-Conner's Cage-
He had been sleeping for an amazing amunt of time. Someone would think he was dead because he barely moved when he breathed and his eyes never flickered. His body lay still but he still had life in him. The girl that was in the cage with him had woken up a little while before. She didn't know wheather she should wake him or not. She decided not to when she found out she couldn't move. The light from under the door shone in and made it somewhat easy to see the boys face and she smiled. He looked so innocent, so sad and so peaceful.
She hoped for him to wake up and I guess hoping was enough. His body started to move around a little bit but he still wasn't awake. When Conner's eyes did finally open the first thing he saw were the eyes belonging to the girl. He hopped up instantly which kind of scared the girl. She was still lying down so could do nothing. When Conner did calm down he knew he would have to start talking.
He tried to smile, "Hi."
The girl kind fo smiled back, "Hi." Conner was happy that at least now there was contact. Especially happy that this girl kept talking, "You were asleep a long time."
Conner smiled, "I guess I was tired."
The girl smiled, "That you were." After a few seconds She spoke the million dollar question, "So what's your name?"
Conner smiled, "Conner."
The girl smiled even wider, "I like that name."
Conner nodded, "Yea. What's yours?"
The girl hesitated for a few seconds before finally answering, "Dawn. Dawn Summers."
-Hyperion - Lobby-
Xander stared at Buffy already scared of her reaction. He then glared at everyone behind them knowing none of them could handle telling her but all of them would jump to eb the one to comfort her. He took a deep breath and walked a little closer to her, "I didn't know anything about this until right now."
Buffy shook her head, "What's going on Xander?"
Xander took one more deep breath, "Have you noticed Dawn hasn't been around all day and last night?"
Buffy's eyes shot wide open and she shook her head, "Where's Dawn Xander? Where's my sister?"
Xander closed his eyes, "Yesterday afternoon when we were out looking for Cordelia Dawn found out about the spell. She was about to take off but Hamilton was at the door and grabbed her."
Buffy shook her head in anger already looking behind Xander, "How come I didn't know about this until now? She's my sister, she's my responsibility, she's..." She stared back up at Xander in almost tears, "We have to find her NOW!"
Xander nodded but stopped her from taking off, "Pick up a plan Buffy. L.A's a big city. Dawn being taken can't be a coincedence. Like last night that Donnie guy said his little gang were out to distract us so the little law firm could take someone to make the girl pay. I think those were his words anyway."
Buffy nodded and put her hand on her forehead, "You're right. I...I'm sorry. Almost another coma moment."
Xander nodded, "Don't worry Buffy. She never died last time and she won't die this time."
Spike finally whispered, "True Xander but who did die last time?"
Xander looked worried now as he stared Buffy in the eyes. Angel shook his head though realizing something, "Dawn can't be the reason they were distracting us. She was taken during the day, before that fight."
Buffy nodded, "So someone else is missing."
Xander nodded, "Yea."
Buffy yelled to the whole room, "I want everyone rounded up right now. Everyone in the hotel to the lobby in five minutes. I want to know who we're missing."
Everyone nodded and took off towards rooms. Spike stayed behind though as he watched Buffy fall back leaning against a pole and closing her eyes. Spike walked up to her, "You don't look so good."
Buffy couldn't even smile, "I so shouldn't drink unless I'm a vampire."
Spike nodded, "Yea I was out all night and I'm still good now."
Buffy slowly shook her head, "You talk to Faith? They were all asking about you."
Spike smiled, "You knew where I was."
Buffy nodded, "Yeah I did. At least when you drink nothing bad happens. Everytime I drink or everytime I feel better something bad happens."
Spike shrugged, "At least you felt better for a while."
Buffy shook her head again, "But I didn't feel better. I mean I could still feel the pain from all my bruises and I think I opened one of the bite marks because we didn't exactly bandage it last night."
Spike looked down at her wrist and grabbed her hand gently, "We should patch this up."
Buffy nodded, "Walk me to the bathroom first."
Spike smiled and quickly walked her to the bathroom.
