Sword Of Life

By the time Dawn was due home from school the work on the house was finished and Kyle and his wife Anna had left two hours before leaving Willow to upload the Bot’s new personality.
They had decided it would be best if Spike explained what was going on to her as she was more likely to sit listen to the whole plan if Spike told her, everyone else waited for them to finish in the lounge.
Spike guided a tears stained shaking Dawn into the lounge and watched as she pulled away and ran to Tara and Willow who wrapped her up in a hug.
“Dawn?” Xander asked softly.
“I’m Ok just a little scared you know.”
“I know. Don’t worry we’ve faced worse on patrol.”
“I know but you can kill Demons if they try to hurt you.”
“Trust us Dawn they will not take you away I promise.” xander said “Dawn we are going to have to use the Bot to hide the fact that Buffy is not here. I know it will be hard but we have no choice. Are you ok with that?”
“Not really but as you said we’ve got no choice.”
“We will test the program tonight and tomorrow that will also give us time to get used to it as best we can.”
Dawn nodded and gave Xander a hug before going to her room to do her homework.

Later that night after dinner Spike and Xander sat in the lounge watching late night television.
“Well that wasn’t to bad was it, I mean we can put up with it for a few days right.”
Xander looked hopefully over at Spike.
“It wasn’t fun but we can cope for a few days we don’t have a choice.” Spike agreed.
Xander gazed unseeing at the television for a while.
“Do you think I’m doing the right thing subjecting Dawn to the Bot?”
“Yes if she doesn’t get used to it she will freak when they are here. Do you intend to use it the keep the Demon world in the dark about Buffys death?”
“Only for a few weeks whilst I set up the new patrols.”
“What? Who other than us is going to be patrolling Pet?”
“The Children. Basic Training is almost finished they will be ready soon. I don’t like having to put them out there but if we want to maintain control of the Hellmouth we have no choice.”
“How many have you got?”
“Eighteen are finishing training this week and seven more in two weeks time if all goes well. You will be meeting them all on Friday.”
“What? What is happening Friday?”
“There is a meeting that we are going too. Your coming with me so you can be introduced to the Children,” Xander held up his hand as Spike went to protest “They don’t know about the chip just that you are fighting with us. It would be a shame if one of them staked you when they were on patrol because they didn’t know who you were. You don’t have to stay just let me introduce you and then you can leave if you want.”
Spike couldn’t argue with that so he reluctantly agreed to go to the meeting.
Xander wished him good night and went off to his apartment to get some rest whilst Spike sat up most of the night thinking about how things had changed since Buffy had fallen in battle.