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Dawn sat with her friends on the gym bleachers talking idly, as they waited for Ms MacAfee to return after she left to see Headmaster Charleston just as gym had started.

"So Madeline told us, your dad turned up on Saturday?" asked Erica looking over her shoulder from where she sat with Louise.

Dawn smiled, "Yeah. He wants to come back to the States to live so he can see me more."

"So you're okay with that. I mean you didn't seem overly keen on him when you were talking about him at your sleepover," pointed out Louise.

"Yeah. It turned out the bitch from hell, otherwise known as Eve, his ex-fiancée was hiding all mine and my sister's letters as well as our calls for the last two years he's been working in Spain," Dawn explained.

Just as Erica was about to comment there were murmurs from the other girls. Turning from their conversation, they saw Ms MacAfee and a woman in her mid to late thirties leading the rest of their female classmates in from the girls' locker room, including both Rory and Paris, neither of whom looked happy! Mr Lease led some of the boys in from their own room, including Tristan. "What's going on?" asked Dawn as her two friends joined them.

"This is all your fault," snapped Paris looking daggers at Dawn as she took a seat next to Rory, who also did not look too pleased to be in the gymnasium.

"Mine," frowned Dawn looking confused. "What did I do?"

"We're here because your father sent that private detective to find you. So now a lot of the parents pressed Charleston to teach all the girls how to defend themselves against any perverts that may try something," hissed Paris.

"Ah okay," swallowed Dawn not at all sure, she wanted the fiery blonde angry at her. "But why are the boys here?"

"We have to have someone to act as the perverts," snapped Paris again as if it should be obvious.

Erica and Louise joined Dawn in smirking at each other, "You mean we get to beat up the boys?" she gleefully asked.

Rory's face lit up, "I think you, Dawn, should partner Tristan," she laughed lightly.

"Girls, can I have your attention please," said Ms MacAfee raising her voice as she stood in front of the bleachers with Mr Lease and the stranger. When the various conversations had quieted down, she gestured to the woman at her side. "This is Officer Evans of the Hartford police department. She has been kind enough to come here today to help teach you several techniques in getting away from anyone that may have plans to try to attack you.

"As you were all advised about the incident involving Miss Summers and Miss Grant a few weeks ago, which I am happy to report was only a misunderstanding. Many of your parents were concerned about your overall safety. Therefore, it's been decided that it would be a good idea to teach you how to defend yourselves from an attacker. So, over the next three Mondays, Officer Evans will be here to teach you the rudiments of self defence." She glanced at the boys on the other side of the gym before exchanging a mischievous look with Mr Lease before turning back to the girls. "Many of the boys have volunteered to assist with your training. So, I'll hand you over to Officer Evans. Officer," she finished looking at the police officer and stepping back.

"Good afternoon. As your teacher just told you, I'm Officer Evans, but please feel free to call me Martha," Officer Evans began. She glanced at the clipboard she held, "Will the following girls please join me out front," she read off a half dozen names including Louise's and Erica's. As they joined the Officer, she looked back at the rest, "According to my list, these girls are the only ones that have any self defence training. Are there any others that have not told the school or feel that they have had at least some informal training? If so, please come forward."

Dawn somewhat reluctantly stood with Madeline and Paris as they headed to the front with two of the Puffs and a couple of other girls.

"Right then," began Martha Evans after taking the girls names. "So that I can assess your levels of ability will you all each please choose a boy to be your attacker that you feel would be the best challenge for your size!"

An almost feral glint came to Dawn's eyes as she looked over her victims. All the boys had been at the winter formal, where she had humiliated Tristan. They all looked worried that she may choose them!

What Dawn was not aware of, was that of all the girls at Chilton she was one of only three girls that made many of them nervous. Only Paris because of her brashness and her ability over the years to humiliate many of them in class, and Louise because of an incident in junior high that many of them had witnessed and so did not want to antagonise into doing it to them, were feared more.

Although Dawn was aware that most of her friends wanted her to pick Tristan, she decided to choose the largest boy there, Bowman. She could not help smirking at her friends as she led the nervous boy back to the centre of the room. She frowned when she saw Mr Lease pull ten dollars from his pocket and hand it to a smiling Ms MacAfee.

Martha Evans looked curiously at the teachers before assessing the difference in size between Dawn and Bowman. He was at least six inches taller and about twice her mass. "I'm not sure you understood me, Miss Summers. It should be someone you think you can handle as well as a challenge."

The Officer frowned as she heard many of the girls laugh as if she were not privy to a private joke. "I understood fine, Officer Evans," Dawn smirked at the taller woman. "I was taught by the best. I know I can protect myself from any boy in school, and most adults." ''Cause I can also use magick.' she added silently.

"And who was that?" asked Martha Evans, not at all sure she liked the girl's overconfidence.

"My late sister, Buffy, and a friend called Spike," answered Dawn proudly.

"Officer Evans," interrupted Mr Lease. "I can vouch for the fact that Miss Summers is probably more than capable of protecting herself from any of the boys in school. There was an incident at a dance last December when one of our male student's confronted another boy, Miss Summers stepped in and restrained him with a very nasty wristlock."

The Officer looked speculatively at the teenager, "Would you care to demonstrate?" she asked.

"Okay," Dawn quickly grabbed Bowman's wrist and twisted but he did not go to his knees as Tristan had, so Dawn gently kicked the back of the taller boy's knee. Bowman fell to his knees with a thud and grunt. Dawn immediately released him, "I'm sorry, Bowman. Are you okay?" she asked with genuine concern.

"Yeah," he replied rubbing his painful wrist, swearing silently to apologise to Tristan for making fun of him after Dawn had done the same to him at the dance! He rose slowly to his feet.

"That was very good Miss Summers, although I think you could benefit from some formal training," smiled Martha Evans. "I can recommend several good trainers that live here in Hartford that would be a good match for your style."

"Thanks, but no thanks. I have enough to protect myself," replied Dawn.

"As you wish," smiled Martha. She looked at the other girls she had sent to pick out an opponent, "Okay let's see what the rest of you know! You first ahh..." she glanced at her clipboard, "Miss Gellar."

Paris' eyes narrowed as she turned to look at her assailant, who visibly swallowed before he pretended to attack her.

