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Dawn sat in a circle of desks working with her friends as well as Tristan, and Brad.

"I think that the basic structure of the Elizabethan government is relatively sound. The division of power between the Monarchy, the Privy Council, and the Parliament all seem to work. Agreed?" asked Paris looking around the group.

"Agreed," replied Madeline.

"Ditto," agreed Louise.

"Yeah," nodded Dawn.

"Okay, so in establishing our own government," Paris said. "I think duplicating a similar structure would be good, with a few alterations. Queen Elizabeth chose to remain unwed. She took on the burden of leadership all by herself at a time when possibly marrying the Prince of France or the King of Spain would solidify her throne while expanding her empire. And although it obviously worked for her, and the concept of a woman ruling without a man is certainly politically correct these days, I think we need to take a different tact. I think we need to devise a nation with a truly solidified royal alliance..."

"She does know this is a make-believe government right?" Dawn whispered to Madeline mischief dancing in her eyes.

"You ask her, I'm afraid," Madeline whispered back a smirk on her face.

"So in addition to the different political branches, we'll also need a King and Queen. Rory, Tristan, what about you?" prompted Paris looking across at them.

"Us?" asked Tristan sitting up.

"Oh," frowned Rory.

'Is that a blush?' mused Dawn sitting directly opposite her friend.

"No," said Tristan firmly.

"Yes, no," stammered Rory a slight look of panic in her eyes.

"Why?" asked Paris, not liking the fact that someone in the group would not follow her lead.

"Because," explained Tristan lamely.

"I just don't want to be queen," said Rory hurriedly.

"Me either," added Tristan, "King, I don't want to be king," he clarified when he saw Dawn smirking.

"What about you? You be queen," Rory suggested looking at Paris.

"I'm going to be head of Parliament. I can't be queen," sighed Paris.

"Be both," pressed Rory becoming a little desperate.

"I can't be both," declared Paris.

"Why not? It's our government," Rory pointed out.

"It's not done that way," disagreed Paris adamantly.

"It can be though, let's vote," suggested Rory looking around.

"Rory," said Paris firmly.

"Henry the eighth started a new church when the old one wouldn't allow divorce."

Dawn's eyes narrowed as she watched the exchange. 'Why are they both so adamant about not being king and queen, Rory I can understand. But why is Tristan resisting so strongly, especially if Rory does take the queen role?'

"He also cut off his wife's head. Is he still your role model?" asked Paris.

"I'm just saying we have the opportunity to make any kind of government we want here," Rory tried to clarify.

"Why won't you be queen?" pouted Paris.

"I'll be queen," offered Erica.

"There, make Erica queen," said Rory sighing.

"Fine, you're queen," confirmed Paris. "Tristan's king."

'Now why isn't our esteemed monarch objecting? He knows Erica isn't interested in him! Why was he against the chance to be king to Rory's queen?' she glanced at Rory who seemed to be avoiding eye contact with anyone. 'We are so talking later.'

"I'll be the lady-in-waiting. The one with the low-cut blue velvet renaissance dress," prompted Louise smirking.

"Lady-in-waiting is not a political office," pointed out Paris.

"No but they get all the sex," said Louise her eyes twinkling.

"Oh, I should have thought about that," pouted Erica.

"What?" frowned Paris.

"Watch a movie," suggested Louise.

"We are talking about government class not the movies. God why can't I get one person to care about this as much as I do?" Paris snapped.

"Okay fine," sighed Louise. "I'll be the head of the Quarter Sessions court, but I'm still wearing the dress. Happy?"

"Out of my mind," sighed Paris.

"I'd like to be the spymaster," said Dawn. "Although it was not a political position as such, no country could afford not to have one. You know to keep track of their enemies, both internal and external."

"That's a good point," agreed Paris. "Okay, so, I secured us the classroom to work Saturday and Sunday so that by Monday we'll be ready."

"We're working all weekend? Dawn and I were supposed to go riding," pouted Madeline glancing towards Dawn.

"You're kidding," asked Louise a catch in her voice as the bell rang.

"Take this," said Paris ignoring their objections handing everyone a set of papers. "It's an outline for the entire system, point of methods, some basic laws and penalties plus some random ideas. Please be ready to discuss it tomorrow at nine o'clock in the morning, don't be late," she said raising her voice.

"Wow, she designed the flag," Madeline pointed out to Dawn and Louise. Who both giggled.

* * * * *

Over the months since Dawn had moved to town, Rory and she had taken to going to Luke's after arriving home from school and so Dawn took the opportunity to quiz her friend about earlier. "So you and Tristan huh, how did that happen?" she asked.

Rory looked at her friend, a slight blush creeping cross her cheeks, "What do you mean. There's no me and Tristan."

"The lady protests too much, methinks," smirked Dawn. "What happened, Rory?" she asked gently taking the other girl's hand.

"You're to damn observant, Dawn," snapped Rory the blush deepening. "Promise you won't tell anyone."

"Rory, I told you that time at school after Tristan and the birthday invitation thing that you could tell me anything and I'd keep it secret."

"Right," nodded Rory looking down at the ground before looking back to her friend. "Okay, well it happened at Madeline's party..."

"Did he hurt you," interrupted Dawn angrily.

Rory could not help smiling at the other girl's sudden protectiveness. "No nothing like that. No... We found ourselves together in the music room. One minute we were talking the next... we kissed."

"Oh," said Dawn quietly. Unsure what to say, so she went with the first thing that came to her. "Do you love him?"

