Part Ten

"Do you think we can get out of here now?" Buffy asked as they lay together on Spike's coat, fully dressed. She was looking thoughtfully at the trap door, the walls no longer threatening to close in on her. "I could really use some food." Her stomach growled in emphasis.
 

Spike chuckled, then kissed the top of her head. "Come on, pet. Let's go." He climbed the ladder and carefully pushed the trapdoor open. Gaping holes in the ceiling of the burned warehouse let in the starry night as they left their safe haven. Buffy looked around the wreckage, then burst out laughing, spinning in circles at being free. He watched with a raised eyebrow until she leapt into his arms, legs wrapped around his waist, and hugged him.
 

"Thank you," she whispered, holding him tightly.
 

He smiled. "You're quite welcome, Slayer." She slid to her feet, her face raised to stare into his bright blue eyes. With a groan, Spike brought his lips to hers, tasting her warmth and sweetness. When he broke it off, he stepped back, his features reflecting confusion, anger and desire. "Let's go," he ground out, turning on his heel without waiting.
 

Buffy's brows screwed up in puzzlement, and she hurried to follow him. They were lucky to find Spike's DeSoto still in one piece. The vampire tapped nervously on the wheel as he drove them to a fast food restaurant, glancing ever so often at the petite blond next to him. When they arrived, he gave her some money, then went in search of his own food, his emotions reeling from what happened in the warehouse.
 

Circling around the back of the restaurant, he was surprised to recognize two of Virginia's minions feeding. Stealthily, he crept up behind them, staking one instantly and grabbing the other by the lapels, slamming him up against the brick wall of the building. The minion's eyes widened and he began to sputter out words.
 

"You! But-but-but you're dead! Master Virginia sent the-the-the note herself!"
 

"As you can see, I'm very much still kicking," Spike said, slamming his fist into the vampire's face. "And I'm extremely brassed off for being trapped in a burning warehouse." He punched him in the gut, breaking a few ribs, then kneed him in the face. "Now, what's this about a note?" he asked threateningly, the other pinned to the ground by the neck under Spike's boot.
 

"Master Virginia sent a-a-a-a note to-to Angelus saying you a-a-and the blond Slayer were dead," the minion said quickly, terrified.
 

"Oh, she did, did she?" Spike said. "Well, then I guess I'd better let you go to correct the mistake." He lifted his foot and the minion scrambled to his feet. Before he could start running, Spike slammed into him, kicking and punching until he finally plunged a stake home. The peroxide blond looked at the pile of dust on the ground, then shrugged. "Or not."
 

Spike joined Buffy in the restaurant a few minutes later. Sliding into the seat across from her, he sent her a casual look. "Good news or bad news, ducks?"
 

Buffy swallowed the bite of hamburger, eyeing him warily. "Good news."
 

"Virginia and her flunkies think we're dead," he told her, snatching a French fry from her tray.
 

Buffy arched an eyebrow. "What's the bad news?"
 

"Angelus and your friends do, too," he said. He quickly explained to her what the minion told him. "This could be our ace in the hole, Slayer," he concluded.
 

"How?"
 

"If Virginia thinks we're dead, she won't be expecting us to kill her," he pointed out, grabbing her drink and taking a long sip. She glared at him, then snagged it back.
 

"Well, duh," she said, taking another bite of her food. "But how do we keep it a secret that we're still among the walking and talking?"
 

"And shagging," he added, smirking at her. She wrinkled her nose at him in fake disgust. "She probably has Angelus' place staked out by now. It wasn't too hard to follow you back that night."
 

"I thought I did a great job!" she exclaimed.
 

He chuckled. "Pet, a blind Chihuahua could have tailed you," he said. Buffy picked up a fry and threw it at him. "Temper, Slayer," he chided. She sent him a murderous look.
 

"Arrogant, sexy vampire," she muttered to herself. "Ok, we'll call them. Unless you think they tapped the phones."
 

He shrugged. "It's a possibility, luv. Never underestimate your foe," he said. "I did once, and was stuck in a bloody wheelchair for months."
 

"I'm good," she bragged, smiling brightly. "So, how do we talk to them?"
 

"First, I suggest we find someplace to stay," he said. "Then we'll figure out what to do."
 

"Sounds like a plan," she replied. They stood to leave. "Think we have enough money to stay at the Yorkshire over on Beverly?"
 

