Title: The Way "End of Days" Should Have Been
Author: Bunny and Lucky
Disclaimer: The characters belong to the god Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy *Grr-Arg*
Rating: PG-13 (Like always)
Feedback: Uh-Huh! We want very honest opinions, equaling in our embrace of flames!
A/N: We just figured out what the good stuff in this fic is gonna be, so buckle up for a big rollercoaster!
To Kidda: Are you kidding!?!?!?!?!?!?! We love Xander, but ickha!
To the charmed citlali: I don't mind Angel. He's kinda cool and very sexy looking. Lucky, on the other hand despises Angel with a fiery vengeance and then some. It's like how she feels about Kennedy.
Chapter Title: Nothing's Ever Normal
Summary: The group goes to Cleveland and surprises are in store.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
"So you want to go to Cleveland?" asked Dawn to make sure she heard her sister correctly. "As in another Hellmouth?"
"Yes." Buffy and Xander addressed the idea to the main gang. "We just need to take care of the Slayers first."
"I've already told them they can go home or wherever they wish," said Giles.
"Good. Problem one down. What do you guys think?" asked Buffy.
"I've got no choice in the matter," mumbled Dawn.
"I have to go back to England for a short time. To see about setting up a new council," said Giles, cleaning his glasses.
Faith gestured between her and her beau. "We need to talk."
"I-I'll be there as soon as I can," said Tara. "It's just I have another quick spell I have to do here and I need Willow's help. . ."
"Come whenever you can."
"When do you think you'll be there?" questioned Xander.
"After the second full moon of this month. It's a blue moon, equaling in more power and opportunities for spells," explained Willow.
Andrew stood up. "I will follow you wherever, oh, Princess Leia, Captain Jane-"
"You can come with if you don't keep relating me to female geekdoms," said Buffy. "We're going to leave in a few days. So start packing."
***
Robin and Faith were in their room. "Do you want to go?" asked Wood.
"Personally. Yes, I do. But I can, you know rethink most of it so we can still be couple. So where do you want to go?"
"Anywhere but California." Faith smiled and kissed him.
They came out of the bedroom, where Tara stopped the Slayer. "Y-You picked Ohio?" Faith nodded. "Good. Because, I need a big favor."
***
Thanks to Angel's amazing connections, they got a house cheep and big enough to where they all could fit in it. Seven bedrooms (Three master and four secondary), three bathrooms, and a generously sized basement, kitchen, and living room. Buffy didn't even want to know how much this place cost. Angel was even sending money for awhile before they got a job. Xander, Dawn, and Andrew all took secondary sized rooms and Robin and Faith immediately stated they were taking a master. Buffy figured Willow and Tara would want a master, even if they weren't completely back together, leaving her to choose.
She had just started getting used to a big room back in Sunnydale, so she picked the masters. Finally then, were they able to do the shopping.
***
"Who was that?" asked Dawn. Buffy had just been on the phone.
"Willow. She was saying that the spell was done. She didn't know what it was for though," she said sitting down at the sofa. The gang was sitting around, watching The Mummy, at Andrew, Xander, and Dawn's request. Buffy really didn't want to watch it. "Tara brought her back to the non-existent Hellmouth."
The movie ended with Dawn and Faith arguing over Oded Fehr. Robin popped in the sequel to stop the bickering. About twenty minutes into it, Faith looked over. "Hey, B. You okay?"
"Fine. I'm gonna go out and take a walk. Maybe patrol."
"Yeah. You seem. . .I dunno. Tense."
"Hopefully, when I come back, you and Dawn will decide to just SHARE Oded," Buffy said grinning.
"No way!" yelled Dawn.
"Uh-nuh!"
Buffy shook her head and left.
After about five minutes outside, she was glad she brought a jacket. It was going to take a little bit of time to get used to all the cold air. Buffy walked aimlessly around, hoping to find some action.
Instead she found a gazebo.
