"I'm bored," Dawn announced. Ponyboy and Johnny smiled at her. They were too, but they weren't as vocal about it. While the older members of their group were at a bar getting 'wasted out of their minds' as Xander put it, the younger ones were told to 'hold up the fort' (Giles), and 'have cake if they really felt like celebrating' (Dally). The fight against the Socs and demons had just ended, and everyone was in a good mood. The Greasers for finally beating the Socs, and the Scoobies for getting a fight against demons that didn't require a lot of work to dispose of.

Now, the three youngests were gathered in the Curtis living room, ignoring the blaring from the TV. Dawn was laying on her back in the middle of the room, her arms flung out on either side of her body and her hair fanned out around her head. Johnny was stretched out across the couch, playing with a string that had come loose from his jacket. Ponyboy was curled up in an armchair, trying to read a book Mr. Giles had recommended to him.

"What are you doing?" Dawn asked Ponyboy.

"Reading."

"Watcha reading?"

"I'm not sure yet. I guess it's okay, but it doesn't seem to be keeping my interest."

"Did Mr. Giles tell you about it?"

"Yeah."

"Then I would suggest that you give up on it now. He may have been a librarian when Buffy went to high school, but no one ever really read anything anyways. He's way out of it when it comes to books that high-schoolers would like."

"Do you read?"

"Sometimes, yeah. Usually in between apocalypses. So usually right when school begins. Then we learn about the newest Big Bad, and we spend the rest of the year trying to figure out how to destroy it."

"Wow… I doubt your teachers really believe you about that, though."

"Yeah. Try telling your math teacher that you didn't have time to do the assignment because you were busy researching which kinds of demons flay their victims, and how they dispose of the skins. Oh, and it was necessary that you do that so your older sister and guardian isn't killed when she tries to kill aforementioned demon."

"Wow…"

"I actually kinda like school… When I go… What about you?"

"It's okay. I mean, I really like learning. I just don't really like having classes with the Socs."

"I don't blame you there. They seem like major jerks."

Johnny smiled as he watched the other two. During their conversation, they had been slowly moving toward each other, both unaware they were doing it. The smaller boy could see the sparks coming off those two. It was really too bad they lived in different eras. Then he thought to himself some more about that. Technically they weren't in different eras at that moment, and it's not like them holding hands or kissing was going to change the course of the future… Johnny tuned back into the conversation, smiling.

"And mom and Buffy are both totally into the responsibility thing, but then, they both have reason to be."

"Why's that?"

"Mom grew up in a rough neighborhood, and she was always looking out for her brother, even if he was a little older, she was way better at being the caretaker. Buffy's been saving the world since she was, like, fifteen."

"Wow. There isn't stuff like that in my family. I mean, mom and Darry were always going on about being responsible, and they're always so serious! And Dad and Soda were always real laid-back and happy. It was like nothing could ever get either of them down."

"What about you?"

"I'm – as they told me – the dreamer. I'm the one who was always in his own mind."

"It's safer in your mind than in the real world."

"Yeah, but sometimes it's more dangerous to stay in your world."

"That's why we have to find the happy medium."

"Would ya'll just kiss already?" Johnny suddenly blurted out. Both Pony and Dawn blushed crimson at his words and began choking. "C'mon. It's clear to me and the living room that you like each other. That don't happen too often. Take it when you can, 'cause we don't know when Dawn and her family'll be goin' home."

Dawn and Ponyboy exchanged a shy look and looked away again quickly, both still blushing. Johnny rolled his eyes, smiling, and left the room, mumbling something about looking for the chocolate milk. When he was out of sight of the other two, he turned back around and peeked around the corner of the room. He grinned when Dawn and Ponyboy leaned a little closer to each other, and their lips briefly touched, causing both of them to jump back and laugh quietly. He shook his head and headed back to the kitchen, intent on the chocolate milk.

oxoxoxoxoxoxo

A/N: Well? I now have a little romance in there, too. Yay for me! I tried to put more emphasis on the inter-group relationships. I think that's the right word for it. Please review and let me know what you thought of this.

Thanks to...

Tensleep: That's Buffy for you... Of course, she normally has a 'no figthing humans' rule... but for my purposes, she's forgotten! Thanks for the review, and I could just see him asking, instead of anyone else!

sweetypie15: Thanks! Just don't expect them this quick in the future...

cowgirlnm-1: It's answering... But it's also a surprise... I know, but it hurts to be overstressed and have someone say/write something like that... I'm over it now... That was my first yell-at-a-reviewer thing! My friends would be so proud! Thanks for writing something I could respond to. I like answering questions and chatting in the review/thank you area. Just ask Tensleep.