Yellow Skies

By: Isis

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, or anything related to Buffy the Vampire Slayer- they belong to Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy.

Rated PG

Distribution: As long as you ask and tell me where it's going.

Author's Note: Begins after As You Were. A Buffy & Spike centered fic, but other characters are involved also. Since this is my first attempt at writing fanfic, or anything of the sort, please go easy on me.

Also, HUGE thanks to Madrog for all the support, feedback, and time. I really appreciate it! I probably wouldn't have started this if it weren't for you, it's been fun.

Reviews: Well, of course, that would be great! My email is, isis_fanfic@hotmail.com

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Chapter 2

Gone

Buffy and Dawn cooked dinner together, and then sat in front of the TV to watch some of the video they took at the sleep-over, a few days ago.

"Gees, Dawn, do you think you could have moved around anymore? I'm getting motion sickness watching this."

"Sorry, it should end soon; I didn't have it on long." Dawn left to refill her glass.

Buffy watched as the view on TV fell to the floor, catching glimpses of Dawn's sneakers. The phone rang in the background. 'This must have been when Spike called.' she thought to herself. Her interest peaked as she listened intently and heard most of Dawn's side of the conversation. "Hey Spike! I was hoping you really would call...I know...Why did you leave?" Dawn's voice had a hint of indignation in it. "Buffy? Yeah, like that'll happen. Just tell me...Ok, I'll try. So you'll call next Tuesday?... Okay, eight o'clock then...miss you too, bye." The screen went blank just as Dawn walked back into the room and sat back down. Buffy gave her a little nudge. "You actually did a good job."

"Really? Cool," Dawn said, all proud of herself.

Buffy took a sip of her soda. 'At least at the end you did,' she thought.

Just then the TV came back to life, grabbing the attention of both girls. Buffy watched as the camera focused on her image laying on the living room floor, wrapped up in a blanket, in a deep sleep, hugging a pillow. Dawn and Willow's giggles could be faintly heard. Buffy snuggled closer to her pillow. She made a little sound then said, "Spiiiiike." Which was followed by more frantic giggles, louder this time around. Tara hushed them and then said, "Spike?"

"Ahhhhhh...forgot about that part," Dawn said, looking over to her sister and quickly grabbed the remote.

The clock chimed and Buffy was distracted as she noticed it was eight. Eight on Tuesday. "Very funny, you say one word...I mean it." she gave Dawn her best threatening look. Her eyes moved to the stairs. "I'm going to go veg in my room for a while. I have a headache. Maybe even turn in early since I don't have to patrol tonight." She gave Dawn a hug. "It's nice spending more time together."

Once Buffy was in her room, she shut the door and ran over to sit next to the phone. The alarm clock slowly ticked minutes away. "I'm just listening to find out where he is. Never know what may come up. And there is no way I'm asking Dawn, she'll run in a hundred different directions as to why I want to know." she said softly to one of her stuffed animals, as she played with its ears. For some reason, she wanted desperately to hear his voice. She knew she couldn't talk to him though. Couldn't let him know the ache of missing him had only grown stronger each day that passed. Why would she? She was trying to get him out of her life wasn't she? Trying to tell herself that this empty feeling was something she had to get over.

After about ten, long, agonizing minutes, she began to wonder if he forgot, but finally the phone rang. She could hear Dawn running for the phone in her own room, and timed it just right, so they'd pick up nearly at the same time. She listened.

"Buffy?"

"No, it's me."

"Oh, hi bit. Sorry. Thought I heard Buffy."

Buffy held her breath. How could he have known? Could he even sense her on the other line of the phone?

"So where are you calling from? A pay phone?"

"Yeah, at a bar." Spike said, and then mumbled something away from the phone. A female's voice was barely heard in the background. Spike's voice again, "Stupid bint."

"Who is that?" asked Dawn. Buffy wondered also.

"Nobody, just the crowd hanging around this place. Anyway, can't talk long. Just wanted to see how things are going."

"Good. We had fun the other night, when you called last. I told Buffy, hope you don't mind."

Pause. "Did she tell you anything yet?"

"No..."

"Figures."

"Yeah, like that's a surprise." Dawn's voice perked up, "But she said she misses you."

Buffy almost let the cat out of the bag when she heard Dawn say that. Her face scrunched up and she held her breath.

"Really?" Spike sounded a little doubtful.

Buffy gripped the receiver tighter, like the phone may somehow translate to Dawn she better not saying anything like that again.

"Yeah, and get this, that night, Willow and I cau-"

Buffy ran to the hallway. "DAWN!".

Dawn saw her doorknob start to shake. Luckily she had locked it. She kept her voice low, "...caught Buffy making noises and saying your name in her sleep. Gotta go, call me again soon, ok?"

