memories aren't worth much less there's someone 'round to remember them. Sure I've got a whole passel of stories but the only one 'round who remembers them is the big pouf and he's not one to over share. The thing that makes memories real and solid, are the people around you that remember them." Spike said. He knew Dawn still turned the idea over in her mind that she wasn't real. It bothered her that most of her memories weren't real. He reached over and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. She reached up and touched his lips almost reverently. He cupped her face with his hand and leaned over. His lips brushed hers ever so softly. Spike could hear her heart trip hammering in her chest. Dawn held her breath. She didn't want him to pull away and she was afraid even one shuddering breath would shatter the moment.
Spike took a deep breath. He could smell her desire and he grinned inwardly, sometimes being a vampire had its benefits. He kissed her harder, lips probing, asking. She moaned softly, granting. His hand strayed down her neck, he paused feeling her pulse and then slide down to her waist. He reminded himself not to go further. He would bet that Dawn hadn't had very many boyfriends, or very much experience. Dawn threaded her fingers in the hair at the nape of his neck and tugged him closer to her. He went willingly, levering his body over hers. Suddenly Dawn pulled away panting. Spike pushed himself off her to the edge of the bed.
"Sorry, Niblet, I got carried away."
"No, it's-I wanted-I mean I wanted it. I just, wow, kissing you isn't like kissing any of the guys in school." Dawn said.
Spike chuckled. "Come here, Niblet."
Dawn scooted over next to him. He wrapped his arms around her and buried his nose in the crown of her hair. She smelled like she tasted, sweet with just a hint of spice.
*
Dawn worried her bottom lip between her teeth. Her bruises were gone, her ankle healed. There was no reason for her not to go back home, except that she wanted to stay here with Spike. He had found out a few days ago about Buffy's trip to LA. According to his sources, the Slayer was still gone. Dawn paced the room, maybe she could sneak into the house, and then what? Move the rest of her stuff into Spike's basement without an invitation. She couldn't do that so she walked to the magic shop. Anya's mouth would spread the word faster then anything else that she was "back". She walked with her head bowed, her hands in her pockets. She was so wrapped up in her own thoughts and her own world that she didn't hear Spike until he was next to her.
"Gonna leave without saying goodbye, Niblet?" Spike said.
"Nah, I haven't packed yet. I thought I'd go do it after I'd let Anya know I'm back from where ever I ran away to." Dawn said.
"San Francisco." Spike said.
Dawn looked up at him and arched an eyebrow. "I ran away to San Francisco?"
"Course you did, bloody interesting city. I went and found you of course." Spike said matter of factedly.
Dawn grinned. "Of course, where did I stay in San Francisco?"
"Place called the Brass Trolley downtown, clean enough place but not high priced. Decent part of town. I found you down by fisherman's wharf, near the sea lions." Spike said.
"Oooo, I like sea lions." Dawn said.
Spike nodded. "Brought you home right and proper soon as I found you."
"That was very chivalrous of you." Dawn said with a grin.
"Yup, bleedin knight in shining armor I am." Spike said.
Dawn sighed. "Plus, it looks good for you from Buffy's point of view."
Spike walked beside her quietly for a moment. "I don't give a flying fuck about looking good for Buffy anymore, Dawn. I thought you knew that by now."
Dawn shrugged. "Are you sure about that? I mean she's Buffy and I'm not. I might have been made from pieces of her, but I will never be her."
Spike grabbed her by the shoulders and turned her to face him "And if it was Buffy I wanted I wouldn't have spent the last three days kissing you." As if to punctuate his statement he leaned over and captured her lips with his. Every other kiss had been sweet and tender. This one was none of these things. It was hungry and possessive. When Spike finally pulled away from her, Dawn could have sworn she saw his eyes flash gold for a moment. She could hear him taking deep gulps of night air. She touched her lips tentatively and they felt bruised and swollen but in a good way. She grinned so this is what all the heroines in the romance novels felt like. Her entire body tingled and her knees felt wobbly.
After a moment Spike spoke, "Ok so, let's go talk to Anya. We'll fill her full of details of your errant trip to San Francisco and my brave and daring rescue. That'll be sure to have her going off the way she does, won't take long 'til Big Sis hears about it and returns probably with the Big Pouf in tow. Bloody hell it'll be a family reunion."
*
Dawn sat in the living with her hands clasped in her lap. Spike sat beside her smoking a cigarette, something he wasn't allowed to do in Buffy's house. Buffy was due home any minute. She had called from the road and let Dawn know she expected her to be at the house when she got home, no excuses no exceptions.
"She's going to kill me." Dawn said.
"No she won't. She might be a bitch but she's gonna be happy to see you. Probably thought you were dead." Spike said.
"Ok, so she won't kill me. She'll just toss me out on my ass." Dawn said.
"Would that be so bad? Seems we got along okay in the crypt before, down right homey if you ask me." Spike said snubbing the cigarette out and tossing it out the half open window.
"You'd let me come back to stay with you?"
"No, Niblet, I'm goin to toss you out on the bloody street. 'Course I'd let you come stay with me." Spike said. He didn't add that he rather wanted it that way anyhow. He and Dawn weren't sleeping together and somehow for the first time in 124 years it didn't really matter to him.
They both heard the car pull up. Dawn fell silent. As if by rebellion, Spike slouched further back in the couch, making himself thoroughly comfortable. He yawned when Buffy walked through the door. The Slayer was livid. He'd seen that look often enough, it was usually directed toward him.
"Dawn, you have a lot of explaining to do." Buffy said. She didn't even acknowledge Spike's presence.
Dawn opened her mouth to speak but no sound came out. She took a deep breath. "I ran away, to San Francisco."
"San Francisco? What the hell is in San Francisco and what in the hell did you have to run away from? Late homework?" Buffy stormed across the living room, a miniature living breathing force of nature.
"You were going to send me to Dad's." Dawn said simply.
"Dawnie, I didn't mean that and you know it. Running away isn't the answer." Buffy said.
"Yeah and you have so much room to talk." Dawn said crossing her arms over her chest.
"I had just sent my lover to Hell! I think that warrants more of an excuse then I had a fight with my sister." Buffy yelled exasperated.
"It always does. If I have a problem you've had a bigger one." Dawn looked at Buffy sullenly.
"You know, I'm not going to do this. I'm not going to turn this into a contest. You're grounded." Buffy said.
"No, I'm tired of being treated like I'm 14. I'm tired of you threatening me with Dad every time you can't handle it. You're still trying so hard to be Mom and control everything. Guess what you get to save the world you don't get to control it. That's not part of the slayer deal. I'm moving out." Dawn stood up and started for the stairs. Buffy grabbed her arm. Dawn shrugged loose.
Spike sat back and grinned. This was going to be a show.