Chapter 9

Walking into the dining room all conversation stopped and the two Summer's women and the two Winchester men looked expectantly at the two missing pieces of their family. Sam had his arm around Dawn to hopefully ensure that they both continued to be up right and they both quickly grabbed a seat at the table. Sam grabbed a plate and began dishing up one for Dawn and him.

Dawn looked at everyone and then asked, "So what's new." With a look of complete seriousness on her face.

Letting out a snort of laughter at her antics Sam handed a heaping plate of food to the famished key before tucking into his own equally large pile of vegetables.

"Very funny Dawnie. What in the hell went on up there?" Buffy asked fixing her sister with a look that spoke volumes.

Looking at Sam Dawn said "Oh yeah they were defiantly separated at birth. No sense of humor what so ever."

Snorting again at not only Dawn but at the looks of utter astonishment on his brother and father's faces Sam couldn't help but add "I've got twenty that says someone winds up in a headlock before this is over."

"Your on." Dawn joked back waiting for the impending explosion.

The explosion was diverted by the voice of Joyce Summers however as she said "Dawn Sam I think that's quite enough out of the two of you. Finish your dinner since your obviously starved and then we can hear the explanations. Buffy calm down your sister is obviously safe and in good sprits so I think everyone just needs to relax."

The collective "Yes Ma'm" resounded around the room. No one was stupid enough to argue with Mom.

"Thank you so much for dinner Mrs. Summers this is wonderful." Sam said while trying to eat as fast as possible the bonding having been the equivalent of running a 4-minute mile.

"Please Sam call me Joyce. I think after everything I've learned and that we witnessed earlier we're practically family." Joyce said smiling at the young man who had connected so deeply with her youngest child.

"Thank you Joyce. It means a lot to me that you've been so great about everything." Sam said smiling shyly at the woman he felt like was his own mother as well.

"Great great everyone's' happy now could you two finish eating so everyone can be informed of what is going on?" Dean said looking like his head was going to start spinning around if he didn't get some answers.

"Ditto." Buffy said eagerly

Grinning at their sibling's predictability Sam and Dawn focused back on eating as fast as possible.

"So Joyce." John said trying to keep the conversation going as they waited. "You were saying about your gallery?"

"Yes we're putting on a new exhibit from Greece, but I'm waiting for Rupert to go over the inventory to make sure that all pieces are clean and not possessed. I've learned from past experiences when dealing with artifacts from other eras you can't be to careful." Joyce answered wryly.

"Good thinking. Though I'm curious as to what happened that made you start doing that in the first place." John answered intrigued by what life must be like living on a hellmouth.

"Let's just say I've never looked at tribal masks the same way and leave it at that." Joyce joked with a smile

"Did you ever see the movie "The Mask" with Jim Carrey?" Buffy asked John and Dean. At their nod she said, "Think that only with a demon possessed mask and you'll get it."

"Damn." Said Dean.

"Exactly." Buffy answered with her own self-deprecating grin.

"What are you fighting the most besides vampires?" Dean asked "I mean from the little I've heard it sounds like there's a lot more going on here then your average blood sucker."

"Tell me about. I think I've faced everything. We've had invisible girls, students possessed by hyenas, government hybrids, and now a hell goddess. What I wouldn't give for just your average run of the mill evil vampire looking to rule the world." Buffy told Dean seriously.

"Don't forget the mayor." Dawn chimed in around a mouthful of food.

"Don't speak with your mouth full young lady." Joyce gently admonished her youngest daughter.

"The mayor?" John asked raising an eyebrow at Buffy. "I mean I've always theorized that politicians are all evil, but you got proof."

Letting out a laugh Buffy said "Proof try having to blow up the high school at graduation because the key note speaker who happened to be the mayor turned into a fifty foot demon snake."

"Damn again." Dean said eyes about to pop out of his head at the thought.

"What about you guys. I mean I know your hunting evil, but what's the most popular form you've come across." Buffy asked anxious to hear about what's going on in the rest of the world outside the hellmouth.

"Mostly pissed off sprits, poltergeist, and evil possessions." John said looking at Dean for confirmation.

"Sounds about right. You throw in the occasional wendigo or demon, but mostly spirits." Dean answered thoughtfully.

"How do you fight a spirit? I mean they don't have a form do they?" Buffy asked always willing to learn a new way to vanquish evil.

"You've generally got to find their bones, or remains and salt and burn them. That handles it most of the time. Of course every now and then that doesn't work. Sammy and I worked a case recently where some bullies had drowned this little boy in a lake 30 years ago. They let the body sink to the bottom so there was nothing left to burn. This kids spirit was killing off the kids and family of the two bullies that had killed him, and since we couldn't get to the body there was nothing we could do. The spirit ended up killing both bullies before the lake was drained. We were able to save the grand kid and daughter of one of the killers though." Dean told Buffy remembering the sweet-faced woman and her terrified little boy.