Shrugging, she sat down on the bench and looked at the full moon. The last time she had looked at a full moon was when Spike just held her. There was a small window on the other side of the room. Just big enough to follow the path of the moon. Buffy choked back a sob. He hardly had been gone for a month. It seemed a lot longer than that. And the last time she had really sat down and thought about it was after The First appeared to her. She had been keeping busy.
'Like I did with Mom,' she thought, idly.
Buffy just sat back and looked at the full moon. Trying not to think of Spike, but failing miserably. She sighed. Nothing was going to be the same.
"Should be careful, luv. Never know what kind of demon's at your back."
Buffy turned around. She met blue-blue eyes, stood up and took a step around the bench. She ran her hand through his platinum curls and down to his cheek.
NOTHING was going to be the same ever, was her last thought before passing out.
***
The movie had just ended, when the doorbell rang. Faith jumped up. "I'll get it!" No one could see who it was when she opened it. Faith grinned. "Took you long enough, Blondie!" She gestured. "Would you say B was happy to see you?"
"Invite?"
"She heavier than she looks?" Faith sighed dramatically. "Fine! I invite you in William the Bloody!" She stepped back, followed by Spike who was carrying Buffy. "Off the couch, Brat."
As Spike sat her down, Xander sputtered out, "How? What? How?"
"Three bloody excellent questions," muttered Spike.
"You mean you don't know?" questioned Robin.
"No, I remember being in the cavern burnin' up and then lots and lots of bloody light for a long time. And then standing behind a gazebo in a park in the middle of. . . where is this?"
"Cleveland," offered Dawn.
"In the middle of bleeding Cleveland." He paused. "Why Cleveland?"
Xander looked down. Dawn answered, "Hellmouth."
Buffy stirred. "I thought I saw. . .Spike!" She paused, and grabbed onto his hand. "What is going on here?"
"Wanted you to wake up before I tell," said Faith. "I can't wait to see all your faces."
"The world is going to end again!" yelled Andrew. Faith promptly smacked him against the head.
"No, you moron. Better. Tara asked me to tell you guys before we left." She sat down on the foot rest. "Okay, everything was supposed to happen differently. Tara was supposed to live, The First wasn't meant to be here, and Spike was supposedly dust."
Dawn asked, "When was Spike supposed to dust?"
"You know, that night, before he left for Africa." Buffy squeezed Spike's hand harder, while they both looked down, Xander flinched, and Dawn began biting her nail. Robin and Andrew looked confused. "Apparently, you guys know what happened, cuz Tara wouldn't tell me-"
"Yeah," said Dawn. "Keep going."
"Sure. Um, one of you guys were gonna kill him. But, before that could happen, Spike started talking to, what was his name. . .Cliff?"
"Clem," responded Spike, not looking up.
"Yeah, Clem. He said some things, that made you remember a demon, to give you a soul. Well, apparently, that wasn't meant to be. What was gonna happen, was you were dust, making B and Xander not outside, making Tara not stand by the window and Willow not lose her mojo. You were shot though, but Tara did a simple healing spell, and Warren was caught. Meaning that Andrew and Jonathan would be in jail. And Angel was supposed to wear the amulet, cuz The First went after LA instead.
"But, since Spike lived, The First found it easier to torment Spike because of the soul. And it gave it an opportunity to go to Sunnydale, without being scared of Tara. Causing the amulet to be dropped off to Sunnyhell and Spike wearing it and getting all godded up. Well, Angel was meant to be the one to wear it. Powers wanting him to be the god and all-"
Xander held up his hand, in a 'hold on' gesture. "Freeze and rewind for a moment. God?"
"Oh, yeah. Spike's a god."
There was a very long pause of silence.
Faith laughed. "I knew I'd love your faces."
Robin shook his head. "So Spike's a god, but Angel was supposed to be one?"
She nodded. "Any other questions?"
"How am I supposed to be a bleeding god? I don't remember anything?" asked Spike.
