Author's note: Anyanka0705 – I'm sorry if you don't like how I have used lots of lines from the show, but I wanted to deal with all the stuff that happened in season six and this is the way I decided to do it, I wanted to take you through what happens to everyone but obviously with Buffy and Spike's relationship changing things slightly, in the last chapter a lot things I imagined would play out the same so therefore I used many of the lines. If you don't like the way I write my own story I suggest you don't read it. If you actually take my whole story in to account so far I haven't used that many lines from the show, it's only been in the last 5 or so chapters. Thanks to all my regular reviewers, Aseret, Amandamanda3, and Descendant of doom. It means a lot to me that you take the time to review every chapter! Also sorry this one took a bit longer than I said, but my chapters are getting much longer now and I'm desperately trying to find time to get some inspiration and sit down and write. More reviews might help!

Chapter 19 – No regrets.

It was a typical morning at the Summer's house, everyone was in the kitchen getting breakfast and Xander had just arrived to hang out for bit before taking Dawn to school. They were chatting about random things, Buffy wasn't participating in much of the conversation though because she was getting anxious about her first self-defence class which was tonight. She'd done all the advertising for it, planned what she would do in the class and now all she had to do was wait until tonight for people to turn up. Dawn watched Buffy and smiled as she paced around the kitchen fiddling with breakfast things and asking Dawn for the third time if she had everything she needed for school. Since Buffy's birthday everyone had been putting in more effort to spend time with Dawn especially Buffy, Dawn was almost starting to feel that they were making too much of an effort for her until they assured her it was no effort and they should have all spend more time together as a group anyway, hanging out when there wasn't an apocalypse coming. That made Dawn feel less of a burden and happier with herself. She was even being to pluck up the courage to ask Buffy she if would take her out patrolling with and teach her some stuff, she knew it would be a long shot but Dawn had begun working out how to take things slow with Buffy and how to be nice to her without her sister catching on that she was being extra nice to get something from her.

"Hey Buffy can I sit in on your first class after school today?" Dawn asked excitedly

"Of course Dawn, at least that actually guarantees me of one person being there."

"Buffy people are going to show up." Willow assured her.

"But what if there are no self-defence classes in Sunnydale for a reason… because everyone hates them here or something." Buffy said looking anxious.

"Buffy you're panicking. Something which I know all about seeing as I'm getting married in a few days and I have hundreds of things to do as well as my family to control not to mention all the demons that are coming to town-"

"Xander." Buffy said stopping his ramble.

"Sorry, I mentioned I was panicking right?"

"Everything will be fine sweetie." Willow said putting a reassuring hand on Xander's back.

"Thanks." Xander said. Although I'm not sure everything will be.

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That evening it turned out Buffy's self-defence class was a complete success, fifteen or so people had turned up, Buffy was actually pleased there hadn't been any more otherwise it would have been a squeeze in the training room. She suddenly thought she may have to find some other area to hold her class, or make more sessions and people could book which one, so she knew how many people would attend each class. She couldn't believe this was actually successful and she was having to think about expanding and making it into a proper business and line of work for her! Buffy smiled to herself as she relaxed back in a chair, all the thinking and teaching had worn her out a little but she was still definitely smiling!

"Well I feel a congratulatory drink at the Bronze is in order." Willow said beaming.

"Yes! I also feel like celebrating with the hoards of money I made from Buffy's customers." Anya said delighted. Buffy just smiled at Anya's enthusiasm towards her money.

"I'm not too tired for that, let's go!" Buffy said as she jumped up from her seat feeling giddy with joy.

They all got up and headed for the door when it opened and Buffy came face to face with Riley, well really it was face to chest because Riley was extremely tall, was he always that tall?. The shop was halted in silence and Buffy stared up at him for a moment.

"Riley?" She said not really sure if he was actually there.

"Buffy. Hey everyone, sorry to be abrupt but I haven't got much time and I need your help." He said looking seriously at Buffy.

"What's going on?"

"Suvolte demon, extremely dangerous, been tracking it half way around the world, now it's in Sunnydale."

"Right." Buffy said amazed at how fast everything seemed to be moving, one minute she going out with her friends, her life's progressing naturally, next her ex comes through the door and a demon needs to be killed.

"Sorry guys." Buffy said to turning back to her friends. "I'm going to have to take a rain check on celebrations." She said feeling extremely disappointed. Her friends just nodded understandingly and she and Riley were out the door before anyone had a chance to even say anything to him.

