A/N: Relax. Don't believe everything you read.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Buffy closed her eyes as tears poured out. She fell to the floor in a crumble and tried to block out the noise. She inhaled shakily and cried out that she was sorry.

Dawn's scream filled the room as she fell to the ground. Faith caught her before she hit the floor.

Buffy's head snapped up and looked at the blood flowing across the floor. Oz stood over the demon's body ripping in to shreds with his bared teeth. Angel was fighting the other two demons back towards Connor and Gunn who waited to help if needed. Buffy's head began to throb as watched these men protect her sister with their lives. Tears fell from her eyes, her stomach felt hollow.

Willow continued the spell with Tara at her side.

"NO!" The First Evil cried out as the light stopped flowing.

Willow collapsed to the floor. "Willow!" Kennedy called out, throwing herself next to Willow's body. "Willow?" Kennedy asked softly, brushing the hair out of Willow's face.

Tara reached out and touched Kennedy's forehead before placing her hand on Willow's temple. "She'll be fine." Tara said to Kennedy. "Protect her for me. Promise."

Kennedy nodded as tears flowed down her cheek. "I promise." Kennedy pulled Willow into her arms and cradled her head.

Tara walked carefully back to Xander, she touched the cut on his forehead. "Keep her safe." She whispered. Xander nodded.

Buffy looked to Tara as she began to turn back into light. "Protect each other." Tara said. "The spell is done."

Buffy nodded and rushed The First Evil. She flung herself into The First and hit with a resounding thud. The First Evil staggered back, but did not fall. Buffy stood and furrowed her eyebrows. The First was corporeal, and much stronger than she thought.

"Attack!" Faith screamed as the group rushed The First Evil.

Kennedy and Xander pulled Willow out of harm's way and sat her gently against the wall. "Go." Xander ordered as he placed his hand on Kennedy's shoulder. "I have her." Kennedy nodded and joined the battle.

Buffy pushed harder and harder against her muscles. Her legs and arms burned as she forged on, hacking away at The First Evil. The First took the punishment and did very little to fight back.

Faith joined Buffy's side in battling The First, followed by Angel. The three formed a tight circle around The First each punching and kicking, keeping the intensity up at all times.

The others flocked as they fought the demons in the basement. More and more demons rushed the doors and stairs as they realized their master was in trouble.

"Faith!" Buffy yelled.

"Dawn!" Faith yelled in turn. "Lead them out!"

Dawn scrambled away from her attackers and rushed to the large metal shelf on the wall. She pulled the shelf away from the wall, revealing the hidden passageway. The group began scattering through the opening, the demons followed.

Dawn emerged into the morning sun, squinting from the brightness. A large hand swept out and knocked her back. Dawn yelped as she hit the ground. Molly rushed through next, with two large demons on her tail; she crashed full speed into Dawn's attacker and knocked him down. Molly rolled up and came to a fighting stance as she found her feet.

Vi followed the demon out, quickly running her sword through one of the two. Molly kicked up and sent the second flying back towards Dawn. Dawn kicked hard as the demon reached her; she buried her battle-axe into the demons forehead.

Everyone was fighting. Dawn looked around quickly and noticed neither her sister nor Faith had made it out of the basement.

"Yet." Dawn said out loud.

"Yet." The demon behind her said. "You haven't died. Yet."

Dawn screamed as she caught sight of the demon. She punched it as hard as she could before she turned and ran. Regain higher ground. That's what Buffy would say. Don't fight on his terms. Dawn ran as fast as she could. She turned suddenly; the demon hot on her heels. She swung and connected with the demon's stomach using his force to her advantage. She knocked him down, head over heels. Dawn used all of her strength to drive the axe into the demon's skin. She struggled to pull the axe back out as she noticed the demon coming from her left.

Gunn dove forward, knocking the demon away from Dawn as Rondell rushed in and helped Dawn retrieve her axe. "Buried it in deep, did ya?" Rondell winked at Dawn. Dawn's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she took the axe from Rondell. "No need ta thank me, little lady." Rondell said in a cheesy western voice. Dawn giggled, her first real laugh in weeks. She smiled and forged on in the battle.