Xander sat in a chair in his quarters, watching Cordelia and D.J. sleep. Sleep was alluding him tonight. The test was only hours away. The Travelers were going to attack several other Wraith worlds, while the Earth ships attacked the one chosen by McKay. Once success was determined, an invitation to the bargaining table would be issued. Xander needed all the sleep he could get, since sleep would be elusive in the days and weeks ahead. So why couldn't he sleep? He knew why. To quote one of his favorite characters, Ambassador G'Kar on Babylon 5, he 'needed to walk the green'. In other words, keep a reminder of why he fought. He fought for his world, which was laying right in front of him. His wife and daughter. His life wouldn't have much meaning without Cordelia and D.J. in it.

"I haven't seen my Cordelia like this in 10,000 years. Living balls of energy don't need to sleep." A voice said out of nowhere.

Lex materialized in front of Xander.

"Is she still your Cordy after 10,000 years?" Xander asked, curious.

"Yes, no matter how hard things could be, both while we were still physical life forms and after Ascending, she never gave up on me. She's the love of my eternity."

"That's good. I was wondering, does your group include the Kendra you named you daughter for or Giles or Jenny?"

"Giles died? When?"

"Nearly five years ago at this point. You didn't know?"

"No. Like Chaya, we're confined. The others idea of punishment. We can protect the people of this galaxy, but only this galaxy. I guess they figure the not knowing about Earth and those we love would eat at us until we gave up."

Xander laughed. "They really don't know us, do they? That's even more motivation. You keep the Wraith from ever finding Earth."

"Exactly. Besides, we made our home here and had children here. Thank you for taking care of Kendra Faith, by the way. We saw you take her back thru the Stargate."

"You knew we would."

"Did Tony and Jessica behave themselves?"

"They didn't bother to come. Joyce cried for us."

"Joyce is a mother who deserves the title."

"Yes, she is and this a bizarre conversation. I am literally talking to myself and yet not!"

"I know, it messes with your mind."

"So why did you change your name? It can't just be so no one knew I was you."

"Did you know on Earth there's a fish called Xander, with a z? I didn't. I wonder if the Ancients had anything to do with naming it. The giant fish whales this world has, they used to be casually known as zander spikes. They have huge double penis', each one delivers something necessary to the reproductive process. The moment I heard that, I changed my name. I got hit on enough as it was."

Xander was now on the floor, laughing. "Only us. We are the universes butt monkeys!"

Once he calmed down he asked something else that had been concerning him.

"Will the others move against you for helping us with this test?"

"We're not helping you, we're safe guarding plants and animals while you do something dangerous and outrageous, defending yourselves from something that wants to eat you. Oh the horror! No, those pretentious assholes, will act against an individual, but a group? Too much risk of them getting hurt and we will defend ourselves. Carson and Malena, for instance, may be some of the most gentle people and compassionate souls around, but you get between them and people they want to help or protect and they'll savage you. We choose our members carefully. Mother Theresa would never be the kind of warrior we need. She'd join the others and pray, while they meditate. Don't worry about it, we'll be fine and we'll be there. Get some sleep, you're gonna need it."

"Hey, how are Cordy and D.J. sleeping thru this conversation, anyway?"

"I just dampened the sound around us. See you in the morning."

Xander woke the next morning feeling rested and ready to face whatever came next. Since his proteins were being used for this weapon, he and AG 1 would be going along. Last minute instructions were given and then they beamed aboard the Athena.

"Welcome to the Athena. Jack tells me you had something to do with the name, Xander." Carter said, after they materialized.

"Yes, it seemed appropriate. You're practically the embodiment of everything Athena, the goddess, stands for."

"Thank you. Anyway, you can man some auxillary stations on the bridge. The attack begins in one hour. We'll drop out of hyperspace right over the world McKay has chosen. The Athena and the Wraith Slayer will attack any hives in orbit, while the Daedalus delivers her payload. Simultaneously, the Travelers will attack several other Wraith worlds. Any last minute questions?"

"No, just a prayer that the gods be with us." Xander answered. "And I want to let you know, I saw Lex, my counterpart, last night. They'll do their part."

"Good to know, but then lack of dependability isn't a word I'd use to describe any version of you."

Exactly one hour later the Athena, the Wraith Slayer and ten Travelers ships simultaneously dropped out of hyperspace over four different Wraith worlds and attacked the hive ships in orbit. As the Athena and the Wraith Slayer were engaged in battle, the Daedalus successfully appeared five minutes after them and dropped her payload into the atmosphere of the world. It exploded less then twenty miles from the ground and the wind quickly picked it up and spread it around the world. And the people of Pegasus held their collective breath, waiting to find out, did it work?