(Author's note: So here we are another chapter to this little story. Didn't think I would be adding to this but then one knows how is goes you picture a scene and you start writing… then writing the next conversation and then the next… before one knows it bam a another chapter. Thanks to all those who have liked and left reviews it has been the thing that has kept this little story going.)

Faith sighed as she leaned back a little and took in the view.

It was quite a sight even if she had seen it many times before.

It was peaceful… not a feeling that Faith expected to find so easily in her life.

Xander once told her a quote he had heard "The best view comes after the hardest climb." She was pretty sure he read it on a billboard or maybe even a fortune cookie. Well today's climb hadn't been too difficult mainly because she had previously done it nearly a dozen times but still the view, she was looking at was one of her favourites. She leaned down and smirked at her fellow rock climber who was still struggling up the cliff face. True Faith had some unfair advantages like slayer strength and healing but that didn't stop her from feeling a little proud of her achievement of reaching the top first… yet again. Becoming a climbing instructor alongside Xander was not what she had expected when she got off the bus to see him all those years ago. Hell, she didn't know what she was expecting full stop but here she was on top of a mountain looking down below.

Xander had applied to become a climber when he first arrived at Alaska. On a whim so he said and with nothing else to do and no plan when she arrived, she followed him and signed up as well. At first the idea of going up and down a giant rock bored her and certainly so did a few of her teachers and instructors who taught the various climbing courses Xander and she studied. But slowly gradually and thanks in part to Xander's enthusiasm on the subject she allowed herself to enjoy and learn from the experience. Climbing rewarded patience, determination, skill, concertation and a bunch of other things that Faith knew she was in short supply when she first started learning. Instead of tackling it head on like what she first did when slaying she had to start slowly, take one move at a time, think before she moved and focus on her body.

It had changed her and helped her learn to calm her often hyperactive urges. Changed Xander too removing much of his negativity and laziness… though he still slept in from time to time. Now that they are guides, they had clients who were their responsibilities. Faith at first struggled with this as she had become used to climbing as an experience solely between her and the mountain. But sadly, mountain guides isn't about climbing hard routes or steep ski descents. Fundamentally, it is about your clients and a guide's relationship with them. Keeping them safe and ensuring that the experiences you share with them have the right mix of challenge and enjoyment is essential. Having to pamper a bunch of wannabes was not what Faith signed up for but again Xander suggested it be a better experience that she might expect and certainly was the only the way to make money from mountain climbing. Faith grudging agreed as she had now met a range of different people forcing her again to learn how to teach, instruct and inspire. It made for an interesting experience and a good learning curve… plus it didn't hurt that Faith found she could drink all their clients under the table.

Faith smiled as she saw a head pop up into view.

"Hey!" Xander said slightly straining and out of breath. "How are you?"

"I'm finding out that my butt is numb from sitting on this rock." Faith replied smirking. "You should have told me that you were going to go slow I would have started an hour up an hour after you!"

"Yeah! Yeah!" Xander grunted as he pulled himself up and over the edge. Catching his breath, he looked over to Faith. "What are you up to?" Xander asked her.

"Nothing in particular." Faith said casually.

Xander nodded and got to his feet and wandered over to Faith. "Can I observe nothing in particular with you?" he asked, smiling softly. They sit close to each other, legs touching ever so lightly. It was cold, and they were both dressed for movement rather than insulation. "Looks like this a good spot for Wednesday's group. Still all the same old foot holes and cracks that can be used for grips." He said unhooking his rope and taking off his helmet.

Faith smirked at him. Who would have thought Xander Harris being super serious about something. Still rock climbing was his passion but more than that it was something he was flat out good in. He had taken everything he had learnt seriously and pushed himself though the courses and the training. With clients he both funny putting the nervous at ease and serious in his instructions plus it doesn't hurt that climbing some muscle mass to his frame… Oh yes! Faith liked that part very much.

