Chapter 2

Title: Blood is Life
Author:
Erucchii
Disclaimer:
BtVS belongs to Joss Whedon, and Numb3rs belongs to Nicolas Falacci and Cheryl Heuton. Oh! And I didn't come up with the name "ISWC" either.
A/N:
First, thank you to Carly, who reviewed this fic. I appreciate it.I had half a mind to not update this fic in immediately, but because I finally received a review here, I decided to post it the same time I posted at tthfanfic. Anyways, I wanted to update earlier but I went straight for my vacation after my finals. Oh, the pretty islands in Maldives :3 I just returned a few days ago, with jet lag, and a fever. *sigh* Anyways, because I couldn't update earlier, I tried making this chapter longer. There's an extra 2000 words in this chapter :D So, enjoy~


3rd October 2010
Scooby's Lodge, ISWC Scotland Headquarter

A smile appeared on Xander's face, as he walked into the kitchen and found his Willow-shaped friend near the toaster, waiting for her pop tart. "Morning, Wills," he greeted, and Willow replied with a hug. He grabbed a bowl from the cupboard, and also his favorite cereal before filling a mug with the coffee Willow prepared for him earlier.

"I heard you talking on the phone when I passed by your room. Was it Dawn?" Willow asked, as she sat the opposite of Xander.

He nodded. "Yup."

"Did she say why she didn't make her check-in call, and why she's not staying with Graham like she planned?"

"She fell asleep, and turns out her uncle is Graham's neighbor. He saw her and forced her to stay at his place."

Willow nodded. She knew not to ask more questions, because if Dawn wanted her to know, the brunette would have talked to her too, instead of just Xander. "At times like this, I'm really glad we don't share a kitchen with the mini-slayers, or watchers-in-training."

Xander took a sip of his coffee. "Times like what?"

There was a mischievous glint in Willow's eyes. "Times when we need some privacy." Xander choked on his coffee and Willow laughed. "What did you think about, Xan?"

"Nothing," he coughed, and Willow passed him a glass of water.

The redhead looked at her best friend, amused. "I just wanted to know when are you going to tell Dawn how you feel about her." Xander just stared at Willow, not saying anything. "Oh, don't give me that. It's been almost two years."

He sighed. "She needs a friend more than she needs a boyfriend right now."

"Don't take too long," Willow advised. When Xander sighed, she added, "Just saying. Our love life is messed up as it is. At least one of us deserves to be happy."

"I know, and I love you for that, Wills, but she's not ready." He reached for his best friend's hand. "Besides, you deserve to be happy as much as I do, Wills."

Willow nodded, and looked down, filled by a sudden sadness. Her relationship with Kennedy after the fall of Sunnydale didn't end that well. They spent half a year together in Brazil before they broke it off, and she returned to Scotland. But that was years ago, and she and the younger slayer were finally talking again, though they're far from being friends. After her pop tart was done, she joined Xander at the kitchen table. "Hey, are you coming with me to Cleveland today? Faith needed some witchy-help with the mini-apocalypse they're facing. I thought, when we're done, I could teleport us straight to Graham's place for Joyce's birthday party."

"She's finally three, huh?" he said, a fond smile appeared on his face. "Who would have thought, among the three of us, Buffy would be the first one having a kid."

"I'm so glad she gets to be happy in the end. After everything she had been through. After what I put her through." Willow sniffled; tears suddenly welled in her eyes.

"Hey, hey, none of that, Wills," Xander said, pulling his best friend in a hug. "You don't get to play the blaming game, okay?"

That was how Giles found the two of them when he was about to walk into the kitchen; Xander comforting Willow with soothing words. Deciding to give two of the few he considered his children some privacy, he quietly walked away from the kitchen.


3rd October 2010
Eppes Craftsman, Pasadena

"Morning, dad."

Alan Eppes almost jumped out of his skin when someone greeted him as soon as he entered the kitchen. It was only five minutes past seven, and Charlie and Amita usually didn't wake up till after nine on a Sunday morning. Seeing that it was only his eldest son, he gave him a glare. Then noticing how tired his son looked, he commented, "You looked like crap."

"Well, thanks dad," Don replied. The sarcasm in his voice didn't escaped Alan's ears. The older Eppes gave him a glare again.

"Did you spend the night?" Don nodded, and Alan continued asking, "Thinking about the case?"

Don shot his dad a look. "You're asking an awful lot of questions this morning."

