4. Arrivals, Admissions, and Reservations.
Willow arrives at the Summers home with Giles in tow. Buffy is elated to see him and they move to the living room to have a nice catch up session.
Giles: Dear girl it's so good to see you. (Grabs Buffy into a small bear hug. Laughs.) You are still as strong as ever I see.
Buffy: You're finally here. How was your trip? Olivia is going to follow in time for the wedding, right? What's happening with the watchers council? How is England? How are you?
Giles: Fine no turbulence. Yes in plenty of time. Very hush, as ever. Damp and dank as ever. Much better now, for having seen you. In that order.
Willow: Yeah we drove right over here, he's even more British now than ever, with the oh dears, and oh my's.(Smiles at him.) If that's possible.
Giles: (Hugs Willow about the shoulder affectionately.) I can't believe I'm back in Sunnydale, how has the old hell mouth been?
Willow: Oh you know all demony, vampiry, apocalypse, you know, same as usual.
Giles: (Laughs.) Well how is everyone else? Where are Xander, and Anya?
Buffy: Well Anya is around some place, she's fine. Well you know for Anya. The store is fine, and for Xander's Bachelor party as a surprise, she had him and Spike transported to her old demon world. They get to be beaten and tortured by pointy objects, for some purity process. (Still sounding a little annoyed about the whole thing.)
Giles: She what? (Has a whimsical look on his face. Takes off glasses to clean them.) Has she become Anyanka again.
Willow: No, get this. She did this as his present. Suppose to be a real treat in the demon world to get tortured, and beaten or something, like that.
Giles: Xander agreed to this folly? (Looks unsure. He can hardly credit what he is hearing. Looks to Buffy.) And Spike, more over agreed to this? I could hardly credit that. (Turns to Willow as she answers)
Willow: Oh get this Giles, this is the best part, they didn't agree to it. She had them both kidnapped, and none of us knew. Buffy spent half the day looking for Spike, thinking he got all dusted and stuff. Then Anya's all like, la, la, la.... Oh yeah had them kidnapped to Arashmaha, to be beaten and tortured for the bachelor party. All matter of fact like. Should have seen it.
Giles: Shacking his head. That's Anya all right. What gets into that head of hers I'll never know.
Willow: (Unable to resist doing an impression of Anya.) Money good, I like money, I'm Anya. (They all laugh.)
Giles: Maybe it's the stress of the wedding. I've heard it can put people a little out of their minds.
Buffy: We all know that Anya is a little out of hers to begin with so.
Giles: Yes well. So how is everyone else doing? How are Tara, and Dawn?
Buffy: Oh you know Dawn's growing fast, getting into trouble, like every two seconds. Tara well she's the same doing the class stuff, working part time thing. The usual.
Giles: The store is doing well, you said? Thriving with Anya at the helm, no doubt.
Willow: (Her and Buffy both laugh.) Is there any doubt.
Buffy: So what's going on over there back in England? You have not said much about anything, when ever you call. Which is not often enough. It's all like rushed and vague. What are you and the council hiding over there in England? Better not be the end of the world again, cause I've already had that present a few years running, and it is not what I want this year.
Giles: You know the council, and the whole hush, hush, secrecy. It's really useless stuff, very 007 like. Nothing forecast for the end of the world this week, but I can't guarantee next week. (See the looks on their faces.) Just joking, trying to have a sense of humor, like you American's.
Willow: Try to remember, living on a hell mouth here. (Sounding all matter of fact like.)
Buffy: So Giles, how is the social life over there in England? We were really happy to hear that you were bringing Olivia to the wedding. Things getting serious there? (Sees him blushing and laughs.) You are always so quite, thought now that I had you here I would grill you a little more. (Sees him looking uncomfortable and she laughs.)
Giles: (Takes off his glasses for another second.) Well while we are on the subject of social lives. How are things going with you and Spike? (Sees her looking uncomfortable and blushing, as he turns the tables on her.)
Buffy: (Still blushing, but smiling,) Surprisingly really well. (She smiles.) I know it was a real surprise when I told you, the ten minutes of silence on the other end of the line said plenty.
