Disclaimer: I own nothing of the television series. This was just a crazy idea that bloomed inside my mind and wouldn't let me be.
Dawn stared out of the kitchen window. The sun was beginning to set and the sky was ablaze with streaks of orange and red. She sighed and closed her eyes. She felt so lost. Only months before, a few days after her twenty-second birthday, her sister told her that she was leaving Sunnydale. Buffy had offered for Dawn to join her, but Dawn knew she hadn't really meant it. Buffy wanted to live a 'normal' life. She was going off to start anew and she didn't want anything supernatural following her into her new life. Even her sister. Dawn refused the offer and kept a happy front until Buffy left. Since then, she's cried herself to sleep almost every night.
The other members that were left of the Scooby Gang had also managed to bring some sense of normalcy back to their lives. Dawn rarely heard from anyone. She guessed it was because she wasn't quite human, therefore she reminded them that there would always be things that went bump in the night. Dawn blinked back tears as she thought of those she considered family. She hated remembering that she was left behind. That she didn't now, or never really did, belong with them. Even Spike had left Sunnydale years ago to work with Angel in Los Angeles.
Dawn didn't have anyone left that she could talk to. She felt like there was no longer purpose to her life. She longed to leave Sunnydale. To forget about everyone like they had forgotten about her. She couldn't though. She hated living in the house that held so many memories, but she felt like she would be betraying what had been if she left. She opened her eyes and wished that she could do something to fill the void in her life. Maybe she would get a dog. Buffy would never let her have any pets, but now she could do whatever she wanted.
Dawn opened her eyes and left the kitchen. She climbed the stairs and went to her bedroom. She was working the late shift at a local club that had opened recently. It was entirely a fluke that Dawn had gotten that job, but she was glad she had. At least she had something to do that occupied some of her time. She dressed quickly into a pair of black pants and a plain black shirt. She smoothed down her hair and slid on a pair of shoes. She looked herself over in the full-length mirror that hung on her door and sighed. She knew she wasn't the kind of girl that guys turned their heads and whistled at, but she wasn't a plain Jane either. She guessed she was somewhat attractive, so she placed herself somewhere in the middle.
She turned away from the mirror and grabbed her keys off of her dresser. She went downstairs and made sure that the side door was locked, and then went out the front. She locked the door behind her and walked to her car. Dawn hadn't been driving long and was surprised that Buffy had actually helped her get a car. It wasn't anything fancy, but she didn't complain. She pulled the door open and slid into the seat. Within moments she had the key in the ignition, and the car roared to life. She glanced one more at her house, and then backed out of the drive way.
When she got to work, there was a long line formed in front of the club. It didn't surprise her since it was Saturday night. She was glad it was going to be a busy night. It would help her clear her mind. She entered into the back door of the club and made her way to the bar. The bar was full, and the two barkeepers on the clock at the moment were busy filling orders. Dawn was a bit early for her shift, but she didn't mind starting early. She recognized the two barkeeps as Michael and Brandi. Michael was in his late twenties and had dark shaggy hair. He took pride in his toned body and always commented on how "ripped" he was. Brandi was a little older than Dawn, but younger than Michael. She started working at the club shortly after Dawn had. Brandi had olive toned skin and a petite frame. She seemed dainty and fragile, but Dawn knew she could handle herself. She had witnessed Brandi's combatant nature when someone had made a not-so-nice comment about the girl.
Both Brandi and Michael looked relieved when Dawn joined them behind the bar.
"Hey guys," she greeted.
"Thank God you're here!" Brandi said, the relief evident in her voice.
Dawn began taking orders and filling them as quickly as she could. Eventually Brandi and Michael's shifts ended and someone else filled in for them. The person that now stood behind the bar with Dawn was someone she had never seen before. He had black hair that seemed almost blue under the lights of the club. He had a very light complexion and dark blue eyes. He looked Dawn over and extended his hand.
"Hello, I'm Alexander."
Dawn reluctantly took his hand, "I'm Dawn."
"It's a pleasure to meet you Dawn. This is my first night, so hopefully I won't get in your way too much."
Dawn smiled and he released her hand. Alexander turned away from her and began taking orders and filling them. Surprisingly, he wasn't bumbling around like new people usually did on busy nights. He took the club patrons' orders, and skillfully mixed the drinks. Dawn did the same and, before she knew it, the bouncers were inside announcing that it was 3:00 in the morning and it was closing time. Dawn had worked for five hours, but the night flew by. Dawn started wiping down the counters when she realized that Alexander was staring at her.
