CHAPTER THREE
Dawn decided it was a good time for a tea break and set aside her Wilde novel and headed down stairs. She had been hearing Connor and Angel shouting at each other for the better part of a half hour and hadn't wanted to intrude on whatever the problem was. She found there wasn't a problem. They were playing Mortal Kombat on Connor's Xbox and all the shouting was entirely game related.
"How long have they been playing?" she asked Spike who was sprawled on the couch, one leg cocked up on the back and the other half dangling off the edge as if designed to make her eyes go right to his crotch. She refused to look.
"Too long. I don't know why Peaches bothers. His hand-to-eye coordination sucks," Spike said lazily.
"It does not," Angel snapped.
"Then why is the kid wiping you out? He could play with his toes and still beat you," Spike said, and Dawn tried not to laugh as she headed into the kitchen to put on the kettle.
"Shut up, Spike," Angel growled, glancing over his shoulder.
"You really are bad at this, Dad," Connor said, flexing his tired fingers. "Hey Dawn, want to play?"
"I'm no good at those things. Just ask Xander when he gets here for Christmas," she called from the kitchen.
"You can't be worse than Dad."
"Hey, no starting new games. Passions will be on soon and I'm not missing it so you can play kid games," Spike grumbled.
"So, the world has to come to a halt so you watch your soap opera?" Angel eyed Spike as if he were a new form of life the vampire had never seen before.
"Yes," Spike replied in a tone that brooked no argument.
Dawn came back into the living room. "Passions isn't on for another hour, Spike. Where is everyone else?"
"Faith and Willow had the sense to run away," Connor replied. "Not sure where Gabe went. I hope we didn't disturb your studying."
Dawn shook her head, flopping on the bean bag chair. "Just reading that Wilde novel."
Connor bobbed his head. "Venus in Furs is pretty easy. I'm almost done. I could probably get to the Anais Nin stuff, too."
"Nin?" Angel raised an eyebrow.
"What? Knew her, too?" Connor asked, sardonically.
"No, he just got plenty of blisters on his hands while reading her stuff," Spike said, and Dawn tossed a stuffed reindeer at him. He caught it easily.
Dawn scowled at him. "Spike, don't be rude."
"Sorry, I'm a bad rude man." His smile spread slow and sensual across his face. There was no real apology in his voice.
"He used to tell Dru that all the time. She usually tortured him afterwards. Feel free to do the same," Angel said, setting aside his controller.
"Pass." Dawn eyed both vampires sourly. "You know fighting is a form of loving, right?"
"Then these two must be in true love," Connor said, and Angel swatted him in the back of the head.
"I believe it." With a glance, Dawn dared Angel to swat her, too. "Do you have any other games besides Mortal Kombat?"
"BloodRayne2," Connor replied, rubbing his head.
"Do you not see how strange and wrong it is for you to be playing a female dhampire?" Angel wagged his head, getting up and stretching from sitting too long in front of a TV.
"It's a cool game," Connor protested.
"Dhampire?" Dawn asked.
"The unnatural offspring of a vampire," Spike said. "Supposed to be with a mortal but since it's impossible there really isn't any such creature, unless you count little blue eyes over there."
"I'm not a dhampire," Connor said, his blue eyes stormy. "Well...maybe. I guess we have to call me something. Anyhow, I like BloodRayne. She's hot."
"She's a computer image." Angel's brow wrinkled.
"I know but do you have any idea how many hours me and my frat brothers spent arguing who's hotter, Rayne or Lara Croft?" Connor asked as if that made it better.
"You're spending how much to educate him?" Spike let his leg slide off the back of the couch. "Waste of bloody money. Besides, everyone knows Lara's hotter."
"Spike, you've spent way too much time with Andrew and Xander," Dawn said.
"I can't believe I'm having a conversation this inane," Angel moaned as the tea kettle whistled.
"Anyone for tea?" Dawn asked, glad for the escape.
"Have any Earl Grey?" Connor asked. "Or anything that's not herbal? That stuff smells like drinking perfume. I can't handle it."
"We have Earl Grey." Dawn smiled.
