Author's Note: I forgot to mention even though it was likely obvious. There will be no Angel in this story. Who knows for sure exactly what happened to him in this AU. Maybe Whistler somehow got him on the path to redemption and got him to open his "detective agency" three years early? Who knows. But Paige takes the place of Angel in case it wasn't obvious.

Next only one reviewer suggested a new title and its better than what I had - The Witch Slayer (the reason the title was Tentative was because the title makes it sound like Buffy slays witches instead of vampires). He suggested Charming the Slayer based on the fact this a Paige/Buffy pairing. And so that is what I decided to go with. I've not come up with anything myself and as I said its better than what I had.

Chapter 2: The Harvest Part 1

March 13, 1997 – Thursday

Restfield Cemetery

"Think of Whitelighters as guardian angels for witches," Paige explained. "And you Buffy Summers are not only the Slayer but a witch. I'm here to guide you and your sister, Dawn, toward your destinies and help you both in learning to control your powers."

Buffy shook her head as laughter bubbled up within her. "A witch, me? That's beyond funny."

"It's true," Paige affirmed. "We should find the three you saved and make sure their alright and then get you home so your mom can give me the spell to unbind your powers."

Buffy's gaze shifted towards the door, realization dawning upon her. How could she have forgotten about Willow, Xander, and their friend Jesse? She nodded to Paige, a sense of urgency driving them both. They rushed out the door, their ears tuned for any indication of where the trio and the vampire had gone.

And then they heard Willow's piercing scream. "No! Nooo! Get—off—"

Paige tightly gripped Buffy's hand, and in an instant, they orbed out and reappeared in a small clearing within the woods. Before them, they witnessed a dreadful sight—Willow on the ground, locked in a struggle with a vampire. The fiend had a merciless hold on her. Just as he lunged for Willow's neck, Buffy's powerful kick sent him sprawling backward. He grunted in pain, staggered to his feet, clutching his nose, desperately seeking escape.

Buffy paused for a moment, catching her breath. Her senses heightened; she scanned her surroundings fervently. A crackling sound reached her ears, followed by the distinct sound of scuffling. Without hesitation, she bolted away, leaving Willow in Paige's care.

Paige assisted Willow in rising to her feet and promptly orbed them away. They materialized at the edge of another clearing, where they caught sight of Xander being dragged away by two more vampires. The vampires, distracted by the unexpected presence of Paige and Willow, slowly turned around, finding themselves confronted by Buffy.

Paige watched intently as Buffy swiftly approached the vampires from the front. In a powerful strike, Buffy knocked them both off their feet.

The vampires scrambled to get up and flee, but they were too slow.

Snapping a branch from a nearby tree, Buffy wielded it as a makeshift stake. She charged at one of the vampires, expertly impaling him through the chest, while the other vampire made a hasty escape.

Willow rushed to Xander's side, kneeling beside him and cradling his head in her arms. To her relief, he began to regain consciousness, blinking and frowning as he tried to gather his bearings. "Xander... are you okay?" she asked softly.

"Man..." Xander's voice still carried a hint of disorientation. "Something hit me..."

Buffy paced a few steps, her gaze piercing through the trees, her expression grave and concerned. "Where's Jesse?"

Only now did Willow seem to realize that Jesse was missing. "I don't know," she replied, shaking her head. "They surrounded us, and he was really weak..."

"That girl took him," Xander mumbled. "She grabbed him and took off."

"Which way?" Buffy demanded, but Xander could only offer a blank look.

"I don't know."

Buffy stared into the darkness; her determination unwavering. Then she turned her gaze directly to Paige, who approached them. Paige shook her head, understanding her charge's unspoken request. She couldn't track Jesse because he wasn't her assigned charge.

"Jesse..." Buffy whispered, her voice filled with determination and concern.

Summers Home

After ensuring that Willow and Xander safely made it back home, Paige orbed Buffy back to her own house, where Joyce and Dawn anxiously awaited their arrival. Buffy's eyes widened in surprise as they materialized in front of her mother. She turned to Paige with a perplexed expression. "I thought you said I wasn't supposed to..."

