New Horizons: Chapter Sixty-Two
The Continuance
By Annie
2002-08-21
"Dawn," Sarah mumbled, her hand going to her throat and then she gently sunk down on her knees. "Water."
Dawn moved even before she was realizing what she was doing; into the kitchen, grabbing a glass and filling it with water she then returned into the living room and approached Sarah who was still kneeling. The latter took the glass and gulped it down swiftly before looking up gratefully, and sitting down heavily, the purple silk of the dress she was wearing bellowed out around her and Dawn was still gaping at the sight.
"How...? Why...?" she stuttered as she put the glass on the table and then turned back to the lady.
"I'll explain all that, don't worry..." Sarah answered, voice still slightly coarse, but other than that she seemed more than fine. "Now I'd better move...make some room," she then added and slowly got to her feet before taking a few steps away from the mirror, gently pulling Dawn with her.
"But how...?"
Dawn was interrupted by the mirror once more starting the process of spitting a body out and she stared at it as the leg obviously belonging to a man stepped out, the torso and body following. The mirror grew calm and the man looked around for a moment, fixing his gaze on Sarah and then he blinked.
"Dawn, would it be possible for you to get some more water, please?" Sarah asked and Dawn nodded, turning around and executing the favor, returning once more and handing the glass to the middle aged man who looked at her with kind eyes and a smile as he accepted her offering and drank it as fast as Sarah had.
"Sarah..." Dawn said slowly. "Why did you come back? And, excuse me, but who's this?" she added, turning to the man who was wiping his chin clean from water.
"I came back because I figured something out about the prophecy and I had to see William again," Sarah answered with a smile, looking around the room as though she had missed it and as though it held many pleasant memories before adding: "And may I present my father, Jacob. Dad, this is Buffy's sister - Dawn."
Jacob was still smiling and then he nodded.
"I guessed as much, my dear," he said to his daughter, eyes still resting on Dawn. "You have told me enough stories about the people in this house for me to be able to, wouldn't you agree?" he added and then he smiled wider as he now directed his words to Dawn in a conspiratorially lowered voice: "Believe me, I know everybody by their first names already and I have a rather accurate picture of them from Sarah's countless on-goings of William's friends, now we'll just have to see if everything adds up."
Dawn smiled back, feeling happy to see Sarah again, she had really missed that she didn't get a chance to get to know her a little better.
"Well, welcome," she said. "And, welcome back," she added with a look at Sarah.
"Dawn, I could have SWORN I heard..." Spike's voice sounded as he came down the stairs and before it was cut short as he stopped in the doorway to the living room, his eyes growing with disbelief at the sight of the travellers.
"Sworn you heard Sarah and Jacob talking?" Dawn asked coyly, smiling at the look on the vamp's face. "Well... Surprise!" she added with a smirk and flapping her arms out in a true ta-DA gesture.
Sarah smiled at Spike and then she walked towards him as he did the same, they met and he grabbed her to pull her close in a tight embrace.
"Sarah?!" Buffy exclaimed as she made her appearance behind Spike's back. "Jacob!" she added as her eyes met his and he smiled brightly as she did the same.
She walked up to him and put her arms around him and he did as well. They pulled away and turned to Sarah and Spike who were smiling at each other so widely both Buffy and Jacob almost got scared that their jaws would break.
"I can't believe I actually got to see you again!" Spike stated, shaking his head still disbelieving and Sarah laughed.
"I know what you mean," she said. "But I just HAD to see if you got here alright and...well, there's this...thing I just had to tell you about," she added, glancing at Buffy and both Slayer and Vamp exchanged a look of amusement before Spike confided:
"We already know."
Sarah's eyes grew a little and then she laughed again.
"Well, then I guess I don't have an excuse for dropping by. Dad, we should be leaving, don't you think?" she asked wryly and was met by heartily exclaimed protests from the Scoobies AND Jacob and she raised her hands in deffence as she started laughing again. "Okay, okay!" she said. "I suppose we're staying!"
Everybody were more than pleased by that.
Buffy left Jacob's side and walked up to Spike who put his arm around her waist, pulling her to him as they beamed at each other and Sarah observed them for a moment before sighing a little.
"THIS was what I came here to see, THIS is what I really needed to make sure had happened. You two, together...well, I KNEW it was going to happen, I just didn't know when or how. Will, you'll have to tell me all the details later," she said and he smiled at her, then nodded.
"Or perhaps we both will," Buffy said and now Sarah smiled.
"I would like that," she replied and Jacob agreed.
"Yes, we must know everything that has happened since you left London," he stated.
"Everything?" Dawn now asked and they turned to her, quizzically as the doorbell suddenly rang and Dawn got moving at the same time as she elaborated: "Well, it's just that so much has happened and I think we might not have time before the PARTY. Remember?"
She opened the door and turned to meet the eyes of Devon and she almost jumped back with surprise.
"Devon!" she exclaimed and he smiled at her.
"You were expecting me, right?" he asked and she laughed a little nervously, then nodded.
"Of course! I mean, we just had kinda some unexpected guests and so I sorta forgot to expect you, but I so totally was before and...eh, just come in," she finished with a sigh and he laughed a little as he stepped in through the door.
He was met by the sight of two very formally attired individuals, the friendly and encouraging eyes of what could only be Dawn's sister and the slightly confused and already suspicious gaze of a man looking like he could either pat you hard on the back or rip your throat out, all it really depended on being the circumstances.
Devon swallowed a little and then smiled as he turned to Dawn, trying to keep his voice low as he said:
"I take it THAT'S Spike? I can see why you felt you needed to warn me!"
