He glances up at her and smiles. Buffy smiles back and he turns to the book and flips the pages and begins reading again.

Set that berry-coloured mouth
on mine, O skin like foam
Place that smooth and lime-white limb
-despite your quarrel- round me

Slim and delicate, be no longer
absent from my side
Slender, show me to your quilts!
Stretch our bodies side by side

As I have put away (soft thigh)
Ireland's women for your sake
likewise try to put away
all other men for me

I gave to your bright teeth
Immeasurable longing
So it is just that you should give
your love in the same measure.

He finishes and glances at her. His eyes move over her moist face to her partially submerged breast. His burgeoning arousal struggles against his trousers.

Buffy: Those are……

The sound of a phone interrupts her words. He frowns at the lateness of the call as he moves to answer it.

Angel: Hello.

Giles: Oh so sorry I have the wrong number.

Angel: Rupert?

Giles: Why yes. Angel, is that you? I did not expect you to answer. Is something wrong?

Angel: No, no everything is fine.

Giles: Well is Buffy around?

Angel: Sure she is just soaking in the tub. Hold on.

He walks in the bathroom with his hand over the mouthpiece.

Buffy: Who is it?

Angel: Giles.

Buffy: Oh, hand me a towel.

He hands he the towel. She dries off her hand and takes the phone.

Buffy: Giles? What’s wrong?

Giles: Nothing is wrong. I just called to see how things are going. I didn’t mean to drag you out of the bath.

Buffy: You didn’t. I’m still in it.

Giles: Okay, alright then.

Buffy: I can hear you wiping your glasses.

Giles: Yes, well maybe I should just speak with Dawn or Willow since you seem to be somewhat indisposed.

Buffy: I am not indisposed and beside Dawn and Willow are out. So your only choices are me or Angel.

Giles: Buffy, is something going on I should know about?

Buffy: Actually there is.

Giles: Well?

Buffy: Uh well Angel is living with us, well with me.

Giles: Oh I see. Do you think that is all that wise?

Buffy: It’s okay Giles. His soul is bound. Bound real tight.

Giles: Are you sure?

Buffy: Oh yeah.

She glances over and smiles at Angel who is reading.

Giles: I am uh taking that to mean uh well you have well tested the matter.

Buffy: Completely. Everything is perfect.

Angel looks up and matches her smile. His eyes take in her beauty his growing arousal moves against it’s prison. He shifts and diverts his eyes back to his book

Giles: Quite right then, I need no details then. But Buffy, I would be remise if I did not say that I am concerned.

Buffy: It’s okay Giles. Everything is fine. Now quit being an old mother hen and tell me why you called.

Giles: I was just calling to see how you girls were fairing.

Buffy: We are fine. How about you? Met any hot babes?

Angel looks back up and smirks.

Giles: I am quite sure that is none of your business.

Buffy: Pot, kettle. Were you just not asking about my sex life?

Giles: Fine, fine. Point taken. So is there anything you need?

Buffy: No, but thank you. Angel is helping now. I think we can make it.

Giles: I am not just talking money, Buffy.

Buffy: I know. Everything else takes time.

Giles: Very mature.

Buffy: I have my moments.

Giles: Well I guess I should let you go. Call me if you need to.

Buffy: You know I will.

Giles: Bye then.

Buffy: Bye Giles.

She hangs up the phone and slides it across the floor. It hits Angel’s hip and he looks up to see her beckoning him over. He looks down at his book for a moment before setting it down and standing up. He walks over and looks down at her.

Angel: Can I help you?

Buffy: Not while you still have clothes on.

Angel: What can I do for you naked?

Buffy: Get naked and I will show you.

He smiles and closes the bathroom door before undressing. She roams her eyes over his slowly exposing form. She takes in his sinewy muscular body. She smiles as he exposes his throbbing erection.

Buffy: How come I never get tired of looking at you?

Angel: I know the feeling.

She slides forward and he slips in behind her and fits her bottom between his bare legs. He slides his arms around her and she leans back against him. She revels in the feel of his cool skin as it warms to match the water surrounding it. His thumbs methodically stroke her nipples causing them to harden. She responds by shifting her hips and pressing hard against his arousal. He moans low. She tilts her head back allowing him to capture and plunder her mouth. Her tongue navigates his cool mouth. Accentuated by her hands gripping his powerful thighs, she uses her position to maneuver her butt against his erection. Stroking smooth flesh against smooth flesh.

Angel momentarily enjoys the feels of her bare flesh touching his but becomes cognizant of a problem. His hands move down and grip her hips arresting their assault on his sanity.

Angel: Buffy, stop.

Buffy: Huh?

Angel: We can’t. Not here. Not safe.

Buffy: Can be if you reach in my robe pocket.

He looks at her curiously and leans over and feels for her robe hanging from the towel rod. His fingers maneuver into a pocket and produce a condom. Shock and delight mirror in his face.

Angel: You were planning this?

Buffy: Actually no. I stuffed it in there the other morning when I was straightening our room.

She reaches her arm over her head and runs her hand onto the back of his head. She guides his mouth back to hers. She teases at his palate with her tongue only to dart back away. He marvels within himself how she can seem so innocent, powerful and sexy at the same time. He never knew a more perfect female. His hand slips between her strong thighs. He wants to bring her pleasure both physical and emotional. But now is the time for physical.

She twitches as she feels his firm fingers massaging her clit. She grinds her hips into his hand and then back along his shaft. He moans at the continued oscillations upon his flesh. His mouth regrettably leaves hers.

Angel: Please.

She rolls over to face him. Her tongue teases at his hard nipples before lifting up and helping to roll the latex over his girth. She wraps her hand around him and begins a gentle jog. His lips lean into hers briefly before rolling them both over. The water cascades over the side soaking the floor. Her giggles are suppressed by his invasion in her mouth. She sighs into the kiss as she feels his fingers probing her moist hot channel.

All she can think about is him inside, him inside. The mantra keeps pounding at her brain until she pushes him away from her face.

Buffy: Inside.

The one word is all he needs to shifts his hips and guide his cock to her waiting opening. She struggles to control her desire to force him along. He slips in little bit by little bit allowing each of her nerves to be caressed by the invasion. He slowly fills her until he is seated completely sheathed in her warmth.

Angel: Like that?

Buffy: God yes. It feels like home.

Angel: I know what you mean. I have been homeless too long.

Buffy: Me too.

Angel quickly removes himself from her and sits up. He watches as Buffy sighs and rolls her eyes in frustration. They climb from the tub and quickly dry off. He trashes the unused condom as he slips on his trousers. Buffy watches in disappointment as she slips on her robe.

Angel: You ready?

Buffy starts at his brisk voice and moves past him toward their room. He feels the discontent flow off her. He shakes his head in despair. He feels suddenly lost.

He quickly lifts Conner from his crib as Buffy warms the bottle.

Buffy: I am glad they got these for in here. No more late night trips downstairs.

Angel: I guess not. It was a hassle.

