"Dawn!" Buffy smiled, running forward to embrace her sister as she walked down the front steps of her new high school.

"Buffy!"

"Hey Dawny!" Willow smiled, getting in on the hugs. "How are you?"

"Good," Dawn responded, "Where are Faith and Spike?"

"Oh, they elected to stay behind at the motel," Buffy answered. "You know, daylight and all, not their favorite thing."

"Right," Dawn giggled, nodding. "Well, it's great to see you two!"

"How's school?" asked Willow. "Taking any good classes this semester?"

"Oh, well, not really. English is alright, math sucks, but at least I'll be graduating in the Spring. So look, I've been asking around for you, checking into that mysterious slayer, and I think I've got a few leads." They began walking down the street toward a nearby coffee shop. "I met a demon a few days ago that said..."

"Hold on," Buffy cut in, "you met a demon? What, you hang out in graveyards in your spare time now?"

"Well...kinda..."

"Dawn!"

"Buffy," the girls stopped walking to face each other. "Look, I'm almost 18, and I've fought by your side for years. I can take care of myself. Plus, it's so boring here! There are hardly any demons or vampires, the world, as far as I can tell, isn't ending anytime soon. So yeah, sometimes I may pop by a graveyard or two on my way home...I know I've got to finish school, and I'm focused on it, I promise, but sometimes..."

"Alright, alright," Buffy sighed. "I get it. Look, just...if you're going to continue hanging out in graveyards, could you at least call Angel. He told me a while back that he'd be happy to continue your physical training, and you can never be too prepared..."

"Okay, okay," it was Dawn's turn to cut in. "I promise I will call Angel. Now can I please continue?"

"Yes," Willow jumped in, "what did you find out from the demon?" They continued down the street.

"Well, I met this demon who said he knew a warlock who had trained this extra-strength vampire..."

"Wait a second," Willow jumped in, "are you telling me not only is this slayer also a vampire, but now she's also a witch?!"

"Well, yeah." Dawn answered.

"Wow."

"Anyway," Dawn continued, "I tracked down the warlock and he agreed to meet us at the coffee house." Dawn pointed to the shop front as they drew closer.

"Nice work Dawny!" Willow smiled approvingly. "Giles would be so proud." Dawn laughed.

They walked into the coffee shop. It was empty except for a barista behind the counter.

"I guess he's not here yet..." Dawn mumbled, looking around.

"Well..." Willow looked out onto the street. No one seemed to be headed in their direction. "Coffee while we wait?"

They walked up to the counter, the barista had her back to them.

"Oh, I almost forgot," Dawn continued, digging something out of the bag she had slung over her shoulder. "I did some digging in the Watcher's diaries Giles left me, and found a sketch some vamp drew of Eve." She pulled out an old charcoal drawing. A young woman with long wavy hair stared back at them from the page.

"Can I help you?" The girls looked up toward the barista and froze.

"Wow, I haven't seen that drawing in centuries," the barista reached forward and took the sketch from Dawn's hand.

"It's you," Dawn sputtered.

"Eve," the barista confirmed, "but by the looks on your faces I'm guessing you already figured that out." The three girls stood there, silent. "Don't look so worried. Okay, I may have compelled the real barista to spend part of his shift this afternoon at the local bowling alley, but I just wanted us to have a comfortable place to chat...alone." She took off the apron and walked around the counter. "Please, have a seat." She gestured towards a circle of comfy chairs in a corner of the shop. The girls followed her and sat, still silent. "I forgot this drawing even existed. Where did you find it?" Eve placed the photo on the table between them and looked toward Dawn. Dawn opened her mouth but the words wouldn't come. She stared at the new slayer. She was tall, 5'10 perhaps, thin, and with wavy, mostly platinum blonde hair halfway down her back. It was streaked at the ends with pinks, purples and blues. Her eyes were blue, and she had the pale complexion you'd expect from a vampire. She had a few small, visible tattoos, and a large ring she wore on the index finger of her left hand. Her lips were a pale, but dark red. "You were looking for me, yes?"

"Yes," Dawn finally found a word.

"Yes," Buffy answered, putting a hand on Dawn's shoulder. "We," she gestured to herself and Willow, "were looking for you. My name is Buffy, this is Willow, and this is Dawn."

"I know who you are," Eve sat back in her chair and smiled. "I always make it a point to know the names and important information of people who are looking for me. You Buffy, are quite an impressive slayer, and you, Willow, well honestly I've never heard of a more powerful witch. It's a pleasure to meet you both."

Dawn's shoulders drooped. No one ever bothered to know who she was. Her eyes sank to the floor.

"And you, Dawn," Dawns head snapped back up to look at Eve, "I hear you're a very promising watcher. Well, really, ball of energy, turned sister to the slayer, turned future watcher. What an amazing life you all seem to lead." Eve smiled. It seemed genuine, and Dawn smiled. "So what is it that I can do for you?"

Buffy looked at Willow. Should she trust this slayer? She seemed nice enough, but maybe it would be better not to give up so much information right away. Of course, it was possible she already knew the reason they were there, she seemed to know everything else.

"Mystic Falls," Buffy began. A look flashed across Eve's face. "You know it?"

"Yes. A long time ago, I knew it well."

"There seems to be an influx of demonic activity there," Willow added. "Buffy's Watcher, Giles, told us something about an original family of vampires. Apparently they've flocked to Mystic Falls and Giles wants us to check it out. We heard that you had some experience dealing with them, and we were hoping you could help."

Now it was Eve's turn to be silent. Her thoughts began to drift back. "Yes, I do happen to know the original family."

"We could really use your help," Buffy stared at her. She couldn't tell what Eve was thinking, but it seemed her mind was racing.

Eve looked at Willow's face, at Buffy's, and at Dawn's. They seemed sincere, and they certainly couldn't go up against the original family alone.

"Alright," she agreed. "I'll help you. When do we leave?"