Chapter 13

The phone rang on Dawn's first day of summer vacation. "Summers, etc residence."

"Etcetera?" The voice on the other end chuckled.

"Buffy?" Dawn whispered.

"Hey, Dawnie."

"Oh, my god…we were beginning to think you'd never wake up! When are you coming home?"

"Well…are they looking after you well? What were your grades from finals?"

"They haven't come in the mail, yet, but I felt pretty good about them. So? Are you okay?"

"Physically, yeah. Mentally…there were a lot of weird dreams. I woke up, well, yesterday, for me, so I haven't had much time to sort it all out. You know Giles…he had to have a doctor come out here, and a seer…he worries worse than Mom did. Dawn…it's so peaceful here, and…I need some time, okay? Will you be okay there a while longer?"

"Yeah, I guess…Tara cooks, and Spike's here, too. And Corinne comes by a couple times a week for dinner and movies. Xander took me to school, of course, but we're out, now, so I'm getting more hours at my job again. I went shopping this morning and got a new bathing suit, and some jeans, and some cute tops. Oh, and these really cute sandals! And I got you something, too. I guess I can send it, now that you're awake. Spike really misses you, Buffy. He's been going kind of crazy."

"I can imagine. Tell him I'm okay, okay? I just need some time, while I can take it, and Giles and I need to reconnect, too. He's even encouraging me to stay at the Coven for a while, so I know he must have been worried. What kind of Watcher gives their Slayer time off, huh?"

"I don't know, but if this is what you really need…"

"It is. It's best for everyone, not just me. Can you trust me on that, Dawnie?"

"Well, you're not giving me much choice…"

"I'm sorry. I know this has to have been rough on you. Say hi to Xander and everyone for me. I need to go. Giles will kill me if I run up too much of a bill. Love you."

"Love you, too."

Click.

Dawn set the phone back on its cradle, not sure how to feel. Or which feeling to feel first. It was so confusing! She was glad Buffy was okay, mad at her sister for taking a vacation without her, sad that she couldn't be there when Buffy woke up, worried about how Spike would take the news, and on and on… It wasn't fair. Well, at least her sister had sounded more life-like. And even further, that she cared. It was progress, even if it was on the other side of the world.

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"So, she's not coming back."

"Not right away. She's taking vacation time, since she's already in England," Dawn replied again. She'd called a Scooby meeting at the house, figuring it would be the easiest way to tell the info once.

"What if an apocalypse pops up?" Xander asked.

"Then they'll probably be on the first plane. I don't have all the answers, Xander. I've just been telling you guys what she told me!"

"Did she mention Willow?" Tara wondered hopefully.

"Nope, just Giles. Sorry, Tara."

"We should take a trip, too, Xander. Maybe to Aruba, or the Bahamas. Cuba used to be fun, once upon a time," Anya suggested.

"We can't afford that, Ahn," Xander replied automatically. "Won't it get bad around here again, if word gets out the Slayer's gone all summer? Last year – not so much with the fun."

"Well, you could always try breaking Faith out of prison," Dawn snarked. "Don't you think my sister's done enough for the world that she's earned a little time off? No one said she's going to be gone the whole summer. It's still June."

"Skipping off for months is a Buffy specialty. I'm just saying, we should be prepared in case all Hell breaks loose," he countered.

"Whatever. No one's asking you to patrol, Xander. Spike's been handling it fine all on his own," Dawn replied.

"Harris has a point, Bit, much as I'm loathe to admit it. The Slayer needs to back up her reputation, and you can count on it that every demon's noticed her absence. Glinda – do you think you could erect a glamour in some of the cemeteries on occasion? Just to make it look like Buffy's walking around and paying attention…" Spike pointed out.

"I can help with that," Anya said.

"I-I guess it can be done," Tara replied. "It takes a lot of concentration to make it move, but I think I can do it. Willow would have a much easier time with it."

"I have confidence in your skills, pet. Just do the best you can."

"Well, if that's everything, I need to be on site tomorrow at 5 a.m.," Xander stated, getting up.

"Yeah, I'm done," Dawn said. She started to go upstairs as the Harris' left.

"Not so fast, Niblet. You have chores to finish."

"Spiiiiike!"

"You're mother didn't raise you to keep a dirty house, and Tara shouldn't have to do it all. You don't have homework as an excuse anymore, so get your butt down here and pick up a vacuum, or something."

"Yes, sir." She stomped back down the steps, pouting.

Tara grinned at Spike as she carried the dirty dishes into the kitchen.

As Corinne pulled up to the house, she saw the two girls through the windows, so figured she'd find Spike in his usual after dinner spot. She took a moment to admire him in the summer moonlight as the vampire sat on the back porch steps, smoking a cigarette and gazing up at the stars.

