Chapter 14

The next morning Buffy, Dean and Sam gathered at the mansion to start work while Dawn went to school. Dawn had tried to reason that she was needed and school wasn't that important, but no one agreed so she went to class with a sigh and a scowl.

While they knew they couldn't work completely without Dawn there, they decided to focus on new individual talents rather then focusing on a group.

John began putting Dean through the physical paces pushing the limits of his old boundaries and seeking out the new limits that he now possessed.

Tara worked with Buffy on focusing on her new mental capabilities. Urging Buffy to focus on being calm rather then chaotic, peaceful rather then forceful. Needless to say it was taking some relearning on Buffy's part as the slayer was more often then not prepared to hit first think later.

Sam was working with Giles on honing his talents down to the tiniest detail focusing on his control and seeing how delicate he could be with his abilities. At the moment he was forcing Sam to use a paring knife to slice paper-thin slices of an apple. It was slow going, as Sam had to hone his focus so tightly that it took at least one minute for a slice. Sweat was pouring down his face as he continued to slice the apple working his way through ¾ of the apple at that point.

Dean wasn't faring much better even with his new abilities their father wasn't known for taking it easy. Dean felt like he'd run a 4 minute mile and he didn't think he could go through that kata one more time without his legs falling off. John didn't really take that for an answer though as he pushed Dean to get up and go through the kata one more time.

For the first time since meeting Tara Buffy wanted to rip her head off. Trying to calm a slayer is kind of like trying to calm down a speed freak on meth, coke, and angle dust at the same time. Buffy's body was meant to be in motion. Letting out a growl Buffy jumped to her feet and began ranting. "This is impossible, I can't do it. I'm sorry Tara but if you ask me to be still one more time I'm going to rip your tongue out." Buffy finished dropping back down to the floor and stared up at the ceiling in defeat.

"Oh thank God a revolt." Dean shouted from his corner of the room. "If I have to do that kata one more time I'm going to shoot you in the chest with rock salt dad I swear to God." Dean told his father as he walked over to Buffy and dropped to the floor besides her letting out a groan of relief.

"Please at least your getting to move. I'm supposed to calm my spirit. HELLO my spirits not supposed to be calm I'm destructo girl that's my name I can't calm my spirit." Buffy ranted.

"What seems to be the problem guys?" Sam asked as he slice another piece of apple."

"I don't know it's like I can sense the changes in myself, and I can even use them a little, but I know I can do better then this but it's like there's a block in place." Dean ranted frustrated at his lack of progress.

"Exactly. I mean I know I didn't want an overload of mental power, but knowing it's there and not being able to use it is driving me crazy." Buffy rejoined.

"Okay hang on I'm pretty sure that shouldn't be happening." Sam said looking confused. "Let me conference with Dawn for a sec and I'll see what she has to say." Sam told the group as his eyes went slightly out of focus as he opened the mental link that he and Dawn shared.

"Do you think it's because Dawn's not here that we're experiencing problems?" Dean asked seeking answers from anyone in the room.

"It could be, but that doesn't make any sense. It would be unpractical, and a logistic nightmare to try and plan a battle that kept the four of you in the same space." John answered resting himself on a chair near the wall.

"Perhaps the bonding is not complete. We know that Sam and Dawn are bonded, but maybe the bond between the four of you needs to be stronger." Giles theorized.

"How?" Buffy asked.

"With blood." Sam answered causing everyone to jump sense no one had realized he was back with them. "Giles you're absolutely right when Dawn and I bonded we not only bonded mentally, but physically as well. When we brought Dean and Buffy into the group we only completed one aspect of the bond. The mental one, Buffy would you be willing to go and sign Dawn out of school we're going to need her here, and this cant' wait. A half formed bond is a dangerous thing." Sam asked Buffy.

"Sure, I mean I guess it won't kill her to miss half a day. Who's going to give me a lift?" Buffy asked.

"I gotcha." Dean said, "The sooner we grab little D the faster we can complete the bond."

"Hurry back, and make sure your not followed." Sam told them absentmindedly still deep in thought.

"Hey Sammy you okay?" Dean asked concerned at his brother's preoccupation.

