"How could you let this happen, again?" – yelled Xander. Although I knew he wasn't really angry, he was just trying to please Anya so she wouldn't ban him from her bed, she still found herself incredibly annoyed and hurt by her friend.
"Well, I'm sorry…apparently this is all my fault. Next time I see dozens of people running towards me with torches, I'll just negotiate with them and I'm sure they'll understand how important their treasure is for your sex life!" – Buffy said sarcastically.
"Exactly!" – screamed Anya – "You are so ungrateful. Here we are, sending you money and these big paychecks while all you have to do is bring little piece of gold, and you are incapable of doing that!"
"Ahn, first of all, you don't work with paychecks, you find it immoral towards all that beautiful cash you love. Second, I haven't seen a cent for three months, because you are collecting all the money for your big wedding. So turn that PMS wave towards someone else, 'cause I'm not putting up with this crap especially after the last two lousy weeks!" – She also had to put up with the annoying fact Angelus had outdone her, again…but she wasn't about to mention that to them.

"Buff…it's not like that, and you know it. We'll pay you, honestly, but you have to give us something in return. I'll make you a deal. Why don't you take a week off, scrub all the jail cell dirt off you and just relax. And then, next week you can earn your money by doing this little mission for us." – Xander suggested. He thought he was such a smooth talker, but she could see right through him. Xander needed her badly, the prize was big and her adrenaline suddenly raced right through.

"What's the artifact Xan? And don't you dare leave any detail out!"
"Well…it's pretty simple. You get through the security system of a mob guy and borrow this silly little painting. Nothing you're not capable of. " – he looked hopefully her way.

"No. No way! You know I'm done with those stuff! Especially after…especially after the last incident!" – Buffy screamed angrily. How dare he ask her such a thing? He was supposed to be her friend, not this despicable human being.
"Buffy, I am begging you! This deal is worth a lot of money. You could rob a bank and not get even the half of money this guy is willing to pay. Besides, you need the money! Dawn needs the money! Willow…" – suddenly Buffy cut him of – "Don't! Just don't…I'll do it, but don't make this a noble cause. It is horrible that you even thought that strategy would work! Just tell me the details about the job, and by God don't even think about calling me until this week of relaxation is over!"
"Alright Buffy, if that's what you want. The artifact we are talking about is Rembrandt's "Man with the magnifying glass", and it is worth a lot of money. The security system is simple: a gate, few armed guards here and there and of course the alarm attached to everything valuable in his home. The mission has a downside, though – we have a deadline. You are to get that painting within three days. So relax well and fast, because once you get back, you'll have to work for three days without even taking a breath, and of course, as always – alone. However, if you don't steal that painting within those three days, the buyer will give his offer to someone more capable. And there's a rumor running around, that Angelus wants that piece for himself. So be careful and don't mess this up!"

"Gee, Xander…you sure know how to give a girl a pep talk!" – Buffy said absently. The moment he mentioned Angelus, her mind wandered off to a completely different place. – "I got to go Xander. I'll check up with you next week." – with that she walked out of their office, not wanting to hear another thing from her employers.

When she got out of the ridiculously large building, she caught a cab. And while she was getting in, she had a feeling she was being watched. The same feeling she got when she was being chased by the natives couple of weeks ago. She wasn't sure if that was a good thing, or bad…