Chapter 28

The next morning, Buffy was rudely awoken by loud knocking on her front door. Groaning, she pulled her pillow over her head and tried to get back to sleep. However, the pillow wasn't exactly a match for her slayer hearing so the knocks were just as loud as before. Throwing the pillow against the wall, she slowly opened one eye to look at her alarm.

9:38 a.m.

Buffy jumped up and was in her daughter's room in less than a second. Dawnie never slept that long! By the time her brain caught up with her she was already halfway down the stairs in search of Dawnie. Sitting down heavily, she took a couple of deep breaths. Dawnie was alright. She was still at Janet's and Cassie's.

There was another knock and Buffy was up and by the door in a flash. Throwing it open, she was about to give the annoying person a piece of her mind when she suddenly found herself engulfed in a big hug.

"Buff-ster!"

Recognition and the excitement in the voice kept her from pummelling him into submission. "Xander?"

"Yep. Xander, deck builder extraordinaire, at your disposal." Grinning, he put her down and picked up his bags. "Told you this is a great house."

"I know." Buffy grinned and pulled Xander along with her into the kitchen. She desperately needed some coffee. "But I thought you're off looking for 'Mini-Me's in Africa?"

Looking around the open fridge door, Xander grinned at Buffy. "I am. Just taking a short-cut, you know."

Buffy snickered as she accepted the eggs from Xander and started to make them breakfast.

"What?" Xander asked after watching her for a few minutes.

Buffy just grinned. Hearing the tell-tale sign of a coffee machine just finishing its brewing business, Xander quickly grabbed a mug and filled it with the hot beverage. Stepping up next to Buffy, he held the mug right under her nose. "And I repeat what?"

Well, she really wanted that coffee, so she told him about her short-cut excuse for stumbling around a dark alley the previous night. Snickering at her story, Xander handed the coffee over and got himself another mug.

"Uh, Buffy? The house is awfully quiet. Where's Dawnie?"

"I sold her," Buffy said nonchalantly as she split the eggs and several pieces of bacon between two plates. "I figured it would fit with the starting a new life thing and all that."

Xander stared open-mouthed at Buffy before narrowing his eye. "That was so not funny."

"Sure it was," Buffy said as she laughed at her friend's stunned expression. "Anyway, she was having a sleep-over at Janet's so I could check out Denver's nightlife."

Chewing thoughtfully on a piece of bacon, Xander finally asked, "This Janet is important, isn't she? Can I meet her?"

Now it was Buffy's turn to narrow her eyes. "You will not interrogate her."

"Buf-"

"Nu huh. Janet's ... she's already helped me a lot. She's a friend, Xander. A really good friend. I trust her." Buffy helplessly lifted her arms as she couldn't find the right words to describe her feelings.

Xander, however, had come a long way over the last year and especially since Sunnydale became a sinkhole. He hugged his friend to his side. "I understand. I think. And I'm happy for you."

"Really?"

"Uh huh." Xander stole some bacon from Buffy's plate and grinned at her.

"But you want to meet her anyway." Buffy stated matter-of-factly.

"Yup." Pushing his empty plate away, he bent down to rummage around in his backpack. Crying out in triumph, he reappeared and spread several papers in front of him. "Meet your new deck."

--

"Are you better yet?" Dawnie asked her Auntie Janet as they lounged on the couch. They had just watched a couple of cartoons but she'd like to do something else now. Like running around in the backyard. "Cause then we can play outside!"

Chuckling, Janet ruffled Dawnie's hair. "Yes, I'm much better."

"But?" Dawnie asked with furrowed eyebrows.

Janet tilted her head and looked at the little girl next to her curiously. "But?"

"Uh huh. You've got a 'mommy-but' face!"

Fighting hard to keep a straight face, Janet asked, "What's that?"

"D'oh!" Dawnie released an exasperated sigh. "You're gonna say 'but we can't play ball'."

"Really?"

"Uh huh." Dawnie nodded eagerly and quite chuffed with herself. "I'm right, right?"

Janet nodded as she tickled Dawnie's sides. "Maybe."

Dawnie squealed with delight as she wriggled out of Janet's reach. "Now you can't tickle me anymore!"

"But I can," Cassie said from behind Dawnie, picking her up and blowing a raspberry on her stomach. Dawnie laughed so hard that neither of them heard the knock on their front door. Not the first one, anyway.