"Huh yeah I'm fine, something's not adding up for me though, but I need to link with Dawn to figure it out, so go get her." Sam said.

"Didn't you just link with her like a second ago?" Buffy asked.

"Different type of linking. Hurry please." Sam said still deep in thought.

As Dean and Buffy left John walked over to his son and put a hand on his shoulder and said "Sam what's bothering you? You look a little pale."

Looking at his father Sam's eyes were filled with apprehension and concern "Dad I need to check with Dawn first, but I think we've unintentionally started something that's going to have serious consequences."

"Consequences how?" Giles asked stepping towards Sam.

"Look I don't think it's a bad thing, I'm just not sure how they're going to react that's all. Any way I might be completely wrong." Sam said not wanting to start a panic till he knew for certain the changes were going to be irreversible.

"Sam if these consequences involve Buffy it is my business to know them immediately." Giles said sternly with some Ripper coloring his voice at the thought of something happening to his slayer.

"Please just let me make sure first okay? Like I said I'm not sure it's going to be a bad thing." Sam held up his hands in a placating manner.

"Giles calm down I'm sure if it put Buffy in any danger Sam would already have told you. There's no need for everyone to be worried especially sense Sam doesn't even know for sure if whatever it is, is going to happen." Tara spoke calmly to Giles trying to help everyone remain calm.

"Then I guess we'll all just have to wait." John said relaxing back into his chair now that Giles appeared to have calmed down. He had instinctively put himself in front of Sam when Giles had started to get threatening and he was glad it wasn't necessary to get physical with the other man.

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At the school Buffy had signed Dawn out of class and she and Dean were waiting for her to get to the principal's office. "God this brings back memories." Buffy muttered under her breath.

"Spent some time here did we?" Dean asked with a wry grin.

"Hey it wasn't my fault. I have a mystical destiny that made is necessary for me to get into fights, skip school, and not have my homework. I can't help it that I had to keep it a secret." Buffy said with sarcastic petulance.

Letting out a laugh Dean said, "Well at least all you had to deal with was detention I can't tell you the number of times we had to tap-dance around social services. A kid who shows up more then once with interesting bruises is an automatic red flag. Add to the fact that we trusted no one, and they always thought we were hiding something. Unfortunately they were wrong about what we were hiding." Dean said.

"God I can't imagine. I mean getting expelled and having to move sucked, but I never had to worry that someone was going to try and take me away from my family." Buffy said sympathetically.

"Yeah it did suck. Not that I ever actually thought they'd be able to get us away from dad, but the fact that they might try was pretty nerve-racking. I remember hating letting Sam out of my sight, because while I knew I could get away from them I was always terrified they get Sam." Dean told her his voice laced with the old remembered fear.

"You're a great big brother you know that right?" Buffy asked Dean with a smile. "Sam worships the ground you walk on."

"I just did what I had to do." Dean said blushing as he brushed off the praise.

"Aren't we all?" Buffy answered sardonically.

"Hey guys I'm here so let's go." Dawn said bursting into the office bouncing with what seemed to be nervous energy.

"Great." Dean said willing to table the conversation he and Buffy were having for later. "We'll fill you in, in the car." Dean told Dawn not wanting her to feel left out.

"Don't worry Sam's already filled me in. Sam and I need to figure something out quickly." Dawn answered concerned with Dean and Buffy's reaction to what she and Sam were keeping to themselves.

"Hey Sam's already figured it out?" Buffy asked. "That was quick."

"Uhm well right now it's just an idea. We need to link up and search our memories to make sure we're right." Dawn answered evasively.

"So what's the idea?" Dean asked as they got in the car and sped away from the school.

"Uhm let's make sure we're right first, then you'll be the first to know." Dawn said concerned and curious about what Dean and Buffy's reactions will be to the news if Sam's right.

"Ooookay." Buffy drawled out looking at Dawn like she was concerned for her mental well-being.

The rest of the ride was done in mostly silence except for the occasional plea from Dawn to "Please hurry up. Dean was driving like her grandmother."

