Dawn walked through the streets heading towards Revello drive, tears welling in her eyes.  I love him, she thought repeatedly, feeling a new wave of anguish each time her revelation hit her.

     I love him, I love him, I love him! she screamed in a silent rage, unable to vanquish the thought from her mind, wanting to kick, or tear out her hair.  She had never felt like this before, overwhelmed by the feelings of longing and despair.  The choked sob she emitted as tears began to pour down her face rang out unusually loud in the still night.

     As she reached her house, she slowed.  Not wanting Buffy to see her like this, she flopped down on the grass and sank into a stupor.  She didn't know how long she sat; it could have been minutes, hours...in her dazed reverie time had no meaning.

     All the emotions she had pent up for so long came forward and she mused over her feelings of loneliness, of uselessness, of love....

     She was sick of everything.  She hated not measuring up to Buffy.  She hated Buffy, even though she knew that wasn't true, all she was aware of was a terrible jealousy towards her older sister.  Buffy had everything; and exciting life, Spike's love....she was doing something worthwhile with her time. 

     How can I compare to that?  Buffy's so beautiful.  But...I could be pretty, too.  I'll show Spike.

     She got up and walked into the house.  As she was about to start up the stairs, she heard a scream from the living room.  Her body tensed and she went to see what was wrong.

     "What happened?" she asked Xander and Anya who were sitting on the couch watching a movie.

     "Don't look, Dawn!  It's horrible," came the muffled voice of Anya, who's head was buried in Xander's shoulder. 

     Dawn glanced at the screen and began to laugh.  "This scares you?  It's hilarious," she sat down to watch.  It was Monty Python and the Holy Grail.  "What's so scary about a killer bunny?"

     Then she remembered Anya's 'bunny-phobia'.  She watched as the rabbit killed several knights, and laughed again, along with Xander, who was trying to hold it in, so as not to spite his girlfriend. 

     When it was over, Anya opened her eyes and punched Xander's arm.  "You said this was a comedy," she whimpered.  "I'm not going to be able to sleep for a month!  I think that that is one of the most HORRIBLE things I've ever seen in over a thousand years!  And I DID some pretty horrible disgusting things Xander!  But do you care?  No!  You seem to think there's something funny about a killer bunny!"

     "Ahn, it was just a bunny.  And see, while your eyes ever closed, they blew it up...It's ok now..."

     "Oh," she sniffed.  "Well then, if you're sure it's dead..."

     "I'm sure."

     Dawn got up and left when they started making out on the couch, ignoring her question of, "Where's Buffy?" 

     Figuring her sister was out slaying as usual, she went up to her room.  Going over to her closet, she kneeled and pulled her birthday money out of a shoe box and counted it.  $430.  That would be enough.  She smiled at the thought of her new look, tucked the money away, and picked up her spell book.  She understood a lot of it now and began to practice some basic incantations, feeling the power surge through her once more.

*     *     *

     Spike walked slowly through the cemetery, upset about hurting the little bint's feelings.  He wasn't even sure what he had done, but he knew she had been hurt.

     "Bloody women," he muttered.

     "Following me again, Spike?"

     He jumped and noticed the Slayer standing in front of him.  Pissed at himself for getting startled, he glared at her, wondering how he hadn't noticed her.  Usually he could sense her a mile away.

     "Oh, yeah, Slayer.  's the highlight of my evening to follow you around."  He could tell she was thrown by his lack of enthusiasm.

     "So, if you aren't following me; which I doubt, what are you doing here?"

     "You always seem to forget that I live here.  Can't a bloke even take a walk?  'S like you standing in front of your house and me asking what you're doing there.  Bit of a stupid question, Slayer..."

     "Ya know, you're being rude.  I should stake you," she said, attempting once more to get him into the spirit of things.

     "Right, Slayer.  Do whatever you bloody want to."  He brushed past her and didn't turn back, ignoring the shocked expression on her face.

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

I know this is a short chap, but I felt it was essential.  Plus it added a bit of comic relief...I was getting depressed.  Well, if you DO want more, which you SHOULD after this unsatisfactory chap, then REVIEW!  Feedback motivates me to post...so more!