3. The Bachelors.
Later that day. Spike's crypt.
Waking up after sleeping most of the morning away. It's about noon, he goes to get some blood from the fridge. Only to feel an strange presence behind him.
Spike: Hey who's there? I don't see you, but I know you're there.
Shadow 1: We have come for you. William the Bloody.
Spike: No you don't. I don't know what's going on here, but you're not taking me without a fight.
Shadow 2: You will come with us. If you put up a fight, we will not hesitate to use force.
Spike: (Still half naked from just waking up. Weapon less, Spike gets his business face on.) Ok, if you blokes want to play, come and get me.
Shadow 1: Ok, as you wish. We can do this the easy way, or the hard way. (They both approach him at once.) Get him.
Spike: Spike makes a rush for another part of the crypt. They are fast and hard to see, almost like shadows. They are strong. (A messy fight ensues. Lunging he crashes into one. They stumble and role onto the floor.)
Shadow 2: We love it when we have to do this the hard way. (Taking out something that looks like a cudgel, he raises it and hits Spike over the head knocking him out.) What a good fight this one put up. They all do. I can never understand why, when it is necessary. Oh well, let's get the rest of them. They have much pain and suffering to endure over the next few days. We don't want to fall behind schedule. Across town at Xander's house. A similar seen is taking place, with less drama than what happened at Spikes crypt.
Summers house late afternoon. Anya has just arrived and she has filled in her friends on the whereabouts of Xander and Spike. Buffy has been trying to find Spike. Willow has been trying to find Xander, and they are not happy with Anya.
Buffy: Are you crazy? Are you really out of your mind? I've been looking everywhere trying to find, that is ...I thought I had some business to discuss with Spike. It was important. (Not able to admit in front of her friends just yet, that she had been scared out of her mind. After arriving at Spikes crypt, Buffy had seen the furniture all turned over and there was clearly some sign of a struggle. He wouldn't go out in the day light and if he did he would go to her house. She had just left her house. Thinking the worst and worrying, thinking he was gone and dusted. There wouldn't be a trace and she'd never know what had happened. She had looked everywhere sewers, dark sunless tunnels, other crypts, anywhere he might have gotten to safely. When that had failed she'd come back to the house to regroup. That's when Willow arrived, worried it seems, cause Xander too was missing. Shortly after Anya arrived.) You had him and Xander kidnapped to Arashmaha? What were you thinking? What's wrong with you?
Willow: Calm down Buffy, you know Anya didn't mean anything by it. It's Anya, that the kind of Anya thing, Anya does. (Turning to face Anya, then shaking her.) Are you crazy?
Anya: Why are you both so upset? Not like I'd do anything to hurt Xander. I just thought this was a better present than any I could give him. I called in almost all my favors so that I could get him and the others this right of purification. Part of it is where they take you by force. I couldn't tell the guys, and if I told you it would just ruin the surprise. Our apartment is only a little messed up, Xander didn't put up too much of a struggle. (Sounds disappointed). Oh well, I am marrying a human. How bout Spike, think he put up a fight?
Buffy: (Still annoyed by the brash way Anya is treating the whole thing, about to say something further. Buffy calms herself.) I think that's a fair bet. I'm just wondering. What goes on at these ceremonies?
Anya: Don't worry, a few whips, chains, visions, chaos. They'll have a blast, you'll see. (Buffy and Willow still look doubtful, but they trust that she wouldn't intentionally hurt Xander)
The underworld demon realm, Arashmaha.
D'hoffryn: Welcome, you have been brought here at great effort and secrecy. Welcome to this right of passage that has gone back thousands of years. More profound than the shield that holds together the dimensional threshold of time and space itself. More gruesome and torturous then being eviscerated piece by piece while being kept alive, day after day. More sacred, than the scared jar of Veluim the impaler. Welcome to your ceremony of purification. Anyanka has speared no expense and effort in making sure you have the most torturous, and turbulent time possible. I will be your host for your stay in Arashmaha. (Pausing for breath like he has saved the best for last.) As a special surprise, we have been able to procure Blogar the under demon for the ceremony. (A big round of applause goes up from the other invited guests, at the ceremony. Demons Anya has insisted be in their wedding party. Spike and Xander share no such grateful musings.)
