Giles was in his office going through his documents waiting for Willow, Oz and Angel to arrive. Xander was sitting at the table going over his homework as Buffy walked in. She joined him at the table
"What are you working on?'
Xander looked up. "Oh it's just 3 changes that the Industrial revolution had on America."
"Wow look at you. I mean you are all serious student these days."
Xander wrote down the final sentence and closed the book. "Well you know you start off as a certain kind of student I'd like to think maybe I can end as a different one."
"With you I will say anything is possible."
"Thank you." Xander pulled his book bag up on the table and started putting his book and homework away. "So is Angel coming to this oh so important meeting that Giles won't tell us anything about?"
Buffy just nodded. "He is on his way. I was kind of hoping that I would beat Oz and Willow here. I wanted us to have the opportunity to talk."
Xander put his bag under the table. "What do you want to talk about?"
"I got my acceptance letter to University of Sunnydale."
"Congratulations."
"It got me thinking though. I mean what are your college plans."
"Honestly with the baby and the mayor and now Faith. I don't know what the answer is."
"College is an option for you?"
"I know I have been saying this a lot Buffy but now isn't the time. I think I have to put this discussion on the back burner. I'll figure it out"
"But after the mayor is dealt with?"
"For now it goes on the shelf?"
Willow entered the library. "What is going on the shelf?"
Xander just laughed. "Buffy and I were talking life after high school."
Willow flopped down next to him. "So you heard anything on any of the colleges you applied to yet?"
Xander nodded feeling slightly defeated. "If I choose to go The University of Sunnydale has invited me to their little party."
Buffy tilted her head. "What do you mean if? I mean you worked so hard on the S A T's. Why wouldn't you go?"
Xander threw his head back staring t the ceiling. The back burner was no longer an option. "College is expensive Buffy. Even if I qualify for financial aide I still need to find a way to provide for said bun in your oven. I am going to get a job after graduation."
Willow looked at him exasperated. "So you are just not going?"
Xander shrugged, "I haven't decided anything yet but who knows."
Buffy reached across the table and took his hand. "Listen to me Xander I don't want you letting go of your future cause of a mista"
Xander pulled his hand back and cut her off. "Don't do that. Don't call this child a mistake."
Buffy sighed. "I'm sorry."
Xander nodded taking the apology. "My father my entire life let me know what a mistake I was. How if I hadn't come along his life would have been entirely different. Like I was this giant mess up that destroyed his life. I never want this kid to feel this way."
Buffy nodded. "I remember you told me that before. I" She shook her head. "You are right. No matter what the circumstances this child is not a mistake."
Xander nodded. "College is another thing I'll put on the shelf and I will figure it out when it is time."
Willow nodded. "You know we only prod and poke cause we care."
Xander smirked at her. "I know."
Willow looked at Giles office. "Do we have any idea what the hell Giles called all of us here for?"
Buffy shook her head. "I am sure it is important."
A few minutes later Oz came in to the library sitting next to Willow and just behind him Angel found his way. A few minutes past that Giles emerged from his office looking frazzled and tired.
He stood at the foot of the table. "Thank all of you for coming on such short notice. I have recently come in to some information about the mayor."
Buffy looked at him confused. "Came in to information? How did you get it?"
Giles held up a manila envelope. "Deputy Mayor Allen Finch had one of those if anything should happen to me letters drawn up and."
Angel looked at the envelope. "And let me guess. Something happened to him."
Giles put the envelope on the table. "I'm afraid so."
Xander slowly reached for the envelope. "So what did it say?"
Giles started to pace. "It is truly a wealth of information." He took off his glasses wiping them off. "The big information we gathered so far is Mayor Richard Wilkins the 3rd is a demon."
The silence filled the room till Xander spoke up. He rubbed the back of his head. "Well I can't say I'm shocked."
Oz raised his hand "So is this like a common theme with politicians. I mean are most the senators and congressmen demons?"
Buffy muttered. "It would explain a lot."
Willow bit her lip. "Do we know how Mister Finch died?"
Once again the silence hung in the room. Giles stopped pacing and looked away. "Unfortunately all of our information says that the Mayor had Faith kill him."
Xander shook his head. "All your information? Who is your information?"
Giles cleared his throat. "The council has sources and."
Xander shook his head. "Right. The Good old council cause they are so trust worthy and reliable."
Giles ignored the comment. "We need to address the situation for what it is. Faith has gone rogue and she is dangerous and."
Buffy cut him off. "Giles you can't be saying. I mean "
Angel this time stepped forward. "I know it is hard to accept but not doing something at this point makes us just as."
