Fair warning, about half this chapter is an author's note, you are, of course, free to skip it. Or join the conversation, just remember to keep your comments polite.

A/N Sphygmus, I know some people like to believe Giles had a fatherly affection with all the Scoobies, but I only got that vibe once from him toward Xander, at the end of the Pack when he agreed to keep it a secret that Xander remembered everything that happened while he was possessed. After that it was mostly Giles ignoring him, unless he was saying things like Willow is a much better person (Giles literally did say that in the episode where they thought she had been vamped. Okay, Xander said she was better than him and Giles said much, much better). He never offered Xander advice or asked him how he was doing. There a several scenes where he does that with Willow, some with Tara and some with Anya, but never with Xander. And Xander needed an adult male role model, someone he could go to for help and advice and was left to figure it all out on his own. It's amazing he turned out as well as he did. And no, he was not a misogynist, not even borderline. So Giles not showing up at his wedding or even calling wasn't really a surprise, since Giles just never seem to care that much about Xander. On the other hand, he did show Anya affection, so not at least calling her, doesn't really make sense.

But you're not the first to wonder if Giles had anything to do with that demon showing up, I've read a couple of stories where the authors certainly believed it. Having not so much as a throw away line in the episode explaining why Giles wasn't there is enough to warrant comment and speculation.

As for Spike not being a manipulator, he did manipulate the entire group during the Yoko factor, but I think he more took advantage of opportunities, than doing much manipulating. And yes, he knew how to break someone down emotionally and he did say Angelus taught him.

I also agree that Anya returning to Sunnydale never made any sense. But than Anya was never supposed to be a character in the first place, Cordelia was supposed stay and be Xander's girlfriend. The network made the choice to move Charisma Carpenter to the newly approved Angel spin off and even through Nicholas apparently offered to go as well, the network decided on just moving Cordelia's character. Which was a weird decision when you think about it, because Wesley ended up being written with much of what had originally been Xander's arc and Anya took over Cordelia's role as the blunt, tell it like it is, tactless one. Why bring in two new characters to be what two existing characters already were?

Well, mainly because much of the audience was so negative toward Xander, I guess. But Joss expected the audience to agree with Xander, not invent reasons to hate him. He expected them to hate Angel and Spike. And I don't think he ever really understood the audience or their reactions.

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"You summoned a demon?" Rupert Giles repeated angrily, glaring at Xander, who was unrepentant. "Do you have any idea how stupid that is?!"

"No, why don't you tell me, you being a former demon summoner and all." Xander glared back. "Maybe it was stupid and maybe his information can't be trusted, but I don't need your permission to do anything and finding out where Buffy is, is how we're going to get her back. And not to sound like other issues aren't important too," Xander growled sarcastically. "but while we're at it, see to it that Angelus is all dusty so Willow doesn't have to be afraid that he might come after her again and than there's my satisfaction at knowing for a fact that he's gone for good."

"There had to be a better way than summoning a demon!"

"I don't see you coming up with any ideas. Too busy trying to come up with an explanation for your bosses on why you allowed your Slayer to work with a demon against company policy? Why is it okay for you, but not for me? So far my choice to summon and question a demon has not resulted in anyone dying or the Slayer ending up in a Hell dimension. Unlike your choice to work with a demon has. Of course I can't predict the future and summoning that demon might be the worst idea ever, but as of right now, it's still head and shoulders above your own decision."

"How exactly do you intend to get Buffy back here?"

"Simple, Giles, you tell me everything you know about Pylea, then you open a portal and we go get her."

"Opening a portal anywhere, let alone to a Hell dimension, is not an easy matter, Xander. And I know nothing about Pylea, I've never heard of it."

"Intelligence is our best weapon, but even without it we have other weapons we can use." Xander reminded him. "And if you really want Buffy back, than this is how we can do it. Unless you're willing to wait and see if she figures out how to get back on her own. While possibly dealing with Angelus and demons that want to enslave humans."

Another glare and then a sigh as Giles capitulated. "Very well, I will figure out how to open a portal to Pylea."

"Good." Xander clapped his hands together. "Glad that's settled, what do you need for this portal?"

"My books, a few ingredients and time."

"Just tell me what ingredients and I'll get them. Take the time you need, but remember, Buffy's time may be running out."

"I'm all too aware of that, you needn't remind me." Giles answered, trying not to think about what horror Buffy was enduring right now.