"You know if you hit that bag any harder, it's going to need a transfusion."  Buffy, startled, stopped hitting the heavy bag like a manic and turned around.  For the past two hours, she had been taking her frustrations out in the ship's gym, and it hadn't been helping.

"Captain O'Malley, sorry, got caught up in the rush."  Buffy put on a brave smile and sat down, still looking at him.

"I'm sure.  Just like I'm sure My son has filled you in on our little family situation."

"Yeah, I mean yes.  You know it's an honor to meet you, an Irish samurai and all."  Captain O'Malley smiled at Buffy and sat across from her.

"I should be the one saying that about you.  You are quite the young woman."  Buffy blushed.

"Thank you, but right now, I don't think I am feeling too myselfish."

"Really?  Would you like to tell me about it?"

"Uh..."  Buffy hesitated but then smiled.  "Sure.  But not here."

"A walk on the deck?"  Captain O'Malley got up and gestured to the door.  Buffy followed him and they walked about while Buffy explained about the past seven and a half years.

                                                                    * * * *

"So that's it!  The story of me."  Buffy looked over at Captain O'Malley, who leaned on the edge of the rail, next to her.  They had finished their walk and Buffy's story looking out over the water as the boat glided away from the sunset.

"I think..."  Captain O'Malley, turning towards Buffy, gripped her shoulders, and looked into her eyes.  "For a young woman your age, you have to much on your shoulders."

"Well, slayage kinda cripples like that."  Buffy tried to avoid his eyes but George made her look at him.

"No.  You don't have to let it.  Buffy I have come in contact with far too many slayers over the path of my life."  Shocked, Buffy's mouth fell open.

"What?"

"From the ages 14 to 49, I have met a total of 50 slayers."

"You're kidding right?"

"No, and all of them have died far to soon."  George took his hands off Buffy's shoulders and sat down on the deck, Buffy followed him.  "I loved one.  Don't misunderstand me, I love Myles's mother with all my heart.  But a long time ago, my heart belonged to Helena, a young woman, a slayer.  I was 19, she 17.  Oh, Buffy, I loved her so, and she loved me.  Against warnings of both our family's--for our safety--we were to be wed.  On the eve before our wedding day, she was doing a regular patrol, I was to go with her, but I was detained by some work at my father's business.  Out of nowhere, she was attacked, over 90 vampires.  She fought, but finally they tore her apart.  I came along just in time to see her throat torn out and the last of her light in her eyes go out."

"Oh, I am so sorry.  Does Myles know?"

"Yes, I told him because..."

"Why?"

"Because I couldn't stand his heart to broken like mine was."  As he said this, George looked straight at Buffy.  For a second Buffy didn't know why, but then she realized what he meant.

"But we just met..."

"Buffy, you are a legend, when Giles first told us about you, Myles was 20 and captivated.  He found your...disregard for authority and the rules fascinating.  He would call Giles up and get weekly even daily reports."

"Wow."

"He's really been interested in you, you're kinda like his hero."

"Wow."  George laughed now.

"I can tell he likes you."  But suddenly his face turned grim.  "I hope you might like him, but I just don't want his heart to break.  God forbid anything might happen to you, I would hate it if it did, but..."

"Captain O'Malley, I'll admit I do...like...Myles, but I don't know if now is the time for anything to happen.  I mean what with Spike and..."

"I understand..."

"No, I mean I don't plan on anything happening to me, but I'm just not ready for a relationship."

"I do understand, Buffy.  Just be careful whatever you do."

"Thank you."

                                                                * * * *

 "Are we ever going to tell Buffy why we're here?"  Cordelia sat in the suite's living room, doing her nails.  Angel sat in the office, and leaned out to yell no.  "Why not, she deserves to know."

"I agree with Cordelia."  Wesley came out of the bedroom he was sharing with Angel.

"Thank you.  See Angel, we win, you lose."   Angel came out of the office, leaning against the doorframe, staring at his friends.

"We weren't going to tell her before, why now?"

"Because we are going to be spending three months on the ship with her and so will he."

"We can hide him."

"She's the slayer Angel, not to mention, Buffy."  Cordelia rolled her eyes at the vampire.

"Fine, I'll tell her tonight."  Angel picked up his jacket and headed towards the door.  Wesley and Cordy followed him, Wesley had a worried look on his face.

"Do you think it's a good idea for you to go alone?"

"For the very reason you are insinuating that I shouldn't go alone, I should go alone."  With that Angel walked out the door, with Cordy and Wes exchanging a look as he closed the door.