Buffy rambled around the house that day. She was lost in confusion. Why would her sister want Spike why would she give into him? It wasn't like her. In some strange way Buffy was jealous and she didn't know why.
"Buffy whats wrong?" Xander asked, as she walked into the living room. "You found Dawn right?" She nodded. "So then what's wrong?"
"I don't know." Don't Buffy you cant tell him he'll crucify her. Maybe she needs that to stop this relationship, maybe it will drive her away. Buffy didn't want to hurt her sister but she wanted to stop her relationship with Spike.
"Somethings wrong Buff." Xander sat beside her.
"I can't not tell you." Buffy paused. "Its Dawn."
"What about her is Dawnie all right?" Xander asked nervous.
" I dont know." She paused. "Oh hell i'll just come out and say it, she's sleeping with Spike." Buffy blurted it out regretting it the second she did.
"Thats funny." Xander laughed.
"Not really its true Xander. I said I found her but not where. She was at Spikes." She looked down at her feet.
"So she spends time with him a lot." He looked confused about her suspicions.
"Yeah but she came out from underground in his crypt and her bra was not on her." Buffy tried to explain as best as she could.
"Oh." He was dazed.
"Yeah, with Spike. I couldn't believe it either." Buffy put her hand on his shoulder to comfort him.
"Dawnie, this isn't possible." He frowned depressed by this news. "She's my innoscent little Dawnie."
"Not anymore. She's sleeping with a vampire now." Buffy stared at her front door waiting for Dawn to show.
"I can't believe it." Xander was descusted.
"Im home." Willow walked in the room looking at Xander and Buffy's shocked faced. "Why so down?"
"It's not possible." Xander said.
"Oh no it doesn't have to do with Spike does it...and Dawn?" Willow asked remembering what Dawn said.
"How did you know?" Buffy asked astonished.
"I didn't really, what happened exactly?" Willow asked sitting down.
"I found Dawn at Spikes...she's sleeping with him." Buffy looked straight ahead terror in her lifeless eyes.
"I should have listened to her, I knew it would happen." Willow was blaming herself but not as hurt over it as the other two. "She's growing up guys get over it."
"With Spike though." Xander's face was stuck in a frown.
"It's in a person to long for some extent of danger and to a slayer almost nothing is dangerous, but a vampire." Willow was right. "In a slayers nature to want a vampire."
"So I guesse I will see you later then." Dawn stood at the door Spike standing inside looking down at her.
"I love you." Spike leaned in and kissed her lips gently.
"I love you too." Dawn smiled and walked out.
She didn't want to face them not after what they had seen. She walked down the street and stood in front of the door to her home, to what she hoped was still her home. She covered the marks on her neck with her hair and opened the door.
"Dawn." Willow looked at her. "You allright?" She asked considerate.
"Sure." Oh yeah my entire family hates me and I am in love with a vampire, im just peachy.
"Dawn." Xander glaired at her.
"Xander." She looked at him tilting her head to the side accidentaly uncovering the marks she tried to shield.
The room gasped unconrtolably. They saw the marks and knew what had happened, she had broke the slayers cardinal rule, never let one bite you.
"Oh yeah that." Dawn breathed heavily.
"You let him bite you Dawn?" Buffy spoke nervous now a whole in her stomouch.
"I did." Dawn closed her eyes.
"I can't believe you, how could you sink so low, Spike a bloodsucking souless demon." Xander stood up and started ranting at her. "You have to stop this Dawn this cant continue its not right."
"Xander, I love him." Dawn spoke teard streaming down her cheeks.
"No you don't you can't love something like that it's not possible." Xander shouted. It killed Dawn knowing how low she was in his eyes now.
"All this who is still in love with an ex-demon." Dawn chocked back tears.
"Ex being the key word there and ex-demon not a current demon." Xander stood up and hurried out the door.
"Dawn, letting him bite you is far too much. I mean come one." Buffy argued.
"I know but..." She didn't know what to say, there was no denying no exuses for it.
"I can't be neer you rite now honestly." Buffy ran out the door to go see Ben.
Dawn felt ashamed suddenly more then she had before. Now her family thought less of her, thought so low of her. All this for a vampire one that probably didn't even have feelings besides lust for her. She didn't trust anyone right now and had no one to go to. Willow stood there looking at Dawn as tears filled her eyes.
"It's all right." Willow spoke as she wrapped her arm around Dawn.
"No Willow it isn't my family hates me and I can't blame them." Dawn leaned her head on Willow one tear escaping her eye.
"They just want what they think is best for you and they don't think Spike is good for you." Willow paused. "I wan't you to be happy but I agree with them." Willow kissed down on the head and walked upstairs.
Back at Spike's crypt Angel had decided to pay him a visit. He barged through the front doors of the crypt, slamming the door begind him.
"Spike!" Angel's eyes were filled with hate.
"Angel." Spike turned to face the older vampire.
"What in the hell were you thinking?" He shouted staring Spike down.
"That all depends on what your talking about." Spike avoided the question knowing exactly what he meant.
"Don't play games Spike." Angel glared at him. "It's Dawnie, weve known her since she was little." Angel's eyes filled with descust.