Giles: Buffy I resent that. Besides once Olivia gave me the smelling salts, and revived me, I was pretty much ...still floored. I mean, well you were there, you know what I mean.
Buffy: So that was the thud. I thought you had just dropped something, and gone silent on me. Yes once you came back with the oh dear's, and the have my head examined, and the staking Spike part were pretty much ...the reaction I expected.
Giles: Well you pretty much caught me by surprise to say the least, that's all.
Buffy: I caught everyone by surprise. Well at least you are saying something now, and you are still speaking to me, so that's good.
Giles: Like I said on the phone, you are an adult now. Besides, if I survived the whole Angel thing, and I mean that literally. I think I can survive this relationship as well. Least Spike hasn't tried to murder us, in a good couple of years. And he's never tried to bring the world to an end. I say your choices are getting better every time. (Sounding a little sarcastic. Looks at Buffy, regrets his sarcasm.) But you are happy, right?
Buffy: (Shakes her head in the affirmative.) I am.
Giles: (Giles is taken aback, cause he can actually see the happiness on her face.) Well then lets be done with this topic, let's talk about Dawn, and her latest fiasco.
The three continue to discuss topics and catch up, till Willow leaves to go and run some errands. Buffy and Giles continue to talk. Sometime later, Buffy sits and talks to Giles. Giles excuses himself to go to the kitchen for a minute. Xander and Anya walk in.
Buffy: Xander, you're back? Where is Spike? (She has a worried tone in her voice.)
Xander: Yes I'm fine think nothing of it. Survived, and am I glad to see you too.
Buffy: Yeah that's great, glad your ok, but where is Spike? (Buffy still sounding worried.)
Anya: Oh they drop you off, where they picked you up. I think he would be back at his crypt. Xander has been home for hours now, so Spike should be back as well.
Xander: He probably just hasn't made his way over here due to the whole bursting into flames, and being charred alive thing. Some people are so, sensitive about those things.
Giles: (Entering from the kitchen.) Thought I heard the front door. Xander, Anya how goes it?
Anya: (Running over to give Giles a big hug.) Everything is great Giles, especially the store which you still can't have back, cause it's mine. It's making lots of money.
Giles: Anya, it so good to see you as usual. (Pulls her from his neck.) Xander. How are you doing?
Xander: Well let's see, been whipped, beaten, feeling nauseous and neglected, and now I'm the but monkey of the demon world. Yeah I'd say about the same as usual. How are you doing?
Buffy: (Grabs her jacket, ready to run out.) Fascinating as this is, I have to go. Giles, we'll catch up some more later ok. Xander it really is good to have you back. I'll be back later. (Heads for the front door.)
Giles: Now where is she off to in such a hurry?
Anya: I think she is off to go see Spike. She's been acting all weird since, I had him and Xander kidnapped for their purification process. Can you believe she was actually mad at me for that?
Xander: I just glad she didn't slay you or something like that.
Anya: Oh, that's sweet of you to say baby.
Xander: Yeah, because I want 100% of the pleasure of it for myself. What were you thinking? What's going on in that demon head of yours?
Anya: You can't just expect me to marry you, and forego all the ways of my people. You don't care about anything that's important to me. D'hoffryn did me a great honor, in seeing you through the purification process. Do you know how many favors I had to call in for that?
Xander: See where I'm from, people call in favors to avoid going through that. Next time just ask me first.
Anya: But I wanted it to be a surprise. I wanted to do something that was fun. That ceremony is a great deal amongst my people, and to have D'hoffryn perform it is was high honors. You just don't appreciate anything I do. (She starts to cry.)
Xander: (Wiping her eyes.) Sweetie don't cry, it wasn't all bad. Why Blogar the under demon, he has a real technique with a whip. Do you realize I took over 50 lashes from him.
Anya: (Looks up at Xander.) Did you really, for me? Your not just saying that? Oh Xander, you are so tough and strong. Can we go home and get naked right now, while you show me them.
Xander: (Gives her a whimsical smile.) What's the point of being beaten, and tortured if you can't benefit from the fruits of your labor.
