Author's Note: twin who likes to travel – True Buffy could jump tall fences in a single bound and bend bars of steel. But do you think for a second in a world where the First took over that it would not have made preparations to house a Slayer and keep it contained. After all it was revealed that Dawn was unable to even portal, via the Key, out of the room so there had to be magic involved to contain her. Originally there was to be a reveal of one other person escaping the Hellmouth besides Buffy, Willow, Faith and Dawn. That Giles had been turned and become a master vampire. As we know Giles is capable of doing magic (as is evidenced several times in the show) and he would have made sure that Dawn could not escape by any means.
Chapter 2: The Watchers
September 12, 1997 – Friday
Summers Residence
The soft yet insistent chime of the alarm pierced through the quiet darkness, rousing Dawn from her slumber. It was six in the morning, a time that felt far too early for her liking. She groaned, her body reluctant to leave the comfort of her warm bed.
With a determined sigh, she swung her legs over the side of the bed, each step feeling heavy as she crossed the room towards her dresser. The alarm clock, a small yet formidable device, seemed to mock her as it continued to ring. She couldn't even remember setting it the night before, but there it was, relentless in its insistence to pull her from her dreams.
Years of experience had taught her the importance of placing the alarm clock at a distance from the bed. She knew all too well the peril of having it within arm's reach, where a simple press of the snooze button could lead to a never-ending cycle of temporary reprieve and eventual oversleeping. (A/N)
Her hand found the clock, and she silenced it with a firm press of a button, the abrupt silence echoing through the room. The temptation to crawl back under the covers was strong, but she knew she had to resist. With a mix of determination and resignation, she reminded herself that this early start was necessary for the day ahead.
As the warm water cascaded down her body in the shower, Dawn couldn't help but feel a mix of determination and anxiety. She formulated a plan for her day, but her thoughts kept circling back to the emotional challenges she was about to face. The first task on her list was to talk to Willow.
As she stood there, water droplets sliding down her skin, she contemplated the next item on her agenda. Calling her lawyers to help Xander with his difficult family situation weighed heavily on her mind. The mere thought of the toxic environment Xander had endured with Tony and Jessica Harris tugged at Dawn's heart, fueling her determination to make things right for her friend.
With the water turned off, she stepped out of the shower, her thoughts still swirling. As she brushed out her damp hair, she made a conscious decision to keep it loose and flowing. The simple act of choosing her appearance carried a sense of vulnerability and newfound strength. She wanted to present herself with elegance, masking the inner turmoil she had been carrying for years.
Dressed in designer jeans and a matching sleeveless blouse, she looked into the mirror, searching her own eyes for reassurance. Her heart trembled as she prepared to face the world and confront the memories that had shaped her journey.
Breakfast was a bittersweet moment as she cooked funny-shaped pancakes, an attempt to bring a touch of cheer to the morning. But as she mixed the batter, a wave of unexpected emotion overcame her. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she paused, momentarily overtaken by the weight of her past. The five years of captivity she endured had left scars that ran deep, and now, in the safety of her new reality, the emotions finally broke through the walls she had built to protect herself.
The loneliness she had buried deep inside resurfaced, reminding her of the void left behind when she was separated from her friends. Xander, Willow, Giles, Buffy—she missed them all intensely. Even now, reuniting with their younger versions, she realized that the ache in her heart wasn't fully healed, but she held onto the hope that renewing their friendships would help mend the fractures within her soul.
As she cleaned up after breakfast, the clock ticked away, and the morning light began to seep through the windows. By the time she finished tidying up, the clock struck seven, signaling that it was time to face her first task of the day: reaching out to Willow.
Rosenberg Residence
Upon arriving at Willow's house, Dawn hesitated, her heart pounding with nervous anticipation as she observed Sheila and Ira Rosenberg leaving. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her emotions, and approached the door, knocking gently. The sound of footsteps from upstairs filled her ears, and soon the door swung open, revealing Willow.
"Dawn," Willow said, genuine surprise in her eyes at seeing her friend standing there.
"I know it's early," Dawn began, her voice tinged with urgency. "But I have something I need to talk to you about."
Willow nodded understandingly, inviting Dawn inside and closing the door behind them. They ascended the stairs together, heading to Willow's bedroom, where they could have a moment of privacy.
"I know you have been, or will start, practicing magic," Dawn said softly, her heart heavy with memories of the other timeline. "In my time, you were a powerful witch. But there were some speedbumps along the way. You remember I mentioned Buffy dying, three times?" Willow nodded, and Dawn continued. "The first, as you know, was in the Master's cave. The second was when she sacrificed herself for me. Well, after the second, you channeled Osiris and resurrected Buffy, ripping her out of heaven."
