Chapter 4: A Lot to Consider

******Mostly Where We Left Off******

John didn't quite get how he was suddenly gifted with not one but two granddaughters. Dawn was a clever spitfire, who reminded him greatly of his late wife, so he was incredibly happy. He could tell that Dawn was also.

Dinner was a festive affair, and they told Tate that Dawn was also his cousin.

"Cool! Maybe I can come visit you in California," Tate said.

Buffy looked alarmed, which puzzled Kayce. "My hometown is not the safest place, Los Angeles is the famous city not terribly far where all the stars live and the best shoes," Buffy said with a bright smile. "We can totally go down Rodeo Drive!"

"If your town isn't the safest place, maybe you and Dawn should consider moving here," John suggested.

"I can help make the arrangements," Jamie offered.

"I think that's a great idea," Dawn said. "I want to change my name, too, since Buffy is. Dawn Dutton will sound way cooler than Dawn Summers."

"Summers was our mother's name," Buffy said pointedly.

"You can keep Summers," Jamie said quickly. "It can be Summers-Dutton."

"I just want Dutton," Dawn said stubbornly. "Hank didn't even come to Mom's funeral. That was his name, and the only reason Mom didn't change it after the divorce back to her maiden was because of us. She wouldn't care. She'd be happy for us."

"There's no need to rush into anything," Kayce said as he could see Buffy was conflicted. Their mother had died just a few months ago.

"That's right," Jamie said. "I'll draw up the paperwork, and you can sign and file it in your state. They will send you a new social security card. Then you'll take that to a tag agency to get a new driver's license."

"Buffy just got hers last week," Dawn said with a grin.

"Seriously?" Beth asked. "Why did it take you so long?"

"I wreck one vehicle, and then no one would teach me!" Buffy said with a pout.

All the adults said, "I'll teach you." Then everyone laughed.

"I know now," Buffy said, laughing. "I did drive all the way here, after all."

"Giles tried to teach her," Dawn said with a grin. "Then he decided the world was safer with Buffy as a pedestrian."

Beth looked outraged. "Give me that bastard's number! I will call that sexist pig and give him a piece of my mind! What a stupid mother fucker!" she exclaimed.

Dawn grinned while Buffy battled with her sense of offense on Giles' behalf and amusement. Her aunt was a piece of work. "Giles is far from a sexist," Buffy said. "He has taught me several forms of fighting and all kinds of boring history. He's the one who taught Dawn those ancient languages. He's stood by my side when no one else was there for me. But he's British. I mean they drive on the wrong side of the street where he's from and everything. Teaching me to drive was just not in his wheelhouse."

Dawn giggled. "He said that she should go to driving school, and she finally did," Dawn added.

Buffy shrugged. "Sunnydale isn't like Montana. It's small. I just walked everywhere or one of my friends would take me places," she said.

"Daddy lets me drive his truck sometimes, but we don't tell Momma," Tate added.

"I let him sit in my lap and steer," Kayce explained.

Cook came in and brought two pies. "One cherry pie and chocolate cream," he said, setting them down on the table and grabbing some dishes out of the way.

"Thanks, Gator," John said.

"Yum!" Dawn said, grinning.

"I'm really going to miss Gator," Buffy said with a forlorn look.

Her family laughed.

"He's not been so appreciated in a long time," John remarked as Gator came back with some places and serving spatula.

"It's been a real pleasure having you girls here," Gator said, smiling at them as he put pieces of pie on plates.

"I want cherry!" Tate said.

"Me, too," Dawn said.

"I want both," Buffy said with a grin.

Beth shook her head. "None for me," she said.

Buffy took a big bite. "You don't know what you're missing!" she announced.

"Cellulite," Beth remarked.

"Make time to exercise, and you don't have to starve yourself," Buffy said, smirking.

"Who has time?" Beth said. "I am too busy making millions."

Buffy choked on her pie. "Millions? Seriously?" she asked.

