I don't own nothing, not a sod, not a sausage. That Laurell lady and Joss fella own it all
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Ch 1 PAIN

Candlelight flickered, only slightly easing the gloom of the cavern. Smoky oil lanterns spluttered with the heavy smell of holy incense and the monk shifted uneasily, his eyes smarting as he blinked back tears.

"Father", the monk protested "We felt at the time it was the best way to protect the Key against the beast".

"You were fools……and now all is in jeopardy". Each word was pronounced with exacting care, each syllable almost savoured.

"But my lord ….the beast is dead, the slayer protected the Key as we knew she would".

"Yes and now the slayer is dead, the key is without adequate protection and worse is out with our control". The man tapped his finger a ruby the size of a nickel glinted on his finger.

"But the danger has passed, we can return the key to its former state and we can continue as we have for over a millennia".

The man growled in irritation "You made the key sentient; you gave it life in human form. And now you wish to add the stain of the death of a soul upon our order. YOU WHO DARED what only Gods have the power to do…. Blasphemy. The Key is even now in more peril than ever before. With no slayer to protect it, the darkness will soon have it within their grasp."

The monk looked up in sudden terror, his eyes wide with understanding, "we… we … I did not think… none of us thought, the beast it was so close… it seemed.."

"Silence, leave now, you will find outside your journey instructions you are to proceed immediately to Saint Tonia in Mexico, you are to take a vow of silence until I deem your penance is complete".

"But… but my Lord, the key, the girl…I must make amends my Lord".

"Silence, the key will be dealt with,… IT… is no longer of your concern".

The Monk gaped in shock, his mouth opening as if to object, and then he caught the flicker of red in his Lord's eyes. Swallowing against the tightness in his throat, he bowed deeply before backing through the wide ornate doors.

Sunnydale

Dawn huffed in annoyance, picking herself up from the floor. Sweat dripping down her back, hair plastered to her head, her whole body ached. But she loved this, this was the only time she truly felt alive.

Spike blast his rotten missing soul, not a hair out of place as he twirled her stake around his fingers, the stake which she had in her hands just seconds ago. "You need to keep your guard up bit…" he surveyed her mutinous expression, his grin widening, "you're getting better you lasted almost five minutes this time".

Dawn perked up "Really, truly…" her whole mood lightened and Spike couldn't help it as he ruffled her hair as she passed. Since Buffy's death the whole gang had rallied around Dawn, united in their grief, but Willow still had Tara, Xander had Anya and Giles well… Giles was Giles. Only Spike had seemed to understand the depth of her suffering. They had become closer over the months, united in their hatred of the buffybot, which was like raw acid into their wounds. They had argued over fixing it but the others had been oh so rational in their arguments and sometimes it even seemed like this mockery of Buffy was enough for them. Sometimes if felt like she was going to burst open, and scream until she could scream no more. The pain always below the surface, she just wanted to let it out.

Spike cocked his head, reminding Dawn so much of a puppy that she stifled a giggle. She didn't think he would appreciate the analogy. He tried so hard to act so tough and uncaring, yet beneath his glib exterior he had become her knight in shining armour".

"It's Wanda the witches and the puppy", announced Spike, making Dawn giggle. "Come on Luv, time to face the music, I told you skipping school was a bad idea, should have just faked a sickie".

Dawn huffed in irritation", I tried that last week, Willow tried to cure me and did all that witchy stuff and I ended up with boils on my face for two days, and I still had to go to school. If we keep quiet she wont know I'm here".

"DAWN SUMMERS… I Know you are here, I did a locator spell after the school called". Willows exasperated voice rang down the stairs.

"Busted", Dawn sighed.

Two hours later and Dawn was zoning out. The whole gang had been called around to deal with the 'Dawn Problem'. Everybody had an opinion everybody wanted to help, they were suffocating her.

"Dawn sweetie", Tara's kind eyes looked at her thoughtfully, "You would tell us if anything is wrong? We can help you know."

