Title: A Time to Live 3?
Author: David A. Knapton
E-mail: Gilmore Girls Slash Archive, Twisting the Hellmouth. Others, if you want but it is polite to let the author know you are doing so
Disclaimer: I own nothing. The characters belong to the owners of BtVS and Gilmore Girls.
Spoiler: I am making it season 1 of GG starting around Cinnamon's Wake and of course season 5 of Buffy, (I'm making Dawn and Rory the same age in this story.)
Rating: 12A/PG-13 this part (But going up!)
Pairing: Willow/Tara and to come: Madeline/Dawn Rory/Dean at the start with the possibility of a Rory/Paris pairing later.
Summery: Willow and Dawn's first day at Chilton.
Notes: Some of the dialogue comes from GG transcripts on the Twiz site. I am having Rory know about Francie and the Puffs early in season one. Also I wanted to follow Rory's relationship with Madeline and Louise more closely but with the addition of Dawn it seemed easier to have them a little more friendly to Rory, at least while Paris is not around! Oh and just so you know, I am a hopeless romantic at heart and believe in love (And hate) at first sight.
Once again, this part is unbetad but I have gone over it quite a few times so hopefully there are few, if any, errors.
'' Thought.
Feedback: If you wish.
Please note I am English, so is my spelling. Live with it.
A quick note on the headmaster's secretary, while searching for some other information I found the actress who played the part and in her bio it listed the character's name as Mrs Ness so I am changing it from Ms Swift.
Reviews:
From: FL twin ( http/ )
I'm happy that you got around to writing another chapter. I liked it. I wish you would have used my idea of who to pair Dawn up with instead, but you know a lot more about the show than I do. I'm looking forward to the next chapter. I think I can rightfully assume the next one will cover Willow and Dawn's first day at Chilton.
Answer: Thanks. The pairing of Dawn with Madeline just seemed right. The character of Madeline was so underused in the show, she always seemed like she was letting Paris and Louise 'bully' her into doing what they wanted, she always screamed to me as a sensitive soul who would have been much more friendly to Rory had her two friends not been there to stop her in the early episodes?
You guessed correctly this part is Willow and Dawn's first day, though it mostly follows Dawn.
From: kristy ()
Not a bad start...
A: Thanks.
Folks who don't care for slash don't have to be bigots--
A: Never said they were, there is a lot of slash out there I do not like.
Just sensible.
A?
Slashnot true to the characters. In my opinion--when you are writing fanfiction you should have characters do things they would normally do-- and slightly extend those things.
A: I would so love to get into this but pages and pages would seem a little extreme for a reply to a review! I suggest you look at the definition of Fan and fiction in the dictionary. But just in case you have not got one, it basically comes down to the writer's own imagination and crossover fiction even more so as both sides of the story come into different situations i.e. vampires and demons do not exist within Gilmore Girls yet by introducing Dawn, Willow and Tara from Buffy that more than extends things.
Overall you must stay in character or it isn't fanfiction-- it is just crap fiction.
A: Ah here we have subtext, Paris kissing Rory was not a cry for something more? Madeline and Louise making out to get into clubs had nothing to do with the closeness they felt? There was never any sexual tension between Buffy and Faith or Buffy's underlying feelings for Willow? Oh and of course Willow never chose Tara over Oz... oh wait she did. If someone cannot see it, they cannot see it. Crap is a personal concept. I personally consider Harry Potter crap, yet I cannot deny that many people around the world love the books and write stories related to them. As I have said on more than one occasion, if you do not like a story, do not read it.
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Monday came far too quickly for Dawn, however hard she wished. She had even contemplated making an actual wish, but after some of the things Anya had told her about how she had twisted many of the wishes she had granted, she had realised that there were actually some things worse than school, but at six o'clock in the morning she was having a hard time thinking of any!
After having a great time with Rory and Lorelai the previous evening, she had gone with Willow and Tara to see Miss Patty. After Tara had pointed out to her and Willow that unless they revealed the teenager's true history, as Guardian of the town it could stop her protecting those around her if something evil came after the Key.
