Because it'll be another day till I post the next chapter, this one's a bit longer, for your enjoyment. Many thanks to the beta Grace for taking the time to this over. This Chapter is alternating Giles and Buffy POV again. Enjoy!

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Chapter 4
Three Days

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It was that afternoon when I first noticed the people pouring in. Willow and Tara had returned that afternoon, paper bags of food in hand, which they surrendered to me. I peeked inside the bag, slightly relieved to see a bagel with cream cheese. Tucked inside the napkin was another teabag, something else I was also relieved to see.

Considering I'd used my last one the night before.

With a grateful smile at the women I turned and plugged in my teapot, realizing this was probably the last time I was going to do it.

Buffy was sitting near me, her eyes were still closed but I could tell she wasn't sleeping, even though Willow and Tara were using quiet, hushed voices. It wasn't until I cleared my throat that Buffy opened her eyes and glanced at her visitors. Her face brightened considerably when she saw her friends. "Hey."

"Hey," Willow said, her voice trembling a bit in her usual style. She lifted her hand in greeting. Next to her, Tara smiled hers.

Buffy's gaze fell onto her fruit basket as an uncomfortable silence ensued. I could see her mouth watering at the thought of eating the apples and pears stacked inside. With a chuckle, I turned to Willow. "Could you open that for her?"

"I may be in the hospital, but I'm not handicapped," Buffy replied in a cheerful voice, pulling the basket into her lap and pulling at the large red velvet bow on top. "Because I'm not... unless... I am and don't know?"

"You are not handicapped in any way," I said sharply, sending a quick glance toward Willow, who had opened her mouth. She shut it when she saw my eyes and looked down at her shoes.

Buffy was absentmindedly prodding the bow and didn't notice my response. Finally, she just pulled at the plastic surrounding the fruit buckled. We watched as the pears, bananas and apples tumbled over the sides, spilling onto the floor with moist plops, all rolling in different directions and staining the white linoleum with the scent of mushed fruit.

"Oops," she whispered, her eyes wide as she peered over the edge of the bed. "I made the fruit roll."

Willow was the first to react and lifted an orange off the ground, polishing it on the sleeve of her jacket before offering it back to Buffy, who took it gingerly. "Thanks," she said, smiling at her friend who stepped back to Tara. As she peeled the orange, she kept her gaze averted. "How's Dawn?"

The women exchanged a worried glance. "Now, Buffy," began Willow, "don't get me wrong but don't you want to wait a day before you see her?"

Buffy glanced up, orange peel slipping from her fingers. "Why would I want to wait that long? I've waited almost nine months, haven't I?"

They exchanged another look. "Well," said Tara, shifting from one foot to the other. "It's not that she doesn't want to see you. Believe me, she does. It's just that things are a bit busier around the house since you... left. We've all had to make certain sacrifices. Especially Dawn."

"Dawn. Has. Had. To. Do. What?"

Tara cleared her throat before speaking again. "She's had to get a job, Buffy. A real job. Not anything dangerous, mind you, but she needed something paying to keep up with the bills. Willow and I live there now, at the house. We do what we can, but when your mother died, she left you a bit, but your hospital bills have completely left us in a bit of debt."

"So you're telling me," Buffy concluded as she plucked a piece of orange and bit into it, "that I'm bedridden and I'm broke?"

"Yeah," Tara said with a nervous smile. "Although the Watcher's Council has given you a generous donation, since you did jump for their cause... that money has paid off the debt, somewhat..."

"I can't be hearing this," Buffy muttered, swallowing hard and staring at the remains of the orange in her lap. "I'm losing the first appetite I've had this year and you're telling me that not only am I broke but I'm accepting charity money?"

I felt it was the time to intervene. "It isn't charity money, Buffy. Over the past few months, the Council has decided that maybe the time has come to reward the Slayer for all of her hard work."

"I stake a vampire," Buffy replied, "I get a shiny penny?"

"It was a rather large amount," Tara replied with a nod. "Tell her Giles."

Why did they have to ask me to relay the amount? I uttered it. I could tell she had heard because her eyes widened and she turned back to her orange, slipping a piece inside her mouth. "What else has my sister been up to?"

"She's dating now," Willow replied regretfully, speaking slowly, as though she were hesitant to bring up all of the details. "She's dating a senior."

"My sister is dating an upperclassman?" Buffy asked incredulously. "And she has a job. What's next? Tattoo? Fancy car? College?"

"She's sixteen years old, Buffy," Willow replied softly. "Even while you were sleeping, she had to do something with her life. She was seriously grieving. Before school started again, she was in here every day, every time, waiting, hoping, praying. We all were, Buffy."

"I'm not angry," Buffy replied. I could see that she really wasn't. Surprised, maybe, but not angry. "My little sister has really grown up?"

"She really has," said Willow softly. "And I regret that you weren't there to see it. Her first prom and everything."

There were tears in her eyes now. "She must have been beautiful."