Dawn sighed and looked away, closing her mouth against the angry words that wanted to be let out. Tara didn't deserve that. She had been sweet perhaps because she had lost her mother, she seemed understand more than the others did, teaching her small level magic spells when she seemed to be blue.

Willow stood up, her resolve face on. "Dawnie, I understand, we all understand and we can help you just tell us what's wrong. But this behaviour it has to stop. Skipping school, starting fights and your grades have slipped, if the school calls social security…. well I don't think the Buffy bot will hold up to that sort of scrutiny".

Dawn had enough her temper and pain welled up, "Help me… HELP ME, .. how can you possibly help me, how can you possibly understand, my mother's dead, my sister committed suicide to protect me… and me I don't even really exist I am just a green ball of energy…..just…. JUST LEAVE ME ALONE". The door slammed as she rushed up stairs.

Willow looked around, "well err… that could have gone better".

Xander looked at her in disbelief, "You think".

Tara bit her lip, "Perhaps we should tell them". Willow shook her head emphatically.

"Tell us what", Xander shot back suspiciously.

Tara looked at Willow, who shrugged the cat was out the bag now, "We have an idea that will make things better for Dawn, make things better for all of us".

The house was finally quiet, midnight was approaching and finally the gang had left. Willow and Tara had tiptoed past her door but she could still hear them, the quiet murmur of their voices drifting from their room. She looked at the other wall she could feel her sisters room – so empty now. Dawn clutched her pillow, tears coursing down her cheeks, "Buffy I miss you, I miss you so much".

Oh god… she couldn't bear this pain, she needed to let it out. Biting her lip, just one more time, this would be the last time she promised herself. Rolling over her bed, she drew out a heavy wooden box, opening it with reverent care like a junkie going after his fix. She cleared off the junk from the top, pulling out a smaller box. Her hurt box she called it. Opening it she looked inside, the shiny blades glittered. Just one more time, just this once to let the pain out.

As the house settled and blood dripped slowly onto a white crisp hankie chief. No one was aware of a shadowy figure huddled under the tree, eyes fixated on one window in the Summers residency. It was time. He could wait no longer.

2. she wakes

Ch 2

"DAWN – look at me, just look at me, listen to me carefully Dawn I want you to put the knife down slowly"
Dawn looked up in confusion, her eyes widening, she could hear noises – jeers and shouting in the background, there was a man in front of her, his words coming slow and distant as though she was under water.
She looked around bewildered, was she in school, why didn't she recognise anything, behind the strange man she could see faces of teenagers their cries indistinct as they were hustled by teachers away from the corridor. A pain from her arms made her look down, blood was dripping from long gashes in both arms, a small 3 inch blade held in her fist.

"Ohmygod, ohhmygod… this can't be happening", Dawn looked up in fear, "This is a dream… it's just a dream".

"Just put the knife down", the man repeated. Dawn just stared back in shock, noticing inconsequentially the sweat beading on his upper lip. More noises and she looked up, a squad of security guards were hustling toward her, distracted she didn't see as the man grabbed her his hand hard against her wrist. She started screaming then.

It took three of them to restrain her and she was still screaming as she was stretchered onto the ambulance.

She came awake slowly her mind jumbled and sluggish. 'Thank god she thought it was just a dream, a nightmare. Like the time she dreamt she woke up naked in school'. She groaned and then the smell assailed her. The harsh almost disinfectant smell that only a hospital could produce. Her eyes opened to a Nurse leaning over her "Welcome back deary, you had quite a sleep there, how are you feeling?", her manner was brisk and efficient as she checked Dawns pulse. Dawn looked around wildly, "where am I? why am I here", panicking she tried to move only to loose all sense of calm as she looked down to see her wrists bandaged and restrained by stout padded leather straps.

"You are in hospital, your wounds were rather deep in areas and had to be stitched. The consultant will be here shortly and then you will be released to your guardians unless you prefer to waive that and enter into a half house and await results from 'the test'. I imagine it can't have been easy for you leaving as you do, no wonder… well no matter." The nurse was abrupt and perfunctory, as checked off a chart.

