He turns and watches her drop the robe on the chair. As she places her knee on the bed, the visual of her in the prone position is too much. Before she can move, he is behind her. His hand grips her hip. She stops and shivers with desire. Suddenly he impales her with his erection hard and fast. She gasps at the intrusion. His hands entrap her hips as he begins railing into her. Her face drops onto the bed as she feels him hammering away. Her mind wraps around the fact this is not love making. And thanks to Spike, she knows this is not fucking. This is more. Her predatory instinct knows this is a claiming. An animalistic possession. As her spirit plummets at the brutality of his action, she feels him spill into her depths. His body stops and she feels him quaking.

Angel: Oh my god.

He steps back from her as tears form in his eyes. She turns around and grabs his arm, slinging him onto the bed. He lands on his back and closes his eyes to avoid her expression. She stands staring at him. He opens his eyes to see her face flash daggers into his heart.

Angel: Oh god Buffy, I am so sorry. Please, baby.

Buffy: Shut up.

She quickly straddles his hips. Her hand presses his chest into the bed. She grabs his cock in her powerful hand and strokes him hard and demanding. The flesh responds and swells under the assault. As she feels him harden, she guides him into her hot channel. He lays back and watches, as she begins riding his manhood hard. He realizes she is taking back what he took from her. She is reassuming her own power and control. He stares as she slides her hand between her thighs and frantically rubs her clit as she pleasures herself on him. He grits his teeth and pushes down his own pleasure. He acknowledges to himself that he can not take pleasure in her movements or all is lost. Her muscles flutter and grip his cock as she climaxes. He clinches his jaw and thrust his peaking orgasm away. She collapses on his chest for a moment, until the feelings ebb. Then she slides off of him and stands beside the bed. He looks up at her with real fear in his eyes.

Angel: Help me.

Buffy: I will.

She reaches for the phone and dials.

Buffy: Wes, we need your help.

Angel sits up and lowers his head into his hands. Buffy brushes her hand through his scalp as she talks on the phone.

Next morning.

Buffy and Angel enter the kitchen.

Dawn: Hi guys.

Buffy: Hey Dawn, Willow.

Willow: Good morning. Are you ready for the big day?

Buffy: Big day?

Dawn: The wedding. You could not have forgotten.

Buffy: No, no I, well we have some things we need to do first.

Willow: Oh well you may want to start with this.

She hands her the morning paper. Buffy looks at the headline. Local Man Hits Jackpot with Yardsale Purchase. Her eyes skim over the article as Angel looks over her shoulder.

Angel: Who is Warren Mears?

Buffy: One of the nerd trio.

Angel: And he found bonds worth a half a million? I am not liking this.

Buffy: Me either. And I feel there is something more to it.

Willow: Me too. It says the bonds were being sold right before the big earthquake of ‘37. And the building burned. No one knows how many were sold.

Buffy: So these could be real?

Willow: They think so. They are going to cash them.

Buffy: Willow, can you look into this. I still feel something ain’t right.

Willow: Of course. And I agree. So what is it you have planned?

There is a knock at the door. Dawn runs to it.

Dawn: Wesley? Cordelia?

Wes: Uh, is Buffy and Angel here?

Dawn: In the kitchen.

They enter and Cordy leads the way into the kitchen. Buffy hands Willow the paper.

Buffy: Let me know if you find anything.

Willow: Cordelia, what brings you two here?

Cordy: Buffy called.

Angel: Uh I think we need to talk in private.

Buffy, Angel, Wesley, and Cordelia move into the dining room. Dawn moves to follow and Willow grabs her arm.

Willow: Let them alone.

Dawn plops down.

Dawn: Something is wrong.

Willow: They will tell us when they are ready.

Dawn: They won’t tell me. I am just a kid.

Willow: Hey do you want to help me with this research.

Dawns face lights up.

Dawn: Serious?

Willow: Of course. Figured I would start with the internet and see what I can find. You can do the same on your computer in your room.

Dawn: Getting me out of the way?

Willow: No, not at all. Lets go upstairs and see what we can dig up before we have to get ready.

Dawn: Why not.

She glances toward the dining room before following Willow up the stairs.

Dining room.

Buffy: So you see the problem.

Wes: I do but not sure how.

Angel: It is the blood.

Buffy: What blood?

Angel: What I have been drinking. Its, its…..

Wes: Poisoned?

Angel: More like spiked.

Cordy: With liquor?

Angel: No, with human blood.

A cry is heard from the monitor. His head whips over at the source of the sound.

Angel: With his blood.