"What!" exclaimed Rory her eyes suddenly wide. "No, I don't love him. It just sort of happened. You know I went there to take my mind off my break-up with Dean and he broke-up with Summer at the party. We were just both very emotional at the time. Please don't tell anyone."

"I promise," Dawn reassured her. "But if you ever get back with Dean, you should tell him."

"You think?"

"Yes," said Dawn starting to walk again.

* * * * *

Dawn glanced over at Rory as they left Stars Hollow on their way to meet the others at school. It still fascinated her that her friend could not seem to feel the barrier that surrounded the town. If she did, she never gave any indication about it! "So what's your great grandma like?" she asked.

"I can see my grandpa in her, or should that be the other way around?" frowned Rory.

"Her in him I think!" smiled Dawn.

"Right. Well she's the sort of person that expects things to be done the right way... well her way anyway," Rory laughed as she pictured the frustration on her grandmother's face as she tried to please her mother-in-law. "I don't know why but Trix doesn't like my grandma. I think it goes beyond the whole, she's not good enough for my son!" she mused. "She's very smart though. Grandpa thinks I take after her," she giggled.

"So you wanna stop off somewhere and get coffee and donuts for everyone, you never know it might mellow Paris, and according to Madeline, Louise can be a real grouch Saturday mornings if she has to get up early after a date Friday night!"

"Well I can't say no to coffee... ever," smirked Rory. "So yeah." She was silent for a moment looking speculatively at her friend, "You really like Madeline don't you?"

Luckily, Dawn had just turned her head to look for oncoming traffic at a junction and so Rory missed her eyes going wide for a moment. "Ah yeah... she's my best friend," she managed to school her features as she turned to look at Rory. "I mean we're friends but you have Lane as your best friend..." she trailed off.

"It's okay Dawn, I get it," Rory reassured her friend.

"Great," sighed Dawn in relief as she pulled out into traffic.

* * * * *

The phone rang several times before Tara picked it up, "Hello, Tara Maclay speaking."

"Oh good, it's you Tara. Are Willow and Dawn there?" asked Giles.

"Oh, hi Giles. Willow's here but Dawn's at school doing a project. Is there something wrong?"

"Well yes. Would you call Willow and place me on speaker please?" said Giles. "It would be easier."

"Of course Giles, hold on," agreed Tara pressing several buttons before replacing the receiver. "How's that?" she asked as Willow came out of her office.

"That's fine," said Giles.

"So Giles, what's this all about?" asked Willow taking a seat.

"First, is Dawn likely to return anytime in the near future?"

"No Giles, we don't expect her back until this afternoon," explained Tara. "Why?"

"I think under the circumstances Dawn should not be told what I am going to tell you, at least not until it is sorted out. It would only upset her again and indeed may cause her to come to the attention of the Council."

"What's wrong Giles?" asked Willow looking worriedly at her girlfriend.

"I lied to you all the other day when I told you that my grandmother was the younger sister of a Slayer. She was in fact older than her sister who was Called. It is true that whatever it is that chooses a potential, it does make the mother sterile," sighed Giles.

"Giles, what are we going to do? This other girl has probably told her Watcher," Willow cried in panic as she stood up.

"She has indeed told him. Luckily, Jonathan and I went to the Academy together. I told him that Buffy was adopted and that it was her adopted mother's last wish that she and Dawn not be told. So he will not tell the Council and he assures me that he can stop Kennedy from saying anything to anyone."

"If the Council isn't going to come after Dawn," frowned Tara. "Why are you telling us the truth, wouldn't it have been safer to keep it all to yourself?"

"No," sighed Giles again. "Although I have hopefully blocked the Council this time, there may come a time when I can't. Therefore, Willow, I'd like you to create all the necessary things online to point to the fact that Buffy was indeed adopted. Angel and his people in Los Angeles are creating the paper trail; it may be wise to coordinate your efforts!"

"Fine. But why did you lie about it?" asked Willow dropping into one of the chairs.

"Isn't it obvious sweetie," explained Tara placing her hand into her girlfriend's. "Look what happened when Dawnie found out about herself last year! We need to keep this secret for now because if it came out before everything is in place, there's no telling what she'll do... Or what the Council will do, if they find out!"

"Are you sure this girl's Watcher can be trusted?" asked Willow.

"Yes, I'm sure. I even pointed out that Buffy's adoption was the reason the Council failed to find her until she was Called. He will tell his charge that she misunderstood her lesson and that although rare, it is possible for slayers to have younger siblings."

"Okay," replied Willow. "So who is privy to this secret?"

"Everyone here plus Angel, Cordelia and Wesley in Los Angeles," answered Giles.

"Was that wise, to include Wesley?" asked Willow.

"Wesley has grown up in the last couple of years. I have no qualms about calling him a friend now; he's nothing like he was when he arrived in Sunnydale."

"Alright Giles. But I'm curious," nodded Willow even though he could not see the gesture. "Why did you not bring this up before, about slayers not being able to have younger siblings?"

"I believe that the spell that created Dawn did not just give us all false memories but also blocked myself and others from realising that Buffy could not have a younger sister. Then later, although I realised not long before you three moved away, I kept it to myself because to be frank, I thought it unlikely that Dawn would meet anyone with the knowledge."

"Giles, with our luck, are you nuts," laughed Willow.

"Yes well quite," chuckled Giles. "I'll contact Wesley and let him know you will be emailing him later."

"Woo Giles, listen to you with the computer speak," teased Willow.

"Goodbye Willow, Tara. Speak to you soon," said Giles with a smile in his voice.

"Bye Giles," replied Tara as she disconnected the call.

* * * * *

Louise lay on her back across several desks with her eyes closed, "What time is it?" she asked drowsily.