He added the last part wryly and Dawn smiled back as they began walking into the living room, and then she turned her gaze at Spike who had raised both eyebrows quizzically, smirk growing on his lips, and she shrugged at him before putting on an apologetic face and the vamp's smirk grew into a smile as he was the first to reach out a hand to Devon.
"Hey there," he said and Devon hesitated but a second before grabbing it.
"Hi, how you doing?" he asked and Spike smiled wider before grabbing a slightly tighter hold on the young man's hand and then he answered:
"Sodding perfect, and that's how I 'spose the niblet'll be feeling like the entire evening right up 'til you have her safely delivered to the front door no later than eleven."
"Spike!" Dawn exclaimed, distraught and not knowing whether to look at Devon or not.
But Devon merely smiled back at the vamp, then nodded.
"I promise to bring her home safe and sound; but I can't promise, I can merely try my best to make Dawn feel that this evening is just perfect. Sir," he added the last part respectfully and Spike looked at him for a moment longer before letting go of his hand.
"Alright, this chap seems pretty honest, but you know if there's anything you need you come to me," he said, turning his head to Dawn who tried her best not to blush as she said:
"Oh, you mean the regular beating you give all boys who come to our door? Or were you only referring to the locking-them-up-and-throwing-away-the-key policy you and Buffy made up after the whole Halloween incident?"
Spike cocked an eyebrow, though the Lil'Bit was sounding as though she was just joking around he could detect a small sting of truth and he realized exactly how nervous she was about this whole thing - not because she was scared Buffy or he would do something to embarrass her, but because she was afraid that Devon just might be a wolf in sheep's clothing, as so many others before him.
His heart went out to her at that moment and he smiled a little, trying to make it reassuring and promising himself he would have a chat, in private, with her. And perhaps he might seek the opportunity to have one with Devon as well. Might be a bloody brilliant idea, when it got right down to it.
"What 'Halloween incident'?" Devon asked and Dawn turned to him with a shake of the head and a small smile. "So," he then added, "there are a lotta victims of this policy of yours lurking around somewhere?"
Dawn nodded, seriously, but her eyes gleamed with tease and Buffy looked at her sister who was more beautiful than ever.
God, she thought, please, PLEASE, let Devon be a descent guy! She so deserves one.
"We have a stash down in the basement," Dawn answered Devon's question and he smiled at her before looking around in fake curiosity. "Oh, but don't worry," Dawn now added. "They're all rather harmless, IF they get their food every hour on the hour...otherwise they go ballistic down there...It's really awful and I've been begging Buffy to buy some sound proof cages for the little dears so that we can at least have one quiet afternoon, but she says that it's just not possible. They're quite expensive, you see. Oh well."
She ended with a dramatic shrug and a look of resignation into the ceiling.
"Marvellous!" Jacob exclaimed, applauding her and Dawn couldn't hold back a smile. "Tell me, my dear, have you ever thought of becoming an actress?"
Now Dawn's face grew flushed as she shook her head and then she laughed.
"I couldn't stand on a stage or before a stage-crew," she stated and Jacob clicked his tongue before reaching over and grabbing both her hands in his.
"Those things you can practise to go away, and then just like that they will have left you alone. Oh, what a loss for the stage, such a pretty flower needs to bloom!"
"Oh, heavens, daddy, you're making the poor girl feel bad and you've hardly said anything else than 'hello' to her," Sarah cut in, shaking her head and pulling Jacob a step back, thus he let Dawn's hands go.
Dawn smiled.
"No, that's okay," she said. "I'm flattered, but I don't think it'd be the life for me. I don't know what is, but I'm sure it'll come to me eventually."
"Who knows," Jacob said with a nod towards Buffy, "You may be the next Slayer. When Buffy wants to retire, who's going to chase down the vampires and monsters and demons of the world?"
Dawn laughed rather loudly before nodding a little and grabbing Devon's arm as she escorted him towards the kitchen.
"Who knows," she said, shrugging, with a glance at Jacob. "Excuse us," she added as she and Devon disappeared from view.
"Vampires? Monsters? Demons?" Devon asked, and Dawn swallowed before smiling brightly and putting on an innocent face.
She didn't want to lie but she couldn't think of any subject big enough to change with from the current one.
"Slayer?" Devon now asked and Dawn looked at him before turning around and walking up to one of the cabinets, opening it she reached up and grabbed a glass before turning back to him asking:
"Would you like some water?"
He observed her for a moment and then he nodded silently.
She smiled hesitantly before grabbing a second glass, closing the cabinet and walking over to the faucet. She filled them both, turned off the water and then faced Devon again, handing him his glass he took it and their fingers brushed against each other. The sensation lingered on her fingertips as she brought her glass to her lips and she swallowed three mouthfuls before turning away from him, slightly confused at the feeling that was beginning to twirl in her stomach.
Butterflies bigger than any she had ever felt before and she closed her eyes as she put down her glass on the kitchen counter.
"Dawn? Are you alright?" he asked, worriedly, the sound of his voice suddenly making her whole body feel set on fire and she drew a shaky breath before she started to laugh at herself.
What a baby she was! What an inexperienced little baby girl.
She turned to meet Devon's questioning gaze and then she nodded, still laughing a little to herself.
"I'm just fine," she answered. "I'm just starting to realize something."
He waited for her to continue and she did so by taking his glass and putting it next to her own.
"I'm beginning to understand that I really like you," she said softly and he looked into her eyes as his own grew just a little.
"Really?" he asked and she nodded.