Alan shrugged as he poured the coffee in his mug and turned to look at Don from the counter, while Don finished his own coffee. "So, what do you feel like eating; pancakes, or scrambled eggs with toast? Or maybe hash browns with sausages?" He paused for a moment before asking, "What do you think Dawn would like?"

Don covered his face with his hands and groaned.

"Fine, I'll just make pancakes, and some hash browns and sausages," he decided, shooting another glare at his son as he reached for the flour in the cupboard. "What made you so grumpy anyways?"

"Didn't get a good sleep. Was thinking all night." Don didn't elaborate. Instead, he just stared out the window.

"Are you going to make me guess, or are you going to tell me?" Alan moved to the fridge and took out some eggs and milk.

"Last night, at the office, Graham and I talked."

Alan started multitasking, measuring the ingredients, while asking Don, "And what did you talk about?"

"I was getting to that," Don glared at his dad, although Alan wouldn't be able to see it since he was giving his back to Don. There was a short silence, as if Don was contemplating telling his dad, and decided to tell him anyways. "Graham is…was married to Buffy."

Alan was startled. He didn't expect that. Sure, sometimes he told Graham that Joyce looked like a younger Buffy, but he didn't know Joyce really was his grandniece. Realization hit him and he turned facing Don, a pained expression on his face. It wasn't a secret that Graham's wife has passed away. "Buffy is dead?" Don nodded. "How?"

Don shook his head. "I don't know. Graham told me to ask Dawn, that it was her story to tell." Suddenly, he had a flashback of the night before. He remembered the faded scars on Dawn's arms and belly. "Dad, Dawnie–" he was interrupted by a panicked Charlie, who burst into the kitchen, Amita trailing behind him. Both were still in their pajamas.

"Dawn is not in her room!"

"What do you mean she's not in her room?" Alan asked, looking at his youngest son with an arched eyebrow.

"I took a peek to see if she's awake, and she's not there. She wasn't in the shower either, Amita checked." Charlie nearly pulled his hair.

"I'm sorry, I tried stopping Charlie from panicking so much," Amita said, rolling her eyes when her husband glared at her. "I'm sure she just went for a walk or something. Besides, her luggage is still in her room."

Don had a sinking feeling that he was part of the reason why Dawn sneaked out of the house so early in the morning.

Charlie dropped onto the chair the opposite of his brother. "Is it too much to ask for wanting to spend a little time with my own cousin?" Then, finally looking at his brother, he asked, "Why do you look so grim?"

"He had a lot in his mind, and didn't get a good night sleep." It was Alan who answered. He had continued working on the pancake batter, while Amita helped placing the hash browns in the oven.

"About the case?"

Before Don could answer, Alan stated, "Oh, he wasn't thinking about the case."

"Is something troubling you?" Charlie was looking at Don with worried eyes.

Don hated it when Charlie looked at his that way. He hated making his family worried about him.

Don felt a lump forming in his throat. Now that Charlie's in the same room, he didn't know if he should tell them. Charlie would go into shock, and… 'No,' Don shook his head. Charlie's not weak, not anymore. All the years consulting with the FBI, and other agencies, had toughened his younger brother. But still, this was Dawn. She is family. And ever since they were younger, Charlie had always adored baby Dawn. on felt a lump forming in his throat. Now that Charlie's in the same room, he didn't know if he should tell them. Charlie would go into shock, and… 'No,' Don shook his head. Charlie's not weak, not anymore. All the years consulting with the FBI, and other agencies, had toughened his younger brother. But still, this was Dawn. She is family. And ever since they were younger, Charlie had always adored baby Dawn. Alan noticed he didn't bring up the topic about Dawn again, so he figured it was something he couldn't say in front of Charlie.

The sudden warmness he felt through his palm made him snapped out of his thought. He looked at the source, his mug—now filled with coffee again—and then, at a smiling Amita.

"I thought you could use a refill," his sister-in-law said.

"Donnie, are you okay?"

"Don't worry, I'm fine, Chuck." He decided not to tell his family about his encounter with Dawn after all. At the look Charlie was giving him, he smirked.

"I told you not to call me that," Charlie retorted, and decided to ignore his brother by drinking his coffee.

Don grinned inwardly. He could always make Charlie stop asking questions by calling the latter 'Chuck'. However, one look at his father, he knew that the oldest Eppes knew something was up. He knew his father well enough to know that the patriarch of the family would corner him when he was alone and would start interrogating him.


