Sang et Ivoire

By Holly

Chapter Thirty-Five

Every inch of the town simply burst with the promise of a long, healthy summer. It was one of those annoyingly chipper days that made everyone who wasn't combusting with radiant energy frown in discontent and excuse themselves from all imminent promise of conversation. Dawn's graduation was scheduled for the courtyard at Sunnydale High, but threat of a rainstorm that never arrived persuaded the faculty to move it indoors. William and Angel were there, standing precariously near Giles trying to maintain the frontage of proud relatives while scooping the crowd for signs of trouble.

It took no one by surprise that Buffy didn't show. Such would have been a hazardously bold move on her account.

The look on Dawn's face when she received her diploma was distant and forlorn. She smiled when she was supposed to, shook the principal's hand with detached interest, and even paused to have her photo taken with a group of friends she would likely never see again. If anyone noticed her slump, they were too preoccupied in their own feelings of perpetual delight to make mention.

Willow took her in her arms as soon as the students were dispatched. The two vampires slipped on sunglasses, ponchos, thick gloves, and carried themselves under umbrellas to the car. Several odd glances fired in their direction, but no one stopped to inquire.

"I'm so proud of you, sweetie," the Witch said supportively, climbing into the driver's seat.

"Yeah," Dawn replied, tone monotonous, removing her cap and tossing it in the backseat where Giles was scrunched between two very sun-allergic colleagues. Both were buried under a bound of quilts and coats - anything they could locate before leaving that morning. "Big ceremony."

"She woulda been 'ere, you know," William offered, not at all helpfully but empty comfort was better than none.

"Yeah." The young Summers girl was staring out the window, hardly listening. "I know. I know real well."

"Any news from Wes?" Angel asked, poking Giles in the ribs.

From the front, Willow flashed the Watcher a gaze of blunt warning. "Ummm...we really shouldn't be talking about this now. Remember...graduation equals happy day."

"In what alternate universe?" the elder vampire replied. "I seem to remember a giant snake..."

"You guys should talk shop," Dawn said quietly. "It's all right. I know it's more important than me being Miss College USA."

"Honey, don't-"

"Well it is!" she barked, crashing recklessly against the seat.

"Ow!" came a Cockney voice from behind.

"Sorry," she muttered. Violently, she turned to Willow, eyes flashing with the most life anyone had seen in days. "I'm sorry if my sister's sudden desire to kill me and all of you doesn't weigh in on your priorities list. It does mine. I can't enjoy this. I can't enjoy anything until this is all over."

"Dawnie, I didn't mean that," the Witch replied, her tone low and hurt. "I just...academic success...whoopee..."

"Yeah...big whoopee."

There was a beat of respectful silence before Angel prodded Giles again. "So?"

"Xander did not page me," the Watcher retorted, reaching to draw the contraption from his back pocket. "I assume there have been no updates. He knows to contact me as soon as possible. Wesley has not been very...informative on when he plans to get into town." He paused thoughtfully. "I do hope everything went all right."

"We woulda heard by now," William said assuredly, though he hadn't the faintest idea who he was talking about. "I'm sure Peaches's psychic bird woulda picked somethin' up 'f there'd been trouble."

"You never can know," his grand-sire replied. "Sometimes it takes days-"

"Gettin' off the matter at hand," the younger interrupted quickly. From beneath the coats, he shot Angel a look of pure warning. They weren't to upset Dawn today. "'Ey, Bit, where you fancy us treatin' you for supper?"

"I don't want to go anywhere," she replied dismally. "Just home."

"Bull. 'S you're bloody graduation!" William nearly leapt forward with emphasis and was stopped by Angel before he could reach sunlight exposure. Realizing his folly, he nodded in thanks, rolled his eyes, and continued. "Nibblet, 'm not gonna let that thing ruin what oughta be the, well, in the top ten of all remarkable things that 'appen to you. 'F you don' choose an eatery, I bloody well will."

Both Giles and Angel tensed for a long second before barking, "Choose!" simultaneously.

"Very funny," the Cockney growled.

The elder vampire arched a brow. "We were trying to be funny?"

"'Ey! I 'ave bloody good taste in my munchies. Tell 'im, Ripper."

"If we travel that route, Will," the old man jested, "I doubt you will ever speak to me again."

"You're pretty much runnin' that risk either way."

Something thundered in the front seat with the impact of a small explosion. "Guys! Stop!" Dawn cried. "This is stupid. I told you I don't want to go to dinner, and that's fucking final!"

A dreary silence settled over the occupants in the back.

