Spike's POV

'Spike' a voice called in my head. I whipped my head around, looking for the intruder. I knew that voice from somewhere. Hmm… 'Are you there?'

"Uh…yeah." I answered.

'Is someone up there with Dawn?' she asked.

"Yeah. Don't know who."

'Get up there.' She ordered.

"Who the bloody hell-"

'She needs help!' the woman snapped. I sighed in aggravation, ignoring the watcher, demon-girl and the whelp's stares as I peeked at all the minions and crazies blocking us from the tower.

"But-I-"

'GO!' she yelled in my head. Obeying immediately, I hightailed it toward my Bit, surprised when the mob was separated like theRed Seaby an invisible force.

I made it to the tower and climbed up quickly, never stopping or hesitating until I got to the top, where Doc had a knife on my Nibblet.

Willow's POV

The fight wasn't going well for Spike on top of the tower, and since Buffy was busy beating Glory's ass after the magic I'd used to weaken her and most of the Scoobies were ducking for cover, I was the only reinforcement.

Surprise, Glory. Didn't know about me, did you?

Dawn's life was more important than my fucking privacy, so I hightailed it up.

On top of the tower, Spike was thrown off just as I got to the top. "NO!" Dawn was screaming as Spike fell.

I knew that was going to hurt like hell but as long as his head wasn't severed and there was no heart-piercage, he'd be okay. I still winced when he landed though. Doc stood up straight to address Dawn again but stopped when he saw me.

"This should be interesting."

I shot a bolt of magic out of my right palm, slamming into him, and he stumbled back and fell from the tower.

"Hmm…interesting." I murmured, chuckling a little to myself.

"Will?" Dawn asked, stepping forward with hesitant hope on her face.

"Dawnie…" I sighed, pulling the girl into a tight hug. She immediately reciprocated the hug as she crushed me to her. Sobs started soon after. "It's okay now, Dawnie. I love you."

"DAWN!" I heard Buffy scream from nearby.

"Time's up for the ritual. You're safe now. If you ever need me…." I let the suggestion trail off as I gently forced Dawn a step back. She looked heartbroken and scared and a little confused.

Dawn's POV

Willowgave a little wave of her hand and a warm smile and disappeared with a flash of clouds and lightning. Buffy appeared not a second later, looking relieved and close to tears. I fell into her arms as soon as she got close enough and joined her in the sobs.

I must have been in shock a little and Buffy must have forced me down the ladder because the next thing I knew the group was hugging. Weird to have Spike in a group hug. Or any hug at all, really.

"How?" was all Giles asked.

I met Xander's eyes and he smiled a little. I nodded. I don't know how, but he knew.

"What was it?" Anya asked. "Who?" she reiterated.

I hesitated a moment, unsure of what to do. I was pretty sure Willow wouldn't want them to know, she had left pretty quickly after all. But I didn't want to lie either. Still, she'd saved my life. A little fib was the least I could do for her. "I don't know." I answered with a deep breath.