SURPRISEs

See Part 1 for Ratings and Disclaimers

Chapter 6

Willow is smiling as well as she opens the door and enters the room. "And you knew it was me how?" She asks, but knows the answer.

"I could feel you," he says.

Willow nods as she sits next to him, "What can you feel?" She asks.

He concentrates again and his eyes meet hers, "You're worried about Mama."

Willow presses a kiss to his forehead, "Yeah-but don't you she'll be okay."

"What happened?"

"We'll talk in the morning," she says as she stands. "Don't stay up too late.

"I won't." He assures is mom.

"I love you," she says as she looks down at the redheaded teen.

"I know," he rolls his eyes playfully, almost a mirror of her and he smiles. "I'm a teenager-and we're not suppose to you know-but I love you too."

The redhead shakes her head and smiles, "Good night son."

"Night mom."

She goes to Kara and Kristen's room next and finds the girls nearly asleep. She kisses each of them on the foreheads and smiles. "Night girls, I love you."

"I love you Mom," says Kristen.

"I love you too," echoes Kara and then adds. "And Aunt Emerson is cool."

"Yeah," agrees her twin. "How long is she gonna stay?"

"I'm not sure," answers the redhead. "Go to sleep," she smiles. "Maybe we'll find out tomorrow." She leaves the room.

In Annie's room the angry girl can hear the laughter. She puts up the sound proof spell but her anger still grows-her heart still knows they're having fun with that woman. She tries to calm herself as she hears a knock on her door and knows it is her mom coming to say good night. "Come in," she says.

Willow opens the door, "Night kiddo-" she blows her a kiss. "I love you, you know that."

"I know and I'm sorry about before."

"I know that too." She looks at her daughter, "It'll get better I promise."

"Yeah," she agrees though her mind adds. 'Better when they leave.'

Willow closes the door and Annie stares at the ceiling. "I need to get out of here." She gets up and waits at the door. She peeks out. She watches her Mom.

Willow walks down the hallway to Erin and Ellie's room. She knocks as she hears giggling inside, "Come in," says Erin.

When Willow opens the door she sees a tent made out of the bed sheets and Erin, Ellie and of all people her mother sitting under them. "Ah-I just-"

"Gran is telling us stories," says Ellie.

Willow looks at her mother unsure. "Stories?"

"They weren't tired-" Sheila starts to defend.

"No-it's fine Mom," she smiles. "But don't stay up too late," she says as she looks at each girl and then kisses them. "I love you," she whispers in their ears.

"We won't stay up late," says Erin.

Willow starts to leave, 'Mom-' she hears Ellie's voice in her head. She looks at her daughter and gets lost in her blue eyes. 'You didn't kiss Gran.'

'I ah-she might not-' Willow tries.

'She might,' Ellie counters.

'You're not gonna give up are you?'

'Nope.' The child smiles.

Willow moves to her mother and kisses her forehead, "Night Mom."

Sheila looks up at her surprised, "Good night Willow," she smiles as the woman leaves.

Annie has slipped to the roof again and is breathing in the night air. She begins to relax as her eyes close. 'Better?' She is surprised to hear her mom's voice.

'Yeah,' she smiles and snuggles with her pillow. 'How'd you know?'

'Lucky guess. Sleep tight.' Thinks the redhead as she goes into the nursery and sees the babies asleep. She smiles at them and then walks to the adjoining door to peer in at their mommies. They too sleep and she walks in placing kisses on each of their foreheads. She leaves the room as quietly as she entered it.

A few minutes later she walks into the room she shares with her wife to find it empty. She looks confused and then smiles a sad smile as she worries about her girl. She goes out onto the balcony to find her there, standing at the rail looking into the star filled sky. She slips her arms around her waist and puts her chin on her shoulder. "You doing okay?" Kennedy nods slightly. "Why don't you come inside?"

"Wanna stay out here," says the Slayer.

"Okay," she answers as she tightens her hold on her girl.

"I didn't even ask about a funeral-" tears start to fall.

"There isn't gonna be one-" Willow says softly. Kennedy turns in her arms and looks at her unsure. "Emerson said he didn't want one-" she explains.

"So he's just gone-" she reasons. "I can do gone-he's been gone for years." The tears fall harder and soon she is sobbing against Willow's chest.

On the roof Annie can hear the crying and she fights back tears of her own. She can't imagine life without the love of her parents but yet they had received very little from theirs. How could that be? Who had taught them? She looks up at the night sky full of stars and her earliest childhood memories return-she and her parents and Aly on the balcony sitting together and the love overwhelms her. Finally, her tears fall too.

The next morning finds the kitchen in chaos. Emerson is starting to make waffles. She is putting ingredients into a huge bowl. Across the room at the bar sits Dawn with Duncan on her lap. The younger Langdon children are trying to get him to talk-asking him all kinds of questions.

"Do you go to school?" Asks Kristen.

"What grade are you in?" Asks Kara. "I'll be in the sixth when school starts."

"Do you like to play board games?" Asks Erin.

The little boy overwhelmed with all the questions turns away from the kids and buries his head against his mom's chest. Dawn looks toward Emerson who turned away from her cooking when she heard the questioning grow worse. "Hey, little man, wanna lend me a hand?" Asks Emerson with a smile.

He looks up at her and he too almost smiles as he nods. He gets down from Dawn's lap as Emerson reaches a hand toward him. He takes it and walks away with her to the counter by the stove. The other kids watch surprised. Dawn smiles, relieved. Em helps Duncan onto the counter and then looks at the disappointed faces of the girls. "There's plenty more to do don't look so down." She opens cabinets until she finds plates, she grabs a stack and hands then to Erin. "Wanna set the table for me?" She nods and smiles. She moves toward the dining room. "Ellie Mac-silverware?" The girl moves to the drawer and begins to gather it. "Kristen. Kara. Round up the rest of the family." They smile to as they leave to do what they were told. Dawn smiles at Emerson's take charge attitude. "Oh, and Dawn wanna make the OJ? Freshly squeezed of course." She throws an orange towards her.

Dawn catches it and rolls her eyes, "Sure, why not." She pauses "How many oranges you think that'll take?" They both smile at the thought. She moves to the counter and gets a knife. She begins cutting the oranges there in half.

"Well, when you run out we'll just cheat and mix it with the Tropicana in the fridge." She winks at Dawn.

Dawn laughs as does Duncan as he stirs the batter. She smiles at her son and sneaks a look at Emerson when the woman isn't looking.

Em adds chocolate chips to the waffle batter and Duncan smiles, his eyes lighting up at the sight of the chocolate. "I see you approve," she ruffles his hair a little-he nods. Emerson grabs a smaller bowl of batter and adds the carob chips to it.

The kitchen crew can hear the dining room begin to fill with people, it's obvious at Kristen and Kara did their job. Dawn and Emerson smile as they exchange a quick glance. Dawn then rolls her eyes as she continues to squeeze oranges.

A little later Dawn, Emerson and Duncan parade into the dining room. Dawn is carrying two pitchers of fresh squeezed orange juice, which she places on either end of the table. Emerson does the same with two plates of waffles then disappears back into the kitchen. Duncan puts a gallon of milk down in front of Kennedy and she smiles at him, "Wow-looks great."

Dawn and Duncan sit down just as Emerson returns with two more plates of waffles. She sets one in front of her sister, "Still got that killer appetite?" She grins.

The others begin to fill their plates. Aly stares wantonly at the chocolatey goodness. Katie leans in and whispers in her ear. "I'm sorry baby."

Aly nods and looks from the food to her girl. "It's cool-no big-right? Who needs chocolate?"

Emerson sets the other plate in front of her, "You do," she smiles at the teen.

"I can't-I wish I could but-" she stops.

Em speaks, "Oh, you so can."

Willow grabs the plate before her daughter can take the first bite. "Emerson, Aly can't have chocolate-she's nursing and the caffeine is bad for the babies."

All at the table are now silent. Kennedy is a little nervous when she realizes the two head strong women are about to face-off. Emerson turns to Willow and snatches the plate back with a sigh. Sheila looks concerned now, "Willow's right." Willow smiles at her mom's words and that causes a smile from Ellie.

"Not to sound like a smart as-" Emerson catches herself and then defends. "A smart person.. but, Willow, you can't tell me you had this many kids and never learned about the miracle of carob?"

Willow looks at the questioning woman, "Carob?" Her tone unsure.

"Carob," repeats Em- "All the goodness of chocolate without the evil caffeine. It tastes just like chocolate."

"No-no way," insists the redhead.

"Ummm-yeah, way." Confirms Emerson.

Amazed and a little ticked Willow says, "You mean I could have-" a soft growl escapes, "Damn!"

"Language," Emerson says with a smirk and the kids laugh.

A blushing Willow looks at them, rolls her eyes and smiles, "Sorry."

Emerson hands the plate back to Aly. Aly cuts into the waffle and takes a bite. "Mmmm-thank you. You know you're my favorite aunt now right?"

Dawn mock glares at her, pretending to be hurt. "Hey!"

"Oh-" she back pedals, "Well, that's not Dawn of course."

Emerson smiles widely at Dawn and then at Aly, "Uh-huh of course." She looks from Aly, back to Dawn-before her eyes fall on Duncan. The quiet little boy is chowing down on his waffle. She can't help but smile at him. "There's more where that came from all right little man? Just tell me if you want another one."

Duncan looks up long enough to nod at the woman and then begins to eat again. Dawn watches the boy and then looks at Emerson and mouths a silent thank you. Emerson nods and smiles.

"Oh-I almost forgot!" She jogs from the room returning a few seconds later with a pot of coffee in each hand. "I got regular," she holds up and pot- "And decaf." Willow's face is covered by a large smile as she reaches for the caffeine. "Allow me," She pours coffee into the large mug next to the redhead's plate.

"Ummm-" sighs the witch as she inhales the aroma. She takes a sip.

"Kenn?-You want?" Asks Emerson.

"Regular please," she smiles at her sister in disbelief.

The younger woman sees her uncertainty, "I waitressed for a while..." Kennedy raises an eyebrow. "And don't look at me like that. I know we're filthy rich, I just get bored."

"You're rich?" Asks an excited Erin.

Emerson shoots Kennedy a confused look, "Ummm-I-"

Willow answers the question, "Rich is a fun way of saying she went to college." The redhead lies to the child.

Aly, Katie, Dawn and even Annie have to force a laugh away. Sheila smiles at her daughter and then turns her eyes to Kennedy. Kennedy shrugs.

"Yeah fun and trendy. I'm big with the trendy," says Emerson nodding her head vigorously.

"I'm gonna be rich one day," says Ellie.

"Me too," echoes Kara.

Alex looks up and starts to respond but decides he'd rather eat.

Emerson, a little rattled, pours Dawn a cup of regular coffee without asking. She then hands her the sugar before she can reach for it. She just shrugs as Dawn raises an eyebrow.

Ellie catches just the look and smiles, but Aly takes in the whole exchange as well as the coffee. Aly looks at Dawn and Dawn looks back nervously. Beginning a silent conversation in Dawn's head, Aly states. 'Me-you-in my room after breakfast, it's time for some explainy.'

Em talks to Aly, oblivious of the silent Dawn conversation going on with the teenager. "Aly-decaf?"

Dawn looks at the teenaged Slayer and tries to get out of the encounter, 'Nothing to explain.'

'She just poured you regular with sugar and I didn't hear her ask what you wanted. She read minds?-I think not.'

'I hope not-' thinks Dawn before she realizes it.

"Uh-earth to Aly-" Em looks to Katie for help.

Katie touches her girl's arm-then talks silently. 'Emerson asked if you wanted decaf?'

"Ah-oh, no coffee thanks-" she pours orange juice.

Emerson shrugs and looks to the others at the table. "Katie-Annie?-" The teenagers nod. She pours and looks to Sheila.

"Yes, thank you." She pours Sheila's as well and then sits down next to Duncan.

Dawn begins to eat as she hears Aly in her head again, 'Don't forget, my room no excuses.' A memory flashes in the teen's mind. 'We need to finish a conversation we started about 5 years ago.'

Dawn looks nervously at the young woman as she realizes the math has been done and that 2+2 will always equal 4 no matter how you try to avoid it.

