The hours flew by and it was night again. Buffy was patrolling as usual, only tonight Riley accompanied her. "I'm so glad you're back." Buffy said. "I missed you so much while I was on my mission. Every night I thought of you." replied Riley. They took each other's hand and began to walk. "You can stay with me while you look for your own place." Buffy said. "Thanks." responded Riley before he pushed Buffy into a nearby bush. "Riley what are you doing?" the Slayer quickly asked, confused. "Vamp, 12 o'clock." he whispered as he took out a stake.

Sure enough. There was the bloodsucker. Looking like he was out on the hunt. Riley looked at Buffy with a smile. "You mind?" he asked. "No, go for it." she told him.

Riley stepped out from the bush. "Man. I've been gone for a while but you guys haven't gotten any prettier." he said as the vampire noticed him and came in for the kill. "Bring it on." Riley was taunting the vampire now. "Let's see if I can still do this." he whispered to himself. The vampire swung at him which Riley blocked then came back with a kick. The vampire saw this coming and caught his leg. He knocked Riley down who had become off balanced. He went to stomp on Riley's chest but Riley rolled out of the way and jumped back up. He grabbed the vamp by the collar and put his foot on it's chest. Then Riley fell back and monkey flipped the blood sucker into a large tombstone. He jumped back up and kicked the vampire in the face as it tried to get back up. With ease Riley staked the vampire and brushed himself off. "Easier than I thought." he said.

"Bravo." said Spike who emerged from the shadows. He lit up a cigarette and took a draw. "Bravo indeed." By this time Buffy had walked over to Riley's side. "Looks like soldier boy hasn't lost his touch eh Slayer?"

"Spike? You're still in Sunnydale? I thought Buffy must have disposed of you by now." Riley said with a sly smile. Spike looked at Buffy, "No, not yet. You see while you've been over pussy footin' around on your "mission"," Spike said with obvious sarcasm. "Me and Buffy were-"

"Shut up Spike!" interrupted Buffy. "Why don't you leave now while you still can?"

"Oh that's right. Now that soldier boy is back in town you don't have time for ol'Spikey." Spike responded. He looked at Riley. "How does it feel playing second string mate?" with this Spike flicked his cigarette at Riley and walked away. Riley began to go after him but was stopped by Buffy. "What does he mean second string? What's going on?" he asked. Buffy didn't have answers for him. She didn't have answers for herself. "Nothing....it's nothing." she said as she looked to where Spike had stood.