4.
How was she going to tell Dawn? She regretted inviting him over. It was a spontaneous action, something done in a moment of weakness. She was afraid that Spike would see what she was feeling! She didn't even know herself what she was feeling! She did a quick sweep of the cemetery, then headed home.
Dawn was sitting in the lounge room when she entered, watching the movie. Clem was sitting next to her eating a big bowl of popcorn.
"Hey Buffy." Clem said, shoving a handful of popcorn into his mouth. "How's those evil demons? Dawn told me about the vamps you killed last night, any more action tonight?"
"Nope, tonight was bad dudes free" Buffy answered as she dumped her weapons bag on the hallway floor. "Um. Dawn, I have to tell you something."
Dawn looked up at Buffy. "So??? What's so dire that it can't wait until the end of the movie, it's up to the part where they're supposed to meet at the Empire State Building."
"Oh, it can wait I guess," Buffy said, then looked at her out of the corner of her eye. "I just thought you'd want to know is all, but, never mind. I'll tell you in the morning, I'm off to bed. Night Clem." Buffy made as if to go up the stairs when Dawn interrupted "Ok, ok, now you've got me curious. What's up?"
"Ok. um, Clem already knows this apparently," Buffy began, tripping on her words, unsure how to go on. "Basically, Spikes back."
"What?" yelled Dawn, her eyes lighting up and a big grin on her face.
"Yeah, and he's coming over for dinner tomorrow night." Buffy continued. "Lets not tell anyone about this ok?" Buffy said, insinuating Xander.
"Oh, I'm so glad he finally told you!" Clem uttered, relieved. "I've been dying to say something about it but promised him I wouldn't say a word."
"So, did you see him while you were on patrol?" Dawn asked, eager to know every detail.
"Uh. no. He left a note, telling me he was back, and I met him for coffee tonight." Buffy replied.
"You met him for coffee and didn't tell me? That's wrong Buffy! He's my friend too." Dawn was hurt at Buffy's mistrust.
"I know Dawnie, but he's been gone a while, and I just wanted to make sure he hadn't, um. changed before I told you." Buffy replied. "Fact is, he HAS changed, but apparently for the better. He tells me he has a soul now. But Dawn, don't go jumping to conclusions. You know Spike! Could just be some hoax. don't want to take any chances. We'll have to be on our guard ok?"
"I knew there was something different about him!" Clem said, excited and childlike.
"Yeah," Buffy continued, "anyway, he's coming over at sunset tomorrow night. He says he's looking forward to 'seeing his niblet' which I can only suppose is you Dawnie."
Dawn flushed with pleasure at this remark. She'd missed him so much, it was good to hear her familiar nick name again.
"Anyways, I'm off to bed. You two keep watching your movie. Good seeing you again Clem." Buffy climbed the stairs to her bedroom.
The following day, Dawn was so excited she hardly knew how she'd survive a day at school. "Spikes back Janice!" was the first thing she said when she got there. "Remember, the totally old guy I've told you about who loves Buffy?"
"Oh right!" Janice replied, understanding. "So, what's happening? Didn't you say he left because he'd hurt Buffy? Are they going to smooch and make up?" Janice giggled.
"Oh, I don't know. He's coming over for dinner tonight, just can't wait to see him again." Dawn sighed.
"Jeesh Dawn," Janice sighed "You'd think you had a crush on him or something!"
"No, it's not like that!" Dawn said, exasperated. "Remember when I told you how Buffy went away last summer? Well, it was Spike who looked after me. He's like a brother to me."
When Dawn got home, she found Buffy in the kitchen cooking curried chicken. She seemed to be stressed and Dawn couldn't figure out why.
"So Dawn, do you think I should go to the blood bank and get some blood, or will he just have to settle for this?" she asked Dawn, motioning to the food.
Dawn looked at Buffy and realised that she was just as excited as herself. Buffy. excited about seeing Spike! This was a revelation! The last she'd heard, Buffy couldn't stand him! It pleased her to see her making such a fuss. "Mmmm, I guess it wouldn't hurt to have some blood in the fridge" she said, trying to act like nothing was amiss.
"Buffy, I've been thinking," Dawn started, "What will we do if Xander turns up tonight. You know he's not Spikes favourite groupie."
"Yeah, I thought the same thing, so I rang Xander and told him you and I were having a sisters night together, but we'd love to see him tomorrow night. Did I do right do you think?" She asked Dawn. There was a tone of nervousness in her voice.
"For the time being, I guess so. But he's gonna have to know Spikes back sooner or later." Dawn replied.
