Chapter 4: Interlude, of Nightmares and Cuddly Vampires

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As he hung up the phone, Spike's stomach grumbled at him.

"Yeah, yeah, I hear ya..." he muttered, heading into the kitchen for 'dinner.'

He was sitting at the table with his dinner of warmed blood, Wheatabix, and burba weed when he heard some shrieks from above him.

Spike bolted up the stairs to Buffy's bedroom, scared beyond belief at what he might find. He arrived before the sound of the first shrieks ended.

Dawn was across the room, looking dazed and bruised, but otherwise unhurt. Buffy, however, was tossing and turning and clawing wildly in her sleep. She'd accidentally hit Dawn, Spike guessed, and would soon be hurting herself if she wasn't already.

Seeing Spike, Dawn cried out with relief, "I don't know what's wrong with her! She just started screaming, and-"

"It's ok, Niblet, it's ok. Go to your room and keep out of the way for a bit, yeah?" As he spoke he kept his eyes on Buffy, creeping nearer the bed, trying to figure out the best way to help her.

Oh well, what the hell, I've always favored the direct approach.

As gently as he could, he crawled on top of Buffy, holding down her flailing body with his own.

"Buffy! Buffy, luv, wake up! it's not real, it's just a dream, I'm here, it's ok." As he kept repeating comforting phrases, Spike felt the Slayer slowly start to calm under him. When she was more tranquil, he climbed off and crouched beside her. He lovingly stroked her long hair, until her eyelids began to flutter open.

He wasn't surprised that she was startled when she first awoke, though Spike didn't expect the blow that sent him crashing across the room.

Stunned only for a moment, he was soon up and approaching Buffy. She was standing, looking at him worriedly, giving pitiful little mewls to express 'sorry' as best she could without words. She carefully touched his head and torso as if looking for any damage.

"I'm ok, luv, don't worry about it," Spike reassured her. Satisfied, she suddenly hugged him tightly.

Good thing I don't need to breathe, he thought, caressing her hair again. Both of them found the gesture calming.

After a time, Spike reluctantly pulled back from her a bit. "Think you can go back to sleep now, pet?" he asked gently, unsure as to how much she could understand. He gestured to the bed, and motioned for her to lie down.

She did so, but refused to let go of him, instead pulling the vampire down with her. Getting him to lay as she wanted, with an arm around her, she cuddled against him and fell asleep, with Spike not far behind.

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A/N: Once again, thank you again so very much for the reviews! They really do get me writing. Sorry this was short, more soon!