Angel looked at Xander pacing in anger. "Do you know what you did? DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DID?"

Xander shook his head. "You need to back off right now."

Buffy put her hands up. "Xander is right. This isn't his fault. We need to remain calm and keep perspective."

Angel marched right up getting in Xander's face. "Oh no no no. Every chance he got for the last 3 years he made sure to tell me how my relationship with Buffy brought nothing but pain and hurt. Well your relationship with Faith just took our last slayer out of play. So guess what I think it is time I get a word or two in."

Xander looked at him. "Oh my God do you have any clue at all. I mean Faith just walked out and told us all she wants nothing to do with any of us. She could be dying in the street. But you are completely right. Lets make this about you and the pay back you can get."

Buffy tried to change the subject. "Giles what the hell was that poison stuff she was talking about?"

Giles closed his eyes wanting to find the right words. "It wasn't my call Buffy."

Xander glared at him. "What did you do?"

Giles leaned against the table. "Quentin Travers is still head of the council and I can tell him what ever you think I should but in the end I'm a puppet."

Buffy stepped to him. "What did they ask?"

Giles sucked in a deep breath. "When a slayer turns 18 the council insists I give a sedative. It's part magic part science and it just takes the edge off the slayer. It makes her."

Xander interrupted "Normal?" Giles just nodded. "That explains why I had to come to her aide so much lately."

Giles looked ashamed and shook his head. "I didn't want to do it. I begged them but they told me that if Faith didn't' take the test."

Buffy wallowed and knew in her heart what he was going to say. "They would make me do it?"

No words were said Giles just nodded. Xander crossed the room grabbing his coat. "I have to find her."

Angel shook his head. "And do what? She is not in the mood to see you or me. She sees you she'll kill you."

Xander turned to leave. "Well I'm not going to just leave her out there alone especially when she needs help."

Angel was going to say something but Xander was right. "Okay. Go. I'm going to take my car and look for her. You got the south side and I'll take North."

Giles stammered wanting to help. "Maybe I could assist."

Angel shook his head. "Take Buffy home. With her angry you probably should steer clear of all of this. To be honest as pissed off as she is at Xander."

Xander knew what he was going to say. "I'm going out."

Buffy nodded. "Please guys keep me posted."

Angel picked up his keys. "Get Buffy home."

At city hall the mayor was sitting in his office going over his paper work when Deputy Mayor Allen Finch knocked on his door. The mayor looked up. "Come on in Allen."

Allen's shirt was covered in a gray goop. "It is done Mister Mayor."

He stood up crossing the room to him. "She drank it with no problem?"

"Well it smelled awful and tasted worse I'm sure. Me and your driver had to pour it down her throat but yeah we got her to drink the demon heart."

An inquisitive look painted his face. "Just curious but what did you use to liquefy the heart?"

"There was a blender in the break room."

A look of disgust painted his face. "Well make sure and throw it away. We can't have anyone drinking bits and pieces of demon with their morning smoothie. Not to mention the vegetarians in the office would have a field day."

"I'll throw it away."

"Take 30 bucks out of petty cash and buy a new blender." He nodded looking nervous. "And for God sake you are the deputy mayor get dressed in something with out demon heart."

"Yes sir." Allen turned and headed towards the door.

"Oh and Allen you will alert me the second she wakes up."

"Of course."

Xander and Angel were out the entire night looking for Faith. Once the sun came up Angel was out of the game. Xander kept looking even in to the day light. Just before noon he stopped by Buffy's. It was Sunday so school wasn't a worry.

Joyce answered the door and could see the bags under Xander's eyes. "Xander you okay?"

Xander nodded. "I'm fine. I just . Is Buffy here?"

Buffy came running down the steps. "Xander did you find her."

He stepped in to the house and shook his head. "No. I think." He shook his head. "I think the Mayor has her."

Joyce looked confused. "Why would the Mayor want Faith?"

Xander shook his head. "I don't know. All I know is he tried recruiting her and she said that he was definitely giving off a James Bond bad guy type vibe."

Buffy took his had. "We are going to get her back. We are going to explain things and this will all just be a bad memory."

Xander yawned. "I hope you are right but for now I have to find her."

Joyce put her hand on his shoulder "You need sleep Xander. You won't do anyone any good at all killing yourself."

Xander shook his head. "I'll sleep when I find her."

Buffy stepped in front of him. "You won't take care of yourself I will. If you won't sleep just take an hour to nap."

Xander shook his head. "Buffy."

Buffy crossed her arms. "Sleep Xander."

Joyce stood next to Buffy. "She is right."

Xander sighed "Okay I'll go home and."

Buffy shook her head. "You are too tired to drive. Couch now."

Before he could say anything Joyce handed him a pillow and blanket. As Xander laid on the couch Joyce closed the curtains. Buffy sat on the edge of the coffee table.

