because no one likes a vague disclaimer: All main characters belong to both fantasticals Joss Whedon and Eric Kripke.

Summary: Set after Chosen, Buffy's living in Cleveland protecting another hell mouth. With Sam off at college, Dean is mostly on his own, occasionally joining ranks with other hunters. He stumbles upon a case in Cleveland, and runs into a fling from his past. What happens when the truth, the whole truth, finally comes out? Buffy/Dean pairing. Will include flashbacks of the summer of '97 intermittently throughout the story, each will be dated to avoid confusion. Siblings and rents to make appearances. Rated T for teen fluff and smut-free reading. Some angst.

Some warnings: This is a Work In Progress so updates may be slow. Sorry.

Thanks for reading.

PROLOGUE:

Summer 1997

Sitting shotgun in the Impala, his dad solemn as he always is behind the wheel and Sammy snoozing in the backseat, Dean can see the city lights shimmering in the distance, growing brighter the closer they get. He smiles wistfully, eager to raise a little hell in the city of angels.

Big cities aren't usually high on his dad's list of go-to destinations, both in that they present far too many risks, and offer little chance of success. This time however, they aren't on a hunt. The plan is to take the weekend off.

It'd all been his idea. They'd just finished a job in San Juan Capistrano taking out a vengeful spirit that'd been determined to kill the unfaithful men living in a 10 million dollar home gated community. Since they didn't have one of those, and were traipsing in a neighbourhood full of step-ford like families, the luxury life that eluded them was like salt in a paper-cut . After they were done, Dean could see the longing for normalcy as clear as day in Sam's eyes and he knew it was time to give the kid a small taste of it, or at least a distraction from it.

L.A. he'd suggested. They were only an hour away and it was the Fourth of July weekend. Sam would start school soon, and then it'd be just them. Why not partake in a civilian holiday as a family for once, and do as they did, and take some time off? John didn't give in to the idea quickly, but Dean knew just how to push, Sam lit up just enough for their father to notice, and soon they were on their way.

"You do realize we won't be staying anywhere near Tinseltown Dean," The eldest Winchester states then, the words more of a remark than a question.

"Hadn't crossed my mind," He hadn't expected to in the least, and didn't care either way.

"You'll stay with Sam." John continues.

There's no questioning tone here, and while he's presumed as much, the statement leaves him feeling uneasy.

"It's a dangerous city, and that's not counting the usual stuff."

With his eyes trained on his father, and a sense that there's more coming, he only replies, "Understood."

John turns to him, momentarily surprised by his son's intent gaze, "I have to make a stop."

His eyes revert back to the road, and Dean suddenly understands why his dad had given in so easily.

"Dropping us off first?" He tries to ask casually but fails, hearing the disappointment laced in his voice.

"I won't be long."

He nods, and turns back to the skyline. He's heard those words plenty of times, and he spends the rest of the trip contemplating the right way to break it to Sammy.

†

She's been in Los Angeles for about two weeks now, and while she'd been anxious for the trip and visit with her father, now it all seems so... mundane. Sure, he's spoiled her with clothes and shoes, movies and lattes, and she hasn't staked a single vampire since she's been here, she just can't find the joy in any of it. Even Dawn seems less annoying these days.

She thinks momentarily of Angel and wonders what he's doing, then fiercely shakes the curiosity away. She knows she shouldn't go down that road, it'll just end in heartbreak or death.

"He's a damn vampire, for crying out loud." She mumbles derisively to herself.

She returns her eyes to the view from her bedroom window, letting the sight of the setting sun fill her mind instead.

"Buffy!" She hears Dawn's voice shouting from somewhere beyond her room.

"What?!" She yells back, her gaze firmly put.

Her slayer hearing picks up the footsteps heading her way and turning she suddenly sees the youngest Summers girl standing at her bedroom door, her hair loose and a wild grin on her face.

"Dad's taking us to the Santa Monica Pier for the fireworks show tomorrow!"

Her reaction is the opposite of her sister's, and with a small sneer she just replies, "Great."

Dawn rolls her eyes. "You're such a party pooper."

She leaves the room without another word as Buffy doesn't bother to reply, just takes her sight back to the outdoors. Night is near, and she can feel the demons rousing out there, the waves of anticipation, hunger, violence, and blood rolling over her. The feeling is so akin to the slayer within her, pinging around like a pinball in response to their nearness, that she barely lets herself move. She's afraid if she does, she'll lose control and the slayer will take over.

