Disclaimers: I own nothing. All characters and places and some plot lines and all that other jazz belongs to Joss Whedon.

Pairing: I cannot believe I am about to say this... Spuffy... This is a one time only thing though, people. After this, I go back to writing Spillow.

Spoilers: Up to season 5, I guess...

Summery: Instead of sending the key to Buffy in the form of her sister, it was sent in the form of Spike and Drusilla's daughter. But with Drusilla gone, Spike's raising his daughter by himself. And wasn't the key supposed to be protected by people who loved her?

Author's notes: Spike doesn't live in a crypt. He still has money from when he was human, and then from other places we probably don't want to know about. Spike doesn't have a crush on Buffy. Yet. Set right after Buffy VS Dracula, you know, when Dawn is introduced.

When the monks decided to send the key to the slayer in human form, they decided that the best way would be to send it to someone who would make sure the key was loved. They also decided that the key would be safest guarded by a slayer and a vampire. They took the blood of the slayer, and mixed it with the blood of two of the world's greatest vampires, and then sent it to Sunnydale. The key became Dawn Crawford, the only known human child of two vampires. What the monks failed to overlook, was the fact that the vampire wouldn't be able to protect the child because of a chip in his head. Nor did they predict that the slayer would hate the vampire. Still, the key was safe, even though she had lost her mother years before and now lived with her father, and occasionally various minions.

"Mom?" Buffy asked as she walked into her mother's house. "Are you here?" She called as she closed the door behind her. In the distance, she could hear voices speaking. "Mom?" She called again.

Suddenly, Joyce Summers poked her head out of the kitchen. "Oh, Buffy, you're here." She said happily. "Can you come in here, for a moment, please?"

Confused, Buffy nodded, and walked into the kitchen where she saw a girl with long brown hair sitting at the table drinking hot chocolate. "What are you doing here, Dawn?" She asked the fourteen year old coldly.

"Buffy." Joyce chided.

Buffy glared at the girl. "Daddy!" Dawn said melodramatically.

"In a minute, Bit." Her father said as he continued his conversation with Joyce.

"Spike?" Buffy groaned as she walked over to her mother and the blonde vampire. "What is she doing here? Not to mention what are you doing here, talking to my mother?" She crossed her arms angrily.

"Buffy." Joyce scolded her daughter once again.

Spike rolled his eyes. "Can you help me then, Joyce?" He asked completely ignoring Buffy's presence.

"Of course, Spike." Joyce smiled at him. "How long are you going to be gone?"

Buffy's eyes widened. 'What are they talking about?'

Spike shrugged. "Only about a week or so." He said.

Joyce nodded. "And she has her stuff with her?" Spike nodded. "Good. We'll take good care of her for you, Spike."

"What!" Both Buffy and Dawn asked.

Spike looked at Dawn, who had left her seat at the table and was now standing in front of him. "Baby," He said kneeling in front of her. "I have to go to LA for a couple of days." He explained.

"But can't I go with you?" She pouted, and then lowered her voice. "Don't make me stay with her." She looked pointedly at Buffy who glared at her.

"Dawn." He said warningly.

"Daddy." She whined again. "I'd rather see Grandpa Angel then stay with Buffy for a week. The Old Poof is better than her." She complained.

Joyce stifled a laugh, while Buffy glared at Dawn. Spike however, smiled at his daughter. "I know, Nibblet, but I have some business to take care of in LA. Business that doesn't involve you."

Dawn pouted at her father. "Please?" She asked pouting again.

Spike shook his head, again. "No. Go get your stuff out of the car." Dawn nodded, knowing she wasn't going to win. Silently she walked out to the car. While Dawn left, Joyce quietly slipped out of the room.

"You aren't seriously going to leave her here Spike!" Buffy yelled.

Spike rolled his eyes. "What do you expect me to take her with me to LA?"

"Why not?"

Spike sighed. He was going to have to tell her why he was going to LA. "Slayer, one of Angel's sources spotted Dru in LA." Buffy looked at Spike confused. "He said Dru was goin' around talking about a daughter and saying how they were going to take over the world, and paint it red." Spike shuddered.

"You don't think she was talking about-" Buffy stopped as Dawn walked into the kitchen carrying her bags. Suddenly, Joyce was back in the room, and led Dawn upstairs. Once Buffy was sure they were gone she lowered her voice. "You don't think she was talking about Dawn, do you?" She asked noting the fear in Spike's eyes.

"Don't know. That's what I'm going to find out." Spike told her.

Buffy nodded.

"Just make sure she doesn't get into any trouble." Spike told her. He turned to walk out the door, but stopped. "Please, Buffy." He pleaded using her real name for once. 'Wow, he really does love his daughter. That's so sweet. Wait. Sweet? Since when is Spike sweet?'

Before Buffy could reflect on her thoughts any further, Dawn ran back into the room and wrapped her arms around Spike's neck. "Please don't make me stay here too long." She begged. "Come back soon." She whispered into his ear. Spike nodded and stepped away from his daughter.

"Don't cause to much trouble, Dawn. And remember to-"

"Mix blood in with my orange juice in the morning. I know Dad." She rolled her eyes at Buffy's grossed out look. "What?" She asked her. "I am part vampire you know." She told Buffy. She looked pleadingly at her father. "Please come back from the poof's soon."

"Dawn, don't call Angel that." Buffy complained as Spike shook his head.

Spike swept his daughter back into his arms and kissed her gently on her cheek. "It won't be too bad, pet. And remember, Clem's gonna be back in town on Tuesday."

Dawn smiled. "Really?" She asked as her father pulled away from her.

He nodded and then walked towards the door. "Remember, Slayer," He said as he turned around to face Buffy. "She dies, you die. I don't even care about the pain in my chip, it will be nothing compared to the pain I will put you through."

Buffy nodded in understanding. For once Spike threatening her didn't bother her. She realized how much Spike loved his daughter and she figured that if she had a son or a daughter, she would act the same way Spike did. She sighed and turned towards Dawn. 'It' gonna be a long week.' Buffy mused as a wicked gleam filled Dawn's eyes. 'A very long week.'

Well? What do you think? Please review. Comments, opinions and ideas are welcome, but please keep your flames to yourselves.