-Willow-s Room-
Oz and Willow had been lying down for a little time now. All the hustle and bustle were non existent as Oz watched Willow sleep. He knew she would feel extremely sick when she woke up but he would deal with that later. Or maybe now because her eyes slowly opened. Oz smiled and grabbed her hand.
Willow smiled and stared into his eyes, "Hey."
Oz smiled back, "Hey. How you doing?"
Willow slowly shook her head, "My head kind of hurts and I think I'm still a little tipsy."
Oz laughed a little bit, "It'll pass soon enough."
Willow nodded and blinked. She finally smiled when she realized something, "This is the first time you've been in my bed since you've been back."
Oz nodded, "Yea, I guess it is."
Despite the smelly alcohol breath Oz leaned down above her for a kiss. A kiss that lasted a few minutes. It was getting a little more intense until Oz quickly pulled away the second it could of been clear the kiss was going to lead to more. "I'm sorry Willow. I can't do this now."
Willow looked worried, "Okay. W...Why not?"
Oz took a deep breath, "I've been in control for a long time now Willow. When I'm with you it's hard to control. I can't risk losing myself around you."
Willow smiled, "I went through the same thing last year. You don't have to worry Oz I know now any reason you would hurt me exists because you think it would be better but this time I'm not letting you make that choice. I love you and I think you love me so let me be the anchor to your ship. I'll stay in control enough for the both of us."
Oz couldn't help but smile and kiss her again. When he pulled back he moved a piece of hair behind her ear, "I love you Willow."
Willow smiled, "I love you too."
Another kiss ensued, one a little more intense then the first one. Except this time the second it could of lead to more the door opened and Xander smiled as they quickly broke apart. Oz sighed, "Hey Xander."
Xander winked at him and spoke, "Buffy wants everyone downstairs. Someone's missing. She just found out about Dawn."
Willow sighed and hit herself in the forehead, "How's she doing?"
Xander shrugged, "Come down and find out."
Willow nodded and Xander left. Oz looked down at Willow, "Shall we."
Willow smiled but then stopped suddenly, "You want to guide me to the bathroom first. Little bits of alcohol not agreeing with me."
Oz smiled and they both hopped off the bed rushing towards a bathroom.
-Lobby-
Buffy sat on a chair while Spike crouched in front of her bandaging up her wrists. She winced once in a while, "Why do you vampires bite so deep?"
Spike smiled, "In my defense I never bit you really hard."
Buffy sighed, "Fine, in general why do vampires bite so deep?"
Spike smiled, "Do you really want me to answer that?"
Buffy shook her head and sighed, "This has got to be the worst few weeks huh? People died, injured, jealousy, my sister's gone again, you're moving on and now, now I have more vampire marks I have to explain to people."
Spike shook his head, "I don't know how you do it Buffy. You have so much strength inside of you for such a fragile body."
Buffy smiled, "A question I ask myself everyday. I was born to save the world and now I don't even know what's in this world that needs saving."
Spike looked a little worried, "What do you mean?"
Buffy shrugged, "Our world is full of pain. People exist to hurt others. Sure some of these people are happy but it doesn't make sense. What the hell are we trying to save Spike?"
Spike tied the bandage and then held both her hands, "Buffy, it makes sense for you to lose sight of the mission once in a while and you already know the answer to your question. We save this world because there are things worth saving. I'm defenitely not one to agree with human nature but sometimes even I get jealous. We fight for the small things like how the sun feels in the morning, the first kiss from your hunny, the taste of food, and even being able to see yourself in the mirror."
Buffy tried to smile, "Sometimes it's easy to forget you're not human Spike."
Spike smiled back, "Thanks."
Buffy nodded and lifted her other wrist so he could bandage it. "How are we going to find Dawn?"
Spike shrugged, "There's always a way, you know that."
Buffy nodded and sighed, "So you took off quick last night huh?"
Spike got a little uncomfortable, "Yea well, issues came up."
Buffy nodded, "What did Faith say?"
Spike looked a little surprised, "What?"
