Disclaimer: We own nothing.

Rating: PG-13

Pairing: Buffy/Angel, Willow/Tara, maybe others

Timeline: Around the 'Tabula Rasa' episode

Author's Notes: This is a round robin fanfic done by members of the Simply Buffy guild on neopets. Each chapter is done by a different author so please try to give feedback as much as possible. It would be greatly appreciated.

Chapter One - As I lay dreaming

By Kitty, SanityFair on fanfiction

(Narrator's Point of view)

Deep within the heart of Sunnydale there is a small little shop called 'The Magic Box.' Visitors to this place like to go for the fascinating items they find or that they are looking for to begin with. Usually this place is a means to come, get what you need, and then leave. There is no lounging about. Unless of course you are Buffy Summers or her merry band of scoobies. Or of course a certain blonde vampire that won't take 'no' for an answer. When they are not fighting the forces of evil, the slayer and her crew do have a normal life to tend to. Just as normal as you and I. Though their problems are escalated with the supernatural. And sometimes too much of a good thing can be very, very bad. Especially for them. Little things such as...

Magic.

Or maybe even something not so blatantly obvious. Something that some of us can control, can tame and push down. While other's have yet to master it. A little thing like...

Fear.

Nestled inside the Magic Box near the fall of night is where our scene unfolds. Everyone is still sleeping comfortably after suffering the effects of a spell cast unwittingly by Willow Rosenberg. Giles and Anya are leaning on each other near the counter, Tara is on a chair by herself, Dawn is curled on the floor on the lower level while Buffy is curled on the higher level, Willow and Xander are lying next to each other and Spike is sprawled out on the counter. They look so peaceful now, but oh if they only knew what was in store for them.

AT THE MAGIC BOX

(Buffy's Pov)

It's so beautiful here. There are trees and the sun is shining overhead and I smell the strong scent of wild flowers even though I don't see any. I don't think I'm alone here either. But, it's not the scary 'oh my god what's that behind me' feeling either. It's calming, almost peaceful. And then I see someone out of the corner of my eye. Just a glimmer of a white robe and as I turn to look who it is...

I wake up.

Stupid dreams. I kinda wanted to know who it was that was there with me. And that once calm and peaceful feeling I felt is gone. Where I am now is gripping almost. It's like the room is too small and the air is pressing heavy on all sides. I don't think I like it. But, I force those thoughts out of my mind and convince myself that maybe I'll have the same dream tonight and...

"Huh?"

I blink a few times. I have no idea where I am. Who I am even... Okay, something isn't right here. I squint my eyes against the darkness as I try to figure out where I am. Light! Light would help right about now. I wave my arms blindly as I start to move forward in the semi darkness, foot to heel, foot to heel. I go slow because I hear someone around on the floor. I don't want to step on them or anything, but I am scared to death by the thought of them even being there. Finally I find the light switch and flick it on.

(Willow's Pov)

She's just out of reach. I can get to her I know I can, but I'm in some kind of maze of some sort. A weird hall with too many rooms and too many directions to take. I know she's nearby, I can feel her almost. Oh there she is! I spot a glimpse of a female running and I'm just close enough to catch her, but suddenly my eyes began to flutter open and I'm awake.

Oh poo. It was just a dream.

I feel someone uncomfortably close to me and I turn my head to see whose snuggled up with me. I instantly gasp and jump back. It's some guy! Who the heck is this person...? Wait...who am I?

(Xander's Pov)

I jump at the gasp and then wait a moment for my sleep to wear off. Hey, now...who's this. I'm staring face to face with a redheaded girl. A cute redheaded girl. Okay, play it cool. Play it cool. I'll just introduce myself and...wait... Who am I introducing myself as? I...don't know who I am. Did I get drunk? I don't have a headache. Okay, so that pickup line is thrown right out the window. Okay, act natural. Don't let her know you lost your memory.

"Hey," I say giving her one of my best goofy grins.

"Uh...hey," she says a little nervously.

Oh yeah...I'm good.

(Buffy's Pov)

By now everyone is beginning to wake up and I have no idea who these people are. How can I when I don't even know who I am? I'm scared, beyond scared even, but I'm not going to let it show. Not yet anyway. I have to keep my fear in check. I don't know why. But, I just have to. I look over and do a quick scan of everyone in the room.

"Hello?" A British looking man asks no one in particular.

All of a sudden we hear a crash and I look over with a fright. The man with the bad dye job has rolled himself off of the counter in his mantra of sleeping. At the sound of the noise I hear a shriek and I look over to my left to see it's a teenage girl. I may not know who these people are, but I feel this strange desire to make sure she's okay. She's just a kid after all. I make my way over and she sits up and scoots against the wall, a look of fear still plastered across her face.

"Who, who are you people?" she asks with wide eyes matching our own.

AT ANGEL INVESTIGATIONS

(Angel's Pov)

How could they let this happen? How could I let this happen? I thought I knew her, I really thought I was getting through to her. She was so lost and I thought I had given her a direction. But now... Christ, I'm supposed to be a protector of the innocent and now; I can't believe I didn't see the warning signs. If there were even warning signs. Sure, my visits may have suddenly stopped but that gave her no right to jump off the horse.

"Angel?" Cordelia asks as she walks over to me as I grab my car keys. "Where are you going?"

"Sunnydale," I say simply.

"A-what?" She asks in confusion.

"Sunnydale," I repeat, "Cordy, I'll explain later...just..." There's no time to explain now, and hourglass is already running out. So I shouldn't try. "I'll be back in a few days, just make sure everything's okay here. The others will help you."

I'm glad the others aren't here to see my big departure. I have no time for goodbyes. I shake my head as I make way out into the cold night air. I have to stop her before it's too late. Before...

Before she gets to Buffy.

AT THE SUNNYDALE TRAIN STATION

(Faith's Pov)

Redemption sucks. I tried, oh God did I. But, I just can't. Some people were born wrong n' I guess I'm just one of them. Always figured I'd be shit for ashes down on my luck. I mean I offed a guy, by ACCIDENT mind you, and then I got to wear my pretty little scarlet letter, let everyone know just what a bad girl I've been. So then I wear my supposed evil like a medal n' what do I have to show for it?

That's right, I almost get murdered by that self righteous bitch. But, that's okay right? Cause I wake up like sleepin' beauty and after I have me a little confrontation Angel shows me the right way to go. Only it's not the right way to go. Least not for me anyway. God, I tried...I did. But, dogs don't change. You just chain 'em up and pray that takes the bite of them. Only it doesn't.

I hear the all too familiar sound of the train coming to a halt and I sit up to gather what little stolen belongings I have. I'm glad we're here. I don't want to remember my past anyway. All I want to do is get my revenge and get the hell out. Disappear. I jus' hope Blondie remembers what she did to me.

Author's note: That's it for me. Hope you enjoyed. And good luck to everyone whofollows.