Chapter 11

Walking up the stairs Dawn tried to keep a good grip on the two large banana splits with extra whipped cream from falling. When she got to the top she saw her sister lying on the sofa with an arm covering her face. Unsure if she was asleep and not wanting to disturb her if she was Dawn stayed completely still.

"It's okay Dawnie, I'm awake. What'd you bring me?" Buffy asked as she slowly sat up.

"One banana split with extra whipped cream and chocolate to cure what ails you." Dawn said softly as she crossed to the couch and sat down next to Buffy handing her the frozen concoction.

"Thanks Dawn this is just what the doctor ordered. How'd explanations go?" Buffy asked around a mouthful of ice cream.

"They went well. You were right of course Giles jumped at the chance to do more research." Dawn said rolling her eyes and grinning unrepentantly at her sister.

"Giles does love the research." Buffy said acknowledging the truth of Dawn's teasing.

"I'm really sorry Buffy." Dawn told her sister contritely.

"For what? You didn't do anything wrong." Buffy said looking confused.

"Yes I did. I never liked Riley and I wanted you to break up with him, but I never thought about how much it would hurt you to do that, so I'm sorry." Dawn rushed out anxious to get her confession out quickly.

"Dawn it's fine. Your not liking Riley had nothing to do with our breakup or any pain I'm experiencing. I'm more upset at myself that I let the relationship go on for as long as it did. I knew I was using Riley, and that I was behaving erratically, but I was so anxious to have a boyfriend I made allowances I shouldn't." Buffy told her sister.

"Well I'm still sorry." Dawn told her. "And Riley's an idiot."

"Thanks, and I couldn't agree more." Buffy said and then the two sisters just sat together enjoying their ice cream.

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"Alright Sam lets see what you can do." John told his son as he placed a sword at his feet. They were back in the practice room and John was trying to get an idea of the mental capabilities his son now had. "I want you to lift the sword to waist level keep it steady and we'll go from there."

Taking a deep breath Sam said, "Okay here goes." Concentrating on the sword and the inner monologue of instructions coming from past lives Sam mentally lifted the sword up and held it steady.

"Good, good. Now remember the sword routine I taught you boys when you were 15. The Japanese kata for a samurai?" John asked

Nodding his head his eyes never breaking contact with the sword.

"Okay I want you to slowly and with control put the sword through the motions of the kata. Take your time I want to focus on control right now not speed." John said as Dean watched from the sidelines. "We'll get to that soon enough."

"Let me know if I miss a step." Sam told them as the sword began to move slowly through the air. Sam began to move with it allowing for the constant connection he knew he needed to maintain control.

It took 15 minutes to get through the whole kata and at the end Sam was perspiring.

"Great job, now I want you to do it again same tempo okay, don't speed up yet Sam we're still focusing on control." John told his youngest son.

Watching him go through the motions again John was impressed with the control his son was already showing. Once he finished for the second time John said. "Once more same speed. You're doing great Sammy."

Dean also rooted his brother on calling out. "Looking good Sammy that was even better then the first.

Acknowledging his dad and his brother Sam took a quick swig of water and wiped the perspiration from his face and did the kata yet again.

Five more practice runs later and finally John allowed Sam to speed the kata up to a fast 10-minute length. After 5 practices at 10 minutes each the speed was once again allowed to increase to 7 minutes each. The kata normally took a man 6 ½ minutes to perform as it had been timed repeatedly when the boys were younger.

By the time they had reached 7 minutes Sam looked exhausted. He was still on his feet, but was obviously tired. His shirt and hair were soaked with sweat and he looked like he needed about 12 hours of sleep. Getting ready to call it quits the boys were interrupted by Dawn who walked in the room took one look and Sam and crossed to him and placed a hand on his chest. Taking a deep breath herself her hand began to glow green and before their eyes Sam became energized. His posture lifted, his eyes cleared and he no longer looked like he was about to fall over.

Looking in his eyes with a mischievous smirk on her face Dawn said "Feeling better?"

Letting out a bark of laughter and dropping a quick kiss to her forehead Sam said, "Much thanks that was just what I needed. Grab a seat I think it's needless to say we can continue now." Sam said the last part to his Dad and Dean who were standing there with their mouths hanging open.

