DISCLAIMER: I don't own the rights to Buffy: the Vampire Slayer, Angel: the Series, or the people and places therein. I also do not own the character of Lucy Hannover. I've borrowed them to write this fiction, which is just that and not a way to try to steal money from Joss and company.
Now

Spike didn't know how long he'd been waiting for either the witch or the ghost to return, but Dawn had fallen asleep in the chair by the window while they'd waited. The girl must have come over while he was in the shower, because he'd noticed her sitting there after Willow left, and she hadn't been there before.

She'd just stared at him, with those big eyes of hers for several seconds, then she broke into a smile that would rival that of any child on Christmas morning. Silently, he had regarded her, until she got up and hugged him. Then he, too, had smiled as he hugged the girl who was his Slayer's sister.

"I'm so glad you're back, Spike," she had whispered. "We've missed you so much."

Not I. We. "We've missed you."

He was still contemplating that, while watching Dawn sleep, when someone knocked on the door. The noise woke Dawn, who mumbled sleepily, "Who's that?"

"Dunno, Little Bit. Prob'ly just Red." He walked to the door. "Just go back to sleep until someone comes to drive you home."

" 'Kay, Spike. Love you."

Did she just say that? What is it with Summers women? He looked out the peephole in the door, and felt the world drop out from under him.

Buffy was standing outside, talking to someone he couldn't see, fidgeting with the hem of her jacket.

She's more beautiful than I remembered. He swallowed. God help me, I'm not sure I can do this alone.

Then he took a deep breath and opened the door.