It was early the next morning when Buffy stumbled sleepily downstairs.

"Jay?"

He looked up, covering a grin. Buffy was heading towards the table, eyes half closed, wrinkled, unmatched t-shirt and shorts, hair sticking out of her ponytail and to him, looking absolutely beautiful.

Jack glanced up and sputtered his coffee, "Geez Buffy, you'll scare the natives."

Buffy collapsed onto the chair beside Jay and glared, "Shut up Jack." And thumped her forehead down to rest on the table.

Daniel smiled and got up, "Ignore the old gray haired guy Buffy. I think you're beautiful." And he went into the kitchen to pour her some coffee.

Buffy snickered, then lifted her head when the coffee was placed in front of her. "Thanks Daniel." She wrapped her hands around the cup and absorbed its warmth, giving a breathy sigh. She held the cup up to her nose, sniffed deeply, then took a small sip, moaning with pleasure as the caffeine hit. Another sip, a deep heartfelt hum of happiness made Jay groan.

"Would you STOP?" His voice was tight.

Buffy looked up to see the men focused on her, "What?"

"You're making love to that coffee." Jay swallowed, "It's a little…distracting." Jack and Daniel both jerked their attention to their breakfasts as Buffy smirked.

A sleepy Sam came out with a plate of pancakes and some dishes, then sat down beside Jack, leaning her head on his shoulder. She smiled as she saw Buffy, "Hey, how did you sleep?"

"Like a rock. I don't remember even going to bed." She looked over at Jay.

"I carried you, you were pretty much unconscious before we even arrived back here." He replied, taking some pancakes and placing them onto a plate, adding butter and syrup before setting them in front of her.

"Eat."

She dug in and smiled as Teal'c joined them. Jack looked up, "Hey big guy."

"O'Neill." He sat down, took some pancakes and looked over at Buffy. "You did very well last night Buffy Summers." He stated.

"I couldn't have done it without all of you. And hey, at least I didn't die this time." She forked up some more pancake. Suddenly aware of the silence she looked up to see everyone's eyes on her.

"Um what?"

"Die? This time?" Jay asked.

Shifting restlessly she sighed, "Long story. Died at 16, Xander used CPR to bring me back. Almost died when Angel drained me, but went into a coma instead, um, died when I was 19, went to heaven for a few months, Willow brought me back from the dead…" she looked up at the ceiling, "Yeah, that's it."

Jay was a little pale, and Jack shook his head, "Geez Daniel, you and Buffy must be related or something. What's it been for you, 4 or five times that you died or almost died?"

Daniel shook his head at his friend and continued to eat. "Almost only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades, Jack." He replied.

Buffy leaned over to look at Daniel, "Look pretty good for a dead guy."

"Same goes." Daniel grinned.

Jay sighed, "This isn't a regular thing, is it?"

Rolling her eyes Buffy snorted, "It's not a hobby Jay."

Now Daniel snorted, "See! I don't do it on purpose either! Jaaack." This was said with overwhelming sarcasm.

"Why are you picking on me?" Jack protested.

There were quiet snickers around the table as Jack sulked.

Buffy ran a gentle hand over Jay's hair, and he glanced over at her. "We're leaving in two hours." He said quietly.

She closed her eyes, "I can't wait until Dawnie's graduation." Her shoulders slumped and Jay wrapped a strong arm around her, "I'm sorry Babe."

Jay and SG-2 were back on P99132, Minister Chang-na met them at the Stargate.

"Colonel Coburn, I trust that everything is well with your Buffy?" He asked jovially.

Jay bowed, "She's doing wonderful Minister, thank you for asking."

The negotiations went quickly from then on, and the treaty was signed. At the feast afterwards there was stylized storytelling, and after a few of the people who were native to the planet told their stories, the minister stood.

"Colonel Coburn, we would like you to tell us a story of your family."

Sg-2 looked at their very uncomfortable CO with grins. "Come on Boss." Hayden teased, "Tell them about Buffy!" Surreptitiously Hailey pulled out a minirecorder and started taping, gleefully hoping for blackmail material.

Realizing that he was stuck, and that the people were watching expectantly, he sighed and stood. "My life, before I met the woman that I am going to marry, was good. I have many friends and a job that I love." He gestured to the Stargate and the assembled and there was excited murmuring. "But then I met Buffy and my world changed for the better. She brought light, and love to me when I never thought to find it." He looked at his combat boots for a moment.

