Thanks to everyone who reviewed, I am sorry it took so long to update. I promise there is more to come soon. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 17

Ranger walked Buffy up to the apartment and they checked it for the regular Boogey man. Once Ranger was satisfied he moved to the door and smiled at Buffy.

'You going to be ok here alone'

Buffy smiled 'Ill manage'

Ranger nodded and was gone.

Buffy ordered pizza for dinner and ate most of it before turning on the TV. Finding nothing worth watching and not feeling tired she decided to go for a walk. Grabbing a stake on her way out. Just in case I am not patrolling.

Buffy made her way outside and onto the running path that she had used earlier that week. She had been walking for about twenty minutes, so far there had been no one about but the usual late runners. Buffy just kept to herself and kept walking. Her thoughts drifted to the Sunnydale crew and the choice that dawn said she was going to have to make. Buffy liked the idea of starting spending a bit of tine here in Trenton, but didn't feel right about letting her friends think she was dead. They had all been through too much together. She would ask Ranger to help her contact Giles and the others.

She just didn't know if she was ready to go back to the life of a slayer. Although it did seem that no matter how much she tried to hide or protect the secret there was always someone who figured out she was different.

So much for the First Evils theory about slayer being meant to be alone. Maybe she just wasn't meant to be alone. Thankfully the new slayers wouldn't have to bare the burden alone ether.

Buffy continued on the running path lost in thought when her attention was roused by a piercing scream. She became immediately alert and sprinted in the direction of the scream. She was running full pelt when the sight of a young woman surrounded by three men came into view. The girl was on the ground holding her head in her hands crying, she was begging the men not to hurt her and they were laughing at her.

Buffy paused silently and slowly made her way the group, she didn't sense anything inhuman about the men so she was guessing they were just plain mean human bullies. Buffy fought her fury down and decided to let her presence known.

'Hey is this a closed party or can anyone join' she casually addressed the group.

Three heads swung in her direction. The men looked fairly young late teens or early twenties. The tallest one took a step in Buffy's direction and smiled.

Buffy noticed his smile was a little creepy, it looked forced and anything but genuine. The other two boys looked a little worried.

The taller boy was the first to speak 'this is a private party but you are welcome to join'

Buffy gave him a disgusted look and noticed the girl had stopped crying and was watching the interaction closely. Taking the opportunity to get full attention off the girl Buffy changed Tactics.

'Really, so what are you doing' She smiled at the taller boy.

He looked smug and took another step towards her the other two followed closely behind. Buffy fought showing her disgust on her face at their cowardice. They were acting as a group three on one. Buffy held her ground and waited for them to get closer. She kept the girl in her sights and noticed she was sitting up, she tried to stand but let out a silent scream and grabbed her ankle in pain. Buffy silently swore to herself, the girl wouldn't be running anytime soon.

The taller boy was now only a few feet from Buffy and stopped his approach 'We could show you how we have fun'

Buffy closed the last bit of distance between them and stood directly in front of the leader, she looked straight into his eyes and was not shocked to find he was looking very confident.

She smiled sweetly and said 'how about I show you how I have fun'

He ginned evilly at her and nodded. Buffy moved so fast the pack had no idea what hit them. She punched the leader in the face, only hard enough to knock him back. The other two where standing in shock and were completely unprepared for the kicks that knocked them flat on their backs.

Buffy flipped over the boys and positioned herself between them and the girl. They were slowly getting back to their feet.

Buffy waited.

Once on their feet they looked at each other and had a little conversation between them, the leader nodded and they all started towards her again. Buffy smiled again but this time she let all her disgust and fury show on her face.

'Are you sure you want to do this' she asked them quietly.

The leader seemed sure and kept approaching but his minions seemed to be having doubts and faltered.

Buffy looked to the leader 'Looks like you are on your own'

He turned around and noticed the others had stopped. All of a sudden he turned and started swinging punches at his pack knocking them both to the ground. He started kicking the smaller of the two in the stomach while the smaller boy was trying desperately to protect his body with his hands.

