A/n: I really should be writing the next chapter of my Melly story, which I have half way done but I don't know what direction I'm going to go in, so ya'll get an update!!

-P.d.

ENJOY!!!

"Damn it all to hell," I muttered, attempting to make myself a pot of coffee only to drop the bag of beans and scatter them all over the floor. "I give up," I couldn't find the key's to the jeep, so I resorted to walking to the coffee shop. Last night had seriously taken a toll on my ego and my body, the blooming bruise on the back of my neck curtsy of the vampire I let almost bite me proved that. The ten-block walk into town, normally a warm up compared to my otherwise extensive exercise, strained my body in ways my body hadn't strained since the first time I picked up a stake. "A large coffee, milk, and two sugars, please," The woman must have heard the desperation in my voice because she raced to the machine quicker then I had seen anyone move.

"Here you go.," She handed it to me and I paid, leaving the store and heading to work. Where the magic box once lived, the bookstore I worked at had been born. It was quaint and homey, a big attraction to the "Willows" of Sunnydale. Plus they had a whole section on the supernatural, which helped with the slay-age.

"Morning, Dawn," I nodded to my co-worker Judy, a tall redhead that drew more costumers to the store then the books did and proceeded to walk towards the register. I smiled at the boss, Katie, who was the epitome of sweet with her blonde bob and blue eyes.

"Thank god," Katie exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. "I never knew how nasty the people in Sunnydale were. I'm never working the register again," I smiled again and took my station preparing myself for a long day.

"Miss Pretty Lady," I looked down at the small boy about five years old. His hand found mine.

"Hi, Sweetie, what do you want me to help you with," I knelt next to him, looking him in the eye. He had a ruffled innocent look about him with sandy brown hair and large doe eyes. He was probably the cutest creature I had ever seen.

"I need a book," I bit my lip, reminding myself that this was a child and he would mistake sarcasm as mean.

"I book about," He paused here and motioned for me to come closer. I leaned in and he whispered the rest into my ear. "Magic,"

"Well we have a lot of fantasy books and wizard-like books," I took his hand and walked him to the fiction isle.

"Miss Pretty Lady," I looked down at him. "Not fake magic books. Real magic,"

"Real magic?" I tried very hard to push back the knowing feeling that this little boy, this innocent little boy, had anything to do with the world of demons and slayers.

"You're bright. Special key," My stomach jumped. Key.

"Baby, where's your mommy," I noticed how his brown eyes clouded with pain.

"Mommy gone," Was his simple reply.

"Well who brought you to the book store,"

"I brought me,"

"Who do you live with, honey,"

"My kitty, in the place where the swings live," I suddenly became very scared. Either this child had an amazing imagination or I had a huge problem on my hands.

"Sweetie, why don't we go get you some juice," He took my hand again and I led him to the counter, lifting his surprisingly light figure so that he was sitting on it. We kept juice boxes in the mini-fridge near the register. "Apple juice, ok?"

"Yes, please," He nodded his head and slurped away on the small straw. I walked to Katie, who was standing just a few feet away.

"Has anyone reported a lost child?"

"Not today, why?" I pointed to the little boy. "What's his name?"

"I don't know…I didn't ask," I walked back to him and watched him throw out his empty juice box. "Honey, what's your name,"

"Kyle,"

"Well, hello Kyle. My name's Dawn,"

"Miss Pretty Bright Lady,"

"Dawn,"

"Miss Pretty Bright Dawn Lady,"

"That's a little better," I smiled down at Kyle, wishing him a normal life.

But in my heart I knew this child had already been dragged into my hell.

(Six hours later)

"Kyle, are you sure that your parents aren't here?" I questioned for about the hundredth time that day.

"Nope," I sighed, looking at the empty store. I was in so much trouble.

"Ok, buddy, I guess you're going to come home with me tonight,"

"Yay," He lifted his arms up and I scooped in into my arms. I had to go on patrol and for the life of me I didn't know what I was going to do with the child. I just followed my feet and gasped when I realized where I had ended up.

"Hello, love, who's the little one?" I turned to face Kris, brushing a strand of brown hair from my cheek.

"I was just wondering the same thing," He cocked a black eyebrow at me and smirked. I put Kyle back down and he walked over to the nearby tree. "Be careful, don't you get out of my site," Once the little boy was far enough away, I pulled a long needed cigarette from my pack. Lighting it, I inhaled deeply.

"So why'd you bring the kid to me?"

"I need someone to watch him,"

"You want me to play babysitter?"

"Yes,"

"How long will you be gone?" He asked, eyeing the small boy.

"About two hours. Umm, Kyle?" The little boy ran to me. I scooped him up. " Can you be a good boy and stay with Mr. Kris for a little while?"

"Yes, Miss Pretty Bright Dawn Lady," I smiled and carried the boy into the crypt.

"I guess he can sleep on one of the coffins…" I raised my eyebrows at Kris and walked over to one of the statues. I pushed it to the side and pulled open the trap door below. Downstairs was a full apartment, the apartment Spike lived in. As I entered I breathed in the scent clearly Spike and sighed. Looking down at my skirt, I frowned.

"Can't slay in a mini, huh?" Kris joked, and I glared at him. Walking towards the closet I pulled it open and grinned. In the very beginning, right when everyone had left, I wasn't able to stay in the house alone. I had bunked at Spike's for more then six months and had left various clothes I was too lazy to pack in his closet. I grabbed a pair of jeans and a tank top and went to the bathroom to change. Pulling my hair up, I walked towards Kyle and sat next to him.

"Be good for Mr. Kris," I whispered, unclasping my cross from my neck and putting it around Kyle's. It was the cross Angel had given Buffy when they first met.

"He'll be good," Kris said.

"Hurt him and I will chop every piece of your body off before I stake you," He gulped.

"Nice visual,"

"I'll be back," And with that I stalked out of the crypt, my leather duster floating behind me. I suspect I looked like Spike did when he was in one of his moods. The thought made me smile.

A/n: We like? Dawn, Kyle, and Kris' characters will develop a lot more. And there will be a plot, I just haven't decided what it will be yet. :-D reviews make Bertha very happy. (Bertha= my muse)

-P.d.