The battered armchair that Spike would probably fight to the death for was actually very comfortable. It wasn't clean, the cloud of dust that expelled from the old material almost made her choke, but she began to understand why he loved it so much. The comfort and possibly the fact it was the only normal item in the room aside from the television. A sarcophagus in the corner, a box filled with weapons against the wall... It was certainly how one would expect a crypt to be. Buffy wouldn't use the word 'homely' to describe it, but the chair certainly helped.

In a way, the battered piece of furniture reminded her of the relationship herself and Spike share. It's a little rough around the edges and it doesn't provide the comfort they both need, but when there's little choice and dire need, it does the job perfectly.

As she closed her eyes briefly, Buffy could hear the voices downstairs and was glad that the conversation appeared to be amenable. Dawn's high-pitched laughter broke through the stone floor on several occasions, but Spike's lower tone didn't quite make it. To have Dawn and Spike on speaking terms again made it seem like the relationship wasn't just for her, it was for Dawn as well. If Buffy decided to abandon contact with Spike, there was no way she would be letting her little sister spend time with a vampire.

The thought only drilled into her just that: Spike *is* a vampire. A chipped and relatively harmless vampire, but one of them all the same. They could be sleeping one minute and she could have her neck bitten the next. Two minutes later she could be dead. But Spike wouldn't do that. He was downstairs with injuries that would be crippling to a human, but his main concern was hugs and making sure Dawn was okay. He is a good man. Buffy smiled, making a mental note to tell him just that. He was never a monster; it was just her method of defence. Tell him that he's no good for you and it'll make the pain easier...

As the blonde slayer made an attempt to pull herself back to her feet, another burst of dust flitted around her. It caused her nose to tickle and a short cough, but it quickly faded.

In a period of time so short that Buffy barely had time to look up, the crypt door burst open. The door was never locked, but whoever the culprit had opted to force it off its hinges regardless. Buffy jumped to her feet, completely unprepared for the encounter.

"Well, well, well..." A deep voice spoke, footsteps loud on the concrete floor. "If it isn't the slayer."

Buffy poised herself in battle position, but couldn't hold the confusion from her features.

"Who are you?" She spoke, as she looked the vampire up and down. He was vamped out; long dark hair framed his face in an untidy mess of straggles.

"It's not important who I am." He shrugged.

"Let me guess," Buffy rolled her eyes, "It's what you want?"

"Bingo."

---

Downstairs, Dawn's laughter was instantly halted as a cold hand clamped over her mouth.

"Shh, 'bit." He whispered, grimacing as the quick movement jostled his ribs. "I can hear someone up there."

The brunette's eyes were as wide as the moon, fear washing over her as she realised the possible danger for her sister. She nodded anyway, indicating that he could release her mouth.

"Bollocks, 'bit." Spike ground out from between tightly clenched teeth. "You." He pointed at her, "Get under the bed and don't move a muscle."

He strongly doubted that he'd be able to creep up the stairs with such stealth as he usually could, but with the ignited adrenaline beginning to flood his senses and the need to hold back from game face arising, he'd do whatever he could to protect his favourite woman.

---

"I'm not about to let you go down there."

Buffy folded her arms, relaxing slightly under the gaze of her companion, who was becoming less intimidating than first thought.

"Listen, slayer," The vampire spoke calmly, "I don't want to fight. I just came here to take back what is rightfully ours."

"'Ours' being who, exactly?" Buffy queried, wishing this guy would just get to the point; throw some punches or leave them alone.

"We have a surgeon."

She shrugged.

"We are sure that he will be able to bring William the Bloody back to his former glory."

"Wait, what?" Buffy's arms were instantly at her sides once again. "The chip is beyond your immortal comprehension, mister."

"I agree."

Did he just bow?!

"Our surgeon. He is brilliant. So many years of experience."

"So you want to cut open his head and mess with his brain just so your what, army?"

He nodded his head.

"Just so you have a crazy bleached blonde vamp amongst your ranks?" Buffy stepped backwards. "It's not happening."

She was preparing to go in for the kill now, working out her advantage, planning a method of seamlessly releasing her stake, wondering if Spike would mind vamp dust on his comfortable couch.

"I suggest you leave." She tried the easy option.

He scoffed, shaking his head. "I will not return empty handed."

"Hello? I am the sl-ay-er." She accentuated each syllable. "I dust freaks like you all of the time. If you wanna play it the hard way, fine."

Before she could move in, the vamp was already darting in the opposite direction, his gaze firmly affixed on the gaping hole.

"Spike, you idiot..." She muttered under her breath.

And she bolted too, grabbing the younger vampire by the shoulders and spinning him around. He already had threw a punch at Spike, but she had no time to think about that. She grabbed her stake and with one easy action forced it through the denim jacket he wore until the dust settled on the hard floor.

Buffy stood stunned for a moment, still poised with her stake in hand. What on earth...

"Buffy!" Her sister's voice jarred her alert. "Get down here now!"

The vamp had pushed him back down the steps, and now Dawn was trying to stem the blood from the back of Spike's head as well as figure out what to do with his arm that was really, really not supposed to bend like that.

"Oh my god, Buffy!" Dawn yelled again as her sister did not immediately join them on the floor. "We need to take him home with us, now."

Buffy took one look at Spike, realised he was royally screwed and nodded her head.