Disclaimer : Nothing's mine, sadly.

Hey guys! I'm back! I don't know for how long, but I am. The last weeks had been so busy! I haven't found the time to write, or to read or to watch TV and when I finally moved in my shiny new home, I didn't have Internet! (When I was supposed to have it!)

Anyway, it was one week ago now and even if I haven't cleared the incredible mess still, I'm installed.

I take advantage of that hot and sunny Sunday (which finds me stuck at work) to update!

I hope you'll appreciate the effort! ^_^

I don't know how your holydays work but it's the beginning of the summer here, school is over, people are leaving for their sunny vacations and maybe you are getting ready to do the same! So, enjoy it for me! (Because I'll have to wait two and a half months to have mine!)

Good reading! And don't forget that little thing called review!

Chapter Twenty Seven

Interlude

"This is so not a good idea," Dawn said, shaking her head.

"I think it's a pretty good one," Xander replied.

They were in Xander's room at the hotel. They had considered meeting in Buffy's apartment, but with the Torchwood doctor living there, it would have been hard to explain why they hadn't invited Torchwood. Dawn was clearly not happy with the situation while Giles was mostly silent. Willow looked away from the view through the window.

"They can't do it. It's not their area, it's ours."

"They called us in for this case! To help them out, not to take their case and work behind their backs."

"This could save them," the witch insisted.

"Save my sister first!"

"I can't change what happened. And even if I had the right to, whatever happened there was not normal. I could make things worse if I tried anything. But I can stop this madness before they create a Hellmouth."

Dawn snorted. "You don't even realize what you're doing."

The redhead looked quizzically at the younger woman. Didn't she know how much it was killing her to stay away from Buffy, knowing that she could at least try to help her? But she didn't have the right to do anything, not after last time. Wasn't she aware of her need to act — to help — before someone got hurt again? Didn't she understand how frustrating doing nothing was for her? Couldn't Dawn feel the magic running through her veins, fed by the energy coming from the Rift? As she looked into Dawn's eyes, she realized that she had no idea. She was worried about her sister and angry, but that didn't explain the look of disdain Dawn was sending her.

"You're making decisions without listening to a thing anyone else has to say. That's exactly what we tried to warn Buffy about — why we kicked her out of the house in Sunnydale!"

"She's doing what she thinks is right, Dawnie," interrupted Xander. "It has nothing to do with Buffy."

"You're still wrong."

"These people have no idea what they're dealing with," he nearly yelled. "They're going to get themselves killed!"

"You don't know them. I've spent the last week with them and I think they can do it. And even if it turns out they can't, they have the right to be let in the know."

"You've known them longer than us, you know that they're going to give us problems."

She threw her hands into the air out frustration. "So that's it? You're taking matters into your own hands? What happened to you two? When did you become so detached and haughty?"

"We grew up, Dawnie."

The Key wore a look of disgust on her face. She couldn't believe what she was hearing and what she was seeing. How could she have missed it? How could she have not seen what had been right in front her eyes? She didn't recognize the people in front of her anymore. They had been asked for help and came running, but now they were acting like they owned everything and everyone. Like they had every right to do things their own way without consulting Torchwood. Every right to barge in and to encroach on other people's territory. They didn't even ask themselves if they could be wrong.

"Bullshit! Growing up has nothing to do with this — with your attitude."

Something flashed in their eyes but it disappeared quickly. Willow played with a lock of her hair and Xander rubbed his cheek tiredly. They exchanged a glance and Dawn looked at the blank face of Giles. She sighed. "I'm not going to be able to stop you, right?"

"Listen Dawn," the witch began, "this is what we do. Torchwood doesn't have the first clue of what to do or the necessary weapons to fight them. We do. It's our duty to do it."

"No, it's not. It's a choice and this time you're making the wrong one. You're not almighty. This is Torchwood's territory, not yours."

Willow's jaw clenched and Dawn could have sworn that her eyes darkened.

"We have been doing this for a long time, Dawn and you have nothing to teach us."

The young woman had enough. She grabbed her coat and her bag.

