Chapter 36: Hell's Bells

Buffy and Willow stare in horror at a mirror in Buffy's bedroom at Joyce's house in Sunnydale.

Willow whispers, "Buffy... it's hideous. My god, Buffy, look at its arms!"

Buffy nods her head, screwing her courage. "I know. But it's my duty... I'm Buffy the bridesmaid."

Willow shakes her head, "Duty-schmooty. I'm s'posed to be the best man. Shouldn't I be all Marlene Dietrichy in a dashing tuxedo number?"

Buffy shakes her head, "No, cuz that would be totally unfair. We all must participate equally in the cosmic joke of bridesmaids-dom."

Piper walks in and looks at Buffy and Willow, "Dang what awful dresses."

Buffy nods, "Yeah. I think if I ever get married it will be a come as you are, wedding. No need to get dressed up."

Piper sighs, "And here I was going to give you my wedding dress for your wedding, when you know find someone you want to get married to."

Buffy smiles, "That's nice of you, Piper."

Willow gives her reflection a glum look. "Maybe if I ask Anya I can still go with the traditional blood larva and burlap. I mean, she was a vengeance demon for like a thousand years, she'd know all the most flattering... larvae… What was she thinking?"

Buffy leaves the mirror and goes to put on her shoes. "I think Anya's way too stressed to think right now, what with Xander's relatives and her... demons..."

Willow nods, "Ohmigod, last night. That rehearsal dinner. It was a zoo without the table manners. And I bet it got worse after we left."

Buffy shakes her head, "I can't believe everyone is buying the story that Anya's people are "circus folk." The thing with the tentacles, what's he s'posed to be, Inky the Squid Boy?"

Willow nods, "And Xander's family, I haven't seen 'em that bad since my bar mitzvah. Did you see how much they drank?"

Buffy nods, "Kinda. Mr. Harris threw up in my purse."

Piper scrunches her nose, "He threw up in your purse?"

Buffy nods, "Yeah, not the funniest of times."

The door opens and Anya enters, in her bathrobe. Seeing Buffy and Willow in the bridesmaid dresses, she freezes. Her eyes go wide. She clutches her hand to her mouth.

Buffy and Willow share a nervous look; is Anya as horrified as they are?

Anya smiles, "Oh. Oh. You two look so beautiful." She's beside herself with joy. Anya pulls them both into her arms hugging them close. "This is the happiest day of my life."

Piper rolls her eyes, "You really think they look beautiful in those hideous dresses."

Anya frowns at Piper. Piper takes a step back instantly recognizing she overstepped her bounds, "Sorry, their lovely."

Anya smiles and nods, "Yes they are."

Later at a Bison's Lodge where the wedding will be taking place. Willow is wrestling with a veil-like length of white tulle, swathing it around some a bison's head. "There we go...tuck that there and let's see, maybe one little flower here..." She inserts a pretty flower into the meringue of tulle. "And voila! Loveliness ensues." Willow climbs down from a step ladder, to admire her artistry. "What d'ya think?"

Willow stands next to Dawn. Dawn is looking down at her dress with dismay. "Asparagus…" She looks up at the bison's head, "Oh. Um, it's sweet. In sort of a macabre, dressing up dead animals in funny costumes way. But sweet."

Willow proud, "Yeah." Willow sets the step ladder aside. She is beaming. "Isn't it pretty here? I didn't know a Bison's Lodge could be so swelegant."

Willow puts her arm around Dawn and they walk through the main room of the lodge. Chairs are already set up for the guests.

A string quartet is setting up near the front. And the whole place is decorated with beautiful flowers.

Dawn frowns, "I thought Xander and Anya couldn't afford flowers."

Willow nods, "Giles sent 'em. Aren't they gorgeous?"

Dawn sighs, "Yeah." They stop to smell the flowers. "I wish Giles was here."

Willow nods, "Me too. And I'm sure he'd much rather be here than fighting that nasty demon-"

Dawn shakes her head, "Da-e-mon. In England it's daemon."

Willow nods, "Daemon, too right. But Giles' got responsibilities. And so Anya and Xander have flowers. And flowers. And more flowers. Ooh, it's going to be so pretty!"

Dawn nods, "Yeah, except for the amazing girl asparagus." They walk off.

