OK FIRST JUST WANTED TO SAY THANKS FOR ALL THE REVIEWS. AS I HAVEN'T INCLUDED A DISCLAIMER IN A WHILE THOUGHT I'D MAKE IT CLEAR I OWN NONE OF THIS. I am far too young and far too stupid to come up with something this great. We honour you Joss.

Dawn awoke to the sound of birds chirping away. They sound close Dawn thought to her self refusing to move or even open her eyes. She'd just had the best dream ever though she had no recollection what it had been about. She sighed happily before her eyes knit together in confusion. Something didn't feel right, this bed was a lot harder than her own and she was leaning against something cold to her left. She rolled over towards it opening her eyes.

She grinned seeing Spike lying next to her sound asleep. Suddenly last night came back to her. She looked around the room familiarising herself with where she was before her gaze returned to Spike. He looked so quiet and sweet Dawn thought staring at the sleeping vampire. Dawn shifted slightly in her sleep trying to get comfortable not wanting to get up. She smiled down at Spike's arm leaning across her stomach before turning away from him. She closed her eyes shifting back into him wrapping his arm around her more. She smiled happily under his touch until she heard the birds again. She sighed wondering why they were so loud before blinking, opening her eyes.

Spike awoke to the sound of screaming. He jumped up suddenly a confused expression across his face. Turning to the scream he saw Dawn wrapped in the sheet screaming her head off.

'Dawn, what is it?' Spike said sleepily. Dawn turned to him surprised. She pointed behind her, her eyes wide and awake. Spike looked around behind her putting his hand around her waist as he did. He sighed resting his chin on Dawn's shoulder. 'Niblet it's a bird,' Spike said obviously still half asleep. She turned back to him embarrassed.

'I'm sorry,' Dawn said nervously. 'Don't be grumpy.' She grinned kissing him softly. He kissed her back pushing her down onto the bed. 'All better,' she added grinning. They kissed again until Dawn broke it off. 'I'm sorry,' she apologised. 'Could you?' Dawn added looking at the bird washing itself in the corner of the crypt. Spike sighed, rolled his eyes before slowly pulling himself off the bed. She stood up lazily walking towards the bed. Dawn grinned from her seat on the bed.

'Thank you,' she added grinning sweetly hugging her knees. Spike turned back to her frowning as he gently held the bird. Dawn grinned at him. 'Love you,' she said happily as he left.

'You better,' he added sulkily letting the bird go careful to avoid the sunlight. Spike returned to Dawn grumpily.

'You know vampires sleep during the day don't you?' Spike said tired. Dawn couldn't help but grin at him. Dawn looked down at her watch as Spike got back into the bed. She jumped out of bed quickly as Spike's head hit the pillow. Spike looked at her bemused.

'Why didn't you tell me how late it was?' Dawn said wobbling on one leg as she tried to put one of her trainers on.

'What time is it?' Spike asked unconcerned leaning on his side.

'Half seven,' Dawn said trying to straighten her hair. 'Why don't you have a mirror?'

'Vampire,' Spike stated calmly. 'What's the big deal Niblet? You're always late anyway.'

'I am not,' Dawn argued jokingly as she threw on her jacket.

'Sure whatever,' Spike replied rolling his eyes.

'I'll prove it,' Dawn argued her stubborn streak kicking in. 'I'll be on time tonight,' She added crawling onto the bed. She kissed him quickly on the lips. 'I will be here at 4,' Dawn smiled eagerly. 'Maybe I'll even be early.'

'I'll believe that when I see it.' Spike added kissing her again. Dawn hopped of the bed full of energy practically running through the crypt. Spike lost site of her as she reached the top of the crypt. He sighed rolling over on his bed before smiling feeling the heat coming from the bed from where Dawn had lay.

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

Spike woke at around 2. He fell into his armchair armed with a cup of blood ready for the latest episode of Passions. His eyes knitted together in confusion feeling something under his seat. He felt behind him picking up a piece of paper slightly crumpled under his weight.

He stared at it confused reading his name on one side. He opened it and as he read it his face lit up in a smile.

All it said in Dawn's messy handwriting was three words: I love you.

He put the paper down happily on the table smiling at it completely lost in his thoughts of Dawn.

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

Dawn checked her watch nervously. It was quarter to four and Dawn was sitting in the Magic Box waiting for Willow and Tara. She sighed again looking at the watch on the wall to compare it with her own. Dawn knew she was going to be late for Spike and she couldn't bear to see his smug face.

'Guys why are we still here?' Dawn said tired looking at the group for answers. Xander sat next to her with equally perplexed look at Buffy and Giles who were sitting across the table. Anya was at the counter trying to sell a customer some chicken feet.

