Spike shifted in his sleep. He could feel a warm, soft mass on top of his chest. Gently he rolled until the object was underneath him. Then he shifted around a bit until his hands could slide around it. Suddenly a part of him registered that this object was female. He shifted a bit more and slid his leg between two warm thighs. Ahh, this feels so good. And thus, feeling completely comfortable, Spike nestled down into the sea of fragrant, silky hair and drifted back to sleep.

Which is why Angel almost had a heart attack when he opened the foyer doors to Hyperion. His lust-crazed wild childe was wrapped around little Dawn. Faith came in behind him and actually ran into his expansive back.

She shoved at him. "Oooh, what are you doin', Angel?"

Angel stalked over to where the two lay entwined on one of his sofas, and yanked Spike up off the little girl. "Spike, you better have a damn good explanation."

Spike, rudely awakened, glared back at his sire through sleepy eyes. "I was tired?"

Angel punched him in the face and threw him across the floor. Spike vamped out and snarled. "That was bloody uncalled for."

Dawn, who until now had remained crouched on the sofa, gingerly raised her voice. "Angel, please don't be mad. It was my idea to come here." She had misunderstood Angel's anger and has assumed it stemmed from the breaking and entering part of their escapade.

Angel's face softened. "Dawn, darlin'. I'm not mad at you. Come here." He opened his arms to her and she ran across the foyer to leap into his arms. "Why don't you and Faith run upstairs and pick out a room for you to stay in, while Spike and I talk."

Dawn bit her lip. "I'm not a child. I know you're not going to just talk to him. Please don't hurt him. He was just helping me out by bringing me here. Please don't be mad." He leaned down and kissed her forehead but didn't answer.

Faith came over and took her by the arm. "Come on, D. Let's find you a good place to stay." Dawn had always been nice to Faith. Sometimes it felt like she even looked up to her bad girl image. She was the only one that seemed more impressed with her, than Buffy. And Faith had never forgotten that. When Dawn heard that Faith was in jail, she wrote her letters, that she kept secret from Buffy. She didn't approve of what Faith had done, but she still had sympathy for her.

"Angel won't stake him or anything, will he?"

"Nah, they're just going to blow off some vamp steam, then before you know it, they'll be sharing a pint of something old and nasty and talking about the good old century." Faith winked at her and walked her up the stairs.

"Just what in the name of the powers do you think you're doing?"

"Sleeping, mate." Spike settled down in to a leather chair in Angel's office, his irritation was as apparent as the ridges that remained on his face. Angel paced in front of him.

"I know you, William. Like hell you were just sleeping. If you got any closer to that girl�"

"Yeah, you're right." Spike smirked. "Never could keep my hands to myself. Such a young little thing, too. So flexible and innocent. Willing to try anything." He gave a look of pure sin. "Everything."

"I should stake you right now."

"And she tastes so good. Clean and sweet. And what she can do with her tongue. Is it bothering you to hear this? I mean, I'm not getting you all worked up with no way to work it out am I?"

Angel was tongue-tied. In truth the picture Spike wove with his words was enticing, but it wasn't Dawn he was picturing. He had to put a stop to this.

"Or will you be going for the other slayer, now?"

"Spike, I once swore to you that if you did anything to anyone under my protection�"

Spike had heard enough. Like hell Peaches was going to claim his Dawn! "I'm her protector, poof. Not you. Buffy picked me to watch out for her. Not you." Spike would spell it out for him if it would end this bloody boring conversation. "I was cuddling her. We were sleeping."

Spike straightened. He was done explaining himself. "Not that I couldn't do more. Me and Nibblet, we're as thick as thieves, y'know. But I have more restraint than that. Not like some blokes that have to move to a different city to keep their pants zipped." Spike gave him a pointed look.

Angel stopped in front of his chair, their knees touching. "I am still your sire. I killed you once. I'll do it again." He leaned over to put his hands on Spike's shoulders. "Understand me, William?"

"Piffle. You wouldn't kill me."

"I could do worse."

"Like what?" Spike scoffed, but his demeanor was nervous.

Angel leaned in closer, moving a hand to the back of Spike's neck to draw him near. "I'm inventive." He whispered into his ear, then he nipped him slightly on the neck. Spike jumped. Angel stood back and laughed uproariously.

"Bloody hell! That's sexual harassment! That's incest! That's�"

"Too damn funny. Relax, William�"

"Spike."

"Spike, turnabout's fair play. You deserve it for trying to make me think you were sleeping with Dawn."

"I am."

"Don't start."

Spike merely rolled his eyes. "Maybe I should be saying that to you." He looked up the staircase that the two dark haired girls had just gone up. "Haven't you learned not to mess with slayers by now?"

"Haven't you?"

"I got over that a long time ago, Peaches. You're the one still carrying a bloody torch for one." He grinned maniacally. "Or two."

"Least I'm not a pedophile."

