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When in England by Secrethistory
 
Dawn
 
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Authors Note: Buffy, Spike and the gang do not belong to me. This is just an elaborate attempt to rewrite canon. Any reviews including criticism will be gratefully received.

The rating is not for this chapter, but what it will become- probably!

I don't currently have a beta, so if anyone is interested please let me know. I would be incredibly appreciative.

****

Chapter One: Dawn

She slowly opened the door. She was limping, achy and tired, but her physical state didn’t even begin to approach the mental problems she was having. I slept with Spike. Her own self was disbelieving, but she kept flashing on the events of the previous night.

Her anger had made her kiss him. The satisfaction in his shock was immense, and it was so powerful, his lips soft under her hard kiss. In a parody of the fights that they had played out she had pushed him, grasped at him, challenged him until they were both desperate. The awe on his face had rivalled that of her return. She knew she had mirrored it. Had gulped as he was inside, as they froze.

“I’m afraid I have some rather troubling news.” Buffy jumped as she entered the kitchen, not just from the words but from the source.

“Giles?”

Giles looked strained. He seemed to be scrutinising her and she blushed hotly.

“What are you doing here?” When he flinched, she realised that may have seemed hurtful. She almost took it back, cringed as a part of her was glad.

“Buffy you don’t look too well. I’d ask you about your fight, but I…” He stopped. He was pacing away from her, then quickly back towards. “Please sit down”. She sank into a seat at the kitchen island. “The council want Dawn.”

He said it quite bluntly, and a jolt of weary shock hit her. “Oh”.

“As I am on the payroll again, they sent me to retrieve her.”

“And now you’re here?” There was a shrill edge to her question, but she quickly calmed. No one is touching Dawn.

“I told them I would. But that isn’t the way it is happening Buffy.” His face was so soft, but his eyes were ruthless. Do I really know Giles, how far have we drifted apart. He would have killed Dawn. “We are taking them down.”

Now she let go and laughed. Take down the council. Me and what army. Giles looked frustrated so she shut her mouth. She wondered when he had become the crazy rash one, and she the sensible adult. Well apart from yesterday. Which may not have really happened.

“We could hide.” She suggested. And was suddenly taken with the idea. Just her and Dawn, no scoobies, no Giles, no Spike. They could go to Asia, to Europe. They could pretend to be normal. Like witness protection, have could a new life, dye their hair. Would red suit me?

“It won’t work. They are everywhere Buffy. Their influence, their connections…” He was determined to make her understand. “But they do have a lot of enemies. Powerful ones. We aren’t alone.”

It was probably comical in some way that Spike chose that moment to barrel through the kitchen door. So much for being trapped. He was looking incredibly smug until he noticed Giles, when the smug was wiped by confusion. Upon looking back at Buffy though the smirk reappeared, along with the pleased eye glint. Oh god. Please stop looking at me like that.

“Hello Giles”. Spike greeted him cheerily. Then sat as close to Buffy as possible.

Giles looked disgusted. Then thoughtful. “Spike.” He ground out. “Been keeping busy?”

“Uh, yeah.” He seemed wary.

She could feel Spike’s eyes on her, but she ignored him.

“We would be grateful if you could help us with a problem we’re having.” Giles continued.

“Right. One of the white hats now.”

“Yes. The council want Dawn. They can’t have her and we are going to stop them.”

“Of course.” Spike replied. “What’s the plan”

“We’re going to England. Wipe them out completely.” Giles voice was chilling.

Spike sat up and looked respectful. “Always up for a bit of violence.”

“We are?” Buffy interjected. “Giles can we just stop. Get the scoobies together, talk this through I’m sure we can come up with something sensible.”

“I see no other way and I really have thought about this. I’m afraid that it won’t be easy, and it won’t be all that nice. I won’t let you down Buffy.”

Buffy gritted her teeth, Giles was being illogical, Who the hell is going to help us? why wouldn’t he listen to me?

“Feeling guilty watcher?” Spike’s voice was mocking, but understanding. Every night I save you.

He didn’t address Spike’s question, “They consider Dawn too important, too dangerous for this world. Glory is gone, but Dawn isn’t and we don’t know what she is capable of.”

What she is capable of? But she’s just a girl. Dawn her only family, the girl Buffy had died to save, the part of Buffy that was innocent. And was in danger again. They can’t have Dawn.

“You gonna listen to him?” Spike’s intended question was somehow a statement, and she sat quietly.

“We capture Travers. He’s the guy in charge, they’ll obey him. But we can control him and them.”

She wanted to ask how, but didn’t want to know the answer.

“I need your help Buffy.” said Giles.

And she was going to England.

******

They decided to not take any of the scoobies. Or to tell them what they were doing.

“New big bad. Ten feet tall, ooky slime, threatening an apocalypse” She lied easily. “And the slayer gets a trip. Nice to have a change of scenery.”

“Do you think the vamps have really bad teeth?” Xander responded, earning a withering look from Spike.

“Anything I can deal with. You know with the magic, I’m working up to it, but there’s this spell. I’m thinking I’ll be able to focus, rip any part of their anatomy out, whoosh.”

“Uh thanks, Will, but you know. Some things a slayer can handle alone.”

”Well you aren’t really alone, and I could go alone, well with Giles, and not Spike but…”

Willow was still talking, but Buffy cut in urgently. “I’m counting on you guys. To take care of Dawn.”

“Of course.” Xander was saying all commonplace and Anya was looking bored.

“You don’t need to worry about her Buffy.” Tara spoke up for the first time. She was sincere and Buffy was relieved.

“Dawn.” She started.

Her sister rolled her eyes. “I know, no staying out late, no wild orgies, no body piercing…”

Buffy gave her a crushing hug.

When she departed, Spike was leaning against the tree. “Ready?”

“Okay” She said slowly and they walked off towards the waiting car.
 
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