Spike: What purification? I'm a vampire Grr, argh, evil, bad, you get it?
Xander: Yeah that goes double for me. Is this demon napping thing legal? Did someone say something about Anya? What? Who? Why are we here? Stop looking at me like I'm panicking, I'm not panicking. (Xander, panicking.)
D'hoffryn: Silence. The purification process will begin. Anyanka our former vengeance demon has requested Xander and his groomsmen forgo this right of passage, so you can be worthy to enter the house of D'hoffryn.
Spike: That does it, that bird of yours is crazy. Next time you get married count me off the bloody usher list.
Blogar (t.u.d.): (Silences Spike with a firm reminder to the stomach, that there must be silence for the ceremony.) The first part will begin. You will learn discipline, perseverance endurance, and your visions shall show you the paths you must follow over the next leg of your journey. (Leads the guests at the ceremony to be changed., into ceremonial garb.)
Three days later, Xander and Spike are still in Arashmaha. There is no way to escape the purification process or Blogar the under demon. They have been tried , tested, tortured, tempted, and tormented. They are both ready to collapse, but they have survived the trial of purification so far. Waking up from mist like sleeps, they are ready for the tribulation to end.
Spike: I'm losing my bloody mind. I'm seeing things which can't be, and think I've gotten use to this place. Got to get out of here. Haven't had blood for days. Gonna turn to a bloody corpse I am, well more so, and be all skin and bones, alive and oh wait... I'm starting to ramble like you. (Points to Xander) See what this place is doing to me?
Xander: I'm having the weirdest dreams, and I think I'm starting to admire Blogar's whip technique. I can't get the horrible taste of that stuff I drank out of my mouth.
Spike: Yeah, sort of tasted like warm pigs blood. Drank it right down I did.
Xander: Gross Spike. It tasted bitter, and gross and do they have any more?
Spike: Everything taste like blood when you're hungering for it. Just nothing fills or quit satisfies like it. Wondering if you'd be worth the headache, why don't you come over here, and I'll have a go and see.
Xander: (Moves a little away from Spike.) You get all vamped out and try to bite me, and I'm telling Buffy when we get back. Have her wipe the floor with your ass.
Spike: (Shrugs.) She does that anyways.
Xander: Well, I get her to do it more so.
Spike: When things get ruffy, you just hide behind Buffy. (Spike laughs.) Hey not my words, Anya tells some great stories about the time we all sang, whittle songs. You know, your eyes are kinda beady. (Laughs again.)
Xander: Note to self, kill Anya when I get to the regular world.
Spike: How long we gonna be stuck here anyway? Endured torture, starvation, punishment, and someone poked fun at my hair. We still on this path to purification?
Xander: Yes I think they will like mission accomplish, right after they pull our dead and dying corpses from this place.
Spike: Speak for yourself sparky, I'm already a corpse.
Xander: Oh yeah, so, so, forgot who I'm speaking to.
Spike: Well, just try to remember it next time will ya.
Just then some of the other members of the wedding party start to awake. Demons that Anya has insisted that Xander make a part of the whole wedding party. They have also been brought to Arashmaha for the purification process. Unlike Xander and Spike they seem to be under going the whole process with more enthusiasm, they seem to view it as some kind of honor. They are impressed by Anya's former place in the house and that she was able to have D'hoffryn over see the process. Equally they're impressed by Blogar attending the ceremony.
Zolgot: (Awakens from what appears to be deep slumber. Still in ceremonial robes, like the other members.) Ah I have awakened from walking with shadows, walked with the ancestors and I have seem great things. I have climbed the path to volka'lha. (Stretches in a relaxed manner.)
Xander: Well someone came back from wonderland. Visions ha, path to what? Who? Where? Cause all I saw was crazy stuff. Stuff that can't be.
