Life in L.A.: Mum's the Word
by Melissa Summers
Notice: MissEdith made a valid point in two mistakes I made in the story, so I’m going to frantically try to cover for them now :D First of all, she pointed out that Spike had specifically asked Joyce for a bag of marshmallows in ‘Lover’s Walk’. Well, my theory is that he was so busy he never got a chance to eat them. Secondly, she pointed out that Spike was in the episode that Dawn kissed the vampire guy in. For this, my theory is that he never found out about it. He wasn’t exactly right there when Buffy found out about the make-out session, and he didn’t go with her when she took Dawn home, so maybe he never even heard about that slight detail. In fact, I don’t recall anyone ever mentioning it to him...so there! Ha! Are you happy now MissEdith? Good.

Also, another quick notice, in my story Conner has found out that Angel is his real father, but Fred IS NOT, nor will she ever be anytime soon, Illyria. I didn’t really want to have Illyria in my story, so I just left that alone. I like Fred, and I’m going to keep her!

Ok then, moving on. Here’s the next chapter:

“These pancakes are delicious.” Spike commented. “What are these, blueberries? They’re great.”

“Thanks. My stepmom says I have a knack for cooking.” Connor replied, as he took a bite out of his own pancake.

“Stepmom?” Dawn asked.

“Yeah. I just found out a while ago that my parents were really my stepparents. But here’s the really weird thing: they didn’t even know. In fact, they still don’t know. I haven’t had the guts to tell them yet.” Conner explained.

“Oh. Wait, then how did you know? That they weren’t your parents I mean?” Dawn questioned, confused.

“I met my biological father. There was a whole thing with a memory spell, but all in all he had just wanted me to have a normal life, so he had me magically programmed into a family. They think I’m their real son, and they don’t have any reason to think otherwise. Everyone I used to know had their memories modified so that they had no idea who I was anymore.” Conner told her.

“So now I know for the record that my life isn’t the only one that’s completely screwed.” Dawn laughed.

“What’s your family dysfunction?” Conner asked, taking another bite of his pancakes.

Spike gave her a warning look, as if to say ‘Don’t reveal too much’. Dawn understood. They didn’t really know this boy, after all.

“My big sis has super powers.” Dawn said vaguely. “Fights crime, saves the world, etc. I help her sometimes.”

Spike gave a relaxed nod of approval. “Yeah. We had a whole freaking scooby gang, that I somehow became a part of. I was evil once, you know. For hundreds of years. Tried to kill them all the first time I met them.”

“The other members had talents too. Two were witches, one was an ex-demon, Spike of course is a vampire...” Dawn said, racking her brain. Should she mention Giles? Conner might know about Watchers, and then know Buffy was the Slayer. Of course now there were lots of Slayers...

“What about you?” Conner asked.

“Huh?” Dawn said looking up. She realized she had been staring at her pancakes.

“Did you, or do you have any special powers?” Conner questioned.

“Uh...” Dawn mumbled. Being an Ancient Key was old news, but maybe it should be kept quiet until they could confirm who Conner was. Wait, if they didn’t trust Conner, why were they eating his pancakes? He could have poisoned them! Dawn considered dropping her fork, but instead took another bite. Nothing this good could be poisoned. “Nope. 100% of the norm. I wasn’t the only one without powers though. There were others.”

“Oh.” Conner replied, looking down at his pancakes. He almost sounded disappointed.

“Do you? Have any powers I mean?” Dawn asked.

“No, me neither.” Conner lied. He had felt a connection with her, but maybe he was wrong. She was normal, how could she be like him? She may have known unnatural people, but she wasn’t one of them. Not like he was.

“Oh.” Dawn said, with a hint of disappointment as well. For some reason, she didn’t like lying to him. Maybe she should tell him...

“Well I’d better go. I’m supposed to meet some people for coffee. It was nice meeting you two, maybe I’ll see you around.” Conner said getting up.

“Oh, okay.” Dawn said. “Good bye!”

“Remember, mum’s the word!” Spike called after Conner as he rushed out the door. Then he muttered to himself, “Bloody delicious pancakes.”

“Do you think he was lying? About knowing Angel?” Dawn asked.

“Hard to tell Dawnie. Some people seem honest and sincere, but turn out to be lying through their teeth.” Spike said, taking his dishes over to the sink. “Why don’t you go get ready to go, and we’ll head down to see Buffy.”

Dawn nodded. “Sure.”

Heading back to her bed, she pulled out her suitcase and picked out a pair of tight faded jeans and, deciding to look a bit business-y, a white formal shirt with black pinstripes that looked like it went with a suit jacket, only more form fitting than any business woman would dare. Completing the outfit with a pair of white point toed heels and diamond dangled earrings, she went back to the kitchen, where Spike was finishing rinsing the dishes.

“Give me a sec, Lil Bit.” He said, going over to the dresser to get his own clothes. Dawn dared a peek of his bare chest, which was very well built, and then went into the bathroom to finish getting ready.

She decided to leave her hair straight today, and after brushing her teeth, she applied a light pink gloss to her lips and an almost matching eye shadow with a shimmery smoke. Adding mascara to her long lashes, she put on a light blush to go with her happy mood. It was amazing what a good breakfast could do for someone.

She patiently sorted through her things while Spike got ready, but watched with interest as he looked at the mirror when he combed back his hair.

“Why do you do that when you can’t see yourself?” She asked.

“Old habits die hard, love.” He said.

“Is that why you even have a mirror?” Dawn figured.

“Nah, that came with the apartment.” Spike said, putting the comb back on the sink counter. He turned to face her. “Very professional.” He commented on her outfit.

“I thought so.” Dawn smiled sarcastically.

They looked at each other for a brief moment, as if searching for something in one another’s faces.

“I can’t believe we got drunk last night.” Dawn said.

“I can believe I got drunk last night, but I still can’t believe we got drunk last night.” Spike.

“Mum’s the word.” Dawn sighed, leaning back against the doorway.

Spike couldn’t help but think how seductive she looked, just leaning there, her eyes looking into his and her hand absentmindedly twisting a strand of her hair.

He could feel his face getting warm, and he quickly tried to think of something else. “What the bloody hell is a mum anyways?” He walked past her into the next room, but his elbow gently brushed her as he went, sending his heart leaping into his throat. Dawn followed him.

“I think it’s a flower, but that still doesn’t make sense in a phrase.” She replied.

“You ready to go?” Spike asked without looking at her, but instead grabbing his coat.

“Yeah.” She replied uneasily. “Spike, are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. Just a bit hung over. We should take some aspirin, it’s going to be a long day.” Spike said, taking a bottle out of the kitchen cupboard, and passing her a few pills from inside. She gulped them down without water, and he followed suit for the sake of time.

“Let’s get going, we’re going to be late.” Spike said.

Filing into the car, they arrived at Wolfram and Hart to find it bustling with lawyers. Dawn wrinkled her nose.

“I don’t like lawyers.” She said.

“Me neither.” Spike replied, leading her to the elevator.

Dawn sighed. “Here we go. Do I look hung over?”


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