Authors Note: So this chapter is mainly everyone "Touching Base" learning more about each other and they learn something else in the end of the chapter. But reviews would be greatly appreciated and sorta needed for the next chapter. Hope you like it, Luv -Kirsten
"Morning Faith." Buffy said walking into the kitchen looking at Faith who was eating a bowl of cereal.
"Mornin' B." Faith sad smiling.
"So when did you get here?" Buffy asked pouring herself a cup of coffee.
"Some time early yesterday, I came over here and found Dawn on her own so we...caught up." She explained.
"Oh okay." Buffy nodded. "So how are things." She asked interested.
"Five by five, B." Faith smiled. "I have been doing a lot of finding myself besides being a slayer." She went on. "I was always over obsessed with the slayer in me instead of the human, the real me. Don't get me wrong the slayer will always be a huge part of my life just not all of it anymore." She didn't want to admit it but Angel was a large part of her life now. He had been there for her when she was in jail he had visited her helped her, and she had slowly let him in, she had fallen for him.
"That's cool." Buffy smiled.
"Yeah. So how's it going with you?" Faith asked taking another bite of her cereal.
"Not bad." She paused. "I'm with a pretty great guy, he's a vamp hunter. Names Ben."
"Color me confused." Faith added. "What's a hunter?"
"Uhmm...well his dad was half demon so he has some super strength. The only reason he fight's vamps and demons, is cause a vampire killed his mom when he was little, it's sorta a vengeance thing."
"I see." Faith nodded. "That's cool sounds like a another Riley."
"Your right he kinda is like another Riley." She smiled. She would always love Riley, just like she would always love Angel. Those relationships just didn't work, this one had to, for her sake it just had to.
"I'm glad for you B." She smiled.
"But so much has gone wrong." She shook her head looking at the floor. "My little sister is sleeping with the enemy." Buffy frowned.
"I am not saying I think it's great or anything. Those two together just seems so right, even though it's wrong." Faith explained. "But she loves him and she's not little anymore B. She's all grown up now." Faith smiled sweetly, it was almost shocking Faith was the sweet type, lately she was so soulful, so helpful.
"I know Faith." She nodded. "Your right but I just can't understand their relationship. How can she love a vampire." Buffy blurted.
"I seem to remember a certain someone falling for a dark brooding vampire, goes by the name of Angel." She smirked.
"Yeah true. But Spikes...spike. He's just not the same he's..." She couldn't seem to get it out.
"Well he's the bad boy." Faith shrugged. "But he loves her hopelessly, honestly he adores her." Faith smiled. "It's amazing how you can look in his eyes and see that he would die for her."
"Is that enough?" Buffy asked, not really directed towards Faith but just throwing it out there.
"I wouldn't know from experience." Faith looked sad. "But I do know that she feels the same way and it tends to be better when two people who adore each other are together instead of staying away from each other." Buffy nodded as Faith stood up. "Or it could end up like Romeo and Juliet. They could end up dead." She shrugged and walked out the door snickering as Buffy's face fell in shock.
Faith sat on the couch with a bag of chips she sprawled out on the couch making herself comfortable. She picked up the remote and flipped through the channels. She stopped at a show she had never watched before but Dawn had told her was great...One Tree Hill. Angel walked in and sat by her feet after she had already watched half the episode.
"What is with this show. Girls fighting, people seducing peoples husbands. This is sick shit." She threw a chip into her mouth. "I kinda like it."
"Oh, this is one of Dawn's shows." Angel nodded.
"Yeah that's why I'm watching it." She smiled.
"So Faith how have you been?" He asked when the show cut to commercial.
"I've been good, did a lot of soul searching." She looked up at the love of her life standing before her.
"I've never done that before, mine was just kinda forced on me." Angel spoke jokingly.
"Your not too good with the jokes Angel." She smiled.
"So sue me." He smirked.
"I missed you after you after I got out of the joint." She spoke nervous.
"I missed you too." Angel smiled. "More than you know."
"Tell me." She spoke alluring.