Later, with breakfast done, Emerson again assigns jobs. The kids begin to clear the table-they carry the plates and things back towards the kitchen. She leans down next to Duncan, "I'm gonna wash some dishes-wanna be my dish dryer?"

Duncan nods and then looks to his mom who smiles and nods. He stands up next to Emerson. Dawn touches his shoulder as she stands as well, "I need to go talk to Aunt Aly in her room. Will you be okay here?" The boy seems to think about the question as he looks from his mom to Emerson. He nods and moves to take Em's hand. Dawn smiles relieved. She looks at the woman, "Is that okay with you?"

"Definitely," she smiles. They start toward the kitchen and Dawn watches them. Emerson smiles widely at the little boy, her blue eyes sparkling and her focus clearly completely on him.

Dawn looks at Aly, "Let's go-" she rolls her eyes playfully.

Aly kisses Katie, "I'll check on the babies," smiles her girlfriend and Aly nods.

"Thanks-" she kisses her then leaves with Dawn.

As Emerson and Duncan come back in for the rest of the dishes Willow starts to protest. "Wait, you cooked-you don't clean-we have rules you know.-Cooks never clean."

Emerson winks at Duncan as she looks at the redhead, "I'm not one for rules."

Kennedy smiles, "That would be the Emerson I know and love-the breaker of rules." She takes her witch's hand. "Arguing with her-pointless, let's not waste time." She pulls the redhead from the room. The rest of the people over 12 follow.

"So Duncan-let's get with the washing." She smiles and he nods. Hand-in-hand they go back to the kitchen.

Aly sits on her bed and looks up at Dawn who is still standing. The teen, sounding remarkably like her mom, starts-"You-you didn't tell me that your Emerson was my Aunt Emerson."

"With good reason," defends Dawn. "I didn't know you had an Aunt Emerson."

"And wow-the two of you-and wow-" Aly can't find words.

"Definitely wow-you were 13 I left out the really good stuff," Alys eyes go wide and Dawn blushes as she realizes what she disclosed and then blushes even more as she thinks of the WOW that was the relationship that she and Emerson had.

"Do you still-I mean-would you-if-" she stops again the words just not making their way out of her brain.

"I-I'm not sure how-how to answer that," admits Dawn.

"That-that's good-cause I'm not sure I want to know.-" She smiles teasingly. Dawn sits down across from her on the other side of the bed. "Who am I kidding-you better tell me-do you still have feeling-do you feel the same as you did?"

"Does it matter?" Asks Dawn.

"Does it matter?" Aly looks at her like she's grown an extra head. "Yes it matters. I mean she's here and you're here-" Aly smiles. "That's gotta mean something right-what are the odds?"

Dawn thinks about her words, "Maybe it means something-" she speaks again. "Then yes-I do.-But I can't be with her."

Aly is confused. "If you still love her why not? I still remember the way you talked about her then-you were-you were like I am with Katie."

Dawn smiles at the teenager's happiness but her smiles leaves quickly. "I have to think about Duncan."

"You've seen her with Duncan-better try another excuse."

Dawn mock glares at the young Slayer, "Derrick then-I mean the divorce was just finalized and now I'm going to jump into another relationship?"

"It's been over for a while-you told me that at Thanksgiving."

Dawn sighs, "Then I'm pulling out the big one-excuse number 3."

Aly grins, "Is it any better than the other two? Cause truthfully Dawn, they sucked."

"Emerson," says Dawn simply.

Aly looks puzzled, "Emerson? You lost me."

"She doesn't know about monsters and Magick.-And I don't want her to-even if by some long shot she's still interested in me-I could never drag her into this." Her eyes are sad as she speaks. Aly is slow to respond because a part of her agrees. "Three's a winner huh?"

Aly shakes her head as she answers, "No-no that's not your choice-it's hers. She gets to choose if she wants in-just like Katie."

"I don't know if I can let her make that choice," Dawn looks at the teenaged Slayer.

Aly gives her the Willow resolve face, "You're not the boss of her." Her voice softens, "Dawn, don't lose her again-" Dawn stays silent, contemplating the words. "You told me before what it was like to leave her-how much it hurt-can you really do it again?"

"I-I don't know Aly. I..."

She stops as there is a knock on the frame of the door. They both turn their attention there and see Emerson and Duncan. "Sorry to interrupt, but I think someone was starting to miss his mommy." She looks at Dawn as Duncan walks to the bed and sits next to her.

His hand finds hers and she smiles. The boy leans closer to her and whispers in her ear. -"She's cool Mom." His words are barely heard.

Dawn looks from her son to Emerson and their eyes meet, "Thank you," says Dawn.

"Trust me," smiles Emerson, "It was my pleasure. You have quite a little gentleman there." Duncan smiles at her words.

"Most of the time," agrees his mom. "But you've never seen him cranky." She touches his face and he rolls his eyes. They all smile.

"Can't be much worse than his mom," Emerson winks and it is Dawn's turn to roll her eyes. Duncan giggles and Dawn starts to tickle him. Emerson laughs out loud as the boy retaliates and tickles his mom as well.

Aly's voice goes silently through the giggles to Dawn, 'She's so into you.'

'Shut up,' thinks Dawn. Then she grumbles, 'Now what?'

Aly smiles, 'You know the answer to that.'

Later that same day Dawn sits in the chair swing and watches the kids play. The little Langdons are there-Slayers-climbing, chasing, and jumping from the playground style equipment. Duncan sits on a swing and watches. Dawn seems a little worried again, but she smiles as she sees him approach Ellie. The girl smiles at him and says something. The little boy nods and starts to run after the girl. He's going to be okay she thinks-then thoughts of Emerson follow-okay because of Em mostly, concedes Dawn. A relieved- he's going to be okay- is repeated in her mind.

Dawn thinks about Aly's words- 'It's her choice,' the girl told her. Dawn begins to remember the day, a little over 5 years ago, when she first made that same choice for her.

Dawn Summers is looking at an exhibit in the British museum-the Gold Cobra has her attention. Emerson stands behind her-her arms around the taller girls waist. As she speaks Dawn's attention shifts. "According to Egyptian mythology the snake's power is a radical power. Dangerous-transformable." She stands on her tiptoes to whisper the words in her ear. Dawn shivers as her breath touches her skin. "The cobra is especially dangerous since it represents Sekhmet- a goddess who came to Egypt from a place unknown and a time unrecorded."

"All secret-y" says Dawn and then adds, "You're making this up."

"Am not," she kisses Dawn's neck and then continues. "They say that the humans conspired to overthrow the god Ra-they were gonna use magic-so Ra called together these powerful gods and they decided that they should allow Sekhmet to just stomp out the rebellion- she was their secret weapon."

"How do you know all this?" She turns slightly, just enough to see Em's face.

"I went to Egypt for a while. I told you that already and I think I even saw you write it down in that notebook of yours."

"Maybe," smiles Dawn. She kisses her lips softly and as she pulls back she sees a man in a hoody a few feet from them to her right. But Emerson's words draw her back.

"As for the knowledge part, I'm both curious and sneaky which makes a great combination."

"Can't argue with that. Okay, finish the story."

Emerson grins, "What do I get if I do?"

Dawn smiles, "We'll have to see." She turns back to the statue as Emerson's voice fills her ears.

"She was gonna punish all those who had evil in their hearts and minds. So she did-"

"Sekhmet?"

"Yep yep-she slaughtered them-drank their blood- she killed so many that the gods who sent her feared that no humans would remain by the time she was finished- they had to dose her with opium to get her to stop- they put it in the blood and when she drank it her rage calmed and she-"

Before she can finish the hooded figure smashes the case and grabs the golden Cobra. Dawn sees his face-blue and then the horns. 'Demon'- she thinks as she tries to memorize everything. Then Em's voice again is heard though its much louder now. "Hey-that's circa 600 BC!" She lunges for the statue of the Cobra but the demon knocks her into the air and she lands with a thud-her shoulder and head hitting the case that once housed the statue.

"Emerson!" Dawn screams and runs to her. The demon runs with his prize.

"I may have hit my head," says Emerson. "Did that man have horns of some sort?"

"Horns?" Dawn shakes her head, lying. "Ah-no-no horns."

"Crap-that means a concussion." Emerson touches the back of her head and as she brings her hand around she sees the blood. "Blood-" she makes a face.

"Stay still," she touches Em's shoulder and the younger girl grimaces with pain. "That hurt?"

"Only the tiniest bit."

"You need to go to the hospital Em."

"No-not so much really-I'm good-"

A guard approaches, "We've called an ambulance."

"Dawn I don't-" she passes out cold.

The memory fades as she feels a familiar tingle as Emerson touches her shoulder. Dawn looks at her smile, "Look at the little man-" she points to the boy.

Dawn smiles as she sees Duncan lying on top of a pile of defeated little Slayers. "Way to go Dunc-"

He looks up and smiles at them.

Dawn looks at Em and makes a decision then and there.

Chapter 7

Dawn looks at her unsure, "What does?"

"Being near each other again- being close enough to just reach out and-" Emerson reaches toward her and touches her face- "touch each other." Dawn leans into the touch again but Em pulls her hand away. "Just saying." She gets up and walks across the yard, then plays with the kids leaving a confused Dawn on the swing to think about her feelings.

Dawn lets out a sigh and watches Emerson with the kids. As she runs her fingers through her hair she can't help but smile, "Damn-Emerson what are you doing to me?" She says quietly.

Annie and Jake are sitting in the kitchen at the bar. They hold hands across it. "You sure you wanna do this?"

"Why wouldn't I?" He asks, "I like your family."

"There's been a few additions." She rolls her eyes the frustration surfacing again. "Any more relatives pop up out of the woodworks and we'll have to build a new wing."

Jake leans in and kisses her softly, "It's cool-I like big families."

Annie pulls away and looks at her boyfriend, "You're not so subtle and I'm not having this talk again." She smiles at him.

"Why not," he smiles as he kisses her again.

"Jake-I love you-I do, but marriage and kids-it's not me right now." He looks defeated and she reaches forward to touch his cheek. "Please try to understand."

He takes her hand from his face and kisses it, "I get it-I do." He forces a smile as the room fills with little Slayers who run in from outside.

"Slow down," instructs Annie as she looks at her sisters. They do as they are told until they reach the stairs and then they run again. She rolls her eyes and Jake laughs.

Less than an hour later the backyard begins to fill up with people. The gang is all there for a cookout. Buffy and Xander are the first to arrive with their kids. Will, David and Alex make their way to the tree house. Joy stays close to Buffy, still as shy as ever. Buffy smiles at her and then looks up. She spots Dawn coming out of the house with Duncan. She starts to walk toward them but Xander touches her arm. "Remember what we talked about?"

"I remember-no yelling and no being all judge-y."

"Right-just concerned big sis."

"Yeah-definitely that," Buffy looks down at Joy. "Stay with Daddy-or you could play on the swings."

"Will you push me on the swings Daddy?"

Xander smiles, "I'd love too." He and Joy go towards the swings while Buffy moves to Dawn.

Dawn sees Buffy and looks a little unsure. From across the yard Emerson sees Dawn and the blonde. She recognizes Buffy from pictures and she sits down on the swing figuring they need to talk. Duncan sees Buffy and instantly grabs onto Dawn's leg. "Hey-you know Buffy-" says Dawn softly. They boy peeks around her leg.

"Hey Duncan." She smiles at the child. He looks at her unsure. Buffy looks at her sister, "You got a minute-we need to talk."

"Talk or yell?"

"Talk-about the yelling," Buffy says softly.

Dawn looks at Duncan, "Duncan, why don't you go swing with Emerson?"

He looks and sees her on the porch type, free standing swing. He nods and runs that direction. He sits down beside her and she smiles at him. Buffy watches them together-the woman and the little boy both smile.

"He hates me-" says Buffy.

"No-he just hasn't seen you since Christmas-then all the yelling-"

"The yelling-I'm sorry-" she is silent, they both are so Buffy continues. "I didn't mean to yell. I'm just worried about you."

Dawn almost laughs, "You're worried-and so you yell, you know that makes no sense right?"

Buffy smiles, "I know-I just I want you happy and you were with Derrick."

"Not for a long time Buffy-"

"What happened?"

"It's hard to explain-" she looks away and again she focuses on Emerson and Duncan. "But I'll try."