Having left Dawnie with her mom, Cassie eventually went to see who was there. "Buffy! ... and friend! Xander, right? Come-" Seeing Buffy's glare and hearing her friend's wince, she quickly stopped herself and simply motioned them in. "One day you've really got to explain that whole thing to me."

"Maybe," Buffy said distractedly, looking behind Cassie for her daughter. "But you better release your Dawnie-shaped prisoner first."

"Mommy!" Dawnie rushed out of the living room as fast as her little legs would carry her just as Buffy had finished her sentence. She was about to throw herself into her mommy's waiting arms, when she saw an even better target! "Uncle Xander!"

Xander almost stumbled as Dawnie jumped into his open arms but he didn't mind at all. He lifted the little girl up high and, after she laughingly begged for mercy, kissed her and put her on his hip. "Hey Dawn-ster, whatcha been up to?"

He listened intently as Dawnie talked a million miles an hour, telling him about everything that happened since she'd last seen him. Well, anything she could remember. Some things were a bit mixed up too, but neither of them really cared about it. "And Auntie Janet got hurt but she got better and now she can play ball again." There was an amused cough in the background and Dawnie scrunched up her nose. "Almost."

"Wow," Xander replied dutifully, finally taking his time to have a closer look at the other occupants of the living room. Putting on his best grin, he waved in the general direction of mother and daughter. "Hi! I'm Xander."

Janet chuckled and waved back. "Yeah, we've got that."

"Thanks for keeping Dawnie longer," Buffy said. "That gave us time for some shopping."

"Shopping?" Dawnie's eyes lit up as she quickly turned her head to look at Xander. "Did you bring me something?"

Chuckling, he shrugged. "We bought lots of wood and nails and stuff."

Dawnie turned on Xander's lap so she could see him better and frowned. "Why?"

"So I can build you a deck."

"And swings!" Dawnie added almost immediately. "Right?"

Xander raised his eyebrows and looked towards Buffy. "Swings?"

Buffy smiled lopsidedly. "Apparently my backyard needs a swing."

"Yeah!" Dawnie climbed from Xander's lap and onto her mommy's. "Can we go and try it?"

"Whoa, slow down! We've got to buy it first," Buffy explained. "Once the deck is finished and I can find the money for it."

"Oh." Dawnie looked rather crestfallen into her lap.

"Well." Xander lifted her chin with his finger and looked at her thoughtfully. "I figured I'd need a little helper now and then. I even bought a special helper tool-belt. Do you know anyone who'd want the job?"

"Me! Me! Me!" Looking at her mommy, she put on her best puppy-dog-eye look. "Mommy? Puh-lease?"

How was she supposed to resist those eyes? They were so much stronger than even Willow's infamous resolved face! Nodding - and wincing at her daughter's squeal - Buffy looked rather pitiful. "I better stock up the first aid kit."

Janet raised her eyebrows in alarm. Looking at Xander - she'd already decided his eye-patch was there for a reason - and back to Buffy, she asked, "You think it's a good idea? I mean, Sam and the others have already offered to help? No offense, but-"

"I've only got one eye?" Xander challenged, waiting for Janet's reply.

She shrugged. "Yes. Sorry, but doesn't that hinder your depth perception? Building of a deck must be a tough challenge - even without an inquisitive child running around. I mean, she could easily turn up right next to you but just outside your field of vision. What if you're working a power tool when that happens? What if you turn and knock her over? Or, worse, trip over her and both of you end up hurt?"

Dawnie watched the exchange from her mommy's lap and frowned. Somehow, her Auntie Janet sounded worried. And she was talking to her Uncle Xander. Frowning some more, she jumped off her mommy's lap and walked over to Janet. Tapping her shoulder to draw her attention, she said, "Uncle Xander is the best car-... car-... car-bender in the world!"

Grinning, Xander bowed his head. "Why, thank you." Looking at Janet's still raised eyebrows, he quickly added, "Carpenter. I've been working as carpenter for years."

"Really?" Cassie asked curiously.

"Yep." Turning back to Janet, he added more seriously, "Look, I might still struggle now and then with my limitations, but I'd never do anything to compromise Dawnie's safety. She's family."

Janet looked at Buffy who nodded reassuringly. "Besides, there'll be special rules. Right Dawnie?"

Dawnie wasn't too impressed with that prospect but nodded. If there was one thing she learned from an early age than it was that breaking special rules often ended with her being hurt and then her mommy got really sad. And she really didn't like that. Or being hurt, for that matter.