"Your shows on." Angel smirked as he looked at the TV then walked out the door.
Faith frowned as she looked at the show. "Kick her ass Brooke, slap that bitch." She shouted at the TV frustrated.
Back at Xander's apartment, Xander and Anya were having breakfast as they discussed the situation with Dawn.
"I just don't understand how you can act like this, honestly so nonchalant about the entire thing." Xander persisted.
"Darling, she's a grown girl, and Spike is pretty sexy, he's got that, I'm gonna take control of you attitude." She nodded. "If their having sex then that is their business."
"Don't say it like that, their doing the dirty thing we don't acknowledge it so much as brush past the matter." Xander looked sickened. "And you said he was sexy, would you rather him?" Xander spoke sarcastic.
"No honey, some women are attracted to the seductively handsome type, I am more attracted to a week mess of a man, like you." Anya smiled adoringly.
"Why thank you." Xander said sarcastic.
"Your welcome." She smiled.
The phone suddenly rang making Anya jump as Xander picked up the receiver. "Hello." He spoke trying to sound tough.
"Hey, It's Buffy." She spoke softly.
"What's going on Buff?" He asked calmly.
"Oh a lot. Willow went missing, Dawn saved her life, oh and we found an underground place where vampire are taking girls and feeding off of them." Buffy's voice was shaky.
"Wow, that's a lot of news, how come you didn't tell me sooner?" Xander asked almost hurt.
"I don't know it's just that your always so busy with Anya, she is a handful. And we didn't think it would help to worry you, but it's important you know because Willow is your best friend and she is week and probably wants to see you."
"I am glad you called. I am still part of the Scooby's ya know, I do like to know when things happen. You guys still need me." He smiled jokingly.
"No they don't." Anya spoke taking a swig of diet soda.
"Thanks hun." Xander spoke looking at Anya.
"Xander that was inappropriate." Buffy chuckled knowing he was talking to Anya.
"I was talking to Anya." Xander explained.
"I know. And of course we still need you." She said playfully. "See you later Xander."
"By Buff."
They both hung up as Xander left feeling a little detached from the group because he was married now and that meant reasonability's, mainly it meant he had to give Anya his undivided attention.
At Spike's crypt Dawn lay in bed nearly close to being ready to wake up, knowing she had to the Scooby's had work to do. Though she never considered herself apart of the group. She was part of the outsiders group, the ones that came in late, even though they all had memories of her they knew now they were false. They were the ones who were different from the rest of them strange almost, not the original four, Giles, Xander, Willow, and their leader Buffy. The outsiders were Dawn, Spike and Anya. No one thought of them as part of the Scooby's just the ones who hung around and got in their way. But after Dawn became a slayer she did more than get in their way she did a lot for the group, seeing as Buffy was pre-occupied with Ben. So her being with Spike only drew them both further away from the rest of the group, two of the outsiders together.
Dawn didn't really care though. She had always wanted to be considered as part of the Scooby's, but not as much as she wanted to be with Spike. She had liked him since the day she met him. The things he had done to help her. He took care of her when her sister had...died. He was there when her mom died, he helped her get through the tough times when her sister was too busy being the slayer. And now she had finally won him over, whether or not it was because she was a piece of her sister or not she didn't care, he was here and he had fallen in love with her and she was not about to question all her dreams committing true.
Spike stared down at his little bit as she stirred. He looked at her perfect features committing them to memory. He had loved her before, no matter how much he had tried to deny it. She was far too young for him and he couldn't believe the feelings he had for her even at a young age. He told himself even when she turned eighteen that he couldn't she was innocent little Dawn, the slayers sister, yet she was why came home. He had already gotten over Buffy, feeling now as if the only reason he ever wanted her was because of the little bit of Dawn she had in her. He had come back because of her because he had once made a promise to protect her forever. He was now hopelessly devoted to her no matter how often he knew she thought otherwise. He felt bad for all the pain being with him had caused her, but he couldn't stay away. Something in her drew him in, maybe it was the way she always treated him like he was human, like he was worth loving like he was worth helping. She had always wanted him to be happy and maybe that was what melted his cold heart to her. Now the fight was over there was no way he was going to be free from her, he was in love with her. And he was the type of man to love someone forever, and he could promise forever, he had eternity to give.
