A/N: Hello people! How ya doing? Well here is chapter seven. It isn't Spuffy packed, but it serves its purpose. Things will start moving faster in a little bit. I can promise that if you aren't mad at Spike's dad now you'll definitely be super mad at him in chapter 9. Oh, before I forget I don't own any of the characters, but I do own the story. I'm just borrowing them. I would really like to borrow Spike, but I'll settle for writing about him. ;) The characters were created by the most awesomest guy in the world (some even say god) Joss. Quick thanks to my reviewers and my beta Anyanka0705. Read on.

Chapter 7:

Spike woke up the next morning and forgot where he was. The place didn't seem familiar and he was sleeping on a couch. He got up and walked around. Only when he saw the pictures of Buffy hanging on the wall did he remember the events that took place last night. They had kissed. It was a great kiss; the best Spike had ever been a part of. He remembered how she pretended that it didn't happen and how she ran off to her room instantly after giving Spike some blankets. The more Spike thought about it, the more he realized that he was probably in an emotional state last night and it got the best of him.

He went back to the couch and neatly folded the blankets. He wasn't sure if he should wake Buffy up. They did have an appointment today to go over the witnesses. He had been prepping Willow and Dawn on what to say. He had asked Buffy to get together some more witnesses and she was supposed to have the list today. He would be able to start with Willow, but he would need more then one witness. Spike decided that he would wait for Buffy to wake up. He just hoped it would be soon.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Buffy had woken up from the sound of footsteps on the hard wood floors. She was scared for awhile until she realized that it must be Dawn or. Spike. He had spent the night there and she was sure that he was still here because she had checked on him. Okay so that was a little desperate, but she knew that he wasn't in any shape to be going out and driving.

Not with what he had on his mind. Not just the Angel thing, but the fact that they had kissed. If he felt half as overwhelmed as she had he wouldn't be able to walk. Buffy hadn't realized how she would react to kissing him. He was such a good kisser, but how was she supposed to know that.

Buffy got out of her bed and went to grab her robe. He was probably waiting for her to wake up. They had an appointment to go over some of the witnesses for the case. Buffy had racked her brain to think about some witnesses. She thought that there was Oz who had kicked Riley's ass one time when he came home too drunk. There was Amy who was a wife of one of Riley's friends.

She had been on Buffy's side from the beginning and would be willing to help her. There was also Harmony, a co-worker who had seen some of Riley's violent behavior. One day she had went to work with a black eye. She hadn't been able to fool to many people by saying she fell. Harmony knew she was lying and when Riley came to pick Buffy up Harmony yelled at him. It was then that Riley hit her. Harmony had pressed charges, but it was only a misdemeanor. There had to be more people than that. Buffy was still thinking about more people when she heard giggling coming from the living room.

Buffy put on her robe and walked apprehensively to the living room. There she saw Spike and Dawn talking and laughing. Dawn had just told a good joke and Spike was telling her that it was a good one. Buffy stood in the hallway and listened to their conversation.

"So, Dawn, you know that I won't use you in the courtroom if I don't have to right?"

"Yes, I know. I think that if I have to I will, but it will be hard."

"Well of course it will be. Anyone who talks in front of a judge has a hard time at first. It's even more painful if you have to talk against your dad."

"I want him to still love me even if I do say that he hurt mommy."

"I'm sure he will. He will be proud that you told the truth. He will realize that he is lying and that that is bad."

"Yeah I hope so."

"You know what I think I'll make us some breakfast. Do you have any pancake mix?"

"No, my mom is an okay cook, but not very good. Auntie Willow said that her and cooking are unmixy things."

"Well, then do you have an eggs and flour?" Spike said as he tried to keep him from laughing. "

I'm not sure. Why don't you come and check."

"That sounds like a plan." Spike and Dawn got up to go to the kitchen and Buffy came into the living room.

Buffy picked up the blankets and put them into the linen closet. Then she made her way to the kitchen. She could hear more laughter and she saw Spike and Dawn cracking eggs into a bowl.