"Ducks, that place is five hundred bloody dollars for one night!" Spike exclaimed as they climbed into his car.
 

Twenty minutes later he was pulling into the drive to the hotel, swearing under his breath the entire time. "I hope you're happy," he grumbled, following her through the ornate doors. The look on her face when she smiled at him sent his undead heart pounding in his chest.
 

The bell sounded the next morning in the darkened warehouse. Faith and Xander looked up from where there were sitting, snuggled together on the couch watching television. With a shrug, Cordelia peered through the curtains and saw a FedEx truck parked outside the door. "Xander, get Angel," she instructed, heading for the stairs.
 

She returned a minute later, small package in her hand. Angel walked over and took it from her, carefully inspecting it. The Yorkshire Hotel was listed as the return address. Opening it, he pulled out a video tape.
 

"What is it?" Xander asked.
 

"A copy of Monty Python's Search for the Holy Grail," he answered. Nothing else was in the package. Curious, he slid the cassette out of the holder. It was fast forwarded to a certain spot. He walked quickly over to the VCR.
 

"Bring out your dead."
 

As Xander viewed the scene, his mind suddenly snapped to the last time he watched this movie.
 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 

"That's what I should have said to the Master," Buffy told Xander as they sat in front of his television, watching Holy Grail for the umpteenth time.
 

"What?" Xander asked.
 

"'I'm not dead, yet,'" she quoted. At his confused look, she explained. "When I went to kill the Master on the roof of the library, he told me I was dead. That should have been my reply."
 

"Buff, I don't think the big ugly had a VCR," he replied. "But if it makes you feel any better, next time you're suppose to be dead, you can say it."
 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 

"Buffy's alive!" Xander shouted, jumping to his feet. He gestured wildly to the screen. "It's a message from her!"
 

"How can you be sure?" Angel asked, his hopes raising.
 

Xander quickly explained the story, then grabbed Faith into a hug. "She's alive!"
 

"That's five by five, Xander," she said, breaking out of his enthusiastic embrace. "But what's with the cloak and dagger?"
 

"Virginia's spies," Cordelia answered.
 

Angel nodded. "You're probably right, Cordy." He looked relieved for a moment, then worried again. "Do you think Spike is with her?"
 

Cordelia hugged him. "I don't know," she whispered.
 

"So, what now?" Xander asked, his face lit with happiness.
 

"We call Willow," Angel said, getting to work. "And get a list of the registered guests at the Yorkshire Hotel. Buffy is not dumb. If she figures there are spies, she won't be registered under her real name."
 

"Isn't the Yorkshire that big, fancy joint on Beverly?" Faith said. Angel nodded. "How's she gonna pay for it?"
 

"That's right," Cordelia said. "If she used her credit card, she'd be listed under her own name."
 

"Not if she went by an ATM," Angel replied. "But we'll know as soon as we get that list from Willow."
 

Part Eleven

"Can you do that?"
 

"Do what?" Spike asked the Slayer.
 

Buffy looked back at him. "That hypno-thingy Odo just told him about."
 

They were laying on the large bed of the plush hotel room, watching videos. Buffy was on her stomach, her feet near the headboard and Spike had pillows propped up behind him as he leaned against it. She had insisted they get something fun when they'd gone in search of the Monty Python movie, and had returned with several vampire flicks. They were currently watching My Best Friend's a Vampire.
 

"Odo?" Spike furrowed his brow in confusion.
 

"You know, from ‘Deep Space Nine'?" Buffy told him. "He was also on ‘Benson'?"
 

"Oh, him," he replied. She kept looking at him expectantly. "What?"
 

"Can you do that thingy?"
 

He gave her a sexy grin. "Why don't we find out," he said. He let his eyes roam over the back of her muscular form which was wrapped in a robe, their clothing being laundered by the hotel. When he returned his gaze to her face, desire radiated from the blue orbs, and he watched as she licked her lips in anticipation. He whole body began to tense as she moved, crawling to his side, the front of the robe gaping, giving him a perfect view of her full breasts. Suddenly, he couldn't take any more. He grabbed Buffy and pulled her onto his lap, his tongue plunging into her mouth, seeking, tantalizing, coaxing her own.
 

