Reality Check

DISCLAIMER: All hail Joss Whedon, UPN, the WB, FOX , Mutant Enemy and 20th Century Fox Film Corporation. Theirs not mine. It was a beautiful sunny morning at the breakfast table of the Summers home. "So, Dawnie, what do you have planned today?" asks Willow, in a bright and chipper voice.  A blue glare over the top of a teen magazine is the only response. "Do you want to go see Lord of the Rings? I've heard that it's really cool."  A handful of Cheerios flies in her direction. "I don’t talk to selfish junkies, " says Dawn coldly. Willow blushes a deep scarlet red. "That's downright rude, bit. Mind your manners," says Spike, as he enters the dining room. He sports a severe case of bed head, wearing a baby blue robe adorned with little yellow ducks.  It barely covers him, cutting just above the elbows and hitting him mid thigh. “I have a proposition for you both,” he says seriously. “Why are you wearing that?” asks Willow, trying to keep a straight face. “Buffy ripped my-. Um. Couldn’t find my pants. Didn’t want to give one of you little girls a peek at my package,” he says with a smile. Dawn breaks in, “Well, I for one…“ “Please don’t say whatever you’re thinking of saying, ” says Willow. Dawn rolls her eyes. “I haven’t had a chance to buy myself a dressing gown,” explains Spike. “I didn’t have to worry about covering up in the crypt. No women wandering around there.” He shoves his hand in the robe’s pocket and pulls out two crumpled bills. “If the two of you will clear off, I will give you each a twenty. I want to make Buffy breakfast, surprise her with it.” “So you want to get rid of us so you can jump her bones?” asks Dawn, wide eyed and smirking. Spike stares at her. “Um, well…” he trails off. Dawn snatches the money out of his palm. She exits the kitchen door as she snags her coat off the chair. “Tell Buffy I’m going to Tara’s house,” she calls over her shoulder. Willow looks crestfallen. “She won’t even talk to me. It’s been almost two weeks and she still can’t look me in the eye.” “It’ll all blow over,” reassures Spike. He sits in Dawn’s chair and finishes off her Cheerios. “So do you need me to help you move your stuff back home to your mum’s?” he asks. Willow shakes her head. “My dad is coming by with the minivan tomorrow.” Spike looks pensive. “You know, Red, I didn’t ask Buffy to have you move out…“ “I know,” says Willow. “It’s Dawn. There’s just too much friction between us right now. Plus, you and Buffy should have Joyce’s room. It’s too big for one person.” Willow grabs her laptop case. “Thanks for the twenty,” she grins, slamming the door shut behind her. He hadn’t seen her take it. Magic trick or magic spell? “Mission accomplished,” says Spike, pleased his plan is working out. He rummages around in the kitchen. “Tray, check,” he says to himself as he places a large cookie sheet on the counter. He fills a cereal bowl with Cheerios and milk. He tosses a spoon and a paper towel on the sheet. “Meal, check.” Grabbing a bunch of dried herbs and blossoms off the windowsill, he shoves them haphazardly in a mug. “Flowers, check.” Spike carries his burden upstairs as he hums merrily. Buffy is lying in bed, covers pulled up to her neck. She looks a little sad. “Why the long face, sweetheart?” Spike asks, concerned. “Your first morning in the house,” she explains, “and when I wake up you’re not here.” She notices the tray that he is holding. “You made me breakfast?” she says, delighted. Placing the meal down in front of her, he makes a sweeping gesture. “Bon appetit!” he says in a bad French accent. Flopping down on the bed next to her, he props himself up on one elbow. She eats her Cheerios while Spike watches her intently. “Why are you staring at me?” she asks, her mouth full. “I’m laying in your bed- our bed- watching you eat breakfast,” he says softly, gazing at her. Buffy looked over at him. “That a big fantasy of yours or something?” He gives her a bare, honest look. “Yes.” She finishes off the cereal and places the tray on the floor. “Thanks, Spike,” says Buffy,” that was perfect.” She rolls into Spike’s body, wrapping his arms around her.  She leans forward and kisses his neck. They stare in each other’s eyes. Breaking into a grin, Buffy leans forward and gives him an Eskimo kiss. He laughs and nips the end of her nose. Pulling her close, he rests his head on her shoulder. She pulls him tighter to her, wrapping her arms around his back. They lie together, basking in bliss. “I always suspected you were the snuggling type,” teases Buffy. Spike plays idly with a lock of her hair. “Well, just keep that to yourself. Wouldn’t want word to get around that I’m just a big teddy bear.” Buffy nuzzles his neck and he smiles. ‘Of course, I could spread the word too. Just look at the big, bad slayer now.”She kisses him, stroking her fingers through his hair. ‘We should go say good morning to the guys,” she says regretfully. He pulls her towards him. “They’re gone for the day,” he says in a low sexy voice, giving her a carnal glance.