* * * * *

"Paris, you broke Mitch's arm," cried Rory again, still a little shocked as they joined their friends in the locker room to change and shower. "It was supposed to be pretend, he wasn't really attacking you," she exclaimed.

"Rory, how was I going to learn how to defend myself if I didn't do it for real? He'll get over it, he's left-handed so it's not like it will affect his ability to keep up with his lessons," Paris said absently pulling her shirt over her head.

Dawn could not help giggling as she undressed beside Rory. "Well one good thing came out of today. Most of the boys now know not to take liberties with most of us. After this, if one of us says no they are not going to argue."

Besides Mitch's broken arms, three others had received bruised ribs and one had a black eye, courtesy of Erica's elbow.

"Yeah okay that's true," conceded Rory. "But did most of you hafta act like some kind of girl biker gang? I know I haven't had as much experience of dating boys as most of you but I don't think they appreciated being humiliated by a girl!"

* * * * *

Dawn smiled as she spotted her father standing with her guardians through the bus window as she made her way off with her teammates. She gave them a little wave as she waited her turn to shake hands with the Hillside headmistress and her deputy as well as the volleyball coach and Kennedy.

After the short greeting, Mr Fitzgerald, the Hillside coach, and Kennedy showed them to their changing room.

Dawn's eyes narrowed slightly as she noticed the glances Kennedy was giving Madeline as she stood aside to let them all into the changing room. She swallowed and blushed slightly when she heard the growl emitting from her throat as she found herself placing her body between the object of her affection and The Bitch. She blushed even more when the Hillside girl smiled at her.

As they began to change into their volleyball clothes, Madeline smiled over at her friend, "Thanks for that!"

"For what?" frowned Dawn.

"Everyone knows Kennedy Cortes is gay. I'm used to most guys looking at me like a piece of meat. I may not like it... But still it was a little disconcerting being looked at like that by that girl... Not that you know, there's anything wrong with being gay," she blushed lightly.

"Well yeah, 'cause both my guardians are gay," sighed Dawn as she looked away from Madeline so her friend would not see the tears standing in her eyes. 'Oh goddess. What am I gonna do?' She pulled her top over her head blinking rapidly to clear her eyes.

As she laced up her shoes, Ms MacAfee called the team together. "Now I know what you're all thinking. That we were lucky to beat the Wildcats last time, and yes, we were. That is just the point. They became rattled and lost their focus, which you may recall is what I told you. Get them flustered again and keep it close and we can beat them again."

As in the first game, the first set went to Chilton 25-21, but after that, it went all Hillside's way, winning the next three sets 26-24, 25-18 and 25-22.

It was a sombre team that returned to the boys' locker room to change. "I'd just like to say, I feel privileged to be your coach," said Ms MacAfee as the girls stopped changing to look at their coach. "You all knew that going into this game that it would be hard to beat the State Champions on their own ground! Still you all tried your best, better than your best. Chilton could not ask anymore of you. And remember this was only one game and we'll get them again in the final where we will beat them," she smiled with devilment in her eyes. "Now have a quick shower and we'll all walk out of here with our heads held high."

Outside the changing room, Headmaster Charleston waited for them. "Although it was a disappointment to lose today, you should consider yourselves a credit to our school. You have nothing to be ashamed of, you all did your best, and I'm sure the next time we meet them you will prevail!"

"Yes we will Headmaster," smiled Ms MacAfee. "I said much the same just now. When we meet in the final, and we will meet, the outcome will be very different."

"Excellent," Charleston smiled back. "Let us show Hillside how to be as magnanimous in defeat as we are in victory." With that, he led the team to the room where a light tea waited.

Dawn stood quietly in one corner of the room absently nibbling on the food she held, not really in much of a socialising mood. Although as always when she was in a room with Madeline, she instinctively knew where the other brunette was at any given time. She had wondered at this, not sure, if it had something to do with her feelings for the other girl or something to do with her Keyness!

"Dawn Summers, right?" someone asked from the side.

On turning, Dawn found Kennedy standing next to her. "Yes and you're Kennedy Cortes," she stated not liking the shorter girl after the earlier incident with Madeline, even if it now looked as if her friend would not be reciprocating her feelings!

"Hey," said Kennedy holding her hand up in a gesture of peace. "I didn't know Madeline Lynn was taken okay. I don't need to steal someone else's girlfriend."

"Madeline's not my girlfriend, at least not in the way you're implying," snapped Dawn becoming defensive. "I just didn't like the way you looked at her, and neither did she."

Kennedy once again held her hand up in a gesture of peace, "Hey my mistake," she placated Dawn. "Anyway what I really came over here to ask is, are you any relation to Buffy Summers who lived in Sunnydale California?"

Dawn looked sharply at the other girl, "Yeah, she was my sister. How do you know her?" she asked suspicion on her face.

"But that's not possible," answered Kennedy in shock.

"What do you mean? I should know if she was my sister or not," Dawn said in panic.

"Just to clarify, we are both talking about Buffy Summers who moved from LA to Sunnydale in 1997, right?"

Dawn nodded, "Yeah that's right we moved there after our parents divorce. Why?"

Kennedy looked around quickly and lowered her voice, "Slayers can't have younger siblings. You did know she was the Slayer, right?"

Dawn nodded mutely before looking more closely at the shorter girl, "H-how do you know what my sister was?"

"I'm what the watchers call a potential. That is, someone who could potentially become the Slayer, there are hundreds of us all over the world," Kennedy explained looking around once more to be sure no one was listening. "My Watcher told me that because of the mystical energy used to create a potential while still in the womb it makes the mother sterile."

A look of shock passed over Dawn's features, "Dawn. Has Kennedy said something mean?" came Madeline's voice from her other side.

Turning to look at her friend, who now stood next to her staring daggers at Kennedy. Unable to keep a smile off her face as she realised that her friend was equally prepared to defend her! "No, we're just talking about my sister. Kennedy once met her," she hated lying to Madeline but needed to cover her shock somehow!

"Oh," said Madeline not softening her fierce stance towards Kennedy in the slightest. "Well the team is heading out, are you ready?" she explained her features softening as she turned her attention to her friend.

"Ah yeah, I'm ready," nodded Dawn as she walked away from Kennedy without a backward glance.

Kennedy smirked at their backs, "Yeah right, not her girlfriend," she muttered before looking around for her own friends.

