Out of the Blue

Chapter 4

By The Spooky Mulder

Disclaimer: I don't own "Buffy the Vampire Slayer". All rights go to Joss Whedon (a God among men).


More than two months had gone by, and Dawn and Andrew's friendship continued to grow. Dawn was even willing to watch some of Andrew's geek Sci-Fi movies…for a price.

"Andrew, you promised!" she pouted. She had him backed into a corner, with a horrified look on his face. "I know I did, Dawnie, but-"

Dawn shook here head. "There are no excuses. Last week we watched another James Bond movie, and there's only so much Sean Connery and Pierce Brosnan I can take-"

"Don't forget Timothy Dalton," Andrew timidly interjected. Dawn's glare silenced him. "My point is, it's time for us to watch one of my movies."

Andrew sighed, defeated. "Okay, okay. Anything but The Notebook."

Dawn grinned maliciously. "It's not that, I promise. It's much better. In fact, I think you'll love it, Andrew."

Ten minutes later saw the two friends comfortably settled on the couch with the beginning of Finding Neverland playing to the living room TV.

Buffy, Xander, and Kennedy were all standing in the doorway that led to the kitchen. "This is wrong, on so many levels," Xander said, shaking his head. Buffy nodded. "I don't know, guys," Kennedy said thoughtfully. "I think it's sweet that they found a friend. I know Dawn needed one, and Andrew definitely doesn't see the 'friendly' side of anyone around here." Xander and Buffy, who did not want to see their relationship as "cute", walked away. Kennedy shrugged. "Just a thought."

An hour and twenty minutes later…

Andrew and Dawn were both in tears, holding onto each other for comfort. "But her kids!" Dawn sniffled. "And J.M. Barrie!" Andrew wailed. "She's so young!" they cried in unison. Willow, who had been walking through the room and to the kitchen, rolled her eyes.

After the credits came up, the two bawling movie fiends realized the position they were in and immediately let go of each other. "That was a great movie," Andrew said, hoping to break the silence that had come over them. "Yeah," Dawn agreed. "Johnny Depp is an amazing actor. So talented."

"Kate Winslet isn't so bad, either. I don't know about that Freddie Highmore, though. He seems kind of mousy."

Dawn turned and stared at Andrew, who shrugged. "He does. So…what do you want to do now?" Dawn pretended to think about it. "Well, I think you need to make me an ice cream sundae."

"I do?"

Dawn nodded. Andrew grinned mischievously (something he had learned from Dawn, no less) and said, "Only if you make one for me."

Dawn shrugged. "Okay. Race you to the kitchen!" Dawn had started running when she said "to". Andrew's face scrunched up in mock-anger as he followed after her. "Hey, you cheated!"

"So? What are you going to do about it?" Dawn said, narrowing her eyes. "This!" Andrew exclaimed, proceeding to rush forward and tickle Dawn.

"Okay…okay….uncle!" Dawn giggled as Andrew mercilessly tickled her. Extremely pleased with himself, Andrew stopped. "There. You are officially paid back. Now let's make those sundaes." Dawn agreed with that sentiment, and they spent the next half hour making the ice cream and goofing off.

It was late at night and Buffy and the Potentials hadn't come back from a mission. Dawn was having trouble getting to sleep, and she was worried that a demon would break in since no one (that was in the house) was awake. So, she went to Andrew's "room". (It was really just an air-up mattress in the living room.) She gently poked him in the shoulder until he woke up. "Dawn?" he asked groggily. "What is it?" She shrugged sheepishly. "I couldn't sleep. It seems silly now. I'll just-"

"No, it's okay," Andrew interrupted. When no one said anything Dawn asked, "So, are you going to scoot over or what?"

He seemed surprised for a second, but relaxed and pulled the covers aside so Dawn could get in. She snuggled up to him and closed her eyes, finally feeling safe enough to sleep. Andrew smiled to himself as he watched her fall asleep, and gently put his arms around her. He was glad that he could make her feel safe and that she was her friend, especially since he had stabbed the last real friend he had.


A/N: I know, I know, this is short and late. School has been hectic and non-stop. Luckily Thanksgiving break is coming up soon. I just wanted to give you guys a little update until I really start to get going on this again. Thanks for reading,

The Spooky Mulder