Once they arrived at the mansion Dawn was out of the car before it even came to a complete stop. Flinging open the door she rushed to Sam's side and blurted out breathlessly "Let's do it."

Nodding his head Sam got in a seat position on the floor with Dawn facing him. Dawn mimicked the position then held out her hand expectantly.

Sam pulled out the knife they had used for their initial bonding and once again reopened the wounds quickly and as painlessly as possible. The two joined hands and became very still as they were pulled again into their past lives.

John, Giles, Tara, Buffy and Dean just watched with various degrees of curiosity and concern as no one was quiet sure what the problem was exactly.

"Do you think that's all there is to it?" Dean asked Buffy. "I mean do all we have to do is share a little blood to access our new abilities.

"If that was all there was to it, it wouldn't be a big deal right? Something about the whole bonding process is concerning them, but what that is I have no idea." Buffy answered back.

A few minutes later Sam and Dawn opened their eyes with a look of resignation. Dawn healed their joined hands quickly then turned so they were both facing the rest of the group. "Okay here goes." She started. "Buffy and Dean as we already know the bonding between all of us is not complete, and it's causing a block on you accessing your new abilities. It's a fairly simple thing to fix, what was concerning Sam and myself is the consequences of completely the bond."

"We should have brought this up sooner, but it honestly never occurred to me, and there's no backing out now." Sam interrupted. "We both hope you won't be to upset."

"Well we'll let you know as soon as you friggin tell us what the consequences are?" Dean blurted out, looking more then a little frustrated.

"Sorry, it's just when we bonded with you we accidentally started a bond between the two of you as well, one that has to be completed. Once it has the two of you will be bound together for the rest of your lives." Dawn rushed out.

"What do you mean bound together. Like you guys bound together?" Dean asked looking for clarification.

"Basically yeah." Sam answered

"Well that doesn't sound to bad, I mean you guys seem to be doing okay." Dean said shrugging his shoulders.

"Wait a minute." Buffy said looking at Sam nervously "Is this like what we talked about last night?" Buffy said all of a sudden having a bad feeling.

"Give the lady a prize." Dawn muttered looking everywhere but at Buffy.

"What conversation last night? Come on guys what am I missing?" Dean practically shouted.

"Buffy was concerned about the bond Dawn and I share, where it's going what's going to happen to it as Dawn gets older that sort of thing." Sam started really really not wanting to have this conversation with his Dad and big brother in the room.

"Soooo." Dean drawled trying to hold on to his last shred of patience.

"Basically Dawn's to young to have a physical relationship with me obviously. But as she gets older that can and eventually will change. I'm not talking about right now, Hell I'm not even talking about 2 years from now. Think looong term." Sam explained quickly seeing the looks of horror on his Dad and Dean's faces. "Just that when Dawn is ready. Fifteen years from now." Sam grinned wryly at Buffy who smiled back appreciating the effort. "At some point Dawn and I are going to be ready to bond fully in this life. It will be a romantic relationship and we will be together for the rest of this life." Sam finished.

"So what are you guys supposed to do till then? I mean are you going to be celibate until little D here grows up, and when will you know she's ready?" Dean asked getting an idea of what was coming and wanting to put it off for a while.

"No hell no, look right now Dawn and I are what we are a 23 year old guy and a 14 year old girl who are best friends. I don't expect to be Dawn's first, anymore then I'm going to be celibate until she's twenty-five. That would be unfair to everyone involved." Sam tried to explain.

"Not to mention as cute as he is I don't feel any romantic desires towards him. Right now he's just my best friend." Dawn added trying to ease everyone's collective conscious.

"Then what one day wham bam thank you ma'm you to start getting hot and heavy?" Dean blurted out.

"Weell." Dawn drawled out "Essentially yeah."

"Good lord." Giles muttered

"It's okay Giles, it's better then the alternative." Buffy said trying to calm down her watcher.

"Don't worry Buffy I realize that it was more of the phrasing then anything else." Giles said with a snort.

"No joke." John said as he whacked Dean on the back of his head for his lack of tact.

"So when Buffy and Dean complete their bond they to will eventually become romantically involved." Tara finally spoke to clarify the situation.