3rd October 2010
Family Park, Pasadena

When a steaming cup of hot coffee was placed on the table in front of her, Dawn looked up and saw Graham taking a seat the opposite of her, with a similar cup of coffee in his hand.

"Thanks," she told him, and wrapped her hands around the hot cup. It was still early autumn, but the weather was quite chilly this morning.

"You're welcome." Graham looked at her for a moment, before asking, "So, what changed? Yesterday, you ran away as soon as you saw me, and today, I found you waiting on my doorstep just before sunrise."

Dawn blushed slightly. "Sorry about yesterday. I suddenly felt nervous."

Graham gave her a smile, "Don't worry about it." He took a sip of his coffee. "So, what did you want to talk about?"

She smiled. Graham was really too observant for his own good. She sighed. "I forgot how hard it was to hide the truth of my life from the people I love." She paused for a moment, remembering what happened earlier with Don, and continued, "Don saw my scars, and demanded to know what happened. I can't tell him the truth, and it hurts when he asked me "how dangerous could it be for a doctorate student"."

The last part was spoken so softly, that Graham could barely hear her.

"I am more that a doctorate student. I'm a Watcher, and I help with the fighting, but I couldn't possibly tell him about that. It would destroy his world."

"Buffy used to worry about that too, when we were in Arlington. She wanted to see them again, but she didn't know what to say. She didn't want to lie to them." He looked at the younger brunette in the eyes. "Working with Don for almost a year now, I had the privilege of getting to know him as a friend, as well as Alan, Charlie and Amita."

"Of course, it also helped that you happened to be Uncle Alan's neighbor."

An amused smile appeared on Graham's face, and he said, "Yeah." He was glad that Dawn was starting to feel comfortable talking to him again. "The point was... you should give Don, Charlie, Alan, and even Amita more credit. I'm not asking you tell them immediately, but when the time is right, you should let them know about our world. They're not so weak that they couldn't adapt." He paused for a while, scrunching his face, "Well, Charlie might probably need a longer time to accept the supernatural side of the world, from what I've heard, but he'll accept it. They all will, because they love you."

She couldn't stop the giggle that escaped her mouth, as she wiped the single tear that trailed down her cheek. "You should have become a therapist instead of enlisting in the army."

He chuckled. "I wouldn't have met your sister if I wasn't in the army."

"Point taken."

"Now, are you feeling better?"

"Yes," she gave him a genuine smile. "Sorry for taking your time."

Graham shook his head. "Nah, I quite enjoy your company." Before he could say something else, his cell phone rang. "Miller," he answered.

"Hey, it's Liz. We have a lead on the hacker."

"Okay, I'll be at the office in 15." After he ended the call, Dawn asked him.

"You're working today?"

"Yes, we received a new case yesterday. Sorry we couldn't grab the breakfast I promised you."

Dawn shook her head. "It's okay. I'm sure Uncle Alan cooked a feast for breakfast."

Graham couldn't help but smile. "Yeah, that sounds like Alan, alright."

They stood up, and Dawn finished the last of her now-cold coffee before throwing the foam cup into the recycle bin. As they walked home, she asked, "Do you mind if I spend the day with Joyce? I know I've been avoiding seeing her since…since Buffy died, but—"

"Of course I wouldn't mind," Graham exclaimed. "Joyce misses you. She was disappointed when she didn't get to see you during Christmas and New Year."

"Thank you," she replied, looking down at her feet quickly, trying to hide the tears in her eyes. She missed Joyce, a lot, as well, but she just couldn't bring herself to see her.

Graham, who saw the tears, stopped walking and pulled Dawn in an embrace. "You don't have to face everything alone, you know? We're family, and we'll always help you. So please, allow us to help you let go of your guilt."

Dawn nodded in Graham's chest, and murmured another "thank you". After a moment, Graham let go, and both of them continued their journey home.


3rd October 2010
Eppes Craftsman, Pasadena

Dawn and Graham said goodbyes when they were in front of the Craftsman belonged to Charlie. Graham had given Dawn an extra key to his house, since she volunteered to decorate it for Joyce's birthday party that night.

She was about to knock on the front door of the Craftsman when it opened. It was Don. "Hey," she said. She saw the troubled look on her cousin's face, and shifted her feet.

