Five weeks to M-Day! I really hope I can finish this story in time for the move of stuff, but hey, I'm only human. I was completely in a  state of writer's block about what to do next. I had a plan, I just didn't know if I should go forward with it or not. I'm also glad I  came up with longer chapters or we'd be here forever.

I'll answer questions and critiques next chapter. I'm hoping 1-2 days between chapters until I'm done. I'm still planning on 30-32  chapters, so this story isn't over by any means. Thank you for the reviews. And I thank my muse for inspiring me to get this far.

I'm glad you enjoy this darker story. I've got so many ideas flowing through my head right now, I can't wait to get working on another.  But I promise I'll finish this one first. Also, Grace made me promise I'd give a HUGE R/He moment... so yeah. It doesn't help when your  beta is extremely into one fandom. So here you go, Gracie Lou.

- - - - -

Chapter 22

Make Believe

- - - - -

The sun was just approaching the horizon when the reception began to settle. Xander walked out onto the grass and stood there a moment,  savoring the early light.

"Look at you," a soft voice said from behind him. He turned to see both Buffy and Willow walking toward him. Willow was yawning and  hugging herself while Buffy was rubbing her eyes and holding onto Willow sleepily. "You can't get away from us so easily, Mister."

"Wasn't planning on it," Xander replied as he pulled Willow into a tight hug. "Besides, seeing the two of you is the bestest  day-after-wedding gift ever."

"I really hope you weren't expecting that many," Buffy replied with a yawn. "We're actually going to crash. Faith had something huge to  tell us, but I want to be more lucid when she does."

"Besides, you've got the big South Padre gig coming up," Willow teased him, gently detaching herself from his arms and grabbing onto  Buffy's. "We should really go."

"Wait," Xander replied, taking Buffy's hand to pull them back. "Thank you. Thank you both... if you had any idea how much it meant to me  for both of you to be there..."

"We know, Xan," Willow said in a teasing voice, playfully punching his arm. "We love you too."

Xander watched as they went, the smile never leaving his face. He spotted Cho leaving the party with her Mother and went to join them.  "Hello, Mrs. Chang... Cho..."

Cho grinned and slipped her arm through his. "Our flight leaves at noon," she said quickly to her Mother. "And I think yours doesn't leave  until six, right?"

Mrs. Chang nodded, beaming. As Xander and Cho swept away, she hastily brushed tears from her eyes before returning to the small crowd  still gathered, dancing to the music.

- - - - -

Ron loosened his necktie as he opened the door to the room he shared with Draco and Harry. Draco wasn't there, which Ron didn't really  care about. What he didn't see as he turned on the lights and began unbuttoning his shirt was the feminine figure sitting on his bed.

As he pulled off his shirt, he heard the gentlest of sighs behind him, and a soft "Ron?"

He jumped and spun around, the bright light dazing his exhausted eyes. They focused on a figure sitting on his bed. "Hermione?" he gasped.

She stood up and moved until she was directly in front of him. He didn't realize he was shirtless and holding his dress top like an idiot  until she moved forward, her cool hands around his neck, gently undoing the necktie until it fell away. "I figured you could use some help  with that."

"What..." he started, his voice full of wonder, "how on Earth... you were going..."

She flashed him the quickest of smiles. "I know... but I couldn't go. I made Percy go... and then I found a taxi back here. I'm sorry I  missed the wedding and the reception, but... I wanted to surprise you."

"It bloody worked," he managed to choke out as he dropped the shirt. He couldn't express his shock. She was real, standing there, right in  front of him, her eyes dancing.

"Did you really mean what you said?" she asked in a small voice, her eyes filling with tears.

He nodded, not really trusting that his voice would work. "I did and I do," he said, his voice tight. "I love you, Hermione."

She rushed forward in a swift movement that caught him by surprise. She threw her arms around his neck, pulling him into such a tight hug  he felt his ribs would crack. The sound of her laughter in his ears was more precious to him than anything he could ever have hoped for.  "I am so glad you didn't get on that plane," he said, pulling her back. A tear trembled over her eyelash and streaked down her cheek. He  made to brush it away, but her hand caught his.

