Man of the House 2

It was 8:30 in the morning when Dawn woke Buffy up by rummaging through her closet in search of a pair of sandals to wear to the beach. Buffy sat up in her bed and questioned her little sister's "borrowing" habit.

"Why can't you just wear your own?"

"I hate mine, they're lame." Dawn replied as she pulled out the pair of pretty black sandals with the clear blue beads on the ankle strap."

"They weren't lame when I bought them for you last month."

"Oh come on, Buffy, please? These will go perfect with my outfit."

"Oh all right! I don't need them right now anyway." Buffy pouted and fluffed her pillow viciously.

Dawn observed her sister's behavior. Buffy was beginning to really get antsy about not being able to go out and enjoy herself. Even the little things were bugging her more than usual. "Um, Buffy? Do you want me to stick around while you take a shower?"

"Nah, I really haven't needed any help with that since the gauze came off. I'll be fine."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure."

Dawn finished putting on the sandals then stood in front of the full-length mirror. Frowning at what she saw she whined to her sister.

"When am I actually going to get some curves on this body?"

"Hey, just be happy you're not short like me. You got lucky and got the tall gene."

"I know, but I'm all legs and no breasts!"

Buffy laughed at the teenager's eternal lament. They never like their bodies. The fat ones want to be skinny, the skinny ones want to gain weight, the flat chested want boobs and the over endowed girls want a breast reduction.

"Stop it! You have boobs, and besides there's always the Wonder bra."

Dawn checked her chest out from the side view and sighed in disappointment. "Do you think I'm too young for implants?"

"Oh my God! Dawnie, you're beautiful. You don't need to change anything."

Dawn rolled her eyes and clicked her tongue. "So says my blind sister."

"You are. And if Kevin or any guy can't see it then, they're just stupid! Now stop obsessing and go to the beach with your friends."

"Yes, ma'am! Bye!" Dawn kissed Buffy quickly goodbye.

Buffy called after her. "And be home on time!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Buffy had decided to take a shower around noontime. Dawn was gone for the day and Spike was still asleep in his room and she had all the hot water to herself. As she let the steaming hot water stream down her back she couldn't help but think about the vampire dead asleep two doors down. She feared that she was getting more and more attached to him, so much so that she was beginning to have trouble imagining life in this house without him.

She worried about what her friends thought about this arrangement she, Dawn and Spike had. She worried about how she felt about this arrangement. She knew Spike wanted her, in every way possible he wanted her, but he hadn't pushed the subject since she'd gotten hurt. She wondered if he maybe didn't find a wounded slayer a little less attractive or maybe even boring. But he didn't really treat her any differently than before she got hurt. He was still Spike, only a more considerate Spike, a more domesticated Spike, a sexier Spike.

The water began to run cooler and she decided that she was pruned enough. As Buffy began to get out of the shower she misjudged her step. She felt her body begin to fall and attempted to correct herself, but the bathtub was too slippery. She went down hard, smacking her forehead on the sink on the way down. Buffy's world went dark.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Spike woke up with a start at the noise of a body hitting the floor. Not bothering to put on his tee shirt, he got up out of his bed and rushed towards Buffy's room. Opening the door he found that all was quiet except the sound of a heart beating in the bathroom.

He saw Buffy lying on the floor in a heap. Oh my God! What was she thinking? Spike was afraid to move her, but he needed to examine her. She had a big bruise on her forehead, she was unconscious, dripping wet and nude. But she was breathing and her heart was beating steady and strong. Spike picked her up from the floor and carried her over to the bed.

Wrapping her in a big fluffy towel he attempted to wake her. "Slayer! Buffy! Come on luv! Wake up! Don't make me call 911 or worse, don't make me call Xander!"

Buffy's eyes fluttered open at the sound of his voice. "Huh? Spike?" She whispered.

"Good morning, Sunshine. Welcome back."

Buffy blinked in an effort to focus a little bit, but to no avail. Then she remembered. Oh yeah. I can't see anyway. Buffy rubbed the bruise on her head. "I fell."

"I see. Do you want me to get you some ice for that bruise you managed to get yourself?"

"I'll get it." Buffy tried to get up.

"No! Just stay there, I'll get it."

Spike dashed downstairs to the freezer and grabbed the ice pack that Buffy kept around for those particularly rough nights on patrol. When he returned to her bedroom Buffy was attempting to get up again. "No! What did I just say, Slayer? Just relax for a minute, will you?"

"Well, I can't just lie naked and wet in a towel all day!"

Spike smiled. "Why not?"

Buffy punched him in the arm.

"Ow! How can you even see me to hit me?"

"You're a black and white blob."

Spike gently placed the ice pack on her forehead. "You can only see in black and white?"

"No. Your skin is white and so is your hair." Buffy reached up and ran her fingers through his soft white blond locks. "And your jeans are black." Then she let her hand rest on his thigh.

