When Angels Sleep...

TITLE: When Angels Sleep...

SERIES: Spam and Umad A.U. #8 (after "Energized")

PAIRING/RATING: Sam/Dawn; PG-15ish for Fluff/Insinuations

DISCLAIMERS: Ryan & Joss (in theory)/Michelle & Carly (in talent, beauty, presence etc *sigh*)

SUMMARY: Nothing much; Dawn hangs out at the Palace

SPOILERS: Vauge references to S6 Buffy ep "All the Way" other than that, you've heard it all before...probably better.

DATE: Aug 2 (germination) thru Sept 2 (fruition)

A/N: Just another brazen attempt to justify my fave current 'ship; Think these 2 have a lot in common--besides their totally undeniable babe-o-licsiousness. Just reviewing how
well I've done my homework...

"This is my room" Sam grunted as she leaned harder against the door. Finally whatever had fallen against it to block their entrance gave way and the two slender brunettes managed to squeeze in thru the narrow opening...

The entire floor was carpeted with a 2 foot deep layer of clothes, blankets, pillows, the odd stuffed animal, books & magazines, food wrappers, Cds etc.

"Just toss your stuff on the bed" Sam indicated a vague Southern location; Dawn could see nothing resembling a bed, but ventured gingerly in the indicated direction. She was bound to bump into something eventually. About the only thing rising visibly above the layer of debris was Sam's monitor--leading one to believe that a desk, keyboard etc. where also in the general area. Even the posters and pictures on the wall were 2-3 layers deep, overlapping so that none of them could be easily identified...

"I love what you've done to the place," Dawn quipped, stubbing her toes against the ground-level box spring mattress. She tossed her overnight bag on the bed and sat down precariously beside it...

"Yea my mom made me clean it up when I told her I was expecting company--hey!" Sam began, finally catching the sarcasm...

Dawn giggled it off, until she swore she felt something furry scurry across the top of her feet, which she immediately drew up onto the bed...

"Cool. So this is where you write?" Dawn asked doubtfully, nodding towards the computer.

"Yea lately," Sam began. She bound across the mounds of debris as sure-footed as a mountain goat; paused over one non-descript mass, rooted around and came up w/ a battered, Spiral notebook, "Most of my stuff's in these tho..."

She tossed it nonchalantly to Dawn, who caught it and held it as if it was a scared scroll. Carefully opening it with profound reverence.

"So Xander and Willow tell me you used to be quite the prolific wordsmith yourself--the Dawnmiester Chronicles?-- you just loose interest or what?"

"Yeah, I, uh, kind of outgrew it..." Dawn reflected back to the charred remains of her diaries--years in the making (or not)--"Just trying to look forward from here on out...Sometimes I'm not even sure I'm the same person who wrote them..." she ended on a wistful, lingering note.

"Yeah I know what you mean baby, It cracks me up looking back on some of the goofy stuff I used to write," Sam barrelled on obliviously. "But I keep plugging away at it though." Sam open a book that had somehow earned a place above the general chaos. She pulled out a yellowed newspaper clipping and carefully handed it to the younger brunette... "My dad--Joe...Reporter of the Year," she stated; pride still overcoming the immense sadness/loss of his passing.

Dawn immediately jumped up and gave her girlfriend a hug. "I'm sure he'd be proud of you Sam--following in his foot steps and all...How could he not be?" She managed to coax a reluctant smile..."Now see, I'd have a problem, because I'd have to abandon my family and shack up with a girl 2 years older than my daughter...er, um, me."

"And here I am..." Sam teased, not allowing Dawn to dwell on what she assumed was a traumatic subject. "C'mon, I'll show you the rest of the house."

They somehow managed to fall back thru the doorway nearly colliding with Brooke in the hall. The blonde had barely been able to accept her best friend Nicole's relationship with Willow (another woman--and a witch!); she refused to acknowledge Sam's feelings for Dawn at all. She'd managed to delude herself into thinking Sam was just "baby-sitting the brat" while Nic and that redhead were off munching floor-covering or whatever...

