Cheekbones {a btvs Spike story Buffy}

Chapter 20 - Cuddles and Chaos

Spike's protective arms drape around Amber from behind. They're together on the armchair, while Dawn snores on Spike's big bed. 

"I'm so worried, Spike."

"I know, love."

She looks up, catching his bright eyes. They seem to have so much life for a dead man nowadays. His reassuring smile rains down on her.

"Glory is so strong, we can't protect Dawn forever." She lifts her thumb to gently stroke the scar on her boyfriend's left eyebrow. A memory flashes into her mind. She lets out a soft laugh.

"What you laughin' at?"

"It was you, wasn't it? When I was unconscious in Xander's basement. You were next to me, holding my hand."

He doesn't respond but his face confirms her theory. "When did you start having feelings for me, Spike?" she asks, still brushing his eyebrow.

Spike thinks carefully before responding, "Out of Buffy's friends, you were always my favourite. It was something about you. I think it was your smile. I didn't even realise how I memorised every detail about you until I look back now."

"What did you notice?"

"The way you twist your hair when you lie, or how you stick your tongue out when you concentrate. The night you got turned, it wasn't yet love, but I knew I needed you to be ok."

"That's so sweet."

He lets out an embarrassed huff. 

"I love you."

"I love you too, Amber," He leans down and plants a kiss on her waiting lips. 

They drift off together, the intruder creeping through the shadows going unnoticed...

The figure stalks across the room without the faintest sound, over to Dawn. She lies fast asleep, her chest slowly rising and falling. The creature presses a damp cloth over her nose and mouth. Her eyes snap open in alarm but she is knocked out cold before making any noise. 

She's gone by the time they wake up. 

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She sits silently in the the corner of the strange room, head bowed and eyes shut. She's rocking slowly back and forth to distract herself from the thudding and the shouting. The chains feel too cold. Her heart feels paralyzed with fear but the constant drumming in her ears proves she's not dead quite yet.  

Knees to chest and back pressed against the wall.

Buffy will be here soon.

She has to be.

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The crash of the crypt door being knocked off its hinges startle them awake. 

"Where is she?" Buffy demands, stomping over to the vampires. She is wearing red leather pants, a thick black jumper and her trademark leather jacket. 

Amber opens her eyes groggily and yawns. Buffy doesn't take kindly to this.

"Both of you!" she shouts. "Where is she?!"

"In the bed," Spike groans sleepily. Amber gets up and sees that it's now daylight outside. 

"What time is it?"

Buffy responds, "3 o'clock. She's not here." 

"What?!" Bile rises is her stomach. "How can she not be here?"

Buffy turns to face them both, arms crossed. "That's what I'd like to know."

"Buffy, Dawn came here yesterday, around midnight. We stayed up till about 5am and then we all went to sleep. Why would she leave so soon?"

"What makes you think she left? It has to be Glory."

Buffy storms out, most likely to Giles and Willow - they'll be the most help at finding Dawn's whereabouts. 

Tears prick Amber's eyes like needles. If she had just watched over Dawn instead of going to sleep like a careless idiot... 

"I know what you're thinking, love. There's no point. All we can do now is wait until nightfall and stop this ritual Glory's got planned."

"You're right." She admits, the knot in her stomach loosening. He was annoyingly right. There was no point worrying. She'd have to stay here unless she fancied spontaneously combusting as soon as she stepped foot out of the crypt. Based on her extensive knowledge of demons, the ritual probably has to take place at dark anyways. She sighs as Spike hugs her from behind. 

"Your hands are cold." she complains.