Once Conner is changed and fed, his father sets the sleeping infant in his crib. He looks over at the woman ensconced in the bed. He changes into his pajama pants and slips under the covers. His heart aches as he turns off the lamp.

Buffy lies facing him and senses his growing distance. Her mind whirls as she attempts to decipher what happened. She reaches her hand out and touches his arm. He clasp her hand in his and brings it to his lips. He brushes a kiss across her palm before turning over to sleep. Tears form unchecked in her eyes in her confusion.

The Bronze.

Xander and Anya are sitting at the bar eating chips from several bags. A notebook sits in front of them bearing the wedding seating chart.

Anya: See ... this seating chart makes no sense. We have to do it again. We can't do it again. You do it.

Xander: The seating chart's fine. Let's get back to the table arrangements. I'm starting to have dreams of gardenia bouquets. I am so glad my manly coworkers didn't just hear me say that.

Anya: Will you stop wolfing down those chips? One more bag and you'll pop right out of your cummerbund.

She grabs the bag of chips away from him, looks in it and sticks her hand in. Xander looks upset.

Anya: You're not even hungry, you're just nervous.

Xander: Yeah! Wedding, one week! We have friends, family, demons flying in, a to-do list getting no shorter, and do NOT take my chips.

They stare at each other angrily. Dawn comes over, holding two plastic cups.

Dawn: Hey guys! How's the soon-to-be-newlyweds? Nervous?

Anya/Xander: No!

Dawn: Okay. I'll just be over here then.

Dawn goes over to where Willow is fiddling with pool cues. Dawn hands her a drink.

Dawn: Your Arnold Palmer, milady.

Willow: Thanks. So how are Mr. and Mrs. High-Strung?

Dawn: I'm betting they explode.

Willow: You know, when I was little, I used to spend hours imagining what my wedding to Xander would be like. And now I look at them... I just think... Nee-hee-hee!

Dawn: You're awfully chipper tonight.

Willow: Can't hide it.

Dawn: Hmm. Big wedding coming up ... lots of date possibilities ... you and Tara are speaking again. You wanna call her? Invite her over?

Willow: Oh, no. Too soon for so bold a maneuver. But if I did call? She wouldn't hang up on me.

Dawn: That's progress!

Willow: Hence the happy.

Summers House

Buffy is unable to sleep despite the exhausting day, she lies awake listening to the sounds of the house. She hears the return of Willow and Dawn but she makes no move. She can not phantom what has gone wrong. What did she do? What did she not do? His anger earlier in the tunnels. What is happening? He was always hard to understand but suddenly he is impossible. She considers waking him and confronting him but is scared to know.

As she lies there, a low whimper is heard. She glances at Angel and crawls out of bed, slips on her robe, and heads to the crib. She leans over and checks on the infant.

Angel awakens from the sounds in the room. He looks at her perched over the crib. He hears both their heartbeats pounding in his ears. He silently slides out of bed and behind her. He glances down at the sleeping infant.

Angel: What are you doing?

Buffy: He lost his pacifier. I didn’t want him to wake you.

Angel: He has become a bit attached to it but why not wake me?

Buffy: You are so tired. Or you seem to be.

She turns back to the bed. He reaches for her arm and turns her back to him.

Buffy: What?

Angel: I can’t go on like this.

Buffy: Oh god. Don’t please don’t.

Tears stream from her eyes.

Angel: Don’t what?

Buffy: You are going back to her aren’t you?

Angel: Back to who? What are your talking about?

Buffy: Cordelia. Ever since you saw her in LA this morning you have been……….

Angel: I have been what?

Buffy: Distant, angry………..something.

Angel: This has nothing to do with Cordy. It has to do with us but more importantly you.

Buffy: What have I done other than love you?

Angel turns and looks at Conner.

Angel: You and Conner are the two most important people in my life but he comes first. You have to know that.

Buffy: I do.

Angel: Will you ever be able to forget who is mother is?

Buffy: Darla? No. How can I?

Angel: Then you will always resent him. And I can not………

Buffy: I don’t resent him. What are you thinking? He is your son. He is a part of you. He is your son.

Angel: There you go. Always referring to him like that.

Buffy: Like what?

Angel: You keep emphasizing he is my son.

Buffy: And that is a bad thing? I thought it was a good thing. He is what you thought you never could have. He is your child. Granted I would have loved to been the one to give you such a great gift. But he is your son and I do not resent him. But right now I am getting quite angry at his father.

Angel: Buffy.

Buffy: What now? More recriminations for my supposed feelings.

Angel: No but if you don’t resent him how come when he cried earlier you got that peeved look on your face?

Buffy: You mean in the tub? I was not peeved; more like frustrated. We were in the middle of making love and we were interrupted. I would have been just as frustrated if it had been Dawn or even my own child.

Buffy looks at him and watches his face hoping for an inkling of the thoughts below the surface.

Buffy: Angel?

Angel: I’m sorry. You just keep holding back. You act like you hate him.

Buffy: God no. I just……..

Angel: What?

Buffy: I don’t know what to do. I have no idea who I am.

Angel looks at her in confusion.

Buffy: Who am I?

Angel: Huh? You’re Buffy. What are you asking?

Buffy: What is my role in all this? What do you expect from me?

Angel: Only what you are ready to give. I can’t ask you to love him like I do, but I could not stand it if you hated him.

Buffy: I told you I can not hate him. He is your son. And although that sounds offensive to you it is the truth.

Angel: You don’t hate him?

Buffy: No, why won’t you believe me

Both of them look through tear blurred eyes.

Angel: You just…… well Willow and Dawn just…….

Buffy: What? They don’t hate him either.

Angel: I know that but at least they don’t hold back from him.

Buffy: I don’t.

Angel: You do. You touch his hands and play with him. You even heat his bottles but that’s it. Hell I had to literally fight off Cordy when he was born. She was ready to rip him out of my arms.

Buffy: I am sorry I am not Saint Cordy.

Angel: Where did that come from?

Buffy: Angel, I love you and I ….I love your son but I have no idea what I am suppose to do. Who I am suppose to be.

Angel: Quit with the obscure questions.

Buffy: Okay.

She turns and looks down at Conner. Anywhere but in Angel’s face.

Buffy: As he grows up he is going know who you are. He is going to love you and look up to you. Well until he becomes a teenager that is.

Angel: I hope he will.

Buffy: But as he grows up I hope I am there to watch it with you.

Angel: You will be.

Buffy: But I’m not Darla. How are you going to explain me to your son?

Angel: Explain?

Buffy: Who am I suppose to be in his life? Daddy’s live in girlfriend? Or maybe his aunt? Or we can just call me Ms Buffy like they do in the daycares.

Angel: Oh.

Buffy: If I don’t know who I am I don’t know how I am suppose to act. I am not like Cordy and take what I want. I…………

He turns her around and tilts her face to look into his.

Angel: Who do you want to be?

Buffy: What are my options?

Angel: You tell me.

Buffy: No damn it, I can’t. He is your son, you have tell me what you want.

Angel: No

He turns and walks over and sits on the bed. He lowers his head into his hands.

