Kat blew out a frustrated breath as she sat at the table in the Magick Box. Dawn sat beside her with the same frustrated expression on her face, the table littered with books and paper.
"Dawn, why the hell did you ask for my help? You do remember I skipped a lot of school, right? Or how history really isn't my thing?" Kat sighed, glaring at her younger cousin. Dawn gave her a look and rolled her eyes.
"I know. But you're so smart and everyone else is busy," she pouted. Kat knew she probably asked the others before she settled on Kat and she wasn't even offended. She wasn't good with this kind of thing. The times she did decide to attend school she hadn't paid much attention. History in particular wasn't something she remembered. She tuned out most of it so she was hardly the person to ask for help with stuff about World War 2.
Buffy was out doing God knows what. Anya and Xander were at home and Kat really didn't want to think about what they would be doing. Willow and Tara were busy in the training room doing magick stuff and Giles was too busy on the phone having a heated debate with a supplier. Kat didn't envy him. She'd dealt with that particular supplier before and he was an ass in the biggest sense. That was exactly why Giles was now the one to deal with him. Last time Kat had spouted a lot of colorful words at him and they'd almost lost his business. She idly wondered if Giles would do the same. The man was reserved most times but even he could be pushed to his limits. And honestly she knew it would be hilarious to see.
Kat wiped a hand over her face as Dawn hit her head on the table lightly a few times in agitation. When she sat back up, her eyes seemed to light up before she looked back at Kat.
"Ask Spike to help!" she suggested, excitedly but also quietly. Kat quirked a brow since the vamp wasn't here, but when she glanced behind her, she saw him sauntering through the room from the back. Kat rolled her blue eyes and leveled Dawn with a look.
"You ask him! He's more likely to help if you do," she groaned. Things were weird between them recently and after the day before where he confessed to getting a man killed for her, she felt a little awkward and she honestly didn't know where she stood with him. Things were always so simple. They hated each other and let each other know. But now he'd been nice, helpful, thoughtful even, in his own way of course. She wasn't sure how to deal with the situation. She could go back to calling him names and being mean but it made a twinge of guilt bloom in her belly at the thought. Something completely unfamiliar for her when it came to bleach boy.
"I know he'd help if I asked. But I think it'd be nice coming from you. I mean, you guys are getting on a bit better and stuff," there was a sly tone in Dawn's voice that made Kat narrow her eyes.
"We're slightly civil, so what? Doesn't mean I need to ask," Kat huffed. Dawn glared at her, eyes darting from Kat to Spike who was standing near the counter smirking at Giles starting to get angry at the man on the phone. It seemed he was enjoying the show.
"Spike likes to feel needed. To feel useful. His life's changed so much since they chipped him and I think his sense of purpose is kinda all over the place. He wants to help us and be good, so we should encourage it. Make him feel needed and let him help with anything. And he likes you, so you asking him for help with something… it'll make him feel good," Dawn shrugged.
Kat blinked at her teenage cousin wondering just when the fuck she started to psychoanalyse people. She lowkey worried she'd been analyzed herself and hoped not because that was a can of worms she didn't have any intention to open. She thought about Dawn's words as her eyes drifted back to the vampire who was leaning casually against the counter still smirking. Dawn was young, immature a lot of the time, but was also very perceptive. And she knew to some degree she was right. About Spike's sense of purpose, not about him wanting Kat in particular to ask for help because he liked her. She got that way wrong.
"If you wanna make him feel good then you ask him. If I do he's just gonna be stubborn and say no," Kat said seriously, twirling a pen around in her hands. Dawn gave an exasperated sigh that she wasn't being listened to and pursed her lips. Kat watched carefully as a sly grin wormed its way onto her face as her eyes lit up.
"Spike!" Dawn called out with a smile. The man in question turned around and quirked a curious brow at the young girl. His eyes drifted to Kat for a second before back to Dawn and Kat watched her cousin warily. She would have just presumed she was going to ask for his help like Kat told her to but the look on Dawn's face told her she was up to something. Dawn beckoned him over with her hand and he sauntered over, plonking himself in a chair opposite them.
