Rose Flanagan didn't know much about what she was supposed to be doing, but she knew she was supposed to find Rupert Giles. Rose left her home in Savannah, GA and traveled to Sunnydale, CA where she tracked down the information she had to this front door, where she stood now, in a townhome community.
Rose took a deep breath before she lifted her arm and knocked on the door she hoped belonged to Rupert Giles.
Time seemed to slow after she removed her first and began to wait for someone to open the door. After around thirty seconds that felt like hours, the door cracked open to reveal a gentleman on the inside.
"May I help you?" the man asked. Rose noticed he was middle aged, greying a little. He wore glasses. His face was handsome.
Rose swallowed her nerves before she replied, "Hi, my name is Rose Flanagan. I'm looking for Rupert Giles, and I'm hoping you're him."
He seemed to become slightly defensive at her answer, "Why are you looking for Rupert Giles?"
"Um," she paused, knowing if he wasn't who she was looking for, she would sound insane, "Well, the thing is…" She stopped again, trying to gather herself, finally being able to blurt out her reason for showing up at his front door. "I was called to be a Slayer."
The man opened the door further, gesturing for Rose to enter. Once she was inside, he motioned for her to take a seat near his desk while he leaned his back against it.
"I am Rupert Giles," he began, "I'm not a Watcher anymore, but I am happy to train you. You must have been called when Faith went into her coma," he began thinking outloud instead of speaking to her.
Rose nodded, raising her hand to stop his spiral, "Did you stop being a Watcher because your Slayer, Faith, is in a coma?"
Giles shook his head, "I was never Faith's Watcher. Buffy is my Slayer. It's complicated, but basically, she died for a minute and a second Slayer was called and now we have two instead of one. I was fired from my post because I didn't agree with what the Council wanted me to do in my training with Buffy," he explained.
"Ok," she replied, simply, "Well, I enrolled at the local college since I just graduated, so if you are alright with me being your Slayer too, then I would like to stay here."
Giles nodded, standing, "Let me call the others. We will need to have a meeting to let everyone else know about you. Give me just a moment," he offered before he disappeared around a corner where his phone was hanging on the wall.
Rose sat patiently, her head spinning even though she looked calm on the outside, until Giles returned, leaning back against his desk.
"The others are on their way," Giles began, "How did you know you were called?"
Rose answered, "I went to LA for my graduation present and while I was there, I was attacked by this man, who turned out to be a vampire. A man named Angel helped me, but I was able to take care of the monster without much help. Angel tested my abilities with some combat and he said I must be a Slayer. Then, he gave me your name."
Giles took in her explanation and excused himself to make another call. He was back quicker this time. "I just spoke with Angel and he corroborated your story. You understand that I want to trust you, and I did instantly in my gut, but we have to be sure."
"Of course," Rose agreed as the front door opened and three people, Rose's age, walked into the house.
"Rose," Giles gave her an encouraging smile, "This is Buffy Summers," he pointed to the blonde girl, "She was my Slayer." He moved to a redheaded girl and a boy, "These are her friends Willow Rosenberg and Xander Harris." Giles looked back at Rose and spoke to the three, "This is Rose Flanagan, she was called as the next Slayer after Faith went into the coma. Angel discovered her skills and sent her to me."
Buffy was the first to react, "It all makes sense but shouldn't she be assigned to a Watcher?"
"It would seem she's fallen through the cracks somehow," Giles replied, "Perhaps the Council doesn't know a Slayer was called because Faith is in a coma and not dead. Regardless, I believe we can all agree that they don't handle things well. I'd rather have her stay here with us. I can take over her training."
Buffy nodded, backing up to let Willow or Xander speak, if either had anything to say.
Rose took her chance to talk, "I know you all must be shocked. I still don't really know what's going on here. But, I won't impose, so if you aren't comfortable with me staying here and attending the local college, I'll go find the Watcher's Council and get my assignment," she offered, hoping no one would want her to actually do it. She stood nervously as the room went silent.
Willow was the first to speak, "I think you should stay. Giles is really good and Buffy can help you too. The Watcher's Council is filled with really bad guys."
Xander nodded, "I'm with Will. She shouldn't be put in the hands of those dudes."
Giles gave Willow and Xander a grateful smile before he looked to Buffy.
Buffy took a deep breath, "You can stay, Rose. Willow and I are at the school too. We can get a room for three, if you want. Are you a Freshman, too?"
Rose couldn't hold back the gleeful smile taking over her lips, as she nodded, "I am and I would really love that."
"Ok, then it's settled," Buffy replied, "Come with us and we'll get you moved in. Giles, when do you want her back here to start working?"
Giles pulled off his glasses, cleaning them with his shirt while he answered, "Rose, just come by when you're finished with your classes tomorrow. Anytime is fine."