I was running. Running so fast that a jolt shot from my feet to my heart with each pounding leap. Thinking back on it; I should have taken the jeep. But that wouldn't fit the image, would it? Running into the night, leather flowing behind you to save the world. Buffy did it, Spike did it, and Angel still does it. I became lost in running; not caring why I was running or where I was running to. There was only me and the asphalt below my boots. In a movie; I suspect I would have looked graceful and have glided all the way to the cemetery. But life isn't necessarily a movie; is it? And so, being me and the fact that I was wearing three inch boots, I "gracefully" tumbled to the ground; courtesy of the randomly placed curb that wasn't so randomly placed. I growled slightly, before shaking my head at the animalistic feeling that had overcome my body. Find young, protect young, and kill all in way. Buffy had told me long ago how hyenas had possessed Xander; way back when they were in school. I quickly shook off any idea of possession; this was simply instinct. Kyle was my son; biological, adopted, or fictional. He was my son, and I'd sooner burn in the fiery pit of the innermost ring of hell before I let anyone hurt him. Adrenaline was flowing threw me, and I almost flew right past Kris' crypt. As I threw open the door, I wondered when exactly had I stopped calling it Spike's crypt and started referring to it as Kris'. He was crouched down, next to the dark stain in the dirt floor. The stain of my blood. I looked at him; his aristocratic features that we so unlike those in the men of this century, smoldering eyes, pouty lips (though he might just kill me if he ever heard I called them "pouty"), defined cheekbones and eyebrows; not overpowering though. He reminded me a Greek god, a tainted Greek god who was lured to the dark side by some divine beauty. His slim fingers brushed lightly over the stain; barely making contact. Gentle, though that very stain had shattered the world he had worked to create for the past few months.
"He's not here, is he?" My voice was quiet, quieter then I meant it to be. In my mind, I felt as though I had stood watching him for hours. In reality, it had been but mere seconds.
"No," His voice was cold, determined. I could hear the pain; the way he thought it was all his fault.
"Well, we better find him then. Willow and Tara are on their way," I moved to Kris and knelt down next to him, forcing him to look at me. "It's not your fault, Kris. We're going to get him back,"
"How are you so sure?"
"I'm a Summers. If we want something; we take it," I grinned as a small smile tugged at his lips and stood up. I held out a hand, which he took graciously as I helped him up. "Damn boy, for an all liquid diet you sure are hefty." He simply glared at my "joke". We searched the crypt; just about turned it upside down and still came up empty handed. "Damn it! Can't you give us something to fucking work with!" I hollered at the ceiling. The Powers that Be were seriously pissing me off. Kris laid a reassuring hand on my shoulder as I sighed. "What are we going to do?" I asked, looking up at him. I had never noticed before how much taller he was then me. I did at that moment though, as he pulled me into a hug. My head was able to tuck snuggly under his chin. He hugged me tightly, as though he had been wanting to do so for a long time. I closed my eyes; and breathed in the scent of leather and tobacco and for a minute I pretended it was Spike I was hugging. I felt Kris tilt my head up; I felt his eyes rake over my face. He hesitantly placed a soft kiss on my lips, gently at first as though asking permission. I kissed back, enjoying the feel of someone's lips over mine again. Small caress like strokes, soft snowflake kisses. 'Spike….' I thought, before jerking back. My eyes shot open as I looked at Kris. His eyes were glazed over, and I tore myself from his arms. Raking a hand threw my hair; I tried to steady my shaking hands. I had been kissing Kris, and thinking of Spike. I groaned out loud; trying to ignore the bewildered looks from the vampire in front of me.
"Dawn…wha…"
"We need to go back to the house. Willow and Tara will be here soon," I walked out of the crypt, leaving the shocked vampire behind me to ponder what exactly had just happened.
A/n: Was that evil of me? Finally a little Dawn/Kris romance and she thinks about Spike? Give me some feedback people. I'm craving it!
-P.d.