The marines on front security at the White House had been confused by the arrival of a mixed group of seven resolute people led by three senior aides early on a Sunday morning. So early in fact that it had been practically dark outside.

With C.J, Toby and Donna leading the group in the passes had been checked only briefly by security. The blonde haired young man had seemed particularly put out.

Donna and C.J had taken the group on a little tour of the West Wing, keeping out of Leo's way. Toby had disappeared to collect some sheafs of paper from his office.

C.J had booked them in as college tour, which meant they were allowed to be in the Roosevelt Room and supplied with food.

The Sunnydale group and C.J and Donna were grouped around one end of the table with the room, while Toby had placed himself at the other to write. Willow was asking all sorts of questions about the White House and politics.

"I tried studying Political Science when I was at college," Donna said.

"Yeah, well, I took it up after I had to drop Psych," Willow said.

"I tried that, too," Donna said, blushing. "Why did you drop out?"

Willow shared a glance with Xander.

"Well, it turned out that out lecturer was a mad scientist who was heading up a governmental demon research lab. She had her teacher's aides out tracking demons at night."

"They did horrible things to the balance of power in Sunnyhell's not so under-world," Spike said.

"Only because you dropped a few rungs, Spike," Xander said.

"What happened to her?" C.J asked.

"She was killed by they monster she made," Willow said bluntly.

"But then we had to kill it," Xander said, with contrasting enthusiasm. "We had to get Buffy into the room with it, then we had to combine our essences with her so she could perform the spell. She needed Willow's power and Giles's Sumerian. And I was the heart," he added.

"He tells me it was all right and proper," Anya said.

"What do the rest of you study?" C.J asked, noticing Giles's tense expression.

"I'm dead," Spike said.

"I had a standard education for girls in my time," Anya said. "But that was over a thousand years ago. I taught myself everything else. Except the things that Xander taught me," she grinned at her fiancé.

"And you, Xander?" Donna asked.

"Oh, I don't go to college. Or, I did, but it was to work in the bar, or rescue Buffy from evil fraternity demons. He won't mind, will he?" he asked, obviously referring to the President.

"Don't tell him," Toby said, from the other end of the table.

He drew a line across a page a typed text and picked up his notepad.

"I- I thought he was better than that," Tara said, trying to put her thought in order.

"I don't care what the President thinks of any of you," Toby said. "But I do care about the hour of lecture on the state of public schools and colleges in this country."

Josh knocked one of the door and stuck his head in. Everyone was silent. He looked at Donna. He raised his eyebrow and Donna stared at him, impervious. Josh narrowed his eyes, Donna shrugged.

"Hey, Josh," C.J said, when the silent conversation had ended.

"Hey. What's going on here?" Josh asked, gesturing down the table. "Why are you all here?"

"I'm not here," Toby said. "I'm just not in my office."

Josh turned back to the other group. Giles stood up and introduced himself, shaking Josh's hand. He introduced the group around the table.

"They're from Sunnydale," C.J said. "Mr Giles is a librarian. He knew the President when he was in England."

Josh smiled and shook his head, agreeing with C.J's assessment that it was all very strange and didn't really deserve consideration.

"Do I need you?" he asked Donna.

"Jefferson and Gianelli at 12. Murray wants 3 million. The statistics report is on your desk."

"Great, thanks."

The phone on the table in front of Toby rang and he picked it up.

"Yeah?"

"Mm-hmm, we're in the Roosevelt room. 'See', okay."

He collected his papers together and stood up.

Donna and C.J were looking at him curiously. Josh narrowed his eyes. Toby out stared him. Josh shrugged, bid the Scoobies farewell and left, with a last look at Donna.

"We're heading down to basement C. Lord Marbury will meet us there," Toby said.

Giles stood up quickly and tried to smooth his hair.

Willow stood up to smooth Giles's hair.

"What's so special about this Lord Marbury?" she asked.

"He's England's Ambassador," Donna offered, as everyone stood up.

"He's the lord Watcher," Giles said.

Toby's hand froze above the door nob.

"Lord John Marbury is the lord Watcher?" he repeated.

Giles's nodded.

"The council trusted the ultimate security of the Slayer and entire magical community of the English speaking world to a mad man who scares the White House Chief of Staff?"

"I don't care what you think of him, Pokey, John of Marbury is my lord Watcher."

Toby sighed and rubbed his head. Then he nodded resolutely and led them out of the room.