"Oh, don't remind me yet more chance to listen to a bunch of rich kids to complain about breaking a nail or how there is no easy way up!" She complained but Xander knew it was half hearted. He had seen her in action with groups of clients and felt no small amount of pride at how she handled clients. Watching his girlfriend develop not only as a person, but a damn good teacher, while still retaining what made her Faith, was fun to watch. She's flat out great at her job and Xander noticed.

"You know you love it!" Xander remarked and she rolled her eyes yet did not deny his comment. She goes quiet again and Xander knows why and is keen to talk about it. "You thinking about last Tuesday?" He asked.

"What about some random trying to stab me with some fancy knife?" Faith replied before shrugging. "We both have faced worse I took the scumbag down easy." It was true Faith had out fought the attacker pretty easily and it was true they had faced worse. In their years together they still slayed and killed demons. It was in their blood to fight. But he could tell this attack had shaken her up a little.

"We could try and do some research and find out if there is anything special about that dagger." Xander offered.

"I'm finding my ass hurts," Faith retorted, shifting uncomfortably on the rock she was sitting on.

"I mean it." Xander continued. "I know it's shaken you for whatever reason so let me help."

Faith took a deep breath and looked down at herself. For some reason, he cares about me she thought to herself. He actually wants to know what's going on in my mind. And normally that's a good thing because very few in her life cared to. He makes me feel so important, cooks some mean pancakes and thanks to her input is one hell of fuck in bed. Today though she wished he would just leave her alone. A guy pulling a knife in a bar would mean nothing to her. She has seen and experienced worse… much worse but she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off with this one.

"I can't describe it." She finally spoke after a moment or two. "At first we thought it was some loser trying to start something but now I'm not too sure… I just have this feeling in my gut… something bad is happening."

Xander nodded listening to her admission. He was grateful she opened up to him as they wouldn't work if she didn't let him in. He put his arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer to him. She gave a soft moan of approval at being enveloped in his warmth and wrapped her arms around his middle.

He kissed the top of her head. "I'm not going to let anything bad happen to you." Xander stated firmly before speaking up. "Plus, that feeling in your gut is probably that bad Chinese you made the other week." He joked.

Faith scowled good naturally as she turned to face him. "Hey! I thought we agreed never to mention that again!"

"I know, I know… but may I just again for the record for the 90th time remind you that I did try and warn you about sticking to the recipe!" Xander smirked at her.

Faith's eyes narrowed at him. "Don't make me throw you off this mountain."

He let out a short bark of laughter. "I would like to see you try." He gave her a hot kiss that lasted for over a minute. When they pulled apart, they were both breathing heavily. Faith grinned at him, and suddenly she was sitting on his lap, facing him, her arms crossed over his shoulders. They kissed again, tongues pressing softly against each other. His hands felt the perfect curves of her body, and she moaned against him.

Was this what have she had been reduced to? Displays of affection with her, dare I say it, *boyfriend*? Faith considered. She didn't care. She was in love and was determined to stay that way.

XXXXXXXX

Xander gritted his teeth and stared at the group before him.

"You're leaving." Willow said in a clear accusation.

"Yes I am." Xander said quietly but determined. This was not a meeting he had been looking forward to. He was standing in front of them the assembled Scooby Gang of Giles, Buffy and Willow. His closest friends. Hell, his only friends. The only ones who have ever cared for him. Ever given made him feel like he was a part of something expect… no don't think about Faith not now. Focus on this.

"I have a bus ticket booked for tomorrow for San Francisco. Hopefully, the engine won't fall out this time." He joked referring to his previous attempt at a road trip. Spending a summer in exile in Oxnard as a dishwasher at a strip club was not a fun experience. Not least because it gave him little to do but think of… Faith.

"You're leaving?!" Spike yelled from the bathroom. "Bloody good riddance! Good luck being worthless somewhere else. Close the door on your way out!" All four of the group rolled their eyes and ignored Spike who was currently chained to the bathtub of Giles's bathroom.

"But why?" Willow asked him clearly to upset with the news her face a miserable expression of pain and grief. "This is your home!"