Angel: I should be so easy. Darla is dead. But I don’t see how I can ask you to take her place. It is too much to ask. I can not drop into your life and expect you to forget the past completely. There is just too much.

Buffy moves in front of him. She reaches out and strokes his hair.

Angel: You have too much else to worry about.

Buffy: Angel.

He looks up at her.

Buffy: I’m here and I want to be here but I need you to ask. I can’t do it otherwise. But only if it is what you want.

Angel: It is. But can you?

Buffy: I can do my best. And please do not hold my failure with Dawn against me.

Angel takes her hands and pulls her down on her knees between his thighs. He wraps her in his arms.

Angel: You sure?

Buffy: Just know I am not perfect and I will screw up. Probably a lot.

Angel: I love you.

Buffy: And I love you.

His lips brush against hers softly. He looks into her eyes.

Angel: Well we are married. (smiles)

Buffy: For quite a while according to you. (smiles back)

Angel: You ready to go to bed.

Buffy: I guess.

She slips out of her robe and crawls under the covers. He slips out of his pants and joins her. She snuggles into his arms. His hands roam her curves in a pattern of worship. She looks into his eyes before pressing her lips against his. Her tongue doing a fire dance on its way into his cool recess. As the early stages of foreplay begins, Conner awakens. Buffy looks into his face trying not to show her disappointment but sees it reflected in his face.

Angel: His timing sucks.

Buffy: But it beats not having him.

Angel: It does at that.

Next day

A baby is crying. Two women, each holding a baby sit in the doctor's waiting room.

Woman 1: You'd think something was killing him. All night long, the screaming and crying.

Woman 2: Colic is the worst.

Woman 1: I hold him. I walk him. Nothing seems to work.

Angel: Have you tried the vacuum?

The woman looks over where Angel is waiting with Connor. Buffy sits besides him with a clipboard and pin.

.

Angel: Sometimes the white noise from a motor will put a colicky baby right to sleep.

Woman 1: You know, I've read about that. The problem is my older one - I can't run the vacuum while he's sleeping.

Angel: You could try taping it. The sound. Just leaving playing by the crib kind of low.

Woman 1: I should have thought of that! Mr. Dad to the rescue!

Nurse: Mrs. Ferguson?

Woman 1 gets up to follow the nurse: Oh, excuse me.

Angel (w): Mr. Dad! Check me out! I'm Mr. Dad. You finished?

Buffy: These questions are complicated

Angel: How?

Buffy: Lets start with last name.

Angel: Cordy used Angel when she took him to the hospital.

Buffy: That makes you Angel Angel.

Angel: Actually I was Geraldo Angel.

Buffy looks in shock.

Buffy: No way. And you let her?

Angel: No I was off causing a diversion.

Buffy: Well I think we can do better. What name do you want?

Angel: O’Hara.

Buffy: Huh? You sure?

Angel: Yes. Conner O’Hara.

Buffy writes it down and moves on to the father. Angel O’Hara. She adds their address and phone number. He gives her the shot history and she records it.

Buffy: I guess that’s it. You need to sign it.

Angel: You go ahead.

Buffy: But………

She glances up at the top of the page and takes a deep breath before filling the mother space in and signing the form.

Buffy: That okay?

Angel: It is with me.

She hands the clipboard to the nurse and sits back down.

Buffy: It is official I guess.

Angel: As official as we can make it.

Nurse: Mr. O‘Hara?

Buffy nudges Angel and he stands up with Conner.

Angel: We're up, kiddo. Mommy, you coming?

Buffy: Oh god.

Angel smiles at her and she forces a smile to cover her panic.

Angel: Sorry. Just trying it out.

Buffy: It will be okay. I think my heart just missed a beat.

Angel: No, but it did speed up.

In the exam room the Doctor is examining Connor as Angel hovers over him.

Angel: He just won’t sleep.

Doctor: Babies don’t always

Angel: I know, but it has been worse lately. I mean it was bad in the beginning but it was getting better but now he is up all the time.

Doctor: Well as anything changed? Have you moved his bed?

Angel: Actually we moved here from LA.

Doctor: That explains it all. Babies sometimes have a problem with change. And a new home can effect their sense of security. You took away what he was familiar with. Give him a little time and he will adjust.

Buffy: Does that go for being around new people too?

Doctor: Definitely. The more changes the more he can be affected. But as long as he has Mom and Dad with him he will do fine eventually.

Angel: But everything else is okay? He is fine?

Doctor: All I see is a normal healthy infant.

Angel: Doctor. During your exam you didn't notice anything abnormal about him, did you?

Buffy: Angel! What kind of question is that? Did you?

Doctor: No. Your son is just fine.

Angel: So, when will we get the results form the blood test?

Doctor: In about a week. It's just a precaution, really.

Angel: But he's okay. Connor's healthy?

Doctor: As healthy as a human being can possibly be.

Angel to Connor: Did you hear that? (Shakes the doctors hand) Thank you.

Doctor: No problem.

Buffy walks to the door and opens it.

Angel grinning: Thanks.

Buffy: Angel?

Angel looks over to Buffy

Buffy: You can let go of the doctor now.

Angel: Oh. Right.

Angel stops shaking the doctor's hand and gathers up Connor.

Angel: Come on, kiddo. Thanks.

Doctor: Take care.

Angel, carrying Connor, and Buffy walk out. The doctor looks down at his hand.

Doctor: And they bitch about my cold hands.

The Doctor lays the chart down next to a tube of blood labeled “O‘Hara, Connor” and leaves the room.

Woman 2 from the waiting room comes in carrying her baby. She takes the tube of Connor's blood and replaces it with another one, looking exactly the same. The door opens and the nurse comes in.

Nurse: There you are! Did you get turned around? You're supposed to be over in exam three.

Woman 2: Oh. My mistake.

Follows the nurse out.

That night

Buffy and Angel walk through the cemetery.

Buffy: It is quiet tonight.

Angel: I noticed. You want to head home early?

Buffy: I guess. We can go back out again later after Conner is asleep.

Angel: Hey you used his name.

Buffy: Now that I know it bother’s you my husband.

He glances at her and she takes off running with him close on her heels. He tackles her and they hit the ground hard. He quickly pins her.

Angel: What did your just call me?

Buffy: You heard me. Or is that a no no too?

Angel: No I like it.

He leans into her lips but a nearby sound causes their heads to whip to the side.

Spike: Don’t mind me. I was just going to watch. The slayer can put on quite a show.

Angel growls and they climb to their feet.

Buffy: Come on. We were going home to Conner, remember.

She tugs on his arm.

Spike: Don’t run off so fast folks.

Buffy: Ignore him. He wants to start a fight.

Angel: Well I can oblige.

She pulls down and whispers in his ear. His eyebrow goes up.

Angel: Later, Spikey. My lady has other plans for me.

He wraps his arm around her and they walk off.

Angel: We need to make a stop on the way home.

Buffy: We do?

Angel: No more condoms.

Buffy: Oh. Drug store it is.

