| Part eight Standard CYA applies. Authors Notes: Dedication to everyone on the OT board, OGD list and any one who has ever read feedback. To any W/X fans, I am working on the last part to that fic. ::grin:: I promise this fic is going somewhere and sorry its been so long in coming, computer issues keep me away from it. Hope you like it. -- His eyelashes fluttered as he was pulled from his dream. A little upset at the intrusion Spike opened his ears and listened at the sounds of the house. Water dripping in the kitchen, tress branches scraping against the windows, pipes settling, and a quiet moan coming from Dawns bedroom. His eyes opened and adjusted in a split second to the darkness. Swinging his legs on to the floor, he silently listened as he walked to her room. There was no one else in the house with them, no other scents but Dawn and the lingering of Buffy. Spike paused at her door, placing his hand one the knob and turning it without a sound. A muffled scream came from her room and Spike's eyes sparked yellow in rage. The rational side of his brain attempted to beat down the demon instinct, knowing the girl was having a dream as soon as he was inside. Dawns face saw screwed up in pain and anger, her eyes moving rapidly behind her closed lids. Spike spoke quietly and took hushed, rapid steps to toward her bed. "Luv, wake up." He crouched beside her bed and ran his finger along her forehead, moving strands of hair behind her ear. Dawn curled into his had for a brief second, the pulled away sharply, another moan coming from her lips. The shape of it had changed from fear and anger to something Spike recognized as longing. He took his hand away. "Dawn, I need you to wake up." She mumbled and pulled the covers closer. "Listen you ninny, wake up." Dawn was instantly awake with the trademark Summers glare on her face. Spike smirked at the feeling of d�j� vu and was instantly glad that Dawn appeared not to remember any of her dream. "Are you waking me up for a reason?" she demanded, a scowl crossing her soft features. "Couldn't sleep for the noise you were making." "Yes, I can see how my silent sleeping and not moving can wake the dead." "You were snoring." "Wasn't" Dawn wrinkled her nose. "But thank you for waking me so I can enjoy the morning breath taste in my mouth without needlessly waiting for morning." Spike stood. "Its not my fault you were making a racket." "I do not snore." She pushed the covers off her legs and on to the floor before getting up. Spike lowered his eyes to the floor, attempting not to cross into dirty old man territory. Dawn noticed his discomfort and smiled as she walked across the hall to the washroom. "I'm covered from head to toe Spike, don't go growing a sense of decency on my account." Raising his for a witty retort, he only caught the swinging of her hair before she shut the bathroom door. Spike sniffed and walked back to his room, turning on the bedside lamp before collapsing across the bed. He heard the taps stop running and looked up to see Dawn standing over him. She smelt like mint and looked wide-awake. Spike's eyes darted to the clock radio and he cursed himself silently for waking her up. "You're going to useless for school tomorrow." "Serves you right for waking me up." She motioned for him to moved over so she could fit on to the bed. "What were you dreaming about before you decided to bother me?" "Chocolate ice cream." "Were not." "Swear on my grave." "You don't have a grave." "Do so, in Bristol County. Family plot." Dawn inched up on the bed until her head was on the pillows. "Tell me a story." "Once apon a time there was this girl who snored like a freight train and woke the dead." Dawn opened one eye and scowled. "Fine, you wanna hear about Scotland or Italy?" "Scotland." She yawned and Spike pulled the covers over her so she was wrapped up a semi-cocoon. He rested his head against the headboard and started in. "Scotland and England are a vampires dream, lotsa over-cast days where you can walk around, catching a meal out when ever the fancy struck you�" Dawn listened to Spike talk and drifted back to sleep, occasionally shifting if he stopped talking for an extended period of time. The sound of his voice calmed her subconscious mind, drowning out the memories. When morning was starting to creep up on them, he checked the shades and made his way downstairs. He hit the schools speed dial number and once again thanked Joyce for being so organized. The connection rang through and he was greeted with an automated voice. "Thank you for calling Sunnydale Jr high, just a reminder to parents that today is a half day for students. To leave an