Chapter 20
Homecoming
“They should have been back by now,” Spike growled for the umpteenth time, pacing back and forth like a caged animal. The others looked up at him,
“Spike man, chill,” Xander chimed in, ”I’m sure Buff and the bad ass brigade can handle anything that gets thrown at them,” he reassured him, though he was getting antsy himself.
“Yeah,” Anya commented, “I mean, who cares if they’ve entered a labyrinth of death ruled by vampires who control the living dead and easily outnumber them?” she shrugged, “It’s not like they’re dying hideous painful deaths as we speak,” Everyone turned to glare at her and Spike snarled before continuing pacing. “What?” Anya demanded.
“Honey? Don’t help,” Xander instructed. Anya frowned and folded her arms.
“Someone’s coming!” a sentry cried out. The others rushed to their feet and ran towards the entrance peering out into the dark. Four shapes could be seen hobbling and lurching towards them. Faith grabbed a flashlight and pointed.
Angel and Willow were supporting Buffy, Dusk was walking in front of them; he shielded his eyes from the bright beam,
“A little help?” he called out. The group rushed forward, Giles and Faith taking the wounded Buffy from Angel and Willow. Angel gasped and sank against the wall in fatigue before Xander wrapped an arm around him holding him up,
“Okay Deadboy, you’ve had enough excitement for one night,” he commented dryly as the group re-entered the hideout. Buffy groaned as she was placed in a seat, Giles giving her wounds a cursory glace.
“I need bandages, poultice, a bowl of clean hot water,” the watcher demanded. DeGanon nodded,
“I will bring herbs to disinfect the wound,” he assured him turning to another gypsy and barking out orders. Giles returned a concerned glance to his ward,
“Buffy, are you all right?” he asked concerned. She smiled weakly and with a grunt slammed the Everstone down onto the table. Giles took off his glasses and peered at the gem.
“You got it,” he breathed. Buffy nodded,
“Damn skippy,” she replied. The gypsies returned with the medicine and bandages and gently carried the slayer to a makeshift infirmary. Spike following close behind,
“Good job baby,” he whispered, kissing her head. She smiled at him and held his hand tightly as they were led away. Dusk smiled and sighed, exhausted. He gestured to Angel,
“He needs blood and bed rest,” Faith walked over to Angel, concerned.
“You okay?” she asked, Angel sighed and nodded as Faith helped him over to an overstuffed chair and gently set him down, Xander walked over to Dusk,
“What happened man?” he asked. Dusk sighed, and began counting off on his fingers
“Buffy almost had her soul stolen by a necromantic vampire, Angel began to rot. Willow died and was raised from the grave and I was buried alive,” he replied matter-of-factly. Xander blanched and rushed over to Willow,
“Will, you died?!” he asked askance, Willow shrugged,
“It was only for a little while,” she assured him. “Then Buffy raised me from the dead,” Xander frowned and touched her hair.
“What’s this Will?” he asked, taking a lock of hair in his hand. Dusk frowned and walked over to inspect his lover. His eyes widened,
“Whoa,” he whispered. Willow was looking back at forth between Xander and Dusk,
“What? What is it?” she asked. Xander handed her a mirror from the table, she brought it up to her face and gasped. A lock of hair, from its roots, all the way to her bangs was not its normal vibrant red. It was a snowy white.
“Huh,” Willow muttered looking at the bright white lock of hair growing from her head, “Well, I guess it could be worse,” she shrugged. Xander and Dusk looked back at each other then sighed.
“Okay well-” Dusk was caught off guard as a small female form plowed into him, knocking him into a chair hugging him tightly.
“Dusk!” Dawn cried, embracing him with crushing strength. Her face was wet with tears of relief. Dusk smiled and stroked her hair,
“Miss me petite?” he asked wryly. Dawn just looked up and nodded her head before going back to hugging him. He smiled and looked up at Xander,
“Xander, stay with Willow, make sure she gets some rest. I want to make sure there’s no other surprises from the spell,” he instructed. Willow opened her mouth to protest and Dusk cut her off with a finger, “No buts. Scram!” Willow smiled as Xander led her away.
“Come on, I can tell you some paramitsha,” Willow frowned up at Xander.
“Huh?” she asked. Xander smiled,
“DeGanon’s been teaching me some gypsy-speak, it means ‘ghost stories,” Xander shrugged, “He figured we should learn some now that we’re all part of the kumpania,”
“Huh?” Willow repeated.
“Tribe,” Xander explained.
