Chapter 8:

"Bloody hell! Can't you take a soddin' hint?" Spike hollered as Dawn entered.

Dawn jumped in surprise, "Sorry, I'll leave."

Spike shot his head up in her direction, "Sorry, luv, didn't realize it was you. Come on in."

Dawn smiled, "You sure? Kinda sounded like you would rather be alone." she raised a questioning eyebrow, with a knowing grin on her face.

So, she was listenin', was she? Spike smirked, "Just from certain people. You, ...I don't mind one bit." he said motioning her to come down the stairs.

Spike took in her damp hair, she was dressed in a tiny pair of tight, yellow shorts and a thin, white spaghetti strap...with no bra, Wonder if she realizes you can see right through that bloody thing. Spike curled his tongue behind his teeth, looking her over, "Looks like you're all ready for bed."

Dawn blushed slightly under his lust filled gaze, "Yeah...I was just wondering if I could lay down with you for a little bit?" she asked hopefully.

"Lay as long as you like, pet." Spike laid down on his side facing her, and lifted the sheet up for her to climb in, exposing his naked self to her in the process.

Dawn's eyes grew wide and she tried very hard to look anywhere but at his manly parts, "Oh, umm, okay...sure." but she didn't move. Oh, my gosh...wow... I have never seen a naked man before...and Spike...oh, wow...he's...big...really, really big.

Spike could hear her heart hammering in her chest, as her face turned redder than he's ever seen, and grinned, "I could put some pants on if it bothers you, luv." he said as he started to get up.

Dawn snapped out of her daze, "No, it's okay. I don't mind. If it doesn't bother you, then it doesn't bother me." she answered, still not making a move toward the cot.

Spike arched an eyebrow, "Now, why would it bother me, pet?" he asked amused, pulling her to him. He could feel how tense she was in his arms, "You sure you don't mind?" he asked again.

She looked into his face, "I'm sure." she answered shakily.

"Then relax, luv. I'm not gonna bite you...well, not unless you want me to." he joked, vamping out, growling playfully, and nipping at her neck. She squirmed and laughed, then finally relaxed into his embrace as his face returned to normal.

"So...what was that all about? Buffy kinda ran out of here in tears." She had actually heard the last bit of their conversation. She wasn't eavesdropping, per se, more like listening while waiting for Buffy to leave.

Spike rolled his eyes, "Just made it clear to the bint that I wasn't gonna be her soddin' sex slave anymore."

"So, you meant it? You really don't want her anymore?" Dawn asked unsure. He'd said that he didn't, he even said that he loved her, but Dawn was still worried that some part of him would always want Buffy.

"Not a bit. Was out of my mind to think I wanted her in the first place." Spike shook his head in wonder, then looked over at Dawn. He could see that she wasn't quite convinced, "I told you, Bit, I love you. I'm with you now. You're the one I want." he said solemnly.

This seemed to make her even more uncertain, "Why? Why me?" She wanted to believe him, but it just seemed so surreal. Why would he want me? He could have anyone, even her, now that he has a soul. Why would he choose me?

Spike tilted his head and studied her, "Why not you?" Doesn't she know how incredibly spectacular she is?

Dawn sighed, "I don't know, I just don't want you to only want me because I remind you of her somehow." I was made from her...maybe that's the why he wants me...what if I'm just the closest thing to her he has.

Spike looked at her for a moment before laughing, "You're insane if you think you remind me of her. You are nothing like her, you're as different as night and day."

Dawn wasn't sure if she should be relieved or insulted. She wanted to be nothing like her sister, but she wasn't sure if Spike saw that as a good thing or a bad. "How?" she asked.

Spike scoffed, "What, you want a list?" Dawn shrugged, then looked at him, arching her brow, expecting an answer. "A'right, then, skipping past the obvious differences, including the fact that she has absolutely no sense of fun, whatsoever. For one, You don't give a damn about what anyone thinks, while, she...cares way too bloody much. Another thing, she tends keep her emotions buried, doesn't say how she feels. You on the other hand, never hold them back...you say exactly what you feel. Also, she sees the world in black and white, you don't. You have always seen the shades of grey. In fact, you yourself are one of those shades of grey, just like me. She could never accept me before, because I didn't have a soul, but you always have, doesn't matter what I have done, you never cared about any of that. You understand me. She could never. You know what I am, and it doesn't make a soddin' difference to you, which is one of the reasons I love you so bloody much."

Ok, so apparently he sees it as a good thing. "Wow, that's a good list." she said quietly as she turned her body to face him and looked him straight in the eye, "Spike, I love you. You know that right?"

Spike inhaled deeply, "Close your eyes." When she did, he brought his demonic visage forward, "Open them, and tell me again."

Dawn opened her eyes, and just stared at him, her loving gaze never wavering, "I love you." Then she pulled him in for a passionate kiss. 'Guess seein' me like this really doesn't bother her if she can still tell me she loves me and even kiss me.' Spike leant into it instantly, until his fangs accidentally nicked her lip and she let out a hiss. Spike pulled back, "Sorry 'bout that, luv." he said sincerely as he licked the tiny bit of her blood from his lips, God, she tastes amazing, better than anything I've ever tasted before. He let his features recede to normal.

Dawn looked curiously at him, "Can you do that again?" she wondered.

He shrugged, then morphed his face again. "You've seen me like this before, pet." he reminded as she studied him closely.

"I know, but never this close." she stated, still transfixed, then she raised her hand, but stopped just before touching him, "Can I?" she asked unsure.

He nodded once, " 'Course, luv." Dawn lightly ran her fingers along the hard planes of his brow, then down his nose, all the while, Spike just watched her, loving how she was so entranced with him. He couldn't believe that she wasn't recoiling in either fear or disgust, or both. When he smiled at her, she brought her finger to graze the sharpness of his fangs, pressing hard enough to slice her own finger. Spike could smell her blood right away. He didn't move, but, simply watched as she smeared the intoxicating, crimson liquid on his lips. Then, he gently took her finger into his mouth and sucked until the wound closed. Pure ambrosia, he thought, licking the remnants from his lips.

Dawn let out a soft moan as he released her finger from his mouth. She tilted her head up and placed a soft kiss on the ridge of his forehead, then slowly kissed her way down. Right before she came to his mouth, she whispered, "I love you...all of you." she said, looking straight into his amber colored eyes.

Spike pulled back, his face returning to normal, once again. He gazed at her intensely, He couldn't believe that this beautiful, amazing woman, could look at him, in his true face and tell him she loved him, and mean it. He had never met anyone like her in all his years that he has been in this world. What did I ever do to deserve someone like her?

A/N: Ok, hope you guys liked...I am now caught up with the chapters, so from now on I will be posting updates every Friday or Saturday. I really hope you enjoy and cotinue to read, thanks.