Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Willow/Angel and Spike/Dawn
Spoilers: Season 7
Warnings: none
Disclaimer: None of them are mine (I wish they were L)
Summery: After Buffy’s Death Dawn is called as the slayer. Set 5 years after season 7. Spike, Dawn, Angel and Willow have a little body swapping problem read it its ace.( not that I’m gloating or anything ;-)
dedicated to Lust-Monkey for her Birthday)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
~Part: 1~
Dawn sighed another big do for another birthday; the novelty sort of ran out on the 21st one. Or well who was she to complain if she was going to get a few free presents. She flicked her long silky black hair away from her pale face.
A shudder ran through her as she remembered the hell she had been through, even though it had happened years ago she still couldn’t get it out of her head and sometimes she missed Buffy so much her gut ached for her. But it was too late. She knew that now. Everybody else had taken it easier than her after all she was the one who had been created from her sister’s blood.
But wishing wasn’t going to do anything any more, she knew that if she wanted her life to change then she was going to have to take control of it herself.
Dawn looked at her watch she was supposed to meet Angel at Willow’s house in 10 minutes and if she was going to walk she better hurry up.
**************************************
“Hey Donnie,” Willow greeted and the youngest of the Summers women walked through the door.
“Hey Will” After what had happened over the last few years Willow and Dawn had grown closer. Dawn had lost a sister and Willow had lost a friend. Dawn looked up to the red head standing before her she thought back to everything that Willow had been through and it was then that she realized just how strong she had been.
Don’t get me wrong I’ve been through my fair share of hell, but Willow, she has coped with so much.
Dawn remembered what had happened, how she had lost Kennedy; she knew what it was like to lose someone you love. Even though they had both been through, pain, hurt and loss but how Willow was still standing tall, well that made Dawn proud to be her friend.
“So what am I over here for?” Dawn asked Willow.
“Well I thought we could spend some quality Donnie and Willow time.” The red head said
Dawn raised one eyebrow.
“Ok so, maybe I wanted to know if you wanted to come patrolling with me?”
This question shocked Dawn especially as she was the slayer; also Willow hadn ’t been patrolling since Kennedy.
“Err What” Dawn stuttered
“I said do you want to go on patrol with me?” Willow asked not in the least bit perturbed.
Dawn slowly realized that her mouth was open and immediately shut it. Then finally after a while she replied
“ Yeah sure whatever,” Dawn said it trying to sound like it wasn’t the first time she had asked it since after Kennedy had been murdered.
“Good so meet me back here at 8.”
As soon as Dawn left Willow smiled dawn had drunk it all in she just hoped it wouldn’t down her spirits if she thought nothing was happening for her birthday.
“ANGEL” Willow called
“Yes?” Angel replied
“How come you didn’t speak to Dawn remember you was supposed to be meeting her here I’m surprised she didn’t suspect anything!” Willow stated looking at Angel with an icy glare.
Angel cringed the said apologetically,
“Sorry it just seemed like you two were having a nice chat and I didn’t want to interrupt.”
Then Angel continued trying g to lighten the air “And did you see her face when you said you wanted to go patrolling it had shock written all over it.” Angel laughed.
Willow couldn’t help but smile,
“Yes her face was a picture does she realise you can read her face like a book?” Willow asked
Angel laughed at Willows naivety,
“Do you realise that your face shows all of your emotions?” Willow looked surprised and Angel laughed.
“See?”
“Ok, ok! I get your point so are you coming back over to my place or do you want to sleep here?” Willow questioned.
“Either but whichever we do we’re going to have to wait till Giles and Spike to get back. Those two are taking an awfully long time I wonder what they are up to!” Angel said
*********************************************
Spike ducked as another punch was thrown his way he then proceeded to react with a punch to the vampires mid section.
“Come on is that all you got?” Spike teased
He gave a quick glance over in Giles direction to see if he was ok only to be brought back to the fight he was in with a hard kick in the gut sending him sprawling to the floor.
“No I got a hell of a lot more” The vampire retorted
“Yeah” a voice came from behind Spike “So has this peroxide!”
Spike saw the vampire go flying he turned his head to see Dawns hand offered to him.