Dawn had agreed, with some reservations, that it was best. Dawn smiled as she remembered their talk; Miss Patty was almost as much fun as Anya, they had explained Dawn's existence to say Miss Patty had been shocked would be an understatement but as a resident of Stars Hollow and as Guardian, Miss Patty said she would protect her as and when needed. After, she told them stories of her life before coming to settle in Stars Hollow making them laugh, cry and blush more than once before they left for home.
"Dawn, if you don't get up soon, you won't have time to eat anything before we leave," Tara called up the stairs.
"I'm up okay," Dawn grumbled as she threw back her bedclothes and got out, slipping on her robe, she shuffled to the bathroom.
When she walked into the kitchen thirty minutes later it was to see Rory sat at the table eating breakfast with Willow and Tara, "Morning. Did you go and get another ward while I was asleep?" she smiled as she watched the other girl eat.
"Morning," said Rory before picking up another fork full of pancake.
"Very funny Dawn," said Tara getting up, "Don't worry there's plenty to go around, I actually managed to make you round pancakes," she said proudly placing a plate in front of the teenager.
"Thanks," smiled Dawn grabbing the syrup, "Tara makes great pancakes, but she can't seem to get them round when she wants," she explained to Rory who was looking curiously at them.
"I only usually have a pop tart in the morning if mum and I are late, or we have something at Luke's," explained Rory between mouthfuls of food.
Dawn laughed at the amount of food the other teenager seemed to be able to eat, "I've only seen two other people in my life eat like you and your mum, a girl called Faith and our friend Xander..." her eyes suddenly misted up, she looked at Willow, "I miss him," she said quietly.
The redhead got up and came around the table; she pulled Dawn up into her arms and hugged her, "I do to sweetie, but Xander, Anya and Giles all promised to visit when they could," she said.
Rory looked a little awkwardly at Tara, not sure what to do? Tara cleared her throat quite loudly and Willow and Dawn parted slowly, the teenager looking down at their guest, "Sorry about that, I think the pressure of moving to a new town and the idea of facing a new school is getting to me," she said wiping her eyes on a tissue.
"That's okay, I understand," Rory smiled.
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They piled into the car, Dawn in the back with Rory, who continued telling Dawn about Chilton and her favourite classes.
After dropping Tara off for her first class, Willow drove into the staff car park at Chilton and led the two teenagers into the school and through to the Headmaster's office. "Good morning Mrs Ness, this is my ward Dawn Summers, Headmaster Charleston said you would have her class schedule ready this morning," said Willow.
"Yes Ms Rosenberg, I have it right here," smiled Mrs Ness handing Dawn several sheets of paper, "Welcome to Chilton Miss Summers, you will find everything you need listed here along with all the rules that are to be strictly adhered to at all times, as well as the Chilton Honour Code. Here are the words to the school song, which must be recited upon demand. This can happen any place, any time. If you do it in Latin, you get extra credit. Do you have any questions?" said the secretary.
"No ma'am," said Dawn having received the information on the Honour Code and song the day before from Rory.
She looked at Rory, "What can I do for you Miss Gilmore?"
"Oh nothing ma'am, I just came here with Dawn and Ms Rosenberg because they live in my town and they gave me a ride to school. I thought I'd show Dawn around the school," explained Rory smiling down at the secretary.
Willow turned to the two teenagers, "I'll see you two later," she hugged Dawn, "Try not to get expelled Dawnie," she whispered.
"Okay, bye Will, see you later," said Dawn as she left with Rory.
"The Headmaster would like to see you Ms Rosenberg," said Mrs Ness, "You can go straight in."
"Thank you Mrs Ness," smiled Willow heading for the door to Charleston's study.
"Oh and Ms Rosenberg," Mrs Ness said, Willow turned around, "Welcome to Chilton," she smiled.
"Thank you," said Willow knocking the door and entering when the 'come in' came from inside.
