Fruition 2.0

By Penmom

As you well know, the usual things apply. This is my sequel to my other D/X fic - Dawn's Hero. It is post-BtVS; so it is obviously AU. You may or may not know that this is my second version of Fruition. I really liked how the piece started out but as I continued I felt like I was losing track of Dawn and Xander's characters. I thought to myself - it's your show (for once) just change it and so I have begun again. The story will be similar but hopefully cleaner and clearer. Premise - Dawn and Xander find out more than they wanted to know about the Key and its implications about their future. Let me know what you think, especially if you read Dawn's Hero or Fruition 1.0.

Chapter 7

The Utmost Caution

It was late morning before everyone was settled again. Anxious anticipation hung like a cloak over the group, as the last members came out of the kitchen with mugs of steaming coffee and tea.

Gathered around the large oak table crafted by Xander's own hands, all eyes were poised on the package in Giles' hands. Once the neat stack of paper was pulled from its large brown envelope, their worry and anticipation seemed a bit misplaced.

Reacting to the deflating excitement, Andrew chimes in, albeit nervously, to explain the significance of his work. "Ah, go to the back page, the rest is just part of the code program. The language dates back to the reign of Sargon, the first ruler of Sumeria around 2300 BC. It was primarily used by shaman priests. It's actually pretty similar to cuneiform. The interesting thing is that I theorize that the parchment is much younger. Its origin is probably somewhere around the time of the second Crusade if the information you sent is accurate. It is actually quite similar to several objects already in the Guild's vaults, most of which were produced in monasteries located around Constantinople."

As Andrew explains what he has learned, his anxiousness falls away and his voice deepens with confidence. Even Giles leans forward, allowing the young neophyte Watcher to continue.

"I would venture to guess that the transcription was copied onto the parchment from a much earlier object perhaps some sort of mystical relic pre-dating Christianity. During the crusades, it was fairly common for such an object or charm, if you would, --- one that has lets say has proven itself somehow to be absorbed in some fashion into the mythos of early Christianity."

"It is my thought that we are looking at some sort of ancient incantation that was then transcribed onto the parchment."

Willow's wheels obviously turning, she asks, "You said code. Were you able to translate the inscription?"

Basking in the center of attention, Andrew answers with delight, "Right you are little lady! The language is similar to several others in the Guild's computers so it wasn't all that difficult. I cross referenced with a data base at the Royal..."

"Ok, Ok – Enough with the shop talk!" Xander exclaims, starting to feel some anger that this is his life, Dawn's life that they are taking about and not some moldy old artifact from the Guild's vault.

Speaking up for the first time, Giles agrees, "I agree with Xander, time may be of the essence. What does the ring say?"

"Well, first let me say that this is still a guess, a good guess – but still a guess..."

"Now Andrew, before I do something I'd regret!"

Andrew responds to Xander's latest threat by sticking out his tongue but as Andrew catches the look of censure of Giles' face, he returns to the matter at hand.

"It says, 'Let the Light Release its Fury.' Or something like fury – there was no direct translation for two of the words, the second guess is 'Release the Terrible Fire.' "

Falling back on sarcasm when all else fails, as he looks toward Dawn, Xander quips, "Well, that's just dandy. Gee Hon, which one suits you?"

As Xander and Andrew descend into nothing more than adolescent staging, Giles easily slips back into his role as Senior Watcher, happily taking the mantle back from Andrew. "I say, which ever translation you choose, I venture that the incantation may actually work to somehow channel the energy that you two are clearly manifesting."

Leaning closer into the conversation, Dawn asks, "So it that a good thing or a bad thing?"

Giles' countenance darkens as he answers, "That is what remains to be seen. But until we have a clearer idea of what we are dealing with you and Xander must stay away from the incantation.It quite obviously has something to do with the key and your attempted abduction. We need to be very careful."

While Giles voice does not give an opening for question, Xander questions anyway, feeling more sure of himself now than at seventeen. "Hey G-man, that's all well and good but I have a feeling these Creeps are going to be back and soon. We need to know what this is and out it works while we can."

Dawn joins in just as Xander finishes speaking, "Yeah, I mean, if it could help us control the key, then that would be good, right?" Less confidant than Xander, she looks around the table for support.

She finds it from Willow, who turns to Giles, tilting her head in an endearing way, "Dawnie might be right. We may not have much time before they try again."

Faced with Willow's pleading expression, Andrew's clear expectation of experimenting with the ring, Xander's restlessness and Dawn's optimism, Giles buckles under his better judgement as he longs for the days when the children, were well, children more or less.

"Well, alright then but we must proceed with the utmost caution." Giles says with resignation.

TBC