A/N- So here it is, the so long promised *dan-dan-dan-dan!!* epilogue! He. And it is large, so you don't have any complains.
Oh, btw, I'm now and officially Willow/Xander shipper. You know, now that Buffy's over, they're repeating old episodes (I dunno if everywhere, at least they're here and I'm glad for it), and I really like Willow and Xander together. So now I'm a shipper. Thought you might care.
Okay, read.
You have got to have the bluest eyes I've ever seen
And when I wake from dreaming
I am screaming out your name
Yes, I must confess
You simply are the best
And there's no point denying
When I'm lying by your side
It's more than just a crush
Every time we touch
'Cause baby you know you make me feel brand new
Like there's been no one else but you
For the first time, I feel
This could be the last time, I'm real
Fall, in love
For a thousand years
I hope to stay right here
Wrapped up all around you
So that I found you and I feel
You make me feel so pure, like you're some kind of cure
Baby you're my healer
You heart stealer of a man
Hold me, baby 'cause you know me
With every single touch
It's more than just a crush
Reach me, only you can see me
And what I crave so much
It's more than just a crush
"Crush" – 3G's
Dawn stared at the door in front of her, trying to gain the courage to knock on it. The door stared back at her, as if daring her. You know what'll happen… and it won't be nice, the door was telling her.
She sighed. It was useless. The door had beaten her. After helping saving the world, killed countless vampires (and making out with… two and the son of one), after almost opening a door to all Hell's dimensions –after all that, a door had beaten her.
For that door alone, looking at her was scarier than everything she had encountered in her life.
She turned around and started walking away.
She didn't go too far, though. A pair of strong arms stopped her.
She glared at the pair of blue eyes in front of her. "I can't do this, okay? I though I would be able to do it, but I can't." She rolled her eyes. "I don't know why you wanna do it, anyway. It's not like a party's expecting you, either."
Spike smiled sarcastically. "Oh, yeah. Thanks for the reminder."
"What are we doing here? Why can't we just go? Why are you making me –no, wait –us do this?"
"Nibblet, don't argue." He put his hands on her waist, and for a moment she thought he was going to kiss her. She started to panic. No, not here. But instead, he pulled her up and turned her around, so she would be facing the door –again. That damned door. "Now, knock."
Dawn took in a deep breath. She saw, as if it wasn't hers, her hand raise and knock the door. She waited a few seconds –that seemed to her as hours.
Then, so sudden she jumped when she heard it, a voice called from inside, "I'll get it! I'll get it!"
Dawn ran a hand through her long hair. She turned to look a Spike for a moment. The vampire was leaning against the wall, hiding from the few remaining sunbeams. The night was coming quickly, and soon all the nasty creatures would be out.
He smiled reassuringly at her when he noticed her nervousness.
She turned her attention back to the door when she heard it click open.
A little girl was standing at the doorframe. She was about five, with light brown hair and big green eyes. "Yes?" she said.
"Um," Dawn said, scratching the back of her neck. "I'm looking for Buffy. Does she still live here?"
The girl nodded vigorously. "Yes! I'll be right back! Wait here!"
Dawn turned back to Spike. "Well," she said, her voice cracking a little. "This is it."
Spike nodded. "Let's hope we get alive out of this."
"You can say that again," Dawn said under her breath.
Dawn heard some voices inside, although she couldn't figure out what they were saying.
She turned to Spike. "You hear that?"
Spike shook his head. "Hear someone talking. Can't tell what they're saying, though."
She sighed. "What's the use of having vampire ears if you can't use them properly?!"
Spike chuckled. "Chill, Bit. We'll be inside in no time."
"Yeah, well. That's not exactly a reassuring thought."
About after two minutes of waiting, the dreaded time came.
A blond appeared at the door, looking highly annoyed. "Yes?" she said, not looking at them, but at the floor.
Dawn had trouble finding her voice for a moment. She cleared her throat. "B-Buffy?" she stuttered.
Apparently she recognized Dawn's voice, because her head immediately jerked up. Her green eyes widened in shock. "Dawn?" she said, weakly.
Dawn smiled nervously. "Hi," she said.
"Oh, my God!" Buffy said, before grapping her sister in a tight hug.
Then, as fast as she had hugged her, she pulled her away. "Dawn Summers! Where the hell have you been all this years?! Do you have an idea of how worried we've been?! How inconsiderate of you! I've been through hell imagining where you were! Really! Leaving town just like that, 'cause you felt like it!" Then she hugged her again. "I'm so, so, so incredibly glad to see you! I've missed you so much!"