Willow smiles, "Oh, Dawnie you look beautiful… Well, okay, but as good as anyone could, considering."

Dawn wrinkles her nose, "It's the color of snot."

In a side room Buffy is helping Xander get dressed. She diligently tries to wrap a too small cummerbund around his waist.

Xamder frowns, "Is it too small?

Buffy shakes her head, "Nah."

Xander sighs, "It fit when I picked up the tux. How can it not fit now?"

Buffy straining, "It'll fit."

Xander nods, "Aw man. What if it doesn't? What if I can't wear my cummerbund and the whole world sees the place where my pants meet my shirt? That can't happen Buffy! I must wear das cummerbund!"

Buffy hooks the back of said cummerbund, "And... so... you... SHALL."

Xander smiles, "You did it?"

Buffy nods, "Slayer strength."

Xander nods, "And I've been meaning to cut back on the habit-forming oxygen."

Buffy starts to tie Xander's bow tie. "You look really great, Mr. About-to-get-married. You're glowing." She GASPS! "Omigod, Xander Maybe you're pregnant!"

Xander smiles, "Or maybe, I dunno... maybe I'm just happy." Buffy hears this. Tears well in her eyes. "Teary."

Buffy smiles, "Oh, good teary."

Xander nods, "Happy teary? Not frustrated with bow tie teary?"

Buffy nods, "Yes. Happy. Happy for you." They share a look. Then she continues with the tie. "And it makes me happy for me. I mean, you and Anya give me hope. It's like you two are proof that there's light at the end of this long, long tunnel." She frowns at the tie, "I can't tie this! Hey, isn't your best man supposed to do this?"

Xander smiles, "She said she had something important to do."

In the main room… The room is starting to fill up with arriving guests. Piper stands next to Dawn.

Xander's Uncle Rory walks up with one of the Caterer's to Dawn and Piper. "Look who agreed to be my date for tonight!"

The caterer shakes her head, "I'm really supposed to be working." She turns to Dawn and Piper, "I'm one of the caterers..."

Uncle Rory shakes his head, "Hush, hush. No woman of mine has to work. All you have to do is sit pretty and laugh when I tell a good one. Tell her what a funny guy I am, Dawnie."

Uncle Rory looks at Dawn expectantly. Dawn looks at Piper for help.

Piper nods, "You in enjoy the wedding." She turns and walks her niece away.

Dawn and Piper make their way through the crowd. Suddenly Dawn's face to imperious chest with D'Hoffryn. D'Hoffryn is beaming with pride and holding a wrapped gift. "Hymen's greetings!"

Dawn frowns, "Hy- What?!"

Piper smiles, "Hymen is supposed to be the god matrimony, correct?"

D'Hoffryn nods, "Yes. You must be one of the Charmed Ones. It is a pleasure to you. Hymen is the God of Matrimony. His Salutations upon you! May the love we celebrate today avoid an almost inevitable decline!"

Dawn smiles, "Cool."

D'Hoffryn nods, "I brought a gift. I suppose there's a table..."

Halfrek steps up to join D'Hoffryn. She is wearing a bridesmaid's dress.

Dawn looks at Piper, "Oh you must be Halfrek. Hello."

Halfrek nods, "Please! Call me Hallie, we're practically family now."

Dawn smiles, "Mmmmm. Neat." Dawn takes the gift from D'Hoffryn. "I can put this on the table—"

D'Hoffryn nods, "Careful, it's..."

Dawn sighs, "Fragile?"

D'Hoffryn shakes his head, "Squirmy."

Dawn looks closer. There are air-holes all over the box. Dawn peers through one of them. When she gets here eye up to it, a slithery tentacle pokes out at her and something snarls. Dawn yelps.

Piper freezes the box, "Hopefully that will keep the thing quiet for now. I may have to watch the wedding from back here though so I can keep freezing it."

Dawn nods, "Thanks Aunt Piper." She puts the box on the table with the rest of the gifts. D'Hoffryn gently tugs Halfrek away, Spike and his date, approach. "Spike."

Spike nods, "Like you to meet my date."

Dawn nods, "Hi. I'm Dawn. And this is my Aunt Piper."

Piper waves.

Spikes date nods, "Uh-huh."

Spike nods, "So, yeah. Anyway, that's my date. She's with me. My date for the wedding."

