(Untitled)

[xandman]

So the plan about going to England and visiting my best gal pal? Not gonna happen. John says he needs me because we're getting everything set up to start building the school. He also made it pretty clear that if I was to get called out of town on a family emergancy or something I could kiss my job goodbye

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[prodigal_slayer]

Getting up from the ground I looked up quickly to see B had already hightailed. Well wasn't that fun, punch Faith and run. When was that game gonna get tired already? No one ever wanted to stick around for a decent fight. Shaking my head I turned around and stopped when I saw someone step out of the shadows. Couldn't completely make out who it was yet, until he spoke.

"There's usually only the hard way, but what the fuck do I know?"

Stayed where I was cause hey, last time Xander saw me I probably tried to kill him or one of his friends. Wasn't exactly expectin' a welcome home party and I wasn't sure how he'd react to seeing me. Gotta be happy though, slayer in town. Now that B's decided to play for the other team anyways.

"What are you doin' out here all by yourself? Tryin' to get yourself killed?"

[wickedslayer]

"Okay." I said watching him intently as he got out of the car and walked to the house I didn't recognize. One of Dawnie's friends I guessed. Lighting up a smoke I watched as he disappeared inside before taking my eyes off of him. Didn't want B or her boy to swoop in and decide it was time to play with some old friends. My face was still smarting from where B had clocked me one good.

Closing my eyes I leaned back in the seat and took a deep drag off of my smoke. When did the world go to shit? Well I guess earlier today, or yesterday now. At least Xander seemed ot believe me when I said I never wanted any of this to happen. He seemed to, I still wasn't sure that he actually did.

I opened my eyes and watched out the window as Xander came back to the car with the smallest Summers in tow. Holy shit, not so small anymore. Lil sis was all woman sized.

[xandman]

"What's wrong?"

I didn't answer as we got to the car. "Come on," I said holding my hand out for her bag and avoiding eye contact. "You're coming over to my place for a little bit."

"Is that Faith?" Dawn asked, dropping her bag on the edge of the manicured lawn. "What is she doing here? Xander?"

I swallowed, grabbing her bag from the ground. "Dawn, just get in the car. I'll tell you everything in a minute."

"Where's Buffy? I'm not getting in that car with her."

[wickedslayer]

Oh crap. The little brat was going to really be...bratty about this whole thing. Couldn't she just fucking shut up and get in the car? No she had to always be makin' things difficult, questioning things. Reminded me of someone else who was currently snacking on people for fun.

Stepping out of the car I regarded Dawn cooly as I crossed my arms over my chest and dropped my smoke on the ground in the same movement.

"Dawn, there's some things goin' on. You might not like me or trust me. But you trust Xander, and you can trust him when he says you need to get into the car right now." It wasn't a request and I could tell by the look on her face that she got that.

[xandman]

"Please, Dawn," I said, putting a hand on her shoulder. She stiffened and met my eyes. For a moment she just stood there studying my face. Finally she shrugged my hand off and reluctantly got in the car. I looked up at Faith and nodded before putting Dawn's bag in the backseat with her.

Faith and I got back in the car and I started on the way home.

"Alexander Lavelle Harris," Dawn said in my ear. "Tell me what's going on. Is it bad? Is it about Willow? Spike? Buffy? Angel?"

She looked at Faith. "Is Angel alright?"

I gripped the steering wheel harder.

"Dawn, just...wait."

"For what?" She said. "Why? Tell me what's wrong. You're scaring me."

[wickedslayer]

I was feelin' for Xander, seriously. Not only had he just found out his best friend was dead undead (from me of all people) but now he had to tell Dawn what happened to her big sister. Felt for Dawn too, but since she mostly just annoyed me and always had I was feelin' more sympathetic towards Xander. He was tryin' wicked hard to keep it together.

The three of us settled into silence for a second, as Dawn grew more and more agitated in the backseat. She wanted to know what was goin' on and could you blame the girl?

"Xand," I said, turning to face him and noticing his knuckles were white on the steering wheel. "I think we should take her to the motel. Wesley and Cordelia can explain things there." Or maybe that was a bad idea, maybe he wanted to tell her alone since he was pretty much her only family right now. Big brother. Wished I had a big brother like Xander when I was a kid. Maybe I wouldn't of turned out so fucked up.

"Wesley and Cordelia are here? what is going on?!" Dawn demanded from the backseat.

[xandman]

I looked up at Dawn in the rearview mirror. There was no reason to drag this out. Maybe I could give her a few more minutes, or another hour, but eventually she'd have to know. Someone would tell her

[wickedslayer]

"Yeah." I said in a quiet voice and apparently that was all Dawn needed because she burst into tears. Hearing her cry was sorta makin' me feel like cryin' myself. Except I didn't have that luxury. Couldn't cry over B, and more over I knew she wouldn't want me to. I had things to do, needed to focus. Mourning Buffy would just have to wait, like everything else.

For the first time ever I sorta felt the burden. Bein' a slayer never felt like a burden before, always more like just some kickass superpowers. Now it felt like a job, like something only I could do. Which was a scary fucking concept if you ask me.

"Come on." I said just loud enough to be heard over Dawn's crying. "We should go check in with Wes and Cordy. They're at the Sunnydale Motor Inn."

[xandman]

I took a deep breath and nodded at Faith before starting up the car.

Dawn's crying made me feel sick again. This was so wrong. It never should have happened not like this.

I turned right and headed towards the motor inn. Maybe Cordy and Wes would have some answers for Dawn because I didn't have anything.