Quick note here. I jumped ahead since the main thing I wanted to show was after the war ended. And none of the main people where on the main front line so it would be all new people who no one cared about. So I will be flashing back to it maybe later in the series. And I do have another story idea to continue with this after words.

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ONE WEEK LATER

Hyperion Hotel

"Will you please stop doing that?!"

Angel looked up from his pacing, to stare at Wesley. "I can't help it. I mean, I should be there!"

Wesley shook his head. "You tried twice, already. Angel, she isn't ready to talk about it. Those two girls are the only things helping her keep it together right now."

"He's right 'bout that, mate," Spike said, as he lit a cigarette. "The bird just lost the bloke she 'ad kids with. It's not like a hug from good ol' Angel is gonna make it all go away!"

Dawn looked up, from where her friends Kit and Carlos were sitting. "Willow and Kristen are with her. We just need to give her some time." She then turned back to smack Carlos on the back, "And will you quit hitting on the potential Slayers?!"

The Slayers-in-waiting just giggled, as Carlos shot Dawn a dagger-like look.

Buffy came in from the office. "Any news?" Amanda asked her.

"Good and bad," she told them. "Most of the houses are pretty much intact, but yours and Lee's apartment building got nailed by some artillery. The top floors are toast, but the ground floor is okay. And the Magic Box, along with most of Main Street, is totaled."

Giles paled. "Bloody hell, not again!"

Buffy nodded. "Afraid so. And it looks like Xander did something else, besides closing the portal."

Dawn looked to her sister. "What did he do?"

Buffy grinned. "He closed the Hellmouth."

Giles paled again. "Good Lord. It opened up, during all this?"

"No, it never opened, but the feedback Xander caused somehow drained all the Hellmouth energy. Right about now, it's got less energy output than Fresno!"

Giles started to wipe his glasses. "Now, uh, how exactly did Xander drain the energy from the Hellmouth?"

Buffy shrugged. "Don't know. Beth wouldn't say. She just said she got it all, on full color video. But, there is one other thing."

"What's that, luv?" Spike asked her.

"She said that we're all supposed to go to their ship, tonight. They're sending a bus for us all. And they want all of us, even the girls you brought, Giles."

****

Wolfram & Hart

Office of Lilah Morgan

Lilah looked up, as her office doors opened. "Who the hell are you?" she demanded.

The man smiled, as he sat in the chair opposite her and put his feet on the desk. "And a big hullo to you too, Ms. Morgan. Oh, by the way, you can stop pushing the little red button under your desk," Metatron told her. "And that little gun you have in your top drawer? Won't do you much good, either."

The lawyer tried, but she could not get her drawer open. "Right, fine. Color me impressed. Now, what do you want?"

"Well, basically, just to chat."

"Oh, great, a comedian. Will you just get to the point here?"

"Your problem, woman, is that apart from being a vicious bitch, you lost your sense of humor years ago. Oh well. Right then – you see, Ms. Morgan, I just wanted to tell you that some things have changed."

"Really?" the evil lawyer grinned. "What things?"

"For starters? The legal battle for the inheritance of the late David Chase, who died a little over four years ago," he grinned back at her.

Lilah leaned back, losing the smile. "That might be a case of ours, but I'd have to check to be sure. We do handle so many..."

Metatron chuckled. "Have to admit, I do love this part."

"The part that has you leaving, before I have you arrested for trespassing?" Lilah asked snidely.

"No, no. The part where I remind the smug little insects like you, who's really in charge around here..." He snapped his fingers, and they vanished from the office. Less than five minutes later, they reappeared.

Metatron was grinning, and Lilah's clothes were burned and smoking. "What was that place?" she asked, with a hint of fear in her voice.

"That, my dear, is where you're currently scheduled to spend the rest of eternity – after the whole mortal coil thing is over and done with."

"What!? That can't be right. My employers-"

Metatron looked annoyed. "Your employers, may they be forever cursed, don't ultimately determine who goes where. My boss does. And he might be inclined to lessen your visit there, if…" he trailed off.

"If what?"

Metatron went behind Lilah's desk, and sat in her chair. "Don't you worry about that. We've already informed your Senior Partners about our little requirements."

"And they listened to you?"

"When I told them what would happen if they didn't...well, actually, they just perked right up."