absentee message please press one. For all other inquiries please hold." Spike grinned at his good luck and left a message explaining Dawn's absence as necessary for the day. It was only 5am, she had been asleep for less then 3 hours all told and Spike was determined for her not to fall into Buffy's habit of going days without sleep. Hanging up the phone, he made a mental list of things he need to do today and how many could be accomplished in the light of day. The paper was already on the front stoop and he flipped through it while enjoying his early morning Gitane. The football news made him puff smoke through his nose, Man U getting spanked by Arsenal. Spike shook his head in sadness then flipped to the weather section, which made him give a wire thin smile. His cigarette burned down to a small pile of ash and felt the dawn creep on to the porch. He waited a few moments more, looking at the street before returning inside. The house was quiet and somewhere in the back of his brain he kept thinking that none of it was real. The rest of his brain had latched firmly on the reality of the situation. The bodies of the Summers women in the ground and unlike his burial, they wouldn't be returning. Running his fingers over the walls, he wandered around the living and family room carefully avoiding the sun patches. Spike paused at the threshold of the kitchen, his eyes closed. Most of his memories of Joyce were in this room and he savoured them. The moment passed and his blue eyes opened to find the same room it had always been. "Right, breakfast." -- Dawn stretched her toes to the end of the bed and released a throaty sleep filled moan before opening her eyes. "Gah!" She squeezed her eyes back shut and inhaled deeply. "You amazing freak, get down from there." She fought back a smile hearing Spike chuckle. His feet made a soft thump on the carpet as he dropped down from the footboard where he had been patiently watching Dawn sleep. His hair was fuller then usual and Dawn wondered if he had been waiting to ask her where the gel was. "Sorry luv, I got bored." She yawn and scrunched up her nose. "How long were you there for?" "Coupl' hours." He grinned at her and tossed a robe on to the bed. "You talk in your sleep." "I thought I snored." "So you admit it." "Shouldn't you be ushering me off to school by now?" Dawn pulled on the cherry robe and got out of bed before tying it around the waist. "Forecast calls for overcast weather. I get to be a outside vamp today." He tilted his head to the side. "Care to join me?" Dawn smiled widely. "Do I get to help you shop?" "Devil help me yes. Now get downstairs for breakfast." Spike turned on his heel and stepped out of the bedroom in to the hall. Dawn waited a few seconds before running her hands through her hair. "Least he didn't mention my butt this time." She muttered. "Pet? Mind getting your bottom down `ere? I can't find the co-co." "Argh." Dawn stepped out into the hallway. "He's lucky he's cute." -- Dawn stepped out of the car and into the underground parkade with shaky legs. "Why is it neither Buffy or you can drive like an sane person?" "You're in one piece. And that pole was miles away." "It scrapped the side of the car." Spike looked up sharply. "Don't ever joke about damage to the auto. Its my favourite outta all of `em." "You have more than one?" He winked. "There are many things that none of you know about me." Dawns shaky knees melted and she found herself silently cursing him. The cute routine was, well, not wearing thin at all and that made Dawn even madder then Spike's ability to weasel himself out of trouble with a raise of his eyebrow. "Or by licking his lips, tilting his head�" Dawn mumbled under her breath as the walked side by each to the entrance. Spike looked at her sharply. "About who's lips are you mumbling?" The girl caught the protective look in his eyes and put on her best Buffy smile as she pushed open the glass doors. "Brent, in my math class." She paused for effect. "Can I get a new outfit for my * date* next week?" "Date?! There will be no date. You are too young for dates. And all the lads here are ponces, your big sis even said so." He followed her down the mall corridor toward the clothing shops. "And what kind of name is Brent?" "Do you think Brent would like this?" she asked, holding up a gold cropped shirt with little slits up the sides. Spike grabbed the offending garment out of her hands and held it up to the light. "You can see through the thing, pet." Dawn's grin widened and the giggle she had been desperately holding back slipped through. "Oh, you're just torturing me?" Spike hung the shirt back on the rack. "Come