| Kiss Me Author: SlayGal E-mail: [email protected] Summary: Dawn is 16 and can't get a date to the school dance. Distribution: Just ask me first, kay? :-) Disclaimer: I don't own Spike, Dawn, or any of the characters; they are all Joss', yada yada yada. And the songs aren't mine either. Pairing: Ya get three guess, use them wisely. :-) Author's Note: This is 2 and half years in the future. Buffy is still dead. ****** Spike had checked all of Dawn's usual hangouts, which, when he thought about it was pretty much The Bronze or his crypt, but she hadn't been at either place. When Giles called that afternoon and said she hadn't come home from school, Spike was a little worried, but he figured, being daylight and all, she might have gone out with some friends, and would call Giles to let him know. But when the sun went down, and she still wasn't home, he had got his leather duster on, and grabbed a few stakes and went out to find her. In the 2 and half years Giles had been her guardian, since Buffy had died, she had never been this late home without calling. She hated that everyone kept tabs on her, but she still understood and let them know where she was, and that she was safe. Spike was now re-tracing her walk home from school backwards, to see if he saw or found anything. He tried to ignore the anxiety that was gnawing away at his stomach as he walked, //If I lose her now�// he wouldn't allow himself to finish that sentence, to think about losing her. His big boots scraped the pavement as he walked, trudging through autumn leaves. He walked through the park, known vamp territory. And then he saw her. She was huddled on a bench, hugging herself, Spike couldn't tell if it was against the cold or if it was from fear, all he could feel was her upset. As he edged closer he saw a vampire, behind a tree next to him, checking out Dawn. He walked behind the tree silently and grabbed the vamp by the arm, spinning him round, and snatched him up by the throat, holding him off the floor. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" He growled. "Just admiring the view, I wasn't gonna touch her I swear�" "Damn straight, you weren't. Maybe my message isn't getting around enough. Did you hear what I've told every vamp that I've come across??" He demanded. "No-no one's 'posed to touch that Summers girl. Slayers lil' sis." The vampire stuttered. "So you did hear? Just have a problem understanding, do you?" Spike asked. "I can help with that." Spike loosened his grip, allowing the vampire down. As the vampire rubbed his bruising throat Spike pulled a stake out. "Ends all vampire's problems." He stated with a shrug, as he plunged it into the vamps chest. The young vampire let out a gasp, before crumbling before Spike's eyes. Spike looked over at the brunette, she hadn't noticed him yet. He walked over to her and gently placed a hand on her shoulder, she started a little but then saw Spike. "Oh, hi Spike." She said, trying to wipe the marks off her tear stained cheeks. "What are you up to, little bit? Everyone was worried." He said. "Just wanted to be alone." She said, not looking at him. Spike sat next to her, "Did something happen? At school?" He asked. Dawn responded with what could barely be called a nod. "That skank Kirstie told all the guys that they shouldn't ask me to the school dance, cos everything I touch dies." She chocked out the last part. "Nibblet�" Spike said, comfortingly. He awkwardly put his arm round her. "It's true." She said. She looked at Spike, new tears forming in her eyes. "You shouldn't touch me Spike, I can't lose anyone else, my heart can't take it." She shrugged his arm off and got up, beginning the walk home. "It's not true, kid." He assured her, getting up and falling into stride next to her. "And you don't need to worry about Spike, I can handle myself." He flashed a cocky grin. On any other day that would have made her melt�she still had the biggest crush on Spike, but tonight it just pained her, //Everything she touches dies�Her mom, her sister�she even tried offing herself once in junior high, came into school with slashed wrists, then freaked out at the teachers�// She had over heard Kirstie telling that to the football team at lunch. She had just been told by all her friends that the captain was going to ask her to the dance. Dawn had spent the rest of the day in the girl's restroom; not wanting to face anyone, then had fled to the park when the school bell rang. "When's this dance, luv?" He asked, interrupting her thoughts. "Tomorrow night." She answered. Spike nodded and fell silent. They didn't talk the rest of the way home, Spike kept looking over in Dawn's direction, trying