"Hey," her older cousin replied. "Dawn…" he ran a hand through his hair. "I…I want to apologize for last night. I'm sorry I upset you."

She shook her head. "No, it wasn't your fault. I shouldn't have overreacted and acted that way."

"No, it's—"

"Donnie," she interrupted, and a small smile appeared on Don's face as she called him by his childhood nickname. She took his hands in her own. "Really, Donnie, it wasn't your fault. I overreacted. All my life, I had a problem with people underestimating me. Just because I am more of a scholar, doesn't mean I can't defend myself."

"Well then, at least let me apologize for making you feel that way."

Dawn smiled, and told him not to worry about it. Then, she added, "About…about Buffy's death, while it is true that right now, I couldn't tell you anything, but later, maybe when I know you could handle the truth, I'll tell you everything. Okay?"

"I'll hold you on that one, Little Dawnie," he told her.

"Hey, I'm not that little anymore, you know?"

"You'll always be my Little Dawnie," he teased.

Dawn tried hard not to start crying again, so instead, she gave Don a hug. Until she remembered she was all sweaty, so she quickly let go. "Sorry," she said sheepishly, looking pointedly down at her sweaty, thin sweater and sweatpants.

"Don't worry about it, kiddo," Don said, pulling her in another hug. "I'm glad you're home," he whispered.

"Me too."

When they pulled away from one another, Don asked, "Are you going to tell Charlie about Buffy?"

Dawn nodded. "I have too. Buffy is his cousin too."

Don nodded. "I'm sorry I couldn't be there." He added, "For moral support."

"It's okay. Graham told me, you have a new lead for your new case."

Don suddenly felt a pang of jealousy, because of Graham's familiarity with his younger cousin. However, he immediately burry that feeling he felt deep inside. "I'll see you tonight."

"Oh! Make sure you come to Joyce's birthday party tonight, at eight."

Don nodded, "Graham mentioned the party before. I'll try my best to be there, but with the case…"

"I understand."

"But I'll be sure to send Graham home on time."

Dawn grinned. "Thank you." After giving Don a peck on the cheek, she entered the Craftsman.

She had only walked a few steps when she came face-to-face with a familiar, tall, curly-haired man. It was Charlie. "Hi," she greeted him.

Charlie stood still, too stunned to actually reply. His cousin was standing right in front of him. The cousin he had longed to see after so long. When he finally returned to his senses, he immediately pulled the girl into a hug. "I missed you," he whispered.

"Missed you too, Charlie bear," she replied, calling him by the nickname she gave him when she was five.

After he pulled away, he said, "I'm sorry about Aunt Joyce. Dad told us about it yesterday. After Sunnydale collapsed, we tried looking for you guys, but all your files were classified."

"Yeah, I'm sorry Buffy and I made everyone worried by not informing anyone of our location." Suddenly, Dawn giggled.

"What?" Charlie asked, confused.

"I've just realized I've been using the words "I'm sorry" a lot since yesterday."

Charlie gave her a lopsided smile. "Let's talk about something else then." When Dawn arched her eyebrows at him, he added, "I want you to meet my wife, Amita."

"I've seen her before," Dawn confessed. "Actually, last winter when you were in Oxfordshire, I saw you at Jacobs and Field. That was one of the reasons why I chose to visit Los Angeles. Seeing you made me realized how much I missed my family."

Charlie stared at Dawn for a while, before he finally asked, "Why didn't you say anything?"

"Because it was too hard," she answered softly. "There are some things that are hard to explain, some things I can't tell you yet."

"What are you involved in, Dawnie?"

Dawn shook her head. "Your clearance isn't high enough." When she saw that Charlie was about to protest, she added in, "I know you have clearance higher than Don's, but even that is not enough."

Although it was hard for him, he didn't want to push away the cousin that he loves. He sighed. "I understand." Then, remembering something, he asked, "Have you eaten?" When Dawn shook her head, he was about to drag her to the kitchen, so Dawn told him.

"Let me have a shower first. I'm all sweaty after my jog with Graham."

Charlie nodded. "You do that," he said. After Dawn went up the stairs, he disappeared into the kitchen.

He was greeted by his wife's smiling face.

"What?" he smiled.

"I told you, you didn't have to worry," Amita teased.

"Yeah, yeah, I know, you told me so." He went over to where Amita was seated, reading a newspaper, and gave her a light kiss on the lips.

"So, did you have a nice talk with Dawn?"