"Wait it out long enough and it's no longer a crime." He rose his eyebrows meaningfully. "Clear something up for me. . .you shagged her on her 16th or 17th birthday?"Angel glared stakes at his childe. "Don't get your poofy satin knickers in a twist. Me and the Nibblet just came down to visit."

Angel decided on a different tactic. "Nibblet. Hmm. You're going soft, William. Since when does the self-proclaimed `Big Bad' snuggle?"

"Least I can snuggle without losing my mind, getting some nasty rock demon to take out the world on a whim. I mean, no world -- no leather pants -- no hair gel -- no people-- no BLOOD!" Spike sighed loudly. " You're planning sucks. "

"No, you just summon big blue ones to zap everybody at the mall."

"You're the bloody bugger who took him to The Gap! What's a matter, Peaches? Didn't like his wardrobe?"

Angel sniffed. "At least I have wardrobe. Just how long have you owned those jeans?" He looked down his nose at his childe. "And for your information, the 80's look is over."

"Great, you've been reading Cordelia's bloody fashion magazines again."

"Hey! I happen to like Vogue."

"So you've bought a subscription?" Spike scoffed.

"What's that supposed to mean?" "Does the word `cheap' ring a bell?"

"I am not cheap! And at least I have money!"

"You know why?" "Why?"

"Because I spend mine, you old miser. Simple, really. Get money. Spend money. Do you follow me, poof, or do I need to draw you a bloody diagram?"

"Whatever."

"Fine. But don't come cryin' to me when some nasty ghosts start calling on you when you're trying to sleep on Christmas Eve, Scrooge."

"Ugh! Charles Dickens." Angel suppressed a shudder. " And that's Mr. Scrooge to you, William."

"Ahem." A small voice called from the top of the staircase.

"Nibblet." Spike's facial expression softened. "Thought you went to bed."

"Can't. Seems two vampires are arguing in the foyer and it echoes through the pipes."

"Sorry." Spike said shamefaced. "Go up to bed and get some sleep, sweet bit. I'll be up in a second."

"Alright, Thumper. Just remember if you can't say something nice. . ."

"Stake the bloody wanker? "The blonde vampire finished hopefully. He frowned thoughtfully. "Or is that if at first you don't succeed. . ."

"No, Spike! Don't say anything at all."

"Well? Where's the fun in that?" He asked impatiently.

"Spike!"

"Yes, dear." He said meekly. "Leave the door unlocked for me, please?"

"Of course." She looked at Angel. "He's tired and grumpy. He really didn't mean it." She didn't want Spike to be a little pile of ashes.

"It's okay, Dawn." Angel said, seeing fear in her eyes. "I'm used to Spike, I would never stake him." Then he muttered to himself. "Now torture. That's a whole different ball game."

"Heard that, poof."

"I know." Angel smiled darkly.

Dawn was confused. "Heard what?"

"Never mind." The two vampires said at the same time.

Angel scowled at Spike then. "What do you mean, leave the door unlocked? You are not sleeping with her."

"Didn't we already have this conversation?" Spike expelled a breath. "They say that the mind goes first."

"I need Spike." Dawn said quietly. Her blue eyes fastened on the shorter vampire as if he were her lifeline. "I can't sleep if he's not close by."

This was something Angel understood. "I guess it won't hurt."

Dawn beamed at Angel. Then she blew a kiss to Spike which he pretended to catch in his right hand and then pressed to his cheek. "I'll be up soon." He promised. The young woman turned and walked back to her room.

Angel glanced at Spike. "Say one word and I'll rip your bleedin' heart out and mash it to bits, poof." Angel turned away shaking his head and walked up the stairs. Spike put his right hand to his mouth, rubbing a cool finger across his lips, savoring an airy kiss.

Upstairs, Faith was restless. She prowled her beautiful suite like a caged tiger. Seeing Dawn was unnerving. There was something about the young woman. An odd tingle she felt whenever they were together in the same room. She hadn't felt that tingle since she'd been around Buffy.

Maybe that was it. Maybe she just reminded her of Buffy, because she was her little sister. Something tugged at her mind, telling her that she was missing someone, but before she could quite grasp it, she heard a sound from down the hall. Quietly she slipped out of her room and into the hallway, staying in the shadows. Spike was carefully opening the door to Dawn's room.

What is he doing? He better just be checking on her. As she watched, he silently stepped inside, pulling the door behind him. Narrowing her eyes she stealthily crept to the door and pushed it open just enough to see inside. Dawn was fast asleep in her bed, curled under the covers on her side. Faith felt a softening inside. Despite the feeling she got around the girl, she was kind of fond of her.

Then she spotted Spike's pale form. He had removed his coat and shirt and was now pulling off his socks and shoes. Her eyes widened as he then discarded his jeans on the floor. Faith couldn't help an admiring glance. She was on the path to redemption. She was not a Saint.