Buffy: Oh god.

Later

The Lodge

Outside a thunderstorm rages.

Angel in his tux sits watches as Buffy and Willow stand staring in the mirror. They both wear long green dresses.

Willow: Buffy, it's hideous. Oh my god, Buffy. Look at its arms!

Buffy: I know. But it's my duty. I'm ... Buffy the bridesmaid.

Willow: Duty-schmuty. I'm supposed to be best man. Shouldn't I be all ... Marlene Dietrich-y in a dashing tuxedo number?

Buffy: No.

Willow: Oh.

Buffy: That would be totally unfair. We must share equally in the cosmic joke that is bridesmaids-dom.

Buffy groans and sits down next to Angel.

Willow: Well, maybe if I ask Anya, I can still go with the traditional blood larva and burlap. I mean, she was a vengeance demon for like a thousand years, she would know all the most flattering larvae.

Angel: Larvae?

Willow: What was she thinking?

Buffy: I think she's probably too stressed to be thinking right now. What with Xander's relatives and her demons. I just can't believe everyone bought that story about Anya's people being circus folk. Did you see the girl with the tentacles? What's she supposed to be? Inky the Squid Girl?

Willow: And Xander's mom. I haven't seen her that bad since my bat mitzvah. Ugh, did you see how much she drank?

Anya appears in the doorway, wearing a bathrobe. She sees the three, gasps and puts her hands to her mouth.

Anya: Oh!

Buffy and Willow exchange a look, unsure whether Anya is delighted or horrified.

Anya: Ohh. You guys look so beautiful!

She walks over and hugs them both at the same time.

Anya: This is the happiest day of my whole life!

Grooms room

Buffy standing behind Xander, trying to fasten the cummerbund.

Xander: Is it too small?

Buffy: Nah.

Xander: It fit when I picked up the tux. How could it not fit now?

Buffy: It'll fit.

She glances over at Angel.

Buffy: I could use some help here.

Xander: Aw, man, what if it doesn't? What if I can't wear my cummerbund, and then the whole world can see the place where my pants meet my shirt? Buffy, that can NOT happen. I must wear das cummerbund!

Angel stands up and grabs the cummerbund and sound of fabric straining as he pulls hard.

Buffy: Thanks And so... you... shall!

She finishes fastening it and removes her hands, smiling triumphantly.

Xander: Hey, you got it!

Buffy: Slayer and vamp strength.

Buffy takes a bow-tie from around her neck and puts it around Xander's neck, tries to tie it.

Xander: And I've been meaning to cut back on that habit-forming oxygen.

Buffy: Look at you. You look great, Mr. About-To-Get-Married. Glowing.

Beat while Buffy continues trying to tie the bow-tie. Suddenly she stops smiling.

Buffy: Oh my god! Maybe you're pregnant!

Xander: Maybe. I dunno. Maybe I'm just happy.

Buffy looks at him, starts to well up.

Xander: Teary.

Buffy: Oh! Good. Good teary.

Xander: Happy teary? Not frustrated with bow-tie teary?

Buffy: Yes. Happy. Happy for you. That makes me happy for me. You and Anya give me hope. It's like ... you two are proof that there's light at the end of this very long, long, nasty tunnel. And, I cannot tie this tie.

Angel: Let me.

He quickly ties the tie.

Xander: Thanks.

Bride’s Room

Anya stands wearing her bridal gown. Tara is attempting to button the tiny buttons all up the back of the gown. Willow stands watching.

Willow: Want me to hold it shut for you?

Tara: O-okay.

They both smile nervously. Willow reaches over to hold the edges of the gown shut.

Anya: Are you guys even listening?

Anya: I need feedback, people.

Tara: Sorry. Please continue with the vows.

Anya: I, Anya, promise to love you, to cherish you, to honor you, uh, but not to obey you, of course, because that's anachronistic and misogynistic and who do you think you are, like a sea captain or something?

Tara and Willow grin in amusement and giggle a little, exchanging a look behind Anya's back.

Anya: However, I do entrust you with… What? Is something funny?

Tara: No, n-nothing, sweetie, just, just keep still.

Anya: Okay. Blah, blah, blah, misogynistic. Blah, blah, I do however entrust you um, with my heart. Take care of my heart, won't you please? Take care of it because, it's all that I have. And, if you let me, I'll take care of your heart too.

Willow and Tara exchange another look, less giggly, more moved.

Anya: I'll protect it and tend to it, like a little stray. Wait, no. Like a, a little mangy stray that needs a home. No, that's not it either.

Tara: I think we're all set here. Let's take a look at you.

