"Willow said what?"
Giles was as dumbfounded as Buffy had been.
"Well, Rupert she does have a point," Giles shot Jenny a look.
"I don't agree with the way she's making it but she does have a point none the less. Perhaps it would have been easier on him if you hadn't made your feelings for Angel so obvious."
"Hey that's unfair, I didn't know Xander liked me until the day before I fought the master," Buffy reminded her.
"How was I supposed to know, I can't read minds you know. I'm going to go and talk to Xander, see if I can't sort out this mess."
With that Buffy turned and left the library.
"What's her problem?" asked Jenny.
"I...I.. just don't know, the teenage psyche is beyond my understanding."
Replied Giles.
"Yes. I suppose it would be."
Jenny smiled and walked out of the library.
Giles turned and went back to the books; he had to find out something about the Anointed One. According to Willow's calculations he would appear today and they were completely unprepared. Giles took the codex down off the shelf and opened it at the prophecy.
"From the ashes of the five, the anointed shall rise. She will not know him and he shall lead her into hell."
He read to himself. It provided no insight into the problem.
"It just could be anyone," he thought to himself.
"It doesn't even state that the Anointed One himself will know who he is."
He then thought about Buffy. He hadn't exactly approved letting Xander and Willow in on Buffy's secret, but they had each proved invaluable in their own way. Now the team seemed to be splitting up, like a fire-ravaging trough a building reducing it to ashes. Buffy was really making a mess of it. She had alienated Xander and Willow and he didn't think Jenny was too impressed with her at the moment. Hang on a minute. Ashes, Giles counted, Willow, Xander, Buffy, Jenny and him. Five. Five people their friendship in ashes. The Anointed was probably one of them and Buffy had gone to try and find Xander. He had to find her and soon.
Buffy caught up to Xander just as he was about to enter a disused building.
"XANDER," she called out.
"I'm sorry look we need to talk."
"Buffy, just leave me alone."
Xander replied, his voice a mix of sadness and hope.
"I thought Willow told you I was trying to avoid you, or do you get your kicks out of making me feel bad."
Buffy winced, that comment was harsh but given the circumstances it was probably deserved.
"Look Xander I didn't mean to hurt you. It just happened. I Just seem to be alienating everyone at the moment you, Will, Miss Calendar."
"Buffy I'm not angry, I'm just bummed. I just want to be left alone at the moment."
Xander walked into the building.
"Xander wait up." Buffy called after him.
"I'm not done apologising, yet."
She ran into the building after him. There was a blinding flash of light.
