Hi Mits
Sorry the updates havent been as regular recently, but with Kath being poorly, her moms accident, one of my kitties having to have an emergency op, me having a little accident of my own and my 30th birthday birthday all really smushed in together real life has been impressing itself on us lately.
We have an update for you though, it's not very big, but its worth it we think
So here you go - Much love Beth x
Dawn had been sipping her Kool-Aid trying to figure out if it was safe to go back into the dining room when her sister suddenly darted by and into the backyard. It was obvious just from her erratic pace that the Slayer wasn’t dashing into action, but was running away from whatever had been said in the other room. Abandoning her drink she followed Buffy outside.
She sat down next to her sister silently waiting to see if the blonde would say anything.
“You... you should go inside.” Buffy tried hard to control her voice though it was obvious the Slayer was crying she kept her head down all the while
“And pretend like you’re fine?” Dawn contradicted as she put her hand up and rested it on her sister’s back slowly starting to rub up and down.
“But you the kid sister.” Buffy fought against her emotions. “You shouldn’t have to deal with this.”
“Buffy, maybe you haven’t noticed but this isn’t like normal family stuff and I’ve had to ‘deal’ with some weird stuff already. At least let me try.” Dawn tried to explain in a soft voice that it didn’t really matter who was older or younger.
“It just all gets too much.” Buffy took a staggered breath and then released it as a hard sob.
“I know and you’re allowed to be overwhelmed you know. There isn’t a slayer rule that says you have to be all unfrazzled.” Dawn reassured her leaning into Buffy as she rubbed the blonde’s back.
“I’m not overwhelmed, I’m...” Buffy tried to summon up some inner strength. “I just don’t want anything to happen to anyone.” Slowly Buffy lifted her tear stained face. “Not again.” She shook her head slightly, looking sadly at her sister.
“Everyone knows that and it’s not just your job.” Dawn looked back with a sad smile. “We all have to do our part.”
“It’s just that... she’s back Dawn, really, she’s really upstairs, in her and Willow’s bed, sleeping with Will in her arms and that Madalene, that whoever, whatever she is comes along and Hell is following in her wake. I can’t risk Tara again and until I know that there isn’t more to Madalene that meets the eye I have to put Tara’s safety first.” Buffy explained her voice slightly calmer.
“Of course you do.” Dawn looked at her sister for the first time confused. “Who said you have to trust her?”
“I don’t know.” Buffy shook her head.
“Okay I know I’m only a kid but here’s how I see it.” Dawn took a breath. “She’s like the new kid at school... no one knows what she’s all about but she got the cool jacket and shoes and apparently has good grades. Things don’t quite add up cause she’s dissing the jocks but she doesn’t seem to melt with the techno heads either. So we don’t know where to put her yet, doesn’t mean we should trust her, but does mean we better keep and eye on her cause she still might steal your boyfriend.”
Buffy chuckled softly whilst shaking her head ever so slightly.
“When did you grow up?” She inquired softly.
“One of those times you were busy saving the world.” Dawn grinned at her. “She might be a big bad Buffy but she might just be a scared girl who came back from the dead. We can’t really do much accept watch our backs till we know for sure.”
“But if she’s just a scared lonely girl, I’ve just forced her out of the one place she’s probably safest.” Buffy felt a slight tightness in her chest.
“I know maybe I’m naive but if she was the big bad would she have bothered leaving?” Dawn looked at her sister with her eyebrows raised.
“Again with the growing up. How about I put you in charge of looking after Willow and Tara, whilst I go back and get the new girl.” Buffy gave a slight smile.
“Cool. I can bring them Kool-Aid.” Dawn leaned forward and hugged her sister. After a long moment Buffy pushed up from her place and glanced at her watch.
“Take Will’s pill up when you go, it’s getting late.” She reminded.
*******
Dawn carefully balanced the menagerie of drinks, snacks and medications on the small wooden tray as she turned backwards to push the bedroom door open.
“Anyone awake?” She whispered moving to lay the tray down on the side table.
“Just one of us.” Tara’s soft tone replied.
“I have come to entice you with mountain berry Kool-Aid, ice water, chewy chocolate chip cookies and Willow’s pills.” Dawn kept her voice hushed as she looked over to sleepy blue eyes.
“Do I like mountain berry Kool-Aid?” Tara chuckled softly.
“You especially like it frozen with little straws in it to make home made Popsicle’s.” Dawn moved around with a tall glass of the Technicolor blue liquid and Tara’s smile grew broader as she got a glimpse of the liquid.
“Are the cookies home made?” She asked as she eased an arm free and reached out for the glass.
“Unless you’ve been down secretly baking I’m afraid they are store bought. But I promise as soon as you make some Buffy and I will eat a few dozen.” Dawn smiled and handed over the glass.
“Look I can do the glass thing on my own.” Tara grinned as she closed her hand around the chilled glass. She peered over to the tray. “Willow’s meds?” She asked looking at the small plastic bowl full of pills.
“Yes, do you want an introduction?” Dawn grinned brightly at the blonde’s ability to hold the glass without her hand even shaking.
“Please.” Tara fought to hold her bright tone as the sight of the pills made her sad inside.
“Here we have Miss. Blue and White, it’s an antidepressant and here is Miss. pale green. Which is a vitamin supplement and Mr. tiny ugly grey which is her sleeping pill.” Dawn explained.