Beth grinned and nodded. "I am very good at my job," she said.

"Grandpa, can you answer a question for me?" Dawn asked John.

"Sure, honey," he said, happy to hear her call him grandpa.

"How did our dad die?" he asked.

They looked at Tate. "I'll tell you later," he said.

"He was shot," Tate said.

"How do you know that?" Kayce said.

"I asked Momma," Tate said.

"She said he was shot the same day her brother was shot. It was a bad day for brothers. Then she cried," Tate said.

"You lost two uncles the same day?" Dawn asked. "I'm so sorry, Tate."

"It's okay. My cousins, though, are really sad. Their daddy is dead. I'm glad my daddy's not dead," he remarked. Then he ate his pie.

Dawn looked a bit stricken and glanced at Buffy, who reached over and squeezed her hand. "It's okay," she murmured.

Kayce took Tate home as soon as he finished his pie.

"Are you girls leaving tomorrow?" he asked.

"Yes, Dawn has to get back to school, and the drive is really long," Buffy said.

"Why don't you fly home?" John suggested. "I'll get one of the boys to drive the car to your house."

"I would love that," Dawn said eagerly.

"Although that sounds nice, Dawn and I have a lot to discuss, and the drive gives us that time," Buffy said. She also wasn't ready for his ranch hands to see the hellmouth night life.

Kayce and Tate hugged her goodbye. "I'm sorry that you didn't get to meet Monica," Kayce said.

"Next time," Buffy said.

"Definitely," Kayce said, smiling.

After they left, Buffy looked at her grandfather. "His brother-in-law died the same day as our dad? What happened?" she asked.

John sighed. "Sit down. It's an ugly story," he said.

They all sat down in the living room.

"You know that I'm head of the livestock in this state. It's like the police for cattlemen and ranchers," John said. "Lee worked as one of my deputies. We've had issues with the Indians cutting our fences and stealing our cattle."

"How can they do that?" Buffy asked. "Aren't they branded?"

"Yes," he said. "Tribal law is tricky. They don't have to give it back if it's on their land. They claim the fences were down for disrepair, and the cows wandered over."

"That's crazy," Dawn commented.

"Well, Kayce's brother-in-law was a big part of the problem, and Kayce—because of Monica—felt obligated to help them," John said.

"You're kidding?" Buffy asked, surprised. "He helped steal your cattle?"

"I don't know exactly what part he played," John said. "He was there. He said that he didn't realize the cattle he helped gather up was ours at first."

"So did Lee and Monica's brother kill each other?" Buffy asked.

"No," John said, looking at Beth.

"That's the official report, however," Jamie said. "Better for everyone if that's all we say on the matter."

"Yes," John agreed.

"You should tell her. She deserves to know how her dad died. They both do," Beth said grimly.

"Kayce saw Lee die, but he won't tell me exactly what happened," John said. "All we know for sure is that the medical report shows that Lee was shot in the back, which paralyzed him, so he couldn't have shot Robert."

"Monica's brother shot him in the back?" Buffy asked, horrified.

"Yes," Beth said, looking grim.

"I do know, though, that Kayce killed him," John said. "He admitted that much to me, but the way the guy was shot told us that, too. Only Kayce as a former Navy Seal could've shot him the way he was shot."

"Does Monica know he killed her brother?" Dawn asked.

"I would assume so," John said. "Kayce is too honest to keep something like that from his wife."

"She must love him a lot," Dawn said.

John nodded. "Which is why we put up with her not liking us so much," he said. "If a woman will stand by a man who kills her brother, she's worth loving."

"And Tate is a sweetheart," Buffy said.

"He is," John said, smiling.

"She makes Kayce happy, and not much does," Beth said.

"Good for them," Dawn said.

"That's what I picture marriage to be like," Buffy said.

"They stay together through the good times and bad," Dawn added.

"Through the blood and the violence," Buffy said with a grin.

