Dawn's Birthday

Willow is sitting at the Bronze, waiting for the rest of the Scooby Gang to arrive. Today is Dawns 18th birthday and Dawn decided to have a huge party. Willow is thinking about decorations. There are 3 hours left before Dawns party and Willow hasnt gotten the decorations yet.

Dawn is at her house, trying to pick an outfit for tonight. She first tries on a pair of black leather pants with a pink halter-top. She looks in the mirror and thinks to herself, I dont know if Spikell like this oneMaybe Ill try the other. She then goes to her closet and grabs a knee-length black skirt and a simple black sleeveless shirt. She decides this is the best choice. She then walks downstairs to the kitchen, to talk to Buffy.

She walks into the kitchen and looks at Buffy. Buffy looks up at Dawn and smiles. So, hows your 18th birthday going so far, Dawn? Buffy asks. Dawn just looks at her and smiles, saying, Its okay. I guess. I am just waiting for tonight. The big party with tons of decorationsand cake! Everybody loves cake! Dawn then walks over to the refrigerator and pulls out some milk. She pours herself a glass and asks Buffy if she wants some. Buffy declines saying No thank you, I have already got my drinkLots of pure, clean water for the Slayer. Dawn shrugs and puts the milk carton back in the refrigerator. Dawn sits down at the counter and slowly drinks her milk, watching Buffy read the newspaper.

As Dawn finishes her milk, Buffy looks up at Dawn and asks, Dawn, what do you want for you birthday? Dawn replies, No evil vampires, evil demons, or zombies of any kind. Dawn then says, I am going to the Magic Box. Wanna come with? Buffy shakes her head and says, No, I think Ill stay here for now. Ill catch up with you later at the Bronze. Dawn shrugs and walks out of the house, walking towards the Magic Box.

Willow stands up, and walks out of the Bronze, headed for the Magic Box. Willow mumbles to herself, I thought being at the Bronze would help mellow me outbut seems to have stressed me even more. I wish somebody was helping me with decorations.

Dawn and Willow arrive at the Magic Box at the same time and Willow holds the door for Dawn. Dawn walks in and Willow follows. Willow looks around and sees Anya at the cash register and Xander sitting at the table, reading a few books. Willow walks over to the table and sits across from Xander. Willow looks at Xander and asks, Xander, do you want to help me with decorations? Please? Xander looks up a little startled and replies, Okay, thats meHelper guy. Xander smiles and stands up. Willow stands up also and says to Xander, Where should we go to buy them? Xander replies, Will, why dont you just conjure up some fun decorations? I mean, wouldnt that be a lot quicker than running to every store in town trying to find decorations and then coming back to here to conjure them up? Kinda cuts out the in between steps and skips right to the end. Willow laughs, And wheres the fun in that?

Xander and Willow walk out of the Magic Box, heading to the local decoration store.

Dawn looks at Anya and asks, Anya, do you ever get jealous of Xander and Willow? Anya looks confused and asks, What do you mean, Dawn? Well, I mean, they are like really close afterwell, the whole Tara dieing and Willow going evil thing. Dont you get upset or jealous? Anya smiles and says, No, I just count my money and everything is all better. Dawn giggles a little and sits down at the table to finish up a little bit of homework.

Back at Buffys house, Buffy is still reading the newspaper. She notices that there has been an increase of number of deaths since last month and decides that maybe its time she go patrolling. Buffy looks out the kitchen window and notices its dark. Buffy looks around and says, Gee, time flies when you are reading the newspaper. Buffy smiles to herself, folds up the newspaper and grabs her stake. She then walks out the door and heads to the graveyard. Buffy walks straight to Spikes house, to get him for the party.

Anya and Dawn decide its time to head to the Bronze and they close up the shop. Anya walks with Dawn to the Bronze.

At the same time, Willow and Xander have picked out some streamers and other decorations and they head to the Bronze also.

Buffy enters Spikes crypt and sees Spike sleeping in his chair. Buffy walks over to Spike and taps him on the shoulder. She whispers, Spike? Spike? Spike opens his eyes quickly and shakes his head. He then turns towards Buffy and says in a low voice, Slayer Buffy looks at him, a bit annoyed, and says, Do you always have to call me that? Spike smirks and stands up, saying Its night already. I swear I just fell asleep. Buffy looks at him and shrugs, You normally feel that way when you wake up. Spike stands up, grabs his duster and walks out of his crypt with Buffy. They quickly walk to the Bronze.