"Enjoying the night air, or moping?" she teased, sitting next to him.

"I don't mope. Just thinkin'." He took a final drag on the cigarette, then ground it out with his boot.

"Uh-huh…so, what are you 'thinkin'' about?" nudging him with her shoulder.

"Buffy called Dawn today," Spike replied, emotionless.

"Well, that's great! Isn't it?" She grew concerned that he wasn't smiling over the news.

"She doesn't want to come home, yet. Slayer decided to take advantage of the setting and have herself a vacation," he replied, still staring out into the darkness.

"Ah, I see…and you're out here pouting because she didn't ask you to join her, right? Spike…you can't hang your entire world on one girl. It isn't healthy, for either of you. You've gotta start living your life again."

"I do plenty," he protested, getting up to leave. Corinne stepped in his path.

"Spike, I worry about you, okay? Your entire mood has been wrapped up in what Buffy Summers is or isn't doing for months now, and…I miss you."

"I'm right here, not hard to find, Doc," he responded, exasperated.

"No, I've missed you," she said, poking his chest. "The Spike who watches old movies, and laughs, and argues about politics with me. The Spike who bothered to have fun. The one who was real. What do you want for your life, huh? Not what anyone else says you should, but you…what kind of life will make you happy? I think you started on that path the night I patched you up, but you forgot it again."

"I don't know, okay!" he yelled. "Practically everything I've done for over 100 years has been about some woman or another, so I don't know…I don't know how else to be, Doc. If you're the great expert, then you tell me."

She stepped forward, placing her hands on his shoulders. "Oh, Spike…that's not what I'm here for," Corinne said softly. "You're a smart, creative man. I just don't want to see you limit yourself to being Buffy's lapdog. You're so much more than that. How about trying to show Dawn what's out there this summer? That wouldn't be so hard, right?"

"No…and the girl needs to keep her mind off missing her sister. Buffy's not the only one with abandonment issues…Dawn's had it worse."

"Exactly, so between everybody, we should come up with some fun stuff. Nothing too extravagant, of course, but outside of Sunnydale. We all need some time out of this town, don't you think?" she strongly hinted, stepping out of his space again.

"Understatement of the year, pet. Sorry for snapping…"

Corinne smiled indulgently. "You're stressed. I get it. But you don't have to bottle it all up, okay? I'm here, and Tara will listen, too, if you give her a chance…"

His head dropped, sheepishly, as he scuffed his boot in the dirt. "Yeah, I know. It's not a habit that comes easy for me, not since my mum…"

"You'll have to tell me about her someday," she encouraged.

Spike's eyes clouded over with some long-ago memory. "Perhaps."

"Gonna come in?" Corinne asked, climbing the steps. She could see Tara and Dawn moving away from the curtains.

Spike shook his head. "Got patrol. Make sure Glinda locks up for the night. I'll probably crash at my crypt."

"Okay. Goodnight, Spike."

He nodded, melded into the shadows, and disappeared.

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"Don't you two have better things to do than eavesdrop?" Corinne asked, as she entered the house. She turned the deadbolt on the back door.

"Nope! It's summer, now, and I'm bored," Dawn replied, grinning unrepentantly.

"I only looked out there when I heard Spike yell. Never know when the house might be attacked," said Tara, busying herself with drying the dishes. "We've tried telling Dawn to snoop, but it's never sunk in, so I've given up," she sighed.

"Well, I don't eavesdrop on Xander and Anya anymore. Ewww!"

"I'll bet. So, I heard Buffy called?" Corinne asked.

Dawn's face fell, before she smiled again. "Yeah, she did. She's says she's okay physically, but she wants some time with Giles, and to rest, or something. She didn't say how long she'd be, only that the coven was a peaceful place." Her face darkened, as she thought about it. "Personally, I don't think she's coming back."

"Of course she will, Dawn! Your sister loves you," Tara assured.

"She does, but she loves not being on the Hellmouth more. You didn't hear her voice, Tara, how she sounded so relieved to wake up not here. She barely even asked how things have been going! And if she lets Giles teach her stuff, he's not going to make her come back, either. She gets to pretend she's a traditional Slayer with no attachments, and he gets to make up for skipping out on her. You'll see I'm right, Tara. It's going to be months, if she ever comes back at all." Dawn finished her piece, then ran upstairs, loudly shutting her bedroom door.

"Poor kid," the doctor said sadly.

"Yeah, and she's too old for us to lie to and say it's all going to be okay. I fear she's right, only about Willow…she writes about learning this or practicing that, but…" She shook her head sadly.