"Yes," she said and he smiled, reaching out a hand and letting one finger gently touch her cheek he said:
"I like you too, Dawn."
Tingles, tingles, tingles - running wild through her every nerve and she quivered a little with pleasure.
"And get the wine, it's in the fridge!" Buffy's voice was heard and they took a small step away from each other just as Spike entered the kitchen.
"Alright, alright," he grumbled and then looked up as he saw them. "Time to go; if you're coming with us, that is?" he said, trying not to look from one to the other or observe how close they were standing though they weren't touching, but finding it a little difficult.
This was his niblet, he considered her a friend, a sister if not a daughter and he loved her very much. He would protect her with his life, always, and he still wasn't sure that this Devon character could be trusted. Though he may not be some kind of freak of nature he could be something worse - a hormonal teenage boy.
Dawn smiled a little and then nodded.
"Yeah, we're coming with you," she said and then reached out to lazily grab Devon's hand.
The young man suddenly looked very proud and perhaps a little surprised as he followed Dawn who headed out the kitchen. Spike soon followed; the wine bottles in a bag.
He joined the group at Buffy's side and waited for her as she locked the front-door of the house, the other's walking ahead. When she turned to him he said:
"What do you think of Devon?"
She smiled a little, taking his hand and he squeezed hers slightly. "I think he seems like a good, wholesome young man," she said and he smiled crookedly as they started to walk after the others.
"Really? No worries then, love?" he asked and she cleared her throat a little, which made him laugh.
"Well," she then started slowly, smiling. "Of course I have SOME worries, but there's not a doubt in my mind that Dawn can handle it. And, she has to live...right?"
Spike looked at her, then nodded, face growing serious.
"She really does," he agreed. "And I'm glad she's not afraid to, you know?"
Now Buffy nodded.
"He seems like a rather nice young man, don't you think?" Sarah asked as they caught up with her where she had been waiting for them on the sidewalk.
"Well," both Slayer and Vamp said slowly and then they laughed a little and Sarah smiled at them, looking at their hands clasped tight and the leisurely way they walked close side-by-side.
"I cannot tell you how happy I am for you. There were times in London that were so dark between the two of you, and though there was still light there I truly did have my moments of doubt. It just nearly broke my heart to see the mirror break... now I'm so happy that you took the leap, William, that you dared to take a chance to see if you would be returned here," she said and Buffy looked at her with friendly love before stopping, releasing Spike's hand and embracing the lady hard.
"You're such a wonderful friend, Sarah," she said and Sarah smiled, hugging her tight.
"So are you, darling," she stated and Buffy smiled as well as they pulled away.
"I never got to thank you for everything you did for me while I was with you, you did so incredibly much and without you I might not have found out all the things I did."
"Nonsense," Sarah interrupted, shaking her head. "Of course you would have still realized what your true feelings about William were! It was just a matter of time!"
Buffy smiled, hooking one arm in Sarah's and grabbing Spike's hand once more as they began to walk.
"I think you're wrong," she retorted silently and Sarah looked at her. "I do!" Buffy assured, nodding her head a little before continuing: "I can be a bit stubborn." Huffs from both Spike and Dawn underlined exactly what an understatement that had been and Buffy gave them a look each before smiling a little. "Alright, so I'm really stubborn and I know that if you hadn't been there to help me open my eyes I might as well never have, or I'd done it too late and then it wouldn't really have been for any good, would it? I owe you this huge part of my happiness and now I'm just so glad that you're here to share it," she finished and Sarah smiled at her.
"No more than I," she said.
Devon looked at Dawn and she smiled slightly before turning her head to meet his gaze.
"Hi," she said and he grinned, then nodded.
"Yeah," he said and she squeezed his hand a little.
"Were you thinking about anything?" she asked.
"Well," he started, then looked over his shoulder at Jacob who walked behind them and then at Sarah who was walking last with Buffy and Spike. "You said I should come as I am, but I'm starting to feel that that might be a little too...little," he stated and Dawn raised her eye brows.
Then she giggled.
"Oh! You mean with the whole dress and suit from like the nineteenth century?" she asked and he nodded a little. "Well, they're just more comfortable in those clothes since, you know, they're FROM that century and all."
He stared at her for a moment and then he started laughing. She laughed as well.
This, she thought, is going to take hours, maybe days, perhaps even weeks to explain.
Then she looked at him again, smiling wide and he smiled back.
"You're funny," he said and she tilted her head a little to one side.
"I know," she answered and he smirked.
"I'm sure," he said and she gave him a little push in the side with one elbow.
"Yeah, right," she retorted and he observed her for a moment before saying:
"You're looking extremely beautiful this evening."
That made her shut her mouth in fear of giggling in a stupid way or that she was going to say something dumb or just loose her head. Instead her cheeks began to burn and now he laughed a little again.
"I'm not joking, you look really, really good. Incredible, even. I'd say you look like royalty. Man! Beside you I look like a fool at court with the most dazzling woman..."
"Shut up!" she grumbled and then she laughed, shaking her head at him as he smiled back.
"Alright, but I'm thinking it, just so you know," he stated and she looked up at him.
"Thank you," she said and he smiled warmly.
"You're more than welcome," he answered and she felt small pink clouds start to emerge under her feet.
So this is how easy it is to fall for someone, she thought. It's scary how easy it is.
***
Giles was writing in his journal at the counter when the group of people arrived at the Magic Box.
He didn't even look up from the pages as the bell jingled, but Anya and Xander immediately emerged from the sparring room. Willow and Tara had put the final touch to the lights which were hung as garlands in the ceiling of the shop and around some of the walls. They were really for the Christmas decorations, but it didn't really matter. They made for a perfect back drop.
