Summary: As Buffy jumped to close the Portal in "The Gift" Dawn was hit by a tendril of energy from the portal sending Dawn into a new universe. The The Others and the Powers that Be decide to send Buffy to continue to protect Dawn in the new universe. Buffy and Dawn are placed in the care of a certain member of SG-1 as her daughters. Everyone's memories are modified to believe Buffy and Dawn were always there.

A/U: Set after Season 5 episode The Gift. And Season 2 onward of Stargate: SG1

Pairings: Currently No Pairings. It's possible Dawn and Willow or Faith and Willow later. Buffy will have a minor pairing later during the Ori arc (not sure if that will change eventually to a major pairing or not).

Disclaimer: I do not own anything, any way shape or form of Buffy or Stargate. Buffy is owned by Disney and Stargate is owned by MGM.

Prologue

May 22, 2001 – Tuesday

Earth 95

Glory's Tower

Buffy looked out from the tower as the sun began to rise over the horizon. Below her and Dawn a portal had created from Dawn's blood had formed. Buffy looked at her sister with a sad smile as she decided what she had to do. She couldn't let Dawn die, not this way. So, she intended to sacrifice herself for her sister.

Dawn's tear-filled eyes met Buffy's, and as the realization of her sister's sacrifice sank in, her world crumbled. She couldn't bear to lose Buffy, not like this. The anguish in her voice was palpable as she sobbed, "Buffy... no..."

In the face of Dawn's agony, Buffy struggled to hold back her own tears, her voice quivering as she attempted to convey the depths of her emotions. "Dawnie... I have to—"

But there were no words that could fully encapsulate the love and determination that burned within her. She knew that she couldn't live with the guilt if she allowed Dawn to perish. Unspoken despair hung heavy in the air, threatening to swallow them both.

"NO!" Dawn's cry pierced the air, a desperate plea for her sister to reconsider.

With the precious seconds slipping away, Buffy clutched Dawn tightly, their hearts beating in painful unison. She leaned in close, her voice trembling as she whispered into Dawn's ear, her words heavy with love and finality. "Dawn, listen to me. Listen. I love you. I'll always love you. But this is the work I have to do. Tell Giles I... I figured it out. And I'm okay. Give my love to my friends. You have to take care of them now—you have to take care of each other. You have to be strong, Dawn. The hardest thing in this world is to live in it. Be brave. Live. For me."

Tears streamed down Dawn's face, her heart breaking as she nodded through the sobs. "I will, Buffy," she vowed, her voice trembling with emotion, "and I love you."

Buffy's smile, though tinged with sadness, radiated warmth and love as she held Dawn close. Her words, a final testament to their unbreakable bond, lingered in the air like a cherished melody. "And I love you, I will always love you," Buffy whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.

She enveloped Dawn in a tender embrace, a silent promise that their love would endure beyond the boundaries of time and space. As she released her sister, she planted a gentle kiss on Dawn's forehead, a lingering touch of affection that would be etched into her memory forever.

Turning away from Dawn, Buffy steeled herself for the leap into the unknown. Her heart raced with determination, ready to fulfill her destiny. But just as she prepared to jump, a sudden surge of energy erupted from the portal, striking Dawn with blinding force. In an instant, Dawn vanished, leaving Buffy alone on the precipice.

Time itself seemed to freeze as two enigmatic figures materialized beside Buffy, their presence shrouded in an otherworldly aura. They were emissaries of the Powers that Be, sent to oversee the unfolding of a greater cosmic plan.

"The Key has crossed the dimensional barrier into the next universe within the grand multiverse," the man declared with an air of solemnity.

His companion, a woman, nodded in agreement. "Indeed," she concurred. "The Slayer must continue to safeguard the Key."

Contemplating the gravity of their task, the man pondered their next steps. "Then we must send her through as well," he mused. "But how can we seamlessly integrate them into this new world?"

The woman, her thoughts racing, proposed a complex solution. "We could direct them to someone who will aid the Slayer in protecting the Key," she suggested. "This would entail a complete overhaul of memories, not only for the Slayer and the Key but also their very essence. We'll alter their DNA to match that of their new guardian, Samantha Carter, and make them her daughters. Twins, I think, to provide an added layer of protection. Perhaps set them at the age of ten?"