"It certainly made me more curious than before, but yes, it was nice." Charlie took a seat next to Amita. "Did you know that she saw us when we were at Oxfordshire. When we were having lunch at Jacobs and Field."

"Maybe that was why she looked familiar."

It was almost a quarter to nine when Dawn finally joined them in the kitchen. Charlie introduced her to Amita, and to the latter's surprise, the brunette hugged her.

"Sorry, it's a habit of mine. Well, a habit of all members of the Scooby Gang, actually," she added in, smiling fondly.

Charlie couldn't resist cracking a smile. "Scooby Gang?"

"When Buffy was in high school, she became friends with Xander and Willow. Because of the troubles they got into, Xander called the group 'The Scooby Gang". At first, it was only the three of them, and their mentor, our father figure, Rupert Giles, who was the librarian of Sunnydale High. Then, over the years, the group grew. I spent most of my time with them too, so eventually, I was also part of the Scooby Gang."

"That sounds wonderful," Amita exclaimed.

"Yeah." At that moment, Dawn's stomach chose to growl, causing her to blush. "Sorry," she squeaked.

"Oh, where are my manners?" Amita stood up. "Dawn, what would you like? We have pancakes, hash browns, and sausages."

"Some hash browns and pancakes would do," she answered, still blushing slightly. Amita nodded, and walked towards the oven to get the food. Alan had left it there, so it would still be warm when Dawn returned. Charlie, on the other hand, made himself useful by taking a mug from the cupboard, and poured some hot coffee for Dawn.

While she was eating her breakfast, Charlie and Amita asked her about her accomplishments, what she studied in Oxford University, as well as her current thesis for her second doctorate. Dawn was relieved that Charlie didn't mention anything about Buffy. However, that feeling was short-lived. She was almost done with her breakfast when Charlie asked about her sister. Knowing she couldn't hold it off much longer, she placed her knife and fork down, and looked at Charlie.

Charlie's expression immediately changed into worry at the pain in Dawn's eyes. "What is it?" he asked. Amita took Charlie's hands in her own, squeezing it lightly for support.

With a sad look, she revealed, "Buffy passed away almost two years ago." She immediately looked down at her hands, which was settled on her lap, after seeing the shocked look on Charlie's face. She could feel the lump in her throat when she heard him try to choke back a sob. When she looked up, Amita had pulled Charlie in an embrace, rubbing circles on his back to calm him down.

"I'm sorry to be a bearer of bad news," she said softly.

When Charlie had calmed down, he pulled away from his wife. "How…how did she die?"

Dawn shook her head. "I couldn't tell you that. Not yet." Before Charlie could interrupt, she added in, "But like I told Don, when I think you could handle it, I'll tell everyone the truth."

"Don knew?"

She nodded her head. "Graham told him."

"Graham knew?"

"Graham and Buffy are husband and wife."

Charlie was momentarily stunned. "That would mean Joyce is Buffy's daughter?" Amita asked. Dawn nodded her head in confirmation.

"Joyce…" He couldn't believe that the sweet, little girl who lived next door was his niece. That all these time, people who knew his cousins were staying just next-door. "Can I see her?"

Dawn nodded her head. "I'm planning on spending the day with her, probably do some shopping. Both of you can join us, if you want."

Charlie was just about to nod, when he remembered he still had to consult for the FBI today. "Damn it. I need to work on the equations for Don's case."

"It's okay, you can see her at her birthday party tonight. Graham mentioned that he invited everyone last week."

Charlie nodded. "We'll be there."

"Hey, why don't I take Dawn and Joyce to the mall, and we'll drop you off at the FBI office before that. Then, you could spend some time with Joyce during the car ride," Amita suggested.

Charlie cupped his wife's face, and gave her a full kiss on the lips. "That's a brilliant idea."

"I wouldn't want to trouble you."

"Oh, it wouldn't be trouble at all. I have nothing to do for today, and it would be nice getting to know more of Charlie's relatives."

"That would be great," Dawn smiled. "I hope you don't mind stopping at Anya Jenkins Academy. Joyce spent the night there last night."

Amita arched her eyebrows. "Isn't that the really prestigious academy in Pasadena?"

"Why did Joyce spend the night there?" Charlie asked.