* * * * *

Dawn was quieter than normal as she returned home with her guardians, just staring out at the deepening evening. Willow shared a quick glance with her girlfriend, "What's wrong Dawnie?" she asked looking into the back. "Are you sad because the team lost?"

"No... I mean yeah, I'm sad that we lost, but... no it's got nothing to do with that," sighed Dawn glancing at the redhead for a moment before returning to her study of what was passing by outside.

Willow exchanged another more concerned look with her partner before turning her full attention to the teenager, "Then what is it? You haven't seemed yourself since the game," she pushed gently.

"Why would it matter what I feel, I'm not real," snapped Dawn bitterly.

"Dawnie," exclaimed Willow in panic. "What happened tonight, did your dad say something..."

"No, Kennedy," interrupted Dawn.

"Who?" frowned Willow.

"Kennedy Cortes, she's the Captain of the Hillside Wildcats," explained the teenager. "She knows I can't be real. She knew all about Buffy being the Slayer," she cried tears standing in her eyes.

"What? How?" cried Willow in a real panic now.

"Kennedy's a potential."

"A what?" asked Willow.

"She told me that although Faith's the Slayer. Around the world there are hundreds of girls that the Council look after because they have the potential to become the Slayer if something happened to her," explained Dawn.

"Ah okay, I guess that makes sense!" mused Willow. "But what has that got to do with you thinking you're not real?"

"Because apparently when, whatever it is that chooses the potentials makes one, it makes the mother sterile. So Kennedy knows I can't really be Buffy's younger sister," Dawn explained the tears trickling down her face.

As they were about to pass an off ramp, Tara signalled quickly and left the freeway, pulling to a stop near some shops. With a glance at her girlfriend they both got out and climbed into the back with their Ward, one each side. They enveloped the distraught teenager in their arms who continued to cry quietly. "Dawnie, you are real, you have always been real. How you started out is irrelevant," stated the blonde. "You may have started as the Key but in many ways everyone starts out as energy, spirit energy. Our bodies are just shells our spirit inhabits for a time until it's time to move on. No one has a say in how they come into being, or who their parents are. Goddess, I know that better than most with my own father, although I have no wish to ever see him again, I can't deny I owe half my DNA to him."

"Dawnie, we love you, the Scooby gang love you, your dad loves you, your friends at Chilton and Stars Hollow love you. You. Are. Loved. And you are as real as everyone else," added Willow firmly. "What does it matter if you came into existence in a different way from everyone else, you're here now, and we all love you," she said kissing her Ward on the top of her head.

"But what about Kennedy?" sniffed Dawn. "She will probably tell her Watcher! I don't want the Council coming after me because they're frightened that some Thing will try to use me to destroy the world."

Willow released the teenager, "When we get home we'll call Giles. He'll know what to do!"

"O-okay," nodded Dawn wiping her eyes.

Tara looked over at her girlfriend, "You drive sweetie, I'll stay in the back with Dawnie." Nodding Willow climbed out, hurried around to the driver's side, and climbed in.

* * * * *

The phone rang several times before it was eventually picked up, "Rupert Giles."

"Hey Giles," smiled Willow as she sat with Tara and Dawn on the couch, the phone set on speaker on the table in front of them.

"Willow. Is something wrong?"

Willow chuckled as Tara and Dawn giggled at the Watcher's concern. "Hey can't we call without something being wrong..."

"Willow," Tara interrupted looking pointedly at their Ward.

"Right," blushed Willow. "Okay so something is wrong, sorry Giles. We don't always mean to call you when we have a problem but it always seems to work out that way, sorry..." she babbled.

"WILLOW," Giles cried out. "What's wrong?"

"Sorry about that Giles," said Tara placing a hand on her babbling girlfriend's arm. "What we phoned you for was that today, a girl queried Dawn's existence as Buffy's younger sister. Apparently, she's a potential that goes to Hillside. She told Dawn that her Watcher told her that potential slayers and slayers can't have younger siblings as the magicks used to make potentials makes their mothers barren."

"Is that all," laughed Giles. "What's this girl's name? I'll contact her Watcher and give the fool a piece of my mind. All I can say is the quality of watchers has diminished in recent years..."

"Giles, I think you've caught Willow's babble," giggled Dawn, some of the apprehension leaving her at his tone.

"Very funny Dawn," sighed Giles. "Dawn, while it is very rare for slayers and potentials to have younger siblings. It is not unheard of. My own grandmother was the younger sister of a Slayer born just before the First World War. So who is this girl?"

"Kennedy Cortes, she goes to Hillside Academy in Hartford," explained Dawn her mood rising now that Giles had told them about his own family. "Thanks Giles."

"Dawn, none of us will ever be in a position to really understand what you are going through when you're reminded of the unique way in which you came into this world, but we all love you. Dawn, you are loved."

"Thanks Giles," said Dawn quietly as her guardians hugged her.

"It was my pleasure Dawn. Now if there's nothing else I can help with! I really must be going as Faith will be here soon for patrol."

"No Giles that's all," smiled Tara over the top of Dawn's head as she looked at Willow. "We'll really try to talk to you more often, when it doesn't involve a crisis. Bye Giles," she said as she leaned over and disconnected the call.

* * * * *

Dawn sat next to her father as she directed him to the Austrian Riding School building, smiling as she spotted Madeline standing with her mother by the door. "There they are," she told him before climbing out and waving.

Since taking up riding again, Dawn had bought all the riding gear but her father had decided on just jeans and a leather jacket. Hank smiled at his enthusiastic daughter, "I figured, seeing as they're waving back."

Father and daughter walked over to greet mother and daughter. "Dad, this is my friend Madeline and her mother Sarah Lynn. Maddie, Sarah, this is my dad, Hank," Dawn introduced everyone.

"Lynn?" queried Hank as he shook Sarah's hand. "Are you Matthew Lynn's wife by any chance?"

Sarah smiled back at Hank, "Yes. You know my husband?"

"We've met on several occasions. He's helped finance several of the building projects I've helped design for various clients," Hank explained.

"Well it's a pleasure to meet you Hank," said Sarah. She looked to their daughters standing waiting impatiently, "I think our daughters are anxious to get to the horses!" she laughed lightly.