Anya: Why wait till we get home, we could just use Buffy's coach like we did the last time. When we had to baby sit Dawn.
Giles: Eh, hem, I am still in the room you know.
Anya: Oh that's right, well, you can leave now.
Giles: I bloody well will not. I'm Buffy's guest, you two go find your own coach.
Anya: (Looks at Xander.) Ok, bye, Giles. (Pulls Xander towards the door.)
Xander: Ah, Giles, been great seeing you again got to go... (Gets pulled out the front door, by Anya.)
Giles: Would say go find a room, but the expression would so clearly be lost on those two. (Cleans glasses, more vigorously.)
Spikes Crypt, recovering from his visit to the demon world, he's had some cold pigs blood, and is feeling more like himself again.
Listen to song.
Buffy: (Comes down the ladder.) Spike! (She sees him. He's ok, and her heart gathers in her throat. She hears the same song on his radio from the bronze, the one playing when they made out so many months ago.)
Spike: (Sees her.) Yeah, I was going to swing by later. (Stops. Sees the look in her eyes)
Buffy: (Looks into his eyes. Those soulful eyes that she's been missing and worrying about for the last few day. His pale skin, his intensity and his everything. She knows, she was right. Walks over to him, and into his arms, starts kissing him hot and passionately.) I missed you. (Between breaths.)
Spike: (Pushes her up against a wall, as they crash past his lamp.) I missed you. ( Kisses her hungrily. She pulls him tightly against her, her breath mingling fully with his. Still fighting to get close enough to each other with the restraints, of their clothing.) I need you, now! (Fights with her shirt for a moment, then tears it off as her buttons go flying. She pulls his shirt over his head. Spike lifts her up and places her legs around his waist. Her hands wrap even more tightly around his neck. Lips never losing contact. Hungering for air, but hungering for each other more. She gets his belt unbuckled, and he works his hands under her skirt. Taking a second to breath in air. As they reconnect his tongue finds hers, and they share a very deep, very intimate kiss. They struggle against each other more, trying to get closer still needing to be inside each other mind, body, and essence. Finally they lock eyes for a moment and intimately connect there against the wall. No greater bliss has either know, than this joining. Looking into her eyes he leaves her lips for a moment.) Not here! (Then with the last of his restraint, he moves them over to the bed still joined and connected. There they intermingle, intimately, slowly, then passionately, intensely, and hungrily for hours on end.)
Hours later still in Spikes crypt, it has grown dark outside. The day has slipped away in bliss. They are just reawakening, contentedly in each others arms.
Spike:Just smiles at her. Strokes her hair.)
Buffy: (Smiles at him.) What are you thinking?
Spike: (Smiles again.) Nothing. Isn't it great?
Buffy: Hun? (Looks confused) Explain.
Spike: Usually I'm trying to sass out what you're thinking. Hoping you're here with me, and not off some place else. Hoping you're not trying to find a way to put an end to this "freak show." Your words luv, not mine. Today I think I know where you are, and I'm thinking of nothing. (Smiles at her again.)
Buffy: Oh!
Spike: (Takes her up more fully in his arms, and positions her more comfortably. Stroking her back. Kisses her softly.) Always knew it would be like this someday.
Buffy: (Just laying comfortable and relaxed in his arms, playing with his chest. Smiling.) How's that? You knew it would be like what?
Spike: You know. Me, you, cozy little crypt with a view. (Laughs as she hits him.) Well cozy crypt anyways. I'm happy here with you. You make me feel alive, and you make me feel, more than when I was living.
Buffy: You make me feel alive too. I've been feeling so dead since, well since they brought me back. I've been feeling like this fortress. Like there was nothing that could penetrate my feelings, my emotions, or my heart. It was so peaceful where I was. Like I had wings and I was floating, it felt like that. I had this peace, I felt finished and I felt complete. I have that with you. I don't think I realized that before. You bring that peace into my life, and I feel complete, not finished, but complete. I feel like I have the fire back in my life, I'm not afraid of it any more. (Looks at him.) I guess what I'm trying to say is, you are here, (moves his hand to her heart, ) and here. (Points to her heard.) You pierced through that fortress and ...I love you. (Starts to shake a little bit, cause she finally said it.) This does mean something to me, it's not a freak show, not the way I said it. I feel lucky to have you, just thought you might want to know.
