Author's Note: Sorry about the breaks between updating…it's heading up to finals week and I have a new job, so I've been uberbusy, but fear not I promise I will be able to update more often ASAP when college is done! R&R!

"Hey Spike, what are you up to?" Dawn said after entering Spike's crypt.

"Dawn?!? What are you doing here?" Spike asked jumping up from his couch in surprise, "I thought you we're going to be at your friend's party?"

"Yeah, but I lied. I know, I know Buffy would be so pissed right, but she did the same thing at my age to see Angel, so I am here." Dawn explained defending the situation.

"Well, I can't argue with you there, but Dawn if we get caught?" Spike trailed off.

"Well then we won't have to hide anymore will we. I am not a kid Spike and I wanted to be with you." Dawn said smiling and walking towards him.

"Mmm, yeah I know what you mean." Spike said smiling and pulling her into his body and kissing her passionately.

The kiss continued to get more passionate and Dawn let her hand trail up Spike's black t-shirt and slide up his bare chest. Spike's hands ran through Dawn's long hair as they slowly backed towards the bed. Still in the kiss, Spike turned Dawn around and slowly they leaned back onto the bed.

"Are you sure you are ready for this Dawn?" Spike asked suddenly feeling like he didn't want to be pushing it. His relationship with Dawn was different than any of his previous ones. He wanted to cherish her, and be careful with her. He loved her.

"Yes. I love you Spike." Dawn said smiling and pressing her lips against his.

Now kissing again they sank into the pillows on Spike's bed and gave into the love and passion that was taking over them.

Spike's eyes slowly opened as he woke up the following morning. He could feel the warmth of Dawn's slender body next to his. Last night had been a brand new experience for Spike. He had never felt anything like it before. It was passionate and soft. He could feel the love running through him and Dawn and it felt more real than anything in his life had ever felt. He carefully turned his head to look down at the sleeping girl and smiled as he kissed her forehead. Dawn stirred and then opened her eyes. She smiled softly up at Spike and let her lips reach his.

"Mmmmm I never want to leave here." Dawn said, "Can we just stay here forever?"

"I wish we could." Spike agreed grinning at her.

"But meh, Buffy will be worried if I am not back soon, it's already getting late." Dawn said looking at her watch.

"Yeah, you'd probably better head home then." Spike said.

"Yeah, I have to." Dawn said still not actually moving.

Dawn grinned at Spike and kissed him again.

"Okay I really have to go now." Dawn said a few minutes later and then she kissed him again, but this time she pulled the blanket around her and stood up.

Spike lay back with his hands behind his bed as Dawn quickly put her clean clothes on. She smiled back at Spike and lay against his body to kiss him good bye.

"I really do love you Dawn," Spike said, "last night was different for me, it was real, and I love you."

"I love you too Spike." Dawn said smiling and getting teary eyed at the same time, "bye Spike."

Once Dawn got home she entered the kitchen and called Buffy's name. With no reply she got out stuff to make a sandwich and began to make one for herself.

"Hey Dawnie," Tara said entering the kitchen from the hallway.

"Oh hey Tara, where is everyone?" Dawn replied.

"Willow is shopping and Buffy is training with Mr. Giles." Tara said sitting down, "But Dawn can we talk for a second? It's kind of important."

"Sure, what's up?" Dawn asked sitting down across from Tara at the table.

"Well, well I um, I saw something the other day, and I thought you should know that I saw it." Tara said.

"Um, you saw what Tara?" Dawn asked wrinkling her forehead in confusion.

"I, well I saw you and, and Spike." Tara blurted out and looked at Dawn with a worried face.

"You did?" Dawn said dropping her sandwich onto her plate and looking quickly up at Tara.

"Yes. I saw you two kissing when I came up to get you for dinner. I mean, I wasn't spying or anything, but I just, I saw. I haven't told anyone, because it's not my place to, but Dawnie what is going on with you two? Is he doing it, or?" Tara trailed off.

"No, no nothing like that," Dawn said, "I want to tell people, but Buffy, Willow and Xander will flip their lids, and kill Spike or something. It's real Tara. I promise you it's real. We are in love; really in love."

"Oh," Tara said, "I mean I believe you Dawn, I just think you need to be careful; we know what Spike's past is like yah know?" Tara said.

"I know. But this is different Tara. He is so different with me; careful and considerate. He loves me Tara, I know he does, it's just very real. And I know you must think I am too young, but I'm not. I'm sure. And I am the same age Buffy was when she was with Angel." Dawn added.

"I understand Dawnie. I just think maybe Buffy, Willow and the others should know. I know that it'll be hard, but if they find out the way I did it could be far worse honey. They need to know, even if they don't take it well." Tara said.

"I know," Dawn agreed, "I will tell them; I have to. I just need to figure out how to do it, and how to react when they react badly."

"Well good Dawnie, it's nice to see how maturely you are taking it all. And I believe that you are in love with Spike. I believe it's real; it could just result in bad things yah know? With the others not knowing and all. So just be careful Dawnie, and I am here if you ever need me okay hun."

"I know Tara, thank you." Dawn said smiling and slowly going back to her sandwich.

"So how are you and Willow then?" Dawn asked…

TBC…