The Scoobies had just arrived in New York and were already annoyed by all the traffic in the big city. San Francisco was busy but nothing compared to this, this was almost unbelievable. Xander might have actually believed he was dreaming if he knew that demons and vampires didn't exist. He was uneasy about setting out to find Buffy after all this time, he knew Dawn was too, she had hardly said a word since the topic 'Buffy' arose. He wasn't sure what was said outside but he was sure that Buffy had said some hurtful things and then to top it all off had slapped her, not a gentle slap but a full slayer strength slap. Dawn was upset for weeks afterwards until ofcourse the time came for the end battle. Then they had all got in gear.
They might not have made it if Angel had not turned up with the Scythe, he had said that he had got a message from a source mentioning the first and hellmouth, he had put two and two together and got over here. On his way had found the vineyard, had fisty cuffs, found the Scythe and headed over to the Summer's house. He had played an important part, as much as it hurt Xander to say.
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Willow sat at her laptop computer in the living room of the house that the scoobies had rented to share whilst they stayed in New York. She was looking for any traces of Buffy. The watchers council had told them that they were 100 sure that this was where she was. She looked up from her screen when she noticed Dawn sitting on the couch.
"Hey Dawnie, what you doing?" Willow asked in a curious tone. Dawn had been awfully quiet.
"Oh, me uh nothing. Just thinking…about Buffy and stuff. It's weird knowing that I'll see her again. You know?" Dawn asked, Willow could tell that Dawn was hoping she would feel the same way. She didn't but agreed anyway.
"Ok, I think I got something guys. Look I was walking through town and look what I picked up." Faith said throwing a figure into their living room.
"Spike? What are you doing here?" Willow asked shocked to find him in New York, he had always said he liked smaller towns. The bait was easier. A thought suddenly ran through her mind, did he still have his soul?
"You know me Red, never miss a thing. What are you doing here? I chose to settle here for a while, liked the scenery. Last I heard you were settling in little ol San Francisco. What happened?" He replied studying his surroundings.
"Don't pay dumb with us Spike…Where is she? Or do I have to dust you?" Faith threatened.
"Why should I bloody well tell you? She left Sunnydale because of you, you betrayed her. I might know something but I won't tell you lot. Especially not now." Spike said looking at the gang.
"Fine have it your way. I'll dust ya, you are just a monster after all." Faith said taking a step towards him.
"Monster? I think you guys should take a look at yourselves, I wasn't the one that turned my back on her when things got tough and there wasn't someone to blame. Ask yourself, Dawn, who is the real monster? Besides, Faith…did you get them through it without a single casualty?" Faith looks down. "Didn't think so. Bye pet, hope to not see you around soon." He said he turned to leave. When Faith stepped in his way. She smirked. He just punched her and threw her out of the way. He left.
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Spike was furious, Buffy didn't need this not with the little one on the way. Not now. He could guess why they were trying to find her, 'the titans'. She didn't need that, she was already stressed it wasn't good for the little nipper. They were so selfish, those humans only wanted her back for one thing and one thing only…Slaying. If only they knew what she did for them, all of them.
She had lost and risked her life time and time again for them and they were still ungrateful. They probably used the words 'ditcher' and 'traitor' frequently when discussing her when really that was what she should call them.
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It only took the gang a few days to track Buffy down she was living in a house a couple of blocks away from their rented one. On Saturday evening they got into a cab and headed over there. Tonight was when they were going to confront her for the first time in six years…
Buffy had only just got home from working at the law firm, she was exhausted. Tyler was in bed and Cole had gone to collect their Chinese take away. She was going to have a relaxing weekend, tomorrow they were going to go to the park and feed the ducks with Tyler and then they were going to visit Cole's sister. She had been over the moon when they told her that Buffy was pregnant again and engaged. This weekend was going to be bliss.
Suddenly the door bell rang and she sighed, it couldn't be Cole, he had a key. She made her way slowly towards the door, pausing to check her appearance in the mirror. She was wearing a relaxing pair of jeans, a white tank top with her black jacket tied around her waist. She opened the door to see five old friends on her doorstep.
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Ten Minutes later the scooby gang and Buffy were all sat in her living room with tea. Dawn sat uncomfortably on the three seater sofa, there weren't enough seats for everyone so Buffy was stood just inside the room but mainly in the doorway to the hall. She hadn't said anything apart from offering them something to drink. They, much to Giles' dismay, had opted for tea. Dawn hadn't told the group what she had unwisely said to Buffy, she was afraid they would hate her. Just like Buffy did. She was sure of it.
"So are we just going to sit here? Reminisce about past times or are you going to get down to the real reason you're here? Which I'm sure will seem like a waste of time when you actually spit it out." She finally got too impatient. "Or we could play with the nice and wait till we all get bored. Up to you." She told them. 'Yeah, she hates me.' Dawn thought glumly.
"Buffy, we need your help. The watchers council tells us we need your help, even though you have been inactive for several years. Now lets leave the past in the past. There is a group of vampires in San Francisco that are trying to raise a demon god---" Giles was cut off.
"So that's what they are doing…." She hadn't meant to say that out loud, Dawn could tell.
"You mean you knew there was a threat and you did nothing? I mean leaving during the battle with the first was bad enough but come on Buf!" Xander yelled getting up from where he was. "Wasn't betraying us once bad enough?"
"I did not betray you! I remember being attacked—" She was cut off by Faith.
"Fine maybe we are even on the betraying front but you had no right to lay one finger on Dawn." Dawn looked up at this, she hadn't told them. Buffy and her made eye contact for the first time. Realisation was in her eyes, she knew Dawn had lied. "Well any explanation B?" Faith pressed. Buffy looked down at her feet and crossed her arms.
"I know, I thought it was you not Dawn. I turned and couldn't stop in time. It was an accident, I didn't mean to. Sorry, Dawn for that." She actually lied for her, they might have been a little easier on her if she had told the truth but she had lied.
"No excuses Buffy, we need your help are you going to give it?" Willow stood up to.
"Uh, I won't leave NY, but I'll give you something, one thing for old times sake. For research…it'll help. The group is called 'the titans', go to this address, it is a demon bar. Ask for Jeff, tell them Anne sent you." She told them writing down an address and passing it to Faith. "I never left the game, no matter what." She said.
"Buffy, we can't leave without you. We need you, what is keeping you here? Nothing, come with us help, you got friends and family in our group." Dawn pleaded. She loved her sister she only just found her again and didn't want her to leave again.
"I can't Dawnie, I might have family but I don't have friends, they made their feelings clear. So did you, I'm dangerous to be around, I make mistakes." Buffy said and smiled.
"No your not…" Dawn was cut off.
"Remember when mum died, I know I felt lost, my world felt like crashing down. If I come with you I will end up fighting and I might die, I can't risk it. Not with Tyler, he needs me. I got family here too, and they need me more, your grown up Dawnie." Buffy told her sister. They didn't notice the front door open.
"Love, what's going on?" Cole asked…
Well that's all, I'll update soon. Please tell me what you think. Please READ/REVIEW/CRITICISE!