- ch. 2 -


The night went smoothly, Lex unpacked most of her things, and watched a couple movies with the gang. The next morning, Buffy awoke to a cooked breakfast.


Buffy: " Wow..." * gasps as she sees plates of food laying on the table."


Lex: " Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you was I making too much noise? "


Buffy: " Oh... No.. What's all this ? "


Lex: " Well, I figured it's the least I can do for you being so nice to me. Giving me a place to stay. I hope you like pancakes and waffles. Oh... and there is some orange juice in the fridge, I had to run down to the corner market it pick it up, you were out of almost everything."


Buffy: * impressed * " Gosh. Lex, you don't have to do all this. I mean, it's no problem letting you stay here."


Lex: * changes subject * " What about Dawn? "


Buffy: " Huh? "


Lex: " Does she like pancakes and waffles too? "


Buffy: " Oh... ah..yea.. Yea she does."


Lex continues to set food on the table. Buffy watches with amusement. She offers to help Lex, but Lex replies that she is almost finished with everything but wouldn't mind having a helping hand with the dishes after they eat. Buffy starts complaining about how Dawn is late for school almost every day, and how she had to start driving her just to make sure she goes. Lex, tries to think of comforting things to say, but all she can think of is, " She'll grow out of it."


Buffy: * looking at clock * " Damn it , its 6:30 and she still isn't awake. I guess I'll have to go wake her."


Lex: * looking over her shoulder * " You'll catch more flies with honey, than vinegar."


Buffy: * turning around * " What? "


Lex: " When you wake her, do it softly. Don't yell, or say something hateful."


Buffy: * embarrassed * " I wasn't going to yell, or say something hateful."


Lex: * smiles * " You wasn't? "


Buffy: " Not much."


Lex: * laughs * " My mom used wake me up every morning, by jerking the covers off me and threatening to pour water over my head. I hated weekday mornings for a long time. Then when I got a bit older, she would come in quietly of the mornings and gently nudge me and tell me breakfast was ready, and to come eat before I got ready for school. The latter be the much better of the two."


Buffy: * touched by the story * " Aww. That's so sweet. Sounds like you and you're mom are close."


Lex: * softly * " We were. She passed away when I was 15. Then the only thing that woke me up in the mornings was my alarm clock."


Buffy: * eyes tearing up * " Is that why you started keeping your diary? "


Lex: " It had a lot to do with it."


Buffy feels like running over and giving Lex a huge hug. She had no idea how much in common her and Lex had. It was like Lex was another sister. Buffy wondered if the monks could have been up to more funny business. No, there was no way. Lex was just an ordinary kid. Thinking about the story Buffy had just heard, she walked on upstairs to Dawn's room. Dawn was laying across her bed, lifeless. Buffy smiled at this sight, Dawn was defiantly a heavy sleeper.


Buffy: * walks over and gently sits on Dawn's bed * " Hey Dawnie, time to get up."


Dawn didn't respond. Buffy gently shook Dawn's shoulder. Dawn's eyes opened.


Buffy: * softly * " Guess what. Lex has made breakfast this morning."


Dawn: * heavy with sleep * " I can fix my own cereal."


Buffy: * laughs * " Nope. It's not cereal. She fixed pancakes and waffles and orange juice."


Dawn: * rising out of bed * " She really fixed that? "


Buffy: " Yep. I'm tempted to eat it all too." * smirks * " So you better come on down stairs. You'll still have plenty of time to get ready for school."


Amazingly Dawn stumbles out of bed willingly and ties her bathrobe around her. Buffy follows her as she walks down the stairs and into the kitchen. Dawn's reaction to the breakfast was closely related to Buffy's. Lex greeted her, and handed her a plate. The three girls ate their meal and then as promised Buffy helped with the dishes while dawn got ready for school. Within a few minutes, Dawn was ready for school the kitchen had been cleaned up and each of the girls were on their ways.


-*-


After dropping Dawn off at school Buffy and Lex return to the Magic Box. Lex was a little nervous.