When they were outside Riley brought out a tracking device and Buffy walked with next him her mind racing, Riley was back, he was actually back. It was more than a little strange to see him, in fact it was very strange. They fell into step with each other and it was almost like old times, tracking a demon down together, patrolling, but there was a slight air of awkwardness, neither of them saying anything. Buffy suddenly thought of Spike and then how she would probably have to tell Riley, now that was going to be an interesting conversation.

"So anything else I need to know?" She said breaking the slightly uncomfortable silence.

"Yeah, these demons need to be stopped. We've been tear-assing through every jungle from Paraguay up, taking out nests. As soon as we put one Suvolte down, a dozen take its place. They're breeders, Buffy. One turns into ten, ten becomes a hundred. This gets out of hand and there's a war with humans? Humans are gonna lose."

"Right, so this is serious as always." Buffy said sighing as looked up at Riley, she wondered when her life would ever get less complicated, I mean her ex comes to town and it's straight to business because there's a demon that could kill everybody.

They continued walking along the street in silence until Riley suddenly spoke.

"What were you celebrating?" Riley asked.

"I've um… just set up my own self-defence class, now I can train and make money!"

"That's great! ... So it looks like you've really got your life together… you look really happy." Riley said.

"I am." Buffy said softly a smile playing on her lips.

Suddenly the Suvolte demon jumped out into the street, people ran screaming as it roared knocking things flying.

Buffy rushed towards the demon wanting to get this over with as quickly as possible so that she could go out with her friends and then meet up with Spike like she had arranged earlier. Pure determination was on her face as she grabbed hold of the demon, it knocked her back and she landed a few feet away from it on her back, she quickly regained her footing and attacked it again this time getting a good hold on its head and breaking its neck. She stood back triumphantly and smiled at Riley.

"Job done." She said.

"You killed it…" Riley said not sounding happy.

"Well yeah… Slayer. I kill the demons… isn't that what you wanted?" She said looking at him incredulously.

"Sorry, it's my fault, this was a homing operation. We wanted this demon to lead us to where it's eggs are."

"Oh." Buffy said suddenly feeling extremely guilty she had killed the demon.

"Don't worry about it, I'll just radio this into Sam, fill her in." He said getting his radio out.

"Sam? She's your partner?"

"Actually in more ways than one." He said as Buffy looked at him curiously. "Sam, she's um… my wife." Riley said then turning away and speaking into the radio.

Buffy just stood staring into nothing trying to comprehend what he had just told her, Riley was married, married! Buffy was still open-mouthed when Riley turned back to her.

"You got married?" Buffy said not able to disguise the shock in her voice.

"Yep!" Riley said. "I can't wait for you to meet her, Sam's amazing." He said excitedly.

And he was right of course Sam was amazing Buffy thought as she was introduced her and they chatted. She was so nice in fact that Buffy couldn't hate her, not even a little bit and what surprised Buffy most was that she didn't want to hate her, she was really happy for Riley. She had treated him pretty badly the last few months of their relationship and she was glad he had found someone. She smiled at them, the way they were together, as they all walked back to the Magic Box, they had decided they could regroup there and decide what to do next.

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They all walked into the shop and everyone looked up at their arrival. Sam stood at the back just behind Riley.

"Wow Buff, that was record slaying time!" Xander said

"Well unfortunately since Riley didn't tell me they wanted the demon alive now we have to find where its eggs are and we have no idea where to start looking."

"Oh… still you took down one pretty fast, how hard are a bunch of eggs gonna be?" Xander said.

"Pretty hard actually, theses things start to kill the minute they're hatched, and a Suvolte can spawn anything from ten to twenty eggs." Sam said as she stepped forward standing at Riley's side and everyone in Magic Box looked to her and then Riley expectantly.

"Um everyone… this is Sam, my wife, Willow, Xander, that's Dawn and Anya." Riley said introducing everyone.

"Hi." Sam said to the group of people.

The gang were stunned into silence, until Xander stepped forwards shaking both their hands and smiling.

"Wow, congratulations."

"I hear you're getting hitched yourself. Believe me, you're gonna love it." Riley said smiling at Sam.

"Congratulations, really, both of you." Willow said stepping forward and giving Riley a hug. "It's good to see you." She said.

"Yeah sorry about rushing in and out like that before, nice to see you to Willow," Riley said. "Hey Dawn." He called over to the teen who was standing back her arms folded and not looking very happy. "Geez look at you. I think you grew a foot and a half." He said.

"A lot can happen in year." She said glowering.

"Well it's good to see you anyway."