Spike: Yeah that stuff we drank, suppose to leave us all wonky, and having visions. It's all bollocks. Those things I saw are just plain impossible. (Watches as the other demons awaken. They are about eight people in all in the arena area. They are all in ceremonial garbs, and have also drank the potion. It is to have placed them on the road to volka'lha, some demony spirit world, where you see visions of the future. Spike for the first time notices that there are some crude weapons strewn around the arena, he gets inspiration.) Yeah blokes. What I mean is that I too have been taken on the path to volka'lha, and I too have had a vision.
Xander: You did? I mean you did? (Looks surprised.)
Spike: Sure I did, know what I saw? (Turns to the assembled party of demons, and Xander.) Saw us enduring suffering, torture, saw us starved, beaten, going wonky. (Pauses for dramatic effect.) Then suddenly, saw us awaking just like this here. In this place, and you know what I saw? (By now the drama of his speech is building and Spike has his audience captivated.) I saw us as one united body, joining arms together and crushing those who have oppressed us. Saw us grabbing up the weapons right here, this very room and smashing some heads. Saw us take control of these blokes and getting out of here. (Sees that he clearly has his audience aroused. No matter how honored the other demons are about the whole ceremony, it's been a grueling three days. Rebellion is in the air, he's lived long enough he can taste it. The right words and there will be destruction he can feel it.) Now who here is with me?
Xander: Know what? I think I had this same vision. (Xander finds inspiration too, gets up and furthers Spike narration. By now the whole group is up in arms. They have taken up the weapons that are lying around, and they start to chant in unison. The keepers that are over seeing the ceremony arrive, chaos and fighting ensues.)
Spike: (Grabs a cudgel, as some of the shadows and blogar the under demon enter the arena. Gives Blogar (t.u.d.) A crushing blow to the head, and even more chaos ensues.)
Two hours later bruised, battered, beaten, and bathed, the guys are all sitting together laughing, joking, and drinking. Camaraderie and joyous noises can be heard coming from Arashmaha.
Spike: (Spike sits with arm round Blogar (t.u.d.). They are laughing and having a joyous old time. Spike and the other guests, have been fully feed, and sated. They have passed the test, and the trial is over, they are proved worthy. Now they are joining D'hoffryn in a toast. They are raising a glass of some fiery amber liquid. It is rich, delicious, and accounting for the jovial state of the partiers.) Blogar wow that's some technique you got there, think I could get a couple of tips? Very impressive stuff.
Blogar: (t.u.d.) I don't wish to brag, but to achieve that level of skill one must practice for years. I myself was apprentice to Ognor Blogar, the over demon.
Spike: Ognor Blogar, the over demon. You don't say. Think I ran into him bout eighty years or so ago, never aquatinted. You understand.
Blogar: (t.u.d.) Not the sort that made friends easily.
Spike: Yeah know what you mean. Lacked your charm and finesse, he did.
Blogar: (t.u.d.) (Blushing) Why thanks. I work hard at it. My line of work, you lose track of the people and demons. Whip here, torture there, but you never really get to know the people.
Spike: Know what you mean. Being a vamp it's all like bite here, carnage there, never getting to know your victims. (They sigh in unison.)
D'hoffryn: (Gets up from his seat to make a speech.) Now that you've all had a chance to be fed and sated, I would just like to say... never has Arashmaha seen so much chaos and carnage. So much bludgeoning and destruction, my decorator will be busy for quite some time after this weeks ceremony. I would like to hand out the honors for this weeks purification ceremony. First I must read from the Arashmaharic text. (Clears his throat to read.) Years ago when there was more light and less darkness. Demons like us were chained and enslaved, made to suffer terrible tortures, punishments, starvation's, and unspeakable horrors. Then one day our oppressors gave our ancestors bitter liquids to drink, they thought would finish them off. Instead of making them weaker and destroying them, it made them stronger. Gave them a path to walk with the shadows, to walk with the ancients. They saw visions. Those visions gave them strength, that strength lead to rebellion, and out of that rebellion chaos was born. Out of that chaos came the demon realms, and Arashmaha was born out of them. Thus the house of Arashmaha was born, from fire and fighting. Born from bludgeoning and battle. Carnated from Carnage and Chaos. Each time someone joins the house of Arashmaha they are part of this legend. Anyanka joined my house over a thousand years ago, and though no longer demon, she is still a member of this house and in marrying a human we have extended the honor of membership to Xander. We welcome you to the house of Arashmaha.
