Title: Somewhere in Between

Part: 1/?

Author: Vicky Morgan

Email: vicks_tricks@hotmail.com

Disclaimer: Trust me if I owned em' I would so brag about it. However I don't so. I'll sit and sulk about it! The song is somewhere in between by Lifehouse (they so totally rock!)

Summary: Unnatural brats challenge 7: month of June 2003. Kinda of a She's All That theme. Connor is the most popular boy in school. Makes a bet to make the most unpopular girl prom Queen. But there's a twist. They're both miracle children, and destiny is about to make an appearance.

Rating: PG-13

Spoilers: Scrap everything that comes after season 4 of Buffy (expect Riley leaving and the potentials becoming slayers!). Scrap everything after the first series of Angel! Buffy and the gang move to L.A., just after Dawn is born, but Angel and his gang don't know this! Plus everything that has happened is set like over 18 years ago!

Couples: Spike/Buffy, Connor/Dawn Angel/Cordellia If you want other couples, let me, but right now undecided!

Authors Note: Now the challenge says that Connor isn't the child of 2 vampires. but it never said he could be the son of 1 vampire! And for that matter, Buffy and Spike also have a child, and spike also has a soul. ya know this really should come under summary. oh well! Authors Note 2: Thanks to Rakel for being my Beta, you so totally rock! And I thank movies, for giving me endless hours of mind numbing treats, I can feel myself becoming an airhead as I type! _-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_- _-_-_-_-_-_-_

After Spring Break 2003

Hey, don't write yourself off yet.

It's only in your head you feel left out or

Looked down on.

'God I am such a dork.' Dawn thought to herself. Currently she was sitting in front of her vanity table, running a brush through her hair, wondering why she bothered.

'I mean its not like anyone cares what I look like anyway. To everyone that matter's I'm a freak! I mean it wasn't me who blew up the school gym. For Gods sake, it was my mom. and it was like over 20 years ago. But now I guess it doesn't help that I'm a slayer. On the first day of school I nearly staked Shelly Adams for gods sake! I've never lived that one down. And god her boyfriend Connor Angel is so stuck up! I mean who does he think he is going round campus like he owns the place? It really wouldn't surprise me if was a demon or something!' Dawn got up and ran down stairs. She placed a chaise kiss on her father's cheek, and ran outside to wait for the bus. Buffy was in town today, so she couldn't ask for a lift.

'This is just my luck, because the bus always smells of pee. I want a car, but no. I can't have one! Its not even like mom drives very well! And it'sso hot today. Damn L.A. and its sunlight. Ya know I've always wondered why we live here, when dad can't even go outside during the day.' The bus pulled up, and Dawn slipped on her headphones, and turned her CD player on. Jimmy eat world blasted into her ears.

'But hey there's only 6 weeks left! And I'm outta here. though UCLA isn't that far!' Dawn giggled to herself, and went to sit at the back of the bus. Luckily Dawn's best friends Carlos and Kit were at the back as well.

"Hey guys. so another day in hell huh?" Dawn commented as she sat down.

"Yeh. But who knows, maybe something will happen soon!" Kit replied, while Carlos just grinned.

"Maybe." Dawn sat down and glanced out the window, "maybe."

Just try your best, try everything you can.

And don't you worry what they tell themselves when you're away.

Just across town, Connor was also just getting ready to leave for school. But the conversation he was having with himself was completely different.

'I am the best looking and most popular guy at school. It's 6 weeks till I graduate, and then I am so outta here! I can't wait! I can get away from all those shallow people at school, but who knows maybe Shelly will go wherever I go.' He thought to himself. Shelly was his long time girlfriend, and the most popular girl at school. Okay, so yeh she was slightly shallow, but no more then everyone else at the damn school.

'It could be worse; I could be dating Dawn Summers.' Connor grinned to himself as he made his way from his room to the hotel lobby downstairs. "I'm heading out mom! Tell dad I'll see him tonight ok?"

"Sure thing honey. Have fun, and remember, not long left now till you're a college student!" Connor quickly kissed his mom on the cheek and made his way to the hotel car park, where his treasured BWM M3 convertible sat. He pulled his keys out of his pocket to unlock the car, and he hopped in. Once he started up the car, he pulled out of the car park, and onto the main road towards school. In front he saw the school bus.

'Man, I feel bad for the guys on that thing. It always smells of pee!' After 20 minutes of driving he pulled into the school car park. He hopped out of his car, locked it, and then proceeded to walk up to his two friends, Lewis and Josh.

It just takes some time, little girl you're in the middle, it'll up the ride.

Everything, everything will be just fine, Everything, everything will be alright.

"So Conn, my man, how was Spring break? Any hotties at the hotel this year?" Josh asked him, after the two of them had high fived each other.

"Uh. something like that yea." Connor answered. But what else could he.

