Buffy had pulled Tina Shepard's file from the main office. She figured it might make the meeting go a little easier if she could pick up some basic information. She was 5'7 with green streaks in her hair and blue eyes. She had been called to be a slayer a year ago.

Buffy made her way in to the cafeteria looking for her. She was sitting at table flipping through a copy of Rolling Stone. Buffy made her way over sitting across from her. "Hey Tina right?"

"Yeah and you are?" She looked up from her magazine to see Buffy. She was shocked to see Buffy sitting across. "Oh wow you are I mean."

She extended her hand. "I'm Buffy."

"Well yeah I know. I mean you are. I mean you are pretty much a legend. No you are legend."

"Well I don't know about a legend."

"Are you kidding? I've been hoping forever to ya know meet you but I mean I'm kind of shy."

Buffy just smiled. "Well I found out that you were a Pixie's fan and wondering if you are going to the concert?"

"Are you kidding? I'm a huge fan. Don't tell me you are a fan?"

"Oh come on I mean how can you not love the Pixies?"

"So are you going to the concert?"

"I am trying to find tickets but so far no luck."

"Oh my God shut up." She was giddy like a school girl. "Tasha Green was going to go with me but her mom is in town and she ended up totally bailing on me. She even screwed me on the money she owed me for her ticket"

"You have an extra ticket?"

"YES! If you want to go."

Buffy sighed feeling so happy. It would be much easier to keep an eye on Tina if she had the seat next to hers. "I do and I'll cover the ticket price."

"Oh hell no. This is my treat."

"You don't have to do that."

"Are you kidding to be able to tell the other girls I hung out with my new friend Thee Buffy Summers. That is literally worth the price of admission."

"Well if you got the ticket how about you let me buy us dinner before the show."

"Deal. So the concert starts at 8 what do you say we get together at 5. That should give us enough time for dinner and to get to the concert without problem."

Buffy nodded "That is fine. I'll meet you in the library."

"See you at 5"

Buffy looked at her watch and realized she was supposed to be going on a lunch date with Xander in just under an hour. "Oh I really have to move but I'll see you tonight."

Back in her room Buffy looked through out outfits. She picked out a simple yellow sundress and pulled her hair back in to a simple pony tail. She gave herself a once over in the mirror. The look was relaxed but knew it was one of Xander's favorite dress. She picked up the phone looking it over. She was wondering if she should try to reach out to Xander but decided against it.

Her thought was interrupted by a knock on the door. Standing in front of her was Xander. He was wearing a simple royal blue polo with a pair of jeans. Buffy smiled. "I was just thinking about you."

"Really?"

"A version of you at least."

"A version? Is there more than one me? Again?"

"Come on Mister Harris we have to go."

Buffy linked her arm through his and rested her head on his shoulder as they walked. "So tell me about this magical lunch. Where are we going?"

"Come now. You don't want me to spoil all the surprises."

Half an hour later they were in a corner booth in Big Sal's. It was an amazing Italian restaurant and one of Buffy and Xander's favorite lunch spot. They had a table in the back corner of the restaurant. As Buffy went to sit Xander pulled out the chair for her. "Thank you Mister Harris. This place is nice."

Xander sat across from her. "But you are thinking how is this any different than any of the dozen other times that we have come here to eat together."

"Well sort of. I mean what is going to make this different from all those other times."

"So glad you asked." He reached for the center of the table. "If you will pay close attention you will see the candle on the center of our table I called ahead and asked for a candle lit dinner."

Buffy looked at the tiny tea candle in the mason jar. "Very nice."

"But wait. There is more." He pointed to the single rose in the cheap vase also on the table. "A flower for the lady."

She just laughed and reached across the table taking his hand "You know what I like most.

"Tell me."

"All that anxiety and nerves and worry about the whole first date."

"Oh God I hate that. The whole do I wear the right thing?"

"Am I pretty enough?"

"The forced conversation."

"We don't have any of that. This all just feels. I don't know. Easy?"

"I'd agree with that." He held up his glass of water. "Here's to easy."

Buffy clinked her glass to his. "I'll drink to that." She sipped the water. "But all the same, what do you say to some fun?"

"What do you have in mind?"

"You don't know me. I don't know you. Let's pretend this is a real first date."

"I thought that was what we were trying to avoid."

"Oh come on it will be fun."

"Well than you take the lead."

Buffy thought it over for a second. "So I can't believe we've both worked for the council for years but have never actually met."

