| Name: The Dragon Part 7 Author: Juliatheyounger Disclaimer: Joss Whedon and all the talented people at Mutant Enemy etc own these characters. I am just playing with them. Spoilers: Season 5. The Gift. Rating: PG so far. Summary: Dawn has been living with her father ever since the Gift. Seven years later she returns to Sunnydale and finds that things and people she no longer believes in are still very real. D/S Feedback: Yes please!! Distribution: Please take it, do whatever, but let me know so I can be all flattered. Author�s Note: I know, there�s something verging on the not right about Spike/Dawn ships, but I was always loved stuff like the Ghost and Mrs Muir, Beetlejuice, Drop Dead Fred etc, where the little girl is friends with the supernatural creature. I wanted a grown up Dawn to come back and find her magic dragon. Big thankyous for the lovely feedback from everyone! Texas!Alane thanks for the invite - I'm actually a member of Bloody Awful but haven't been reading posts for a while so as to avoid Spoilage (too late probably!) I have about 1000 unread digests in my inbox lol. But thanks for the kind words! ***************************** Chapter 7: Boston Common "Wow," Willow said as she and Xander drove back to her house. "That was sort of - exciting. I mean now that Dawn's ok. I'd forgotten what it was like, fighting evil, defending the innocent." Xander grinned at her. "Yeah," he said. "Danger to Dawn aside�it was sort of �invigorating." "Don't tell Anya you thought that. She'll lock you in your study." Xander laughed. "Yeah, I miss it, but not that much." Willow was going to mention the whole Spike/Dawn issue but decided Xander was probably not the most unbiased person to discuss that particular topic with. That was one for Tara. ************* It was a few days later and Dawn and Spike were leaving. Dawn had gone to say her goodbyes to Willow, Tara, Xander and Anya. They had been tearful and they promised to keep in touch. As Dawn was about to leave she told Willow about Spike coming with her. The red-headed woman was surprisingly supportive. Whatever Spike was now, without his chip, Willow knew he would keep Dawn safe. Maybe Dawn would figure things out and decide to move on. Then again, maybe she wouldn't, maybe there was something between her and Spike, apart from mutual Buffy grief. Willow had learnt long ago that when it came to supernatural creatures, nothing was simple. So she kissed Dawn on the cheek and told her to keep in touch. And to call if she ever needed to talk. As they waited at the airport in Los Angeles, Dawn realised that Spike probably didn't even know that he hadn't let her go since he'd saved her from the minions. Except for necessary trips to the bathroom and shower, Spike had stuck to her like glue. His hand was always clasped around hers, or his arm was holding her tight against him. For her part, Dawn often found her arms wrapped around Spike's waist or her head pressed against his shoulder, without knowing she'd done it. They were back in Boston now. Spike had drawn the line at living in a student dorm. Somehow it never occurred to either of them that he wouldn't be staying with Dawn. So they found a little apartment with suitably heavy curtains and low enough rent. Spike paid the security deposit and a month's rent in advance. Dawn was going to sell the house in Sunnydale, but Spike stopped her. "Not yet Lil' Bit, you might want to go back some day. I've got money." "Where did you get money?" Dawn asked, laughing at him. Spike gave her an offended look. "Does anyone ever ask Angel where he gets his money?" he demanded. "No. Well, I got mine the same place." "Angel has a detective agency." "Ask me no questions Li'l Bit and I'll tell you no lies." "Ok, " said Dawn. "I'll just assume it was something nefarious then." Spike grinned. "Good girl." Spike had slept in the same bed as her every night since then. They never discussed it, they just always ended up sleeping in each others arms. Dawn kept student hours anyway, so they stayed up until past midnight then slept half the day. It was a fair compromise. And at night, when Dawn was at class or out with friends, Spike would see her to and from her destination then head off into the night, to do Spikey sort of things. Sometimes he'd tell Dawn about his adventures, sometimes he wouldn't. But he always climbed into bed beside her and held her close until morning. Spike and Dawn teased each other unmercifully about everything except that. That was never mentioned. Dawn was sitting in a painfully hip coffee house with two friends. Her friends had been giving each other looks ever since she'd arrived. Spike had walked her there, given them all his sexiest smirk then headed off. "That guy that dropped you off, is he the one you're living with?" Marlene finally asked. Dawn nodded. "Spike," she said. "He's so adorable. You can't tell me you aren't screwing him!" "Marlene! Gees, its complicated!" "What kind of guy walks you to meet your friends, obligingly disappears for a couple of hours than comes back to pick you up, if he' s not your boyfriend?" Sharon asked. "He's not like a bodyguard or something is he?" "Yeah Dawn, what secrets have you been hiding from us?" Dawn laughed. "I swear he's not. Its very platonic." Marlene and Sharon gave each other knowing looks. "I'm serious!" More knowing looks. Dawn hit her head on the table. "Fine! I admit it! It's driving me crazy!" "You mean you haven't -" The insinuation hung thick in the air but Marlene finished it anyway. "Had sex?" "Noooo," moaned Dawn. "He's a complete gentleman!" Why couldn't she have had coffee