Spike: (Pulls her close and kisses her.) Sounds better than when you usually say it.
Buffy: Do I usually say it? (Looks confused.)
Spike: Not out loud, never to me. But every time I say it. Every night that you let me hold you like this, make love to you, always imagine hearing you saying it back to me. But it's never sounded so good before.
Buffy: Oh. (Floored by the look in his eyes while he said it.) I never meant to ..I never knew. (Tears up a little bit, she can see how much he wanted to hear it, feels bad for holding it back for so long.)
Spike: (Strokes her back gentle.) All right luv, you said it now. That's what counts. No need to be upset. (Takes his finger and wipes a tear from her eye.) Guess this just means, I'm in your system now. Turn around is fair play.
Buffy: How's that?
Spike: You been in mine for so long now, think I crave you most days, more than I crave blood. I hunger for you more than for this life that keeps me going. You been in my system so long now, starting to forget where I end and you begin. Always been like that for me Slayer. Always loved you.
They fall into each other, and make love once again. Spike again getting to hear her say the words several times over.
Spike: (Lying beside her.) Think we should have that talk now luv.
Buffy: The serious one that we had to put off.
Spike: Yeah, I think it's bout time.
Just then from upstairs, the crypt door can be heard slamming.
Dawn: Spike. Spike are you here? Giles said you were back. He said Buffy came to visit you, but that was hours ago, and it's dark now. I made my way over here, by myself.
Spike: Wait there bit, be right up. (Hustling to get their things on. Spike gets dressed first, and makes his way up the ladder.) Bit what a nice surprise this is.
Dawn: Spike you're ok. (Elated to see him.) Buffy was so worried about you, she thought you'd get all staked or something, but I wasn't worried, I knew you'd be ok. Knew you could survive any demon world, or bachelor party or whatever it was. (Trying to be cool, to not show how worried she was too.) I thought Giles said Buffy came to see you. (Looks around) Where is she?
Buffy: (Making her way up the ladder. Wearing one of Spikes shirts.) She is right here. Why are you out so late by yourself again, walking in a grave yard?
Dawn: When the sun set and you didn't come by to the house I got all worried and stuff, figured you would both make your way back. Then I got tired of waiting, and so I told Giles I was going for a walk.
Buffy: And you ended up here?
Dawn: Well if you'd come back, I wouldn't have worried.
Spike: It's ok bit, happy to see you. It's our fault anyway. Meant to go over and visit, but something came up, and we got delayed. (Looks at Buffy, sees her blushing.)
Dawn: Like Buffy wearing your clothing now? What happened to your shirt?
Buffy: (Blushing even more now.) I lost a button somewhere. (Looks at Spike, he laughs.) And hey, wait a second the subject is you being out after dark in a grave yard.
Dawn: (Rolling her eyes.) Yeah, what ever you say. (Turning to Spike.) I'm just glad you are ok. Guess we should head back. Giles is going to send out a search party if I don't return soon.
Spike: (Grabbing his coat.) Sounds like a plan bit. Let's get going.
The three leave Spikes crypt, and make their way back to the Summers house. Anya and Xander have come back to talk about the wedding with Giles.
Anya: Xander did not win me anything, can you believe that?
Xander: Well let's see, I survived Arashmara. I came back in tact.
Anya: Figures, that's what I get for marrying a human. Other demons get the rotting head of a boar or, the feet of a Oxal demon, for a blessing. I beg D'hoffryn to host your ceremony of purification, which is so much better than the tradition of groom self flagellation, and you can't even win one little trophy.
Xander: Yeah other demons get those things, you're not a demon anymore, try you're human now!
Buffy: (Stepping in.) Tell you what, Anya, you can have one of the trophy's Spike brought me back from Arashmaha. The boar's head trophy. Think of it as an early wedding present.
Spike: Hey I survived, several hours of flogging to win that bad boy.
Buffy: (Giving Spike a squelching look.) And that's why it would be even more of an honor for Anya and Xander to have the rotting head of the boar. Think of it as a early wedding present Anya.
