Chapter 34

Janet's head was still spinning when she left her friend. Buffy had told her about her impromptu meeting with Thor. She had also admitted that she'd been so furious she'd been barely able to form a clear thought. That's why she had gone hunting. And it had worked like a charm. More or less.

Of course that had brought new problems.

Like realising that Jack being Dawnie's dad had opened a completely different can of worms.

Janet, too dumbfounded herself, hadn't been able to do anything more than promise her that they'd work something out. But she'd also warned Buffy that it would be more than difficult to keep Jack away from his daughter. And that, despite his sometimes grumpy behaviour towards Buffy, he simply loved children. Then, noticing Buffy's eyes dropping, she'd suggested she'd get some sleep first.

Janet had waited until Buffy was asleep before making her way towards Dawnie's room. Frowning when she found the bed empty, she went down the stairs and towards the living room. Her eyes went almost comically wide when she reached the entrance, then she started to smile.

She got Buffy's digital camera and walked closer to the couch before snapping several pictures. The sight in front of her was just too cute. Dawnie was sleeping on Jack's chest, a content smile playing along her lips. As if this wasn't enough, Jack was fast asleep as well - looking more at peace than she'd ever seen him. His head was resting against Dawnie's, his lips almost touching her hair. One of his hands rested protectively on the girl's back, while he used the other one as a pillow for himself.

Having snapped lots of pictures, Janet turned and found Xander grinning back at her. She blushed slightly, then shrugged her shoulders. Xander winked before he moved around until he had found a more comfortable position for his ribs.

"You should try to get some more sleep," he suggested in a whisper.

Janet nodded. Talking with Jack was out for the moment and she was still tired. After giving Jack and Dawnie another look - they were simply too adorable together - she decided to give Dawnie's bed a try.

Yep, being short had its advantages.

Occasionally.

--

The first thing Jack noticed upon waking was the weight on his chest.

And it was moving.

Then the memories came rushing back and he couldn't help but smile. He had a daughter. And a little charmer at that. It didn't matter how she had been conceived; only that she was his flesh and blood.

His smile turned into a grin when Dawnie opened his eyes with her fingers. "You're awake!" she said excitedly, giving him a big grin, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Hi Jack!"

"Hey, kiddo." Overcome with emotions, he kissed her forehead and pressed her head against the crook of his neck.

Dawnie stayed still for a whole minute - and was very proud of this accomplishment. She wriggled around a bit until she could rest her upper arms on his chest, supporting her head in her hands. "I'm hungry!"

"I'm comfy," Jack replied without batting an eyelash.

Dawnie giggled. "Me too!" Moving until she was sitting cross-legged on his chest, she added, "And I'm hungry!" She climbed off of him and held her hands out to him.

Xander, having been woken by Dawnie's giggles, looked over to Jack. "We better find something to eat, then."

"Uncle Xander!" Dawnie squealed and rushed over to him. Climbing onto his lap, she hugged him tightly. "Morning!"

He winced slightly. "Ugh. Careful. My ribs are a bit tender." Though that didn't stop him from hugging her back. He was simply bit more careful than the little girl.

"Oh!" Dawnie let go immediately. Frowning, she tilted her head to study her Uncle Xander more carefully.

"I'm fine," he said reassuringly. "And so is your mommy."

"Really?" she asked quietly. "She's not mad anymore?"

Xander hugged her once again. "Oh no. She was never mad at you." He looked up to meet Jack's eyes. "Or at me or your Uncle Jack. I promise."

"Did you beat up the baddies?"

Xander grinned and nodded. "Uh huh. Lots and lots of them. So your mommy is a bit tired now and we better let her sleep for a while longer, okay?"

Reassured by that, Dawnie kissed Xander's cheek. "Can we have pancakes?"

"Hmm." Xander tapped his chin thoughtfully.

"Please? I'll help, I promise!"

"Well, I guess that's an offer I can't refuse."

"Yeah!" Dawnie squealed in delight. She turned around and grinned at Jack. "Do you like pancakes?"

Jack simply nodded as he was still too shocked to give a verbal answer. Even though Dawnie had mentioned something along the lines of Buffy beating up others before, he hadn't quite believed it them. Yet here they were again - and the casual way they had talked about Buffy beating up 'the baddies' had simply thrown him.

Xander, reading the signs correctly, sent Dawnie to the bathroom to give them some minutes alone. He held up his hand to stop Jack from talking. "It's complicated and not my story to tell. Unfortunately, Dawnie is aware that not everyone out there is nice - but she also knows that we, and especially her mom, will do everything to keep her safe."

Jack followed Xander into the kitchen, trying to work his way through the new information. "She ... when we were with ... Buffy told her to close her eyes and ears. And Dawnie obeyed as if this was a completely normal request."

Xander nodded wistfully. "You've seen how she was made, right? The green light?"

Jack's head snapped up, not liking the implications of Xander's last question at all. Meeting and holding the younger man's eyes, he felt the dread starting to make itself comfortable in the pit of his stomach. "No special effects then."

