Contents

Girlfriends and Boyfriends.

More Than Boyfriends and Girlfriends.

Notes: Warping season of Glory.  Anya somehow managed to trap Glory in another dimension with herself forever and ever.  So no Anya.  Small change later.  Mentions of death of characters, non graphic, just a statement that it happened.

Girlfriends and Boyfriends.

Xander looked across the bar, sizing up the targets around him.  It was a nice place and far from Sunnydale so no one there would be able to recognize him.  Even if he hadn't been wearing a very unXander-like outfit.  As a matter of fact, if his friends found out that he was sitting in a bar in a dress, he'd be in real trouble, but for right now, he was happy and content with himself.  He smiled at the nice looking man who bought him a drink, blushing shyly.  He was rather new to all this stuff, this had begun a few years back but this was only his third time in a bar.  He desperately hoped this time wouldn't turn out like the others.

"Hey, beautiful," the guy said, smoothly sliding in next to her.  He looked her over.  "You cover very well."

"Thank you.   I'm still kind of new to this," he offered quietly, intentionally making his voice quieter and trying for a bit higher.  The man smiled at his attempt.  "Not your first time here?  I got a rec from my clothing store earlier."  He sipped his drink.

"Erin's?"  The faux woman nodded, giving him a bit of a smile.  "Plenty of us shop there.  Where you from, gorgeous?"

"S...Sunnydale."

"Ah, then you'd be the new chick she's been gushing over with her buddies in the corner."  He patted her on the hand.  "Don't worry, I'm not scary."  Xander nodded, still a bit uptight.  "Have you ever tried it?"

"I didn't start this to pick up men.  Not really," he admitted, looking down.

"You're one of the rare ones who can only let go and not be a total alpha in female form?" he asked.  Xander nodded.  "Hmm, high powered job?"

"Stressful rest of my life.  I'm a construction worker."

"That explains the muscles."

"And the bulk.  I'm trying so *hard* to slim back down," he offered with a small pout.  He looked at him.  "How long have you been coming here?"

"About six years."  He smoothed some of the wig's hair off her cheek.  "Come dance with me, pretty one?"

"Xander."

"Xander?  Now I know your name," he teased.  He took her out onto the floor, leading the dance, cradling her closely, which was what she wanted.  "Does anyone have any idea about you at home, Xander?"

"No, not really.  One of my friends' sisters walked in on me a few weeks back.  She's sworn to secrecy and she's the one who found me Erin's shop. I blew my whole paycheck earlier."  He chuckled at that.  "She's also vowed to help me with my makeup."

"Having a girlfriend can help with those awkward things," he agreed gently.  He felt her stiffen and looked around, noticing the large man that just walked in.  "Ahhh, a coworker," he teased.

"My boss," Xander whimpered. "I'm so fucked if he sees me."

"No beautiful woman like you would normally swear," he chastised gently.  He tipped her face up and kissed her.  "Are you looking for a ride home for the night, Xander?" he asked gently.

"I don't know, I never tried it," she admitted sheepishly.  "Usually the act of dressing up is enough."

"Then let me show you.  That way he can't blackmail you."  He walked her back to the bar to pick up her jacket, helping her into it as was only proper.  Then he led her out to her car.  "Motel?"

"Would be fine.  I'm staying in one," she promised, smiling gently.  He smiled back and let her into his car, then walked around to drive.

***

Xander nearly jumped when his bedroom door was flung open, panting in fear since it was Dawn standing there.  "I know I locked that."

"You did.  Willow undid the chain.  I sent her for soda."  Xander hurriedly put everything away, shoving the basket of dirty clothes back into the closet.  She looked around, moving his makeup into his top dresser drawer for him.  Then she walked him out, tugging on his arm. "So, how was it?"

"Interesting."  He grinned at her.  "Kinda creepy there for a bit.  I almost ran into my boss."

She winced and hissed.  "That could've been nasty."

"Yeah.  He is the sort to blackmail me."  Someone knocked and he flinched, grabbing the purse off the couch and the jacket to put away while he she let his other friends in.  "Hey, guys, why the meeting at my place?" he asked as he came out of his bedroom, closing the door behind him.  No one would need to go in there, the bathroom was off the kitchen.  "Not that I'm complaining or anything, but aren't there any apocalypses coming?"

"We didn't get to see you all weekend so we're here to bug you now and steal your cable," Buffy assured him happily.  "You get Showtime."

He chuckled. "Sure, watch away," he promised, tossing her the remote. He walked into the kitchen, Willow had left everything in the plastic bags yet again.  So he put things away but he wasn't about to cook.  If they wanted food they could come make some.  He was not their chef.  He headed back to the bathroom to tidy up in there as well.  Not that he had left a mess, but his wig was sticking out from under the sink.  He heard his cell ring and groaned, walking out to take it from Willow's hand.  "Yeah?"  He grimaced at her before walking off.  "What's wrong, boss?  Need me for some overtime or something?"  He listened, nodding slowly, then he walked into the bathroom and shut the door.  "No, I'm not talking to you about that stuff, boss.  I thought I made that clear when I left."  He hung up and walked out, looking at Dawn.  Then he shook his head and walked off.

"Problems?" Buffy called.

"Minor ones.  My boss caught me out at a club over the weekend and wanted to talk about it.  I told him no."

"What were you doing?" Willow asked, looking amused.  "It's not like you use drugs, hit on teenagers, or flirt with guys."

"I was in a pretty hardcore metal club dancing and I'm not sure what he wants.  I doubt it's polite."  He shrugged and went into the bedroom to get the paper, closing the bedroom door behind him.  Both older women gave him an odd look.  "That way I don't have to heat in there until I go to bed.  I don't mind sleeping in a cool room but I've only got the one heater and it's chilly today.  It'll raise the bill by at least thirty bucks if I have to heat everything."

"Oh, okay," Buffy said, frowning a bit.  "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Bills, Buffy," he sighed, sitting down to look through the classifieds.  He liked working construction, he really did, but he was not going to allow his boss to blackmail him.  He'd leave first.  He circled a few, looking at his cell as it rang.  "What?" he answered.  He listened.  "No, I'm not.  Anything else?"  He listened some more.  "No, that wouldn't be me either, boss.  Thanks anyway though for that astounding bit of confidence in me.  Nope.  Boss, not like I care," he admitted dryly.  "Yeah, and I may love the job but not enough to have this discussion with three females sitting in my living room."  He listened to the threat.  "You know what, stick it."  He hung up.  "So I'm officially unemployed again."

"If he's forcing you to do something bad to keep your job, you can sue him," Willow reminded him.

He just looked at her, then snorted and shook his head, getting back to his paper.

***

Things had moved on relatively simply for the last six months.  Xander had flirted with a few nice men at the clubs his clothier kept a list of, careful to keep away from his former boss.  His new job didn't pay as well but it wasn't as physically strenuous either.  Of course, just when you become content, bad things happen.  Joyce died of a brain tumor.  Buffy lost it after she was buried and followed.  Xander and Willow started to fight over what was best for Dawn.  Finally, Xander looked at the young girl.  "Do you want to go with me?" he asked quietly.  "Far away from here?  It's still dangerous.  I'm not hunting anymore."

Willow burst out crying and stomped off.  Dawn looked at her, then at him.  "Why?" she asked quietly.

"I can't.  I just...can't, Dawn.  I'm heading for somewhere I can get a good job in construction.  I'm offering to bring you with me.  Your sister left you in my custody since I have the job.  Willow can follow if she wants, there's probably going to be a college nearby."  He moved closer. "It's too dangerous to stay, Dawn," he offered quietly.  "They've started to attack the house.  We maybe have weeks before we're subjected to a full out assault."

She swallowed and nodded.  "It makes more sense not to die here.  What about the house?"

"You can sell it.  It'll go into your college fund.  After all, I've got some money saved."  She smiled tentatively and nodded, giving him a gentle hug.  "She'll want to go somewhere with Tara," he offered quietly.  "I can't take the death."

"Agreed."  She looked up at him.  "Can we go somewhere I can make you look like a hottie?"

"Of course," he agreed, patting her on the cheek.  "Willow, you're more than welcome to move with us," he called.  He let Dawn go when Willow didn't reappear, heading for the kitchen.  No Willow, no Tara. He sighed and called Tara's room phone.  "Tara, I'm sorry. I  can't hunt anymore.  We're in danger here, and I don't want to bury anyone else.  I'm going down to hurricane alley to get a good construction job and I'm bringing Dawn with me.  She'll be safe with me.  You know she will be.  If you and Wills want to follow, come right on down.  There's colleges all over the area.  I'll miss you guys otherwise.  I'll have Dawn save you a few of the pictures."  He hung up and walked back to the living room.

"Okay.  For now, pack.  My apartment's safer than the house.  We'll pack everything else and put it into storage so we can have it moved in a few months."  She nodded, going to do that.  Xander sat down to look through the real estate agent listings in the phone book, finding a few he knew were honest.  Dawn came back down with three bags and her backpack for school.  "Who do you want to use?" he asked quietly, tapping at the few he had marked.  She considered and pointed at the one she had met with her mother, her mother had talked to her at the store when they ran into each other. "I'll start the arrangements tomorrow.  For now, let's go have food and rest."  He helped her get her bags to his car and got her into it, letting her stare.  "If it was safe, I wouldn't care," he reminded her.

"I know."  He walked around to get in and drive, so she looked at him.  "I can come back for the rest of my stuff, right?"

"Of course.  We'll put everything you don't think you'll want immediately into storage and bring it down or whatever you want."

Dawn looked at the house, then at him.  "Just some of the smaller stuff.  I don't want the couch she died on or the tv you and Buffy threw popcorn at."

"I leave that up to you, Dawnie."  He patted her on the knee, starting the engine and taking her to his place for the next few days.  When he got there, he pulled out a map and circled the area he was thinking about.  "Anywhere in the circle has a desperate need for construction guys."  She looked at him.  He grinned.  "I liked the job, just not my boss when he blackmailed me after seeing me in drag," he offered quietly.  She shook her head.  "He's a predator, I was warned by a few people to stay away from him.  My instincts were crossbow perfect that time."

"Will they have to call him for the reference stuff?" she asked.

He shrugged.  "I'll tell them the truth, I caught him hunting at a gay club and I quit rather than being blackmailed."  He looked over the map.  "Let's see, the last bad hurricanes were in this area," he offered.

"Not New Orleans.  All Giles' books said they had vamps running out of the taps down there."  He nodded, crossing that area off.  She looked at the map, then at him, tapping southern Florida.  "Miami, Tampa?"  He shrugged.  "You're going to let me decide?"

"Yeah, as long as I can get a job down there," he offered.

"Miami's hipper according to all the magazines."

He went to pull it up on his computer, letting her look at the area's statistics and their board of education's site.  She smiled and nodded, tapping one school. "Okay, send them a letter of interest. I'll contact their employment board in the morning after I talk to the realtor.  With any luck, I can find a job through them so I can start the day I get down there."

She hugged him.  "Thank you, Xander.  I know you're doing this for both of us."

"The ghosts are too thick, Dawn.  Your sister was just the last straw," he admitted.  She nodded, cuddling up to him.  He patted her on the back, just comforting her.  He'd never hit on her or anything like that. She was like his little sister.

***

Xander walked onto his site the first morning, shaking his new boss's hand.  "Harris, reporting as ordered, ten minutes early?" he offered with a shy grin.

He looked him over.  "Ready to work too.  That six months dull your skills?"

"No, sir.  I did plenty of fixing for the woman I was being a secretary for."  That got a laugh.  "What's the rule about cellphones on site?  Like I said in my letter of interest, I'm the guardian of a young teenager and she's starting school today as well."

"On vibrate if you've got to have it on.  I understand, you're not the only single father around here."  He walked him into the office "We're rebuilding the lab, Harris, and it's the pride and joy of the city."

"Every building should be the pride and joy of someone."  The boss smiled at him for that.  "I'm more used to house construction but I'm good with commercial.  Same things, different codes.  I'll pick up a code manual tonight on my way home if I can to update myself."

"Good.   I like diligence."  He walked him into the office and closed the door.  "I did contact your last construction employer to see what he'd say.  Drag queen?"

Xander grimaced.  "More like I can't let go, boss," he admitted honestly. Dawn had ordered him to be honest if asked directly.  She said it'd cause less trouble and this site had other gay men on it.  "That's the only way I can let go."

"Okay," he agreed, nodding.  "So he caught you....."

"He's a predator.  He tried to blackmail me.  I quit."

"Understandable.  You don't do it during work?"

"No," he said, shaking his head quickly.  "I'm not a trannie.  Nothing like that.  I don't like being as bulky as I am, but I'm not like that.  It's the only way I can let go and be the weaker one."

"Okay."  He smiled and handed him the paperwork.  "Here you go, fill it out and I'll walk you around."  Xander smiled and sat down, pulling out a pen to fill it out.  He went to find one of the crew leads, clapping the guy on the back.  "I got you one with experience.  Referenced two of his former coworkers but his last boss was blackmailing him."  The crew lead looked interested at that.  "He's got custody of a former friend's teenage sister. He's honest."

"How old is he?"

"College age.  Twenty-two if I remember right.  He's filling out paperwork.  Said he'd update to local codes tonight if I'd let him borrow a book.  He was crew lead on house construction out there in California."

"How did his work record look?"

"Like his boss was blackmailing him but his coworkers sent pictures and a lot of praise from his former crew.  They miss him."

"That's all I need to know then," he agreed, heading that way.  Xander looked up and smiled, then went back to the paperwork.  "Yeah, it's a chore."

"Done it many times in the past," Xander said dryly.  "My first year after high school I worked about eighty jobs."  That got a laugh.  "Mostly fast food and stuff."  He shuddered.  Then he signed the last one and handed it over with a grin for his boss.  "There you go."

"Thank you, Harris.  This is your crew lead, Thomas.  Thomas, this is Xander."

"Hi, nice to meet you," he said, standing up to shake his hand.  "I've got my tools, helmet, and safety gear in the car if you'll let me know what I need."

"Let's look over the job first.  I want your opinion on something."

"Sure."  Xander followed him out, looking around.  "Are we putting in glass?"  He nodded.  "Bulletproof?"

"Some.  In certain areas."  He watched as the kid headed for one sheet that had been installed.  "What's wrong?"

"That's too thin, it'll crack when you put the upper pane on."  He motioned him closer.  "It's already starting to grind."

"It is."  He frowned and looked around at the guys who were putting in the windows, motioning one over.

"Not my choice, boss, they wanted the pretty glass.  If it cracks, it's their fault."

"I'll have the main boss call someone about that to make sure we got the right stuff," he promised, patting Xander on the back. "This is Xander, he just moved from near LA with his little sister."  Xander grinned at that and shook the guy's hand.  "This is Felipe.  He's a good guy, been with the company now for a few years."

"Nice to meet you," Xander said happily.

"Nice to meet you too.  Doing commercial or housing out there?"

"Houses mostly.  Sunnydale's a quiet, small, quaint town."

Felipe looked at him, then crossed himself.  "You come from Sunnydale?"

"My whole life."  He grinned a bit.  "Let me reintroduce myself.  Xander Harris."

"Ah!"  He nodded and hugged him.  "It's calm down here but I understand why you left.  My wife's psychic."

"Cool.  I may be sending Dawnie nearer to her then."  That got a nod and Felipe walked off.  Xander looked at him.  "My high school graduation got attacked and I ended up running the defense movement," he explained quietly. "Some people know me from that."

"What happened?"

"A small gang attack and they blew up the school. It was cleverly covered up as a gas main blowing."  That got an eye roll from his boss.  "It was just another reason to leave, boss.  The town was only getting more dangerous and Dawn deserved a chance for a happy life."

"Good man," he said, then led him off.  He gave him the tour then let him get his gear so he could start work.  He watched him all morning, he was good and he worked hard.  He was a good hire.  The boss came over at lunch and they talked about him.  "Harris!" he called.  Xander came trotting back.  "Federal files?"

"Um...."  He scratched the back of his neck and sighed.  "There was a few military personnel in town who had alternate opinions on our right to exist without self defense.  My friends and I rather had it out with them when they tried to take over the town.  Didn't I pass the background?"

"You didn't, but that's because it was blocked," the boss offered.  "Which means you can't work on this site, but I'm moving you to the less sensitive one."

"Sure, I fully understand.  I'd like to kick those guy's asses again for doing that to me."  That got dual smiles.  "Really.  It was a matter of living or not."

"I get that.  I did some checking on your town.  It's really dangerous."

Xander nodded.  "And then some, bosses.  Why do you think I moved?"  That got a smile from Thomas.  "So, where am I headed and how long do I have to get there?"

"You'll need to introduce yourself today, then start work tomorrow," the boss offered.

Thomas cleared his throat.  "Ignore the crew lead Justin.  He's an asshole to be perfectly honest.  Bible belt wearing and thumping redeneck. He'll make crude innuendos about your little sister.  Don't hit him."

"Sure.  As long as he doesn't say it to her face or try to hit on her."  That got a snicker. "Her sister was one scary woman.  I'm going to live up to her expectations."

"I understand, kid."  They looked over as something shattered.  "Hell!"

Xander ran over, moving two of the guys out of the way and grabbing a third to move him.  He had a large glass shard in his neck.  "Fuck.  Someone get someone!  And someone get me something to hold against this!"  A towel was handed over. "Thanks."  He shook it out, then carefully pushed it around the glass.  The glass pressed in deeper.  He counted to ten, thinking while he held it down.  "Boss, tell them this glass is cutting deeper.  I need to remove it!" he called.

"Don't you dare!" another voice yelled.

"If I don't, he'll die sooner."  He looked at the older lady.  She was elegant, dark skinned, and dressed fairly nicely.  "Putting pressure on it means it causes more damage."

"Pulling it out fully exposes it."

Xander took her bag and opened two syringes, then stuck some tubing between it, moving around the injured area in the main vein it had hit.  Then he carefully shifted the glass out, making her gasp.  "There!"  He handed it over, then got back to direct pressure.  She just stared at him.  "Field medicine, I'm from near LA.  I lived in a very rough town."  He looked down at the groaning man.  "You'll be okay," he said more gently, continuing to press on the wound.  "Go get the others."  She swatted him.  "OW!"

"Don't tell me what to do, I'm the actual doctor."

"Sorry."  He looked around, seeing the paramedics.  "Guys, I put in a makeshift shunt?"  They came rushing over.  "It's all right, you'll be okay," he promised, letting them have it.  He got helped up and back by someone, giving them a gentle smile.  "Sorry to take charge," he told his very stunned boss. "Not the first one."  He dusted himself off.  "Can I have the address so I can head home and change before I go to the other site, boss?"

"Um, sure."  He walked him back to the office.  "That was the ME for the crime lab, Xander."

"Oops.  Sorry.  I've always been a jump in kinda guy though."  He took the address and looked at himself, then at him.  "Was I dressed decently enough for a first day?"  That got a nod.  "Cool.  I'll head over after I shower."

"That's fine, I'll tell him you're bathing off glass dust before then.  Thank you for saving him."

"It's what I do."  He headed out to gather his stuff and then nodded at Thomas.

"Oh, no, he stays!" Felipe ordered loudly.  "He saved my guy, he stays!"

"Felipe, man, Initiative blocked my file," Xander said quietly in his ear.  "They can't do a background on me, it's blocked."  Felipe stomped off.  Xander shrugged and headed out to his car.  He found the ambulances moving off and nodded politely at the older woman.  "I'm sorry I took control from you."

"It may have been the right thing to do," she admitted.  "That was unorthodox in the extreme however."

He gave her a sheepish grin.  "We had a lot of really bad things that happened in town, ma'am.  It's not the first time I had to do one of those."  He got into his car and headed off to shower and report to the other site.

The boss looked at Felipe, who was still scowling.  "If you can find a way around that block, I'll have him sent back," he offered quietly.

He nodded.  "There was a special ops group that went there to do some experiments.  Xander and his friends are nearly legendary for driving them off."  He looked around then back at his boss.  "Doesn't surprise me they're that petty."

"If I can find a way around it, I'll bring him back."  Felipe nodded.  "You know about his town?"

"Bad things happen there.  Many, many bad things."  He walked off to check his crew.  "Get the windows people here, boss.  This wasn't right."

"I know.  He pointed that out earlier."  He went to call them then call someone at the agency that did their background checks to see if they could find a way around it.  The head of the lab walked into the office so he hung up.  "Lieutenant.  It looks like it was a weak piece of glass.  I've already informed them and they're coming down to make sure the glass that they delivered is what was in the plans."

"Good.  Who was that young man?"

"Harris, sir."  He handed over his forms.  "New hire, just moved here from outside LA.  Apparently his town was dangerous and he had to help defend sometimes.  He told Thomas that Felipe knew him because he had led a defense when his high school graduation was attacked and the school blown up."

"I see."  He closed the folder.  "Why isn't he staying?"

"His background is blocked.  Felipe!"  He came jogging in.  "Tell him what you know."

Felipe swallowed, then closed the door.  "The boy comes from a town so dangerous it's got a fifty percent mortality rate for getting out of your twenties, Lieutenant.  He handled things there so they started to calm down.  He defended a great many people."  That got a single nod.  "He's a good guy.  I want him back, but I understand how the military can get petty when you help shut down a torturing program of sick people."

"Let me look into it. I may be able to get his background cleared," the Lieutenant said quietly.  "I definitely want to know more about his background at the moment since he took over from Alexx and seemed to know what to do."

Felipe looked at him, then suddenly smiled, writing down an address.  "He used to handle things like what happen there, Lieutenant Caine."

He crumpled up the address.  He knew that place very well.  "I see.  Thank you, boys.  I'll do what I can to get him back here by the end of the week."  He walked off with the file.

Felipe looked at his boss, shrugging a bit. "I figure he's had a case that touched on it."  He headed back to help with the clean up.

The boss frowned a bit.  He opened his laptop and googled the kid's name, coming up with some very interesting mentions on some very odd sites.  Though most of them did mention he left the old life behind to take care of his friend's sister, which was what he had told him.  Interesting.  Very interesting.

***

Xander flopped down from his first night, looking at his little sister. "Hey."  She grimaced.  "Bad first day?"

"Not the suckiest, I had pecking order problems and pointed out I could care less.  You either liked me or you didn't.  I'm good at making friends."  She shrugged.  "You?"

"First site was okay but the background wouldn't clear thanks to the Initiative.  So I got told to move to the second site when one huge ass sheet of glass came down and hurt some people."  She hissed.  "And I ended up showing off in front of the ME when I shunted around an injury and removed the glass since it was causing more damage.  The second site is one you're not allowed on because the boss is a bigot and I'll be damned if I'm going to make you kick his ass for an off-color joke.  I did glare at him earlier for some of his, along with a few others.  He threatened to fire me.  I shrugged it off and said 'yay' and pointed out he had no problem with lesbians by his jokes, maybe he was hiding something.  He stomped off.  I'm hoping they can clear my background up so I can go back to the better site.  Not that I mind the other one.  It's a nice brick job, which I like doing anyway."  He shrugged.  "Did you cook or am I cooking?"

"I say we order pizza."

"Dawn, I don't get paid for three weeks," he reminded her patiently.  "We can order pizza then."

She glared at him.  "The house money is my money and I'm buying a pizza with it."

"You've only got sixty bucks a month allowance from that fund," he said firmly.  "Plus I'm paying you back for the grand I had to borrow to pay the deposit.  I seriously had no idea the cost of living was so high down here."

"That's okay, Xander."  She got up to hug him, making him pat her on the arm.  Someone tapped on the door so she went to look, then cautiously open it, leaving the chain on. "Yes?"  He pulled out his badge to show it.  "Are we being too noisy?  I haven't even squealed recently."

Xander looked, then waved a hand.  "He runs the lab that the first site is building.  Let him in."  She closed the door to release the chain then let him inside without inviting him in.  "Lieutenant," he said, standing up to shake his hand.  "My boss said you're doing the background on me.  Is there a problem?"

"Not yet."  He sat down and Xander sat, giving him an interested look.  "You're aware your last construction boss had a bit of a problem with you?"

"Yeah, he saw me at a gay club and tried to blackmail me.  I used two of my coworkers as references instead of him."

"I saw that."  He put the folder down, then looked at him.  "What was the Initiative?"

"Freako torturing bastards who came after my sister with their commandos," Dawn said, sliding down next to Xander, who gave her a look. "Yay.  I'm not going to the kitchen or the bedroom, Xander."

"Fine."  They looked at him again.  "Before you ask, I sleep on the couch.  That's her bedroom.  I only get closet and dresser space."

"I wasn't going to comment. I know how bad housing can be down here," he pointed out.  She smiled at that.  "Why did you really leave?"

"The town got to be too dangerous after her sister died.  We were constantly being tried and pushed at.  So I took everything I could and got her to safety, like her sister would've wanted."

"Mom would've loved the idea too," she admitted, sniffling a bit.  Xander pulled her against his chest, letting her cry on him.

"She lost her mother and then her sister within two weeks," he offered quietly.  "We moved about a month after that, Lieutenant."

"I understand."  He looked at the file.  "How did you know what to do today?"

"Not the first time," Xander offered.  "I had to do it around a big piece of metal in someone's leg in the past.  Any pressure would cause more damage from the sharp and pointy edges.  Our friend Willow used to study medical texts when she was younger, she told me what to do since she wasn't present."

"All right," he said quietly.  "Big piece of metal?"

"Technically, yeah," Xander sighed.  "The front third of a sword if you want to get technical about it."  He raised an eyebrow.  "You wanted the truth."

"I do," he agreed, looking at her.  "Go ahead and help her calm down. I can wait."  Xander nodded, heaving them both up and taking her to the bedroom to get her laid down and comfortable, then he came back after closing the door. "I know this is a hard time."

"It wouldn't have been much better there to be honest," Xander pointed out as he sat back down.  "What did you need to know to get around the federal block?"

"Technically they're trying to erase you from the system."

"Are you sure it's them and not our hacker buddy?" he asked dryly, finding his cellphone.  "Tara, me.  No, small issue.  Is she trying to erase me from all the systems?  If not, the idiots in camo are. She's fine.  The person doing my background check is here and her mom came up so she's in bed.  She's fine.  First day snarking.  Thanks."  He handed the phone over.  "She can get you around that."

"Hello," he said, listening to the young woman on the other side.  "And your name?"  He made note of that.  "Thank you.  Do I want to know...."  He smirked at Xander.  "I thought you were kidding."

"Nope.  Willow, just remove the block," he called.  "No getting fancy or anything."  A few minutes later the phone was hung up and handed back. "They tried it on me once before.  They think I'm the easier target for some reason."

"I have no idea why."  He looked at him.  "The man you saved today is going to be fine."  Xander smiled and nodded at that.  "About that glass....."

"Too thin.  Remember, you're going to be putting another layer on top of it.  It won't hold that weight.  I expected cracking and things, but that shattering was odd.  Too much weight at the wrong point.  Maybe a bubble in the glass.  They'll be able to tell, Lieutenant."

"Thank you, Mr. Harris.  Let me get this background run tonight for you so you can get back to my lab."  He stood up and shook his hand.  "I won't tell anyone."

"Thank you.  I'm retired unless I have to be," he offered quietly.  He got a nod.  "You look like you knew who I was before you stepped in."

"It was pointed out that you did things like certain areas of the city, which I have had to deal with in the past.  Retired?"

"I'm not letting Dawn be an orphan again," he said quietly.

"That's a good sentiment.  Thank you, Mr. Harris."  He walked out, leaving them alone for now.  Not that he wouldn't be watching, because he would be.  Very closely in fact.

Xander flopped back down, then looked toward the kitchen.  He stamped down on his mind when a soda started to float out, getting up to get the fallen can and relock the door.  He hated it when he did that.

***

Xander looked up as his temporary boss shouted his name, waving a hand and finishing what he was doing before walking over there.  "Yeah?" he asked, hammer loose in his hand.  "Six more rows hopefully before I break for lunch."

His boss blinked at him.  "During lunch, you're traveling back to the other site.  They finally got you cleared, Harris."  He stared him over. "Why couldn't they clear you immediately?"

"I don't know.  Maybe a hold up since my high school was destroyed?"  He shrugged. "That's fine.  I'll leave on time and eat on the way over.  Thank you for letting me know.  Anything else?"  He got a glare.  "Then I'm going back to my bricks."  He went back to them, starting a new row.  "Hey, Kyle," he called.  "Can I get a bit more mud?" he called.  "I'm leaving at lunch to head to another site."  That got a nod.  "Maybe five, six more rows?"  That got another nod and the guy on the mixer started to work on that while he got back to work on his pattern.  He put another brick in place and dotted the drawing beside him.  It was odd and tedious work but he could do this.  The boss came over.  "It's coming along, boss.  I'll be cracking one for that triangular spacer in a few," he said quietly.

The map got looked at.  "Are you sure you're doing this correctly, Harris?"

Xander stood up to look at the pattern, then pointed at the word 'top' on it.  "Yeah, boss. That's why I'm marking each one off as I go."  He took it back and accepted the new pan of mud. "Thanks, Kyle."  He grinned and got back to work, it was the repeating part of the pattern so he got to work faster.

"I still say that's upside down."

Xander looked back at him.  "The word 'top' came from the original design.  You can check if you want.  I copied it off there, boss."  He got back to work. He hated this guy.

"Think you're so hot," he sneered.

Xander looked at him.  "No I don't.  I have fairly low self esteem in most things, but thank you for asking, boss."

"Bet you're one of those pussy boys," he sneered.

"Not that I'm going to share my personal life, but no.  I lost my last girlfriend about six months ago if you want to be technical about it."  He glared at him.  "I also lost my mother figure and a woman who was like my sister since then, anything else you want to know about my private life or that of my little sister?"  He stomped off.  "Check the drawing, boss.  I'm pretty sure I photocopied it correctly."  He got back to work, losing himself in the pattern, dotting the drawing as he went.  A new shadow fell over him.  "Thank you, I needed the shade."  He looked up to see Thomas.  "Look at this, tell me I'm doing it right?"

He took the drawing, then nodded.  "Looks right to me."  He handed it back.  "I came to get you, he said you're an asshole."

"Feeling's mutual and I know guys who bend over and take it whose holes aren't as big as his is."  Xander finished off his current spot then nodded at Kyle, handing it to him.  "Here, dot each one as you go," he said, handing over the marker.  "That is a triangular spacer," he said, handing over the rest of that brick.  "Have fun."

"Thanks, Xander."

"Not an issue."  He clapped him on the back and gathered up his water bottle and sweat towel, then followed him back.  "I've got my car."

"That's fine.  Stop on the way over for lunch and change your shirt."

"I've got another t-shirt in the car," he promised with a slight grin.  "Thank you!"

"Welcome."  He waved it off.  "Go eat and head over.  Early is fine.  I'll show you where we're having you do wiring later."  Xander nodded, sliding into his car and turning on the AC by the way he sighed in pleasure.  Thomas laughed and watched him go, then went to have a talk with Justin.  "You know, none of my guys disliked him.  Only you and your little gang of hate did.  He even made Caine smirk in pleasure.  I don't know what your problem was.  By the way, I checked that pattern, very interesting design. Kyle's got it now and Xander showed him where he was. I suggest you keep him on that, he could use the experience."

"It's not something we need," he sneered.

"Well, the owners wanted that pattern.  We're here to make their dreams come true."

"There's still something off about that boy," he sneered.  "Doesn't hang out for beers.  Doesn't talk about his past.  Not dating.  That tells me there's something wrong with him."

"He lost his fiance six months ago.  He's taking care of a friend's little sister since she died, and who'd tell you about their past?  You'd try to turn it around on him. I wouldn't tell you anything and I've known you for ten years, Justin.  You're an asshole."  That got a sneer.  "Fortunately we like the boy on our site.  He's a good worker."  He walked off, leaving him to his misery.  He'd talk to the boss about his son-in-law again but he doubted it'd do any more good this time.

***

Xander saluted the boss, finishing his soda.  "Reporting as ordered, boss.  Where do you ya want me?"

"That's a loaded question to some of us," one of the guys called.

Xander smirked at him.  "Sorry, I'm picky, you'd have to do a lot of drooling before I ask you that for real."  Then he blew a kiss, earning a laugh.  He grinned at the boss again.  "Thank you for getting me away from him and his homophobic ways."

"Not a problem, Harris.  I want you on structural wiring."  He walked him over. "It's a bit more complicated than house wiring."

"I can work second if you've got someone over me," he promised.  "I know I'm not a supe."

"Good, I like that."  He patted one guy on the back.  "Harris here is under you for wiring duties.  He's done houses."

"Okay, I can show him what to do and hand-hold for a bit."  He nodded at Xander.  "Welcome back.  Nice tan."

"Thanks, I was doing the brick walls."  That got a hiss.  "Not too bad.  I marked off each brick as I got to it.  I left it with Kyle since he was doing mud."  He shrugged.  "Can I refill my water for later?"  That got a nod so he went to do that and came back, leather gloves back on.  "Okay, show me where," he offered.  That got a smile and the guy over him showed him where they were.  Xander switched out for some thinner leather gloves and got to work looking over the connectors and wires.  "Do we twist them together?"

"No.  That way they can fix a problem easier.  It creates a mess but it works better in case something happens."

"Okay."  Xander found the blueprint taped to the stud next to him and followed it, looking up and getting a ladder to connect another section of ground wire and carry it through the holes and down. "Do we have a problem with the holes being rough?"

"It shouldn't be.  I've had one so far," he admitted.  Xander nodded, gathering the wires together and feeding them through another hole.  "Good.  I'll be back in a half-hour to look over your shoulder."

"Yes, sir."  He got back to work, going from the ladder to kneeling then back.  This was a main wire branching junction and it was harder work than he had been doing all morning.  He didn't know why people went to the gym when they could do this all day. His legs were certainly burning.  His boss came over and looked while he got a drink and put his bottle back out of the way, earning a smile.  "That's harder than bricking."

"It can be.  Later on, it'll be walking and inserting mostly."  He pointed at one. "That connector's on backwards."

"I couldn't get it to fit the other way," he offered, turning it around and trying it.  The boss looked it over, then groaned.  "Wrong wire?"

"Yup."  He got the box of wrong stuff and replaced it with the right stuff, helping him take that out since it was partially his fault.  He looked at the blueprint, moving one wire in the opposite direction and tapping it into the frame.  He looked at him, getting a sheepish look.  "Need glasses?"

"Quite possibly."  He looked again.  It was a really faint line.  "Probably."  He gave him a wry look.  "Sorry."

"That's okay. One was yours, one was mine."  He worked with the kid on the next branching point, making sure he knew what he was still doing.  Xander checked to see if he hitched the grounding wire in, getting a nod of 'yes' so he did that, earning a smile.  "I've been doing it each juncture even though it says every two, just to be safe," he offered quietly. Xander nodded, going on that theory.  The boss came over, giving the plans a look before he looked them over. "I've been doing the ground every juncture, just because this'll have a lot of power whipping through it, boss."

"That's probably safer," he agreed.  "If not, the way you two are doing it, we can pry up the excess taps and just cap the wires together."  He clapped Xander on the back.  "Good job."

"Thank you, boss."  He got out of the way, pointing at a connector.  "I've got another that won't fit either way."  They looked at it and a pocket knife was dug out so they could fix that, making him smile.  "Okay, I can do that."

"Just remove some of the plastic, don't hit the metal pieces," his supervisor of the moment ordered.

"Sure."  Xander nodded and looked, then connected it, watching it fall off.  They both groaned and took that bit off, letting him put on a new piece.  They got back to work and Xander looked at his coworker.  "How long have you been working here?"

"About six years now. The boss is really fair and we're a union shop."  Xander nodded.  "Was your last one?"

"No.  Not even a local chapter where I was.  We had some guys who complained about that and some guys who said it was a good thing but I have no idea either way what that means."  The guy smirked at him.  "Really.  Before that, I did fast food."

"I'll have our union fairy show up to talk to you, kid."  He patted him on the back.  "That way you understand about dues and meetings, and regs."

"Please."

"Give me ten."  He got up and headed over to another guy, who nodded and made a call.

"Is that important?" Thomas called.

"Harris has no idea what a union is," his supervisor noted.  "This way he knows to bring paperwork with him." Thomas nodded at that and Xander put his water bottle aside again.  "There, he should be here about finishing time.  Who's watching the kid for you?"

"She's fourteen.  She can come home and do homework for two hours.  I've got nosy neighbors."

"Good.  Is she thinking about taking up band or anything?"

"I haven't asked. Right now she's just looking things over, finding some new friends, being bothered by the supposedly cool kids for being an orphan.  Little things like that."

"Interesting.  She okay?"

"Getting there.  She only lost her mom a month and a half ago, then her sister a month ago.  Her father's a shitbag who never called or wrote back when she tried to contact him.  He's somewhere in Spain."

"You sure he's alive?"

"Yeah, we've had sightings of him and the letters weren't sent back.  He simply doesn't care."  He shrugged.  "His loss.  Dawn's a great young woman.  She'll be a fantastic woman when she's finally grown up.  She's a crap cook, but she'll get better.  She shows real promise with cookies and pasta."  His coworker laughed and he grinned. "Neither of us cook a lot.  Dawn brought one of those disgusting puberty sandwiches with her to school today.  The sort that only a kid in puberty could like."

"My son's done that a few times.  He's sixteen."

Xander grinned.  "I remember that age. It was not long ago.  I think I lived on ho-hos that year."

"So, is she dating?"

"I don't think she's ready yet.  She's fourteen so I don't mind if she goes somewhere to hang out but *dating* dates?  Not yet.  Probably not for another year and not until she's healed a bit more from the grief."

"Yeah, that's gotta come first."

"I'm hoping she doesn't have her sister's taste in men.  It was rotten.  Too old and dangerous."  He shrugged and got back to work.  "When she's ready, she'll come talk to me.  That's why her sister gave me custody of her, because she does talk to me."

"How are you guys doing housing?"

"I sleep on the couch, she gets the bedroom, and I have closet rights."  His coworker laughed at that. "The cost of housing out here is twice what I'm used to."

"I'm not really surprised.  Small towns are always cheaper."

"Yeah, I guess.  I've only ever really lived in Sunnydale and here.  Fortunately we're somewhere pretty safe."  He heard an alarm go off and leaned backward to look.  "Crap, tell me it's a drill?"

"That's not the fire alarm.  That's the 'someone escaped' alarm.  Don't do anything stupid, okay?"

"Not an issue."  He got back to work.  A few people went running past and he glanced at them but they had it well in hand apparently.  He got an odd look from Thomas.  "Did you expect me to pounce?" he asked with a teasing smile.  "They didn't look like pizzas."

Thomas patted him on the head. "It's okay.  Be yourself, kid."

"I am, I only pounce things that go 'grr' or go 'here Xander Xander Xander'."  That got a lot more laughs. "Dawn quickly learned to hand me coffee instead of waking me that way.  She makes a very good teddy bear."

The boss walked past snickering. "When do we get to meet your little sister?"

"She'll probably show up the first day she skips," he said wisely.  "Looking for lunch money."  All the parents around him nodded wisely at that one.  "Every now and then you've got to have a free day but she only gets two a semester.  We agreed."

"You're better about that than I was," his coworker noted. "I screamed at my kids when they took off."