Hank looked at his fidgeting daughter and her friend, a smirk in place, "My god do you mean Madeline's as mad about horses as Dawn?" he asked in mock horror.

"Funny dad," pouted Dawn. "There's nothing wrong in loving horses and riding. It wasn't the horse's fault you fell off last time."

Hank looked back to Sarah, "The last time I rode, back in California. A runaway horse with a young girl on passed us on the track. I tried doing the chivalrous thing and chased after her. I managed to pull the horse up but lost my balance and fell off between the two horses and ended up with a broken leg," he explained.

"See, not the horse's fault," laughed Dawn as she and Madeline lead the two adults into the building.

Sarah and Hank smiled at each other as they observed their daughters greeting their mounts. "It's good to see Dawn so happy again. After her mother and I divorced, Dawn always seemed so withdrawn whenever she and her sister visited my ex-fiancée and myself in San Diego before we moved to Spain... Although with what I know of her now, it may well have been her whole attitude towards my daughters that caused it."

"Madeline mentioned something about your ex-fiancée hiding your daughters' calls and correspondence from you. I'm sorry, but that was a vile thing for anyone to do," said Sarah.

"Yes it was. I can never forgive myself for not keeping in closer contact with them, if I had, I would have known my ex-wife was ill," Hank mourned with glassy eyes.

"Well I forgive you." Hank had not realised that they were close enough to be overheard by their daughters. "Although if I ever meet Eve, well... I won't be so forgiving," snarled Dawn.

"Nor will I, Dawn," agreed Hank. "Now this is supposed to be a pleasant day's riding, let's not bring my ex into this," he said firmly.

"Agreed Hank," nodded Sarah walking over to her own horse.

They had been riding for some ten minutes, Sarah and Hank at the back chatting idly, the late winter sun shining brightly through the trees. Madeline looked back pleadingly at her mother, "Mum!" asking permission in that one word.

Sarah sighed as she looked at her daughter's pleading face, "Not to far," she advised.

Madeline looked over at her friend, "Ready?" she asked.

"Yeah," smirked Dawn her eyes twinkling, "On three... Three," she cried as she goaded Chocolate into a full gallop not fooling Madeline for a moment as her friend spurred Thunder after the other horse laughing excitedly.

Sarah leaned over and placed a restraining hand on Hank's forearm, "They'll be fine," she smiled reassuringly at him. "They need the thrill. I recognised the look in Dawn's eyes the first time horses were mentioned. Madeline's been riding since she was four and I understand that your daughter is an equally accomplished equestrian."

Hank looked after the quickly disappearing teenagers before looking back at Sarah, "I just worry that something will happen to Dawn, she's all the family I have left," he sighed.

"I understand. You're a parent. We all worry about our children. But if you try stopping them all the time, they will just end up doing something really stupid to rebel. If we let them have these small adventures, when it comes to the more serious things, such as drinking and drugs they are more inclined to listen."

"I guess!" mused Hank. "Although this was never my area, Joyce always took care of it." He chuckled, "To tell you the truth, both my daughters could always twist me around their little fingers."

"Matthew has the same problem with Madeline, and to a lesser extent with our son Matthew. Madeline only has to pout and call him daddy and he caves," Sarah laughed.

"I can relate," laughed Hank. "So do you want to pick-up the pace?"

Sarah laughed, "Well we can't let our daughters have all the fun," she said as she goaded her horse to go faster.

* * * * *

The next day, Willow and Tara took Dawn to see her father off. The teenager was reluctant to let her father go but with many tears and hugs, she finally relented as she said her goodbyes at the gate.

As Hank shook hands with Willow, he could not help smiling at Tara as she held his crying daughter. "I promise, Dawn, I'll get that transfer, even if I have to quit and join another firm. I've set up things with my bank, so you will be receiving some money each month," he held up his hand at the look of protest that appeared on the redhead's face. "I get that you don't need the money. But let me do this for Dawn, let her spend it how she likes or put it into her college fund. I need to think I'm doing something to help look after my daughter."

Willow nodded, "Okay Hank."

As he went to turn to head through the gate, he again found himself enveloped in his daughter's arms, he gently rubbed her back. "I'll see you soon Pumpkin, I have some vacation time coming up, and as I said, I will be coming back home to stay. Now I really must go," he kissed the top of her head.

"Okay, bye dad," said Dawn releasing her father again. "I'll write you every week and tell you everything that's happened," she said as Tara wrapped her arm around her shoulders as they watched him disappear.

* * * * *

"So?" asked Rory as she and Dawn met Dean as he exited Doose's.

"It's depressing," replied Dean.

"It's beautiful," insisted Rory.

"She throws herself under a train," pointed out Dean.

"But I bet she looked great doing it," added Dawn with a giggle as she finally made out the book cover the boy was carrying.

"I don't know. I think maybe Tolstoy's just a little over my head," mused Dean.

Dawn did not say anything but she was beginning to think that maybe Dean was not the right person for Rory!

"No, that's not true," Rory disagreed firmly. "Tolstoy wrote for the masses, the common man. It's completely untrue that you have to be some kind of genius to read his stuff."

"Yeah but..."

"Now I know it's big..."

"Very big," nodded Dean.

"And long..." Rory added.

"Very, very long," agreed Dean.

"And many of the Russian names tend be spelled very similar, making it confusing..."

"Every single person's name ends with 'ski'. Now how is that possible?" asked Dean.

"Actually according to Ms Kovacs, my Eastern European language teacher, it's thought that names ending in s-k-i originate in Poland while those ending in s-k-y may be misspelled Polish, but they are more likely to be Czech, Slovak, Russian, Ukrainian, or Belarusian," explained Dawn. 'And I've lost him,' she thought as Dean gave her a confused look. "I just thought you'd like to know!"

"Oh, okay," frowned Dean.

"But it's one of my favourite books," insisted Rory. "And I know that if you just give it a try you..."

"Alright. I'll try again," sighed Dean.

"Really?" asked Rory happily.

"Yeah," nodded Dean.

"You won't be sorry," Rory assured him.

'Yeah, right,' thought Dawn as she began walking with her friend again.

"Coffee?" suggested Dean as he took his girlfriend's hand.

"Yeah. Dawn and I were just heading over to Luke's anyway," Rory told him.

Dean looked around at the men putting decorations up all over the square, "Man, I thought Christmas was a big deal around here."