Xander looked at her with sadness. He knew she would take this badly. First Oz leaves her and now him. It seemed like everyone was leaving this town if you count Cordelia and Angel as well plus Faith's old watcher Wesley. Sunnydale was the hellmouth and therefore a battleground for the forces of good and evil. It was a fight that Xander had once decided he would fight as long and as hard as his friends would do so. But not anymore. At the end of the day, he had his life to live and he knew being here was not living but rather existing. Xander understood his timing was bad but he knew he had to do this. "I can't stay Will… there just isn't any jobs I'm qualified for available here. I would try something else."

"Have you discussed this with your parents?" Giles asked him as he chewed on the earpiece of his glasses thoughtfully.

"Briefly but… they don't really care." Xander shrugged. What else was there to do or say on the subject?

"I am sure that isn't true." Giles quickly stated.

"They are making me live in the basement of our house and pay rent while my room is empty upstairs." Xander cut off the older man. "I don't really care what they think anymore." He smiled thinly hoping the subject of his home life will be dropped.

"How long will you be gone?" Buffy asked him. She looked smaller and more fragile like around the time Angel had told her he was leaving. Maybe his announcement was reminding her of deadboy's leaving… god comparing himself to deadboy now things were getting bad.

He paled slightly at her question and struggled to look her in her green eyes. "I honestly don't know." He finally admitted.

"You're not coming back." Willow whispered staring at him with big eyes. "You don't know because you don't plan on coming back."

Xander bowed his head slightly and closed his eyes in shame. Willow ever the smart one could see right past his lie. He didn't know when he would return because he didn't plan on coming back. She was as ever 100% right. "There is nothing here for me anymore." He silently whispered.

Willow reacted with anger as soon as he spoke those words. "What do you mean there is nothing here! We are here! And we are your friends!" She retorted in anger standing up.

"You are in University all day and night and I hardly see you anymore." Xander snapped back at her. "We rarely hang out as much as we did before, and I know that there have been meetings and events that I am not even invited too!" University was all the focus these days. Xander wasn't studying and despite his best efforts which included briefly becoming a college bartender was totally left out of that world. To be honest it upset them, but he knew the gulf between him, and his friends was not solely because of that. No sir.

"Do you blame us? Given some of your decisions that you made last year." Buffy asked him rather coldly and looking at Xander with a detached expression. Ah yes there it was the events of last year. His little affair with Faith. The reason why you would need a full tank of gas to cover the distance between himself and his friends.

Xander met her expression with his own grim expression. "I didn't realise we were still baring grudges. I seem to recall Angel re-joining the club soon after he came back from hell. Events from the previous year all brushed under the carpet."

"Don't you even try it." Buffy warned him looking at him with full betrayal and anger. "Angel wasn't in control of his actions and you know it! Unlike you who went behind our backs and sneaked off to Faith just so you could have a quick screw!"

"It was never like that! And I guess it all worked out in the end okay for you!" Xander replied his voice dripping in sarcasm. This was not what he wanted nor asked for when he told the group his plans. Another fight. He guess it was long overdue. It simply had not been the same since he had returned from the summer, no matter how he wishes it were. No matter how hard he tries. He had tried to be supportive Xander, goofball Xander and all the Xander's he had ever been, but it wasn't the same. There's no blueprint for recapturing the past. The tension. The distance that existed between them. It was always there in the background.

"I'm not going to apologize for taking her down Xander." Buffy said seething. "Not now and not ever. She crossed the line and so did you."

"I know you still go and see her." Willow jumped in. Xander looked at her hurt. What is this a tag team effort? "I know you still go to the hospital ever now and then to see her." Willow continued.

Buffy turned to him eyes full of hurt and confusion. "Is this true?"

"I don't need your permission to go anywhere." Xander snapped at both of them. Sure, it was petty but right now he was in a petty mood.

