Moments in season five where Dawn has bad dreams and someone is there for her. Because if I was her, I'd be flipping out all the time with all that crazy stuff going on.

I don't own Buffy. Joss does. It's not fair.

Episode Tag: Shadow

Nightmares and Hell Dimensions

Chapter One

The beast darted towards me, slithering on it's belly. I screamed a nerve-racking sound, but no one came to my defense. No Giles pulled my gangly body away from those white fangs. No Buffy got between me and the monster that seemed to crave my flesh. No spell from Willow to deflect the killer blow that was coming my way.

Instead, the snake-like creature struck at me, it's jaws opening wide to swallow me whole. I managed to croak out one last wail as the damp, darkness of it's mouth swallowed me whole.

I sat up in bed, faintly aware of a ringing sound resonating through my bedroom. It took me a second to wake up from my terrified state to realize that it had been me that made that sound. I had been screaming. I just hopped that I hadn't woken-

Mom came bursting into my room, wearing her blue night gown and pink fluffy slippers. "Dawnie, are you okay?" she asked, concern etched all over her face.

I nodded, still catching my breath. "I'm okay, Mom. It was just a bad dream."

She came and sat on my bed with me, her legs hanging off the side. I put my back against the headboard, pulling my knees to my chest. It took everything I had to keep from flinging myself at my mom, trying to get closer to her. Somehow, she made everything bad go away.

I thought she looked a little hurt in her eyes when I didn't go to her like I use to when I was a kid. But that was a long time ago, I hadn't had a bad dream since Dad… since Dad wasn't there, anymore. Other than that, nothing had effected me enough to give me a nightmare. Nothing Buffy had fought before scared me enough because they usually left me alone. That snake thing today didn't.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Mom asked.

At first, I thought about saying no. I mean, who wants to listen to someone whine about something that only happed in their dreams? But then, I knew Mom would be upset if I didn't show her that I trusted her with my feelings. I took a deep breath to calm myself before I started.

"It was bad dream about what happened today at the Magic Box. You know, that big snake thing that came after us today? We'll, in my dream, it was coming after me like it did today. Only in my dream, no one helped me. I just… froze up! Like, I couldn't move, I was so scared. All I could do was stand there and scream like an idiot while it ate me."

Mom opened up her arms to me, inviting me in for a hug. I pounced on her and snuggled as close as I could get to her, like she was a life line in a sea of monsters. I rested my head on her shoulder, taking in her warm comfort.

"Dawn, I know your sister has scary things that happens in her life and I know it's not fair that sometimes you have to experience them, too. But never doubt the fact that you are loved. Never. Just like today. No one let that beast touch you. You're here and it was taken care of. Buffy, Mr. Giles, Willow, Tara, Xander and even Spike would protect you."

I smiled at that. "Mom, the evil vampire wouldn't want to help me."

She grinned back. "He would if he wants hot cocoa with little marshmallows. Besides, Spike isn't as bad as he used to be. I know he's not good, but he really isn't evil, either."

"Yeah, that's true," I agreed. "Besides, I think he secretly likes me."

"I think it's more than a secret. And you also have me. I'll always be there for you. Even if I'm not there and something scary happens, know that I'll always take care of you." She ran her fingers through my hair and I leaned into her touch. I knew I was blessed to have her.

I don't know what I would do without my mommy.