The next morning found Rose and Helga in the training room being introduced to who was going to be their martial arts teacher. Rose couldn't help but feel excited. Finally, she was doing something to enhance her powers, so that when Cal did show up, she would have a fighting chance.

"Girls, this is Mary Winston. She will be your martial arts instructor. Don't worry, she knows all about slayers and the supernatural world. She comes from a family of well-trained hunters. So not only will you learn how to fight more effectively, but also about the creatures you will come to face and how to destroy them. We'll have someone here in a few days to go over weapons," Molly introduced the blond woman that was just about Rose's own height, with green eyes and a friendly smile. Her blond hair was pulled back in a ponytail and she was dressed in leggings and a tank top that showed off well-muscled arms.

"Hello, ladies. I was kind of expecting more girls here, but with the new surge of slayers, I guess they'll be twinkling in no time. So for now, it's just the three of us," Mary smiled, stepping forward and taking control of the room. "May I ask who you are?"

Rose was the first to step forward, clearing her throat and fighting against the anxious butterflies fighting it out in her belly. "I am Rose Dewitt Bukater. I am from Philadelphia and was going to be...well, I guess wed to Caledon Hockley, who you probably know by now is a demon. I had only found out a few weeks ago that I was a vampire slayer, and I have to admit, the powers came when I needed them most...as well had Molly and her people. I don't know what I would have done if they hadn't shown up and clued me in on what was happening to me. I'm looking forward to learning more about what it means to be a vampire slayer."

"I look forward to working with you too, Rose," Mary smiled happily. She had to say that she liked the redhead. There was a fire to her. She had a feeling that with the right tools, the girl was going to be one of their most fierce fighters, once she was trained.

"I am Helga Dahl," Helga stepped up, nervously twisting her hands, feeling like a fish out of water. She still couldn't believe that this was happening to her and why. She couldn't say why she was chosen for this. She did know one thing, she was scared to death. "Like Rose, I discovered my powers a few weeks ago, and ever since it seems that vampires seem to spot me and follow me around. I've managed to avoid most of them...but the ones I have faced...I don't know how I managed to dispatch them but I do and...I just want it to stop…"

"I am sorry, Helga. I wish that I could tell you how to make it stop. But I can help teach you how to stay alive and fight more effectively. Being a vampire slayer is a scary thing. Unlike us hunters, the supernatural seems to search you out. Especially vampires. But just remember, you are not defenseless. Your body is a weapon that can defend you and keep you alive. And that's why I am here. To help you hone your skills and powers and stay alive. Hopefully, soon, you two will meet the original slayer and she can give you more help in adjusting to your new lives."

"When will that be?" Helga questioned.

"As of now, we don't know. But hopefully soon. But for now, we train. Well...tomorrow we start training. I think you two can afford one more day of freedom. What do you say, Molly?" Mary turned to the older woman. She had thought about starting training today, but she still had to settle in and get things in order. So it was best to wait until tomorrow.

"One more day will be fine, I reckon. But Rose and Helga, I want you to start reading up about martial arts. There are some books in the library and of course, I'll have a list of websites you can look up sent to your email."

"Great. Homework," Rose playfully groaned, really not minding the task. She felt like the more she knew, the better chance she'll have of defeating Cal. Maybe that could be her and Jack's date. Research. Then she winced, knowing that research was probably the last thing that the handsome hunter would want to do with his day.

"It's a nuisance, but it's necessary, darlin'," Molly chuckled.

"It looks like we have company already," Mary frowned as Lorne from the club entered, looking rather nervous.

"Down Mary. That one's a friend of the cause. He works with Angel's people in LA," Molly chuckled, approaching the nervous green empath. "Lorne, what a surprise to have a visit from ya! What brings on the pleasure? I tell ya now, I'm not gonna sing. I'm fine not knowing my future, thank you very much."

Lorne chuckled. "Now, Mrs. Brown, we both know that your unsinkable aura can be read without a note being sung. Thankfully, there are no icebergs in your future this time around."

