"I think we need to look into Ted." Buffy announced Monday morning to the group, which now included Cordelia, a point that Willow was pointedly ignoring right now.

"And I've said that your instincts have only been wrong in regards to Angel." Cordelia reminded her. "If you think there's a problem we should check into it."

"Do you think he's a demon?" Giles asked.

"No, I think he's a very creepy human. I cheated at miniature golf on Saturday and he threatened to slap me and said it was because he didn't like my attitude. Mom and Dawn didn't hear him say anything, they were kind of busy eating all the cookies he brought with. He brought a couple dozen with and they couldn't get enough of them."

"He threatened you?!" Xander exclaimed. "Did you tell your Mom?"

"Yes, she told me my attitude was bad and Ted's too sweet a man to do something like that and tried to get me to eat one of the sticky buns he made."

"Sounds like he cooks a lot." Xander commented.

"I met him Thursday and so far he's made mini pizzas, cookies and sticky buns and he's making supper tonight. Mom and Dawn love him and he scares me." Buffy admitted. "It isn't just that he threatened me, I didn't like him from the minute I met him. Maybe it's just the fact that Mom's dating again, but this guy even talks funny. Says gosh darn it, and won't stand for that kind of malarkey and right is right and wrong is wrong."

"Sounds like he's quoting fifties tv shows." Willow commented. "Which is a weird quirk, I'll admit, but not scary. But a threat's a threat and it could just be the beginning of something worse."

"He's into computers, right?" Xander inquired.

"A salesman and installer of both equipment and software, Mom said." Buffy confirmed.

"Okay, I suggest Willow apply for a job at his office and ask some discrete questions, see how his co-workers view him." Xander suggested. "She knows computers, she can fit into that environment easily. In the meantime, Ms. Calendar is the Computer Teacher, it's her job to keep all the computers up to date in regards to programs, right? Can that be stretched to investigating the guidance office's computer system? Ted said he was in the school on Friday updating their systems, there's always a chance he did something hinky with the system. At least it should be double-checked to make sure there weren't any mistakes."

"Those systems aren't online." Willow pointed out. "Private information about students are in them, he could have been checking up on Buffy, see if there's something he could use against her."

"It's a prudent precaution." Giles admitted. "But as for Willow applying for a job in this man's office, that might be dangerous. He threatened Buffy with physical violence, he could follow through on that and harm someone else if he thought he was in trouble."

"Big no to danger." Willow agreed. "Xander is also right in that I might be the best person to get answers in that office. I'm willing to do it, plus, an after school job is a good idea anyway. It could turn into something more."

"Very well, if you're sure." Giles reluctantly agreed. "Just be very cautious."

"I will." Willow assured him.

"Buffy, just in case he is dangerous," Xander continued. "You might need to defend yourself against him. Slayer strength against a normal human might not be the best answer. You could easily hurt or kill him in a struggle, you need another way to protect yourself."

"What do you suggest?"

"Let me think about it and I'll get back to you on it. In the meantime, Giles, if you could talk to Ms. Calendar, that would be great. Willow, do you think Oz could give you a lift to Ted's office after school?"

"I'll ask him when I see him at lunch."

"If he can't I'll give you a ride." Xander decided.

"You don't have a car." Willow frowned at him.

"Yeah, actually I do, I just haven't driven it to school. It would stand out a little."

"I'll say." Cordelia grinned at him and Willow forced herself not to scowl at yet more things she didn't know about Xander and the fact that Cordelia did know them. Willow had come to the conclusion that Xander was right and she'd missed really obvious things. It also appeared she simply never thought to ask things, just made more assumptions.

"Anything else of concern, Buffy?" Giles asked.

"No, just Ted. Demons are laying low since Halloween, maybe they're worried since someone figured out how to get rid of all the vampires, they might figure out how to get rid of them too."

"It would take more than most witches, even combined, could manage." Xander informed her. "The only reason it worked in the comics is because Dr. Strange is one of the most powerful Magic users ever. The only reason it worked in real life though, is that it drew its power from the Hellmouth. I'm not sure the world's population of witches equals the Hellmouth."

"Wow." Willow's eyes were huge. "Giles said this Hellmouth was the largest ever known, that's a lot of power, if you think about it."

"Indeed." Giles looked a bit boggled at that thought himself as he left to talk to Jenny and Xander made a note to run home during his free period and grab a gift for Buffy. A magical artifact made real by the Halloween spell, the Staff of the Living Tribunal.