"It's almost nine," answered Madeline absently. "Hey maybe I'll own a magazine some day. Then I'll get all my nail polish for free," she commented looking up from the magazine she was reading.

"I'm going back to sleep," said Louise rolling onto her side. "Tell Paris, I hate her."

"Okay," nodded Madeline.

"Hi," greeted Paris entering the classroom.

"Hey Paris. Louise hates you," smiled Madeline.

"You'll thank me when you get into Sarah Lawrence," Paris pointed out looking down at the blonde.

"Wanna bet?" moaned Louise sitting up.

"Hey," said Rory as she and Dawn entered carrying coffee and a box of doughnuts respectively.

"Wow, did you bring coffee?" asked Madeline happily.

"And doughnuts in the shape of clowns," declared Dawn walking over and offering the first one to Madeline.

"Hey they've got hats," Madeline noticed taking one.

"Well a clown just isn't a clown without a hat," replied Rory before looking at Paris. "Here's your decaf with soy milk."

"Thanks."

"You're welcome," smiled Rory. "So I read your doctrine and I think our imaginary kingdom is off to a pretty good start."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. I mean the taxes are a little high and the landowner's power should be regulated a little more..." Rory began.

"It was a different time back then," interrupted Dawn.

"Yeah but the fundamental human needs were the same," countered Rory looking between her two friends.

"We're supposed to set it up within..." Paris started to refute Rory's argument.

"Ding, ding, ding. No debating until I've had coffee," stated Louise taking a coffee from Rory.

"And a clown," added Madeline smiling around her doughnut.

"Ladies," smirked Tristan swaggering into the room.

"Hi Tristan," greeted Madeline.

"Hey," smiled Rory.

"Paris, can I talk to you for a sec?" asked Tristan standing in front of the blonde.

"Oh, sure okay," nodded Paris rising and following Tristan out the door.

"And that is about what pray tell?" asked Louise looking around the others.

"I don't know. The project... maybe?" mused Madeline.

"They could've talked project here. It's something else. Something private!" Louise pointed out her curiosity peeked.

"Scandal," offered Erica.

"Maybe. Though it is Paris," Louise surmised.

"Scandal light," agreed Madeline.

"All the taste, but much fewer calories," smirked Louise.

"We could spy," suggested Madeline.

"Or we could wait for her to come back in to see if she wants us to know," stated Rory.

"Those who simply wait for information to find them, spend a lot of time sitting by the phone. Those who go out and find it themselves have something to say when it rings," Louise said philosophically.

"Nietzsche?" asked Rory.

"Dawson," Dawn supplied.

"My next guess," smiled Rory as Paris came back.

"So, what was with the confab in the hallway?" asked Louise as she, Madeline and Erica surrounded her.

"We're dying here," Madeline pointed out.

"Well, Tristan, he...asked me out," Paris replied happily.

"No!" exclaimed Madeline.

"My, my, my," mused Erica.

"Wow, this is amazing. God I'm jealous," teased Louise.

"Details please. Don't leave out anything. We want every comma, apostrophe, and ampersand," stated Erica.

"Well he just asked me out," explained Paris.

"When?" asked Dawn from where she sat with Rory.

"Tonight."

"Hmm," frowned Louise.

"What?" asked Paris.

"Nothing," said Louise quickly.

"No, you 'hmm'ed. Why did you 'hmm'?" Paris demanded.

"Forget it," Louise tried to appease her friend.

"Louise tell her why you 'hmm'ed," sighed Dawn.

Louise sighed again as she first looked over to Dawn before turning her full attention back to Paris. "He asked you out for tonight," she pointed out.

"Less than twenty four hours notice," added Madeline sadly.

"So? What does that mean?" Paris asked worriedly.

"Usually that someone else cancelled," Louise replied gently.

"Or maybe he just got up the nerve to ask her out," suggested Rory.

"Maybe," mused Erica.

"This is so amazing," smiled Louise trying to get Paris past the worry she had helped create. "I mean you are so far from Tristan's type."

"So, so far," added Erica.

"Tristan usually likes his girls bad," giggled Louise.

"Hey, I'll have you know I have no interest in Tristan," laughed Dawn.

"Oh come on Dawn. No way could you be a bad girl," stated Madeline her eyes twinkling.

"That just shows how much I've changed since coming here. When I did get together with my friends, Spike and Faith, mum and Buffy would freak out at some of the things we would pull," smiled Dawn her eyes taking on a distant look for a moment.

"Looks like we're going to have to do the Pink Ladies makeover on you," declared Madeline after laughing with Dawn.

"We'll turn you from a sweet Sandy to a slutty Sandy. Dancing at the school fair with high heels, black spandex, and permed hair," Louise smiled.

"You can borrow my water bra," offered Erica.

"Excuse me?" asked Paris confused.

"My water bra," explained Erica. "It's like a padded bra but it's filled with some sort of liquid so it moves."

"It moves?" Paris' eyes went wide.

"Yeah," nodded Erica.

"On its own?"

"It makes you look natural," Erica assured her.

"Great. Thanks, but I'll pass. Everyone come on, let's get to work," said Paris sitting down.

"I think you're gonna have a really good time," Rory said taking a chair next to the blonde.

"Yeah well, it's just a date right?" Paris pointed out.

"Oh, right."

"Ok, focus people," exclaimed Paris.

"Do you want one?" smiled Rory holding the box of clown donuts out to Paris.

* * * * *

As Dawn and Rory drove home later, Dawn could not keep her speculation to herself any longer. "You set them up didn't you?"

