SO, I HAVE UPDATED CHAPTERS 1-8 TO MAKE THEM BETTER. THERE ISN'T ANY CHANGES IN THE PLOT OF THE STORY; JUST MINOR CHANGES SO NO NEED TO REREAD THEM UNLESS YOU WANT TO. SORRY IT'S BEEN SO LONG BUT ALL MY ART COURSEWORK HAS TO BE IN ON FRIDAY AND I HAVE BEEN WORKING MY ASS OFF TO CATCH UP. AFTER FRIDAY I SHOULD BE ABLE TO UPDATE MORE REGULARLY.

Thought I would talk about the time scale. Buffy is going to be dead longer than in the show. I'm, not sure how long exactly but this is at least 3 months since she died. I didn't think I had made it clear so anyone who was wondering, voila.

Dawn hummed happily to herself as she came down the Summer's stairs with a big smile across her face. As she came into the kitchen she saw Tara and fell into a chair happily.

'Hey sweetie,' Tara said. 'Are you feeling ok?' Tara waited for a reaction from Dawn as she continued to sing to herself, in a world of her own.

'Sorry, what?' Dawn said realising Tara was looking at her.

'Nothing,' Tara smiled shaking her head. The smile on Dawn's face showed how happy she was. 'So what brought on this good mood?' Tara asked leaning against the table opposite Dawn. Tara and Willow had noticed how much happier Dawn had been over the last month or so. They all thought it was because she was learning to accept Buffy was gone but none of them had any idea it was because of Spike. But today Dawn was more excited than ever.

'No reason,' Dawn said trying to tone down her excitement. 'I'm just normal,'

'If you're sure,' Tara said still wondering about her then became distracted by Willow entering through the kitchen and placing her arms around her waist.

'I was wandering where you were,' Willow said kissing Tara. 'So have you finished your homework Dawnie?'

'Yep, history done, just some bio test to study for next week,' Dawn said jumping up from her chair and knocking over a carton of juice onto the table. 'Whoops,' Dawn giggled quickly grabbing a cloth.

'Why's she in such a good mood?' Willow asked smiling. Dawn's mood was obviously wearing off on both of them. Tara shrugged her shoulders and put some bread into the toaster.

'Guys, can't I just be in a good mood?' Dawn asked trying to act all innocent. Willow looked at her.

'Not in this good a mood, there is a reason behind it.' Willow responded. 'Are you excited about the bio quiz?' Tara turned to Willow and Dawn gave her a confused look. 'What?' Willow asked bewildered.

'Not so much a bio person,' Dawn said as she finished cleaning up the juice. Dawn could still feel them looking at her waiting for her to explain her mood.

'Guys there is really nothing to tell,' She looked up at them and sighed overdramatically seeing as they still didn't believe her.

'Ok,' she almost shouted finally giving in and smiling. Willow and Tara turned to each other and smiled as Willow took her hand.

Dawn suddenly became embarrassed and looked down into her lap fiddling with her hands.

'Well, I don't want you to freak out, but I've kind of met someone... a guy.' Tara gave Willow a knowing look.

'And I have a date...tonight.' Dawn squealed really loudly.

'I thought you might have met a guy,' Tara said. 'You've had this look in your eye, Willow didn't believe me.' Willow looked at Tara frowning.

'So who is he? He's from school right? Is he your age? What's he look like? Is he nice? How long have you been seeing him? Have you been sneaking out to see him?' Willow bombarded Dawn with questions, the last one slightly disapproving in an over the top way.

Dawn laughed at Willow. 'Guys chill out.' She paused until Willow had caught her breath and Dawn had time to make up and answer. She couldn't have kept how she felt for Spike any longer and knew she had to tell someone. She knew however she couldn't be completely honest with Willow and Tara. She had to tell someone how she felt but she could leave out who it was, and how old he was and the fact he was a vampire who used to be her sisters mortal enemy. She could make up a little bit right? And then she wouldn't have to lie when she said she went out to meet Spike.

' He's really nice,' Dawn started. ' He has lovely eyes, and he cares about me and he's so sweet,' Dawn began to gush. She paused to take breath and got caught up daydreaming about Spike.

Tara squeezed Willow's hand as they smiled at each other pleased for Dawn.

'He sounds nice,' Willow said smiling. 'So what's his name?'

'Oh,' Dawn said. 'Didn't I tell you?' She paused quickly trying to think of a name. She hated having to lie directly to them. '...Will,' Dawn replied discreetly looking at them for a reaction.

They grinned at her, happy that she was. Willow quickly looked down at her watch.

'Sorry Dawn, but Tara and I have got to get going; we are meeting Xander and Anya about ...um tonight. '

'Oh ok,' Dawn said a little deflated. She was animated for a girly chat. 'I was hoping for a sleepover chat,' Dawn said to Willow and Tara's perplexed looks. 'You know,' Dawn said trying to explain her self. 'Eat cookie dough, talk about boys...or girls,' Dawn giggled.

'Maybe a rain check,' Willow apologised. 'Anyway,' Willow said brightening up, 'You have a date, you don't have time to sit around and eat.'

Dawn smiled sadly. Of course she was thrilled about seeing Spike but a cosy night in with them would have been fun too. She quietly sighed to herself wishing for the millionth time since Buffy's death that she was still alive.

