Music in this section doesn't belong to me. It's Elvis.

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"So, taking precious time out from studying to have a picnic, are we girls?" asked a tall, light-haired man the next day. Buffy and Willow had the idea the previous night, and invited the whole group, including Giles, and Joyce, who had returned late the previous night, to eat lunch on the lawn at the campus, bringing sandwiches, drinks and chips for a nice early afternoon meal.

They all looked up at the intruder, recognition flashing over the faces of Buffy and Willow.

"Oh, hey, Riley!" Willow said. "Guys, this is Riley Finn, one of the TA's for the psych class Buffy and I have. Riley, these are our friends. This is Oz, my boyfriend, that's Xander, Buffy's boyfriend and my best friend, Faith, with whom we are also friends, Mrs. Summers and Giles, who is our. . . older friend. Oh, but not in a gross way."

Giles cleaned his glasses. "Thank you, Willow."

She grinned at him.

"Nice to meet you all," Riley said, glancing over at Faith for a second. "I. . .just wanted to come over and say 'Hi'."

Faith looked up at him and smiled. "Why don't you join us?" she asked. "Plenty of room on the blanket over here."

"Hmm, that's a tempting offer," he said. "Unfortunately, I have a boatload of papers to grade, so I can't. Some other time, maybe."

"Sounds like fun," Faith said, not taking her eyes from his.

Riley stood there, looking at her. "Yeah it does."

The rest of the gang sat, watching the two with increasing interest and amusement.

Buffy grinned at Xander, and gave him a questioning look. Xander shrugged.

"Did you say something about papers, Riley?" Willow asked.

"Huh?" he asked, shaking his head to clear it. "Oh. Papers. Right. I'll um. . . see you two in class. . ."

"Bye, Riley," Buffy said, trying not to laugh.

Riley looked at her, nodded, and walked off, Faith's eyes following him the whole way. After he'd gone about ten steps, he stopped, turned around and looked at her. He smiled, then turned and ran off.

The group was silent for a moment.

"He was tall," said Oz.

"He was gorgeous!" said Faith, turning back to the group and grinning. "B, Red, you have got to get me his number."

"Maybe we should invite him out to the Bronze sometime," Buffy suggested casually.

"Yes!" Faith said. Then she realized her enthusiasm was betraying her loner image. "I mean. . . sure. If you want. Could be cool, I guess."

Joyce and Giles shared a knowing glance, while Buffy laughed, Oz raised an eyebrow, and Willow shot a grin at Xander, which he returned in kind.

"What?" Faith asked.

Everybody shook their heads and went back to eating.

"What?" She asked again.

"It's nothing, Faith. Really," Xander said, still grinning. "Just that somebody's in looooove," he teased, quietly.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Faith said, unconvincingly.

"Uh huh."

"I don't," she insisted.

Xander looked at her patronizingly. "The important thing is, *you* believe that, Faith."

An egg salad sandwich, still in its plastic wrapping, hit Xander in the face.

"Yup," he said, nodding. "I had that coming."

"So what are you two doing tonight?" Joyce asked.

"Yeah, Xan. What are we doing tonight?" asked Buffy.

Xander grinned. "That's a secret."

"From all of us?" she asked.

"Nope. There is a certain redhead who knows part of what I've got planned."

Buffy looked at Willow, who shrugged her ignorance.

Everybody looked at Oz.

"Oh, right. Yeah, that'd be me."

"What did he tell you, sweetie?" Willow asked.

Oz shook his head. "Can't say. Got bribed."

"What'd he give you?" asked Buffy.

"A look through his comics collection, with the guarantee of any two books of my choice becoming mine."

Willow's mouth dropped. "*Any* two books?"

"That's what he said."

"Xander, you didn't!" she said, disbelieving.

"I really did."

Willow shook her head, turned to Buffy and took her hand. "Buffy. In all the years I have known Xander, he has given me exactly three comic books from his collection. Once was when we were eleven, and I won the science fair for the first time. It was a Fantastic Four issue I had really enjoyed. Next was after he was Hyena boy, and we told him what he'd said. That time it was issue number 129 of Spiderman, which was the first appearance ever of The Punisher. Xander had personally gotten it signed by Stan Lee, after standing in line for about five and a half hours. He felt really bad that time. And then it was after I was in that coma, and he gave me his mint condition copy of Strangers in Paradise issue #1."