Xander stood up pointing at him. "NO. NO NO. I will listen to anyone on this subject but you DON'T get a voice. Not after last year."
Willow looked at him. "That's not fair Xander."
Xander angry stepped back from the table. "You want to talk fair. How many people died because of Angelus's little tour de la Sunnydale."
Buffy now looked hurt. "Xander that's uncalled for."
Angel put his hands up. "No. He isn't entirely wrong."
Giles tried to get a hold of the situation. "Getting angry and rehashing old arguments isn't the solution."
Angel shook his head. "You guys need to talk this out and I will help or back or what ever you decide I am there."
Buffy looked at Xander. "Tell us what you want or what you think."
Xander closed his eyes and tried to find his calm place. "Even if Giles or the council is right about Faith I still think she is in there. I believe she's not out of reach. I am not ready to give up on her."
Giles nodded at him. "And you are going to be the one to decide when it is time? Xander if we do nothing and some one else dies, can you live with that?"
Xander closed his eyes thinking about what Giles was asking. "It's not going to happen. I'm going to find her and I'm going to reach her."
Giles wasn't sure what to say. "Xander If"
Buffy didn't let him finish. "I trust Xander."
Xander looked over at her. "You do?"
Buffy chose her words carefully. "I trust you because of last year. You know what a toll a choice like this is. If you say that you know when it will be time to let her go." She locked eyes on him. "I trust you."
Giles stood up and nodded. "For now I'll trust your judgment. We still have more that we need to discuss."
Willow sighed. "I don't suppose it is good news."
Giles opened the envelope pulling out a section of the papers. "It's called the Ascension. "
Angel took the paper from Giles scanning it. "If I am reading this right the Mayor is going to need a crowd of people."
Giles went back to pacing. "Once he sheds his human form he will need to feed. He will feed a lot."
Oz threw out a puzzled look. "Where will he get so many people?"
Before Giles could respond Buffy asked "Senior Prom?"
Angel shook his head. "It says something about an eclipse. The next eclipse isn't until"
Xander groaned already knowing the answer. "Graduation Day."
Giles looked at him impressed. "You knew that?"
Xander nodded his head, "NO. We can't do this. We can't put everyone in danger."
Oz looked at him confused. "Well I'm sure if we tell the mayor how important our graduation is he will just throw this whole plan out the window."
Xander paced. "I'm saying we don't let it get to graduation. We find a way and take him down."
Angel nodded in agreement. "I like that idea. We shift the game so it's not on his turf and his conditions."
Giles sat down at the table looking through the info. "I'm all for that but."
Buffy stood up. "No But Giles. We find a way to get the advantage and keep the advantage and make sure the mayor doesn't wreck graduation for any of us. God Damn it I have put up with so much from this school and hell mouth if I deserve one thing. ONE THING its graduation."
Giles looked at Buffy and knew she was right. "Okay. I will find you the advantage all of you deserve and we will take care of this before graduation."
Willow offered a half laugh. "Hey if we do this maybe I can actually plan a graduation party for all of us." Willow reached for the envelope pulling all the papers out of the manila envelope. "So Giles is this all the info you have on the Mayor?"
Giles nodded. "Yes but I do think we can find information on the ascension."
Willow started reading through the papers starting the research session. "So we are assuming he is old. Oh and what is the difference between a demon and a pure bred demon?"
Angel chirped in. "How old?"
Giles shook his head. "Not sure on exact age but our best sources say 1890. As for the pure bred demon. You see when a demon takes a vampire form it isn't just demon. It's a hybrid mix."
Oz looked on confused. "Like half human half demon?"
Giles shook his head. "There are lot of different demon breeds and species and things a demon can."
Willow looked confused. "But the mayor ?"
Giles stepped to her. "The mayor's demon is one of the original. It is powerful like maybe nothing we have faced before."
Oz picked up a photo looking at Richard Wilkins the second. "So I'm guessing the mayor explains his immortality by passing himself off as his own son."
Willow picked up another picture of him with a woman. "So who's the lady?"
Giles stepped to her looking at the photo. "That was his wife. "
Buffy looked at him perplexed. "Wait. He was married? Was his wife a demon?"
Giles shook his head. "No. She lived a mortal human life."
Xander stood up. "Well we came to research. Giles what about those books on the ascending."
Giles grabbed a stack of books putting them in front of all of them. "It's called the ascension."