"Come on. If Angel knows what happened he would go looking for oyu thus bringing Xander and Willow into it. If they talk about it Faith is going to know." There was a small silence, "So she didn't say anything?"
Spike shook his head, "Nope. We didn't really talk while you were in the bathroom."
Buffy smiled, "Looks like she's a keeper."
Spike nodded, "Not if she nags like that all the time."
Buffy hit him softly with the hand he wasn't holding. "Girls nag, it's a thing."
Spike smiled, "I know, I mean I was with you for a whole four years."
Buffy was defenitely insulted but couldn't deny it, "In my defense you were evil."
"Explain the year I died then."
Buffy shrugged, "I wasn't naggy then. I was supportive."
Spike shook his head, "Yea, yea you were."
There was a small silence until Angel, Cordelia, Xander and Faith walked down the stairs. Angel spoke first, "What's going on?"
Buffy shrugged, "He's doing up my bite marks."
Spike smiled, "I have a little experience in that area."
Buffy smiled and looked back up at everyone, "Are they all coming?"
Faith nodded, "Cavalry's on their way."
Spike finished tying the bandage and stood up. He stared directly at buffy, "So what's the plan?"
Buffy shrugged, "No idea. I just have to find her."
Angel nodded, "But first we have to find out who else is missing and then find the connection."
Buffy nodded and a few girls started coming down the stairs. In this crowd was Willow and Oz who walked right up to buffy. Willow smiled, "How you feeling?"
Buffy shrugged, "For some odd reason I got over it pretty quickly. I'm still god damn sick but not so drunk anymore."
Willow nodded, "Yea me too."
Buffy smiled, "Sorry for getting you smashed."
Willow smiled, "It showed me something." She squeezed Oz's hand. "It was kind of fun actually."
Buffy winked at her and Willow's grin widened. Cordelia sighed, "Maybe sometime today we could get back to the non-drunk problems we have."
Buffy glared at Cordelia but couldn't say anything to her because Angel's cell phone rang. He had to let go of Cordy's hand to answer it. "Hello, this is Angel."
Buffy and Willow laughed at the formaility of how he answered the phone. They stopped at his serious look though. His look made it obvious he didn't like what he was hearing, "Hello Angel. This is Colleen Reilly, Conner's mom. I know this isn't exactly your territory and you probably don't even remember me but I just needed a favor. We left our son Conner at home last night because his father and I needed to take a business trip and I've been phoning him all morning and he hasn't answered."
Angel nodded, "Are you sure he isn't just staying over at someone's house?"
Colleen nodded, "Yes. When we left him he was in pretty bad shape from falling down a lot of stairs and he promised me he would stay home. I know it isn't exactly what you do but you two seemed to have a connection and I was wondering if you could..."
Without hesitation Angel finished her sentence, "Don't worry Colleen. I have a clear day and I would be happy to check on him."
Colleen sighed, "Thank you Mr. Angel. Thanks a lot."
Angel put on a fake smile, "No problem. Enjoy your trip."
Collen nodded, "Thank you. Goodbye."
Both lines clicked and Angel stared from Cordelia to Buffy and then finally spoke, "Conner's parents can't get a hold of Conner and they left him knowing he wouldn't go anywhere."
Buffy sighed, "So what are you thinking?"
Angel looked at the door, "Nothing until I know he's okay or not. I can't exactly check either."
Cordelia jumped up, "I'll go."
Angel shook his head, "You're too weak to take care of yourself Cordelia. Plus if people are going missing no one can be by themselves."
Cordelia silently swore to herself knowing who he was going to look at next. Buffy sighed and called for Andrew. Andrew came running down the stairs and stopped right in front of her, "Hey Buffy. What's going on? Why is everyone all crowded down here?"
"Dawn and someone else is missing. I want to find out who it is. I need to take off for about an hour and I want you to get my clothes and the everyday spell ready."
Andrew smiled, "You got it Buffy."
He took off up the stairs and Spike shook his head smiling, "You got your own little personal slave slayer."