"Alright, Bit?" he asked, leaning back in his chair. He always managed to look so casual and chill and Kat didn't know how he did it. Kat waited for Dawn to ask but was horrified when the girl turned her eyes on her, pleading and large. Kat scowled, tilting her head as she glared at her. She was such a little shit sometimes. Spike watched them partly amused and partly confused and Kat heaved the largest sigh known to man before she turned her eyes to him. His raised brow, his perpetual smirk on his lips.
"You were around in World War 2 right?" she asked carefully, almost sounding bored. Dawn smirked to herself from her seat next to her, turning her innocent-looking eyes to the vampire as he looked confused by the question.
"Uh… yeah. Why?" he asked warily. Kat glanced at Dawn who gave her another pleading look to continue and she refrained from clipping her around the ear.
"Dawn has an assignment due tomorrow and history isn't my thing. She could use some help, and who better than someone who lived it?" she smiled thinly, clearly tense and Spike snorted, looking from her to Dawn.
"Didn't realize Nibblet needed you to speak for her, Kitten," he smirked.
"Yeah, me neither," Kat huffed. With both pairs of eyes on her, Dawn blushed a little, a sheepish look gracing her face at Spike actually taking note that it was weird. She hadn't really thought of that part, just thought he'd go along with it. Now she just felt stupid. She had hoped they'd just be happy to help and both help her. That it would get them talking more.
"I was just… shy?" she phrased it like a question and Spike's lips twitched up as he shook his head.
"If there's one word I'd never associate with you, it's bloody shy, Bit," he snorted amused. She sighed, holding her hands up in surrender knowing she'd been found out somewhat.
"Will you help me or not? Because if you don't, I'll fail and then I'll be sad and Kat and school don't mix, so she's no help," Dawn huffed. Once again Kat didn't take offense at the blatant fact about her being thrown out there. Spike pursed his lips looking thoughtful before his eyes drifted back to Kat. He looked at her expectantly and she raised her brow.
"Come on, Spike. You don't wanna see Dawn sad, do you?" Kat asked with a sly smirk. She knew the man had a soft spot for the younger girl and she was counting on that to work in her favor. Partly because it was pure hell doing any kind of homework with her and also because she had stuff to do. He gave her a glare and she knew her words had worked, even if he wasn't happy about it.
"Right then. Let's see what you've gotta do," he sighed resigned as he took the paper with her assignment on it in his hands, scanning the page.
"Awesome! Have fun!" Kat grinned as she hopped out of her chair. Spike glared hard at her while Dawn looked forlorn.
"You're not gonna help?" she asked dejectedly.
"Nope. You said yourself, I'm no good with this. Besides, bleach boy here would probably prefer me to be far, far away," she snorted before scurrying off. Missing how Spike frowned slightly watching her or how Dawn sighed sadly as she looked at her books. She went about her business, sorting shelves and even served the few customers that came in while Giles stayed on the phone arguing. It was amusing and when he finally hung up, he walked over cleaning his glasses. His cheeks were slightly flushed and the annoyed look on his face made her smirk.
"That man is insufferable. He's such a bloody… scoundrel!" he explained with a frown. Kat couldn't help the bubble of laughter that left her lips even if she wanted to.
"You tell him, Giles," she smirked as she jotted down the last purchases in the book. He squinted slightly, clearly sensing she was mocking him and she flashed a toothy grin at him. She knew he'd cave, he always did. She was right when his scowl made way to a slight smile as he shook his head ruefully.
"If we didn't need his business I'd tell him to stick it. But sadly, we do," he sighed. She understood though. The man could infuriate anyone, even the softest of people. Even Giles.
"He is a grade A asshole," she snorted, closing the book. Giles gave her the same disapproving look he always did when she cursed but she ignored it as always.