Across the yard Emerson looks at Dawn and Buffy deep in conversation and she can tell Dawn is getting a little emotional. She tries hard to think of something to cheer her up. She smiles as she sees the marigolds in the yard growing wild. "Duncan-" she smiles and begins to whisper in the little boys ear. He smiles at her and stands up. She points towards the flowers and watches him as he picks two. She nods and assumes the other is for Buffy. He walks back to her a little nervous. "It's okay-they're not yelling-take it to your mom."

The boy nods and crosses the yard. He smiles and walks to his mom--he hands it to her. "What's this for?" Asks Dawn. He simply hugs her and stands with the other flower. Dawn kisses him on top of the head. Buffy smiles at him thinking the other flower is for her but he walks away with it.

They watch as he goes back to Emerson and gives the other one to her. "For you Em-"he says his words just a whisper.

"Thanks Duncan!" she puts it behind her ear. "How do I look?"

He smiles and again speaks softly though a bit louder. "Like a princess-" He pauses but adds, "but not the one from your story-she sounded like mommy."

"Well your mommy is a princess and nobody should tell her different." Em looks at Dawn who is trying to talk but also watch them. Emerson swoops up Duncan. "So my little prince, are you hungry yet?" she heads over to the grill to check on the food with Duncan in her arms.

"Is there someone else?" Asks Buffy.

Dawn takes her eyes off of Emerson and her son and looks at her sister, "Not-no-not now."

"But before?" Buffy seems unsure as she watches Dawn's eyes follow her son and Emerson.

"Yeah-" Dawn admits. "Before-"

"Is that why the two of you split?-He found out?"

"No-it was just over-Derrick and I-we just-" she stops and looks at her sister. "Can we just-"

"Sure-no more questions. But Dawnie I am sorry about yesterday."

"I know-" she smiles.

"So-stay with us?"

Dawn shakes her head, "No-Duncan is settled-he's happy and I don't want to mess that up. Understand?"

Buffy starts to complain but thinks about her words, she nods. "But you'll come see us?"

"Yeah-how's tomorrow?"

"Good-tomorrow's good." She hugs her sister. Dawn hugs her back and as they separate they walk toward Xander, Emerson and Duncan.

On her way to Xander, Buffy wonders about the woman with Duncan and how she fits into the picture. She puts an arm around her husband when she reaches him and they all stand in silence.

Xander moves to the grill and flips some burgers as Em sets Duncan on his feet. He answers Buffy's unasked question, "She's Kennedy's sister," smiles the man.

Emerson speaks, "No, she's actually my sister," she smiles. Dawn smiles too since she's said those same words about Buffy more than once. Xander chuckles and Buffy just rolls her eyes at the comment because well Slayers stick together she decides.

"So you're just visiting?" Asks Buffy a little jealous of Emerson's relationship with Duncan. A part of her thinks if maybe she goes Duncan will talk to her instead.

"That was the plan...but plans change," she says. Duncan looks up at Em and smiles.

Dawn smiles too, only on the inside, she glances up at Emerson and she sees the smile in the girl's eyes. Sure hers show the same happiness she looks way. Xander though, always observant catches the look. He smiles.

"What are you smiling at Xander Harris?" Buffy asks playfully and Dawn gets nervous.

"I'm a happy man. What can I say?" He hugs her and she lets the question go.

Soon everyone is sitting at tables lined up in the backyard. They eat and talk, everyone is taken by Emerson-her wit and her no-nonsense approach to everything. Faith laughs, "Oh yeah-you're Kennedy's sister no doubt."

"She's my sister," corrects the younger woman.

"Whatever-" she rolls her eyes. "Just alike." She looks at Kennedy.

Kennedy shrugs, "We've heard that more than once." She smiles at her sister.

The kids who have finished eating and are bored by the talk, begin to get restless. Willow looks at her youngest daughters and recognizes the signs-the little Slayers need to burn off steam and soon. Buffy smiles at the redhead and nods, "Kids you can go play if you want."

Her girls look at her as do the other kids and David speaks, "What can we all play together?"

The adults appear to be thinking about it, when Duncan leans closer to Emerson, "We could play tag," he whispers.

"Tag's a cool idea," states Emerson.

The kids all agree as Willow smiles and looks at the group. She is surprised when Dawn says, "I wanna play too."

Emerson smiles and adds, "I'm definitely in."

"And me," says Aly before Katie looks from her to the babies and back. The young mother hesitates, "Well I-"

Kennedy stops her words, "We'll watch them right Will?"

"You play," the redhead smiles at her daughter and then looks to Katie, "You too."

Katie smiles, "You're sure?"

Emerson stands, followed by Dawn and then Aly. Em speaks, "Don't ask questions, just move before they can change their minds." She smiles and Katie stands too.

The kids noisily stand around the table and the adult there are shocked when Annie smiles and drags Jake to his feet, "Tag rocks-let's play." The teenaged boy smiles.

Aly looks across at the faces, "So we need teams."

"Any ideas?" Asks Dawn.

Emerson takes charge as seems to be her nature, "That's easy." The group looks at her unsure. "Langdons versus non Langdons."

Aly smiles, "That works." She smiles at Katie, "That means I can chase you."

Katie smiles back. As Aly hugs her the young witch whispers in her Slayer's ear, "Not really necessary-you got me." Aly smiles brighter and then she kisses her gently.

The kids all make noises and Alex rolls his eyes, "Can we play now?" He asks.

Annie begins to count and realizes they are outnumbered, "Teams aren't even. Too many not Langdons."

Alex speaks again, "Technically Aunt Emerson could be a Langdon."

Kara looks at her brother, "True," she nods, "But they're still uneven."

Duncan looks around him then at his mom as he hears a baby cry, "I could help with the babies," he says softly.

Dawn smiles at her little boy, he would do anything to avoid conflict and she knows it. "No-you play Dunc-I'll help." Their debate continues quietly as Ellie talks to the others around her.

"We still need one more Langdon." The others agree and she looks toward the table. "Gran you could play, you're a Langdon," says Ellie.

"That's right," adds Erin.

Sheila is surprised and both Willow and Kennedy smile at the woman until they hear Annie.

Her words are cold and firm, "She's not a Langdon!"

Sheila trying to avoid trouble agrees, "She's right."

"Close enough Mom," smiles Willow and Sheila smiles back.

Ellie and Erin walk over to her and each take an arm, "Please?" They plead in unison. Sheila smiles and stands. All the kids cheer.

Annie rolls her eyes and mutters, "Freaking great!"

"Heard that young lady," states Kennedy as she looks at her daughter sternly. "As did every Slayer here." There is a pause and then she adds, "This would be one of the times you should be glad your mother isn't or you'd be grounded."

Annie rolls her eyes and walks away. She joins Jake and a still kissy Katie and Aly. "Could the two of you just stop?" She growls.

Jake wraps her into his arms and kisses her softly on the lips, "Relax-have some fun."

She nods. "Trying," the young Slayer takes a couple of deep breaths. She finally smiles at him.

"Better?" He asks and she kisses him softly. "Good," he says with a smile.

Teams now divided Emerson takes charge again. She watches with a smile as Dawn kisses Duncan and he walks over to Kennedy, Willow and the babies. "Ready?" She looks at Dawn. Dawn nods. "Let me see if I can remember the rules of Langdon Tag."

Dawn looks unsure, "Langdon Tag-that's it's actual name?"

Emerson smiles, "Kennedy and I made it up when we were little." She lets the memories flood back as she begins to list the rules. "Stay inside the boundaries."

Aly adds, "Which is the backyard garden excluded."

Emerson nods then continues, "Once you're tagged you lie down on the ground and you can't move again until someone on your team jumps over you."

"Back and forth," says Joy.

"Back and forth," restates Kristen.

"And you can only rest on the base-which will be ah-" Em looks around the yard.

Sheila speaks, "Can a person be the base?"

"Cool-" says William. "People for bases why didn't we play that way before?"

"Don't know-" says Dawn. "Sounds kinda fun."

"I'll be the base," Sheila volunteers.

"For the Langdons," adds Ellie and again Annie gets angry at the thought of Sheila getting to be a Langdon-if only in a game.

"Can I be the not Langdon base?" Asks Joy.

Dawn nods, "If you want." Joy smiles and nods her head.

Emerson continues the rules, "Play nice-if you get tagged no complaining. No tripping, no tickling-" she looks pointedly at Dawn.

"What?" She asks innocently.

"You can pretend all you want-I know you-you tickle." The words aren't lost on Aly who smiles.

"No tickling," Emerson repeats. "No-"

Annie has had enough, "And no full contact. We've all played too."

Emerson looks at the teen, "Right-you do know I'm on your side right?" Annie rolls her eyes missing Emerson's point. "Fine-just play by the rules." Emerson's kid gloves come off as she glares at the angry teen.

Annie glares back and Dawn steps in, "So-are we ready to play?" She asks Emerson.

Aly decides now is good and yells, "Ready!-" she smiles as she looks at the kids around her. "Go!" She starts after Katie who squeals. The chasing begins and the kids run everywhere.

Duncan watches from the sidelines a little sad. Willow smiles at the boy, "That was a very nice thing you did." The little boy smiles.

The kids run and play and get really loud. There is tagging and untagging as the play continues little Slayers chasing happily.

Another look to the sideline finds Duncan sitting next to Willow and Kennedy with a baby in his arms. He smiles at the little girl there. "She's little," he says looking back up at Willow.

"Very tiny-" the redhead agrees. "You were that tiny once."

"Really?" Willow nods. "You knew me then?"

Kennedy smiles, "We were at the hospital when you were born."

"Wow-" he says surprised. He stops talking and concentrates on the wiggling little girl in his arms.

In the yard Aly is still chasing Katie who ducks into the *Joy* space and is momentarily safe. She struggles to catch her breath, "You gotta leave eventually-it's the rules." She giggles at her girl.

On the other end of the yard Ellie and Erin stand next to the *Sheila* base as they rest too. Nikki and Grace have been after them since the game began. They all laugh and Sheila smiles at her grandchildren.

A little later Katie is again trying to avoid Aly-while Jake runs after Annie. "You so can't catch me," she jabs as she avoids him again. He is starting to get upset by the fact.

Katie breaks the rules and starts toward the garden as she goes through the flower gap Aly follows touching her back. "Got you," she announces, "Even with the cheating."

"I didn't-" she looks around and smiles, "Okay-guess I did just a little but it was for a good reason."

"Yeah-" she teases, "You didn't want to get caught."

"Well-" Katie smiles, "There was that-but there was something else too." She looks around the empty area and Aly's eyes follow. "All alone now."

Aly smiles and moves closer bringing her girl into her arms. "Got a point."

"And lying down, isn't that a rule?"

"Most definitely-and you have to stay until someone from your team jumps over you." Aly grins as she watches her lover lie on the ground beside her.

"Exactly," She grins back. "Might take awhile."

"Might," she agrees and lies down next to her. "What are we gonna do till then?" She asks as she turns onto her side.

"Maybe take a nap?" She teases.

"There's that," Aly plays along.

"Or-" she stops as she turns to her side and kisses Aly's lips chastely.

"And that?" Aly states as she kisses Katie back.

"Like that." Katie says as she wraps Aly in her arms. They kiss again this time lips opening and closing together.

On the other side of the shrubbery the game continues. Dawn giggles as she and Emerson chase after kids and then each other.

Duncan looks after the babies the game forgotten as Kennedy shows him how to feed Kyra. The little boy watches and listens as she demonstrates with Aidan. Willow hands him a bottle and he begins to feed the baby girl in his arms.

The game is getting louder as the kids chase with greater abandon. Sheila smiles as kids run past her and when they get too close she backs away. Suddenly she looks up in horror as she sees Nikki and Annie headed straight for her. At the last second Nikki veers away and Annie launches herself in the air the only possible target now Sheila. Ellie and Alex both see this and though they know they aren't suppose to use magic when others are around-they don't think they just act. Instantly a barrier goes up.

Dawn sees it and worries that Emerson will, so she too makes a spilt second decision. She tackles Em and they both tumble to the ground Emerson under her with no way to see the barrier. Their eyes meet and they lean towards each other.