For the first time in weeks it felt like they had a direction. They had a basic idea of who the enemy was and what his plan was. They spent most of the night reading through different volumes and texts. Just before 10 Angel came to Buffy whispering in her ear. "I'm going to have to patrol soon. Why don't you let me get you home safely?"
Buffy looked up at Willow and Oz shaking her head. "I wouldn't feel right bailing on them while everyone else is working."
Willow looked up. "It's okay Buffy. I am just about done for the night anyways."
Buffy sighed still unsure. "Are you sure?"
Before she could respond Xander came out of Giles office. "I know it's late Giles but I feel like I have to get a jump start on this."
Giles nodded in agreement. "Go Xander. I agree with you. If this fellow has information on the Mayor he could be of some use."
Buffy stood up. "Where is he going?"
Xander threw his jacket on. "Volcanologist. We think he might have information we can use."
Angel looked at him concerned. "Is this one of those things you should do alone?"
Xander laughed. "It's a nerd teacher who knows about volcanoes I can't imagine there is much for danger there"
Angel looked at Giles. "I'm going to take Buffy home and than I'll hit patrol."
Giles looked at Buffy. "Go home and get some rest. " He than looked at Willow and Oz. "The same for you two. Xander if you get any information come to me I don't care the hour."
Angel looked at his watch. "You really think this guy will have office hours this time of night."
Xander headed towards the door. "Probably not but I'm going to try. If I don't find him I'll try tomorrow. If I can though I will meet you afterwards and help you with patrol."
As Buffy walked with Angel to his car she flashed him her smile. "Before you take me home do you think we could grab a bite. I know you have patrol but the baby is hungry and we can take the food to go."
Angel just laughed. "What are you hungry for?"
Buffy jumped in the car. "I want a cheeseburger with fries and a chocolate milkshake."
Angel took Buffy to the diner in the center of town. Buffy had eaten there a few times and knew what was good. Angel paid for the food and the sat at the counter waiting for the meal. 10 minutes later their waitress Alice approached with a while paper sack and a Styrofoam cup for the shake.
Just as they were walking out of the diner the Mayor was coming up the steps to come in. Buffy froze in her tracks seeing him. Angel stepped in front of her not wanting him to get any ideas.
The Mayor offered his million-kilowatt smile. "Well I'll be tickled. I didn't think I'd find you two out here tonight."
Buffy glared at him "Surprised to see you here. I thought you would have had some sort of human sacrifice to fulfill tonight."
The Mayor shook his head. "Oh that is always a Monday thing."
Angel crossed his arms and stared him down. "Where is Faith?"
He shook his head. "That girl is a firecracker. She is impossible to keep up with." He looked at Buffy. "You can relate to that I'm sure. I mean you are her age. To be young and free." He than looked at Angel. "And well I guess you can't really relate. I mean after all you are quite a deal older than her."
Buffy pulled at Angel. "Come on we are leaving."
Angel nodded. "I agree." He followed Buffy.
The Mayor turned around talking to the back of their heads. "Have either of you really thought this thing out. I mean the whole idea of the immortal vampire dating the teenage girl might seem cool and trendy at first but there is going to come a day where it's not going to be all that you dreamed of. I guess that doesn't matter though cause you don't really have a future."
Buffy whipped around. "You aren't going to win."
The Mayor again laughed seeing the fire in Buffy's eyes, "What kid? You think cause you have some information from a dead man that you suddenly are on even footing." Buffy looked a little surprised that he knew. "Alan never could be trusted and it just confirmed what I had Faith do."
Angel stepped to him a little surprised. "So you admit it?"
Richard stepped up to him. "What? That I had him killed. Of course I admit it. Go run to the police. Tell them what you know. See how far that gets you. The way I run this town I could kill a man in the middle of the Christmas Pageant and still get enough votes for a landslide win in the election."
Angel stepped to him. "Things change all the time Mister Mayor."
The Mayor just laughed and wiped a tear out of his eyes. "There is a certain beautiful irony there. The vampire telling me things change. The guy who worn the same face for the century plus is telling me things change." He looked at Buffy "You know you two write off what I have to say but I might know a thing or two about where you've been."
Buffy glared at him. "You don't know anything about me."
Richard backed up and started pacing. "Edna was just a few years older than you are now when we were married. " He bit his lip thinking "That was back when I was still the original Richard Wilkins"
Buffy rolled her eyes "Is there a point coming?"
Richard just shook his head "See that is the problem with your generation. You have no patience. That again you know its not like you have time on your side." He cleared his throat. "Now as I was saying Edna was so young and filled with hope and love. We said to each other the same things I'm sure you and your demon lover say."
