"Protecting the World - One Slayer at a Time" The Series
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Title: Protecting the World - One Slayer at a Time
Pairing: None Really...everyone from AtS + Buffy and Dawn.
Rating: R
Spoilers: Season 4 Angel (plot)
Disclaimer: Angelus is in my closet and he is all mine. Actually the only thing I have is the plot of the story line. Mutant Enemy and Joss W. are the lucky ones.
Summary: Angelus is walking around looking for the beast when he smells Summers' blood. To his surprise it isn't Buffy. Now the only probably Faith and Buffy is - keeping everyone alive.
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It was a dark night when Angelus creped around the streets of LA looking for the beast. He had no luck finding this thing but all of a sudden Angelus smelled blood. He smelled tasty, wonderful blood. It was...Buffy's blood. He smirked at the chance to see her, especially when she was bleeding. Angelus followed the smell and saw her. Her head was down and her body was curled up on the ground. Her arms were chained up to the building she leaning up against. Angelus smiled even more.
"Well look at everyone's favorite slayer now. You're looking better than ever Buf-" She looked up. It wasn't Buffy. It was Dawn, her sister, and Angelus gave a confused look at her. Dawn was weak she had no strength to talk. Their memories kicked in and they both remembered each other.
"Angel! You have to help me...there was this big guy who..."
"Slow down. I'm not really 'Angel' but you're the little one aren't you? Not so little anymore. Hey - why the sad face, huh? I'm liking it no doubt. It'll make things easier when-"
"Please..." She began to try to stand up as she moaned about the cuts on her stomach and arms. She realized it wasn't Angel. Angelus was walking towards her. "Angel...Angelus please don't"
"Oh Dawnie. Didn't anyone ever tell you vampires like it when you moan and more than anything else...?" He picked Dawn up, pushed her up against the wall and smiled. She began to paint. "We like it when you scream!" He vamped his face up. To his delight Dawn screamed but attempted to kick him back far enough. He stopped. "Look out boys. She ate her Wheaties this morning!"
"Oh, vampires like it when they get their ass kicked by Buffy" He got up to her face and smiled.
"Yeah well that was Angel's bitch, not mine. I'd just rather torcher the slut." He shrugged. "You look tasty though. Good enough to...eat."
"You touch me and Buffy will kick your ass." Angelus nodded.
"I'd like that. Speaking of Buffy where is your sis the slayer? I'm guessing she'll feel really bad once she sees that her precious key is-" Just then Buffy jumped off the top of the building and kicked Angelus back.
"Well, I guess you can never send a guy to Hell enough, huh?"
"BUFFY!" Dawn screamed and Buffy ran over to her.
"It's okay. I'm here." Dawn whimpered as the slayer grabbed a sharp metal piece off the ground and got her sister out of the chains.
"BEHIND YOU!" Buffy dunked as Angelus swung his arm where she would have been. Dawn jumped back and screamed.
"Dawn…get out of here. Now!" Buffy charged toward the smiling vampire.
"No. Dawnie you should stay." Angelus smiled and swung another hit at Buffy causing her to fly back and hit the wall. Buffy got up quickly and the fight continued. Just then an arrow hit Angelus leg. He smiled and looked around. "Now, who did that little thing?" In the dark a man appeared beside Dawn in the shadow.
"Angelus."
"Wesley. Take Dawn and get out of here!" Buffy punched Angelus.
"Alright." Wesley threw the cross-bow at Buffy and she quickly did a back flip to miss Angelus' punch. Wesley took Dawn's arm and they quickly ran away while Buffy and Angelus finished off the fight.
*******
"Is she gonna be okay?" Fred asked worryingly.
"Who Buffy?" Wesley took another drink of water.
"No. Her." Gunn said while his head motioned at the sleeping Dawn on the couch. Wesley slowly sighed.
"I'm sure she will be. It's Buffy who's out their fighting with Angelus. She could be-"
"She's not." Dawn slowly sat up on the couch hugging her stomach and moaning. "Buffy's strong. She'll be fine."
"You should lie down." Fred said quietly.