with Siobhan and Katrina, her feminist friends? They made her feel like a hero for not banging Spike. Marlene and Sharon brought out the most immature and sex-obsessed side of her. "You've been sleeping with that sexy specimen of manhood and you haven't done anything?" Dawn decided she preferred lectures on not conforming to gender stereotypes and why mace was just as effective as getting a walk home. Katrina had found it deplorable that they were living together but applauded Dawn's celibacy. Siobhan had even managed to glare at Spike when he came to pick up Dawn last time. Dawn sighed. Some nights, when Spike pulled off his shirt and climbed in beside her, she wished things were different. But she didn't push it. Dawn slept beside him. She knew whose name he called out as he slept cold and dead beside her. Buffy. Things were complicated. They hadn't kissed again since the night he rescued her. "So what did you do tonight, oh Big Bad?" Dawn asked as Spike walked her home. "Played some pool, listened to some Jazz. I think I'm starting to like Jazz." "Must be getting old." "Look who's talking, old woman, nearly twenty-two you are." Dawn had forgotten her birthday. "Two weeks!" she said. "Old enough to drink, shag and smoke pot at poetry readings." "As long as you don't inhale." Dawn giggled. She was holding Spike's hand, as she always did, and they were leaning close together, as they always did. "Have a nice night pet?" Dawn nodded. She looked at him wickedly. "Marlene thinks you're adorable." Spike snorted. "Marlene better have another think coming," he grunted. "I told them that. I told them all about the way you beat me and tie me up and make me watch Passions." Spike smirked. "Now that's my idea of a fun evening." Dawn kicked off her shoes and hung up her coat when they got home while Spike flicked on the stereo. "Tired?" he asked. "Nope," said Dawn. "Want some wine?" Spike pulled a face. "Bourbon and coke." Dawn had taken to drinking wine and worse, appreciating it. It reminded Spike too much of terribly polite Victorian Society parties. Dawn gave him a long suffering look and mixed him his drink and poured a glass of red for herself. "I don't know why you don't like wine," she said, studying the glass. "It even looks like blood." "Yeah but it tastes like bloody squashed grapes." "As opposed to the fermented hops taste of beer." Spike walked over and rescued his glass of bourbon from itself. He smirked as he lowered the glass. "Or the heady aroma of distilled mash." Spike watched Dawn as she moved around the kitchen preparing some nachos. She was beautiful, there was no denying that. Sometimes it took his breath away, figuratively speaking. She mightn't be doing anything particularly glamorous but suddenly, just the way the light fell on her face or silhouetted her dark hair, he'd be struck by just how beautiful she had become. It was a different beauty to Buffy. And lately, much to Spike's disconcertion, he'd been forgetting Buffy's beauty. Out of nowhere he'd suddenly realise that he couldn't remember what she looked like and he'd have to pull out the battered photo he carried with him. And more disconcerting still, he found himself thinking about Dawn more than Buffy. Just Dawny things she'd done. Funny things she'd said. Sweet things she did. It unnerved Spike when he caught himself doing it. Dawn was�Dawn. She was Buffy's little sister, his friend, she was Little Bit. It was true, he did have thoughts, especially when her slim woman-shaped figure was spooned against him in her bed. Thoughts that made him get up quickly and have a cold shower and a quick wank. But he valued his friendship with Dawn more than anything. Having her close, having her trust, keeping things the same between them was more important than satisfying some stupid lust. And then there were the dreams. Dreams of Buffy, where she hated him for wanting Dawn, for loving her sister, for forgetting her. Things were�complicated. He was brought out of his considerations by the sound of the phone ringing. Dawn's hands were full with a plate of hot corn chips and salsa. Spike grabbed the phone. "Hallo." "Spike?" It was the whelp and he sounded none too pleased to hear Spike answering Dawn's phone. "Harris." Spike said, taking evil pleasure in Xander's surprise. "You want Dawn I suppose." "Yeah, if you don't mind. Put her on." Spike looked at Dawn who was just putting the plate down on the kitchen counter. He smirked at her, mouthed Harris, then said. "She's a bit busy at the moment, I'll tell her to call you back." "Yeah, fine -" Suddenly the phone was ripped out of Spike's hand. "Xander?" "Dawn? Spike's there?" "Ahuh." Dawn winced, she knew Xander would be uncool about this. Even more than her Dad. That was why she'd only told Willow about Spike coming with her. "He's just�visiting?" Xander asked. Dawn decided to tell the truth. Besides, Xander was miles away, she could always hang up if he got too overbearing. "Actually, he's living here now. With me." There was a moment of silence. "Dawn�" Xander began. "Are you sure that's a good idea, I mean have you thought it through...he's not exactly a safe person, thing, to be around�" "Xander, relax, he's my roomie, not my boyfriend. And I feel a lot more safer with him here than without." More silence. Xander was obviously trying not to alienate-Dawn-by-flying-off-the-handle. It was particularly hard, especially as he was now the father of daughters. Anya, however, had made him read a library of parenting books. He could be supportive and not condemning. "Ok, Dawn, but you know, if you ever need me, or someone to talk