Her steely gray orbs met his blue ones.
"What? Aren't you going to help me clean up?" Dawn asked, annoyance prickling her voice.
"I'm sorry I was, for lack of a better word, distracted. Of course I'll help with the clean up."
Dawn blushed and shook her head so that her long hair fell in front of her face.
"Okay, thanks." Dawn mumbled
Before long, the bar was spotless and ready for the next night. Dawn looked at the time on her cell phone. It was only 3:37. She turned to face Alexander.
"Well, it looks like it's time to go. Brad will shut everything down whenever he decides to go home." She said referring to the club's owner.
Alexander didn't reply, instead he just started at her. His eyes lazily trailed down her body. Dawn shuddered inwardly, and stepped away from the man. She didn't like how he was looking at her. Like he was a predator, and she was his prey.
"Goodnight Alexander," she said and turned away from his penetrating gaze.
She went out the same door she had entered earlier, and made her way to her car.
"Hey Dawn, would you mind waiting a moment?"
Dawn turned to see Alexander sauntering towards her. For a brief moment, she had the urge to run to her car. Then, the more rational part of her brain told her she was being ridiculous. Dawn stood with her arms across her chest waiting for him to reach her.
"I'm sorry if I scared you in there." He stated.
"I wasn't scared," Dawn corrected.
Alexander chuckled, "Don't be ridiculous, I could smell your fear. Just like I smell it now. Why are you afraid of me Dawn? Most women adore my charms."
Dawn took a step back. Smell her fear? That was a ridiculous thing for someone to say… unless of course he wasn't a someone.
"I think its best that I get in my car now." Dawn said and turned away. In an instant Alexander was in front of her, blocking her path.
"Oh, don't spoil the fun. If you leave, I'll have to find another meal."
Dawn's senses were on high alert now. Her brain screamed vampire, but she refused to believe it. Things have been so quiet. She used to carry a stake with her, but she stopped doing that long ago. She twisted around Alexander and made a break for her car. He grabbed hold of her arm and twisted her back around to face him. In seconds, his face transformed and Dawn's previous fears were affirmed. He was a vampire! Dawn mentally scolded herself for being so stupid! How had she, the Slayer's sister, not have seen this coming? She should've known. Dawn struggled to free her arm from the monster's grip, but he was too strong.
"What a pretty face," He said to himself. "It almost seems wasteful of me to kill you." Alexander unsheathed his fangs and bit into her arm. Dawn screamed, hoping someone would hear her. She struggled to get free, but she was getting weaker from the blood loss. Her blood was being drained from her body and there was nothing she could do about it. Her vision started to blur, and she couldn't help but to think that this was it. This would be how her very short life ended. Then, miraculously, the vampire let go of her arm and dropped her limp body to the ground. She hit the ground with a thud, and didn't bother getting up. She could hardly see what was happening, but she could hear Alexander talking to someone.
"Ah, William, how lovely it is to see you again. It's been what? At least fifty years or so?"
Dawn could barely make out the other person's reply.
"As you can see, I was just in the middle of dinner. I would offer to let you join, but I'm afraid there's not much left."
She could hear the other person say something, and then she heard a sickening crunch sound. Something landed next to her. She could barely make out the outline of a body. She realized, with a mixture of horror and relief, that it was Alexander's. The body sizzled before erupting into a pile of ash. Dawn closed her eyes; maybe whoever killed Alexander would leave her alone. Her hopes were crushed when she heard footsteps coming closer to her. Someone leaned next to her and lifted her off the ground. Whoever it was, certainly had to be strong enough to lift her one hundred and fifteen pound frame from the concrete. She opened her eyes slightly, but her vision was cloudy and filled with black spots. She tried to wriggle out of the man's arms, but his grip only tightened.
"Hush Bit, you're okay now." The familiar voice stated. Dawn strained her eyes to see if the man holding her was really who she thought it was.
"Spike?" Her voice croaked, but he seemed to hear her.
"Yes, love, everything's going to be fine."
At that moment, Dawn's vision clouded over completely and everything went black.
Author's Note: I do so love reviews! I've had this idea for awhile and am just now acting on it. Hopefully it's better written out than it was in my head.