For the purposes of this chapter, italicized quotes indicate that the speaker is using Italian.

After dinner, Dawn and Andrew went back into the living room, deciding to watch a movie. Andrew could tell Dawn wasn't paying much attention to the television, and he knew Buffy's departure had to be bothering her. He wished he could do something to make it all better for her, but knew he really couldn't. Instead, he simply did the best he could. He wrapped an arm around her, and Dawn immediately slid closer to him, resting her head against his shoulder. She seemed to relax some, and Andrew was grateful for that. He was glad to see he could ease her pain, even if it was only by a little.

"I'm not going to school tomorrow," Dawn announced.

"I wasn't going to try to make you."

"Good. I want to spend the day with you, here in the apartment. Not sure I could deal with much else."

"That's fine with me. We won't even have to get out of bed if you don't want to." As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Andrew blushed. "I didn't mean…just you know, if you're tired and you want to stay there, and…" He sighed. "Why do I even try to speak?"

Dawn smiled. "I knew what you meant. Although honestly, I'm not opposed to the idea of staying in bed for some naughty fun time."

Andrew's blush grew darker. "But, um, you're upset, and…"

"And I'd want you regardless. It's not taking advantage of me, so don't even say it." She gave him a wicked grin. "But it would take my mind off of the possible impending doom."

"Well, yeah, but still…part of me, feels like all of this is taking advantage of you. Like maybe you have some head trauma we don't know about, and the only reason you're with me now is because it's made you think I'm worth your time."

Dawn elbowed him. "I do not have head trauma. You're a good guy, Andrew. You make me feel damn lucky."

Andrew smiled at her shyly as he tucked her hair behind her ear. "You make me feel pretty damn lucky, too. I've been happier these past few days than I've ever been in my entire life, and it's all because of you."

"You make me happy, too. I keep finding myself smiling for no reason other than the thought of you being in my life."

"Me, too."

Dawn started to kiss him, but stopped when there was a knock at the door. Andrew sighed. "Do we have to get that?" he asked.

"It could be important," Dawn replied.

Andrew grumbled and got to his feet, walking over to the door and opening it. His eyes widened when Caprice came rushing in, kissing him in between declarations of how much she'd missed him. Andrew stood frozen in shock for a moment, only to come out of it when he heard Dawn's bedroom door slam shut. His stomach knotted. This wasn't good…

Andrew pulled back, leaving Caprice looking stunned. "What is going on here?" she asked.

"Caprice, we need to talk," Andrew began, knowing it was one of the lamest and most over-used beginnings of a break-up ever, but he didn't know what else to say. He had to get Caprice out of there soon so he could smooth things over with Dawn.

Caprice moved towards him again, running her hands down his chest. "But I did not come here to talk." She leaned forward and nipped at his ear.

Andrew quickly pushed her away. "Caprice, I'm sorry, but no. We…we can't do this anymore."

Caprice's initial reaction was confusion, but it quickly changed to anger. "What do you mean? You cannot possibly not want me!"

Andrew grimaced, knowing this wasn't going to go smoothly. "I'm with someone else now, Caprice."

"That's it? That doesn't mean you can't still be with me, lover." Caprice came up to him again. "I shared you with Isabella. I can share you with her."

"Dawn doesn't want that sort of relationship, Caprice, and neither do I. She's…very important to me."

"Dawn! That pathetic little girl you told me was only a roommate?"

"She is not pathetic, or a little girl. And…things have changed between the two of us. She's more than only a friend to me now."

"Where is she?" Caprice demanded, pushing past him.

"Caprice, don't do this. Just leave, all right?"

"No! That child can't do this to me!" She stormed over to the bedroom and threw the door open, finding Dawn sitting on the bed. Caprice grabbed Dawn by the arm and dragged her out of the room. "Baldracca!" she screeched at Dawn. "How dare you steal my man? You are nothing! You will never please him, and he will soon tire of your attempts!"

Andrew pulled Caprice back. "Stop this!"

"No!" Caprice tore herself away from Andrew, then slapped him hard across the face. "I hate you! You and your dirty little whore!" She flew at Dawn, only to have Dawn grab her. Dawn twisted Caprice's arm behind her back and pushed her against the wall, face first.

Dawn leaned down, her mouth near Caprice's ear, and said menacingly in Italian, "If you come near me or Andrew again, I will rip off your head and drink from your brainstem. Understood?"

Caprice's eyes widened and she trembled in fear. "Yes. I understand."

"Good." Dawn shoved Caprice against the wall one more time for good measure, then let her go. "Out of my home, baldracca."

Caprice glanced nervously between Andrew and Dawn, then ran from the apartment. Andrew looked over at Dawn and started to speak, but she held up her hand. "Don't."

Dawn went back into the bedroom, shutting the door behind her. When Andrew heard the lock click, his shoulders slumped. With a heavy sigh, he closed and bolted the front door before going to sit on the couch. The events of the past few minutes replayed in his head as he rested his chin in his hands and muttered to himself.

"Merda."