She had been. I had been there, chaperoning the prom, mainly because Dawn volunteered me and Anya wanted me to leave the store for a night so she could count the money. Why she was so eager to rid of me, I had no idea. Maybe it was because I hovered a lot.

I would have to watch that.

I hadn't heard Willow's response and turned back. Only the shrill whistle of my teapot woke me from my thoughts and I poured my mug and sipped while they talked. Buffy looked even more awake than she had last night when she'd first woken up.

"When do you think she'll come?" Buffy was asking softly as she finished the last slice of her orange and dumped the peel on the small tray next to her bed.

"Spike will bring her by after work," Tara said. "She's with him tonight while the four of us patrol."

"Without Spike?" I asked, interrupting Buffy's words. "I thought it was dangerous... a dangerous time." I gave them another earnest look and they exchanged yet another look.

"We'll be fine," Willow said. "I have more control over my demon-shrinking spell now... after all, I did manage to restore Xander to normal size after my last jinx backfired."

I was more concerned now. Not about their safety, but leaving my team in the hands of a witch who couldn't control a simple shrinking spell. Shrugging it off, I sipped my tea.

"What time is it?" Buffy asked, staring at the walls. "I don't see a clock."

"Half past four," Tara replied, checking her watch on the underside of her wrist. "We should probably be going soon. Dawn will be home from school and she needs to work by seven."

"Where does she work?" Buffy asked, eyeing another piece of fruit still inside the basket. She reached over and took out the pear and bit into it.

"The Sunnydale Mall, the bookstore. She makes coffee."

"Respectable," I replied. "Not to mention that store has the finest selection of tea this side of the Atlantic."

Buffy smiled as she swallowed her bite of pear. "Not bad for my little sis."

"She'll be here either late tonight or early tomorrow," Willow said, now looking very much like she wanted to leave. "If she doesn't show up tonight, it's because she's worked late or she's-" She cut off as Tara elbowed her ribs. "She's... sleeping. Yeah."

I didn't believe her for one moment nor did I think Buffy. But Buffy was concentrating on the fruit as she glanced to her two friends. "I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Yes," Tara said, taking Willow's arm and heading toward the doorway. "We'll see you tomorrow."

Buffy watched them leave, a soft, pensive look on her face. "Giles?" she asked, her voice small. "Is there something going on?"

I didn't want to answer that. My only response was a shrug as I drained the last sip of tea and set my mug aside. "Not that I know of, Buffy," I said, easing my face into a gentle smile and scooping away her garbage. "Maybe you should rest. Dawn most likely won't show up till tomorrow. It's Saturday then. She can sleep tonight. She needs her rest."

Buffy opened her mouth to protest and then closed it. "Okay," she said slowly, watching as I collected the fruit from the ground and disposed of it. "Are you going to stay here tonight?"

I hadn't thought of that. My decision had been to go home and rest when she'd woken up, but now I wasn't sure. "Would you like me to?"

She nodded. I noticed there was still fear in her eyes. "Then I will," I smiled.

I glanced at her grateful smile as she laid down, her eyes closing as her head made contact with the pillow. "Thank you," she whispered, opening her eyes and glancing at me as I stood over her bed. "Thank you for being here for me."

"It's been my pleasure," I said, patting her shoulder as I turned away and sat down.

I waited until she fell asleep before I opened my guitar case and removed my guitar, strumming a few strings, watching the soft light glow on her face, feeling like there was nothing in the world that could cease my emotions now.

However, I still had two days to test my theory.

* * * * *

I had woken up just shortly before noon. I felt lightheaded and groggy, as though I'd been drugged. Shrugging off that feeling, I glanced around my room. Giles, for the first time since I'd awoken, had disappeared. I tried to sit up on my bed and moved to the foot so I could see out the partly opened door. I couldn't see him.

Where had he gone? He had been there the night before. Knowing it was right before noon, I felt a bit unsettled about the fact I'd slept nearly twenty hours without so much as an interruption by my sister.

Dawnie. Where was she? I missed her. I almost needed to see her, most of all. After all, my sacrifice had been for her.

I waited for nearly twenty minutes for anyone to walk inside. During that time, I devoured an apple that was sitting on my tray and stared at the small stack of magazines. Vogue. A Cosmopolitan. Interesting reading, I thought as I set them aside, but not really what I was in the mood for.

A gentle knock sounded at my door. I glanced up.

There she was, standing there. My sister.

How she had changed during this time. Her hair was shorter and highlighted, bouncing above her shoulders with a lovely curl. She wore more makeup now, around the eyes especially. She had also grown taller. And her clothes were carefully picked out, I could tell. She was wearing her bookstore uniform. My eyes misted over and I could tell hers were too.

She walked slowly into my room, as though she were afraid to ask me anything. Finally, I opened my arms and with a small cry she ran into them. I held onto her a long moment, finally convinced she was alive, finally convinced she was fine. As she pulled back, I could see the tears had trickled down her cheeks. "Dawnie."

"Buffy, it's really you," she whispered, her face shining. "You're really alive."

