Dedication: Thanks to everyone who reviewed chapter 4: Sanity Fair, Liayso, Celestia Nailo, freezyboncoolipants, IllyriaJem, Hellmouth2, daybreak+destructoboy, and blue-baby-babe. I was so happy to receive all of your wonderful reviews, especially those with job ideas for Connor and Buffy! Most of you seemed to agree that Connor needs something involving his strength, you will see from this chapter which exact idea I am using. Buffy I haven't exactly revealed yet, but you will see. I just want to mention one thing: a lot of you said they should work for Wolfram and Hart. In my series, Angel past season 4's Spin the Bottle never happened. So therefore Angel is not in charge of Wolfram and Hart. That was a good thought though.
A/N: I am so sorry for the delay in releasing this chapter! Life has been busy. I promise to update more frequently. Here is another long chapter, I think you will like this one, had a little trouble getting it started but I like how it turned out. As always, please read and review.
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Chapter 5: Slayers and Sleeping Arrangements
A few days later, the three of them sat around the apartment. It was a Saturday morning, and they were relaxing in their newly decorated apartment. After spending several hours, much to Connor's dismay, shopping for furniture, appliances, and extra touches, and then another day arranging everything, the place was starting to feel like a home. The pieces that Buffy and Dawn had selected gave the space a modern, contemporary vibe. They had used a lot of gold accents in the now peach room, sprucing up the existing furniture with little touches. Even Connor had to admit that it looked really good.
They had also fixed up the bedrooms. The bedrooms...a heated argument had ensued over them the previous night...
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"Buffy, come on. Connor and I deserve to have our own room!" Dawn argued.
Buffy closed her eyes to try and remain calm. "Dawnie, you are sixteen-"
"Seventeen in a month!" Dawn shot back.
"You are sixteen years old and I don't think it would be very appropriate for me to let you share a bed with your boyfriend!"
"Buffy, please! We are mature. Connor is an adult! I'm going to be starting my senior year. Besides, we've already slept together," Dawn argued.
"Dawn, what kind of guardian would I be if I just allowed you to have sex whenever you want? I have been extremely kind to you about the...status of your relationship with Connor. I am your older sister, and I am responsible for you."
"Buffy, we understand," Connor said, chiming in for the first time since the heated debate had begun. "We know that you only have Dawn's best interests at heart."
Dawn stared at him, open mouthed. "Whose side are you on here?"
"Baby, it's not worth arguing about. We'll still be living in the same apartment, we'll still have time together." Connor wanted to be able to freely be with Dawn more than anything, but as she had said he was an adult, and he figured that he should be the bigger person. It was important to earn Buffy's respect so that she would completely trust him with her sister.
"No we won't! Not if she has anything to say about it." Dawn looked angrily at her sister. "Just because you don't have someone doesn't mean that you have the right to prevent us from being happy." Connor winced, knowing she had just crossed the line.
Buffy looked wounded. "Do you honestly think that? You really think that I don't want you to be happy? Dawnie that is ALL that I want. But I am your sister and I am responsible for you. Mom isn't here anymore, so someone needs to be in charge," she said tensely.
Dawn didn't reply this time. Connor placed an arm on her shoulder. "Baby, it's not worth it. Come on, let's go for a walk." He tried to pull her towards the door before she could do any more damage.
"You know, I was willing to give you a compromise. But if you're going to act like this maybe you don't deserve it," Buffy said, crossing her arms.
Dawn tried not to look curious, but was too defiant to break down. Connor spoke for her. "I'm sure we could agree to your compromise. Dawn just got carried away."
Buffy nodded. "I was going to say that yes, you could have your own room." Dawn's face instantly brightened. "Don't get too excited," Buffy said with a warning tone in her voice. "There have to be some rules. You must leave the door open except when you are changing. And you must remember that these walls are very thin and I am right in the next room over."
Dawn looked at Connor, and he nodded at her. "Okay, we'll take it," she said grudgingly. "At least we'll be able to snuggle."
"Thank you Buffy," Connor said.
She nodded. "Make sure you keep those rules in mind. Because I can change them easily."
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Connor had been very relieved when that argument was over. He agreed with Dawn that it was slightly disappointing, but he definitely understood where Buffy was coming from. It had been very nice of her to allow them to sleep in the same bed at all. He knew for sure that his father would never allow it. He took another sip of his coffee, looking up when he heard Dawn exclaim while reading the newspaper.
