M stood in Q section and watched impassively as two techs chatted with a talking fork and spoon. Q meanwhile was pacing back and forth as he stared at an apparently untamed wooden chair as it snapped at the bulletproof glass every once in a while.

Bond walked up to her. "An interesting predicament."

"Yes. What does Xander say?"

"He's calling Giles" Bond paused with a smile on his face. "Or, G-man."

M raised an eyebrow. "G-man?"

"Apparently it's Xander's name for him."

"Ah. Are you sure this is magic? We've run across electronic devices before…"

"Q says that the properties of the silverware and chair both are normal metal and wood. There isn't anything abnormal anywhere except the symbols burned into them."

M shook her head. "Things are never normal around you."

"Of course not. Life would be boring."

- - - - -

"G-man."

"Xander, must you call me that infernal name!"

Xander grinned.

Giles sighed. "I can hear you smiling. What do you want? I'm trying to take a break from reorganizing everything in the library section at the warehouse."

"That's why I called. It's another research session."

"What is it?"

"I've faxed some weird symbols over to Jones. I've made sure to fax them out of order and in random groups just in case. I've also written down the order they were in when I found them."

"Very… cautious of you."

"Well, I did learn a few things."

"What happened?"

"Would you believe talking silverware and a feral restaurant chair?"

Giles stared at the phone as Xander hung up. "Dear Lord, what now?"

- - - - - - -

Giles stood at the table with Fred, Jones, and Willow. Buffy was enjoying a night of complete boredom with her mother. Compared to the Mayor, boredom was exactly what was needed. Faith was flirting with a tech across the room.

Fred looked at Jones, then they both looked at Giles. "So?"

"The symbols alone can animate objects. But together… they transform and change properties?" Giles adjusted his glasses. "I've actually only seen one…. Dear Lord."

"What?"

"I need you to call Xander now."

"On it."

- - - - -

Xander walked into Q branch. "What do you think, Q?"

"You and 007 are exactly alike. You bring annoying things to me and expect me to fix them. At least these aren't in pieces like a lot of what he brings."

"Um…. Sorry?"

M walked up. "Well?"

Xander shook his head. "Giles is on his way to the warehouse. Jones and Fred both have my number." Then he looked down as they both heard a beep. "Speaking of which."

"G-man." He heard Giles groan.

"Xander, listen carefully."

"I'm all ears."

"It looks like Ethan is up to his old tricks.

Xander stared at the phone. "Ethan Rayne?"

"Yes."

"Oh good. And here I thought that we were going to have a tough time."

"Must you be so flippant?"

Xander grinned. "You know me."

"Yes I do. That's why I want you to be prepared. I can't come over, and Willow isn't ready." Giles paused. "And I doubt MI-6 is either. But at least they are of some use."

Xander looked at James. "I've read a few things with M's permission, Giles. I don't think Ethan will have as easy a time against Bond as you think."

"Oh?"

"Let's just say that a Voo-Doo priest found it hard to kill him."

"Just take care of yourself. I don't know why Ethan is in London, but he doesn't take vacations."

"Understood."