Xander: (As the room cheers and glasses are raised.) Honored you could have me over for the torture and brutality, wouldn't have missed it for anything.
D'hoffryn: Honors for the most chaos and anarchy, to Spike. (Points in his direction.) Very rarely does such destruction cross our mist, you should be well honored and pleased. (The room, bursts out in applause.)
Spike: Thanks, I've been told I have some real raw and natural talents in that area, but it always feels good to be appreciated for it.
D'hoffryn: Award for the most strapped hide/back. Blogar will do the honors. (From there the honors are handed out, and the merriment and revelry continues throughout the next day.
The bacheloret party.
Tara: (Looks around Xander and Anya's apartment.) Wow this place looks amazing. Think Anya will be surprised?
Buffy: Are you kidding. She practically gave me full instructions on what decorations should be placed where, and how to put the gifts in order. Which guest to invite, which ones to not. (Scratches head.) I didn't know there were so many different kinds of demons, or that she still had so many friends in the demon world.
Dawn: Yeah, she mostly just talks about eviscerating people, and you never realize how many people she helped along the way as a vengeance demon. There are so many woman who regard her as a hero.
Tara: Yeah there are probably a few guys I can think of who's buns she could toast for me.
Buffy: You, Tara. Really?
Tara: There are a few jerks that think if they had one night. I would wake up to their sweaty bear soaked bodies and see the light. They just don't know how to take no for an answer. I would love to have set Anya on them. Oh well, just have to stick to spells. (Turns to walk away and sees Willow entering the room.)
Willow: Hi everyone, I made it. Where should I leave these? (Gestures to presents in her hand.) Anya, said to bring presents. (In a bad imitation of Anya.) Anya loves presents.
Buffy: Come on now Willow, you said you would be nice. It is her special day after all, well her special pre day, or pre, pre, day, or whatever it is.
Dawn: It's her bachelor party. I mean bachloret party.
Willow: I still can't believe Xander is getting married. Sometimes it still seems so weird. (Finally comes into the room enough to see Tara.) Hi. Tara. (Becomes more quite.)
Tara: Willow. (Tries to control her voice.) You are looking well. I see you brought presents for Anya. I can take those. I am starting a pile, in the center of the room. (Moves forward to take presents, while still trying to maintain a cool composure.)
Willow: Tara, I hope you are doing well also. (Sounds more shaky.) I hope your new place is going well. I haven't seen you in class much. Guess you've been busy. (Starts to fiddle with her fingers.)
Tara: Actually since my rent is kind of high where I'm living, I had to drop a couple of courses. Guess I will pick them up next semester. (Takes presents, and walks away.) Good seeing you again Willow.
Willow: (Entering the room, she hands Buffy her coat and then excuses herself to go get freshened up in the bathroom.)
Dawn: Gosh, are they ever going to work this out? I hate it that they can barely be in the same room together. I hate magic. If it was so great, they would never have broken up over it.
Buffy: They broke up over more than just a couple of spells. You'll understand when you get older, things are just not that cut and dried Dawn.
Dawn: I think I'm old enough to understand now, and it sucks. I hate this.
Buffy: (Walks over to put a comforting arm, around Dawn.) That's ok, somehow it will work itself out. In the mean time, this is suppose to be a party remember. We don't want to ruin the surprise for Anya, do we?
Dawn: No, I guess you're right. Race you to the kitchen for some pre party cookie dough ice-cream.
Buffy: Deal.
All the guest are assembled, some human, and some from the demon realm. It's time for the party to begin. Anya walks in and everyone yells surprise.
Anya: (Fains surprise.) Oh my gosh, a bridal shower for me. You guys are the best, you shouldn't have. I don't know what to say.