"Anya Jenkins Academy is a school ran by the organization Buffy, Graham and I worked with. Even if Graham had already retired from the organization to take on another job here, but the organization would always come to his aid whenever he needed it. Buffy is one of the few important people in the organization after all." She shook her head, realizing she was getting sidetracked. "Anyways, the academy's administration building also serves as the organization's Los Angeles headquarter. Therefore, the academy is one of the safest place for Joyce since the whole place has top security systems."

"Is Joyce in danger?"

There was a grave look on Dawn's face. "I wasn't exaggerating when I said Buffy was one of the important people in the organization. Even if Buffy's gone, there are still some people who would want to kidnap Joyce, if they knew who she is. Our deep connection with the organization, as well as Graham's job doesn't help too. That was why Graham agreed to resign from the Pentagon, and took the job at the FBI. At least, if Joyce is at the academy, he wouldn't have to worry too much."

Charlie was quiet, still trying to digest everything, so Amita asked, "Wouldn't it be dangerous for the other students though?"

"We have people skilled in martial arts, and some people with military background on our staffs. Most were trained at the main headquarter." Of course, Dawn could tell them that the students also have extra strengths and some has magical abilities. "I know this is a lot to take in."

"You're right, it is. But…if it's about you, about Buffy, please don't feel like you need to hide anything to protect us. We're your family and we want to know. We'll protect you too. We love you, Dawnie."

"I'm glad you never change, my sweet, Charlie bear," she smiled.

Charlie couldn't help but laugh, and Amita smiled at the interaction between two cousins.


3rd October 2010
Infirmary, ISWC Cleveland Headquarter

"I thought this was supposed to be a mini apocalypse," Xander muttered. After performing a closed reduction on his dislocated shoulder, Willow had immobilized it in a sling. He also had one fractured rib, but not as worse as Faith.

"Stop your bitching, boytoy," Faith muttered from the bed beside him.

"Faith, I told you to rest!" Willow turned to her dark-haired friend with her resolved face on. "You have a dislocated shoulder, a few fractured ribs, and bruises on your face. I know you have your slayer healing, but just humor me, okay?"

"It will all heal soon anyways," Faith brushed it off.

She gave Faith a glare, and Xander snickered. She returned her attention to her best friend and gave him a glare. "Oh, don't think you are off the hook, Alexander Lavelle Harris."

Xander winced, while Faith whistled.

Willow put her hands on her hips. "What were you both thinking, charging in without backup?"

"We couldn't wait for backup, Red. Need to save the minis."

Willow sighed. Buffy was right. Giving Faith the responsibilities of being in charge of the Cleveland Hellmouth, and leading the mini-slayers in Cleveland were good for the dark-haired slayer. "I know." She walked towards the door, but before she went out, she told them, "I'm going to bring you some lunch. But if both of you don't rest after lunch, mark my words, I won't take you to Los Angeles with me."

"Sure thing, Red," Faith said, while Xander just nodded in agreement.

After Willow disappeared down the hall, Faith sat up and leaned against the headboard of her bed. "So, you and the lil sis…"

Xander groaned, "Not you too."

Faith smirked. "Hey, I have to get my entertainment somewhere."

"Fine, like I told Willow earlier, Dawn needs a friend right now, not a boyfriend."

"Y'know, even friends can help each other scratch the itch," she shrugged.

"Faith! Dawn…Dawn is—"

"A woman, who has not received any for some years now."

"Oh god."


3rd October 2010,
FBI Office, Los Angeles

Amita didn't think she would easily get along with Dawn, but she did. The younger woman was intelligent, and wise. She could talk about a range of topics with Dawn, even Mathematics, which Dawn wasn't very fond of. It appeared that Dawn was good with computers too, although the latter told her she wasn't as good as her friend Willow. Apparently, since high school, Willow had been hunted by some 'world's leading software organization'.

Joyce was also very adorable. It surprised her that the toddler knew they were related. So, Dawn explained that Graham must have told her when they moved next door.

At first, Amita was curious about the organization that funded Anya Jenkins Academy. She wondered what kind of organization would cause its employees to have so many enemies, to the point that even their family members were in danger. However, when they arrived at the academy, and she was given a brief background on the academy, she was in awe.

Not only did the organization provide scholarship for the recruited students, but they were also given allowances. Although some of the students with richer families do made donations to the school. The organization was also connected to a wide range of prestigious universities, especially in England, so it would be easier for the students to pursue higher education once they graduated.