Buffy leans against the building beside the door. She smiles as she thinks on his request for her to stay outside. In some ways he is so old fashion it is humorous. As she stands slapping the wooden stake into her palm, a large SUV comes by. It stops in the middle of the street and backs up. She tenses as it turns into the parking lot. She prepares for fight or flight as it parks in front of her and the window lowers. She pauses as she sees who it is. Riley peers out at her from the dark interior.

Buffy: You.

Riley: Hey. I was hoping I would find you.

Buffy: Huh? Riley?

Riley: Sorry to just drop in on you like this, Buffy.

Buffy: It's you.

Riley: It's me.

Buffy: You're here.

Riley: I know.

Her eyes dart into the store at Angel at the checkout counter

Buffy: And you are looking for me

Riley: Look, this isn't the way I wanted it. But something's come up, something big. We don't have much time. You understand?

Buffy: Uh, we need to talk.

Riley: Right. But there isn’t time. I need your………..

He pauses as Angel exit’s the store.

Riley: …..help.

Buffy: What is it?

Angel glances at Riley and back at Buffy.

Riley: I want to explain, I just don't have time. I've been up for 48 hours straight tracking something bad, and now it's come to Sunnydale.

Buffy: Demon?

Riley: Yes. I know that I'm putting you on the spot, showing up like this, but ... but you know, here we are. I need the best. I need you, Buffy. Can you help me?

Angel: We both can.

Riley looks at them and nods for them to climb in. Angel helps Buffy in to the front before entering the back.

Buffy: Nice wheels.

Riley: Came with the car. Look, I'm sorry this is all so sudden.

He stops as something on his belt begins to beep. He grabs it and looks at it.

Buffy: What is it?

Riley: Suvolte demon. Rare, lethal ... nearly extinct, but not nearly enough. It's close.

Buffy starts to laugh.

Riley: What?

Buffy: Sorry. It's just you still carry around all that James Bond stuff.

Riley stares at the device.

Buffy: It's so cute! I forgot.

Riley puts the device away, gives Buffy a look.

Buffy: Sorry. Carry on.

Riley: 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.

Buffy: So they're like really mean tribbles. Sorry, I've been dealing with these, these geeks, it's, it's a whole thing.

Sound of demon growling. They all three look out. Riley whips the vehicle to the curb. The demon is across the street knocking over some newspaper vending machines. People scream and run away.

Riley: You ready for this?

Buffy: Yes please.

They pile out of the SUV. They start forward. Riley holds up a badge.

Riley: National Forestry Service, we got a wild bear! Everybody stand back! Look out!

People run away as Riley approaches the demon. It hits him, slashing his arm with a claw, and he reels back clutching his arm. Angel punches him in the face and it stumbles backward. Buffy jumps up onto the demon's back and it flings her off against a wall, then it retreats into an alley. A gun falls to the ground beside Buffy. She gets to her knees and picks it up. Riley moves toward her but Angel steps in and grabs her hand to help her up. Riley looks at them. Buffy and Angel turn and head toward the alley with Riley right behind. They walk cautiously down the alley, looking around. They reach a point where the alley widens.

Riley: Split.

Buffy nods. Buffy and Angel move left and Riley moves right. Suddenly a garbage can flies into the shot, toward Riley, but he deflects it. Sound of the demon growling.

Buffy: Riley!

She and Angel run back toward him. Buffy tosses him the gun. He takes aim at the demon, shoots it. The gun shoots darts rather than bullets. The dart sticks in the demon's chest. It roars and flails its arms around. Buffy runs at it and one of its arms hits her. She reels back against Riley, who catches her. The demon leaps up to the roof of the building and is gone. Angel moves to follow but Buffy grabs his arm as a reminder of the bond. He shakes his head in frustration.

Riley: You all right?

Buffy: I'll feel better when we catch it. But it's too fast.

Riley: Lets get back to the jeep.

The careen down the streets in pursuit.

Riley is driving while Buffy sits in the passenger seat.

Buffy: Know where we're going?

Riley: Got an idea. The tag's on-line. We'll find it.

Shot of a GPS screen on the car's dashboard. It shows a blip for the demon and another one for the car.

Buffy: How's your arm?

Riley: It'll heal. How are you doing?

Buffy: Complicated question.

Riley glances in the backseat. He feels the brown eyes piercing into him

Riley: I just meant…

Buffy: I know.

Riley: I hear ya. Got some, uh big stories to tell you to. If we ever get half a second.

Buffy: Did you die?

Riley: No.

Buffy: I'm gonna win.

Riley looks surprised. Buffy looks at Angel

Buffy: I don’t think you can beat either me or Angel for weirdest year.

Riley: Did he die too?

Angel: I am dead.

Riley: Oh yeah, right. Buffy, you know, there's not many people I'd ask to risk their life for me. It's really good to see you.

Buffy: Thanks.

Riley: You're welcome. And Buffy ... love the hair.

Buffy: Big hit with everyone

She reaches back and takes Angel’s hand. The movement is not lost on Riley. They continue to track the demon down a lonely stretch of highway.

Xander's car

Xander is driving while Anya sits in the passenger seat. They are stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

Anya: I think we died in this car on the way to the airport, and now we're stuck in hell.

Xander: The radio said no traffic

Anya: It's a hell radio, of course it said that. We'll never get to the airport in time to pick up your stupid uncle.

Xander: It just gives my uncle Rory more time at the bar. Trust me, he'll be happy.

Anya: Great. So he can sleep off his drunken stupor on our newly re-upholstered couch.

Xander: He can't afford a hotel.

Anya: Why are you defending him?

Xander: I'm not. I hate my uncle. I hate my whole family. That's why I'm marrying you, to start a new family. Have children, make them hate us, then one day they'll get married, we'll sleep on their couch. It's the circle of life.

Anya: Well, the Gnarals are teleporting in in twenty minutes. If I'm not there to greet them? Somebody's getting incinerated.

Xander: Why did we ever agree to have your friends, who are demons, and my family, who are monsters, stay at our place?

Anya: Well, I can only do so much, Xander. Planning this marriage is like staging the invasion of Normandy.

Xander: Without the laughs. We should have eloped.

Anya: No! I've been through too much planning this wedding, and it is going to happen. It is going to be our perfect, perfect day if I have to kill every one of our guests and half this town to do it.

Xander: Mm. (looks at her bag of chips) Cool Ranch?

Anya: Cajun Fiesta.

Xander grabs the bag.

Riley’s SUV

Riley screeches to a halt on a side road. They exits and look around at the dirt road and odd stone buildings.

Buffy: Where are we?

Riley: I‘m not…..

Angel: This use to be St. Agatha‘s. It closed in the early sixty’s when they started building the dam.

Riley: And you know this how?

Angel: (smiles) I’ve learned things over the years. (smirks) And I have a thing for convents.

Buffy and Riley both give him an odd look.

Buffy: I don't see our demon.

Riley: It's not here.

Buffy: Let me guess.

They walk between the low stone buildings. Riley grins. They walk over to a fence and look down. They're standing at the top of a huge dam. Far below, they see the water. Rough uncut stone walls surround the platform at the bottom.