Willow entered the study, she saw several other people already inside. The Headmaster came over to greet her warmly, "Good morning Ms Rosenberg, so nice to see you again." He said then gesturing around the room, "I thought it would be nice for you to meet some of your colleagues before we introduce you to the students at the special assembly later. Of course you already know Ms Tradler, and this is Ms Ames my deputy, our head of physical education Mr Lease and this is Mr Medina, one of our Literature teachers..."
"I met Mr Medina on Friday while being shown the campus Headmaster," interrupted Willow, "Nice to meet you again Max," she smiled.
"Likewise Willow," said Max returning the smiled.
"Excellent. Would you care for a drink, tea, coffee or if you prefer there is orange juice," said Charleston.
"Coffee would be fine Headmaster."
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"Okay so what's your locker number?" asked Rory as she walked away from the Headmaster's office. Dawn showed her, "Oh great that's only a couple down from mine."
"Well that's good. What about our class schedules any the same?" said Dawn showing Rory the list.
"Well let's see we have three today, two tomorrow and Wednesday, and one on Fridays, that's it, but it looks like you have more classes with Madeline than anyone else, I'll introduce you, she's a friend of Paris' but I try not to hold that against her," laughed Rory.
"The Paris that is one of the annoying girls you talked about?"
"Yeah, she is very competitive, very motivated to succeed, a compulsive perfectionist and she hate's to come second at anything. I sometimes think she suffers from some kind of mental disorder, one minute she is nice to me, the next it seems like she wants to tear my head off," said Rory.
"Maybe she's in love with you!" joked Dawn.
"God I hope not," laughed Rory.
"So who are the other annoying girls I should look out for?"
"The others are Francie and the Puffs."
"Is that the girl Willow told Tara and me about? The one who accused Willow of not being good enough to teach here?" asked Dawn.
"That's the one. Later at lunch she tried getting details on Willow and whether I knew if she said anything to Charleston," laughed Rory.
"Willow wouldn't have said anything," said Dawn. "Who are the Puffs?"
"The Puffs have supposedly been a secret sorority type group at Chilton for years. All the girls come from rich families whose mothers were also members. They like to think they run the school."
Dawn nodded, "How about annoying boys?"
"Well you know how most boys are, once they hit puberty they only want one thing! And any girl that they are chasing that won't give it to them, they do anything they can to annoy them."
"I get the feeling that's happened to you?" said Dawn smiling at her friend.
"Yeah, a boy called Tristan has been pestering me since I started here; even though I've made it quite clear I have no interest in him. He is one of the reasons Paris hates me sometimes... well most of the time really! She really likes him but he won't even acknowledge her existence except when he wants her notes for a class."
"It sounds like he has it bad for you," said Dawn. "So is there anyone you are interested in? I wouldn't want to go after someone you are after yourself."
Rory looked around quickly, seeing no one could overhear, "Not here at Chilton, but there is a boy in Stars Hollow I like, only mmm I don't know if he is interested in me?"
"Who?"
"His name's Dean, he moved to town a couple of months ago, he works part-time in Doose's Market, the only other person that knows is Lane," said Rory.
"So he hasn't asked you out?"
"No not really," Rory sighed, "I've only had a couple of confused conversations with him. I am quite a good debater, yet when I am around Dean my brain seems to shutdown."
Dawn laughed, "You do have it bad. Carpe diem Rory. Don't waste it." She glanced at the second page the secretary had given her, which had rather a long list of basic books she would require for her classes, "I think I'm gonna need a small truck to carry all these," she sighed.
Rory laughed, "Come on, I'll show you the library they have all the books you'll need for now but you'll have to get the more detailed ones from the bookshop."
"What do you mean more detailed?" asked Dawn stopping and looking worriedly at her friend.
Rory turned around, "Well for example besides the complete works of Shakespeare, you will need the biographies on Richard Burbage, Edward Alleyn and William Kempe. Details on essays written on his plays, sonnets and poems as well as his life. That's just for one class," she smiled at the look of horror on the other girl's face, "I know it sounds daunting, and it is, but once you catch up you'll do fine. At least you have me to help, when I started I had only me," she pointed out. "Come on or we won't have time to get the books."