Angel stepped up to him "I'm not a demon."
The Mayor looked at Buffy. "As I was saying. We both said things like It doesn't matter the time we have as long as it's together or I'll love you forever. But you got to understand that isn't reality."
Buffy grabbed Angel's arm "We are leaving."
Showing the mayor the back of their heads he just kept talking. "She'll resent you. I mean she's too young to see it now but when the day comes and she's lived a life in the dark and given up a chance at everything she really wants. You know the stuff she doesn't' talk to you about. Stuff like Marriage and a life in the sun. She will realize she threw everything away because of you."
The words stung Angel. He refused to turn around to show him any pain. He just muttered, "You don't know us."
It was obvious to the mayor he had struck a nerve. "There will come a point where she won't be the young girl that she is now. Add a few line to her face and all that forever talk." Laughs "You'll be counting the days till you can cut her loose and start all over again. Of course you'll stay with her. You figure she deserves that much. "
Buffy barked at him. "Who are you to talk anyone about any relationships or love. Love is about sacrifice and."
The mayor nods. "Now you are making sense. The thing about sacrifice though is it's not really sacrifice if it is only coming from one direction. I mean you are giving up so much to be with him. What is he giving up?"
Buffy reached back to punch him but Angel stopped her. He took her hand and shook his head. "He isn't worth it."
They walked away as the Mayor just laughed, "Stay safe now."
As if to fit there mood the sky bellowed and lightening cracked as the first droplets of rain started coming down. Angel shook his head looking up at the sky. "Yeah this seems about right."
Buffy tried to look un touched by the mayors words but she didn't have that good of a poker face. "Come on let's get to the car before it down pours."
The car ride to Buffy's was pretty much quiet. As they pulled up Angel tried breaking the tension. "Hey you shouldn't hold your burger against the milkshake. It will make your burger cold and your milkshake warm."
Buffy turned to look at him. "What? Oh Milkshake right." She flashed a half smile. "Thanks for the food again. I should probably get in before mom worries too much."
Angel nodded and smiled. "Get some rest. I'll see you later."
She leaned over and kissed his cheek and opened the door. By now the rain was pouring down and although she should run inside she didn't have it in her. Angel watched her walk through the rain and in to the house. He knew the mayor's words cut her deep.
Buffy sat at the table eating her food in silence. As the lightening struck near by, the loud crack shook the house and the lights flickered for a second before going out completely.
Buffy breathed a deep sigh. "Seems about right." Her mom was in bed sleeping already so she didn't notice. She stood up and walked through the dark finding a scented candle her mother kept in the living room. She opened the drawer finding some matches and lit the candle.
As she started to make her way back to the table she heard a slight tapping at the door. She spun around to find Xander standing on her step. She quickly pulled the door open. "Xander what are you doing here?"
His hair was wet and his clothes were soaked. He stammered a bit unable to get it out. "I was too late. He's dead and I was too late."
"Get out of the rain." Buffy pulled him inside. "What are you talking about?"
Xander looked at Buffy holding the candle. "Power must be out here too."
Buffy nodded "Just went out a few minutes ago. Follow me."
As they walked to the dining room table Buffy sat putting the candle in front of both of Xander so she could see him. They whispered as to not wake Joyce. "Who is dead Xander?"
He could feel the thick droplets of rainwater in his hair as he ran his fingers through his it. "The volcanologist."
Buffy closed her eyes and dreaded what she had to ask. "Was it Faith?"
Xander just nodded. "He's gone. He's dead because I believed Faith could be reached. She is dead because."
Buffy cut him off and took his hand. "Stop it. Don't do that."
"It's true though. If I had."
Buffy closed her eyes and held his hand a little tighter "Trust me as someone who has been there. No good comes of blaming yourself."
"Buffy tonight I told all of you that Faith could still be reached."
"You wanted to believe in her Xander and I think after all you have been through that is amazing."
"That hope or belief I had killed a man Buffy."
"No it didn't. Faith killed him." Buffy sucked in a deep breath. "Last year when Angelus was his own one man murdering machine I sat in the same place you were in. Did people die because I couldn't do the right thing?"
Xander pulled his hand back "Buffy stop."
"I have experience in this and I."
Xander shook his head. "No. I'm not going to let you rehash an old wound cause." His face glowed under the candlelight. "Tomorrow I'm going to talk to Giles and tell him we can no longer afford to treat Faith like anything other than the enemy she is."
"Are you saying?"
Xander looked at her. "If killing Faith will keep the town safe than that's what we have to do."
