Chapter 5
"Shit, Spike! We're late!" Dawn quickly jumped out of the small bed. She began looking for scattered clothes on the damp floor.
Spike protested the absence of her warm body with a growl, but didn't make any effort to get up.
Dawn found a pair of Spike's black jeans and a black t-shirt that were almost dry, and decided they'd do. When she'd gotten into the jeans she saw that Spike still hadn't moved from the bed.
"Get up!" She shouted, shaking him lightly.
With a growl he opened his eyes and slowly got up of the bed.
Five minutes later they were both ready and started off in the direction of the Scoobies new office.
"Um, Spike? This is a dead end." Dawn complained. "You told me you knew this neighbourhood."
"Well I did. A lot has changed, the alley's probably been closed off. We'll just have to go 'round." To Dawn's sigh Spike just smirked.
Suddenly he stopped.
"Wait." He seemed to be sniffing the air.
They stood silent for a couple of minutes.
"Look, Spike, we're already late, I'm sure it's nothing.." Dawn had barely finished the scentence when something large and quick launched at Spike.
He swiftly recovered from the shock and landed a punch to it's midsection. The demon seemed to be startled but lauched at him again, trying to hit his head.
Spike jumped to the side, but the creature's long claws still managed to scratch him in the arm.
Dawn jumped at it from behind.
"You bastard! Don't you dare hurt my fiancée!" She moved her slender but lethal fingers around it's neck, squeezing as hard as she could.
Her nails sank into it's skin and it furiously tried to shake her off it's back. The demon succeeded and was just about to twist her neck when something slashed it's head clean off its body.
"Dawn! Are you okay?" Spike kneeled beside her on the street where she was lying, caughing violently.
"I think so. What about caugh you?"
"I'll be okay, it's just a scratch."
"Good thing you carry that caugh thing with you."
"I would've taken it down easily without it too."
Dawn smiled at him while he helped her up.
"Faith's gonna be pissed off when we finally get there."
Faith was trying to keep them all from leaving, coming up with different excuses to get them to stay. But it was already late and she was running out of excuses. If they weren't gonna show up soon she'd have to let them all go home or patrolling.
Suddenly there was a knock on the door.
Faith inwardly did a small victory dance and quickly got up to open it. Willow was nearer the door, though, and she got to it first.
"Willow!" Dawn threw her arms around Willow's neck. Willow froze at first but when she recognized who it was she hugged her back.
"Dawn?" Buffy made her way up to her little sister, hugging her long and tight.
Dawn was bombarded with questions and hugs from the others too.
"We all missed you so much!"
"Where've you been all this time?"
"Oh my good you look so different!"
Buffy noticed Spike at the door.
"Spike! You aren't dust!" She awkwardly hugged him.
"And I'm happy to see you too, Slayer." He smiled at the slayer and breathed in her unique scent.
Willow also came up to him.
"Spike! Hi! You've dyed you hair!"
"Um, yeah." He self consciously brought his hand up to his black hair before recieving the witch's hug.
A couple of minutes later they were all seated in the comfy brown sofas around the coffee table.
They sat there until the early morning hours telling the others about where they'd been and what they'd been up to, leaving out everything about their relationship at Dawn's wish to tell them the big news later, privately.
"I'm sorry guys, but it's nearly dawn. I think we have to go." Dawn excused them.
"But where are you sleeping? A hotel will get pretty expensive if you're planning on staying. Why don't you come and live with me. There's plenty of space since..." Buffy left the scentence hanging in the air.
"Since what?" Dawn asked.
"Well, I was kinda going out with this guy, Jake, his father was really rich and he had a big apartment. Jake asked me to move in with him as a roommate, not as his girlfriend, but then things got out of hand when I didn't want to have a serious relationship with him and, well, he got pretty obsessive. Of course, I had to break up with him then. He didn't take it very well. One morning he was just gone. He'd taken all his stuff with him, only leaving a note that said he'd leave the apartment to me. I guess he still thinks that I'll come back to him."
"Oh. Sorry about him, he must've been a real jerk to..." Dawn shut up at the various glances she got from the group.
"Anyway, we're fine for now. An old mate of mine arranged a place for us to stay."
"Okay. But don't hesitate to call me if you need anything."
"We won't, I promise. I'll see you tomorrow then. I mean today. Around eight?" Dawn hugged her sister again. "Good night."
"Well, she's certainly gotten a few influences from mr not-so-bleached- anymore." Xander laughed when Dawn's black jeans-clad backside made it out the door.
