Author’s Note: Before starting the chapter I just want to clear up a few things about this story. This fic is set post season 2 and Buffy has been in Los Angeles for a year.

My fic kind of skips over most of the events of Joss’ Season 3, but I have altered a few of the events to fit my own wicked plans. I may refer to them so I just wanted to give you guys a little head up.

I also wanted to thank those of you who reviewed, thanks for the positive feedback and I hope you guys continue to enjoy the story.

Chapter I

Her black leather boots clicked against the ground as she strode into the factory, her California blonde hair was long and hung down her back in waves. Hidden under her black leather jacket was a custom made dagger that she brought along, just in case things turned sour inside the factory. Not only that but she had her favorite stake hidden on her, incase she encountered anyone of the ‘undead’ variety. In her line of work, you could never really trust anyone; she knew that coming unprepared was just asking for trouble.

The factory’s main room was empty when she arrived, but she knew that she was not alone. In the center of the room was a metal table that was welded to the floor to prevent it from being a potential weapon, Buffy grinned, they always underestimated her power. She had entered the factory with a small briefcase in her hand that she now placed on the table before sitting on the table herself.

She heard footsteps shuffling around in the darkness and then a single spotlight came on overhead, illuminating the center of the room where the Slayer was seated.

A short man in an Italian suit stepped from the shadows and into the circle of light; he wore a thick black mustache that seemed much too large for the man’s face.

“Slayer, it seems you have once again succeeded.”

As he neared, Buffy noticed a few of his larger men following close behind. She rolled her eyes and hopped off the table, “Gaspo, I realize that me being a former Vampire Slayer and you being a demon, the whole trust thing is kind of a big issue but I’m the one facing the biggest risk here.” She moved behind the table, turning the briefcase around to face her, “I mean really, I come in here by myself with exactly what I agreed to get for you even though you could have your guys hiding somewhere waiting to kill me so that you can skip out on my payment.”

Gaspo stood on the opposite end of the table, “Surely by now you must realize that I have no intention of killing you Ms. Summers, after all you do such great work for me.”

Buffy stuck out her lower lip in a pout, “It’s just offensive you know, not to mention just a tad on the suspicious side.” She opened the case and spun it back around to the demon.

“The Book of Gnallgs.” He glanced behind him and muttered some words in his demonic language, which prompted one of his hidden lackeys to bring forth a metal briefcase. The demon lackey eyed her carefully before setting the briefcase on the table in front of her and opening it.

Buffy barely glanced at the stacks of money inside the briefcase, she kept her attention on Gaspo and his lackeys, “Since we’ve become such great friends Gaspo, I’m sure I don’t have to count it.”

“This is not our first business agreement Slayer, surely by now you must trust that Gaspo does not cheat.”

Buffy rolled her eyes and took the case of money, “Relax, it was just a joke besides we both know what would happen if you ever tried to cheat me.”

He narrowed his eyes at her; “I do not take kindly to threats Slayer especially if they are unwarranted. Gaspo is a demon but also a businessman and this business between us is very good.”

-- -- --

Giles cursed under his breath as he entered the bar, the clientele was a combination of humans and demons, all peacefully drowning their sorrows in whatever alcoholic beverage this place served. He also noticed that the place seemed to be rather popular, not at all like the demon bar that Willy ran back in Sunnydale. This wasn’t the sort of place that he would have liked for Buffy to be spending her time but it made sense that she would come to a place like this. It wasn’t nearly as hoping as the Bronze but it was the sort of place where the Slayer could enjoy herself and keep her ear to the ground at the same time.

Giles scanned the large room hoping to catch even a glimpse of his blonde charge but she didn’t seem to be around. He hoped that she hadn’t made any changes to her hair color or appearance that would render him unable to recognize her at first sight. Just to be sure he scanned the room a second time before moving to the bar.

A green-skinned demon with short brownish yellow hair came up to him, a huge grin on his face and a cold pink beverage in hand, “You’re a new face round these parts.”

Giles studied the demon suspiciously, taking in the demon’s rather flamboyant clothes. He wasn’t as accustomed to carrying on conversations with demons as Buffy was, but the situation called for him to seek help wherever it could be found.

“I’m looking for somebody that I believe comes here, perhaps even on a regular basis.”

The demon laughed and took a sip of his drink, “You gotta be more specific than that, give me a name or a description and I’ll see what I can do for you.”

“Are you a regular patron yourself?”

The demon laughed again and shook his head, “Baby, I’m the Host. I know almost everybody that walks through that door and sings up on my stage.”

Giles nodded, “Alright, I’m looking for a teenage girl with blonde hair and green eyes; she’s just over 5 feet. I believe she comes here some what regularly.”

“If you’re taking about the same girl that I think you are, then I’m afraid you’re gonna have to sing for me.”

“I beg your pardon?”

The demon took another sip of his drink and pointed up towards the stage, “I don’t share information with just anybody who comes in here asking me about that little Kitten, if I don’t sense any bad intentions then I’ll tell you what I know.”

Giles looked rather intrigued by this, “You are going to read me to see if I am trustworthy or not?”

