Title: Key To The First
Chapter: Conclusion (11/?)
Author: Anna
Rating: PG-13
Feedback: greatly appreciated :)
Disclaimer: I had a dream that I was walking around Disney Land and I met Joss Whedon. He gave me all the rights to Mutant Enemy and BtVS… but then I woke up.
Note: takes place after 'Storyteller'
Buffy sat at her desk in the school office, absently twirling a pencil in her hand. Across the room, Spike sat in a corner, knees pulled up towards himself and elbows resting on them. He was tired, very tired, but he wouldn't go to sleep. Every so often he looked up at Buffy, but she just stared ahead.
At about eleven thirty Spike noticed a distinct snoring noise and looked up to see that Buffy had fallen asleep at her desk. He watched her closely and also noticed that she was shivering. He got up from his corner and shed his coat as he walked towards her. As gently as he could, he wrapped his coat around her. He moved to brush her hair out of her face but he stopped himself at the last second. He knew better. After a few seconds he turned and headed towards the door.
"Spike." The soft sound of Buffy's voice traveled across the room and rang in his ears.
He turned and saw that Buffy, still asleep, had wrapped his coat around her tighter. He smiled. "Sleep well, Buffy." And then he turned and left the room.
As he patrolled the hallways, Spike felt restless. They had tried everything possible to escape from their dark prison but it was no use. Without Giles or Willow they couldn't do it. He felt useless, too. Shouldn't he be doing more to help the potentials? To help Buffy?
Suddenly the black cloud surrounding the school disappeared. There was no loud noise, no bright light, not even an earthquake. It just dissipated. Amazed, Spike looked out the window at the moon and the light it cast on the town below. After a second or two he snapped out of his amazement.
He took off at a run down the hallway leading to the main office. "Buffy!" he shouted as he ran through the door.
Buffy shot up out of her seat. "What?! Is it the First?!" But when she saw the smile on Spike's face she was confused. "What happened?"
Unable to control himself, he grabbed Buffy in a hug and spun her around. "I have no bloody idea, but I'm pretty sure we can all go home now."
The infectious smile spread to Buffy and she hugged him in return. "Let's go check." She took his hand and they went to the closest exit of the school. When they neared the door, she let go of his hand and he stopped walking. Her hand was on the door, and she looked back at him one last time, and pushed. As the door swung open she practically squealed with delight.
"Spike, go tell Wood to make the announcement that the kids can leave. I don't even know how we're gonna explain this one. Meet me at home, I'm going to find Dawn." And before he could answer she was already running towards home.
Dawn's eyes closed as she fell backwards into Andrew's arms. He slowly let her fall to the floor and then kneeled beside her, cushioning her head in his lap. He gently touched her face.
"Dawn. Dawn, wake up. Come on Dawn. Please wake up. I can't lose you. Not now." The tears that ran down Andrew's face fell onto Dawn's face, but she didn't stir. She couldn't hear his pleading and begging. She just wasn't there.
The last thing Dawn saw was the ceiling of the cave. The next think she was aware of was a bright white light. She opened her eyes and blinked a few times while adjusting to the light. The second thing she realized was that Trecia, the being that had helped her before, was standing before her.
"Trecia."
"Dawn."
"Not that it's not great to see you again, and thanks for the help by the way, but what am I doing back here again?" Dawn asked.
Trecia smiled. "You still have much to learn, young one. I see that you've started to use your powers but you must learn to control them." Her expression turned serious. "If you cannot control them, then you will be stripped of them. Do you understand?"
"I understand. But how do I learn? Its not like there's a 'Magical-Key-Powers For Dummies' book that I can study."
"I understand your apprehension and your confusion. Just know that I will always be here to help you. Just reach within the depths of your mind and I will hear your call. And I'm sure you will be fine." Dawn's vision faded again and Trecia disappeared from her vision. Dawn was being sent back to the mortal realm.
Trecia watched as Dawn woke up in a hospital bed, surrounded by her sister and her friends. She watched as Dawn retold the story of how they defeated The First Evil, and she watched as Dawn and Andrew shared another kiss. Trecia watched, and smiled, because she had faith in this little girl who could save the world.
Author's Note: I'm incredibly sorry for the long wait in between chapters, but I was busy studying for an AP exam, and then I had some family issues, and then I was sick. It was all very bad timing. Anyway, I hope you liked this chapter. And if I get enough reviews, I might just write an epilogue :)
