A/N: So, I wrote this chapter at like three. It seems that lately, that's the only time I've been able to write. Sorry for the HUGE gap between chapters. I wanted to finish my other story and then there was the wedding and SATs and SAT2s. I've just been really busy. Now on top of that, I have finals that started today actually. I wanted to update at least once before another week dry spell. As soon as I have a spare moment, I promise to update. Until then, I give this chapter. It's kinda short so…sorry. Oh and remember this late, I'm kinda delusional so I apologize in advance. ENJOY! Most importantly, REVIEW!

Buffy woke to the harsh sound of knuckles rasping on her door. She sat up surprised by the sound especially so early in the morning. Glancing at the clock by her bed, Buffy groaned as she saw that it was only six in the morning, ON THE WEEKEND. She laid back down completely ready to fall back asleep.

Knock. Knock. Knock!

Buffy pulled her pillow over her head to try and block out the sound.

BAM! BAM! BAM!

"Okay! Okay! I'm coming!" Buffy yelled pushing the covers off of her and attempting to stand up. Unfortunately for her, her feet-in her rush to get the door-got tangled in the sheets that she had kicked off the bed and onto the floor in the middle of the night. She fell to the floor with a thud. "Oof" she muttered, rubbing her ankle.

Bam! Bam! Bam! (me: heehee, it sounds like bam bam from the Flintstones.)

"Hold on!" Buffy cried out, rising on shaky feet, cringing at the sharp pain that went through her leg. She limped over to the front door. Pulling it open, she was met with a very annoyed looking landlord.

"You're late!" her landlord said bursting past her.

"What?" asked Buffy looking confused. She crossed her arms over her chest.

"You haven't paid your rent yet and it's almost two weeks late."

"Yeah, I know. I-I talked to your brother about it."

"I kinda wanna hear me talking right now" Glory interrupted. "You're out. I'm kicking you out. You don't pay your rent on time and your always flirting with my brother."

"I've never flirted with Ben. He's not my type."

"Oh, so now you thing you're too good for him? Above him?"

"No, that's not what I meant. He's nice and I guess some would consider him even cute."

"Oh, so you ARE hitting on my brother."

"No…I mean…no." Buffy sighed. "When do I have to be out by?"

"This afternoon. I don't want to see your face around her again, for my brother or for the apartment. Good night." With that, she walked out of the apartment with resolve, the door slamming behind her.

Buffy pressed her eyes closed. Willow and Xander were gone and they were the only people she knew who were in California right now. She paused, searching her mind for just about any option when she landed on Spike. But how could she ask? Sure, they'd had a good time with the promise of seeing each other tomorrow but that had been then. That did, by any means, mean that she was actually invited to stay with them for an extended period of time. But what choice did she have?

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Spike unlocked the door to his sister's house and turned on the lights. The place was just as it was left the last time he was there, clean and tidy. As he had been instructed, he set off towards the kitchen for some water for the plants. Dawn followed him, searching for Miss Kitty Fantastico to appear. She didn't.

"Dad?" she asked timidly. He was filling a small spray can with water.

"Nibblet?"

"Where is Miss Kitty?"

"I don't know. she should be around here somewhere. Go look for her."

A crash upstairs stopped Spike's motions. He looked up, wondering what the hell that was. Glancing over at Dawn, he could see the unmistakable fear in her eyes. "What was that?"

"Shh" he instructed while turning off the water. "Stay behind me" he mouthed. She nodded.

Spike stealthily walked past her, grabbing the nearest thing to him which happened to be a vase. Dawn trailed after him, grabbing a broom (me: smart girl) as her weapon of choice. They both went up the stairs slowly, making sure not to make noise. For all they knew it could have been some psycho with a gun. Spike hadn't felt comfortable leacing Dawn behind mostly because he wasn't sure how many of them there were. The last thing he would EVER want was for anything to happen to his daughter, she meant too much to him. At least this way, he could protect her with his last breath.

The light in one of the rooms was on so it was a pretty safe bet that there was someone in there. Spike walked over and gently pushed the door open. It creaked to which he cringed. "Who's in here!" he demanded. If he was going to be caught inside, he might as well make it look like he meant to make the noise.

Buffy looked up from her magazine in confusion. "Why are you holding a vase?" she questioned, absently petting a content Miss Kitty. "Why's Dawn holding a broom?"

"We though you were a burglar" answered Dawn putting down her "weapon." She spoke before her father had the chance to think of anything that wouldn't make him sound like a complete wanker.

Buffy raised her eyebrows at him. "And you decide to take a vase to what pot the crooks plants?"

"What are you doing here?" he asked her instead of answering her.

"I don't have a home anymore." She averted her eyes from him and back to her magazine.

"What do you mean you don't have a home?"

"I don't have a home. I got kicked out. The landlord's a bit…bitter…bitter, mean woman" Buffy finished weakly. She glanced at Dawn to see if she noticed. She hadn't but Spike was giving her a very strange look. Dawn was too wrapped up in taking care of the cat.

"I walked you to your door yesterday."

"And I got kicked out this morning. I figure I'd crash here until they came back then I don't know go to a motel."

"Buffy, you can't do that."

"What else am I supposed to do? I have no other options."

"Why don't you come stay with us?" Dawn's voice was so childlike that it took both of the adults by surprise. "We've got plenty of room."

"I-I don't t-think that's such a good idea." Buffy sat up.

"Why not?" asked Spike. Those two words caught her completely off guard. "Like Dawnie said, we've got the room."

"It would be awkward…wouldn't it? I mean us living under the same room."

"I promise not to do anything without permission" he said once Dawn walked out of the room to get Miss Kitty some milk.

"I couldn't ask…"

"I'm offering" he interrupted.

"You're serious? You want me to move in with you?"

"Rent free on top of that."

"Spike, I have to pay…something. You're already doing too much as it is."

"No, look Buffy we can barter." He took a seat next to her. "I'll let you move in, rent-free if…" he racked his brain for something that he might actually need. "You watch Dawn. You know, pick her up from school, make sure she does the homework, the whole thing. Deal?"

Buffy contemplated her options. Upon realizing that she had none, she smiled at Spike. "Deal and Spike, thanks."

"No problem." He stood. "So, let's pack you up."

A/N: so what'd you think? REVIEW!