Buffy averted her gaze briefly, her body stiffening at Spike's firm words regarding her little sister. He'd been there for her more than she had, and Buffy knew this. He'd always been there for Dawn, even when he really shouldn't have been or didn't have to be. That was one thing Buffy admired about him, the way he took Dawn under his wing, but she didn't like the fact that it meant she herself hadn't been doing her job as an older sister. If there was one thing Buffy felt guilty about more than anything else, it was that.
"I'm not leaving again," Buffy told him just as firmly as he'd been, meeting his gaze. "She doesn't have to worry about anything. And neither do you."
She couldn't help but return Spike's small smile with a little one of her own. "I'm curious. Just humor me."