Anya turns around as Willow and Tara step back, standing side by side. They both gaze at Anya with open mouths.

Tara: Oh.

Willow: Wow. You look lovely. Really lovely.

Anya smiles, turns away from them again to face the mirror.

Anya: Thanks. It's probably the blush of imprudent spending. Do you think Xander will like it? Oh, I want to see Xander now!

Willow: You can't. It's bad luck for the groom to see the bride in her dress, remember?

Anya: Right. I can't keep all these ridiculous traditions straight. What if I'm not wearing my dress when I see him? Okay, no sex. Cuddling? Okay. It's just I'm so excited and I want to share it all with my best friend. I get to be with my best friend forever! Yay!

Front entrance.

Rain pours outside

Dawn greets the guest as they arrive. D'Hoffryn enters, carrying a bright orange box with a purple bow. He gives his umbrella to an attendant and looks at Dawn.

D'Hoffryn: Ah. Hymen's greetings.

Dawn: Hy - what?

D'Hoffryn: Hymen, the God of Matrimony. His salutations upon you. May the love we celebrate today avoid an almost inevitable decline.

Dawn: Cool.

D'Hoffryn: I brought a gift. I suppose there's a table.

Halfrek enters, giving her umbrella to the attendant. She is wearing a bridesmaid's dress and her demon face.

Dawn: Oh, uh... Halfrek. Hello.

Halfrek: Oh, please! Call me Hallie, we're practically family now.

Dawn: Hmm. Neat. I can put this on the table for you.

D'Hoffryn: Thank you. Uh, careful, it's, uh-

Dawn: Fragile?

D'Hoffryn: Squirmy.

Dawn looks at the box. A tentacle pokes out of one of numerous holes in the box. Dawn jump and gasp.

Dawn: Oh.

Looking a bit nervous, she turns away, carrying the box. Halfrek falls in step beside her. D'Hoffryn follows behind.

Halfrek: So, Dawnie, how's everything? Going good? Nothing you, uh, nothing you wish was different?

D'Hoffryn: Hallie, for yike's sake, take a day off. We're not here to do vengeance, we're here to mingle.

Halfrek: Oh, look. It's ….

Dawn finishes dealing with the box and turns toward the door.

Spike enters, with his arm around a girl dressed in goth attire. He looks around. Dawn walks toward him.

Dawn: Spike!

Spike: Oh. Uh, I want you to meet my date.

Dawn: Hi. I'm Dawn.

Girl: Uh-huh.

Spike: So, yeah. Anyway, that's my date. She's with me. My date for the wedding.

Dawn: Yeah. Okay, well, nice meeting you.

They move off in opposite directions. Dawn passes a small group that includes Cousin Carol, Xander's Mom, Uncle Rory, and two demons. One has tentacles on his face and huge clawed hands like lobster claws. The other is Clem.

Cousin Carol: So, circus folk. What's that like?

Uncle Rory: Uh, your friend, uh, the, the fellow with the warts, went off on his circus heritage, like you folks are all in some kind of cult or something.

Clem: Well, there are ancient ways. Clowning, as an occupation, grew out of the commedia del'arte, and, uh, ancient sports, of course.

Uncle Rory: Yeah, well, the thing is, if you expect Xander to bring up his kids in some kinda foreign-speaky bow-to-the-easty kinda cult-

Tentacle Demon: So you think the children should be raised in ignorance of our ways?

Cousin Carol: No! No, the Harrises are very broad-minded. We're Episcopalians.

Shot of Xander's Mom smiling nervously. In background, we see her husband sitting at the bar holding a glass.

Mr. Harris: 'Til death do us part. That's what cracks me up.

He drains his glass and puts it down on the bar.

Mr. Harris: Hit me again, barkeep.

An old man moves around the room. He walks among the people, looking around, looking anxious.

Grooms room.

Xander is now fully dressed with properly tied bow-tie, jacket, corsage in the jacket pocket, hair neatly combed. He finishes adjusting the jacket and takes a deep breath.

Xander: How do I look?

Buffy sit on Angel’s lap observing.

Buffy: Well, let's see. Found your shoes, your fly's zipped. I'd say you look like you're ready to get married.

Xander nods nervously. Buffy gets up and walks over to him.

Buffy: You're one of the decent ones, Xander. I hope I'm as lucky as you guys someday.

Xander: You wanna get lucky? I've still got, what, fifteen, twenty minutes?

Angel: Back of Harris.

Buffy smiles, hugs him. And glares at Angel.

Buffy: Oh! All right. Into the breach with you.