"But you can tell that I'm nearby without even looking, right?"

She nodded at him.

"How do you know?" Spike asked.

"Come on Spike, can't you tell when I'm close by?"

His voice caught in his throat for a moment at the thought. Of course he could feel her when she was nearby. "Y-Yes." He stammered.

"Well, how do you do it?"

"I can feel it. Can't really explain. It's a combination of everything. Your heartbeat, your scent, it makes me all Grr!"

Buffy's face crinkled up. "Grr? So it's a bad feeling?"

"No! God no! It makes me very agitated is all. Like, I have to be on my toes. It's the anticipation of something exciting."

"You feel like that all the time?"

"When I'm around you, yeah. But you already know that."

"No, not really. You think I'm exciting?"

Spike snorted at the beautiful barely covered woman on the bed before him. "Oh, please! You really have to ask me that?"

"Well, I've been less than exciting lately. I'm more or less a boring slayer who can't even take a shower by herself."

"Yes, but you are all naked under that towel. And that's very exciting."

"Hey! I don't remember putting this on. When you found me was I naked?"

"Yes, you were."

"And you saw…"

Smiling wickedly Spike cut her off. "Everything."

Buffy rolled her eyes. "You're smiling right now aren't you?"

"Oh yes, but gimme a little credit, Buffy. You were bloody unconscious and . . . Wait a second, didn't you say that would be the only time I would ever have a chance with you?"

Buffy sighed. "Shut up, Spike."

Spike decided not to push her. "Are you hungry, pet? Maybe you should eat or take a nap or . . ."

Buffy sat up before Spike could stop her. She put her hand on his mouth and silenced him.

"I get very agitated when you're around too. But I can't hear your heartbeat or smell your scent. But I can feel your presence. But it's not like when I'm hunting other vampires or demons. It used to be, but it's different now, it's been different for a while. I feel it here." Buffy placed Spike's hand on her lower abdomen and held it there a moment. Quietly she said, "It aches."

Spike let his hand stay put. "It hurts you? Well no wonder you've always hated me. I'm a walking talking cramp!"

Buffy smiled up at him. "No, Spike. It doesn't ache like that. It feels . . . it feels like you're the only one who can make it go away."

Spike slowly let his fingers slip inside of the towel and he gently stroked her belly where she had placed his hand. He put his free hand into her hair. While running his fingers through her blond locks he brushed his cool lips upon hers.

She sucked in a sharp breath as his hand left her hair and his thumb gently coaxed her mouth open. As soon as her lips parted he replaced his thumb with his tongue. His tongue explored her mouth and his other hand dropped from her stomach and rested between her legs. He lazily stroked the soft moist hair there while Buffy moaned into his mouth. She parted her legs wider to give him more access to her body. He pulled the towel away and revealed her entire body to his blue eyes.

As the chill hit her body, warning bells sounded in Buffy's brain. What if Dawn comes home early? What if Willow and Tara come over for lunch? What would my friends think? What would Mom have said? I should stop this. "Um, maybe we shouldn't do this."

Spike continued kissing Buffy's mouth. "Why? We're alone. Dawn won't be home for hours. Your friends are all at work or school. No one needs to know. It's not their business. This is ours. We can keep it just between us."

He lowered his mouth to her neck and lightly licked and sucked at her tender flesh, begging her to say yes to him. "Please Buffy. Let me take that ache of yours away."

Buffy pulled away from his advance and tried her best to see his expression. She needed this, she needed him, but she didn't need everyone to find out that she had let him do this to her. "Just between you and me?"

"Just us, luv. Just us."

Buffy laid herself back down on the bed silently giving him her permission to continue.

Spike smiled. "Close your eyes."

"Why? What's the point? I can barely see you anyway."

"I want you to let your eyes rest. Just relax and enjoy me for a change."

This was crazy, but for some reason not being able to see herself in the mirror for the last week had made her lose some of her inhibitions, at least where Spike was concerned. Oh, who was she kidding? Just a little over a week ago she was going to let a shape shifting sex demon who looked and acted just like Spike do exactly this to her. Except this time it was real. That really was his mouth suckling on her breast. Those really were his hands massaging her as she sighed beneath him. She felt his bare chest cool against her stomach as her temperature began to rise with every kiss he placed on her warm moist flesh.

With her eyes closed she tried to picture what he looked like. Did he look animalistic? Ravenous? Enraptured? Was he smiling as his mouth traveled lower on her body? Did he look as beautiful as she thought he would between her thighs? Spike's fingers parted her folds and she felt his now warm tongue begin to tease her clit. She gasped and wondered if he liked the way she tasted. What did she taste like?

Heaven! She tasted like heaven. And this was as close as he was ever going to get to that place. With every move he made on her body she responded exquisitely - moaning, stiffening her body, arching against him. Wordlessly she begged him to continue. She was so warm and wet and sweet in his mouth he could get a stake right through his heart at this very moment and die a happy man or demon or whatever. An eternity in Hell was worth these few beautiful moments with her.

