| Title: Follow Me 6/? Author: Jess Archive: Go a head, just tell me where it is so I can visit. Standard CYA applies. Summary: Spike moves out of the crypt and into his RV. Authors notes: This was supposed to be a simple Spike/Dawn friendship fic that took on a life of its own. As well, this is my first time writing Dawn. I hope I do her justice. Authors Note: Big thanks to everyone on the OT board and OGD, Everyone who has giving feedback, I love you. ::Grin:: There is some Spike shirtless-ness just for the sake of Spike being shirtless. I like the visual it gives. ;) -- Spike growled and his eyes flashed yellow. This was not working out the way he planned. "You've got to the count of three to stop being an annoyance and do as I say!" "It's customary in this country for people not to talk to home appliances like they were animate objects." Dawn walked into the kitchen, her hands jammed in her pockets but a huge grin on her face. He kicked the stove and sent a blob of red sauce flying onto the backsplash. "Did any of you ever cook? This stove seems to have two setting, cold and blisteringly hot." Spike growled at the stove once more, then wiped his hands on the white half apron wrapped loosely around his waist. "How was school?" "School was there, so was I. What'ca making?" Dawn stood on her tiptoes and peered over his shoulder. "A decent meal for you. You're starting to look remarkably like a matchstick with clothing." Dawn pouted and pushed her hair behind her ears. "Not hungry." "Don't care." He stirred the red sauce and added a few more dashes of cucumber salt. The rest of the pasta was baking in the oven, waiting for the final touches. "How was class? Lots of facts and figures, I imagine." Dawn put her book bag on the kitchen table and started to unpack her schoolwork. She had a mountain of catch up work looking back at her. "Got called into the principals office, the shoved off to the guidance councillor who told me that I had to do all my catch-up work, but as long as I didn't burn down the gym, I was going to pass." She walked back to Spike side. "And those were her exact words." Taking the sauce of the burner, Spike smiled at the girl. The caretaker roll was coming back to him, and it felt like he was needed again. He pressed the visions of his years with Dru in to the back of his mind and concentrated on the brunette beside him. "Good, now grab a plate dinner is ready." "Are we being civilized and eating at the table or in front of the TV like most American families?" "Roswell is on tonight, yeah?" Dawn nodded. "Family room, and take a bigger portion then that. You need to eat." He took his apron off and flung it on to the counter. She fought the urge to stick out her tongue, and silently put a bit more pasta on her plate. Spike heated up a mug of AB and watched the girl settle into her place on the sofa. While the seconds counted down on the microwave, he took a look through the catch-up work she had on the table. History, Maths, Bio, Chem, English. The last one caught his eye and a shiver when down his spine. Poetry. "Yes poetry has so many uses we much teach it to impressionable young minds. I can't count the times I have been asked to find a rhyme for daisy while walking down the street." He muttered, grabbing the mug from the microwave and slugging down half. "You talking to appliances again? Cause if you are, I'm gonna go live with Anya." Dawn shouted from the family room. "Quiet." Spike sauntered into the family room and took a seat on the sofa, leaving a cushion's worth of space between them. Dawn took his advice, eating most of her dinner in silence and only occasionally looking up from her plate. Spike tried to appear disinterested, but ended up just being frustrated. He didn't know if should ask her what was wrong or just be quiet. Occasionally he would reach out to stroke her hair, but always ended up backing off. Shortly after the credits rolled, she put her plate on the side table and curled up against him, laying her head on his lap and tucking her legs under her. Spike stiffened at the closeness, but when she started to shutter with small tears, he gathered her up into his arms and rocked her back and forth. "It's going to be alright luv. Its gonna be alright." He chanted in a low rumbling that seemed to emanate more from his chest then his throat. After a several minutes, her tears dried up and she started the sniffling that signalled an end to her crying jag. Spike released her from his tight grip and brushed the hair out of her face and behind her ears. "And don't think a few tears will get ya out of homework. Go throw some cold water on your face or what ever you chits do and get back down here." "Emotional trauma doesn't get me a get out of homework free card?" Dawn stood and gave a fake pout, still sniffling but her eyes showed none of the earlier sadness Spike stood beside her gave her a swat to the