Anya: Buffy you are the best. (Goes over to give her a hug, clearly moved by the gesture.)
Buffy: (Buffy is clearly surprised.) Really? I mean think nothing of it.
Xander: Oh I don't know about Anya, but every time I come home and have to see it, I will definitely be thinking Buffy. (Gives Buffy, a none too pleased look.)
Anya: Stop going on Xander, now we have to discuss the wedding.
Giles: (Entering the room, and rejoining the others.) Buffy you are back, finally I see. (Stressing the finally.) Oh and Dawn's one person search party found you , at the store, I see. (Looks at Dawn, as he cleans glasses.) Oh Spike they brought you too, so they didn't stake you or anything in the demon world?
Spike: No, came back in one piece, sorry to disappoint. Things going good over in England? Didn't bring your lovely with you? Heading up the old watcher council eh?
Giles: Things are good in England, She will be here in time for the wedding, and yes, giving the council a hand. So you've been busy, from what I gather.
Spike: Why? What you heard?
Giles: Just your visiting the demon realm, dating Buffy. That's about it really.
Spike: Yeah the demon realm, quite the place there. Buffy's quite a woman. They both been keeping me busy. (Gives Buffy a wicked look, and grabs her to sit on his lap.) Isn't that right luv?
Buffy: (Blushing, but not attempting to move anywhere else.) Spike not in front of our friends remember. (Saying it from habit but not really caring anymore.)
Anya :Oh that's ok Buffy, me and Xander discuss our sex life all the time in front of other people. You are wearing Spike's shirt, not as if we can't figure out what's going on. Now enough sex talk, and let's get back to discussing the wedding.
Buffy: (Looking really uncomfortable as the only other two people in the room who haven't noticed her shirt, take a closer look.) Anya's right, we need to stick to what's important and discuss the wedding. (Happy to change the subject.)
Xander: Don't know Buffy that last bit was sounding kinda interesting, more interesting than let's say the boar head your giving Anya. Or even the wedding. (Happy to have a chance to pay Buffy back for the boar head present.)
Anya: Xander, knock it off and leave Buffy alone. We are keeping the boar head. Now about the fittings. Everyone has had theirs done, but Buffy of course and Spike. Although all Spike has to do is pick out a tux, for the second part of the ceremony, the costumes for the first part are pretty much one size fits all.
Xander: I'm having serious reservations here Anya. First you forbid, any kind of a rehearsal what so ever, and believe me I think we could use the rehearsal. Then you insist that we act out this barbaric scene from demonic history. Did I mention the bachelor party of torture, to a demon realm. Our wedding is not turning out the way I wanted it.
Anya: That's cause I'm the bride, and the bride should always have things her way. How many times does a girl get married, anyways.
Xander: Keep this stuff up, and it's going to be more than once .
Anya: Xander, are you making fun of me again? I just want the wedding to be perfect, with lots of gift's and ceremonies, and well you are not being very supportive.
Xander: Hey being supportive here, being very supportive, but cut me some slack. I was thinking plain human traditional wedding. Traditional trimmings etc. Call me old fashioned but that's what I was hoping for.
Anya: Well you can have your traditional life when we have kids, and buy a house, and get a dog, and a car. Till then we will just have to compromise.
Xander: That's what I'm talking about some middle ground. A little bit of what we both want.
Anya: Fine then, we will remove the blood letting part of the wedding. There see I've compromised. (Smiles at everyone, feeling proud of herself.) Now on to more important things.
Xander: Anya that's not exactly the compromise I had in mind. That's more like you remove one small thing and go ahead and have your own way.
Anya: Yeah I compromised. What wrong now? You're being all fussy today, are you still mad about your bachelor party? Told you I was sorry.
Xander: It's just you kinda do what you want, and then take the time to think about stuff. I guess you're impulsive.
Anya: Yeah, and that's what you love about me right baby?
Xander: Impromptu sex, hey that's impulsive. Xander likes that. Kidnapped to a demon realm, demons all over our wedding. Xander not like so much. All I'm saying is, don't think I'm getting in enough impute here, and it's my wedding too. (There is a little bit too much tension building in the air, for what should be a happy discussion. Spike moves to break the tension.)
