DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything to do with Buffy the Vampire Slayer - it all belongs to Joss Whedon.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Sorry about the delay. . .I've been stuck with damn writer's block the past week. But here it is, chapter two, and you'll get a taster of the main plot. Please read and review!

Chapter 2

It was a Sunday, so everybody got to do what they wanted. Strangely, the day was mainly dedicated to romance.

While Xander and Anya were of course secretly getting married, Willow and Kennedy went downtown to do some shopping together and enjoy the very appropriate good weather, and Spike and Buffy were walking in the sunshine - just being happy.

Dawn had stayed home to finish off a school project, but really just made an excuse because she didn't want to interfere with any of the couples.

Buffy and Spike had also brought a picnic basket full of food, and during their walk in the park found a nice piece of shade under which to eat it.

'Y'know, I haven't been on a proper picnic in over a hundred years,' Spike observed.

'I figured,' said Buffy. 'I wanted to do something special for our first day together.'

He smiled, and appreciated every moment he was with her. His dream had finally come true.

He watched her take a bite into a sandwich, and he just took in her beauty. He couldn't help but think: "what does she see in me? What does someone so beautiful, confident and strong see in me?" He needed to know.

'Buffy,' he began with extreme difficulty. 'I'm going to ask you something and I want you to answer me as honestly as possible.'

She looked serious. 'Sure, what is it?'

He took a deep breath. 'What do you see in me, really? Because it's obvious what I see in you but. . .what did I do to deserve you?

She laughed. 'Spike, you're joking right?'

He was slightly offended by her reaction, and showed it with the look on his face.

'God, Spike,' she put her sandwich down and looked into his eyes. 'After last night, do you really feel the need for me to answer that question?'

He looked at her solemnly. 'It's just that. . .I fell in love with you three years ago Buffy. You only told me you felt the same way about me the minute before I was dust. I want to know that I can depend on you fully, because if I lose you, I won't be able to live. I just want to know what will keep you by my side.'

She crawled over and sat so close to him, their bodies were in full contact.

'I can't live without you either Spike. And do you know why?' She leant over and whispered in his ear so quietly: 'Because what I see in you. . .is the rest of me.'

He took a deep breath and realised - this would be forever. He put his hand behind her head gently and they kissed while the world spun around.

**********

Later that day, Buffy and Spike had gone walking along a street full of shops, and looking for possible job opportunities for Buffy.

'Hey, Buffy, here's a "help wanted" sign,' said Spike pointing to a clothes store. She turned to have a look.

'No way,' she said.

'Why, what's wrong with it?'

She sighed, as if about to explain something very simple to a five-year-old child. 'Please, did you see those outfits? They'd have to pay me a lot to sell those.'

Spike smiled. 'Look, Buffy, you're gonna have to lower your standards if you intend to find a job quickly.'

'Look, I worked in a fast-food place. Never again.'

He thought back to the brief time she had worked at "Doublemeat Palace" and grinned to himself.

'What about Starbucks?' Spike suggested. 'They're all over the place, surely there's a job opening there?'

'Green's not my colour.'

'Buffy, I love you OK? But you've got be ready to accept any job you can get no matter how measly it is.'

Buffy pouted. 'I know,' she said unhappily.

'I mean, do you really think I enjoy being a bouncer?' Spike tried giving an example.

'Bossing people around, being the tough guy. . .you love it, I'm sure.'

Spike gave her an annoyed look. 'Well. . .maybe just a little.'

Suddenly, Buffy stopped, looking at a window. A notice was up and the heading read: "Secretary Wanted".

'Hang on,' she walked over for a closer look. She started reading from the sheet.

'"If you wish to work in a successful business, this could be the job for you. Tasks include paperwork, meeting arrangements - training available, no experience required. Come inside to arrange an interview". Spike, this could be it!' Buffy exclaimed.

'Shall we go inside and ask for an interview?' Spike encouraged. She nodded, excited, and they hurried through the door.

What they found was an ordinary looking office, full of filing cabinets and a few cubicles, which on a working day would have been occupied by a dozen workers, but on a Sunday had no working atmosphere. It was eerily quiet until all of a sudden, a man emerged from a door at the back of the office, and Buffy jumped at the opportunity.

'Hi, am I able to apply for an interview for the secretary position?' she called out to the man desperately.

