All characters belong to Joss Whedon, The WB Network, and 20th Century Fox. I am just a fan.

Buffy sat on the edge of Dawn's bed and silently watched her sister as she slept. She held back the urge to touch her hair or kiss her forehead like she used to do, and instead just listened to her steady breathing. She wished she could hold her sister one last time and tell her how much she loved her, but knew that this was for the best. And she never regretted her decision. She knew what she had to do and did what needed to be done. Buffy had experienced most of what life had to offer and Dawn deserved the same. She deserved to live. And Buffy was willing to sacrifice her own life to give that to her.

But she was okay. Her body may no longer walk the earth, but her soul and spirit were still very much alive. And that's what counted, right? She was in a better place. A place that was free of evil and despair and didn't depend on a vampire Slayer to rid it of it's darkness. Because where she was, only consisted of light and love. There was no darkness. And there she was able to be with mother once again. She loved her so much, and finallly got the chance to tell her. Nevertheless, she missed her friends and sister.

Dawnie seemed so lonely and withdrawn, ever since she left her that unforgettable day. She was now temporarily staying with Giles, until Xander and Anya finally got married. Only then would the court grant them full custody of her. But Dawn was closed off from everybody... everybody except for Spike. He was the only one Buffy ever saw her openly talk to and take comfort in. When she wasn't in school, she was spending time with the vampire in his crypt. Buffy watched them as they talked about anything from life to death to everything in between. They would snuggle up together and watch TV and sometimes they would fall asleep, making Giles worried sick. But he always knew where to find her and would scold her for staying out so late and not checking in. All in all, the gang had hesitantly accepted Spike as part of the group and would take him on patrols, but the vampire didn't spend much time with any of them, other than Dawn. Buffy knew why. She knew that it hurt him too much to be around the people that had been such a big part of Buffy's life. It reminded him too much of her.

Sometimes, she would watch over him when he was alone and she would see how her death truly affected him. He would break down into tears and apologize for not being able to save her. He blamed himself entirely and it pained Buffy to see him suffer like that. To see everyone suffering like they were.

Buffy had looked down from above as the people closest to her, mourned and grieved over her broken body. She watched as Willow and Tara held each other and openly cried. She saw Xander holding Anya in his arms as they stared in shock at the horrifying scene before them. Giles had nothing but pain and regret written across his face and Dawn decended the stairs looking guilty and heartbroken. And then there was Spike who broke down in front of everybody, shedding his tears for the woman he loved, but couldn't save.

Buffy had witnessed a lot of suffering throughout her life, but what she had seen her friends go through topped them all. And there was nothing she could do, but silently watch over them and pray that they would move on with their lives without her. It was a lot to ask, but it needed to be done.

She took one last glance at her baby sister, before leaving her alone to rest. Dawn stirred in her sleep, unaware of the angel watching over her.

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