Chapter 82: Harsh Light of Day

At Payson's P4 Oz, and Devon are finishing a song on stage. Buffy and Willow sit in the alcove and talk as another band plays.

"You know what else I love about college? How when the professor comes in, the class gets all quiet." Willow says.

"Oh I hate that. I'm always like, what? Did something scary come in? Do I have to kill it?" Buffy says.

Something catches Willow's eye. "Hey look, Parker's here."

Parker is by the bar, Buffy doesn't look.

"Yeah?" Buffy says, disinterested.

"You're not looking? He's really cute in green." Willow says.

Buffy shakes her head, "Blue. He's on the monitor."

Willow looks over her shoulder and sure enough Parker is on the security monitor that is hidden in the alcove. "That's nice. You know, when you spend all week with a boy, you are allowed to look at him directly."

"Not all week. We've hung out. Moderately incessantly. But we're not here together, and I don't want to crowd him." Buffy says.

Oz joins them. "You guys ready to load up and go?"

"Almost. Buffy's looking at Parker." Willow says pointing at the monitor.

"Good looking guy. Works out." Oz says. "I have eyes."

"Buffy's having lusty wrong feelings." Willow says.

Buffy shakes her head, "No I'm not."

"Wait. No you're not." Willow says.

"I'm not? Oh, I so am." Buffy says.

"No, they're not wrong feelings. 'Cause there's no wrong. You're free. You're both grown-ups... You are free, right?" Willow says.

Buffy nods, "Well, sure. Yeah. I really feel like I am, like I'm over... everything else. High school stuff." A hand lands lightly on Buffy's shoulder. She follows it up to a smiling Parker. "Hi."

Parker looks at the Monitor and shakes his head. He gives Willow and Oz quick nods, but he's all about Buffy. "I just wanted to say, I'm heading out. And it's not real safe around here, so, if you need a walk back to your house..."

Buffy laughs, "I won't turn down being walked home. But the neighborhood is better than you think. I should know since I own the place."

Parker looks at Buffy surprised, "You never told me that. You really own this?"

"Well not legally. It's in trust for me till I turn 21. But yeah it's mine." Buffy says. "Why do you think it's named Payson's P4."

"I didn't know. Wow. What's P4 stand for?" Parker says.

"Prue, Piper, Phoebe and Paige. My cousins." Buffy says. "When Piper first opened the club it was just P4 for Prue, Piper, Phoebe and me. Then she renamed it Payson's when she, Prue and Phoebe decided to turn it over to me when I turn 21. Then Prue passed away and I wanted to do something in her memory. So…"

Parker nods, "That's a nice sentiment. So... you ready to go?"

"Absolutely." Buffy says. "Just let me tell Piper I'm leaving. That way she doesn't have to worry about giving me a ride."

Parker nods, "Sure."

Buffy walks over to the bar, "Piper." Piper turns to Buffy. "I'm heading out. I'll see you back at the Manor."

Piper looks over at Parker, "Okay. You have fun."

Buffy goes back to Parker and they head through the crowd toward the door and Buffy flashes a hopeful smile back at Willow.

Moments later Parker and Buffy walk and talk down the street.

"Hobbies?" Buffy asks.

"Yeah, hobbies. Interests. I feel like there's so much I still don't know about you. What do you like to do?" Parker says.

"Well, mostly I... you know, hang out and do stuff." Buffy says.

"Yeah, I was into that for a while." Parker says as he's looking at her, notices the scar on her neck. "What's that?"

"What's what?" Buffy asks.

"You have a scar." Parker says as he touches her neck, rubs over The Master's bite scar with his thumb.

Buffy shivers at the intimacy. "Oh. Right. Angry puppy." Parker smiles, and finally, reluctantly, takes his hand away. "So do I get to see any of your scars?"

"Oh, mine are all psychological." Parker says.

"Please, they're the best kind." Buffy says.

"Well, my father died last year." Parker says.

