Chapter One

A/N: Takes place during "The Weight of the World." Where Buffy falls into Dawn's portal.
Disclaimer: I Own nothing but these words I write. John belongs to Eric, and Buffy and Dawn belong to Joss.

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“Buffy don’t do this. She’s not even real.” John said, looking at his daughter, tears in his eyes. He knew what she was about to go do. Where she would be running, he would never see her. He’d never be able to stop her.

“I have to, Dad.” Buffy said.

“Buffy, please.”

“No dad, I’m sorry. I love you. I forgive you. Everything.”

“Buffy please, don’t do this. You’re going to die!” John exclaimed.

“I know.”

He watched in horror as the portal opened behind them. Let the Key fall. Let it fall, don’t take my daughter away.

“I have to do this. Daddy, please, take care of Dawn. This isn’t her fault.”

“I can’t let you do this- Buffy.” He took hold of her arms, and she looked at him, and for once, there isn’t hatred in those eyes. Just understanding.

“You have to dad. Death is my gift, let me take it.”

“No. God, Buffy, why does it have to be you?”

“She can’t do this. Dad, she’s just a kid.”

“No, she’s not. She’s a ball of energy that just opened a goddamned portal to hell!” John snapped.

“Dad, you can’t. All she knows is being human. She doesn’t remember being the key, or anything besides a human girl whose lived her life as the Slayer’s sister. You can’t hurt her dad, and you won’t.”

“She doesn’t belong here, Buffy, you do.”

“No, dad. She deserves to live.”

“No, Buffy. You deserve to live.”

“I love you dad.” Buffy said, as she pushed him away. He stumbled backwards, towards the stairs of the tower.

A dragon emerged as she ran forwards. John tried to go after her, “BUFFY!” He screamed as she jumped.

And he saw how she screamed inside and now he just sat there, tears pouring down his eyes. He should be strong, should be a man, but he couldn’t. He just lost his little girl, and now everything was broken and he didn’t know if he could live like this anymore.

“BUFFY!” Johns scream echoed through out the construction, and Dawn was looking at him, crying. She knew what he knew. She knew that the reason Buffy jumped was because she failed to do what she was supposed to.

Mad with grief, John stood, bringing out his gun. The ‘scoobies’ as Buffy liked to call them were trying to get there, trying to stop him. He could hear them shouting, but he knew that it would never reach him. He aimed the gun at Dawn’s head, and the girl just stood there.

She looked at him, deep brown eyes looked innocent. She opened up her arms, spreading them out so he had a clear shot, “Okay, John. I’m ready.” She said.

He kept his aim, and he almost did it. He could hear the loud bang that wasn't really there. He couldn't do this. Buffy's words struck him, and this girl, she was ready to die, even though she was only fourteen.

But what was he saying? She was nothing but a mass of energy, she wasn't even human. Yet still, he couldn't kill her.

"Come on," John said, lowering the gun, "We can't stay here."