"Bit," William said softly. "She'd want you to go."

The young Summers girl folded her arms and sat back, sniffing loudly. "I don't care."

"Yeah, you do. 'Course you do. 'F you din't care, you'd be namin' your favorite Joe's Diner right now." He paused thoughtfully. "She'd want you to live your life. 'F you don't, then that bloody Porphyria wins."

That was all it took. The mention of the creature carrying her sister's face diminished any lingering reservations. Out of the corner of her eye, Willow saw Dawn's expression harden with raw determination. "Fine," she agreed, voice barely above a whisper. "Let's go to...the Sunnydale Brewing Company."

"Don't think I'll let you drink, young lady," the Watcher warned. "You might be eighteen and a high school graduate, but-"

"Like I would anyway!" she snapped. "Honestly, Giles, if I wanted to drink, there'd be a thousand ways for me to get some real good booze. But I don't, so forget it. I like their cheeseburgers." She sighed, calming. "Then can we go to the Bronze?"

"Whatever you want, pet," William complied, perhaps too leniently. His elder shot him a look of warning, but he refused to retract.

Another beat passed. "And I want Faith to go."

That lent a long silence, understanding and mutually sympathetic. Giles cleared his throat and sat forward. "Dawn," he said slowly. "She's best to go out patrol...or at the very least await Wesley's arrival."

"Buffy won't go hunting if she knows we're out," the girl replied. "I want Faith there. I want this over with."

"You can't mean that, Bit," William said, aching to break free of his temporary restraints and establish eye contact. "Your sis's jus' a spell away. I'd take care of the bloody bitch myself, but 'm not willin' to gamble losin' 'er. We can't give up jus' yet."

"And how is she going to act if she does get her soul back?" Dawn demanded, tears springing to her eyes. "Does anyone remember mopey Buffy? The Buffy you tore from Heaven? She was happy there...imagine what she'd be like when she remembers everything she did." Broadly, she motioned to the lump forming the shape of the elder vampire. "Angel's been around for a bazillion years and he's still not over everything!"

"Hey," came the disgruntled retort. "Give a guy a break. I'm not that old."

"I'm sorry," she continued, shaking her head. "She'll wish herself dead. I don't want her to go through that."

"None of us do," the Watcher observed, sighing. "But we must try. For her sake."

Dawn was unmoved, inflexibility set in her voice that would not be wavered. "I won't go out tonight unless Faith comes with us," she said. "That's what Buffy would want."

The car pulled into 1630 Revello Drive - resolution determined without wavering fault. The girl would simply not be persuaded, and no amount of rationalizing would alter that.

William and Angel tore from the backseat and sprinted for the open doors, nearly knocking over Xander in the process. The rest were slightly sluggish on the uptake. Dawn said nothing to her friends as she entered. With a look of isolated interest, she flung her cap and gown beside the coat rack and made the solemn march upstairs.

"Hey, shorty," Harris called after her. "Major congrats are in order! It's not every day you-"

"Save it," she replied shortly. "Don't bother me until we leave." Her door slammed shut in somber warning of an unhappy disposition.

He blinked stupidly and glanced to the living room, where the two vamps were panting needlessly, still smoking from their recent close-encounter. "Was it something I said?"

The Watcher and Willow closed the door behind him. "No," Giles answered. "Dawn's just upset that...Buffy wasn't there. To see her graduate."

"Oh." Xander sighed. "I was sorta hoping she'd forget that part."

Anya suddenly appeared from the kitchen, carrying a tray topped with layered cake and white icing. "Happy Graduation!" she cried, then frowned once realizing the object of ceremony was nowhere in sight. "You did remember to bring her home, didn't you? Just because she's out of high school-"

"She's upstairs," Willow said quickly, nodding meekly to the platter. "And I don't think she's in the mood for...well...anything."

The vengeance demon huffed disapprovingly, arms lowering. "Well, there's gratitude for you," she muttered dejectedly. "You spend all day-"

"Ahn, you went to the pastry shop." Xander rolled his eyes before turning again to Giles. "She mentioned something about leaving. Are we leaving? If so, where, and how much should I pack?"

"To dinner," Willow explained, narrowing her eyes as she scoped to the living room. "Will had this brilliant idea that-"

"Oh, save it, Red," the platinum vampire scoffed. "She can't stay up there forever. An' we can't hide in 'ere till Watcher Boy decides to show. What the Bit needs is some time outta the bloody house, an' with all 'f us there, it should make things right simple."