Lilah raised an eyebrow. "And out of curiosity, just what would have happened?"

The higher being leaned back, and smiled a huge grin. "The vampire Angel and the Powers That Be have been your main opponents, for a long time now. I just told them what would happen, if my boss focused all his energy to finally finish off every single contingent of this little firm. I mean, have you ever seen an ant hill get run over by a kid on a dirt bike?"

Lilah paled. "What do you want?"

"Well, where to begin. Let's see – first thing is, the young widow of Mr. David Chase just seemed to win the lottery up in San Francisco. So she's decided, out of the evilness of her heart, to drop the lawsuit against the other party of the will from getting the, what was it now? Oh yes, $43,000,000. And the mansion, not to mention the summer home. Now who was the only other person named in that will?"

He looked deep in thought. "I just can't recall her name…"

"Cordelia Chase," Lilah spat out in revulsion.

"Ah yes, his favorite niece. It's interesting, isn't it, that right after our girl in question found a job with an undead acquaintance in this city, her possible inheritance got all tied up in legal trouble. Don't you think so?"

"A damn shame," the lawyer growled. I should have killed that little bitch when I had the opportunity...

"Oh, yes – and before I forget, the second thing. It seems that Ms. Chase suddenly got herself a family. Well, she always was a goal-oriented girl, wasn't she? Let's just be clear on the fact that she and her children are completely off-limits to you and yours, from now on. Because, if they're bothered at all even by junk mail from this place…well, the shopping mall down the street is looking for space to add another parking lot."

Metatron gave her a deadly glare. "Are we clear on this?"

"Crystal," Lilah tried to whisper in great hatred.

****

Apartment of Cordelia Chase

8:47 pm

Kristen woke slowly from her nap. She stayed on the couch as she asked Willow, "Has she come out yet?"

Willow shook her head. "Except to go to the bathroom once, no."

"Did she say why she wanted your computer at least?"

"She said she was going to visit some baby name websites. I just hope she doesn't go into the My Pictures folder."

"Why?" Kristen asked, sitting up.

"I've got digital copies of over seven years' worth of photos in there. Including the ones she used to have of her and Xander in her locker, during high school."

Kristen winced, as Willow looked embarrassed. "I didn't remember, till she already had it set up..."

They then both looked up, at the knocking on the apartment door. And Willow was slightly surprised when she opened the door, and saw the two people who stood there. A guy and a girl, that both had on military uniforms. "Are you Willow Rosenberg?"

She nodded.

The man smiled. "I'm Gavin, and this is Melissa. We're here to pick you up."

Kristen came to the door, and recognized them both. "Pick us up?"

"We've been ordered to bring you two, along with Ms. Chase, back to the base. We'll be picking up your friends at the hotel, after we collect you guys."

Everyone turned, when Cordelia came into the room. "If this is to tell us Xander's dead, I already know," she said hollowly.

Gavin and Melissa just stared in shock at the baby in her arms. "We were told you got them, but how?" Gavin asked, in awe. "We thought we'd have to go after them ourselves! How'd you get them both away from the Powers? I mean, you did get both of them, right?"

Cordelia sighed. "Yes, I got both of them. Let's just say someone higher up than those assholes helped out."

"That Skip guy?"

Willow looked at them. "How do you…?"

"We'll explain on the bus, but please, can you five come with us? We're not entirely sure what's going on either."

Cordelia slowly nodded. "Fine, we'll go. I have to get his stuff from his room anyway. Help me get them bundled up..."

****

39 minutes later

Cordelia looked up, as Lorne climbed up into the large couch bus. "How are you doing, sweetcakes?" he asked her.

"Not good," the woman confessed to him. "Do you think I can sing to you later? 'Cause, it's like, I have no idea what to do now," she asked softly.

Lorne smiled. "Sure, honey." She smiled weakly back at him, as Lorne bent down and smiled at the baby in her arms. "Well, hi there, little angel. Remember me? I'm your Uncle Lorne, yes I am! Now I need you and your sister's help to look after your mom, okay?"

The baby giggled at him, before she burped in his face.

Cordelia looked at her with a small smile, a few tears coming down. "Yep, these are Xander's kids alright." She then turned and watched, as the rest of the gang started to pack into the long bus.