"Do as you want but I'm not going to help you or lie to Torchwood if they ask questions. But, just for the record, I lost people too and I know this world as well as you do. I was born into it, created by it so don't tell me that I don't know what I'm talking about. I'm sorry for you, because I don't know how to help you, how to fill that void inside of you or make the pain go away. I just hope that you'll realize how wrong you both are before it's too late."

Her phone started ringing before anyone could say anything. She searched inside her bag, extracted the noisy device and answered.

"She's awake."

She sighed in relief and told Jack that she was on her way to the Hub. Willow and Xander refused to come and when she asked Giles, he shook his head. He accompanied her to the street where he waited with her for a cab.

"What happened to them?"

Giles gave her a tired look. "They were both so young when their lives changed."

"Buffy was younger."

"But she is the Slayer. I think that it made her stronger mentally. Willow and Xander were fragile. When they discovered the truth about vampires and demons, I don't think they really understood what it meant. They faced so many things, lost so many people. It scarred them."

"It's like they have no feelings though."

"But they do. They're human Dawn. They just bury them deep inside because it's easier for them."

"It's not right."

"No, but I still have hope for them. Look at your sister, it wasn't easy but she is pulling through."

"You think Willow and Xander can too?"

"I hope so. Go to your sister. I'm going to stay here and try to knock some sense into these two."

"Be careful, alright? Don't get hurt because of them," she replied as a cab stopped.

He gave her a small smile.

"I'm serious Giles! They are wrong. If they have to get hurt to realize that, let them get hurt. They're not kids anymore."

Although she really thought that, she had to be realistic too. Giles would put his life in danger without hesitation to save one of them. They were his kids, blood didn't matter when it came to them. Maybe that was why their bonds to him were the strongest. He had been nothing less than their father and they had been his children, his responsibility. That was why he stayed with those he thought needed him more. She hugged him.

"Just do your best."

"As always Dawn."

She got in the cab and tried to calm herself. Which wasn't an easy thing to do. Everything was coming at her all at once. It was freaking her out. Her sister just woke up from a coma and those two morons were convinced that they were right, putting themselves and Giles in danger because of their stupidity. On the bright side, this little trip had helped her make her decision. In fact, the only thing that really comforted her was her desire to marry Derek.

She arrived at the Hub in no time. She paid the driver, telling him to keep the extra cash. She entered the tourism office, pushed the hidden button behind the counter and practically ran through the maze that led to the headquarters of Torchwood Three.

She slowed down and finally stopped when she saw her sister, laying in the same bed that she had been for the past week. However, this time, she was awake and smiling tiredly. She had huge purple shadows under her eyes and she looked so fragile laying there that a lump formed in her throat. Jack sat on a stool by her bedside, and his huge hands enveloped her little one. They had only eyes for each other, not like lovers, but in that passionate and close way she had witnessed when she first arrived. Their respective barriers were down, they didn't try or even think to hide or protect themselves from each other. It was like they were two wandering souls who, completely by chance, found one another and discovered that they were not completely alone.

"I don't know how they do that."

She looked over at Ianto and realized he was handing her a handkerchief. She took it silently and wiped away her tears. The man had never talked to her before if he hadn't been forced to. She was even more surprised when he continued.

"They've lived opposite lives, have completely different pasts, but they are so alike."

"I know what you mean. When you look at them, you realize that they know each other, trust each other, more than anyone else."

A sudden sadness contorted Ianto's face.

"You know what hurts more? I've been shagging Jack for a couple of years and I thought that I was the closest to him that anyone could be. Your sister arrives and she proves me wrong in a matter of weeks. There are parts of Jack I ignore, parts of him that I don't understand even if I try to, and it will always be that way. I know it and he knows it. But Buffy don't have to try. She has something that I will never have."

"Did you tell him that you love him?"

He snorted sarcastically. "It has never been like that between us. Jack doesn't love me. Maybe he cares deeply for me but he doesn't love me."

"That's sad."

"Life is."

"Part of it is, but it's not everything. Don't you have any hope?"

"What hope?"

"Hope that one day he'll say he loves you?"

"It will be a lie then. I have one hope though."

"What's that?"

He finally looked down at her and she saw anguish in his eyes that made him look so much older.

