"The sun's setting." Xander observed. "That newspaper Sutter was flashing around when we first got here showed he planned for you to die at sunset, very dramatic."

"How long did this curse last anyway?" Bo asked.

"Over one hundred and twenty five years." Natalie answered.

"The loop couldn't be broken by anyone in it because we just kept repeating the same actions and no one knew we were even in a loop." Isabel decided.

"But Bo's gift allowed him to see outside time and he saw that eventually someone from outside would come and provide the catalyst." Xander grinned slightly. "We got caught in our own time loop once, my Cordelia and her sister, Phoebe, their own gifts allowed to them see we were in a loop and we used Magic to get out of it. This loop needed a different solution. The people needed to get passed their fear and they did."

"The girl, Phoebe, tell her I'm sorry the connection meant she had to share my pain and injuries." Bo said quietly. "I didn't want to hurt anyone, but especially an innocent bystander."

"Phoebe believes that Magic happens for a reason." Xander told him. "She'll be the first to tell you that. The two of you became connected so others could be drawn in, to be the catalyst. She isn't going to hate you for this, I don't hate you because their shared power drew my Cordy into it either. Isabel, you said your father's name was Soaring Crow, right?"

"Yes." She nodded.

"I think he's watching over you." Xander pointed at a black crow sitting on the roof of the building near them.

"You may be right." Bo looked at the crow, who cawed at him. "Parents, even when they're supposed to be enjoying the peace beyond, they still want a say in their children's lives."

"Tell me about it. Cordelia's birth mother and grandmother are still popping up occasionally to offer advice." Xander grinned widened. "We need to get going, we have a family dinner tonight to celebrate the girls' sister's announcement that she's getting married. My Cordy will verbally tear bloody strips off me if I'm late to Piper's dinner."

"So to speak." Bo grinned back him. "I guess now those are the kind of things we can all look forward to." The sun slipped further down the sky and behind a rise. "You know, I just realized I forgot to ask your names."

"Alexander Chase and she's Natalie."

"Do those names have meaning?" Isabel asked curiously. "My mother always told me my name meant beautiful and Bo's name meant handsome."

"Protector or defender of mankind." Xander answered. "I take it to mean protecting the people that matter to me mostly, but I refuse to stand by and let people be hurt either."

"My name refers to birth and renewal." Natalie told them. The sky was darkening. "And the sun has set, I wish you good fortune as your life starts again." She orbed away in a burst of white lights.

"And one more bit of drama." Xander said dryly. "But she earned it, it took a lot of courage for her to stand up too." He shook Bo's hand and then Isabel's. "I wish you good luck too, have a good life." He recited the teleport spell and disappeared.

"And now we can." Bo kept smiling as he watched several people march Sutter and his men into the sheriff's office and lock them in the cells. "Thanks, father." The crow cawed again and flew off.

Xander martialized next to Natalie who looked deep in thought. "Penny for you thoughts?" He asked.

"I broke a number of rules today, rules I've spent my time as a whitelighter believing in. We do need to keep an emotional distance from our charges, to be objective so we can keep them on track, fighting for the greater good. But I didn't hesitate to break the rules."

"The Elders never bothered to realize that 'the greater good' has different meanings for different people. For Bo, 'the greater good' meant fighting with passive actions. For me, it means not standing by while people are hurt. It's your turn to figure out what greater good means to you."

"To think for myself?" She grinned ruefully. "I know you think I've drunk the Kool aid."

"Never liked Kool aid, if I want something sweet I'll eat a Twinkie." Xander grinned back. "Come on, we don't want to miss the dinner."

"It's a family dinner, Xander." Natalie reminded him.

"And you helped protect two members of the family today. Trust me, they all will be demanding you stay and celebrate with us. You can put your barriers back up tomorrow, Natalie, for tonight, let yourself know what being part of a family feels like."

Xander was right, everyone insisted that Natalie join the family dinner and she found herself enjoying herself and the acceptance.

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A/N The meaning of Bo and Isabel comes the bumpdotcom. Among other meanings offered. The meaning of Natalie also comes from that website and refers to Christmas. Xander's name meaning should be well known.