A little later saw the two teenagers struggling down the corridor towards Dawn's locker, their arms full of books, "I never thought I would be doing this again," groaned Rory.
"I think I can feel the floor with my knuckles," said Dawn as she followed behind.
Just as they were passing the girls bathroom two girls came out, "Hey Rory," the brunette greeted Rory, "What are you doing with all those books?"
"Hey Madeline, Louise, I'm helping Dawn here get her books back to her locker, it's her first day," said Rory, "So are you two willing to help?" she asked pointedly.
"Sure," smirked Louise taking some of the books Rory was carrying.
"Here let me help you," said Madeline walking up to Dawn and taking half her load, "I'm Madeline," she said, "And that's Louise," she said unable to break away from Dawn's eyes.
Dawn smiled at the brunette unable to tear her own gaze from the other girl, "Ah yeah, I ah got that from Rory's greeting just then."
"Right," agreed Madeline, "Ah so we better hmm with the books," she finished seemly unable to string a coherent sentence together.
"Yes, with the books to ah my locker," nodded Dawn wondering why she thought Madeline had such beautiful eyes.
"Hey you two," came Rory's voice from just down the corridor, breaking the spell, where she and Louise had stopped when they realised that Dawn and Madeline were not following them. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing!" they both said reluctantly dragging their eyes from each other.
"Coming," said Madeline quickly as she hurried after the others leaving Dawn to contemplating what had just happened, before moving again.
On getting back to her locker, Dawn began stacking the books inside while the other three slowly handed them to her.
After being relieved of the books she held, Rory opened her own locker.
Dawn noticed a tall blond boy walking up to her friend, "Hey," he said.
"What, Tristan?" sighed Rory.
Tristan smiled, "I just wanted to say, 'Happy birthday.'"
"It's not my birthday," pointed out Rory.
Tristan's smile turned into a smirk, "No, but it will be," he said as he began reading from a large card, "'On Friday at 4:03 in the morning, Lorelai Leigh...'"
"What is that?" interrupted Rory snatching it from him. "Who else got these?" she asked angrily.
"I don't know. Everyone in our class, I think," said Tristan still smirking.
"I have to go," said Rory hurrying off, forgetting all about Dawn.
"I'll see you Friday, birthday girl," called out Tristan.
Dawn looked angrily at Tristan, she did not know what was on the card, but it was obvious to her that Rory did not like it. "Thanks for the help," she said to Madeline and Louise before giving the boy, what Buffy would have called a death stare and hurried after her friend.
She caught Rory up as she was about to go through the door leading to the well-manicured grounds of the school, "Hey, you alright?" she asked worriedly.
Rory glanced at Dawn as they stepped outside, "I just needed to get some air, sorry I left you back there," she said.
"That's okay. Look I know it's none of my business and we've only just met, but what you said Saturday, about being there for me if I wanted to talk about something? Well it goes both ways. If you want to talk anytime I'll listen, I'll even keep it secret if you want," said Dawn.
"Thanks, I appreciate that, but it's no secret," smiled Rory sadly. "It seems that my grandparents have decided that all the school should be at my birthday party on Friday. I don't know most of them, other than by sight and most of those I do know I'm not friends with. The only ones I get along with are Madeline and Louise, and Paris when I don't feel like killing her," she finished with a smirk.
Dawn frowned at Rory, "I thought your birthday party was Saturday?"
"Oh yeah we didn't tell you did we? My birthday is Friday but mum and I always have dinner at my grandparents on Fridays and they insisted on me having a party at their house here in Hartford but I thought it would just be a small affair. But now I find out that they have invited half of Chilton," Rory sighed. "As far as mum and I are concerned the party Saturday is my birthday party."
A bell sounded just then, "What's that for?" asked Dawn glancing at her watch to confirm that there was still half an hour before class. Looking around she could see all the students making there way into the school.
