Xander and Buffy lifted the sheets of dry wall in place as Hope picked up the screw gun sinking the screws in place. Hope smiled as the last screw sunk. "God can you imagine how the Amish did this. I mean going old school with hand tools."

Xander smiled stepping back to look at the work they had done. "Thank God for automation."

Buffy smiled at Hope. "Hope you are incredible. I mean you are just as good at this stuff as Xander."

She smiled putting the screw gun down and shook her head. "I don't know about that."

Xander looked to her. "Don't be modest Hope. You have a real talent for this stuff."

She smiled at him. "Thanks that means a lot coming from you." She started picking tools up. "So with all of the sheets up we can start mudding and taping tomorrow."

Xander joined her picking up the tools. "Sounds good to me."

Buffy started tossing away the scraps. "So is this going to be a another bedroom?"

Xander shook his head "I was actually thinking of making a few vamp friendly rooms. That way Angel and Spike don't have to spend all day in the basement."

Hope dusted her hands off and looked to Xander. "So are we still on for tomorrow night."

Buffy stopped and smiled looking at Xander. "Tomorrow night?"

"Hope got tickets to the monster truck rally and actually knows one of the drivers so we can get a behind the scenes sort of thing. To answer your question Hope Hell yeah I am in. Love me some big monster trucks."

A few minutes later they were done picking up and Hope looked to Xander "I'll touch base with you later I got to lead my girls in a few safety enchantments."

He nodded at her "Thanks again."

Buffy watched the interaction waiting for Hope to get out of ear shot. "So Hope?"

"Pretty amazing isn't she?"

Buffy nodded just kept walking. "You are in to her?"

"What you mean like romantically?"

"No I men to sell her life insurance. Of course romantically."

Xander laughed and looked down rubbing the back of his head. "Your sister thinks I should make a move."

"Dawn said that?"

"I kind of think she's out of my league?"

"Oh come on Xander that's not true."

"Really cause she's like a ten and I'm what a soft 6."

Buffy rolled her eyes. "That is not true. It's not really the point though. It's not about if she likes you cause that much is pretty clear. It's about do you like her."

Xander stopped walking and leaning against the wall. He bit his lip. "She's incredible Buffy. You are right any guy would be in to her."

"But?"

"But I don't know if I'm ready for this. I mean I feel like I am still mourning Anya in some ways and I'm not sure if I am ready to move on. Then I don't know if right now is a good time for me to be trying to date. I mean there is all these rumors surrounding what Angel is investigating, then you and me are finally back on the same page and working as a team again, I'm constantly working on the school, drawing up battle plans. I just feel like now isn't a good time to take on something new."

Buffy looked at Xander sympathetically. "You know your situation better then anyone else. I love my sister but you can't let anyone push you in to something you aren't ready for. If you really feel that way then go with your gut."

Xander smiled "Thanks Buff." He started walking again. "I'm going to get cleaned up and then work on the tonight's plans."

Buffy scanned her memory. "Elmwood Cemetery tonight?"

"We aren't ready for the abandoned hospital. I want at least another week of planning before we go in." With that Xander went to his room. He pulled the blue prints for Elmwood and started drawing up the plans.

Buffy took a shower getting cleaned up after all the construction. She still had 2 hours though till she had to see Xander about the plans so she figured now would be a good time to relax with some simple meditation.

She sat on her bed closed her eyes and relaxed her mind. She visualized herself on the beach the warm salt water from the ocean misting her face. She could see the sun setting in the background and started to feel at total peace. She didn't need to turn around to know she was there. Buffy sighed. "So it's not just dreams anymore. You can come to me anytime?"

"Technically it's mediating and I am in a part of your mind."

She turned looking up at the other Buffy. "So what the lesson today?"

"No lessons today it's more of a warning?"

"What kind of warning?"

"You're going to start remembering more. I know you are afraid but it's coming."

"I'm not afraid. I'm not afraid of anything."

She sighed and stepped in front of her squatting down so she was eye level. "You don't have to do this anymore. I'm not your enemy and there is nothing wrong with being afraid. You don't have to act tough because you think I wouldn't be afraid. If you weren't afraid I'd be worried."

"I am strong. I am just as strong as you. I can deal."

"The memories that are going to come aren't going to be easy. I want you to be ready though."

She looked down at the sand. "What kind of memories?"

"They won't all be bad. You will even have some good memories. The thing is though I have lived real nightmares. I have seen things that were hard to deal the first time around and you'll be seeing them for the first time."

"So what should I do?'

