Author's Note: Dawn is 16, almost 17. After season 5.
Dawn walked to the living room where everyone were waiting for her, to celebrate her 17th birthday. Everyone except for Faith and Spike were here. Spike had told her that he'll give her his gift when she comes by his crypt later. And Faith...They really hadn't talked much since Faith saw her and Spike together. And Dawn didn't care about that. At least that's what she told herself.
Somehow, this birthday was more boring that the ones before. After getting presents (a beautiful light-blue dress from Tara and Willow, a jewelery box from Xander and Anya and a book on vampires and demons from Giles) she just wanted to go to her room, change clothes and go to Spike's. But instead she had to stay and talk to the other, laugh at the right time and nod when needed.
Dawn looked at the clock and faked a yawn. "It's getting late, and I'm afraid that the birthday-girl is going to bed" she said and stood up. "Thanks, everyone" she added as she hugged everyone. She took her presents and went upstairs to her room.
She put the presents into her closet and then went to her bed. She frowned a little as she saw a purple book on the bed.She sat down onto her bed and picked up the book. She untied the bow on the side and looked in.
Happy Birthday!
I heard from Xander that you burned all of your diaries. And I remember how you loved to write them. I hope you still like purple.
Also, there's a picture of me. I thought you could use a new one.
Faith
Dawn didn't know if she should be angry, sad or happy. The only thing she felt was confusion. Why was Faith doing this to her? Why couldn't she act like a bitch and just ignore Dawn? Why did Faith have to care so damn much? And why did Dawn still have to love her?
She looked at the picture in her hands and sighed a little. She looked at it for a few seconds and then put it next to the diary, onto the bed.
"Spike?" Dawn called as she entered his crypt. This was exactly what she needed. Spike fucking her brains out.
"Pet" Spike said as he walked upstairs, holding a small packet. "Happy birthday" he whispered into her ear as he reached her.
"This for me?" Dawn asked with a smile and took the packet. She opened it and her eyes widened in surprise. "Spike! This is gorgeous" she whispered looking at the silver, half-moon shaped, medallion. The medallion glowed a little. "Thank you, Spike!" She kissed him.
"You're welcome, luv" he whispered and took her to the bed.
Dawn, yet again, limped in from the front door after spending the night at Spike's. Maybe she didn't need Spike fucking her brains out. But she wanted it. And in a way, she did need this. To forget everything.
"Do you think we should tell her? I mean, this is her house" Willow said, looking at the others.
"I think we should wait. It says that Dawn has 30 days to pay the mortgage. We'll get the money" Xander said. "It was her birthday, she doesn't need to know about this"
"Well, I'm not giving any of my money to her" Anya said.
"Guys," Faith started, but was cut off by the front door being slammed shut.
Dawn could not belive this. She sat down onto the stairs and took out her smokes; her hands were shaking. She took one smoke and lit it with a lighter.
"I'll talk to her," Faith said, looking at the others. She walked to the front door and opened it. She looked at Dawn and walked next to her, closing the door at the same time. "You sure you wanna be doing that right now?" she asked. "I'm sure Red and everyone else can see"
"I don't give a fuck what they think or say! They're not my parents. And they think they just can live here, without paying anything! And I'm sure they think that I should come up with the money somehow" Dawn said. tears were rolling down her cheeks and by now her whole body was shaking. "This is my home, I don't want to leave" she whispered.
"I can give you the money" Faith said as she sat down. "The Mayor left me his whole fortune."
"Thanks," Dawn whispered. She didn't mind taking money from Faith. Not right now. She just couldn't loose her home.
"Can I just ask you something?" Faith asked, looking at Dawn.
"You just did" Dawn said and looked at Faith. "but you can ask another one" she added.
"Why do you act so cold around me?" Faith asked, looking at Dawn.
"After you left Boston, I waited for you to call. Or write. Every day I ran to the mailbox first thing in the morning. And every day I came home, I waited at the phone. I did that for 4 months, but you never called or wrote. After that I thought that you had died. But then I came to Sunnydale and found out that you tried to kill my sister and helped the Mayor. You broke my hart, Faith, " Dawn answered. "And nothing what you say or do now can make it better."