The man considered the woman's plan carefully, recognizing its wisdom. Finally, he nodded in agreement. "A wise plan, indeed," he acknowledged. "Proceed with it."

As Buffy leapt from the tower, time resumed its relentless march forward. On the ground, a hushed and bewildered crowd had gathered, their attention drawn by the blinding flash of light that had heralded Dawn's disappearance. They watched in astonishment as Buffy descended into the portal, her form becoming smaller until she too vanished, and the portal sealed shut with a final burst of brilliance.

Amidst the crowd, a woman materialized, dressed in pure white, a radiant presence that captured everyone's gaze. Willow's eyes widened with recognition as she spoke softly, her voice tinged with disbelief, "Mrs. Summers?"

Spike, Giles, Tara, Xander, and Anya stood there in stunned amazement. Joyce Summers, who had tragically passed away only a few short months ago, stood before them, her presence defying all logic and reason.

Joyce offered a gentle smile, her demeanor calming the bewildered group. "I'm only here for a moment," she explained. "The Powers That Be have sent me to convey a message. Buffy and Dawn are safe. They won't be returning. I'm also here to give you a chance to say your goodbyes before their memories are altered."

Giles, his brow furrowing in confusion, couldn't help but ask, "Altered memories? Why would their memories be modified?"

Joyce's smile remained serene as she addressed Giles by name. "Hello, Rupert," she greeted him warmly. "The memories are being changed, along with other alterations, to ensure Dawn's continued protection. They are being placed into a family in the next universe, much as Dawn was inserted into our world. Their memories will be reshaped, and many others will be affected to make them believe they've always belonged there. It's all in the service of safeguarding Dawn."

Tears welled up in Willow's eyes, cascading down her cheeks like gentle raindrops, as her girlfriend, Tara, held her in a comforting embrace. The weight of loss and uncertainty pressed upon them, and in that moment, they felt an unbreakable bond with Buffy and Dawn, a bond that transcended dimensions.

"Tell them we love them, and wish them luck," Willow whispered through her tears. "And that we will miss them."

Joyce gazed at Willow and Tara, her heart heavy with regret. The Powers That Be had granted her the gift of glimpsing the future, a gift intended to ensure the safety of Buffy and Dawn. However, these visions also unveiled the futures of those she held dear in this universe, including Willow and Tara. She wished she could warn them of the trials to come, the battles they would face, and the pain they would endure.

With a somber nod, Joyce offered her parting words, her voice laced with sorrow. "Take care," she said, the weight of unspoken warnings heavy in her eyes. But she knew that her ability to interfere in mortal affairs was restricted by the cosmic order. As she began to fade from view, she moved through the ethereal barrier between realities, carrying with her the love, wishes, and regrets of those left behind.

Realm Between Universes

Joyce found herself in the surreal expanse of white nothingness before her daughters, a bittersweet reunion that defied the boundaries of reality itself. Her heart swelled with love as she addressed them, her voice gentle and filled with maternal warmth. "Hello, my darlings," she greeted them.

Buffy's surprise at seeing her mother quickly gave way to a sense of foreboding. She couldn't help but ask, "Mom? Are we dead?"

Joyce offered a reassuring smile, her eyes filled with maternal love. "No, sweetheart, it's not your time," she assured them. "Just before you jumped Dawn was hit with a tendril of energy sending her into the next universe in the grand multiverse. The Powers That Be decided to send you to continue to protect your sister. Though there will be some changes though."

Dawn looked at her big sister and then back at her mother. "Changes?" she asked, not liking the sound of that.

Dawn's concern was palpable as she inquired about these changes. "Changes?" she asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Joyce nodded, sensing that time was slipping away. "Just as you were inserted into our lives," she began, "the two of you will be inserted into someone else's life in your new reality. Your memories will be modified, much like ours were when you arrived, Dawn. This is to make your transition smoother. Your original memories will return in time, but not for many years. It won't be just your memories that change; everyone who would have known you in your new reality will have their memories altered as well. Additionally, you'll become the genetic daughters of your new mother, and you'll be made younger than you are now, twins."