"I'm going to take inventory in the back. Will you be okay out here until Anya comes in?" he asked softly. She preferred to do stock-related stuff, people weren't her deal. Anya was the one who took care of money and people, even if her people skills were a little… weird. But she didn't mind when she needed to so she nodded. He patted her on the shoulder before leaving through into the back. She knew it was unlikely more people would come in anyway. Sunnydale was a small town and it wasn't like everyone here was into magick. So it was easy for her to just sit on the stool behind the counter and read until Anya would turn up.
She was in the middle of reading the Witches Bestiary when Spike walked over to the counter.
"You owe me a favor now," he smirked. She raised her eyes from her book, quirking a brow with a tilted head.
"Since when?" she asked with a huff.
"Since you roped me in to help explain World War 2 to a bloody teenager with the attention span of a lemon," he said plainly. Her lips twitched slightly.
"That's a favor to pick with Dawn, not me," she shrugged, turning back to her book. Suddenly it was plucked from her hands and her head snapped up. Spike glanced at the cover, raising a brow that was either shocked or impressed at her choice of reading.
"See, here's the thing, KitKat. You asked, not her. The way I see it, it was your job to help her but you couldn't. So you had to ask me. Therefore, you owe me," he grinned wickedly. His logic was stupid but she knew him well enough that he was as stubborn as she was and he wouldn't let it go.
"Right, okay," she murmured, not really caring about ever giving him that favor, just wanting him to leave her alone.
She snatched the book back with no resistance from him and flicked back through it to find her page.
"I'm just tryin' to work out if I should wait until I really need to cash it in, or if I should get you to do somethin' for me now," he drawled with a smirk. Her annoyed eyes glanced back at him then.
"I could stake you if you want?" she asked sweetly with a saccharine smile. A scowl graced his face then that made her smile widen. She remembered when he tried to stake himself. Back when he first got chipped. When she walked in with the others to find him dressed in that stupid outfit as he threw a tantrum about how he wasn't 'scary' anymore. She had gladly offered to stake him and he had shot her a venomous look. She was pretty sure that he'd never let her be the one to do it, no matter how desperate he was.
"Funny," he stated dryly with a glare.
"I was thinkin' more… dressin' you up and havin' you clean my crypt. Think it'd be right entertainin' to watch you dust in a schoolgirl outfit," he smirked devilishly.
She knew her cheeks heated up. She felt it and his widening smirk only proved he'd noticed. He was clearly pleased with himself. She gave him a tight scowl as she snapped her book shut with a thud.
"That's not how it works, pig," she huffed. He chuckled, licking his lower lip before leaning on the counter and resting his chin on his hand. He was far too close for comfort and the look he was giving her made her heart pick up.
"You call me a pig but every time, you get all pretty and pink," he purred with a suggestive wiggle of his brows. This she could work with. Not the weirdly kind, even in a strange Spike-like way, Spike. She was used to this. The crass remarks. The making her uncomfortable on purpose. The pushing her buttons to annoy her. This she was very much used to.
"Look, the favor has to be equal to what was asked of you. That's how it works. You can't ask someone to do something huge when all they asked was something small. All you did was help with some homework, it's hardly worthy of dressing me up like a damn stripper and getting me to clean your decrepit home," she glowered. His smirk didn't falter though and he stood back up with a shrug.
"Was worth a try, pet," he grinned cheekily at her. He looked weirdly boyish and she had to fight with herself as she felt her lips twitch.
"Wouldn't expect anything less from you," she huffed, shaking her head as she stood up and grabbed the book.
"Guess I'll just wait to cash it in then. Keep the suspense alive," he smirked. She rolled her blue hues as she walked around the counter, putting the book back on the shelf it belonged on. She enjoyed reading the weird and wonderful books here. She'd learnt a lot more being here than she did in school. But maybe that was just because she'd always liked the darker side of things and actual education never held her attention. She didn't realize Spike had followed her until she heard him speak.
"Maybe I'll just get you to-" he started smugly. Kat was more than grateful he was interrupted by Xander and Anya coming into the store.
"Hello, my beautiful friends!" Xander beamed as Anya smiled, her arm looped around her boyfriend's. Kat looked at them both before slowly raising a brow at Xander.
"You're in a good mood," she stated warily. He was smiling like an idiot.