"Need help?" he offered.
"Nope." Dawn went and poured the tea. Connor was holding up another game when she came back into the living room.
"How about Silent Hill 4?" he asked.
"What's that?"
"A horror role playing game," Angel said incredulously. "And it's actually pretty damn scary. I still don't understand why you want to play games like that, Connor, when you live it every day."
"It's fun scary," Connor replied.
"I don't know how to play," Dawn said, lighting the big holiday bayberry candles to add some ambience to a room shut up a little too long already from the cold.
"I'll teach you, Dawn," Spike said sitting up. "Since I'm never going to get to watch Passions at this rate."
"You know this game?" Dawn asked, surprised.
"I've been watching Broody the Second play and I used to beat Andrew's score on number 2 all the time," Spike smiled at her.
"Do you mind, Connor?" Dawn asked.
He shrugged. "Nah. Play. I'll get the tea then get back to Venus in Furs. Faith's promised to help with my homework."
"No, she's not," Angel said sharply and Connor's face twisted in a familiar sneer.
"Angel, Faith can help. I mean, she might not have finished school but she's no dummy," Dawn said.
"It's not that, Dawn. Venus in Furs is um...specialized reading," Angel said, looking embarrassed.
"It's about a dominatrix and her boy toy. I can imagine the homework." The tip of Spike's tongue peeked out between his lips.
Dawn shoved him. "Are men all the same?"
"No, not all of us want to be dominated. That's a special subset," Spike said, leering at Connor.
"You better hush and teach me this game before you're nothing but ashes on the crèche," Dawn said, reading the look in Angel and Connor's eyes.
Spike snorted and tried to show her how to play the game. Dawn found out that Angel hadn't lied. The video game was psychologically unnerving and in spite of herself, she'd jump and Spike would put his arms around her. She tried not to abuse that. Angel eventually fell asleep on the couch and Connor stretched out in front of the tree on the soft wooly rug reading his book. Eventually Faith came home and offered her assistance with his homework. Angel went after them after Spike purposely woke him up and spilled the beans.
"That was mean," Dawn said, setting her controller down.
"It gives Angel something to do and makes him happy." Spike smiled. "I'm helping out."
"I'll spell that out on a plaque with your ashes." Dawn grinned, rubbing her sore wrist as Angel herded Connor back into the living room. Spike snorted at her. "This game is going to give me carpal tunnel."
"That's what the kid says. I always figured he was covering for damage done with his Playboy's," Spike said and Dawn squeaked as Connor leapt over her onto Spike.
Angel pulled Dawn to safety as the men wrestled, until Faith waded in, slapping them both simple.
"If you two destroy my tree, you're so going to regret it," the Slayer warned.
"He bit me," Connor said, rubbing his neck.
"You tried to pull my oysters off," Spike snapped, also rubbing but Dawn refused to look.
"Deserved it." Connor was obviously unrepentant.
"You're both going to go outside," Faith said. "And no Spike, I don't care that it's daylight. Connor, you don't need to be getting all bruised up. What incubus would want you that way?"
"How do I answer that?" Connor looked to Angel.
"Ignore it," the vampire instructed. "We probably should start deciding what we're doing tonight."
"I'm staying away," Spike said. "And I was thinking, there's not much Dawn can do at the club. Gavin won't be looking at her. Maybe she can stay here, give me a hand with some of the research."
Dawn was surprised by that but decided she'd much rather spend time with Spike than in a club. "Sure but how do we know where to look this time?"
"Willow and Gabe have been working on that, trying to see if there's a pattern," Faith said. "Gabe's picked out the club so if you want to stay here, that's fine."
"And Spike, you'll probably need to head out at some point to check out the demon clubs," Angel said. "Start with Gabe's bar and work your way toward the seedier places."
Spike waved him off, "Not until much later. Nothing starts happening until around midnight."
"If tonight doesn't work, there's a big post-finals party tomorrow at the Velvet Pitt," Dawn said.
"I'll let Gabe know," Faith promised.
"Cool."