Ever since the Master... and Xander brought her back, it's always there now, pressing down on her, not even leaving the Hellmouth has been able to loosen its grip on her. In an effort to focus on other things, she shakes her shoulders and turns away from the view of the outside.

"I need a distraction." She says aloud to herself.

With a grin, she decides then and there to forget about all of her issues, from Angel, to dying to her misgivings with her dad and just appreciate the gesture, and enjoy herself tomorrow.

†

As it turns out, he doesn't even get a chance to break it to Sam.

They'd arrived late in the night, and knowing his dad would get a few hours of shut eye, then head out at the break of dawn, there'd be no need for explanations. Sam would wake to find an absent father, and it would all be crystal clear, no words necessary.

It plays out exactly as he thinks, but by the time his little brother does wake, he has a plan.

"Up and at 'em Sammy!" He bellows out after he sees his little brother duck his head back under his pillow.

Dean yanks the cushion away, and scruffs his brother's hair up. Sam makes an effort to shake him away to no avail.

"Ok Dean! I'm up." The youngest Winchester grumbles back.

"What's the rush anyway? Dad's already gone."

He tries to ignore that comment in an effort to keep the mood light.

"I've got big plans for us. So get up, shower, whatever, do your thing so we can get the hell out of this dump!"

His little brother manages something of a grin, "Where are we going?"

"I thought we'd start at Venice beach, do a little sight seeing," He wiggles his brows suggestively.

By Sam's expression, Dean knows he's picked up on the innuendo, so he grins.

"And then, oh I don't know, maybe the Santa Monica Pier, for the fireworks show they'll have because don't forget, it's the fourth."

At this, Sammy seems to nearly burst with joy, the kid's been an enthusiast for some time now. He gets out of bed with a sudden quickness, and rushes to the washroom. When he's out of the room, Dean lets his cheerful expression go, his shoulders sagging in the process. He wonders how long his father will be gone this time.

†

When they're all in the car and on their way, she actually starts to feel a little excited. She's seen so little of her father since moving to Sunnydale, the idea of an evening with just him and Dawn seems like the balm she desperately needs right now. She even smiles at her sister when they reach the Pier.

They arrive a few hours before the show, when the afternoon Sun is just past its peak, and it's not until they reach the main entrance that her enthusiasm falters rather drastically.

"Buffy, Dawn, this is Ellie. She works in the same building as I do."

Unlike Dawn, she barely manages a grin. Did her father really think she was going to believe that they'd 'accidentally' run into this 'friend' of his? She should have known there'd be an ulterior motive to this family trip.

"Hi!" the littlest Summers replies brightly.

"Nice to meet you." Ellie smiles back.

"Are you here for the fireworks too?" Her father asks then, trying too hard to seem casual.

No doubt he's noticed the scowl starting to form on her face. The blonde nods.

"I was supposed to meet a friend, but she just cancelled on me. Food poisoning. So, I'm heading out."

"You can come with us!" Dawn bursts out.

Buffy's head snaps towards her sister, shocked by the declaration. Where was the kids loyalty? As expected, Dawn looks up at her completely oblivious, smiling and proud of herself.

"I wouldn't want to impose..." Ellie starts to say.

"Of course not!" Her dad replies a little too loudly. "Right girls?"

Dawn shakes her head fiercely side to side, and not wanting to be the only unwelcoming one, she mumbles a no.

As expected, her dad is far too preoccupied with his new date, and her pesky attention seeking sister, to pay any mind to her. Considering she won't be missed, she decides to sneak off when Dawn has both their attentions. She locks eyes with her little sister before she goes, silently asking her to explain her sudden absence when/if it comes up. Dawn rolls her eyes, but nods. Offering up a silent 'Thank you' she takes off.

†

The trip isn't playing out exactly as he originally envisioned, but Sam looks like he's having fun, and for him, that's as good as. They've only just arrived to La La land, and since it's July, Sammy is finally going to have some real summer fun. Sure, he'd planned for their dad to be here too but that was always luck of the draw, and considering there was always a 50/50 percent chance they'd be on the hunt too, he figures he did pretty well overall.

It's late afternoon, and they're at the park on the Santa Monica Pier. Since this trip isn't exactly what you'd call 'basic essentials', he's funding it with his own personal stash, and luckily Sam's into the games more than the rides. So he leaves his little brother to it and mostly pigs out as Sammy plays. And that's how he sees her. He's idly looking around for his next meal when his eyes land on her pleased expression.

She's sauntering in his general direction, a relieved smile on her face. She walks alone, but once or twice she turns back to look behind her, as if making sure she hasn't been found. When it seems the coast is clear, her focus turns to the games near her, most an assortment of props with their bounty of gadgets and prizes in all colours. None truly capture her attention though, and that's when her green eyes catch his.