There were greetings exchanged, especially for Sarah and Jacob, but also of course for the new comer Devon, Dawn heaving a relieved sigh when Anya restrained from dropping one of her infamous and honest remarks about the latter.
Buffy left Spike's side and walked up to her Watcher with a small smile before bringing her hand down, banging her palm onto the counter and then meeting Giles' gaze as he distractedly looked up.
"I know you're here, Buffy," he said. "I just need to finish this," he added.
She looked at him for a moment then nodded, shrugging.
"Fine, go ahead," she said and he smiled a little before looking down again and punctuating the sentence he had just finished.
Then he closed the book and put it on the shelf below the counter, smiling as he straightened his back and Buffy laughed.
"You ready?" she asked and he nodded, coming around to her side.
He looked up and was surprised by the sight of the additions to their group of friends and Buffy smiled wider.
"Giles," she said as they came up to the assembly. "May I present lady Sarah and her father sir Jacob. Sarah, Jacob...this is Rupert Giles."
Giles grabbed Jacob's hand, both liking the fact of another English man - with the exception for Spike, of course - being a part of their little crowd.
"Pleasure," Giles said and Jacob nodded.
"Quite, quite," he agreed and they both smiled.
Then Giles turned to Sarah who was already smiling and holding out her hand. Buffy couldn't help but notice the small gleam of interest in Giles' eyes, as well as the sudden admiration. Giles took a gentle hold of the lady's hand and then he bent down and kissed it.
"I'm truly honored," he said and Sarah smiled warmly at him as he straightened his back. "I have heard so much about your kindness as well as your bravery," he added and now she laughed a little.
"Come now, Mr. Giles," she said as they let go of each others hands. "You mustn't believe everything that those two tell you," she continued, making a small gesture towards Spike and Buffy, "they were much too engulfed by their own pressing matters than to be able to make an exact account of all the happenings during our little adventure."
Giles smiled.
"That may be so," he agreed. "But I was referring to the prophecy scrolls, which speak of a Guardian Angel many times. Your role in that great play is most obvious," he then said and Sarah looked at him for a moment before smiling again.
"So, you have studied the prophecy?" she asked, sounding intrigued. Then she seemed to understand something and added: "Of course. You told them about the gift they have received, am I right?"
Giles nodded.
"How extraordinarily perfect the puzzle fits," she said with another smile. "But me being labelled as something of such significance I dare not agree to," she added and Giles met her gaze before saying:
"Then I must hear your version of the story, so that I can make an account of my own. And upon that we shall see if you should wear a label with any less nobility. I doubt it."
Buffy stared at him, and then turned her gaze to Sarah before she couldn't help but smile.
"Is anybody hungry?" Anya asked and they all agreed, walking into the sparring room where a table had been set up, candles were burning everywhere and the scenery was magic.
They placed themselves sporadically around the table, Anya hearing more compliments on the arrangement than she could have hoped for, and then they enjoyed the cooking of Willow and Xander, with a little help from Anya and a lot of help from Giles.
When dessert was about to be served the bell jingled out in the shop and Spike rose from his seat at the same time as Anya did.
"I think I know who it is," he said, raising his hands slightly as a gesture for her to sit down again. "I invited Clem, I hope that's alright," he added and they all said of course and so he went out to meet him.
Soon the two joined the party and there was room made for one more, the friendly demon was seated between Devon and Jacob and then dessert was served.
Devon turned to Clem with a smile and reached out his hand.
"Hi, I'm Devon, here with Dawn," he said and Clem seemed to jump a little with surprise before turning to the human, eyeing him in silence for a few moments before reaching out and taking his outstretched hand.
"Eh...hi, I'm Clem. I'm friends with most of the people here, I guess, so I'm sorta here with all of them. Except for the lady with the pretty dress and," here he lowered his voice slightly, "the gentleman sitting next to me. I've never seen them here before."
Devon smiled, then nodded.
"I don't mean to be rude," he then said. "And please tell me to back off if I'm intruding on personal matters, but have you ever tried to see a specialist about your condition? My dad's a surgeon, you see. A plastic one."
Dawn swallowed her mouthful of ice-cream and was about to cut into the conversation, but it was too late as Clem had already started his answer:
"Don't worry about it, most people ask and I don't mind. I'd rather have them do that than look at me all sympathetically and then talk about it behind my back. Actually I've always looked like this.it sorta.eh, run's in the family," he then answered before shrugging a little and picking up his spoon to dig in on his ice-cream.
Devon looked at him for a moment longer, then he said:
"You're incredibly strong. Most people I've seen break down completely."
"Oh, well, where I come from most people suffer from some kind of...well, what you'd call 'abnormality'," Clem answered, swallowing and then smiling. "It's really no big deal there. I mean, I think I look pretty descent as supposed to some of the ones I know. Ones I met this Craghnak demon, and I'm telling you, HE was just."
"Okay, enough of the warm and fuzzy bonding!" Dawn interrupted and then she laughed a little. "Sorry, Clem, but this is kinda our first date and I'd like to talk with Devon for a little while...if that's okay with you...And with Devon, of course."
Clem nodded, smiling wide and Dawn got a feeling he understood, and then Devon smiled as well, turning to her instead, with a nod at Clem.
"So, what do you wanna talk about?" Devon asked and Dawn shrugged.
"Let's just take one thing at a time," she answered. "I think that's the best way, don't you?"
He nodded and she scooped up some more ice-cream.
Okay, she thought to herself, munching down the dessert and glancing at Devon. Here goes nothing...!
