A/N Thank you for all the positive feedback. I'm hoping to keep this updating regularly, but please let me know what you think and if you have any questions or suggestions. Til

Chapter Ten – Making Ends Meet

Buffy had started working full time at the Doublemeat Palace three weeks ago. It was a horrible job; she hated not being around for Dawn, being too tired to patrol properly and always smelling like burger meat. It would all be worth it once she had her first pay check though. Buffy planned to buy Dawn the 'must-have' jacket she'd been ogling in the mall for the past 6 weeks. It would all be worth it to see the smile back on Dawn's face, as well as bringing some much needed relief to the financial situation. Not that the job was completely unbearable. Xander, Anya and Tara had all come in to show support in the first week. Only Spike still came, at least twice a week, to buy his lunch. She had been utterly embarrassed that he saw her in the bright orange uniform that she was forced to wear, but the friendship he was offering her was more important than what he might think of her appearance. Snapping out of her musings, Buffy realised she was home.

She opened the door clutching the hamburger goodness she'd brought for Dawn's dinner.

"Dawnie, I'm home, and I brought you some – oh." Buffy stopped as she caught sight of Dawn and Spike tucking into some very yummy looking pizza. Dawn ignored her sister's pained look, but Spike felt bad that he was the cause of tension between them.

"I'm sorry, I didn't realise you were bringing the Bit her dinner. But there's plenty of pizza here if you wanna share."

"No there isn't." Dawn said spitefully before Buffy could answer.

"Thank you, but I should probably shower and patrol. You guys have fun though." With that Buffy left the two of them to finish the pizza and catch up. Ten minutes later she was immersed in the hot running water, letting it relax her tired muscles. She sighed. Of course she had predicted that things would be awkward after her not-so-shock confession, but she hadn't imagined that her closest friends would shut her out like this. She knew she was in the wrong and wanted to put it right, but no one seemed to care enough to give her the chance. Plus she missed Spike so much. He was always there, so close, yet she couldn't touch him, or do anything other than make small talk. She was determined to be grateful for every second she could spend with him, and to try to be a better person, a better slayer, a better sister so she would deserve his friendship and her friends' and Dawn's love. With a sigh Buffy turned off the shower. Definitely time to kill something.

Downstairs Dawn figured it was best to cut to the chase if she was going to get any info out of Spike.

"So how's the job?"

"Fine."

"'Fine' as in good or 'fine' as in drop it?" Dawn sweetly.

"Just fine, Bit."

"You don't like it, do you?"

"Novelty's wearing off a bit, I suppose." Spike admitted.

"What is it that you actually do all day in that huge office of yours?"

"Not a lot. It's mainly checking other people's work and putting a signature on it. Oh, and making sure that the rest of the team is working."

"Isn't it nice to have a steady income? Plus, you get to meet new people."

"Well yes, but I've never had a problem with money. I happen to have a sizable inheritance that my ma left me when she passed on. And you've known me long enough to know that I've never really been a big fan of people except in a purely professional sense. "

"You're a fan of Sarah though." Dawn said quietly.

"Yes. I am. Does that bother you?"

"What? No! Of course not. It's just, you know, I just thought I was always going to be your girl." She said with a sad smile.

"Dawn, you will always be my girl. Sarah doesn't change that. I'd like to see her try. You've been my best friend for ages now. You were the only one to believe in me when the others wouldn't listen. That means something."

"Really?" Dawn said with a grin.

"Really."

"Does that mean we can watch 'Bring it on'?"

"Not again, Bit!!!"

"Oh pleeeeeeease." The puppy dog eyes were mercilessly unleashed on him until Spike finally agreed with a scowl. They had just settled down to watch it when the Wiccas arrived home.

"'Bring it on' again, Spike?" Willow asked with a giggle.

"It was the Bit's choice."

"Course it was." Spike threw a cushion at the space that had been occupied by the Wiccas before the two girls disappeared.

Willow's smile disappeared as she closed the door behind them. This was it; she couldn't leave it any longer. The tension between them had been unbearable for days. She had to come clean.

"Baby, I need to talk to you." She began and Tara immediately stiffened up. This wasn't going to be easy.

"I think you already know what this is about." Willow continued. Tara gave a small nod, prompting her to keep talking.

"Tara, I'm so sorry. I really don't know what's happening to me. It's just too easy. Magic just seems to happen before I can stop it."

"B-but why would you put a spell on me like that, especially after what Glory did to me? People don't just brainwash the people they love whenever they have a fight."

"I know. You're right. I'm so sorry. I'm just so sorry." Tears rolled unchecked down Willow's face.

"I know you are, sweetie, but I just don't know if I can trust you anymore."

"Tara, baby, please! I love you so much. Please don't leave me. I need you. I'll change, I promise. No more magic."

"You'd really stop for me?" Tara's eyes widened at this.

"Yes. But I can't do it on my own. I need you to stay with me, to help me be strong." Both girls were crying now.

"You are strong." Tara whispered before pulling her girlfriend in for a tight hug. It was going to take a lot of work, but both girls were committed to seeing their relationship back on track.