"So any idea when these eggs are going to hatch?" Buffy said breaking the little moment of awkwardness caused by Dawn's scowling.

"Hatching's not the problem." Riley said.

"We think they're going to be sold on the black market. There are some foreign military powers that would love to have their own Suvolte. You could never train it, but drop it on an urban population..." Sam said.

"And it cleanses the area." Riley finished.

"Is that a nice way of saying it kills people?" Dawn said still glaring at Riley.

"Lots of 'em. Money's been exchanged. There's a dealer in town, calls himself the, The Doctor. Willow, you think you can help with a little locating spell?" Sam said.

"I can't do the magicks." Willow said quietly.

"Oh, Riley says you're coming on as one major-league Wicca."

"I got addicted. The way addicts do." Willow said bitterly and turned walking away into the back training room.

Buffy watched as Willow walked away and hoped she was alright, Willow had been doing better especially with her and Tara talking now, she turned back to the table of assembled people her mind back on the business at hand.

"I should go to Spike's, he still knows most of what the word on the street is about these things, he could find this dealer for us." Buffy said.

"Spike? He's still around huh? I thought he would have left town or be dust by now, guess he's just too stubborn huh?!" Riley said joking. Nobody make a sound though not knowing what to say to Riley about Spike, Dawn looked pointedly at Buffy though. Buffy just coughed slightly clearing her throat before she spoke.

"Uh… yeah." She said looking round the room. "Well we should get right on this."

"I'll come with you, seeing Spike again should be interesting," Riley said as Anya, Dawn ad Xander tried to hide their amused smiles, he didn't know how interesting it was going to be. "Sam, can you check out some of those other leads?"

"Sure." Sam said as she walked out to the back room to where Willow had gone.

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Willow smiled as they all left she had really wanted to hate Sam for Buffy's sake, it was the best friends' job, but unfortunately she had just been so damn nice about her magic addiction that she couldn't. She'd made her feel really proud of herself for being able to quit and sticking with it. Willow didn't feel too bad about not being able to hate her though because Buffy didn't seem too upset that Riley was with the happily married life now, she didn't even seem to bat an eyelid when they were being all touchy feely with each other, she guessed it was because she had Spike now and there was nothing to be jealous of. Willow then wished that she could see Riley's face when Buffy told him about Spike, that would be a snapshot moment.

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"There's something you should know." Buffy said suddenly to Riley after they'd been walking for a bit through the cemetery. She had been racking her brains on how exactly to tell Riley about Spike. He was going to be surprised however she said it so in the end she just decided to wing it.

"What?" Riley said stopping and looking at her, sensing the seriousness in her tone.

"Spike and I… well… we're… we're together."

"Together? As in…"

"A couple."

"But… How? Why?" Riley said not really comprehending what Buffy was saying like it was all some big joke, obviously he knew Spike had had a thing for her for a while but he never really believed Spike would ever actually have a chance to be with Buffy. She was too good for him.

"I love him." Buffy said simply.

"What? You can't… I mean… this is Spike."

"I know." Buffy said. The look on Riley's face showed that wasn't enough of an explanation for him and Buffy didn't know where to start to make him understand. "Look Riley a lots changed since you left… my mum died, a God almost destroyed the world until I died to save it then I was in heaven but… Willow brought me back and…" She trailed off then as she caught the amazed look on Riley's face and decided that maybe that was enough information for now.

"Wow… I'm sorry." He said.

"Oh… don't worry, the dieing part wasn't really that bad and it was part of this whole destiny gift thing anyway-" She said light-heartedly.

"No about your mum."

"Oh… thank you." She said softly.

"So this is why you're so happy." He said as they continued walking.

"It is."

Riley was silent for a minute as he just looked straight ahead.

"Then I'm happy for you." He said finally. "He's a lucky guy."

They continued walking in silence until Riley's radio beeped and a voice came through, "Ri come in, over."

"Go ahead Sam." Riley said as he stopped and Buffy carried on walking further ahead of him.

"I've checked out a couple of those leads you gave me, they both say this Spike guy is the one who has the eggs."

"What?" Riley said quietly back into the radio looking round at where Buffy was to see if she had heard.

"Thought I'd give you a heads up as you're going to see this vamp."

"Thanks Sam, I'll be careful, over."

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Buffy pushed open the crypt door and Spike was there standing right in front of her

"Hey." She said softly. "What are you doing there?" She asked as she walked down the couple of steps.

