Caela and Willow sat together on the porch swing outside of Buffy's house. The air was just begining to warm, and the morning clouds were starting to disipate. Caela's right leg was tucked under her as the other controlled the movement of the swing, since Willow's legs were completly curled up at her side.

"So, when is it exactly that you are to 'come to age?'" Willow was still intrigued with the information that Caela had not an hour ago explained to everyone in a group. She wanted all of the details, not just the important ones.

"Eighteen." She looked up from watching a bee land on a flower in the pot next to her. "After that, I am able to accompany Angel and Buffy in the fight."

"What are you supose to do now, while you wait I mean?" Willow peered into Caela's downcasted eyes.

"Exactly that, wait." Caela played it off that it didn't bother her. "Within a year, observing Buffy and training with Giles I will be able to equal my ability and strength with her's. After that," Caela continued. "My senses will grow."

"What do you mean your sense will grow?" Willow looked enlightened. "You mean that you will have like a sixth sense, maybe even a 7th?"

"Possibly. I am not sure really. All they tell me is that they will grow. I don't know if that means that they will just expand in recognition or in numbers." She shruged.

Willow was awe struck. "Wow." Was all she could say, her eyes wide as she stared at Caela and absorbed the information and possibilities that they could inhabit.

"Hey guys!" Buffy stepped out onto the porch. "Whats up?" She approached the swinging bench.

"Nothin'" Willow and Caela starred up at her from their seats. "In fact, I was just going to go and get something to eat." Willow stood up and smiled at the other two girls and walked into the house, shutting the door behind her.

Buffy sat down in Willow's former seat. "Ahhh..." She sighed and leaned into the swing. "So, whatcha thinkin'?" Buffy noticed how Caela was a littletoo involved with her own thoughts.

No response...

"Caela......" Buffy waved a hand in front of the teen's face.

"Hmmm?" Caela shook herself out of it. "Whats that?" Trying to make it seem as if she was paying attention the whole time.

"Whats up? Somethin' on your mind?" Buffy turned her body more to face her.

Deep breath. "I was just wondering what its going to be like from no on." She looked down at her shoe's laces. "I no longer live in Irelan'. I live in Sunny California, as Pike calls it." She mumbles the last part. "I will never have complete control over my body." She paused. Thinking of what she was about to say. "I have a new family." A deep breath. "One that I am related to in ways that people only dream about." She looked at Buffy, tears from stress and knowledge of these things threatened at her eyes. "Buffy, I'm not sure if I should be happy or disappointed in leaving Ireland and staying here. Because I'm not sure what the consequenses are. I'm not sure which one would be better to stay in according to the future. I'm just...lost." Caela watched her hands as they fidgetted.

"Caela, you just have to go with your gut feeling. Nothing else can tell you what is right and what is wrong. Take your time. It won't be long-" Buffy was cut off by a honking of a car's horn as it parked in front of Buffy's house. A familiar, middle-aged man stepped out of the blue car and gave a half smile as greetings. "Oh, God. I forgot." Buffy stood up and rushed to embrace the man in a hug. "Hi, Daddy."

"Hey, Baby." He was overwhelmed and shocked by her actions. She hadn't seen him in a long time. He became even more uneasy when Buffy began to cry. Her body shook in sobs and Hank Summers held her tighter. Sharing her pain. "I know, Sweeite. I know. Shhhh..."

They walked back into the house after Buffy had calmed down. Tears still stained her cheeks, making her look as if she were ill. Angel as arguing with Cordelia about what decisions they had to make together and what they should make on their own. As the door opened to a slightly familiar man and yet an obvious relationship to Buffy, with her wraped with his arm by his side, distraut, Angel sat up and immediatly ignored the conversation.

"Buffy?" He rushed to her opposite side and bent his body so that his eyes met her's. He saw the reoccuring pain and sorrow. He cupped her cheeks and wiped the strains of salty water from her face with his thumbs. She finally looked up at him. Her eyes became filled with tears again. Briming in fact. Angel gave her a sympathetic look and wrapped his arms around her body as she rested her head on his shoulder and clung to his neck and shoulders. The two men held and soothed Buffy. After an hour she had cried herself into a deep sleep of exhaustion and Angel carried and placed her into her bed. He stood there, watching her for a few seconds before walking out and closing the door only to a crack. He wanted to make damn sure that he would hear her if she were to wake and start crying again. She wouldn't call for him if she did. And he knew that she would keep it to herself, not wanting anyone's pity. And he knew that he couldn't, no wouldn't let her do that. It was a possibility that Buffy would make herself sick. She had a habbit of doing that.

Part Two

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