Dawn laughed silently. "I've missed you, too."
Buffy jumped back again. "Oh, but come in! You gotta meet everyone!" she said, taking the brunette's arm and dragging her in.
She didn't walk, though. "Uh, Buffy," she said, casting a furtive glance at the vampire still leaning against the wall, watching them, unnoticed by the Slayer. "I kinda brought someone… you know."
Buffy raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"Yeah, well. I… he…"
Buffy grinned. "He? Dawn! You brought a boyfriend?"
Dawn felt herself blush deeply. "Uh… not exactly, I mean yes, sort of, but… damn it." She turned to where Spike was. "Could you come here?"
For a moment she could've sworn the vampire turned paler. He shook his head slowly. At the spot where Buffy stood, Dawn knew she couldn't see him.
Dawn glared at him. "You were the one that brought me here in the first place!" she said, indignantly. "Now, don't be a chicken and get here!"
Spike glared at her for a moment before walking slowly to her. Dawn turned to look at her sister.
Her jaw was falling open, and her eyes seem to shoot fire. "You," Buffy said venomously.
"Hullo, Slayer," he said, simply. Then he put his arm around Dawn's waist.
Buffy watched as he did so, the anger obviously increasing in her eyes. Dawn turned to look at her, scared, but didn't move away from Spike.
"What are you doing here?" Buffy said to Spike, coldly. Then, to Dawn, "Why did you bring him here?"
"Well," Dawn said slowly, trying to think of a way to put things, "we live together."
Buffy's eyes widened. "WHAT?!"
Obviously, that hadn't been a good way. "I mean, not together as in the same place, because my roommates would just freak out and kick me out, but as in the same town, you know. And it's not like we planed it, we just sort of ran into each other one day, and then started hanging out and here we are," Dawn said, rather quickly.
Buffy's eyes had returned to her normal size, but she still had a menacing look in her face. "Well," she said, giving up. "Come in, then. I guess. You can explain everything once inside."
"Right," Dawn said, nodding. Then she motioned Spike to follow them in.
Dawn followed the blond inside. The house hadn't changed much since she left. Dawn couldn't say she expected a big change. Her mother was always the one to decorate, while Buffy was all busy saving the world. And well, to be completely truth, Buffy didn't have the best of tastes on house decorating.
Dawn could hear some voices coming from the living room, but wasn't paying much attention to them. All the memories of this house were rushing back at her –both the real ones and the made-up ones.
She inhaled in the smell of the house, its scent. It seemed so familiar, yet so strange to her.
She looked at Spike, whom seemed to be doing the same as her. He had an odd expression in his eyes, and a small frown was crossing his face.
"Hey," she whispered to him, "you okay?"
Spike turned to look at her as if he had just remembered she was there. Then he nodded.
Buffy led them into the living room.
A man and a little girl were sitting on the floor. Buffy smiled at them.
"Dawn," she said, giving her a warm look. "Spike," she added, her look changing completely. "This is Kevin –my husband. And Shannon, my daughter." Dawn's jaw dropped. "This is Dawn," she said to the pair staring at them, "my sister. And Spike."
Kevin stood. Dawn couldn't help noticing he was rather good looking. Black hair fell upon his green eyes. He was tall and strong. He grinned at her charmingly.
"Hi, Dawn," he said. "It's so nice to finally meet you. Buffy talks a lot about you." He looked at Spike apologetically. "Can't say the same about you. Sorry."
Spike shook his head. "Didn't think you would've. Don't worry, mate."
Dawn shook his hand awkwardly. "I can't believe you're married," she said to Buffy. "And I'm an aunt."
Buffy looked at her intently. "Yeah, well. I wanted to invite you to the wedding. But I didn't know where to reach you."
Dawn looked sheepish. "Yeah, well. Sorry."
"But sit, I wanna know what you've been up to." Buffy glared at Spike. "Both of you."
Dawn and Spike looked at each other.
"What you wanna know?"
"Where do you live?" she said.
"Oh. Well, it's a town in the middle of nowhere. Nobody knows it. Sorta like here, just more vampire-free."
Buffy was shaking her head. "No," she said, "I mean, do you have a house or what?"
Dawn bit her lip. "Oh. Well… I actually live at the local university. I have a dorm I share with other two girls." She paused. "And Spike lives in the cemetery," she added.
But apparently Buffy hadn't listened to her last statement. "You go to college?" she asked, amazed.