During their shopping trip, Amita had the chance to know one of the students from the academy, Liliana Owen, who Dawn had asked to come with them. Liliana, who preferred to be called Lily, was in her senior year, petite, and has curly-ginger hair that reached her shoulder. Amita didn't mind Lily tagging along though. Apparently, Lily was interested in astrophysics, so Amita made a mental note to introduce her to Larry.

She was disappointed that they had to cut their shopping trip short, since Don called, asking for her help with the case. It appears that they needed her expertise with programming for the case. Since they were already downtown, it was easier for her to drive straight to the office.

Dawn told her that the three of them could just take a cab home. However, Amita protested. She told her three companions to follow her up to the office, and they shall return home together when she was done. She said she was sure it wouldn't take too long. Finally, Dawn agreed.

"Daddy," Joyce squealed when she saw Graham in the war room, as soon as the four of them walked out of the elevator. She made Dawn put her on the ground, and then she ran towards her dad.

"Hey, sweetheart," he greeted his daughter, and swooped her up in his arms. "I didn't expect you here today." He looked at Dawn.

"Oh, don't blame Dawn. I was the one who insist we went home together, instead of letting Dawn take a cab home," Amita said.

"Hey, kiddo." Colby, who was standing next to Graham, ruffled Joyce's hair. In turn, the younger girl made a face at him. He chuckled, and put up his hands, "Sorry." When his eyes saw the unfamiliar brunette, he said, "So, I finally get to meet the other whiz kid, huh?"

"Colby Granger, meet my sister-in-law, Dawn Summers, who is also Don's and Charlie's cousin," Graham introduced. Colby, Nikki and Liz were surprised about Graham's connection to Don and Charlie's cousins, but they didn't say anything. "And the teenage redhead beside Dawn is Lily Owen, from Idaho."

"Aren't you from Idaho too, Granger?" Nikki exclaimed.

"Yup. Gotta say, I missed the sceneries and wilderness in Idaho."

Lily perked up and nodded her head in agreement.

"So, what are you doing so far away from home, Lily?" Colby asked.

"Mrs. Buffy recruited me when I was fourteen. Said I was gifted and I would do great in Anya Jenkins Academy."

"Oh. What is your expertise?" asked Charlie, who heard the end of the conversation. He and Don entered the room together.

"I am nowhere close to being a genius, but I'm good in Science subjects, and I have an interest in Astrophysics. I'm athletic too, and I'm good in softball, and fencing. And I'm also a black belt in judo, and karate."

"That is quite a feat."

"Every students in Anya Jenkins Academy are gifted in their own ways. That was why, only recruited students could attend the academy," Dawn explained.

Don made a mental note to find more information on Anya Jenkins Academy, as well as the organization that funded the academy.

"Daddy, down," Joyce cried, demanding her father to put her on the floor. After Graham obliged, she ran towards Charlie, and hugged his legs, squealing, "Uncle Charlie," before doing the same to Don.

"Hey, kiddo," Don said, "Happy birthday."

"Thank you, Uncle Don," she giggled.

Then, Don swoop her up in his arms, and planted a kiss on the tip of her nose. She giggled when Don did that. "I'm so happy that I finally know who you are," the older Eppes brother told his niece as he placed her down on the floor.

"Me too," she replied. "It was so frus-…frust-" she looked at her father for help.

"Frustrating," Graham aided.

"Frustrating," she repeated. "It was so frustrating when you didn't know who I really am."

Amita smiled at the cute scene, before asking, "So, what do you need me to do?" and immediately Don turned back into Special Agent Eppes, and told her everything she needed to know.

Amita gave Dawn an apologetic smile, telling her it might take longer than she thought.

Before Dawn could say they could take a cab, Graham took out his car keys, and handed them to Dawn. "You can drive my car. Maybe I can catch a ride with Charlie and Amita, or catch a cab."

"You can ride with us," Charlie exclaimed, and Dawn agreed.

After saying goodbye to Don's team, and making sure they didn't forget about Joyce's birthday party, Dawn, Joyce and Lily headed towards the parking lot.


3rd October 2010
Graham's house, Pasadena

Before 8 p.m., Don was ready to let Graham go, so that the latter could arrive home on time for his daughter's party. However, on Colby, Liz, and Nikki's insistence, Don went with Graham. The three of them ensured him they'll get call him when they get more leads though. Charlie and Amita had already left hours ago, so Don gave Graham a ride.