"Okay that's just unfair." Dean said. "Can you do that for all of us?" He asked as Dawn crossed and sat beside him

"If it was and emergency I'm pretty sure I could force it, but for just everyday usage sorry, but no. Sam's powers and mine were meant to be complimentary. I'm the battery to his battering ram. We can both function separately, but work much better together."

"Bummer." Dean answered back.

"For you anyway." Dawn answered back jabbing Dean lightly in the ribs.

"And that's all that matters little girl" Dean joked back with a poke at her ribs that had Dawn giggling as intended.

"Enough you to Sam need to focus here." John told them not unkindly as he and Sam listened to their bantering. "Okay Sam since your now rested and refreshed let's see if we can't pick up the speed even more. I still want the focus to be control, but let's take this to the normal 6 ½ minutes." John said watching the swords movements intently.

"Roger that." Sam said as he focused not only on the movements but the time as well.

Five tries and 6 ½ minutes later and John was ready to call it a day.

"Dad can we try upping the speed even more before we quit?" Sam asked

"You sure your up for it Sammy? I know you got recharged, but we don't have to do this all in one day." John replied looking at his son seriously.

"Let's just take it to 6 minutes at least and then I'll be done and we can focus on Dawn and a strategic game plan I promise." Sam told his dad conveying his desire, and need to do this.

"Okay go for it. Dean your back on time so keep the countdown." John told his eldest as he took a step back.

The blade swirled finishing the kata in 6 minutes easily with no break in concentration. Four more tries to make sure Sam got it down pat showed the same level of control.

"Great job son." John told Sam as he handed him a water bottle and patted him on the back.

"That was completely bitchin man." Dean ribbed his brother. "You're going to be vicious when dad finished. I can't wait to see how fast you can get that kata." Then grabbing Sammy in a headlock he added, "Of course don't let that make you think I can't still kick your ass bitch." Which he whispered in Sam's ear affectionately.

"Whatever, I'm so going to be the man soon jerk." Sam told Dean as he got out of the headlock and threw a light punch at Dean's shoulder.

"I'm sorry who got a draw with the slayer today, and who got their Asses kicked." Dean mocked.

"Oh please I only missed a draw because she knew the suicide ploy was coming otherwise it would have been all you Deano." Sam razzed right back.

"See that 's where you're wrong because I don't telegraph my moves and you suck. I mean I saw that round house punch you threw coming 3 moves previously." Dean snarked

"How about you both suck?" Dawn threw in to see the brother's reaction with a laugh. "And neither of you beat my kick ass sister."

"Oh shut up." Both boys said in unison then looked at each other and Dawn and burst out laughing.

"All right boys enough it's time to work with Dawn." John said ending the banter war before it could really get started.

"Uhm John Willow said she wanted to be the one to work with me on my powers since they're mostly mystical." Dawn told John apprehensively not wanting to hurt the man's feelings.

"Don't worry Dawn I know that, but that doesn't mean we're going to leave the physical aspect of your training out. Giles said you have next to no self defense training and Buffy said it would be okay to get you started on the basics." John said smiling kindly at the young girl that had become so important to his family so fast.

"When did you ask Buffy dad?" Dean inquired.

"This morning while you took a shower." John told his eldest. "I'm going to need your help boys as well, unless you really want to do some research Sam then I can just work with Dean and Dawn." John told Sam knowing that Sammy's love of research was only equaled by his abilities.

"Are you kidding and miss watching the Dawnster eat mat for and hour. Never going to happen research can wait." Sam said jokingly as he picked Dawn up and twirled her around.

"Put me down." Dawn squealed, "I get seasick."

Once Sam put her down John quickly got them to work. Using Sam and Dean as training dummies and showing Dawn the fine art of breaking holds. "Now Dawn you're doing very well, but the important thing to remember is that you're a beginner. Learning a few moves doesn't mean your ready to take on a bar full of bikers." John told the young girl seriously. Having seen the false confidences that some people get after one or two lessons.

"Don't worry I'm a little young to be hanging out in biker bars anyway." Dawn replied with a smile appreciating the concern.

While Sam John and Dawn continued to work on basic moves until they became ingrained in Dawn Dean took a break and sat on the bench beside Buffy who'd arrived 15 minutes previously.

"She's doing great. Your dad's a good teacher." Buffy told Dean when he sat down.

