"So, are you going to tell me anything about this secret thing you have going on?" Spike asked, looking down at Buffy who laid in his arms.

The two were lying on a blanket on the grass beneath the sun. The ranch was far enough away to have disappeared to them, although it was still in sight, and the woods were far enough away so they wouldn't get lost... Again.

"Um... No," Buffy said. "I told you once, and I'm gonna tell you again, it's a surprise for you."

'A surprise that I hope you'll like,' she thought.

"And I've told you once, and I'll tell you again, I hate surprises."

Buffy giggled. "That's what makes this so fun."

"Oh, you think that's funny do you?" he asked, lifting his arms from his hold on her, and tickling her sides. She tried to stand up, but he pulled her back down, and her laughing was so constant, she was finding it hard to even breath. "You gonna tell me what you're little mind is planning?"

"N... Never!" she yelled, laughing. "Tickle me till I... I..."

"What? I can't understand you pet," he teased. "You say something?"

She let out a loud screech, and managed to get to her knees, jumping on him, reversing the tickling. Soon Spike was the one at her mercy, she had the power now.

"Who's the wo-man?" she said. "Buffy's the wo-man."

"Aren't you two quite the picture?" Elaine said, walking over to the two. "Kodak moment."

Buffy looked up, her hands stopping at the voice. Spike saw this as his chance, and sat up, her in his arms. She giggled, and kissed him lightly before turning to Elaine who stood uncomfortably.

"Sorry..." Buffy said.

"Oh don't be. Happens all the time," she said. "Well, not really... But, don't worry about it. Have you seen someone named Lindsay McDonald?"

"Um... Why does that sound so familiar?" Buffy said. "Think Buffy think... Oh, oh, oh! Yeah, Lindsay. He left with Faith. Wanted to get out of here so bad. Why?"

"His parents are pretty pissed off," Elaine said. "I guess he's a mama's boy."

"How old is he?" Buffy asked. "Not that I'm interested. Just... My cousin is out alone with him, I have the right to know."

"He's starting college after this summer. Going into Law," Elaine said. "Don't worry Buff, he sounds cool."

Buffy nodded. "Yeah, I'm sure Faith isn't worrying even if he's bad."

Elaine laughed. "Well, I'm gonna go... If you see Faith, or Lindsay, tell them to get their butts to Larry's office."

"Can do," Buffy said, and turned back to Spike once she was gone. "That was quite the battle."

"Care to start again?" Spike asked, raising his eyebrow.

"Um... You can, yeah... Alone," she said, standing. "After the ride with Kamira, I'm up for no more tickling. I think my body is going to fall apart."

Spike smiled and stood up, hugging her. "Go to bed, rest. I'll wake you up if anything important happens."

Buffy nodded. "Mmm k. I love you."

"I love you too pet," he said, and kissed her before lightly hitting her butt, signaling for her to leave. She smiled at him and jogged over to the house.

Buffy closed the door behind her and headed for the stairs, when she heard someone yelling in the living room. Quietly, she crept over towards the room, keeping hidden by the wall, she peered in.

"I was only kissing him!"

Dawn? Buffy thought, surprised that her sister was there. In front of Dawn was her uncle, his arms wide open, yelling so loud Buffy thought she would need ear plugs.

"You can't kiss the guests Dawn!" he yelled. "I knew your mother was a whore, but I didn't know it ran in the family!"

Buffy was about to run in and attack her uncle, when Dawn raised her hand up and slapped him across the face. She stared at him, a look of disgust and hatred on her face. And even as he back-handed her, the look never left.

"Don't touch my sister!" Buffy yelled, running in.

Larry turned to look at her, then back to Dawn. "Don't you raise your voice to me again, you hear?"

"Oh what? Because she's under your roof she should just take the beatings like they're nothing?" Buffy yelled, walking closer to him. "Well guess what? No, she won't take it. Maybe she's too scared to do more than just give you a light slap, but you don't scare me Larry, and I will stand up for me and my sister."

"Buffy..." Dawn said softly. "Don't make him angry..."

"A little late don't you think Dawnie?" Buffy asked. "He hit you, and you tell me not to make him angry? Hello, look at the bruise starting to form on your face, he did that, him."

"I can make another on yours," he said angrily, looking down on her.

"Oh yeah? Try, I dare you," Buffy said, opening her arms. "Hit me Uncle."

"What in good heavens is all that screaming?"

The three looked over toward the doorway and saw Larry's wife, the girls' aunt, standing there, staring at them, waiting for an explanation.

"We were just arguing," Larry said. "It's over and done with though, right girls?"

Buffy just glared, and took Dawn's hand before disappearing up the stairs. She closed their bedroom door behind them, and walked over to her sister who sat on her bed.

"Oh Dawnie," Buffy sat, touching her cheek.

"I'm fine," she said, pulling away. "It doesn't hurt that bad..."

"Still, he had no right to do that."

"Maybe not. But it's not like you could take him Buffy, you're only, well..."

"Only what Dawnie? A girl?" Buffy asked, standing up. "I'm more than just a girl. I'm not a super hero or anything, but I have strength. And I'm sick of people treating me like I'm weak. Dawn, I know how to fight. You of all people should know that. I could've taken him down... And I will if he ever touches you, or anyone here ever again."

"You're not sounding like yourself," Dawn said. "Are you sure you didn't get hit and it didn't jumble up your brain?"

Buffy threw her arms in the air before falling onto her bed. "I'm just saying... I've faced worse than Larry."

"Maybe, but just... Promise me you won't go all pyscho (?) sister on me?"

Buffy laughed. "I promise Dawnie. Now, if you don't mind, I think I need some shut eye."

Dawn nodded and stood up. "I need some Connor," she said before leaving.

And my day was going so well...