Dawn had arrived at the Magic Box to inform Buffy she would be going to a friend's house (crypt) this evening. On her arrival Buffy and Giles had been in the back room and Anya was working. As Buffy knocked on the back room door she had heard Buffy shouting in a heated discussion with Giles. She had opened the door to silence with Buffy glaring at Giles.

Dawn had been told to wait in the Magic Box and she had obeyed obediently. When Xander joined her they became aware Giles had to tell them all something.

Eventually at five to four Willow and Tara arrived. They sat down immediately neither of them knowing what to expect either.

'I know this may seem a bit sudden,' Giles said standing up taking to the group. On hearing Giles address the group Anya came sat obediently with the group. 'But I feel now's the time...'

'Why don't you just tell them?' Buffy said cutting him off. 'Tell them you're leaving.' Everyone's mouth fell open as their gazes turned to Giles.

'What?' Xander almost screeched. 'You can't not after everything,' Xander said trailing off as he fixed his eyes on Buffy.

'Really this time,' Anya said sadly. Giles nodded smiling sadly. Dawn stared at Giles shocked by the revelation, she opened her mouth to respond but no sound came out.

'I can't be here,' Buffy said suddenly turning to the back room.

'Buffy please,' Giles responded outstretching his arm.

'Giles,' Dawn said quietly stopping him. She shook her head sadly as he walked over to her. She stood up hugging him before adding quietly. 'Are you sure you have to go?' Giles nodded to her as she sat down again. They were all silent for a moment before Anya spoke suddenly,

'When?'

'Tomorrow,' Giles replied.

'Tomorrow,' Willow repeated surprised at how short a time it was. 'That's like tomorrow.'

'I've been planning it a while,' Giles explained.

'But after everything,' Dawn said looking around at the group trying not to blame them. 'Couldn't you stay longer?' She pleaded. Giles sighed looking away,

'I've made up my mind.'

'Oh,' Dawn said quietly looking down as she fiddled with her watch, her date with Spike forgotten.

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

Spike smiled at his watch smugly. Four o'clock and she wasn't here, Spike smiled at how predictable Dawn was. He leant back into his chair taking a swig of beer.

Spike checked his watch again. It was now seven o'clock and Dawn obviously wasn't coming. He sighed standing up. He didn't want to spend another night sitting in front of the TV. Not being able to see Dawn has annoyed him and he headed out crossbow in hand for a fight.

Spike realised he had subconsciously chosen his patrol route towards Dawn's house. He sighed seeing the lights on in the living room trying to squash the temptation of lurking outside the house. Frowning he strolled towards the house unable to resist it's appeal.

He smiled staring into the window seeing Dawn sat on the couch with Xander, Buffy and Giles. Something about the way she sat showed Spike she wasn't happy. She was sitting on the edge of the sofa gripping her mug with both hands. He watched her talking with the group and his eyes followed her as she stood up and out of sight.

'Guys I've got homework,' Dawn said suddenly standing up.

'Oh ok,' Buffy said sadly. 'Call us if you need any help. Xander looked at her surprised. 'Or ask Willow when she gets home.'

'Ok,' Dawn said trying to smile before bolting up the stairs.

Spike snuck around the back of the house trying to catch another glimpse of Dawn. He smiled seeing her in her bedroom. He turned to leave heading back down the side of the house he caught sight of Giles, Xander and Buffy leaving the house towards Xander's car. He watched for a moment as Buffy said her goodbyes as the men both climbed into the car.

Suddenly without considering anything other than Dawn. He ran around to the back of the house and into the kitchen silently. He climbed the stairs quickly avoiding Buffy who was still talking. He paused at the top of the stairs as the mistake of this idea hit him. Knowing Buffy would return to the house any second he quietly knocked on Dawn's door.

'Come in,' Dawn shouted to the knocking. Spike gently opened the door to see Dawn sitting at her desk, her back turned to him. He crept into the room quietly closing the door behind him. 'Do you know when the Boxer rebellion was?' Dawn said not realising it was Spike.

'1901 luv,' Spike replied smiling. Dawn spun around in confusion. Seeing Spike her face lit up in a smile before standing and running towards him.

'Spike,' she squealed throwing her arms around his neck. 'What are you doing here?' She added confused. Spike stared down at her indicating she was the reason. 'Oh right,' Dawn replied sheepishly. 'But what about Buffy? She's downstairs with the others,' she added concerned.

'She was outside saying goodbye to her watcher,' Spike said stroking her hair. Dawn's smile fell from her face.

'Giles is leaving,' Dawn said sadly looking away from Spike.