Rory gave Dawn a strange look, "You really are observant!" she mused. "Yeah I just suggested to Tristan that maybe one reason he can't keep a girlfriend is that he isn't going after the right type. I mean, Paris is smart, committed to everything she does, so I'm sure she would be good for him... and maybe not be such a bitch to me sometimes!"

Dawn took the time at a red light to study her friend more closely before shaking out of the thoughts that suddenly came into her mind of Paris and Rory together. "Ah yeah I guess," she said quietly before turning her attention back to the road. "This isn't something to do with you and Tristan kissing is it?"

"Not really. Tristan and I talked it out and I think I finally got it through to him that I am never going to be interested in him..."

"I think it'll take a bit more than a talk to stop him chasing you, Rory," coyly observed Dawn.

"Maybe, we'll see. Anyway, I suggested that the reason he can't keep a girlfriend is he's going after the wrong type and that Paris is smart, and driven, and has ambition, and that she might be good for him."

"Sounds like you're becoming Paris' cheer section," laughed Dawn.

* * * * *

Lorelai ran into the house and upstairs, "Hi! Five minute talking break while I change," she called back to Rory and Dawn studying on the couch. "My day, big leak third floor, lots of things going squish that should not be squishing. Michel is no help. And now I'm late for dinner which by the way I'm completely bummed you're not coming to Rory." She came to the top of the stairs holding two shirts, "Which one, blue, black, good, bad?" she asked.

Rory exchanged looks with Dawn before turning to her mother, "Black."

"Okay. Are you sure you can't come?" asked Lorelai.

"Yeah I'm sure. If we're not prepared tomorrow, Paris is gonna have us sent to the Tower. Although if things go well tonight, I bet it'll help tomorrow," smirked Rory.

"Tonight?" frowned Lorelai coming back down the stairs.

"Yeah, she's going out on a date with Tristan."

"How'd that happen?" asked Lorelai.

"Rory did a little matchmaking," explained Dawn before glancing at the other teenager, "Although I have a feeling it won't work out!"

"Lucy, how many times have I told you not to butt into other people's business?" said Lorelai in a Ricki Ricardo voice.

"Never," smiled Rory.

"Good going," Lorelai looked at Dawn. "You don't know unless you go out with someone if they're the one. Alright, well I want details tomorrow. Now how do I look?" she asked.

"Beautiful," assured Rory.

Lorelai sighed, "Okay. My five minutes are up. There's money on the kitchen table and there's really good chocolate cake that I took out and defrosted for you specially this morning and call me if you need me and I'll be home early and what else?"

"Don't be mean to Grandma," reminded Rory firmly.

"Yeah, yeah broken record. Okay, I'm gone."

"Be good," smiled Dawn.

"Bye you two," called Lorelai slamming the door closed.

* * * * *

Dawn and Rory sat on the couch with a large portion of chocolate cake balanced on the cushion between them, occasionally using the forks they each held to break off a piece as they studied their notes. Suddenly there was a firm knock at the door, they glanced at each other, "I'll get it," stated Rory as Dawn grabbed the plate and placed it onto the coffee table then watched as her friend answered the door.

Paris pushed by Rory and turned to confront her holding an arm full of clothes, "I don't know what to wear," she cried.

"Ever?" smiled Rory.

"On my date with Tristan," Paris clarified. "I'm not trendy girl okay? I don't haunt the boutiques hoping to find that one fabulous little top. I study and then I think about studying and then I study some more."

"Come on," sighed Rory leading the blonde into the living room.

"Hey Paris," Dawn greeted her.

"Hey," Paris acknowledged the other room occupant before turning back to Rory. "I only have one lipstick at home okay? And it's barely even a colour. You put it on and it looks like you're not wearing anything, which is why I liked it in the first place. But to date you need the fabulous little top and you need a lipstick that you can actually tell you're wearing," she whined.

"Do you want to put that stuff down?" suggested Rory.

Paris dumped the arm full of clothes onto the arm of the couch. "You said once that if I ever needed to talk to anyone, I could come talk to you," she reminded Rory.

"Yes I did," nodded Rory.

"Well here I am," said Paris.

"Okay, can I ask you a question?" asked Rory.

"Okay," agreed Paris.

"Why didn't you go to Madeline or Louise, or even Erica, about this? I mean they seem to get that 'fabulous little top' thing."

"Oh yeah that they get. The whole supportive 'You're going to be fine and not throw up twelve times on the way to his car' thing, that they don't get," sneered Paris.

"Hey Madeline isn't that bad," Dawn jumped in. Paris and Rory turned and looked at her, "Just saying," she blushed a little.

"Okay, let's just see what you got," said Rory looking back at Paris.

"I brought everything just in case there was some sort of hidden potential in something that I just didn't see. So?" explained Paris. Dawn looked sadly at the blonde as she realised just how little clothes she must have if what Rory was now looking over was any indication!

"Well you'd be one well dressed widow," sighed Rory.

"Forget it. I'm not going," declared Paris beginning to grab her clothes.

"Yes you are," stated Rory. "Come on now. This is your entire wardrobe?"

"Yes."

"Nothing's left at home," asked Rory sadly.

"Nothing but my Chilton uniform and my bat mitzvah dress, which has menorahs on the collar."

"Okay let's think," mused Rory before beginning to head for the stairs, "Come on."

"Where are you going?" asked Paris as she started to follow. Dawn hurried to catch up with them.

"To our one stop shopping store," smirked Rory.

Reaching the top, Paris looked around the room Rory had led her to. "Is this your mother's room?"

"Yes it is," agreed Rory.

