Title: First Breath
Author: Christine
Email: Xanderette43@hotmail.com
Distribution: My site, Lil’ Nibblin, Railroad Spikes and Runrises, Tremble, Original, Aurora Borealis... anywhere else, just let me know.
Disclaimer: I don’t own Spike, Dawn or any other Buffy character... Joss owns em.
Feedback: Pretty please with sugar on top?
Rating: PG-13.... will become R later on.
Couple: Spike/Dawn
Author's Notes: Post ‘The Gift’.... about 3 years from now.

Part One


Spike leaned against the bar at Willy’s Alibi while deciding whether or not to continue his nightly patrol, or just to call it a night and head back to his place. He sipped his warm blood from the mug Willy had given him, and decided to just head home. He laid a few crumpled dollar bills on the counter and walked out the door to the warm, misty air outside. He contemplated bothering Giles at the Magik Shop on the way, but was too tired, so he crossed the street and went the shortest way possible to his home in the cemetery.

Just as soon as he rounded the corner of the large black wrought iron gate, he saw in the distance two figures fighting. He pushed open the gate and ran towards the scene. As he got closer, his eyes grew wide as he realized who it was struggling against the demon. She had her back to him and was screaming his name while trying to hurt the demon, which wasn’t working. His face transformed, and he growled with rage as he ran full speed at the large, green demon. He leapt and knocked it to the ground, beating its face in with his fists. The demon grunted angrily and kicked Spike off of him. He landed a foot away and in less then a second was up again and roundhouse kicked the demon in the face. “No one messes with the Nibblet.” He growled fiercely.

The demon stood up again. “The end is coming. The girl is a weapon against it and therefore must be eliminated.”

Spike’s hands balled into fists again. “And who the bloody hell are you?”

The demon remained silent.

Spike’s eyes narrowed with anger and he ran towards the thing again, only to be held up by the neck by the demon. Spike kicked at him, but the demon didn’t let go of its grip. “The end is coming and everything in the way of destroying the Key shall be obliterated.” His hand began to strangle Spike, making him choke. Dawn screamed, and ran to the demon. The demon punched her with his other hand and she went down clutching her cheek. Spike sputtered, “Run Dawn!”

Dawn shook her head and slowly got up on shaky legs. The monster paid no attention to her though, and pulled out a large stake from his pocket. Dawn’s eyes widened and her hand reached out as if to grab the stake. “Nooooo!” A beam of green light escaped her open palm and penetrated the demon’s chest. The demon roared with pain and dropped Spike to the ground.

Spike quickly recooperated and was in a standing position within a few moments. He looked at Dawn incredulously and she looked back at him with the same look in her eyes. His attention went back to the demon who was withering on the ground. Spike grabbed it by its shoulders and pulled so he was standing up. He picked the stake up off the ground and plunged it into the open wound already created by Dawn. “How’s that feel now you stupid bastard.” He looked at the demon’s face and noticed the large red jewel in the middle of it’s forehead. “What do we have here?” He pulled the stake out of the demon’s chest wound and shoved it against the jewel. The demon screamed in pain. His body cracked into a million pieces like an eggshell and disappeared within seconds.

Spike threw the stake over his shoulder and walked over to Dawn. She stared at her hands, obviously confused over what had just happened. She looked back up at Spike and threw her arms around him tightly, clutching his neck. All too soon the tears started to flow, slowly soaking up into his black shirt. “I thought I was going to lose you.”

“Not tonight nibblet, not ever.”

He held on to her and let her cry. “We should get inside, it’ll be light out soon.”

Dawn nodded and slowly let go of Spike, but held on to his hand. “You’re hurt Spike.” She gestured to the large cut on his neck. “And there’s green stuff there too.”

Spike tried to rub it off his neck, but ended up smearing it into his cut. “Ah, bloody friggin hell!” His face scrunched up in pain and he dropped to his knees.

Dawn’s eyes widened and she crouched besides him. “What’s the matter Spike?”

His eyes looked up at her and he tried speaking but the pain was too intense. He felt something glow within him and Dawn saw a light shine through his eyes. Spike drew in a breath, and then collapsed against the ground. He panted and looked up at Dawn again. “I’m alive.”




Next Chapter