Ranger finished his phone call to Tank then came and settled himself next to Buffy, He looked at her for a moment before speaking she still had her eyes closed but her body was tense. He still couldn't quite grasp the strength this woman possessed but was glad she hadn't tried to leave again. He knew he would have had a hope in stopping her if she really wanted to go.

'Steph has agreed to come'

Buffy opened her eyes and looked at him 'that was quick'

Ranger smiled 'Tank told her she was going to see the bat cave'

Buffy was fully alert now 'the what?'

Ranger's smile broadened 'the bat cave, Stephanie and Lula are convinced I have a bat cave hidden somewhere in Trenton'

Buffy shook her head in amusement 'And do you'

Ranger nodded 'I have a home; yes I wouldn't call it a bat cave, there's more light less rodents'

Buffy smiled 'And is this it?'

'What do you think' Ranger asked her

Buffy took a moment and looked around the room somehow she didn't think so she had a feeling Ranger's home would feel nicer more comfortable less unlived in. 'No, I think this is a high security safe house, but not the Batcave, and you know if I can tell Steph will know as well she knows you a lot better than I do'

Ranger frowned slightly 'Steph doesn't know me that well'

Buffy caught the slight edge in his voice 'She knows the important parts, the ones that matter'

Ranger gave her a strange look 'And what are they'

Buffy thought for a moment 'She can rely on you, trust you, and you are supportive and a good friend and she knows you care about her. She doesn't really need to know much else'

Ranger was now frowning 'I disagree, there are things about me she will probably never know, things that might change her mind about me'

Buffy sighed 'is that why you didn't make a move, didn't pursue a relationship with her when you had the chance'

Ranger gave Buffy a hard look 'it was never on the cards, she's with Morelli and my lifestyle doesn't allow for getting to close to people'

Buffy gave Ranger an assertive look 'Are you serious, because you hunt bad guys and run a security company and may are involved in some big top secret bullshit, that you cant have a relationship'

'It wouldn't be fair Buffy, most people can't handle it'

Buffy sat up in her seat and looked Ranger in the eye 'I think you underestimate peoples ability to deal with tough situations and personally I think you underestimate Stephanie and her ability to deal with the lifestyle she is drawn to it and she hasn't fled yet and you are friends what makes you think she would if you were lovers'

Ranger just shook his head 'You don't understand Buffy'

Buffy gave a frustrated groan 'why because I am young, or because I am I don't know anything about your life, your right I don't, but I do know about keeping secrets and trusting people to deal with the truth, the feeling of concern that you have with their safety if you involve them in your life, and the fear that it might one day get them killed. But I also know what it is like to have people make those decisions for me and how unfair it is to be not given a choice. Every single time I have let someone in, let myself love them it has ended in them leaving me. But I wouldn't change having loved them or being loved by them even if it meant I never experienced the hurt I felt when they left; I still had that time with them. I know there are few people that will be able to deal with what I am and what I have done, and I will probably have to hide a lot from them, but I have not given up that one day I will find that again with someone, I think you shouldn't either '

She looked at Ranger and met his eyes 'Give Stephanie a chance, let her into your life and she will deal, she is a strong person Ranger she is one of those few people that will be able to handle the truth regardless of what it is'

Ranger's eyes darkened at her words and she saw them harden at the last part 'don't presume you know what I want from Stephanie or my life, I understand you wanting to help and wanting Stephanie to be happy, but this isn't your life it is mine and Steph's and not your concern'

Buffy stiffened at his words and she looked at him for a moment longer before pulling her gaze from his and nodding slightly, she stood up from the lounge and headed back to the window

'ok Ranger, I wont get involved in your life, I get the point, i am sorry for giving a damn' her tone was cold and distant more than Ranger had heard her use. She just stared out the window her body tense.

Ranger knew she was trying to help both Stephanie and himself, but he didn't like people interfering in his life especially when they didn't know all the facts. But looking up and seeing the pain on Buffy's face at his words he felt a hint of remorse that he had been so harsh. She maybe stronger than anyone he had ever met, but she was still able to be hurt in the emotional sense, he was starting to get a fuller image of her as a person than he had before, her life before coming to Trenton had been hard, he knew that just by looking at her, he had seen the signs on so many before, he had hired some of them. But seeing her reaction to his words he knew she feared rejection. She had been hurt in the past and deeply which made him ponder her willingness to let Stephanie, himself and the merry men in to her life on such short acquaintance. She was loyal, trustworthy and capable but more than that she had a big heart and this just made him want to keep her around even more.

Ranger left Buffy standing out the window; he figured she might want sometime to herself. He headed upstairs and set about getting Buffy's and Stephanie's rooms ready. He wasn't sure what it was going to be like having both women staying under the same roof with him and his core team. He knew both Stephanie and Buffy got along well, as did tank, Lester and bobby But Ranger had a bad feeling about the whole thing. Buffy and Steph hated being copped up and it was only going to be a matter of time before they started planning an escape. He was going to need all the help he could get.