'Oh no Josh, in fact we had about 20 different demons trying to kill us in a week! Wolfram and Hart are certainly getting rowdy again. And it's been so quiet. well it's always been quiet, with all those slayers about. Yet not even dad knows who the slayers are in L.A!'

"Yo Connor, anyone home?" Lewis asked waving his hand in front of his friends face. It was a common occurrence for Connor to zone out in the middle of a conversation.

"What? Oh yeh, I'm cool! Hey, have any of you seen Shell? I haven't spoken to her, since she went with Becca and Stacey to San Francisco."

"No sorry dude, haven't seen her. But look there's Stacey looking all fine and shit. Ask her." Josh pointed out.

"Hey Stacey, have you seen Shell?" Connor asked her. She froze for a second before replying.

"Who?" She studied her nails.

"Shelly my girlfriend. About yay high, lots of blond hair, really big. gob on her. You can't miss her really." Connor exclaimed, gesturing with his hands to explain.

"Oh, I haven't seen her since we've got back. Oh, hey Becca." Stacey replied, then went to the other girl and gave her a hug. "You haven't seen Shell have you?" Stacey gave the slight girl a nudge. The normal person wouldn't have noticed it, but Connor being as supernatural as he was, noticed, though he didn't comment on it.

"Isn't that her car over there?" Everyone in the group turned to see a pink convertible pull up next to Connor's black convertible. Sure enough Shelly Adams stepped out of the car, and walked up to the group. Connor went to kiss her, but she pulled away.

"Ohmigod I have total diet coke breath. Does anyone have some gum?" She continued to walk, while both Stacey and Becca gave her a piece of gum.

Hey, you know they're all the same.

You know you're doing better on your own, so don't buy in.

"Are you okay Shell? You seem a bit distant." Connor asked his girlfriend as soon as he caught up with her. She turned to look at him.

"I think we should break up." At this what seemed like the whole student population were looking at them. Connor led her over to an empty bench so that they could talk.

"I don't understand why do you want to break up?"

"You did think I would still be dating you when we left for college did you?" When Connor didn't answer she smiled at him. "You did, that's sweet." She paused again for a moment before continuing. "Well Connor the thing is we've been together all through high school, and well, we should date other people. As it is, I've got a new boyfriend. He goes to UCLA, and he's so totally hot."

"That's nice Shell." Connor raised an eyebrow. "But I don't need to know how hot. what's his name? You've just dumped me for him."

"His names Brock. Any way I'll still go to the prom with you, I mean its only natural for the king and queen to go together!" Shelly got up, and walked away. Looking around he noticed that people turned away.

'Great now the whole school is gonna know in about 5 minutes!' Connor thought to himself. Running a hand threw his hair, he got up, and made his way over to Josh and Lewis.

"Okay, man what just happened?" Josh asked his friend.

"I really have no idea, I just know that I'm single." Connor replied. To be honest he thought he'd be more heartbroken about it, but obviously not. With his two friends he walked into school.

Live right now.

Yeah, just be yourself.

"So Dawn, did you hear. Mr big shot himself just got dumped." Kit told her friend. They were walking to class, and already the news about Connor spread like wildfire.

"Well he deserves it. Connor thinks he's above everyone else. I bet he lives a really sheltered life!" Dawn grinned. "Bout time he fell from his peddle-stall!"

"So, for a more interesting topic, we are patrolling later, right?" Carlos asked Dawn. Her two friends discovered that she was a vampire slayer, at the same time Dawn herself found out. If your destined to become a slayer, you become one at the age of 14. As her mother was the greatest Slayer in existence or just plain ever, it was only natural that Dawn would also be one. Of course her father being a vampire was just ironic!

"Of course. There's been some demonic activity near the Hyperion Hotel. So we're swing over that way tonight. Well, after work of course. Anya is making me go through ALL the books with her. That by itself will take hours! Come by at about eight guys."

"That sounds very promising. Hey, isn't that the hotel that Connor's dad owns? Maybe Connor really is a demon after all. You obviously were right Dawn!" Kit laughed out!

"Was there ever a doubt!" The three of them walked into homeroom. Sitting at the back Connor and his friends were already seated. Dawn briefly looked at him. When he looked up, her breath caught in her throat. Dawn didn't realise how blue his eyes were.

'This is bad. it's Connor. bad evil Connor!' Dawn shook her head lightly and sat down next to Kit.

"You okay?" Kit asked her.

"Yeh I'm fine. Just looking forward to the end of school."

"You always are!" Kit laughed. "But it's not too bad today now is it?" Dawn just grinned and laughed with her friend.

It doesn't matter if it's good enough for someone else.

It just takes some time, little girl you're in the middle of the ride.

"So Connor, what are you gonna do now that you're single? I mean you just got dumped by Shelly Adams, the most popular girl in school!" Josh asked him. It broke Connor out of his trance. When Dawn walked into the room, he had the urge to look up. The second he looked into her eyes something seemed to click. which was bad, very bad. "I don't know. But she's not that popular! She can be broken quite easily." Connor replied as he leaned back in his chair.