Buffy: (Goes over to give Anya a hug, whispers.) Just tell me, it's decorated just like you wanted it?
Anya: (Whispers back.) Buffy it's perfect. You followed my instructions to a tee, and I love it. (Regular voice.) Oh thanks so much, I really appreciate this.
As the party progresses, everyone is having a good time. Tara realizes that it's almost time for the main entertainment to begin.
Tara: Dawny, I think we are running out of chips and dip. Why don't you come with me to the store. I could use some company.
Dawn: Sure, but we can't stay too long. I'm having so much fun. Can you believe that demon with eyes all over her head. I mean that must be so disturbing when talking to someone. You never know who has her full attention. That's just creepy.
Tara: Now Dawny, it not nice to insult the party guests. These are Anya's friends and we have to try to be nice. Besides, I promise you won't miss anything you're not suppose to miss.
Dawn: You know, I didn't know Anya had any friends. I mean besides us of course.
Tara: (Laughs.) And that's not always certain at times. But I guess you make a few friends as a vengeance demon. A lot of these people, are people she has helped take vengeance for. Good to have friends in demony places I guess.
Dawn: (Laughs too.) Guess so, let me go grab my coat. (Looks around as they are leaving.) Tara is it just me, or is everyone looking into their purses for dollar bills?
Tara: (Guides her gently out the door.) Sure it's just a coincidence.
As Tara and Dawn leave. Buffy and the rest of the girls prepare for the evening's main entertainment. (An hour has passed Dawn and Tara finally return, to the party. )
Dawn: I can't believe you made us go that far to get triple chuck chocolate ice cream. The store was like in Texas or something.
Tara: Now Dawn, you are exaggerating.
Dawn: No I'm not, it was way far. I bet we missed the good stuff.
Tara: I'm sure Anya didn't open the presents yet. (Points to the big pile in the center of the room.) See the best part is yet to come.
Dawn: Fine, but I still don't see why we had to go so far for ice cream. I mean we found double chuck chocolate at like the second store we went to.
Tara: I just figured we should have a treat for ourselves when we get back to the party. That's all. (They go back into the room, and start to re-mingle with the other party guests.)
A little over an hour later all the guests have gone. It's just the scoobies, left helping Anya put presents away and cleaning up. Dawn is in another room.
Buffy: I can't believe how much fun that was. That demon stripper really had some interesting moves on him.
Willow: Yeah I thought so too, but what a weird place for a third horn. Did you see how everyone kept trying to place their money on it. Is it suppose to be lucky or something? (Addressing Anya.)
Anya: Oh that wasn't a third horn, they just come equipped with two of everything. And I don't think they were rubbing it cause they thought it was lucky, at least not in the way you mean. (Buffy and Willow, both with looks of shocked exclamations on their faces.)
Buffy: Are we the only two at the party that missed this? (Laughs a little shocked.) That makes so much more sense now.
Tara: What does?
Buffy: When he offered to let me rub it, and said I might just get lucky if I did. I thought he meant it would bring me good luck. (Laughs.)
Anya: (Anya shakes head.) You can't tell me that the human male stripper was as much fun, sure he had the bulging muscles and things like that, but there just aren't as many places to place money. (Thinks for a second.) Oh wait that's good, cause then I get to keep mine. Plus I get to keep all the pretty presents. I wish me and Xander could get married every month. I love pretty presents.
Dawn: (At the rooms entrance.) You had strippers at the party? (Looks surprised, and gives Tara an accusatory look.)
Tara: Now Dawny, Buffy thought it would be for your own good. Some of these parties can be pretty grown up and we didn't want you exposed to such things.
Anya: Yeah, watching Buffy push that bill down that dancers pants, I thought her hand was gone for sure.
Buffy: (Looks shocked.) What? I thought I lost my ring and I was just double checking.
Dawn: (Accusatory to Buffy.) You're not wearing any rings. You just didn't want me to see you make a jerk of yourself.
Buffy: Well I thought I was wearing a ring. (Watches as Dawn rolls her eyes and gives her a dirty look.)