Annie and Kara bounce off the barrier and fly into the air landing on the ground a few feet away. The adults all get to their feet and Kennedy starts toward her daughters. Jake also makes his way to Annie.

Ellie, out of character, yells at Annie, "What were you doing?"

Alex adds, "You could have hurt her- you know the rules."

Kennedy reaches them and helps Kara to her feet. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, just a little dizzy."

"Erin take her inside." Erin does as she is told.

The yelling starts again and the moment between Dawn and Emerson is over-no kiss-as they each sit up. They then stand as they see Willow walking towards her mother and Duncan alone with the babies. The other adults are rounding up kids. "We should," Dawn looks Duncan.

"Yeah-he could use a hand-not that these hands can help much."

Dawn smiles, "Babies aren't that tough," she leads Emerson that way.

Kennedy glares at her daughter as Jake holds onto her arm, "You okay?" She asks.

The teen nods, "Good-go to your room."

"But Mama-" she tries to defend her actions.

"Now-to your room," says the Slayer again.

Sheila tries to help her, "Kennedy she didn't mean-" she stops.

Willow speaks, "She did-" she looks from her mother to her daughter her eyes sad and Annie feels regret for the first time.

"Mom-" she tries but Willow shakes her head.

"Fine-don't even listen." She storms away and Jake tries to follow but Kennedy's hand on his arm stops him.

He looks at the woman, "Let me talk to her."

"No-I'll be doing the talking." Kennedy looks to Willow and starts inside.

"Mom let's get you some water," says the redhead.

"Really Willow I'm fine-I'm not sure how but-was there a barrier of some sort?"

Willow nods, "I'm explain while I'm getting the water." She and her mother go inside as well.

Aly and Katie hearing the ruckus come back into the yard. "What happened?" Aly asks.

Ellie still angry speaks, "She tried to hurt Gran."

"Who Ellie Mac?"

"Annie-" she says simply.

The girls nod and Aly looks unsure. Alex speaks, "If Ellie and I hadn't gotten the barrier up in time she would have crashed right into her."

"Barrier-you put up a barrier-did Gran see it-and Emerson?" Aly asks.

"I don't know," says Ellie. "And I don't care if they did-or if I get in trouble."

Aly moves to her sister, "It's okay." She hugs the young girl.

"It's not," says Alex. "We need to have a family meeting."

"Yeah-we do," agrees Aly, "But there's a little too much family around to do that right now." Her brother and sisters seem to understand. "Why don't we go inside and check on Gran?" They nod and all start for the door.

Kennedy stands in the bedroom with her daughter who is staring out the window. "One more chance Annie-why did you do it?"

"I didn't mean to-I was chasing Nikki and then she was just not there-I was in the air-I couldn't stop."

"And after all the things you've done-the rudeness, the angry words- you expect me to just believe it was an accident?"

"It was-" Annie defends again.

"Okay-you apologize and let your mom and I talk-" Annie is shaking her head. "Why are you shaking your head?"

"I'm not apologizing I didn't do anything wrong."

"Fine-you're grounded until you do." She turns and leaves the room.

Annie fumes, "Damn it!"

Later that night in Annie's room the young Slayer, still angry with her mama, grabs a stake and a crossbow and climbs out the window. She goes from cemetery to cemetery ending the night for vampire after vampire. Still angry but now also battling a bad case of double H's she climbs up the side of Jake's house and onto the porch roof. She starts to climb into his window but stops as she sees him in bed with someone else. She watches as they kiss and caress. Shock and anger hit at once and then the words slip out, "No-Jake-" whispers the young woman. She stands unable to move.

At the house Duncan is asleep in his bed, Dawn and Emerson are moving around the room. Dawn has just come out of the bathroom and Emerson is starting in. Emerson speaks, "Exciting day huh?"

"Yeah-not boring for sure."

"And Annie-" she almost chuckles. "How can I have no influence on that girl's life whatsoever and she still manages to act just like me? God, she's a brat."

"Thinking it has something to do with Kennedy's influence," Dawn smiles. "She was kind of a brat too as a teenager."

"True," says Em with a smile. They are again quiet. She starts to the bathroom but stops and turns to face Dawn. "So-are we just ignoring the almost lip-lock from earlier?"

"Emerson-" Dawn starts but stops wanting to give in and knowing she shouldn't.

"So I should just crawl in bed after I get into my pajamas and pretend like it didn't happen?" She steps closer to Dawn and starts to touch her arm but stops. "Just watch you sleep all night like I did last night-wishing someday I could kiss you again?"

Dawn's eyes meet Emerson's and she sees the same spark there and the same hurt as she did five years ago, "Em I-" she shakes her head.

"Dawn can we just skip the drama and admit-at least to each other that what was between us is still there?"

Dawn is shocked by the words and she is momentarily taken aback by them. However, she takes one step forward and leans in kissing Emerson's lips gently. She pulls back a few seconds later and smiles as she sees the shock on Emerson's face. "Okay-" she says simply. "Admitting it."

Emerson smiles a cocky-confident smile and leans in to kiss her again. This time their lips begin to move together.

Chapter 8

"Annie!-Annie wait-" Jake moves from the bed and toward her.

"Don't you even-" she glares and he stops in his tracks. "Why Jake?"

"I'm sorry-" he starts but she shakes her head and jumps from the porch roof to the ground. As she lands she runs never looking back.

At the house the kiss between Dawn and Emerson has ended, but before either can talk they are kissing again. Lips move against lips as they both begin to remember their first meeting and all that followed:

At the museum a younger Dawn walks around with papers in hand trying to locate the artifact she has to investigate. The room is crowded and she finds herself in the floor as she is knocked down by another woman. The woman kneels down next to her, "Shit-are you okay-I wasn't paying-" she stops as she looks into her eyes and just smiles. "I'm Emerson," she says. She picks up a few papers as Dawn does the same and they both stand. "Sorry about that."

"I'm Dawn," she smiles, "And it's okay, it happens all the time. I'm a bit of a klutz." She smiles at Emerson.

She looks at the top paper as she hands them back, "So are you studying the artifact for a research project?"

"Kinda yeah-you know about it?"

"Actually-I do, a few things they're not gonna tell you in the museum tour."

"Really that's-could you-do you have time to tell me-?" Dawn asks.

"Why don't I buy you coffee since I trampled you and I'll tell you all the secrets." Emerson says with a smile. Dawn smiles back and nods.

They go from coffee at the museum shop to a dinner invitation that a confused Dawn doesn't quite understand. The young council worker stands at her mirror getting ready to leave. Derrick walks in, "Thought you had a meeting?" He asks.

"I-I do. I'm just-I'm leaving."

"Why are you all dressed up?" He looks unsure.

"Am I? I just-no, it's an old outfit." She kisses him softly and leaves.

A nervous Dawn sits at dinner with Emerson. The food is gone and they have just gotten their desert. Emerson looks up at her, "Have I told you how beautiful that blouse is on you-it makes your eyes so-" she stops with a little smile as she sees Dawn fidget. "It does you know and you shouldn't get all embarrassed when someone tells you."

"Right-" Dawn smiles a little through the redness. "Thanks-"

Emerson reaches for a napkin as the waiter sets their food down, she brushes Dawn's hand and watches again as the woman blushes.

Finally dinner ends and Emerson picks up the check, "No-" says Dawn, "I want to pay for mine."

"Don't be silly, after knocking you down it's the least I can do." Emerson slips her credit card into the case and hands it to the waiter as he comes back. Once he leaves she smiles at Dawn- "So wanna take a walk-night's still young?"

Dawn considers the question and knows she should decline but she can't and doesn't. She nods.

They walk together and soon a flirty Emerson takes Dawn's hand. She doesn't pull away as she feels the sparks that seem to pull them together. They eventually end up back at Dawn's car fingers still laced together. Em looks into Dawn's eyes and leans in to kiss her. To her surprise the girl steps back, "I'm-I'm with someone," she mumbles.

"Figures, she's a lucky woman." Emerson says with a little smile.

Dawn corrects her, "No-not a woman. I'm not...." Emerson raises an eyebrow a little shocked because the attraction is coming off Dawn in waves. "I'm not gay-I have a boyfriend." She continues her explanation, "His name's Derrick we've been together a little over a year."

"It's cool-I mean-it actually kinda sucks but hey," she shrugs. "Still want help with your project?"

Dawn nods slowly, "Yeah-if you still want-"

"I still want," Emerson states but doesn't explain what she really wants.

The memories fade as Dawn and Emerson continue to kiss. As the kiss deepens the memories change to first kisses.

The next day as Emerson talks about the artifact an excited Dawn smiles and without thinking hugs her. They both instantly feel the sparks there again big time. Their eyes meet and Emerson speaks, "Please tell me I'm not going nuts and you feel that too?"

Dawn looks away but she slowly nods, she looks back at Emerson.

Em decides it now or never and goes for it. She leans in and kisses Dawn softly.

After brief contact Dawn pulls away but then leans back in and kisses her. Emerson sighs happily as their lips join again, this time a little longer. Dawn pulls back and leans her forehead against Em's, " I don't understand what's happening," she whispers and tears start to form-she forces them away.

"Is this about the gay thing?" Emerson asks concerned. "Or the boyfriend?"

"Both," admits Dawnie.

"Dawn if you want me half as much as I want you right now, you'll forget about both and kiss me again." Emerson states plainly-no punches pulled.

Dawn struggles, her mind races in circles-she doesn't want to cheat on Derrick, she cares about him but she doesn't want to let Em walk away either. As she thinks about what she should do Emerson waits patiently. She brushes a strand of hair from Dawn's face and the younger woman just stands in front of her uncertain. "I don't know what to do," and the tears fall.

"Do whatever you need to and know that I'm not going anywhere," Emerson promises.

Dawn nods and backs away she begins to gather her papers when she's finished she looks at Em, "I need to think-okay?"

"Yeah-okay-you think about it." Dawn walks away but Emerson calls her name, "Dawn-wait." Dawn stop and looks at her. Em walks over and kisses her soundly on the lips. "Something for you to think about." Dawn stands just looking at her more confused. Emerson smiles her confident-cocky smile, winks, and leaves. Dawn on the other hand walks to her car, sits down and leans her head against the steering wheel and cries.

A few days tortured days later Dawn sees Emerson at the coffee shop by the museum. She walks up to her table, "I finished thinking."

Emerson looks up at the girl trying to stay calm though her heart pounds, "And?"

Dawn steps forward and kisses her, Em kisses her back and stands, bringing Dawn closer to her-their lips never parting. Finally they pull away, breathing heavily-after a quick breath, Dawn leans back in and they kiss again--lips opening and closing together. Em mumbles into the kiss, pulling back to speak but only for a moment before kissing Dawn again, "My hotel.."-another kiss- "a few blocks from here..-"-another kiss.

"Yeah-" Dawn answers, surprising herself as she tries to catch her breath. Emerson drags Dawn out the door.

Kennedy's voice echoes through the room, "What do you think you're doing?"

Dawn and Emerson break apart. Dawn smiles and leans her forehead against Em's-her arms still around her waist. "What do you think Annie did now?"

Emerson smiles a little, "Would I sound like a bad aunt if I said that at this very moment-I don't care?"

Dawn smiles, "Maybe a little-but I'm right there with you." Emerson initiates another kiss. Duncan, awaken by the shouting, sees them. The adults however, do not see him watching, puzzled.

In Annie's room she stands next to the window as Kennedy stands in the doorway. "I asked you a question." She glares at her daughter. Willow comes into the room just as Kennedy sees Annie's tear stained face. Her tone softens, "Annie-what happened?"

Annie runs to Willow and leans into her arms as the tears continue to flow. "Sweetie-" the redhead says softly.

"Mom-he was-he was with someone else-"

Kennedy looks unsure, "Jake?"

Willow moves the girl to the bed and they sit down there. Annie holds her mom tighter as she nods to her mama. "They were in his room-in his bed-" the tears fall harder as she tries to explain.

Her explanation is interrupted by pounding on the front door. Kennedy's angry eyes meet Willow's. "I got it-"

"Kennedy-" Willow starts.

"Just gonna tell him to go-unless-" she looks at Annie, "Unless you want to talk to him." Annie shakes her head. Kennedy runs her fingers through Annie's hair. "Then you don't have to." She kisses the top of her head.

