A couple of days later.

Slam ! « Spike ! You here ? »

« Bugger ! Slayer, can't let a guy rest in piece and have a nice nap in the middle of the day ? » he says, getting up slowly from his sarcophagus.

« I don't have time for this, I need you now ! »

« Really ? Fine by me pet ! » he smirks

« Spike I'm serious here ! Glory knows that Dawn is the Key, we need to get away from Sunnydale now ! »

« What, how did she knew, because I didn't say anything, so who is the son of a bitch who told her, I will rip his throat and... »

« It's Tara ! » she mumbles.

« Shit ! » he takes a breath and sighs « Ok ! What do you need, Slayer ? »

« The whole gang must leave, we need a van or a camping car, and I don't have money so I was thinking... »

« That little old Spike could pick one for you, you want me to steal a camping car for you, well it's... » he tries to stifle a giggle « it's...incredible ! » and bursts out laughing hysterically.

Buffy is mortified at first, but the crazyness of the situation, the accumulated tension of the previous days and his laughters take over. She bursts out laughing too. They can't seem to stop themselves and soon they are sitting on the floor, splitting their's sides, laughing maniacally.

Spike tries numerous time to stop and regain some composure, in vain.

Buffy is thinking that it's the first time she sees Spike laughing, genuinely, and finds him cute. After a moment her tears of laughter turns in tears of sadness and despair.

Spike sobers instantely, and without thinking he takes her in his arms, soothing her.

« It's okay, Slayer, I'm here, I've got your back. I won't let that bitch hurt you or Dawn ! Shh ! It will be allright ! ». She seems so small and fragile, and she is in his arms, it would have been heaven in other circonstances, he thinks sadly. She stiffens and he let her go. They get up and straightens their chlothes in an awkward silence.

« So...you will help me ? » her voice uncertain and small.

He looks in her green eyes and nods.

« I know where I can find a camping car, I will go and deliver it this night wherever you want. »

« No Spike ! We must go now, It can't wait tonight ! »

« Okay...I will go by the sewers, but I will need some things first, black paint and all for protecting me from the sun rays. »

« I will go to the mall and buy it along with some food too, wait for me here, I will be back in half an hour »

He nods. She is already at the door.

Well, he thinks, that was unexpected. She said she needs me ! Even if it's only for a little robbery, it's good to feel useful. He is so absorbed in his thougths that when she comes back he doesn't hear her, and jumps at the sound of her voice.

« I'm back ! You ready ? »

« Whenever you want pet ! Stay here I will pick you up at the cemetary gates in an hour !. »

« Oh ! I don't think so Mister, I'll come with you ! »

« What ! You want to go with me to steal a car ? Are you daft ? You don't have to, I don't want you to be in more troubles than you already are ! » he says angrily. »What if someone sees you ? »

« Don't argue with me, I'll go with you that's final ! Let's go ! »

« Stupid Bint ! » but his tone is so tender that Buffy finds nothing to answer.

He leads the way through the sewers, and in no time they are in a suburban parking lot. They find an old camping car. Spike picks the lock easily and starts the engine with the cables.

« Now pet, are you able to drive it ? »

« Me ? No way, Spike, I can't drive my mum'car, I can't drive it ! »

« Ok so we will paint the windows and I will drive. Where do you want to go ? »

« At the bus stop in front of the school, the others are waiting here. »

« Fine by me, I will drive you here and be on my merry way ! I suppose Giles and the Whelp know how to drive this ! »

« No Spike, I want you to come with us, I need you, if Glory or the army of Byzantum track us down, I want you with me ! You are the only one strong enough to face them, and I can't do it on my own. »

« Your watcher and the Whelp won't be overjoy about me here, you know that ? »

« It's my decision to make and I say you come ! If that's okay with you of course ? »

« Fine by me pet, let's roll ! » He takes something from his jacket, and put it on his eyes.

Buffy bits her lips not to laugh at the sight of him with his glasses but can't stiffle a giggle.

« You can laugh if you want, pet, I know it looks ridiculous on me, but it's your fault ! I can't drive a long time with all this light, my eyes would water too much. »

She puts a hand on his shoulder and smiles at him kindly. « It's not so bad, it's just funny on you, thanks for being here ».

« I have nothing better to do anyway, pet, so it's nothing ! » he shrugs his shoulders and start driving out of the parking lot.