Xander leaned over and tapped her nose. "Do you wanna see what your deck will look like?" Dawnie's head snapped up and she nodded eagerly, the sombre mood forgotten already.

--

"So?" Buffy asked as Xander returned from reading Dawnie's bedtime story.

"So what?"

Buffy only raised an eyebrow. Xander chuckled and plopped down next to her. "You were right, I like them."

Releasing the breath she hadn't realised she was holding, Buffy relaxed. "I'm glad."

"Even though Janet's quite bossy," Xander said with a frown.

Smirking, Buffy nodded. "I know." Hearing Xander huff, she gave him a curious look. "What happened?"

"She cornered me while you were playing in the backyard." Xander rubbed his eye tiredly. He'd been up really early this morning and he started to feel it. "She stared at me until I let her have a look at my eye." Sighing deeply, he took Buffy's hand in his and started playing with it absently. "I'm sorry."

"Huh?"

Sighing again, he eventually looked at her. "I guess deep down I've still blamed you for it. My eye, you know."

Buffy tried to retrieve her hand but Xander held on tightly. "It was my fault."

"No. There's only one baddy in that story. The First. And I thought I had accepted that already but ... well, I'm sorry," Xander said as Buffy could only stare at him. Chuckling humourlessly, he said, "Janet was quite determined. But she was right too. We always had a choice, you never had. We've always expected you to save us from everything - and were quick to blame you if it didn't work as planned. I've ... I've never allowed myself to think you might be just as scared as us. Because... because who else was going to save us if you suddenly froze from fear? I mean, no matter what, none of us wanted to die."

Buffy leaned into Xander, resting her head on his shoulder. "She threatened to beat some sense into me if I didn't stop blaming myself for everything."

"Female Ripper?" Xander asked.

Buffy couldn't help herself but laugh out loud. That was certainly a good description. "Yeah."

"What about the Air Force operation you wanted to check out?" Xander asked, trying to sound only mildly interested.

"They're scared of her too." Chuckling at her friend's dumbfounded look, Buffy elaborated, "Janet's the head of their infirmary." More serious, she continued, "Riley said they are the good guys - and I haven't seen anything to contradict this. They are doing an important job and get about as much recognition as we do."

"So no super secret mess-ups?"

Buffy shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know. Though I've got the impression if there are, then they'd try and rectify their mistakes before they got out of hand. And, according to Janet, other government agencies are the ones who really could mess this up - though the people on base would do anything to prevent them from doing too much harm."

"And?"

"And what?" Buffy asked with a raised eyebrow. Xander smirked. Huffing, Buffy slapped his stomach. "And Dawnie already made friends with their flagship team."

Chuckling, Xander patted Buffy's head. "Of course she has."

"That's not funny! Their leader is ... just so annoying!" Buffy grumbled.

"Oh?" Xander wriggled his eyebrows suggestively.

"Eww! Xander!" Buffy visible shuddered at his suggestion. "Annoying in an annoying way."

"Uh huh."

"Dawnie really likes him," Buffy said darkly. "And Jack's great with her. Great with kids in general if you believe Cassie."

"What a monster!" Xander said in mock-shock.

Buffy smiled lopsidedly. "Yeah, yeah. Very funny. Now, movie night?"

"Never thought you'd ask!" Pulling her into his side again, Xander grabbed the remote control and started the first DVD.

It took only ten minutes before both of them were fast asleep on the couch.

--

The next few days went by quickly. While waiting for the building permit to arrive, Xander - with Dawnie's help - started converting the basement into a training room for Buffy. Or, more precisely, cleared it of all the junk stored in there from the previous owners before installing a hardwood floor - courtesy of Giles. Dawnie, her shiny new tool-belt on her hips, was more than eager to help him in the afternoons after spending the mornings in her beloved day care centre.

On Tuesday, Cassie and Janet came over to have a look as well. Dawnie showed them around the basement enthusiastically, making sure they didn't walk where they weren't supposed to walk. Janet found it very hard to suppress her laughter at the important face the little girl was pulling as she told them about all the rules. But, more importantly, she could see for herself that Xander really knew what he was doing - and that he had a simple but effective set of rules in place to prevent Dawnie, or anyone else, from being injured.

"When are you starting on the deck?" Cassie asked curiously. She'd chosen to wear a tight top and as short a skirt as her mom would tolerate. She'd learned long ago that this was much easier than getting into a fight that would leave both of them in a bad mood. Especially now that she wanted to make a good impression on Xander. Cassie smirked knowingly as he took his time in taking in her appearance, glad her fussing with her outfit had worked out the way she wanted.

