Chapter 10

Cassandra foreseen that something like this could happen and she didn't need her talent of foresight to do so. While Slayer could have been an invaluable ally in any quest, especially in rescueing Dawn from the likes of Methos, though he was one of a kind she suspected, Cassandra considered herself to be resourceful enough to overcome any obstacle with Slayer or not, and was quickly forming a plan in her head.

Meanwhile the Scobies for the last fifteen minutes, ever since Buffy departed to hospital to check on Joyce were agitatedly discussing their own options and odds in small groups. Willow, who volunteered to accompany Buffy to hospital, but was politely rejected by Slayer, who obviously needed some time in private, was confident of their abilities to track Dawn and bring her back to big sister and mother. The others however were not so sure of themselves. After sudden loss of their leader, the unknown of the portal frightened them more than it normally would. Only Spike, who was formally not part of the Scoobies, already seemed to made up his mind and was patiently regarding brooding Cassandra from one of the more darker corners of Magic Box.

Cassandra finally more or less content with her plan of actions raised her head and waited for an eye contact with one of the Scoobies. Willow was the first to notice her change in behaviour for she was occasionally stealing glances on her all this time. She immediately quited her conversation effectively putting it to a halt and approached Cassandra.

"So do we have a plan?" she asked Cassandra with expectaion in her voice. Though she knew Cassandra for a very short period of time, she has already gained a lot of respect to this ancient immortal witch during the last hours and instinctively regarded her to be next-in-command in this quest, while the Buffy was absent.

"Yes" Cassandra answered with encouraging smile, bringing everyone's attention to herself. "I know the area where the portal will be opened" she stated with confidence "It will take place somewhere on the coast in Washington State. Most likely near by Seacouver, but not necessary. We must be there as soon as possible and then try to locate Dawn again" She finished, avoiding going into too many details.

"No offense, but are you sure three of you will be able to do it this time?" Spike inquired.

"Probably, not until the very last moment before they cross the border" Cassandra admited, but not supplying the reason why she thought so. "That's why we must be in the area, ready to follow"

"But we will never make it in time" Anya wasn't impressed, not so much with the plan, but with the whole idea of following.

"I have a jet at our disposal" Cassandra easily countered. "That's how I got here from Scotland in the first place" She explained to everyone in the room.

"But what about Buffy?" Anya threw her last ace on the table out of desperation.

"She has made her choice, haven't you seen?" Cassandra asked back with an unexpectedly soft and sad voice, fully understanding what Anya really wanted to say. "Now it is our turn." Another uncomfortable pause followed her words. If Cassandra learned one thing during her long life really well, it was to get her point to other people, whether they wanted to hear it or not, even when not using the power of Voice.

Suddenly the phone rang. Its mechanicaly created noise was intrusively piercing the silence in Magic Box. Anya quickly went to answer the call grating whatever Powers That Be that sent it along the way, but few moments after instantly regreted doing so.

"It was Dr. Jones from the hospital. Buffy is hurt and, and Joyce is no more." she barely whispered the last words to everyone's utter horror, without any traces of color left on her face.

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"She, she has cheated me!" Glory screamed in fury and disbelief at the same time, standing over the the dead body of Joyce Summers. "How did she dare to die before I could kill her?!" She screamed again to no one in particular.

She took several deep breathes to calm herself down and then effectively stunned the nurse, who have just entered the room attracted by her screams, her eyes never leaving the immobile body of Joyce.

"And what do we have here?" She asked Joyce playfully, pretending that she was still alive and then with one quick and effortless movement tore off the medallion from her dead body.

"Maybe it still doesn't have to be a complete waste of my time" She said with satisfaction after she saw what was inside and then received a hit with a chair over her head from behind. Completely unafected by the hit she still deceivingly bend forward and countered next Slayer' attack with foot into her stomach, which send the later flying through the room on the collision course with the wall. The impact forced any air in the Slayer' lungs out, leaving her breathless, but still conscious on the floor.

The Beast, not wasting a moment, was over Buffy in less than two seconds, grabbed her by the neck with right hand and then effortlessly lifted her from the ground. Meanwhile with the other hand it was teasingly demonstrating medallion with one of the Dawn's more recent photos inside.

"Take a good look at your little sister, cuz she will be next" Beast lied for it couldn't take responsibility for the death of Joyce, who died of natural reasons, and then dropped Buffy back on the floor.

Glory took one last triumphant look at helpless Slayer, pleased with herself and that her deception seemed to work, and then left the room taking the medallion with the picture of Dawn away.

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A/N I got "unaccessible boot device" message when trying to start my PC this morning. It doesn't mean I will stop updating the story for now, because I am commited to finishing it at least to the point where everyone' business at home is solved. But it probably means that I will start updating with longer intervals and bigger chapters. So please bear with me and read and review of course:)