The Confrontation
Written by Belle_Joy
Rating: M15+
Pairings: Buffy and Spike
Disclaimer: I own no one and nothing, especially the characters in this story. I'm merely borrowing them for the pure pleasure of messing with their lives.
Buffy woke to the sounds of faint laughter coming from the kitchen. The first thought that crossed her mind was that Dawn and her mother must be having breakfast. It was then that the awful memories of the past two days came flooding back to her. They hit her like a tidal wave. Her mother had been in a car accident. She was dead. Dawn had run away. Spike had found her. Buffy groaned, she had forgotten about Spike. She had told him he could move in, for Dawns’ sake. She took a deep breath. It would be him that was laughing with Dawn. He was probably making some stupid comments. With a hefty sigh Buffy swung her legs over the edge of the bed and moved toward the kitchen. She figured that she had better go and see what all the laughing was for and remind Dawn that she had to go to school.
Dawn was sitting at the breakfast bar eating her cereal. She had a large bowl of it and every time she took a mouthful she splashed more milk onto her chin and the bench. Spike thought it was the most adorable thing he had ever seen. He found it interesting though, Dawn always acted so much older than her 15 years, but while she was eating her breakfast all he could see was the little girl inside her. She caught him staring at her and looked up at him and smiled. A big wet milky patch on her chin. It was then that Spike had burst with laughter.
He passed her a napkin from a side table and grinned at her. She felt like a real dork now. So much for being the grown up girl that could take care of herself. Although, she didn’t mind so much that is was Spike. She liked the thought of him looking after her. She was hoping Buffy could see that now, she too needed looking after and Spike was the perfect man for the job. She had obviously seen fit to let him stay the night seeing as Dawn had found him sprawled on the couch in his boxer shorts when she woke this morning. She was glad Buffy had let him stay. But she was a bit offended that she had made him sleep on the couch. But then, where else could he have slept?
Dawn: I am glad that Buffy let you stay the night.
Spike: Me too Bit.
Dawn: Are you going to stay again tonight? I would really like it if you did.
Spike: Well, after you ambushed her, big sis decided to let me stay in the basement, at least till you’re both feeling better.
Dawn: Yay. I knew my plan would work. See I told you I knew how to get my own way.
Buffy: You always did have the innocent little girl thing down pat.
Dawn turned her head in surprise; she hadn’t heard Buffy come down the stairs. She looked away ashamed. Buffy came over to her and placed a reassuring arm across her shoulder.
Buffy: It’s ok. He’s here now. I decided that. So I guess we are stuck with him.
Spike looked over at the sisters and his heart ached. He loved them both so much. He yearned to be included in their embrace but he knew he had a long way to go until then. He sighed. Buffy caught sight of his apparent feeling of sadness at not being included in their embrace and gently disengaged from it herself.
Buffy: So, after breakfast Spike and I are headed to the Magic Box. Dawn you have to go to school.
Dawn: Buffy, no. I don’t wanna.
Buffy: Dawnie, you have to. I know you wanna be with me but I have lots of important work to do today, so I need you safe at school.
Dawn: But if I was with you I would be safe.
Buffy (taking a deep breath): Dawn, please don’t argue.
Spike: Hey Nibblet, you can go to school today and then I will be here tonight to play cards with you, now how ‘bout that?
Dawn: NO. I don’t want to go to school. I want to be with you guys. I don’t want to be by myself.
Buffy: Dawn I really don’t want to get cross right now….
Spike (interrupting Buffy): It’s ok pet. Nibblet why don’t you come with us? You can help me hide from the sunlight.
Dawn (running and hugging Spike): Thank you thank you. I will go and get ready right now.
Dawn bounced out of the room. Spike smiled to himself. He liked to see her happy. He turned to talk to Buffy but stopped short when he saw the look of death in her eyes. At that, he rolled his own.
Spike: What is it Slayer? What sin did I perpetrate this time?
Buffy: You told her she could come.
Spike: Caught that did ya?
Buffy: I told her she couldn’t come.
Spike: But she was getting upset, I just wanted….
Buffy: Just wanted to what? Stomp all over my authority? You can’t do that to me. She needs to listen to me. She has to. I am all she’s got.
Spike: Not all pet, she got me too, (He clears his throat), and the rest of that gang of yours.
Buffy: It’s not the same Spike, and I would appreciate it if you stayed out of it. Be ready to go to the shop in five minutes.
With that final comment she turned and stormed angrily to her room. Spike sighed deeply. He still couldn’t get things right.
When they finally reached the Magic box everybody else was already there. Willow and Tara were looking through some books at a table, Anya was serving a customer and Xander and Giles were talking on the other side of the room. It was an odd feeling that descended upon then when they saw their friends. The gang didn’t know about Joyce, they didn’t know that Spike was living in Buffy’s home now. It was going to be a great conversation.
Buffy: Hey guys.
Giles: Buffy. Dawn. Spike.
Xander: How’s my favourite girls?
Willow/Tara: Hey. (They looked at teach other and giggled)
Buffy: Guys, I want you all to sit down I have some really bad news and, well, I need you to sit down.
Xander: What is it Buffster? You can tell us.
Buffy sat down in a chair opposite Willow and looked up at Giles. He could see the fear in her eyes and he also noticed how Spike had placed a reassuring arm around Dawn. Whatever it was that Buffy was going to tell them, it was big news, and it was anything but good.
Buffy: Yesterday there was an accident. My mother was in a car accident. (She gulped a big breath of air) She was in a car accident. Oh god, um, well...
She couldn’t get the words out.