Spike: Hey now kiddies, with arguing like that, you'll never make it down the isle. Lets just get back to the planning. Come on I want to hear more about Anya's plan to have me out in the sunlight, without turning into a big pile of dust. Think of it this way Xander if it doesn't work, you'll have something else to look forward to.
Xander: Hey when you put it that way. I guess I will let my little muffin here, continue with the planning of our wedding.
Anya: Thanks sweetie, that's way more supportive. (Xander doesn't say anything.) Now Buffy you and Spike missed the final fittings today cause you were, you know, having sex. So I've arranged for you two to go tonight and they are expecting you at the store. Now does everyone know their lines? I want it to be perfect, when we act out the scene. (Everyone nods in the affirmative. Anya has been making them go over lines for weeks now.) Though we can't have the traditional practice, we can go over everything several times till it's melded into your brains. Dawn you are clear on how exactly to perform the symbolic ritual scarifies at the end of the wedding.? (Dawn nodes.) And saw Willow earlier, she's all set. Giles now your best man for the regular part of the ceremony, but I wish you had participated in the purification ceremony. Since you're only going to be in the human part of the wedding, I guess it's ok.
Giles: Why Anya, that's such a disappointment. Knowing I too won't have the pleasure of being kidnapped and sent to a demon world to be tortured for days, till I see visions.
Anya: Well if it's really what you want, I could probably still arrange something with D'hoffryn.
Xander: Pretty sure he was just, joking on that one sweetie.
Anya: Oh sure make fun of the ex demon. (Giles cleans his glasses, trying not to laugh.) If you ever get married don't expect any thing close to what Xander had for a bachelor party.
Giles: I should dearly hope not. Spike, Buffy, what was that Anya said about fittings. Let me walk you to the door. Don't want to miss the fitting.
Anya: Yeah that's it Giles herd them out the door. Shoe, get going, skidadle. (As Buffy and Spike leave, and Giles and Dawn make escapes to other parts of the house. Xander and Anya continue to talk, and argue about the final wedding plans.
Walking down main street hand in hand, Spike and Buffy pass many stores. They just relax like any normal couple, for a moment anyways. They are on their way to see a fitter that specializes in human and demon ceremonies and fittings.
Buffy: Yeah, the arguing has been getting worst, but that's just Anya and Xander. It should be a really nice wedding. I know Xander goes on but he loves her. (Coming up to the store, she sees all the gowns and things in the window, she stops to stare for a second.)
Spike: Gonna get all girly and missish, on me are you? (Laughs) Fine I'm going in for a bit, I'll leave you to look at the stuff in the window. (Let's go of her hand, and kisses her as he goes into the store.)
Buffy: (As Buffy is about to go inside the store, she sees a reflection in the window she can hardly credit. Turns around surprised.) Riley, is that you?
Riley: Yeah, it's me, how you been? (Has that same, rugged, Iowa, corn fed, wholesome look. Smiles at Buffy.)
Buffy: (Instinctively she gives him a hug, then pulls back.) Fine. You? (She pulls back, remembering that he left, and all the memories come flooding back, bad and good.) How's the initiative?
Riley: I think me and the initiative are over with, this time for good. I'm fine. You sure look good. (Looks at her very warmly.) I just got back into town. I called your house, and I think Anya answered. Said you had gone downtown to get fitted for her wedding, then hung up the phone before I could say who I was. I was hoping I'd find you.
Buffy: Sounds like Anya all right. She's got some real phone savvy and tack. (Can't believe it's really Riley Finn. Standing there, like he had never left.) It's good to see you.
Riley: Buffy, I really hate how we parted. I know I owe you an apology. I am sorry about how everything ended. I shouldn't have left like that, and I've wanted to say that to you ever since I left for Belize.
Buffy: We both acted badly, I realized that before you left. I came to find you but you took off before I had the chance. I wanted to say that I was sorry too. I neglected you, and didn't let you in when I should have. It takes two to have a relationship, with everything that I was going through, I guess I forgot that. I'm sorry if I made you feel like the rebound guy.
