Title: God Bless Caseworkers From Hell
Part: 7/?
Author: Ice Queen (aka Amanda)
Email: daydream_fic@bigpond.com <mailto:daydream_fic@bigpond.com>
Rating: PG-13 for now.
Category: Buffy/Spike Challenge (given by Pamela J. Anderson)
Spoilers: Up to the Season 6 episode Gone
Distribution: You want it? You got it. Just tell me where it is going.
Disclaimer: All characters are the property of Joss Whedon, UPN and Mutant Enemy. I am in no way affiliated with any of these people.
Summary: In order to keep Dawn, Buffy must find a male father figure, and Spike is her only choice.
Feedback: Name one person who *doesn’t* like feedback!
Thanks To: Mood Indigo, Jerri and Sairs, my wonderful betas, I couldn’t have done it without you!
Author’s Note: This is a challenge fic that was given by Pamela J. Anderson. It’s set a few days after ‘Gone’.
The Challenge: Child protective services look down on single caregivers, so Buffy has to find a ‘pretend husband’. Xander and Anya are honeymooning, Giles is in England. So Spike is her only hope. Requirements: *Buffy falls for Spike after he becomes the perfect spouse *Spike acts romantic towards Buffy

“Buffy, it’s daylight outside, I’m sorry but bursting into flames doesn’t appeal to me the way it did a century ago,” Spike complained.

“We’ll take the sewers,” Buffy replied, tossing him a blanket, “Now get ready to run.”

“Bloody hell,” he growled as he sprinted towards the sewer entrance a few feet in front of Buffy’s house.

Spike chucked the blanket away as soon as the two were entombed in the relative safety of the sewer, “Explain to me again why we have to go shopping?”

Buffy sighed, “The caseworker is reviewing you tomorrow. You need a new outfit. Hence the shopping.”

“I still don’t see the problem with my clothes.”

She ignored him, “Besides, I’ve always wanted to give you a makeover.”

He groaned, “Should I be scared?”

“Well I’ve been wondering what you’d look like in pink.”

Spike stopped dead in his tracks and gaped at her, “Mission accomplished: I’m terrified.” He looked into her twinkling eyes and realised she was joking, “Very funny, Slayer.”

“I thought so.”

Ten minutes later, they came up from the sewers, into the mall’s indoor parking lot.

“Hurry up, Spike,” she said as she waited briefly for him to catch up with her.

“Are you sure this is really necessary?” he whined.

She sent a glare his way and he quickly caught up with her.

*~*~*~*

*This has got to be Hell,* Spike thought as he looked around at the vibrantly coloured shirts in the store. *I’ve been staked and sent to Hell. That’s the only explanation for THIS*

“What about this one?” Buffy asked, a small smile gracing her lips.

He grimaced when he saw the orange shirt Buffy was holding. “Uh…no!”

“This one?” she pulled a blue shirt off one of the racks.

“There is not one shirt in this bloody awful shop I would even *contemplate* wearing.”

“But you would look sexy in blue, plus it would bring out the colour of your eyes.” Buffy persuaded, but Spike wasn’t deterred. “Please Spike,” she pouted, “Do it for me?”

“Buffy, I would do almost anything for you. I’d go to the end of the world and back if it saved you from heartache. But I draw the line at wearing *that!*. You know, there’s a nice sex shop across from us, I’m sure there’d be something we both like there.” He grinned playfully.

Buffy rolled her eyes and moved her mouth to Spike’s ear, “Tell you what, if you decide on some shirts, we’ll go and get something from that nice shop over there.”

Spike’s eyes widened, then he grabbed five shirts from the nearest rack and hurried over to the cashier.

Buffy almost went into hysterics when she saw the shirts he had grabbed.

One of them was bright pink.

*~*~*~*

The two arrived back at Buffy’s an hour later laughing and clutching two bags. One containing Spike’s shirts, the other a set of red lingerie Buffy had purchased at Sari’s Sex Shop.

“I can’t wait for tonight, love,” Spike purred.

