A/N:

Okay so a couple of things for people to know, firstly this is going to be a long fic hence the reason it's a little slow, damn exposition! Anyway don't worry things will start to pick up and become actiony soon enough.

Secondly to anyone who was worried this is B/A all the way, there will be nice fluffy moments and they will get together but I am, as Joss would say, going to make them earn it. They have issues that need to be worked through so I will make them go through it.

Thirdly I know the last few chapters have been a bit aimless but I finally gotten most of my plot sorted so hopefully the next few will be better and I will eventually go back and do a rewrite on what's already up.

Anyway thanks again for all the feedback its great and scary all at the same time. Again, anyone know of a beta? Or even a group where I can get longer feedback or some discussion? Let me know if you do!

Kathy felt like beating her head against a brick wall.

'Good god could they be any more stubborn' she thought.

She sat on her bed, the sun streaming in the window, her legs were crossed and she was desperately trying to meditate. Years of experience had taught her that she must be calm and centred in order to control her powers otherwise she'd be picking up stray thoughts all day long. Unfortunately she was just too curious to completely tune out everyone in the hotel just yet. She needed to know what was going on in their heads so that she could help guide them like she was suppose to, only problem was she had also discovered that they were the world's most stubborn group of people. She was growing frustrated as she sensed Buffy over think the decision to stay and convince herself that there was nothing left between her and Angel anymore.

'Yeah,' thought Kathy, 'And the Pope practises Wicca.'

The dynamics of the group were complex, interesting and sometimes stupid. While they could fight demons and battle apocalypses with an amazing unity they each carried the pain of loss, which drove them apart. They were as close as any blood family but as far apart as one as well. They had seen and experienced too much over the years to be able to leave anything go and as a result each carried more baggage than a major airline. Kathy also knew that it was part of her job to lighten the load and help them deal, of course to do that was going to take time. She had one major advantage though; her telepathy meant that she could see what it was that each person really wanted and needed and also the best way to show them how to get it. If only they could get past their stubbornness. With that she gave up trying to meditate and hauled herself off of the bed. Picking up some of her stuff she sighed before heading to the shower, hoping that the hot water would relax her at least a little before dealing with the drama downstairs.

"So, you guys have decided to stay." Kathy declared as she walked into the kitchen where Buffy and the others were seated.

"What, how did you know? Did you use your telepathy to read our minds?" Xander looked up in shock.

"I heard you say it as I came in Xander. I don't go around just reading people's minds it would give me too big a headache."

"Oh, sorry; just a little freaked." He looked sheepishly at the floor.

"You'll have to excuse Xander he doesn't like the idea that someone might be in his head, he's scared that all he thinks about is sex and that someone may find that out." Buffy looked at Xander remembering her own little adventure with hearing the inner workings of her friend's brain. "Don't you get tired or you know insane, hearing everyone all the time? I know I had a hard time dealing with the whole mind reading thing and I only had the power for a little while."

Kathy smiled, "I've gotten used to it, it was a little weird at first but it came on gradually and I learnt to control it. Now I've gotten a handle on it it's kinda like your powers. You can control them and you know your limitations and what exactly you can do and they become a part of you. I don't know what I'd do if I lost them I don't think I'd be really me."

Buffy nodded in understanding as she remember when she had lost her own powers and how different she had felt, like she wasn't quite complete.

"Anyway back to what I was saying, you guys have decided to stay and I'm sure you want to get the details worked out as soon as possible so why don't we get the others and starting working on it." Kathy asked.

Willow looked at Kathy before she could leave and asked, "Kathy, are you sure about this? I mean do you think this will work all of us here together and trying to get along. We all get along for short periods but I mean this is everyone living together and working together and that can lead to world endage and stuff, so I'm not sure it's a great idea."

Kathy paused for a moment, not quite sure how to answer, then she spoke. "I have a lot of respect for what you guys have done, all of you, the LA gang included but this is necessary so we really don't have much of a choice. Look don't worry too much, just know that part of my purpose here is to guide everyone and make sure they're doing okay so if things get bad I'll know about it and I'll handle it.