Riley: I guess you're right it does take two people to have a relationship. But, I'm still sorry for everything. (Sounds really pained and uncomfortable, as he says his next words.) I heard about your mom, Buffy I'm so sorry. I know I should have been there. It's just I had no contact to anything where I was, I am still playing catch up on so many things. I just found out before I got into town.
Buffy: Me and Dawn have been dealing, and we are surrounded by friends, it's been ok. It's a huge adjustment, but we've been surviving ok.
Riley: This is gonna sound weird, but (he laughs.) Heard you were dead. There was this rumor going around for awhile, from this biker gang. I heard about it when I got back, I still have my contacts. But I can see it was all false.
Buffy: I was. (She says emotionlessly.)
Riley: You were what? Dead? (Sees her nodding her head, and the look on her face.) God Buffy I'm sorry, but how? Why? What?
Buffy: Willow, it was all Willow. She did a spell and pouf, I'm back . Here I am. But it's ok, I've been adjusting. I've had help, and I'm fine. Well getting there.
Riley: (Sounding regretful.) I'm such an idiot, I should have been there for all this. I should have known it, felt it somehow. It's like the time I didn't realize you were faith. I am so sorry. But you look amazing for a corpse. (Realizes what he just said.) I'm sorry I didn't mean it that way, it's just.
Buffy: It's ok, Riley. I know what you mean. I use to wake up and not be able to believe it myself. I'm ok now really. I've had help adjusting. I'm getting, there, and starting to feel good again. (She smiles.)
Riley: (He looks up for the first time., and really notices the store for the first time.) Hey isn't this the same store that we were in front of two years ago, before we got together. Remember you played that practical joke on me about marrying Spike. There is so much I want to say to you, and so much that I want to talk to you about, can we go some place, maybe get some coffee?
Buffy: (Suddenly Buffy remembers that she is suppose to be getting fitted for Anya's wedding and that she did not come alone.) I can't I'm suppose to be getting fitted, me and Spike. (Riley looks surprised and confused at the mention of the name. Not as surprised as he is a second later.)
Spike: Did I hear my name luv? (Comes up behind Buffy, and hugs her around the waist, kisses her ear.) Miss me pet? (Says it very low and seductive. Sees Riley's jaw drop, and the expression on his face is priceless, it's even better than the reaction Spike was expecting.)
Riley: Hey get your hands off of her. Buffy? (He looks so stunned, and dumbfounded.) What's going on here? He's got his hands on you! (Almost in horror.) You're not staking him, what's going on? (Still looks shocked.)
Spike: Didn't you tell him luv? (Stops nibbling on her ear, and looks up long enough to answer Riley.) We seem to have become quite the item, since you up and ran off. Good to see you back mate, but we really have to get going, glad you could pop in, sure you understand. (Goes back to nibbling her ear.)
Riley: Is this true? (The shock finally settling in.) Guess it must be cause he's not a pile of dust right now
Buffy: (Motions for Spike to stop playing with her ear. But his hands stay possessively around her waist.) It's true, we are together now.
Riley: Thought I'd seen the really weird stuff in Belize, guess you have to really come to Sunnydale to say you've seen it all. I have to go. (Still sounds hurt, but is getting his composure back.) Maybe we can catch up some other time.
Buffy: Riley wait. (Gets out of Spikes embrace and motions for Riley to stop.)
Spike: Buffy you heard the man, he's got to go. We should let him leave. Don't want to keep you. You can toddle off now. (Motions for Riley to push off.)
Riley: (Resists the urge to try staking Spike.) He's right, I do have to go. But I'd love to catch up some time.
Buffy: How about the wedding. Anya's getting married to Xander. I'm sure I could secure you an invite, maybe we could catch up then. It's in a couple of days.
Riley: Guess so, after all to the victor goes the spoils right. I'll give her and Xander a shout, now that I'm back. Good seeing you again Buffy. (He leaves, realizing the rage Oz must have felt, when he came back and found out about Tara and Willow. Realizes he's earned his place in the ex-club of Sunnydale.)