Angel came right to her. "Are you…?" he started to ask.

"I feel like crap, Angel," she completed the answer, before he'd finished the question.

The souled vamp put his hand on her shoulder. "Maybe you should move back into the hotel for a while."

Cordy looked to Kristen. "Kristen, could you…?"

Kristen nodded, and took the baby. She faced the child so she could see her sister, that Willow was holding. Willow's eyes then went wide, "Willow, what is it?" asked the Slayer.

The redhead had a slightly stunned look on her face. "I think she just stuck her tongue out at her sister!"

"Can she do that yet? No, she couldn't have..."

"Oh, trust me, you never saw their parents growing up. Sticking out a tongue would be the tamest thing they would do."

****

In the very back of the bus away from everyone else, Cordelia and Angel were sitting by themselves. Angel had his arm wrapped around her, and she was not holding it together very well.

"…I mean, I always wondered if I should have given him another chance. I just figured that there was still plenty of time…Xander was like a – a security blanket. But now, knowing I was supposed to be with him all this time!?" she cried.

Cordelia looked ready to start weeping. "And to top it all off, I find out my big role in this damn mission to help the helpless wasn't even supposed to happen! Kate was supposed to be here, instead of me. She was supposed to end up your best friend!"

Angel looked at her. "You are my best friend, Cordy. No one else. Yeah, I've made mistakes in my life, but having you by my side was never one of them."

The new mother wiped her face. "Sure, you believe that now, but we both know the real truth here. And who was it who screwed up everything? The people I willingly almost died for! They didn't make me part demon to save my life, because they gave a damn. They did it, just so the brass upstairs wouldn't notice their screw-up!"

The vampire held her as she cried, and after a few minutes he asked, "Do you think we should tell the others everything you learned up there? About how you moved back to Sunnydale?"

She looked up at him, and shook her head. "No, all they know is when I got pregnant with the girls. Not any of the rest of it. I just – I need time to get over all this. God, Angel, the story of my life I saw up there…" Cordelia seriously cried, as she leaned into her best friend.

****

Demon Command Dock

Everyone looked out at the massive cruise ship. The teenagers, mostly the Slayers-in-waiting, all looked on in awe. "He worked here?" Lori asked, amazed.

Gavin shrugged. "It's not bad."

"Not bad?!" Dawn shrieked. "We knew he was stationed on a ship, but this thing?"

Gavin waved them forward. "Come on everyone, to the covered escalator. We'll need you all to sign in when we get aboard."

As they went up the escalator, Dawn turned to Melissa. "What's the name of this ship, anyway?"

Melissa frowned, as she contemplated the question. "You know, I don't think we've actually gotten around to that part yet..."

****

Club Monaco

E Deck

The teenagers were still in awe of the place. For the most part, the ship still looked the same as it did when it was fitted out. All its lavish furnishings were still in place, and if the people who worked there had any say in it, it would stay like that.

"This is so cool!" Dawn exclaimed, as she looked around.

"Dawn. Sit down," Buffy ordered, as she saw the look on Cordelia's face. "We're not on a sight-seeing trip here."

Angel looked to Gavin. "Who are we waiting for?"

"The guy with the stars on his shoulders." At Angel's confused look, Gavin clarified, "General Andrews."

And as if on cue, Andrews came through the glass doors. And he was not alone.

"What the heck?" was all Willow could get out. Because coming in with Andrews were three Secret Service agents, and President George W. Bush.

Andrews went to Gavin. "Is everyone here?"

"Yes, sir."

"Look, if this is about Xander," Cordelia said grouchily from the table, "there's no need for any 'you have my deepest sympathies' crap. Because he's gone."

"He died serving his country, Ms. Chase," Bush said calmly. "Someday, when all of what happened is declassified…he'll be a national hero."

She just looked at him, annoyed and unimpressed by the national leader. "Well, whoopee! I'll be sure to tell my daughters that, when they ask me why they never knew their own father."

"Mr. President? You admitted to the public where the attack came from – granted, you couldn't really hide it, but you didn't mention how Xander knew of the attack in the first place. May I inquire-?" Wesley asked.

Melissa spoke up. "Ah, I can answer that. He was warned by an ally about when, and who, was going to attack. Just like he was told how he could close the portal."