Joyce's time in this ethereal place was dwindling, but she had one last message to convey. "I love you both, and I always will," she said, her voice filled with tenderness. "Willow wanted me to tell you that they all love you, wish you luck, and that they will miss you."

Earth 96

Carter Residence

As the white nothingness began to shift and solidify into an actual room, a bedroom with two beds, an inexplicable force compelled Buffy and Dawn to lie down on those beds. They closed their eyes and, with a sense of predestined inevitability, drifted into a peaceful slumber.

Joyce leaned over her daughters, planting a tender kiss on each of their foreheads. "Goodbye, my daughters," she whispered, her voice heavy with emotion. "In time, I will return your memories, when the demons and vampires of our world find their way into this one. Until then, stay safe, and remember that I love you."

Joyce stepped out of the room and into another, where Samantha Carter lay unconscious. As Sam gradually regained awareness, her first words were filled with disbelief and confusion. "Joyce?" she murmured; her mind convinced she must be in the midst of a dream. After all, her sister, Joyce Carter-Summers, had passed away from an aneurysm a few months earlier. "Sis?"

Joyce offered a compassionate smile, her gaze filled with understanding. "I am Joyce," she affirmed, "but I am not the person you know. You're not dreaming, Sam. I am from the next universe over in the grand multiverse. I have a lot of information to convey, and time is fleeting."

Sitting down beside Sam, Joyce began to explain the extraordinary events that had unfolded, detailing how Buffy and Dawn had come to be Sam's twin daughters, entrusted to her for their protection.

After Joyce's departure, Sam couldn't resist the pull to visit her newfound daughters' rooms. She watched them sleep, her memories telling her that they were her flesh and blood. However, Joyce's words echoed in her mind, reminding her of the solemn promise she had made. She knew that her role in their lives was not merely that of a mother; she was their guardian, sworn to shield them from whatever dangers lay ahead. With unwavering determination, Sam resolved to fulfill her newfound duty and protect Buffy and Dawn, just as Joyce had requested.

May 23, 2001 – Wednesday

Carter Residence

Elizabeth "Buffy" Samantha Carter and Dawn Joyce Carter embarked on their morning routine, guided by their new mother, Sam, as they prepared for school. The world around them felt both strange and oddly familiar, a testament to the profound changes that had occurred in their lives.

Cheyenne Mountain Complex

An hour later, after dropping the girls off at Cheyenne Mountain Elementary school, Sam made her way to the military base where she worked. It was a place she had known intimately for years, but now it held a different significance as the backdrop to their family's altered reality.

Inside the base, Sam eventually found herself in the briefing room with General George Hammond and the rest of her team. Their faces displayed varying degrees of curiosity and concern as they awaited her explanation.

"Major, we're here. Now, what was it you wished to talk about?" General Hammond inquired, his tone a mix of professionalism and familiarity.

Sam took a deep breath, her expression reflecting the weight of the revelation she was about to share. "I received a visit from my sister last night," she began.

General Hammond's response was swift and incredulous. "That is not possible," he stated firmly, his voice tinged with disbelief. He had known the Carter family for years, and he was aware that Jacob's eldest daughter, Joyce, had tragically passed away several months ago. "Joyce died, Captain. She died from an aneurysm, complications from her surgery to remove the tumor. And that's why your daughters now live with you again, full time."

Sam nodded, acknowledging the established facts. "You're right, General," she conceded with a sigh. "At least, that's what we all remember. Our memories tell us that I sent Buffy and Dawn to live with Joyce and her ex-husband, Hank. I did that so I could attend the Air Force Academy and pursue my Ph.D. Then, after graduation, they remained with Joyce while I was out of the country on a mission and later when I joined the SGC for off-world assignments. But that never happened. None of it. Well, Joyce's passing did happen, but everything else about Dawn and Buffy returning to me is a fabrication."

Jack regarded Sam with a mixture of confusion and concern as she laid out the perplexing and extraordinary revelation. His brows furrowed, and his eyes darted between Sam's earnest expression and the team members who were equally befuddled. He spoke up, his tone reflecting the puzzlement that the rest of the team undoubtedly shared, a touch of disbelief seeping into his voice. "You're not making sense, Carter," he admitted, his voice tinged with a sense of unease as he grappled with the bizarre information.

