Chapter Two - Always the Bridesmaid ...

True to her word Dawn set Olivia up with a first class round trip ticket to Cleveland for the following Tuesday. Despite a few pointed e-mails Dawn still had not told her which one of her friends was getting married.

Olivia got off the plane and made her way to the baggage claim area where Dawn said she would meet her. She was looking around when she heard a familiar voice from behind her.

"Olivia!"

Olivia turned and saw Dawn Summers coming up behind her.

"Hey Dawn," She said. "How are you doing?"

"Doing great," Dawn said. "I got into town yesterday. How was your flight?"

"This is the first time I've ever flown first class and the first time I've ever been disappointed about a short plane ride," Olivia replied. "You really didn't have to spring for a first class seat."

"I try and do well by my friends when I can," Dawn said. "How much luggage have you got?"

"I'm only staying until Friday," Olivia replied. "So I packed light."

"That doesn't help me very much," Dawn said. "Buffy's definition of 'light' usually means a minimum of five pieces of luggage."

"I packed one suitcase and garment bag for my dress," Olivia replied with a smile.

"Then I guess the SUV was overkill for picking you up," Dawn said. "No big, more room to stretch out."

"Is anyone else coming in today?" Olivia asked. "I don't mind staying here if it means saving you an extra trip to the airport later."

"The London contingent came in with me yesterday," Dawn replied. "Robin and Faith aren't flying back from Rio until tomorrow and one of the girls will pick them up. You're the only arrival today."

"So what hotel have you booked me into?" Olivia asked. "The local equivalent of the Waldorf?"

"Not quite," Dawn replied with a twinkle in her eye. "Let's get your things and head back to the Foundation."

"Fine by me," Olivia said.

After picking up the bags, Dawn led Olivia back to the SUV and the two got onto the interstate to drive to the Jenny Calendar Foundation.

After about an hour, Dawn turned off the interstate and they entered a rather nice suburb. A couple of deft turns and they were driving down a road. On one side was a park and on the other a ten foot tall red brick wall topped with a short metal railing that had rather lethal looking spikes on top. Olivia wasn't certain, but it looked like every other spike was made of wood.

Dawn turned into the entrance. A large metal gate blocked their path. Dawn brought the SUV to a stop and rolled down her window. She pulled out a card and slipped it into a security scanner and then punched in a code. The gate opened.

"Tight security for a private foundation," Olivia noted.

"Sometimes not quite tight enough," Dawn mumbled under her breath.

Olivia looked over the complex as Dawn pulled the SUV into one the parking spaces marked 'reserved.'

"This place almost looks like a high school," she said.

"Up until three and a half years ago that's what it was," Dawn said. "The building over there has the gym and pool. That one houses the library. The main building has the cafeteria and classrooms and admin offices. We're still doing renovations in some areas. We converted the classrooms on the third floor into apartments and dorms. They're actually quite comfortable. Xander out did himself. You'll be staying with Buffy and me in one of them. I hope you don't mind."

"I'm sure it will be fine," Olivia said getting out of the truck. Dawn popped open the back and was about to grab the luggage when a young girl who looked about fifteen ran up.

"I'll get those Dawn," the girl said.

"Thanks Janie," Dawn said. "But shouldn't you be in class about now?"

"Buffy's teaching," Janie replied. "Robin is coming back tomorrow right?"

"Yes he is," Dawn replied. "But not until late afternoon and you know how he and Faith are after a long plane ride. He won't be teaching classes until Friday. You've got two more days of Buffy. Now get going. I can take care of this stuff. Buffy's even harder on people when they're late. She usually picks them to be her sparring partner."

"Alright I'm gone," the girl moved off at a quick jog towards the gym.

"This place is a school?" Olivia asked. "I thought you guys monitored cults here."

"That's one of the things we do," Dawn said. "We also teach self-defense courses and other things to young women. Come on I'll take you up to our room and after you get settled in I'll show you around."

"Fine," Olivia said.

They walked into the main entrance and Olivia saw a bustle of activity. It was few seconds before she realized that most of the people were young women, ranging in ages from around fifteen to their mid to late twenties. One the women walked up to Dawn.

"Everybody knows. You've got a clear path," the girl said. "I'll tell Ms Winters you're back."

"Thanks Mags," Dawn said. "Tell her we'll be ready in about five minutes."

"Gotcha."

Olivia was starting to get suspicious. "Ok, what was that about?"

"Just a little surprise for the wedding," Dawn said with smile. "Come on," Dawn led Olivia to an elevator and took her up to the third floor. When they got out of the elevator Olivia looked around. The hallway still looked like a high school's. All that was missing were the lockers lining the walls. Dawn led her to door at the far end. The usual classroom door had been replaced with a more traditional looking door.

Dawn opened the door and led Olivia inside. Olivia had to acknowledge Dawn's comment about the rooms looking comfortable. The classroom had been partitioned. She had walked into a large seating/office/dining area. The chairs looked comfy and well worn. She saw two doors in along the partition.

"The doors lead to the bedrooms. Buffy and I are sharing that one. You have the other one all to yourself," Dawn said. "Do you want to get unpacked now?"

"I can do most of my unpacking tonight," Olivia said. "But I really should get my dress hung up. I don't want it to get too wrinkled before the wedding."

"Don't worry about that," Dawn said. The smile on her face started to get larger. "You won't be needing it. We'll fit you for your Bridesmaid dress tomorrow."

"Bridesmaid?" Olivia said in shock. "Since when did I become a bridesmaid?!?"

"Since I decided I didn't want to get married without my best friend being here," came a voice from the door.

Olivia knew that voice. It had been months, but she knew that voice. She spun around and froze.

"Alex?"