Buffy was surprised to see a man holding a sign that had her last name on it as she got off the train and 7:30 p.m. She walked over to him. "Are you here for Buffy Summers?" The man affirmed this and Buffy smiled.

"Hi, that's me," she said, holding out her hand. The man shook it. "You can call me Carl," he said as he led her to a taxi. Buffy nodded as Spike gave Carl Giles' bag. "This is Sp---William. Will." She smiled widely at Spike as he made a face over his name. Carl grinned and nodded at Spike and Spike tried to smile back.

"So you know where we're going?" Buffy asked as she and Spike got into the back seat. "Roseland right?" Carl asked, starting the cab. Buffy agreed and soon they were starting through the streets of the city. Carl chatted happily away as Buffy and Spike looked out the windows, every now and again saying something in response to Carl.

An hour later they stopped in front of a large white gate. "This is where I part," Carl said, turning around. Buffy looked around sheepishly. "Oh I must have lost my money..." She said, pretending to check her pockets, wondering desperately how she was going to pay the fine. "Oh, it's already paid for. Sorry, thought you knew." Buffy mentally sighed in relief.

"Oh, alright. Thank you." Carl smiled and got their bag from the trunk. He drove off with a small wave, leaving Buffy and Spike staring up at the big foreboding fence. Buffy gulped. "That's it Spike. That's Roseland." Spike looked around.

Vines grew up the fence with tiny roses on them and the lawns around the gates were immaculate. They could see nothing over the fence and ahead of them they saw a call box. Spike thought it looked a bit stuffy and was about to say when Buffy gushed, "It looks beautiful. Peaceful."

Spike readily agreed.

Buffy started to walk up to the box when she stopped and looked at Spike. She noticed thankfully that his wounds had healed almost completely, as hers had. "Spike, we never thought of a story to explain who you are."

Spike nodded. "Well," he started, then stopped. He was stumped. "You could be my brother." Spike made a face. "I don't want to be your brother. That's a bit creepy love." Buffy laughed. "How about my friend?" Spike raised his eyebrows. "Oh yeah because I'm sure this place is full of nice twenty- something room mates." Buffy scowled.

"Fine, then we have no story. We'll just see what happens." Before Spike could protest she pushed a red button. A female voice answered. "Hello?"

"Hello, I'm Buffy Summers..." She started. "Oh! Hello! We've been expecting you! Come right in!" The gate slid back silently. Buffy stepped back and stared at the driveway that led down a lane. She looked at Spike and they both shrugged.

Spike hoisted the bag and they both set off into the private community of Roseland.