Breakfast was in full swing by the time Spike and Sydney rejoined the group. Spike went to sit next to Buffy and Sydney next to Polgara. After everyone had been fed and the dishes cleaned, a meeting was called and everyone was to gather in the lobby. When the room had been filled to capacity, Sydney climbed onto the counter and made sure her voice was loud enough for everyone in the room to hear.
"Ok people, quiet." Once everyone had settled down, she began her speech. "Now that everyone has been rested and fed, we have a lot to get done today." Ignoring groans that quickly followed her announcement, she continued, "Nobody here has much by way of clean underwear so, everyone is going shopping." All the teenage girls swiftly changed their tunes. "I need you all to split up into groups of about 8-10 and get someone over the age of 21 to agree to accompany you. Adults, we need everyone, including yourselves, to be decked out but just the basics nothing too frivolous with one exception. Everyone will be allowed to get one outfit and matching accessories. This needs to be something nice. I will not have you all looking like some trashy hoodlums at the wedding tomorrow."
A low murmur started as Sydney continued to out line what was acceptable attire. Everyone was curious as to who was getting married. Until Anya interrupted, "Who's wedding?"
"Yours," Sydney stated before she continued on. "As I was saying, it does need to be too formal. There will be quite a party afterwards so you will want to be comfortable. And for god's sake girls, wear sensible shoes. I know those strappy sandals are sexy but do you really want to be dancing for hours in them."
All the girls listened intently as they received their instructions. They quickly formed groups and talked about what they wanted to wear tomorrow. Some of the girls had never attending a wedding before and weren't sure what would be appropriate. The adults, with the exceptions of Anya and Xander, had also formed a group arguing over exactly who was going to be chaperoning this little shopping excursion. It was obvious that Spike and Angel wouldn't be going and only some of the others would be needed. Sydney walked over to the group and quickly put an end to their discussion.
"My grandfather and the twins should be here shortly and I need the watchers to stay behind. There will be a lot of work to do copying the library." Wesley and Giles both sighed in relief. Sydney continued, "Faith and Lorne will need to stay as well. I have special assignments for you. Willow, I also need you to stay here as well. You are going to be the first rewarded and I think it would be more appropriate if we did it with out a crowd."
Sydney reached into her back pocket and pulled out several credit cards. All with her name on them. She handed one to Gunn, Robin, Fred and Buffy. When she gave one to Buffy she leaned in close and whisper, "No need to worry. You and Dawn will be taken care of."
Sydney realizing that their were five groups of girls and only four chaperones, groaned and handed one to Andrew. He looked at it so excitedly Sydney began to worry. She called Dawn over to her and told both Dawn and Andrew that they were joint chaperones. When they were walking away, Sydney caught Dawn arm and said, "Seriously, watch him."
Everyone was to busy to notice that Anya and Xander were standing still staring off unable to process the fact that Anya was getting married. Anya knew that Sydney and her family often arranged marriages between strangers but she didn't think hers would be one. Who was she going to marry? Would she be happy? Would she love him? How could she? She still loved Xander. She looked over and caught his eye.
The same thoughts were running through Xander's head. How could she marry someone else? They had just been beginning to reconcile. Did she even still love him? He looked over at her just as she looked at him and their eyes locked. So much emotion passed between them with that glance. They walked to each other and met in the middle of the now empty lobby. They joined hands and walked determinately to Sydney. Xander interrupted whatever she had been telling Giles and Wesley.
"Anya will not be getting married tomorrow," he stated in very matter- of-fact tone.
In a tone that matched his, Sydney replied, "Oh no, Alexander LaVelle Harris this is one wedding you will not back out of. I have an army of Slayers, I'll use if I have to, to keep you at that alter until you say 'I do'."
Anya and Xander looked at each other and the grip on their hands tightened. Anya turned and looked at Sydney, "You mean I'm marrying him."
"Well, yes." Sydney laughed. "Who else did you think I was going to have you marry?"
At Sydney's answer, Anya released her breath which she didn't know she was holding. "I didn't know. I knew that you arranged marriages between strangers. So, I assumed it was someone I didn't know."
