Discovering Dawn, Ch. 4

I'd like to say thankyou for those that actually reviewed my story! So thankyou Naomi24 and Stars- in- Eyes! Me love you long time! )

Dawn walked up to her house, all the windows dark. At least she'd be alone. Buffy was probably out slaying, she thought, being her normal wonderful self. Everyone wanted Buffy, and no one wanted her. Even Xander. She had the biggest crush on him last year, but the only thing on his mind was Buffy. And now she was moronically in love with Spike, and the only room in his heart was ALSO for her sister.

She didn't exist to anyone here. She wasn't Dawn, her own person; she was Buffy's little sister. All she was, was implanted memories and some ball of green energy. Was all of her pain real? Or was it just something she had been programmed to feel? Was she even alive? Did she even bleed real blood?

Her tears poured down her face as she walked into the house, ending up in the kitchen. She just couldn't take it. If she wasn't here, then she couldn't hurt, and if she wasn't here, Glory wouldn't need anything from any of them, and if she wasn't here... No one would miss me. She walked over to the silverware drawer, retrieving a large chef knife.

I guess we'll see if I really bleed.. She cut a thin line across her left wrist, numbly watching the ruby red blood well up from it. Looks real enough. She dropped the knife to the floor and sat down beside it, leaning against the cabinets. Her blood was pooling on the floor and she just watched it ebb away, her life going with it. She barely heard Spike screaming at her to open the door, and then when he kicked it open.

The fear she saw in his eyes made her heart sing.. He really cares? He wrapped his hands around her wrist, grabbing a towel off the stove and holding it to her wound. He swore if she lived through this, he was going to kill her. At least she hadn't cut both wrists, and it didn't look too deep...

Her eyes were heavy, and she was so tired.. but Spike wouldn't let her sleep. He just kept screaming at her to stay awake. Finally, he had gotten the blood to stop flowing and he held her to him. His whole body was shaking; if he hadn't been here, she could've died. REALLY died. No more Dawn. His heart felt empty at that thought, and suddenly his tears flowed down his cheeks.

She looked weakly up at him, her own tears sparkling in her lashes. Her fingertips caught his trail of tears and brushed them away. She just couldn't believe someone actually would've missed her, and how stupid she was to hurt him like that, even though she didn't think she could. He pressed his forehead to hers, looking into her eyes.

"You ever scare me like that again luv, and you might as well tear my heart out first..."

"I'm so sorry Spike.. I just thought.. it would be better this way.."

He searched her face, brushing her hair back behind her ear. "Nothing would be as bright without you here to light it up for me Dawn..."

She closed her eyes, almost choking on her sob at his sweet words, yet her heart not willing to fully hear them. He would miss her, and that's all she needed to know.

He kissed her eyelids softly before picking her up and striding to the livingroom. He sat her down on the couch, and flipped on the lamp. Lifting her arm to the light, he sucked in his breath at the angry cut emblazened on her pale skin. He shook his head lightly, so angry at himself. he caused her pain and he made her do this. If Buffy was here, he would ask to be staked.

"Spike?" He looked up into her face, and she glided her fingertips over his forehead, and he followed hers with his own. He hadn't even realized he had slipped into his demon. "Does this mean this is real blood?" She held her bloody fingers to his lips, the smell of it intoxicating him.

"Of course it's real, bit.."

"And.. you would maybe.. like some?"

"No, no- of course not.."

"So.. it's not real enough for you to actually want it?" Her eyes got hard, and she crossed her arms on her chest. His tongue unconsciously darted out to his lips, a small gasp erupting as he tasted her sweetness on them.

"That's not what I meant luv, and you know it. Of course I bloody well want it! But it's not right, and.. and you've already lost so much.."

"Please Spike.. just a taste.. let me know I'm really here.. I'm really alive.. tell me I'm real.."

He knew she wasn't just going to listen to him, no matter how many times he could tell her she was real, she wouldn't believe him. He had to do what she asked, and then she would have no reason to not believe him. She held her fingers to his lips again, smearing them with her blood. His tongue darted out tentatively, tasting the red nectar, his blood lust rising to the surface. He sucked her fingertips into his mouth, cleaning off every drop of blood he could find.