"I'd much rather it be later. Oh my god, look at the time! I haven't even had a shower yet! Dawn, can you keep an eye on this for me while I run up and have a quick one?" and with that, Buffy raced up the stairs.
A few hours later, Buffy and Dawn were dressed and ready. Buffy had gone to the local blood bank and slipped a bag of A+ in her tote. Dawn looked at Buffy and thought how radiant she looked. She was wearing a black peasant top with a denim skirt and knee high black boots. She'd spent a while making her hair and makeup just perfect. Dawn hadn't seen her this concerned with her looks since Riley! It made her feel warm inside.
They were talking between themselves when the door bell rang. Dawn yelled "I'll get it" and raced off. Buffy stayed in the kitchen and heard Dawn squeal, then went out to meet her guest. Standing in the doorway, giving Dawn a huge bear hug, was Spike. He looked up when Buffy entered the room and smiled. "Hi Buffy. You look radiant." He said. "That's what I thought when I saw her!" Dawn said, excited.
"Yeah, well. I don't know why, not wearing anything special." Buffy mumbled, embarrassed that she'd been caught out.
Spike walked over to Buffy and offered her a single, long stemed red rose. She blushed and took it, putting it in a vase. "Thank you Spike, but you can stop wasting your money on presents now."
"I never considered it a waste. I like spending money on you." He replied earnestly.
"Oh my god Spike, you're so different!" Dawn was bursting with joy. "Look at your hair! And your clothes! You're like a different person!".
"I am a different person pet." Spike whispered in reply. Dawn looked at him and said "So, it's true? You're like Angel now? You've got a look in your eyes, not the same old Spike" "Yeah, it's true. But with no bloomin' curse to go with it thankfully!"
"Well, dinners ready guys. Um, Spike, I've got you a pint of blood if you want it. There's also curry chicken." Buffy fumbled, embarrassed that it showed she'd gone to so much effort.
"Both sound super, I'll have the chicken first if that's ok?" Spike replied.
As they walked to the dining room table, Dawn bombarded him with questions. "So, where've you been, what did you do? Why were you gone so long?"
Spike laughed, "I'll explain everything to you luv, just lets eat first."
Both Buffy and Dawn looked at Spike when he laughed. They'd never heard him laugh with joy before. None of his cynicism present. It was a sweet laugh, full of emotion.
The night went perfectly. Dawn & Spike chatted like old hens and Buffy watched from the sidelines. Every now and then she and Spike would make eye contact, it was like they'd just met.
She had to keep reminding herself that this was Spike. Evil Spike who had stalked her and fought with her, then protected her and her sister. then, eventually, tried to do the unthinkable to her. Spike who had cried when she died, Spike who had spent the entire summer working with people who hated him and who had little or no respect for him, all because he loved her. Had he changed much?
This was the man who had accepted what little Buffy had to offer him, her body, because he realised it was all she had to give. She'd treated him badly, she'd used him, she'd hurt him. And she'd done it because she knew she could. And then he'd gone too far. But she knew at the time, just as she knew now, that he never intended for it to get so far out of control.
Eventually it was time for Dawn to go to bed. She had school the following day and it was already too late. She was disappointed but Spike promised to see her soon. She said her good nights and went to her room.
When she was gone, Spike and Buffy sat in uncomfortable silence for a while. "The food was great." Spike eventually said, looking at Buffy. "Thanks" she replied.
"Anyway, maybe I should make a move. I'm still cleaning my place up and there's a lot to be done." Spike said, obviously reluctantly.
"Oh right!" Buffy replied. "Where are you staying anyway? Clem was over last night and said how you'd let him keep the crypt."
"Um, well. I hope you don't get angry at this, but I've actually moved into Angel's mansion. Figured it was just wasting space up there and was perfect for me.
"No, not at all!" Buffy said, just a little shocked. "That's a great idea!
"So, I'll be going then." Spike said as he rose from his chair.
Buffy walked him to the front door and opened it for him.
He looked at her for a few seconds, staring into her soul and said "Goodnight Buffy, I hope I see you soon." He walked down the path, stopping at the end to turn around and give her a slight wave. She suddenly realised she had to tell him how she felt. She called out to him, he stopped and turned around and she ran to meet him.
"Spike, I just want you to know that I'm glad you're back. I've kind of missed you." And with that, she ran back into the house and closed the door, hardly believing she'd opened herself up to him so much.
Spike was a little taken aback by what she'd said. He stood, staring at the door for a while, then turned around and continued walking away.
She watched him from the window until he'd disappeared and then slowly closed the curtains and went up to her bedroom.