He realised just how much Dawn had grown up, he had lately started thinking of her in a whole new light, he just blamed that on Buffy, her blood and also how she treated Dawn. They were so alike. Powerful, Beautiful and determined.
Spike realised he had just been lying there obviously looking strange as Dawn asked him if he was ok.
“Err yeah I’m fine.” Spike grabbed Dawns hand and they stood there for a minute just looking at each other before realising that the vampires were circling them well all of the except the few Giles was fighting.
“You ready?” Dawn asked.
“Always, pet, always” Spike replied before they both started fighting dusting every vampire they could lay there hands on.
Dawn kept ducking and staking along with Spike until all the vampires were dead. They then quickly rushed over to help Giles who was still struggling with the same vampires as he had been for the past half an hour. Dawn crept up behind one as Spike crept up behind the other they staked the vamps at the same time and smiled at each other then looked at Giles.
“Having a little trouble?” Spike teased.
“Um well yes, thank you!” Giles murmured
“Anytime Giles” Dawn replied, “don’t you think we should all be getting home.
“Now well there’s a bloody idea, I think a pat on the back is deserved” Spike joked. Dawn hit him.
“Ow, now you just be careful love, you’ll really hurt me one of these days.”
He pretended to pout. Dawn just glared at him
“Anyway so home!” Giles interrupted.
Slowly they all walked home leaving Dawn after the first block Giles and Spike started to talk about her party.
“Do you think she has any idea?” Spike asked
“I doubt it” Giles replied they then continued to walk back to Giles to meet Angel and Willow in silence.
************************************
Dawn didn’t want to wear anything fancy for patrolling she just got the urge to maybe go a little over the top and she had no idea why. Must be a slayer thing. Buffy used to always dress up to go patrolling. She looked down at what she was wearing. The long black trousers made her look casual but pretty and her top was just plain blue bringing out her eyes.
She gave the clock a quick glance and realising she was late rushed out the house and ran. When Giles’ house came into view she slowed down and knocked on the door before walking in.
“SURPRISE” Everybody shouted. Dawn didn’t realise that she knew so many people.
“Wow!” Dawn gasped
“Yep, thought you might like it, we were all just worried that you might have thought we’d actually forgotten about your birthday.” Willow spoke
“Well it’s a good job that I got slightly dressed up!” Dawn smiled
“You look gorgeous lil bit.” Spike said from the couch. The place was practically buzzing, Giles was stuck in the kitchen making refreshments for everyone. Dawn looked around and noticed Xander talking to Rebecca his latest conquest in the corner of the room.
“Hey Guy’s, I can’t believe you did this for me.” Dawn said
“Hey!! Think nothing of it, it is after all your birthday!” Xander replied, Rebacca just smiled.
Angel then walked out from the kitchen and spoted Dawn. When she saw him she ran up to him and gave him a massive hug.
“ANGEL! You’re here! I forgot you were here. I haven’t seen you since….” Dawn paused Angel immediately cut in
“So how’ve you been Dawn?” Angel asked
“Fine wasn’t expecting this, I’m so happy” Dawn said dancing around.
Willow watched before going over to her.
“Yes I think we’d all guessed that your happy.” She laughed.
Willow then dragged Angel away. Then something caught Angel’s eye and he stopped.
“What is it?” Willow questioned, looking over towards where Angel was staring.
“ Look at the way Spikes looking at Dawn. “ Angel said
“What you mean that look of love in his eye.” Willow said smirking when Angel frowned she then continued “Oh yes I’ve known about that for quite a while.”
“So you mean…”
“Yes Spike loves Dawn, and I know she loves him too. She just hasn’t realised it.” Willow laughed a Angels face.
“WHAT??” Angel practically screamed.
“Angel, calm down.” Willow said bringing her finger to her lips.
“But…” Willow cut him off.
“Angel, come outside if you want to talk I’m not having you ruining this for Dawn.” Willow said the she made a staking movement, “Or I’ll kill you.” Willow grabbed Angel’s hand and dragged the unwilling vampire outside.