Buffy:( After Riley leaves, turning to face Spike.) What was that? What was with the whole possessive stuff? And you were so rude.
Spike: You're not serious right? You didn't expect me to stand there, and let him slip back in now that he just bounds back into town with his what's his height self? I take care of what's mine.
Buffy: So what's that mean. I'm like your possession now? What do you mean just let him slip back in? We were just talking, thanks for the vote of confidence in me. Who do you think you are any ways?
Spike: Oh so that's it, what's his height is back for two seconds, and you're asking me who I think I am. I'm the vamp who loves you, who's stood by you all these months since you've been back, taking your abuse, watching you push me aside, and come to my door when you've got an itch to scratch. Then when you finally decide that I'm not too much dirt, you finally tell your friends and family about us. Then you tell me you love me. Why don't you bloody well act like it, and stop being such a bitch.
Buffy: (Buffy hits him in the face. They fight outside the store.) What did you expect me to do. Just tell him to get lost, and bugger off, or something like that.
Spike: Be a nice start, and you could finish by giving him a one way ticket out of Sunnydale.
Buffy: Is that what you're going to do the next time Drew comes back into town? Just give her a one way ticket out of town.
Spike: Did that last time, member. (Sees her remembering, he realizes they are fighting over nothing.) I love you, I just get crazy if I think I'm gonna lose you.
Buffy: Spike I have a past, but Riley is just that, the past. I'm sorry if it upset you. (Looks him full in the face.) But I'm not going anywhere.
Spike: (Looks down at her, all his anger forgotten.) It's my fault, I'm a bad, rude man. Do you forgive me?
Buffy: (Goes over, grabs him up, and they start making out in front of the store. Some minutes later.) If we don't go do that fitting, Anya is going to have a none dressed Buffy in her bridal party.
Spike: She'd be crazy if she threw you back, cause I'll have you anyway I can get you. (They make out a little bit longer and then do the fittings.)
An hour later after leaving the store. They are still in good spirits.
Buffy: I'm so exhausted. I was doing fittings for two in that store. (The dress maker in the store, had asked Buffy to fill in for a customer, that was going to be late for her final fitting. Buffy had been about the right, size and height.) Did you see that dress. (Referring to the one she had tried on. Sounding a little dreamy.) It was beautiful, I can't believe Anya talked Xander into letting her get married in red.
Spike: She seems to fully have him by the short hairs, on that stuff. Oh well, they will sass it out or they won't. Willow having any luck with Tara?
Buffy: No still the same. She violated a lot of people's trust with her magic addiction, but most of all Tara's and the trust just isn't there, yet.
Spike: Just curious, wouldn't want Tara being all wonky tomorrow night, when she performs that spell on me. You know I don't go in for that mojo nonsense. But it's the only way I can tend this wedding with you.
Buffy: It will be fine, Tara's a powerful witch, more powerful than Willow was sometimes I think. You'll be fine.
Spike: Just wish we weren't doing a dry run. Wish there was a way to practice, but the only way to practice it seems is to practice. (They finally arrive at Buffy's house. Spike kisses her good-bye and prepares to leave.)
Buffy: You're not coming in, even for a little bit? (Looks at him, suggestively.)
Spike: Depends on a little bit of what. But don't think Giles would be such good company on the coach there with us, besides got to pick up a CD.
Buffy: C.D.? Anything that I would like?
Spike: Sex? (Sees the look on her face.) Sex Pistols. (Gives her a mischievous look as he clarifies.) A little Ramones music, and I'll try to get something you might like.
Buffy: Is that a promise?
Spike: Since you been back, my mission is to keep all the promises, I make to you. (They kiss and part for the night.)
Buffy: (Buffy enters the house and for once it's nice and quite. She makes her way upstairs.) Alone with her thoughts she reflects on all the events of the day. She falls asleep really happy, and finds peace in her dreams.)
Spike: (Somewhere across town. Spike is still out about the town and then he is in the grave yard, heading back to his crypt. Anya and Xander big day is coming up and he wants to be sure that he is ready. He is finally back to his crypt just before sunrise and as he too falls asleep, he finds peace in sleep.)
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