"Well dad's had a lot of practice teaching self defense to hyper teenagers." Dean said with a smirk. "How are you doing?" he asked seriously.

"I'm fine. More embarrassed then anything. That break up was a long time coming." Buffy told Dean with a wry smile.

"Well then what's bothering you?" Dean asked confused.

"I guess I was just thinking about our sparring session and what Riley said about getting hurt. I mean normally I would have brushed that off, because no offense but your human. But it came to a draw, and I guess it's bothering me a little." Buffy hesitantly told Dean not wanting to offend.

"Okay hey, stop right there. First of all I had a big advantage over you. You weren't expecting much, so I was able to sneak past your defenses. Secondly yeah you're used to fighting things as strong and as fast as you, but not as smart am I right." Dean asked Buffy. Seeing her head nod he continued. "Yeah you started fighting me full out, but the rules were different I was able to out think you, not out fight you, and hey now that you know my methods I bet I never draw another fight with you ever. Which is why of course I'll be bragging about that draw for the rest of my life I hope you know." Dean ended with a smile bumping shoulders lightly with Buffy.

Laughing Buffy turned to Dean and said "Thanks that's really nice of you to try and make me feel better."

"Whoa princess I blow smoke up no one's ass. If you hadn't been up to snuff I would have told you." Dean holding up his hands "However what I told you happens to also be the truth. I mean I've been doing this for a long time so of course I know what it's like to fight someone stronger and faster, but you're just not used to fighting someone smarter."

At Buffy's raised eyebrow at the last part Dean quickly clarified "Or just as smart, but really you also have to realize I was willing to die to bring you down, and most big evil is not willing to do that. They're only focus is to win, not sacrifice themselves to take you out. That's a powerful advantage of any opponent and often why we've survived as long as we have."

"I got it, I got it. I believe you thanks." Buffy told Dean smiling and her eyes clear of doubt.

"Not to mention the fact that I was exhausted and bruised when we were done with our match and you just took a swig of water and went straight into the fight with Sammy, and came out on top. I mean I've already taken 4 Advil to head off the soreness that will be my friend by tomorrow morning. Sammy would probably be in the same boat if he hadn't gotten that energy burst from the Dawnster earlier." Dean finished

"What energy burst?" Buffy asked confused.

"Oh yeah you weren't here. Dad was working with Sammy on his telekinesis, and after about an hour Sammy looked like he was about to drop. Then your sister comes in puts a glowing green hand on his chest, and he's raring to go. Boy looked like he'd gotten 12 hours of sleep and mainlined a pot of coffee when she was done." Dean said with still a little awe and jealousy in his voice.

"Damn I can't believe it." Buffy said her voice laced with fear.

Looking at her closely and seeing the same fear on her face for Dawn that Dean always saw on his face concerning Sam he said. "I know it sucks doesn't it.

"What?" Buffy asked

"We spend our whole lives trying to protect them, and in the end there's nothing we can do but sit back and watch them prepare for battle." Dean said his fear for Sam's safety evident in his voice.

Realizing that Dean was in the same boat as she was Buffy voiced all the concerns that she'd been bottling up around the others. "She's so young. I mean I know she's supposed to be all powerful and stuff, but they gave her to me to protect, how am I supposed to do that when she's got to fight a hell goddess. Dawn's the one good thing that ever came out of me being the slayer, I don't know if I could go on if something happened to her."

"I carried my brother out of the house when my mom died and the fire was all around us. After that dad was destroyed. It was up to me to take care of Sammy and I've been doing it ever since. I mean I hated him leaving us and going away to college, but at least I knew he was safe, this… there's nothing I can do to help him and it's driving me crazy." Dean released the fears he'd been holding onto after he found out Sam was going to be the one to face the demon. "I mean this thing has already taken my mother, and in a way it's taken my dad to, cause he was never the same afterwards. But losing Sammy I think that would kill me as well."

Taking a deep breath comforted that she was not alone in her fears and concerns Buffy said. "Well I guess we better protect them while we can and make sure we teach them everything we know. The first thing I want to do is spar against you and Sam at the same time. It should be great practice for all of us."

"Hey now then I would put $20 bucks on Sammy and I for a win not a draw." Dean said with an arrogant smirk trying to lighten the mood.

"Uhm excuse me but didn't you just finish telling me how good I was?" Buffy faking confusion grateful for the lighter mood as well.

