They had passed New York and were on their way to Boston to visit a former colleague of Toby's when the car broke down.
It was the very same Volvo that Xander had started out from Los Angeles with.
Since the two of them were two mature adults, despite any rumors going around telling about the opposite, they spent a large amount of time kicking the tyres of the car before they began walking in the direction where Toby was sure there had to be something.
"I'm not going to throw the damn balls into the woods," Xander argued. "Why would I?
"Because if there's something I've learned during these days with you," Toby replied irately. "It is that you're more childish than Josh and Sam combined on a rainy day.
"Now, you see," Xander threw one of the balls back and forth between his hands. "That's where you lose me all the time. I don't know Josh and Sam, so how can I know if you speak the truth or not?
"I suppose trusting me would be too far out of the equation," Toby said, dryly.
"I'm Sunnydale born and bred. We don't trust easily.
"Shut up and walk.
"All right, all right.
They walked in silence for a while.
"Uhm. I don't mean to break the no talking just walking rule, but where the hell are we walking?
"You drove across America on your own? Can you read a map?
"No, I thought that was only what geeks did." Xander amended his joke when Toby cast him a dark glance. He'd spent enough time with him to know that Toby could only be pushed so far. "I mean, I was going where the road led me, and as long as it didn't lead back to California, I was fine.
"Well, Mr. I'm not a geek so I won't read a map, if we get through the woods here without killing each other, then a place called Stars Hollow is supposed to be on the other side.
"America really needs to control that naming gene before it goes too far." Xander mumbled.
"You just stand around talking about controlling America while I try and get some food. I'm done with politics.
"Yeah," Xander ran after Toby. "Do you really think they have real food there?
"I know of no universe where Twinkies are counted as real food.
"Sucks to be you.
"Yeah." Toby dragged a hand over his head. "I hate nature.
"Again, I repeat... whoa.
"Buildings.
"That means food.
"Probably. Do you think they have pie?