"B-Brooke...this is Dawn---"

"Oh yeah, your little friend from Riverdale...nice to meet you Dawnie...Wow! You have really beautiful hair! Don't let our resident rat's-nest here near it--or your Mom'll kill you when you get home!"

"Brooke---Dawn's mom is...gone."

"Oh. I'm sorry honey---Mine left me too..."

"So. Hey--Cheerleader!" Dawn pointed at Brooke's Glamazon uniform desperate to change the awkward tone of conversation. "My sister Buffy was head Razorback for a while--until she burnt the gym down...allegedly..."

"Wow! Not even Mary Cherry could manage to do that!"

Sam tried to steer them downstairs, but Brooke stopped her for one more aside--even tho Dawn was only a few feet away--

"Look Sam, Josh is...coming over tonight. Please try to keep your little slumber party shenanigans down to a dull roar OK? Listening to a couple of girls squealing about the Backstreet Boys or whatever is hardly condusive to a romantic interlude--if you catch my drift..."

"Rest assured Sis," Sam could barely maintain a "straight" face in the face of Brooke's denial--"there will be no uncontained/uncontrollable outbursts on the topic of boys..."

"Well...good," Brooke wandered off with a confused gaze.

"Arrgh," Sam groaned, "that woman can be so aggravating! Sometimes I wish she'd just disappear!"

"Sam! T-Trust me when I say this--NEVER and I mean NEVER EVER wish for anything like that!" (All she could picture was how alone she'd felt--first her mom, then Buffy--climbing in bed with the Buffybot for some semblance of comfort. An inanimate machine in a cold, indifferent world--sometimes the illusion's all you get...) "I'm from Sunnydale babe--the Hellmouth--believe me I ~know~ about these things!" Dawn managed to get her point across with just enough of a smile attached that Sam knew she wasn't being scolded--just reminded. And yes--there were some ~seriously odd~ occurrences in Dawn's hometown.

"There you two are!" a very radiant, post-natal Jane McPherson bubbled as the two brunettes entered the kitchen. "I made some cookies--chocolate chip--hope you don't mind," she smirked, knowing Sam's nonexistent will-power. "Honey why don't you get out some glasses and milk..."

"Mother!" Sam growled. "Jeez what is this Romper Room? We're not in Kindergarten anymo--"

If Sam had expected Dawn to be offended by Jane's actions, (or their subsequent, albeit unintentional insinuations) she sure couldn't tell by looking at her. Dawn held her plate up with both hands as Jane piled them on, straight from the cookie sheet, all hot and gooey...Dawn waved the plate under her dainty, freckled nose like a true conissuer--

"M'Cookies!" earned her two extra ones from Jane's spatula. She shuffled triumphantly past Sam, heading towards the table. She stopped long enough to purr in the older girls ear--"as in M'Nookie" Sam felt a sudden, delicious chill run down her spine and a warm, wet, happy feeling developing elsewhere when her mom stirred her back to reality.

"Well you're not going to make Dawn eat all by herself, are you?"

"N-n-no," Sam sputtered, rolling her eyes at her mischievous munchkin who was winking and wagging her eyebrows, her melted chocolate moustache completing the Grouch Marx impersonation.

As Sam embarrassedly walked over and grabbed her plate from her mom, Dawn got 3 glasses and poured them all some cold milk making a deliberate presentation of Jane's--

"Would you like some Ms. McPherson? I poured some for you..."

"Little suck-up" Sam teasingly muttered; Dawn acting all aloof and snooty---

"God Ms. McPherson these are great!" Dawn bubbled turning her head from Jane to newborn Little Mac gurgling in her bassinette. Launching into pre-requisite "goo-goo baby-speak"...

Sam looked on amazed at how easily Dawn could adjust to a comfort level she didn't even feel in her own "home". Maybe she was still harboring some resentment about the merger and the move to the Palace. Maybe it all went back to that "stranger in a strange land" feeling Dawn was always on about--like you just have to accept and adapt to the environment you find yourself in...pretty smart cookie; that little cookie-fiend...