"Oh your good, but Sammy and I together are damn near telepathic." Dean continued to taunt Buffy good-naturedly.

"I see that draw's gone to your head I'm going to have to remedy that." Buffy taunted right back with a smirk of her own.

Letting out a bark of laughter Dean said "Bring it on, baby."

Buffy's reply was cut off by John hollering over to them "Hey if you two are done we need you over here to show some moves to Dawn, so get up off your asses people."

"Sir yes sir." Buffy replied with a mocking salute as she crossed to John.

"That what you call a salute solider didn't you work for he military last year." John inquired with a grin to take the sting out of the words.

"Yeah but when I wanted to wear an orange halter instead of fatigues they tried to have me killed." Buffy deadpanned.

"Oh never mess with the fatigues." John answered just as solemnly his eyes twinkling.

"So I've learned. What moves are we introducing to my impressionable sister today." Buffy joked back feeling so comfortable with the Winchesters you'd think she'd known them all her life.

The five quickly fell into a rhythm showing off moves and trying to one up each other. Buffy's hammer punch was a hit with Dean, but no one could get out of John's chokehold. A feat that had him puffing up a bit that he could still hold his own against the youngsters.

Sam had a down right vicious twisting leg hold he'd picked up from some wrestler's he'd tutored at Stanford that had Buffy drooling. Dawn went crazy over what Dean jokingly referred to as the Vulcan death strike that she demanded he teach her or she wouldn't stop bugging him. All in all the rest of the afternoon was wiled away with shouts of triumph and laughter echoing from the back and into the front that had the Scooby's shaking their heads in relief to hear Buffy and Dawn sounding so up beat and cheerful.

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Later that night Buffy asked Sam and Dean and John to go patrolling with her to see how they did against real vampires and to introduce them to Spike so he didn't accidentally get staked. Not that she would have cared that much, but he was handy in a fight, and the upcoming battle looked to be fierce. No sense killing off someone willing to do a little death and destruction for their side. Dawn had wanted to come as well, but was quickly reminded that she had school the next day and homework she hadn't finished, and once again that one self-defense lesson did not a vampire slayer make. Though upset at being left out a quick whispered word from Sam had her laughing and agreeing to stay home with out a fuss.

As they patrolled through one of Sunnydale's many cemetery's Buffy couldn't help but ask "Hey Sam what did you say to Dawn to get her to give in so easily. I was expecting at least WWIII if not a nuclear explosion." Buffy inquired trying to squash the jealous feeling that Sam knew Dawn better then she did.

"Sorry Buff that's between Dawn and me. I will tell you it wasn't about thinking she was ready, or even that she deserved to come, but more about she was having fun and didn't want it to be over. So don't worry about her picking a fight at school tomorrow to test out her new skills." Sam said kindly.

"Thanks I was a little concerned." Buffy admitted reluctantly. "We're going to stop by Spike's crypt first so you all can meet and there won't be any unfortunate deaths. I should warn you Spike's a bit complicated. He fights for us, but it's not because he good or has a soul or anything, That chip in his head keeps him from harming humans, but he's still dangerous. He's a master at mentally screwing with your head so don't give him any personal information. Consider him Hannibal Lector behind the glass. He may appear harmless and charming, but then he'll eat you." Buffy told them seriously. Knowing how easy it was to now underestimate Spike and his ability to do damage.

"Well that's a fun analogy I can't wait to meet him now." Dean said sarcastically.

Letting out a chuckle Buffy said "Sorry I just figured over-warned us better then under-warned."

"Everyday and twice on Sunday's." was John's succinct reply.

"Amen." Was Sam's.

Arriving at the crypt Dean said, "Well here goes nothing." And Buffy knocked on the door.

To be continued.

Okay I've had some disgruntled readers upset that in the last chapter Buffy and Dean came to a draw. I hope I've answered your questions and concerns in this chapter. If you still think my reasoning's faulty that's okay as long as it makes sense inside the concept of the story. I'm starting to the feeling that this is going to be a long long story, because I'm so focused on the characters and still working out the plot developments in my head. Still I hope everyone is enjoying it so far. So please review even if it's to let me know you have a problem with some aspect of the story. I will try to explain my thought processes or if I think your right I might even make a change. All feedback is useful when you're just starting. Thanks again for reading and please review.

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