"Yes, I have been known to arrange marriages between strangers but that's only when chance has not already brought them together. I am simply using this as an opportunity to reward you for a job well done. Tomorrow you're union will be preformed by Eriod and blessed by Ul. Now, off with the two of you. Anya, go find Aunt Pol. She'll need to do a final fitting of your dress and make any necessary changes. And you," She turned to Xander and gave him another credit card. "You go get a tux, basic black and white, nothing too flashy."
The two hurried out of the room excitement growing as they anticipated the best days of their lives. Still chuckling at the two Sydney turned back to the group.
When she did Angel spoke up, "So, everyone is being rewarded?"
"Everyone successfully fulfilled their role in the Prophecy. It's a little deal I worked out with Eriod. We know that we ask a lot of people and we do our best to repay them."
She looked around at all of them and decided they needed to know what was in store. They needed to begin preparing themselves for life after. "Giles here will be given all the funds and resources he needs to rebuild the Watchers' Council and organize it the way it should have been done from the beginning. Buffy gets everything she will need to rebuild her life and then she may do with it what she deems fit. If she wants normal, that's what she'll get. Her part in this has ended. I get my party. Xander and Anya get to have their union bless by the father of the Gods. I wasn't sure I could talk him into it but he owes me a few favors. He finally agreed."
Giles looks at her skeptically and asks, "Ul, father of the Gods, owes you a favor?"
Sydney raised her eyes heavenward and said, "Oh, ye of little faith. He owes me several. As time goes on you'll learn that everybody owes me."
"You said that I will be the first to be rewarded." Willow then asked, "What is it?"
Sydney paused for a moment carefully choosing her words, "What was stolen shall be returned."
Willow began to ask her what she meant, but Sydney interrupted her. "Please, that's all I can say right now. Just wait until Grandfather arrives and you will see."
She then speaks to the rest of the group. "Now, your assignments. Angel, you and I will need to hang around here. I imagine we'll be having a visitor here pretty soon. Lorne, you used to run a bar correct." At his nod, Sydney continued. "Great, I need your connections. We'll need alcohol and lots of it. Seriously, Grandfather can go through almost an entire keg by himself. So you better get one for him and one for the twins. "
She waited while he got a pen and pad before she continued. "They all like the stronger stouter ales and then whatever everyone else likes. Pol doesn't drink very often but you better get her a couple bottles of wine just in case. She always enjoys a good chardonnay. As for me, I'll need all my boys, Jack, Jim, José and the Captain. Plus, get whatever anyone else wants. Basically, we'll need a fully stocked bar."
Sydney paused while Lorne finished writing everything down. When he finished she handed him another card she had pulled out of her back pocket and added, "And we'll need food. Just snack and finger foods. I don't anyone is really going to want to sit down and eat a real meal."
Lorne looked at her and laughed, "Honey, I've heard of you parties. I can guarantee it. I just can't believe am coordinating one. They're legendary." He paused and turned to leave before adding, "Not that I think I've met anyone who's actually been to one."
Lorne left to work on getting all the supplies they would need for the next night.
"Just exactly how many people are going to be coming to this thing?" Angel asked.
"Just the Sunnydale group, your group, my family and the Slayers have been invited," Sydney told him. "Why?"
"I wanted to get an exterminator over here. I think we may have a rat problem. I found one dead on my bed this morning," he explained to her.
Polgara had entered the room for some sewing supplies her Angel and Sydney's faint 'oops' and knew exactly what had happened. She quickly intervened. She called out, "Sydney, while were in LA it might be a good idea to check in on the Robson family. We haven't checked on them in at least 50 years and I think I heard they have a new daughter."
Realizing what Pol was doing Sydney followed suite. "Your right but I've got a lot to do today." She looked down at Sally who was sitting by her feet. "You wouldn't mind going over there and checking on them would you?" She paused for a moment and smiled. "Thank you. You know what to look for."
Sally stood up and rubbed against Sydney's leg one more time before she departed. Crisis averted, Polgara went back upstairs to finish the dress. Sydney let out a sigh of relief and turned back to Angel.
