Buffy's POV

"What did this demon woman look like?"

Dawn... how could this all be about Dawn?

"She was... I don't know. She looked human. I didn't think she would be as strong as she was."

There are things that I remember, about Dawn, about growing up with her that I just can't accept that they never happened. Growing up with her, living with her, helping raise her, complaining about her. How could none of them have happened? Especially that last one.

"Is there anything specific you can remember about her? Anything that might give us a clue as to what she might be?"

"I remember a lot of things like... I remember her hand crushing my fist like it was filled with crackers. I remember her beating my ass till it was a brand new shape. I also remember fleeing in terror with that monk guy."

"Come on B, don't talk like that. We'll track this girl down together and slay her real good."

That's assuming she isn't already coming for Dawn. I don't care how she got here, she's my sister and I love her. And now that I know Dawn's not just my sister, she's also my daughter... it just makes me wanna protect her even more.

I look at Faith.

But she's not just MY daughter. She's Faith's daughter too. The monk was very clear that it was the love we share that made them send her to me. But I'm not even sure there is a love to share after everything I've been through. I do care about her though. I don't wanna put her in any danger. How do I know I won't put Faith and Dawn's life in danger if I tell her the truth? Faith was willing to kill me to save me. How do I know Faith won't kill Dawn to save the world? I can't let that happen, I have to protect Dawn.

"Buffy?"

"Hmm? What?"

"We were discussing the monk. There are a few orders that bare investigation, is there anything you can remember that might help narrow the search?"

"I... no, no I don't think so. He was just some religious guy in a brown robe."

I didn't even think to see if he had something on him.

"What about this key thing you mentioned? Did he say anything about where it might be? What it might be?"

I don't like the question Xander just asked.

"I... no, he didn't get to it before he died. He said the key was... energy, some sort of mystical thing that 'opens the door'. Whatever that means..."

"The door? What door? A door to where?"

"I don't know..."

"Well, it's a place to start at any rate. Xander, you and Anya begin researching this demon woman Buffy encountered. Willow?"

Willow doesn't say anything.

"Willow?"

"Oh uh yeah?"

"Would you and Tara be so kind as to look into the key? I'll check the book of Karameth, see if it makes reference to either the key or this woman."

Research the key?

"I... maybe we should, focus more on the demon."

Everyone looks at me confused, especially Faith.

"Why's that Buff?"

I can't keep this to myself. I have to tell someone.

"Well I just, if we figure out who or what this woman is we might be able to find out what she wants the key for and then we can protect... I mean stop her."

"Knowledge of the key might help us to find it and as a result perhaps even give us a way to keep it from her."

Giles, I'll tell Giles. He'll understand. He can help me save her.

"You're right, I'm sorry. I don't know what I was thinking. Is there anything Faith and I can do?"

"Yes, we want to help."

"Perhaps the two of you should return to where you last saw her. You might be able to track where she went."

"Good, good... we'll do that, right Faith?"

She doesn't look at me as she responds.

"Yeah sure B, we can try."

"Good, Giles can I talk to you? Alone?"

"Sure... let's get to work."

I turn to Faith who still won't look at me.

"Would you mind waiting for me?"

"Uh-hun..."

"Thanks."

I turn and follow Giles into another part of the house.