Xander sighed and pushed the book he had been reading away from him. He looked at the clock. Almost seven. Where were the girls?
Giles set a sandwich in front of the tired boy. They had been searching for any mention of Elisa or the unfinished prophecy, but had yet to find anything. No demon uprising, no great evil, not even a minor battle. Perhaps Elisa was simply meant to exist in this time to fight alongside Buffy. Stranger things have happened.
"Thanks," Xander mumbled as he began to devour the food. Giles moved to the other side of the room and picked up another book. He sat down and began to read. Xander finished his sandwich and moved to the kitchen with his plate.
Feminine laughter rang out from the other side of the front door. Xander raced back into the living room, catapulting himself over the back of the couch. He overestimated his own strength and found himself on the floor in front of the sofa when the girls entered the room.
"Oooh look, Twister!" Buffy exclaimed upon seeing Xander's awkward position. Xander blushed and stood up.
"I. . .ahhh. . .dropped something," Xander stammered. Buffy smirked at her friend's discomfort. 'He's so cute when he's embarrassed,' she thought.
"So, did ya get me anything?" Xander recovered with a smile.
"Sure," Willow replied. "We filled your gas tank." She tossed Xander's keys to him.
Giles noted the multitude of bags now littering the floor at the girls' feet. "Were you able to get everything you needed?" he addressed Elisa.
"Yes sir," Elisa replied. "Thank you very much. I'll pay you. . ."
"You should see all of the great stuff we found on sale," Buffy hurried to interrupt. "Xander, you might want to unload your trunk before we all patrol tonight."
Giles noticed the mention of more purchases. "Good Lord, did you buy the whole mall?"
"No," Buffy defended. "We left this one hat that was all ugly with a big, ugly flower. . ."
"Wow, would you look at the time!" Willow jumped in. "We need to go if we want to drop everything off at Xander's before patrol." She began to usher the others out the door.
"Halt!" Giles yelled. He motioned Buffy over. "Receipts." Buffy silently handed over the receipts.
"Uh, gotta go!" she yelled and ran out the door. She was almost to the car when she heard the curse from inside. She jumped in the car and hollered, "Let's go!"