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Rescue and Sacrifice	By : QueenC Category: AtS/BtVS Crossovers > Het - Male/Female > Connor/Dawn Views: 2677 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own AtS or BtVS. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 5
- 6
- 7
Title: Rescue and Sacrifice (6/?)

Author: QueenC

Rating: R

Pairings: Dawn/Connor; Angel/Cordelia; Buffy/Spike

Disclaimer: Joss owns all. All hail Joss.

Spoilers: Anything and everything is fair game.

Summary: Willing to do anything to get his son back, Angel enlists the help of an unlikely candidate.

Author's Notes: Ok, this story has been rattling around in my brain since halfway through 'Common Ground'. This story is slightly AU. Basically, Dawn discovered that she could use her Key powers early on, and has been working with Tara to perfect her skills and Groo never showed up at AI. Also, Buffy isn't quite as hostile to Spike. In fact, they have a tentative friendship. I think those are about the only major changes. And, as in all my stories, Angel is Spike's sire because I simply refuse to believe anything else. Words in *'s are emphasized, words in 's are thoughts, words in ~'s are dreams, and words in ^'s are flashbacks.

******

Sunnydale

Buffy peered at the pale face of her sister, uncertain of what to do. With tears in her eyes, she shook the teenager gently, repeating her name. "Come on, Dawn. It's time to wake up now. You have people here who need you, who love you. Come on. Just open your eyes," she cooed. However, there was no response.

Blinking back tears, the Slayer stood, looking at the people who were gathered around her. "Help her!" she cried, "*Do* something!" Her eyes landed on Cordelia, her tone pleading. "You said something about having some new powers that came with your demon status! Well, use them! There has to be *something* you can do!"

The former cheerleader shook her head. "I'm sorry, Buffy. So far, my powers are pretty much limited to levitation and personal protection," she said softly.

Wildly, Buffy turned her attention to Willow. "Wills, you can help her! I *know* you can! You brought me back! You can do anything!" she exclaimed.

The redhead gasped, her green eyes widening. "Buffy, I can't..." she whispered. "It isn't safe. T-The magic...I can't quit. You know that."

The eldest Summers girl narrowed her eyes, taking a menacing step towards her best friend. "Damn it, Willow, I don't *care*, ok? You used magic to get what *you* wanted. You pulled me out of *heaven* because you wanted your friend back. The *least* you can do is help Dawn! You *owe* me that much!" she hissed, balling her hands into fists.

Willow whimpered, backing away. "Buffy..." she began, only to stop when the blonde suddenly launched herself at her. Knowing there was nothing she could do to protect herself, the young woman closed her eyes, waiting for the attack.

It never came.

Slowly, she opened her eyes, sighing in relief. Spike was standing in front of her, holding the struggling Slayer by the upper arms.

The former Big Bad calmly stared at the woman he loved, his face unreadable. "Now, pet, beating the hell out of Red isn't going to solve anything. You need to try to calm down and think about this. We'll find a way to help the Bit. But, it isn't going to happen if you start picking us off one by one," he said.

Buffy nodded, no longer moving. She turned her head, looking at the still unconscious Dawn. Slowly, the tears she'd been trying to hold back began to fall. "I can't lose her, Spike," she whispered.

Spike nodded, loosening his grip on her. "I know, luv. Neither can I," he responded, his eyes flashing yellow as the sound of the teenager's whimpers reached his sensitive ears. Taking an unnecessary breath to calm himself, he looked around, a frown filling his face. "Where's Tara?" he asked. "Thought she was supposed to be here."

******

Tara sighed, walking briskly across the University of Sunnydale campus, her books clutched tightly in her arms. The meeting with her Professor had taken an hour longer than she had expected it to, causing her to be extremely late for her appointment with Dawn. Now, she was barely going to have enough time to get back to the dorm and gather the supplies she needed before having to head over to the Summers house.

Shaking her head, the blonde forced herself to think pleasant thoughts.

The young woman was so caught up in her musings that she didn't realize there was anyone following her. However, as she crossed the courtyard, the hairs on the back of her neck began to stand on end and she instinctively knew that she was being watched.

Exhaling slowly, she began whispering a protection spell, hoping that whoever was behind her was far enough away that the magic would have time to work before they attacked. Unfortunately, luck didn't seem to be on her side.

Tara hadn't said more than three words of the spell before pain exploded in the back of her head. Whimpering, she collapsed to the ground, her books scattering across the pavement. Groaning softly, she rolled over, her blurry gaze landing on her attacker.

A large demon towered over her; its onyx colored eyes seeming to stare right through her. It had two horns protruding from it's skull and a yellowish-looking slime dripping from it's gaping mouth. It stared down at her for a moment, its face unreadable. Finally, a smile filled its grotesque face and it kneeled in front of her, placing one of its claw-like hands around her throat.

The blonde witch opened her mouth to scream as soon as the creature touched her. However, before she could get a sound out, it began choking her, effectively cutting off her air supply. Her eyes wide, she began scratching at its hands, trying to loosen its hold. However, all she managed to do was get some of the slime that covered its body under her nails. Instantly, her skin began to burn and her eyes watered up.

"I apologize for this, witch," the demon said, staring into her frightened eyes. "However, I must do what I am told. Some day, you will understand."

Tara continued to struggle, her mind calling out for anyone who could hear her. Then, the darkness overcame her and she fell limp.