"Buffy, look at this article," Dawn said excitedly, shoving it under her face.
Buffy frowned, staring at the Italian headline. "La ragazza para fuori dei muggers affrontati Orribili."
"Am I supposed to understand that?" she asked warily. "We've only been here for like, a week."
Dawn sighed, exasperated. "Buffy, to the best of my translation, it's talking about a girl who fought off a group of 'gruesome faced' muggers last night."
Connor looked up from his coffee. "Slayer?"
"Maybe," Buffy said, more interested now. She sighed. "So much for my vacation."
"We should find her. She could use our help," Dawn suggested.
"Where was this attack?" Connor asked.
Dawn scanned the article, carefully tearing it out of the paper. "The alley between 'corte di rosa' and 'senso del pino.' We can probably find it on our map. Says the girl was gone before she could be questioned by police."
Buffy nodded, finishing off her coffee. "May as well get on it. We can still look for jobs later." They had planned to walk around today, looking for any job opportunities for Buffy and Connor. Dawn had decided not to get a job, considering she would be starting her senior year at a local high school in a few months.
"We can start at the alley, work out, talk to people nearby," Connor suggested, finishing off his coffee. The three of them exited the apartment, Dawn grabbing the article, map of the city and English to Italian dictionary on the way out.
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A half hour later, the three of them stood in the alley, staring at the ground. They didn't really know what they were looking for, they were just kind of standing there, waiting for a clue as to where they could find this girl to appear. So far it wasn't happening.
"Where are those CSI guys when you need em," Buffy muttered to herself. "Okay, we just need to think. She was in this alley, so she must have some kind of business around here, it was at night so she was probably going home, maybe coming back from a party or something."
"The article said that she was gone before the police arrived...but the police wouldn't have arrived if someone hadn't heard something and called them," Dawn exclaimed. "So there must have been a witness, someone who heard something at least...yes, I think this word means 'witness.' Someone...living nearby called it in, doesn't give a name," she said slowly, translating as she went.
Buffy looked up, shading her eyes from the bright Italian sun with one hand. Sure enough she found several windows on the side of what appeared to be a run down apartment building looking back at her. "Looks like we're going door to door," she said, heading back to the street.
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"Here goes nothing," Buffy said, knocking on a door. They had gone up to the floor that appeared to have the best view of the alley.
"Why don't you let me do the talking," Dawn suggested. "Maybe if I say something in Italian, they will respond better."
"Okay," Buffy said with a slight smile. She was quite impressed with how well Dawn was doing with the new language. Maybe all those times researching demon languages at the Magic Box had paid off after all.
The door opened a crack, the chain still attached. "Si?"
Dawn smiled at the little they could see of the woman, an eye, and a tuft of unruly gray hair. "Ciao. Potete aiutarli?" She held out the article, hoping that it would speak for itself. The door opened a crack wider as the woman peered at it.
"Ho sentito parlare di questo. Le sirene lo hanno svegliato in su," the woman replied tiredly.
Dawn was good, but not quite that good. "Parlate Inglese?"
The woman shook her head a little. "Buon giorno." She closed the door.
Dawn sighed. "Well she was helpful. But I don't think she was the witness, I think she said something about sirens, probably woke up after the action was over."
"Let's see what's behind door number two," Buffy said cheerily, banging on the door across the hall. This time a little girl answered, no older than four, adorable with long dark curls.
Dawn smiled at her. "Hi. O la vostra madre domestica?"
The little girl stuck a thumb in her mouth, shaking her head. "Il mommy P andato al deposito della drogheria."
Connor frowned a little. This little girl was home alone, in what appeared to be a not so great neighborhood? He glanced at the clothes she wore: an old faded, torn t-shirt that came down to her ankles, and no shoes.
Dawn nodded back at her. "Grazie." The girl started to close the door but Connor reached out a hand and stopped her. Wordlessly, he handed her five Euros.
"Get yourself some shoes. Or food," he said, not really caring or realizing that she didn't understand him. But on some level, she seemed to, as she smiled sweetly, folding her hand around the money before closing the door.
Dawn stared at him, her eyes misty. "That was the sweetest thing I've ever seen anyone do." Buffy tried to roll her eyes at her sister unending devotion for Connor, but couldn't help but agree, that sudden act of kindness was very generous, and a little surprising.
Connor blushed. "She was barefoot, this is a bad part of town, I just wanted to do something to help."