"Xander there is one thing I wanted to talk to you about."

Xander yawned barely able to keep his eyes open. "Buffy?"

Buffy bit her lip not sure how to bring it up. "That stuff Faith said about seeing in our head. You know the dream and when she said she was reading my thoughts."

Xander knew it was awkward for both of them but couldn't bring himself to think about. "Some day Buffy when we have time we will cross that bridge and hash out all of this but right now I have to focus on Faith."

Joyce called to her daughter. "Let him sleep Buffy."

At home Giles was taking a verbal beating from Quentin Travers. Travers paced the room furious. "So at this current moment you have no idea where your only active slayer is."

"You aren't going to blame this one on me. I told you this test was un needed more than that though all of the progress I have made with this girl was all flushed down the toilet because you refused to listen."

Travers shook his head. "Well I have ways to deal with unruly girls like her."

Giles laughed knowing what he was planning. "Your wet works team? Good luck with that."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning that if my theory is right your team won't get to her. The Mayor has power that is beyond your touch or reach."

"So she is with the Mayor?" Quentin turned to the window. "What do we know of this Mayor?'

Giles let out a breath. "Not much. I've been looking for anything I can find. So far it mostly obscure references. He's old and powerful I venture."

Travers turned to him "Than we wait. Our moment will come and when it does that little bitch will learn what her ungratefulness truly cost her. How ever you do face a problem."

"I face several. You are going to have to be more specific."

"The hell mouth is with out a slayer. I guess that isn't entirely true. There is always the Summers girl."

Giles eyes lit up with rage. "She is pregnant and has earned the right to take this time. If you have any inclination of taking that from her."

"Relax Rupert. It doesn't do your heart well to get it so worked up. Besides for once we are in agreement. Summers can see this child thing through. It still leaves the question of who will protect the hell mouth."

Giles took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. "We still have Angel and while Xander is no slayer he is quite capable."

Quentin laughed holding his side. "A teenage boy and a love sick vampire. Yes fine guardians indeed."

"So what are you going to do?"

"I'm going to get on the next plane home. Since the test clearly won't be going down I have no need to be here."

Giles sighed and shook his head. "You create this disaster and than wash your hands of it saying it's not your problem."

"Feel lucky Rupert I'm allowing you to keep your position. With a pregnant slayer and what appears to be a rogue one I have more than ample ground to fire you."

"Fire me?" Giles felt his jaw stiffen but knew this was a better topic not left pushed. The council would turn there back on him and never look back. This was the place where a cool head should prevail. He found his calm and just looked at Quentin "Well have a safe journey."

With nothing more said Travers was our the door. Giles stepped to the window watching him get in his car and drive away. A dry English smirk painted his face. "It was worth it."

It was just past 5 when Xander woke up on the couch. He yawned looking at the clock and realized how much time had passed. He jumped up. "One hour. What the hell."

Joyce came in to the living room. "Don't be mad at Buffy. You needed your sleep and I told her to not wake you."

Xander looked around the room picking up his shoe quickly putting it back on. "Well I have to get back out there."

Buffy came down the steps. "Well I'm coming with you."

Joyce went in to the kitchen. "I know I can't stop you from leaving but you need to eat. I made you some sandwiches and snacks a few drinks. Take it with me and promise me you'll eat something."

Xander nodded taking the bag. "I promise."

Joyce looked at Buffy and than Xander. "And promise me you'll protect my daughter."

Buffy rolled her eyes. "Mom I am the slayer."

Xander ignored her. "I promise." He turned to Buffy. "You sure you want to come with."

Buffy nodded. "Let's find our girl and bring her home." They walked down the side walk and to Xander's truck. Buffy jumped up in to the seat and buckled in. "So where do we start?"

"City Hall."

It had been almost 24 hour Faith had been sleeping. The Mayor was sitting in the chair next to her bed when she woke up. He was reading a magazine as she started to stir.

"Hey look who's up?'

Faith sat up in bed. Her hair was a mess and her head still hurt but she was on the mend. "Where am I?"

"City hall Faith. How is the head? Still hearing any of those voices?"

Faith shook her head. "I'm better. I think."

"Well isn't that just Jim Dandy."

Faith rolled her eyes. "What do you want?'

"Beg your pardon?"

"I didn't stutter. I'm asking what do you want. I can smell an agenda on you a mile away."

The mayor jumped up and laughed. "See I don't want to think of it as what do I want. To be honest I think this is one of those situations where we can benefit from each other."

"I'm doing fine on my own."

"That is just it Faith. I don't want you doing just fine. Someone like you with your skills should be owning a town like this."

Faith laughed at him and offered yet another eye roll. "I barely own my shoes."

"Oh I'm not going to argue that you are rough. You are going to need some help and direction, definitely a pinch of guidance but you are lucky."

"Let me guess. You are just the one to offer me all of those things."