Dawn has no idea why he's making such a big deal. "Yeah. Okay. Well, nice meeting you." Dawn backs away from them.

Dawn and Piper head off squeezing through the crowd

In the groom's room Xander, now fully tuxedoed, twirls for Buffy's approval. "How do I look?"

Buffy smiles, "Let's see. We found your shoes and your fly is zipped up. I'd say you're ready to get married." She pauses, "You're one of the decent ones, Xander. I hope I get as lucky as you guys someday.

Xander laughs, "You want to get lucky? I've still got what? Fifteen, twenty minutes?"

Buffy laughs, she grabs him in a bear hug. "I meant it would be nice to have someone like you in my life. Be nice to give Dawn a real father."

Xander nods, "And you will, Buffy. Of that I have no doubt."

Buffy nods, "Alright, into the breach with you."

Xander smiles, "Okay, breach me." They head towards the door. "Now, let's go over the checklist one more time. Number one?"

They exit the groom's room and walk down the corridor.

Buffy nods, "Don't let your dad near the bar."

Xander nods, "Check. Number two?"

Buffy nods, "Don't let your mom near the bar."

Dawn approaches down the corridor. "Hey Mom. Spike's here and he brought a total skank."

Buffy frowns, "A-"

Dawn nods, "Skank! A manic-panicked freak that he's like totally macking with, right in the middle of the room. I saw him shove his tongue-"

Buffy frowns, "Dawn Marie Halliwell! First of all you shouldn't be using words like skank. Second of all I could care less if Spike came with a date."

Xander sighs, "Guys, I better go meet and greet."

Buffy nods, "Oh yeah, go. I'll just be a sec."

Piper comes into the corridor, "Dang I leave to go to the bathroom for one minute. And my freeze wears off. Dawn that creature escaped."

Dawn sighs and nods as she and Piper turn and leave Buffy. They head into the main room, "Xander!" Dawn and Piper come busting through the crowd. "Xander, one of Anya's presents got loose!"

Xander frowns, "Got loose?"

Dawn nods, "Yeah, it's a fully live squiggly thingy."

Piper nods and whispers to Xander, "My freeze wore off at the wrong time. It got loose."

Mrs. Harris sighs as she talks to Xander, "Now Anya decided not to have us in the processional and that's fine, but the third row-"

An Old Man pulls Xander aside, almost roughly. "Please. You have to listen to me!"

Xander is annoyed, "Hey..."

The Old Man looks Xander square in the eye, his gaze intense bordering on frantic. "Don't get married today. It's a huge mistake-."

Piper frowns as she watches the Old Man and Xander. "Something is not right here."

Xander nods, "Yeah right, well thanks for the advice, Uncle...help me here."

The Old Man shakes his head, "Uncle - ? No... You don't recognize me, do you? But why would you? Time hasn't been kind to us, has it?"

Dawn nudges Piper and points at the creature. Piper nods as they head off to try and wrangle it.

In the lodge's bar. Xander's father Mr. Harris is giving a drunken toast. "...and to my lovely wife, Jessica. Where are you, honey?" He searches the crowd, spots Mrs. Harris. She frowns, deeply embarrassed. "There she is." He raises his glass. "To my wife. What would I do without you, beautiful?"

Mr. Harris smiles warmly. Mrs. Harris is caught off guard. She allows herself a blushing smile. Mr. Harris breaks into a mirthless grin. "Well, for starters I probably wouldn't need to drink so much, would I?"

Mr. Harris downs his drink. Mrs. Harris' smile freezes awkwardly. She tries to hide how much that hurt, only partially succeeds. Mr. Harris grabs a bottle from the bar, pours himself another drink. "But on the bright side, being married probably saved me from a nasty dose of the clap, so here's to ya."

Clem frowns, "Does this jerk ever shut up?"

A tentacle demon fumes, "He's making my suckers twitch."

Mr. Harris nods, "And now a toast in honor of the bride's dermatologically-challenged family shrub-"

The demons grumble.

The tentacle demon frowns, "Sit down!"

The demons murmur approval.

Mr. Harris shakes his head, "Hey - HEY! I paid for all of this! You want me to sit down, cough up a couple grand, Squidly!"

