Title: The Admirer (1/1)
Author: Sandy S
E-mail: ssoennin@juno.com
Rating: R
Disclaimer: I own nothing. All belongs to Joss and UPN
Spoilers: Set approximately two and a half years after season 6
Dedication: For my brother whom I am trying to convince to watch BTVS...again. He knows what I mean.
Summary: Buffy and Spike have ironed out many of their issues, and Dawn admires Buffy and Spike's relationship. Let's just say, she's not the only one. The story is written from Dawn's point of view for the most part (because my brother likes Dawn-no egg and tomato throwers, please!) but there's still lots of Buffy/Spike interaction!

The Admirer

"Love whispers its breath,
But the smell is pungent....
I feel my freedom slipping away...
He says I owe him...
I refuse to surrender to his terms
But dread stepping out the door...."
-Excerpt from a poem written by me on July 2, 1995

stalk (stôk) vi., vt. 1. To walk (through) in a stiff, haughty manner. 2. To advance grimly. 3. To pursue (game, etc.) stealthily.
-From Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (1984)

"Stalking is an abnormal or long-term pattern of threat or harassment that: a) is directed repeatedly toward a specific individual; b) is experienced as unwelcome or intrusive; and c) is reported to trigger fear or concern."
-From StalkingHelp.Org: Resources for Victims of Stalking (2001)



Jolting me out of my fascination with calf-length toast-colored leather boots in the shoe store window across the way, I heard Buffy's familiar giggle behind me. I spun to face my sister, my chestnut-streaked hair fanning out in a slight arc behind me.

"Dawnie, look!" Buffy had her arm raised, waving an object at me.

"What?" I tried my best to sound annoyed, but the tone of my voice came out all wrong. I actually sounded interested,...which I sort of was.

Buffy passed the object in her hands to me. I found in my grasp a set of black leather earmuffs lined with the softest wool. The differing textures intrigued my fingertips, and the material emitted the rich smell of leather that partially reminded me of...

"Spike...wouldn't Spike look goofy wearing earmuffs?" Buffy giggled again. Sometimes I forget that my sister is older than me, and when she and I shopped together, she seemed to slip back to being a girl my age again. I especially liked those times because it was almost like I had the sister of the past back. Of course, I wouldn't trade the new Buffy for the old one any day of the week. The new Buffy smiled a lot more.

"Yea, but is this really what you want to get him for his birthday?"

Spike and Buffy had been a couple for two years now. Because they were settled-well, as settled as they could get given their personality quirks-into their relationship, Buffy had taken it upon herself to find out new and interesting facts about him. When Spike had been reluctant to admit his birthday to her, Buffy had surprisingly hit the research books, an extremely unusual day to be marked-no, highlighted in neon yellow marker-on the calendar. One thing about dating a one hundred plus year old vampire and being a vampire slayer, rich documents were available to be perused for dirt on your significant other. Despite her hard work, which had greatly amused Spike and I, Buffy had come up empty. Not to be defeated, she randomly chose tomorrow as the day to celebrate his birth. Spike had been grumbling about his "birthday" all week as the date approached.

Buffy frowned at the earmuffs in my hands. "No, not really." She grinned at me. "But it would be worth it to get them just to see his face when he had to wear them."

I returned her grin. "Well, he might not wear them for you, but he can't resist his Dawn girl. Maybe I should get them for him."

"Really?" She wore a bemused expression. "He'd look so cute patrolling with me in earmuffs."

Checking the price tag, I groaned. No more leather boots for me, not even if they were on sale. "You sure know how to pick them, Buffy."

She read my mind. "Don't worry, Dawnie. I've got room in my pocket book for those leather boots you've been eyeing."

I squealed and clasped her into a tight hug. "Have I told you lately what an awesome sister you are?"

"Yep, just keep the compliments coming. You just have to help me figure out what I can get Spike."

I mock saluted her, "Of course! That's what sisters are for."

We were walking toward the register when Buffy's stomach rumbled. "But, first after you pay for those, lunch. Food court, okay? I'm starved."

"Boots, then food?" I reminded her, giving her my patented pleading look.

