WWDD: S2E9 “WHAT’S MY LINE PART 1”

It’s Career Week, and Joyce is out of town until Thursday. That leaves Buffy in charge—with some backup from Janice’s mom and Joyce’s new friend from Spanish class, Pat, to watch Dawn after school. Buffy’s been glum all week, and Dawn doesn’t get it. Why can’t Buffy just pick what she wants to be when she’s done being a vampire slayer? Someone else will take over eventually… right?

One evening, Janice’s mom drops Dawn off late, and Buffy’s not home yet. On the porch, a shadow moves—Angel. Dawn nearly screams but recognizes him just in time. She invites him in and introduces him to her stuffed-animal collection, appointing him the temporary guardian of Mr. Gordo. She’s mid–grand tour before trotting to her room for more when Buffy climbs in through her bedroom window. After making ice-skating plans, Dawn marches back in, arms full of plush toys and indignation. She huffs that she and Angel were in the middle of something. Typical Buffy—always stealing the spotlight.

Meanwhile, at the library, the Watchers Council tries to call Giles to warn him they’re sending Kendra, another Slayer, to Sunnydale. The line’s dead. They assume Giles is ignoring them—too pompous, probably—the gang never realizing Dawn unplugged the phone during The Dark Age. Buffy comes home tense and cancels both babysitters. New plan: Dawn comes straight to the school library after class. Fine.

While the Scoobies research, Dawn pokes around and spots the unplugged phone cord. Oops. She plugs it in—just in time for Giles’s call to Xander. The mention of Xander perks her right up; she begs to tag along. Giles sighs and tells her to stay put (but quietly). When he checks later, Dawn’s curled up in his office chair, fast asleep. His resulting exasperated sigh does nothing to stop him from draping his thick tweed jacket over her before retreating back to his books.