"There's no room for you? I'm sorry, Tara. If she can't see how amazing you are, then she doesn't deserve you. Willow doesn't know what love is, if she can get distracted from it by shiny things."

"Thanks," Tara said gratefully. "I know that she loves me, but magic, for her…well, it fills a void that I can't touch, and it shouldn't be in, but…she has to figure that out for herself. We've been through a lot, so I hope that she does… Well, we're all having to grow up this year, aren't we?"

"Truly…I suggested to Spike that we try to get Dawn out for some fun over the summer. Day trips, or something. Anything that gets her out of the house," Corinne added.

"I think that's a good idea. Care to watch a movie? I can make popcorn." Tara grabbed a bag to toss in the microwave.

"Sure. I have the next two days off, so no bedtime."

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The next day, Corinne stopped by Spike's crypt wearing a big grin.

"Spike! I've got good news. You won't believe who called me today. This is just perfect timing!"

"Yay. Can it wait a few hours until I'm awake?" he mumbled, pulling the covers over his head.

She pulled them back. "No, silly! So, my dad calls, and guess who he wants to house sit?"

"Lorne Green."

"Ha, ha. Anyway, he's going away for a week, wants me to watch the house, and doesn't mind if I have a friend or two over to keep me company."

"That's great, luv. Have fun," he muttered, and tried to pull the covers over his head again.

"Spiiike! The house is down in San Diego. We can give Dawn her own vacation!"

"Good idea, have fun. I'm going back to sleep." Spike burrowed down under the comforter.

"Well, I was going to invite you along, too, but if you really want to stay here by yourself for a week…"

He sighed, and uncovered his head. "Does he keep good booze?"

"Not that I know of."

"Bah. Take Glinda, then."

Corinne rolled her eyes. "I'm leaving on Sunday, if you change your mind." She tugged on the covers once more just to bug him, then left to tell the good news to Tara and Dawn.

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"You can come, Tara, can't you?" Dawn pleaded, bordering on whining.

"I'll have to check with my boss. I don't normally get vacation time," the blonde witch replied.

"Well, room and board are covered, if it makes a difference," said Corinne. "Even if it's just the two of us, Dawn, I promise we'll have a good time."

"I'll do my best, okay, Dawnie?" Tara promised.

"It's cool. I know you can't always get out of responsibilities." She turned to Corinne. "So, we leave on Sunday? What time? How long will it take to get there? What should I bring? Did you ask Spike?"

"Slow down! Uh…yes, in the morning, about 3 hours, just casual stuff, and yes, but I don't know if he'll come. That answer everything?"

"Um, yeah. Will there be any cute boys around?" Dawn asked next.

The ladies grinned. "I have no idea. The house is by the beach, though."

"Ooo, what's it like? Is it big? Is it pretty? How close to the beach?" Dawn kept firing off questions as Corinne's eyes widened.

She looked to Tara, who just stifled a giggle. "Good luck with that," Tara murmured. She grabbed her purse and left to run some errands.

"Dawn! Give me a chance to answer each question, okay? To sum it up, the house is fairly good size, pretty nice, and close enough to the beach to walk there. I haven't been there in a couple years. It's just my father and stepmother there, now, so there are three guest bedrooms for the taking. If Spike comes, he'll have to take a couch, or two of us will have to double up. Oh, and I need to feed the dogs, 2 Labradors. They're the reason my dad wants someone to stay at the house, since my sister is at college out of state."

"I always wanted a dog. Buffy said it would just get eaten. How old is your sister?"

"20. She's studying to be a teacher. She's actually my half-sister. My father got re-married 2 years after divorcing my mother. He gets to say his daughter is a doctor, and I visit on Thanksgiving and Christmas."

"I get cards from Dad's secretary. You can tell because the writing is different than his signature. But, at least there's money with them. He's probably the poster child for 'mid-life crisis' by now," Dawn sighed.

"When is your birthday?" Corinne asked.

"In August. I'm one of the youngest in my class, which makes me one of the last to do anything cool. I turn 16 this year, but I doubt Buffy will let me get my license, even though she doesn't drive. It's so not fair," the teen pouted.

"What's not fair, Bit?"

"Hey, Spike! You're here early, and you missed Tara. She just went to the store. I was telling Corinne how Buffy probably won't let me get my license after my birthday. I can't be a worse driver than she is!"

"Ah, give it a chance, Bit. I'm sure you can succeed at anything you put your mind to," he teased, eyes twinkling. "Nothing like a run through the sewers to get the blood moving, figuratively speaking."

"Did somebody spike your blood today?" Dawn asked suspiciously.