"I know, isn't it wonderful?" he sighed happily.
"No. It's sickening," Kat replied dryly, earning herself a snort from Spike and a glare from Xander.
"We had lots of sex!" Anya chimed in, grinning from ear to ear.
"That's awesome! Did you have fun?" Kat asked sarcastically. It went right over the ex-demon's head though as she nodded enthusiastically.
"Yes! Xander was feeling adventurous, he-" she was cut off by Xander's hand on her mouth as he laughed anxiously, his cheeks pink. Kat blinked at him looking horrified, trying to forget this conversation even happened.
"Oh, please do continue. Always wanted to be scarred for life," Spike muttered as he scrunched his face up. Kat snorted, smirking to herself as Xander ushered Anya away from her and Spike, looking ready to crawl into a hole.
"Not gonna lie, never pegged the boy to be adventurous," Spike murmured thoughtfully. Kat turned her blue hues to him then and tilted her head.
"The fact you've thought about it at all says a lot," she smirked deviously. He gave her the same offended look he had when she told him she thought Giles was more his type and she grinned.
"Know what else I've thought about, Kitten?" he asked smoothly, his patent smirk painted on his face after he recovered from the offense. He put his hand on the shelf behind her, leaning in slightly.
"Let me guess… how adventurous I would be in bed?" she asked, sounding bored. His smirk only widened and it was very predatory.
"Got some theories," he purred, leaning down a little more into her space. He was all too smug for her liking and she decided to fuck with him. It was much easier than trying to think about how her stomach tightened at the lack of space between them.
"I bet you do. Care to share?" she asked with a flirty smile, batting her lashes at him.
His tongue peaked out, swiping over one of his canines as he smirked at her. She thought it was impossible for him to get much closer without touching her but she was wrong as he leaned down some more. Their faces were incredibly close and she was glad that everyone else was off doing their own thing or they might get the wrong idea.
"Bet you're real submissive like. Enjoy it when a man takes control. Probably like it a little rough. Spankin', hair pullin', bitin'," he drawled, voice like honey as he leant in right near her ear.
"I'd bet my boots you like bein' restrained. Like feelin' a hand 'round that pretty little throat as you get fucked hard and fast," he purred quietly. She was glad he was right near her ear so he didn't see her face turn bright red, but she hated the fact he could probably hear her heart beating out of her chest. She decided to play him at his own game, more to save her own pride than anything else. From his position near her ear, it meant her mouth was also near his.
"You're not wrong," she whispered with a sultry voice. She smirked inwardly that he stiffened slightly. She wasn't sure if he was shocked that she admitted to it or how she was behaving full stop. She loved having the upper hand. And technically, he was right. Normally she hated it when he was right and would lie her ass off just to prove him wrong. But in this case, she knew this would torture him more. He might not like her much but he'd made it clear in the time they knew each other that he wanted to get her into bed.
He moved away slightly, his pupils blown wide as he looked partly shocked and also wildly turned on by her words. She started to wonder if she made a mistake by admitting it to him. She wanted to fuck with him but he seemed like he'd enjoyed it far too much. He was staring at her like he wanted to eat her, and he very well might have wanted to. She actually felt nervous.
"Naughty kitty," he murmured, the faintest smirk on his lips. She needed to save this situation before he got the wrong idea and actually thought she wanted to sleep with him.
"Shame you'll never experience it," she replied with a quirked brow. His jaw tightened and he looked ready to argue but she moved away quickly. She knew she was blushing and she squeezed her eyes shut as she mentally slapped herself for being such an idiot. There was a reason she never bought into his stupid lewd words before. He was an asshole but she had to admit he was an attractive one. The man just seemed to ooze sex appeal like it came natural to him. It was a dangerous dance with him and it was always safer to call him a pig and a few other choice words. She decided not to tease him like that again. She was out of her depth with that.