"Buffy," Joyce interjected, her voice filled with understanding. "I am aware of the supernatural because, like you, I am a witch—a natural-born witch." She handed Paige a piece of paper. "This is the spell I used on Buffy, Dawn, and myself."

"You mean what she said was true?" Buffy asked, shock evident in her voice.

Dawn let out a sigh, her gaze fixed on the ground. "It's true, Buffy. You, Mom, and I are witches, and Mom bound our powers when we were infants."

"I'm sorry, Buffy," Joyce apologized sincerely. "I did it to give you and Dawn a normal life. After what happened to a friend of mine, I became fearful for both of you. I didn't want you to go through the same challenges I faced. So, after you were born, I bound my own powers, and then when Dawn came into this world, I had a friend unbind mine temporarily, so I could bind Dawn's powers. Once that was done, I rebound my own. And now, with you being called as a Slayer, it seems that destiny wants both of you to be a part of that world, regardless of my desires for you to have a normal childhood."

Buffy let out a weary sigh as she glanced at Paige. "Just cast the spell. I want to go to bed."

Paige nodded in understanding. "It has been a long day. I suspect tomorrow will be even longer," she remarked, glancing over the spell that Joyce had handed her. The words on the paper seemed strangely familiar to her. "We'll perform the spell tomorrow. But right now, I need to check on something." With those words, she swiftly orbed out of the house.

Halliwell Manor

Paige materialized in a burst of blue and white orbing lights inside the familiar surroundings of the Manor, a place she had called home for over three years. "Piper!" she called out, her voice filled with urgency.

Piper emerged from the kitchen; her brows furrowed in concern. "Hey, Paige. How's your new charge? You've been gone all day."

"I wanted to get to know her," Paige replied, her tone slightly distracted. "But before we talk about that, I need to show you something." She handed Piper the piece of paper that Joyce had given her. "Take a look at this. Doesn't it look familiar?"

Piper examined the paper and then swiftly headed upstairs to the attic, with Paige following closely behind. They entered the room housing the Book of Shadows. Piper flipped through the aged pages until she found what she was searching for. Placing the paper next to the corresponding spell in the book, she realized the words matched exactly. "It's an exact match. How could your charge have a spell from our Book?"

"She didn't," Paige clarified. "Her mother cast that spell to bind their powers."

"I need to call Grams and find out..." Piper began, her voice trailing off.

"No need," a voice interrupted. Piper and Paige turned to see Leo standing in the attic doorway.

"There's only one witch I know of who used the binding spell from the book," Leo continued, his voice filled with a hint of sadness. "Her name was Joyce Williams; she was a dear friend of Patty's. After your mother was killed, it triggered a series of events that led Joyce to bind her powers shortly after her first daughter's birth. She had your Grams unbind them temporarily so she could bind her second daughter's powers, and then she bound her own powers again."

Paige's curiosity grew. "How do you know all this?"

"Joyce was my charge when I was still a Whitelighter," Leo confessed, his expression filled with a mix of regret and remorse. "She was the one I failed. I nearly followed Sam's path when she bound her powers."

"Why would you have done that?" Piper asked confused. "Sam clipped his wings because he was in love with Mom. And wanted to make sure no one else died from the demon."

"Because I was in love with Joyce, and she loved me," Leo answered as he turned and looked at Paige. "Paige, you, Wyatt, and Chris are not the only ones born of a Whitelighter and witch."

"Buffy and Dawn," Paige said, "are your daughters?"

"Only Buffy," Leo corrected. "Dawn was born a year later; her father is Joyce's husband. Neither Joyce or Buffy know that I'm Buffy's father. Since we weren't supposed to be together because of the Elders rules. I cast a spell to help hide Buffy from the Elders. I made Joyce forget about me being her Whitelighter and the father of her child. She believes her husband, Hank, is the father. She had been dating him since she knew that she and I were forbidden. The night we slept together, she and Hank had an argument, and he left. She needed comfort, and one thing led to another."

"How did Joyce get ahold of the spell?" Piper asked.