"Other than burba weed? Nope. Clem dropped off the money he owed me, though. Annnnnd…something for you. But you're going away this weekend, so you probably don't want it now," he said coyly, keeping his hands in his duster pockets.

"Spiiiiike! Gimme, please?" She started chasing him as he ran backwards around the kitchen island. "Spike! You can't just tease me with that, and then not tell me!" They ran through the house, Spike always dodging out of her grasp at the last second. They all new she had no chance of catching him if he didn't want her to, but the game of pretend was fun for both vampire and girl.

He vaulted over the sofa, then stopped with his hands up. "Okay! Sit, and I'll give you your pressie."

"Promise?" she asked dubiously, hands on hips.

"Scouts' honor. Sit."

Dawn arranged herself comfortably on the sofa and held out her hands palms up.

"Close your eyes…"

"Spike!"

"Just close 'em, Niblet!"

She scowled and closed her eyes firmly, waiting. Something soft and fuzzy with a bit of weight landed on her palms. Dawn's eyes flew open, and she squealed in delight. A tiny striped kitten with blue eyes blinked back at her, looking nervous.

"Ooooo! Aren't you the cutest?! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Ohhhh!" She cuddled the kitten close against her neck and cooed. "It's so soft! Is it a boy or a girl?"

"I didn't stop to ask the particulars, Bit. You can check out the smelly end on your own. You like it, then?" he asked hopefully.

"I love it! I've never had a pet of my own before. Such pretty deep blue eyes…" Her attention was solely on the kitten again. Spike rolled his eyes at the predictability.

"You did good," Corinne complemented, as Spike walked to the fridge to get a beer. "'Course, that kitten's going to need supplies and vet visits…"

He sighed. "I know…but 's worth it to see her smile like that. And the Slayer won't turn it out once it's been living here for weeks."

"Method to your madness."

"Somethin' like that."

"Can I take the kitten with me, Corinne? It's too little to leave at home all alone!" Dawn called from the living room.

"Only if we're all going. My dad will kill me if his house ends up smelling like cat pee."

Spike looked apologetic. "Sorry, not the best timing, I know…" he murmured.

"Hey, it's still a cool gift. Don't worry about it," she said, her voice more private.

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Tara couldn't come for the whole week, so she was going to follow Corinne down in her car. Spike still hadn't committed one way or another, so Corinne gave him the address and left it in his hands to show up on his own time. Since Tara was going back to Sunnydale Monday evening, the kitten was shut in the bathroom with food and a litter box…and toys. He (as it turned out) was now named Tigger. It took them an extra hour to get Dawn out the door because of her fussing over the little fur-ball.

Corinne took the coastal route along Hwy 1, which eventually merged into Hwy 5 in Orange County. As they got into San Diego, they left the freeway and wound through the streets towards a gated community set above the ocean, and eventually parked in front of a beige two-story house with a perfectly landscaped front yard.

"You didn't tell me your dad was rich!" Dawn exclaimed.

"He's not. He's just an accountant. Trust me, most of the money went into the house. My sister's at college on scholarships. Grab your stuff. I need to shut off the alarm as soon as I open the door." Corinne went ahead while Dawn emptied the trunk. She beckoned them in once it was safe. "Oh! Shoes off. Sorry…it's my stepmother's rule. Why she insisted on light-colored carpet, I'll never know…"

"Wow, it's pretty…" Dawn enthused, looking around. Rich colored sofas and dark wood furniture accompanied the cream carpet. The contrast was vibrant.

"The bedrooms are upstairs. Take your pick. The bathroom up there is huge, so I don't think we'll have a problem sharing. The kitchen is this way." The coloring was warmer in the kitchen, with honeyed cabinets and earth-toned tile. The girls were stuck at the windows facing the backyard.

"They live at the beach, and yet, they have a pool?!" Dawn stated, amazed. She couldn't stop staring at the miniature lagoon.

"Hey, I never said they were practical," Corinne quipped. "Cabinets and refrigerator are fully stocked, so eat whatever. Just make yourselves at home, guys. I need to reacquaint myself with the pooches."

"Ooo, I wanna see!" Dawn exclaimed, and followed Corinne outside. Tara shook her head, chuckling, and took her bag upstairs to unpack.

Two large black Labradors were enclosed in a pen at the side of the property. They started barking, spinning, and jumping excitedly on sight of the girls.

"That's Max, and that's Bear. Don't let them sneak past you. They'll go straight for the pool, and the hair clogs the filter."

"How can you tell them apart?" the teen wondered. "They're the same size."

