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Buffy was sulking...Spike had gone out with Dru and left her alone. She walked the mansion aimlessly from room to room. They had lived here a while now and Buffy knew that Drusilla wasn't as insane as she wanted evryone to believe. It was a tool, to keep people near her. Afraid to leave her lest she hurt herself. She was definately off the deep end, no question of that, but not as far as she played.
She was getting antsy, she was never sit-around-girl, she was action-girl, and there was definately no action here. Maybe she should check in on Dawnie. She decided to call for the first time since she left Sunnydale.
Ring...Ring..Ri"Hello?"
"Hi, Dawnie" Buffy fought the lump in her throat.
"Buffy?! They said..they said..you were...Spike bit..Oh Buffy!"Dawn broke down on the other end. That pushed Buffy over the edge herself. After a moment they were both able to calm down enough to talk. "I'm sorry Dawnie, I wasn't sure if you wanted to see me like this. You had exams, I figured there would always be a later. Well this is later. How's things?"
"You told me you wouldn't shut me out again, you promised." Dawn shouted into the phone.
"Oh, Dawnie, would you like to fly down and see us?" Buffy wanted to see her sister. She needed to be regrounded with the living. It was too easy to forget without ties. She wondered if that was why Darla insisted on killing the families of her children, to make them her own with no other connection.
"Is it safe, you know, they told me you are with Drusilla now." Dawn sounded hopeful, but wary. 'Good Girl' Buffy thought.
"It'll be safe Spike and I'll see to it, so would you like to see us?"
"Yeah, I would...but I'm wearing your cross necklace and bringing some holy water and my best sneakers so I can run away." Dawn warned.
Buffy laughed. "I promise it'll be ok, I'll be dust before I let them take you."
"I know Buffy, it's not them I'm worried about, it's you."
That hurt but Buffy should have expected it. "Do you trust Spike to protect you from me?"
"I don't know, before there was the chip, and now it doesn't work. Are you sure you can keep Drusilla away from me? She said I was all shiny and she would like to have just a little taste."
"You can say no, Dawn, I would understand. It would make me sad, but I would understand."
"No" She could picture Dawn strengthening her resolve. "I'll come."
"Good, let me call the airlines and make the arrangements. I'll call you with the details later."
As she hung up the phone Dru and Spike came in. Spike walked over and grabbed her in a tight embrace and kissed her. "Miss me, Love?"
"Mmmm, If I say yes do I get more kisses?"
He bent down and reravaged her mouth pushing her against the table that was behind her. He pulled back after a time. "Did you miss me?" He asked again.
"Take me upstairs and I'll show you how much."
Dru watched her childe carry Buffy up the stairs to their room. She sighed inwardly, he was lost to her forever. She adored her family but she needed companionship. It was time she sought someone worthy enough to be her mate. She went into her sitting room, gathered up Miss Edith and walked out without a single glance back.
--------------
"I asked Dawnie to come visit, I told her we would pay for the tickets. Can we keep Drusilla away from her?" Buffy traced the lines of his abdomen with her fingers, her leg thrown over his, her head resting on his chest.
"How is the 'Bit?"
"She's mad because I shut her out again. I just didn't want to scare her."
"I know. tell you what, I'll see if I can get Dru to visit Brazil for about a month, she loves the capital."
"She still loves you, Spike." Buffy raised her head and lookd into his eyes. "Is it fair for us to be galavanting around in front of her? Remember how you felt when she ran straight for Angelus?"
"That was different, Love."He pushed her away and sat up to light a cigarette. "He is her sire, the bond is unbreakable. There is no way I could compete with that."
"But she is yours" She started rubbing his shoulders and back, she couldn't resist touching him. "And you broke the bond with her, for me."
"She threw me away, remember, it wasn't my choice, I would have been happy to stay the Big Bad I was, but she ditched me." He looked at her over his shoulder.
"So you're saying you would be happier if you never met me?" She jumped off the bed and stormed out of the room.
"No, Buffy!" He took off after her. "Come back here. Now!"
