Must be the maid's decade off, though Urd as Xander continued the brief tour of the Harris home he'd been giving the goddesses. While the décor of Xander's home wasn't terribly different from the way most middle-class suburban homes across America looked, the carpet didn't seem to have been vacuumed in a dog's age and Urd doubted if much else in the house had had a good cleaning since the Regan administration.

"…and that pretty much concludes our tour of Château Harris," said Xander as she led the goddesses into the kitchen. "On behalf of the Harris clan we'd to thank you for visiting and remind you that tipping your guide is allowed and encouraged."

"Thank you for showing us around, Xander," smiled Belldandy. "Your home is very lovely."

"Yeah, if you're that family from Married With Children," muttered Skuld under her breath.

Urd quickly gave her sister a light smack to the back of the head. Skuld whipped around and glared at her elder sister. Urd just smiled innocently. The little goddess gave Urd a nasty look but kept silent.

"I know we're all very tired but I think it would be best if we all had a little something to eat before we go to bed," suggested Belldandy.

"Sounds good to me," nodded Xander. She then walked over to the refrigerator, opened it and began rummaging around. "Let's see…jar of olives…expired milk. Whoa! 1991?! How did that happen?…uh, leftover pizza…some blue stuff that I don't think was blue last week…tub of butter…some A-1 sauce…"

Xander turned back to the goddesses with a sheepish grin on her face. "Let's forget the fridge. Maybe I can show you my mom's famous call-to-the-Chinese-place recipe."

"Oh, there's no need for that," assured Belldandy. "Just give me a few minutes to look around the kitchen and I'm sure I'll be able to find something that will make a wonderful dinner."

"If you do be sure to let me know. I'd like to know where food like that's been hiding these last eighteen years," quipped Xander.

"And that's our cue to exit," cut in Urd. "Come on, kids. Let's leave Belldandy to work her magic.

"Say, Xander, you guys cable?"

"It's the 20th century," replied Xander. "People living in refrigerator boxes have cable."

"True enough," grinned Urd as she headed toward the living room. "I wonder what kind of Mexican TV they get in this burg. The soap operas from south of the border are just so over the top."

"You know, sometimes I think whoever started calling TV 'the idiot box' was thinking of Urd when they came up with that," sighed Skuld.

Xander choose not to say anything

"Hey, Skuld, check it out! The Simpsons are on!"

"Oooohhh! I love the The Simpsons!" squealed Skuld who then dashed into the living room.

Xander paused only to give a mental shrug before joining them.

~*~*~*~*~

Once The Simpsons ended Xander and the goddesses watched the local news in hopes that some story might provide a lead as to Mara's plans. Sadly, the news had proved to only be the usual Southern California brand of murder and mayhem. Once the news ended the three had resorted to the honored American art of channel surfing.

*click*

"In market news today manufacturing titans Genom Enterprises and Mishima Heavy Industries reported higher than expected earning for this quarter."

*click*

"Agents Scully and Mulder, FBI."

*click*

"Our target is the battleship Nadesico!

*click*

"The year is 2259. The name of the place is Babylon 5."

*click*

"Ohmigod! They killed Kenny!

"You bastards!"

*click*

"Those who have laid eyes on a Gundam shall not live to tell about it."

"Ah, choices, choices," sighed Urd contentedly.

"Put it back on Babylon 5!" demanded Skuld. "I like that show!"

"You like B5?" asked Xander. "If you want, later I'll show you my B5 collector plates."

"You have the collector plates?!" gasped Skuld. "I've been looking for those for years!"

"The Almighty save me from the sci-fi geeks," grumbled Urd.

It was then that Belldandy called, "Everyone, dinner is ready!"

Xander and the goddesses quickly abandoned the couch and headed for the kitchen. Once they entered the first thing they saw was Belldandy standing over a large pot on the stove, stirring its contents lightly and smiling. "The kitchen was a bit more…understocked than I expected. So I was only able to come up with a simple soup. I hope that's all right with everyone," informed the goddess sweetly.