Buffy had seen enough and moved to intervene, she pulled the leader off the other two and threw him a few feet. He bounced up onto his feet and snarled at her. Buffy waited for him to attack. He watched her for a moment weighing up his options.

'This isn't over bitch' he spat at her and bolted. Buffy made her way to the girl who was looking ready to flee. Buffy thought she would have if she weren't injured. As Buffy approached the girl looked up at her and Buffy was surprised to find she didn't look scared or worried, just defiant. Buffy knelt down next to her and asked softly.

'Are you alright'?

The girl regarded her for a moment and her expression softened. 'Yes, but something is wrong with my ankle'

Buffy looked at her ankle and asked 'Do you mind if I have a look'

The girl shook her head. Buffy carefully reached down and lifted the trouser leg of the girl's pants up. Buffy swore softy under her breath. Her ankle was already severely swollen and was starting to bruise. Buffy undid the shoelaces and carefully tried to slide the shoe off her foot. It wouldn't budge.

Buffy looked back up at the girl 'What's your name'

'Anna' she replied

'Anna I cant get your shoe off the swelling has made it too tight, I am going to have to cut it off so just try and stay calm ok'

Anna nodded and tried not to flinch when Buffy pulled a small knife out of her coat. Very gently Buffy sliced through the leather and slid the shoe off Anna's foot.

'Are hurt any where else' she asked Anna

Anna nodded and pointed to her ribs. Buffy was cursed to herself and shook her head.

'Anna I need to get you to a hospital, you could have internal damage, this ankle needs attention as well, I will call you an ambulance ok'

Anna shook her head she looked terrified 'No I don't want to go to the hospital, he will find me there' she replied

Buffy was a little concerned, 'You need to see a doctor'

Anna just shook her head again.

Buffy was lost at what to do, she didn't want to make this girl go to the hospital when she was so terrified. It didn't take a genius to discover whom she was terrified of. If she was in Sunnydale she would have taken her home. Buffy guessed she had one more option and pulled out the cell phone Ranger had given her searched through the numbers, she wasn't surprised to find Steph's, Rangers, Tanks and even Morelli's numbers all pre-programmed into the phone. She selected the number she wanted and pressed send.

Anna looked worried at the sight of the phone and Buffy shook her head. "I am calling a friend of mine, hopefully he will be able to help us'

Buffy listened to the ringing noise, come on pick up she silently willed the person on the other end. Something must have got through.

'Talk' the voice barked at her.

Buffy frowned and tried to sound calm 'Ranger, its Buffy, I have a problem and I need your help'

'Are you alright' he asked his tone was less angry and more concerned.

'Yes I am fine, listen can you send someone with medical experience out to help me' Buffy answered patiently

'I will be there in ten with Bobby, are you secure'

'Yes, do you want the address' Buffy was feeling a little relieved.

Ranger laughed a little 'Already have it' and he disconnected.

Buffy shoved the phone back in her pocket and turned back to Anna 'Help will be here soon'

'Who are they' Anna asked

'A couple of friends of mine, they helped me when I was hurt'

Anna seemed to calm down a little and Buffy took the opportunity to look in the direction where the other two boys had been hurt. Buffy wasn't surprised to find they were gone. Buffy turned back to Anna.

'Did you know those boys that attacked you'?

She nodded 'they go to my school'

Buffy frowned in concern 'How old are you'

'Seventeen' Anna replied

Buffy asked her next question very carefully 'Anna is there anyone I can call, to let them know you are ok'

Anna seemed to retreat inside herself for a moment but she looked up at Buffy. Buffy was shocked to find a complete look of trust on the young girls face. Anna quietly started to tell Buffy her story.

'The boy who attacked me, the tall one his name is Gary, he is my stepbrother. My father married his mother a few years ago. We were getting along ok, but about 18 months ago my father got sick. He died last year. Gary took it really hard and started acting differently. His mother has never liked me. She started to hit me in anger. She blamed me for my fathers death' Anna stopped and started sobbing silently to herself. Buffy put her arm around her in comfort and Anna threw her arms around Buffy and sobbed harder.