Dawn wrapped her arms around him. "That was the most incredible thing I've ever seen. I love you." She kissed him softly.
Buffy tried to ignore them, knocking on the next door. When an old man answered, she spoke. "Parlate Inglese?" She had learned that was the phrase to always say first.
To her surprise and relief, he nodded. "Whaddya want?"
Dawn got back to business, holding out the article. "We were just wondering if you knew anything about this incident."
He scanned it quickly. "Naw. I was asleep. But Leslie told me about it, she called it in."
Buffy glanced at the others, hopeful. "Leslie? Where can we find her?"
He shoved a dirty thumb in the direction of upstairs. "Right above here." Before they could thank him, he closed the door.
"Well, we have a winner," Buffy said triumphantly, as the trio headed upstairs.
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"Leslie?" Buffy asked kindly when an old, plump woman with rollers in her hair answered the door. "Parlate Inglese?"
She frowned slightly. "Know I you?"
Relieved that she spoke at least broken English, Dawn held out the article. "Hi, we heard from your neighbor that you saw this girl, fighting in the alley last night. We were wondering if you could tell us anything else about her. We think she's someone we're looking for," she said honestly.
Leslie nodded grimly. "Dis girl, she walk every night. Den I hear big noises, look out window, and she fighting..." she searched for a word. "Men, not normal."
Buffy nodded encouragingly. "Can you tell us anything else about her? When is she usually around here? Do you know her name?"
She shook her head. "No name. I just see. Every night, midnight. I see her out window."
"What does she look like?" Dawn asked.
Leslie studied Dawn. "Hair like you. Tall. Look sad."
Buffy glanced at the others, satisfied. "Leslie, thank you so much. You've been a really big help."
She nodded. "I hope you finded her. She looks..." she struggled with her English. "Needs friend."
Dawn smiled. "We will find her. Thank you." She closed the door, leaving the three of them standing in the hallway.
"Well, I guess we can find her here tonight at midnight," Buffy said as they walked back down to the street. "She must live around here, if she's out that late. Not a good neighborhood to be walking home alone in the dark."
"Sounds like she can hold her own," Connor commented.
Dawn shook her head. "She must be so confused. She doesn't know what's happening to her."
"Well, we're going to find her, and help her. That is what we're here for," Buffy said, reminding them as well as herself. The past few days had been nice, relaxing, getting settled into the apartment. But bottom line was that she was still a slayer if not the slayer. And it was her job to help other girls that were feeling just like she was eight years ago.
"I wonder if the others are having any luck, finding slayers," Dawn wondered out loud.
"I don't know. They're probably still getting settled. We got lucky, we've only been here like a week and we already have a place to live. Giles said the last he heard from everyone was when they arrived," Buffy said. They slowly started to notice the change in the city; they were leaving the outskirts of town and entering the inner city, where their apartment was located.
"The only thing we're missing is jobs," Connor reminded her.
Buffy frowned. "I've been trying to think of what I could do. The counselor thing worked out okay in Sunnydale. Except helping teenagers with issues is hard enough in English."
"True," Dawn said. "Maybe you should start out with something where you don't need to know quite as much Italian, but where you still interact with people, it would be a great way to learn."
Connor stopped suddenly. Something had caught his eye: a piece of paper tacked to a telephone pole, with the little rip off tabs hanging off the bottom. The left side was in Italian, with the right side containing an English translation. One word had caught his eye: strength. He paused to read the ad:
Rome Movers and Co.
Help Wanted!
Requirements: Physical strength, hardworking attitude, flexible schedule. Italian language not required, must only be able to move boxes and furniture for families moving to new homes. Fair pay with opportunity for promotion.
His curiosity peaked, he ripped off one of the little tabs. As much as Dawn would say otherwise, he was best suited for a job that involved his best quality: his strength. This sounded like a good opportunity, the work of moving boxes and furniture would be a piece of cake for him, and he didn't even need to speak the language.
"What's that?" Dawn said curiously, peering over his shoulder.
"Job ad. Sounds promising," Connor said, turning to look at her. Dawn scanned the ad.
"If that's what you want. I'm sure it would be a good way to get started," she suggested. "But you know, you do have more going for you than your superhuman strength. And don't argue with me!" she insisted as he tried to interrupt. "Back there, when you helped that little girl, you proved that you have much more to you than what meets the eye."
Connor looked into her eyes. "I know. But for now I think it would be best to stick with my strengths, where I'm comfortable. I should at least check it out."