"Mmm." She slowly woke up and looked up at Spike her head on his chest. "Ick it's morning." She smiled at him.
"Yeah, time to go see the bloody Scooby's and make a plan." He touched his hand to her cheek.
"Can't I just stay here, forever." She whispered smiling acting more like her sister then she would ever know.
"Fine by me love." He smiled looking into her blue eyes.
"Good." She giggled.
"Dawn?" He said looked down at her.
"Yeah." She answered.
"Why are you with me?" He asked honestly.
"Don't be ridiculous." Dawn said annoyed.
"No really, just tell me." Spike looked curious.
"Because I love you, I have since I knew you." Dawn answered. "I don't know why you just can't control these things ya know." She smiled coyly. "But something about you, I don't know, I just love you." She said simply.
"I'm glad, I love you too pet." He said kissing her forehead gently.
"It's just as unbelievable to me to hear you say that." She spoke quietly.
"I would be a fool not to love you Dawn." Spike spoke calling her by her real name instead of some nickname.
"Your a fool anyways." She said playfully.
"Maybe." He smiled.
"I do have to go eventually, not for them, but to help those girls, and who knows there will probably be another apocalypse and well have to save the world again." She laughed but she was halfway serious.
"Your right luv. Those dumb git's are always finding another way to get themselves into trouble wonder what demon they seemed to piss off this week." He smiled. "If it's bad you come get me, your not going into this alone." He said stroking her soft cheek with his hands black nail polish painted on his nails.
"I will Spike, but I can handle myself you know." She spoke sure of her strength.
"I know you can, I just I don't like you being in danger even the slightest bit. Even for a second, I don't even want you walking alone at night." He spoke seriously as Dawn giggled.
"I'm gonna be fine. I am a slayer now you know, I have that super strength thing going on." She smirked.
"I know but, well you have only been a slayer for a short time and what if some vampire like me comes along." He looked into her eyes as she sat up.
"Well we both know what I did last time that happened." She said sarcastic.
"Yeah, but if a vampire who isn't in love with you comes along that's stronger than you what are you gonna do?" Spike frowned.
"You have resolve face, I don't like it." She smiled. Willow always said that when Dawn got very serious about something.
"Dawn be serious." Spike looked stern.
"I don't know Spike, I'm not just the slayer being the key makes me stronger and, I have Buffy by my side and You and Angel...I'm not on my own." She said realizing it herself for the first time.
"What if you were?" Spike added. "Just don't get yourself into trouble by getting too cocky."
"I wont now stop being all serious and stern, I don't like it." She raised her eyebrows.
"I'm sorry." He held her hand in his. "I just worry about you."
"You don't need to, I mean I like it, but don't become serious Spike again. I like you when your, your funny playful self." She smiled.
"Oh really." He tilted his head getting an idea.
"Spike, don't you dare." She smiled, knowing what he was thinking.
"Oh you brought this on yourself." He smiled and lunged on top of her tickling her as she burst into laughter trying to push him off.
"Spike stop." She laughed. "Oh my God, I'm going to kill you." She could barely speak.
"Oh really." Spike stopped looking down at her. Suddenly they lunged into a passionate kiss without hesitation. Spike wrapping his arms around Dawn sliding her onto his lap. They were interrupted by a reluctant Faith.
"Oh come on you two." Faith spoke as they both turned to look at her in shock. "Buffy said to call you both over some Scooby meeting crap, Spike your supposed to come." Faith looked at him. "I know its daylight but apparently we need your help too as if three slayers a witch and a vampire aren't enough." Faith rolled her eyes and walked away.
"All right let's go." Dawn spoke sitting in Spike's lap.
"Yeah." Spike cleared his throat.
"You have to let go of me first." Dawn smiled.
