They coalesced in the empty basement. Spike pulled away from her.

"So much for your master plan," he remarked lightly, wringing out his wet shirt. "We're still soaked…" He looked up to see Jocelyn chuckling. And dry. "How did you do that?" Still smiling, she came up to him and pressed her hands sensuously on his chest. He raised an eyebrow and curved a smile, then gaped at the steam rising from his clothes.

"All dry," she said smugly. He leaned in to kiss her.

It seemed to Spike that he was perpetually trying to save the women he loved. Drusilla had been broken, hurt in so many places that he used to wonder if he could ever heal them all. Buffy had always felt alone, even surrounded by people who loved her. And Jocelyn. Jocelyn, who'd lived for over a century without being loved. She'd hardened. He knew the soft places were there. He just had to break down her barriers and find them.

"You're back." They both turned to see Buffy standing on the basement stairs, watching them with a confused expression on her face. "And you didn't kill each other."

"No," Spike said, pulling away from Jocelyn. "Buffy, I need to tell you some-"

"In fact you look friendly," the Slayer continued, staring dubiously at them. "Too friendly. Am I missing something?" Spike looked at Jocelyn, who shrugged.

"Spike, what's going on?" Buffy asked as she watched the silent exchange. "Do you know her?" It was more of an accusation. She remembered their supposed conversation from the night before.

"I knew her," he admitted. "When I was human. We were both human." He glanced at Jocelyn again, as if for help. She threw up her hands and shook her head. I'm not the one who slept with her, the look said. Spike looked back at Buffy.

"Buffy, she's my wife."

Buffy, she's my wife. The words went round and round in Buffy's head. A wife? Spike had a wife? A small stab of jealously hit her as she realized someone else had a claim on him, had had a claim on him long before she was even thought of. They certainly looked like they could belong together, but seriously. This was Spike. Motorcycle riding, platinum hair dying, gambling, smoking, SPIKE. Vampires didn't have wives.

A new thought occurred to her. They'd committed adultery. Wait. Had they? The wedding vows did say 'till death do you part.' What was the etiquette for meeting your former lover's formerly dead wife? She wondered what Miss Manners would have to say about this.

Dear Miss Manners,

I recently had a relationship with a vampire that has since ended. Now, his wife, who died and came back to life, is back in town. Am I the other woman? Does adultery apply if technically they were both dead? The wife and I are also in a business relationship. What is the proper etiquette for dealing with this situation? Are the terms "exes" even appropriate? Did I mention that I also work with the vampire in the fight against evil?

Sincerely,

Buffy Summers (the Slayer)

"Buffy?"

"What?" Her head snapped up to meet Spike's inquiring gaze. The real question, of course, was if the bounty hunter was the jealous type. "I'm fine," she said hurriedly. "I mean, it makes sense. You kind of have a history of commitment. You were with Drusilla for, what, a hundred years?" The bounty hunter's eyes narrowed. Spike shifted uneasily. Realizing that must be a sore subject, she hastily cast about for something else to say.

"So are you dead too?" Mentally she slapped herself. Tactful, she chastised.

"I'm very much alive," the bounty hunter said with a smile she tried to hide.

"Right," Buffy said, embarrassed. "Phoenix. Reborn from ashes. Sorry."

"Jocelyn died six months after we were married," Spike said, still watching Buffy carefully. Buffy frowned.

"Jocelyn?" The bounty hunter waved.

"Pleased to meet you."

"Why didn't you tell me your name when I hired you?" Buffy asked, annoyed.

"I'm a bounty hunter," Jocelyn said, as if it were obvious. "I don't exactly go around introducing myself as Jocelyn Montgomery." Montgomery. Huh. She'd always wondered what Spike's last name was.

"So you're British too," Buffy said, having caught the subtle inflection when Jocelyn said her name. "Giles will be thrilled." She coughed discreetly, glancing at Spike. He got the message.

"Buffy," Spike said delicately, "we haven't seen each other for over a hundred years. We've just been reunited, and-"

"Would rather I not tell anyone until you figure it all out," she finished. "Got it." This was going to be awkward. She sighed, turning to address Phoenix. Jocelyn. "I guess you'll be staying here, then?

"I'll be here for a while," the bounty hunter said vaguely. Buffy didn't press her any further. Maybe Jocelyn would let her off the hook with the bounty now that she was married to Spike. And having some extra firepower around wouldn't be such a bad thing.

"So," she said brightly. "Who wants breakfast?"