Dawn took his hand, and they continued down the street to where Buffy had stopped to wait. "Then you will! You know I'll support you, whatever you decide to do."
He smiled at her. "I know. And I appreciate that more than you know."
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"Okay. It's eleven fifteen, I think I'm gonna go now, I don't want to miss her," Buffy said, standing up from where she had been sitting on the couch and pulling on her jacket.
Dawn and Connor looked up from the Italian game show they were watching on tv. "You? What about us? Aren't we all going?" Dawn asked.
"I don't know. I've been thinking about it, and maybe this girl would be less intimidated if she's approached by one perfect stranger instead of three. Her life is confusing enough right now, she has all this new strength, probably wacky dreams, she got attacked last night, and if she's living in that neighborhood...her life is probably less than stellar. I think I should go alone," Buffy said rationally.
Dawn nodded. "Okay. Be careful out there."
"Good luck," Connor added.
Buffy nodded on her way out the door. "Hopefully by the end of the night this girl's life will make much more sense." With that she was gone.
Dawn and Connor went back to watching the tv. After five minutes of watching the game show host ramble in Italian, Dawn sat up perfectly straight, a slow smile spreading across her face.
"What? What is it?" Connor asked worriedly.
She turned to him, her mouth hanging open. "You do just realize that the two of us are alone for the first time in weeks."
Connor's own mouth fell open, amazed that they had just remained oblivious to that fact for the last five minutes. "You're right!" He grinned. "Any ideas for how we should spend the time?"
Dawn glanced at the clock, grinning herself. "Well, I figure we have over an hour, all alone here..."
Connor wrapped his arms around her waist. "Well then maybe we should get started." He started kissing her earlobe.
Dawn softly held him back. "I have a better idea. Why don't you light some of the candles we bought in the bedroom, and I'll be there in a few minutes?"
He looked at her curiously. "Where are you going?"
"You'll see," Dawn said, standing up and hurrying into the bedroom. "I have a little surprise for you." He heard rummaging, then her head peeked around the door, as she obviously hid something behind her back. "I'll only be a minute." She disappeared and he heard the bathroom door close.
Intrigued and grinning, he got a few small candles out of the bags they hadn't unpacked yet and took them into the bedroom, placing them on the night stand, dresser, and floor before lighting them. He made sure protection was nearby, not wanting to take any chances. He glanced around, before fluffing up the pillows and drawing back the covers. A few small touches really did make the small, freshly blue painted room a lot more romantic. On a sudden whim, he rushed out to the kitchen, taking a few of the flowers they had bought for the table out of the vase, and scattering the petals across the bed. Just when he decided it was perfect he heard the bathroom door open slowly.
Dawn stood in the doorway, wearing only a purple nightgown that hugged her body and fell just to the middle of her thigh. She had taken her hair down and it cascaded in waves against her shoulders.
Connor's mouth dropped open when he saw her. He opened his mouth to say something, but couldn't find the words at first. Finally he managed to croak out "you're so beautiful."
"I thought you'd like it," she said, walking a little closer. "I got it back at the mall in LA, wanted something special for the next time we could be together."
He took her into his arms, as they sank down to sit on the bed. "You're perfect." He kissed her softly, as they gently fell back onto the bed.
"Just one problem: you have far too many clothes on," Dawn said with a grin, pulling his shirt up and over his head. He kissed her more passionately as he helped her remove his pants.
"I've wanted you so bad, it's been so hard these past few weeks," he mumbled, kissing her neck.
"Well we don't have to wait anymore," Dawn said thickly. She giggled as he gently removed her nightgown.
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Buffy had been halfway to the alley when she had realized that she had left Dawn and Connor alone to do whatever they wanted. For a moment she had honestly considered turning back. She couldn't believe that she had completely left them alone unsupervised, after she had tried so hard to do the whole parent lecture the previous night. But a part of her was actually happy for them. She really did want them to be happy. The whole sex thing was still a little bit of an issue to her, simply because Dawn was still so young. But there was also something else, and she knew it. She dared herself to think that maybe she was a little jealous of Connor and her sister. They were so happy together, and there was nothing standing in their way. Except...herself.
