"You're going back? Why?" Willow plaintively asked.

"Because it's our job, Willow. We're doing alot of good and helping alot of people. Because it's satisfying work and because we enjoy it."

"But you're so far away from me. Doesn't that matter to you?"

"Willow, we're 27, not five. Why is it so hard for you to understand, I grew up? I couldn't stay five years old, just to make you happy. You're stuck, I'm not. I moved on, while you stayed the same. You've never left Sunnydale. I'm seeing the world. You may be more intelligent then me, but I actually use my brain. I got a college degree. You're a college drop out and recovering addict."

"That's not fair, Xander! You don't know how hard it's been here since you left, what we've had to deal with! Glory -"

"Was stopped because of an idea i had, not because of anything you did. She barely had time to do any damage. And according to Faith, things have been very quiet in Sunnydale since the military put a mixed base where the National Guard Base used to be. Vampires hate military, they like easy prey and the military is anything but easy. It isn't like you did much with your Magic anyway. An occasional spell, that's it. You got addicted because you wanted to, Tara getting hurt in that accident was just an excuse. I can't be what you want me to be, just to make you happy, it would destroy me. If I matter to you at all, then let me go, so I can be free. Don't I deserve that?"

"And my happiness?"

"If you're happiness comes at someone else's expense, that's just selfishness, Willow."

"Fine, go! Be free! Do whatever you want, I don't care."

"Willow, I don't know where we got off track. When we were kids, we were friends, but it turns out, that friendship was based on alot of misconceptions on your part. Misconceptions, you don't want to let go of, even in the face of overwhelming evidence. I never needed you to take care of me. I don't understand where you got idea that I do, because there was never any reason for you thinking that. If you really want something to take of, get a dog. Until then, try to remember, I'm a grown adult who's done more with his life then you have."

"Will you ever come back?"

"Yes, of course. Sunnydale is still my hometown. I'll see you when we visit Kendra's grave and we'll stop and see you and Buffy and Joyce. We'll call when we have access to a phone. I'm not going away forever, Willow. But my life isn't in Sunnydale, it can't be. And if you really want a life, then it's time to get one. You just can't have mine."

That conversation with Willow had cleared alot of pressure from Xander. He felt better for having told her his feelings, he just hoped she could eventually see reality as it was, rather then how she wanted it to be.

After stopping to say goodbye to Buffy and Joyce and asking them to give their love to Dawn, who was in her first year of college at UCLA and one more trip to the cemetery to say goodbye to Kendra and Jesse, Xander and Cordelia left Sunnydale, hoping their next visit was better.

In the meantime, he and Cordy had to return to Cheyenne Mountain. It was their turn to be debriefed by the IOA. The members seemed determined to question every decision made by each member of the expedition, but in the end, they grudgingly admitted that the expedition members had done well and agreed to let them return to Pegasus and continue exploring.

Xander heard about Dr. Weir's verbal smack down of Colonel Caldwell's attempt to be placed as military commander of the expedition and her push for Major Sheppard to be promoted to Lt. Colonel, which Jack happily passed up the chain of command and got approved. He hadn't approved of the attempted coup on Caldwell and his backers part, when he heard about it. Sheppard had done a damn fine job as far as he was concerned. Xander agreed. Having a Commanding Officer worth following was important to soldiers. It helped make their work, worthwhile. His actions during the crisis with nanite virus had been concerning but he'd proven himself since then.

Cordy was happy to be going back, too. She was enjoying her work, finding it enjoyable and challenging. Though they hadn't even been gone a week, they missed Atlantis. It was a place that got into your blood, your soul. It became a part of you. And they could both agree, it was good to be going home.

A/N In this reality, Tara was injured in a car accident. Glory never brain sucked her and she wasn't shot. Willow still mind raped her, but just like in canon, Tara forgave her and they got back together. Giles still helped Willow get help with her Magic addiction, before he died.