It had been five years since Buffy, Dawn and the rest of the gang had blown up Sunnydale. They had just arrived in England a couple of days ago. Giles had hired a little house in San Francisco but the rent had finally run out and they couldn't afford to carry on living there. He had told them both to meet him in England but a friend of his was there instead.

"Giles has sent me this, he said this should help you rent a house, a car and get you settled in until you manage to find a job. After that you're on your own," The man had told them, handing an envelope over.

The same conversation went around in Buffy's head she couldn't believe that the only friend they knew here had finally abandoned them.

oOo

"It's no good," Dawn moaned putting her head on the cafe table.

"Come on we have to think positive," Buffy suggested, looking through a newspaper.

"Think positive she says," Dawn said under her breath, "We have been around nearly all landlords and even the estate agents here won't help, not without a guarantor."

"Maybe your right, the hotels aren't bad here but even they are not cut out for long stays. Maybe someone here could help us out, "

Buffy set her sights on a young girl, she had long crinkly Ash blonde hair, which was half down and half platted at the left side of her head, she was handing out leaflets to everyone in the cafe.

"Excuse me. Could you help me?" Buffy asked, tapping the girl on the shoulder.

"Leaflet," the girl suggested.

Buffy took it and folded it up, putting it in her back pocket, "Look my sister and I are looking for a place to rent, I was hoping you might know somewhere seen as you look to be from around here."

"Have you tried the agents they should be able to help you," the girl told them, then went back to handing out leaflets. She watched Buffy walk away with an unnoticeable gaze, and then smirked to herself.

"Come on Dawn, we're leaving," Buffy grabbed her things then left the cafe.

"So I'm guessing you couldn't find anyone to help then?" Dawn questioned, but didn't get a respond from Buffy.

"Excuse me, you've forgot this," a voice called over.

Buffy and Dawn turned around to see the same girl from the cafe. She seemed to be holding up a purse. Buffy could have sworn she had put it in her bag a moment ago. "I don't think," the blonde stopped mid-speech, when she rummaged through her bag the purse wasn't there. She must have dropped it after all.

"Thanks, I didn't feel it fall out," Buffy took it and checked to make sure nothing was missing.

"You didn't drop it, I took it," She truthfully said.

"Look if you're looking for a fight, I promise, you won't win, " Buffy crossed her arms, now getting more annoyed.

"You said you were looking for a house, am I wrong?"

Buffy didn't say a word.

"Well I know someone who might be able to help you,"

"Why didn't you just say that in the first place?" Buffy said getting annoyed.

"Look we have a lot of people from around the world and most of them could afford to buy a house. We like to help those that genuinely can't afford to rent and from the way you two were talking it seemed you were just going from hotel to hotel. Take this card, my sister owns a little shop just around the corner, she should be able to help you," the young woman told them.

"Ariel, come on we're going to be late," Someone called. "

The young woman turned around and shouted back, Buffy followed the other woman's gaze, it landed on another young woman who looked to be a bit older than herself, she had long dark red hair that flowed down her shoulders with a fringe that was parted half at the side, she didn't look too happy.

"I have to go, ask for Charlotte, and tell her Ariel sent you," the girl then started to walk away, "Lilith wait up, I'm coming."

A girl about the age of 5 with long blonde hair came running down and pulled on Buffy's top.

"My friend says you're not welcome in her house." The little girl told her.

"Sharron, stop bothering people," the red-haired woman shouted.

"Coming Auntie Lilith," the little girl swung around at the sound of her name. The tails of the bow in her hair flew out like there was a gust of wind but nothing could be felt.

Buffy looked down at the card and read, "Through the ages," When she looked back up both women were gone.

oOo

Both girls found the shop pretty easy, they walked in and noticed a young handsome looking man at the counter.

"Excuse me I'm looking for Charlotte."

"May I ask what it's about?" the young man asked sternly.

"Ariel sent us she said Charlotte could help us,"

"In that case I'll go grab her," the man disappeared into the back room.

It wasn't long before he reappeared this time followed by a young woman. She didn't look to be much older than Buffy. Her hair started from a light pink at her roots and flowed into a darker pink, it looked to be tucked up into a bun. She had a long fringe that flowed down each side of her face.

"I heard Ariel has sent you," The woman asked nearing the small blonde.

"Yes, we are looking to rent a house. Ariel said you could help us, I think that's what she said her name was" Buffy told her.

The woman turned to the man they had seen earlier, "Jack why don't you go for your break."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes its fine I can handle things from here," she then turned back to Buffy and Dawn, "Is it just the two of you?"

"It is," the blonde confirmed.