Am I really like that? Am I really jealous that my little sister has a great guy that loves her? The thought was horrible. But after seeing Angel in LA, she had started to suspect that maybe it was true. Dawn and Connor had something that she and Angel could never have. And as much as she was glad that they had the opportunity to be happy, she couldn't help but feel a little jealous. The man she loved was an ocean away, and she would never again be able to be with the him the way she was sure Dawn and Connor were with each other right now.
She contemplated this on the rest of her walk to the alley. She felt like a horrible person for resenting her sister's happiness even just a little. But she had to admit that while it made her happy to see Dawn so high on life, it also made her feel a little depressed about her own.
Maybe it's just not meant to be for me. I'm the slayer, Dawn's not. Angel's a vampire, Connor's not. I just have to be happy for them. They deserve this, if Angel and I can't have it they should be able to, she told herself firmly. She thought back to the argument the previous night and realized with guilt that maybe she had been a little too overbearing. Had she just been trying to keep Dawn and Connor apart at night so that she would feel better about her own lonely life? As much as it hurt to admit it she knew deep down that it was true.
As she reached the alley, she made a promise to herself. She wasn't going to let herself stand in the way of her sister's happiness. Hell, maybe she would even walk around the block a few times on the way home to give them some extra time together. They deserved it.
She didn't know how long she stood in the alley contemplating this before she heard the sound. Footsteps. She straightened, waiting as the sound got closer. Then she saw her: a girl, brown hair and eyes, very Italian in appearance. She was tall and thin, wearing what looked like an apron underneath a long white coat. She appeared very cautious, glancing left and right, her guard up. She had her hand carefully folded over something in her pocket. As she started to walk past her, Buffy stepped out of the shadows. The girl jumped in the air and pulled out what she had been holding onto so carefully: a wooden stake. Buffy held up her hands. "Hey! It's okay. I'm not a vampire, I just want to talk to you."
The girl didn't look too convinced, her wide brown eyes flitting around nervously. "Come lo conoscete? Nonlo danneggi prego, lascilo vanno," she rambled quickly in Italian.
Buffy noticed the name tag clipped onto the apron. "Gina? My name is Buffy. Do you speak English? Parlate Inglese?"
She nodded hesitantly. "Little bit."
Buffy smiled encouragingly. "Okay! That's good. Gina, I just wanted to talk to you about what happened to you last night. I know you're scared, and confused, and I just want to help you," she said slowly.
"I know you," Gina said suddenly, still clutching her stake. "I see you. In dream."
Buffy nodded with understanding. "You probably did. Gina, I am a slayer. I was the only slayer until a few weeks ago. But now you are too, you are like me. And I want to help you understand. You must have some idea of what's going on, if you're carrying that around," she said, gesturing to the stake. She slowly reached in her own pocket and pulled out her own. "See? I have one too. Because I understand, I know what's out there."
Gina slowly put her stake back in her pocket. "This is why those...those..."
"Vampires," Buffy said softly.
"Why they attack me?" she asked hesitantly, not repeating the word.
"Yes. But I want to help you. I can train you, help you understand your powers and learn to defend yourself," Buffy explained. "Gina, you're not alone in this."
She was surprised to see tears come to the younger girl's eyes. She realized that she didn't look any older than seventeen. "It's okay, you don't have to cry anymore. Why don't you tell me why you walk through this alley every night?" Buffy asked curiously.
Gina looked at her, her expression showing her wary trust for Buffy. "I work, back there. I am waitress, in café. I live there," she said, pointing down the alley to where she had been headed.
"Do you go to school?" Buffy asked.
She shook her head. "Not anymore. Mother and father...they are not here. I leave new parents, leave school, get job..."
Buffy felt instant sympathy for the girl. Her parents were dead, and it sounded like she had run away from her foster family. Now she was so young and working to support herself. "Do you have a home?"
Gina nodded. "It's little, but it's all I need."
Buffy thought. "Gina, would you like to come home with me? My sister and her boyfriend are there, she's about your age. We can talk more."
Gina glanced around uncertainly. "I guess it's okay."
Buffy smiled at her. "Okay. It's not far, just come with me." She turned and started down the alley. Gina followed slowly. They walked along side by side in silence. Buffy looked over at her with a small, encouraging smile, and to her relief, Gina smiled back.
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TBC!
Another big thanks to Celestia Nailo for her wonderful job suggestion for Connor, as you can see I am using it. I loved it as soon as I read it, and I thank you for taking the time to think of that! I have even come up with a little subplot that will spin off from the job, I think it will be great for the story.
Please review! I'd love to know what everyone thought of this chapter.