"The reason that I left before was that a spirit of my ancestors came to me in a dream. We call him the Eagle Spirit. It is told that he is the spirit of foretelling and protection. He showed me that Buffy would be in danger if I didn't go to her." He paused, and saw the expectant faces turned towards him. He gave a grin to his team and continued to tell the story of the quest, and the battle with Shaddal and Nirrti, the love in his voice clear. When he finished the people stood and clapped their hands upon their thighs.

SG-2 was amazed, they hadn't heard the story before either. Minister Chang-na held up his hands for silence, "We honor your bravery and the bravery of your Buffy. We would like to meet her." There were shouts of cheerful agreement.

Jay bowed, "It may be some time. She is very busy and we are to be married soon."

"She is most welcome any time."

They went back through the gate, slightly hung over from plum wine and lack of sleep from the parties to a very happy General Hammond.

"Good work SG-2. The Joint Chiefs will be very pleased." He said.

"Thank you Sir." Jay smiled wearily. He looked over at Hailey who was about asleep on her feet.

The General noticed as well, "Let's debrief now and then you all are on downtime for 3 days."

"Thank you Sir."

Cleveland

Dawn's graduation was clear and sunny, with just a hint of breeze off of the lake that would make sure the outdoor graduation ceremony didn't bake it's participants.

Buffy, Giles, Willow, Xander and Faith were already seated in the uncomfortable folding chairs. Buffy wiggled slightly, "I hate these chairs."

Xander leaned over, "Quit complaining, it's better than our graduation!" Willow snickered and Buffy rolled her eyes, "It would have to be raining frogs not to be." Giles snorted slightly at this.

A lean form in a nice suit flopped into the empty seat beside her with a sigh. "Yo." He said.

"Jon!" Buffy wrapped the young man in a hug that made him squeak in alarm, "Gotta breathe!"

"Oops, what are you doing here?" she asked.

"Duh, I want to surprise Dawn." He leaned over and said hi to everyone else, then leaned back in his chair.

Buffy was looking around, "You're by yourself?"

"Not. I have a shadow at the back somewhere." Jon's voice was filled with disgust and Buffy glanced back again to see a grinning Jay coming up beside them.

"You sneak!" she yelped and stood up, leaning across Jon to wrap Jay in a hug. He kissed her enthusiastically back, shook hands with Giles and Xander, then kissed Willow and Faith, before shoving Jon to the next seat over so that he could sit beside Buffy.

The ceremony went off without a hitch, and Dawn was Salutatorian. When she saw Jon her face lit up, making him sit up straighter and grin back. Afterwards they held a grad party, a tradition in Ohio for seniors. In the weekends before and after graduation, each senior is thrown a party by their family. Family and friends from all over come, usually with money to help the grad. Seniors go to everyone else's senior party for moral support and to give said seniors relief from the family thing.

Dawn's party was supposed to be low key, in the backyard. But when they arrived they found a huge sign -'Congrats Dawn!' in the front yard. Jack and Sam had erected a tent and there were streamers everywhere, tables with food and people already milling around.

Buffy got out and shook her head, then looked over at Jay, "You did this." She accused and he grinned. "I may have told Jack about the tradition, and how with the move you were keeping it low key. And he may have been insulted that you didn't ask for help.." He trailed off as Buffy fixed Jack with a glare, which he cheerfully ignored with a wave.

Daniel came around the corner and smiled, "Hey, there's the woman of the hour!" he went up and gave Dawn a hug.

"Hi Daniel! This is so great!" Her eyes were shining as she looked around. She grabbed Jon's hand and smiled, "Let's mingle." And he groaned and let himself be dragged along.

Giles was mildly astonished, "I think we spoil her." He said to Buffy.

Buffy was watching her sister's face and shook her head, "Look at her Giles. She's happy, in love and secure in our love for her. I think we did alright." Jay wrapped an arm around Buffy shoulder and slapped Giles gently on the back, "She's a great person. You both should be proud."

It was just beginning to get dark, most of the crowd had left and Jack was trying to tease Daniel into doing a limbo contest. Jon was laughing and Dawn was leaning against him, trying not to giggle as Sam tried to sneak the limbo bar away. It had been a good day.

Jon leaned forward, "Ready to move on to the rest of our lives?"

Dawn turned her head slightly, brushing her lips over his cheek, "Very ready."