Chapter 11

Past and Present Collide

"Where are they?" Angel paced back and forth in front of the couch where Connor and Willow were both sitting.

"I'm sure they're fine," Willow tried to reassure him. Connor had come back an hour later and let Willow and Angel inside where they sat all night, waiting for Spike and Dawn to return.

"What if something bad happened, if they got attacked?" Angel muttered, ignoring Willow's words.

"Silver's a good fighter, and Spike's a vampire-I'm sure they could take an attack," Connor said with obvious scorn in his voice at Spike's name. Just like his dad, he didn't seem to have much affection for the bleached wonder.

"Did you try her cell?" Angel asked. Connor just shook his head, "She didn't take it with her."

"Maybe we should all relax. None of us got more than 2 hours of sleep and personally, I need about 4 to function," Willow joked in her peacemaker ways.

Connor nodded and went to his room, he was tired and he knew Silver would eventually come back. Then again she'd run away from the people who loved her for four years. God, he still couldn't believe it. Silver-or Dawn-had been the Slayer's sister and now she was the Slayer and also cracked-whatever that meant. He hoped she'd come back soon; he needed to here her side of things.

Angel had taken up Connor's space on the couch and was brooding (not that much different from a minute ago.)

"Willow, did we do the right thing, coming here?" Angel asked suddenly.

"We didn't even know it was Dawn," Willow reminded him.

"I know, but somehow I feel responsible and if anything happens to her…" Angel trailed off.

Willow patted his shoulder reassuringly, "She's fine, besides she has Spike with her and he cares about her, always did,"

"Spike cares about Dawn?" Angel asked doubtfully.

Willow nodded, "He took a beating from Glory and didn't tell her about Dawn being the Key."

That didn't sound like the Spike he knew and hated. Maybe something had happened to him.

"Why? Spike isn't exactly one to care about others," Angel reminded Willow.

"Don't I know it, but in his own way he cared about Dawn and…Buffy," Willow said her name quietly and felt the familiar tears stinging her eyes. It still hurt- the gaping void in her heart.

Both were silent for a while, lost in their own thoughts.

"What time is it?" Willow asked aloud and looked at her watch. Almost 5:30 PM, the sun was setting.

"Spike and Dawn are probably heading back soon," Willow told Angel.

Angel just nodded and brooded some more. (Sorry I couldn't resist that dig-he does brood a lot.)

Dawn glanced at her clock for the fifth time in the last ten minutes. Ever since her decision to go back and listen to Willow and Angel, she'd been anxious to get it over with. Kinda like the whole band-aid theory. Unfortunately, Spike was getting annoyed with her impatience.

"Would you bloody stop looking at your soddin' watch," he snapped. Dawn glared at him, "Well excuse me for being nervous for my talk with my sister's former lover and her best friend who lied to me," she retaliated. Spike felt another pang of guilt-once again, thank you bloody fucking soul- and apologized, "Sorry Bit, I'm a little edgy too,"

Dawn accepted his apology grudgingly. Spike shoved his hands into his duster and his fingers grazed a velvet box. Shit, in all the excitement he'd forgotten about his present for Dawn.

"Here," he said casually, tossing the box to Dawn who caught it effortlessly, "I forgot 'bout it,"

Dawn frowned, puzzled at the box. It was a black velvet box-a jewelry box. She couldn't resist the possibilities of pretty things, and eagerly opened the box. Inside was a beautiful sliver cross with a red garnet set in the middle where the lines met. It hung on a matching delicate velvet choker.

"God, Spike it's beautiful!" Dawn gasped and clasped it around her neck.

It fell just below the hollow of her throat, perfect. Her hand lingered on it, savoring its smoothness and beauty.

"Thought you'd like it. Suits you." Spike motioned to her neck. Dawn smiled and then suddenly frowned.

"You do see the irony in a vampire giving me a cross necklace, don't you?" Dawn told him, scrunching up her nose.

Spike couldn't help but chuckle, "Didn't really think about that one luv," Dawn laughed along with him, but once again frowned and pointed a finger at him accusingly, "You didn't nick it did you? Because that defies the part where it's a present,"

"No! I didn't steal it-honest! Though I remember a certain young girl who snuck around, looking at things that weren't for her little eyes," Spike reminded her.

