They were in the rented Mercedes on their way to the hotel and Buffy turned slightly in her luxurious leather seat to face Methos.

            "I'm sorry."

            His eyebrows rose, "Why?"

            "For scaring you when I confronted the bozos." She answered and watched his eyes as he smiled at her. "Don't worry, I'll make you pay in very inventive ways my dear."

            Buffy laughed and watched as the Paris of her dreams went past in a blur.

            Methos had planned their trip carefully. He wanted to spoil Buffy in every conceivable way. They arrived at the Hotel Hilton Paris Suffren and pulled in front, to be greeted by the hotel manager.

            Buffy watched in amusement as the manager spoke to Methos in rapid French, and he replied in kind. Their luggage was whisked inside, and the manager turned his smiling face to her.

            "Bonjour Madame, welcome to the Hilton Paris Suffren. It is so nice to see Monsieur Pierson with someone, he has always been alone."

            "Thank you for the kind welcome." She replied graciously. As they walked in Buffy looked around in amazement, the lobby was spacious and beautiful and filled with gorgeous women and older men. The manager led them up to their suite personally, spoke something more to Methos and they walked into their suite. The steward was placing canapés on a tray, and settling champagne in a metal cooler filled with ice. He bowed his head, smiled and left them alone.

            The cream colored damask curtains had been pulled back to let in a flood of sunlight. The room was decorated in sea blue and cream, with beautiful carved oriental rugs underfoot. Buffy dropped her purse and wandered around, skimming her fingers over the bouquet of fresh flowers, pulling out a freesia and carrying it with her as she explored.

            Methos couldn't get enough of watching her and knew he had it bad. She turned and smiled at him, "So you come here often, but only alone?"

            "I didn't have anyone I wanted to bring." He said simply and walked over to kiss her. "Come on, let's shop!"

            Buffy wanted to see the Eiffel tower first and Methos let her drag him over so she could stare up at it in wonder. Then they stepped into the first of many exclusive shops in Paris. The kind that if you have to ask the price, you can't afford it.

            He bought her a couple of evening gowns, indulged her passion for shoes and picked up a single lily from a flower vendor and presented it with a charming bow. She dragged him into a men's shop and made him try on French jeans. Nothing like French jeans on a man with a nice ass, both she and the sales clerk agreed with giggles. He turned and arched at eyebrow at the women who sobered up quickly, but with smiles. Then she helped him pick out a new leather duster, (a new one to fit his sword in). She made him try on several, just to indulge her need to see him in black. The last one was the best. It made him look dark and dangerous and made Buffy's mouth water. He paid for the many purchases and had them sent on to their hotel, then he took her for a walk along the Seine. He pointed out where Duncan used to live on his 'miserable barge' before moving to the States. They walked back to the hotel hand in hand.

            The next day they visited the Arc de Triomphe and Notre Dame. He was amused at her typical American link between the hunchback and the beautiful church. When she walked in however, the church itself blew her away. She walked around, and then went to sit in a pew, Methos beside her.

            "I came when it was built you know." He whispered quietly.

            "Was it as beautiful as it is now?" She asked and he nodded. "More."

            The next day they drove to the castle called Chambord. Buffy took one look at it and gasped.  They had stood in line with the crowds and followed the tour group when suddenly Methos had grabbed her and dragged her down another massive hallway. He then gave her a tour of his life there, and the intrigues. He told her about the lack of hygiene during the time, and the dogs that were constantly underfoot. And the fleas, then laughed at the face she made.

            He also took her to the fortress Angers, where he spent a great deal of time in the defense forces, and told her about his life there as a soldier.

            "No plumbing? Ewww."

            He laughed and they headed for the hotel. That night was their special date at the L'Ambroisie on Place de Vosges. Methos had already dressed in his tux, hair slicked back. He was checking the fit of the jacket in the mirror when his eyes met Buffy's in the mirror. Stunned, he slowly turned around and stared at the vision in front of him.

            She was in a backless sapphire evening gown, the front a simple halter design. Her only ornament was a gold and diamond chain hanging down her back, emphasizing the curve of her lovely spine. She was 4 inches taller, in sexy spiked heels, and her hair was in a sophisticated French twist. She looked like every man's fantasy.

            "You take my breath away." He said quietly and she smiled at the thunderstruck expression on his face. She walked up to him and using a fingertip, placed it under his chin and slowly closed his mouth, "You look good enough to eat." She said, and he captured her hand, placing a kiss in the palm. "Right back at ya kid."

            As the couple was escorted through the restaurant, Methos noticed the admiring glances thrown Buffy's way. She seemed oblivious as they were seated and she smiled into his eyes.

            "You're very quiet." Methos said, taking her hand and playing with her fingers.

            "No, I'm very overwhelmed." She giggled softly and he smiled. "You look as if you belong."

            She shrugged, and then wiggled suddenly. She looked under the table and seemed to stretch and he sat back, "What are you doing?"

            "I lost my shoe." She looked under the table again and he began to chuckle, then he looked, found the offending shoe and handed it to her, smiling at her irritated expression as she slipped it back on.

            They had an enjoyable meal, talking about 'the girrls', Duncan, Richie and her friends in LA. He laughed at her memory of Angel, supposedly so silent and stealthy, had slipped on a freshly mopped floor at the high school and banged his shoulder into the doorframe, rattling the walls. He in turn told her how Duncan had painted his nose when he had irritated him while painting his house. Methos rubbed his nose in reminiscence and Buffy almost fell out of her seat laughing.

            They walked out of the restaurant at about eleven, and were waiting for their car to be brought up when Buffy stiffened. Methos immediately started scanning the area and saw what Buffy sensed. A crowd of seemingly normal people in what looked like suspended animation, all staring at Buffy. She opened up her clutch purse, took out a stake and twirled it expertly, before dropping it back in and snapping the purse shut. The car pulled up and they got in, and Buffy never took her eyes off the crowd. Methos drove off and Buffy sighed.

            "Vamps?"

            "Vamps."

            They made it back to the hotel and went to bed. Methos had a plan of waking up before dawn and watching the sunrise at the Eiffel tower. In bed Buffy murmured her assent unenthusiastically and he only laughed. He turned to ask her something but she was sound asleep. Kissing her softly he curled around her and dropped off as well.