"You remember every time? And every comic?" Buffy asked.

"It's a very big deal," Willow said.

"That Spiderman was the second most expensive book I bought," Xander said.

"How much was it worth?" asked Giles.

"Going rate is around $220, I believe," Xander said.

"And you're letting Oz have whatever he wants?" Buffy asked, incredulous.

"That's the idea."

"What's your most expensive comic, Xander?" Joyce asked, intrigued.

Xander grinned. "Spiderman issue 121, the death of Gwen Stacy. It's around $275, I think. Also signed at the same convention I got the Punisher book signed, by one Mr. Stan Lee. That's the most expensive one I ever bought. But when Uncle Rory moved a few years ago, he told me to go through a few boxes of his old stuff, and I found a box, which I asked him about. He said 'Take whatever you want, kid.' So I opened it, damn near passed out, and locked it. I only opened it one other time since then."

"What did it have?" Giles asked.

"Well, the box had a lot of comics, but the real gem was the first five issues of Uncanny X-Men. In mint condition, bagged and boarded. Their combined worth is about $15,000, although that's inflated a little because the X-Men movie coming out soon is generating a lot of interest."

Everybody's jaw but Willow's dropped.

"What. . . um. . . why did you open the box again?" Faith asked.

"To show Willow and Jesse. Haven't even thought about opening it since."

"And you're willing to let Oz have one or more of those?" his girlfriend asked.

Xander shrugged. "If that's what he wants. They're just comics, Buffy."

Willow gasped. "Xander!"

"Okay, so they're not 'just comics,' but Buffy's more important than them."

"You certainly have a very high opinion of my daughter," Joyce said.

"I'm in love with her. That's about as high as an opinion gets."

"Well, I'm sorry, I can't just let this happen," Willow said.

"Will, what?"

"Oz, I'm putting some restrictions on your selection," she said.

"Willow, no, that's the whole point."

"Looked through the books already," Oz said. "Made my decision."

"And I have your decision in my pocket," Xander said. "Once we're done with our business, I'll open it and find out what Oz is the lucky winner of."

"But, Xander!" Willow whined, "I mean, those books. . ."

"I know, Will."

"Xander, I don't know about this. . ." Buffy said. "I mean, it's just one date. Special, yeah, but that's a lot of money."

"And you're worth every penny," Xander said, leaning in to kiss his girlfriend.

Faith tapped Willow on the shoulder. "Did he say he has five books worth $15,000?"

Willow nodded.

"Damn," said Faith. "I wish I was still a criminal."

* * * * *

"You do know that, with my Slayer senses, I know exactly where we are, right Xan? I mean, this blindfold doesn't do that much."

"I know, Buffy. Now shush."

"Okay."

Xander led Buffy down the alley and knocked on the door, smiling at the sign that said "Closed for Private Party." He pulled the steel door open and led Buffy inside, removing the blindfold and allowing her to see the Bronze.

Buffy looked around saw the dance club as it had been redone. The lights were turned way down, the floor had been swept clean, mopped and shined. The curtains on the stage were pulled shut and one chair had been set up, with an acoustic guitar leaning against it, and a microphone in front of it.

Xander led Buffy to a table that had been set up in the middle of the dance floor, with bouquet of flowers and a drip candle in an empty Chianti bottle in the middle. Xander sat her down on one side of the table and lit the candle.

"You play guitar?"

Xander laughed. "Not a chord. The guitar's not for me. But that's for later. Now, madam, if you will remain seated, I shall head off to hunt and kill our dinner."

Buffy smiled. "I'll be waiting for you."

Xander sprinted off to the kitchen behind the bar and returned with two plates, which he set down on each side of the table.

Buffy looked at the dishes. "Salad, Xander?"

He smiled. "This is but the first course, my dear."

"Oh, I see."

Xander was sat down, then jumped back up. "Oh! I forgot. Hold on, one more second."

Buffy watched his retreating form with amusement and happiness. Xander returned a few moments later with a bottle of wine and two wine glasses.

"Wine, Xander? Where'd you get that?"