"Your Grams let her borrow the Book to bind Buffy's powers. She must have copied the spell because she used it to bind Dawn's powers a year later. According to Grams, Joyce was going to bind her daughter's powers because a warlock was after her. And she would rather love her daughters as mortals than as dead witches."

"She must have heard the story of how Grams and Mom bound our powers because of Nicholas," Piper said. "And Grams knowing that it was possible decided to help her out."

"Exactly," Leo said.

"I'm going to unbind their powers," Paige said. "Joyce can help train Buffy and Dawn in the use of their witch powers. And Buffy's witch powers could help her as the Slayer. I will help train Buffy in the use of her Whitelighter powers. Leo, we need to reverse the spell you cast. They should know that you are Buffy's father."

"It's better they don't know," Leo said. "It will just complicate things."

Piper interjected; her voice firm yet compassionate. "Paige is right. Just as she had the right to know Sam was her father, Buffy has the right to know about you, Leo. It may complicate things, but it's her right to know her own history. Besides, if I were in her position, I would want to meet both my father and my half-brothers."

Leo sighed deeply, his gaze shifting between Piper and Paige. The weight of his past decisions and the potential repercussions weighed heavily on his mind. Finally, he spoke in a voice filled with resolve. "You're right," he admitted, his voice tinged with resignation. "Buffy deserves to know the truth, and I shouldn't deny her the chance to meet me, Wyatt, and Chris. It's time to confront the consequences of my actions."

Piper reached out and placed a comforting hand on Leo's arm. "We'll face this together, Leo. We're a family, and we'll support each other through whatever comes our way."

Paige nodded; her eyes filled with determination. "We can unbind Joyce, Buffy, and Dawn's powers and guide them through their newfound abilities. It's time to embrace their heritage fully and help them navigate the supernatural world."

Leo looked at both women, gratitude shining in his eyes. "Thank you for understanding. I've been carrying this secret for too long, and it's time to set things right."

Summers Home

As Buffy's eyelids grew heavy and she succumbed to sleep, her mind became a canvas for her unspoken desires. In her dream, she found herself in a mesmerizing dance with Paige, their bodies swaying to a rhythm only they could hear. The allure of the older woman, the wisdom etched in her eyes, was captivating to Buffy.

In the dream, their interactions were filled with a magnetic pull, drawing them closer with each passing moment. Buffy felt a surge of butterflies in her stomach as Paige's gentle touch sent waves of electricity through her body. Their laughter resonated in harmony as if they were the only two souls existing in that ethereal realm.

The dream unfolded with an intensity that mirrored Buffy's hidden desires. Paige's words were like honey, dripping with warmth and compassion, as they spoke of shared dreams and unspoken longing. The tenderness between them was palpable, and Buffy found herself helplessly falling under Paige's spell.

March 14, 1997 – Friday

Summers Home

Buffy was abruptly jolted awake, her eyes widening in shock. She stared at the ceiling, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. The dream had revealed a truth she had been suppressing—an undeniable attraction to Paige.

Sunnydale High School

The following morning, within the serene tranquility of the school library, Giles positioned himself at the railing on the upper level of bookshelves, determined to provide Xander and Willow with an explanation for the unfolding events.

"This world is older than any of you know," he conveyed with solemnity. "And contrary to popular mythology, it did not begin as a paradise. For untold eons, demons walked the earth. Made it their home… their hell."

Willow and Xander listened intently, their expressions every bit as grave as Giles's own.

"In time they lost their purchase on this reality," he continued, carefully descending the stairs with a bundle of books in his arms, "and the way was made for the mortal animals. For man. What remains of the Old Ones are vestiges. Certain magics, certain creatures . . ."

"And vampires," Buffy added. After Paige had left her with her mother, she had quickly gone to bed. She still remembered the dream that had featured Paige, for some reason she could not get the Whitelighter out of her mind.

Xander stood up, clearly agitated.

"Okay, this is where I have a problem, see, because we're now talking about vampires." He frowned. "We're having a talk with vampires in it."

"Isn't that what we saw last night?" Willow asked.