She stopped and turned around. "Don't you pull that Sire crap on me, Mister!" She stopped but didn't move. He was always amazed at how strong willed she was, she could resist when he called through the bond. She had explained one time that she had practice resisting his charms, no matter how alluring they were.
"What I was trying to say was ignorace is bliss."
She put her hands on her hips. "So you have had more bliss if you hadn't met me. Don't give you enough bliss?"
"Buffy" spike growled as he neared her. "I love you. I have loved you for a long time, don't do this."
"i know you love me, but are you going back to her, you left me tonight, to be with her."
He walked away and sat down in a nearby chair."Are we going to go through this every time? I thought proved that you are my girl already, My only girl."
"I know how I feel about you, my sire. I has to be that strong with you and her."
"Is it different than when you were alive?"
She looked at him. studdied his scar, his blue eyes, the contuors of his face. "It is actually more reassuring, but I have loved you for years Spike, even before I would admit it to myself." She sat on the floor next to the chair and took his hand. "I just don't want her to take you from me, I know you would ever leave on your own."
"Remember I have fought the bond too, I could have easily left with her then, but my love for you helped me fight it. It has only grown stronger since then." He placed his other hand over hers. "Now then, Pet, better be calling the airlines for your sis, or she'll think you forgot about her again. I'll go play some music and look for Dru."
After the calls were made Buffy found spike on the floor looking through Dru's Cd collection. It was ecclectic to say the least. Spike held up one, shrugged, and placed it in the tray.
"What's this one?"
"Said 'We're in the Together Now' by Nine Inch Nails. Interesting things you can do with nine inch nails." He smirked and held out his hand. It seemed they danced a lot now. No matter the actual beat of the song, they always danced close.
I've become impossible
Holding on to when
When everything seemed to matter more
The two of us
All used and beaten up
Watching fate as it flows down the path we
have chose
'Fate?The Powers That Be are funny.' Buffy thought. And then lost herself in the song.
You and me
We're in this together now
None of them can stop us now
We will make it through somehow
You and me
If the world should break in two
Until the very end of me
Until the very end of you
Awake to the sound as they peel apart the skin
They pick and they pull
Trying to get their fingers in
Well they've got to kill what we've found
Well they've got to hate what they fear
Well they've got to make it go away
Well they've got to make it disappear
The farther i fall i'm beside you
As lost as i get i will find you
The deeper the wound i'm inside you
Forever and ever i am a part of
You and me
We're in this together now
None of them can stop us now
We will make it through somehow
You and me
If the world should break in two
Until the very end of me
Until the very end of you
All that we were is gone we have to hold on
All that we were is gone we have to hold on
When all our hope is gone we have to hold on
All that we were is gone but we can hold on
You and me
We're in this together now
None of them can stop us now
We will make it through somehow
You and me
Even after everything
You're the queen and i'm the king
Nothing else means anything
.......................
"Dawnie!" Buffy gave her sister a big hug, Dawn returned it hesitantly. Spike came around and hugged both of them.
"Wow! This place is huge." She set down her bag and Spike quickly took it and stashed in ther romm she'd be staying in. Buffy followed showing Dawn around. "Um..Where's..Dru."
"Don't know, she left the night I called you and hasn't come back." Buffy shrugged "She's a big girl, she can handle herself."
"What if she comes back and I'm here? Sleeping?" Dawn was thinking she shouldn't have come for the thousandth time.
"I'm staying with you, so there are no surprises. So come now, stop with the worry face." Buffy ushered her to the kitchen where she had cooked a dinner special for Dawn. They all sat down and had a nice conversation. Then Dawn said "They don't know I'm here."
"So? You're a grown woman now, you can do what you want." Buffy filled her glass.
"I'm also 'The Key' and have to be kept tabs on. They can't just have me traipsing all over the globe whenever I feel like it."
"Mexico is hardly 'all over the globe', but it sounds like you heard the speech before."
