Author's Notes: Various characters in the Buffyverse react to Spike's presence in Sunnydale, and his love for Buffy. Comments appreciated, flames will be extinguished. Email can be sent to cobalite@yahoo.com.

Encounters on A Grave: Pike By Cobalite Ice

It had been years since he'd even spoken to her. They'd gone their separate ways after Hemery burned to the ground, and the last time he'd heard her voice was when she'd called to say Ford was dead. The occasional letter was his only clue she was still among the living, and when they'd finally stopped coming, Pike knew Buffy had finally given up. He'd done some research on his own. Buffy had beaten a few records living as long as she had. He never heard the footsteps behind him. "Not again. Alright, who are you? Some long lost cousin?"

Dawn poked Spike in the ribs. "We don't have any long lost cousins. This is the long lost first serious boyfriend. It's good to see you again, Pike."

"His name is Pike?" Spike let out a chuckle, and started to introduce himself, until Dawn whispered something into his ear.

"Pike is a friend of Ford's. The cancer patient you turned and Buffy had to stake. Pike told her if he ever met this Spike guy he'd be dust so fast he wouldn't know what hit him" Dawn let go of his ear. "So be good, William."

"Nice to meet you. Little Dawnie, all grown up. I'm so sorry about your mom, kiddo." Pike raked his eyes up and down Spike's form. "Buffy usually went for tall dark and handsome. Where'd she find you?"

Spike almost growled. "At the Bronze, if it's any of your business. And you're right, Buffy never went near a guy who wasn't at least four inches taller than her and had some secret fetish with darkness."

Pike just nodded. "I just wanted to hear the real story. Both versions I've heard are ridiculous."

"Let's hear them."

"The cops say she was being stalked by a hospital intern named Ben. That he repeatedly threatened her, and finally kidnapped Dawn, got a couple of her friends almost killed. He tells Buffy to meet him at an abandoned construction site, and while she's untying Dawn, he pushes her, then jumps himself, and suffocates on his own blood. Good story, if you didn't know Buffy's three times as strong as your average male."

"Thanks. We thought it up all by ourselves." Dawn took a moment of pride, and then pressed on. "What's the other version?"

Pike's voice dropped. "They say she killed a god."

"That's not true." Spike said, and watched Pike's face before delivering the final blow. "Her Watcher finished the bloke off while Buffy went to stop the world from ending."

"An actually god?" Pike squeaked.

"Oh yeah, a hell god. Real bitch, or bastard depending on which form it took. I still have scars." Dawn lifted her tank a little. "They needed my blood."

"A real god. I always knew she'd done some amazing stuff, but..." Pike trailed off. "She saved the world a lot, huh? How many times?"

"Seven if you include Lothos. One sophomore year, one junior year, one senior year, two last year, and this latest disaster." Dawn sighed. "And the Council didn't even send flowers."

"She did okay for herself. She ever find anyone who loved her as much as I did?" Pike looked at Spike out of the corner of his eye.

"Three times. Most Slayers never found one man who could love them. Buffy found four."

Pike noticed something. Spike's lack of the need for oxygen. "I don't mean to be rude, but, are you a vampire?"

"For the past century."

"Dawn, get away from him." Pike pulled a cross from his back pocket.

"Pike, it's okay. Buffy told him to look after me. He wouldn't hurt me, even if he could."

"Could?"

"Can't hurt anything human, so put the cross away. Besides, every vampire in this town knows you never mess with the Slayer's kin and live to tell the tale."

"How could you love anyone, let alone a vampire Slayer?"

"No one said the Aurelius line was sane. You should meet my sire. Got himself a soul, goes around saving the innocent in Los Angeles."

"Man, she warned me none of the vampires in this place were in their right minds. All the vamps I meet just want to snack. Here, they fall in love, and baby-sit their mortal enemies kid sister. I've had just about all I can take. I can't stay, Dawnie, but if you ever need me, here's my cell phone number." Pike handed Dawn a card, and kissed her on the cheek.

"Keep safe, Pike. Don't let the demons bite'cha."

"I'm good so far, aren't I? Take good care of her, William. She's getting to the age where they start to burn down buildings."

"That's okay. It's one of my favorite hobbies."