chapter 2

That is how Dawn found her the next morning. "Buffy." Dawn whispered softly trying to wake her sister gently and knowing that she's the only one that can get to her. "Buffy wake up." Dawn gently reached over and touched Buffy's arm and that got her to jump and turn to glare at Dawn ready to fight. Buffy relaxed a little when she saw that it was Dawn.

"Sorry Dawnie what's up?" Buffy asked after a few seconds. "Giles called a few minutes ago and said that he should be here soon he had just landed and was coming straight over. I figured you would want to know." Dawn told her sitting down next to her sister and wrapped her arms around her. "Yeah thanks Dawn." Buffy smiled slightly relaxing a bit more in Dawn's arms. "Rough night again?" Dawn questioned knowing that Buffy has trouble sleeping now that she came back. "Yeah it's the same thing as always. Close my eyes and I feel like I'm back in that damn coffin." Buffy snapped with a little shudder.

"I wis... or hoped there would be something that I could do to make you feel better." Dawn stated and Buffy smirked at how she caught herself on the wish. "I'll be fine. Now go so I can get dressed and I'll be down in a few minutes." Buffy said letting go of her sister. "Alright I'll see you in a few minutes." Dawn said cheerfully and then kissed Buffy on the top of the head and bounced out of the room.

Buffy just watched her sister go and shook her head. At least she had Dawn and that was a good reason to be back she had missed her sister when she was gone even though she knew she was ok. Buffy sighed and got up to get dressed and trying to prepare herself to face another day.

Just as Buffy had finished getting ready and started down stairs she heard the front door be slammed open and was on full alert. "Where is she?" Giles demanded and Buffy relaxed knowing that it was only Giles. She quickly made her way down the stairs and into the living room. "I'm here." Buffy stated softly and Giles whipped around at the sound of her voice. Buffy could see how tense he was and watched him visibly relax at the sight of her. In the next instant Giles had Buffy in his arms. "I was so afraid that it was a dream." Giles told Buffy as he hugged her. "It wasn't a dream I'm here Ru." Buffy said and Giles pulled back to look into her eyes and in the next moment his lips were on hers while all the scoobies minus Dawn stared in shock.