"No, those weren't vampires," Dawn quipped. "Those were just some guys in thundering need of a facial. Or maybe they had rabies—could have been rabies. And that guy turning to dust… just a trick of the light." She ignored the look Xander gave her and regarded him with total understanding. "That's exactly what I said the first time I saw a vampire. I mean, when I was done with the screaming part."

"Ooh…" Willow murmured. "I need to sit down."

"You are sitting down," Buffy reminded her.

"Oh." Willow gave a vacant nod. "Good for me."

"So, vampires are demons?" Xander went on, while Giles again tried to clarify.

"The books tell that the last demon to leave this reality fed off a human and mixed their blood. He was a human form possessed—infected—by the demon's soul." Giles handed Xander one of the heavy volumes. "He bit another, and another ... and so they walk the earth feeding. Killing some, mixing their blood with others to make more of their kind. Waiting for the animals to die out and the Old Ones to return."

Summers Home

Paige materialized in the Summers home with Leo by her side, finding Joyce waiting for them. The morning light streamed through the windows, casting a soft glow in the room. "Morning, Joyce," she greeted the Summers matriarch, offering a warm smile.

"Morning, Paige," Joyce replied, her voice tinged with curiosity. "Who is this? Another one of your charges?"

Paige shook her head, her expression serious. "No, Joyce. This is Leo Wyatt, my brother-in-law. He used to be your Whitelighter."

Confusion clouded Joyce's features. "Paige, you must be mistaken. I never had a Whitelighter."

Leo let out a sigh, his gaze fixed on Joyce. "That's because I cast a memory spell, Joyce. I made you forget about me."

Joyce frowned; disbelief evident in her eyes. " Why would you do that? Whitelighters are supposed to guide witches, not the other way around."

"Because, Joyce, you and I were in love," Leo explained, his voice filled with a mix of longing and remorse. "Our relationship was forbidden, as you well know. You were dating Hank to distract yourself from your feelings for me. But one night you and Hank had an argument. You called for me and I came over, trying to comfort you. One thing led to another and Buffy was conceived."

The weight of Leo's words settled heavily on Joyce. It was difficult to comprehend that a Whitelighter had erased their love and the memories associated with it.

Paige interjected, a determined look in her eyes. "I can prove it, Joyce. I have the spell that Leo cast. I can reverse it and bring back your memories."

Curiosity mingled with skepticism in Joyce's expression. "Why can't he reverse it himself?"

Leo sighed; his gaze filled with regret. "It's a complicated story, Joyce. I fell from grace to be with my wife and sons. I'm no longer a Whitelighter."

Understanding dawned on Joyce's face as Paige clarified, her voice laced with compassion. "Leo clipped his wings, sacrificing his powers for the sake of his family."

Joyce let out a weary sigh, her doubts lingering. "I don't know if I can believe all of this. How do I know you both are telling the truth?"

Paige's eyes sparkled with determination as she recalled an important detail. "Do you remember last night when I mentioned I had to check on something? The spell you handed me—it was one I've seen before. It's from my family's Book of Shadows. You borrowed it from my Grams, Penny Halliwell."

A mix of surprise and recognition flickered across Joyce's face. "Mrs. Halliwell is your grandmother?" she asked, her voice filled with astonishment. "That makes you Patty's daughter," she said remembering her dearly departed friend.

Paige nodded, confirming the truth. "That's right, her youngest. The one she gave up because she and my father feared that I would be taken away from them if the Elders knew."

Leo's voice softened as he revealed his motives. "That's why I cast the memory spell on you, Joyce. I knew you had plans to bind your powers and Buffy's after she was born. I didn't want the Elders to discover that Buffy is my child. They would have taken her away from you."

Sunnydale High School

"A Slayer," Giles continued his explanation, his voice filled with a sense of duty.

"And that would be a what?" Xander questioned, seeking clarification.

"As long as there have been vampires, there has been the Slayer," Giles recited with a touch of enthusiasm. "One girl in all the world—"

Buffy couldn't help but interject, teasingly interrupting him. "He loves doing this part."

"All right," Giles conceded, picking up the pace. "They hunt vampires, one Slayer dies, the next is called, Buffy is the Slayer, don't tell anyone." He paused to catch his breath. "I think that's all the vampire information you need."