“Why wait?” Buffy replied saucily.

They moved in to lock lips, but abruptly broke apart when the door behind them opened.

“Hey guys," Dawn greeted cheerfully.

“Dawn! Hi!” Buffy cried nervously, trying to hide the bag containing the lingerie.

“Hi Niblet,” Spike said as if nothing had happened.

“Hey Spike. Sari’s huh?” Dawn asked, motioning towards the bag that was now poorly hidden behind Buffy’s back. Buffy flushed and Dawn stifled her giggle, “So, I’m guessing you two are together now?”

Buffy looked at Spike and smiled, “Yeah,” she answered, “We are.”

Dawn grinned, “Took ya long enough.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Buffy questioned.

“Oh, come on! It was so obvious! You’ve been in love with Spike for ages. Hey, I may only be fifteen, but I’m not dumb.”

“Dawn, I’m not in love with Spike…not yet anyway.”

“Whatever,” Dawn scoffed as she strolled away.

“Smart girl,” Spike grabbed Buffy’s waist and pulled her to him, “Where were we?”

“Mmm…I think we were just about here,” she breathed softly as her and Spike’s lips met in a passionate kiss.”

*~*~*

“Buffy?” Dawn called, the next morning, as she knocked on the bedroom door. “I hope you’re up because Doris from Social Services is going to be here any minute.”

On the other side of the door, Buffy bolted upright in bed, “Shit!”

Spike rolled over to face her, “What is it?” he murmured sleepily.

Buffy hurried out of bed and started grabbing her clothes. “Get up and get dressed,” she yelled at him. “She’s going to be here soon.”

Spike grabbed his black jeans from the floor near the bed, “Who is? Doris?”

“Yes!” she exclaimed exasperatedly. “Hurry up!”

“What shirt?” he asked, holding up 3 out of the five shirts they bought the other day.

“Uh…the blue.” Buffy replied absentmindedly, and then called out to Dawn, “Dawnie? Are you ready?”

“Yes. Unlike some people I wasn’t up half the night.” Came the frustrated reply.

Buffy opened her cupboard and searched for something to wear. She pulled out a halter-neck top and a denim skirt, “Too slutty,” she decided and dropped them on the ground. She held a pair of jeans and a t-shirt up against her body, “Too casual.”

She called out to her sister again, “Dawn, where’s Willow?”

“Making breakfast.”

She turned back to her closet and sighed, “I have nothing to wear.”

“Piffle.” Spike said, “You have enough clothing to open your own store.”

“You’re not helping.” She spied a pink and white summer dress in the back of her wardrobe, “What about this?” she said, pulling it out. When Spike didn’t answer, she turned to the mirror and hugged it against her form.

She felt his arms wrap around her waist and his lips kiss her neck, “Love, you take good care of Dawn. I know it, you know it, and Niblet knows it. Don’t worry, everything’s going to be ok.”

Buffy twisted around in the embrace so she faced her boyfriend, “Thank you, Spike. Thank you for everything. If it weren’t for you, Dawn would already be in a foster home.”

“You’re welcome, Buffy.” He leaned down and captured her mouth in a sweet kiss.

They were interrupted by the ring of the doorbell.

Title: God Bless Caseworkers From Hell
Part: 8/?
Author: Ice Queen (aka Amanda)
Email: daydream_fic@bigpond.com <mailto:daydream_fic@bigpond.com>
Rating: PG-13 for now.
Category: Buffy/Spike Challenge (given by Pamela J. Anderson)
Spoilers: Up to the Season 6 episode Gone
Distribution: You want it? You got it. Just tell me where it is going.
Disclaimer: All characters are the property of Joss Whedon, UPN and Mutant Enemy. I am in no way affiliated with any of these people.
Summary: In order to keep Dawn, Buffy must find a male father figure, and Spike is her only choice.
Feedback: Name one person who *doesn’t* like feedback!
Thanks To: Mood Indigo, Jerri and Sairs, my wonderful betas, I couldn’t have done it without you!
Author’s Note: This is a challenge fic that was given by Pamela J. Anderson. It’s set a few days after ‘Gone’.
The Challenge: Child protective services look down on single caregivers, so Buffy has to find a ‘pretend husband’. Xander and Anya are honeymooning, Giles is in England. So Spike is her only hope. Requirements: *Buffy falls for Spike after he becomes the perfect spouse *Spike acts romantic towards Buffy

Dawn opened the door with a bright smile on her face, “Hi! Doris, right?” When the woman nodded, Dawn continued, “Come in! Buffy will be down in a second, she’s just getting ready.”