"You know if you were expect a few hugs and a wave before you left, I think might have buggered that up for yourself." Spike laughed from his position in the other room clearly enjoying the arguing and at that Giles walked to the bathroom, slamming the open the door causing Spike to cry out in outrage. "Hey when I am getting fed around here?!"

Giles paid him no mind turning his attention back to the group. "That is enough all of you! I will not have this going on in my front room do you bloody well understand?" He shouted at his three charges all look at anywhere but each other all looking still angry and a little ashamed. "Xander has told us his decision and it doesn't look like we can talk him out of it so I guess we should respect it." Giles said trying to calm both the situation and himself down.

"Fine!" Willow seethed picking up her belongings. "I have a class soon anyway!" Buffy glared at Xander while collecting her coat both started to the door.

"Guys." Xander spoke up. "My bus leaves early next morning… I would like it if we can meet up at the Bronze tonight. For old time's sake."

Buffy and Willow looked at each other uneasy. Time seemed to drag on as they took forever to reach their decision. But eventually Buffy spoke up. "We'll be there." And with that the girls left closing the door behind them.

Xander blinked and stared at it in disbelief. They were just angry, that was all. It was only morning and he wouldn't see them until later this evening so that would give them most the day to cool off. Still things could have gone better. Funny how plans always seem to blow up in his face. Turning to Giles, Xander never more felt than a stupid teenager than he did now. A simple announcement and explanation had just blown up in his face.

"I ummm…. I guess that could have gone better." Xander joked lamely.

Giles nodded. "They will calm down." He began cleaning his glasses.

"I guess you think I am making a mistake." Xander asked him figuring he might as well go for broke and see who else he can upset this morning. "That I shouldn't be leaving."

"I think only you can answer that." Giles replied giving the young man his honest opinion. "I understand these last few months have been difficult for you. I must admit I have been feeling like a spare part myself." He confessed looking away sadly before turning back to Xander. "But part of growing up is making hard choices. If you truly feel you cannot be happy here, then perhaps a change of scenery will do you good."

Xander flustered slightly and then seem to choose his next words carefully. "I can't stay here Giles… there is nothing here for me."

"Then let me take this moment to wish you all the best." Giles held his hand which Xander stared at before shaking. "Just promise me this Xander. Try to apply yourself. Despite any impressions I may have given you over the years I think of you as a smart, capable young man. Find something that makes you happy and work hard to keep it."

XXXXXXXX

Glancing up as he heard the phone ring Xander huffed and cursed for the final time as he tried to open the jar. He found that while he was capable of doing many things, he could still be defeated by a simple glass jar. Still, he was living with a slayer which was pretty handy on occasion and this was one of those occasions. He turned to see her on the phone having got to it first. She had a curious look on her face. He couldn't quite read it. Despite living with her three years now she could still confuse him just like right now. Why was she looking at him like that?

"Who is it?" Xander asked her. Faith just smiled thinly at him and passed him the phone. "Who is it?" he repeated confused. She said nothing just stepped out of their kitchen. Xander stared at her confused and then his jaw clenched as he put the phone to his ear. "Hello?"

"Xander" It was her voice. Buffy's voice. He hadn't heard it in well over a year. The last time he had heard it was on the phone when word had gotten to him that she was alive. Willow had brought her back from the dead. They had the briefest of conversations over the phone. What really could you say to someone has returned from the dead?

"Something is happening here. It's the First" Buffy stated. "You remember them from Christmas?" Xander muttered a yes and Buffy continued. "They are planning something. Something big. Something involving slayers… Faith is the last in the line of slayers… Giles thinks she should come here."

God this felt awkward. He felt like he was back in high school again. Back to listening Giles or Buffy give some foreboding speech. Back to staying out of the way of better and stronger people. Back to asking himself all of the important questions one should ask one's self while at school: Do I have a zit? Are my shoes tied? Does my hair look okay? Do I have morning breath? Was my homework due in today? He shook his head and tried to brushed that feeling. Instead, he focused on what she was saying. "Just Faith?" Xander asked.