The Continuance
By Annie
2002-08-21
"Dawn," Sarah mumbled, her hand going to her throat and then she gently sunk down on her knees. "Water."
Dawn moved even before she was realizing what she was doing; into the kitchen, grabbing a glass and filling it with water she then returned into the living room and approached Sarah who was still kneeling. The latter took the glass and gulped it down swiftly before looking up gratefully, and sitting down heavily, the purple silk of the dress she was wearing bellowed out around her and Dawn was still gaping at the sight.
"How...? Why...?" she stuttered as she put the glass on the table and then turned back to the lady.
"I'll explain all that, don't worry..." Sarah answered, voice still slightly coarse, but other than that she seemed more than fine. "Now I'd better move...make some room," she then added and slowly got to her feet before taking a few steps away from the mirror, gently pulling Dawn with her.
"But how...?"
Dawn was interrupted by the mirror once more starting the process of spitting a body out and she stared at it as the leg obviously belonging to a man stepped out, the torso and body following. The mirror grew calm and the man looked around for a moment, fixing his gaze on Sarah and then he blinked.
"Dawn, would it be possible for you to get some more water, please?" Sarah asked and Dawn nodded, turning around and executing the favor, returning once more and handing the glass to the middle aged man who looked at her with kind eyes and a smile as he accepted her offering and drank it as fast as Sarah had.
"Sarah..." Dawn said slowly. "Why did you come back? And, excuse me, but who's this?" she added, turning to the man who was wiping his chin clean from water.
"I came back because I figured something out about the prophecy and I had to see William again," Sarah answered with a smile, looking around the room as though she had missed it and as though it held many pleasant memories before adding: "And may I present my father, Jacob. Dad, this is Buffy's sister - Dawn."
Jacob was still smiling and then he nodded.
"I guessed as much, my dear," he said to his daughter, eyes still resting on Dawn. "You have told me enough stories about the people in this house for me to be able to, wouldn't you agree?" he added and then he smiled wider as he now directed his words to Dawn in a conspiratorially lowered voice: "Believe me, I know everybody by their first names already and I have a rather accurate picture of them from Sarah's countless on-goings of William's friends, now we'll just have to see if everything adds up."
Dawn smiled back, feeling happy to see Sarah again, she had really missed that she didn't get a chance to get to know her a little better.
"Well, welcome," she said. "And, welcome back," she added with a look at Sarah.
"Dawn, I could have SWORN I heard..." Spike's voice sounded as he came down the stairs and before it was cut short as he stopped in the doorway to the living room, his eyes growing with disbelief at the sight of the travellers.
"Sworn you heard Sarah and Jacob talking?" Dawn asked coyly, smiling at the look on the vamp's face. "Well... Surprise!" she added with a smirk and flapping her arms out in a true ta-DA gesture.
Sarah smiled at Spike and then she walked towards him as he did the same, they met and he grabbed her to pull her close in a tight embrace.
"Sarah?!" Buffy exclaimed as she made her appearance behind Spike's back. "Jacob!" she added as her eyes met his and he smiled brightly as she did the same.
She walked up to him and put her arms around him and he did as well. They pulled away and turned to Sarah and Spike who were smiling at each other so widely both Buffy and Jacob almost got scared that their jaws would break.
"I can't believe I actually got to see you again!" Spike stated, shaking his head still disbelieving and Sarah laughed.
"I know what you mean," she said. "But I just HAD to see if you got here alright and...well, there's this...thing I just had to tell you about," she added, glancing at Buffy and both Slayer and Vamp exchanged a look of amusement before Spike confided:
"We already know."
Sarah's eyes grew a little and then she laughed again.
"Well, then I guess I don't have an excuse for dropping by. Dad, we should be leaving, don't you think?" she asked wryly and was met by heartily exclaimed protests from the Scoobies AND Jacob and she raised her hands in deffence as she started laughing again. "Okay, okay!" she said. "I suppose we're staying!"
Everybody were more than pleased by that.
Buffy left Jacob's side and walked up to Spike who put his arm around her waist, pulling her to him as they beamed at each other and Sarah observed them for a moment before sighing a little.
"THIS was what I came here to see, THIS is what I really needed to make sure had happened. You two, together...well, I KNEW it was going to happen, I just didn't know when or how. Will, you'll have to tell me all the details later," she said and he smiled at her, then nodded.
"Or perhaps we both will," Buffy said and now Sarah smiled.
"I would like that," she replied and Jacob agreed.
"Yes, we must know everything that has happened since you left London," he stated.
"Everything?" Dawn now asked and they turned to her, quizzically as the doorbell suddenly rang and Dawn got moving at the same time as she elaborated: "Well, it's just that so much has happened and I think we might not have time before the PARTY. Remember?"
She opened the door and turned to meet the eyes of Devon and she almost jumped back with surprise.
"Devon!" she exclaimed and he smiled at her.
"You were expecting me, right?" he asked and she laughed a little nervously, then nodded.
"Of course! I mean, we just had kinda some unexpected guests and so I sorta forgot to expect you, but I so totally was before and...eh, just come in," she finished with a sigh and he laughed a little as he stepped in through the door.
He was met by the sight of two very formally attired individuals, the friendly and encouraging eyes of what could only be Dawn's sister and the slightly confused and already suspicious gaze of a man looking like he could either pat you hard on the back or rip your throat out, all it really depended on being the circumstances.
Devon swallowed a little and then smiled as he turned to Dawn, trying to keep his voice low as he said:
"I take it THAT'S Spike? I can see why you felt you needed to warn me!"