“Oh,” she said wearily. “Xander, if you want ghost stories, have I got a couple for you,” the pair of friends walked away. Dusk chuckled as Faith brought Angel a mug of blood,
“Here you go,” she whispered. Holding the mug for him, she gradually fed it to him, stroking his hair back. Angel swallowed gratefully and drained the mug. Faith put Angel’s arm over her shoulders and led the weakened vampire away. Dusk chuckled and returned his attention to Dawn, who was still holding him tightly.
“You okay, princess?” he asked softly. Dawn sniffled and released him, nodding,
“Yeah,” she replied, smiling and wiping her eyes, “I was just scared,” Dusk nodded,
“Join the club,” he replied dryly. He yawned loudly, Dawn looked up.
“Whoops, I’ll bet your really beat huh?” she asked mildly. Dusk nodded,
“Being buried alive can do that to you,” he replied. Dawn’s eyes got as big around as saucers,
“You were buried ALIVE?” she asked, aghast. Dusk chuckled,
“Trust me, I got off easy,” he got to his feet and Dawn helped him up, her hands on his chest.
“Okay, well let me help you,” she replied. Dusk chuckled,
“Thanks. Guess it’s your turn to tuck me in, huh?” he commented wryly. Dawn smiled, and then threw her arms around him, kissing his cheek with blazing intensity.
“I was really scared,” she whispered hoarsely. Dusk smiled and stroked her hair,
“Me too, petite,” he kissed her hair, “Me too,” he yawned again as Dawn released him.
“Okay,” her voice got stern, “To bed with you!” she demanded, leading him away. Dusk chuckled,
“Yes Ma’am,” he replied grinning. Dawn led him to the straw mattress and pushed him down onto the bed. Tugging at his boots, she pulled them off, then frowned and turned them over, emptying a huge pile of sand onto the floor. She looked up amazed at Dusk,
“So that’s what that was,” he murmured as he stripped off his coat, tossing it on the floor. Dawn sighed and took off the other boot, emptying a second miniature sand dune onto the concrete floor. She carefully put the boots in the corner and got up, collecting Dusk’s duster from the floor and brushing it off with great care before hanging it up on a peg on the wall. She came back to Dusk, who was still sitting upright, resting his head against the stone wall.
“Arms up!” she demanded. Dusk obliged raising his arms obediently over his head. Dawn grabbed the bottom of his dirt-stained t-shirt and tugged it up over his head. She vainly attempted to brush off the many layers of dirt and grime from the shirt, before folding it up and placing it next to the boots. She turned back to Dusk who was, she now noticed, nude from the waist up. She started to stammer as her heart began pounding triple time.
“Um…lay down,” she tried to sound stern and confident. Dusk smirked and obliged as Dawn covered him up with the blanket. Dusk flashed her a grateful look.
“Thanks for all your help, petite,” he quipped, “Those boots were awfully far away,” Dawn smiled and leaned over to kiss his forehead.
“Not a problem Dusk, now,” she became stern, “You get some rest, don’t make me beat you up!” she leveled a warning finger at him. Dusk chuckled and shook his head,
“God forbid I enrage a Summers’ sister,” he replied wryly. Closing his eyes, he quickly passed out. Dawn watched him for a while, as his chest rose and fell evenly with each breath. Gently she leaned down and placed an ear to his chest, listening to his heartbeat, she closed her eyes and sighed contently.
“You’re in love with him,” a voice called out from behind her. She yanked her head back and whirled around. Buffy was standing in the doorway, a large bandage on her shoulder and a splint on her leg, to brace her injured knee, “Don’t you?” she finished, her tone accusatory. Dawn glared at her and got to her feet,
“That’s none of your business,” she replied haughtily. Storming past Buffy she headed out of the room, when Buffy grabbed her arm.
“It IS my business, if my kid sister is lusting after my best friends man,” she growled. Dawn shook her arm off,
“Don’t you have a world to save or something like that?” she retorted. Buffy scowled at her sister,
“Right now, I have a sister that needs to learn she can’t always get what she wants,” Buffy bit out. Dawn sneered at her,
“This coming from the woman who has one vampire lover and is still getting stupid-eyed around another,” she spat out. Buffy’s eyes widened in rage and she gave her sister a hard shove. Dawn landed heavily against the wall, exhaling loudly in pain.
“Where did you get off-?” that was as far as Buffy got before Dawn marched right up to her and slammed a fist across her face.
Hard.
Buffy stumbled back against the blow, landing hard against the wall, and groaning in pain as her injured knee bent.
“You don’t love anything!” Dawn cried out. “You go and you do your thing, and you don’t care about anyone but yourself!” she raged at her older sister, who was gingerly touching her jaw in awe, “You’ve had so many people to yourself, Angel, Spike, Riley, I’ve never had anyone!” she screamed, “No one! I’ve been all alone for so long, and you don’t care!” she jutted her chin out, “Well, unlike you, Alec cares about what I have to think. He treats me like an adult and he’s saved my life twice,” she narrowed her eyes at her sister, “As opposed to you, who only seems to be good at putting other people’s lives in danger,” Buffy’s face drained off all the color,
“Bitch,” Dawn hissed at her before storming off. Buffy just stood there, nursing her jaw, shocked down to her very core.