When they came together, he felt as though he was on fire as she met him thrust for thrust, her mouth burning a trail on his neck and shoulder. He went over the edge with a hoarse shout, bringing her with him. He could swear he was about to have a heart attack as he settled against her, his mind racing at the implications.
 

"I guess you can do that thingy," she said, her warm breath tickling his neck.
 

Spike chuckled. "I guess so."
 

"I found them!" Angel said, his voice filled with excitement. In his hands he held a printout of the guest registry for the hotel. "And Spike is definitely alive."
 

"If you call being a vampire living," Xander said. Angel glared at him, but the smile on his face belied it.
 

"What name did they use?" Cordelia asked, taking the printout from him. "And more importantly, how did they pay?"
 

"Cash. They're registered under Mr. and Mrs. William Masterson," Angel replied.
 

"And you know it's them how?" Faith said.
 

"That's Spike's real name," he answered. He looked away, his eyes distant. "He hasn't used that name in more than a century."
 

"Uh, I'm still stuck on the Mr. and Mrs. thing," Xander said.
 

"Maybe they eloped," Faith teased. "Giving them the chance to do the watoosi all legal like." Xander paled at the thought.
 

"Don't worry, Xander," Cordelia said. "I'm sure you'll be invited to the baby shower."
 

Xander put his face in his hands, shaking his head. "I don't even want to go there."
 

"Let's go shopping," Buffy said, pulling on her newly cleaned clothes.
 

"Uh, pet, it's nighttime," Spike pointed out, sliding on his own jeans. "Virginia's minions? The plan?"
 

"But these are all ripped from the fire, even if they're clean," she said, pouting. "Besides, I'm going stir crazy waiting. The note on the flowers said tomorrow, so we have a whole night free."
 

He shook his head, knowing he was defeated, but tried once more. "We'll be recognized."
 

"Not if we get you a hat," she replied.
 

"I'm not wearing a bloody hat."
 

"Then we'll dye your hair," she told him. At his mortified look, she laughed. "Hat it is."
 

Fifteen minutes later they were strolling down the street, a baseball cap planted firmly on Spike's peroxide blond locks. Buffy had purchased one as well, sweeping her own telltale hair up under it. "Let's go in here," she said, pulling him into one of the many stores on the block.
 

The Yorkshire was located in a posh part of the city, with the surrounding neighborhood filled with stores, restaurants and other entertainment for the rich and beautiful. Grinning happily, Buffy fingered the expensive clothing as she wandered around, Spike trailing behind her reluctantly. Somehow he knew his bank reserves would be dangerously low when she was done and wondered when he turned into a lap dog like Angelus.
 

"May I help you?" a nasally voiced woman asked Buffy and Spike, looking down her nose at the pair.
 

"I'd like to try this outfit in a six," Buffy replied, pointing to a mannequin.
 

"The garments are a tad on the expensive side," she said, not moving.
 

"Pretty Woman much?" Buffy said, her eyes steely. At the reference to the famous Julia Roberts/Richard Gere movie, the woman's whole demeanor changed.
 

"I do apologize. Sometimes we get vagrants," she whispered the word as if it were dirty. "Size six, did you say?"
 

Buffy nodded and the woman escorted the Slayer to a fitting room, leaving Spike behind. The woman soon returned, addressing him. "And for you, sir, we have an exquisite selection of men's clothing. You're companion said to, and I quote, ‘fix him up so I can take him out in public,' end quote." She tried to hide her amusement from the vampire.
 

"Faith, can I talk to you a second," Xander asked, coming into the bedroom where the brunette Slayer was reading a magazine, waiting for her toe nails to dry.
 

"I'm all yours," she replied, giving him a smile.
 

"That's what I…uh, wanted to…um…talk about," he stammered, sitting next to her on the bed. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, looking anywhere but at her.
 

Faith's happy mood disappeared instantly, to be replaced by fear. Fear that the man she secretly loved wanted nothing to do with her. "Spit it out," she said, sullenly.
 

"Well, you know Buffy," he said, then laughed self mockingly. "Of course you know Buffy. What I meant was, in high school I had a…thing for her."
 

"A thing," she repeated.
 

"Yeah. A big thing," he replied. "And I told her I had this big thing for her. Let's just say I would have rather slit my wrists and offered a drink to the Master than what really happened."
 

"And this is relevant…" she said in her coarse manner.
 