Molly just rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "Get to it, darlin'. Why are you here?"

"Oh, um...I need to see your boy Jack. I know that I told him that there was no need for him to sing for me last night...but...I had just gotten word of something and I want to make sure that the boy's future is all good and settled...that he won't have to worry about...well...I just need him to sing for me, if you don't mind."

Having overheard Lorne's words, Rose approached with a slight frown on her face. "Is something wrong with Jack?"

"That's what we're about to find out, sugar. That is if your boy will sing for me."

"I thought you said that there was no need for me to sing," Jack stood in the hallway with his arms folded across his chest, his blue eyes unreadable. Rose could tell that he was most likely ready for their date since he was dressed in a blue sweater and white jeans, with what looked like a bouquet of roses in his hand.

"I know, I know...but I was mistaken. Just a few notes, sugar. That's all that I need."

"You had me sing a full-out song," Rose couldn't help but pipe in, wanting to hear what kind of singing voice Jack had.

"I can do a full song if Rose wants," Jack winked, walking the rest of the way into the room. "Alright, fine. I'll sing for you. Then I'm off on a date with Rose."

"No matter what you're so polished up," Molly laughed.

"Ok, where do you want me to stand, and what do you want me to sing?" Jack sighed, wanting to get this over as soon as possible.

"Stand where you can see your girl and sing whatever you want, to her. I find it that it's easier to read people when they sing for a significant other," Lorne directed.

Jack blushed. Rose and him were just starting out. He didn't know if she would even want to be considered his girlfriend yet. He was even too afraid to ask. But instead of stating that part, he did what Lorne directed. He faced Rose, took her hand, and sang.

"Look into my eyes

You will see

What you mean to me

Search your heart

Search your soul

And when you find me there

You'll search no more

Don't tell me it's not worth tryin' for

You can't tell me it's not worth dyin' for

You know it's true

Everything I do

I do it for you

Look into your heart

You will find

There's nothin' there to hide

Take me as I am

Take my life

I would give it all

I would sacrifice…"

.

"Ok, that's enough! No sacrificing this time around!" Lorne quickly cut in.

Jack just laughed. "It's just a song, man."

Lorne just mumbled something about icebergs and doors before clearing his throat, his voice had a grim tinge to it. "Jack, can I discuss my findings in private? Or would you want Molly to join you?"

Jack frowned and looked at Molly then back at Lorne. "Why Molly?"

Molly also frowned, not liking Lorne's reaction. "I think I'll join you. Let's go to my office. Rose, darlin' you may want to change for your date. Jack will be ready for you when you're done."

"Okay, I know when I'm being dismissed," Rose sighed, feeling a bit hurt and curious at the same time. It wasn't fair. Jack heard her reading. Why couldn't she hear his?

."Come, Rose. Let me help. Getting ready for dates is something normal I can get into. You'd look great in green," Helga gently took her hand and lead her out of the training room, leaving Jack alone with Molly and Lorne.

…..

The date was a quiet one. Jack barely spoke a word to her as they walked through the zoo and looked at the animals. He just stood next to her with distracted blue eyes and he had yet to smile, which was something Rose missed. Jack's smile was bright and beautiful and always lit up her mood, but it had yet to make an appearance and Rose blamed Lorne's reading completely! What did he say to Jack? What was it that had gotten Jack into such a depressed state? Normally, Rose would mind her own business and just let the person stew until they were ready to talk, but she just couldn't with Jack. He had been her rock, her shoulder to cry on...her protector through everything! He had taken care of her without complaint! Maybe now it was her turn to return the favor sort of speak? Plus, it made her heart hurt to see the gloom in his usually bright and happy eyes.

They were leaving the zoo when Rose had enough. She needed Jack to talk to her, she couldn't take his silence any longer.

They were in the car, about to turn onto the highway, when Rose placed a hand on Jack's shoulder.

