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Andrew's POV
My life has changed so fast in the last week, no in the last year. I became a criminal with Warren and Jonathon. Then I became a pawn in the First's plan. I killed Jonathon, and became a hostage, courtesy of Buffy. I gained little to no trust from her, likewise with most of the others, but I still tried. Even regular guys like me could help, just look at Xander. He is a regular Joe, and he has contributed a lot. So soon the final fight came about and we destroyed Sunnydale. It felt weird looking into a crater, which I use to call home. I decided to head to England with some of the others and train to be a watcher. Don't think I am cut out for watcher duty though. I also decided to lose the geeky image, and become a new man. I got dates and many women loved me. Even though people loved me, I still was looking for expectance from the Sunnydalers.
The only one that seemed to even give me a chance was Dawn. I remember one day when I was about to go out on a date with these two incredible looking women, and I heard Dawn coughing and sniffling. When I checked in on her, she looked horrible. I decided then and there to cancel my plans. Dawn said I didn't have to, that I shouldn't worry about her, but I wanted to. That night I tucked her in on the couch and we just watched TV and talked. It felt nice to talk to someone who I could actually act like myself around. That night Dawn and I became friends. It felt good to call her a friend. From that pint on I felt a little protective of her. We confided in each other, and shared things with each other. I could tell when a guy upset her, or she was just going through her womanly problems. Buffy always seemed to think that she was having her womanly problems, but I could really tell. Kind of felt weird knowing these things, but I helped her. Boy problems, I was a shoulder to cry on. Womanly problems I became a shoulder to cry on, a punching bag, and a massage therapist. Never thought being a girl could be so painful. The cramps, headaches, and all over body aches. But anyway, about a week ago I heard Buffy calling every Scooby she could think of. I listened in and found out that she was going on a trip and was trying to dump Dawn on someone. I heard sniffling in the other room, and knew Dawn was upset about what her sister was doing. I just wanted to grab Dawn and pack her up, and tell Buffy I was taking her away. No matter where Dawn was going, I was going to go with her. There was no way I was going to leave her alone.
So when Buffy asked me to go with Dawn, I just nodded my head. As we left the house Buffy told Dawn that she would have time to go to the airport with us. I could tell that she was crushed, even though she was holding up a brave face. When that door closed, she broke. We slowly walked out to the car. When we got there I just dropped the bags I was carrying, so that I could hold her. She clung to me and I felt like crying myself. This girl should not be going through this. I made a vow from that moment on to stay by her side. I was not going to leave her, ever.
Now we are on a plane back to the states. Xander moved back to the states recently, and now we are meeting him in New York. Dawn has been silent most of the flight. I hope and pray Xander will be patient with her, cause I know this is going to be hard. They have just said we are going to be descending in New York soon. I lay my hand on Dawn's, and smile at her. She slowly gives me a smile back, and squeezes my hand. Well the plane has landed and it's time to go face the music.
When Dawn and Andrew got off the plane they noticed a sign being held up in the crowd. The sign read: Dawn and geek over here. Dawn went from being ok to angry in a second flat. Andrew squeezed her shoulder, and smiled when she looked at him. She smiled back and they moved their way over to Xander.
" Hey Dawnie! How are you?" Xander asked as he hugged Dawn, and noticed that she wasn't hugging back.
" Ok I guess." Dawn replied as she stood close to Andrew.
" Hey Andrew, how bout you go get the bags, while Dawn and I catch up?"
" No there is too many bags Xander. I will go with Andrew. He is not a servant, and doesn't have to lift all those bags." Dawn said while glaring at Xander.
" It's ok Dawn. You go talk to Xander, and I will get-"
" Andrew, there are too many bags. You need help. Now I will not take no for an answer mister." Dawn mock glared at Andrew. Xander just raised his eyebrow at this and decided to ask later.
" How bout we all go so we can get out faster." Xander suggested.
" Sounds good to me. Lead the way fair lady." Andrew smiled at Dawn.
They went to the luggage area and picked up the bags. Dawn had three and Andrew had one bag. They carried them outside and waited on the curb for Xander to bring up the car. Xander drove up a nice looking Jeep. It was black, with a soft-top. They loaded the bags and then Andrew crammed himself in the back, insisting that ladies should sit up front. Dawn busted out laughing when she saw Andrew squeezed in there like a sardine. Even Xander laughed at the sight he made. He said he was ok, but when they got on the road and hit any bumps, Andrew would moan in pain. Xander made it a point to hit as many as he could, and every time he did it would make Dawn laugh.