Willow's hand flew to her mouth in shock, her eyes filled with remorse as she understood the gravity of her actions.
"That's the same reaction you had when Buffy finally admitted where she had been. After Buffy's resurrection, you started delving more and more into the dark arts, as they slowly began to corrupt you," Dawn confessed, the pain of those dark times still vivid in her mind. "It all came to a head when someone you loved was killed. You tried to destroy the world because you didn't want to feel the grief anymore."
The weight of those memories hung heavily in the air, and Dawn could see the turmoil in Willow's eyes. She didn't want to burden her friend with the knowledge of her future, but she knew the consequences of staying silent could be disastrous.
"So, I won't do magic then," Willow stated, her voice a mix of resolve and uncertainty, as she grappled with the choices she would make.
"I was going to offer that I teach you," said Dawn, her voice filled with a mix of determination and compassion.
"You can do magic?" Willow asked, her eyes widening with surprise and curiosity.
Dawn waved her hand, and like a shimmering dream materializing, a portal opened in the room. "Look out your bedroom window," she said softly, her heart brimming with hope.
Willow stood up and peered through her bedroom window, her breath catching in awe as she saw a matching portal in her front yard, mirroring the one in her room. Her emotions were a whirlwind, a sense of wonder mixing with uncertainty.
She returned to her seat, gazing earnestly at Dawn. "You will teach me to do that?" she asked, her voice filled with hope and a glimmer of longing for the power she saw before her.
Dawn's expression softened with understanding. "That, no," she admitted with a touch of vulnerability. "While that is magic, it is also an ability that is innate to me. But I can train you in your magic so you can reach your potential without delving into the dark arts. I don't want to see you become as someone once called you, Darth Rosenberg."
The mention of her darker past brought a hint of sorrow to Willow's eyes, but she also felt a surge of gratitude toward Dawn for wanting to guide her onto a different path.
"I'd like that," Willow replied, a warm smile gracing her face, her heart filled with appreciation for the friendship and support she had found in Dawn. The prospect of embracing her magical potential under Dawn's guidance filled her with a newfound sense of hope and purpose.
Sunnydale High School
At 5:30 pm Dawn walked into the library. "Hey, Giles," she said. She spotted the people from the Council, all but one of of whom she recognized. "Ah I see they are here."
"Good evening, Ms. Summers," said Giles keeping it formal for the other Watchers benefit. "This is the team I mentioned that the Council would be sending. Dawn Summers," he gestured toward Dawn. "This is Phillip Muirhead, Nigel Iyer, and Chloe Payne. They're here to examine your claim to being a Slayer. They'll ask you some questions, test your strength and reflexes, and so on." (A/N)
"Uh, nice to meet you all," said Dawn. "I look forward to talking with you all."
Chloe came around the table that she, Giles, Nigel and Phillip had been standing next to. She tentatively held out a hand. "Good to meet you, Miss Summers. I'm Chloe Payne. I think I speak for all of us when I say that we're intrigued by your claims. And I'd like to especially say that I'm looking forward to working with you if things work out as I hope they do."
"I take it that if you agree that I am a Slayer then you are the one that would be assigned to me as a Watcher?" asked Dawn.
"Well..." Chloe looked nonplussed. "Well, yes. You're a Slayer..." She paused when Nigel coughed. "Sorry, you might be a Slayer, and Slayer's need a Watcher. And if you are – I hope you are – that's me. Personally, I'm looking forward to working with you."
Dawn knew by way of Buffy what Wesley had been like and she knew from Faith what Diana had been like. She even had heard about the ex-Watcher that had tried to steal some glove for herself. Out of the three Diana sounded like the best of the bunch, at least that was how Faith had portrayed the woman.
"If you don't mind me asking, Miss Summers – " Chloe said.
"Dawn. I'd prefer it if you called me Dawn," said Dawn. "After all Buffy has the same last name as I do since we're cousins. It might get confusing if you continue to call me or her by our last names."
"You make an excellent point," said Chloe. "In which case I insist you call me Chloe." The woman smiled, and it was actually warm and welcoming. "Anyway, I wanted to ask, just how did you find out about your, er, empowerment?"
Dawn lied her ass off. She told them that she had a dream where a girl was fighting an unending array of vampires and demons. That the girl had looked at her and asked, "Are you ready to be strong?"
"That's incredible." Philip exclaimed. "She asked you if you were ready to be strong?" He turned to his colleagues. "Has a dream like that been recorded in the annals of the Slayer?"
"No. No, it hasn't." Nigel said. He didn't believe her. "Ms. Summers, if you would, would you mind holding this –" he held out a gold-colored coin "- in one hand, and this – " he held up a short knife "- in the other?"