Since Dean hardly backs down from anything, and because she's looking at him anyway, he offers her a flirtatious grin. She returns the gesture but he detects the sardonic quality of it quite clearly. She looks away, but maybe because she isn't the backing down type either, she continues walking towards him. Turning to make sure Sammy is still happily occupied, which he seems to be considering his focus on the gadget in front of him, he then looks back at the blonde down the way.

She's slightly closer but still, genuinely intrigued by the stand before her, and seems to have forgotten him entirely. Frowning slightly, displeased with this sudden turn of events, he turns back to his little brother.

"Sammy." He says loud enough for the kid to hear.

Once his little brother looks back at him, he passes the youngest Winchester a few more dollars and he adds with a mischievous grin, "Stay here. I'll be right back."

Sam rolls his eyes but nods, clearly getting the implication though he makes no attempt to find Dean's new target, and just returns to the game before him. Satisfied with this response, he heads off towards her.

Otherwise occupied with the guy at the stall, she doesn't notice him approach.

When he's standing beside her he asks, "Game or prize?"

Startled, she snaps towards him and when her eyes are on him, he smiles.

She sort of smirks at him in recognition and replies, "I'm not sure I get the question."

The attendant approaches her then, handing her the appropriate device for the game, in this case, a large hammer. He eyes the weapon and the way she holds it, casual and loose in her right hand, before answering.

"What caught your attention? The game, or the prize?" He clarifies.

"I could ask you the same question."

He chuckles, not missing her amused yet wry expression. It's clear she isn't entirely put off by him, and so with the most debonair look he can muster he replies, "Usually it's a bit of both, but in this case, I'd definitely have to say the prize."

Her response is something in between a scoff and a grin, "Well, I guess I walked myself right into that one."

She turns away from him then, returning her focus to the game she's just paid for. She adjusts her grip on the large red hammer, and steps closer to her target. He adjusts himself so when she turns to look at him, he's still standing within a close enough distance to talk to her.

"You can't fault a guy for seizing the moment." He resumes when her eyes are on him.

Her movements stop, and she smiles, as if she's fallen upon some sense of irony in his statement.

"I suppose you have a point." Sounding defeated, she loosens her grip slightly.

"By your reaction, maybe it wasn't such a good idea after all."

She glances away for a moment, her gaze shifting to the tower and bell ahead of her.

"It was pretty clever," She replies after she turns back grinning, yet her expression nonplussed.

"I'll admit it. But then again, well, I wouldn't call it 'crass'…but it wasn't great."

Then with a shake of her head, and the smirk still on her lips she adds, "I'd suggest using it… never. Really. Never again."

He looks at her curiously, not expecting this kind of banter from her, and deciding to forgo a comeback, he goes straight into introductions.

"I'm Dean," He smirks back at her.

"Buffy."

†

She doesn't reach out to shake his hand and he doesn't move either, so she moves the hammer in her hands instead.

"To answer your question honestly though," she continues so as to fill the empty silence,"It's the prize."

She points to the assortment of winnings, mostly large stuffed animals and a few basketballs.

"My little sister loves Odie, and since I sorta ditched her with my dad & his newest fembot, she might forgive me if I bribe her with a stuffed dog."

"If that's the case, I'd be glad to help you out. I'm pretty good at this."

Undoubtedly insinuating his stronger male physique, and feeling amused for the first time in weeks she extends her arm handing over the mallet, knowing she's going to get the last laugh.

So she only replies, "Show me how it's done."

With a proud smile, he grabs the hammer and positions himself in front of the stand. He takes a glance back behind her, her eyes following his progression. Seeming satisfied, though she can't tell by what, he turns to face her.

"It's all about speed and force."

He raises the mallet, and after a few seconds heaves it down towards the bell. The line of lights chase the puck as it speeds upwards but only a couple of feet from the top, it starts to descend. She tries not to seem too smug when he glances at her once more, looking abashed.

"Lets call that a practice shot."

For a moment, his wisecracker persona seems to slip as he takes a moment to reply, "Yeah, ok."

"I should go next though," She says then, "So I can get a practice shot too."

"It's all yours." With obvious casualness, he passes her the hammer, and takes a step aside.

With a smirk she grabs it, and gripping it firmly, she positions it over her shoulder. "Like this?"

Returning to his previous form, he eyes her up and down, "You're good to go."