There was a pause on the line. She was thinking it over. He hadn't been in Sunnydale in well over a year. He hadn't spoken to any of them over a year. Her decision to bring Faith to her made sense. As there was strength in numbers. But if she was thinking he was going to sit this one out while Faith was at risk then he didn't know him at all.

"… That's your choice." Buffy said. "We need her to come back as soon as possible." She gave him some more details and then like that she was off the phone. Xander wrote down the details she had given him in almost a daze and moved to find Faith. It wasn't hard since their apartment was small. He found her in their bedroom staring off into the distance while lying on their bed. Xander sat next to her feet and smiled at her almost cautiously.

"Hey… so that was Buffy." Xander explained but he knew that she already knew that.

"I know." Faith said finally looking at him. "So, when is the world ending?" She said it so casually it almost comical.

"Some big bad is causing drama. You remember the First that big evil round Christmas that year?" Xander asked her.

Faith frowned. "Vaguely. I had to babysit Mrs S. It went after Angel that time."

"Yeah, well its back and its going after slayers. Not just Buffy or you but Potential slayers. Anyone who is in line to get the calling no matter what number they have are being murdered. You are the last slayer… Buffy thinks you should be there." Xander explained.

"So, B makes a call and everyone and everything just stops and drops to their knees in prayer?" Faith almost laughed shaking her head. "Somethings never change."

"It's not like that!" Xander said defensively his jaw clenched. "I don't like this anymore than you do."

"If we leave what are we going to tell Chris?" Faith demanded in frustration. "Oh, sorry got some shit to deal so now you are down two guides! Might as well kiss our jobs goodbye!"

"We'll work something out." Xander offered but in truth he knew that was a lie.

"Yeah, like what?" Xander opened his mouth but couldn't give her an answer. "That's what I thought!" She muttered shaking her head.

He watched her silently for a few seconds. Something was wrong with them, and it wasn't hard to know what that something was. Buffy, their past history in Sunnydale and so on was standing between them. Funny how one phone call can change everything. Xander wished he could give her all the answers to the questions she was asking. He wished the phone never rang in the first place. It wasn't like they were retired. They still fought demons and killed vampires together whenever the situation presented itself. It's just going back there… to face them.

"I've been back a few times you know that." Xander spoke to her quietly. "It's… awkward. I don't know what to say sometimes. They never asked about you… about us. I sometimes want to show them pictures to show how happy we are, how we made it together. I don't expect us to get a hero's welcome or parade in our honour." He turned to her. "But I know you are shaken by the attack. From the sounds of things, its connected to what is happening there. I don't want to lose you so if that means we do back there and face them all then we should do it."

Faith looked at the young man in front of her. She wanted to deny everything that he had said. That she wasn't shaken by such a simple attack. She wished she didn't feel restless, that there this feeling of dread in her stomach. But he knew her far too well. She wished she were stronger, she wished could ignore what she was feeling, she wished she had the kind of control over her feelings that B had. She was always one step ahead of the darkness. She had tasted her wild side with Faith but had enough self-control to jump back from it. Faith on the other hand had been engulfed by it, consumed by it and then spat back out. Xander moved to wrap an arm around her and she leaned into his touch. God, she wished she were stronger but feeling his arm around her, offering his support felt so good.

XXXXXXXXX

Xander hesitated and held his breath as the phone rang. He almost hoped that there would be no answer but knew he was going to have to bite the bullet sometime and face the music. He had already made sure to buy a few tablets for a headache from the local pharmacy before he started dialling as he knew that this was going to be a tough call.

On the fourth ring his call was answered. "Hello" came Willow's voice on the other end.

"Hi Will, it's me Xander." Xander said with false joyfulness trying to keep it light.

"Oh my god! Xander! Thank god! Are you okay? Where are you? You have to listen to me right now Faith has woken up a few weeks ago! We think she is coming for you! She came to my dorm looking for you then vanished we haven't seen her since! Are you hurt? Did she find you?" Willow babbled clearly distressed and Xander couldn't help but winch as he glanced at Faith across the street from him.