Dawn took the two objects. "Okay, what now?"
Nigel pushed her hands together. "Hold your hands like this. Now." He waved a hand over hers. "Emunabit!"
Dawn yelled out in pain as she hurled the two items away. One stuck in a wall the other in a book. She leapt at Nigel, grabbing him by the collar with one hand and lifted, hauling her other hand back and into a fist. "What in the freaking heck was that?"
"Sorry... I'm sorry." Nigel said as he held his hands up in surrender. "We had to know first thing! You wouldn't have reacted that way were you not a Slayer. "
Dawn dropped Nigel, who collapsed to the floor. She shook both of her hands out. "You could have warned me about the electric shock. "
"Dawn, let me apolo—" said Giles.
"You don't have to, Giles," said Dawn. She looked at Nigel. "You could have freaking warned me, you know."
"Truthfully?" admitted Nigel. "I believed the spell wouldn't react to you."
"You thought I was lying," said Dawn. "I will admit that was a reasonable assumption."
"Well, Ms. Payne," said Giles. "I would say that Dawn is your Slayer."
"If everyone doesn't mind, I am going to take a small bathroom break," said Dawn as she headed out of the library. The moment the doors were closed she opened a portal and grabbed both Xander and Willow. Several minutes later they returned to the library to find that both Phillip and Nigel gone.
Chloe looked from Dawn to Xander to Willow. "Dawn, the evaluation and our discussions are not... There are certain things that we have to keep confidential."
"No," said Dawn. "Xander and Willow have been Buffy's friends since Buffy moved to Sunnydale. Since their introduction to the night life of Sunnydale. Buffy isn't back from her summer vacation, but I wanted to introduce you to her team."
"Team?" said Chloe with a shake of her head. She looked at Giles. "You allow this?"
"Reluctantly, yes. Buffy and I both tried dissuade them," answered Giles. "They persisted. They had seen too much and refused to back out. They wanted to help. And I decided to utilize them. Willow herself is good with this infernal machine," he said as he motioned toward the computer. "She found information on the Master being buried under this very room, though at the time we did not know the Hellmouth was under our very feet. And Xander has not only faced and staked a vampire, a former friend of his and Willow's that was turned, he also is the one who performed CPR and revived Buffy when she went to face the Master, creating the divergence in the Slayer line that called Kendra Young. They have both been invaluable to Buffy."
"See? I can't keep them from helping me any more than Buffy could." Dawn explained.
"But... but that's just not done." Chloe was apparently building up a full head of steam. "The Slayer has always fought alone, in the shadows. As your Watcher, I forbid you from doing this."
"I'm going to show you something and you are going to see how difficult it will be to forbid me from doing anything is," said Dawn. She waved her hand and twin portals opened on either side of the room. Chloe looked back and forth in shock. "You are a witch?"
"I am but that is an ability that I only currently have," answered Dawn. Though she knew it was possible with instruction that if her younger self had access to the Key that she too would be able to open portals as well. "Stick your hand through."
Chloe hesitantly did as instructed, she saw her hand poking out the other portal. She immediately pulled her hand back and then looked at Dawn with a sigh.
"I have done some research into this, Ms. Payne," Giles said. "The Slayers without the aid of a team died within hours or even days of their calling. Take for example Rei Mori. It is a truly tragic tale. Slayer Mori was not only young when she was called – only thirteen – but she wasn't just killed but was turned. She'd been the Slayer for fifteen days when she met the master vampire Nakamura, who turned her. She was finally dispatched by my Slayer's predecessor India Cohen."
"And one who worked with a team?" asked Chloe.
"Nichole Wood of New York City," Giles said. "She lasted as Slayer from 1970 to 1977, when she was killed in a fight with William the Bloody. She was three weeks and two days away from her seventh anniversary as the Slayer when she died."
"How old was she when she died?" Willow asked, she knew that Slayer's had a short lifespan. After all Buffy had technically only lasted a year and a half before the Master killed her.
"Twenty-four. She was twenty-four. She was assisted by a pair of New York City police officers and a private detective, and had many other connections in her community. She even had a son."
"What does that tell you about the tradition of the Slayer acting alone?" Dawn asked Chloe. "I know what it tells me."
Chloe stared at Dawn for a moment. "All right, then, tell me. In your infinite wisdom, garnered as it was by your sixteen years of life and your two days as the Slayer, what does it tell you?" Chloe asked. She was smiling, but it was a tight smile.
"Relax, Chloe. We're all friends here. Want a hug?" Dawn snarked with a friendly grin.