"Exactly, and since there is no large age difference between the two I can only imagine that there won't be a waiting period like there is between Dawn and myself."

"What happens if we don't become romantically involved?" Buffy asked. "No offense Dean it's not that I don't like you, I just don't like the idea that I don't have a say in the matter." Buffy told Dean quickly hoping she didn't hurt his feelings.

"Don't worry about it as much fun as I know it would be I want it to be our choice as well, not some mystical prerogative." Dean smirked at Buffy and winked.

"Here's the thing now that the bonds started it must be completed. Otherwise we have no chance against Glory and the Demon. Now the good news is that it's not going to make you have a romantic relationship, but your going to WANT to have one." Sam said trying to clarify the difference. "You two were meant to do this, when we were sharing power you two were obviously complimentary." Sam stated.

"Didn't you notice how each others power felt familiar? How it blended together so beautifully." Dawn spoke up remembering the shared experience in her mind.

"Yes." Buffy said slowly thinking back to the amazing experience. "I do remember thinking that it seemed familiar, like deja-vu."

"Exactly." Dawn said jumping onto that fact like a cat on a mouse. "Don't focus on your fears from past relationships, because they can't apply here. It's actually pretty cool. You're completing yourself. It's not going to suck I promise." Dawn told her sister earnestly.

"If you weren't compatible this wouldn't even be an issue." Sam said softly to Dean. "It's really a good thing."

"I don't suppose it matters anyway since it's a moot point." Dean muttered trying to accept the fact that he was going to be with Buffy for the rest of his life.

"Pretty much yeah, but on the bright side there are worse people you could be stuck with for the rest of your life." Sam said slapping Dean on the back.

Looking over at Buffy and thinking about all that he knew about her Dean did have to agree with Sam on that point. If he was essentially getting hitched he did hit the proverbial jackpot when it came to wives.

Meeting Dean's eyes from across the room Buffy was having similar thoughts. "Well he is hot, funny, got a soul, and can kick major ass." Buffy muttered to Dawn.

"See not so bad. In fact I know it's going to be great." Dawn said enthusiastically.

"Well let's get this show on the road." Dean said as he and Sam sat on the floor waiting for the girls to join them.

"Is there anything we can do?" Tara asked as the four got situated.

"I think we're good." Sam told her with a smile. "I'm not sure how long this is going to take though, so you might want to call Willow, Xander, and Anya and explain the situation. If Buffy and Dean are anything like Dawn and I they're going to be really hungry when this is over, so ask them to pick up some food as well." Sam finished with a smirk at Dawn remembering their ravenous appetite the night of the bond.

"Hooo boy, and Buffy can eat already." Dawn joked, "So tell them to prepare for a hungry slayer."

Giles raised an eyebrow ironically and said "Twenty large pizza's it is. Does anyone have a preference on toppings?"

"MEAT." All three Winchester's replied in unison, and then shook their heads ruefully.

"How shocking." Giles whispered to Tara who was giggling into her hand.

"Focus people food later." Dawn said her voice laced with laughter.

Taking the knife and re-slicing his hand as well as Dawn's Sam then turned to Buffy and Dean and cut the palm of both of their hands. Motioning for Buffy and Dean to join hands Dawn and Sam then joined their own hands a top of Buffy and Dean. They formed a circle cut into quarters by their joined hands. Closing their eyes Sam and Dawn formed their connection instinctively, and then pulled Buffy and Dean in after them.

Finding themselves back in the white room Sam told Buffy and Dean "Okay now you're on your own from here. Dawn and I came along to get you started since it's our power that's allowing you to form the connection in the first place. Just concentrate on each other and open yourselves up to the connection you already share. When your done imagine your way back here, and Dawn and I will lead you back to reality okay?"

"Yeah sure you betcha." Dean muttered looking nervous about sharing his past with Buffy. There was a lot he wasn't proud of but had done to survive. He hoped the knowledge of his past didn't drive her away.

Buffy was feeling apprehensive as well about sharing her history with Dean. After Riley's inability to handle who she was it was discerning to try and open up to someone new.

