Spike walked into his house, tired from dealing with all the brain-dead people at work. That wasn't what put him in a bad mood though, no. He finally remembered where he'd heard the name Riley Finn before. He was this jackass who worked under him, they all did since he owned the company technically, and Buffy's was the only complaint he'd heard. All his female clients were unhappy with him.

"Hi dad" Dawn said running into her father's arms. He smiled, lifting her up and twirling around while planting a kiss on her cheek. She giggled. (Me: Aw, isn't he the best?)

"Hey bit" he responded putting her down.

"Had a bad day?"

"Nothing that I didn't handle." He paused. "How's Buffy adjusting?"

"She hasn't left her room for more than a minute since breakfast. (Me: to clear any confusion, the last chappie was the day before) I think she's on a role." Spike seemed surprised. "Oh and some guy named Scott called for her. He didn't sound nice." Spike's eyebrows were knit tightly at the name. No, he didn't know this guy but he didn't like the fact that this unknown man was calling his…his…what was she to him? a girlfriend? Friend with benefits? Guess it can't be the latter considering the fact that they hadn't exactly done anything.

"Does she know?"

"He just called, right before you got here. Wonder how he got this number so fast."

Spike looked down at his daughter. "Dawnie, why don't you go order us some dinner while I got talk to Buffy a sec okay?"

"You're gonna kiss her aren't you?" Dawn had a matter-of-fact look on her face mixed with a little smugness.

"That young lady…" he hit her bottom to send her scurrying to the kitchen faster. "is not of your concern."

"You're gonna kiss her" she called over her shoulder quickly disappearing from sight.

Spike walked over to Buffy's room, taking off his shoes and loosening his tie in the process. (me: Hmm, Spike in a tie?) He took a deep breath before knocking on her door. No one answered. He knocked again, a little harder this time. Still no response. Bracing himself, he pushed the door open and peeked into the room. There she was sitting at the small desk with only a laptop to illuminate the room. she looked determined, almost like a zombie only much prettier.

"Buffy?" he asked carefully. She didn't turn to look or show any signs of having heard him. "Buffy." This time his voice was stronger, much more so. He stepped forward realizing that she had headphones on her ears when she tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear thoughtlessly. He tapped her on the shoulder. She must have jumped eighty feet into the air to put it mildly. The dark circles around her eyes and the blank stare that plagued her eyes, admittedly, freaked Spike out.

"S-Spike?" she said unsure. He looked at her oddly.

"Are you okay?"

Her eyes slowly came into focus as she shook her head slightly. "I'm fine." A large smile came across her face. "And I'm almost done. Maybe a chapter or so left."

"In two days? Wow, that's impressive love."

She shrugged standing and languidly stretched. "I had…a little motivation. My um…friend Scott called me to make sure that I was done. Riley's not the only one waiting for me to finish." The last part was whispered more to herself than to him but he still caught it.

Spike kept his voice as impassive as he could. "Who's Scott?"

Buffy paused. "A friend…kinda."

"Buffy it's okay. You can be honest. You already have a boyfriend. I get it."

"No you don't" she cut in a little more forcefully then she'd intended. Spike instantly shut up.

He waited for her to continue. "What is it then pet?"

"It's nothing." She turned away from him, giving him her back, arms crossed across her chest.

"You can trust me." He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pulled her close. His voice was a whisper as he continued into her ear. "I'd do anything for you, I swear."

Buffy looked up into his eyes and smiled. "I know you would." She sighed getting comfortable in his embrace. "Scott is my brother."

Spike pulled back ever so slightly. "You never told me you had a brother."

"He's not exactly the family's pride and joy…not since mom died anyway. He gambles and drinks and does everything imaginable to tarnish the family name."

"Uh-huh" prodded Spike after a long span of silence passed between them.

Shifting to get closer to him, Buffy sighed before continuing. "A couple of weeks ago, he got into some serious trouble. These loan sharks are after him and he doesn't have the money to pay them back. That's why I need this book to be done. I need to give him money to yet again bail him out. These people have already trashed his place and near killed his 'girlfriend.'" Buffy made air quotes around the word girlfriend. Her brother didn't have girlfriends, he had the latest willing victims.

"How much does he owe?"

Buffy remained silent for a long time. "A little over twenty-six thousand."

"I'm about to do you a huge favor."

Buffy pulled back completely now. "You are not giving him the money! And where are you gonna get that kinda cash?"

Spike looked at her. "I own a chain of companies all along the east and west coast. I think I'm decently off don't you? and besides, I know you're good for it. I'll give him the money and you'll pay me back…no interest or anything."

Buffy looked at him like he was insane. "You've already given me a home. I can't take your money too!" Spike rolled his eyes and silenced any further arguments by placing his lips on hers. Shocked into submission, she just looked at him when the kiss let up.

"I'm giving you the money." With that, he smiled and walked out the room. Buffy just stared after him.

A/N: that's all for now gentle readers. There are only like three chappie, if that many, left in this story. I want to wrap it up and finish wedding bells so I can start my new non-AU story and possibly Gilmore girl story. I'll update as soon as I can and, oh yeah, UPDATE!