TITLE: Convergence Pt 5: Stranger Things Have Happened
RATING: PG-13
DISCLAIMER: I don't own these guys. They are property of JW, ME, and FOX.
SUMMARY: Exposition from a new guy, Giles and Willow Return
FEEDBACK: Yeah. Please. Feel Free.
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Xander was the first to move, grabbing Dylan, or what used to be Dylan, and tossing him/it to the ground. He couldn't believe the audacity of some people. Or was it demons? Anyway. To attack the Slayer's sister in her own home? That went beyond gumption; it was sheer stupidity. He shrugged in apathy to the plight of this new threat. Spike quickly moved in to stand over the intruder as Buffy cautiously approached Dawn. The younger girl's eyes glowed a bright blue-green and a beatific serene smile graced her full lips.
"Dawn? Sweetie, are you ok?" Buffy asked, afraid for her little sister.
"Buffy," her sister's disembodied voice floated along the walls, echoing softly, "I'm fine; just feeling a teensy bit oogly." The glow slowly faded from her eyes, and her voice returned to normal, losing its echo and coming from Dawn rather than from the air. Her now normal eyes widened in excitement. "Oh, wow. That was totally cool!" She really felt powerful. Full of energy, but not wired. It was nice feeling.
"Alright, now that I know that you're ok…" Buffy eyed her sister' gleeful form warily.
Spike and Xander continued to hold what used to be Dylan. The figure had changed from the young man who came into the house, to a much older one. The green gray glow was gone from him as well. Spike pulled the figure to his feet, slamming him into the wall.
"Good work knocking him back, Harris," he said to Xander. Turning to the man he held captive, he asked, "What the hell do you think you're doing? More importantly, who the hell do you think you are?" he took a menacing step closer, closing the distance between the two of them, wishing like mad that he didn't have the chip. Realizing that whatever this being was, the chip wouldn't work on him. His lethally blue eyes squinted in dark desire. "And you had better tell the truth, mate. I ain't above wiping you out of existence."
"Spike. It's alright." Dawn moved to intervene, knowing that the being that Spike held in the air meant no harm to her. "Really, you can let him go. He isn't interested in harming me, or anyone else here."
At this statement from her sister, Buffy launched into full big-sister mode. "Excuse me? Spike, Xander and I felt the harm all the way in the kitchen. I think an explanation is downright necessary. And if I don't like what I hear, you can bet you'll know it." The last said to the man now dangling from Spike's grip.
In a voice strangled by the vampiric had at his throat, the man answered, "I'll be all to happy to explain, if you'll put me down." At Buffy's nod, Spike let him go. But both he and Xander stood ready to pounce, should the need arise. "Thank you," the words came out harshly, due to the bruising of the vocal cords at Spike's hands. Buffy continued to wait, rather impatiently, for explanation. This guy better get to talking, and fast, she thought to herself.
"Do you mind if we move to a more comfortable place?" he asked.
Buffy, Spike, and Xander all shared a look that culminated in Buffy's acquiescence. "Fine," she said, and they all headed to the living room. Dawn and Dylan sat on the couch, with Xander between them, while Spike and Buffy each took residence in the armchairs on either end of the coffee table. They settled in for satisfaction, then the stranger began.
"My name is Dylan, that much is the truth, but this body is not my true form. I adopted this form for practical purposes here in this dimension," he looked up at the four people staring blankly at him, "but I can tell from your expressions that this is neither here nor there. Ok then." He cleared his throat and started again. "I can't reveal much about what is going on here, but I can explain my actions of this night. I am sure you are all aware of this young lady's origins?" he indicated Dawn.
"Yeah, Xander said rather darkly, "she is the key. Or was the key. Her blood opened up portals and a bunch of monks sent the key here, in the form of Dawn, for protection from Glorificus, some evil, wicked, mean and nasty hell god. What's your point, oh cryptic shape-shifting one? What does Dawn's key-ness have to do with anything?"