Tara: I think it's time Dawn and I get going anyways.
Buffy: Dawn the only reason I am letting you stay at Janice's, and skip grounding is cause Tara is walking you over. She is making sure Janice's parents know you are there. No more stunts like the one on Halloween.
Dawn: I know. Remember the talk we had. I'll behave I swear, this time.
Buffy: Fine, have fun. (Moves to give her a hug.) Tara make sure she gets inside the house. Thanks for walking her over.
Tara: Hey no biggie. Since you and Willow are staying at Anya's for the night, it no problem for me to take her. (Turns to Anya.) Sorry I couldn't stay over, but you understand.
Anya: (Looks over at Willow who is standing over by a window.) Yeah you two still have issues, and it would be all uncomfortable and stuff. I get it. Well, we will miss you. (Moves to hug Tara.) Thanks for the gift.
Tara: No problem and I had fun. Thanks for inviting me.
Dawn: Buffy, Willow, Anya, have fun. Good bye. (Hugs Anya good bye.)
Willow: (Coming over almost sheepishly) Yeah, bye Dawny. Have fun at your sleep over.
Tara: Goodnight Willow, have fun at yours. (She and Dawn leave to exit.)
Willow: Yeah bye Tara. (Sounds sad.)
Later that evening as the friends settle down with some popcorn, they are all camping in Xander and Anya's living room. Presents have all been cleaned up and replaced with pillows and blankets. They talk about high school, and the party.
Willow: Remember how much fun we use to have at the Bronze on weekends?
Buffy: You mean when it wasn't being ramshacked by Vampires? (Smiles fondly.) Yeah I remember. That was great back then. I sort of miss those times.
Willow: Remember when we all stayed over in Xander's basement like this?
Anya: Oh yeah, when we thought the Initiative guys were going to kill Buffy, then the rest of us. That was so funny. And Giles slept on that chair that made all the squeaking. Remember that?
Willow: Yeah I remember that was sort of fun, looking back. But I have to say your new place is a lot nicer than Xander's old basement.
Buffy: That's for sure. I miss Giles, can't wait till he gets here tomorrow. He is suppose to be bringing Olivia with him. He's been so secretive about his life in London, can't wait to sit and chat and have an update. Speaking of updates. (Turns to Anya.) How long does this whole purification or whatever it is take, don't you miss Xander? I wonder how they are doing?
Anya: Oh I'm sure D'hofferyan is taking good care of our guys, and no one has died at one of these things for like what a thousand years.
Buffy: You never said people could actually die at these things. (Sounds worried. Thinking about Spike.) Do they use a lot of sharp pointy objects?
Anya: Only if someone gets out of line, or if the whips and manacles don't work.
Willow: (Seeing Buffy's renewed worried look.) I'm sure they will both be fine, Spike and Xander. (Gives Anya an annoyed look.)
Anya: (Catching Willow's look of annoyance.) Yeah I'm sure they will be fine. Besides, if Xander died, I'd have to turn back into a vengeance demon to avenge him.
Willow: (Sarcastically.) That's really reassuring Anya. (Changing the subject cause Buffy has suddenly becomes quite.) Who was your favorite dancer at the party?
Anya: Mine is still the demon with the two horns. What about you Buffy?
Buffy: (Coming back to the group.) Oh, what? Mine? I think I like the same one you did, but how exactly does the none third horn work?
Willow: Yeah is that possible? I mean being placed where it is and all. (Willow sounding clearly embarrassed.)
Anya: Oh yeah, defiantly possible. Way easier, than when me and Xander use to have to try to have sex in the basement. You can't even maneuver there, makes trying new things difficult. (Sees Buffy and Willow looking uncomfortable.) What? I'm Anya! Besides it's true.
Buffy: (Buffy laughs.) Anya you were never know for subtlety.
