It' was just past 11am as Xander's eyes fluttered open, Cordy slept on her stomach with her arm draped over his chest. Xander turned his head to the bedside table looking at the time. He rubbed his eyes and sighed, "Damn it." He whispered.

Cordy just kept her eyes closed "Oh God just go back to sleep."

He stretched out taking a deep yawn. "If only I could."

Cordy rolled over and looked up at the ceiling. The comforter didn't' cover her breasts as she laid there partially exposed. "It's not even noon yet." She noticed Xander stealing a glance at her tits. "And Xander."

"Yes."

"Prom is over so these." She pulled the comforter up and over her breasts. "Are off limits."

"I wasn't looking I was just"

"Yeah yeah cause my eyes have always been nipple height." She rolled her eyes. "I can't believe I actually let you manipulate me in to sex."

"What?"

"You know this is going to change everything between us. You know from here out things are going to be awkward and strange every time we see each other."

"Cordy I swear I didn't"

"This is the road to regret Xander I hope you are happy."

"Cordy this was all your"

She just burst out laughing. "Oh God stop." She tickled him playfully. "You are so easy to play. Relax and unclench that old sphincter."

"I don't think anyone knows how to play me, quite like you."

Cordy nodded and reached under the covers interlacing their fingers. "I'm going to miss this stuff."

Xander knew what she was getting at. He turned his head looking at her. "So after graduation?"

"Moving to the Big Apple."

"New York really?"

"I was accepted at UCLA and it would have been easy. I could drive home on weekends and it would be safe."

"But you aren't a safe choices girl."

"UCLA is the kiddie pool where I can I wade in to the waters and keep one eye on the life guard tower."

"And New York is?"

"No life preserver or land in sight. Just me treading water to survive in the middle of the ocean."

"Treading water?"

"Well not totally alone. I mean my dad is paying for school and rent but everything else is on me."

Xander propped himself up in the bed putting the pillow behind him. "And what does Cordeila Chase study while in school?"

"I am going to take a crack at fashion design."

"I can see that."

""Who knows? Maybe some day you'll be wearing a Chase Fashion original."

"And I can say I knew her when."

"Hey if I can make someone like you look good imagine what I can do for the people who don't have 1 foot in the fashion grave."

He just shook his head and laughed. "I like almost everything."

"Almost?"

"You can do better than the name Chase Fashion. You need something that pops."

"Fine smart guy. What do you got?"

"Your initials. Something like House of C.C or CC designs."

The wheels started turning in her head. "That isn't bad. Of course I will be taking full credit for it."

"Of course."

"So what does the future hold for Xander Harris?"

"Biggest fattest question mark you can imagine."

"Come on. You have to have options."

He just nodded. "I could go to University of Sunnydale. The problem is I don't think I should. I mean I have a kid on the way. I have to provide for. I am going to have to get a job and make sure this kid has what it needs."

"What you are saying makes sense but there is another way to look at it."

"Which is?"

"You provide for yourself a better future and you provide Xander Jr for a better future."

"So you think it's a boy?'

"Could be a girl I guess. Xandressa?"

Xander threw his head back laughing. "Xanderessa? That is that name of a pretty girl if I ever met one."

"Oh stop trying to change the subject."

"Fine." He bit his lip and thought it over. "Cordy there is nothing I haven't thought over. I know what you are saying. Maybe you are right. I don't know what the answer is."

"What ever you choose. You'll get no crap from me."

"For right now what I want. I have to get a move on."

"What's going on?"

"I have to get breakfast. I need to return the tux and Giles is putting together a Scooby meeting I can't be late for."

"Any idea what the Scooby meeting is about?"

He shook his head. "No clue."

"Well I can help you with some of it." She reached across to the night stand picking up the phone. A few minutes later she hung up. "Okay breakfast is on the way in the next 15 minutes."

"That will save me a little time."

"If you get your tux in to the bag I'll even drop it off for you at the shop. It's on my way home."

"Really? You are awesome Cordy."

"Yeah well I want you to look back on our last day as a couple and realize I truly was the one that got away."

He laughed but looked at her seriously. "You are amazing. I will never argue that. I do want you to know. Last night and what happened. I mean can we."

"Go back to being friends and not have any of that awkwardness?"

"Exactly."

She looked at him and nodded. "I don't regret what we did. You will always have a piece of my heart Xander. I told you last night I wanted to be the one who wrote the final chapter of our book."

"And this chapter?"

"I'm completely happy with."

Xander nodded. "Me too."

