I do not own Buffy or the Sons of Anarchy, or any other character that I might use. But will be mainly Sons of the Anarchy. I am also going to play it loose with time-lines and stuff.

{phone coversation replies from the person on the otherside of the phone}

Chapter 8

Two months, that's how long I have been in Charming.

People in Charming are just that 'charming'. The stores are locally owned, the people are nice. I made some friends too, Sam and Ashley the doctor couple, Timmy the OT, Tara the resident doctor, and Donna.

Small towns, people talk, the biggest gossips I found were the nurses. With them being everywhere in the hospital, and on the towns committees there really is nothing that can escape them. But it's because of them that I found out a bit more of the gangs and happenings of the place.

Sons of Anarchy is a motorcycle club, also called SAMCRO, originally made up mostly of war veterans. They 'protect' Charming. They are an American Biker gang, with overseas branches. The current president is Clay Morrow, with Jax Teller as the vice, who I found out is also Tara's past and current boyfriend. They seem to be into arms dealing and other things, but no drugs. They keep the locals goods safe and the drugs out of Charming. The locals seem to have a love-hate relationship with the club, they keep the developments to a minimal and the big stores out, but it also meant that the locals still have their businesses. There are also some other gangs around town like the Mayans; One-Niners; Nordics etc, but the Sons rule Charming. Anyhow, that's what I've heard through the grapevine.

Tara doesn't talk much about the club and her mention of Jax is to reference him as her boyfriend nothing more, I wasn't going to pry. I later found out that Donna is a Son's wife, she talked about Opie being in jail, how hard it was, her kids, but nothing too much to incriminate the club, she just needed someone to listen to.

Ashley and Donna are also teaching me to cook. I lost count the amount of food I burnt. But am getting better! I managed to do a simple pasta with mince sauce, without burning the sauce or over-cooking the pasta. Okay maybe it was a bit salty, but it was edible! This is a long way from being only able to heat up pre-packed meals. Plus I am decent at baking; following instructions to the T is the way to go.

The weekend after I moved in Donna came over with welcome pudding by then I had most things packed, and she offered to look over my kitchen and see what I was missing. I was grateful, really, I had no clue what you needed to cook or bake, and had been living on frozen, pre-packed meals and takeaways.

I have a feeling that Donna and Tara sees me as an escape from their involvement with the club, I don't mind really. I understand the need to have a place to go to just to feel normal, so I keep it light and friendly. Adding the rest of the grownups and the kids to the mix we have a nice little cooking club thing going on, with the unfortunate men being the test subjects of my cooking.

Thinking back, the hardest thing I had to do was that first call to Dawn.

.~.

Flashback

.~.

Buffy, you can do this, it needs to be done, or you might just find your little sister parked out on you front porch within a week. Okay, here goes nothing.

As I dialed Dawn's number I was actually grateful that I took one of the council phones, it by no means would have slowed Dawn down if she wanted to find me. But at least with this she won't know that I was back in the US straight away. Oh it's ringing.

{Hello! Dawn speaking!} She sounds cheerful.

"Hi Dawny," {BUFFY!} ouch my ears. Holding the phone at arms' length I can still feel the ringing in my ears. Plus she seems to be talking a mile high, better stop her.

"Dawn! Jeese calm down! My ears so did not need that…" I started to say, which was promptly cut off.

{Well, IT'S YOUR fault! How could you just up and leave!"} She practically screamed.

"I did not!" I tried to talk back; well the optimal word there was tried.

{I'm NOT done!} That shut me up, so I decided maybe it was a good idea to let Dawn finish venting before talking again... oh look she's off…

{You know how twitchy everyone has been since the 'INCIDENT' last year. So that stunt you pulled almost two months ago WAS NOT funny. You might think it was good way to keep the minis on their toes, but there has to be a better way to do this then just disappearing on them! It was nice of you to visit and all; and the shopping trip was great and we had some Summers' girls time, but how could you not say anything, while you were there?} She was not expecting me to answer just yet, because she did not wait for a reply.

{A week later Giles comes to visit. This conveniently was when all the other girls were off somewhere. You know if it wasn't for the infuriating news that came with, his fidgeting and nervousness would have been comical. But what did I hear? My dear sister has decided to go on a travelling trip, with NO protection at all!" Oh no this is not turning out very well…

"I have protection! And I am not weak!" Okay now I am getting a bit irritated, come on, I'm not defenseless.

{Yes, Giles informed me of the conditions that came with letting you go. It's also the reason that I haven't told anyone, yet. I am surprised that he let you go at all…} Oh dear, (now I sound like Giles) I can just picture her narrowing her eyes right now.

{What did you do?} She asked. Huh?

"Oh come on why does everyone think that I did something wrong when Giles lets me go off somewhere by myself. I can be responsible and all." I said more to the wall then as a response to Dawn.

{Well, there was the time in Russia…} Oh we are so not going there.

"Dawn! Come on that was nearly two years ago." I shouted back. Then she seems quiet all of a sudden.

{…You're not in trouble or doing anything dangerous are you…} Her voice was quiet and controlled, but I can hear the concern that came with it. Sigh, ya maybe I did run from issues, but Dawn didn't deserve this.

