Dawn sighed as she hugged her bag close to her body. The books edges poking her in the ribs and chest, yet the familiar sensation of discomfort, oddly soothed her. She kicked the rocks at her feet that had been thrown up on the sidewalk from the road. Her mind was so deep; it was drowning in her thoughts about school today. Third year of high school and she couldn't have made a bigger fool of herself. She prayed all day long the hell mouth would just open up and suck her in. Anything was better than what happened. She barely noticed as she stumbled from the curb to cross the street that a large truck with its lights off was speeding right for her.

Spike sauntered down the street, eyeing store windows and passer bys. Happy with his stolen goods for the night he was way past getting drunk in front of his TV. As he watched a lovely woman pass him by his eye caught the smaller Summers and the car heading right her way.

"Bit!" Spike yelled as he dropped his bag of groceries and charged across the street with vampiric speed. He wrapped her up in his arms and got her out of the way of the truck just in time as it sped past them, honking as if they did something wrong. Spike growled and yelled after the vehicle that if he ever saw them again he would remove their head with his bare hands.

Dawn was disoriented and the tears in her eyes made her vision blurry about what had happened. But she knew who had apparently saved her from something. The sweet, well comforting sweet smell to her of leather, smoke, and whiskey belonged to no one but Spike. "Spike, what was that about?" She said in a small choked up voice.

"You bloody well walked in front of a moving car, pet." Spike ran his hands through her hair, eyeing her face taking notice to the tears but not sure what to say about them. "Something wrong, nibblet?"

"Nothing you care about." She wiped at her eyes violently, making them all puffy and red.

Spike raised his eyebrow in that trade mark way and sighed. He shrugged and turned, walking back to grab his things. When he got everything back in the bag and turned, Dawn was just staring at him. Her eyes dull yet wounded. He looked at the sky and rolled his eyes. "The things I do for those bloody women. I swear, the chip is gone and I will…." He looked down at her, with her trade mark pout and big teenage eyes pulling him in, "Still do their bidding. Fuck."

Dawn watched as Spike came back over to her, he seemed annoyed. "I'll just go home. Sorry to have been an inconvenience." She turned to leave.

"Dawn! Stop right there!" He sighed, putting on his best 'I am concerned' face.

Dawn stopped and put her bag over her shoulder and crossed her arms over her chest. But didn't turn around.

Spike sighed heavily. "I'm sorry love, it's been a long night. You know I care about you. I'm gonna walk you home, and if you decide to forgive me then I would love to hear what's wrong."

Dawn turned half way and frowned. "I don't want to go home."

"Then my place."

"Bronze."

"Fine." Spike clutched his bag tightly as he motioned for Dawn to walk across the street after e made sure it was safe.

"What's in the bag?"

"Oh food stuff. Cookies, and things."

"Yum." She said quietly.

"I thought so." He adjusted the bag, the crinkle it made one of the only sounds after they stopped talking. "I hate when you cry nibblet."

"I hate it to. I can't help it." She cast her eyes to the side, giving him a side glance. "It's a girl thing."

"Do I need to kill anyone? I hope so; a spot of violence would do me good."

Dawn gave a small smile, trying not to let it show. But Spike could feel her smile. She always gave off vibes he could read even if he was blind.

"It was a boy."

"I bloody knew it. What's his name darling? He won't ever bother you again." Spike growled and clutched the bag for a different reason. He hated seeing either of the Summer girls in pain for anything or anyone.

"No Spike, the thought is nice but he'll get what's coming to him. I mean….so he doesn't like me and made fun of me for it. He'll probably get an infected dick or something from one of the hos he does like." Dawn giggled and skipped her next step.

Spike's eyes widened and looked at her with his head slightly tilted. "Language lil' bit, you aren't old enough to talk like that."

Dawn frowned at him and then rolled her eyes. "You tell me all the gruesome horrible details of ALL the things you did when evil and you can't handle me saying the word dick?"

Spike swallowed. "You're all innocent, it feels dirty coming from that cute little mouth of yours."

Dawn blushed and then frowned again. "I'm ancient powerful keyness, I am not innocent."

"That was then, and this is now. You are innocent….in my eyes. I don't want that to change."

Dawn's spirit dropped to her toes. She always had a crush on Spike but he had never so blatantly said how childish she was in his eyes. So she had two major embarrassing encounters with men who she liked. She hated life right now. Dawn's pace sped up and it forced Spike to speed up too.

"Hey the Bronze is this way." Spike touched her arm but Dawn brushed past.

"Changed my mind." Dawn's clipped words caught Spike off guard. He didn't know what to say or do. The same thing happened with Buffy all the time. He was assuming it was a hormonal girl thing and left it at that.

"Going home then?"

"I suppose so."

"Did I say something wrong Dawn?" He said her voice so softly, so caring. Dawn felt bad. He was so much older than her and in love with Buffy. How could she ever expect him to be crushing or respect her as a woman. He was right, she was an innocent, a child to him.

Dawn dropped her head and then looked up at his bright blue eyes. She loved looking at him. His face was so handsome, lips so perfect and eyes that penetrated her soul. She wanted him. She blushed so red that Spike smirked a little. Dawn closed her eyes and then sighed heavily. "No, it's me. I'm just tired and wanting the male race to all die right now."

"Hey, even your favorite Spike?"

"I can make an exception for you."

"Good to hear it love. "

They walked in silence the rest of the way to Revello Drive. Dawn was comfortable with their silence. She knew as much as a talker as Spike was, he could equally be quiet and thoughtful. At least with her, he was. She liked how he didn't feel the need to impress her. She knew he did at times, bringing her things, telling her grand stories, but she knew as much as he liked her company a part of it was only because out of everyone he knew, she was the only good human, who valued his company and accepted him as a reforming evil guy.

Spike tugged on Dawn's long hair, getting her to stop short of the driveway. "Listen, pet, I care about you a lot. Like my best friend you are. If that boy gives you any trouble at all, tell me okay. And if he doesn't want a pretty little thing like you hanging from his arm, adoring him…his loss. And better for me, I get all your time then." He ran his fingertips down her cheek and gave her a wink before giving her a light kiss on the forehead. "Now run inside before the big bad changes his mind about being a good guy."

Dawn giggled and blushed her way up onto the porch, she turned back to tell him thanks but he had already disappeared.

"DAWN!" Buffy came around the side of the house, face twisted in anger and fear. "I have been looking everywhere for you! Spike's crypt, Janice's, the school. Where have you been?"

"Spike walked me home, I was walking and got turned around in my thoughts. God Buffy I can handle myself let alone Spike would never have let…"

"Oh okay, well Spike….is not your guardian angel here. I don't see him anywhere."

"He probably left so he wouldn't have to hear the decibel your voice goes to when you are angry. It hurts me; I can't imagine what it would do to a vampire."

Buffy's eyes widened and she huffed as she charged up the stairs and threw open the door. "I was worried about you. Now get inside, dinner is ready, then straight to bed. I can't believe this. You are such a teenager."

"And you are turning into such a spinster."

"DAWN!"

Bang. The door closed, leaving the yard in the light of the moon. Spike was leaning in the neighbor's yard against the tree, smoking his last cigarette in the pack, a huge smile across his face watching the sister's go at it. He loved them both. Buffy was such a martyr for good, stuck in her ways and rules while Dawn was a fiery vixen, up for anything and she accepted so much more than Buffy. He would have to keep a close watch on Dawn as she grew up. The boys would be soon lining up around the block and he had to play momma bear, he had to make sure no one hurt her.