The next day, Xander made his way down the stairs looking as if the weight of the world was on his overly-burdened shoulders. She was dead, and he could not figure out why. He'd not had the strength to check her voice message last night, afraid that what he heard would be too much to bear.

He'd been tempted last night, to take that final step. He knew it would be all to easy, just to leap off the balcony of his second story window, the only problem he could think of? Knowing his luck, which as yesterday's events had shown, was exceptionally bad, he'd be caught by Buffy or one of the other sixty-five Slayers in the hotel.

Now, as he entered the living room, his gaze looked to the television where his group of friends were watching the updates on the news. He looked at the clock hanging to his left and noticed it was just after one in the afternoon.

"Xander," Buffy said, as if surprised to see him awake. He looked, as Willow hastily turned the T.V. to something less... depressing. His two best friends stood, then, and walked over to him and wrapped him in a hug that seemed to say it all.

"How?" he asked. There was no need to elaborate. Buffy sighed.

"She drowned, at least that's the official story. They found her car stopped on a bridge in Metropolis, and her body underwater. Her chauffeur was supposedly 'in shock' because she had wanted to see the river and 'got to close.'. What makes it worse is that Metropolis PD is closing the investigation."

"What, she's Patricia Swann for crying out loud!" Xander bellowed, and saw his friends cringe. He immediately stepped back.

"I know, something smells fishy about this. It's giving me the wiggins."

Xander sighed. "I want to go to Metropolis, perform my own investigation. Something's not right. Patricia was a great swimmer, an Olympic-level diver. She doesn't drown."

Buffy looked at him, and to Willow. The redhead stood, "we figured you might. We've already ordered three tickets on the first charter out."

"Three?" Xander asked. Willow gave him, "the look". "Yes, three. You didn't think we were letting you go, ALONE, did you?"

Xander looked embarrassed for a moment before he said, "thanks, guys."

Willow simply sighed.

Their plane took off three hours late due to an unexpected thunder-storm that grounded all flights due to inclement weather. Their flight attendant was a bitch, and their in-flight entertainment consisted of a bad comedian who couldn't joke his way out of a wet paper bag.

So, when they landed at Metropolis International Airport, it was with a sigh of relief the three Scoobies departed. The sun was shining over the streets of Metropolis, the skies an eerie shade of blue.

And, yet, as they looked, all they could see was the city where one of their own, "had an accident".

The press was gathered, having a field-day over something or another, as they went through check-out. On their way out, they overheard what.

Apparently, Patricia left the remaining balance of her estate, excluding a few stocks that went to a research partner of her late father's, to one Alexander LaVelle Harris. They'd found he was on the flight, and wanted an interview.

"They're like pitbulls on a pantleg," Buffy commented.

"Yeah, well at least we dressed down today. I can't see the Xanman getting away like this if we were dressed like they seem to think we are."

Xander sighed, his breath leaving him. As they went through customs, presenting their passports, the three were rushed through. The security officer then turned to Xander and said, "we are sorry about your loss. If you wish to leave, call the airport ahead of schedule, and we'll have your plane ready."

It was as they were leaving that the statement really caught up to them.

"A plane, you have a freaking plane? How weird is that, Xander?" Buffy asked. He looked at her, and shook his head, before admitting, "I guess I'm footing the hotel bill?"

The women on either side of him grinned, before both frowned simultaneously, remembering why Xander had the ability to do that.

"Sorry Xander," Willow admitted, "the craziness of it caught up."

He sighed, and as they hailed a taxi off to the side, said, "I know, Wills, I know."

They piled into the taxi, Buffy telling the driver that they were setup at the Meriott Hotel.

"So, what are we going to do first?" Buffy asked as she closed the divider, ensuring they had semi-silence. Willow turned to Xander, an expectant look on her face. He looked at the ground, sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I honestly have no idea. I haven't had the courage to listen to her last voice mail, yet. I think we need to start there, and work our way out."

Buffy nodded, and Xander pulled out his phone. He dialed in his seven-digit password. Pressing the button to activate the speakerphone, he held it out and listened as her last message was sent out.

"Xander, if you're getting this message, I've died. I know, I know. It isn't the best way to start out the last message you hope to never give, and I hope I'm there with you, listening and laughing at how utterly naive I can be.

But, more than likely, I'm not and for that, I'm eternally sorry. It wasn't supposed to be like this you know. I wasn't supposed to be friends with a group of Vampire hunters, or get involved with the Watcher's Council. My father "expressly forbid it". I especially wasn't supposed to entertain thoughts of marriage, and yes I was hoping to marry you Alexander LaVelle Harris.

But, I digress. As I send this, I'm leaving a town three hours to the south named Smallville. It has a population of 45,001 and is home to many things. One of these things is the reason I was in Smallville, investigating a group of people my father used to run, made up of the Queens, Teagues, Luthors and us, the Swann's. The group was called Veritas, and if my suspicions are correct, Lionel Luthor is now the sole-surviving member.

I don't have much time left, now. These things only give you five minutes of space, and knowing you, I'll be using four minutes with this message alone.

They were waiting for a man called the Traveler, a being from space that is supposed to bring about a 'golden age.' I just met the Traveler, and gave him something that my father worked on for years. The Traveler accepted this, and gave me a hug, wishing me a safe journey. I'll make this clear, the Traveler didn't kill me. He's to noble, too kind.

I'm getting the signal now, Xander. Before I go, I just want to tell you.. I love you."

To save this message, press 2. To erase it, press 3... This message will be saved for fourteen days.

As the message ended, Xander looked up, tears in his single eye. With a sob, Xander leaned into the phone, and whispered, "I love you too, Patty."

As the car continued down the crowded, busy streets of Smallville, Xander looked out and sighed. He missed seeing the Traveler by half a second.

End, Chapter