Xander smirked.  "I graduated with the record for skip days.  I understand needing a day off but she'll be better than I was about it.  The same as she will not live in detention like I did."  That got some smiles and they got back to work once officers quit running past them.  Xander pointed at the wires.  "Is all this really necessary?"

"Oh, it is," Thomas agreed.  "This is the main juncture and then it spreads out to the rest of the lab."

"Cool.  I guess the machines are different than we had in lab class."  He shrugged and took another drink then got back to work.  He watched one last guy go walking past, smirking at the cool, confident, collected walk of someone who knew they were in the wrong spot.  Security wasn't his problem however. All he had to do today is finish laying wire. Which wasn't that hard.  As long as he didn't have to climb and then kneel for a while.

***

Dawn looked up as Xander came in after payday, giving his frown a long look.  "Union dues that high?"

"No, taxes that high."

"Sorry."

"Not your fault."  He kissed her on the forehead.  "I'll pay your college fund back half this week and half next."

"Xander, let it go for a few months," she offered.  "It was only a grand.  The house sold for nearly eighty.  I got seventy of that. I'm okay on college at the moment.   Mom wouldn't have cared as long as it gets paid back before I graduate.  You still owed her twenty bucks when she died."  He blushed at that.  "So start an account and start saving for now. Pay me back this summer."  He nodded, flopping down on the couch.  "So, what else was wrong?"

"Just a long day.  Laying sheetrock."  He looked back at her.  "I'm tired."

"I'll take the couch tonight, go sleep on the bed."

"No, that's your room."

"Xander!"

"Dawn," he growled.

"Fine. Be that way. Take a nap."  She scowled and pull the pan off the heat, dishing herself up some and the rest went into the fridge.  "I'm going to work on chemistry while you nap.  When you get up, food's in the fridge."  She kissed him on the top of the head.  "You're all sweaty."

"AC went at work," he said dryly.  "Which makes laying sheetrock very hard to do when you're that sweaty and can't get any sweat on it."  She shuddered at the nastiness of that thought, heading into her room.  He sighed as he bent to undo his boots, spraying the inside with the anti-stink spray, then he laid down, only undoing the button of his jeans.  He'd change into pajama pants later, after he took a shower.  He crashed right there, more than happy to sleep until someone knocked on the door.  Well, until Dawn ran past him to answer the door, but he only mumbled and flipped onto his side, curling around a pillow.

Dawn checked, then opened the door to look at the handsome guy standing there.  "Problems?"  He held up a badge.  "Did the twat not tell me something that happened at work?" she demanded, frowning at him.

"I'm not here about anything at work, ma'am.  Is Mr. Harris here?"

"My guardian's asleep," she said, nodding behind her.  "Can I help?  I'm Dawn."

"Well, I'm supposed to talk to him."  He checked the papers in his hand, then her.  "I really am supposed to talk to him.  Sorry."

"Xander!" she called.  "Police!"  He sat up, panting, blinking at her.  "Cutie here is PD and has to talk you and only you?"

He waved him inside, doing back up the button on his jeans. "What's up?  Did something happen at the site?"

"What site?"

"I'm one of the construction crew on the lab."

"Oh."  He smiled and shook his head.  "Thank you for helping us with that, but no.  No, I got asked to bring you notification," he said quietly, handing over the papers.

Xander looked then sighed and crumpled them up, looking at Dawn, who was frozen.  "Willow.  Tara's in the hospital with Giles," he said quietly.

"Why?"

Xander shrugged.  "I don't know.  We can call.  Find me my phone, I've got the hospital's number."  She nodded, going to do that.  He looked at the officer.  "Anything else that came?"

"No, sir. I'm sorry."

"So am I, that's why we left."  He nodded and left.  Xander got up and went to find Dawn, hugging her.  "We'll go back for the funeral," he said quietly.  She looked at him.  "If at all possible, I will."  She nodded, sniffling a bit more.  He sat her on the bed and found the phone she had borrowed earlier, his old one, and found the number in it.  They had all visited way too many times over the years not to have it in their phones.  He dialed and listened.  "Can you please connect me to Rupert Giles' room?" he asked quietly. "Tara Maclay then?"  He listened as the phone was switched to that room.  "Riley, why are you in town?"  He listened to the explanation, his eyes narrowing.  "What happened?  Yeah, and I've got Dawnie with me.  What happened?  No, we left for her safety and because I couldn't stand it anymore.  What happened!" he demanded.  He listened, hugging her tighter.  "Okay, what can we do to help?  There's no distance in some forms of magic. She might not be able to heal them but I'm not sure."  Dawn shook her head.  "I'll see what we can do.  Thank you."  He hung up.  "Riley's team was tracking a major bad back to Sunnydale and called Willow for help on her end," he said quietly.  "She stopped the demon but it got Tara and Giles then landed on her.  She died instantly.  Tara and Giles were trapped by the slime."

She looked at him. "I went looking for the magic stuff here in town," she admitted.  "I know who I can call to help me."  He handed her the phone.  "Are you sure?"

"I'm leaving that in your hands, Dawn.  You're nearly as grown up as we were when we started to patrol.  If you do decide to go on with it, you're getting trained by someone reasonable.  Not Ethan and not Giles, but Tara reasonable."  She nodded, dialing a number she had memorized earlier in the week.  She got up and went into the bathroom, leaving Xander to grieve alone.  He picked up his new phone.  "Boss, Xander.  No, my remaining friends," he said softly, holding his forehead.  "One's dead, one's in a coma, one's babbling at the stars."  He nodded.  "I know.  Can I take some unpaid time for the funerals and to check on them?  This weekend would be fine.  I doubt they're going to do the funeral until Friday anyway.  Thank you.  I hate to do this but this isn't something I expected, ya know?"  He hung up on the quiet words of sympathy, just holding his head.  He looked up as Dawn came out of the bathroom. "We can head back for the weekend. I'm taking Friday off."  She nodded, swallowing hard.  "Yes, no?"

"Yeah, we've got to meet her on a beach."

"I'll drive."  He got up and found his sneakers, then his keys, following her out the door.  The beach wasn't far from where they lived so it was relatively fast to get there.  Dawn was silent the whole way, just thinking.  He reached over, taking her hand to hold.  "We'll get through this like we did your sister's.  You've still got me."

"What happens if something comes for you?"

"Who'd know to look for me here, Dawn?" he lied.  He parked and looked at her.  "Yes, someone does know that I saved the graduating class.  Nothing else.  We're safe here and if we aren't, I have nothing here that would make me stay if you're in danger."  She nodded, tearing up.  He held her, letting her cry for now.  A few minutes later she pulled back.  "We'll do what we can, princess. You know that.  Okay?"  She nodded and got out.  He followed, heading after her down the beach to where someone was waiting.  He looked her over, appraising how she was standing.  Non-combative.  Non-aggressive.  Not totally hippie and totally loose though.  He coughed and she turned, smiling at them.  "Hi.  Xander and this is Dawn."

"I met Dawn," she offered, hugging her. "I'm sorry, Dawn."

"So am I."  She pulled back.  "Can we help Tara and Giles?"

"I'll lead you on a guided exercise out of your body to look at them.  He can guard us."  Xander nodded, plopping his butt down right there.  "Ah, you've seen the works in the past?"

"I've watched Willow and Tara work many times," he agreed quietly.  She patted him on the head and walked Dawn a few feet away, sitting down in front of her, taking her hands and speaking quietly while she worked her into the right mental state.  "Just like meditation, Dawn," he called when she was having problems.  She nodded and let herself drop that way.  He looked around, assessing threats in the few midnight walkers.  He saw a familiar face and nodded politely when the man stopped beside him.  "They're doing a guided exercise to check on someone," he said quietly.

The lieutenant sat beside him, looking at the two women, then at him.  "I wouldn't have taken you for someone who believed that way, Mr. Harris."

"After watching Willow do stuff, kinda hard not to," he sighed, looking at him.  "She died earlier."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"We're going back for the checking and funeral stuff this weekend."  He stood up, frowning when he felt the danger coming in.  "Oh, crap."  He moved closer, touching the teacher on the shoulder, getting a look.  "Chaos."

"I feel.  Who?"

"Not a clue," he admitted, looking around, on edge now.  He saw who appeared and his face and body tensed.  "Ethan," he hissed, pointing him to come closer.  Ethan shook his head so he walked that way.  "Why are you here?"

"I was checking on Ripper and she glows brighter than the sun," he said quietly.

"She's checking on Tara and she'll be taught."

"I wish no harm, Xander," he said patiently.  Xander quirked an eyebrow.  "I don't.  Ripper was mine."

"Was?" he asked quietly.

"He was on life support.  His mind trapped by the slime.  Tara was in better shape.  He's been released."  He stroked his cheek.  "When are you returning?"

"This weekend.  We'll leave after I get home Thursday."

"I'll arrange both funerals for Saturday then," he agreed.  "Take good care of her."  He walked off and disappeared.

Xander turned and kicked his car's tire, grunting something uncomplimentary in demon. He stomped back there and sat down, nodding at the teacher. "It's safe.  He was checking on one of them and felt her."  She nodded and guided Dawn farther.  He looked at Horatio.  "It's been one of those days that started out okay and then turned sucky."

"I know that feeling."  He gave him a gentle shoulder squeeze.  "Don't stay out too late.  We've had some muggings on this beach recently."

"I doubt they'd take me," Xander said honestly.

"Still, better to be safe than shot."

"True.  Thank you."  Horatio nodded and got up, walking off.  Xander watched them, thinking over everything. He pulled out his phone, getting a dirty look. "I've got to tell her other ex."  He shifted further away, finding the number he had for an Oz message, hitting the overseas number.  "Hi, I need to get a message to Oz, Daniel Osbourne," he said quietly.  "No, a simple one.  Tell him we two are the last ones.  Funeral's Saturday.  Thank you."  He hung up and put his chin on his knees, watching how Dawn glowed in light dark.  His phone rang so he got up and walked off a few steps.  "Xander."  He listened.  "Oz.  No, demon.  Riley, yeah him, called her and Tara in to help.  The demon landed on her, got Tara pretty badly, and Giles just died," he said quietly. "Oz, we called about Buffy almost two months ago.  Didn't you get that one?"  He moaned.  "No, she couldn't take it after Joyce died and followed. Yeah, man, you, me, and Dawn.  Miami.  We're going back for the funerals.  Because I couldn't take Sunnydale anymore, Oz.  It got to be too much and too dangerous.  That's why I brought Dawn with me.  Sure, if possible.  Thank you."  He hung up and sat down to think.  Dawn took a deep breath and sat up, then burst out crying, letting him know he could walk over there to hold her.  "Shh, you've got me," he reminded her, rocking her gently.

"They'll save Tara, maybe," she offered weakly, clinging to him.  "Why?"

"I don't have that answer. I wish I did," he soothed, stroking her back.  "We'll leave late Thursday, stay overnight with Angel and them.  Then head up."  She nodded, wiping her cheeks off. "I'd expect you to cry," he promised, helping her wipe the tear tracks off.  "Please, cry away.  It's good for you."  She looked at him. "I'll let go later."  She nodded, taking his hand to hold. He looked at the older witch, just blinking and watching her.

"She needs trained."

"I know.  I want a Wiccan with a very non-combative viewpoint to do that.  Defensive spells are fine, but not offensive if possible."

She nodded. "I know of some.  When she returns, I'll talk with them on her behalf."

"Thank you," Dawn said, touching her hand.  "I needed that."  That got a faint, sad smile.  "Peace be with your night, sister."  She stood up and Xander followed, trying hard not to kick sand on her helper.  "We're heading home."

"Be careful, I got told there had been some muggings here, sister," Xander offered, walking her back to the car. "I'll make the reservations once we get home and I find the phonebook. Then I'll call Angel."  She nodded, getting in to close her eyes and try to find her mental center.  He slid into the driver's side and took them home.  He could cry later.

***

Dawn opened the door later that night, frowning at the man standing there. "Lieutenant, is there a problem?" she asked quietly.  "Xander, visitors!"  He groaned but came out in his normal male clothes.

"What's up?" he asked, letting him inside.

"Are you all right?"

"I'm fine.  It's not like this is the first death around us," he said gently. "But thank you for checking on us, Lieutenant."

"It's not a problem."  He looked them over.  "Maybe you should call off tomorrow as well."

"I can't," Xander sighed.  "Unfortunately I've got to work."  She nodded at that.  "I'm letting her stay home from school if she wants, but I've got to go be the responsible one."

"I understand."  He moved slightly closer.  "Xander, we ran into a problem."

"Please don't make him hunt," Dawn begged.  "Please?"

"I have no intention of it," he assured her.  "I need to pick his brain about something."  Xander nodded, heading into the bedroom and coming out more appropriately dressed. "I'll have him back within an hour, Miss Summers."

"You'd better.  I'm still the scary bitch of the family."  He smiled at that and nodded, taking Xander off with him.  "Damn it, why won't it leave us alone?" she complained, sitting down to sulk.

***

Horatio led Xander up into the framework of the lab.  "We had someone look them over for us and it was noticed that we had a few extra hiding spaces."

"Let me guess, they have an external exit but they're roughly just big enough for a body?"  He nodded. "Any internal access?"

"One has one from the morgue.  I'm not sure why."  Xander gave him a 'get real' look.  "All right, I am sure why.  I wanted your ideas on how to plug them."

Xander nodded, looking over the first one.  "Can you get sunlight or lights in here?"

"It's too far back from the grate."

Xander examined things, then nodded and jogged out to his car, coming back with a bag that had been in the trunk and his tools.  He crawled into the hole and installed something, running a wire out.  He hooked the wire into the main alarm system, then showed it to him.  "That'll tell you if someone's in there.  That way you can find them.  They'll have to code the open spots."

"That's fine, I can have someone do that."

"If anyone asks, it's because it's a security hazard, which it is.  I'd also seal that grate on the other end.  They're stronger but not horribly so."  The Lieutenant nodded and let him install the others, then Xander got to work on the pathway up to the holes.  It was sealed with a simple steel panel that got screwed in place, which was more than enough to be heard and probably stop a new fledgling.  Xander backed out and looked at him, then at his boss, who was giving him a curious look. "He found hidey-holes. I wired the sensors I installed into the main systems and sealed this crawl tunnel."

"Okay.  I had no idea we had those," he admitted, coming over to look at that one to check his work, then moving to look at the ones outside.  "These'll need sealed."

"I can have that done tomorrow," Horatio assured him.  "They were put in as wind breakers to help save the building during a hurricane."

"Probably won't," Xander offered.  "A simple grate wouldn't affect that purpose though."

"That was my thought. Thank you, Xander."

"Not an issue," Xander agreed.  "Just remember, I'm retired.  Dawn can't lose anyone else."  His boss looked at him.  "My might-as-well-be sister Willow and our mentor, Giles, both died," he told him. "Tara's still listed in critical condition."

"I'm sorry to hear that, kid.  I can give you unpaid leave sooner."

"It's Saturday.  We're leaving after work on Thursday.  I'll be back Monday morning.  We're a bit used to death out there.  Another really good reason to leave."  That got a nod and his boss clapped him on the back.  "Anything else you noticed, Horatio?"

"Not yet, but if I do, are those motion sensors?"  Xander nodded.  "Okay, I'll have non- infrared motion sensors wired into them."  Xander handed him a spare one.  "Thank you."

"Welcome.  I'm headed home.  Have a better night, guys."  He walked off, going out to his car.  He went home and got back into his girls' clothes, then let himself slip back into the weaker mindset so he could have a good cry while Dawn held him.  It was the only way he could let go emotionally.

***

Xander walked in the next working morning, meeting his boss at the elevator.  "What's wrong?"

"We have a problem."

"The boss saw me put in those sensors for the lieutenant," he said, looking confused.

"Sensors?"

"The building has some fairly big holes for wind breaks, and they weren't very secure so I put motion sensors in and wired them into the alarm system's wires."

"Nothing like that.  The other site's brick wall was mislaid.  The pattern got messed up after you left."

"Because Justin changed it or because Kyle miscounted?"

"Personally, I think Justin but he's trying to blame it on Kyle."

"That sucks."

"Everyone over there is sticking up for him.  Point is, we need you over there for the rest of the week."

"I'm not going to be here Friday, boss."

"Why?" he asked patiently.

"Two of my friends died last night.  I'm going home for their funerals. I called the boss, I thought he would've told you or I'd have called you personally."

"No, I haven't been briefed yet, he's running late," he admitted.  "I'm sorry, kid."

"Not your fault."

"Car crash?"

"Not so much the car, but definitely a crash.  Something big and heavy fell on them."

"I'm sorry.  Do they know why?"

"Yup, and if he's still there when we get in, he's going to be limping home at the very least."

"Remember your sister," he cautioned.  Xander sighed and nodded. "When are you leaving?"

"After work on Thursday.  The plane leaves at six so I need to leave at four.  I made the reservations this morning."  He handed over the information he had copied down. "For the boss.  Like I said, if I had known, I'd have called you as well."

"No, don't worry about it, he'll tell me when he comes in. Okay, we'll go over to Justin's site with you and another guy since he's had three quit recently.  We're waiting on him.  I hope you've got a thermos with you."

"Two bottles of water should do me until morning break and I can get some at the store across the street."  That got a nod. "I've got the cooler in my car."

"Good man."  The other guy came off the elevator.  "Sean.  We're going to Justin's site.  He's had three quit."

"I thought this one had priority."

"It does, but he's had three guys quit and Xander's got to fix the bricks."

"Which means I'll need something to cut the mud," Xander pointed out.  "Doing it by hammer could crack some and make it take longer."

"We've got a keyhole saw you can use," he promised, leading them back down to the parking lot and to the other site.  He walked in and looked at the bricks, moaning.  Not only were they wrong but sloppy.  He took pictures and handed Xander the keyhole saw, watching as he got down to work.  He led Sean to the other foreman, handing him over.  "Be gentle with my guys.  Xander's working on the bricks."

"I've got the diagram," he offered, going to hand it over.  He sighed at how far back he had to cut.  "Sorry, kid."

"Not an issue, Bob."  He looked up.  "I have to leave by four on Thursday.  I'm flying home for a few funerals."

"I'm sorry to hear that but I'll make sure of it, Xander."  He walked back to Thomas.  "Funerals?"

"Two of his buddies had something heavy fall on them and kill them," he offered quietly. "He's flying out Thursday night."  That got a nod and the note was put onto the clipboard.  "Thanks. Harris has some water in his cooler.  I gave him the keyhole saw.  Where is Justin?"

"No clue.  He's not here yet."

"Wonderful.  I'm telling the boss.  I've had enough."  Bob nodded and they shook hands then he went back.

Xander looked over. "Kyle, come help!"  He came jogging over.  "Start scraping the old mud off with a chisel, man.  I'll cut 'em free then get to work on the pattern again."  He put a brick on top of the pattern sheet, getting back to work.

"I'm sorry, Xander."

"I'm pretty sure this wasn't your idea," he noted dryly, looking at him.  "Or at least I heard it wasn't.  I used to crew lead," he offered quietly.  That got a knowing nod.  Xander freed another brick and handed it over, going to free the next one.

***

Xander limped into the apartment and flopped down face first onto the couch.  "I hate bricks."

Dawn lifted his head.  "You what?"

"Hate bricks.  Someone mislaid half a wall."  She made an 'eww' noise.  "Exactly.  I spent all day on my knees in the open sun.  Do we have any aloe gel for my neck?"  She let him go so she could get it, settling in next to him so she could rub it in for him.  "You're a saint."

"That's because I got detention. I snapped at a teacher."

"Grief or reasonable reasons?"

"Grief.  I just snapped and went off.  The teacher said she understood when I quit crying so she gave me detention tomorrow and Thursday.  I told her I had to pick you up by four.  She said she'd let me go in enough time for that and if I had to I could make it up on Tuesday."  She added more gel to his arms and then stretched to reach his lower back.  "Did you go shirtless?"

"Only for an hour when I was so soaked I was starting to chafe.  I figured I could dry out during that hour.  Sun's way too bright."

"I noticed it seems to hover around downtown."  She peeked under his collar.  "You're burned all over.  Off with it."  He sat up with a moan and took off his t-shirt, dropping the damp, nasty thing onto the floor.  "Eww."  He shrugged and laid down again, letting her get back to work on his back.  "We need to find the laundromat."

"I know.  I'm too tired to.  I'll find it Sunday.  Or don't you have clothes for tomorrow?"

"No, I do. You don't. You're out of t-shirts."  Xander moaned.  "Wal-mart?"

"Wal-mart," he agreed, sitting up again. He went to find a button-up shirt, pulling it on very gently but following her out to the car.

"When can I get my license?"

"Sixteen.  That is the law, Dawn."  He slid in to drive, letting her get in, then he headed off.  They needed some minor groceries as well.

***

Xander looked at his watch Thursday and started to clean up, heading over to where Bob and Justin were.  "Guys, time."

"We leave at five, Harris," Justin sneered.

"I've got an excuse to go at four since I'm flying out for two funerals this weekend.  The boss and Bob already know."  He looked at Bob, who nodded.  "Thanks.  I'm done with my section and I left Kyle in charge of it again.  It's nearly done.  Just another full row and that one section once they put in the ironwork."  That got a nod from Bob.  "Thanks, man."  He walked out, finding Dawn pulling into the parking lot in a cab.  She paid and got out, slinging her backpack into the back seat.  "Bad day?"

"Long week."  She slid in and he got in, wincing and hissing. "Again?"

"Just my neck. I can't protect it no matter what I do and how much sunscreen I put on."  He started the car and backed out.  "Call Thomas, just to make sure he remembers I had to leave early today."

"Sure."  She dialed.  "Hi, Thomas, this is Dawn. Yeah, that Dawn.  No, we're leaving from the other site right now. No, Xander's got a bad sunburn on his neck.  Yeah, well, on his knees doing brickwork can be like that I guess.  No, Xander?"

"Kyle's in charge," he called loudly as he drove off.  "Turn on the AC?"  She did that.  "Thanks.  We're nearly done with the brickwork, all but a row he should be able to do tonight and the area around the iron section.  We've got that ready, all he's got to do is have someone help him slide it into place once he's slapped mud in the right spots.  The end bricks were already applied for that and the plastic spacer can easily come out once the other mud dries.  So probably first thing in the morning.  Kyle should be able to finish it."

Dawn listened.  "He wanted to know if you had any problems getting free?"

"Justin sneered, but Bob agreed with what I told him."

"Heard that?" she asked.  She beamed and nodded. "I will.  Thank you, Thomas."  She hung up.  "We're all set.  I made sure the bags were in the trunk when we left, including an extra outfit for you so you could change and toss that extra nasty t-shirt out since it only cost three bucks"

"Thank you.  I love you, little sister."

She giggled and patted him on the thigh.  "Remember that when I start dating."

"Sure will."  He pulled onto the highway, heading for the interstate, watching the cop cars go past.  "Please don't let them shut down the airport," he sighed.

She turned on the radio, listening for an update.  "Nope, car chase headed this way."

"Wonderful."  As soon as he heard the sirens coming back he got out of the way and off the shoulder, just in case.  A car whizzed past them, then six patrol cars, then two more a second later, then a hummer.  "Huh.  I heard about those."  He checked, then carefully got back onto the highway.  Another patrol car whizzed past.  "If we get hit, I'm going to be really pissed."

She smiled. "Me too. I don't want to die yet."  He nodded at that sentiment, getting them to the airport.  Once there, he let her out and popped the trunk, taking the spare t-shirt to change into once he had locked everything down and off.  He pocketed the keys and tossed the old t-shirt into the trunk, then closed it, taking her arm to walk her inside.  Their tickets were waiting on them and it was all good.   He checked his carry-on, seeing the girls' clothes.  "Dawn?"

She looked then changed bags with him, giving him a classic eye roll and head shake.  "That was mine, duffus."

"Sorry."  He looked and nodded. "Good. Let's hope the plane has AC."

"They usually do," she promised.  "Plus I've already called Cordy and had her buy you a tube of aloe gel for your back and neck."  She made him turn to look at it, hissing a bit.  "Ow.  That's blistering, Xander."

"I put a damp towel over it earlier and it didn't help."  He gave her a miserable look.  "Let's hope I don't have to go back there Monday."  She nodded.  "Wanna bet he'll try to fire me?"

"Nope, I figure he's already tried."  The security guard came toward them.  "Huh.  Xander?"  He looked up.  "Problems, officer?"

"Someone mentioned he was ill, ma'am?"

"I work construction and I've been laying bricks," he offered, turning to let him see the back of his neck.  "No matter what I did, I kept getting burned."  The officer hissed.  "That's what she was talking about."

"All right, sir, thank you for clearing that up.  There's a small tube of lidocaine available at the newstands."  Xander checked the timetable, then handed Dawn his wallet.  "You be safe, sir, and have that checked.  That's dangerous.  You could get sun poisoning."

"Thank you."  The guard smiled and walked off.  Xander slumped down and thought about touching his neck but even the thought hurt. She came back and slimed his neck good with the stuff that made sure he wouldn't feel it making him sigh in relief.

"It's got aloe in it too," she teased, handing him back his wallet.  He smiled at her, a goofy, fun guy smile.   "I realized when I was looking at the labels that I was turning into my mother."

"Tara said all women have that moment.  Hers horrified her."  Dawn giggled. "You could do worse than to turn into your mother, princess. She was a good woman, even though she did have cocoa way too many times with Spike."  She hugged him and he patted her on the back. "It gets easier," he promised quietly.  "With some time the pain eases and we move on."  She nodded, letting him go when their flight was called.  "You want aisle or window?"

"Aisle. I don't want to be cooped up today.  Plus you can nap on me," she teased.

"You're much softer than any airline pillow," he agreed, handing over their tickets.  The stewardess smiled and handed them back the stubs, letting them onto the gangway.

***

Xander looked up as they walked out of the baggage claim, finding Cordy waiting on them.  "Hey," he said, giving her a gentle hug.  "Not around the neck," he ordered when her arms moved.  She pulled back and made him turn around, hissing at the sight of his neck.  "Laying bricks outside all day."  He shrugged and winced, then looked around.  "Dawn?"  She waved from where she was reading.  "There we are.  Are you picking us up in our rental or are e taking your car up?"

"We're taking my car up," she promised, going to steal Dawn.  "I've got that one at home, Dawn."  She gave her a sad smile and a hug.  "It's all right.  Tara's shown some promise toward waking up."  She took their arms and walked outside, making them wince at the heat.  "Last bellow of the day from the sun."  She led them to her car and got them inside, then got in to drive.  "Angel's being grumpy, just ignore him tonight, Xander."

"Sure, I can do that again.  I did around her funeral too," he said quietly, getting comfortable.  Cordy started the car and pulled out of the parking area, letting him get the parking fee since it was only two bucks.  She smiled and took off onto the interstate, heading downtown.  "Anything *good* going on?"

"Fred and Gunn are dating."

"That's always promising.  Dating makes the bad things look less bad," Dawn agreed.   "How's Wes?"

"He's got the translation crankies."  She looked at Dawn in the mirror.  "I'm sure Giles had that a few times."  Xander sighed and nodded.  "Good.  We're hoping it's for next weekend."

"If it's not, I'm not going out with you," Xander said firmly.  Cordy gave him a shocked look. "Dawn needs me to still be living and whole, Cordy.  I can't do that if I get killed."

"Point," she agreed after a moment's thought.  "If that's your decision, we'll stick by it.  I realize why you left Sunnydale, Xander."

"It got too dangerous and there were too many ghosts," he told her.  She frowned at him and he nodded.  "Eyes on the road, Cordy."  She looked back and pulled off the road, facing him.  "Seriously.  It was getting too dangerous.  There were always issues and attacks at the house.  Dawn wasn't safe.  Plus there were too many ghosts for both of us.  Staying in the house just made it worse for her."

"See, we thought you got depressed and left," she told him. He shook his head.  "No?"

"No, I took Dawn away for her own safety after another assault on the house.  The same as I told Willow I couldn't take it anymore and that I was taking her somewhere safer.  She wasn't safe there and I know her mother and sister don't want her back with them already.  This way she's got the chance of a very good, long life that has nothing to do with vampires and demons."

"I can get that," she decided, smiling back at Dawn.  "Are you keeping him out of trouble?"

"I try but he's usually too tired to do anything naughty.  They've been doing two sites in his company and he got fill-in this last week with bricks."  Xander shuddered, then yelped.  She handed over the tube.  "Get his neck again?"

"Sure."  She made Xander turn around, hissing at the sight of the burns.  "Xander, that's bad."

"I know."  He took off his shirt, letting her see the full burn. "The sun's right over the city down there.  I've been doing a brick wall and even with a t-shirt I've been getting burned once it gets too wet."

"You're cooking," she told him, spreading on the cool gel.  "This feels nice."  She looked at the ingredients.  "I've got some more of this at home."  She finished up on his neck, making him sigh in relief.  "Tonight I'm having Wes's doctor friend come look at you."  He nodded.  "You're not going to argue?"

"Too tired to fight."  He looked back at her.  Then at Cordy.  "She's becoming a really good cook."

"That's always a good thing.  Better than I am probably.  Fred's a good cook so maybe they can talk food tonight."  She smiled at Dawn.  "Fred's a bit...odd, but it's all good."

"So you wrote me."  She smiled.  "Let's head back so he can rest.  He needs to rest in a bed since we've only got a one-bedroom."  Cordelia nodded and took off again, taking them to the hotel.  "It's amazing, the cost of housing down there.  I thought LA was bad when I looked online but it's got nothing on Miami."

"New York is worse," Cordy admitted.  "My mother's family used to have a condo out there.  Really crappy little place with a rat problem in the building.  Basically a big studio.  It went for nearly three mil when the IRS sold it."  Xander moaned.  "Yeah, exactly.  Not even in the fashionable part of town."  He moaned again.  She knew that sound so she pulled over and let him out so he could get sick.  "No lunch?" she asked Dawn.

"His current sub-boss is a dick.  Didn't want to let him leave an hour early so we could fly out," she offered, leaning forward.  "Xander, did you eat lunch?"  He shook his head and spit a few times.  Dawn handed over her bottle of water so he could rinse his mouth.  "That's just bad, Cordy.  He did that last night when he came in.  I thought for sure it was the sun."

"It can be."  She called the hotel.  "Wes, Cordy.  I know you've got a doctor friend.  Can she come look at Xander's back?  No, he's been laying bricks outside for the last week and he's got such a bad sunburn plus he's puking up his toenails.  Thanks.  No, about halfway there.  We're letting him get it all out now."  She smiled. " Thank you."  She hung up.  "When you're done, he'll have her waiting on us."  He nodded, coming back drinking the rest.  "Is it the sun?"  He nodded again, closing his eyes as he slunk down in the seat.  "Buckle up."  He did that and she locked the doors, getting back onto the road.  She sped up, going normal Cordelia driving speed.  He moaned.  "Do not get sick."

"I'm not.  Just feeling the breeze in my ears."

She snorted. "I'm sure, Xander."  She took the right exit and headed for the Hyperion.  By the time they got there, the sun was starting to come down a little bit and the heat was easing off into the humidity of the evening.  She pulled into her usual parking spot and got out, letting Dawn out.  Dawn got their bags while Cordy got Xander inside.

"Dear Lord," Wesley said, looking at him.  "What on earth?"

"Bricks, all day, for the last four days," Dawn said bitterly.  She dropped their bags and hugged Angel. "Hey, broody."

"Hi, Dawn."  He patted her on the back and sniffed Xander.  "He smells like he was cooking."

"I think he was.  He was using sunscreen and wearing a shirt but he got really sweaty and burned through it."

"It's not unheard of," Wesley admitted. "How often was he changing clothes?"

"During lunch," Xander said weakly.  "Can I sit?"  Everyone nodded, letting him sit.  "Thanks.  I'll be fine. It's exhaustion."

"Yeah," Cordy snorted.  "Fred!  Xander's got the *worst* sunburn ever seen!  Angel thinks he's cooking!"  She came out with cool compresses.  "Thanks, dear.  You remember hearing about Dawnie?"  She pointed at her.  Fred squealed and hugged her.

"Wow, it's like family," she teased, hugging her back.  "I wish it had been under better circumstances."

"Me too, Dawn.  It sucks to meet new friends over a funeral."  The younger woman nodded and let herself be walked around to the couches.  She sat beside Xander, letting him curl up against her side.  "Awww."

"Someone's got to watch out for him," Cordy noted dryly. Xander gave her a one-eyed glare, the other being closed. "Don't you even."  She looked back as Gunn walked in with a pretty young woman.  "Oh, good.  He's been laying bricks all week.  He got burned through his shirt and he changed it once a day."

She looked at the back in question and hissed.  "Where are you working?  The sun?"

"Close.  Miami."

"Yeah, that is close," she agreed.  She took the tube of stuff from Cordelia's hand, looking it over.  "This isn't bad for being over the counter.  I've got some better stuff and he might need an antibiotic if those bust wrong."  She looked at the clearly protective one.  "Sister?"

"Adopted, he's my guardian."

"Good."  She wrote down some information and handed it over.  "That's some of the best stuff. Let's work on getting him into a cool shower for now, then let him have simple, cooling foods tonight.  I doubt he'll want anything heavy or hot."

"We've got soup," Fred offered.

"Soup's good," Xander assured her with a weak grin.  "Sorry to be such a bother, guys."

"No, it's nice not to have to decide if stitching something will make it worse," the doctor assured him. "Young lady, take him up to a shower."

"I can do that," Cordy promised, helping him up there.  "We can get the prescriptions filled in a few, Dawnie."

"Thank you."  She smiled at the doctor.  "He was using sunscreen and a shirt.  How does he prevent that?"

"He can't work outside for the next month. He's got to have time to heal."  Dawn dug out her phone and handed it over, letting her have the number.  "His boss?"  That got a nod. "Then I'll call and see why they weren't allowing him any shady rest breaks."  She patted her on the cheek.  "Are you all right?"

"The last few of my original family died," she said quietly.

"I heard about Willow and Giles, child.  I'm sorry.  You have my condolences."  Dawn nodded and she went into the office to use the phone.

Dawn looked at the gathered people.  "He's sorry he brought an issue with us."

"No, it's better to have some normal problems instead of an attack," Angel assured her, patting her on the head.  "Really bad sunburns are better than demons any day, Dawn."

She nodded at that.  "They are. By the way, he's not hunting ever again unless he's got to protect us."

He nodded.  "I understand his reasoning.  You need a stable influence."  He gave her a grim smile.  "Come on, we can show you to your rooms."

"It'll be nice for him to have a real bed instead of a couch.  Housing prices down there are atrocious."  She grabbed their bags and followed Fred up the stairs.

Wesley went into the office.  "Were they breaking labor laws?" he asked quietly.

"Even if he was using his fifteen each four for sunscreen application it was still too long in the sun down there," she admitted.  She looked up at him.  "I talked to the boss at that number, who said Xander's going back to his job as soon as he gets back. He should start peeling by Sunday.  So watch for scratching.  He shouldn't have anything else that damages his skin."  He nodded at that.  "Are they okay down there?"

"Xander is an admirable quandary.  Almost an enigma.  He's very gentle with those who need it, victims and the like, but during a fight he will take out whatever is necessary, even if it is three times his size and he's already hurt."  She nodded at that.  "This won't lay him down for long.  Would a healing spell help?"

"Probably not much.  All you could do is the same thing the shower and the gels are doing. I do want him on that antibiotic."  He nodded at that, giving her a gentle smile.  "Less time in the sun is the best thing I can recommend.  His boss agreed that would be all right so I'm

sure it will be."  She stood up, handing him back her phone.  "Thank you for bringing me a normal case, Wes."

He smiled.  "I'd bring you sniffles but we never get any."

"Pity."  She winked and gathered everything, heading out to her car and home.

***

Down in Miami, Thomas hung up and looked at his boss.  "Harris is so badly burned they called in a favor to get him seen as soon as he stumbled off the plane.  His little sister was furious."

"How bad is it?"

"The doctor said he's got severe sun poisoning.  We're talking full out burns with blisters in some spots.  Said someone there thought he smelled like he was cooking.  She said he was using sunscreen and a t-shirt, he told her he changed it on lunch when he got too wet."

"Hell.  He was probably using his break to apply more sunscreen in the shade too.  He be able to come back Monday?"

"She said he's not to have any sun exposure on his back or neck for the next month. At all.  She also said we're to investigate why they don't get shade breaks."

"I give my guys ten minutes an hour," he assured him.

"Well, I'm guessing Justin wasn't or it wasn't enough for the kid.  She said he told her he burned through his shirt when it got wet."

"Bricking...."  Thomas gave him a look.  "He was facing the street?"

"Justin had all them doing that.  We need to do a wellness check, I doubt he's the only one.  He said that metal work can be put in once the other bricks settle and cure."

"We can go help with that tomorrow," he agreed. "He have a problem leaving?"

"Bob said he could go when Justin sneered.  Bob called to tell me."

"What is wrong with my son-in-law?"

"He's an asshole," Thomas said plainly.  "A bigoted, slime sucking, asshole licking asshole."

"Gee, just be gentle," he snorted, walking off to call a few of the guys on that shift.  He came back. "Is he going to file for comp?"

"Nope.  She said he shouldn't have to."

"Good," he sighed, smiling at that as he went back to his errand.  "Document it Monday, Thomas."

"Yes, boss."  He made a note to do that then shook his head sadly.  He liked Harris.  He hoped this wouldn't bench him.

***

Xander came back to work that Monday, looking at his boss, then at the other guys.  "Am I late?"

"Just about ten minutes, but I heard about the wreck on your route in," Thomas offered. "Let's see the back."  Xander grimaced but turned and took off his shirt, earning a whistle.  "Fuck, kid."

Xander looked back at him.  "Yeah, my feelings when I started to puke Thursday night.  Sorry about the calls."

"No, this I wanted to know.  Let me take pictures."  He got the pictures the boss wanted.  "Hey, boss?"  He came out of the office.  "Traffic finally broke behind that wreck.  I saw the other two pulling in."

"Good to know."  He looked at Xander's back and neck, then shook his head.  "Sunbreaks?"

"What sunbreaks?"

He sighed and nodded. "You were supposed to get one every hour."

"No, I took one every hour to put on more sunscreen and rewet the towel I had over my neck.  I didn't get offered one."

"He wrote you took unauthorized breaks, Harris," Thomas assured him dryly.  "Okay, we need you out of the sun, right?"

"As long as I'm not in direct and I don't have to reach *too* much, I'm fine to work."

"Good.  Let's put you on the flooring crew then.  Got kneepads?"  Xander slowly shook his head. "We've got extra.  C'mon."  Xander nodded, following him. "You sure you're okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine.  The doc out there gave me some antibiotics and some cream stuff.  I'll be fine as long as I don't split the skin on my back too badly."

"Sure.  I can appreciate that.  It's gotta itch."

"Oh, it so does," he moaned, "but I'm under orders not to scratch and Dawnie will be checking when I get home.  By the way, if we can prevent her finding Justin, it's a good idea."

"We can," Thomas assured him, patting him on the back of the head at the last second, remembering not to touch his back.  "What color shirt were you wearing?"

"I started out with dark grey and it didn't seem to matter.  I wore a white one Thursday.  It was the last one I had clean and I admit it was thinner.  But it was the only one left."

