Title: Finding Normal
Category: BTVS/Highlander crossover
Rating: T
Disclaimer: I own nothing except the demented plot. All BTVS characters belong to Joss Whedon, etc. All Highlander characters belong to Davis Panzer Productions, etc.
Author Notes:
1) This story was in response to a challenge from a website that no longer exists. The challenge: Dawn flees Sunnydale to go to college. Where does she end up?
2) I'm not sure about the story posting etiquette/protocol, but this is the first of a series of stories that have been posted on two other websites.
3) This series is set two years after BTVS series finale. The BTVS part is an alternate universe with minor supporting characters of my own creation (but they're very friendly).
Dear Diary,
Hard to believe we've been here for eight months already. I love the name. Hope Springs, Nevada. It's tragically comedic on so many levels. I'm glad Buffy chose this hellmouth to guard rather than Cleveland (though I do miss the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame).
The motel is doing well. Caritas Inn has a nice ring to it. Way better than the Bates' Motel like Xander suggested (although with the old house in the back there is a resemblance). We're so lucky Angel found the deed to the place in the basement files of Wolfram and Hart. Becoming self-employed was the best thing for Buffy, career-wise. Xander's done an amazing job of the renovations and who knew Andrew could be a half decent desk manager.
Giles called yesterday saying that the Council's located two more slayers-in-training. They're going to spend some time in England first before being transferred to one of the hellmouths. I think having the slayers-in-training and the watchers-in-training do both academic and field work is an excellent idea. S.I.T.s and W.I.T.s. I love it. Hopefully the New Council can avoid the mistakes of the previous one.
Willow will be finishing her masters in two months. The university would like her to stay and teach, but she's not sure. She's been showing me how advanced number theory is like blackjack (a skill that could possibly be useful later in life).
As for me, things are okay but busy. It was weird transferring to a new school in my senior year, but what can you do? The other kids are nice enough, but sometimes they're even more naive than the ones back in Sunnydale. I just finished the last of my midterms today. They went okay. Still no word on universities. Buffy hopes I'll go to one of the schools in Las Vegas or L.A.. I'm hoping for someplace with a little less demonic activity.
Six weeks later, an envelope was waiting for her on the hall table after school. The world seemed to stop for just a moment. She didn't see anyone nearby, but she could sense them. Desperate for some privacy, she did the only thing she could. She ran up the stairs and locked herself in the bathroom.
Leaning against the vanity, she took a deep breath and, with trembling fingers, carefully worked the seal open. She slowly pulled out the contents and unfolded the papers.
"Dear Ms. Summers, we are pleased to inform you..."
"UWS?" Buffy said incredulously as she read the letter. "But that's in Washington!"
"What's wrong with Washington?" Dawn asked.
They were in Buffy's room with Willow and Xander though Dawn was sure the others were listening at the door.
"It's 1,000 miles away," Buffy answered. "I thought you were going to stay here and go to Carson College."
"You mean the campus that was haunted by 3 dozen ghosts," Dawn said.
"The exorcism fixed that," Buffy said defensively. "Why the University of Washington, Seacouver?"
"It has a good reputation and a journalism school which Carson doesn't have. You know, in case I decide to make that my major," Dawn replied. "Not to mention a full scholarship."
"You got a scholarship from Carson," Buffy said.
"But not as good as UWS. Even if I lived at home, I'd still need more money which isn't exactly growing on trees," Dawn countered.
"What if something big comes here, and we need your help?" Buffy asked.
"You have a houseful of Scoobies, S.I.T.s and W.I.T.s. If you do need me, it's a two and half hour flight with planes leaving daily."
"Dawn, I don't know," Buffy said hesitantly. "What do you guys think?"
Xander looked at the two siblings. "I think we should support her decision. Whatever it may be."
"What?" Buffy said surprised.
Willow added, "Dawn's made some pretty good arguments, and she's eighteen -"
"Well, technically she's five," Buffy reminded the redhead and earned a searing glare from her sister.
"Dawn has a chance that none of us really had," Xander continued. "A chance at normal in a place where a demon won't be chasing her every week. If that's what she wants, we should respect that."
Willow then put her arm over Dawn's shoulder. "Now that's not to say we won't miss our littlest Scooby. I mean she does kick butt when it comes to the research, and I'll be losing a great chess partner."
"We could always play e-mail chess," Dawn suggested.
Willow grinned. "That's my girl."