~Part: 2~
Dawn watched as Willow dragged a very, by the looks of it, moody Angel outside. She was just waiting for those two to get together, it was so obvious they had feelings for one another. She didn’t know why they didn’t just act upon it. Dawn was quickly distracted when Spike flashed a smile and made his way over.
“Hey nibblet!” Spike said cheerfully
“Spike, you do realise I’m now 21 not 14 anymore you could actually call me by my name. Ya know forget the whole nibblet and lil bit thing… yep especially the lil bit thing as the big bit is a little bit well deceased.” Dawn put her hand over her mouth “Did I just say that?”
Spike smiled “Well I heard, and with the whole vampire hearing thing, I’m pretty sure you did.” At Dawns face he continued “It’s nothing to be upset about young un, you were simply saying a fact.”
Dawn smiled, he always managed to make her smile, she never knew how. Here she was talking about her older sister’s death with the vampire that loved her sister more than he’d loved anyone else. She frowned realising that even if Spike would ever look twice at her, she would always have her older sister looming over her. Not only was he madly in love with her and would be impossible to replace but also she would feel like she was betraying Buffy somehow. No she could never do that. She tried to change the subject and her thoughts.
“So Spike are you having a good time?” Dawn asked casually.
Spike didn’t know what to say the familiar one liner came to her thoughts, I am now. That was of course until he realised that was not original enough for Dawn. It never would have been for Buffy. Buffy. Now there's a word that was still in is mind every second and minute of the day. He truly adored this brunette beauty in front of him. But Buffy would never want him with her. Truthfully he still loved Buffy and always would nothing could change that. He eventually decided to act casual.
“Yep it’s great. Well apart from there’s no really fit chicks, excluding yourself of course, and well not enough booze.” He replied smiling.
Dawn blushed not missing his comment on her beauty. She couldn’t do this not now.
“Excuse me, I saw Willow and Angel slipping off somewhere and the nosy bitch I am I think I will go and interfere. That’s if there is anything to interfere with.” Dawn said and before Spike could complain slipped off outside. Instead of following where Angel and Willow had gone, there smell followed to the left so she turned right. She needed some fresh air. And maybe a few vampire deaths. Yep she would follow up on what she originally planned. Patrol time.
As she walked down the deserted streets of Sunnydale she realised how beautiful the town she lived in was. She was always too busy fighting vampires to actually look at the town she lived in.
She looked at the houses of people she saved every single day. None of them knew that of course but she did. Since she had been called Dawn had finally realised how Buffy felt, how alone she was. But her sister never realised how alone Dawn had felt because of that. A tear slid down Dawns cheek. Dawn had tried to move on after what had happened. She never had; of course, her sister’ s death still haunted her at night. In her dreams she would see it happen again and how she had failed to save her when she’d had the chance. She’d thought it would teach Buffy a lesson. Instead it had taught her one.
Nights after that she had laid awake, afraid of closing her eyes. She knew that if she did she would see exactly what had made her the slayer. The death of her sister. So when it got too bad Willow, being the person she is, intervened and put a sleeping spell on Dawn but she changed the words to make sure she had a dreamless sleep, so she didn’t wake up in the middle of the night and refuse to go to sleep again.
Willow never really realised how much Dawn needed her, and she was always there through the thick and the thin. Huh the thin there is never any thin Dawn thought. As Dawn continued strolling down the street lost in her thoughts she failed to notice the vampire creeping slowly up behind not until she felt the fist hit the back of her head. Dawn was thrown to the floor in shock.
She quickly recovered to be kicked harshly in the gut. Then before she could even reach o her waistband to recover the stake from there she felt a sharp pain in the side of her head before the world slowly seeped into darkness.
~Part: 3~
“Look Angel just calm down-“ Willow spoke calmly
“CALM DOWN??? HOW CAN I CALM DOWN SPIKE LOVES DAWN!!” Angel huffed
“Well what do you expect, look Angel whatever you think and feel get over it you don’t control either of them and they can both do what they want!” Willow continued
“It’s not that it’s just that SPIKE I mean come on Dawn could do so much better than him!” Angel argued
“Angel have you actually looked at Spike it’s not that easy to get better than him!” Willow said
Angel sulked he’d never realised that maybe Willow fancied Spike well at least found him attractive. Didn’t she realise how much he felt for her how he just wanted to hold her in his arms and never let go. Of course she didn’t she would never even look twice at him, to her he would always be Buffy’s ex.