"That was the bell for a special assembly, it will be to introduce Willow to the school," explained Rory her face splitting into a big smile, "Let's hurry and get good seats to watch Francie's and Paris' reactions when Charleston introduces her."
"Okay," said Dawn happy at the change in Rory's mood.
They joined the other students as they filed into the auditorium taking a pair of chairs a little way along from Madeline and Louise who were talking to a blonde girl, "That's Paris," whispered Rory, when Madeline spotted Dawn she smiled and gave a little wave. Dawn waved back.
The Hall fell silent as the Faculty entered; led by the Headmaster they climbed the stairs at the side of the stage and took their seats, Willow smiled, giving Dawn and Rory a wave when she spotted them sat near the front.
The Headmaster stood at the podium, looking around at the students, "Good morning students, this assembly was called because as you will already be aware Ms Tradler is to leave us at the end of the month for maternity leave. Sadly, it falls to me to tell you, she has chosen not to return. As sad as this news is to the Faculty and myself, as well as to many of you, I am pleased to tell you that because of unforeseen circumstances, the daughter of a former student of the school has agreed to join us as the new Information Technology teacher," he indicated for Willow to stand.
There were murmurs and whispered conversations around the Hall, Rory smiled knowingly at Paris as the other girl's eyes narrowed in her direction; the smile grew wider at the worried look on Francie's face.
"As you can see Ms Rosenberg is young, but she is more than qualified, having graduated two years early from university and even taught computer classes while still in high school. So with that said, although she is only a few years older than some of you, the school will give her the respect expected to all its teachers."
Although he did not come straight out with it, any disrespect of the new teacher would have direr consequences for any student involved.
As Dawn and Rory exited the auditorium Paris confronted them with Madeline and Louise, "Why didn't you tell us she was a teacher?" she asked stopping Rory.
"What and spoil the surprise," smiled Rory. "You seemed so sure she was another poor girl who got into Chilton because she was smart," she finished the smile leaving her face as she pushed past the shorter girl.
"Hey Dawn, so what class have you got first period?" asked Madeline.
"IT, you?"
Madeline smiled, "Great, me too. I'll show you the way," she said completely ignoring Paris and Louise as she started walking off with Dawn.
Paris looked at Louise, "What's with her?"
Louise shrugged her shoulders, "No idea!" she said as she and Paris followed the others.
Dawn followed Rory and Madeline into the classroom looking around in wonder at all the computers. Like Willow when she was in school, computer class was one of her favourite subjects and one of only three subjects she excelled in, the others being History and languages, including Latin, Spanish and French, if you did not include knowledge of vampires and demons as well as dead languages such as Sumerian and Sanskrit.
She sat between her two fellow brunettes, still looking around in awe, Rory smiled at her, "Willow had the same look when I showed her them on Friday," she said.
Dawn looked at Rory, "I can believe that. Even Tara will have a hard time getting Will away from here tonight," she laughed.
"Who?" asked Madeline from the other side.
"Oh Ms Rosenberg that is. She's my guardian, her name's Willow," explained Dawn before turning back to Rory. "It's going to be hard, having to call her Ms Rosenberg."
"You're related to the new teacher," asked Louise from the other side of Madeline.
"Not related. She's been my guardian for almost five weeks now, since my sister died," explained Dawn her eyes starting to mist up.
Madeline felt her heartache at the sadness on Dawn's face, "I'm sorry, please don't cry," she pleaded placing her hand over Dawn's.
Dawn gave a little gasp as she felt the warmth of the other girl's hand, she gave Madeline a small smile, "I'll try," she said noticing that Madeline had not removed her hand when Willow entered with another older woman that looked almost ready to give birth, for some reason Madeline's hand felt comforting.
Lara Tradler stood next to her desk on the slightly raised dais with Willow next to her. "Good morning class, as you have been informed Ms Rosenberg will be replacing me by the end of this month, I would add my own warning to the Headmaster's, I expect everyone to listen to anything she tells you," she said seriously before smiling at the class. "And just remember I have hormones and I'm not frightened to use them," the class laughed.