Buffy just held her until Ranger arrived.

Ranger, Tank, Lester and Bobby hopped out of the black bronco and Buffy gestured them over. She gently shifted Anna back a little and looked up at the approaching men. They were all clad in their black combat outfits. Once they were a few metres away Ranger and Bobby stepped forward while Tank and Lester hung back.

Buffy looked back down at Anna 'This is Bobby and Ranger, they are going to take a look at your injuries'

Anna looked from Buffy to Ranger and then to Bobby. She looked back at Buffy and nodded.

Bobby took in Anna's nod and begun seeing to her injuries. Buffy stayed next to Anna and watched in fascination as Bobby gently prodded and probed the ankle while asking Anna questions on where and when it hurt.

After a few minutes he seemed satisfied and started to strap the ankle. Once he was done he looked at Anna and asked 'Is there anywhere else'

Anna nodded but didn't say anything. Bobby looked at Buffy for help.

'Her ribs are damaged and I think she had been hit in the head a few times as well' Bobby slowly made his way to Anna's side and settled himself opposite Buffy but made no move to touch Anna.

'What's your name Kiddo' he asked

'Anna' she responded softly

'Anna' Bobby looked surprised and smiled 'my sisters name is Anna, she is a little but older than you though'

Anna was silent.

Bobby looked at Buffy and seemed to be asking her something; Buffy caught on and turned back to the girl who still had a death grip on Buffy's arms.

'Anna, Bobby needs to have a look at your ribs, he needs to see if anything is broken, can you show him where they hit you'

Anna nodded and sat up a little bit, She let go of Buffy's arms and gingerly lifted her shirt up. Bobby swore in Spanish and Buffy felt a wave of sympathy followed by a burning rage. Anna's torso was covered with multiple bruises, somewhere older ones that had begun healing and others were just starting to form. Bobby gently pulled her shirt back down and looked up at Ranger.

'I need a better location to deal with this'

Ranger looked at Buffy questioningly,

Buffy fought down her rage and tried to sound calm 'She can't go home'

Ranger nodded and walked over to Tank and Lester. They had a quiet conversation and Ranger headed back and said

'Bring her along'

Buffy stood up and gently helped Anna onto her good ankle. Anna whimpered in pain. Bobby frowned and went to pick her up. Anna's face changed instantly from pained to terrified. Buffy shook her head and Bobby paused. Much to his surprise Buffy carefully lifted Anna into her arms. She noticed Bobby's surprise and mouthed 'Later' to him.

He smiled and nodded while following her to the truck.

Tank and Lester where already gone, so Buffy lifted Anna into the back of the Bronco and slid in next to her, once she was in Anna reached over to Buffy and took her hand in another death grip. Buffy was proud of the strength in the young girl. She gave her a comforting smile and Anna seemed to relax a little.

Bobby jumped in next to Ranger.

They made the drive in silence, twenty minutes later Ranger pulled up outside a brick house and hoped out of the truck. Bobby opened the door for Buffy and carefully helped her lift Anna into the house.

Ranger led them into the house and into a large bedroom. Buffy placed Anna on the bed and Bobby immediately got to work. Anna kept her hold on Buffy's hand. Ranger took one look at the bruises and quietly swore, Buffy guessed no one but her in the room heard him. She cast a glance at him and noticed he had a blank look on his face. However his fists where clenched at his sides. He caught Buffy's gaze, nodded at her in understanding left the room, closing the door behind him.

It turned out that Anna had a couple of broken ribs and a few bumps on her head. Bobby gave some pain medication to help her sleep and packed up his things. By the time he was finished Anna had fallen asleep. Bobby motioned for Buffy to follow him out.

Buffy carefully released her hand from Anna's and quietly moved out of the room closing the door behind her. She followed Bobby into another room where Ranger, Tank and Lester where seated at a large table. Bobby sat down and Buffy took the seat next to him.