"I understand, kid.  Been there, done that.  Just never to that extent."  He whistled, getting a lot of looks.  "Perry?"  He grinned at him.  "You get Xander today.  He's not to split the skin on his back."

"Kyle said he got burned really badly all last week."

"Yeah, the doctor said I've got sun poisoning.  I've got blisters."

"Ow," Perry hissed, giving him a sympathetic look.  "You're not taking today off too?"

"I was out of town for funerals, not to heal.  Just a side effect," Xander assured him.  "Knee pads?"  Some were tossed over.  "Any pattern?"

"Every fourth one every other row is green," Perry told him.

"Simpler than that wall then."

"I saw that wall when we put the metal insert in. Nice work, kid."  Xander grinned at that and knelt on his knee pads, taking the first tile.  "Sticky - peel, stick, roll from the center out, then heat seal.  We'll do that later."  Xander nodded, laying the first one.  Then he checked the rows around him and counted. "Yup, you get a green one next."

"Why is the green row wobbly?"

"Because they wanted us to start with a full tile and let the pattern lay itself," he admitted with a grin. "Good question, the rest of the guys thought it was mislaid."  He winked. "How was traffic?"

"I was four back from the wreck," he sighed, shaking his head.  "But the very nice crime scene guys did get the traffic slightly moving.  They had one lane open after the body was drug off.  Then they cleared that row and let the rest of the rows shift over so we could go too."

"Nice of them," he agreed, watching Xander work.  "More pressure, kid."  Xander added more pressure, getting a nod.  "Good.  The better contact now the easier it'll heat seal later."

"Are we going over it with a full floor roller?" he asked quietly, adding as much pressure as he could.

"We are, it's not here yet."  He got back to work on his own section.

Xander counted then shook his head at the green one.  "Not that one."  Perry gave him an odd look so Xander laid down the next three tiles, making him moan and sigh.  "It happens.  That the only spot?"

"No.  One other row I went ahead and did.  Okay, I'm going to come back and work with you instead of working ahead, just in case."  That got a smile and a nod.  "You're good."

"I've done this before," he admitted.  "My old boss blackmailed me."

"I heard the rumors. Why?"

"I was in a gay club."

"That's it?"  Xander nodded.  "Why was he there?"

"Because he's a predator," Xander said grimly.  "I found out later he picked up a crossdressing guy and turned him trannie with the drugs to make him less bulky.  He was dressing to let it go."

"I've heard that happens.  Not that I understand that life," he admitted.  "My sister's a drag king."

Xander grinned slightly.  "They've got to have it so much easier than the guys do.  They quit shaving and strap down their chests.  Guys have to tuck and cover their stuff plus shave, plus find the clothes, plus try not to look bulky and big in theirs."

"I hadn't thought about it that way.  I know she works with some of the drag queens on the same circuit."  He shrugged.  "I'll ask her if that's true.  You know some?"

"Yeah, another case of doing it to let go instead of being a trannie," he admitted quietly.  "I helped him shop now and then. There's some really nice speciality shops in LA for both sides."

"Huh.  I wonder if we do."

He looked at him. "She can walk into any suit shop and probably get one.  A guy my size walking into a dress shop and asking to be fitted would probably get maced."

"True," he agreed, grinning at him.  "Online?"

"I'm told there are some."  He laid the next tile and knelt on his last one to add more pressure.  "This one's off-size," he said quietly, turning it around to make sure.

"They're all non-standard.  Makes it more natural looking than industrial."  Xander nodded, taking the protective backing off that one and laying it down. "How bad is your back?"  Xander lifted up the bottom of his shirt, earning another hiss.  "I'd be on pain killers."

"I've got a pretty good tolerance anymore," Xander offered, getting back to work.  He paused to take a drink then put his bottle of water back in the holder and went back to rolling that one. "I started to peel Saturday night.  Itched like hell, man."

Perry laughed. "I bet. You're still peeling."

"Yeah, but if I scratch my little sister will swat the hell out of me later.  She's already vowed to do it and tape oven mitts on my hands if I scratch or peel myself. She likes to peel it."  He shrugged. "She's a bit weird now and then."

"She's a teenage girl.  They're all like that.  So, I hear she's adopted?"

"Her sister left her to me," he agreed quietly.  "She knew I'd take good care of Dawnie and make sure she had a good chance at life.  She also knows I'm the one she can't get much past, but I'm a bit permissible.  We had ice cream for dinner Sunday night."

"They were close friends?"

"My best friend since the first day of school and my mentor.  Her girlfriend is still in the hospital and we're hoping she wakes up," he admitted. "I so hope she wakes up."

"What happened?"

"Something big and heavy fell on them.  She died instantly.  He died at the hospital.  Tara wasn't as badly hit so she's still in a coma."  He looked at him.  "I've given the nurses my numbers and told them to call if there's any change.  At the very least I can send Dawn back and let her stay with the friends we stayed with Thursday night for a few days."

That got a nod.  "Sounds like you've been here before."

"Her mom died and then her sister a few weeks later," he admitted quietly.  "That's when we moved."  He heard a cough and looked back, smiling slightly at the Lieutenant.  "Hi.  Are we in the way?"

"No, just checking on the work, Xander."  He walked around them, looking at the pattern.  "Nice work so far, but one's loose," he offered, tapping it.

"They're not heat sealed yet, Lieutenant.  That's the last step," Perry assured him.

"That's fine then," he assured him with another small smile.  "Anything else going on?"

"The walls," he offered, pointing at some.  "The rest of the sheetrock is going up today.  The rest of the windows are coming later this week.  The wiring got done and inspected last Friday."  Xander looked at him.  "It was fine."  Xander nodded, getting back to work.  "We hope to have the floors done tomorrow."

"Thank you."  He smiled again and walked off, going to find the bosses.  "How is it going?"

"Two days behind schedule but I think we can make it up now that Justin's crew is on clean up," Thomas offered. "Those guys should love the chance to get inside on a job."  Horatio nodded at that.  "Harris had been working there last week."

"I saw that one day on my way home."  Thomas opened his mouth. "It was about six or so.  His boss was standing over him."

"I see," Thomas said dryly.  "Harris?"  Xander looked back under his arm.  "What day did you go home late?"

"Every day but Thursday, boss.  He said it was a rush and we were over a week behind. I'll appreciate the hours since I had to miss Friday."

Thomas moaned and shook his head. "I'll check on that, kid."  He looked at the boss again, shrugging some.  "He got badly sunburned too."

"I'm not surprised.  When I saw him Wednesday he was soaking wet."  He grimaced. "He all right?"

"Fine.  He wouldn't be here if he didn't think he could pull a full day."  That got a nod and an understanding smirk.  "Need to look at the plans?"

"No, I trust you that we'll be on schedule.  We're tired of working out of the other building."

"Of course, sir.  I understand.  I hate working out of any new office for at least the first week."  That got a small smirk.

"Boss!" Perry yelled.

"What!"  He walked over there, finding Xander groaning and holding his shoulder.  "Harris?"

"I stretched too far.  I'm fine."  He straightened up and rolled his shoulder back, wincing some.  "I'll be fine, I just have to remember to shift instead of stretch."  He moved to where he needed to go, doing that tile.  "I'm fine!" he snapped.  "I'm a big boy and I'm fine," he ordered more calmly.  "I don't shirk."

"Stand up, kid," Thomas said.  He hauled him up, looking at the back of his shirt. "You're bleeding."  Xander sighed and shook his head.  "Off."  He took it off with a wince and a hiss at the sticking spot.  Horatio hissed at that.  "I want you to go home and bring me an excuse from the ER saying when you can come back."

Xander looked at him.  "I'm fine to be here, the other doc said I could as long as I stayed out of the sun and I didn't stretch.  I'm good to work, boss, even if I am terribly slow today.  Can I get back to it?"

"No one ever babies you, do they?" Thomas asked, giving him a tolerant look.

"No.  No one would've.  Sorry."  He shrugged and got back to work.  "I'm fine, really."

"You're clearly injured, Xander," Horatio said quietly.

Xander looked back at him.  "I've had worse and went to work, Lieutenant.  It's just a really nasty sunburn.  I'll be fine, just slow.  I simply have to remember to move and not stretch."

Thomas looked down at him. "You're a stubborn bastard."

"Yeah, and?" Xander asked, grinning at him.  "I put that on my resume you know."  That got a laugh and he got back to work sticking down that tile.  "I'm fine, guys, thank you for the consideration but I'll be all right, just slow today."

"What's going on?" the boss called as he came over.  He turned green at the sight of Xander's back.  "At least bandage that, kid."

"I stretched when I should've moved, boss.  Once it's drier I'll put back on my shirt."

He looked at the lieutenant.  "Can I borrow your handcuffs?"  They were handed over.  He grabbed the kid and hauled him up and into the office, handcuffing him over his desk so he could get some bandages to put over them.  "Not waterproof, right?"

"No, no water or stickiness please."  He went limp.  "I'm fine, boss.  Really.  I've had worse."

"I can see the scars.  They stand out very well on your back.  Who beat you?"

Xander looked back at him.  "I don't know you that well."

"Fine.  Are they gone?"

"No, my parents are still living.  A few of them are their's and the rest are gone."

"Good."  He got to work on the cream he had been handed by the young lady in his custody.  "Dawn brought you lunch by the way."  He finished spreading it on and then taped down gauze pads, getting a few hisses.  He finally got done and let the lieutenant unlock him, wiping off his hands.  "Put on your shirt and go back to work, Harris.  I don't expect anyone to suffer for the job."

"This isn't anything.  I've had worse on a day I had to do roofing."  He walked back out there, going back to work, wondering why everyone was fussing.

The lieutenant looked at him.  "He's a very strong young man."

"Yeah, and that doesn't come from nice tea parties with pretty girls," the boss reminded him.

Thomas leaned in.  "He snapped at me."

"Of course he did," Horatio agreed, smirking some.  "He doesn't understand why anyone's fussing over him."

"Huh.  What about his sister?"

"Dawn?  She gave me the medicine and bandages," he admitted, putting them on top of his desk.  "She said to check it after lunch."  That got a nod.  "Not to let him do it.  He misses spots."

"That's fine.  One of our guys here has EMT training.  I'll let him do it."  He shrugged. "He cleared to work?"

"That doctor say anything?"

"No sun."

"Then he's fine doing the floor.  Let him do whatever he thinks he can.  Because you don't get scars like his from girls' nails either."  That got a knowing nod and Thomas walked off to watch over him.  "Sorry you had to see that."

"Stubborn people I understand.  I work with a whole department full of them."  That got a snicker and a waved hand.  "I do.  I've seen others who would've come in, even with worse injuries. I hope whichever boss let him do that is in trouble?"

"Very much so," he promised.  "How late did he work on Wednesday?"

"I was going home just after seven.  You might ask Dawn when he got home."

"I'll do that for lunch since she's off today.  Thank you, lieutenant."  That got a nod and he left.  He went to call Dawn and find that out.  She was very knowledgeable about what he did after she got out of school.

***

Xander walked in and carefully sat down, looking at her.  "Nark."

"Well, yeah," she said with a fond smile, kissing him on the cheek.  "Fully when there's something wrong."  She stroked through his hair.  "Shirt off, baby.  Let me check."

"Dawn, I'm not your baby.  That'll be the eventual guy you'll marry."

"Take it off anyway."  He sighed and took it off, letting her see where his skin had split.  She swatted him for it, making him grunt in pain.  "Brat."  She got to work cleaning off his back and then got a cool towel.  "On your stomach."

"Yes, boss."  He laid down, letting her lay the cool towel over his back.  "Thank you."

"Welcome."  She went into the kitchen, dragging out a plate for him.  "Do not complain that I ordered.  I was starved and we're out of food again."  She put the plate down next to  his hand and then patted him on the back of the head.  "I'm going to my room. You can rant to thin air if you need to rant."  Someone tapped on the door so she walked over to look out the spy hole.  She opened the door, leaving the chain on.  "Yes?"

"I need to see Harris," he ground out.

"I'm sorry, he's resting.  Can I pass on a message?"  She screamed when he kicked in the door.

Xander stood up, letting the towel fall. "Get out, Justin."  He looked at the gun in his hand.  "That won't save you."

"You little fairy," he sneered. "You got my ass fired!"

"If you're doing shit to get fired, then you deserve it," he snapped back.  "What did you expect me to do, not pass out in pain?"  The gun was raised.  Xander dove and came up under it, grabbing his wrist and breaking it over his knee.  That got a scream.  Justin fell to the floor.  He kicked the gun out of the way.  "Dawn, call someone," he ordered quietly.  "Please."  She nodded, grabbing the phone and dialing 911.  He looked down at him, then turned around.  "See, and that's four days post burn."  He turned back around.  "If you got fired for it, then it was your own stupidity. I know *damn* well I never treated my crew like that."  A cop came to the door, his gun already drawn.  "His weapon's on the floor," he said calmly.  "I broke his wrist and he dropped it."  He pointed at it.  "He got fired today."

The officer frowned but came in.  "You are, sir?"

"Harris.  This is my apartment with my younger sister," he said, nodding at Dawn. "I subbed in on his crew for a few days last week and he got fired because of some things that happened to me."  He let the cop see his back, getting a wince.  "He broke in the door on my sister and came in with the gun."

"All right," he agreed, bagging the gun. "Is everyone all right?"

"My back stings," he admitted, looking at Dawn.  He pulled her closer, holding her.  "Isolated incident," he assured her quietly.  She nodded, hiding her face in his chest.  "Can you just remove him?" Xander asked quietly.  "She's still grieving for most of her family.  He scared her."

"Of course, sir."  He looked at the guy's wrist, then at him.  "What did you use to break it?"

"Two hands and my knee."  He shrugged.  "I saw it on a movie once."

"Oh, all right."  He got Justin up and into cuffs as best as he could, taking him and the gun down to his car.  Then he came back to make a report while his partner watched the intruder.

***

Xander walked into work the next morning, getting a long stare. "He broke into my house with a gun and scared the hell outta Dawn. Not like I wasn't going to break his wrist."  He looked at the floors, then at Thomas.   "Floors?"  That got a nod so he went to find Perry and his knee pads.  "Hey, I'm back."

"Again.  How's your back?"

"It stings.  Kinda badly.  But I'll be fine.  Work will ease it."  He got down and got to work on the next tile.

"HARRIS!" the boss yelled. "Office, now!"

"Yes, sir."  He got up and headed that way.  "I'm fine."

"You had him arrested?"

"He broke into my house with a gun and scared the hell outta Dawn.  Yeah.  I wasn't about to be shot."

Thomas leaned in.  "Who got shot?"

"Justin broke into my apartment last night with a gun.  I broke his wrist to remove the gun from his hand and had him arrested.  I wasn't about to let him shoot me."

"Is... Dawn all right?"

Xander nodded, smiling at his boss.  "Yeah, I broke her fear later on with a Monty Python movie.  Shrubs get her every time."  He beamed.  "She's fine now.  Probably telling it at school today."  He shrugged and hissed.  "Sorry, getting feeling back today.  Anything else?  The floor stills needs laid."  They both slowly shook their heads so he went back to work.  "Sorry, they wanted to know about the thing with Justin last night," he explained, kneeling and getting back to work on the tile he had been rolling.

"I'll roll, you lay," Perry ordered.  Xander nodded, shifting positions carefully to do that.

"Hey, Harris, any military service in your background?" someone yelled.

"No. Why?"  Well, not really and it's not like he could tell them about prior possessions and things.

"Never mind."  That guy walked off shaking his head.

A few hours later, they were interrupted as they moved into one of the labs by a polite cough.  Xander looked back and nodded at the guy standing there, getting a small smile. "Let me guess, he pressed charges?"

"No, we consider that self defense, Mr. Harris.  But I do need to ask you a few questions."

"Sure.  Lunch?"

"Is...."

Xander checked his watch.  "In about a half hour?"

"That's fine. I can wait that long," he agreed, retreating back to the office.  "Can I see his background?" he asked politely. The boss gave him an odd look.  "The boss asked."

"Why?" Thomas asked from behind the desk, staring him down. "He's a nice guy."

"I'm sure he is, but some questions exist about how he broke the intruder's wrist."  Thomas snorted and opened the door, pointing at one guy and getting him in there.  "You are?"

"Felipe.  Glass crew.  Something wrong, Thomas?"

"He wants to know how Xander broke Justin's wrist when he broke in on him."

"Oh."  He looked at him.  "You ever been down to the bad parts of town where even the shadows aren't deep enough?"

"Twice and I nearly scared myself to death."  He tipped his head.  "He works with that?"

"No, he used to hunt that."

"Oh."  He frowned. "All right," he decided was the appropriate response.  "So the commando complaint the intruder gave about him?  About him needing to register his skills as lethal weapons?"

"I doubt it," Felipe said.  "He's retired."  He looked out the door.  "Hey, Harris, can I tell him about graduation?"

"I wish you wouldn't," floated back.  "I don't need the scary looks I get."

"Gee, I wonder why," he said dryly, closing the door.  "He didn't say no."  He walked over to the computer, getting a nod of permission from Thomas so he typed in an address and pulled up a webpage.  "You can't find it on google," he offered with a gentle smile.  "That was a dossier put up by the military.  My mother did things with that area.  That's how I know."  He got out of the way so he could read.

Xander leaned in.  "Don't spread that shit around, Felipe.  Please?" he begged. "I'm retired.  Dawn needs me to be stable and I'm tired of my old life."

Felipe looked at him.  "Someone should know in case something comes up."

"Even if it were the end of the world, Dawn needs me more, man."  He stared him down. "She's my reward for living so long, making sure she makes it to a good life."

"Even if her life would be cut short?" the cop asked.

"Then I'd talk to her and see if she wanted to help me. She's lost everyone but me to that shit.  It's not fair to her or right that she loses me too."  He looked at Felipe again. "Please."

"I understand but sometimes other duties call."

"Yeah, and I know the group who handles it in LA.  I can always call."  That got a smirk. "Unless she'd want it, no.  I can't.  I swore to her I'd quit so she'd be safe and have a stable home without having to worry about that stuff.  Please?"

"Fine," Felipe agreed.  "I won't come to you about that stuff, but if something happens or we need advice."

"Call Dawn."  He nodded, grinning at the cop.  Who just looked at him. "Retired," he said slowly and clearly.  "Forever more.  Period.  End of sentence."  He walked off, going back to work.  The boss gave him a bored look.  "The cops wanted to know how I broke his wrist."

"Military training?"

"Not quite."  He shrugged and went back into the lab, going to help.  "I thought I cut it so the other side was the right size."

"You did.  I'm fitting the remaining bit into this corner so we don't waste it."  Xander nodded, coming over to help with the full tiles.  "Thought I was screwing up?"

"No, thought I had. I don't want to screw up.  I don't like being a screw up.  I was one of those for way too long."

Perry looked at him.  "I doubt that."

"I don't.  They said so."

"Who's they?" the cop said from the doorway.

"The girls in that file I wish you'd forget."

"Fat chance," he snorted.  "Nearly lunch?"

"Nearly," he sighed, getting back to work.  The whistle rang and he groaned, getting up and heading to find his lunch and his car.  They could talk in there.  That way no one would overhear.  "Okay, you wanted what?" he asked, unwrapping his sandwich.  "Like pastrami?  Dawn made a teenager sandwich."

"No thanks, I ate on the way over."  Xander shrugged and plucked out what he didn't want mashed with the rest and took a bite. "That file said you had commando memories?"  Xander nodded as he chewed.  "How?"

"Possession. Stupid bastard named Ethan Rayne having great fun."  He ate another bite and chewed.

"How did he do that?" he asked cautiously.

"It was his idea of a trick or treat prank."  He ate another bite and chewed more quickly at the incredulous look.  "He's a chaos sorcerer.  He does things like that for shits and giggles.  By the way, I got that look so much worse from the FBI when they showed up."  He ate another bite.

"Why did they show up?" he asked, looking a bit more amused now.

"The high school."  He finished his sandwich and ate the bits he had taken out.  "They wanted to know why it was blown up," he noted at the continued silence.  He looked at him. "It was attacked and I led the defense.  I got to sit with them for two whole days."

"Uh-huh."  He started to take notes.  "Are you under doctor's care?"

Xander snickered. "Only for my back."

"What's wrong with your back?"

"Sun poisoning from last week laying bricks at the other site."

"I'm sorry."  He shifted some to look at him better.

"Me too, I'm starting to get feeling back in my back and neck.  Stings like a bitch at the moment.  Anything else you wanted to know?"

"What did you do to him?"

"Dawn tried to waylay him at the door with the chain on.  He kicked it in.  I came off the couch, where I was doing a cool compress to my back.  He pulled a gun and said I was the reason he got fired.  Which is partially true, they found out because of me that he was violating a lot of union rules.  He pointed the gun at me, I ducked, rolled, came up under it.  I grabbed his wrist and broke it over my knee, which made him fall down from the pain and drop the gun.  She called it in.  I told the cop responding that I broke his wrist."

"Do you not like officers?"

"Sunnydale's were the essence of non-effective and bothersome.  They came after my friend when she killed a robot but didn't do anything about anything else. Except for speeding tickets."

"Oh."  He nodded slowly and took down that as well.  "So you don't like me?"

Xander looked him over, then grinned. "I don't know you well enough to tell you that, detective.  Are you asking me on a date so I can find out?"   He blushed and shook his head.  "Pity.  You're cute."  He shrugged and finished his bottle of water from that morning.  "Anything else?  I'd like to have my boss spread some more of that numbing stuff on my back to see if it helps."

"No, go ahead. Thank you, Mr. Harris."

"Please, forget I have a past," he ordered quietly.  "I don't do that anymore."  He got out and locked his car once the officer did, heading over to where his boss was sitting.  "Can I have someone spread that nice, numbing stuff on me after lunch?"

"Sure, kid.  Starting to hurt?"

"Sting.  It's stinging pretty badly.  I'm starting to get feeling back."

"That might be a good thing," he offered.  Xander shook his head quickly, getting some laughs.  "How's the peeling going?"

"A lot.  Dawn's having tons of fun peeling me nightly."  Thomas grinned at that.  "She's weird that way.  Payday's when?"

"Thursday," the boss offered.  "Why?"

"I've got to pay Dawn back for some of the moving expenses.  We took it out of her trust from the sale of her former home.  It's time for me to start paying it back."

That got a smile.  "You're a good father, Harris," Thomas offered quietly.  "She being wild?"

"No, she's not yet. She'll get to that point after a few more months."  That got another nod.  "By the way, I'm still retired.  I'm staying retired."  He yelped as someone patted him on the shoulder.  "Ow!"  He gave them a pouty look.  "I don't walk up and hurt you!"

"Sorry, Harris.  How's the back?"

"Painful!"  He got given a long look.  "Very painful. I'm starting to get feeling back in it again."

"How bad was it?"  Xander pulled up the bottom of his shirt to let him see.  "Ow.  Very ow.  I'd still be in bed with that."  He walked off shaking his head.

The boss looked and nodded.  "Just barely pink now. Much nicer than yesterday."

"I got a lot of cold compresses last night on the order of the fierce bitch I'm maintaining," he joked dryly, giving them a look.  "Dawn threw a fit on me for not letting her handle him and letting the compress fall.  She's the scary one in the family."  That got a lot of chuckles.  "You'd be surprised, guys.  Dawn being upset is a bad thing.  Remember that if she shows up and starts to yell.  Just run for cover."  He looked at his boss.  "If they keep harping on it, I'll take her somewhere safer," he noted quietly. That got a nod.  "I'd hate to do it."

"I know.  It shouldn't keep happening, Harris.  You done?"

"I need more water."  He got up and went to get some from the vending machines they were allowed to use, smiling at the woman in there.  "Sorry, grabbing a drink.  They said we could."

"Not like I mind," she assured him, smiling at him.  "That guy you helped is doing all right?"

"He hasn't come back yet that I've seen but I guess so."  He shrugged and winced.  "Sorry, sunburn."  He grinned and disappeared again.  He went up to the office since the boss was in there, taking off his shirt at his odd look.  "I had to get more water."

"I understand that.  You used the vending machines?"

"Thomas said we could."

"We can, most guys don't want to intrude on their domain."

Xander thought about shrugging but he remembered how much it hurt.  "I snuck in and only got tolerant looks from the ME lady."  He turned.  "Please?"

"Sure, kid.  Move closer."  He put on a pair of gloves and uncapped the tube, working it into his skin.  "You're still peeling."

"At least I'm not still blistering. I did that into Friday morning, even after a cooling shower."  He nodded politely at the guy coming in.  "Numbing stuff.  I'll be out of the way in a few minutes."

"No, stay," the lieutenant said, closing the door.  Xander sighed and hung his head, shaking it.  "You confused him, Xander."

"Not my fault.  I'm confused and I was there," he complained.

"Point," he admitted, coming over to look.  "It looks better today."

"Dawn became a fierce amazon last night and made me soak it with cool compresses."

"It looks like it helped."  He looked at him.  "You're truly retired?"  He nodded, giving him a steady look back.  "Why?"

"Because she needs me more than the world needs a mediocre fighter who trips over his feet and could easily get killed by himself," he said quietly.  "She needs me to be a stable base to let her finish growing up.  If it's a world ending emergency again I'll see if she'll let me help and possibly help with me since she's a witch."

"That's not nice," his boss chided.

Xander looked at him.  "As in wiccan, makes things floaty witch, boss."  He blinked a few times and Xander looked at the boss again, shrugging a bit now that he was numb again.  "If she gives me permission.  I have to live for her.  She's my reward for surviving.  She's also my duty."

"I see.  So if something does come up...."

"You can come to me for information.  If I don't have it, I can put you in touch with someone who would, and who probably knows someone locally to help now and then.  Even if I get frustrated at the stupidity of those who took my place, I'm still not going back to it, Lieutenant.  I'm sorry but she's more important and I have to remember that."

"I understand, Xander."  He smiled at him.  "I wish most people had your sense of family."

"Well, in my case it's a made family.  Not like my own was worth saving."  He grimaced. "I've got to get back to work before I'm late again.  I got stuck behind that wreck this morning."

"I was working that. I thought I saw your car."  Xander nodded, grinning and heading out.  He looked at the boss. "Was he in trouble?"

"No, he wasn't the only one and one of the guys was in front of her.  He told us that there was a major wreck on the causeway in."  Horatio nodded at that.  "He in the clear about Justin?"

"We consider that self defense," he assured him. "The only problem that occurred was when your former employee claimed he should've registered his skills he gained when he was a commando as a lethal weapon.  Since we can prove that's not true, we don't have any problems.  Now, that won't discount the reason his file was blocked coming after him.  I got an interesting call from a Federal Agent who bothers me now and then about watching out for someone to come for him."

"Should they I'm leaving," Xander called from outside the office.  "Boss, we need more tiles, where are they?  Perry doesn't know."

"On their way in, Harris.  Go roll the whole floor."

"Yes, boss."  He went to tell him that.  "He said they're being delivered, to roll the whole floor."

"Sure."  He went to grab the roller and weights.  He let the kid run it while he checked the tiles since it would require bending over a lot.  "Back up and do that section again.  It's still loose."  Xander backed it up and leaned more heavily, adding his own weight.

***

Dawn walked up to the guard for the lab site, smiling slightly.  "Is Xander Harris still here?  I need to see him desperately before I commit homicide.  That way I have his permission."  The guard blinked. "Now," she ordered more firmly.  "Right now.  He's my big brother."

"He called you a fierce amazon earlier," he admitted.  He radioed the boss.  "Harris's sister is here, boss."  The boss came out.  "She said she was."

"Hi, Dawn Summers," she said, shaking the boss's hand.  "I need Xander so I can get permission to commit homicide.  Messy, brutal, makes me laugh afterward homicide."

"He's working in the showers," he offered, walking her that way.  "Watch out, the floor's not sealed yet, miss."

"Dawn, please."  She looked up at him.  "I'm not that fragile."

"With what he's said about you, I'm sure you're not."

"He called me a fierce bitch, didn't he?"

He smiled and nodded.  "Yup.  But only about taking care of him."

She snorted and flicked a hand back to shift her hair off her face.  "The boy needs it.  He doesn't take good care of himself.  Xander!" she snapped.  He flinched and looked at her.  "Riley's in town.  Do I have permission to cut him into bait chunks and then piss on them for flavoring?"

"Not without help," he said blandly.  "Why is he in town?"

"I don't know.  I heard his call on the machine."  She called the house and input the code, letting him listen.  She stared at him when he hung up, watching him think for the two- point-three seconds it took him.  "So?"

"We'll hear him out.  Either he's got news on Tara, or something about the wills," he said quietly, looking at her.  She grimaced. "Then you can give him a five minute head start."  She smiled and kissed him on the cheek.  "Where is he?"

"Lurking outside my school when I got off so probably around here somewhere.  I figured I'd lead him here if he was following me instead of to the house.  It's safer that way."

"I agree.  What time is it?"  She showed him her watch.  "Okay, go sit outside in the grass and read something.  If anyone approaches you, tell them you're waiting on me.  If he, Sam, or his unit come up to you, tell them they're waiting on me and tell them when I get off.  Just make sure you're in the shade so you don't get burned, okay?"  She nodded, heading out.  He hissed. "She's not in a good mood," he said dryly, getting back to work.  "I almost pity Riley."

"Who is this Riley guy?" the boss asked.

"Her sister's ex, who was a commando and in the same line of work we were.  He was part of the group that was blocking my files."  He gave him a look.  "It'll be fine. He'll be polite or else I'll be killing him and letting her dance on his steaming body."  He shrugged and got back to work, only hissing a bit at the pain.  He didn't like this pain stuff.

"You think he'd try something here?"

"He's usually smarter than that.  This is still a police station, boss.  There's people around all the time and she will beat the shit out of him while screaming for help.  It'll be fine."

"If you're sure."

"I am or this time I get to take them down myself."  He focused on what he was doing.  The faster he got done, the faster the work day would end.

***

Xander flopped down beside Dawn, looking at the man sitting across from her.  "So, you're in Miami now.  Why?"

"We want you to join us."

Xander pointed at Dawn.  "She's my sister now."

"I understand," Riley admitted.  "We'd keep her safe."  Xander and Dawn both stared him down, making him shudder.  "She'd be on a base, totally safe, totally out of danger."  She glared harder and he inched backwards.  "Are you sure her sister wouldn't want that?"

"I'm sure her sister would expect me to keep her safe, healthy, and happy.  Dawn's not going into the military.  I refuse to let her.  Also, her sister would expect me to be there for her when she needed me, not taking off ten months out of the year to hunt things in South America.  Nor does she need to see me injured or killed.  She needs me there with her, guiding her, and making sure she becomes a woman her mother would be proud of.  Besides, I'd kill you in your sleep," Xander pointed out dryly.

Riley nodded and stood up.  "I understand your decision but I do have orders."

Xander stood up and faced him down.  "This is a police station but I won't hesitate to kick your ass.  You're not tougher than what we fought."  Riley backed off again, looking concerned.  "Leave Miami.  Tonight.  You're getting your head start.  If you come near Dawnie or me again, I will have your ass ground into paste for fun."  He turned and ran.  Xander turned and helped her back.  "My back's starting to get feeling in it but the numbing stuff is still working.  Your book?"  She bent to pick it up and he glared at the cop checking her out. "She's fourteen, eyes left!" he snapped.  The cop walked off.  He put an arm around her and walked her off.  "So, you think what we did with the Chinese vampires or the regular?"

"I think staking him would be fairly obvious and your boss's contractors might get mad," she pointed out dryly.  "But I'm all for calling something to have him eaten."  She gave him a look.  "Can I?"

"Do you want to follow Willow's path?"  She shook her head quickly.  "Then there's your answer. Congratulations, an adult decision," he offered happily.  She smiled back and got into the car so he could drive them home.

"Harris!" someone called.  Xander turned to look at the guy standing there.  "We need to talk."

"No, Graham, you need to get out of my face before I smash it into the pavement.  You and yours come near myself and Dawn under penalty of death.  I'm protecting her with my life if necessary."

"We need you."

"So?  Get Angel."  He got into the car and headed back to the apartment.  He got there and found the manager out front.  He got out and looked at him.  "What?"

"Who are the people up there?"

"Not a clue."  He looked at Dawn.  "Watch her for me please.  I'm going to see and someone threatened her earlier."  That got a nod and Xander headed up there, looking at the very bare apartment.  He checked the closets and his *other* clothes had been left.  He packed them into a plastic garbage bag and carried them down to the car, handing them to Dawn.  Then he called the cops.  "Hi, someone apparently came and stole everything in our apartment but some clothes.  No, the manager wasn't sure why they were here either.  Please.  That would be more than acceptable.  383 Crest, apartment 23d.  Thank you.  We'll be outside by our car."  He looked at the manager once he had hung up.  "They stole it.  I have no idea what the hell is going on.  All I know is that her sister's ex is military and came up to threaten to steal us both to join his mental unit."  That got a knowing nod.  "Talking about demons and hunting them for the UN."

"Ah, one of those. Yeah, could've been military," he agreed.  Two cop cars pulled in and officers got out, hands on their guns. "He's the victim, boys.  Relax."

"Sir, we were told the young woman in his possession was a kidnaping victim from California?"

Dawn got out and handed over something she carried with her.  "That is my mother's and sister's will, his permission to move and treat me.  The person doing this is my sister's ex.  He's military and whacked in the head.  Keeps talking about demons and fighting them for the UN.  He came up to us earlier at his job site.  He was stalking me and I ran to my guardian to see what we were going to.  Since he's working at the crime lab site, we decided I should wait outside since it'd be safe enough until he got done.  By then Riley was there with me.  Xander told him to stick it and he threatened him.  Wanted to move Xander onto his demon hunting team and me onto a military base against my sister's wishes.  They broke up because he was cheating on her and becoming unstable."

"And a bastard, let's not forget that," Xander said dryly.  "They left some clothes and that's it.  Even if he is active military that's theft, right?"  They nodded, looking over the paperwork then handing it back.  The cops relaxed.  "Thank you for your cooperation.  I'd hate to have to find him and kill him tonight.  Not that I won't, but I'd hate to have to."

"Calm down, Xander.  He's got guns.  You don't."  He looked at her and she shivered.  "Please."  He nodded, calming himself.  She looked at the officers.  "I'll let the manager take you up there."

"That's fine, miss."  One stayed with them to take a report about the earlier confrontations while the other went upstairs.  The detective from earlier pulled up and got out of a hummer, walking up to them.  "Detective, this is Mr. Harris.  He says that Miss Summer's sister's former boyfriend did break into their apartment."

"Stole everything but some women's clothes," Xander agreed dryly, looking at him.  "He wanted me to join his mental demon hunting unit for the UN."

Ryan Wolfe nodded once.  "Okay.  Let's go look at the apartment."

"The manager's up there and they're military.  Dawn goes with me."

"I know this officer, he won't hurt her.  He'll watch her."  The officer nodded.  "Come on."  Xander walked him up there.  Once they were in the elevator he looked at him.  "Who?"

"Riley Finn and his people.  Another one named Graham, never knew his last name or if that was his last name, came up to us as well to say we were going.  I'm going to kill them. Military or not."  They got out on his floor and he walked him inside.  "I gathered the clothes that were in the closet.  They're in the garbage bag down there.  I didn't think anyone needed to stare at them."

Ryan looked at him, then pulled him aside.  "Yours or hers?" he asked quietly.  Xander glared.  "I've seen and understand, Harris.  Not judging, just asking."  He nodded.  "That's fine.  Understandable really.  Whose room was that?"

"Hers.  I slept on the couch."

"That's fine.  Go back down there, let me look around.  Write down all the names you can think of that were associated with that group."  Xander nodded, going to do that.  He looked at the manager.  "Did you let them in?"

"They had boxes, looked like they were delivering stuff.  That's what they said they were doing, delivering some of Dawn's stuff from storage in California.  They're a very nice family.  Fairly quiet except when his former coworker broke in to shoot him for getting him fired.  I'm guessing it was for a good reason?"

"The guy had him hurt by ignoring union and labor laws," Ryan admitted.  "He got fired for it.  Mr. Harris's back is a mess."  The manager nodded at that.  "Did they only need a key?"

"Yes, sir.  That's what we usually rely on.  This has been a pretty quiet building.  Only six or seven thefts in the last four years or so."

"That's fine.  A lot of landlords only use deadbolts."  He smiled.  "How many were there?"

"Four, five, one supervising.  Four carrying boxes.  I went back inside when they said they'd lock up.  Nice looking guys and one guy had on an Army t-shirt.  I guess they could've been military by the way they stood upright and were kinda tense and checking around and all."

"Like checking their surroundings, scanning?" Ryan asked.  He nodded.  "Okay.  Can you give me a description or is there video surveillance?"

"There is and I can get it for you."

"Please.  Bring it up to me here in case I have any other questions."  He nodded, going to do that.  Ryan looked around, finding some powder on the floor.  He heard the quiet tap and looked over.  "Miss Summers."

"I came to check for anything else since we're probably going to a hotel tonight."  He walked her inside, watching as she looked around.  She looked at the powder, taking a fingerful to sniff.  "Hmm.  Interesting."  She looked at him.  "The moving fairies are playing with the wrong magic this time."  She walked into the bathroom. "They even took the old bar of soap that was here when we moved in," she said with disgust.  "But hey, they cleaned the bathroom for me."  She came out, going to check the fridge.  She found a note in there and whistled, pointing.  "Note."  He came over to get it out so she could read it.  She snorted and smirked. "They're so fucked," she muttered.  He gave her an odd look.  She looked back.  "You know?"

"I do.  I was told earlier.  Why?"

"The blonde he helped was my sister," she said quietly.  "Commonly referred to as The Slayer."  She turned and walked out, heading down there.  "Xander, they left a note in the fridge.  Oh, and they cleaned the bathroom and even took that old bar of soap."

"Nice of them.  And?"

"Magic," she said quietly.  He glared at her.  "Not my doing."

"Can we undo?"

"I'm not sure. They did say that nowhere was safe from them and that you'd come to them eventually."

"I'm so making a stand," he muttered.  She hugged him.  "I know."

"No, we, big brother.  We."  She looked over as the nice lieutenant drove up and parked. "You too?"

"Me as well," he agreed.  "What happened?"

Xander looked at him.  "Buffy's ex, Riley Finn, showed up at the station earlier."

"We noticed Miss Summers being stalked and her coming to see you to talk about a homicide."

"His," she agreed.  "He stalked me at school."  He grimaced at that.  "Xander said to wait on him at the station, it'd be safer.  Riley showed up and we talked about Buffy, then he said he wanted Xander on his mental demon hunting squad for the UN."

"I see.  And your answer was?"

"Blow it out your ass only put more gently," Xander said dryly.  "Mostly citing that Dawn needed me.  Then we come home and find our place mostly bare.  With an apparent note in the fridge she just found with your detective from earlier."

"Hmm.  All right.  Stay here.  Don't do anything unless they come up to you."

"Can I kill them if they do?" Dawn asked sweetly.

"No, and I'll try to get your things back, Dawn."

"That's good considering they told the officers I was kidnaped."

He nodded once at that.  "You proved differently?"

"I'm still carrying around a copy of both wills and his medical authorization to treat me."