"Well, yeah," Dawn answered, shyly.
"Oh."
"I mean, I just- it's not like I…well, I…" she blabbered desperately. She knew that Buffy probably would be a little sore about the whole college issue, since she never got the chance to finish it… Slayer's duties.
But Buffy just smiled warmly. "That's okay, Dawn. You don't have to explain to me. I'm glad you're going to college."
Dawn grinned widely.
"I have one question, though. How do you pay for it? Do you have a job or something?"
Dawn looked at the floor, nervous again. "Well, I do. I work at a really popular club, which is doing really well at the moment." She smirked. "The tips are great." She stopped and looked at her sister in the eye. "That's not how afford it, though."
Buffy looked at her expectantly. She didn't continue, though. "Well?"
"Well… don't get angry, or anything, please… but…"
"Dawn! What is it?"
Dawn looked at Spike. "Just say it already, Lil'Bit," he said.
The Slayer looked glared at him before turning back to her sister. "Well?" she repeated.
Dawn took a deep breath. "Angel pays for it."
For the second time that day, Buffy's jaw dropped. "WHAT? You mean he knew! He knew and he didn't tell me! Oh, but he will hear from me now!"
Dawn stood up quickly, to try and calm the angry blond. "No, Buffy, wait! I wouldn't let him! I mean, I didn't even want to get him involved in this, but… well, it was sort of inevitable."
Buffy raised an eyebrow. "Inevitable?" Dawn nodded. "Explain."
"Well, I kinda lived two years in LA." Buffy looked like she wanted to say something, but when she didn't Dawn continued. "And, well," she said, glancing quickly at Spike, "I sort of had a thing with his son…"
Buffy's jaw fell open –again. "His WHAT?"
"His… son," Dawn said in a small voice.
"He has a son?" Buffy said, in an incredulous voice.
Dawn merely nodded.
"How?"
Spike smirked. "Well, Slayer, I thought you knew how babies are made."
Kevin chuckled. Buffy turned to glare at her husband, whom shrugged, then she glared at Spike. After her glaring session, Buffy turned back to her sister.
"So," Buffy said, her voice was even, but her eyes betrayed anger. "How exactly did Angel ended up paying for your school and I didn't know about it?"
"Well… I finished high school in LA. So I kinda got close to Angel and Connor and Cordelia (Buffy made a disgusted face) and everyone. So when I finally decided that I did want to go to college and knew where I wanted to live and everything, he offered to pay it, and well, I couldn't afford it so…"
"Wait a minute," Buffy said. "You finished high school in LA?" She raised an eyebrow. "How long did you live there, then?"
Dawn blushed. "Two years," she whispered under her breath.
This time Buffy didn't yell, nor her jaw fell. And when Dawn looked up at her she had to look away for the guilt washed her over. Buffy looked hurt. Deeply hurt.
"Buffy, I'm sorry."
"There's just one thing I never understood, Dawn: why did you hate me so much?"
Kevin made a funny noise with his throat. "Er… I think I'll take Shannon play… somewhere else."
Buffy gave her husband a grateful smile. "Thanks," she mouthed to him.
The Slayer, the Key and the vampire stared as Kevin and Shannon left the room. When they were finally out, Dawn turned to look at her sister.
"Buffy, I don't hate you. I've never had."
"Then why did you left Sunnydale just like that? Not even saying good-bye?" She sighed. "Well, not to me, anyway."
Dawn sighed, too. "I don't know, okay? I just wanted to get away from all this Hell Mouth thing. I wanted a life of my own."
"I would've understood that, Dawn. You know I would've. Why didn't you tell me?"
Dawn bit her lip. "I would've hurt too much to say good-bye to you."
Buffy looked at her sister, her lower lip trembling.
Dawn noticed that the forever tough Vampire Slayer was about to cry.
It was a scary image; it wasn't too often she had seen Buffy cry. It was always in a life-death situation… but never about something as stupid and worthless as this…
"Buffy," Dawn said, somehow desperate, "I'm so sorry… Please don't cry."
Buffy wiped the few tears that were escaping her eyes and rolling their way down her cheeks away. Then she smiled as a small sob came out of her throat.
"Oh, Dawnie! I'm just so happy that you're here!" she said, standing up to hug her sister once again.
After a few minutes of hugging, Buffy finally let go.
Dawn took a deep breath, realizing she had to tell her sister the truth. She bit her lip. "Uh, Buffy… you… you know I won't stay here, don't you?"