"We can't all go," Angel immediately countered, earning a dry look in response. He balked. "Well, we can't! Someone has to stay here in case Wes calls."

All eyes fell to Xander.

"Hey, don't look at me!" he cried indignantly. "I had to miss Dawnie's graduation! I so do not deserve to miss the party."

"What about Faith?" Anya volunteered.

Giles shook his head. "She is...adamant on bringing Faith with us. I believe she is sporting for the chance that we might run into Buffy." William cleared his throat. "Or Porphyria, whatever the bloody hell you call her. And while her mind is not quite as...clear as one might aspire, she did make some insightful points in the car."

The Cockney stepped forward, brows domed in concern. "You're not thinkin' 'bout listenin' to 'er, are you? I gotta tell yeh, Ripper...Nibblet's full of hot air an' the like right now. You give 'er back 'er sis an' it'll put the color back in 'er cheeks."

"I'm not sure if I'm prepared to be that selfish," the Watcher replied. "We lack substantial evidence, but we all know that she has been feeding. Buffy couldn't live with herself like that, and you know it."

Angel shook his head. "No...I disagree." All looked at him in blunt astonishment. "What? I'm not allowed to have a completely random opinion every now and then? Buffy understands the difference between being souled and not being souled. I should think everyone here would after what the past has taught us. And while she may never accept what she did, she will come to understand that fundamentally it was not her fault. She's not stupid, Giles."

"Once she thought she'd killed...oh-what's-'is-name...Warren's old flame," William said resourcefully, a look of understanding overwhelming him. "It tore 'er apart. She went to turn 'erself in an' I stopped 'er. She beat me to a right bloody pulp, which was likely deserved, but I din't understand. Not like I do now." He glanced up. "I won' stop till she's back, Ripper. What 'appened wasn' her fault. She was tryin' to save the sodding world. She couldn't've known it would...what would 'appen."

The Watcher heaved an exasperated breath. "Will, I understand your-"

"No! You bloody don't. I won' let that thing tha's out there win!" He started pacing, hands coursing through platinum strands, quaking in affect. "I won' give up on 'er, get it? I won' let 'er go without a fight. I won' jus' quit. I won' abandon 'er. For the second time in my unlife I wasn' quick enough to save 'er...not this time. Not when there's still a chance."

"He's right," Xander agreed, stepping forward emphatically. He didn't answer the questioning look he received for such a random spur of moral support. "I regretted it before, but I won't again. This isn't like when she died and was buried and we did the bad thing, G-Man. Are you saying you're willing to give Angel and Spike a second chance, but for Buffy there's just no hope? If they can stomach what they've done, then she sure as hell can. She's worth more than both of them put together."

William stepped out of pace and moved forward, his outrage calming, but not by much. A sigh tremored through his body. "I don' fancy gettin' in spats with you, Ripper. 'Specially 'bout morality an' the like. But I can't see eye-to-eye with you on this one."

The Watcher heaved a breath of concession, removing his glasses. "I can respect that," he decided. "You made some valid points, but I can't say for certain that I agree. There are some things you don't simply get over or stomach." He looked up and replaced the bifocals on the bridge of his nose. "However, if it is a matter between us and...Porphyria, then I will grant my pardon. It isn't fair that Buffy should die for actions that were..."

"Not 'er fault?"

"Yes."

"Where's Faith?" Angel asked.

"Out getting food," Xander replied. "We got kinda bored playing UNO."

The elder vampire nodded. "Well, I hate to tell you this, but you better stay here again tonight. Anya'll have to stay to."

The vengeance demon frowned. "Hey! What did I do?"

"If Wes calls, you'll have to pick him up. It's better if you go out there with someone who can fend." He motioned broadly. "Willow will come with us. Should something happen, she'll need to get Giles and Dawn back home."

Harris looked positively forlorn. "Twice? I'm being dumped twice in one day? Have you no heart?"

"It's for the best."

The Witch's lower lip was trembling. With great trepidation, she stepped forward and commanded Angel's gaze. "Do you really think something's going to happen? Maybe we should postpone this until-"

"If we're out, she'll come to us," he answered. "And if she comes to us, that means she's not somewhere else. That means someone else is still alive. One less person to feel guilty about once all of this is over."

"An' we all need to be there," William offered. "Well, least me, that Faith bird, an' Peaches. Notta one of us would be able to hold 'er alone."