"Giles got it for me," he said as he set the glasses down and opened the bottle. "Made me sit through a lecture on drinking responsibly, too. Which, considering my family, both makes sense and is a little redundant."

Buffy got a thoughtful look on her face. "Xander, I don't want you to start. . . what I mean to say is that. . . well. . ."

Xander smiled at her as he poured the wine into both glasses. "It's okay, Buffy. I've had alcohol before, but I never get drunk, I never drive and I know what it can do, so I'm careful."

Xander sat down. "Well, dig in," he said.

Buffy and Xander sat, eating and talking, with Xander occasionally refilling the wine glasses (or, after a little while, water) and also getting the other courses of the meal. The evening lacked completely the normal awkwardness of a young couple, as it had the support of a few years of friendship behind it. The meal ended and Xander cleared the table.

"So, do I get my song now?" Buffy asked.

"You've been waiting for this all night, haven't you?"

She grinned. "Well, I've never heard you sing before. I'm excited."

Xander laughed. "Okay. One song coming up."

Xander hopped up onto the stage and Oz walked out from behind the curtain wearing a suit. He sat down on the chair and picked up the guitar. Xander stood at the microphone.

"Okay, I would at this time like to take requests. Yes, you there, at the table."

"I can request a song?" Buffy asked.

"Ah, great, a wonderful song, and it just happens to be one I know," Xander said, smiling.

Oz strummed the guitar, making sure it was in tune, then nodded at Xander and started playing. Xander soon started to sing in a low, soothing voice that made Buffy's heart race just a little faster. As the chorus began, Buffy stood and approached the stage, watching Xander sing, with a smile on her face and love in her eyes.

"Wise men say only fools rush in

but I can't help falling in love with you

Shall I stay

would it be a sin

If I can't help falling in love with you Like a river flows surely to the sea

Darling so it goes

some things are meant to be

take my hand, take my whole life too

for I can't help falling in love with you Like a river flows surely to the sea

Darling so it goes

some things are meant to be

take my hand, take my whole life too

for I can't help falling in love with you

for I can't help falling in love with you"

The music stopped and Buffy applauded. Xander bowed to Buffy, then to Oz, who nodded and walked backstage. Xander hopped off the edge of the stage. Buffy grabbed him and gave him a kiss.

"That was wonderful, Xander. Thank you. This whole night has been fantastic."

Xander grinned at her. "Well, we're not quite done yet," he said.

"More?" she asked.

"Well, what use is a good date if you can't dance with the girl what brung ya?" he asked.

Slow, soft music swelled from the speakers again as Oz worked the Bronze's stereo system. Xander took Buffy in his embrace and they slowly started moving together to the music, her head resting on his chest, and his head resting on top of hers. He gave a quick nod to Oz, who headed out the back. Buffy and Xander remained dancing for the next half hour, taking comfort and love in each others arms, until the music stopped.

Buffy looked up and pulled Xander into a long, slow kiss that they both enjoyed fully. When it was over, they were both out of breath.

"I should get you home," Xander said. "It's late."

Buffy smiled. "You think after tonight, I'm sleeping without you?"

"I hadn't planned on it," Xander said. "I bought Willow off with a quart of Rocky Road, and she not-so-grudgingly agreed to stay at Oz's place tonight."

"You mean I get Xander snuggles tonight?"

"As many Xander snuggles as you want. They are yours for the taking."

"Mmm. . . I like this deal," Buffy said. "Um, do we have to clean up, or anything?"

"Nope. Management's gonna come in tomorrow and clear everything. It's a house guitar, so we don't even have to worry about that."

"You thought of everything."

"I've been in love with you for years, Buffy. I've had plenty of time to plan this. Although, some of the details were kind of rushed. I had only been planning the music since Oz and Will got back together."

Buffy grinned. "You procrastinator."

"I know," he said. "It's shameful."

"Yup," Buffy said. They stood there for a second. "Well, come on," she said. "I want as many snuggles as possible."

* * * * *

"So what did you find on patrol last night, Faith?" Xander asked as people gathered at the Summers residence the next day.

"No vamps, still. No demons, either, though I did run across some of those commando boys you and B saw, but they high-tailed it before I could get a good look. Jeeves wants somebody to shake down Willy again, see what he knows."