Chloe shook her head and smiled. And in that smile Dawn realized the young woman was fresh out of the Watcher's Academy. Which meant she couldn't be much older than nineteen or twenty, maybe even twenty-one. "No, but ice cream later, maybe. What does the examples of those two Slayers tell you?"
"What it tells me is I want no part of this Tradition. I'm not a tool. I'm not replaceable. I am not a cog in a machine. I am not a fire-and-forget missile that can be used and discarded. Neither is Buffy, as Giles himself has learned." Dawn stared at Chloe. "So right now, I want you to make me a deal, Chloe. You will follow Giles' example, that you will stop seeing me as the Slayer, who just happens to be a girl. I want you to start seeing me, just as Giles sees Buffy, as a girl who just happens to be a Slayer. You do that, and I'll do everything you ask that I think is reasonable."
"That sounds reasonable, I think," said Chloe.
"Good. Glad we got that settled," said Dawn. "Oh, and Chloe, Giles... there's one exception. Neither Buffy or I are going to be undertaking the Cruciamentum. Don't even bother trying."
"How did..." Chloe's eyes were wide. Instead of continuing, she swallowed, and said, "We'll discuss this later."
"No. There's nothing to discuss. It's not going to happen," said Dawn. "Try it. I dare you. I'm all for us cooperating to accomplish the mission, and I know Giles is a good person and I think you are too, but if you think you're justified in pulling that shit? I'll open a portal, take Aunt Joyce, Buffy, little Dawn—Buffy's sister, you can't believe how confusing that actually is—and myself and you will never see us again."
"The Council isn't going to like that," Giles said.
"Giles," said Dawn with a shake of her head. "You know how Buffy feels about them. Do you think she wouldn't disappear if push came to shove?"
"If it came right down to it," said Giles. "I don't know. She jokes about it, but otherwise I just don't know."
"What's this Cruciawhatsis?" Xander asked.
"Cruciamentum." Dawn corrected. Her eyes hadn't left Chloe's. "It's a test to see if a Slayer when she turns eighteen can slay a vampire without her powers. I call it attempted murder."
"Yeah. Neither you or Buffy are doing that." Xander was adamant.
"To be honest, I never agreed with the necessity of that test." Giles finally said after a long moment of silence. "It's always seemed... barbaric."
Chloe looked at Dawn and slowly nodded. "All right. That said, Mr. Giles is correct, the Council won't like it if we refuse to administer the Cruciamentum. But we have two years to figure something out."
They all sat in silence again before Xander sighed. "So how about the evaluation? We still going to do that? What's involved in that?"
"Well, we can proceed, I think." Chloe said. She picked up a clipboard from the library's counter. "Now, Dawn... the first part of the evaluation are some questions."
"What, like a quiz?"
"Ah, no. Not as such." Giles answered.
"As Mr. Giles says. There aren't any right or wrong answers. They're just questions that will help us evaluate your non-physical gifts." Chloe answered. "Now, the first set of questions involves prescient dreams. You told us earlier that you had a dream that informed you that you were the Slayer. Did this dream seem, um, more or less real than your regular dreams seem?"
Dawn glanced toward Giles who nodded in understanding that the dream had been a lie of course. After all Dawn had been called years in the future. She looked back at Chloe. "What do you mean, more realistic?" she asked.
"Were they more vivid? Brighter colors?" Chloe thought for a moment. "Did the imagery you saw look true to life, regardless of how bizarre the images actually were?"
Before Dawn could answer, Giles threw a small crystal sphere, about the size of a billiard ball, at her. Dawn caught it out of the air. "Juggle these please?" The first sphere was swiftly followed by two more.
Dawn had never juggled anything in her life, but she quickly figured it out. "Okay, juggling."
"That's fun!" Willow said. "Think you can teach me?"
"I could try. Of course, I'm not sure how I'm doing this. I've never juggled before," said Dawn.
"And yet you're doing splendidly." Giles said. "Just so you know, the world record is eleven balls at once, and that is from someone who doesn't have the heightened coordination of a Slayer."
"Could you answer the question while you're juggling, please?"
"I think they want you to multitask, Dawnie." Xander chuckled.
"Right." She flipped the three balls into the air one after the other. "What was the question again?"
Chloe spoke up. "Was your prescient dream more or less realistic-seeming than your regular dreams?"
"Oh, uh... more realistic. It didn't feel like I was dreaming at all." Dawn gasped as Giles flipped a fourth ball into her hands. Without pausing, Dawn incorporated it into her juggling routine. Xander clapped quietly, then gave her the thumbs up, which she returned by sticking out her tongue at the boy.
"In your dream, did anyone communicate with you, or did you just see images? And if they spoke, did you get the impression that they were speaking English, or some other language? And was what they showed you or told you cryptic, or was it clearly understood?"