When they arrived, two cars were already parked by Graham's driveway. When they entered the house, the place was decorated everywhere. Amita was in the sitting room with a brunette-haired woman, a little girl slightly older than Joyce, a dark blonde-haired man, and Joyce, who was sitting on the man's lap.

When the man saw them entered the room, he placed Joyce on the couch and stood up. With a smile, he walked over to them, saying, "Hey, look who finally decided to show up."

"Hey Riley," Graham greeted him, giving his best friend what Buffy once classified as a 'man hug'. "How was your flight?"

"It was fine, tiring for Sam though," he answered. Sam, who heard her name mentioned, walked over to them, leaving her daughter playing with Joyce and Amita.

"Don, this is my best friend, who served in the army with me, Riley Finn. He now works at the Pentagon," Graham introduced them. "And this is his wife, Samantha Finn." Then, gestured at Don, "This is my boss, Don Eppes, who happened to be Buffy's cousin."

"You knew that before you and Buffy even moved to Arlington," Sam rolled her eyes, before shaking hands with Don.

"Both of you knew Buffy too?"

"Riley was Buffy's ex when she started freshman year in UC Sunnydale," Sam teased. "I met Buffy more than a year later. Riley and I went to Sunnydale for a visit, and Buffy and I kept in touch after that."

"Well, Buffy was a special girl. Different. She dropped a hard cover book on my head when we were in UC Sunnydale," he smiled fondly, remembering that event.

After learning that Graham and Riley attended UC Sunnydale when Buffy started her freshman year, everything didn't added up for Don. The timeframe didn't add up. This more he knew about Graham's life, the more mysterious it gets. Don wondered how much of it was connected to the secret Dawn was keeping.

Don was snapped out of his muse when Dawn came over, and said, "I see you've met Riley and Sam."

"Yeah."

Dawn gave her cousin a hug. "I'm glad you could make it."

"Who else is here?" Graham asked.

"Uncle Alan is in the kitchen, working on the grill, with Charlie underfoot. Marie and Hanna are helping out with the cooking, since, as you know, I am forever banned from cooking."

Don chuckled at that. He remembered Dawn's quirky taste.

"Anyways, Adisa sprained her ankle earlier, so she couldn't make it. Lily and Kaylee are in the kitchen too, fussing over the food presentation. Xander—" at that moment, the doorbell rang, and a big smile appeared on Dawn's face. "That must be them."

An amused look was evident on Graham's face, as Dawn rushed to open the door.

"Xander?" Don asked.

"Xander is Buffy's best friend, as well as Willow. The three of them had been friends since high school, and the core member of the Scooby Gang."

Before Don could ask, they heard Dawn shrieked, "Xander, what happened?"

Don could hear the man, Xander, reply, "Oh, it's nothing. Just a dislocated shoulder and one cracked rib." Don winced at that.

"How did this happen?"

This time, a woman answered, "They decided to charge in without waiting for backup."

"What?! What were you thinking? Wait, don't answer that. I know you weren't even thinking."

This time, Riley winced. "I'm glad I'm not Xander right now." Graham nodded in agreement, and Sam laughed.

Don could hear a woman with sultry voice saying, "Awe, calm down, Lil D. It ain't the worse we've been through."

"That's not helping, Faith," Xander said.

Dawn just grumbled under her breath in reply, and soon, she returned to where Don, Graham, Riley and Sam were standing, with Xander, Willow and Faith trailing behind her.

She introduced the newcomers to Don. The dark-haired man with an eye-patch, and wearing a sling, was called Xander, and the redhead was Willow. They're Buffy's best friends. The slightly younger brunette, the woman with the sultry voice, was called Faith. She was rather flirty and seductive, with her choice of words, and clothes. Don was curious though, to why Faith has bruises and cuts on her face.

After the three of them exchanged greetings with Graham, Riley, and Sam, they went over to Joyce. The toddler's reaction upon seeing Xander and Faith hurt, made him wonder how dangerous their job was—Buffy and Dawn's job was—that this type of injuries seemed like normal things.

Don didn't get to ponder more, since one of the teenage girls Dawn mentioned earlier announced that dinner was ready. Xander, Willow, and Faith were introduced to Alan, when they were all seated at the dining table. Conversations that happened during dinner was so animated, and they even talked about Buffy, and also Dawn, things about them that the Eppes family missed, that Don hardly have time to ponder upon his new information.


A/N: So...I'm not holding my breath, but still...review, pretty please?