That’s one thing Angel regretted that he’d even dated Buffy, because now people always saw him as Buffy’s ex did they not realise he could fall in love with somebody else, strike that had fallen in love with somebody else. (Don’t get me wrong I loved Buffy with all my heart but I just wish people would see that I’ve moved on that I’m so deeply in love with this red witch in front of me!)
“So you’re telling me what? You fancy Spike aswell. God I can’t believe this town!” Angel stated.
Willow looked confused how had Angel even got the idea she fancied Spike. Then she realised what she said and couldn’t help but give a little chuckle at how jealous Angel was of Spike.
“What's so funny?” Angel asked sulking even more.
“Angel I can’t believe that you would even think I fancy Spike for one second. Yeah sure he’s good looking any women with eyes can see that but it doesn’ t mean I feel anything for him. I like my lovers a lot more… well lets just say people I like don’t tend to have things men do!”
At Angels confused face Willow explained.
“Err… Angel you know I’m gay!”
“Oh yeah” Angel had forgotten that Willow was no longer staright but he realised that maybe one day Willow would move back onto boys (I mean she's been with guys in the past, Oz and Xander. Maybe I have a chance too.) Angel couldn ’t help himself he had to ask.
“Willow have you ever thought that maybe one day you’ll like guys again?”
Willow looked surprised then answered.
“Well of course dummy, it’s not the girls that I love but the person. I mean if a man came up to me and I found that I loved him then hell yeah I wouldn’ t be gay any longer. So really the answer to that question depends!”
“Depends on what?” Angel was curious
“Depends on who it is. If it’s a guy then I think I might be straight but if it’s a girl then obviously I’m not!” Willow suddenly started laughing.
“What is it?”
Willow caught her breath then answered.
“I've just realised what I am!” Willow said through giggles
“And what are you?” Angel asked. He knew exactly what she was she was funny, brilliant, smart, beautiful and everything else on Gods green earth that was good. Willow cut into his brain yammering with her answer.
“I’m bisexual”
Angel looked up into those emerald green eyes that still seemed to be laughing and only said one word.
“Apparently!”
Willow realised just how off track this conversation had gotten and quickly changed the subject.
“So are you feeling any better with the whole Spike and Dawn thing?”
Angels smile immediately dissipated and the frown returned to his face.
“Obviously not, Just get over it Angel, Dawn will be wondering where we are and if you even dare spoil her birthday for her then I will be one pissed off wiccan! Ok?”
Angel nodded his head slowly. He couldn’t help but feel proud of how much Willow had grown up.
“Good! Now that’s all clear I think there is a party waiting for us but even before Willow could turn round so she could start walking back towards the house she felt a pain on her head. The last thing she say before her world drifted into darkness was Angel fighting for his life and getting hit on the head with a giant metal bar. She was unconscious before he touched the floor.
~Part: 4~
Dawn’s head ached as she came round. The darkness surrounded her but slowly her vision came back to normal. She was tied up. She could feel the rope around her wrists. But it took her awhile to realize she also had shackles holding her to the wall. She looked around hoping to see something she could use to get free, but all she saw was her bleached blonde buddy next to her. She tried to wake him.
“Spike!” She whispered not wanting to bring the wrath of whoever had kidnapped them.
“Spike” She said again more urgently and adding a nudge to it.
Slowly the blonde groaned then looked up sleepily. He stared at her a moment thinking that it must be one of his dreams. Wait a minute Dawn was never tied up in the dreams he had.
Dawn noticed the change in his face as the realization that he was trapped hit him.
“Dawn?” Spike asked
“Yep, lil old me. Look Spike I think we are in a rather bad situation. Can you tell me what happened before you got here?”
Spike took a while to reply as though he was thinking then answered.