Grav'nek slowly counted to fifteen before finally releasing his chokehold on the young woman. Sighing, he gently picked her up, cradling her in his arms. Standing, he peered down into her face, making certain that she was still breathing. Once he was convinced that she was still alive, he nodded to himself and, turning on his heel, disappeared into the darkness.

******

~ Steven didn't know what to do. Frowning in confusion, he glanced from Holtz to Dawn, his mind trying to sort through everything.

Shaking his head, he swallowed heavily, locking eyes with the young woman who had shown him comfort and acceptance without asking anything in return. Although he had only spent stolen moments with her at various intervals of his life, he had known from the first time he'd seen her all those years ago that she was special.

He wasn't sure what made him care for her as he did. It could have been the way her hair shone even in the dark. Or, possibly it was the fact that her blue eyes seemed capable of looking directly into his soul. Maybe the happiness that surrounded her called to him, made him yearn to feel some of the pleasure that she seemed to find in life. Whatever the cause, Steven knew that he couldn't just kill her. At least, not without further proof that she deserved such a fate.

Of course, he also couldn't ignore what his father had said. Silently, he tore his gaze away from Dawn and looked at the man that had raised him. He knew the truth, of course. Holtz had told him about his real parents years ago. In fact, for as long as Steven could remember, his 'father' had regaled him with stories of death and destruction caused by the infamous Angelus and Darla. And, no matter how grotesque or disturbing the tale, regardless of the pain or discomfort the truth may have caused him, the point was it had been just that; the truth. His father had never lied to him before. So, why would he be dishonest now?

Holtz watched the emotions flickering across the Steven's face.

Thinking quickly, he turned to face the young woman who had dared to come between him and his weapon of vengeance.

Dawn watched, wide eyed, as a completely malicious look crossed the old man's face. Swallowing, she forced herself to calm down. Finally, she managed to get some semblance of control over her emotions. "I'm not evil," she said firmly, her hands going to her hips. "But, acing ing to my sister, I can be pretty mean when I want to. So, I would suggest that you just leave me alone!"

Holtz stared at her for a moment, his face unreadable. Then, he nodded, re-sheathing his weapon. "Very well," he agreed. Taking a step towards her, he extended his hand. "I'm Daniel Holtz. I believe Steven said your name was Dawn?"

The youngest Summers felt her mouth drop open as the name registered. "D-Did you just say *Holtz*?" she stammered, instinctively taking a step away from him. She quickly turned her gaze to Steven, her eyes widening as reality began to sink in. "Oh God..."

Both men frowned, neither knowing what had caused all of the color to drain out of the young woman's face. "You've heard of me?" Holtz asked, puzzled. Suddenly, it all clicked.

Dawn nodded, her shock quickly being replaced by blind rage. "You bastard!" she cried, her hands clenching into fists. "You *stole* Angel's son!"

Steven gasped, his knees going weak. "No!" he whispered, shaking his head.

The former Key sighed, her glare softening as she took in the shell-shocked appearance of the Miracle Child. "I'm sorry. I don't know what this *freak* has told you, but, you *aren't* his son and your name is *not* Steven. Your *real* name is Connor. Your father's name is Angel and he misses you *so* much!" she murmured.

Holtz forced back a smile, unable to believe his good fortune.

The Destroyer reeled back from Dawn's words as if they were physically attacking him. "Liar!" he screamed, suddenly grabbing the knife from his father. Holding it tightly, he faced the shocked young woman. "You openly admit to being friends with Angelus?" he questioned coldly.

Dawn blinked back tears. "Please, Connor, listen to me. You--"

He cut her off, taking another step towards her. "My name is *Steven*! And, answer me, demon!" he growled, clutching the weapon tighter.

"I'm *not* a demon!" the young woman snapped. "I've been fighting for the good guys for as long as I can remember! If *anyone* is a demon here, it's you! *You're* the son of two vampires!" Angrily, she turned her head in Holtz's direction. "And *you're* the evil one! You don't just take someone's kid and raise them to hate everyone and everything!"

The instant the words left her mouth, she knew that she was in trouble. Quickly, she began backing away, holding her hands in front of her. Wildly, she began looking around for something she could use as a weapon. However, there was nothing.

Steven narrowed his eyes to slits, slowly stalking towards her. "That's right. Run like the coward you are. It doesn't matter. I *will* find you. There is no where to hide here," he taunted her.

"Yeah, well, we'll just see about that. You grow up with a Slayer for a sister, you kind of get good with the whole running and hiding thing," she muttered. Then, the unthinkable happened. She tripped.

Knowing that it was impossible to regain her balance, Dawn threw her arms back to try and at least break her fall. Moments later, she landed on the hard ground in an ungraceful heap, whimpering as a searing pain shot through her right wrist. Glancing down, she gingerly moved her arm, nausea sweeping over her at the sight of her hand twisted at an unnatural angle.

Then, remembering her current situation, she forced the pain away. Raising her head, she found herself staring directly into a pair of icy blue eyes. Dawn screamed, trying to scramble backwards on her butt. However, Steven merely grabbed a fistful of her hair, wrapping it around his hand and effectively immobilizing her.

"I told you to stay where you belonged," he hissed. Smirking, he stared into her terrified face as he pressed the knife to her neck. "You should have listened to me. Now you can join Darla in Hell." Laughing darkly, he slit her throat. ~

******
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Rescue and Sacrifice