"Yes well when my friend Willow said we had to meet. I mean how could I say no."

"So you are a watcher?"

"I really not a fan of the title but technically yes. You are a slayer?"

"For some time now. You know the whole chosen one vibe."

"How is that working out for ya?"

"Oh I make it work. What about you? What made you become a watcher?"

"Well I look good in tweed and have always aspired to work for a secret underground society of kick ass warrior women."

"Well sounds like you are living the dream."

"Well now that we have work out of the way let's dive in t the personal"

"Just what I was going to suggest. How is someone as yummy as you possibly single."

"Yummy?"

"Just go with it?"

" Women get intimidated when you are the pretty one. It becomes this whole competition thing and they just resent you." He sipped his water. "Why are you single?"

"I have this medical condition where I completely lose my memory every time I fall asleep."

"Oh just like 50 first dates?"

"Wouldn't know I haven't seen it today."

As their food arrived they both kept it up. It was kind of fun to pretend it was their first date. When the check came he paid the bill. Buffy couldn't believe how easy all of this felt. Sure he was her best friend but it was like letting herself feel and explore if something more was there felt natural.

As she got up Xander walked a long side her. "So we have our first date done. Kind of hoping you'll be open to a date two."

"Date two?"

"Yeah maybe something at night. You know when the stars come out and the sun goes away."

"Oh but with all those pretty features you have and lack of lighting?"

"I just have to make up for it with charm."

"Oh well I have to see that."

"So?"

"So I say bring on date 2. Technically we have one more first date tradition we need to see through."

"The kiss at the end of the date"

"Usually it is done on the doorstep but you know since we both live in a dorm and our door step is a little more public. I say we get it out of the way."

"Just what every guy wants to hear. Let's get that kissing thing over with."

"Come on. Show me what you got."

He took her hand. No more words were needed. He stood in the center of the sidewalk as he held her hand and pulled her close. He had been waiting for this moment for years. He sighed "Now or never." He placed one hand on the side of her face and moved in slow. His lips brushed against her soft and sweet.

It seemed a little surreal. She couldn't believe she was kissing her best friend. She had to fight the giggle but once she got past that she couldn't believe how right it felt. When she pulled away she looked at him. "Okay that was."

"Please don't say terrible."

"It was exceptional"

He smiled "So date number 2 is still on."

"Still on."

"Well I'd say with the kiss done and me about to drive you back I'd say the date is done"

"Agreed."

"And we are back to Buffy best friend mode."

"Sure."

Xander pulled out his keys and opened the car door for her. "My God Summers I have to tell you about this girl I took out on a lunch date."

She rolled her eyes. "Lunch date. That isn't a real date. She must not be that in to you."

"So harsh."

Xander started the car. "Come on I'll get you back."

"Where you off too in such a hurry?"

"Remember that house I showed you on the internet?"

"The fixer upper?"

"Yeah I'm not actually looking to buy but ya know what can it hurt to look?"

"When are you doing that?"

"About half an hour."

'Oh well. I mean I could come with."

"You don't have any where to be?"

"Not for a few hours. It might be fun to see the future home of casa de Xander."

Xander took the car out of park and started driving. "And away we go."

When Xander pulled up to the house Buffy looked on a little stunned. It looked like it hadn't been touched in years. The paint was peeling and the lawn was over grown. The front porch looked more like a termite buffet. The rest of the houses in the neighborhood were cookie cutter pre mod homes. It was a good neighborhood but the house stuck out like a sore thumb. "Xander you sure about this?"

"Not at all."

"Xander it looks like it's about to fall over."

He opened his car door getting out. "Well let's hope it doesn't fall over when we are inside."

The agent was waiting on the porch on his phone talking as Buffy and Xander walked up. She was a woman in her mid 30's with a dark black dye job hair. She smiled at Xander approaching. "You must be Mister Harris? I'm Sheila Emmerson."

Xander took her hand. "Only because someone has to do it."

She looked at him confused but Buffy spoke up. "I'm Buffy. So what is the deal with the house?"

She pulled out the file. "Well the house has sat untouched and unowned for a number of years. At this point it is a bank property and the neighbors want something done with it."

Xander looked at her confused. "Something?"

She nodded. "The land is worth more than the house so if you buy the house you'll get it at tear down value."

Xander nodding and looked at the door. "All the same I'd like to see the inside."