“I was walking down the street trying to catch you up because it seemed like something was wrong with you earlier. Anyway, I finally got you in my sight when I saw something, I couldn’t really tell what it was, it was too dark and whatever it was was hooded. Anyway I ran to help you and the next thing I knew I had been hit on the back of my head with something and the world was slowly turning dark!”
Dawn sat thinking a minute.
“So neither of us saw our attackers or weather or not they were human.” She concluded.
“Apparently not!”
They sat in silence for a while before they both heard the large metal door to the left of them opening and two creatures in hooded cloaks entered followed by another two carrying what looked like two bodies. As they drew closer Dawn recognized them.
“Angel? Willow?”
Dawn turned to look at Spike and he in return to her.
As the creatures started tying Willow and Angel up to the other two sets of shackles, that Dawn realized she hadn’t even noticed, Spike tried to get some information off their weird captors.
“Hey, hooded weird things, why are we here?”
The creatures just ignored him.
“Hellllllllo?” He tried again
It went on like this for quite a while till Dawn told Spike to shut-up and tried a tactic of her own.
“Look, could you just tell us who brought us here, your master? “
Suddenly out of the darkness stepped yet another hooded creature.
“They cannot talk! I’ve damned all of them!” It spoke Dawn was confused
“Then who are you?” She asked
“I’m the one who brought you here” The figure said.
Spike feeling left out butted in before Dawn could say anything else.
“Who are you?” He questioned.
The figure just smiled and said.
“I’m the one monster who’s not going to fail in killing you!”
~Part: 5~
“Ok, not the first time I’ve heard that sort of threat. But I mean come on who are you?”
The creature slowly took off the hood. What it looked like shocked Dawn to the bone. It was Willow. Was that even possible!
“Who the hell are you!?”
“I’m you, I’m Willow, I’m Spike, I’m even Angel. I’m everything that this world is. Everyone this world is!” It spoke but not in the voice it had been using, it was now using Willow’s voice.
“Care to elaborate?” Spike asked a little awe in his voice. “Are you the First Evil?”
“No!” It replied
“Oh thank God for a moment I was worried!”
Just about that time Willow and Angel started to stir. Their eyes opening to take in their surroundings. Dawn watched as Willow looked up and the shock came across her face as she saw her doppelganger.
“Your worry is correctly placed. I’m not the first evil. I’m the thing that created it.”
Silence overcame the small gathering. Willow was the first to speak.
“Ok, I guessed I’ve missed something! You’re the thing that created the First evil? How is that possible?”
“It’s possible because it is the truth. I created the First evil. By accident, yes, but I still created it!” It said still smiling.
Everyone’s mouth’s just lay open. It continued
“I bet your wondering why I am not called the first evil. The answer is simple. Nothing can be the first evil as evil has existed forever. I am the oldest known Evil. I am also the oldest known Good. I am what your kind call God!”
Spike smiled finally understanding.
“Ohh, you’re a God! I get it!”
“Apparently you do not. I am not a God I am the God. Before all other things I became. From where nobody knows. But I am all that’s left. I created this world. There is nothing more powerful than me!”
“So you can change shape into anyone you want? Like the First!” Dawn asked
“No! Not like the First, if anything the First is like lil old me! I can change shape. But not into anyone! I change shape into anything. An object even! Also I’m corporeal!”
“So how come we’ve never heard of you before?” Angel asked speaking for the first time.
“Because I have never wanted to be heard of!”
“Ok so what your name?” Willow asked eventually
“I have no name, but you may call me Hope!” Hope answered
“Why Hope?” Willow asked curious
“Because that’s what I am!” Hope replied.
“If your hope why do you want to kill us?” Spike questioned
“Because if I don’t the world will end! I like this world it was my greatest creation! I shall not watch as you burn it to the ground!” Hope said her voice sounding shrill
“END THE WORLD?? I’ve saved it all my life, I would never end the world!” Dawn screeched
“You wouldn’t have a choice. You wouldn’t mean to, but I shall not let it happen. There is only one way I can stop this!” Hope said a tear running down her cheek.
The silence that followed was the sort that you wished you could be anywhere else because it seems as though it’s going to press in on you, killing you slowly and painfully.
Hope suddenly smiled making the others feel nervous.
“There maybe another way. But it might be a painful track, would you be willing to go down it.”