Dawn knew exactly what he was talking about; the night when she found out she was the Key. She rolled her eyes, "That doesn't count. It was the Magic Box and it was to look at Giles's Watcher Diaries and a certain bleached blood sucker didn't stop me!" Dawn shot back.

"Well you had that look, the stubborn-you-can't-stop-me look and… I had to come to protect you from the nasties out there," Spike answered lamely, but Dawn was giggling and Spike had to smile.

"It's weird, remembering that stuff," Dawn mused, sobering from her giggling.

Spike wasn't sure what to say to that, but told her that the sun had set and they could leave. Dawn sighed in relief and bounded out of the crypt, Spike only a step or two behind. They'd been cooped up way too long.

"So how pissed do you think Angel's gonna be?" Dawn asked cheerfully.

"Red in the face," Spike confided and they shared a laugh. Dawn had always thought Angel was too serious and that had been the first thing she'd noticed when she met Angel for the first time. She had thought he was handsome in that mysterious older way-Buffy had been a total sucker for that.

As they neared the apartment, Dawn felt a strange tingle in the pit of her stomach; she sometimes felt it when bad was near by. She knew this was no exception.

"Spike I think-" Dawn broke off at Spike's serious look. He could smell it, she realized.

They shared a look of understanding and tensed, waiting for whatever it was to strike.

"Come on out," Dawn murmured.

"You weren't talking about me were you?" a voice sneered and a bulky man approached them. Vampire.

"Actually I kinda was," Dawn replied and whipped out a stake.

"Say hello to Mr. Wood," She quipped and launched forward.

Spike relaxed when a lone vampire stepped out of the shadows. Dawn could handle this one easy. And sure enough seconds later he went poof and Dawn wasn't even breathing hard.

"Lame," she muttered, "I hate when they're easy,"

"Better easy then killing you pet" Spike replied. Dawn flashed a smile, "True."

It was weird how overnight-literally-they were back to their old friendship, albeit Dawn was older, stunningly gorgeous and could fight. It was like the four years he'd been gone never existed, he liked that.

"Now let's get back without interruptions," Dawn announced and they fell in step to her apartment.

"They back yet?" Connor asked, just waking up from his two-hour nap. It did feel good, he admitted.

Both Willow and Angel shook their heads. Connor tensed but didn't say anything and went to pour himself a glass of orange juice. They'd be here soon- they had to.

The door opened and Willow and Angel jerked their heads up to see Dawn and Spike walk through. Dawn seemed edgy, nervous, like she wanted to be anywhere but here. Connor, hearing the door, entered the living room and rushed to Dawn and hugged her. Dawn fiercely hugged Connor back, grateful for his friendship.

"Connor, can we talk in my room?" she asked, watching his face carefully.

"Yeah," he replied and they walked back, closing her door with a click.

Spike couldn't help but feel jealous as Dawn embraced the Pouf's boy. He suppressed a growl as they went into her room, though he knew that they were obviously sharing their pasts. He thought it was strange how all this time neither one of them had said a bloody damn thing about who they really were.

"Spike," Angel growled in warning.

"Hey, Bit was the one who said she didn't want to come back last night, I just gave her a place to stay other than the bloody streets," Spike defended himself. Not that he really needed to.

"Why'd you come back, Spike?" Willow asked warily, "Really,"

"I told you I owed the Bit a visit, wanted to see she made it out okay," Spike said uncharacteristically quiet and shoved his hands in his pockets.

Angel just narrowed his eyes, Spike wasn't saying something and he knew it.

"Spike if you're hiding something…" he muttered and Spike got the hint.

"I'm not! Didn't want to be in this apocalypse mess anyway. Didn't say anything to Nibblet by the way, about how you found her," Spike defended himself, "I'm just here for the soddin' ride," he grumbled.

Willow got it, what Spike was hiding. She could feel it now, shimmering and white. Damn! Hell must have frozen over, Willow suppressed a grin and watched as Angel snorted in disgust at Spike and left the room. Her grin suddenly broke out and Spike eyed her warily, "What's with the grin Red?"