"And we all should be out their helping her." She looked around and saw the same faces she had been told about. "Angel. He is your friend. Not mine. Not Buffy's, anymore. You're the ones that should be out their. Being the heroes."
"She's the slayer." Gunn added.
"Where's the other one? Faith."
"She is sleeping. Faith had an encounter with Angelus also." Wesley informed Dawn.
"Wake her up. If Buffy can't they are going to have to take turns on him. Until he-"
"You have no idea what you're talking about." A voice said off to the side.
"Who the hell are you?" Dawn asked looking up at the guy walking down the stairs.
"I'm Connor. You are?"
"Dawn. You're the one who doesn't know what it's like."
"He's my father. I know what I'm talking about."
"No. You. Don't." Dawn stood up quickly trying not to make an expression on her face because of the hurt. "I've been through way more than you all have."
"Oh, really is that right?" Dawn nodded as Connor walked over to her. "The toughest vampire is running lose. There is a rock beast walking around that blocked out the sun."
"That it?" Dawn sighed as Connor looked confused. Dawn began her speech to Connor. "You have a beast? We have The First. As in The First Evil to ever walk the earth. I live on the Hellmouth. My school has a portal that opened up this bad ass vampire." She began to look over at the others giving them a speech now. "So if your lives are tough. Whine a little more and see if it matters at all."
"Puh-lease. I grew up in a hell dimension." Connor crossed his arms.
"I was created two years ago by monks. Glory, the hell-bitch God, wanted to cut me open and let my blood spill to open the portal and make Hell and Earth one. I'm not competing but you shouldn't have anything to whine about." Dawn put her hands on her hips. Then she looked around and noticed no one was talking. "Where is the alchol?"
"You're not old enough." Wesley told Dawn. Dawn rolled her eyes.
"For my cuts, remember?"
"In the cabinet. I'll get it for you." Gunn walked over to the cabinet.
*******
"I'm not sure. All I know is that her and Angelus were still fighting when Wesley dragged me away."
"Yeah. That Wes, he tends to get in the way. Buffy though, was she…um okay?" Faith put on her shoes.
"She looked fine when we left. Although that was about and hour and a half ago. So…I mean-" Dawn's voice trailed off as she put the ice back on her hand.
"Look. Kid, I'm sure Buffy's fine. Slayers are strong. So, how did you get all bruised up?"
"This big rock thing everyone calls the beast. He of course chained me up and there was a lot of ass kicking involved."
"Hey don't feel so bad, Dawnie. He's what made out of rock?" Faith walked over and grabbed a hair tie. She quickly put her hair up and grabbed her coat.
"Where are you going?"
"To find your sister." Faith walked out of the room and headed down the stairs. Dawn quickly followed her. Dawn walked down the stairs with Faith. "Since no one else plans to do that." Dawn smiled and raised her voice so everyone could hear.
"Thank you! Someone that actually has a good idea." Faith smiled at Dawn.
"I wouldn't suggest it Faith."
"Oh, and why not Miss Goldie Locks, huh?" Faith turned around and put her hands on her hip looking at Fred. Fred sighed and said nothing else.
"Mabye you should wait until Wesely is out of the shower." Gunn said walking closer.
"Yah know Gunn never thought you'd be the one to tell me that. Besides…sun's coming up in a few. I'll be fine." Faith opened the door. "Tell Wes…whatever." And with that Faith left out the door. Everyone but Dawn huffed when she left and began chattering.
"She never listens and she'll never be-"
"She is the only one here that is doing anything." Dawn snapped back at Fred. "Other than the books and research, Fred, what else have you done? Now don't get me wrong I mean I'm the book smart one back at Sunnydale but there is a time where you just can't sit around. I know what I'm talking about. I may only be sixteen but I've been through a hell of a lot more than half of you."
"Are you sure about that?" Dawn's eyebrows went up when Gunn stepped up and said that. "I mean. You're the one coming in here judging us. We haven't said but two words to you. Have you ever had to kill your sister? Because I have. So unless you're going to say something smart, I don't really wanna hear it." Gunn turned around and when he reached the bottom of the staircase Dawn spoke again.