"Good.  Excellent.  Stay here."  He walked inside and went upstairs.  "Mr. Wolfe?"

"Horatio, this is messed up," he said, handing over the bagged note.  "She claims magic."

"She's a wiccan from what I've heard."  He looked the note over, then nodded once.  "What can we do about this beyond calling in some federal help?"

"I don't know but I'm about to kick their asses for the kid.  This is wrong.  Very wrong.  She's lost too much as is."  He pointed at the dust. "I took multiple samples.  That's how she said they moved it.  I'm waiting on the tape from the manager."

"That's fine, Ryan.  Finish up and I'll get that."  Ryan nodded, going back to his fingerprinting.  Horatio went down to the manager's office, finding him dubbing the tape.  "We could have done that for you."

"Nah, easier if I do.  Owner hates it when we don't do it on our own."

"Who owns this building?"

"Some old guy in Oregon.  He's got a few around the city.  These are his standing orders."  It quit taping and he checked the copy then handed over the original.  "That's yours."

"Thank you."  He bagged it and closed it, taking it out to Ryan's hummer.  He found the officer down and Dawn standing next to the car with a bloody knife, and no Xander.  "What happened?"

"They tried to snatch Xander.  Your officer is fine, it's from a choke hold."  She stared at him.  "Xander's in pursuit and he's a bit pissed."  She pointed the direction. "He'll be back within four minutes.  I've got a tracer on him."  Horatio stared at her.  "Seriously."  She handed over the knife properly.  "One of them dropped it.  Xander stuck him with it when he lunged at me to stab me."  She stared him down.  Then Xander came back dragging someone.  "Did you open your back?"

"Yeah," he admitted, dropping him at the lieutenant's feet.  "Yours.  The other guy got taken by the guy in the baby blue jeep without a top on it.  Georgia plates. He lunged at her and I turned his attack back on him after blocking it and kicking him in the stomach.  It went into his solar plexus.  He's going to need major medical."

Horatio put the call out for assistance and noted that, then called his people to check the hospitals and to come get this one idiot.  He groaned and Xander came over to glare at him, getting a whimper.  "Back down, Xander.  Let me," he ordered quietly.  Ryan came jogging out.  "Bag this.  He tried to stick Miss Summers and Mr. Harris kindly used it on its former owner, who is now in the wind."

"Sure."  He bagged it and marked it on the sheet, then put them all into his hummer.  He looked at the guy, then at Xander.  "Your back okay?"

"Stings like a bitch," he admitted.  He looked at Dawn.  "You good?"

"I'm just pissed," she reminded him. "I've been fine.  I'm going to kill the Initiative assholes.  There's nothing on this plane or any other that could stop me at this moment."

"Don't make me do a seance and let your mother take me over," Xander warned.  She slumped and nodded.  "Thank you.  We'll let them handle it and handle our own defense."

"We can do that," Ryan noted patiently.  Xander pointed at the officer on the ground.  He was starting to come around, groaning a bit and shifting.  "What happened to him?"

"Choke hold.  I was facing the other direction and they got him then advanced on Dawn as I turned.  No idea which one it was."  He looked at Horatio.  "I'm with her.  I'm all for destruction and mayhem."

"These are the same people who blocked your background check?"  Xander nodded.  "Are you sure?"

"Riley was one of their unit heads."

"I see."

"List of names?" Ryan asked.  Xander handed it over. "Thank you."  He looked at Horatio, then back at the kids.  "Safe house, boss?"

"Station first.  Then a safe house.  Have someone drive their car, Ryan.  I'll take my hummer with them."  That got a nod.  "Let the other officer here drive back with you once he wakes up."  He got them into the hummer, heading back.  "How many other groups are out to get you two?" he asked as he drove.

"Only them.  The others are all gone," Dawn said quietly.  "Buffy and Xander made sure of it."

"If this gets too bad, you're going to visit Fred," Xander said firmly.  "Just so you're safer."

"Back in Hell-A?"

"Yes," he said patiently.  "They can protect you, even with the evil law firm after them and half of hell's minions as well.  Don't argue."

"Can't you send me to visit Faith in prison or something?"  He gave her a look.  She gave him a sheepish one back.  "I know, don't give you ideas."  She slumped down in her seat.   "We're sorry we're such a bother, lieutenant."

"You're not, Miss Summers, but people like that annoy me.  It is never wise to annoy me that way."  She giggled and hugged his arm.  He smiled at her.  "Let us handle this for you.  You doing it would cause more problems."

"Actually, me doing it would cause missing people without an explanation.  Xander doing it would cause bodies.  That would cause you more problems."

"Either way would still cause problems."  He backed out, heading back to the station.  On the way he pulled over to look at them.  "All right, I want to know the truth."  Dawn handed over what she had been working on.  He looked it over then at Xander.  "You did what?"

"Protected ourselves mostly.  Rescued a friend when they took him.  Took in the vampire they chipped."

"I see."  He went back to reading then nodded once.  "They want you now why?"

"This is their idea of recruitment," Dawn told him.  "We've said no.  Hence the problems."

"The military can be arrogant but I do have contacts I can call.  For now, you two will be in my office."

"Your office wasn't quite finished earlier," Xander admitted.  "We're still working on the last glass panel and the finishing touches."

"I meant my present one but thank you for that update," he said, smirking at him.  "It'll be fine."

"Are we sure?"

"I am."  He turned around and started the hummer again, going to the station they were using until theirs was finished.  He parked and got them inside and upstairs, nodding at the other officers.  "Frank."

"Horatio, there's a Fed in there," he called after him.

"Good, they can explain why they're trying to kidnap civilians."  He walked into his office, smirking at the man standing in there.  "Agent Smith."

"Lieutenant Caine."  He looked at the two young people. "I'm not here about them."

"Unfortunately they're here because a covert government group is trying to take them."  He sat down behind his computer and found the address he needed, sending a message to the person in Washington he knew.  He looked at Xander.  "Sit for now.  Give them a few minutes to spread the word."  Xander nodded and made Dawn sit down but she huffed and pushed him onto the couch and pulled his shirt off him so she could look at his back, making the federal agent hiss and look away.  "He got very bad sunburns," Horatio offered, standing up.  "Shall we talk?"

"Please.  Will they be okay?"

Xander looked at him.  "Let them break in here.  It'll be easier to clean up the bodies," he said dryly.  "I'm tired of playing with them."

"Hush, Xander, this is pain talking," Dawn soothed.  "Lieutenant, can I get some wet paper towels?"

"Of course.  This way."  He let her go that way while he and the other agent went to talk about his reason for being in Miami.  They watched Dawn go back in there and Horatio shook his head.  "They're from Sunnydale," he said quietly.

"I feel sorry for them.  Their former town has now been declared off limits and a disaster area after most of them died for an unknown reason.  When did they leave?"

"A little over a month ago."

"It was just starting to get bad then by the CDC timeline."  Horatio gave him an amused look.  "You know what it was?"

"They're here because a military covert ops group was trying to take over their town for experimentation.  They called themselves the Initiative?"

"I've heard rumors.  Got any names?"  Horatio handed over the list.  "Let me guess, they're after them?"

"Came and moved them without their consent and tried to kidnap them."  Frank Tripp came over.  "Frank, check on Dawn, make sure she doesn't need more help with Xander's back please?"

"Sure.  He looks familiar."

"He's one of the construction workers working on our new lab."

"Oh."  He headed that way, smiling when Dawn opened the door.  "Hi, I'm Detective Tripp.  Horatio sent me to see if you needed more help with his back?"

"No, I've got the bleeding stopped and the cracks will be fine once I get some aloe gel later tonight," she promised, smiling at him.  "We're okay.  Thank you, Detective."

"Welcome."  He nodded.  "I can get Alexx."  Xander moaned.  He looked at him.  "I still know you from somewhere."

"I took control of the glass stabbed guy from her," Xander said weakly.  "I had a very bad sunburn that was cooking me," he said, looking over at him.  "Defending us earlier broke open some of it."

"Wow.  Want her?"

"No, I'm good.  I'm not dead yet so I'll heal."

"She might have some aloe gel," he offered.

"Then I wouldn't mind asking to borrow some," Dawn decided.  Xander moaned again. "You, hush!"  He held his head.  She smiled at Frank again, seeing the amused look. "I'm his adopted little sister and I am a mighty bitch.  I learned it from my actual one before she died. Can you ask her if I can borrow some aloe gel?"

"Of course."  He grinned.  "You're how old?"

"Fourteen," she sighed, shaking her head.  "He's horribly overprotective."  Xander nodded at that, giving her back a look.  "For a very good reason," she admitted, rolling her eyes.  He laughed and walked off.  "Thank you, Detective."  She shut the door and came back to look at his back.  "We really do need to goop some of the cracks to soften them so they don't rip more."  She kissed him on the forehead.  "Mommy would be fussing."

"She probably would've tied me to the couch long before now," he agreed, looking at her.  "So, where would you like to move?"

"Somewhere we both have bedrooms?"  She went to look at the paper laying on the table.  "Are we sure I can't whip up a spell to knock their heads together?"

"Nope.  That would be wrong.  Using it for self-interest is wrong."

"Yes, Xander."  She got back to looking.  She looked at the date then the one on her watch. "This one's a few days old but it has some reasonable houses."

He looked at her.  "I haven't been working long enough down here to qualify for a mortgage and yours is for *college*, Dawn.  Nothing else."  She nodded. "But if you find one I can do with only having worked for a little over a month, let me know."

"Sure."  She went back to looking.  The detective came back with an attractive but slightly older African-American woman, who was not looking happy.  "Hi.  I'm Dawn, this is Xander."

"Oh, I've met him before."

He looked at her.  "I had sunburn so bad they thought I was cooking they day they got it stopped," he said blandly.  "I'm down to the point where I feel it now."  She hissed and he turned, letting her see.  "It split earlier.  Dawn wanted to borrow some goop to put around the cracks."

Frank turned his head away.  "I'd be in the hospital."

"I've had worse," Xander admitted quietly.

"I can see the scars.  No wonder you knew how to handle that in the field."  She sat behind him and looked over his back, removing some of the peeling skin so it was clear for her.  "Are you scraping the skin off nightly?"

"I let her peel it.  She likes to do it," Xander admitted.

"You're doing good so far.  How many days did it take to get that bad?"

"Most of a week.  He was even wearing shirts," Dawn told her.  "It got burned through it when he got too wet while laying bricks."

Frank shuddered. "I heard something about it when he came back from a weekend off for medical."

"Funeral," Dawn corrected.  "Two of the last three of our group were buried that weekend after an accident."

He nodded. "I'm sorry."

"Thank you," she said quietly, looking at Xander's back again.  "I was planning on aloe gelling the new cracks so they'd soften and not split more."  Horatio walked in and shut the door.  "I asked to borrow some goop."

"I'd be asking for pain killers," Horatio assured her.

"Why?  I haven't yet," Xander said with a small shrug.  That earned him a swat.  "Sorry."

Alexx finished peeling him and then shook the bottle she pulled out of her pocket.  "This has some mild lidocaine in it."  He nodded and got comfortable.  She spread a thin layer, watching his skin soak it up.  "When was your last cream dosage?"

"Noon.  I was about due for one."

"That's fine."  She spread on some more on the areas that soaked it up and around the cracks.  "There, that should help.  Need bandaging?"

"I'll put my t-shirt on over it," Xander said, shooting her a grin.  "I changed after work.  Thank you, ma'am."

"You're welcome, Xander."  She stood up and handed Dawn the bottle.  "Every few hours.  The skin's starting to heal and dry out now."  She nodded. "Good job, kids, and you're handling it okay.  I agree with Frank, I'd have asked for pain killers."  She left, going to make a note for Horatio's records.

Horatio smiled at Dawn since she was looking at the real estate section.  "There are some minorly expensive places in different parts of the city, depending on how far you're willing to drive."

"If someone would let me get my license as soon as I can, that'd be farther out," Dawn agreed dryly, looking over at him.  "Has the military tried to storm the station yet?"

"One did come to inquire but the desk sergeant said he didn't know who you were.  That you were suspects."  He looked at Xander's back.  "That is definitely better than the first time I saw it."

Frank looked at him.  "How bad was it?"

"He worked eight hour plus days in the sun, Frank. He burned through his very sweaty clothes.  The Monday I saw him, he was very, very red and brittle looking."

"Ow."  He looked at Xander again. "You went to work that way?"

"I had to.  I've only been working for a little over a month," Xander said, putting back on his shirt slowly and carefully.  Then he sat up.  "Food and rent aren't paid out of thin air and the money she got from selling her former home is for her schooling."

"No matter how much I offer," Dawn finished dryly.

"Why did you sell your former house?" Frank asked.

"My mother died and then my sister died two weeks later," Dawn said honestly. "The town was going to hell."

"The agent that was in here said that Sunnydale's been declared a disaster area and there's very few survivors," Horatio said quietly.

"Then the people we went to see during the funeral will handle it," Dawn said firmly.

"I told him about the operation group that was working there. Hinted that they would have information on what happened since it was the CDC that closed it," Horatio offered quietly.

"That's fine.  Most of the town ignored what was going on," Xander said pragmatically.  "Those in the know left.  I couldn't hold it by myself."  He swallowed. "It was the right choice to leave so Dawn would be safe."  She looked at him.  "It was."

"It was," she agreed quietly.  He nodded and relaxed again.  She looked at him.  "Did someone want to talk to us about that stuff?"

"Not as of this moment but I don't think they knew that anyone left either.  You might expect it in the next few months."  Dawn nodded at that.  "As for the other problem, we'll finish taking formal statements and then we'll put you somewhere safe for the night."

"She's allowed to skip school but I'm still going to work tomorrow," Xander said firmly.  "We'll need it and she can do real estate searches if she can have a paper."

"You can't be serious," Frank said dryly.

"I'm working on the new lab project.  It's still got a lot of officers there.  I'd like to see someone kidnap me from there.  Especially since I can fight.  Dawn is more vulnerable.  She needs the protection. I need to have something to do and I'll be safer."

"It's still dangerous," Frank said.

"I don't have anyone here to indulge in apocalypse sex with.  Not like I can do anything but wait and that'll drive me nuts, Detective.  Worry about Dawn.  I'll be surrounded by my construction crew and all the officers still stationed at that unit.  I'll have plenty of protection."

He sighed and walked off shaking his head.  Horatio looked at him.  "Are you sure?"

"Yeah.  They'll need me to finish on time."

"Very well.  We can honor that condition.  For now, let's take statements.  We'll let the officer watching over her tomorrow help her figure out whether or not anything she finds is reasonable and safe."

"Sure," Dawn agreed. "I don't want to live in the ghetto.  My mother would be so pissed if I did."  Horatio cracked a smile and nodded, coming over to work on their statements.

***

Xander walked into their new house the next night and looked around, nodding.  "Okay, I like this.  Did we get the deposit from the other place?"

"We did," Dawn agreed.  "We forfeited this month's rent."  He looked at her.  "He said he couldn't do it but he understood why we were leaving so suddenly.  I suggested he could pro-rate it but he said the owner wouldn't let him."  Xander shrugged, then winced.  "You've got your own room," she noted, pointing that way.  "We've got Ryan as a minder tonight."

"That's fine."  He headed that way, going to see the minimal clothes he still had hanging in there and he had a bed.  "It was furnished?"

"No," she said.  "But it was cheap."  He came out glaring.  "Stow it!" she snapped. "This is for my comfort and yours.  She wouldn't care, Xander.  If you absolutely must pay back my trust, I'll let you.  Now pipe down and go shower."  He sighed and went to do that.  She rolled her eyes, shaking her head.  "Save me from stubborn men, Goddess?" she pleaded quietly.  "Just for the night?  I'm being good and nice."  She went to her room, which had more things since she had stuff in the trunk of the car where she had been going to do laundry after school.  "We've also got a washer and dryer here," she called into the bathroom.  "Plus I went grocery shopping."

"You spent how much?"

"Another grand total."  She walked in and shut the door, hearing his moan.  "That's not that much for two beds, the washer and dryer, the food, and a few new pieces of clothes for both of us."

"No, it's not. I can make that up easily."

"Good."  She smiled.  "How much are you making?"

"Not a great lot," he said dryly.

"Really?  Because I remember you were making like fifteen an hour in Sunnydale."

"Cost of living, I'm making less down here."

"Oh.  Well, this place is three-quarters of the other place's rent so the security deposit we had to put down covered the deposit here and the first month's rent.  Plus the extra hundred I kicked in."  She swallowed.  "We will have to pay water but he said the last person had four kids here and theirs was only about fifty a month."

"That's fine, Dawn.  I'm sure it's reasonable.  The lesser rent will make up for the extra bills."  She smiled at that.  "Did you get them all switched over?"

"All but the trash.  We don't have to pay that if we don't want to.  One of our neighbors has a dumpster and we don't use that much trash."

"That's not nice."

"No it's not but that's more expensive than the sewer bill."

"We'll see."  She nodded.  "You got me clothes?"

"Two outfits.  Plus there were two in the wash that I had in the back of the car."

"Sure.  Get me something to put on?"

"Okay."  She walked out and squeaked, finding two guys there.  "Hi.  You are?"

"This is Eric, he's going to help me tonight."

"Okay."  She went into Xander's room and came back with clothes for him, putting them on the sink.  "Ryan and Eric are here."

"I'll be out in a few.  Get me some water or something?"

"Sure.  I made tea."  She went to get him a glass while he dressed.  "Was it a bad day?"

"No a day of trim work," Xander said as he came out rubbing his hair with a towel.  "Hi.  I'm Xander, I'm supposing you've met Dawn," he offered, shaking Eric's hand.

"Eric Delko, I work under Horatio."

"That's fine.  I can almost trust Ryan not to bring someone poisonous into the house."  He shrugged.  "He seems like a nice guy."  He headed into the kitchen to get his dinner and drink, leaning against a counter.  "No more dipping into your trust," he ordered quietly.

"It was necessary."

"It was for now.  I'm still paying it back, and you're not to do it again, Dawn.  Not unless I can't get another job for a few months.  I've started saving too."  She nodded at that.  "Thank you for being reasonable."  He ate another bite.  "Speaking of, got paid today.  It's in my pants pocket."

"I saw that.  That's why I wondered.  The overtime wasn't on there?"

He shook his head. "That's coming separately.  They had to figure out what I actually worked by the site's records."  He ate another bite.  "Union dues bite."

"Yeah but it's what's protecting you," she pointed out.  "They're at least fair and you can get another job quickly, Xander."

"Point."  He finished up and turned to do the dishes.  "Are you set for school tomorrow?"

"I called the school and we've got tomorrow off as an in-service day," she offered.  Xander gave her a look.  She huffed.  "Fine, I told them someone had tried to kidnap us and why, basically.  They said to stay away until it was solved so I couldn't endanger any other students."

"Sure," he agreed quietly.  "You're to sit down tonight and tomorrow with your books so you're not behind."  She nodded, going to do that.  He finished his dishes and put them in the strainer, then walked out, smiling at them. "It's going to be a pretty quiet night unless they come back.  I've got to be on-site at seven so I'm going to bed."

"Alexx said to make sure you're putting the stuff on your back," Ryan ordered.  Xander sighed and nodded, going to let Dawn do that, making Eric grin at that.  "He got so badly burned.  Even Frank was wincing in sympathy."

"How?"

"He burned through his sweaty clothes while he was laying a brick wall all week," Dawn said as she walked between her bedroom and the bathroom.  She came back with the bottle of goop she had bought earlier and got to work on his back, then he went to his room and set the alarm.  She came out and looked at them.  "Arrange the antenna if you want, guys.  I haven't gotten to beg him for cable yet."

"No," Xander called.  "It's a luxury."

"We should be able to afford it."

"No."

"Fine," she sighed, shaking her head.  "How about internet?"

"We'll see."

"Thanks."  She went back to her room shaking her head, making the guys laugh.  She came out and looked at his paycheck.  "You make how much?" she demanded.

He came out and looked at her.  "About two grand a month," he admitted.  "Now, add the bills up.  Remember we're still saving some in case we hit a slow period."  She pouted.  "Do the math."  She sat down to do that, hissing at the end.  "How short are we going to be?" he sighed.

"About twenty bucks if we pay for trash."  She looked at him.  "Sorry, Xander."

"We'll figure that out, Dawn.  Maybe I can pull more hours at work."  He came over to look.  "That's not three-quarters of what we used to pay."

"Yes it is.  I saw the lease."

"No, we were paying a grand a month there.  Where's the lease here?"  She went to get it out of the drawer and show it to him.  "Oh."  He sat down to rework it.  "That's the rent, that other is the remaining security deposit," he said quietly.  She nodded and he refigured the budget.  "Still not a lot of room."

"I can go to a cheaper plan for my cell," she offered.  "Or get a job."

"We'll talk about that when you're seventeen."  She nodded.  "For right now, I've got it."  She sighed and nodded.  "Do you bus to school or am I still driving you?"

"I can do either.  The city busses can get me there.  It's on the same line even."  Xander nodded at that.  "You know, I could not go to a private school."

"The public ones weren't that good," he reminded her.

"It'd still save us two hundred a month, Xan."  He looked at her.  "It's practical. I can study well enough there."

"Going to a better school means you get into a better college," Ryan told her.  "In the long run, private school is more practical if you want a bright and great future."  She sighed at that and shook her head.  "You can study anywhere but they always seem to give preference to the private school kids."

"But if she goes to a state school it'll be cheaper and just as good at the undergrad level," Eric reminded him patiently.  "It's the upper levels where the college's name matters.  At the undergrad level it's the grades that matter."  He looked at Xander. "There's a fairly decent public high school but it's across the city."

"Which is about where I work," he agreed. He looked at Dawn.  "Get the name and look into it tomorrow.  Give me information."  She smiled and nodded.  "If you do transfer I'll think about cable."  She nodded and hugged him, going to work with him. "Thanks, guys."

"It's hard living in this city on a single paycheck.  Even one that good.  Now, you will get plenty of overtime once the next hurricane happens."

Xander smirked.  "She's still learning how real world finances work."  He leaned back and stretched. "When did the landlord want the rest of the deposit?"

"Next month.  She told him it was a move because you guys had been broken into and she had nearly been taken by her sister's former boyfriend.  He would like to talk to you personally tomorrow."

"Sure."  He nodded.  "Tomorrow's Saturday, right?"  Ryan nodded. "Then I get off at noon."  He stood up and stretched again. "I'm going back to bed.  Feel free to do paperwork or whatever."  He headed into his room with a small smile.  It might work out as long as the new landlord wasn't an asshole.

***

Xander came home at noon the next day and found all their stuff back.  "Wow.  Someone works fast.  Did the moving fairies show up with Dawn's help or without?"

"No, they gassed us all and brought it back," Ryan admitted from his spot at the table.  He grinned.  "Dawn's doing laundry, that's the little room off the back.  There's a note for you."  He held it up.  Xander took it and read it over, smiling.  "They're very sorry?"

"They are and the people responsible are now missing chunks at the very least."  He heard a knock and went to answer it.  "Hi.  You are?"

"Your landlord, son.  I'm assuming you're Xander?"  He nodded and let him inside. "They found the rest of your stuff?"

"Yeah, the people Lieutenant Caine found and wrote sent it back to us."  He smiled.  "I'm Xander.  Come on in since we have a couch again."  That got a smile and they sat down.  He took the application and filled it out.  "So, I'm guessing you met Dawnie."

"I did. What happened to her family, son?"

"Her mother had a brain tumor and then her sister died in an accident two weeks later."  He looked at him.  "The ex who took the stuff was special ops and kinda weird.  Talked about vampires a lot."  That got a single nod.  He shrugged and got back to filling it out, then handed it back.  "How much do I still owe on the deposit?"

"Another six hundred.  Then rent's due on the first."

"I get paid every two weeks. So the one closest to the first I'll pay you out of if I can't manage to put it into the checking account."

"That'd be fine."  He stood up and accepted the other check. "It good?"

"Payday was yesterday.  I put it in this morning.  So by the time your bank sends it over it will be."

"Even better."  He smiled. "Did she tell you about the neighbor's dumpster?"

"She did but I'm thinking they might not appreciate us using it."

"They don't but you can sneak it in at night and they won't know.  It'll save you about thirty bucks a month."  That got a nod.  "You should be fine."  He checked the sheet and nodded. "Construction's a good job.  You like it?"

"I do," Xander agreed. "I used to be a crew lead in our former town.  When her family died she needed to get away and it was going to hell so I took her and left. Fortunately she was left to me.  Dawn's like my little sister.  The cops'll only have to come back when her boyfriends turn out to be dirtbags."  The landlord laughed at that.  "I'm usually pretty quiet and good.  Dawn might get noisy with her music now and then.  Just let me know and I'll talk to her about it."

"Sure.  Thanks, Xander.  So, yesterday was payday so the next one is just after the first?"

"Fourth I think," he admitted, counting in his head.  "Yeah, the fourth sounds about right."  He looked at him.  Then he shrugged.  "It'll wobble back and forth depending on the month but I'll always get it around the first."

"That's fine, son.  You get everything switched over?"

"Dawn said she did."

"I did," she complained as she came out.  "The only thing I didn't do was the trash. I had them put into my name."  Xander gave her a look.  "What?"  She shrugged. "They wanted social security numbers and stuff and it'd be fraud if I signed up in your name."

"Point.  We'll make sure they're paid on time."  He looked at him again.  "Thank you for being so understanding."

"Eehh, bad exes and break-ins happen, even to nice folk.  Don't disappoint me."  He walked out, heading out to his car.

Xander flopped down again.  "I'll get them switched into my name within the month, Dawn."

"Sure."  She snuggled into his side.  "It's all back, even the pictures, plus a few extras Riley must've put in."

"Good.  He alive?"

"Maybe."

"There is another set of problems," Ryan offered.  "The CDC want to talk to you about your former town.  They called Horatio.  They'll be down tonight."

"I've got tomorrow off," Xander agreed dryly.  That got a smile.  "We finish the lab in two weeks."

"Good.  We're tired of borrowing space."  That got a smile.  "We are."  He stood up.  "I thought I'd stay until you got back."

"That's fine.  Thank you, Ryan."  He shook his hand with a smile. "Thank you for protecting the little sister and helping her."

"Not a problem, Xander.  I like you guys, you're neat."  He grinned and walked out, going to report to Horatio that Xander was back and it was settled.

Xander looked at Dawn.  "What did Angel say happened?"

"The hellmouth opened and something came out a few inches.  It drove the vampires into a frenzy to bulk up so they could defend themselves.  They ate most of the town.  The rest was some sort of radiation from what he heard."  She snuggled in again.  "I went online to look at the public school. It's not *too* bad.  They've got good classes.  It's got security, like guards and dogs and shit, but it's got good classes."

"As long as we can afford it, you're going to the better school," he ordered quietly.

"That is technically part of my education."

"No."

"But...."

"No."

Dawn pulled back to look at him.  "Xander, you said it's for my education."

"No, I said it's for college."

"It's helping me get to college and it's a legitimate educational expense.  I've got sixty-five grand after the withdrawals we had to make, Xander.  It's not going to bankrupt me to pay for two year's of school. We've only dug into the first year's projected interest.  I'll be fine for school.  Though I will go locally to wherever we are at the time."  Xander nodded at that decision.  "I'm thinking maybe business stuff?"

"Whatever you want," he reminded her gently, pulling her back for a cuddle.  "Today was evaluation day.  I got good marks."

"Excellents across the board?"

"Nope.  But good marks."  She smiled at that.  "The union rep said it was a good score too.  He said the boss grades harder and everyone around there realizes it."

"So, maybe you'll go back up to shift supe?" she suggested, playing with his stomach.

"There's no openings and it's by seniority, Dawn.  I'm way far down on the list for that. I'll make crew lead first.  That one maybe within two years."  She looked up.  "They don't have the death and firing rate we had in Sunnydale.  They hire and keep good people."

"Oh."  She pouted.  "I guess that's okay but you were happy as a shift supe."

"I was but I'll get back there again," he reminded her, stroking her back.  "With my stuff from Sunnydale tanked by the boss there, I'm on shaky ground anyway. I need months and months of good evaluations here to even be looked at for a lead position."

"Oh."  Someone tapped on the door and she got up to answer it, smiling at their landlord.  "Problems?"

"No.  I came to give you a receipt."  He handed it over.  "I forgot.  Serious discussions?"

"My schooling and the former town going to hell."

"I understand.  Have a better day, kids."  He walked off, heading off again.

She looked at the receipt then at him.  "Didn't you give him six hundred?"  He nodded.  She handed it over. "It says five."

"Huh."  He put it aside.  His checkbook had duplicate checks and he'd get the statements back as well.  They could take it up when he went to pay the next month's rent.  He pulled her back into his side again.  "We'll be fine.  I'll straighten that out once I've got the check back and all that."  She nodded and got comfortable.

***

Xander smiled as the ribbon was cut to open the new lab by Horatio, clapping politely when they walked back inside.  It was a good job.  He looked at his boss, who raised an eyebrow.  He grinned and got a shrug.  He shifted closer.  "Where Monday, boss?"

"Later, Harris."  Xander nodded and slid back into the background.  He made small talk with the others, expecting most of his guys to shift off and hide.  They did but he found Xander waiting on him outside.  He walked out.  "Xander," he said, sighing a bit mentally.

"Don't tell me I lost my job because of the funeral."

"No," he said quickly, shaking his head.  "No, not in the least.  No, you're still very employed.  Have you had employers who've done that?"  He nodded. "They can't."

"They have and it wasn't worth it to fight for it," he admitted.  "So, where Monday?"

"We've got a week between jobs usually.  Though I do have the overtime check for you."

"Thanks.  We had to move.  Did I give you the new addy?"  That got a nod.  "Oh, good."  He smiled and took the overtime check, glancing at it.  "Thanks, boss."  He put it into his pocket and looked at him.  "So, where?"

"We'll be moving to a building revamp downtown.  Will that be out of the way for you?"

"Not really.  I drive."

"The reason I'm asking is that we've also contracted to help build a few habitat houses for charity.  The company will pay for you to work but they need construction experience and it's closer to where you live.  Plus I'd get to see how you lead."

Xander considered it.  "I wouldn't mind the chance but I know that it's going to be at least a year before I'm considered for a crew lead position.  You keep your guys."

"True."  He smiled.  "I hire for quality.  Your choice.  You would be working with Steve and I know his crew bugged you last time."

"It was the gay bashing."

"I've talked to him about that.  That'll give you three months out there."

"I'll take it, boss.  I loved lead position.  I know that they're not going to be professionals working so I'll go easier on them than I did my old crew."

"Good."  He smiled. "The guys I talked to on your old crew as references said you were a slavedriver nearer to deadline."

"I let very little slacking off happen at any time, but I always came in on time if possible."

"Which is reasonable.  I like that.  Go ahead and lead those.  Come to the office Wednesday and I'll get you the address and crew names.  You'll probably want to make sure they've got water there."

"I've got a cooler and ice is cheap."

"Even better," he agreed happily, clapping him on the back. "Watch out for the sun."

"Oh, I so am," he agreed. "If I have to I'm getting one of those Chinese peasant hats that'll cover most of my shoulders too."  That got another laugh. "I don't ever want another sunburn."  Dawn pulled in and hopped out, running over. "What happened?"

"Some agents came to the door to talk about the old houses and stuff.  They need to see you tonight."

"I'm on my way home," he promised.  "Go pay the cab."  She went to do that and he looked at his boss. "What time Wednesday?"

"Afternoon is fine, Xander. You're a good worker and you did good with some of the newbies this job."  He smiled and got into his car.

Xander got into his and headed home once Dawn was inside.  "What sort of agents?"

"Not a clue.  Scared the hell out of me."

"Sure."  He headed back to the house, frowning.  He did stop at the bank to deposit the check but that was done through the drive-thru.  By the time they got home, the agents had made themselves comfy and made coffee.  He walked in and frowned at them.  "You're not dressed like MIB or the FBI."

"It's an oddity that you can recognize them by sight," one of them joked. "FEMA, sir."

"Oh.  Okay.  Dawn, they're the hurricane and earthquake relief feds."  She nodded and relaxed.  "Sorry, you scared her."

"I was wondering why?" the one on the couch asked.

"Her sister dated someone who worked in the Initiative.  They tried to kidnap us to join them."

"Oh.  Okay.  Then you do know what happened?"

"We've gotten a report," he admitted.  "I left to make sure Dawn would be safe."

"That's fine.  How do we seal that thing?"

"Bury it.  That's all you can do.  Ask Angel, he's a PI in LA.  He'll know or he'll know who to talk to."  They wrote that down.  "So, what else did we need?"

"Well, there is the matter of the residences in town, sir."

"Her mother's house was sold before we left."

"I know that, but there is your parent's residence, Mr. Harris."  The one on the couch stood up.  "We're buying the land so no one else can use it."

"Plant trees, we could use more trees," Dawn offered.

"We plan on fencing it off like we did Love Canal," he admitted, looking at Xander. "There's a preliminary offer in place."  He pulled out some forms and handed them over.  "We can have the check to you within six weeks if you'd agree."

Xander looked it over.  "With the condition it was in?"

"Even with that sort of condition.  That's the standard offer by square foot."

Xander read it all over then pulled out a pen, signing his name and handing it back.  "Did my parents survive?"  They shook their heads.  "Oh, well.  Anything else we can do for you two today?" he asked with a small smile.  They shook their heads.  "Then I thank you.  I hope you have an easier time finding relatives.  Most of us only lived there."

"We're finding that out, sir.  Would you happen to know anything about these families?" the first one asked, handing over a list.  Xander sat at the table with him.  "We know a few of them have other relatives but we're not sure where without an intense genealogy search."

Xander looked at the names.  "This one," he said, pointing at one.  "They said they were moving to New Mexico for business reasons.  A few went to Mexico."  He made notes next to the names.  He tapped one.  "His parents left but I'm not sure where they went," he sighed.  "I almost wish I did.  If you find them, tell them I'm here if they want to write?"  He handed it back after looking at the second page.  "Summers is Dawn."  He crossed that name out and Xander's.  "What about my Uncle Rory?"

"Does he have any children?"

"He had one ball explode due to a bacterial thing he picked up while wading in a river in Vietnam according to him," he told him.  "He's been drunk since then."  That got knowing looks.  "No one in town went near him."

"Okay, we'll check his dependent's records with the Pentagon and then get back in touch with you. Here?"

"That'd be fine.  Next time Dawn won't be scared."

"Sorry," she offered.

"With your past, I'm not surprised we scared you, ma'am," the second one offered, smiling at her.  "Thank you for indulging us.  We'll let you have the rest of the day off."  They left.

Xander looked at Dawn.  "Depending on what this house is worth, if we like Miami, I might put an offer down for it."  She squealed and hugged him.  "That would give us both some stability and it's a good investment," he agreed, patting her on the back.  "Oooh.  I've got next week off."  She let him go and looked at him.  "I do.  We're between jobs now and I start work with a habitat crew the week after.  Our boss is donating some experienced crew people to work with them so he'll pay us for it."  She beamed at that.  The phone rang and he sighed, getting it.  "Harris."  He smiled.  "Hi, Ryan.  No, I'm good.  What happened?"  He laughed.  "Someone already cracked one of the panels?"  He nodded. "Figures.  No, I was not part of the glass crew but I can call the boss.  Sure."  He hung up and called his boss.  "Boss, it's Xander.  One of the CSI guys who guarded us just called.  Someone's already cracked one of the glass panels.  No one knew who to call so he called me and I'm calling you."  He grinned.  "Have fun with that.  Remember, I didn't work glass crew."  That got a laugh.  "Yeah, if you need me."  He hung up and leaned back, looking at her.  "We deserve takeout."

"We do," she agreed, going to get the menus.

***

Ryan walked up to where Xander was working, coughing to get his attention.

"Guys, keep going, you're doing good.  Shift it left so it's even and resting on *all* the beams."  They looked and shifted it over, leaving a gap.  "That's why I said not to nail the other one."  They shifted that one and the eave situation was fixed.  "Good job!  When you've got it anchored, go ahead and take a short break!"  They nodded and got to work anchoring it.  He came down and looked at Ryan.  "Sorry."

"That's okay.  You're doing an amazing job.  Two of the other ones aren't doing very much."

"I only run this one," he said dryly. "I started out with all three but then the boss saw some sense."  That got a smile. "They've got union guys on injury leave."  He grinned.  "So, what's up?  More damage?"

"No, thankfully after that one glass panel broke we were pretty delicate with them.  No more slamming the doors."  Xander chuckled at that.  "No, I, um, came to see if you'd like to go out tonight.  Or...or this weekend," he offered, stuttering slightly.

Xander shrugged.  "Okay.  Where?"

Ryan moved closer.  "I remember what I saw, Xander."  Xander blushed and looked around. "I'm good with that."  He saw the swallow.  "Would you go out with me this weekend? I know a really safe bar and it's a nice place.  A bit odd but really nice.  I've been there with my past girlfriends."

Xander started to sweat.  "Um, that's... that's mostly stress."

Ryan touched his hand. "I know.  Please?"  Xander swallowed and shrugged.  Ryan smiled. "Great.  Any day better for you?"

"Friday's a good night or Saturday."

"Thanks.  Say, eight?  Friday?"

"Works for me," he agreed, smiling at him. "Sorry, I haven't dated a whole lot."

"I understand.  It's all good.  I'll come pick you up and everything."  Xander nodded at that.  "Great."  He beamed.  "Have a good shift.  Does it have eaves?"

"Yeah but you put those on later."  That got a smile and he left.  Xander went to get a drink and then draw out how they were to put on eaves while the rest of the crew took a drink break.  That got some nods by the time they got back to it.  The rest of the panels were anchored more securely and the eaves were put on.  "Good job," Xander called, smiling at them.  And at the fact he now had his first date in Miami.  With a very nice guy.  One with a good job who wouldn't be a money hoover and probably wasn't a danger to him and others.  It was a unique experience.  He called Dawn.  "I'm going out Friday with Ryan," he said quietly.  "As the other me.  Yeah.  Thanks."  He hung up and let her handle what he was wearing.  She was his clothing advisor and had always been his clothing advisor.  It was good to have girlfriends.

The End.

More Than Boyfriends and Girlfriends.

Xander looked at his closet and then at his helper, who just shook her head.  "What?  I look decent in them.  A bit secretarial but decent."

"Xander, you look frumpy," she assured him.  "Being in LA's scene was one things. Being here is another.  Now, I went to one of the local gay websites and found a place that does consignment and sales.  That means it'll be cheaper and you can get rid of some of the frumpy stuff, like the flowered dress."

"I like that one."

She gave him a look and shook her head.  "There is no way I'm letting you dress like a secretary.  Even if I do have to ask Ryan what would be appropriate.  Should I?"  He shook his head quickly.  "Are you sure?"

"Very."

"Good.  Then let's pack up a few of these and head over there.  They're open until seven."  She pulled out four of the outfits and smiled when he handed over the flowered dress with a sigh.  "Good boy.  Come on.  You're driving since I can't yet."  She packed those into a plastic bag and handed him his keys and wallet, walking out with him.  She even held onto the clothes and steered him into the shop when they got there.  One of the saleswomen, who wasn't naturally female by her adam's apple, smiled at them.  "My buddy here has a problem.  We're from near LA and the ladies out there did a *fantastic* job of making him look decent but he's got a date."  She handed over the plastic bag.  "He's got broader shoulders so they went for secretarial and frumpy teacher for him."

