Buffy had been at the Slayer Headquarters nearly two and a half weeks when she got a call from Martha asking her out to lunch. She readily accepted the invitation. They met at a pub in central London with the same hugs and squeals of delight.

"It's so good to see you again!" Buffy said as they took their seats.

"I knew you were in London so I had to see you before I'm off on my next assignment," replied Martha.

"Wait. One, where's UNIT sending you now? Two, how did you know I was in London?"

"New York. There's a new project they want me on. And I knew you were here because Jack asked if I had heard from you, and when I hadn't I pulled some favours to see if you were in town."

"Wow, you Big Brothered me. Scary."

"Well I didn't spend hours scouring CCTV for you, if that's what you think." Martha laughed. "I just had the UNIT and Watcher's Council Liaison check if you were at their headquarters."

"Oh, I guess that works too."

"So you left Torchwood?" Martha's voice was kind and understanding—as always.

"Yeah, wasn't working. I just couldn't be… me. I was feeling a bit smothered, unfulfilled, bored… I don't know. Pick an adjective." It wasn't the reason in the moment she left, but on reflection the feelings were still a big part of that decision.

"Bored with Torchwood? Wow. That's… that's impressive."

"Can you blame me? I thought I could trade San Diego for Cardiff, but just one city next to all of time and space? It gets to be just the same monster of the week formula. Plus there were other issues." Buffy didn't want to go into details, but her body language spoke volumes.

"Oh I know that look. It's wonderful, but it's just not good for you. I've been there, done that. Twice now with the Doctor. Well, three times in a way."

"Three?" Buffy looked at Martha's left hand. "You left Tom?"

"Yeah, it wasn't working. He was great, a really great guy, but…"

Buffy put a hand on hers. "Martha, out of all women in this world, I think I'm the one who can totally relate. Been there, done that."

"You've had a man say he doesn't feel needed enough, that there's too much distance between you?"

"In almost those exact words," Buffy replied. "That it was my fault for not letting him in enough, that I was too strong handling everything on my own. And yeah, it sucked."

Martha gave a slight smile—not a smile of happiness but of mutual understanding. They were silent for a few moments. Martha asked, "So what are you going to do next?"

"I really have no idea. Got any suggestions?"

"Have you thought of freelancing? UNIT's been courting the idea of accepting freelancers with the rise in public alien events. They can't exactly be subtle."

"Are you thinking of it?" Buffy shot back.

"A bit. Maybe. I don't know. Things in UNIT are fine for now, and being busy working helps with… everything right now."

Buffy raised her arms in mock surrender. "I get it."

"Been there, done that," they said together.

"Really, Buffy, I don't see you ever taking orders or fighting with a military team. I think you should do things your way, on your terms. It's a big planet. Live in it a bit more."

"Maybe I will," she conceded.

After lunch the two said their goodbyes and parted ways. Buffy kept the conversation rolling in her mind, tumbling over the possibilities before her. She looked back on everything she had, everything she did, all the contacts she made. Every problem that forced her from one situation to the next played over again. She pondered every feeling, every longing, every troublesome emotion, and every conflict. But now she was coming up with the solution to it all.

Maybe for a new beginning she needed to visit the past.

HXHXHXHXHXHXHXHXHXHXH

"So what's the old gang all doing these days?"

Spike looked at her as if she had grown a new head. They were patrolling in a London suburb that had a recent surge in vampire activity. They were taking out a small group of vampires in the park—before going after the nest that one of the dumber vamps had inadvertently mentioned and given the exact location of—when Buffy threw the sudden question at him. He should have known something was on her mind when she hadn't been as quick with the witty retorts that evening.

"Uh… who do you mean?" he asked, deflecting a blow and in turn sending the punk kid flying.

"Well, I keep casually in touch with Xander. Just the hi, I've changed my address, Christmas card sort of thing. He's still in construction, right?"

"Yeah, who knew the great buffoon would rise to be head of a substantial construction company?"

"And Anya?" she asked while staking a vamp in a disgusting hoodie.

"Still married to the buffoon, and head of her own little empire of occult stores."

"Uh huh," Buffy said. "And Wes? What's he up to?"

"Slayer, are you feelin' all right? What's with the sudden nostalgia?" He got in a punch to his foe and heard bones crack.

"Just tell me if you know what Wesley Wyndam-Pryce is doing now."

"He and another of the Poofter Brigade are chummy with Xander and Anya—and not so much in the Poofter Brigade anymore. Angel has that lovely alienating effect on people. Except for the prom queen; she's still on him like a leech."

"So they're all together in Sunnydale as a big, happy, demon-hunting family?"

With a quick move the vamp he was fighting flew into dust. "In Sunnydale, yes. Happy, no. I wouldn't be surprised if my leaving started them all going their separate ways. Dawn especially seemed keen on getting out on her own with the boy wonder. What's in your mind, Buffy?"

The last vampire had decided to try and run. Buffy threw her stake and it spiralled through the air and into its heart. With one last grunt, the dust fell into the grass.

"I want to start my own group dealing with the not-natural. I don't want to be part of the Watchers and Slayers, or UNIT, or Torchwood. I want to start my own company."