"I can't wear your mother's clothes," cried Paris wondering if Rory was trying to set her up to embarrass her.

"Yes you can, Rory does it all the time," said Dawn coming in behind the blonde.

"What about this?" Rory suggested holding up a pink blouse to Paris while looking over at Dawn.

Dawn shook her head. "My mother says the colour pink makes my head look small," Paris told them.

"Okay, no pink," said Rory putting it back.

"This whole thing is so insane," whined Paris.

"Why?" frowned Rory.

"Tristan asking me out? Why would he do that?" asked Paris. Behind her, Dawn arched her eyebrow at Rory and gesturing that she thought Rory should tell her the truth.

"Why would he not do that?" Rory asked Paris trying to ignore her gesticulating friend.

"Because he's gorgeous and experienced and only dates those most likely to become a trophy wife," Paris pointed out.

"Tristan would be lucky to go out with someone like you. He's not going to have to read the menu to you or explain that the dancing trash bins in the movie theatre previews aren't real. It's going to be much less stressful," explained Rory.

"All these years, I've hoped this would happen and now it has. I feel...I don't know. I don't have a lot of experience in the dating department. I mean if you can't put it on your transcript what's the point right?" said Paris.

"I know. Before Dean, I'd never had a boyfriend. Or a kiss... Well except for the little practise I had with Lane when we were ten," Rory reminded them.

"Yeah," mused Paris.

"I never even thought about dating," confessed Rory.

"Then you met Dean," prompted Dawn smiling sadly at her friends.

"Yeah. And he was so special and nice and made me completely nauseous," Rory nodded returning Dawn's smile.

"The best ones do," mused Paris. "Then they dump you," she said quietly.

"Yeah," agreed Rory just as quietly. "I couldn't even talk around him."

"I saw you at the dance," Paris smiled. "You didn't seem to have any trouble talking. Or gazing annoyingly into each others eyes."

"But that was after we'd been dating a little. After we started going out and spending time together, I don't know it just kind of got easier. And then by the third date everything was perfect," explained Rory.

"Do you miss him a lot?" Paris asked.

Rory nodded, "Yeah, a lot, a lot."

"Sorry," said Paris.

"Thanks," smiled Rory genially happy that Paris understood. "But tonight is not about me. Tonight is about you going out with Tristan in this outfit. What do you think?" she said holding up an outfit.

"It's ok," mused Paris.

"It's great," countered Dawn stepping forward.

"Put it on," commanded Rory holding it out.

"Are you sure?" asked Paris nervously.

"Yeah. Bathroom's down the hall and I'll get you a lipstick with some actual colour in it," Rory told the blonde.

"Okay," smiled Paris throwing her jacket on the bed and hurried out the door.

"Uh, Paris. What are these cards that fell out of your jacket?" asked Rory picking them up off the floor.

"Oh yeah. Those are notes for tonight," called out Paris through the bathroom door.

"Notes?" frowned Dawn joining Rory at the door and glancing at the cards.

"Yeah. Just some reference points really... you know subjects to bring up in case the conversation lags," explained Paris.

"Well can I suggest that you leave this one about the Spanish Inquisition out?" suggested Dawn taking that card from Rory.

"It's not very romantic?" enquired Paris.

"Not really," called back Dawn.

"Okay, I'm dressed," said Paris.

"How's it look?" asked Rory.

"Bad," answered Paris.

"Well I don't think we can really trust your opinion on this subject so come out here please," smiled Dawn.

"Fine but it looks bad," stated Paris opening bathroom door.

"You look great," declared Dawn.

"I feel weird," confessed Paris.

"Well then weird works for you because you look amazing," said Rory firmly.

"Really? You're not just saying that?"

"I swear to God," smiled Dawn. Rory kicked her shin, "Rory swears to God."

"Are you both atheists?" frowned Paris.

"Excuse me?" asked Rory.

"Because that affects the validity of your swearing to God."

Dawn smiled at the blonde, "I'm Wicca, so me swearing to God without also invoking the Goddess, I guess would invalidate me," she laughed. "That's why I invoked him for Rory."

"You look great. And I wouldn't tell you, you did if you didn't," said Rory.

"Okay, well if both of you think it looks okay."

"I believe the word 'amazing' was used," Rory pointed out smiling.

"Then I'll wear it. Thanks."

"Anytime," nodded Rory.

"I have to go," stated Paris heading down the stairs.

"Lipstick," reminded Rory holding it out to the blonde.

"You're going to hold this evening over my head for the rest of my life aren't you?" mused Paris as she applied the lipstick.

"Probably," laughed Rory

"Bye," said Paris as she quickly gathered her own clothes up and headed for the door.

* * * * *

Rory and Dawn sat outside the classroom waiting for the others. "Well aren't we early. Trying to suck up to Parliament?" teased Paris walking towards them.

"Hey. How'd it go last night?" asked Rory standing up with Dawn.

"It went," answered Paris as she led them into the classroom.

"It went well?" prompted Rory.

"Well he picked me up. We went to dinner and a movie," explained Paris as she began putting folders on some of the desks. "I didn't use my note cards once and he kissed me good night."

"Paris, I'm so glad!" gushed Rory.

"It was a kiss," sighed Paris.

"See? All that nervousness for nothing," Rory pointed out.

"Yeah. God this is so weird," mused Paris.

"Good," laughed Rory. "Then it's a good time to talk about our overtaxed peasants."

"Oh let them eat cake," chuckled Paris.

Tristan walked over to them, "Hey."

"Hi," sighed Paris. "Can we talk?"

Dawn had been closely observing the blonde. She did not seem very enthusiastic about the date!