Anya: At least Spike's crypt is roomy. I'm sure you have taken advantage of all the open spaces. (Watches Buffy blush.) Well all I can say is I'm happy with my Xander, he's the best sex I've had in a thousand years, wait, he's the only man I've had in a thousand years. Being a vengeance demon doesn't leave time for much else. How bout you Buffy, what's the best sex you've ever had? I bet it was tall dark and growly. He looks so yummy, when I saw him at thanksgiving a couple years ago.
Buffy: (Really blushing now.) Anya don't you think that's kind of a personal question?
Willow: It's ok if you don't want to answer that Buffy, we know how things were with you and Angel, of course he's probably the best. Oz was the best guy I've ever been with, but then he's the only guy I've ever been with. Kinda gay now. (Thinks of Tara.)
Buffy: (Sees Willow looking kind of sad again.) Well actually it's not Angel. (Watches as Anya and Willow both give her a simultaneous what?) It's true, it's not Angel. We were only together the one time, that I can remember, and it was my first time. He was great, but it was just the one time, and well you know!
Anya: Oh Riley then. That military buff thing. I like the military, Xander was in the military.
Buffy: Not Riley. He was good, but we didn't sizzle. It wasn't intense.
Willow: Parker. Those puppy dogs eyes, I get it. He tried to pick me up once, and though I think he's a complete poop head, I can see where you're coming from.
Buffy: Defiantly not Parker. He was good with the delivery, but he completely lacked substance. You need substance.
Willow: Did we miss someone, like when you drank all that bad beer? You can tell us Buffy we won't think anything less of you, you know. (Willow looking hopeful.)
Anya: (Anya looking completely shocked.) So it's Spike. He's the best sex you've ever had? Really? Spike? Are you sure?
Buffy: (Buffy laughs, still blushing.) Yes I admit it. He the best sex I've ever had. (Buffy laughs, can't believe she just said that.) He is really intuitive, he knows me, better than I know myself sometimes. He's the only one that's been there. Really there, and I don't just mean the next morning. Although to Riley's credit, he lasted 10 minutes before he ran off to an important Initiative meeting. But Spike was just there. He didn't turn evil, or throw me out and tell me his mother was coming over. Still can't believe I feel for that.
Anya: Buffy. (Waives to get her attention.)
Buffy: (Looks up.) Yes, Anya.
Anya: Get back to the Spike being the best sex of your life thing. That was sounding interesting.
Buffy: (Buffy watches as Anya and Willow hang on with batted breath.) Well he's soft when he needs to be but you know, ruff when I need to be, and creative. He's so creative.
Anya: By creative, you mean positions right?
Buffy: (Treating it as a rhetorical question, Buffy moves on.) He loves me. I know Riley loved me, but not the way I needed to be loved. And Angel loved me and I loved him, but for who I am now I don't know. I think I love Spike. (A hush falls on the whole house, and no one is more surprised than Buffy.) Did I just say, I love Spike? (Still sounds shocked.)
Anya: Yeah. It was right after, best sex of your life, he's creative, and I heard I love Spike. How bout you Willow?
Willow: I'm still stuck way back at the best sex part. Really Spike? And you love him? Oh my gosh Buffy you love him, really? (Buffy still shocked, nodes in the affirmative.) I'm really happy for you. Spike who would have guessed. (She moves to gives Buffy a hug. Anya joins in.)
Anya: Now we all have someone we love, this is great. (Sees Willow go silent.) Don't worry Willow, I am sure Tara will come around and forgive you, just give her time. I'm sure she still loves you.
Willow: I hope so. (Sounds sad.)
Buffy: Come on we should turn in. Tomorrow is a big day, we have all the fittings to do. I can't believe, you are not having a rehearsal first Anya.
Anya: Bad luck in the demon world. Something about foreshadowing disaster, or something like that.
Willow: Yeah, besides, Giles is suppose to be in town tomorrow. I said I'd pick him up from the airport.
Buffy: Goodnight guys, sleep tight. Don't let the bunnies bite.
Anya: Hey that's not funny.
Buffy: Sorry, couldn't resist.
The friends turn in, each with their own thoughts. Willow about Tara, Buffy about her revelations about Spike and Anya thinking about bunnies.
Next Page.
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