The man turned to answer him. "Well, the Key has a very important role coming up. She will serve to unlock certain barriers and in doing so, will be re-absorbed – or rather her energy will be reabsorbed – into the general mass of mystical energy."
Spike stopped him again, frowning in mounting anger. "Wait a minute. Last time we went through this, Nibs here was nearly killed. I won't, I mean we" he looked at Xander and Buffy, "won't let it happen again. Got it mate?"
"Oh no, no, no, no. Dawn, as you know her, will not be harmed, but – I'm sure you felt the energy shift earlier?" At their synchronous nods, he continued, "Well, the key is not just encased within Dawn, here. A large part of its energy is spent in the maintenance of the illusion. The evidence of her presence: her room, photos, old school projects, memories. I need to harness that energy and give it back to the key. She needs to be whole again, as a mystical being."
"But won't that erase the evidence of her presence? Meaning that we will forget who she is?" Buffy asked him. "I don't what that to happen." Spike, Dawn and Xander all nodded their agreement with Buffy.
"Well, the initial implanted evidence will disappear, yes. However, everything else, all the memories, possessions, and feelings acquired since her arrival will remain. The room she sleeps in will revert to what it was before, but the things she has acquired will remain. Any old photos will revert as well, the initial memories wiped and so on. But you will still feel her as you sister – as that is what she is to you now."
"Ok, so you harnessing this power, and giving it back to me, that explains why I felt so weird before, and had the weird voice, and glowing eyes?" Dawn asked.
"Yes."
"Why?" Buffy wanted to know, "What is the Key going to be unlocking? I know you said boundaries earlier, but that makes no sense. Who wants the boundaries open? Not that it matters, because you are not taking my sister from me. I stopped – I mean we stopped Glory; we'll stop you – or whoever this new threat is – too. Right guys?" Again, Spike and Xander nodded, both in affirmation and in appreciation for her self-correction.
"We don't want Dawn, just the Key." Dylan said rather affably.
"Hello?? Perhaps you jes ain't payin attention, mate. Nibs, there, is the soddin key. You don't get one without the other. No Dawn without the key, no Key without Dawn." Spike finally spoke up, leaning down into Dylan's face with menace.
"Actually, Dawn is Dawn. Initially she was the key, but as she has grown and experienced things, she has taken on the person of Dawn – your friend, and," he finished, turning to Buffy, "your sister. The Key is just one aspect of her identity that has been buried behind her human aspects. When the key serves its purpose, unlocking the boundaries, it will unite in the Convergence, and Dawn will be left – completely human and unharmed. She will still be Dawn, just not the key."
"I won't be the Key anymore?" Dawn's tone took on the aspect of hurt fear. "I don't want to lose a part of myself, even a mystical, rather unnecessary part. Every part of me, including that mystical one, makes up who I am. I know, have known, that I am the Key. What makes you think that the loss of that part of me will not be harmful to my sense of self? I will not lose any part of myself, for any reason. I refuse to allow you to do this to me."
"Don't worry, Nibs," Spike spoke to her fear, "we're not gonna let that happen."
"Blondie's right, Dawn. We are your family, we're not letting anything happen to you." Xander put a reassuring hand on her knee, to which Buffy raised a questioning eyebrow.
Dylan shook his head at them. "Unfortunately, no one will be able to prevent this." He thought for a moment. "Well, maybe there is a way to stop the re-absorption, but I'll have to study on it some more."
Buffy silenced him with a question. "All this discussion of Dawn is moot. You're not getting her. But there is something I want answered. What is the Convergence?"
"As to that, Ms. Summers, I am not really certain. What I can tell you is that it is a sort of gathering. Of what, I don't really know. But it is happening now, and it is happening here. That is why I have been called here."
"Yeah, now that you mention it," Xander started, "what exactly are you? You mentioned that this wasn't your true form."
