The staffers that were still in building by late Sunday afternoon were sent home. Sam, Toby, Josh and C.J were still in Toby's office when Leo did the rounds.

"Go, now, please," he said.

Josh was the only one to stand up.

"I'm going down to the mess," he announced.

Leo let him pass, but continued to glare at the others.

"I want you here early tomorrow, I suggest you take this opportunity to go home. Sam, you've got a lot to process, if you want to talk anyone call Abbey."

"You know?" Sam asked.

"I've known Abbey since we were about twelve," Leo said.

Sam nodded. He wandered out of the office to collect his things from his own. Leo thought better of trying to order C.J and Toby to do anything. He followed Sam out off the building.

Abbey, Anya, Tara and Willow were also in the mess by the time Josh arrived.

"Hi," he greeted the group.

Donna looked up at him. "Do you need something?" she asked.

"Leo sent me home," he explained. "What's happening here?"

"We're trying to think of ways to find out where the demon is so Buffy and Donna can kill it," Xander said.

Josh sat down. He took a piece of apple from the pile and dipped in the nearest peanut butter jar.

"I really have no idea," he said after a moment's pondering.

"There's the map spell," Willow suggested.

"I think we'd need something more specific," Abbey said. "There are probably several demons, or half demons, in the White House let alone D.C."

"C.J said she had a pin board," Josh said. "But it only has five pins in it."

"Could we adjust the spell to find everyone, or every demon that has been to all sites?" Dawn said.

Willow frowned. She'd found the original spell, but she couldn't remember the theory behind it.

"I've never encountered any past reference spells like that," Abbey said.

"But everything leaves a trace," Tara said.

"Do you have any books, ma'am?" Donna asked.

"No," Abbey said sadly. "And what is it you're eating?"

"Apples and peanut butter," Josh said. He looked at her strangely. How had she been here so long and not known that?

"Is it good?"

"Not as good as chocolate and peanut butter," Buffy said, reaching for another piece of apple.

"I'll pass then."

They sat. No really had much energy left at the end of the day to say much. Donna and Buffy were anxious to get out and beat something up, but they still didn't have any idea of how to find the creature they wanted to pulverize. Each person slowly sank into their own thoughts, rising occasionally for another piece of apple.

When Josh didn't come back, C.J and Toby decided that they should probably head down to the mess after him. The room was wake-still when they entered. C.J couldn't decide if it was ironic, or to be expected given the events of the day.

"Toby, how do we find this demon?" Abbey asked, before they could find a seat.

"I've got a pin board," C.J said.

"I told them already," Josh said.

"We go to the most recent site and pick up the magic trace trail," Toby said. "It's been killing them by magic, so it should be fairly strong."

"She was at the Potomac," C.J said. "I can lead the way. Ma'am, you probably shouldn't come."

Abbey shook her head in agreement. To the extent that they ever showed expression, her agents looked relieved.

Slowly the group stood up and gathered together ready to leave.

"I'll be staying here then," Spike said, slouching back in his chair. "It'll give me time to think things over," he said to himself.

No one heard, but Abbey understood.

"You can talk to me," she said.

With varied glances the others agreed and began to leave the Mess. They met Sam and Leo in the hallway.

"Where are you going?" Leo asked just as Sam asked, "Who are you?"

"We're the Scooby gang," Xander said. "And we're off to kill a demon."

"Do you want to come?" Anya offered.

Leo looked slightly taken aback by the offer. Sam looked confused.

"Shouldn't Marbury be here?" Leo asked the group. He wasn't sure who he should be addressing.

"Why?" Sam asked, studying the new people.

"He's in charge," Leo said. His uncertainty was evident.

"Really?" Sam asked.

He seemed excited. Leo grimaced.

"He is, but he's also the Lord Watcher, which means he's not actually part of this process," Toby said. "I'm in charge of Donna and C.J. Giles is in charge of the others."

"Tara and Willow are in charge of themselves," Giles said.

Toby nodded succinctly, accepting the correction, and not really caring. He looked at Leo and Sam carefully, judging their ability to deal with what they were about to do.

"Are you going to come?" he asked.

Sam nodded eagerly. He wasn't going to let Josh have all the fun. Leo more considered, but he, too, agreed to join them.

"I need to see it," he said slowly.

"Okay, then," Toby said. "Leave anything you don't want to carry with Abbey and Spike in the mess. We're headed to the Potomac and then we'll be following a magic trail, there may be a long walk."

"You don't like the outdoors," Sam reminded him.

"Demons are worse," Toby said.