A/N: This chapter hasn't been beta'd so I could get it out quicker so forgive the mistakes.

Chapter 7 -- Roaming

You called?

Cassie had her hand on the patio door, and her brain was telling her to get inside before whoever was out there decided to make an appearance. But at the same time, all her instincts were telling her it was safe – that the person was a friend. The teenager was frozen with indecisiveness, allowing the owner of the voice to make their appearance.

With a gasp, Cassie recognized the blonde girl from her dream as she stepped from the bush. She appeared to be about the same age, with shoulder length blond hair and green eyes that were sparkling with mischief. Within seconds the girl was on the patio and sat on the railing, watching Cassie with amusement. Cassie knew the girl wasn't a Goa'uld, but there was still something different…she didn't move like a normal human.

More like a predator.

But still, Cassie found herself sitting back down and faced the girl. Her eyebrows crinkled, wondering what she should say.

"What do you want to do?"

Cassie started at the abrupt question, and involuntarily a "Huh?" escaped her throat. The girl repeated her question patiently, the amused smiling never faltering for a moment.

"I…I don't…I don't know what you're talking about…" Cassie said hesitantly, wondering what the girl was talking about…and acting as if they were already friends.

"That's what you've been asking yourself for the last few weeks, isn't it? All you're thoughts have been about the future; about who you'll be or what you'll become; if you're decisions will cause you to lose someone else…"

Cassie's head shot up at that. She stood suddenly and moved towards the door.

"Who are you?" she demanded, ready to call Sam for help. But, just as before, they girl simply continued to smile serenely at the agitated girl.

"I'm the Last and guardian of all those that fall before me; I am the heir to the power and duty of the First," the cocked her head to the side, "and apparently just as cryptic. But you can just call me Buffy."

Sam stretched in front of her laptop and grimaced slightly as she glanced at the clock. Whenever she got into studying the physics related to the Stargate, she had a tendency to lose track of time. Guiltily, she realized that it was way passed Cassie's bedtime – again – and hoped the girl had went to bed on her own. Sam sighed. There were times when Sam felt she wasn't up to the responsibility Janet had placed upon her when she gave her custody of Cassie. Facing down a mad Goa'uld with a god-complex was nowhere near as frustrating as trying to raise a teenager.

Quietly, Sam made her way to Cassie's room and looked inside. It took a moment for the empty bed to register in her mind, and even then another moment for the worry to hit. Quickly she made her way through the house, only to find every room empty. Stepping out onto the porch, she searched the dark surroundings frantically but there wasn't a sign of the teenager.

Moving inside, Sam dialled off a number by heart.

"Jack?"

"Sam? Why the hell are you calling…at three o'clock in the fucking morning?" a groggy Jack answered.

"Is Cassie there with you?"

Jack's head cleared at not only the question but also the tone of Sam's voice; he hadn't heard her so worried since the last time one of the members of SG-1 had gotten seriously injured.

"No…is she missing?" he asked, trying to remain calm. "How long has she been gone?"

"I don't know. I've been working in my study since eight, and I don't remember seeing her after that," Sam said a little guiltily, realizing that she should be spending more time with Cassie.

"All right. I'll call Daniel and General Hammond and see if they haven't heard from Cassie. Check around at her friends' places and see if any of them have heard from her. If you find her or hear anything, call me on my cell phone. I'll start looking around at any place Cassie might go."

The two SGC members hanged up the phone, both asking themselves the same question.

Where have you disappeared to, Cassie?

"I can't believe I'm doing this," Cassie muttered under her breath, trying to keep up with the other girl. Buffy ran through the forest as if she were born there, barely making a sound or disturbing a leaf. Cassie, on the other hand, had several scratches on her arms and who-knows-what stuck in her hair. Just when she felt that her heart would burst out her chest she suddenly found herself in a clearing.

A fire burned at its centre, and it took a moment a moment for Cassie's eyes to adjust. When they did, she let out a large gasp.

"Erica? What are you…," Cassie turned to Buffy, "You were the one she was talking to this morning…"

Looking around, Cassie noticed three other teenage girls talking. One had short bright red hair, and was casually twirling a knife around; to her left a brunette wearing obviously cutting edge fashion was painting the nails of an a girl that fit the stereotype of a nerd with glasses and long unstyled hair.

How the hell did this group get together?

Erica grinned and pulled her friend into a tight hug. Grabbing her hand, she dragged the bewildered girl over towards the other three.

"Everyone, this is my friend, Cassie. Cassie, this is Andy" – pointing to the red-head – "and Ellie" – the girl with glasses shyly waved her free hand -- "and this is Isabelle," – the brunette gave Cassie a quick study then returned to painting. Cassie smiled awkwardly – and with a little fear at the knife in Andy's hand – and dragged her friend out of hearing range.

"Are you nuts? What the hell are you doing out here with complete strangers?" she whispered harshly, eyeing the others warily. Erica just smiled.