“You catch on fast, now just hop on up there and pick a song.”

-- -- --

Buffy leaned against the wall of the elevator as it carried her up to her penthouse on the thirtieth floor. She was exhausted from her trip and eager to freshen herself up and hit her favorite bar for a few drinks.

She hadn’t been home in almost three weeks because of this business with Gaspo, all because he wanted some dusty old book to add to his collection. It reminded her of Giles a little, how great this demon’s collection was and she grinned thinking how her former watcher would probably drool if he ever saw the books that Gaspo had.

With a small ping , the elevator doors opened to a short hallway that led to Buffy’s door. She picked up the briefcase and stepped into the empty hall as the doors closed behind her.

Buffy shook her head in annoyance when she entered the penthouse to find her suitcase just sitting there in the main hall of her home. The young man that she had paid to take her things up hadn’t even bothered to take her suitcase into her bedroom as she had requested.

Buffy moved past the suitcase and entered the living room, shedding her jacket and dropping the briefcase on a leather couch before continuing into her bedroom. A hot shower was the first thing on her mind right now; unpacking from her trip to Brazil could wait until much later.

As she let the water wash over her suntanned body, she let her thoughts wander to the trip. It had been simple enough, most of the jobs she did for Gaspo was retrieval. This had been her first trip to Brazil and it had been hot, a lot hotter than Sunnydale and it had taken her a bit of searching before she actually found the book. The only part she really enjoyed was the chance to beat up demons that she had never encountered before, natives to Brazil. Of course, her Brazilian was still pretty shotty so any jokes or quips she made while she fought made little sense and only served to confound and some times further anger the demons.

It felt good to be back in Los Angeles and she was excited to head down to Caritas and shown Lorne her Brazilian tan. She remembered when she first started going to the bar and met the green-skinned demon.

She had been on edge that night from having completed her first job, many of the demons in the bar glared at her when she entered but didn’t make any move to attack or threaten her. She wasn’t exactly looking for a fight just yet, so she ignored the stares and seated herself at the bar.

A demon who was working behind the bar came up to her, “What kind of Slayer hangs out in demon bars?” he sneered.

Buffy’s head snapped up and she glared at him, “This is really not a good night to be messing with me.”

The demon grinned as if he knew something that she didn’t, “I’m not scared of you Slayer, you can’t touch me in here.”

As if to prove him wrong, Buffy’s lashed out to grab him by the neck but her hand was met instead with a barrier of some sort, which only fueled the Slayer’s fury. The demon laughed as she struggled to punch a hole it what ever magical defenses protected him. The commotion that she was causing had drawn attention the attention of the other patrons, and a few other Slayer-hating demons began to laugh as well. Buffy was just about to tear the whole place apart when, Lorne quickly appeared at her side.

“Hey there Kitty cat why don’t you put those claws away before you get hurt.”

Buffy spun around to face him, “Now is really not a good time to piss me off.”

Lorne took a sip of the blue-green beverage that he held in his hand, “This is a no fighting zone Kitten; I had special barriers put up to keep my more aggressive guests from starting fights.”

Buffy brushed some loose hair from her face, her anger dissipating, “Sorry.” She muttered, “I just want a drink.”

Lorne put an arm around the young girl and led her to the bar, everyone else went back to their drinks.

“What’s your name Kitty cat or do you just go by Slayer?” he handed her an orange colored drink and nodded at the bartender for a refill of his own.

Buffy took the drink and smiled at the demon gratefully, “My name is Buffy.”

-- -- --

The audience along with Lorne, clapped enthusiastically when Giles finished his song and stepped off stage.

“Have you got a set of pipes or what, excellent choice in song too.”

Giles blushed and nervously began cleaning his glasses, “Yes well…thank you.”

Lorne handed his empty glass to the bartender and two more for himself and his guest before leading the watcher to a table.

Giles returned his glasses to his face and politely accepted the drink, “I think by now you must know my intentions and that I mean the girl no harm.”

Lorne sipped his drink and raised an eyebrow at the Englishman, “Maybe not but I did come a cross a little fog when I was reading you and that never turns out well. I can tell you that she used to be a regular but she hasn’t stopped by for a couple of weeks now.”

“It is very important that I find her, do you know where she is?”

“Afraid not Papa bear, Buffy doesn’t talk to me about the work that she does. I know she does quite a bit of traveling, but she never tells me where she’s going.”

“Did she seem distressed last time you saw her?”

Lorne laughed, “I don’t think the little Kitten is much for the whole damsel in distress, I’ve had to remind her too many times to put those claws away when she’s in Caritas, I have a strict no-fighting rule that is enforced by protective barriers.”

Giles nodded, “Very wise.” He then pulled the napkin out of his pocket and presented it to the demon, “She sent me this note on the back of a napkin from your bar, up until now Buffy has been very careful not to leave any clues as to where she might be. I didn’t even realize that she was living in Los Angeles until I looked up ‘Caritas’, she leaves no return address on the packages that she sends.”

“I guess this means that our little Kitty cat is a runaway, I guessed that was the case.”