"And just who was this ally?"

"I'm sorry, but she made us promise not to reveal that information."

"And why is that?"

"It's complicated, Mr. Wyndam-Pryce," Bush told him. "But her info, and Captain Harris's acts of bravery, among countless others, have saved this country. We lost a lot of good Americans during this whole business, and since she was one of them – I've decided to honor her request."

Bush looked back to where Buffy, Willow, and Cordelia were sitting. He pulled out two slips of paper. And as soon as he laid them on the table, Cordelia looked in shock. "Birth certificates?"

"Yes," Bush told her. "Admittedly, forged ones. But no one outside this room will ever know any differently. Your daughters were born to you and the late Captain Harris at 1:37 am, last Tuesday morning. Instead of going to a hospital, you chose to have a well-respected local midwife deliver the infants. Which were then checked out by the doctor here, at their father's base. All we need from you is their names, so we can make it all official."

A voice came from behind them all. "Pardon me for asking, but don't you think both parents should be in on that decision?"

All of them turned, to find Metatron leaning against the bar. In less time than it took them to turn, the Secret Service men had their guns out.

This just seemed to annoy the higher being. "Oy, please..." He waved his hand, turning the guns into plastic green water pistols.

"Um, what are you doing here?" Cordelia asked him, as she got up.

"Oh, I'm just doing what I told Junior here I would do."

She looked to Bush. "What's he talking about?"

The President kept looking at Metatron, in slight shock. "So, uh, I take it you've worked something out?"

"Oh, yes."

"What did you work out?" Cordelia demanded.

"Well, my dear, my boss has reasoned that since in the original timeline Mr. Harris and yourself got married and did the entire happily ever-after-thing with the munchkins…"

"What?!" Buffy shouted in surprise.

Metatron winced. "Oh. You didn't tell them about that part yet, huh?"

Cordelia shook her head.

"Sorry. But anyway, bottom line, he lived his life and did things that needed to be done. And so, several things in the future will be royally screwed if we keep him dead."

"But Xander's gone. I saw it all, in my vision. Even if he was still alive, he wouldn't be…"

Metatron held up his hands. "Yes, I know it drained him. But this isn't your standard resurrection like the Slayer got, that I'm talking about here."

Willow went very pale. "That was a standard version?" she asked in a shaky voice, as the witch looked at the others. "Am I the only one here who remembers the snake thing?"

"This," Metatron continued, ignoring that, "is the tricky part. We start with the standard reincarnation, but add a little twist."

Cordelia's legs went weak. She had to grab hold of the table to keep from falling. "A twist? You're saying you can bring him back?"

Everyone looked at Metatron, and he didn't like the attention. "Yes and no. His old body was all used up, and like you said...gone. So we'd have to give him a new one..."

Angel grabbed Cordy to help support her. "You mean he won't be the same Xander? He'll have a different body?" he asked.

"Yeah. He'll have a new body. But it'll look almost the same; no one except Ms. Chase would be able to tell the difference. And Nika over there also, I guess. "

"Why only them?" Dawn asked.

"Well, my little Key, they're the only ones out of all of you here who got what you'd call a real 'up close and personal' look at Mr. Harris' old body."

Almost every set of eyes in the room, especially the other Slayers-in-waiting, all looked at Nika – who was blushing deep red.

"What?!" Lori screeched.

Nika could barely speak. "It was only the one time..."

Molly, one of the potential Slayers, glanced at Cora. "Pay up!" Cora grumbled as she pulled out a few British pounds, handing them over to Molly.

"And what is all this about?" Giles asked them in amusement.

Molly grinned. "We just had a small bet going, sir."

Nika was horrified. "You bet that I slept with Slayerette Xander?!"

Molly smiled at her. "Well, you did look incredibly pleased with yourself when you returned to the dormitory that night."

"Could we please get back on topic here!?" Cordelia yelled. She turned back to Metatron. "So you can bring him back to me?" she asked hopefully.

"Well, I can't, but my boss can."

"And just who is your superior, sir?" Wesley asked him.

"That's not important right now!" Cordelia snapped. "Look, yes or no – can you bring him back or what?!"

"Calm down, woman! Have a little patience, he's getting ready for this as we speak. Harris is just chatting a little with a few people right now, is all. Besides, it's not like we can just toss his soul in there, after slapping together a bag of flesh and bones," the higher being tried to calm her down.

