Phoenix AZ 1999

At the same time that her graduating class was fighting the mayor, Buffy was working as a housekeeper at The Phoenician resort. She had been there about four months, but she hadn't become close to any of her co-workers. She didn't let anyone get to know her, afraid for their safety and not wanting to hurt anymore. She dated occasionally, going to the local clubs, but she did it more because she was lonely instead of looking for companionship. Unfortunately that had all change one night, when she found someone that she might be able to care about.

"Buffy, are you okay?" Ben asked his date. He noticed that she was lost in thought again. Buffy turned her attention back to the man beside her. "Penny for your thoughts."

"Cost ya a quarter," she joked. "Inflation and all."

"Yeah, well, I'll give it to you later," he said as he handed over the cover to get into the club. Buffy was surprised that Ben had wanted to take her to the opening of the hottest new club in Scottsdale. Sanctuary was supposed to be the newest thing with the in crowd in the Valley and she felt a little uncomfortable as she looked around the bar. (Nothing like the Bronze, but then again, that's a good thing. Maybe no memories will bother me tonight.) Unfortunately, Buffy discovered her memories would not be put off that easily.

 "I'll go get us a couple of drinks," Ben said casually as he left Buffy at the table they had been lucky enough to find. She watched the man make his way across the room and watched as some of the other women glanced appreciatively at his features. His dark hair was sort and his brown eyes sparkled in the multicolored lights of the club. (Just like. no won't go there..not tonight.)

 Buffy felt the inevitable feeling of guilt that always came when she thought of the soul that she condemned to hell without telling him what was going on. (Had no other choice and he would agree with me on that.) Buffy looked around the club and watched the groups of friends having fun. (That used to be me. Xander would tell one of his lame jokes and Willow would laugh while Cordelia would just roll her eyes.) There wasn't a day that went by that Buffy didn't think about her former life in Sunnydale. She wondered if her friends were still alive. If a new slayer had been called, but she couldn't bring herself to find out.

 "Hey gorgeous, lost in thought again," Ben set down the drinks. "one of these days you're going to have to share what goes on in that mind of yours."

"You don't want to know, really."

 "I do. If you would let me in," he replied sincerely. He didn't know what was going on in Buffy's head, but he did know that he wanted to find out as much as possible about her.

 "No, trust me," Buffy looked into his eyes and he became frightened of what he saw there. Nothing. Complete emptiness. Buffy could see the expression on his face changed and knew that things had changed once again. (Why do I even attempt to let someone get close? It isn't meant to work out. I just can't let myself relax. My relationship with Angel just proved that to a fault.) Buffy excused herself and headed to the ladies room. On her way there, she glanced back and saw that Ben was watching the dance floor. She changed directions, leaving Ben at the club.

Philadelphia Pa 2000

It had been a year since Buffy had left Ben at that nightclub in Phoenix. She had made her way east with stops in New Orleans and Nashville. In each city she would work odd jobs to make money. Each time she left her life when someone got too close to her. She couldn't deal with the chance that she could lose any more friends. She had been in Philadelphia now for two months. She was working at a little family owned section in the Reading Terminal. She had finally found someplace that she thought she could call home. She had even allowed herself to start making friends, often going to the clubs along Delaware Avenue or on South Street.

 "Hey Buffy, we're going to the shore this weekend," her friend Katie had asked. "You wanna come?" Buffy looked over at the girl that she considered her first real friend in over two years. Katie was about 22 with brown hair and blue eyes. She was very boy-crazy and out-spoken and Buffy found her refreshing.

 "Sure. Which beach?"

"Thinking Wildwood for the sun, but then heading into Cape May for the night. Get away from the rowdies on the boards," Katie explained. Buffy knew that the real reason Katie wanted to head into Cape May was because of a bartender she had met the weekend before. He was all Katie had talked about all week.

"Okay, and us going to Cape May has nothing to do with Michael, right?" Buffy joked.

 "Oh course not," Katie tried to say as seriously as possible. "Whatever would make you think that?" Buffy just rolled her eyes. Buffy had yet to make it to the Jersey shore, but Katie and her friends did nothing but talk about it since summer had begun. And, little did Buffy know, Katie intended on finally hooking Buffy up with someone. The girl didn't understand why Buffy never allowed any of the guys that hit on her do more than buy her a drink. "So, we can count on you coming?"

