Dawn found the actual sneaking out part to be fairly easy...easier than she had originally anticipated. It would have been next to impossible if Buffy had been around and Dawn was grateful for that particular reprieve. As it was, Willow slept like a log and Xander and Anya had both gone home to their respective apartments.

She caught the cab that was waiting for her around the corner and arrived at the bus station just in time. Once she was on the bus, she was able to heave a sigh of relief. The ride itself went fairly smoothly. They lived within fairly close proximity to Los Angeles and it was about one thirty to two in the morning by the time the bus reached its destination.

Dawn was nervous as she stepped off the bus and into the L.A. bus station. It was definitely a different world here than it was in Sunnydale and for the first time since Dawn had hatched the plan, she was unsure of her next move. What if she couldn't find Buffy? What if Willow didn't answer the phone when she called? Where would she stay for the night?

Heading to the pay phone, she proceeded to call home. Her worst fears were indeed confirmed when the phone continued to ring and ring until the answering machine clicked in and Buffy's voice could be heard saying they weren't home and asking the caller to leave a message.

"Willow?" She said into the machine, feeling like a complete dork as she did so. She hated talking to answering machines, as did most people. "Don't be mad at me...I'm in L.A. I wanted to help Buffy. The only problem is...I don't know where she is. Did she call you with the hotel she was at? If so, I need you to call me and tell me where it is. I have my cell phone. Please call me as soon as you get this Will...it's really dark here. Bye."

Hanging up the phone, she checked her pockets to see how much money she had. It wasn't enough for a room for the night by a long shot.

"What am I going to do?" She whispered to herself. She had to find Buffy. But where could she look? She didn't know the city and Buffy could be anywhere. She would be patrolling, that much was certain...but where? Daycares. The monster liked to attack children.

Going on her only possible lead, Dawn proceeded to look up every possible daycare center in the phone book that was attached to the payphone. She would search every single one if necessary. It was doubtful that the demon would attack an empty daycare center, given that the place was closed at two in the morning, but it was the only lead she had. Sighing, she hailed a cab and gave the cabbie the address of the first daycare.

She searched for Buffy for an hour and half before she began to panic. Daylight would be here soon and she hadn't had any luck in her search, nor heard a thing from Willow.

Cutting through a nearby ally, she headed towards an all night donut shop she could see in the distance. She hadn't realized it, but she was suddenly incredibly hungry. As soon as she got into the ally way however, she felt a shadow behind her and knew immediately it wasn't human. Turning, she faced the vampire with a false bravado that would have impressed even the fiercest of creatures.

"Leave me alone." She said sternly, using her best 'Buffy voice'. The demon only grinned maniacally.

"Why? You were the one that came in here little girl. You asked to be eaten. Only a fool would enter a dark ally way alone."

"And only a fool would assume that I am unable to protect myself." She retorted firmly. "You think you can take me? I dare you to try."

"With pleasure," the vampire replied as he advanced on her. She gulped in fear, silently cursing the fact that he had called her bluff. Buffy had trained her to fight, but she still wasn't sure that she was strong enough to defeat this creature all on her own and this time her sister wasn't around to bail her out right in the nick of time. I'm going to die right here in this ally! She thought sadly. I'm so sorry Buffy!

The demon lunged forward and Dawn reacted managing to grab the lapel of his jacket and throw him over her shoulder. She then followed through with the move as Buffy had taught her, by kicking the creature with all her might, pulling him to his feet and punching him in the face to disorientate him. In his confusion, she managed to knee him in the groin, avoid a punch to the face and knock the wind out of him with a blow to the stomach.

She was feeling fairly confident until he grabbed her by the arm, twisted her around and threw her to the ground. She recovered, and leapt to her feet, dodging a blow meant for the chest and returning the favour with a series of blows to the face and stomach.

The vampire retaliated by shoving her into a wall, and kicking her in the face as she turned to fight back. Blood began to ooze down the side of her face and she saw spots before her eyes as another blow managed to catch her in the stomach. Sinking to her knees, the vampire zeroed in for the kill. Dawn shut her eyes tightly anticipating her approaching death with fear and despair.

It didn't come. Instead, the vampire turned to dust before his fangs could pierce her flesh. Blinking in surprise, she looked up right into the eyes of her saviour.

He was young, only about her age...perhaps a bit older. He had shoulder length dark brown hair, a grim mouth and beautiful eyes. He was dressed in tattered clothing, but very handsome despite the rags. Dawn smiled as he helped her up.

"Are you OK?" His voice was stiff, as if he didn't know how to communicate with people yet. She nodded.

"Thanks a lot. I thought I was a goner for sure."

"You shouldn't be in an ally way at night. It's where they live." His voice was reproachful and Dawn bristled slightly at his tone.

"I'm not an idiot. And I know how to take care of myself." She replied haughtily. He smiled ever so slightly.

"I know. I saw you fighting him. You did pretty well."

Now she found herself smiling, as well as swelling with pride at his compliment.

"I had a good teacher." She told him. "What's your name?"

"Connor." The boy replied. "You?"

"Dawn Summers." She said. "Listen, how did you know how to do that? How do you even know about vampires?"

"I come from a very knowledgeable family." Was his cryptic reply. "Do you have somewhere to go?"

"Not really," she admitted, slightly embarrassed. "I came to L.A. looking for my sister. I haven't managed to find her yet."

"You'll stay with me then." Connor decided. He began to walk out of the ally way and Dawn had to hurry to catch up with him.

"Are you sure? I don't want to cause you any more trouble."

"You stay out here and you'll be vampire food in no time. You can stay with me while you look for your sister."

"Thanks a lot." She said, smiling as she matched his stride. She knew she should be wary. She didn't know anything about this guy after all. He could easily be a mass murderer, a serial rapist or both. Still, despite that she felt safe with him. It wasn't a feeling she could define and right now it didn't matter.

Connor stared at the girl beside him out of the corner of his eye, with extreme curiosity. He had never met anyone, outside of his father's little gang of evil fighters who was able to hold their own against a vampire, especially not one so young and small.

She was beautiful. Connor hadn't had much experience with women, but that much was clearly obvious. Normally, he wouldn't even have bothered to speak with her after saving her. He generally saved his victims, then disappeared. Their gratitude irked him. Somehow, after spending his entire life in Quartoth, he found people who were unable to defend themselves irritating. He might save them, but he never stopped to chat...until now.

Part of him acknowledged the fact that she wasn't like the others. Although he had indeed saved her from that particular vampire, Connor knew she wasn't helpless liked the others. She had thanked him, but it was a thanks out of sincere gratitude and not blubbering relief.

He wanted to know more about her. He wanted to learn all about her, and yet he couldn't think of a thing to say. He led her to his place in silence, wishing he had the verbal capabilities that everyone else who grew up in this dimension seemed to have. He grimaced as he motioned for her to the hovel he was now living in.