Willow, Spike, Dawn and Angel looked at each other. Then they all spoke at the same time.
“We agree” they chorused.
Hope smiled. Her form changed slowly melting into itself creating another figure. Again Dawn gasped at who was in front of her.
“Buffy?” It came out barely a whisper.
“This is the price Dawn, Spike, Angel and my dear old Willow. You would have to bring me back, without me you will end the world then perish with it.”
Hope’s form changed again this time taking a shape that split Willow’s soul.
“You would also have to bring me back, Willow my love. Me your precious Kennedy. It will be hardest for you Willow. There is another you have to bring back.”
Hopes form changed once more, but this time she changed so slowly Willow knew exactly who it was going to be. A small tear slipped down her face, she couldn’t deal with this. Buffy, Kennedy and now the one person who had affected her most…Tara.
“Willow sweetie, don’t cry. You can do this, you can see me again. Your strong as an Amazon remember?” Hope once more faced everyone “Can you all do this?”
Spike, Dawn and Angel nodded. Willow took a while drawing in a long breath, Then nodded.
“Very well, but know this, they have been watching they know all that has happened. How you feel about certain people. They should not be upset but in case I am warning you. They will appear the exact same as the last time you saw them. They will not have aged, but don’t forget that they have seen everything they are as wiser as any of you. Maybe more.” Hope gestured and all of their shackles disappeared.
“Are you ready?” She asked.
Slowly but surely they nodded.
Raising her arms Hope muttered some words that Dawn couldn’t hear properly, or could hear but couldn’t understand.
Then before any of them could prepare themselves, standing directly in front of them were Buffy, Tara and Kennedy.
~Part: 6~
Spike couldn’t believe it. They were here. All three of them, alive. He just stood there with his mouth open not knowing what to say. He looked around at the other three to see how they were reacting. Dawn just looked emotionally drained, Angel looked as though he had no emotions, and Spike always wondered how he did that. Then Willow, she looked the worst of all of them. She looked as if she had just held her heart out and somebody had come along and crushed it. Spike knew how she must feel, the pain of seeing past lovers. He just guessed that she felt twice as bad as him.
The whole room stayed silent for a while, nobody speaking until Tara finally broke and had to say something. Turning to Willow she smiled hoping she looked happy and positive and said.
“Hey sweetie.”
Willow just stared back. She didn’t know what to say. Here in front of her was the girl she had loved for 2 years and had died. She had moved on and she was back. Standing in front of her. She couldn’t even think let alone talk.
“Sweetie, are you ok?”
Willow wanted to scream out NO but all she managed was another stare. Tara closed in on her and placed her arms around her, pulling her in for a hug. Before Willow even knew what was happening, tears were racking her body. She stayed there in her dead lover’s arms for what seemed like years. Everybody else just looking on, not knowing what to do. Eventually Angel walked slowly up to Willow placing his arms around her. She didn’t even seem to notice that she was being passed from Tara to Angel.
Buffy felt edgy. Here she was with her family and friends and she didn’t know what to do or say. Finally she decided on just saying hi.
“Hey Dawn.”
Dawn looked taken aback like it was strange that Buffy could even speak at all.
“Hey Buffy.”
Then they were in each others arms, hugging and holding on for dear life. Spike went up to Buffy.
“Hello Buffy,”
“Spike,” Buffy said as she also took him in her arms.
He was extremely surprised. Buffy had never cuddled Spike, before they had slept together but he realised he had never felt so close to her. Spike reached over and pulled Dawn into the mixture.
Tara walked over to Kennedy talking very quietly so only she could hear.
“I know this is awkward but when I died and Willow found you I was so angry at first, then I realised that you saved her, you were here for her when nobody else was and for that I thank you.”
Tara then reached over to Kennedy and gave her a hug; Kennedy returned the hug just as eagerly. They all stayed like this for a long time. Embracing one another, feeling for one another and dealing with their emotions.
“Erm Hello?” Hope said now in the form of Glory. “Getting a little impatient here. You have had all your hugs and kisses so don’t you think its time we deal with more pressing issues, say the on coming apocalypse?”
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