"Buffy has super-human strength," Anya observed. Everyone shot her a dubious glance and she rolled her eyes, shrugging in concession. "Fine. She's always had super-human strength. Let's take time to laugh at the demon. Go ahead!" When no one moved, she shook her head and continued. "What I'm saying is...Slayer plus vamp...versus two vamps and another slayer? Do you guys think you can hold her without one of you getting...oh, let's say, staked? I might be wrong, but I think she'd be more upset about killing someone she loved than a perfect stranger."

"Even that's debatable," Giles said softly. "But she does have a point."

"Well, that's why we're all going together." Angel took a step forward. "Strength in numbers."

"Very well." The Watcher sighed heavily and paced away. "I cannot stop you. When do you think we should leave?"

"After sundown, naturally," William retorted. "I don' particularly fancy sharin' a bloody blanket with Peaches again."

Twilight came quicker than anyone realized, though due to summer, the days were impossibly longer. It was any vampire's nightmare: waiting an additional two hours before treading the hunting grounds. Around seven that evening, Willow crept into Dawn's room and shook her awake. The poor girl had fallen to sleep by the sounds of her own sorrow. Dried patches of former wetness coated her face. Once she was somewhat coherent, the Witch explained that they would be leaving soon.

"I'm drivin'," William announced as they headed for the front door.

"No, you're not." Giles snatched the keys from his grasp. "I have had the unfortunate experience of riding with you before. I remember exactly how well you navigate a vehicle."

"Oh come on. That was of the then."

"Yes, well, this is now. I'm driving."

Willow grinned lightly as she slipped between them. The Watcher turned to close the door, and called in finality to Xander, "My pager will be on. If Wesley calls-"

"Beep you. I know the drill."

"Hey, Harris!" Faith poked her head around the doorframe. "Want me to bring ya'll somethin'?"

He offered a weak, put-on smile. "No. The hearty dose of good ole McDonalds really did me in. Thanks for the offer."

She shrugged. "Whatever. Your loss."

The door closed with a note of finale, though the verdict would not arrive indefinitely until the car pulled out of the driveway. Xander watched them disconsolately and flopped down on the couch beside Anya, who was preoccupied with her nails while pretending to be interested in the evening news.

"Ahn?"

"Hmm?"

"Up for a round of UNO?"

*~*~*

The night started off slow but progressed with promising sanguinity. Dawn's mood remained unchanged throughout the majority of dinner, despite Faith and William's attempts to cheer her up - which consisted in numerous successions of making complete fools of themselves. It was Angel's heart-rending toast about the accomplishments obtained through the earning of a diploma that ultimately did her in. He was puzzled but pleased - more over with his childe's enthusiastic pat on the back as he took his seat.

"Now," William said between chuckles. "Why din't I think of that?"

He decided not to mention that the speech had been issued in the mindset of the utmost enormity. Whatever he had said, it made a face that had not seen a titter in over a week burst into long, hard giggles. That was all the motivation he required.

The Bronze was one of those places that one never tired of. For over ten years, they had enjoyed the music, endured the food, and lived out some of the more climactic stages of their lives while competing over raging amplifiers. It was the club designed for all generations.

The night, despite contradictions, had surprisingly passed without serious corollary. After dissolving that first time, it was difficult keeping Dawn from enjoying herself. She demanded William twirl her around on the dance floor a time or two and somehow talked him into posing for a picture with Angel. No one had any serious fixation on how long her good spirits would last, thus humoring her became imperative.

It was well past midnight before any could wear the strain on the teenager's random spurt of energy.

"Oh, come, on you guys!" she cried when Giles announced it was time to retire. "It's early!"

"Once upon a time, I woulda agreed with you, Bit," William observed, fighting sleep with every worn nerve in his body. "But Ripper the Wanker's 'ad me on regular people schedule for years now."

Giles tried to think of a snazzy comeback, but all he could produce was a long yawn.

"This is so unfair," the girl pouted. "You get me out of the house, pump me full of caffeine, and call it quits? You...you..."

"The kid's gotta point," Faith interjected. "It's what...after one? And ya'll are hanging it up already? Come on! There's fun to be had out there! I haven't been partying since-"

"The last time you had fun," Angel said softly, "things went a little...well, maybe we shouldn't talk about it."

"And hell-o. So not a kid, here! High school graduate equals big responsible adult! I mean..." She fumbled into her purse to produce her driver's license, unused as it was. The Summers girls were cursed with the inability to successfully pilot any moving vehicle. "It says right here. I'm eighteen. I could...I could rent porn and smoke if I wanted to."

Faith grinned madly. "Oh, she's become a wild child! Hold on to your seats, ladies and gents. I-"

"Can we gag her?" Willow whispered to Giles, who shrugged sleepily.

