"and I became corporeal again. Now I'm here." Spike finished his long, confusing story. Dawn and Willow sat across the table from him, cocoa cold and forgotten in front of them.
"So...you were a ghost?" Dawn finally interjected. Spike nodded, leaned his chair back and fished into his pocket for his mostly empty pack of smokes. "That's kinda cool."
Spike scoffed and lit his cigarette "Wasn't very cool from my perspective, Love."
Willow let everything sink in before she spoke. "Why did they bring you back?"
"My dashing good looks and charming personality mostly." Dawn rolled her eyes. It was strange, he had walked back into their lives not even an hour ago and she was already acting like it was just another normal day. It confused her how quickly she readjusted but she was relieved that she had moved past the embarrassing crying and clinging to him. Spike noted their skeptic looks and sighed "Look girls, it's getting late. I'll be back tomorrow after sunset alright?"
A soft thump echoed as Spike dropped the chair back on all fours. He swiftly stood and made his way for the door. "You're leaving?" Dawns voice was small.
'She's afraid I wont come back. Again' Spike inhaled sharply before turning back, fixing them with a playful smile "Try not to miss me too much." He didn't wait for ether of them to respond before disappointing for the night.
"Dawn come on, you're not the only one who needs to use the bathroom in the morning." Buffy pounded on the door again. Her complaint was met with a small groan. Buffy put her hands on her hips and pouted "Fine, you can fix your own breakfast then." With that she turned and stormed into the kitchen and plopped down at the table. 'Oh god' she thought covering her face in her hands 'those dreams are really starting to do a number on me, seriously, now I think I smell him? Get a grip Buffy!"
"Good morning" Willow called cheerfully as she entered the room. Willow, the only morning person in the house. Buffy grunted a hello a pulled herself from the table. Willow's expression turned to concern "Have another bad night?"
"No, no," Buffy assured her. "It's just...Will, you're gonna think I'm crazy, but" just then the bathroom door squeaked open "Hold that thought!"
Dawn dodged her sisters frantic flight to the bathroom. "Run me over why don't you" she called after her but Buffy didn't seem to notice "Sheesh." Willow gave her a small 'what can you do' smile and offered her a bagel. "Thanks," Dawn glanced down the hall nervously, making sure they could talk safely. "Do you think we should tell her..."
Willow shook her head "I don't know"