Buffy: Down we go?

Angel looks at Riley pulling a repelling wire from his belt. Angel looks down into the cavern.

Angel: See you at the bottom

He picks up Buffy And wraps her legs around his waist. Riley turns to watch him step over the edge. He moves to see him step off a lower ledge to and even lower one and then on to the floor.

Riley attaches one end of the rappelling line to the fence.

Angel: You okay?

Buffy: Yeah, I’m okay. Next time warn me before we do that.

Angel: And have you tell me no, not likely.

Riley lands beside them. Riley detaches the line from his belt. They begin looking around. They duck past a large pipe with a small trickle of water coming out. Past it, the stone ledge opens out into a wider space with a ladder at one wall. Riley walks past a door and the demon comes out of it, tackling him from behind. He throws it off and ducks a swing of its arm. Buffy attacks the demon and gets thrown aside. She leans against the stone wall and looks over her shoulder at Angel grappling with the demon. Buffy kicks back at the demon and gets it off Angel. Riley punches it and it hits him. Buffy kicks it again. It hits Riley and then Buffy, sending them both reeling back. Angel attacks again and gets hit in the stomach. He leans over in pain.

Buffy: Angel!

Buffy grabs him and uses him as leverage to lift both feet off the ground and kick the demon back. It falls to the ground. Angel moves toward it as Riley pulls Buffy out of the reach of its claws and pushes her up against the wall. They both are panting and pinned against the wall out of the demon’s reach. The demon kicks Angel to the opposite wall. He crouches in pain. Before Buffy can move to his side, another black-clad figure rappels down from above, landing on the stone floor nearby. The woman looks at Buffy and Riley

Sam: Hey.

Buffy and Riley glance at her.

Sam: Hey there. What exactly are you doing with my husband?

Buffy stares at Riley in surprise. He looks a little embarrassed..

Buffy: Husband?

Before Riley can speak the demon moves toward Angel and Buffy dives forward and kicks it back. She backs up keeping Angel behind her. She glances over her shoulder.

Buffy: Okay baby?

Angel: I will be. That was more than ten.

Buffy: I got that.

Riley stares at them The demon moves toward Riley

Buffy: Demon.

Sam: Mine.

Sam approaches the demon and grabs both of its arms, kicks it, takes one arm and hits it. Buffy, Angel and Riley watch as she continues the fight. Riley eases over toward Buffy.

Buffy: She's good.

Riley: She's a special one.

Sam punches the demon.

Buffy: How long have you been married?

Riley: Four months almost.

Buffy: Any children?

Riley: Buffy, I meant to tell you. When the time was right. She caught up to us a hell of a lot faster than I would've guessed possible. She does that.

Buffy: So, you-you guys do this often, you know, the whole husband-and-wife tag-team demon fighting thing?

Riley: Yeah, it's what brought us together. I almost feel sorry for the Suvolte.

As Angel stands up, the demon hits Sam across the face and she goes down.

Riley: But not quite.

Riley moves forward, picking up a taser from the ground. He catches the demon's arm as it prepares to hit Sam, hits it in the stomach with the taser. Sam crouches on the ground, kicks the demon back. Buffy stands there looking pensive but refuses to step away from Angel as the other two continue fighting the demon. The demon flings them both off and moves toward Buffy. Buffy punches and kicks the demon. Angel grabs its arms from behind. Buffy grabs the demon by its head and glances at Riley and Sam getting up.

Buffy: Call this your wedding gift.

She twists the head, snapping the demon's neck. It falls to the ground. Riley moves forward as if to stop her but sees it's too late. Sam looks shocked.

Buffy: So, guess that mission is accomplished.

She turns toward Angel and smiles. He leans back against the wall and she slips her arm around his waist. Riley kneels beside the demon

Riley: She killed it.

Sam: Oh, honey. That's okay.

Buffy: Okay? Wait you guys have been tracking this thing as a couple for two days straight, and you did want it dead, right?

Riley stands up again next to Sam. They look at each other nervously.

Buffy: Oh.

Sam: I assume you are Buffy and let me guess. Captain Can-Do over here forgot to mention that this was a homing operation. But it's nice to finally meet you, by the way. Knife.

Sam puts out her hand without looking, and Riley gives her a large knife. She kneels beside the demon.

Sam: So who’s the civilian?

Riley: That would be her ex.

Sam: Oh, the vampire?

Buffy: He is no longer my ex and what is a homing operation?

Riley: It's my fault. I should have explained.

Buffy: That would have saved us some trouble.

Sam slices open the demon's stomach with the knife. Thick yellow blood oozes out.

Sam: Damn.

Buffy makes a disgusted face. Sam stands up.

Sam: We're too late. Finn, how could you recruit the Slayer without filling her in on the objective?

Buffy: That'd be my question.

Sam: If we weren't under severe time constraints I'd seriously think about ripping you a new one.

Riley: Stand down, soldier.

Buffy: He's your boss, too?

Sam: Oh, he wishes. We better regroup. Buffy, I hate to impose further, but you got a safe house?

Buffy: I, I have a house. I-I think it's safe. Sometimes you can't even leave.

Buffy grins. Sam and Riley look confused.

Riley: I know the way. Buffy, I'll fill you in. On everything.

Buffy nods.

Summers house

Front Hall, night.

Buffy enters through the front door, followed by Angel, Sam and Riley.

Dawn is standing in the living-room doorway, arms folded.

Riley: Hey.

Dawn: Agent Finn returns.

Riley: Dawn. Geez, look at you. I think you grew a foot and a half.

Dawn: A lot can happen in a year.

Riley: Well, it's good to see you.

Willow and Xander appear from the kitchen.

Xander: Hey, there's the man! Life taker, heartbreaker.

He glances at Angel.

Xander: You know, figuratively speaking.

Riley: Xander, Sam. Willow...

Sam: Hi.

Riley: Hi.

Riley hugs Willow.

Willow: We got your call.

Xander: We're here to help. Just like old times. Except, with you being all big with the married life.

Riley: Hear you're getting hitched yourself. Believe me, you're gonna love it.

Willow: Congratulations, really, both of you.

They all move into the living room. Buffy hangs back with Angel, and Willow goes to them.

Angel: Is Conner okay?

Willow: He went down half an hour ago. Do you want me to check him?

Angel: No I will.

Buffy: Blood first.

Willow: What’s wrong?

Buffy: Broke the ten foot rule in the fight.

Willow: You two go sit and visit I will fix it

Buffy: Thanks.

They proceed into the living room. Dawn and Xander remain standing by the doorway. Dawn still has her arms crossed and her expression says that she is still mad at Riley. Angel drops into his chair and Buffy perches on the arm.

Dawn: So. What brings you back to town after you left suddenly with no word?

Riley and Sam sit on the sofa

Riley: Sam and I have been tracking a Suvolte demon through Central America. Killing machine. Nearly mature.

Sam: Yeah, three months old and growing fast.

Riley: These things start to kill the minute they're hatched. And leave a real clear trail.

