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Summary: The conclusion of Teen Angst. Connor and Dawn finally see through each other's defenses while Buffy and Angel get closer than they should…

"Did I mention you kinda look like Mandark?"

"Who?" "You know, the rival of Dexter Boy Genius." Dawn said. Connor gave her a blank look. "Oh right, you don't watch television. Sorry."

The vampires' son shrugged. He turned to the steel doors that -for now- held the Wuulark at bay. "That won't keep them for long. They have monstrous strength." "Yeah, monsters tend to have monstrous strength." "Can you please close your mouth and let me think?" "You're not the boss of me," Dawn cried indignantly.

"This is getting tiring. Look, you stay on your corner and I'll stay on mine ok?" Connor offered, not bothering to look at the Slayer's sister. He honestly had never met anyone so maddening. Her voice grated on his nerves and her imperious crossing of arms made him want to throw her out to the Wuulark along with her purloined shoes.

"What exactly is your malfunction?" Dawn called, stepping in front of Connor. "It's like you refuse to even attempt a conversation." "Well I don't like getting compared to a long legged black haired evil boy genius who wears pocket protectors!"

Dawn blinked at him. Then, her Peach Delight smeared lips curled in an accusatory shape.

"Hey! You said you never saw that show." "Maybe once or twice…" Connor said, flushed. He turned away. "And besides, being on Q'or Toth isn't the best place to develop social skills. It's either kill or be killed. And I was known as The Destroyer."

"The Destroyer?" Dawn said to herself. Her blue-green eyes turned down, her dark hair veiling her face. It was amazing. She was formerly the Key and he was formerly the Destroyer- both part of pasts and destinies that would ultimately destroy them. There were surely keen differences between them, but they were both just children caught up in the struggles of the world. She suddenly realized that no matter how hard Connor fought, or how hard Dawn tried to be like Buffy they would both be anguished souls.

"What? You've gone all quiet. It's strange not to have you say something annoying." Connor said, readying himself for another verbal bout. When Dawn simply looked up, walked forward and embraced him he was speechless and shocked out of his wits.

"I'm sorry Connor. I shouldn't have been mean to you." She said into his ear. Connor was startled when her breath on his skin made his hair rise and heat flush his cheeks.

"What are you talking about?" he asked, perplexed. This girl was the strangest person he's met since returning to the world.

"You've been through so much. You don't deserve any more pain, not even my insults."

Connor awkwardly wrapped his arms around the girl and wondered why he found the frailness of her body so appealing. He could feel her ribs and firm stomach through her blue sweater. And she smelled faintly of lavender. The scent was so faint that he was tempted to lean in and press his nose to her neck to find it. Instead, he said,

"I'm sorry too Dawn. I shouldn't have said you didn't know what pain was. I was rash in judging you." he blushed, as he always did when apologizing. Male pride thrived in Hell Dimensions. Dawn pulled out of the embrace and met his dark eyes. She laughed self consciously for a moment.

"Enough with the Barney togetherness scene." she rubbed her little nose and sat down on the flannel couch.

"Barney?" Connor asked, sitting down next to her.

"Big purple dinosaur."

"I've fought a few of those. I did not know they existed in your world as well."

Now it was Dawn who sighed.

***

The Priest of Imora cackled as the Slayer and the ennobled Vampire entered the cathedral. He was garbed in a brown robe adorned with blood red jewels in intricate patterns, the runes that depicted the symbols of Imora. In his hand he held a large circular disc encrusted with a wide eye. But the eye was no simple drawing, it was a living eye, oil black and searching the room.

"You are too late Slayer! I have already awoken and harnessed Imora's powers! I, Igon, will be almighty!"

"Yadda yadda. Can we kick your ass now?" Buffy asked, gripping her hammer.

"Careful Buffy, don't look into the eye." Angel warned.

"Wuulark, faithful servants of Imora! Come to me!" besides Igon two pools of bubbling liquid steamed and hissed. The masses formed into vague shapes, then into Wuulark. The monsters charged at the two heroes, slashing and cutting. Buffy countered with the flat of her sledge hammer, sending the Wuulark stumbling backwards. She rushed forward and used the sledge hammer as a supporter as she lifted off the ground and kicked the demon with both feet. Angel appeared behind the demon and drove the broadsword in the base of its spine. It howled and turned with a furious back swing. A blade sliced Angel's face and the blow sent him crashing into the pew.

"Angel!" Buffy called out. She saw the demon about to explode and ducked behind the pew further along the back. Churning clouds of flame roiled and hissed, sucking the oxygen from the air. Igon was chanting and the smoke from the blast became thicker and writhed with a life force. Buffy crouched and instantly began to choke on the smog. "Good thing Angel stopped breathing years ago." the Slayer said, her eyes watering. She could see nothing in the smoke. She heard struggles and the sickening sound of flesh meeting flesh in combat. She saw Angel sliding across the floor with the sword clattering away.

"I am so not liking this Igon guy," the vampire said, getting up and dusting himself off. Buffy ducked down where the smoke couldn't reach her and gulped in air. She inhaled deeply and held it in. She crawled quickly beneath the rows of seats and emerged right before Igon. The priest jeered and pointed the Eye of Imora at her. The black eye began to glow brightly, ominous and foreboding. And as the beam of black light came rocketing at her, the Slayer's only saving grace was the stupid Wuulark who didn't know when to stay put.

