"Willow it's Dawnie. Yeah and Ohmigod ohmigod ohmigod! ..Calm down? Don't tell me to calm down! Buffy's hurt and I think it's my fault... Okay please hurry!"

Dawn Summers had been staying with Buffy. This was something of much argument between the two of them. Buffy first wanted Dawn to travel to their father's to stay out of trouble, but they soon learned that neither of the girls were wanted. Dawnie had still been upset with Buffy for wanting to separate her from her calling. Dawnie didn't understand and wouldn't understand: she was the only family - the only blood, Buffy really had left. The fact that Dawnie was made mystically by some monks only a few years ago was immaterial. Buffy knew now that objectively her sister was a green glowing energy ball not long ago, but subjectively she knew Dawnie was forged using her own DNA, and although her memories were artificially constructed by those same monks, they were real enough to her. Dawnie was Buffy's flesh and blood. She just didn't want to see her hurt again. Or if hurt, please by stubbing her toe or tripping down some stairs or even an automobile accident - anything normal. If her sister must be hurt she didn't want it to be demons or vampires or werewolves or zombies or evil wizards or ..she only wanted a normal, mundane life for Dawnie. Dawnie wanted to be with her sister, and she knew that no matter how mundane or normal Buffy would try to make her life after Sunnydale, her fate would not be a normal death. Live by the sword and stake, die by it. Dawnie was willing to share that fate, but Buffy wanted none of it. So the Summers flat was uniquely normal looking. A bit spartan but with a definite woman's touch. No weapons hung on the walls or decorated the house. They were hidden from view, but easily accessible. The place was simple, tasteful, and on the surface, very normal.

After Sunnydale became a crater, it was widely accepted that the entire gang in the school bus would make their way to England. There was a bit of a detour for some to Cleveland Ohio, but once they got there they learned that the hellmouth which had been there at least as long as the one in Sunnydale, was actually in quite capable hands. Giles quickly learned that Buffy and the others were needed elsewhere.

When Willow and Buffy used the scythe to give the power of the Slayer to all potentials, it created new complications. Giles decided it would be best if Buffy made an appearance in England, and rally the troops as it were, to find the last remnants of the Watchers Council scattered throughout the world and bring them together. Roger Wyndham-Pryce was instrumental in the organization, and the focus has been on contacting young women who show evidence of aquiring slayer powers and offer them assistance where possible. Faith and Wood went off on their own, and some of the other Slayers worked with the Watchers to create task forces that'd bring in new recruits as they were found. All positions were voluntary, but things didn't operate very democratically. Buffy and the others learned more and more to get involved less and less. Most recently they'd all started drifting their separate ways, but England was a nice and dramatic change from the past decade. There were still occasional problems and enemies to address, but comparatively things were strangely normal in this both old and new land. Needless to say they stayed in touch, and had each found their little place in the Albion paradise.

At first, Willow attempted to help contact the new Slayers, but this led to some complications, and wore her out. Giles decided it best she continue her studies. The question of whether she was forever a white witch now, or just a step away from the darkness, it was still a bit uncertain. She had made progress, but she still had a long way to go. No amount of education either mundane or mystical could prepare Willow for what she saw when Xander kicked open the door to the Summers' flat.

Dawnie was curled up in the corner of the living room. She was glowing a light green, as if a latenight television program were bathing her in light. She still held the cellphone in her hand. She was looking in horror at the middle of the room. Buffy was floating in mid air. She was bleeding. She was also glowing green. Unlike Dawnie, Buffy was bleeding. Buffy also appeared to be unconscious, still holding her scythe. However, Dawnie appeared conscious, but scared out of her wits.

Willow stood still, as her aptitude for magic indicated to her whatever this green glow was, it was unlike anything she'd ever encountered before and required some observation and investigation before they reacted rashly.

"BUFFY!" Xander tore across the room and reached out for her but the second he touched Buffy, he was thrown across the room by a green blast from Buffy's limp form. He hit the ceiling and the wall, or perhaps it was the wall and then the ceiling, and then the floor. He groaned.

Willow and Giles stood in the doorframe and witnessed Xander's foolhardy but brave effort.

"Well now we know not to do that, eh Giles?"

"Xander must be in some particular pain, because he hasn't made a pithy remark yet."

Xander said between the groans, "very funny guys."

"Actually not Xander. That was very dangerous what you just did." Giles put his hand to his temple and made a desperate but useless gesture. "How many times must I tell you to look first before you leap?"

"Uh, you've never said that to me."

"I'm sure I've used words to that effect at one time or another."

Xander looked down at himself and realized he was glowing too, "oh great. Now I'm glowing."

"Yes Mister Duh I'm a Stupid Man Trying To Save The Day Cuz I'm a Stupid Man. You're glowing."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Will. Okay. Now what do we do?"

Willow turned to Dawnie, "What happened honey?"

"I-I.. There was this thing. It just showed up outta nowhere. It had four arms and looked made of stone..."

Giles looked about the room. "The golem we fought yesterday, but it had been so large it would have destroyed this room by just moving about."

"No it was about people sized."

"Not the Golem we fought yesterday then," confirmed Willow, and glanced to Giles, "maybe his little brother?"

Giles rolled his eyes.

Dawnie continued, "Buffy grabbed her scythe and attacked it, and they fought a bit and it hit her and then she hit it real good, it started inhaling and then it kinda ..fell into itself..?"

"Imploded?"

"Yeah! That! And Buffy was caught in it and I grabbed for her but she pushed me away.." Dawnie fought back tears.

"But Dawnie you said you thought it was your fault." Willow took a step closer.

"Well.." She looked down at the green glowing stuff. "This green gook ain't coming from Buffy. I think.. Well Buffy was getting sucked in and she wouldn't let me hold her. She told me to run away. And I got mad cuz she wouldn't let me help her, and ..and I reached out and..."

She could no longer hold back the tears, "I think it's coming from me!"

TO BE CONTINUED