Several minutes later, no one has spoken.
Xander sits up, suddenly. "Wait. This is not the time to panic," He says, walking over to them. He is shaking uncontrollably but his eyes are alert.
"Nobody's panicking, Xander," Dawn says.
Xander seems shaken. "Oh, good. Don't worry, everything's under control. Can I make a phone call?"
Fred shows him where the phone is and returns to the pale group.
"Does he have a plan?" Wesley asks, quietly.
"I hope so," Dawn replies.
"Buffy?" Xander says, as he hears a click.
"Hey, Xander," Buffy replies with a sigh.
"What's wrong?" Xander asks, the tone of her voice speaking louder than any of his gifts.
"You need to come home," Buffy says, finally, after a long pause.
"What's wrong with Willow?" Xander asks, a wave of pain washing through him.
"She won't eat…when she saw you leave last night she freaked out, she thinks you're not coming back…that you're in some sort of trouble and I can't get her to stop crying," Buffy rambles, tears in her voice.
"Buffy…put the phone in her hand, okay? Let me talk to her, okay?"
"Can't you just come home?" Buffy replies.
"I would, Buffy…I can't leave until I've finished this stuff up…" Xander has to hold on to the desk to keep from collapsing. "It's important."
"More important than Willow?" Buffy asks.
"Buffy, stop," Xander says.
"You're not going to tell me what's going on?"
"You told me not to tell you unless I couldn't fix it…I need one more night, Buffy, so let me talk to Willow…" Xander is torn.
"Xander, I'm sorry…Xander?" Buffy seems to sense that she has pushed him too far.
Xander has closed his eyes and is gripping the counter tightly.
"Here's Willow, Xander," Buffy says.
"Willow? It's Xander on the phone," Buffy says, distantly.
"Xander?" Willow's sob-choked voice is quiet.
"Hey, Will…what's all the crying about? When I left, you wouldn't even talk to me and now I hear you're crying about me?" Xander's voice is forced and playful. The change is so drastic that Fred and Wesley approach him.
"Xander, I'm sorry, please come back, don't leave me, I'll be better…" Willow sobs.
"I didn't leave because of you, Willow, I swear…I have some errands to run out of town…" Xander replies.
"Xander…"
"Willow, I am coming back…" Xander starts, pausing as Dawn comes up behind him. "I promise, sweetie, and I'll bring you something real nice but I need you to stop crying and be nice to Buffy…"
"You're really coming back?" Willow has calmed slightly.
"Promise. Now stop crying and give Buffy a hug," Xander says, trembling as Dawn puts her hand on his shoulder.
Buffy's voice comes on the phone. "Thanks, Xander…is Dawn okay?"
"She's right here, hang on," Xander hands the phone to Dawn and steps away.
"Willow doesn't know about your new gifts?" Wesley questions, helping the exhausted young man to the sofa.
"Willow has had a complete emotional breakdown. She won't even dress herself." Xander exhales. "She's getting better, but it's a long process."
Dawn hangs up the phone. "Okay, Xander. Buffy wants you to call her when we get back for the night."
"Do you have a plan?" Gunn questions.
"Are the cars out front?" Xander replies.
"Yes, Gunn's truck and your car," Wesley replies, curiously.
"One more thing," Xander starts.
Lorne steps into the hotel, brushing off his suit.
"Lorne!" Fred embraces him, excited. "How'd you know we needed you?"
"Xander Harris called. Said there was a vampire in trouble," Lorne replies, hugging her back. "It's good to see you."
"Let's go." Xander pulls himself to his feet, swaying slightly.
"Xander Harris?" Lorne stretches out his hand as Xander approaches him.
"You are really green," Xander smiles, shaking his hand.
Lorne gasps as he releases his hand. "Damn, kid, you've got a lot of power in there…you're a seer?"
"I don't know…" Xander catches a glance between Lorne and Wesley.
"Wesley is here because I trust him. Angel's going to need everyone if he's going to make it through this…" Xander's eyes glaze suddenly and he stops mid-sentence.
"There's too many people here," Dawn realizes. "He gets flashes from everyone he's near and all the stress here…" She tries to hold him upright. Lorne and Wesley help her hold up his faltering body.
"Xander!" Dawn calls, sternly. He seems to snap out of it, shaking his head.
"Sorry…" He says, putting a hand to his head. He turns to Lorne, standing on his own now.
"Did you find those Peprimda demons we talked about?" Xander asks.
"Peprimda? Water demons?" Wesley questions.
"Yeah. Strong as hell and breathe underwater. Perfect thing to get a steel coffin off the ocean floor. Ike and Trina are in the car," Lorne nods.
"Okay. Let's head for the docks." Xander leads the group out of the hotel and into the night.