"Never." Spike smirked loosening his grip on Dawn. She slid off of his lap slowly, hesitantly. They both got up as Spike threw a shirt over his pale, muscular body. They both walked to the door as Spike reached his hand down and held Dawn's hand in his as they walked down the street.
"I wonder why Buffy would want you there?" Dawn asked curious as they walked down to the Summer's house.
"Why not?" He asked hurt.
"Don't take it that way, I think you could kick most of our asses in a fair fight. It's just I wouldn't think she would want you there." Dawn looked confused. "She now sees you as the Vampire who deflowered her little sister."
"Deflowered?" Spike raised one eye brow. "That's weird hearing you say that."
"Spike shut up." She snickered.
"I thought you liked the funny me." He smiled from ear to ear.
"I love the funny you Spike...only because it's you." She smiled. "But your just making fun of me."
"I could never make fun of you luv." He smirked wrapping his arm around her waist.
"Mmhhmm." She pressed her lips together.
They walked up to the front door. Dawn walking in in front of Spike as she followed behind and shut the door. All eyes followed over to them as they came in.
"So what's the big harry?" Dawn asked smiling.
"We have to take out those monsters who have those girls locked up down there." Buffy swallowed. "Angel is afraid that it's more than there feeding supply, like maybe it's some ritual there going to do."
"Of course." Dawn shook her head.
"Always some sorta apocalyptic thing commin' on around the hell mouth." Xander commented. "can't we all just move?" He asked shrugging his shoulders.
"I only wish we could, but we have a sacred duty to protect innocent people..." Giles spoke cleaning his glasses.
"Okay Giles not the time for this lecture we all know we have a sacred duty." Buffy said patting his shoulder.
"Yes, I see that clearly now." Giles shook his head sarcastically and put his glasses back on.
"Well what are we supposed to do?" Ben asked standing up and putting his arm around Buffy his own personal slayer.
"Well we have to think of something." Buffy said leaning on Ben's shoulder.
"I think maybe force is the best solution." Angel said looking at Faith hoping she liked his answer.
"Settle down big guy we can't be too cavalier...oh shit I'm starting to sound like Giles." Faith shook her head in shock.
"Yeah where the hell did that word come from, not my Faith." Dawn joked smirking, as Spike wrapped his arm around her waist and played with her fingers beneath his hand.
"Giles, your a bad influence." Faith said looking at the watcher who was quickly cleaning his glasses. "Why are you doing that didn't you just do it?" Faith asked shaking her head.
"Uhmm..." He looked over at Spike and Dawn then quickly away.
"Oh my God. You clean your glasses when were doing something you don't wanna see." Faith said smiling pleased she had finally discovered what they all knew.
"Precisely, and it works quiet well I might add." He spoke putting his glasses back on.
"Wow Giles, I am disappointed in you, all these years pretending like you were tough and it didn't bother you." Faith snickered.
They all joined in, in a laugh for a brief second knowing in a few seconds they would have to go back to Scooby plan mode.
"I know we can't rush into this." Buffy spoke ruining the moment. "Some can go into research mode and a few can sneak into the club and see what they can find."
"Well we know Dawn can't go in because she was already seen there." Spike said trying to find a way to stick Dawn's nose in the books where she was safe.
"I guess, but that doesn't matter if she went she would be sneaking in. I think me Faith and Dawn should go inside the club and get a look see." Buffy said looking around. "Willow is a great hacker, and everyone else can stay behind and help."
"Buffy let me go in with you two instead of Dawn." Spike volunteered.
"Fine." Buffy nodded.
"Oh come on. Isn't this partly my decision?" Dawn questioned.
"Yeah, but you use to be major research girl remember." Buffy reassured her. "It will work better that way trust me."
"I think that would be a bad idea, Spike rash and he'll rush into things I should go instead of him." Angel said wanting any chance to be close to Faith.
They argued for over twenty minutes when they decided that Buffy Angel and Faith would go inside the club and get back safely where everyone would have done all the research needed by then. And they would jump right back into it with the information they obtained inside the club. They all prepared themselves for the trip into the club, with weapons. Everyone one else ready headed over the magic shop where all the books were kept.