"I could ask you the same thing," she said wryly. Cassie started, at the realization sunk in. Here she was in the middle of nowhere with possibly psychotic people just because a blonde girl came to her house and asked her what she wanted to do. Jack would have her head if he found out about this…

Oh crap, if Sam has snapped herself out of her work-related reverie, then she's going to realize that I'm gone.

"Erica, we've got to get out of here before Sam and your dad finds out that we're gone," she said grabbing Erica's hand and heading back the way she came, but stopped when Erica didn't budge.

"I'm not going back," she said quietly. Cassie stared at her friend in disbelief.

"What do you mean you're not going back?"

Buffy walked up behind Erica and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Show her," she said in a gentle but firm voice. Erica nodded and slowly took off her shirt. Whatever comment Cassie was going to make was lost at seeing her friend's chest and back covered in scars.

"Dad likes to drink, he says it helps him to relax. And every time he does…he hits me. At first, he always apologized in the morning, saying that it was the alcohol and that he would never do it again. But after awhile, he stopped making excuses. He would just say that I deserved it – that I brought it upon myself by not being smart enough, or a good enough housekeeper, or a good enough substitute-wife," Erica said quietly, never looking Cassie in the eyes.

"Why didn't you tell me? Anybody?"

"Dad is everyone's 'buddy'; who would believe me? Your mom and Jack both liked him, so why would you believe me either? It was just easier to stay quiet."

Erica turned to Buffy with a look of adoration.

"Then a year ago I felt something happen – it was like my body was filled with all this energy and I became faster and stronger. When dad hit me it healed overnight and it didn't hurt as much. A little while after that, I started having these dreams. In them I learned how to fight, and how not to be afraid. I was lost and Buffy found me and showed me who I am."

"And who's that?"

"I'm a Slayer."

Buffy gently pulled the dazed Cassie over to the fire and pressed on her shoulders, forcing her to sit. The fire had died down, allowing the girls to see each other clearly over the remaining flames. Cassie searched their faces for any evidence of mischief, but all she saw was determination and sincerity in their eyes.

"A Slayer is a girl who has received strength and other gifts from the Powers that Be in order to fight vampires and demons. There used to only be one Slayer at a time, and another would be called only after the current Slayer died. But now there are hundred of Slayers all over the world – just like us. Most are found through an organization called the Watcher's Council, who are then taught to fight for their protection and others. Every Slayer has her own Watcher who personally trains her, and guides her," Buffy explained.

"So where are your Watchers?" Cassie asked.

"We don't have Watchers." "We don't need a fucking Watcher."

Buffy raised an eyebrow at Andy, who settled back down and resumed her knife play.

"There are some Slayer's who have subconsciously placed protective shields around themselves – magically enforcing emotional shields they already had in place before they became Slayers. Because of that, the magic the Watchers use to find Slayers won't work. The shields don't fool me, so I find the…lost Slayers and train them."

"Magic," Cassie said in a disbelieving voice. Buffy grinned at her tone.

"Yes, it's real magic and not some Goa'uld trick."

The teenager's eyes widened in fear and shock.

"How do you know about…?" she asked in a shaky voice, wanting to run but couldn't break the intense look Buffy was giving her.

"I can find the lost Slayers because I hear them crying out for me. So before I can get to them physically, I visit their dreams; at least, a part of me that is the First Slayer does. I learn who they are and where; why they need my help…just like with you."

My dream… Cassie remembered how the girl had promised everything would be all right.

"But I'm not a Slayer," she said uncertainly. "Why me?"

"Not a clue," Buffy said with a shrug, "but I'm sure there's a reason…there always is. But – no point in worrying about it now. You called, that's all I need to know."

Cassie found herself relaxing at the carefree nonchalance surrounding the others. They all gave off the vibe that they were content with who they are and where they were – and Cassie found herself envying them though she knew nothing about them.

"Normally we'd stick around for a few days and let you adjust, but we've got to get going tonight or else Erica's dad might beat her again. Do you want to come with?"

Buffy held out her hand and Cassie stared at it in astonishment. They can't possibly expect her to leave behind her life without a second thought? But at she stared into their smiling faces, she realized that they did. They didn't know her, but here they were asking for her to be apart of their life without a second thought. Could she really do the same?

"They would look for me…"

"We'll protect you for as long as you need it," Buffy replied firmly, not dropping Cassie's gaze for a second. "Even if only from those who mean well."

For some strange reason, Cassie had a flashback to the dream she had last night. All the different pathways she could follow, the different people with different dreams of her future. And the lone unbeaten path and the soft voice of the girl standing before her…

Cassie felt a grin spreading across her face.

"Why not?"

Everyone grinned and Andy threw a friendly arm across Cassie's shoulders.

"That, my honorary sister Slayer, it the best reason to do anything."

TBC