"What did you do with it?" she asked.
"I threw it out." He saw her flinch. "Why?"
"Did Sally see?" she asked.
"I don't know. I don't think so. I didn't see her and again, why?" He really didn't like that look on her face. Surely there couldn't have been anything special about a dead rat.
"Good. I'm sorry. I should have warned you," she said.
Now Angel was getting really worried. "Warned me about what?"
Sydney laughed at the expression on his face. She could only imagine the worst case scenarios that were running through his mind. "It's not a big deal. Well, not to us but it would crush Sally's little heart. She has this habit of giving gifts to people. One time we went to observe you and you were eating a rat. She sees you as the Alpha male and you are letting us stay in your territory. She's grateful so she gave you an offering. And she knows you like rats. Hence, the dead rat on your bed."
"Oh. Well, that makes sense, kinda," was Angel's only response.
"Don't try and understand it completely. Sally's just weird." Sydney tried to think of someway they could pull this off. Then she had it, "What we need to do is think of some small animal that you might actually like to drink and I can set up a nest somewhere close by. Then, you mention that you really prefer this animal. You get some fresh blood and Sally gets to give her gift. Everyone's happy."
Angel didn't want to upset Sydney's cat. From what he had observed she had some very human like characteristics but he really wasn't a cat person. Then again, it might be good to have something other than pig's blood all the time. He decided he give it a shot.
Everyone one had been throwing out idea's of possible alternatives to rats. The one's that sounded like they would taste decent were all too large or there wasn't anyway for them to live around here. Spike was the first one to come up with a viable solution.
"What about vole? Have you ever had vole?" Angel shook his head so Spike elaborated. "Not the best stuff but definitely better than rat. Sally shouldn't have any problems catching one and they can live right out in the courtyard."
Sydney glad they had a solution closed her eyes and quickly transplanted a family of prairie voles into the courtyard. She opened her eyes and said "Done."
Not a moment later, the front doors swung open revealing an old weathered man. His clothes were rags, his hair unkempt and he had a very sour expression. That is until he looked up and saw Sydney. His entire face brightened with a smile and he spread his arms.
Sydney saw him and exclaimed, "Grandfather!"
"Ok people, quiet." Once everyone had settled down, she began her speech. "Now that everyone has been rested and fed, we have a lot to get done today." Ignoring groans that quickly followed her announcement, she continued, "Nobody here has much by way of clean underwear so, everyone is going shopping." All the teenage girls swiftly changed their tunes. "I need you all to split up into groups of about 8-10 and get someone over the age of 21 to agree to accompany you. Adults, we need everyone, including yourselves, to be decked out but just the basics nothing too frivolous with one exception. Everyone will be allowed to get one outfit and matching accessories. This needs to be something nice. I will not have you all looking like some trashy hoodlums at the wedding tomorrow."
A low murmur started as Sydney continued to out line what was acceptable attire. Everyone was curious as to who was getting married. Until Anya interrupted, "Who's wedding?"
"Yours," Sydney stated before she continued on. "As I was saying, it does need to be too formal. There will be quite a party afterwards so you will want to be comfortable. And for god's sake girls, wear sensible shoes. I know those strappy sandals are sexy but do you really want to be dancing for hours in them."
All the girls listened intently as they received their instructions. They quickly formed groups and talked about what they wanted to wear tomorrow. Some of the girls had never attending a wedding before and weren't sure what would be appropriate. The adults, with the exceptions of Anya and Xander, had also formed a group arguing over exactly who was going to be chaperoning this little shopping excursion. It was obvious that Spike and Angel wouldn't be going and only some of the others would be needed. Sydney walked over to the group and quickly put an end to their discussion.
"My grandfather and the twins should be here shortly and I need the watchers to stay behind. There will be a lot of work to do copying the library." Wesley and Giles both sighed in relief. Sydney continued, "Faith and Lorne will need to stay as well. I have special assignments for you. Willow, I also need you to stay here as well. You are going to be the first rewarded and I think it would be more appropriate if we did it with out a crowd."