"I looked fine," Xander complained, but weakly.  "I need a new wig too."

Dawn looked at him and nodded. "Ya think?"  She looked at the giggling saleswoman.  "I know LA's standards and the ones in Miami are different but he's got a good date.  With a really nice guy."

"Well, I can use three of these.  The last one's a bit too uptight for us.  He'd get better action for that one online from the Northeast.  They do frumpy so much more often than we do down here."  She looked Xander over. "Fair trade?"  He shrugged and nodded.  "Then come here, sweetie.  What's your name?"

"Xander."

She smiled and led him to look at things.  "How long have you been dressing?"

"A few years now.  Mostly for stress," he admitted quietly, glancing around.  He looked at her.  "Dawn's my shopping buddy."

"That can be beneficial."  She patted him on the hand.  "Now, around here we like tighter things."  He looked really hesitant.  "I know.  You're fairly broad.  Ever think about doing a short course of the hormones to slim down?"

"I didn't want to go that far," Xander admitted.  "Like I said, mostly for stress relief."

She nodded, getting that.  She led him to something, making him look at her.  "Trust me.  We have a lot of very fit women down here, Xander."  She led him into a changing room, handing over that and another dress.  "That one's a bit more expensive, about fifteen dollars past the trade I can give you.  The other one would be covered fully and then you'd have to deal with undergarments."

"I have some of those."

"You need new pantyhose," Dawn called.  "They never last past the first wear."  Xander came out in the first dress and she shook her head.  "Too tight.  Even tucked you'd still show."  The saleswoman nodded and gave him something different to try on.  This one was still knit but a bit looser and less clingy.  "I like that one."  Xander looked at himself and nodded.  "See, it was a good idea I had."  She looked at her supporter.  "What shoes would he wear with that?"

"I have black ones, Dawn.  The dress is light green, it'll go."

"No it won't," both women complained.  She took Xander over to their wigs, pantyhose, and shoes section, letting him pick out what he needed.  Then the poor dear had to look at new panties. His elastic was starting to wear out.  She got him kitted out for sixty dollars past the trade value and made him a happy girl.  Dawn waved and took Xander home to work on the wig.  It was only a few shades lighter than Xander's natural hair so it looked good on him.  With a bit of curling along the bottom edge the wig looked fine as well.  They had to put it up when the landlord came by and Xander quickly changed to go talk to him. Especially since the rent wasn't due for another two weeks.

***

Xander looked at the woman in the mirror once Dawn was done, then at her.  "I look different."

"I'd say."  She stood him up and looked him over.  "You shaved, I'm impressed.  Armpits too?"

"Yes," he sighed.

She smiled. "Good.  Now, let's see you walk in those."  Xander strolled, sashaying a bit to compensate for the higher center of balance men naturally had. "Even better.  Um, hate to say it but you need to tuck it in a bit tighter."  Xander looked down and went into the bathroom to do that.  She heard someone knock on the door and went out to see who it was.  "Eric," she said, a bit loudly. "What's up?"

"I got blackmailed into being Ryan's messenger.  He got hit on the way out of the parking lot so he'll be about an hour late and he couldn't remember your phone number.  His phone got magnetized and wiped Wednesday."

"Sure, I can pass that message on.  Thank you."  She kissed him on the cheek.  "If I was older I'd crush on you," she teased.  He blushed and walked off smiling.  She closed the door. "It's safe."  Xander came out, leaning against the wall, one shoulder pressed against it with his arms crossed over his chest.  "He is cute."

"He is. He's not your type.  He's a player, Dawn.  Ryan said so."

"Fine. He's still cute.  I'm at the age where I'm supposed to look for cute, not good in bed."

"True.  You had better not find out how good anyone is in bed for a while."

She smiled.  "Not a problem.  I'm hating the boy things at the moment. Did you hear?"  He nodded.  "Good.  Now what're we going to do about the landlord?"

"Buy the house when it comes up for drug seizure."  He heard someone coming up the walkway and went back to the bathroom.

Dawn opened the door at the knock.  "Yes, officer?"

"Is a Mr. Alexander Harris here?"

"Um....."  She considered it.  "Let me check?"  He nodded, staying there.  She leaned into the bathroom.  "Don't you dare."  He sighed.  "I'm sure he's not going to say anything."

"Fine," he complained, coming out.  The officer gave him an odd look.  "It's for charity."

"Oh, all right then, sir.  Drag queen on the side?"

"Maybe.  We're seeing."  He nodded, handing over the papers.  "What's this?"

"Eviction notice."

"I paid my rent. I don't owe him shit."

"He said you turned him in for drug use?"

"That would be because he was sniffing in front of me and he tried to get me to pay rent for next month before it was due.  I can fight this, right?"

"Yes, sir.  Then again that's from the city's drug seizure office.  You may be able to arrange to buy it from them since you're a tenant."  He noticed someone else pulling in.  "You know people at the lab?"

"I worked on the lab when it was being rebuilt," he admitted.  "Thank you, Officer.  Is their number on here?"  He nodded.  "I'll talk with them tomorrow," he promised, smiling.

"Thank you, sir.   You might want to check, you have some lipstick on your teeth.  Good luck with your audition."  He walked off, nodding at Horatio.

Xander looked at him.  "Please don't," he said quietly.

"What you do is your own business, Xander.  I figured it was a stress reaction."

"But he's got a date tonight," Dawn said happily.

"Ah.  That's where Mr. Wolfe was going.  He's been talking about you all week.  The drug seizure office?"  Xander nodded.  "Call Chad tomorrow.  He can walk you through your options.  Especially since you have Dawn and a good job with multiple clean drug tests."  Xander nodded at that.  "Good boy."  He smiled.  "You do look very charming like that.  Did she need a babysitter tonight? My nephew wanted out of the house and he was going to do something with some of his friends.  They're about the same age."

"Dawn?"

"Mall things?"

Horatio nodded.  "Most likely.  I got roped into chaperoning with his mother."

"Sure.  Let me change."

"Nothing too Buffyish," Xander ordered.

Dawn rolled her eyes. "I'm not like that, thank you!"  She went to change into something hipper and more comfortable for a few hours with some other teenagers.  She came out and Horatio nodded it was appropriate.  "Let me grab my wallet and watch.  When is my curfew?"

"Ten."

"Thanks, mom."  She kissed him on the cheek with a smile.  "She would fuss with your hair some more.  I'm not good with hair.  Don't wait up if you get back first."  She headed out with Horatio.  "So, what's your nephew like?"

"Ray Junior's a bit confused at the moment about which path his life is going to take."

"Don't worry, I won't tell him a thing about what we used to do."

"Thank you, Dawn, I'd appreciate that."  He let her into the passenger side of the hummer and drove off with her.  This was his subtle way of introducing his nephew to the concept of 'nice girls'.  Yelina would think she was charming he was sure.

Xander sat down to read the letter, comfortable in the dress.  At least until someone else knocked.  "It's been like Grand Central Station," he complained as he got up, finding a very nervous Ryan on the other side.  "You sent Eric?"

"I couldn't remember your number and my phone got erased."  He smiled when he looked her over.  "You look pretty."

"Thank you.  Dawn made me sell some of my older stuff that she said made me look frumpy.  I'm still not sure about the new wig."

Ryan smiled.  "It looks good on you.  Ready?"

"Let me get my purse. I didn't even think about packing it."  She went into her bedroom to find that Dawn already had.  Her smaller wallet.  Her ID was in there.  Smaller keyring with keys.  Breath spray.  He looked at the lube and condoms in the bottom then sighed, looking up.  "At least she's a positive thinker."  He walked out smiling.  "Dawn packed it for me."

"Positive thinking?"

"She put in condoms."

"At least she's up to date on safer sex."  Ryan grinned.  "I'm not a first date sort."

"Me either."

"Good.  Now, let's go have a nice night. You can tell me who else showed up."  He led her out to his car once she had locked the door, letting her in like a proper gentleman should.  He walked around to get in and drive.  "What happened?"

"The landlord came back to demand more money when it wasn't owed. I turned him in for sniffing drugs in front of me."

"Talk to Chad down at the drug seizure office.  He's helped some others buy the seized properties."

"That's what your boss said.  He got here just after the officer did."

"Why was Horatio here?" he asked as he backed down the driveway.

"To bring Dawn to wherever he was chaperoning his nephew."  Ryan snickered.  "He said he's a bit confused."

"A worldly girl like Dawn will blow him away," he assured him.  "But they'll get along very well.  Ray lost his father a few years back."  Xander nodded at that.  Ryan put the car into drive and went forward, putting a hand on top of hers.  "Relax.  I don't bite unless I'm invited to."

"It's good that you're not a vampire.  I'd hate to have to stake you, Ryan."  He grinned and chuckled.  "Not kidding."

"I know.  That's why it's so cute."  He shot him a grin at a stoplight.  "Did you eat?"

"Dawn made dinner while I was showering."

"Good.  Then right to the club?"

"Are there...."

"Yes, there's a number of transexuals and those who only crossdress there.  Like I said, I've brought others there before.  It's a very safe place."  Xander relaxed at that.  "Did the officer give you trouble?"

"I told him it was for a charity thing and he wished me well with my audition."

"Well, if you could sing," he offered with a grin.

"Can't.  Don't try.  Don't want to try.  I have horrible stage fright."

"I'll keep you off the stage," he promised, reaching over to hold her hand.

"I don't want to sound like a nag or anything but why do you date guys who crossdress?"

Ryan considered it for a few minutes, then glanced over with a smile.  "You know how things can get really crazy when you're working and dating?"  Xander groaned and nodded.  "Well, I discovered a long time ago that dating guys who dress up like you do, or who go all the way, usually means there's a bit more defined roles.  Which I like.  Not that I'm a control freak, because I'm not, but I like to have things a bit more steady in my personal life.  Plus, some of you are very pretty women and more than pretty enough for me to drool on but you don't get PMS and make me scared for my life."

Xander giggled at that and kissed him on the cheek. "You'd be surprised but I'd never have to get PMS.  I'll sic Dawn on others."  Ryan beamed at that and nodded eagerly, stealing a kiss at a light.  Then they moved on.  Xander settled back into his seat.  "Things usually get more defined this way?"

"It adds some spice and some mystery but also if you think about it, I'll get times to go fully macho, very protective alpha male over you.  You'll have times to lean on me.  That's the way these things are supposed to work, but this way I get to enjoy them in public and flirt with a pretty woman who flirts back."

"Sure."  Xander wasn't sure about the reasons he used but Ryan had said he dated other crossdressers before.  "Your boss won't say anything, right?"

"He'd better not. I'd hate to have to sic Dawn on him."  Xander giggled and ran her hand up his arm.  "Be yourself, Xander.  That's all I want you to do.  To look pretty for me tonight and to be yourself.  Nothing more is expected."

"I can go with that."  They pulled into a parking lot and parked, Ryan turning to look at her.  "Do I look okay?"

"The wig's a bit crooked," he admitted, fixing it for her.  "There, better. Ready?  Just relax and remember it's a safe place."  Xander nodded and let him get out, coming around to help him out.  She smoothed down her dress and Ryan picked of a piece of lint but it was on her back so she didn't do more than shiver.  "Been a while?"

"Yeah," she said quietly, taking his hand to walk inside with him.  He liked this, the bar was like the one in LA that he used to go to but now he had someone with him.  Ryan showed her to a small table and got them some wine spritzers, which were light enough for her.  "I haven't dated in a really long time," she said quietly.  "My girlfriends weren't interested in that stuff and the one boyfriend I've had wasn't either.  He didn't want to go out that often."

"It's a shame.  It's one of the finer old traditions.  Then again, maybe that's why they didn't work out.  You didn't get the chance to talk to them and know them deeper than the bedroom."  He took a drink and looked around then back at her.  "Relax."

She turned her face away.  "Ryan, that's one of my former bosses," he said quietly. "I don't know why he's here but he tried to blackmail me in the past."

"I've got it," Ryan soothed, stroking her cheek then down her throat.  "Shift closer."  She did.  "Should I call you Xander?"

"Alex?"

"Alex is a nice, non-gendered name," he agreed with a smile.  "You sure you don't want dinner?"

"No, she made me a lot of pasta."  She smiled at him.  "So, what do you think of her?"

"I think she's a great young lady and I'm hoping she grows up very well. You're doing a good job with her, Alex.  Relax.  He's hitting on someone else."  She leaned on his arm and he smiled.  "That's right, trust me," he soothed, taking her hand to hold.  "They have a DJ here some nights.  Probably in a while.  Do you dance?"

"Not very well."

"It's a matter of following along," he soothed. "I'm not great at it either."  She smiled. "I'm much better at the clubbing stuff but sometimes it's nice to just hold and move instead of bumping and brushing all night long."  A man came over to their table. "Hi."

"Do I know you?"

"Probably not.  Detective Ryan Wolfe," he said, holding out a hand with a smile.

"Not you, her."

"That I seriously doubt.  You don't sound like you're from Texas."

"Oh.  Never mind."  He walked off again.

He smiled at her and Xander grinned back.  "See?"  She nodded and sipped some of her wine.  They both watched as the DJ set up for the night then Ryan led her out there to try to dance. It wasn't so bad but she was still having problems wanting to lead.  He snapped her bra strap and she blushed, leaning on him instead.  "See, easier."  He nodded, relaxing in his arms.  The guy who worried Xander came over to cut in and he shook his head.  "Sorry, mine.  I'm possessive."  He danced her off to a new part of the floor, making her laugh, a light and happy sound.  It was enough to make him tense up.  After another song he led them back to his table, sniffing their drinks.  Instead of chancing it he ordered another one, getting something more refreshing and lighter.  She sat down next to him to drink with him, smiling happily.  "When do you have to be at work tomorrow?"

"Shift starts at eight and we're doing a major push.  So probably seven."  She checked his watch and then looked at him.  "I've probably got another hour, two at most, before I turn back into a pumpkin."

"Oh, I don't know, you could be a glass slipper," he offered with a grin.

"No, they hurt."  She took another drink and watched the other couples.  "He's dancing with someone else and still staring," she said quietly.

"Finish up, we'll head back to your place and watch something?"  She smiled and finished her drink, making sure she got her purse.  Ryan nodded one of the waiters over, whispering in his ear.  "Alex, you said blackmail?"

"I was going to be his or he'd fire me and out me," she said quietly.  "He connived his boyfriend after that onto hormones to slim down."

The waiter nodded.  "I'll let someone know.  Thank you, dear.  You look very nice tonight."  She smiled and walked off to talk to the manager.  She could talk to the people out in LA and verify things like that.  They didn't want that sort in their club.

Ryan led Xander back out to his car, putting her back into her seat.  Then he walked around to get in.  He found someone in his way.  "Excuse me, I need to get in there."

"No you don't.  I'm sure your boss....."  Ryan pointed at a nearby hummer at the gay club next door.  The man's eyes widened.  "Your boss...."

"Possibly.  My boss's official position is that he doesn't care where I stick it as long as I'm happy, content, and don't bring fights into the lab.  Anything else?" he asked patiently.  "Because you're keeping my date waiting."

"She's a bitch."

"How would you know?"  The man let out an amused laugh.  "One last time.  Move.  Now.  Next time I get to fulfill bondage fantasies."  The man got out of the way.  "Thank you.  Have a nice night."  He got in and drove off, calling Horatio's office phone.  "It's me, boss.  I just got harassed while out in case anyone makes a complaint.  I told him he had one last chance to move or I was going to fulfill bondage fantasies.  Just an FYI."  He hung up and heard Xander giggle.  "That way he can counter it if they wake him up incredibly early to complain again.  They've done it to others."

"I don't think he's going to.  He might try my job but was that your boss?"

"No.  Horatio's hummer is marked differently.  That was probably Delko out on a late call.  His last one was there just as he was heading home."  He grinned and turned the corner.  "Eric will shoot him down too.  Don't worry about it."

"Are you sure?"

"He won't say a thing to me or you.  Eric realizes I'm not fully straight the same way I know Eric likes anything with a pulse."  He shrugged and grinned again.  "It happens, Xander.  Trust me, he won't say a word."

"As long as you're sure."

"I'm sure."  He took her hand to hold.  "Want to go for a drive and watch the water or head home?"

"Driving's nice.  I haven't done this in a while."   She blushed.  "The last time I did I was taking a girlfriend out to make out with her."

"I leave that up to you."  He kissed her on the back of the hand.  "That's all up to you, Alex."  She nodded and smiled at him.  "Want to head there?  There's a great view."

"Up to you, you're driving."  Ryan grinned and headed to where he was thinking.  It was fairly private but it did have a great view of the city and the water.  He parked and let Xander sigh at the view.  "See, great view."

"Very pretty view.  It's views like that that make me want to be artistic so I can capture it."  She looked at him.  "I'm not in the least bit."

"Ever tried pictures?"

"I have but they come out fuzzy."  She shrugged and grinned.  "It's quiet.  Something I haven't heard since we moved from Sunnydale."

"How big was Sunnydale?"

"A few thousand people.  Not very large."  She undid her seatbelt and looked at him.  "It was a pretty place to live but there was a strong current of denial and the dark side of the town wasn't that happy making, Ryan."

"I know you've seen horrible things, Xander.  I looked up the town online."  He stroked her cheek with the back of his hand.  "I'm not like that.  Miami's not either."

"Not too much.  Thankfully since I gave it up to protect Dawn and make sure she had an adult influence until she was an adult herself."

"That's noble of you."  He took a kiss.  "Sorry, couldn't help it."

"You look good in my lipstick," she teased.

"Yeah but I can't pull off the pantyhose.  Tried a few times."  Xander stared.  "Really.  I have a slight case of OCD.  It didn't work very well for me."

"I'm sorry."  She kissed him again.  "So that's why you understand us."

"Very well."  He took another kiss. "I feel like a teenager."  He grinned. "And naughty since you're only twenty-two."  He took another kiss.  "Plus you're very pretty in both forms, Xander."  Xander moaned at that.  "You are."  He took a gentler kiss. "Very strong and manly in one, enough to make me jealous sometimes when I watched you work on our lab, and then that strength radiates out of you like this.  It's beautiful."  He took another one.  "Are we doing this here?"

Xander blushed.  "I've only had the one, Ryan."

"I know, dear."  He pulled her a bit closer.  "You get to make those decisions. I always leave it up to whoever I'm with."  Xander moaned and took another one.  "Tell me about your girlfriends?"

"Cheerleader, nympho."

"Hmm.  Charming.  No wonder you didn't get to date."  He stroked her cheek.  "Slow down.  This car is not big enough to do this properly if you're heading there."  Xander smiled at that.  "Touching yes, groping's good too, the car's not big enough for anything else."

"Does Eric take the sex hummer," he teased.

"All the time.  Then again they've got hidden cameras in them too.  Someday someone's going to take a strap to him for the twins in the hummer last week."  She giggled at that. "He did.  They were cute too."  He stole another kiss. "I still like my special friends to be more mature and able to speak."

"Thankfully I'm not like my ex the nympho then.  All she talked about was money and sex or how she used to torture men."

"Eww."  He took another kiss. "I'm sorry I brought her up."  Another kiss.  "Forget her and let me take you home?"

"Dawn..."

"It's nearly eleven, she should be in bed and your couch has got to be more comfortable.  Nothing further than you decide, Alex."  Xander nodded and he smiled, holding her hand while he started the car and headed back to her place.  She let them inside and they stopped to listen for Dawn, who was snoring.  He grinned and pushed her onto the couch, sitting beside her.  "There, less like a teenager."  Xander giggled and cuddled him.  "Are you sure?"

"The one thing I learned from Sunnydale was that you never know if you're not going to wake up in the morning."

"However far you're comfortable with," he reminded her, taking another kiss.  Xander unleashed it all on him, letting him be driven back into the couch.  Ryan let her do whatever she wanted, stroking up and down her sides.  Xander yelped at one point so he let go of that spot.  "Sorry."

"It's all right.  The bra is pinching."  She grinned. "Um...."  She looked around then listened to Dawn's room.  She was still snoring now and then.  She nodded toward her bedroom.  "I'm not usually this easy, but..."

"If that's what you want," he promised, standing up and helping her up.  He looked at the top of her thigh highs and grinned.  "You really did get dressed up for me."  She blushed and led him into her room, closing the door.  "Set the alarm first just in case."  Xander did that and he got to watch her puttering around the room.  He saw the look in the closet and pulled out the small nightgown, looking at it.  "It's pretty, like you."  Xander gave him a look. "If you want.  I don't mind."  Xander blushed and went across the hall to change.  Ryan got down to his t-shirt and boxers, without the socks even though his feet were cold.  He undid the top of the bed, folding them down.  Xander came back and he swallowed.  "Very nice," he assured her, holding out a hand.  She came over and he got in next to her, stroking her stomach while taking a kiss.  "If we're going to go all the way tonight I need to know some things," he pointed out.  She pointed at the bedside table, making him smile.  "That's one thing.  Another thing, are you a 'it's a clit and pussy when I'm female' girl or not?  I've had both and I won't upset you."

Xander swallowed and nodded.  "It can be."

"All up to you," he reminded her with a smile, stroking over one artificially plumped up breast.  "How are you doing that?"

"Good pecs and a gel bra," he said with a wicked grin.  "It's the only muscles I really admire having at all times."  Ryan leaned down to nip one through the nightgown, making him shiver and clutch his head.  "I liked that."

"Responsive is a good thing," Ryan promised, moving to play with her and explore her body.  He got down to the man panties, the ones that tucked her in, and used his thumb to caress the head.  Xander arched up and whimpered.  "I've got you," he soothed, stroking her stomach.  "Should I use two fingers in you and tease your clit with my thumb, like I would the other women?"  Xander nodded at that, thumping her head on the pillow.  "Good girl.  If that's what you want."  He moved to find the lube and start the preparation.  Xander was wiggling and writhing under his hands so he had to take off the panties and one hand on her clit and the other back and forth inside her. She was keening now.  It was loud and beautiful.  He slid a condom on with a bit of a struggle but it was all right.  "Relax, Alex.  Let me in," he whispered as he started to move into her.  Xander let out a swear, making him laugh.

"Good.  Just relax.  I've got you."  He kissed her again once he was inside, letting it stay there for now.  Xander was wiggling under him so he moved down to play with her nipples again, moving the nightgown out of his way.  He took his t-shirt off as well and it joined his boxers and the nightgown on the end of the bed.   Xander was beautiful.  He whispered that to her as he got to work, making her hiss and scratch up his back but it was a good feeling and she was having fun.  She flipped him over and got on top, riding him.  "That's right, Alex.  Let me have it all," he encouraged, stroking her chest and stomach.  He pinched her nipple and she came, making him follow because of the suction and tension around him. He pulled her down to kiss her again, cuddling up with her.  "I'm here if you want me to stay."   He forced the condom off and tossed it in the plastic trashcan next to the bed.

"Bed's too cold without someone," she admitted, stroking his chest.  "I don't want to seem too forward, Ryan.  You've taken over my senses and it's like I was in heat."

"Being in heat is fine," he assured her with a smile.  He took another kiss and pulled her closer, pulling the sheets back up around them.  "Our next date we'll try for something a bit more slow."  Xander blushed at that. "Yes, Xander, I'm still going to bother you for dates," he teased.  "Every week if you want."

"I should get our next one."

Ryan kissed him on the cheek. "It's still my turn since he cut tonight short.  The time after that is yours."  Xander shivered and nodded.  "I'm not like the others Dawn said you dated. I make more than you do and I'm more than capable of being a gentleman on a date."  Xander nodded, snuggling into his chest, head on his shoulder.  "Shh, you rest.  Next time we'll do dinner and the club?"

"I'd like that."

"Good.  Now, you rest.  We've got to get up early in the morning so we both make it to work on time."  Xander nodded, yawning into his throat.  He went back to stroking her back, smiling as she fell asleep in his arms.  It was a good feeling.  He hoped this one lasted longer than his last one.

***

Ryan walked into work the next morning, running into the boss.  "Did he make a complaint?"

"He tried.  About both of us.  Who had the hummer at the Stirrup?"

"It was the one Eric was driving yesterday.  I'd assume him."   He grinned.  "Thank you, Horatio."

"I'm not going to say anything, Ryan.  That family deserves someone special to love them.  If you do it for them, then I'm fine with it. You know that."  Ryan nodded.  "Good.  Now, how was Dawn?"

"Asleep when we got back and barely awake and mumbling when I left.  Did it not go okay at the mall?"

"She and my nephew bonded over losing family," he admitted.  "Yelina wasn't that impressed with it but she understood.  She's also a bit older than he is so she's wary."

"She and Xander were baiting each other when I was guarding them about her not dating for at least another year, Horatio."

"Good.  I like that.  It shows good sense."  He smiled.  "Were you a gentleman?"

"I was, but that guy's his former boss, the one who was blackmailing him."

"Ah.  No wonder.  Keep me informed if he does anything else."

"We told one of the waitresses, they'll call to verify that stuff out of LA, boss.  If he's that big of a predator, he'll be banned."  He smirked at Eric as he walked in.  "Hey."

"Morning."  He grinned back.  "Nice night in?"

"Good date actually," he said happily.  "So, what was the case at the Golden Stirrup?  I saw the hummer."

Eric coughed and blushed.  "I was following up on some interviews."

"That's fine.  Let me know if you need help," Ryan offered, walking off.

"Eric," Horatio said quietly.  "Tell me you didn't take an official vehicle out on a date," he ordered.

"Um, well... mine's in the shop, H.  I swear I won't do it again."

"Eric, you do know that they put hidden cameras into those, don't you?" he asked, looking amused.  "I know the autopool supervisor has had many fun hours watching and rewatching you with a set of very blonde nineteen-year-old twins."  Eric blushed and looked down.  "Not to mention the two cheerleaders from FSU you had in there."  Eric gave him a panicked look.  "He sent me tape of that one and suggested I let you know about the cameras, Eric."

"My car will be out of the shop tonight and I swear I didn't last night, Horatio.  I promise I didn't bring anyone back to the hummer."

"Thank you, Eric.  One less confused person I have to deal with today.  I did think the one cheerleader was very cute."

"Want his number?" he teased.

"That's not my thing and he was much too young for me, Eric.  Just remember about the cameras."

"Yes, H.  Sorry."

"That's all right.  You know I don't care until it interferes with work, Eric.  Unlike your stalker."  He gave him a look and walked off, going back to his office to check his email for new footage.  He didn't get any so it must have been the truth.  The autopool chief got more and more distressed every time Eric used the hummers like a rolling sex pad.  They had all been cute but apparently the fact Eric had slept with his niece last week had annoyed him.  He hoped no formal complaints would be made.  He hated having to knock heads in Internal Affairs or to do the paperwork to put a reprimand in his file.

***

Alexx, their shift's ME, gave Ryan a look when he came onto her current scene.  "Have a good night, baby?"

"I did," he agreed happily.  "A very nice date with some cuddling at the end."

"When do I get to meet this girl?"

Ryan looked at her then around.  "Alexx, I don't necessarily date *girls*," he said quietly.  She blushed at that and swatted him on the shoulder. "I don't.  Not always. Sometimes only part of the time."

"What do you mean part of the time?"

"Like sometimes they're not," he offered quietly.

Her eyes went wide behind her sunglasses. "Really?"  He nodded.  "Interesting. I did not know that.  Not that it matters to me, Ryan. You're like one of the kids.  Now, when do I get to meet him?"

"You already have. He stepped on your toes to save a guy's life."

She dropped the arm she was looking at the wound on.  "That mouthy little construction boy?" she hissed.  He nodded, smiling.  "Well....  He's pretty."

"Very."  He grinned and leaned closer.  "He gives good cuddles too, Alexx.  Plus he's got his sister to take care of."

"I'll be meeting them all soon," she ordered.

"Yes, mom."

"Thank you, baby.  Now, let's look at our poor man here."

Ryan looked then he blinked a few times.  Then he called Horatio.  "Hey, boss, the guy who made the complaint is dead and my current scene.  I don't think I should be the one working it."  He stepped back.  "No, I was talking with Alexx and just now noticed it.  Sure.  Thanks."  He hung up.  "You're getting Calleigh."

"What did he do?  He complained about you?"

Ryan glanced around again then pulled her up and carefully away from the scene.  "That's the guy who Xander used to work for," he said quietly.  "He saw him at a gay club and tried to blackmail him.  Xander also said he tried to force his last boyfriend out there on hormones to make him more trannie than not."  She blinked at that.  "He's a predator and I let someone know that last night when Xander told me.  The community doesn't need that."

"Okay.  I'll keep that in mind and let Calleigh know quietly.  Construction?"  He nodded.  "Thank you, Ryan.  Go get a new assignment from Horatio, dear."  He nodded, going to do that while she went back to looking at her body.  She didn't feel a bit of sympathy for him any more.  Calleigh parked and got out, coming over to sign in.  "We need to talk about this one."

"Why?"  She started with pictures.  "How do we think he died?"

"Multiple stab wounds.  Blood soaked into the ground."  She looked up.  "Ryan couldn't work it because he made a complaint about him being out on a date last night."

"I saw the smile and the bounce in his step. It was almost scary," she agreed with a grin.  "What's up with this one?"  She found his wallet and looked in it.  "Mr. Mark Hevert.  Sunnydale, California.  Why does that name sound familiar?"

"Because one of his former workers he was trying to blackmail came down here to work and ended up saving that guy who got the glass in the neck."  Calleigh blinked at that.  "Apparently Xander was out at a club that was...mixed."

"So he blackmailed him?"  Alexx nodded.  "Anything else I should know?"

"Xander told Ryan that the guy had forced his last boyfriend on hormones."

"Charming!  Last of the sympathy I felt for him.  Where did they see him last night?"

"Not a clue. All I know is that he was on a date."

"I'll ask him later.  It could be important."  She paused while taking pictures.  "Hold on.  Xander's gay?" she asked quietly.  Alexx shrugged.  "I never would've expected it from him. He seems to watch a lot of women while they walk but he's never disgusting about it and he even blushed when I caught him watching Valera that one time."

"He could be both."

"Then again, how did he and Ryan talk about this guy when Ryan only saw him last night?"

"That I'm not talking about."

"Ah...."  She smiled suddenly.  "Sounds like I get to tease Ryan."

"I wouldn't.  He got cuddles last night."

"That's why he was so bouncy and happy then," she agreed happily. "Well, if they work it's all good.  We'll hurt them if they hurt Ryan."  That got a smirk and a nod.  "Anything else I should know?"

"Multiple stab wounds, blood soaked in the ground.  He was killed here I'd say."  They looked at the nearest building.  "Looks like we may have video."

"I'll check once I'm done here."  She smiled.  "Did you hear?  Eric got another discussion with Horatio in the halls about using the hummer as a sextoy."

"Another set of twins?"

"Not a clue," she admitted. "Just a short, quiet talk in the foyer again."  She grinned. "Wonder where he was."

"We'll tease him about that later.  Make sure he knows the tape of him and those twins is now nearly viral around the station."  Calleigh giggled.  "They were adorable, if just babies."

"He said they were nineteen when I asked."

"Like I said, just babies!"  She bundled up the body with the body haulers and they took him away.  "Have fun."

"Oh, I will."  Especially when she got to tease Ryan later.  He wasn't one for first date sex so it must've been good cuddles.

***

Xander looked up from his boss's watching the house go up when someone cleared their throat.  He looked at the officer.  "Another problem?"

"Summons to appear, sir."  He handed it over.  Then he nodded politely and left.

The boss looked at him.  "Do I want to know?"

"My landlord was sniffing drugs in front of me and I turned him in," he said dryly, shrugging a bit.  "He was trying to play with the rent and demanded next month's in the middle of the month.  He tried to say I had underpaid him too."

"Charming.  Dawn all right?"

"Just fine.  Our house has now been seized but I can go to the guy in the office later on and talk to him about that.  That's why I said I'd probably be back late from lunch."

"That's fine, Xander. Planning on buying it?"

"I am.  It'll be cheaper since it's drug seizure property now.  Someone suggested they wouldn't have a problem with me doing that either."

"Good.  Keep me informed."  Xander nodded.  "When do you have to go?"

Xander read over the legal words.  "Um, the 23rd."  He handed it over.  "Dawn probably got one too."

"Fill out leave papers for me but leave the date blank in case it changes."  Xander nodded at that, handing over a set.  "Waiting?"

"I doubt he's going to take a deal. The officer I talked to said the baggie full of white powder that was in his briefcase was probably enough for a felony."

"I'm sorry, kid."

"So am I.  I just hope I can buy the house.  I've got the FEMA funds coming from the Sunnydale stuff."

"Already?"

"They said six-to-eight weeks.  It's been five."

"Sure.  Let's hope so.  I know last year it took months."

"It had better not," Xander said dryly.  "If so, I'll pay Dawn back for more.  We like that house and it's comfortable."  He blushed some and coughed.  "Sorry.  Good and happy date last night."

"Good."  He grinned.  "He nice?"  Xander stared at him.  "The guard told me that one CSI guy, the young one, came back and asked you out here.  Not like I care."  Another cop car pulled in and he blinked at the young woman getting out of the hummer.  "Huh.  Another one from the lab.  Think it's about that?"

"Not with the way she looks."  He walked over there. "Did something happen to the last site, ma'am?"

"No, Xander.  Actually we had a small issue.  Your former employer ended up dead last night and I needed to talk to you about him."  Xander moaned and nodded, letting her over to the picnic tables where his boss was.  "His former boss from Sunnydale ended up dead."

"I'm sorry to hear that, almost.  What little I heard about him he was a bastard."

"Xander, how do I wire the two-twenty plug?" someone from inside called.

"Give me ten, get a drink, guys," he yelled back.  That got a cheer and they came out to get drinks and go lounge fro a few minutes.  He looked at her.  "Let me guess, someone mentioned Ryan ran into him last night?"

She licked her lips and sat across from him.  "That and the tape from the club was a bit enlightening."  She grinned.  "I don't care.  I don't need to know.  It's not relevant."

"It's what he was going to blackmail me about," he admitted quietly.  "It's a stress thing mostly."

"That's fine. Though I will warn you that if you hurt Ryan the whole lab will be helping hide your body when Alexx gets done with you.  Understood?"  He nodded, grinning at that.  "Okay, now what was he doing back there?"

Xander took her pen to play with.  "Mostly he was trying to blackmail me.  He got his last boyfriend onto the hormones to make him more girlish and femme for him. He worked on another crew and was out but they screwed him majorly. He was on them long enough that he sprouted and changed a lot.  Ever see Ziggy Stardust stuff?"  She nodded.  "He looks about like that now.  He'll never get back to the way he was before.  He was probably going to try to do the same thing to me since I heard that he had done the same to someone else."  She nodded more slowly at that.  He wrote down a phone number.  "That's the shop I went to in LA.  Talk to Erin. I went to her for advice when he started on me and she's the one who told me about his last boyfriend. She's a major link in that chain.  One of the few *good* shops out there."

"I'll do that," she agreed, smiling at him.  "Did he threaten you or Ryan last night?"

"Ryan lied and told him he had never met me before, that I was from Texas.  He's the reason we left early.  He tried to interrupt a dance and then kept staring at me while he was dancing with someone else."  He blushed.  "So we went for a drive."

"Xander, I don't need details."

He looked at her.  "If Ryan needs an alibi I can give it," he said quietly.

"I'll keep that in mind."  She took her pen back, making notes while holding it very carefully.  "I promise I'm not going to say anything, Xander.  I could care less what you do in your spare time as long as it's legal."

"I turned in my landlord for snorting stuff in front of me."

"Good!  We like that attitude."  She smiled and patted his hand.  "Did he say anything?"

"Just asked if he knew me and tried to get close to me.  He glared so we went for a drive."

"Sure.  I'm sure it wasn't Ryan, Xander.  Ryan wouldn't have been stupid enough to leave him laying in a small grassy area beside a bank."  He grinned at that.  "Ryan's native so he would've fed him to the alligators."  She gathered everything up.  "If you can think of anything else or hear anything else, let me know."  She headed back to her hummer and drove off.

"Wow," the boss said, blinking in shock.  "That's one strong woman."

"She'd have to be to deal with some of the bastards they probably get through the office," Xander said quietly, looking up at him.  "Ryan said she's not dating."

"I'm married, kid.  Unfortunately."  He grinned at him. "Get back to work and let me know if you need any help with the house stuff."  Xander nodded, going to lead his crew back inside.  The boss went to put the summons into Xander's car and head back to the office with the leave paperwork, making a note why he was being summoned into court. His site supe gave him an odd look.  "His landlord was snorting from a big bag of powder in his briefcase in front of him.  He turned him in."

"Good!  That's a good thing!  He'll have to move?"

"They seized it as drug assets.  He's trying to buy it."

"I hope he can."  He looked at him.  "Anything else happen?  I got a call saying some construction guy was found dead."

"Yeah, his former supe.  The one who was blackmailing him.  Apparently when Sunnydale fell in he came down here."  He grimaced.  "The little blonde one came to ask him.  He did blush a lot about his date last night."

"Awwww," he said with a bright grin.  "I heard she's like a cream puff if she likes you."

"She must've liked him.  She even let him play with her pen for a bit."

"Good.  How's his house looking?"

"They're doing the wiring.  It's looking great so far.  All the extra volunteers are doing good and asking questions.  The few doing the siding are going good too.  He's a good lead."

"Good.  I'll have to go out with the inspector to make sure."  He smiled.  "We don't have one opening do we?"

"Not yet but he'd be up for it."  He looked up as Dawn walked in.  "You know he's at the habitat site, right?"

"Of course I do. I helped out there last weekend."  She smiled and handed him something.  "Xander called and said you needed copies of the paperwork about the landlord, just in case?"

"I could use it just in case," he admitted, copying them.  "How did you get down here?"

"Bus.  I'm on my way to the mall."  That got a smile and a nod and he handed them back once he had finished making copies.  "Well, I'm off to be cute and a teenager.  If he calls panicking, remind him he let me."  She grinned and put back on her sunglasses then headed out.  It was a nice mall.  She and a few of the kids from last night had agreed to go to the movies today. She found Ray Junior already there.  "Hi."

"Hi.  We got stood up.  Marty's grounded by her mom for being a smartass this morning and Todd's got a standing thing he was trying to use us to wiggle out of but his mother said no."

"That's fine.  We're buddies, Ray.  I know that."  He grinned and nodded, taking her over to buy tickets with her and figure out what they were going to watch.  She ended up laughing through most of the monster movie but it was cute.  He gave her a few funny looks.  "Ask your uncle about our former town, Ray.  They're so cute."  He grinned at that.  So what if he thought she was odd.  When they came out it was getting dark.  "I've gotta check with the big brother."  She called him. "I'm out of the movies and having a snack.  No, you eat.  I'll be home in a bit."  She looked up when someone came over to them.  "No, I'm good, Xander.  I'm with Horatio's nephew Ray.  We're going to have a snack then head home.  Thanks."  She hung up.  "Hi, did you need something?" she asked the man staring at them.

"Who're you, his girlfriend?"