Xander grinned back at her. "Hopefully on Friday, once the permit gets in."

Cassie's eyes lit up. It was supposed to become quite hot by the weekend, so she might have a chance to see his bare chest! "Need some help?"

Dawnie scowled and tucked on Cassie's hand, trying to get her attention. "I'm helping already!"

Smiling, Cassie kneeled down to face Dawnie. "And you're doing a great job. But maybe Xander needs some more help?"

Dawnie narrowed her eyes but eventually nodded. "Okay." Then, remembering something else, her eyes lit up with excitement. "And your Uncle Jack and Daniel and Teal'c and Sam can come too! Can they, mommy?"

Buffy, who'd watched the exchange from the doorway, shrugged her shoulders. "They're probably busy."

"Well, they offered the help - and it wasn't just meant as a polite gesture," Janet pointed out. She'd noticed the looks her daughter was giving Xander and having SG-1 there would keep her on her toes. Hopefully.

Buffy snorted. "Tell that to Jack."

Chuckling, Janet couldn't help but agree. "He still has to take it easy anyway. He'll probably insist on manning the barbeque, though."

"I don't have a barbeque."

Janet just shrugged her shoulders. "Trust me, that won't stop him."

Buffy crossed her arms in front of her chest and frowned at Janet. "Maybe Xander doesn't need any more help. I mean, he's got me and Cassie." Receiving a glare from her daughter, she quickly added, "And Dawnie as his special helper, of course."

Meanwhile, Xander stood at the far end of the basement, watching them with an amused smile on his face.

Janet, noticing his grin, raised her eyebrows slightly. Turning to Buffy, she asked, "Maybe you should ask Xander if he'd like more help?"

"No! Yes. I mean, he's the best, so there's no help-age needed. Yep. I'm sure Jack won't mind," Buffy said quickly. "Cassie and I'll just shove the wooden thingies into place, Xander puts a couple of nails in, Dawnie makes sure we do it properly and then we're done."

Pushing himself off the wall, Xander slowly made his way over. "Well, Buffy..."

Buffy narrowed her eyes at him.

With his smile growing even more, he bent down and picked up Dawnie. It never hurt to have a Dawnie-shaped shield when faced with a not-so-happy Buffy. "Help would be of the good if I want to finish before I have to leave." Besides, he really wanted to meet this Jack now. He gently prodded Dawnie's side and, taking the hint, she turned her best pleading look at her mommy.

Throwing her hands up into the air in defeat, Buffy turned and stomped out of the room. "Fine. But I'm so not gonna ask them."

"Let me guess, he mentioned she was short," Xander said as he grinned goofily at Janet, causing both her and Cassie to break out into giggles.

"Something along those lines," Janet said, eyes twinkling with mischief.

--

By Wednesday night, all of SG-1 had agreed to come and help. As Janet had predicted, Jack had grumbled and huffed before telling Buffy he'd be bringing the real food. She'd have to provide the fancy stuff if she wanted anything like salads and other healthy options. And cake. She had to bring the cake.

Buffy was still glaring at the phone every time someone mentioned Jack. And Xander, being the good friend that he was becoming again, made sure Jack was mentioned as often as possible. The latest had been only minutes ago, during their afternoon snack. Buffy had not been amused. At all. So now he was hiding in the basement, pretending to needing all the time he could find to finish the hardwood floor before the next day so he could start on the foundation piers for the deck.

"Are you mad?" Dawnie asked cautiously, her lower lip quivering, as Buffy gave their dirty dishes her patented glare of death. "At Uncle Xander?"

Closing her eyes, Buffy took a deep breath. It was silly, really. Opening them again, she looked at her daughter and reached out to smooth the worry lines on her forehead. "Not really."

The moment Dawnie started to smile in relief, the air ... something changed. Buffy's skin started to tingle slightly and judging by the look on Dawnie's face, she felt it too. Buffy picked up her daughter and pushed her head into the crook of her neck, trying to shield her daughter's body with her own. She didn't even have time to alarm Xander before the kitchen vanished right in front her eyes - only to be replaced almost immediately with another room.

--

IA/N: Muse speaking. Author has run off somewhere. But don't worry, my hero He-Muse grabbed a random person from the street to type this up (we tried throwing random things at this muses-cannot-type-on-it-keyboard first, but ended up with too many typos). Anyway, this chapter was written without Author's control. MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Enjoy!/i