Because He Needs Me by DreamsofSpike
Chapter: Safe at Home

11/15/2009 03:38 pm
DoS, I have read this story on FF.net, on your site, and now finally here.  It is one of my favorite Spuffy stories, your writing is absolutely wonderful.  This is however, the first time I have commented on your writing, and for that, I almost feel like I should apologize.

May I just say that this is how Dawn should have been allowed to be on the show.  I think there were glimmers, but for some reason, the writers enjoyed making her out to be whiny and immature.  Your portrayal of Dawn, I've always thought, was much more realistic and more what the fans wanted.

Also, when are you coming back??  There are a couple unfinished stories on your site that I am dying to know the endings of.  Hope to see updates soon.  I love your work.

01/24/2007 11:52 am
Guh, Dawn never listens.... and I was hoping he'd bite her or something. Damn you. lol
nope...i actually *like* dawnie... :P

12/17/2006 04:47 am
Well maybe not quite ready for that one. Knowing how much Dawn loves him is enough to tear anyones heart apart. And did Buffy just admit that she loves him too? Now he has everything he needs to survive, even if he doesn't know it yet, at least he senses it. Another fantastic chapter.
yes, both girls love him, and they will help him get through this...

12/02/2006 03:43 pm
I am so crying at this scene. It's amazing how much Dawn is able to verbalize her own, and Buffy's feelings. I think it's telling that Spike's fear reaction to her is minimized, even greater than his response to Buffy. Dawn may have to comfort both of them because they both seem so lost and unsure.
thanx so much, glad you're enjoying it...yes, spike has no underlying bad memories of dawn, so it stands to reason he would trust her more quickly

Lou
11/29/2006 12:45 am
God that was so moving! It's lovely to see Dawn being so mature - Spike must sense his Niblet in some way.
thanx so much, so glad you liked it :) yes, in a vague sort of way, he remembers what they had

11/28/2006 04:24 pm
All I can say is that Spike and Dawn always had a way of trusting each other. And even in this state he knows her and trust her.
yep :)

Aurelia
11/26/2006 10:48 pm
I just love Spike/Dawn friendship. I was always sad that they stopped that on the show. They were cute together. If Spike was going to blindly trust-well maybe not blindly, but he would give her the benifit of the doubt- anyone, it would be Dawn. Update soon plz
yeah, dawn is the only one in this situation that he would completely trust...he has nothing to base it off of at this point but vague senses from his past, no actual memories...and dawn never hurt him, so of course he'd trust her first...

11/26/2006 09:18 pm
You had me in tears.
i'm glad...and i mean that in the kindest possible way :) thanx so much for the compliment :)

11/26/2006 08:29 pm
Spike's always loved and protected Dawn even before his promise to Buffy, so it's natural that Dawn would protect him. Even if he doesn't remember it, Spike's been hurt by Buffy, so maybe he senses that now. He and Dawn have only ever cared for one another. Maybe he senses that, too.
precisely, love...he trusts dawn on a basic, instinctual level, as the only one he knows at the moment who's never hurt him...and that will be dealt with a little later on :)

pretty_in_fangs
11/26/2006 05:10 pm
That was an absolutely marvelous chapter. Dawnie had me spell-bound, too.
thanx, i was hoping for that reaction, not sure if i had pulled it off or not :) thanx so much

Jessie-55
11/26/2006 04:37 pm
OMG what's going to happen now? poor Dawn seeing her friend like that.

How long before Spike start's to see again?
yes, poor dawn...and spike will regain his sight, among other things...but first he has to get at least a little blood in him, poor guy :(

BT
11/26/2006 03:47 pm
I never considered Riley as a suspect for Spike's condition - just assumed it was Xander, unitl I read some of theother reviews. I rather hope it's Riley - I actually like Xander...
I completely understand Buffy's reaction to the whole thing, too - panic, fear, desperate need to help him, but not really knowing how (and who would, really, given the magnitude of his injuries?). Then, here comes Saint Dawn to the rescue - I think I'd be kind of hurt that she could just go in and do exactly the right thing, even if I was kind of relieved that there ws somebody else to help, who Spike responded positively to.
I can't wait to see the mystery os who did it continue, now that I've been opened up to the fact that it may BE a mystery!! :)
actually, at this point several suspects have been names, the most common three being xander, riley, and angel...all of whom could logically be the villain...some have even mentioned Robin Wood or even giles as potential culprits...though making them guilty would require major twists on my part :)
and yeah, buffy's not doing anything wrong, really, she just doesn't know how to deal with spike right now, she was never really kind to him before, and now that he needs it, it's hard for her to give that...
dawn, on the other hand, just sees her good friend, like he's always been to her, and there is no other way for her to treat him than how she always has -- with love and compassion...in some part of spike's mind, he remembers that... :)
thanx so much for your kind words :)

cooncat1122
11/26/2006 03:25 pm
Great chapter. Dawn handled everything so well.I would hate to be the one responsible for Spike's condition with these 3 ladies protecting Spike. More please.
lol...so right...whoever it is, he's going down! :)