Sydney reached into her back pocket and pulled out several credit cards. All with her name on them. She handed one to Gunn, Robin, Fred and Buffy. When she gave one to Buffy she leaned in close and whisper, "No need to worry. You and Dawn will be taken care of."
Sydney realizing that their were five groups of girls and only four chaperones, groaned and handed one to Andrew. He looked at it so excitedly Sydney began to worry. She called Dawn over to her and told both Dawn and Andrew that they were joint chaperones. When they were walking away, Sydney caught Dawn arm and said, "Seriously, watch him."
Everyone was to busy to notice that Anya and Xander were standing still staring off unable to process the fact that Anya was getting married. Anya knew that Sydney and her family often arranged marriages between strangers but she didn't think hers would be one. Who was she going to marry? Would she be happy? Would she love him? How could she? She still loved Xander. She looked over and caught his eye.
The same thoughts were running through Xander's head. How could she marry someone else? They had just been beginning to reconcile. Did she even still love him? He looked over at her just as she looked at him and their eyes locked. So much emotion passed between them with that glance. They walked to each other and met in the middle of the now empty lobby. They joined hands and walked determinately to Sydney. Xander interrupted whatever she had been telling Giles and Wesley.
"Anya will not be getting married tomorrow," he stated in very matter- of-fact tone.
In a tone that matched his, Sydney replied, "Oh no, Alexander LaVelle Harris this is one wedding you will not back out of. I have an army of Slayers, I'll use if I have to, to keep you at that alter until you say 'I do'."
Anya and Xander looked at each other and the grip on their hands tightened. Anya turned and looked at Sydney, "You mean I'm marrying him."
"Well, yes." Sydney laughed. "Who else did you think I was going to have you marry?"
At Sydney's answer, Anya released her breath which she didn't know she was holding. "I didn't know. I knew that you arranged marriages between strangers. So, I assumed it was someone I didn't know."
"Yes, I have been known to arrange marriages between strangers but that's only when chance has not already brought them together. I am simply using this as an opportunity to reward you for a job well done. Tomorrow you're union will be preformed by Eriod and blessed by Ul. Now, off with the two of you. Anya, go find Aunt Pol. She'll need to do a final fitting of your dress and make any necessary changes. And you," She turned to Xander and gave him another credit card. "You go get a tux, basic black and white, nothing too flashy."
The two hurried out of the room excitement growing as they anticipated the best days of their lives. Still chuckling at the two Sydney turned back to the group.
When she did Angel spoke up, "So, everyone is being rewarded?"
"Everyone successfully fulfilled their role in the Prophecy. It's a little deal I worked out with Eriod. We know that we ask a lot of people and we do our best to repay them."
She looked around at all of them and decided they needed to know what was in store. They needed to begin preparing themselves for life after. "Giles here will be given all the funds and resources he needs to rebuild the Watchers' Council and organize it the way it should have been done from the beginning. Buffy gets everything she will need to rebuild her life and then she may do with it what she deems fit. If she wants normal, that's what she'll get. Her part in this has ended. I get my party. Xander and Anya get to have their union bless by the father of the Gods. I wasn't sure I could talk him into it but he owes me a few favors. He finally agreed."
Giles looks at her skeptically and asks, "Ul, father of the Gods, owes you a favor?"
Sydney raised her eyes heavenward and said, "Oh, ye of little faith. He owes me several. As time goes on you'll learn that everybody owes me."
"You said that I will be the first to be rewarded." Willow then asked, "What is it?"
Sydney paused for a moment carefully choosing her words, "What was stolen shall be returned."
Willow began to ask her what she meant, but Sydney interrupted her. "Please, that's all I can say right now. Just wait until Grandfather arrives and you will see."
