Chapter 10

"Oomph" was all that came out as the breath went rushing out of Sam bringing him to wakefulness as 95 lbs of hyper teenaged key landed on top of him.

Giggling in his ear Dawn said "Wakey wakey sleepyhead time to get up and watch Buffy kick your brothers ass.'

"Oh my God. What time is it? Sam managed to get out trying to wake up and get his breath back.

"9:30. Everyone else is up, but we let you sleep since we both needed it after the awakening yesterday." Dawn said cheerfully.

"Dear Lord, you're a morning person aren't you?" Sam groaned rubbing his eyes as he sat up.

"Yep, it's a beautiful day, the sun is shining, the birds are ch….." Dawn began only to be interrupted by a hand covering her mouth and a positively deadly look from Sam.

Uttering only one word in the face of such blatant morning glory. "Coffee, please."

With eyes twinkling and another giggle Dawn jumped up and ran to the kitchen to get her poor tired lock a cup of java before he killed her for being so chipper. "He's up" she sang as she soared in the kitchen and headed to the mugs.

Looking at her from the kitchen island with no small amount of malice was John and Dean. They both looked like they wanted to find out where her batteries were and rip them out.

Smirking at them from the other side was Buffy who was communing with her own cup of java and glad to finally have some other nocturnal people in the house besides her. "You should her and mom singing while they cook." Buffy told them with a wince. "It's amazing I've never slayed them."

"Have you checked them for possession?" Dean asked with a look of utter confusion on his face. "She's bouncing, I mean she's actually bouncing, and she hasn't had any coffee. Tell me it's some weird sort of key thing. Please explain this to me in mystical terms, cause I'm not getting it." Dean finished looking after Dawn as she bounced out of the kitchen with Sam's cup of coffee.

Letting out a chuckle as he rotated his neck trying to loosen the muscles John said, "I'm afraid there is no mystical explanation for morning people that I've been able to find yet, just a general unfairness to the universe that allows for them to exist."

"Well at least there's coffee." Buffy said as she hunkered over her cup.

"Amen." Came from Dean.

Joyce swept into the kitchen with a cheerful smile, looking rested and refreshed "Good morning." She gushed. "I saw Sam was up can I fix anyone breakfast to start the day?" She asked as she looked through the cabinets for pancake mix.

Looking at her with the same confused look on his face Dean could only get out. "Uhm no thank you the coffee's good." Before settling back down into his morning slump waiting for the caffeine to kick in.

Buffy just yawned and shook her head, while John offered a smile and a polite no thank you as well.

In the living room Sam was cleaning up his bead roll when he was presented with a steaming mug of coffee from Dawn who was doing her best not to be too annoying since she didn't want to run her lock off on the first day.

"Thank you very much." Sam told her grabbing a seat on the couch and taking a big sip of the nectar of the gods.

"So you ready for the show-down today?" Dawn babbled obviously relaxed and happy for the first time in a long time.

"Yeah it should be fun to watch. Don't discount Dean to quickly though. We have been doing this for a while, and there have been lots of times it was an up close kill."

"I know that's the best part. Buffy hasn't had a decent sparring partner since Angel left town, and it's made her very cranky. This is going to make her day, and don't think you're going to get out of it either I want to see what you can do."

"It does sound like fun. Sparring has always been fun between Dean and I. Who was that Riley guy you mentioned last night? Is he a watcher to?"

"Pleeeease" was drawled out with all the sarcasm a teenager could manage, and that's a lot.) "Riley's a total wannabe. He's Buffy's rebound boyfriend who hunts demons for the government. They have no idea what they're doing though. Last year they created a half demon half human cyborg that nearly destroyed the world till Buffy stopped it. Not to mention he's always making Buffy feel bad for being stronger and a better fighter and stuff. I don't think he's very good for her. Not to mention he keeps calling me kid even after I've asked him not to, it's like he doesn't even want to be bothered to remember my name."

"Well he certainly doesn't sound like a great guy, but I'm warning you Dean's not going to make a move on someone who's in a relationship so let that dream go. As far as how he treats you, that's what you've got me for, and if he does it again let me know. I'll straighten him out I promise." Sammy said feeling very protective and already disliking this Riley character for causing Dawn to see her as less then what she was.

"Thanks. I normally get all mad when Buffy tries to be all overprotective, but I don't feel like that with you. I wonder why? Don't worry about Buffy and Dean either, I have a feeling Riley won't be in the picture much longer." Dawn said as she hugged Sam.

"Well maybe it's because that's what I was made for, to look out for you and for you to look out for me. They might have sent you to the slayer to keep you safe, but you would have instinctively known she wasn't supposed to be the one, I was." Sam said theorizing out loud.

