CHAPTER FOUR: RESEARCH

"We don't even know what we're looking for Will," Xander complained loudly as he flipped through his fourth book. 

Willow looked up at him and glared.  She hated that she had no idea what was happening to her best friend, and if research could help her, then she would research.  Anya was serving customers and helping them when she had a quiet moment.  Willow was a little surprised when Anya had volunteered to help them research. 

Willow did, however, remember how withdrawn the ex-demon had been after Buffy's death.  She could also recall how distressed Anya had been when Buffy's mom had passed away.  Willow could see that for all of Anya's tactlessness and bravado about not really caring for anyone besides Xander, the ex-demon did truly care about each of the Scoobies.

"Just keep looking.  See if any of the Watcher's describe her symptoms," Willow said calmly.  She felt anything but calm though.  It was like losing Buffy all over again.  Things had finally become better for the blonde Slayer, and it wasn't fair for her to be subjected to even more suffering.

Xander went back to looking through the diaries.  He hadn't found anything even remotely referring to Buffy's illness, and especially not within the timeframe that they thought it was.  They were assuming that it was some sort of a Council ritual, but they were only really speculating about it.

The bell above the door rang as someone waled in, the noise making both Willow and Xander look up.  Dawn walked towards them, a grin on her face as she unshouldered her backpack.

"Hey guys.  What are we researching?"

Dawn had slowly become integrated into the slaying part of the Scoobies and she couldn't have been more excited about it if she tried.  Buffy had put her on strict rules about the research however.  She was only allowed to help after she had finished her homework, which gave Dawn a huge incentive to keep up with her schoolwork.  Not only was she now topping her class at school, but she was included in her sister's life of slaying as well. 

Xander and Willow exchanged worried glances which made Dawn's smile falter.  "What?  What is it?  Where's Buffy?"

Willow looked at Dawn, attempting to give her a comforting look, which only made Dawn worry even more.

"What?  Buffy's okay right?" she asked.

Willow swallowed hard.  "She uh…she collapsed in the park.  Just after we'd had lunch."

Dawn looked stricken at the thought of it.  "But she's okay right?  I mean…it's serious, but she's okay?"

Xander stood up and quickly engulfed the young girl in a hug.  She pushed him away and focussed again on the redheaded witch.  "Where is she?"

"She's at home.  Tara's taking care of her."

"Do you know what's wrong with her?  I mean…why'd she collapse?  Buffy doesn't just collapse," Dawn said.  The panic was making her ramble, but she was too worried to care.

"We're looking into it Dawnie," Willow assured her. 

Dawn nodded, swallowing hard.  She had only just got her sister back and happy again. It wasn't fair.  She grabbed her backpack that she had thrown on the counter and walked out of the store, not even bothering to explain where she was going.  It was fairly obvious to Willow and Xander where she had gone so they chose not to worry.

"Poor kid," Xander muttered.

Willow threw her best friend a sympathetic smile.  It really wasn't fair.

Dawn ran all the way home.  By the time she reached the front door she was sweating terribly and panting even more, but she didn't care.  Her sister was sick and she could very well need help.  She opened the door and raced up the stairs, rushing into Buffy's room and stopping short as she saw her sister lying on the bed.

Her sister's skin was flushed, and even though Buffy's eyes were open, they were unfocused and glazed over.  Tara looked up at the intrusion and gave the girl a small smile.  Dawn crept towards the bed and looked down at her sister.  It always amazed her how small Buffy looked, but now it was even more distinct.

"Is she okay?" Dawn whispered.

"She's pretty out of it.  She only just opened her eyes.  She was asking for you though," Tara replied.

Dawn knelt beside her sister's bed and smoothed Buffy's hair away from her face.

"Hey Buffy, it's Dawn.  I'm here, okay?" she whispered.  "We're gonna take care of you."

Buffy managed a small smile at her sister.  Dawn took Buffy's hand and squeezed it gently.  Even though her sister was endowed with super-strength, Dawn had no idea how fragile her sister was at that moment.  Buffy managed to squeeze back weakly.

Tara touched Dawn's shoulder gently.  "Sit with her for a bit?  I'm gonna call Wills and tell her she's awake."

Dawn nodded but kept her eyes on her sister's face.