Willow: It’s ok, Buff you can tell us. Is she all right?
Buffy looked her best friend in the eyes and Willow could see that they were laced with tears. Willow gasped.
Willow: Buff, Buffy. What happened?
Giles: It’s ok Willow. Let Buffy speak.
Buffy looked at Giles for a brief moment thankful, then she looked back down at her hands. She concentrated on breathing. She didn’t need to pass out. She turned her head to look at her sister. Dawn was nuzzled in close to Spike’s chest; he was stroking her back and whispering soothing things to her, just like he had the other day. Buffy sighed; she wished someone would comfort her.
As if he had read her thoughts, the next instant Spike had moved forward with Dawn and sat her on his lap, taking the seat next to Buffy. He placed his other hand reassuringly on her back and rubbed it softly. He looked her in the eyes. His look seemed to urge her on, begging her to continue.
Giles (pleadingly): Buffy?
Buffy (crying): She’s dead Giles. My mother is dead.
The sound of silence filled the room. Spike looked at each of the Scoobies in turn. Willow and Tara clung to each other crying. Anya was staring at them all with her mouth open; Spike was not sure whether it was for shock or because she wanted to ask a question. He shook his head at her and she shut it. Xander paced around and kicked things occasionally. He too had tears in his eyes although he was trying to be too manly to let them fall. Giles, well Giles was a hard one to read. He stood completely still and had his eyes shut. It was as if he was having a conversation with himself. In the end the sadness must have won because he sat down, removed his glasses and put his head in his hands. He only sat for a split second though before he strode over and took Buffy into his arms. Spike half smiled at this rare show of affection from the Watcher. Spike’s attentions were drawn back to the child on his lap as she tried to snuggle in closer; he put both his arms around her and rocked her gently.
The gang stayed that way for about 20 mins before Anya finally spoke.
Anya: What happens now?
Xander: Would you just be quiet, can’t you see were upset, Buffy is upset….
Buffy (interrupting Xander): No. She’s right. We need to move on to what happens next.
Buffy untangled herself from her Watcher’s embrace and then gently pulled her sister from the vampire’s lap. Her and Dawn walked back in front of the group. Buffy was holding onto her sister’s arm for dear life, as if she would collapse if Dawn wasn’t there.
Buffy: Today I have to go and identify the body. I want Giles to come with me. I also want the rest of you to watch Dawn for me.
Dawn: But Buff…
Buffy: No Dawn.
From the look on Buffy’s face Dawn knew not to argue. She turned for help to the blonde vampire but he just shook his head. She sighed. She had lost. Well, maybe it was for the best.
Xander walked over and took Dawn by the arm.
Xander: It’s ok pal, we’ll look after you good and proper.
Tara (jumping up): Y-Y-You can help us clean the store and put away s-s-stock
Anya: But you won’t be paid.
Xander sent Anya a withering glance which sent her scurrying back to the cash register.
Willow: What can I do? I wanna do something.
Buffy looked around the room. She knew that she had more news for this group and they were going to hate it just as much as the first lot.
Buffy (taking a deep breath): Actually you can go with Spike. Help him get some of his stuff, and take it back to my place.
All (loudly, angrily): What?
Buffy (taking a deep breath): Dawn asked Spike to stay with us for awhile ‘til she gets back on her feet. I said he could. He will be staying in the basement. He knows all the rules.
All eyes were suddenly on Spike. He could sense an argument coming. He stood up preparing to defend himself.
Spike: Look…
Dawn (interrupting): Buffy’s right, I asked him to stay. He makes me feel safe. He makes both of us feel safe. I think.
Xander let go of Dawn and walked forward to within inches of Spike’s face.
Xander: You’d better not stay long, and if I hear one thing that you have done wrong I will not hesitate in staking you.
Giles: Xander sit down.
Xander: But...
Giles: No. if Buffy said yes, then it is ok. It’s obviously what her and Dawn want. Let’s leave it at that for today; we have enough things to deal with. We can deal with this Spike issue later.
Spike (offended): Issue? I’m an issue now am I?
Giles: I didn’t mean…
Spike: No it’s perfectly clear what you meant. I’m leaving. You coming Red?
Willow looked from the Watcher and Xander to Spike. She didn’t like this tension. She looked to Buffy for a solution. Her eyes pleaded with Willow to go with the vampire. Willow supposed she would, if it would make Buffy feel better. She turned leaned over to her girlfriend and placed a gentle kiss on her lips saying she would be back soon and take good care of Dawn. Then she followed Spike out the door.
Buffy: I really don’t want everybody to fight. Spike will only be staying a short while, just until Dawn feels better. It’s all really ok.
Xander: Well you know we’ve got your back. Ok? If you need anything else, you let us know. Even if it is to stake Spike.
Buffy smiled slightly at his attempt to be manly. Xander just didn’t pull it off. She sighed.
Buffy: Dawn, I am going to go now. Please be good for everyone. No trouble. No touching. You do what they tell you.
Dawn: Buffy, I will be fine.
Buffy: Giles, you ready
Giles: No. But please, let’s go anyway.
Buffy: Xander, Tara, Anya, We will be back soon. If Spike and Willow come back before me, can you please ask him to take Dawn home? And promise no fighting.
All: Ok.
Giles took Buffy’s small hand is his own and led her out the door. This was one time he was very worried about his Slayer. She needed him more than ever and he hoped he would be up to the task. At least she had a strong support system behind her. It was times like these he was glad that he hadn’t enforced the Slayer works alone rule. He sighed deeply as he led her to the car. It was going to be a very long day.
End of part 6.
