Helping Dawn

     based on the screenplay of Joss Whedon's Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Forever

     Spike was walking by himself, in the graveyard, keeping an eye out for anything odd. As he walked to the usual demon hotspot, he saw Dawn, sitting at her mother's grave, playing with a spell book. She obviously thought that the spell she picked would bring her mother back, but instead she was using a zombie spell. I'd better stop her before she turns mommy into a flesh-eating monster, he thought.

       "You're venturing into zombie territory," he commented as he walked up behind her. He could tell she was somewhat startled, and she replied,

       "Spike? You're not going to tell Buffy, are you?" At first, he thought he should tell Buffy, but the look on Dawn's face changed his mind.

       "No, Little Bit, I won't tell. I want to help."

                                                                                                 ***

       The two were walking down the street, on there way to find a spell, when Dawn commented, "I know why you're doing this."

       "Tell me then, why am I doing this?"

       "You want to get Buffy's attention."

       The comment fueled Spike's temper and he replied, "Buffy doesn't hear about this, got that? And if I found out she did, I will put you in the ground."

       The comment didn't seem to scare Dawn, but he was sure she wouldn't be tattling to Buffy anytime soon.

       They walked into the place where Spike was sure they would find a good spell, and as they stepped in, he wondered if it was closed. He was slightly amused when Dawn scrunched up her nose and said, "It smells like Grandpa in here."

       The man they were looking for rushed to meet them. "Just because the lights are off doesn't mean the magic's out!" he began to chatter until Spike explained, "The little one's mom kicked it a day ago."

       He told Dawn he was sorry for her loss, then told them about a spell they could use. The only thing they needed now was the egg of some special demon, and Joyce would be back. Spike wasn't too sure about what he was telling them, but he was ready to get that egg. He and Dawn left to go finish the job, but little did he know, there was something he wasn't telling them.

       They had located the the place where the demon made its nest, and Dawn was all too happy to get that egg.

       "Look, I'll take care of the demon, you stay here."

       "But who's supposed to get the egg while you distract it?" Dawn asked.

       He sighed. "Alright, but you do as I tell you. Wait for my signal." He made sure that she stayed put, then walked forward with his axe, yelling at the big, winged creature. "Hey, heads up!" The demon woke up immediately, and to Spike's surprise, it had four heads. "Uh, yeah."

       He swung his axe at it and dodged one of its many heads, then looked to see Dawn reaching for an egg. She grabbed one and screamed, "Spike, I got one! Come on, let's go."

       He took a few more swings at the demon, then ran towards Dawn. Everything went find until they went running for the entrance, and Dawn dropped the egg. Aw, Dawn! She began to run back for another until he stopped her; it was too dangerous to risk. "Dawn, leave it!" he yelled.

       "But Mom..." she ignored his plea and ran back, and he knew she wouldn't give up so easily. He rushed back to see the creature standing over her, as she tried to grab a huge, pink egg.

       He grabbed his axe, and with a rush of adrenaline, yelled, "Leave her alone!" He struck the beast's shoulder and it grabbed him with one of its mouths; he heard a crunch and cried out in pain. He heard Dawn scream his name and managed to escape from its mouth, to see her running in front of him, an egg in hand. When they stopped, Dawn was wearing an apologetic look. "I'm sorry," she said in a shaky voice.

       "It's alright. Look, do you think you can handle this spell on your own?"

       "But I thought-"

       "Look, I'll get you and the egg home, and that's it, okay?"

       "Alright."

       They walked back to the Summers' house and Dawn invited Spike to sit down. He wanted to object, but he was feeling exhausted and accepted. He sat down and pulled his shirt off, wincing as he did so. Dawn froze momentarily and then left to go grab the first aid kit. He cleaned it to avoid infection, but he didn't bother to bandage it; it was healing already.

       After he was done he said his goodbyes, and proceeded to leave before Buffy showed up. He wished Dawn good luck, then left to get some rest.