"I will pet. Bye." Spike hung up the phone, a smile tugging on his lips.

*****

Buffy stood in Dawn's bedroom, hands on hips, glaring at her sister. "I can't believe how manipulative you are."

"I can't believe what a sneak you are. Listening to my conversation. I didn't have to manipulate you to eavesdrop, did I? No siree, you had a reason."

"Yeah, to make sure you were behaving. Which you weren't."

"More like to hear...Spiiike," Dawn said, giving her best imitation of her sleeping sister.

Buffy moved her mouth, but no words came forth. Color crept into her cheeks. "I am so not having this conversation. Goodnight," she said firmly as she walked out the door, but called back, "Brat!"

Once in her room, she could still hear Dawn mumbling. The sound of her stereo finally drowned out her complaints and she fell into a heavy sleep.

****

The next day, after returning home from her work shift at the Double Meat Palace, Buffy found a note left on the kitchen counter.

Buffy,

I'm meeting Will and Tara for lunch, and then I'm going over Spike's crypt to check up on things. Maybe pick up a bit for him. (No, no word yet when he is coming back) Spike mentioned Clem hanging out there off and on, so I may run into him. I should be home before you anyway, just covering my butt.

Dawn

Buffy looked at the clock, it was getting late. Only an hour till sunset. She tried to push the thought that something could have happened to her out of her mind. Just then, Willow and Tara came in.

"Will, when did you last see Dawn?" asked Buffy.

"Ummm, that'd be around two-ish. She said she was going for a walk and then going home."

"Well, according to the note she left, she planned on going to Spike's first. But, she hasn't made it back yet."

Tara looked a little confused. "I thought he was out of town....I mean..." she looked at Willow apologetically. "Willow told me. About..."

"Oh. Oh, no, that's ok," Buffy said looking down at her feet then back up at Tara.

"I like Spike" Tara replied with a shy smile. "So is he back?"

"No, I guess Dawn just felt like going there. but she should be back by now. Can you guys hang around while I go take a look- see? Just incase she comes back while I'm out. I'll call to keep updated."

"Oh, yeah, sure. Whatever help you need. Maybe I could do a spell, or something, if you need me to." Willow answered in a self-assured voice. Tara gave her a look. "Or not."

****

Buffy went to Spike's crypt, but Dawn was already gone. She looked around. It was looking a little more tidy than usual and Dawn must have let it air out for a while. Thankfully, his scent still lingered on one of his shirts she found folded on his bed. "Gosh, didn't think he couldn't afford to leave a shirt behind," she said out loud as she fingered the worn material.

After a few moments spent reflecting on recent memories made there, she left to look around some more. She was just about to the cemetary gate when she spotted Clem. "Clem!" she said to get his attention and ran to where he was hanging out. "Hey, have you seen Dawn?"

"Oh, hi Slayer," he said with a little wave. "Saw her a while ago. Right here actually, ...I had dozed off while eating a snack and thinking about my winnings from last night's poker game." His face lit up and his voice went up a notch, "Wanna see the kittens?" he held up a white cotton bag and mewing could be heard from within.

Buffy wrinkled her nose. "Oh, no, really, that's ok. Listen, this is really important. How long ago was it?"

"Since I got the kittens?" Clem said, as he tilted his head slightly.

Buffy sighed. "No, since you saw Dawn."

"Ooooh, sorry. About two hours ago. I think. Naps make my head all foggy," he said as he made his hand swirl around near the side of his head. "She said she forgot something at the crypt and was going to go back to get it, and then head home."

"Thanks, Clem." She turned and took a couple steps, but then turned toward him again. "Do you know where Spike went? I mean, if anything happens, I may need to get a hold of him."

"Ummmm...No, I don't. He just said that you were driving him crazy and had to get away for a while."

"What?" Buffy couldn't believe Spike told him that. Like he was laying everything on her for what happened.

Clem looked uncomfortable. "Hey, don't kill the messenger," he said nervously, holding his hands up surrender style. "Actually, I don't think that was a message I was supposed to relay." He saw how distressed she looked. "Sure you don't want to see the kittens? I heard tight-skinned people keep them in their houses." He hesitated, then looked at the white bag like he was contemplating something. "You can have one, if you want."

Buffy was daydreaming and only half heard him. "Huh? Oh, no. I gotta go. Thanks, bye." She took off once again for the crypt.

****

Back in the crypt, Buffy made her way to the lower level once more. It was dark now and she had to use the flashlight she had brought in her bag. During a sweep of the room, something caught her eye. Something shiny on the floor, near the entrance to the sewers. Buffy made her way over and knelt down, picking up one of Dawn's earrings. She then made her way into the tunnel a little more, only to find one of Dawn's shoes. Whatever had happened, she had put up a fight.

****

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