The agent took out the keys and unlocked the door. "Not a problem. Just be careful. "It is fairly dark in there and the house's power has been shut off for a while now."

Xander reached in to his coat and pulled out a flash light. "It's okay. I came prepared."

Buffy stuck close to Xander not wanting to step in to or on anything. As they walked in Xander could see why the bank wanted to get rid of it. Some of the windows were just old wood frames with the glass completely gone. The walls had holes big enough you could walk through them.

All of the glass or globes from the light fixtures was broken or in some places it was just bare wires. Buffy walked in to the kitchen in the back of the house. All of the appliances were broken beyond repair. The real nightmare was looking out at the backyard. "Hey Xander."

He stood behind her "You okay Buff?"

She pointed out at the window. "Your back yard is kind of."

As Xander stepped to the window he noticed it was more junk yard than back yard. Neighbors and everyone with a junk tire had contributed to the mess that was his back yard. "Wow."

The realtor standing in the door way cleared her throat. "You should know that when you buy the house you get the land the house and all of the treasures that come with it."

Buffy laughed at her choice of word. "Treasures? Really. I think you have a family of possom's living in some of that treasure."

Xander just laughed and shrugged. "See it's a family home."

The next 45 minutes Xander spent checking out the basement attic and everything in between. He knew the realtor was annoyed and wanted to go but he wanted to get his info. Finally, he came out finding Buffy on the porch making small talk. Sheila looked at Xander. "Did you see everything you need to?"

Xander nodded. "I think I did. I'm going to take some time to think on it. I'll let you know."

She pressed her business card in to his palm. "You have my number."

Buffy leaned against Xander's car waiting for her to leave. "Xander don't worry there will be other houses."

Xander bit his lip looking at the house thinking. "Honestly Buffy. I'm kind of thinking it over."

"Did you see a different house than I saw."

"Let me tell you what I saw. I saw a good foundation. I saw solid frame and structure. I can work with everything else."

"Everything?"

"The dry wall all will have to be ripped out and replaced so if I need to replace any electrical or plumbing I'll have access. I can do a lot of this myself. Well not entirely myself. I mean I do have a work force of super strong teenage girls who I can teach to swing a hammer."

Buffy looked at it. "Really? You can see that?'

"It's not going to be easy but I mean I think. Maybe. I can do this? Right?"

"Xander I" But her mind suddenly went to the phone. She knew that Xander lived in a home in the future. What if she told him to buy this house and it changed things for him.

"Buffy what do you think?"

"Oh God please ask me."

"Why not? Buffy your opinion matters to me just about more than anyone."

"Yeah but what if this is what you aren't meant to do."

"What?"

"I just" She sucked in a breath and looked at the house. "Xander what do you want?"

"I want. I mean. I feel like I could make this work and. I want it but."

"But?"

"Maybe this is too big, maybe it is beyond my range or I am getting in over my head. I mean I could screw things up and end up in debt and a house that."

Buffy knew if there was one thing that was true about Xander Harris it was he would always sell himself short. She had no doubt that he could do this. He could shape this house to the home he envisioned. "You really want this? Don't you?"

"Yeah but it's probably too much and."

"Xander it's not. If this is the house you want than you should do this."

"You think so?"

"What ever happened to the guy that said he was just looking and not really taking it serious."

"I feel like I need to do something grown up. I mean just cause I'm moving out of the dorm doesn't mean I'm leaving the council. I mean Giles lives in his own cottage and Willow has an apartment. Faith and Andrew share a condo."

Buffy nodded "That one still seems strange to me. It's like the extremely holy shit what are they doing odd couple."

"Well I don't have to decide anything right now. I'm going to at least sleep on it."

"Well lets' get back to the dorms I have to get ready."

"Ready?"

"Going to a concert tonight."

"Really? Who you going to see?"

"Some band called The Pixies."

"Never heard of them. Are you a fan?"

"Sure. Why not."

When Buffy went back to her room she changed yet again. This time in to jeans and a t-shirt. She met Tina in the library at the planned time. As fun as the day had been with Xander she knew it was time to get serious. She had to get her radar up and be on the look out for anyone scoping out Tina.

When they arrived at the Mexican restaurant Buffy made sure and take the corner booth facing the room. She knew an attack was most likely not going to come aggressive and out in the open but she wasn't going to let her guard down none the less.