"I'm a super bitch about protecting my *friends* thank you.  Anything else or should I start screaming that you're a rapist?"  He backed off at that.  "Shoo, keep going.  Your breath leaves much to be desired for stables."  He stomped off.  She looked at Ray, who was still pale. "Come on, milkshakes cure everything."

"I should head to Mom's."

"We can do that once we get a shake.  He won't touch you, Ray.  Not with me here."  He stared at her.  She looked back.  "My sister used to be one of the few protectors in our former town.  Do you really think I didn't learn a thing or two?  He won't touch you while you're with me."  He nodded and they went to get milkshakes then she took a cab back to his place.  She could catch the bus from there.  He nodded and she followed him inside.  "Hi, Mrs. Salas.  I brought Ray home since our friends stood us up for the movies.  I promise I even covered his eyes during the scary parts."

"She did," Ray agreed, smirking at her, then punching her on the arm.

She snorted. "Please!  My sister was stronger than Xander, Ray.  She did that so much better."  She grinned at him.  "So, when's the next group meeting?"

"Next weekend.  We try nearly every weekend.  Hopefully Martty won't smart off to her mom again about her choice of cartoons being dumb.  Her mom watches Winx Club."

Dawn grinned. "It's very girl power.  It's also gaggingly cute."  Yelina just stared at her.  "It's about witches and fairies.  Teenage witches and fairies.  With a hero's academy up the street to let the girls crush majorly.  Buffy used to watch it too."  Yelina just shook her head.  "Anyway, bus should be coming soon.  You behave, call me if you want me to show up again.  I know a few of them didn't like me."

"They're not used to you and they think you're a bit psycho for laughing at horror movies."

"With my former town?"  She snorted.  "FEMA just bought the town to put up a giant fence, Ray.  They're only creatures and they don't even use swords."  She shrugged and waved.  "Let me know.  I'm off for dinner with the overprotective big brother."  She grinned and walked out.  "Bye, Mrs. Salas."

"Bye, Dawn," she called.  "I feel like we had a hurricane in here."

"That's because that guy came up to us in the mall and she went hyper-protective about me," he admitted.  "I didn't even get a chance to point out I'm the *guy* and it's my job."

His mother looked at him.  "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine.  She made him go away by being mean and snarking at him.  Then she got me a milkshake and got us here in a cab.  She said her sister used to be her town's protector?  Why?"

"I don't know," she admitted.  "I'll ask your uncle.  He probably does since he had to handle their case when someone tried to kidnap her."  She walked him into the kitchen.  "I made food.  Did you ruin your dinner?"

"No, of course not.  I only had a large popcorn and a soda at the movies and then a milkshake, mom."  He followed, finishing his milkshake so he could have dinner.

***

Dawn got off at the wrong stop, looking at the crime lab.  She went inside and up to the receptionist.  "Is Lieutenant Caine here?"  She nodded and paged him.  She gave him a weak smile. "Before you hear otherwise, some skanky dark haired guy with tremendously bad breath came up to Ray Junior and I at the movies. I drove him off by being super protective bitch, in honor of Buffy's former act of that, and got him a milkshake before taking him home.  I also let slip that my sister used to be super protective bitch of Sunnydale but nothing further, though he did give me funny looks for laughing at the creatures in the movies because *way* not the right way to kill that.  Anyway, I thought you should know that someone came up to him.  I didn't want to worry his mom. I know mine worried a lot when something came up to me in the mall," she babbled and smiled. "So he's fine and at home.  And now I'm going to go home and have dinner with the super big brother protective person. Have a better night, Lieutenant."

"Dawn," he said, stopping her from leaving.  "Can you describe this man?  Dark haired?  How tall?"

"Ummm....  Bit bigger than you.  Not as well muscled though. Ray turned into a sheet at him being there.  I threatened to start yelling that he was a rapist if he and his bad breath didn't leave."

"I see.  Do you remember was he darker pale or lighter pale?"

"Lighter, like Ray turned."

"What was he wearing?"

"Blue jeans and a dark shirt."

"Okay.  Where were you two when you ran into him?  So I can get footage from Mall Security?"

"Right outside the side theater entrance.  We'd just come out of the new gore flick."

"Thank you, Dawn. I did need to know that and his mother would worry.  If you see him again, do not go near him.  He is a very bad person."

"Don't talk down to me, Lieutenant.  I mean, please!  My sister killed things that were trying to eat people."  She rolled her eyes.  "Not like I didn't realize and see some of it, especially when they took me."  He smiled at that.  "So, he a pedophile, a murderer, or just a regular scumbag?"

"Regular scumbag," Ryan said as he came up to them.  "Need a ride?"

"That depends, gonna wake me up again?" she teased with a bright grin.  "Not that I minded but if you ever hurt Xander not even they will be able to find little bits and pieces of you after I've ripped you to shreds and fed you to something that'll enjoy hearing you scream.  Comprende?"

"Understood," he agreed, still smiling.

"Good, then I'd love a ride.  Saves on bus fare."  He smiled and she looked at the Lieutenant.  "Should I worry about him coming after me and can I kick his ass if he does?"

"If he does, you alert someone and you let us handle it, Dawn.  He's very skilled."

"All right.  If you say so.  But if he touches me I'm turning Uber-Wicca and doing a Willow homage on his ass."  She shrugged and grinned.  "It's a neat thing watching them go 'foom' and light on fire."  He smiled at that and nodded.  "Not kidding.  Did it to a vampire last month when one tried for me at school in the basement.  Really not polite of him.  Anyway, time to head home.  Ryan, are you coming for dinner?"

"I can.  If you both want."

"I don't care."  She took his arm and walked him out. "Thanks, Lieutenant, have a good night."

"You as well, Dawn."  He smiled.  Then shook his head.  That was one hyper young woman but it was a good thing to know.  He went to call Ray to talk to him while someone got the surveillance footage from the mall. "Ray...."  He smiled when his mother took the phone.  "Dawn came here and told me. Is he all right?"  He blinked at the question.  "Yelina, you've been to a few of the darker parts of town, correct?"  He nodded at her assertion she knew what he was talking about.  "Dawn's big sister was the Slayer, Yelina.  She's partially trained and can easily handle it if they get into mild trouble."  He smiled.  "No, she's safe.  Her sister died in an accident right after her mother did.  That's why Xander's not hunting and protecting her.  She's lost most of her family except for Xander and a few friends of his in LA.  No, I think they're a good pair for each other.  They'll help each other heal from their shared grief, Yelina.  Besides, no one is as protective as Xander is of Dawn.  No, I think they'll be fine together."  Frank came to the door and he waved him in.  "No, I think it'll be fine.  Tell him it had a high mugging rate and she was neighborhood patrol.  That's fine.  I'm getting footage now, Yelina.  Thank you."  He hung up.  "The bastard came back, Frank."

"I got the footage you sent an officer for.  It's definitely him."  He came in and looked at him.  "Who was the girl?"

"Remember the construction worker who saved the one man's life after he had been pierced by the glass?"

"Yeah, Xander.  Guy with the really horrible sunburn.  Why?"

"That was his little sister Dawn."

"Ah.  So she's got a clue and she's protective as her big brother?  That's fine I guess.  As long as Yelina doesn't think they're going to date.  She'd freak if he dated a girl that babbling and cute."

Horatio smiled.  "She lost her family, Frank.  They're healing with each other and neither think they're ready to date yet."

"That's fine then.  Anything else we can do tonight?"

"Only if we can find him."

"Mall security had him getting into a green Horizon.  We're tracking it now.  It may be stolen."

"Good.  Keep me informed.  I'm doing paperwork."

"Sure.  Did I hear the kid busted a drug dealer?"

"His landlord, Frank.  He was sniffing it in front of him."  He looked up at him.  "So now he's got to go through the drug seizure office."

"Well, let's hope Chad's being nice then.  He seemed like a very nice kid."

"He did and he is.  We might also be seeing more of him now and then since he and Ryan Wolfe have struck up a friendship."

Frank looked at him then smirked. "Please, Horatio.  The boy came in looking like he got laid by his soulmate last night."

"I stay out of those sorts of things unless it becomes pertinent to a case.  Which this one may but I hope not."

"The dead construction guy?"

"Is Xander's former boss who was blackmailing him.  He told Calleigh he could give Ryan an alibi."

"Which means he's got a good one.  As long as he can't teleport and Wolfe doesn't sleep like the dead."

"He doesn't," Calleigh said from the doorway.  "I used the pen he was playing with to get epithelials and a fingerprint for him.  No match to the foreign DNA we found on the dead construction worker."  Horatio smiled at that.  "There's a rumor that Dawn was here babbling about your nephew being in trouble?"

"Someone came up to them in the mall," Frank told her.  "She came to let Horatio know since she thought his momma might get a bit upset."

"No, not Yelina," she said with a bright smile.  "He still living?"

"So far," Horatio agreed.  "I'm waiting to see if we can find him so we can have a chat."

"Excellent.  Let me know if I can help."

"Any matches on the DNA we did find?" Frank asked.

"Nope."

"Shoot. Sometimes it works."

"And sometimes it doesn't," she agreed. "Then again it could be relatives of his last boyfriend from what I heard.  We're still poking around in his past, Horatio.  But I'm at a stopping point for the night. There's nothing more I can do until tomorrow."

"That's fine," he agreed.  "Have fun."  She smiled and winked before leaving.  He smirked at Frank.  "It's good she's happy."

"Her being happy is always better than us being scared and hiding for our lives," he agreed, smirking back.  "So this kid?  He gonna be a problem?"

"He shouldn't be, Frank.  Not unless something or someone comes for him or his little sister."

"Sure, I get that."  He walked off, heading home as well since he was done for the day.

Horatio got back to his paperwork.  It was the bane of his existence but what else did he have to go home to tonight.

***

Xander looked up and stared when Dawn drug Ryan in.  "Why did you go to his work?" he asked finally.

"Someone with really bad breath came up to Ray Junior and I at the mall so I let his uncle know. Ryan offered to spare my allowance the bus fare."

"Oh, okay.  Ryan, want dinner?  It's not much but it's food."

"Sure."  He grinned. "She invited me right after threatening me."

"Dawn!" Xander complained.

She swatted him on the arm. "Shut up, Xander.  Like I told him and his boss, if he hurts you not even the greatest of great people in his job will ever find his molecules once I'm done with him."

"You told his *boss*?" Xander asked.  He looked really scared.

"Yup, and he laughed," Dawn agreed dryly. She shoved him into Ryan's arms.  "Kiss him stupid so his brain works?"

"That's mean," Ryan said firmly.

"Yay.  He thinks better once he's gone through the stupid setting."  She went to get them dinner, putting out plates and making sure Xander had more.  "I'm waiting."

Ryan kissed Xander.  "He said it was fine with him as long as I didn't hurt you," he said quietly.  "Horatio doesn't care.  He got to pick on Eric this morning for his thing with the hummer."  Xander blushed at that.  "It'll be fine, Xander.  None of my coworkers care but Alexx and she wants to meet you if we stay serious."  Xander looked stunned.  "She's adopted me.  She wants to mother you two too."

"She can mother Dawn all she wants but I had one of those.  A sucky one but one."

"He's never been mothered a day in his life," Dawn complained.  "My mother tried too and couldn't get much farther than that, Ryan.  Break it to him slowly.  Like how a proper lover should be.  Because I know you're not the money sucker that Anya was.  Then again, I did learn a lot about sex ed from her."

"Dawn!" Xander shouted, looking horrified.  Ryan giggled.

"Oh, you have no idea.  All she talked about was money and sex.  I learned a lot about investments and that tongue thing he apparently can do."  She shrugged. "When I find me a real man I'll let you teach it to him, Xander.  Now, eat."  She put down milk after sniffing it too.  "Now."

Ryan kissed Xander again, making him look at him.  "It'll be okay.  She's looking out for you, Xander," he said quietly.  "She only wants the best for you."  Xander relaxed at that.  "Besides, this way I know where the others went wrong."  He grinned and winked.  "Now, let's eat."

"Please. You two will need energy to wake me up again tonight."  Xander walked out blushing bright red and went to hide in the bathroom.  She made shooing motions so Ryan went to get Xander and make him calm down again. She smiled at her good work.  Ryan would definitely protect Xander if something happened to her.  Or from her if she turned into the grump her sister could be.  "Food's getting cold," she called ten minutes later. "Unless you two are having a romantic bath and if you are, let me in there for ten minutes so I can go to the bathroom so you can hog it the rest of the night."

They came out and got down to eating, discussing work things. It was the only safe topic around her.

Because a mischievous Dawn was a horrible thing on her family.

***

Xander came out of his bedroom the morning of the trial date.

"Put on real clothes.  You've got court today," she reminded him, handing him some coffee.  He took it into the bedroom and came out in dress pants and a nice shirt.  "Did we get the house stuff settled?"

"Yup.  Twenty minutes after he's convicted I can put an offer down on the house.  He said it should go pretty cheaply since it's not well rented."  He sipped his coffee, looking her over.  "You're not skipping today."

"They gave me one of those neat papers too," she said dryly.

"Oh."  He nodded and finished up then they headed out together, going to the courthouse.  They showed their paperwork and were told which way to go, then headed up the stairs.  It was still pretty early.  The prosecutor who had talked to both of them shook their hands. "How long should this last?  She should be in school."

"Hopefully not more than today," he admitted. "Did you work things out about your house?"

"Twenty minutes after someone says 'guilty' I can go put an offer down on it to keep it."

"Good.  I hope you can, sir."  He pointed at a bench.  "Sit there until you're called."  Xander nodded, sitting down with her.  "It shouldn't be more than a few hours."

"Maybe I should've brought a book," Dawn quipped.

"Maybe I should've brought a book," he agreed, grinning at her.  "So, wasn't there a test today?"

"Yesterday.  I had to take it early thanks to this."  The lawyer slipped inside and she turned to face him.  "It did not make for a happy Dawn when I had to take the math test a day early.  I mean, why not a day late?"

"Unfair advantage to the other kids."

"Oh.  Well, it still sucks."  He nodded, giving her a hug.  "I'll be fine. It can't be any worse than the social workers out in Cali."

"I hope not.  They were annoying wenches."

"Well, yeah," she admitted dryly.  "By the way, they did get my case transferred down here finally and I did get a visit after school.  I pointed out I was fourteen and could stay home for a mere three hours and do homework, plus probably fix some of the dinner that night.  I told her where you worked and all that, but that you weren't going to be there today thanks to you turning in this putz for using drugs in front of you.  She did not look amused."

"They often aren't," he sighed.  "They see so many bad parents that they can't even smile at the good ones."  He gave her a squeeze.  "It'll be fine.  The boss knows where I am and why I have you.  He's got all the attendant paperwork as well."  She nodded, resting against his shoulder.

"No PDA, sir," the guard said firmly.

"She's my little sister, dude, shove it," Xander said, glaring at him.  "It's early, she should be in school, and now we've got to deal with this case because we did the right thing.  It's not PDA.  It's called a cuddle and it's what good parents do."   He huffed off.  "Yay," he said quietly.  "Apparently today's a pissing off day."

"Hmm.  It's the shirt, Xander.  The last time you wore it you pissed off people too."  She sat up and looked at him.  "I saw the payment to my trust."

"I said I was going to pay it back.  The FEMA check finally came in."

"If we need it, we can borrow against it again," she promised, taking his hand to hold.  She went back to resting against his shoulder.  At least until alarms started to go off and the guards and any officers in the building ran for the doorway.  "Looks like someone tried to sneak in a gun and got belligerent."

"Yup," he sighed, watching the stairs.  Someone came up with a machine gun and he let Dawn go, lunging for him to smack him into the wall of the staircase.  "Stupid," he complained.  He shoved him back down it and ducked a few gunshots.  "Ha."  He picked up a nearby book someone had left laying around and threw it at one of them, pegging him in the chest.  It made him quit firing at the guards and they got him.  He checked, no more coming up so he went back to his seat.  "I knew I should've brought a book."

"Next time you can have my math book," she quipped back. She smiled at him.  "Still got it, Xanny."

"Thanks, Dawnie.  No one brings a gun near you and doesn't get it back."  She nodded.  The attorney came out to peek around.  "They're all downstairs and it's probably handled by now."  Someone came running up the stairs with a gun in his hand.  "Shoe?"  She handed one of her heels over.  He weighed it for a moment then pegged the guy as he ran past in the back of the head, making him stumble.  He got up to get her shoe, tossing it back.  Then he stomped him on the back.  "Quit pissing me off and do not bring weapons near my little sister," he ordered coldly.  "Are we clear?"  The man whimpered and nodded. "Good."  He got off him and went back to his seat.  "Time yet?"

"Yes, it is," the prosecutor admitted.  "Mr. Harris?"  He came in.  "We'd normally have the bailiff but he's busy."

"That's fine.  Dawn can handle herself," he admitted.  He walked up to the box he pointed at, turning to look around.  "Do I have to take the oath to anyone else?"

"You can take it to me, young man," the judge offered, holding out a bible.  "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?"

"I do, so help me Goddess," he agreed, staring at him. "Not Christian, sorry."

"That's all right.  It's still holy.  Sit.  State your name for the records?"

Xander sat.  "My name is Alexander Lavelle Harris."

"Mr. Harris, please state your relationship with the defendant?" the attorney asked.

"I'm his tenant.  I just started renting off him this month."  Dawn was pushed in by a guard.  "Um, is she allowed in here?"

"She just bit someone, it's safer, sir," the bailiff offered.  "She said you're her guardian?"

"I am.  Dawn, sit.  Did another one come up?"

"Yup, and tried to use me as a hostage," she said bitterly.  "The old foot stomp didn't work because he had on steel toed shoes.  So I bit the arm he unwisely had in front of my face."

"That's my girl."  He grinned. "We'll have ice cream for lunch.  Sit and behave."

"Sure."  She sat down and looked at the attorney, who shrugged and went on with it.  She smiled at the bailiff who walked off shaking his head.

***

Horatio walked up to where the pair were eating ice cream. "I heard he took a deal after your testimony?" he asked as he sat down.

"He did and I already filed the paperwork to buy the house," Xander agreed.  "He's already submitted it.  Thank you for your help, Lieutenant."

"It's not a problem, Xander.  It was wrong of them to take it from you because your landlord was selling and using drugs."  He looked at him then at Dawn, then back at him.  "You did hear she bit one of the people today at the courthouse?"

"Yeah, I was on the stand so I had to leave her alone."

"He had on steel toed shoes, not like a foot stomp worked," Dawn offered, pushing some of her hair back and eating another bite.  "It worked and I didn't draw blood, Lieutenant.  Can I be charged for that?"

"No, that does fall under self defense," he admitted.

"Oh, good, I don't want either of us in trouble for Xander defending me or me getting nibbly."  She ate another bite.

"Him defending you?" Horatio asked, looking at Xander.

"Dawn, mouth issues?" Xander prompted.  "Just like last night, dear."

"Sorry, Xander.  I didn't mean to embarrass you and Ryan."

"Fine."  He looked at him.  "Yes, I did peg one in the head with one of her shoes when he ran past with a gun.  I got another one when he came up the stairs with a gun and slammed him into the wall then gave him a shove down.  The other one I hit with a book someone had left out."

Horatio stared at him.  "I wondered who had thrown the book.  Nice toss."

"Thank you."

"Did you ever think about joining the department?"

"It's dangerous," he said simply.  "Plus they'd hate my past history with combat and protection.  It does come out now and then."

Dawn nodded.  "Xanny still has it when he knocked the guy on the stairs."  She stuffed her mouth again at his look.  "Hey, praise is good."

"It is," Horatio agreed, smiling at her.  "Are you and Ray Junior going out again this weekend?"

"It's supposed to be the whole group but last time one got grounded for dissing her mom's cartoons and the other one had therapy and couldn't come but yeah, if he wants to.  He's got my cell.   I hope I didn't freak him out by being all protecto-girl and stuff.  Did I?" she asked.  She shook his head and she smiled and relaxed. "Good.  Haven't heard from him since then."

"He's been grounded," Horatio admitted.  "He tried to shoplift."

"Been there, done that," Dawn sighed. She put down her spoon.  "It's not that great, it's to get attention.  I would've done anything to have Buffy and mom notice me but they were both wrapped up in her job and the only one who saw me was Xander.  He verbally bitchslapped me until I realized I wasn't alone and they ignored him more than me. That's when our partnership started up.  You gotta admit, the Xander and Dawn show is pretty cute," she offered with a grin.

"It is.  I believe his are more bad friends."

She snorted.  "I met the bad friends.  I'm going to have one eaten, Lieutenant.  I'll gladly hang out with Ray Junior more often if he wants.  I can honestly say been there done that about most of that stuff and show him bigger and badder thugs."

"Spike is not coming to Miami," Xander said firmly.  "Do not call and ask for him to again."

"Yes, Xander," she sighed. "I miss Spike."

"I don't care if you do miss the bleached wonder.  We don't need Spike down here."

"Please?  Just for a visit?"

"No," he said impatiently.  "I don't want to have to stake him the first time he decides to nibble."  He ate another bite at the amused look.  "He's barely around," he said dryly.

"He was a London street thug in the times of Oliver Twist," Dawn said happily.  "He was my second favorite babysitter and he helped Xander teach me self-defense stuff."

"I would prefer we not have any more dangerous people in Miami," Horatio said calmly.

"He's still chipped.  He can't eat people," Xander told him. "He's just annoying as hell."  He stuffed his mouth again at Dawn's pleading look.  "No, I don't want to see Spike.  You can keep emailing him."

"He's in Orlando, how hard is it to call?" she countered.

"You don't have long distance on your phone plan," he noted dryly. "And no more dipping into your trust for extra minutes."

"Then I need to up my plan," she complained.

"No, you need to quit babbling like Willow," he complained. "Or use the phone at home."  She nodded, accepting that.  "I had better not see any long distances calls to Orlando either."  He paused. "Why is Spike in Orlando?"

"He's terrorizing Mickey Mouse and enjoying the new MGM stuff."

"Oh."  He nodded. "Figures."

Horatio shook his head and couldn't help but smile.  "I'll need to get statements from both of you about what happened today, kids."

"They came up the stairs with guns around Dawn.  Not like I was gonna allow that," Xander complained.

"Which is a very good sentiment.  What would happen if he had shot you?"

"It'd be the third time," Xander said dryly, then he shrugged. "He had his gun at waist height, Lieutenant.  Without a miracle he wasn't going to do more than wound me.  He was looking behind him anyway.  That's how I managed to smack his head into the wall and send him rolling back down the stairs."  He finished his ice cream.  "Eat your lunch, Dawn."  She smiled and dug in.  "Sorry, we deserved a treat."

"You do."  He looked at Xander. "It was still dangerous," he said quietly.

"So was the risk he'd take Dawn hostage like the later guy did."

"True."

"You forget, I'm trained in street combat, Lieutenant Caine.  My training is against things that're stronger and faster than I am.  Now I only use it for self defense and in defense on Dawnie."

"I understand.  You could be an asset to the department, Xander."

"They'd never accept my past," he reminded him then he shrugged.  "Plus a lot more chance of leaving her before she's eighteen.  I don't want her in the system."

"I agree.  Do we have a will?"

"If I die, she goes to Cordelia out in LA.  Or out to Angel and his crew."  Dawn nodded at that.  "I've got paperwork leaving her to them."

"If you and Ryan get seriously serious can we amend that?  He's a nice guy," Dawn offered.

Xander blushed.  "It'd have to mean we'd be together long term, Dawn.  On our first anniversary I'll ask him if he wants me to amend it."  She nodded, finishing her ice cream. "Do you want us to write out statements here?"

"We usually tape them for later transcription," Horatio offered.  "Do you two need a ride back to the lab?"

"No, we're okay to drive," Dawn said, smiling at him.  "I promise not to make him dawdle."

"Thank you, Dawn.  I'll see you both there."  He got up and headed out to go back to the office and make sure Ryan could handle taking their statements. Ryan needed to know what Xander was capable of doing.  It would be something that could tear them apart later.

Xander looked at Dawn. "I don't dawdle."

"Now and then you do. We should go.  That way you can blush and stammer at Ryan again."  He blushed but got up and left with her.  She came back to get her jacket but followed.

***

Xander smiled at his boss the next morning.  "I'm back, he took a deal.  Our offer on the house was put in and we'll know within weeks."

"Why were you at the crime lab yesterday?  One of the guys saw you."

"We were in the courthouse when they tried to do a cheap assault."

"Oh.  So you had to give statements?"

"Yeah, Dawn bit the guy who tried to take her hostage.  Which one told you I was there?"

"Peter."

Xander shook his head. "He gossips worse than my ex Anya."  He put on his toolbelt. "How did my team do yesterday?"

"Pretty good.  We're doing cabinets and the last room of painting."  He smirked. "You've done good with them."

"Thanks, boss."  He grinned and headed inside.  "I'm back!" he called.  He stopped to look at a wall.  "Who painted this?"  Someone came out looking sheepish.  "Clean it up."  She nodded, going to do that.  He went to check the kitchen, adjusting one of the cabinets that wasn't fully hitched in yet.  "We do not leave cabinets hanging, guys.  It can strip the screws and then they fall at a later date and give Habitat for Humanity a bad name."  That got a nod and they went back to looking at what needed to be done today. He checked the rest of the house and came out to amend the list.  They were a few days ahead of schedule. It was definitely making him happy.

***

Dawn met up with Ray Junior after school.  "Hi.  You don't think I'm really psycho, right?"

"No, not in the least," he admitted, grinning at her. "Heading home?"

"Yup.  We're waiting on phone calls about our purchase of the house."  They nodded and he followed her home, finding officers at the door.  "Excuse me?" she called.  One of them turned to look at her.  "I live here is there a problem?"

"Ma'am, there was an eviction order?"

"Which was put on hold.  We put an offer in on the house with a guy named Chad at the drug seizure office."  One of them nodded and went to make the call.  "Xander's at the site and I can call him if I need to."  The officer came back.  "Do we still have to move?"

"No, Miss.  It was put on hold," he told his partner.  "The offer was being held for forty- eight hours while they see if anyone else wanted to offer for it."  That got a nod.  He looked at Dawn.  "He did say to tell you there had been one other one."  She nodded at that.  "So your parents might want to call."

"Guardian. He's my big brother."  That got a nod.  "Anything else?"  They shook their heads.  "I'll tell him. Thank you, officers."  They headed off and she got them inside, going to call Xander immediately.  "I came home to two guys in uniforms, Xander.  No, they didn't get the memo about the eviction being on hold.  So they called and found out there's another offer.  You need to call that Chad guy.  No, I'm here with Ray Junior. Of course I'll call his mom," she said, rolling her eyes.  "Homework, Xander.  What else?  Oh, please!  I'm not ready for the sex yet and you *know* I'm not like that.  Thanks."  She hung up.  "Don't forget to call your mom.  He doesn't want her to yell at me."

Ray Junior smiled and called her desk.  "Mom, it's me.  I'm with Dawn working on the social studies stuff.  I'm fine and I'll be home for supper.  Or if you get off early come pick me up here.  Uncle H probably has the address."

"If not, Ryan does.  He and some guy named Eric stayed with us that last day."

"If not, she said Ryan or Eric have the address since they guarded them here.  Laters."  He hung up.  "Gotta love voicemail."

Dawn nodded.  "True.  I'm a year ahead of you in social studies. Do you need help?"  He nodded. "Sure. I did okay."  She sat down at the table with him, working on his homework for a while.

***

Xander looked up from his explanations at the sound of an impolite cough.  "Give me a few."  He went back to explaining how to put in a garbage disposal and the guy nodded, heading inside to attempt it.  "Yes?" he asked.  "Are you with Habitat?"

"No, I'm with the Department of Children's Services," she admitted.  "I'm Mrs. Priont."

"Hi.  Xander Harris.  Are you the one who got Dawn's case from Cali?"  She nodded.  "Then let's sit down.  Guys, I'm taking ten, behave," he called.  He sat down across from her. "What can I do for you, ma'am?"

"First, I wanted to go over things with you.  You do have to report to us monthly, Mr. Harris, about your income."

"I'm not accepting any help for her.  She doesn't need it."

"She is on a state medical card."

"No she's not.  She was for two weeks when her sister had custody of her, but she hasn't been since then."

"I have the paperwork saying they never took her off."

"Interesting.  I haven't gotten one and we left fairly quickly after her sister died."

"That's fine, I'll straighten that out for you, Mr. Harris."

"Xander, please."

"All right then."  She relaxed some.  "Now, even without that we do have to talk about finances."

"I make a good salary here.  When we first moved, before my first paycheck, and when we had an emergency move due to someone trying to break in and take her, we did dip into a few thousand of her trust but I've been paying that back."

"I see.  Why did you move?"

"Sunnydale was getting more and more dangerous by the day," he admitted quietly, shifting some.  He clasped his hands on the table then looked at her.  "Sunnydale had a very high death rate.  Her sister and I were both involved in the protection of the citizens now and then."

"A neighborhood patrol?"

Xander nodded.  "Yes.  Something like that only less organized now and then.  Mostly for the kids around our own age.  Mostly to keep the predators off them in the club in town and things."  She nodded at that.  "Her mother died and then her sister died two weeks later.  Between the memories and grief starting to choke the both of us and the danger in the town, I decided to move her.  She agreed that it was a wise decision and she picked Miami.  We invited the rest of our group to come with us.  They didn't and they died about two months after we got here."  She made notes on that.  "We went back for their funerals and Dawn was nearly attacked that day."  She dropped her pen to stare at him.  "It was handled," he said quietly.  "I made sure she was safe.  As did a few friends who were in LA at the time."  She nodded more slowly at that.  "The state of California gave me custody because I had a real job.  I was in a steady relationship at that time but she left shortly after Dawn's sister died.  Down here, Dawn's in a good school.  She's talked me into paying the fees out of her trust since I did say it was for education.  She's paid a small allowance out of it."  The boss pulled up.  "Sorry, boss, social worker visited.  I'll be back in there in a few and use this as my later break."

"Sure," he agreed, nodding at her. "I talked to her yesterday, Harris.  I need to do an inspection."

"Stephni's doing a garbage disposal.  Can you check on her?"

"Sure."

"Thanks.  Look at the living room painting too?  She corrected it and it's still soaking in."

"I can do that too."  He went inside to watch over the kids.  He knew Xander wouldn't claim this time as work time, he was honest like that.

Xander looked at her again, giving her a small smile. "I can't spend too long."

"I understand.  Has she made friends?"

"She has.  Including one nephew of a police officer."

"Good.  I like that.  They're usually very upstanding young children."  She stared at him. "You leave her alone in the afternoons?"

"She's fourteen.  She's not a baby to burn the house down.  She can actually cook.  I trust her not to do anything stupid.  She's got her cell and half the time she spends it doing homework and surfing the internet at school.  She calls me when she gets home and if there's a problem. Or if she has to run out and get groceries for dinner.  She likes to mother me for some reason."  She smiled at that, making another note.  "I protest but she's a horrible nag."

"I saw."  She looked at him again.  "You're doing all right with her?"

"Right now the budget's fairly tight.  We're waiting to hear if we can buy the house we're in since our landlord was just convicted of selling and using drugs in front of us. I turned him in."

"I heard she was at the courthouse during that assault."

"She did what I told her to.  She stomped his foot and when that didn't work she bit him and got free, going to hide and let the professionals take care of it," he said simply.

"You have her in self-defense classes?"

"One of her sister's exes was military.  He's the reason we moved.  I've taught her and another of her sister's exes has helped since he used to be a thug at her age."

"All right.  For now I'm going to leave things as they are but I do want to talk to you more again."

"I'm only here until noon on most Saturdays.  This job'll be done in a few weeks and I'll have a few days off then.  Call my boss and he'll tell you when so you can schedule."

"That would be acceptable, Mr. Harris.  Go back to work.  He can't punish you for me being here."

"No but it's not fair to my crew," he admitted, shaking her hand before going inside. "Sorry, guys.  Dawn's social worker just got picked."

"Why does she have one?  Is she in trouble?" one of the mothers on the crew asked.

"No, I'm not her natural family.  They died," he said quietly.  "So I was like her big brother before and now I have custody."

"Awww."  She hugged him. "It'll be fine. You're a nice guy.  Can you help me cover this spot?"

"Sure."  He picked up a brush to teach her the right way to paint again.  The boss clapped him on the back.  "I told her to call you to see when my next free day was so she could schedule me during off time, boss."

"Thanks, Harris.  That's what I wanted you to do."  He looked at him paint.  "Not your best skill?"

"This wallboard sucks it in like there's nothing on top of it.  I'm hoping this is the humidity since it's the third coat of wallboard sealer?"

"It is.  After this, paint the color you're supposed to."

"Yes, sir."  He got back to work rolling the walls with her help.

The boss watched, nodding as they went along.  "This one won't be sucked in," he agreed.  "It'll be fine. Good job so far."

"Boss, I promise, I won't be turning anyone else in that'll mean I'll have to take off for court dates," he said dryly, giving him a look.  That got a smirk.  "Or have the social worker come back again."

"Good.  You're a good worker, Xander.  These things happen to the other guys, just not in the same month."

"I hope I don't have another roller coaster month like this one," he complained.  His phone rang and he checked it then looked at his boss.  "Guy from the drug seizure office."  He answered it.  "This is Harris.  Speak."  He listened then he nodded.  "I can do that just above it.  It'll mean dipping into some savings but I can do that."  He smiled. "That works then.  Thank you."  He hung up.  "I have the house," he said proudly.  "I'll need to get my next paycheck cashed before I can put down the money, boss.  Payday's Friday, right?"

"Right.  I can get it to you tomorrow if you need it."

"No, Friday's fine.  I'm signing things Monday. That gives her forty-eight to figure out if she wants to counter-offer again.  Which means we've got to dip into Dawn's savings."  He grimaced and went back to work.  "So things will definitely settle down soon."

"Good.  I like that."  He looked at the other rooms.  "Xander, the closet?"

"Two of the bolts were stripped.  I called the store, they're supposed to be delivering them here and we haven't gotten 'em yet.  That's why I called you, boss."

"I'll check with the Habitat office," he said, patting him on the back again.  "Good job and good decision."

"I would've told you in your voicemail but it cut me off."

"It was full.  We had a guy on one of the downtown sites back an endloader into a pickup."  Xander hissed and shook his head.  "So it was full.  I don't mind.  I needed to come inspect anyway and I'll make sure you get those bolts either tonight or early tomorrow."  Xander's phone rang and he sighed, making the boss grin.  "Dawn?"

"Yup."  He answered it.  "What?"  He paused and handed his boss the brush.  "Be right there.  Is he down?  Put him in the closet.  Is that Ray Junior?  Good, call his mom or his uncle and tell them.  I'll be right there."  He hung up and looked at him. "Some creepy bastard that came up to Dawn in the mall just tried to break in.  She got him with a frying pan.  I need to go, I'll be back to make up the hours tonight or tomorrow, boss."  He hurried out, heading home.   He wanted to know why this guy was after his little sister.

"He is one fierce pappa," the woman who had been painting with him said.  "I wish my man was that protective of me and my kids."

The boss got to work on the painting.  "He does good work too."  He checked his watch.  It was only an hour before quitting time.  "She is one spoiled and pampered princess now and then."

"Every girl her age is," she agreed.  Another woman came out.  "Dawn called, someone tried to break into their house.  Some creepy guy who came up to her in the mall. She got him with a frying pan."

"Good!  That boy is good for her!" she agreed.  "Praise the Lord for her finding someone so good to finish raising her since her momma died!"  The boss grinned at that.  "Sir, can you come help me move this fridge back into place?  I got the water line hooked up and now it won't move."

"Sure."  He put down the paint roller and came to help.

***

Xander stormed inside the house and around the officers, making Dawn look at him.  "You okay?"

"I didn't kill him."

"Good.  Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," she sighed, hugging him. "I promise I'm fine.  Ray Junior was very impressed with my frying pan skills since I was making grilled cheese at the time."  Ray laughed at that and nodded. "See?  Now go find out who creepy guy is so you can kick his ass with Ray's uncle."

"Sure."  He looked at the guy, tipping his face up.  "Do I know you?"  He slowly shook his head, looking dazed.  "Have anything to do with the Initiative or Sunnydale?"  He shook his head again, looking confused.  "Have anything to do with Buffy?"  He shuddered but shook his head.  "You knew Buffy?"

"Bad names."

"Hmm.  Good."  He let his chin go, looking at Dawn.  "Doesn't look like it's ours."  The guy lunged away from the officer and tried to knock Xander over but he kicked him back and down, then stomped on his chest, making him whimper in pain.  "That was terminally stupid," he sneered, staring down at him.  "You're damn lucky there's almost no weapons in the house."  The man coughed.  "Good!  I hope I punctured your lung!  You came in and threatened my little sister!" he shouted.

"Want him," he gasped.  "Please!  Hurts!"

Xander leaned down, putting more pressure on the foot standing on him.  "Good.  I'm glad it hurts.  I don't care if you were coming after Ray and she got in the way.  You're damn lucky I don't have a weapon."  The man nodded.  "Now, I suggest you confess," he sneered.  "Then they might take you to the ER or let the block doc take you."  He got off him and kicked him in the side.  "That's for trying to attack me, stupid."  He spat on him and moved to look at Dawn's wrist since she was rubbing it.  "Bad swing angle?"

"Heavy damn pan," she complained, letting him look at it. "I swung funny," she assured him. "I'm fine."

"I froze," Ray admitted.

"She's used to danger, our former town was more dangerous," Xander told him.  "We're still both retired."  He grinned at him.  "You okay?"

"I'm fine."

"Did you remember to tell your mom or uncle?"

"Oops?" he offered with a grin.

"Call someone there who's not one of them."

"Call Ryan.  He can come for dinner," Dawn said with a shrug.  "He was really nice and protective when he was watching us after someone tried to take me."  Ray gaped at her. "My sister's ex is military and unhinged.  Kept talking about vampires."  Ray just moaned and pulled out his phone, calling the number he had for Eric, heading into the kitchen to get a soda.  "Get me one too please, Ray."  She looked at Xander.  "I only knocked him down and drug him by his nose."

"That's fine.  We may have the house."

"Whoo-hoo!" she cheered, getting up to hug him.  "You are my favorite fussy person, big brother. I'll even make Spike leave you alone when he comes down for a visit."

"Sure."  He sat down with her, letting Ray have her other side.  He took the soda Ray handed him.  "Thanks, Ray."

"Welcome, Xander."  He looked at Dawn then at him.  "Why was your town so dangerous?  I looked it up online and there's some weird stuff about it."

"Some of it's true, but you'd have to ask your uncle why," he admitted.  That got a nod.  "Sorry, I don't want to rob anyone of any innocence they have left."

Dawn looked at him then at Xander. "I want to introduce him to Spike. He thinks he knows thugs."  Ray moaned.

"As long as you make sure Spike's still safe first," he said firmly.

"Of course," she said, patting him on the knee.  "It'll be fun."  She smiled at Ray.  "It'll be okay.  Spike was one of my favorite babysitters and he helped me learn self defense."

"That's pretty cool."

"He's a former British thug."

"Very cool then.  Sure, I can meet with your old friend and babysitter."

"Cool."  Dawn smiled as Eric stomped in. "I hit him with the frying pan and drug him into the closet by his nose."

"Okay.  Why?"

