“Maybe we need a vote... to see who wants Faith to have a turn in charge.” Kennedy said agreeing with the potential who spoke before.
“No.” Dawn said.
“Maybe we should.” Buffy eventually spoke - voice soft.
Dawn turned on her, “No. They don’t get to decided that. They don’t get to do this to you. This is our home. You’re the best one to lead us. I know you are. You’ve proven that so many times Buffy. I was there on that tower with you. You didn't know this was a popularity contest -”
“It ain’t about popularity.” Faith said.
And maybe Faith was right. Maybe she really had failed as a leader. Maybe it was time she gave up. Found a hovel and let the end come, when it came. She was spent. Dawn turned to glare at Faith, “You're just enjoying this, aren't you?”
“You have no idea what I'm feeling.” Faith told her.
“You come in here - try to take everything from Buffy. Like you’re not some stranger. Did you tell them how you used to kill people for fun? Almost got me killed tonight too!”
Buffy stepped forward to touch Dawn’s arm, “Dawn that’s enough.” When Dawn turned to look at her, Buffy could see that her sister was on the verge of crying face just slightly flushed red, and the sight of her sister near tears just made everything so much worse.
“I didn't come here to take anything away from your sister, but I'm not gonna be her little lapdog, either. I came here to beat the other guy, to do right, however it works. I don't know if I can lead. But the real question is...can she follow?”
Buffy didn’t think that she could.
+ Buffy, Dawn, Faith (Others) “Empty Places” - Season 7, Episode 19 (Dawn and Rona Defend Buffy, Forward Without Seeing Verse Updated Scene)