"Also, most of you will have noticed that we also have a new student with us today, Dawn Summers, I know you will all make her welcome. Now let's get started shall we?"
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Dawn and Madeline collected their lunch trays chatting ideally, as without conscious thought, Madeline sat opposite Dawn who had taken the seat next to Rory, "Hey Rory," smiled Dawn missing the frown on Madeline's face as she realised she had not even considered looking around for Louise or Paris.
"Hi, so how's it going?" asked Rory looking up from her lunch and turning off her walkman.
"Not to bad, only gonna get one D in one of the two tests I knew nothing about! The other, probably a B as it was History, which I'm good at," said Dawn.
"I got my first ever D the first month I was here. Both mum and I freaked out over that, I never had anything but an A before that," explained Rory.
"Oh so you're a nerd," smirked Dawn.
"Yeah, but you'll find that just about everyone here would be a nerd in most other schools, even those that don't think of themselves that way," smiled Rory glancing at Madeline sat opposite.
Dawn's eyes twinkled, "I see your point."
Paris appeared next to the seated Madeline, "What are you doing sitting here?"
"Ah eating her lunch," pointed out Rory.
"Very funny, Gilmore," Paris snapped, she looked down at Madeline, "Well?"
"As Rory said I'm eating lunch, with Dawn, not Rory, it's Dawn that's eating lunch with Rory... Paris, just sit already," sighed Madeline.
Paris eyes narrowed dangerously before she sighed herself and sat next to Madeline. She looked at Dawn, "So I hear you're Ms Rosenberg's ward?"
Dawn nodded, "Yeah, her and Tara, her girlfriend became my guardians a few weeks ago."
"Ms Rosenberg's gay?" exclaimed Paris.
Dawn's eyes narrowed, "Yeah, why, you got a problem with that?"
Paris snorted, "Of course not. I have an uncle that's gay."
Dawn blushed a little, having misread the blonde's reaction, "Sorry. Anyway after my mother and sister died, both within three months of each other... And my bastard of a father didn't care enough to leave Spain, where he is living with his secretary, to attend their funerals. It was Willow and Tara or foster homes." She took a large swallow from her coke, trying to get her feelings back under control. She hated it that her father's rejection of her and Buffy after their mother's death still got to her.
Just then, Tristan appeared next to the table with his friends Duncan and Bowman, "So are you going to introduce us to your friend Mary?" he smirked down at Rory before glancing at Dawn.
Rory sighed, "Why would anyone want to be introduced to you Tristan?"
"Well because I'm handsome, popular, rich and interesting to know. You'd know this if you'd go out with me Mary." He glanced over at Paris who as usual was looking with adoration at him, "Paris I need your notes from Chem class."
"Of course Tristan, I'll get them to you after lunch," said Paris.
"Dawn already knows who you are, she observed your little performance this morning at my locker," said Rory.
"Did she! I only had eyes for you," said Tristan leaning against the table. "So you're Ms Rosenberg's ward, little orphan Annie."
Both Rory and Madeline's eyes flashed with anger as the colour bled from Dawn's face, but Paris got there first. "Tristan DuGray, you have surpassed yourself. To say something so callous... What I ever saw in you, I'll never know. Go away Tristan," she said her voice beginning to rise in anger. "And you can forget about ever getting my notes on anything ever again. Get them from Duncan or Bowman. Oh wait they usually barrow my notes from you, I guess you'll all have to start going to class now."
Realising he had made a grave error in judgement; he decided to back off, confident in his ability to charm Paris into giving him her notes later.
Madeline watched the tall blond boy retreat, "Wow Paris, I never knew you had it in you," she said looking at her friend.
"Well he was being a jerk saying something like that; it was totally uncalled for..."
"Thanks," said Dawn quietly but unable to make eye contact.
Paris' eyes suddenly went wide, "Oh god what have I done?"