"I think we should let Dawn have a chance to answer, Ms. Payne, before we load her down with more questions." Giles interrupted. He flipped a fifth ball at her, which she also caught and juggled.
"Oh, right. Sorry. So, did anyone communicate with you in this dream, or did you just see images?" Chloe asked.
"Uh, one of the previous Slayers spoke to me." Giles flipped her a sixth ball.
"You're pretty good at that." Xander noted. "How many do you think you can do at once?"
"I, uh, don't know. The first five were easy. I'm having to keep my eye on these more." To anyone watching, Dawn was passing the balls into the air and through her hands with ease.
Giles flipped a seventh ball into her hands. "You mentioned that you thought the girl who spoke to you in your dream was a previous Slayer. Was she dressed as if she was relatively recent, or was she dressed in an older fashion?"
Dawn tried to look as if she were thinking about it. "Definitely recent. Her clothing was pretty up to date as far as style's concerned. Assuming she was real, I'd say she was from sometime in the last ten years or so."
"So, you think she was called in the last decade." Giles retrieved a book from his office and began flipping through it. He paused at one page, and tossed Dawn an eighth ball. Dawn fumbled and almost dropped it, but eventually got the eight balls going in rhythm.
"In the past ten years there were five Slayers called. Other than yourself, Buffy and Kendra Young in Jamaica, of course. The girl... did she look Caucasian, Asian, or African?" Giles flipped through a few more pages.
"Mr. Giles?" Chloe's expression asked the unspoken question.
"Trying to confirm that the girl she saw in the dream was actually a Slayer." Giles flipped a couple of more pages in the book. "Was she Caucasian, Asian, or African, Dawn?"
"Caucasian."
"That narrows it down to three, and eliminates one of the other current Slayers." Giles muttered. He was still flipping through the book. "Was she blonde or brunette?"
"Brunette." A bead of sweat trailed down the side of her brow and onto her cheek. She was really concentrating on not dropping anything now.
"Brunette. That's leaves two and eliminates the other current Slayer. Did she have light skin, or was she deeply tan?" Giles had stopped and was looking back and forth between two pages near the end of the book.
"Uh... light skin. She didn't look tanned at all." Dawn spared a glance in Giles's direction and saw he was tapping a page while showing it to Chloe.
"India Cohen." Chloe said. "The Slayer who preceded Buffy Summers."
Giles held the book open in front of Dawn. He winked at her to let her know he understood what she was doing. Till Chloe was let in on the fact that Dawn was from the future, this would let them know about future information in a public setting. "Have a look. Is this her?"
Dawn stole a glance at the page he was tapping. "Yep. That's her."
Giles read the information in the book and said, "It says she was a very successful Slayer. Lasted almost four years. Died after trading herself to a master vampire in exchange for some innocent hostages. Voluntarily allowed herself to be fed on."
Chloe wrote on her clipboard, then asked, "Have you had any more prescient dreams?".
"Um, yes, several. But I don't know what they all mean. One of them had that same girl. India?" Dawn said as she looked at Giles pointedly. He nodded in understanding. She was about to reveal future information. "She told me about the Scourge of Europe. In another one she told me about Buffy. I had one last night which showed me this girl – I don't know who she is. It was just images, no visits from India. Anyway, last night I had a dream about a girl."
She went on to describe Faith and explain what would happen. She looked pointedly at Giles as she kept repeating the word faith in the hope he would catch on. "I didn't recognize her, but she looked my age, about a month or so younger than I am. Anyway, she was dressed in blue jeans and a rock concert t-shirt. Standing next to her was this older woman, about your age, Giles. And the older lady, she said that, uh... what was it she said, exactly. Something about how I had to have faith in her, and that she wouldn't be able to watch over the girl anymore if we didn't help her, and that something horrible was coming, and that I was to have faith and keep her close to me. She said if I had to keep faith and protect her, and if I failed, the girl would be lost to darkness."
Dawn caught the balls one-by-one and put them down on the table nearby. "The lady had a British accent. Almost like yours, Chloe. And after she finished speaking, this huge thing came out of the shadows and... it. Uh, did things to her. The older lady. Bad things. Horrible things."
"What sort of bad things?" Chloe asked.
"What happened to the lady was monstrous. And she sounded so, so desperate," said Dawn.
"Desperate? Do you think this dream represented something that was urgent?" Chloe put the clipboard down. "Some impending apocalypse, perhaps?
Dawn shook her head. "No, it felt more personal than that. More... more intimate. Like... it wasn't world-shattering. What I mean is, well, sort of like the immediate danger would only affect those two people, the lady and the girl, but if something wasn't done there'd be long-term consequences for other people."