Xander took a deep whiff of the kitchen's air. The smell of cooking meat and vegetables immediately made her mouth start to water. "You made something that smells that good from stuff in *this* kitchen?" said Xander. "You really are a goddess. All hail Belldandy! Heaven's answer to Martha Steward."

Belldandy blushed slightly at the praise.

The dinner table was quickly set and the soup served which all ate with gusto. Xander proved herself a more than capable hostess by recounting some of the adventures she and the other members of the Scooby Gang had shared over the years.

"You're exaggerating!" accused Skuld. "No way was that rat that big!"

"I saw that rat bite a Buick in half," countered Xander. "And it would have done the same to Willow if Buffy and I hadn't stopped it with those battle axes."

Urd shook her head in disgust. "Xander's not kidding, Skuld. Rats can get that big if they're under the influence of a rat demon like Xander was talking about."

"Really?" said the little goddess. "Gross!"

"Actually, the rat demon wasn't all that gross," recalled Xander. "Not in comparison to that cockroach demon we fought last year anyway. Now that was gross!"

"Perhaps we should find something more pleasant to discuss than demons," suggested Belldandy.

"Hey, I know!" exclaimed Urd. "I'll share a few stories about the times I spent hanging out with the Beatles! Those are always a crowd-pleaser!"

"I don't know what crowd those stories would please, but it sure isn't this one," muttered Skuld.

"Oh really?" snorted Urd. "Who's the one who wouldn't shut up for a week about meeting the guy who played Scotty on Star Trek?"

"His name is James Doohan!" blasted the young goddess.

"I knew that," smirked Urd. "I was just seeing if I could get you to cop to be a Trekkie."

"The term these days is Trekker!" blasted Skuld as she slammed her fist on the table.

"Geek," mocked the elder goddess.

Skuld again gave her sister the Look of Death.

It was then that Belldandy said. "Xander, is something wrong?"

Urd and Skuld turned from glaring at each other to see that Xander, instead of looking at them, was staring glassy-eyed at her soup. Once she noticed the goddesses staring at her Xander snapped back to attention. "Uh, sorry about that. I was off in the Twilight Zone for a second."

"Xander, if something is bothering you please feel free to tell us," said Belldandy. "I know we only met a few hours ago but if we can help we'll do so in anyway we can."

Xander was silent for a moment. "Yeah, I know would, Belldandy," she said after a moment. "I still remember what you did for me back at the library. It's just…all that talking about I did about stuff I did with the others, it made me start thinking about what happened all over again."

"I know you couldn't perceive it, but I could see the condition she was in and I can assure you that, given the circumstances, Willow is holding extremely well," said Belldandy."

"My little sister doesn't lie, kiddo," added Urd. "I saw her as we were getting out of the van and she's hanging in there."

"Actually, it's not Willow I'm freaking about," replied Xander. "She's tougher than even she gives herself credit for. I'm sure she'll be okay with being a shrub for a little while."

"You and her are really close, huh?" asked Urd.

At that Xander smiled. "We've been friends since I can remember. The Dynamic Duo of Sunnydale, Xander and Willow, that was what people called us. Well, that's what I called us. Will kinda asked me to stop doing it once we hit junior high."

For a second Xander's eyes again fell to the soup in front of her. She picked up her spoon and swished it idly in the soup for a few moments. "You know, while I was eating this I remembered something. Freshmen year, before Buffy came to town and we found out that Sunnydale was Hell's 'Welcome' mat, I came down with the case of the flu from, well, hell. I was in bed for eight days getting over it. My folks were always busy with stuff so everyday after school Will would come by with a thermos of soup for me and tell what was going at school. She even put little oyster crackers in the soup. How cool was that? Of course, she also brought me my homework everyday, but I forgave her for that."

"How very sweet," said Belldandy. "You're very lucky to have a friend like her."

"Don't I know it," nodded Xander. "I wish I'd have told her that more often before…tonight.