Faith shrugged. "Tara said there would be something to trigger your memory about talking to the gods. Oh, but you take your strength as a vampire, and like multiply that by like, fifty. That's your power now."
"Talking to gods?" he questioned.
"Oh, I think it's the Greek ones like Zeus, or Poseidon, or something."
"Wow," said Andrew. "So your a god. Is it kinda like. . ."
"Don't even think about comparing me to one of your sci-fi poofs. It's weird enough as it is."
More silence.
"I don't know about you guys," said Faith standing up, "but I'm tired. Maybe you should just sleep on it, and then we'll talk more in the morning."
Dawn nodded. "Yeah. Sleep is a good thing." Andrew and Xander were already half way up the stairs. Faith grinned at them and followed Robin up. Dawn went over to the sofa.
"Yeah, Nibs?"
She hugged him. "I'm really glad your back." Then she went upstairs.
Leaving Buffy and Spike together.
"Sorry about blacking out on you," said Buffy, shifting to get off the sofa. "Understandably, big shock, and I wasn't even sure if it was you and- "
"Sure if it was me? Buffy, of course. . ." he paused at the intense silence from her. "The First." She nodded.
"Again, really creepy."
"So what's going on here?" he asked, trying to find out more along with changing the subject.
"Well, Angel had connections and got us this place, over the Hellmouth. Faith and Robin are a couple, Xander's trying to get a job at the local construction places, Dawn's going to start summer school tomorrow, Giles is setting up a new council, Andrew's being Andrew, Tara's back alive, and I'm trying to get a job? You?"
He smirked. "Dusted, came back to find a pretty girl in a park," Spike paused to see Buffy blush. "Found out I was a soddin god, and everyone's lives are doing fine. Doesn't compare to your story."
Buffy peeked at her watch. "Wow! I didn't realize it was that late." She looked at Spike. "Do you wanna stay here? We have a spare bedroom."
"Sure, luv." Buffy showed it to him and then headed to her own room. Dawn was standing there.
"So are you to an item again?" she asked excited.
"Go to bed. You can still get at least five hours of sleep before you have to go to school."
Dawn crossed her arms. "You never answered my question."
Buffy sighed, holding her PJ's. "I want to try again. But it's going to take awhile. Him not being here and then he's all of a sudden back, it's a little weird to try again."
"It was kind of the same for him." Buffy looked at her. "I mean. He saw thought you were the Bot at first, and then all of a sudden you were back. And then The First tricks you and then a little bit afterwards, he's back." She yawned. "I'm gonna hit the hay. You have another thing to think about."
Buffy stared after her sister, wondering how she got so wise.
***
Buffy got up early, knowing it was no use to try and get more than an hour or two of sleep. It was her turn to make breakfast, so she headed down. She got out the eggs and pancake batter, everyone's favorite meal. "Smells good, luv."
Buffy jumped and whirled around, seeing Spike. "Sorry. It's going to take some getting used to. You know, you being here."
He nodded, thinking of when she got back. He sat down at the stool. "How long was I gone?"
"Twenty-nine days," she said, without a thought and flipping the pancakes. "Though I guess yesterday didn't count." Buffy grinned, remembering their previous dialogue like this. "How long was it for you?"
"Longer."
There was a thump from the bottom of the stairs. "Do you want anything? I guess you don't have to drink blood anymore."
"Pancakes are fine." Dawn drug herself into the kitchen. She was still in her pajama's and had circles under her eyes.
"I told you you shouldn't have stayed up and watched those movies."
Dawn cracked a smile. "And miss Oded Fehr?" Her sister sighed and slid pancake plates in front of both of them.
Andrew came into the room with a smile. "Scrambled eggs with-"
"-with no white yolks and one brown egg and one white one. Make sure that the cheese is shredded mozzarella and put little ham bits into it." She handed him a plate. "I know. After the billionth time."
"Yum." He took the seat that Dawn had just occupied. He seemed hesitant. "Hey, Spike. I was wondering yesterday. How did you manage to keep your coat?"
