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The talk had been long over due. It was no ones fault. No one knew they had needed the talk. But they did now. Everyone was at Brooke's house. It was a place they knew they would not be interrupted. Brooke had never been more grateful that her parents were never home then she was now. Brooke sat on one chair with Lucas at her feet. Spike, Dawn, and Haley sat on the couch. Nathan sat at Haley's feet. Peyton and Jake sat on the love seat. They had just found out how Dawn's sister really died and what Dawn was.
"I think I heard my Uncle talking about the key last year," explained Brooke.
Dawn looked over at Brooke curiously.
"Not your Dad," Brooke added quickly, "My mom's brother. He was a watcher."
"I've never heard of an American watcher. Have you Dawn?" Spike asked.
Dawn shook her head no.
"No he was British. My mom and her brother were born in England."
"So explain what's going on in Sunny Dale," Dawn urged.
"The first has come back again. He wants to open the hell mouth."
"Again?" Dawn asked.
"What do you mean again love?" Spike asked.
"A couple years ago, not too sure how long ago, when Buffy was still in high school and dating Angel," Dawn began.
Every one heard a growl come from Spike but they all tried their best to ignore it.
"The first went to Angel and tried to get him to take a afternoon walk in the sun," Dawn explained.
"So you've encountered the first before?"
Dawn nodded.
"And his followers the Bringers?"
"Bringers have no eyes right?" Dawn asked.
"None," Spike clarified.
"Then yes we have faced the bringers," explained Dawn.
"Does this have any connection to the Watcher's Council blowing up last week?" Brooke asked.
Spike nodded. After a minute Dawn finally processed what Brooke had said.
"The Watchers Council blew up? Is Giles ok?" Dawn asked nervously.
Dawn didn't know what she would do without Giles in calling distance.
"He's fine niblit. He's safe and sound in Sunny Dale with," Spike almost said Buffy's name, "the Scoobies."
Dawn looked into Spike's eyes. She was the only one that could tell if he was lying. And so far he was telling the truth. Not the whole truth but the parts he was telling were truth. Before Dawn could call him on it the doorbell rang.
"I'll get it," Brooke said.
Before Brooke was out of the room she heard Dawn demand Spike to tell her what he wasn't saying.
There is going to be a fight, Brooke thought.
When she got to the door she opened it and it revealed a red head that looked really familiar but Brooke couldn't place where she knew her from.
"May I help you?" Brooke asked.
"Yes you can. I'm looking for a Brooke Davis," the red head replied.
"Who are you?" Brooke asked.
"Willow Rosenberg," replied Willow.
Brooke immediately knew where she had seen the red head before. She was one of Dawn and Spike's friends. Dawn had also told her that she was a big time Wicca. She had seen a picture of Willow in Dawn's photo album.
"You're here because I'm a potential slayer. Aren't you?" Brooke asked.
Willow nodded. Brooke motioned for her to follow her. Willow followed Brooke into the house closing the door behind them. Before they got to the den Haley, Nathan, Peyton, Jake, and Lucas came out.
"We think this is more a family matter," explained Nathan, "So we're going to leave."
Brooke nodded. Everyone filed out of the house. Except for Lucas.
Lucas gave her a hug and whispered in her ear, "I think you need to get in there before Dawn snaps."
Lucas kissed her forehead and left before Brooke could ask him why Dawn would break. Brooke went into the room followed by Willow and found out why. Dawn sat on the couch with a look of joy, anger, and grief all rolled into one expression. Spike kneeled in front of her trying to get her to look at him.
"Dawn. Niblit. Please say something," Spike pleaded.
The look on Spike's face was pure anguish. Brooke almost felt bad for him. Almost being the key word. Then she saw the look on Dawn's face and her concern went to Dawn. Brooke sat next to Dawn and placed on arm around her shoulder. Dawn usually always felt better after she did this. But what Dawn did surprised everyone in the room. She sent eyed Spike like she was sending daggers through the air.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Dawn demanded.
"She wanted you to have a better life away from slaying and she knew that if you found out she was alive you would want to go back. I was just respecting her wishes."
Willow immediately knew what they were talking about. Spike was going to be in trouble when they got home.
"Bull shit. You knew what I was going through. You knew that I was having a real hard time. I was afraid to be happy because I knew that she should be alive and not me. I shouldn't be having this wonderful life while she's gone, but you knew that wasn't true. She was living and you never cared to share this with me," Dawn fumed.
"You're absolutely right. I should have told you. I should have told Buffy what you were going through and made her realize that you needed to know," Spike hung his head low.
"And what are you doing here?" Dawn turned her attention to Willow.
"Here to take the only person who tells me the truth and tell me I can't come with you. You had to have realized that I would be going back with you when you came to pick up Brooke."
"Dawnie it's too dangerous," Willow tried to explain.
"Well you aren't going to be able to leave this house until you say that I'm coming too."
"Are you sure you want to go back Niblit?" Spike asked.
Dawn turned and looked at Spike.
"Positive."
"And nothing I say or do will change your mind?" Spike asked.
"Nothing will change your mind."
Spike sighed and bowed his head in defeat.
"Fine. You can come."