"I've watched my sister die, for me. I've watched my mom die. Oh, yah and on my first real date I ended up staking him." Dawn shook her head and tried to keep the tears in. Her voice was breaking. "I'm here…because everyone I grew up with. Is dead. M-my friends…people I loved. Are all dead because of the First. Look around you, you guys. You have each other. You have your…" Dawn's hands flew to her faces. Gunn, Fred, and Lorne looked around. Connor got up from his chair and walked forward.
"I'm sorry." Connor said putting his hand on her shoulder.
"It doesn't help. Not anymore." Dawn pushed herself away from Connor. She knew that inside she needed someone to touch her. Someone to hold her and make things right. Connor opened himself up for the first time and gave her a hug. Letting Dawn cry on him he whispered in her ear.
"Shhh it's okay. I'll protect you." Dawn snapped out of the hug.
"Protect me? You know how many times I've heard that….protect me. Pfft!" Dawn quickly ran up the stairs and they heard a door slam.
**************
"Come in" Dawn sniffed a little and wiped away some tears quickly before he entered. "Is everything okay? Did something happen?" Dawn looked worried but inside she knew nothing had happened.
"Yeah. Dawn, everything's fine…isn't it?" Connor brushed some hair out of his face and gently sat at the end of her bed keeping a good distance between each other.
"Connor if you're talking about me. I'll live. I always manage to." Dawn put the pillow down that she was snuggled up to and scooted towards Connor and got close to him. "Do you ever feel like…like you want to just die?"
"All the time." Dawn's eyes beamed at Connor. "But then there are days when you realize you have a lot to live for and then I guess you got to just suck it up and get over it." Connor pushed back a strand of Dawn's hair behind her ear. She scooted away from him this time. He didn't give her the answer she wanted so automatically she was repelled by him.
"Everyone downstairs…awake? Buffy! Is she here?" Connor shook his head and Dawn frowned. She pulled back a curtain. "The sun. It's up. Someone killed the beast I guess."
"Faith. She must have killed it." Connor smiled. "She's…she's amazing!"
"She's a slayer. You like her." Dawn giggled for a moment. "You're definitely Angel's son. A weakness for slayers runs in your blood." Connor stood up disgusted by her remark.
"Yeah, well. Can I get you anything? There is some cereal downstairs. Just make yourself at-"
"Home? Right cause I need to find a new one. Considering that…thank you, Connor. I appreciate it. Oh, and let me guess. The milk is down in the refrigerator, right?" Dawn smiled. Connor laughed putting his head down.
"You got it! I'll see you later, Dawn." Dawn smiled as he left the room.
****************
"Another plan? Faith. We don't have another plan. You and I WERE their last plan."
"Buffy. You didn't see the beast, did you? It was huge. It was made out of rock. It kicked my ass Buffy!" Faith jerked open the door to the freezer and got some ice. She quickly put it in a towel and tossed it over to Buffy.
"Thanks. All I'm saying is that these people. They don't know what else to do. The beast…if it kicked your ass, who killed it?"
"Angelus. He stabbed it with this rock sword dagger thing. I don't know all I know is if you wouldn't have shown up and broken the glass, Angelus would still be throwing me around." Faith made an ice bag for herself and plopped down on the couch by Buffy. "So the suns gone for a few days and everyone looses track of time."
"Must be sleeping I guess. Your sure Dawn was here when you left."
"Talk to the little kid myself." Buffy nodded and looked over at Faith. "We're not killing Angelus, are we?"
"I wasn't planning on it. Don't think about it Buffy. Angel is still out there. He never gave up on me and I'm sure as hell not giving up on him. I mean if you plan to just go back to peachy 'ole SunnyD and-"
"There isn't a Sunnydale. No slayers-in-training. No Giles…no Xander, Willow, Anya, or Spike. Everyone there died and the Hellmouth is wide open."
"Then…h-how did you and Dawn get out?" Faith's head tilted.