Willow perked up. "And just who has he been chatting with?"

Metatron ticked off the names. "Jesse Richards, Tara Maclay, Joyce Summers, Jenny Calendar, Harmony Kendall, Allen Francis Doyle, Alonna Gunn, Larry Blaisdell, Forrest Gates, Anya Jenkins, Kendra, Kate, Faith, and a bunch of other people..."

The room erupted, when almost everyone heard a name they knew. After the commotion died down a bit, he turned to Buffy and Willow. "And that reminds me! I need you two to stop hunting for Jonathan. There are some plans being made for him, and we kinda need him still breathing."

Willow frowned. "But he's a murderer!"

Metatron glared at her. "Do you really want to start this conversation with me, Ms. Rosenberg?"

The redhead shrunk back, and decided not to press her luck.

"Good. Now as the annoying giggling voice in my ears is telling me, we're finally ready. If you could all direct your attention to the corner over there..."

They all watched as a white light appeared, and started to grow stronger every second. Soon, it was almost too bright to look at.

"My God!" Bush quietly exclaimed, from behind his Secret Service people.

Metatron turned to him. "You don't know how close you are, Junior."

The shape of a man appeared in the middle of the light. It started to move towards them, as everyone in the room watched – waiting for their lost friend to come back to them.

When the man stepped out of the light, everyone frowned. They got a dark-haired young man, but just not the one they were waiting for.

"Well now, that was anticlimactic wasn't it?' Spike said smugly.

Cordelia was ticked. "You said he would look the same! He looks like a teenager, and that's not Xander!"

Metatron sighed, and turned to the newcomer. "You were supposed to come out second."

The teenager shrugged. "They told me to go, and when the guys with the wings tell you to do something? You do it." He turned to Cordelia. "Don't worry, he's right behind me."

"Then move the hell outta the way!" she yelled at him.

"Oh, right," the boy said, as he darted aside.

A second figure appeared, and started to come forward. Cordelia, Buffy, Willow, Dawn, and Kristen stood near each other and held hands. They watched as the figure came closer. They started to cry, when he stepped out of the light.

Xander Harris, version 2.0 found himself the recipient of the biggest hug he'd ever had. "Ah, guys. Need to breathe here?"

Willow looked hopeful. "Xander, is it really you?"

"Oh yeah, Wills, it's me."

Buffy smiled at him. "So, are you trying to top my act or what?"

"No, don't worry Buff. You still got one more resurrection on me..."

He looked at Cordelia, who was standing there looking at him. She wasn't moving, she was just looking at him. "Xander? Is it really you?" she asked softly.

"Yeah, Cor, it's really me."

What happened next shocked most in the room, but Xander knew what was coming and was waiting for it.

Cordelia slapped him. "Don't you EVER do that to me again, Xander Harris, do you hear me!?"

"I hear ya, Cordy."

"Well, good!" she said, before the young woman jumped on top of him, knocking him down to the floor. Cordelia then started to kiss him, for all she was worth.

Kristen looked at Angel, confused. "Why did she just slap him?"

Angel just smiled softly watching them, "Trust me. It would take forever to explain their relationship."

Everyone looked up from the reunited couple, as soft giggling was heard. Standing next to Metatron, was a short woman with long dark hair. She was watching Xander and Cordy, with a large smile on her face.

"Ah, excuse me, young lady?" Wesley asked. "Who are you?"

She didn't respond, she just smiled at him and returned to watching the two people on the floor. She then pulled an envelope out of Metatron's jacket, and slid it in Xander's shirt pocket as they got up.

"Who are…?" Cordelia began, but Xander stopped her.

"Trust me, Cor, you don't want her to answer. On account of I like your beautiful head, and wouldn't want it to explode into little pieces."

She looked at him, very confused. Metatron leaned in and said, "Yeah, like he said, trust him on that. Besides, she has a lot of names. It all depends on who you ask about her."

Cordelia got confused again, but then she remembered her pervious conversation with Metatron. Her eyes went wide, "You mean, that's…?"

"Yes, it is."

"Oh, boy."

Buffy came up. "Who is she?"

Xander glanced at the woman, as she nodded her head. "Buffy? Uh, meet God."

