A/N: I suddenly got the urge to write this story for some reason. PLease R & R so I know whether or not to continue with it. Thanks!! Enjoy!

"Marry me?"

"What?" Buffy asked, completely taken by surprise. They were sitting in Giles' living room, researching the latest feature creature. Buffy looked around, worried that her friends had heard.

"I asked if you would marry me," Riley whispered. Buffy's eyes went wide, like a child's. She didn't know what to say.

"Riley, I really don't think this is the time to be joking around," Buffy reminded him. She looked around again. Xander and Anya were quietly arguing in one corner of the room, while Willow and Tara were researching on the computer. Buffy noticed Willow reach down and twirl a strand of Tara's hair and smiled. She was happy for her friend.

"Buffy, look at me," Riley said. Buffy looked at him, but avoided his eyes.

"Riley…"

"I'm not joking Buffy. I want you to marry me. I want you to be my wife," Riley assured her. His voice started to rise, and Buffy panicked. She didn't want her friends to overhear. Giles was coming back from the kitchen with a pot of tea and some cups. He walked right by them. Surely he would hear.

"Riley, we'll talk about this later," Buffy promised. Riley grabbed her hand, forcing her to drop the pen she'd been using to write in a notebook.

"No. I want an answer Buffy. Yes or no?" Riley asked.

"Yes." The answer surprised Riley, but it surprised her most of all. She'd just wanted him to stop talking about it, but she hadn't planned on saying yes. Maybe she really did want to marry him.

"I love you," Riley whispered. He leaned in and captured her lips in a slow, sweet kiss. When he pulled away, Buffy smiled broadly.

"Buffy?" Giles asked from the kitchen. Buffy started and looked at her father figure.

"Yeah Giles?" Buffy didn't like the look in Giles' eyes. Behind the kind, gentle man she'd come to love more than her own father, was the Ripper. She could see the fire burning in his eyes.

"Can I see you in here for a moment?" Buffy nodded and stood up, brushing imaginary dirt from her pants. She glanced at Riley, who smiled.

"What's up Giles?" Buffy asked as she came into the kitchen. Giles cleaned his glasses and sighed deeply.

"Buffy, I couldn't help but overhear your conversation with Riley just now," Giles admitted. His gaze softened as he smiled at Buffy.

"You heard that?"

"Yes. Buffy, I know that Angel and Parker both hurt you deeply, especially Angel, and I just want to make sure that you know what you're doing," Giles explained. Buffy frowned.

"I know it seems like Riley's just rebound, but Giles, after everything that's happened in my life the past few years I realized that I just can't take anything for granted. I mean, Riley and I are happy now, so why not make him happy by being his wife? Chances are I'll die before I have the chance to be unhappy anyway," Buffy rationalized. She twisted her fingers together. Her logic worked, didn't it?

"Buffy…" In that moment, Giles' heart broke for his slayer. He didn't know how to help her see that Riley wasn't the one for her. Giles had never been terribly fond of Angel, but even he had to admit that he was Buffy's soul mate.

"Giles, please. Riley's a nice, normal boy…besides the whole commando thing, and he loves me. And I love him," I think…she added silently. Done with the conversation, Buffy marched into the living room and smiled at Riley.

"Guys, Riley and I have an announcement to make," Buffy said loudly. Everyone looked up at her, startled. Riley came to stand next to her and squeezed her hand.

"We're getting married," Riley said happily.

"Wait a second, I don't think so…" Xander started, looking like he had the first time Buffy had really chosen Angel over him.

"Xander stop. Riley and I are engaged, and you guys are going to have to accept that," Buffy explained. Anya smacked Xander on the arm.

"Ow! What was that for?" he cried. Anya put her hands on her hips and glared.

"Why can't you be more romantic like that?" Anya demanded. Buffy stifled a laugh. Willow came up to her while Xander and Anya continued to bicker and hugged her.

"Are you sure about this Buffy?" she whispered. Suddenly, Buffy felt as though Willow could see right through her. Could read her mind.

"Yes Willow, I'm sure," Buffy promised.

"Then I'm happy for you, but we need to have coffee tomorrow." Willow promised. She squeezed Buffy once, and then stepped away. She looked at Riley and glared. "I swear by the goddess that if you hurt her, I will kill you," Willow promised.