* standing outside the magic box *


Buffy: * confident * " Aye, don't worry. I'm sure Giles agreed to you working here."


Lex: " Thanks Buffy." * smiles*


Buffy: " No problem."


The girls walk in. Tara got to the Magic Box early that morning, and was sitting at a table reviewing a magic book. Buffy noticed her and remembered that she hadn't seen Tara since yesterday morning.


Buffy: " Hey Tara. Whatcha reading? "


Tara: * softly * " Just another magic book."


Buffy: * feeling a bit of uncomfortableness * " Oh..."


Anya comes through a door that leaded to a back room of the Magic Box, she spots Lex and Buffy.


Anya: * looks towards Lex * " You're early."


Lex: * confused * " I am ? "


Anya: " Well yea, you're not supposed to start work until 9:00."


Lex: * excited * " Does that mean I got the job ? "


Anya: " Yep. But if you're expecting to get paid over time for getting here early...."


Lex: * jumps in * " Ohhh no, no!" * grins *


Buffy smiles, she had a feeling everything would work out okay. Anya took Lex into the storage room and began to explain all the little details of working at the Magic Box. Tara was still silently reading over at the table. Buffy decides to give it another try. She walks over and sets down beside Tara.


Buffy: * cheerfully * " So, is a good magic book? "


Tara: * nonchalantly * " Just normal."


Buffy: * concerned * " Tara is something bothering you? "


Tara: * stricken a bit of balance by Buffy's question * " Ah... no."


Buffy: * not believing Tara's reply * " You can tell me ya know. If you're needing to talk but don't want Willow or anyone to find out. I'm here."


Tara: * looks at Buffy's concerned facial expression * " Buffy, I don't want to hurt Willow."


Buffy: " Of course you don't." * smiles * " You love Willow."


Tara: * in a sobbing tone * " Yes, I do. But.... but...."


Buffy: " But what? "


Tara: * gulps, and takes a deep breath * " There's another college, in L.A. Their offering to pay for all my classes. It'll give me a great chance to pursue a career. Maybe go into Law or Medicine. It could change my whole life for me. But.... but, I don't want to leave Willow, and I don't think she would move to L.A."


Buffy's face was full of astonishment. Was this why Tara had been so quite these last few weeks? Buffy tried her best to think of something to say, but came up with nothing. Tara was clearly begging for help, but this was out of Buffy's hands.


Buffy: * calmly * " You're going to have to talk to her."


Tara: * sighs * " I know. I've been putting it off trying to wait til the right moment."


As fate would have it, Willow walked through the Magic Box door a few seconds later. She had a fresh smile on her face.


Buffy: " Hey Will."


Willow: " Hey." * looks to Tara * " How come you got up so early this morning? I woke up and you was gone."


Tara: " I just woke up early, decided to get a fresh start on the day, that's all."


Willow: " Oh, well you could have waken me up too, I wouldn't have cared."


Tara: " Willow, can we talk? "


That's Buffy's cue to leave. She stands up from her chair and walks off towards the back room to help Lex and Anya. As she walks past Tara, she places a hand on her shoulder. To Tara she was saying " Good, Luck." .

Willow calmly sits down, but has a worried look on her face.


Willow: " Tara, what is it? "


Tara: " Willow you know how much I care about you."


Willow: * confused * " Well... yeah."


Tara: " And you know I would never want to hurt you? "


Willow: * uneasily * " Tara what's this about? "


Tara: * deep breath * " Willow, I'm the only one left out of the gang that is still in college."


Willow: " What's that got to do with anything ? "


Tara: " It's got to do with another college in L.A. They've given me a very generous offer. And it's a much bigger college than Sunnydale, I could get a very high education there."


Willow: * shocked * " You're going to leave me? "


Tara: * sadly * " Willow, you can come with me."


Willow: " No, I mean... I can't just leave Sunnydale. I can't leave Buffy and Xander and Giles, and... and Dawn."


Tara: * looks down * " I don't want to leave you Willow."