"No I think it's because you're the first person in this life I can remember that was my friend first. I've always had to share not only Buffy, but also her friends. I mean I have friends, but it wasn't like I could ever be honest with them. I mean I know you're here to help Buffy, but you and me we go back way further then that. It's kind of reassuring. I don't sound like to much of a brat do I?" Dawn said looking up to Sam trying to make sure he didn't think she was a horrible person.

"You don't sound like a brat at all. In fact you've handled things a lot better then I did. I got so sick of always coming in second I ran away and got someone I loved killed. I think you're doing fine." Sam told her with regret in his voice.

"Hey that wasn't your fault." Dawn said as she sat up indignantly and poked Sam on the chest. "Yes you could have handled the leaving better, but so could they. Sure you feel bad you never contacted your dad, but he told you not to come back, and he sure as hell didn't contact you. Don't interrupt me Samuel Winchester." Dawn told Sam when he looked like he was about to speak. "Stalking you on campus doesn't count there was no way you could have know he was there, and anyway he's the parent, he's supposed to be the grown-up. You may have acted like a kid, but at least you were one. He acted like a spoiled brat who wasn't getting his way so it was the highway and he was a grown man. Your mother would have kicked his ass I bet for that little stunt." Dawn punctuated each of her points with flailing arms and pokes at Sam to make sure he was listening.

Grabbing both her hands Sam said "Whoa easy tiger. I get your point, and thank you. It means a lot that you would defend me like that. I really appreciate it. Now what do you say we go grab the rest of those slow pokes in the kitchen and get ready to rumble." Sam ended with a teasing grin while tickling Dawn's sides.

"Stop. Stop." she burst out between fits of laughter. "Come on let's go." Dawn jumped up and pulled hard yanking Sam off the couch towards the kitchen. She abruptly stopped and turned to Sam and said, "I know it's kind of redundant considering what we've shared, but I just want you to know I love you." Dawn told Sam smiling up to let him know how happy she was to have him back in her life.

"I love you to……kid." Sam told her his eyes letting her know all teasing aside he meant the words as much as she did.

"Oh your hysterical." Dawn deadpanned as she resumed her walk into the kitchen Sam's laughter following behind her.

BTVSSNBTVSSNBTVSSNBTVSSNBTVSSNBTVSSNBTVSSNBTVSSNBTVSSNBT

Walking into the back of the magic box Dean let out a low whistle. "Nice work out space." He commented to Buffy.

"Thanks my friends did it for me since working out in public tends to raise a few eyebrows with me." Buffy told him the gratefulness to her friends evident in her voice.

"What you mean some 200 lbs no-neck steroid abuser got upset a size 1 could bench press him without breaking a sweat?" Dean teased Buffy. "I tell you some guys just can't catch a clue."

"Well it was also a guilt thing. I would get overcome with guilt at the thought of damaging their fragile little egos." Buffy teased right back.

Dropping his jacket to the side with a feral grin on his face Dean said, "Let's get it on."

With her own grin Buffy answered. "Bring it."

Then the two warriors began circling. John, Dawn, Sam, Giles, Willow, Xander, and Tara took positions on the sideline taking bets on who'd come out on top. Anya couldn't be bothered to leave the money so she stayed out front with the paying customers. John and Giles were mainly using this time to critique they're two fighters and look for flaws in technique that needed to be worked on diminishing. Everyone else was just anxious for a good show.

Starting out lightly Buffy began testing Dean with light blows similar to her approach to sparring with Riley. She soon figured out that was a mistake when Dean answered back with a flurry of blows at top speed and strength putting Buffy on the defensive. Looking in his eyes Buffy realized there was no way this guy was going to underestimate a slayer and he was going at this as if it was a real fight. The only difference being that the killing blow would be held back, otherwise GAME ON!

Letting out a whoop of joy Buffy attacked. Dean was fast and strong and well trained and he was definitely holding his own. Buffy's own creative maneuvers were often blocked by Dean's ability to think outside of the box as well.

In fact Buffy thought to herself if Dean had super strength he would be hell on wheels. The sparring went on for a good 30 minutes. Dean took a kick to the chest that threw him across the room, but he rolled forward and managed to sweep the slayers feet in an impressive move that had Buffy regrouping for a moment.

Buffy sped up her attack going after Dean with joyful abandon she hadn't experienced since Angel left town. She somersaulted over his head and swept his feet from under him. Coming down for a killing blow she hit the mat when Dean managed to roll over at the last second. He then managed to land an elbow to Buffy's head before rolling to his feet.