"I am an inter-dimensional being. Well, that is the closest explanation for what I am. I am power – albeit I am a sentient, self-aware power. I am, by nature, neither good nor evil. I simply serve a function. Well, many functions actually, in many different dimensions. Of course, not all at the same time, though." Dylan answered shyly, by way of explanation.
"Well, you are finished here. I don't want you anywhere near me, this house, or Dawn again. You got that?" Buffy's toned adopted the cold determination of the Slayer.
Dylan shrugged his acceptance. "My part is finished already. I did what I came here to do. I have harnessed the power, and placed the seeds of gathering within the Key itself. I need not be around you or your family any longer, but I will be in Sunnydale until the day of Convergence." He rose from his position on the couch. "So, unless you want the answer to how to keep your sister intact, I'll be going now, and you won't see me again. If you choose to discuss Dawn's future as the Key, simply say my name; I'll be right there." With that final comment, Dylan dissipated into the green gray mist and finally disappeared altogether.
Spike looked affronted. "What? The bloke couldn't use the front door?"
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Willow and Giles landed at Sunnydale International Airport that same night. Picking up their luggage and the rental car, they made their way immediately to Buffy's house. It was much later than Giles had figured, and he wondered if Buffy would still be awake. It was a chance he was willing to take, waking her up in the middle of the night.
Willow's voice broke into his reverie. "What are we gonna tell her, Giles? I mean, we don't even really know anything for sure." Her concern was evident in the tone of her voice.
"Willow, we'll tell her what we do know. It's all we can do. Ahh, look, we're here. Good Lord, that drive keeps getting shorter and shorter." He smiled slightly, glad to be near Buffy again, but dreading telling her what is going on. Just then he noticed Xander's truck in the driveway. "Oh good, Xander is here, as well. Wonderful." He moved to get out of the car, then noticed Willow's stillness.
"Willow?"
"I'm scared Giles, terrified they won't accept me. I was so horrible to them."
"Come on, now. I'll be right there. I'll keep them focused on the important stuff. Let's go," he said, as he helped her out of the car.
"Alright," she took his hand and stepped out of the car. "Thanks." The two of them started up the steps.
Buffy, Spike and Xander had gathered around Dawn, all trying to reassure here that they wouldn't let anything happen to her. She clung to Xander's hand in fear and leaned on her sister for support. Spike's presence was a comfort, as his strong words and convictions assuaged her fear, but she wasn't ready to open herself back up to him yet, even if he did have a soul. All in all, the young woman felt shrouded in safety and love.
The loud peal of the doorbell startled the four of them. The lateness of the hour combined with the evening's events made for easy fright. Buffy recovered and rose to answer the door, followed closely by a curious and cautious Spike.
Her confused frown melted when she saw Giles standing on the porch. She stepped forward out the door and leaned in for a hug. "Oh my God, Giles! I totally forgot about you guys coming! You should have seen what just happened in here, and heard what I just heard." She released him from her hug, and noticed Willow standing behind him. She smiled in greeting to her best friend. "Willow. You look really good. Relaxed and ..well, just great." She realized they were still standing outside, and slapped her forehead. "Oh my gosh, you guys come on in."
As they walked inside, Buffy moved in front of them. "Let me just tell Dawn and Xander that you guys are here, ok?" The delicacy of the situation was not lost on either Buffy or Willow. She looked to her friend, knowing that this night was going to be rather difficult for her, but also knowing that Dawn deserved to have her feelings respected within her own house. "Will? You might want to wait in the kitchen. We've had a rather bad night, and Dawn is really sensitive right now. I want to give her time to adjust and decide how she wants to handle the situation, and if she wants to see you."
The petite redhead nodded her understanding. "Oh, yeah, totally. I understand."
"You gotta know, Will. This isn't about you understanding. It's about Dawn understanding, both you and herself. She comes first, Willow. Above me, above you, above everyone. I am not working on your behalf here. You are going to have to rebuild the relationship you had with Dawn by yourself. I love you, but I am not willing to disregard any feelings Dawn may have."
