Two vamps, a girl, and a prophecy

Summary: What happens to Spike (and Angel) after ‘Not Fade Away.’
Rating: NC-17 Explicit sexual descriptions (later on), some language.
Pairings: Dawn/Spike, with a small side of Buffy/Xander.
Feedback: Yes, please. This is my first time posting a fic, so be gentle!
Archive? : Ask me first.
Beta: I need one!
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em. I’m just borrowing them for a while since Joss isn’t using them anymore.

Chapter 16

“Dawn?” Spike leaned over the edge of the bed and stared down at Dawn uncertainly. “What’s with the tumbling routine?”

“Are you okay?” Dawn demanded breathlessly, jumping to her feet and staring intently at him. “Spike? It didn’t get to you, did it?”

“Did what? Huh?” He cocked his head confusedly for a moment, but then his face fell as his eyes lit with understanding. “It almost happened again, didn’t it.” He sighed miserably.

“Almost…so, you didn’t feel it? You’re sure?” Dawn reached for him unconsciously, then held her hands up in front of her dazedly. “I didn’t notice it was happening until…god…it was almost in my h-hands…I could have…”

“But you didn’t,” Spike smiled reassuringly, but his eyes were sad, and Dawn’s heart sank. “Guess I wasn’t right, after all.” He shrugged meekly.

“Guess not,” Dawn muttered, staring at the floor dejectedly. “I hate this!” She growled angrily. “The universe hates me!” She declared, not caring about the blatantly whiny tone of her voice. “It’s the only explanation for why my life just sucks completely!”

“I think if anything you’re second on the Powers hit list,” Spike muttered angrily. “It’s me they’re after. Sadistic bastards! Can’t even just kill a bloke outright. Gotta jerk him around…wave everything he ever wanted in his face first, before they yank the rug out from under him. ‘Oh, you can’t have her, Spike. Wouldn’t want you to fall in love and settle down with someone who, God only knows why, actually loves you back. That might actually make your lousy life worth living, and we can’t let anyone just be happy, no, no, can’t have that…’”

Smiling somewhat goofily despite the hopelessness of their situation, Dawn opened her mouth to ask if Spike really wanted to settle down with her; but before she could say anything, Spike’s annoyed ranting was cut short by Buffy and Xander, who suddenly burst into the room, armed with axes and swords. “What happened?!” Buffy yelled, scanning the room frantically for a moment before she stood up straighter and lowered her sword. “Um, what happened?” She asked again, more quietly, her nose wrinkling in confusion.

“I, uh…I touched Spike and the energy thing started to happen again,” Dawn mumbled, blushing slightly. “Sorry I scared you. I kind of scared myself…” She added with a shudder.

“It happened on its own? You weren’t trying?” Xander asked gently, wrapping his arm around her comfortingly when she nodded her head miserably.

Spike growled softly, his eyes turning yellow. “Oy, Harris…rub it in why don’t ya?”

“Huh?” Xander stared at him confusedly, then winced and dropped his arm. “Sorry, Spike.” He walked over and sat beside Spike, patting the vampire’s shoulder awkwardly.

“S’alright,” Spike sighed. “Sorry. It’s just…not fair.” He pouted irritably.

Dawn groaned and flopped down on the foot of the bed. “Tell me about it.”

“Aw, Dawnie…” Buffy sat beside her and rubbed her back gently. “It’ll be okay. Angel and Giles are working on something…they’ve got all the slayers looking some demon that’ll be able to cure Spike.”

Dawn sat up abruptly, grabbing Buffy’s arm. “They found someone who knows the antidote for dragon venom?” She asked eagerly, feeling a surge of hope bubbling in her chest despite herself.

“Why didn’t anyone mention this before?” Spike asked suspiciously.

“Well…we weren’t sure if the demon even exists anymore, but Faith just called. One of her contacts in Cleveland reported that there’s been a clan of Mohra living in Salt Lake City for decades. She’s on her way there now with a couple of the Sunnydale girls to try to capture one.” Buffy beamed happily at the startled couple.

“What kind of demon?” Dawn asked after the shock had worn off, frowning slightly. She wanted to be excited, but a sudden chill seemed to have taken hold of her, and she had an unshakeable feeling that something was horribly wrong.

“Mohra?” Buffy looked questioningly at Xander, who nodded affirmatively.

“Yeah, apparently Angel had a run in with one right after he moved to LA. It’s blood can supposedly restore anything. It actually turned him human again, but he had to find a way to reverse it because he wasn’t strong enough to fight it as a human, and it nearly killed him.” Xander explained, looking slightly confused.

“So, the cure might only be temporary?” Spike snorted, throwing up his hands in disgust. “Wonderful!”