Beth laughed. "In this family, I guess that's what it has to be sometimes," she said.

John put his arm around the girls, who were sitting on each side of him on the sofa. "I hope that doesn't put you off," he said.

Buffy looked around at her new family and considered what to say. They weren't like her parents in California all those years ago. This was a family that carried guns daily and was ready for violence at any moment, so she made a decision.

"It doesn't put us off," Buffy told him, lowering the mask she wore. "My life is much more violent and would more likely put you off."

Beth snickered. "Honey, there's nothing in your life that could possibly be rougher than the life my family lives fighting to hold onto this land," she told her.

"We won't be put off, sweetheart," John assured her. "You can tell us anything."

"I once was attacked and left to drown in a pool of water," Buffy shared. "My best guy friend Xander gave me CPR. I actually died for a minute. I was just sixteen. That was my sophomore year of high school. My junior year, five students were massacred at my school. My best friend Willow found the bodies. I went on a double date with Cordelia, a girl we know, with some college guys, who worshipped some demon cult. They tried to sacrifice us in some twisted ceremony. Xander and my boyfriend managed to rescue me. That same year, my ex-boyfriend killed our teacher, Giles' girlfriend, and he tried to kill me after his friends attacked and put Willow in the hospital and killed another friend. I drove the sword he taught me to use through his stomach. My senior year of high school, the mayor, who was really evil, killed a lot of classmates on our graduation. It was a literal fight to the death ceremony, resulting in the school being destroyed. They covered it up as a gas explosion. Last year, a deranged woman kidnapped Dawn and tried to use her in a ceremony to open all dimensional walls. They had her on a high tower, and she has scars where they still managed to cut her. I fell from the tower saving her life. That was the second time I died. So, I think Dawn and I can handle whatever drama your family has because no one hurts my family and lives."

Dawn was surprised that Buffy shared a sanitized version of their life, but she was also relieved that she did so. She didn't want to pretend to be all sunshine and roses all the time.

The Duttons were speechless a full minute as they tried to process the horror show Buffy unloaded.

"Why do you stay?" Beth asked in her blunt manner.

"To protect my friends," she said simply. "Willow and Xander need me. They've saved my life a few times, and I've saved theirs. Once that kind of thing happens, it's hard to leave them."

"I can understand that," John said.

"Well, I can't," Beth said. "If they're adults now, they can leave, too."

"I hate to agree with Beth about anything, but I have to," Jamie added.

"Dawn is still a minor, Buffy," John said. "Do you think it is good for her to be in such a dangerous place?"

"Probably not," Buffy said.

"You could leave," Dawn said. "I bet the Council could get Faith out to take care of Sunnydale. Angel says she's much better now."

"Let's talk about it later," Buffy said, giving her a look. She wasn't ready to tell her new family impossible things that she could never prove—at least not here.

Beth was relieved to know more about her niece and the comments Dawn had made on the first day about Buffy dying and getting better. She must've been really hurt and recovered if she fell from a high distance. The poor girl was one tough bitch, and Beth was actually quite proud of her.

"Okay, we won't pressure you," John said. "But Jamie and I will come in for Thanksgiving. I want to see where you live and meet your friends."

"That will be great!" Dawn replied, smiling.

Buffy couldn't think of anything worse but nodded.

What else could she say?

*****The Next Day*****

John didn't like saying goodbye to his granddaughters, especially in light of all that Buffy had revealed about the town, and Beth had stayed up googling the town. She was more than disturbed by what she discovered.

Gator packed up a cooler of food for the girls—much to their delight.

Buffy hugged him. "Gator, I am so going to miss you!" she told him.

John laughed while his cook blushed.

The girls said goodbye to their horses and hugged their uncles. Even Kayce had driven in to say goodbye.

"We love you, and please call us as soon as you get home," John said, hugging each one.

"We will," Buffy promised.