He looked down at it. "I don't know. Everything was still in it, and in my jeans."
"Weird."
Dawn came back down with her backpack and was all dressed. "Ready."
"Okay, I'll take you to school and then begin job hunting. Again."
"Maybe I could get a job," said Spike. All stared at him. "Oh, come on! The only reason I didn't get a bloody job in the first place was because I was a vampire."
"Yes, and now your a god," pointed out Buffy.
"A god who can work out in daylight. Supposedly. Maybe."
"Maybe you should test," said Dawn. "And you know how you could do that, by getting me out of the house and going onto school. Except you'll need like SPF 5000." She walked out the door. Buffy and Spike followed, leaving Andrew to finish his special made eggs.
Dawn and Buffy stood on the edge of the sunlight, waiting for Spike to go into it. He just stayed there. "If you don't move I'm gonna have to push ya," said the teenager.
"I'm starting to agree with Dawn here," said Buffy. "I'm giving you another minute, then we're leaving without you."
"Don't get your knickers in a twist," he muttered. Spike took a breath, and went out to the sunlight.
He didn't burn. And the sun felt good. Granted, he had done this three years before, but this was different. This was more fulfilling.
"Great, moment over," said Dawn. "Now can I please, please, please go now?"
They began walking. "I don't get why you want to go so badly," said Spike.
"So I can have some friends before the school year begins." It wasn't a long walk before they got to the school.
There was a man, just outside the classroom. He was in-between fat and pudgy, had graying hair, and had the appearance that he would have a heart attack at any moment. "You must be Dawn Summers."
"Yep. And this is my sister, Buffy and her boyfriend, Sp, um, William." Both looked at her incredulously before shaking hands with the teacher.
"Mr. Durvance, I'd like to thank you for teaching Dawn during the summer," said Buffy, smiling.
"There are a few other kids in here that need catching up on too, so no worries."
"Well, see you later Dawn," said Buffy hugging her. "And we'll talk about that 'boyfriend' thing later," she whispered into her ear.
"Later, Nibs."
"I'll be home at about four, okay?" Mr. Durvance led her into the room. After she had explained about herself, he pointed to the back of the room. A girl with curly brown hair and brown eyes sat there.
"Hi! I'm Deanna Sirtis," she shook hands with the girl.
"Ow!"
"Oh! I'm so sorry! Lately I've been having this killer grip. Right now I'm going to apologize if I break anything or hurt you. I don't know my own strength. I think it might have been a growth spurt or something." She smiled brightly.
The day wore on and Dawn was assigned lab partner to Deanna for the next project. "Wow! That was like fun only boring," muttered Dawn.
"Yeah, well. Do you want to come over to my place now to get a heads start on the lab? My cousin should be the only one there right now and-"
"Yes. It'd be fine." They walked along and talked about music and movies. They reached Deanna's house shortly.
"I'm home! And I brought home a lab partner!"
"Don't yell!" shouted back a male voice. "It's annoying!"
Deanna went to the back of the floor. Dawn followed. She recognized a smell that came from there. Where had she smelled it? "Jeez! And look what you're doing back to me." Dawn looked in the doorway. There he was on the bed.
The guy from the picture. Connor.
"Dawn. This is my cousin Connor. He's going to be going to the University here for next term and he's staying here meanwhile."
The teen shook her head. "I-I know. I just remembered that Buffy needed me home, for something. . .um. . .important and I should go. Now and do that. But we can re-set up this time. Maybe at my place maybe. I gotta go, bye!" The door slammed.
"You scared her away!" exclaimed Deanna.
"Your fault for bringing her here," he shrugged before going back to his magazine.
Deanna took the cushion off his stool and threw it at him, starting a large pillow fight.
***
Dawn ran back to her house quickly. Her first priority.
Call Angel.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
TBC . .. .
Ooooo! What'd we tell ya. Spike's a god, Connor's there. Wanna know more? REVIEW to find out!