Willow looks at the woman she loves trying to judge her mental state, "Kennedy-" she starts again but Kennedy stops her.

"I'm just gonna tell him to go-" she repeats. Willow nods and turns her attention to her daughter.

"Why would he-he said he loved me-" more tears fall-her body trembles.

Willow holds her tighter not knowing the answers. "We're figure it all out," she finally says. "I promise baby." She presses a kiss to her temple.

Downstairs Kennedy flings the door open to find Jake there. "I need to talk to her," he starts.

"She doesn't want to talk to you-so go home."

"It's not what she thought-" he tries again.

Kennedy glares, "So there wasn't a girl in your room?"

Jake lowers his eyes knowing that much was true. He looks back up slowly. Kennedy can feel her anger building as she looks at the young man. "I need to talk to her please-please let me."

Kennedy shakes her head and puts a hand on his shoulder. "No-now go home-" she shoves him toward the door a little harder than needed and he stumbles back and out it.

He looks back at her from the porch. "I love her-"

Kennedy shakes her head, "You got a damn funny way of showing it." She closes the door and turns from it. Her own tears fall as she looks up the steps. The mother wipes them away knowing right now she has to be strong for Annie, so she summons her inner Slayer.

In the middle of the night Annie still lays on her bed with her head in Willow's lap. Kennedy sits up, leaning against the head board next to her wife. They both stroke their daughter's hair. The teen speaks softly, "I don't-I don't understand why he would be with someone else-he said he loved me." She cries harder and her mom looks over at the woman beside her. She can feels her lover's anger boiling.

Kennedy sends to her wife, 'Can I hurt him just a little?'

Willow shakes her head though it is barely noticeable, 'At least not until we know more.' She goes back to trying to console her daughter.

In the guest room, Duncan is sleeping alone in his bed. Emerson is lying in the opposite bed still in her clothes-time to change into her pajamas never coming. Dawn lies wrapped in her arms sleeping -a smile on her face. Emerson smiles too as she watches her sleep. "Having a nice dream baby?" She asks softly in her ear and though still sleeping Dawn smiles even more.

She is indeed dreaming, a dream she had often when she first left Emerson. In her mind we see what is making her smile:

Emerson leads Dawn through the lobby of a fancy hotel. Dawn stops and looks around at the architecture and the art. "Wow-" she says with a smile before becoming nervous.

"Come on-I'll show you around later," Emerson says with a smile and pulls her across the hotel playfully and into the elevator.

As the door closes Emerson leans in and kisses Dawn. She pulls her body against hers and deepens the kiss. Dawn moans softly as she feels Emerson's hands on her body.

Before the elevator can reach the penthouse, the kissing has turned into a make out session of sorts as Emerson slips her hands under Dawn's blouse to bare skin- Dawn pulls away embarrassed by the public display of affection. "We-we should-not here-" she finally gets out as she feels the eyes of the other riders on her.

Emerson nods and tries to let her go but just can't stop touching her. "Sorry-can't seem to-" she grins. "I get a little-what's the word-you know when you can't think about anything else?" She smirks.

Dawn blushes and then smiles, "Obsessed?"

"That has such a bad connotation." She plays back. "Single minded that's a better one."

"In the end I think it leads to the same thing."

"God I hope so-" she smirks, then kisses her again. They get lost in each other again forgetting about the others.

Finally the elevator reaches the top floor and they make their way off still kissing. Emerson pulls away long enough to get out her room card and unlocks the door. They go inside and Dawn pulls away looking around her, "Wow!"

Em smiles a little nervous, "Is that wow because I'm a huge pig and my room's a mess? Because I am and it is-but I wasn't expecting company."

Dawn smiles a little, "No-its a wow-because this place is ...wow! It's nice- way more then nice."

"I guess." Emerson plops down on the bed, "There's a mini-bar-"

Dawn stays where she was, "No-no-thanks," she says as she leans against the door.

"There's gourmet chocolates in the mini bar too."

"Chocolate?" Dawn smiles.

"Yep yep, want some?"

"I love chocolate-so- yeah."

Em gets up and heads over to the small fridge. She opens it and takes out a chocolate bar wrapped in gold foil. Dawn walks toward her but Emerson playfully hides the candy behind her back.

"Hey that's not fair," she pouts playfully.

Emerson smiles, "You'll get it in a minute- you just have to do one thing for me first."

She tries to reach around Em for the candy bar and with a grin Emerson dodges her attempt. When she can't get it-after a couple of tries she looks at the girl, "What's that?-The one thing?"

"Stop being so nervous about this- I'm not going to hurt you and I'm not going to make you do anything you don't want to." Emerson's tone is light yet serious at the same time- her eyes stare directly into Dawn's.

Dawn rolls her eyes, "If I tell you I'll try to be not nervous then can I have the chocolate?" She asks with a smile.

"I guess that'll do," Em starts to give Dawn the chocolate but pulls it back again. "But I need a kiss first"

Dawn smiles and moves closer to Em, she leans in and kisses her. Emerson pulls back and hands Dawn her prize.

"Mmmmm-" Dawn groans and then she lays the candy bar down. She kisses Emerson again. This time she wraps her arms around the smaller girl's waist.

Emerson presses her body into Dawn's, working a thigh in between the taller girl's legs. Her arms wrap around Dawn's neck and she pulls her closer.

Moaning Dawn lets herself relax into the feel of Emerson's body. She feels lips on her neck-they nip and lick playfully before finally sucking lightly at her pulse point. At the same time, Emerson walks her toward the bed.

She lets herself be moved as Emerson lowers her downward. Distancing herself from Dawn a little so she can look at her she asks, "You're sure? Because we can stop..."

Dawn's eyes meet Emerson's, "No- no stopping."

Emerson sees the desire there and kisses her hard- their lips bruising together as she lowers her body on top of Dawn's.

Dawn moans again as their bodies touch. She is overwhelmed by the feelings--the need the other girl incites within her. Em's hands run up and down Dawn's sides and that simple touch sets her on fire.

The hands hesitate at the hem of Dawn's shirt, but fingers creep under fabric and make their way upward as she feels Dawn's hands caress her back. Dawn sighs-her eyes close, as the sensation ripples through her, her body has never felt like this not with Derrick, not with anyone.

She moans louder as Em finds the swell of a breast then a nipple. She latches onto the peak and rolls it between her fingers. She then pulls her mouth away from Dawn's to speak. "Gotta lose the shirt...and the bra," she says a slight need for permission though it's not normally something she does.

"K-" Dawn forces out, her breathing fast, her heart pounding.

Emerson makes quick work of the clothing, first pulling the top over Dawn's head and then unhooking her bra-with little effort Dawn notes. A thought flitters through her mind- 'Not the first time she's done this,' she thinks as Emerson pulls the bra away and lets it slip to the bed. She attaches her mouth to Dawn's neck once again and works her way down.

Dawn's hands find there way under Emerson's shirt, her fingers trace patterns there but Em's talented mouth distracts her and she stops-her hands just resting there.

She feels Em's tongue swirls around the tip of a breast while her fingers massage the other, her body is all hummy-she moans, the caressing is driving her crazy-she arches into her as again she moans-this time louder- "Goddess Emerson," she mutters.

Emerson switches her mouth to the other breast and sucks, her eyes briefly looking up at Dawn's face to make sure the woman is okay. She smirks at the desire and excitement she sees there. Emerson moves lower once more, her tongue licks a path to the top of Dawn's jeans, her hands follow.

"Yes-" she forces out.

That one word is all the confirmation Emerson needs as her fingers move to undo the fly of Dawn's pants.

Dawn's fingers find their way to Em's hair and tangle there as she feels the girl move down her body.

With a downward pulling motion, the jeans slip off easily as do her panties.

In the bedroom five years later Emerson grins a little as she watches Dawn raise her hips, now fully aware of the type of dream she is having. "Hope that's about me-" she says a little unsure as she touches Dawn's cheek caressing it gently.

In Annie's room the teenager is having a dream of her own but it isn't quite as pleasant. She mumbles and whines-tears slipping down her cheeks as Willow holds her tighter and her mind flashes images of Jake with the other girl.

Kennedy looks helpless- her anger growing. She looks at Willow and the redhead understands the unspoken words. "Go-just be careful."

"You sure?"

"Yeah," Willow kisses her gently. "Kill one for me too." Kennedy nods, stands and then kisses Annie's forehead before leaving the room. Willow strokes the girl's cheek. "It'll be okay Annie, promise."

Dawn continues to dream, she smiles as her mind and body fall farther away from the reality of now and into the past.

Emerson places tiny-light kisses on her thighs. "Em-" Dawn pants out. The woman kisses higher-her fingers beginning to tease at Dawn's entrance. She slips one between slick folds and again Dawn moans, her fingers pulling Emerson hair just a little. Her hips raise trying to force more contact. After a few more teasing strokes and a smirk at the constant moans Dawn is now panting Emerson pushes a finger into Dawn's entrance as her lips latch on to her nub.

Dawn cries out, "Yes!-Yes-" her fingers tightening even more in her lover's hair.

Em smiles to herself and continues her ministrations-her pace is slow and steady after giving Dawn a minute to adjust. As Dawn begins to move with her she adds another finger and increases her speed. "Shit-" whimpers Dawn as she feels her body start to tremble. "Em-" she pants as she tries to stay in control of her body-to make it last a little longer.

Emerson concentrates harder on thrusting and sucks on Dawn's clit. Dawn lets her hands fall away from Emerson's hair to the sheets as her body moves with and against her lover's fingers. She knows she's close- feels the tightening start. Emerson senses it too and picks up the pace. "Em-I'm gonna-" but before she can finish the words of warning her body explodes. "Emerson!" She cries loudly as she falls, trembling out of control.

Emerson holds on as new lover falls- she continues to thrust and suck as she lets Dawn ride out her orgasm as long as possible. Only when she's sure its over does she place a kiss on Dawn's wet folds.

"Goddess-" whispers Dawn.

Smiling Emerson moves her own body upward and rests it against Dawn's. When she looks at Dawn's face she smiles- just admires her- she sees the flushed skin and her eyes still tightly closed-she marvels at the effects she had on her. Staying quiet she watches her chest rise and fall.

Dawn tries to slow her breathing, she forces her eyes open-and licks her dry lips. Em leans up on one arm, facing Dawn. When she sees Emerson she smiles, "Wow-am-amazing." She pants still trying to get a full breath.

"Yeah, I know-" Em says cockily but also in a joking tone

Dawn closes her eyes and falls against the girl with a slight giggle, "Shut up-" she teases as her eyes close again. Em holds her and they snuggle together.

Emerson kisses her forehead, "You can sleep if you want."

Her breathing almost normal Dawn smiles, "Don't wanna sleep."

"Really? And what is it you wanna do?" Emerson raises an eyebrow.

She kisses Emerson, then speaks shyly, "Let me show you," she moves on top of her and kisses her again. Soon the kiss deepens and Dawn's tongue finds its way into Emerson's mouth as Dawn's hands begin an exploration of their own.

The next morning Annie lies awake with her parents' arms around her. Willow kisses her forehead, "How about some blueberry pancakes?" She says softly.

"Not hungry," she answers back causing worry flags to fly at new levels. Both know that a Slayer who isn't hungry means trouble.

Kennedy tries, "Come on and I'll even let you sneak blueberries in Aly's." She smiles a little hoping the trickery will help.

Annie hesitates for just an instant but then shakes her head. "I think I'll just stay up here."

Kennedy kisses her on the top of the head, "Okay-but the offer still stands if you change your mind." Annie nods as Kennedy gets out of bed and looks down at Willow. "I'll yell when it's ready," she winks and her redhead nods. Kennedy leaves the room but stops just outside the door to look back at her daughter. The sadness she sees causes her to shiver, she takes a deep breath and walks down the hallway, past the guest room to the stairs.

In the guest room Dawn and Emerson are still tangled together. The former key sleeps and the Slayer's sister watches her with a smile. As Dawn stirs Emerson presses a kiss to her temple and her eyes flutter open. She smiles at Em and leans in for another kiss. "Morning," she whispers.

"Morning," Emerson answers in return. "Sleep okay?"

"Lots of dreams," Dawn relays as she stretches a little, her body pressing into Em's.