Spike leaned over and said to Dawn, "Why don't you go finish your homework? This might help." He pulled a folded piece of paper out of his pocket, pressing it into her hand.
She gave him a curious look. "Probably a good idea."
Dawn went upstairs and sat on her bed before looking at the note. In Spike's surprisingly fussy handwriting, he had written a cryptic note.
'I'm taking you out to celebrate how well you did in your first semester. It'll be our secret. Dress up.'
Dawn grinned. A secret rendezvous, she couldn't think of anything more romantic. She filled up the tub and soaked for a good long time while trying to concentrate on the stupid novel. She popped downstairs briefly just so Willow wouldn't wonder what she was up to, and as soon as everyone was on their way out for the evening's mission, she ran back upstairs and tried to figure out what to wear. She was determined not to be like Buffy and go through everything in her closet in the process. Of course, it being winter it was so hard to decide. She wanted to wear the pretty, sleek wool pants but she knew instinctively when Spike said dress up he meant in an actual dress.
She settled on a deep blue dress that was very simple but flattering. She put on her mother's pearls, thinking Joyce would like her to wear them. For some reason, her mom had liked Spike as much as she had disliked Angel. Dawn looked at her choice in footwear and regretfully went with flats. It was just too icy for anything else and really she wanted her snow boots.
She bounced downstairs but no one was there. "Spike?"
He came out of the basement in a charcoal grey suit. Dawn couldn't help staring. He looked incredible and she couldn't remember ever seeing him in a suit before, well except that time he had on that stupid brown thing when Willow accidentally erased their memories. He smiled at her. "You look beautiful, Dawn."
"I was thinking the same thing...handsome," she quickly corrected herself. "You look handsome. I didn't know you even had a suit."
He smoothed his silk tie. "To be honest, I raided Gabe's closet. He's just a little taller than me."
"I can't tell. Where are we going?" she asked eagerly, not caring that Gabe might not appreciate his clothing being borrowed.
"It's a secret." Spike's eyes twinkled. "Best get your coat, luv."
She pointed at her feet. "I'm probably going to lose a toe to frostbite and slide to my death in these, you know that."
He nodded. "I'm prepared for that."
Dawn pulled on her coat and he opened the door for her. When she came out onto the porch, Spike swept her off her feet into his arms. "Spike!"
"Relax, luv, I've done this before many a time," he said, and she knew he meant Dru but she didn't let that bother her.
Spike carried her the few blocks to the top of Grandview and set her down on the well-cleared sidewalks. He took her hand and led her to Isabela's. Dawn stared at the front door of the place, knowing it was one of the best and most romantic places in Pittsburgh. He opened the door for her. It was like walking into someone's home, which surprised her. It was almost a bit shabby, totally not what she was expecting.
"Spike, what are we doing here?" she whispered.
"Dinner, luv. It's amazing how the name Wolfram and Hart still has power, even here. Got us a table just like that." He smiled at her.
"Oh my god," she said, covering her mouth. She hadn't been expecting this.
They were shown to their table right at the window and all shabbiness fell away. The view was breathtaking.
"Spike, I know that this place is super expensive," she said lowly.
"I wasn't kidding about that money we have now." He patted her hand. "Relax and enjoy, Dawn."
She did just that and quickly learned dinner at Isabela's was a set seven-course meal and Spike ordered the wine 'flight,' a different wine to suit each course. No one even thought to card her. "Spike, how are you going to muddle through seven courses?"
"Don't worry about me. Eating doesn't bother us. It's just sort of tasteless and you go easy on the wine." He wagged a finger at her.
"How can I? You just ordered up a gallon of it." She smiled, reaching across the table, tangling her fingers with his.
He smiled and leaned over and kissed her softly. The kiss was quick. She sat back and started to protest, unsure of herself now that she was finally alone with him. He pressed a finger to her lips hushing her and kissed her again. Dawn relaxed into it. His lips felt just like she had dreamed they might. The tip of his tongue caressed her upper lip like the promise of more to come then he sat back.
"I am proud of you, by the way," Spike said.
"For what," she managed to stammer, her lips still tingly.