"I don't know. All the guys wanna do her and all the girls wanna be her. Basically she's you with tits." Lewis commented "She's a legacy, while yours my friend is hanging by a thread!" Josh grinned. "That can't be too good for your ego."

"Shelly Adams is a myth. The main reason that she became popular was coz she was my girlfriend! Look if you take away all that attitude and popularity, basically all you have is a 3.2 GPA and a wonder bra. Given the right look and the right boyfriend that could be anyone!" Connor folded his arms and looked to his friends.

"I feel a bet coming on." Josh grinned.

"Yeh so, what's the bet, and I'll take it." Connor replied. Josh looked out the classroom, and his eyes seemed to light up.

"I bet that you can't make Dawn Summers prom queen."

"Come again?" Connor froze. No way could he make that thing Prom queen. even if she had the most beautiful eyes.

"You heard me, or are you too chicken to take the bet?" Connor thought about it for a moment.

"Ok you're on!" The two of them shook on it, while Lewis shook his head.

"I can't believe your both doing this. Its madness!"

"So what are the terms of this bet?" Connor asked, Josh explained them and they both agreed.

Everything, everything will be just fine, Everything, everything will be alright.

It just takes some time, little girl you're in the middle of the ride.

Everything, everything will be just fine, everything will be alright.

The day pretty much went without a hitch. By lunchtime, everyone knew of Connor and Shelly's break up.

"Its crazy!" Dawn cried out over her tuna salad sandwich. I mean the way everyone's going on it's almost as if Charles broke up with Diana all over again!" She threw her hands into the air, while Kit mouth 'who' to Carlos.

"Prince of Wales. you know Dawn with all her pop references. You need a dictionary and TV on hand to follow her." Kit just laughed, while Dawn scowled.

"Anyway, Dawn why do you care so much about the break up? Unless you like Connor?" At this Dawn held up her hands and shook her head.

"nononononononono.. Really I don't! That's just ew!" She looked up and saw Connor walking towards their table. He sat down.

"Can I talk to you Dawn?" He grinned, which in normal circumstances girls would swoon.

"No. Guys I have to go, I have to go see Miss Swanson. She wants me about history or something. Laters!" Dawn got her stuff and began to walk off. Connor got up and followed her.

"So I was wondering." Connor started, but Dawn cut him off.

"Don't wonder, it really might hurt your brain. I really have to be somewhere." Dawn continued walking into the school. Connor stood there as people looked at him.

".if you would embarrass me in front the whole school." Connor scratched his head. "I am going about this the wrong way." He walked into the school to try and think about what to do.

Hey, don't write yourself off yet.

It's only in your head you feel left out or

looked down on.

"Miss Swanson, you wanted to see me?" Dawn walked into the room. "Yes Dawn. I know we only have a few weeks left, but I was wondering if you would work with a fellow class member to make a presentation about the History of Hemery High, and its founders. You're my top student, and I really think this would look good on your chances for Valedictorian!"

"Really? I would love to. But uh. who's the other student?" Dawn asked. Miss Swanson flipped through her notes.

"Connor Angel." Dawn was horrified.

"Are you serious? He'll make me do all the work!"

"Now Dawn, I know you and Mr Angel don't get along to well, but think of it as a learning experience. In college there will be plenty of people that you wont want to work with, but you will have to." Dawn nodded.

"Yeh you're right. I mean what's the worst that can happen? I should probably go find him, and tell him." Dawn smiled at her teacher then left the room. Down the hallway she could see Connor talking to himself. Dawn walked up to him.

Just do your best, do everything you can.

And don't you worry what the bitter hearts are gonna say.

"Right here's the deal. We have to work together on a history project. I don't like you and you really don't like me. We work on it, we will do good on it and then we can forget about each other, okay?"

"Uh, what project for history?" Connor asked. Dawn explained.

'Yes, I have a reason to hang out with her now! I am so gonna win this bet. Man between that and the project I really am gonna have to cut back on the patrolling with dad. Oh, well!' He thought to himself. He didn't notice that Dawn had kept talking.

".so is that ok with you?"

"Huh, what?"

"Come by the magic shop tonight, and we can work on the project. Make it about 6 ok?"

"Uh, yea sure. Where is the magic shop, I've never been before." Dawn gave him the instructions. "Oh, thanks. Is it like a joke shop or something?" Dawn nearly laughed at this.

"Or something. Anyway, your coming tonight does me a favour. This way I don't have to go threw the books with Anya. She owns the place. Any way, laters." Dawn walked away from Connor.

'This certainly is going to be interesting!' Connor chuckled to himself, and walked in the opposite direction.

It just takes some time, little girl you're in the middle of the ride.

Everything everything will be just fine, everything everything will be alright.

It just takes some time, little girl you're in the middle of the ride.

Everything everything will be just fine, everything everything will be alright.

Song - 'In the middle' by Jimmy Eat World