"I love you, too," she said softly, her face glowing. She moved even closer and his head bent to hers, his forehead resting against hers.

"I could really use some sleep," he said quietly, just enjoying the moment the two were having. "I bet you could, too."

"I don't want to go into my room," she replied from somewhere underneath him.

"You can stay here," he said, gently steering her toward his bed and sitting her down. "I'm pretty sure Harry won't mind... I haven't seen  him in a few hours. I don't know where he's run off to..."

"I... I don't want..."

"It's all right," he said, quickly pulling on a clean shirt and sitting on the bed next to her. "I'm not going to try anything."

She glanced down and smiled. "Maybe someday, that could be us?"

"Oh," Ron said, going slightly pale as he laid down. "Not for a while... a year or two at least... add in a few weeks..."

She smacked him playfully before laying down next to him, her head perched on his shoulder. "Did I ever tell you how lucky I am?"

He bent down, kissing the top of her head. "You don't need to tell me... I know the truth."

She giggled before closing her eyes. Within moments they were both asleep.

Across the campus, Harry and Ginny were walking sleepily toward the dorm buildings. After they had left the party, they had wandered down  by the pond and had laid under the stars, talking for a bit before drifting off to sleep. He'd awoken to find her cuddling into him. He  had gently woken her up before they got too comfortable and scorched by sunlight.

"You want breakfast?" he asked her, spying a large group of Slayers headed down the long hallway to the cafeteria.

"I want sleep," Ginny giggled, clutching his hand in a maddening grip. "I want... Draco?"

"What?" Harry asked in mock revulsion, but his eyes were also on a tall blonde boy who was leaving the company of many Slayers. He looked  almost pathetic, with his large sad eyes and his cold exterior. "Draco... where have you been?"

"Sleeping," Draco replied sarcastically, looking around. "Apparently I was the only one."

"The reception is still going?" Ginny asked curiously, glancing out a nearby window. To her surprise, she saw a long line of people moving  up the hill from the large white tents and gazebo below.  "Wow."

"It must've been some party," Harry agreed.

"You two weren't there?" Draco asked curiously, losing the cold tone.

"We left several hours ago," Harry explained. "Took a walk, fell asleep..."

"You didn't, uh... by any chance see Dawn did you?" Draco asked in a quick rush of words.

"Before we left, she was with Buffy," Ginny replied.

"Oh, good," Draco said, before moving along, "just great."

Ginny sighed and took Harry's hand again as they walked into the cafeteria. "I really wish those two would work things out. She owes it to  her baby."

"If that's all they have," Harry replied, grabbing a tray and eyeing the delicious-smelling trays and bowls of food beautifully displayed  in front of them, "there really isn't much hope for them at all."

- - - - -

"Kennedy, Kennedy, Kennedy."

"Oh, my God."

"I know... it's early. But you did promise me."

"I know, An... it's just that... I didn't have that much time."

"Don't make any excuses, Kennedy. I'd hate to have to go to your sex kitten for that."

"All right... chill, okay? I've got what you asked me to get."

"That's my girl. Now hand it over or I'll tell Willow everything."

"That's blackmail."

"You're harboring a known murderer... are you not? Did you not catch us two days ago? Wasn't he the one who supposedly killed your  precious Willow's ex?"

"I get it. Now go. I can't risk being seen with you here."

"How very touching. Now, I have one more chore for you to do. And then you're cut off. You're free to go and frolic with the rest of the  pansies if you wish."

"What is it now, Anya?"

"I want a certain item from Willow... a photograph. The one that sits on her desk."

"The one with you guys in front of the old Magic Shop? Why?"

"Just get it for me. I want it by nightfall. I need to know when to put the next phase into play."

"What the hell are you on about?"

"Just get it to me... or I'll tell..."

"You'll tell my girlfriend all of my little secrets... because you can't help eavesdropping on my conversation with my Watcher. You're a  real bitch, An, you know that?"

"I live for it, babe. Not get."