"For doing well in school." He sat back, reaching for his wine. "A lot of students really screw up their first time off on their own."
She studied him. "How do you even know how I'm doing?"
"I keep tabs." He smiled. "Which sounds more ominous than it is."
"I'm an art student, how bad could I screw up?" She shrugged, feeling a little down on herself, having heard 'art isn't a real major' bantered around campus once too often.
"Even art students fail out...probably especially them. I know how artists are." Spike looked smarmy. "Just look at Angel. Think he would have made his way through school?"
Dawn wagged her head. "You pick on him so much, poor Angel."
"He makes it too easy," Spike said as the amuse-bouche arrived.
Dawn stared at the pastry. "What is it?"
Spike cut it open. "Lamb sausage and onion."
Dawn tried it and found it was delicious with its intense tomato coulis. She ate every crumb and powered her way through the crab-stuffed crepes with the blue cheese and red pepper pesto. She felt like she was ready to burst. She stared at the tiny blob of raspberry-tea granita the server set down in front of her. "I was expecting a bigger dessert, not that I have room for it."
Spike laughed. "Sweetie, that's not dessert. That's an aperitif to cleanse the palate before the meat course."
"Meat course?" Dawn's eyes widened. "Spike, where do you think I'll put that?"
"We have all night, luv. They know how to pace these things," he assured her.
Dawn sighed. "It's so delicious...so romantic. Thank you."
"You're welcome." He took her hand again, glancing out the huge window. "You're right, you know. This view is incredible. It's the kind of thing that makes you want to write poetry."
"Are you writing again?" she asked hopefully.
He shook his head. "Maybe I should start."
"I think so."
All too soon Dawn found herself digging into a Jamison Farm lamb shank. Until tonight she had never had lamb, wasn't sure she could eat anything that inherently cute but the tender-enough-to-be-spooned-up meat with its wild mushroom demi-glace was one of the best things she had ever tasted. She shut her eyes, savoring it.
"I should feel guilty about being here when all our friends are out there trying to find Gavin," she said woefully. She was more sad that she actually didn't feel too sorry.
"You've never had a break, Bit, for most of your life. You've earned a nice night," Spike said. "Enjoy."
"I am," she purred, not sure what all to expect for the night. It could end right now and be one of the best ever.
She even managed to find room for 'cheesecake like it should be' and sampled Spike's dessert of strawberries with balsamic vinegar and cracked pepper, which had sounded gross but was superb. Her head was light with wine by the time Spike paid the check and they walked toward Sweet Brier again. They paused to look at the view one last time.
"This was such a perfect night." She rested her head against his shoulder.
"Hopefully the first of many to come," he said, stroking her hair.
That was what she had been praying to hear. Dawn slid her hands around his neck. He kissed her much more ferociously this time without a table between them. Dawn matched the kiss with all the limited experience but total desire she had to bring. Finally he ended it and swept her off her feet once more.
"I'm glad you're carrying me. I think I'm a little drunk, and I'm about to burst open from all that food." She snuggled against his chest. Having refrained from smoking in his borrowed clothing, Spike didn't smell too much like cigarettes. Dawn liked it.
"Now let's just hope I don't fall on my ass again in all this snow," Spike said.
"I have faith in you."
Spike carried her past all the steel town homes and their lights without incident. Dawn felt like going to sleep in spite of herself. Too much wine, she mentally kicked herself. She should have been more careful. What if Spike wanted to do something else tonight? Spike even carried her up to her room and set her on her feet. "You might want to change, pet."
Dawn nodded, not really wanting the evening to end but she also didn't want to collapse in her dress. She changed into jeans and a sweater, hardly flattering, she thought distractedly. Her bed called her name but she managed to get downstairs and flop on the couch. Spike was already there, changed into his usual gear. He put a tome in her hand and lifted her feet up on the couch.
"Pretend you've done a little looking. I have to go out to see what I can turn up at the demon hang-outs," he said.
"Now?" She ran a hand up his arm.
"Sorry, luv." Spike gave her forehead a kiss then fished out his cigarettes.
Dawn watched him go, started looking through the book and fell asleep with it over her head.