Author's note: I own nothing. This was originally a challenge on TtH.

Enjoy.

Marching to the Beat of a Different Timeline

"...and they were really creepy, Luke, all sunshades and black suits, it was like Men in Black come to life."

"And Androvax is gone?"

"Yeah, off to – I dunno, reseed his race on a new planet, or something. Whatever, you know?"

"And the – Mr Dread?"

"Gone back to sleep. Mr Smith reckons he'll probably never wake up, not unless Androvax or another Veil comes back."

"Sounds like he needs the rest."

"Yeah, I guess. So! How's Uni? Settling in all right? Corrected any teachers yet?"

"We've not really have any proper classes yet. Just orientation and things. It's great, though. I love it here."

"Yeah, well, we expect you to graduate in record time, got it?"

Luke hesitated, biting his lip. "Really?"

"No." Clyde's voice was fond. "Just enjoy yourself. And come back and visit soon."

"I will." Luke started walking again. "How's school?"

"Weird without you. No signs of anything odd going on down there?"

Luke jerked to one side to avoid a girl who was also on her phone. "Sorry!" she said apologetically.

Luke grinned, shaking his head, and kept going. "No, Clyde. There's nothing weird here at all."

"Yes, Buffy, I'm here. Yes, Buffy, I'm checked in. Yes, Buffy, I got a single room. No, Buffy, no one's tried to kill me..."

"You're very funny," Buffy said, amused. "Seriously, Dawn, are you all right?"

"I'm fine. Honestly. I've checked and my living expenses are coming into my account, and I've got all my books, and I know my way around campus. I'm carrying a stake and I'm not going out at night, and all the Slayers on campus know me and have my class schedule. That's about the best I can do."

"And you haven't seen anything weird?"

Dawn blinked as a boy on his own cell twisted to avoid her. "Sorry!" she apologised. He grinned and waved her off, already talking into his phone again, and she kept going. "No, Buffy. There's nothing weird here at all."