He took another deep breath and looked at her. "Should I just slit my wrists now or do I have a chance with you?"
 

Faith's own breath caught in her throat, her heart pounding. "Do you have a…thing…for me?"
 

His mouth quirked in his patented boyish grin. "A big thing."
 

"Good," she said. "'Cuz I, uh, have a big thing for you, too."
 

His grin turned into a full-fledged smile, his eyes lighting up. "So, if we put are things together…"
 

"Skin will be slappin' tonight," she finished, smiling widely in return. He leaned forward and pressed a tender kiss on her lips.
 

"I'm glad we had a chance to talk about…things," he murmured against her mouth.
 

"Me, too," she said softly, pulling him down with her on the bed. "Definitely."
 

Part Twelve

"Wow. You look…" Buffy trailed off as she surveyed her companion's new attire. "Tasty."
 

Spike sighed heavily, sliding on his leather duster over the dark gray chinos and off white, mock turtleneck. Their clothes and other purchases were being sent back to the hotel. "Can we bloody go now?"
 

She grinned at him, her own body encased in a yellow slip skirt and matching spaghetti strap blouse. "Yup. On to the next store!"
 

He grumbled as he followed the Slayer outside, the sales woman smiling after them behind her hand. He fingered the baseball cap in his hand, reluctant to put it back on. *Whoever heard of a vampire wearing a bloody ball cap. It's not even a good team,* he thought, trudging next to the perky blond. His keen hearing interrupted his thoughts and he whipped his head to the noise. Several of Virginia's minions emerged from an alley. They conversed briefly on the sidewalk, then split up, five going one way and five coming straight for them.
 

He quickly plunked the hat on his head. "Slayer, keep facing straight ahead. Next door we get to, go in," he instructed, taking her hand in his.
 

Buffy nodded, fighting the urge to look behind her. She grabbed the handle to an unnamed door, with only a sign that said ‘We're Open. Please Come In' on the window. They hovered near the door, watching for their followers.
 

"Hello, and welcome," an extremely elderly man said, walking up to them. "I'm Mr. Thompson. Will this be cash, check or charge?"
 

"Uh…cash," Buffy said distractedly. "Do you see them?"
 

"Not yet," Spike replied. "Wait, here they come."
 

"If you'll just follow me, then," Mr. Thompson said, gesturing with his hand to a large room. Windows with large, ornate script let the night into the tastefully decorated room. Soft, cushioned chairs were set up facing a white podium, where two elderly women sat waiting, large smiles on their faces. "Names please," he asked them.
 

"Buffy," the Slayer said, looking over her shoulder.
 

"And you sir?"
 

"Spike," the vampire replied, mimicking the Slayer's action.
 

"Your full, real name, sir," Mr. Thompson requested.
 

Spike looked at the man, then answered quickly when Buffy squeezed his arm. "William Masterson." He quickly returned his gaze to the window. Outside he could see two of the minions arguing on the sidewalk in front.
 

"Martha," Mr. Thompson said, writing something on the podium. One of the two women stood and went over to Buffy and Spike, taking each of their hands in turn with a small tape measure. "Shall we begin?" he said, as Martha did her job.
 

"Go ahead," Buffy replied, looking at Martha strangely, then returning her attention to the window. The vampires were still there. "Spike, should we get out of here?" she whispered, leaning closer to him.
 

"…Does any one here object?" Mr. Thompson said.
 

"No," Spike replied to Buffy.
 

"Very good," Mr. Thompson continued. "As a legal adult in the State of California, do you promise to…"
 

Spike stiffened next to her, his head whipping to face Mr. Thompson as the vampires looked up towards the window. Buffy did the same.
 

"…Do you Buffy?" Mr. Thompson asked.
 

"Uh, yes?" Buffy answered, having no clue as to what he just asked.
 

"Slayer, lean closer and peek over my shoulder," Spike instructed, ignoring Mr. Thompson's words.
 

"Still there," she whispered. "Think we should try to find a back door?"
 

"…Do you William?"
 

"Yes," he said. He carefully looked over his shoulder again as Martha came up to the two of them and pressed something in their hands. Spike looked down at the object, frowned, then turned his attention to Mr. Thompson.
 

"…them on your left hand," Mr. Thompson said. Spike gave Buffy a questioning glance, then shrugged and did as told. She did the same, then looked back over his shoulder.
 