"No Dawn, I'm fine. Really. I just needed sometime by myself. You know how everyone has found something to do and all? Well I'm trying to find mine," Taking a big breath I am contemplating if I should just up and tell her where I was, but that idea was squashed quickly, I'm not ready yet. Hearing no response from her I decided to say what I had practiced.

"Dawn, just give me a couple of months okay? I promise I will either come back to England or let you know where I am before Christmas. Will you take that?" I asked, trying to assure her and sounding tired at the same time.

{I guess,} I heard her start. {But you promise me you will say out of trouble right? No doing the wonder woman thing and trying to take on more than you can handle.} As she carried on I started to wonder when she became everyone's worry. {You promise?} She sounded like the little girl asking for assurance, and I couldn't help but give a small smile.

"Ya Dawny, I promise, no playing hero if I can help it. But you promise me that you won't go digging and pestering Giles okay?" I can just imagine how grateful Giles would be, as it is, I think he has been getting daily phone calls for information.

{Three months.} She said.

"Huh?" Then I caught on. "Six months."
{Four.}
"Six."
{Five.}
"Six."
{Five and a half! And you will have to phone or leave me an email at least once a week. If you don't come back or let me know where you are by then I will get Willow to hunt you down!} As the little banter started I can just see Dawn starting to pout and going full pout mood as the last statement came out.

"Ohhhhh, evil! Leave the others out of this. If everything goes as planned then no one will need to know I have disappeared, and by the time they get back all will be revealed. Plus I already promised Giles with the email and occasional phone call so it's cool. So no cheating!" Giving my two cents to the conversation I let it sink in before asking something that I was worrying about when I started the call.

"By the by, you didn't by any chance told anyone have you?" But it seems that I didn't need to worry.

{No, Giles made me promise that I won't, and I quote 'blow the lid', until I have at least talked to you. The girls that I stay with were wondering about my moods though, but I can keep a secret. But what am I suppose to tell Faith?} Dawn's reply relaxed me considerably; her subsequent question actually didn't worry me at all. I know Faith likes to drop a call here and there just to check on everyone, especially the Sunnydale crowd.

"As Faith puts it, we're five by five, it's cool. You can tell her I went on a little trip, and if she is looking for me I check my emails regularly." Like I told Giles Faith is the last person I have to worry about.

{Okay, soooo where are you travelling to?} I can't help but give out a laugh, Dawn will be Dawn.

"Dawn, you can plead, pout and beg all you want, but you promised five and a half months, so I'm not telling. So tell me about England, any boys that I need to threaten?" That seemed to have ended the worst of the conversation; it was actually a relief to get this over with. I didn't have to worry about her nosing around. Dawn knows that keeping a promise is important, so there is an understanding; I'm not saying that she won't try to get it out of me, but at least she won't bug anyone else and the Council will have some quiet time.

.~.

End flash back

.~.

We talked for another thirty minutes on random stuff, with me carefully weaving what she missed the most of the house from Sunnydale. When I saw the second bedroom on the first floor, my first thought was that Dawn would love this. There was never a doubt that she will come and visit/stay, so I started to add little things to the room, it is a touch of Dawn. It made the house feel more real.

After the phone call I sent an email to Giles, letting him know that I have spoken with Dawn, and that she promises not to pester him further on the topic of my location. I got a reply the next morning thanking me profusely; it seems I was right; Dawn had not let Giles go lightly.

The first week in the hospital had been daunting, exhausting, and for the first time since Sunnydale, I felt a real sense of a challenge. No one knows who I am; no special treatments; the only expectations are on a professional level.

I actually never thought I would have been called out to the Chief's office that soon, so when I got a call to meet him in his office, after only being there for a week, I was a bit worried. This was like high school all over again. But the conversation turned out a lot more different than I expected.

.~.

Second week at the hospital

.~.

Knocking on the Chief's door, I waited for a reply before entering. Once inside I noticed that he was on the phone, but he gave me a smile, gestured for me to sit before finishing off some instructions over the phone.

Putting the phone down, he greeted me before taking out a file, which had me worried for a bit.

"Good morning, Summers." The Chief said.

"Morning, Chief." I replied tentatively.

He gave out a laugh and said. "Summers, you're not in trouble, well I hope you're not in trouble, are you?" He looked at me raising a bemused eye.

"No Sir!" I promptly responded, oh that just sounded like a squawk. Arg, need to relax.

He gave off another laugh before carrying on. "Seriously Summers, from what I had heard from the residents and attendings the new interns are doing a great job. And despite their initial apprehension of your stature, you have proved everyone wrong. So there is nothing to worry about." The chief actually chuckled a bit after making the stature comment, as I scowled. But I didn't reply, preferring to wait for the chief to get to the point of the meeting.

"You know you were an interesting case. With most of your studies done overseas, some people on the board questioned whether you would be a help or hindrance. But I saw no point in that argument, as the academic institutions that you did your practicals with all gave you glowing reviews, and they were approved by the American Medical Board. Plus you did write the American qualification exams and finished on the top half of the graduates. Some of the bigger hospitals actually would have liked to have you as a case study to compare interns who graduated in America and the ones that studied aboard." As the chief rambled on I can't help but grimace a bit on the case-study part, no, I would have refuse that, and would have transferred out as soon as I can, never liked being studied, ever since Sunnydale.