Author: Bunny and Lucky
Disclaimer: The characters belong to the god Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy *Grr-Arg*
Rating: PG-13 (Like always)
Feedback: Uh-Huh! We want very honest opinions, equaling in our embrace of flames!
A/N: We just figured out what the good stuff in this fic is gonna be, so buckle up for a big rollercoaster!
To Kidda: Are you kidding!?!?!?!?!?!?! We love Xander, but ickha!
To the charmed citlali: I don't mind Angel. He's kinda cool and very sexy looking. Lucky, on the other hand despises Angel with a fiery vengeance and then some. It's like how she feels about Kennedy.
Chapter Title: Nothing's Ever Normal
Summary: The group goes to Cleveland and surprises are in store.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
"So you want to go to Cleveland?" asked Dawn to make sure she heard her sister correctly. "As in another Hellmouth?"
"Yes." Buffy and Xander addressed the idea to the main gang. "We just need to take care of the Slayers first."
"I've already told them they can go home or wherever they wish," said Giles.
"Good. Problem one down. What do you guys think?" asked Buffy.
"I've got no choice in the matter," mumbled Dawn.
"I have to go back to England for a short time. To see about setting up a new council," said Giles, cleaning his glasses.
Faith gestured between her and her beau. "We need to talk."
"I-I'll be there as soon as I can," said Tara. "It's just I have another quick spell I have to do here and I need Willow's help. . ."
"Come whenever you can."
"When do you think you'll be there?" questioned Xander.
"After the second full moon of this month. It's a blue moon, equaling in more power and opportunities for spells," explained Willow.
Andrew stood up. "I will follow you wherever, oh, Princess Leia, Captain Jane-"
"You can come with if you don't keep relating me to female geekdoms," said Buffy. "We're going to leave in a few days. So start packing."
***
Robin and Faith were in their room. "Do you want to go?" asked Wood.
"Personally. Yes, I do. But I can, you know rethink most of it so we can still be couple. So where do you want to go?"
"Anywhere but California." Faith smiled and kissed him.
They came out of the bedroom, where Tara stopped the Slayer. "Y-You picked Ohio?" Faith nodded. "Good. Because, I need a big favor."
***
Thanks to Angel's amazing connections, they got a house cheep and big enough to where they all could fit in it. Seven bedrooms (Three master and four secondary), three bathrooms, and a generously sized basement, kitchen, and living room. Buffy didn't even want to know how much this place cost. Angel was even sending money for awhile before they got a job. Xander, Dawn, and Andrew all took secondary sized rooms and Robin and Faith immediately stated they were taking a master. Buffy figured Willow and Tara would want a master, even if they weren't completely back together, leaving her to choose.
She had just started getting used to a big room back in Sunnydale, so she picked the masters. Finally then, were they able to do the shopping.
***
"Who was that?" asked Dawn. Buffy had just been on the phone.
"Willow. She was saying that the spell was done. She didn't know what it was for though," she said sitting down at the sofa. The gang was sitting around, watching The Mummy, at Andrew, Xander, and Dawn's request. Buffy really didn't want to watch it. "Tara brought her back to the non-existent Hellmouth."
The movie ended with Dawn and Faith arguing over Oded Fehr. Robin popped in the sequel to stop the bickering. About twenty minutes into it, Faith looked over. "Hey, B. You okay?"
"Fine. I'm gonna go out and take a walk. Maybe patrol."
"Yeah. You seem. . .I dunno. Tense."
"Hopefully, when I come back, you and Dawn will decide to just SHARE Oded," Buffy said grinning.
"No way!" yelled Dawn.
"Uh-nuh!"
Buffy shook her head and left.
After about five minutes outside, she was glad she brought a jacket. It was going to take a little bit of time to get used to all the cold air. Buffy walked aimlessly around, hoping to find some action.
Instead she found a gazebo.