"All the same Xander. If you tell anyone about what we did, I will clip each of your testicles and wear them as earrings."

"You could put a C on each one and my nuts could be the first creation of CC designs."

She rolled her eyes. "Of course I couldn't wear them in public. Your nuts would be a style clash with everything I wear." With that Cordy turned from him. "Like I said prom is over and you don't get to see me naked anymore. So if you wouldn't mind" She pointed to the other side of the room. "Eyes on the curtains."

Xander fulfilled her request turning on his side while she got out of bed. "Where was this shy girl last night."

"Last nights girl was your prom date and as I've said." She picked up the white terry cloth robe slipping it on. ". Prom is over." She tied the robe closed. "You can turn back now."

Xander turned back facing her. "What are you doing today?"

"I'm going to go get a shower. You are going to invite room service in when the food gets here. We will eat together and head our separate ways"

As Cordy took her shower Xander pieced together his tux and all the accessories packing them up. He put on his clothes from the after prom party. The food arrived and a few minutes later Cordy emerged from the shower completely dressed. She wore t shirt and jeans that was the perfect combo of comfy yet fashion friendly.

A few minutes later they were enjoying breakfast and a few minutes past that they were out the door. As Xander walked down the hallway Cordy tipped a bellhop to carry all her luggage and bags to her car. Cordy was checking out at the front desk and Xander was headed to the hotel parkade.

From here out they were headed in different directions. He turned to her. "So I guess this is it?"

"Have fun at your dorky Scooby meeting."

He was going to fire something back at her but this one let her have it. "Well I guess I'll see ya at school on Monday."

"I'll see ya than." She leaned in and kissed his cheek. With that she turned walking to the front desk. Xander stood there watching her walk away until she was out of sight. "Good bye Cordy." He whispered under his breath.

20 minutes later Xander could hear his phone ringing from the other side of the door. He quickly pulled the keys out and unlocked the door making a b line for the phone. "Hello."

Buffy sighed sounding relieved. "Xander you are okay?"

"Why wouldn't I be okay?"

"Well Xander it is 1 15 pm. I called at 11 and you didn't answer. You know I thought something might have happened."

Knowing he had to cover. He just yawned. "I turned the ringer off on the phone last night. After helping Cordy with after prom clean up I didn't' get in till after 5 so I just woke up."

"Well don't forget Giles is."

"I know be in the library at three o'clock. Do you need a ride?"

"If you don't mind?"

"How about this. I am going to get cleaned up. I'll be by in about an hour."

"I'll be ready."

A shower later and some clean clothes Xander felt like a new man. He gave himself a once over in the mirror before leaving. The sun warmed his face as he hopped in to the car. He reached for his sunglasses off the dashboard. Rolling the window down and breeze in his face was a welcome invite on the drive to Buffy's.

As he walked up the door Joyce came out. "Good morning Xander."

"Morning."

She stood in front of the door. "Do you got a minute?"

"For you I got 2."

She leaned against the frame in a whisper. "I was kind of hoping you would help me to get word out."

"Word out? What is the word?"

"Your grandmother and I have been in touch and she really wants to help with a baby shower."

"I don't think I need help. I mean it's a baby. It's small. How hard can it be to give it a shower? Besides aren't you supposed to give them baths for the first few months?"

"Xander a baby shower is."

"I know what it is. I was kidding." He just smirked. "So what do you want me to do?"

"We don't have a date or time locked down yet but when we do. Maybe you could make sure everyone knows. Keep it a secret though. We are going to throw her a surprise baby shower."

"Just give me the details and I'll get everyone there."

"Knew I could count on you."

"So my Grandmother is" Before he could finish the front door opened and Buffy stepped out. Xander stopped talking and looked at her. "Hey Buffy."

Buffy looked at Xander than her mom. "What's going on?"

Joyce shrugged. "We were just discussing prom and graduation. You know school stuff."

Buffy scrunched her brow and pointed at her mom. "You are bad liar."

Xander shook his head. "You caught us Buffy. Your mom and I are secretly seeing each other."

Joyce just laughed. "Oh the scandal. What will the town think of our torrid affair."

Buffy rolled her eyes. "Let's go already."

Xander followed Buffy to his truck calling to Joyce as he walked. "Good bye Honey."

Joyce blew him mock kisses. "Good bye Xander."

Buffy jumped in the cab of the truck. "There is something fundamentally wrong with you."

As they walked in to the school Principal Snyder was coming out of his office. He had his usual angry scowl painted on his face. As he saw Buffy and Xander he crossed his arms.