bottom. "Five minutes. Then to work." "Evil slave driving vampire." "Thank-you." He smirked and watched Dawn go up the steps to her room before taking her plate into the kitchen. The phone rang and Spike picked it up before it had a chance to ring again. "Allo?" "Umm.. Is Dawn there?" "And who would this be?" "Her friend. Who are you?" "Also a friend. Care to supply a name?" "Meranda." "Hold on." He dropped the phone to his chest and yelled upstairs. "Dawn, you know a Meranda?" Spike heard the upstairs extension click on to the line and cradled the phone against his ear again. "Who is that and is he as cute as he sounds?" "It's William he's, and I'm using air quotes here, taking care of me. And yes, he's that cute but totally taken." "If you can't hear it in my voice, I'm pouting. First Xander, now the cute British guy. He's dating someone who isn't me?" "He was my sisters boyfriend." "Oh. I'm sorry Dawn, it didn't mean to�" Dawn cut her off. "It's Ok. Did you call to help me with math or what?" "Yeah, I figured we'd go over it together and you can explain why I need to know imaginary numbers�." Spike tried to hang up quietly, a sad sort of smile on his face. He waited a till he had done the washing up, then shouted up to the girl as he climbed the stairs to her room text books in hand. "Better be doing homework, pet!" Spike leaned against her door jam. "As sure as you draw breath." She smiled up from the phone, the bed Dawn sat on was scattered with clothes and paperback novels. He winked at her. "You might need these then." Spike heard a tinny voice come out of the receiver asking Dawn to invite her over so she could ogle. "She sounds interesting. Good at math is she?" "Brilliant, now get out and let me do my homework." "I'm going to go to the basement, do a little aggression work. You give a yell if you need me, understood?" "Crystal, Sir." She gave a fake salute, holding the phone to her ear with her shoulder. He rolled his eyes and stepped out of her room, a wave of giggles following him. He shook his head; knowing what ever was said was directed at him. The basement was dark, dank and perfect for a workout space. Spike shed his shirt and socks, leaving him only in a pair of worn drawstring trousers. He took down the drawing pinned to the dummy and appraised it, smiling at the thought of Buffy being in the same spot and being angry at his bad-ass self. He took a tentative punch at the dummy and watched the dust fly off. He punched harder and felt his knuckled crash against the rough material. It was a violent and satisfying feeling and he licked his lips at the sensation. Spinning out to kick the head of the dummy, Spike felt his conscious thoughts fade into the background and all he concentrated on was the next punch, next jab, next kick. His abs unconsciously tightened with every contact and the shoulders strained against the momentum behind the jabs. Anger, pain and sadness melted away, being pushed out with each blow. Spike continued to pummel the dummy until he heard steps behind him. One final well placed kick the abdomen sent the dummy flying against the wall of the basement and he turned to face Dawn. In his primal fighting state, his senses were on hyperdrive and he could smell the unique aroma she carried. Slowly, his conscious mind re-asserted itself and he smiled at her. "You wanna go a couple?" The adrenalin flew through his veins and made the nerve endings felt like they were on fire. Dawn grinned back at him, but shook her head. "Buffy never taught me how to fight, remember? I was always to little." "Well, that changes tomorrow if you still want to learn." He retrieved his t-shirt from the banister and pulled it over his head, much to the disappointment of the teenager. She had been enjoying the show. Dawn bit her lower lip, and Spike made a mental note to count the number of times she did that. And to limit her Dawson's Creek intake. "Could you train me? I mean the chip." Spike threw a slow punch and Dawn ducked it easily. She smiled. "Ok. Question asked and answered. I finished my math, can I go out with Meredan?" "Where?" He motioned for her to go up the stairs. She rolled her eyes and stood on the fist step. "The mall. A well light, public place with tonnes of security guards." "Do you need to buy something?" Spike stood below her and looked up at her face. The yellow light of the bare bulb was casting a harsh shadow on the girl, making her look older than she was. "I'm going to hang out. Its what teenagers do." "You can hang out here." He took a step up, forcing her to the next riser. "You're here." Another step up. "That I am." "You'll promise not embarrass me?" "Course not." "Good." She nodded and turned to walk up the rest of the flight. Spike smirked and Dawn turned quickly to him. "Was that of course you will or of course you won't?" "Yep." "Argh. I see why Buffy wanted to stake you. Several times." He stepped