She then speaks to the rest of the group. "Now, your assignments. Angel, you and I will need to hang around here. I imagine we'll be having a visitor here pretty soon. Lorne, you used to run a bar correct." At his nod, Sydney continued. "Great, I need your connections. We'll need alcohol and lots of it. Seriously, Grandfather can go through almost an entire keg by himself. So you better get one for him and one for the twins. "
She waited while he got a pen and pad before she continued. "They all like the stronger stouter ales and then whatever everyone else likes. Pol doesn't drink very often but you better get her a couple bottles of wine just in case. She always enjoys a good chardonnay. As for me, I'll need all my boys, Jack, Jim, José and the Captain. Plus, get whatever anyone else wants. Basically, we'll need a fully stocked bar."
Sydney paused while Lorne finished writing everything down. When he finished she handed him another card she had pulled out of her back pocket and added, "And we'll need food. Just snack and finger foods. I don't anyone is really going to want to sit down and eat a real meal."
Lorne looked at her and laughed, "Honey, I've heard of you parties. I can guarantee it. I just can't believe am coordinating one. They're legendary." He paused and turned to leave before adding, "Not that I think I've met anyone who's actually been to one."
Lorne left to work on getting all the supplies they would need for the next night.
"Just exactly how many people are going to be coming to this thing?" Angel asked.
"Just the Sunnydale group, your group, my family and the Slayers have been invited," Sydney told him. "Why?"
"I wanted to get an exterminator over here. I think we may have a rat problem. I found one dead on my bed this morning," he explained to her.
Polgara had entered the room for some sewing supplies her Angel and Sydney's faint 'oops' and knew exactly what had happened. She quickly intervened. She called out, "Sydney, while were in LA it might be a good idea to check in on the Robson family. We haven't checked on them in at least 50 years and I think I heard they have a new daughter."
Realizing what Pol was doing Sydney followed suite. "Your right but I've got a lot to do today." She looked down at Sally who was sitting by her feet. "You wouldn't mind going over there and checking on them would you?" She paused for a moment and smiled. "Thank you. You know what to look for."
Sally stood up and rubbed against Sydney's leg one more time before she departed. Crisis averted, Polgara went back upstairs to finish the dress. Sydney let out a sigh of relief and turned back to Angel.
"What did you do with it?" she asked.
"I threw it out." He saw her flinch. "Why?"
"Did Sally see?" she asked.
"I don't know. I don't think so. I didn't see her and again, why?" He really didn't like that look on her face. Surely there couldn't have been anything special about a dead rat.
"Good. I'm sorry. I should have warned you," she said.
Now Angel was getting really worried. "Warned me about what?"
Sydney laughed at the expression on his face. She could only imagine the worst case scenarios that were running through his mind. "It's not a big deal. Well, not to us but it would crush Sally's little heart. She has this habit of giving gifts to people. One time we went to observe you and you were eating a rat. She sees you as the Alpha male and you are letting us stay in your territory. She's grateful so she gave you an offering. And she knows you like rats. Hence, the dead rat on your bed."
"Oh. Well, that makes sense, kinda," was Angel's only response.
"Don't try and understand it completely. Sally's just weird." Sydney tried to think of someway they could pull this off. Then she had it, "What we need to do is think of some small animal that you might actually like to drink and I can set up a nest somewhere close by. Then, you mention that you really prefer this animal. You get some fresh blood and Sally gets to give her gift. Everyone's happy."
Angel didn't want to upset Sydney's cat. From what he had observed she had some very human like characteristics but he really wasn't a cat person. Then again, it might be good to have something other than pig's blood all the time. He decided he give it a shot.
Everyone one had been throwing out idea's of possible alternatives to rats. The one's that sounded like they would taste decent were all too large or there wasn't anyway for them to live around here. Spike was the first one to come up with a viable solution.
"What about vole? Have you ever had vole?" Angel shook his head so Spike elaborated. "Not the best stuff but definitely better than rat. Sally shouldn't have any problems catching one and they can live right out in the courtyard."
Sydney glad they had a solution closed her eyes and quickly transplanted a family of prairie voles into the courtyard. She opened her eyes and said "Done."
Not a moment later, the front doors swung open revealing an old weathered man. His clothes were rags, his hair unkempt and he had a very sour expression. That is until he looked up and saw Sydney. His entire face brightened with a smile and he spread his arms.
Sydney saw him and exclaimed, "Grandfather!"