Mike chose this moment to enter from a late meeting; Little Mac expressing her joy of his arrival by abruptly filling her diaper--a reaction her step-sister could SO relate to...Mike kissed Jane, then took his youngest upstairs to change. Sam and Dawn having devoured every cookie in sight decided to follow suit. Sam looked back at her mom, humming, cleaning up and ran back in and hugged her. Slowly pulling apart, Sam dropped her watery gaze and muttered something about being "...glad you're still around...". Jane smiled, blinked back a tear of her own and scooted her first-born out of the kitchen instantly (and thankfully) aware of the effect that little red haired girl was having on her headstrong, self-absorbed daughter...

It was already after eleven when the two pleasantly stuffed brunettes squeezed back thru the doorway into Sam's bedroom. They'd thought about renting some movies earlier but now Sam just surfed the channels. She was sprawled on her tummy taking the lion's share of her bed, Dawn sitting demurely on a corner next to her overnight bag. Sam nudged her.

"Hey kiddo, aren't you going to get ready for bed?" her sly, sexy smile widening...

"Um...Jeez, you're not going to ~watch~ are you?" Dawn asked hesitantly, exaggerating the nervous tone; barely suppressing the giggle...

"My room." Sam's smirk betraying her noncommittal tone...

"Perv much?" Dawn muttered, rummaging thru her bag for a garment. The young chestnut haired girl felt a strange new sensation (a total titillation; ~hee hee~ tit) feeling Sam watching her every move as if she was the one literally undressing her with her big brown Bambi/Bedroom eyes...

Sam was awestruck watching her lithe young lover move; every action so smooth, so flowing, like a dance. Sure they'd seen each other's bodies before; but the few times they disrobed together had been in a mutual passioned frenzy; a time trial! She watched Dawn reach down and unbuckle the straps of her sandals. She followed the line of her long, slender legs (clasped together and bent at the knees) to where they finally disappeared under her dangerously short denim skirt. She stood and stepped out of the slight heels by pushing off each with the opposite foot. She flipped her long hair back, casting a nervous glance at Sam, who immediately averted her eyes to the TV, fooling no one...

Dawn thought back to all those vaguely erotic movies that Willow always let her watch when Buffy was out patrolling (Go Cinemax!). She recalled all those sultry women putting a seductive spin on the ritual further enhancing their partners desire. But right now...she was so scared she could barely move. Finally, turning and unzipping her skirt and letting it fall. Stepping out of it while simultaneously pulling her top off over her head. Her long hair cascading in silken waves as she manuvered out of her pale blue bra...

There are moments that'll will be forever burned in your memory banks; Sam was praying to anyone who'd listen that this would be one of them. She never wanted this vision to end. She felt awash in the radiance of her young lover's beauty. That crown of shiny henna locks. That pixie face with the ice-blue eyes, the irrepressible smile on those luscious lips, and more freckles than she could count in a lifetime (altho she vaguely wondered if there wasn't some place she could apply for a research grant...). Her eyes wandering down Dawn's slender body until they transfixed on the slight jiggle from the waif's firm, full breasts. A year younger than Sam, Dawn was already bigger...she knew the girl would develop what those artistic types refer to as "a nice rack". Typical, almost translucent skin all redheads seem to possess, Sam could see the thin blue veins, another smattering of freckles and large pale pink nipples gracing her girl's "pre-bodacious tatas". Down past that tight little punkin' belly (who's navel, Sam decided, needed to be pierced with a turquoise stud, toot pronto!). Those slender hips; that ripe, round rump! Clad now only in the sheerest light blue silk bikini panties and...Wha...?!? No!!!

Dawn wiggled the over-sized T-shirt down over her hips. She was flipping her hair up from under the collar, smirking as Sam oh-so-reluctantly returned to reality...God how long had she been drooling...?!?

Sam soaked in the colorful skulls & roses motif on Dawn's T before making the mental registration--"What? Telling me you're a Deadhead now?"

"Naa--got this one from Oz, Willow's old boyfriend, he's a musician...I outgrew all mine. Haven't seen them since I was like seven..."

Sam was sporting her famous bemused/befuddled look...

"What? It's not like I dropped acid or anything...besides Mom hoovered our stash--you know those arty-types..." Dawn instantly deciding that she probably "remembered" the Grateful Dead concerts as well as anyone else who'd ever been to one...

