A/N: So it's been a really, really long time since I updated but I'm blaming that on my muse taking a hike. However, it would appear that she's back and hopefully long enough for me to finish this story. For the time being I'm going to post without a beta-reader, and might continue doing so for the rest of the story. Personal reasons for that. Updates might continue to be irregular, that will be blamed either on my muse or my law classes at Uni. Though I will try to update once a week. Thank you to all who have patiently waited as well as reviewed!

Chapter 8:

It took Buffy two days to calm down enough to be reasonable about the whole situation, to think logically about it. By that time she'd already made Willow contact Riley and all but ordered him to get them into the mountain where the underground facility was located. When both Willow and Giles protested against such drastic actions she responded that paper work could be forged, but seeing it for herself would tell them whether or not the project was bad. And it wasn't as if she'd be forced to tell anyone why she was there or what she was. After all, the slayers and their organization were classified.

Neither one of her friends had been able to argue against that.

While Buffy knew that going to the mountain could change everything she somehow couldn't make herself truly care. If something happened to her the Scoobies would be able to care for the other slayers. The organization they'd built up during the years had only changed to the better as time had passed.

And as it was, the Council would be able to handle anything thrown in their way. The girls were protected as much as possible, even against the government. Especially after Adam and the Sunnydale disaster. Those that knew the truth about all that went bump in the night, the current president included, had given them enough free reign to act any way necessary without involvement from the military in any way, shape or form to perform their duties. All information about them, about their organization, had been blacked out and could only be shared if the Council deemed it okay. As it was Giles was listed as the one in charge of it all, along with Buffy as his right hand. Though in battle situations, she always would have the role as leader, the one making the final decisions.

That part hadn't been easy for Buffy to accept. But she'd known that as the longest living slayer, she had responsibilities and she didn't want the girls to have to live the same life that she and Faith had been forced to live. No, she wanted them to truly live, to not just be slayers but girls as well. Girls that would grow up to be women one day. Women that would have long lives ahead of them. She knew lives would be lost, that lives had been lost already, but she wanted as many as possible of her charges to survive. As did all of the Scoobies. It was that thought that made them all fight, made them work so hard. The dream of a better life for them all.

It was that thought, that dream, that made Buffy make the final decision of visiting the base. The fact that her older sister was involved as well only made her more determined to find out what was going on there. And the only thing making her hesitate was Dawn. And what would happen to her if something went wrong at the base. If she somehow ended up dying. Again. But she couldn't change her decision. Wouldn't. Her priority was to keep her people safe. To keep the world safe. Not stay alive herself. She knew Dawn understood that.

And, on an early Saturday morning, three days after Willow and Giles flew in; Buffy got up and got ready. A short conversation with Riley had been the final piece of the puzzle. All of the preparations the trio had gone through had taken place during the time Dawn was in school. All to make sure she wouldn't know what was going on. To make sure she wouldn't worry more than necessary. Despite knowing that Willow and Giles didn't agree with her on that part, Buffy had stood firm. Dawn wouldn't be involved more than absolutely necessary.

As she looked at herself in the mirror, the world's longest living slayer took one deep breath before quietly walking down the stairs of the house and meeting up with Giles and Willow at the front door, both dressed and wearing somber expressions.

It had been decided that Willow would remain behind with Dawn while Buffy and Giles would go with Riley and Graham to the base. Both soldiers had flown in a couple of hours earlier as a favor to the Scoobies and were waiting in a car outside the house. They had been the ones to arrange the meeting at the base, making sure that everything had remained classified. The leader of the base, a general George Hammond didn't know anything about them, or the Council. All he had been told was to expect visitors, be ready to disclose all about the project and to ask no questions.

It had taken all of the Councils contacts, and all of Riley and Graham's, to make the meeting take place. Even going as far as to making the threat that the Council would break all ties with the American government if their wish wasn't fulfilled.

Dressed in black, her hair pulled back into a sleek simple pony tail, Buffy knew she looked every bit of the leader she was, and every bit ready to go through with the threat. She knew she looked lethal and she didn't care. Whatever would happen, she'd be ready for it. She had to be. The world was on her shoulders, had been since the day she was called. Nothing would change that. She would make the decisions necessary to keep it safe.

"Are you sure about this Buffy?" Willow's voice was soft and worried as she looked at her friend, interrupting her thoughts.

"It needs to be done."

"What do you want me to tell Dawn?"

"Tell her I love her. Tell her I'm sorry."

"If you die out there, I'll bring you back and kick your butt."

The voice startled them all, prompting them to turn around and look up the stairs. Still dressed in a t-shirt and with her hair a mess, Dawn looked even younger than the 17 years she was. But her eyes looked old. So old that it made Buffy's heart ache.

"Dawn…" She began, but stopped, not knowing how to continue

"Just… just go, do what you have to do. But you better come back." And as she spoke, Dawn sat down on the stairs and leaned her head against the railing, closing her eyes in the process. "I don't want to have to bury you again." Or Sam, she thought.

The words made Buffy's eyes tear up and she blinked furiously to stop herself from crying. Then she nodded, even though she knew Dawn didn't see it, before she turned and walked out with Giles following. She got into the dark SUV that already held Riley and Graham without a word, and the moment Giles closed his door they drove off.

Buffy didn't turn and look back. Instead she forced herself to look forward, to keep her emotions locked in. She forced herself to be the slayer she always would be. And as such, she had to be strong. Had to stay in control.

"We don't have to go through with this Buffy." Giles spoke quietly.

"Yes we do, you know that Giles." Buffy didn't look at him as she spoke, but she did take his hand to squeeze it affectionately. "Whatever happens, I'll be okay. And more to the point, our girls will be safe. That's all that matters."

TBC…