Shrugging, she sat down on the bench and looked at the full moon. The last time she had looked at a full moon was when Spike just held her. There was a small window on the other side of the room. Just big enough to follow the path of the moon. Buffy choked back a sob. He hardly had been gone for a month. It seemed a lot longer than that. And the last time she had really sat down and thought about it was after The First appeared to her. She had been keeping busy.
'Like I did with Mom,' she thought, idly.
Buffy just sat back and looked at the full moon. Trying not to think of Spike, but failing miserably. She sighed. Nothing was going to be the same.
"Should be careful, luv. Never know what kind of demon's at your back."
Buffy turned around. She met blue-blue eyes, stood up and took a step around the bench. She ran her hand through his platinum curls and down to his cheek.
NOTHING was going to be the same ever, was her last thought before passing out.
***
The movie had just ended, when the doorbell rang. Faith jumped up. "I'll get it!" No one could see who it was when she opened it. Faith grinned. "Took you long enough, Blondie!" She gestured. "Would you say B was happy to see you?"
"Invite?"
"She heavier than she looks?" Faith sighed dramatically. "Fine! I invite you in William the Bloody!" She stepped back, followed by Spike who was carrying Buffy. "Off the couch, Brat."
As Spike sat her down, Xander sputtered out, "How? What? How?"
"Three bloody excellent questions," muttered Spike.
"You mean you don't know?" questioned Robin.
"No, I remember being in the cavern burnin' up and then lots and lots of bloody light for a long time. And then standing behind a gazebo in a park in the middle of. . . where is this?"
"Cleveland," offered Dawn.
"In the middle of bleeding Cleveland." He paused. "Why Cleveland?"
Xander looked down. Dawn answered, "Hellmouth."
Buffy stirred. "I thought I saw. . .Spike!" She paused, and grabbed onto his hand. "What is going on here?"
"Wanted you to wake up before I tell," said Faith. "I can't wait to see all your faces."
"The world is going to end again!" yelled Andrew. Faith promptly smacked him against the head.
"No, you moron. Better. Tara asked me to tell you guys before we left." She sat down on the foot rest. "Okay, everything was supposed to happen differently. Tara was supposed to live, The First wasn't meant to be here, and Spike was supposedly dust."
Dawn asked, "When was Spike supposed to dust?"
"You know, that night, before he left for Africa." Buffy squeezed Spike's hand harder, while they both looked down, Xander flinched, and Dawn began biting her nail. Robin and Andrew looked confused. "Apparently, you guys know what happened, cuz Tara wouldn't tell me-"
"Yeah," said Dawn. "Keep going."
"Sure. Um, one of you guys were gonna kill him. But, before that could happen, Spike started talking to, what was his name. . .Cliff?"
"Clem," responded Spike, not looking up.
"Yeah, Clem. He said some things, that made you remember a demon, to give you a soul. Well, apparently, that wasn't meant to be. What was gonna happen, was you were dust, making B and Xander not outside, making Tara not stand by the window and Willow not lose her mojo. You were shot though, but Tara did a simple healing spell, and Warren was caught. Meaning that Andrew and Jonathan would be in jail. And Angel was supposed to wear the amulet, cuz The First went after LA instead.
"But, since Spike lived, The First found it easier to torment Spike because of the soul. And it gave it an opportunity to go to Sunnydale, without being scared of Tara. Causing the amulet to be dropped off to Sunnyhell and Spike wearing it and getting all godded up. Well, Angel was meant to be the one to wear it. Powers wanting him to be the god and all-"
Xander held up his hand, in a 'hold on' gesture. "Freeze and rewind for a moment. God?"
"Oh, yeah. Spike's a god."
There was a very long pause of silence.
Faith laughed. "I knew I'd love your faces."
Robin shook his head. "So Spike's a god, but Angel was supposed to be one?"
She nodded. "Any other questions?"
"How am I supposed to be a bleeding god? I don't remember anything?" asked Spike.