"Denial isn't just a river in Egypt, soul boy," Willow said, her voice tinged with amusement and she followed Angel, leaving a very stunned Spike behind.

"Listen, I should have told you about my sister earlier, except it would lead to how she died and then to what I have to tell you now," Dawn said in a rush.

Connor stared at her, "What would you have to tell me?"

"About who I am or what I am," Dawn said quietly.

"What you are?" Connor questioned, still calm.

Dawn took a deep breath and told him about how she was the Key, about Glory, about her mother and Buffy's death- she told him everything.

Connor looked at her in shock, trying to comprehend it all. It was unbelievable-his best friend a powerful Key over thousands of years old inside a young woman. His head was spinning, a lot of information to take in one night. But who was he to judge, a son of two vampires, who had been kidnapped into a hell dimension and bent on killing his father for his other father. Oh yeah, he shouldn't be too stunned. He had to tell her his past too-it was fair- a past for a past.

"Are you okay? I know it's a lot. I'm sorry I never told you before," Dawn questioned feeling embarrassed.

"No, it's fine, but to be honest I haven't exactly been sharing my past either," Connor answered with a laugh.

Dawn smiled, "Yeah, I mean -hello- your dad's a vampire!"

"Well I guess I have some explaining to do," Connor began and he explained his story. Dawn was wide eyed and in shock, all of this in her best friend. It was then it hit her like a slap.

Her friend, nothing more.

Whatever feelings that had been stirring in her for him lately were gone. All she felt was family love for her best friend.

"Friends?" Connor asked after a moment of silence.

"Friends," she answered and lock eyes with him. He felt the same way, she realized. They were just meant to be friends. The way it should be.

Spike was still standing there stunned when Connor and Dawn reentered the room looking happier than when they had went to her room. He narrowed his eyes in suspicion. Had they been doing more than just talking? They didn't smell like it, but jealousy raged in him. Bugger shit.

Angel and Willow entered the room, "We need to talk," Willow announced and everyone awkwardly sat down.

"There's something big one coming-bigger than we've ever faced before. That's why we came Daw-Silver," Willow corrected herself, "we need your help-the Power in you-it would give us a fighting chance,"

Dawn was tempted to scream and demand to know why Willow thought she would ever help them in the one thing that killed her sister. Dusting vamps and the occasional demon was one thing, averting world destruction was another. Another part of her knew she had to, it was the right thing and she owed it to Buffy.

That was the only thing keeping her from running as fast as she could. For Buffy.

"I don't know…" Dawn said slowly trying to make up her mind.

Willow clearly saw her discomfort; "You don't have to make up your mind right now. Angel and I aren't heading back to Sunnydale for a few days. There are some contacts here we need to talk to,"

Dawn nodded, suddenly feeling like she hadn't slept in days.

"You guys can stay here if you want," Connor said gesturing to the apartment.

Dawn nodded, they were trying to do something good and even if she didn't trust them, they needed to stay low. "Angel you can bunk with Connor, Willow with me and Spike can take the couch," Dawn gave Spike a semi-apologetic look, but he just smirked at her, "Please, as Peaches here remembers, I've slept on much worse,"

Dawn and Connor went to find extra sheets and cots and Angel joined them. As soon as they were out of the room, Spike turned to Willow, "You didn't tell her,"

"I'll tell her tomorrow, besides I was rushed in the spell, it could be wrong," Willow reminded him.

"We both bloody well know the spell worked fine. Tell her by tomorrow night or I will, and I seriously doubt she'll be all hugs and giggles for you when she finds out you lied to her again," Spike growled.

"Again?" Willow asked faintly. Surely he didn't know about the resurrection spell.

Spike read her expression, "Yeah, Bit told me about that little bring-Buffy-back spell. What the fuck were you thinking?"

"How I wanted my best friend back," Willow replied still feeling that pang of sadness.

"Spike, I regret what happened and as the years passed I realized it wasn't meant to be, but I had to try at the time-it was the only thing keeping me sane,"

Spike relaxed, the anger flowing out of him, "Maybe you should tell that to Nibblet. She still blames you,"

Willow nodded her head sadly, "I know."

"And you should tell Angel about the soul," Willow shot back, "How'd you do it?"

