It took a few more days, but the small group finally reached Colorado without further incident. Rose had no more emotional breakdowns and worked on looking forward to the training that was to come next. She looked around Molly's mansion with wide green eyes, drinking everything in.

"So this is your home?" Rose asked, clinging tightly to her bag as she walked into the large foyer.

"Mine and the boys. It's your home too, darlin'. As long as you're with us. Who knows what Rupert has planned once everything has calmed down with the watcher's council."

.

"Will I ever meet the original slayer and her watcher?"

"I suppose you will. Sooner or later. But for now, I'm your watcher I suppose. And any other new slayer we come across in the city. Hopefully, we'll have a nice group of girls here, ready to train and join the good fight."

"I just hope that their introduction wasn't as needed as mine," Rose sighed, remembering how her powers had hit just at the right time.

"Jack, how about giving Rose a grand tour of the place once she's settled in her room?" Molly advised.

"Yes ma'am," Jack grinned, grabbing Rose's hand and leading her up to the second story of the house, and down the hallway to a different section of the house. "This is the right wing, or as we call them, the sleeping quarters. The door down there is the master suite. That's Molly's. We all stay clear of there. It's her private area.

The three doors on the left there is where Fabri, me, and Tommy sleep. I'm at the end. And the door across from mine will be your suite," Jack opened the door to reveal a room made up of white and lavender. There was a bed on the far right wall, a nightstand, and a sitting area. A desk and bookcase, a computer, and on the far left wall was a room that contained a shower and toilet, and sink. Rose loved it.

"Wow...this is...a lot. More than I could ask for really. And it's okay with Molly?"

"Of course. Unless you want another room. This house has plenty, I'm sure that we can find something to your liking…"

"No, this is perfect. I like it. Thank you," Rose smiled, placing her bag on the full-size bed waiting for her.

Feeling exhausted from all the time spent in the car, she collapsed onto the bed, lying down on her back with her arm over her eyes. "It feels so good not to be in a moving car anymore."

Jack just chuckled. "I know how you feel. I mean, I'm used to it, but it always feels good to get back to home base and spend a few weeks in a real house, eating normal food, doing normal things."

"Normal. I don't even know what that is anymore," Rose gave a wary sigh. "I guess, to me, normal is being treated like a porcelain doll, attending boring parties, and pretending to be a prim and proper lady, all the while wanting to scream at the top of my lungs. If that's normal here, no thank you."

"I don't think that you'll have to worry about any of that," Jack hesitantly sat next to her. He wasn't sure if his presence was welcomed in what was to be her sacred space, but Rose didn't seem to mind too much.

Rose suddenly sat up and looked at Jack with wide green eyes. "Perhaps you can show me what normal is here."

"Sure, if you like."

"I'd like that very much, Jack. In fact...you're the only person I feel completely comfortable around. I barely know you but...I feel that you know everything about me and you're not judging."

"I'd never judge you, Rose."

Rose smiled. "I know and I appreciate it. So far, you've been my safe place when I need it, and...that means so much to me."

For a second there, Jack and Rose stare into each other's eyes. Rose found herself just sinking deeper and deeper into the blue depths of Jack's eyes. So pure and blue, warm and safe. She wanted to stay there forever, with this boy, in his beautiful eyes, and never worry about anything again. She leaned closer and closer, her lips almost connecting with his, when suddenly he was on his feet, gripping her hand in his. She blinked in a bit of shock and disappointment.

"I'm supposed to be giving you the grand tour," Jack simply gave a wry smile, even though he seemed a little breathless at the same time.

"Um...ok. Sure," Rose stammered, stifling down the rising attraction that had once again risen up in her.

Rose got to her feet, followed him out of the room, and tried not to think about his blue eyes or how nice his breath felt against her face when they had almost kissed. She listened as he took her from room to room, from the kitchen to the living room, to the den, to the training room where there were all kinds of weapons and training equipment ready for her use, to finally the gardens in the back of the house, already in full bloom. The mansion was magnificent and Rose already loved it.

"This is home from now on," Jack nodded, looking everywhere but at the girl by his side.

"I feel at home already. Just really exhausted. And hungry…"

"Hungry? Well, Molly always keeps a stocked fridge. I can make you something."

"You can cook?" Rose gave him a skeptical look.

"Of course, I can cook! After weeks of living off of diner fare, it's good to know how to make your own meals. Come on, what would you like? I can make you anything," Jack grinned.

"Hmm...well I am in the mood for something cool and sweet...like ice cream. I know, it's not something you can cook...but it'd definitely lift my mood."

"Well, right this way, ma'am. We'll see what kind of ice cream Molly has to offer. Any particular flavor?"

"I prefer cherry cordial...but any flavor will do."

Jack lead her back into the big industrial kitchen and had her sit at the island as he went to the walk-in freezer and began rummaging inside. "Okay, here's the ice cream. We have vanilla, chocolate, strawberry...okay, here we are! Cherry cordial!" He pulled out a gallon of ice cream with cherries printed across the container. "Hold on. I'll get us some bowls and spoons and we can dig right in."

Rose just smiled and watched Jack as he retrieved two bowls from the cupboards and two large spoons from the drawers. "Do you need me to help?"

"Nah, I got it. Since it's your first night here, I'll serve you."

"That's sweet…"

"But not sweeter than the ice cream, huh?" Jack laughed.

"Nothing is sweeter than ice cream," Rose smiled, excepting her bowl of cherry cordial ice cream. She closed her eyes in delicious bliss as she spooned the treat into her mouth. "Mmm...this is heavenly."

Jack's smile faded a little as he watched her enjoy the ice cream. His eyes couldn't help but drift to her lips and watch as her pink tongue licked away traces of the cherry ice cream. He couldn't help but regret that he had turned away from the chance to kiss those lips, thinking that he may have been taking advantage.

"What is your favorite ice cream, Jack?" Rose asked, unaware of his regret.

"I used to like rocky road...but I think it's just changed to cherry," Jack simply replied, his eyes never leaving her lips.

"Oh really? Or are you sure about that? I mean...what made it change?"

Jack couldn't resist anymore. He leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. His tongue ran across her lips, savoring the cool taste of cherries. He pulled away and opened his eyes to stare into a pool of stunned green. "Yeah...definitely it's cherry now."

Rose blushed, finding herself agreeing with Jack's assessment. Cherry cordial was indeed the best ice cream out there, for more reasons than one.