The woman smiles, "Good dreams I think," she teases. "Lots of moaning." She winks playfully.

Dawn blushes but nods her admission, "They were nice," she kisses her chastely. "You were there."

"Yeah?" She grins.

Dawn nods, "Yeah."

"That mean you want to get back-"

Dawn stops her words, "That means we have a lot to talk about."

"Talk huh?" Emerson asks with a playful pout. "You sure you wouldn't rather-" she stops her own words this time and lets her hand run slowly up Dawn's leg and hip to her waist, her fingers brushing under Dawn's pajama top as she looks her in the eye.

Dawn closes her eyes for an instant as Emerson continues to tease her body, "Mmmm-Em-honestly?"

"Always-" the woman nods.

"I'd rather," she smiles but looks a little apprehensive.

"But?" Emerson starts.

"But it's not just me anymore, I need to think about Duncan too."

"I get that, he's a great kid."

Dawn smiles at her words, "He likes you."

"I like him and his mom." She leans in and kisses her softly. Before she can say anything else Duncan sits down on the corner of the bed next to his mother. "Hey Dunc-" she says with a smile.

"Morning," adds Dawn.

"Why were you kissing her?" He asks looking into Dawn's eyes. "You're only suppose to kiss Daddy."

Dawn takes a deep breath and looks from the boy to Emerson and back.

She searches her mind for the right words, a way to explain it to the boy that he will understand. She is surprised to hear Emerson answer, "I like your mom Duncan, and sometimes when you like someone you wanna kiss them." She pauses as she watches the little boy think about her words. "Is that okay?" She adds.

Duncan looks at Emerson and then his mom, he shrugs and moves back to his bed and sits down on it. Dawn looks from one to the other unsure.

Later at breakfast everyone is quiet and Annie is absent altogether. Duncan won't look at his mom or Emerson, and even Emerson looks uncomfortable. Shelia looks toward the stairs, she assumes Annie's absence is because of her. Ellie speaks softly, "Something's all wrong, I can feel it."

Emerson looks at Dawn when the child speaks, she sees the woman look to the little boy. Dawn looks at Em when her son stands and starts out of the room. She nervously stands and goes after him.

Willow looks from Dawn and the boy to Emerson, Emerson looks at the redhead, "Something wrong with Duncan?"

"No-I mean I'm sure he'll be fine." Her confident words a little less than.

Katie looks at Aly and then Annie's empty seat. Aly looks at her parents, "Is Annie still grounded?"

Kennedy looks at Willow, 'Do we tell them?'

'No, telling them is her choice in her time,' Willow answers.

Kennedy looks at Willow and leans in and kisses her before answering her daughter, "No, she's in her room. She said she wasn't hungry." With those few words every Slayer in the room knows something isn't right.

Shelia speaks, "Maybe I should take her up something?" Willow looks at her mother and slowly smiles then nods. The woman begins to fix a plate of food.

Kennedy looks at her wife, 'You sure that's a good idea?'

'Strange as it sounds for some reason I think it is.'

In the guest room Dawn is sitting on the bed next to Duncan. "But you like Emerson right?" Her little boy nods. "And you know your daddy and I love you right?"

"But not each other," Duncan adds, "Right?" Dawn nods. "Do you love Emerson?"

Dawn looks at her son and thinks about his words, "I like Em a lot-and maybe someday I might love her like I loved your daddy. Would that be okay?"

He looks at her and then down to the floor, "Maybe-I don't know."

"I understand. Sometimes you have to think about things-why don't you do that and we can talk more when you do know? Deal?" The boy nods and then crawls onto her lap. Dawn hugs him and as she does there is a knock on the open door.

They look up to see Emerson there, "Duncan what do you say you and I go for a walk?" She looks at Dawn. "If it's okay with your mom."

Duncan looks at Emerson and then his mom, "Can I?"

Dawn smiles, "Yeah-" she kisses him as he climbs off her lap. "Have fun." She watches as her son leaves with her -- her mind begins to races. Her what? What was Emerson to her? She lets her fingers run through her hair and a smile crosses her face. "Damn, you sure make life interesting Em," she says softly.

In her room Annie is lying curled up on her bed holding a picture of Jake. She lets her fingers trace down his face as her tears fall. She hears a soft knock on the door and wipes her cheeks quickly, brushing away all the evidence. She puts the picture of Jake under her pillow when she hears Shelia's voice and sees the door opens slightly.

"I brought you some pancakes," she says.

"I'm not hungry," tries Annie.

Shelia grins a little, "Annie-I've seen you eat, come on?"

The teen uncurls and sits up, "Okay, come in."

Shelia walks in and sets the tray on the bedside table. Annie looks up at her and tears start again. Shelia sits next to her. Not sure of what to say she cautiously wraps her arms around her granddaughter. "You want to talk? Should I get your mom?"

Annie shakes her head, "I was mad at you-but I didn't mean-I wasn't trying to hurt you." The tears fall faster than she can wipe them away.

"I know-I know." She whispers as she pats her shoulder.

"I'm sorry."

Shelia fights with herself, as she places her hand in the center of Annie's back. "I know and so am I for not-I missed everything." She stops.

Annie looks at her grandmother surprised as she feels the warmth of her touch and the relaxation it has caused. "How-" she stops and looks at the woman. "How did you do that?"

Shelia looks just as unsure, "Do what?"

"It feels like when Mom-" she stops as she begins to put the pieces together. Why hadn't she thought of it before? Annie smiles just a little. "You're a witch too."

Shelia shakes her head. "There's no such thing."

Annie picks up a piece of bacon and pops it in her mouth, "Keep saying it and maybe you'll convince yourself." She rolls her eyes at the woman next to her.

Chapter 9

He nods," There are lots of them."

"Yep- you've got a really big family....and its getting bigger and bigger isn't it?" He thinks about the babies and smiles as he nods. "And you know that I'm already part of that family right? Cause I'm your Aunt Kennedy's sister just like your mommy is Aunt Buffy's sister?"

"I forgot that," he smiles.

"It's easy to forget with all those people." He nods. "But that means that I'm your family Duncan and families look out for each other, right? They don't let bad stuff happen to each other."

"Right," he says knowing he has heard that from his mommy and his daddy.

"And that means it's my job to look out for you little man and I will...always. So do you think that I'd do something that would hurt you since I'm family? Or that your mommy would do something to hurt you?"

He thinks about her words and then slowly shakes his head. "But I miss my daddy." He says softly and tears try to surface.

"Oh sweetie, come here." Em stops walking and crouches down next to him and envelopes him in a hug. Duncan holds her tight forgetting all about being mad." I'm sure your daddy misses you too."

"Mommy says that too but--" he stops talking.

"But what little man?"

"He didn't come to see me when I called. He just said maybe soon." Tears slip down his cheeks.

"You know what I think little man? I think your daddy is really sad right now that he can't be with you but that he'll be more sad when he is with you because he knows he'll have to leave you again. And he doesn't wanna be that sad when he's with you, so he's trying to wait and see if he can work on being a little happier before he visits you so that you guys can have lots of fun."

Duncan thinks about her words and remembers how sad his mommy was and it makes sense. He nods," Can we get ice cream now?"

Em wipes the tears from Duncan's face, "Yeah little man, we can get ice cream now."

He slowly lets her go and takes her hand as she stands back up. He holds it tighter as they go towards the shop.

Later that afternoon, Annie is sitting outside on the swing-Aly sits quietly beside her twin. The older girl speaks softly, "Annie-you should talk to him."

"I don't want to see him." She looks down at her hands in her lap.

"I know, and I don't blame you-but still, you should let him explain."

"Explain?-I know what I saw. He was with her, with her with." Her eyes meet her sisters.

Her eyes widen, "You mean they were-there was s-sex being had?"

"I know the look he had in his eyes," she fights to control tears that try to fall.

Aly touches her sisters hand, "But you should know why."

Annie gets angry, "Are you saying it's my fault?"

"No-absolutely not. But if it were Katie, I'd wanna know why she cheated on me." Annie looks up at her sister again and tears fall down her cheeks. Aly hugs her tightly. "Think about it-you don't have to see him till you're ready." Annie nods against her shoulder. "Remember, I'm here if you wanna talk."

Annie nods. They sit in silence for just a few minutes before the teen speaks. "I think she's a witch."

Aly looks unsure, "They girl with Jake?"

Annie shakes her head, "No, Gran-" Aly raises an eyebrow. "She brought me breakfast this morning-and you know how when sometimes you're upset and Mom touching you makes her feel better-relaxed?" Aly smiles and nods. "She did too-when she put her hand on my back."

"Are you sure?"

"Me?" She shakes her head. "I'm not sure of anything," The tears fall again.

Upstairs as the day crawls by Katie sits on the bed holding Kyra while Aly nurses Aidan. Adam already fed and changed lies sleeping in the crib next to the bed. Katie quietly watches her girlfriend, they both without realizing it caress and kiss the baby they are holding. Finally, Katie's hand laces with Aly's and she speaks softly, "You doing okay?" Her eyes meet the green of the other girl.

Aly nods slightly, very unconvincingly. "Yeah."

Katie presses a kiss to her temple, "They'll work it out."

Again she nods but just a few short seconds later the doubt is voiced, "I don't see how."

"He just messed up-he loves her."

"How could he? He-he was with someone else."

Katie is quiet, thinking about her brother. Trying to decide if she should tell Aly what she knows. "He wanted to marry her and she wouldn't."

Aly is shocked and then angered by the words. "So she wouldn't and he was looking for somebody who would?"

"I don't know-but-Aly he's my brother and I love him and I can't blame him till I know what's going on."

Aly looks away from her girl and down at the baby in her arms, "Are you saying that you could-" she looks back up at Katie. "That you could be not upset with what he did to my sister?"

"I'm saying-I don't know what I'm saying." Her eyes search Aly's for just a little understanding. "I'm saying he's my brother-"

"And she's my sister." Aly removes the nursing baby and fixes her shirt. She stands and puts the baby in the crib. "Ah-there's-there's a bottle in the refrigerator."

"Aly?" Katie stands next to her. "Don't-"

"I can't-I can't be here with you not right now. I-I need t-to think." She turns to walk away but she stops as she feels Katie's hand on her shoulder. She turns back to see Kyra in the crib with her brothers and Katie only a few inches from her. "Katie-please."

"Okay, but I need you to know I love you." She presses a kiss to her forehead.

Aly fights tears. "I know." She touches her cheek then leaves the room.

Katie's tears fall, but then she turns back to the babies. She picks up Aidan, "Come here baby boy-let's burp you." She kisses his head and forces her tears away.

Aly runs down the back stairs and out the kitchen door. Willow sees her but is unable to say anything before she is gone. She looks up at the ceiling. She shakes her head and puts the towel down. She goes up the stairs slowly.

The first room she passes is empty and so are the next two-the younger kids are all with Buffy at the pool. The next room belongs to her mother and she is surprised to see her packing. "Mom?"

Sheila smiles, "I need to get back-but I'll call. I promise, and maybe your father can come with me next time."

Willow looks at the woman. "At least stay one more day-I could use a hand."

Sheila nods. "Okay dear."

Willow moves toward her and hugs her tightly. "Thanks for trying to help with Annie."

"She'll be okay-she's strong like you." Sheila kisses her daughters hair. "Why don't I start dinner?"

"It's on-but if you could make a salad?"

"Okay." Sheila lets go of the redhead and Willow goes on down the hallway.

The next room is Aly and Katie's. She knocks on the open door and looks in to see Katie crying softly as she cradles Aidan in her arms. "Hey-you okay?" Katie shakes her head. Willow goes over to her and hugs her gently the baby in between them. "Where's Aly?" The teenagers tears fall harder as she shrugs.

"We had a fight."

Willow is surprised a little by her words. "A fight-" she understands. "He's your bother, and she doesn't understand why you aren't ready to hunt him down too?" She smiles a little.

"Basically." She pauses. "I just think we should know everything first."

"And you're right-she knows that too. Just give her a little time. She's protective of her sister."

"I know." Katie wipes her eyes. "We'll be okay."

"Yes you will."

"I need to get him to sleep." She looks at the fussy boy.

"Want some help?"

Katie shakes her head, "But thanks." Willow nods and leaves.