Xander: Okay, breach me.

Buffy takes his hand and they head toward the door.

Xander: Now, let's go over the list one more time. Number one?

Buffy: Don't let your dad near the bar.

Xander: Check. Number two?

Buffy: Don't let your mom near the bar.

Xander: Check.

Dawn: Hey Buffy.

They turn as Dawn comes around a corner behind them. They don't stop walking. Dawn falls in with them.

Dawn: Spike's here and he brought a total skank.

Buffy: A-

Dawn: Skank! A manic-panicked freak who he's like totally macking with right in the middle of the room. I saw him shove his tongue-

Buffy: Spike brought a date?

Dawn: Yeah. Wait till you see her.

Xander: Guys, I better go meet and greet.

Buffy: Uh, just go ahead. We'll be a sec.

Xander walks off. They watch him go. Xander enters the main hall.

Mrs. Harris: Alexander. Do you realize that the usher sat us in the third row?

Xander: Mom, I'm sure it was a mistake.

Mrs. Harris: Well, I don't think it was really.

The creepy old man comes over, as does Uncle Rory.

Old Man: Excuse me.

Uncle Rory: Say Neph, do you know where the photographer is? I've got a proposition for him.

Old Man: Please, I really need to talk to you.

Dawn: Xander?

Mrs. Harris: Honey, listen to me.

Xander is surrounded and looks a bit overwhelmed. Dawn comes hurrying over.

Dawn: Xander, one of Anya's presents got loose!

Xander: Got loose?

Mrs. Harris: It's fine-

Dawn: Yeah, it's a fully live squiggily thingy and hey, and why is Halfrek a bridesmaid?

Old Man: Please, please, you have to listen. You have to listen to me!

Dawn, Rory, and Xander's Mom continue talking over each other as the old man pulls Xander a few feet away.

Old Man: You can't get married today. It's a huge mistake.

Xander: Yeah right, thanks for the advice, Uncle ... help me here?

Old Man: Uncle? You don't recognize me, do you?

Xander: I'm sorry, I don't-

Old Man: It sounds crazy, I know. But you have to believe me. I'm Xander Harris. I'm you.

Xander stares at him.

Xander: What do you mean, you're me?

Old Man: I'm you. I'm you from the future.

Xander: Oh, from the future! For a minute I thought you were a nutball but now that you're from the future.

Old Man: Please, listen to me. I found a way back to warn you. To tell you….

Xander: Hey, hey, easy, easy. Everything's going to be all right.

Mr. Harris: Toast!

Xander: I swear I told that guy no drinks before the ceremony.

Mr. Harris: Toast!

Mr. Harris at the bar, standing up and raising his glass as the other guests look over.

Mr. Harris: A toast! To the Harris clan.

Old Man: Look. Look! I can prove it to you.

Mr. Harris: I know in the past we've had our problems...

The old man reaches into his pants pocket and takes out a small glowing purple orb. Xander's Dad continues talking in the background.

Old Man: I thought you might need convincing. Come on. Follow me.

He leads Xander away. Xander looks over his shoulder at his dad, who continues talking, quite drunk.

Mr. Harris: ...and to my wife, Jessica. Where are you, honey?

He looks around. Mrs. Harris is standing amongst the others, looking embarrassed. Uncle Rory points at her.

Mr. Harris: There she is. To my wife. What would I do without you, beautiful?

Mrs. Harris looks a bit surprised, smiles.

Mr. Harris: Wellllllll, for starters, I probably wouldn't need to drink so much, would I.

Mrs. Harris looks hurt. The other guests look uncomfortable.

Mr. Harris: On the brighter side, marriage has probably saved me from a nasty dose of the clap. Here's to ya.

We see Clem and the Tentacle Demon standing side-by-side nearby.

Clem: Does this jerk ever shut up?

Tentacle Demon: He's starting to make my suckers twitch.

Mr. Harris: And a toast ... to the bride's dermatologically-challenged family shrub.

Tentacle Demon: Sit down!

Mr. Harris: Hey, I paid for all this! You want me to sit down, you cough up a couple of grand, Squidly.

The Tentacle Demon starts toward Mr. Harris, angry.

Tentacle Demon: What'd you call me, you drunken piece of sh-

Buffy: Mazel tov!

Buffy and Angel appears and she grabs Mr. Harris's arm, leading him away just in time. They walk off as Clem moves to placate the tentacle demon.

Mr. Harris: Hey, what's this?

Buffy: You must be so happy for Xander on his very special, once-in-a-lifetime day, huh, Mr. Harris?