“That’s quite alright. I’d like to speak to you in private.” Doris said as she entered the living room.

Doris sat on a chair opposite the lounge Dawn was perched on, “How’s you’re arm?”

“It’s better. I’m getting the plaster off in a week.”

“May I ask how it happened?”

Dawn’s eyes darkened momentarily, “It was an accident. Willow - the other person who lives here - was driving me to the movies and we soughta had an accident. It wasn’t that bad or anything, and it wasn’t her fault.”

Doris made note of this, “What about things around here? Are you and you’re sister getting along?”

“Buffy and I are getting along fine. We have our moments, but we’re sisters, what do you expect?” she joked. “Seriously though, things are heaps better since Spike moved in.”

The caseworker frowned, “Spike? I thought Ms Summers said that a William Lisborne was moving in?”

“Yeah, that’s Spike. William is his real name.”

“I see.”

Buffy and Spike entered the room, “Ms. Kroger, how are you?” Buffy greeted.

“I’m fine, and you?” Doris answered.

“Good thanks. This is Sp- uh, William, Dawn’s male caregiver.”

Spike shook her hand, “Hello, nice seeing you again.”

“Ah, yes, you’re the young man who was here last fortnight. Take a seat.”

Spike sat next to Dawn on the lounge, while Buffy remained standing.

“Would you like something to drink?” she offered.

“No thanks.” Doris answered.

“You sure? I could make you some tea, or coffee, whatever you like.” Buffy persisted, nervously.

“I’m fine.”

“Kay,” she smiled uneasily and took a seat next to Spike. He grabbed her hand and gave it a comforting squeeze.

Doris noticed this, “Ms Summers, last time I was here, I’m sure you said that you and William weren’t together.”

“Well, we weren’t then, but we are now, it’s kind of complicated,” Buffy explained.

“Are you in love?”

“Not to be rude or anything, but I don’t think that’s the kind of question you need to be asking,” Spike objected.

“I’m sorry,” Doris apologised, “If you don’t feel comfortable...”

“No, it’s ok.” Buffy smiled. “William loves me and I care about him a lot, I just don’t love him yet.”

Dawn rolled her eyes.

“Is there a problem, Dawn?” Doris asked.

Dawn grinned, “No, it’s just, it’s so obvious! Buffy so loves Spike. You can see it in her eyes every time she looks at him.”

“Dawn!” Buffy blushed.

“What?” She replied innocently.

“Mr. Lisborne, do you think your relationship with Ms. Summers will affect your ability to take care of Dawn?”

Spike eyed Doris as if she were crazy, “Frankly, no. I love Dawn like a sister, and I don’t see how my relationship with Buffy is going to affect that. Really, we’re not that different to a married couple looking after their daughter.”

*~*~*~*

After another hour of interrogation, Doris finally left.

“Ms. Summers,” she said just as she was leaving, “Mr Lisborne is a suitable caregiver for Dawn, but there’s still the fact that neither you or William are bringing in any income. I suggest that one (or both) of you find a job or you may lose custody of Dawn.”

“We’ll get on that right away,” Buffy promised.

“That would be a good thing. I’ll be seeing you.”

“Ms. Kroger,” Buffy called out. “Do I have a chance?”

“I’ll be honest with you Buffy, you’re not out of the woods yet. There’s still a possibility you will lose Dawn, but I think once you find a job with decent pay, things will begin to look up.”

“Thanks.”

“Your welcome Ms Summers.”