"Oh, Parker. God, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring up something like that. Bad, bad Payson."

"No, no, I'm okay to talk about it now. And I'm not doing the deep "get sympathy" routine. Don't you hate guys that are all "I'm dark and brooding so give me love"?"

"I... I've never met that type." Buffy says, lying. Her first love was that type.

"I just wanted to say that the thing that made it so sad was that there was a lot of stuff he didn't get to finish. Like, he thought there'd always be this future out there, and then there wasn't. It's made me think about, you know, living for now." Parker says.

"I think about that sometimes. A lot, actually. How fast it could end? See, I sort of, drowned once, a couple of years ago. And I came back. Obviously." Buffy says. "And I nearly died from Arroyo fever."

'And I've died one other time that I can't tell you about.' Buffy thinks.

"Wow. I mean, you hear about stuff like drowning..." Parker says.

"Yeah, well, pool safety, important. Anyway, I don't put things off anymore. Like you were saying." Buffy says.

"That's great. Everyone says they get it: "oh, man, me too, live for today," but what they really want is an excuse to goof off and not study for finals." Parker says.

Buffy nods, "Also a valid life choice."

"It's cool to find someone else who understands." Parker says.

"So, when you go to bed tonight, what are you going to regret not doing today?" Buffy asks.

"I'm going to regret being too nervous to ask you to the party at Wolf House tomorrow night. Do you want to go to the party at Wolf –" Parker says.

Buffy smiles, "Yes."

Parker slips his hand into Buffy's hand. "Payson? When you... drowned, whoever brought you back? They're getting a big kiss from me. Also the doctor that treated your Arroyo fever will get a big thank you card."

Buffy nods, "Xander will be so happy. He's the one that brought me back when I drowned. On the doctor he passed away a while back."

Later at the front door of the Manor Parker and Buffy linger outside. She knows Phoebe's probably watching from the window.

"This is it. My door. It's wood. Maybe some kind of wood veneer." Buffy says.

"Nice." Parker says. "You have a nice house." He leans in for what is sure to be a very sweet kiss, when Phoebe opens the door.

"Buffy. There is a phone call for you from Oz and Willow." Phoebe says.

Parker nods, "I should go. I'll see you tomorrow, Payson. Good night Ms. Halliwell."

Phoebe smiles, "Please just call me Phoebe."

Parker nods, "Phoebe." He turns and walks down the steps.

Buffy watches Parker for a moment before walking inside and closing the door. She walks over to the phone. "What's up?"

"Hey. Remember Harmony?" Oz says.

"She's back from her summer vacation and she's different." Willow says.

"Different?" Buffy asks.

"Vampire." Willow says.

"Harmony's a vampire? She must be dying without a reflection." Buffy says.

"I felt she was adjusting. You know, when the fang went in." Willow says.

Buffy sighs, "Oh, Willow, I'm sorry. It's not funny. That must have been terrible."

"She just made me so mad. "My boyfriend's gonna beat you up!"" Willow says.

Buffy frowns, "Boyfriend?"

"Well, if you believe her. I mean, she always lied about stuff like that. "Oh, he goes to another school, you wouldn't know him."" Willow says.

"Devon dated her for a while, but she was too flaky for him. Which, stop and marvel at the concept." Oz says.

Buffy shakes her head, "Guy dating Harmony - dead? Must be like the most tolerant guy in the world."

The next night Buffy and Parker enter the party. It's crowded, dark, smoky and loud. One guy is doing a funnel. A couple is propped up next to the door, making out vigorously. Buffy tries not to stare.

Parker puts a protective arm around Buffy, guiding her through the crowd. "Watch out. You can take pictures, but stay in the safari truck at all times." He leads her through the living room, past groups of students laughing and talking. Buffy takes it all in. A guy is showing off for his friends by drunkenly juggling beer bottles. A passed-out girl slumps on one of the sofas.

"Some party, huh? The last days of Rome." Parker shouts over the music.