Sam: Yeah. Just follow the villages with nothing in them but body parts.

Riley: Uh ... Dawn, are you sure you wanna be around hearing all this?

Sam: Oh, come on, Finn, she looks all grown-up to me. That is, if it's all right with you.

Buffy: Uh, sure, yeah, it's fine.

Willow walks in and hand Angel a mug. Angel smiles his thanks and leans back. Riley looks on in disgust.

Dawn: So, this demon shredded your guys, and now you're looking for a little payback?

Sam: No. It came here to the Hellmouth to, to spawn. But we think it already hatched its eggs somewhere.

Riley: And the plan was to track it. Let the demon take us to its nest.

Dawn: And ... now they're gonna hatch a bunch of ... baby demon things?

Sam: Unless we stop it.

Buffy: Which means we have to find the nest, and fast, before Sunnydale turns into the Trouble Meat Palace.

Everyone looks at Buffy.

Buffy: I wish I'd said something else.

Xander: Okay, so we track down the demon, find the nest, Mr. and Mrs. Finn here make with the killing, and everyone goes home

happy.

He sits on the sofa beside Sam.

Xander: But seriously, married man. If forced to choose between a photographer and place settings-

Buffy: We can't track the demon. I killed it. So! Who's hungry? We got, uh-

Dawn: Ice cubes and O Pos.

Buffy: All you can eat.

Sam: Buffy? It's good that you killed the Suvolte before it killed us. Disposable cameras.

Xander: Di - wah?

Sam: Yeah, you, you know, little plastic ones, ten bucks a pop. You arrange them like table settings, guests snap photos...

Buffy looks at them. She notices their fingers interlaced. Riley glances over and notices Angel absent mindlessly stroking her hip.

Sam: ...breaks the ice, and when the wedding's over, you get to take home the pictures.

Xander: I like it!

Buffy catches Willow out of the corner of her eye making snide faces at Sam. Riley and Sam smile at Xander, turn back to Buffy. Willow makes an innocent face.

Buffy: So, demon eggs. Any timetable on when they're gonna hatch?

Riley: Hatching's not the problem.

Sam: We think they're gonna 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...

Riley: And it cleanses the area.

Dawn: Is that a nice way of saying it kills people?

Sam: 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?

Willow: I can't do the magicks.

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

Willow: I got addicted. The way addicts do.

Willow exits toward the kitchen. Sam looks upset.

Riley: Two teams. No civilians. I'll, uh ... I'll go out and look for our Doctor. You two find that nest.

Buffy: Me and Sam together?

Riley: You come across a Suvolte nest, you're gonna want backup.

Buffy: I have Angel.

Sam: You know, I don't wanna be dragging down the Slayer. You've got speed, and power I can't even-

Buffy: Let's go. Xander, are you okay to stay with Dawn?

Xander: Yeah.

Angel: Willow?

Willow: It’s fine.

Riley: I'll check out some bars. Willy's, some, uh, crypts that I know.

Everyone gets up.

Kitchen

Willow sits by the island looking pensive. Sam enters.

Sam: Hey Willow. I'm sorry, I think I really ... stepped in it in there. You know, back in the jungle ... we had not one, but two hard-core shamans working for us ... they were working the dark magicks, and ... got addicted. And now they're gone. Gone ... as in ... there's nothing left. I've never met anyone with enough strength to quit before.

Willow continues looking at her, says nothing.

Sam: I'm just saying.

Sam turns and leaves. Willow watches her go, smiles a little.

Cemetery

Sam : Thanks for letting me tag along.

Sam Angel, and Buffy walk along.

Buffy: No problem.

Sam: Maybe not for you. I gotta tell you, Buffy, I'm a little bit intimidated. I mean, patrolling with the real live Slayer, you're like ... Santa Claus, or Buddha, or something.

Buffy: Fat and jolly?

Sam: Legendary. And it's not just slayer status I'm talking about. It's you.

Buffy: Riley talks about me?

Sam: He didn't say anything for a long time, but I could tell. He was ripped up inside.

Buffy: Good thing he has you.

Sam: More like miraculous. I went down to Central America with the Peace Corps. One night, my entire infirmary got slaughtered by... I didn't know what they were. I got saved, quit the Corps, joined the squad. My first firefight, I met Riley. We started talking, you know, first about tactics, missions, stuff like that. And then about you.

Buffy: He thinks ... I let him go.

Sam: Do you wish you hadn't.

Buffy glances back at Angel and smiles.

Buffy: No

Sam: 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.

Buffy: I'm glad he's over me.

Sam: So, I guess he was right about you and Angel.

Buffy: What do you mean?

Sam: He said you could never love him because you were already in love.

Buffy: Sam. You know what? Um, I think we should split up.

Sam: Oh, I'm slowing you two down. I knew I would, this was just selfish of me.

Buffy: No, it's not, uh ... there's this guy, uh, an informant, but he's twitchy. I show up with company, and, and we get nothing.

Sam: Cool. I'm guessing Finn needs me about now. (looking around) He's probably off somewhere gettin' his ass kicked. (grinning) You know how wild he gets. (backing away) Don't worry about Rye and me, we're good.

Sam turns and walks off.

Buffy: I noticed.

Angel: So I assume you have an idea.

Buffy: Spike.

Angel: And you got rid of Sam, because?

Buffy: I didn’t want to share the pummeling.

Angel (smiles): Okay.

Spike's crypt

Spike sits on top of a coffin reading a book. The coffin is made up as a couch, has a blanket covering it and a throw-pillow on it. Sound of the door slamming open. Buffy and Angel stride in.

Spike: Buffy. Hey now. If I'd-a known you were coming, I'd-a baked a cake.

Buffy walks over to stand in front of him.

Buffy: I need information.

Spike: Well, suppose I could be helpful. If the price is right.

Buffy: I need to find a guy. Dealer. Calls himself The Doctor.

Spike: Human?

Buffy: His traffic isn't.

Spike: Clock ticking?

Buffy: Whatever he's doing, he's doing it soon.

Spike: Soon but not now?

Beat. Buffy just looks at him. She takes a couple of steps closer.

Spike: Come on love………

She punches him in the nose. Angel stands with his arms crossed smirking.

Spike: Hey!

Buffy: Don’t call me love and just tell me what you know.

Spike: With that kind of greeting I am thinking no.

Angel: Buffy, lets go. He ain’t worth the energy.

Spike: That’s not what she has said before

Angel grabs him around the throat and pins him to the wall.

Angel: I am not sure why Buffy don’t want you dusted but if you don’t shut up on her little error in judgment I will have to do it anyway.

Buffy: Angel, lets him go. You have better things to do with “your “energy.

She turns to walk off and he drops Spike and follows with a smirk on his face. Outside Buffy looks at him.

Angel: I’m sorry. He just…

Buffy: I know. Lets just go home and check on Conner and see if we can decide what to do next.

Angel: Sounds fine

Summer’s House.

Angel and Buffy enter the front door. The house is silent. Angel looks around with concern.

Angel: The house in empty.

Buffy: Maybe they went to bed.