Igon laughed as the Wuulark power surged in him. He began to change, his body augmenting and ripping the flamboyant robe to meaningless shreds. Buffy took this time to charge the priest, arms crossed at an X in front of her. She tackled Igon to the floor and cried out as the demi god priest launched her into the air with his legs. Buffy landed with a bone-jarring thud on the harsh stone floor. The breath escaped her lips and her sight went fuzzy. Igon loomed over her, his blade topped arm poised to pierce her torso. Igon howled as Angel swung the sledgehammer Buffy left behind to full effect. The blades bent and some were crushed upon impact. Igon growled and impaled Angel with his other hand. The vampire grunted and looked surprised. As his cold blood ran onto the floor, Buffy shrieked his name. Angel slumped to the ground, blood making red rivers down his lips. Buffy floor-swiped Igon's legs and stood. The demi god's concentration on his smog spell broke and the smoke rose into the roof of the church. Buffy kicked the Eye of Imora out of Igon's claws. Igon rolled away and regained his footing. He swiped at the Slayer, but she moved out of range and jabbed with lightning punches. Her blows actually dented his steel-like skin and felt like miniature demolishing balls. She flipped clear over his head and reached the sledge hammer. She swung with full force, crushing his shoulder and rendering his arm useless. She raised the blunt weapon over her head and brought it down hard upon Igon's skull, watching in satisfaction as it was reduced to a bloody mess. She repeatedly pounded his still form even after he had died.

"B-Buffy," Angel called weakly. The Slayer stopped her morbid work and was suddenly disgusted with herself. She shook away the cold that was creeping up on her *a cold which she knew would be returning to her in the middle of night* and went to Angel's side.

"Angel are you ok?" she asked, worry and dread weighing down her heart. He seemed so fragile, like a wilted black rose, bleeding and coughing in her arms. His dark eyes were closed in anguish. "I just need time to heal…maybe a blood infusion."

"You need one right now or else you'll die." and the Slayer knew what must be done before she finished her statement.

"Buffy, no. I can't bring myself to do that once again. I almost killed you last time-" "Shut up. You're not deciding. I am." Buffy removed her pony tail and exposed her neck. She dipped her head. The vampire looked at the tender spot with lust smoldering in his dark eyes. His vampiric face surfaced and his fangs slid down over his lips.

"No-" "Do it!" she commanded.

Angel opened his mouth wide, no longer able to ignore the temptations of the flesh, unable to ignore the screaming desire in him for the blood of Buffy Summers…

***

They were ready for the Wuulark when they finally tore down the door. They were already tired from their efforts which made it an easier job. Connor appeared in front of them, acting faster than their dull witted minds could react. He wailed on the lead and ran away, knowing that his fists had little to no effect on the creature. When the blue demon began to chase after him, that was when Dawn swung the chains taken from the ceiling. Connor had taught her how to wield it effectively. She laced the metal links around the thick ankle of the lead and yanked with all her might. Surprised, the Wuulark fell hard. Its comrade stumbled over it and accidentally pierced it with its knives. Those two fought as two more entered. Connor climbed a large stack of crates and quickly pounced a Wuulark. He attempted to snap its neck, but the demon merely continued on with its head facing an impossible angle. Connor flipped backwards and struck out with both fists at the vulnerable spot at the small of its back. The demon fell forward, then backward as Dawn bludgeoned it with the hooked end of her chain. Connor smiled as Dawn showed heart and courage, instead of the squeamish little demeanor she had displayed earlier. She had the face of a warrior. Dawn turned and brought down the sharp, rusted hook upon the dueling Wuulark. One exploded, taking the other with it in the detonation. She then lassoed another and had it trapped as Connor used the heel of his foot to break off a blade from its hand. He thrust it deep into its spine and ran as it began to bubble. Dawn ran, taking Connor down behind the couch as the beast erupted in fiery death.

The two teens landed in a tangle of limbs, with Dawn on top. Connor smiled and said,

"Looks like you saved me."

"Told you I'd call dibs."

***

"I wish you could stay longer," Dawn was saying to Connor and Angel as they stood in the doorway of the Summer's residence.

"No Dawn, they're needed in L.A. Isn't that right?" Buffy asked, her eyes avoiding Angel. The vampire, seemingly uninjured but weary, nodded. Connor stepped forward and looked into Dawn's eyes.

"I-I would like to thank you, for saving me." "No problem. I owed you one." she said with a small smile. He leaned in for a stolen kiss, one that took Angel, Buffy, and especially Dawn by surprise.

"And I owed you that." Connor said, fluidly exiting the house and disappearing in the melting shadows of the night. Angel wanted to say something to Buffy but the Slayer only looked pointed at him. He nodded.

"Good bye Dawn," he let himself out, closing the door.

"What just happened there? Land of the Lost boy just smooched you! What went on in that abandoned warehouse? Dawn. Dawn!"

But the Slayer's little sister only stared after the boy who had stolen a kiss, and, more importantly, her heart.

The End.