"Don't back down now Paris," encouraged Rory. "He needs to learn that he can't go around saying things like that. Just remember he needs your notes more than you need him."
"No, no, I have to fix this. I need him in my life, Tristan's always been in my life," said Paris in a slightly panicked tone as she rose and headed after Tristan.
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After lunch, Dawn and Madeline said goodbye to Rory and headed for the gym, where they changed for Volleyball practice, Madeline lent Dawn the spare shorts and top she kept in her locker and they joined Louise as she entered the gym.
"Hey Louise, I didn't see you at lunch," said Madeline.
"No, Thomas wanted to make-out. So you gonna make it on the team with me this year?" said Louise.
"I hope so," nodded Madeline, she looked at Dawn, "How about you, wanna try out for the Chilton Mintonettes?"
"Sure, why not, I use to play it a lot back in California, but that was only when we went to the beach," said Dawn.
"Right girls, let's have you in two teams," said Ms MacAfee the girls Volleyball coach. "Miss Lynn, Miss Summers, you will have to sit the first part on the bench I'm afraid. But you may like to do the warm-up exercises with the class first."
Dawn sat on the bench next to Madeline, watching as Louise started the game. After a few minutes observing she turned to her friend, "Louise is really good, isn't she?"
Madeline smiled, "Oh yes. She was picked for all state last year but got flu just before the game against New York and had to drop out."
"Lynn, Summers you're up," Ms MacAfee called out. "Greyson, Ferguson, you're on the bench."
Dawn and Madeline lined up opposite Louise who had a smirk plastered across her face as she served the ball sending it towards Dawn who hit it back, making the blonde scramble to save the point, her team-mate Erica managing to hit it back across the net. Madeline deflected the ball to Dawn at the net, who jumped up smashing it across the net and onto the ground.
Both girls high fived each other, before retaking their positions, they smirked at Louise.
After such a great start Louise's team began playing more cautiously, but still Dawn and Madeline managed to keep the score more balanced, usually Louise's team, all of whom played for the school, rarely allowed more than a couple of points.
As the class was ending, Ms MacAfee approached Dawn and Madeline as they walked with Louise towards the girls' locker room, "Would you two be interested in joining the Mintonettes?"
The two brunettes looked at each other, smiles lighting up their faces, "Yes Ms MacAfee," they said at the same time before starting to giggle.
Ms MacAfee smiled at the two girls' antics, "Right, well be at practice on Thursday after school and we will see what we can do."
"Thanks Ms MacAfee," said Madeline as the two hurried after Louise who waited smiling at them from the door.
As Dawn began removing the borrowed sports clothes, she glanced at Madeline who was removing her shorts; her words catching in her throat as her friend's panty clad, and well formed, backside came into view. She watched spellbound as Madeline slid her shorts down her legs and stepped out of them.
As Madeline straightened, her back to Dawn, she began to turn; Dawn quickly averted her eyes swallowing hard as she felt the blush lighting up her face. Luckily, the physical exertion hid it from her friend. Dawn quickly pulled the polo shirt over her head and hurriedly removed her shorts, not meeting the other girl's eyes.
"I'll wash these tonight and get them back to you tomorrow," offered Dawn as she removed her sports bra.
"No that's okay, mum employs people to do that," said Madeline.
"If you're sure?" said Dawn removing her panties and grabbing her towel before heading towards the showers with the other girls, all the time avoiding looking at any part of Madeline again.
"I'm sure," said Madeline as she watched Dawn walking towards the showers. Madeline picked up the shorts and top and as she went to place them in her sports bag with her own she hesitated, glancing around quickly to make sure she was alone she hesitantly brought them to her nose and sniffed, drawing in the scent of the girl that had worn them along with a slight hint of fabric softener.
Madeline frowned realising what she was doing, she blushed and quickly put the items in her bag and hurried towards the showers.
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Dawn exited the front of the building her arms loaded down with books and homework, just behind came Rory and Madeline with their own work as well as some of Dawn's other books. "Thanks for the help guys," she said as she led them over to Willow's car. Using the key Willow had given her, she opened the boot and they dumped the books and two bags in the back.