"Hey what are you guys doing?" Buffy asked and then yawned.

"Spike said that he is going to make pancakes."

"Don't you need mix to make pancakes?"

"No I'm British. We make our pancakes without an already made mix. Although it takes longer."

"I guess we'll just have to wait then. Are you planning on making any side dishes with those pancakes?"

"Some eggs and maybe some fried ham."

"What about bacon?" Dawn asked.

"Bacon on a British breakfast? Highly unlikely. I was going to ask you if you had any bread?"

"Bread is in the bread box on top of the fridge."

"Great do you have any green peppers?"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Spike spent almost an hour in the kitchen making breakfast. Dawn had stayed to help, but Buffy went to her room and started to get ready for the day. When she came out, Spike had breakfast made and on plates. Dawn was dressed and was already eating.

"Wow, it looks good."

"That is because it is good." Dawn said with a mouth full of pancake.

"Well, I'll be the judge of that." Buffy sat down and grabbed a fork. She took a piece of the pancake and put it in her mouth. It was so good! She made an mmm sound and started eating more.

"See I told you it was good mom."

"It is really good. Where did you learn how to cook like that?"

"Something I picked up when I was little. My grandfather was a cook. He tried to teach Anya, but she never did that whole woman in the kitchen routine. Angel thought he was too manly to learn how to cook. That left me. He practically forced me to learn. I'm actually happy he did. Some times it comes in handy."

"Well tell him that he did a good job. This is really yummy."

"Well I can't really tell him. He died a while back." They all eat the rest of their food in silence.

When all three were finished they made their way to Spike's office. Buffy's mind was filled with thoughts of Spike. He could cook, he was good with kids, and he was good looking. What a perfect package that wasn't for her. Stop Buffy. Tormenting yourself like this will only make you more upset.

Just think about the case. Buffy was lagging behind while Dawn and Spike were up ahead talking about something, but she couldn't hear what. They looked so happy together. It was weird how Dawn just accepted people right away. Or maybe it was that he was a really good guy and Dawn could see that. He talked to her like she was a person and not a little kid even though she was only six. They all reached Spike's office and Spike told Dawn to go to the daycare center. Dawn really liked it there so she obeyed. Spike and Buffy stepped into Spike's office.

Spike wasn't sure about what she was thinking about. She had that look on her face that said she was thinking about something. He wasn't sure what. Probably thinking about more names to add to the witness list.

"So, have you thought of anymore names?"

"Three. I'm sure that there are more, it's just that I want to be sure these are people who will give really proof."

"Can I hear the names you have so far?"

"Sure. There is Daniel Oz. I'm not really sure how to say his last name because everyone just calls him Oz. Pretty lame I know, but that is what everyone calls him. There's Amy Melloando. She is married to one of Riley's friends, but I know she will help. Her and her husband witnessed a fight between Riley and I he hit me. Then there is Harmony Kendall. She is a co- worker and she saw me come in with bruise and black eyes. One time Riley even hit her when she tried to stand up for me."

Spike listened to Buffy's witnesses. They all seemed very valid, but she needed one witness that would put things over the top.

"Do you have a witness who saw Riley beat you for the first time?" he knew that the answer to that question was most likely no, but they needed a witness to put this case over the top.

"Not the first time. He only slapped me the first time. I think there was someone the second time he hit me. It seems like a long time ago. I think Dawn was about three." Buffy racked her brain to remember who it was. Then it hit her. It was one of her best friends Andrew. He had seen Riley hit her and lost it. He urged Buffy to leave him, but Buffy acted stubbornly. Andrew had moved to LA shortly after telling her to leave Riley.

"There is one person. He lives in LA. I haven't spoken to him in three years. He saw Riley hit me and told me to leave him, but I didn't listen."

"Do you think you could contact him?"

"If I tried I'm sure I could. He's a doctor now. We were friends when we here in high school and we went to pre-med school together."

"Okay well Buffy we have to get the rest of your witnesses here and it would be good to do that today."

