"Buffy, why did you attack Jenny?" Giles asked.
"She knew! She knew and didn't tell us!"
"Tell us what?" Giles asked.
"About Angel! About the curse!"
"What do you know, Ms. Calendar?" Xander asked.
"My people cursed Angelus. I was asked to watch him, to look for signs that the curse was lessoning."
"Why didn't you tell us?" He asked.
"Oaths to family and Tribe."
"I'm sure Giles has oaths to the Watchers Council, not to mention, he didn't tell us about Eyghon, something far worse in my opinion. Everything she knows, we already knew. This isn't her fault, Buffy. You knew about the curse, Angel told you himself. Giles told you how it could be broken. You knew and pursued a relationship anyway. Don't go blaming others for your choices. Giles has no right to throw stones either. You had a far better idea then any of us, what breaking that curse could mean, not to mention how it could be broken, you explained that to us yourself. But you still allowed her to pursue this relationship and didn't say anything until after Eyghon, when it was too little, too late. Stop being a hypocrite, Buffy."
"If you cursed him once, you can curse him again!"
"Buffy, that spell is long lost to my people and even if it wasn't, I don't have the power to do it."
"Buffy, I knew you could be selfish, you pursued a relationship you knew was dangerous just because you wanted it, but I didn't think you could be that selfish." Xander said.
"What are you talking about?!" Buffy said, glaring at him.
"Everything we know about souls says, one of four things can happen to a soul after death. One, it goes to Hell because someone sold their soul. Angel still had his right up until the curse was broken, so Hell is extremely unlikely. Two, it becomes a restless spirit, extremely rare and usually as a punishment. He was already being punished for crimes he didn't commit, so also unlikely. Three, the soul reincarnates and is now part of a new life, an unborn life. Four, it's in Heaven and at peace. Which means, if the curse is done again, you either murder an unborn baby or rip a soul from Heaven, both of which will mess the spellcaster's karma up real bad."
Jenny looked scared. "Oh gods, he's right! Why didn't my ancestors think of that! Besides, curses have been known to have a boomerang effect. The caster can die."
"Buffy, I get that destroying Angelus is not an easy thing for you." Xander said. "You believe you love Angel, but Angelus is not Angel, anymore then what dusted on a stake I was holding was Jesse. Giles told us to remember, it's not our friend, it's what killed him. You weren't able to dust Angelus at the mall when we destroyed the Judge. People are dying now, because of that choice. Angel is gone and you need to let him go, before more people die. The chronicles make it clear, Angelus has a standard method. He fixates on someone, in this case, you and he dismantles their life. He kills friends and family first. That means your mother and us. If he hurts Willow or Cordelia because you refused to do your job, I will dust him myself. I know from Halloween, that enough bullets will take a vampire's head off and dust them. I don't have to get anywhere near him to dust him. I also promise you, if one of them dies, I will make the rest of your life Hell. If you truly feel you can't destroy Angelus because you can't get past the fact that he's wearing Angel's face, then tell us and I'll dust him. You don't have to, if you can't. But don't try to protect him or stop anyone else from doing it."
"You must just be loving this, Xander." Buffy snarled.
"No Buffy, actually I'm not. It's never a fun thing to see a friend in pain. But you also have to face the fact that you brought this on yourself. You knew a relationship with Angel was wrong on so very many levels and you pursued it anyway. You could've avoided all this by not chasing your fantasy. Once Angelus is dust, you can morn and move on. We're your friends and we'll help you. Just don't go off on your own again like you did with the Master. Angelus knows everything Angel knew. Which means he knows your weaknesses and he will prey on them."
"Buffy, he's right. Let me call Kendra. She can deal with Angelus so you don't have to. This isn't the first time a Slayer has had to face destroying a vampire wearing the face of someone they know. It's usually handled by someone else when that happens. Kendra can be here tomorrow."
"There's no way to get him back?"
"None, that aren't extremely dangerous, not to mention, possibly risking the death of an unborn child if the soul's reincarnated."
"Fine, call Kendra."
"I will do so now. And Buffy, I am sorry. Xander is also right in that I bear responsibility as well. I allowed you to pursue this relationship because it made you happy and more productive. I should have been firm and not allowed it."
Buffy and Willow left for a good cry and Giles called Kendra's Watcher, who promised to send her out on the first plane available. Xander walked Cordelia home, they didn't speak much, it had been a long and difficult day. After speaking with Kendra's Watcher, Giles and Jenny had a long discussion and in the end, decided to continue their relationship.