The mayor stood at his window and looked out. It was a wonderful night. And things were going to get much better when he ascended. As he looked, the door opened behind him.

"Ah, Mr. Trick. And how was your hunting"

"It went very well... however the slayer managed to take out a few of my compatriots."

"I'm sorry to hear that." The mayor gestured to his desk where a flask was sitting. "I've imported some, what I am told, excellent vintage blood from a fifty year old preacher in Italy. It actually brims with some power, which is a rarity these days. Most of the preachers don't have the faith they should."

Trick bowed and walked forward. "Thank you."

"There is one item I wish to discuss before you drink, however."

"Yes?"

"The deputy mayor managed to inform the slayers and their friends. They are preparing as we speak."

"I see."

"As amusing as it would be to have them prepare then fail... I still would like you to annoy them a little. After all, they will be my guests at the ceremony."

"And what would you like me to do?"

"Start with this Xander fellow. Break a few bones here and there... maybe turn this girl, what's her name, Cordelia?"

- - - - - - - - - -

"Loser boy."

"Cordy, it's always a pleasure to be harangued. So how's the queen?"

Cordelia shook her head. "Still hanging in there. Which is more than I can say for you. Are you still hanging onto Buffy's tail, hoping to be let in the group again?"

"Out of touch, aren't you Queeny? I've been back in for a few days now."

Cordelia glared. "We'll see how long that lasts. Meanwhile, I have better things to do than hang out with you."

"Like what, annoy?"

Cordelia stalked off. Xander took out the scanner and watched as she and the device he'd put on her went away. It wasn't really a good idea to do that. But with everything getting ready to happen, someone had to keep an eye on her. His communicator beeped.

"Xander here."

"Ah, Xander."

"Q."

"My equipment has arrived. Also, I forgot to mention one aspect of the tracker I gave you. It has audio. Flick the left hand side."

"I see." Xander said as he walked toward his car. When he flicked it, Cordelia's scream became audible. "I'll have to get back to you Q." Xander said as he ran and got in.

Buffy and Giles paused as she watched Xander tear out of the parking lot and take off down the road.

"Oh Dear."

- - - - --

Cordelia ran around the corner heading back toward the school. Four vampires and one odd looking demon ran after her. She continued to scream. When she saw Xander drive around the corner and speed toward her, she felt relief. Which was a first in a long time when she thought about him. Then she saw something pop out of the front. Xander's voice blared out of the car.

"GET DOWN"

She dove.

The vampires and demon were blown back by the missile. Xander pulled up, flipped the switch to open the back door and yelled "Get in!"

Cordelia leaped in.

Xander triggered the flamethrower and incinerated the vampires. The demon turned tail and ran.

"Um... Xander?"

"Not now." He said as the car accelerated in pursuit of the demon. Flicking a button, he began speaking. "Angel."

"Xander?"

"What's bluish green, 6 feet tall, has two horns coming out of the knuckles on each hand and looks like someone hit it with a frying pan in the face?"

"A fewek demon. Very nasty."

"Oh joy, any idea how to kill it?"

"Rip it to shreds."

"Any idea why it would team up with vamps and chase Cordelia?"

Cordy blinked as she noticed the heads up display on the windshield. "Xander? Where'd you get these toys?"

"Not now, Cordy. Angel?"

"The mayor possibly."

"Toying around with us aye?"

"Undoubtedly."

Xander turned another corner and saw the demon tossing two police officers through a brick wall as it ran by. People ran away screaming.

Xander finally noticed a clear area around the demon. He flipped the crosshairs on. As soon as it glowed red, he flipped all the weapons to active. As he did, the demon looked back and it's eyes went wide as ten missiles and nearly all the armor piercing rounds in the car slammed into it. By the time Xander finished firing, pieces of it were hanging off of window sills.

Xander turned to Cordelia to explain, and noticed she had fainted. He drove back to the school, stopping off at the warehouse first. "Q, I need a reload."

"What did you do?"

"Redecorated the town."

"Ah."

Little did Xander know, the mayors lieutenant Mr. Trick, was one of the vampires that had been dusted.

- - - - - - -

Xander finally reached the school. Cordelia woke up at that point, and didn't say a word as he led her to the library.

"Hi Giles, Buffy, Faith, Willow."

"What's she doing here?"

"Oh, Cordy had a run in with a few vamps and a demon. Somebody had to save her."

Buffy glared. "You didn't call me?"

"No time. She would have been dead before you got there." Then Xander removed the tracker and showed it to Cordelia. "Be thankful that I like to keep an eye on the people that hate me as well as those who are my friends." Then he sat her down in one of the chairs, and went to get her some water.

Cordelia stared at the device in shock. "How..."

"A little toy a friend of mine gave me. He supplies cool devices like that so I can live a little longer."

"What are you, a real life batman?"

"Nah, just a secret agent in training."