Angel: There is only one heartbeat in here and it is yours.

Buffy: Okay, let me check.

She walks over and picks up a pad of paper on the desk.

Buffy: It’s fine. Anya wanted Xander home because his uncle in here. They rented movies and will be home by one.

Angel: She took Conner?

Buffy: He is fine. She even says she got the car seat from your car.

Angel: Maybe we should go over there.

Buffy: If that is what you want. I was thinking we have the whole house to ourselves for about another hour and a half and we cn make as much noise as we want.

Angel looks at the lust in her eyes.

Angel: Noise? What kind of noise?

Buffy: You know.

She turns for the stairs and as he turns to follow she runs up them. He is hot on her heels as they fly down the hall. He grabs her and throws her on the bed as she laughs.

Angel: An hour and a half. It will have to do.

He takes off his duster and smiles.

Later

Outside the house

Riley wanders up the porch. He knocks lightly on the door. Receiving no answer, he turns to leave but hears a crash from within. He turns back and slowly opens the door. He glances around the living room and works his way up the stairs. He moves down the hall. He pushes open the door to Buffy’s old room and finds it empty. He moves on to Dawn’s and even the bathroom. He hears a Buffy’s voice.

Buffy: Oh God!!!

He moves quickly to the last bedroom. Upon opening the door, he takes in Buffy, her wrist handcuffed to the bed and Angel over her, his face near her neck. He reacts and throws his boot into the vampire’s side sending him off her and the bed.

Buffy screams. Angel stands up and quickly throws the blanket over her nude form. Riley attempt to leap over the bed at Angel but Buffy brings her foot up and kicks him sending into the dresser.

Buffy: What the hell are you doing?!!

Riley moves toward Angel but is backhanded. Buffy takes the moment to break the cuffs and sit up.

Buffy: Riley!! Stop it.

He glances at her. She reaches under the covers and hands Angel his boxers which he slips on.

Riley: You broke them.

Buffy: What? The cuffs. Duh. Now I need a new pair.

Riley: But he was hurting you.

Buffy: Not likely. Angel, my robe.

Angel picks it up off the chair and tosses it to her. He picks up his trousers and steps into them. Buffy puts on her robe and climbs out of bed.

Buffy: Riley, can you leave so we can get dressed.

Riley: What?

Angel walks past him to the closet . He opens the door and removes a clean shirt. Riley watches as he buttons it.

Riley: He has clothes here?

Buffy: He lives here.

Riley: With you?

Buffy: Yes.

Riley: And the curse.

Buffy: No longer an issue.

Riley: I see.

He moves toward the door.

Buffy: Is there a reason you came by?

Riley: I have a lead on the Doctor. I’ll wait downstairs.

He exit’s the room.

Spike’s crypt.

The door crashes open. Buffy, Angel, and Riley fill the doorway.

Spike: Well lookey lookey. Slayer and her boy toys. So princess is this another attempt for information.

Buffy: Shut up Spike. I have the answers.

Spike looks at Riley.

Spike: Here I thought we'd run you out of town, mate. Last time I saw you, if memory serves, you were getting the juice sucked out of you by some undead ladies of very questionable reputation.

Angel looks at Riley in shock.

Riley: Where are they ... Doctor?

Spike: Where are what?

Riley: Glad to be back in Sunnydale. The locals all speak English, and I know who to beat for information. It's all brought me here.

Spike: Guess you are none to happy to see her back with her demon ex.

Riley: Nice. That's very distracting. Now tell me, before I get unprofessional.. Where are the eggs, Spike?

Spike: Eggs? You're off your nut. It must be those drugs they were keeping you on. I did warn you.

Riley: Okay. We can do this the hard way, or we can do this the fatal way.

Riley punches Spike in the face.

Riley: Where are the eggs?

Buffy: Look, are you sure it’s Spike.

Spike: No need to defend me, love.

Angel punches him in the face as well.

Buffy: Look he's too incompetent. It's just Spike, Riley.

Riley: Right. Deadly ... Amoral …opportunistic. I'm taking this place apart until I find that nest.

Spike: Over my dead body.

Riley uses the barrel of his shotgun to shove Spike aside. As he passes, Spike grabs his shoulder.

Spike: Well, you're not gonna…

Angel shoves him across the room. Spike slams against a pillar. Riley starts down the ladder to the underground part of the crypt.

Riley: You coming?

Buffy looks at Spike. He stares back at her. She and Angel follow Riley.

Spike: Oh, this is unconstitutional, is what it is!

They reach the ground.

Spike: There's nothing to see down there!

They move through the underground rooms.

Buffy: Riley, look, I'm not saying that he's good, okay, I'm just saying that he's not capable of something as….

She stops as they round a corner and come upon the demon eggs. The eggs are about the size of beach-balls but brownish-grey and scaly. There are at least ten, possibly more. They lay in a puddle of yellowish goo the same color as the demon's blood . Spike runs in.

Spike: I can explain.

Riley: We're gonna need more weapons. Spike screwed up. You didn't keep 'em frozen, did you ... Doctor?

Spike: You can stop calling me that at any time. If I may, the thing of it is, I'm holding these for a friend, who…

Buffy punches him in the nose again. He falls down on his butt, his nose bloody.

Buffy: No more games.

Spike gets to his feet, angry.

Spike: Well, that's bloody funny coming from you! No more games? That's all you've ever done is play me. You keep playing with rules you make up as you like. You know what I am. You've always known.

Riley: Can you shut him up?

Buffy: Not so far.

Spike exits.

Riley: We better get out of here.

Buffy backs away. Riley stands staring at the eggs.

Suddenly one of the eggs bursts open and a baby demon pops out, screeching. It looks a bit like a crab or a very large cockroach.

Riley: On second thought, stick around.

Riley tosses his gun to Buffy and pulls out the taser. More baby demons pop out of the eggs and move toward them, fast. Riley, Angel, and Buffy back away.

Buffy: Riley, I….

Riley: Aim high, plenty of lead.

Buffy: I'm not exactly gun girl.

Riley: You wanna live, learn fast.

Buffy fires the gun randomly. It hits a stack of LP records, shattering them. Another shot hits a pillow on the bed; feathers fly. A third shot destroys a lamp.

Buffy: These things? Never useful.

She tosses the gun away. They look around. Several of the babies are scurrying across the ceiling. Angel grabs one and battles with it until he breaks it’s neck. Blood stains his shirt.

Angel: We can not take them all.

Riley: We have to pull out.

One demon falls onto Riley's shoulder. He grabs at it, pries it off. They run for the exit. The baby demons pursue.

Buffy looks around. The baby demons are crawling across every bit of ceiling and wall. She runs for the ladder. Angel grabs her and shoves her up and leaps behind her. He turns and grabs Riley’s hand and jerks him out. They look into the opening.

Angel: We need a way to contain these things.

Buffy: Riley!

Buffy grabs Riley's belt, detaches it. There are several grenades on it. She pulls the pin on one, and drops the entire belt down into the hole.

Riley: Get down!