11/26/2006 03:25 pm
Nice to return and see more of this story.
thanx :)

Nic
11/26/2006 02:57 pm
Oh My Gosh!! This is gonna be such a tear-jerker. I am really looking forward to reading more of this story, and seeing how Spike is going to heal with Buffy and Dawn by his side. But don't drag it out too long :P
thanx so much, glad you're into it so far...it's gonna take a while though....and just what exactly are you saying???? :P *my* story?? run on and on and on until people start to wonder if it's ever going to end?? bite your tongue!!! :P

Tonia
11/26/2006 11:34 am
Damn it! You made me cry! Lovely chapter though. I'm not suprised that Dawn was able to reach him. He's always loved her and she has always loved him. There was no deception or lack of trust with those two. Dawn accepted him, demon and all and I bet a part of him still remembers.
thanx, glad it touched you...and you're spot on with the logic here... :) everyone else, buffy included, was cruel to him at one time or another -- dawn never was...therefore a part of him still senses that he is safe with her, she intends him no harm :) thanx for the great review :)

11/26/2006 11:24 am
I'm so glad Dawn got to touch him, so glad he let her touch him. I feel so sorry for all three of them.
Great update, can't wait for the next.
thanx so much :)

Catrine
11/26/2006 11:16 am
He`s home!!!Such a wonderful chapter. I really like this mature,cofident Dawn. I hope it`s enough to lead Spike through his amnesia.Excellent writing,so true to the characters.
thanx so much, glad you liked it...dawnie will certainly be a help :)

11/26/2006 09:27 am
Masterful! Perfect chapter. Buffy still scrambling to know what to do and how to do it (not to mention how and what to feel) but Dawn just following her heart to the right response!!! So very in character. Yes, Spike may not remember the person, but he would always recognize the emotion! He IS love's bitch, how could he not recognize love even if he can't name it at the moment??

Just lovely. Still waiting to have my worst fears for Spike resolved by a complete examination. I am sure Dawn will be of great help in tending to his damage....not just wounds.

This continues to be just note perfect, oh Mistress!

Kathleen
that's the benefit of dawn's still having her youthful innocence...she knows that ideally, the love of those who care about him should be all it takes to break through to spike..so for her, that's it...that's all it takes...and she's closer to right than grownups like buffy might think...thanx so very much for the kind review :)

11/26/2006 06:56 am
beautiful read, thank you. one of dawn's best ever scenes. and buffy came off pretty good, too.
thanx so much, so glad you liked it :)

11/26/2006 06:45 am
awww.... That is so touching! Its.. just.... there are no words!!!


EXCELLENT update DoS :D
thanx so much :)

11/26/2006 05:17 am
wow very moving. LOVED damn with spike. glad buffy finally backed off and let dawn do what she needed to do for herself and spike. I always loved the friendship between spike and dawn . I really hated when it ended for them on the show.
yeah, in my little verse here, it *didn't* end :P thanx for the review :)

11/26/2006 05:09 am
Awww, DoS, you almost had me in tears, great job! Very touching, Dawn going to him. And was his reaction to her kindness or because some way he knows her still? And Bufyfy's breakdown, excellent. Can't wait for more.
well spike has very vague memories right now, mostly of feelings and such, not actual names and faces and events...he does sense that she is safe...thanx so much for the kind review :)

FetchingMadScientist
11/26/2006 05:05 am
Go Dawnie! :)
:)

kim
11/26/2006 04:42 am
That's my girl....Dawn really is the best for this. She's the only one that never behaved badly towards him, only her and Joyce.
precisely why he needs her so much.. :)

Cas
11/26/2006 03:59 am
Glad that Dawn found out, despite Buffy's desire to keep her away. Dawn can only be good for him.
yeah, buffy's intentions were good, wanting to protect her little sister...but spike needs dawn's support right now...

11/26/2006 03:31 am
Okay - that was soooo heartbreaking. Love the story.
thanx so much :)