"Company? Are you talking a business?"

"Yeah, like Angel had in LA, but more. Anything alien or demon, ghost or ghoul, we'll take it. Anywhere, anytime. We decide."

"Um…" Spike was having a hard time coming to grips with the idea. There were so many questions going around in his head. They walked to the location of the nest. "And you want the old Scoobie gang to be part of it?"

"If they want, yes! Wes has experience as a Watcher and with Angel. Xander's company would make the perfect business front since it's already so well established. And Anya's past as a demon and her connections there would be invaluable."

"Anya? Invaluable? Buffy, you aren't sounding a bit like yourself."

She rolled her eyes. "With all the experience I've gained, I've learned one very important thing: just because it isn't human doesn't mean it's bad. Could you imagine what we could do if we worked with the non-lethal demon community? If we handled alien threats but welcomed those not threateny?"

"That's a big vision, but…"

"Don't say it's too big! I know that, but I want to try. I'll start small. Spike, things are changing. Just look around! And me, somehow I'm connected to it all. I'm a Slayer that has travelled the stars."

"And now you're reaching for the moon," he sighed with a small smile. "If it's what you want, I'll back you up. But just know there's a lot to consider here."

They found the nest. It was an abandoned building in the ugly gap between residential and industrial areas. "Money, facilities, connections, clients… I know. I've been thinking it all over since my lunch date yesterday."

"Uh, you do remember the thing about chickens, and eggs, and counting?"

"I know, a big part hinges on people saying yes, and I'm taking it for granted with the plans I'm making. Do you… do you think they'll say yes?"

Spike realised that all through this she had looked excited, hopeful, and happier than he had ever seen her. But with that one small doubt he could see how fragile that happiness was. He decided that he would threaten them all at gunpoint to give her this dream.

But just then they had a job to do. They scoped the place and made sure there were no "take home meals" in the building. There being none, they blocked the doors, trapped the remaining vampires, torched the house, and made their getaway.

"So?" Buffy asked when they were entering Watcher Headquarters.

"You won't know till you ask." He handed her his mobile as it had all the contacts. He caught her hand when she took it. "Good luck."

"Thanks," she said. "Are you…"

"Gonna go warn Giles that you'll be telling him of some new scheme in a bit."

"And if it doesn't…"

"You'll think of something. And it'll work." With his coat swooping out behind him, Spike went in search of the bespectacled old watcher.

HXHXHXHXHXHXHXHXHXHXH

In her room, Buffy stared at the notes she had made and the phone in her hand. It was now or never.

"What?" came Xander's voice from the other end of the line.

"Um, gee Xander, nice to hear from you too."

"Buffy? I thought it was Spike."

"Yeah, probably because I'm using his phone."

"Right. Uh… so how are you?"

"Not bad. I left Torchwood."

"Giles said. You sticking around there now?"

"I don't know. I don't think so. How's your work going?"

"It's great. The world of sweaty men and building materials is very exciting."

"Right. So I had an idea…"

HXHXHXHXHXHXHXHXHXHXH

It took a couple days of phone calls and emails to sort out some details, but her plan was actually falling into place. Xander had hesitated, but with Wes, Fred, and Anya excited about Buffy's idea, he too agreed to be part of it. Wes and Fred wanted to help—something they hadn't been doing much since one of the young slayers had taken over guarding the Hellmouth. And Spike hadn't been wrong about Angel's LA group splitting up. Anya apparently saw tons of new money-making opportunities and wanted her piece of it.

Wes and Anya convinced her to also get Lorne involved. Like them, the demon seemed eager to be part of the Slayer's new venture. From just a few conversations with him, Buffy was incredibly thankful for his help. His experience and contacts were more than she could have hoped for. Who better to help her know good demons from bad than a demon that had run a business for demons?

With the business side of things falling into place, Buffy had to turn to the personal. Part of Xander's deal was that Buffy would try and mend things with Willow. Apparently the witch was doing better, not using any major magics, and had gotten back together with Tara. Buffy had agreed to Xander's terms with the added stipulation that it would wait to be done in person. It wasn't something for over the phone.

Then there was getting in touch with Dawn. That couldn't wait.

"Buffy?" Dawn answered her phone.

"Hey Dawn!" Buffy said with subdued enthusiasm. "How are things?"

"Uh, fine I guess. You?"

"Looking better actually. There are some things I'm pretty excited about."

"Oh?" Dawn's tone wasn't on the whole inquisitive, rather flat actually, but it wasn't bored or disinterested either.

"I've been talking to Xander and Wes, and we're gonna start my own company that fights demons and stuff."

"Like Angel did?"

"Yeah, but better and bigger."

"Are you bringing him in on it?"

"Wasn't planning to. It'll be my thing."

"With Wes and—I assume—Fred?"

"Yeah, and Anya and Lorne. They are all the ones who have agreed so far."

"Wow," Dawn said with that same and now slightly sarcastic tone. "Angel's gonna love that. You stealing his old job and his old friends."

"You don't approve? I know you've lived with him for a while and…"

"No, it's not that. I was just thinking that given how much it'll piss off Angel, Connor's gonna be begging to join too."

