Be A Man

Awaking early, Spike lay on his back staring at the blood coloured ceiling thinking. He knew that something was off with Joyce, he could sense something but couldn’t quite pick up what it was. His Nibblet was going back to school in a few days and the only other visitor he’d had was the good witch.

He needed something to do with his time now he was able to go out in the daytime. Maybe a job to help pass the time. It wasn’t like he needed the money, he had no real need for anything other than blood and he had paid for everything in the apartment with the money he’d gotten from the jewels in that crypt. The rest of the jewels were safely locked in the most secure vault he could find.

He had promised Nibblet she could have half of them for her college fund but Joyce had assured him that her ex husband would provide for Dawn’s education. Now there was a wanker Spike never wanted to meet. If Spike had the three Summers women to himself, nothing but his dust blowing in the wind would make him let go of them.
His thought’s disturbed by the phone next to his bed, Spike answered gruffly, pissed off at being disturbed so early in the morning. Apologising to Joyce for being rude, Spike rolled out of bed, getting dressed and heading over to Revello Drive to find out what was so urgent that he needed to know at seven thirty on a Saturday morning.

Letting himself in the backdoor, He smiled at Dawn and took a seat wondering why the Scoobies were assembled in Joyce’s kitchen.

Riley scowled at Spike as he let himself into Buffy’s kitchen. What gave him the right to just let himself in to the Slayers house? Especially when he himself had to ring the doorbell and wait for it to be answered. And why the hell did the bleached wonder even have an invitation into the house?

Missing half the conversation as he silently ranted, he was oblivious to Buffy and Dawn as they began to cry, their tears and pain washing over his head until he saw Spike gather the three girls in his arms and squeeze them tightly.

“What do you think you’re doing?!” He demanded, seeing Buffy bury her head on her mother’s shoulder he stopped. What was wrong?

“Are you ok?” He tried a different tack, being the only one not upset about what was said. Willow and Tara were sniffling quietly, Xander and Anya were talking quietly, the formers eyes looking suspiciously watery and Buffy, Dawn, Joyce and Spike were still wrapped up in one another.

“Buffy?” He tried again, a strong hand on his arm pulling him back,

“Have some tact man.” Xander told him quietly. “It’s not everyday your mom needs brain surgery.”