to, just give us a call ok?" "Ok, Xander, thanks, I will," said Dawn, Xander was being such a big brother to her. She smirked at Spike who had raised an eyebrow and was trying to look like he wasn't interested in what she was saying. "So Xander, why did you actually call?" Xander laughed. "All right Dawnster," he said. "I was just ringing to check up on you, make sure you hadn't forgotten us." And he told her all the latest news from Sunnydale. When Dawn finally got off the phone, Spike had eaten half the nachos. He leant against the counter next to her. "Speaking of phone calls, your Dad called today too. Forgot to tell you." "Oh? Did he leave a message." "Said he'd call back tomorrow or something. And don't worry, I told him I was your flat mate." He didn't want to admit it, but something about being described as just Dawn's roommate had put him out a bit. "Why, what else could you have told him?" Dawn said archly. She felt suddenly as if she were skirting along the edge of something dangerous. Spike stepped towards her, a smirk playing on his lips. "That I'm the incredibly sexy vampire who's sleeping with his daughter?" Dawn stopped. Spike stopped. He'd said it. For a moment they just looked at each other. Spike took a breath. Dawn's heart thudded. Blindly she decided humour was the best course of action. "Incredibly sexy?" she asked dubiously. Spike grinned. "Course I am." Evilly, he placed his hands lightly on Dawn's waist, wriggling his hips slightly, and giving her a very sexy look. Dawn wasn't going to let him get away with that. She looked up at him under her long eyelashes, a very devious smile playing on her lips, and very slowly ran a finger down his chest, stopping just short of his waistband. She tucked her finger in and pulled him an inch closer towards her. The action completely threw Spike. Surprise covered his features. Did�She wanted�His eyes searched her face, uncertain, questioning. Tender, nervous wanting answered him. He swallowed hard, suddenly feeling very much out of his depth. Spike had no idea what he was doing but he did it anyway. Tentatively he leant forward that extra inch, and let his lips brush along Dawn's cheek. He breathed gently into her ear and tugged at her earlobe with blunt teeth. Dawn stood so still and trembled slightly as she felt him run his lips back along her jaw, barely touching her. Spike looked into her large eyes for a whole heartbeat and then pressed his lips to hers. It was soft and tender, an experimental kiss. Then Dawn felt him tremble too as she returned the kiss, softly, gently, fully. Spike pulled back, slightly wild eyed. His eyes questioned her. "I want you Spike," she said simply in answer. "But only if you want me." The tight feeling in his pants told Spike, in no uncertain terms, that the answer was yes. Dawn ran a finger along his cheekbone as she looked into his eyes. Spike saw desire there, and love. He almost couldn't bear it. Suddenly he knew the truth. "I belong to you Dawn," he said in a rough voice. She was his purpose in life. He was hers. Dawn's heart leapt, as she understood. She ran her hands over his slim waist and gently kissed him on the lips. "I'd like to do this for a while then," she murmured. Spike gave her his sexiest grin and pressed against her. "All right then pet," he said and captured her mouth with his. He was amazed by the strength of her kiss. And its effect on him. They devoured each other. Spike's body melded into Dawn's. She could feel his hardness pressing against her. Finally Dawn drew back breathing heavily. Spike was panting slightly too. They both looked at each other and grinned. This could be fun too. Spike picked Dawn up and carried her towards the bedroom. His heart caught in his throat as he looked into eyes that were luminous with love and desire. His Dawn. Spike gently put her down. Dawn stepped back and slowly undressed. Spike swallowed hard. She was bloody perfect. "You really have grown up Nibblet," he said huskily. A slight, delicious smile played on her full lips and she looked at him as seductively as she could. The peculiar mixture of na�ve innocence and confident womanhood floored Spike. He pulled his shirt off and moved to her. Reverently he ran his hands over her body. Dawn shuddered under his touch. She reached out and traced the lines of his chest with her fingers. They bent in towards each other, faces barely touching, lips brushing against skin. With a tremulous sigh Dawn pulled back. She sought Spike's eyes. "You're not just doing this because I remind you of Buffy?" Dawn asked. She knew she was being insecure, but she had to know. Spike looked at her seriously. "You'll never replace Buffy, Dawn," he said softly. "But she'll never replace you either." Dawn gave him a watery smile. "You're you Dawn, not Buffy." He pressed his forehead to hers then kissed her lips gently. "I want you." He let out a small groan and added a bit sheepishly. "A lot." Dawn smiled. "Good, because, you know, if you're expecting Slayer strength you'll be pretty disappointed." Spike grinned and kissed her passionately. He'd loved Buffy. But Dawn was life. Dawn made him happy. Even better, he made Dawn happy. "Now it's your turn," he said, drawing back, a teasing glint in his eyes. "My turn?" "Your turn to reassure me. Tell me you're not just doing this because I'm a vampire with cool hair." Dawn smirked. "But Spike� I thought you knew�" Spike chuckled at her teasing, then grew serious. "You sure about this pet?" he asked. Dawn didn't say anything, she just reached for his belt. Spike pounced on her and they tumbled onto the bed. End of Part 7 |