Giles looked at her with interest, "how exactly will you handle it?"

Kathy grinned at him, "I usually find that a smack across the back of the head does the trick." With that she walked out of the room.

The LA gang gathered in the lobby of the Hyperion where the rest where waiting for them. Most of them were seated around the room but Buffy and Angel had both elected to stand, each on opposite ends of the group. As had been the case the previous night Angel did not look at the Slayer and she spent most of the time staring at the floor. The tension between them was becoming evident even to the others and the Scoobies shifted nervously in their seats unsure of Angel's reaction to their decision.

Buffy looked at Wesley and Gunn when she spoke, knowing they would be neutral territory. "We've talked it over and we agreed that it makes sense to stay, so we are. There are so many things that need to be worked out for this to happen but most of it is paper work so we can leave it aside for now. There are however some matters that need to be discussed and agreed on before we can go ahead with this, we need to make certain things clear for everyone's sake."

Wesley looked at Angel before replying to Buffy. "I understand and I agreed, we especially need to figure out who exactly is in charge here otherwise it's going to get complicated. I know you have been training the new Slayers and taking care of them and I believe in that regard nothing should change but when it comes to fighting and the general running of everything here we have been used to doing things our own way and that has meant following Angel."

"Wow, wait a second, I'm not signing up to this to take orders from dead boy here, if we do this then we do this with Buffy as our leader," Xander protested.

"Hey watch who you're insulting there man, I've been following Angel for the four years and I'm not about to change that, and in case you haven't noticed this is his building and you are the guests." Gunn stood in front of Xander as he replied in order to back up his opinion.

The other members of the group all began to squabble as to who should be in charge and as the debate grew more heated Buffy grew more annoyed.

"STOP!"

The fighting suddenly ceased as everyone turned to look at Buffy and Angel both of whom have shouted at the same time. The looked at each other slightly embarrassed and Buffy nodded for Angel to go ahead.

"I'm not going to fight for the leadership of this little group, mostly because I don't want it. I'm tired of doing this but it's not like we're going to get a break so here's what I propose. When it comes to the general training of the girls and the running of the Council Giles has already got a handle on that so we should let him continue. Who ever has been helping you up till now I'm sure would prefer it that way and it will cause the least problems, although I would suggest that you bring Wesley in on it since he was a Watcher and he has a lot of field experience. As for the actual fighting and everyday demon hunting that goes on here what I propose is that Buffy and I share that responsibility, that way everyone is happy, or not. You got a problem you come to us, we'll work together with Giles and obviously help out with the Council but when it comes to fighting what we say goes. Now does that suit everyone? Or would you all like to bicker like five year olds for another few hours."

Buffy looked at Angel, unsure of how to react. She was surprised he had taken charge so quickly but she was used to him following her lead like he had in Sunnydale, here it was different. Here he was a leader in his own right and he had a family that looked to him for strength much like she had. What threw her the most though was the way in which he spoke; his voice was filled with tiredness and a sense of despondency. Even looking at him she could see that his shoulders were slumped and there was a generally air of resignation about him. It looked like he had no fight left in him and that scared her. She remembered Christmas day on top of the hill in Sunnydale where he had tried to finish it all and even then there had been emotion and passion in what he had done, here though there was nothing.

"I agreed with Angel, I think that's the best plan and I'm sure that you all agree too. As for the legalities, Giles and Gunn can discuss them and he'll figure out the best way to do this. As for everyone else why don't you take a look around the hotel and see what it is we need to do here in order to get the place ready, Xander I'm sure you have a better idea what that requires than anyone else so why don't you take charge there. If that's okay with everyone then lets get going." Kathy said.

Everyone nodded in agreement and stood. Angel turned to leave but stopped when he heard his name.

"Liam, can I talk to you?" Kathy looked at him with concern written across her face.

"Sure," he replied.