Title: And the Saints Boweth Before the King

Author: DOKChairman

Time/Spoilers: Takes place after the events in 'Grave'.

Summary: I could write a summary, but then it would give away everything.  So no summary, but I'll give you a hint.  The opening I put down for the story is indicative of some of what the story might be about.  Not much of a hint, I know, but it's all you're getting.

Disclaimer: Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy own the rights to Buffy the Vampire Slayer and all of its characters.  I own nothing except the story, and the Anna Kournikova poster on my bedroom wall.

Author's Note: Thanks to all who have reviewed.  After posting this story I was afraid no one would be interested in it, seeing as how it had disappeared for over a week, but the response I got was very enthusiastic.  Thanks to Shell Lee for the e-mail tip.

Author's Note #2: Since learning that my favorite TV show, Farscape, has been stupidly and surprisingly canceled, I have been in a depressive funk.  If my sour mood is reflected in my story, I apologize.  I have been doing my part to save the show, but the SCI-FI network seems only interested in one thing, money, and no amount of fan outcry will probably make a difference.  I ask that if you are sympathetic to the cause, please help out.  Please visit this website, http://www.farscape.wdsection.com/index.html.  If enough people care, we may make SCI-FI change their minds.

Don't be like the student who was asked "which is worse, ignorance or apathy?" and who responded, "I don't know, and I don't care!"

-Charles Yost, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations

Chapter 4: A Blast From the Past

            "Hey Dawnie!"

            Dawn looked up from the book she had been reading and flashed the man who had just greeted her with a huge smile.  Her smile soon turned into a frown as she whined, "Xander!  I told you not to call me that."

            Xander smiled a boyish grin as he walked towards the table in the Magic's Box, and plopped down in a chair near Dawn.  He threw an arm across Dawn's shoulders, and spoke good-naturedly.  "Ah, come on Dawnie.  What's wrong with me calling you Dawnie?  It's your name."

            Dawn pouted, "It makes me sound like a little kid."

            Xander laughed, "Yeah, well I'm old, and I'm stuck in my ways, so don't expect me to change anytime soon.  Besides, no matter how old you get, you're always be Dawnie to me."

            Dawn was still pouting, "I don't want to be Dawnie, I want to be Dawn.  I am not a little kid anymore, Xander."

            Xander frowned a little as he heard the serious tone in Dawn's voice.  This was really important to her, that she not be seen as a kid.  It was time to do some damage control.  If there was one thing Xander was good at, it was making the Summers women feel better.  "Dawn, I understand that you're not a kid.  You're a mature, young woman.  A very beautiful, mature, young woman."  Xander smiled when he saw Dawn blush a deep shade of red.  "And if I was a few years younger, I definitely would not think of you as a kid in any way shape or form, but I can't help remembering you as that little girl that always followed me around whenever I hung out with your sister back in high school.  I know that up here, you're not a kid, but in here, you'll always be one to me."  As he said the last part, he first pointed to his head and then pointed to his heart.

            Dawn smiled sadly a little, and then brightened considerably.  "Speaking of my sister, have you seen her lately, cause she's been looking for you?"

            Xander shook his head, "Nah, I haven't seen the fair haired Buff around.  Any idea what she wants me for?"

            "Haven't a clue.  She didn't tell me.  She just came into here earlier looking for you, and after seeing that you weren't here, she just left.  She was really acting strange too.  I mean stranger than normal for her."

            Xander shrugged his shoulders, "Well, I'd go looking for her, but I promised Anya that I'd get to work on the counters today.  I told her I'd finish them by tomorrow."

            Dawn smiled in understanding, "Still trying to work your way back into her good graces, huh?"

            Xander sighed, "Yeah.  I mean I realize that we will never get back together, but I figure that I owe her to help her rebuild the shop.  It's the least I can do.  Besides, Anya is not a bad person, and I wouldn't mind still being her friend."

            As if sensing that someone was talking about her, Anya came out of the back room of the shop carrying a bunch of boxes.  After placing the boxes down near the newly constructed shelves, she dusted her hands off and turned to face Xander.  She seemed pleased to see him.  "Xander, good you're here.  That means you can get to work on my counter.  I can't reopen the shop until my counter is fixed."

