In the process of researching, Giles called Willow and Oz. With Willow adding her computer skills, research went a little faster.
"So... we basically don't know yet what the Mayor will turn into, but it's going to be nasty."
Giles rubbed his glasses. "Yes. And we also know that he's going to be speaking at the graduation ceremony. And this ascension will be taking place at or after that time. As far as I can tell, until then he'll be invulnerable to attack. I could be wrong... but considering the deals he's been making..."
Xander shook his head. "Why can't we ever have easy to kill bad guys?" As the session continued, Xander looked over at Fred and stood up. They both went behind one of the shelves.
"Call Jones at the house, and have him contact M and see if James is available. Then get Q to bring whatever he can find over to the warehouse. I also want at least two agents flown in, in addition to yourselves standing by. No sense being unprepared."
- - - - - -
Everyone finally got tired and drove home.
The next day Xander drove up to the Summers house. It was time to see how Faith was getting along.
"Xander."
"Hi Miss Summers. Checking on your houseguest."
Joyce smiled and stepped to the side. Xander grinned and walked in. "Being cautious?"
"How could I not, with a slayer teaching me a few things?"
"Point taken."
"They're upstairs. Faith!"
"What?!"
"Xander's here to see you and Buffy!"
"We'll be down in a minute!"
- - - - - -
Angel was still thinking about what he and Joyce had talked about. She was right... it wasn't fair of him to continue to be with Buffy. Or to himself for that matter. He couldn't be happy, and she would grow old while he looked the same age. He sighed.
Angel stood up, and walked out. Time to face the music.
- - - -
Willow and Oz called Xander's house. Fred picked up.
"Is Xander there?"
"He's at Buffy's."
"Ah, thanks."
They hung up, and went out to Oz's van. They drove over.
- - - - -
Joyce shook her head as she watched everyone talking away. How she ever missed what had been going on with her daughter, she didn't know. The signs had been obvious that something secretive had been going on.
As she watched, she heard a knock on the back door. When she walked over, she noticed it was Angel.
"I thought I..."
"Buffy deserves to know that I'm leaving and why at least. Better than not knowing at all."
"Alright. Wait here and I'll get Buffy."
Joyce walked into the living room and whispered in Buffy's ear. She grinned and went to the kitchen. Xander recognized the grin, but didn't say anything.
"Miss Summers."
"Yes Xander?"
"We can't hide anything from you. It looks like yet another save the world day is coming up."
Joyce sighed. "So I have to worry some more."
"Well, we have Faith here too. And Willow is pretty good at the information gathering. I've got the jokes. Between all of us, Buffy has got a mean team." Then he nodded toward the kitchen. "We're going to need Angel too, no matter what you think of him. After that is a different story."
Buffy walked slowly out of the kitchen, then walked upstairs. Willow followed. Xander stood up. "Be back in a minute."
- - - - - - -
Angel brooded as he walked away from the house.
"Hey deadboy."
Angel sighed. "Xander, I'm not in the mood."
Xander grinned. "Are you ever? Besides, we've got this big apocalypse thing coming up, and we need some entertainment. You up for a clown suit?"
"Funny. What kind of apocalypse?"
"Oh the usual... mayor wanting to be an immortal demon ruling over all... he's going to gain his full powers at something called an Ascension on graduation night. Want to bring the popcorn? I've got the nifty toys and MI-6 agents for the back up band."
"I'll be there... but I'm leaving Sunnydale afterwards."
Xander nodded. "Figured it'd happen. I had an idea that you were already making plans like that anyway after you came back. You've been distancing yourself."
"How? I didn't know myself."
"Please, you care about Buffy so much even I can see it... and despite our team up at the Frawee thing, I still don't trust you very much. Though I do think you learned your lesson from the soul thing, so I can tolerate you."
"Joyce was right. I'm immortal, Buffy isn't. It's not fair for me to stay here, especially when we can never be truly happy."
"You should've figured that out before. Yet, in spite of that, you've been a help to us."
Xander handed over a small device. "This is a communication device. I'll call you as soon as we have a plan, and you can call me if you have any info. Also, when you do leave, don't be a stranger. I do have access to resources you might need after all."
Xander started walking away. "Remember, if anyone's going to dust you it's going to be me. So don't get killed."
Angel blinked.
- - - - - - -
"I'm back all."
"Where'd you go?"
"Oh, deadboy and I needed to talk for a minute. We've got things squared away now."