"I can't imagine how helpless you must have felt. I wouldn't have dealt with that well." Buffy admitted.

"It wasn't easy, but you can't save everyone unfortunately." Dean said sharing a smile with Buffy that spoke of understanding and pain.

"Okay we're done. Thanks again Joyce it was wonderful. We'll clean up real quick and then meet you guys in the living room for a few more explanations." Sam said standing and picking up the dishes from the table.

"Oh no Sam. You're guests leave those I'll get them later." Joyce said rising as well.

"I promise it's no problem it will just take a minute." Sam answered back "You need to take it easy anyway remember what the doctor said."

"How did you know what the doctor told mom." Buffy said looking at Sam with surprise.

"Don't worry that will be part of the explanation." Dawn told Buffy as she walked past her to help Sam in the kitchen. "Does everyone have a drink or do you want us to bring something for you." She shouted over her shoulder.

Looking at each other Buffy and Dean just shrugged their shoulders and shouted back "We're good." And walked into the living room to take a seat.

Joyce and John followed and they continued their idle nervous chitchat as they waited for Sam and Dawn to finish up in the kitchen.

It only took about 10 minutes for Sam and Dawn to take care of everything and grabbing drinks for themselves they headed out to the inquisition. Taking seats on the floor again so they could be facing everyone they looked at their respective families and prepared to rock their world.

Taking a deep breath Sam started. "Okay obviously you're confused about what happened between Dawn and I. It's a little complicated so I would appreciate it if you let us explain before you asked any questions. Is that okay?"

At their nods Sam continued, "Dawn and I are connected. We've been connected for thousands and thousands of years. Wait." Sam said holding up a hand when both Buffy and Dean opened their mouths to object. "Remember let us finish. It really is hard to explain so bear with us please. The key has always existed. What you didn't know was that the key was also always put into human form. Each life generation after generation, she would live and die and then be reformed in a new life in a new persona always with one purpose. The purpose was to help hold the balance between good and evil in check. She couldn't do it alone however that's not how it works. For every give there's a take. For every push there's a pull. The key needed an opposite. A lock for example someone to balance her." Sam finished and began to rub his eyes searching for the right words to convey the depth of the bond he and Dawn shared.

"He's my opposite. Sam's been with me in each life in each persona and reincarnation. We're each other's balance we make each other stronger and offer support. We always recognize each other and then once we bond we remember everything." Dawn said placing a hand on Sam's shoulder and smiling at her sister.

It wasn't until she saw Buffy scowling that she realized that had been a mistake.

"BOND!" the Slayer growled. "IF YOU'VE TOUCHED HER!"

"DON'T YOU YELL AT HIM." Dawn screamed right back and the irate slayer. "Of course he didn't touch me get your mind out of the gutter." Refusing to acknowledge that her mind had gone to the same place at first. There was no need to share that little tidbit of information. "It's mental okay. Jeez jump to conclusions why don't you."

Looking apologetic the slayer offered a smile to Sam and said "Sorry."

"It's okay." Said Sam, as he finally relaxed again no longer looking like he was about to take flight. "I know it seems weird, but it basically means we're supposed to work together to keep evil at bay okay? We both have gifts that compliment each other and look just think of me as Dawn's brother okay?" Sam said still trying to diffuse the last of the tension.

"What about me?" Dean asked looking at his little brother with uncertainly.

"Huh?" Sam said unsure of what his brother meant.

"I mean if you two are all connected does that mean we're not related really?" Dean asked looking like his world was ending at the thought of losing the little brother he'd looked after for so long.

"What! Where would you get that harebrained idea? You're my brother nothing changes that. Nothing can and nothing ever will." Sam said getting up and crossing to his brother and father. "It's like Buffy told Dawn maybe my origins are a little different, but it's Winchester blood that's running through my veins. Never doubt that."

"Don't worry Sammy." John said rising and hugging his youngest son. "Never doubted it for a second."

"Good." Said Sam

"Hey does that me that me and Buffy are related?" Dean said looking horrified at the prospect of being related to someone he'd been flirting with.

Busting out laughing Sam managed to gasp out "No, don't worry you're not related. Technically neither am Dawn and I, I was just using that as a reference to the type of relationship we're going to have."

"Thank God." Came from both Buffy and Dean.

"Wait how did you know what I told Dawn? And how did you know what the doctor told mom for that matter." Buffy said just then processing what Sam had told his family

"Right well when we bonded we shared our memories and experiences. So basically when Dawn and I went upstairs we were operating on pure instinct. We basically meditated together to create the mental bond." Sam said deliberately leaving out the cutting of hands, since he wasn't sure the slayer could handle the thought of him deliberately hurting her sister. The wounds had healed once the ritual was complete anyway, so what Buffy didn't know wouldn't hurt her. Glancing at Dawn he saw her nod her head and knew she agreed with his omission.

