The members of the Fang Gang gathered in the lobby of the Hyperion on the day Dawn was slated to arrive. Nobody knew what time she was coming, or how, just that she would be there that day.
Fred sat off to one side working out physics theorems on a piece of paper. Under her breath she was muttering, "Buffy is a stupid name…almost as stupid as Dawn."
Suddenly, the door came crashing open and a smoldering Spike, covered by a blanket rushed in, pulling Dawn along behind him.
"Come on Little Bit, now isn't the time to be dragging your heels."
"Spike," said Cordelia and Angel
together, while Wesley said "William the Bloody Spike."
Gunn took a stake out of his pocket and Fred said "Spike? Doesn't anybody in that town have a normal name?"
Spike ignored everybody in the room with the exception of Angel and Cordelia.
"Angelus," he said as he nodded to Angel "This is Dawn, anything happens to her, and I will come back here and kill you, no questions asked."
"Oh God Spike, what is your problem?" demanded Cordy. "Do you really think anything is going to happen to her here with us? Why this is the safest…AHHH," with a scream, Cordelia grabbed her head and started to fall to the floor. Angel rushed to grab her, only to find that she was safe in Spike's arms.
"Let her go Spike," growled Angel. "I'll take care of her."
"Oh," said Spike with a knowing look at the two. "So that's the way of it. What's wrong with her anyhow?"
"She's receiving a vision from the Powers," answered Wesley as he grabbed Fred's notebook so that he could record all the information Cordelia could give them.
"Green, slimy, 3 of them," started Cordelia. "They're headed into a mall, through a back entrance. The new mall on Second St."
"Alright," said Wesley, "We'll head out through the tunnels. Gunn, Angel, grab some weapons and lets move."
"Fred, will you stay with Cordy and Dawn please?" asked Angel. "Spike, get out of here."
"Bugger that," said Spike. "I'm coming with you and then coming back to get the Little Bit settled."
Spike settled Cordelia on a couch and turned to Dawn. "I'll be back, Little Bit. You listen to these two and don't go anywhere."
"O-ok," stammered Dawn.
Dawn was used to seeing the Scoobies in action, but seeing the effect Cordelia's visions had on her had really scared her. She turned back towards Fred and stood there for a second, and began to move closer.
"What's wrong with her?" she asked Fred.
"I'm not really sure. She was never meant to receive these visions from the powers that be. Her body can't handle it. They weren't meant for humans, they are supposed to be received by demons, and Cordelia isn't a demon. Unless you count when she misses out on a good shoe sale," said Fred
"Well, can't we do anything to help her?"
"Not really," answered Fred as she looked with concern at her friend lying on the couch. "If you could just sit with her, I'll go get some aspirin."
"Oh, uh…sure," said Dawn as Fred ran up the stairs.
Dawn moved closer to Cordelia and sat down beside her and began to stroke Cordy's head softly.
"Hi Cordy, it's me Dawn. You remember, I'm Buffy's sister. I hid a garter snake in your bag one time," Dawn rambled on, unsure of what to do, but wanting to do something.
"Well, actually, that wasn't me, the monks hadn't made me yet, so I didn't really do it, so you can't be mad at me."
Cordy's eye's fluttered open and she looked up at Dawn.
"I don't care if it wasn't real, that was a Gucci bag," she managed to get out.
Dawn took Cordelia's hands into her own.
Fred came down the stairs and walked into the room. She stopped suddenly as a bluish light filled the room. The light emanated from Cordelia and enveloped Dawn. As suddenly as it happened, the blue lights subsided and Cordelia sat up.
"Cordelia, are you ok?" asked Fred rushing to her side.
"Yeah," Cordy said in a stunned voice. "I don't understand it. Just all of a sudden, I feel fine. Nothing hurts at all."
Cordy turned to look at Dawn, who was staring at her in shock.
"Whatever you did, it worked, kiddo. You're forgiven for the snake."