"He was coming in the kitchen window and we were here alone.  He came up to us in the mall and was creepy so I drove him off then too."

"Uh-huh.  Ray, does your uncle know?"  Ray nodded.  "Xander?"

"She told me and I went back over her self-defense that night."  Ryan stomped in. "Hi.  You got called too?"

"I did."  He looked at the guy then at Xander.  "That's more than a frying pan."

"He rushed Xander and Xander kicked his butt," Ray admitted with a grin.  "Kicked him back when he lunged, stomped on his chest for trying to go after Dawn.  Kicked him on the side for trying him."

"Interesting."  He looked at Xander.  He started to say something and just smiled instead. "So I take it you're good in self-defense?"

"With my past?"

"Point.  Is this your past, her past, or something else?"

"Ask Uncle Horatio.  He knows about the guy and the guy didn't know anything about her former town when Xander asked him," Ray told him.

"Sure."  He called Horatio.  "Boss, Ryan.  Dawn and your nephew Ray just defeated an intruder.  No, Dawn smacked him with a hot frying pan by the burns on his forehead and Xander had to kick him a few times when he tried to get free.  I don't know why the officers didn't stop him, boss.  No, we're here."  He hung up.  "He's on his way."  He looked at the officers.  "You guys let him handle it?"

"He lunged at him and the guy kicked him before we could react, sir," one said firmly.  "Then we stared in awe."

Xander grinned.  "Thanks, guys, but I'm nowhere near Bruce Lee."  Dawn pinched him, making him yelp.  "Ow!  Heathen wench!  Watch me not order pizza tonight to celebrate maybe having the house."  Ryan and Eric both smiled at that.  "I bid above the top limit the other lady set," he admitted with a grin.  "She's got forty-eight to decide and I go to sign papers on Monday."

"That's super," Ryan said with a smile.  "It's going to be a while before we clear out so you can order."  Horatio and Yelina walked in together with Frank behind them.

"Sorry, mom, I froze.  Dawn hit him with the pan she was making us grilled cheese in."  He gave his uncle a sheepish look.  "She's amazing."

"So I've seen.  Congratulations, Xander.  The other woman was his wife and excluded."  Xander got up and snoopy danced, making him smile at the younger man.  "Celebrate later.  What happened to him?"

"I hit him with the frying pan and drug him into the closet by the nose.  The officers got here and handcuffed him.  When Xander got here Ray asked if it was about me or him.  Xander asked him if he knew what a Sunnydale was. He said no.  The guy tried to lunge at Xander so Xander kicked him back then stomped on his chest to do a bit of mild ranting and sneering, then he got him in the side for trying him.  The chest stomp was for trying to hurt me."

Yelina blinked at that then at Xander, who shrugged and sat down again, grinning sweetly. "How well trained are you, Xander?"

"Well enough to defend myself and others if I had to."

"I see.  Can you help Horatio teach my son?"

"Of course.  If he wants me to."

Horatio smiled. "We can work on Dawn's together, Xander. Mr. Wolfe can help us."  Dawn beamed at that.  He smirked at her.  "You're all right?"

"My wrist is a bit sore. It was an odd angle and the pan's super major heavy cast iron.  It's a pain to clean too.  All scrubbing and nastiness. Super bitchy pan to use but it was clean and on top of the stove."

"I was going to make that pan bread you wanted tonight.  That was to remind myself," Xander admitted.

"We can have it tomorrow night when we get a new pan," she said, patting him on the knee again.  She looked at Ray Junior, then at his mom.  "Can we go to my room so we're out of the way?  We'll leave the door open even though I'm nowhere near ready for the sex yet or dating stuff."

"Go ahead, children," she agreed.  Dawn smiled and got up, pulling Ray with her to listen to music.  "She's very strong."

"She had to watch her sister and I go out to protect others every night for most of her life," Xander said quietly.  "Of course she is, Detective."  He gave her a look.  "She's also just as protective as I am.  She'll protect Ray if they're together up to the point when someone steps in to help her."  That got a nod.  "She's also very good at running."

"Plus she had the same sort of problems Ray did before her sister died," Horatio shared quietly.

"Yup, and she just said Spike's going to be here soon. She's planning on showing Ray that his little thug buddies ain't nothin' using him.  Fortunately he's mostly harmless now," he assured her. "He was one of Dawn's favorite babysitters because he let her get away with *everything*."

"We'll see.  I'd like to meet this man first."

"Sure, if I can.  He's not real fond of daytime."  Yelina stared at him in horror.  "The Initiative got him first," he said quietly, staring her down.  "He's harmless.  He babysat Dawn and got tortured by us for years.  He's been off tormenting Mickey Mouse and riding the night coasters at MGM in Orlando."

"I'd still rather be there."

"So will I," he promised with a grin.  That got a nod and he looked at Ryan, then at Horatio.  "Any of the others who wants to can come too."

"Sure," Ryan agreed.  "He got any good stories about you as a gangly teenager?"

"He thinks I'm still a gangly teenagers and a useless whelp.  He'll tell you all sorts of stories about how I fell and tripped during patrols and things."  That got a small grin from Eric.  "I know, and I did, just not as often as he thinks."  He shrugged.  "Anyone need anything?  We should have bottles of water in the fridge."

"No thank you, sir," one of the officers offered. He looked at Horatio.  "Should we drag him back for interrogation?"

"Please," Horatio agreed.  "Frank, Yelina, go with him.  I'll gather Ray Junior together and follow."  They nodded, taking him with them.  "Boys, do the scene."  They nodded, going to do the kitchen window and the frying pan.  He looked at Xander.  "It'll be fine."

Xander nodded. "I know it will."  He grinned. "It still only happens when something happens around Dawn."

"I like that, Xander.  Are you sure I can't talk you into joining the department?"  Eric gave him an odd look from the kitchen.

"It's still too dangerous, Lieutenant.  Would you like to stay for dinner?"

"No, that's all right.  I've got plans.  Thank you anyway, Xander."  He smiled, heading for Dawn's room. They were playing music on her computer. "Come on, Ray.  We're going back to the station for a formal statement."  Dawn looked at him.  "Eric can take yours, Dawn."  She nodded, ejecting a CD and handing it to his nephew.  "Copying?"

"She's got some great music, Uncle Horatio."  He grinned at Dawn.  "Saturday afternoon?"

"Call me.  I'm here and bored."  He nodded, going to put the CD away safely and grab his books to head out.  He'd later find out he'd have to switch social studies books with her in the morning but that was all right with him.  He had his homework safely stored away.

Eric finished taking fingerprints and came back inside.  "Dawn, let's get a statement," he called.  She came out of her room, giving him an interested look. "Here or your room's either fine."

"Xander, pizza me?" she begged.  "Can Eric stay?"

"If he wants," Xander agreed.  He looked at Ryan.  "Or you," he offered with a grin.

"I might have to drop stuff off but I'll be back later," he promised with a grin of his own.

"Wolfe, I'll drop it off.  You'll sugar me to death with the sap," Eric complained, making Dawn giggle and punch him on the arm.  "Ow!"

"Sorry, I learned how to hit from Buffy."  She led him back to her room and sat down on her bed so he could take the statement he'd need.

Ryan sat down next to Xander.  "So, what sort of pizza?"

"Dominoes."  He pulled out his phone and called them.  "Hi, need to make an order for delivery please?  Harris.  That's us.  What's on special?  That's good.  Supreme.  One cheese.  Thanks."  He hung up and looked at the hallway.  "Thirty-five minutes.  Clean your room before you come back out."

"It's not that messy," Eric called.

Xander shrugged. "I have to give parental orders now and then."

"I know you do."  He took his hand to hold.  "How was work?"

"I owe them an hour and a half for today.  The social worker showed up for a preliminary interview since they've just got the paperwork from Cali."  He looked out the door at his peering neighbor.  "Someone tried to break in," he called.  "Dawn got them with a frying pan.  There were so many cops because one was an officer's nephew."  She ducked back over the fence.  "There, so the older ladies up the street hear the truth."  He grinned and Ryan smirked, shaking his head.  "They're very good at watching the house and I gave one neighbor my cellphone number in case something happened to Dawn."  He nodded at that.  "I've gotten all sorts of calls about 'was she supposed to wear that'."  Ryan snickered.  "Now and then she does have very adult taste in clothes."  He squeezed Ryan's hand then Eric came out.  "Are you sure you don't need him or want to stay for pizza, Eric?"

"It's good, Xander.  Thanks."  He grinned and walked off, closing the door behind him.   One of the neighbors on the unfenced side stopped him.  "Is there a problem, ma'am?"

"Are they in trouble?  I know they've had some with the landlord."

"The landlord got busted for using drugs in front of Xander, ma'am.  Today was a break- in and an officer's nephew was in the house. That's why so many of us came.  The later detectives were his family."

"That's sweet," she said, smiling and patting his hand. "Can I get you to check on a smell for me?  I can't make it into the basement and there's an awful smell.  I'm hoping it's not Horace."

"Horace, ma'am?  Your pet?"

"No, my husband.  He's been dead for years."  He just nodded and followed her back, gagging at the stench of dead people.  She opened the basement door and pointed at the pull cord.  "There's the light."

"I'll check.  You stay there, ma'am."  He turned on the light and went down there, finding a dead husband's corpse, a fairly old one, and a lot of dead rats too.  He called Alexx.  "I'm checking a suspicious smell at one of Xander's neighbor's.  No, she said she was worried it was her dead husband, and it appears it is.  Along with a lot of dead rats.  Thanks, Alexx.  That's where I am."  He hung up and went back up the stairs.  "Ma'am, I'm sorry to say it is your husband."

"Shoot, I had hoped when I killed him he would've quit stinking up my house.  What does it take to make that man quit stinking?  Poison didn't.  The butcher knife didn't either."  She frowned at him. "How do you make them quit smelling?"

"Usually I use an air spray," he offered.  "Why don't we sit on your couch and wait for someone to come take him away.  That way he quits smelling up the house."  She nodded and put on some water for tea, making them some tea before taking him to the sitting room.  Where he opened all the windows and doors to air out the residence.

Ryan heard the siren and looked outside at the ME's van pulling up and another officer.  "Huh.  I wonder what that is?"

"Misses Rower," Dawn told him.  "She wanted to know why her husband wouldn't quit stinking.  She said she killed him a few years back."

"She didn't bury him very well either," Xander admitted.  "Smelled worse than a crypt in there when I went to change her back lightbulb for her."

Ryan stared at him.  "From now on, tell us about those, okay?"

"Sure," they agreed, then shrugged.  Xander got up to sign the slip for the pizza guy and took the food to the table.

Ryan waved at Alexx.  "They told them she killed him a few years back."

"Oh, good."  She went in there to handle it, shaking her head the whole way.  She was still telling Eric how her husband stunk up the house all the time and that's why she killed him.  Eric saw her and nodded at the open door, excusing himself to go down with her.  "They were right."  Eric gave her an odd look.  "Ryan said they told that family he's with that she killed him a few years back."

"Yeah, but why the new stink?"

"Something probably burrowed in and died from the poison.  That's the only thing that would've killed so many rats."

"She mentioned poison and a butcher knife."

"She wanted to make sure he quit being so smelly then."  She got down to check the body, nodding.  "Yup, we've got a burrowing thing in here that's dead too.  That's the stench of the moment."  She picked up the dead rats, putting them into a tupperware box and then the body got picked up and taken back to the van, driven back to the station.  She smiled at Eric.  "We should bring her."

"We should but I don't think she's too lucid," he said quietly.

"Yay. You know the rules."  She went to spray herself with fabric refresher then went to check on Ryan, finding Xander and Dawn arguing about house colors.  "I've always liked a mild blue," she offered.

"I want something watery but not too blue," Dawn admitted.  "Who're you?"

"That's Alexx, she's our ME," Ryan admitted, letting her in.  "Alexx, this is Dawn Summers and Xander Harris."

"Hi."  She smiled at them and then especially at Xander.  "He's okay?"

"He's just fine.  He backed his endloader into a pickup."  She giggled at that.  "Have pizza with us, please.  We're celebrating probably getting this house."

"Thank you, sugar."  She went to get a slice and came out to chat with them, getting to know her baby's significant other.  "Which site are you working on now?"

"The Habitat site we donated time and manpower to.  We're nearly done," Xander said proudly.  Dawn smiled at him.  "Which means I'll be back uptown soon."  He ate another bite.  "So, Ryan said you adopted him.  You can mother Dawn all you want."

"He doesn't understand," Dawn told him, patting her on the wrist.  "My mother tried to and he used to get this look on his face like she was doing alien experiments."  Alexx giggled at that.  "So why did you adopt Ryan?"

"He needed it.  The poor baby was all alone."

"I've got an uncle.  He's not fully sane but I've got one."

"They found Uncle Rory's body," Xander told them.  "So they've declared him dead."

"So the FEMA guys are coming back?" Dawn asked.

"I already sent back the paperwork."

"Oh, good.  Then we can definitely afford the house.  If we have to dip back into my trust you'll pay me back out of that."  Xander nodded.  "Excellent."  She smiled at Ryan.  "So, I know what you do but I should be a nosy child to make sure you're good enough to suit my Xander buddy.  After all, he was my first crush.  Only the most special won't get his ass kicked by me."

"Fire away," he agreed happily.

"Have you ever had to doctor a case to keep someone innocent from harm?"

He blinked at her.  "You don't ask the easy ones.  It hasn't come up yet," he admitted.

She nodded at that.  "That's a reasonable answer I guess.  Where do you stand on the killing of spousal abusers?"  She ate a bite of pizza, staring at him.

"I think they should be locked away so they can only hurt other spousal abusers," he admitted after a moment's thought.  "By that time, therapy doesn't always prove effective to keep it from happening again.  Now those who kill their spouse or significant other?  They deserve the needle."  She beamed at that.  "The same as child molesters do."  She nodded.  "The same as I think rapists should."

"Good. I like that.  How do you feel about vampires?"

"I'm not fond of them, what little I know.  I'm hoping you're right and Spike's mostly harmless."

"He's still chipped," she promised.

Alexx coughed.  "We know vampires?"

"I hunted vampires with her older sister," Xander admitted.  "Field medicine.  Like I said the first time we met," he told Alexx.  "Not like we could go to the hospital for it."  Dawn nodded at that.  "The first time I met her I saved someone in front of her."

"Staking?"

"Big piece of glass in his neck."

"Eww."  She shook her head. "I don't want to deal with gross things for a living.  That's why I'll never really and fully hunt."  Xander gave her a hug.  "Mr. Mush, eat."  He laughed and dug hin again.  "I guess I should find something I want to be."

"You've got time," Ryan assured her calmly.  "I didn't know I wanted to be an officer until I was nineteen and in college."  She smiled at that.  "You can ask Alexx and I what we do if you were thinking about it," he offered.

"I'm not sure I could handle being an officer.  I mean, it's dangerous, like Xander told your bossman.  But it's also got to be frustrating now and then when the bad guy gets away."

"It can be," Ryan admitted.  "But we usually get them the next time they screw up."  She nodded at that, smiling a bit. "If you wanted to think about it, I'd gladly sit down and give you the long 'so you want to be an officer/CSI' talk."  She beamed and nodded. "Sure, this weekend?"

"I'm going out with Ray Junior and the gang."

"Provided his mother doesn't buy a leash," Xander reminded her.

"Good point."  She finished her slice.  "Anyone want more?"  Xander handed over his plate and so did Ryan so she got them more and added another one to Alexx's plate too, earning a smile.  "I learned fussing from my mother and fashion from my sister."

"Thou shalt not wear the backless shirts your sister did," Xander said firmly.  "Not until you're old enough to club."

"Yes, dad."  She looked up.  "I'm not even ready for that yet, and he's already starting."

"Don't worry, baby, when you date he'll put you in clothes you can't get out of," Alexx assured her with a smile.  She grinned back.  "How is school going?"

"Different.  We don't have found body fire drills down here.  When they find one down here they put us in lockdown instead of calling a fire drill.  It's very different."  She ate another bite.  Then she looked at her. "If Xander lets me I do babysit."  Xander nodded that he'd allow it. "Which would supplement my pitiful sixty dollar a month allowance."

"That's more than I got," Ryan offered.

"Me too," Xander agreed.  "I was doing odd jobs by her age whenever I wanted money."

She looked at him. "You said I can't get a job until I'm seventeen."

"You can't.  Reminding myself why I worked."  She nodded at that, giving him a hug.  "Did you know you were on a medical card?"

"Yeah, I have my last one in my wallet so they could search by number."  He nodded at that.  "I haven't had one since we moved."

"The social worker noted it today.  She said she'd check into it."  Dawn nodded at that, going back to nibbling.  "So, do we like the Ray?"

"I like him a lot as a friend and if he turns into the hottie his uncle is, there's some definite droolage coming but he's younger than me and I'm not ready for the sex yet, Xander.  I'm not even ready for real dating."

"Just checking," he promised, kissing her on the head. "Anything else I should know?"

"Can I use some of my trust for shopping?"

"Hell no."

"Fine," she complained, frowning at him. "I'd get you cute stuff."

"No, Dawn.  I make more than enough to take you school shopping."  She sighed and nodded. " Thank you.  You have more clothes than I do."

"Yes, dad."  He grinned at her.  "Um, the rest of the stuff in storage is being moved down here.  Angel arranged it on you."

"How much more is this one going to cost?"

"It's not.  The local storage place is less and he wanted it out of Sunnydale."  She looked at him.  "So, um....."

He considered it.  "I don't care if you get into Buffy's things but you are not to bring her weapons here.  Understood?"  She nodded at that.  "Good.  I've got my hunting pack in the bottom of my closet if we need it."  She gave him a hug.  "I know, princess. If you want to steal some of their clothes you can."

"Yes, Xander."  She went back to eating.  "Can I have Ray help me if he wants?"

"If he wants.  Don't blackmail him into it."  She nodded quickly.  "He may not be ready for that step yet, Dawn."

"I know, but we've got Willow's and Giles' stuff too.  That's the real reason he moved it, in case something of theirs went active."

"You can have Willow's altar and that stuff.  You do not use it without permission, you do not use it like she would have, and you are being tutored in it."

"Yes, Xander."  She stared at him.  "That's more than reasonable but I wanted Tara's altar and he sent it down too."  Xander slumped.  "She's still asleep," she said quietly, taking his hand.  "He said Cordy's not doing great either, Xander."  He nodded at that.  "So we're going to have to talk about the paperwork stuff."

"I know," he admitted, looking at them. "Sorry, we didn't mean to bring anyone down.  It's a hard life and we die young doing it.  That's why I gave it up for her."  She smiled at him and took his hand to squeeze.  "Good."

"Xander, if you need it, I'll help," Ryan reminded him.  He got a smile.  "I'm great at organizing."

"You should do his closet," Dawn told him.  "It's a wreck and a half, Ryan. I had to make him look cute the other night.  Had to *drag* him to find something cute and non-frumpy."

"It was not," Xander complained.

She stared at him and nodded. "Yes it was.  Even the saleswoman said it was, Xander."

"I liked you in that outfit," Ryan said quietly, getting a blush.  "We can do the closet stuff later.  How much stuff is in storage?"

"If they sent Willow's stuff, probably some of her parent's stuff.  If they sent Giles', a lot of books," Xander admitted. "We had to remove the school's library before graduation."  Ryan moaned.  "That's the same noise my back made."  Ryan giggled at that.  "Anyway, it'll mostly stay in storage."  Dawn looked at him. "I doubt you need the books or that the Watchers are coming down to get them."

"They might."  He shrugged at that.  "Plus the sword collection."

"It can stay in storage," he said in a sing-song voice.  He paused.  "Hold on, that means they probated his will."  She nodded. "Who did he leave things to?"

"The remainder of the group or Buffy and us.  Gunn was there for you since Angel said you hadn't been notified while you were up during the funeral."  She grinned.  "So I really can afford some new clothes."

"You have so much it spills out of your closet and onto your floor. You don't need them.  When you outgrow them you can have more."

"Yes, Xander," she sighed, digging in again.  She looked at the giggling Alexx.  "Isn't he such a good daddy?"

"Very and I know he'll make my baby boy very happy," she said, smiling at him.

"Calleigh's already warned me," he promised.

"Good.  I'm sure they could hide your remains for me," she agreed happily.  She stood up.  "I should go back and autopsy the neighbor's husband.  Thank you for dinner, children, and I'll see you soon.  We'll have a picnic so you can meet the biological children and my husband."  She smiled and kissed Dawn on the cheek, then petted the two boys before heading out.  She was very sure Xander and Ryan suited each other.  They were both weird in the same ways and nothing touched what was Xander's.  So her baby would be well protected if something happened to her.

Xander looked at Ryan.  "I feel like I should sigh in relief."

Dawn nodded.  "Meeting parents for the first time can be relatively nerve wracking I read."  She snuggled against his arm.  "Ryan, the flowered dress was one they wouldn't take when I drug him.  So trying is okay on that but it didn't work."  She looked at Xander.  "You know, some of Buffy's stuff might fit you, or Mom's."

"Your mother would've freaked out if she had known, Dawn."

"She did know, Xander."  She gave him a look.  "She knew.  I told her.  I couldn't keep the secret totally when you needed pantyhose help."  She shrugged.  "She would want it to go to charity or you could bum some."

"We'll think about it."

"Good.  Now, what're we going to do about the Cordy stuff?"  Xander sighed.  "Best to get the depressing things all out at once."

"I don't know," he admitted. "I'm not sure I trust Wesley to watch you properly.  Or Gunn.  I respect Gunn and Wes but I'm not sure they're ready to be daddy sorts.  I definitely don't trust Angel with that soul clause."  He looked at Ryan.  "I told her I'd talk to you about this when we had our first year anniversary."

"I'd make a horrible parent," Ryan said, eyes wide.  "I really will."  Dawn giggled. "Seriously.  Me having OCD means that you'd be scrubbing the bathroom and your room every single day, Dawn.  There would be no such things as clothes on the floor. It's one of those things I knew a long time ago."  She nodded at that.  "So, I wouldn't care but I'd be so terrible at it."

"But you make a good uncle."

"I do," he agreed, smiling at her. "I make a terrific uncle.  Maybe even a stepdad as long as there's a layer between me and the person I'm going to traumatize by trying to make them OCD too."

Xander grinned at that.  "Not getting that far ahead."

"True.  Stating a firm line," Ryan assured him.

Dawn looked up at Xander.  "What about his coworkers?  We trust them and about half of them have figured out or have been told what went on in Sunnydale."

Xander considered it. "That's a hell of a burden, Dawn.  We barely know them."  He looked at her.  "Really."

"Yeah, true, but they know.  Besides, it's not like I'm a toddler.  I'm fourteen now.  This is only in case of accidents and stuff so I have someone there so the state can't snatch me and put me into foster care again."  Ryan raised an eyebrow.  "When mom died, they didn't think Buffy was fit for a week so I ended up in foster care.  It wasn't that terrible but I hated it.  I'm not going there again.  Ever."  Xander gave her a hug.  "Eat."  Xander took a bite and she grinned. "I can agree to Wes or Gunn.  Gunn might be the cooler one."

"They could die and they'd have to give up hunting," Xander reminded her.

"True."  She snuggled back into his side.  "We'll call them later.  That way you can get the manifest of what is coming down exactly."  Xander nodded. "Plus figure out where all of Giles' crap went since he had that estate issue."  Xander moaned at that.  "We might even have to go back for a few days."

"Hopefully not this month.  I've missed too many hours already this month."  She nodded, getting comfortable with a small yawn.  "Why don't you head to bed?" he suggested quietly.  "We'll be quiet and good boys while you nap."  She nodded, going to take a shower and do that.  "Sorry."

"No, you have to think about those things. You're her guardian and you have to think about it to protect her."  He leaned forward.  "I'm flattered but I'd still make a horrible guardian."

"I said the same thing."  He grinned.  "It's not a problem.  I'm still not thrilled with the life expectancy she'd have out in LA with the hunting they do and hell's lawyers on their case all the time."  He put his plate on the floor and laid down.  "I'm also very unsure about borrowing any of Joyce's clothes."

"So don't."  He grinned.  "I might enjoy taking you shopping."  Xander blushed at that.  "Really."  He grinned brighter when Dawn came out to steal Xander's plate and refill it, taking it back to her room with another soda.  "Night, Dawn."

"Good night, Ryan.  I'm leaving my music on quietly so you don't have to be super quiet.  You guys can watch tv or make him clean his closet or something."  She winked at him and went back to her room, shutting the door.

"She's adorable when she's pushy."

"She is," Xander agreed, grinning at him.  "I could do some laundry.  Give me a few."  He heaved himself up with a groan and went to gather his dirty clothes then put them into the washer.  He found Ryan in his closet and blushed.  "Sorry it's such a wreck."

"It's not. You sorted most everything by type of clothes."  He pulled him closer, pointing at something.  "Was that the dress she was talking about?"  Xander nodded.  He grinned at him.  "Did you look like a librarian?"

"I so do," he agreed, shrugging some. "But it hides the big shoulders and arms."

Ryan kissed him again.  "There's other ways of doing that and I don't mind some muscles on my girl."  He took another kiss and looked at the closet again.  "What do you look like in the black dress?"  Xander frowned so he pointed.  Xander pulled it out.  "Dawn?"

"Dawn!" he snapped.  Her door was locked and they heard her giggle. "You're in trouble.  You're grounded!"

"It'll look good on you," she called back. "Try it on and see."  She giggled again.

Xander sighed and shook his head.  "Sorry."

"Try it on, let's see," Ryan encouraged, stroking Xander's hips.  "You don't even have to put on everything."  He sat down on the bed and Xander shimmied out of his clothes, putting them into the basket. He slid the dress over his head, earning a moan. "I do like that. It skims everything."  He stood up and walked Xander over to her mirror, making her look.  "See, not bulky.  You look like a woman who works out."  Xander smiled at that.  "Plus it's soft.  I like soft things."  He ran his hand over the short sleeves, then nibbled on Xander's ear.  "I like you in this, you need another one for our next date like this."

Xander turned to look at him.  "Can our next date be as guys?"

"Sure.  Did you want to go do guy things?"

"It's all the same to me."

"Then we can hit a gay club and it'll be fine," he promised, kissing him again.  The dress was easily moved and gave him total access to what he wanted to touch and nibble on.  Xander pulled the dress off and Ryan hung it back up then got his boyfriend onto the bed and out of his boxers.  Ryan's clothes were put on top of the dresser.  "Alarm?"  Xander turned on the alarm and things were good and nice again, including the cuddles afterward.  Then Xander looked up and gave him a wicked grin.  Ryan arched an eyebrow up, holding in a smirk at his naughty look.  Xander moved down to lick Ryan clean from where they had rubbed off against each other.  Ryan grabbed the headboard, hissing in pleasure as Xander used his tongue and little nibbles to clean him, making it even better.  Then Xander swallowed him. Ryan keened as he arched up.  Xander went down further.  He watched his head move up and down, making it great again.  He finally came again and went limp, panting hard.  "Xander," he said, pulling him up to kiss.  "How did you want it?"

"In?" he suggested.

Ryan rolled onto his stomach, letting him have whatever he wanted. "Gently.  It's been a while."  Xander nodded and got to work slowly and carefully preparing and stretching him.  It was like torture.  Finally he pushed back and Xander laughed, sheathing himself in him.  That got a moan and it was even better than the blow job.  Xander wasn't a gentle rider after the first few minutes when he was fully into it, but it was so good.  If he could've gotten off a third time, he would've woken Dawn and the rest of the neighborhood.  Instead, Xander woke Dawn and half the neighborhood.  He was vocal and it was great.  Finally Xander flopped down on his back, letting Ryan pull him around to cuddle him.  Xander gave him a kiss and a slight grin. "You're amazing."

"Thank you."

"Welcome.  It was well deserved.  Now, we should rest."  Xander nodded and they curled up together, comfortable.  At least until someone pounded on the door.  Ryan groaned and got up, going to talk to the officer.  "What?" he asked, showing his ID.  "I'm his boyfriend."

"Sorry, sir.  They said he was in here having sex with his little sister?"

"Eww.  You can tell the nosy neighbors I'm here.  Thank you, Officer."

"No, thank you, sir. I didn't want to break anything that horrific up tonight."  He blushed.  "A little more quietly?"

"We have to be up at six.  We're done for the night."

"Thanks, sir."  He headed off, going to tell the neighbor who had flagged him down it wasn't him molesting his little sister, it was him molesting his boyfriend, which made her gasp but quit sobbing about it.  She nodded and went back inside.  He wrote it up as a noise complaint about sex.  Then he left it there.  At least until he had to come back and tell a few neighbors to be more quiet when the young girl in the house called to complain about some of her neighbors getting too loud while they fantasized about the two guys.

***

Xander looked up from his new site five weeks later when his name was yelled, moaning at the person standing there.  "I'm on lunch soon.  Tell her that," he called.  The lawyer nodded and stomped back to her car.  He groaned and said a silent prayer that he didn't have to slay at work today.  He knew exactly who Lilah Morgan was. She had shown up at the funeral and Angel had told him.  His boss looked at him and he shrugged. "Not like I have a clue.  She's one of hell's lawyers.  She's been fighting with the friend we stayed with during the funerals."

"Lunch, Harris."

"Yeah, that's what I told her.  I'm not taking off time unless it's about Dawn."  He shrugged and got back to work.  His boss gave him a fond look.  "Boss, did I make up all those hours?"

"You did.  I'm very proud of that."  He went to look at the lawyer. "I don't know if you realize this but causing him to miss time working cuts down on his check," he said dryly.  "Do you have a good reason for interrupting him at work?"

"I'm over the probate of his friends wills," she said with a grimace.  "I do not want to deal with that man at all."

"Well, he gets his lunch at noon.  So you've got a short wait.  Do we need to call his daughter?"

"No," Xander called.  "She doesn't get near Dawn.  Not without a weapon in my hand."

"Fine," he called back.  "He's a bit protective."

She looked at him.  "He has good reason to be.  I'm not the nicest lawyer."

"Well, he said you were one of hell's lawyers."

She nodded.  "I am."

He walked off at that.  If she was like that he didn't want to stay.  He looked at Xander, who growled and hissed back at her.  "She agreed with you.  She's one of hell's lawyers."

"Literally, boss."  He finished what he was doing and went for a drink.  "What did she want?"

"Probate stuff."

"Crap," he complained. "Just what I don't need today."   He finished up what he was doing and got a nod to take off five minutes early for lunch.  He walked out to get his lunch out of the truck, getting another bottle of water, nodding her to the tables.  He sat across from her.  "What is Wolfram and Hart doing in the probated wills of a witch and a Watcher?"  He opened up his lunch and dug out his sandwich, taking a bite.

"The court appointed us."

"Pity but I'm laughing inside.  Why?"

"They didn't have one."  She stared at him.  "Gunn stood in your family's stead."

"I knew that.  And?"  He ate another bite.  He made a 'go on' motion.  "And?" he asked again once he had swallowed.

"And, with the absence of reasonable wills...."

"Giles and Willow both had reasonable wills.  We made out new ones every year."

"His still mentioned Buffy and her mother."

"I know that.  We do them in January.  They both died since then."

"Whatever.  The judge said that the rest of the will was to be enacted.  It left whatever they had left to whoever was left in the little group you had."  She sneered at him. "Which means you and Miss Summers, who is a minor child."

"I'm ten seconds from hitting you.  Keep going."

"I need you to sign paperwork."  She pulled it out.  "Also, I was given a missive from Wesley.  He'd like Giles books."

"Wesley knows my phone number."  He stared at her, then at the papers, taking the pen one of the guys handed him. "Is any of this going to Tara's care?"

"No.  She wasn't mentioned in Rupert Giles' will.  The state has her care with Angel overseeing," she sneered.  He backhanded her, making her shriek.  "Sorry," she sneered.

"You should be.  Tara's the best woman who ever fucking lived.  Women like you dirty the name of woman.  She's the one the Goddess meant when she made women."  He looked over the forms again.  "By the way, that was for the soul release clause."  He handed that page back and got to work on the other ones.  He handed another sheet back unsigned.  "You're not going near Dawn unless I've got a weapon in my hand, Miss Morgan.  Anything else I can do for you today?  If not, I'll expect it here in storage within the week, like Angel said."  He stared at her and unclicked the pen, handing it back to his coworker.  "Anything else?"

"No," she sneered. "You'll pay for that."

"Sorry, honey, I retired. Go yank Angel.  I hear it makes him happy."  She shrieked and took a swing but he pushed her down again.  "Go yank Angel.  You're not welcome in Miami, you or your firm."  She stomped off to her car, backing off.  He borrowed one guy's lighter, lighting those sheets on fire.  He tossed it back. "I hate that woman.  Her only purpose is to cause misery and dissension."

"You hit a woman?" his boss asked.

"She's not a woman. She's a fucking creature who wants to hurt Dawn and take her from me to use as a sacrifice to gain power."  He stared at him.  "Ever hear of a law firm Wolfram and Hart?"  He nodded slowly then shuddered.  "She's one of their up and coming."  He stood up.  "On that cheery note, I'm going to go start pounding in studs again," he said dryly, going to do that.  Lunch was nice but oh well.  He called Dawn on his walk. "It's me.  Watch your ass.  Lilah Morgan's doing the probate.  She had paper with soul clauses.  Do not sign anything and if she comes near you, you head for Ryan or Horatio.  Understand?"  He hung up on her voicemail. Then he called Ryan. "It's me. I just had to hit one of hell's lawyers.  Watch for Dawn to come running if Miss Morgan comes after her. She is one of Wolfram and Hart's up and coming and she had paperwork from the probates that had soul clauses."  He hung on his inquisitive noise, picking up his hammer and going back to work. Before he ranted and screamed at someone.  He knew she wouldn't arrest him for hitting her. It would make her look worse to her bosses since he had no value to them.

***

Ryan hung up and looked at his phone, then at Calleigh who was at the next table.  "Do we know anything about a Wolfram and Hart law firm?"  She choked and nodded, reaching for her tea.  "I'll wait."  She finally started breathing again.  "What do we know?"

"They defend the scum of the earth," she said, blinking at him. "Why?"

"One of them showed up at Xander's work with forms for the probate stuff.  He warned me Dawn may come running.  He sounded...less than pleased."  His phone rang again.  "Wolfe."  He listened.  "No, they're bad guys," he told Xander's coworker.  "Even we can't stand them.  No, if he hit her, he had good reason.  Xander doesn't hit people without a reason.  No, it's a reasonable thing. Did she threaten Dawn?"  He smiled.  "That's why he did it then.  No, he won't get in trouble.  Because hurting him has no value for these guys and these guys are all about the power plays," he told him.  "Thanks for letting me know.  Sure.  Later."  He hung up and put his head down then looked at her.  "He hit her twice."

"Doesn't surprise me if she was threatening Dawn.  What's going on?  Probates?  They're criminal lawyers."

"From what little I've heard, they've got their hands in a few pies," he admitted, looking at her.  "Dawn's told me that much and that they're bad guys, nothing else."  He called her school.  "I need to get an urgent message to Dawn Summers?"  He smirked.  "That's fine, thank you."  He hung up and called Xander back.  "She's skipping today."  He nodded.  "I know that.  You're not normally violent and Dawn said they're bad guys.  Calleigh said they defend the scum of the earth.  Thanks."  He hung up when he saw Frank.  "Frank?"  He came in.  "Let the guys know if they see Xander's sister Dawn that they have to bring her here for *her* safety?  At least until Xander's off work. The people for their friend's wills is out and they're majorly bad guys who want to kill her for whatever she can do for them."

"Like religious?"

"Like, did you see what she did at the picnic?"

"Wish I didn't but yeah.  I don't want to know how she caught that falling kid.  Oh, wait, they did?"

"They do know.  They're more than willing to kill her to get it.  Xander hit one of their reps twice."

"Wonderful.  Is he in trouble?" Calleigh asked.

"Not yet."  Ryan sighed and put up his lunch.  "Anyway, Dawn's skipping school.  She's allowed two per term."

"I'll put it out informally."  He paused then looked at him.  "Ray Junior skipping?"

"Yup," he said with a smirk.  "The secretary at her school said it was odd that they were gone together, along with a few other kids."

"I'll let Horatio know.  Hopefully she's with the idiots."  He walked off to find Horatio.  Yelina would throw a fit.  Horatio would go there and throw a fit.  He found him coming back.  "Good news and bad news."

"What's the bad news?" Eric asked.

"Someone from Wolfram and Hart came down to talk to Xander about his friend's wills.  Mentioned Dawn.  Xander struck her twice."

"Xander hit a girl?" Eric asked.  Frank nodded.

"And the good news?"  Horatio asked.

"Ryan tried to call her school to warn her.  She's skipping.  The secretary told him it was strange how she and a few boys were all missing on the same day."

"I'll kill him," Horatio sighed, heading back to his hummer.

"Remember, she'll protect him," Eric called after him.

"I don't care, Eric."  He got into his hummer, slamming the door.  Then he pulled out and turned on his phone, looking at the GPS reading he had to the chip he had stuck in his nephew's arm without his mother knowing.  He found them in an alleyway, Dawn beating the snot out of one of them.  He parked and got out, glaring at his nephew.

"Don't look at me," Ray defended, stepping away.  "They hauled her off the bus and out here. I just followed, Uncle Horatio.  I swear."

"You couldn't call?"

"They wanted us to prove we were better," Dawn said, pushing back her hair.  She looked at him then shrugged.  "They kidnaped my ass off the bus.  I'm sorry but this sucks."  She walked away from the one she had been kicking.  "What's up, Lieutenant?"

"Dawn, you're skipping school."

"Not intentionally.  The bright guy there with the red hair has a gun."  He took off running.  "Move further and I'm frying your ass," she yelled. He stopped and fell to his knees.  "Good boy.  Now come here!" she snapped, pointing beside her.  He came back, whimpering and looking at Horatio for support.  She smiled at him.  "Sorry.  I lost my temper earlier."  She frisked him and found the gun, handing it to him.  "That got shoved in my ribs to get me off the bus."

"In the intervening hours?"

"Ray Junior hunted my tired butt down," she admitted.  "Not a clue where I was.  I was rather unconscious from him batting me on the head with it."  She showed him the spot.  "See?"

"I do. You're in danger."

"From more than them?"  She looked around.  "Ray, where's my backpack?"  He pointed at it and she got it, finding her phone and listening to the voicemail.  She turned and kicked the building. "Fuck me."  She looked at Ray Junior.  "He's right, I'm in real danger.  Am I going to wherever Xander's hiding or am I going with you?"

"You're coming with me, Dawn. He's still at work. He hit her twice."

"Good!  The woman wants to split my chest open, take the power I have, and then fuck the hole!"

"Eww," Ray Junior said.

"Sorry.  Bad flashbacks from the last woman who tried it.  Thankfully Xander's ex managed to trap her somewhere and they both died.  Unfortunately.  I kinda liked Anya."  She shrugged and handed Ray Junior his backpack, grinning at him. "You make a good knight.  If you don't watch out, you'll become Xander some year soon."

"No thanks.  I try to stay with the normal stuff."

She nodded. "I keep trying too it just comes back now and then.  Lead on, Lieutenant.  They're very sorry they kidnaped me, they have been since I woke up."

