Chapter 11

Spike opened the door to find a sobbing Buffy standing there. "Love, what happened?" He asked her and she just threw herself into his arms without even saying anything as she cried. He wrapped his arms around her and helped her into the house, closing the door when she was inside. He just held her and whispered comforting words to her until she calmed down. An older man then came into the living room and Buffy pulled away from Spike to look at him.

"Buffy? What's wrong, dear?" Rupert Giles asked when he saw the distress the young girl was in. She just shook her head and remained silent. Spike put his arm around her.

"We're gonna go to my room, dad." Giles nodded.

"Yes, of course. I hope everything is alright." He stated and Spike silently agreed as he led Buffy to his room. He closed the door once they were inside and walked her over to the bed where she sat down. He looked at her face and wiped some of her tears away. He really hated to see her like this.

"Buffy, what's wrong? You can tell me, pet." Buffy nodded as she wiped at her eyes and Spike was relieved to see that she was starting to calm down.

"He came back, Spike. I knew there had to be a reason as to why I saw him in the store. I came home tonight to find him at the house with my mom." Spike sighed when he realized she was talking about her father.

"What did he say?" Buffy shrugged.

"A bunch of crap, how he just came to talk." She said angrily as she stood up. "Who the hell does he think he is showing up after all this time? What, did he think we would just forgive him and be one big happy family? It doesn't work that way. And mom didn't even seem mad at him; she was actually sticking up for him. I just couldn't take it, so I left." Spike nodded when Buffy was finished.

"I'm sorry, love. I know how hard this must be for you, but you shouldn't have just run off like that. Your mum is probably worried about you. I should take you home." Buffy shook her head.

"No, I'm not going back. I just can't deal with it right now. Can I stay here tonight?" Spike nodded.

"You know I don't mind, but I have to call Joyce to let her know." Buffy nodded also and didn't say anything else as she sat back down on the bed. He moved closer to her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "It'll be okay." He told her to try and make her feel better and he was relieved when she gave him a small smile. He then got off of the bed to go call Joyce to let her know where Buffy was. When he got back he already found Buffy lying down in his bed. "Right, well I guess I'll let you rest. I'll just be on the couch if you need me." He told her and she sat up.

"You can sleep here. There's plenty of room." She said as she moved over on the bed to make room for him and Spike shook his head.

"I don't think that's such a good idea." Buffy rolled her eyes.

"Come on, Spike. We've been sleeping in the same bed practically forever. Why should now be any different? If it makes you feel any better I promise to keep my hands to myself." She said as she held up her hands for him to see. Spike had to smile at how cute she was as he nodded and walked over to the bed.

"Yeah, you do that." He said as he got into the bed and lay down also. They were both quiet until Buffy broke the silence.

"Thank you for being here. I don't know what I would do without you." Spike smiled as he kissed her on the top of the head.

"I know the feeling. Get some rest now, love. We'll talk more tomorrow." He felt her nod as she closed her eyes and soon drifted off to sleep. Spike spent a few minutes just watching her as she slept. He lightly brushed some hair out of her face, so he could get a better look at her. He gently caressed her cheek and hoped that he wouldn't wake her. "I love you." He whispered as he also drifted off to sleep.