The next day the Scoobies introduced Faith to Giles, who wasn't happy to not be included in the Watchers Retreat. After bringing Faith up to date on their mystical findings the day before and an offer to do a diagnostic on her was declined for the moment, he told everyone he had a line on an office space downtown and suggested they all check it out.

It was quickly agreed on and everyone set out to the address provided. Once they arrived and parked behind the building, Xander commented on the lack of lights and suggested that the first thing they had do is have lighting run out to the back, it wouldn't be expensive and it would offer some protection. He also commented that hanging a cross on the back wall of the ally might be helpful, as well as on the outside of the back door. His comments were met with enthusiasm.

The group continued inside. They found the area divided into four rooms. A large open reception area, that would make a good meeting area (it had a small bathroom attached). Two smaller areas that would be a good place to store books and weapons and a large area in the back that could work as a workout area, as well as a second floor that included a small kitchen/dining area and a larger bathroom with a shower. Which was greeted with enthusiasm as well, as they could keep snacks here and clean up after a workout. Xander noted that the only windows were at the front, tinted and didn't open, but the thermostat on the wall indicated AC/heat capabilities.

"Giles you need to get everything inspected before you sign on the doted line, but it looks solid, defensible and if you can do magical protections on it, I think it'll work." The others were silent, not used to Xander showing any kind of real knowledge.

"How can you be sure?" Buffy asked.

"I've worked part time at a contracting store summers before, Buffy. I've picked up a few things."

"Oh, I didn't know that. So Giles, is this doable, because that back area is a great space to workout in."

"Yes, Buffy I do believe it is doable, and yes, Xander this would be much easier to put magical protections on. Being that we would be renting it and not owning it, they would be necessary. But it wouldn't be used as a public space, like the library is and therefore won't be open to the public, so protecting it will be much easier."

As Giles headed off to the real estate office, everyone else scattered and Buffy invited Faith over to her place for supper, Cordelia decided a talk with Willow was in order. "Don't worry, Doofus, we won't kill each other," she told him, "just need to clear the air on a few things."

"Better not, having the sister of my heart and the girl who owns my heart kill each other, would make me a very unhappy guy. See you later, ladies." He kissed Cordelia and went to his car, heading home to do homework.

"Ok, Willow, we're going to hash this out here and now. Because Xander and I are together and we're staying together. We love each other and that's not going to change. So for his sake, I'm calling a truce. No more sniping at each other, not that I've been doing much of it since we got together. You have, don't think I didn't hear the skanky ho comments. But you always did escalate things between us. And don't try to deny it. I snark on your clothes, you hack the school database and change all the cheerleaders grades, which makes the teachers have to work overtime to fix them. I make a comment about Buffy and you cost me hours of work on an assignment."

"You're real reason for hating me is because you think I stole Xander from you. Remember back in kindergarten when you used to tell everyone he was your boyfriend? You never bothered to ask him how he felt, because you know he would have said you were his sister. When he met me, we spent a lot of time playing together and you hated it. If it wasn't for my stepmother insisting I had to have socially acceptable friends, Xander and I would have stayed friends. I missed him all those years when we couldn't be friends and you know what Willow? He missed me. Those are facts you need to learn to live with. I'm not stealing him from you, he was never yours in the way you wanted. But he still loves you and your attitude hurts him. Hasn't he been hurt enough Willow? Your misconceptions have carried over onto Buffy's attitude toward him and that hurt him too. I know you don't intend to hurt him. Doesn't change the fact that you have. We can both love him. We can both be loved by him, just in different ways. So what do you say, truce?"

Willow wasn't crazy about the idea of a truce. Tact Girl had a point though, several in fact, that Willow had tended to escalate things between them and she had wanted to believe Cordelia was stealing Xander from her. But Xander did love them both, in different ways. And it seemed Cordelia wasn't going anywhere, so she, Willow would have to live with her presence wether she liked it or not. 'Time to grow up', Willow thought. "Ok, you make several good points and if you're sort of going to be my sister-in-law, we need get along, so I agree, truce."

"I'll talk to Buffy about toning down our attitude, it's seems there's a lot we've both missed in regards to Xander."

"Good, I appreciate it. Come on I'll give you a ride home."

Cordelia dropped Willow off at her place and drove home. Once there, she called Xander to fill him in. He was silent a moment and then said, "Thank you for trying, Cor. Whatever happens, I appreciate you doing that. I love you, my Queen."

"I love you too, my Doofus. This protecting each other thing goes both ways."

Buffy's supper with Faith hadn't gone as well as Willow and Cordelia's talk had, at least from Buffy's point of view, as her mother found out that Faith's existence meant Buffy had died once. After Faith left, Buffy went up to her room to do homework and contemplate what having another slayer around meant. 'Maybe I'll get an actual social life.' she thought, Faith and I could take turns patrolling. That is if she sticks around after her Watcher gets back from that retreat thingy.'

The phone rang. It was Willow, who wanted to go over her conversation with Cordelia. To say Buffy was surprised would be an understatement, but after hearing Willow out, agreed that there had been some misconceptions and Xander's current suggestions had proven helpful so far. 'Maybe we do underestimate him,' she thought, 'plus, if he and Cordelia really are planning long term, we have to find a way to get along with her for Xander's sake. Really is no accounting for love is there?' Remembering her lost Angel.

The next day Giles reported that upon completion of an inspection and having it written into the contract that lighting would be run to the back parking area, the space was theirs. The inspection would be done soon and then they would be able to move all the books and weapons over there. He reminded everyone that on Saturday he would be giving a presentation on fairies (yes they're real, Buffy, several different kinds actually) and werewolves in the library at 1:00 and everyone was expected. They all agreed.