Joining hands the two warriors looked into each other's eyes and gasped in surprise as the connection formed and they realized they were both scared of the same thing. Bolstered by that realization they sank deeper and deeper into the connection slowly revealing the core of their individual nature to one another. As the connection progressed they faded out of Dawn's mind and into their own leaving their brother and sister behind as they completed the journey by themselves.

"Dawn's right it is like watching a movie." Buffy thought seeing Dean's life literally play through her mind.

"Damn." Dean agreed then couldn't help but add watching Buffy fight Angelus "Nice defensive maneuver there, beautiful spin kick as well."

"Thanks that fight sucked rocks." Buffy added.

"Yeah I can tell." Dean thought back

"Oh that had to hurt." Buffy thought watching Dean go up against the Wendigo. "I'd also like to add an eww at the whole cannibal thing, I mean seriously gross."

"It's a fucked up world." Dean agreed. Then fell silent as he was assaulted by the memories of Buffy and Angel.

Buffy as well was fighting tears at the memories that she was getting bombarded with, seeing Sam walk away for college, watching Cassie leave, then not being able to reach John one day. The pain Dean felt on all of these occasions so mirrored Buffy's own sorrow she couldn't find words to express how sorry she was that he'd had to endure such pain.

Dean was in awe of the strength Buffy had showed throughout her short life. The constant desire to save everyone, the pressure of having the world on her shoulders, having to kill someone she loved, being turned away by her mother. Dean found himself furious on her behalf wanting to rip the heads off everyone that had dared to hurt such an amazing person as Buffy.

Finally after what seemed an eternity the joining was complete. Buffy and Dean both felt exhausted and complete at the same time. Their lives had mirrored each other's in so many ways it had been an eye opening experience.

"Dawn was right." Buffy thought.

"About what." Dean asked.

"This wasn't a bad thing." Buffy answered her voice filled with gratefulness at getting to have the experience they just shared. "I never thought I would find someone who could understand my life. I mean Angel came close, because we both had a destiny, but there was a big ole' 200 year age difference that kept us from really getting each other. Then there was Riley who got all my contemporary stuff, but none of the mystical destiny I have a purpose in life you can't understand. But then here you are, and I mean it was like…" Buffy trailed off.

"Watching your own life with a few changes." Dean finished for her.

"Yeah." Buffy said with a smile on her face.

"I'm getting what Sammy meant when he said we wouldn't HAVE to, but would WANT to. He was not wrong." Dean admitted sardonically.

"Yeah about that I realize we're all connected now, but do you think we could maybe take that one day at a time?" Buffy asked hoping Dean would understand.

Raising an eyebrow and looking surprised Dean exclaimed "You mean you don't want me to rip you clothes off and make love to you on the mansion floor in front of our friends and family as soon as we return back to reality. Shocker!" Dean finished by slapping his hands to his face and dropping his mouth open.

Laughing hysterically Buffy managed to gasp out "Nope your going to carry me into the bedroom mister I don't want to give Dawn and Sam any ideas."

Joining her in laughter Dean groaned and closed his eyes. "Oh, mental picture I didn't need thank you very much."

"You didn't need it, at least your brothers legal." Buffy shot back.

"That so has to suck I don't care what either one of them says." Dean admitted.

"Yeah knowing your soul mates right there and not being able to do anything about it does have to be high on the weirdness scale." Buffy said. "And that's all I want to think about that subject. I so don't need to be worrying about my little sister's eventual sex life, so change of subject please."

"Point. Look Buffy you know me now, so don't worry I've got no issue with taking the whole physical thing slow okay? I've had my share of fun in the past, but you do realize this is different, and I know that right?" Dean asked as he pulled Buffy towards him and wrapped his arms around her.

"Thanks Dean." Buffy said laying her head on his chest. "We'll just take is slow and see how it goes. I have a feeling things are going to get very interesting." Buffy grinned up at Dean.

"Baby you ain't kidding." Dean smirked back. "So do you feel connected to your new powers now?"

Frowning in concentration Buffy focused inward. A few seconds later a beautiful smile filled her face as she exclaimed "Yep not only can I feel them I can finally access them as well thank god. What about you?"