A sad heartfelt sigh escaped from Tara’s lips. She moved the fingers of her other hand lightly through Willow’s hair.
“My poor, poor baby.” She whispered softly.
“We missed dinner meds so we have to double up.” Dawn frowned as she explained and Tara nodded understandingly.
“You’ve looked after her, all this time haven’t you?” She asked tenderly looking back at Dawn.
“All of us have.” The teenager nodded.
“Yes, all of you.” Tara agreed. “But…” She looked up and met the teenager’s eyes. “You must have had to be so brave.”
“Me...” Dawn squeaked after a few seconds and her bottom lip shivered. “It was hard.” She whispered blinking large brown eyes at the blonde.
“She didn’t hurt you did she? After I...” Tara checked carefully as she put down the drink on the bedside table and reached out her hand for the young woman to come closer.
Dawn instantly scooted closer, filling the hand that was offered to her with her own.
“No... I mean she was mean but it wasn’t Willow... it was the magic. It hurt more to see her so angry.” The brunette whispered.
“I can’t imagine how hard that must have been Dawnie.” Tara comforted rubbing her thumb lightly on the back of the teenager’s hand.
“I missed you.” Dawn admitted softly.
“I know, I think that the only reason I remember what I do is because you all loved me so much.” Tara explained. “And because I missed you so much too.” She added.
“Then it was worth it, missing you so much that is.” Dawn gave a brave smile.
“You look tired.” Tara said tenderly releasing Dawn’s hand for a moment to stroke her pale cheek.
“It’s been a long few months.” Dawn looked at Willow and frowned. “But it’s worth it now, like when Buffy came back.”
“I can give Willow her medication, you should go to bed.” Tara encouraged the young woman to put herself first for possibly the first time in the last few months.
“But you might need something, need help...” Dawn protested gently.
“If I do I will find some way to get you.” Tara vowed. “Though the bed is really big, you can snuggle up beside me if you like.”
“I don’t want to crowd you.” Dawn seemed to object again but in reality she was already lying down.
“I think I like this kind of crowd.” Tara slipped her arm around the teenager and hugged her tightly knowing the young woman needed comfort right now so badly.
******
Buffy’s high heeled boots sounded lightly on the sidewalk as she jogged towards the lone figure she had made out to be Madalene about a minute and a half before. The witch had taken a solitary route towards the outskirts of town.
‘Not the smartest route.’ Buffy commented to herself as she put on an extra sprint to get closer.
“Madalene.” She called when she was close enough to no frighten the spellcaster.
The figure stopped seeming to take a slow breath before she turned back around.
“Buffy.” She acknowledged who it was chasing her.
“I didn’t think you’d stop.” Buffy admitted slowing down to stop just short of the witch.
“Have I given you reason to think I’m a completely unreasonable bitch or something?” Madalene questioned her voice tired.
“No.” Buffy shook her head. “And believe me, I’m not the type to run after someone who I thought was unreasonable.”
“I’m not sure you’re the type to run after anyone.” Madalene tried to offer some common ground.
“I ran after you.” Buffy countered quickly trying a smile.
“Not something I was expecting, so I guess we’re even.” The spellcaster smiled back slightly.
“No, I don’t think we are.” Buffy shook her head. “I know that you are owed at least one apology and I don’t think I’m owed any.”
“You have no reason to apologize to me.” Madalene shook her head back.
“You have every right to want to keep the people you love safe.”
“I have, I accused you of hiding things and I accused you of being a danger to the person you came here to help.” Buffy pointed out.
“Yes but since I’ve been here we’ve been attacked by a killer snake and a horde of locust.” Madalene acknowledged that she understood the Slayer’s reasoning.
“Yes and all of those have upset and scared you as much as anyone.” Buffy pointed out the logic she had managed to devise.
“Being honest from what I do know and remember, neither are normal occurrences in my everyday life.” Madalene took a few steps closer.
“You were a run of the mill witchy girl huh?” Buffy smiled again with a light shrug.
“As run of the mill as witchy gets I’m afraid.” Madalene nodded with a laugh.
“Life isn’t very run of the mill here is it?” She questioned gently not wanting to push.
“No, it’s not.” Buffy shook her head and took a breath. “This isn’t going to mean a thing to you Madalene, but I’m the Chosen One.”
“Chosen to what?” The spellcaster didn’t understand.
“To protect the world.” Buffy snorted slightly.
“Oh, very all encompassing.” Madalene grinned. “Guess I should be honoured that the Chosen one thinks I’m a threat.”
“Well it’s mainly a prophecy about vampires.” Buffy explained grinning too.
“I think maybe this explanation needs beverages to accompany it.” Madalene raised an eyebrow.
“Beverages at the safe house suffice?” Buffy wanted to get the witch back into the safety of the house.
“If you want me there.” Madalene checked not wanting to assume that Buffy’s chasing her meant that the blonde was ready to have her at the house.
“Of course, what I said before being an ass still stands and at home I can keep my eye on everyone and keep you all safe.” Buffy smiled.
“Sounds reasonable.” The spellcaster nodded moving towards the Slayer so they could walk home.
******
by BethanyB3 » Thu Jun 20, 2002 5:37 am 
at: 6/22/02 8:10:15 am
I think all parties need to sit down amd clear the air, honesty has a way of making things bad at first but A OK in the end. 
at: 6/22/02 3:25:59 pm
