Greeting and Salutations. New chapter! New chapter!

I know this ones been a long time coming. Sorry about that. I wanted this to be just right before I got it up and I still didin't get everything I wanted in there. I've hit something of a writers block on this, so it may be a while til the next update.

A month had sped past. Buffy, Xander, Faith, Willow and Joyce were making last minute preparations.

"So, where exactly is the ship?" Faith asked again.

"Hidden," Joyce told her, "R4's meeting us just outside of town."

"I still don't like this," Giles said again, "I mean, there's no telling what may happen to you."

"We train, we fight…" Buffy began.

"…We kick Imperial ass," Faith finished for her, "Any questions?"

"I just don't think it's wise for either Slayer to abandon the Hellmouth," Giles said.

"Hence Angel and Dru staying to keep an eye on things," Buffy said, "We've been through this before, Giles. Everything is under control."

"You'll excuse me if I'm less than enthusiastic," Giles muttered dryly.

"I think he's worried," Dru said.

"Now see here," Giles said gruffly, "I am not worried. I know full well they can take care of themselves," the group noticed he was wiping his glasses the whole time.

"He's worried about us," Buffy sent through the links.

"That is so sweet," Willow sent back.

"Thanks for worrying, Giles, but we're fine," Buffy said. The Watcher sighed.

"I guess I'm not used to staying behind while you four go risking your life," he said.

"After the way B knocked you out before she went after the Master Pain, you should be used to it," Faith said.

"At least you're not getting any bumps this time, G-Man," Xander offered.

"Yeah, you should be grateful about that," Willow added.

"You knocked him out?" Joyce asked. Buffy turned to face her.

"He was going to take my place to try stop the whole 'Slayer will die' prophecy," Buffy explained, "The only way to stop him was to knock him out," Joyce nodded, understanding.

"At least she won't need to go physical on him next time," Faith said, placing a box of food on the pile. Joyce nodded.

"Nice to see she's a bit more diplomatic," Buffy glared at her mother.

"I can be diplomatic," she said.

"Yeah," Faith agreed, "If diplomats add 'or else' onto their decisions," Buffy's comeback was cut off by an explosion of beeps.

"We're ready, R4," Joyce said into her communicator, "Gives us a pick up point," more beeps and whistles, "Isn't that a bit close to town?" Beeps, whistles, "What do you mean you're already there?" Faith looked at Buffy.

"Well?" Buffy shrugged.

"Something about modifications he's been making…" she stopped a moment, "A cloaking device? R4's been busy."

"He got a cloaking device working?" Willow asked, "How?"

"Something about…" Buffy stopped a moment, "Mom, did I here that right, or…"

"R4, this isn't funny," Joyce said. More beeps, "Alright, but I want a look at this cloaking device."

"I don't believe you!" Joyce fumed, pacing around the engine room of the StarShot, "You went and put a nuclear reactor in the ship and expect me to let my daughters travel in it?"

"Mrs, uh, Summers?" Willow said timidly, "H-he said cold fusion. At least, that's what Buffy translated. I-it's a little safer than nuclear power. I-I guess it was the closest to the ships power supply he could find, s-so it didn't interfere with the other systems. Maybe?" Joyce exhaled sharply.

"I know," she said, "I guess I'm a bit nervous. Going back…"

"Don't sweat it, mom," Buffy said, wrapping her arm around her mothers shoulder, "Things'll work out."

"You're right, hon," Joyce said, "I'm sorry, R4," the astromech answered in his usual fashion, "Excuse me? You still made modifications without my permission. How do you know this thing isn't going to explode when we try to go into hyperspace?" Beeps, whistles, "What do you mean 'I've already tested it'?" Beeps, whistles, "You did WHAT?"

"R4, are you nuts?" Buffy said. That one, she understood, "You went running around the galaxy, testing this thing, not only without mom, but without her knowledge or permission? What if it blew? We could have lost you, and the ship," the little droid beeped apologetically.

"Hey, it's cool," Faith said, "He's still here, right?"

"I guess," Buffy said hesitantly, "But don't do that again, 'kay? You're like the distant cousin that I only get to talk to on the phone and helps me with my homework."

"'Helps with her homework'?" Joyce demanded.

"Um…" Buffy frantically tried to think of something.

"She probably meant the metaphorically, Mrs S," Xander said, "Y'know, just to describe it easily," Buffy thanked him mentally for the save.

"That had better be all it was," Joyce muttered.

"We're done," Dru said, entering the engine room. The seer stopped, taking in what she was seeing, "Oh, my. I never dreamed it would look like this."

"Yep," Buffy said, "When mom first showed me the ship, I went ballistic. I immediately wanted to learn how to fly thing. I'm pretty good actually."

"You can fly this?" Xander asked, "You're just full of surprises, Buff."

"Actually, I'm better with the fighter," Buffy said easily, "Though I think R4 drops some chips when I practice," there was a burst of beeps and whistles from the droid, "Hey! It's not my fault you can't handle my flying."

"I don't blame him," Joyce said. A painful memory came to mind, one she couldn't just ignore, "Master Kinobi always complained about Anakin's flying…" Her daughters were wrapping their arms around her before she could finish the sentence.

"I won't go down that path, mom," Buffy whispered, "Promise."

"An' I won't let her," Faith said, "I told her that once, and I tell her every time I get the chance."

"And it's not like I'm willing to let her go," Xander said.

"Yeah," Willow piped, "And if this Dark Nerdy guy tries something… well, we'll put the Slayerette Wammy on him."

"Slayerette Wammy?" Buffy asked.

"I didn't… Xander!" Willow glared at her childhood friend, soon to be deceased.

"Payback, Wills," Xander said with a grin, "For that thing about Whistler's wardrobe."

"Got her," Buffy crowed.

"Don't worry, Wills," Faith sent, "We'll get 'em."

"Cold day in hell, sis," Buffy interrupted. Xander snickered.

"It's going to be a long trip," Joyce groaned. R4 whistled at her, "What do you mean 'more fun than last time'?" The droid whistled shortly, which brought a smile to Joyce's lips, "Now there's an idea."

"Well, we're all set," Joyce said, walking down the ramp.

"You will be careful, won't you?" Giles pleaded. Buffy rolled her eyes.

"Relax, G-Man," Faith said, "We got it covered."

"Keep him alive," Buffy said to Angel and Dru.

"He'll be waiting when you get back," Dru promised. Angel nodded his agreement.

"I guess this is it, then," Buffy said, "We'll be back soon," the teens stepped up to their friend and mentor, wrapping him in a huge group hug.

"Take care of yourselves," he whispered, "I don't know what I'd do without you lot."

"Go back to stuffy old Rupert?" Xander suggested.

"Clean your glasses less often?" Willow added.

"Let Ripper out on the Emperor's ass?"

"Faith Summers, mind your language," Joyce snapped.

"D'oh!"

"Let's motor, guys," Buffy said with a grin. They filed up the ramp, Buffy giving one last look before disappearing inside.

Freighter began to lift as the repulsers engaged, carrying the bravest young people Rupert Giles had ever met to the one place he couldn't help them.

"Please, God, let them come back safe," he muttered.

Stay tuned.

Doc.