Tentacle Demon starts towards him, murder in his eyes. "What'd you call me, you drunk piece of-"

Suddenly Buffy is between the tentacle demon and Mr. Harris, "Mazaltov!"

Buffy swoops in and hustles Mr. Harris away from the bar and the impending sucker thrashing.

Mr. Harris looks to Buffy, "Hey, what's this?"

Buffy nods, "You must be so happy for Xander on his special, once-in-a-lifetime day, Mr. Harris."

Mr. Harris focuses on Buffy, grins in appreciation at what he sees. "Nice chassis. What's under the hood?"

Buffy sighs, she is so glad Dawn didn't hear that, "I could really go for a strong cup of coffee. Hey, let's get you one too." She starts to lead him off.

Mr. Harris nods, "Say... do you own a sorta square, pinkish purse?"

Buffy sighs, "I did."

Mr. Harris nods, "Thought so. How about we slip into the back room and I show you my-"

Buffy frowns, "Finish that sentence and I guarantee you won't have anything to show."

They pass Spike nuzzling his ho-biscuit's neck. She doesn't see Spike's eyes following her as she passes by, clearly longing to be with her instead of his date.

Short time later in the main room. Most people are in their seats. Ready and waiting.

Buffy is about to go get Anya and Xander to start the wedding. She stops when she sees Spike across the room, alone. His "date" nowhere to be found. She moves to him. "Hello, Buffy."

Buffy nods, "Hey."

Spike smiles, "Happy occasion. You meet my friend?"

Buffy shakes her head, "Haven't met." She looks at Spike remembering how he made her feel before she met her sisters. "She seems like a very nice attempt at making me jealous."

Spike smiles, "Is it working?"

Buffy looks at him a moment. "Yes. It doesn't change anything, but if you're wildly curious, yeah, it hurts."

Spike nods, "I'm sorry. Or... Good! You want us to go?"

Buffy shakes her head, "No, no... I mean, you have the right to... I mean I pretty much deserve..."

Spike shakes his head, "That's not true, you... God this is hard."

Buffy nods, "I know."

Spike shakes his head, "I think we'll go."

Buffy nods, "Go where? To your place?"

Spike shrugs, "Yeah I suppose... that was the idea."

Buffy sighs, "Yeah."

Spike nods, "Evil."

Buffy laughs, "Of course."

Spike nods, "But I won't. Or I... I'll just go. Give 'em my best or whatever. The happy couple."

Buffy nods, "I will."

Spike nods, "It's nice, watching you be happy. Your sisters have done a lot of you. You, um... you glow."

Buffy laughs, "That's because my dress is radioactive." She sees activity nearby. "I should..."

Spike nods, "Yeah..." They turn to go— "But it hurts."

Buffy nods, "Yeah."

Spike very quiet. "Thanks."

Buffy watches him go off to his date. "Welcome."

Spike and his date turn and leave. The string quarter begins to play.

In the bride's room, Anya freezes as she hears the music. "The music! They're playing the music! This is it..."

Anya's face lights up as the beautiful reality of the situation hits her. There's a knock at the door and Buffy peeks her head in. "Are you ready, Ahn?"

Before Anya can answer, Buffy is yanked back and the door closes.

Buffy whirls to find Willow, who has closed the door.

Willow is distressed, her voice an urgent hiss. "He's gone. Xander's disappeared."

Buffy frowns, "What! Xander's gone? What do we do?"

Willow nods, "I'm going to look, I'm going to find him. And you're going to stall."

Buffy nods, "Get Dawn to help you. It will be faster if you can orb."

Willow nods and heads off.

In the bride's room Anya and Tara look at each other. And then at the just slammed door. And then the door opens again, and again Buffy pokes her head in. "Sorry about that. Uh, it looks like there's going to be a little delay."

Anya frowns, "Why? What's wrong?"

Buffy shakes her head, "Nothing, nothing. Just, um, the, uh, minister! He's got to go perform an emergency...C-section and, uh-"

Anya frowns, "A C-section?"

Buffy scrambling, "Oh yes, he's a doctor as well as a minister. He's like, half-minister, half-doctor. A mini-tor. Not, of course, to be confused with a minotaur! Because he's all man, this minister-doctor man, no bull parts, whatsoever."

Anya nods, "Uh-huh."