The redhead continues down the hallway. The last room is the one shared by Dawn and Emerson-she smiles. The witch has been getting some serious vibes from them over the last two days. She knocks on the door and Dawn opens it with a smile that fades. "Thought I was someone else huh?" Willow asks with a smile.

Dawn blushes then gets a little sullen. "She's talking with Duncan-hopefully things went okay.""

"What's wrong?"

Dawn pulls the redhead in and closes the door. She looks at Willow-"You can't tell anyone-not yet."

"Okay-your crush is safe with me." Willow smirks.

"You know?" Dawn is shocked. "How do you know?"

Willow shrugs, "A feeling. So I'm right?"

"Kind of. It's not a crush-Emerson and I have a history."

Willow looks unsure, "You met before?"

"Met, had an amazing few months and then-" She stops.

"You meet Derrick?"

"Not exactly." Dawn confesses. "It was-Derrick and I were dating-I-ah-" Dawn sits down and shakes her head.

"And now you have feelings for her again?"

"Again-still-"

"Still?" Willow asks softly. "You never stopped loving her?" Dawn shakes her head. "Then why-" she stops.

"I left because I was afraid she'd get hurt-all the demony things."

"She doesn't know?" Willow's questions continue.

"I don't think, I never told her about them. I didn't know she was Kennedy's sister so she might."

"I almost went back to her once-right after Derrick and I got home.."

"Why didn't you?" Dawn looks down and the redhead realizes. "You found out you were pregnant?"

"I couldn't after that, it wouldn't have been right to take him away from his father."

"And now-that's not a problem." Willow hugs the woman.

"Not a problem and we were kinda kissing and Duncan saw us. He's a little upset."

"The woman thing?"

"No-not so much as the 'that's not my dad' thing."

Willow nods. "That would be hard."

"He's with Emerson now. Talking, eating ice cream."

"So if the talks goes okay?"

"Then I think maybe I tell Emerson how I feel and not worry about the monster stuff."

"I'd say that's good idea." She stands. "If you need me yell."

"How's Annie?"

"Hanging in there. Mad-scared-confused."

"Kennedy?"

"Mad, scared, confused"

"Don't let her stake him." Dawn smiles just a little.

"Been able to talk her out of it so far, not sure how much longer though."

Dawn stands and hugs her. "Think if I told her how I feel about Emerson it would make it better or worse?"

Willow giggles, "Honestly-it might distract for a little while."

"Then why are you giggling?"

"She'd be torn between who she wanted to stake. Jake, Emerson or you."

Dawn shakes her head, "Okay-keeping that info to myself for a little while then."

Willow smiles, "Probably for the best right now. I'm gonna check on Annie."

Dawn watches her leave, she goes back to the dresser and looks through the jewelry there. She smiles as she sees a piece she hasn't worn in a while. She thinks about it and smiles as she thinks back to the day Emerson gave it to her. The happy and sad emotions it stirs inside her. She picks it up and holds it to her.

"You still have it?" Emerson questions from the doorway with a smile on her face.

Dawn turns to her and nods. "How'd the talk go?"

Emerson comes into the room and closes the door behind her. She has a bag in her hand. "He misses his dad."

"Yeah-I know." She walks to Emerson and relaxes into the woman's arms. "What's in the bag?"

"We got you your favorite." Emerson smiles.

Dawn smiles to as she reaches for it. "Yummy." Em pulls it away playfully. "Hey!" Pouts Dawn. "It's mine you said, so give it."

"Want it hmm?" Em grins as she watches Dawn nod. "So I should get something too?"

"Hmmm-sounds fair, but I don't have any ice cream."

"Had ice cream."

"Then what could I possibly give you?" Dawn teases.

"I'd settle for a kiss." Em grins again.

Dawn leans in and presses her lips to Emerson's. As she pulls back she grins too. "Now give me my ice cream."

Emerson laughs and hands her the bag. "I'd say you were easy if I didn't know you better."

Dawn moves to the bed and sits with her treat. "So you and Duncan are okay?" She asks as she opens the lid from the ice cream and takes a bite.

"We're good." Em sits next to her. "How 'bout us-we good?"

Dawn blushes as her thoughts drift a little a off topic and words slip out, "If I remember right we were."

"No question there. What now?"

Dawn looks into her eyes and lets her lips press against Emerson's. "I eat my ice cream and then-then we'll talk."

Emerson pouts slightly, "Talk?"

"It doesn't have to be all talk." Dawn smiles at the woman. Emerson smiles back.

Willow finds Annie on the swing where Aly left her hours ago. "Hey kiddo."

"Hey," she moves so her mom can sit next to her and snuggles into her arms.

Willow kisses the top of her head as Annie lays it on her shoulder. "I love you."

Annie whispers back, "I know." After a deep breath she says quietly. "I love you too."

Willow lets her hand rest on her daughter's back-the healing energy seeping out and into the teenager. After minutes with no talking the girl speaks. "Did you know Gran can do that too?"

"Do what sweetie?" Willow questions softly.

"The feel good thing you're doing-with the energy."

Willow looks puzzled, "I don't think-"

"When she brought me breakfast-she put her arms around me and I could feel it. I asked her-but she-I don't think she knows." She is quiet again. "Or maybe she just doesn't believe it. Maybe that's why she didn't-why she wasn't around, maybe it scares her."

Willow thinks about her words and kisses her head again. "Maybe. I'll talk to her later."

Kennedy walks through the back gate and towards them with a forced smile. She sits next to Annie though it's a tight fit. "Snuggles without me?" She pouts playfully and even Annie smiles. She leans over and snuggles with her mama for a while. "Better."

They sit in silence none of them knowing what else to say. Willow's grip on Kennedy's hand grows as she looks up to see Jake walking toward them. The Slayer looks up and starts to stand, but the redhead's single word stops her. "No."

Annie looks up and sees him, so she stands and with a deep breath walks toward him. She stops and looks back at her parents. "It's okay-we need to talk."

Willow nods and Kennedy forces herself to as well. They watch as she walks to him and they sit down on a bench across the yard.

"Please let me stake him." The Slayer says sadly.

"Can't sweetie. He's Katie's brother." Willow presses her lips to Kennedy's temple.

"I can't stay here. I'm going inside. If she needs me-" Kennedy lets the words die and stands walking toward the house.

Willow watches her go inside then looks back at the couple. Annie is looking at the boy-"Why?"

He looks up into her eyes. "I don't know. I mean-I wasn't mad at you or anything, it just kinda happened."

Annie shakes her head, "You-you just slept with someone not me and you don't know why?"

"I'm sorry-" He starts.

She stands, "I don't want sorry-I want to know why-I want to know what I did that caused you to-" she stops and goes another direction. "Was it the first time?" He doesn't answer. "Jake-was it?" He slowly shakes his head. She takes a step back from him and looks toward her mom. Willow stands and starts across the yard. "You need to go."

"But Annie-I love you."

"No-no you don't. You don't." She turns away from him and walks toward her mom. She melts into her arms and the tears fall. "Make him go."

"You need to go Jake."

"But I-"

"Now-" her word is cold-almost scary as she glares at him.

"Make him go," repeats a crying Annie.

Willow can feel the magic churning in herself and her daughter. Aly walks through the gate and sees the scene before her and feels the power shift in the magics. "Goddess," she whispers. "Jake!"

"What's happening?" Asks the boy.

"Go! Now! Run!" She shouts at him as she moves between him and her mother and sister.

Chapter 10

Dawn sits on the bed as she finishes her ice cream. She smiles up at Emerson who is standing beside the dresser. She watches as the woman reaches out almost reverently to touch the once familiar necklace there. The fact that Dawn still has it in her possession means a lot to her-more than she's letting on. "Why didn't you get rid of it?"

Dawn walks over to her-"It reminded me of you-what we had-I couldn't."

"Then why did you get rid of me?" Em's emotions filter through her tough facade as her voice cracks the tiniest bit.

"I didn't want to-I just-things happened-and I" -she looks away as her own emotions seep into her words and onto her face.

Emerson is still staring down at the necklace- running her fingers along the patterns carved into it. She knows that if she looks at Dawn she'll break and she's not ready for that- so she remembers the last time she saw the necklace instead. Everything comes flooding back.

Dawn and Emerson stand face to face in the living room of Em's hotel. "Don't go. I'll do ANYTHING. Just don't go." Emerson's voice is laced with desperation.

Dawn looks at her with tears streaming down her face, "I have to." She wants to tell her it's for her own good, but she doesn't know how to start to tell her about the demons and the magicks of the world. She wishes she could explain that she's leaving so she'll be safe, but she just can't.

"You SO don't have to. You can stay here with me...or we can leave here together... Dawn, please..." Emerson pleads.

"Emerson-" Dawn tries again to control her emotions, but a tear slips down her face. She wipes it away quickly. "I'm sorry-I'm sorry." She repeats the words as the tears fall harder.

"If you're sorry, why are you doing this?!" Em has been able to hold off the tears, but her whole body is trembling and the tears won't be held back for much longer. "Just tell me why? Don't I deserve that?"

"I just-it's better if I go-that's all I can say-its better for you if I go." Without thought she steps closer and lets her hand touch Emerson's face. Em closes her eyes at the touch. The first tear drips down her cheek. "Don't cry." Dawn says softly, "God Em, I'm so sorry." She leans her forehead against Emerson's. "Don't cry."

But the tears come- watery blue eyes open and bore into Dawn's. And then without warning, Em is kissing her. Dawn's tears fall too as she kisses her back-wishing she could tell her everything and just stay, stay like this with Emerson forever and Em wishing she'd stay forever too.

But somehow, this kiss is different. While there is desire there, the kiss isn't about desire-its about saying goodbye and they both know it.

Dawn pulls back slowly as she looks into the sad blue eyes then presses another soft kiss on Emerson's lips. " Em," she starts and stops.

Em cocks her head to the side- "Dawn," she smiles tearfully, making dawn smile too. Then Emerson does something unexpected and reaches to unclasp the necklace from her own neck. Dawn watches unsure as Em stretches the necklace out in front of her neck and leans into her so that she can hook it behind her. The blue-eyed girl takes a step back to admire the jewelry on her lover's neck. "Looks better on me, but it'll do." Emerson tries to stay in control. She then leans in and whispers in Dawn's ear, her voice so low that it makes Dawn's body quake with desire. "My heart is yours- keep it with you because I have no need for it now."

The words break her heart and Dawn cries again, not sure what to say. " Em-you'll find someone some better that can-" Those words hurt too, because she doesn't want them to be true. She stops. "I have to go," she chokes out.

"No. Not yet. One last time-you owe me that." Em grasps desperately at Dawn.

Dawn leans into her body and wraps her in her arms tightly as she just holds her. She realizes sadly, what's gonna happen if she doesn't leave now. She fights with herself, but she moves away from her, knowing that leaving now is best. If they make love, here, now, it will only hurt Emerson worse.

Saying words she's never uttered to anyone before-even Dawn, Emerson murmurs low. "I love you."

Surprised by the words Dawn hesitates, then steps back in to kiss her gently. She pulls back and puts her fingers on Em's lips. "Don't." She loses to the tears again. "Don't make this harder." Her tears stream down her face as she walks away from Emerson. She goes to the door, and stops- her back toward the woman, she speaks barely loud enough for Em to hear her. "I love you. That's why I have to go." She opens the door not waiting for any more words.

Emerson is bordering on frantic, she actually whimpers. When Dawn hears this she stops. "I'm sorry," she says softly as she walks out closing the door behind her.

Em stands frozen in place staring at the door before she crumbles to the floor, not believing her lover-her life is gone.

Dawn stands outside the door-her hand still on the handle as tears stream down her face. The fight with herself continues. She finally lets go and walks away.

The memories fade slowly from Emerson's mind. Emerson tries to shake the emotions away. She looks at Dawn standing next to her. "Did you say something?"

Dawn nods, "Are you okay?" She asks as she touches Em's cheek.

"I guess that depends... are you going to leave me again?"

"That kinda depends on you--I have to tell you some things-after I do, you might leave."

"I highly doubt that." Em turns to face Dawn and raises an eyebrow. "Try me."

"Well, you remember in the museum - when you were hurt?"

"Vaguely. I did take a pretty hard hit to the head."