"Anyhow, we are here to discuss something else. From your file I noticed that you were a guidance councilor for Sunnydale High, before the town's collapse?" the Chief asked.

"Um, yes." I confirmed the information and waited for the Chief to carry on.

"You see, there was an incident a year ago, where a student at the local high school committed suicide. What happened was that she went for a HIV test, and the wait on the results were driving her further into depression, so one of teachers suggested that she go talk to the high school counselor. But he is bound by the school to report anything that might jeopardize student safety, so he informed the school board. It was a premature and bad judgment. With the school board made up mostly of current parents, some of them told their kids to stay away from her. So a rumor went around saying she had AIDS. She killed herself the day her tests where due to come out. It was negative, the counselor was heavily reprimanded, but because of politics he still has the job. It is well known that no one goes to him anymore, and with that record he might not get a job elsewhere, so he isn't leaving either. So the principle has asked if there is anything we can do to help with the situation, he just wants the students to know that there is someone there if they want to talk and that it is someone outside of the school. Hence the reason you are here. I was hoping you would take the position of hospital counselor." At this he stopped and gave me some time to let it sink in.

"It will only be once a week. It will be like a walk-in clinic, where no appointments will be needed. But of course you have permission to schedule appointments if needed, as long as the head physio is okay with it. There will also be an extra pay for this. Not much, but might be a nice added bonus." Coming to an end the chief looked to me for an answer or any questions. I think I had a deer caught in headlights expression, I was completely speechless. I had planned to approach the chief to ask about counseling after I settled a bit more, but this thing seems to have just dropped into my lap.

"Summers, you okay?" The chief gave me questioning look.

Snapping out of my shock I replied "Yes Sir! I'm fine. Just a bit shocked. I mean I was going to approach you to see if there is something similar as I am trying to get my psychology degree finished, and I really enjoyed doing it in Sunnydale. I mean the kids are great and most of the time they just needed someone to talk to, but I haven't had a lot of experience with adults, so not too sure on that and isn't there hospital psychologist and other personals, will I be stepping on other people's toes?" Okay that came out a bit fast and I might have been hyperventilating there a bit. But this is huge, and I really don't want to piss anyone off. My little babble there would have made Wilow proud.

"Breathe Summers. I have talked with all parties that might be affected. There is already quite a lot for the local psychologists to handle, so we have agreed that only if you can't handle a case, will it then be handed to them. Also if you agree to this, an announcement will be made on Monday about the new service, as the high school counselor will be on leave. So as to let the student know about it and since he is on leave, someone will need to help the kids if need be. At most you might get some resentment from him when he gets back. But as I said, none of the students goes to him anymore. Can I take this as a confirmation that you accept the job?" As the chief explained, my mind started to race, with the information and came one conclusion. This was too good of a chance to pass up. So I answer the chief with a clear yes, I was interested.

.~.

Back to the present

.~.

After the initial shock wore off, I had to do some extra paper work, and I also started to go through my own books and notes to prepare. I got my own little office for counseling, and a week later I sat in there and waited. No one came that first week, but it was expected, as they will probably be weary, but I had hope and two weeks later I got my first student. Then the flood gates were opened. It seems that a trustful counselor is really what they needed. Most of them just needed a set of ears to listen to, so far I haven't encountered major problems that can't be talked through. Wednesdays have become my favorite day, it was rewarding, giving me a sense of accomplishment. Mentally it was exhausting, which is a nice, as physically I don't get much action.

There is barely any supernatural activity. I say barely because of the random demon here and there passing through; most are harmless; while others were just a nice change of workout. The first week after I got to Charming I did a sweep of the town; there was nothing, after my initial patrol, which was another interesting experience. It was also the first time I had a near encounter with the local gangs.

Found out that since there is limited night life of the weird, the locals stayed out a lot later then the people of Sunnyhell, especially the bikers. The gangs also roam the streets a lot more, hmm seems Giles was right, the gangs have a tight rein in the area, and demons would have been noticed if they started to kill. Anyways I was out doing a sweep of the dodgy spots and cemeteries, when I heard the bikes. So guess what Buffy did? I dived in to the bushes… Yes, not my finest moment, but it was that or explaining why she was out walking alone in the middle of the night. It's not my business, one of the things I promised Giles is to stay out of trouble, specifically out of things that has nothing to do with the supernatural. After that I was more careful, but with three straight weeks of nothing, I started staying in.

For the first time since I was called, I had a demon free life.

:D

This chapter was one of the easiest to write. I initially didnt plan on adding Dawn, but thought it was the perfect place. The story from here onwards will start to mix with the SOA characters.

I took a bit liberty when explaining Buffy's studies; I by no means am a medical professional, but I have friends who are. And I know they are able to do parts of their training in exchange programs if they want, although that is only in certain courses. But it is fanfic, so please don't shoot me on that.

Thank you La for being my beta.
Thank you for reading! :)

Reviews makes me happy, and feeds the muse ;P