Oliver Pike walks into the magic shop, randomly looking at things, partially hiding, a bit nervous as it has been about 5 or 6 years now.

"Hello, welcome to the Magic Shop. Looking for anything in particular? You could always just give us the money." Anya walks up to Pike and says.

"Anya. You can't do that."

"Ugh."

"Sorry about that." Giles apologizes to Pike.

"Are you just looking around or do you want anything specific?"

"A ring of Akhabut?"

"Yes, I believe we may have one of those by the till." Pike and Giles walk over there. As Giles looks for it Pike turns around and sees the back of what could only be Buffy. He hears her voice.

"Xander, why?"

"Because I'm the best."

"You keep thinking that Xander." Willow chimes in.

Buffy just then turns around and sees the customer, Pike.

Pike and Buffy just stare at each other.

"Pike?" Buffy finally says.

"Do you feel tension or awkwardness in the air?" Xander sits by Willow and whispers.

She ribs him.

"I found the ring!" Giles says and walks out and sees them staring at each other.

"Hello Buffy."

"Hello Pike."

Silence.

"What are you doing here?" Buffy asks annoyed but shaky at seeing her old love in Sunnydale.

Pike sighs as this will be long.

"I've come to see you." Pike says like it's the most obvious thing in the world.

"Yes, well I figured. But why?" Buffy sighs.

"I don't know how to explain this."

"Start from the beginning?" Buffy smirks.

"Funny. I'm here for Merrick."

"Ah yes. Wouldn't want him coming himself now would we. Send a minion." Buffy scowls.

"Hey! I am not his minion! Look, I have come here to ask you to un-curse him."

"Un-curse him? Why is he cursed and what does that have to do with me?"

"You're the one that cursed him."

"Excuse me? I did not curse anyone. Not literally at least." Buffy says defensively.

"I know. You didn't do it on purpose."

"Look, this is a bit lame don't you think?"

"What is?" Pike asks in confusion.

"You coming here to supposedly ask me to 'un-curse Merrick'? Just own up to it. You wanted to see me." Buffy smiles.

He smirks. "You wish…Believe it or not, I am actually telling the truth."

"You? You know how to do that?"

"Now that's not fair." He says.

"Look tell Merrick that I did not curse him and if he wants to talk to me he should come himself."

"He can't! You fucking cursed him! The curse is that he can't be in the same area as you are. He can't even communicate with you. Believe me I have seen him try. He picked up the phone, dialled the number and his hand almost burned off. When you were apparently in LA, eagles drove him out of the city. There's more if you want to hear. You cursed him, not on purpose, you didn't know you were doing it, but you did when you left."

"He must be mistaken. He's probably trying to lure me in. I was fourteen! Fourteen, do you understand? I had a whole life ahead of me, I was going to be champion in cheerleading, prom queen, marry a famous and rich guy, have a big house, live the life. And what do I get? An old guy stalking me, at fourteen, to teach me how to fight, to tell me monsters exist."

"Not like it's the first time you were being stalked by an old guy. And that guy was much older."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Buffy asks though she knows exactly whom she's talking about. Angel.

"Nothing. Look, he was just doing his job Buffy. He was chosen just like you. Sure, he could try not to do it, but the potential slayer would only end up coming under his nose and he would have to do it. Just like you. You tried to get away from it, but it eventually comes to you."

She sighs defeatedly knowing he has a point.

"Why is he suddenly asking me now to undo the curse? Did he only realize now or what?"

"No, he knew straight from the beginning, but he felt he deserved it. He still does." Pike says sadly.

"It's not…so why now suddenly?" Buffy says guiltily.

Silence.

"Pike?" Buffy asks.

"Does it matter? Look, I'm not his fucking lawyer, just please help un-curse him."

"Pike." Buffy demands.

Silence.

"He's…he's dying Buffy." Pike looks down at his shoes.

"What? But this is Merrick we're talking about. He's just going to resurrect himself. Like he has done forever."

"Not this time. This time he's really dying."