Disclaimer: Not mine! The titles are from a "Staind" song called "Outside." Also not mine.

A/N: The only thing that does belong to me is my little made up character in here. Please don't use her without asking. Please R&R!

Bring me to my Knees

Buffy fought with the vampire, standing in front of the girl they had been attacking. Buffy had to give her props, she wasn't doing bad holding them off, but she looked like she hadn't eaten in weeks.

As Buffy dusted the last vamp, she turned around, expecting the girl to run like most of the victims, but she just sat there starring up at her. Buffy reached her hand down to help her up. Once she was standing, Buffy got a good look at her.

She was tall and skinny, much taller than her, but not as tall as Xander. She had very pale skin that almost glowed next to her all black clothing. She had a sort of punk grunge look, her hair had reminisce of dye at the ends. She had big pretty eyes, surrounded up thick eyeliner, but Buffy couldn't say they were a particular colour.

Buffy realized she was starring at the girl, "Ummm," Buffy started, "You should get home."

"Don't have one."

'Irish accent,' Buffy thought. "Oh," She said, "Why don't you come back with me?"

The girl shrugged and nodded, then fallowed Buffy to the Magic Box.

The bell on the door rang and the gang looked up.

"Hey Buf," Xander said, "Who's that?"

"Guys this is Kerri,"

Kerri put up her hand in greeting,

"She doesn't have a home, so I said she could live with us."

The gang nodded in agreement, and Buffy pulled Kerri over to sit with them.

She plopped down in a seat next to Willow, and looked at the book she was reading.

"Are you a wiccan?" she asked.

Willow looked up from her reading, "Yeah," She said, "I am."

Kerri smiled and pulled a sliver pentacle necklace from under her hoodie.

"Oh great!" Willow said happily, "It's nice to meet other wiccans."

Tara walked into the shop then, "Tara, honey this is Kerri, she's a wiccan too."

Tara and Kerri shook hands over Willow. "Nice to meet you," Tara said quietly, Kerri nodded in return. As the three girls sat in the corner and chatted about spells, the door opened again, and Spike walked through.

"Ello' all."

Buffy stood up, "Spike, leave." She said pointing to the door.

The attitude in the room suddenly got hostile, and Kerri looked up confused, "What's going on?" She asked.

"We don't like him much," Xander answered.

"Well, I might like 'im." Kerri said.

"You from Ireland love?" Spike piped up.

"No, Seattle," She said absently.

"I meant originally."

"Oh, yeah."

"Where's you're parents then?" He asked.

"In Ireland," She explained, "See, I moved outta' there to Seattle, and it as fine with them, cause I'm sixteen. I went down here tryin' to get an' actin' job. But my apartment exploded..."

"That's not unusual," Buffy sighed. "But anyways, Spike, get out."

"Fine, whatever." Spike said, trudging back out.

"I don't get it," Kerri said, "What'd 'e do?"

"See," Xander explained, "He's a vampire, he's evil."

"Didn't seem evil."

"He has an implant in his head so he can't hurt people."

"Oh..." Kerri said, thinking about it, her head perked up, "I'll be right back," She said. She wondered through the store to the training room, up to the back door. She pulled it open and saw Spike sitting on a crate, silent tears tracking down his cheeks.

He saw her there and roughly wiped at his face. "You should be inside sweetheart," He said, "It's not safe out here."

She walked out, and sat on a crate by him. "You're not very safe out here either, are you? Lots of things out to get you?"

"Yeah..." He said, not thinking, "I mean no, um, yea, but I'm not afraid of 'em of anythin'."

"You don't like their rejection, do you?" She asked quietly.

"No," He whispered, not sure why he was saying this, but not really having a reason to lie.

"Do you have friends?"

"No," He said again.

"Did you ever?"

"Once," He said voice cracking, "But he's gone."

"I'm sorry to hear that," She told him, "Don't worry Spike, I think I can make this world just a little better for you." She leaned in and gave him a hug, then ran inside.

Spike was shocked at the expression of affection, and walked home himself, hoping she was right.