Warning: Don't read if you can't stand Hank Summers being bad. He's the bad guy. Also, this will deal w/ drinking, domestic abuse, and might possibly deal with rape and molestation.

Rating:PG-13 or even R

Pairings: Buffy/Angel, with Cordy/Xander, Oz/Willow, Spike/Drusilla, Angel/Darla, and Jenny/Giles

A/N: This is an A/U just FYI.

     The sound of running feet can just barely be heard above the pitter-patter of rain of the roof. A flash of lighting shows a young teenage girl running down a hallway of a mansion, gasping. He blonde hair swings to and fro; her blue-green eyes hold a look of terror.

     She trips on a shoe and falls, the breath knocked out of her.

     A hand lands on her shoulder. She lets out a gasp of fear.

     "Shhh, Buffy. He passed out. It's ok." A female voice. A motherly voice.

     Buffy sits up. Joyce is kneeling beside her. Joyce sees that she's trembling and takes her into her arms.

     "Mom, I can't take it anymore! I'm going to the police!"

     Joyce shakes her head furiously. "No! He practically owns the police! He owns practically everything in this God-damned city." She spits it out, staring at Buffy. "Buffy, pack your bags. You're leaving L.A."

     "What? No! I have no place to go! And I…I won't leave you alone to his beatings!

     But Joyce's face leaves no for argument. "I have a friend who lives a few miles south of here, in a town called Sunnydale. Jenny Calendar. We went to high school together. I've talked to her a few times and she would love to have you down there.

     "As for Hank, he beats you more if you run. 'Cause he enjoys the thrill of the chase. So don't worry 'bout me. Now go pack-and be sure to hide it. Next time he goes drinking, you hop a bus to Sunnydale."

     The 16 year-old's eyes teared up as she followed her mom's orders.

~*~*~*~*~*~

     "And the kitchen best be cleaned by the time I get home!" Hank Summers shouts as her strides out the house. A minute later an engine starts up and then fades.

     Joyce looks at Buffy. "It's time." Buffy nods. She runs off to get her backpack. In no time at all she returns. She starts to head out, but stops and spins back to her mom. She hugs her tightly. "Mom, mom I love you!" Joyce returns the hug.

     " I love you too sweetheart. Now get going and don't look back. Buffy nods and runs out the door.

     Joyce sighs through her tears. "Good luck."

R&R please, even if u hated or liked or whatever.