Authors Notes: Thanks Bskballchk :) And thank you all for the feedback.

Later at Sunnydale high

Xander sat on the lowest step of the stairway, thinking. Buffy had gone to finish the last details of the plan. He needed a moment for himself, alone. Thinking about the last few days, about the responsibility he felt. About how everything seemed to turn out all right. About the influence of a second Slayer in the group, how the structure of the group had changed, because of Faith. And most important of all, they were still all friends . . .

Minutes long he was staring at a little paper he was holding in his hands. Wondering if he should make the call. Was it for him to do it? Why should he interfere in business that was not his. #Damn, Xander. You are the only one who could do it. And she deserves it . . . they both do,# he thought while he stood up and walked to the nearest cell phone.

He looked at the paper and dialed the number from it. But hung up when he only had to press the last number. #Damn, Xander. It can't be that hard,# he said to pull himself out of his nerves. But then he heard a familiar voice.

"Hey, Xander."

Xander looked up and saw his redheaded friend. "Hey, Wills," he said softly. "What brings you here?"

"Uh, I-I wanted to ask you something," she said.

Xander smiled and nodded. "Sure, go ahead."

Willow was a bit nervous as she didn't want to upset Xander. "D-did you, uh, arrange for Cordy to get into C-Cambridge University?"

Xander was a bit surprised by her nervous tone and wondered what was on her mind. "Uh, yes."

Willow nodded. "Uh, c-could you, uh . . ."

"Just say it, Wills."

"Uh, could you arrange it for me too?"

Xander looked stunned. "You wanna go to Cambridge?" Willow nodded. "But Wills, I thought you wanted to stay in Sunnydale?"

"Yeah, that's right, Xan. But I-I wanted to become a watcher too and Cambridge is a really good University and . . ."

"You're jealous that I arranged it for her, aren't you?" he asked concerned.

She shook her head firmly, denying one of her feelings.

"Yes, you do, Wills. I can see it."

"No . . . uh, a bit, but that's all. I just, well, why didn't you think of me?"

"But Wills, I really thought you wanted to stay here. And . . ."

"Yes, I do, Xander. But this is a great opportunity. I can do real good as a Watcher. More than when I stay here."

Xander sighed as her arguments were convincing. "Well, I have to admit that the thought of you leaving was very scary. I mean, who do I talk to in the evening?"

"You have Faith now, Xander. She is . . . your girlfriend, right?"

"Uh . . .. that's still not certain, I mean . . . I would like to and she does, but I . . ."

Willow showed him her resolvent face. "Xander, she needs to know. Don't wait to long. You know that I . . . I made that mistake once. Don't you do it too!"

Xander nodded, knowing that it was him she was referring to. Changing the subject to the old one as he felt uncomfortable. "But still, Willow, you can't be replaced, by no one. And . . . and I need you."

Willow smiled. "I will send a huge bill to the Council for calling you every day. And we have vacations, you could visit us and . . ."

Xander chuckled as he saw his Willow like that, so eager. "I know, Wills. I will do my best, I promise." He smiled. "But who can appreciate my scooby dance like you do? I need my favorite audience."

Willow chuckled. "I'm the only one that watches your show."

"No, Buff, does too," Xander protested.

Willow smiled widely as kissed him quickly on his cheek. "Familiarize yourself with the internet, Xan. Then you can videotape it and send it to me."

Xander chuckled and wanted to protest, but decided that he wouldn't get into long arguments. "Does Oz also want to go?" he asked the obvious instead.

Willow nodded firmly. "Yes . . . yes, he wants to go as well." She smiled. "Well, you know with Oz is everything cool."

Xander chuckled. "Okay. I don't think it will be a problem." He shook his head, something was bugging him. "Only one last question, I thought you already got into Cambridge."

Willow shook her head. "No, I could go to every University in the whole world. M.I.T, Harvard and even Oxford!" She exclaimed. "But Cambridge refused my scholarship," she pouted.

"But you said that every college accepted . . ." Xander asked confused.

"But not my scholarship, they refused to arrange any one," Willow interrupted.

Xander was surprised and angry at the same time to hear that. "Must be that damn Council or something."

Willow nodded firmly and changed the subject while she flashed a smile. "Who do you wanna call, Xan?"

"Uh . . . uh, oh, nothing special. Just Wes . . . looking if he is ready. I will tell him about your wishes, okay?"

Willow smiled as she nodded and took off.

Xander took a deep breath as he dialed the number, while he pushed back his nerves. #It's my business, it's for mom . . .#

"Uh, Hello, Mr Summers . . ."

*****

Time goes by and for the students their nervousness increased as their graduation came closer.

Faith stood next to the Mayor as he was preparing his speech. From the moment of the funeral she had been with him, she had followed him. She was the whole morning in a kind of shock as she didn't feel any anger, remorse or joy. She only felt the bad emotions of the past and the warm feelings from the Mayor. Suddenly it hit her that she was falling in his web and decided to make a last walk through the school. She felt a strong mixture of emotions returning after this realization as she stumbled through the hall. She wanted so much to get rid of her bad past, but at the same time it lured her. The Mayor's influence was huge and she needed all her willpower to overcome it, especially as it would grow stronger when the moment of truth came near. She had done everything she could think of, but was it enough?

Then she felt a hand on her shoulder and she quickly turned around to see an emotional Buffy. Faith watched her swallow before she spoke softly, "Thanks, Faith. I'm so sorry that I-I pushed you to the other side. I was so selfish."

Faith eyes widened at this confession. "Don't sweat it, B. It wasn't your fault."

"Yes, it was. I never asked about your past. I was jealous when you came too close to my mother and friends and I was such an ass for not listening to your advice. I'm deeply sorry."

"I just wanted you to know, Faith. And thanks for helping the group," she said and took off.

Faith walked further, surprise clearly on her face, and a moment later she was approached by Willow.

"Uh, I-I just wanted to apologize to you, Faith. I-I was wrong, y-you are, uh, were redeemable. I-I'm sorry and thanks for helping me with Xander."

Faith sighed. "It's okay, Red."

Willow nodded as she saw all Faith's emotions running in her eyes. "I- I just wanted to let you know," she said and walked away.

Faith was simply stunned. She paused in her track through school and reconsidered her position towards the Mayor. She found herself liking the 'friends' of Xander. Maybe she felt that for once her efforts wouldn't be a waist of time. That it wouldn't backfire on her. And maybe Xander would return her love for him. Hope was rising.

She looked around her and saw all those kids. They knew what was coming, they were scared just like her. There was only one difference: they depended on her.

She stared in the direction that Buffy took and rushed after her, but was stopped when she heard Buffy have an argument with Xander.

"Xander, I know you find me attractive. And you know I love you, but stop reminding me of having slept with you last night."

Xander smiled. "And you loved it."

Buffy sighed as she had enough of this bickering and finally gave it up. "Yes, I did."

Xander grinned widely as Faith's heart sunk to the ground with those words . . .