She chuckles lightly to herself, for some reason his incessant corny flirtatious behaviour amuses her more than it offends. Luckily, the High Striker isn't much of an attraction at the moment, so other than the attendant, who seems annoyed by how long they're taking, there's no one else waiting, which probably explains why he isn't saying anything about it.

After a second, she turns serious, not wanting to mess this up by overconfidence. Her arms come rushing down, and when mallet makes contact, the lever shudders enough to be noticed, and she realizes then that she may have overcompensated and only hopes the dingy inside doesn't break through the top.

Watching with bated breath, the lights and puck bolt upwards like before only this time the bell rings out when the puck makes contact, and the sound is loud enough for people close by to turn and look. After a few seconds of recognition, the onlookers lose interest.

"Well look at that." She says to him with feign surprise.

She doesn't really give him a chance to say anything as she passes over to the attendant to return the hammer, and claim her prize. He too is surprised, but only barely, he seems more relieved they're done. He gives her the stuffed Odie without another word.

Turning to Dean she smiles coyly, "Thanks for the lesson."

She starts to walk away feeling confident he'll follow step.

Not dissuaded, he quickly turns to his brother, the younger Winchester focused on the kids shooting darts, seemingly having run out of change.

"Sammy!" he yells out as he approaches, and through the din of the crowd somehow he's heard, forcing Sam to leave the group of boys he'd quickly befriended.

"Turned you down, did she?" Sam says when he reaches his side.

He starts walking back towards the stand, his little brother following and keeps his eye trained on her retreating form, helped mostly by the dog sticking out of the purse at her side and bobbing slightly as she moves.

Mussing up Sam's hair, he replies, "Har har. You just don't get women yet, Sammy. They love the chase."

Both grinning and rolling his eyes, he remains quiet as he follows Dean's now faster pace, lagging a few steps behind.

"You know the drill, Sammy."

He takes a quick look at his little brother, just to make sure he's not too far away, and sees the smirk on his face.

"Yeah, yeah Dean. Mouth shut. If spoken to, good qualities only. I got it. I thought today was about family though, remember what you said to dad."

They're only a few feet away from her so he stops and turns to Sam. Their stillness disrupts the herd, but he ignores them.

"What do you want?" He asks seriously.

Sam's grin brightens. "We're still gonna see the show right?"

Dean scoffs but smiles, and pulls the kid under his arm, messing up his hair yet again with his hand. They resume step as he looks out for her.

"That's still the plan Sammy. Only now, maybe we'll have some company. And she's got a little sister."

He wrenches himself free from his big brother's grasp.

"Ok, that's where I draw the line Dean."

As expected, he chuckles in response, only briefly glancing down at him, "Deal."

Sam decides to keep the few steps between them as they catch up with her. With the stuffed dog jutting out on her left, Dean approaches from the right and catches sight of her pleased expression when she sees him.

"I guess since it seems I should be getting the pointers from you, how about I buy you a drink instead?"

Her brows go up at this, in part because she's only sixteen for crying out loud, but also because she sincerely doubts he can even get any.

At her expression he amends, "A coke is obviously what I meant."

She gives him a kind of knowing smile as she slows her steps but keeps moving. Looking at him up close walking beside her, she admits that he is pretty cute in fact, and despite his obvious James Dean impression, there's something sincere in his eyes.

"Make it a corn dog, and you've got a deal." She finally replies.

His lips go up in happy surprise, "Even better."

He turns back to his little brother, motioning him forwards.

As his little brother comes into her view, he adds, " And this is my little brother Sammy."

"Sam."

She smiles at the correction, and though they don't look or seem at all alike, she can already tell that they're close. She glances across at Sam, noting that she's barely a few inches taller than him. His smile is genuine and she can't help but smile back at him.

"Buffy."

"Nice to meet you."

He sounds polite, and feels like a dork for it, glancing over at Dean, seeing the mischievous expression he's familiar with all over his older brother's face.

"Nice to meet you too."

Not one to be left out, and forcing them all to pick up their pace as he moves faster, Dean declares, "And now, corndogs."

She laughs as he goes serious and his eyes focus on finding a place that has what they want, that he doesn't realize he's a couple steps ahead of them.

Now standing next to Sam, she shakes her head a little as she chuckles lightly.

"He seems uh… excited about the corndog."

Sam laughs. "Dean's big on food. Especially if it's fried."

"Isn't everyone?" She asks, sounding partial to the idea.

He glances over at her, his expression playful, "You too?"

She doesn't get a chance to reply as Dean shows up declaring that he's found a place, and in the commotion of getting through the throng of people, the subject is dropped.

