A/N: Wow it's been almost a year. I'm so sorry! I got so busy with school and my art that I totally forgot about the adventures of Buffy and Friends. Anywho, yesterday I got an e-mail alert for a review and I realized that I hadn't seen the reviews that have been written (some since last year!). I realized that apparently, there are actually a few people who may possible enjoy this bizarre story that I'm writing here. Thank you to those of you who reviewed, and especially to meyomoi because your review is the one that made me sit down and write a new chapter. Also, to Crescent-Moon88, Edward and Bella did not die in the previous chapter. They both joined the Volturi, only Esmé died, sorry if I was unclear. :] Thank you so much for reading, and I hope to make some more chapters soon! Love, R_E

PS. I think I may be moving the story along too fast. If you think that, please tell me, and possibly give me a suggestion of a chapter that I could put in as just fluff to make the story a bit slower. :]


Chapter 8

Promises

The hotel was very nice. Buffy glanced around; it wasn't like your average American hotel. It was a marvelous place; it had such an Italian flair. The lobby was gorgeous, so many reds and oranges; from the warm brown tiled floors to the Victorian-esque red chairs, loveseats, and tables. The reception desk had a sculpture reminiscent of something Michelangelo might have done, and there was even a case of expensive looking wines off to the side. She might have to sample a few, later though. She grinned, relishing the thought of a glass of champagne with Pike on the balcony in their suite.

Buffy took a breath of fresh air; they even had a pool here. Yes, things where looking up, and so far she hadn't seen or felt any signs of vampires. Pike was licking his fingers of the remaining strawberry gelato from earlier and Buffy looked at him with a small exasperated smile.

"We're in Italy Pike, not the middle of no where, I'm sure they have napkins." She pulled one out of her patent leather handbag and handed it to her.

Pike took the napkin with a frown, "But why would you ever waste the gelato on a napkin?" He winked at her and placatingly wiped his fingers off of the sticky residue.

Buffy oversaw a bellhop as he whisked their two suitcases away to their room. "I'm hungry." She said yawning and glancing around.

"Okay," Pike said shrugging and tossing his soiled napkin in a trash receptacle. "Let's go see if we can find one of those little Italian cafés I'm in the mood for some good spaghetti." With a spring in his step his headed towards the double doors which lead out into a bustling Italian piazza. He was humming something that to Buffy sounded like "Mama mia, pizza pie…."

She rolled her eyes, some people never changed, and even though they were in a foreign, beautiful country Pike was still being well, Pike. The pair stepped out into the evening light, the sun slowly setting, was casting long shadows about the piazza.

"You know where you're going?" Buffy asked Pike as he started leading her down the small cobblestone street.

"No, but I figure how far do you have to walk? I mean were bound to find one somewhere! I promise." He grinned and Buffy groaned, but good naturedly followed him down the street.


"Kim?" Edward said quietly, Kim looked over to the setting sun. It was casting long shadows on the road. The shine of the setting sun made it seem as if the grass in the fields were on fire. Though beautiful, the sight was unsettling and Kim looked ahead to the town, which was getting ever closer.

She had grossly misjudged the distance however, and the small town was still very far away. Thinking it to be only five miles away at the old runway was an understatement, they had walked perhaps five miles and it seemed they had at least another eight to go.

"Kim?" Edward said, a bit louder. Kim snapped out of her thoughts and turned to Edward with a smile.

"Yes Edward?"

"I'm hungry." He said it in such a child-like manner that Kim had to stop herself from giggling.

"I know Edward, I'm hungry too, but we have to keep walking. I don't think we'll make it to the town before sundown, and I don't want to be out here in the dark for longer than we have to." Edward nodded sadly, and kept plodding along next to Kim.

"Oh!" Kim said excitedly. She reached into her pack and produced a granola bar. She unwrapped it and handed to Edward who ate it up hungrily.

Kim measured mentally the distance if they walked fast they might be able to make it to the town in about an hour and a half. She glanced over to Edward who had finished his small snack.

"Don't worry Edward I promise we'll be there soon, then I'll buy you some real dinner."

He smiled, "Promise?" He said quietly.

"Promise." Kim smiled, and grabbed his hand gingerly. They walked hand in scissor down the road, their pace quickened ever so slightly.

"I would like that very much." Edward smiled and Kim leaned up against his shoulder for a second. She wanted to squeeze his hand, but couldn't so a shoulder tap was fine for her. She grinned at her odd predicament, and continued with a spring in her step down the road.


"Seriously, Beej we've been walking around for at least an hour. We've passed a million cafes, just pick one." Lydia removed her arm from Betelgeuse's.

"Aw babes, since when do you call me Beej?" He smiled warmly at the new nickname.

Lydia's cheeks flushed with a slight pink. "I. I, uh." She stammered, "Well Betel just sounds gross so-"

"No I get it." Betelgeuse smiled knowingly, "You just wanted to give a pet name to your hubby w—"

"Don't go there Betelgeuse, or I won't say it anymore." Lydia frowned.

"Don't worry I know what you'll call Betel. It's fine, you can tell me." He wrapped his arm around her waist, and she pulled away in disgust.

"Seriously Betel, cut it out. It's just that Betelgeuse is such a mouthful—"

"You got that right," He whooped.

She turned a bright red then, reminiscent of the wedding dress. "No I mean it, and you know if I accidentally say your name three times you'll leave me."

Betelgeuse ceased all inappropriate gestures and stopped dead in his tracks. He looked down at Lydia who was looking right up into his eyes, "I don't want you to leave me Beej. I don't want to be alone anymore." The pleading in her eyes caught him off guard, and he coughed and cleared his throat, looking away uncomfortably.

Then he muttered lamely, "Well, uh, you know. Don't worry about it." He pulled on the lapels of his stripped jacket and tried to change the subject.

"Say you're hungry right? Well 'ya know we can't have you eating in your school girl uniform. 'Ya know I'm lovin' that skirt babes, but the rest of the outfit isn't really dinner wear… Maybe there's a shop around here somewhere." He made a show of looking around, but Lydia was still standing in the same place arms rigid at her sides.

"Don't leave me Beej. Promise me, you won't leave me." Her voice came out hoarse, slightly afraid.

"Well shit Lydia 'ya know I won't be leavin' unless you say my name three times." He grinned, slightly thrown off by her sudden show of affection.

"Promise me!" She grabbed his collar. "I will not be alone anymore! Promise me that!" Betel saw tears beginning to form at the corners of her big dark eyes.

"Okay, okay. I promise. Hell Lydia, you're scaring me here, I thought you hated me." He felt her pull tighter. "I promise," He said seriously this time. "I won't leave you, I promise."

He wrapped her up in a hug, half expecting her to whisper 'I love you' in his ear, but the words didn't come she just held on tight for a minute and finally let go.

"Now what were you saying about a new outfit?" She smiled brightly, as if forgetting the previous few minutes.

Betelgeuse stopped and began to speak slowly, "Well all I was sayin' is that that short skirt is delicious but the schoolgirl outfit just isn't quite Italy Attire, 'ya know what I mean?"

Lydia smiled then, "Okay, shopping first. Then food. I get it." She grinned, and they linked arms and walked down the street. Just as they turned a corner they saw a clothes store, they looked into the window and as if by fate there it was. A dress. The both looked at each other, nodded, and rushed into the store.