Authour's Note: A huge thank you to screamingheathen69, DawnMarsters and IcyHot528 for taking the time to read and review my story, you guys rule!
I hope you enjoy this instalment of Loss of Innocence, I know it's a little shorter than the previous two chapters, but what can I say? I've become review-hungry, I REALLY want to know what people think before I continue and don't forget that I'm willing to take suggestions people. If you want to see something, or should I say read something in the coming chapters just drop me a review anytime, day or night. I'm pretty much open to anything….
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.
"What the hell are you doing in my house?" A pissed off slayer asked from the doorway when she saw Spike standing at the bottom of the stairs. Before the vampire had a chance to respond, Xander said loudly "Who cares! The point is he's leaving. Say goodbye Spike" his voice dripping with his seething dislike for the blonde creature that stood before them. "Not bloody likely" Spike replied flatly, rolling his eyes to emphasise what he really thought about Xander and his, using the term loosely, "threat". "Fine, you leave us no choice but to kick your ass then throw you out….goody" Xander said, stepping closer to Spike.
"Now isn't the time monkey boy" Spike said to the boy, although he looked directly at Buffy when he said it. Looking at Spike's face, Buffy got the feeling that something had happened that Spike was trying to tell her about. It was confirmed when concerned blue eyes met questioning hazel ones, Spike knew something and it was bad. Buffy put hand out to stop Xander getting any closer to his target "Not now Xander, Spike what's going on?" she asked, not looking away from the vampire's gaze. "It's Nibblet…." Spike started in a hushed tone but was once again interrupted by Xander. "Spike, I swear to God, if you've done ANYTHING to hurt her…." Xander stated angrily whilst attempting to push past Buffy's arm so he could hurt, or at least attempt to hurt, the usually smug vamp. Although right now Spike wasn't being smug at all, which only set off alarm bells in Buffy's brain. "Xander stop it! Spike, what are you talking about? Dawn is staying at a friend's house, I called her mother to confirm earlier…" Buffy paused mid-rant, her mouth opening slightly, as if realising something important. "Oh god it's Glory isn't it? She knows that Dawn is the Key! We have to do something….." before she continue, Spike hastily cut her off "It has nothing to do with Glory. I found Dawn in the alley behind the Bronze…….Buffy, she's been raped" Spike whispered the last part, bowing his head so that the slayer and her boy wouldn't see the pain and the hint of tears in his eyes. Buffy was in shock. She simply couldn't comprehend what Spike had just told her. Why would anybody want to hurt someone as sweet and innocent as her sister in such a brutal way?
Moments later screams could be heard from Dawn's bedroom. Without hesitation Spike raced up the stairs but Buffy wasn't so quick to respond. She was still attempting to process this information but was dragged from her state of shock when she felt Xander tugging her arm in a clumsy attempt to get her upstairs. "Dawn" she murmured, pushing past Xander so that she could bound up the stairs, two at a time to her sister's room. Buffy knew she should've been prepared for the sight that greeted her when she arrived at Dawn's room, but she wasn't. Dawn had her arms wrapped tightly wrapped around Spike's neck and was crying heavily into his shoulder, which was shock enough. But the even bigger shock was that Spike had Dawn wrapped in a firm embrace. The way that he stroked her hair and whispered reassurances to her was almost….loving. Buffy desperately wanted to be the one holding Dawn and telling her that everything would be okay the way that Spike was, but she didn't know how. There was one thing she knew how to do though, slay. She wouldn't rest until she found the thing that did this to her sister and eliminated it. Wordlessly she turned and walked straight past Xander, down the stairs and out the front door. As Buffy walked down the front path she completely ignored Xander as he called her name. She was on a mission and nobody was going to stop her until it was complete.
tbc
The sooner you review, the sooner I update….. J