"I can defiantly tell a difference from earlier, how that translate will have to wait till we get back, and I can kick my dad's ass." Dean joked

"Sounds like a plan. Ready to head back to reality?" Buffy asked.

"Lead the way smurfette." Dean said winking at Buffy as he used her nickname from the 4th grade.

Growling at Dean Buffy commented, "That gets out and you're a dead man you know that right?"

"Yep." Was Dean's one word reply.

"Good. Let's go." Buffy said concentrating on getting back to Dawn's subconscious.

Opening her eyes Buffy saw Sam and Dawn standing side by side with huge grins on their faces at the sight of Buffy in Dean's arms.

"I'd say it worked just fine, what do you think?" Sam joked to Dawn.

"Oh yeah Houston we have lift off." Dawn said then dissolved into giggles as both Buffy and Dean rolled their eyes at the antics of their siblings.

"You're both going to be a royal pain in the ass aren't you?" Dean asked as he shook his head.

"Yep." Dawn and Sam answered together.

"Oh goody." Buffy snarked.

"Back to reality McDuff, I want to check out my new capabilities." Dean barely finished the sentence before feeling the pull of movement then opening his eyes back to the living room of the mansion. "Home sweet home." He muttered as he tried to get up only then realizing he was still holding Buffy's hand. "Oops." He thought grinning across at Buffy. Letting go of her hand he quickly pushed to himself to his feet and then with a wink reached down and helped Buffy up.

"Thanks." Buffy said smiling shyly. Now that they were back she couldn't help but feel a certain awkwardness at the situation. Especially since Giles, John, Tara, and now Anya, Willow, and Xander were all looking at Dean and her expectantly.

Sensing her apprehensions and noticing the looks they were getting Dean tried to lighten her mind by saying "Okay we'll Buffy and I are off to bang the gong for a few hours since she has issues with being an exhibitionist, but I've promised not to hold that against her."

Seeing the looks on their friends and families faces at Dean's exclamation had Buffy laughing so hard she had to hold on to Dean to stay upright. "Don't worry guys he's only kidding." Buffy was finally able to gasp out.

"Does that mean the bonding didn't work?" Xander asked trying to tap down on the jealousy that always reared its ugly head concerning Buffy and guys that weren't him.

"No it worked fine." Dean said easing everyone's mind "We're all connected mentally, we've just decided there's no need to rush into the physical, and when we do we're certainly not going to advertise the fact to you, so get over it." Dean finished making it very clear that the topic was closed.

"The important thing is whether or not you're now able to access the power available to you." John asked as eager as his son to change the subject. There was nothing like a group contemplating your children's sex lives to make you feel uncomfortable.

"Ready and willing Captain." Buffy smiled gratefully at John as she threw a sloppy salute.

"Fantastic." Giles said "Well we should get to work immediately." He began only to be cut off by Buffy's stomach growling loudly. "Or" he amended "We could eat first and then get back to work."

"That would be good yes." Buffy said as her face turned crimson.

"It's a plan." Dawn said happily as she ran to where the pizza boxes were sitting. "I missed lunch to get here, so I'm starved as well."

"Dinner's served." John said wryly-watching Dean, Buffy, Sam and Dawn attack the pizza like a pack of dogs on a three-legged cat.

"Oh I do hope twenty pizza's were enough." Giles said as he watched the youngsters devour the food. "I guess we can always order more. I suggest we make our way over there if we want any after you Mr. Winchester." Giles said as he motioned John towards the food.

"Oh no after you." John finished with a smirk. Then they both jumped into the proverbial fray for lunch.

To be continued.

Well another chapter done, I hope everyone likes it. Please please please please please review. They make my day. Even the simple one-sentence reviews are better then nothing. Reviews feed my muse and give me inspiration, so if you want another chapter please feed my muse. How whiney, desperate and needy do I sound? Oh well FEED ME SEYMORE. Don't worry if you don't get that quote, I just really love Little Shop of Horrors. Great movie and play. Anyway reviews are welcome as well as any and all constructive critisems, so make my day. Have a great weekend, and I'll try and get another chapter up sooner. I hope it doesn't take another week; I just got a little distracted. See you soon.

B