"Which people?" Xander asked.
"Us." Giles began to say something, but Dawn interrupted. "Not just the Slayers or the Watchers, but everyone in this room. It was like... if we don't save the lady and protect the girl from this bad thing that happens, something even worse happens down the line." She looked pointedly at Giles and he understood instantly. The girl she was talking about was the one that had died protecting her, the one that when she had died had called Dawn.
"But the dream wasn't clear about who they were? No names were given, or locations?" Chloe pulled a pen and a small notepad out of her jacket pocket. "Well then, perhaps were should see what we can do about interpreting your dream, shall we?"
"Okay. Uh, where do we start?"
"First, can you describe the woman?" Chloe asked expectantly.
"Uh, well, she was sort of in shadows. I didn't see her face. She had a British accent... she sounded really educated, too. She used some fancy words." Dawn paused. "To, uh, well, she reminded me of you, Giles."
Giles nodded in understanding; the older woman was a Watcher. That meant the girl was a potential.
"Can you remember anything else?" Chloe was writing everything down.
"Just what she said, that if we didn't help, she wouldn't be able to watch over the girl anymore, and that we were supposed to have faith. She kept repeating it. I was supposed to have faith." Dawn repeated this point. "I was supposed to have faith. I was supposed to keep faith with something. And if I kept faith, the girl would be safe."
"Wonder what that means." Willow was writing on a legal pad. Every once in a while, she'd circle something. Dawn leaned over to see over her shoulder, and it looked like Willow had diagrammed everything she said.
Xander joined Dawn in looking over Willow's shoulder. They stared at the complex network of words and phrases that Willow was constructing. "Willow, that's, uh... wow. I knew you were smart, but sometimes you scare me a little." Xander patted Willow on the shoulder.
"Thanks. It's, uh... I like to solve logic puzzles." She looked up at Giles.
"Oh hey!" Xander was still reading over Willow's shoulder. "I think I got it. This girl's a slayer. Or maybe she's, whaddaya call 'em. She's going to be one someday."
"You think the girl in Dawn's dream is a potential Slayer?" Chloe came over to look at Willow's notepad. Dawn and Xander scooted aside to give her room. "Show me. How'd you come to that conclusion?"
Xander pointed. "Okay, we've got the woman talking like Giles. And the woman says she won't be able to watch over the girl if Dawn doesn't help her." He grinned and nodded at everyone.
"Yes. And?" Chloe prompted.
"What? Come on! It's obvious, right?" Once again, he grinned and nodded at everyone, this time excluding Chloe.
Giles looked at Dawn who looked straight at him and she mouthed knowing he could read lips, 'Faith Lehane, Boston.' He nodded. 'Her Watcher is Diana Dormer. Diana dies from the master vampire, Kakistos.'
"I think I understand," said Giles. "The woman is a Watcher and the way the word faith keeps being repeated." He looked at Chloe. "Isn't there a potential in Boston, by the name of Faith Lehane?"
Chloe looked at Giles as she thought about what he said. "I believe so, and if I am not mistaken her Watcher is Diana Dormer."
"I'll make the call," said Giles. "I think that will be all for today though."
"There is one thing before we adjourn," said Dawn. "Giles, have you been training Xander and Willow in self-defense?"
"I have not," admitted Giles. "I see where you are going. Since they have been helping Buffy, they should at least know how to protect themselves if nothing more should they be out and neither you or Buffy are on hand." He began putting the books away. "You three be safe." He looked over at Chloe. "You coming?"
"Ah, not tonight. Everything I have packed with me is at the hotel, and I'm only packed for a three-day jaunt. I'd like to visit tomorrow, and perhaps I'll stay overnight then." Chloe started to say something more, thought against it, then started again. "Dawn, I'm flying back to England on Sunday, as scheduled. Mr. Giles will be in charge of you until I get back."
"No problem. Good night, Chloe. I'll see you tomorrow." Dawn gave her Watcher a hug before leaving. She knew how important to Buffy, Giles was. Since she technically did not have a mother, even if in reality she did, it would be nice having someone to be there for her if needed. So, she was going to try and become as close to Chloe as the older woman would allow.
When Chloe returned the hug, Dawn whispered into Chloe's ear, "I want us to be friends. Not just Slayer and Watcher, but Dawn and Chloe. Friends. I'll see you tomorrow." When she pulled back, Chloe was nodding. She turned to the others, who were watching her expectantly. "Okay, guys. Your portal awaits. Anyone else hungry?"
"I could eat." Xander said as he followed Dawn out. "How about you, Will? You hungry?"
"Sure. Food sounds good." Willow put an arm around Dawn's shoulder. "What do you think about Chinese, guys?"