"Willow calm down!" Xander asked her. "I'm good. We'll all good here." He added.

"Oh, thank goodness! Where are you? I tried searching for you, but I couldn't find any trace of you anywhere… wait what do you mean 'we' are all good here?" Willow asked him confused.

Xander bit his lip and closed his eyes before finally deciding just to say it. "I mean Faith and I are good Willow. She found me here."

"Oh god no! Are you hurt?! Did she attack you?!" Willow gasped not quite understanding what Xander was getting at. "Can you get away? Let me know where you are? Riley, Buffy's new boyfriend works for the military or least he used to… but anyway I'm sure he can get people to protect you at least until we show up."

"That's not necessary Willow!" Xander interrupted her.

"What? Why?" Willow uttered totally confused but then it slowly dawned on her what Xander was getting at and she had to fight to keep from dropping the phone. "My god Xander! Please don't tell me you are this stupid?!" She demanded her tone gone from distressed to angry in just one second.

"Faith found me… we talked… I think we are going to be alright." Xander said choosing his words carefully. He really should have phoned Giles first, but he knew he owed it to both Buffy and Willow to hear the truth from him rather than G-Man… even if they didn't understand. "She is here with me… I am okay honestly."

""She's manipulating you!" Willow scoffed. "She is just playing a game its all she does!"

"Pretty big game to play Will for travelling thousands of miles for." Xander stated and Willow could almost see his shrug.

"Whatever that doesn't matter you can't trust her!" Willow argued down the phone. "I could spend hours giving you reasons why not to."

"Well, I've only got a few minutes left of change so..."

"Xander!" The redhead said forcefully. "This isn't a joke! She is going to kill you!"

"I don't think she is Willow." Xander disagreed. "If she wanted to, she could have done it already. Hell, why bother coming all this way to find me? We are going to try and work things out Willow… together." Xander finished unable to look anywhere else but Faith right now you was finishing her coffee she had been drinking while he had made this call.

If Xander had been standing next to Willow in her dorm room face to face he would have been able blatant jealousy that appeared on her features. "Fine, Xander if that's the way you want it." Willow said very coldly.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Xander asked her.

"You want to be the enemy for an easy fuck that's fine but don't come crying to me when this all blows in your face like it always does!" Willow yelled and with that the phoneline went dead and Xander suspected that she probably threw the phone across the room.

He put the phone down and exited the phonebooth walking slowly to Faith who was sat on a bench in a very un-ladylike fashion. "Hey." He offered to her.

Xander's easy going grin charmed her, even as the humour wasn't reaching his eyes the way it usually did, and Faith noticed. "Hey… I take it that I can starch B and Red off my bridesmaid's list."

Xander's smile faded and he took a seat on the bench next to her. "Yeah, I guess…" He said sadly. He looked crestfallen and more than a little depressed. Faith couldn't help but run her fingers through his dark hair. I don't know why I'm doing it Faith thought to herself. I mean, I'm not exactly Miss Touchy-feely. More like, Miss Fucky-gropey. After all, my motto is "Get some and get gone" for Christ sake. But here I am having travelled across America to see a guy and now I'm his shirt, jacket and I'm playing with his hair… god I'm so pathetic.

She can't help but smile as he smiles a little at her. "You didn't really think they would accept this did you?" Faith asked him. Xander considered her question and then shook his head ruefully.

They sat there in silence for a while as they watched some cars drive past on the busy road. "So, what happens now?" Faith asks him.

"You're asking me?" Xander replied surprise. "I don't know I make things up as I go along. I mean we can talk I guess, look at finding you some work, I think there are a few places hiring. Have you ever worked as a waitress?" He asked her then notices that she has reached out her hand and running it up his leg. He knows where this is going, and suddenly he is back in her hotel room before his first time. He couldn't help but gulp.

"You okay there?" Her smile kicks up a notch, and her tongue darts out to taste her abundantly shiny lips.