"I am," I choked out, pulling her close again. I could feel her trying to pull away and finally let her go. "Dawnie," I continued, repeating her name, enjoying the sensation on my tongue, "how are you?"

Dawn shrugged as she sat down next to me, taking my hand. "I'm okay," she said softly. "It's been a hard few weeks. I have state testing coming up soon, and work has been busier with the summer season approaching. Lots of new books. And we started a new coffee line this week."

I couldn't help it. I started crying. I watched her alarm and felt terrible about it, but I really couldn't help myself. My little sister really was grown up. And I told her.

She smiled and squeezed my hand. "Things have changed since I last saw you awake," she replied gently. "I'm dating now. He's a senior, can you believe it? I'm a sophomore dating a senior. And I have a job. And I'm patroling. I have all this scary real-life stuff going on and I've had no one to talk to about any of it."

I reached over and tucked a lock of her highlighted hair behind her ear. "I'm here now, Dawn," I replied. "You can talk to me. You can tell me anything."

She smiled and looked away. "I wish I could tell you some things, but you probably already know." I could tell she was fighting back tears again. "I spent some time in counseling after you first fell. I had a lot of trouble dealing with finals, the near-death of my sister and your friends were all completely unglued. Spike really held the group together. Yeah," she continued, noting the look of skepticism on my face, "Spike really came through for us. He was strong and brave and loyal... he's been fighting by our sides. And Giles has been amazing. He's been more of a friend to me these past six months, when things started getting really hard..."

I squeezed her hand and smiled at her, encouraging her to continue.

"Like driver's education. I still haven't gotten my license yet, but I have taken lessons from Giles. That snappy new convertible of his? So fun to drive. Spike took me out one day in his car. Yeah, I couldn't see anything. All that black paint. It's a wonder he's never crashed into anything. I was completely surprised when I took my last driver's lesson last month. I'm getting really good. We should probably practice. I'd love to show you what I can do."

I laughed softly and sighed. "I've missed so much of your life, Dawnie. How can I ever get the past nine months back?"

She smiled sadly. "I wish there was a way," she whispered. "I've had my first dance, my first kiss, my first of everything, and my first sister wasn't there to see me."

"I'm glad I can see you now," I replied with a grim smile. "I'm glad I'll be able to see you graduate, to attend senior prom. To see you get married..."

"Can you say jumping the gun?" Dawn squeaked, her eyes wide. "I'm only sixteen! The next thing you'll be suggesting is babies and menopause."

I had to laugh. I hugged her again, still laughing.

"When are you coming home?" she suddenly asked.

"Tomorrow," I replied, feeling a flutter of excitement in my chest. I was indeed going home tomorrow to finish my last day of bedrest before assuming my old duties. "Will you be around tomorrow?"

"I work until four," she replied sadly. "But I'll be home after that. We're making a special dinner tomorrow night, for Giles."

"Why?" I asked in confusion.

"His birthday?" Dawn reminded me, absentmindedly flipping through my stack of magazines. "Don't tell me you forgot."

"I never knew," I whispered, racking my brain for the trace reminder of when he might have told me his own birthdate. "Are you certain it is tomorrow?"

"February nineteenth," she replied, her own eyes narrowing in confusion. "But you should see what Willow and Tara got for him. A gift certificate. To the mall. He's going shopping tomorrow to buy himself something other than tweed. They made him promise. They got him a certificate to the leather store."

I was shocked now. Giles. My Giles? Buying leather?

I shook my head. "I think I missed ten years instead of nine months," I muttered, holding my head. "Has the world ended and bled into some heavenly dimension too?"

"Oh, that," Dawn said, gesturing aside. "We had another apocalypse about three months ago. Nothing too major, just a few members of a nasty coven in the Los Angeles underground, decided they wanted a piece of some temple that would suck the world into hell. Nothing too serious."

My eyes were wide. "And you lived?"

"Sort of," Dawn replied in a whisper. "I broke a few ribs, a wrist... almost got my skull, but luckily I was already knocked out." She smirked when she saw the look of abject terror on my face. "It wasn't a dangerous fight. Willow and Tara really came through for us, and Anya even invited some of her old demon friends to help. It was almost like a circus except it really wasn't."

I sighed again. "The thought of anyone hurting my Dawn is enough to give me convulsions for a month, you know."

She laughed, a soothing sound. "You really need to get out of here."

"I really do," I replied. "How much longer do you have?"

"Only a few minutes," she replied, checking her watch. "I work in twenty six minutes."

I started laughing again, only this time it sounded hollow. "I suppose you should probably go then."

"I'll see you tomorrow, you know," she said, hugging me tight. "There's really no need to get all teary."

"I know," I sniffled. "I'm just so glad to see you're alive, that's all."

She gave me a reassuring smile and one last hug goodbye before leaving.

And I watched her leave, feeling as though some of the humanity I'd lost in the past three quarters of the year had suddenly found itself again.

I'd reclaimed my sense of family.