“She has a point, luv,” a voice called out. Buffy whirled around and confronted Spike who was lighting a cigarette.
“Spike I-” Spike cut her off and regarded her with a calm gaze.
“You and the great poof have unfinished business, that’s not the issue at hand though. This isn’t about you and me, or you and Angel, it’s about Dawn,” he craned his head to face the direction where Dawn had stormed off, “The kid’s in love, Buffy, this isn’t a crush. This is passionate, all-consuming obsession, this is blood screaming at her to work its will,” he smiled slightly, “Kind of like a vampire dating the slayer. Logic says it shouldn’t have a chance but well…” he grinned, “I’ve always said ‘Sod all’ as far as logic goes,” Buffy shook her head angrily,
“She’s just a kid!” she exclaimed, Spike shook his head.
“Not anymore princess, she’s come face-to-face with death a couple of times and come out alive,”
“Yeah, because of me,” Buffy snorted. Spike arched an eyebrow,
“Really? Then why was I playing parasite flambé on Giles juniors’ back instead of yours? Couldn’t be that ninja-man couldn’t get out of the way fast enough, which leaves us with one alternative: he put himself in the way to protect Dawn. After all, he certainly didn’t need to protect YOU, did he?” he looked up at Buffy, “That sounds like Dusk saving the kids life, not you,” Buffy’s eyes narrowed,
“Are you implying…?” Spike held up a hand.
“Implying, no. Flat out TELLING you, that what started off as your mission to protect Dawn, the key, has become Dusk’s. And, no offense love, but the boy seems to take it a tad more seriously than you do,” Buffy glared at him,
“Can I help it if I’m just a little too busy…?” she stopped, her eyes widening as understanding hit her like a thunderclap,
“Too busy saving the world to worry about little things like your kid sisters survival?” Spike finished. “Because deep down, you’ve always been resentful of these monk blokes saddling you with a responsibility you never wanted?” Buffy just shook her head in denial,
“No, it’s not that, she just can’t…” she struggled for words.
“Be considered your problem because inside you really don’t consider her to be your sister?” Spike asked. Buffy looked up at him in shock,
“That’s not true,” she whispered, Spike snorted in derision.
“Yeah? Correct me if I’m wrong here, but didn’t I just see the slayer shove her fourteen-year-old kid sister up against a wall? Can you remember doing that BEFORE you got clued in to the fact that your sister contained artificial ingredients?” he asked point blank. Buffy just stood there, locked in shock. He continued,
“Bottom line luv, you don’t consider Dawn a person, you consider her a thing, a creature and you consider her an unwanted burden,” he smiled slightly, “something that in the old days you’d probably would have cured with a sewing needle,” he commented. Buffy’s face had gone from white to ashen gray. “Dusk doesn’t,” he jerked his head gesturing to the sleeping man, “Whatever soft spot the guy might have for the kid really isn’t important. The point is, he’s taken YOUR duty, and made it HIS, and he’s done it without complaint, or question and has gotten his ass kicked twice to fulfill it,” he turned back to Buffy, “So let Dawn have her ‘hearts and harps’ for the guy. Because, her only other choice of person to love is a sister that really never wanted her around in the first place,” he finished the cigarette and tossed it to the ground, stamping it out he turned to go,
“Here endeth the lesson,” he called back at her.
“You’re wrong,” Buffy whispered hoarsely. Spike turned his head slightly to regard the slayer.
“Yeah? Prove it,” he replied before stepping out of the room.
Buffy just stood there, hearing Spike’s damning words ringing over and over in her head, echoing driving her mad.
Because he was right.
“Isn’t it enough?” Buffy cried out to the air, “I’ve pulled my share! I’ve sent the man I love to Hell, I’ve forgiven Faith, I’ve died! Now I got to protect a person that isn’t even really my sister!” she snarled, slamming her fist into the stone wall, ignoring the pain that it caused. “I’m the slayer! I’m responsible for the whole friggin’ world! Why can’t that be enough?” she shrieked and sank against the stone wall.
“Because it’s our duty,” a voice like silver bells called out. Buffy jerked her head up and peered around in confusion,
“Huh?” she hastily wiped at her eyes and scanned the room.
The room was empty.
“Over here,” the voice called out again. Buffy turned and faced a large puddle on the floor; she peered into the water and gasped when she saw the face on the other side.