"I was actually thinking Mexican." Xander said, taking up a position to Dawn's right. "There's that new place out on Groveland, called 'Los Hermanos'. Don Beasley said they were amazing, and not that expensive. Beez said that I've got to try the enchiladas verdes."
"Whatever you guys want. I'm hungry enough to eat a horse." Dawn dug out her keys and unlocked the car doors. "Then maybe tomorrow we can hang out at my place, assuming you don't mind helping me unpack."
Willow took the shotgun seat as Xander climbed in behind her. "Oh, sure! We'd love to help. With your unpacking, I mean."
"Absolutely. It'll give us a chance to poke around in your things and learn your every dream, aspiration, and nightmare!" Xander chuckled.
Dawn rolled her eyes. "Fun times ahead. So, Mexican?" There were nods all around. She started the car, and drove out of the school's parking lot.
Summers Residence
As Dawn prepared to settle into bed, the unexpected sound of knocks echoed through her home. Her heart raced with concern as she made her way downstairs, flicking on the porch light to reveal a bruised and battered Xander standing at her front door. The sight of her friend's injuries ignited a mixture of anger and worry within her.
Without hesitation, Dawn rushed to the landline, her hands trembling slightly as she dialed one of her lawyer's numbers that connected straight to their home. Her mind focused on helping Xander, she waited anxiously for someone to answer. "Are you okay?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine care. "I know the physical answer is no. But emotionally?"
Xander, still grappling with the emotional turmoil from his ordeal, could only shake his head, afraid that speaking might release the anger he was trying to contain.
"Aurora Hope," came a voice from the other end of the phone, its tone both professional and caring.
"Aurora, this is Dawn Summers," said Dawn, her voice tinged with worry as she glanced at Xander, who had moved to the sofa, trying to compose himself. She could see the emotional turmoil in his eyes, and her heart went out to him. "A friend of mine here in Sunnydale is being abused by his parents."
"Have you called the police?" asked Aurora, her concern mirroring Dawn's own.
"He just showed up on my doorstep," explained Dawn, her mind racing with concern for Xander. "And you were the first I thought of. Calling the cops is step two. I want to get Xander legal representation. I'll pay for it myself."
Aurora acknowledged the compassion in Dawn's decision. "That is a generous thing to do for your friend. Is he at your house now?"
"He is," Dawn confirmed. "The visible bruises I see are a black eye and another one on at least one arm."
"There, of course, could be more," Aurora noted, her legal experience guiding her response. "Call 911; they likely will want to take him to the hospital. Let them do so, so he can be properly examined to make sure there is no other evidence that needs to be cataloged. I will have one of our associates meet him there in the morning. What's his name?"
"Xander Harris," Dawn replied, her voice unwavering as she stood by her friend's side, determined to help him find the justice and support he deserved.
"Tell him that everything will be all right. How old is he?" Aurora asked, her compassion evident in her words.
"My age," said Dawn, her voice tinged with empathy and a sense of shared experience. "Maybe a few months younger or older. If he wants to, could we potentially try and do what was done for me?"
The weight of Dawn's suggestion hung in the air, her heart yearning to offer her friend the chance for a better life. Aurora's response, though practical, carried a touch of concern for the possible obstacles ahead.
"If the courts agree and he wants it, yes. But there is one problem with that," Aurora explained gently. "Unlike yourself, he may not have the money to live on his own."
Dawn's compassion knew no bounds as she swiftly assured, "That's not a problem, it's not like I lack for room. He can stay with me."
The genuine kindness in Dawn's offer touched Aurora's heart, appreciating the depth of their friendship and the unwavering support she was willing to provide.
"Very well," Aurora agreed, her voice reflecting the weight of the decision they were making. "Call 911 and let him know someone will be by in the morning to advise him. Good night, Dawn."
"Night, Aurora, thanks," Dawn replied warmly, feeling grateful for the legal aid and guidance she had received.
As she ended the call, Dawn's hands trembled slightly as she dialed 911, her heart racing with urgency. "911, what's the nature of the emergency?" the voice on the other end asked.
"A friend of mine just showed up on my doorstep," Dawn explained, her voice laced with concern and determination. "Based on the way he looks; I believe he may have been abused by his parents who seem to always be drunk."
The gravity of the situation hung heavily in the air, and the 911 operator responded with reassurance and immediate action. "We will send someone from SVU as well as an ambulance. What is your address?"
"1625 Revello Drive," Dawn answered, her voice unwavering as she knew she was taking a crucial step to help her friend find safety and justice.
