WWDD: S2E18 “KILLED BY DEATH”

Buffy argues with Dawn about patrolling while she’s sick. After the charcoal and everything that happened with Angel, Dawn is genuinely scared. When Joyce gets the call that Buffy's in the hospital, she immediately starts calling around for someone to stay with Dawn. Pat from Spanish class answers on the first ring and while babysitting, asks endless questions about Joyce. Dawn reveals her mom loves empanadas. Dawn sleeps in Buffy’s room like she has since “Passion.” Joyce returns late and assures her Buffy is stable, promising Dawn can visit tomorrow. Instead of sleeping, Dawn’s mind runs through every terrible possibility.

Before the hospital, Dawn roots through Buffy’s room for clean clothes for her sister. When she sees Buffy awake and sitting up in her hospital bed, she breaks into a run and throws her arms around her sister. Dawn asks Joyce to stay overnight, but Buffy quickly says no, giving Dawn a look that makes it clear something monsterey is happening. As Joyce leads her out, Dawn passes Xander and makes him promise he’ll stay with Buffy at the hospital.

The next day Dawn asks to go back, but Joyce explains Buffy asked to keep Dawn away. Joyce assumes it’s because of Buffy’s suddenly relevant trauma with cousin Celia and assures her Buffy will be okay. Since she can’t visit, Dawn asks to be dropped at the school library, but when Joyce calls Mr. Giles, the line is busy.

Dawn storms upstairs when they get home, pacing and tossing stuffed animals aside in frustration. She can’t just sit there while Buffy—her Slayer sister who has already died once—is constantly putting her life in danger. Finally she runs downstairs, grabs the phonebook, flips to the Y’s, and starts dialing. When Cynthia finally answers, Dawn exclaims: “I need help protecting my sister.”