to think of something to say, everything he thought of sounded lame, he wasn't good at this comforting thing. When they got to The Summers' home Giles opened the door, just as they got onto the porch. "Dawn, thank God." He looked relieved as he gave her a warm smile. Then he looked sternly at her, "Where have you been? You should have called." "Rups�" Spike cut in quietly, signalling with his hand to tone it down. Dawn shrugged in apology. "Ah, well, yes, thank you for bringing her home, Spike." Giles said, acknowledging Spikes signal. "You take care, little bit." He said. "And don't let that bint at school get to you. It's not true." He ruffled her hair slightly and then turned to go. "Thank you Spike." Dawn said as he walked off, he barely heard it himself, with or without vampire hearing, but he turned back, a "You're welcome" smile on his face. Giles protectively put an arm round Dawns shoulder and led her in. "I'm sorry, Giles." She said. "Its alright. I'm glad you're Ok." He gave her shoulder a slight squeeze and then moved into the kitchen, Dawn followed. "Are you hungry?" He asked. "A little." She said. Giles moved to the stove, where he had soup re-heating. "Oh, the girl from April Fool's called. Your dress is ready, you have to pick it up tomorrow." He told her, placing hot soup in front of her. "Forget it, keep your money. I'm not going to the dance." She told him, sipping her soup. She burnt her tongue a little and careful drank it down. "You're not?" Giles' asked. "No." "But you were so excited. You did extra chores, helped at the Magic Box, much to Anya's disgust," He smiled a little. "All to raise the money." "I know, but it's a long story, which results in me not going, Ok?" She said, a little harsher than she'd meant to. "Ok. If you're sure�I'll call the shop tomorrow and tell them to put the dress back on display." He told her, pouring himself some tea. Dawn struggled with her emotions as she ate, she really had wanted to go to the dance, but there was no way she was going without a date. *** The next day Dawn arrived home from school at the right time, she had been sure not to be late, she knew it wasn't fair for Giles to have to worry, especially after everything he had done for her. "Giles?" She called. "I'm here, Dawn." He called from the kitchen. Dawn walked in and saw him on the phone. "Yes, that sounds lovely. I really must go now...yes�exactly�goodbye." The English man hung up the phone and smiled at Dawn. "How was school?" "Fine." Dawn answered. //More like Hell...// she thought to herself. "Well, there's some dinner in the oven, it need to be cooked for a further 30 minutes, are you going to be Ok tonight?" Every Friday night Giles and Anya worked, and then did inventory at the store. Leaving Dawn alone wasn't something Giles was comfortable with but as Dawn so often reminded him "I'm not 14 anymore, Giles. I'm 16, and its my birthday next month I'm old enough to look after myself, you worry too much." But as far as Giles was concerned, you could never worry too much on a hellmouth. "I'll be fine, really." She insisted with a smile. "Who was on the phone?" "Oh, um, Anya, she was just making sure I was coming tonight." He smiled and grabbed his keys. "I'll see you later." He said, as he left through the back door. "Yeah, bye." Dawn waved. When Giles was out the door the confident smile faded. School had been worse than yesterday, Dawn planned on getting changed, eating dinner, and then pigging out on ice cream in front of some soppy movie. She sighed and went up stairs. She came down 15 minutes later in sweat pants and a little top. She channel surfed for 15 minutes, then ate her dinner, then took the tub of ice cream and a spoon into the living room. She left it on the table as she settled down, turning on MTV. She fried her brains with the latest music video's for an hour or two, then, trying to salvage the melted ice cream by popping it back in the freezer, she found a movie that was just starting. She sighed again, this was not how she'd imagined spending tonight, she thought for sure tonight was going to be a little well-earned fun, but no, again she was disappointed. //If it wasn't for that bitch Kirstie�// Dawn had heard she ended up getting a date with the football captain. //She couldn't even get her own date�even if those things are true, she had absolutely no right telling half the school�// Dawn was broken out of her thoughtful bubble by a knock at the door. She groaned, //When will the scoobies allow me to be alone for at least one night?