"Jack, is there somewhere private we can go? Like a quiet park or somewhere?"

Jack blinked in surprise. He had been about to return to the mansion, wanting to get back before dark, but looking into Rose's warm green eyes, he couldn't say no. "Alright. But only for a little bit. I want to keep this a vampire-free date, yeah?"

Rose simply giggled and nodded. "Right. But I doubt we'd have to worry about vampires in the impala."

"Nope. My baby is definitely vampire-free," Jack lovingly patted the steering wheel.

They drove in silence. Rose sighed, wishing that Jack would just come out and tell her what Lorne had said on his own, but she knew that if he didn't by the time they got to wherever they were going, she was going to have to dig for the information. She just hoped that she didn't make him angry by doing so. Jack was her best friend. She didn't want to lose him. Especially not now, when their relationship could reach a whole new level.

Finally, Jack drove up a hill and parked the car that overlooked the city of Denver. It was a lovely sight and would have been even prettier at night when all the city lights came on.

"Is this good enough?" Jack asked.

"It's lovely. I bet a lot of people come up here to make out."

Jack's eyes widened and then he laughed. "Well, it is called Lover's Heights. So Rose...what is on your mind? Why don't you want to go back to the mansion?"

Rose sighed and took Jack's hand in her right and gently caressed his cheek with her left. "You were so silent all throughout the zoo, Jack. I could tell that something heavy was on your mind and whatever it is, it had to do with whatever Lorne told you. What's going on? What has you so preoccupied that you couldn't even enjoy our date?"

Jack looked away from her and stared out at the city below. "It's not important. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to neglect you on our date."

"I know. You were preoccupied. Whatever he told you, it must be pretty heavy."

Jack sighed and leaned the back of his head against the seat's headrest. He didn't know what to say or how to say it. He didn't really want to go over what Lorne had told him. Rose had so much on her plate already, he didn't want to add to it. But she had shared all of her problems and insecurities with him. It'd be unfair if he shut her out, even if it was to protect her.

"What is it, Jack? What's going on?"

Jack sighed and turned to meet Rose's eyes. She could see a hint of fear in his eyes, which made her concerned even more.

"You know my dad was killed by a fyarl demon, right?"

"Yes. I remember Molly saying something about that…."

"Well, what you don't know is that my mother was killed by a demon. A demon with purple eyes. It happened when I was five and...I witnessed it happen."

"Oh my god...that must have been terrifying…"

"For a five-year-old, yeah. It was. My father had been hunting that demon for years but was never able to catch up with it. But now, according to Lorne, the demon is back and...thanks to some family curse…"

"It's gunning for you?"

Jack shrugged. "He wasn't too clear on that. He just said that it's sometime in the future and that I'll face it again and this time, it won't be disappearing without a trace...that I'm going to have to fight it."

"Jack…"

"I don't want to be scared but…"

"You are. You can't help it. You saw it kill your mother and now it's back and you're scared. I don't blame you. Believe me, I understand how you feel."

"I know you do. I guess it's just hard to admit. I'm supposed to be this big bad hunter that's not afraid of anything or anyone, but this time...it's personal."

"Just like Cal is personal for me. But Jack, you're not alone. It's the same for you as you said it was for me. You have people who will fight for and beside you. Including a vampire slayer...heck, maybe even an army once everything is said and done. You're not alone. Plus, you're not a helpless five-year-old anymore, either. You're a capable, highly talented demon hunter. That purple-eyed demon is going to wish it had left you alone. Believe me."

Jack just chuckled and shook his head. "You have such a high opinion of me, Rose. I don't even know if I'm worthy of it."

"Believe me, you are. More than worthy. You jump, I jump Jack."

Jack smiled, gently placing a hand against her cheek. "Always."

Their eyes met and they knew that no matter what happens, no matter what monster showed up or what situation they had to go through, they'll go through it together.

Rose leaned forward and gently pressed her lips to Jack's, silently making a promise that whatever was after him would have to go through her first.