They all sat in silence.

Bobby was the first to talk. 'What happened'?

Buffy sighed and suddenly realised how tired she felt. 'I went for a walk after Ranger left and I heard a scream, There were three boys surrounding her, it looked like they were hitting her' Buffy paused. 'I made my way over to them, got their attention, we exchanged a few punches and kicks and they ran away'

Buffy ran her hand through her hair and slouched in her chair one by one she looked at the men around her and noticed they all looked tired. Her gaze rested on Ranger, and she was struck by how worried he looked. He caught her gaze and looked like he was trying to silently ask her something. Buffy was a little confused. What was going on?

Bobby snorted 'We could ask you the same thing sparky'

Buffy realised she must have spoken out loud and blushed bright red and glared at Bobby 'Sparky' she asked him questioningly

Bobby grinned 'its your new nickname, I think it suits you'

Buffy groaned and laid her head on the table. Lester and Tank burst out laughing.

'What' Bobby asked?

Lester smiled 'I don't think Buffy likes your nickname Bobby'

Bobby looked at Buffy embarrassed 'you don't have to have sparky you can pick something else if you want'

Buffy looked up at Bobby 'Why do I need a nickname'

'Everyone who works at Rangeman has a street name' Bobby almost whined.

Buffy frowned 'How did you know I will be working for Rangeman'

Bobby looked at Ranger confused 'The boss told us, we were in a meeting when you called discussing your new role'

Buffy looked up at Ranger and frowned 'Why wasn't I invited to this meeting'

Ranger smiled 'We were talking about you Buffy, not to you'

Buffy tried to glare at Ranger but soon found herself to tired to keep it up, she sighed 'What do we do now'

Ranger's smile disappeared 'Anna can stay here until she is healed, she seems to trust you and Bobby so you need to talk to her, tomorrow might be best, find out what she wants to do. You might want to call Steph in the meantime and get her to unofficially talk to Morelli about Anna's options'

Bobby nodded in agreement but Buffy frowned. 'Can I stay here until she is healed I think she might panic if she wakes up and I am not around'

Ranger gave a hint of a smile 'That was my intention Buffy'

'Thanks, to all of you for your help and understanding this evening, I would have taken her to the hospital but she was so terrified at the idea that I couldn't make her go'

Tank nodded, Lester winked and smiled. Bobby however looked at Buffy confused.

He thought a moment before asking 'How did you manage to lift Anna so easily, she must weigh more than you'

Tank and Lester looked at Buffy in surprise. Buffy looked at Ranger who had his blank expression in place. She wasn't sure if he wanted her to reveal her slayer status, but his blank expression seemed to tell her that it was up to her. Buffy laid her head in her hands and gave a deep sigh. She rubbed her hands over her face and wearily looked back to the three questioning faces.

Here goes nothing

'I am not sure how to start, it's a very long painful and complicated story' Buffy sighed again trying to think of a way to word her slayer status without sounding ridiculous. She looked back to Ranger who was watching her intensely.

'Just take your time Sparky' Lester encouraged Buffy

Buffy nodded and continued 'Thanks Lester, I guess you could say I am not your ordinary human, I have increased abilities, Strength, stamina, fighting skills, strategic' s and Instinct. Basically I protect people from things that they are not strong enough to fight. Which is why I can out spar Ranger and Tank'

Tank smiled and looked at Ranger who gave a brief nod 'You're the Slayer' Tank asked in wonder.

Buffy nodded.

