Chapter Six


A/N: Muchos apologies for the delay. Hope you enjoy this latest update.



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Having dropped into unconsciousness only just before dawn, Spike awoke finally at some time around midday – as far as he could tell. His head was still a little woozy from the alcohol he had drunk last night but his vampire constitution was already getting to work and it was fading minute by minute. He rolled off his bed and went upstairs to prepare himself some blood, knowing it would help rid his head of this haze even more. He prepared his meal and sat down in his favourite chair to feed, lolling his heavy head back against the cushion.

It was only as he took his first sip that a noticeable absence impinged on his consciousness: Drusilla had not returned. It was not uncommon, and after a moment, he shrugged it off. Drusilla knew how to look after herself and would be holed up somewhere safe for the day. He was glad, almost, because after their altercation last night, he needed some time away from her, time to clear his head.



As sunset came and went – and Drusilla still had not returned – it began to prey on his mind. She had been upset last night and he knew the kind of reaction she could have. He just hoped her sense of survival was stronger than her anger. He waited for three more hours and then could take it no longer – he picked up his coat and threw it on, ready to go out and look for his sire. He would have to grovel – he had no doubt – but it would ease his mind when he found her, and perhaps rid his mind of thoughts of Buffy, if only temporarily.

He pulled out a cigarette, slipped it between his lips and moved to the door, lighter poised. He was halted suddenly as the door flew open and he had to step back quickly to stop it from hitting him. He looked up in surprise and his eyes went even wider when he saw none other than Buffy standing in the doorway, eyes flashing, hand clutching her stake tightly.

“Where is she?” she got out through tight lips, obviously struggling to restrain her emotions.

“Wha – who?” he asked confused.

“Dawn. Where is she?”

He looked perplexed for a moment and finally lowered his hand, holding the cigarette. Looking past the anger, he saw the worry lining the Slayer’s features.

“I haven’t seen her.”

“I swear to God, Spike-“

“Honestly,” he added quickly, watching her warily as she tightened her grip around her now-raised stake. She hesitated, obviously unsure whether to believe him and he continued.

“I don’t know where she is.”

She frowned and lowered the stake a fraction.

“If you’re lying-“

“I really don’t know, lo – Buffy.”



He paused for a moment, looked to the floor, and then dared to meet her gaze once more.

“I… I wouldn’t hurt her.”

Buffy’s barked laugh came as no surprise to him after what he had said just last night.

“I’m supposed to believe that?!” she asked petulantly, crossing her arms over her chest now – seemingly deciding that he did not pose a sufficient threat to keep her weapon raised.

“I said that because…” he took a calming breath and forced himself onwards, “I wanted to hurt you.”

Her brow crinkled and she looked away awkwardly.

“I have to go. I have to find Dawn.”

Before he could say anything, the Slayer turned on her heel and left him alone once more. Letting out a sigh, he ran a hand through his hair and returned his cigarette to his lips. Lighting it, he drew in a breath and let the nicotine work its way through him, soothing frayed nerves. Squaring his shoulders, he set out on his original mission once more, his mind filled once again with thoughts of Buffy.



He did not find Drusilla in any of the places he expected to find her – in the Bronze, close to the university campus, or in the larger graveyards – and he was beginning to grow impatient – and a little anxious. Of course, it was more than likely that Drusilla had found herself a companion for the night – but there was still something nagging at the back of his mind.

Setting out from the centre of town, there was only one more place he could think to look: Angelus’ mansion. After all her talk of being a family again, he wouldn’t be surprised if Drusilla had gone there to reminisce. He was headed there now, but if he found nothing, he would head home – undoubtedly to another night of drinking himself to sleep.



He reached the mansion – still uninhabited after all these years – and rounded the back, reaching out with all his senses for any sign of his sire. He slipped through the garden and noticed now the open door leading into the large front room. He made his way to it and entered the silent, dark house.

He sensed her before he saw her and a moment later, Drusilla stepped into view, wearing a new red dress and swaying towards him with a smile.

“Spike, I missed you.”

He knew her too well to expect that she had forgiven him yet, but he would go with her good mood and hope it lasted.

“Where’ve you been?”

“I’ve been playing with the flowers,” she sing-songed, drawing close and trailing her fingers over his arm as she rounded him, “And getting you a lovely present.”

“Oh yeah?”

“It tastes like the sun.”

“Where’s this present then?”

“Shh!” she got out, pressing a finger to her lips, “You mustn’t wake it.”

He raised an eyebrow and she gave a little coo of pleasure, tracing his cheek.

“Come, I’ll show you.”



She took his hand and he let her lead him through the dark halls of the mansion, winding their way up the stairs to one of the bedrooms – Angelus’ if he remembered rightly. Dru gave another simper of delight and pushed open the door. He followed her in curiously and his eyes instantly flew to the figure on the floor across the room. She sat with her back to the wall, her hands bound and a blindfold across her eyes. It was Dawn.

“Hello?” she called out in a tremulous voice.

“Isn’t it pretty?” Drusilla cooed, “It looks just like the sunshine and it tastes even better.”

His eyes flew to the girl’s neck and he saw the scar of Drusilla’s bite and the blood staining her pale skin.

“Hello?” the girl called out again, her voice thick with fear.

“Shh,” Drusilla murmured, moving closer to the girl and dropping to a crouch close beside her, “You mustn’t scare him away. He doesn’t know who he is anymore and you must show him.”

Drusilla met his gaze and smiled wickedly, running one hand over Dawn’s hair almost affectionately, “We’ll teach him to be a bad dog again.”