Mr. Harris: Nice chassis, what's under the hood? Rrowr!

Buffy: You know, I could use a strong cup of coffee. Hey, let's get you one too, what do you say?

Mr. Harris: Hey, what do you say we slip in the back room and I show you my-

Angel grabs his other arm and growls.

Buffy: You finish that sentence and I guarantee you won't have anything to show.

Mr. Harris stares at Angel then Buffy. She yanks his arm, dragging him away.

Grooms Room

The old man enters, still holding the glass orb. Xander follows. They walk into the middle of the room and face each other. The old man holds the orb in both hands.

Xander: What is it?

Old Man: It's magic. Very powerful. Look at it. You'll see what I've seen. Feel what I've felt.

Xander is drawn into the visions of a very negative future with Anya. As they end he begins crying.

Old Man: I'm so sorry. I didn't want to show you.

Xander: What happened? What was that?

Old Man: A glimpse of your future. Harnessed by magic. You'll hurt her less today than you will later. Believe me. Sometimes, two people all they bring each other is pain.

Xander stares at him, horrified.

Lobby

Buffy walks in. The area is empty.

Buffy: I guess everyone is in the main hall

Angel: Which is where you should be.

Buffy: I just want a few minutes alone with you.

She smiles seductively and takes his hand leading him down a dark hall. She stops as she spots something up ahead.

Spike, leans against a wall alone. He looks up, notices the couple, looks down at the floor. Buffy looks nervous, steels herself and walks over to him.

Spike: Hello, Buffy. Angel

Buffy: Hey.

Spike: It's a happy occasion. You meet my friend?

Buffy: No. Not yet.

Spike: We can leave if it bothers you.

Angel: Then go.

Buffy: No. No, I he has every right to be here too.

Angel wraps his arm around her waist.

Spike: That's not true, you. God, this is hard.

Angel: Not for us.

Spike: I think we'll go. Give 'em my best or whatever. The happy couple.

Buffy: I will.

Spike: It's nice to watch you be happy. I don't see it a lot. You, uh... you glow.

Buffy: Thanks

Spike: Yeah.

He turns and walks off. Buffy watches him go. Spike finds his date. He grabs her hand.

Angel: Buffy?

Buffy: He was trying to make me jealous.

Angel: Did it work.

Buffy: No. I have what I want.

He pulls her into a room and closes the door.

Bison Lodge kitchen.

Xander is pacing back and forth, staring at the floor, still upset. Willow appears in the doorway, sees him and smiles. She walks toward him.

Willow: I'll say this for the Y chromosome looks good in a tux.

Xander: Well, your double X's don't look too bad there, either.

Willow: You're getting married. My little Xander.

Xander: All growed up.

Willow: It's a good thing I realized I was gay, otherwise, hey, you, me and formal wear.

Xander gives a small smile and hugs her.

Willow: Do you know how much I love you?

Xander: Mmm ... 'bout half as much as I love you.

Willow smiles, pulls out of the hug.

Willow: You ready for the long walk?

Xander: Um yeah, just give me a sec, I wanna work on my vows.

Willow: Take your time. It's not like we can start the wedding without you.

She smiles at him and leaves. Xander watches her go, dropping his brave smile.

Brides room.

Anya is ready.

Anya: I, Anya, promise to cherish you... Ew, no, not cherish. Uh, I promise...

We see Tara sitting on a sofa nearby, observing, looking a little bored.

Anya: ...to have sex with you whenever ... I want, and, uh..uh, pledge to be your friend, and your wife, and your confidant, and your sex poodle...

Tara: Uh, sex poodle?

Anya: Yeah, why?

Tara: Um, I'm not sure you should say sex poodle in your vows.

Anya: Huh.

Main room.

A string quartet begins to play. The guests look around, expectant. Cut back to the bridal room. Anya hears the music faintly, looks excited.

Anya: Music. They're playing the music! This is it.

She smiles with major excitement. The door opens and Buffy pokes her head in.

Buffy: Are you ready to go?

But before Anya can answer, something pulls Buffy back into the hall. Buffy pulls the door closed as she turns to look at Willow, who had pulled her away.

Willow: He's gone. Xander disappeared!

Buffy stares in dismay.

Buffy: What? Xander's gone? What should we do?

Willow: I'm gonna go look for him. I'm gonna find him. And you're going to stall.

Willow rushes off. Buffy looks very nervous. She glances at Angel and turns back to the door. She enters the brides room with Angel.

Buffy: Uh, heh, sorry about that. Um there's just gonna be a little bit of a delay.

