Chapter 5: Whatever the Future May Bring

Tuesday, Los Angeles

The next morning Dawn came downstairs, ready to spend the day with Connor. But she was feeling kind of haunted. Last night it had really hit her for the first time that she would probably only be in Los Angeles for a few more days. Buffy had called when she got back from the movies, and she said that the problem was nearly resolved, and that they were coming back by the end of the week. Dawn was saddened and confused, because she was falling hard and fast for Connor and didn't know what she would do. But after long hours of tossing and turning she had decided to make the best of the time they had, and then go from there.

"Hey Dawnie," Cordelia said. She was reading the newspaper and drinking coffee. "All ready for the big day?"

Dawn smiled. "Yes." She couldn't wait to have some fun with Connor at the pier.

Just then Connor walked in. "Hello beautiful," he said, giving Dawn a kiss.

Cordelia smiled and stood up. "Are you ready? We should probably go before Mr. Broods-a-lot gets up."

Dawn and Connor smiled. "Thanks for driving us," Connor said.

Cordelia laughed as they walked out the door. "Anything for you guys."

Half an hour later Dawn and Connor were strolling down the pier, hand in hand. "So what do you want to do first?" Dawn asked. "Rides? Games? Shops? Junk food?"

Connor was eyeing one of the roller coasters. "How about a ride. I've never been on one before."

Dawn stopped dead in her tracks and blinked. "You've never been on a ride?" Connor shook his head. She started dragging him towards the ticket booth. "Well I guess we have a busy day ahead of us!"

They purchased a book of tickets, and looked around at the different rides. "I think we'd better try something a little tamer than the roller coaster first," she said. She smiled when she spotted the perfect ride. "Come on."

A few minutes later Connor found himself at the top of the Ferris Wheel. His eyes were wide as he looked down. It was a really long way down.

"Welcome to the Ferris Wheel, classic American amusement park staple. Best known for stopping you right at the top," Dawn said. "You know what else Ferris Wheels are good for?"

Connor looked at her. "Falling to your death?"

Dawn laughed. "I was going to say making out." She leaned in and kissed him as the ride began to move. Soon, between Dawn's kisses and the motion of the ride, Connor began to enjoy the Ferris Wheel.

The ride stopped, and Dawn and Connor exited. "Roller coaster now?" Connor asked.

Dawn shook her head. "You're not ready yet. Let's go on the Scrambler. A step up from the Ferris Wheel, but not to be ridden after lunch."

Connor enjoyed the Scrambler very much. He liked the fast pace. After that they rode the Tilt-A-Whirl and the Swings. Finally Dawn decided he was ready for the roller coaster. They got in line for the only one on the fairly small pier. It was called The Whipper-Snapper, and it was a classic, big wooden roller coaster.

After about ten minutes in line they boarded the ride and fastened their seatbelts. Then the train began to move, and Connor gulped. It was much scarier when your feet weren't firmly planted on the ground.

"Get ready! Hands up!" Dawn yelled as they reached the top. Connor blanched as he saw the railing alongside the track gradually flattening out. Then all of a sudden they were flying straight down. Dawn was screaming and her hands were stretched in the air. After the immediate shock was over, Connor began to smile. The roller coaster was definitely his favorite ride.

The train came to a stop at the platform. "So what did you think?" Dawn asked, her cheeks flushed.

Connor grinned. "Let's go again."

They went on the Whipper-Snapper 3 more times, then moved on to the Pirate Ship and the Bumper Cars. Connor liked the bumper cars too, except for when a pimply, overweight kid rammed into him.

Finally their tickets ran out. Grinning from ear to ear, they walked along the pier in search of food. "So did you like the rides?" Dawn asked.

Connor grinned. "Yeah, they were great. I guess trips to the amusement park are something you miss out on when you spend your childhood in a hell dimension."

Three slices of pizza, 2 hot dogs, and 2 ice creams later, they were strolling along the side of the pier with the games. "Which prize do you want?" Connor asked.

Dawn smiled. "Are you going to win one for me?"

Connor grinned. "I thought that's what boyfriends did."

Dawn grinned back, and kissed him softly. "Okay, let's see. I like...." she carefully studied all the booths and the various stuffed animals on display. "The rainbow colored dolphin."

Connor saw that the prize she chose was at a dart-throwing booth. Piece of cake. "Then you shall have it," he said. He paid the fee and the guy handed him 3 darts.

"Pop 1 balloon for a small, 2 for a medium, and 3 for a large," the guy said, sounding bored. "Good luck, no one ever wins."

Connor glanced up and noticed that the dolphin was a large prize. He took aim carefully, and popped the first balloon easily. The guy straightened up. Then he easily popped the second 2. Dawn cheered.

"Wow, never seen anyone do that before," the guy said, sounding awed.

"I'll take the dolphin," Connor said proudly. The guy handed him one, and he gave it to Dawn, who gave him a hug and a kiss.

"You were great! Thank you!" she squealed. Connor smiled, pleased that he made her so happy.

"Anything for you. So what do you want to do now?" he asked. It was a little after 3 in the afternoon. Cordelia was coming to pick them up at 5, then she was taking them out to dinner.

"Let's just sit for a while," Dawn said, heading for a nearby bench. He sat next to her and wrapped his arms around her. For a few moments they just sat, watching the people go by and enjoying each other's company. Dawn decided that it was a good time to mention her concerns.

"Connor..." her voice trailed off. She didn't know how to begin.

"What is it baby?" he asked, concerned.

She looked up at him. "These last 5 days have been the best of my life."

Connor smiled. "Mine too."

Dawn took a deep breath. "But I think we need to talk about what is going to happen when Buffy gets back."

Connor bit his lip. He had been wondering when she would bring this up. It had been nagging at the back of his own mind too. "You mean when you have to go back to Sunnydale."

Dawn sighed. "Yeah." She snuggled in closer to him. "I wish things weren't so complicated. If I didn't have school maybe I could-"

Connor silenced her with a finger over her lips. "Here's an idea. How about we don't talk about this right now." Dawn started to protest, but he silenced her again. "We can talk about it when the time comes, but for now we should just enjoy this time we have together. But you have to know that I would do anything to be with you forever."

Dawn smiled up at Connor, tears in her eyes. "That's so sweet."

They kissed softly. "It's amazing how much your life can change in just a few days," Dawn said softly.

Connor stroked her hair. "It really is." Then they just sat there together on the bench until it was time to leave.