"Spike. He helped us…get out of there. We were at his place for a while then he told us to go down in the sewage line and get out of Sunnydale. We got pretty far and then we took the subway straight here."
"The kid. Dawn. Wesley got her right after you started fighting Angelus."
"Thank God he did." Buffy sighed and looked deeply at Faith. "We got separated right after the Subway ride. It got her and I wasn't fast enough. I didn't protect her."
"Yah." Faith nodded at Buffy. "Yah you did, Buf. She's all tucked away in a bed. She's safe."
"For now, she might be but Faith how much longer is this going to go on? Look at you. Look at me. We're bruised up and we got bitched slapped around-"
"By a thing that is dead now. All we have to worry about now is Angelus." Faith stood up. "You should go get some sleep."
"So should you."
"I will. After I take a shower." Faith walked away and Buffy began to go up the stairs. "Oh and Buffy…"
"Mhh?"
"Keep the little one company. She doesn't seem to like us to much." Buffy smiled and nodded.
***************
He lit a cigarette and took a deep drag. Hitting the welcome to LA sign he walked slowly down the street to find the hotel. He saw a pay phone and decided to call to know how to get there.
"Yah…it's me. I know – look, just tell me how to get there." He sighed and slowly took a mental note in his head. "A right? Okay. See you soon. I'll explain when I get there." Stopping ten minutes later in front of the hotel he took the last smoke and put it out with his foot before walking up the stairs. He was greeted by her before he got a chance to knock. They hugged. Like they haven't seen each other in years. It had only been a week. It was a long week and she held the door open for him as he gimped in the hotel. "I'm surprised you're still awake."
"Actually you woke me. I had the phone by my bed. No ones awake so shh." She went and got a towel and wet it. She walked over to him. "I thought…you died."
"I'm a vampire, bit. It comes with the whole 'living dead' thing."
"You know what I'm talking about and don't get sassy. I'm not in the mood." She put the towel up to his forehead. "Now. Explain how in the world your alive Spike."
"The thing…the first. Do you remember me telling you that it tied me up, ya know? Well, when I let you and Buffy go under my sewage tunnel well it came in and started torching me and it said that I should come here. Tell you all the great news."
"What news? Hold still." Dawn held his shoulder while she continued to wipe his face off.
"He'll be here soon. If he isn't already, he said he was already possessing someone in the house."
"I've got an idea who." Dawn stood up and put the towel in the sink.
"Who do you think it is?" Spike said looking up quickly at Dawn.
"Connor."
"Who?" Spike raised an eyebrow at her.
"Angel's son, Connor. He has to possessed I mean the guy grew up in a hell demenson."
"Didn't we all." Spike laughs and sighs. "Y-you should head to bed, bit."
"Not really tired. I might soon but I need to tell you something." Spike looked at her as she sat down close to him. "You saved my life, our life, me and Buffy are alive because of you."
"Don't know how long though."
"Quit talking like that. It…scares me." Spike looked concerned at her. "I don't like saying I'm scared Spike but it's true. Buffy doesn't know how I feel. No one does. It just…" Spike put his hand on her shoulder and Dawn fell into his arms. She didn't want to but she did. She never felt so secure before. Spike smiled and patted her back and Dawn began to sob in his chest. Spike could only make a few words out. "Xander…Willow! It's just that…Tara too!!!"
"I know, bit. I know. But hey-" Spike pulled her off of him and wiped her tears. "You have me, and big sis, okay? I promise you Dawn I will protect you. Last time I didn't but I will, I will." Dawn sniffed and looked up at him.
"You tried Spike. You tried and that's all I care about. It…it means a lot to me that you're here." She smiled up at him while the tears continued to fall.
"Nibblet, you should…go to bed. Tomorrow's gonna be a long day." Spike kissed her forehead and watched as she went up the stairs. She stopped half way and they exchanged a smile. Spike stood up and sighed deeply. He walked over to the counter and his features changed quickly into Drusilla.
"Naughty people. Don't know what they're in for. Spike will treat them right." Her laugh trailed off as the Hyperion Hotel was quiet.