"Sure," nodded Tristan.

"I just wanted to tell you..." began Paris.

"Yeah. I kinda got the impression you want more!" interrupted Tristan.

"What?" asked Paris.

"You want to go steady with me?" clarified Tristan.

"No," Paris shook her head.

"What?" exclaimed Tristan.

"Tristan. I've had a crush on you for as long as I can remember. But after last night, I realised that the reality was nothing like the fantasy," Paris explained calmly. "I hope one day you find someone nice that can love you for the person you are, but that's not me. I'm sorry Tristan, really I am."

"You don't want to go out with me?" he asked again in shock, other than Rory and Erica, no girl he had pursued had ever turned him down.

"I thought I just made myself clear?" stated Paris. "I'd still be interested in going to a movie with you, or even out for coffee or something, but only as friends."

"Oh, yeah as friends," sneered Tristan.

"Honestly I think we both know we're more friends material than dating material?" nodded Paris.

"When Rory first suggested us going out I thought the idea was crazy but she made some good points. We do have some history and well..."

"I guessed that Rory was somehow behind it," interrupted Paris glancing at the blushing brunette. "Yes, we have history, but that's all we do have, history. Okay, so are we done with this?"

"Uh sure," nodded Tristan in shock.

"Great," smiled Paris, "Excuse me," she said turning and walking over to Rory and Dawn as Erica and Brad entered.

"I'm so sorry Paris," stammered Rory fearfully.

"Don't be," Paris waved it off. "As I said, the reality was nothing like the fantasy. All he could talk about was himself. Trying to hold an intelligent conversation with him was like talking to a first grader."

"Really," frowned Rory. "But in some of our classes he seems to be good at arguing his point?"

Paris laughed, "Okay, so he's better at conversing than a first grader. I need something more, I need someone that can push me intellectually and challenge my views in an intelligent way."

Dawn arched her eyebrow as she looked between her two friends but said nothing, 'After all, I can't even sort out me and Maddie.'

When Madeline and Louise entered a moment later, Paris looked around the room, "Okay, let's get started," she said taking a seat.

Madeline dropped her book bag on the desk next to Dawn and sat down, "Hey Dawn," she greeted her friend before looking over at Paris. "Why was Tristan hurrying out of school as we came in?"

"Paris told him she wasn't interested in going steady," explained Dawn.

"Really?" asked Louise a look of shock on her face.

"Wow," exclaimed Madeline her eyes going wide.

"Yes really," snapped Paris. "Now let's get down to work." She looked over at Rory, "I'm having the outfit you lent me, cleaned. I'll bring it to school tomorrow."

"Okay," nodded Rory. "Now about these taxes..."

* * * * *

Rory and Lorelai were sitting at a couple of tables pushed together with Dawn and her guardians when Luke brought out the Gilmores plates and placed them in front of them. "Okay, French toast with bacon crispy. Pancakes, two eggs over easy," he said beginning to turn to get the others their food.

"Oh," gasped Lorelai a little catch in her voice.

"What?" sighed Luke turning back.

"You put the eggs on top of the pancakes," Lorelai explained.

"Oops," frowned Rory getting curious looks from the other three table occupants.

"What?" frowned Luke.

"Yeah, well, it's like two eyes staring at me. See, I can't eat it like this," explained Lorelai.

"Hence the oops," clarified Rory.

"They always remind me of breasts," said Willow without thinking and blushing when they all looked at her.

"Willow's a breast woman," giggled Dawn.

"Eew, now I really need a new plate," cried Lorelai.

"What are you talking about? You always order the same thing," snapped Luke trying to get the image of the redhead staring at other women's breasts out of his head.

"Yeah, but you usually put the eggs on the side so that my breakfast is not ogling me," explained Lorelai.

"It's the same food," he pointed out.

"Hmm, yeah, I need the eggs put on the side," said Lorelai offering him the plate back.

"You want a brand new plate."

"Yes," nodded Lorelai.

Luke took the plate, "How about if I take this plate in the back, I take the eggs off the pancakes, I put the same eggs on the side and bring the plate back out. What happens then?" he asked.

"Then I can eat my breakfast."

"It's the same food just a different configuration," Luke pointed out.

"I won't know that."

"I'm gonna take the plate in the back," sighed Luke heading back to the kitchen shaking his head.

"Thanks Luke. So what time does the judgmental express arrive?" Lorelai asked looking to her daughter.

"Grandma gets here at noon."

"Hmm," mused Lorelai.

"Are you sure you won't do lunch?" asked Rory.

"Oh no, I can't, lunch is bad," said Lorelai shaking her head.

"You're still okay, right Dawn?" asked Rory looking at her friend.

"Yeah, just phone when you know what time you want me there and I'll meet you and your grandma at the Inn."

"What?" cried Lorelai looking at Rory again. "You didn't say anything about having lunch at the Inn."

"I didn't. It was grandma's idea," smiled Rory.

* * * * *

"So, what do you think?" asked Rory as she led her grandmother into the lobby of the Inn.

"Well, I think it's very nice," replied Emily looking around with a critical eye.

"Mum's office is right back there," Rory continued, pointing off to one side of the desk. "Oh and wait until you see the dining room. They got the chandeliers from one of Martha Washington's houses."

"Do you spend a lot of time here?" asked Emily.

"Yeah," nodded Rory. "I work here a couple afternoons a week and I help out with special occasions. They have a lot of weddings here." She glanced into the lounge, scanning it quickly for Dawn. Not seeing her, she was just about to suggest that she call her friend when she entered behind them.

