A/N: Before I get leapt on, please remember that both Spike and Buffy are immune to magical influences after Kendra put the whammy on them, neither Spike nor Buffy have mentioned Dawn since then.

“Buffy! You’re home!” Dawn threw herself into the startled vampire’s arms and crushed her in a hug.

Buffy’s arms hung at her side and she looked at Dawn and blinked. The teen flickered in and out of existence and Buffy froze. She looked over at Spike and frowned, Spike shook his head briefly and then inhaled deeply, signaling for his perplexed Childe to do the same.

Buffy sniffed surreptiously and puzzlement flooded her face for a second before she managed to control herself. Training her face into a neutral expression, Buffy patted the strange girl on the back before pulling away. The excited teen ignored her supposed sister’s stiffness and babbled away enthusiastically, gesturing to the snake. Buffy nodded briefly and then turned to Spike with a question on her lips.

“Not now, luv,” he whispered, so softly that only her vampiric ears picked up his words. She nodded and turned to face the others who were peering at the dead snake.

Unable to approach as it was now bathed in sunlight, Spike squinted out the window and calculated that sunset wasn’t far away.

Anya was sweeping away the shattered glass, muttering about the cost of replacement and wondering if it could be claimed as a work related tax write-off.

Giles and Tara were examining the carcass for any clues as to its origin. Joyce had reclaimed Dawn and wrapped her tight in her arms.

“Why did that thing come in here? It looked as if it was searching for something,” the eldest Summers asked. She had noticed that when the snake had first entered, it had paused and flickered its tongue in the direction of each of them. “Buffy, is this the norm for you?” she asked curiously, unused to the Slayer side of her daughter’s life. She had, as a rule, tried to ignore it, then accepted it grudgingly, though distancing herself from it.

“Well, not the norm, Joyce. It’s usually vampires and the occasional demon. From what I can tell, this appears to be a mutated form of snake that is domestic to the United States. Its purpose is a mystery, though. Fascinating really…” Giles rose from the side of the dead snake and reached down to help Tara up.

Buffy and Spike stood to one side watching Dawn closely and the ease in which the others interacted with her…accepted her. They were puzzled but for now remained silent as they had no idea what sort of geas they were all under.

*********

“It failed, oh wonderifirously fragrant one. We tracked it as far as the Main Street where it was killed by two vampire…” A brown robed scabby minion fell to his knees and pressed his forehead to the flagstone floor.

“What do you mean it failed?” A petite blonde woman dressed in a red gown stomped over to her cringing follower and kicked him in the side. “And why would two re-animated corpses kill my pet? It wasn’t bothering them, only trying to find my Key!” she shrieked and hefted a statue and threw it at the wall with an enraged howl.

“My dear, please try not to destroy my home.” Dracula appeared at the doorway, trailed by his three brides. He had heard the commotion and had come to investigate.

“What appears to be the problem, Glorificus?” he bowed his head slightly at the curly haired goddess that was fuming in front of him.

“My seeker was slaughtered. I am not happy, people!” Glory groused as she flung herself on the velvet-upholstered sofa.

“An unfortunate development, my dear, but one that we can work around,” Dracula murmured soothingly to the irate woman who was pouting on the couch.

“Oh, stop with the schmoozing and, ow…ow...no…not now!” Glory began to sweat and shake and grabbed her head in agony.

Dracula spotted her discomfort and gestured for one of his brides. She slipped out of the room and within seconds a struggle was heard in the corridor.

“What are you doing? Please don’t hurt me!” an anguished voice begged. The Bride reappeared pulling a terrified man behind her; she thrust him into the brown robed minion’s arms.

“Mistress, please accept this humble offering from your devoted servant.” The minion threw the man to his knees in front of Glory, who reached down and plunged her fingers into his head. A burst of light came from her fingers as she drained the captive’s mind. Once she had finished, Glory kicked the man away with a sigh.

“Much better!” She sank back onto the couch and kicked the now babbling man in the head. “Eww, get that thing away from me!”

The Bride stepped forward and sank her teeth into the man’s neck and drained him. Straightening she threw the corpse over her shoulder and disappeared out of the room.

“I have to say, Drac, having your girls clearing up my leftovers makes life much easier, no trail of gibbering idiots for anyone to track me with!” Glory rose and stretched languidly.

“I am only fulfilling my end of our bargain, Glorificus.” Dracula bowed and exited the room. Since the mad god’s arrival he was beginning to doubt that allying himself with her had been a sound idea. When he had learned of her plans his first thought was to protect himself and his Childer. He had approached the goddess, offering his services and home and asked in return only that when hell on Earth occurred from her return home, that he and his Brides were guaranteed safety and her protection.