He stood, head tilted to the side, in a pair of soft black cotton boxer- briefs. For a moment, she wondered if he had heard her or smelled her someway. But as she looked closer, she realized that he was staring at Dawn, watching her sleep. As she continued to watch, he gently pulled back the covers and climbed into bed with the girl. He brushed her hair off her neck and spooned up behind her, curling an arm around her waist to pull her flush against him.

Faith bit her bottom lip. Should I do something? I don't think Angel would like this. Spike was nuzzling against the girl's neck.

Faith reached for the stake in her back pocket. Spike licked Dawn's pulse point and she sighed in response, appearing to snuggle closer to her self- proclaimed protector. What was wrong with Dawn? Her sister was a Slayer, she should have instincts or something!

Then, just as Faith was about to leave to get Angel, Spike vamped out. Faith gripped the stake in her hand and stepped into the room.

Spike's yellow eyes flashed as he spotted her. "Can I help you, pet?"

"Yeah, get off her before she wakes up covered in your dust." Faith said softly, but fiercely. She wasn't entirely sure that she was ready for this. It had been a long time since she had slayed, and Buffy had described Spike as a formidable opponent.

Spike turned to climb out of bed, but Dawn, in her sleep state, clung to his arm and gave a small whimper. He squeezed her gently. "Hold on, bit. Just going to get you a glass of water."

Suddenly he was standing in front of Faith, gripping the hand with the stake and backing her out of the door. He closed the door behind him. She smirked to cover her unease. "Nice undies."

"Thank you. Now, what part of I am her protector don't you understand?"

"The part where you vamp out and lick her neck." She said pointedly.

Spike sighed. "I vamp out because, one, I'm tired and it's more comfortable. And two, it makes her feel safe. She likes knowing she has the big bad on her side, y'know."

"And you lick her because . . . ?" Faith wasn't going to be pacified this easily. "What exactly does this protector thing entail?"

"Not what you're thinking." He said defensively. "I'm tired. I am going to bed. With Dawn." Spike spun on his heel and went back into the room. He didn't bother shutting the door, he knew Faith would follow. When she stepped back into the room, he was already tucked around the young girl, still in vamp face. While she tried to think about how to extricate Dawn, Spike nuzzled back into Dawn's neck, lightly nipping her ear, more for the dark slayer's benefit than as a natural part of their nightly ritual. Dawn reached behind her and rubbed her palm over his facial ridges, like she was scratching behind a puppy's ears, then settled back into peaceful slumber. Under Spike's watchful gaze, she slowly exited the room and closed the door.

That's when she backed straight into Angel's broad chest.

Angel's arms came around her waist to steady the dark slayer. "Faith. What are you up to?" Coming from anyone else, it might have sounded accusatory and suspicious. Angel just sounded curious and bemused.

She turned in his embrace to face him. "Checking on Dawn." She muttered, eyes downcast.

"And Spike?" He asked with a smile.

She just nodded, feeling slightly uncomfortable as his hands rested on her hips. She wasn't used to being touched, at least not in a nice way. She wasn't used to this much interaction with other people . . .or demons, for that matter, She wasn't used to holding stakes anymore. Which brought her to her top concerns. She wasn't used to being trusted. She wasn't used to being trustworthy.

"What is it?" Angel looked at her with his fathomless eyes, and she squirmed. "What's the matter? Is it Spike?" He questioned. "If he makes you uncomfortable . . ."

Faith shook her head and met his gaze for a second. "I guess, it's just . . .it's this. You." She gestured to where his hands rested lightly on her. She smirked. "Not used to family affection time."

"Oh, I see." It makes sense. She's been in prison. Not like they get with the hugs there. Faith waited for Angel to remove his hands and back away, giving her as much space as she needed, like he always did. Instead, she felt Angel's hands slide to her back, as he pulled her against his chest. He cradled her head with one hand and stroked the small of her back with the other. His chin rested on top of her silky hair, and he breathed her in. She stiffened, her hands trapped between them, not quite pushing, but still defensive.

"Angel? What are you doing?" She tried to laugh it off, but her voice caught as she spoke.

"It's called a hug. People do it all the time." He didn't let her go. Rather, he pulled her impossible closer, forcing her hands to raise to his shoulders. "It's okay, Faith. You have to learn to be in this world. To let people touch you. To let people in. You're not in jail anymore. You've paid for your sins. Now it's time to make up for them. But you have to learn how to care about people to do that. "

Her fingers dug into his shoulders. He could feel her heart rate speed up, the catch in her breath. She was afraid. And fighting it. Fighting him.

"Sure, whatever. Hugging. Got it. Can you let go now?"

"Nope." He rubbed his cheek against her head, then leaned back a little to look in her face.

Tears welled up in her eyes. She bit her lip. "Look, I appreciate the gesture and all, but I'm okay. You don't need to . . . cuddle me." She finished, pushing at him a little.