The End of Part One
-Part Two-
Feedback please - -Sarah-
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Title: Protecting the World - One Slayer at a Time
Pairing: None Really...everyone from AtS + Buffy and Dawn.
Rating: R
Spoilers: Season 4 Angel (plot)
Disclaimer: Angelus is in my closet and he is all mine. Actually the only thing I have is the plot of the story line. Mutant Enemy and Joss W. are the lucky ones.
Summary: Angelus is walking around looking for the beast when he smells Summers' blood. To his surprise it isn't Buffy. Now the only probably Faith and Buffy is - keeping everyone alive.
***********
It was a dark night when Angelus creped around the streets of LA looking for the beast. He had no luck finding this thing but all of a sudden Angelus smelled blood. He smelled tasty, wonderful blood. It was...Buffy's blood. He smirked at the chance to see her, especially when she was bleeding. Angelus followed the smell and saw her. Her head was down and her body was curled up on the ground. Her arms were chained up to the building she leaning up against. Angelus smiled even more.
"Well look at everyone's favorite slayer now. You're looking better than ever Buf-" She looked up. It wasn't Buffy. It was Dawn, her sister, and Angelus gave a confused look at her. Dawn was weak she had no strength to talk. Their memories kicked in and they both remembered each other.
"Angel! You have to help me...there was this big guy who..."
"Slow down. I'm not really 'Angel' but you're the little one aren't you? Not so little anymore. Hey - why the sad face, huh? I'm liking it no doubt. It'll make things easier when-"
"Please..." She began to try to stand up as she moaned about the cuts on her stomach and arms. She realized it wasn't Angel. Angelus was walking towards her. "Angel...Angelus please don't"
"Oh Dawnie. Didn't anyone ever tell you vampires like it when you moan and more than anything else...?" He picked Dawn up, pushed her up against the wall and smiled. She began to paint. "We like it when you scream!" He vamped his face up. To his delight Dawn screamed but attempted to kick him back far enough. He stopped. "Look out boys. She ate her Wheaties this morning!"
"Oh, vampires like it when they get their ass kicked by Buffy" He got up to her face and smiled.
"Yeah well that was Angel's bitch, not mine. I'd just rather torcher the slut." He shrugged. "You look tasty though. Good enough to...eat."
"You touch me and Buffy will kick your ass." Angelus nodded.
"I'd like that. Speaking of Buffy where is your sis the slayer? I'm guessing she'll feel really bad once she sees that her precious key is-" Just then Buffy jumped off the top of the building and kicked Angelus back.
"Well, I guess you can never send a guy to Hell enough, huh?"
"BUFFY!" Dawn screamed and Buffy ran over to her.
"It's okay. I'm here." Dawn whimpered as the slayer grabbed a sharp metal piece off the ground and got her sister out of the chains.
"BEHIND YOU!" Buffy dunked as Angelus swung his arm where she would have been. Dawn jumped back and screamed.
"Dawn…get out of here. Now!" Buffy charged toward the smiling vampire.
"No. Dawnie you should stay." Angelus smiled and swung another hit at Buffy causing her to fly back and hit the wall. Buffy got up quickly and the fight continued. Just then an arrow hit Angelus leg. He smiled and looked around. "Now, who did that little thing?" In the dark a man appeared beside Dawn in the shadow.
"Angelus."
"Wesley. Take Dawn and get out of here!" Buffy punched Angelus.
"Alright." Wesley threw the cross-bow at Buffy and she quickly did a back flip to miss Angelus' punch. Wesley took Dawn's arm and they quickly ran away while Buffy and Angelus finished off the fight.
*******
"Is she gonna be okay?" Fred asked worryingly.
"Who Buffy?" Wesley took another drink of water.
"No. Her." Gunn said while his head motioned at the sleeping Dawn on the couch. Wesley slowly sighed.
"I'm sure she will be. It's Buffy who's out their fighting with Angelus. She could be-"
"She's not." Dawn slowly sat up on the couch hugging her stomach and moaning. "Buffy's strong. She'll be fine."
"You should lie down." Fred said quietly.