To his surprise, Glory had agreed on the condition that he helped her to work incognito, and to that end, all her victims were drained and dumped. That way ensuring that those who fought evil would think that her victims were only dead at the fangs of a vampire.

Now that she had arrived and Dracula had borne witness to her erratic behaviour, he was beginning to be concerned. It was too late to turn back, though…

**********

“Buffy, may we talk for a moment in private?” Giles asked quietly.

Buffy glanced over at Spike and nodded for him to stay put and watch over the others. “Sure. Training room?”

Giles nodded and gestured for her to precede him.

Buffy paced the length of the room where she had spent so much time with the man who now sat on the leather sofa fiddling with his glasses. She spotted the chains and scented Xander’s fear in the room.

“Is this were you kept him?” Buffy gestured to the chains.

“Yes, we did…” Giles sighed and looked up at her. She looked remarkably similar to how she had been last time he saw her. But now she was drastically changed…

“Spill, Giles, you have ‘I have a hundred questions’ face.” Buffy sat down on the training mat and rested her chin on her knees and waited.

“I’m sorry, my dear, for what happened. I had no idea, none of us did. Not even your Mother…”

“Chill, Giles, it wasn’t your fault,” Buffy interrupted. “It’s not like you fed me to Drac. Oh wait, no that was Xander!” She growled, her eyes flashed lavender for a brief second, much to her Watcher’s fascination.

“Indeed it was, however Buffy, my dear, I feel like I have failed you,” Giles replied sadly.

Buffy stood and knelt at Giles’s feet; she reached out and took Giles’s hand in hers and squeezed it gently. Giles returned the pressure with a small smile. “I need to also apologise for the way I behaved when you came in…I…just…”

“Shhhh, it’s okay. We’re all gonna have to adjust to the new me, and there’ll be ‘loads of man I wish I hadn’t said that’ stuff!” Buffy reached up with her free hand and pressed her index finger to Giles’s lips. “The way I am now, it’s gonna be an adjustment for everyone, it’s not like we can shrug off my sudden allergy to sunlight and slap on the 1000+ sun block and head to the beach, right?” She grinned at her Watcher.

Giles reached over and placed his hand over their joined one and patted them. “No, indeed we can’t, but Buffy, please remember I will be here for you if you need me. Nothing has changed, I still care for you, my dear…”

“I know, Giles. Let’s just take it one day at a time, okay?” Buffy cocked her head and her action made Giles close his eyes; she looked so like Spike when she did that and it unsettled him.

“Buffy, about Spike…” before he could say anything Buffy stood and put her hands on her hips.

“What about Spike?” she drawled.

“Well, does he have to be so…you know…”

“Giles, I’ll say this only once and then I don’t want to hear anything again.” Buffy glared down at her uncomfortable Watcher; their brief détente appeared to be over. But she was not going to compromise. She loved Spike and it was something she wasn’t going to compromise…she had let them all take pot shots at her first vampiric lover and suffered for it. But not this time, she needed Spike and he needed her!

“Spike saved me from Drac, he was the only one who came. He risked everything to save me. If he hadn’t come, I think Drac would have dusted me…I wasn’t the easy conquest he had hoped for. If it wasn’t for his thrally crap I would have been out of there!”

“But why are you allowing him to touch you?”

“Giles, he’s my Sire! Didn’t Whistler tell you anything?” Buffy huffed and crossed her arms over her chest and tapped her foot.

“Yes he did, but now you’re back…”

“Now I’m back I should what, stake him, dump him? Say what to him, ‘gee, thanks for the save, now go away?’” Buffy stomped away to the door. She paused and looked over her shoulder at the silent man on the couch. “Giles, I love you, but please don’t make me choose between you… I don’t think you’d like my decision.” With that she left the room and slammed the door.

**********

Spike looked up from the text he had been flicking through and cocked his head in question at his sad Childe. He had heard everything that had been said in the other room and had been relieved to hear Buffy’s warning to Giles. “You all right, pet?”

She nodded and came over and sank onto his lap, then wrapped her arm around Spike’s neck.

“So, you guys are like an item now?” Dawn demanded with a hint of jealousy in her voice. She had harboured a secret crush on Spike for a while and was put out by how Buffy was draped over Spike.

"Of course they are, Dawn. Now don’t be silly over it! I think it’s perfect.” Anya patted Dawn on the shoulder, reached for a book and pulled it in front of her. As she began to read, she was unaware of the glare being directed at her. Dawn was furious at how Anya had dismissed her. She pouted at the oblivious ex demon and turned to complain to her Mom, only to be stopped by Tara shaking her head.