Buffy smiles, "So anyway, it oughta just be a couple of minutes."

Anya nods, "Okay."

Buffy closes the door and heads for the main room.

The guests are starting to get restless. People are starting to stand up.

Buffy starts down the aisle to alert the minister of the delay.

As she heads down the aisle, the string quartet begins to play the processional music ('Here Comes the Bride'). Everyone turns to look: it must be the beginning of the ceremony.

Embarrassed, Buffy bends down her head and waves her hands, telling the crowd as she passes, "No, no... This isn't it... It's not what you think..."

As Buffy passes by, Cousin Carol dabs her eyes. "Beautiful."

Buffy reaches the minister and, covering the standing microphone, whispers, "We need more time. Xander is having a case of cold feet."

The minister nods.

Buffy heads back down the aisle and the eager string quartet starts to play recessional music.

Most people get out of their seats. Those in their seats are craning their heads around, impatient for the ceremony. The sound of discontented grumbles fills the air. The guests are starting to argue.

In the lounge, the bartender looks up to see both Mr. and Mrs. Harris standing in front of him. He instinctively backs up half a step.

Mr. Harris sighs, "Double shot of Jack."

The bartender opens his mouth to speak, but Mr. Harris glares. Hard. The bartender prepares the drink.

Mrs. Harris looking around at the crowd, "This is a disaster."

Mr. Harris nods, "It's that Anya, I know it. She made us pay for everything and now she's going to foul it up. Women." The bartender gingerly hands Mr. Harris the drink.

Mrs. Harris sighed, "She didn't want my help. I offered."

Mr. Harris just stares at her for a moment, then swigs his drink.

Halfrek looks petulant. "Oh, this thing totally isn't happening. We should have known she would never-"

D'hoffryn nods, "I'm worried about Anya"

Halfrek bitter, "Oh, sure. Of course you are."

D'Hoffryn mollifying, "Halfrek, you know I love all my demons equally."

Cousin Carol stands next to Buffy as they observe the chaos. Karen stands next to them, her mouth on her inhaler, huffing.

Cousin Carol sighs, "Buffy, you gotta do something!"

Buffy nods and steps up to the stage area, she commandeers the microphone. "So...who here's from out of town?"

The crowd stare at her blankly.

Then Clem raises his hand.

By the front doors Dawn is talking to a Demon Teen. The Demon Teen is sipping a Shirley Temple through a straw. They're both watching the other guests. "My family is worse."

Dawn shakes her head, "No way. Mine is so messed up you have no idea. My Aunt Paige was for a while was dumping perfectly good boyfriends. Aunt Phoebe's ex-husband was stalking her. Mom ex-boyfriend came back to town for a visit. Aunt Piper is the only one with a stable relationship at the moment."

The Demon Teen laughs, "Wait 'til you see my mother dance at the reception. Then tell me who's messed up."

Dawn nods, "I guess they're all messed up."

Demon Ten nods, "Yeah. Everybody's pretty lame."

Side by side they watch the grown-ups.

Back in the main room at the stage area. Buffy stands to one side of the stage. Center-Stage the Warty Demon is juggling and kicking out a little soft shoe.

The crowd seems appeased.

Back by the front door. The Demon Teen frowns, "Jeez. What's the hold up?"

Dawn sighs, "Can you keep a secret?" Anya and Tara storm into the main room. Passing Dawn and the Demon Teen. "Nobody knows this, but the groom, he took off and no one can find him—"

Anya screeches to a halt. "What?"

Dawn blinks, "Um..."

The Demon Teen nods, "I'll catch you later Dawn." And he takes off.

Anya shakes her head, "Xander is gone? Xander is missing? WHAT DO YOU MEAN XANDER IS MISSING!"

Suddenly, the room is silent. Everyone turns to look at Anya.

And then the guests are all talking, grumbling, arguing. Amid the noise we hear:

Buffy frowns and makes her way to Dawn, "Where is Willow? You're supposed to be helping her find Xander."

Dawn looks down and nods. She quickly goes around a corner out of sight and orbs.

Uncle Rory sighs, "It's a joke, he's joking. Like this one time, at one of Carol's weddings, I had this ape suit-"

Tentacle Demon frowns, "Oh, good. Another Harris family joke."