"Who better?"

"All for the low low price of what? My eternal soul."

Now the Mayor laughed. "Oh come on now souls are over rated I gave mine up and never looked back."

Faith stammered now not sure what was going on. "You don't have a soul? So what are you?"

The mayor sat back down in the chair. "Right now I'm your friend and trust me when I say you can use one."

"Yea well having friends didn't really work out so well."

"You call those run around mealy mouths your friends."

"Well no not really but."

"I got resources Faith and I can tell you where every one of those so called friends of yours is."

"Really?"

"The vampire is sleeping cozy probably dreaming of that blonde slayer honey pot."

"I didn't ask."

"No but you want to know. I can tell."

Faith sat up throwing her feet over the side of the bed. She sat up looking at the mayor. "Where is he?"

The Mayor just smiled. He knew he had her. "You're talking about the boy. Xander right." Faith just nodded. "Well him and Honey pot just took off together.. I mean you sent him packing and he is already shacking up and moving on."

"He is with Buffy?"

"He was at her place since just before noon."

"He didn't even come after me?"

"Faith you are young and it's hard to find the real deal these days. They played you but the good thing is you wised up before it was to late."

"And if I start working with you what do I get?"

"You get the most important thing in any relationship. Honesty. Good or Bad Faith I will always tell you the truth. If you trust me and show me I can trust you I won't hold back. You'll always know where you stand with me."

"Okay lets start with some of that truth."

"Oh I love your eagerness. It isn't that easy though. I think you are just a hum dinger of a gal Faith and I'm usually right about these things."

"But?"

"But just as I had to convince you it's your job to convince me."

"You said you wanted me to."

The mayor put up his hands. "You are right I did. But I still need you to prove to me that I made the right choice. Think of this like a job interview."

Faith looked confused and was about to say something but was interrupted by a knock at the door.

The Mayor groaned, "I told you I didn't want to be disturbed."

Finch cracked open the door. "Her friends are here. They are trying."

Faith stood up. "They are here?'

The mayor turned to Faith "Come to my office."

She stood up and followed her. The mayor turned to the security monitors and looked at the front steps. Xander and Buffy weren't able to get in to the building cause it was Sunday. Xander just pounded on the front door.

Faith looked at the screen not sure what to feel. The Mayor could read Faith's face. "Out there is your past Faith. I am your future but I can't decide for you."

She said nothing but walked past the Mayor making a b line for the front door. The mayor sighed and followed behind her. Faith kicked open the door knocking Xander back a bit and off balance.

Xander stood there stunned for a second. "Faith."

Faith looked at him disgusted. "I have nothing to say to you."

Xander reached out and grabbed her forearm. "Well than just listen."

Buffy stood next to Xander. "Faith we just want what is best for your."

Faith looked at her forearm and than Xander's hand. "Don't you fucking touch me"

The Mayor spoke up. "Hey Hey Faith language."

Xander shook his head. "I'm not leaving with out you."

Faith glared in to his eyes. "I'm not going anywhere. But I guess if you aren't leaving." Before he could react she grabbed his arm and pulled him back. She pulled the door open quickly and pulled him inside the building with her. Slamming the door shut

Faith was on top of him punching with all of her rage and fury. Faith was still weak from the encounter with the demon and the Watcher's council concoction. Still though her punches connected and hurt.

Buffy ran to the door pulling at it but finding it locked. "God damn it let me in there."

The mayor stepped back. "Now now. Not our place to get in between a lovers quarrel."

As Xander was getting pummeled he was He finally able to catch her hand. He used her own momentum to flip her over and pin her down. His face was dripping with blood.

He looked at her. "You've got to let me help you" Before he could say anything else though the Mayors driver came to Faith's aid. He picked Xander up and held his arms behind his back. He looked to Faith. "You okay?"

Faith jumped up. "Hold him." No more words as Faith drew back and punched him square in the gut. She grabbed Xander by the back of his head. "Next time I kill you." She kicked open the door and tossed Xander on the concrete.

Xander laid on the ground bleeding and gasping. Faith glared at Buffy. "Get him the fuck out of here. Next time I will fucking kill you."

Buffy picked Xander up helping him to his feet. "Faith you are throwing everything away."

"GET OUT NOW."

No more words were said as Buffy and Xander left. The mayor looked at Faith smiling. "You made the right choice. We are going to have to work on your language but that can be a lesson for another day."

Faith walked past him and back to his office. "Can we just not right now."

He put his hands up in surrender. "Fine by me."

"So did I pass? Do I have your trust now?"

The mayor laughed. "Are you serious? Faith beating on your ex boyfriend is fun but small potatoes."

Faith ran her hands through her hair and sat on his desk. "Fine what do I need to do?"

The Mayor shrugged going to his doors closing and locking them. "It's nothing big by any means. Tiny favor really. See I want you to kill my deputy Mayor."