"Get into the hummer while I get someone to arrest them."  They got in and she went over his homework with him.  Horatio calmed his temper while he made the call to dispatch.  Then he called Xander.  "I have both children.  Apparently Dawn was kidnaped by a student with a gun."  He listened and nodded.  "That's fine. I'm bringing her back with me and they're being arrested.  Of course.  Just stay calm.  They'll be at the station when you get done.  She did listen to the voicemail and she kicked a wall.  Swore a bit.  Was beating up on one of the boys when I got here.  Thank you.  I'll see you when you get off work."  He hung up and looked at the officers pulling onto the street, waving them over.  He handed one the gun.  "They kidnaped Miss Summers from the bus with that this morning.  My nephew decided to play hero without calling."  That got a wince.  "We're going back to the

lab now.  She was bruising them horribly for kidnaping and knocking her unconscious.  She made that one beg," he said, pointing at one.

"That works for us, Lieutenant.  You'll get her statement?"  He nodded and headed around to get in and drive.  Dawn smiled and waved.  He waved back, shaking his head once she was gone.  Some girls were really tough. Good thing considering what these boys could've done to her.  He and his partner got to work handcuffing and calling help because there were six of them.  Most of them bruised.  This was going to make a good story for the other officers to brag about.

***

Xander walked into the lab, smiling nicely at the receptionist.  "My daughter, the moron who beat up on her kidnapers instead of calling someone?"

"In the break room, Mr. Harris."

"Thank you."  He signed in and took his badge, heading that way.  "Dawn Anabelle Summers!" he snapped. She squeaked and jumped, giving him a guilty look.  "You couldn't *call* someone?"

"My phone was in my backpack and they took my backpack when they took me off the bus!" she defended, stomping a foot.  "Then they knocked me out.  I'm lucky Ray Junior found me.  He said they were talking about the sort of fun I'd be."  He growled at that and she backed up.  "Not my fault.  He had a gun."

"Is he living?"

"Begging.  I made him beg.  I kicked a few asses when he got me free because they tried to stop us when they came back with beer."  He gave her a look.  "Honest!  I'm not making it up!  I swear, Xander!  You know I'm not going to lie to you!"

"Do we need to take you to the ER?"

"No, I'd know if they touched me.  Right?"  She looked at the officer with her.  "Wouldn't I know if they had touched me?"  She nodded.  "Oh, good.  Even with their greasy fingers, right?"

"Yup, if you're still a virgin, you'd know."

"Okay, good."  She smiled at him.  "I don't know what's going on, Xander. I don't know if it's related to Lilah Morgan showing up or not.  Though I did gross out Ray Junior earlier."

"Fine."  He took a deep breath.  "Are you all right?" he asked calmly.

"A bit cranky.  I haven't eaten since breakfast."

"Are you clear to go home?"

"The Lieutenant wanted to talk to you first," the officer offered.  She pointed behind him.

Xander turned.  "Is she okay?"

"She's fine.  The boys didn't press charges for kicking their asses."  He moved closer.  "What is going on?"

"They want Dawn for what she can do and they want to raid Giles' and Willow's stuff," he said quietly.  "The paper she tried to get me to sign has soul clauses."

Horatio nodded.  "She's fine, though she was a bit graphic and made Ray Junior gag with a description of how they wanted to kill her."

"It's entirely possible, whatever she said," he agreed quietly.  Horatio nodded at that.  "She'll be safe.  I know how to ward the house and so does she."  He glanced around and leaned closer.  "She's one of the strongest white witches in the world, Lieutenant.  Of course they want her.  That's why Angel wants to take her back."  That got a nod.  He pulled back.  "So we'll be fine.  I've heard she's left already.  Did those boys talk about why they wanted her?"

"So far they said it was their idea to take her and molest her."

"And they're going to jail, right?"

"They are.  They did it to another girl by the evidence we found in their lair.  We're hoping they'll be tried as adults."

"Thank you.  And thank your nephew, Lieutenant.  You've got a good boy there.  Can I take her home?"  Horatio nodded so he went to gather Dawn, starting with a hug.  "I've got you.  We'll ward the house," he whispered.  She nodded and grabbed her things, stuffing them back into her backpack and heading out with him.  "Are you okay?" he asked again once they were alone.  "No yelling, no going to beat them.  Are you okay?"

"A small headache where the one hit me on the head with the gun and knocked me out."  She let him look at it.  "I'm a bit dizzy."

"It's a small concussion. I've had those so it'll be okay."  She nodded and he drove them home, finding a letter on the door.  He looked at it and called the number. "I thought I did all the paperwork and handed over all the money."  He listened then nodded. "Okay, I get that.  I get paid next week.  Can I have an extension until then?"  He smiled.  "Thank you, sir. No, I just bought it.  Like a bit over a month ago," he admitted. He smiled.  "That's fine, I can bring that down tomorrow and we can work on it.  Thank you, sir."  He hung up and walked the paper inside.  "He was behind on the tax payments too."  She groaned.  "It's fine.  Since we just bought it we might not have to pay his back taxes."  He came in and looked in the fridge. "What am I cooking?"  Someone knocked.  "Who is it?" he called.

"It's the food delivery woman," Alexx called.  Dawn squealed and went to open it, giving her a hug.  "How are you feeling, sweetie?"

"Not the first time I've been taken," she admitted.  "Some people took me to get my sister."  She hugged her.  "Thank you for feeding us."  She grinned when she pulled back.  "Xander's still growling mentally.  I should call Ryan."

"He's got a late shift tonight, honey."  She walked her into the kitchen.  "Xander, go get the food out of the front seat?"  He nodded and went to do that.  She snooped and looked at the letter.  "He can get that fixed."

"It was the last owner," she agreed.  "He'll bring stuff down tomorrow during lunch.  Or I will since I'm probably not going to school in the morning."  Xander came in and looked at her. "Unless I'm being driven?"

"You could be," he agreed.  "Just watch out if Wolfram and Hart come tonight.  Thank you, Alexx."

"You're welcome, baby," she said, smiling and kissing him on the cheek.  "Now, you feed her."  Dawn looked a bit nauseous.  "Headache?"

"Gun butt to the head.  Mild concussion," Xander offered.  She gave him an odd look. "I've had like fifteen concussions.  I know my concussions."  He dished up food.  "Are you staying for dinner to baby her?"

"I can."

"Yes you can," Dawn agreed, getting her a plate and something to drink.  She did pour the milk down the sink and got them water instead.  "Have to fix that tomorrow."

"You're not going anywhere," Xander said in a sing-song manner.

"Yes, mom."

Xander smirked at her.  "Behave."  Someone knocked on the door.  "What?"

"Let me in," Ryan called.

Xander came out to let him in, smiling at the stuff in his hands.  "Did you cook too?"

"No, I ordered.  Hi, Alexx."  He kissed her on the cheek and added food to their plates, getting his own.  "I'm in on a visit.  Unfortunately I've got another four hours of work at the very least tonight on my present case."  He pulled Xander closer to kiss him. "It'll be fine, Xander.  She's safe.  She's home.  The kids are in jail.  She wasn't touched."  Xander relaxed and nodded. Ryan smiled and took another kiss, making Xander relax against him.  "Should I come over after I'm done?" he whispered.  Xander nodded at that.  "Sure."  He let him go.  "Now, let's eat once Alexx quits fussing over Dawn's head."

"Tylenol," Xander told him.  "Take some pepto too.  It'll help your stomach."  She went to do that.  "My head hit many walls," he said dryly.  "That's why I'm good with concussions."

"You needed more parents watching over you," Alexx told him. Ryan nodded since his mouth was full.

"We had each other," Xander assured her.  Dawn came out grimacing. "You okay?"

"I'm fine.  Stupid period started again," she complained.  "By the way we need to hit the store anyway."

"Sure," Xander agreed, smiling at her.  "Are we sure..."

"Eww!  Yes.  Jump off it!"  She sat down and looked at Ryan.  "Can't you make him drop this?"

"Xander, you're upsetting her," Ryan pointed out gently.  "She's back to making snarky comments, we'll let her cuddle tonight if she has nightmares."

"I'll drop it," he sighed. "I'm trying to help, Dawn."

"I know. You're trying very hard and are very trying at the moment.  Remember, not the first time," she said, staring at him.  He nodded at that.  "You know, I realized I missed Anya earlier."

Xander grinned.  "Now and then I do too.  She was definitely going to go insane soon."  She nodded at that.  "I'll tell you later, Ryan."

"Sure."  He held his hand, giving it a squeeze.  "Eat."

"I'm eating.  Thank you, guys."  Someone else knocked on the door.  "Yes?" he called as he got up, going to look at the woman standing there.  "Mrs.  Priont.  What's up?"

"Your daughter was skipping school today?"

"I allow her two a term but no, she was kidnaped today from the bus."  He let her in, nodding at the officers.  "Come on in."  He pointed at the kitchen.  "Ryan and Alexx brought over dinner."

"Geez!" Dawn complained when she saw her caseworker. "I'm fine, thank you.  When I woke up, I kicked their asses."

Ryan coughed and handed over a copy of her statement. "What she told Lieutenant Caine. His nephew went after her and found her.  He helped her escape.  Caine found them both while she was kicking one of the people who had taken her."

"They came back from deciding if they were going to molest me or not."

The social worker looked at her.  "You seem very calm."

"I've had someone else take me.  I panicked then because she wanted to make me bleed.  I'm still wondering if this has to do with my former family's wills being probated."

"Not the actual family, the made family," Xander said quietly at her odd look in his direction.  "My best friend since kindergarten, her sister's mentor.  My best friend's girlfriend is still in a coma.  My ex girlfriend is in a coma for a different reason."  Dawn gave him an odd look.  "Cordy."

"I knew it wasn't Anya.  What happened?"

"The slimy thing that got her that last time.  Angel's watching over them both."

"Oh."  She nodded.  "I hope they both wake up.  I'll miss Cordy."

The social worker stared at her for a moment.  "You sound like it doesn't matter."

"Lady, I've lost my mother, my sister, the women who were like my aunts.  I've lost everyone in my life but Xander.  Cordy wasn't really in my life.  I'm going to be more upset if Tara doesn't wake up because she was a good and kind woman who spent a lot of hours helping me grieve after I lost the others.  So jump off it.  I've already seen my town be eaten by something.  What else did you want?  It's not like I'm going to start crying!  I mean hell!  They were all involved in protecting the town from the extremely high death rate.  If Cordelia got attacked from that, then she went out doing what she wanted to do."  She stood up.  "The only one I care about out there is Tara.  If she dies I'll cry.  If Cordelia dies I'll mourn her and know she went how she wanted to go."

"Sit," Xander ordered quietly.  He glared at the social worker. "She's got a concussion.  Do you fucking well mind, woman?"  She looked stunned.  "She was taken off her bus this morning at gunpoint.  She was knocked unconscious.  If it wasn't for Lieutenant Caine's nephew, she might've been raped and killed.  I don't think she needs this tonight.  Now, do you have a reason for coming in here with officers tonight because she skipped *a* day?"

"I don't like your insinuation, young man."

"I don't like you being in here with cops," he shot back, smirking at her.  "Anything else?  We've got some shit to go over as a family because this may be related back to my ex, Cordelia in case you missed that, and her attack."  She stepped back.  "We're still trying to figure out if the same person paid the boys this morning to take her."

"Calm down," Ryan ordered.

"I'm calm!"

"You're not calm, Sugar," Alexx said, rubbing his arm. "I know you want to protect Dawn and you're doing an amazing job.  Someone should've reported that she got drug off the bus and didn't."  She glared at the officers.  "Do I know you?"  They shook their heads but looked away.  "Pity."  She looked at Dawn again. "Sit."  She sat.  Alexx looked at the social worker.  "I'm Medical Examiner Woods.  I'm a mother myself.  You came because the girl skipped *a* day?  With two officers?"

"With her past...."

"I was shoplifting to get attention," Dawn said acidly.  "Xander's the one who stopped my ass.  Thank you for asking first."  The social worker glared at her.  "I'm more than old enough to know what the hell I'm doing."

"Dawn," Xander said, "room."  She sighed and stomped off.  "And no candles tonight.  You can play online later."

"Yes, Xander."

He looked at the social worker.  "She stopped shoplifting about six months before her mother died.  She wanted attention because her mother and sister were caught up in her sister's life and hobbies.  The same as most of the rest of us were.  Yes, I got her stopped.  Her mother realized what was going on a few weeks later and they talked and worked it out too.  That's not a worry you need to have.  You need to have a worry about the boys who took her off the bus at gunpoint.  Dawn hasn't been in trouble in *months*.  You're driving her back there."

"I'm removing her from this house."

"Do you have a court order?"  She sniffed.  "Unless you do, that's illegal.   You get one you come back.  And I can guarantee you'll lose her within hours."  He stared her down.  "Anything else?  And are you being paid by Wolfram and Hart?"  She went pale at that name and stepped away.  "Huh.  I think that's a yes."

"I know that's a yes," Ryan admitted.  "Boys, she's taking bribes to hurt this girl."  They stepped into the kitchen and he pulled his ID and badge.  "Bring her back to the lab.  I'll be back there within an hour to question her.  She's taking bribes to hurt this young woman."

"We'll take her right there, sir."

"Thank you.  If anyone asks, tell them she was here to hurt Dawn Summers.  They all know her."  That got a nod and they walked her off.  "Thank you, officers."  He looked at Xander, then pulled him closer.  "Calm down.  It's all right.  It'll be fine.  I promise it'll be fine."  Xander shook his head.  "It will be."

"If it's Wolfram and Hart, they're powerful."

"They're not going to get her, Xander.  We'll protect her with you.  Remember, you're not alone.  Not this time."  Xander relaxed and nodded.  "Good.  Dawn?"  She came out.  "She was in the employ of Wolfram and Hart," he said quietly.

"Should've known she stunk."  She flopped back down.  "Are we okay?" she asked Xander, who nodded.  "Remember, they can help you now."

"I know."   He calmed himself fully.  "We'll be fine."  She nodded.  "For now, protect yourself.  We'll do the wards together tonight."  She nodded at that and dug back in.  "Then we'll go get groceries."  She smiled.  "That way you don't have to sleep in the tub tonight.  Have Ray pick up your homework tomorrow."  She nodded at that, going to write him an email.  Xander pulled out his phone to leave a message on the school's system.  "This is Xander Harris for my daughter, Dawn Summers.  Since she was taken off a bus at gunpoint today I'm keeping her out tomorrow and possibly the next day to make sure she's all right and healed.  I'll expect Ray Caine to pick up her homework. He'll have an email with her classes."  He hung up and looked at Alexx.  "I'm having a mental fit."

"I know.  Eat, it'll be okay.  We'll help you."  He nodded, digging in again.  Dawn came back to finish her dinner too.  Alexx wrapped the rest into the fridge and said something quietly to Ryan before leaving.

"I've got to go question her," Ryan offered.  Xander smiled and kissed him. "I'll be back when I'm done, Xander."  He headed off, going back to the station.  He ran into his boss, who nodded.  "You heard?"

"I did.  She's blustering that she's not in anyone but the state's employ."

Ryan snorted.  "Yeah, and I believe that."  He headed back there, slamming the door open.  She tried to glare and he raised an eyebrow. "I was there when you confessed.  Let's not try that."  Her attorney started to bluster.  "She tried to cause intentional harm to a young woman that was kidnaped today at gunpoint on her way to school.  Then a lawyer from the same law firm that was paying your client came to visit her father at work.  Would you like to explain that?"

"She's only in the employ of the state."

"Really?"  He smirked.  "You do know we have enough evidence to get a warrant to check her bank records?"  She went very pale at that.  "How much did they pay you?"

"Three hundred thousand.  They said she's very desired," she said quietly.

"Shut up," her lawyer demanded.

"What company do you work for?" Ryan asked.  "By any chance it's not Wolfram and Hart, is it?"  He swallowed.  "Then you're a suspect and you can't work as her attorney."  He leaned on the table.  "Write it out," he ordered coldly.  He got her some paper and a pen.  "If you do there's a chance you'll get probation and just lose your license."

"If you do, they're going to make your life a living hell," the lawyer warned.

"If Wolfram and Hart try, they're in for a huge damn shock," Ryan assured him.  He went pale and Ryan smirked.  "Yeah.  You're bothering the last two Sunnydale residents."

"Do you know why?"

"Yeah, I do," he said smugly, smirking at him.  "The same as I know what else will happen next."  The lawyer leaned back, giving him a horrified look.  "You failed. Are your bosses going to appreciate that?  Or are they going to kill you."

"I can't and won't turn. They'll kill me in jail.  I'll be rewarded for loyalty."  He stood up.  "You don't have a reason to keep me."

"Yeah I do.  Since we know that Wolfram and Hart was part of this and you're here?  Oh yeah, I can hold you for at least a few more hours."  The man glared at him and he glared back.  "You forget who I'm working with," he said quietly.  He smirked.  The man pulled something out of the handle of his briefcase and lunged at the social worker but he managed to stop him by pushing him into the window.  "Could use some help!" Ryan yelled.  Officers came rushing in.  "He's got a shiv!"  They got it away from him and dragged him off.  He looked at the shaken woman.  "You see how they repay loyalty?"  She nodded and went back to writing.  "About all of it that you know," he ordered coldly.  "Nothing is touching that young woman."

"I understand."  She handed him over the paper and looked at him.  "There, what I know."

He read it over. "Nothing about the earlier kidnaping?"

"Just that it had fouled their plans," she admitted.  "One of them tipped Ray Caine."

Horatio stepped in.  "How?"

"I don't know," she admitted calmly, looking out in the hall as the lawyer struggled with the officers.  Then back at him.  "They'll kill me."

"Not if I can stop them."

She nodded.  "As a social worker, you need to watch them harder.  Also, you need to have him sign new papers about the chain of custody if something happens to him.  The others are always in danger.  We'd never accept it."  She rested her hands on the table, staring at him.  "Also, he should have something done about his temper."

"He only has a temper when someone tries to attack either if them," Ryan told her.  She nodded at that.  "Did you put this into her file?"

"No.  I put in a mention that she had missed school."  She pulled out her PDA and made a note, letting him see it.  "Is that good enough?"

"It is."  He handed it to Horatio.  "Can you send that?"  Horatio looked and nodded, sending it to her digital file.  "Anything else?"

"He needs to have her watched closer."

"She's always monitored and she can always reach him," Ryan pointed out.  "She's fourteen, not four."

"True but she's still considered below the age of reasonable action."

Ryan snorted.  "Lady, do you know anything about Sunnydale?"  She swallowed and nodded.  "Her sister and Xander, plus others, used to go out hunting and protecting Sunnydale.  Her sister was the slayer."  She moaned at that.  "She's well into reasonable thought and actions.  Xander gave it up to protect her.  Still think there's a violence issue?"

"No."  She took her PDA back and made another note, sending it to the file.  "I've put in that he is very protective and can get violent if she's threatened but not in other circumstances. That way no one will threaten her openly."

"There shouldn't be a reason for it to happen at all," Horatio noted.  "Anything else you know?"

"Miss Morgan is still in town.  She didn't leave."

"She will be joining you," Horatio noted calmly. "Thank you."  He went to arrange that, going to read Dawn's social services file.  It did say what she said.  He sent a note to their boss by email, bringing her down to the station.  He handed over the PDA personally.  "She found out he was violent when she was threatened when your social worker threatened her after she was kidnaped," he said quietly.  "Xander will defend her with his life if necessary."

"That's a good parent in my book."  She read over the notes in the open file.  "Why was she absent?"

"She was kidnaped at gunpoint off the bus."

"Damn."  She looked at him.  "Any idea why?"

"She was taking bribes from a law firm who wanted to harm Miss Summers."

"Sure.  Why?"

"I don't know."

"That's fine.  Can I hit her?"

"If you can through the bars."

"I can try."  She walked out to find her worker and scream about how her clients needed her, not to have her fired.

Ryan looked at her.  "I have a question," he asked when the tirade ended.  She looked at him. "If one of the guardians given custody down the chain was gay, would it matter?"

"It would in this state.  With her original one being California?"  She shrugged.  "I can't see a problem."

"Good.  Right now it's shifting since the next one in line is in a coma."  That got a shudder. "The same people who paid your employee."

"Charming," she said bitterly. "The others?"

"Protecting others against the same people," he admitted.  "Xander gave up that crusade to protect her."

"Get her someone here in Miami who is beyond reproach.  One of you would be fine."

"If they're gay?"

"I don't care.  Get her someone locally soon."  That got a nod.  "How do you know about this?"

"I'm dating him," he admitted.

"Oh.  Not you."

"I'm not a suitable candidate for other reasons."  She smirked at that. "I have OCD."

"You're right.  You're not.  Get one of your coworkers, anyone even temporarily.  Especially if her life is in danger."

"Agreed.  We'll have it drawn up tonight."  She nodded.  "Simple legalese?"

"Would be fine."  He nodded and walked out so the officers could take her.  She watched her being taken away and went to call her boss to let him know.  Because they would have to do case reviews, but she could keep them from going after this child since she had looked it over. She'd take this one personally.

***

Xander walked up to the two people with Ryan the next day.  "I know, it's odd, I'm not sweaty," he said when Calleigh grinned at him.  "I had to take today off.  She was kidnaped yesterday and she's at home today. A few hours is one thing.  A whole day is different."  He sat down with them.  "A problem came up.  I need a local person to join the chain of custody if something happens to me.  Ryan can't because of his OCD."

Calleigh nodded.  "I can understand why."

"Actually, the others are all either fighting the same fight or in a coma," Xander admitted, then he shrugged. "We're like an unhappy family really."

"That's understandable. They want someone who can help you and her if something happens and you get hurt at work," Eric agreed.  "They won't let Ryan because he's got OCD?"

"Yup.  It can cause a lot of problems and they'd be looking over his shoulder all the time plus he said he couldn't."  That got nods. He grinned at Ryan. "You could speak."

"My idea is to ask Horatio."

"That's a big favor to ask," Calleigh told him.

"Yeah but if I'm killed by someone who comes after her, then she's going to need someone protective," Xander pointed out.  "They can even have the house and all that stuff.  As long as they protect her and make sure she makes it to college.  Preferably with graduating into a career."

Eric smirked.  "I'll take further down the list but not second.  As a backup, if I had to, but not immediately if you get hit by a car.  My mother would get a kick out of her."

"I'm with him," Calleigh agreed.  "Further down the list, sure. Next after you?  Can't happen.  I'd probably end up turning the girl into another gun girl."

Xander shrugged.  "Do I care?  She's already good with crossbows."  Calleigh looked stunned.  "Fact of the life, Calleigh.  I'm a great shot with a crossbow and a few other weapons."  She gaped.  "Yeah.  Part of the life we lived.  If she wants to follow you I'd be honored if she came to bug you with questions."

"Sure.  I wouldn't mind."

"I get first crack," Ryan said, smirking at them.  "Let's ask Horatio, Xander. You need someone they can't say a thing about and he already knows about her and all that stuff."

Xander nodded. "Yeah but he's single and I'm not sure he could handle Dawn if something happened."

"Nothing's going to happen so it's a moot point," Ryan pointed out patiently.  "This is just if you get smacked by a car or something and get knocked out for a few days."  Xander gave him a look. "That's my positive thought of the day and I'm sticking with it."

"Sure."  He grinned at him.  "Is he out or in?"

"He's inside hiding from Stetler," Eric offered, texting him.  Horatio came out a few minutes later, looking a bit amused.  "Xander had to ask you something, H."

"What's happened?"

"The social workers demanded that I change the chain of custody for Dawn because everyone else is either in a coma or another fighter."

"True."  He sat beside Calleigh.  "I heard what they told Ryan."

"Eric and I agreed that we'd do further down the list but not his next in line," Calleigh offered. "They won't let Ryan because of his OCD."

"It can be troublesome and lead to a lot of conflict and mental therapy," Ryan admitted.  "The constant nagging.  The cleaning all night.  The stress of the routine change.  On top of a teenager."

"True."  Horatio looked at Xander.  "You wanted to put me on the list?"  Xander nodded.  "Where?"

"Next after me.  Before it was Cordelia but she's still in a coma."

"I understand.  Are we foreseeing a need for this to be put into action?"

"You never know but I hope not.  I do need someone who can put up with Dawn and make sure she's going to school and hopefully into college.  Her trust will pay for it."  Horatio nodded at that. "I wouldn't care.  If I die, whoever can have the house so she's not uprooted.  They can have most of my stuff."  He shrugged.  "I've got to rewrite my will too since everyone but one person in it is dead or comatose and she's at home."

"I'd be honored, Xander, but I couldn't let her and Ray Junior date."

Xander shrugged.  "Right now she's buying him a video game in thanks for helping save her."  He smiled at that.  "I think they'll be friends.  She could use more friends who understand her."

"True.  He does understand her better than most everyone."

"Which means you'd have a translator," Calleigh teased, nudging him with her elbow.  "So will you?"

"I will.  I'd be honored."  Xander smiled and relaxed.  "However if you die I'm having her bring you back."

"Sure."  He grinned at him then at Ryan.  "Dinner out tonight?  My treat?"

"Works for me.  Should I change?"

"I like the sweater vests."  He winked and got up.  "Thanks, guys."  He headed to his car.  "Oh, Ryan, the tax thing was straightened out."  He jogged over and headed home to make sure Dawn was still all right.

Ryan grinned.

"Aww," Calleigh teased.  "That's so cute!"

"I know I am," he agreed with a wicked smirk.

Eric snickered.  "Not modest at all, are you?"

"With a guy like Xander as my boyfriend? Would you be?"

"Xander's not sweet enough for me."  He smirked back and got up, heading inside. "I'm heading back to chem."

"I'm going to ballistics," Calleigh agreed, going after him.

Ryan looked at Horatio.  "Thank you."

"You're welcome.  She is a very nice young woman and it would mean a good future CSI."  He smiled. "Should I amend some paperwork?"

"Well...."  He considered it, sipping his water, then looked around again. "Horatio, it's been a few weeks and it's like I'm hit by lightening every time he touches me," he confessed quietly.  "I'm not one to do anything more than a goodnight kiss on the first date and we went a lot farther than that. It felt like home.  Even if we fight it's still easy to make up.  We had a disagreement about something a few weeks back and it lasted all of six hours because he was pouting and I was miserable."

Horatio smiled. "It's rare but when you find it you keep it, Ryan.  Do anything you have to so you keep it."  Ryan nodded at that.  "Does his...."

"Not the first one and it's more than happy to me.  I love him because of it and for other reasons beyond that.  Anything.  Like that, not like that, oh, God, I have it bad," he moaned.  Horatio smirked and nodded.  "It's only been a few months."

"I know, Ryan, but it'll only get stronger if it's meant to be."  He patted him on the arm.  "I'll call Xander first if something happens to you," he assured him quietly.  "Does he do that for you?"

"Yeah," he said with a goofy grin.  "It's a great stress relief for him and I kinda like it about him.  It drew me and then I realized how special and great he was.  It's like I don't even care that he's nearly seven years younger."  Horatio nodded at that, still smiling.  "It's... if this is love it's like the flu."

"It can be," he agreed quietly.  "Cherish it, Ryan.  Because you never know when things will happen.  He could get hurt on the job. He could get hit by a car.  He's got to know this, Ryan, so you don't end up mourning like Yelina did."

"I know, but I'm having scary thoughts, Horatio.  Like rings and sharing a house thoughts."

Horatio smiled and nodded.  "That's the way it works, Ryan.  If you're that serious I'll put him on your paperwork."

"I want to talk to him first, Horatio. He's worried how it'll affect my job."  His boss nodded. "Will it?  I know you don't care...."

"Someone like Rick Stetler would but you know we don't.  We put up with Eric being a slut for years."  Ryan grinned at that. "Let me know after you talk to him.  As your significant other, he would be entitled to your life insurance policy and to make medical decisions for you.  That we do need to know."

"Yes, Horatio.  I'll talk with him tonight.  Or maybe not.  It's still only been a few months."

"Sometimes love hits you like that and sometime's it's a slow, creeping thing that wakes you suddenly in the middle of the night with the realization, Mr. Wolfe."  He stood up.  "Remember, you're in a dangerous profession and so is he."  Ryan swallowed, looking ill.  "Talk to him when you're ready, Ryan."  He went back inside, going to find the paperwork he'd need.

***

Ryan walked into the house and looked at Dawn.  "You look cute."

"Thank you.  We've got a dance tonight," she complained, grimacing.  "I'm going with some of the other girls."  He grinned.  "Do I look dorky?"

"Just a bit," he admitted.  "Go put on something better and more fun."

"They said my blue skirt wasn't acceptable."

"So wear the green one and the black shirt," Xander said from the kitchen.  She squealed and went to look at the new clothes he wasn't supposed to know she had, then came out redressed and her hair redone.  "Better.  Happier?"

"Much!"  She hugged them both.  "Don't wait up.  Ray Junior's mom is picking me up and bringing me back."  They both nodded and she grabbed her purse, checking it on the way out.  "Night."

"Night, Dawn."  He came out of the kitchen once they had driven off, showing that he had dressed up in the black dress and heels.  "Hi."

Ryan moaned and kissed her.  "Hi."  He leaned his forehead against hers.  "Can we talk?"

"Are you dumping me?"

"No, baby, no.  Horatio raised a point."  He looked in Xander's eyes.  "He wanted to know about me putting you on my paperwork as my significant other, Xander."  Xander shivered.  "I think it's too soon but he made me realize that this was like lightening striking me and I'm so happy with you."  He took another kiss.  "I want you to think about it.  I know it's soon, very soon, but I was having scary marriage thoughts when he asked me."

"That's way too fast," Xander said, looking scared.

"I know.  I want to be official with you but I'm not ready for more than dating yet."  Xander relaxed and smiled.  "But I do want to put you on my paperwork.  It'd make us more official.  The same as I think I should import some clothes for the nights I stay over."

"Can I have a sweater vest to borrow?" he teased, playing with the one his boyfriend was wearing.  "Does that mean that you're my official boyfriend?"

"I am.  We're so going steady," he teased.  Xander giggled at that and kissed him again.  "So, can I?"  Xander nodded.  "Can we do the medical power of attorney thing?"

"I already have one with you on it.  They won't let Dawn do it."

"Good point."  He grinned and caught a grope and another kiss.  "Dinner?"

"Dinner."  He took him out to the car, letting Ryan drive.  He whispered the address, getting a shiver.  "My treat."

"Sure."  He grinned.  "Then the club?"

"Then the club or this other one I heard about."

He backed down the driveway.  "Which one?"

"Bounce?"

Ryan pulled over with a moan, looking at him.  "Xander, lots and lots of people have sex there," he told him.  "In the open."

"Is it mandatory?"

"No, baby, it's not.  It depends on where you sit in the bar."  Xander shifted closer.  "It used to be two bars.  A biker bar and a gay bar.  They were pretty cool next to each other.  We have a lot of gay bikers and they visited each other now and then.  Until one night when the wall between came down for some debatable reason.  Now, if you sit closer to the biker side, you end up getting propositioned and if you're in the biker bar itself it's pretty much a sign that you want to ride their bike or them."  He kissed the back of her hand.  "It's a very nice club, very open, very friendly, but if we went they'd expect you in my lap and at least one person would want to have you too."  He kissed him again, looking at him.  "I'd have to get jealous."  Xander swallowed. "We can still go but you had to know that."

"Okay," she said quietly.  "If you agree."

"I do but I may still end up taking you there at the table."  Xander blushed and gave him  a look.  "Up to you."

"I'll leave it up to you, Ryan."

He sighed and smiled.  "Every now and then I like to go tease."  She blushed harder.  "You're more than pretty enough to tease, Alex."  He kissed her again.  "Now, dinner."  She nodded and he straightened himself out, taking her out to dinner, where she did indeed pay.  They chatted and talked about what he had been proposing earlier. Xander told him the paperwork had been drawn up and faxed over to him.  So they all had stuff to sign in the morning.  Then she started to play with his leg, getting a heated look over dessert.  "Naughty," he whispered.  She shrugged and ducked her head, looking up at him.  "Finish up.  We'll go for a ride first."  She licked her spoon off and put it down, staring at him.  He finished his dessert, he'd need the calories later.  He could feel a Xander sex marathon coming on.  He walked her out to the car and drove them to the club they had discussed, letting her make the decision.  She got out and gave him a look, making him hurry after her and take her hand to hold.  They walked inside and found it packed. "What's going on tonight?"

"Daisy's singing."

"Not something anyone should miss."  He got them a table halfway across the club, making her blush bright red.  "It's close enough to the bar," he whispered. "It's too packed for anyone to really try anything or to be pushy."  Xander nodded, snuggling into his side.  One of her hands was on his thigh.  He hissed and tensed up, tightening his stomach muscles.

"I love seeing you like that," she whispered.  "All the muscles standing out, all tense and ready to explode into action."  He gave her a sideways look and she grinned. "I'm in a teasing mood, Ryan."

"You certainly are," he promised, putting her hand higher up his thigh, getting a warm, soft chuckle and her playing with the muscles under her fingers.  He let out a breath suddenly when her knuckles grazed him.  A biker and his 'girl' sat down with them, giving them a nod.  "Hey."

"Hey. You two up for some play?"

"I'm a bit shy," Xander told him.  "Plus I'm very much his."

"It's a bit crowded or we'd be closer to the bar," Ryan admitted. "If you want to have fun, go ahead."  He grinned and tipped his head before kissing his 'girl'.  You could tell, she wasn't tucked in or anything.  Her shorts were girl shorts and he was nearly hanging out of them.  Those and the heels plus the lack of any falsies or bra made it very clear.  Xander went back to stroking Ryan's leg, watching the crowd.  She let her knuckles brush him again and he reached down to stop her hand.  She gave him a look.  "Teasing is fine, baby, but if you keep that up, I'm having you on the table where everyone can see," he whispered.  She shivered and shifted a bit closer.  "If I do that, you're never getting rid of me.  What I claim as mine stays mine."  She stroked his leg again.  "Last warning."

"I'm up for the pronouncement but not the claiming."

Ryan looked at her, then around, then back at her.  He stared at her.  She squeezed his thigh.  "Do you need to belong?" he whispered.  She nodded.  "Then you're mine, Xander.  No matter which side you're in, you're mine.  All mine.  Anyone who touches you gets my nightstick up their ass."  Xander tensed up, he could see his stomach tighten.  "Oooh, are you hard?" he teased, whispering it in her ear.  Xander nodded at that.  "Should I finger your clit, Alex?"

"Not here," she panted.

"Why not?"

"Because then I get to claim you as mine," she said in a normal tone of voice, giving him a kiss.

"How long have you two been together?" the girl with them asked.

"A few months," Ryan said, grinning at her. "I was having scary permanent thoughts earlier too."  He looked at her. He cleared his throat.  "Xander, would you stay with me?  Marriage optional later?"

She blinked at him. "Like moving in?"

"Sometime relatively soon."

She blushed and nodded quickly, looking around then kissing him.  "I wouldn't mind.  The daughter loves you."

Ryan smiled and nodded.  "Then you're mine."  He kissed her hard, deep, making her moan and start to climb into his lap.  The tables around them cheered.  "She said yes," he called.  That got a louder cheer and he looked at her.  "Mine."

"And you're mine."

"I am that."  He smiled and stroked her arm.  "Home?"

"Dawn's not home yet."

"True, which means we can be noisy."  Xander grinned and they headed out.  He wanted Xander every which way he could have her.  When they pulled into the driveway he leaned over. "I'm going to bury myself so far inside your pussy you're never going to feel like it's not in there," he hissed.  She smirked at that.  "I am.  Inside, Alex.  I want to debauch you."  She got out and headed inside.  He only paused long enough to gather some strength to hold out taking her on the couch.  He hurried inside once his car was locked, going to kiss her, touch her, take her, over and over until she screamed and he passed out.  Before he did he was nice enough to set the alarm since they'd both need to get up in about four hours.  Then he laid down on top of her shoulder and cuddled her.  It was a great thing.  He was happy. He didn't even care that the bed was messy, he was too worn out to care.

***

Ryan walked in the next morning with papers in his hand.  He found Eric and Calleigh making coffee. "Sign."  He let them have what they'd need.  They signed it and he grinned.  "Thanks."  He walked off, still bouncy and happy, though he was seriously sleep deprived at the moment.  Xander had woken up with a nightmare and they had went through a round of calming, long, slow blowjobs that had taken up another hour of their sleep time. He found Horatio and Frank together, handing him all the papers.  "Some of those need signed, some need filed, and one needs witnessed."

Horatio smiled and flipped through them, then looked at him.  "Interesting."

"Very."  He yawned.  "I'm moving this weekend probably."

"Need help?" Frank asked.

"Not really.  I've got a big, strong construction worker to help me."  He grinned.

"My wife made me have that goofy grin once.  It was right before she started to talk invitations."

"We've already gotten that out of the way.  Right before we fell back asleep the second time, Frank."  He clapped him on the arm and Horatio handed back what he needed.  "Thanks, boss."

"Welcome, Mr. Wolfe, and congratulations."

He grinned.  "He wanted to go to Bounce and we talked before we went to dinner, then there, then later on.  We're holding off on the official stuff for a few more months, make sure we can stand each other for real."

"Good idea.  I'll have some paperwork for you to fill out during lunch.  Now, go to work and we'll make sure you're mostly in the lab today since you're yawning again," he said smugly.  Ryan shrugged through his yawn and walked off, going to fax what needed to be faxed where it needed to go.

***

Xander wandered onto his site and looked at his boss, who gave him an odd look. "Flu?"

"I'm moving my boyfriend in this weekend and we're marrying in a few months if we can still stand each other."

His boss smiled.  "Yeah, I have that same arrangement.  Been like this now for twenty years, Xander.  I wish you luck."

"Thanks.  Ryan's a pretty special guy.  He accepts and revels in who I am."  He grinned.  "So I'm saving vacation days for a short honeymoon."

"Of course you are.  Let me know in advance, all right?"  Xander nodded and headed out, still yawning. He shook his head, smiling at his back.  His lover and crew chief, Thomas, gave him a look.  "They're getting married in a few months, once they figure out if they can live together."

Thomas smiled. "I remember those days. I never got any sleep," he agreed quietly, smirking at him.  He saw Xander yawning again.  "Go get some coffee, Harris.  You can't sleep on the job until lunch."

"Yes, sir."  He got some coffee and drank it quickly, then went back to work.

"He really doesn't slack," Thomas pointed out.  "Even with everything going on with his daughter he's still here more than most single parents."

"He made up all his hours too," the boss agreed happily.  "When is that one crew lead leaving?"

"Six months."

"We'll see.  Let him get past this honeymoon phase he'll be in when they first move in."

Xander looked at him.  "Not like it'll be much different," he mouthed.  They both laughed and he got to work on his present assignment.  Bricking the outside of the building.  He had a large shady brim that hooked onto his hard hat.  He was not getting burned like that ever again.

The older couple shared a look and smiled at the half of a younger couple.  Looks like they could play marriage counselor to him too.  They watched as Dawn came over after school, squealing happily when she pounced him and kissed him on the cheek.  Then she ran off back to her cab and home.  Yeah, he was good.  Very good.  No matter what he wore on his nights off.

The End.

Table of Contents

Girlfriends and Boyfriends. 2

More Than Boyfriends and Girlfriends. 81