Dawn shook her head, "what… this isn't right, this can't be happening, letmego, LETMEGO", Dawn struggled as the nurse frowned down at her,

"Calm down otherwise you will be sedated again and will spend the night in an evaluation ward", the nurse rapped out sharply, "Your guardians are here and are insisting that you be released into their care".

"They are here, thank god, I want to go with them", Dawn closed her eyes, her tongue felt thick, "please just let me go, I didn't … I can't have… I just want to go home, I want to go home, please let me go home". She started sobbing it was all too much, maybe she was finally going mad.

"Dawn, Dawn its okay, everything will be okay, we are going to take you home now". A sculptured Chinese man was leaning over her as he unbuckled her straps. The nurse screeched about forms and regulations but another man entered into the cubicle sparing Dawn a wink and a smile, he pulled out a sheaf of papers, and handed them over to the nurse.

Dawn stared at them in confusion, they were … well they could have been posters ads for the Chippendales. Had Willow sent them or perhaps they were friends of Xander from the construction yard. Then his hands were under her knees and back and she was lifted up. Strangely she felt safe as he carried her down the corridor, her eyes drifting shut, she was only vaguely aware as she was placed in a car and the seat belt buckled around her.

The low murmur of voices woke her, as soon as she opened her eyes, the voices stopped. "Hey there kiddo, how you doing". The Asian man answered her, his smile slow and easy, showing way too much teeth. The other man was driving and he winked at her in the mirror, "Gave is all quite a scare Dawnie".

"I'm fine", Dawn smiled shyly back, "I feel funny, do you have something to drink my mouth feels like old carpet".

"Sure just sip it though", a cool bottle of pepsi was handed to her, and forcing herself not to guzzle, Dawn slowly sipped it down, the coldness and Glucose enough to start reviving her".

"Did Xander send you guys? Who are you, I guess you know I'm Dawn". She was chattering nonstop almost going into a Willow babble but who knew that Xander had such good looking friends and how mortifying that they picked her up from the hospital. She stared out the window so missed how the men glanced at each other in concern.

Dawn stared out the window in consternation, nothing looked familiar, her flagging senses started to catch up on her. "Where are we, this isn't Sunnydale?" Her voice wavered in mid panic. How could she be so stupid, her mum had always warned her about getting in cars with strangers. And she more than anybody should be more aware.

"Dawn its okay don't be scared, we are nearly home, you mothers on her way too".

Dawn froze, "my mother", she replied flatly, her fingers crept along the door, finding the door handle she waited until they slowed to go round a bend then throwing the Pepsi bottle at full strength at the front windscreen. Which very satisfying cracked into a million crystals. "My mum's dead you bastards", she screeched.
The car swerved and wobbled as the driver swore and tried to get it under control and safely stopped. The other man his face shocked reached back to grab Dawn. She was quicker and with a heave on the handle she fell out, after tumbling for several feet, she picked herself up, bruised but ready to go she thought assessing her condition.

The car had stopped 20 feet away, the tree line was at the road, if she lost herself in the woods, they would never find her. Pushing herself forward ignoring her tiredness and the pain from her arms. She sprinted into the woods. She didn't get ten feet. She was tackled to the ground, an arm firm around her waist, she was turned as they fell so she was cushioned by his body. She didn't allow him a second of respite, swearing, kicking, scratching, in her panic forgetting Spike's instruction. But within seconds she was contained. His arms firmly around her, his leg throw over hers.

"Dawn what the fuck is going on, you could have killed yourself are you crazy", he was almost spitting in his anger his eyes seemed to be almost glowing.

"MY MOTHER IS DEAD you bastard, you should have done your homework. When Willow finds out I am gone she will hunt you down and Spike will rip your tongue out".

"Jesus …….Dawn, lets just get you home okay, Anita is on her way, she's not dead Dawn I spoke to not ten minutes ago", seeing his words were having no effect on her. He turned around to his partner "can we drive?" receiving an affirmative. He looked back at his charge who was literally frothing at the mouth still struggling futilely against his unmoving hands, "get some rope from the trunk, I am going to bruise her if I hold her much longer".

