Author's Note 1: This chapter's shorter than usual, but Part IX will be posted tomorrow. Also, I'm answering a number of questions that have been raised regarding Part VII.

A/N 2: Just to clarify, this is not a Season 6 or Season 7 fic. The spoilers go up through "The Gift" (Season 5 finale - aired May 2001) and the fic picks up a couple of months after that, completely AU.

A/N 3: There were concerns about Tara's reaction, and that I would be making Tara and Willow split. At this point, I do not know what 'ships will be in this fic. Also, I believe that no one could just get over what Glory did to Tara without some serious kind of mental and emotional trauma attached.

A/N 4: When I write characters' thoughts, I write them in the same manner that many people think. In other words, when I'm thinking, various things go through my head, but I don't act on all of them. When I sort through them later, I act on some and toss others out. What Tara or any of the characters think as a first reaction does not necessarily dictate what he/she/they will do later in the fic. For example, Tara's thoughts now - as her gut reaction and keeping in mind that she's had her brains scrambled - will not necessarily be the same thoughts that she has later, once she's had time to sort out what is actually going on.

A/N 5: Again, dealing with Tara. At this point, Tara has only seriously been with the group for one and a half to two years (I consider her major involvement to begin with "Hush" - aired December 1999).

A/N 6: In this fic, Buffy is still looking for a job. Right now, she and Dawn are living off of Joyce's life insurance.




Now, on with the fic, and I hope I answered the questions posed about the previous chapter.




Part VIII

Xander had almost relaxed when the first Scoobies knocked at the door. Tension coiling in him again, he opened the door to reveal Buffy and Dawn. "Tara's riding with Giles," the Slayer said. "They should be here in a few. Anya wanted to stay at the shop just in case anyone wanted to buy something."

As Xander motioned the sisters in to his apartment – and told them that his kitchen was their kitchen – the know of fear deep within him relaxed a little bit. Giles was coming. He can't be too angry at me, then… right? Or is he just coming to figure out how much of a threat I am?

As promised, Giles and Tara showed up a few moments later, relatively quiet. Wait… never mind… Giles doesn't really say a lot under normal circumstances. Xander's heart warmed at the tiny smile on the Watcher's face. Ok, smiling is good, especially since it's a Giles-smile and not a Ripper-smile. Maybe I can relax a little… maybe?

Willow – using the recipe card to mark her page – returned the paper to its proper shelf. She didn't want to be distracted by Dr. Jackson's odd… yet fascinating… theories. Right now just wasn't a good time to be thinking about these.

After the Scoobies had made themselves comfortable, with beverage and/or snack of choice in hand, Xander took a seat on the couch, waiting for the inevitable. Surprisingly, it was neither Giles nor Buffy who asked the first question. That came from Dawn.

"So, Xander," she said, "from the talk at The Magic Box, I'm guessing you've got some pretty serious moves?" He nodded, not entirely sure where she was going with this.

"As you know," she continued, the glint in her eyes warning him that something was up, "school starts in a week. I'm kinda hoping that there will be dates with cute guys at some point. The problem is… some of these guys will act like they lived with an octopus – you know… more than two hands and really grabby. Buffy's busy with the job search and the slaying, but you have a nice, set schedule." She stopped for a moment, grinning, and Xander knew that this was going to be interesting.

"So, about those serious moves – could you teach me? I mean, you know, since Buffy's busy… and well, she deals more with a 'stake through the heart' method rather than a 'need to deal with teenage males' kind of thing, anyway."

Slightly startled, Xander turned to look at Buffy, not wanting to offend his friend by agreeing to teach Dawn without her permission. The open smile on her face let him know that the sisters had arranged this, either in the shop or in the car. Taking a deep breath, he calmed himself. Looking up – his voice mostly steady – he nodded. "Sure, Dawnie," he said. "I'd be glad to teach you."

Thank God, Dawn thought. I wasn't sure he'd even want to talk to us, now. I'm still not quite sure what's going on… of course, that might have something to do with never being told the stories behind the dynamite and rocket launcher. Were they before Mom found out about Buffy being the Slayer… or did everybody just think I was too young to be spoiled by the Hellmouth just yet? Hmm… I need to do some investigating I think. In the meantime, Xander looks like he needs a hug.

Willow had moved over to sit by Tara while Dawn asked her question, so the younger woman snagged the Wiccan's spot on the couch and snuggled closer to the man she thought of as an older brother. Xander put an arm around her… and finally – completely – relaxed. He could handle whatever questions he got now, even if he couldn't answer all of them.




Part IX