"I'll call them and see if they can come." Buffy went over to Spike's phone.

Spike had been thinking that Buffy would say her mom, but she never mentioned anything about her mom. Spike figured either her mom denied it or she never saw it happen. He hoped that the witnesses they had would keep Dawn off the witness stand. He hoped that this guy could be the deal breaker, but he knew that Dawn was the deal breaker. He watched as Buffy called the witnesses.

He also knew that he would have to put her on the witness stand too. He hadn't wanted too, but she was second in line to Dawn for being the deal breaker. If Andrew didn't do it, Buffy would have to, and if Buffy didn't do it Dawn would have to. Buffy spent a good fifteen minutes on the phone. When she finished Spike looked up from his papers and waited for her to talk.

"They will be here in a little while."

Buffy had called Willow and Oz first. She knew they would be the ones to say yes right away. Then she called Amy. Amy was very happy to oblige, but she had to drop her kids of at a baby-sitter. Then she called Harmony. Harmony was a little resistant, but she soon gave in.

"So, what do we do till then?"

"I go over with you something that is bugging me."

"Buffy was afraid what that might be, but she asked nonetheless, "What might that be."

"Well I know you said that your mom was on Riley's side, but did she ever see Riley beat you?"

"No I don't think so. She always said that I was lying and that Riley was a good man. I don't think she would be on his side if she knew."

"Good. I have to ask you if you are ready for what this trial will be like."

"Of course. I'm ready for anything."

"It's just that, I know Dru. She will do anything to win. That means she will try and tear your witnesses to shreds and eat them as a snack. If that happens then we will have to use the big guns."

"What are those?"

"You and Dawn."

"Will it come to that?"

"Maybe. If this Andrew guy doesn't show up or do well then we will have to use you."

"Why me?"

"Dramatic effect. If you don't convince the judge then we'll have to use Dawn. I don't want to, but she is our fall back witness. Our secret weapon. If we have to use her we will."

"I understand."

"I hope you do. This will be very draining, but we'll have to do it."

"Okay."

Willow and Oz arrived in front of the law firm ten minutes after Buffy called. They were both willing to do anything for their friend so they entered the building. They found Spike's office and went in.

"Hey Buff."

"Hey Willow, Oz. This is Will. He's the lawyer." Buffy said this to Oz because she knew Willow already knew who Spike was.

"Hey man." Oz said. Spike looked at the man. He was only and inch or two taller than both girls. He had red hair like Willow and he seemed to be the quiet type.

"Hello. I think that we should get started right away. Now, Willow, I have already been going over things with you. I need to know that you are going to be able to handle the tactics of the other lawyer, so here it goes. How long have you known Ms. Summers?" Willow thought it was an odd question to ask, but answered it anyway.

"Um well I guess since we were three or four."

"So she is like a sister to you."

"Yes."

"Have you ever lied for her?"

"Yes."

"Would you mind telling the court what you lied about?"

"Well little stuff like when she broke her mom's favorite vase. I said it was me."

"So how do I know your not lying for her right now?"

"Because this is a bigger deal then the vase."

"But you said it yourself you have lied for her."

"Yes for little things."

"But it means that you've lied for her, so how can I trust that you aren't lying now?"

Willow wanted to get angry, but she knew that this was a game. A game she was losing and couldn't afford to lose.

"See, it will be difficult. I don't even know if that is how Dru will do it. She might be more vicious. Be prepared for anything. Don't lose your temper."

"Oz," Spike addressed the man who was sitting quietly. Spike got up and grabbed his notebook and then sat down again.

"Can you tell me the kind of abuse you witnessed?"

"Sure, one time Riley came home drunk and I was over at Buffy's helping her put together Dawn's swing set. Anyway he came home and started yelling at her. Then he hit her. That was when I stepped in and stopped him."

"How did you do that?"

"I threw him in his den and locked the door. I told Buffy to come over to Willow and my house. She did and she brought Dawn."

"Any other time?"

