(Untitled)

[__theslayer__]

I closed the motel door with a smile on my face. Just standing there for a second before actually walking away from it. I had a feeling he'd be sleeping for awhile and I'd see him in the morning when he was over to ... make breakfast. For me and Dawn. Weird, but I guess that's just how it is now. Hopefully Willow would be gone or something, so she

Comments

[watcher_pryce]

I had debated with myself on the matter of Buffy going on patrol. And come to the conclusion that I may very well turn into an overprotective git. I mean, how long had she been patrolling out here, on her own, without me? Quite a long time. She knew this town, she knew this towns evil, she certainly didn't need me to follow her around to make certain no one would hurt her.

Besides, teasing the hell out of a Slayer, had been a hard job. Especially if you want to take it slow, make sure the trust she's put in you is actually worth it. I hope it was. She'd said she'd enjoyed herself, but one never knows. I'm still rather overwhelmed that she trusted me enough to do this. That she never broke free, even though she could, was another thing.

Yawning, I pulled the covers up higher, snuggling into the pillow that still held her scent. My eyes fluttered closed, the day catching up with me. A long drive, picking up Dawn at the hospital, meeting her friends again, the fight and them our time here. Lovely time. I smiled when I pictured her moving beneath me as my eyes fluttered closed. God, I was to tired, I felt as though I could sleep for days.

She's a big girl, I thought, as I slipped further into sleep. Making a mental note not to forget to pick up breakfast at one of the diners tomorrow morning. No way was I going to alienate Dawn by trying to cook.

[watcher_pryce]

When I woke up the next morning, I was as relaxed as I'd never been in ... well, in a very long time. Automatically, I reached out for Buffy, only to be reminded that she wasn't here. We'd gone to Sunnydale. We were in Suddydale. And we'd had the most amazing sex I've ever had. I can only hope that was the case for her as well. Yawning, I blinked the clock which was still blaring at me. Must've had the brain last night to set that thing last night.

Oh right, I was supposed to have breakfast with Buffy and Dawn.

Slowly I scooted out of bed and padded toward the shower. My muscles were pleasantly sore, a very nice reminder of what we'd done. I doubt Buffy would feel any of it though. I bet even the bruises around her wrists are gone. Jumping under the shower, I took my time to wash up, brush my teeth and then quickly toweled dry. Luckily there was more in that suitcase then just ties. I got out some fresh boxers and clothes.

As I drove toward the diner, I had to wonder what Dawn would like for breakfast. I knew that as long as Buffy got her coffee and something substantial, she'd be fine. Didn't think Dawn was having coffee though. Not knowing what to take, I got something of everything, scones, muffins, tea for me, coffee for Buffy and orange juice for Dawn, pancakes, the works. Putting the box on the seat next to me, I drove over to Buffy's house and hoped it would be enough.

Wasn't Willow living there too? It's a good thing I'm not much of a breakfast person.

[watcher_pryce]

"Oh, good morning, Willow," I smiled at her. Did I have a good night? Oh yes, very good. But she didn't need to know just *how* good. It wasn't as though we were prying about her and Tara now were we? "I slept very well, thank you."

She grinnend at me and I smiled back. Well, thank god I'd gotten enough for a small army. Assuming she was going to join us. Wouldn't that be nice and completely not as planned. But before I could ask anything, Dawn bounded down the stairs.

"Hey Wes," she winked at me, giving me that all knowing look again. "Bet you slept like a baby," she giggled. "Oooh! Did you *bring* breakfast! That's like so sweet."

I smiled at her, and followed Buffy into the kitchen, disposing the rest of the boxes. "Well, I didn't want to make you all suffer by pretending I could actually cook." I glanced over my shoulder toward both Willow and Dawn and smiled when they giggles.

"It can't be that bad," Willow said. "Even Buffy can cook!"

Opening the boxes, I looked over at Buffy and then quickly ducked my head before my stupid smile gave me away. Of course Dawn had seen it. Since she giggled and then poked her elbow in my side. "Do you need any help, Buffy?" I asked, trying for normal.

"I'll help!" Dawn smiled so wide I thought her face might split in two.

I sank down next to Willow at the kitchen table, giving her a shy, uneasy smile. Well, this wasn't awkward at all.

[watcher_pryce]

"Peanut butter pancakes," I echoed her words. I stared at her for a while, trying to not to look *too* disgusted by that thought. Because that sounded really bloody awful. I must've been staring to long, because before I knew it an elbow jabbed itself into my side. I looked up startled to see Dawn giving me raised eyebrow.

"I'm sure they're very tasty," I tried diplomatic, shuddering at the thought of peanut butter pancakes.

"See?" Dawn beamed a smile at me which made me smile in return before turning toward Buffy. "Wes likes them!" She bounced a little in her seat and then reached for a muffing. "This is great. Thanks Wes! I'll make you those pancakes soon to repay you!"

Oh dear god. "That's really not necessary, Dawn. Thank you," I said quickly.

Willow giggled and shot me a sympathetic look while she sipped her tea. Coffee, whatever she was drinking. "Oh come on, Wes. Dawn loves making them." And she had a face that clearly said those pancakes should not be made. By anyone. Least of all Dawn.

"You'll love them! So," she rambled on, and I swear, it has to be the water here. "Did you find a place yet?"

"No, not yet," I shook my head. "But Buffy will help me out today. I'm sure we'll find a place." My smile turned soft when I looked over at Buffy.

"Uh huh," Dawn giggled. "I'm sure she will be very helpful."