He added the last part wryly and Dawn smiled back as they began walking into the living room, and then she turned her gaze at Spike who had raised both eyebrows quizzically, smirk growing on his lips, and she shrugged at him before putting on an apologetic face and the vamp's smirk grew into a smile as he was the first to reach out a hand to Devon.
"Hey there," he said and Devon hesitated but a second before grabbing it.
"Hi, how you doing?" he asked and Spike smiled wider before grabbing a slightly tighter hold on the young man's hand and then he answered:
"Sodding perfect, and that's how I 'spose the niblet'll be feeling like the entire evening right up 'til you have her safely delivered to the front door no later than eleven."
"Spike!" Dawn exclaimed, distraught and not knowing whether to look at Devon or not.
But Devon merely smiled back at the vamp, then nodded.
"I promise to bring her home safe and sound; but I can't promise, I can merely try my best to make Dawn feel that this evening is just perfect. Sir," he added the last part respectfully and Spike looked at him for a moment longer before letting go of his hand.
"Alright, this chap seems pretty honest, but you know if there's anything you need you come to me," he said, turning his head to Dawn who tried her best not to blush as she said:
"Oh, you mean the regular beating you give all boys who come to our door? Or were you only referring to the locking-them-up-and-throwing-away-the-key policy you and Buffy made up after the whole Halloween incident?"
Spike cocked an eyebrow, though the Lil'Bit was sounding as though she was just joking around he could detect a small sting of truth and he realized exactly how nervous she was about this whole thing - not because she was scared Buffy or he would do something to embarrass her, but because she was afraid that Devon just might be a wolf in sheep's clothing, as so many others before him.
His heart went out to her at that moment and he smiled a little, trying to make it reassuring and promising himself he would have a chat, in private, with her. And perhaps he might seek the opportunity to have one with Devon as well. Might be a bloody brilliant idea, when it got right down to it.
"What 'Halloween incident'?" Devon asked and Dawn turned to him with a shake of the head and a small smile. "So," he then added, "there are a lotta victims of this policy of yours lurking around somewhere?"
Dawn nodded, seriously, but her eyes gleamed with tease and Buffy looked at her sister who was more beautiful than ever.
God, she thought, please, PLEASE, let Devon be a descent guy! She so deserves one.
"We have a stash down in the basement," Dawn answered Devon's question and he smiled at her before looking around in fake curiosity. "Oh, but don't worry," Dawn now added. "They're all rather harmless, IF they get their food every hour on the hour...otherwise they go ballistic down there...It's really awful and I've been begging Buffy to buy some sound proof cages for the little dears so that we can at least have one quiet afternoon, but she says that it's just not possible. They're quite expensive, you see. Oh well."
She ended with a dramatic shrug and a look of resignation into the ceiling.
"Marvellous!" Jacob exclaimed, applauding her and Dawn couldn't hold back a smile. "Tell me, my dear, have you ever thought of becoming an actress?"
Now Dawn's face grew flushed as she shook her head and then she laughed.
"I couldn't stand on a stage or before a stage-crew," she stated and Jacob clicked his tongue before reaching over and grabbing both her hands in his.
"Those things you can practise to go away, and then just like that they will have left you alone. Oh, what a loss for the stage, such a pretty flower needs to bloom!"
"Oh, heavens, daddy, you're making the poor girl feel bad and you've hardly said anything else than 'hello' to her," Sarah cut in, shaking her head and pulling Jacob a step back, thus he let Dawn's hands go.
Dawn smiled.
"No, that's okay," she said. "I'm flattered, but I don't think it'd be the life for me. I don't know what is, but I'm sure it'll come to me eventually."
"Who knows," Jacob said with a nod towards Buffy, "You may be the next Slayer. When Buffy wants to retire, who's going to chase down the vampires and monsters and demons of the world?"
Dawn laughed rather loudly before nodding a little and grabbing Devon's arm as she escorted him towards the kitchen.
"Who knows," she said, shrugging, with a glance at Jacob. "Excuse us," she added as she and Devon disappeared from view.
"Vampires? Monsters? Demons?" Devon asked, and Dawn swallowed before smiling brightly and putting on an innocent face.
She didn't want to lie but she couldn't think of any subject big enough to change with from the current one.
"Slayer?" Devon now asked and Dawn looked at him before turning around and walking up to one of the cabinets, opening it she reached up and grabbed a glass before turning back to him asking:
"Would you like some water?"
He observed her for a moment and then he nodded silently.
She smiled hesitantly before grabbing a second glass, closing the cabinet and walking over to the faucet. She filled them both, turned off the water and then faced Devon again, handing him his glass he took it and their fingers brushed against each other. The sensation lingered on her fingertips as she brought her glass to her lips and she swallowed three mouthfuls before turning away from him, slightly confused at the feeling that was beginning to twirl in her stomach.
Butterflies bigger than any she had ever felt before and she closed her eyes as she put down her glass on the kitchen counter.
"Dawn? Are you alright?" he asked, worriedly, the sound of his voice suddenly making her whole body feel set on fire and she drew a shaky breath before she started to laugh at herself.
What a baby she was! What an inexperienced little baby girl.
She turned to meet Devon's questioning gaze and then she nodded, still laughing a little to herself.
"I'm just fine," she answered. "I'm just starting to realize something."
He waited for her to continue and she did so by taking his glass and putting it next to her own.
"I'm beginning to understand that I really like you," she said softly and he looked into her eyes as his own grew just a little.
"Really?" he asked and she nodded.
"Yes," she said and he smiled, reaching out a hand and letting one finger gently touch her cheek he said:
"I like you too, Dawn."