on, we're looking for me." He walked to the back of the shop towards the men's clothing. Dawn flipped through a rack of brightly coloured button-ups and attempted to guess what size he would need without getting distracted by the mental image of the vampire sans clothing. "You gonna buy something that isn't black?" "Yes gorgeous, I'm going to get the same kit that Xander has. Stripes and plaids mixed. Point out the nearest clown college and I'm away." He stopped in front of a wall of black and cursed under his breath. "I have no idea what measurements you use in this country." "Who picked out your other clothes?" "Salesgirl." He scoured the sales floor for an employee. "Speaking of, Oi! Little help?" The two girls standing at the counter did a double take, and Dawn could taste their thoughts. She scowled at the fake brunette who won the `I wanna serve the hottie' game. "Can I help you?" He didn't take his eyes off the rack as he spoke, trailing his fingers over the folded jeans trying to find his size. "I need a few pairs of trousers and some shirts, nothing to fancy. Good sturdy clothing." He looked at her through his lashes and smirked. "Needs to stand up to some rough and tumble." "No problem, what size do you take?" "Not quite sure, I'm not from around `ere" Spike punched up his accent, to which Dawn rolled her eyes. The salesgirl raked her eyes over his frame and smiled. "I'm sure we can figure it out. Preference on colour?" Spike and Dawn replied in unison. "Black." Catching each other's glance, Dawn laughed and Spike allowed himself a full smile. Running her hand through her hair, the salesgirl smiled and pulled several parts of jean off the shelves. "We'll start here. Follow me." She led Spike into the change room and set the jeans on the chair inside. "We'll pick you out some shirts next. Yell if you need anything." Spike nodded and slipped into the change room, happy there was no mirror inside. He pulled his shirt over his head and run his hands down his chest, happy to see the healing was nearly completed from the fall. The boots came off next, then his trousers. Then there was a problem. "Ducks!" Back in the store, Dawn stopped picking out clothing and grinned at the salesgirl. "That's my cue." -- Dawn came back from the change room with red cheeks and laughter spilling out of her. She bit her lower lip in a vain attempt to control herself as she spoke, but failed miserably. "My friend forgot he was going to be trying on clothes today and�" Dawn's amusement stopped her from continuing the sentence, the salesgirl looked at her with questioning eyes. She took a deep breath and grinned widely. "He goes commando." The salesgirl's eyes widened to saucers. "Oh. OH! Well, um, we sell boxers." She led Dawn over to the sales rack and picked out a pair of black silks. "Think these will be alright?" Dawn nodded and plucked some money from her pockets. "How much�" The salesgirl cut her off with a wave of the hand and a grin. "Forget it. The visual was more then enough." Dawn nodded and walked back to the change room, stopping briefly to pull another pair of trousers from on of the displays. She peeked her head around the dressing room divider and deadpanned to Spike. "They don't have any underwear and I think the manager is calling child services on you." With his pants back on but no shirt, Spike stood with his back to his dressing cube and in front of the girl with a look that read `not funny'. In response Dawn offered a cheesy smile and threw the pants she had picked out at him. The article caught him in the chest and he was able to catch them easily. Spike eyebrow twitched upward. "I already have trousers to try on ducks. I need something to wear under them." "I know." Dawn held the boxers in her other hand. "But you have to promise to try on those pants before you get the undies." Spike straightened his arms and held the garment in front of him. The material unfolded and his face became unreadable. "Not on your sodding life." "Fine, wear the same clothes forever. Not like it would be a new thing for you." She turned to walk out of the dressing room and Spike rolled his eyes. He was more then able to walk out and get his own boxers, but that wasn't the point. He called for Dawn to come back and nodded his ascent to try on the trousers before shutting the door to his cube. And at the moment, Spike knew he had given up all rights to dress himself. "Going to be wearing pink before the days out." He mumbled to himself as he pulled the boxers over his bare skin. "At least its silk." Spike paused, a slightly horrified look covering his face. "Good god, I've become Peaches." A dark