"Sorry I'm late," apologised Dawn joining them. "I got distracted by some homework. Have you been waiting long?"

"That's alright Dawn, school should come first," Emily assured the teenager smiling at her. "We only just arrived ourselves."

"Hey Dawn," greeted Rory before glancing around the lobby. "I wonder where mum is."

"Oh, don't bother your mother. I'm sure she's busy," said Emily.

"Oh no, she'd want to say hi," assured Rory leading the other two over to the desk. "Michel, where's Mum?" she asked.

"Off with her boyfriend," smirked Michel.

"What boyfriend?" frowned Rory.

"Small, dark, wanted in four states," replied Michel.

"Okay," said Rory exchanging a confused look with Dawn. "Well, do you know when she's coming back because my grandmother's here and we want to say hi."

"Your grandmother?" asked Michel looking up for the first time and seeing the older woman with the teenagers and smiled warmly.

"Emily Gilmore," Emily introduced herself extending her hand.

"Michel Gerard," Michel said shaking the offered hand.

"Enchantée. D'où venez-vous?" smiled Emily.

Michel's smile grew, "Paris."

"J'adore Paris. Nous y allons chaque printemps," replied Emily.

"Oh, oui, le printemps à Paris..."

"Un cliché, mais pourtant..." smiled Emily.

"C'est si vrai, c'est si vrai..."

"Okay, well, we better go find mum," interrupted Rory having only followed part of the exchange having dropped French when she started at Chilton in favour of Spanish.

"It's been a pleasure meeting you," said Emily.

"The pleasure is all mine," beamed Michel.

Emily followed Rory towards the lounge, "What a charming man," she mused.

"Uh okay," said Rory exchanging a little smile with Dawn. Just then, Lorelai stepped from the lounge, "Mum, hi," she greeted her mother.

"Mum, hi," said Lorelai joining them.

"Lorelai, it's quite a place you've got here," Emily complimented.

"Oh, well it's not really my place," Lorelai pointed out. "I just work here, so... I thought you were gonna go antiquing."

"Yeah we did. And now we're here for lunch," answered Rory.

"I never would have pictured you in jogging shoes. What's up working girl?" teased Lorelai noticing her mother's footwear for the first time.

"Well, Rory decided that we should take the grand tour of the town and that meant walking," explained Emily. "I hope you don't mind, I borrowed your socks also."

"Oh, I don't mind," smirked Lorelai. "I wish I had a camera, but I don't mind."

"I thought after lunch I could show grandma the grounds."

"Oh yeah, good. On the way back, show her the gym. Jump on the treadmill," smirked Lorelai as she began heading into the lobby.

"See you later," called back Rory as she led the other two into the dining room and walking up to one of the waiters, "Hey, Jimmy. We have a table booked."

"Hi Rory," greeted Jimmy. "This way ma'am," he smirked at the teenager.

"Thank you, my good man," giggled Rory as the waiter handed them their menus.

"Can I get you anything to drink while you decide on lunch?" he asked seriously.

"Girls?" asked Emily looking at the two girls.

"Coke, please," replied Dawn.

"Same, thanks grandma," nodded Rory.

"My granddaughter and her friend will have cokes and I'll have mineral water, thank you," answered Emily looking up at the young man.

"Very good ma'am," smiled Jimmy turning and heading for the bar.

Emily glanced around the room, "You're right, Rory. This is a lovely dining room.

"Yes it is," agreed Rory. "Mum put a lot into it when it was renovated a couple of years ago. She chose most of the fixtures and fittings."

"Really?" asked Emily in shock.

Rory smiled at her grandmother as if guessing what she was thinking! "Yeah. She's not all about monkey lamps and clutter. She is very professional at work."

"So it seems," agreed Emily. "So Dawn. I see the volleyball team finished joined top of your group with Hillside."

Dawn nodded, "Yes. We meet Morgan or Griswold in round two of the State Tournament next week."

"And do you think you'll win?" smiled Emily.

"I have every confidence in my team," replied Dawn mischief dancing in her eyes.

"Good," replied Emily as Jimmy appeared with their drinks.

* * * * *

After lunch, Rory and Dawn led Emily onto the Inn's grounds, heading towards the pond. "So the horses are up on that hill," Rory pointed out. "And the tennis courts are over there," she pointed to the left.

"It's certainly impressive," complemented Emily looking around.

They reached the potting shed just then. "And this is my favourite place," smiled Rory happily.

"The tool shed?" frowned Emily.

"No," Rory shook her head. "This is where we used to live."

"What?" cried Emily.

"Right when mum and I moved here, this was our apartment," Rory explained.

"But..." spluttered Emily. Rory opened the door and walked in with Dawn. Emily looked in from the doorway. "I know it looks small, but it's really pretty. Come on. See, we had our bed right over there, and mum put up this really pretty curtain around the tub so that it looked like a real bathroom. And we would just sit outside at night when the Inn would have parties and we'd just listen to music and feed the ducks and..." Emily turned and began walking away. "Grandma? Grandma wait, what's the matter?" she called as she and Dawn hurried after the older woman.

"Nothing," Emily shook her head.

"Did something happen? Are you sick?" asked Rory.

"I'm fine. It's just getting late, I have to go."

"Lorelai was hurting," Dawn pointed out.

"What?" frowned Emily turning to Dawn.

"She was hurting," repeated Dawn sadly. "She never wanted to hurt you or Richard, but she felt stifled in Hartford. Regardless of the right or wrong of the situation, she felt it was the right thing for her and Rory. She heard you planning Rory's future and I think she feared you would take Rory away from her. There is nothing more important to Lorelai, than Rory. Both you and she are strong willed. By leaving when she did, it gave her the chance to spread her wings. Look at how happy she is doing something she really likes. And Rory, are you sure she would be as happy as she is if she had never come to Stars Hollow, everyone loves her here."