Anya waited until Kennedy had disappeared out of the woods before turning north and walking along the dusty path toward the van parked  nearly a mile away. "I got it!" she called.

"Good," Warren replied, opening the doors and taking the object from Anya before helping her into the van. "What did you get?"

"Ask and you shall receive," Anya replied, handing him a small crystal orb. "From the evil wicca herself."

"Magic," he squealed with delight as he tossed the orb from hand to hand. "Isn't this just the coolest little thing?"

"I heard that this particular orb is of the nasty though," Anya replied, sitting down on the bench behind him, a nail file in hand. "I  mean, who actually orders the orb that can completely re-evolve the powers of a mortal?"

"Or in this case, a key," Warren replied, staring at his monitor. "Look at this."

"I don't care."

"Whatever. It says here that when used in the spell I'm use our resident witch is planning to, the final phase of the project will be  complete."

"And this is..."

"Restoring the key to her fullest power potential... at that strength, no matter how many Slayers there are, they won't be able to touch  her. Now... did you ask for that photograph?"

"I'll get it to you by midnight. And you really should get out of here. I know you've got the techno-geek side down, but this other stuff?  Really pathetic. All you need to complete the geek-mobile would be a giant painting of the Death Star."

"That was actually our original -- hey! You're trying to deter me!"

"Not at all, work away. I'm going to go bore my mind out by being around super Buffy and her super friends."

"And Xander?"

"He's gone now, with the married."

"How do you feel about that?"

"I could care less."

"The truth?"

"It sucks. I loved him longer than that little tart has known him. I know he loves her, which made it even more evil for me to let him go.  Why couldn't I just kidnap him and keep him as my sex slave?"

"You could be my --"

"Oh, please!" Anya snapped, kicking the door open and jumping down. "I'm gone. Call me once you talk to her royal pain in my ass."

"You got it."

- - - - -

"Dawn!"

"Buffy," Dawn said, stopping just shy of walking into her private suite in the Slayer's dorm. "Hi... I was just going to bed..."

"I was wondering if maybe you'd like to talk," Buffy said gently. "I know that you and Draco are fighting again... I was just wondering  why..."

Dawn's hand fell down to her side. "You want to know why I all of a sudden got cold feet all over again? I just took a good long look at  my history with men. It all comes down to the same thing. They leave. They walk away. Or they die. Dad left Mom, didn't he? Angel left  you... Spike died... I... I haven't thought much about the tomorrow part... I'm still trying to figure out today."

"Dawnie..." Buffy said as she moved forward, taking Dawn into her arms. "Dawn, don't say that... just because Mom and I..."

"No... it isn't just that anymore... it's about Joy now. It's about trusting someone enough to take care of Joy after she..." Her voice  suddenly cut off and she shook her head violently.  "I left her there, Buffy, don't you understand? When Glory was here, you did  everything you could to protect me. You died for me. You didn't abandon me... like I've abandoned her..."

"God, Dawn... don't talk like this. You didn't abandon her," Buffy said, taking her sister's shoulders, "she was taken from you. There is  a difference. I let Glory take you from me. And I died to get you back. There is nothing you won't do to get Joy back. Your daughter will  be back in your arms, I swear to God."

Dawn wiped her eyes and smiled at her sister. "I love you, you know that?"

"Always," Buffy said softly, tucking a lock of Dawn's hair behind her ear. "But let's stop this little game of make believe... you need to  fix things with Draco. He loves you, Dawn. I know you're scared about guys... but it gets easier, I promise. It's hard to live and it's  harder to love. But you can't do one without the other."

"That might be the best sisterly advice you've ever given me," Dawn said fondly.

"I try my best," Buffy said, releasing Dawn and walking away.

"Buffy?" she called out, waiting until her sister turned back before continuing. "What about you? Do you think you'll ever find love  again?"

"I already have," Buffy said, her grin widening cryptically. "Sleep tight."

"Yeah," Dawn muttered in confusion as she locked herself in her room. "You too."

- - - - -

Tara entered the library, quietly closing the door behind her.