"As I said Joyce came to me," explained Sam. Her voice quivered with a fragile blend of hope and trepidation, as though she were walking on the precipice of an incomprehensible reality. "Told me she wasn't my sister, but a Joyce from a parallel universe that closely matches to our own, with of course differences." Her words carried an undertone of vulnerability, as if she were sharing a secret, she herself could hardly believe. "I don't know why, but I believed her." She paused for a moment, her eyes reflecting the turmoil within her. "She told me about Buffy and Dawn." Sam's voice took on a wistful, almost mournful quality as she delved deeper into the narrative, her emotions swirling like a tempestuous sea. "About who they were in the universe they were from and how they had been given to me to protect."

The room fell into a heavy silence, broken only by the faint hum of scientific equipment in the background. Jack and the team exchanged uncertain glances, grappling with the enormity of the revelation. It was a surreal moment, where the boundaries of their understanding blurred into a surreal tapestry of alternate dimensions and incredible beings.

"Seems both of them are quite advanced compared to normal everyday humans." Sam's voice carried a hint of awe, her eyes shining with a mixture of admiration and concern. "Buffy has superhuman abilities; such as speed, strength and healing abilities." Her words hung in the air like a promise of wonders beyond imagination. "And Dawn is, or was, a being of pure energy that was designed to open the doorway between universes. Much like the Quantum Mirror."

"That's how they came to be here," Sam continued, her words imbued with a sense of gravitas, as though she were narrating an ancient myth. "Someone in their universe opened the doorway that bridged their universe to ours. Buffy was set to sacrifice herself for Dawn to close that doorway. But Dawn somehow had already gone through. So, the Powers that Be, that's what Joyce called them, decided to send Buffy through as well to continue to protect Dawn. They inserted them into my life so I could help protect Dawn as well."

Jack, his brow furrowing deeper, broke the awed silence with a skeptical question, his voice tinged with a hint of incredulity. "I have to ask if what you are saying is correct," he said, his tone firm and probing. "Then how can a ten-year-old girl protect another ten-year-old girl?"

Sam's response was a testament to her unwavering belief in the extraordinary circumstances that had unfolded. "They weren't that age in their original universe," she explained, her voice carrying the weight of the truth she had come to accept. "From what Joyce told me, they were older than ten. Buffy was twenty and Dawn was fourteen." Her words hung in the air, emphasizing the profound transformation these two beings had undergone.

She continued, her voice filled with empathy and understanding, "The reason they are now ten-years-old and twins was to add in a new layer of protection against anyone who might cross over from their universe searching for them. If someone did cross over then they would be looking for someone older." Her eyes bore the weight of the responsibility she had shouldered. "It's also why they now share my DNA, and share some of my facial characteristics."

"Joyce said in time they would remember their old lives, but not for years to come," Sam continued, her voice laced with compassion for the two girls caught in this cosmic twist of fate. "She said it was to make the transition easier on them. But till then they, like the rest of us, had their memories modified so that they would believe they had always been here." Sam's eyes revealed the depth of her empathy for Buffy and Dawn, her heart heavy with the knowledge of the secrets they carried. "If you did a DNA test, I believe you will find they are my biological daughters. If you do a search for birth records, school records; you will find them. I even looked through my files last night after Joyce's visit and found their birth certificates as well as some of their grade cards. I even found birthday cards they gave me." The room was filled with a poignant sense of nostalgia as she spoke of those precious memories. "I know this is a lot to take in."

Sam's gaze swept across the room, her eyes locking with each team member's, imploring them to understand the gravity of the situation. "I only told you guys because if anyone were to find out about them, they could be in danger." Her voice quivered with the fear of the unknown. "Just think what the NID or the Goa'uld could do if they had Dawn or Buffy. The Goa'uld would be unstoppable as they would have access to more armies than you could shake a fist at. Buffy's superhuman abilities would make her sought after by the Goa'uld as a host. And I am sure the NID would love to see how to duplicate those abilities as well."

General Hammond, a seasoned leader with years of experience in dealing with the extraordinary, looked thoughtful for a long moment. He believed Sam, not just because of her conviction, but because the weight of her words and the evidence she had presented made disbelief impossible. The fate of Buffy and Dawn, and the potential consequences of their existence, hung in the balance.