[__theslayer__]

I knew Dawn would try to get him to try one of her pancakes. Good thing she didn't make them this morning, actually, that would be relieved. I watched them talk as I sipped at my coffee and took a few bites out of a muffin. This is the only thing that bugs me is that they just ... ask questions and more questions and want to know everything that's going on when really, there isn't that much going on, but they're making it seem like there is and now I'm freaking out.

"Huh?" I asked and frowned as I looked over at Wes and Dawn. Helpful? Must be talking about something that has to do with the whole finding a place to stay.

"Yeah, we're going to find a place and I should get dressed cause I can't go out in pajama's."

I stayed were I was at, but I knew that's what I had to do before I left the house. Plus a shower. Breaking off a piece of muffin, I chewed it down and then swallowed some more coffee beofre getting up from the seat.

"I'll be back," I said and then headed upstairs.

[watcher_pryce]

Buffy seemed to be miles away. It worried me slightly. Especially after our fight from yesterday. I didn't like not knowing what was going on in that pretty little head. I'd learned pretty fast she had all kinds of wrong idea's and visions when it came to...whatever it was we had.

That I'd leave her. That I was using her. That... I don't know what she was and is thinking. But her comparing me to her former partners? That hurt. I wasn't like them. I wasn't about to just drop her when I had enough of her. Which I didn't see happening any time soon. Though, this change of moods was pretty frustrating. It didn't help that Xander was downright hostile as well. Thank god he's not here now.

Willow and Dawn were enough to deal with. Especially Dawn. I'd not forgotten her little 'teaching you' comment. And from the way she was looking back and forth between Buffy and myself? I'd have to say that she didn't forget herself either.

I nodded at Buffy when she said she'd be right back. Quickly nudging my mind away from any thoughts of joining her in the shower, I concentrated on Willow and Dawn instead.

"So," Willow started. "Pretty strange you showing up here with Buffy huh? I mean! Who'd have thought that four years ago!" She smiled at me and I squirmed.

"Yes well," I said, clearing my throat. "Things just didn't work out in Los Angeles. And uhm... Giles left and uhm... It seemed like a good idea."

"Oh yeah!" Dawn nodded and then pushed the hair out of her face. "It'll be just like old times! Only without the sarcastic remarks and the you know, screaming like a girl thing and stuff." She bounced in her chair and gave me such a bright smile I couldn't actually be insulted.

"Right," I nodded, not knowing what else to say. Sipping my tea, I frowned when Dawn leaned in and glanced over at Willow who got up to get some coffee.

"Careful," she muttered. "Willow is going to give you the shovel speech soon. Don't let her get to you kay?"

I blinked at her, and then over at Willow before looking back at Dawn.

Shovel? Speech?

[watcher_pryce]

I don't know how she did it, but somehow Willow had backed me up in a corner from the kitchen. Dawn suddenly seemed *very* interested in getting rid of the breakfast left overs and very pointedly did *not* look in our direction.

"I beg your pardon," I asked, not actually believing what she'd just said.

"I said," Willow repeated, giving me a bright smile. "You hurt her? I will hunt you down with a shovel and beat you to death. Understood?"

Raising my eyebrow, I looked at her blankly for a moment. I suppose I should be glad that Buffy has such good friends who worry about her. But I just got threatened by a small red head with a shovel. I'd be amused if said small red head wasn't also a very powerful witch. She could do a lot worse, I should count myself lucky.

"Understood," I nodded. "I've no intention of hurting her." And I had no idea if Buffy told her or if she figured it out by herself. But she knew and now she probably knew officially.

"Good," Willow nodded. She looped her arm through mine and drug me back toward the table again. "I still think its weird and ic...weird. But hey!"

Hey. Quite. I was almost tempted to go upstairs and wait for Buffy in her bedroom. Instead I sat down on and sipped my tea. Willow said her goodbyes to us, something about meeting Tara before school. And then it was just me and Dawn.

"You should like get her flowers," she whispered, leaning in conspiretional. "Cause that's romantic and stuff." She nodded and then winked at me.

I just stared at her.

[watcher_pryce]

"Uh, bye Dawn," I said quickly as she slid out the door. She wove at us and then walked down the path on her way to school. Or Friends, I don't know. Then I turned back to Buffy and raised my eyebrow. It would seem me showing up here certainly changed a lot of things.

"Well, maybe she's matured?" I tried. More like she was plotting out ways to 'teach me' to woe her sister. Bloody hell, I was going to have to come up with some good excuses. Especially if she's as clever as Buffy. Flowers are romantic indeed. I don't even know what kind of flowers or if Buffy would actually *like* that.

Shaking off those thoughts, I got up and tossed my styrofoam tea cup away. "As there's nothing left to do, how about we go and look for an office annex apartment?" Slipping my hands in my pockets, I gave her a questioning look. The sooner we'd find one, the sooner think around here would settle for what would be normal on a hellmouth.

[watcher_pryce]

Nodding when she said she'd get her jacket, I watched her leave. Then I walked over to the chair and got my own jacket. I was still shrugging in it when she came back. Just when I was about to motion to the door, she asks me the strangest question. Did Dawn do what?

I blink at her confused. Was she winking at me? I thought back at the meal and shook my head. "I don't think so," I shrugged. And even if she did, she was being all secretive. Little matchmaking pest. Doesn't she know we're not in need of any matchmaking? "No, I don't think she was winking," as far as I can remember, "I think it was more of a teasing gesture."

All and all? I like Dawn. I still remember she was one of the few who was actually nice to me the last time I was here. And didn't avoid me like the rest. She actually talked to me. I'd never thought I'd be back here though. Least of all with Buffy. My, how fast things change.

"Ready to go?" I held the door open and smiled at her.