All characters belong to Joss Whedon, The WB Network, and 20th Century Fox. I am just a fan.

Spike sat up abruptly, still trying to force himself back into reality. He immediately leaned over the side of his bed and found Dawn lying in a heap beside it.

"Dawn, love, are you alright?" he asked, worry washing over his features.

She slowly rose into a sitting position, rubbing the back of her head.

“I'm... what happened?" she asked, realizing she was lying on the floor in the vampire's bedroom.

Good question. What did happen?

Spike got out of bed and helped the teenager to her feet.

"Are you sure you're well, pet?"

Dawn looked up at the concerned vampire and smiled softly.

"I'm fine, Spike. But, did I..."

Her words trailed off, as if reconsidering what she wanted to say.

"Did you what?" he asked.

Dawn looked down at her feet and shook her head.

"Never mind," she told him. "Good night, Spike."

And with that, she turned and left the room. Spike still stood there, trying to remember what exactly happened. Everything was a blur. He shrugged and climbed back into bed. Maybe his mind would clear up a bit come morning.

As he closed his eyes and drifted back to sleep, Buffy's face appeared before him. Or so he thought. The image quickly vanished and was replaced with a vision of Dawn... and she smiled at him.

* * * * *

"Get up! You're sleeping the whole day away. Besides, I'm hungry."

Spike groaned and plastered his face into his pillow, blocking out the sounds of Dawn's incessant prattling.

"Go away, Nibblet. Let a fella get some rest," he grumbled, his voice still groggy from sleep.

"But, Spike, it's like lunch time!"

He reluctantly rolled over and looked up at the girl, adjusting his eyes to the dim light. At least he had remembered to pull down the shades or she'd be talking to a pile of dust, instead of a vampire.

"It is?"

"Uh, yeah. And my dad's not back yet."

Spike rolled his eyes and began to stand up. That bloody pillock. Didn't even have the decency to come home and see his own daughter.

"Alright, hurry along then. Lemme get dressed and I'll whip you up somethin' to eat."

Dawn nodded and skipped out of the room.

Spike proceeded to get changed, all the while having this uncanny feeling as if something was off. Wasn't there something he was supposed to do? Or remember to do, rather? Not being able to place what it was, he frowned to himself and headed down the stairs to find Dawn sitting at the table with a magazine.

Seeing him enter the kitchen, Dawn smiled at him.

"I covered all the windows for you. Figured getting burnt to a crisp wasn't on your "To Do" list for the day."

Spike chuckled under his breath and noticed another note sitting on the counter. He picked it up and read to himself.

Sorry I couldn't stick around to make you breakfast, sweetheart. Work wanted me in early today. I should be back later this evening, but there's a pizza in the freezer when you get hungry.

- Hank

Anger surged through Spike as he crumpled the letter up in his hands. Couldn't even sign the damned thing with 'Dad'. That pathetic excuse for a bleeding...

"So, what's the plan for today?" Dawn asked, interrupting his thoughts.

Spike glanced at her and headed towards the refrigerator.

"Don't know," he replied. "I could take you gambling, if you want. I bet there's some mighty fine casinos 'round here."

Dawn giggled and Spike smiled to himself.

"So," he said. "Fancy a sandwich?"

"Salami and peanut butter," she replied, casually.

Spike shrugged and began rummaging through the fridge for its contents. Suddenly, a wave of... something rather... coursed through him and he stopped dead in his tracks. He remembered. He remembered the dream.

"Dawn."

He approached the table and sat down. He was about to speak, but he noticed Dawn's eyes grow wide, as if they had remembered at the same time.

"I know," she told him, her eyes looking confused. "I know."

Spike narrowed his eyebrows at her.

"You know what, sweet bit?"

"The dream, and Buffy, and you..."

She locked eyes with him.

"It's like..."

Again, Dawn stopped herself. That couldn't be possible. Or could it? She was a part of Buffy... could Buffy be apart of her? Even in death?

No, that was insane.

"What is it?" he asked her.

"Last night," she began. "Did you dream of Buffy?"

Spike nodded.

"Me too. But, it was like... she was me. She was working through me... in my dream."

Spike's expression was unchanging. "Are you sayin' that --"

"No, forget it. It's stupid. Um, I'll go get the mail."

She stood up, her chair squeaking against the hardwood floor, and quickly left the apartment, leaving Spike to sort out his own thoughts.

* * * * *

Dawn tossed and turned, not being able to fall asleep. Being too scared to fall asleep. What if Buffy came back to her? What if she....

This was crazy talk. Pure and simple. Buffy was gone and none of her silly little dreams were going to change that.

With a deep breath, Dawn closed her eyes and willed her dreams to come forth.

* * * * *

Spike stared at the ceiling, his hands behind his head. He tried for hours to fall asleep, but it was just no use. Every time he closed his eyes, Buffy's beautiful face and melting smile appeared before him and he would awake with a start. Hopefully, the bite-size one was more successful in the shut-eye department.

Suddenly, Dawn appeared in the doorway. She just stood there, staring at him.

"Nibblet? What's the matter? Why aren't you in bed?" he questioned now sitting up.

Dawn walked towards him slowly, her face expressionless.

"It's me," she said.

Spike cocked his head to one side, as if trying to decipher her words. "Dawn, maybe you should --"

"No," she said, shaking her head. "It's me."

He swallowed hard, his eyes locking with hers.

"It's Buffy."

Silence washed over the room.

Drowning in You: Part V
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