Tingles, tingles, tingles - running wild through her every nerve and she quivered a little with pleasure.
"And get the wine, it's in the fridge!" Buffy's voice was heard and they took a small step away from each other just as Spike entered the kitchen.
"Alright, alright," he grumbled and then looked up as he saw them. "Time to go; if you're coming with us, that is?" he said, trying not to look from one to the other or observe how close they were standing though they weren't touching, but finding it a little difficult.
This was his niblet, he considered her a friend, a sister if not a daughter and he loved her very much. He would protect her with his life, always, and he still wasn't sure that this Devon character could be trusted. Though he may not be some kind of freak of nature he could be something worse - a hormonal teenage boy.
Dawn smiled a little and then nodded.
"Yeah, we're coming with you," she said and then reached out to lazily grab Devon's hand.
The young man suddenly looked very proud and perhaps a little surprised as he followed Dawn who headed out the kitchen. Spike soon followed; the wine bottles in a bag.
He joined the group at Buffy's side and waited for her as she locked the front-door of the house, the other's walking ahead. When she turned to him he said:
"What do you think of Devon?"
She smiled a little, taking his hand and he squeezed hers slightly. "I think he seems like a good, wholesome young man," she said and he smiled crookedly as they started to walk after the others.
"Really? No worries then, love?" he asked and she cleared her throat a little, which made him laugh.
"Well," she then started slowly, smiling. "Of course I have SOME worries, but there's not a doubt in my mind that Dawn can handle it. And, she has to live...right?"
Spike looked at her, then nodded, face growing serious.
"She really does," he agreed. "And I'm glad she's not afraid to, you know?"
Now Buffy nodded.
"He seems like a rather nice young man, don't you think?" Sarah asked as they caught up with her where she had been waiting for them on the sidewalk.
"Well," both Slayer and Vamp said slowly and then they laughed a little and Sarah smiled at them, looking at their hands clasped tight and the leisurely way they walked close side-by-side.
"I cannot tell you how happy I am for you. There were times in London that were so dark between the two of you, and though there was still light there I truly did have my moments of doubt. It just nearly broke my heart to see the mirror break... now I'm so happy that you took the leap, William, that you dared to take a chance to see if you would be returned here," she said and Buffy looked at her with friendly love before stopping, releasing Spike's hand and embracing the lady hard.
"You're such a wonderful friend, Sarah," she said and Sarah smiled, hugging her tight.
"So are you, darling," she stated and Buffy smiled as well as they pulled away.
"I never got to thank you for everything you did for me while I was with you, you did so incredibly much and without you I might not have found out all the things I did."
"Nonsense," Sarah interrupted, shaking her head. "Of course you would have still realized what your true feelings about William were! It was just a matter of time!"
Buffy smiled, hooking one arm in Sarah's and grabbing Spike's hand once more as they began to walk.
"I think you're wrong," she retorted silently and Sarah looked at her. "I do!" Buffy assured, nodding her head a little before continuing: "I can be a bit stubborn." Huffs from both Spike and Dawn underlined exactly what an understatement that had been and Buffy gave them a look each before smiling a little. "Alright, so I'm really stubborn and I know that if you hadn't been there to help me open my eyes I might as well never have, or I'd done it too late and then it wouldn't really have been for any good, would it? I owe you this huge part of my happiness and now I'm just so glad that you're here to share it," she finished and Sarah smiled at her.
"No more than I," she said.
Devon looked at Dawn and she smiled slightly before turning her head to meet his gaze.
"Hi," she said and he grinned, then nodded.
"Yeah," he said and she squeezed his hand a little.
"Were you thinking about anything?" she asked.
"Well," he started, then looked over his shoulder at Jacob who walked behind them and then at Sarah who was walking last with Buffy and Spike. "You said I should come as I am, but I'm starting to feel that that might be a little too...little," he stated and Dawn raised her eye brows.
Then she giggled.
"Oh! You mean with the whole dress and suit from like the nineteenth century?" she asked and he nodded a little. "Well, they're just more comfortable in those clothes since, you know, they're FROM that century and all."
He stared at her for a moment and then he started laughing. She laughed as well.
This, she thought, is going to take hours, maybe days, perhaps even weeks to explain.
Then she looked at him again, smiling wide and he smiled back.
"You're funny," he said and she tilted her head a little to one side.
"I know," she answered and he smirked.
"I'm sure," he said and she gave him a little push in the side with one elbow.
"Yeah, right," she retorted and he observed her for a moment before saying:
"You're looking extremely beautiful this evening."
That made her shut her mouth in fear of giggling in a stupid way or that she was going to say something dumb or just loose her head. Instead her cheeks began to burn and now he laughed a little again.
"I'm not joking, you look really, really good. Incredible, even. I'd say you look like royalty. Man! Beside you I look like a fool at court with the most dazzling woman..."
"Shut up!" she grumbled and then she laughed, shaking her head at him as he smiled back.
"Alright, but I'm thinking it, just so you know," he stated and she looked up at him.
"Thank you," she said and he smiled warmly.
"You're more than welcome," he answered and she felt small pink clouds start to emerge under her feet.
So this is how easy it is to fall for someone, she thought. It's scary how easy it is.
***
Giles was writing in his journal at the counter when the group of people arrived at the Magic Box.
He didn't even look up from the pages as the bell jingled, but Anya and Xander immediately emerged from the sparring room. Willow and Tara had put the final touch to the lights which were hung as garlands in the ceiling of the shop and around some of the walls. They were really for the Christmas decorations, but it didn't really matter. They made for a perfect back drop.
