Loyal readers, I am back from my travels and pleased to post the next portion. I hope never to go that long between chapters again.

Happy reading!

Chapter 7: Never Alone

Sunny went by the shelter but Anne wasn't there. Lilly said she might be at the detective agency; that thought made him frown. Even though he knew she could handle herself, he didn't particularly like the thought of her walking home alone. If nothing else, she could use some company.

Like when they first met, Anne often spent nights gazing at nothing. He didn't expect her to open up to him, but no one should be alone with that many thoughts. If mere company kept sad memories away, he'd gladly accompany her everywhere.

As he drew closer to the entrance, he heard voices inside.

"You'll do no such thing! We have an agreement. We agreed she is not our backup."

Through the window, he saw the brunette holding a phone. "But we need help. Angel needs help."

A nerdy English dude came into view. "And he'll get it. We can figure this out ourselves. We have to."

The girl insisted. "But she would want to help him."

"He's in trouble, yes, and he will be again. In this line of work, our lives are endangered several times a month. Even you realize the entire world is at stake at least once a year. If we can't remain calm and figure this out then we shouldn't be working here." He concluded, "This isn't her problem."

"But-"

"We can't guilt her into this you said that."

"I know but-"

"If we call her, she will help." A look of relief fell over her, so he continued, "But that will be it. Afterwards, she'll quit, and that connection will be forever severed." She still held the phone but her grip was looser. He conceded, "If you think the situation has reached that point, then call."

Both the English man and their unknown observers anxiously awaited her decision. One call could change so much.

Slowly she placed the phone back in its cradle. "So what do we do?"

The man assured the woman, "What we always do: improvise and hope for the best."

Having heard enough, Sunny turned away.

Anne wasn't inside, and from that conversation, he gathered that was a good thing. She didn't want to play wonder woman. It's why she insisted on keeping her skills under wraps. Only a few kids at Sanctuary knew about it. If you needed something, you went to them. If they pointed you her way it was with the understanding that you kept your mouth shut.

Looking back at the wretched building, he grimaced.

Those losers got wind of her identity and thought they could use her for profit. The secretary gig was just an excuse to get her in the building. After that, it wouldn't be hard to let a stray victim cross her path. After a few pleas and tears, Anne would willingly lead any battle.

He'd give them credit though. They understood she wasn't attached to the place or to them - not yet. Leaving this job behind wouldn't be difficult; especially, when they gave her such good reasons to leave.

Right now, they were playing it safe - allowing her to get comfortable in the neutral role. Given time, though, they would start pushing -the brunette especially. He was sure of it.

It would be small things at first and gradually the tasks would get bigger until Anne did the fighting and paperwork to boot. He doubted they'd pay her for it. Most victims didn't carry cash or have solid credit. Add to that her selfless nature, and whatever compensation they did receive would go to everyone but her.

None of that mattered though. Whether they paid in money or guilt; she deserved more. All he wanted was to keep his friend away from the users.

Mid-mental ramblings, he spotted said friend on the other side of the street. He jogged over noisily so as not to startle her.

"Hey Sunny"

He smiled at her smile. "I figured you could use some company - plus the TV's out again."

"In that case I might just leave it broken." They soon fell into step with one another.

He noticed the direction of their walk "This is a little farther than normal."

She nodded, "I want to stop by the office for a minute."

"Because the world will burn if your filing isn't time stamped by midnight."

"Well, not so much, but they have this case-"

"A monster case," he supplied.

"That's kind of their specialty. But I have this niggling feeling they need help."

"This a real solid niggle or an excuse to check up on them?"

Buffy scowled at his perceptiveness. "Stop that."

"I thought you weren't doing that type of work."

"I'm not."

"Then maybe swinging by ain't the best plan."

Her steps faltered, "I- well-"

"They've survived a few months doing this job. I think they'll make it through the night."

She shook her head as if to clear her thought. "You're right. It's just hard being involved without actually being involved."

He murmured, "You're going to have to get used to it if you want this gig to last."

Her silence spoke agreement. She knew he was right and yet . . . "I'm a different person when I'm there . . . . You ever miss a version of yourself?

He shrugged, "You thinkin' of changing back?

She scoffed. "Not possible. All it takes is takes is seeing someone from my life now to remember what my life is."

He slipped in slyly, "It's a good thing I was here then."

That comment alone served as a reminder. This wasn't just any conversation. It was conversation between two friends whose feeling could be hurt. No matter what confusing events brought her here, they were the same ones which brought Sunny into her life. He knew this.

She murmured, "A lot of things have happened that I wouldn't change."

He accepted her unspoken apology. She regretted the pain, but she didn't regret him. He could relate to the paradox.

Not wanting her to feel so alone, he shared, "What you said before, I get it. Life leaves marks. Before there got to be so many, living was easier: hanging at school, going home to family. I can't really remember what it was like to think that way."

"I vaguely recall thoughts being lighter, but you're right; we can't go back."

Silence reigned until Sunny kicked away an empty can. "My moms said pickin' at cuts don't make em heal faster- just makes a scar . . . of course, that just made me pick at them more."

She would have laughed, but as things were, a smile was all she could muster. "If I'm gonna pass the lesson to my kid, I should start leaving cuts alone. Examples don't hurt."

They automatically began making mental list of their physical marks from burns, knives, stakes, teeth . . . his was longer, but hers wasn't insignificant. It was an odd moment for both of them.

He skipped a step to pick up his pace. "Come on, once we finish this route, we can join Lil for her late-night cup of worry."

"If you're around, she might pull out the marshmallows."

He smiled as she matched his strides. "With that many kids, you can't blame her for hiding the sweets."

"From them: no, but me?"

"We got you two cakes for your birthday knowing once unattended, you'd devour a whole one."

"I don't devour. I mindlessly nibble."

"Lil's seen you mindlessly nibble away a gallon of ice cream."

"Exaggeration meant to liven conversation."

"That's why kids inhale their chocolate bars before coming inside."

"Pphht."

They turned towards Sanctuary with a touch of joy, for in the midst of so many changes, they still had friendship and with it a sense of safety, familiarity and belonging. Their idea of home wasn't in bricks and mortar. It was in the souls of friends, and right then, they felt at home.