"I was actually kind of hoping for that," Buffy said slowly.

"Oh. Really?" There was more emotion in her voice, more interest.

"Yeah, I've heard good things about him, and I'd like to actually get to know him. He's your boyfriend after all."

"Well… he's kind of more than that." Dawn paused. "He asked me to marry him last night, and I said yes."

"Wow. Dawn, that's… that's… That's great. Right?"

"Yes Buffy." One could hear the eyeroll. "It's great."

"Now I really have to meet him." There was another pause. "I'm sorry I haven't been around more. I feel bad not even knowing the guy that you're…"

"No!" Dawn said quickly. "It's my fault too; it's more my fault. I've pushed you away. I'm sorry, Buffy. Losing you was so hard, and then you came back so different, I didn't want to get to know you just to lose you again." There was silence for a moment while they both gathered their thoughts. Dawn broke the silence, "So he called."

"He? He who?"

"Jack Harkness. You finally told him."

"Yeah. I'm sorry, Dawn. I should have done it sooner. Or should I have waited? I'm a bit confused."

"No, it's fine. He sounds… nice."

"Eh…"

"What?"

"Nice doesn't really describe... He's certainly nothing like Hank."

"Kinda got that," said Dawn. "So we only talked for a few minutes, but he wants to meet eventually. He's a bit tied to Cardiff, though, isn't he?"

"Yeah, but he could take a vacation. Or you could visit. Cardiff's nice."

"Yeah. I have a feeling though that the first time we'll meet it will be at the wedding. If he can come."

"Well, I can say with certainty that he's up for the father-daughter dance, and that he's a good dancer."

"Um… how do you know this?"

"A co-worker's wedding. So he'll make time to be at yours—even if me and Spike have to hogtie him to get there."

"How is Spike?" Dawn asked with a bit of her old mischief back in her voice.

Buffy hesitated. "He's fine."

"Is he down with your big plan? I mean, the guy is totally head-over-heels in love with you."

"Yeah, and yeah."

"Yeah?"

"Dawn!"

"Hey, I think you guys would make the best couple ever! You should totally just jump him."

"Dawn! It's not like that."

"Uh huh."

"It's complicated."

"Right."

"Dawn!"

"Buffy and Spi-ike, kissin' in a tree…"

"Are you twelve?"

"K-I-S-S-I-N-G…"

"Seriously?"

"Hey! I'm your sister; I'm obligated to tease. But that aside, you really would be good together. I know you two have actually been close even with the long distance thing. Can't really say that about anyone else, can you? No! Don't say anything. It's just as much our fault as yours, so it's fine. All in the past, forgive and forget. I'm just saying that maybe you should give it a chance. I mean, there's nothing stopping you. He's way better than Riley, and he's got a soul that's totally permanent!"

"Yeah…"

"Yeah?" Dawn sounded like an over-excited teen again.

"I don't know! Maybe. We're friends right now, and I don't want to ruin that!"

"Seriously? You're giving me that old argument?"

"Well, I like Spike being with me, and the guys I've been in relationships with never really stuck around."

"That's because you were never friends with the guys you dated. No, hear me out. It's different when you're dating a friend. Yeah, it might go wrong and leave the friendship damaged, but on the other hand, it makes the dating sooooo much more."

"Since when did you get so worldly and wise?"

"Buffy, you spent what, a couple months going around the galaxies while years passed for the rest of us? We're practically the same age now."

"Oh god!"

"Don't worry, part of that time is still just fake memories, so you're totally still the older sister."

"Thanks, Dawn."

"Then again, I was a ball of energy for countless millennia!"

"Why do I even bother talking to you?"

They ended the conversation soon after that with the promise of staying more in touch and seeing each other in person soon. After all, Buffy had a company to build and a wedding to help with so there wasn't much point in staying in England any longer.

HXHXHXHXHXHXHXHXHXHXH

Buffy stood on top of a building in Cardiff. Explosions fired into the night sky all around her. Images of her friends at Torchwood flashed before her eyes. Gwen and Rhys digging through rubble. Tosh bleeding out from a stomach wound. Owen ripped to shreds by weevils. Ianto being beaten into a bloody pile by a shadowed figure. Jack hung up in chains. Then everything went up in flames.

Buffy woke up with a gasp. Hurriedly she grabbed a robe and ran down the hall to Spike's room. She burst in without knocking. Spike was dead to the world… literally and figuratively. She tried yelling at him, but it took a hard punch to his face to wake him up.

"Bloody hell!" he yelled. He sat up and looked around the room while gaining his bearings. "Buffy? You all right, luv?"

"We have to go to Cardiff."

A.N. Huge thank yous to those that reviewed! What do you think of Buffy's big plans? I made the final decision and the Spuffy is just around the corner. And while I know some of you are really looking forward to Spike and Hart finally meeting, I may be a day or two late in updating next week. Sorry! Don't panic! I just haven't had as much time to write because of some family stuff, and I just want to get it right. I'm working really hard to get it done without being sloppy and rushed. I still haven't decided how to approach The Stolen Earth/Journey's End, so I welcome any and all suggestions or theories.