They were huddled in a fairly large crowd. It being late, the streets of Sunnydale were all but abandoned. Even the mischievous sprites were taking the night off. The sort of evening Buffy would have loved. Nowhere to go, nothing to slay, nothing to do but party.

It was that genus of poignancy, spoken or not, that lowered the morale.

"No news from Wes, I'm guessing," Angel said softly when the silence became too thick.

"If Wesley had arrived, I would have gone back a long time ago." The Watcher shook his head and took off his glasses. "I'm getting too old for this sort of thing."

The vampire smiled lightly and moved to make a reply, but William grasped him by the shoulder with such blunt, cold fervor that he felt his legs turn to granite. He didn't have to look to know what caught the younger's attention. It was there; laid out for them in all glorious understanding. The final reproach to a long day's wages.

At the other end of the street stood Porphyria. Porphyria who was not Buffy. Buffy who was so far from herself it was near impossible to look at those eyes from any distance and read the compassion once locked therein. She was far enough for someone to place a mileage sign between her and her intended, and still, she was easy to read.

Then she spoke, and even through their distance, her words were as articulate as if she had been standing alongside them.

"I knew..." The voice she used was foreign, even more so than it had been the night before. Cold and wrought without pity. Without remorse. Without knowing or kindness of any sort. "I knew if I wandered around long enough, I'd find you out here somewhere."

Faith was already reaching for the stakes concealed up either sleeve. William patted Dawn on the shoulder and steered her in Willow's direction. "You get 'er outta 'ere," he said sternly. "I don' know wha's about to go down, but 's nothin' for 'er to see."

Porphyria was nearing, step by step, clearly in no hurry. Her hands were concealed piously behind her back, a look of presumed innocence washing over ruthless features. "Mmm...how deliciously predictable. Go on, Spike. Save the girl. We all know how good you are at that. How...quick."

"Cheap shot, bitch."

"What's to stop me from taking her now? You?" She arched an eyebrow at the elder. "Angelus? I don't see any crossbows nearby."

"They don't need one," Faith observed. "I'm here."

"Oh...right. The true sign of desperation. 'Let's call the mental slayer.' Peachy idea!" Porphyria's eyes flashed wickedly. "And still...all things considered...would you be so cruel to keep me from my sister on her graduation day? I got her something really cool."

"Willow," Angel said softly. "You and Giles, get her out of here now."

"Yes, Dawnie. Run. Run far." The crazed woman took another step forward, her arms falling to her side in revealing lack of any convention weapon. "Big sis has some things to discuss with the naughty vampires. They've been bad. Very bad." Her eyes shot upward, glimmering maliciously. "Bad Angel. Bad Spike. Bad, bad Spike. You know-"

"That is immaterial!" Giles yelled, and William shot him a look of warning.

Porphyria chuckled at his expense. "Oh, and my Watcher. So loyal to the evil vampire. My Watcher. My very own pet Watcher. I'll get to you in a minute."

"No you won't." Angel turned desperately to Willow. "Get them out of here."

"I'm getting, I'm getting." The Witch took Dawn by the arm and pulled amidst her struggles. Giles assumed position at her other side. When Porphyria tried to intercept, a wave of blunt, powerful magic fired in her direction and sent her flying to the pavement.

"It should hold her!" Willow screamed as she directed the others to the car. "But not for long. You guys-"

"Get outta 'ere, Red!" William yelled back at her. "Now!"

There was no want of negotiation in his tone. Anyone could read that.

Then they were gone, and it was just the four of them.

"That hurt," Porphyria said, climbing to her feet. "And you sent her away. Not exactly the best tactical move."

"Leave the damn vamps out of this for a minute," Faith barked, raising a stake to eye level in emphasis. "It's between you and me, B. Occupational hazard of becoming one of the non-pulsers community."

She cackled at the insinuation. "What, and you can take me? I remember you being impulsive, not stupid."

"Who can say? I'm a slow learner."

"The slowest. We can agree on that."

"I might surprise you. Come on, bitch. Gimme all you got."

Angel stepped forward on inclination. "You might wanna-"

"Step outta this Peaches," William advised. "Neither's gonna listen to you now."

Porphyria nodded, brows arching. "The first thing he's said in days to make sense. Listen, Angelus. If you can just wait your turn, I'll get around to killing you here in a few, okay? This shouldn't take long."

Faith's eyes flickered. "Yeah, boys. Leave us alone. Gotta have some girl time. Slayer to Slayer. Ya'll wouldn't understand."

Then she charged.

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