Might Have Been
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Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I own nothing, I merely borrow.
Summary: Continuing the series Might Have Been. Set during ‘A New Man’. What might have happened if Dawn had been around at the time.
“Come on!”
“Dawn, where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise! Just trust me ok.”
“You’re leading me through Sunnydale, blindfolded, in the middle of the night. I think it’s pretty obvious that I trust you. I don’t, on the other hand, trust whatever you’ve got me for a present.”
“Have I ever given you a bad birthday present?”
“Last year you got kidnapped.”
“That was so not my fault.”
“The year before you promised not tell mom that I slept with Angel.”
“And I didn’t.”
“The year before that…”
“Ok, ok! Rhetorical question, look it up.”
“Dawn…”
“Look, you were with Riley at Christmas and Willow and Xander are arranging that “surprise” party for you. I think it’s time for a little sisterly bonding.”
“And that has to take place outdoors? In the middle of the night?”
“People will think you’re patrolling. No one’s going to bother us.”
“Well are we nearly there? I feel ridiculous.”
“Almost. Ok duck. That’s it… and forward. Ok we’re here. Happy Birthday!!”
Buffy tugged the blindfold away from her eyes and blinked. She looked around her, hoping that she would spot her sister’s surprise before it became embarrassing. Glancing at Dawn, the Slayer took in her eager _expression and smiled apologetically. “What?”
Dawn frowned. “That.”
Buffy followed Dawn’s outstretched arm with her eyes and then frowned herself. “It’s a crypt.”
“Yeah.”
“You got me a crypt for my birthday? Can’t you just promise not tell mom something again? My grades are getting worse.”
“I did not get you a crypt,” Dawn sighed shaking her head. “Go inside.”
The blonde grimaced, but stepped forward and pushed open the door to the crypt open. Or at least she tried to. “It’s stuck.”
“No it can’t be. It was ok earlier when we... I mean I set up.”
“Dawn believe me… it’s jammed. Step back a sec.”
Buffy checked that her sister had moved away and took a step back. She aimed a sharp kick at the door near the lock and the door swung open. She smiled at Dawn and led the way inside. “It’s an old door. Doubt it’s used very often. You probably need to kick it every other time.”
Looking around the crypt, Buffy noticed that the tomb was filled with white candles, all alight and flickering, creating warm glow in the otherwise gloomy vault. On a sarcophagus on the opposite side of the room lay a tablecloth, a stereo and a basket of food. Buffy smiled and turned back to her sister. “You’re a sweetheart you know. A pain in the ass a lot of the time, but a sweetheart just the same.”
Dawn moved closer and hugged her sister. “You don’t get to do enough fun stuff. And we get to do no fun stuff. So here it is.”
They sat for a while and ate the food that Dawn had packed, and talked about school and the music they were listening to. Dawn told Buffy the problems she was having with her friends and Buffy confided her confusion about Riley.
The younger girl listened intently while Buffy talked and then chewed nervously on her bottom lip for a moment when her sister finished.
“What’s wrong?”
Dawn looked up sharply. “Nothing.”
“That’s not nothing face Dawn. Something’s wrong. What is it?” Dawn’s eyes grew huge and Buffy leant closer and ran a hand over her sister’s hair. “Hey, you can tell me anything. I’m your big sister. I can slay all your demons, I promise.”
“I don’t want to make you mad,” Dawn whispered and Buffy frowned.
“I won’t get mad.”
Taking a deep breath Dawn reached into the pocket of her jeans and pulled out a ring. A shiny silver skull ring that Buffy recognised immediately.
“Dawn…”
“Don’t get mad! Just listen ok. This is for you. Spike gave it to me, for you, with his ‘suicide’ note. I just thought you should have it. As a birthday present.”
Buffy didn’t say anything, but took the ring from her sister and slid it onto her ring finger.
“Thank you,” she murmured, still gazing at the ring on her finger, and then quickly removed it and placed it in her own pocket. When she looked up Dawn noticed there were tears in her eyes.
“Thank you,” Buffy repeated and squeezed Dawn’s hand in reassurance. “Now, what was that about Janice?”
****
“Did she like it?”
“Yeah. It was great.”
“What was the extra thing you were going to give her? The surprise.”
“Not telling. Some things must remain sacred between sisters.”
“Ok. She liked it though?”
“More than she’ll ever admit. Thanks for helping with this.”
“You know I’d do anything for you sweetheart.”
“And Buffy too.” There was a long pause and Dawn decided not to push. “I’ll see you soon won’t I?”
“You know where I live.”
“I have to go. Thanks for everything.”
“Night Dawn.”
“Night Spike.”