Faith shrugged. "Tara said there would be something to trigger your memory about talking to the gods. Oh, but you take your strength as a vampire, and like multiply that by like, fifty. That's your power now."
"Talking to gods?" he questioned.
"Oh, I think it's the Greek ones like Zeus, or Poseidon, or something."
"Wow," said Andrew. "So your a god. Is it kinda like. . ."
"Don't even think about comparing me to one of your sci-fi poofs. It's weird enough as it is."
More silence.
"I don't know about you guys," said Faith standing up, "but I'm tired. Maybe you should just sleep on it, and then we'll talk more in the morning."
Dawn nodded. "Yeah. Sleep is a good thing." Andrew and Xander were already half way up the stairs. Faith grinned at them and followed Robin up. Dawn went over to the sofa.
"Yeah, Nibs?"
She hugged him. "I'm really glad your back." Then she went upstairs.
Leaving Buffy and Spike together.
"Sorry about blacking out on you," said Buffy, shifting to get off the sofa. "Understandably, big shock, and I wasn't even sure if it was you and- "
"Sure if it was me? Buffy, of course. . ." he paused at the intense silence from her. "The First." She nodded.
"Again, really creepy."
"So what's going on here?" he asked, trying to find out more along with changing the subject.
"Well, Angel had connections and got us this place, over the Hellmouth. Faith and Robin are a couple, Xander's trying to get a job at the local construction places, Dawn's going to start summer school tomorrow, Giles is setting up a new council, Andrew's being Andrew, Tara's back alive, and I'm trying to get a job? You?"
He smirked. "Dusted, came back to find a pretty girl in a park," Spike paused to see Buffy blush. "Found out I was a soddin god, and everyone's lives are doing fine. Doesn't compare to your story."
Buffy peeked at her watch. "Wow! I didn't realize it was that late." She looked at Spike. "Do you wanna stay here? We have a spare bedroom."
"Sure, luv." Buffy showed it to him and then headed to her own room. Dawn was standing there.
"So are you to an item again?" she asked excited.
"Go to bed. You can still get at least five hours of sleep before you have to go to school."
Dawn crossed her arms. "You never answered my question."
Buffy sighed, holding her PJ's. "I want to try again. But it's going to take awhile. Him not being here and then he's all of a sudden back, it's a little weird to try again."
"It was kind of the same for him." Buffy looked at her. "I mean. He saw thought you were the Bot at first, and then all of a sudden you were back. And then The First tricks you and then a little bit afterwards, he's back." She yawned. "I'm gonna hit the hay. You have another thing to think about."
Buffy stared after her sister, wondering how she got so wise.
***
Buffy got up early, knowing it was no use to try and get more than an hour or two of sleep. It was her turn to make breakfast, so she headed down. She got out the eggs and pancake batter, everyone's favorite meal. "Smells good, luv."
Buffy jumped and whirled around, seeing Spike. "Sorry. It's going to take some getting used to. You know, you being here."
He nodded, thinking of when she got back. He sat down at the stool. "How long was I gone?"
"Twenty-nine days," she said, without a thought and flipping the pancakes. "Though I guess yesterday didn't count." Buffy grinned, remembering their previous dialogue like this. "How long was it for you?"
"Longer."
There was a thump from the bottom of the stairs. "Do you want anything? I guess you don't have to drink blood anymore."
"Pancakes are fine." Dawn drug herself into the kitchen. She was still in her pajama's and had circles under her eyes.
"I told you you shouldn't have stayed up and watched those movies."
Dawn cracked a smile. "And miss Oded Fehr?" Her sister sighed and slid pancake plates in front of both of them.
Andrew came into the room with a smile. "Scrambled eggs with-"
"-with no white yolks and one brown egg and one white one. Make sure that the cheese is shredded mozzarella and put little ham bits into it." She handed him a plate. "I know. After the billionth time."
"Yum." He took the seat that Dawn had just occupied. He seemed hesitant. "Hey, Spike. I was wondering yesterday. How did you manage to keep your coat?"
