Rory glanced up when he saw Buffy walk into the Bronze with Owen on her date before he turned back to the game of pool he was playing. Since he had been made the medic for the football team Rory hung out with the guys every so often.

He got on well with them most of the time.

Turning back to his game Rory tried to keep an eye on what was going on, mostly because he knew Xander would demand every detail.

Glancing up about an hour later he was stunned to see Xander and Willow, as well Buffy's mystery man Angel, were all there looking serious. After what looked like an intense conversation Buffy started out, followed quickly by Xander and Willow. Knowing that something was going on Rory knew he had to help, just in case.

"I've got to go," Rory told Adam, handing him the cue, "See you tomorrow."

Heading out Rory managed to catch Buffy, Xander and Willow, "What's going on?"

"Fieldtrip to the funeral home," Xander told him, "Giles is stuck there with some friendly neighbourhood vamps circling."

Rory sighed and pulled out a cross, "Does it feel odd that carrying these aren't weird now?"

x

"Which way?" Buffy asked as the four of them entered the Funeral Home with trepidation.

"The room's around back," Willow told her.

Rory grimaced, "You know, Buffy we've seen some lovely parts of the town since you joined us."

Buffy playfully swatted his arm as they turned a corner finding a dead end.

"Damn it," Buffy sighed staring at the wall.

"This is so cool!" Owen's voice came from behind them making them all spin to find him standing behind him.

Buffy stared at him, "Owen! You can't be here."

Owen looked at her in disbelief, "Oh, and I suppose you guys are allowed?" he frowned noticing Rory had joined the group, "What are you doing here?"

"Xander owes me money," Rory improvised lamely.

Owen turned back to Buffy while Rory shrugged at the confused look Xander gave him.

"Are we gonna see a dead body?" Owen asked excitement in his voice.

Buffy grimaced at Willow, "Possibly several," she looked at the other three, "Guys, watch him."

Owen frowned as his dated disappeared, "Is she mad?"

Willow winced before improvising much better than Rory had, "Oh, she just wants to make sure there're no guards so we don't get in trouble."

"Good thinking," Owen noted.

Xander and Rory turned to Willow repeating, "Good thinking."

x

Rory followed Xander and Willow as they all ran after Owen. Skidding to a halt and slamming into Xander, Rory saw Owen was unconscious on the floor while Buffy was fighting the big vampire. He dropped down to check the other teen.

"You killed my date," Buffy snapped as she pummelled the large man.

"My old fellow didn't see that, did he?" a voice sounded in Rory's head, "He gets ever so cross."

A bang pulled Rory out of his trance and he quickly checked Owen's pulse seeing his eyes flutter open.

"Buffy," Willow called seeing the movement also, "Owen's..."

Xander cut her off, "Just give her a sec."

Rory smiled amused before turning his attention back to his patient; he was sure Owen had a concussion and would hopefully write off any strangeness to the bump he received on the head.

"Just stay still," Rory ordered Owen, "You've hit your head. So I need you to take a few minutes before trying to get up."

Owen nodded, confusion covering his face which meant he didn't see Buffy throw the Vampire into the oven.

"Owen," Buffy moved to his side.

Rory winced as her concussed date brushed the Slayer off and decided to walk home.

"We'll make sure he gets home safely," Xander said motioning Willow to help him, "Rory, you better help Giles."

Seeing the sadness fill Buffy's face as she watched her two friends help her date out, Rory wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

"Come on," Rory said softly, "I want to check you're okay too."

Buffy wandered into the library at lunch the next day trailing her depression behind her after her talk with Owen. She wasn't surprised to find Rory was already there slouched in his chair reading a letter as he always seemed to be whenever he had some time alone.

"So," she dropped into the seat beside him, "Tell me, how easy is it not to date?"

Rory looked over at her, "I'm not the best role model for your love life, Buffy."

"Why not?" she asked, "You have a girlfriend you barely see and from what the others tell me can only speak to once a week. Why shouldn't I want someone so devoted?"

Rory let out a long sigh, "Amy isn't my girlfriend, she's my friend."

Buffy frowned confused but before she could ask he continued.

"I would...I care," Rory sighed before clarifying, "She only sees me as a friend."

"Then why..." Buffy started trailing off not sure how to ask her question.

Rory shrugged before answering anyway, "Because I can't stop myself from caring about her. It's strange but I feel that she's my other half. Dating someone else just wouldn't be right."

Buffy looked at her friend who had dropped his head and was rubbing his hand through his hair. Catching his hand to make him look up at her Buffy leaned in and kissed his cheek.

"I'll make you a deal," she said, "Anything that needs two people I'll be your date and you be mine. We keep each other company until she comes and gets you."

Rory laughed slightly, "Deal."

"Besides," she added cheekily, "With how often we get attacked it'll be useful to have my nurse on hand at nights out."