A/N: Alright everyone, think of Spike as early season two here; really badass Everyone's scared of him and he's really cool, right? Lol.

"I've grown attached to it, that's all." Buffy said, sighing. Willow tugged gently on her arm.

"I know Buff, but you have to put it behind you and move on," she coaxed. Buffy felt her eyes brimming with tears.

"It's just….It was such an important part of my life for such a long time!" She half-sobbed, about to break down.

"What? Buffy, I know we were on the boat for a quite a few weeks but…it's just a boat," Xander said incredulously. He stood behind the two girls, arm-in-arm with Anya. He had decided to go with them to London after all, after hearing he would not be promoted out of the kitchen any time soon. To his surprise and delight, Anya had decided to come with him, arranging to meet her father at the end of the summer when the ship returned to the port it was now pulling out of.

Buffy shot Xander an embarrassed look and hurried to pick up her suitcases and hail a coach. This was no easy task as Buffy had more suitcases than any of them, and carrying them all in one hand was just not possible.

After finally loading everyone's luggage into the carriage, Oz handed the driver the address of an inn Buffy's father had recommended they stay at for the night, and as they trundled along, they laughed and talked together of the coming summer.

At first, Anya held herself apart from the others, despite Xander's attempts to draw her into the conversation. Unlike him, she was unused to spending time in the company of richer folk, and felt out of place, assuming they would look on her only as a servant. However, the more she observed Xander's easy manner with these two fine ladies and handsome gentleman, the more she realised they really were genuinely friendly and interested in her, and she by the time they arrived at the inn she was chatting and laughing with Willow and Buffy as thought they had been friends for years.

Although surprised by Anya's somewhat direct manner (she had come straight out with several statements to do with young gentlemen that were enough to make even stoic Oz blush and turn away), Buffy found herself drawn to the girl and it was easy to see what a perfect match she made for Xander. Willow agreed, and when Buffy fell asleep that night she really did feel that things were looking up for her trip abroad.

But there was one remaining thought nagging her mind. All night, Buffy had somehow felt like a fifth wheel. Willow and Oz, Xander and Anya…and Buffy. And what made matters worse was the she was supposed to be finding a husband on this trip! This was bad news because she could either marry a nice gentleman, relieve the feeling of being left out but be burdened for the rest of her life with a boring man and be forced to admit her father was right, or…Or what? Or she could follow her principles and beliefs, and wait for love to find her…

Buffy snorted into her pillow, wondering where she was getting this rubbish. It was just the excitement getting to her, she reasoned. She was never normally this romantic and wistful. She rolled over and began to snore.

* * * *

Early the next morning, Buffy was awakened by a shaft of sunlight hitting her directly in the eyes. Groaning, she rolled over to see Willow's bed already empty and neatly made.

That didn't mean she was late, she reasoned as she hopped around the room pulling up her stockings. Just because Willow was out of bed doesn't mean anyone else was…

Buffy arrived downstairs ten minutes later to find everyone else up and out of bed, sitting around the breakfast table.

"What time is it?" She asked Oz, silently praying it was not past ten o'clock, the time when they had hoped to get a carriage from the inn into London .Oz reached inside his waistcoat and withdrew a gold pocket watch.

"Quarter to twelve," he said. Buffy groaned softly.

"I'm so sorry for being late," She apologised. "We were supposed to take a carriage at ten, weren't we? Why didn't you wake me, Will?"

Willow responded with a dismissive wave, although this might have been because her mouth was full with breakfast. When she swallowed, she explained.

"The inn didn't have a spare coach until later," She said. "It seemed a pity to wake you. After all, you looked so adorable hugging your pillow so tightly like that. Dreaming of Angel?" She teased, and avoided Buffy's half-hearted swat.

Anya looked interested.

"Who is this Angel? Is he handsome? Does he supply you with orgasms, Buffy?" Anya asked. Buffy almost dropped her spoon in reply, and stared at Anya in disbelief while her cheeks flamed. Anya looked back at her calmly, apparently not realising the outrageousness of what she had said. Willow was trying very hard not to laugh.

"Yeah Buffy," the redhead asked slyly. "Does he?"

"I…erm…no, no, not at all in fact. He's just, he's…erm, he's a m-man I know, but we're not, no, not in any way, he's not...erm.." Buffy trailed off miserably. The whole table was laughing by now and Buffy buried her face in her hands.

So the morning resumed.

About two hours later, the group were informed they was a coach loaded with their luggage ready to take them to London. Surprised, Buffy inquired as to who had taken it upon themselves to load up the carriage.

"If you'll excuse me ma'am," A male voice said behind her. "That was me."

Buffy turned around and her eyes met with a tall, broad man who smiled down at her.

"And you are?" She asked, smiling in spite of herself. He was fairly handsome after all.

"Oh, I've forgotten to introduce myself, I'm Riley Finn," He took her hand. "I work here. I came over from my home in Iowa to make my fortune. As you can see, I'm working on that," He gestured to his working clothes, about as plain as Xander's. Buffy laughed and introduced herself. Riley took this as a good sign and continued the conversation.

"So, you and your friends are heading to London? Where are you staying?"

"At the Wyndam-Pryce mansion. Have you heard of it?" She asked. Riley whistled and nodded his head.

"Everyone's heard of it," he informed her. "The Wyndam-Pryce's are one of the richest families in these parts. You should have a good time with them. They are famous for the parties they have," He added seeing her looking puzzled when he informed her she would have a good time. Buffy grinned and they continued to talk as Riley escorted her outside to the waiting carriage and her friends.

"Well, Riley Finn, it's been my pleasure," Buffy offered her hand again. Riley took it and was about to lift it to his lips when he saw the death-glare Xander was shooting him. He hastily shook it instead and shut the carriage door behind Buffy, standing back as they drove away.

He shook his head as they moved off out of sight. Buffy…yeah, he liked her. Too bad he'd never see her again. Too bad he couldn't get rich quick. Not that he wasn't trying. Yeah, Riley had a couple of jobs going that kept him fairly well, until he made his fortune.

Unfortunately, one of Riley's jobs was turning out to be not as temporary as he'd first hoped. He was acting as an informant, and he was starting to get the feeling that he was slowly sinking in quicksand.

Turning to go back in, he met his two friends Forrest and Graham face to face.

"One for Spike?" Forrest asked, raising an eyebrow. Riley swallowed hard.

"I don't think so, not this one," he said. Forrest raised an eyebrow.

"Why not? They were rich, weren't they? Where were the going?"

"The Wyndam-Pryce estate," He muttered. Forrest whistled.

"And you don't think Spike is going to be happy with someone that rich?" He asked. Riley stood up straighter.

"It's not that." he said. "It's just, I guess…I guess I like her," he burst out finally. Forrest shook his head.

"Come on Riley, just this last one," Graham chimed in. "Then we'll have enough to get to London and stay there for a while."

Disgusted with his own weakness, Riley realised his defences were already crumbling. Just this last one…

"Alright." he agreed. His scruples screamed. "Get the horses. We'll have to move fast if we're going to overtake the coach and get word to Spike in time for him to lay the ambush." His friends nodded, and Riley forced the image of Buffy's fresh-faced smile from his mind. He had to look after himself. It was only fair.

Another image floated to his mind. Buffy staring into the barrel of Spike's pistol.

Riley ran to be sick.

* * * *