"Better. No old Romans." Buffy shouts back.

"You wanna dance?" Parker asks.

"Let's have a meaningful talk instead." Buffy says.

Parker laughs, leads Buffy past the keg, where people are lined up to get beer. Behind them, the sound of beer bottles crashing to the floor: that was a bad juggler. Buffy and Parker end up by the dance floor. A live band plays and couples dance wildly. Parker leads Buffy onto the floor.

As they head onto the floor, they collide with a couple supporting a drunken friend between them.

Buffy looks closer. It's Harmony and Spike, and the "drunken friend" is a stunned and lacerated victim. Spike and Buffy freeze, look at each other and their dates, sizing up the sitch. The song ends, making conversation possible. "Spike. Harmony."

"Buffy. Hi. What a cute outfit, last year." Harmony says.

"Well, this is interesting. Sort of a double date." Spike says.

"I think you two should go." Buffy says.

"But the fun's just starting: old friends, lots to drink..." Spike says as he jiggles the victim.

"Looks like your friend there started the party a little early, huh?" Parker says.

Spike looks at Parker, but talks to Buffy. "Say, let's have a look at the new boy. Hmm. I like him. He's got, what's the word, vulnerability."

Parker is confused, but trying to go along, "Hi, I'm Parker..." He holds out his hand, Spike ignores it.

"And you, with Harmony. Lose a bet?" Buffy asks.

"Hey!" Harmony says.

"Actually, how we met, funny story, really—" Spike says.

Trying for surprise, he dumps the victim onto Parker and runs into the crowd.

Buffy dives after him. "I'll be right back!"

But the music has started again and it's hard to hear her.

Buffy bursts out the door onto the front porch of the party house. It's a little quieter here. Students cluster around, smoking and talking. She steps off the porch, warily. She pulls out a stake and walks around to the side of the house. It's dark and deserted here.

She passes a dark shadow along the side of the house, then she whirls and punches into the shadow. Spike punches back, steps out into the dim light. Harmony runs up, out of breath.

"Dru dump you again?" Buffy asks as she punches.

"Maybe I dumped her –" Spike says as he punches back.

"She left him for a Chaos Demon. It's all he talks about some days..." Harmony says.

"Harm. We're going." Spike says. "It isn't time yet."

"Yeah, but as soon as we have the Gem of Amarra you're gonna be sooo sorry - Ow!" Harmony says.

Spike grabs Harmony to shut her up, drags her off by the arm. Buffy starts after them, but they're back around the front of the house, pushing through a group of party arrivals. Buffy gets tangled in the crowd. Spike and Harmony get away.

Buffy moves to a payphone nearby and dials Giles apartment.

"Yeah, Spike. With Harmony, if you can believe it. I mean, I thought Spike and Dru were a forever kind of deal, didn't you? Where's the commitment?" Buffy says moments later.

"I'm disillusioned. I shall never love again." Giles says.

"So anyway, I couldn't figure out why he ran away, but Harmony said something. What they're here for. The Gem of something... Amarra. He's waiting 'til he gets it—"

"The Gem of Amarra? Are you sure?" Giles asks.

Buffy nods, "Yeah. What's up?"

"It's just, it's not real. It's like, like a vampire version of the Holy Grail. A source of some kind of enormous power, always conveniently vague..." Giles says. "Yes, here it is. There was a great deal of vampyric interest in locating the gem during, oh, the 10th century. Questing vampires combed the earth, but no one found it. It was concluded that it never existed."

Buffy shakes her head, "Well Spike seems to think it exists. And he's looking in Sunnydale."

"I don't see how something that valuable, if it were real, could remain hidden on a Hellmouth, with all its demonic activity. I could probably even track the development of the myth..." Giles says.

Buffy nods, "And I'm with you. Myth tracking. I mean, I don't really need a full eight hours, right? A little shaky, but that's okay..."

"Very subtle, but I was going to do it myself anyway. You've done all you can for tonight. Go to bed." Giles says.

