Author's Note: Please keep in mind these stories are told in random order! Thanx and enjoy and review!
"My sister died saving the world...saving me. Who's gonna save us now?" –Dawn Summers
The Summers residence always looked warm and inviting on the exterior. However, the same could be said for the interior of the house. Aside from the casual battles that took place there from time to time and the tragic death of a matriarch, it seemed that warmness and light seemed to always overcome the heartbreak. However, at this moment, there were no traces of warmness to be found and darkness shadowed the would-be light.
Eating their dinner in total silence, the downsized Scooby Gang kept their eyes on their food while taking short glances at one another. At the head of the table was Rupert Giles, leaning against his chair, holding red wine. The substance reflected in his glasses as he kept a blank expression his face while staring at the contents in the glass.
Willow Rosenberg and her lover Tara Maclay sat opposite to one another, each playing with their food. Accidentally, Willow tapped Tara's cast which wrapped up her broken hand and made a remorseful gesticulation. Tara just gave back one of her patented nervous smiles and began to chew a piece of her chicken as she glared at her plate.
Sitting opposite though adjacent to the two sorceresses, Xander and Anya each were different in their actions. Sharing his friends' brooding feelings and looking very defeated at that, Xander rolled his peas around the plate as his appetite was lost somewhere in his body. His food was lukewarm and every little scarce bite he took, he tasted absolutely nothing. However, his fellow lover was at work eating her food wholeheartedly. Even though Anya was downing the food, there was something within her sad at the recent tragedy to strike the group.
Lastly and the one most affected by this adversity was Dawn Summers. Always the lively and optimistic youth, Dawn was overwhelmed and morose about this whole situation. The only one who loved her, the only one who cared about her and the only one who protected her was gone. And in her absence, Dawn felt as if a major piece of herself was swept away as well, leaving behind a big and gapping void.
Looking to break the ice, Willow took a huge though hardly inaudible gulp as she stared around at her friends. Thinking of the words in her head, she began to talk.
"G-Guys, this is bad." Willow stammered a bit as she spoke up.
"You're telling me. This chicken tastes overcooked and is way too chewy. The rice is good though, I must say." Anya told the crew as she took a sip from her glass of water. After she made the comment, Dawn rolled her eyes at her while the others just gave her a look.
"I wasn't necessarily talking about the food Anya. What I meant was…" Willow was interrupted by a certain someone.
"We know what you meant, Wil. Those of us with fully operational brains know what you meant." Dawn spewed, adding the last part with a little more venom at Anya. Absent-mindedly, Anya didn't take it as an insult.
"Dawnie, I know this is really messed up. Messed up to the highest degree possible. But it will…" Willow tried to say until it was her turn for interruption again.
"Please Willow, not that 'it'll get better in time' speech again. You said the same thing when my mom died so please don't repeat yourself. Buffy is dead; dead for good and we are all screwed." Dawn spat out keeping her anger at a minimum. Though she was pissed the hell off and heartbroken, she maintained her calm composure.
"You are right about one thing Dawn." Giles said as he broke his silence. He quickly placed the wine-glass forcefully on the dining room table, making a little rumble.
"Buffy is gone. Our slayer and our friend is lost to us. The sooner we grasp that notion, the better we'll deal with what is at hand." He continued on in his own distinct English manner.
"Giles has a point. This is still the Hellmouth, and even though Buffy is M.I.A, we still have to defend this place. Its our duty now." Xander said, agreeing with the ex-Watcher. The two met eyes with one another and gave each modest grins.
"Okay, but he just said it himself; we are minus a slayer. How in the world are we going to take on all of these hell beasties on our lonesome?" Anya questioned as she wiped her mouth with the napkin.
"Remember we won't be on our lonesome. We have a valuable asset that none of these Sunnydale demons have." Tara pointed out as she looked at Anya who raised an eyebrow.
"And what would that be?" Anya questioned.
"We have each other. Teamwork is something that'll always play in our favor, no matter what." Tara added in confidently as she looked at Anya. Willow turned her face and kissed Tara, and gave a bright smile for once.
"Tara's right you know. I mean just look around this table, all of us have a certain power. We have Giles the seasoned Watcher; Xander our weapons specialist; and even you Anya, the wise vengeance demon; and not to mention Tara and myself…witches extraordinaire. And lets not forget Dawn, our last remembrance of Buffy. We have more than enough." Willow said as she looked around at all of her friends. This time, she was beaming.
"Oh and please remember we have dear old Spikey. I guess he'll be loyal to our cause." Xander added with a sheepish look.
"He will. Spike told me that Buffy made him promise to protect me. He's a man of his word." Dawn said as she looked at Xander.
"That's another thing Dawn. Remember, Spike is no different than any other vampire…he's a soulless freak." Xander said semi-angrily yet serious as he talked directly to Dawn.
"Xander please. Spike can be a good help to us. At least give him a chance to prove himself." Dawn said as she made Xander squirm a bit. He sighed and then looked at her.
"Fine. We'll give him a chance. Buffy trusted him so I guess he we can keep him in check." Xander spoke.
"And he's all chipped up so therein lies the protection." Willow added as Xander nodded.
"Willow, I must say I am very impressed. You just handled yourself accordingly and I am very proud of you." Giles said as he cleaned his glasses and smiled simultaneously.
"I learned from the best." Willow said simply as she looked to Giles, returning his smirk.
"Well I think that tears it. In light of these new events I vote that Willow should be our new leader. All those in favor for that, raise your hands!" Xander exclaimed as he raised his hand. In a few seconds later, the whole gang lifted their hands as Willow looked around them, all flushed.
"Okay, whoa, whoa and whoa. Let's think about this for a minute guys! Okay I cast cute little spells here and there, but I am in no way the G.I. Jane butt kicking, good pun using super-slayer that Buffy is…er..was." Willow stammered.
"It doesn't matter Wil. You're a strong Wicca and even better friend. We need you at our side." Xander told her while holding her hand from across the table. Willow was still very shocked and kind of lost of breath. Surprisingly, she was put at ease moments later once Dawn rose from her seat and engulfed her and Tara into a heartfelt hug.
"If Buffy were alive, she'd want you to be leader. I mean she'd be leader, but she'd want you to be leader if she was making the decision. You understand?" Dawn said while holding onto the witches.
"No…but if you guys think that it's best, then hey. Who am I to argue?" Willow said with a nervous yet happy look on her face. Xander raised his glass as did the others.
"Well its official guys…Willow is boss of us! I'll make the plaque." He said as the two smiled and chuckled. In that moment, they all could feel the warmness and light slowly but surely creep back into the house.
-Xtreme Slayer