“Marlena!” Buffy cried, gaping at the silver-haired slayers image in the pool. “How…?” Marlena’s image held up a hand,
“It’s a trick I know. I came to congratulate you. Sasha told me you found the Everstone,” she shook her head wryly, “And also that you and DeGanon are working together now,” she chuckled, “Strange bedfellows,” she grew serious, “But I also just witnessed the altercation between you and your sister, and I must say, I’m concerned,” Buffy sighed and hung her head, as Marlena continued,
“The slayers duty is to the world, yes. But a slayer can’t be so wrapped in matters of great, worldly importance that it interferes with her concern for individual people,” she smiled slightly, “or individual siblings,” she finished wryly. Buffy began to speak,
“But Dawn’s not even…” Marlena held up a hand,
“She is, or she would have been, if you had not been chosen as the slayer,” Marlena quietly informed the slayer. Buffy’s eyes widened,
“What?” she asked breathlessly. Marlena nodded,
“If you had not been the slayer, then when you were six or so, Dawn would have been born perfectly natural,” she gestured to the slayer, “You would have been a big sister, one way or the other. This way was just a tad more drastic,”
“But the monks said that all the memories mom and I had of Dawn were made-up,” Buffy exclaimed. Marlena sighed,
“I think this should be something we discuss in person. Stand back please,” Buffy frowned and did so. The puddle of water began to bubble and froth and with an explosion of water; Marlena calmly stepped out of the puddle, shaking her dress dry.
“That’s better. Now,” she turned to face Buffy, who looked stunned. “Do you remember when your witchy friend, Willow’s double showed up a few years back?” Buffy nodded still pretty blown away by the other woman’s entrance.
“Yeah, sure, hey how did you know about that?” Buffy asked. The older woman smiled,
“Oh I’ve been keeping tabs on you for quite sometime,” Buffy frowned,
“But back at the estate you acted like you’d never met me,” she protested.
“Did I?” Marlena smiled and waved a hand dismissively, “Be that as it may, you remember how the other Willow came from a different world?” Buffy nodded,
“She said it was a world where the Master had risen,” she replied. Marlena nodded,
“Heinrich, yes. Because you never came to Sunnydale, the he was freed and things turned ugly in a really bad sort of way,” she held up a finger, “That was ONE reality, and a particularly grim one at that,” she held up a second finger, “Another reality is one where you were never chosen as the slayer at all. You stayed in Los Angeles, were generally well-behaved, your parents never divorced and when you were six…”
“…I wound up with Dawn,” Buffy finished stunned. Marlena nodded,
“That’s another reality, all the monks did was take all the memories you and your mother had of Dawn and whoosh!” she made a sweeping gesture with her hand, “brought them to THIS reality,”
“So those memories I have of Dawn, they’re real?” Buffy asked. Marlena nodded,
“Very much so, just in another reality,” she replied. Buffy sagged against the wall feeling more than a little sandbagged by the revelation.
“So you see? Dawn really IS your sister,” she placed a hand on Buffy’s shoulder “And I can tell you right now, in that reality you and her are very, very close,” Buffy snorted lightly,
“This is like a bad episode of ‘The Twilight Zone,” she commented. Marlena grinned,
“I was always an Outer Limits girl myself,” she commented wryly. “Anyhow, you’ve got the Everstone, that’s great, what’s more you’ve bonded with Kendra’s soul temporarily.” Buffy frowned,
“Huh?” Marlena elaborated,
“During the fight with Mercurio, her soul jumped out of his body into yours briefly, which is what let you summon the stake to your hand AND what allowed you to cast that spell. Kendra wasn’t kidding when she said she spent all of her free time studying. The Jamaican people have always had a real knack for things like voodoo and Loa magic,” Buffy frowned,
“Loa?” she asked.
“Spirit magic. Conjuring up of spirits of ancestors through dance and prayer,” she explained.
“I always thought that was a stereotype,” Buffy interjected. Marlena looked abashed,
“Well, I’m not saying ALL Jamaicans spend their free time sacrificing chickens or any of that stereotypical nonsense, just that the people come from a culture very rich in the supernatural, and Kendra being the slayer and all, was more in tune with that power than most,”
“So when Kendra jumped into me…” Buffy began. Marlena threw her head back and laughed,
“What did you think the Awakening was? Turning into a giant snake?” she calmed down and grinned, “When the slayer awakens, she acquires all the knowledge and lore from all slayers past. Along with one or two helpful tricks,”
“Like magic?” Buffy asked.