She linked arms with me, giving me a brief hug, and nodded consent. "All right. Then, salad, pizza, and gossip. I'm dying to hear the latest about Daniel."

* * *

She was beautiful and delicate like an ethereal fairy as she floated across the room. Whenever I saw her, my knees felt like they might buckle underneath me, my heart galloped like a race horse out of control, my hands trembled like I had Parkinson's disease, and my ears perked to hear and cherish every word she said. The days I did not see her, I could not focus and had difficulty breathing. She was like my air...my oxygen. I wanted her for my own, but before I could make her mine, I had to test her...and myself. For now, I could wait.

* * *

Buffy and I bustled into the kitchen carrying packages and bags from the numerous stores we had raided at the mall. The kitchen smelled heavily of spices and felt warmer than usual. Spike met us at the door, pushing past the clutter and embracing Buffy tightly. Ignoring how she smashed her purchases, she returned his hug eagerly. I liked watching them together, enjoyed observing the many changes their relationship went through over time. No matter the changes, they still loved one another.

At first, after Spike had returned to Sunnydale with a soul and he and Buffy became a couple, they fought...they fought a lot. As I had when my parents were divorcing, I would lay awake listening to them yell at each other from the safety of my bed. The good thing about Buffy and Spike's fighting was that no matter what they fought about and no matter how much they got on each other's nerves, they always resolved whatever issue was at hand. Sometimes the resolution took a week or two, but never had they threatened to leave one another even in a heated moment. Buffy told me they had made that promise from the beginning. Granted, they did not yell all the time resolve disagreements. Many times, they had heated but quiet "discussions." Sometimes, they went out to slay vampires together when they were angry at each other. And, once the discussion, argument, whatever was over, the issues were never brought up again in a hurtful way. The coolest thing about their relationship was that as they matured and changed, their love grew. I wanted love like that one day.

Spike broke away from his embrace with Buffy and circled his arm around my shoulders tightly. "So, Nibblet, what'd you buy me?"

"Nothing." I said with a blank face. "Was I supposed to?"

He raised an eyebrow at me. "I thought the whole purpose of your shopping expedition today was to buy things for my 'birthday' tomorrow." Taking my load of bags, he peered into the one with my boots. "Oh, those boots I've been wanting! I can't wait to try them on!"

I snatched my purchases back. "Don't you dare! You'd get them all stretchy and out of whack with your big feet!" I bonked him over the head with the shoe box.

He threw his hands up in front of his face. "Hey, that hurt!"

Pot lids clattered from the direction of the stove. "Ooo. Food getting all flavorful in heated pots again just for us," came Buffy's voice. "So, Master Chef, whatcha cooking?"

Spike smiled. "Chili. Ready to eat."

"Mom's recipe?" Buffy asked.

For the first time, I noticed cookbooks and our mother's recipe index cards scattered across the table.

"Yep, Joyce's recipe." He gave an evil smirk, resting his chin on Buffy's shoulder. "With an extra kick," he added, swatting her behind. She jumped, shrieking.

"Hey!"

"Is what a horse eats," Spike added.

"Ass," Buffy replied.

"That's me. A bloodsucking donkey." Spike cocked his head in thought. Then, he added, "A handsome bloodsucking donkey."

"Oh! Quick, Dawn, jot this moment down. Spike just admitted that he's stubborn!"

"Only as stubborn as you," I replied.

Deliberately, she faced Spike, blinking up at him. "Does that mean I'm a donkey, too?"

"A very beautiful, blond-headed, green-eyed donkey." Spike bent to give Buffy a brief kiss on the lips.

I rolled my eyes at their silliness. "I'm going to wash my hands."

Buffy turned from Spike toward me, "School tomorrow, Dawnie."

"Ugh." Then, I brightened. "And you two have work!"

I smiled as their groans followed me down the hall.

* * *

Finally, the weekend was almost over. I was going to see her tomorrow! Making sure my clothes were laid out and appropriately ironed was the first step to getting her to notice me. Humming to myself, I tried to picture how she might respond to me. Then, the test would begin. Relationships were all about manipulating the other person to gain control over the situation, and I could not wait to try my hand at doing just that.

