"I'm glad you talked me into this. It's nice," Buffy said, giving her mother a bright smile and linking her arm through hers, giving her a squeeze.

Joyce returned her daughter's grin with a nod of agreement and patted her hand as they strolled down the street. "It is. I can't remember the last time we had a mother-daughter night at the movies."

Buffy frowned, relaxing her hold on her mother's arm slightly. "Yeah, I know— With the studying and the slaying and the—"

"Bears?" Joyce asked teasingly.

Buffy looked up at her with wide eyes. "Giles told you about Thanksgiving?"

Joyce hummed noncommittally, sidestepping the question as she strained her neck to look up ahead of them. "How do you feel about coffee?"

Buffy's gaze followed her mother's up to the Espresso Pump. "Mondo affection, big love."

"Why don't we stop in at The Espresso Pump?" Joyce asked, patting a few strands of hair behind her ear.

Buffy sighed, happily oblivious. "Yummy coffee goodness and quality mom time? So in," she gave a little bounce to her next step. "Ya know what, I might have to start spending more weekends at home if they're going to be like this."

"Oh good, I'm glad to hear my nefarious plan is working so well," she replied with a grin.

Buffy looked up at her mother, pouting slightly. "If you want me to stick around home more, I totally can."

"Don't be silly, sweetheart— Of course, I'd love having you around more, but I also know you have a lot on your plate—" Joyce paused a moment as a gaggle of teenage girls several years younger than Buffy pushed past them giggling. Joyce shook her head. "What you do for this town— for this world— is more important than saving me from a few extra nights with a good book and a glass of wine."

Buffy clutched her mother's arm, it was very possibly the most supportive thing she'd ever said to her and she wasn't sure how to respond. She swallowed, about to speak, as music filtered out from The Espresso Pump, stopping her.

"This one goes out to the one I love

This one goes out to the one I've left behind…"

Buffy knew that voice… Oh God, no…

"A simple prop to occupy my time,

This one goes out to the one I love…

Firrrre…"

A second, even more familiar, mature-voice chimed in, harmonizing with the first making Buffy freeze in her tracks.

"Firrrre…"

Joyce tugged her along, gently pulling her into the open door of the cafe to a spot near the counter with a good view of the duo. Buffy had only just begun to come to terms with Giles and Spike becoming some deranged musical version of the Odd Couple, but seeing them out in the open like this was threatening to make her brain explode.

"This one goes out to the one I love

This one goes out to the one I've left behind

A simple prop to occupy my time…"

She blinked dumbly as she turned to face her mother. Joyce was unconsciously fiddling with her hair, watching the two Brits, a large grin on her face that Buffy was desperately trying to comprehend. She directed her attention back to the little stage and her brain stalled when her eyes suddenly locked with Spike's from across the crowded room.

"This one goes out to the one I love…" Spike's voice rang out, his eyes burrowing into hers.

Buffy's heart pounded in her chest as he continued on. He dipped his head momentarily checking his finger placement and Buffy's throat went dry, breath catching in her chest as his gaze snagged hers once more.

"This one goes out to the one I love…" A grin tugged at the corner of Spike's lips. "This one goes out to the one I've left behind,

Another prop has occupied my time,

This one goes out to the one I love…"

Buffy was so distracted by the intense look Spike was giving her that she barely noticed when her mother whistled loudly, cheering them on along with the rest of the crowd.