Xander, ever curious, spoke up. "Except for one thing. How do you kill them?"

"You don't," Buffy quickly corrected him. "I do."

Xander pressed on. "Well, Jesse—"

"Jesse's my responsibility. I let him get taken," Buffy admitted, a tinge of guilt evident in her voice.

"That's not true," Xander countered, refusing to let her shoulder all the blame.

Willow chimed in, her loyalty was unwavering. "If you hadn't shown up, they would have taken us too. Does anybody mind if I pass out?"

"Breathe," Dawn ordered, concern lacing her words.

Willow nodded, grateful for the reminder. "Breathe."

"Breathe," Buffy echoed, her attention turning to Giles. "This big guy, Luke, he talked about an offering to the Master. I don't know who or what that was, but if they weren't just feeding, Jesse may still be alive. I'm going to find him."

With a calmer demeanor, Willow offered a suggestion. "This is probably a dumb question, but shouldn't we call the police?"

Giles's response was laced with skepticism. "And they'd believe us, of course."

"We don't have to say vampires," Willow stammered, trying to reason. "We could say there was . . . a bad man."

Dawn shook her head gently, providing consolation. "They couldn't handle it even if they did come. They'd only show up with guns."

Giles directed his attention to Buffy, seeking any leads. "You have no idea where they took Jesse?"

Buffy reflected, her mind racing to recall any details. "I looked around, but… soon as they got clear of the woods they could have just—" She gestured quickly with her hand. "—whoom."

Xander expressed surprise. "Can they fly?"

Buffy corrected him with a smirk. "They can drive."

"Oh," Xander responded, realizing his assumption was off the mark.

Willow tried to contribute her thoughts. "I don't remember hearing a car."

"Well, let's take an enormous intuitive leap and say they went underground," Giles proposed, considering the possibilities.

"Vampires really jam on sewer systems," Buffy agreed. "You can get anywhere in town without catching any rays. I didn't see any access around there, though."

Xander offered a new perspective. "Well, there are electrical tunnels. They run under the whole town."

Giles pondered the idea for a moment. "If we had a diagnostic of the tunnel system, it might indicate a meeting place. I suppose we could go to the building commission—"

"We so don't have time," Buffy interjected, urgency lacing her voice.

"Uh, guys?" Willow interjected tentatively, sensing an alternative solution on the horizon. "There may be another way."

Summers Home

Paige took a deep breath, feeling the weight of responsibility settle upon her shoulders. She hoped the spell would work, after all, it hadn't with Piper but that was a result of an interaction with Leo's magic while he was an Elder, right? She glanced at Leo, who offered a reassuring nod and then turned her attention back to Joyce. With determination in her eyes, Paige raised her hands and began to chant softly. "Powers and emotions tied; a witch's heart is where it hides. Help her through her agony, bless her with her memory."

As the words flowed from her lips, a gentle glow emanated from her fingertips, enveloping Joyce in a soft, ethereal light. The room seemed to hold its breath, anticipation hanging in the air. Paige focused all her energy on channeling the spell, tapping into the depths of her magical abilities.

Images flickered through Joyce's mind, fleeting glimpses of forgotten moments and stolen memories. Her eyes widened as the fragments of the past rushed back to her. A mix of emotions washed over her face—surprise, confusion, and a spark of recognition.

Leo stood beside Paige; his gaze locked with Joyce's. He reached out and gently took her hand, offering her support and reassurance. "It's all true, Joyce," he said softly. "We were in love, and we have a daughter together."

Joyce blinked and looked at Paige. "Uh who are you?" she asked and when Paige looked at her, her eyes wide, she smiled. "Just kidding," she said, teasing Paige. Her eyes then met Leo's, and a flicker of understanding passed between them. Memories once lost now found their place, knitting together the tapestry of their shared past. "I remember you now, Leo. And I also remember the love we felt." She sighed and shook her head. "But you're married now. May I ask how did that happen?"

"At first the Elders tried to keep me and Piper separated," Leo said. "Then Piper managed to convince them and they allowed us to date and finally get married. And in time we had two sons, Buffy's half-brothers; Wyatt and Chris. Wyatt is two and Chris only one."