“Magic, other languages, new abilities. It’s like Christmas, except every gift has something you want in it,” she chuckled and placed a hand on her shoulder, “You’ve tasted it twice now, once against Adam, and now once against Mercurio. Both times, your life was in mortal peril and both times it granted you access to powers that you’d normally have not a CLUE how to access, much less use effectively” she smiled slightly, “Granted a stake flying into your hand isn’t quite as dramatic as suddenly becoming Trinity on speed against that cybernetic spawn of Frankenstein, but pretty handy huh?”
Buffy nodded and grinned, “You saw ‘The Matrix, huh’?” Marlena grinned,
“What, you think I only use scrying to deliver cryptic warnings? Please! A girl’s got to have a hobby, and besides I save a FORTUNE in ticket fees,” Marlena chuckled and even Buffy laughed at that. Marlena grew serious,
“The point is, is Dawn’s your sister, honestly and truly, Dawn is Dawn first, the Key second. Just like you’re Buffy first, and the slayer second. That’ll change once you awaken though,” Marlena commented. Buffy frowned,
“You mean I won’t be me anymore?” she asked sounding frightened. Marlena grinned,
“Not at all child. You’ll always be you, you’ll just happen to be MORE than just you,” she replied cryptically. She winked and stepped back into the puddle,
“Now go make nice with the young woman, and DON’T get on her case about Dusk. Both of them are responsible young adults, these things have a way of working out,” giving the slayer a jaunty wave, she took a deep breath and folding over at the waist, dove headfirst into the one-inch puddle. Buffy gasped in surprise and limped over to the puddle feeling around. There was nothing there. Buffy removed her hand and shook her head in awe.
“Gotta get her to teach me THAT one,” Buffy muttered before hobbling away.
She found Dawn huddled against a storm drain, muttering angrily to herself. Dawn suddenly looked up at her and growled,
“What do YOU want?” she demanded, getting to her feet. Buffy held up her hands,
“Come on Dawn, truce?” she implored. Dawn folded her arms across her chest and glared daggers at her older sister.
“You got something to say, spit it out and leave,” Dawn snarled. Buffy sighed,
“Yes, I have something to say,” she sighed, “You were right,”
Dawn’s eyes widened and she dropped her arms in surprise; “If this is your idea of a joke…” she began. Buffy shook her head,
“No joke. This is me 'fessing up,” she sighed and carefully walked over to Dawn, sitting on a stool, keeping her injured leg out in front of her. “I do still love Angel, and you’re right, it isn’t right to love one guy and be with another,” she sighed and hung her head, “Just after Riley left, I was so lost, and for some reason, having Spike around made me feel better,” she looked up at Dawn, “Don’t get me wrong, I’m crazy about Spike, he’s a great guy,” she frowned, “Well actually he’s an obnoxious braggart, who drinks like a duck and brawls ENTIRELY too much,”
“Sounds like someone else I know,” Dawn muttered, glaring at Buffy. Buffy sighed,
“Guess I earned that. The point is though, that I haven’t been a very good big sister lately. I’ve been letting myself get so wrapped up in myself that I failed to notice that you may be having a rough time,” she looked back at Dawn, “I was only a little older than you when I was told that I’d be the defender of the world, I didn’t take it well,” Dawn nodded,
“Yeah I know, you were like, all depressed for a whole week, I thought you were just getting your period or something,” Buffy made a face,
“No and Ew!” she made a face and continued, “The point was is that you’re younger than I was and you’ve already had to see some pretty awful things, being kidnapped by vampires, sludge monsters coming out of the kitchen sink, floating demon eyeballs, warlocks, sewer vampires, you’ve seen a lot,” she smiled at Dawn, “and, against all normal earth logic, I’m kind of proud of you,” Dawn’s face began to brighten,
“You are?” she asked.
“Don’t get me wrong, you’re STILL a tremendous pain-in-the-ass,” Buffy retorted. She wrapped an arm around Dawn’s shoulder and leaned her against her shoulder, “But you’re MY pain-in-the-ass, and I need to start treating you better,” she sighed.
“What about Alec?” Dawn whispered quietly. Buffy sighed again,
“Alec has been doing my job, he’s been protector and friend to you when I should have been. He’s always tried to be there for you and like you said, he treats you like an equal,” she looked down at Dawn, “I guess that goes a long way when you feel all alone,” Dawn nodded,
“Yeah, it does,” her voice thick with emotion. Buffy turned and leaned back to regard her sister.
“You really have a thing for the guy don’t you?” she asked. Dawn sniffled and nodded,
“Yeah, I think I do,” she replied, “Faith and I talked on the camper and I told her about it. She said that it sounded like I had it bad,” she looked down, “she said it sounded like I was in lov- in love with him,” she stuttered over the word, saying it aloud for the first time.