There were greetings exchanged, especially for Sarah and Jacob, but also of course for the new comer Devon, Dawn heaving a relieved sigh when Anya restrained from dropping one of her infamous and honest remarks about the latter.
Buffy left Spike's side and walked up to her Watcher with a small smile before bringing her hand down, banging her palm onto the counter and then meeting Giles' gaze as he distractedly looked up.
"I know you're here, Buffy," he said. "I just need to finish this," he added.
She looked at him for a moment then nodded, shrugging.
"Fine, go ahead," she said and he smiled a little before looking down again and punctuating the sentence he had just finished.
Then he closed the book and put it on the shelf below the counter, smiling as he straightened his back and Buffy laughed.
"You ready?" she asked and he nodded, coming around to her side.
He looked up and was surprised by the sight of the additions to their group of friends and Buffy smiled wider.
"Giles," she said as they came up to the assembly. "May I present lady Sarah and her father sir Jacob. Sarah, Jacob...this is Rupert Giles."
Giles grabbed Jacob's hand, both liking the fact of another English man - with the exception for Spike, of course - being a part of their little crowd.
"Pleasure," Giles said and Jacob nodded.
"Quite, quite," he agreed and they both smiled.
Then Giles turned to Sarah who was already smiling and holding out her hand. Buffy couldn't help but notice the small gleam of interest in Giles' eyes, as well as the sudden admiration. Giles took a gentle hold of the lady's hand and then he bent down and kissed it.
"I'm truly honored," he said and Sarah smiled warmly at him as he straightened his back. "I have heard so much about your kindness as well as your bravery," he added and now she laughed a little.
"Come now, Mr. Giles," she said as they let go of each others hands. "You mustn't believe everything that those two tell you," she continued, making a small gesture towards Spike and Buffy, "they were much too engulfed by their own pressing matters than to be able to make an exact account of all the happenings during our little adventure."
Giles smiled.
"That may be so," he agreed. "But I was referring to the prophecy scrolls, which speak of a Guardian Angel many times. Your role in that great play is most obvious," he then said and Sarah looked at him for a moment before smiling again.
"So, you have studied the prophecy?" she asked, sounding intrigued. Then she seemed to understand something and added: "Of course. You told them about the gift they have received, am I right?"
Giles nodded.
"How extraordinarily perfect the puzzle fits," she said with another smile. "But me being labelled as something of such significance I dare not agree to," she added and Giles met her gaze before saying:
"Then I must hear your version of the story, so that I can make an account of my own. And upon that we shall see if you should wear a label with any less nobility. I doubt it."
Buffy stared at him, and then turned her gaze to Sarah before she couldn't help but smile.
"Is anybody hungry?" Anya asked and they all agreed, walking into the sparring room where a table had been set up, candles were burning everywhere and the scenery was magic.
They placed themselves sporadically around the table, Anya hearing more compliments on the arrangement than she could have hoped for, and then they enjoyed the cooking of Willow and Xander, with a little help from Anya and a lot of help from Giles.
When dessert was about to be served the bell jingled out in the shop and Spike rose from his seat at the same time as Anya did.
"I think I know who it is," he said, raising his hands slightly as a gesture for her to sit down again. "I invited Clem, I hope that's alright," he added and they all said of course and so he went out to meet him.
Soon the two joined the party and there was room made for one more, the friendly demon was seated between Devon and Jacob and then dessert was served.
Devon turned to Clem with a smile and reached out his hand.
"Hi, I'm Devon, here with Dawn," he said and Clem seemed to jump a little with surprise before turning to the human, eyeing him in silence for a few moments before reaching out and taking his outstretched hand.
"Eh...hi, I'm Clem. I'm friends with most of the people here, I guess, so I'm sorta here with all of them. Except for the lady with the pretty dress and," here he lowered his voice slightly, "the gentleman sitting next to me. I've never seen them here before."
Devon smiled, then nodded.
"I don't mean to be rude," he then said. "And please tell me to back off if I'm intruding on personal matters, but have you ever tried to see a specialist about your condition? My dad's a surgeon, you see. A plastic one."
Dawn swallowed her mouthful of ice-cream and was about to cut into the conversation, but it was too late as Clem had already started his answer:
"Don't worry about it, most people ask and I don't mind. I'd rather have them do that than look at me all sympathetically and then talk about it behind my back. Actually I've always looked like this.it sorta.eh, run's in the family," he then answered before shrugging a little and picking up his spoon to dig in on his ice-cream.
Devon looked at him for a moment longer, then he said:
"You're incredibly strong. Most people I've seen break down completely."
"Oh, well, where I come from most people suffer from some kind of...well, what you'd call 'abnormality'," Clem answered, swallowing and then smiling. "It's really no big deal there. I mean, I think I look pretty descent as supposed to some of the ones I know. Ones I met this Craghnak demon, and I'm telling you, HE was just."
"Okay, enough of the warm and fuzzy bonding!" Dawn interrupted and then she laughed a little. "Sorry, Clem, but this is kinda our first date and I'd like to talk with Devon for a little while...if that's okay with you...And with Devon, of course."
Clem nodded, smiling wide and Dawn got a feeling he understood, and then Devon smiled as well, turning to her instead, with a nod at Clem.
"So, what do you wanna talk about?" Devon asked and Dawn shrugged.
"Let's just take one thing at a time," she answered. "I think that's the best way, don't you?"
He nodded and she scooped up some more ice-cream.
Okay, she thought to herself, munching down the dessert and glancing at Devon. Here goes nothing...!