Buffy started the discussion. "Okay, so I know what my primary mission is, and I pretty much know the badies we have to face, but I'm shaky on the prophecy, and I have no idea what your missions are."

"Same boat. Got mission Make-Cordy-Happy and the badies, but suffering from prophecy and multiple mission non-knowledge." Cordelia short handed with a nod.

As both girls focused on Joyce, the Summers matriarch took a deep breath before smiling at her audience. "Well, to start with, each of us has the same primary mission. We have to bond with our eternal mates. Cordelia you probably have the easiest job, Doyle falls for you the moment he meets you, and I really don't think he'll mind becoming your immortal mate. But, you won't be able to start your mission for another two years, so you get to help Buffy and I. Buffy needs to convince Spike to leave Drusilla and join our side, and I need to convince Rupert that I'm his soul mate before that Gypsy woman gets him in her clutches. And then there's the little matter of him accepting immortality like the rest of us!"

"GILES?!" Buffy gasped in shock. "Your soul mate is Giles? My Watcher, Giles?"

"You knew that I thought he was a stevedore, sweetie," Joyce said, her smirk belying her innocence. "Oh, and if you don't want to spend the summer with your father, you best call him, dear."

Buffy nodded absentmindedly, still trying to rid her mind of the images of the mom/watcher smoochies that her mother's little bombshell had created. Her twenty three year old mind was in total agreement with her sixteen year old body...eww!

"Don't even start with that attitude, missy. You thought your eternal soulmate was that Angel!" Joyce commented with amused disdain before smugly adding, "I always preferred Spike."

Buffy rolled her eyes in self-deprecation.

Cordelia chuckled before bringing the meeting back on track. "Well, that covers the individual missions. What's the deal with the prophecy? And who are we sharing the knowingness that is us with?"

"At this point, the only person we can share this with is Rupert. We'll need him to deal with the Council and the rest of our mission. This time, because Buffy was brought back by the Powers as the Immortal Slayer, Kendra wasn't called. That gives us the time to set everything else in motion without the added threat of the First Evil. So, we shouldn't have to deal with the council before they try to put Buffy through the Cruciamentum. By that time, we should have the most vulnerable of our available players in the prophecy protected."

Joyce continued in her role as advisor. "The prophecy requires fourteen champions to vanquish the heart of the Wolf and the Ram from this dimension. Together, with our mates, we have six. We'll have to wait for Dawn, Spike, Doyle, Tara, and Anya, but the other three will need to be prepared soon."

"What are we gonna do about the Angel and Xander obsession?" Buffy asked in a small voice. After everything those two had put her through she was afraid that she might endanger the mission if she had to deal with their problems for too long.

"Stupid vampire! Too bad I can't deck him for that whole let's-join-the-evil-empire debacle. He needs to know pain for that, even if he hasn't done it yet. Ooh! I know! Sixteen year old you isn't actually dating the broody one at this stage, 'cause Sir Stupid is still playing hard to get. Why not just tell him that you're making me his contact person from now on? If he questions it, just tell him that you're not comfortable dealing with him and his obvious obsession with you, and if he tries pulling that crap about being 'chosen by the Powers' to protect you, tell him that he's been fired, 'cause he really sucked at the job!" Cordy suggested with a grin. "As for Xander," she said with a shrug. "Maybe a hug involving broken bones is called for."

"I would agree, Buffy. The sooner Xander Harris realises that you are not an option, the sooner we can start dealing with his demon prejudice. As to that, perhaps when the time comes to include him I should be the one to talk to him?" Joyce offered seriously.

"Sounds like a plan." Buffy happily agreed. Anything that meant she didn't have to deal with the badness that was her Xander-shaped friend's issues or the brooding egomaniac that was responsible for her last death was a good thing as far as she was concerned.

With that part of their meeting sorted out, Buffy was struck by a horrifying thought. "Oh crap! That means you're gonna make me deal with Willow's uber need for control, doesn't it?"

Both Joyce and Cordelia grinned at the pouting slayer.

Life seriously sucked on occasion!

To say that Giles was surprised to be invited to lunch at the Summers home on the first day of summer holidays would have been a slight understatement, but it would not be the only surprise he would face that day.

"Do you think we broke him?" Cordelia asked in amusement as the three women studied the stunned man sitting on the couch in the living room.

"I think he just needs a moment to take it all in, dear." Joyce smiled indulgently at the beautiful brunette. She loved that her little family was growing. Cordelia would fit right in as another strong female.

"Don't speak too soon, Mom, we still haven't got to the stuff that will really freak him out!" Buffy giggled, she did love it when she struck her watcher speechless.

Giles' mind reeled. Memories and emotions assailed him, guilt being the primary feeling over all others. He needed time to think. To come to some sort of decision. Did he tell them of his own experiences now...or later?

Removing his glasses, he said the first thing that came to mind. "Would it be too much trouble to ask for a cup of tea?"

While he waited for Joyce to return with his tea, Giles considered his options.

"You have to believe us, Giles. There's too much at stake for you not to. We can't let you leave until you understand everything. I know you trust the Council, and that this is really hard for you to take in. I'm sorry I'm laying it all on you in one go...but, um...kinda have to," Buffy rushed to explain.

"It's alright, dear girl. I believe you. It would seem I have a story of sorts to tell you all, too."