Uncle Rory frowns, "Well, hey, buddy. I'm just kiddin' around. Someone's gotta lighten the mood."

At that moment Carol and a Warty Demon emerge from the coat closet, straightening their clothes. Carol looks particularly winded.

Warty Demon sotto to Clem, "She's got warts, too"

Carol doesn't hear, looks around the room. "What?"

Mr. Harris, seeing Carol, starts to laugh. "Why not? Beauty and the beast. Or - beast and the beast!"

Tentacle Demon frowns, "I think you've had enough. Again."

Mr. Harris shrugs, "Drinking. Is the only way. I can dull the pain of looking. At your. Ugly. Face." Mr. Harris sidles up to the Tentacle Demon and stares at him in the eyes. The room is totally transfixed now.

Tentacle Demon frowns, "You better think real hard about this, Harris."

Mr. Harris frowns, "Don't you touch me with those nasty circus things."

The Tentacle Demon pokes him again. Mr. Harris rears back and throws a punch at the Tentacle Demon.

Tentacle Demon frowns, "That's it!"

Suddenly Mr. Harris and the Tentacle Demon are both rolling around on the floor, fists and tentacles flying.

More demons and humans join the fight and soon an out and out brawl is underway!

Cousin Carol and a hairy demon are pulling each other's hair.

Tara finds herself pulled into the fray. "Ow!"

Buffy jumps off the stage and attempts to keep the peace. She pulls a human and demon apart... "Hey, break it up!" Only to get smacked by an errant punch. She turns around and must pull apart another set of fighting humans and demons. "Piper!"

Piper sighs and freezes the room.

Buffy smiles, "Thanks, sis. Let's see if we can get these guys separated." She walks over to Cousin Carol and grabs her as she unfreezes.

Anya makes her way through the crowd. She grabs a demon, who unfreezes, by its shoulders and demands, "When did you see Xander last?"

Buffy taps Cousin Carol

Cousin Carol looks between Buffy and Anya, "Well, I saw him go into the Trophy Room with that guy!"

Anya looks where she points and sees the Old Man. He's standing in the corner, obviously not frozen.

Anya pushes her way through the crowd, everyone she touches unfreezes, finally arriving at the Old Man. "You. You were talking to Xander right before he left!" The Old Man smirks as he starts to move away from her. "What did he say to you? What did you say to him?"

The Old Man smiles, "Really doesn't matter now does it. It's done."

Anya frowns, "What's done?!" She yanks him back, "Did you-? If you said something to make him leave..."

Old Man smiles, "You'll what? Haven't changed a bit. Still as vindictive as ever."

Anya frowns, "Do I know you?"

Old Man shakes his head, "You don't recognize me, Anya? I'm not the man I used to be, I know, but they say eyes are windows to the soul."

Anya looks into the Old Man's eyes. "Xander. Where is he?!" The Old Man sneers and turns away. Anya grabs his arm. "You tell me, Old Man! You tell me why he left!"

The Old Man smiles, "Why? He left because of you."

Anya shakes his head, "I - I didn't do anything."

Old Man laughs, "Oh, really. What about this?"

Suddenly, the Old Man transforms, his skin peels away as if molting and something seems to grow from within, revealing a huge hideous demonic-looking creature!

Anya facing the Creature.

The creature smiles, "You did this. You brought this on!"

Suddenly, it lets out a blood-curdling shriek and claws pop out of its fingers and it swipes at Anya. It misses and shrieks again.

The wedding guests near to the Creature, stop fighting and stare in horror.

Clem frowns, "Uh-oh."

The others farther away, remain oblivious. This includes Buffy.

Piper frowns as she looks at the Creature, "Buffy!"

Anya frowns, "Tell me what you did with Xander!" She beats her fists against its chest. "What are you?"

The Creature raises a clawed hand and it looks like Anya's a goner, when suddenly it starts to make a strange noise: The Creature is laughing. Its claws retract. "You don't recognize me?"

Anya shakes her head, "No! What did you do to him?"

The Creature just looks at her, enjoying the panic on her face. Savoring it. "I've waited a long time for this, Anyanka."

Piper shakes her head and yells again, "Buffy!"

Buffy looks at Piper who is pointing towards the Creature."

Buffy frowns, "Anya!" Buffy suddenly not worried about exposure orbs.