up and placed his face millimetres from hers. "But she never did. Not even once." She didn't move and tried not shiver under his stare. "I'm going to the Mall." "No you're not." He pulled back and looked slightly confused at her defiance. "I'm not going to spend all my time in class or in my room. I'm not a fairy tale creature that has to be protected from everything or I'll break." She stomped up the stairs and flopped on to the family room sofa. He trailed after and ran a hand through his hair. The wooden step felt rough against his still sockless feet. "I can't keep you safe there. You should stay in until.." "Until what? Everything bad in the world is taken away in a giant bubble?" She lay down on the sofa and threw an arm over her eyes, not wanting to met his gaze. "'Till your stronger. I'll make you a deal you stay in tonight. Invite any of your pals over and you can braid each other's hair. Give me a week to make things safer and you can go out and about." He crouched down, hands clasped together. He tried to give her his most puppy-dog like look, the one that always worked on Dru. She raised her arm and gave a thin half smile, obviously not wanting to give in. Success shimmered behind his eyes. "One week, then I get to have something that resembles a normal life." He stood and offered his hand to help her up. "I'll even ground you every once in a bit to make it feel authentic." "Lets not over do it." She said, reaching out to take his hand. -- Spike grabbed the phone and ran his finger down the list of people programmed. "Come on, it has to be here�Ah. Harris." He hit the fourth speed dial button and waited for some one to pick up. "Xander's house of pizza." "Harris, it's me.." "Me who?" "How many men with English accents ring you? Forget it don't want to know. It's Spike. I need to you to look after Dawn for a bit." "What evil is up?" "Nothing urgent, I just wanna take a walk through the hot spots. Make sure everything is safe for children and widows. " "Who are you and what have you done with our evil pet vampire? Actually, I don't care. I might like you better." "Can you come over or no?" "Sure, I'll be over in a couple. But I still hate you." "Good." Spike hung up the phone and leaned against the wall in relief. Dawn shouted from the family room "William!" He took a deep breath. "Yes, pet?" "Do we have any more chocolate ice cream?" "Got two legs, trot them into the kitchen and find out.." He mumbled, walking over to the freezer to check. Two pints of vanilla and one of chocolate. "Sorry, only vanilla." "Will you bring it out?" He clenched his teeth and grabbed the two pints. Spike walked stiffly into the family room and smiled sweetly at the three girls lounging around the floor. "Dawn, would you mind joining me? I have to talk to you." He tossed the pints to the other two girls and pulled Dawn gently up by the arm, steering her into the kitchen. As soon as he out of the room, Dawn's friends started giggling and Spike gritted his teeth farther. One look at the vampire, and Dawn knew it wasn't to be a friendly chat. "I don't recall what gave you the impression I was your manservant, but just to clear it up," His eyes flashed yellow and Dawn saw him struggling to control the demon. "I am not. I am the vampire who swore to protect you. You can get your own ice cream; you can pop your own bleeding popcorn. Xander will be here soon to play protector while I go kill things. When I get back, I want you in bed and your friends," he hissed the word "gone. I will be back at 1:00. Are you clear?" Dawn gulped and nodded. "Good." Spike suddenly realised he had scared the girl; he felt guilt and pride at the same time. He softened his voice. "I don't play well with people, luv. Its best if we don't mix. I'll leave as soon as Xander gets here." Dawn lifted her hand to cup his cheek and he smiled. "We're good. Be careful." He nodded and covered her hand with his own. They turned when the doorbell rang and Spike took a step away from the girl. "Who's there?" "Santa, I've got a lump of coal with the name Spike on it." Dawn did a half run to the door and opened it with a flourish. "You're here to save me from the big bad�" She remembered her guests in the living room "William." "William?" Xander stepped in and looked around for a new guy face. "Yes, William." Spike walked out of the kitchen. "I'll be back around one. Be a good nanny and get the little ones to bed by midnight." He patted Xander on the head and threw his duster on as he crossed the threshold into the night, hell bent on a little violence. Xander looked opened mouth from the receding vampire's silhouette to the wide grinning teenager. "There are things going on here I don't want to know about, right?" "Probably." He took a step forward and kicked the door closed behind him. "One of the many times where ignorance it truly bliss." -- Sorry it was short, more will come. :) Jess |