"Here's the paperwork for you and Dawn to file," Jamie said, handing her the folder. "I marked each line for you both to sign. There's also a black American Express card in your name that's connected to your accounts here. You can use it anywhere and buy anything you or Dawn need. I'll pay the bills out of Lee's estate. The paper you signed allows me to do that. If you will open an account in your town, call me with the account number, so I can transfer funds directly into it for you."

"Great," Buffy said, smiling. "It's been really nice meeting you, Uncle Jamie."

Jamie found himself feeling actually sad to see the girls leave. Not only was Beth right down pleasant around them, but he genuinely liked both of them, too. He hugged her again.

"Be careful driving," he cautioned.

They finally got into the SUV and drove off, waving at the Duttons.

"How can I feel so sad when we just met them?" Dawn asked, wiping her eyes.

"Because they are really great," Buffy said, feeling sad for the departure. She, too, was going to miss them.

The Duttons were watching the car until it drove out of sight.

"I guess I'll go to work," Jamie said.

"I did research on that town they live in," Beth said. "It is really a dangerous place. People missing all the time. Buffy's high school had an obituary in the school newspaper. I saw a copy online. Because her high school was blown up the year she graduated, her yearbook is digital, so it can be accessed online. She was awarded the Class Protector award."

"Really?" Kayce asked. "She must be a real fighter."

"Dawn said she was a savant with anything physical," John reminded them.

"I gotta go to the office," Beth said. "Tell Kayce what Buffy said about the horrors of her life. That girl's seen combat like you, Kayce. If it wasn't for the look in her eyes, I'd have thought she was exaggerating."

"What look?" Kayce asked.

"Same look you carry," Beth said. She kissed her dad on the cheek and walked to her car.

John looked at his youngest son. "Come on and get some coffee. I'll tell you what she said," he told her.

Once he shared everything with Kayce, his son seemed really disturbed.

"I wouldn't have guessed any of that," Kayce said. "She is really good at compartmentalizing. Much better than I am."

"Kids are good at adapting—better than adults," John replied. "If she was exposed to violence at fifteen or sixteen, she learned to make it almost a part of culture. It's like she knows no other way to live."

"Dawn shouldn't have to grow up that way," Kayce said. "You can save her."

"I have the feeling that Dawn wants to stay here, but I don't know that she wants to be away from her sister," John said.

"Keep in touch with both of them," Kayce advised.

"Jamie and I are going to go there for Thanksgiving," John told him.

"If that town is that violent, I should go with you," he said.

"I would love that," John said, pleased that he offered. "We will fly, though. I am not driving."

Kayce laughed. "I didn't think you would," he said.

*****Sunnydale*****

Buffy and Dawn had fun using Buffy's newfound wealth to stay at very nice hotels on the drive back. They never came to an agreement, though, about what to do. Buffy did agree that Dawn could move to Montana. In fact, she liked the idea of Dawn being safe. Her new money would allow her to fly to Montana and see Dawn frequently as well as allow Dawn to visit whenever she wanted. Dawn, though, didn't want to move without Buffy. She wanted Buffy to walk away from the hellmouth.

They decided only Giles could decide this.

When they made it home, Willow and Tara greeted them warmly.

"I told everyone to come over for dinner," Willow said.

"That's good," Buffy said. "We have a lot to discuss."

"Dawn emailed me about your family, and I read it to them," Willow said. "They sound awesome."

"They're great! We rode horses! The Yellowstone is beautiful!" Dawn gushed. "We're millionaires now!"

"Seriously?" Tara asked.

Buffy nodded. "Our dad left us his shares in the ranch, which equals twenty million, but that's not cash we have to blow," she explained. "His house on the ranch, his truck, and all the money his accounts. That cash, Jamie will transfer into my own account when I open one here."

"How much is in that?" Willow asked.

"Around two million," Buffy said.

"That's amazing," Tara said smiling.

"Does that mean, you can buy all the groceries now?" Willow asked with a grin.

