A/N- Wow, don't I feel like a moron. 4 months since I updated... I hope someone's still reading. I've been going through alot, emotional in the past few months, and havn't had the energy I needed to put into a chapter of this, or at least the kind of chapter y'all really deserve. But I've already got the plot written for the next chapter (which is dedicated to my friend Stacler :P) and I WILL update ASAP.

When The Dust Settled :Chapter Four : Teary Pillows and Muddy Boots
"Night Buffy." Dawn whispered, shutting off her light and pulling her comforter tightly up around her neck. Closing her eyes, Dawn's thoughts drifted to Her. The strength of her hug, her smile, and the wavy blonde hair she envied so much. Tears quickly rose behind her eyes and fell silently, streaming down her cheeks and onto her dampened bed. For what seemed like ever now, this was how she drifted to sleep nightly, weeping in the dark until all of her energy was gone. Poured from her soul onto a pillow.

When she was almost asleep, Dawn heard a loud rapping at her window. Rolling over, she saw a black sillhoutte outside it,and the only thing clearly visible were moon lit platnium locks. Quickly turning on her lamp, she saw a rather drunk Spike grinning at her, one hand still tapping against the window pain and the other holding a black and white labeled bottle filled with a foul brown drink.

"Can I come in, Niblet?" He mumbled loudly, still knocking.

Realizing Tara and Willow were both asleep, Dawn quickly shushed him and ran over to unlock and open the window. She pointed at the near empty bottle of Jack Daniels. The last thing she needed in her room, next to a drunk vamp with a broken heart, was booze. Spike shrugged and dropped the thick glass bottle. Dawn listened with a cringe as it hit the small ledge outside of her window loudly before rolling to the front yard. Next she pointed at his mud-caked combat boots, inwardly praying that he didn't throw those off the roof as well. To her suprise, he set them carefully along the ledge, before clambering through the window. When he was finally inside of Dawn's bedroom, and suprisingly, not caught by Will or Tara, he looked at Dawn, almost like he couldn't remember why he was there. She raised a questioning eyebrow at him.

"S'Buffy here?" He slurred hopefully, watching Dawn for a reaction.

'So that's why he drinks,' Dawn thought silently.' to forget about that night at the tower.' She was amazed about the fact that it was months ago, and a little bit of alcohol was enough to wash away the memories. Or maybe more than a little. She felt tears well up in her eyes again, and she fought to keep them unshed. She spoke tentativly.

"No Spike. She's-" Dawn struggled to finish that sentence tearlessly, but he cut her off anyway.

"Oh. Right. Sorry, 'Bit."

"It's okay." She paused and tried to remember what Willow had done that night for Xander when he had a few to many at the Bronze."I'll be right back." Trying to smile, Dawn turned and went towards the bathroom, filling up a cup with water and grabbing a few asprins from the medicine cabnet.

When she made her way to her room, Dawn stopped at the door way. Spike was laying on her bed, eyes facing the heavens. He seemed to be talking to the ceiling, until she began listen closer.

"-every night. And never in the same way. And Anya and The Boy, got shacked up, 'M not sure if they're ever setting a date, though. Bloody stupid, weddings are. But Niblet, she's the strong one. Poor bird's been to hell and back twice, and she's holding it together better than the whole lot of them. Think she'll only cry around me. Not like I'm any good ruddy company. And I still remember what I said, luv. 'Till the end of the world, even if that happens to be tonight'. It's over for me, but not for her. I hate this sodding town, but I..love Dawn. Not the way I love you, don't worry. But she's the one damn thing I've got left. So I'm not going anywhere.Plus I crashed my bike." He mumbled something else Dawn couldn't make out, and gave the ceiling a sloppy salut.

Dawn cleared her throat and Spike sat up. She handed him the water and pills, which he took, thanking her, and layed back down. Sitting on the floor next to the bed with a tiny thud, she twisted her legs into and indian style position and looking up at Spike.

"Is that really all it takes Spike?" She asked earnestly, watching him for a reaction.

"Come again, Bit?" He asked, scrunching his forehead in semi-drunken thought.

"Beer. Or rum, or whatever. Is that all it takes to forget? Knock back a couple and you're in Sans Glory Land? Or.. in your case, more than a couple?" She sighed, not really wanting an honest answer, just needing to spill her thoughts. The brunette slouched sidways. resting her head on the edge of her mattress.

"Something like that, Niblet..."

Spike's rested his hand on top of the dozy teen's head, playing with a few strands of hair, and pacifying them both.

"something like that."

A/N- Started off as just a funny chappie , but got a wee bit emotional. Please review!