" So where do you live Xander? I didn't even know that you were out of Africa." Dawn questioned.
" I live on Long Island, in a town called Sag Harbor. It is a really nice, but expensive town. I have a decent job and live in a house with a friend of mine."
"Who?"
" You might remember him, his name is OZ."
" Oh yea he was the werewolf, wasn't he?"
" Yep, and he still is. Don't worry though, we took care of his monthly growling problem."
" Sounds like Dawn every month." Andrew chimed in.
" HEY! Now for that comment, Xander can hit every bump he can."
" He already is Dawn." Andrew laughed.
" Yea, but now he can hit them faster." Dawn smiled in the rearview mirror at Andrew's distressed look.
" What ever you want Dawn. You shouldn't have said that man, cause you're going to get it now and later by her when you least expect it." Xander laughed.
" So how big is this house, and how can you afford to live anywhere on Long Island?" Andrew asked as they hit another bump.
" Well I was staying in an apartment, working construction of course. Then one day this guy asked me to help him with these houses of his. I did such a good Job that he said that if I ever wanted to, I could rent one out. Well needless to say I took the offer."
" So you're renting a house? Isn't that expensive?" Dawn was puzzled by the idea of renting a house.
" yeah, but I got OZ to help me, and maybe Andrew will help, for the duration of his stay." Xander never saw the hurt look on Dawn's face, but Andrew saw it.
" Of course I will. I can't leave my princess's side. So I must pay taxes to live in your kingdom with her. I will humbly oblige."
" Umm Ok then." Xander was puzzled by his talk, but saw the look on Dawn's face when he said that. He knew he'd half to talk to Andrew about this. " Oh yea you will be finishing high school too Dawn."
" What? Can't I just get a job and take a GED test?"
" Let me think about that for a minute, ummm NO!" Xander smiled at the sour look on Dawn's face.
" You need to finish school Dawn." Andrew said.
" I know, but I am to far behind to complete it."
" Well that is where our honorary teacher/tutor comes in." Xander smiled at Dawn.
" What do you mean? Did you hire a stranger to tutor me? How could you? Do you think I am that stupid? Why are you getting a stranger? I am only here a couple hours and you are planning my life." Dawn put her headphones on and blasted them.
" Is she always like this?" Xander questioned Andrew.
" Worse."
" I can hear you, you know?"
" I thought with that music blasting you wouldn't hear a bomb going off." Andrew smiled at the glare Dawn gave him. " Why don't you let Xander tell you who it is, and then you can make a choice about them?"
" Fine Andrew, who is it?" Xander was astonished by the quickness that Andrew got Dawn to clam down and talk. Xander could remember a time when it would take a very long time for her to talk after a fight.
" Well it's Oz. He is a teacher in the high school, and he has agreed to help you with your studies. That's only if you will let him, but I hope you will." Xander noticed as Dawn looked in the rearview mirror at Andrew and saw him nodding.
" Ok I'll try it." Again, Xander was impressed by the way Andrew handled Dawn.
" Thanks Dawn. Well, here we are." Dawn and Andrew watched as they pulled up in front of this big house. It looked like a mini hotel. " We will come back for the bags later. Let's give you two the grand tour."
They went inside and began the tour. When they first entered the house and looked to their left there was a pool table and some bar stools. To their right was the living room. It had a big screen in it and you could look up and see the second floor from there. They walked up to the second floor and there were three bedrooms and two bathrooms up there. The master bedroom was Xander's. It had a Jacuzzi tub and a separate shower in it. It was a dream room for Dawn. Dawn thought that, that was it. But they headed down to the first floor and out to the kitchen. It was nice and spacious. Off to the right was a little sit in area, with a fireplace. To the left of the kitchen were the laundry room and another bathroom, plus another bedroom.
Dawn and Andrew thought that this was perfect, but Xander said that they weren't done yet. They went back towards the stairs to go upstairs but instead Xander opened a door and took them downstairs. There was a living room down there. It had a smaller television but was homey too. Xander pointed to the three doors, and said that they were tree more bedrooms. There was a hallway by the one door, and it headed back towards another bathroom. Dawn and Andrew sat down on the couch, trying to take this all in. Xander motioned for them to follow, because they weren't done. They went back upstairs and through the sliding doors in the fireplace room. They were on a deck and there was a pool, Ping-Pong table, and a hot tub. Also around the yard there were 3 hammocks to lay on too. Dawn and Andrew smiled at each other. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.
tbc..
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