He couldn't help but wonder how she would treat him after this interlude was over. Would she pretend nothing happened? Would she kick him out? Or would she want more?

She was already so wet from his ministrations that he easily slid two fingers inside of her, stretching her opening wider. He inner muscles contracted and squeezed his fingers. As she keened and whimpered with pleasure he began to stroke her slowly placing his tongue onto her clit and licking in time with his strokes.

Buffy bunched the bed sheets in her fists and braced herself against him. This was perfect. She would be falling over the edge of her climax very soon and he would be there to catch her fall. She was his. Even if it was just for this moment, he finally had his beautiful slayer. His love.

Buffy gasped as Spike's mouth began to suck on her clit. All the while he never stopped moving his fingers in and out of her. This was unreal. How could she be so close so soon? Well, it had been a while since she'd last felt a man's touch and she'd never had one make her actually have an orgasm while doing this.

Maybe it was because this was so bad. She was definitely walking on the dark side with him. She remembered the argument she'd had with Spike the night he confessed his love for her. "Spike! You're a vampire!" "Angel was a vampire." "Angel was good!" "I can be good too." And Spike was good. Good at torturing her mercilessly with his fingers and his mouth. Good at making her body quiver. She felt like she was burning up as she bucked against his hand. Buffy broke into a million pieces as she came panting and squealing with pleasure on the bed that used to be her mother's. Breathlessly she begged the vampire kneeling between her legs. "Spike? Um, please . . . um . . ."

She was begging him. Oh this was too much. He couldn't help it; he had to play with her just a little.

"What's that, pet?"

He undid the zipper on his jeans as loudly and slowly as he could then he stood and removed the remainder of his clothing. Buffy sat up and opened her eyes. She could only make out a blurry white figure in front of her. "Spike?"

"Yes, luv?"

She held out her arms to him. "Please come here."

He moved closer and she grasped him around the neck and pulled him down to her. She touched his face with her tiny hands in an attempt to clearly see his expression. When her fingers rested on his lips he smiled and kissed her fingertips. She could feel his erection nudging into her belly. She let her hand drop between his legs. She felt for his cock, taking it into her hand while he moaned at her touch. As Buffy "saw it" for the first time, she thought, Oh my God! He's really big.

She let out a soft laugh and Spike cringed in fear that he wasn't "measuring up". "Oh God! What's so funny, Buffy?" Spike asked not really wanting to hear the answer.

"I was just thinking is this the real reason they call you `Spike?'"

Spike shook his head and laughed in relief. "Oh were that the truth, luv!"

He gathered her into his arms cradling her nakedness against his own. Buffy giggled as he lay with her shaking with uncontrollable laughter.

Buffy began to think that this wasn't scary or frightening. It didn't feel bad or evil. She felt comfortable and surprisingly normal all of a sudden. Like they'd been doing this for years. Like they had never been sworn enemies. This was completely natural and unnatural at the same time. She flipped Spike over onto his back and strattled him.

Smiling down at him with a wicked smirk Buffy put her head between his legs her blond hair making a puddle of gold on his stomach. "Maybe I should take a closer look."

She lowered her mouth to his hard cock and kissed the tip. She sucked at it gently and stroked him gently with her hand. Spike knew where this was heading and if he didn't stop her right now this experience was going to be over before it even started.

Putting his hands in her hair he tenderly lifted her head up and whispered to her. "Come on, luv. Come with me." He led her off the bed towards the little love seat in the corner of the bedroom. Spike sat himself down on the little couch. He wanted her to face him while they made love the first time, even if she couldn't see him clearly.

He pulled her to him. "Come sit on my lap."

Buffy positioned herself over his cock and slowly slid herself down his length. Both vampire and slayer gasped as her heat enveloped his cool hard shaft.

As she began to raise herself up again and he stopped her. "Wait!" He cupped her face and kissed her softly.

He didn't say why he had stopped her, but she knew. He wanted to tell her he loved her that he always had. He wanted to let her know that this was more than just sex, that this meant more to him than anything since he had been a human being. His whole life had led him to her. She was a piece of heaven for a lowly demon like him. But he said nothing. He didn't have to say anything, she already knew.

She also knew hearing those words again from him would scare her. The words would have frightened her but his kisses didn't, his hard cock inside of her didn't nor did his hands on her breasts or the way he was rocking her against him right now. She loved this. In the depths of her heart she could feel it, she didn't just love doing this with him. She loved him. Somewhere inside she was finally admitting to herself how she felt about this creature. All those years of making each other's lives a living Hell had led them to this moment of pleasure instead of pain.

Buffy's brain had finally made the connection with her heart. She did love him, but at the same time she knew she could never tell him. If she told him it would make him disappear like it had with every other man in her short life.