"You don't need to be `okay', Faith." He leaned into her and whispered in her ear. "I'm going to hold you, whether you admit that you want me to or not. So you might as well hug me back and enjoy being taken care of for once." He felt her arms come around his neck as she pressed herself to him. He smelled her tears before he felt them seep into his shirt. "Shh, baby. I got you. I'm not going to let you go. Not this time." He held her for a long time while she cried.

It wasn't a pretty cry. She wasn't used to letting emotion out in front of people. Certainly not while touching them. Her face, her voice, were used to holding back, and now her grief, her gratitude, her fear, her guilt all had to get past that barrier and come to the surface. She sniffled and made sobbing and choking sounds. Angel never said a word. After the first ten minutes or so, he sat down on the ground and cradled her against his chest as he would a small child. Eventually she cried herself into oblivion. She'd had a long day. The first day. But she'd made it. It was a good start.

Angel stared at the door in front of him, wondering what was going on in there. He didn't really know Dawn. He had memories of her when she was younger, but they weren't real. He couldn't help feeling cheated. His intuition had never had the chance to get a real first impression of her and now, the memories filled him with a sense of affection that suppressed anything else he might have felt. Still, she seemed different to him now. He knew what it felt like to lose a sister. He even knew what it felt like to feel responsible for the loss. Tomorrow he would need to find time for them to talk.

As he shifted Faith's weight in his arms, his thoughts shifted to the other occupant of the room. Spike, on the other hand, he knew all too well. And he just didn't trust him. He didn't understand why Spike was so protective of the little girl. Well, actually she was fifteen now. The same age Buffy had been when he'd first kissed her. He planned to keep a close eye on Spike.

Gracefully he leaped to his feet and carried Faith into her room. He laid her gently on the bed. Then he carefully unlaced her boots and covered her small form with a blanket. He stood watching her. She was shaking slightly. And her breath still had a catch in it from her sobbing. He reached down and stroked her cheek, rubbing a lock of her hair between two fingers. She's strong. She'll come through this. Giving into temptation, he sat on the edge of the bed and buried his hands in her hair, spreading it around her on the pillow. His mind drifted back in time . . .

Angel watches as the slayer steps closer to him. I almost kissed her last night. Getting close is not an option. He steps back. She looks at him, hurt.

"You don't trust me."

"It's not that." He desperately wants to explain. He's been tempted and that scares him. Telling her that she had any kind of power over him at all is not an option. But he can't leave. Buffy has instructed him to play along, no matter what. They have to find out the Mayor's plans.

"Hey, no problem. Join the club." She turns her back on him. Damn. What if we're wrong. What if she needs help? He steps closer to her, his hands falling on her shoulders. He stumbles with words that are meant to be comforting. She turns to him. "Chump."

She tosses a vial of blood on him and suddenly a shaman appears. She means to take his soul away. Rage pours through him as he tries to stop her, to get her to prove that she's better than this. Angel falls to the floor as the demon fights to come out and play. Buffy said play along. No matter what.

Angel stops fighting and lets him out. Vamping out, he leaps to his feet. Then he does what he's been dying to do since last night. He grabs Faith by the shoulders and pulls her against his body roughly. His mouth swoops down on her, tongues tangling.

If kisses were fights, his kisses with Buffy were elegant fencing duels. His kiss with Faith was a bar brawl. When he's done, he hits her across the face for betraying him. They fight for a few minutes, with words and bodies. Soon he is down on the floor, Faith straddling him and holding a stake to his chest. He laughs. "I Should've known you'd like it on top."

"You want to listen or you want to die?"

"As long as you're there," He gave her a sinful smile, and suddenly rolled his hips under her, grinding against her in a way that made her heart pause and her breath catch in her throat. "I mostly want you to wriggle. But, I'm listening."

He wasn't really. All he could think about were the muscled legs wrapped around him. He agreed to whatever it was she was blathering on about and she stopped talking. He caught her mouth in another crushing kiss. He tries to soothe his conscience. This is just to win her trust. She won't trust me if I don't give her something. But his inner voice wasn't buying. I don't think this is what Buffy had in mind when she told me to play along.

Angelus laughed inside of him, telling him to shut up and enjoy it. And for the first time since he had last seen Darla, he listened to him. He gracefully vaulted to his feet, carrying her with him. He slammed her back against the stone wall, rocking his hips against hers. She's panting in his ear. He stops kissing her, to slide his mouth over her jaw to her neck, licking her veins up to her ear.

"You want me, slayer?"

"No." She fights back a moan. "Just a good lay."

He keeps rocking his hips with hers, rubbing all the right spots. "I don't think I believe that." He nips her ear and goosebumps cover her flesh. He reaches down and pulls off her shirt. Then he moves his mouth to her collar bone, licking softly and slowly. He changes the pace of his rocking, to something slower. More deliberate. Her thighs clench around him.