Buffy's jaw dropped, and everyone was at a loss for words. Well, almost everyone.

"Oh, like hell! You 'ave got to be kidding me, mate. I mean, you got any proof?" Spike called out.

"Spike!" Dawn hissed.

God skipped over to Dawn, and smiled at her. "Ah, hi," was all the brunette girl could manage to get out.

Metatron came over to them. "She wants you to know that it doesn't matter how we come into existence, or when we arrived, but only what we do with the time we have. I think you know what she's getting at."

Dawn looked into the woman's eyes. "Yeah," she replied softly.

Then the brunette avatar looked to Angel. He couldn't help but squirm under her gaze. She took his hand, and the demon within felt a horrible burning sensation, at touching the holy presence.

The woman then pulled him over to the other side of the group. There she took Wesley's hand, and made them shake. All the people from Angel Investigations smiled at this. Cordelia felt a tear fall down her cheek, as she watched the two former friends really shake hands at last.

Metatron nodded to Angel. "There, now. That wasn't so hard, was it? And one more thing. Ms. Chase told you about who was originally supposed to be with you?"

"Yeah, Kate Lockley."

"Right, and now her destiny is really screwed up. It's going to take a while to get it all straightened out, but there is one thing my boss here wants you to know."

"What's that?"

"Something you always wondered about. You remember when Miss Kate had that little suicide episode?"

"Of course."

"Ever wondered how you got into her apartment to save her, without being invited?"

Angel was shocked. "You mean…"

God just nodded, and kissed Angel on the cheek. Again, the demon howled in agony, but the soul basked in a long-forgotten pleasure. Then the woman went skipping into the light – and the light faded, as she went into it.

"That was just...wow," Carlos said in awe.

"Oh, we're not done yet," Metatron said, as he walked up to the teenager who'd come out before Xander. "Everyone, please meet Alex Whitman. The late Alex Whitman of Roswell, New Mexico. Mr. President, he has some info on some friends of his that you should know about. So why don't you guys go have a nice chat?"

Alex, Bush, the three agents, and Andrews went to a booth in the far corner of the room. And as they left, Metatron turned to Cordelia, who was still holding onto Xander. "It's been a hell of a few weeks, hasn't it Cordelia?"

"Oh, I don't think any of us will ever forget 'em."

"Well, good. Now first off, it's Harris's new birthday. He is reborn and everything, after all. So we need to talk. Into this booth, please." He ushered her and Xander to a booth near them. The others crowded around, Angel and Wesley standing in front of the group.

"Cordelia Chase, a few years ago you thought that if you didn't get the visions, that your friends here wouldn't need you anymore. So tell me, do you still think they would only care about your visions?" he asked her.

Cordelia shook her head. "I know who my friends are, and I know I'm important to them more than just because I get the visions."

"Well, good. Because as of now, you no longer get them," he told her.

At the same time Cordelia and Angel shouted, "What?!"

Metatron looked her in the eyes. "You won't need them anymore, and what the hell – you weren't ever supposed to get them in the first place. And you know the others won't treat you any differently than before."

"But they're a huge part of who I am!" she yelled.

"Oh come on, we're all of us more than the sum of our parts! We've been reworking everyone's destines upstairs, you know, trying to get everything back on track. And this – well, this is just the start."

"Just the start?" Cordelia asked, shocked. "What else can happen to me?"

He leaned back. "Well, for one thing you don't have to worry about money with raising those kids, who are still sleeping like little angels in Harris's room. That guy Lorne, he is going to be so ticked he missed the big show while on babysitting duty! Plus, he's going to wonder a lot about the woman who just popped in to give the little tykes a kiss goodnight."

Cordelia sent a questionable look at Xander. "It's okay, Cor. All this was explained to me before I came back. It's okay, really."

She turned back to Metatron. "What do you mean, I don't have to worry about money?"

"That inheritance that you had coming from your uncle, that was tied up in court because of the opportunist wife who's younger than you? Well, that's all been cleared up. You might want to call the attorney's office on Monday."

Fred was ready to faint. "Ah, Cordy? Didn't you tell me that you woulda gotten 43 million dollars? Plus a mansion?"

Cordelia could only nod her head.

