Disclaimer: I creep forward onto the set of Buffy and hide behind a trash can.

Officer: hey what are you doing?

Me: (stands really still as to not be seen)

Officer: I do see you, you know

Me: You'll never take me alive! (runs)

Officer:(runs after me)

A/n: Happy non-denominational holiday everyone! Heehee (I like saying that.)

THE ACCIDENT

Later that day, Buffy looked in the mirror by her bed and smiled. "Perfect" she whispered to herself with a smile.

"As if" said Spike with a smirk as he continued to read his book leisurely.

"Shut up William" she answered annoyed. "Did I ask for your opinion?"

"It comes free of charge."

"Hmm, wonder why."

"What're you getting so gussied up for anyway, pet? Captain Cardboard finally decided to spring for a two dollar meal?" he sighed. "How sweet."

"Wrong" glared Buffy. "I'm going out with my mom tonight you pain-in-the-ass."

"Not that hard with such a bloody big ass, luv."

"You mother fu…"

Unfortunately for her, Joyce knocked the door before she could finish. She opened the door with a scowl. "Hey" came Joyce's voice. "I heard yelling. What's wrong?"

"Nothing important." Buffy shot Spike a glare.

"Hello Mrs. Summers" Spike said innocently. "It's so nice to see you."

"William!" she exclaimed. "It's been so long. How is your father?"

"He's fine but still a little out of it since mum died."

"Well, send him sympathies and tell him that I'll stop by sometime soon with some food."

"I'm sure he'd appreciate it."

Buffy gave an exaggerated sigh. "Let's go mom" she said annoyed.

"Well, it was nice seeing you again William."

"You too Mrs. Summers."

"Call me Joyce."

"Joyce" he amended.

Buffy pushed her mom out the door before Spike could suck up anymore, slamming the door behind her. Spike chuckled. He loved getting under her skin.

The phone rang jarred Spike awake. He glanced at the clock by his bed and saw that it was three in the morning. He unconsciously looked over at the bed beside him where Buffy was supposed to sleep. She wasn't there.

"Hello?" he asked sleepily.

"S-Spike?" came a very scared voice. From the sound of it, the person had been crying.

"Dawn is that you?" he asked instantly waking up.

"S-She's hurt" she whispered crying. "I walked in and she was bleeding."

"Who's hurt bit?" for a second, his heart stopped at the thought that it might be Buffy. Just because he didn't especially like her didn't mean that he wanted her hurt.

"No."

"Bit, where are you?"

"A-At the hospital. M-My m-mom. She's…" Dawn began crying into the phone.

"Stay where you are" he instructed and hung up. Grabbing a coat, he ran over down to his car. He didn't like Buffy but he did like the bit and Joyce. He needed to help them. That's all he knew as he pulled out of the parking lot. He needed to help them.

Spike arrived there about twenty minutes later. He'd driven like a madman and was surprised that he didn't get a ticket.

"Spike?" Dawn's voice called to him with a hint of desperation. "They wont tell me anything. Make them tell me something." She clung to him and he let her cry into his chest. "I called Buffy, she's coming."

A tall doctor came over to the hugging two. "Are you a relative?" he asked Spike.

"He's my sister's husband" Dawn responded quickly. The doctor looked to Spike for confirmation. When he nodded, the doctor asked to see him off to the side.

"I'll be back in a sec Nibblet." Dawn nodded. Spike and the older man left her behind and went off toward the corner. "So what's wrong doc? The bit called me and she was crying and telling me Joyce was hurt."

"Well" the doctor sighed. "Apparently, Joyce was found beaten and unconscious on her kitchen floor. The police think that it could have been a thief but they're not certain. "

"And Joyce?"

"She fell into a coma after the emergency operation we had to perform."

"Bloody hell!" spike ran a hand through his platinum blonde hair.

Just make her comfortable. I'll pay for whatever her insurance doesn't." The doctor nodded and left him standing there.

He returned to the 13 year old girl. "So? Is she okay?" the hope in her eyes tore at his heart. He wanted with every fiber of his being to be able to tell her that 'yes, Joyce would be fine.' But he couldn't. Instead he shook his head in the negative.

Dawn's eyes filled with tears once more. She reached up and buried her face in his shirt. All Spike could do was cling to her and hope that somehow things would get better.

Neither of them noticed that Buffy had walked in a while, heard what the doctor had said, and was watching the two of them hug with tears in her own eyes. She hated Spike and he hated her. Why was he pretending to care so much for her sister and her mom then?

a/n: And there is your Christmas Chapter. Depressing isn't it? I just wanted something to happen so that you guys don't get bored reading this story so ta-da. Lol.

To answer some misconceptions, yes spike is still british. I guess I haven't portrayed that well so I promise to do that I later chapters like I tried to do in this chapter, slightly. Also, no college that I know of would ever do girl/ boy dorm rooms but I just threw them together because I thought it'd be funny.

To Chelsea, I'll be sure to check out that movie you suggested. Oh! And thanks for your suggestions but I've been thinking of going another way although I will use some parts of it (melting heart, etc.)

Thanks for such positive reviews guys. I really appreciate it. Keep them coming. HAPPY NON- DENOMINATIONAL HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!