Belldandy took one of Xander's hands and gave it a squeeze. "I'm sure she knows. The people we love know what's in out hearts more often than we suspect. The love and friendship between you two is clearly something that doesn't need mere words to find expression."

Xander smiled. "Thanks again, Belldandy. Ever think of hosting your own talk show? Oparh's got nothing on you."

"Pardon my prying, but if it wasn't Willow you're so worried about then who is it?" asked Urd. "Her boyfriend seems to be handling the situation pretty well."

"Oz is a sturdy guy," said Xander. "He'll be okay. The person I'm worried about is Buffy."

"Buffy? Come on, she's the Slayer," said Skuld.

"Exactly," nodded Xander. "Getting smacked around by nasty demons is part of the Slayer job description. Buffy knows that. But having demons lay some wicked mojo down on your friends…She's going to have a tough time with that. She's going to blame herself."

Xander chewed her lips for a moment and then stood. "Maybe I should give her a call…"

"It may not be my place to say this, but I don't think that's a good idea," interrupted Belldandy. "It's rather late and as Mr. Giles said we all really do need some sleep. She might be sleeping right now. And no matter what happens tomorrow, I'm certain that it would be in everyone's best interests to have a Slayer who's ready and well rested."

Xander hesitated for a few seconds. "Yeah, I guess you're right. And if Buffy is having a problem her mom is there. Joyce may not be a Slayer, but she's really strong in her own right. You know, she once whacked Spike, one of the nastiest vamps ever to hit Sunnydale, in the head with an ax. It's just a shame she didn't take that psycho's head off."

"That's it," muttered Urd. "All this angst is givin' me a headache." There was then a small 'pop' sound and Urd vanished. However someone else instantly took her place.

The second Urd vanished a small figure about a foot and a half high appeared on the table in front of Xander. The figure was female, sported red boots, a white dress-like garment with a very short skirt and a large red bow on the chest, long, white silk gloves and a golden tiara. Her hair (or more accurately a cheap-looking wig) was blonde and pulled back into two very long ponytails and two meatball-like buns. The figure also happened to look just like Urd.

"In the name of the Moon, I order you to cheer up!" shouted the mini-Urd.

Xander's jaw promptly fell the floor.

Belldandy looked surprised for a moment then smiled.

Skuld sighed and smacked her forehead. "Great. Urd's dressed up like one of those silly lookin' magical girls from Azabu again. And she's not even drunk this time."

"You heard Sailor Urd! Smile or something, will ya?" called a small voice from the floor beside Xander. The teen glanced down to see another mini Urd, this one dressed in the red a yellow uniform wore by Sunnydale High cheerleaders.

"Gimme an S! Gimme an M! Gimme an I! Gimme an L! Gimme an E! What's that spell? Smile! Smile! Smile!" crowed the mini-Urd as she waved a set of pom-poms.

"Cripes," muttered Skuld. "Urd couldn't be laying it on any thicker if she had a trowel."

"Hush, Skuld," whispered Belldandy as she leaned closer to her sister. "Urd's antics may be a bit…excessive, even for her, but she's trying to keep Xander's mind off what's happened to his friends. If he starts to dwell on things he might have an emotional breakdown worse than what happened at the library."

Skuld cast a quick look at the two mini-Urds before giving a small nod of understanding.

Just then two more mini-Urds literally danced by. One was dressed in a stylish tuxedo while the other had on a elegant looking evening gown. The two were dancing what Xander vaguely recognized as an old Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers' routine. And doing a good job of it as well.

"You shouldn't worry," advised the Urd in the tuxedo. "We'll find out what Mara is up to a put a stop to it in no time."

"And once we've stopped her we'll force her to turn you and Willow back to normal," added the Urd in the dress.

Xander remained blank-faced for a moment. She then let forth a might laugh and then kept laughing until tears rolled down her face.

"Heh, thanks, Urd," said Xander (once she'd managed to get control of herself again) to the goddess who had by then reassembled herself. "I so needed a laugh right about now."