Emily looked stunned not saying anything for almost a full minute. "I have to go," she finally announced before hurrying away.

Rory looked stunned herself as she watched her grandmother disappear. "She'll get over it," said Dawn. "But maybe showing her the shed wasn't the best thing to do!"

"What do you mean?"

"Rory, think of your grandmother's home in Hartford then that shed. It hurt her deeply that your mum would rather stay here with you than in Hartford," explained Dawn.

Rory glanced back at the shed as a short scruffy man carried some bags into it, "I guess," agreed Rory sadly.

"Come on, we better warn your mum about what's happened. 'Cause I don't think your grandmother is going to stay quiet about it!" said Dawn heading back to the Inn.

* * * * *

When Dawn arrived home, she noticed a strange car parked behind their car. She frowned as she climbed the porch steps and opened the door. "Hey, whose car's behind..." she asked walking into the kitchen. "Giles," she cried happily, as she hurried to the quickly rising man to receive a hug. "And Wesley!" added the teenager as she took in the other man in their kitchen. "What are you two doing here?" she asked suspiciously.

"Sit down, Dawnie," replied Willow solemnly, gesturing to one of the empty chairs at the dining table.

"What's wrong," asked Dawn sitting down and looking around the table at the four adults. "Has something happened to someone in Sunnydale or LA?"

"No, Dawn. Everyone is fine. Wesley and I are here about you."

"Me? What about me?"

"Sweetie, you hafta stay calm and promise to let us finish explaining, okay?" answered Tara taking her Ward's hand.

Dawn nodded mutely not trusting her voice at that moment as various scenarios ran through her head.

"First, Dawn, I had hoped never to reveal what I now have to tell you," sighed Giles. "To be honest, I never thought you would meet a potential..."

"This is about the things, Kennedy Cortes told me isn't it?" cried Dawn, the panic rising in her voice.

"Yes Dawnie," nodded Willow as she rose and quickly rounded the table to take the chair on the other side of the teenager and take her other hand. "Dawnie, everything is going to be okay, we've fixed it."

"What do you mean?" frowned Dawn tears standing in her eyes.

"Let me start at the beginning," said Giles, getting a nod from the teenager. "What this Kennedy Cortes told you is true. A potential cannot have younger siblings on her mother's side. The magicks that create the potential does make the mother sterile. I apologise for deceiving you the other week, but I felt at the time it was necessary..."

"So the Council know I can't be Buffy's sister in the normal sense?" surmised Dawn sadly as both her guardians squeezed her hands in support.

"Well they know that potentials can't have younger siblings. But we think it has failed to occur to them that you cannot be her sister in a normal sense," clarified Wesley.

"Precisely," agreed Giles. "We think, the spell that gave everyone false memories, also blocked the realisation that something was wrong with a Slayer having a younger sister. At least for sometime..."

"But not now!" interrupted Dawn.

"Well the block seemed to fail around the time of Buffy's death." Giles smirked then, "The Council is very slow sometimes, they rarely have an original thought, it may be years before it occurs to them."

"So what have you done?" asked Dawn looking at the two smiling Englishmen. "I assume you haven't just come here to tell me, the Council may or may not be hunting me?"

"Quite," nodded Giles the smile leaving his face. "With the help of some of Angel's contacts in Los Angeles, and Willow's skill with the computer," he smiled for a moment at the redhead. "We have made it look as if Buffy was originally adopted by your mother, thereby explaining your existence..."

"It also explains why Buffy was not found until she had been called," added Wesley.

"Dawnie," said Tara gently drawing the teenager's attention. "None of us feel good about what we've had to do to Buffy's memory, but there was no other way."

Dawn allowed the tears to fall as her two guardians leaned in to hug her as she nodded mutely.

"Dawn. This had to be done to protect you, not just from the Council, but Wolfram and Hart," explained Giles gently.

"Angel and I have spent many hours trying to discern what exactly Wolfram and Hart planned to do with you since we found out about your father," added Wesley.

"And?" asked Dawn.

"I'm afraid we have learned nothing useful... yet!"

Dawn nodded, "Okay."

Wesley gestured to the large manila envelope in front of him, "This is the details we came up with. You should study them, so that if anyone queries your relationship to Buffy, you will know what to tell them."

"Okay," agreed Dawn somewhat numb at what had been done to her sister in her name! "I think I'd like to go to my room for a bit," she said rising and taking the envelope.

"Are you alright, Dawnie?" asked Willow sadly, hating herself for what she had helped do to her best friend.

"No," replied Dawn. "I get what you all did was to protect me, and I think Buffy would approve. But no, I'm not okay. If someone could call me when dinner is ready," she asked walking out of the room.

"Goddess," sighed Willow wiping the tears from her eyes. "After all she's been through and now we had to bastardise her sister to protect her from people that should actually be looking to protect her."

"She does understand sweetie. We'll just have to give her time," consoled Tara taking the redhead's hand.

Willow nodded sadly and looked at the two men, "How long can you stay?"

"I need to fly back tomorrow," answered Giles.

"And I have several contacts to see in New York the day after tomorrow," added Wesley.

"You'll stay for dinner then!" nodded Tara getting up.

"Only if it's no trouble," said Wesley.

"It's no trouble, really," smiled Tara.

Dawn stepped numbly into her room and fell heavily onto her bed, her pillow muffling her quiet sobs.

To be continued...