Willow: " Then don't" * firmly*


Tara: " I have to think about my future."


Willow: * tears welding in her eyes * " What about our future? "


Tara: " I ... I could come and visit on weekends, and breaks. We could talk on the phone of the nights, and... *


Willow: * stands up from chair violently * " Then Go! " * Willow rushes to the door *


Tara: * stands * " Willow wait!"


Willow: " No!.. Go to L.A.. Take your big college classes! See if I care! "




Tara: * pleading * " Willow please!"


Willow runs out of the Magic Box and slams the door, Buffy Anya and Lex come running out from the storage room.


Buffy: " Tara what happened? "


Tara: * tears rolling down her cheeks * " I told her."


-*-






A few more days passed by, but things didn't work out with Tara and Willow. Willow was furious that Tara wanted to leave her, but she tried to understand that Tara wanted a better education. Lex made it through her first few days of working at the Magic Box. Anya was very delighted to have her around. Lex would do all the little things that annoyed Anya, like arranging the spell books in alphabetical order, or taking all the books down and dusting the shelves then putting the books back. While Lex did all these boring little chores, it gave Anya more time to work with what she loved most. The money. Dawn was getting off to school every morning at the correct time. It was amazing how much she had improved. Lex defiantly left an impression her. But Lex had left an impression on almost all the scoobies. And today, she would finally get to meet Giles. He was coming back from his vacation. Lex was nervous at first but Buffy promised her there would be nothing to worry about.


-*-


It was Saturday, everyone had gathered at Buffy's to greet Giles, he was due at the house any moment. Dawn even made a welcome back sign for him and had it hanging from the living room doorway. It seemed like it was hours but it was merely a few minutes when the gang heard the door to the Summer's house open.


Buffy: * excited * " Giles!"


Buffy ran to Giles and greeted him with a hug.


Buffy: " It's so great to have you back."


All the scoobies took turns greeting Giles, all but Willow. She sat over at the table in silence. She was devastated that Tara had left her. She had packed her bags the night before and early that morning caught the first plan to L.A. She didn't even say good bye.


Giles: * cheerfully * " I trust everything was fine while I was gone?"


Xander: * grinning * " Yep, things ran as smooth as fresh pavement on a new road."


No one quite understood what that meant, but they trusted that Xander meant well by it. Giles directed his attention to Lex.


Giles: * extends hand * " And you must be Alexis."


Lex: * smiles * " Guilty."


Giles: " It's a pleasure to meet you."


Lex: " You too Mr. Giles, I've heard a lot about you. You sound like a very intelligent man."


Giles: * blushes * " Yes, well..." * whispers to Buffy * " I like her already."


As everyone got their howdies over and done they cleared out of the kitchen and into the living room, leaving Willow behind for some alone time.


Giles: * worried * " What seems to be the trouble with Willow? "


Buffy: " It's a long story. But she's upset because Tara left for L.A. this morning. She's going to a new college out there. They kind of had a fight about it and Willow isn't taking it very well."


Giles: " Yes, well, it is in Tara's best interest to increase her education."


Buffy: " I think so too, but I just wish Will would cheer up a little bit. She's not spoke a word all day."


Giles: " She'll get over it. It'll take time. However you and I have a lot of catching up to do. We need to train, and discuss a few things, especially Alexis."


Buffy: * comforted * " Alright, we could tonight if you want. Lex and Xander can stay here with Dawn until I get back."


Giles: " Good. We'll have a lot to go over."


Xander and Lex agreed to stay at home with Dawn, and Willow wandered back to her apartment. Anya insisted on staying with Lex and Xander. The thought of leaving Xander with Lex was a bit too much for Anya. Even though Xander insisted he would never see anything in Lex, she was just a kid, only a little older than Dawn. Buffy and Giles took off the Magic Box.


-*-


Giles: " How much do you know about her? "


Buffy: " Not much. She came from Ohio. She just graduated from High school. She's 17. She came by herself, no family, no friends. She's very friendly."