“Are you?” Buffy asked gently. Dawn looked up at her and couldn’t speak, just nodded. Buffy sighed,
“Are you sure? Cause once upon a time you would come running whenever Xander came to the door-”
“I’m sure,” Dawn interrupted quietly, she looked up at him, her face taut with emotion, “Every time Alec goes out with you guys, I’m so scared that he’s not going to come back,” she hung her head, “And when I think about that it…it feels like I’m going to die,” she whispered. Buffy exhaled hard,
“Oh boy, yeah, you’re in love,” she replied sympathetically, “But he’s like nine years older than you,” she commented. Dawn glared at her,
“So? How many hundred years is Angel older than you?” she retorted angrily. Buffy looked indignant,
“That’s different,” she replied curtly.
“HOW!?” Dawn screamed at her, “How is it any different? I love him! I love him so much that every time he looks at me I feel like I can do anything in the world! I love him more every day and it’s driving me crazy that I can never be with him! Buffy sighed and looked down,
“Yeah, I know how that feels,” she replied. Sighing she wrapped her arms around her sister, who was beginning to sob anew
“You’re right, it isn’t different. Not at all, and it must hurt like hell,” Dawn nodded,
“It’s horrible…” she sobbed. Buffy stroked her hair and kissed it.
“I know, but you don’t want to lose it, do you?” Dawn shook her head.
“No,” she whispered, “Not for anything,” Buffy sighed and held her.
“Then all we can do is wait and see what happens,” she looked down at Dawn, “Do you want me to talk to him?” she asked gently. Dawn shook her head,
“No! Please no, I don’t want him to know, I don’t want him to act weird around me,” she sniffled, “Besides, he loves Willow,” she whispered forlornly, Buffy nodded,
“Yes, yes he does, but he also loves me and he loves his father,” she looked down at her sister, “And I get the feeling that maybe he loves you too,” Dawn jerked her head up suddenly,
“You do?” she whispered, her voice full of hope. Buffy nodded,
“It’s not like it is Willow,” she smiled slightly, “Dusk isn’t exactly striving to play Jeremy Irons to your Dominique Swain, but,” she reached out and stroked her sister’s face, “There’s something there. I see it every time he looks at you, you can tell he wants to protect you,” she smiled, remembering the obsessive drive she’d felt in her brother’s mind when she was busy digging him out of the earth, “He takes your safety pretty seriously,” she told Dawn. Dawn smiled slightly,
“He’s my hero,” she replied, sounding for a moment like a little kid. Buffy grinned,
“ ‘Ferris Bueller, you’re my hero” she quoted. Dawn stuck her tongue out at her,
“That movie sucked,” she sniffled, Buffy looked shocked.
“That movie so did NOT suck, just because Freddy Prinze Junior wasn’t in it doesn’t mean the movie sucked,” she admonished her sister mock outraged.
“Yeah, says you,” Dawn retorted. Buffy smiled and tousled her sister’s hair.
“Come here you little monster,” smiling Buffy gathered her sister in a strong hug. Dawn held her tightly.
“You’re really proud of me?” Dawn whispered. Buffy nodded,
“Mm-hmm,” she replied.
“Buffy?”
“Yeah, Dawn?”
“You’re bleeding on me,”
Buffy released her sister and leapt back, looking down at her bandaged shoulder, which had begun to bleed again. She blushed and looked up; there was a faint smear of blood on Dawn’s cheek.
“Whoops,” she said sheepishly. Automatically, she dabbed her thumb with her tongue and reached out to clean Dawn’s face…then stopped. Smiling slightly, she handed Dawn a tissue from her purse, letting the young girl do it herself.
“Thanks,” Dawn replied, taking the tissue and wiping her cheek, “This is really gross,” she commented. Buffy waved a hand,
“Trust me, be a Scooby long enough, you’ll get used to it,” she assured her. Dawn snorted.
“Oh yippee,” she commented dryly. Buffy struggled to her feet; Dawn rushed over to help her up. Buffy sent her a grateful look,
“Thanks…sis,” she told her. Dawn smiled slightly,
“You’re welcome…brat,” she replied grinning. Buffy laughed and let Dawn lead her away.
“Just out of curiosity, where did you learn to punch like that?” she asked her younger sister as they headed back towards the others.
“I get it from my sister,” Dawn replied matter-of-factly as the siblings walked away.
Dusk yawned and stretched his arms, feeling exceptionally well rested, he sat up in bed, flexing his arm, which was still tingling from the jolt he got in the gem room and rose smoothly to his feet, holding his hands up over his head and arching his back, stretching and sighing loudly. Looking around, he padded out of the room in his socks. He peered into some of the other rooms. Faith was out like a light, her cot right next to Angel’s who looked like he was resting comfortably. Buffy and Dawn were snoozing together on Dawn’s sleeping bag, Dusk smiled slightly. The sisters really DID need to come together. Spike was dozing in a chair, a half-empty bottle of tequila on the table next to him. Dusk shook his head chuckling ruefully.