Willow, Xander, and Anya are all putting up the decorations. While Dawn sits at a table and drinks a Diet Coke, she notices that Buffy and Spike arent there. Dawn stands up and asks Willow, Xander and Anya, Hey guys, wheres Buffy and Spike? I thought Buffy wasnt patrolling tonight. Because of my birthday and all? Just then she notices the doors to the Bronze open and Buffy and Spike walk in. Dawn stands up and walks over to Spike. Hey Spike. Dawn says, nervously. Spike looks at Dawn and smiles. Hello, pet. Buffy senses that Dawn wants to talk to Spike alone, noticing that Dawn is making funny faces and hand motions at her. Buffy goes to help the gang with the decorations.

Spike looks at Dawn, and asks her, Is there something you want to talk to me about luv? Dawns face gets all flushed and she looks nervously at Spike, Well, I was just wondering.um Dawn cant get the nerve up to tell Spike she loves him. Dawn trips over her words and finally blurts out What did you get me for my birthday? Spike smiles and shakes his head, saying, Its a surprise. Ill give you your present later. Dawn smiles and walks back over to her table. Spike sits across from her at the table.

Buffy smiles to Dawn and says, Dawn, they are finally done. What do you think? Buffy points up at the decorations. Dawn notices they are a little crooked but she smiles and says, They are great. Dawn stands up and hugs Buffy, saying, You are great. Dawn looks at Xander, Willow and Anya and smiles at them, saying, Thank you so much. I know this is going to be my best birthday ever!

Willow looks at her watch and says, Oooh, Dawnie, its birthday time! Lets open your presents first. Dawn smiles and says, YAY! Present time!! Dawn then sits down at her table, and the rest of the Scooby gang gather their presents and places them on the table, in front of Dawn.

Dawn looks at the first one and quickly opens it. She looks at the box; its a long straight, black box. She lifts the lid of the box and looks at the contents. Dawn looks at Buffy and says, Its a stake! She giggles to herself and says to Buffy, Does this mean that I get to go patrolling with you now? Buffy smiles and says, I suppose, rolling her eyes and then laughing. Dawn looks at the second one and starts to open it. Willow says to Dawn, This one is from me. Dawn smiles and opens the present. She is excited; its a book about Wicca. Dawn looks at Willow and smiles, Thank you Will. Dawn stands up and gives Willow a big hug. Willow smiles and Dawn sits back down, looking at her third present. Xander says, This one is from me. I didnt know exactly what to get you Dawn smiles and opens the small rectangular box. Its a beautiful silver bracelet. It is engraved with the words, To our little Dawnie. Dawn looks up at Xander and smiles and says Thank you so much. Its beautiful and wonderful. Dawn looks at her last present, knowing its from Anya. She looks over to Anya and Anya smiles. This is from you, isnt it? Dawn asks Anya. Anya just smiles and nods. Dawn unwraps the box and opens it. She sees a little note inside with an envelope. The note says, I didnt know what else to give you. So please take this as an effort to show my fondness of you. Dawn puts the note aside and opens the envelope. She unfolds the paper that was inside the envelope and sees that it is an application to the Magic Box. Dawn looks at Anya and says, You want me to work with you? At the Magic Box? Thats wonderful!! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Of course, I will work there.

Buffy then brings out a medium sized cake with 18 candles in it. Dawn looks at Buffy, and then reads the cake. It says, To our Dawnie, Happy Birthday. Dawn blows out her candles, closes her eyes and thinks to herself her wish, I wish that Spike would love me as much as he used to love Buffy and I wish that he would be my boyfriend. Dawn opens her eyes and smiles at Spike.

As the party comes to an end, Spike offers to walk Dawn home. Buffy says that is okay and also says that she is going to stay at the Bronze to clean up the decorations.

Spike walks with Dawn down the streets, not saying a word. As they approach the Summers home, Spike says, I know what you wished. Dawns face turns red and she feels very embarrassed. Spike says, I already love you. I love you more than I loved Buffy. Dawn then walks up to her door and unlocks the door with her keys. Dawn opens the door and stands in the doorway. Spike looks at her and says, Heres your birthday present. Spike leans over to Dawn and kisses her. Spike leans back and smiles at Dawn. Dawn smiles back. Dawn then says, Spike, do you want to, ya knowcome inside? Spike says, Yes. Spike enters and Dawn closes the door behind him.