A/N:  This chapter focuses more on the Dawn/Buffy relationship than the Buffy/Xander one in an effort to prove that life goes on, although Buffy is still seriously affected by the recent news.  Since Dawn is a big part of her life and I happen to like Dawn, this plays more into their sisterly care for one another.  It also goes to show what affects one Scooby will affect the others.

Also, spoilers for the book Jane Eyre, you know, in case you actually plan to read it at some point in your life (willingly or not).

Finally, thank you to all of those of you who reviewed:  Eliza Rosenberg, Leanne8582, and Queen Boadicea (how about Angel: The Next Generation?).  Specifically:

Squalldaman:  Sure it is in the past.  But, like you said, this lie affected the timeline greatly.  You can't say it happened and move on.  This is what I feel is a big, heavily overlooked thing.  That would be why I'm actually writing a story on it.

Disclaimer:  Operation Shiny Nickel still in works.  Until victory is confirmed, it still belongs to Joss Whedon, et al.

Chapter 3:  The Morning After

            "Hey, Buffy, didja borrow my peasant top?  You know, the one with the little flower embroidery decora…Buffy, are you okay?"  Dawn Summers stopped her skip into the kitchen, seeing her sister's ragged ponytail and tired, slightly red eyes.

            Buffy didn't respond, she just continued pouring her Special K.  A moment later, she put down the box and turned to her sister in a delayed reaction.  "What? Did you say something, Dawnie?"

            Dawn nodded hesitantly, her brow slightly furrowed in confusion.  "Yeah, I did.  You okay?"

            Buffy took in a heavy breath.  "'Course I am, Dawn.  You want some cereal?  If you don't feel Red Berry Special K-y I think I have some Cream of Wheat in the cabinet."

            "Cream of Wheat?" Dawn made a face.  "Oh gross.  I think I'll stick with the Special K."  Pouring herself a bowl, she once again looked over Buffy's sweatpants and extra large sleeping T-shirt.  Sure, it might work in today's PJ fashion scene, but for school counselor…

            "Maybe you should change.  You know, into something more professional."

            Buffy must have heard her because she gave her a half-grimace and started around and up the stairs.  Dawn steadily ate her cereal, flipping open Jane Eyre so she could finish Chapter 13.

            Two paragraphs of dull Bronte writing later, her thoughts moved on to Buffy. She had never seen her sister like this.  Okay, scratch that.  She had seen her like this when Mom had died.  Heck, Dawn had been like that.  But there was something different.  Like someone pulled the rug out from under you and you just lay on the floor, confused and in shock.  But then the floor fell through and you were just in a pile of rubble scattered across dirty ground.

            Dawn shook the ideas out of her head.  After last year…After last year, she realized she didn't know her sister.  Couldn't know her sister.  The fact that Buffy was screwing Spike had proved that point. But she knew her sister better than anyone else in the world, and she had a feeling Buffy knew her just as well.  They had the occasional you-spilt-Dr. Pepper-on-my-favorite-jeans tiffs, but nothing serious.  And something was up.

            "So, you finish Jane Eyre?"

            Dawn turned, knocking the Special K off the counter.  Buffy caught it just before it hit.  "Slayer reflexes.  Gotta love 'em," Dawn quipped, eating a spoonful of her own cereal.  Giving Buffy a once-over, she found her sister in typical "I am the strong Slayer, I am fine, leave me alone" mood.  Her outfit was polished and professional, hair pulled back nicely and makeup done to its customary perfection.  Dawn knew it would probably get her some angry comeback, but she wasn't letting Buffy keep something inside again.  Secrets only got worse.

            "What's wrong?"

            Buffy blinked.  "What?"

            "Oh come on.  No offense, Buff, but you are not an actress.  Something's wrong.  Please just tell me.  I can help, honest," Dawn said.

            "Dawn, I'm fine.  I swear."  Buffy crossed her arms in front of her in obvious cover-up style.

            "Uh huh.  But if you're screwing Xander and not telling me…" Dawn started to laugh at the absurdity, then saw Buffy's eyes hit the floor.  "Oh my God, you didn't, did you?"

            Buffy snapped her head up to attention at Dawn's words.  "What?  No.  Of course not."

            "Is it Spike?"

            Buffy sighed. If only it were, she thought.  "No, not Spike.  Just stress, you know?"

            "I get.  Like your English teacher going insane because you just didn't have time to read the assigned chapter of Jane Eyre.  I mean, come on.  We're studying AMERICAN literature.  What does that have to do with some Sound of Music-y drama?"

            "I thought Jane Eyre was about a woman mistreated by her family who was sent to a lousy school, became a governess and fell in love with a man who was married to the insane woman upstairs, so she left and met her cousin who asked her to marry him, but she said no and…"

            "Ruin the whole book for me now, why don't you?"  Dawn teased.  Her eyes widened in brief hope.  "Hey, if you remember it that well, do you remember what happened in chapter 13?  Preferably not in this way-out British spelling?"

            Buffy shook her head playfully.  "But you can read it to find out what happens."

            Dawn groaned.  "Thank you.  My own sister works in administration and won't help me.  I feel the love in this room."

            "I love you, Dawn.  Just not enough to regurgitate my intimate knowledge of Jane Eyre."  Buffy moved a stray strand of hair out of her eyes.  "Come on and get in the car before we're late."

            The phone rang, but Buffy ignored it.  "Let the machine answer get it.  Dawn?"

            "Wait a minute!" Dawn cried, gathering her stuff together hastily.

            Buffy sighed anxiously.  "I'll meet you in the car, okay?"

            "Sure," Dawn said, looking for her geometry homework.

            As Buffy closed the door behind her, the answering machine played its message in Buffy's voice.  "You have reached Buffy"—"And Dawn!" her own voice shouted –"Summers.  We're not here now, but if you leave your name and phone number after the beep, we'll call you ASAP.  Have a nice day!"

            "Hey, Buff."  It was Xander.  Dawn was tempted to pick up, but she still needed to find her math homework.  "I-I know you're still upset.  I know you won't forgive me right away, but…can we start over?  I want to take you out for dinner and, you know, discuss this.  I don't want this to be the end of our friendship, Buff.  Please call me back."

            Dawn stood still in shock.  Xander and Buffy were fighting?  They never fought unless Buffy got a new boyfriend that, usually being a vampire, Xander didn't like.  And Buffy said it wasn't a Spike problem…Dawn couldn't think right now.  She'd investigate deeper.  Maybe ask Willow.  But right now, she was seriously late and—

            "Dawn get your ass out here!"

            —had one pissed off sister.  Dawn grabbed her backpack and ran out the door.

What did you think?  Love it, hate it?  I will get back into repairing the Buffy/Xander relationship soon.  Remember to review wink, wink, nudge, nudge.