Sorry it took me so long to up date, I've had a HEAP of uni work to do!
Naomi24 & Elizabeth: Thanks! here you go, this is me updating!
SapphireAngL: Thank you, I'll try to keep it as shocking and interesting as possible!
-Thanks for being my first ever reviewers!-
To all readers please R&R and enjoy! I'm open to any suggestions or constructive criticism you may have, so feel free!
Spoilers: Hardly any at all really but is set during BTVS s5, after Joyce died, but before the whole final showdown with Glory.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. All characters belong to the good people at ME and the fantastic, brilliant and legendary Joss.
A considerable amount of time passed before something dawned excuse the pun, it was just too easy and I couldn't resist! on Spike. Sitting with Dawn being all injured and vulnerable in the middle of an alley, in Sunnydale was perhaps not such a good idea. So Spike moved to stand with the still weeping girl in his arms but Dawn's increased shaking and almost choking sobs made him stop. Instinctively, Spike started running his right hand up and down the length of Dawn's back, while his left went to her head where his fingers parted matted locks and began to lightly rub her scalp. Spike's mind went back to times when he used to do the same thing to Drusilla. It had always calmed that raving lunatic he had once adored more than anything and apparently it was having a similar affect on Dawn. "Bit, listen to me. We can't stay here, alright?" Spike waited a moment, continuing his comforting movements and listened as she took several deep breaths, trying to compose herself. When he felt her breathing return as close to normal as he thought it was going get right now, he pulled away slightly and lifted her head from his shoulder so that he could speak to her face-to-face. "I'm gonna take you home and then we'll see about cleaning you up, okay bit?"
"Okay" came Dawn's broken whisper. Spike gave her a small, sad smile before standing with Dawn in his arms and heading in the direction that he knew would lead to the Summers' residence.
As they arrived at their destination, Spike noticed that the house was still in darkness, indicating that there was nobody home. No place like bloody home , the sarcastic thought rang throughout Spike's brain. Spike shook his head, surely the Slayer and her groupies would've finished patrolling by now? Sighing inwardly he walked to the front only to find that it was locked. Sighing again, this time not so inwardly, Spike wondered how the hell he was going to get Dawn inside and cleaned up if he couldn't even get in the door. While he was estimating how many times Buffy would kick his ass if he just kicked down her front door, Spike remembered a useful piece of information that he had gained on one of his secret visits to the Summers' household. There was a spare key hidden under the pot plant that sat near the front door. Bending down to obtain said key, he realised that he needed to release the traumatised girl he was still holding in his arms in order to get them into the house. Spike promptly stood back up and went to lower Dawn so that she would be standing on the ground but stopped when he heard Dawn whimper and felt her hands tightly grasp his standard black t-shirt. He could sense her immense fear and insecurity without even having to look at her. In an attempt to calm her Spike moved one of his hands to the back of Dawn's head and lightly massaged her scalp like he had earlier in the alley "Dawn" he whispered into her ear, not wanting to alarm her. "I need to put you down for a minute so that I can get the spare key and let us in, okay love?" Had he just called her love? Good one Spike, you wanker! Spike thought to himself. Bit, little bit, nibblet, sweet bit, even platelet were all expectable names for the youngest Summers, but never love. Fortunately for Spike, Dawn was in no state to notice his little slip so he resolved to forget about it. When he felt Dawn nod slightly against his hand he silently set her down on the ground, got the key and opened the door. He looked over his shoulder at Dawn, waiting for her to move through the door he was holding open for her. She merely stood in the spot he had placed her in, her arms tightly hugging herself, looking more terrified than he had ever seen her. It made him want to protect her, ensure that no creature would ever cause her pain ever again. Silently, Spike extended a hand towards Dawn and waited for her to take hold of it. He was trying to be patient, the last thing that Spike wanted to do was make her feel anymore uncomfortable or upset than she already was, but patience had never been one of the bleached vampire's strong points. After a moment Dawn tentatively took the hand offered to her and let Spike lead her inside.
An hour later Dawn had been cleaned up, changed into clean pyjamas and was now in bed hopefully asleep, although it was unlikely. Spike was perched on the top of the stairs, not too far from Dawn's door and he could see the front door nicely from his vantage - point as well. It had crossed his mind at some point that perhaps he should've taken Dawn to the hospital instead of home, but then he thought that she may prefer to go with her sister than with him so he decided it could wait until Buffy returned. Speaking of, or to be more accurate, thinking of the infuriating Chosen One, where the hell was she? As if on cue Spike heard footsteps along the front path followed by the slayer's voice, obviously she was talking to someone, but who? Spike listened intently and picked up a male voice, rolling his eyes when he realised who it was, Xander. Now he's going to be an extraordinary amount of help, Spike thought to himself as he began to descend the stairs. "Oh boy here we go" he muttered to himself as he heard keys in the door.
So what did you think? Don't worry, this isn't the end, but I'd really like to know what some of you guys think before I continue. I promise that I'll be quicker updating the next chapter!