( Some people never learn. ) Walking over to the bottle, he took a long swallow and set it down, swishing the alcohol around in his mouth, letting the bitter taste help banish the last vestiges of drowsiness from his brain. Spying a light from the other room, he padded over and gently creaked the door open.
Giles was pouring over a book, studying the Everstone intently, he looked up.
“Oh hello son,” he smiled warmly at Dusk, taking his glasses off, “How are you feeling?” Dusk nodded in greeting, sitting down next to his father,
“Better,” he replied, rubbing his arm gently, “Arm’s still a little sore,” he gestured to the gem, “Bloody thing gave me quite a jolt,” he quipped. Giles smiled,
“Yes well it’s truly fascinating, Buffy told me how you figured out the correct procedure in order to facilitate it’s creation,” he beamed proudly at his son, “I must say Alec, good show,” he patted his sons shoulder approvingly. Dusk waved it away,
“Thanks, I had help,” he replied. He craned his neck to peer into the room, “How’s Buffy?” he asked. Giles frowned,
“Well, were she a normal girl the injury to her knee and back would be crippling. Fortunately it turns out that the kneecap was only fractured, not broken. Her recuperative powers as slayer, and DeGanon’s gypsy magic have thus far helped accelerate her recovery. Still, between that and the shoulder wound, she’s going to have to take some downtime,” he informed him. Dusk snorted,
“Bet she was jubilant to hear that,” he observed wryly. Giles snorted identically, his face mirroring his sons
“Between a cracked kneecap and back plus an impaled shoulder, you’d think she’d be more sensible about things,” he sighed, exasperated.
“She seems very driven,” Dusk noted, grinning “Wonder where she picked that up from?” Giles blushed,
“Yes well, be that as it may, she’s going to have to rest for a while. I’m debating whether or not to leave her and Angel at the Grigori estate with Marlena for some downtime,” Dusk frowned,
“Angel still not up to snuff?” he asked. Giles shook his head,
“Whatever spell Angel was subjected to its effects were extremely debilitating. It’s going to take some time for him to recover,” he sighed.
“I didn’t think Marlena would allow vampires onto the estate grounds,” Dusk commented.
“She also said she wasn’t going to help us fight off DeGanon’s forces when they attacked,” Giles replied evenly. Dusk bit his tongue in amusement,
“Touché,” Dusk chuckled looking around. “Looks like everyone’s asleep, how long have I been out?” he asked. Giles frowned at his watch,
“Well, you really should be asleep as well, Alec, you’ve only been asleep for an hour or so,” he informed him. Dusk’s eyes widened,
“What?” he exclaimed, “Are you sure?” Giles nodded,
“Quite sure son, why?” Dusk shook his head,
“I just feel very well-rested, like I’ve been asleep for twenty hours or something,” he replied. Giles frowned,
“Do you believe that this…recuperation has to do with your demonic essence?” he asked. Dusk nodded,
“Well, yeah must be, except…I’ve always been able to sleep in before,” he shook his head and shrugged, “Anyhow, it’s not a big deal,” he got to his feet, “I’m going to go check on Willow,” Giles nodded.
“Yes, I heard the poor girl went through quite an ordeal,” he frowned, “Buffy actually RAISED her from the dead?” he asked amazed. Dusk nodded,
“Yeah, I’d show you the spell, except the spell book was vaporized after the spell was cast. Pretty impressive show though,” he commented. Giles shook his head in amazement,
“Buffy’s never shown an aptitude for sorcery before,” Giles pursed his lips in thought.
“Buffy’s never had a dear friend laying cold on the slab either,” Dusk commented grimly, Giles smirked,
“Touché Alec,” he repeated his son’s earlier sentiment. Chuckling, Dusk patted his father’s shoulder affectionately before heading out. He quietly entered the room where Willow was. She was asleep on the bed, a single candle burning brightly in the dark. Xander and Anya were in chairs, resting against each other dozing lightly. Dusk smirked and gently shook Xander awake,
“Go continue your dream sequence in a bed, mate. I’ll stay with her,” he whispered. Xander got to his feed groggily and left the room, Anya shambling behind him. Dusk closed the door and turned back to Willow. Very carefully he patted over and pulled back the covers entering the bed, next to his lover. He turned to face her, his hand gently stroking the lock of snowy white hair from her face, the only outward mark that the woman had died.