"What are you two doing here on a Sunday afternoon?"

Xander quickly spit out an answer. "Giles needs help with the book drive?"

Snyder looked confused. "There is a book drive?"

Buffy shot him a questioning look. "You don't remember the school book drive? You were the one who signed off on it months ago."

Snyder nodding. "It's coming back to me now." He snapped pointing at the library. "Don't dawdle."

Xander turned. "On our way."

Snyder stopped "Summers there is one thing. "

Buffy let out a deep sigh of frustration.. "What now?"

Snyder walked to his office. "Before you leave today. Stop in and see me."

Buffy rolled her eyes walking in to the library. "Oh joy."

As they walked in to the library Willow and Oz were already sitting there waiting. Xander looked at them surprised. "I thought we would be the first ones here."

Willow shook her head. "Technically we aren't the first."

Buffy pulled out her chair. "You mean Giles."

Standing in the shadows of the book cases Angel called out. "Pretty sure she means me."

Xander jumped a little turning and seeing him. "I hate when you do that sneaking around thing."

Angel just smirked. "I know."

Buffy looked around the library at the windows. "You know it is Sunday and the whole school is open to us. Why don't we pick a room with out a giant sky light?"

Angel looked to Buffy. "That is very kind but I've lived as long as I have I can learn to work in the shadows." He stepped around the edges still in the shadows.

Giles came barreling through carrying four different pizza boxes in one hand and a 12 pack of diet soda in the other. "Per our agreement Buffy I have brought food."

Buffy smiled smelling the pepperoni and cheese. "I feel like you are about to drop some deadly prophecy of doom on us but the pizza and soda make it okay."

Giles nodded "Well grab quickly we have much to discuss."

Angel sat on the edge of the desk. It was still in the shadows but wouldn't be an option in the hour.

Buffy looked over at Xander's plate. He had a single slice of supreme while Buffy's plate was a smorgasbord of all of them. Buffy chewed on her piece. "When did you start eating like a runway model?"

"I had a big breakfast."

Giles stood in front of all of them. "Eat and listen. I have some information that could very well make the difference in what side of victory the mayor stands on."

Xander knew they had kept their mind off of the hell mouth long enough. It was time to get focus back where it belonged. "What do you got Giles?"
" A source I trust informed me last week the Mayor sent for something. Something he will need if he is to move forward with his ascension."

Buffy asked skeptically. "A source?"

Giles nodded. "I still have some contacts with in the council who are willing to help me. It's better off if you don't ask."

Angel ran his hands through his hair. "Does this something have a name?"

Giles turned to one of his books. He opened the page he had bookmarked. A picture of an old chest could be seen. "It is called the box of garvok,"

Willow looked at it curious. "I'm betting that it's not filled with puppies and love."

Giles paced and shook his head. "If the mayor is to ascend than he needs this. With out it."

Buffy cut him off. "He is screwed?"

Giles nodded. "Yes. No box. No ascension."

Xander now on his feet matching Giles pace. "So you said the Mayor sent for this? Does that mean he has it yet?"

Giles shook his head. "He is to take possession of it Tuesday."

Angel was eager this time. "Right so we get it before he does and."

Giles shook his head. "I thought of that. It's beyond difficult and more than likely impossible."

Buffy crossed her arms angry. "So what? You just tell us this so you can say well here is how we could have beat him."

Xander shook his head. "I don't think that is what he is saying."

Giles nodded. "We are going to go after the box but only after the mayor takes possession of it."

Giles pulled out a folder with blue prints of city hall. "These come courtesy of the former deputy mayor."

Xander took the folder spreading them on the table. With his former solider memories he could reason what would be the most likely place in city hall to keep the box. Xander tapped his finger "The mayor isn't going to want it far from him. He can't really have it in his own office cause he has to keep some basic idea in place that he is the mayor and not some demon over lord or what ever."

Angel looked at him. "Let's just say you are right. It's not like we can just walk in."

Buffy stood over his shoulder. "If this box holds the key to everything he wants. He's going to have it super protected."

Giles nodding. "His biggest gun is Faith."

Xander swallowed the lump in his throat. He had a certain amount of fear but did his best to hide it. "If we have to kill her."

Buffy put her hand on Xander's forearm. "Xander it is okay."

Xander shook his head. "If it comes to it. We have to be ready."

Willow stood up. "So is this really worth it. I don't want to be a downer but this seems dangerous and risky and."