Spike was silent and watched his girls. It was great seeing them together again. Maybe he shouldn't have ripped Buffy out of Sunnydale that night she awoke, but he was to afraid what the others might do. They knew he had turned her, and were probably ready for them to come downstairs with stakes in hand. He had helped her gather a few things from their room and he grabbed a few things he wanted for himself. Silly things really, but the photo album they kept in the night stand seemed very important at the time. Buffy grabbed this funny umbrella thingy she always kept on the dresser. We packed the small duffle bag she kept under the bed. We went out the window and got into the car. We saw them through the rearview mirror as they realized what had happened. buffy wanted to say goodbye, but knew the danger as well as I. 'Dette had showed up with the rest of the Scoobies and if they wanted to dust us, we would have no chance against them all. She said she would call. That was 8 months ago. Now Dawn sat at the table, eating and smiling with them. It felt good. Like old times.
"I think they had Tara cast a locator spell on the bracelet Spike gave me for my 18th birthday, so I left it behind. They know I don't ever take it off."Dawn smiled at Spike. "I always wear your bracelet and Buffy's necklace she left on the nightstand. It helps me to feel like you guys are still with me."
"Oh, Dawnie." Buffy reached out her hand and covered Dawn's. "We'll alway's be here, just call. As nutty as Dru can be this is our home now. If ever you need us, we'll be there."
"Did you keep your soul, Buffy? Are you sure your a member of fanged society?" Dawn joked.
"Wanna see?" Buffy didn't wait and changed into game face. Dawn jumped back a little then reached up and touched the ridges on her sister's face.
"Do you eat people?"
Buffy looked at Spike and locked eyes for a second. "You'd think Angel would have informed everyone back home when he showed up three months ago."
"Angel was here?" Dawn wrinkled her brow and she almost looked 15 again. "He didn't tell ME a thing, maybe he told everyone else. I am so sick of being left out, first it was because I was too young, and now if I know anything and get kidnapped, I may spill vital information." She was pouting.
Buffy frowned. She had hoped making sure Dawn went away from Sunnydale to College that the gang's perception of her would change. Obviously it hadn't. "I am sorry Dawn. I'd have you come stay with us, but with Dru here I could not garauntee your safety. You need to take charge of your life though, Honey. Please don't let them treat you like a thing. Do you have a boyfriend?"
"You first." Dawn prompted seeing Spike tense at the B word, 'Yep..just like old times.'
"No, I mean I did..at first. But only bad guys, you know. But then everything got to easy. It was a routine. Watch them. You could always pick'em out of a crowd. Different pulse rate and air about them. Watch the watcher. See them single out their prey, just as we had earlier. Watch them lure their prey to a more suitable environment. This usually gave us our suitable enviroment also. Then just when they perp was about to strike...we did. Every night for 3 months it was the same. Exactly the same. Like patrol, without the fight. One night the guy we jumped was half demon. He was tougher than the others, and we relished the change of pace. So we started hunting demon bars, and since we can't drink demon blood we did the pig blood thing. It got so much better. The hunt became a thrill instead of a chore. Unlife became a lot more interesting." Buffy hoped Dawn understood. "Now spill, anyone special for my Dawnie?"
"Ok, there was this guy, Cary, but after he found out about me he left. A demon tried to kidnap me from a restaurant he had taken me to. I knocked him out and called the gang to finish it, but I could tell it was over. So now I'm done looking. I give up. If there is someone out there for me, let them find me." She gave a 'so there.' look.
Buffy started cleaning off the table when she heard the front door open. Panic set in and she pushed Dawn behind her. Drusilla was home.
"Where are my children...I have something to show you. Miss Edith has brought home a new playmate for us." Dru crooned from the entranceway. Then there was a pause. "Have my children re-entered the dark? I smell blood..fresh ..alive blood." She emerged in the doorway, holding the hand of a newly made vampire. He was tall, thick, and dark. He was definately a local. He was looking at Dru as though she were a dark angel that saved him from death. Total adoration and awe. "You brought the Shiney home. Can I taste her now please? Spike?"
Buffy could tell she was using the bond to ask Spike for Dawn. "No, Dru you can't. The shiney..I mean Dawn is my sister, you can't eat her, why dont you and Miss Edith go play with Pedro." It wasn't the first vamp she had brought home, she usually dusted them before the week was up.