"It was so cool Buffy. It was like a really fast movie. I saw Sam's life being played out in my mind, and then we got to see all the past ones too. We're still processing all the information, but it's like having a million new memories floating around in my head." Dawn said as she sat beside Buffy on the couch unable to now try and share some of the excitement that she was experiencing.

"It doesn't hurt does it?" Joyce asked taking a seat on the other side of Dawn taking her hand. "That sounds awfully overwhelming."

"No it's great. It doesn't hurt at all. I mean they're not all clear, and some stuff mostly from this life I don't even have to sort through. But the older stuff the memories from lifetimes in the past I can focus and separate them and inspect each one at any pace I want. Till then they're just there in the background of my mind waiting to be sorted trough." Dawn told her mother to reassure her that she was in no danger from the experience.

"It is pretty cool." Sam said from the floor. "It's like we have them to use as a reference. So we wouldn't have to relearn everything from scratch."

"Learn what?" Dean said "I mean like knowledge and stuff, cause Sammy boy you're already to book smart if you ask me."

Laughing from her spot on the couch Dawn said "No silly so we know how you use our powers."

"You have powers." Buffy exclaimed

"Yes they're so cool too. Watch." Dawn said creating the green ball of energy in her hands again. "You've already seen Sam's. He has the visions, and of course the telekinesis."

"Oh of course." Dean said sarcastically under his breath. The chuckle from his dad told him he didn't say it quietly enough.

"What does it do though?" A shocked Joyce asked Dawn.

"It's energy. Pure unadulterated energy I can use it as a weapon as necessary, but I can do more then that. I'm still a little unsure on how to do it, but I think I can heal as well." Dawn said focusing inward into the memories now stored in her head.

"Yeah you can." Sam said from the floor as he to rifled through the past lives. "Needless to say we need to practice. Buffy do you know of any place where we won't get interrupted?" Sam called up to the couch.

"I'll check with Giles in the morning just to be sure, but I've got a few ideas." Buffy told Sam. "We should probably all be there when you practice anyway just in case something goes wrong." Buffy said still worried about Dawn's safety.

"Not to mention we'll need to practice fighting around and with these new powers in the mix." John said from his place by the fireplace.

"Oh hell yeah sparring session bitch." Dean mocked his little brother "Your new powers won't help you against me."

"We'll see, I'm the master now." Sam said with his best Darth Vader voice.

"Oh man that was pathetic. You have no shame." Dean told his brother.

Buffy had burst into giggles at Sam's impression and told Dean "We're obviously going to have to remind our younger siblings whose still in charge."

"Oh yeah can't have them thinking their all invincible now that they can do a few tricks." Dean retorted back throwing a pillow on the floor at a laughing Sam.

"Forget that." Dawn said with her head on her mom's shoulder. "I want to see you to spar. I mean he has to be better then Riley, Buffy." Dawn winked at Sam as she finished planting the seed in Buffy and Dean's minds.

"Oh yeah I've got 10 bucks on my brother. I know I'm going to lose but family support is everything." Sam said playing along.

"Lose, thanks for the faith little brother. I'll double your money." Dean told his brother indignantly.

"Oh you think you will do you?" Buffy asked Dean pushing all thoughts of Riley out of her mind. He was out of town visiting family anyway. "We'll just have to see about that."

"Looking forward to it darling." Dean drawled smirking at Buffy.

"Well as much fun as this is I'm heading to bed." Joyce said letting out a sigh as she rose from the couch.

"I agree if you're going to be sparing with a slayer tomorrow you might want to be well rested son." John told Dean as he got out of his chair to get their gear out of the truck. "Joyce I want to thank you again for letting us crash here tonight. We'll be sure to find more suitable accommodations first thing in the morning."

"Yes sir." Both Sam and Dean said as they rose to help their father get stuff out of the car.

"Goodnight Buffy." Sam said to the slayer and then leaned over and gave Dawn a big hug and whispered in her ear. "Goodnight key."

"Goodnight lock. I'm glad you're here." Dawn whispered hugging Sam back just as hard. "See you in the morning to get you butt kicked." Dawn told Dean as she passed his to go upstairs.

"Whatever you say key girl." Dean answered back with affection. "Night Buffy see you in the morning." Dean told the slayer.

"Night Dean, night Sam." Buffy said smiling as she threw and arm over Dawn's shoulder as they walked upstairs together.

After getting settled on the floor while they gave John the couch Dean turned to Sam and said. "Well it's certainly been an interesting couple of days."

"Just wait." Sam said smirking at his brother. "Just wait."

"Go to sleep boys, we've got to find a place to stay, and train, and watch Dean get his ass handed to him it's going to be a long day." John said from the couch.

"Hey!"

"Night."

"Night."

"Night."

To be continued.

This story is getting long. I can't believe it. I hope I explained the whole key lock thing adequately. There will be more coming don't worry, but I felt like poor Buffy and Dean couldn't handle anything else. Please review they make my day. Have a great weekend everybody and thanks again to those who've already reviewed. Really it's amazing how much they help.

B