Lester just laughed, but Bobby was confused 'The slayer, I don't understand' he looked at Tank and Ranger 'How did you know about this'

Ranger went on to explain his dealings with the initiative and Tank explained that he had been with Ranger at the time. Bobby looked at his team mates in disbelief then turned back to look at Buffy 'What does a slayer slay'

Buffy felt herself struggling to stay awake, 'Bad things'

Bobby just stared at her, Lester however was not going to let her get to sleep just yet 'people, you slay bad people' his tone was low and dangerous

Buffy shook her head and stifled a yawn 'You don't understand'

Lester pushed further 'Then help me understand'

She looked up at Ranger hoping for some help, he had taken a seat next to Tank. He caught her gaze and gave her a hint of a smile and a brief nod of his head. She guessed he wanted to hear this as well. If only she wasn't so tired. Buffy felt a little nervous, this was it. She was going to have to tell them about the demons and the vampires. Ranger and Tank knew about the slayer but they didn't know why there was a slayer or what she slayed.

Buffy didn't like being backed into a corner like this, she wanted to be able to tell them in her own time, when she felt it was right, she wasn't ready to face it all again especially when she was about to fall asleep.

'Look guys I want to tell you, but not now and not like this. I am tired, it's been a long day, hell it's been a long week. I have been in hospital, skip hunting, knocked out, hunted, fighting and healing. I need a good nights sleep, can we please finish this some other time' She looked at each of the men in front of her.

Bobby nodded and smiled at Buffy 'As long as you tell us Sparky I don't care when'

Tank just gave a slight incline of his head and Ranger stood. 'Agreed, we will all get some rest and resume tomorrow, Buffy you can take the room next to Anna's there is an adjoining bathroom you can use, you will find some clothes in the cupboard which you can sleep in'

Buffy gave him a grateful smile, Ranger just nodded then left the room followed closely by Tank and Bobby.

Buffy got up to leave but noticed Lester hadn't moved. He was staring at his hands with a troubled look on his face. She couldn't leave him like this.

'A penny for your thoughts Lester' she asked quietly

Lester looked up from his hands and frowned at Buffy 'I don't understand Buffy, you seemed so lively, full of life, you had a spark and I wasn't in the least surprised that you could take care of yourself. But then this comes out and I find you have been lying to us. How do I know that you aren't out to get Ranger and the Rangeman team, it wouldn't be the first time someone has tried' he sounded genuinely concerned. There was no anger in his voice.

Buffy sat back in her chair and rested her eyes on Lester 'I am not out to get Ranger or Rangeman, I didn't know you guys existed until I came here' her tone was light yet serious.

Lester watched her as if trying to determine if she was telling the truth 'Why should I believe you'

Buffy maintained Lester's stare 'I cant ask you to trust me, that is something I have to earn I know that, But trust Ranger. He trusts me, so does Stephanie'

Lester smiled 'Bombshell trusts some of her skips, not a great example there Sparky'

Buffy wasn't put off by his smile she knew he was still feeling troubled 'What do you want to know' she asked. She didn't want to make Lester uneasy about her. Especially since she was going to be working with him.

He looked thoughtful for a moment then asked 'Why did you come here, to Trenton'

'I don't know, I actually don't remember how I got here, last thing I remember was Sunnydale collapsing and I woke up in the hospital with Steph watching over me'

'Ok, its convenient but I believe you for now, what do you slay'

Buffy smiled grimly she knew this was what was bugging Lester the most he seemed to believe she went around judging who was good and who was evil and slaying anyone that didn't reach her standards of approval.

'You wont believe me' she told him quietly

'Try me, Please Buffy' he asked softly

'Why is it so important to you' she asked curious

Lester's blank expression came over his face 'I believe you were the one answering questions, so stop evading the topic and get to the point' all friendliness had left his face and his tone was cold.

Buffy nodded she was surprised to find herself hurt by the tone that Lester had taken with her. She wanted his friendship and found she wanted to tell him about being the slayer. She just hoped that he believed her and didn't think she was trying to pull a fast one. She got comfortable in her chair and started her story.

