Chapter 6

Later at the Summers' residence, the Scooby gang has gathered to begin looking for Buffy.

"Okay. So she hasn't called. How long ago was she due in?" Giles asked Dawn.

"Four hours ago. And I know that I may be over reacting, but you never know."

"I know, Dawn. I told her she shouldn't be patrolling by herself just yet. I don't quite think she's up to full strength."

"So, what could have happened?"

"I don't know. I just don't know. The best thing to do would be to split up and search her normal patrol route for clues. Then we'll return here and discuss our findings."

"Me and Anya will go down to the industrial end of town and search the factory district." Xander offered.

"Yes. Very well. You do have your cell phone, correct?"

"Yeah." Xander said, holding it up.

"Good. Call back here if you find anything."

"'Kay. Let's roll An."

Xander and Anya leave the house hand-in-hand and get in his car. Then they drive off and head towards the factories.

"What can I do to help?" Dawn asked.

"The best thing for you to do, is stay here and listen for the phone." Giles answered.

Knowing now wasn't the time to complain about being left out, she simply nods her head in agreement.

"But I don't want to be alone." She whispers scared.

"I…I'll stay with you Dawnie." Tara offers.

"Okay, then. Dawn, you stay with Tara, while Willow and I take to the streets. We'll visit the most active cemeteries and any other area we can think of."

Giles and Willow both leave after arming themselves with a few stakes and a crossbow, just in case. Dawn turns to Tara worried.

"Can't we do something?"

"I think I could do a spell to make sure she's okay."

"What about a location spell?"

"It…It wouldn't work. The one we have only detects demons."

"Oh…….So, how do we do this other spell."

"No, I do the spell."

"Uh. No fair. I can't help?"

"Well, I do need something close to her to use as a link. Think you could find something?"

"'Kay. Be right back."

Dawn runs up to Buffy's room and starts searching for something, happy to be able to do anything to help in the search of Buffy, no matter how small. It keeps her mind off the possibility that Buffy died. She finds a picture of her, Buffy, and her mom and takes it back downstairs to wait for Tara to return.

Tara runs up to hers and Willow's room and gets the things she needs for the spell, before meeting Dawn back downstairs.