"So did you guys ditch your parents too?" She asks casually as they wait in line.

Both going suddenly serious, they share a brief look before Dean answers, "It's just the two of us. Our dad's not really into crowds."

It isn't exactly a lie, he really doesn't, and saying that he's away on business as they usually do might seem odd considering it's a holiday today. Dean glances again over at Sam, hoping she doesn't ask about their mom.

"My dad apparently very much is." She replies rather heavily.

"So that's who you ditched?" Dean asks, grateful she hadn't pressed further.

"He brought a date."

The answer isn't exactly the question he asked, so he looks at his little brother for help. Sam doesn't seem to know either, so neither say anything.

"Overshare, I know. Don't think i'm like daddy's little girl and jealous and all that, cuz i'm not. It's just, we only just got here to visit him for the summer, and he's too busy dating to notice."

It's obvious now that her parents must be divorced and she and her sister are visiting dear old dad for the summer. Unsurprisingly, he gets exactly what she means, it's only that he hadn't expected to feel such a kinship with her that keeps him momentarily silent.

"Dads can be dicks." Sam says all of a sudden, as if he knows all too well of this. Which he does.

His little brother's sudden outburst seems to knock her from her sudden moodiness though, and she laughs at his words.

"You said it." She replies, her tone more than agreeing.

"Which is why my dad, will be paying for the food."

She pulls out a couple of bills from her back pocket and grins. "To be honest I swiped it from him on the way here, just in case I had to ditch."

He grins, surprised once more, she really is a girl after his own heart.

She seems almost apologetic, but when he smiles, she does too.

"Believe me, he can afford it."

They spend the next few minutes in line, and as they wait she's surprised to find that rather than play the tough older sibling act, as she so usually does, Dean seems to enjoy his little brother's company and when he teases, Sam parries right back. There's true affection there, worry even, and it's endearing enough that she seems to overlook his entire cheeseball act. Though she won't entirely deny that his exuberant way of being is more than a little refreshing compared to certain people back home.

So she accepts when Dean asks her to watch the show with them, feeling the most carefree she's felt since waking in that sewer months ago. It's almost dark so they walk and eat as they make their way to the beach to find a good spot to catch the show. Luckily when she catches sight of her Dad, sister and 'Ellie' she ducks out of view just in the nick of time.

They find a spot not too far from her family, and while her dad's date is probably sitting in her lawn chair and she's on the sand, she can't seem to be bothered about it. As the dusk wears out and her slayer senses heighten with the approaching dark, the space between them suddenly feels charged enough so that the actual fireworks are nothing compared with the ones she's feeling inside.

He seems to be feeling it too, as somehow Sam has fallen to the wayside as his eyes are focused on the show ahead of him and their's seem to be catching each other far more often than the flashes in the sky.

Just as the sparks in the sky become smaller and smaller and he knows the show is about to end, before he misses his chance, and Sam loses interest in the fireworks, he keeps her gaze when she steals a glance at him.

He moves in closer, and she does too, when Dawn appears out of nowhere.

"Dad says it's time to go."

They quickly separate, but her little sister isn't even looking at them. She seems irritated she had to walk over here, but her eyes are fixed upwards. She sees her dad in the background and kind of frowns. His back is to the skyline, and even from this distance she can tell he's not pleased.

"Tell him i'm coming." She nudges her sister away and turns back to Dean.

"I guess that means you've gotta go."

She nods, and as she stands, he does too. Sam is still determinedly distracted, possibly on purpose.

"It was fun. Thanks for the corn dog. Say bye to Sam for me."

She smiles over at the kid, not wanting to steal the last moments of the show from him.

With a parting grin to Dean she turns to leave, when he catches her arm, and she half spins back around.

"We're gonna be in town for a while, I'm sure Sam would like to see you again."

He lets go, feeling slightly abashed by his actions. She doesn't seem to notice though, and her lips go up yet again.

"Just Sam?"

Returning the grin he answers, "What can I say? The kid gets attached quick."

Breaking eye contact with him, she rummages through her purse and pulls out a pen. When she finds it, she reaches out for his hand and writes her number on his palm.

"Tomorrow?" He asks, almost eagerly.

"Sure, tell Sam to call me." She replies coyly. Turning around, she leaves smiling.

A/N: Typically, the title of this fic comes from a poem: XVII (I do not love you...) by Pablo Neruda. Inspired by the idea of this romance taking place between the shadow [Spike] and the soul [Angel]. (Kinda corny, I know). That's me. And this fic.

Next update won't be too long I hope.

Thanks again.