Author's Note: I was watching Buffy lately and I just felt like a change. I thought this was a way cute coupling and it makes sense even though we see Dawn as so young it is almost like Buffy and Angel in second season...hope you like it...please R&R!

"Dawnie, is everything okay with you?" Buffy asked as Dawn made herself toast for breakfast.

"Yeah, why wouldn't it be?" Dawn replied with a slight attitude.

"See that's exactly it Dawn! I am trying to be the good big sister and you have this annoying attitude lately. Plus you are never home anymore!" Buffy said angrily.

"Well I'm sorry okay! Can't I have my own life?" Dawn said angry herself now, "I mean Buffy I am 15 years old. When you were my age you went out by yourself all the time! And, whatever I don't need to explain my business to you!" She said grabbing her bag and toast and stomping angrily out the door.

"What was all that about?" Willow asked as she walked sleepily downstairs.

"Dawn. She's been so moody lately. I mean I'm the one who dies here, and she's being all selfish and stubborn to me!" Buffy said pouting slightly.

"Well it's all in the age Buff," Willow said pouring herself some coffee, "Besides I think there's a guy involved?"

"A guy?" Buffy said raising an eyebrow, "What makes you think that?" Buffy asked as she poured herself coffee and sat at the table across from Willow.

"Well she has that look about her yah know? Like she's in love or something, plus she's always humming, and then with the edginess and all." Willow said grinning.

"Geez that never even crossed my mind! I mean she's way too young to be in love isn't she?" Buffy asked.

"Buff, how can you even say that? I mean you and Angel were I love at practically the same age!" Willow said sternly, "I mean I know she's your sister and all Buff, but you have to treat her like she is growing up."

"Yeah I know, it's just tough though. I mean I want her to be safe Will!" Buffy said sighing.

"I know, but she is a big girl, and she can handle herself when it comes to things like love. She needs to live Buff." Willow said.

Dawn had listened to what her sister said, and she didn't know what her problem was. She felt all funny inside and excited all the time. It was all about him now. Over the summer, with Buffy being dead it was how she had coped. He had been there for her 100. And now with her sister being back she was still at his place all the time. She hated being away from him and she had no idea what her problem was. Was she in love? She couldn't be, right?

"Hey Dawn," a familiar voice called out, "you want a ride?"

"Oh hey Xander, sure thing!" Dawn said getting into the car.

"So what's up with you? Buffy said you have been acting funny lately." Xander asked hoping she would trust him enough to not get angry.

"Ugh, does she have to share my business with the whole world?" Dawn asked.

"Dawn, it's me Xander! Your buddy, your pal! I may be the whole world to some people, "he said with a grin, "but I am not just anybody here."

"Oh I know Xander, but I mean it's my business. I can't help it; I think I'm in love." She let slip.

"What?" Xander asked almost hitting the breaks.

"What? I am the same age as Buffy when she was in love with Angel!" Dawn said defensively.

"Yeah, but I mean who is the guy...or um girl?" Xander asked with a shocked expression on her face.

"Oh it's a guy. Just some guy." Dawn said nervously.

"Oh come on you can tell me," Xander said grinning as they pulled up to Dawn's school.

"Nope I am so not telling! Besides this is my stop. Thanks Xand, see yah later!" She called as she grinned and jumped out the car.

Later that day Dawn took her normal detour after school. Should I tell him how I feel? Dawn thought to herself. No, I mean he'll think I'm some little baby with a crush. Besides, Buffy would kill me if she found out! I'm so sick of keeping these feelings to myself though. I'm not even unsure now; I just know I love him. I can't help it. Oh man what am I gonna do???

Dawn was pulled from her thoughts by almost falling down the steps to Spike's crypt. She slowly walked down the steps and pushed the creaky door open.

"Hey Dawn," Spike said, "How was school?"

"It was, um, school," Dawn said grinning, but wondering why he hadn't called her Little Bit like he usually does, "I should have ditched and come here."

"Now you know I'd have taken you right back again." Spike said grinning.

"In the sunlight?" Dawn replied also grinning.

"Bugger, I should know not to argue with you I guess." Spike said smiling.

"So watcha doing?" Dawn asked looking around.

"Playing video games," Spike said grinning, "I hate the daytime."

"Eh video games can be fun," Dawn said laughing, "I'll whoop your butt."

"You're on! Tekken 3?" Spike said grinning.

"You betcha!" Dawn said laughing and picking up the controller.

After a few rounds of loosing, Spike just gave up and let Dawn play against the game while he made tea. He glanced over at her as she yelled at the game. He had to keep banishing thoughts from his head. But she'd just so pretty. No Spike get a bloody grip on yourself! He kept going over this again and again in his mind. While he kept thinking he and Dawn could never be together, he wanted it so much. He had loved Buffy, but knowing that Buffy would never see him as anything but a monster, he had gotten over her. Or rather his feelings for Dawn had helped him get over Buffy. Now he had no idea what to do. Not only did he have no clue if Dawn would ever care for him like that, but Buffy would out right kill him for it.

TBC...