"Well, this is a town that likes the celebrating. Last year, we had a month long carnival when we finally got off the septic tank system," smirked Rory.

"I heard about that," smiled Dawn.

"A month long? You're kidding," exclaimed Dean.

"No," Rory shook her head. "There were rides and a petting zoo and balloon animals and a freak show."

"Uh huh. Okay, you almost had me going there for a second."

'Wow and there I was beginning to think Dean wasn't wise to the way that is the Gilmores!' giggled Dawn. At the look the two were giving her, she smiled at them, "Sorry just thinking of something I heard ah... Willow tell Tara earlier."

"So what are you doing Friday night?" enquired Dean looking back to his girlfriend.

"Well, I've got the usual Friday night grandparents' dinner. But I thought maybe if we get back early enough, you and I should go watch the bonfire together. I mean, it's kind of corny, but it's really pretty. And they sell star-shaped hotdogs."

"How about if you get out of dinner at your grandparents' this week?" pushed Dean gently.

"I don't think so," said Rory sadly.

"Well, what if it's for a really special occasion?" asked Dean.

"Well, that special occasion better include my being relocated to a plastic bubble if my grandmother's gonna let me out of dinner."

"There must be some other excuse that you could use," replied Dean sadly.

"Like what?" asked Rory.

"Like it's your three-month anniversary with your boyfriend," explained Dean.

"It is?"

"Yeah," nodded Dean. "Three months from your birthday. I mean, that's when I gave you the bracelet and that's when I figured this whole thing kinda started."

"Wow. Three months," exclaimed Rory a little shocked that she had forgotten.

'Rory didn't remember her three month anniversary! Maybe she's not so in love with him after all?' "Of course you can get out of dinner, Rory," interrupted Dawn. "It's a really special occasion for you. Your grandma wouldn't be so mean as to make you go."

"Actually, technically your birthday was on a Saturday, so really it should be Saturday..."

'Well no, her birthday was Friday her party was Saturday,' thought Dawn rolling her eyes.

"...but I work Saturday and I planned out this whole big thing so I thought maybe we could do it on Friday," Dean finished explaining.

"What whole big thing?" asked Rory wondering what he had planned.

"Just this once. Miss dinner. Please," Dean pleaded. "Don't make me throw myself under a train."

"I'll see what I can do," Rory told him coyly.

"Thank you," sighed Dean.

"You're welcome. It's our three-month anniversary," said Rory still a little shocked.

"Yeah it is," nodded Dean as he held open the diner door for the two girls.

"I feel kind of stupid that I didn't even know about this," pouted Rory.

"That's quite alright," said Dean waving it off.

"We have had a lot of schoolwork in the last two weeks including three assignments," pointed out Dawn as she took a seat at one of the empty tables. "I'm sure Dean understands!"

"Well yeah," agreed Rory. "But I mean I feel really bad that I missed our two-month anniversary."

"Quite alright too," smirked Dean.

"How was it?" asked Rory her eyes twinkling with mirth.

"Pretty good," he told them.

"I'm glad," giggled Rory.

* * * * *

"And they're off," sighed Madeline as the bell rang.

Tristan and Summer began kissing in front of some lockers as Rory, Paris, Madeline and Louise walked towards them.

"The bell just rang three seconds ago. How did they get lip locked so fast?" snapped Paris.

"I want a boyfriend to make out with," pouted Louise.

"Ty Tolson likes you," pointed out Madeline.

"I want a different boyfriend to make out with," sighed Louise.

"I can't get to my locker," said Paris in frustration.

"I'm sure they'll move if you ask nice. You know, dangle a hotel key in front of their faces," smirked Louise.

"This is a school. You don't do this in a school," insisted Paris.

"Not unless you've got a boyfriend like Tristan. Then you do it anywhere you can," Louise laughed lightly.

"Street corner," suggested Madeline.

"Shopping mall," added Louise.

"Phone booth," offered Rory.

"Hey. What we doing?" asked Dawn coming up behind them.

"Hi," smiled Madeline as she looked at her friend. "We're just listing make out places for Tristan and Summer."

"Ooh how about Starbucks. Coffee and smooches," laughed Dawn.

"Thank you all for the 'where to make out' list, I just need to get my books," snapped Paris again.

"Hell hath no fury," smirked Louise.

Paris walked over to the couple, "Excuse me. You're in my way. Hey, spawn in front of somebody else's locker please."

"I'm assuming your locker's in there somewhere also!" asked Dawn.

"Yup. Right behind Belle Watling," Paris told her.

"God, look at that. It's like he's eating her face," cringed Rory.

"Okay, that's it. I'm getting the fire hose," snorted Paris beginning to turn away.

Dawn had no doubt that the fiery blonde would follow through with her threat. "Let me try first," offered Dawn moving around Paris and tapped Tristan firmly on the shoulder. "Hey. You wanna move. You're in front of our lockers."

Madeline and Rory could not help smirking as Tristan jumped when Dawn tapped him on the shoulder, his eyes taking on a nervous look as he realised that Dawn was right next to him. "What? Ah yeah... ah sorry. Just got a little carried away," he stammered as he hurried to move with his girlfriend of the moment away from Dawn as quickly as possible.

"Right," nodded Dawn.

"Hey Paris," said Tristan as he moved past the blonde.

"Hey," replied Paris absently.

"You should get bangs," Summer suddenly said.

"Thanks for the tip," snorted Paris.

"You have a long forehead," pointed out Summer. "Bangs would hide that."

Dawn rolled her eyes at Rory as Tristan and Summer moved down the hallway and began kissing again.

"Hey, party at my house Saturday," declared Madeline handing an A4 sizes flyer to Dawn.

"Dress to impress please," smiled Louise.

"I'll be there," beamed Dawn.

Madeline handed one to Rory, "Come?"

"Oh, I don't know," mused Rory.

"You can bring your boyfriend," Madeline told her.

"I'll see," smiled Rory.

"So, meet me after biology?" they heard Summer say as she parted from Tristan as the bell rang for the next class.

"And if I don't?" smirked Tristan.

"You will," said Summer coyly.

"Oh, yes I will. Ah. To be young and in love," sighed Tristan as he watched Summer walking away.