The pink-haired woman turned around and started to rummage through a drawer just behind the counter. She took out a large file, placed it on the counter and flicked through then coming to a stop.

"The only house I have at the minute is this one," she pointed to a picture of an old-looking Victorian style house

It has one double bedroom, two smaller bedrooms, an average size kitchen, two living rooms and one bathroom." The woman flicked through a few pictures of the empty house, "We can supply you with the furniture for a small fee."

"How much is it?"

"£500 a month, I will collect the rent at the end of each month in person. You do know Pounds don't you?"

"Yeah that's fine, we'll take it."

"I'll call Jack and have him bring up the furniture, if you want to just read and sign the contract. I'll then take you up."

oOo

The previous night the young woman had taken the two up to the house told them as many details about where everything was, about the house and where to find her if they needed anything. The furniture had arrived the same day and both Buffy and Dawn and decided to stay in this morning to get the house tidied up a bit.

"Buffy quick look at this," Dawn squealed.

"What's wrong?" Buffy ran into one of the living rooms.

"This dolls house it's same as the house,"

"Yeah it's a replica, I think they did that sort of thing years ago, the people who lived here last must have liked it,"

"You can keep it if you want," Buffy told her.

"No, I'm not ten," Dawn laughed.

"Then help me throw it out then." Buffy just rolled her eyes.

Quite a bit of time had passed since they started to clean up the house. It was now starting to get dark.

"Now the house is sorted we should go check out some of the clubs," Dawn nudged Buffy.

"I don't know,"

"Come on just for a little while, we could grab a bit to eat as well. I'm guessing they do meals."

"Fine, just for one drink and only with the meal." Buffy sternly said.

oOo

Five drinks later and both women were still in the club.

"See I knew you needed the break,"

"Of course you did. More like I think we both need a bit of fun in our lives,"

"B is that you?"

Buffys eyes widened at the familiar-sounding voice. She turned to see a dark-haired young woman, she seemed a little different, her hair seemed a little lighter and straighter. It actually looked as though she was finally looking after herself.

"Wow, Faith I didn't realise you were into stalking now," Buffy turned to face the younger girl.

"If I was I wouldn't bring an accomplice," Faith pointed to the ginger next to her.

"Buffy, I thought I would never see you again," the ginger hugged her old friend tightly.

"Willow, why am I not surprised to see both of you together," Buffy said tapping her friend on the back.

"It's not what you think."

"Mind if we join you, it'll be like old times," Faith smiled, "I'm buying."

Faith sat down next to the blonde and beckoned a waitress over, "Could I get four bottles of lager.

"You should have seen red here the other day. We went out to a club and she had that much to drink she managed to pick up at least 20 phone numbers from men. I, on the other hand, left with none," Faith spat out.

"She's kidding," Willow replied trying to hide her embarrassment.

"That I could actually believe," Buffy giggled.

All four women started to reminisce about the old days until about 1 am in the morning.

"Buffy I think we should call it a day,"

"See now Dawn has turned into me," Buffy joked but just got a serious look from her sister, Then turning back to the dark-haired slayer "Ok, Faith why don't we go half?"

"Fine by me," Faith took out some money and placed in the middle of the table.

"So where are you two staying?" Buffy asked placing the other half of the cash on top of Faiths.

willow and Faith glanced at each other with worried looks.

"Don't tell me you this wasn't a coincidence we bumped into each other, typical," Buffy grabbed Dawn's arm and started to walk away.

"B wait," the dark-haired woman grabbed her friend's arm and swung her around. "We know what Giles did to you because he did the same to us. Us meeting like this was pure coincidence. All he said was he had sent you two to England but we didn't know we would meet up. We have a bit of cash so we've just been staying in hotels." "

"Well for both your sakes I hope your telling the truth. I'm not that mean so I guess for tonight you could stay with us but if you want to stay longer you're going to haveto pay rent," Buffy demanded. "We have one spare bedroom which one of you can use and the other will have to sleep in one of the downstairs rooms."

oOo

"Nice, not bad, " Faith nodded, examing the house.

"Why didn't you tell me this house had a replica," Willow shouted.

"Probably because dawn and I threw it out, " Buffy confessed, walking in to see the house in the same place.

Willow looked at it inside and out checked out the work, "This could be worth a fortune, I'm guessing Victorian, I think. Did the real estate agent say anything about it, "

"Charlotte, no she didn't,"

"Whose Charlotte?" Willow asked.

"Our landlord, We should see her in the morning about you two staying as well."

"I'll come with you, " Willow offered, slamming the walls shut, which sent a small shake through the house.