Dawn's POV

"I don't know Dawn. I mean it might work, but only if they are both willing."

"They're willing. Of course they're both willing. Why wouldn't they be? They love each other a lot."

"Yes they do Dawn, but sometimes things get in the way. Sometimes people who love each other still can't make it work. Your father and I loved each other very much, but other things got in the way."

"But, I mean... it doesn't have to be that way for them. They can still work things out and be okay right?"

"Maybe they can Dawn, but then again maybe they can't. There's just no way to be sure."

"So you won't help me?"

"Of course I'll help you honey. I want to see things work out for them just as much as you."

I give her a hug.

"Thanks Mom."

She smiles at me and pushes the hair in my face back behind my ear.

"Of course honey, I just wanted you to be prepared in case things don't work out."

"I will. I know things could go bad but I don't think they will. They love each other a lot and that's why things will work out."

The phone rings and Mom gets up to get it.

I know they've got a lot of problems, but at least some of those problems are my fault. I know they said it wasn't my fault but they keep yelling at each other about me, so it's gotta be at least a little bit my fault. Maybe if I can show them I don't want them to fight about me because all I really want is for them to be okay and happy, it might give them reason enough to get better.

I want us to be one big happy family, all four of us. I just know if my plan works, that will happen.

Mom picks up the phone.

"Hello? Rupert?"

Giles?

"Rupert what's wrong?"

Buffy's POV

She... she will come for me.

I fall face first to the floor as the snake uncoils itself from me.

She, has to come for me.

I manage to pull my arms from my sides, my elbows throbbing in pain from where the snake's tail was coiled around me. I try to push myself up to my hands and knees but only get a few inches off the floor before my head starts spinning and my arms give way from the pain.

She's... she's gonna save me, I know she will.

"Ooh goodie! It's not even Christmas and you brought me a present."

That, voice... I know that voice.

I try to lift my head to see if it's really her but I can't. I don't have to wait long for confirmation though, because she walks over here and kneels down. She grabs me by the hair and pulls me up so our eyes meet.

It's her, that demon lady I saved the monk from.

She drops my head and it bounces off the carpet.

She... she has to come for me.

I try and get up again but a heeled shoe drives itself into my back, forcing me to stay down.

"And you got me just what I wanted. Thank you snakey-wakey. Now go, keep watch. I'm sure some sack of crap will be coming for this one sooner or later."

I hear the snake leave as the hissing gets quieter until it disappears. The heel between my shoulders is lifted.

"I always wanted a pet..."

She kicks me in the ribs where the snake had its tail.

"I guess now I have two."

She comes over and kneels. She grabs my hair again and our eyes meet.

"Now I can make it quick, or I can make it less quick."

She... will come for me.

"All I want is my key. Now I know monkey boy told you about it. So either you have it or you know where to find it. So just give me the key and I'll try really hard not to torture you too much."

I spit right in her face and she drops my head back to the floor.

"Ugh you sick, stupid BITCH!"

The point of her shoe hits me right in the ribs as she kicks me across the room. I slam against the wall before bouncing off the floor.

"Minions?"

I think about three or four people come into the room.

"Yes Glory?"

Glory?

"I want this slayer bitch strung up by her dainty little arms. I want her chained to the ceiling while I torture her."

"Yes your greatness."

Two of them grab me by the arms and drag me over to the middle of the room while the other two prepare the chains hanging from the ceiling. I start struggling against my captors' grip but a strong punch to my jaw stops me long enough for her lackeys to tie up my hands with the chains.

I know we haven't been in the greatest of place lately but it's not like she wants me dead... right? I mean she did try to protect me from the demon snake, that's gotta mean something.

Once her flunkies are sure I'm tied tight enough at my wrists they tie another chain around my ankles to make sure I can't use my feet. I struggle against my bonds but there's too much pain pulsing through my upper body for me to make an escape.

I'll bet there's gonna be a lot more pain to come if I don't get out of here.

"Are you going to tell me where my key is?"

I look right at her.

"No..."

A swift jab to my gut and I'm coughing up a lung.

"Are you gonna tell me now?"

"No..."

She backhands me to the face and I have to bite my lip to keep from screaming.

I think she broke the skin near my cheekbone because I'm pretty sure I'm bleeding.

"How about now?"

She will come for me.

"Screw you."

"Okay, this is getting us nowhere. Go get me a knife."

"Yes Glory."

One of her minions leaves as she walks up to me and smiles.

"You know, you really should have someone take a look at this."

She puts her hand on the shoulder where the snake bit me, her thumb resting gently on the wound.

"You never know what could happen to it."

She applies pressure to it.

I'm sorry Faith. I'm sorry for all the horrible things I did to hurt you. I'm sorry I didn't tell you... I love you.

I scream.