Anya: Why? What's wrong?

Buffy: Nothing! Nothing's wrong, it's just, um, it, the, the, minister. He had, uh to go and perform an emergency C-section.

Anya: A C-section?

Buffy: Yeah! You know, he's, uh, not, not just a minister, he's also a, a doctor. You know, he's half-minister, half-doctor, he's a-a mini-tor. Not, of course, to be confused with a minotaur! Because he's all, you know, man, this doctor minister man, no, no bull parts whatsoever.

Anya: Uh-huh.

Buffy: So it, it should just be a couple of minutes.

Anya: Okay.

Buffy fidgets for a moment, opens the door and pulls Angel out with her.

Buffy: I am going to strangle him.

Angle smirks and follows his enraged love.

Buffy enters the main room. The musicians start up and she waves them off.

Buffy: No! No, it isn't. It's not what you think.

She hurries toward the altar. Cousin Carol wipes her eyes with a handkerchief.

Cousin Carol: Beautiful. He is simply beautiful.

She looks at Cordelia next to her cradling Conner.

Cousin Carol: Don’t you think?

Cordelia: Who?

Cousin Carol: Buffy’s man. Now that is one good looking piece of human flesh.

Cordelia smiles and nods.

Cordelia: He is that.

Cousin Carol: You family? Well since you got the baby and all.

Cordelia: I guess you can say that.

Buffy goes up onto the dais anf talks to the minster. Buffy puts on a huge fake smile and goes back down the aisle. The musicians begin to play the recessional music. Buffy glares at them, and they stop. The guests get even more restless. Mr. Harris gets up and leaves. Mrs. Harris watches him angrily and follows. The guests are extremely fidgety.

Reception room

Mr. Harris sits on a bar stool, tapping his fingers on the bar. Mrs. Harris stands nearby.

Mr. Harris: Gimme a double Jack.

Mrs. Harris: This is a disaster.

Mr. Harris: It's that Anya, I know it. She made us pay for the whole thing and now she's going to louse it up. Women!

Mrs. Harris: I offered to help. She didn't want my help.

Main room.

Everyone sits anxiously.

Halfrek: This thing totally isn't happening. We should have known that she would never, ever-

D'Hoffryn: I'm worried about Anya.

Halfrek: Oh, sure. Of course you are.

D'Hoffryn: Oh, Halfrek. You know I love all my demons equally.

Halfrek looks mollified.

Cousin Carol hurries up to Buffy, who is standing at the back of the room. She quickly rakes her eyes over Angel

Cousin Carol: Buffy, you've gotta do something.

Buffy looks dismayed but heads for the front of the room. Angel hangs back against the wall watching. Cousin Carol keeps him company

Buffy: So ... who here's from out of town?

Everyone looks around the room. Angel watches on as she tries to entertain the group. She walks away and smiles as she repears with three yellow apples. She begins juggling three yellow apples. Anya’s demon friend Krelvin also begins to juggle another three. The guests applaud.

Cousin Carol: She is good.

Angel: You should she her with knives.

Hallway

Dawn and a demon teen are chatting

Demon Teen: Geez. What is the holdup?

Dawn: Can you keep a secret?

They start walking back toward the main room. They stand outside the doors.

Dawn: Nobody knows this, but the groom? He took off and no one can find him.

Anya goes by just in time to hear this. She stops short. Tara runs up beside her.

Anya: What?

Dawn: Um...

Demon Teen: I'll catch you later, Dawn.

He takes off. Dawn looks at Anya.

Anya: Xander's gone? Xander is missing? What do you mean Xander's missing?!

Everyone inside turns toward the doors as they hear Anya's last shout. Buffy onstage, looks dismayed. Angel scurries toward her.

Anya starts forward, into the room.

Uncle Rory: It's a joke. Xander's playing a joke. It's like one time, at one of Carol's weddings, I had this ape suit-

Tentacle Demon: Oh, great.

Uncle Rory: -and I put it on-

Tentacle Demon: Another Harris family joke.

The Harrises look insulted.

Tentacle Demon: Why don't you have another drink?

Mr. Harris: Drinking is the only way I can dull the pain of looking at your ugly face.

The Tentacle Demon stands up too, and goes over to confront Mr. Harris.

Tentacle Demon: You better think real hard about this, Harris.

He slaps Mr. Harris in the chest with his big claw-like hands.

Mr. Harris: Don't touch me with those nasty circus things!

The Tentacle Demon slaps him again. Mr. Harris swings at him, but he ducks.

Tentacle Demon: That's it!