She shook her head. "I have nothing to give on advice. You have to do this your way?'

"But you are always saying you are stronger and your way is."

"Don't hold me to this but there might be some things you are better at then me."

Buffy felt a smile spreading on her face. "Really?"

"I told you to run from the Xander situation but you didn't. You opened up and you faced it I don't think I could have been capable of that."

"You think I handled that well?"

"You don't push people away? You are better liked by the other slayers and people open up to you and you open up to them."

"You could have done that too."

She shook her head. "I was told being the slayer meant you were alone. She alone has to fight the forces of darkness. That word Alone wasn't just 5 letters. It was a way I lived my life." She sighed and touched her shoulder. "When the memories get tough, and they will, you should open up to your sister or Giles or anyone who will listen."

"Wow this is kind of a big moment for me. I mean I am actually better at something."

She laughed, "Don't get a big head. I am still a better fighter and have better instincts in the field.'

"I'll think about what you said."

"There is one last thing I wanted to talk to you about. You talked to Xander earlier today and gave him advice."

"He is my friend."

'Yeah but it was wrong."

"Excuse me. You just told me 10 seconds ago."

"I know what I told you. I also know that Xander has been waiting forever to move on from Anya. He can't keep making excuses not to live his life."

"But he said he's not ready. A good friend should support and stand by when."

She interrupted shaking her head. "This wasn't about you being a friend. This was about your fear."

"My fear."

"You have grown close to Xander an he's your leaning post. You are afraid that if he finds another someone else maybe you'll lose him."

"So I gave him bad advice, for my own selfish reasons. I wouldn't do that. I am a better friend than that."

She just laughed. "Who do you think you are lying to? I am up here" She pointed to her temple. "I know the same things you do and I know why you did it."

Buffy sighed letting go of a breath. "Look she's not right for him. Hope is nice but."

"You are starting to feel these things towards him. Things that." She let go of a breath. "Are better left alone."

"But."

"Nothing. There is going to come a day when it won't be you and it won't be me. It will just be us as 1. When that happens I don't think I can feel what you do for him and if I lost him because of something you did. Something you felt."

"Right so we can pick a vampire?"

"This isn't about love or being with anyone. This is about figuring out who we are. Maybe some day down the road we'll find love."

She listened to the words and knew she was right. She swallowed the lump in her throat. "Right now figuring out who I am. I guess it isn't the optimal time."

"I know you were meditating for relaxation and all but you probably more stressed before you laid back."

"Kind of a lot on the plate all at once."

"And now it's time to get ready for patrol."

With that Buffy opened her eyes and stood up off the bed. She thought about everything and knew that one thing she could fix immediately. She changed in to some clothes for patrol then on schedule went down hall and to Xander's room She knocked on the door.

Xander looked at his clock knowing it was Buffy right on time. "Come in." He sat at his desk scribbling down details on the blue prints. "Hey Buffy I'm just about finished. Why don't you come on over and I'll walk you through the details."

"Actually I was hoping before we talk strategy I could talk to you about something else."

Xander could tell by the tone it was important he spun around in his chair. "Something on your mind?"

"I've been thinking about Hope and what I told you."

"Buffy you don't have too rehash I mean I agree with you."

"I was wrong."

Xander stood up. "What?"

"I think I told you what you wanted to hear cause I was trying to be a good friend but."

"Buffy I don't think I'm ready to move on from Anya. Plus now isn't a good time for me to think about dating."

"Xander there will always be a reason for you not to move on. I know it's easy and safe to stay in that comfortable place but love shouldn't be about comfortable. It should be a little hard and scary and."

"Buffy I."

"Just listen please. I know you are afraid and you have this sense of loyalty. You are my best friend Xander and I want you happy. You deserve to be happy and I think Hope could be that happiness for you."

"You know this could all be moot. I mean what if she doesn't like me?"

"Take a chance Xander. I know its scary but you can do this."

"Okay fine I'll think about what you said."

"Sorry but we aren't taking I'll think about what you said as a viable answer today. I want you to promise me you'll ask her out. On a date a real date."

"Buffy."

"I can stand here and wait as long as it takes."

Xander rolled his eyes. "You are a huge pain in the ass. Flip flopping your answer on me but fine. You win. I'll ask her out."

"Promise."

"Yes."

"No say it. Say you promise."

"Fine I promise I will ask her out."

She grabbed him in a hug squeezing him. "Thank you."

He gasped for air and looked at her. "Can we talk some battle strategy now?"

"God please yes."