* * *

My jaw dropped as Daniel walked around the corner and approached my locker, carrying his books under his tan, well-muscled arm. He smiled his easy smile and winked a blue eye at me. Daniel, who had been my best friend for the last year, was looking quite...hmm, what's the best word...yummy.

"Hello, gorgeous," Daniel greeted me, using his usual nickname for me. "How's it going? How was your weekend?"

"W-wonderful. Buffy and I shopped for her boyfriend's birthday, which is today." I busied myself inside my locker, hoping to hide the red tinge of embarrassment in my cheeks.

"Cool. How long have they been going out now? Are you celebrating tonight?"

"They've been together two years. And, yep. Buffy and I are taking him to dinner after I get done with work, and then, we'll do the whole opening presents thing...like normal birthday stuff." Daniel knew about the whole slaying gig, that Buffy was the vampire slayer, and that Spike was oddly enough a "good" vampire. So, he knew that normal was a big deal for me.

"Where are you going for dinner?"

"Chez Suzette." I snuck a glance at Daniel as I cradled my books in my left arm and slammed my locker. We started walking toward English literature.

"French, fancy." He smiled at me. His teeth were unbelievably straight, and his smile glowed. I wondered vaguely if he brushed his teeth a lot. "Guess that means you'll dress up."

"Yep. I got a new outfit and everything."

"Nice. I bet you'll look amazing." We paused outside the classroom door.

"I don't know about amazing..." I trailed off. He was gazing at me with those penetrating brown eyes of his, and his face was so close that I could almost feel the warmth of his breath on my half-parted lips.

"Hey, Dawn!" Buffy's cheery voice broke me out of my reverie.

Damn. "Hey, Buffy."

"Hey, Miss Summers," Daniel echoed. "Are we starting self-defense today?"

"Yea! Gotta be able to defend yourself against the baddies."

"I'm ready to learn!" He winked again at me. I flushed, and I am sure Buffy caught it.

Buffy waved behind her as she headed for the gym. In the last year, she had gotten her teaching certification and now taught physical education at Sunnydale High School. During the last two weeks of every grading period, she taught a special workshop. She had taught one on nutrition and weight control last period, and this grading period, she was training us on self-defense, which was something every young person could use when living in demon-infested Sunnydale. At first, I thought I would be annoyed to see Buffy everyday at school, but so far, she had stayed out of my territory and let me do my own high school thing, for which I was thankful.

Daniel turned back to me with a mixture of admiration and sadness in his expression. "I really admire your sister. I wish my sister was like her." Daniel's sister was addicted to drugs. On several occasions, she stole Daniel's money and other possessions like CD's from his room to sell in support of her habit. Sometimes I thought that drug addiction could attract worse demons than living on the hellmouth. I reached out and rubbed his upper arm in reassurance as the bell rang, signaling the start of class.

We entered the classroom just ahead of our teacher, Mr. LeBlanc. As I went down the row to my seat in the back, he touched my elbow. "Looking nice today, Dawn. I enjoyed meeting your sister's boyfriend at parent-teacher night last Friday." I shuddered. Mr. LeBlanc was creepy. Sometimes he rubbed on my shoulder as he made his rounds in the classroom during tests. He touched me and made comments about my appearance just often enough that I felt disgusted but not enough for me to report him in a way that would do him more harm than me.

Daniel sat in the back next to me and behind my other, newer but equally close friend, Amalia. Amalia was slim, tall, and dark-complected with short, curly dark hair and had just moved to Sunnydale from Arizona. She was always laughing and good natured. She had only been in Sunnydale two months, but I liked her immediately. "Hey, Ama!"

"Hey, Dawn." Amalia turned in her seat to lean onto Daniel's desk. His expression read, what do I do with this? She grinned at me. "Bronze tonight?"

"Nope. Spike and Buffy thing."

"Oh, yea, forgot." She poked her bottom lip out in a pout. "Danny?"

He gave her a small smile. "Sure."

"Cool. I heard there's this new band from L.A. playing. I sure am liking California. It's much better than the desert."

Mr. Leblanc's voice made me cringe, "Miss Summers, will you please quiet your friends and read the first passage from Julius Caesar?"

* * *




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