This sparring session covered the whole space. Both fighters using any and all weapons at their disposal, swords hanging on the walls, the practice dummy being thrown like a heat seeking missile. An axe nearly decapitated Buffy, and said dummy nearly impaled Dean right in the chest.

Then like always there was what seemed like a weakness was to exploited. Dean taking a step back seemed to slip on a throwing star that had gotten tossed out earlier. Unable to regain his balance Dean was on his back in a second and the slayer was on top of him with a knife at his throat in the next.

Grinning in triumph it took a second for Buffy to realize that while she had Dean in a killing blow there was a knife pressed to her stomach that would have taken her to the here after as well. Seeing Dean's own grin Buffy couldn't help but smile back as she helped him up and announced the draw by shaking hands.

"Not bad, but why go for a draw rather then a win. I want to stay alive through the fight?" Buffy asked Dean as they both caught their breath.

"Winchester family motto." Dean told her "If in the first 15 minutes of a fight you know you can't win or get away make sure you at least take them with you." Dean, Sam, and John repeated verbatim.

The cheering section was silent for the first time, as a draw was the one thing no one had bet on. Xancer taking the imitative simply said "Tomorrow double or nothing."

The answering "Your on." Settled the matter, and John and Giles both approached their fellow warriors with congratulations and critiques.

"Buffy after a breather I'd like for you to spar with Sam as well if you wouldn't mind. I need to see where he is after his four year hiatus, and Sammy no powers I want to test you physical limits not your mental ones." John addressed the two.

"Sounds good to me." Buffy replied, "Let me get a glass of water and I'm good to go."

"Can hardly wait." Sam answered dryly. Knowing that while he was better then average at hand to hand he was no where near the slayer or Dean's level.

"Great job son. You've gotten faster since the last time I saw you fight." John told an exhausted Dean.

"That's all thanks to Sammy actually. The long legged freak and I have taken up running and trying to keep up has really upped my endurance and speed." Dean told his dad a little sheepishly.

"Well it worked. You looked great out there. I can't tell you how proud I was that you held your own against the greatest slayer that ever lived."

Dean wiped his face with a towel to hide the blush that covered his face from his fathers praise. Uttering a quick "Thanks." He settled in to watch Sammy's match.

"Now Sam you have a real advantage here with your height so don't be afraid to use it. She's going to have to get close to land any punches, so keep out of her way, and you'll do fine."

"Thanks dad I'll keep that in mind." Sam told his dad as he mentally replayed the fight between his brother and the slayer looking for any apparent weaknesses.

"This is completely unfair I don't know who to root for." Dawn jokingly whined from the bench.

"What are you talking about Dawnster? How could you not root for Buffy." A confused Xander asked the young girl.

"Oh there is so much you don't know Xan-man, but don't worry we'll fill you in soon." Dawn told Xander as she patted him on the back.

Looking at Willow for an explanation, but Willow just shrugged her shoulders and said, "Beat's me, but I've got another twenty on Buffy. This time there's no way she'll lose." The redheaded witch said with confidence.

"Hopefully." Xander replied as the slayer walked back into the room and on to the mats.

"Come on Sam. Let's see if you're as good as your brother." The slayer taunted with a smile.

"No way, no how, no when." Sam replied with some self-deprecation. "But let's do it anyway should be fun."

Buffy was having the time of her life. Not just one, but two fighters to spar with who didn't treat her like a little woman who would break, but rather like the formidable warrior she was.

Bowing to each other they began. While Sammy didn't have all the moves or techniques Dean had he was faster, and had a definite advantage with his height. His could land blows the slayer was too short to return. Like his big brother he also wasn't holding back in the least, and was approaching this sparring session as if it was the real deal. Sam wasn't as creative with his moves, though he did have a gracefulness that Dean lacked, almost as if he'd had some sort of dance training.

Sam was also amazing with a knife. Dean was by far and away the better marksman with a gun, and could do damage with an axe like no other. But Sam had two curved blades that were a gift from his brother when he was twelve that he could wield like extensions of his hands. He brought them into the fight after a viscous roundhouse kick sent him spinning. He kept up the momentum and twirled around Buffy almost like a ballerina and managed to land an elbow to the back that gave him time to pull out he knives.

Buffy was able to get her hands on a sword and then things really got interesting.

Buffy was ironically very comfortable with a sword pushing back any painful reminders and focusing on disarming Sam. With a flying front flip and two parries later she managed to get one knife out of the game. Pressing the offensive in order to try and end this fight quickly before he ran out of steam Sam put Buffy on the defensive, but lost it when with a forward roll and a kick Buffy was able to disarm Sam of his last knife.