"Believe it." She buries her hands in his hair. She's resisting the inevitable. He nips at her skin, leaving a mark that she will remember for longer than it'll be seen. His hands clutch at her, stroking over her skin, kneading her, desperate to touch her. He kisses back up to her mouth.

"Liar." She's shuddering against him now. Her senses in an overloaded frenzy. Suddenly his demon needs to prove that he has some sort of power over this girl. He thrusts against her, straining inside his pants. Angel's conscience won't let him take her, he's not that far gone. But his demon is going to push as much as he can. He lowers her feet to the floor, and in a flash of movement maneuvers so that his back now leans against the wall and her back is pressed to his chest. He reaches around her as he sucks gently on her neck. One hand across her abs holds her in place. The other is involved elsewhere. He runs his finger just under the waistband of her jeans. The muscles in her stomach jump. He whispers in her ear.

"Something the matter?"

"N-no." She holds her breath for a beat. He waits for her to let it out before he unbuttons her jeans. Her hips thrust upwards. "Angelus!"

"Yes?" He intones slowly, his mouth moving to her ear. "N-nothing." She tries to control her breathing. He strokes two fingers down the fly, rubbing back and forth. Abruptly, he unzips them.

She tries to move away, but he tugs her back harshly. "Going somewhere?" He gently bites down on her neck, not quite breaking the skin. "Bad girl. You might have to pay for that later."

"Like hell I will."

"Then you can pay for it now." His hand slips inside her panties. Fingers rubbing against her slickness. He lifts his fingers to his mouth and licks them clean. "Still going to deny that you want me?"

"Yeah. You're just a lay. That's all they ever are."

"But I'm not like the rest of them. You can't control me." His tongue stroked the shell of her ear. "And a part of you gets off on that."

"I don�"

"Shh. No more talking." One finger slides inside of her. "Unless you're screaming my name." His thumb rubs over her nub. "Which you will be." And slowly he strokes inside of her and over her until he can feel her tensing. Just when she's about to go over the edge, he pauses.

"Dammit, Angelus!"

"See? I told you that you'd be screaming my name." He moves once, sliding another finger inside. "Want me to finish, baby?"

"Yeah." She breathes, shaking.

"Then say you want me." He strokes a little, she bites her lip. "Say it."

"I want you. Angelus, please!" He speeds up his movement until she explodes in his arms. Her head rolls back. She's exhausted. He picks her up and carries her to his bed upstairs. Gently, he lays her down, spreading her hair over the pillow. Sitting down on the bed, he watches her sleep and wonders what he had just done . . .

Angel wonders if she remembers all that happened between them those few days. Does she hate me for that? Does she think that I used her? Does she still feel the heat between us? He shouldn't be thinking these things. She was here to heal. And to find the path to redemption. He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. Then he headed for the door. Maybe patrolling would put his mind back where it belonged.

Faith shifted in her sleep. "Mmmm. Angel . . ." And she went back to sleep.

Angel clenched his hands. Yep, time for a lot of killing things. Working out aggression, frustration . . .taking a cold shower . . . He left the room in a hurry, only stopping once, to pick up his favorite hurling axe on the way out of the hotel. He had two hours, if he was quick. Somebody better be doing something bad out there.

It was morning, though the room was still dark from the heavy curtains covering the windows. Dawn was fighting wakefulness. Her bed had never felt so soft, like she was lying between silk sheets under a down comforter.

Then she remembered. Oh yeah. Angel. L.A. Hotel Hyperion. She flexed and stretched a bit, eyes still tightly closed. She smiled, she could feel Spike wrapped around her. One of her legs rested between his thighs, his arm was draped over her waist and her hand was tucked into the small of his back.

Her eyes fluttered open to meet his shocking blue eyes. "G'morning, little bit." He had been awake for about twenty minutes, watching her slumber. She was becoming more beautiful with each passing year. Already being her protector meant growling at leering young boys. Soon it would mean beating young man away from her with a stick. He grinned.

Literally. He could feel his body stirring. Spike was an impulsive vamp. Any other time he had waken up with a sexy little brunette in his arms and an urge, he would have taken her before the thought that a morning shag would be good had fully registered. But this was Dawn and he was her protector.

"Morning." She started to disentangle herself from him. She wasn't embarrassed to wake up this way anymore, but sleeping entwined with a vampire and being entangled with one while awake were two different things.

"And where are you going?" Spike protested, tightening his grip on her. For some reason he wanted to spend the rest of the morning sleeping. With her. "You're on a bleedin' break. Why get up so early?"

"I'm just going to the bathroom. Relax." She pushed out from under the covers and disappeared into the bathroom. After a moment he could hear the faucet running.

"Brush your teeth while you're in there, bit. I'm not sleeping with a girl in possession of killer morning breath!"

"Piss off!" Dawn laughed as she brushed her teeth. He knew her too well. She always headed straight for the Crest first thing in the morning.

When she came back into the room, he appeared to be sound asleep again. She stood next to the bed in one of Spike's shirts. Should I crawl back into bed? Or head downstairs and let him sleep alone for once? She bit her lip in confusion.