The demon throws a punch back, and they both fall to the floor, punching and grunting, etc.

Buffy onstage, rolls her eyes. She and Angel leap down. He grabs the Tentacle Demon as she grabs Mr. Harris.

Everyone gets up out of their seats, shrieking and so forth. A total brawl breaks out. Buffy watches as she hold on to Mr. Harris..

Total chaos. Tara is almost hit until Willow grabs her hand and pulls her to a safer spot.

Tara: Thanks.

Willow: You okay?

Tara: Yeah.

They gaze at each other.

The fight continues. Anya wanders among the brawlers, looking around.

Anya: Xander? Have you seen Xander? Has anyone seen Xander?

Cousin Carol grabs Anya by the hand.

Cousin Carol: Well, I saw him go in the Trophy Room with that guy!

She points across the room. Anya moves toward him.

Anya: You. You were talking to Xander right before he left. What did he say to you? What did you say to him?

Old Man: Really doesn't matter now, does it? It's done.

Anya: What's done? Did you? If you said something to make him leave...

Old Man: You'll what? Haven't changed a bit. Still as vindictive as ever.

Anya: Do I know you?

Old Man: You don't recognize me, Anya? I'm not the man I used to be. I know.

Anya stares at him. He turns to leave, but she stops him.

Anya: Xander. Where is he? You tell me, old man! You tell me why he left!

Old Man: He left because of you.

Anya: I didn't do anything.

Old Man: Oh, really? What about this?

The old man begins to grow, and morphs into a huge demon. Anya stares at him.

Anya: Tell me what you did with Xander. What are you?

Demon: You did this. You brought this on. I've waited a long time for this, Anyanka.

Anya: Who are you?

Demon: Remember Chicago? South Side, 1914?

Anya looks blank. The demon gets annoyed.

Demon: Stewart Burns. Philanderer! You'd think you'd remember. I remember you. But then again, you ruined my life.

Anya: You were a ... I punished you?

Demon: That's right. Some hussy I'd been taking around summons you, next thing I know, I look like this and I'm being tortured in another dimension.

Anya: I forgot.

Demon: Well, I didn't.

The demon hits Anya across the face, making her reel back. Buffy sees this. She moves across the room with Angel at her heels.

Buffy: Anya!

Demon: Every day I remembered and every day I thought how I would somehow get here, and ruin your life like you ruined mine. It didn't take much either. I scared off your fiance with a couple of phony visions.

Anya: Visions of what?

Demon: Your future. Or his nightmare vision of your future.

Anya: That's it? That's all you did?

Demon: Yeah, it was easy. Look at that, you're crying. Oh, I like that.

Anya wipes at her face with her hands.

Anya: Stop it.

Demon: Oh, cry, Anyanka, cry. I love to see you cry. And now, I'd love to see you scream.

He swipes at Anya with a clawed hand, growling. She shrieks and falls to the ground. The demon goes to swing at her again but is interrupted by Buffy hitting him in the face with a folding chair. He reels back. Anya lies on the floor with two bloody slashes on her arm. Buffy struggles to move, Angel reaches down to rip a slit up the skirt of her bridesmaid dress to free her legs. The demon is holding Anya, who struggles against his arm.

Demon: Come any closer and I'll kill her.

Buffy stands where she is, glaring at him. Suddenly Xander bursts in from outside.

Xander: Anya!

Anya: Xander!

The demon turns to look, and Buffy takes the opportunity to kick him in the leg. He yells and lets go of Anya. Buffy punches him a couple of times, grabs him and throws him back against the wall. He punches her and she reels back. Anya runs over to Xander.

Anya: I'm so ... I'm so glad you're here. It was all lies, what he showed you . It wasn't true, he just wanted to break us up.

Buffy and Angel are fighting the demon. It grabs her by the shoulders but she breaks free and punches it in the gut. Angel growls and tackles him to the ground.

Xander: It doesn't matter now.

Anya: So we'll be okay.

Xander still looks upset, watching the fight. Angel grabs its head and slams it on the floor. The demon lies there, groaning. It kicks Angel backwards and into Buffy. They sprawl on the ground watching as a white pedestal hits the demon in the face. He falls down unconscious. Xander stands wielding the pillar. Xander lifts the pedestal again and slams it down onto the demon

Xander: It's dead.

Buffy: Yup.

The whole crowd of demons and Harrises bursts into cheers and applause. Willow, Tara, and Anya walk over to Buffy, Angel and Xander. They all stand staring down at the demon corpse

Willow: Is anyone else waiting for it to go poof? Maybe we can cover it with flowers.

