AN: Thank you for the reviews. BTVS doesn't belong to me.
A couple of weeks after Tara's birthday, Buffy was in the back room of the Magic Box pounding fist after fist into the hanging bag. She was so focused on getting everything out that she didn't notice the tears leaving her eyes or Faith walking into the back. The blonde slayer felt herself being turned and swung at her assumed attacker but the brunette stopped her fist before she had a chance to hit her jaw. Buffy was shocked to see she had almost hit Faith and quickly apologized.
"Faith, I'm so sorry." The blonde lowered her head to try and hide the tears she was wiping away.
"It's cool, B. Not like you actually hit me this time." Faith smirked trying to lighten the mood but continued seriously, "I know this situation has you all strung out but maybe you should take Dawn and go to L.A. for a while. It can't be easy taking care of a teenager when you're still trying to figure out your own life. I can take over until we find this bitch and you can keep Dawn safe."
"I can't just leave everyone here, Faith. It's not that I don't trust you but I'd worry if everyone was alright." Buffy sighed.
"Then, talk to someone about this or let the gang know about Dawn. You're going to run yourself ragged if you continue like this, Buffy." The brunette warned concerned.
"I can't do that or they'll act weird around her. Don't worry about me, Faith. This isn't my first apocalypse." The blonde argued.
"I'm trying to help here but you are treating me exactly like you did two years ago and this time I'm actively trying to help you. So, let me help you." Faith begged her blonde counterpart.
"I don't know what to do. I mean my life has just been manipulated to believing I have a sister and, now, there is some demon coming after her and I have to protect her; then, Mom is sick and…" Buffy trailed off as she fell to the floor and cried.
"Shh, Buffy, everything will work out." The brunette pulled her into an awkward hug. "This demon has to get through three slayers and your mom is getting great help at the hospital. You are a great slayer and person so don't get too strung up and let people help you."
"Thank you, Faith." Buffy said once she calmed down. "I'm glad you decided to stay."
"Eh, you just need someone who will kick you in the ass to get you out of that funk you get in." Faith joked lightly and the blonde smiled a little as well.
"So, where is Lilith? Isn't she usually here like at dawn?" Buffy asked wanting to change the subject.
"Yeah, about that, I unplugged her alarm clock. Kid wakes up early every morning and trains; so, I thought she could use this morning off." The brunette answered while her blonde counterpart gave her a wide eyed look. "She's going to be pissed, I know."
Lilith shot up in bed and ran out of the room. She barely made it to the bathroom before she vomited into the toilet. After the vomiting was over, she washed her mouth under the faucet but couldn't lift her head to look in the mirror. The scenes from her dream kept popping up and the brunette sunk to the floor grabbing her head and bringing her knees to her chest. Every time she closed her eyes the images of Dawn tore into small pieces or the many faces of the gang being tortured in some hellish dimension would flash. All these pictures were making her silently scream in terror and sick at the same time as she scooted back into a corner.
'Is this what happens when you let things and people in? How does anyone function like this? God, why can't I get these images out of my head? If this is what's going to happen if we fail then I'm not going to let this happen. I will die trying to prevent these images from coming true.' Lilith resolved her determination to succeed. Her inner monologue helped her calm down enough to unsteadily stand up out of the corner.
In a mansion on a hill overlooking Sunnydale, a blonde haired woman paced back and forth in an expensive looking dress. She was mumbling to herself as she walked but stopped when two scabby looking demons dragged in a struggling older man in a mail uniform. She put her hands to each side of her hands then a light enveloped the head as her fingers into his head. When she pulled them out, the man started to talk to himself and she turned to the two that had brought him in.
"Now, where the hell is my key? I know that the Slayer has it but I don't know where she hid it. I want my key!" The crazy woman yelled stomping her foot in her tantrum.
"Glorificus, I found a spell that may help us find what you are looking for, oh most beautiful one." A robbed minion ran into the room and groveled.
"Well, get on with it." Glory ordered.
AN: I'm sorry if this comes up a little short but I thought it sounded like a good place to stop. Please review and tell me what you think.