Suddenly, Spike threw back the blankets, grabbed her around the waist and flipped her onto the bed on her back. When she squealed and tried to get up, he covered her body with his own, effectively pinning her to the mattress, and pulling the blanket up around them both. "You'll catch your death of cold standing about in that outfit, pet."

"You want me to take it off, then?" Her eyes widened in surprise and she clapped her hands to her mouth. Where had that come from?

"Maybe I do." He countered, pulling her hands away from her face and holding them above her head. He tilted his head to the side, examining her face for . . .something. She held her breath. What was he doing? "Your heart's beating so fast, platelet. Why is that?"

"I don't know."

"I do." He smiled wickedly. Gently he pushed a thigh between her knees and then settled his hips between her legs. She gasped. He lowered his face until there was barely a breath between him.

She needed a way to break the tension. She leaned up and rubbed her nose against his. "Eskimo kisses." She smiled impishly. "Those are nice."

He returned them. Then looked deep into her eyes. "Real kisses are nicer."

"I w-wouldn't know." She licked her lips and he focused on them like a viper preparing to strike. "Care to find out?"

Wesley cautiously stepped into the office, Cordy right behind him. He looked around a bit, and sat down behind his desk. Heaving a great sigh, he tried to appear cool and collected. A feminine hand gripped his shoulder. �Agghhh!� He spun around. �Oh, Cordelia.�

�Don�t worry. She�s not here.�

�Yet.� He said grimly. Angel had discussed with him the fact that Faith would be living at the Hyperion for awhile, until she was assessed by the Watcher�s Council. To be honest, he was not remotely comfortable with it. But he was a fighter for the side of good now. And that meant personal sacrifice. And he would rather be trapped in an elevator with Faith than give up his position now that he had it. He was finally proud of himself. Here, he fit in, he belonged. He was . . .family, here.

�I heard that she�s not psycho anymore.� Cordelia offered with a �trident� smile. �Does that help at all?�

�Do you really think he can do this?� Wesley�s hands gripped the edge of the desk. Angel would be here within half an hour. Would the dark-haired slayer be with him?

�He�s Angel.� She shrugged as she made herself a cup of coffee. �Tea?�

�Please.� He leaned back into his chair. �Yes. But can anyone truly be reformed?�

�Do you mean redeemed?� She set his tea in front of him and sat down in a comfy chair, curling her feet underneath her. �Angel was.�

�Yes, but he didn�t have a soul. That�s why he was evil. Thus, when given a soul, well, problem solved, so to speak.� He leaned forward. �Faith was evil because she liked it.�

�I�m not so sure about that.� Cordelia�s pretty face scrunched into her thinking lines. �From what I�ve seen, being a vampire takes the blacker part of your soul and goes from there. It�s kind of like being drunk. You do things you don�t do on a normal basis, but that are still within you to do.�

�You think all people are capable of killing?� Wesley looked taken aback.

�Sure.� She smiled simply. �Like you�ve never wanted to kill someone.�

�Not a�� He paused, his thoughts drifting back to the rainy night that had caused all of this anguish. He pictured Faith and Angel struggling in the alley. His reason was blinded by images of the flames she had taunted him with while sitting on his lap. He had stood in that alley with a knife in his hand. �But there are some people�� She raised an eyebrow. �Giles. Tell me Giles could kill a human.�

�He has.� She looked at him. �First off, Ben, and before you tell me those were special circumstances, one word for you. Ripper.�

�But surely, you don�t think . . .� He shook his head. �But she�s a little more than just capable of killing.�

�She�s been through a lot. She�s confused. And being a Slayer, the constant icky demon killing, living in Buffy�s shadow . . .I can see how she got tempted to the �dark side� and all.�

�So you think she�s just more prone to her base urges?�

�I�m saying, Mr. Bates,� Cordelia grinned. �We all go a little mad, sometimes.�

Faith stepped out of the shower. Wrapping herself in a towel she stood in front of the mirror and wiped away some of the mist. She peered at herself as she had once done in Buffy�s skin. �Faith. Faith.� She whispered. �I�m Faith.� She quickly turned away from her reflection, dried off and climbed into clean jeans and a worn black tee shirt. She stepped into her bedroom, shaking out her wet hair. �I�m Faith.�

�Thanks for clearing that up, pet.� A lighter flared up. �Is this a smoking room? Hate to miss the opportunity to piss off, peaches.�

�Spike.� She said evenly, though she had been startled at first. He sat sprawled comfortably in one of the wing-back chairs. �What do you want?�

�To talk, luv. That�s about all I do anymore. Though I wouldn�t mind a bit more if you really want. Haven�t had a good shag since I dusted my last girlfriend.� He smirked. �Got over that whole blond thing real fast. You could almost say I�m all into brunettes now.� He tilted his head and regarded her for a moment. �Must say that I liked the leather better. Seemed to fit you better.�

She glared at him and sat in the chair across from him. �Make it quick.�

�Why? You got something better to do? Maybe go downstairs and make everyone uncomfortable? Have a little tete-a-tete with Wesley?� Her mouth tightened into a thin white line and she looked down. �Didn�t think so. I brought you a cup of coffee, I hope you like it black.� She looked puzzled as she noticed the cup on the small table beside her chair. She sniffed it cautiously. It smelled mouth-watering. She took a sip, then glanced at the vamp in the chair across the way.