Angel lies down on top of Buffy, shielding her.

The grenades go off. Fire bursts across the underground cavern and engulfs the eggs. A fireball shoots up from the opening, while they lie on the floor cringing. The fire subsides and Buffy lifts her head. She smiles at Angel sprawled over her. Riley looks over in disgust.

Xander’s Apartment

Anya: You know, if you love Riley Finn so much, maybe you should just marry him.

Xander: He's taken. And that's not the point.

Xander is sitting on the edge of the bathtub and Anya is sitting beside him on the closed toilet. Faint sounds of angry voices in background.

Anya: So you think that their marriage is better than ours, is that it?

Xander: No! But granted, I have a hard time imagining Nick and Nora Fury hiding out from their own relatives in the bathroom. I am just glad Willow decided to take Dawn and Conner back home.

Sound of crashing and banging from outside. They both look toward the door in alarm.

Xander: And I have no idea what Riley and Mrs. Riley's wedding was like.

Anya: Well, you haven't shut up about them.

Xander: Well, they have a great marriage! And I can see it. And Anya, I really have no clue what their wedding was like.

Anya: So our wedding...is not our marriage.

Xander: Separate things. One fills me with a dread akin to public speaking engagements.

Anya: And that would be the wedding.

Xander: Which will be over soon.

Anya: But our marriage...

Xander: That lasts forever.

Anya smiles, looking relieved.

Anya: Ah, well. That works out nicely, then.

She leans over to kiss Xander. Another loud crash from the apartment. They both listen, looking unperturbed.

Outside the magic shop.

Angel, Buffy and Riley emerge onto the street, walk along the sidewalk.

Buffy: So, are you and Sam headed back to Central America? Or, is that classified?

Riley: Nepal.

Angel: Lovely country. Especially Tansen.

Riley: You’ve been there?

Angel: I’ve been just about everywhere. Most not too recently but I went through Nepal last summer on my way to Sri Lanka.

Riley: What‘s in Sri Lanka.

Angel: Monastery.

Riley: Another love of convents.

Angel: No I went there to work through my grief. That was before………

Riley: Before what?

Buffy: Before Willow brought me back from the dead.

Riley stares at her.

Riley: You are serious. You said you died but I thought it was like before when you drowned.

Buffy: Nope. I was dead. Rotting in the grave dead for hundred forty-seven days.

Riley: And Willow brought you back.

Buffy: Yep.

He continues to stare at her. Angel wraps his arm around her tighter.

Angel: Riley if you don’t mind she does not need to discuss this.

Riley looks into her pain filled eyes. He nods

Riley: By mission parameters I'm done here. But I have authorization to take the Doctor out. Do you want me to do that?

Buffy: Why is it my decision?

Riley: Because he is your friend and I owe you that.

Buffy: He is not my friend, not anymore but no I do not want him dead. Besides I promised Angel that pleasure, when the time comes.

Riley: Oh. Well I see you are happy.

Buffy glances up into Angel’s brown eyes.

Buffy: I am now. And I guess you are too

Riley: You know you're still the first woman I ever loved and the strongest woman I've ever known.

Buffy: Things happen for a reason. Some bad, some good, but all for a reason

Riley: I know how lucky I am right now. I love my work, and I love my wife.

Buffy: I know. And I kinda love her too.

Riley: So you're truly happy?.

Buffy: Happiest I have ever been

Riley looks at Angel

Riley: You better keep her that way

Angel: As long as I walk the earth and even after. She is stuck with me for eternity.

Buffy (smiles): Literally.

Riley: Huh.

Buffy: Nothing. Riley I just wanted to say, that night….I never got the chance ... to tell you ... how sorry I was. About what happened between us.

Riley: And you never have to.

The door to the magic shop opens again and Sam and Xander emerge, followed by Dawn and Willow, holding Conner. Angel reaches for him but Buffy stops him and takes Conner herself. Angel smiles broadly.

Riley: Who’s that?

Sam: I’ll explain it to you later. It’s a long story.

Riley looks confused.

Sam: You have my email, you promise you'll keep in touch?

Willow: You won't get traced? I don't wanna lead the bad guys to your location by mistake.

Sam and Riley smile at each other.

Sam: Our line's secure.

Willow: Oh, huh, duh, of course it is! I keep thinking of you like regular people, but no, you're not.

Sam: Oh, right, like demon-hunting is all exotic to a girl from Sunnydale.

Dawn confronts Riley as Sam hugs Willow and Xander watches. Buffy and Angel are focused on Conner

Dawn: So you gonna say goodbye this time, or just ... split all secret-agenty like last time?

A helicopter approaches.

Riley: Depends. I warrant a hug?

Dawn doesn't smile, but she steps forward and hugs Riley. Then he pulls back to look at her face.

Riley: Goodbye, Dawn.

Dawn: I thought it would suck less this time. It doesn't.

Riley smiles fondly at her.

Sam: It was really nice meeting you all. You ready for Nepal, agent?

Riley looks at Xander

Riley: Soldier.

Riley follows Sam onto the street. The helicopter noise is above and its lights shine on the group. Riley and Sam move a bit away from the others.

Riley: Fire-fights, bug hunts, big body counts ... yeah, I could use a break.

A thin wire drops down from the copter. Riley attaches it to his belt. He and Sam put their arms around each other, and Riley tugs on the line to signal the copter. The two of them rising into the air as the others stand watching.

Willow: Bye!

Xander: Bye! Bye Riley! Bye Sam!

The helicopter moves away with Riley and Sam still dangling from it.

Dawn and Xander turn and walk off. Willow moves over to Buffy and Angel.

Willow: What a bitch.

Willow turns and follows Xander and Dawn away. Buffy watches her go, then looks back up at the departing helicopter.

Angel: Ready to take my son home?

Buffy: No.

Angel: You’re not?

Buffy: No. I am ready to take our son home

He smiles and wraps his arm around her shoulders. They turn and move towards home.

Angel: You seem more relaxed.

Buffy: I am.

Angel: Me too.

He smiles at her

Angel: Plus now we know you’re not pregnant.

Buffy: Huh? Where did that come from?

Angel (smirks): I can smell it.

Buffy: Oh.

She stops and looked at him for a second.

Buffy: You always been able to do that I guess?

Angel: Yes. Amongst other things.

Buffy: What other things?

Angel: Oh all your various smells.

Buffy: I don’t smell.

Angel: Yes you do.

He stops and kisses her very passionately. Her knees almost buckel from the emotions he invokes. Angel pulls back and smiles into her flush face.

Angel: I better get you home before I take you right here.

Buffy: Huh?

Angel: The smells of your arousal and period are driving me mad.

Buffy: You can smell all that?

Angel: Yes.

He guides them on toward home

Buffy: Oh. You never told me.

Angel: How was I suppose to tell you? We never could do anything about it. I knew you wanted me as much as I did, why do you think I left? Not only because I wanted you every time we were together but because you did too. It wasn’t fair.

Buffy: Oh. Can we forget the time apart and get back to what you want to do when we get to the house?

Angel smiles.