"And we all should be out their helping her." She looked around and saw the same faces she had been told about. "Angel. He is your friend. Not mine. Not Buffy's, anymore. You're the ones that should be out their. Being the heroes."
"She's the slayer." Gunn added.
"Where's the other one? Faith."
"She is sleeping. Faith had an encounter with Angelus also." Wesley informed Dawn.
"Wake her up. If Buffy can't they are going to have to take turns on him. Until he-"
"You have no idea what you're talking about." A voice said off to the side.
"Who the hell are you?" Dawn asked looking up at the guy walking down the stairs.
"I'm Connor. You are?"
"Dawn. You're the one who doesn't know what it's like."
"He's my father. I know what I'm talking about."
"No. You. Don't." Dawn stood up quickly trying not to make an expression on her face because of the hurt. "I've been through way more than you all have."
"Oh, really is that right?" Dawn nodded as Connor walked over to her. "The toughest vampire is running lose. There is a rock beast walking around that blocked out the sun."
"That it?" Dawn sighed as Connor looked confused. Dawn began her speech to Connor. "You have a beast? We have The First. As in The First Evil to ever walk the earth. I live on the Hellmouth. My school has a portal that opened up this bad ass vampire." She began to look over at the others giving them a speech now. "So if your lives are tough. Whine a little more and see if it matters at all."
"Puh-lease. I grew up in a hell dimension." Connor crossed his arms.
"I was created two years ago by monks. Glory, the hell-bitch God, wanted to cut me open and let my blood spill to open the portal and make Hell and Earth one. I'm not competing but you shouldn't have anything to whine about." Dawn put her hands on her hips. Then she looked around and noticed no one was talking. "Where is the alchol?"
"You're not old enough." Wesley told Dawn. Dawn rolled her eyes.
"For my cuts, remember?"
"In the cabinet. I'll get it for you." Gunn walked over to the cabinet.
*******
"I'm not sure. All I know is that her and Angelus were still fighting when Wesley dragged me away."
"Yeah. That Wes, he tends to get in the way. Buffy though, was she…um okay?" Faith put on her shoes.
"She looked fine when we left. Although that was about and hour and a half ago. So…I mean-" Dawn's voice trailed off as she put the ice back on her hand.
"Look. Kid, I'm sure Buffy's fine. Slayers are strong. So, how did you get all bruised up?"
"This big rock thing everyone calls the beast. He of course chained me up and there was a lot of ass kicking involved."
"Hey don't feel so bad, Dawnie. He's what made out of rock?" Faith walked over and grabbed a hair tie. She quickly put her hair up and grabbed her coat.
"Where are you going?"
"To find your sister." Faith walked out of the room and headed down the stairs. Dawn quickly followed her. Dawn walked down the stairs with Faith. "Since no one else plans to do that." Dawn smiled and raised her voice so everyone could hear.
"Thank you! Someone that actually has a good idea." Faith smiled at Dawn.
"I wouldn't suggest it Faith."
"Oh, and why not Miss Goldie Locks, huh?" Faith turned around and put her hands on her hip looking at Fred. Fred sighed and said nothing else.
"Mabye you should wait until Wesely is out of the shower." Gunn said walking closer.
"Yah know Gunn never thought you'd be the one to tell me that. Besides…sun's coming up in a few. I'll be fine." Faith opened the door. "Tell Wes…whatever." And with that Faith left out the door. Everyone but Dawn huffed when she left and began chattering.
"She never listens and she'll never be-"
"She is the only one here that is doing anything." Dawn snapped back at Fred. "Other than the books and research, Fred, what else have you done? Now don't get me wrong I mean I'm the book smart one back at Sunnydale but there is a time where you just can't sit around. I know what I'm talking about. I may only be sixteen but I've been through a hell of a lot more than half of you."
"Are you sure about that?" Dawn's eyebrows went up when Gunn stepped up and said that. "I mean. You're the one coming in here judging us. We haven't said but two words to you. Have you ever had to kill your sister? Because I have. So unless you're going to say something smart, I don't really wanna hear it." Gunn turned around and when he reached the bottom of the staircase Dawn spoke again.
