"Adam! Man, that's twice! How many times do you have to save our butts?" Carlos asked, pushing his way next to him.

   Adam looked mildly annoyed; although it was obvious he was almost smiling. "As many times as you need it." He shook his finger at Carlos reproachfully. "You know, back in my day…we introduced people as soon as they met."

   Carlos rolled his eyes. "This is Adam," Carlos said, poking Zhane in the side. "This is Zhane. Introductions over."

   Adam lost his almost-smile. "Not quite."

   Adam raised a hand, motioning for Buffy and the others to show themselves. He smiled at the Rangers, who looked disbelieving, worried and happy all at once.

   "This is Buffy. This is Xander. This is the Ranger team. Introductions almost over," Adam said as the two walked down from behind the tree.

   "Uh, Adam? Code of conduct and stuff? Why are you telling them who we are?" Cassie asked.

   Adam looked seriously at all of them. "Right now, I need you to trust me, and to listen to what I have to say. Somewhere more private?" he asked.

   Andros raised his wrist. Something about this planetary Ranger made him sure that he was telling the truth. "DECA, nine to teleport."

   "Beam me up, Scotty," Xander muttered under his breath.

   "Nice place you've got here," Buffy remarked idly.

   The Rangers removed their helmets, and both Xander and Buffy inwardly gasped. All of them looked so…young. Probably not any older than themselves. Both tuned back in when they heard someone introducing the team.

   "You're probably going to forget all our names, so just call out a colour and the right one will come running," the one in blue said. "I'm TJ, yellow is Ashley, pink is Cassie, black is Carlos, silver is Zhane and red is Andros."

   "Now," Andros said after TJ had finished. "What do you need from us?"

   Adam turned serious. "Help. Now don't freak on me, Carlos especially. I'm a vampire." Stunned silence. "This is the vampire Slayer." More silence. "And this is just an idiot along for the ride."

   "Okay, number three and maybe number two I can believe," Cassie started. "But you're a vampire?"

   Adam offered his hand to Carlos. "I know you have a cross somewhere. Put it on my hand." Carlos looked at him warily. "Go on." Very slowly Carlos lifted a hidden necklace from around his neck of a silver cross. He placed it on Adam's hand, who immediately closed his fist. A few seconds went by, and slowly a tiny plume of smoke rose from his hand. Adam quickly opened it and threw Carlos his cross as quickly as he could. The small symbol was burnt into his hand.