Spike and Buffy were oblivious of Dawn’s discomfort; they were absorbed in each other and talking quietly to each other.

Joyce watched the two vampires talking with a bemused smile on her face. She looked over at the door to the training room and nodded at Giles when he reappeared. He looked exhausted and unhappy. Joyce made a mental note to talk to him- anything she could do to help Buffy she was going to do.

“So, how are we going to dispose of the demon snake? It’s going to put off my customers!” Anya asked Giles as she flicked through her text.

“Buffy, would you and Spike be able to move it? I believe the sun has set.” Giles asked offering an olive branch to the two vampires.

“Sure.” Buffy stood and she and Spike began to drag the dead snake out of the shop and into the training room.

Tara checked to see if they had exited into the Alley, turning back to the others, “has anyone told her about Riley’s problem yet?”

Giles shook his head. “I have no idea how to broach the subject. Joyce, do you think that you could maybe talk to her about him?”

Joyce nodded, “I’ll try, maybe over dinner. Does Buffy still eat?”

“Eat what?” Buffy and Spike re-entered the shop.

“Food, honey, or should I make a stop at the butcher for some blood?” Joyce asked.

Buffy smiled at her Mom, amazed at how calmly she was taking everything. “I could go for some home cooked goodness and I know Spike eats.” Spike nodded with a smirk.

“Well then, I think we should get you home.” Joyce stood.

*********

“Uh Mom?” Buffy pressed her hand against the invisible barrier that kept her out of the house.

Joyce turned with a look of confusion on her face and then burst into tears. “Oh Baby, sorry! Please come in both of you!”

“Mommy, don’t cry, please!” Buffy hesitantly stepped forward, unsure as to whether or not to hug her weeping mother.

“I’m sorry. It’s just when you couldn’t come in it hit me that you’re really a vampire!” Joyce sobbed and reached for Buffy and pulled her close. “I’m sorry…”

Spike rocked on his heels; he felt like a third wheel and didn’t know what to do. His two favourite girls were upset and he wanted to help…

Dawn clattered back into the hall wondering what the commotion was and she slid to a halt. “Oh…”

“S’all right, they just need a bit o’ time.” Spike regarded the enigma that was Dawn and tried like hell to understand why she was here and what she was.

Joyce pulled back and cupped Buffy’s cheek in her hand; her fingers dried the tears off her eldest daughter’s face. “Sorry, baby…I thought I was coping and then…” She gestured to the door.

When she saw the flash of worry in Buffy’s eyes she hastily added “NO! I’m all right with it really, it was a surprise, this is your home and to see you stuck outside just reminded me of what had happened. I love you no matter what!”

Joyce pulled Buffy into a hug and then released her with a trembly smile. “Okay I’m going to get some food cooked, you want to come sit and talk with me? Spike, I may find some hot chocolate for you.”

“Sounds like a plan, Mum.” Spike stepped up and placed his hand in the small of Buffy’s back.

“Dawn, go and finish off your homework. I’ll call you when dinner is ready.” Joyce pointed to the stairs.

“Moooom!” Dawn whined.

“Daaaaawn… go on, scoot!” Joyce pushed her youngest up the stairs.

*********

The dishes had been cleared away and the four of them sat around the table. Buffy flicked her gaze back and forth between her Mom and Dawn, trying to work out what the hell was going on.

Spike sat with his arm flung around the back of Buffy’s chair. He could sense her discomfort and pressed his knee against hers. Offering his support and comfort.

The entire meal had been strained as the two vampires endured a cross examination from Joyce. They had tried to provide as much detail about what had happened, censoring the more sexual aspects. Joyce had caught on to their conscious editing and had not pressed the issue.

Dawn had provided more detail about Willow and Xander than was necessary. She had interspersed her comments with looks of adoration at Spike, which amused him, but had begun to bug Buffy.

Joyce's, “Pumpkin belly, it’s time for you to go to bed, and you’ve got school tomorrow,” broke the silence.

“Mom, do I have too? I want to spend time with Buffy and Sp…”

“No, bedtime now!” Joyce interrupted in her strict Mom voice.

Dawn stood reluctantly and then went over and threw her arms around Buffy’s neck and hugged her. “I’m glad you’re home, Buffy.” She turned to Spike and smiled shyly at him “you too, Spike…” With that she turned and headed up the stairs, her feet clomping all the way.

