Chapter 10

To Spike's Crypt We Go!

Dawn couldn't help but giggle, "Where does the Big Bad live?" she asked teasingly, leaning into him for support.

He grinned down at her, "A crypt."

"Is it dark and dank enough for you?" she asked with another giggle.

"Hey! It's a nice one, Bit. Little dusting and home sweet home," he defended.

"Do you have candles? I remember you always had really nice candles," she murmured sleepily.

"Course luv, loads of candles," Spike told her. She just nodded and rested her head against his chest. He stroked her hair lightly, hoping she wouldn't push him away. All the sudden she went rigid in his arms and he pulled away in time to miss the return of dinner. He reached out and caught her again before she fell over.

"Ugh," she wiped her hand across her mouth and reached into her pocket and shoved a stick of gum in her mouth. He once again started walking, Dawn in his arms.

"Almost there Nibblet," He turned down the street towards the cemetery. Just last night he had found the crypt and though it was nevertheless a crypt, it was better than other ones.

He entered the graveyard and headed for the crypt, opened the door and helped Dawn on the bed he had found. It was a rather nice one and he had stolen some satin sheets to accompany the bed.

"Mmm…silky sheets," she laughed and once again closed her eyes.

"Yeah, thought they were nice," He gave her another grin. She gave him a small grin back, "They are." She bent over and took off her shoes then wiggled between the sheets and rested her head against the pillow. Spike took this as a hint to leave, letting her sleep.

"Spike," she called, biting her lip. She didn't want him to leave, not yet.

"Bit?" he answered, waiting.

"Stay here?" she asked, hopeful.

"Sure," he came back and sat down on the ground next the bed, "Stone floor isn't so bad once you get used to it,"

"No," Dawn whispered, "I meant here," she motioned to the bed with a tired arm, "Next to me," she closed her eyes, knowing he wouldn't. A second later, much to her surprise, she felt the bed sink down and she opened her eyes to see Spike settling next to her.

"Wouldn't say no to a comfy bed, luv." He answered and mindfully avoided any contact with her body while lying down.

"Thanks," was Dawn said and drifted off to sleep.

Bloody girl will be the death of me, was Spike's last though before entering sleep.

The first thing Dawn noticed was the pounding in her head, elephants stomping around. Then she realized her head was on an arm. Spike's arm to be more specific. Her eyes widened in embarrassment and horror as she took in their arrangement.

Sometime during the night they had moved closer, legs intertwined and one arm behind her head and another wrapped around her waist possessively. Oh this was bad, but at least they were still dressed and as a far as she knew, nothing extreme had happened last night. Though her mind was still muddled so maybe something had happened…she really need to wake him up.

"Spike, Spike!" she hissed, shaking his shoulder gently. Spike just mumbled and to her surprise pulled her closer, making her legs wrap around his waist. She let out a yelp, "Spike!"

This time she shoved him, lightly but enough to make his open his eyes.
"Wha…oh," he breathed, taking in their closeness. He quickly untangled himself from her and put distance between them. Dawn was silent, her face beet red.

"Wondering what we did?" Spike couldn't help but tease and, if possible, Dawn's face went even redder.

"No! Nothing happened!" Dawn snapped and sat up quickly to put on her shoes, bad idea.

"Whoa," She steadied herself, wishing the room would stop spinning.

Spike's arm reached out to help balance her.

"Wouldn't do that luv, seems you got a bit pissed last night," he told her as she slowly lowered herself back down on the bed.

"Pissed?" her hangover-ed mind asked.

"Drunk," Spike translated and got up, "I'll get you some water and Advil."

Dawn just gave a light nod and closed her eyes. Not ever doing that again, no more drinking for me.

Spike returned with much needed items and Dawn took them gratefully and downed the Advil.

"Nibblet, you need to go back," Spike said quietly. Dawn shut her eyes, remember what had caused her to go out and get drunk. She also remembered her little dancing scene with Spike, yikes and that wasn't embarrassing.

"I can't," she whispered, not wanting to look at Spike in the eyes.

"Red has a few things to say," Spike told her, but didn't say what. He figured the drama of that one would come later.

"No, I can't," Dawn repeated, still keeping her eyes shut.

"Why, pet?" Spike asked simply, curious-it seemed like there was more to it than just showing up now.

"Because she lied," Dawn blurted out. Then all of the words came spilling out, what happened after Buffy died.

"She said we could bring Buffy back. It was all set up, she even found the long lost Urn of Osiris," she paused to take a breath and Spike swore, "Jesus fuck,"

"But it didn't work. We were all sitting there, watching snakes come out of her goddamn mouth when," Dawn broke off with cry, "Demons came and something went wrong, I think the urn smashed and they said," Dawn was sobbing freely now, "They said it was m-meant to be." Dawn finished, letting the tears fall.

Spike moved to sit next to her and took her into his arms, "Shh… pet, it's alright,"

"No it's not! She promised, she promised it would bring her back. I needed her," she cracked, sobbing harder.

They sat there, Dawn sobbing quietly now and Spike holding her, murmuring words of comfort.

"Listen Bit, you don't need to trust her or like her, but hear her out. She's not here for fun and forgiveness," Spike suggested, hoping she would take his words to heart. Dawn was silent for a moment and then agreed, "Okay,"

"Right," Spike pulled away, once again aware of their closeness.

"Will you be there?" Dawn asked her voice soft.

"Course Nibblet," He answered with a grin.

"Good," she responded with a smile of her own. Definitely good.