Buffy nodded, "Yea. He's amazing. I like when people take care of me."
Spike smiled and nodded, "I remember. Attention hog."
Buffy stretched her arms, "What can i say? I'm irresistable."
Spike shook his head. Buffy and Spike finally eyed their audience and stopped their conversation. It was silent until Andrew came running down the stairs and stopped right in front of Buffy. He handed her the clothes, "I picked the black pants because I don't think you'd be able to move in the skirt. I didn't know if you were in one of your sexy moods so I picked a shirt with a v-neck, long sleeves and shows off your new belly button ring."
Buffy cleared her throat hoping to block out the ring part. It didn't work because Angel spoke, "You got your belly button pierced?"
Spike actually looked Buffy over closely for the first time and noticed her ears and her nose. He smiled, "You used to have your nose pierced. Oh and now you have like two in your ears. Where's the tattoos Buffy?"
Faith laughed out loud now and stared at Buffy, "Are you going to answer that question or am I?"
Buffy shook her head and grabbed the clothes from the smiling Andrew, "Let's go Andrew. You've said enough."
Angel shook his head and stopped Buffy as soon as she was almost out of view, "Where's the tattoo?"
Buffy sighed and walked away with andrew to change. Spike looked up at Faith and Willow who were laughing hysterically. "Where'd she get the tatoo?"
Willow calmed down a little bit, "Knowing you and Angel, I thought one of you would of found it by now. It's pretty obvious."
Faith nodded, "Yeah. We saw it the night she came home."
Willow shrugged, "That's only because she was still smashed and pulled the side of her pants down."
Spike burst out laughing making a guess where the tattoo was. Angel was more level headed, "She got the tattoo when she was drunk?"
Faith nodded, "Kind of. She said she had a few, then she got it done and then she got tanked."
Spike finally calmed down, "Since when does she drink like that?"
Willow smiled, "Since she met Adam."
Willow instantly had the attention of Spike and Angel. Just the word Adam shut the room to silence. One of he girls interrupted, "Hey Willow, do we all have to stay down here?"
Willow glanced at them all, "No, Just be down here when Buffy get's back. We might have some news."
The girl nodded and half the girls took off. Some of the girls found it interesting how Angel and Spike reacted to the name Adam so they stuck around to see them squirm. Cordelia couldn't believe it when it was Angel who spoke, "So who is Adam?"
Faith smiled at Willow, "Look what you did!"
Willow shook her head and explained, "Just a guy Buffy met that really opened her up to being a 24 year old. They went out a lot. He asked her out, like to be his girlfriend but she said no. They still go out a lot though."
Spike smiled, "What do they do when they go out? Movies, dancing, drinking and then his place?"
Faith laughed out loud again, "More like Buffy's place. I mean you should hear how much Dawn really knows."
It was too hard for Angel to hid his jealousy at a time like this, "So this Adam...He just hit on her at a bar? Is he evil?"
Faith shrugged, "Probably. I mean we all know Buffy likes it evil."
Spike smiled up at Faith, "She's defenitely not the only slayer."
Faith smiled, "That would be true if you were evil right now. You're just another Angel in the world."
Spike actually looked offended, "Hey! I can still be evil you know. Just ebcause I'm not killing people doesn't mean I'm not evil."
That's when Buffy walked intot he room covering her stomach with both arms, "Look what you did Faith. Now he's going to be drinking and swearing the next couple of days until I need someone to take care of me."
All eyes were on Buffy now. Spike couldn't help but laugh, "So, let's see the ring."
Buffy sighed and shook her head, "What? No!"
Angel smiled, "Come on Buffy. It's not like it's some great hidden place."
Buffy shook her head and walked to get her coat on the couch. When she put it on she did it up so you couldn't see anything. "Anybody coming with me?"
Faith jumped up and walked over to her, "I'm with you. Sick and tired of your vampire's questions."
Buffy smiled, "So am I."
Faith grabbed her coat and walked to the door. Buffy stopped at the door too and looked at Angel, "Where are we going Angel?"