A/N I know the show was Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I have no problems with Giles' willingness to help and support Buffy. But he also extended his help and support to Willow and was very indulgent towards her. While Xander and Faith only got noticed if they did something wrong. It was the classic 'even negative attention is better than no attention'. When Xander got support and encouragement, he flourished, like during his relationship with Cordelia or fast tracking in his company, when his boss encouraged him. Faith thrived under the Mayor's affection, however bad her choices were during that time. Xander's efforts to help Cordelia are also helping himself and Faith in ways he didn't intend. The others are noticing them and beginning to encourage them as well. It's the Butterfly Effect in real life.

Over the next couple of days the gang finished their move into the new space, as well as getting Faith moved into her personal area. When Cordelia pointed out that Faith had no personal things to decorate the space everyone brought her something to brighten the area. Buffy brought her a mirror for her wall. Willow brought her a colorful glass paperweight. Oz bought her a CD player. Cordelia bought a large print of a New England coastline. Xander brought her the gift if his time. He assembled the privacy screen for her, as well as securing her TV to the wall and hanging a rod for her to hang any clothes she didn't want to put in her new dresser, on. He also pointed out to Giles that Faith didn't have a job or money, which had Giles arranging a stipend from the Council for her. Faith's first night in her new space reminded her of her time, however brief it had been, with Diana, her first Watcher. Diana had cared, beyond her job. The first person to really care about her. Faith was feeling optimistic, things were looking up.

Saturday brought another Giles presentation. However grumpy they could be about Giles tendency to be a pedantic about the information he imparted to them, they knew this information could save lives, so they all willing showed up and payed attention. Plus it meant hanging out with friends and enjoying each other's company without fearing for each other's lives. Always a bonus. Amanda and Sherry were present to give everyone an update on Willow's condition and Giles had told them he had information regarding Xander's Blessing, so everyone arrived a little early, eager for the news.

Amanda stood at the head of their brand new, larger conference table. There was room for all of them to sit and no one needed to stand or sit on anyone's lap anymore. Something each of the couples found a little sad, as they hadn't minded that part.

"I am happy to report that Willow's first healing session went well. While it will take several more sessions, we now believe we will be able to repair the damage to her in its entirety. We will be able to do two a week, barring any issues that come up. It shouldn't take more than four perhaps five more sessions total. After which we will know if Willow can resume her magic studies. On the chance that she can resume them, Agatha has asked us to interview witches in the area to find a proper teacher for her. Learning on her own, let alone in the piecemeal manner she was attempting before is a very dangerous method of learning magic. It's like trying to teach ones self to fly a plane. Sure, you might actually manage it, but you won't know what half the instruments are." Winches all around as everyone contemplated how much worse it might have gotten for Willow or the rest of them. Amanda took a seat as Giles rose and moved to the head of the table to make an announcement as well.

"After a good deal of research, as well as several overseas calls, between myself and Agatha Harkness we have, we believe, found an explanation for the Blessing Xander has been given. In times past, a Blessing would often be bestowed if a mortal accomplished something extraordinary. Something thought impossible and done without the help of a god. We believe, you were granted this because you did something no one else has been able to do before. You revived a Slayer from death. Believe me, it has been tried before, through CPR, through magic, it has just never worked. And yet, you succeeded. You revived Buffy and as a result of that there are now two Slayers. Something else that has never happened in all of recorded history. However you accomplished it, the gods are acknowledging it by granting you a Blessing. Whatever form the Blessing will take will not be known until it manifests. In times past, Blessings have included the gift of knowledge or wisdom, help in times of need, and the fulfillment of a dream or deeply held hope. No one knows ahead of time what form it will take, though. So eventually you will find out. Unfortunately, that's all the information we have."

Everyone was silent and then Xander said, "All that was because I refused to let a friend die? I wasn't even thinking about the possibility of the world being in danger if the Master rose, I just didn't want Buffy to die. I lost Jessie, the closest thing to a brother I had, thanks vampires, I didn't want to lose another friend."

Amanda spoke up. "That may be why you succeeded, the Hellmouth can have an effect on reality. You willed your friend to live. She lived. It was an Act of Will. Heartfelt and sincere. The gods are acknowledging that."

"Well then for once the Hellmouth did something good."

A sentiment everyone could agree with.