E S S A Y S
Dawn/Xander: The Why and the How by Christine
Many questions arise when Buffy fanfiction writers say that they like Dawn Summers shipped with another person within the fandom. This is due largely in part because of her age. In season five when she is first introduced she is 14 years old, too young to be paired with anyone, but you could still see the potential she could have with certain characters, namely Xander. When season six began Dawn was 15, still too young for any sort of romantic relationship, but the viewer could begin to see Dawn grow up and mature. When season seven began, Dawn was 16 and rapidly becoming quite a mature young woman, and by the end of the season (and sadly the series) it was obvious she was all grown up, physically and mentally. She would now be 17 if the show were to have an eighth season and thus it would be all right to pair her romantically with someone from the show.
Season five showed the beginning friendship between Xander and Dawn. He watched her when Buffy or Joyce (pre 'The Body'), and instead of talking down to her like others did, he talked to her. They laughed, they played games, ate pizza and watched movies. He never excluded her from things that he did; unless of course it was dangerous. He always stuck up for her, mainly when Buffy got angry with her, like in the episode entitled ‘Real Me’.
Season six was the darkest year for all of the Buffyverse characters. While Buffy, Willow and Spike had the largest problems, the rest of the characters each had their inner turmoil also. Dawn was stealing and acting out because barely anyone paid attention to her, and Xander broke off the engagement with Anya at the alter, ending their long running relationship for the most part. This was the year Dawn grew up and by the end of the season, she came into her own; showing Buffy she could stand up for herself in times of crisis. No longer was she a ‘whiny brat’ as some fans called her; she truly became a member of the Scooby Gang. This is increasingly apparent in season seven with Dawn becoming a mini-Watcher.
When season seven came along the friendship between Xander and Dawn became even closer. They comforted each other when they needed someone to talk to, and if anyone didn’t notice their closeness beforehand, they certainly did in the episode ‘Potential’. In the episode, the gang thinks Dawn is a potential Slayer when the beam of light Willow used to find the potential runs through Dawn and out the front door. Everyone is frantically asking Dawn questions about it and when Dawn feels overwhelmed, Xander comes to her rescue and tells them to back off, even including Willow. At the end of the episode, when Dawn realizes she really isn’t a potential Slayer, she accepts it and helps the rest of the gang talk to Amanda (the actual potential). Xander sees how mature and grown she is and commends her on it. She tells him it wasn’t her gift in the first place, and he in turn tells her that she’s not just special, she’s extraordinary. He kisses her on the forehead and she proceeds to tell him that she believes she knows what his gift is; seeing and knowing what no one else can see. This ultimately foreshadows Xander; his eventual run in with Caleb, and his left eye being gouged out. The day Xander comes home from the hospital Dawn questions Buffy about his condition and how he is more then once, only to be told to be quiet. Later in the day when he comes home, she runs into his arms and they share a moment together.
The potential of an actual relationship at the end of season seven was so incredibly apparent that if there was a season eight it would become increasingly easy to maneuver these two characters into a romantic relationship, especially since Anya was killed (I liked her, but it would be easier if she was out of the picture). I sometimes wonder if the writers thought that also, but I guess its just something that we’ll never know.