"I hope he won't forget me when I'm gone."

She opened her mouth to reply but Owen appeared then. The moment had passed. Ianto cleared his throat, tightened his tie and returned to his usual self. The doctor nodded at her.

"You can see your sister if you like. I'm going to tell her that you're here."

"No! I'll go after Jack. Don't interrupt them, I can wait."

Ianto told them that he was going home to take a shower and change clothes and she watched him leave thoughtfully. She was missing something. Something that would help her understand what he had said. She looked at Jack, watched how comfortable he was with her sister. Buffy said something, a weak smile on her strained face and it made him laugh. His blue eyes, so cold when they had met hers for the first time, were warm and bright.

"Do you want something?"

She looked at Owen with surprise.

"To drink or eat," he replied quickly. "You know, while waiting?"

"That would be nice."

"Come on, I may not be Ianto 'Coffee-God' Jones but I do know how to open a bottle."

He started walking away before she could answer. She stood there, frozen for a fraction of second before following him, a little smile on her lips. They had talked to her without being forced and were actually being nice to her. She decided it was a good sign. Now, it was like she knew that yes, she could be part of her sister's new life.

Jack looked carefully at Buffy as she put her feet on the floor and tried to stand up. Her face was pale, her bottom lip quivering slightly. A little voice in his head was screaming at him that Owen was still there and would rip him a new one if he caught him letting the woman do what she wanted. But between the Slayer and the doctor, he had decided that she was the more frightening one. However, looking at her, he was starting to wonder if he had made the right choice.

Lost in his thoughts, he was startled when a small hand suddenly grabbed hold of his arm, squeezing hard enough to make him groan.

"Sorry."

"Just… don't break my arm, okay?"

"I'll try."

She took a hesitant step, turned an even paler shade of white and collapsed. Jack stopped her fall. He picked her up and put her back on the bed. He was amazed at how light she felt. He had the impression he could break her with the slightest amount of pressure. He had never realized how small she really was before. If she hadn't been the Slayer, she would have been like a porcelain doll. He forced her to lay down. She tried to fight it but she was so weak that it was pointless. It was the first time that he was on physically superior footing with her and he used it to his advantage.

"Stop acting like a kid!" he reprimanded her.

"Stop acting like my dad!"

"I'm not your dad but I am your boss so it's almost the same thing."

"How?"

"I order and you obey."

"That's how a dad acts?" she shrugged. "It's not like I would know, what with my dad being gone. But I guess that if he had been around, I wouldn't have been so docile."

"I can't really see you being the obedient, dutiful daughter. I mean, I can hardly see you obeying anyone at all. Except for me, of course."

"Really? Why would you be the exception?"

"Because I'm wise, handsome and charming."

"I would have opted for old, okay looking, and egocentric."

He took a step back, placing a hand on his chest, a horrified and hurt look on his face.

"I should fire you for that!" he exclaimed.

"Only after she's healed."

They turned to look at Owen who was harboring a pissed-off look. He pushed Jack out of the way, forced Buffy down — she had used the distraction to sit up — and alternately glared at them.

"Buffy has had enough fun. Time to rest. Say hello to your sister so she can be assured that you're not going to die in the next few hours and I can kick them both out of my medical bay."

"Sometimes, I wonder if you remember who the boss is here," Jack said.

Owen didn't bother to answer and let Dawn take his place. Buffy grabbed her sister's hand.

"I'm fine, Dawnie."

"You nearly died."

"You should be used by now."

"Don't joke! I can't lose you now, not when we are just starting to know each other again."

"I'm sorry."

"Just promise me something, okay?"

"What?"

"Stop dating. It's going to be the end of you."

Buffy couldn't help but laugh, a hand on her chest, tears of laughter and pain rolling down her cheeks. Dawn grinned, her hand still in her sister's. Jack and Owen watched the two sisters and knew that they would be all right. A memory of his own brother crossed the Captain's mind but he quickly locked it in that little box in the back of his psyche with every painful and regretful memory he refused to acknowledge. Instead, he watched as both sisters talked. It was good to see some happiness for a change.

¤ ¤ tbc ¤ ¤