'I was fifteen when my life changed forever, I was called to be the next slayer, basically it goes something this, 'into every generation one is born, she alone will stand against the vampires and the forces of darkness, she is the slayer' Before I was called I was an ordinary teenager who liked shopping and talking about boys etc But one day after school an old man came to me and told me about my new destiny. That night he took me out to slay vampires. I had no idea what I was doing so I just let my instincts guide me. On my first stake I missed the heart. After that night my life changed for the better and the worse. When I am called a Slayer it doesn't involve people, just vampires, demons, man made psycho monsters, gods and evil spirits. I have never taken the life of a human in anything other than self-defence and to protect my sister Dawn. I protect humans Lester I don't murder them'

Buffy looked up to see Lester watching her, he wasn't smiling, he looked sad. "You were fifteen and you had to fight the monsters from little kids nightmares, why so young why only one'

Buffy shook her head 'I don't know really why there was only one, but I think it had to do with the balance of good and evil. I have learned a lot in my time as the slayer but one of the most important things is that everything is not so black and white. There are very few completely good beings if any at all, most people are in the grey area and tend to lean one way or the other at certain times throughout their life. I have seen pure evil and beaten it back with the help of some very grey area people. I was never really alone in my fight. I was one of the lucky ones. I survived'

Lester shook his head 'I don't know why but I believe you, I guess cause its hard to fake the kind conviction you have in your voice when you speak about slaying. But Buffy you said you didn't fight alone, where are your friends now'

A sad expression came over Buffy's face 'I don't know, I know they are safe, but I don't know where'

'So how strong are you really' Lester asked, his voice was back to its normal tone, but he was still masking his expressions

Buffy felt a little relieved at Lester's belief in her words 'I don't know really, I have never really tested it'

'I understand, maybe we can test it out during some of our training sessions, get a few of the guys to try and take you down and see what happens'

Buffy smiled a real smile for the first time in hours 'Not a bad idea, does this mean that you believe I am not out to get Ranger'

Lester nodded 'Yeah, I am sorry for doubting you, but Ranger, tank and Bobby are my family'

'You were only protecting them, I do understand'

'Yeah I guess you do, So do you still slay demons and stuff or is this bounty hunter thing a new line of work for you'

'I don't know really, I have been doing it so long that I don't know if I could ever really leave it behind. There are others to help with the burden now so I have more options, I don't know if I could really sleep at night knowing I wasn't out there doing what I was chosen to do, that innocent people could die because I decided I enough was enough'

Lester laughed 'Don't you think you are being a little irrational'

Buffy was silent

Lester continued 'I mean you have probably saved a bunch of lives already and it' not as if you really are the only one who can fight these creatures, Don't you get retirement or something'

Buffy shook her head 'A slayer only retires when she dies'

Lester looked at Buffy in disbelief he was about to say something but Buffy cut him off.

'Being a slayer is not just a job Lester, it's a part of who I am. I am Buffy Summers the vampire slayer. The instincts, skills and strength can' t be turned off or ignored. Besides it would be dangerous to let the energy and strength build without a release. To stop slaying would be like denying who you are. It wouldn't be safe for me or for those around me. You are right that there are others to fight the forces of darkness but that doesn't mean I can throw in the towel, is it really fair that I let other people fight alone. I don't think so, I couldn't live with myself. That's something I have learned the last few days'

Lester got out of his chair and walked around to where buffy was sitting. He held his hand out to her, Buffy placed her hand in his and Lester pulled her into a hug. Buffy was stunned, after a moment she found herself hugging him back. Trying to fight back the tears that were forming in her eyes. A few beats later Lester released her and set her on her feet.

'That's why you helped Anna' he asked

Buffy nodded 'I can't help myself'

Lester grinned 'Come on Sparky, lets get some rest, you have a big day tomorrow'

Buffy groaned 'I'm not going to get rid of that name am I'

'Nope, Bobby has his heart set on it, besides it suits you' Lester was still grinning as he turned and headed out of the room. Buffy followed close behind and went to head into the bedroom next to Anna's.

"Lester' she called out to him

'Yeah Sparky' he said as he turned to face her

Buffy smiled 'Thankyou'

'What for' he asked

'Being you' she said softly

Lester smiled 'You are welcome' and he turned and headed to his bedroom to sleep.

Buffy entered her bedroom and was asleep as soon as she hit the pillow.