'Yeah Niblet I saw him getting in Xander's car.' Spike said confused why Dawn was so upset.

'No,' she said shaking her head. 'He's leaving, leaving town leaving, leaving the country leaving.

'Oh, he replied knowing Dawn would be upset for Buffy. 'Even after everything with Buffy?' Dawn nodded silently.

'So....' she said throwing her arms around his neck to forget about Giles. 'Why did you come round?' She asked moving towards him until their faces were almost touching. Their lips met slowly, Spike more aware that Buffy was downstairs than Dawn. They kissed again both completely forgetting Buffy's existed.

'Dawn,' Buffy shouted walking up the stairs. The couple flew apart, as Buffy neared Dawn's shut door. She knocked quietly, 'Can I come in?' she asked waiting patiently.

'Hang on,' Dawn shouted too loudly afraid. 'I'm not dressed,' she added looking around her room for a hiding place. Spike tipped his head to the side grinning. Dawn glared at him gently hitting him on the arm as the opened the wardrobe door. Spike looked at the tiny space turning back to Dawn.

'You've got to be joking,' he whispered at her. She rolled her eyes at him holding the door open as he reluctantly clambered in.

'Dawn?' Buffy asked impatiently.

'Coming,' Dawn squealed back pushing on the wardrobe door. 'Just looking for pants.' She walked over to the door opening it to see Buffy standing there. 'Buffy,' Dawn said acting surprised.

Buffy walked into her room confused. 'Dawn there are clothes all over this room, how could you not find pants?'

'I panicked,' Dawn joked picking up a mound of clothes and tossing it into the corner.

'You can tidy it up when you've finished your homework,' Buffy added. She sighed spotting 3 mugs on her side table.

'Anything else,' Dawn argued resting a hand on her hip. 'I do enjoy these little talks we have where you hand out chores.'

'I wouldn't have to if you cleaned up this pig sty,'

'Hey, pigs are really clean anyway,' Dawn argued.

'For the last time Dawn we are not getting a piglet,' Buffy said moving back to the door. Dawn smiled at her sister pleadingly.

'Fine,' Dawn pouted crossing her arms. 'Could I get a tattoo instead?' Dawn suggested grinning.

'Anyway,' Buffy said ignoring her sister. 'I only came in to tell you I'm going patrolling, Willow and Tara will be back soon.'

'Have fun,' Dawn added before closing the door. 'Kill something for me.'

Dawn let out a deep breath hearing Buffy run down the stairs.

Dawn turned opening the wardrobe door. 'How you doing?' She asked before bursting out laughing. Spike scrambled out of the wardrobe a flowery pink t- shirt on his head.

'Don't think it's my colour,' he said discarding the top. 'So where were we?' He said wrapping his arms around Dawn's waist.

'We were about to get caught,' Dawn stated. 'Tara and Willow will be back any minute.' Spike ignored her comment pulling her closer.

'How long does it take for you to get rid of your sister?' Spike added grinning.

'I thought I'd make you suffer,' Dawn said pulling away from the kiss. 'You are such a jerk,' she joked messing up his hair.

'Jerk?' He questioned.

'A loser,' Dawn explained kissing him.

'Forgive me,' he added kissing her again.

'Always,' Dawn said smiling deepening the next kiss.

OK I'VE DECIDED TO RESPOND TO SOME OF MY REVIEWS BECAUSE YOU GUYS ROCK AND I'VE GOT SO MANY RECENTLY.

Firstly to someone smart (though I totally disagree with the name) to be honest I was upset by your review at first. What were you expecting it clearly says a Dawn/ Spike fic. If you were expecting Spuffy you are really not that smart. I accept you are entitled to you own opinion but if you want to review please also comment on my writing rather than just your hatred of Dawn. And if it is the worst thing you've ever read please be specific, is it my inability to portray the characters well, my common use of English grammar rather than American, my appalling spelling and grammar in general or what? Helpful criticism is always welcome in small doses.

To Lexinator you are reading too much into it. I'm not one of those people who can discover hidden meanings in poems and books, like 'of mice and men' and therefore can't write like that either. But if it makes me seem cleverer then yes it was a reference to OMWF. Lol

To naughty169420 there will be no getting it on in the near future. Firstly they don't get to spend much time together, if they had when she'd stayed the night I think it would have portrayed Spike in the wrong light by taking advantage of her when she was vulnerable. Dawn was upset and she needed comforting not naked Spike. (Not saying naked Spike isn't comforting but do you get what I mean?) and thirdly though I'm all for Spike and Dawn working out she's still only 16. But then in the future who knows...?

And stargurl727 who took the time out to email me about my story twice, u rock!

SO JUST KEEP REVIEWING!