The guests begin picking up chairs and setting them up again.

Mr. Harris: Look at this damage. I'm not paying for this, you freaks!

Krelvin: Stop calling us freaks!

Krelvin goes over to Mr. Harris and shoves him in the chest. They resume fighting.

Mrs. Harris: Oh no! No, not again! No!

Everyone begins fighting again.

Anya: Stop It!

Everyone stops, stares at Anya.

Anya: Everyone sit down!

They all continue staring.

Anya: This wedding will go on, so get back in your seats!

Everyone hastens to obey. Xander and Anya walk out into the hall. They hold hands.

Anya: You know, it's bad luck to see me in my dress.

She gives a little smile. Xander just looks at her, still looking in shock.

Anya: Hey. It's okay. It's all over now, he's dead, and it was just smoke and mirrors.

Xander: I know.

Anya: So we're ready now. Let's get married.

She tries to turn away but Xander is still holding her hands, stopping her.

Xander: I...

Anya turns back.

Xander: I'm not. I'm not ready. I can't, Ahn, I'm sorry.

Anya: But it wasn't real. What he showed you, it wasn't real.

Xander: I know it wasn't real. But it could be.

Beat. Anya stares at him, getting teary again.

Anya: What was it? Was it about me? 'Cause he wanted you to hate me, Xander.

Xander: It wasn't you. It wasn't you I was hating. I had these thoughts, and fears before this.

Xander stares at the floor.

Xander: Maybe we just went too fast.

Anya: Look, everybody has thoughts. It's natural, it doesn't mean that, that getting married is wrong.

Xander: I know, I know...

Anya: Look, you're just shaken up, okay? You just calm down and we'll start over, okay?

Xander looks over at the main room. Mr. Harris is standing while Mrs. Harris sits in a chair. Xander's Dad yelling angrily. Xander's Mom arguing back at him. It looks like he tries to hit her and she grabs his hand.

Xander: We can't start over. If this is a mistake, it's forever, and I don't want to hurt you. Not that way.

He lets go of her hands

Xander: I'm sorry. I am so sorry.

Anya continues crying. Slowly, in a daze, she turns and walks away. Xander watches her go. Then he turns and walks outside. The rain has stopped and the sun is shining. Anya walks to the beginning of the aisle, still holding her bouquet. The cuts on her arm are a little bloody but not serious. The string quartet begins to play the wedding march. The guests all rise. Anya starts to walk down the aisle, still looking dazed, her face streaked with tears. The guests stare in dismay. She stops at the other end of the aisle and just stands there.

Later.

Buffy kneels in front of the car seat looking into Connor sleeping face. She glances up at Angel.

Buffy: We are lucky.

Angel: We are.

He glances around the empty room.

Angel: We have a few minutes before dark.

He holds out his hand and she slips hers in his. He guides her onto the dais.

Angel: We can never stand at an alter in front of our friends and declare our vows.

Buffy: We don’t need to. We have each other. I don’t need a fancy ceremony.

Angel: I know. But I need to have you hear me.

Outside.

Cordelia: Can’t this wait until later?

Willow: No. I promised Anya I would make sure and bring home the vases and urns the florist used. If they get lost she has to pay for them.

Dawn and Cordelia follow Willow enter the Lodge and move toward the main room. Willow stops suddenly and backs up. She holds her finger to her lips for silence. The trio peak around the door frame. Angel and Buffy stand on the dais holding hands.

Angel: Buffy, I can not pledge my love and devotion before god and our friends but I can to you. My life was nothing before you. Before you came into world, I only existed. You helped me to learn to live. You taught me how to love. You love and accept all of me. And that is not always easy. But Buffy, I pledge to you my unbeating heart for eternity.

Buffy smiles and tears stream down her cheeks.

Buffy: Angel, you are the center of my universe. Without you in my life, I falter. Without your love, I struggle. You have my heart and even my soul. You are my lover, my friend, my better half. Some one told us once love wasn't brains, it‘s blood. Well he was not right about most thing but he was then. You are in my blood. I tried to turn away but I was never whole again. And I want to be whole. I want you beside me a I grow old. I want to watch Connor grow up with you. Angel, I pledge you my love and my soul for eternity.

He leans in and kisses her. His tongue begs entry and is granted.

In the hallway, tears form in the eyes of the lurking females. Cordelia turns and walks out the door. Willow and Dawn follow her.

Dawn: That was so sweet.

Willow: Lets just come back tomorrow and get the stuff.

They climb in the car and drive off as the sun sets.