A/N: Sorry for taking so long to update but RL has been kicking my ass lately, among other things my computer crashed. Yeah, not exactly fun. Anyway, I appreciate all the feedback guys. It means a lot that you take the time to read and tell me so ;)

Chapter 5:

"Just because we someone ended up in the same town doesn't mean we're sisters Sam." Buffy stated firmly. "We share blood, but that's it. We're strangers…strangers. Nothing more."

"You're my sister, that means we're not strangers." Sam spoke her voice strong.

"Yes we are." Buffy looked at her sister for one long moment. "And reality is that we live separate lives. We always have and always will."

"I don't accept that."

"You have to."

"Elisabeth!"

"I want you to stay away from us Sam." Buffy replied firmly. "And my name isn't Elisabeth. It never has been. Its Buffy."

"Buffy…"

"I have responsibility now, and Dawn needs stability. I can't have you coming over here and cause trouble. It'll upset her."

"Don't give me that crap." Sam retorted, almost angrily. "I don't know what's going on, but that's a lie and we both know it. Dawn's grown up enough to handle this."

"This isn't a discussion Sam. I don't want you around."

"So that's it, huh? You don't want me around? You don't want your own sister around?"

"You're not my sister. Dawn is."

The words had hurt like hell to say, more than Buffy ever would have thought, but she knew she'd done the right thing. She couldn't afford to get Sam into this mess. And it was easier to keep her safe if she stayed away, and the best way to make her do that was to hurt her. But at least hurt was better than dead. And she couldn't stand seeing another one she cared about die, whether or not it was an estranged sister or a friend. Not again.

A hard knock on the door startled Buffy and drew her back to reality. Not expecting any visitors, and certain of the fact that Dawn was in school, she frowning walked to the front door, opening it a bit hesitantly. But the moment she recognized the couple on the other side she threw the door up with a bang and hugged both of them hard.

"Willow! Giles!" She exclaimed. "You're here!"

"Buffy, air…" Willow stated a little breathless at the Slayer's strong embrace, immediately taking small steps back when released.

"Oops, sorry." She looked at them for a brief second, a frown appearing on her face. "Why are you here?"

"We need to talk." Giles stated softly, a serious expression on his face.

By the look on his face, the slayer knew that it wasn't good news. Taking a step back to let the others into the house, she quickly closed the door behind them when they were in. Her mind was racing as she led them to the kitchen, but the only thing she could come up with that would explain why the two were there was the military thing. But even that wouldn't have required the duo's presence, that unless the situation was about to go from good to bad to ugly within the matter of days.

"What's going on? What's happened?" She asked, turning around and looking at the two.

"We've received some information." Giles said calmly as he sat down by the table and met the slayer's worried gaze.

"About the military project?"

"Yes, and no."

"What are you saying?" Buffy asked, trying to comprehend the situation.

"When I was researching about the project, I stumbled on to some information about the people working with the project." Willow explained.

"And?"

"And one of the names that was mentioned was Major Samantha Carter." The Wicca added softly.

Shocked Buffy stared at her best friend, immediately putting two and two together. Her gaze wandered to her mentor who was looking at her with sad eyes.

"Sam's involved? Are you certain of it?"

"Yes." Giles replied firmly. "Whatever that's going on, she's involved Buffy."

His words sank slowly into her head and for a moment she turned around, trying to hide the tears that sprang to her eyes. Her sister, her own sister, was involved in the secrecy. She might even be the enemy.

"Giles reacted the same way when I told him." Willow spoke softly. "Who is she Buffy? How do you know her?"

"Giles didn't tell you?" Buffy asked quietly.

"It wasn't my story to tell. It still isn't." Giles replied softly.

"No, I guess not…"

"Buffy?"

"Sam…Sam's my older sister Willow."

The shock the witch felt was evident in her face as she slowly registered the words. And when they finally did she stared at the blonde slayer, a look of feeling lied to clear in her eyes.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Willow asked, her voice wavering a little.

"No one knew Willow. Giles' the only one."

"Why?"

"You need to tell her Buffy." Giles said softly. "She needs to know, they all do. You can't keep quiet about it any longer."

Slowly, a little by little, Buffy started telling the Wicca everything. Her voice sounding strong even though she felt like crying on the inside. She'd known Sam worked in the military, but she never once would have expected her to work on something like this, on something that was so alike the Initiative.

When she finally stopped, silence reigned in the room and its three occupants. Neither of them seemed to know what to say, or what to do.

"So she's really your sister?" Willow said, more stating it than asking a question.

"Yeah, she is." Buffy replied quietly.

"Is she Dawn's?"

"We think so." Giles answered.

"Wow."

"Yeah."

"Does Dawn know?"

"She found out a while back."

"Everything?"

"Everything." The slayer confirmed softly.

For a moment they all became silent again, but then Buffy looked at the clock and gasped. Dawn's school day was almost over and she'd supposed to call her at lunch.

"Damn."

"What?" Willow asked worriedly.

"I was supposed to call Dawn hours ago, she's probably worried." Buffy swore to herself.

"She's expecting me to pick her up."

"Call her now then." Giles suggested.

"I can get her." The Wicca butted in, getting the rest of the room's attention.

"You can?" Buffy asked.

"Yeah. It'll give you and Giles a chance to go through everything we found about the project."

"That's a good idea Willow." Giles stated, smiling softly at the young woman.

"You sure?"

"It's fine Buffy, I've missed her. It'll give us a chance to catch up as well."

"Just…just don't upset her. And be sure to tell her everything's fine." Buffy instructed.

"She'll think something is wrong when she sees you.

"Relax Buffy, I'll handle it." The witch smiled before leaving the kitchen.

TBC…