"Spike, Please." Dru ignored Buffy and pushed harder.
Spike cleared his throat. "Drusilla, Pet, we told you that we didn't care who you ate if it wasn't someone from Sunnydale. Lil Bit here is from Sunnydale." spike was fighting but if she pushed much harder he would give in. But she deicded not to, for now.
"William, those other worlds are clashing. Don't forget who you are!" She was miffed, she only called him William when she was brassed off.
Spike ran his fingers through his hair and lit a cigarette. "I am still amazed how easily you fight the bond Buffy."
Buffy went back to clearing the dishes. "Who says it is easy? I just said I had practice."
Dawn was scared. "Who ..Who was that with Drusilla?"
"Her new toy." Spike took a drag and stares at nothing in particular. "She brings them in and tortures them to see how much they can take."
Dawn swallowed. "How does she know when they've had enough?"
He fixed his gaze on her. "They're a pile of dust when their done."
Dawn shocked hem both by laughing. "So she fights vampires too? In her own way?"
Buffy and Spike both chuckled but it was Spike who finally spoke. "I guess so 'bit."
"Spike?" Buffy looked up from the dishes. "Dawn's plane doesn't leave until tomorrow night. How are we going to protect her until then?"
"Dru should be busy torturing her new beau for at least that long. We should be ok. You're planning on staying with her while she sleeps, anyway, so it should be no big deal, right?" Spike put out the cigarette in the ashtray. Then got up to empty and clean it.
"So how is everyone?" Buffy wanted to pull Dawn's mind away from Dru.
"Giles still pops in every now and again, mainly to check on me. Faith and Gunn went through with their wedding and guess what..it was actually normal! No demons, Gunn actually stayed for the whole ceremony, it was beautiful. Anya had a girl and Xander is acting even more a goof than when Alex was born. Let's see...um...Tara and Willow came back from Africa when they finished the assignment the Council had given them." Dawn paused to fish in the fridge for dessert. She found that Buffy had bought her favorite, ice cream sandwiches.
Buffy went in the cupbaord and made hot chocolate for Spike, it was the only food they kept in the house. "What about Bernadette and gang?"
"'Dette doesn't visit often. She busy slaying. Sunnydale's still the hot spot for the Big Bads. I did see her boyfriend though, she shied away from humans too." Dawn glanced at Spike. "He's a demon, a big strong, purple demon."
"Hmmm. Good for her, she's what 18 now? I hope it works out for her. He doesn't have any funny curses or anything on him does he?" Buffy set the steaming cup in front of Spike.
"Not that I know of." Dawn got up to throw her ice cream wrapper away.
They talked into the early hours of the morning reminicing and catching up.
"Alright, I know you guys are vampires, but I need to sleep." Just then a loud scream emitted from somewhere in the house. Dawn jumped and glanced around nervously.
"Drusilla's started playing with her new toy. Better crank on the music. You can sleep with music on can't you 'bit?" Spike started to get up.
Buffy led her to her room. "I'm going to sleep on the floor to make sure Dru doesn't try anything funny, sometimes she goes four whole days without sleep. She's probably exposing that poor guy to sunlight as we speak." Buffy looked at nothing in particular thinking of the first time she went to investigate those screams, it was horrible. The guy had been chained up against the wall. His body cover with wounds from knives, holy water, and teeth. She watched as Dru uncovered a little pinhole in the shutters and a beam of sunlight drilled in the smoking flesh of her victim. Buffy backed away as quickly as she could. She could not imagine what motivated Dru in her madness.
"Buffy?" Dawn pulled her out of her thoughts.
"Yeah?"
"Next time you want to see, come to my house..I'll protect you, it's less creepy."
"We'll do that. Now get some sleep, you'll be safe." Buffy laid her head down to get what sleep she could while keeping an ear out for anything.
.....
