TITLE: Who is the Big Bad here? AUTHOR: Leni DISCLAIMER: Nope, but you can sue me. I'm way too bored. TIMELINE: Future, pre-Testing the Waters SUMMARY: Spike is being Spike and Dawn will make him pay for it. Friendship fic. DEDICATION: to Wolf for helping me beta VFI and to Kristi because her muse needs to be bribed. FEEDBACK: Oh yes! --- Spike smirked as he saw the darkhaired boy hurriedly scrambling away. He watched until the scrawny figure disappeared in the crowd and then smiled self-confidently. Not as evil as before, but he still had his touch intact. "No spine," he tsked amusedly. At his side, Dawn huffed. Spike looked down at her, but the teen wasn't facing him, instead looking resolutely in another direction. He nudged her, noticing how her nostrils flared in anger. He decided not to comment on that. That would only make her glare and leave, probably sromping her feet all the way back to her apartment. What had he done now? "Are you angry?" Dawn whipped around, her narrowed eyes saying that he knew that she *was* angry and why. "Come on, pet, that puppy isn't worth this," he reasoned. "Pete. Is. Not. A. Puppy," she said through her teeth, arms crossed over her chest in annoyance. Spike chuckled. "Right." He snorted for good measure. He'd noticed the thin boy shadowing them for the last half hour. Spike had to admit that 'Pete' had a good reason to do it, Dawn had become a very good-looking young woman somewhere in the last three years. "That's why he followed you even though you weren't alone. And with very good company, I might add." Her eyes rolled. "You are more conceited than I thought." But she didn't refute his 'puppy' argument anymore. He tilted his head. "No, I'm not. You know exactly how conceited I can be." From the look in her eyes that comment hadn't earned him any points. "Dawn, darling, don't be mad. I'll go in only another two hours..." "Not soon enough," she muttered knowing he'd hear it. Spike had scared her friend with some too well-placed threats and murderous glares. She didn't like Pete, but that wasn't the point. When had Spike decided he'd do the older brother act with her? Dawn was beginning to count herself lucky that he hadn't established his residence in this city. Right now she couldn't even remember why she'd insisted that he came visit her for the long weekend. "You didn't mean that." There was something soft and a little hurt in his stance. Her sigh and the brief softness in her eyes confirmed his statement. Spike smiled, coming closer to her and taking her elbow in his hand. She looked at the spot he was touching and then lifted her eyes to his, her expression clearly wondering what the hell was he planning now. He winked in response. "I'll take you to that ice-cream parlour the pup-" Her eyes flared and her body stiffened. "*Your friend* mentioned." Dawn eyed him carefully and Spike used his most innocent expression. "Coconut and choco-strawberry?" she finally asked, falling in step with him. "Whatever the lady desires," he answered, grimacing inwardly at the mix of flavours. That combination was sugar and honey, too sweet to swallow. His friend had the weirdest tastes. She grinned. "That one is for you." Ignoring his surprise, she continued. "You owe me one, Spike." He looked down at the menace beside him. "Smart ass." She shrugged. He deserved it, if not for scaring the little stalker away then for not even trying to apologize. "Whatever I desire, remember?" Just like his Bit to turn his words against him. Shaking his head, Spike thought that he'd taught her a little too well. He tried pouting, it had saved him before from similar tortures. This time it didn't work. Dawn smiled confidently when she saw she'd won this round, threading her arm familiarly through his. Pete was completely forgotten, except for the fact that his presence had given her the perfect opportunity for some quality Spike-teasing time. Now Dawn remembered why she liked the blonde visiting her in Boston; he always made sure she was happy before he had to leave. Even if it included eating ridiculously sweet desserts. The End 25/05/04