"What a shame Elizabeth Barrett Browning wasn't here to witness this," declared Paris. "She'd put her head through a wall."

* * * * *

"I just can't believe it!" commented Lane happily as she and Dawn helped Rory get ready for her anniversary date with Dean.

"I know!" replied Rory just as happily.

"I mean, three months, that's like one sixty-fourth of your life!" pointed out Lane.

"I know."

"And you keep saying you aren't great at math," teased Dawn.

"Are you going to the festival? 'Cause maybe we could meet you there later," asked Rory.

"Oh yeah, that would be romantic," Lane snorted.

"Lane," rebuked Rory sternly.

"Yes, I'm going to the festival. And would you like to know why?" asked Lane pouting.

Dawn and Rory exchanged a knowing look in Rory's mirror that Lane completely missed in her rant.

"My mother has once again set me up," exclaimed Lane.

"Another future doctor?" smirked Dawn.

"Ah yeah," sighed Lane. "When do you think you can get Henry to get his mum to call my mum?"

"Well maybe Henry already has?" chuckled Rory her eyes dancing with mischief.

"Huh!" frowned Lane.

"Henry told us this morning that he had his mother call yours," giggled Dawn. "It's him you're going with tonight."

Lane's eyes bugged out, "What! I hafta go get ready," she yelled heading for the door. "You should've told me," she cried in irritation as the door closed behind her.

"Well someone's happy," smiled Dawn as she lifted Rory's hair up. "Up I think, it will make you look more mature!"

* * * * *

"So do you think the story's true?" asked Tara as she walked hand-in- hand with Willow.

"Well we all know most stories are based at least partly on fact," mused Willow as they stopped near the gazebo staring into each other's eyes while holding hands. "If it's true! I think I want Patty's version to be the true one," she said kissing the blonde.

Neither of them noticed Rachel smiling behind the lens of her camera as she captured the moment from the other side of the fire. She then noticed Luke sitting with Lorelai on a nearby bench. Lifting her camera again, she took several pictures of them before turning to continue her circuit of the square.

* * * * *

"Hey. Where the hell's the fire department when you need them?" smiled Lorelai.

"Hey, aren't you supposed to be in Hartford?" frowned Luke looking over at Lorelai as she sat down.

"Yeah," nodded Lorelai.

"What happened?"

"Climbed out the window," Lorelai told him.

"Okay."

"That's it. You're not curious why?" Lorelai frowned.

"No."

"That's what I love about you."

"Hey," said Luke looking at her. "How long you been here?"

"A little while."

Luke smirked, "Did you see Harry and Taylor get into a fistfight?"

"No! Aww! How did I miss that? I'm so bummed!" pouted Lorelai.

"It was good," chuckled Luke.

* * * * *

"Can I get a copy of the picture you took of Willow and Tara?" asked Dawn as Rachel walked by where she was leaning against a tree looking into the flames.

Rachel smiled at the teenager, "Sure, if you want. I'll even give you a signed copy of the book I'm thinking of trying to get published."

"Great," replied Dawn. "If you have problems finding a publisher, my friend Louise's dad owns Grant publishing. Okay so they only tend to publish the hmmm more sleazy books but Louise said her dad's after creating a subsidiary company to get into more mainstream books."

"Really!" asked Rachel drawing closer and whispering to Dawn, "Don't tell Luke, but I've done some photography for Grant Publishing," she smirked.

"Woo dirt, I'll hafta remember that if I need blackmail material on you," giggled Dawn.

"Well I'll have that copy ready tomorrow, come by the diner about noon," smiled Rachel as she walked off again.

Dawn spotted Lane and Henry across the square walking in front of Mrs Kim and another woman that she guessed was Henry's mother and about a dozen other members of their two families. She smiled and gave the two a little wave as they spied her, they smiled back, and Lane returned a little wave of her own without her mother spotting it.

"Isn't that Henry Cho with Lane?" asked Willow coming up behind her Ward hand-in-hand with Tara.

Dawn turned, a smirk on her face, "Yeah it is. Lane met him when he came to our house to work on the debate that time. They sort of hit it off. I suppose his mum must have phoned Mrs Kim and arranged a date for tonight."

"And did you have something to do with that?" asked Willow arching her eyebrow.

"I'm going to plead the fifth on that," giggled Dawn.

"Come on my little Shidduch, let's go get some hotdogs," laughed Willow.

* * * * *

"So where's Rachel?" asked Lorelai looking around.

"Oh, she's a founder's party punch junkie."

"God, even the nice girls aren't safe."

"Yeah," nodded Luke. "She's been running around here taking all kinds of pictures."

"She's having a good time," smiled Lorelai.

"I guess so. I hope so," mused Luke.

"So?" prompted Lorelai.

"Yes?"

"So, what's the haps with you two?" asked Lorelai.

"The haps? Well, let's see. What is the haps?" frowned Luke.

"I mean, like, ya know, what's going..."

"I know what you meant by the haps."

"Okay, well you're repeating it like a thousand times."

"I was pondering," explained Luke.

"Well you ponder really slowly."

"If I did it fast it wouldn't be pondering. Pondering by nature is a slow connotation," Luke pointed out.

"Okay. Fine, fine."

"It's okay."

"Is she staying?" asked Lorelai.

"I don't know."

"Do you want her to?"

"I don't know," frowned Luke.

"She seems to really like you."

"Yeah she does, but she doesn't have the greatest attention span."

"Yeah."

"But she is here," Luke pointed out.

"Yes, she is," agreed Lorelai.

"I don't know. You spend a lot of time debating things, ya know, is it right, is it wrong, or should I do this, should I do that. I mean, sometimes you should just jump in and take a shot. What's the worst that can happen? She left before, I lived. Maybe this time..." he left it hanging.

Lorelai swallowed not believing she was encouraging Luke to commit to Rachel. "I think that's really great."

"You do?" asked Luke looking from the fire to Lorelai.

"Yeah."

"Thanks," smiled Luke.

"You're welcome."

"Well, I guess I'm gonna go check up on Rachel," Luke said rising. "I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow," assured Lorelai hiding her pain behind a smile.

* * * * *

As Dawn walked back to her home with her two guardians, she happened to glance across the street only to see Rory walking towards her own home. It looked from Dawn's view that her friend was in shock. "Ah guys, I gotta have a quick word with Rory," she said looking quickly towards her guardians before hurrying towards her friend.

