A/N: Totally forgot to thank all my wonderful betas who are helping me with this project!

Chapter 1 – A Dream

An ashen group of teenagers – covered in ripped and bloodied clothes – waited silently in the surgery ward. After Buffy fell unconscious, they had tried desperately to stop the flow of blood. Giles had driven the bus to the closest hospital – a small city a few hours away – while Faith had held cloth after cloth against the wound. Everyone began to panic as they watched Buffy begin to slip away – shocked and confused as to why her Slayer healing wasn't working to heal the wound. Especially since the wound had already been healed once because of the Scythe.

Though small, the hospital staff had handled the emergency efficiently. Within moments, Buffy was in surgery. The surgeons worked furiously, but they couldn't stop the bleeding. They fought back, but in the back of their minds they knew that if they couldn't stop the bleeding – their patient was going to die.

Buffy walked through the desert, immediately recognizing the terrain. She sat on a stone in front of a small fire and waited – knowing she had been summoned. True enough – within moments the wild creature came.

Covered in dirt, the small figure looked hardly human. But the eyes that bore through Buffy's soul were all too human. The First Slayer stalked towards Buffy, keeping the fire between the two of them. The younger slayer looked around for the interpreter but was startled to hear the First Slayer's voice in her head.

Do you know who you are?

Buffy opened her mouth to answer, but nothing came out. She glared at the other Slayer, who just repeated the question.

Do you know who you are?

Opening her mouth again, Buffy tried to answer – but again nothing happened. Frustrated, Buffy nodded her head defiantly.

What is your duty?

Buffy shot to her feet, and spoke without realizing it, "My duty is done!"

The First Slayer continued to keep the fire between them, but made no movement of retreat.

Do you know who you are?

Groaning, Buffy threw her arms into the air and asked, "Fine! Who am I then?"

You are the Last and the First. You are the knots on both ends of the rope.

"I don't understand!"

Without you, the rope will fray – the line will be undone.

Buffy stilled. "Are you saying because of me the Slayer line will die? That doesn't make any sense! There are thousands of Slayers now -- thousands!"

Out of the darkness another figure stepped forward – Buffy. The Slayer stared in shock as she stared at the sixteen years old version of herself.

"The Slayer line has always been a chain full of links – each link containing the full power of the chain– with the First Slayer as the anchor. But now it's a rope, with thousands of strands sharing in the strength of the line," the younger Buffy stated.

"So?"

"The magic is flowing without control. Some slayers will get more, and others will become weaker – even go as far as to lose their powers completely. The magic will grow weaker until there is again only one Slayer…but no longer any potentials."

Buffy grew quiet as the implications grew in her mind. It was ironic, she would be the responsible for the destruction of the Slayer line – something she had fought to stop the First from doing.

Do you know who you are? What is your duty?

The surgeon cursed. He couldn't understand it, why was the wound continuing to bleed the way it was? The heart monitor flat-lined, and the surgeon shouted out.

"She's flat-lining! Get the paddles!"

Outside the room, several heads shot up as their enhanced hearing caught the surgeon's cry. Tears ran down their faces at the thought of their companion, their leader, their friend lay dying on the operating table. Faith vaulted from her seat suddenly, and left the hallway. The others watched her go, but did nothing to stop her.

Buffy clutched her chest tightly. Why did it hurt all of a sudden?

"It's time," the younger Buffy said quietly.

"Time for what?" the elder asked anxiously. The other two figures walked towards her, and stood silently in front of her.

To gain what has been lost – the gain what was never had – to gain a new and old destiny.

"Why me?"

Faith sat on the steps of the hospital, holding a cigarette in her shaking hand. She looked at the hand for a long moment before taking a drag. As much as she had hated the other slayer, it never seemed real that B would ever die. Of course, Faith knew that she had died, but it never seemed a reality. Now, she realized how much she still wanted to say to the older slayer. That she didn't blame her, didn't hate her – just wanted to be understood by her.

Now she may never have the chance.

Faith never noticed the small tear that made its way down her cheek.

Buffy watched the figure of Faith entranced – not caring how she was seeing this – hearing this -- or if it was real. Distantly, the Slayer realized that if it was real – that meant that she was dying. The younger Buffy spoke up.

"Who else would you want to place this burden on?"

They had given up when the heart monitor began to beep again. Startled, they continued their work with renewed dedication. Miraculously, the bleeding began to ebb and the surgeons were able to close the wound. An hour later, an exhausted doctor left the operating room and headed towards the large group.

A young dark haired girl came rushing up, fear evident in her eyes.

"How's my sister? Is she going to be alright?"

The doctor smiled slightly.

"The next twenty four hours are going to be crucial, but the surgery was a success and she's stable."

Everyone heaved a great sigh of relief. Giles thanked the doctor and began to make preparations to find them all a place to stay while Buffy recuperated. Finally, everything seemed like it was going to be okay.

In a room not far away, a young girl laid on her bed. Her eyelids twitched, as she dreamed.

Dreams of death, and life, and rebirth.

TBC