 "Yup, be there with bells on."

 Cape May NJ 2000

 Buffy and Katie were heading towards the shopping district of town, heading to the Ugly Mug, where Katie had told her friends to meet her. Buffy had found herself really relaxed for the first time since leaving home. She didn't think about the past or what she had left behind. She had loved the feeling of the warm ocean water as she went swimming and the smell of the food on the boardwalk.

 "So, I hope you're in the mood to party tonight," Katie told Buffy. There was something in the girl's voice that made Buffy look at her.

 "Katie," she warned, "what do you have in mind?" Katie just batted her eyelashes.

"Nothing." Katie saw that Buffy didn't believe her. "Oh, okay, fine. Ruin the surprise. Michael is bringing a friend of his. I think he would be perfect for you."

"Katie," Buffy growled, "you know how I feel about fix-ups. I don't want to date anyone."

"It's not like you have to rush out and get married," Katie quickly said, hoping to convince Buffy not to ruin her plans, "Michael's friend just happened to come into town this weekend and it was just easier making it a foursome."

 "That's why you invited me this weekend isn't it?" Katie nodded her head guiltily. Buffy looked over at her friend and could see that Katie really didn't mean to hurt her. (Well, it's not like I don't plan on ever dating again. Might as well start now.) "Okay, Katie," Buffy gave in, "I'll let it slide this one time." Buffy grinned at the expression on Katie's face. "But only this once."

The girls arrived at the Ugly Mug and Buffy was introduced to Michael and his friend, Scott. Buffy felt an immediate attraction to Scott (well he is pretty good looking) and she overcame her hesitation about entering the dating scene. The foursome became quick friends as they talked about their pasts, Buffy careful about what she talked about. She briefly described her life before moving to Philly. She expected them to press her for more details about her past and was surprised when they didn't. (Maybe my life can really begin again) she thought hopefully. That's when it hit her. (NO. Not here. Not again. That part of my life is over, I don't want to deal with it.) The guys had left the table to get them a refill on their drinks and Katie was absorbed in listening to the band play. Buffy searched the crowded bar, her gaze glossing over all of the weekend visitors until she found what had upset her. By the door, a man was leading someone out the door. (Damn it, why couldn't they just leave me alone) Even though Buffy had wanted to leave that life behind her, she knew that no matter what, she still had to do her duty.

"Katie, I'll be right back," Buffy said, heading to the back door by the bathroom. As she reached the alley, she saw the man leaning into the girl, his game face showing.

"Okay, do you know how much I so did not want to see you here. You couldn't just leave me alone could you?" Buffy asked vampire in front of her. He turned toward the intruder.

 "Why don't you leave little girl, before you get hurt." Buffy just rolled her eyes.

 "Oh please. I'm so scared." The vampire released the girl and she looked at Buffy, fear in her eyes. Buffy signaled for her to leave and the girl took off running.

"See, now, you made me lose my dinner," the vampire leered at her, "but you will do nicely as a second course."

"Whatever. Can we make this quick I have a date waiting for me?" The vampire lunged at Buffy, who barely made it out of his way. It had been awhile since she had been in a fight and it took her a minute to get back into her training. The vampire came at her again, but this time Buffy was prepared. She ducked under him, flipping him up and over her back. While he was on the ground, Buffy looked for something that she could use for a stake. She saw some wooden crates by the back door of one of the stores and quickly ran over and broke one. By this time the vampire was back on his feet. He threw a swing at Buffy, but she grabbed his arm with one hand. "Hope you don't mind, but I just don't want to deal anymore," she said as she slammed her makeshift stake into his heart. She was quickly covered in ash as the vampire exploded. Buffy shook her head and tried to get as much of the ash off her as she could. Just as she had finished, Scott had come out to find her.

 "Buffy are you okay," he asked concerned. He could see by her face that something had happened.

"Yeah. Just thought I had heard a fight or something." Buffy was about to tell Scott that she was just going to head back to her hotel, but when she looked up at him, something stopped her. (No, I'm through running. I will not let a blood sucking freak destroy my good time tonight.) "Hey, how about my drink?" Scott smiled and put his arm around the blonde at his side. The two of them walked back into the bar.
 
 
 

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