"I swear, I won't hurt her," Riley promised, looking slightly afraid.

"Good. Now I have to go. Buffy, I'll see you in the morning, and we'll get coffee before class," Willow promised.

"Sounds good Will. You know, Giles, I think Riley and I should go too. See you guys tomorrow." Before anyone had a chance to object, Buffy and Riley were out the door.

"Are you staying with me tonight?" Riley asked as they walked down the street.

"Uh, duh," Buffy laughed. Riley smiled and wrapped an arm around her waist.

The moment they entered Riley room, he kissed her. They stumbled their way to the bed. They hadn't been together that many times, and Buffy's skin tingled in anticipation. But it was over almost before it began.

Riley rolled away and fell quickly into a deep sleep. Buffy sighed and turned on her side, staring out the window at the night sky. Riley was a wonderful man, and she really did love him, but he lacked in the love making department. He was nothing like…no. She wasn't going to let herself think that.

Finally, Buffy drifted off to sleep, dreaming of weddings.

The next morning, Buffy met Willow at the Espresso Pump. They picked a high top table and settled down. For a while, they were silent, but Willow couldn't hide her thoughts forever.

"Buffy, you should tell Angel," Willow blurted. Buffy looked up sharply, but her eyes weren't angry.

"I know, but I don't want to. I mean, he left me, why does he get to know everything that happens in my life?" Buffy was getting angry. Angel didn't deserve to know about her happiness. He deserved to be miserable.

"Buffy," Willow said softly. Buffy sighed.

"I know, I'm being ridiculous. But can't I just send him a wedding announcement?" Buffy pleaded. She wasn't sure she could handle seeing Angel again. The last time, he and Riley had come to blows. Angel had made it clear he didn't like Riley, how would he feel when he fond out that Buffy was going to marry him?

"No. Buffy, you need to tell him face to face." Buffy knew she was right. Slowly she looked her friend in the eye.

"I'll have to lie to Riley."

"I know."

"I guess tomorrow I'm going to L.A."

The next morning, Buffy got into Giles' car. He had agreed to drive Buffy to L.A, saying that he needed to speak with Wesley anyway, and he'd rather do it in person. So he says. Buffy had told Riley that she was going to see her father. He'd wanted to come with, but Buffy said no, that her father would take the news better if Riley weren't there. Riley had eaten it up.

"Let me see your ring," Giles asked, peering over at Buffy. The pervious night, Riley had bought Buffy a ring. It was a simple , two carat solitaire on a platinum band.

"Riley got it at Meg's," Buffy said, referring to the only non-chain jewelry store in town.

"It's nice."

The rest of the ride was silent. Buffy was nervous about seeing Angel. They'd fought the last time, and her ego still stung.

"You know, I'm proud of you Buffy," Giles said with fatherly pride. Buffy smiled.

"I'm surprised. After all those times I let you down," Buffy smirked.

"No, Buffy, you never let me down. You know," Giles said with a chuckle," I'll never forget…" Buffy didn't hear the rest of what Giles said. She slammed her head back against the head rest as images and words filled her mind. She couldn't the real world, only what she somehow knew were memories.

"Oh boy, I was really jonesing for another heart-breaking sewer talk…"

"God I love food…"

"Just like I've always wanted to. Like a normal girl falling asleep in the arms of her normal boyfriend. It's perfect…"

"A minute! No, it's not enough time!"

"Shh, please. Please…"

"I'll never forget, I'll never forget, I'll never forget…"

"Buffy!" Giles cried. Buffy was holding her head, rocking back and forth in the seat, whimpering. Tears were streaming down her face. Giles reached over and touched her shoulder gently.

"I'll never forget, never," Buffy cried.

"Buffy, what's wrong?" Giles asked. He eased the car over to the side of the road, and killed the engine, looking at her with concern. After a long minute of silence, Buffy wiped her eyes and sat up.

"Keep driving." Rage was written onto Buffy's face, and it scared Giles.

"Alright, but Buffy, what happened?" Giles pressed.

"There's more than one thing I need to speak with Angel about," Buffy told him what she'd seen, leaving out the steamier parts. Giles' eyes went wide with shock.

"Are you sure this wasn't a hallucination?" Giles asked with dismay.

"I'm sure Giles. Please, just drive."