The magic shop was still closed for repair, and Xander had
invited his construction team over for an evening of pizza, light
talk, and videos.

"I can't believe Giles made me carry everything by hand," said
Willow.

"I think it's a matter of discipline. Or possibly penance," said
Tara.

"Penance!"

"Yes, penance. That was all your fault, you know."

"Anya, you're--" Xander looked at Anya. "Right, of course."

"Don't you forget it."

Buffy started giggling. "I'll get the plates."

They sprawled around the television set, snarfing their pizza and
carbonated beverages. Xander and Anya held a tug-o'war over the
remote, Tara was rubbing Willow's shoulders, an act coming
dangerously close to foreplay, and Buffy was juggling her
stakes. Then, Xander grabbed the remote and jabbed at the
television set.

"What's on tonight?"

"Well, we have the latest Jackie Chan tape, but I think I'll go
through the stations first. South Park is on later."

"Lame-O!"

Xander flicked through the stations. "College basketball? Ice
hockey? Jazz? Indian musicals?"

"I'll take Indian musicals for $100, Alex," said Buffy.

"Not tonight, and don't call me Alex."

"It's okay, Xander. I'll tell you that story later, Buffy," said
Willow.

Xander continued to flick through the stations.

"What's that?" asked Anya.

Tara looked at the newspaper listing. "That's the new Fox
garbage, Temptation Island."

"I have got to see this so I know what to laugh at," said Buffy.

"They got a bunch of dating couples, and they put them on an
island with some singles to see whether they can break the
couples up."

They heard Anya yell. "Wretched lunatics! If I still had my
powers, I'd smite the ones who thought this up. I'd cover them in
boils. I'd make their private parts turn black. And short. I'd
twist their intestines. Promoting adultery. I'd kill them!"

"The couples aren't married yet, Anya."

"Willow, do you think that matters? If you tried to break up
Xander and me, I'd scratch your eyes out."

"And I'd deserve it, too. Especially after--" Tara hugged Willow
in an attempt to distract her.

"Anya, this is Fox Television. No one on their shows deserves any
consideration at all," said Buffy.

Anya sounded miffed. "Perhaps you're right. But the idea makes me
want to puke."

"Me too, Anya. Love is too important to be played with on
television," said Xander. They sat back and watched the opening
of the show for a few minutes. Anya called out, "Bored now," and
Xander was about to change the station, but Buffy grabbed his
arm.

Xander turned to look at Buffy, only to see her choking with
rage. "What is it, Buffy?" All Buffy could do was to point at the
screen. Xander and the rest turned back to the set, and Xander's
jaw dropped. Willow made an Eep noise. Tara said, "I didn't
expect that." And Anya and Buffy looked at each other and said in
unison, "He's dead."

"Buff, Anya, if he ever comes back to Sunnydale, I'll kill him
myself. He'll get the Jimmy Hoffa treatment. That bastard!"

And on the television screen, Riley turned to his date for the
evening, and they got up to dance.