She grinded herself against him and he thrust himself up inside of her, hard and fast. She braced herself on his shoulders digging her nails into him. He was panting needlessly; he was too excited not to. Buffy was unable to see his features, but she supposed he had his eyes closed. She had left hers open. She could only see his tell tale white blond hair, but she needed to see it to remind her that it was Spike. Spike, Spike, Spike, Spike. Spike inside me. Spike fucking me. Spike kissing me. Spike loving me. Spike drowning in me.

Spike stared directly into her blinded eyes. He could tell that she was trying so hard to see him. Her hands reached up into his hair. It must be the only thing she can recognize. Spike tilted his head back and he pushed into her harder, grasping her behind and digging his fingers in. He could feel her walls tighten around him. She placed a kiss on his forehead and wrapped her arms around his neck. She was mewling and sighing on him. He never wanted this to end, but he could feel his climax was coming on very soon.

Again, the fear that she would reject him surfaced. She could use him for this brief moment then dismiss it as being a "moment of weakness". She could chalk it up to loneliness or insanity and banish him from her. He'd be shut out and he might not ever be able to touch her again.

If he were human she'd keep him and wouldn't turn away from him. For just a moment an absurd fantasy ran through his mind. If I were human, she could be my wife, I could walk with her in the sun, I could give her a child, and we could create life instead of death.

With a final thrust into her searing heat he reached his breaking point. Buffy's voice was in his ear as she held onto him. She was panting his name over and over. "Spike, Spike, Spike."

She tightened around him again and cried out as she came. He held onto her tightly and poured his cold seed into her. "Buffy!" He hissed in pleasure.

As they both relaxed in one another's embrace, Spike could feel her heartbeat against his chest begin to slow. He imagined for a moment that he was the man in his fantasy. Human, husband, father, everything he had wanted to be when he was William over a century before. He ignored the tears falling from his eyes, as he cried for his former self.

Buffy listened to his needless panting as his hands gripped her body desperately. She wished she could see him clearly. She reached up and touched his face. It was wet. Why was his face wet? Vamps don't sweat. She stroked his face, concerned. She felt his eyes blink and a single tear spilled into her hand. He was crying! Vampires don't cry. William the Bloody never cried. But he was crying. She heard him sniff and she kissed his cheeks, tasting the salt of his tears. She kissed his mouth passionately and began to rock him back and forth in her arms. Just then he seemed so vulnerable, so human. He wasn't the monster she'd known for so many years. He was just a man.

Buffy got up from Spike's lap and led him back to the bed. They both crawled in underneath the covers and he pulled her close to him, spooning her. As Spike hugged her tightly, Buffy remembered the sleepy conversation he'd had with Dawn. "Tell her you're not a vampire anymore." "But I am . . .I am." "Not on the inside, just tell her."

"Buffy?"

"Mmm?"

"Do you want me to go? I should really let you rest."

"No, Spike. I want you to stay. I need you to stay."

It was only a few minutes before both of them were sleeping contentedly in one another's arms, at peace for the first time.

Man of the House

The sun was getting lower in the sky as Dawn Summers lay on the beach next to her friend Mindy. The two girls were having a blast gossiping about the other girls, trading fashion secrets and of course flirting with the boys. Mindy and Dawn watched the young men with great interest. Some of them were swimming around in the ocean, others were showing off their surfing ability or their excellent beach volleyball skills, but most were chowing down on the food that Mindy's parents had brought for their daughter's fifteenth birthday beach party.

Mindy leaned over to her friend and whispered in Dawn's ear. "Don't look now, here comes the love of your life again."

Brian Ward was emerging from the waves and heading in their direction. Much to Dawn's dismay he had been flirting with her all day. Not that she minded too much, he was nice, but he was so annoying!"

Mindy snickered at Dawn's discomfort. "Geez, Dawn! Do you really need two guys?" She asked while nodding in Brian's direction.

"Who? Brian? He's just a friend and anyway he's like really good friends with Kevin."

"I think he likes you as more than just a friend."

Dawn watched him from behind her dark sunglasses as he dried himself off and started put on his "punk rock soldier" uniform - baggy army green shorts, combat boots and a Ramones tee shirt. He was always wearing same kind of thing. The only thing that ever seemed to change was the band on the front of his tee shirt. It was either The Clash, Metallica, Linkin Park, Green Day or of course, The Sex Pistols. Spike would be so proud a kid my age even knows who they are. And his hair - it was always a different color. Today it was blue, last week it was fire engine red and the week before that it had been green. Dawn didn't even know what his real hair color was. Although, it was probably dark brown, if his eyebrows were any indication. And his eyes, they were the strangest color of all. They were blue-violet almost too purple sometimes. I bet fifty bucks he wears color contact lenses! They can't be natural. But he was super nice to her all the time and he'd be kind of cute if he didn't look like such a freak all the time. But on the other hand, watching him walk around all day today, dripping wet wearing nothing but a baggy bathing suit made him seem a little less freakish. In fact, when the sun caught his face just right and he smiled at her he could be really quite attractive. Like sexy attractive, like "I wonder what he looks like without the bathing suit attractive."