Anya hushed, "Who. Are. You."

The Creature smiles, "Remember Chicago? South side, 1914?" He looks at her expectantly. Enjoying the moment. Anya is stumped. "Stewart Burns. Philanderer?" Anya begins to understand what's going on. "You think you'd remember. I remember you. But then again, you ruined my life."

Anya nods, "You were... I punished you."

The creature nods, "That's right. Some hussie I'd been taking around summons you, and next thing I know, I look like this and I'm being tortured in another dimension."

Anya sighs, "I... I forgot."

The Creature smiles, "Well, I didn't. Every day I remembered and every day I thought about how I would somehow get back here and ruin your life like you ruined mine."

Anya is on the verge of tears. "But how-"

The Creature laughs, "Black magic. And plenty of time. I practiced and practiced until today. It didn't take much either. I scared off your fiance with just a couple phony visions."

Anya frowns, "Visions of what?"

The Creature nods, "Your future. Or his nightmare vision of your future."

Anya shakes her head, "That's it? That's all you did?"

Anya begins to cry.

The Creature loves this, revels in her misery. "Yeah, it was easy. Look at that: you're crying. Oh, I like that!"

The Creature sees Buffy orb in and grabs Anya and holds her up like a shield, one hand on her chin. "Come any closer and I'll kill her."

Buffy pauses, her eyes flicking around the room. What should she do?

Just then the front door is thrown open and Xander stands there. He runs towards Anya. Willow and Dawn right behind him. "Anya!"

Anya sees Xander, "Xander!"

The creature frowns, "AAAAaaarrggh!"

Buffy has used Xander's distraction to kick the creature in the groin. It doubles over, dropping Anya. Buffy begins to pummel the Creature, while Xander runs to Anya's side.

Xander smiles at Anya, "Are you alright?"

Anya nods, "I'm...I'm so glad you're back. It's all lies; what he showed you, it was all made up! He just wanted to break us apart."

Piper pushes her way through the crowd

Xander nods, "Oh, it... it doesn't matter now."

Anya smiles, "We're going to be okay."

Buffy fights with the clawing creature. It gets in a few good blows too. The Creature is tired, weakening. Buffy punches the creature in the gut and when it doubles over, grabs its head and slams it to the ground.

Buffy looks at Piper and she jumps back, "Now!"

Piper raises her hands and the creature explodes.

Xander smiles looking at Piper, "It's dead."

Buffy nods, "Yep."

The crowd of wedding guests cheers.

Buffy looks at Piper, "Think Leo can get us some memory dust?"

Mr. Harris stands in the middle of the destroyed room. The place is a ruin: flowers everywhere; tables and chairs broken, etc. "I am not paying for this, you freaks!"

Warty Demon sighs, "Stop. Calling. Us. Freaks!"

And the all-family rumble is on again!

Willow finds Tara amid the raging crowd and pulls her to safety.

Tara smiles at Willow, "Thanks."

Willow nods, "You okay?"

Tara sighs, "Yeah."

Anya frowns, "STOP IT! EVERYONE SIT DOWN!" The fighting crowd pauses. "The wedding will go on! Now, get in your seats."

Abashedly, they obey.

Buffy and Piper stand near the front doors as Xander and Anya talk. "He's going to leave isn't he?"

Piper nods, "I think so. Whatever that demon showed him rattled him pretty big. Either that or he had doubts before and what the demon showed him just confirmed the doubts."

It's later that night and the gang; Buffy, Piper, Willow, and Dawn, have changed into sweats. They nurse cups of tea.

Dawn sighs, "Shouldn't we do something for her? Anything!"

Willow nods, "She wants to be alone. That's what she wants. Oh god, it hurts my heart to think of her."

Buffy nods, "I know. The whole thing hurts my heart."

Piper pulls Buffy into an embrace.

Dawn smiles, "I thought they were happy."

Buffy nods, "They were. I know they were. They were my light at the end of the tunnel… I guess they were a train."

Piper nods, "There are other lights at the end of the tunnel."

Buffy looks at Piper as she understands what her sister is saying.

Dawn sighs, "Why did this happen?"

Willow shakes her head, "I don't know. I mean, I feel like I should hate Xander. But I can't I just. I just hope he's okay."

Dawn nods, "I wonder where he is."