Title: A Slayers Holiday: There and Back Again
Author: Wildecate
Email: Wildecate@hotmail.com
Rating: G - for the moment
Notes: Since you were all so nice the first time round, here we go again.
Pairing: None as yet
Credits: Joss Whedon/JRR Tolkein - ya de ya de ya

Buffy stood on the high tower and watched Hell unfold before her eyes. The portal rippled and shone in the air and Dawn clung to her tightly, trying so hard to be brave. Winged beasts flew from sky and covered the earth with fire. She could see her friends below her, Spike lying unconscious where he had fallen after bravely facing Doc, Tara cradling Willow, Giles standing before them protectively and all of them looking up at her.

Dawn's voice sounded behind her "I'm sorry" and Buffy turned, taking her sister in her arms, holding her close.

"It doesn't matter" she said comfortingly, wondering what hell she was supposed to do next. Dawn flinched for a moment and then broke free, trying to run past her. Buffy caught her arm, swinging her round.

"What are you doing?" she asked in shock"

"I have to jump. The energy" Dawn spoke simply, not wanting to make this any more painful.

"It'll kill you" Buffy whispered.

"I know.Buffy, I know about the ritual. I have to stop it." Buffy stared at her sister then shook her head.

"No."

The tower shook underneath them, making them both stumble.

"I have to. Look at what's happening." Dawn cried out. Lightning crackled around them and the girls cowered on top of the tower. Dawn was openly crying now, sobbing that only her blood could close it. Buffy stared at her in anguish, the words echoing round her mind, bringing to life Spike's words from earlier.

"It's always got to be blood"

She remembered pressing her hand to her wound and then clasping Dawn's hand, mixing their blood, her words clear in her head

"It's Summers blood. It's just like mine."

"Death is your gift"

The words of the First Slayer now came to her and her path, everything she had been feeling suddenly fell into place. Her frustration and anger at this thankless task faded away replaced with a feeling of calm, of knowing finally what she had to do. The sun was trying to rise, trying to break through the thick clouds but obscured by the holes which were rending the air. Buffy turned back to Dawn, who stared back at her horrified, knowing what her sister was thinking.

"Dawnie I have to…. Listen to me. Please, there's not a lot of time, listen."

Buffy spoke rapidly to Dawn, trying to cram a lifetime's love into a few moments then holding her close attempting to press all her love into Dawn and then let her go. Buffy turned and ran down the platform and leapt off gracefully, hearing Dawn cry out behind her.

Buffy hit the portal and hung in mid air as the energy crackled over her, through her, taking her life force, spitting out sparks. Buffy screamed. She had never felt pain like this before, it went deeper than she had ever believed pain could go. Coloured lights flashed before her eyes, a shimmering image of Giles looking up at her, an expression of sadness mixed with pride on his face. As the energy rolled her over she glimpsed Dawn, her little Dawn, the one that she was doing this for, standing up on the tower, looking so very scared. Darkness claimed her and her mind went blank.




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