"I've watched my sister die, for me. I've watched my mom die. Oh, yah and on my first real date I ended up staking him." Dawn shook her head and tried to keep the tears in. Her voice was breaking. "I'm here…because everyone I grew up with. Is dead. M-my friends…people I loved. Are all dead because of the First. Look around you, you guys. You have each other. You have your…" Dawn's hands flew to her faces. Gunn, Fred, and Lorne looked around. Connor got up from his chair and walked forward.
"I'm sorry." Connor said putting his hand on her shoulder.
"It doesn't help. Not anymore." Dawn pushed herself away from Connor. She knew that inside she needed someone to touch her. Someone to hold her and make things right. Connor opened himself up for the first time and gave her a hug. Letting Dawn cry on him he whispered in her ear.
"Shhh it's okay. I'll protect you." Dawn snapped out of the hug.
"Protect me? You know how many times I've heard that….protect me. Pfft!" Dawn quickly ran up the stairs and they heard a door slam.
**************
"Come in" Dawn sniffed a little and wiped away some tears quickly before he entered. "Is everything okay? Did something happen?" Dawn looked worried but inside she knew nothing had happened.
"Yeah. Dawn, everything's fine…isn't it?" Connor brushed some hair out of his face and gently sat at the end of her bed keeping a good distance between each other.
"Connor if you're talking about me. I'll live. I always manage to." Dawn put the pillow down that she was snuggled up to and scooted towards Connor and got close to him. "Do you ever feel like…like you want to just die?"
"All the time." Dawn's eyes beamed at Connor. "But then there are days when you realize you have a lot to live for and then I guess you got to just suck it up and get over it." Connor pushed back a strand of Dawn's hair behind her ear. She scooted away from him this time. He didn't give her the answer she wanted so automatically she was repelled by him.
"Everyone downstairs…awake? Buffy! Is she here?" Connor shook his head and Dawn frowned. She pulled back a curtain. "The sun. It's up. Someone killed the beast I guess."
"Faith. She must have killed it." Connor smiled. "She's…she's amazing!"
"She's a slayer. You like her." Dawn giggled for a moment. "You're definitely Angel's son. A weakness for slayers runs in your blood." Connor stood up disgusted by her remark.
"Yeah, well. Can I get you anything? There is some cereal downstairs. Just make yourself at-"
"Home? Right cause I need to find a new one. Considering that…thank you, Connor. I appreciate it. Oh, and let me guess. The milk is down in the refrigerator, right?" Dawn smiled. Connor laughed putting his head down.
"You got it! I'll see you later, Dawn." Dawn smiled as he left the room.
****************
"Another plan? Faith. We don't have another plan. You and I WERE their last plan."
"Buffy. You didn't see the beast, did you? It was huge. It was made out of rock. It kicked my ass Buffy!" Faith jerked open the door to the freezer and got some ice. She quickly put it in a towel and tossed it over to Buffy.
"Thanks. All I'm saying is that these people. They don't know what else to do. The beast…if it kicked your ass, who killed it?"
"Angelus. He stabbed it with this rock sword dagger thing. I don't know all I know is if you wouldn't have shown up and broken the glass, Angelus would still be throwing me around." Faith made an ice bag for herself and plopped down on the couch by Buffy. "So the suns gone for a few days and everyone looses track of time."
"Must be sleeping I guess. Your sure Dawn was here when you left."
"Talk to the little kid myself." Buffy nodded and looked over at Faith. "We're not killing Angelus, are we?"
"I wasn't planning on it. Don't think about it Buffy. Angel is still out there. He never gave up on me and I'm sure as hell not giving up on him. I mean if you plan to just go back to peachy 'ole SunnyD and-"
"There isn't a Sunnydale. No slayers-in-training. No Giles…no Xander, Willow, Anya, or Spike. Everyone there died and the Hellmouth is wide open."
"Then…h-how did you and Dawn get out?" Faith's head tilted.
"Spike. He helped us…get out of there. We were at his place for a while then he told us to go down in the sewage line and get out of Sunnydale. We got pretty far and then we took the subway straight here."