How was she going to tell Dawn? She regretted inviting him over. It was a spontaneous action, something done in a moment of weakness. She was afraid that Spike would see what she was feeling! She didn't even know herself what she was feeling! She did a quick sweep of the cemetery, then headed home.
Dawn was sitting in the lounge room when she entered, watching the movie. Clem was sitting next to her eating a big bowl of popcorn.
"Hey Buffy." Clem said, shoving a handful of popcorn into his mouth. "How's those evil demons? Dawn told me about the vamps you killed last night, any more action tonight?"
"Nope, tonight was bad dudes free" Buffy answered as she dumped her weapons bag on the hallway floor. "Um. Dawn, I have to tell you something."
Dawn looked up at Buffy. "So??? What's so dire that it can't wait until the end of the movie, it's up to the part where they're supposed to meet at the Empire State Building."
"Oh, it can wait I guess," Buffy said, then looked at her out of the corner of her eye. "I just thought you'd want to know is all, but, never mind. I'll tell you in the morning, I'm off to bed. Night Clem." Buffy made as if to go up the stairs when Dawn interrupted "Ok, ok, now you've got me curious. What's up?"
"Ok. um, Clem already knows this apparently," Buffy began, tripping on her words, unsure how to go on. "Basically, Spikes back."
"What?" yelled Dawn, her eyes lighting up and a big grin on her face.
"Yeah, and he's coming over for dinner tomorrow night." Buffy continued. "Lets not tell anyone about this ok?" Buffy said, insinuating Xander.
"Oh, I'm so glad he finally told you!" Clem uttered, relieved. "I've been dying to say something about it but promised him I wouldn't say a word."
"So, did you see him while you were on patrol?" Dawn asked, eager to know every detail.
"Uh. no. He left a note, telling me he was back, and I met him for coffee tonight." Buffy replied.
"You met him for coffee and didn't tell me? That's wrong Buffy! He's my friend too." Dawn was hurt at Buffy's mistrust.
"I know Dawnie, but he's been gone a while, and I just wanted to make sure he hadn't, um. changed before I told you." Buffy replied. "Fact is, he HAS changed, but apparently for the better. He tells me he has a soul now. But Dawn, don't go jumping to conclusions. You know Spike! Could just be some hoax. don't want to take any chances. We'll have to be on our guard ok?"
"I knew there was something different about him!" Clem said, excited and childlike.
"Yeah," Buffy continued, "anyway, he's coming over at sunset tomorrow night. He says he's looking forward to 'seeing his niblet' which I can only suppose is you Dawnie."
Dawn flushed with pleasure at this remark. She'd missed him so much, it was good to hear her familiar nick name again.
"Anyways, I'm off to bed. You two keep watching your movie. Good seeing you again Clem." Buffy climbed the stairs to her bedroom.
The following day, Dawn was so excited she hardly knew how she'd survive a day at school. "Spikes back Janice!" was the first thing she said when she got there. "Remember, the totally old guy I've told you about who loves Buffy?"
"Oh right!" Janice replied, understanding. "So, what's happening? Didn't you say he left because he'd hurt Buffy? Are they going to smooch and make up?" Janice giggled.
"Oh, I don't know. He's coming over for dinner tonight, just can't wait to see him again." Dawn sighed.
"Jeesh Dawn," Janice sighed "You'd think you had a crush on him or something!"
"No, it's not like that!" Dawn said, exasperated. "Remember when I told you how Buffy went away last summer? Well, it was Spike who looked after me. He's like a brother to me."
When Dawn got home, she found Buffy in the kitchen cooking curried chicken. She seemed to be stressed and Dawn couldn't figure out why.
"So Dawn, do you think I should go to the blood bank and get some blood, or will he just have to settle for this?" she asked Dawn, motioning to the food.
Dawn looked at Buffy and realised that she was just as excited as herself. Buffy. excited about seeing Spike! This was a revelation! The last she'd heard, Buffy couldn't stand him! It pleased her to see her making such a fuss. "Mmmm, I guess it wouldn't hurt to have some blood in the fridge" she said, trying to act like nothing was amiss.
"Buffy, I've been thinking," Dawn started, "What will we do if Xander turns up tonight. You know he's not Spikes favourite groupie."
"Yeah, I thought the same thing, so I rang Xander and told him you and I were having a sisters night together, but we'd love to see him tomorrow night. Did I do right do you think?" She asked Dawn. There was a tone of nervousness in her voice.
"For the time being, I guess so. But he's gonna have to know Spikes back sooner or later." Dawn replied.