Giles: " I can tell. She seems like a very sweet child."


Buffy: * placing arms on hips * " But, it was the strangest thing, Giles, when she came in here I could think of nothing but helping her. I offered her a room in my house, and I'd only known her for 5 minutes."


Giles: " Clearly, she means no harm"


Buffy: " None at all. She does her own laundry, she gets up in time every morning, she's polite, she helps out with anything she can. And Dawn.... She's totally had an effect on Dawn. She helps her with her school work, she gives her advice on things. Dawn hasn't been late for school one day this week. And Her attitude has had a major improvement. It's like she's the sister Dawn never had."


Giles: * gently * " Buffy, she could never replace you."


Buffy: * sighs * " She's not trying to Giles. That's just how she is. But I feel close to her too just like Dawn does. I trust her, I tell her things that usually I just keep to myself."


Giles: * concerned * " And she's only been here a few days?"


Buffy: " Today made a week."


Buffy paced around the Magic Box. Giles sat at the table thinking.


Giles: * looking up at Buffy * " How long do you plan on her staying at your home? "


Buffy: * shrugs shoulders * " I don't know. I don't want her to leave at all. Do you think we're all under some spell or something? I thought maybe the monks might have pulled another abracadabra."


Giles: * quietly laughs * " No... no. There's no sign of magic."


Buffy: " I did have my doubts."


Giles: " Perhaps... Perhaps, you've been given a helper."


Buffy: * look of confusion * " A what? "


Giles: " A helper. Slayer's in the past have been know to receive them."


Buffy: * interested * " What do they do? "


Giles: " A great deal actually. When things become rough on a slayer, the Watcher's Society gets together and decide if a helper is needed. If they decide one is needed, then a helper is sent to the slayer's home. The helper will make things run more smoothly for the slayer.

They take away stress, and give the slayer piece of mind."


Buffy: * convinced * " That's it then, Lex is my "helper"."


Giles: " It is possible."


Buffy: " But how come you wasn't informed about it? "


Giles: " They would never tell me something like that. It's not only a surprise for the slayer but for the watcher as well. They figure, the watcher will figure out in due time what has happened. They never bother with silly informs."


Buffy: " Hmm.. How come she didn't tell me? "


Giles: " Well, she doesn't know."


Buffy: " How could she not know? "


Giles: * stands and opens a book from the shelf * " She has no idea why she is staying at your house, or why she feels so comfortable you. All she knows is she feels like she has to help."


Buffy: " Just like I feel about her."


Giles: " Exactly."


Buffy: * smiles * " Hey, this is pretty cool... It's about time this slayer got something in return for all my years of...."


Giles: * cuts in * " Don't take her for granted. She isn't a slave to you. And the Watcher's Society can take her away, just as fast as they gave her to you."


Buffy: * calming down * " Oh..."


Giles: " Besides, we can't say for sure she is your helper. We could be wrong."


Buffy: " So, how do we find out? "


Giles: * points to page in book * " There's a test we can give her."


Buffy: * reads article * " Says here there's an identification spell."


Giles: * fumbles through some herbs behind the counter * " Slip one of these into her drink, if she is the helper, she will grow weary and become very tired. Simply put her to bed and she will wake up not remembering a thing."


Buffy: * concerned * " And if she's not the helper? "


Giles: " Well, she'll become ill. Her body will reject the herbs and she'll most likely vomit."


Buffy: " Isn't there another way? I mean if she isn't the helper I don't want to make her sick."


Giles: * sorrowfully * " I'm afraid not. It's the only one given. However, she'll only be nauseated for a few hours, she would most likely sleep it off."


Buffy was feeling uncertain about the test, but she needed to find out the truth. That night when she returned from the Magic Box she slipped an herb into Lex's soda. Within minutes Lex was in the bathroom vomiting. Buffy felt horrible, now she had made Lex sick, but even worse, she didn't have an answer for why Lex was so important to her.


-*-


Giles: * aggravated * " Well that was a waste."


