"Willow it's Dawnie. Yeah and Ohmigod ohmigod ohmigod! ..Calm down? Don't tell me to calm down! Buffy's hurt and I think it's my fault... Okay please hurry!"

Dawn Summers had been staying with Buffy. This was something of much argument between the two of them. Buffy first wanted Dawn to travel to their father's to stay out of trouble, but they soon learned that neither of the girls were wanted. Dawnie had still been upset with Buffy for wanting to separate her from her calling. Dawnie didn't understand and wouldn't understand: she was the only family - the only blood, Buffy really had left. The fact that Dawnie was made mystically by some monks only a few years ago was immaterial. Buffy knew now that objectively her sister was a green glowing energy ball not long ago, but subjectively she knew Dawnie was forged using her own DNA, and although her memories were artificially constructed by those same monks, they were real enough to her. Dawnie was Buffy's flesh and blood. She just didn't want to see her hurt again. Or if hurt, please by stubbing her toe or tripping down some stairs or even an automobile accident - anything normal. If her sister must be hurt she didn't want it to be demons or vampires or werewolves or zombies or evil wizards or ..she only wanted a normal, mundane life for Dawnie. Dawnie wanted to be with her sister, and she knew that no matter how mundane or normal Buffy would try to make her life after Sunnydale, her fate would not be a normal death. Live by the sword and stake, die by it. Dawnie was willing to share that fate, but Buffy wanted none of it. So the Summers flat was uniquely normal looking. A bit spartan but with a definite woman's touch. No weapons hung on the walls or decorated the house. They were hidden from view, but easily accessible. The place was simple, tasteful, and on the surface, very normal.

After Sunnydale became a crater, it was widely accepted that the entire gang in the school bus would make their way to England. There was a bit of a detour for some to Clevela