Spike shrugged, "Met a demon who grants the heart's desire and poof I got a big heaping of soul-hurting guilt."

Willow stared at him. He'd willingly went to get a soul? That was what his heart desired?

"You know Spike, there's more to you than meets the eye," she finally said.

"Damn right," he replied and gave her a surprising grin.

Willow was equally surprised when she grinned back.

Dawn couldn't sleep. Every time she thought she was finally falling asleep she would jerk awake again. It wasn't a big deal in the beginning, but here 3 hours later she was really tired. Sleep, Sleep, Sleep, she told her brain, but no luck.

"Daw-Sliver?" Willow questioned softly. She could hear shifting on the bed.

"Yeah?" Dawn answered, turning towards Willow on the floor.

"Having trouble sleeping?" Willow asked, sitting up. Truth be told she hadn't exactly been sleeping all that well either.

"Yeah," Dawn admitted. She sat up in bed put her put her feet in her slippers,

"Want some hot chocolate? I was going to make some for myself,"

"Sure," Willow said with a small smile.

The two women crept softly into the small kitchen and Dawn busied herself, fishing through cabinets.

"Sorry, I only have instant," she apologized and Willow let out a laugh, "Please, that's the best kind,"

Dawn gave her small smile back and they sat in silence for a moment.

"So how is everybody?"

Willow smiled, "Good. Giles is back in England and dating some high priestess, if you can believe it. Xander and Anya got married and they have a little 2-year-old named Alex and are living in Arizona. Tara and I are living together and we just got a baby girl named Joy. We live in Chelsea Bay, about an hour north of Sunnydale. Close enough to help Faith out, but far enough away to avoid the Hellmouth."

"Wow," Dawn said in awe. It seemed so strange to think of them all together with children, living the normal-or mostly-lives.

"Wait, Faith?" Dawn gasped.

Willow couldn't help but laugh, "I know! But she's trying to redeem herself. I guess jail gave her a big wake up call. In fact Angel has been really helpful, I guess it's because of the road-to-redemption thing they have in common,"

Dawn shook her head, "I still can't believe Faith's back,"

The microwave beeped and Dawn jumped up and went to put the chocolate in. She then set a mug in front of Willow and took the other one for herself.

"Dawn, there's something I want to tell you, something I probably should have told you years ago, I just didn't know how," Willow took a deep breath and continued, I'm so sorry I made you believe the spell would work. I was so sure it would, but then the demons came and smashed the urn…I'm sorry, it was a selfish, irresponsible to try it and I feel horrible ever bringing you into it. I want you to know I understand why you hate me. You have every right too."

Dawn was silent for a moment, taking small sips of her hot chocolate, then she spoke, "I don't hate you. I just needed to leave, with mom and Buffy's death…it hurt so much and you are right, I was so angry at you for making me believe, but what's done is done."

Both women sat there, comprehending what was said and a silent mutual agreement of acceptance passed between them. They both knew it would be a while before their trust was re-built, but they wanted to try to. After all, if Buffy's death had taught them anything it was that life was short.

Spike heard snatches of conversations between Dawn and Willow and could smell hot chocolate wafting from the room. He rolled off the couch, wincing at the pain in his neck. He really should have objected to taking the couch. He put his shirt on to look presentable and was going to walk into the kitchen when he smelled him. Stupid Poufer.

"What do you want Peaches?"

"I want to know what you're hiding," Angel replied bluntly.

"I'm not hiding anything you great big pouf," Spike replied rolling his eyes.

"Right, you came back to visit Dawn, have a nice chat and a cup of coffee," Angel said sarcastically approaching the fair vampire.

"Well yeah, but I was kinda hoping mine'd be blood. Don't really fancy coffee, get too jittery," Spike shuddered at the thought of the dark liquid, the non-red one.

"Come on Spike, not too long ago you'd be eating girls like her," Angel motioned to the kitchen.

"Yeah well I can't," Spike shot back. Uh oh, now they were going to be approaching a topic he didn't want to mention, the chip. Oh well, guess the secret's out.

"Right, the chip," Angel snorted, "Not really convinced that doesn't make you a killer,"

"Chip's long dead mate," Spike cocked his head and grinned at him, "Isn't that funny?"

