Xander and Faith's trip back to Sunnydale was filled with boredom and tension. On the one hand they were acutely aware of how dangerous their trip was and the potential for natural and supernatural attacks. However, on the other hand, the meandering route they'd determined was best included long, tiresome trips down the backroads of multiple states.

Most of the time was spent getting to know each other. Both had long realized that they shared many of the same childhood experiences. Faith, for her part, shared elements of her story that she'd previously only told Diana and Wesley. She suspected that Derek could probably guess some of the details, and know doubt Wes would've asked him for some advice on how to be helpful, but she knew he'd never ask her to share things if she wasn't comfortable sharing them.

Where Faith's trauma centered mostly on the people who found their way into her life Xander's issues flowed directly from his own parents. He told Faith about the drinking and the beatings, the fear-based enabling he'd witnessed his mom engage in, and his privately held fears, suspicions really, that he was somehow fated to follow in his father's footsteps.

"That's BS, Xander," Faith told him, "it'd be one thing if you didn't have anyone around you who had good sense. You've got at least a half dozen people who care about you and want to help you, so don't tell yourself that anymore."

To his credit Xander held his tongue. He knew Faith was right but old thoughts die hard. He smiled and nodded, shifting the subject somewhat.

"So, I was thinking that I might apply to get into college when we get back."

Faith nodded and thought that over as she drove. "Sounds good. I think that'd be a good first step to checking that 'I'm gonna be like my dad' business."

"Yeah, maybe. What about you?"

"What about me?"

"Well, what are your plans for when we get back? You have to have thought about that."

Faith took her time mulling over Xander's question. Truthfully, Faith had thought briefly about college during the time when she'd been "evil." However, her own survival had taken up much of her mental energy and she hadn't thought much more about it.

"Well, to be honest, I did think about college. But I don't know. The past year made it hard for me to think about anything more than staying alive. I guess I don't know that I'm really one for going to class, taking notes, and scrambling for grades."

Xander was a little taken aback by that. He'd always assumed that everyone should, and would want to, go to school, to get good jobs, and generally to pursue what people called, "The American Dream."

"What about your future? Wouldn't getting your education help you, long term?"

"Yeah, I actually have thought about that. Had a chat with Wes about it one day a few months ago. He assumed we'd all survive this thing and we sat and chatted at the Pump, just two random strangers talking vaguely about education.

Wes pointed out that not everyone learns the same way and some people wouldn't really be suited for college. He also reminded me, a 'stranger,' that there was a difference between 'college' and 'education.' I never thought about it that way before and I've really been thinking that, since I have a job, I could spend my free time pursuing an education and not formally going to college."

Xander sat back and thought for a time. "I guess that makes sense, Faith. I've never heard the distinction being made like that before but it's a fair point. What did you mean, 'I have a job?'"

"I'm on the payroll at the Espresso Pump. Derek and Wes pay well and they give good benefits so I've got a pretty sweet medical/dental/retirement thing going on, too."

To say that Xander was shocked would've been an understatement. He paused and found himself laughing out loud. "Are they hiring? I could use a little pocket money."

Faith laughed as she looked over to Xander in the passenger seat. "Let's get back to Sunnydale and I'll put in a good word with my boss. Now, grab that map and let's find a place to crash. I'm worn out and we need to rest."

—

Roger Wyndham-Price was seething as he pondered his next move within the comfort of his office in the Watcher's Council headquarters. He had been briefly caught off guard when Thomas, a trusted member of his faction, arrived back in England via cargo ship, bringing along the corpses of the four-man SOG team.

Recognizing that this American who'd been associated with his son was serious, Price considered his options, having spoken with the lone survivor of the attempted retrieval of Faith and his own son.

"Wesley," the man spat out loud as he mused, "you've always been a disappointment. Now, you've drawn first blood in a game for which you are woefully unprepared."

Thomas had told him that while the assault on the American's house had been a failure he did learn that it would appear that Wesley had, through the actions of the other members of his team, which included young Mr. Harris, reached out in an attempt to unite the two Slayers and their subsequent supporting cast.

"This will not do. Usurpers, all of them," Price muttered as he reached for his telephone. Picking up the receiver he dialed a few numbers. "Jameson, this is Price. I'd like to know the whereabouts of Quinton Travers and the other Council members who supported him. Contact the coven and tell them to take the appropriate actions."

He paused before hanging up. "Additionally, I'd like to have Teams 9, 12, 14, and 15 put on pre-deployment status. Give them 96 hours to prepare themselves and arrange transportation. Let them know they'll be heading to Sunnydale and they'll receive orders en route."

Price replaced the receiver into its cradle and reclined in his high-backed leather desk chair. As he considered what he had just set into motion he thought about the possibility of having to tell his wife that their son came to a violent end.

"Regrettable, but such is life in our line of work," Price said to no one in particular. His wife would understand that these things happen even if she would never know of her husband's role in their son's death.

—-

Derek's drive may have been the least eventful of all of the trips. He barely stopped for anything other than gas so he made good time. As he made his way to his sister-in-law's office he considered how he would tell her about what had been going on in his life over the years. When he thought about what the revelation would do to her way of looking at the word he had to chuckle. An idea popped into his mind as a way to help ease her into his world and it made Derek laugh out loud.

He parked the truck in the visitor parking lot, crammed his belongings in the front after all, it is Los Angeles, and locked the doors. Taking a deep breath, Derek walked up the steps and into the building.

Derek walked directly up to the person working at the front desk. Looking at his name tag, Derek cleared his throat and calmly spoke.

"Good morning. I'm looking for Kate Lockley."