Cheekbones {a btvs Spike story Buffy}

Chapter 17 - Dawn in Danger

The best thing about winter is the longer days, aside from Christmas, of course. More time for Amber to visit her friends. She can spend the night with the gang now they're off school or work for the holidays. She struts into the Magic Shop, closely followed by Spike, feeling content.

Their hands break away as soon as they step through the threshold. 

"Hey everyone!" she calls as she plops down into a chair and throws a bunch of leather-bound books onto the table. "Found anything more on Glory?"

"Yes, actually." It's Giles. His eyebrows are furrowed in concentration as he consults a very large book. A thick drop of sweat runs down his temple. He knows something big.

"What is it? Where is everyone?"

He takes a deep breath, "Dawn is the key. We found out yesterday. Everyone's at Buffy's right now, I was just about to head there myself."

"Dawn is the key?" Amber repeats. "Huh?"

"Dawn isn't actually Buffy's sister. She's been planted as a memory into all of our minds. At least, that's how I understand it."

"I... I don't understand."

"Well, she is a real girl. A human girl. It's strange and hard to wrap your head around, I know. Dawn is the key to getting Glory back to her home, and as she's demonstrated, she'll do anything to get to her."

If Amber's heart could beat, it would break her chest. Dawn was in real danger. This wasn't a game anymore. It was all well and good when she thought the key was nothing to do with her - a myth or long-lost artefact. But now, here it is, living in the same house as the slayer. Glory had been so close! Too close.

"Does Dawn know?" Amber queries, a stab of pain piercing her chest at the thought of what the teenager must be feeling right now. She packs her books back into her rucksack. 

"No. And it is important she does not find out."

Amber and Spike exchange glances. 

"It's only going to worsen the blow when Niblet finds out," Spike says, "Come on Watcher, I thought you'd have enough sense to -"

Giles suddenly flares up and raises his voice: "This is not your call Spike! We have no idea how Dawn will react to this! Teenage girls can be emotional at the best of times-"

"Erm, I object to that!" Amber interrupts. 

"Oh for -" Giles stops himself and takes a deep breath. He adjusts his glasses but Amber speaks before he can.

"Don't worry Giles. We won't tell. You know where we are if you need our help. If anyone does. Spike, maybe we should go back, I think it would set everyone else on edge even more if we show up."

"Fine by me, love." Spike replies, and Amber visibly tenses up. Giles, in a quick change of mood, sniggers to himself and Amber opens her mouth to say something, but can't find the words.

"Do the others know?" Giles asks, a twinkle in his eye.

"I don't know what you're bloody yapping about, Watcher." Spike grabs Amber's arm and takes her with him out the door. Just before they leave, she makes eye contact with Giles. She shakes her head and he nods in realisation. His small smile reassures her that he'll keep it a secret.  

-----------------

"Oops." Spike's insincerity is irritating. He hates the fact Amber isn't ready to tell everyone, but respects her choice nonetheless. 

"You suck." she replies, nudging him with her shoulder. She's wearing his leather trench coat. Another silly mistake that could easily give them away. "Spike. I love you. You know I do. But... Oh, I don't know. Do you think Buffy will hate me?"

"This is all kind of offensive, love." he puts on an exaggerated, high-pitched voice, "Oh, Spike, don't you think Buffy will be simply disgusted that I'm shagging an evil, lowlife vampire?! "

"Shut up!" she shrieks, punching him playfully in the ribs. They take the long route home, through the park and down a path suitably named 'Lover's Lane'. It's Amber's favourite spot in the whole of Sunnydale. Although the trees are bare and coated in light snow presently, it doesn't stop her for imagining what they're like in summer - beautiful blossoms of pink and white. "Don't be such a dick!" 

There's a cold evening breeze and Amber brushes her windswept hair out of the way as they walk. They make it back without any surprise vampire attacks - thankfully.

She busily starts making tea, while Spike automatically goes and gets some biscuits from a golden tin. They don't even speak, they just get on with what has become a normal routine after a cold winter's stroll. 

Spike stops abruptly, as Amber sets down the overflowing mugs on a wobbly table that is very close to breaking from old age. "Yes?" she coos. 

"Have I mentioned lately that I fancy you a bit?" He smiles, placing his hands delicately on her shoulders.

"I'm gonna need some proof." she replies lovingly, their faces inching closer and closer and...

...

"This is nice and all but I'm still freezing." She sinks into the soft sofa and Spike sits right next to her. They settle in each other's arms and switch on the fuzzy tv. They enjoy their tea and biscuits, when Spike says, mouth full, "God, we're like an old married couple."

"Well, you are old." she teases, "What are you again? 126?"

"Yeah, but you will be too in no time. Time flies when you're having fun. Before you know it, you'll be 100."

"Ugh. The thought of living forever makes my brain hurt."

"Well, there's no guarantee you won't get staked. Sorry, love. I didn't mean it. You have me to protect you away."

Amber shoots him a sharp glare. 

"Yeah, yeah. I know. You don't need saving. Girl power and all that."