Buffy nodded. "And I can pay Giles back for the money he lent me last week to fix the pipes," she said. "Not to mention, I won't have to get a job!"

"You can go back to school next semester," Willow said excitedly.

"Let's go unpack," Dawn said. "Then order some Chinese food. Enough for leftovers since Uncle Jamie gave Buffy a black American Express card."

"The kind with no limit?" Willow asked, grinning.

"Yep," Dawn said with a smirk. "We are going shopping next weekend!"

"We already went shopping with Grandpa," Buffy said. "Let's put up our new stuff. It's probably all wrinkled."

An hour later, they were greeting Giles, Xander, and Anya, while Buffy was spreading out all the Chinese containers onto the table that Willow had picked up.

After greetings were exchanged and plates filled, Dawn shared about her trip and the horses. They ate and listened to the girls share about the fun time they had visiting their family.

Giles and Xander were both glad to see Buffy smiling again. Since she'd been raised from the dead, she had seemed really detached from everything. Giles had been very worried. Now, though, a real smile was on her face, and he was really pleased to see it.

"You are happy," Xander observed, looking at Buffy. "That smile on your face is good to see."

"I was thinking the same thing," Giles admitted.

"Xander thought we killed all your smiles with the resurrection," Anya observed.

"It's been challenging at times, but I'm glad to be back here with all of you," Buffy said. "However, meeting the Duttons was wonderful. I can't wait until you meet them."

"I want Buffy and I to move to Montana," Dawn blurted out. "Buffy won't, though. She just wants me to leave. I told her that maybe Giles could see about getting Faith out of jail."

"I told Dawn that I didn't want to leave because wherever I go the supernatural will be drawn to me," Buffy said. "Montana doesn't have the population of L.A. or a hellmouth to conceal me. Everyone is safer with me not there. Tell her, Giles."

"Your sister has a point," Giles said, looking at Dawn. "However, because the place is so wide open and sparsely populated, it isn't as easy for demons to blend in. Nor does it offer as much temptation for vampires."

"When Buffy told our family a bit about her life without the supernatural parts, Aunt Beth asked why we stayed, and Buffy said she stayed to protect her friends," Dawn said.

"It wasn't like I could tell them the complete truth," Buffy explained.

"That's a good way of saying it," Willow said.

"Aunt Beth asked why you all stayed. She thinks you guys are crazy to stay in this town that's so dangerous and has taken so much from all of us," Dawn said.

"It's our home," Xander said. "They just lost their son and brother over a fight over cows, and they would never consider giving up their cows or land because it's their home."

"That's a good point," Buffy said. "Not to mention, our commitment to protect people from the monsters in this town."

"You have been here, Buffy, six years," Giles said. "It could easily be argued that once you died and were buried, your obligations are over."

"Really?" Buffy asked, surprised.

"See, I told you that you could leave," Dawn said smugly.

"I could never leave the hellmouth unguarded," Buffy said flatly. "It's too dangerous."

"I will contact the Watcher's Council and see if they can get Faith released," Giles said.

"They better not send in a hit team to try and kill her, so another slayer is called," Buffy said. "I will go up there and express my displeasure quite violently—make sure you let them know that."

"I most definitely will," he said. It would be just like them to do that.

"Grandpa is friends with the governor of Montana," Dawn shared. "Maybe she knows the governor of California and could get Faith a pardon."

"That would involve telling your family the full truth about your life and who you are," Giles pointed out. "Are you prepared to do that?"

Buffy wasn't sure. What if they rejected her and by extension Dawn? Or what if they only rejected Dawn and her grandfather used his considerable power and influence to keep Dawn from her?

Suddenly, things seemed a lot more complicated.

"There's a lot to consider," she said.

"Oh, did we forget to tell you guys that we're rich?" Dawn asked with a grin. "Our dad was loaded!"

Anya's eyes lit up. "It's time I taught you how to play the stock market!" she said gleefully.

Xander and Giles groaned.

*****Chapter End******