“Let me go check on her,” Joyce stood.

Buffy turned to Spike. “What the hell is Dawn?”

Spike glanced over his shoulder, “no idea pet, but keep quiet about her until we get back to the hotel, okay?”

“Sure…but I don’t like this…” Buffy rested her head on his shoulder and drew comfort from his scent.

“I know, luv, but the others seem so accepting of her and she so far hasn’t turned into something demonic and tried to kill us.” Spike fidgeted with his glass, he wanted a smoke but figured Joyce would not approve.

“There’s a first- something weird and it hasn’t tried to gut me!” Buffy snorted and then turned her head and nipped Spike’s shoulder.

“True,” Spike laughed while he reached over and squeezed her knee.

“Sorry about that, wanted to make sure young ears were in bed and not eavesdropping.” Joyce returned with a smile and sat back down. “Can I get you anything?”

“Joyce, luv – you had something to tell us.” Spike smiled. He could scent her nervousness.

“Um, well…it’s about Riley…” Joyce glanced at Spike to gauge his reaction to the ex soldier’s name and was relieved to see a neutral expression on her drinking buddy's face.

“Mom, I think maybe you should know that Riley and I are sorta over…well, once I get a chance to tell him…” Buffy looked up at Spike with a radiant smile.

Joyce watch Spike return her smile with one of his own and she was stunned at the complete change in Spike- he was no longer guarded or broody. Not that she would ever tell him that he had brooded. She could imagine his ire at that. Joyce smiled, amazed at how easily she accepted her daughter’s involvement with this vampire when she had railed against Angel and Buffy’s relationship.

“Honey, I kinda guessed that…and I am pleased for you.” She added firmly.

“Really?” Buffy couldn’t help but ask. She’d thought that it would have been harder than this. But a ‘Mom’ stamp of approval was of the good!

“Yes, but Spike, you do anything to hurt my baby girl and I will find that axe!” Joyce warned with a glint in her eye.

“Wouldn’t expect anything less of my girl’s Mum, and Joyce, love, I won’t do anything to hurt her…I love her!”

Buffy sighed happily and snuggled into Spike embrace. “Me too, Mom…”

“I know, but, we do have a problem with Riley.” Joyce turned the conversation back to Riley before she embarrassed herself and hugged Spike for being a cutie.

“What’s happened? I was kinda surprised he didn’t turn up at the Magic Box.” Buffy sighed as Spike pulled her closer.

“Well…it’s kinda awkward…”

“Joyce, stop beating round the bush and tell us!” Spike rumbled.

“Well, Giles, Anya and I noticed it first. He has been going to vampires and getting them to bite him…” Joyce avoided Buffy and Spike’s gaze and looked at her hands.

“Ewww, why?” Buffy wrinkled her nose.

“Prolly gets off on it, luv. Humans have been paying vamps for their bites for centuries. Must say, though, never expected it of Cap’n Cardboard…” Spike was trying to keep his tone nonchalant, but inwardly he was laughing his ass off. ‘So much for him being whiter than white!’

“People pay for it?” Buffy was stunned.

“Yeah, but the real risk is that one of the vamps’ll take too much or be there just for the easy kill…” Spike added.

“But what about the risk he was putting everyone else in? Mom and the others…if he had been vamped they would’ve been easy targets!” Buffy yelled. Her anger at Riley’s foolishness increased into a white-hot rage.

“Buffy, we all know what’s happening and are on our guard. Everyone knows not to invite him in and well we were more worried about you.” Joyce reached over and took Buffy’s cool hands in hers and tried to soothe her. She managed not to flinch when Buffy’s eyes changed and her fangs dropped down as she muttered under her breath about stupidhead soldiers who should’ve know better.

“So what are we gonna do about Soldier boy?” Spike interrupted the Mom and daughter bonding fest.

“Well, we confronted him yesterday and he ran out the shop. At least now Riley knows that we are aware of his addiction. Giles is hoping that his secret being uncovered may be enough to help him stop, if not, well…” Joyce trailed off and shrugged. “We had more important things to worry about.”

“I guess we’ll have to have a Scoobie meeting tomorrow? But Mom, I think getting rid of Drac is my priority. I don’t know what I can do or say to help Riley…” Buffy didn’t add that she didn’t really want to face her soon to be ex, but knew deep down that she would have to. Buffy wondered how she was going to break up with the ex-soldier, she had never been the dumpee, usually she was the dumped…

“We will honey, we can head over after Dawnie has gone to school.” Joyce rose and began to clear the table. Buffy and Spike started to help and then paused.