3. Anger

Dawn seethed, it was so unfair it wasn't even a Tuesday. After her abortive escape attempt, they had tied her wrists together with a rope that 'just happened' to be in the boot. She had commented acidly on how many people they kidnapped, and the Asian dude had actually growled lightly in her face. It had been so unexpected she had actually shut up until she had been carried out like she was a baby from the 4*4 and brought to this house. She had been placed carefully on a couch and told to stay as though she was some sort of stray dog. A short whispered conversation had taken place between them and a man who had been hovering in the kitchen. She had gaped in amazement because she had never seen such an exotic man, long hair was tied up in some sort of loop, it should have looked girly but somehow just looked exotic, she had wondered idly how long his hair was - certainly it was way longer than hers and in such good condition she couldn't help feel a small spurt of female pique. And then his eyes, oh my god his eyes, soft brilliant lavender, that just had to be contacts. Nobody could have eyes like that but still it took her breath away.

She couldn't help herself she had to open her big mouth "what is this some sort of kidnapping by studs r us?", the Asian man had given a soft laugh and muttered under his breath about her being her mother's daughter. But the lavender man had flinched as though she had struck him, then he had proffered a small tray with steaming mug and cookies on it.

"Dawn … please, I know you are upset, have something to eat, you must be hungry", he paused looking at the others in concern, when she just turned her small pixie face away snubbing him, gamely he continued his voice soft and his eyes downcast, "Shang will untie your hands if you promise not to do anything …silly ……..your mum will be home soon, please how about some hot chocolate and cookies?".

It was too much, and Dawn exploded her tied hands coming up in immediate rejection, the tray, the hot chocolate and cookies flying.

"My mother's dead, you sick prick, get the fuck away from me", for good measure she had pushed him away, her foot twisting around his ankle so he went sprawling on the floor.

There was an awful stunned silence and it was with no small satisfaction that she watched the thick brown chocolate dripping against the creamy white upholstered couch and rug that lay on the wooden floor. They would never get those stains out she thought gleefully.

The other men moved awful fast, she had only a second to admire her handiwork before she was physically picked up and slammed down on the opposite couch, them – Shang leaned over her his hands on either side of her face as he literally pushed his face against hers, making her lean back heavily, her mouth dry with sudden fear.

"You okay there Nat?", the man eyes never left hers, as he spoke to the man sprawling on the floor.

Nat nodded, his eyes seemed so sad, that Dawn felt as though she had kicked a kitten.

"Listen here missy, I don't know what your problem is but Richard asked us to pick you up from the hospital, and watch over you until Anita got here. I don't give a shit what teenage rebellion you think you are going through, that's for you to take up with Anita, but on my watch you do not hurt those weaker than you, and you need to start showing a little respect. Do. You. Understand?", his eyes almost seemed to be glowing as he gave her an intent stare, his eyes locking onto hers.

Dawn's eyes skittered away, "Fine", she gritted out, "Just leave me alone". The man breathed heavily on her for a few more seconds but satisfied he had made his point he moved away.

The next hour passed slowly, the light getting dimmer as the day drew to a close. The men never moved from their posts, one always seemed to be watching the outside of the house, whilst the other just stared at her intently as though she was some sort of tasty morsel. Freaking pervert bastard she thought. Her spurt of anger keeping her fear at bay. Only the lavender man - Nat bustled to and from the kitchen trying to clean up the mess. She kept herself entertained as she thought of how Spike would personally enact vengeance on those that tried to harm her. He was very inventive. She wondered how long it would take Willow and Tara to locate her and where exactly she was. But most of all she wondered what had happened this morning. Her arms were still sore she could feel the stitching under the bandages, was she having blackouts, maybe there was something wrong with her, like her Mum had. At the thought of her mother, she naturally thought of Buffy and a wave of loneliness and grief, came over her.