But this was Kevin's buddy. The two of them hung around with a couple of older kids and had just decided to form their own garage band. Dawn heard them practice once. Kevin played lead guitar, Brian played bass and the other two guys played drums and rhythm guitar. Both Kevin and Brian sang vocals together. They wanted to be the next Linkin Park or The Clash or whatever band was supposed to be cool that month. Dawn thought most of it sounded like they were just screaming instead of singing. I bet Spike would have enjoyed it.

Brian walked over to Dawn and Mindy and shook out his short blue hair right into Dawn's face raining salt water down on her and her friend.

"You dork!" Mindy scowled at him with disgust.

"Eew! Brian you are such a dweeb!" Dawn yelled at him as she picked up a towel and wiped off her face.

"Oh come on, Dee! You look so much more yummy when you're wet."

Dawn rolled her eyes at the boy. "You are a total pig!"

Brian smirked at her and leaned right into her face as if he were trying to kiss her. But instead he only replied. "Oink."

Dawn crossed her arms in front of her chest and began to question him. "So, Bri, where's Kevin at? He said he'd be here, right?"

"I don't know where that jackass is. He's missed two band practices and has stopped returning my voice mail messages. If he shows up at the Bronze tonight I'm so gonna kick his ass."

Dawn tried to ignore Brian and turned to Mindy. "So Mindy, why don't we all go to the Bronze soon before I have to go home."

Mindy whined at Dawn. "I cannot believe your sister and her boyfriend are making you come home so early! It sucks!"

"I know, tell me about it! But she like needs me home tonight. If I don't make it by curfew I'll get major guilt not to mention the Evil One will torture me with more summer homework."

Brian looked confused at Dawn's last remark. "Who's the Evil One?"

Dawn smiled. "Oh just our friend or roommate or whatever . . ."

"When did you two get a roommate?"

"A few weeks ago. He's a total demon sometimes, but he's not so bad, anymore. He just takes some getting used to."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

The sound of the doorbell made Spike bolt upright in bed. Buffy shifted slightly in her sleep. Spike looked over at his lovely Slayer and shook her lightly.

"Pet, someone's at the door."

The sound of a key turning in the lock of the front door made Spike's anxiety rise in his throat. He knew it was one or more of the Scooby gang, probably Xander, he could almost smell the whelp from right there in the bedroom.

"Buffy, luv, your friends are downstairs."

Buffy's eyes snapped open. "What? Oh God!" She jumped out of bed and ran to her closet to find some clothes, but she was at a loss to find something quickly enough. Spike rummaged through her dresser and found a tee shirt and some underwear.

Handing them to her he headed to the bedroom door. "I'll be in my room if you need me."

Buffy furiously put her clothes on and made her way to the hallway where she came face to face with Willow. Rubbing the sleep out of her eyes she greeted her best friend with a smile.

"Will? Hey! What are you doing here?"

"We came to see you. The gang's downstairs. We brought dinner."

"Wow. Thanks!" Buffy looked down at herself and noticed she didn't actually have any pants on. "Um, maybe I should actually get dressed today."

Willow smiled at her blinded friend's state of undress. "Come on lazy bones, let's get some clothes on you."

"Well all I really need is for you to find me a pair of sweatpants."

Willow gave Buffy's tee shirt a sideways glance. "Are you sure you don't want to change your shirt too?"

Buffy looked down at herself. "No, this will be fine."

Willow and Buffy went back to her room and Willow pulled out a drawer full of sweatpants. "So, where's Spike?"

"He's sleeping. I think, he may be sleeping . . ."

Willow was concerned at the strange tone to her friend's voice. "Hasn't he helped you at all today?"

Buffy quickly responded. "Yeah, when I slipped in the bathroom . . ."

Willow handed her the blue pair of sweats and rubbed her arm lightly. "Oh, Buffy! You should have had me come over today! I could've helped you."

Buffy hopped into her pants. "It was stupid, Willow. I thought I could do it myself. It's my own fault and anyway he made me feel better."

Willow noticed a slight blush rise up into her best friend's face as she led her from her bedroom into the hallway. "How did he make you feel better?"

Just then Spike opened the door to his bedroom and stepped in front of the girls in the hallway. His hair was a mess and he was shirtless, wearing only a pair of faded blue jeans. "Oh, hey there, Will."

"Uh, hi, Spike."

"Buffy? Do you need anything?"

Buffy shook her head. "No, the gang's all here. They brought dinner."

"I know. I can smell the garlic from here."

