Title: Million Dollar Bachelor 11/Epilogue
Author: Forsaken2003
Pairing: William/Xander, William/Lindsey, William/Gunn
Rating: R
Disclaimer: I own none, all belong to Joss Whedon
Comments: Always welcomed!
Summary: William Pratt is a successful author of books about adventures of a vampire named Spike. He has decided that he needs something more in his life so he has decided to invite three strangers into his home hoping to find the person he has been looking for.
Warnings/Spoilers: Human Verse and a rip off of reality show The Bachelor
Beta'd by: Whichclothes

Part Eleven

Their lips had just met when Gunn rushed out, startling them apart. "Yo, yo! Who's ready for carnival candy and lots of rides?" he asked. He'd always loved the fair and even though they never had a lot of money his mom would scrounge up a little cash so Gunn could take Alonna to either play a few games or go on a couple rides.

William jumped up, the moment gone. "I think we're all but ready to go. Do you know if Lindsey is up?"

"I think so," Gunn replied. He looked between William and Xander and he realized he had interrupted something. Gunn actually felt guilty. If it had been Lindsey he would have mentally cheered and maybe thrown a smirk at Lindsey. "Did you guys work everything out?"

"Yeah," Xander replied clearing his throat. "I just want to say bye to Sparky and I'll be all set."

William told Gunn he would be a minute and went with Xander. He knelt down by Sparky. "I'll take good care of Xander."

Sparky wanted to still be mad at William but he knew by the look on Xander's face that everything had been worked out. He let out a little whimper and placed his paw on William's leg.

"I think you're forgiven," Xander whispered. He couldn't contain his smile. It was important that Sparky approve of William.

"Good," William said with a smile. "Now Buffy and Liam promised to take good care of him while we're gone," he said and stood up. "The worst thing is we'll come back and find him stuffed from Buffy pampering him all day."

Sparky barked and wagged his tail. With a final lick to Xander's hand he watched as they left. He made himself comfortable underneath a tree and wondered what kind of treats he would be given. With a lick to his chops Sparky decided that a nap was needed.

The sun was bright and the temperature had to be at least ninety-three degrees. Kids screamed and ran by as William bought day passes for everyone. Gunn was giddy; he was so dragging William onto the rollercoaster with him. But first some food! "How about some corndogs?" Gunn suggested.

Lindsey wrinkled up his nose in disgust. "It's nine o'clock in the morning."

"Yeah, well if they didn't want you to eat it at nine o'clock in the morning they shouldn't have them made," Gunn shot back. "Come on, who's with me?"

William wasn't sure, but Gunn seemed so eager. "I'll have one but don't stuff yourself we've got a long day ahead of ourselves."

"Don't worry about me, man. I won the hotdog eating contest here last year." Gunn patted his stomach.

"I used to have hotdog contests with Jesse in high school," Xander said with a big grin. "I'm in."

Lindsey rolled his eyes. Four grown men goofing around at a stupid carnival. But he didn't want to be left out so he ordered a Coke.

While they ate they watched as groups of friends and families ran around playing the games and going on the rides. William was trying to be excited but all he could think about the kiss that didn't happen. What would have happened if Gunn hadn't come out? Would the kiss have been any good? Would he have hated it? Would Xander? The thought of kissing Xander worried him just because he was afraid there wouldn't be a spark. Unlike kissing Lindsey where William was just afraid it would be unfair to the others. And what about Gunn? William hadn't even had any real alone time with him. Would he feel like William was excluding him?

This was harder than William had thought it would be.

"Yo, Will!" Gunn poked William in the arm, not hard but not lightly either. "Where'd ya go?"

"Sorry," William said blushing. "There are just so many people here."

Xander smiled at William. "It does take some getting used to, doesn't it?"

"I'm sure this is nothing to you though, Will," Lindsey added. "Didn't I read that you were a guest at San Diego Comic Con two years ago?"

William blushed even harder. "Yes, but my book was new and there really weren't that many people there for me."

"How about we stop embarrassing Will and decide which ride to go on?" Xander asked, detouring the attention slightly away from William. He was rewarded with a soft smile.

"How about we start off with something romantic?" Lindsey said and grabbed William's hand. Not even twenty feet away was the Tunnel of Love. Never too soon to steal William away was it? Plus he wouldn't mind a few more kisses.

William spotted the ride. "Oh…well. I don't know. It seems awfully early to be splitting up."

Lindsey pouted.

"Go on, Will," Xander said and waved his corndog around. "I'm not quite done yet."

"Yeah and I'm not that gay to go on that ride," Gunn said adding his two cents. "Me and Xander will pick the next ride."

"Great!" Lindsey said and dragged William away.

Xander and Gunn both saw William turn back to them, looking worried. If it was about leaving them or possibly being stuck with Lindsey, Gunn didn't know, but he was hoping for the latter.

Lindsey climbed into the electronic plastic swan first. "I was afraid they wouldn't let us be alone," he said and snuggled up nice and close to William.

"I hope they don't mind," William said and bit his bottom lip.

Lindsey had to swallow down a sarcastic remark. Something along the lines of, Are you sure you're a man? "If they had a problem with it I'm sure they would have said something. If you ask me they didn't seem all that concerned about me taking you off their hands."

"I'm sure they were just being polite," William said in a clipped voice. He didn't like thinking he had to be taken off another person's hands.

Realizing that maybe William wasn't as dumb as he thought, Lindsey needed to do some recon work. "I'm sorry, Will. I didn't mean anything by it. I know they are good guys," Lindsey said with a sigh. "It's just…I guess…never mind."

"Tell me," William said softly.

The ride started up and this was not how Lindsey had expected it to go. "It's just that I'm afraid you'll think I'm boring."

"Why would I think you're boring?" William asked confused. He took Lindsey's hand into his.

"Because, well, Gunn has this hot bad boy thing going for him and Xander has the survivor thing going for him," Lindsey explained trying to look utterly pitiful.

William was completely lost. Gunn's past he knew about because of what Lindsey had told him but Xander? "What do you mean Xander is a survivor?" he asked as his heart picked up, fear instantly kicked in.

Lindsey could have kicked himself. This was exactly why he hadn't mentioned Xander's past. "Nothing. I shouldn't have said anything."

Like that was going to work.

"Is there something wrong with Xander?" William asked. "Is he sick?"

"No… look the ride's almost over. Can we just spend some time with just us?" Lindsey asked with a slight whine.

William shook himself. "Yeah. I'm sorry." He wrapped his arms around Lindsey and just cuddled. His mind was on Xander. He didn't look sick.

The ride ended and Lindsey climbed out of the swan with a huff. Stupid William. Who cared about a construction worker with a dumb dog? In his opinion Gunn was a much better catch. Sure he didn't find him attractive but at least he had his own business!

Xander bounded over to them, pink cotton candy in hand. Half of it was already gone. "How was it?" he asked excitedly. He had a nice little sugar high going on.

"It was fine," Lindsey said gruffly and stormed over to an empty bench.

"What's wrong with him?" Gunn asked, not really caring. He just didn't want the day ruined.

William shook his head. Now wasn't the time to get into the secret Lindsey had let slip. "The ride wasn't all that great," he said and wrapped his arms around Xander's and Gunn's waists. "Have you two decided on the next ride?"

Xander bounced on the balls of his feet. "Yup! Bumper cars!"