�Why?�

�Most humans aren�t morning people. Not really one myself. I find they�re more tolerable after a cuppa joe.� He handed her his pack of smokes. �Now, have yourself one of those and get comfortable.� He opened his mouth to continue when suddenly he froze and tilted his head to the side. After a moment, Faith could hear approaching footsteps.

Then a voice calling out, �Spike?� Dawn.

�In here, Nibblet.� He waited patiently as she let herself into the room. She was wearing a pair of Spike�s jeans and a camouflage tank top. She carefully walked over and sat on the arm of Spike�s chair. Faith noticed he placed a hand low on her back to steady her.

�Good morning, Faith.� Dawn tried to ease her stance. She felt Spike�s fingers gently combing through her hair against her back and it calmed her. �Did you sleep well?�

�Like a rock, D.� She smiled at the girl. �What about you?�

Dawn nodded, lightly touching Spike�s knee in thanks. �I was going to get some breakfast. Do either of you want to come with me?�

Spike snaked an arm around her waist and pulled her into his lap. She giggled and pretended to struggle. �I was just going to have you.�

He almost already had. Suddenly she became still in his arms, her stomach muscles contracting in the most pleasant way. She was back in time to this morning. He had been about to kiss her. She was sure of it. Then, lightning quick, he seemed to come to his senses and he had jumped out of bed, proclaiming he needed a shower.

I almost already had. He had stayed in the ice-cold shower for nearly half an hour. Of course, it wasn�t her in particular. When you keep waking up to a warm, sweet- smelling body nestled against you, reactions were bound to happen, he told himself. That�s all it was. �Faith and I were just fixing to have a talk. Why don�t you go see if the Poof will get you some breakfast. He makes good eggs.� He shoved her off his lap, though gently. �Go on, bit. You can bring me back a mug of blood, if I�m not down there before you finish.�

�Um, ok. Faith, do you . . .want anything?� Dawn really wanted Faith to like her and she hoped she didn�t sound like a dweeb.

�I�ll be down for some of those eggs in a minute, girlfriend.� She gave the girl a warm smile. Dawn left the room as quietly as she had come. Faith turned back to the blonde vampire as she lit a cigarette. �You were saying?�

�Stay the hell out of my bedroom.�

Dawn giggled she heard Spike order Faith to keep out of their bedroom. She had been aware of Faith checking up on them last night. But she knew that Spike would take care of it. He always did. She headed down the stairs, her thoughts still on her would-be protector. They had become fast friends. Partners in crime, so to speak. Lately, though, things were different, tenser. She sensed some underlying restlessness about him that she didn�t fully understand. But it gave her the shivers sometimes.

She paused halfway down the main staircase. Angel stood at the bottom, his head cocked to one side. He hadn�t turned to acknowledge her, so he must be listening to something else. She stayed still for a moment and she heard it, too. Wesley, Gunn and Cordelia. They were talking about a shower and . . .horror movies? Dawn looked back at the broody figure in front of her. A wicked smile covered her face. Carefully she tip-toed down the steps until she was a breath behind him. She silently counted to three and them pounced on him, reaching for his ticklish spot as she knocked him off his feet.

�What in the hell!� He landed with a loud thud and a priceless look of shock. Then he burst into helpless laughter as Dawn kept tickling him. �S-stop! H-help, please!�

Dawn smiled and finally relented. �Do you admit defeat?�

�For now. But revenge will be mine. Just you wait.� He conceded, tucking an arm around her waist as she sat beside him on the floor.

�I want eggs.� She smiled impishly. �And pancakes.�

�Hey, I want eggs, too!� Cordy called.

�And maple syrup!�Wesley addded.

�And bacon?� Gunn asked. The trio stood in the doorway watching their former boss rolling about on the floor like a kid, and promising breakfast like a short-order cook. For a moment, they forgot about Faith and the good fight. It was good to be happy and hungry for right now.

Angel smiled at his friends. �Sure. But you�re all helping.� He climbed to his feet and offered Dawn a hand. �Is Faith awake?�

�Yeah. Said she�d be down in a little bit. She�s talking to Spike.� Angel nodded. They all headed downstairs. Wesley was the last to join them. Nobody saw the look of fear on his face.

�You wish.� Faith grinned, taking a hit off her smoke. �I have one word for you blondie. Jail-bait. That�s all I got to say.�

�I told you. There�s nothing going on between platelet and me. I�m her protector. And that�s that.� He put out his cigarette.