Dawn went back upstairs more quietly this time to get ready. Her good mood deflated a little she quickly dressed to meet Spike. She no longer panicked about what outfit to wear with Spike or how she should do her hair. She turned on some music trying to cheer her self up but with no affect. She sat down on her bed and gently swung her legs while thinking. She looked over at her clock. Spike would wait a while until Tara and Willow had left before arriving. She sighed falling back onto her bed. She knew she would be seeing Spike soon, which cheered her up but she was still thinking about Buffy and how much she missed her. She twiddled her thumbs looking up at the ceiling thinking.

She heard Tara shout up to her and walked to the top of the stairs. 'Ok Dawn we're going out. We should be back in a couple of hours.'

'Ok,' Dawn said as they closed the door behind them. She went back to her room but almost immediately heard a knock on the door. Dawn turned her head to the noise and a smile lit up on her face and went to the stairs quickly.

Dawn opened the door smiling. 'Hey,' Dawn said stepping back and shutting the door behind him. 'Were you lurking outside until they had gone?'

'I'm a vampire, I lurk all the time.' Spike replied as he walked into the lounge and sat on the couch as Dawn walked through towards the kitchen.

'Anyway,' Spike said catching Dawn's attention causing her to turn around. 'When do I get a kiss?' Dawn smiled at him and immediately walked back towards the couch. She moved to sit down next to Spike but he grabbed her by her waist and pulled her onto his lap. Dawn smiled at him wrapping her arms around his neck. She kissed him keenly smiling.

***************

As Dawn stood up later Spike took her hand and stood up as well. He walked over to the sound system as Dawn followed still holding his hand. He turned it on and immediately a song burst out through the speaker startling them both. As Spike turned it down Dawn hugged him tightly.

'I love this song,' Dawn said smiling up at him. Spike smiled back at her as he carefully took her hand and moved his hand around her waist.

'But you hate to dance?' Dawn questioned.

'It's not so bad when there's no one else around.' He said smiling down at her knowing it would make her happy. Dawn smiled as she rested her shoulder on him.

As the song neared the end,

'Ouch,' Dawn giggled as Spike accidentally stood on her toe. He stepped back in acute pain, holding his head.

'Are you ok?' Dawn said touching his arms.

'I'm fine,' Spike replied unfeelingly shrugging her off. Dawn moved away a little taken aback.

'If you're sure,' she said quietly moving over to the couch and sitting down uncomfortably.

'Look Dawn, I didn't mean anything,' he said apologetically walking towards her.

'No, it's fine,' Dawn said lowering her head. Spike stepped backwards frustrated running his fingers through his hair.

As the next song began Dawn quickly stood up and turned off the music.

'I thought you liked that one,' Spike stated as his eyes followed Dawn.

'No,' Dawn said coldly. Spike looked at her confused as she returned to her seat on the couch. 'I never liked it.'

'I'm sure I've heard you listening to it, although it may have been a while ago.' Spike replied still unsure what was wrong with Dawn. She shifted away from him as Spike sat down next to her. He tried to put his arm around her but as he did she stood up quickly.

'Buffy liked the song,' Dawn said in a low voice. Spike looked at her. 'It was one of her favourite song.' Dawn told at him. Spike looked at her confused at why she was so upset. 'Spike you just don't get this,' she replied. 'Can't you tell the difference between the two of us? I'm Dawn, Buffy...Buffy is dead.' Dawn sank to the floor against a wall.

Spike rolled his eyes. 'Niblet, what's the problem just because I made a mistake about something Buffy did and not you. Dawn you're the one I'm here with.'

'Yeah well Buffy isn't here she's buried in the ground and no one seems to care anymore.' Spike was able to make out through sobs. Dawn burst into tears tipping her head forward covering her face with her hair so he couldn't see her. Spike stood there not knowing what to do.

He walked over to Dawn and squatted down next to her. Dawn heard him come over but didn't move.

'Dawn,' Spike said softly pulling her hair off her face. As Spike looked at her Dawn didn't move just continued to look down. Abruptly Dawn stood up backing away from Spike. 'I think you should go,' Dawn said coldly crossing her arms.

'Dawn,' Spike said again touching her arm, Dawn jerked away from him almost as if she was scared.

'Spike please,' Dawn begged delicately opening the door and leaning against it. 'I just need to be alone.'

Spike stepped outside the door turning back to Dawn. He was about to say something but Dawn didn't wait to see Spike's expression. She slammed the door, disturbing Spike. He didn't know what he could do or what he could say and if Dawn didn't want him there he knew he wouldn't be any help. He waited for a moment unsure if he should knock. He dug his hands into his pockets, sighed, turned down the path and went home.

Dawn shut the door and slowly walked into the living room shaking. Without warning she slowly crumpled down against the wall to the floor crying.

OK SO MY CHAPTER'S ARE GETTING LONGER BUT HOPEFULLY BETTER ASWELL, R&R, I LOVE GETTING FEEDBACK.

ALSO I REALLY NEED REVIEWS WITH IDEAS FOR WHERE TO TAKE THIS STORY BECAUSE IT WAS GOING TO END UP BS BUT NOW I DON'T WANT IT TO AND NO ONE ELSE DOES SO I NEED NEW IDEAS. EITHER INCLUDE IDEAS TO A REVIEW OR EMAIL ME FROM MY PROFILE.