A/N: You know that dreamy state you get in after like 5 hours at the beach? Well, I'm in it right now, and it's wonderful to just write! I'd like to thank Daybreak for bringing the idea to my attention.

Ch. 15- Don't You Love Me?

"Thank you, and have a nice day" the florist smiled as Connor walked out of the little flower shop.

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"Finished." Dawn exhaled as she closed her eyes, basking in the glory of finishing her English paper.

Dawn looked up to see Buffy coming in with a brilliant smile.

"And why are we so Smiley McSmiles-a-lot today?" Dawn asked.

"Because, dear sister, I have found me an apartment! These flyers were all over." Buffy pulled out a paper and handed it to dawn.

"This is great Buffy. Finally, a room to my own again." Dawn joked.

"Hey, I don't know if I trust you alone anymore, not after the position I saw you and Connor in last night," Buffy smiled, then seeing Dawn's now sunken expression, apologized, "Oh, I'm sorry Dawn, I should have known it's way too soon to talk about it."

"Naw," the brunette tried to shrug off her glum expression, "Not a problem. Really."

Dawn saw she was obviously not convincing Buffy, let alone herself.

"I'm going for a walk."

"When will you be back?" asked Buffy.

"Oh, soon. Just going to get some air. Been writing this paper all day. It's in the printer if you wanna take a look."

"Well, Okay," Buffy approved, "But be back soon! I want to tell you all about this apartment!"

"Alright. Bye."

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Dawn was a mess, and she knew it. Her paper might have distracted her today, but what about tomorrow? And the next day? And right now, as she was sitting on the curb?

She closed her eyes, and kept on replaying last night in her head. The highs and the lows. Her thoughts kept coming back to those kisses. Those amazing kisses.

"Connor…" she whispered to herself, almost pleading to nobody for him.

Dawn opened her eyes, now realizing the tears running down her cheeks.

Suddenly, she heard a voice from behind, "Aw, what's the matter, little girl?"

She turned around, then gasped, as she saw the toothy vampire towering over her. Dawn sprang up, then dug her fingers through her purse looking for a stake.

"You're real pretty," the beast advanced closer, as Dawn began to panic.

'Come on, Dawnie. You've killed tons of these.' She kept on telling herself.

Finally she found the stake in her bag, and slowly lifted her arm up.

She screamed as she moved the stake towards the vampire's heart, but her wrist was caught by the surprisingly strong arms of him.

"Oh come on, little girl. Is that the best you've got?" He grinned, wrapped his arms tightly around her waist, and leaned into her neck.

Dawn whimpered, "Please."

"Dawn!" A voice yelled from the other side of the street.

Connor pushed the vampire out of the way and tackled him to the ground.

"Stake!" he commanded Dawn, and she tossed him the wood.

He pushed the stake through the vamp's heart, and cleaned the dust off his clothes, then, remembering his company, swiveled around to see the gorgeous woman behind him.

"Are you alright?" He asked, not knowing what else to say.

"I'm fine. Thank you." Dawn began to walk away.

Connor's heart sank, "That's it? 'I'm fine. Thank you'?"

"What else am I supposed to say, Connor?"

"Well, I don't know. I just…where are we, Dawn?"

"Buffy's waiting for me." She turned again.

Connor grabbed her wrist and pulled her back, "I think she can wait 5 minutes."

"Let go of me."

"Why are you doing this?"

"Because of that!" Dawn pointed to the pile of dust below their feet.

"Dawn," Connor pulled her closer, "Look into my eyes, Dawn."

Dawn couldn't help but follow his command, she was helpless.

"This can't be what this is about. And if it is, it is the stupidest thing I've ever heard!"

"You know how it is, Connor. You want to be normal too."

"Why can't we be abnormal together?"

"We just can't!"

"Why?"

"Because!"

"Dawn! I love you!"

Dawn looked up into Connor's beautiful eyes.

"What?"

"I said-I love you." He repeated softer, and leaned into her lips.

Dawn shook off his grip and backed away, "Look, I just can't do this."

"But why!"

Her eyes refused to meet hers.

"Don't you love me, Dawn?"

She turned her now tear stricken face, and walked away from his.

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A/N: Sorry for the bad chapter title. I hope it didn't suck. Reviews? Oh! It feels good to be back!