"I'd much rather it be later. Oh my god, look at the time! I haven't even had a shower yet! Dawn, can you keep an eye on this for me while I run up and have a quick one?" and with that, Buffy raced up the stairs.
A few hours later, Buffy and Dawn were dressed and ready. Buffy had gone to the local blood bank and slipped a bag of A+ in her tote. Dawn looked at Buffy and thought how radiant she looked. She was wearing a black peasant top with a denim skirt and knee high black boots. She'd spent a while making her hair and makeup just perfect. Dawn hadn't seen her this concerned with her looks since Riley! It made her feel warm inside.
They were talking between themselves when the door bell rang. Dawn yelled "I'll get it" and raced off. Buffy stayed in the kitchen and heard Dawn squeal, then went out to meet her guest. Standing in the doorway, giving Dawn a huge bear hug, was Spike. He looked up when Buffy entered the room and smiled. "Hi Buffy. You look radiant." He said. "That's what I thought when I saw her!" Dawn said, excited.
"Yeah, well. I don't know why, not wearing anything special." Buffy mumbled, embarrassed that she'd been caught out.
Spike walked over to Buffy and offered her a single, long stemed red rose. She blushed and took it, putting it in a vase. "Thank you Spike, but you can stop wasting your money on presents now."
"I never considered it a waste. I like spending money on you." He replied earnestly.
"Oh my god Spike, you're so different!" Dawn was bursting with joy. "Look at your hair! And your clothes! You're like a different person!".
"I am a different person pet." Spike whispered in reply. Dawn looked at him and said "So, it's true? You're like Angel now? You've got a look in your eyes, not the same old Spike" "Yeah, it's true. But with no bloomin' curse to go with it thankfully!"
"Well, dinners ready guys. Um, Spike, I've got you a pint of blood if you want it. There's also curry chicken." Buffy fumbled, embarrassed that it showed she'd gone to so much effort.
"Both sound super, I'll have the chicken first if that's ok?" Spike replied.
As they walked to the dining room table, Dawn bombarded him with questions. "So, where've you been, what did you do? Why were you gone so long?"
Spike laughed, "I'll explain everything to you luv, just lets eat first."
Both Buffy and Dawn looked at Spike when he laughed. They'd never heard him laugh with joy before. None of his cynicism present. It was a sweet laugh, full of emotion.
The night went perfectly. Dawn & Spike chatted like old hens and Buffy watched from the sidelines. Every now and then she and Spike would make eye contact, it was like they'd just met.
She had to keep reminding herself that this was Spike. Evil Spike who had stalked her and fought with her, then protected her and her sister. then, eventually, tried to do the unthinkable to her. Spike who had cried when she died, Spike who had spent the entire summer working with people who hated him and who had little or no respect for him, all because he loved her. Had he changed much?
This was the man who had accepted what little Buffy had to offer him, her body, because he realised it was all she had to give. She'd treated him badly, she'd used him, she'd hurt him. And she'd done it because she knew she could. And then he'd gone too far. But she knew at the time, just as she knew now, that he never intended for it to get so far out of control.
Eventually it was time for Dawn to go to bed. She had school the following day and it was already too late. She was disappointed but Spike promised to see her soon. She said her good nights and went to her room.
When she was gone, Spike and Buffy sat in uncomfortable silence for a while. "The food was great." Spike eventually said, looking at Buffy. "Thanks" she replied.
"Anyway, maybe I should make a move. I'm still cleaning my place up and there's a lot to be done." Spike said, obviously reluctantly.
"Oh right!" Buffy replied. "Where are you staying anyway? Clem was over last night and said how you'd let him keep the crypt."
"Um, well. I hope you don't get angry at this, but I've actually moved into Angel's mansion. Figured it was just wasting space up there and was perfect for me.
"No, not at all!" Buffy said, just a little shocked. "That's a great idea!
"So, I'll be going then." Spike said as he rose from his chair.
Buffy walked him to the front door and opened it for him.
He looked at her for a few seconds, staring into her soul and said "Goodnight Buffy, I hope I see you soon." He walked down the path, stopping at the end to turn around and give her a slight wave. She suddenly realised she had to tell him how she felt. She called out to him, he stopped and turned around and she ran to meet him.
"Spike, I just want you to know that I'm glad you're back. I've kind of missed you." And with that, she ran back into the house and closed the door, hardly believing she'd opened herself up to him so much.
Spike was a little taken aback by what she'd said. He stood, staring at the door for a while, then turned around and continued walking away.
She watched him from the window until he'd disappeared and then slowly closed the curtains and went up to her bedroom.