She felt his eyes follow her and the rest of the night it stayed the same. No matter where she went in the store his eyes were on her and throughout the Scooby meeting. She started majorly regretting teasing him and wondered if he would risk biting her even with the chip's pain just because she'd gone too far. But when they were all gathered around the table as Giles talked about Glory, she finally found the courage to raise her eyes to Spike's gas light blues and he gave her a lascivious smile, running his tongue along his teeth. She wanted to throw herself off a cliff when she felt a tingle run down her spine. Maybe it was time to look for a guy like Buffy kept saying. The fact Spike was affecting her so much was just the worst thing and she needed it to stop. Fuck him for being so attractive. Well no, not literally. That's what she wanted to avoid. She needed to get away from him and his stare. He had this way of looking at her that felt like he was seeing right into her soul and it irked her.
"Alright guys, I'm tired and Dawn needs to get some sleep too. I'll walk her home, Buff," Kat said with a small yawn. She was tired, that wasn't a lie. Buffy needed to stay for a little longer to discuss plans with the rest of them as they tried to learn more about Glory and figure out the best course of action. Everyone was still on high alert because of Dawn being the key.
"Yeah, that sounds like a great bloody idea. Or how about you just find Glory and offer up Nibblet on a plate. I mean that's basically what you'll be doin' given the fact you can't bloody protect her," Spike drawled with a mocking tone. Kat scowled at him, hating that he was kind of right. Having her walk about with Willow and Tara was one thing given they had magick, but she had nothing. If Glory or her minions had figured out who the key was then there wouldn't be a thing she could do to stop it.
"What do you suggest then, bleach boy? You offering to escort us home?" she smirked with a teasing grin. She was soon made to eat her words though.
"Yeah, Spike. Can you walk us home? Pleeeeease?" Dawn asked with a pouty lip and large innocent eyes.
Kat wanted to strangle her. She was teasing him, wanting him to say no like he always would have and make himself look like an asshole in front of everyone. She always enjoyed doing that to him. But now Dawn of all people was asking him, giving him the damn puppy eyes and she knew he'd give in. He looked at Dawn and then at Kat, a sly grin working its way onto his face. She knew that he wanted Dawn safe but she also knew his motivation here was just to piss her off. He knew she wanted to get away from him.
"S'pose. Can't have Kittykat here gettin' knocked out after a little smack 'round the head before they snatch you up," he replied smugly. She scowled at him deeply, hating how he was making her feel so weak and useless, even if he was right. Why couldn't she have some super strength like Buffy? She was the Slayer's cousin, would it be too hard to give her a smidge of powers just for the hell of it?
"Stop being such an ass, Spike. I'll see you guys at home," Buffy sighed wearily. Kat looked at her with a furrowed brow. She knew everything was weighing on her cousin. Kat was worried too but the weight of it all was on Buffy's shoulders, not her own. She couldn't wait for them to find out how to end this Glory bitch once and for all so they could all rest easy.
She got up, going into the back to get her leather jacket. When she came back out, Dawn and Spike were already at the door. When she reached them, Dawn beamed a grin at her and she was far too excited about having Spike walk them both home. Kat rolled her eyes at her, giving her a look before the girl linked her arm through Kat's and they left. Dawn babbled about anything and everything most of the journey and it wasn't lost on Kat how that even though Spike could have stood next to her just to irritate her, he stood next to Dawn so she was safe between them both. She often wondered just how a vampire with no soul got attached to a teenager but she never came up with anything. Sure Dawn was great and everyone loved her. But he didn't have a soul. It shocked her he was capable of feeling anything. But she'd always known he was somewhat different. She remembered when Angel turned into Angelus and how savage he was. He didn't feel a thing. A sociopath completely. But Spike had been different because he'd loved Dru, and vampires weren't really known for loving anything. And now he cared about Dawn and it wasn't even about the chip in his brain. She decided she was thinking far too much about him.
"Are you even listening, Kat?" Dawn whined, snapping Kat's attention back to the present moment.
"Uhhh… yes?" it sounded more like a question than an answer and she flashed her a sheepish smile. Dawn snorted and shook her head.
"What did I just say then?" she asked with a quirked brow.
"You were talking about… how much school sucks?" she guessed, the only thing coming to mind. Dawn squinted at her.
