Disclaimer: All I own is the particular plot for this story. If you sue me, I sue you.
Chapter Eleven
As Dawn came closer to consciousness, her memories of the dream faded until she could no longer remember what had her screaming for her life. She realized that no one was trying to hurt her but someone was trying to wake her from her nightmare. Whoever it was, was calling her name, and she couldn't place their voice. Slowly, she stopped fighting them and opened her eyes as she swatted the hands away; she sat up and after wiping the sleep from her eyes she looked to see who it was.
Dawn discovered a worried and annoyed Gunn looking at her. "What?" She snapped still shaking slightly.
"You were having a nightmare and woke Fred and me up. God, I have never heard anyone scream from a nightmare as badly as you just did, not even Fred." Gunn rolled his eyes as he sat on the edge of the bed facing her. "Do you remember what it was?" He questioned cocking his head to the right.
"No. But if felt real so knowing my luck it was one of those stupid dreams warning you of something from those annoying beings who think they can treat us like puppets." Dawn huffed as she crossed her arms and pouted. Gunn laughed at this and agreed with her.
"Do you need something?" Gunn inquired.
"Naw, I just want to go back to sleep; I'll try not to wake you guys up again. Apologize to Fred for me?" Dawn mumbled as she settled back into Connor's bed.
"Of course, see ya tomorrow kid." Gunn replied sadly as memories of his own sister flashed before his eyes. Turning off the lights and closing the door, he headed downstairs instead of heading back to bed. Both Buffy and Cordy had finally fallen to sleep, Spike was still out hunting and Connor and Angel were sparing down in the basement.
Not wanting to interfere with Connor and Angel's bonding time, Gunn sat next to Loren in the garden. Knowing that he just needed to think, Loren didn't speak with Gunn, instead he just gave him the quite companionship he needed as they sat there watching the stars. He knew that their futures were doomed if everything did not go perfectly; but he also knew that if he tried to push anything, it would all fall a part.
"What do you know Loren? You ain't just a pretty, green demon. Cough up the knowledge." Gunn demanded softly, still looking at the sky.
"You know it isn't that simple Gunn." Loren whispered. "Just marry Fred as soon as possible and be there for Dawn. All I can tell you is that everything rests on what happens between Dawn and Connor." Loren wished he could tell them the pain that was to come, but knew the consequences of that action already. He slowly stood up and walked off into the night humming a sad tune as he left the garden.
Gunn shook his head and headed down to the basement, figuring he should let Angel know about Dawn's nightmare. When reached the bottom of the stairs he saw Angel and Connor fighting past the point of exhaustion. They were both sweating and stripped down to just pants, (This is where all the women and girls drool…) and were getting sloppy with their movements. Luckily, Gunn observed, they had abandoned their weapons at some point, but he could tell that neither would stop this until they were interrupted or one of them collapsed.
Therefore, Gunn cleared his throat. Angel and Connor both jumped, so involved in their spar that they didn't realize Gunn was there. Connor walked over to the corner and gulped down his bottle of water before toweling off and slipping on his shirt.
Angel just grabbed a towel and questioned, "What is it Gunn?"
Gunn sighed, "I just thought you two big brooding vampire hunters would like to know that Dawn had a pretty bad nightmare. She was screaming when I woke her."
Both Angel and Connor spun around on their heals. "What?!?" They hollered in unison.
"She's fine, a little pissed off at the powers, but fine." Gunn snorted, "Said that her nightmare was probably 'one of those stupid dreams warning you of something from those annoying beings who think they can treat us like puppets.'"
Angel just raised an eyebrow while Connor held back a laugh. Gunn and Angel discussed different things that were going on while Connor found a working shower and got cleaned off from his rounds with Angel. Despite what many believed, with Holts dead and Connor living at the hotel, he didn't think of Angel as a father. He would be a good mentor, and Connor would have a better chance of getting out there and kicking ass, but he would never replace the man he grew up with. Holts may have been a confused man, but he was still Connor's father.
Making his way up to his temporary room, Connor paused next to his door and listened. Dawn wasn't asleep, tossing and turning in his bed, she sounded very restless. He slowly raised a hand to knock on the door, but hesitated. Closing his eyes, he thought of all the reasons that he should not bother her, that he should just wait until morning to talk to her. Then, he thought of her sitting in his room, awake all night, not able to sleep but too proud to let anyone know she was scared. With his mind made up, Connor moved his hand and knocked on the door twice, tensing up when he heard Dawn walking towards the door.