A/N: Sorry for the wait. I have been going though some stuff that has just made me depressed and sad and i just didn't feel like doing anything. But i am now trying to get myself out of that rut and will hopefully start updating more often. In the mean time please just be patient with me. Thanks for sticking with the story and with me through all my crazy events that occur in my life. Anyway, Here's the 2nd part to "The Ball," hope you enjoy!!!

Chapter 15

(The Ball Part Two)

Dawn had walked in with Lauren And William followed. She sensed many eyes on her . But two sets of gazes stuck out the most.. She could feel Williams gaze, that sent tingles to her belly. And the gaze of Angelus. The very gaze that had made her want to puck, 3 years ago, when Angel had lost his soul. She silently swore to herself, but let nothing show of her uneasiness to the people she was meeting and greeting. But in the back of her mind that vampires, especially the three in question, could tell everything that you were feeling just by sharpening there senses. There was no need for them to even have to look at you. She also knew how Angelus functioned, she would have to be on her guard tonight, but not so much that the people around her would notice. That was the one good thing that came from being the slayers sister. You learned to disguise your feelings, whether it was to keep a secret or to keep you alive.

After some time into the ball, Dawn and William, were sitting down and having a conversation, when all of the sudden Cecile came over. "William?" 'She was surprised to see him apparently.' Dawn thought to herself. 'Or maybe it's because he hasn't been following her around all evening. Oh my god her and Cordelia could find so many things to talk about, for that I am sure.' After a moment Dawn realized what she had said. 'Oh my word, I am becoming an 1880 London Lady. Oh how I miss MTV.' Dawn secretly sighed to herself, but then smiled when she heard William. "Cecile." William acknowledged her politely. 'About bloody time!' Dawn heard a voice, that sounded suspiciously like Spike, in the back of her mind, as she witnessed William completely ignore Cecile. Dawn remembered stories Spike had told her about how much of a bitch Cecile could be to William. Which meant that, right off the bat Dawn didn't like her. Dawn felt like she was could do a victory dance, which she did, internally of course, at the look on Cecile's face as William turned back to her. " I would not become to friendly with him. He will follow you around everywhere you go. And write this god awful poetry that "expresses his feelings" for you." Cecile said snootily to Dawn. Dawn, in turn, mentally rolled her eyes. 'oh yeah, because the guys in the 21st century open up so much. And having a guy who actually talks to you is such a bad thing , because?' Dawn smirked at William and then turned to Cecile. "Do tell me Cecile, Why would a kind man following me around all the time be such a tragic occurrence?" Dawn asked innocently. Cecile looked at Dawn like she was ready to explode. She glared at Dawn and turned on her heal and walked away in a huff.

William looked between Cecile and a smirking Dawn . " I assumed I have missed something?" Dawn chuckled and nodded. "She is what my sister calls "The Cordelias." Girls who enjoy attention even if the attention is from someone they treat rather meanly. As long as they are the center of the attention, or at least they think they are." William smiled at her, what she said made perfect sense. And he made up his mind then and there.

William pulled out a small box from his pocket. When Dawn gave him a confused look, he opened the box and revealed a cross, made of Dark green jewels and gold casings and a gold necklace. Dawn gasped when she saw it. "My father gave this to my mother when he asked if he could court her. She gave it to me after he died and told me to give this to the woman I wished to court. -- Dawn Summers, would you allow me to court you?" He asked her nervously. Dawn smiled a watery smile at him and nodded. "Yes, William. Yes, you may court me." William smiled and removed the necklace from its case. Dawn turned around and let him clasp the necklace, as she gently lifted her long hair. When she turned around she smiled at William and held his hand.

Lauren saw the two from across the room. It was in this moment she was thrilled she had decided to get Dawn the light, pearl green, colored dress. The necklace matched the dress fabulously. As she watched the two together she was reminded of how much they reminded her of herself and her late husband, Nathaniel, when they had first fallen in love. In that moment she saw Nathaniel appear and look at his son and his girl. He smiled at them. Then he looked straight at her and nodded with a loving smile. And just as he disappeared she heard him say, "Do watch out for them Lauren. They were made for each other. But they have one hell of a journey ahead of them."

Lauren nodded in a silent understanding of what her husband had meant. She, however, did not know that the very minute she agreed the powers changed a small piece of her that would change a lot of things to come. She smiled sadly but happily at the same time as she said a silent prayer for him. The rest of the night she mingled and watched her son and the girl who would soon be her daughter-in-law, laugh and truly enjoy each others company. But most of all she saw the love in their eyes that was directed to the other.

That night when they got back to the house William escorted Dawn to her room and kissed her goodnight. Dawn happily returned the kiss. After William left Dawn to prepare for bed and some sleep, Dawn smiled to herself and fingered her necklace. She had done it. William hadn't been turned into a vampire and she wasn't going home anytime soon. She was home. Here with her new family and new boyfriend. "Don't worry about me Buff. I'm safe and loved. I miss all of you . But someday when I am ready I'll find my way back to you guys." And with that Dawn fell asleep.

A/N: And for being so patient and wonderful, i will tell you that even though right now it sounds as though this will be a Dawn and William story, it is going to end in a Dawn and Spike relationship. so to all my dawn/william fans enjoy it while its here cause dawn will be reunited with spike eventually.

thanks JenaMariano