I don't own anything etc just the plot.

Here is another one, I have a direction i want this story to go in but it seems to change as the story gets written i hope you like the direction its taking, it is a little slow at the moment but there is reason i promise

Chapter 31

Buffy made her way to Stephanie's room to check that she was ok, she knocked lightly on the door and heard a soft ''come in'

Buffy opened the door and stepped into the room, Stephanie was lying on her bed with the pillow pulled up over her head.

"How are you' Buffy asked

Stephanie removed the pillow and raised her head to look at Buffy, there were tears streaming down her face and she sniffled loudly then used a tissue to wipe her nose.

'Would it be bad if I said I have never felt worse' Stephanie said a slight catch in her voice

Buffy scooted over to her and gave her a big hug "want to talk about it' she asked

Stephanie returned the hug for a while then pulled away "I'm so confused and sad, but happy and I don't know what to do Buffy'

Buffy smiled "try and let it out tell me what you're thinking'

After a brief pause she started talking 'I don't know what to do, I mean im engaged to Morelli but the last 12 hours I have barely thought about him. I'm terrified of this life, the life you and Ranger seem to suit so easily, but at the same time I can't imagine my life without it. I figure I have 3 choices. I could walk outta here when this is over and marry Joe quit my job and commit to that life , maybe get a job at the police station or something so I still felt like I was contributing but I couldn't be in the danger as Joe wouldn't like it. Second choice I could call off my engagement, let Joe go and really try to get Ranger to give me chance and see how that goes. Or I can walk away from them both and let us all move on and out of this never-ending circus'

Stephanie looked up at Buffy "what do you think?'

A small smile crossed Buffy's face 'or, you could choose you, forget about all that other stuff for a moment and really try to consider what would make you happy, who are you Steph?, what do you want, what do you need, stop thinking about what you would lose if you picked done or the other and really try to figure out the answers to those questions. Then you might be able to find the answers you want'

"Is that what you did' Stephanie asked

The slayer smiled "I'm still working on it, I don't know the answers myself yet. All I know is that here now I have some pretty great friends and I am getting the opportunity to make a difference' she reached out and took the brunettes hand in hers "look I know this isn't easy and that it feels like you are going to hurt someone, and the reality is that you will, but not making a choice, not taking action is going to hurt you all more. You all know your feelings for each other its just down to who is right for you?'

"but what about Ranger, he is not even willing to give it a shot' Stephanie argued

Buffy shook her head 'maybe not while your engaged to someone else , but he loves you and you know it, you can't doubt that and I think now after everything you need to not play both you need to decide who you want and go for it, even if it doesn't work out a decision needs to be made,. You try one and keep the other on standby Steph, that's not fair'

Stephanie eyes snapped to hers 'you think I'm doing that'

Buffy nodded "yes, you may not mean to or even know you're doing it but that's what it looks like to me'

Stephanie groaned and face planted on the pillow 'I need to give this ring back' she said as she showed buffy her finger

"really, just like that' Buffy asked surprised

'yeah, you know what I did after Joe left after he proposed'

Buffy nodded "you called Ranger'

'Yeap, I cried for a while then I called Ranger, that's not normal' she sighed and sat up again 'if I am going to make a choice I need to do as a single woman' she looked at Buffy for approval

The blonde slayer nodded "you need to do what feels right for you'

Stephanie looked thoughtful for a moment "how was he after he left my room'

Buffy looked at her closely 'he was confused and upset that I had caught you'

'Did he say anything? I know he talks to you about stuff, confides in you, stuff he doesn't think I can handle or doesn't feel right telling me' Stephanie seemed awfully sad all of sudden

Buffy wondered how much to tell her 'he wants to let you in Steph I think, but I just don't think he knows how. It's hard letting someone in when you are used to being by yourself. Just like its hard to let go of someone you love or once loved regardless of how things ended. There is always the part of you that goes what if, but Steph trust me the decision you make here isn't the rest of everything it's just another decision you need to make the one that is right for you now. I have made so many decisions in my life that I regretted but at the end of the day I wouldn't be here now with you and Ranger if I didn't make them and for me right now here is a good place' Buffy stood up from the bed and gave Stephs hand a soft squeeze 'be brave Steph and follow your heart'

Buffy left the room and headed back to her own room, she was going to shower and go work out she needed to burn some energy and clear her head it been one hell of a morning.