Sunnydale Police Department
Elliot Stabler sat at his desk, his mind preoccupied with the weight of the various files demanding their attention. His furrowed brow and tense posture revealed the gravity of the cases he was handling. Olivia Benson, seated at her desk nearby, mirrored his intensity as she delved into her own file, her dark eyes reflecting the emotions stirred by the distressing content.
Suddenly, the atmosphere in the room shifted as Cragen walked in with a somber expression etched across his face. He halted before their desks, delivering news that made their hearts sink.
"We just got a call in from dispatch; a boy is being transported to Sunnydale Medical for potential abuse by his parents," Cragen informed them, his voice tinged with concern and urgency.
Without hesitation, Elliot and Olivia sprang into action, their thoughts and emotions now fully focused on the child in need of help. They swiftly donned their coats, the solemnity of the situation intensifying their resolve to protect the innocent.
The two detectives moved with purpose as they exited the station, stepping into Elliot's car a few moments later. As the engine roared to life and they pulled away, a sense of determination settled over them.
Sunnydale Medical
The twenty-minute drive to the hospital felt interminable, as Elliot Stabler and Olivia Benson were consumed with a mix of concern and determination. The weight of the potential abuse case weighed heavily on their minds, each moment passing with a sense of urgency.
Upon arrival, they found themselves in a waiting room where a young woman stood beside a police officer. "I am Elliot Stabler, and this is my partner Olivia Benson," Elliot introduced himself and Olivia, their expressions reflecting empathy and readiness to help.
"This is Dawn Summers, she is a friend of the potential victim" The officer nodded and explained, "She called 911 when Mr. Harris arrived on her front porch at ten o'clock tonight."
Needing privacy to discuss the case, Elliot inquired, "Is there somewhere we can speak more privately?" The officer led them and Dawn to a side room typically used for doctors to speak confidentially with a patient's family.
Sitting down, there was no time for formalities; the gravity of the situation demanded immediate attention. Olivia wasted no time in getting to the heart of the matter. "Start with telling us what you know," she gently prompted.
Dawn let out a heavy sigh, her emotions palpable as she began to speak. "Xander arrived on my doorstep, I could see bruises on his arm, and he was sporting a black eye. I know his parents drink a lot."
Tension filled the room as Elliot Stabler's voice quivered with empathy, seeking to understand the depth of Xander's suffering. "Has he ever been beaten or attacked before?" he inquired, his heart aching at the possibility of recurring abuse.
"I don't know," Dawn admitted, her voice catching with emotion. "I know Xander through my cousin, who is one of his best friends. I only just moved to town myself."
Olivia's eyes softened with understanding as she probed further, "Who are his parents?"
"Buffy, my cousin—who, by the way, is out of town on vacation… she should be back tomorrow—said their names were Tony and Jessica Harris," Dawn replied, her concern for Xander evident in every word.
A knock at the door interrupted their conversation, and they turned to find a woman in a white coat standing there. "Dawn Summers?" she asked.
Dawn responded with a mix of apprehension and hope. "I'm Dawn," she said, acknowledging her identity.
"I'm Doctor Ogowa," the doctor introduced herself, her voice steady but with an undercurrent of concern. She turned her gaze towards the detectives, her eyes locking onto Elliot and Olivia, both seasoned investigators who had witnessed their fair share of heart-wrenching cases. "I take it you two are from SVU?"
"We are," Elliot responded, his tone serious yet laced with empathy. "I am Detective Elliot Stabler, and this is my partner Olivia Benson. I assume this is about Mr. Harris?"
Doctor Ogowa confirmed their suspicions, and as she entered the room and closed the door behind her, a palpable sense of urgency filled the space. Elliot and Olivia exchanged a look, knowing they were now dealing with a case that required their utmost attention and compassion.
Her next words hung in the air, their weight settling heavily upon the room. "Principal examination only shows evidence of bruising, no breaks or fractures," the doctor began, her voice tinged with frustration and a sense of injustice. "That said, I had x-rays done. I found evidence of past abuse. I pulled up Mr. Harris' file and I saw he has been admitted to the emergency room in the past."
Her revelation hit like a blow to the gut, causing Dawn to place a hand to her heart, her emotions evident in her worried expression. The pain of the truth she had suspected was now confirmed, and the reality of the situation weighed heavily on her and the detectives.
"Why the doctors in the past did not notify the police about this, I have no idea," the doctor continued, her voice carrying a mix of disbelief and frustration. "But in my medical opinion, Mr. Harris has indeed been abused, and this was not the first time."
Author's Note: I suffer from ADHD (inattentive type) as well as depression and I actually do this all the time when it comes to shutting off my alarm. I have to have something to actually force me to get up or I'll just lay in bed for hours.
Chloe Payne is the name of Michelle Trachtenberg's character on the TV show Mercy.