| Dawnty's Inferno Part 7 Author: Jerri Cocke Summary: Dawn and Spike share a friendship that no one else would understand. Disclaimer: Joss owns all, I own none. I do try not to break them to badly before I return them. Distribution: If you have, take. If not, ask. Spoilers: The Body Feedback: It gives me a happy. Spike roused slowly, he knew he wasn't alone, but he caught a familiar scent and knew there was nothing to fear. "Hello, Kitten, what are you doing here?" He opened his eyes and saw tear tracks on her face. "What, crying again? What's wrong, Kitten?" The key sat up in the battered old chair. "Buffy called Dad, to tell him about mom and to tell him that she needed help. That she couldn't do it all alone. Spike, he doesn't know who I am. He doesn't remember me at all." Great gulping sobs caused the girl's frame to shudder. She wrapped her arms around herself as if that would hold her together. Spike was by her side in an instant. His arms held her tightly, reassuring her that he remembered and would always be there for her. He stroked her back soothingly and a deep subsonic purr rumbled in his chest. Slowly she stopped crying, her breath catching as she curled into Spike for protection and comfort. As she regained control, the blonde vampire eased her back down into the chair. He maintained a tight hold on her hand. His Kitten had to know that he was there for her. Finally, dragging a small fist through the tear tracks on her face, she looked up at her best friend. "I don't know what to do. I feel like I've just lost everything." Dawn pouted up at Spike, winsomely. "I don't want to stay here anymore. I don't want to be the key. I want Momma and Dad to be here and to know who I am. I want life to be normal." The vampire waited patiently, until she ran out of breath. "Little Bit, you are the key and there is nothing we can do about that." He shook his head at her when she glared at him. "I can't bring Joyce back, I would if I could, you know that. What I can do is be here for you. If you try to leave, you know the bleedin slayer and that self-rightous prig of a watcher, will track you down. They'll scour the world if they have to. Give me some time, and I'll get you out of there, if that is what you really want. I swore an oath to your mom that I would take care of you and protect you and I will." The trembling girl stared up at him hopefully, "You promise that. If I still want to go when you get ready, YOU'll take me?" "I swear on my unlife or on my dying breath, whichever you want. I'll protect you no matter what. From anyone that is a threat to you in anyway." "Now, does the slayer know that you skipped out on school and if so, when can I expect her to come and break my nose?" He grinned down at her, smiling as he surprised a giggle out of her. "Well, I didn't tell her I was going to school, I just sorta snuck out before they could lie to me again." "What do ya mean, Kitten?" "Giles was there and they were drinking tea, and talking about whether they should tell me about Dad, and I decided that I would just leave and then it wouldn't matter what they decided to tell me. Cause if I'm not there, they can't tell me anything. Now, can they?" Spike had to laugh at her audacity, but he knew the Slayer wouldn't give up that easily. She would be here soon, looking for her sister. It was time to get Dawn out of the crypt, for both of their protection. "Well, Kitten, I guess we have to decide where you went so I can get you there. It's still light outside and I can't go anyway but by the sewers." "Don't worry about it Spike, she's going to find me in the park in a few minutes. I'll stick it out for you. Take care of yourself, don't get staked. Remember that your my way out and if you get yourself dusted, I will be verrrrry pissed." With one final hug for the vampire, she slipped out of the crypt door and into the warm spring sunshine. |