"Riley? What are you doing here? I mean.... I never expected to see you again. Not after...."

"I know, Buff. We didn't part on the best of terms, and a lot of it was my fault."

"Riley, I..."

"No. Wait before you say anything. I've been thinking about what I wanted to say here for a long time. I know, it's been more than a year, and a lot of things can change. You may even be seeing someone... hell, you probably are, but I just wanted to see you again. Talk things over, so maybe we can part as friends this time."

"Riley...."

"Maybe you never wanted to see me again, I wouldn't blame you, but I had to..."

"Riley. I'm glad to see you."

"Really?"

"Really." She wiped her hands on her thighs, and tried to brush the dust out of her hair and off her face. She winced, as her fingers found a gash on her forehead from the crypt wall.

"You're hurt. Let me..." Riley took a handkerchief out of his pocket and gently dabbed Buffy's face. Their eyes met.

"Riley.... I want you to know, I tried to stop you. From leaving, I mean. That night, on the helicopter strip."

"You did?" He leaned forward, until their faces were inches apart.

"Yeah, I did."

Riley leaned closer, his lips parted. Buffy closed her eyes.

"Um, what just happened here?"

The boy on the ground, Tina's "date", spoke as he rose shakily to his feet.

Buffy looked at him. "That's kinda hard to explain. Long story. Maybe you should cut back on the dope smoking, and be careful about following strange women into graveyards at night. Sunnydale's not a good place to do that."

"No shit, man. I think I'm getting on the next bus back to LA. Um, thanks, y'know?"

"Don't mention it." Buffy and Riley watched as the young man made a swift retreat out.

"So."

"So. I could say the same thing to you, you know. About following women into Sunnydale graveyards. But I'm glad you did."

"I'm glad I did too."

They walked away from the crypts, stopping at a stone bench near the cemetary gates. Buffy pulled off her jacket, sighing at the large rip that nearly seperated the collar from the rest of the cloth. She shoved the ruined coat into her bag. Riley raised an eyebrow at her attire.

"Colorful."

Buffy looked down at her Doublemeat Palace uniform in embarassment. "Oh. Yeah. This. I had to, um, get a job."

"It's ok. It looks cute on you."

"Really?"

"No, but you look good anyways. You always look good to me, Buffy."

"Thanks." She smiled shyly. "You look good too. Look at you, you're all Mr. Stealthy Commando Man. What happened there?" She gestured at the scar on his face.

"This?" He touched his hand to his eyebrow. "Angkar Demon. They've got these tentacles growing out of their faces with teeth on the ends. We were cleaning out a nest in Bolivia."

"Wow. We've got a lot to catch up on."

""We do. So, who did you think I was back there?"

"Huh?" Buffy looked confused.

"Back in the cemetary. Whoever you told not to follow you."

"Oh. That. That was no one... nothing important."

"Ah." He stared intently at Buffy and reached out to brush a strand of hair away from her face. "I should let you get home. It's late. I need to take care of a few things, myself."

"Are you staying a while? In town, I mean."

"Yeah. I am now."

Buffy smiled. "Good."

"So, can I see you tomorrow night? After work?"

"I'd like that."

"Good. I'll meet you......?"

"At my house. About ten-thirty."

Riley smiled and squeezed Buffy's hand. "See you then."

They parted, Buffy walking in one direction, Riley in the other. A flame flickered in the gloom near the cemetary walls, followed by a clicking noise as the Zippo lighter snapped shut.

"Nothing.... no one important...."