"I know, Buffy. Believe me, you don't have to tell me this stuff. I get it already." Willow's voice was cold and hurt. "I'll be in the kitchen. Call me when the coast is clear." She turned and headed for the kitchen.
"Spike? Go with her, I may not want to confront Dawn with her, but I don't want her left alone, either."
"Right. You deal with little bit," he nodded and followed quietly behind Willow into the kitchen.
Giles finally spoke. "Buffy, She has changed quite a bit over these last months. She is not the same girl that left here, shattered and barely resembling herself. She is better and is full of remorse, fear and guilt. I think it would help-"
"Giles, it isn't up to you, and it isn't up to me. I never stopped loving Willow. I know what it was and I have already forgiven. Hell, as far as I am concerned she doesn't need forgiving for the things that she did and said to me. God knows I deserved a lot of them, and it's not as though she lied to me. This is about Dawn, and her fear. Willow is going to have to really atone for what she put Dawn through."
"Right then, so long as you know what has been going on all summer. I also think you should know that she has not been de-magicked. If there is such a term. She has been allowed to keep her powers, but has been well versed in their use."
"I understand what has been going on for the summer, and I am glad they didn't strip her of her powers. It was a blessing in some respects, having such a powerful witch in the gang. I'm glad she is in more control of them now. Anyway, let's get inside, before Dawn and Xander wonder what the heck happened to me." She laughed and led the way into the living room.
They walked into the room where Xander was sitting next to Dawn, sort of hugging her close to his side, her head resting on his chest. They looked up at Buffy and Giles standing in the doorway and smiled simultaneously.
"Giles!!" Dawn ran over to the watcher and hugged him fiercely, as Xander walked up and clapped him stiffly on the shoulder. Giles looked painfully at Buffy over Dawn's shoulder, and Buffy shrugged as if to say 'What do you expect? You're loved.' Giles just smiled and hugged Dawn closely, then plucked her thin arms from around his neck and turned to greet Xander with a manly hug. Both of them had grown so much over the summer, Giles was impressed. Xander looked as though he had acquired some peace although there was the look of concern etched on his young face, and Dawn looked so lovely, like a maturing young woman rather than the teenager he had left behind. He realized that he had missed them quite terribly.
Buffy's voice broke into his reverie. "Xander, Dawn. I think you should know, Willow is here too. She is waiting in the kitchen."
Spike joined Willow in the kitchen. He was quiet so as not to alert her to his immediate presence. Her soft, yet hitched breathing let him know how upset she really was.
"Red?" he moved further into the room.
She looked up at him, unshed tears in her emerald eyes. "Spike. Hey," she took a deep breath, "what's up?" There was no condemnation in her voice, even though she knew what he had done, or nearly done, to Buffy. To judge him for his incomplete act would be hypocritical of her, particularly after what she had done. She understood more than anyone the seduction of evil and the feeling of powerlessness.
"I'm sorry about Tara, Red. I always thought she was a sweet bird. She never treated me with disrespect or derision. It is a real shame that the world has to go on without her – that you have to go on without her. She really loved you senseless, she did." He walked over and put his hand on her shoulder. "Buffy filled me in on what happened. I've been gone most of the summer too. Remorse is – was – new to me. I had a lot to suss out, what with all that I had done and that had been done to me over the last year. I imagine you did too." She looked up at him as he continued, "If you ever need to just chat with someone who's been there, you know where I'll be." He leaned over and gave her a rather self-conscious hug of bereavement.
Willow was in a state of shock. Spike? Willing to be selfless for someone? Of his own accord? She examined him more closely – seeing something behind his eyes that hadn't been there in the four years she had known him. "Spike? What is so different about you?" She kept looking at him, as he turned away. Her eyes widened in disbelief when the thought came to her. "Oh my God." She whispered, then smiled. "It looks good in you," she told him.
"Thanks," was his tortured, whispered reply.