Joyce nodded, taking in the new information. "I'm glad you were finally able to have a life with someone, Leo, even if it wasn't with me."

Leo's expression softened, his eyes reflecting a mix of emotions. "I will always love you, Joyce," he said. "It nearly broke me when I cast that spell and you bound yours and Buffy's powers. So much so I almost clipped my wings then."

Joyce smiled, touched by his words. "I'm glad you didn't." She then turned to Paige, recognizing the strength and determination in her eyes. "If you are anything like Leo, you will make an excellent Whitelighter for Buffy. Who better to guide her than someone who understands her journey so intimately?"

Thanks." Paige nodded gratefully, appreciating Joyce's trust and support. She then posed a question, offering Joyce a choice. "Are you ready for your powers to be unbound?"

Joyce paused, considering the implications. She knew deep down that her daughters were destined for a world of supernatural battles, and she couldn't shield them forever. Leaving her powers bound when theirs were unbound would be to a detriment for both of her daughters. Reluctantly, yet resolutely, she made her decision. "I am," she declared, her voice filled with determination. "I will stand with Buffy and Dawn, facing whatever challenges may come."

Sunnydale High School

"There it is," Buffy said eagerly, her eyes fixed on the computer screen.

Willow sat at the computer, navigating through the map of the city's electrical tunnels, while everyone else gathered around her, their anticipation palpable. "This runs under the graveyard," Willow explained, pointing to a specific tunnel, but Xander shook his head in disbelief.

"I don't see any access," Dawn noted, her brow furrowed with concern.

Giles, ever the cautious observer, questioned, "So, the city plans are openly available to the public?"

Willow frowned sheepishly. "Uh, well, in a way," she admitted. "I sort of stumbled onto them when I accidentally… decrypted the city council's security system."

Xander couldn't help but tease, his attention still fixed on the screen. "Someone's been naughty . . ."

Buffy's disappointment was evident in her voice. "There's nothing here. This is useless!"

"I think you should ease up on yourself," Giles tried to console her.

But Buffy's distress was apparent as she turned sharply towards Giles. "You're the one who told me I wasn't prepared enough. Understatement. I thought I was on top of it, and then that monster Luke came out of nowhere—" She broke off abruptly,

Dawn, sensing something amiss, looked up at her sister. "Buffy?"

Buffy's mind raced as scenes from the previous night flooded her memory, including the unexpected arrival of Paige. "He didn't come out of nowhere," she exclaimed, a glimmer of excitement in her eyes. "He came from behind me. I was facing the entrance and he came from behind me." She turned to the others, a renewed sense of determination coursing through her veins. "The access to the tunnels is in the mausoleum."

Giles straightened, intrigued by the revelation. "Are you certain?"

Buffy nodded fervently. "The girl must have taken Jesse back through there after I left. I can't believe I missed it. God, I feel so mentally challenged right now."

Dawn shook her head, stepping closer to Buffy. "No, Buffy, you're not. Don't blame yourself."

Xander, always ready for action, stepped back. "So, what's the plan? We gear up, right?"

Buffy corrected him firmly. "There's no 'we.' I'm the Slayer, and you're not."

Xander grumbled, feeling the sting of rejection. "I knew you were going to throw that in my face."

Dawn interjected; her voice filled with understanding. "Xander, this is incredibly dangerous. Trust me, I know. Even when Buffy first found out she was the Slayer; she and Merrick wouldn't let me join them on patrols. Merrick wasn't thrilled that Buffy even told me about her secret. My sister and I don't keep secrets from each other." She glanced at Giles and then back at Buffy. "I wonder what Pike is up to these days since you two broke up," she pondered. Buffy shrugged in response.

December 13, 1996 – Saturday

Hemery High School

As the music thumped through the crowded gymnasium, Dawn found herself lost in the excitement of the event. She danced with Buffy and Pike, Buffy's date, her laughter mingling with the infectious energy of the room. But then, she felt it—a shift in the atmosphere, a chill that sent shivers down her spine.