After eating the meal Tina even offered to go warm the car a few minutes before taking off. Buffy grabbed her hand stopping her telling her that it was really okay explaining to her that it wasn't that cold.

When they arrived at the concert Tina tried to break away telling Buffy she had to go to the bathroom. But of course Buffy told her she had to go as well. It actually wasn't a lie. Being that she was constantly keeping an eye on her the only time she could pee was when Tina did.

Buffy paid little attention to the band. She kept scanning the crowd for anyone who looked suspicious. As the night went on Buffy kept wondering when it would happen. Before long though the band played their final song and than their encore and one more encore after that.

Finally, the lights came up and they were back in Tina's car ready to call it a night. Tina sat in the front seat holding the keys Tina looked at the keys in her hand "Buffy we need to talk."

"Talk?"

"The entire night I've been thinking about what I would do and how I would handle this. I mean you are my hero but at the end of the day. I mean you are a legend and you are pretty and hot but."

"Excuse me?"

"It's just I'm not gay."

"What?"

"I thought I could maybe do this cause you are my hero but. I mean you do have this whole sexy vibe of the experienced woman but."

"Wait wait wait! You think I'm trying to pick you up?"

"I'm not completely inept or dumb. I mean the whole pretending to be a Pixie's Fan. All of the touching and holding my hand."

"I wasn't pretending to be a fan. I wanted to go to that concert."

"Really? Name one of the songs we heard in there?"

"Uhm there was that one with all the drums and She rolled her eyes. "Look okay I'm not Gay and I really was just." What was she supposed to tell her? "Hey I have a magic telephone where I can talk to someone from the future and tonight was the night you die" She shook her head. "Look I've been told lately that I'm not connecting with the slayers as much and I need to get to know more of the girls and this was a lame attempt at out reach. Plus you got the young hip vibe and I wanted to see if I could still run with the young crowd. I'm guessing this is a giant no."

"Don't be so hard on yourself. Tonight was fun. Knowing you weren't trying to pick me up is a little mixed bag reaction but over all the night was still fun."

"Mixed bag?"

"Like I said I'm straight so if you had been in to me I don't think I could have actually gone through with it but it was incredibly flattering."

"Well thank you. Do you want to call it a night?"

"Yeah I'm tired. Let's go."

Buffy didn't let Tina out of her sight till she was back in her room. Even than she sat outside her door sitting on the floor making sure she didn't sneak out. Finally just after 2 AM she felt the buzz in her cell phone pocket. She pulled out the phone and saw the text message. It was Xander. The Xander 10 years from the future she hadn't talked to all day. His message was short and simple.

"You still up?"

Buffy pulled herself up and started walking back to her room. She dialed his number. He answered on the first ring. "BUFFY!"

"We failed Xander."

"What?"

"He didn't show up or maybe he showed up and I scared him off. We failed."

Xander sighed and rubbed his eyes. "Calm Buffy. We are talking about the first victim right."

"Tina Shepard."

Xander crossed the room to his box pulling out the file. "Yeah I know that name." He pulled out the folder after folder. "Buffy you aren't going to believe this but."

"But?"

"Tina Shepard is alive today."

"So we didn't fail."

"I mean we don't know anything more about the slayer hunter than we did but Tina didn't die. We just have to move to the next victim and."

"Wait Xander there is something I need to talk to you about."

"Something?"

"I might have done something that kind of changed your future."

"Oh." He let go of a deep breath. "I was wondering if we were going to talk about this. Look Buffy it's probably my fault. When I told you that he had had feelings for you I didn't think you'd act on it."

"Whoa slow down. I wasn't talking about that."

"Oh. Well what were you talking about?"

"I think I might have convinced you to buy a house and I know you had a house when I was talking to you and things might have been changed and."

"Buffy stop and breathe."

"Xander this is messed up beyond words. I'm walking around worried that I'm going to do something that changes everything you know."

"Buffy the house you looked at with the other me today. It actually is the house I went on to buy."

"Really?"

"I think some things are just destiny or a maybe a divine hand guiding us."

"Really?"

"Yes. Some things in my world are changing but my house wasn't one of them. At least not entirely."

"Not Entirely?"

"Times have changed and you actually helped me more with the house. You recruited some of the girls and it is actually a little more complete than It originally was."

"Well that is good."

"So you can relax."

"Except for that other thing."

"What other thing?"

"That thing where I changed the direction of our romantic future."

Xander laughed a little awkwardly. "Oh yeah that."