"No problem Dawn," said Madeline smiling at her friend. "I'll bring those notes in tomorrow for you. Bye Dawn, bye Rory, see you tomorrow." As she turned to join Louise, who waited by the gates she almost knocked Willow over, "Sorry Ms Rosenberg, I didn't see you there."
Willow smiled at the girl, "That's okay," she said then watched as the girl hurried over to met a blonde, Louise Grant she thought her name was. Willow turned back to Dawn and Rory stood by the back of the car. "Friend?" she asked dumping her own files etc. in the back with the teenagers'.
"Yeah," smiled Dawn as she went around to the side and climbed into the back. "That's Madeline; she shares most of the same classes as me. She promised to help me catch up by lending me her notes."
"That's nice Dawnie," said Willow climbing in the front and starting the car. "I bumped into Ms MacAfee on the way out; she said you might be joining the Volleyball team."
"Ah yeah Madeline and me are going to the team practise on Thursday, that'll be okay, right," said Dawn.
"Of course sweetie, we can arrange to come back and pick you up afterwards," said Willow.
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As a light knock came from hers and Willow's bedroom door Tara called out, "Come in Dawnie," as she sat at the vanity table brushing her damp hair, she glanced at the teenager in the mirror. She was not sure what to make of the look on her ward's face, turning to look at the girl, "Ah is there something wrong sweetie?" she asked.
"Ah no nothing wrong," said Dawn a little too quickly, not meeting Tara's eyes. "Oh can I do that for you," she offered pointing at the hairbrush.
Tara smiled at Dawn, "If you want sweetie," she said offering the brush to the teenager who hurried over and took it. Tara turned back to watch the teenager through the mirror, "So how's your homework going?"
"You know homework, doesn't seem to end. I got a lot to catch up on, Rory and a girl called Madeline have offered to help, they have lots of notes," Dawn said before giggling, "Rory's like a female Giles, she'd make a great Watcher... not that I'd want her to get involved with the other world."
"No sweetie of course not, every one of us has wished at one time or another that we didn't know about the other world. Is that what is worrying you? That Rory may get drawn into the other world?" Tara pushed gently.
Dawn gave Tara a brief smile, "No, this town is to well protected, Miss Patty would not allow it, and when you did that location spell back at the hotel in Hartford you didn't find one single demon within the city limits, no I don't think there is a risk of Rory or anyone else we know here getting involved." Dawn laughed then as something occurred to her, "Although if I'd met Kirk back in Sunnydale, I would have told the gang that we may have had a demon on our hands, back there that guy would have been just too plain weird not to be."
"Yes, he is a little strange, like most of the people in this town," giggled Tara. "It probably has something to do with being protected, whereas the Hellmouths attract evil and can corrupt most people's souls, here the opposite happens."
"How soon did you know you were meant to be with Willow?" asked Dawn suddenly.
Tara frowned, "I'm not sure! Why?" she asked wondering where the conversation was going?
"So you don't think you knew the moment you saw her?" asked Dawn still slowly pulling the brush through the blonde's hair.
"Maybe! Is that what has you distracted?" said Tara gently in sudden understanding, "Did you met someone at school that you like?"
"Mmm," mused Dawn as a certain brunette's face popping into her head, "Maybe, I don't know, I feel something and they seem to like me, but that might just be like a friendship thing, I only met them today."
"I'm not sure I can help you on this sweetie. Willow is my first love; I sort of drifted into it... But thinking about it now, I think I did know deep down that I loved her from the moment I saw her," mused Tara.
"That's sort of what I thought," said Dawn a smile on her face. "All I have to do now is find out if they feel the same way. Thanks Tara," she said absently handing the blonde the hairbrush and heading out the door.
"Glad I could help," said Tara looking at the disappearing teenager with a frown.
A/N: For those that did not know, Mintonette was the original name for Volleyball.