// She wondered, //Its probably Willow and Tara, or Xander bored cos Anya was working�// But when she opened the door, it wasn't Xander�it was Spike. She looked at him, he was stood in a black tux, his leather coat was nowhere to be seen, his black boots replaced by shoes. "Spike?" Dawn gaped, shock covering her features. "Hello nibblet." He smiled ever so slightly. "Why are you dressed like that?" She asked. He looked even hotter than usual�Dawn hadn't believed that possible but�here he was� "Don't you like it?" He asked, "I feel bloody stupid." "You look great." She told him. "But why?" "Are you always this clueless?" He asked in his usual sarcastic manner. "We're going to the dance, you and me." He grinned. "Oh, Spike�I can't�" Dawn said. "Whys that then, luv?" "Nothing to wear. You look so good, I don't have�" She stopped talking as Spike held up a dress, *the* dress. The one she wanted from April Fools. She smiled, "I can't believe this." "Giles got the dress�I told him you wanted to go. Now go get ready." He urged. Dawn took the dress, still smiling and raced up the stairs. Spike watched her go and then went into the living room. //Knew that'd cheer platelet up// He thought with a smile. She had been so down since Buffy had died, he knew she still blamed herself. He still blamed himself. He had sworn to Buffy that he'd protect her, "Til the end of the world". He figured that meant making her feel better, even if he had to look like a wanker to do that. Dawn returned a while later, Spike turned as she walked in. The dress was simple, elegant. It was black, with thin straps that went over her shoulders, and crossed at her back. It was above her knee, revealing her legs. Spike was so used to seeing Dawn in jeans, he never noticed how great her legs were. She had on strappy black shoes, which added height to her, her dark shiny hair hung down at her back. Dawn smiled self-consciously, Spike realised he'd been staring, not talking, for a while now. "Dawn�" He said. Her smile grew a little. "You haven't called me that in a while." She said. He had called her it once, after the attack from Glory�he had said "Dawn�we need to get you to hospital." She remembered the pain, not from the cuts made by Doc, but from losing the last member of her family�her sister. Spike smiled, "You look beautiful." He told her. "C'mon, we'd better go." He walked closer and stopped, looking at her necklace. A solid silver cross. He'd seen that before�long time ago� "I didn't think she'd mind." Dawn said, noticing him looking at it. "She wouldn't." He insisted. "Suits you." He smiled as they walked out. Dawn looked over at Spike as they approached the school gym, she still couldn't believe how good he looked. She knew he thought of her as nothing more than a kid sister�but she still had a crush on him, which meant she got to appreciate tonight. "You can stop ogling, sweet bit." He said with a grin as he noticed her looking at him. "Get over yourself." She rolled her eyes. They got to the doors and Dawn sighed, "Here we go." She said nervously. Spike offered her his arm, "C'mon, nothing to worry about." He said. Dawn slipped her arm in his and offered him a grateful smile. They walked in and Dawn immediately noticed people looking at her�then she saw the girls checking out Spike. "Is it wrong that I'm totally enjoying them being jealous?" She asked with a grin. "Not at all, pet." He smirked. Dawn saw Kirstie with her date and noticed them both looking back. Kirstie looked furious to see Dawn there, especially with Spike. "This is pretty cool." Dawn said. "Wanna dance? Make 'em feel really terrible?" Spike asked, smirk still in place. "Sure. You're so bad." She teased. "I'm the baddest." He answered as they went to the dance floor. Spike awkwardly put his arms round Dawn, pulling her close. She put her arms round his neck. "Thank you." She said sincerely. "Anything for my little bit." He replied. Dawn put her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes, listening to the music, finding the words oddly comforting. Don't be afraid to be weak Don't be too proud to be strong Just look into your heart my friend That will be the return to yourself The return to innocence. She sighed contently. This felt right, being here in Spike's arms. Spike held Dawn close to him, trying to ignore how attracted he was to her. He couldn't believe he'd never noticed what a beautiful woman Dawn had grown into. He'd seen her as little Dawn Summers, Buffy's sister, that annoying kid who liked to hang out with vampires, then she had become his friend, his thing to protect�then she became his best friend�someone he could talk to, share his pain about Buffy, she said he treated her like a person�something she didn't believe she was. Now here she was, almost 