"Okay sweetie," nodded Tara absently before she looked towards the other teenager, a frown coming to her features. "Does Rory look sad to you?" she asked her girlfriend.

Willow looked over at the two girls, "Yeah. Hopefully it's only your normal teen angst!" she mused. "I'm sure Dawnie will tell us if it's something bad!"

* * * * *

"Hey, Rory. What's wrong?" asked Dawn as she seemed to materialise out of nowhere to her friend.

Rory jumped a little, as she had not really noticed anything since leaving Dean in the scrap yard. "Ah nothing," she said sadly.

Dawn grabbed her friend's hand, "Yeah there is, I can tell. Rory, we're friends, you can tell me anything... Did Dean do something to you?"

"What?" exclaimed Rory her eyes going big. "No, he didn't try anything. Dean's not like that."

"Sorry, I ah... just assumed, you know, with you coming home alone and all angsty. So what is it? Please Rory; I don't like seeing any of my friends in pain like you look at this moment."

Rory looked at her pleading friend, she sighed, "Dean broke up with me, or... I broke up with him! I'm not too clear on it at the moment!"

Dawn looked confused, "You're not sure who broke up with whom?" she asked.

"No. He was building me a car," Rory said going off tangent.

"Ah I'm confused! He was building you a car and then maybe broke up with you?"

"He took me to the scrap yard over on Apple. We sat in the car, he started kissing me. Th-then he said he loved me."

"And," prompted Dawn.

"And nothing," said Rory, "I couldn't tell him I loved him back 'cause I'm not sure I love him... I mean, shouldn't I know?" she pleaded with her friend.

"I-I guess," mused Dawn quietly unsure how to answer.

"That's what I think too. I'll see you tomorrow," sighed Rory crossing the street leaving her friend standing staring after her.

* * * * *

The next day, Dawn knocked at the Gilmore's front door. Normally she would have just walked in, as per Lorelai's instructions when the three former Sunnydalers had moved in next door. However, after her encounter with Rory the previous evening, she did not think it right to just walk in!

Lorelai opened the door, worry on her face, "Oh thank god," she exclaimed pulling the teenager inside.

"How is she?"

"Crazy! She won't talk about it, she won't wallow. Dawn, she needs to wallow," sighed Lorelai.

"Did she tell you what happened?" whispered Dawn.

"No she just told me they broke up... Dawn, do you know why they broke up?"

"Yeah, sort of! But I promised not to tell. Is she in her room?"

"Yes," said Lorelai.

"I'll talk to her. Maybe get her to tell you everything."

"Okay. But she needs to wallow," Lorelai sighed again as she allowed Dawn to pass and after knocking on Rory's door enter her daughter's room.

"Hey Dawn," smiled Rory sounding chipper. "So what do you think of the new air freshener?"

Dawn looked intensely at the other teenager, "It smells nice. Rory, you need to talk about what happened last night."

"No I don't," Rory disagreed firmly. "I have things to do. And I don't need to wallow," she declared looking past her friend to where her mother stood.

"Ah okay then," mused Dawn. "So you're saying you're over him completely?"

"Dawn, you can say his name, I won't break!"

"Right. So you're over Dean," stated Dawn watching her friend closely.

"Yes I am."

"Good. So you have no excuse not to come to Madeline's party tonight?"

"I'm not really a party type."

"Well if you're really over Dean, you can come tonight. You might meet another boy that wants to take you out... Unless of course you haven't really gotten over Dean?"

Rory's eyes narrowed before she stuck her chin out and said, "Okay. I'll go to Madeline's party. You driving?" Dawn nodded. "Okay I'll see you at six."

"Great," smiled Dawn. "I'm going to see if Lane wants to come too. Henry mentioned that he was going to be there," she finished before leaving and indicating to Lorelai with her eyes that she wanted her to follow.

Stepping out onto the Gilmore front porch she whispered to the older woman, "I don't think she's gonna wallow until she's ready or... we force her to. Maybe going tonight will do it."

"You'll watch her?" asked Lorelai.

"Of course I will," nodded Dawn before heading towards Kim's antiques.

* * * * *

"Wow, this is unbelievable. My wedding won't be this big," exclaimed Lane as she looked around while following Rory and Dawn.

"Yeah," smiled Rory.

"This is amazing! People live here?" asked Lane as they moved through the mass of teenagers.

"This is Madeline's house," explained Dawn looking around for her friend.

"Is this what your grandparents' house looks like?" asked Lane looking at Rory.

"No. I mean it's big but it's not this Hearst castlely," replied Rory.

"I mean there should be a map or a tour guide or Robin Leech or something," smiled Lane.

"I've been here a couple of times, we'll get by," giggled Dawn.

"Hey Dawn," said Rory.

"Yeah?" replied Dawn turning to her friend.

"Thanks for talking me into coming tonight," Rory gave her a small smile before turning to her oldest friend, "And thank you for coming with us."

"Anytime," smiled Lane, "But I should confess that Henry mentioned that he was coming tonight, so there may have been ulterior motives," she explained before her eyes went wide, "Oh my God, there's a pool table."

"And a DJ," pointed out Dawn laughing at her friend.

"It's like a teenage Sodom and Gomorrah," exclaimed Lane happily.

"You came!" Dawn heard Madeline say happily.

"Yeah. I wasn't going to but Dawn talked me into it," answered Rory not realising that Madeline was really talking to Dawn.

"Said I would," Dawn returned Madeline's smile.

"Madeline your house is beautiful," complemented Rory.

"Thanks, my father's family's lived here for years," explained Madeline.

"So where is he?" asked Louise coming to stand next to Madeline with Erica in tow.

"My father?" frowned Madeline. "He's in Japan."

"No not your father," sighed Louise rolling her eyes before turning to Rory. "Prince Charming?"

"He didn't come," replied Rory her face falling slightly.

"Why?" asked Louise.

"His white horse was in the shop," snipped Rory.

"You guys didn't break up did you?" asked Louise.

"Leave it Louise, okay," interrupted Dawn.

"Hi, I'm Lane," Lane said quickly.

"As in 'walk down a...'?" prompted Louise.

"Yes exactly," nodded Lane having heard it many times.

