Buffy was seated across from the General, aware of his close scrutiny.

"So, what did want to talk about Sir?"

He regarded her smiling face and couldn't help but smile back, "Have you considered working here?"

Buffy drummed her fingers on her leg, "I really don't know what I'd do here." She waved a hand, "I'm supposed to be fighting demons and vamps."

"I understand. Would it help you to know that most of the universe consider the goa'uld as demons that inhabit the bodies of innocent people?"

"Oh, I got that after what happened to Jay. And I know that you don't need to be possessed to be evil." She said sadly, remembering Ireland.

"No indeed." General Hammond replied softly.

She met his eyes squarely, "I'm not sure Sir. With Jay working here too, it would be nice to see him, but we definitely shouldn't be on the same team." The General acknowledged this with a smile. Buffy paused, "I wouldn't be any kind of brain, but I would be good muscle. I do suspicious real good." She grinned.

An idea bloomed and he smiled, "I think that when we assign Doctor Jackson to other teams, you should be his personal bodyguard. He has a tendency, to, lets say, get himself into trouble without Colonel O'Neill there."

Buffy nodded slowly, "I could do that. I love Daniel and it wouldn't be a hardship to make sure he stays out of trouble." She suddenly looked piercingly at the General, "He's gonna give me a hard time isn't he?"

"Yes, yes he is." The General said with satisfaction.

Buffy spent two long lazy days with Jay, both of them staying close to the house, making love, making plans and just talking, though she forgot to mention the General's offer. It was relaxing for the both of them and when Buffy headed to the airport she was glowing.

The small airport in Colorado Springs was bustling with people and she was aware that someone was following her. In Denver she noticed the same man, older, brown hair, medium build and sharp blue eyes. His bearing screamed former military and with resignation she sat down and watched as he approached her.

Before he could open his mouth she held up a hand, "I know you've been following me. If you don't want me to scream sexual harassment you'd better tell me why."

The man grinned at her charmingly, "I'm just here as a friend of a friend. You need to call Jack and let him know that the NID are interested in you Miss Summers."

She regarded him thoughtfully, "Bad guys?"

He nodded and sat by her, watching the crowds with narrowed eyes. "Yes, your little demonstration in the cafeteria got back to them and they want to see what you can do."

Buffy shook her head, "Oh no. Buffy doesn't do lab rat."

He shot her a grin, "I believe that. I don't know Colonel Coburn, he's after my time, but Jack and I have known each other for awhile. Call him and tell him Harry Maybourne says that you are in danger."

Buffy's smile was feral, all teeth and attitude, "They have to catch me first."

He stood, "Call him." And he disappeared into the crowd.

"Peachy." This was muttered with disgust.

Cleveland

Buffy got back into the swing of things, temporarily forgetting that a group of bad guys was sniffing around. She had crisis of her own. Dawn had asked Jon to prom and at the particular moment Dawn was trying on her twelve-gazillionth dress.

"I so don't remember being this obsessive about the right dress." Buffy called to Dawn from the comfort of the overstuffed chair she was currently lounging in sideways, much to the annoyance of the saleswoman.

"Please." Dawn said, her voice muffled as she pulled the dress over her head.

Buffy studied the toes of her shoes and decided that if she didn't get something to eat and drink that she was going to die. Ok, maybe not die, but definitely expire of boredom by dressing room.

When Dawn walked out Buffy's mouth dropped open, "You have GOT to get that dress." She said.

Dawn was in a deep blue, calf length gown with a handkerchief hem. The front was a demure halter style, covered with blue iridescent beading that caught and reflected the light. The back was an 'oh mama' low back, exposing Dawn's back in a deep v.

"Jon's going to swallow his tongue." Said Buffy with conviction, making her sister blush.

"You think he'll like it?" Her sister asked.

Buffy stood and rolled her eyes, "I think I'm going to make sure Robin chaperones verrrry closely."

"Buuuufffy." Dawn complained but her face lit up with a smile.