Dawn's eyes darted around the room, scanning the faces of the other students. It was then that she saw them, a group of sinister figures gliding through the crowd with predatory grace.

Lothos and his gang of vampires had arrived, and chaos loomed on the horizon.

Her heart pounding, Dawn looked to Buffy, who met her gaze with a mixture of determination and concern. Dawn had spent months training with Buffy and Merrick and she knew what she and Buffy had to do. Pike, sensing the danger, stood by their side, ready to fight alongside them.

"Buffy, we can't let them hurt anyone," Dawn said, her voice filled with conviction.

Buffy nodded; her eyes locked on the approaching vampires. "I won't let them touch anyone here, Dawn. We'll stop them together."

As the vampires made their move, chaos erupted. Dawn and Pike fought back with all their might, unleashing punches and kicks with surprising skill. They were no match for Buffy's abilities, but they held their own, determined to protect their fellow students.

Amidst the chaos, Dawn's eyes caught sight of the gym's stage, a flicker of an idea forming in her mind. She grabbed Pike's hand, guiding him towards the stage as Buffy fended off the vampires.

"Pike, help me move these curtains!" Dawn shouted over the noise, pointing to the heavy drapes that adorned the stage.

With adrenaline fueling their actions, Dawn and Pike quickly pulled the curtains, creating a makeshift barrier that blocked the vampires' escape route. It was a bold move, trapping the vampires inside the gymnasium, but they knew it was their best chance to protect the innocent.

But they couldn't stop there.

Dawn searched the stage frantically, her eyes falling on a box of flares left behind from a previous event. She grabbed them, her hands trembling with a mix of fear and determination.

"Pike, I need your lighter!" she exclaimed, her voice urgent.

Pike handed her his lighter without hesitation.

Dawn ignited the flares, watching as the flames danced before her. With a swift and calculated throw, she sent them soaring toward the drapes, setting them ablaze.

As the flames licked the fabric, panic seized the vampires trapped inside. Dawn, Pike, and Buffy watched as the gymnasium became a fiery inferno, the intense heat and crackling flames a stark contrast to the once celebratory atmosphere.

With their peers safe and the vampires contained, the trio made a hasty retreat, their steps guided by a mix of relief and exhaustion. The sounds of the burning gymnasium echoed behind them.

March 14, 1997 – Friday

Sunnydale High School

Dawn turned her attention back to Xander. "While Merrick eventually agreed to train me alongside Buffy, it was for my own protection. I didn't encounter my first vampire until the night of the dance when Buffy and I ended up burning down the gym."

Xander's frustration softened, realizing the gravity of the situation. "I'm inadequate. That's fine. I'm less than a man." He turned his back on the sisters and walked away, seeking solace in his thoughts.

Willow, sympathetic toward Xander, appealed to Buffy and Dawn. "Buffy, Dawn, I'm not thrilled about venturing into a dark place teeming with monsters, but I want to help. I need to."

Giles, ever the supportive mentor, joined the conversation. "Then help me. I've been researching this Harvest affair. It seems to be a preordained massacre, a cataclysmic event. Rivers of blood, hell on earth... quite grim. The details elude me, but perhaps you can extract some information from that dread machine." He paused, realizing his choice of words might be too British for the moment. "That was a bit too British, wasn't it?" he admitted, feeling a tinge of embarrassment.

Buffy smiled, a glimmer of appreciation in her eyes. "Welcome to the new world," she quipped, acknowledging the need for a simpler translation.

"I want you to go on the Net," Giles translated.

Willow's face brightened. "Oh, yeah! Sure, I can do that."

Buffy made her resolve clear. "Then I'm heading out. If Jesse's alive, I'll bring him back."

Giles stepped forward; his concern etched on his face. "Do I need to remind you to be careful?"

Buffy met his gaze, her determination unwavering.

Dawn's voice joined Giles, a reflection of her worry and love for her sister. "Please, Buffy, promise us you'll be careful. I can't bear the thought of losing you."

Buffy's gaze softened as she looked at her sister. She reached out and placed a hand on Dawn's shoulder, the weight of responsibility settling on her once again. "I promise, Dawnie."