Dawn felt a little more at ease now that the potentionally embarrassing moment had passed. She jumped back on the bed, sitting on her knees. She proceeded to rummage further thru her bag, finally producing a small bottle of strawberry schnapps.

"Want some of this? Anya gave it to me...she said 'humans often celebrate social and/or romantic encounters with intoxicating libations'."

Both girls giggling at Dawn's non-malicious, yet accurate impersonation. Sam braved it, cracked the seal and both girl's took a hesitant initial gulp...

Spam (the big modest rat!) excused herself to the bathroom and returned clad for (ahem) slumber in a white tank-top and a pair of baggy men's red & black tartan plaid boxers. Sam giggled as Dawn realized she'd escaped the changing ritual and threw a few kernels of popcorn at her in mock anger...

"Bee-otch."

The journalist plopped down beside her girl on the bed. Dawn on her belly, head propped on her elbows; Sam sitting beside her, legs folded lotus-style. They both became immediately engrossed in the TV images...

"That's my old Roswell tape--I thought I'd taped over that" Sam sighed with relief. "I used to have this major crush on Brendan Fehr" she sighed with...something other than relief...

"Ewww!" Dawn squealed, "It's Max Evans all the way baby!"

They each took another strong pull on the short bottle feeling a slight giddiness which probably had more to do with rampant teen hormones than the small measure of alcohol.

"Actually..." Dawn looked sheepishly over at Sam before continuing, "when I watch this--all I can think about is Majandra Delfino...she's so...unbelievable! There's just some thing so sexy about girls with thick full lips--killer smiles; pouts that make you melt; lips you just know where made for kissing--" Dawn suddenly burying her head in embarrassment, Sam barely heard her mumble "--OMG! I just 'fessed up to my first girl crush!"

"You think that's bad?" Sam began hesitantly, drawing her out. She got up and walked unsteadily towards the wall. She pulled off the top layer of generic posters above her desk to reveal a subsequent layer of....Britney Spears!

"Damn it Dawn!" Sam squealed as she dove back into bed beside the suddenly hysterical girl. "If you tell ~anyone~ about this---"

"I--I--I can't h-help it!" Dawn managed between convulsive laughter, which Sam soon found irresistibly contagious.

They were suddenly interrupted by a loud, stattaco knock on the wall. They remained momentarily frozen as they replayed Brooke's earlier warning about excessive displays and outbursts. It lasted all of 5 seconds until they were rolling on the bed laughing even more boisterously than before.

"Argh...No fuck it Josh! They totally broke the mood!" a muffled Brooke bemoaned on the other side of the wall. Followed by much slamming and mumbling; ending with a "Fine..Let's go out to your car..."

"So..." Dawn managed, when their laughter finally subsided "Have you always been--you know--attracted to girls?"

Sam rolled over to face her, momentarily lost in concentration. "N-not really...I mean...I don't know. I've always noticed boys--you know like who's hot or not...but at the same time I was noticing girls as well...At first it was just like I wanted to ~BE~ them, but looking back it's more like I wanted to be ~WITH~ them, you know?" She has the cutest frown, as she continues contemplating--"I don't know if that makes me bi...or gay...or what. I've never been with anyone before you---but being with you seems totally...natural..."

"Me too...with you" Dawn began awkwardly. "I mean, I know you think I'm just being corrupted by ~evil Willow's~ influence (smirk) but you're the first person I've felt totally comfortable with. I'm not going to lie to you--I was attracted to boys too...this one guy, Justin, god I was SO nervous...he was the first person I ever kissed--I mean other than Mom and Dad and Buffy--but he, h-he wanted more---and honestly I was almost ready to--to--" Dawn shuttered with her secret memory...

"Sssh, Sssh honey" Sam hugged her agitated girlfriend reassuringly. "Guys are like that--especially our age. I, um I came pretty close one time myself--Carmen's brother Leo-- older; a major hottie--god I practically threw myself at him! I just wanted to get it over with you know? Find out what all the fuss was about...Find out if that's what I really... wanted. Thank god he was gentlemanly enough to fear a statutory rape charge--now if I could only instil that fear into Harrison!" Sam finished with a quip.