Xander shook his head just as Dawnie came rushing back into the kitchen.

"Hey! What's with the jammies? Didn't you feel like dressing?"

"Nope," Dawnie grinned at them and turned in a circle to show off her pyjama. "I love the bunnies."

Jack visibly shook himself to get rid of the dark thoughts, for now anyway, and made a show of checking out the pyjama. Both the short-sleeved top and the shorts were a nice shade of pink with bunnies of all shapes and sizes everywhere. "It's nice."

Dawnie lifted the hem of the top so she could have a better look. "Uh huh."

"It's new," Xander commented. "I love your style."

Giggling, Dawnie nodded. Then she crooked her finger and motioned them closer, whispering conspiratorially, "It's a secret present from Auntie Anya."

Xander's eyes opened wide before he choked and turned away from them.

Jack frowned at Xander's reaction. "Who's Anya?"

Xander didn't turn around, but whispered, "She was scared of bunnies."

"Uh huh." Dawnie nodded. "But she said I just need to wear it and all the bunnies would leave her alone." Walking over to her Uncle Xander, she tugged at his hand until he turned around again. "Don't be sad."

He gave her a small smile and ruffled her hair. "Why don't you and Jack start on the pancakes already? I'll be right back, okay?"

Once he had left the room, Dawnie looked at Jack, unshed tears shimmering in her eyes. "I didn't want to make him sad." She tugged at her top. "Stupid bunnies!"

"Whoa! Hey!" Jack lifted Dawnie up and held her close. Rubbing soothing circles on her back, he said, "I think it's great you're watching out for your Auntie Anya."

"Even though she had to go to heaven?"

"Especially because she had to go to heaven. Because every time she looks down and sees you in your jammies she knows you haven't forgotten her."

"But I'll never forget her!" Dawnie said, astonished he would even think she could. "And grandma and Tara and Uncle Spike and everyone! Maybe they're coming back-"

"Dawnie..."

"-like Mommy did."

Jack looked at her in shock before he got his expression under control. Just how much death had his daughter seen? And what did she mean with 'Like mommy did'?

"I still made Uncle Xander sad." Dawnie said, interrupting his thoughts.

Putting her on the counter, simply to give him more time to get his emotions back under control and file even more questions away for later, he tilted her head up so she would have to look him in the eyes. "I guess Anya was pretty special to him, huh?"

"Uh huh."

"Maybe he's sad but I bet he's also glad that you're watching out for her."

"Really?"

Jack nodded. "Really. Now where is the pancake making stuff?"

--

Janet, having woken up by Dawnie's earlier romp into her room, quietly stepped back from her hiding spot behind the kitchen door and went back upstairs, giving them some more alone time.

--

Sometime later Buffy was woken by the smell of fresh pancakes. Or maybe it was the loud rumbling of her stomach that woke her. Not that it mattered, as there was no way she was going back to sleep now. Not with the evil persons making good smelling food in her kitchen.

Sighing she got up and dressed quickly before she went in search of her daughter.

"Xander!"

He gave her a lopsided smile as he looked up from the step he was sitting on. "Hey. Sleep well?"

"Like a baby. So ... what's up?"

"Nothing?"

"Ding. Wrong answer." Buffy sat down next to him and put her arm around his shoulder. "Spill."

"I guess Dawnie caught me off-guard with her bunny pyjamas. But I'm okay now."

Buffy squeezed his shoulder, knowing the story behind them. "Then why are you still here when there are pancakes waiting to be eaten?"

Xander grinned and stood up. "That you've got to see for yourself."

--

Dawnie was sitting cross-legged on the kitchen counter, stirring a bowl next to her. Jack was standing at the hob, looking intently at the frying pan in front of him. "Done!" he exclaimed and transferred the finished pancakes on a plate next to him.

Turning to Dawnie he asked, "What now?"

"Bacon!" Dawnie exclaimed excitedly.

Scrunching up his nose, Jack shook his head. "Pancake with bacon?"

"Uh huh. And cheese."

"That's-"

"-yummy!" Dawnie finished for him. Tilting her head slightly, she gave him her patented puppy-dog eyes look. "Puh-lease?"

Jack sighed and went to the fridge to get a slice of bacon. "O-kay."

"Yay!" Dawnie clapped her hands and started to stir with renewed vigour.

"But after that it's normal pancake-pancake time again, okay?"

Dawnie nodded. "Can we make another banana one too?"

Jack poured the mix into the frying pan and added the bacon. Sighing, he got another banana and cut it in small pieces. Handing one to Dawnie to eat right there, he shook his head in amusement, "Anyone ever told you you've got a strange taste?"

Dawnie shrugged her shoulders innocently. "Yup."

Jack just chuckled and continued to make pancakes to his daughter's orders.

--

Having watched the exchange for the last couple of minutes, Buffy could only stare.

Xander, almost seeing her thoughts racing through her head, squeezed her shoulder reassuringly. "I'm sorry, Buf. But he's securely wrapped around her little finger."

