"How did it go?" Dawn asked as Connor exited Angel's office. The two of them seemed visibly more relaxed, giving Dawn the immediate impression that the two of them had finally made progress at long last.

"We talked." Connor told her. He had never been one for long speeches, and Dawn was beginning to figure this out. "I think we'll be OK eventually."

"I'm so glad Connor," she said gratefully. Connor was no longer looking at her, but rather at Angel who strode purposefully towards Wesley. The two of them talked softly for a moment and then Connor looked back to Dawn and smiled yet again. She retaliated quizzically, wondering just what was going on.

"If I am right, then Angel just basically groveled at Wes' face for forgiveness and the two of them are attempting to rebuild their friendship right now."

"You're really changed, you know that?" Dawn asked him, her voice reflecting the awe she felt. "When I first met you, all you cared about, all you thought about was yourself and now look at you! All you think about is other people!"

"All I think about is you Dawn," Connor corrected. "And was I really that bad a guy when you first met me?" Dawn nodded emphatically.

"You were a real jerk." She said with a shrug. "But I liked you anyway."

"And you were a beauty possessing amazing strength and stubbornness." Connor added, with a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "But I liked you anyway as well."

"What's going to happen now?" She wondered. Connor shrugged.

"I'm going to get to know him for a bit. Whatever comes of that, I guess we'll see."

"So when I leave LA..."

"We'll keep in touch!" Connor insisted fervently. "This isn't a forever arrangement Dawn, but I need to do this to get to know him. I need to have that."

"The last thing I would do is try to deny you it," Dawn assured him. "I just....I'll miss you."

Leaning into him, she kissed him softly and Connor sighed.

"I'll miss you too." He admitted. "More than you will ever know."

"Come on," she urged him, grabbing his hand and leading him forward. "Dinner is soon."

Dinner was a lighthearted and fun for everyone seated at the table. Dawn couldn't remember the last time her sister had smiled that way. Even Cordelia looked happy to see the two of them together.

Connor was joking and laughing, more relaxed and at ease than she had ever seen him before. It gave her hope for the future. Reaching over, she squeezed his hand gently and he smiled at her.

After dinner, the others cleared out to leave Buffy and Dawn sitting contentedly together in the library.

"Things really turned out well," Dawn mused to herself, more than anyone else. "You have Angel and he's human and not in that place..."

"He was human before Dawn," she murmured. "Did I tell you that? He gave it up to save my life....didn't really matter much."

"Oh my God, Buffy!"

"I know, I know. I already freaked out at him. Then I forgave him. No point in staying angry I guess. I've been through too much to bring up old hurts."

"What did you go through there Buffy? I mean, your physical wounds alone..."

"It was rough...the roughest thing I'd ever faced. But...I had you waiting for me here and the gang in Sunnydale....did you tell them I left?"

Dawn shook her head.

"I got your note, but I couldn't bring myself to...well, I couldn't say anything until I thought you might not come back. The truth is, I never gave up hope. I knew you could do it."

"I should thank Wesley," she said, almost to herself. "Without his help..."

"What's going to happen now Buffy?" Dawn interrupted. "I mean are we just going to leave LA? What about Angel? I mean I know he's human now, but you two still live in different cities. How will you...?"

"We'll find a way." She finished. Looking at Dawn, her eyes twinkled mischievously. "I think what you're really wondering about is Connor. How will the two of you stay together?"

"Oh I've already got that part figured." She said with a grin. "While you were gone, we eloped and got married in Las Vegas."

"What?!" Buffy exclaimed. Dawn laughed and Buffy relaxed when she realized she was joking.

"Seriously though, I figure that we can keep in touch via email and the phone for two years until I'm done high school and then I could maybe come and go to college here in LA...if that's OK with you."

"You don't have to ask me where you can go to school Dawn," Buffy told her gently. "I've pretty much realized you're becoming an adult sooner than I wanted and since I can't do anything to stop it, I don't mind Connor being the guy you spend your time with. If you end up coming here to LA, then at least I know you'll be safe."

"We'll keep each other safe." She said firmly. Then, watching as Angel entered the lobby, she looked and Buffy and smiled. "I think it's time for me to make myself scarce and for you two to have some time alone. It's been a very long day."

"I love you Dawn," Buffy told her sincerely. Dawn nodded and went to find Connor.