Buffy approached the breakfast table hoping that a little food on her stomach would help to settle the feeling that something wasn't right. Xander, Andrew and Dawn were already there. Dawn was looking over a menu while the men appeared to be studying a magazine.

"Hi," Buffy chirped as she sat down in a seat next to Xander. "How did everyone.?" She stopped speaking, stunned as she saw Giles walk behind Dawn and kiss her on the top of her head before sitting next to her. "Uhh."

Giles looked over to her. "You were saying, Buffy?"

"I, uh, I." she stammered, "I was wondering if everyone slept okay."

"Great!" Dawn said. "Did you have your dream again?"

"Unfortunately, no." Buffy felt everyone's eyes turn toward her. "I guess the spell was a dud. Maybe those Dippyman ashes were past their expiration date."

"We could do it again," Andrew stated. "I could summon a Dithumen demon and Willow could fry him with her laser touch."

Xander giggled and punched Andrew on the arm. "Laser touch. That's a good one!"

Andrew punched him back and a pushing match ensued. Both were issued laughs that sounded to Buffy's ears like chickens. Very loud, annoying chickens.

Buffy spared a glance toward Willow to see if the joking was going to bring on another fit of hysterics. She was relieved to see Willow chatting calmly with Giles over the menu. They were interrupted by Dawn, who tapped Giles on the arm to claim his attention.

"Can I get a side order of strawberries? They're not in season."

"Sure, dear," Giles told her.

"Thanks!" she told him.

"Dawn," Buffy blurted, "How much extra is that going to cost? I'm kind of in a fixed state of not making any money here."

Giles and Dawn stopped chatting and stared at her. Buffy squirmed. "What?" she asked.

Giles cleared his throat. "Buffy, are you certain that you're feeling well? You don't seem to be quite yourself this morning."

"Me?" she squeaked. Were they nuts? "You think I'm acting strange?"

"In a word, yes." Giles removed his glasses, wiped them on his napkin, and then returned them to his face. "Why in heaven's name would I expect you to pay for Dawn?"

Buffy could barely form the words to answer him. "Be. because she's my responsibility!" She knew her mouth was gaping, but couldn't quite bring herself to close it. "What is the deal with you guys this morning?"

Xander and Andrew stopped their tussling. "Buffy," Xander said as he touched her arm, "I know that in the past you've had the weight of the world on your shoulders, but now these other girls have your powers too. I thought you might be able to relax." He gestured around the table. "Look, we're all in a good place right now. Kick back a little, have some fun."

"Relax?" Buffy couldn't keep the squeak out of her voice, "There are still demons out there that need to be slain, and. and the world to save."

"She's right!" Willow agreed. "We can't sit here wallowing in our own happiness when we could be out there helping people." Tears began to pool in her eyes again. "What can we do?"

Giles motioned with his hand for them to calm down and spoke soothingly to Buffy, "I think we need to have some breakfast and enjoy our morning. We don't need to be working on theoretical disasters." He leaned back in his chair, his expression that of a man who had found perfect contentment. "Personally I'm looking forward to this day. All that is missing is."

"Anya!" Xander exclaimed.

Buffy whipped her head around to look at him. "What?"

Xander ignored her as he stood to greet the woman they'd left dead in the rubble of Sunnydale. He embraced her lightly then sat down as she moved around the table to greet the others.

Buffy blinked to clear her eyes, but Anya was still there, carrying shopping bags and looking completely alive and vibrant.

"Hey Anya!" Dawn squealed and jumped up to embrace the woman. "Are any of those for me?" She looked with curiosity at the bags.

"Of course sweetie. You know I'd never go on a shopping trip without buying you something completely devastating and inappropriate." She handed the bags to Dawn. "Besides, It's always more fun to spend the money when I get to use your father's credit card."

"But but but..." Buffy sputtered. "Giles! It's Anya."

"I can see that," Giles replied in a voice brimming with humor. He turned away from Buffy and stood to greet Anya with his arms extended.

To Buffy's dismay, Anya stepped readily into his embrace, sliding her hands up his arms and around his neck. Giles grasped her by her waist and pulled her body into full contact with his, then proceeded to devour her lips enthusiastically.

Buffy turned to see Xander's reaction to this, but he and Andrew once again had their noses buried in the latest edition of Popular Science. Willow was smiling broadly and Dawn was chattering about the new low-rider jeans and leather boots she had discovered. "Willow," Buffy finally blurted, "will you please tell me what is going on here?"

"Isn't it great?" Willow asked her, "They're so happy! Everyone is happy."

"Happy. Right." Buffy sank slowly back into her chair and put her hand to her head. "But I'm not feeling so good."

"Oh no Buffy! Maybe you should go back upstairs and lay down. I could call a doctor."

"No," Buffy said, "No doctor. Maybe... maybe if I go back to sleep and I wake up everything will make sense." She stood and backed away from the table. "I'll just be going now and I guess I'll see you all later." She waved feebly, then escaped to the sanctuary of her room.