"Uh-huh. Sleepy. Yawn. Bye." Buffy says and hangs up as she heads back toward the party house.

Buffy makes her way through the crowd, looking around her. Finally she sees Parker, still at the edge of the dance floor, watching other couples. The music is less overwhelmingly loud now. "Parker. I wasn't sure I'd find you."

"I was getting a little worried." Parker says.

"I am so sorry. I- the English guy, he's an old... friend. And the thing is, he's, he's not supposed to drink. And I saw him here, you know, land of the beer..." Buffy says.

"Payson, it's okay. You did a good thing for your friend." Parker says. "Did, uh, did you and he used to, like, go out, or...?"

Buffy laughs so suddenly that it's a snort. She recovers. "No. No, we didn't."

"Good." Parker says. Buffy smiles, pleased to think she could inspire jealousy. A nice, slow song starts. "Now, we have time to make up for. You think I could get a dance with the prettiest girl at the party?"

"And what do I do? Stand here and watch?" Buffy says.

Parker laughs and pulls her out onto the floor and they start to dance.

Buffy leans her head against Parker's chest and closes her eyes as they dance.

"Payson." Parker says as she opens her eyes, looks up at him, but he gently puts her head back where it was. "Nothing. Just saying your name."

Later Couples are making out nearby. Buffy and Parker sit on a couch and talk.

"Well, I declared pre-med but I hated it. I switched to History." Parker says.

Buffy makes a face which makes Parker laugh. "History. Compelling places. Fascinating dates."

"People think it's dull. But there's something amazing about these huge events, that when you dig down into them, they're all about people. Regular people, just trying to make choices." Parker says.

"I never thought of it like that. History always seemed like just, stuff that happened." Niffu saus/

"That's 'cause when you look back, it seems like things only could have happened that one way. Like people were swept up in events they couldn't control. But I don't believe that. You always have a choice. With everything you do." Parker says.

Buffy shakes her head, "It doesn't feel like it. To me, a lot of the time, it feels like stuff's just coming at me, you know, and I'm reacting as fast as I can, just trying to keep going. Just- just trying to be on my feet before the next thing hits."

"That sounds exhausting." Parker says.

"It really is." Buffy says.

Parker turns her face toward him and he kisses her, very gently. "I just had to. Is this okay?"

"Mmm." Buffy says.

"Because I could stop, if you wanted. Your choice." Parker says, teasing. Buffy shifts around for a better angle. She holds his head in place, surprising him with her strength. "What are you doing?"

"Making a choice." Buffy says and she kisses him.

Later in Parker's dorm room, Buffy and Parker sit on his bed and kiss. He starts to unbutton his shirt. She stops him. She unbuttons his shirt for him. He smiles and reaches for her.

The next morning Buffy wakes up with a start and looks around. Tries to remember where she is. Parker's room. And she's alone in it, naked in the gritty morning light. "Parker?"

Buffy notices things she didn't see last night: dirty clothes piled in the corner, beer cans on the window sill next to a very dead plant - a guy's dorm room full of unfamiliar things. It's a "what have I done" moment. She looks around the bed for her clothes, piles them on the bed. She finds most of them.

"Pants. Everybody needs pants." Buffy says as she looks around a little wildly now. She wraps a sheet around herself and gets off the bed.

Just then the door opens and Parker enters carrying take-out coffee and a paper bag. "Hey, you're up!"

Buffy exhales in relief. "You're here."

"I live here." Parker says.

Buffy nods, "I didn't know where you were."

"It seemed like you were gonna be out for a while, so I went for coffee and doughnuts. Better than whatever I've got around here, warm soda and breath mints." Parker says.

"Yeah, but, breath mints, I wouldn't be turning 'em down." Buffy says.

Parker chuckles and sits on the bed. She sits next to him. "You look cute."