Throwing out as much defense as he could Sam began to mentally prepare for a draw as well. However the slayer was this time able to recognize the signs and in a flurry had Sam pinned with his hands at his sides and her sword at his throat before he could complete his suicide mission.

Grinning down at his Buffy simply said "Not this time Sammy boy."

Smiling back Sam told her "I'm going to kill Dean for getting that nickname started, it's Sam thank you, and you can't blame a guy for trying."

Letting out a laugh the slayer began to get up off of Sam when she heard a loud, pissed off and confused "What the HELL IS GOING ON HERE!"

Looking toward the voice the slayer paled and said "Hey Riley, it's just a little sparring session that's all." As she jumped up off Sam and offered him a hand up.

"Who are these guys? When do you spar with anyone besides Giles and myself? Honey they could have hurt you." Riley said condescendingly as he crossed to the slayer.

"Hurt her. Are you kidding? Dude you do know she's the slayer right?" Sam said as he got off the floor. Dean and John were also looking at the young man as if he had a few screws loose.

"She may be the slayer, but she's still a girl, and who are you anyway." Riley said standing in front of the slayer protectively.

Now maybe it was Dawn's influence or maybe it was because Sam had just gotten his ass kicked. Mostly likely it was a combination of the two, but Sam all of a sudden knew he didn't like this Riley Finn. "My name is Sam Winchester, that's my brother Dean and my father John. We're professional demon hunters in town tracking a particular demon. We hope to be out of town shortly." Sam told Riley in a cold voice, signaling John and Dean to tell Riley nothing of the key or lock and sending a look at Buffy pleading her to keep quiet as well.

The small nod from Buffy assured Sam that she got the message and would comply which helped Sam relax a fraction. Addressing Riley again he said. "You must be Riley heard a lot about you."

"Well I've heard nothing about you." Riley said then turning his back to Sam he addressed Buffy "How could you let the guys come in here like this. What kind of professional demon hunters could they be, they look like vagabonds, and do you have any self preservation what so ever." He whispered harshly.

Sam looked ready to rip his head off, and John and Dean didn't look to far behind. They needn't have worried though, because no one was as pissed as the slayer. She'd had quite enough thank you very much and there was no way she was putting up with this insult. Especially to guys who were now family, yanking her arms away from Riley she addressed him in a low voice full of menace. "No Riley I don't think you get it. These gentleman are my friends and allies, they are here because I invited them. They have more demon hunting experience then me, and most certainly you." She told him poking him in the chest and causing him to take a few steps back from the irate slayer. "How dare you come in here and insult them. They've been in this business for 23 years and I trust them with my life and Dawn's you overgrown G.I Joe. I have had it with your inability to accept me for who I am. I don't need your protection Riley. I'm perfectly capable of taking care of my self. The only amateur in this room is YOU, and that won't be for very long, because I want you to GET OUT. And don't come back." Buffy yelled the last part. She was sick and tired of trying to change to be someone else's ideal rather then being her self.

Trying to calm her down with a look of confusion on his face as he was pushed out the door Riley said "Honey you don't know what you're saying. Why don't you calm down and we can talk later, you're obviously upset, and being completely unreasonable."

"No Riley." Buffy said wearily "I'm just being truthful for the first time. I'm asking you to leave Riley and not come back. I'm not the person you want me to me, and you're not the person I want to be with. I'm sorry, but please go."

Looking around the room for an ally or explanation for the sudden break up and seeing none. Riley turned from the room and began to leave. As he reached the door he turned to Buffy and said. "I'll call in a few days and we can talk, I'm sure we can work this out Buffy. We're meant to be together." And left the store.

"Oh god this is going to take forever before he gets it." Buffy said her voice laced with exhaustion. "I'm so sorry you guys had to witness that, and I'm so sorry he insulted you. Giles I'm going to go upstairs for a little while okay." Buffy asked her watcher obviously needing some alone time to grieve.

"Of course we'll come get you in a few hours." Giles told her.

"John, Dean, Sam and Dawn if you wouldn't mind would you fill the gang in on what we discovered last night. They'll need to do some research I'm sure." Buffy asked with a wry grin.

"Don't worry Buff we'll get right on it, and then we'll go get some ice cream or something okay." Dawn told her sister hating her pain, but glad Riley was finally gone for good.

"Sounds great." Buffy told her with a smile as she exited the room.

"Well grab a chair, cause we have some s'plaining to do." Dean told the group taking a seat.

"Lay it on us." Xander said.

And with multiple interruptions and corrections and of course sarcastic commentary they did just that.

To be continued.

Sorry it's been so long, life's been hectic. Please let me know what you think Reviews are my life.

B