"Felt you coming didn't I luv?" He said closing the distance between them and kissing her, Buffy melted into the kiss leaning into him and wrapping her arms around his neck. Suddenly there was cough from behind them and they stopped looking round. Riley stood at the entrance of the crypt just behind them, Buffy ducked her head looking slightly embarrassed but stayed in Spike's embrace. When Spike had begun kissing her she'd completely forgotten Riley was with her.

"Well look whose back in town." Spike said.

"Uh… yeah, Riley's here on a mission, we came to see if you knew anything about some demon eggs being sold in town." Buffy said as Riley and Spike glared at each other.

"Oh I think Spike knows a lot." Riley said before Spike had a chance to answer. "Don't you Doctor."

Buffy looked shocked at Riley.

"Come again?" Spike said looking completely confused.

"What are talking about Riley? Spike can't be this dealer."

"Buffy that was Sam just on the radio." Riley said breaking eye contact with Spike for the first time since he'd arrived and turning to Buffy. "She said the people she spoke to all said Spike was the guy."

"Oh right and people in Sunnydale are so reliable."

"Have you forgotten what he is? What he's capable of? Spike's deadly ... amoral ... opportunistic. Why exactly do think he hasn't done this?" Riley said.

"Because he's changed, he wouldn't do this." Buffy said firmly. "Plus I would know if there were any eggs in this place because I was here all last night and this morning."

Spike smiled from where he stood behind Buffy, when he'd first seen Riley, some fear had actually set in him that he was going to lose Buffy, that she would run back to her safe and boring relationship with him. But now she was standing up for him, it was blood brilliant! He also realise that Buffy must have already told him about their relationship because he hadn't batted a eye lid when he walked in on them kissing and that made his heart swell, the way she was honest about it now… she wasn't ashamed of him, the only thing that would complete the delight he was feeling would be if Angel was here to find out as well!

"As a matter of fact some guy did come here the other day offering me some money to keep some eggs or something but I didn't accept." Spike said smirking at Riley.

"Funny but I don't believe you." Riley said. "And I'm going to tear this place apart until I find that nest."

He walked around the crypt searching, he looked all round the top and then went down to the lower level, Buffy called at him to stop but he took no notice, Buffy and Spike followed him down to the lower level where there was nothing to be found.

"Sorry to disappoint you white bread, don't have your eggs." He said. "I know where they might be though." Spike said smirking again.

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They all walked down into the dark basement, moisture was dripping from the ceiling. This was the place the so called 'doctor' would go to next for someone to keep his eggs for him. As Spike had led them here the tension had been clear between him and Riley, the trip had been mainly silent and Buffy hadn't known what to do to make the situation less uncomfortable so she had just stayed close to Spike's side as they had walked to this place, she knew how insecure he could get now and she didn't want Spike to get any silly ideas about her and Riley.

They all fanned out around the basement all on their guard as they looked around. Buffy's eyes widened as she turned a corner and a pile of demon eggs faced her.

"Guys!" She called, Riley and Spike appearing behind her instantly. "Think I've found the eggs."

"Whoever's keeping these messed up, they have to be kept frozen or…" Riley broke off as the eggs suddenly began to hatch and baby demons jumped out screeching.

"We're going to need more weapons" Riley said backing away as he handed Buffy a gun.

They were all slowly backing away as more demons ran at them, crawling over the walls and ceiling. Buffy attempted to use the gun Riley had given her but her aim was so useless she ended up using it to just hit a demon as it came at her face.

"Get out of here!" Spike said.

"Spike no, you can't fight these things, come on I have an idea." She said as she noticed Riley's grenade belt and grabbed it off him. Spike caught on to her idea and smirked knowingly.

"Now let's get out of here." She shouted. Riley ran up the narrow stairs followed closely by Spike and then Buffy, when she was at the top she pulled the pin out of one grenade and through it down into the basement along with the belt and then quickly went through the door shutting it behind her and driving to the ground. Spike was right beside her as she dived and he covered her body with his own protecting her. The grenades exploded shaking the building they were in, when it subsided they all slowly climbed to their feet. Spike tenderly brushed some dirt from Buffy's face and ran his hands lightly over her shoulders and down her arms silently checking she wasn't hurt. Riley watched the display amazed at how concerned Spike was for Buffy and the affection and love he could see they had for one another, he hadn't really believed it before but now watching them he was almost jealous, almost because he reminded himself he had loving wife who he was also madly in love with waiting for him.

