Summary: A broken Slayer befriends Clem as she starts spending more and more time at Spike’s crypt after the bleach blonde flees to Africa. Then Spike returns with dire news and the Slayer’s world is turned upside down once more.

Spoilers: Set post “Grave”

Rating: PG-13

Author’s Notes: None

Distribution: If ya want it, take it, just give me credit… And, if ya could, let me know where it’s going.

Feedback: You can send it to brock3005@aol.com or otownfan1520@yahoo.com.

~*~*~*~

“How do I look?” Buffy questioned in Dawn’s direction, her eyes hopeful. “Do I look better?”

“You looked fine before.” The teenager insisted, not even glancing up from the teen magazine she held in her hands.

Buffy gave her sister her patented, ‘what-the-hell-are-you-talking-about’ glare and then turned back to the mirror. “Before I looked like I’d spent half the day crying my eyes out.” she objected, examining her eyes to make sure they were free of their previous bloodshot appearance.

“You did.” Dawn replied, her voice reflecting annoyance as she eyed her older sister as if she’d lost her mind. Then, thinking better of the argument, she turned her attention back to her reading material, no longer interested in Buffy’s grooming habits. She’d seen plenty of it in the past hour or so, and she had lost all interest long ago… Though she did find it cute that Buffy was so worried about her appearance for Spike. It hadn’t really been something she’d ever expected to see. And it was definitely a good thing. Smiling a bit to herself, Dawn continued reading.

Exasperatedly, Buffy rolled her eyes at the younger girl. Then, a few moments later, satisfied with her appearance, she turned back to Dawn. “Dawn, really now… How do I look?”

Giving her sister a death glare, Dawn finally tossed the magazine aside and shook her head, annoyed. “Buffy, you do realize it doesn’t really matter don’t you? The guy’s seen you at your worst… which, might I add, is pretty scary… And he still sticks around. He’s not gonna care what you’re wearing.”

“I know that.” Buffy replied with obvious impatience. “I’m not talking about what I’m wearing… I’m talking about my eyes. Do I look like I just spent a good half of the day sobbing into a pillow?!”

“Not really… Well, your eyes are still kinda swollen… And red… And…”

“You are so very helpful, you know that?”

Dawn laughed slightly, smiling at her sister. “I’m kidding, Buffy. You look fine… Promise.”

For a moment, she continued to glare… Then, she heard the doorbell, and it was all over. There wasn’t much she could do about it now… He was here. What was she gonna do? Sit around upstairs for another hour, while Dawn tried to convince him that she was priming for the bleach blonde, formally evil vampire standing at their doorstep? That so wasn’t happening… So instead, when she heard the doorbell a second time, she grabbed her jacket and jogged down the stairs.

Pulling the door open she gave him a look. “You coulda just walked in, ya know?”

“Wasn’t sure if you’d uninvited me or not.” he replied, shrugging.

She gave him another look. “Okay, after everything I’ve said to you today, you still thought I would’ve uninvited you? Have you gone insane?”

“Never really was quite sane, Love…”

“Well, compared to Drusilla…” she stated matter-of-factly. He rolled his eyes; trying his best to keep his smile to himself… It didn’t work and she laughed. “You ready to go?”

“What? Not gonna ask me in?” he questioned jokingly, as he peered over her shoulder. “Got another guy in there I should know about?”

“Guy? Ha… Not likely…” She nodded her head in the direction of the staircase. “Nope… More like a nosy little sister who’s planted herself on the steps so she can hear every word we say.”

“Hey, I’m curious!” Dawn defended, causing the two standing in the doorway to shake their heads and laugh lightly. Buffy gave Spike an ‘I-told-you-so’ look and his seemingly permanent smile grew a bit. “What?! You did just spend over an hour in your bedroom changing clothes and asking me whether or not you looked okay! Do you really expect me to back off after that? I think not… Now make with the smoochies.”

“Dawn…” Buffy warned, turning to face her sister. “Back upstairs… Now.”

“Oh, come on, Buffy.”

“Now.” Her voice was a bit firmer now.

“But what about patrolling? I thought you were gonna let me come with?” Dawn complained.

“Dawn, you know I don’t let you patrol on school nights. Tonight’s a school night. You are going to bed, and you’re gonna stay there. You were already up way too late last night, and you need sleep. Now go.”

“But I thought Spike’s just getting back home last night would constitute a day off…” The hope in her voice was useless, and she knew it. When Buffy had promised her things would get better, she’d kept her word… But better also meant more rules and regulations. And that meant no missing school unless she was in bedridden with a hundred and three degree temperature.

“Dawnie, you know better than that. You’re going to school tomorrow and that’s all there is to it… Now go. Please.”

Exaggerating a sigh, she pushed herself up. “Fine…” she replied, her voice filled with feigned annoyance. Then she smiled, and bounded the rest of the way down the stairs. For the first time in months, she hugged her sister tightly and then turned to Spike to do the same. He hugged her back and after a moment, she pulled away and smiled again at the two of them. Turning then, she started on her way up the stairs. “Goodnight guys… You two have fun.” she called over her shoulder; her voice all insinuation.

Buffy sighed and looked heavenward, her expression a clear ‘why me?’. It was all Spike could do to keep from laughing out loud. Hooking an arm around her shoulder, he led her to the door.

“Come on, Pet… Let’s get goin’” he urged as she followed his lead.

“You realize I’m gonna strangle her one of these days, don’t ya?” Buffy looked up at him, trying her best to look serious. This time he couldn’t help himself… He laughed. She was just too cute… Rolling her eyes, she swatted his shoulder playfully. “Well, aren’t we the ever supportive vampire tonight?”

Smiling as they stepped outside and closed the door behind them, he pulled her closer to him and her arms wrapped around his waist; her head coming to rest on his shoulder. They walked that way, just as they had the night before… And it felt wonderful. She loved being in his arms. Loved being close to him… She loved him more than she’d ever loved anyone. More than Riley, more than Angel. Spike was meant for her. How she knew, she wasn’t sure, but she knew… She could feel it. Every time she needed someone, he was there. It had never been that way before. And he wouldn’t leave… Or, if he did, he wouldn’t stay away. He hadn’t yet, and something deep down inside her assured her that he never would. No matter how impossible their relationship seemed. With him, she knew her heart was safe… She wasn’t about to give that up for the world. She loved him, and she needed him, and she was damn well gonna keep him by her side… No matter what it took. They would find a way… They always had in the past. She wasn’t going to let that change… Ever.