The goddess smiled. "No problem, Xander. Dr. Urd says that laughter is always good medicine."

"Just don't take any love potions 'Dr. Urd' might try to pass off on you," snickered Skuld. "They're 100% malpractice."

Urd glared at her little sister.

"As entertaining as that was we all really should get to bed now," said Belldandy. "We'll need every bit of strength we can get for whatever tomorrow holds."

"Yeah, that little song and dance cost me the last, and I mean very last, of my power," agreed Urd. "I'm ready to saw some logs. So, who's sleeping where?"

"There are only two bedrooms in the whole house," said Xander. "My room and my folks room. And I guess someone could sleep on the living room couch if they don't mind a couple springs jabbing them in the back all night."

"How about Urd and Skuld taking your parents' room, you stay in your room and I'll use the couch," suggested Belldandy. "I'm sure it's not as uncomfortable as it sounds."

"No way am I sharing a bed with Urd again!" yelled Skuld. "I remember how it was last time. She hogs the covers, rolls around all night and snores like you wouldn't believe!"

"I don't snore, you brat!" snapped Urd.

"A chainsaw cutting though a redwood isn't a loud as you!" retorted Skuld. "I'd rather share a room with Xander than you!"

"Which makes me feel oh so wanted," said Xander quietly.

"Skuld…" began Belldandy.

Skuld blinked for a second before realizing what she'd just said. "Uh, sorry, Xander. I didn't mean it like that."

"It's cool," assured Xander as she waved off the little goddess' comment. "I've got an idea on how we can handle this. Why don't Urd and Belldandy take my folks room. Skuld can have my bed. I'll get my sleeping bag out of the basement and crash on the floor of my room. Is that okay with everyone?"

"I don't know about making you sleep on the floor of your own home…" said Belldandy.

"Hey, it's okay. You're not only guests but goddesses too. So you get the five star treatment."

"I like someone who knows how to treat a goddess," grinned Urd. "Thanks, kiddo."

"Well, if Xander is sure it's all right…I suppose we should all be getting to bed then," said Belldandy.

After a few brief 'goodnights' the four headed off to sleep.

To be continued…

Author's notes: Yeah, I know for all the time between updates this wasn't much to show. But college life eats time the way Homer Simpson eats donuts. So I would end up not being able to find the right combo of time a willpower to write for sometimes up to three weeks at a time.

Another reason this bit is so short is that I knew I was going to be insanely busy over summer and I wanted to give my readers something to hold them over until I could get more written.

That busy thing isn't some BS I made up to cover being lazy. About two days after I first posted this chapter I left the US for a trip. I was part of an exchange program with my university's sister schools in Asia so I ended up spending five and a half weeks bouncing around China, South Korea and Japan. It was an exhausting trip, but so worth it.

If that wasn't enough, two weeks after I got back from Asia I went to visit relatives in rural Virginia for about ten days. Two days after I got back from that I was off on another trip to Nevada and Southern California. By the time I was done with *that* the fall semester at my university was only three weeks away and I had to start getting ready for that.

Anyway, enough about my life. There really weren't that many Easter eggs in this one. Although I hope you folks enjoyed the references to various American shows.

BTW, I can tell you for a fact that The Simpsons is popular in Japan, so there's no reason to think that Urd and Skuld wouldn't be fans. I actually saw TV commercials featuring drink holders shaped like Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie when I was in Tokyo. FYI, the product they push, a drink called C.C. Lemon, is very tasty.

Anyway, the other in-jokes here were all in the channel-surfing section. The stock market report hinted at All-Purpose Cultural Catgirl Nuku Nuku and Bubblegum Crisis respectively. It's your choice if it was the BGC OVAs or the TV series. Also referenced were The X-Files, Martian Successor Nadesico, Babylon 5, South Park and Gundam Wing in that order.

Oh, and Xander being a Babylon 5 fan isn't something I tossed in just because I'm a fan of the show. Him owning B5 collector plates was mentioned in an episode of Buffy, though I just can't recall which one.