Part 1
"Buffy. Buffy. Wake up."
"Humgf." Buffy pulled the pillow over her head and tried to burrow between the mattress and the headboard.
"Buffy!"
"What!" Buffy sat straight up in bed and knocked heads painfully with Dawn, who had been bent over her.
"Ow!" They said together, rubbing their new bruises.
Buffy squinted in the sunlight coming through the opening in the mauve and peach motel curtains. "What's going on?"
"We're going for pizza. Do you want to put in a request? Anchovies?" Dawn wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.
"No and no." Buffy rubbed her eyes. "I thought that you were going to have food delivered poolside. Wasn't that the rallying cry of the hordes? 'We saved the world so all delivery boys should flock to us, shirtless and bearing food'?"
"That's the plan. But Andrew said that his cuts were starting to sting from the chlorine so," Dawn shrugged, "foraging expedition."
"Plus, delivery boys aren't noted for their stunning physiques. Even Xander kept his shirt on while slinging pies."
Both turned to look at the sleeping form beside Buffy. Xander huffed a little, but didn't wake.
"I didn't think that Xander would want to miss the Slayer pool party," Dawn said. "But he's slept since yesterday. Should I check with him about the pizza?"
Buffy stretched and slid her legs over the side of the bed, slipping her feet into a pair of brand new sandals – really nice ones, jute soles with a daisy over the toes. "No, leave him be. First, I don't want him to wake and see you in that." Buffy waved her hand up and down at Dawn.
"Well, everyone had to buy swimsuits," Dawn said reasonably. "We kinda forgot to pack before we sucked our entire house into hell. I didn't even have a toothbrush."
Buffy burst out. "It's a French cut bikini! - "
"Buffffeeeee - "
Xander grunted and both girls shushed, watching him.
"It's just wrong," Buffy continued in a whisper. "But I've started on this whole female empowerment kick, and I can't stop now, even if it means letting you expose yourself to every guy around."
"Well, thanks." Dawn folded her arms over her barely clad blue bosom. "And it's not like there are many guys here to see it. The motel manager has left us pretty well alone since Vi busted the vending machine that ate her quarters, and Giles is still at the hospital along with Principal Wood - Robin. I guess he can't be the principal if there isn't a school anymore – " She flipped her hair over her shoulder triumphantly. "So that just leaves Xander and Andrew. I think I'm safe."
"But you'll freak him out," Buffy said gesturing to Xander. "He really can't handle it right now not after Anya…"
"Buffy," Dawn said firmly. "Do you really think that me in a bikini would freak him out anymore than waking up to that?" She pointed.
Xander's head was pillowed on Faith's chest, rising and falling slowly with her breaths. Faith had stripped down to her tank and panties, the stiff motel blanket kicked away to the foot of the bed. Her arm was around Xander. Both were sleeping peacefully, unaware of their proximity to the other.
Buffy sighed resignedly and picked up her room key. "Nope." She went to the door and opened it for Dawn. "Let's go get pizza," she said and they left, closing the door gently behind them.