The men's attention suddenly shifting as they caught the shift in her scent. Nathaniel glanced up at Shang Da his soft eyes questioning, as he bit his lip in consternation. Shang Da eyes narrowed as he gazed at Dawn assessing, before giving a minute shake of his head to Nathaniel. As far as he was concerned Anita couldn't come fast enough, he had no experience in kids, and Dawn had always seemed so sweet, so he struggling to know how to deal with this situation. The only thing that had seemed to remotely work was when he asserted his dominance as though she was a misbehaving new wolf. And he didn't think for one moment that either Anita or the others would approve of his methods. He should have taken the time to pick up Sylvia instead of Stephen, but all he had known was when Richard had called and said Dawn had an accident. He had assumed it would be a broken arm or twisted ankle from sports. It was only at the emergency room when he had spoken to her teacher that he had any clue that this was not a normal school accident. God knows what Richard would say when he found out and god knows what the others would say.

A soft sound caught his attention, and a few minutes later a car drew into the yard. Shang Da gave a soft sigh of relief. Anita was here. "Stephen watch her", he ordered sharply, before going out to meet Anita.

Dawn stiffened as the sound of car doors being slammed and the soft murmur of voices carried in the wind. Both Stephen and Nat had gone very still, their attention still on Dawn, but the cock of Stephens head said he was trying to listen to the conversation outside.

Suddenly silence, and then the door opening, Dawn stiffened, as she slowly got to her feet. A women came bustling around the corner, small petite with a crowning head of curly luscious hair. She carried herself with power. Dawn who had faced vampires, monsters and a God, knew to look beneath the surface and she knew that she faced probably the most deadliest person in the room. Behind her following Shang, were three more men, all looking serious as hell and very hot. Damn it thought Dawn it was like some sort of convention of hot men, Anya would have loved this. But with so many there was no way she was going to get away, she would just need to sit tight and wait until the gang came for her.

"Dawn what the hell is going on, everything was fine this morning, and then all afternoon it's been phone call after phone call. Damn it don't you know I am working on a very important case. I have had five calls from the school and had to cut short a federal investigation, you are suspended and they are talking about expulsion and Shang says you some cock and bull story about amnesia I'm pretty much fed of your story telling miss". Behind Anita, Shang winced, as this Anita women ranted on and on, and she had not even seen the couch yet.

Dawn surveyed her with icy calm, she had faced down a god, she could face down this bitch any day, "You must be Anita, well Anita thank you for your hospitality but if you don't release me immediately", she waved her tied arms at Anita "right this second, the first chance I get I will call the Police and will have you all arrested on kidnapping. And that's if my friends don't get here first, then you will all be lucky if you keep all your limbs intact". As threats went she thought it was not bad.

The women stopped in mid stream, her mouth gaping, there were quite a few inhalations of surprise from behind her, and weirdly a few growls too. Anita stood their momentarily nonplussed before focusing on the one thing she could control, "who the hell tied you up". She demanded angrily to the men behind her "she's not a prisoner, she's my daughter".

Dawn seethed as this women called herself her mother, she was not Joyce, she was not her mother - how dare she. She kept her tongue this time but waggled her hands towards Anita.

"Please", she asked innocently, concealing a smirk as Anita pulled a small penknife from her pockets and slit the ropes free, as Anita leaned forward her jacket gaped and Dawn caught a glimpse of a shoulder holster and gun, swallowing, her eyes wide. A freaking gun what the hell was going on. Was this some kind of weird Initiative thing. Spike had told her how they messed with your mind whilst they experimented on the monsters. She rubbed her wrists and the action drew Anita's eyes to the reddened skin below and the bandaged arms above.

"Oh Dawn, what have you done to yourself", her angry eyes softened momentarily as she reached out to Dawn.

"Don't touch me", hissed Dawn in reply.

Anita froze, her face hardening again. "Guys could you give us some privacy".

"Anita …..I don't think that's a good idea",

"I am her mother, I think I know whats be…..", she never finished her sentence as Dawn with a battle scream of "YOU ARE NOT MY MOTHER", came surging to her feet barreling over Anita before rolling to the side in front of the kitchen door. Anita's Gun held firmly in her hands.

