Cat couldn't believe that an hour ago she had been begging Buffy. Begging her for what hadn't been clear but what she had gotten was Buffy's help. Well not only Buffy's help but that of all the "Scooby Gang".

Willow was over at the house gathering up some important things for Cat, her books from Sophia, a few things from her mother and most importantly her reminders of her time spend on the farm with Riley. She had decided that was all she needed, the rest she would leave behind. To start over.

Xander had gotten back from trading in Cat's car. With the extra cash Cat had given him he had managed to get a serviceable mini van. Everyone was helping to load the car. Even Spike was being helpful, he had packed a cooler of blood for Cat. He said he was just trying to get her "hooked' so she would move on to the good stuff. Either way Cat was almost ready to leave, Giles had packed a cooler of his own with actual food in it.

As she was getting her instructions from Buffy, which included a map and letter, they heard a car pull up. Riley jumped out and raced towards them. Her friends gathered around her, Willow spoke up "You can't have her, she is going someplace where she will be safe!!"

Riley shrugged and a strange look came over his face, "I guess I deserve that!" then he turned to Cat. "I didn't realized what would happen to you, I am sorry. But are you sure you are all right? I mean you have sort of changed and......" Riley trailed off, he didn't want to give to much away to people he hardly knew.

"It's OK Riley, everyone here knows what is wrong with me. They know about my father's attack and everything." Cat was sort of proud that she had been able to get her story out and that these people had sympathized and tried to understand. More importantly they hadn't tried to dissect her!

Buffy got into Riley's face, "Everything includes what you and your army friends have been doing here in Sunnydale!" It was definitely more of a warning then a statement of fact. After Buffy's had finished, Cat took him aside to talk.

"Riley, please let me go. I can get help once I am out of Sunnydale, I am not going to let 'this' get the better of me!!" all the years of frustration had build up and she realized that this was her last chance.

"It's not that I don't want you to be safe, but I just found you again. I had thought that maybe we would be able to....." again Riley was at a loss for words.

"What, hook up, get together? Come on Riley what we felt this time was the past. We were both trying to relive the past, it would have never worked. Besides I see the way you look at her!!" this time it was Cat's turn to shrug.

"Who? Buffy?" even as he spoke Riley glanced over at Buffy.

"Yeah and guess what? She looks at you the same way!." Cat took Riley's hands, "Look it won't be easy. Any of it, letting go of the past or starting over but we have to do it. Please just let me drive away and then both of us can get a fresh start."

Riley stared deep into Cat's eyes for what seemed like an eternity. He saw the past, the good and the bad and he realized she was right. He had to let go, with that he removed his hands, got into his car and drove away.

The good-byes were far from over, Cat still had to say goodbye to Buffy and the gang. It was emotional and hard but she got through it. Before she got in the van she whispered to Buffy, "He'll be back for you. Please give him a chance!"

She relived those last few minutes thousands of times as she drove, listening to Enrique Iglesias' "Sad Eyes" didn't help her mood. Depression and fear had started to creep in after hours of driving. Glancing at the map on last time, Cat was sure she had the right address.

Getting her courage up she entered the building, as she opened the office door she was greeted with a friendly, "Angel Investigations, We help the helpless!"

THE END