"Max has the notch out of his left ear, and his voice is different. And Bear is actually heavier." Corinne quickly slipped inside the gate and held up her hands. "Hey, guys. I've got cookies!" The dogs sat down on their haunches and looked up expectantly. Bear was wiggling. They took the large cookies and scurried off to their houses to lie down and chew.

"Wow, they're actually really well behaved," Dawn remarked.

"Yep, obedience classes, and everything. If someone has a leash in hand, that means they get to go running on the beach. That's part of our duties for the week. Let's head back inside and unpack, okay? Then we can figure out what we'll do for the rest of the day."

Tara had taken the first bedroom at the top of the stairs, so Dawn took the middle one, and Corinne the last, which was also the biggest. It was formerly her sister's room. The bedrooms were much homier and more relaxed than the rest of the house, with soft colors and even softer bedding. Dawn smiled as she noticed the half view of the ocean out her window. She put on a bathing suit under her tee and shorts, just in case, then walked out to meet the other two. Tara had changed into a long, flowing skirt. Corinne wasn't out, yet.

"Can we come in?" Tara asked, knocking on the partially open door.

"Sure. I'm just putting some stuff away. Nice view, eh?" The back wall was mostly one, large picture window, looking out at the sparkling sea.

"No fair! You knew this was here," Dawn pouted.

"Finders keepers," the doctor teased. "You were ahead of me on the stairs, you know. You could have taken this one."

"Aw, phooey!"

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They ended up having lunch and some leisurely shopping at Seaport Village for the afternoon, and grilling dinner at the house in the evening. After dinner, the trio had brought out some board games, and played and giggled until Tara got sleepy. They all decided to call it a night so they could get an early start in the morning, only Corinne found that she had the same problem sleeping in a strange bed here, as anywhere else she'd been away from home. She tossed and turned for an hour before saying, "screw it", and got up.

The young doctor changed into her bathing suit, grabbed a towel, and slipped out to the backyard after disengaging the alarm. Her father hadn't turned off the heater before leaving, so the pool was still relatively warm. She chose the temperature she wanted, then dove in, powering across the length with long strokes. Focusing on the rhythm of her body, counting when she should breathe, it became easy to block out all thoughts and lose herself in the exercise. After 20 laps, Corinne paused to catch her breath and hung on the wall and looked up at the moon and stars. She was deliciously warm from both the exercise and the heated water, it was the middle of the night, she was alone…it seemed to be the perfect opportunity for a little indulgence. She left the pieces of her suit on the deck next to her towel and slipped under the water again.

So it was a complete surprise to discover she wasn't alone anymore when Corinne stuck her head up out of the water at the opposite end of the pool. She squeaked and hid behind a fake boulder jutting out from the side of the pool.

"What are you doing here?" she hissed.

"You invited me, remember? Didn't expect a show when I arrived, though," Spike replied, rocking on his heels and grinning evilly. He arched a brow as his eyes glanced down at her discarded suit. "Swim in your birthday suit often, luv?"

"No! I thought I'd be alone. Go away!"

He took a few steps around the deck towards her position, just to tease her. "Nah, I don't think I want to do that, just yet."

"Would you please go away? How did you get in the house, anyway? I didn't invite you in."

"Didn't come through the house. Heard the pump humming and came through the gate over there. Figured someone was up, but…" Spike leaned over, playing like he was trying to look around the boulder. "I don't see a spot where you can climb out over there, Doc. You're gonna have to come this way, sooner or later."

"Later's fine! Like, when you're not here!"

He pulled a deck chair over and sat down, legs sprawled. "I like it out here. Nice night. Think I'll sit a spell."

"Spiiiiike! " Corinne growled in warning. "This is not funny!"

Sparkling eyes regarded her. "Oh, I think it's quite funny, Doc. Might be the most amusing situation I've seen in a while!"

"You are evil! I could call for Tara, you know."

He nodded thoughtfully. "You could…but I don't think you will. If you wake poor Glinda, the Niblet's sure to follow, and then you have an embarrassing situation on your hands. But, then again, you might just want your towel more than your dignity…it's a toss-up." Spike grinned when she pouted.

"I hate you right now," she said petulantly. "Please go away?"

"Getting cold?"

"A little…"

He sighed, and stood up. "Very well. I'll go back out front and let you get out. Sure I can't get a peek?"

"Out!"

His rich laughter filled the night as the vampire walked away. Once Corinne saw him go around the corner of the house and heard the gate open, she quickly swam across the pool. The fiend had taken her suit, but at least he left the towel. She managed to get out without flashing anything indecent, just in case he was watching from the shadows. Just for that, he could sleep in his car!

Corinne locked the back door, turned out the lights, then waved at him out the front window before sneaking off to bed. Spike smiled, and shook his head.

Touché, kitten.