"BACK OFF, JUST BACK OFF", everybody froze as the Dawn knelt with the gun firmly in her hands aiming directly at Anita's head.

"fuck me", somebody whispered in shock.".

Anita froze, her hands held out beseechingly "oh my god Dawn… "

"Dawn listen to me, I'm sorry I shouted, I didn't understand Dawn, I thought you were just acting up, But Dawn I am listening now, please Dawn ….please put the gun down before somebody gets hurt".

Dawn had to give Anita credence with a gun aimed at her head she was very calm. The other men in the room were starting to circle it, they seemed to be growling again. Jesus what had she landed herself into this time.

"Just everybody stay back and don't move"".

"Dawn …. Dawn look at me… just calm, it's okay nobody is going to do anything, nobody is going to hurt you. Dawn it's my silver gun, you don't want to hurt anybody either do you Dawn".

"Tel them to stop moving".

"Everybody stay back… this is between me and Dawn, I don't want anybody else to interfere". Anita's eyes never left Dawn as she spoke, but Dawn could feel the press of power behind those words. The men stopped moving but they stayed where they were.

"Okay Dawn, everything is calm, nobody is going to do anything… tell me what you want?"

Dawn looked at her fiercely "I want to go home… give me a phone so I can call Willow".

Anita closed her eyes, her throat swallowing, as she carefully replied, "You are home Dawn… please Dawn put the gun down". She held her hands out palms down in plea.

"Look lady, I don't know what the hell you are but you picked the wrong girl, when my sister and her friends come, you are in for a world of hurt, and I think you know who my sister is…. Now GIVE. ME. A PHONE." enunciated Dawn less than calm. They wouldn't know her sister was dead, but the threat of Buffy may help and the Buffy-bot was not bad for intimidation if required.

Shang suddenly moved, a phone in his hand as he made to come towards her.

"Whatever happens Dawn is to be protected, she is not to be harmed….Shang Da this is your duty to your pack", Anita unexpectedly announced.

Dawn just raised an eyebrow, aiming for an air of ruthless competence, but inside her heart was thundering, her mouth was dry and her hands were slick with sweat. "STOP… slide it along the floor", Dawn waved the gun around and not taking her eyes off Anita as Shang Da slid the phone towards her.

Dawn didn't take her eyes off either the lady in front of her or the men ranged around her. This was so not a good situation, if she tried to call, her attention would be diverted and likelihood they would jump her. But she couldn't stay in this Mexican stand off for ever. Considering at the very least if they were human they could be facing 5 to twenty for kidnapping and if they were not human, they would expect the wrath of Buffy, they wouldn't know that Buffy was no longer only the Buffy-bot remained.

Dawn sighed, all eyes were on her and even though she had both a gun and a phone she wasn't quite sure what to do. If only she had Willow or Spike here… even Anya would do. She groped around on the floor feeling the mobile she picked it up, trying to feel where the numbers were without glancing down.

"Dawn, you have the phone, why don't you put the gun down now, nobody is going to hurt you, I know you are afraid, and I am so sorry I didn't understand what was happening…..but you know I will protect you, you are safe Dawn, please just put the gun down", Anita kept talking softly to her, her whole focus on Dawns face as though she was trying to memorize every feature there. Her eyes had tears in them now, and strangely she seemed to be scared.

Everybody else was deathly quiet, their faces in shadow as the sun finally went down, their eyes seeming to almost glow in the dark as they stared at Dawn, seemingly happy to let Anita do the talking.

"Dawn, please Dawn, … I love you Dawn", at those words Dawns eyes swung back to Anita in shock at that announcement. She didn't hear the basement door opening silently behind her or see the man as he moved swiftly yanking Dawns arm up and to the side, the loud boom of a gun going off making Dawn shriek, as she was swung around, her gaze caught by two piercing emerald eyes, that drew her down and down, until she could hear and feel and see no more.