Disclaimer: All characters are property of Whedon, Mutant Enemy, etc. I'm just borrowing them for this story.

Time: Post Tabula Rasa

Spoilers: to Wrecked (takes place between episodes)

Rating: PG so far. May change later.

Summary: Spike helps Tara move out after Tabula Rasa. He's been going back to visit, and he and Dawn are making themselves at home with Tara. So far it's been following S6 rather well, but will go AU after a while.

Feedback: I love feedback. Feel free to email me at title is Latin. Roughly translated, it means "into the night"

In Noctem

Chapter 6

By Feles-noctis

Spike awoke a couple hours before dusk. He had slept the entire day through, something he hadn't done in a long time. Usually he would wake up in the middle of the afternoon and be stuck inside for hours, unable to get back to sleep. In fact, he'd been sleeping better more often lately. He got up and started wandering around his crypt when he noticed something on the inside of his door. It was a note.

"Spike,

Dawn was going to come over tonight and staying for a couple days.

She was thrilled to find out you might be dropping by at some point.

I didn't tell her you'd definitely be there, but that you might stop by for a bit if you get a chance.

You're welcome over whenever you like.

Tara"

Spike read the note twice through. The Niblet was going to be at Glinda's and she wanted to see him. It was nice to be welcome somewhere. Instead of doing other stuff, he got ready and made his way through the tunnels towards Tara's end of town. Once it was dark, he made a quick sweep through the graveyards, ones where he knew the Slayer wouldn't be yet on rounds, and then made his way towards Glinda's place.

Instead of going directly there,Spike had stopped and grabbed a couple of pizza's on his way. He remembered that the Niblet had always loved pizza and grabbed her favorite for her along with some sodas. He was making his way down the stairs with a bounce in his step when his heart froze. Dawn was screaming. Without a thought, he quickly bounded down the remaining stairs and burst into Tara's apartment. Luckily she hadn't locked the door yet, or else he would have broken it while coming in.

Instead of carnage or a demon or something to fight, he was greeted by two startled faces staring at him in amazement. He stood, frozen in the doorway, unsure of what to do next. This was not what he was expecting. The two just stood in amazement, not moving either. At last Dawn broke the silence, "Spike? Are you ok?"

He came out of his daze and looked around the room one last time before answering. "Yeah, Niblet, I'm fine. Just thought there was some nasty or something," he added sheepishly, looking down at his feet.

"You thought what?" Dawn pressed.

He looked up at the smiling girl in somewhat annoyance. "Thought there was some nasty here bothering you with the way you were carrying on."

"Huh? Oh!" Comprehension dawned on her face. "No, there was nothing wrong. Tara was just telling me that we could go to the mall this weekend or something if I wanted. I guess I got a bit excited." She looked up at him apologetically, and he knew he couldn't stay mad at her.

"'S alright, Bit. How 'bout you take these things off me and put them in the kitchen," he said as he handed her the pizzas and drinks, which were quickly becoming room temperature. A huge smile crossed her face as she bounded toward the kitchen with the boxes, which was quickly accompanied by a squeal of excitement as she opened the boxes. "Hope you don't mind. Thought it was the least I could do seeing as you invited me over." Tara, who hadn't said anything yet since he'd entered, only smiled at him.

"Why don't you come in and take off your coat, unless you were just planning on bursting in, dropping off three large pizzas and a case of soda and then disappearing into the night?" she said as she smiled at him and started toward the kitchen. Taking the hint, he took off his jacket and hung it up on the hooks beside two other coats and closed the door. Noticing the collection of shoes at the door, he paused to take off his boots before joining them in the kitchen, where a pile of plates, napkins and glasses had joined the pizza and drinks. Watching Dawn bound around in excitement, he knew he was in for a long, long night.

A/N: Sorry it's so short and that it's been so long between updates. I ended up moving and lost the notebook I was writing this in. Thanks for the comments. I hope people are still interested in this. I will hopefully be updating again by next week with another chapter.