Willow thought for a moment. "Oh yeah in the pizza."

Spike held his nose for a moment. "Thank the Powers That Be I don't have to breath. Damn Italians!"

Buffy reached out and put her hand on his arm with concern. "Is it going to make you sick?"

"No, luv. As long as I don't eat it."

Buffy looked down at her bare feet. "Oh Willow? Can you go get my Birkenstocks? I think I left them by the bed, maybe?"

"Sure." Willow turned to go back into Buffy's bedroom.

Buffy turned her attention to Spike. She felt a bit uncomfortable all of a sudden. They had not yet had a chance to talk about what had happened between them in the bedroom this afternoon. So she decided to keep the conversation light. "Are you hungry?"

Spike moved closer to Buffy. "A little, I'll come down in a bit." Spike moved her hair away from her face. Buffy touched his bare chest and placed a soft kiss over his dead heart. He tilted her face up towards his and looked into her eyes. He kissed her forehead and then examined her eyes carefully.

Willow stood in the doorway of Buffy's room. Her nagging suspicions about what had been going on with Buffy and Spike had just been confirmed.

Spike noticed Willow watching them out of the corner of his eye. "Will? Can you make sure someone puts one drop in each of the Slayer's eyes after dinner?"

"Sure, Spike. I'll do it."

Spike faced the witch's gaze. He smiled warmly at her and Willow felt guilty for thinking that Spike shouldn't be here with Buffy.

"And don't let her whine her way out of it like she does with Dawn."

Buffy shook her head. "I do not whine. Honest, Willow! I don't."

"Don't forget to put on your sunglasses, luv." And with a wink at Willow, Spike went back into his room and shut the door.

Willow slid Buffy's sunglasses onto her face and hooked her arm with the slayer's. Buffy could feel the tension in the air between her and her best friend.

Buffy gulped with anxiety and asked. "You saw me kiss him didn't you?"

Willow nodded. "Yes, I did."

Buffy whispered to her friend in confidence. "Please don't tell the others, not yet. Just until I'm better. I can't deal with the third degree right now."

Willow sighed in resignation at her friend's request. "OK Buffy. But I just have to ask you . . ."

"OK, go ahead . . ."

"Is he really taking good care of you? Does he make you happy?"

Buffy smiled to herself. "As weird as this sounds, Will, yes. And yes. To both questions."

Willow shrugged. Living on a hellmouth is never dull, that's for sure!

"Well then, who am I to judge? I'm a lesbian witch who used to sleep with a werewolf."

Buffy laughed and hugged Willow tightly as they descended the stairs.

"You know I love you, Willow, right?"

"I love you too, Buffy, lots."

"Tons?"

"Tons and tons."

"Me too."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dawn sighed in disappointment as she looked around the Bronze at all of her friends dancing and having fun. The sun had just set and Kevin never showed up. This totally sucks! Guys suck! Being a teenager sucks!

Dawn made her way over to the pay telephones to call home and have her vampire chauffer pick her up. Just as she put her quarter in the slot she felt a soft tap on her shoulder. Turning around, Dawn saw Kevin standing there smiling at her. "Hey, Dawn! How is it that the prettiest girl in Sunnydale isn't out there dancing?"

Dawn blushed immediately. "Don't you mean how is it that the freakiest girl in Sunnydale isn't dancing? `Cause there's a reason for that."

Kevin took hold of her hand. "Could it be because the freakiest guy was late getting here today?"

"Could be."

"I'm sorry I missed the beach today. I was kinda tied up today. But I'm here now so . . . let's dance freaky girl."

"I wish I could! But I've gotta go home. My sister, she's sick and . . ."

"Oh come on, Dawn! Just one dance then you can go, just one, please?"

Dawn looked up into Kevin's warm brown eyes and melted. How could she say no to him right now? She hadn't seen him in almost three weeks and he looked so good right now.

"OK, but just one."

Kevin led Dawn onto the dance floor. Wrapping his arms around her, he picked her up and spun her around. Kevin buried his face into Dawn's hair and inhaled deeply. "You smell so good. Like a sunny day at the beach."

Dawn flinched slightly at the feel of Kevin's cold nose on her neck. "Geez, Kevin! You're nose is freezing! You feel all right?"

"Yeah, I feel fine. The AC is up really high in here. I bet you could warm me up though."

Dawn felt her temperature start to rise as Kevin pulled her closer to his body. She looked up into his face and licked her lips, which had just suddenly gotten very dry. Kevin leaned in and kissed her softly. Oh my God! My first kiss! This felt wonderful, amazing and beautiful all at the same time, but something was off. Kevin had never been so grabby before and his lips were cool, too cool. It kind of reminded her of when Spike would kiss her goodnight after coming in from the outside. But it felt so good.

Kevin broke away from their embrace and tugged lightly on her arm. "Let's get outta here."

"Where to? I've gotta be home, like now!"

