"Xander is stronger then he should be." Oz announced two days later.

"How did you arrive at that conclusion?" Giles asked

"He and I did a good ninety percent of the lifting. Devon and the guys barely did anything. I'm strong during the full moon. I'm not that strong."

"It's a good thing Xander is stronger then expected." Cordelia said. "Considering Devon was more interested in staring at me and hitting on me, then he was in helping. And Oz had to growl at one of the other guys because he asked Willow out."

"Which is really rare for me. Oz being the only guy who ever actually asked me out. I mean for real, not friend wise, like Xander did. Oz growling at him was fun."

"I was thinking it was adrenaline that let me pick up that vamp the night of the attack one handed and throw it, but apparently it wasn't, because Oz is sure I was lifting more then the rest."

"You were, man. You and I had it lifted together. Then the other two each put a hand on it. Just one each. We did the work." Oz confirmed.

"This is more proof that the coach's formula had a lasting effect." Giles told the group. "The tests I ran on Xander indicate an increased stamina, he does not tire easily and maintains a steady breathing though strenuous exercise. And he can hold his breath for more then ten minutes underwater. Which is well past where an average person can hold it. With time and training of his lung capacity, both his stamina and ability to hold his breath can no doubt increase. Most people never bother to learn how to go beyond a few minutes. The current record holder though is at 24 minutes. Astonishing as that is to think about. And if Xander's starting number is more then ten minutes, which is approximately three times an average person's starting time, he ultimately could end up being able to hold his breath for more then hour."

"Then we can't let the doctors run tests on you, Xander." Willow told him. "It'll attract attention. They'll want to publish the results."

"A good point, Willow." Giles said. "Like the Slayer and Magic, this is just something we will have to keep to ourselves."

"They already know I'm healing faster then I should be." Xander said. "But this being Sunnydale, people forget all the time. If I don't go for any testing with the doctors and avoid the hospital unless it's a life or death emergency, it should fade from their memories. Just one more Sunnydale oddity."

"Probably the best way to handle it for now." Giles agreed. "We no more want them to study you, then we want them studying Oz or Buffy. On to the next piece of business then. Willow, what have you figured out in regards to chemicals that can be useful in these super soakers?"

"It doesn't actually have to be anything fancy, Giles." Willow answered. "Liquid household cleaners can cause considerable problems with the eyes and breathing passages. Yes, vampires don't need to breathe, but the caustic chemicals can still cause enough problems to enable us to get close enough to dust them. And we don't need to get close enough to use stakes. A sword or an ax has a longer reach. But we need some instructions in how to use them effectively. Xander's the only one who's learned to use an ax. None of the rest of us have learned to use anything. You know how to use them. Better yet, would be crossbows. They're small and light weight enough that they'd easily be concealable. So's a quiver, because the arrows for it are smaller. Both the crossbow and super soakers give us the advantage of distance from the target. Less potential for injury."

"And if we continue to use the vests and helmets, we negate potential injury from surprise attacks too." Xander added. "I know they can get hot, but if it saves our lives, it's worth it."

"I've done some research of my own." Cordelia announced and set several hand held canisters on the table. "Super duper mace, for if we get caught in close. Will work on a bear, which means it should also work on a vampire."

"Very good, all of you." Giles congratulated them. "All these seem like viable options. Go ahead and test them out. Let me know how you do. Unfortunately, I have to report no success in locating Buffy. The standard locator spells for the Slayer are only showing the Slayer called after Kendra died, Faith Lahaine, who is in Boston with her Watcher. Somehow Buffy must have found a way to avoid detection."

"Unless she doesn't register as a Slayer anymore, Giles." Xander pointed out. "She did die after all. Maybe what it is that the Slayer detection spell detects, isn't part of her anymore."

"Oh, dear. I never considered that. I will have to figure out another means of locating her. As for Willow's suggestions on teaching you to use crossbows and other weapons, I am willing. It will enable you to survive longer. Xander was right when he said we are fighting a war. Declared or not, there are no innocent bystanders in a war. Anyone can and often will be hurt. Being able to protect yourself lessens that possibility considerably."

A/N On the 27th of March 2021, Croatia's Budimir Šobat achieved the world record for breath-holding underwater, with a time of 24 minutes and 37 seconds, according to BBC Science Focus website. He breathed pure oxygen first.