His mouth traveled to her palm, then to her wrist. His cool tongue trailing over her skin. She panted heavily, her whole body singing at his touch. He growled up at her, yanking her roughly to him, his demon still at the forefront, and kissed her mercilessly. His fangs nipped at her lips and her tongue, bleeding into his hungry mouth. He held her tight against him, her body wrapping around his. She could taste her own blood on his delicious tongue and she couldn't get enough. Before long she had to break away, panting for breath.

His yellow eyes looked at her, down to her swollen and bleeding lips, and he melted back to his human features. He stared at her dumbfounded, apologetic.. but couldn't bring himself to speak.

She reached up, rubbing her thumb across his lips, wiping at her blood that still lingered there. "Did I taste real?"

"Dawn.." his eyes locked with hers. "You are human, and completely real..." His eyes crinkled at the edges, "and completely tasty might I add.."

She giggled at that and he beamed.

"Um.. I need to get you something to eat now.. and you need to just rest here, okay luv?" He lazily caressed her cheek with his thumb, waiting til she nodded before he broke away to the kitchen.

Within minutes he had her some vegetable soup and a turkey sandwich, and she devoured it hungrily. As she ate, he scrubbed the kitchen floor, making sure it was spotless. Now that he had looked at the puddle, it was alot smaller than he had originally thought. His fear must've made it seem so much bigger. He returned to the livingroom, just happily watching her eat. She had a smile lodged on her face, and looked so content, he couldn't help but smile.

A lock of her hair fell down into her face, and he quickly moved to push it back. They froze, looking into eachothers eyes, her lids drifted closed and he moved to kiss her. Suddenly though, they heard a key turning in the front door lock and jumped apart, almost knocking her soup to the floor. His eyes widened at the visible cut on her wrist, and threw his coat over her just in time.

Buffy walked through the door, along with Xander and Willow. They seemed tired, and they had cuts and bruises all over. They froze when they saw Spike and Dawn, seemingly a little too close to eachother.

"Dawnie? Whatcha doin' here? You're suppose to be in a cave.." she looked at her expectantly.. "making with the hiding.." She stood with her hands on her hips, staring holes into Dawn's lowered head.

Spike immediately stood up, "Slayer, it was my idea.. I mean, we needed a shower.. I mean, SHE needed a shower.. not we, because.. we aren't together.. I mean.. what I mean to say is.."

Dawn jumped in to stop his rattling, "what Spike is so eloquently trying to say, is that I stink. And even though I'm in hiding, I do need some sort of personal hygiene. I haven't showered since yesterday morning and that cave is already dank. I'm surprised I haven't drove Spike crazy with my smell in that cave with all his enhanced smellness!"

He just chuckled at that; if only she knew she really had drove him crazy.. but crazy in the most delicious way. Her scent was anything but offending. She smelled of vanilla, heat and arousal.. and now of blood and of him.. He breathed deep, letting himself enjoy it one more time.

Buffy held her hand up to Dawn's face, stopping her incessant talking. "Dawn, fine, don't care, too tired to care. Spike-"

He snapped his head up, hoping the Slayer hadn't noticed him staring at Dawn. "Yeah?"

"Let her shower, and you can too if you want, but make sure you guys get back to the cave tonight. And no more coming here, I promise I'll call you when it's safe." She rubbed her hands up and down Dawn's arms. "It shouldn't be too much longer, Willow has this spell thing she's working on, and we are all pretty sure it will work.. so.. please Dawnie? Stay put in the cave?" Her sister looked at her, and for once she could see that Buffy really cared.

"Alright, I will." Dawn hugged her tightly, and Buffy winced slightly in pain.

"K, I need to go crash now.. let that Slayer healing kick in.. but I'll see you real soon." Buffy climbed the stairs, almost limping, Xander and Willow following her up after saying their goodnights. They had been staying at the house for a while now; it just seemed to be easier keeping the scooby gang all in one spot.

Spike and Dawn exchanged a look, and then ushered her towards the bathroom. "You first bit.. we need to hurry. We gotta' get back.." She turned to him, smiling coyly, her mind clicking with ideas.

"Wut luv?"

"Nothing.. I just thought about that shower.. how naked and wet I'm going to be.."

His mouth dropped open at her blatant imagery, and she pushed his chin up to close his mouth. She giggled, a very feminine pride lighting up her face, and swished her hips as she walked into the bathroom and closed the door.

"That lil' minx..."

Please read and review! Hope all the blood wasn't too much for you guys, and hey, the shower continues in the next chappie!