Chapter four

Moments later...

Buffy pulled back from the kiss. "Did you hear something?" She asked Riley worriedly.

"No," Riley responded, trying to pull Buffy back into the kiss. Buffy pushed him away. She looked around her room for any sign of anything. Everything was fine...except for the fact her door was wide open. She leapt off of her bed and ran out into the hallway.

"Oh, God," she said. The front door was wide open as well. It had been slammed so hard that it hadn't caught on the latch, and had opened right back up.

"What?" Riley asked, noticeably annoyed, as he came out into the foyer.

"She ran off." Buffy replied bluntly.

"Who?" Riley was obviously getting very angry at Buffy, and quickly too. She didn't care.

"Dawn...I was supposed to be watching her since Mom is out of town on business. Oh, God." She explained.

"Good! I don't like the little brat, and it's obvious that you don't either," Riley said. It was obvious to Buffy that he was attempting to be caring, but he was glowing. It was obvious that he was thrilled that Dawn had run off.

"NOT GOOD. RILEY, AS MUCH AS I RESENT DAWN, I STILL LOVE HER!!! I MAY COMPLAIN THAT SHE'S ALWAYS IN MY WAY, ALWAYS A PAIN, BUT I DON'T WANT HER GONE!!" Buffy screamed, "You have to help me find her." Buffy was near tears. She grabbed her jean jacket in a hurry. She shut her eyes tightly and held her breath. Dawn's small jacket fell off the hook.

"Why do I have to help find her? I don't like her, and I came to see you, not her. I'm going home. Goodnight, Buffy, I love you." He went toward Buffy and attempted to give her a kiss. She leaned out of his reach. Shrugging, he walked out the door. Buffy sighed. How was she going to find Dawn? Number one, she only had her learner's permit and two, even if she broke the law and drove anyway; she had no car to break the law with. Buffy picked up Dawn's jacket and walked out the door. She ran to the house next door and knocked on the door. Spike answered.

"Spike, you have to help me find Dawn." Buffy said, now panicked that she would never see her little sister again and that something horrible would happen to her. How much time had passed since Dawn left?

"What makes you say that?" Spike answered. Buffy turned. That was it. Spike had been her last hope. She was going to have to look alone for a nine year old girl who could be anywhere now. Dawn was a fast runner. Buffy's shoulders slumped and she let out a small sob. "Buffy, wait! I was just kidding! I'll help you find Dawn, promise. Let me just get my keys and license and we'll go," Spike said quickly. How could he leave her out there to find her nine year old sister in the dark in Sunnydale, of all places, when she had no idea where she was?

"Oh, thank God!" She said. He could hear the relief in her voice. When Spike returned with his keys and license, he found Buffy sitting on the trunk of his car. She hopped off and got into the car. Spike got in and looked at Buffy's worried face. He gave her a reassuring smile.

"Everything is going to be OK, Buffy. You don't have to worry. We will find Dawn. I promise," Spike said in a soothing voice. He started the car and drove. Buffy sighed as she listened to the rain patter against the window...