"I'm good." He nearly squeaked. His response doesn't remove the predatory aspect to her face, however.

"You will be more than that soon." She teased grabbing the back of his head and kissing him hard. Her tongue prying his lips apart, and all he can do is fall into the taste of her. She breaks the kiss to look back at him and can't help but grin at his slightly dazed expression. Despite the glazed look in his eyes, he looked so free of that burden that seemed to weigh him down.

XXXXXXXX

Light drops of rain splattered against the windshield as they drove past the 'Welcome to Sunnydale' sign. Xander gripped the steering wheel tighter as he grimaced sightly driving past it. He was coming home after all this time. It had been over a year since he had stepped foot into the town since… Buffy's funeral. That had been such a surreal and upsetting experience. He had been thanked for coming, not asked to say a few words and the invitation was only for him not Faith. He had gone and was almost treated like some distant family friend who was there to see the others through their hard time. He watched as Willow and Dawn cried hugging each other and held his own grief inside.

Then he had left as this wasn't his home anymore.

This wasn't his life anymore.

This was the life he was always told he wasn't good at. The living breathing liability of the Scooby Gang, he recalled and so he had left and built a new one. He had worked hard, pushed himself harder than ever before and overcome any doubts that lurked within him. And he had done it all with Faith by his side. Whether it had been supporting him, yelling at him to improve or celebrating his achievements she had been by his side the whole time. They had kept each other on their toes. He made jokes. She made things go to dust. He cooked. She showed him how to hot wire a car. They argued about the little things, teasing each other before making up only minutes later.

They just got each other.

They understood each other.

They were there for each other.

He glanced over and looked at her sleeping next to him in the passenger seat. She looked peaceful but he knew that she could be alert and ready to fight within a second's notice. It was just the way she was wired, and he loved her for it. It never cease to amaze him that they had fallen in love. What started as a one-night stand morphed into an affair one that his friends never understood or forgave him for. His friends Buffy, Willow and Giles all in Sunnydale and all waiting for him and Faith. Big bad was in town and Faith was needed. Xander was just coming along for the ride. No way he was about to let Faith face a massive battle and wait at home at the dinner table.

Leaving their home in Canada meant leaving their life there. They had to tell Gary their boss that a family emergency he had been none too happy when they couldn't go into details so Xander suspected that they may not have a job to come back to. It made him sad just thinking about. His job was important to him. It was the first time in his life that he had ever felt like he was actually accomplishing something. But the fate of the world was at stake and that meant all hands-on deck.

Stealing another glance at Faith he smiled softly… she looked peaceful.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Xander stood slightly away from the group to pay his respects. It seemed so unfair, and yet, life often was. Today, he came to say a final goodbye to Joyce Summers. She was a charming woman. Friendly, kind and caring. He had practically emptied her fridge whenever he came to her house and she never complained.

His heart went out to Buffy and Dawn her two daughters. He was still coming to grips with the brief explanation that Giles had given him about Dawn's true status as a form of energy to be used as a key. This was a girl who he remembered munching on cookies with and watching cartoons with but in reality, those memories were fake and implanted? Xander shook his head something to dwell on for the plane back.

He wished Faith were here as he always felt better in her presence, but she had decided to remain back in Canada so not to cause a fuss or more likely a storm at such an event. He almost felt bad for agreeing with her. It had been years since the events of senior year, and he had seen the change in her. She simply was not that person anymore and he felt it was unfair to condemn her to whatever stigma the Scooby Gang had placed on her. But he didn't want to cause drama not here, not on this day. So, he had held his tongue and not said anything. He had spoken briefly with Buffy and Willow offering words of support and his admiration for Mrs Summers while avoiding the subject of Faith. They had tip toed around the subject themselves and asked very little of his life up north. He had met Tara, Willow's girlfriend and pretty sure he had made a bad impression at his wide eyed, stuttering at such an introduction. Willow was a lesbian? God that was new!