�Protector doesn�t necessarily mean no nookie, and you know it. Oldest trick in the book if you ask me.� She drained the last of her coffee.

�Nobody did, luv.� He locked eyes with her. �I meant it though. Stay out of my bedroom. Nothing comes between Nibblet and me and lives to tell the tale.�

�Gotcha.� She settled back. She kind of admired his grit, even if he was a vampire. And anyone who looked after Dawn was good in her book. Spike took a sip of his own coffee.

�So, how long have you been in love with her?� Spike spit coffee all over the carpet. �Maybe you should stay out of my bedroom, too. I liked that carpet.�

The mug crashed to the floor. �Wesley! Are you ok?� Cordelia cried from the living room where they were all eating.

�Y-yes. I�m fine. Sorry.� He called back.

Cordelia looked over to Angel. �Go say something to him. You�re not going to have anything left to eat off of.�

Angel entered the kitchen quietly. The young English man was sitting on a chair, surrounded by broken glass. He was breathing shallowly, and his face was unnaturally pale. �Wes, are you ok?�

�I-I�m fine. I�� He sighed. �I�m a little nervous. That�s all.�

�Look. Wes, you don�t have to do this.� Angel leaned against the side of the table. �I appreciate you�re going along with this, but really, if you need to get out of here, go.�

�I don�t have to leave. I can do this.� He persisted stubbornly.

�Listen. I�m not suggesting you quit. I�m saying take a few days off. Hell, take a vacation. Get out of here.� Angel smiled. �Besides, my other dishes are going to need therapy at the rate you�re going.�

�I, but I just think . . .�

�Listen. Take Cordy and Gunn and go. Go to Sunnydale if you need to be useful. She�ll do better without the crowds, I think.� When Wesley started to protest again, he put a hand on his shoulder and added. �You�re going to hurt things here more than help anyway. I don�t think she�s ready to face what she did to you.�

�Alright then. We�ll go.� He nodded his head, still feeling guilty, but relieved. He stood up and picked up his coat.

�Uh, Wesley��

�No, it�s ok, Angel, I understand.� He edged towards the door.

�No, Wes��

�I�m sure there�s some helpless in Sunnydale.� He put his hand on the handle.

�Wes��

�We can fight the good fight outside of L.A. !� He started to open it.

�Wesley!�

�Oh!� He jumped back from the door as if Angel had yelled �SNAKE!!�

�What?�

�You can finish your breakfast first.�

�Oh. Right then. Breakfast.� He still wasn�t hungry. �Maybe just some coffee?�

Angel wordlessly handed him a styrofoam cup and went to join the others.

Spike lay on his bed, pondering what the brunette slayer had said. �Love?� He hadn�t loved anyone since . . .Buffy. Well. It was easy to see that the way he felt for Buffy had nothing to do with what he felt for the Little Bit. But before Buffy there had been Drusilla.

Now, there was a problem. That was a little similar. There were times, when he swept Dawn up in his arms, twirling her around and walking her through the graveyard, her dark hair swinging over his arm, that he felt like his old self again. He felt strong. Powerful. And he didn�t want to lose that. Ever. But was it love? She was too young. She was almost sixteen. A week from tomorrow. His brows knitted together. He should get her something special.

A wicked voice deep inside him had a few suggestions. He tried to ignore them. He would take her out. They could have dinner. And go dancing. He�d love to show off. Maybe they�d take Peaches along. He could find ways to devil him the whole night. And Nibblet would help. She had a real ornery streak to her.

�Spike?� A soft voice said.

�Bloody hell!� It was Dawn. She was getting better and better at sneaking up on him. �What�s up, Nibblet?�

She hopped up on the bed beside him. �I brought you some breakfast.� She handed him the mug, quickly. It was so warm it had almost burned her skin.

He took it from her. �Didn�t burn yourself, did you?� He asked as he sipped it. It was hotter than usual.

�No! Well, maybe just one finger, a little.� She held up the reddened digit for his inspection.

�That won�t do, pet.� He took her hand. Then he raised his eyes to meet hers. Slowly he pulled her hand toward him. He took her finger in his cool mouth, his tongue easing the hurt, then gently suckling.

She gasped. �S-spike . . .�

He let her go. Did she even understanding the significance of that act? Did she feel the tension between them growing day by day? �So, what shall we do today, bit?�

�Cordy�s going to take me shopping before she leaves. She and Wesley and Gunn are going to visit Sunnydale.�

Spike nodded. �Keeping �em away from Faith, is he?�

�I think so.� She admitted.

�Hey, chin up, platelet. We�re not going back.� He assured her. �Tell you what. When you get back from your shopping trip, you can take me up on my offer.�

�Which one?� She stared at him, and for a moment they thought about his other offer.

Would you like to? Then he shook it off. �Want to learn how to hotwire a convertible?