Chapter 6

After searching a week for the Slayer, they still weren’t having much luck. Buffy and Spike were currently lurking around one of LA’s many cemeteries, hoping that she would show up. Charles had enough waiting and took off about an hour ago, but that was mostly because he didn’t want to be around them and their snogging. While they were still looking for the girl, Spike couldn’t help but be glad to have some alone time with his.

He pulled his lips away from Buffy when a commotion sounded in the distance, taking off to see what it was and as luck would have it, he found a young girl fighting a vampire by herself. Spike looked around to see if a Watcher was nearby, but couldn’t detect any other heartbeats. The girl was a young brunette, but he couldn’t make out her face since she was turned away from him, impressed when she pulled out a stake and plunged it in the creature’s heart. For only being chosen not too long ago, she had pretty good moves, but that was just a mere fledgling. She would need a lot more training if she ever hoped to take Liam on.

Buffy was at his side in an instant, her face paler than usual. It was as if she saw a ghost.

Spike didn’t know what was wrong, until the girl finally turned around to face them.

“Dawny?” Buffy asked unsteadily, not believing that her little sister was standing in front of her, looking more grown up than when she left several months ago.

Her eyes widened, the stake dropping from her hand. “Buffy? Oh my God!” She ran over to her, hugging her sister’s shaking frame. “You were gone; we didn’t know what happened to you. Mom was hysterical, she kept going on about how you were kidnapped by a gang member and probably forced into prostitution, but I knew she was crazy. I always knew I would find you, but it’s been so long, I thought for sure you were dead.” Dawn pulled away; suddenly taking in the fact that her sister was very cold, bringing a hand to her mouth in shock. “Oh, God, you are dead.”

“Undead, technically, but I’m still me. I asked Spike to turn me. I just couldn’t die like that, and at least this way, I’m still here. I wanted to go to you so many times, but I couldn’t risk it. Not until I had more control over myself, but Spike says I’m a pretty fast learner.”

Dawn wiped at her eyes, seeming to just take notice of the other vampire standing there. She remembered seeing him a few times in her sister’s hospital room, her absence now made a lot more sense. “You’re not evil?”

Buffy shook her head. “We don’t kill; Spike’s made sure to keep me on the right track. Not all demons are evil, Dawny, but I can’t believe you’re the Slayer.” She turned to Spike, a determined expression on her face. “We have to keep her away from Liam, now more than ever. I don’t want that bastard anywhere near my sister.”

She raised her eyebrows. “Who’s Liam?”

Spike decided it was time to leave the cemetery. “You should come with us, bit. We have a lot to tell you.”


* * * * *


“So, this guy is after me?”

Buffy nodded. “We wanted to find the Slayer before he did, but now that I know it’s you, I’m going to do my best to protect you from him.”

Dawn rolled her eyes. “I’m not a little kid, you know. I’ve had to grow up pretty fast since being chosen. I left Mom; I knew I couldn’t stay with her after this. I’ve taken on lots of vampires; one more should be no problem.”

“This bloke isn’t like the other vamps you’ve faced, love. He’s older, and as vicious as they come. You can’t handle him on your own; I don’t care how grown up you think you are now.”

That worried Dawn, but tried not to show it. “I guess it’s a good thing I have you guys, then.”

“Wait, you left Mom?” Buffy spoke up. “She must be going ballistic, but I can understand why you did. Where have you been staying? You’re still only sixteen, Dawn. What about school? How have you been providing for yourself?”

Dawn let out the breath she’d been holding. “First of all, I’m almost seventeen. I had to drop out of school; there was no way I could keep up with that on top of slaying. As for how I’ve been providing for myself, I’ve been living with my Watcher.”

Buffy didn’t like the sound of her baby sister living with some guy she’d never met. “Where is this Watcher of yours, anyway? Why wasn’t he patrolling with you tonight?”

Dawn shrugged, tucking a strand of dark hair behind her ear. “I couldn’t sleep and snuck out, he doesn’t always come with me. I’m perfectly capable of handling myself, but I should probably get back now.”

Buffy agreed, deciding to ask more about her Watcher later. “Will you come by tomorrow? We still have a lot of catching up to do. I want to hear about everything, even all the crap I’m sure Mom has filled your head with in my absence.”

Dawn smiled, hugging her once more. “I’m so glad you’re here. I missed you.”

Buffy felt tears in her eyes, but held them back. “Likewise, but I don’t want you walking home by yourself.” She held her hand up when it looked like Dawn would argue. “I know you can handle yourself, but I’m still your older sister. I’ll always worry about you.”

Spike stood up, motioning for his friend to join them. “Charles, could you take her home?”

He nodded, giving the girl a smile. “It would be my pleasure. Shall we go, love?”

Dawn blushed, following him out of the room.

Buffy shook her head, the events of the day still catching up with her. “I can’t believe my little sister is the Slayer. I’m terrified for her, especially after everything you’ve told me. Slayers don’t live a long life, and now knowing that Liam is after Dawn…” her voice trailed off, not wanting to finish that sentence.

“She’ll be okay, pet. Liam won’t get his claws in her; you have my word on that. She has us now, and we’ll do everything we can to make sure she stays safe.”

She really hoped he was right, but one thing was for sure, Buffy would find a way to stake Liam before he even knew that her sister existed.