"Well, if you think this is attractive, wait 'till you see me with the stomach flu." Buffy says as Parker kisses her bare shoulder and hands her a doughnut and coffee. She taste the coffee, makes a face, tries to turn it into a grateful smile. "You have plans for today, or...?"

"Actually, the thing is, my mom's coming to visit..." Parker says.

"Oh, gosh. I didn't know. Look, I'll just clear out of here. But maybe later, we could, you know, talk and stuff?" Buffy says.

"I'll call you, if that's okay?" Parker asks.

Buffy nods, "That's great. And, before I go..."

"A kiss?" Parker asks.

"I was thinking pants. But a kiss is good too." Buffy says.

Later Buffy enters the Manor Not paying attention, she starts upstairs.

"Good morning." Giles says from the living room.

Buffy turns and sees Piper and Phoebe with Giles in the living room. "Giles! Hi! I... I didn't know you were here."

"Oh? Really?" Giles says.

Phoebe is behind Giles, out of his line of sight. She's mouthing "Parker" and making big "OK" signs and thumbs ups, excited about Buffy's obviously successful date last night.

"I was. Studying. At the library. All night." Buffy says. "All Saturday night. Okay, you know what? I'm an adult. It's none of your business where I was."

"I'm sincerely relieved to hear it. Now, may we talk about the impending disaster?" Giles says.

Piper nods, "Giles found something."

"A text. It refers to the Gem of Amarra residing in the "valley of the sun."" Giles says.

Phoebe nods, "Translation, right here in San Francisco."

Giles nods, "It seems Spike may know what he's about. The gem may exist after all, in San Francisco, in a sealed underground crypt."

"You guys find that crypt. I'll track down Spike, stop him before he gets there." Buffy says.

Giles heads for the door. "I'll get started."

Piper nods, "I'll call Willow, Xander and Oz, and have them meet you at your place." Giles nods and exits out the front door. "Phoebe look and see what you can find out about this Gem of Amarra. I doubt it's in the Book. So you may have to do an internet search. And I'll go with Buffy. Oh I doubt this is a power of three deal, but you might give Paige a heads up."

Phoebe looks to Piper and nods, "Will do. But first I have to know. It happened. Right? Did it happen? With Parker?"

Buffy smiles, "Yeah, it happened."

Phoebe smiles, "And? Details? I mean, not details, don't need a diagram, but maybe, like, a blurry water-color?"

Buffy laughs, "It was nice. Really nice. He's going to call."

Later Buffy and Piper are showing Harmony's yearbook picture. Students glance at it, shakes their heads no.

Later Buffy and Piper joins up with Willow and head back to the Manor. Willow unrolls a satellite map of San Francisco.

Buffy hurries to check the answering machine. The phone machine flashes "00" - no messages. Buffy casually picks up the phone receiver, listens for the dial tone.

That night Buffy and Piper are prowling among the crypts at the edge of the cemetery. Buffy sees a phone booth just outside the cemetery. She enters it, quickly checks her messages.

"You have... one... message."

Buffy eagerly waits, then hears:

"It's me. I'm at Giles'. Did Parker call yet?" Willow says.

Buffy hangs up.

Piper notices Buffy's face, "Still no call from Parker?"

Buffy shakes her head.

The next morning Buffy and Piper come back to the Manor from a long night of searching and Buffy rushes over to her answering machine. It still reads "00". No messages.

Buffy goes upstairs and crawls onto her bed, lies there on her stomach, head propped up, frowning at the extension in her room, willing it to ring. Eventually she gives up, lays her head down on her arms, a picture of defeat. It's not gonna happen.

Later Buffy and Piper is on campus. Buffy sees Parker talking to a girl.

"I mean, it hit me hard, you know, my dad. And since then I just don't put stuff off anymore. It's about living for now." Parker says.

"Parker?" Buffy asks.

Parker turns smoothly, completely unfazed. "Payson! Payson Halliwell, this is Katie Loomis."

"Parker, what's going on?" Buffy asks, hurt.