"Sounds like a plan. You up for it?"

"Um. . . yeah, I guess."

"You guess? You're usually pretty enthusiastic about gettin' your beat on."

"Gettin' my beat on? X. . . no."

"Okay, fine, I'll stop talking like that. But the point remains. . ."

"Yeah. Well. . . see, patrols, that's one thing. But Willy, he's, well. . ."

"He's what?"

"He's human. I don't know if I'm ready for that, yet."

Xander's eyes shone with understanding. "It's okay, Faith. I get it."

"Do you? Cuz from where I'm sitting, you don't look like you have innocent lives under your belt."

"No, you're right, I don't, but that's not what I meant. Look, you're gonna have to get around to dealing with humans at some point. And Willy is barely human as it is."

"Yeah, but what if I lose control? I don't wanna go down that path again. It's lonely, I mean here, I've got. . ."

"Us. You've got us, Faith. We're not going anywhere. We're your friends. And if you don't want to go to Willy's later today, nobody's going to force you. But if you do, know that I'll be right there with you, and Buffy too, if you want her to be. We're here to help, Faith. Don't be afraid to ask for it."

Faith sighed, and nodded. "I'll think about it."

"Okay," Xander said. "No pressure."

"Thanks."

Xander nodded at her, then led her into the living room, where the group was assembled.

"Okay, folks. We ready to do this?"

Everybody nodded. Xander sighed, reached into his pocket and pulled out an envelope. Buffy took one of his hands as he flipped the envelope open and pulled out a piece of paper, letting the envelope fall to the floor. Xander slowly read the paper, then looked at Oz, who was sitting with Willow on the couch.

"These are your final choices?"

Oz nodded. Xander nodded back.

"All right," he said, releasing Buffy's hand and moving to one of the many boxes on the table. Xander flipped through a couple of comics, then pulled one out with a bag and board, and handed it to Oz.

"Marvel Spotlight number 2, the first appearance of Werewolf by Night. An appropriate choice," Xander said, as the rest of the group smiled. "This was also in the books I got from Uncle Rory."

"How much is that one worth?" Giles asked.

"I'm not really sure," Xander said. "I haven't checked the price in a while, but probably about $80."

Willow nodded her approval.

Xander looked at the paper again, then creased his eyebrows. "You're sure?" he asked.

"That's what I want," Oz said.

Willow held her breath as Xander moved to another box, and started ruffling through the comics pretty quickly. After about two minutes, he stopped and pulled a comic out and gave it to Oz.

"Ghost Rider Volume 2, issue 18. Nothing really special about that one, it's worth maybe two bucks. Why'd you choose it?" Xander asked.

"Cool cover," Oz said, holding it out to show people. It showed a beautifully painted flaming skull with a leather jacketed shoulder below it. Willow smiled at him and gave him a quick peck on the cheek.

"Okay. Well, that was pretty painless," Xander said. "Thanks again for your help last night, Oz."

"Thanks for the books," Oz replied.

"Oz, man, I gotta ask you," Faith started.

Oz raised an eyebrow.

"How did you resist taking one of those X-Men comics? They're worth so much money."

Oz looked Faith right in the eye. "He already gave me something worth more than all his comics combined."

Xander let out a short laugh.

"Is that true, Xander?" Buffy asked.

"He's not wrong," Xander replied.

"Was this for my daughter as well?" Joyce asked.

"No, Mrs. S. That was most definitely not for Buffy."

"What was it?" Faith asked. Oz said nothing. She looked at Xander. "What? Was it kinky or something, and you two just don't wanna share?"

"What two consenting adults do in their free time is none of your business, Faith," Xander deadpanned.

Oz actually grinned at that, shocking everybody but Xander. Everybody else was as confused as Faith. Xander and Oz gave each other a knowing glance and laughed at the confusion in the room.

"What the hell did you give him, X?" Faith asked.

Xander shook his head. "Something that is very precious to me. And something I had for a long time."

Willow's eyes lit with understanding and she smiled at him, leaving everybody else still confused.

"All right," Xander said, sitting down next to Buffy. "Well, now that we've got the excitement out of the way, we have a raid on a factory to plan."

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End Chapter 21