What Are Friends For?

Author: Nitrowugs

Rating: PG for off-color words

Pairings: B/A and OC/Aus eventually

Feedback: Please. Constructive criticism is always welcomed and appreciated.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything associated with BtVS and AtS. (Characters, plots and dialogue from the shows are borrowed with no infringement intent whatsoever.)

Distribution: Please ask and let me know where it's going.

Written: 08/12/2015

Summary: What if there is another reason for the conflict in the Summers' household and what if Buffy had a friend who was always on her side and who defended her against everything and everyone? How much different would her life really be?

A/N1: Remember the season 6 episode 'Normal Again' where Buffy thought that her life as vampire slayer was her own mind playing tricks on her and she was actually a mental patient who had been catatonic for the past six years? Well what if ...

A/N2: Thoughts are in single quotes (' ')

Chapter 1

Part 1

Buffy heard her father's footsteps as he tipped down the hall toward her bedroom. It was well after two in the morning and she knew that her mother was sound asleep, after all that was always when Hank paid his late night visits - when his wife was sound asleep and couldn't hear what the bastard was doing to his daughter.

"Well, never again. His assaults stop right now. Don't worry Buffy, I'll handle this."

Buffy heard the voice that sounded very much like her own, but she knew that she must be hallucinating. She was looking at an exact copy of herself and as far as could tell she was still asleep. She glanced over at the alarm clock on the table next to her bed. It read 02:27 am. Yep, she was asleep. Then who was just talking to her?

The voice spoke again -

"I'm Elizabeth - and I'm a part of you."

"What?"

"Yeah. I'm the part that Hank wants to keep hidden, the part that he doesn't want anyone else to know about, the part that will kick his ass if he so much as touches you again."

"You're my Elizabeth? My friend from when I was a little girl? Where have you been? I have missed you so much." She hugged her childhood friend.

"I missed you too, but you outgrew me. You didn't need me anymore." There was sadness in Elizabeth's voice. "But this slayer gig is a whole new ballgame and with Hank being the asshole that he is, you need me again. Don't worry Buffy, I'll take care of Hank - and anyone else who dares offend you. You are the slayer and I am your strength. I promised, remember?"

"I remember. I'm sorry I forgot about you. I'm so happy to have you back."

"I'm happy to be back. Get some sleep, Buffy. I'll handle Hank."

Buffy really was sleepy. She hugged Elizabeth again and was asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

Part 2

Elizabeth heard Hank as he quietly pushed open the bedroom door. She was ready for him. She jumped out of bed and assumed a fighting stance with a stake in her hand.

"Stop right there," she said with a voice of authority that Hank was not used to hearing from Buffy but left no doubt that she meant every word she said. "If you come one step closer, if you ever enter my room again or try to touch me in any way, I will break your fucking neck."

"Buffy? What is wrong with you? It's daddy, honey. I've just come to say goodnight to my baby girl."

"I'm not your baby girl. Don't come into my room ever again or I'll let your wife know exactly what you did to her daughter while she was asleep."

Hank gulped loudly. He had assumed that since Buffy hadn't said anything about his little visits she actually didn't remember any of what happened. Now he knew better.

"All right, Buffy, I'm going, but please don't say anything to your mother about this. Please."

With the stake firmly in her hand, Elizabeth stalked toward Hank who was still standing just outside her bedroom door. When she was close enough, with one swift kick where he would feel it most painfully, she let him have it, closed the bedroom door and returned to bed. She had not even turned on the light.