Buffy's eyes widened, but returned to their normal size almost immediately. A sad look crossed them. "Yeah. I know." She smiled sadly. "It's just that I miss you so much."
Silence fell upon them afterwards. Spike just sat there uncomfortably. Dawn looked at him and took his hand on hers. She started playing with his fingers, making small circles on his palm. She didn't really know what to do or say.
Buffy watched the couple silently. "So what's the deal between you two?" she asked, suddenly, starting at the pair.
"What?"
"Are you like a couple of what?" Buffy asked, calmly.
Dawn blushed deeply. She turned to look at Spike.
"Yeah… something like that, yes." Spike was the one to answer, surprising both girls.
Buffy raised an eyebrow. "Something like that?" she asked, skeptically. "Either you are or you're not."
Dawn felt her cheeks burn even harder.
"What is it to you?" Spike asked, kind of harshly.
Buffy glared at him. "Just looking out for my sister."
"Buffy—" Dawn tried, but she wouldn't listen.
"I think she can take care of her own, Slayer," Spike said, hotly.
"Guys?" Dawn tried.
"Well, Spike, you'll have to forgive me if I have my doubts about that… especially when you are part of the subject."
"I don't owe you any soddin' explanations," he snapped, acidly. "Neither does Dawn, for that matter."
"Stop it!" Dawn yelled suddenly. Both pair of eyes turned to stare at her in awe. Dawn turned to Buffy. "You, stop interrogating and accusing him! Yes, we are together. And he didn't threatened me or twisted my arm or anything, we are together because we wanted to, and no, our relationship isn't just physical," she said that last part throwing a meaningful glance at her sister, "I love him. So deal with it. And you," she said, turning to Spike, "Stop throwing that mean remarks to her, okay? I understand that she's the Slayer and you're a Vampire and it's only natural for you two to hate each other –not to mention the part in which you have a… er… past—but stop it! She's my sister, too. And I love her, too."
Spike's jaw was hanging open, while Buffy's eyes were narrowed. Obviously neither of them enjoyed being lectured by her, being younger and all –whether it was 6 years younger or like 100.
Dawn looked at them. Then she shrugged. "Well? Say something. Don't look at me like you've just been grounded."
Buffy looked like she didn't know what to say. Then she blurted, "So, let me get this straight. You two are together? Like in really together? Care about each other and all that stuff?"
Dawn nodded soundlessly, sitting down again.
"Well…" Buffy said, "I really don't know what you want me to say."
"Just… I dunno, say you're happy for us –for me. I know I'm happy. And believe me, it wasn't easy to get me."
Buffy smiled to her younger sister. Then she turned at the vampire –whom was unusually quiet. "You hurt her," she said to him, in a menacing tone, "and I'll kick your butt."
Spike raised an eyebrow mischievously. "Thinking 'bout my butt, eh Slayer?"
Buffy shot him a disgusted look while Dawn hit his arm while saying, "Spike!" loudly. Then she chuckled. "Well, who can blame her if she was?" Dawn added, making her older sister blush.
"I don't think it's funny, so shut up."
There was a little bit of silence for a moment. Then, Dawn asked, "So, how's everybody?"
Buffy suddenly got a serious expression on her face. "Dead."
Dawn's eyes widened and she could feel her heart break for a moment. Then Buffy started laughing –hysterically.
"I'm just kidding!" she said, between her laughter. "A little bit of pay-back, you know."
"It's not funny," Spike's voice said from beside Dawn. She turned to look at him –the vampire was a little shakier and paler than before.
Buffy raised an eyebrow to him. "I usually wouldn't joke about that, but hey, you left for a million years, then come back, with Spike I might add –and tell me you're dating him –and still dare to tease me about it." She shrugged. "You should've seen it coming."
Dawn glared at her. "You know, revenge won't get you anywhere in life."
Buffy laughed. Even Spike chuckled a little.
"That was lame, Bit," he whispered to her.
She glared at him. "Shut it."
"So," Dawn said, trying to change the subject and erase the smirks off their faces. "Tell me about that husband of yours."
"Well… what you wanna know?"
"Everything. How you met? Was it love at first sight? How 'bout my niece?"
Buffy smirked mysteriously. "How we met, my dearest sister is going to remain a secret." Dawn opened her mouth to protest, but Buffy shushed her with her finger. "Ah, ah. Some things are best left unsaid, Dawnie. As you will learn."
