Title: You Can't Go Home Again  

Author: Autumn

Email: autumnleaves@autumnpenguins.com

Archive: API, others please ask first

Disclaimer:  Joss Whedon/UPN/WB/Fox own all of the characters.  I am simply playing with them. 

Raring:  R

Feedback: Welcome in all shapes, forms and sizes.

Story Summary: Dawn is reunited with the Slayer while the council deals with the aftermath of raising Dawn from the dead.    

Series Summary:  An AU of season six.  What if Buffy hadn't been the one to die in the battle with Glory?

Order of the series:  Equilibrium, the Lesser, Of Two Evils, Lost, You Can't go Home Again

Author's Notes: 

Thank you to everyone who has sent feedback on this series. I hope you enjoy the remainder of the series.

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            Sunnydale Memorial Cemetery:

            The six Watchers had gathered up the materials from the ritual and reburied the empty coffin so carefully that only a highly trained eye would be able to tell the gravesite had been disturbed.  Quentin Travers and Rupert Giles had adjourned to the Magic Box after sending their juniors back to the chartered plane.  Giles had insisted that they not chase after Dawn; he knew that Spike would look after her for the time being.  And chip or no chip, he seriously suspected that Spike would kill any of the Watchers if they tried to get near Dawn. 

            "When do you propose to get Miss Summers to rejoin the Council?"  Travers asked Giles as they walked into the shop to deposit the ritual texts and materials. 

            "Glad to know where your priorities lie."  Giles said sarcastically. 

            "I never led you to believe that I would help the fallout of this Giles.  The Council helped to get our slayer back.  We have fulfilled our part of the bargain." 

            "I'll talk to her as soon as it's appropriate.  Now please leave." 

            With a sigh, Travers put down the text and did as Giles asked.  He was truthfully glad to get the Slayer back on active duty, but he was still wary of the price.  He certainly didn't envy Giles task of reintroducing the Key to the world, and guiding the reunited Summers sisters along their life paths.  With a last look at the estranged Watcher, Travers gathered his briefcase and walked to Sunnydale's small airfield. 

*****************

            "Dawn? Oh my God!"  Buffy rushed towards her sister, crushed when Dawn backed away.

            "Don't" Dawn whispered. 

            "Can I talk to you for a minute Slayer?"  Spike asked, gripping her shoulder and pulling her towards the corner of his crypt as he asked the question. 

            "Uh huh" Buffy said distractedly while still staring at her sister. 

            "Look Buffy, the Council brought her back.  They used me to help.  I know you'll never admit it, but I can help.  And right now she needs time.  She ran away from the Watchers and came to my crypt.  I won't hurt her, you have my life on that." Spike said sincerely. 

            When Buffy still didn't respond, Spike hauled off and punched her hard enough to knock her unconscious.  Dawn observed the scene and turned towards the unconscious Slayer. "I'm really here aren't I?" 

            "Yeah.  I know it comes as a shock to you, but you're back in Sunnydale.  With Anya, and Giles, Xander, Willow, Tara, Buffy and me."

            "Why?"

            "I don't know pet.  But I promise we'll find out.  But tell you what, why don't we get you and Big sis back home.  I'll call the Watcher over and he can explain what the bleeding hell happened back there." 

            "Ok." She said passively. 

            Spike gathered the Slayer up in his arms and threw her over his shoulder as he and Dawn made their way out of the crypt and back to the Summers' house.  Buffy was already stirring by the time they got to her front porch, and Spike set her back down on the ground.  "Spike! What did you do that for?" 

            "I'm evil.  Can we talk about this in your less flammable house?" 

            "Fine." Buffy acquiesced, noticing the vampire's possessive grip on Dawn.

            Her sister, it all came flooding back to her and she threw herself forward, embracing her sister.  "You're home Dawn." Buffy cried rapturously.

            Spike glanced sideways at Dawn, but didn't comment on her sullen expression or the fact that she didn't reciprocate Buffy's hug.  The blonde unlocked the door and the three of them entered the house.  Dawn sat down on the couch while Buffy rushed upstairs to retrieve some clothes before she busied about offering her everything from water to fluffy pillows.  Spike had walked to the kitchen to ring Giles, but the Watcher had shown up at the house just as he'd lifted the receiver.  "Dawn? Buffy? Spike?" He called from the entryway.

            "In here Giles!"  Buffy called out, happiness evident in her voice for the first time in weeks.

              He walked into the living room too see a glowing Slayer, expressionless Dawn and a rather sour looking vampire.  "So Ripper, you gonna clue us in on your magic trick now?"

            "What do you know about it Spike? " 

            :"He was there Buffy." 

            "Yeah, I woke up with him on top of me." Dawn said absently.

            Buffy shoved Spike up against a wall.  "What did you do to her?" 

            "He helped Buffy.  Much as I hate to admit it he deserves to know what happened."  Giles said softly. 

            When Buffy had settled herself down onto the couch and Spike resumed his station near Dawn, Giles cleared his throat and began explaining what happened.  "Quentin Travers came to town with five of the Council's most skilful Watchers.  They participated in an ancient resurrection spell designed to bring people back from mystical death.  We used Spike to channel the energies needed to bring Dawn's essence back into her body and to restore life."

            "It could have killed him." Dawn said quietly, she didn't know how she knew that, but the knowledge felt true.

            "Yes.  But as I said, we were all highly trained." Giles looked at her strangely, he suspected that she'd have questions about the spell. 

            To his surprise she just got stood from the couch and walked up the stairs.  "Dawnie, where are you going?"  Buffy called anxiously.  

            "I'm tired," she said distantly, and they heard her feet drag up the stairs before she closed the door. 

            Buffy rose, ready to follow her sister.  "Buffy, just let her be right now.  Dawn's been through a great trauma, and I suspect she'd rather be by herself." 

            Buffy obeyed although she didn't look happy about it.  Instead, she turned her attention back to Giles and heard all about the spell, and what had happened.  Spike thought about leaving, but didn't have anything to cover himself with, and the Nibblet still had his duster.   "I suspect she'll be back to herself eventually." Giles attempted to reassure Buffy.

            The comment made Spike snap back to attention and he chuckled with derision.  "You understand nothing.  Had you ever been dead?" He began.

            "Well, ye-"Buffy began.

            "For longer than just a few minutes.  I mean dead as in buried." 

            At their blank looks, Spike continued, filled with rather righteous anger.  "Well I have.  I've been dead, and I've woken up in a coffin, and discovered that once again I was back on Earth.  It's not exactly an experience that you ever forget, and need I remind you that there's always a trade off?  Your selfishness will have a price to it Ripper, Slayer.  You just don't  know what it is yet." 

            As he finished his speech, Spike felt a searing pain go through him and he collapsed to the floor just as a scream bled through the floor above them. 

************

TBC

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