Chapter 4

Buffy glanced back and forth between the two British men, both with scowls on their faces.

“Are you guys having a staring contest or something? No one’s said anything for the last ten minutes.”

Giles finally broke his gaze, focusing on Buffy. “I just don’t understand how you could trust him enough to watch Dawn. Have you forgotten everything that happened with Angel?”

Buffy crossed her arms over her chest. “No, I haven’t forgotten. I never forget, but Spike isn’t Angel. I’ve always known that. Even when he was trying to kill me, he’s never been like other vampires.”

“This is crazy! You bring the undead here like it’s the most natural thing in the world. Not only trusting him with our lives, but the life of your daughter? Have you completely lost your mind?” Xander spoke up.

Buffy felt a migraine coming on. “I can’t deal with this right now. I already said all that I needed to, if you guys can’t accept this, it’s really not my problem. I’m just so tired of everything, sometimes it feels like I might die from exhaustion. Spike is offering to help me, I’m not about to turn that down.”

Willow gave her friend a look of concern. “You have us, Buffy. We can help out with anything you need. You know me and Tara don’t mind watching Dawn.”

She nodded. “And I appreciate all that you’ve done for me, but you can’t help me all the time. You have your own lives to worry about. I’ll be fine; you really don’t have to worry about Spike.”

He smiled and moved closer to her side, showing her friends that he wasn’t going anywhere.

Willow wasn’t that convinced, but she nodded in acceptance, then realized something else. “Wait, are you the one that put Parker on top of the flagpole? I heard about that, but I wasn’t around to witness it.”

Spike shoved his hands in his pockets, flashing her a grin. “Not my best work, but the wanker had it coming.”

Giles cleaned his glasses, shaking his head and mumbling something that no one could make out.

Xander laughed. “That was you? Okay, there may be hope for you yet. This doesn’t mean we’re gonna start being the best of friends or anything, but that got you some points. I never liked that guy,” he said with distaste.

“As funny as it was, I already yelled at him for it and that won’t be happening again. Don’t give me that look, Giles. It’s not like he killed the guy.”

Giles rolled his eyes. “I need a drink,” he muttered, then headed to the back of the store.

Buffy turned to Spike. “Well, I think that’s the best you’re going to get. It could have been worse.”


* * * * *


She entered his crypt, quietly for a change. Taking a look around, but not spotting the vampire.

“Spike? Are you here?”

He popped up from the lower level, smiling at the sight of her. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”

She smiled shyly, taking a deep breath before responding. “Well, um, I asked my mom first, but she’s busy tomorrow night. So, I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind watching Dawn for me. It’ll just be for a few hours or so.”

Spike didn’t hesitate before nodding. “Of course, you have to work?”

“No, actually, I kind of have a date.” Buffy hated the hurt expression on his face, even more knowing that she was the cause of it.

“Oh, I see. So, when you said you weren’t looking for anything right now, you just meant with me.”

“That’s not it, Spike. Riley’s just a friend from school. He’s been interested in me and when he asked me out, I couldn’t seem to say no. I doubt it would really lead to anything, and I was hoping my mom could watch Dawn for me, but she can’t. And all the others were busy, too. Believe me, I asked everyone else first. It didn’t feel right asking you this after what you told me the other day, but I didn’t have much of a choice.”

He held his hand up. “Breathe, Slayer, it’s fine. I don’t mind watching the nibblet for you. This is important to you, having some semblance of a normal life.”

She could still tell that he was hurt, and it bothered her more than she thought it would. “Spike…”

He pressed his finger to her lips, cutting off anything else she would have said. “It’s okay, Buffy. I told you I wasn’t expecting anything from you. Bloody hell, you’ve already given me way more than I deserve. What time should I come over tomorrow?”

“Eight should be fine; are you really okay with this?”

Spike nodded, giving her a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “I’m fine, but I could really kill something right about now. You wanna patrol?”

She nodded as well, figuring that might be just what they needed.


* * * * *


“Fuck, are you all right? That demon came out of nowhere.”

Buffy groaned as he helped her sit on a nearby tombstone, taking a look at the bloody wound on her leg where the demon’s claws got a hold of her. “It’s just a scratch; I should have seen him coming. It’s not your fault; I’ve just been so distracted lately.”

He didn’t like the sound of that, distraction could get her killed. “I guess you’re not the only one. Let’s get you home, we need to put something on that before it gets infected. Can you walk?”

Buffy nodded and got off the tombstone, taking his arm as to not fall down. “Lead the way,” she told him.

Spike smiled, feeling pleased that she was letting him help her. He knew how stubborn Buffy could be sometimes.


* * * * *


“There, as good as new,” Spike commented, placing a kiss to her bandage.

Buffy felt shivers at the contact, unsure of what that meant.

He glanced up at her, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

She was caught in his gaze, realizing for probably the first time just how blue his eyes were. Buffy turned away when it became too intense, taking in a deep breath. “I should probably get some rest.”

Spike agreed, the moment broken. “Yeah, I’ll check in on Dawn for you. Make sure Nibblet is all snug in her crib.”

Buffy gave him a smile. “Thank you,” she whispered, making herself comfortable in her bed.

Spike waited until she was situated, then bent down and touched his lips to her forehead. “Sweet dreams, love.”

Before she could respond, he was already out of the room.


* * * * *


Spike stared at the sleeping child in her crib, thinking again about how utterly beautiful she was. He didn’t understand how anyone could walk out on such a perfect being. If Dawn was his daughter, no power on Earth would ever make him leave her side. And leaving Buffy? That wasn’t even an option. No, he was here for the long haul. Spike never could leave the woman he loved, even if she never loved him back.