Buffy turned to Willow. "We stood here a while back and asked Giles for a way to take this out of the mayor's hand. We change it up so he isn't controlling the game anymore. This is taking the game out of his hands and I think we have to make this work."

Willow stepped closer looking at the blue print. "So I guess we start with a plan."

Giles stepped to Willow. "I'm glad you said that. I'm not going to lie to you. You are a key vital part of this plan."

Willow looked at him "Wow no pressure at all."

Xander took in a deep breath. "Hey we can do this. We just have to think of this like a heist movie. We put together a crew."

Angel rubbed his temple looking frustrated. "What is the time line? I mean if he takes possession of this thing. How long do we have to?"

Giles went back to the book flipping through the pages. "4 days once he takes possession. "

Buffy questioned. "We have till Thursday."

Giles countered her. "We move on Wednesday."

Xander's stammered. "We have 3 days to figure out how to make this work."

Willow tapped his shoulder. "Hey no pressure."

Buffy cut through the tension. "I think its time we put the slayer back in play."

Angel shook his head. "No."

Buffy started pacing. "Yeah I am pregnant but we have something important on the line. We have to."

Xander turned standing next to Angel. "He is right. Buffy you can help. But you are research girl."

Buffy clenched her fists. "Guys listen."

Giles stood next to Xander. "For once I want you to trust us. Buffy you are an invaluable tool. We will find a way. Let me give you this win. Trust in us the way we trust in you."

Buffy opened her mouth but wasn't sure what was going to come out. "Okay."

Xander started pacing. "Lets start running scenarios."

Xander nodding. "I'm thinking since the library has a sky light we can roughly recreate the room the box will be in."

Oz jumped up and out of his seat. "Okay let's move some furniture."

They worked for the next 3 hours discussing the best way in. How long it should take, they planned out for a clean escape, they planned what to do if confrontation occurred. They discussed the best route to take once they had the box.

It was exhausting but no one showed any willingness to give up. Buffy stood up. "I need a bathroom break. Give me 5."

As she stepped in to the hallway Principal Snyder almost bumped in to her. "Summers. I was just about to find you."

Buffy sighed. "Oh right. You wanted to see me. Can this wait till tomorrow?"

Snyder just sneered. "You can give me 5 minutes." Saying no more words he headed to his office.

Buffy sat in the chair across form his desk. "What did I do now?"

Snyder sat down across from her. "Might it occur to you that I'm not the enemy?" He opened his desk drawer taking out a manila folder. "As a matter of fact I am about to do you a favor I'm not even sure you deserve." He held out the envelope to her. 'Go ahead take it."

Buffy reluctantly took the envelope from him. "What is this?"

Snyder glaring at her. "It's your diploma. Congratulations. You are graduated."

Buffy opened the envelope and sure enough the diploma was in there "But there are still 3 weeks of school left."

"I've talked with your teacher and based on the work you have done I convinced them to grade you pass or fail. With your current medical condition I figured it best."

Buffy swallowed nervously. "Current medical condition?"

"I know you are pregnant."

"Well that isn't really your business."

"Again with the hostility? I just did you a favor. You don't have to come to class anymore. You are graduated but more importantly. You are not my problem."

Buffy opened the envelope looking at the diploma. "But I thought you got your diploma at you know. Graduation."

"Well seeing as you won't be there I did you the courtesy and gave it to you right now."

"I'm going to be at graduation."

"I can not have a pregnant student crossing the stage as an example of your teenage deviance."

She pushed the envelope across the desk back at him. "No. I don't want this. I will finish the school year and I will be at graduation."

"You aren't understanding. The choice is out of your hands. After today I don't want to see you on school grounds."

"You can't do this. I will talk to my mother. I will"

"What? Talk to the mayor?"

Buffy didn't know what to say. "I"

"Can talk to the board of education at the next quarterly meeting in July."

"You won't get a way with this."

"Good Day Ms Summers. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors."

With that Buffy jumped up and dashed out of his office. Snyder wore a dark smirk on his face watching her fight back the tears.

Buffy ran from the office to get away from him. She leaned against the wall as Willow came out. "Oh Buffy. We were looking for you."

Buffy snapped her head up "Oh hey. Just going to find a bathroom."

Willow could tell something was off. "You okay Buffy?"

Buffy knew she couldn't' put this on them right now. There was too much they were dealing with. "Oh you know me Will. Just stupid pregnancy hormones."

"You sure?"

Buffy nodded. "Yeah tell Giles I will be a few more minutes."

Willow turned going back in to the library and Buffy swallowed the lump in her throat. She just whispered. "This isn't fair."