He focused back to the present as he watched the Minister begin to speak. "We commend to almighty God our sister, Joyce Summers..." Xander watched as Willow and Tara held hands. They looked very much in love. He was glad she had found someone that she had moved on with her life. "...And we commit her body to the ground. Earth to earth, ashes to ashes and dust to dust."

Sound of a shovel digging into earth. Dawn suddenly turned and buried her face in Buffy's shoulder. Buffy puts her arms around Dawn, still staring at the coffin. In that moment Xander didn't care if she was real or not. She was Buffy's sister, and she was in pain. She was real to him as any of his memories. He watched with a heavy heart a shovel putting the first dirt on the coffin as the Minister continued. "The Lord bless her and keep her. The Lord makes his face to shine upon her and be gracious to her. The Lord lift up his countenance upon her, give her peace."

The group began to break up as the service finished. Xander hugged Dawn near the entrance of the graveyard while Willow hovered slightly nearby.

"Can't you stay a little longer?" Dawn asked in a small voice.

"I'm afraid not Dawnie." Xander replied sadly. "My flight leaves tomorrow. I am in the mist of studying I can't afford to take too much time off. You know me and the books don't play well so I have to work harder than most." He joked lightly trying to lighten her mood.

"You are going to university?" Dawn asked confused moving her head from his shoulder to face him.

"No not exactly I'm learning to be a mountain guide." Xander explained. "Lot's of practical work so I need to get back to my mountain to learn how down it." He felt bad for telling her this. Here she was a young girl having lost her mother and he was talking about the next big thing in his life. Her life was forever changed and at a stand still and he was acting like today was just a pitstop. Well done Mr Harris! A voice in his head said.

"Dawn!" Tara's voice came as she moved toward them. "Buffy says she is going to stay here for a bit longer but if you are ready Willow and I can take you home." Dawn nodded needing to leave and hugged Xander one final time.

"I will be round to see you in the morning before I go." He told her before kissing the top of her head. He turned to look at Willow and Tara who had just joined them.

"Umm Dawn." Tara spoke to the young girl. "Buffy says if you're good to go we can go now back to our place… I think she wants to stay here a little longer."

Dawn nodded and then turned back to Xander. "Are you coming too?" She asked him.

Xander glanced at Willow who averted her eyes, and he got the message. "I'm sorry Dawnie might get a little crowded there at Willow and Tara's." He half smiled and he could tell it wasn't the answer that the little girl was looking for. "Besides." He cleared his throat. "I might hang here a little longer so that Buffy has someone to talk to if she needs it." He gestured to Buffy who was standing solemnly at her mother's grave.

"Oh, I wouldn't worry about that I took care of it." Willow declared beginning to walk slowly away. Seeing Xander's look of confusion she stopped and continued. "I called Angel earlier. He should be here by nightfall. I'm sure even you can accept that she would rather speak to him in these circumstances. So, don't worry you are not needed here any longer."

Xander bit his tongue deciding not to fire back anything. Now wasn't the time nor the place. Not in front of Dawn. He just nodded and took one last look at Buffy before departing.

XXXXXX

Xander pulled up at the Summer's house and turned off the engine. He leaned back in his seat and glanced at Faith. She was trying to look cool, but he could tell it was an act. It had taken a time, but he could see past her attitude now and see the real Faith. She was probably as nervous as he was.

"You know probably I could just start the car again and then creep away slowly." Xander offered jokingly. "No one would ever know we were outside."

"There was some movement at the window." Faith nodded towards the house. "They know we are here." She said without emotion.

Xander sighed and then raised his hand to caress her cheek. It was a small gesture, but it felt nice like it always did. They looked at each other and then nodded getting out of the car. Walking towards each other they got to the front door and Xander hesitated for a moment then knocked on it. It opened and there was Buffy. Xander felt a lump in his throat at seeing her again after so much time. She had gotten thinner and had yet another new hair style, but she was still Buffy. The same girl who made him crash his skateboard all those years ago.

"Hi." Xander said to her.

It was the only thing he could think to say.