"There was one time when we were having a barbeque and Buffy was making everything because Riley had left. He was supposed to help, but he went out with his friends instead. Again he came home drunk and started yelling at Buffy. He tried to slap her, but Willow and I got her out of there before he could."

Spike looked at his notebook. He wondered if maybe Riley had a drinking problem. "

Does Riley drink a lot?

" "Yes very much so. I think the guy turned into and alcoholic. He always had a bit of a temper. The first time I met him he yelled at me for doing something that he thought I wasn't supposed to," Oz said.

"Okay then I think that we have enough here. Now I'm going to do the same thing that I did to Willow so be prepared." Oz shook his head.

"Why were you alone at Buffy's house that night?"

"I was helping her with Dawn's swing set. Riley said he would set it up, but never got around to it."

"Why wasn't Willow there?"

"She was working."

"Have you ever had an affair, Mr. Osbourne?"

"No."

"So you've never thought of Ms. Summers that way."

"No."

"And you've never done anything to come on to Ms. Summers?"

"No."

"Tell me what it was that Mr. Finn got mad at you for doing."

"I was buying Buffy and Willow a drink."

"Why couldn't Ms. Summers buy her own drink?"

"Because I offered to pay. It was the gentlemen thing to do."

"So you bought both Willow and Buffy drinks?"

"Yes."

"Well Mr. Osbourne tell me something. Have you ever dated Ms. Summers?" Oz seemed to go pale. He had never dated Buffy, but they had gone on one date.

"I went on a date with her. Just once."

"So, why are we supposed to believe that you two weren't having an affair?"

"Because I love my wife."

"Right. You dated your wife's best friend and you say you love her."

"Buffy set us up. She and I didn't click and she thought Willow and I would be better together."

"Or that was just a cover."

Oz held his head. It was all very frustrating and he knew that he couldn't lose his temper. It was just a game.

"I think that that is enough. I just hope that you see what the other lawyer might do. There are a million ways this can go. Just be prepared." Two women were standing at the door. One was a blonde and the other a brunette.

"Hi I'm Amy." The brunette said.

"I'm Harmony." Said the blonde.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Spike had been talking to all five of the people in the room for a good two hours. He had prepped them a few times and collected statements from each person. He knew the evidence against Riley was good, but the problem was that these were all testimony from some other people. He would need more. Just a little more. Nothing too big. He glanced over at Buffy a few times to see that distressed look on her face. She was tired. Too tired to even be thinking about this right now.

"I think that we should call it a day. Everyone seems to know what to do and say. Tomorrow we start and I think we will start with Willow. She is the one who witnessed most of the abuse and I think she is one of the strongest. Her statements are very accurate according to the hospital bills." Everyone understood and then they started to shuffle out of the office. Buffy stayed behind.

"Do you think that all of this enough to win?" Her voice sounded very small.

"Yeah of course. I'm going to need you to get in touch with that Andrew guy. I need to turn in the witness list tomorrow."

"Are you going to put me and Dawn on it?"

"You yes, Dawn I have to think about."

"Okay, I think I'll catch a ride with Willow."

"I think that that would be good because I have to go over all this material. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Okay now let me switch into my friend outfit." Buffy did a twirl and then stopped facing Spike again.

"Call me when you find out the news about your brother. If it's bad then don't drive okay. Call me and I'll come and drive you home."

"Okay." Buffy satisfied with what she heard, left.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Spike had been waiting for the call all day. Angel was supposed to call him with the new. It was about five-thirty p.m. and still no call. Spike was beginning to wonder if Angel forgot or not. Just then the phone rang.

"Will Flannery's office?"

"Will it's me Angel." "Hey Angel so what's the news."

"The doctor said that the results came back." He was stalling Spike knew it. He could sense that Angel didn't want to tell him.

"And?"

"And it turns out that I have kidney failure. It was caused by the neglect of my insulin shots. I guess I should have been more. attentive."

"Angel are you at home?"

"Yeah."

"Then stay there I'm coming over."