He looked down at it. "I don't know. Everything was still in it, and in my jeans."
"Weird."
Dawn came back down with her backpack and was all dressed. "Ready."
"Okay, I'll take you to school and then begin job hunting. Again."
"Maybe I could get a job," said Spike. All stared at him. "Oh, come on! The only reason I didn't get a bloody job in the first place was because I was a vampire."
"Yes, and now your a god," pointed out Buffy.
"A god who can work out in daylight. Supposedly. Maybe."
"Maybe you should test," said Dawn. "And you know how you could do that, by getting me out of the house and going onto school. Except you'll need like SPF 5000." She walked out the door. Buffy and Spike followed, leaving Andrew to finish his special made eggs.
Dawn and Buffy stood on the edge of the sunlight, waiting for Spike to go into it. He just stayed there. "If you don't move I'm gonna have to push ya," said the teenager.
"I'm starting to agree with Dawn here," said Buffy. "I'm giving you another minute, then we're leaving without you."
"Don't get your knickers in a twist," he muttered. Spike took a breath, and went out to the sunlight.
He didn't burn. And the sun felt good. Granted, he had done this three years before, but this was different. This was more fulfilling.
"Great, moment over," said Dawn. "Now can I please, please, please go now?"
They began walking. "I don't get why you want to go so badly," said Spike.
"So I can have some friends before the school year begins." It wasn't a long walk before they got to the school.
There was a man, just outside the classroom. He was in-between fat and pudgy, had graying hair, and had the appearance that he would have a heart attack at any moment. "You must be Dawn Summers."
"Yep. And this is my sister, Buffy and her boyfriend, Sp, um, William." Both looked at her incredulously before shaking hands with the teacher.
"Mr. Durvance, I'd like to thank you for teaching Dawn during the summer," said Buffy, smiling.
"There are a few other kids in here that need catching up on too, so no worries."
"Well, see you later Dawn," said Buffy hugging her. "And we'll talk about that 'boyfriend' thing later," she whispered into her ear.
"Later, Nibs."
"I'll be home at about four, okay?" Mr. Durvance led her into the room. After she had explained about herself, he pointed to the back of the room. A girl with curly brown hair and brown eyes sat there.
"Hi! I'm Deanna Sirtis," she shook hands with the girl.
"Ow!"
"Oh! I'm so sorry! Lately I've been having this killer grip. Right now I'm going to apologize if I break anything or hurt you. I don't know my own strength. I think it might have been a growth spurt or something." She smiled brightly.
The day wore on and Dawn was assigned lab partner to Deanna for the next project. "Wow! That was like fun only boring," muttered Dawn.
"Yeah, well. Do you want to come over to my place now to get a heads start on the lab? My cousin should be the only one there right now and-"
"Yes. It'd be fine." They walked along and talked about music and movies. They reached Deanna's house shortly.
"I'm home! And I brought home a lab partner!"
"Don't yell!" shouted back a male voice. "It's annoying!"
Deanna went to the back of the floor. Dawn followed. She recognized a smell that came from there. Where had she smelled it? "Jeez! And look what you're doing back to me." Dawn looked in the doorway. There he was on the bed.
The guy from the picture. Connor.
"Dawn. This is my cousin Connor. He's going to be going to the University here for next term and he's staying here meanwhile."
The teen shook her head. "I-I know. I just remembered that Buffy needed me home, for something. . .um. . .important and I should go. Now and do that. But we can re-set up this time. Maybe at my place maybe. I gotta go, bye!" The door slammed.
"You scared her away!" exclaimed Deanna.
"Your fault for bringing her here," he shrugged before going back to his magazine.
Deanna took the cushion off his stool and threw it at him, starting a large pillow fight.
***
Dawn ran back to her house quickly. Her first priority.
Call Angel.
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TBC . .. .
Ooooo! What'd we tell ya. Spike's a god, Connor's there. Wanna know more? REVIEW to find out!