Buffy: " I don't understand Giles. What is she? "


Giles: " Apparently just a girl. I see no danger in her staying with you. She seems perfectly normal."


Buffy: " What am I going to do? I've kept everything a secret from her so far, but she's bound to find out everything if she continues to stay at my house. Luckily Spike went to that vampire rally thing in Sacramento. If he was around it all would have been spilled days ago."


Giles: " But he'll be home tomorrow."


Buffy: " I guess I've got to tell her."


Dawn comes walking into the training room where Giles and Buffy are talking.


Dawn: * cheerfully * " Buffy, after Lex gets off work, do you care if she takes me to the mall? She said she wouldn't mind taking me shopping for some new summer clothes."


Buffy: * feeling left out * " Sure.. Just don't spend too much money okay."


Dawn: " I won't be spending any money. Lex said she would pay for everything."


Buffy: * firmly * " Dawn... Why would you ask her to do that? "


Dawn: * defensive * " I didn't she offered."


Buffy: " Fine, but what I said still stands, don't spend a lot of money."


Dawn: * smiles * " Okay." * runs off to find Lex."


Buffy turns to Giles who is just as dumbfounded as she is.


Buffy: " Are you sure she's not my helper? "


Giles: * smiles * " Positive. The herbs wouldn't have lied."


Buffy: " So she's just an ordinary girl. After all that she's no more than anyone else."


Giles: " I suppose so."


-*-


Willow was still taking Tara's departure hard. She hadn't seen her friends in a couple days now. They had called but she wouldn't answer the phone, they left messages on her answering machine, but Willow never bothered to call them back. Tara had left a letter laying on the table, Willow read it over and over until she had it memorized. She asked her self again and again how this could have happened? She never came up with an answer.


-*-


When Dawn and Lex came back from the mall, Dawn was anxious to show Buffy the new clothes Lex had bought for her. She tried them on and modeled them for Buffy. Buffy couldn't help but laugh at her sister. Lex sat on the couch smiling as Dawn paraded around the living room in her new outfits.


Buffy: " Alright Dawn, now that the modeling show's over you need to get in the bed."


Dawn: " Aww, Buffy ... Come on... Tomorrow's my last day of school. What will it hurt to stay up a little later? "


Buffy: * sisterly * " You can stay up later tomorrow night."


Dawn: " Do you know I'm the only one at school who still has a bed time? "


Buffy: * firmly, yet subtle * " Bed. Now."


Dawn: * rolls eyes * " Shew, fine."


Lex: " G'night Dawn."


Dawn: " Good night."


Buffy waited til she heard Dawn's bedroom door shut.


Buffy: " Thanks for taking Dawn out tonight. That was unbelievably nice of you."


Lex: * smiles * " It wasn't a problem. I had just as much fun as she did."


Buffy: " She's really changed since you've been here."


Lex: " She's a great kid."


Buffy: " So are you. Well, I guess your not exactly a kid. You're a soon to be college student."


Lex: * laughing * " It's okay, I still feel like a kid."


Buffy: " Lex, it's been great having you here. You make everyone so easy going, and you work wonders with Dawn...."


Lex: * interrupt * " I know... It's been great but it's time for me to find my own place right? "


Buffy: " No!... Well, not unless you want to, but I'd rather you stay."


Lex: * relieved * " For how long? "


Buffy: " Lets put it this way, don't even look for a place of your own."


Lex: * smiling * " Buffy, thank you!"


Lex jumped up and hugged Buffy. Buffy smiled. From no own Buffy didn't care what Lex was she made her happy, but most importantly she made Dawn happy.





note:

- More chapters will be added to this fic. This is just the first little bit. I didn't want to give too much to read all at once. So check back soon for the other chapters. Please give me a review and tell how well you like it or how much you hate it so far. :) This is my first attempt at a btvs fic, so I hope it's made your time worthwhile. P.S. I promise you the story gets much more exciting from here own out, I just had to get the foundation set for what is to come in the future. -