Kevin rolled his eyes and clicked his tongue. "Dawn! I haven't seen you in like forever! You only live once."

Dawn allowed him to pull her towards the exit. Brian emerged from behind a group of dancing kids. He kept a safe distance as he followed his two friends outside.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

When Willow and Buffy went into the dining room where the pizza and the rest of the Scooby gang were hanging out, Xander was shocked at the slayer's appearance. She looked pale and she had a bruise on her forehead. She was wearing dark glasses and a "Have a Nice Day" smiley face tee shirt that had been turned into a "Have a Nice Night" vampire smiley face tee shirt. It was just too ludicrous.

"Hey, Buffster. What's with the tee shirt?"

Buffy looked down at her chest and recognized the yellow smiley face even though she couldn't see it clearly. "Oh this old thing? I just wear it while I'm bumming around the house. Been doing a lot of that lately."

Xander raised his eyebrows at Willow and Tara. "Ooo Kaaay . . ."

Tara opened up one of the pizza boxes. "Buffy? How about some pizza? We got sausage and mushroom. Willow says it's your favorite."

Buffy smiled at her best friend's significant other. "Oh yes, please! I'm so starved. I skipped lunch today."

Giles cleared his throat and eyed the rest of the group knowingly. "Couldn't Spike have gotten you something to eat at some point during the day?"

Buffy quickly defended her vampire roommate. "Oh, well it was my fault really. I basically spent the day in bed, you know, sleeping."

Just then Spike walked up behind the group. "Nice night for it."

The entire group jumped in fright as they turned to see a black clad Spike holding a mug full of warm blood. Buffy was the only one who was unruffled by his sudden entrance.

Xander sneered at Spike. "God! Why do you still have to do that?"

Spike took a long swallow of his beverage. "Do what? Walk around the house? `Cause I'm oh so very threatening when I walk around at night with a mug in my hand instead of an ax."

Buffy swallowed a mouthful of pizza. "What did you say?"

Spike chuckled. "About a mug instead of an ax?"

"No, about it being night. Did the sun go down already?"

Anya poured Buffy a glass of water. "Yeah, about twenty minutes ago."

Buffy's face turned from mild concern to complete panic in a manner of one second. She walked over to Spike and squeezed his arm hard. "Spike?"

Spike put his hand on her shoulder protectively. "Dawn's not home yet. I'll go and fetch her right now. Where's she supposed to be again?"

Buffy began to pace nervously as the gang watched her begin to melt down. "She's supposed to be at the beach or the Bronze or both. Oh my God! What if something happens to her? I'm going with you. Willow! Please get my coat. I have to find her. "

Xander spoke up to his friend. "Buff, calm down. Anya and I will check out the beach."

Spike interrupted the young man. "And I'll take Willow and Tara with me to the Bronze to look for her. Giles, you stay here and keep her from freaking out and following us. We don't need her to get injured again so soon."

Giles nodded at the vampire who seemed to take complete control of this situation. "Oh yes of course."

Spike threw his leather duster on. "Sounds like a plan. Let's get some weapons together." He then approached Buffy, putting his hands on her shoulders. "Slayer, don't worry. Stay put and I'll have her home within an hour, I promise."

Buffy blinked back her tears. She was glad she still had her sunglasses on so no one could see her break down. "If you're not home in an hour I'm going to go and look myself, I swear."

"We will all be home in one hour, I swear."

Man of the House

Buffy had said goodnight to Giles and made sure that Dawn had gone to bed. She was worried about Spike. He had yet to come in from "having a smoke" out on the back porch. She did hear him come in briefly to retrieve his cigarettes and the rest of the beer in the frig only to return outside without a word. She wondered if he may be upset with her for wanting to know what kind of man he had been when he was human. She felt like she'd made him angry already and they hadn't even talked about the fact that they had spent the entire afternoon in bed making love. But why was she so worried about making him mad anyway? It was what she seemed to do best. Buffy pisses off Spike, nothing new there. But she still felt it - the pang of guilt for making him feel uncomfortable in his own home. This is his home now, isn't it?

Buffy stepped out the back door onto the porch. In the dark she was able to see Spike pretty clearly sitting on the steps next to six empty beer cans. He was working on his seventh while the eighth and ninth waited patiently for his attention. She sat herself down next to him and patted him on the knee.

"Are you all right, luv?" He asked.

She smiled at him in surprise. "I was just going to ask you the same thing."

"Rough night." He replied as he squeezed the empty beer can and popped open another. He tipped his beer in salute to his slayer. "Lovely afternoon, though."

Buffy scooted closer to him and laid her head on his shoulder. "Wonderful afternoon. Terrifying night. Thank you for getting her home safe."

Spike put his arm around Buffy and rubbed her arm lightly. "I'd rather come home in a Hoover than have something bad happen to her."