Back in the living room, Dawn looked incredulous at the news of Willow's presence in the house. Xander was resigned. Buffy continued, "I know this is hard for you Dawn, and that is why she isn't in here with us right now. I thought you may need some space to deal. She is in the kitchen. I'll understand if you don't really want to see her right now. But Dawn, you have to know that you are going to have to deal with her soon."
"Dawn," Giles interrupted, "Willow has been extremely remorseful and as a result has undergone some changes. She would like the opportunities to try to make things up to you, to atone for what she's done."
"Giles, I really don't care. Of everyone here, I suffered the most from her. She nearly killed me in that car – high on magic or whatever – as it was she broke my arm. Not even mentioning the demon she 'accidentally' summoned." Giles was amazed at the change in Dawn's demeanor. This was a young woman expressing her grievances in a tone of growing maturity and forthrightness, not some young child, whining about how wrong she had been treated. It was a good thing to see. He listened patiently to her as she continued, "While she threatened to kill you, or just beat you up, that isn't what she wanted from me. She wanted me – my essence. She threatened to revert me back to my energy state as the key, and absorb me into her as magic. She wanted to feed off of me. Like some sort of magic vampire. So you'll just have to forgive me for not wanted to see her right now." She turned, and with a youthful dignity, walked upstairs to her room.
Buffy stood in amazement. "Well, that went better than I thought it would. I'm pleasantly surprised at her calmness. But, Giles, you didn't really expect her to just be OK with this, did you?"
"No." he shook his head and sighed, "no I didn't. What about you Xander? How to you feel about Willow's returned presence here?"
Xander turned his dark brown gaze from the stairs, where he had watched Dawn disappear to the second floor, and looked at Giles. "I was the one who brought Willow back. I was the one at the temple getting a chestful of burning earth energy. I love Willow, she is my best friend in the whole wide world, Giles. If she is back, if she is whole again, then I am comfy with her back in good ole Sunnydale. She is needed, she is loved, and she was missed. You don't' have to worry about me."
"Ok then, well, she'll be pleased to hear that." Giles turned a grateful smile toward the kitchen.
"But," Xander continued, "for now, I am going to go take care of Dawn, make sure she is alright. She has been though the wringer tonight, and would probably like some TLC. I'll try to get her to come back down later, though. But for now, you guys discuss what ya need to, and fill me in on the details later."
Buffy thanked him for looking after Dawn, even though she was confused at this new closeness and concern she saw entering his and Dawn's relationship. She had noticed the two of them spending more and more time together, but hadn't really thought that much about it. Xander was a good guy. Plus he was still in love with Anya. His open concern for Dawn tonight, along with the comforting gestures, was a new thing she just wasn't aware of. Of course remembering the details of the night, she wrote it off to all the events of the evening. She watched him climb the stairs slowly, then she called Spike and Willow in from the kitchen.
As they came into the room, she said, "Sorry, Will. Not tonight. She's not ready yet. Maybe some other time."
"It's ok, really. I sorta figured. But I thought you said Xander was here?" She looked around more enthusiastically for her long time friend and confidant. She had been looking forward to seeing him again, had missed him terribly while away in England, Her disappointed was palpable when she didn't see him waiting in the living room.
Spike noticed the missing Xander and spoke up as well, "Yeah, where is the git? He din't split on us did he?"
"Yeah, he's here. He just…um, he went upstairs to be with Dawn for a while. He may bring her back down later, if he can convince her to." Buffy was reluctant to inform Spike of Xander's whereabouts, knowing the vampire's protective affection for her little sister.
"Oh. Ok." The wistful tone crept back into Willows voice.
"Well, I guess it's alright. Good to have someone watching over the little bit." Spike nodded his approval.
The room fell silent, and Buffy looked around at the less than happy faces. Getting more and more frustrated as the minutes ticked by while nothing was said, she finally threw down the gauntlet.
"Alright, you two, out with it." She said looking back and forth between Giles and Willow, "what made you guys fly halfway around the world back to good ole Sunnydale? Has to be something pretty bad. Am I right?"