"Hey, Tara!"

Tara jumped, turning to see Willow standing there, a large stack of books in her arms. "Willow, hi... has the meeting started yet?"

"You're the first one here," Willow said, setting down her stack of books before turning to Tara. "How are you doing?"

"I'm pretty good," Tara replied with a quick smile. "A little tired, but that'll pass."

Willow froze. Tara was standing so close, just behind her. No matter how much she tried to deny it, there was still a powerful bond, a  deeper connection between them. She was torn between the longing to pull Tara into her arms and the strong desire to walk away. But before  she knew what she was doing, she was in Tara's arms.

Tara gave a soft sigh as their lips met, urgently at first before they pulled away, just as the door opened.

Buffy walked inside, a small box in her hands, a necklace dangling from her finger. "Hey, guys!"

Willow and Tara turned guiltily, exchanging a quick glance. Tara shrugged and moved to Buffy's side. "Hey, Buffy!"

Buffy sat down at her desk before pressing the necklace into the grove engraved on top. Snapping open the box, she removed a single audio  tape. "Can you put this in the player? I want to record everything Faith has to say.

"Right," said Willow, casting a glance toward Tara as she picked up the tape and slipped it into the player. "We're ready."

Behind them, the doors burst open again and Faith entered, looking slightly put out and angry about something. "B, we need to talk,  seriously."

"Can we wait until Giles gets here?" Buffy asked, closing the box and clasping the necklace back around her neck.

"This really can't," Faith replied darkly. The seriousness in her voice caused Buffy to glance up and push the box aside.

"All right... over there. Let's talk."

Which left Willow and Tara together again.

"Listen, I'm sorry..."

"It was my fault..."

They both burst out laughing, the intense air of rambling over each other melting away.

"It was just a moment," Tara finally said, braving a short smile.

"It was our moment."

"All right, everyone, let's get started."

Giles had arrived.

- - - - -

It was past midnight when Dawn finally left her room behind. Glancing left and right, she darted down to the cafeteria, eager to find  something to eat.

As she peered into the black abyss, she quietly snuck into the kitchen and was gathering items in her arms.

"Dawnie?"

"Shit!" Dawn cried out as a plate containing a large sandwich smashed on the floor. "Damn it, Buffy, I--" She stopped short when she saw  the person on the other side of the counter. "You're not Buffy."

"I heard someone moving around," Anya replied. "I hope you don't mind."

"Not at all," Dawn replied, picking up the sandwich and tossing it into the garbage. "Hand me that broom?"

"I'll make you another one," Anya offered, moving behind her and taking the knife from the counter in front of Dawn. "How are you holding  up? I hear you have a new boyfriend now, a child too."

"A daughter," Dawn replied, sweeping up the glass. "Her name is Joy. I'm sure she's around two now."

"I always wanted a little girl," Anya said as she sliced a tomato up. "I can't imagine losing her like that."

"Buffy says that the Ministry brought you back," Dawn said bluntly, turning to Anya as she began to lay cheese across the top of another  large sandwich.

"They did," Anya said, quickly releasing that bit of information. She slipped the sandwich on a plate and handed it over to Dawn. "There  you go, Bit."

"Did you see her?" Dawn asked suddenly. "Did you see Joy?"

Anya stopped, her fingertips drumming nervously on the metallic surface of the table. "Yes," she replied at last. "I saw her."

Dawn's face lit up. "You saw my baby?"

Anya turned back to face her. "She's beautiful, Dawn... you should see her. She looks so much like your Mother..."

Tears were flowing freely from Dawn's eyes now. The sandwich lay forgotten on the table. "I would do anything in this world just to see  her again..." she said softly.

Idiot, Anya thought.

"What if I told you there was a way to get your daughter back?" Anya asked in a slow, even tone.

Dawn stared at her, not moving, not even daring to breathe. This woman standing in front of her had been dead for four years before coming  out to say anything. And all of a sudden, she had all of the answers.

"I'm listening."

- - - - -

To be continued...

Chapter 23... someone's about to betray Buffy.