Colorado Springs on Saturday

Jack was pacing in Janet's foyer, much to the amusement of Sam and Daniel.

"Jack relax. Dawn is going to be safe with Jon. He's pretty responsible considering he's you." Janet teased and Jack turned to glare at her. "Very funny Doc." He then glared at Sam whose face was red from the effort of not laughing.

"Might as well go ahead before you burst a gasket Carter." He watched as she actually collapsed into giggles.

"Sorry Sir, but you're acting like an overprotective Dad."

Jack stopped and looked at Sam with wide eyes, then grinned, "I promised Giles that Jon would behave himself. I know me at 18 and I'm worried sick, isn't that a kick in the pants?"

Janet sighed, "You knew you, but Jon knows all of you and is more mature." She grimaced, "As mature as he can be." And both Daniel and Sam started laughing.

Cassie and Dawn were doing the finishing touches on their makeup when their dates arrived. Dawn turned to Cassie and sighed in admiration, "Red is definitely your color Cassie."

Cassie's dress was long and siren red. It was a strapless, off the shoulder satin number with a slit up the back so she could walk. Her hair was up in ringlets and it made her like a movie star.

Cassie grinned, "You look great too Dawn. Jon is going to absolutely flip out."

"Girls, your dates are here!" Janet called up the stairs.

Cassie suddenly looked at Dawn, "I wish it was Xander."

Dawn clasped Cassie's hand, the feeling like she was gaining another sister very strong, "Couple of more months and you can see him all of the time. Ready?"

"Ready."

The adults in the foyer all stood in silence as the girls came down the stairs. All that Jack could see was two self assured young women that were too beautiful for words. Daniel was stunned and Sam and Janet were both teary eyed.

The door bell rang and Jack whipped it open to see his clone and a tall dark haired very nervous kid on the step. "Come in." Jack grinned as Jon groaned.

"What in the hell are you doing here?"

"I promised Giles." Jack said, wickedly grinning at his clone's discomfort. That all changed as Jon turned to see Dawn.

"Ohmigod." Jon gasped. He was stunned, Dawn looked incredible. Her hair was in a simple chignon and the dress made her eyes look impossibly blue. He could feel his heart give a great leap and fall at her feet.

"Hi." She smiled, her eyes telling him that she knew and felt the same way. He mechanically handed her the corsage and brought her into his arms for a kiss, which was abruptly cut short when Jack jerked him away by his collar.

"Save it for the honeymoon kid. Janet wants to take pictures."

Jon looked over at Dawn who smiled, "Buffy threatened Jack if he didn't get pictures."

"We're going to go to your prom next week." Jon whined and jumped as Cassie elbowed him.

"Hey Cass, lookin' good." He said belatedly, looking over at Cassie's date who was pretty much traumatized by all of the adults around.

"Thanks Jon, you too."

A quick round of pictures, and Jack glowering everytime Jon even touched Dawn, and the young couples left in the limousine, specially rented by Jack with an old buddy of his as driver to make sure no hanky panky went on.

Jon and Dawn moved through the night in a daze, the feeling for each other so strong that it almost felt unreal. They danced every slow dance, Jon's hands on the warm skin of Dawn's back . This was enough for Jon to go very slow even if his body was screaming, "Go go go!"

By the end of the evening Dawn was sure of what her path in life would be. They waited until Cassie and Dom got into the limo, and Jon pulled her close, "I love you Dawn Summers." Jon's face was serious, and his eyes were alight with love.

She gently cupped his face in her hand, "I love you Jon O'Neill." And they slowly kissed, that is until the driver got out and cleared his throat. Jon pulled back. Recognizing the man from Jack's past and glared, "How much did Jack pay you?

The man grinned, "Not sayin' kid, time to earn my pay."

As they got in the limo Jon was muttering, "I'm going to kill him and then I'll be the only one. Yeah, that 's what I'll do." He said, making Cassie to snicker.