"He's right," Janet said quietly from behind them. Stroking Buffy's back, she added just as quietly, "And he would have jumped without second thoughts too."

Buffy gasped, realising Janet was right. Turning quickly, she rushed out the door.

Having heard her gasp, both Jack and Dawnie turned to only see the retreating back of Buffy.

"Mommy!" Dawnie called but Jack was quick to hold her in place when she showed every sign of jumping off the counter.

Xander was ready to step in but Janet pushed past him, stopping in front of Dawnie. "It's alright, sweetie. It's just-"

"-adult stuff?" Dawnie crossed her arms in front of her and glowered at Janet. "I hate adult stuff!"

"Me too. We all do," Jack said as he put his hand on her shoulder. "Why don't you finish here with Janet and Xander and I'll go and make sure your Mom's back for breakfast? You made her a special pancake after all."

Dawn's frown only intensified.

"Please?"

"Fine. But I want another bacon pancake!"

Chuckling, Jack bent down to kiss the top of her head. "Deal."

--

Jack found Buffy sitting on the front porch, her back and head leaning against the house. Her eyes were closed and her arms were lying on top of her bent knees.

"Xander is right. You're completely smitten," Buffy said without opening her eyes. "And so is Dawnie."

Sitting down next to her, he mimicked her position. "Is that so bad?" he asked after a while.

Buffy didn't answer at first. When she finally did, she spoke so quietly that Jack had trouble hearing her. "You know, I was finally getting my life back under control. For once, things were going my way." Buffy laughed bitterly. "But giving good ol' Buffy at rest? Now that's just wrong. Guess I should be grateful the Powers-that-Be didn't add an apocalypse into the mix too."

Jack couldn't help it - he was stuck on one word. "Apocalypse?"

"Yup." Buffy nodded once. "You've got your alien invasions; I've got my very own apocalypses."

"There hasn't been an alien invasion," Jack pointed out. "We've prevented them."

"Seen anything post-apocalypse-y lately?"

Jack shook his head in confusion.

Buffy turned her head to face him and opened her eyes for the first time since Jack had stepped out onto the porch. "We've prevented them."

He would have laughed it off if it weren't for her eyes.

Eyes that were far too old for her.

Eyes that were haunted.

But, most of all, she suddenly looked just tired.

For the first time he understood why Teal'c had so easily accepted her, had never questioned the rightfulness of her being at the SGC. He nodded slowly and, after giving her hand a quick, reassuring squeeze, he let his head fall back against the house as well.

Buffy was surprised how comfortable it felt to just sit next to him. Maybe it was his quiet understanding, the recognition she'd seen in his eyes - warrior to warrior - something that hadn't been there before. Though that was probably more her own fault than his. But now ... damn, now she had to tell him a lot more than she ever wanted to.

Jack turned his head towards her after hearing her heavy sigh. "Rough night, huh?"

Slowly, but surely, a smile started to spread across her face and Buffy once again looked more like her actual age. Opening her eyes again, she shook her head. "Actually, the night was pretty good. It's the day I could have done without."

His eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You were bleeding all over the place!"

Buffy's smile grew even more. Jack frowned; that smile ... that smile reminded him of the proverbial cat that inherited the creamery.

"Jell-o, remember?"

He snorted. And although he had to admit that she looked much better now than she did last night, there was no denying the cut above her eye. "You really need to work on your cover story."

Buffy raised a single eyebrow. "Deep space radar telemetry?"

Okay, she had him there. Picking up a small stone, he threw it absently towards the driveway. "Dawnie made you your favourite pancake."

"Apple and onion?" Buffy scrunched up her nose in disgust.

"Ah, not your favourite."

She just glared at him in return. Then shrugged her shoulders. "Dawnie is going to eat it anyway. She loves them."

"You're kidding!"

Buffy smirked. "Nope."

Jack shuddered then pushed himself off the wooden porch. Holding out his hands, he said, "Come on, we better hurry before all the normal ones are gone."

Buffy touched his arm before he could open her front door. When he turned to look at her, she met his gaze. "I'm sorry, but I can't just tell Dawnie that she has a dad after all." She lifted her arms but let them fall to her side again. "I just need some time."

Buffy watched his face become completely expressionless - just after she caught a glimpse of pain in his eyes. Squeezing his arm, she added quietly, "But I won't stop her Uncle Jack from visiting as often as he wants."

--

A/N: "You've reached the residence of Author. Author is currently unavailable due to severe brain-leakage after too much work."

Meanwhile, somewhere in a dark corner far, far away...

S-M: Psst. He-Muse! Is it true? Is it gone? Is the ... *gasp* ... you-know-what gone? For real?

H-M: Yup. I sneaked up on Author and watched the final edits on that scientific paper, even watched it being banished from Author's brain and sent off to some poor editor.

S-M: Phew. So we can finally move back in? Yes?

H-M: Yup. Just be careful, I think Author's brain started leaking a few days ago and there're still a few slippery spots around. But I can already see the leaks seal themselves as we speak.

S-M: Yee-ha! Get those typing fingers ready ... I'm BACK!