Gunn smiled. "Damn, girl, we are definitely having the Super Bowl party at your place this year!"

"I'm still not done yet," Metatron told them. "You also have to go to the Hard Rock Café in LA for lunch tomorrow, with Mr. Harris here. You already have reservations, and the meal will be on the house. But you have to be there at 11:30 on the dot."

"Why?"

"Because that's ten minutes after the casting director of a new syndicated TV action show will be seated behind you."

"You can't be serious! My acting sucks!"

"Well, before when you tried to act, you were still kind of a…"

"Ditz?" she asked.

He shrugged. "I was going to say raw talent, but whatever works for you. But you have a hell of a lot of emotional life experience now, don't you?"

"Oh yeah, I've been put through the wringer a few times..."

"So don't worry, you'll do fine."

She frowned for a moment. "Wait a minute. An action show? And it's syndicated? It's a T&A thing, isn't it? Like that VIP show?"

Metatron sighed. "Well, there is a tiny bit of that, but it will have a story most of the time. I'm guessing you'll be in one or two swimsuits here and there; they do want a male demographic and all. But on the plus side, lots of women will be ticked at you for getting your figure back so fast after having twins. Even if you didn't really give birth to them."

Cordelia smiled. "I think I can handle that. Okay, are there any other life-changing bombshells you want to drop on me?"

"I think you'll like this one. I think you both will." He motioned to Xander. "You have that envelope with you?"

Xander nodded. "Yeah." He opened it up, and pulled out two first class plane tickets, and reservations for a hotel suite for three nights. "Las Vegas?"

"Well, we figured you might want to get reacquainted with the little woman here," he indicated Cordy.

"Little woman!?" Cordelia screeched instantly.

Xander covered his face with his hands. "Trust me, don't ever call her that. Not even as a joke."

Angel grinned. "I think she's gotten over the shock."

Cordelia just glared at him. But her look softened, as Xander put his arm around her. "What do you say, Cor? You, me, and a big hotel suite all to ourselves?"

"A few days in Vegas with Dweeb Boy here, and I don't have to pay? Yeah, I think I can handle that." She leaned in and kissed him. "Now if that's all...Xander here needs to meet his daughters. Come on, Harris."

As they quickly left the club, Bush, Alex, and Andrews came up. Alex went to Angel. "So you're the ensouled vampire with the whole Champion thing going on, huh?"

"Yeah."

"Cool. So when do I get to see this hotel that I'm told I'll be working at?"

Everyone looked at him. "That you'll be working at?" Gunn asked, as he looked the kid over.

Alex nodded. "I'm here for two reasons. First, to help out my old friends. And second, to help out Cordelia. And I'll do that better since she'll still be hanging out with you guys a lot. But I am getting paid by George here."

Angel shook his head. "Why would the government pay you to help out Cordelia? And help her out with what?"

Alex shrugged. "Well, I got all this stuff in my head about how her growing power works, and as for the government…that should be obvious. It's in everyone's best interests to have a woman who can shoot down a jet fighter to be able to control her powers."

Angel growled slightly, "How do you know about that!?"

"Hello! I just got the mission from God. How the hell do you think I know?"

Bush stepped in. "Don't worry about your friend. Granted, there are some in the government who would use Ms. Chase's powers for their own agendas…she is the girlfriend of the man who just stopped an invasion force from taking control of the entire nation! But no one outside this room will know of her powers."

Angel looked at him. "If they ever do…" He let the threat drop. Bush knew that he was deadly serious.

"Angel-cakes, calm down," Lorne said, as he walked into the room.

The Secret Service agents nearly jumped him. "Mr. President, get behind us!"

Andrews stepped between them. "It's all right, Mr. President. Captain Harris told me about Mr. Lorne here personally. He's non-hostile."

Bush looked at him. "You're sure, General?"

"He was just babysitting the captain's daughters, sir. And I don't think he would have been there, if he wasn't trusted."

Bush relaxed. "My apologies, Mr. Lorne. It's just that the last time I saw a demon, he tried to take my head off – literally."

Lorne smiled warmly. "No problems, studmuffin. For a second there, I thought this was all because I voted for Gore..."

"You voted?"

"Oh yeah, took a mail order class to help with the citizenship test," Lorne admitted. "You know, I saw this beautiful little dance club towards the rear of the ship. What say we make this a party, kick back and enjoy ourselves?"