Dawn rolled her eyes. "Fine. Don't tell me. I'll find out anyway," she said, standing up and starting leaving the living room. "I haven't got the chance to chat with my brother-in-law. Gotta know what my sister got herself into, right?" she said, as she left.
A heavy silence fell between the Slayer and the vampire.
"So," he said.
"Yeah…"
"Married and mommy, eh?"
"Yeah."
"So how is it?"
"What?"
Spike shrugged. "Motherhood. Being a wife. A normal life?"
Buffy half smiled. "As normal as it can get. Sunnydale is never normal –even less for me." She shrugged and smiled. "But it's great. I love it."
"Listen, Slayer. I know you hate me and all, but I'm glad that you're happy –you deserve it."
"I don't hate you. I just… I resent you."
"Huh?"
"I mean, Dawn had just left –I was hurting. And then you left. Besides everything, Dawn went to say good-bye to you, and left a darn note for me."
Spike stared at her. "Buffy, I didn't--"
"No, Spike, it's fine. I'm just worried about Dawn."
"Don't. I'll take care of her," Spike said.
Buffy nodded. "You better."
Suddenly Dawn's loud laugh came from the kitchen. "Oh, my God! She didn't!"
A male's laugh followed her. "She did! I swear!"
Buffy looked a little pale. "I better go and check what Kevin's telling her. I wouldn't want my husband to… corrupt my little sister."
Spike chuckled. "I wouldn't worry about that," he whispered.
Buffy turned to glare at him, and then practically ran out of the room and into the kitchen.
Spike chuckled quietly and shook his head, before following her.
*-*-*
The raven-haired man smiled while looking around him. Sometime in the middle of the laughter, the remembering and the drinks, people had fallen asleep in his living room. Even the vampire.
Kevin watched lovingly as his wife's chest moved up and down while she breathed.
She had been so happy. He recalled the only other time he had seen her so euphoric: the day Shannon had born.
Even though she tried to pretend she didn't care a lot, he could see the way her eyes lit whenever her sister made a comment or told a story about times they had spent together.
And she was nice, that Dawn girl. Kevin wondered why she ever left. But whatever the reason, he hoped she would stay for a while.
And Spike too. He would never admit it to Buffy – he didn't have a death wish, and his wife was the Slayer – but he actually liked the guy. Buffy had described him as a grumpy, mean, evil guy, but he didn't seem like that at all. Of course he still was soulless, and vampire and all. And sort of grumpy. But he seemed relaxed, and actually chatted a little, making comments here and there about the conversations going on around him and the memories the sisters shared (especially if they were some humiliating moments to his wife).
Buffy's high school friends, Willow and Xander, had also come over. They were also asleep and drunk on the floor. It seemed that it would be a slumber party tonight…
Kevin just watched with Shannon sitting on his knee as the people had talked around him, probably unaware of his presence. It had been a little awkward at the beginning, but then the air started to chill. They Dawn decided she wasn't satisfied with her sister and her family; she also wanted to see the so called Scoobies. Buffy called them, and as she picked the phone her eyes glittered – she hadn't called them in a long time.
It was a surprise for them to be called, but it was a bigger surprise to see the brunette girl again – of that, he was sure. He saw the look in the red-headed when she saw her. And Xander Harris's was no exception. After hesitating for a moment, they had thrown themselves at her arms. Willow even cried. And Xander swallowed hard several times. It had been hilarious to see them meeting Spike. Confusion ran through their eyes, before Willow smiled at him warmly and hugged him too, not as effusively as with Dawn, but a huge nevertheless. Xander glared at him first, and then turned to Buffy. She shrugged, and so Xander didn't make any comments the rest of the night – not even when Dawn told them they were dating (he was sure Xander didn't like the news at all).
Now they were all asleep around him. Shannon in his arms. All together again. Maybe it wouldn't last forever; Dawn had to return to school and each one of them to their lives. But Dawn promised she would visit oftener, and so did Will and Xander. Buffy also promised to call them, and go patrolling together, like old times. She didn't patrol anymore, but she still could kick vampires' butts. Would be a nice chance.
Kevin had seen most of her wife's life pass in a couple of hours. Her friends, her family even her enemies. And he had seen her happy.
So maybe it wouldn't last forever. But they might as well enjoy it while it lasted.
A/N – Now it really is over. *Sobs* Am I going to miss it? Like hell, but I'm also gonna miss Buffy and it's not coming back. *Sobs harder*. Please review and tell me what you thought about this.
And thanks so much to every single one of you that reviewed.
Disclaimer: Never did, never will. Don't own Buffy.