"No actually, only since a couple years ago seeing as, those bloody monks planted those memory's." Spike smirked.
"And the age difference." Angel frowed.
"Technically shes like one thousand years older than me, being the key and all." Spike was toying with Angel twisted around his words.
"She may be the key, but she's still Dawnie, Spike honestly what were you thinking. Shes Buffys little sister." Angel stepped forward.
"Don't you think I bloody well know that." Spike looked over at Angel being serious now. "I can't stop myself Angel...I love her."
"Is it love or lust?"
"Both. I would die for that girl." Spike sat down.
"Well, I have something to tell you." Angel sat down next to him. "Drue's back in town and if she finds you with Dawn, she will kill her." Angel paused. "No matter how much you try to protect her it just isn't safe for her." Angel stood up. "Do the right thing Spike. Not only will you ruin her life but if you don't leave hr now you'll kill her" Angel walked out of the crypt leaving Spike in shock.
Spike was awe struck. He knew Drue far too well and he knew she would stop at nothing to kill the girl he was with. In her mind he belonged to her. She was pure evil and would not let Dawn sruvive, no matter how strong Dawn was now she couldn't beat Drue. He knew Drue would find some way to get her a lone. Spike couldn't have that no matter how selfish he was he wouldn't lose her, he wouldn't let Drue kill her or worse change her, rid her of her soul. Dawn was the only one he loved that ever really loved him back the first girl to need him as much as he needed her. He didn't know how but her had to do something, and fast. Drue would come for him soon if she was in town. Spike was hopeless, the only way to keep Dawn away was to tell her he didn't want her, the problem being he would die with out her.
Later that night Dawn found herself a lone and hurt. She had no one else to turn to but Spike. So she walked down the street almost on the verge of tears, her family had betrayed her.He was the only person she had at this point that was completely on her side and more than that. She felt like she was letting herself trust him not only because she loved him but because he made her.
She walked hopelessly to his crypt and threw open the door, finding no reason to knock. Spike was sitting down in the same spot Angel had left him. He turned to look at her pain in his eyes.
"Spike." Dawn shut the door behind her. "You wont believe what happened...okay so maybe you will-"
"Dawn we need to talk." Spike racked through his brain the most commen first line in a...breakup.
"Uhm...all right." Dawn walked closer to him and sat down next to him. "About what?" She asked nervous.
"Us." Spike couldn't look at her. You can't do this William.
"Uhm, I thought we had but, fine." Dawn was clueless, she had never experienced a real breakup she hadn't dated too much, saving herself for Spike all those years, no one filled that gap no one compared.
"This isn't working." Spike closed his eyes.
"What?" She paused. "What are you talking about?" She smiled nervously.
"This Dawn us it's not working for me, I thought I wanted you but it was just a game." Spike could barely make out the words.
"Spike come one, your kidding right. I mean I don't understand." Dawn reached up and put her hand on Spike's shoulder.
"Dawn can't you get this through your head." He stood up and thought about what would end this with out so much of a fight. "I don't want you anymore." Spike's voice was shaking he had pain seering through his eyes. I wish you knew how much this hurt. I wan't you so badly.
"Spike don't do this." Dawn was trying with all the strength she had to fight back the tears. "You promised. You made me trust you." Dawn was falling apart with every second passing by.
"Dawn don't take this the wrong way I just can't do this." Spike turned his back wanting to comfort her and tell her it was all a lie.
"Spike." She started breathing heavily. "Your lying." She accused.
"No. This is how I feel." Spike knew he was breaking her and in turn killing himself, but saving her life.
"I love you." Dawn's tears escaped her eyes and strode down her fair skinned cheek. This isn't happening.
I love you too more then you know. "I don't feel the same." Spike's voice broke as he said these words his eyes were filled with water.
Dawn stood up in tears. "I knew I should never have trusted you." Dawn ran out the door leaving it open behind her.
As soon as she was out of earshot Spike broke down. He punched his fist into the cement wall. His hand was stinging with pain as the red blood dripped down his hand. His eyes glaze over with pain he felt as if his chest was going to burst. He had done what he needed to do what was the right thing. He didn't feel like it was the right thing causing her so much pain even though it was to save her life in the end. He wanted to run to her and tell he was sorry that it was all a lie. He loved her more then he could ever have imagined and this was tearing him apart it was killing him. When he spoke the last words saying he didn't love her it was beyond a lie it was a sin. He couldn't ever want or need for anyone else. How could he let her hurt let her cry when he vowed to never let her be hurt again. Since he came here all he had done was cause her pain all he wanted to do was protect her from it. He was wrong and they were all right, all he seemed to ever do was hurt her. They were right he was wrong...again. Leaving was the best thing he could have done the best thing.
Oh bloody hell William, you fool. What have you done, your not going to survive this, you don't deserve to. You don't deseve to live anymore not that you ever did. Oh God it's gonna kill you. How could she believe you so easily why didn't she see your lie. You broke her you bastard, she's not going to want you back again. How can she there's no way I can't go back to her now not even with the truth, she's going to shut me out, can I blame her? No because im a worthless souless thing. How could they have been so right all I can do is cause pain. I can't keep her safe not even from myself. I don't deserve her I don't deserve to live.