blue button up and a slightly shiny t-shirt of the same colour flopped over the door. Spike smiled a little to himself. At least it wasn't striped. "Try these with the pants. And you have to come out and show me!" Dawn spoke through the partition. "Can I dress you later?" "Dawn turned a deep shade of crimson and was glad the door was there. "Promises promises." A deep chuckle came from behind the door and the blood rushing to her face refused to leave. "Just come out when you're done." "On my honour luv." Spike smiled. On of the pluses of being an undead evil creature, you could heard people blush. His mind flashed back to the several time over the ages that he had send the blood rushing to the cheeks of Buffy and Willow. They were pleasant images and Spike dressed in the clothing without even thinking. Throwing the button up on, he stepped out of the dressing area and into the storefront. His eyes searched for Dawn and found her near the Hawaiian shirts. Sidestepping the salesgirl with a grin, he held a finger to her lips and motioned for her to be silent as he stalked up behind Dawn. The salesgirl licked her lips where his finger had been and said a silent pray of thanks to the gods of the schedule that she had taken the morning shift. Leaning into Dawns personal space, Spike inhaled deeply and enjoyed her scent before allowing a low rumbling slip from his throat. "See anything you like?" A shiver ran down Dawns neck and she turned to face him, making sure to stay in close proximity. Dawn batted her eyelashes and opened her mouth slightly, copying a pose she saw Buffy give Reilly. "You have something worth while to show me?" Spike wiggled his eyebrows and the pair laughed together. Taking a step back, the vampire raised his arms in a modeling stance. "Is it me?" The black leather pants hung perfectly on his hips and a sliver of ripped abs showed through. Letting his arms hang naturally, Dawn looked him up and down made a little twirl motion with her finger. "Not on your life." He pulled the button up off his arms and half folded it over his arm. "No place for my cigarettes, but it'll do if mademoiselle approves." Dawn nodded. "Will you be able to fight in them?" "I've fought in less." "Ok. Go try on the rest." Spike gave a mock salute and walked back to the dressing area. Dawn and the salesgirl tracked him as he sauntered through. Once he was locked back in his cube, the ladies turned to each other with smiles lighting their faces. "Nice ass." Dawn bit her lip and turned a bit pink around her ears. "Got to love leather. Lets pick out some more shirts for him." -- The pair wandered back into the Summers home eight hours later, bags of clothing hanging off of Spike's arms while Dawn attempted to figure out the electronic gadget in her hand. It had taken Dawn nearly half an hour to convince the vampire that he needed to get a cellular phone, then another good hour of flirting with the guy behind the sales counter to get all the extras for free. Dawn smiled when her brain flashed the image of Spike seething with hostility towards the poor salesguy named Ben. She had accomplished her task though and gotten wireless web, short text messages, caller id and several other features thrown in for free. Not that Spike couldn't afford to buy them all, it was the principal. Plus it had made Spike get angry, but angry in a fun `I'm going to kill someone who isn't you' sort of way which Dawn found amusing. Spike dropped the bags on the kitchen counter and run his hands through his hair. "Bleeding hell luv. You got me to buy half the shop." "You needed more then one set of clothes." Dawn settled into one of the bar stools around the kitchen island and continued to figure out how to work the mobile phone Spike muttered into the shopping bags, trying to remember what he had spent his hard stolen cash on. "I had more then one until they got all mucked up saving you lot." Dawn smiled, a sad sort of light in her eyes. "I'm sorry most of your stuff got ruined." "Happens." He shrugged and pulled a light blue T-shirt out one of the bags. "When did I buy this?" "Hey look, we've got a message." Dawn leaned dangerously far on her stool and punched the button for play back. "Spike, its Giles. The council spoke to Dawn's father and was able to work out a�ah� suitable arrangement. He will remain the legal parent, but has agreed to sign over guardianship to me whist he's overseas. It will take a few weeks for the paper work, but there shouldn't be any problems. I still have pressing business here, accounting for what happened, documents to prepare." The voice paused and Spike felt his lip curl into a smile at the