"Ew!" The brunette girl exclaimed, flicking away a cobweb that came particularly close to her face. "Did you never get the memo about spring cleaning, Spike?"

Buffy suddenly appeared in the gaping whole which lead to the bedroom, which caused her sister to jump a metaphorical mile.

"Buffy!" Dawn whined, snatching one hand over her chest to feel the pounding heart beneath. "Do you intentionally try to give me a heart attack? I swear I'll be dead before I'm legal."

They Slayer rolled her eyes and crossed both arms across her chest. "I thought you were staying over at Janet's again tonight."

"I am." Dawn nodded, holding up a paper bag which obviously contained food. "I'm going over there tonight. She's got family stuff going on."

"Oh. Sure." Buffy nodded, reaching out to take the bag. "Thanks. I'm starving."

Dawn watched in amusement as the woman ripped open the sandwich and began eating it eagerly. She knew Spike never kept much by way of human food, and strongly doubted that her sister would go near anything that he did have. She once took a bite of a chocolate bar that was in Spike's fridge. Not a pleasant experience considering the sell by date was up at least six months ago. He had clearly neglected to inform her of that fact.

"Shall we go downstairs?" Buffy spoke through a mouthful of bread and cheese.

Dawn looked gingerly at the rickety stairs and nodded softly. "How's he doing?"

Buffy swallowed and then placed the semi-eaten sandwich back into the bag and smiled softly. "You know he's strong, Dawn. It's just going to take some time for him to be back to normal."

"I don't think he'll want to see me." Dawn spoke, interlinking her fingers and moving her weight from one leg to the other. "I haven't seen him for a while, he hardly ever comes around any more."

"I know, Dawnie" Buffy sighed, stepping forwards and brushing a strand of hair from her sister's face. "None of us have been very good friends to him lately. We'll just forget about the last couple of months and move on."

"It's easier said than done, Buffy." Dawn grimaced, looking around the dark crypt. "I don't know if he likes me any more..."

"I can assure you on this, Dawn." Buffy spoke in a matter-of-fact tone, "Spike loves you. I know he does. He's just a bit of a..." she crinkled her nose, "...strange character. He's stubborn and hates to let anybody know that he's weak. We both know he won't be breaking down into a confession any time soon, but you know how keen he is to protect you. He loves you. Trust me."

Dawn nodded her said softly, knowing that the words were probably true. "Okay. Let's go."

"Do you want to see him alone first?" Buffy asked tentatively, knowing that they always used to enjoy their time together. She presumed that Dawn would want to cry too.

Dawn paused momentarily, her gaze not moving from the steps leading down. She didn't answer verbally, but nodded.

~*~

Downstairs, Spike had strained his hearing to listen to their conversation. It was true what both Dawn and Buffy had said about him; they hadn't spent much - if any – time together lately, but he still loved Buffy's little sister. Hell, he loved both of them. He always would.

When he heard Dawn's slightly quieter footsteps once again, he shifted on the bed to sit upright and tried to appear as casual as possible. He knew he looked a state with no shirt and undoubtedly ruffled hair, but it didn't matter. He just needed Dawn to know that he needed her friendship just as much as he needed the physical relationship with her sister.

Dawn didn't make it past the last step. She had purposely kept her gaze at her feet and as soon as she looked over towards Spike, her eyes began to water and her legs felt weak. Her heart began pounding and guilt washed over her for not seeing the Vampire for such a long time.

"Dawn." Spike spoke softly, trying to make eye contact with the younger girl. "C'mon, don't do that."

She remained glued to the spot, not knowing what to say or whether to step forward.

Spike wanted to get up. He wanted to grab the girl, give her a hug and curse her for being such a ninny. They were friends. Are friends.

"C'mon, 'bit." He spoke again, "Tell me what's bothering you."

"Y-you..." She faltered, "You could've at least done your hair." The tension ran from her body slowly, and she stepped down onto the concrete.

Spike scoffed lightly, raising his eyebrows. "You try doing your hair with busted ribs. S'not fun." He patted the bed and gestured for her to come over.

"I'll do it for you later." Dawn nodded, walking slowly forward and pausing at the edge of the bed. "Buffy fixed you up, huh?"

"Your sis' did a bloody fine job." Spike agreed, "Still a bit sore, but nothin' I can't handle."

"You'd say that if your neck was broken." Dawn laughed quietly, "Stupid Vampire."

"That's me." Spike shrugged. "It's nice to see you, 'bit."

The anxiety flooded back in. She had wanted to see Spike, but Buffy had told her to stay away.

"I'm sorry..." Dawn mumbled, "You've been okay though, right?"

Spike nodded his head and smiled, "I can take care of myself."

"Care to repeat that?" Dawn raised her eyebrows and looked over his torso, "Because I'd say not."

"This was a one off." He defended with a slight chuckle. "Sit with me, 'bit. We haven't had a good chat for ages. How's school?"

She lowered herself onto the bed and pulled off her shoes before sitting next to Spike. "You never cared about school." She laughed, turning her head slightly towards him. "It is nice seeing you, Spike. I've missed you."

He nodded, lifting his good arm and patting her hand. "Yeah."

Dawn smiled softly and sniffed the air, enjoying the scent of Spike: cigarette's, hair gel and alcohol.

"I'm sure I smell disgusting." Spike chuckled, noticing her action.

"Just smell like you always do."

Spike smiled and then looked around, "Hey, where's Buffy disappeared to?"

Dawn shrugged. "She can wait. This is my Spike time."