"Hey, Katie, you're gonna be late for class. I'll catch up, okay?" Parker says.

Katie moves off.

"She's a friend of yours?" Buffy asks.

Piper looks at Buffy and sighs. She already knows Parker is a loser. She met men like him in college where they were only interested in their next conquest. She doesn't say anything to Buffy. It's one of those things you can only learn about from experience. She knows she will have to be there for Buffy later.

"Yeah. You'd like her a bunch. So, what's up?" Parker says.

'Well, you, sort of, didn't call. I mean, I understand if you've been busy or sick or something." Buffy says.

"It's only been a couple of days. You need to talk to me about something?" Parker says.

"Well, is... is everything... okay?" Buffy asks.

"Sure it is." Parker says.

"It is?" Buffy asks.

Parker smiles, comforting, welcoming. Maybe it'll all be okay. "Sure."

"Oh. So, do you maybe want to go do something?" Buffy asks.

"We can do that. Absolutely." Parker says.

"Great. Tonight?" Buffy says and she hesitates, then, slips her hand into his.

Parker gives it a quick squeeze and lets it go. "Well, the thing is, I think I'm sort of getting together with some people later."

And maybe it's not okay at all.

"Parker? Did I..." Buffy says and she trails off, leaving him waiting.

"Sorry to rush you, just, late for class." Parker says.

Buffy has to force herself to ask it, "Did I do something— something wrong?"

"Something wrong? No, of course not. It was fun. Didn't you have fun? Watch out how you answer, my ego's fragile." Parker says.

"I— You had fun. Is that all it was?" Buffy asks.

"Okay, I'm a little confused now. I mean, I definitely got the idea you'd done it before. You were one who was all over me. It was fun. What else was it supposed to be?" Parker says.

Piper shakes her head, can't believe how this guy is treating Buffy. The humane thing would have been to be up front with her. Spare her feelings.

Buffy shrugs, too embarrassed to say that she thought he was falling in love with her.

"Really. Tell me." Parker says.

"It seemed like you... liked me?" Buffy asks.

"I do. But I'm starting to feel like you thought that meant, what? Some kind of commitment? Is that really what you want right now?" Parker says.

"I just thought, you know..." Buffy says.

"I'm sorry if you misunderstood something. I thought things were pretty clear." Parker says.

"I— I didn't mean— I'm sorry." Buffy says.

"Look, I really have to go now." Parker says already walking away.

"Parker, wait. I did this all wrong." Buffy says.

"I'll give you a call sometime." Parker says and he leaves. Buffy looks after him.

"Well, that was pathetic." Spike says.

Piper and Buffy turns to see Spike, not in vampface, standing next to them, smiling evilly. He is in full sunlight.

Spike punches Buffy.

The punch sends Buffy to the ground, blood at the corner of her mouth. Dazed, confused and hurting, she feels around her, comes up with a stick to use as a stake. To their surprise, Spike is just watching Buffy get ready and find her feet. He faces her, ready, casual, relaxed.

"Innit a fantastic day? Birds singing, squirrels making lots of rotten little squirrels, sun beaming down in a nice, non-fatal way. It's very exciting, I can't wait to find out if I freckle." Spike says.

Piper slams him, a powerhouse punch. He's back up like one of those pop-up clowns, and he gives her as good as he's got. Then he drops his guard, a little too readily, and Piper manages to stake him, pulling it out and waiting for the inevitable. She is stunned when he does not dust.

Buffy watches the whole exchange as she stands, equally stunned.

"Ooh. Do it again. It tickles. You know, in the good way." Spike says.

"The gem." Buffy says.

Spike nods, "Oh yeah. The Gem of Amarra." He holds up his ring hand. Punches Buffy with it. Hard. "Official sponsor of my killing you and her." He morphs into vampface and lunges at Buffy.

Buffy and Spike trade blows and kicks of equal force and skill. It's an unlovely fight - muscle, not finesse. Buffy is bruised and bleeding. Piper has been knocked out.