Spike leaned against the door jam, watching his girls sleep. He missed Dawn terrible. She was his sister and daughter all rolled into one. He had protected her when she needed it, and even when she swore she didn't. He chuckled, all those boys he scared away. She looked so beautiful, if not peaceful in her state of rest. Maybe they should move back to Sunnydale. Help Dru find a companion and go back. She wouldn't let them leave her alone now. They were her 'children' as she was fond of saying.
A cold hand rested on Spike's shoulder pulling him from his thoughts, he had not noticed the screams had stopped. "Did you kill him?"
"No, my Spike, I am letting him rest for now..he seems stronger than the rest. They Shiney is so pretty, Spike, are you sure I cannot taste?"
Buffy knew Spike had been standing in the door, She had laid there just sensing him watch. She tensed when dru showed up, but wanted to see if Spike could hold her off. He usually could handle her.
"No, Drusilla, you can't eat Dawn. She's family."
Drusilla frowned. "No she's not, she is still alive. I can hear her shiney blood running through her shiney vains."
"Still, Ducks, she is family." He was trying to be firm.
"Are you sure you do not want to make her part of our family? She would make a fine addition." Dru tried a new angle, she really wanted to taste the girl.
"Now you sound like Darla. No, Dru, I can't let you, if you eat Dawn, Buffy will leave." Spike was trying to reason with her now, make her see. "Besides the shiney blood may burn you."
"If Buffy leaves you can be mine again, only you can play with mommy as long as she wants. You know when to cry out, you know what I want." She caressed his face almost lovingly.
"Yes, Dru. But only because you slowly brought up my pain threshold. Angelus would not let you torture me for as long as you torture these poor creatures. It was almost unbearable when he left and you could run free reign with your dark pleasures. But I got through it because that was what you wanted from me. I loved you Ducks. I would have done anything for you. Worse than the torture was your trysts with all those other men." He had to get her mind off of Dawn, so he decided to clear the air, make her understand where he stood with her now.
"They were nothing, they were playthings, menshaped dolls, for my use. Not like you though. None of them were like you. None walk where you do my childe, none took care of me as you did."
"Maybe you should have thought of that before you went off with them. Dru I can never be with oyu again, we must find someone worthy of you talents. And appreciative of your needs. If Buffy and I help you find you a mate for you, will you leave Dawn alone?" Now maybe flattery and a promise of new love would send her away from Dawn.
Drusilla took a step into the room and Buffy tensed for action. "Someday I will have the shiney, but for now I will listen to you. She is not ready for the wash of the moon." Dru spun on her heel and left them.
Buffy sat up and looked at Spike, he went to her, knelt down and took her in his arms. "This was such a bad idea." she held back the tears barely. "I should have gone to her, not brought her here. I am so stupid sometimes."
"Shhh, Luv, it'll only be for a few more hours and she will be back on her way to Sunnyhell. You needed to see her."
"And I needed to see you." Dawn got off the bed and sat down next to Buffy and Spike."As scary as this is, it is your world now, and you are still my sister. I need you Buffy, even if it to call and complain about a guy, or work, or anything. I need you. Just like they say in that silly Labyrinth movie with David Bowie. 'Every now and again, I need you.'" She caught their look. "What? You've had the tape forever, Buffy, I played it for Alex the other day."
"I've always loved that song at the end 'Within You'. Sing it with me like we used to."
"Ok"
Together they sang, as Spike watched.
How you turned my world, you precious thing
You're starving me, exhaust me
Everything I've done, I've done for you
I move the stars for no one
You've run so long
You've run so far
Your eyes can be so cruel
Just as I can be so cruel
Though I do believe in you
Yes I do
Live without the sunlight
Love without your heartbeat
I, I can't live within you
I can't live within you
(sigh)
I, I can't live within you
"Hey, kinda reminds me of Spike before you finally decided to let him in to your life"
"Since when did you get all observey?"
..................
Spike held Buffy tight as they watched the plane leave. "We have to go back, we have to find Dru a new playmate and we have to back." She leaned into him. "I miis her, I miss them."
"Alright, Pet, whatever you want, but first I think you better make some phone calls so they're ready for us. Don't want any misplaced pointy wooden objects finding our hearts now do we?"
"I'll call Faith tonight."
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