When a while had passed and Dawn hadn't come back out, Andrew had decided to just go to sleep on the couch like normal. However, as he lay there in the dark, he found that all he could do was stare at the ceiling with a million thoughts running through his mind. Things had been going so well with Dawn, and now this. And with the worst possible timing, too. Dawn had been upset enough already with Buffy having to go to LA, and this had to only make things worse for her. Andrew felt like such a jerk. Dawn was hurting, and it was his fault.

"Andrew? Are you awake?"

At the sound of Dawn's soft question, Andrew bolted up. He hadn't even heard her leave her room. "I'm awake."

Dawn walked over, sitting on the end of the couch opposite from Andrew, facing him with her knees pulled up to her chin. Moonlight came in from the window, bathing her in a soft glow, and Andrew could tell she'd been crying. He felt even more horrible.

"You told me you were going to break up with her—with both of them."

Andrew looked down, the hurt on Dawn's face too much for him to take. "I know. And I was going to. I'm so sorry, Dawn."

"Why were you waiting? Why hadn't you done it already? You should have."

"I know. And I feel really bad, okay? It's just, well, I don't really know how to break up with someone. I've never done it before. And…and I tried getting in touch with them, but I only got their answering machine, and that seemed like the wrong way to do it."

"That was really rough for me, Andrew. Seeing some other woman kissing you and then having her attack me like that—not my idea of a fun evening."

Andrew ventured to look up. "I know. And I can't even begin to tell you how bad I feel about all of it."

"You told me Caprice and Isabella were gone, and I believed you. We're just starting out, and I need to be able to trust you."

"I know. And you can, really. I wasn't trying to lie to you about them, I promise. The situation just…got out of hand."

"My whole life was a lie," Dawn said softly. "Everything I remember from my childhood is nothing but a fabrication. I need to know I can take things as the truth now."

"I'm really sorry, Dawn. The last thing I'd ever want is to be dishonest with you." Andrew tried not to grimace as that statement brought forth an image of Spike to his mind. "I l…like you a lot. I don't want to hurt you."

Dawn reached out and put her hand on Andrew's leg. "Just don't let anything like that happen again, all right?"

Andrew took her hand in his, feeling the tension drain out of him as he realized he hadn't lost her. "You got it. So does this mean I'm forgiven?"

"Yes. But you better be really, really nice to me for the next few days, buddy."

Andrew smiled. "I think I can handle that."

Dawn stood up and held her hand out to him. "Let's go to bed. I missed you."

"I missed you, too," Andrew replied, taking her hand. They walked together into the bedroom, and Andrew noticed the lamp beside her bed was on. He wondered if she'd even been able to attempt to go to sleep.

"Your cheek is really red."

At Dawn's comment, Andrew touched his face and hissed slightly at the contact. "Yeah. Caprice really whacked me good."

Dawn kissed the injury softly. "I guess I'll go easy on you and not bruise the other one then."

"Gee, thanks," Andrew replied. Dawn giggled. "What's so funny?" he asked.

"I spoke Italian. When Caprice pissed me off, I didn't even think about it. I just started talking."

"You're good with languages, Dawnie. You probably know more Italian than you think you do."

"I know how to say 'brainstem,' apparently."

"That was quite scary by the way."

"It's something Spike used to say to me when I got him angry." Dawn's expression clouded. "I miss him."

Andrew knew this would be the perfect moment to come clean. Surely Buffy would see Spike in LA, and it wouldn't need to be a secret anymore. But after Dawn had seen him not dumping Caprice and Isabella as soon as her said he would as him being dishonest, he knew she wouldn't be too happy with learning the truth about Spike. She'd just forgiven him, and he didn't want her upset with him again. He wrapped his arm around her and kissed the top of her head. "I'm sure he knew you cared about him, Dawnie."

"Maybe. Things were so strained between us." Dawn sighed. "I'm tired. It's been a really long, emotional day, and I just want to get some sleep."

Andrew was relieved to see the Spike conversation was over. "Sleep it is then."

They got into the bed and Dawn turned off the lamp before rolling over and snuggling up beside Andrew. He stroked her hair. "I really am sorry about what happened with Caprice tonight."

"It's all right. Well, not really all right, but it's over. And I know you weren't planning on still seeing her or anything, so you're forgiven."

"You're really the only woman I want, Dawn."

Dawn lifted her head to kiss his cheek before settling back down against his chest. "I know. I think that's starting to sink in for me."

"Good, because it's the truth." Andrew kissed the top of her hair. "We'll have a better day tomorrow, Dawnie. I promise."

"Can we do that staying in bed thing?"

"I wouldn't be opposed."

Dawn chuckled. "Good." Her eyes drifted shut. "Good night, sweetie."

Andrew smiled, feeling completely at peace with her there in his arms. "Good night, my princess."

I know I took too long between posts. My muse for this fic was being quiet.

Thanks to all my reviewers so far. Keep the reviews coming, and I'll keep the fic coming. (Reviews are like coffee for my muse…)