Both girls shared a final pull of the bottle; lost to their own thoughts. Neither believing they'd explained themselves fully/accurately. But actions speaking louder than words, Sam wrapped her arms around Dawn, as the younger girl snuggled gratefully into the embrace. The last thing Sam remembered before drifting off to sleep was mentally replaying the exchange she'd had with Buffy at their first encounter---

"Dawn was given to me. She's important to this world; precious. I have to protect her..."

"OK Sams; you've past the first test--but hurt her and I'll kick your scrawny, brunette ass!"

---or something like that...Damn, a little bit of strawberry schnapps goes a long way towards...towardzz...zzzzz....zzzzz ...Buzzzzz...

"Argh!" Sam groaned, swatting at the alarm...Crap! They were supposed to go to the mall with Nicole and Willow this morning--way up there on the "My Favorite Things To Do with a Hangover" list...

Gradually, Sam brought her bloodshot baby browns into focus --and on her favorite sight in the world. Dawn looked so beautiful, so peaceful, so still; deep in sleep. Buffy was right--she truly was an innocent. Despite all the horrors she'd seen in her young life; despite the fact that she'd been ravaged and defiled by a rabid lesbian pervert! Sam kicked herself mentally; despite all of Dawn's tender reassurances Sam still couldn't believe her good fortune. She could stare at the girl's face forever--and she was a girl really, but the thing was, sometimes Sam felt more young and vulnerable than Dawn had ever behaved. It was a big, ugly, scary world out there--why couldn't they just stay here forever? Young; care-free...

Closer examination revealed just the slightest trace of drool stretching, glistening from the corner of Dawn's perfect mouth to her pillow...Dawn's Perfect Mouth--even the morning after; still totally inviting and kissable. That shiny pink lip gloss that Dawn knew she liked--the one that tasted like Bubble gum--Sam had even worn it herself, till she had to start acting all grown-up and High School...She smiled at the memory of digging thru Dawn's purse once in search of it--the kid had even more lip-sticks than Nicole! Sam was lost; imagining herself breaking that string of drool with the tip of her tongue, tracing it back to it's source; licking, kissing those soft full lips, parting them and probing with her talented tongue and...

"You're awake aren't you?" she asked too embarrassed to move.

"Argh," Dawn groaned, "I'm really not sure...I feel like..."

"Hammered shit on a rock?"

"Exactly..." Her crystal blue eyes slowly opening to their usual anime-proportioned fullness.

The two just stared at each other in the midst of tangled hair, limbs, blankets and smiles...finally braving the effort of a kiss--only to be rewarded with a huge whiff of each other's morning halitosis...

"Whoa!" was simultaneous, and proceeded a fresh burst of laughter...

"C'mon--We've got to meet Willow and Satan in less than an hour--You can have the shower first..." Sam said as both girls slowly sat up.

"Or we could save time and...double up" Dawn suggested randily, winking at Sam while she gathered her toiletries...

"Yeah, well you can explain that to my mom and Mike then..."

"Hate to break this too you Sam-a-lamb, but I imagine they've showered together once or twice themselves..."

"Ewww!"

"Hey Sam--I, uh, guess we got a little 'faced last night (?) I didn't say or do anything, like totally embarrassing, did I?"

"No baby..." Sam began, soon distracted by Dawn bending/stretching/humming (a morning ritual she could definitely support)...Then guiltily flashing back to her own "deviant behavior"--"W-w-what about me?"

"Nope...Can't think of anything to out-of-line" she said making her way across the room amidst the scattered debris. Her humming getting gradually louder--she was almost to the door when Sam recognized the tune. Dawn did a little exaggerated butt-wiggle, singing "Hit me baby, one more time!" as she dove thru the door giggling...

Sam tossing everything even remotely in reach at the closing door. "Come back here! I'll hit your punk ass!" she huffed, the exertion doing wonders for her throbbing head...A delicious, evil grin breaking across her face--someone was going to have a surprise shower-guest after all...