"Hi, I'm Madeline," Madeline introduced herself, "That's Louise and that's Erica," she indicated the two blondes.

Two boys came up and wrapped their arms around Louise and Erica, "So when does the tour of the pool house start?" the one holding Louise asked.

"You've seen the pool house before," pointed out Madeline.

"Yes but he hasn't seen it at night right?" smirked Louise looking up into his face.

"Right," said the boy returning the smirk.

"But..." frowned Erica.  "Erica, you are not confused. Think. Process. Focus," said Louise.

"Right," nodded Erica finally catching on.

"Oh! Bye!" said Madeline absently as her friends allowed the boys to lead them away.

"No glove no love," Paris called out as she walked past the two girls on her way to her friends.

"Lovely," they heard Louise call back.

"So I didn't think you were much of a party girl," Paris said looking at Rory.

"I'm not usually but Dawn persuaded me to come by and check it out," explained Rory.

"Same exact people we see at school except now we get to see them dance. So where is your boyfriend?" Paris asked.

"We, um, we broke up," sighed Rory.

"Well he's obviously an idiot," sneered Paris. "But at least you had a boyfriend for a while."

"Thanks, I think," mused Rory.

"So you want to get drinks?" Madeline asked looking at Dawn.

"Sure," nodded Dawn beginning to follow her friend, as usually happened when they were together, everything and everyone seemed to slip into the background leaving only the two of them.

After collecting some drinks, the two sat halfway up the marble staircase where it was quieter. "So your dad's in Japan. Where's your mum?" asked Dawn.

"DAR meeting or something, and Matthew's staying over at a friend's," explained Madeline. "So Rory and her boyfriend broke up?"

"Yeah. Her mum, Lorelai says she needs to wallow. Only she won't, so I figured I'd bring her here tonight. So if she really is okay with the break up, then she might hook up with someone here. And if not, maybe it will shock her into telling her mother the truth."

"I get the impression that you already know?" pushed Madeline.

"Yeah, but I said I wouldn't tell," Dawn explained. "So don't your parents worry that these parties will get out of hand?"

"A little," confessed Madeline. "But all the servants are still around and daddy always hires a couple of security guards that can step in to stop any trouble. Plus all the security cameras are switched on," she explained pointing out several that Dawn had not noticed the other times she had been to the Lynn home.

Dawn giggled, "It's a good thing Will and Tara didn't think of that at my sleepover."

"Well they found out about the wine anyway," pointed out Madeline.

"True."

Just then they spotted Tristan hurrying after Summer at the bottom of the stairs. "Look why won't you answer me?" he cried.

"Because you didn't say 'please'," sneered Summer.

"Summer," he whined.

"Can we do this later? There's a party going on."

"I think the love's gone out of that relationship," mused Dawn.

"Can't say I'm surprised... Although it's usually reversed!" remarked Madeline.

"Just tell me what you were doing locked in the bathroom with Austin," snapped Tristan.

"Nothing," sighed Summer.

"Nothing?"

"Yup."

"She lacks that certain ah conviction, don't you think?" giggled Dawn.

"Oh yeah," laughed Madeline.

"No," they heard Tristan shout, beginning to draw others attention.

"Well why don't you tell me what I was doing since you seem to know everything," scoffed Summer.

"Hey you are my girlfriend."

"Ooh now he's a caveman," asked Summer beginning to play to the audience. "What are you going to do, knock me on the back of my head with a club and then drag me back to your Porsche?"

"Summer please," whined Tristan noticing that many of the teenagers around them were staring!

"Ooh, good song," said Summer turning around and ignoring Tristan as she started dancing. Tristan looked around the room before walking away.

"Well that's it then, no need to have to ask them to move away from our lockers anymore," Dawn pointed out. She noticed Paris looking at her watch again, "Why does Paris keep looking at her watch?" she asked.

"Her mum always makes her attend every party anyone at school throws 'cause she says Paris doesn't have enough people skills. She's not allowed to leave until 10.30," replied Madeline somewhat sadly.

"And if she left early. What's supposed to happen?"

"No idea really! Grounding Paris would sort of be counter productive wouldn't it," giggled Madeline. "Hey Lane's dancing with Henry Cho?"

"Yeah, Rory and I set them up the day after the Bangles concert. I just knew they'd hit it off."

"That was sweet of you."

"I guess," smirked Dawn before lapsing into silence as the two just stared at each other.

Dawn and Madeline had just collected more drinks when Dawn spotted an upset Rory looking around franticly before heading towards Lane dancing with Henry. "We have to go," she stated to Lane. "Have you seen Dawn?"

"Here," announced Dawn walking up with Madeline.

"Rory are you ok?" asked Lane concern in her eyes.

"We have to go," agreed Dawn looking first at Rory and Lane before turning to Madeline for understanding.

Madeline nodded, "Of course," her voice a little sad. "Did you have coats?" she asked leading the way to the door.

Dawn opened the car doors with the remote and watched Lane help Rory to the car as she looked back at Madeline stood next to her at the top of the steps. "I'm sorry about this. But I'm their ride. I had a great time tonight."

"That's okay Dawnie, just make sure Rory's okay," Madeline said giving Dawn a quick hug.

"I will. At least she'll be able to get past it now. I'll call you tomorrow, bye Maddie," said Dawn waving as she hurried after her other friends.

* * * * *

Lane rode in the back holding Rory all the way home. No one spoke. They all knew what was happening!

Dawn pulled into her driveway and jumping out hurrying to help Lane get the still distraught Rory from the back. "Lane you better get going just in case your mum gets home early from your aunt's. I'll make sure Rory gets in okay."

"Are you sure?" asked Lane.

"Yeah. It looks like Lorelai's home anyways."

"Okay. I'll see you both tomorrow. Bye guys," cried Lane as she reluctantly hurried towards her home.

Dawn held Rory by the shoulders as she guided her towards her house, "Everything's gonna be alright. I know just now, you don't think so, but it will be," she said quietly. She opened the Gilmore front door and drew her friend inside where she saw Lorelai rising from the couch. Meeting the older woman's eyes she smiled sadly at her, "I think Rory's ready to wallow now," she said as Lorelai took over from her holding Rory. "I'll ah see you tomorrow. Bye Rory, bye Lorelai," she said backing out the door and closing it behind her.

To be continued...