Bush laughed a bit. "Well, the General and I do have some plans we have to go over, but…" He looked to Andrews, who just nodded. "Fine, just try not to make too much of a mess."

"But we don't have any drinks or food!" Melissa told them sadly.

"Don't worry, darling. I know a liquor store near here that still gives me a good discount," Lorne told her.

"Cool, a beer run!" Dawn called out. Buffy glared at her. "Uh, a Pepsi run?"

"That's better."

"Come on," Gavin said, as they went for the doors. "I'll check out a Humvee to help haul the stuff." Lorne, Spike, and Conner left with him. Melissa went with the others to open up the club.

After everyone had left the room, Bush turned to Andrews. "You know something, General? I think I'm going to like reading the reports from this place."

"As much as the reports from the SGC?"

Bush grinned. "If we can make the project fly, then the SGC will be jealous."

"Have they been able to find space in Washington?"

"We're planning to have it work out of the old Omega facilities. Now, we just have to figure a way to get Mr. Giles behind it..."

****

Xander's Quarters

He yanked his hands back, after she smacked them away. "Ouch, Cor!"

"Sorry Xander, but this is the first time in a week they've slept so peacefully. You pick them up, and it's going to wake them up."

Xander grinned at her. "I guess having God give you a goodnight kiss will make anyone sleep well."

She looked at him. "I don't think that's it."

"Then what?"

"They've been little terrors since…" she looked away.

Xander moves around her. "Since when, Cor?"

She looks up with tears coming down. "Since I saw you in my vision, as that magnifier thing drained you away to nothing! They started crying, the second you…you died."

As she broke down, Xander pulled her to him. "It's okay Cor, I'm here now, and I'm not going anywhere."

She looked up at him, her head on his shoulder. "You mean that?"

"Yeah, and you know I do Cordy."

The phone on the nightstand rang. He sighed, "Just ignore it."

Cordelia wiped her face, "No, Xander – we talked to God tonight! I'm not taking any chances here." She bent down and answered it. "Hello. No, it's okay Kristen…alright, we're coming."

Xander pulled her back into his arms. "What did she want?"

"It seems Lorne got them to open up the dance club, they're having this big party…oh, damn!"

"What?"

"I forgot to ask if one of them could baby-sit. I'm not bringing my kids to a party! Next thing you know, they'll be drinking and bringing home strange men…who I'll have to kill, if they so much as touch…"

Xander stopped her. "I think we still have a few years before they start dating, honey. And as for the babysitter, I think I have that covered."

"You do?"

He moved over to a panel next to the TV, and flipped a switch. "April?"

The voice seemed to come from nowhere to Cordelia. "Yeah, sugar?"

"Can you come to my room, please?"

Cordelia frowned at him. "And who was tha…" She almost fell backwards, as April appeared right next to her.

The former seer looked over to the woman who'd just appeared. Tight black jeans, and a very small black top. "Xander, who is this woman who can just appear in your room?!"

He whispered, "Cordy…keep it down, you'll wake them up. This is April." April smiled at her. "She's the – well, she's the main computer basically. We had a few extra emitters, so we put them in a few areas so that she can move around. The gym, the officer's lounge…"

"Your bedroom?!" Cordelia hissed.

"Cordy, it's not like that. I have an X-box!" he whispered back at her.

April faced her, "Ms. Chase, don't worry. He hasn't done anything, we're just friends. Besides, I don't have the files yet on how to, well you know..."

Cordy softened a bit. "You want a computer to watch our kids?"

April looked disappointed. "I am right here, you know! Don't worry. I downloaded a whole bunch of childcare stuff."

"Cor, I trust her. And we're only going to be two decks down. She'll call us if they wake up."

Cordelia scowled a bit more. "Okay, but just don't change their clothes. We just got their names picked out, and I don't want to mix up who's who!" She went over to the babies and kissed them on their foreheads.

The woman whispered to them as she did so, "Goodnight Erica, goodnight Kelsey. Mommy and Daddy will be nearby if you need us..."

She turned to see Xander watching her, smiled at him. "Are you coming, my love?"

Xander took her hand, and walked out with her. "Anywhere with you Cor, anywhere with you."