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They were all congregated in the Magic Box saying their goodbyes, Xander was still trying to get all the wedding tips he could from Sam and Buffy grinned slightly at his antics. She and Sam had ended up alone for a bit earlier and they'd talked, Buffy guessed Sam had wanted to talk to her privately to clear the air or something. Buffy had been pretty taken aback when Sam had called her legendary, that was when the conversation had taken a serious turn as they talked about Riley.

"He thinks… I let him go."

"Do you wish you hadn't?" Sam said

"I wish things had been different… I never treated Riley like he deserved, I don't think we ever would have lasted, not really…I just didn't love him in the same way he loved me." Buffy said amazed that she was admitting this to Riley's wife of all people.

"I didn't mean to put you on the spot, Buffy. There's no bad guys in this one. The only thing that could ... help Riley work it out was time. Lots of time. Took him a year to get over you."

"I'm glad he's over me." Buffy said.

"And now you're with Spike." Sam said. "You look really happy together."

"We are… I know it must be really weird for you to understand, I mean a Slayer dating her second vampire."

"You dated a vampire before him?" Sam said taken aback.

"Yeah he had soul though, it's not like I just date every dead guy I meet." Buffy said joking. Sam just smiled looking slightly bemused.

"Well if you and Spike ever decide to give married life a go I'd love an invite!" Sam said.

Buffy was the one taken aback then for a moment, she stared at Sam wondering if it was some kind of joke but concluded that she was being deadly serious.

"Um… well I don't know, him being a vampire and all… we haven't really talked about it… or thought about it at all." Buffy said suddenly stumbling over all her words.

Their conversation had ended there as Spike walked up to Buffy placing a hand on her back in a gentle touch.

"I think soldier boy's all ready to go." He announced.

"You spoke to Riley." Buffy said sounded surprised that they were both still alive… or alive as they both could be in Spike's case.

"Uh huh." Spike said with nod. In truth it had only really been a few words… but it had been enough to satisfy them both and bring their hate/hate relationship to more of a truce.

"You know I'll kill you if you ever hurt her right?" Riley said suddenly.

"Of course… but I'd stake myself first if that ever happened." Spike replied. "And there's her bunch of mates that protect her almost as well as she protects this world." He added.

"I still can't really believe all that trying finally paid off." Riley said think about the conversation they'd had when he'd confronted Spike about his feelings for Buffy.

"Me neither." Spike said as he looked over to where Buffy was talking with Sam and smiled.

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Riley, Buffy and Spike stood outside the Magic Box, Spike's arm was wrapped possessively around Buffy's waist showing Riley she was his now and plus he loved rubbing it in his face. Although he was loving it until Buffy asked him if she could have a minute alone with Riley. He said yes of course but in a tone saying he wasn't happy about it. Buffy just kissed him soft and tenderly as a thank you and Spike walked back inside the shop. Riley just waited as Buffy turned to him wondering what she didn't want Spike around for.

"Riley, that night... I never got the chance ... to tell you ... how sorry I was. About what happened between us." She said.

"And you never have to." Riley said. "Everything worked out… for the both of us, so no regrets."

Buffy smiled and nodded slightly to him agreeing. The door to the Magic shop opened then and Sam and Xander came out followed by Dawn, Willow, Anya and Spike. They all said goodbye to Sam, hugging except for Spike, hugs were not his thing with people he had only just met, in fact he didn't hug in general unless it was Buffy of course.

"So you going to say goodbye this time, or just ... split all secret-agenty like last time?" Dawn said still glaring slightly at Riley.

"Depends. I warrant a hug?"

Dawn stepped forward hugging him her eyes closing tight shut.

"Goodbye, Dawn." Riley said as he pulled back.

"I thought it would suck less this time. It doesn't." Dawn said as Riley just smiled fondly at her.

The sound of a helicopter filled the air and above them lights from it shone down, the gang waved and called goodbye as Riley and Sam were lifted into the air and flown away. Spike was standing by Buffy's side and stayed there as everyone else went back inside the shop.

"Well that was interesting…" Spike said breaking the silence. Buffy just turned to look at him tilting her head slightly at his statement. "It must have been weird for you to see him, married life and all." He said.

"I don't know… I guess it was a little weird…" Buffy said trailing off, Spike just looked at her questioningly and waited for her to continue. "I left Riley behind me a long time ago… so it was good to see that he'd moved on."

"He threatened to kill me you know." Spike said casually. "If I ever hurt you."

"I wouldn't expect anything less." Buffy said wrapping her arms around Spike and leaning in to kiss him, the kiss was short and sweet but they stayed in the others embrace as they turned walking back into the shop.

TBC…