Dawn rushed home tears streaming down her face unconrtolably. He dumped her. Spike did what he feared he would so right when she had trusted him and right when she thought everything was going to be all right as long as she had him and now he was gone. He left her he broke her. She was feeling this now more then she could have imagined she could. He promised he wouldn't hurt her, he said her loved her. He didn't look at me once why wouldn't he look at me. Was he that discusted? What did I do wrong? I must have done something. Dawn continued to blame herself as usual.
Dawn walked to the front door afraid what was inside would only cause her pain a earfull of 'I told you so's' but nothing could compare to the pain Spike had caused her. She opened the door and was surprised only to find Faith inside with a smile on her face. As she saw Dawn's damp red face her smile quickly changed.
"D." Faith looked shocked. "Whats the matter?" She asked stepping closer.
"Faith your back how are you." She tried to smile.
"Five by Five. Whats wrong with you?" Faith and Dawn had gotten close she never treated Dawn like a child and something they had in common made them closer.
Dawn broke down into sobs as Faith held her in her arms. Dawn was aching from head to toe. Wishing she could go numb wishing she didn't feel the pain. "Make it go away Faith." Dawn cried.
"Oh honey, what happened." Faith asked cradeling her.
"A lot." Dawn tried to hold it in.
"Tell me i've got time." Faith looked down into Dawn's tear drowned blue eyes.
"I did something stupid and it blew up in my face." Dawn pulled herself together as much as possible.
"Happens to us all." Faith remembered back on all the stupid things she had done that caused her life to change in the worst ways.
"I fell in love." She paused.
"The worst mistake of all." Faith spoke running her fingers through Dawns hair.
"I fell in love with Spike and he tore me apart." She rested her head on Faiths chest tears streaming down her face.
"Oh Dawn. Not the Vampire." Faith looked at her feeling sorry for her. "Come one were going out it's my only cure for this."
"Faith I can't go out now." Dawn shook her head.
"Were going to the Bronze honey trust me it's will help...for the night at least." She stood up and dragged Dawn from the Summer's home.
They walked down to the Bronze Dawn fighting every step. Faith knew that she was going through far too much pain to stay home and talk about it so she did the only thing she knew how, drown it. They stepped inside the Bronze and sat down at the bar.
"Faith I don't know what your doing." Dawn could barely speak.
"Bartender,two shots of tequilla." Faith hollered. "This is the only thing I can do to help ya so except it." Faith smirked.
The bartender set the drinks on the table. "You girls take it slow now." He smiked, he was a demon and it was obvious to the both of them.
"Drink up." Faith downed a shot quickly and sutkc two fingers up to tell the bartender for two more.
Dawn reached her hand for the shot. "What the hell, it can't make it any worse." She downed it and cringed. "Blaheh."
"Yeah, not the best tasting." She smiled. The bartender set two more on the table. At the same times the girls downed the shots.
"So lady's interested in Karyoke night?" The bartender smiled.
Faith shook her head. "Yeah." Dawn smiled already feeling the tequilla...low tolerance.
"Well head on up there." He smiled, he was a demon that could read your thoughts and futur through singing.
Dawn ran up onto the stage and whispered the song she wanted to sing into the dj's ear. Singing was something she enjoyed wether or not the fact that she was drinking affected her ability to walk onto the stage and sing or not.
"She's gonna be so embarassed in the morning." Faith giggled.
The music started playing and Dawn held the microphone in her hands.
"I was niave your love was like candy,
artificially sweet, I was decieved by the wrapping.
got caught in your web and I learned how to bleed.
I was prey in your bed, and devoured completely."
The song was something that made her feel the pain more. It reminded her of Spike.
"Oh Dawnie I can't even help you by getting you sloshed." She frowned.
"Oooh and it hurts my soul,
cause I can't let go,
All these walls are caving in I can't stop my suffering."
"Maybe you should have a couple more shots ready." She looked at the bartender.
"I hate to show that i've lost controle
cause I keep gong right back to the one thing that I need to talk away from."
The song continued as the tequilla started to kick in more.
" I should have known that I was used for amusement,
Couldn't see through the smoke it was all an illusion,
Now ive been licking my wounds,
But the venom seeps deeper..."
When the song finally ended Dawn stumbled of the stage dizzy. She walked over to Faith and sat down. "Got you another shot." Faith smiled as Dawn downed it and made a discusted sound.
"Well slayer that was impressive. Im sure you both know im a demon. And I read you by hearing your singing yadda, yadda, yadda." He smirked. "You are in a lotta pain." He looked at Dawn.
"Tell me something I don't know." She giggled, drunk.
"He loves you." The demon answered.
"Uhm...well I didn't know that one." She laughed as she tried to stand up.
"Come one tispy let's get you home." Faith grabbed Dawn letting her lean on her as they walked out of the Bronze.
They walked home Dawn was giggling and laughing histerically. Faith regretted what she did knowing in the morning it would only hurt Dawn worse.