"Yeah-exactly. You got hurt because of me." Dawn says, her words soft and sad. "That's why I had to go -you weren't safe with me."

"No, I got hurt because some idiot decided to rob a museum...." Em starts, then she seems confused as she processes Dawn's words. "Wait, what?"

"It wasn't an idiot-it was a-" Dawn stops and starts a different way. "When I met you, I didn't know who you were-that you were Kennedy's sister."

Emerson still seems perplexed, What does Kenn have to do with Dawn leaving me? she wonders to herself.

"Well, your sister is a-" she stops again, deciding that plan isn't right either. If Emerson doesn't know that Kennedy is a Slayer, I shouldn't be the one to tell her.

"Ugh-"Dawn growls and sits on the bed. Emerson sighs, even more unsure of what's going on. When the other woman hears this, she makes a decision. "Okay, I'm just gonna say this and if you think I'm crazy, then I'll just have to prove I'm not."

"Okay..." Em waits for her to start again.

Here goes nothing, thinks Dawn and then she speaks. "Demons and monsters are real--that was a demon at the museum. That's what attacked you."

"Technically it was a demon hybrid." Em states. "Real demons are much, much bigger."

Dawn looks up amazed. Her mouth opens, but then closes and opens again. " -You-I- huh?" Her head starts to spin as she tries to understand what Emerson is saying.

Em holds up a finger, signaling for Dawn to hold on a sec, then rummages through her suitcase. She finds what she's looking for, a book, then tosses it to Dawn.

Dawn catches it and then looks at it. She reads the title, "What's Really Under your Bed: The Truth about the Underworld and Demon Mythology." She looks at the name of the author. "By Emerson Frazier." She looks slowly up at the woman. "You-you know?"

"Dawn, I was quite the nosey brat when I was younger. I knew something was going on behind my back when Kennedy started caring about martial arts and weapons and started laughing at horror movies that scared the crap out of me.... so, I read her diary."

"You knew- You knew along?" Tears slip down her face.

That's when Emerson realizes what Dawn's been trying to tell her. She understands that Dawn was trying to protect her from all the things that go bump in the night.

"Goddess-I left and I-" she cries harder.

"Oh, Dawn. Oh God."

"Em-I-" Dawn tries to put words together but can't seem to.

"I'm so sorry." Emerson starts. "I should've..."

Then Dawn realizes she's gonna blame herself. "No-don't." She tries to stop her tears.

"I didn't know. WE didn't know." Emerson wipes her eyes. "We suck so much." Em forces a smile through the tears.

Dawn moves across the room to Emerson much like she had moved away six years ago and Emerson hugs her tightly. A smile finds Dawn's face as well.

"No leaving okay?" Dawn nods against her. "And no lying... and god this feels so good- all this time I thought I had done something wrong." Em's heart feels lighter-like a weight has been lifted from her heart and soul.

"You didn't." Dawn pulls back and kisses her softly. As she breaks the kiss she repeats Emerson's words softly, "No leaving and no lying."

Emerson presses her lips to Dawn's again then pauses and pulls away. She picks up the necklace and mirrors her actions from the past as she places it around Dawn's neck, then she smirks. "Since we're being honest, it looks better on you."

Dawn blushes but then smiles at her as she leans in and whispers in her ear. "I love you."

"And I love you." Em confesses. "I never stopped."

"Me neither. And since- with the no lying, I started to leave Derrick and come back to you, butŠ" Dawn stops.

"Let me guess- Duncan?" Dawn nods slowly. Em sighs again, "You made the right choice, Dawn."

Dawn thinks about all the wasted time. "Maybe-"

"No maybes. That little boy loves his father and Derrick is part of him- a part he needed to know, and now he does. So I cant help but think that you did the right thing... besides, it led you back to me didn't it?"

She nods and hugs Emerson to her again, "And this feels right."

"Hell yeah it does." Em's cocky smile returns causing Dawn to smile as well.

Outside Aly stands between her twin, her mom and the boy they both want to take out their anger and hurt on. She glances behind her and, to her amazement, he is still there. "Run!" He stands still. Aly can feel the power moving from her mom to her sister as she intentionally or unintentionally drains it. "Mom-let her go."

Willow tries to focus on the words but can't seem to. She begins to wobble slightly. "What's happening?" Her head spins and she is suddenly throw across the yard. Mama! The teenager sends as she watches her mom land against the fence and crumble to the ground.

Kennedy is outside in seconds and sees first the stand off with her kids and Jake-then Willow on the ground. "Annie-"

The teenager's tears stream down her cheeks as she mumbles. "Make him go before-" energy sparks from her fingers and hands.

Aly is still sending messages. Alex I need you and Ellie Mac in the backyard now if not sooner.

What's wrong? Comes the boys thoughts. But they stop as he feels the problem jolt through him. This is bad.

Soon Alex is standing beside Aly as Kennedy tries again to talk to her daughter. "Annie you need to come inside with me."

"I'm not going anywhere and neither is he." She looks at Jake and all the anger surfaces. "You hurt me." She says simply.

"I didn't mean-" he tries.

Annie sends a burst of energy towards him but Aly is able to deflect it with a shield.

Annie glares at her sister. "Aly?"

"I can't let you hurt him," she says softly. "I know you're angry and sad but this isn't the way to handle things."

"Let me-" she steps closer. As she does Kennedy wraps her arms around her. Instantly she begins to drain her power too and she winds up across the yard in a heap next to the witch.

Aly rolls her eyes, "Oh that's just great." She looks at Alex. "Get him out of here."

Ellie stands between her parents as she puts a hand on each trying to restore their energy. She looks at her brother and sisters. "Now would be good before more people come out and just let her have their power."

Alex closes his eyes and summons his strength, finding his center and focus he looks at the teenager and he disappears in a flash. Annie screams, "What have you done!?" She levels her eyes on her brother and points her hands at him. Alex calmly raises a barrier and the blast bounces off of it, hitting Annie before she can react. She crumbles to the ground. Aly runs over to her and checks for a pulse, relaxing a little when she finds a strong one.

Ellie moves over to them. "Is she okay?"

"I think, she'll be out for a while though. She took a pretty good blast of magicks." She looks toward her parents.

Ellie follows her sister's eyes. "They'll be okay too-but they'll probably sleep till morning."

The Langdon kids shake their heads at what happened. Ellie finally says with a little grin, "Love makes you do the wacky huh?"

Aly rolls her eyes and so does Alex. "Come on," says the boy, "let's get them inside."

Aly bends back down and scoops up her sister. "Where'd you send Jake?"

Alex smiles, "Some place he can cool off for a couple of days."

"Alex?" Aly raises an eyebrow.

"What? He hurt my sister."

Ellie Mac grins and Aly rolls her eyes as she walks toward the house. The younger Langdons walk over to their parents. Alex tries to float them but doesn't have enough magic left. Ellie looks at him unsure, "Just how far away did you send him to use all your power?"

Alex smirks and laughs, "Let's just say he's under dressed."

Ellie laughs too as she sends for their siblings to come help them get their parents inside.

* * *

Jake sits in the middle of an ice and snow covered ocean. The only things he can see are seals, ice and igloos in the distance. He shivers and yells. "Come on Alex!"

* * *

A few hours pass and Aly is sitting on the side of her sister's bed just watching her. She hears someone at the door and looks up to see Katie walking towards her. Aly relaxes into her arms as she feels them encircle her. "Ellie told me what happened. Are you okay?"

Aly nods but a tear slips down her check. "I'm sorry I left like that."

Katie's lips on hers stop the words. "You needed time-I get that."

"I'm still sorry." Aly looks up at her.

"She gonna be okay?" Katie's eyes fall on Annie.

"I think. After the magic wears off. It could take a while though, she got dosed pretty good."

"And your parents?" Katie asks softly, her eyes meeting Aly's again.

"Alex says they're sleeping. I haven't been-" she looks back at her twin. "I didn't want her to be by herself if she woke up."

"I'll stay with her, go check on them." Katie kisses her again softly.

"You sure?" Asks Aly. "She tried to hurt him."

"She was upset. She didn't mean it. Go, we'll be okay."

Aly stands and moves into Katie's arms. They hold each other tightly. "I love you."

"I love you." She presses their lips together again. "Go, before the babies want to be fed again." She grins.

Aly nods and walks toward the door.

* * *

Aly walks down the hallway and to her parents' room. She steps inside to find Erin, Ellie, Kara and Kristen all there as well. Kristen is sitting on the foot of the bed and so is her twin. Ellie and Erin flank Willow and Kennedy, each hold a hand. Aly smiles at the girls. "Where's Alex?" She asks softly.

Ellie answers, "He crashed big time."

"I didn't think teleporting him home would be that much of a drain." The older girl seems concerned and then worried for Jake as giggles fill the room. "Okay-" her eyes fall on Ellie who gets suddenly nervous. "Where'd he send him?"

Ellie bites her bottom lip, "I promised I wouldn't tell anyone older than me."

"Ellen Maclay-" Aly starts her sisters full name.

Erin giggles again, causing her younger sisters to follow suit, "I'll tell you-I didn't promise."

Before she can, Kristen chimes in, "He sent him to Alaska."

"He what!?" Aly looks shocked. Then groans. "He wouldn't-"

"He did," Kara grins.

Aly looks at her parents. "I really don't want to be the one in charge right now. One of you wake up."

Kennedy's eyes slowly open. "What's going on?"

Kara giggles as she crawls toward her mama, "Alex teleported Jake to Alaska."

"That's nice." She grins as her eyes close again.

Aly shakes her head, "Big help you are." She turns and starts to her brother's room. Before she can reach it, she hears a baby cry. "Please Adam, hold on another five minutes," she pleads. The baby's cry causes his sister to start as well and before she can turn, it's a trio of tears.

She changes directions and, as she does she sees Katie coming from Annie's room. "I'll check them," she tells her Slayer.

Sheila walks toward Annie's room, "I'll sit with your sister."

Aly nods to both and turns back to her only brother's room. She goes inside to find him asleep. She sits down on the bed beside him. "You, my little brother, are in so much trouble when you wake up."

She smiles a little as she hears him mumble, "He deserved it." His eyes are still closed.

"Maybe. Possibly. Okay, probably, but still-you know better. Mom's not gonna be happy."

He smiles a weak smile, his eyes still closed. "Mama will be though."

Aly shakes her head and then nods as she remembers her mama's words just minutes ago. "Sleep little brother. Then, you're gonna bring him back."

"Eventually. Probably. Possibly. Maybe." He repeats her words in reverse order.

Aly can't help but giggle. She stands and presses her lips to her brother's forehead. "You're rotten, but I love you. Rest."

He mumbles in return, "Love you."

She watches him for a few minutes from the doorway, then Aidan's cry gets her attention and she moves down the hallway towards her son. She looks into the room she shares with Katie to see her feeding a bottle to Adam while trying to settle Aidan.

"Let me have him." Aly says softly as she walk into the room, she takes the unhappy camper. "Hungry little guy?" She sits on the bed and Katie sits next to her. Aly begins to nurse her son as her girl feeds Adam from a bottle. "Crazy day huh?"

Katie nods and looks a little sad, "Yeah. I really need to talk to Jake."

"Ah-um about that." Aly looks nervously at her lover.

"Aly, he's my brother."

"I know. And I understand you wanting to talk to him - it's just you can't yet."

"Not this second, no-" she smiles. "Hungry children - but after we get them ready for their naps..."

"Ah-Jake's not at home, exactly."

Katie starts to get nervous. "But you said he was okay-that Alex teleported-"

"He-he is okay. He's just-well, Alex sent him to-" she stops.

"Alyson?" Katie's resolve face rivals Aly's mother's. "Where is my brother?"

"Ah-Alaska." Aly's eyes meet Katie's.

As her eyes go large her mouth opens, then closes, then opens again before she is finally able to speak. "Alaska-with the igloos and snow andŠ" she stops as she sees Aly nod.

* * *

Jake shivers as he runs his hands up and down his arms, trying to stay warm as the snow falls around him. His teeth chatter as he tries to think of warm things. A sudden sad thought enters his mind. He and Annie-snuggled warmly together under blankets in front of the fire. "Damn! I really screwed up." He mutters as the memory fades and the cold returns.

Go on to Part 3(Chapters 11-15)

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