17, in his arms, her petite body pressed against his. //This can't be good�// Spike thought as they continued dancing. If you want, then start to laugh If you must, then start to cry Be yourself don't hide Just believe in destiny Spike listened to the song�trying to think of anything but the revelation that had just hit him. Don't care what people say Just follow your own way Don't give up and use the chance To return to innocence Dawn felt Spike tense, like he wasn't comfortable with her like this. She had almost forgot�almost allowed the truth to slip away�she had almost thought she was in the arms of the person she loved�the person who loved her�but then reality had crept in, the way it had a habit of doing�and she realised that she wasn't. She was dancing with Spike, her best friend. She pulled away slightly, lifting her head. "Look, Spike, I -" "Dawn, what a surprise." Dawn cringed, hearing Kirstie's voice behind her. She still held on to Spike, as they turned slightly to face Kirstie. "A surprise? You thought you'd stopped me from coming? Jeez, get over yourself." Dawn rolled her eyes. Kirstie looked really pissed. "What about Dan? He was supposed to ask you, but he came with me." She said smugly, Dan was stood sheepishly behind her, Spike could see he was checking out Dawn, he watched as Dan's eyes wondered over Dawns body. Spike instinctively pulled her closer. "Well, if he'd asked me, he would have found out that I already had a date." Dawn smiled at Spike. "And who exactly is this?" Kirstie asked, attempting to give Spike a flirty smile. "This is Spike." Dawn said. "Spike, what an interesting name." She said. "You really don't want to know how I got it." Spike told her, winking at Dawn. Dawn giggled //He's a vampire, Kirstie, he got it by torturing victims with railroad spikes�// Dawn would have liked to have seen Kirstie's face if she'd said that. "I'm sure I do." She said, still trying to be flirty. "Well, I'm sure I ain't gonna tell you." "Wow, you're British." She said. "Wow, you're quick." Spike rolled his eyes. Kirstie tried to ignore his rudeness, "And how do you know Dawn? You look too old to be in school." "Only by a few years." He lied. "Me and Dawn go way back. And as much as I'd love telling some blonde cheerleader my life story, I'm trying to dance with the best looking girl in this bloody place." Kirstie's expression went from shock, to embarrassment, to anger so quickly if you'd blinked you would have missed it. Dawn stifled a laugh as Kirstie let out an annoyed grunt and stormed off. "That was fun." She smiled. "That it was." Spike smirked. A song started up and Spike pulled Dawn closer, leaving a little more room between their bodies this time as they danced. Spike's expression was thoughtful. Dawn looked into Spikes eyes, he looked back. Blue eyes to blue eyes. "What are you thinking?" She asked. Spike looked pensive before replying, "How good you look." Dawn smiled shyly, looking away. Swing, swing, swing that spinning step You wear those shoes and I will wear that dress Oh kiss me beneath the milky twilight Lead me out on the moonlit floor Lift your open hand strike up the band and make the fireflies dance Silver moon's sparkling so kiss me Spike listened to the song, he heard the words and wondered if Dawn was thinking the same as the song was implying. Did she want him to kiss her while they danced? Kiss me down by the broken treehouse Swing me up on its hanging tire Bring, bring, bring your flowered hat We'll take the trail marked down your father's map Dawn looked at Spike, he was still looking at her. "What?" She asked. "I was just -nah, don't worry." He smiled slightly. The revelation was put off, by that little confrontation with Kirstie�but now it was fresh in Spike's mind. He was in love with Dawn. Dawn shrugged, Spike was acting extra weird, but she was loving being this close to him. Oh kiss me beneath the milky twilight Lead me out on the moonlit floor Lift your open hand strike up the band and makes the fireflies dance Silver moon's sparkling so kiss me Spike took a mental deep breath and then he did it, he leaned in and captured Dawn's mouth with his own. He heard her give a surprised gasp, but she soon kissed him back. Dawn's arms, still snaked around his neck. His arms were around her small waist, he pulled her even closer. The kiss was gentle, yet firm. She pulled away, a smile already on her face. Spike returned it. "Bloody hell." Spike said, but nothing in his tone suggested he was angry. "I think I love you, nibblet." Dawn grinned, kissed him again, and then they continued to dance. Finding comfort and love in each other's arms. So, kiss me |