By Liss. Buffy the Vampire Slayer belongs to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, and WB. The story's mine. Don't sue. (Notice the economy of phrasing…) This is set after "Some Assembly Required". This is my first fanfic, so please be nice. I'd really appreciate some feedback. Thank you xxx

As the three of them entered the library, both Willow and Cordelia looked around for Giles. However, the only person who seemed to be there was Buffy, sitting on the counter and looking concerned.

"Buffy, please tell me Giles is around here somewhere," asked Willow, rather worried that he wasn't clueing Buffy in on her threat of the day, or at least giving her some chirpy soundbites on the sacrifices a Slayer must make.

"He's not, and I'm worried. I've been all over the school…well, at least in the places he might be. Basically here, the faculty lounge, and the…you know…"

"You went in the…"

"But he's not anywhere on campus," continued Buffy, ignoring Xander, as usual. "I've phoned his home twice and he's not there, or at least not answering. And," she finished, "Ms Calendar is also nowhere to be found." A sly look of speculation appeared on the others' faces.

"Ooh, Giles and his girlfriend have gone for a long weekend somewhere," crowed Xander, delighted at the prospect of peccadilloes in those who should know better.

"It's Wednesday," Cordelia put in. Xander ignored her. Before he could delve into his store of bad jokes, the library door opened, and a man walked in. A man whom, frankly, they would have been quite content to see boiling in a vat of something really…boiling and generally icky.

"What are you delinquents doing in here?" It was Principal Snyder. Oh joy.

"We're reading," said Buffy flatly, despite the total lack of books in the ten metre radius around her.

"This is a library," added Willow, wanting to make sure Snyder got that point really clear. "It's where the books live."

"Well, it's time for class. Why don't I just put you all in detention and save time?" Xander started to answer, then realised it was one of those rhetorical questions. They trooped past him, Buffy last, and they heard her ask Snyder, "Where're Mr Giles and Ms Calendar?" Snyder grinned. Not a pretty sight. "They're on a course. In Seattle."

Buffy stopped walking out of the library, and the others started to walk back in. "A course? What sort of course? Why have they gone on a course?"

Snyder preened. That wasn't a pretty sight either. "I felt they needed a little help when it came to teamwork, and how to work together as a faculty. The course will teach them the benefits of structure and discipline."

"Oh, like Giles doesn't do structure and discipline enough," moaned Buffy under her breath.

"What was that, Summers?"

"Nothing."

"I'm watching you, Summers. One foot wrong, and you're out. And that goes for all of you. Don't think I don't see your little conspiracies and anarchic plans!"

"God, paranoid much?" remarked Cordelia, then fell silent at the strange looks the others gave her. Oops! Must remember, you're being Willow for now. Don't say anything to the point.

Snyder finally left the library, herding the Slayer and her Slayerettes before him. They went to class.