            Xander interrupted before Anya got any further, "I know that Anya.  I was just about to get to work, but I had to say hi to Dawn first.  Don't worry, I'll meet my deadline."

            Anya said sternly, "You better.  After having you leaving me at the altar, only money can make me feel better, and I can't get money until I reopen the shop."

            Normally, Xander would have cringed after hearing Anya mention his most cowardly deed, but Xander was so used to Anya bringing it up that it barely affected him.  He and Anya had come to an understanding, after the whole Willow fiasco, and while things between them would never be great, they were improving.  He now knew when Anya mentioned the wedding, it wasn't with venom, but it was just a part of who she was.  Anya did not know the meaning of the word tact.

            Xander didn't feel like responding to Anya's comment, so he just picked up his tool belt and moved to work on the counters.

            Anya, meanwhile, moved to where Dawn was sitting and sat down in the chair that Xander had just vacated.  She asked, "What are you reading?"

            Dawn answered with a somber tone, "It's a book for school, on history.  You would think that after all the experience that I've had with ancient prophecies and ancient evils, that I'd at least be able to remain partially interested in this stuff.  But it's so boring!  I've read like the same paragraph five times."

            "If reading is too boring for you, you could always help Xander.  Or maybe help me get the shop ready for opening."  Anya said the last part hopefully.

            Dawn vehemently shook her head, "Oh, no.  I'm not letting you rope me into working for you like you did Xander.  I have no reason to suck up to you like he does."

            "I did not force Xander into working for me.  He is merely paying what he owes me after leaving me at the altar.  I get free, quality labor."

            Dawn waved her hand distractedly as she tried to concentrate on her book again.  She mumbled, "Whatever," and then pointedly went back to her reading.  Dawn hoped Anya got the message.

            Thankfully, Anya did get the message and she left Dawn in a huff.  Dawn smiled slightly as she saw Anya go back to her boxes.  It wasn't that she necessarily liked being rude to Anya, but sometimes Anya could latch onto a subject and never let go, and Dawn really needed to get her homework done.

            Unfortunately, Fate must have felt like Dawn passing her next history test was not a good thing, and so decided to interrupt her again.  This time in the form of a man walking through the Magic Box's entrance.

            Anya, who was the closest to the door, intercepted the man before he could move further into the shop.  "I'm sorry, but we're closed for remodeling.  The store should be open in the next few days though, so please come back later."

            The man just ignored Anya completely, and walked around her.  He set off with a purposeful stride toward where Xander was working on the counters.  Anya, not liking being completely ignored, started chasing after the advancing man.  "Excuse me!  Did you not hear what I said?  We're closed!  As in not open."

            The man continued to ignore Anya.  By now Xander had heard the commotion and stood up to face the large man.

            And a large man he was.  He was about six four, and easily over two hundred pounds, all of which Xander could see was muscle, thanks to the tight, form fitting black clothes the man was wearing.  He was black, and seemed to be around thirty years old, but considering where they were, the age could be misleading. 

Xander couldn't help but feel intimidated by the man standing in front of him.  Not only was he physically imposing, but there was something in the man's eyes that made Xander feel chills run up and down his body.  Years of living on the Hellmouth had taught Xander to distinguish between a normal man and a man that was dangerous.  The man standing in front of him was very dangerous.

Still, Xander wasn't about to let this man just waltz into the place like he owned it.  In as calm and collected a tone as he could manage, he said.  "Excuse me, but I think my friend told you to leave."

Ignoring what Xander said, the man spoke in a deep voice.  "Are you Alexander Harris?"

Fear coursed through Xander as the man finished speaking.  When a stranger on the Hellmouth knew who you were, it was never a good thing.  "Yeah, I'm Alexander Harris.  Who the hell are you?"

The man just ignored Xander's question, instead focusing on the first thing he said.  "You are the man that I am looking for.  I have been sent to find you."  The man, in one fluid motion, stepped back, reached behind his back and pulled out a long, intricately carved sword.  Bringing the sword into an attack position, the man advanced toward Xander with a purpose. 

To be continued……………………………..