"What do you want to do?" he asked, his voice carrying the weight of command, but also a deep concern for the safety of those under his charge.

As Sam laid out her plan, the room seemed to hold its breath, the weight of her words sinking in. Her determination to protect Buffy and Dawn, to ensure their safety in the face of unimaginable threats, was palpable.

"First off, I want to see if Janet will look after them while I am off world," Sam said, her voice carrying a mix of hope and concern. Her commitment to these young girls was unwavering, and her trust in Janet as a guardian was clear. "Then, with your approval, General, I want to get them access to the base and on the Alpha Site list."

Jack, still grappling with the enormity of the situation, couldn't contain his surprise. He stood up abruptly, his chair toppling over, his voice tinged with disbelief. "What?"

Sam sighed; her gaze steady as she met Jack's incredulous stare. "If they're as important as Joyce said, they need to be protected," she explained with a sense of urgency. "If the planet is in danger, they need to be able to come to the base to be protected. And I'm not willing to risk what would happen to the Key if Dawn dies. That means getting them on the Alpha Site list." Her words were a plea for understanding, for the gravity of the situation to be acknowledged. "It's all steps I want to take to protect them."

General Hammond, a man of action who understood the necessity of safeguarding against unknown threats, nodded thoughtfully. "I will see what I can do," he said, his voice steady and determined. "I have a few favors I could probably pull in for this. I will go ahead and give you the paperwork now, that way you can have them signed and ready to turn in." His commitment to the cause was unwavering. "People, what Major Carter has told us here does not leave this room. Consider this a classified matter. Dismissed."

As the team members filed out of the room, each one carried with them a newfound sense of responsibility and an awareness of the extraordinary challenges that lay ahead. Buffy and Dawn's fate now rested in the hands of those who had sworn to protect them, in a world where the boundaries of reality had blurred and the line between the ordinary and the cosmic had grown thin.

As Sam made her way out of the conference room and headed to the infirmary, her heart was heavy with the weight of the revelation she had just shared with her team and General Hammond. She needed to confide in her friend and trusted colleague, Doctor Janet Fraiser, who worked as the base physician.

"Hey Janet," Sam greeted as she entered the infirmary.

Janet looked up from her paperwork and offered a warm smile to Sam. "Sam, what a surprise. I was just going to go to the cafeteria," she said. "Want to join me?"

"Maybe in a little bit," Sam replied, her tone serious. She closed the door behind her, creating an atmosphere of privacy. "Right now, I have something I need to tell you about. And I need a favor also as a result. This is also going to be considered classified, and the only people that currently know are myself, General Hammond, Colonel O'Neill, Daniel, and Teal'c. Now, as you know, I have two daughters, twins. I was hoping you would do me the favor of watching over them when I am off-world."

Janet's expression softened with genuine care and concern. "Of course, I would, you don't even have to ask," she replied, her loyalty to her friend unwavering.

Sam couldn't help but smile in gratitude. "Here comes the classified part," she said, her voice dropping to a hushed tone. She proceeded to share with Janet everything she had already told her team and General Hammond, revealing the astounding truth about Buffy and Dawn, and the extraordinary circumstances that had brought them into her life. As she finished recounting the incredible tale, she watched for Janet's reaction, her friend's face reflecting the same surprise and disbelief that had gripped the others who had heard the story.

Janet couldn't believe that the two girls she had known as Sam's daughters were, in reality, not her biological children. Her mind struggled to grasp the enormity of the revelation. "That's just…" She paused, searching for the right words, but found herself at a loss.

"I know it took me some getting used to when Joyce told me," Sam agreed, her voice soft and reflective. "After Joyce left, I spent part of the night standing in their bedroom door watching them sleep. I realized it didn't matter where they came from before. They are my daughters, my memories tell me that, and I love them."

Janet smiled, her eyes filled with understanding and empathy. She knew all too well what it was like to discover that the person you hadn't known originally could become someone you loved deeply. "I felt the same way, still do in fact, about Cassie," she admitted, her voice carrying a sense of kinship between them. In that moment, the two friends shared not only a secret of cosmic proportions but also a bond of love that transcended the boundaries of biology and origin.