“I need to bring Buffy home immediately; if she stays here she will be in danger. If you know where she lives then I beg of you to tell me.”

“You are barking up the wrong tree Papa bear, I’ve told you all I know about the little Kitten and the only thing I can do is give you ring next time she stops by and that’s if she does come back.”

Giles gave his number to the demon, and stood up to leave, “Thank you for your help it was very much appreciated.”

-- -- --

Buffy hopped on the first stool that she saw and ordered herself a drink, glad that her friendship with the host meant that she didn’t have to show any ID.

When the bartender returned with her drink, she asked him where Lorne was and the man pointed to a table a few feet away. Her view was partially blocked by a pair of large demons but she could tell that he was talking with somebody.

Buffy turned back to the counter and took a sip of her drink, she had been here often enough to know that whenever Lorne was sitting at his table it meant that he was taking care of business and shouldn’t be disturb.

She smiled as she pictured the look on his face when he saw that she was back and suddenly Buffy didn’t want to wait for him to see her. She decided to go over and surprise him.

Buffy hopped off the stool and grabbed her drink then headed over to Lorne’s table. She was only a few feet away when she saw who it was that he was talking to.

Giles’ eyes went wide as soon as he saw her coming towards the table. Buffy’s heart stopped and her drink slid from her hand, shattering when the glass hit the floor. Lorne stood up and called over a couple of guys to clean up the mess.

“What a surprise! My little Kitten is back!”

Giles stood there, surprised and happy to see that his Slayer was alive and looking well, he took a step towards her, “Buffy.”

Hearing her name coming from her former watcher shook the Slayer out of her daze, she put up her hands in a warning that he not come any closer and she sent an apologetic glance at Lorne.

More than anything Giles wanted to believe that Buffy was going to be rational and come home with out a struggle but it had been a year and there was no doubt that living on her own in the big city had changed her.

As soon as she took her eyes off of him to look at the demon, Giles took the opportunity to get closer to her. When she realized that he was still coming towards her Buffy tried to turn and take off but the crowd prevented her from using her slayer speed to get away. Giles caught up to her just outside the bar and grabbed her arm.

“Buffy will you stop this nonsense!”

Buffy spun around to face him, knots forming in her belly. Why did he have to find her? Why couldn’t she have just been left alone? She was angry at herself and angry at him for disrupting this new life that she had built for herself. Her eyes narrowed and she glared at him, “Let. Go. Of Me.”

Giles studied her for a second then removed his hand he knew enough about Buffy to realize that when her emotions where running high she tended to be a little more aggressive than necessary. He sighed, wondering how much his Slayer could have changed, that she was looking at him now with such anger in her eyes.

“I only wish to speak to you Buffy.”

“No, you want to bring me back to Sunnydale.”

“This is true yes but right now I just want to talk to you.”

“There’s nothing to talk about Giles, I’m not going back and there is no way that you can get me to change my mind. I’m done working for the council and being the Vampire Slayer.”

“Buffy I’m not here to force you to do your sacred duty; I’m here because you belong at home. Do you have any idea the pain that you have caused your mother, Joyce is suffering a great deal wondering where you are and if you haven’t been killed off by some demon.”

“News flash Giles, I didn’t just runaway, she kicked me out.”

Giles glanced away, “I am aware of what happened the night you went to destroy Acathala but you must try to be rational. Your mother loves you and has been missing you terribly as have Willow and Xander.”

Buffy sighed, “Listen Giles, I’m sorry okay but I am not returning to Sunnydale. Believe me, I miss mom and the guys too but I can’t go back.”

“What have you gotten your self into Buffy? What is it that prevents you from going home?”

Buffy felt tears forming in her eyes, too many times the prospect of going back to Sunnydale had crossed her mind but she knew that returning meant that she would have to go back to her life as the chosen one.

She knew that they just wanted her back and to know that she was safe.

What her mother and friends failed to realize though was that in returning she would be once again bearing the burden of protecting the world.

Giles of course had to realize this and she couldn’t be angry at him for wanting her to return but there was still the pain in her heart. The pain that was born of their selfishness; they wanted her home so that they could be happy not really caring that being in Sunnydale made her unhappy.

This life that she had created for herself, while not perfect, was satisfying enough for her. She was free from the Hellmouth and free from the duties as the Vampire Slayer and that made her very happy.

“I have a new life here Giles and I can’t expect you to understand or agree with me. I’m free of my Slayer responsibilities and its great. I’m free, Giles.” She gave him a hug and smiled at him sadly, “Give my love to everyone, would you?”

Giles’ shoulders sagged in defeat after all there was little that he could do to bring her back, “You aren’t coming back?”

Buffy shook her head, “No, I’m not. I’m sorry Giles.”

“What about your mother, Buffy? What am I supposed to tell her?”

“Tell her I love her and I miss her and I’m sorry for the pain that this has caused her.” She hugged the watcher one last time before she turned away and started walking.

Giles stood where he was, heartbroken, “Take care of yourself Buffy.”

She stopped and glanced at him, “I will, I promise but please…don’t come back."