A/N: This is very AU. Buffy had sex with Angel and let Angelus out. But the trick is, Buffy has a younger sister. But Dawn's only, like, a year younger. Buffy's older in this fic, too. So Dawn's probably around 17 or so. William is Spike, but a more gentler side. Joyce is, like, obsessed with finding the cure for Angelus. And Dawn is basically her lonely self.

Hope you enjoy!


Chapter 4

Her small body up against his was just too much. Having her in his arms. Knowing what she felt like. Hearing her steady heart beat. Feeling her warm breath on his flesh. Feeling her tender hands embrace and lock around his neck. Smelling like oranges and lemons (his citrus). Trusting him with her life. Having her words directed towards him.

He didn't think he could ever let her go now. He had a tiny taste, which left him craving for more.

Goose bumps invaded her skin as a cool wind blew around them. He slipped off his leather duster and tucked it around her. She looked so cute all wrapped up in his coat and in his arms.

Trying to keep his emotions in control, he started to walk towards her house. He needed to get her home before he did something stupid.

Like pushing her on the ground and mating with her right there. Making sure every vampire in a ten mile radius could smell him on her. See his mark. That way no one would touch her. And hurt her. Take her away from him.

He glanced down at the beautiful woman in his arms. So many feelings flowed through him when he did so. She made him feel so much. Many emotions he never even thought he had. Ever since he died that night in Angelus's arms, he never even imagined that he'd actually feel things besides lust and anger and all those other demon tastes. But when he saw his lovely future-mate on the ground getting attacked by one of his kind... He just blew up. Going past seeing red, he saw dust. And wanted nothing more to complete what he saw. Not until the foul creature was actually dead, that he realized what could have happened. If he hadn't have been walking through there at that very time...

He shook his head violently. It was not good to dwell of something that would never happen.

Still, the thought of her ceasing to exist and laying in a wooden box six feet under without her ever knowing what he felt about her, made his dead gut clench inside of his body.

He wanted to yell at her for being as stupid as to walking out in a cemetery at night. Wanted to show her how much he would have lost. Wanted to make her understand how much she meant to him. Wanted to have her in his bed and never leave it. Make her realize that he couldn't think of anything but her. How she interrupted her thoughts and took them over. He had no bloody control over his seized brain. Wanted her to yearn for him, like he did her. Wanted her to recognize his love for her.

But she looked so forlorn. Abandoned by her family and friends. He had watched her enough to know that everyone around her took her for granted. They didn't really care. And when he saw that, he wanted nothing more than to rip their heads off their idiotic bodies and bleed them to death.

She was so lost. Torn between a world she knew and one she wanted.

That's why he desires to take her home to his family. Make everyone fall in love with her, just as he had so many months ago. Show how wonderful she was. That she wasn't horrible or weird or awkward.

She was just born in the wrong century.

If she was only alive when he had a heartbeat... Things would have been wonderful then. They both would have been pure and innocent together. And she would bare his children. And he worship the bloody ground she walked on.

Too bad the fates wanted to deny him that pleasure. But he'd still take what he could get.

Namely Dawn.

He had never actually said her name aloud-even in his head. It seemed too personal. To real.

Finally appearing on Rodeo drive, he slowed down his footsteps. He didn't want this to end. He had her. And now he had to give her up. His undead live wasn't fair.

"Love," he spoke.

It was the first time words left his lips in her presence.

She mumbled something in her sleep and cuddled her body even closer to him.

"We're at your house," he gently voiced. He took his free hand and pushed away a lock of dark hair that covered her face. He saw a few finger-shaped bruises on her precious neck.

Now he really wished he didn't kill the damned vampire so soon. A long, drawn out torture would have served as a great punishment for hurting his love.

Her eyes fluttered open and a smile was forming on her face.

He wanted to run out into the street and dance. He caused that smile. It was because of him! He never felt so useful.

Her hand slipped up and cupped his jaw. It slid down to his chest and she looked into his eyes. So man emotions filled him as she touched him.

He'd never tell his Sire this, but he constantly felt tainted and soiled. True he was a demon. Killed and maimed and all that other rot. And it wasn't as if he was embarrassed or hated his kind. Or himself. He wasn't ashamed. He just, in comparison to his sweet and innocent treasure, felt unworthy. Disgusting. Like a monster.

But when she touched him, it was as everything disappeared. And he was only a man. And she was a woman.

Slim fingers found his mark that Angelus had given him. They traced the scar with light touches.

He wasn't a man anymore. He was a demon.

A vampire.

"Come in," she says. Her words were soft and kind and sweet.

He was so surprised. She knew what he was. And yet she still granted him access to her house.

He knew there was a reason why he loved her so much.

Deciding now was not the best time or place to discuss her blind trusting skills; he opened the door and stepped inside.

It was exactly like he imagined.

The house was warm, yet still held a cold feeling. There were coy attempts at making everything seem cheerful and wonderful. But it was all lies. He ignored the horrible decorative scheme and glided upstairs to her room.

He knew it was up the stairs and to the right.

He laid her dainty figure on her bed. He lifted up her arms and smoothly inched her sweatshirt off of her torso. He wasn't sure if what he did was appropriate, but she didn't seem to care. A sleepy smile was placed on her face.

"Good night, Dawn," he murmur as he covered her with her blanket.

"Good night," she returned already back in her sleepy state.

He glanced at her once more before he left. She was so bloody gorgeous. Her dark hair fawned across her pillow and a peaceful expression was played on her face. He lowered his head and placed a chaste kiss on her lips. She sighed happily.

He left the Summer's house with a content feeling under his skin.


R & R please. This story is finished, it just needs to be posted.