Angel growled and pounced on him, but Spike sidestepped him, "Hang on mate, you haven't heard the best news. I gotta soul, all fresh and shiny without a pesky happiness clause," Spike smirked, enjoying the sight of his grandsire freezing at the spot.

"You what?" he demanded, trying to look intimidating.

"Got a soul," Spike repeated slowly.

"How?" Angel asked tersely.

"Found a demon who grants wishes, asked for a soul and poof! Got one," Spike answered.

"Why?" Angel asked.

Spike didn't really want to tell him that, he wouldn't believe him or worse burst out laughing.

"None of your bleedin' business," Spike shot at him.

Angel just growled at him.

"Look Peaches, I'm gonna help you in this end of the world, but don't go askin' for my help next time," Spike told him.

"Who said we wanted your help?" Angel muttered.

"Oh, like you didn't just come here and beg Nibblet and your boy to help you. By the way, how did you get that ponce? Steal him from the mall?" Spike jibed at him with a smirk.

"He's my son, you idiot," Angel responded, starting to pace. Good, he was getting to him.

"Your son? Last time I checked we're kinda shooting blanks here," Spike arched a brow, motioning to his lower area.

"Well there was this whole deal with a prophecy and Darla and-" Angel muttered but Spike interrupted him, "Hang on a mo' Darla's the mommy? God that boy's screwed,"

"It was a prophecy thing," Angel protested.

"Well, as fun as this is, I have my stories on the telly for this," Spike announced and headed to the kitchen. Angel just glowered at him and decided to go back to sleep. Not like he really wanted to hang out with Spike, he shuddered at the thought.

"'Ello ladies," Spike said, announcing his presence, both women gave him a smile.

"Hey Spike. Let me guess, you came in for hot chocolate," Dawn asked rolling her eyes.

"Bloody right I did," Spike sat down in a chair and Dawn stood up to make another cup of cocoa.

Willow let out a huge yawn and stood up as well, "Well I'm gonna head back to bed," and put her cup by the sink, leaving Dawn and Spike alone.

Dawn willed her heartbeat to slow down, it wasn't like she hadn't been around Spike alone, she did remember a certain incident earlier this morning…Dawn mentally shook her head, No naughty thoughts, Silver! No thoughts about any naked, wet hard muscled Spike…

Oh god, she was so screwed.

"Bit?" Spike's voice jerked her mind out of the gutter.

"Right, here," she handed him his cup and sat down. Neither said anything for a minute.

"You and Red have a nice chat?" Spike asked, taking a sip of his drink.

"Yeah, we got some stuff out of the way," she replied vaguely, not wanting to go into the details.

Spike cocked his head, trying to decide if Red had told her about the Slayer gig. Probably not, he decided, she would be way more tense and upset then she is now.

"So how are things between you and the Pouf's boy?" Spike asked, trying to look casual. Dawn glared at him, "His name is Connor, and we're friends,"

Spike felt relieved knowing they were just friends. Bloody hell, I'm jealous of Angel's poncey little bugger. He was so screwed.

"Um…I'm gonna clean up and head back to bed, it's been a long day," Dawn went to rinse out the mugs.

"Right, bird like you needs her beauty sleep," Spike said with a grin and then froze when he realized what he had implied. Shit.

Dawn went rigid at his words. Did he mean what she thought he did? No, of course not and it didn't matter, in fact she had absolutely no feelings of attraction to him. If only her body agreed.

Rather than saying anything worse, Spike opted for mumbling a good night and heading back to the couch. Nothing like a bloody torture device called the couch to keep him awake to think about Dawn's smooth skin and soft lips…

Dawn quickly scampered off to her room. She knew that Spike had sensed her freezing up at his words. That was a good thing, she told herself. He needed to know she wasn't the same girl all those years ago…right?

Dawn gave up and fell back to a fitful sleep.

(A/N: I just realized I didn't put any disclaimers on the past chapters-i'm sorry! NONE OF THIS BELONGS TO ME- I wish though- Thanks to everyone who has reviewed-keep them coming and tell me what you think so far. Next chapter: The Big Bad is Coming to Town (haha can't imagine what that means) Thanks everyone-bye!