The man was of medium height, quite fat around the stomach, and was wearing an office suit. His brown-haired head was balding and he could've easily blended into any crowd because of his lack of distinguishing features.

'Sure,' he pulled out a notepad from his inside jacket pocket along with a pen. He put the pen to paper. 'Name?'

Buffy was rather surprised - she thought it would be more formal. She gave Spike a strange look, but quickly answered 'Buffy Summers.'

The man made a face at the name. 'People are actually called "Buffy"?'

Buffy was used to people making fun of her name, so instead tried to make a joke out of it. 'Yeah, I haven't forgiven my parents for it.'

'So Buffy,' the man said, still looking at his notepad. 'How's tomorrow at 12? The office will be slightly fuller, you can get an idea of the atmosphere,' he looked up at her for confirmation.

'Sure, great,' Buffy smiled sweetly, then tried to make a joke. 'That'll give me enough time to get over the hangover I'm gonna have from getting drunk tonight.'

Spike's eyes widened, while the man didn't know whether to laugh or take her seriously.

'She's joking,' explained Spike. 'It was a joke, wasn't it pet?' he turned to Buffy, trying to make her agree.

'Oh! No, no, I wasn't being serious!' Buffy assured, shaking her head. The man smiled weakly, trying to fake a laugh, but it was obvious he wasn't impressed.

'She'll see you tomorrow at 12,' said Spike, taking Buffy's hand. 'Completely without a hangover.' They both left, leaving the man entirely puzzled.

'I can't believe I did that!' Buffy screamed once she was sure they were out of earshot.

'You were trying to break the ice,' Spike comforted. 'Just next time, don't smash the ice and drown in the water,' Spike joked.

Buffy put her arms around his waist. 'Lucky you were there to save me. . .' she continued with the metaphor.

'And give you mouth to mouth?' he teased, as he kissed her. When they parted, she said: 'Come on, let's go home. Maybe Xander and Anya are back.'

**********

Xander and Anya, however, were still in Las Vegas, but they were on their way to the airport after going to the Jewellers' to get their rings engraved. Xander's said: "From my beloved Anya" with the date, whereas Anya's said: "I had to die and come back to get this ring". Also with the date.

'I wonder how everyone's gonna react when they find out we're married,' Xander said to himself.

'Oh no, you're not keeping it secret again like you did with our engagement,' Anya snapped. He smiled.

'Of course not. I'm proud to have you as my wife.' He held her hand, as their cab pulled up to the terminal. Xander got out his wallet.

'How much sir?' he said. The driver turned around.

'It's on me. I couldn't help but overhear, you two got married today. Let it be a treat from me.'

Xander smiled widely. 'Thanks, that's real nice.'

'Yeah, really,' Anya piped in. 'He hardly afforded our trip here.'

'Thanks again, sweetie,' said Xander half sarcastically.

They got out of the car and fetched their boarding passes. As soon as they finished, Xander made a suggestion.

'Hey, should we phone the gang? Maybe they're a bit worried we took off like that.'

Anya made a face. 'No! They know we're fine, remember the demon note I said we should put in?'

'Still, we've been gone without a sign for a while. . .' Xander got out some coins and went to a payphone, dialling the number.

**********

Buffy and Spike had arrived home to already find Kennedy and Willow back. They had been discussing Buffy's job opportunity, when the phone rang. Dawn happened to be the first one to answer.

'Hello?'

'Dawn, hey!' Xander's voice called out at the other end. 'It's Xander!'

'Is Anya with you?' Dawn asked immediately.

'Yeah, she's right here.'

'It's Xander and Anya,' Dawn told the others, covering the speaking part of the phone. They all looked up alert. She removed her hand and continued to talk to Xander.

'Where are you guys? You left without a word!'

'Didn't you get our note?' Xander asked.

'Yeah, but you didn't explain where you went!' Dawn complained.

'It's a surprise,' said Xander. 'We'll tell you when we get back in a couple of hours.' With that, he said goodbye, and hung up the phone.

'Well?' Willow asked. 'Where are they?'

'They said they'd be back in a couple of hours. It's a surprise, and they're gonna tell us all then.'

Buffy groaned. 'What are those two being so secretive about?'

'We'll find out soon enough,' said Dawn.

**********

TBC. . .