Title: Key To The First

Chapter: Other Dimensions (2/?)

Author: Anna

E-Mail: mostunstableone@aol.com

Rating: PG-13

Website:

Feedback: I love it like Spike loves Buffy

Disclaimer: Joss is God, therefore he created everything… except this particular plotline which is the product of my insane mind

Note: takes place after 'Storyteller'

          As Dawn stared at the school in disbelief she saw more students try to pass through the misty black barrier with no luck. A humming sound emanated from the building and it only got louder as the mist swelled. Walking backwards, Dawn slowly moved, not able to take her eyes off the disaster in front of her. Suddenly she had an idea.

          She reached down into the pocket of her cargo jeans and produced her cell phone. "God, I love this thing." She muttered as she pressed the speed dial to Buffy's cell. It rang twice but was promptly cut off. The annoying voice of a mechanical speaker sounded in Dawn's ears.

          "Your call has been disconnected. Please hang up and try again. If you'd like-" the voice was cut off as Dawn snapped the phone shut and returned it to her pocket. She took one last glance at the school and took off at a jog towards her home.

          As she stepped into the foyer, Dawn could hear that something was up. Or, not hear actually. It was too quiet. The house was never this quiet. She dropped her coat by the door and looked in the dining room. No one was there. She turned back and checked in the living room. No one was there.

          "Ugh," she sighed. "Is anybody home?" she called out a little louder, "Hello? Giles? Willow?" she walked over to the bottom of the steps. "Anya?" When she didn't get an answer she headed towards the kitchen to check the refrigerator for some kind of note with an explanation to where everyone was. If they had found a lead on The First they would have jumped on it, so they could be countless places. And that was just in this dimension.

          There was no note on the refrigerator so Dawn turned in a circle, scanning the rest of the room for any clues. When she didn't find any, she turned back to the hall way but as she approached the basement door she heard some one talking. Or singing. Or singing badly. Curious, Dawn opened the door and quietly stepped through. Her footsteps were light on the wooden staircase and as she reached the bottom step she saw the last thing she expected to find.

          "And I, will alwaaays love yooouuu! And I, will alwaaays love yooouuu!" Andrew's voice rang and echoed off the basement walls as he cluelessly sang along to his portable CD player.

          "Oh. My. God." Dawn covered her mouth with one hand as she clutched her stomach with the other. "Andrew!" she giggled uncontrollably and just as she thought she could calm down he shook his butt and she laughed again.

          "Bittersweet memories. That is all I'm taking with me. So good-bye." He squinted his already closed eyes and moved his hands with the music. "Please, don't cry." His voice cracked but he kept singing, un-phased. Finally Dawn couldn't take it anymore and she walked up behind Andrew.

"We both know I'm not what you need. And I, will always love you!" She was about to tap him on the shoulder when he spun around and collided with her. Dawn fell back to the cement floor, her laughter resuming. Andrew's eyes grew huge and he removed the headphones.

"Dawn!" he looked around, paranoid. "What did you see?"

"I saw you singing and dancing." She stated matter-of-factly despite her giggles.

"Oh. You're not gonna tell anyone about this, are you? 'Cause Anya already bugs me about-"

"I won't tell anyone, Andrew. Your secret is safe with me." she promised.

Andrew nodded and extended his hand to help her up. She thankfully took it and stood as she brushed off her pants.

"So, um, why are you home? I thought you were at school." Andrew asked as they headed up the stairs.

Dawn sighed, "A big, nasty, evil black cloud took over the school and Buffy, Spike and the potentials are trapped inside along with all the students and teachers. I was the only one to get out. I tried calling Buffy's cell, but it wouldn't go through. I think it's The First." She had just turned into the kitchen when the blinking red light of the answering machine caught her eye. She quickly pressed a button and the message was relayed.

"Hey guys, its Anya. Me, Willow and Giles are in Korandak right now. Korandak is a demon dimension with a seer much like the Eye of-" Anya's voice was cut off and replaced by Willow's. "We're here looking for information on The First. We don't know when we'll be back and we didn't want you to worry. Talk to ya later. Bye."

Andrew squinted in confusion, "Huh, who new cell phones worked from other dimensions?"