That Was Then, This is Now
Not really beta'd any mistakes made are mine. To everyone who reviewed thanks, here is the next chapter.
The older Buffy spent the night tossing and turning trying to ignore the voices in her head. She could tell it was Dawn, she decided to listen.
"Hey Buffy, I know you can hear me. I really miss you being home, who am I going to discuss the problems going on with school and my relationships. Xander and Samantha are having another baby a girl this time, and Alex Jr. is getting so big, he misses you a lot too." Dawn grabbed Buffy's hand and gave it a squeeze.
"Things aren't the same without you; Faith came by to see you. She was broken up seeing you in the hospital like this. I wish you could see how big the girls are getting, they wanted to come and see you, but they are too young to understand. They made you new pictures. I'm putting them on the window sill." Dawn got up and put the pictures on the window sill. There is so much you are missing out on, please come back to us we can't make it without you."
Dawn kissed her sister softly on the cheek and left the room.
Older Buffy could feel the warmth of the lips that touched her cheek. It made her smile a lot; despite their arguments and fights she knew that Dawn loved her. This worried Buffy a little bit, if she was over seeing things, how come she hears voices when she sleeps. The older blonde looked at the younger version of herself as she slept as fitfully as possible.
Older Buffy got off of the bed and made her way to the window looking out the window at the moon. She really missed LA, but not the bad memories that were associated with it, but Los Angeles will always be home to her. Buffy heard a noise in the closet and walked towards it; she glanced back at her younger self and opened the door. To her surprise she saw Carmen standing there.
"Carmen? What are you doing here?" Buffy asked surprised.
Carmen stepped out of the closet and looked at the petite woman standing before her, "I was just checking on how things were and to see if you have any questions so far." Carmen stated looking around the room.
"Wow, you were really a girly, cheerleader, and different types of queens. I never really pegged you for that type." Carmen joked.
Buffy looked around and smiled, "It seems like such a long time ago. I do have a question though." Buffy stated.
Carmen looked at Buffy, "Ask away dear, that I what I'm here for after all."
"If I am supposed to be a ghost, revisiting my past, then why when I sleep I hear voices talking to me. I heard Dawn telling me about Xander." Buffy asked.
"Well, you are still connected to your body on the physical plane, that is why you can hear the voices, but only when you are sleep. You are very deeply missed, but they are not giving up hope yet. You are truly special, that is why it's important that you follow yourself very closely and look as younger Buffy made the choices you didn't." Carmen explained.
"Why wasn't this little bit of information disclosed to me in the beginning, before I decided to become not corporeal?" Buffy asked glaring at the angel.
"My brother and I felt that it wasn't important and that you will figure it out on your own. We're sorry we made a mistake." Carmen apologized.
"It's ok, but I have one more question and then that's it." She asked.
Carmen sat down in a chair crossing her legs, "Ask away."
"Will my parents still end up divorcing and us moving to Sunnydale happen?" Buffy asked softly.
Carmen looked over at the younger Buffy and then back at the older one, "Your parents' separating is part of your destiny. That is something that you can't change it needed to happen to have you grow and change. As you go along, it will all start making sense to you. Don't try to change anything or it will alter all things present and future. My time is up here if you have anymore questions, don't hesitate to call."
Carmen disappeared into thin air leaving Buffy alone with her thoughts.