"Getting tired Slayer?" Spike asks.

Xander runs by, sees them.

"I'm okay. How 'bout you? Sun in your eyes?" Buffy says. But she is tired, dropping her fists, breathing hard.

"A little. Awfully bright, disorienting... oh, no, I lied. I'm fine." Spike says.

Spike lands a punch that staggers her. She's slow rejoining the fight. Then she sees Xander. He's creeping up behind Spike. Xander raises a chair over Spike's head, ready to bring it down.

Without warning, Spike spins completely around, pulling the chair from Xander's hand and using it to smash Xander in the ribs, sending him to the ground in a helpless heap, out of the fight. Spike continues the spin, ending up facing Buffy again. Things look bad for Buffy. Spike attacks.

"So, you let Parker take a poke, eh? Didn't seem like you knew each other that well. What exactly did it take to pry apart the Slayer's dimpled knees?" Spike says.

"You're a pig Spike." Buffy says as she deflects another blow of Spike's.

"Did he play the sensitive lad and get you to seduce him? Good trick if the girl's thick enough to buy it." Spike says as Buffy throws a kick but he stops it. "Wonder what you did wrong. Too strong? Did you bruise the boy?"

Spike manages to catch her with a crushing blow. "Whatever, guess you're not worth a second go. Come to think of it, seems like someone told me as much." And another... "Who was that? Oh, yeah. Angel."

When Spike swings again, Buffy parries the blow with force, throwing him off balance. Her face has been transformed by determination, Spike knows he went a bridge too far.

She kicks the pipe out of his fist. The pipe goes flying, hitting Xander again, who moans. Buffy hits Spike with a dizzying flurry of punches and kicks, the last one sending him down. She jumps and lands on his sprawled body, pinning his arms down with her knees, pressing his head into the ground with one hand, twisting his neck. He bucks, but she's pulling at the ring.

"Take it off me this way and we both burn!" Spike says.

"Really? Let's see." Buffy says and she pulls the ring off him, breaking his finger.

Spike ROARS in pain and bucks again, in panic, knocking her off. He scrambles up and away, starting to smoke and sizzle in the sunlight. He drops into an open manhole and is gone. Buffy sinks to the ground, exhausted. But she holds the ring.

Later that evening the ring sits on the coffee table at the Manor. Piper, Phoebe, Paige, Buffy, Giles, Willow, Xander and Oz all look at it.

"I like it." Willow says.

"It's small." Oz says.

"Quite tasteful. Really worth getting my ribs bashed in." Xander says.

"Well Leo did offer to heal you, Xander." Piper says.

"So the question now is, what do we do with it? It's obviously extremely dangerous and destroying it—"

"We don't destroy it." Buffy says.

"But, Buffy, any vampire who gets this is essentially unkillable... Oh..." Giles says.

Oz looks at Buffy. He knows what she wants to do with it. "I have that gig in L.A. I could swing by."

Buffy smiles, "Thanks, Oz."

"What's going on? What's in L.A.?" Xander asks.

Piper smiles, "She's giving it to Angel."

Willow nods, "Don't make a fuss."

"Buffy, are you sure?" Giles asks.

Buffy nods, "He should have this."

Later that night Buffy and Willow are up in Buffy's room.

"So what I'm wondering is, does this always happen? Sleep with a guy and he goes all evil?" Buffy says.

"Well, from what I understand, pretty much. But it won't always be like that. You've just had some really bad luck." Willow says.

"Willow is right, Buffy." Piper says from the doorway. Willow and Buffy look up, they hadn't heard Piper approach the door. "Parker is a looser, Buffy. There are guys like him all over the world. But for all the loosers there is at least one good, decent guy."

Buffy nods, "Is Leo your decent guy, Piper?"

Piper looks across the hall to her room and then nods, "Yes he is. And despite the fact that Cole is a demon, he's Phoebe's decent guy. And you know what Buffy, one day so will you."