"The kid. Dawn. Wesley got her right after you started fighting Angelus."
"Thank God he did." Buffy sighed and looked deeply at Faith. "We got separated right after the Subway ride. It got her and I wasn't fast enough. I didn't protect her."
"Yah." Faith nodded at Buffy. "Yah you did, Buf. She's all tucked away in a bed. She's safe."
"For now, she might be but Faith how much longer is this going to go on? Look at you. Look at me. We're bruised up and we got bitched slapped around-"
"By a thing that is dead now. All we have to worry about now is Angelus." Faith stood up. "You should go get some sleep."
"So should you."
"I will. After I take a shower." Faith walked away and Buffy began to go up the stairs. "Oh and Buffy…"
"Mhh?"
"Keep the little one company. She doesn't seem to like us to much." Buffy smiled and nodded.
***************
He lit a cigarette and took a deep drag. Hitting the welcome to LA sign he walked slowly down the street to find the hotel. He saw a pay phone and decided to call to know how to get there.
"Yah…it's me. I know – look, just tell me how to get there." He sighed and slowly took a mental note in his head. "A right? Okay. See you soon. I'll explain when I get there." Stopping ten minutes later in front of the hotel he took the last smoke and put it out with his foot before walking up the stairs. He was greeted by her before he got a chance to knock. They hugged. Like they haven't seen each other in years. It had only been a week. It was a long week and she held the door open for him as he gimped in the hotel. "I'm surprised you're still awake."
"Actually you woke me. I had the phone by my bed. No ones awake so shh." She went and got a towel and wet it. She walked over to him. "I thought…you died."
"I'm a vampire, bit. It comes with the whole 'living dead' thing."
"You know what I'm talking about and don't get sassy. I'm not in the mood." She put the towel up to his forehead. "Now. Explain how in the world your alive Spike."
"The thing…the first. Do you remember me telling you that it tied me up, ya know? Well, when I let you and Buffy go under my sewage tunnel well it came in and started torching me and it said that I should come here. Tell you all the great news."
"What news? Hold still." Dawn held his shoulder while she continued to wipe his face off.
"He'll be here soon. If he isn't already, he said he was already possessing someone in the house."
"I've got an idea who." Dawn stood up and put the towel in the sink.
"Who do you think it is?" Spike said looking up quickly at Dawn.
"Connor."
"Who?" Spike raised an eyebrow at her.
"Angel's son, Connor. He has to possessed I mean the guy grew up in a hell demenson."
"Didn't we all." Spike laughs and sighs. "Y-you should head to bed, bit."
"Not really tired. I might soon but I need to tell you something." Spike looked at her as she sat down close to him. "You saved my life, our life, me and Buffy are alive because of you."
"Don't know how long though."
"Quit talking like that. It…scares me." Spike looked concerned at her. "I don't like saying I'm scared Spike but it's true. Buffy doesn't know how I feel. No one does. It just…" Spike put his hand on her shoulder and Dawn fell into his arms. She didn't want to but she did. She never felt so secure before. Spike smiled and patted her back and Dawn began to sob in his chest. Spike could only make a few words out. "Xander…Willow! It's just that…Tara too!!!"
"I know, bit. I know. But hey-" Spike pulled her off of him and wiped her tears. "You have me, and big sis, okay? I promise you Dawn I will protect you. Last time I didn't but I will, I will." Dawn sniffed and looked up at him.
"You tried Spike. You tried and that's all I care about. It…it means a lot to me that you're here." She smiled up at him while the tears continued to fall.
"Nibblet, you should…go to bed. Tomorrow's gonna be a long day." Spike kissed her forehead and watched as she went up the stairs. She stopped half way and they exchanged a smile. Spike stood up and sighed deeply. He walked over to the counter and his features changed quickly into Drusilla.
"Naughty people. Don't know what they're in for. Spike will treat them right." Her laugh trailed off as the Hyperion Hotel was quiet.
The End of Part One
-Part Two-
Feedback please - -Sarah-