Buffy turned his face towards her and kissed him full on the lips, completely ignoring the taste of the beer and cigarette smoke. She broke the embrace and motioned to the house. "Are you coming to bed?"

"Sure, luv. I'll be up in just a little while. Please go and get some rest. I promise to tuck you in."

"That's OK, I'm really tired. I'll probably be out like a light by the time you come in."

"Then, I'll see you in the morning."

"Good night, Spike."

"Good night, pet."

Buffy turned to go back in the house. Spike called to her before she reached the door. "Buffy?"

"Yes?"

"I love you. And you don't have to say it back, `cause I know you don't love me, but I need to say it so you know. And if I didn't say it today of all days, I know I'd regret it forever."

Buffy smiled at the drunken vampire on the steps. "I know you would. Come to bed soon, OK?"

"Yes, luv, soon."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Spike finished off his last two beers as he watched the moon cross the sky. What a day! Finally won my slayer and nearly lost my little girl. Wait a minute, when did I start thinking of her as my little girl? He probably started thinking of Dawn as his since the moment Buffy had made him promise to protect her that night - that horrible night when he had lost his love because of the Hell goddess Glory. The only thing keeping him from letting the sun consume him that day was that young girl. He'd made the promise and even if Buffy wasn't around, he was going to look after Dawn no matter what. Yes, that was when Dawn became his little one, as close to a daughter as he would ever have, even though he'd never admit it. He suddenly got the urge to go and check in on her, just to see if she was all right.

He crept silently towards her room and peeked in through the crack in the doorway. She seemed to be sleeping somewhat peacefully all curled up in a ball on top of her covers like a little kitten. Just as he was about to leave her to her dreams, he heard her sigh and begin to mumble. "Kevin? Kevin, why? Why? Please don't! Just come back, please come back. . ."

Spike could see her face contort in pain and the tears begin to fall from her tightly shut eyelids. He couldn't stand the sight of her in any more pain this night. He made his way quickly to her bedside and tentatively began to pat her head softly. "Shh, Nibblet, shh. . ."

Dawn opened her eyes and gasped with fright. "Spike?" It took her a moment to focus on the vampire in the dark. Then she started to really cry. Reaching out to Spike with her thin arms for comfort. He gathered her into his arms and rocked her gently. She blubbered into his tee shirt. "I was so scared. He was there and he was so nice, like he always had been. And then, and then he was a demon and he was going to, he was going to . . ."

"Shh, luv. No one can hurt you now. I'm here, Buffy's here. We won't let anyone harm you."

Dawn tugged on him desperately pleading. "Promise me Spike. Promise me that you won't leave."

Spike's expression became serious as he replied to her. "I promise."

"And promise you won't ever hurt us. Promise you won't become a monster again."

"But, pet, I still am a monster."

"Well, then promise you'll stay the same kind of monster you are now."

Spike kissed her forehead and wiped away her tears. He needed her to know how much he loved her. Just as he needed to tell Buffy tonight that he loved her, he needed Dawn to hear the same. "Dawn, listen to me. I promise you that I will stay just as I am. Just remember, no matter how horrible I can be, I will always love you and I will always love Buffy, forever. I may not have a soul, but I tell you that I have a heart and that never changes." Spike pointed to his chest. "Once you're in here, I belong to you. And you and big sis have me but good."

Dawn wrapped her arms around him tighter. Not since she was a little girl had she felt so secure. It was like before Mom and Dad split up. She felt like she had two parents again. Mom and Dad were gone, but Buffy and Spike were there and she knew they loved her. "I love you, too. Thank you for coming to get me tonight."

"I will always come for you. Even if I have to run down the beach at high noon, I will come for you. Now, try to go back to sleep. You have a long day of reading and essay writing in store for you tomorrow."

Dawn rolled her eyes and flopped down back on her bed. Spike pulled the covers back up over her. "Oh great! Now I'm going to have nightmares again!"

"Sleep tight, don't let the sonnets bite."

Dawn yawned. "You think you're funny, but you're not."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Spike was exhausted and a little tipsy. He hadn't drank enough blood tonight and after all the beers he was feeling a little light headed. He made his way back to his room and took off his tear stained shirt. He began to remove his jeans when he noticed a sleeping Buffy in his bed. She opened her eyes and gathered the sheets around her as she sat up. "Spike?"

"Yes, luv, it's me. Did you get lost on the way to bed tonight or did you just miss your old room?"

"Neither. I missed you."

Spike smiled evilly at his slayer. "Oh really? Well, I missed you too pet and I was just about to . . . are you naked under there?"

Buffy smirked in response to the question, which she had heard once before from him. Last time he'd asked her that she'd threatened to drop him head first out the window. This time she felt differently, very differently.

"Why don't you come over here and find out for yourself."

Spike removed the rest of his clothing and joined Buffy under the covers. He was very happy to find that she indeed was naked under there.