“Nope, it’s permanent,” Buffy grinned. “He had to get the Powers to turn back time to undo it. Once you’re cured, you’ll be cured for good.”

“But…doesn’t that mean…Spike will be human?” Dawn couldn’t help but smile, despite the nagging feeling of unease that was building in the pit of her stomach.

Xander reached over and clasped Spike’s shoulder gently. “Yep…I won’t be able to call you Fangless anymore, Fangless.” He chuckled, completely at ease with his former nemesis. It was amazing, Dawn thought, what finally winning the girl could do for a guy’s attitude toward his former competition.

“You’re an idiot, Harris.” Spike snorted, shrugging him off, but his huge smile belied his words.

Xander thought for a moment, then sighed and rolled his eye. “Oh, right. Well, maybe I’ll just keep it up until you learn to say my name, then. It’s easy…‘Zan Dur.’” He pronounced the syllables exaggeratedly. “You should try it some time!” He slapped Spike on the back good naturedly.

“How about I just call you ‘Dur?’” Spike grinned mischievously, then moaned softly and rubbed his forehead.

“Are you okay?” Dawn asked worriedly when he began shivering uncontrollably.

“Y-yeah,” Spike stammered quietly. “Just a little tired. It’s kind of cold in here, too.” He pulled the covers up around his shoulders and yawned loudly.

“We’ll get out of here and let you get some sleep, then.” Buffy smiled warmly at the vampire, and reached out for Xander’s hand. “I could use a little rest, too.” She added, winking at her boyfriend. “And so could you.”

“I’m not tired,” Xander shook his head slightly, and Buffy smirked at him, raising her eyebrows questioningly. “Oh!” His jaw dropped open slightly and his face lit up. “Oh, right…rest. Yes. I could definitely go for some of that.” He grabbed Buffy’s hand and bolted for the door. “Bye, guys!” He called over his shoulder before dragging the giggling blonde out of the room.

“Tact and subtlety are really not their strong suit,” Spike observed with a snort.

“Aww, they’re cute,” Dawn admonished, smacking him playfully on the leg then jerking her hand away fearfully. Biting her lip, she slid off the side of the bed and stood up. “I guess I should go and let you rest.”

“Stay with me?” Spike asked pleadingly as he squirmed around, trying to get more comfortable. Finally settling against the pillows piled behind him, he patted the bed beside him and smiled at her hopefully.

“No, Spike,” Dawn shook her head adamantly and stepped away from the bed.

“C’mon, Luv. No touching. Just lay down beside me?” He begged shamelessly. “Please? I don’t want to be alone…” He chewed his lower lip nervously and looked up at her through his eyelashes.

“Stop that!” Dawn laughed, holding her hand in front of her eyes.

“Why? Is it working?” Spike chuckled softly. “Come on, Dawnie. Please stay.”

“Okay,” Dawn nodded agreeably. “But not on the bed. One of us might roll over or something. I’ll sit on the lounge.” She a thumb toward the heavily padded piece of furniture near the windows, where she frequently sat to read.

“Pet…” Spike started to protest and yawned again.

“I’m not even tired, Spike. I just slept for most of a day!” Dawn interrupted. “I’ll just sit here and read a book or something, okay?”

“You won’t leave?” He asked, yawning adorably as his eyes began to drift shut.

“I won’t leave you, I promise,” Dawn carefully tucked the covers in around him and gave him a quick, cautious kiss on the forehead, barely grazing his skin before pulling away.

“Soon as I’m better, I’m going to kiss you for 24 hours straight,” Spike mumbled sleepily.

“You won’t be able to,” Dawn giggled. When he opened one eye and looked at her groggily, she said, “You’ll be human…you’ll have to stop to breath, among other things.” She explained with a playful wink.

“I want babies. Always wanted lots of babies,” Spike murmured as his eye slipped shut again, then let out a soft snore.

“Oh Spike,” Dawn sighed, sitting on the edge of the bed and gazing down at him longingly. She could easily imagine a chubby, smiling baby with curly blonde hair and Spike’s piercing blue eyes, and she smiled dreamily. Taking a chance, she reached out to caress his cheek, and he moaned happily in his sleep, pressing his face against her hand for a moment before she reluctantly pulled it away. “You’ll make a wonderful father someday.” She whispered, brushing her lips across his forehead again.

“Not if he’s dead, he won’t!” A deep, rumbling, and rather annoyed voice declared suddenly from the previously vacant lounge behind her.

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Thank you to everyone who reviewed! I'm sorry it took so long to update again...When I started posting, I thought this story was finished, but I realized part way into it that I was horribly wrong, so I've been rewriting it as I post, and I got writer's block something awful from all the holiday stress. I think my muse has recuperated now, though.