I think we're slipping,
slipping away.
Once we've settled down will we ever get bored?
No, I don't think we'll ever get bored.

Chapter Three: The Magic Corner

The Paris afternoon was long gone and busy shoppers along the street found their ways to appealing restaurants in order to settle down for their evening's meal.

Buffy and Dawn sat outside together at the Café Du Jour sipping cappuccinos and finishing up their dinner. While Buffy was engrossed in Don DeLillo's Underworld, Dawn stared blankly at her half-empty plate of pasta.

Dawn took in a breath and lazily announced, "Buffy, I'm gonna go look around," while rising to her feet. "Hmm?" Buffy questioned as she tore away her gaze from the last few words of a sentence, "You mean in the café?" "Uhh.. no. I was thinking more like in the street." Buffy stared at her sister with an expressionless face, then blinked. "Oh come on Buffy! It's not like Sunnydale. Besides I can handle myself." Dawn mumbled out the last sentence casting her gaze to the side; away from Buffy. Buffy looked back at her book not really reading it; just for the purpose of needing to do something while she thought. Without looking up Buffy told Dawn, "Fine. Just be back in 15." Dawn turned and walked eagerly towards the shops nearby.

--

Spike and Dru had finally arrived in Paris from the French coast. They inhabited a nice old Victorian house that also belonged to a nice old Victorian couple. Convinced that the vampire duo were new neighbors, the elderly woman invited them in, unaware of her soon-to-be death.

Spike didn't very much like the taste of the elderly. He considered them too bitter and stale. After Dru's quick snack, the couple situated themselves inside the house, checking the rooms for anyone else who might be living in. Satisfied his Princess would be safe inside, Spike put on his leather duster, ready to go out. Dru looked up from the porcelain doll she was playing with, which had been found in the old woman's room. "Spike, are you leaving me?" Spike started towards her and replied, "Course not ducks, just going out for a bit," then wrapped his arms around her. "Look. I've named her Miss Edith. Isn't she pretty?" "Not as beautiful as you, pet. Now, stay inside this house, Dru. Don't want any nasties getting their digits on you. You're still weak." "Shh… that's not what pixies are for." Spike shook Dru slightly to get her attention. "Hey, luv, you hear me? You'll be alright yea?" "Miss Edith will keep me company. Go on my Spike, I promise to stay." "Right then. Be back soon." And with that Spike left the house and made his way down the street into town.

On his way, he passed many fine Paris ladies, most of whom gave him suggestive looks and winks of appreciation. Spike reached to get a cigarette, but remembered he had run out. "Bullocks. Knew I forgot something." He stopped at a local liquor store and bought a pack of Marlboros. As soon as he was outside again, he lit a cigarette and continued without stopping the rest of the way. Once he saw the shop sign The Magic Corner, he turned to go inside.

"Oi! Watch it mate. M'walking here." Someone who was obviously in a hurry ran into Spike, also managing to drop their purchases. Spike heard the person mumble an obliged, "sorry". He looked up to find a rather-tall-for-her-age girl with long brown hair. She had to be no older than 16 maybe 17. Her eyes stay trained to the ground as she bit her bottom lip. Spike paused to think about all the fun he could have with this one, before remembering why he was there in the first place. He took one last glance at the girl before walking in.

--

Dawn walked along the street staring at each display window along the way. Paris boutiques were different from the Sunnydale mall that Dawn had grown so acquainted with. Here, everything looked like it was handled with critical care, down to every last detail. She was tempted to go inside, but with the limited time and money she had, Dawn knew she wouldn't be buying anything; at least not from these stores. Then in an alley off to the side, she saw a sign that read The Magic Corner. Dawn looked back in the direction of the café she had left Buffy in, then separated from the main street and made a beeline for the store.

When Dawn walked in, she was met with the aroma of incense burning. There were shelves of books to the side and various other things displayed in jars or on tables. Dawn chose to check out the books first.

She skimmed along the shelves, glancing at each intriguing title. Lover's Vengeance, Paris Potions & More, The Many Uses of Aged Kelp, Spells for the Magically Challenged, etc. One book caught Dawn's attention. It was a deep black instead of the moldy brown color all the other books were. Also it was narrower and the pages were lined in silver. Dawn slid the book out of its spot in between So You Want to Be a Witch? and There's No Magic Like Dark Magic. She turned the book over looking at the cover and found the title written in silver letters: Survival of the Key. Dawn's brow furrowed as she turned to the contents page of the book. Chapter titles like Forging of the Key, Powers and Uses, Recent Sightings, were listed on the page.

"Miss can I help you?" Dawn jumped at the deep voice that came from just behind her. She turned around and found a middle-aged man who was nearly bald with deep wrinkles around his eyes. "Uhh… yes. I think I'd like to buy this book." Dawn held up the book and the store owner glanced at it suspiciously before breaking into a 'salesman smile' that was all too fake to fool anyone. "Of course. Follow me." Dawn followed the man to the cash register where he rang her up. "$17.86" Dawn dug into her pockets hoping she still had that extra $20. To her relief, she had enough cash and gratefully accepted the change and bag the store owner handed her. "Thank you for your purchase young lady," he said adding in his 'car salesman smile'. Dawn returned a small smile and checked the clock above the register. Shit. She had been gone for over 20 minutes. She hurried towards the exit while trying to stuff the change in her pocket.

As soon as she got outside she collided with someone who had a surprisingly strong stature, which caused her to drop her bag and change. Coins skidded everywhere and Dawn could feel a flush of embarrassment creeping up into her cheeks. "Oi! Watch it mate. M'walking here." Great. This stranger also had a hot English accent, further raising the level of embarrassment Dawn felt as she tried to pick up her coins as fast as she could. When she stood back up, she stole a glance in the man's direction and noticed his bleach blonde hair before averting her eyes downward; then mumbled a quick "sorry" as she hurried toward the main street, book in tow.

Tell me if you guys actually like this stuff cause I can't really judge it or else I'd think myself conceited. Anyways thanks for reading this far.

-dee