sound of the watchers chuckle. "Its all incredibly boring and I'm sure you're already not listening. Send Dawn my love and tell her I will be back as soon as possible. She needs to decide if she wants to sell the house or not, but don't bother her with it until later. It can wait until I return if necessary. Out of shear jet lag, I had the council put your name on the documents as well Spike. If anything happens to me, you will be legally the guardian of our Dawn. Don't taunt Xander with this please." Another pause came through and Dawn imagined Giles holding he phone with his shoulder, cleaning his glasses as he spoke. "if you hurt the girl, what Glory did will seem unusually gentle. Must run, cheers." The answering machine clicked off and rewound the tape, leaving the pair staring at the machine. Dawn spoke first. "I guess Dad isn't coming home then." "Sounds like it." Spike caught her eye and forced a grin on his face. "Bright side, if Ripper never comes back, you have to do what I say until you're 18." "Xander is going to flip when he finds that out." The phone rang and Spike beat Dawn to the receiver by inches. "Summers residence, legal guardian speaking." "Spike?" "Duchess." "Willow told me what happened. You hurt her in the smallest way, I'll make you bleed." "Try and take `er away and you'll go back to LA in suitcases." "Glad we agree." The line went dead and Spike hung up the receiver with his trademark smirk covering his face. "Who was that?" "Fuller Brush salesman." Dawn pursed her lips together and nodded, knowing full well who it was and what they were talking about. "You are really attached to your vacuum." "Its one of those that grow on you." Spike loaded a few bags into his arms. "Make yourself useful and help carry this lot up stairs." Dawn set down the mobile and went to pick up a few bundles when a knock at the door stopped her. "We are very popular people today." Spike raised his eyebrow. "Stay here till I say." "You think it's a very polite demon?" "Stay. Here." Spike strode out of the kitchen and to the front door, subconsciously flexing his hands if he needed to fight. He swung the door open and was mildly shocked to see Willow standing in front of him. His brain took a second to switch gears before he spoke. "Will, thought you were in LA." He stepped aside and let her walk past him. "I just got back and I wanted to see how Dawnie was." She looked around the family room. "Where is she?" "Surprisingly, behaving herself in the kitchen. Ducks, you can join us, Willow is here." "Gee, I'm glad you saved me from possibly getting a splinter while I opened the door." Dawn walked with her thumbs tucked into her pockets and glared mockingly at Spike before turning her attention to the new arrival. "Willow! How was LA." "Broody, since I spent the day with Angel." The pair shared a hug. "What have you been up too?" Dawn led her by the hand to the family room and they plopped down on the sofa "Shopping with Spike, he needed clothes." Leaning in, Willow whispered in a conspiratorial tone. "He is going to wear something that isn't black?" "Watch it Red. I heard that." Spike shouted from the stairs. Bags lined his arms and he stuck his head around the corner to look at the girls. "I'll be stairs finding out what else you put on the counter when I wasn't looking." Willow waited until she heard the bedroom door shut before speaking again. "How is everything going? I can do a freezing spell and get us out of here if we need to." Rolling her eyes, Dawn huffed. "He's been great, well, except making me do my homework. I don't need you guys to worry. Spike promised Buffy he would take care of me and that's what he's doing." "Ok, I understand that. But he's Spike, he tried to kill all of us. And he kidnapped me once and I have trust issues with vampires." Dawn laughed. "Spike wouldn't hurt me. He even let my friends come over." A shocked look played on Willow's features. "And they are all alive? No offence Dawnie, but I've met your friends." "He lasted about two hours with six of us in the house before he called Xander and went on patrol." Dawns smile slipped a bit. "I know you don't trust him, but trust me?" She asked questioningly. "I know he wouldn't hurt me." Willow remembered Buffy saying Spike was the only one strong enough to protect them, and she herself sent him to protect Dawn when the portal was about to be opened. Initial misgivings aside, she knew Spike would never hurt Dawn. It would be like hurting Buffy and he had proven that wasn't what he was about anymore. Willow smiled at Dawn. "Do you think we could get him to model the clothes for us?" -- Part nine coming soon |