Buffy came back to her home feeling tired. It had been a long hard day of demon-researching. And she also had her vampire patrolling to do. Buffy hung her coat on a rack and looked around the empty living room wondering where everyone was.
“Hello! Is anyone there?” Buffy called out, her voice echoing. “In here!” Dawn’s voice came from the kitchen.
“Hey Dawn, where is everyone? Were you alone all this time?” Buffy asked entering the kitchen and sitting at the counter beside Dawn who was doing her homework.
“Giles and Tara are gone back to the Magic Box to do some more research, Xander decided to stay with me cause he didn’t want to face Anya.” Dawn replied without looking at Buffy.
“Okay then, where’s Xander?” Buffy asked. “Gone to bring something to eat” Dawn replied still avoiding Buffy’s gaze.
They sat awkwardly for awhile each of them not speaking to one another, before Dawn asked softly.
“Does it hurt?” “What?” Buffy asked. “Your arm” said Dawn looking at Buffy questionably. “How did you...?” “Willow told me” Dawn cut Buffy off.
“Dawn I’m sorry I didn't tell you earlier.” Buffy said genuinely. “Does it hurt?” Dawn repeated.
“A little bit.” Buffy said quietly.
“You need to tell me stuff you know. Can’t keep things hidden for long. I’m bound to find them out anyway” said Dawn.
“I know Dawn, I’m just trying to...” “Protect me” Dawn finished the sentence for Buffy. “Dawn I...” “Don’t!” Dawn interrupted. “Don’t start with the ‘Dawn I’m only trying to protect you, it’s all for your own good speech’ cause between you and me, it’s getting pretty clichéd.”
“Dawn” Buffy said after a few seconds, restraining her anger. “When I was your age I found out that I was the Slayer, it was really hard for me to take on the responsibility of saving the world at sixteen. I just don’t want you to go through all that. And if that seems clichéd, then so be it.”
“I’m not the Slayer!” Dawn snapped. “But your here! And in as much danger as any of us.” said Buffy. Dawn looked away from Buffy angrily. Just then Xander came in through the kitchen door carrying a brown paper bag full of food.
“Hey! I’m back, hi Buff!” Xander said smiling at Buffy. “You guys hungry? I’ve got sandwiches, chips, cookies, sodas.” Xander said placing the bag on the counter. “The ‘Veggie Palace’ deli.” Buffy looked at the label on the bag and raised her eyebrows at Xander.
“It was the only restaurant open at this time of the night. Besides veggies are good for you” said Xander.
“I’m not really hungry” Dawn stated and left the room. “What got into her?” Xander asked looking confused.
“Teenage trouble” Buffy sighed. “Ill go talk to her.” Buffy made a move to get up but Xander caught her by the arm and said. “Let her be, give her some time alone. Thats how we all got over our teen troubles right?” “Nope. I had mom. She used to always make me feel better, no matter what my problems were. Dawn has only me” Buffy replied. “Wrong! She has you, the sweetest most caring friend of mine. And me, Giles, Willow, Tara and Anya. She is not alone and neither are you Buffy, we’re in this together. Xander said comfortingly.
Buffy smiled, happy to have a friend when most needed. Xander returned her smile. “So what will it be, eggplant supreme or mixed veggie delight” Xander said emptying the contents of the bag.
“I think I’ll pass on dinner tonight” Buffy said getting off the stool and heading for the living room. “Good idea” Xander said following her out of the kitchen.
“So, how did it go with Spike? Did he let loose any information?” Xander asked. “He doesn’t know anything” Buffy replied.
“He never was much help” Xander frowned. “What about you and Anya?” Buffy asked trying to avoid talking about Spike.
“Um.. I’ve been thinking about it, a lot! And have come to a decision After a lot of hard thinking that is.” said Xander. “And that is?” Buffy asked.
“I’ll exchange the silverware for something that she likes” said Xander. “That is mighty big of you!” Buffy stated with an air of addressing a three year old.
“Yeah, it is isn’t it.” Xander smiled brightly unaware of Buffy’ sarcasm.
They chatted together for an hour over coffee and cookies completely ignoring the sandwiches. They were trying not to feel sleepy in case the Paramus was lurking nearby.
It was nine in the evening, Buffy decided to go up to Dawn’s room and have a little chat with her, ignoring Xander’s constant advice on letting her sort it out herself.
“When I was her age, I would have liked to have a bigger sister to share my problems with” said Buffy. “When you were her age, you pulled a Houdini” said Xander.
Buffy gave him a scornful look, took a couple of chocolate chip cookies and went up to Dawn’s room.
“Dawn?” Buffy called out tapping on her bedroom door. “Dawn, open up. We need to talk” Buffy said again tapping harder. The door creaked open slowly. Buffy looked around the empty room, there was no sight of Dawn. Her eyes fell upon the window which was wide open.
“Where’s Dawn?” Xander asked appearing behind Buffy, carrying a glass of milk.
“I think she pulled a Houdini” said Buffy.
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A/N: I have to admit, I’m not very happy with this chapter, but I needed a situation that leaded to the events that take place in the next chapter. Please R&R!
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