A/N Ok thanks once again for the positive feedback. A mistake in Ch8 was pointed out about Spike's comment over not using the phone. That's been corrected now, but if you notice anything else please let me know.

There have also been a lot of demands for Spike and Buffy to get together straight away. Trust me when I say that I've tried to give the plot logical progression. It will be a Spuffy ending, but half the fun for me is getting there. Things will start to hot up soon, that's a promise. Xx til.

Chapter Eleven – Sisters

Dawn breathed a sigh of relief when she heard the door click shut as her sister left for the late shift at the Doublemeat Palace. Flopping down on her bed, she felt the familiar trickle of tears down her face. The last couple of weeks had been horrendous; Dawn had felt almost literally torn in two. It hurt so much to see the constant pain that Spike daily faced. She couldn't bear the fact that her sister, the person she trusted most in the world had caused that pain. At the same time, seeing her being torn up by the guilt of what she'd done wasn't any easier. Despite Dawn's constant jibes spiteful remarks, her sister had thrown herself back into her life with more effort than she had since before she'd passed away for those awful months in the summer. Buffy had been training and patrolling with renewed vigour, and when she wasn't doing slayer-related activities, she was busy trying to make things better for Dawn. She had got this job, helping them to stay afloat financially. Somehow, miraculously she still found time to make Dawn's lunch and keep up to date on what she needed for school. But in all of Buffy's actions there was an empty sadness. Dawn knew that she hadn't seen Spike for more than five minutes at a time since his housewarming, but she'd never guessed that her sister would react like this to the withdrawal of his company. He must have been more of a friend to Buffy than she'd known. The thought of her older sister sneaking off to spend time with Spike despite what the other Scoobies thought of him brought a smile to Dawn's lips. Drying her eyes, Dawn wandered downstairs into the living room. That was when she saw it. The jacket. THE JACKET. The one she was seriously considering selling half her vital organs on e-bay to pay for. Her mouth and eyes were wide with shock, then she caught sight of the note.

Dawn,

I know I can't buy your forgiveness, but I wanted you to know that I'm sorry and I'll do anything I can to make it up to you. I hate it when you're mad at me. I love you.

Buffy

Holding the note to her, Dawn quickly made her decision. She put on the jacket and picked up the phone.

"Hello, Sarah speaking."

"Hi Sarah, is Spike there? It's Dawn."

"Sure, here he is…"

"'Lo Bit. Everything ok?"

"Everything's fine. I just wanted to ask you for a favour."

"Anything."

"Let me ask you first, and then you can agree."

"If it's you asking then I will agree."

"It's Buffy. I'm worried about her. I know I've been a total bitch to her, but she's still my sister."

"I know, sweet bit."

"It's just, she's working so hard, either at Doublehell or patrolling. She hardly ever sees the others, even though two of them live with us. She never goes out or has fun anymore. Everyone just seems to have forgotten about her."

"What can I do to help, Bit?"

"I don't know. I just thought that if we started to make time for her, maybe she'd be happier, and maybe the others would start to invite her out again."

"'S a good idea. How about you guys come over on Friday to watch a DVD or something?"

"Sounds perfect. Thank you so much."

"Anything for my girls."

"I'll see you Friday then."

"Night then."

-Click-

Buffy lingered for a few moments on the porch to prepare herself for Dawn's inevitable frosty welcome. She sighed, maybe today would be different. Opening the door, she walked into the house. She was almost tackled back onto the floor by the force of Dawn's unexpected hug.

"I'm so sorry." Buffy whispered into her sister's embrace.

"I know. Thank you for the jacket."

"You're welcome. I figured we should enjoy the temporary wealth of pay day before all the bills come in." Dawn grinned at this.

"Does that mean we can get pizza?"

"Just this once, but you might wanna save some until the end of the month when we have no food left in the house." Buffy said cheerfully. Dawn paused by the phone.

"Spike's invited us to go over to his to watch a DVD on Friday." She said innocently.

"Everyone?" Buffy's eyebrow cocked.

"Nope, just you and me." Butter still not melting.

"What are you up to?" A sweet sisterly smile.

"Nothing."