“Umm Mom, Spike and I aren’t staying the night, we have a hotel room near the Magic Box.” Buffy ducked her head and waited for her Mom to freak.

“Oh…but I thought you would want to…” Joyce stopped herself and then looked sadly down at Buffy and realised that her eldest daughter was moving out and that there was nothing much she could do about it.

“Mom, I’m sorry, but Spike and I, well we…”

Oh for Christ sake, will you two stop with the shilly shallying. Joyce luv, Buffy and I are going to be moving into our own place tomorrow. I know you probably don’t like this but you need to realise your girl loves you but things have changed.” Spike braced himself for a combined Summers scowl and was surprised when Joyce nodded and Buffy stared up in awe at him.

“I know, Spike, but you both have to promise to come over any time you want, please, I will miss her…”

“Oh Mom! I swear you’ll be sick of me, I’ll come over all the time. We both will!” Buffy flung her arms around her Mom and held her close, her vampiric sense of smell was overwhelmed with the scent of her Mom and she inhaled deeply, savouring it.

“Now Buffy, you head up and pack some things you’ll need for now and Spike and I will clear up.”

Buffy nodded, glad of the opportunity to sneak a look in Dawn’s room.

*********

“I don’t get it, Spike. Who is she and why do Mom and the others accept her so easily?” Buffy tossed her duffle onto the floor and flopped on the bed with a tired sigh.

“No idea, luv.” Spike kicked off his boots and padded over to the foot of the bed and watched as his girl stretched languidly.

“I checked her room when I was upstairs and it did the weird flickery thing as well…one minute it was teen wonderland and then it was the spare room.” Buffy lifted her foot and wriggled her toes at Spike, hoping for a massage.

Spike sat down and took the small foot offered him and began to absently massage it. He knew that his Childe was filled with tension over the meeting and her disastrous talk with Giles; he wanted to soothe and coddle her as best he could. At least Giles hadn’t made her cry…

Before they could continue there was a knock at the door.

Spike vamped out and stalked over to it and pulled it open. “Oh, it’s you…come in.”

Whistler walked in and waved at Buffy, “figured it was best to knock incase you were busy.”

“So, guess you’re here to fill us in on the newest addition to the Summers clan?” Spike sat down on the bed next to Buffy.

“Yeah, sorry. I would’ve been here sooner but I was getting someone settled in his new home.” Whistler sat down at the small table and looked hopefully over at the fridge. “Anything to drink?”

“Help yourself, mate, and get with the talking too!” Spike wrapped an arm around Buffy and tried to tamp down the violent urges he was having to leap up and rip Whistler’s head off.

“Thanks.” Whistler searched through the honour bar and pulled out a beer. “You guys want anything? No…” He sat back down and took a long drink. “Much better…”

“Come on, make with the explainy. It’s weird. Even though I know Dawn isn’t my sister, I didn’t want to, you know…” Buffy waved her hand in a staking motion.

“Yeah about that, thing is, when Kendra made you safe from magical influence well it covers a broad spectrum. If you focus deep inside yourselves you’ll find the false memories and you can access them…As for what she… is as far as we can tell, she is human but her blood is filled with a power. We’re trying to find out where she came from and what she is here for. But we think she is here for you to protect.” Whistler explained. “The Powers can’t sense any evil in her and neither can I.”

“Well, that’s a whole load of vague with an added twist of huh!” Buffy rolled her eyes.

“Wot happens if we access these memories? Will they become real to us like it has with the rest of them?” Spike demanded.

“Naaa… I had a look and look I’m still normal!” Whistler held out his hands in a dramatic flourish.

“Normal? That’s normal?” Spike jerked his thumb at Whistler and smirked at him.

“Oh Spike, you crack me up…not!” Whistler tipped his bottle in a toast and drained it in one go. “Well I’ve done my Deus ex Machina bit for today, so I’ll toddle off.” He rose only to be stopped by Buffy’s voice.

“Was it Xander you were settling into wherever you sent him?”

Whistler nodded, “yeah hon, it was. But don’t worry, he won’t be coming back until the Bosses have helped him. Okay?”

“Thanks…” Buffy tried to smile but failed, instead she yawned and tried to keep her eyes open. The day’s events had exhausted her and she was running on fumes.

“One more question before you leave, shorty. How do we access the memories?” Spike helped Buffy to lie down and then turned to face Whistler.

The small demon dug into his pocket and pulled out a cream candle and tossed it to Spike, who caught it without looking. “Meditate kids, get in touch with your inner self and all that hooey…” With that Whistler vanished in a flash of light.