A/N Adding an author's note here to address some comments.

Mara, you've done it again, given me enough ideas for a dozen stories and I'm looking to flesh out secondary characters, a comment another reviewer had as well about how little was known about the other characters makes them blank canvases and in this story especially, I need to bring those secondary characters in. Your ideas can help with that. Thank you. 😃

Sphygmus, I wasn't intending my characters to apply modern standards to thousands of years ago. Teenagers live in the here and now and Joyce is a mother. All she cares about is that something has affected her child now, she doesn't care about anyone else's motive or morality, either in the past or the present. And as a mother, she sees a group of kids trying to fight monsters, she's judging some nebulous 'somebody' who did this to her child.

Just a note to address some reviewers that think I've missed some details. Firstly, I am four chapters ahead of what's currently been posted, they're being beta read. This note's being added to the beginning of this chapter. Chances are your concern has already been addressed in one of those chapters. Just be patient. 😊

Shroudson1, Yes, Xander and his chaos will be joining the Warehouse in a future story. I'm really looking forward to writing that story. 😆

Kenn, the Time Stone is part of the cinematic Marvel Eye of Agamotto. It's not part of the one in the comics and that's the reference I'm using. The MCU is regarded as a different timeline/reality and has its own wiki. Plus a god stabilized Dawn's condition, that would be awfully hard for anyone, let alone a newby to detect.

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"All of this, it's a lot to deal with." Joyce said tiredly. "Ted and monsters and superpowers. You've proven it and I'm terrified and I just want to pull the covers over my head. That only works for little kids. Dawn's excited over the possibilities and Buffy's bitter over her choices being taken away and I can't blame her. I'm angry that someone's done this to you." She held her oldest daughter, wanting to take away her pain and feeling helpless to do so. "I think for now, the best thing we can do, is go home and sleep. Tomorrow we can talk some more. But, I want to thank you all for trying to help Buffy."

"I agree." Jenny stood up. "I grew up with knowing about stuff like this, the knowledge of this secret war and these monsters hasn't been forgotten everywhere. If you have any questions, I'll do my best to answer them."

"I appreciate that." Joyce gathered Dawn into her embrace. "And I appreciate the fact that an adult is trying to help them. How long have you been helping them?"

"I helped them with an incident last Spring when Willow was targeted and Cordelia saved my life and Willow's in May, which is when I learned about Buffy's situation. They asked me to help with this Ted situation. I've only recently realized how much they've been trying to deal with on their own. Another adult is aware, but he was advising them to tell no one, including you and they've...objected to that. As am I."

"I was afraid to tell you, Mom. Last time didn't go so well." Buffy confessed. "But I had no one to help me tell, no way to prove that I was afraid wouldn't endanger you. You wouldn't let Pike stick around because you blamed him for 'corrupting' me when he was just trying to help me. And the man who told me I'd been 'Chosen' was dead. It was just me and I messed up."

"No, Buffy, it's not your fault!" Joyce objected. "I was just so afraid you were sick because I couldn't conceive that any of this could be real. But you've convinced me, it's real and you need a different kind of help. You need support and you need me to listen and you need to remember, you're not alone."

"So my friends keep telling me." Buffy smiled wanly. "There's so much more I want to tell you, Mom and eventually I will. But right now, yeah I need some sleep."

"I'm too excited to sleep." Dawn objected. "I don't like that Buffy has been hurt and I don't understand why someone did this to her, but I'm glad we finally know the secret. I told Buffy, not knowing why or what's going on is scarier. And maybe someday I'll get superpowers too!" She grinned.

"Oh, God." Joyce held her tighter. "You can wish all you want, Honey, the idea scares the Hell out of me!"

Dawn pouted. "But if I chose and no one forces me, will you let me?"

"We'll talk about it when you're older, Dawn. I can't think right now, my mind's overloaded." Joyce intended to put that conversation off as long as possible!

"That's not a no!" Dawn pulled away from her mother and started dancing.

"Come on, girls, I'll make us some hot chocolate. Dawn, don't forget your Magic warning alarm." Joyce paused. "I can't believe I just said that. And believe it." She shook her head. "My entire worldview has been flipped on its head, this is going to take some getting used to. The rest of you are invited for supper tomorrow, including Oz, we're going to talk some more. And this time, I'm cooking! No drugs in my food!" Her heartfelt declaration was met with enthusiasm and agreement from everyone, as Dawn clutched her Chime of Ktido bell tightly and Joyce tucked the warp cloak in her purse, it didn't fit and she'd have to figure out a way to always have it close to her, in case of emergency. 'Maybe a bag instead of a purse.' she considered the possibilities as she guided her daughters out.

"Willow, if you want a ride, my car's in the parking lot. I'm giving Doofus a ride home anyway." Cordelia offered.

"Sure." Willow nodded and shut down her laptop and stuck it in it's carrying case.

"Ms. Calendar, I've got some Ancient One stuff to talk to you about." Xander told her, thinking about the energy in Dawn and deciding to quietly monitor Dawn to make sure she stayed safe.

"Tomorrow." Jenny promised. "Tonight I need to talk to Rupert." A conversation that they didn't need to hear as she intended to get to the bottom of his part in the Council and their part in Buffy's condition. She needed answers and he had them.