"You got lucky," she muttered with a mock glare.
"Was an easy guess, Bit. You're a teen and they all hate school. Not that I blame 'em. All they do is take young'uns and brainwash 'em. Turn them into brain-dead sheep," Spike huffed. Dawn looked at him with wide eyes as Kat shot him a dirty look. He looked like he realized his mistake as he glanced back to Dawn somewhat sheepishly.
"But you learn a lot there and you should be payin' attention," he added, pointing at her. Dawn smirked and glanced between them both.
"Kat's fine and she didn't go to school a lot," Dawn mused as they got to the porch steps. Kat stilled, causing the other two to stop as well as she stared intently at Dawn.
"Dawn, please tell me you're not skipping classes," she said firmly. Her usual chill demeanor changed into tense as her eyes didn't leave her younger cousin. The one who looked at the floor as she fidgeted because she wasn't a great liar.
"This is why you're freaking about this assignment, isn't it? Because you skipped class and now it's due," Kat glowered.
"Oh, bloody hell," Spike groaned with a roll of his eyes.
"What?! Kat skipped school and she's smart and happy," Dawn defended. It made Kat feel super uncomfortable that Dawn kept bringing her into it like that. She almost laughed at the word happy being used to describe her but she decided that wasn't the focus of this talk.
"Dawn, don't be stupid! The only job I can get is with Giles because I don't have any qualifications now. No one wants to hire me. And you don't wanna end up working at the Magic Box with Giles and Anya, trust me," she frowned. Dawn gave her a look, clearly upset.
"Why's it fair that you did it but I can't! You're such a hypocrite," Dawn frowned. Kat didn't like to admit that those words hurt her deeply.
"Just 'cause Kitty here did it doesn't mean you have to. She's learnt from her bloody mistakes, Nibblet. That's why she doesn't want you to do the same," Spike chimed in, being oddly the voice of reason with his soothing tone.
Dawn looked between them both before blowing out a sigh.
"Fine. I'll stop skipping school," she relented before walking up the porch steps and inside. Kat watched her go wondering when she became such a bad influence on her. She didn't like it one bit. It was one thing being the cool older cousin, another entirely being the girl who ruined her life because Dawn felt like she had to copy her.
"She'll be fine. Sure she listened," Spike spoke after a moment. Kat glanced at him, shocked he hadn't shot her a remark to make her feel even shittier but she was grateful.
"I don't even know what the fuck just happened. You think I should tell Buffy?" she asked softly. She wasn't sure why she was asking him of all people for advice with this. But deep down she was scared that if Buffy knew she was being a bad influence then she'd be upset with her. Maybe enough to tell her to leave so she couldn't fuck up Dawn to the point of no return. She knew logically her brain was running away with itself but she couldn't help it.
"Nah. Think she'll be fine for now. S'normal for kids her age to rebel a bit, and with everythin' goin' on with her at the mo, shouldn't be too surprised she's pushin' back. No need to worry the Slayer about it yet," he mused. She blinked up at him and tilted her head.
"You're reasonable when you want to be," she snorted at him. He sneered at her and huffed.
"Yeah well… don't tell a soul or I'll kill you," he glared. It didn't have the same weight as it did months ago when he legitimately wanted her dead and had the means to do it.
"Sure. You gonna talk me to death?" she asked teasingly. He glared harder at her but she couldn't really see any real anger behind his blue eyes.
"You do remember what happened to that Noah wanker, yeah?" he asked with a raised brow and a sly smirk.
"What, you gonna send hitmen after me? You won't do that," she grinned as she walked up a couple of steps, leaving him at the bottom.
"And why's that, Kitten?" he asked with a smirk.
"You need me around. Who else would you annoy so much? I think deep down, you want me around because if I wasn't, then you'd miss me," she flashed him a toothy grin, pleased with herself when his jaw dropped a little and she slipped inside before he had the chance to think of a witty reply. She loved getting the upper hand. She shut the door behind her, missing how Spike stood at the bottom of the steps staring at the door for a moment.