"There, happy now, Xander? The tests prove he has a soul." Buffy said smugly.
"Still doesn't prove he's good guy, that'll take time. And that is the most ridiculous idea of a punishment I have ever heard of."
"What do you mean?" Buffy asked, confused.
"He said they cursed him with a human soul so he could feel guilt and remorse for his actions. But vampires don't feel those things. Nor were they his actions. Which means it's the soul that's feeling guilty, for the actions of the vampire. That's like me feeling bad that Tony got arrested for being drunk again. Angel and Angelus aren't the same person. They locked a soul up inside a demon, to punish a demon. What were they smoking when they came up with that one? And if suffering is required to keep the curse going, does that mean less suffering will weaken or break it all together?"
"Quite possibly." Giles said. "A curse will often break in one of two specific ways. Either the cursed person learns a lesson or they experience the opposite of what they experience because of the curse. So feeling peace or happiness might break the curse."
"Just because he says he wasn't told what could break the curse doesn't mean he couldn't have figured it out either. He may have an agenda after all. Help with breaking the curse."
"Why would he what to break the curse, Xander? Now you're being ridiculous." Buffy said, annoyed.
"Because people run from pain, whether it's physical or emotional every day. Just look at the kids who got possessed last week. They couldn't handle what happened to them and they ran way from it."
"They ran away? I wondered why they weren't in school." Willow said.
"You didn't tell them?" Xander asked Giles.
"I was unsure..."
"You chickened out. Tor killed himself. Heidi nearly did too, she was on suicide watch, I went to see her and they've moved her to a long term institute in L.A. Kyle fiddled with his car and gassed himself and Rhonda. They both have brain damage. Doctors are still accessing how bad. Did you bother to check, Giles?"
"I don't know them. It didn't seem appropriate."
"Really. Not appropriate. Anyway, Angel says it's been a century since he was cursed. That's a long time to live with the guilt of someone else's actions. Maybe he got tired of it and is looking for a way out. And what's he been doing for the last century, besides feeling guilty for things he didn't do? Giles' chronicles make no mention of him in all that time. He told you he came here to help with the vampires. Was he doing anything about them before he came here? And how exactly has he helped? He gave you some cryptic bits of warning and somehow happened to be there when the Three attacked. Was it coincidence or was he following you? So far, he only seems to be helping you. Saving you from this other vampire that attacked your mother and helping you with the Three."
"I'm the Slayer, Xander. Helping me does help other people!" Buffy said, angrily. She really wasn't liking these questions.
"Vampires can sense Slayers, according to Giles. He knew who you were when you first ran into him. Willow said he gave you a present, a cross necklace and he gave you that jacket. Maybe he is concerned about you or maybe, he did something to the necklace and jacket. If he's got an agenda, they should be checked out. Not to mention, he hid the fact that he was a vampire from you and your senses."
"Now you're just reaching Xander. You're jealous that I like him instead of you, so you're inventing ways to make him the bad guy. Grow up!" Buffy stormed out of the library, followed by Willow.
"I actually thought that was a responsible idea." Xander said. "This isn't about Buffy, I really do not trust Angel. Soul or no soul, there's still a demon in there. He's still a vampire. Who knows what kind of influence the demon is having on him?"
"They are reasonable questions and concerns. But perhaps you were too forceful in presenting them. Give her some time to think about it. She's clearly feeling defensive and protective of him."
"Fine, I'll back off. But until he proves he really is trying to help people and do the right thing, I'm not even going to begin trusting him."
"Nor should you. Your questions have concerned me as well. I will be alert. Xander, I have a question for you. Who is this Tony you mentioned?"
"My father. Never gonna win Father of the Year. Leave it at that."
"As you wish. You checked up on the kids from last week."
"Yes, I can't let it go, Giles. We haven't done anything to help any of the victims beyond saving them. You remember praying mantis lady? The other kid she locked up there is now bragging he's visiting prostitutes. He's that desperate to no longer be a virgin. We need to figure out a way of getting help for people Giles. Surely there are therapists in the know? Right? You Watchers have any counselors on your staff to help you? Did your Academy include psych classes so you can help the Slayer you guide deal with the horrors she faces every night?"
"No, they were no such classes. And no, we do not have staff therapists. Although, we do have some that are carefully screened so any of our membership who feels the need for such counseling can visit one."
"You Watchers have a lot of influence in the Slayer's life and it never occured to you figure out how to help her mentally? I wonder, Giles, just how many Slayers decide they've had enough and commit suicide by vampire."