Died. He shook his head. No matter how much he thought about it he still couldn’t get his mind around the concept that, for a brief time, this woman had been dead. Gone. No more. And he remembered the agony it had made him feel, how small and helpless and truly insignificant the experience had left him feeling. If he couldn’t protect Willow against those zombies what about next time? Or the time after that? Had he lost his ability to protect those he loved most? What about Buffy…or his father…or Dawn? The last thought, the thought of Dawn laying cold and lifeless somewhere filled his body with such dread, he squeezed his eyes shut tightly and shuddered.
“Hey…” a drowsy voice called out. Dusk opened his eyes to see Willow regarding him with grave concern. “You okay?” she asked worriedly. Dusk shook his head,
“Not even remotely,” he confessed. Reaching out, he stroked her face, “I’m trying to get over the fact that you died…and I couldn’t stop it. And it’s killing me.” He finished softly. Willow’s eyes ached with sympathy. Turning her head, she kissed his hand,
“You fought as hard as you could. You did everything you could. The only way they got past you is by threatening Buffy and Angel, they’re bad guys, they cheated,” she pouted her lip, trying to cheer him up. Dusk shook his head angrily,
“But what happens next time? When the bad guys cheat? I mean, if I can’t protect the people I love, what good am I?” he demanded bitterly. Willow got stern,
“No talk like that, mister,” she admonished, “I mean, you fight as hard as Buffy and it’s not even your sacred duty or anything. You do it because you see that it’s a good fight that needs fighting,” she gently pushed him over onto his back and rolled atop him, peering into his eyes, “Your father is proud of you, so is Buffy and so am I,” she whispered. Dusk sighed and looked away,
“So what happens when one of you winds up dead because I couldn’t do anything about it? Buffy and Faith keep talking about all this power I have, how cool it is,” he looked back up at Willow, “And I couldn’t even save you,” he whispered. Willow sighed and gently nuzzled his face.
“But you did, you and Buffy and Angel, you brought me back,” she whispered. Dusk snorted,
“BUFFY brought you back,” he replied. Willow shook her head,
“No,” she whispered softly, her voice full of love, “Buffy got my attention, but who do you think I was thinking about when I came back?” she looked into his eyes, “You’re the reason I came back, Alec, not Buffy or anyone else. You. I love you Alec, I love you so much and I couldn’t die and leave you all alone,” she whispered. Dusk closed his eyes, and sighed hard, the tension in his face draining away. Willow smiled and kissed him gently before reclining back against him.
“Now, there’s something I want to do, and if I hear one peep of protest from you, you’re going to get hurt,” she threatened, Dusk opened his eyes…which promptly widened as Willow reached down and stripped off her t-shirt, leaving her top completely bare. Taking his hands gently, she placed them over her heart.
“You brought me back from the dead Alec, now I want to feel alive,” she whispered fiercely. Bring her mouth down she captured his lips in a passionate kiss. They continued to kiss and as their passion built, call it sorcery or divine intervention or simply quirky ventilation, there was a sudden breath of wind, and the lone candle blew out, darkness fell over the two lovers embracing them in shadowy loving arms.
Unsurprisingly, there were no sounds of protest. Not even a peep.
Dusk was fighting Mercurio’s minions. His face was contorted with rage as he lashed out again and again with darkness tendrils. Fighting desperately against the shambling hordes. He snarled,
“Come on you rotting bastards! Come on!” lashing out with feet, fists, anything he killed and kept killed. He could feel Willow behind him trembling with fear as the walking corpses reached towards them with cold clammy hands. Dusk snarled and struck again and again against the unending tide of undead.
“Alec!” he whirled around to see Willow being dragged away from him by the zombies.
“Willow!” he roared struggling against the onslaught of hands pressing into him, dragging him down into stinking blackness.
“Noooooo!” he screamed-
-And sat up ramrod straight in bed, lashing out with his arm, roaring in fury. The arm exploded into hooks and blades starting, from his elbow and going all the way out to almost a foot beyond what should have been his hand. He sat there a moment, swallowing rapidly as the nightmare receded. Willow jerked awake and grabbed onto him,
“Alec, what’s wrong?” she gasped. Dusk whirled around to face her, his face drenched in sweat. Vainly he tried to hide his arm.
“Willow, stay back,” he held up his human hand. Willow brushed aside and looked down, her mouth flew to her hand.
“Alec…” she whispered hoarse with disbelief seeing the collection of dark metal blades protruding from his skin. They gleamed and clicked wickedly in the dim light emanating from under the closed door. She looked up at him in shock,
“What’s happening?” she breathed. Dusk shook his head, trying to ignore the metallic abomination that his arm had become.
“I don’t know Willow,” his eyes wide with fear, his pulse racing, “I don’t know what’s happening to me,”
To Be Continued…
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