"They're gone," Buffy said with a sigh of relief. "That was a close one."
 

"Yes it was, pet," Spike replied, facing the elderly man once more.
 

"…I now pronounce you Husband and Wife," Mr. Thompson declared with a large smile.
 

Buffy and Spike's mouths dropped open at the man's words as the two elderly women threw confetti in the air above their heads. "What did you say?" the Slayer asked in a small voice.
 

"I just need you both to sign here, and pay me of course," Mr. Thompson said with a grin, not hearing her. He gave Spike a pen clipboard, pointing to the ‘x' at the bottom of the page.
 

Spike's mind had completely shut down, he was so stunned at what the man had said. Numbly, he signed where indicated, handing the items back. He opened and closed his mouth a couple of times to say something, but nothing came out.
 

Buffy repeated the vampire's action without thought, signing her name, her own mind whirling. *Did he say what I think he said and oh my god did what I just think happen actually happen?* "Spike?" she managed to squeak out, turning wide eyes on him.
 

He snapped out of his stupor and looked down at her vulnerable face, her hair and shoulders dotted with colorful bits of paper confetti. She'd never looked so beautiful to him. Unable to help himself, he bent his head and kissed her softly on the lips.
 

Part Thirteen

"You know, when you signed the register as Mr. & Mrs. William Masterson, I didn't think it mean literally," Buffy said as they entered the hotel. They had taken a roundabout way to get back to their current home, being sure to avoid any of Virginia's minions.
 

"Me either, pet," Spike replied, looking down at the folded wedding certificate in his hands. He thought a license was needed for a marriage to be preformed, but Mr. Thompson said that people came to him to get around that ‘technicality' and still have it be legal.
 

Buffy held up her left hand, the fluorescent light from the elevator glinting off the plain, gold band. Spike had a matching one on his ring finger. "Mom and Giles are going to majorly wig when they hear about this. And dad…how am I going to introduce you? ‘Hey, dad, this is Spike…It's his nickname, he got it about a hundred years ago by torturing people with railroad spikes…Actually, he's over two hundred. And did I mention he was a vampire?' Yeah, I can see that going real well." She sighed and rubbed her temples. "Ok, I need food. And a bath. And an aspirin. And a bag of ice to put on my head. And not necessarily in that order."
 

The elevator doors opened, leading to a long hall with multiple numbered doors. Spike followed the Slayer to their room, then she turned and looked at him. "What?"
 

"The key? It's a credit card like thing that fits in this little slot," she said sarcastically.
 

"Key…right," he said, digging in the pocket of his coat. He inserted it into the key slot and turned the knob, pushing the door open. Buffy was about to enter when his arm shot out, blocking the way.
 

"Spike, what are you doing?" she asked. "I really don't want to play games right now."
 

"Not games, Slayer," he told her, swooping her up in his arms. He gave her a grin. "Tradition."
 

The tension headache that had formed behind her eyes vanished as Spike carried her over the threshold, kicking the door shut behind them. "Boy, pet, gaining a bit of weight, aren't we?"
 

She smacked the back of his head. "Hey!"
 

"Hmm, what to do, what to do," he said, standing in the large room and looking around. "Since you're in my arms, I could drain you dry. But, that wouldn't be very husbandly now, would it?"
 

"Spike…"
 

"Oh, I know," he continued, gesturing with his head to the heavily curtained wall. "I'll toss you out that window over there, make me a widower."
 

She started to struggle in his arms, but he only tightened his grip. "Put me down, you overgrown leech," she ground out.
 

"Better yet," he said, his voice lowering, his head turning to face hers. "I can take advantage of the fact that I'm you're husband, you're my wife and this is our wedding night."
 

Buffy stopped struggling, her eyes shooting to his. She could see fire burning in the icy depths, melting his tough-guy persona into a passionate lover. Swallowing heavily, she tentatively leaned her head forward and kissed him.
 

As kisses go, it wasn't the most intense, the most enticing, the most arousing one they had shared over the past two days. But it was, by far, the most earth-shattering kiss each had ever felt. It was a kiss that would change their lives forever.
 

Loud knocking on the door to the hotel room woke Buffy from her pleasant sleep. Her growl rivaled Spike's as she tried to block out the noise, but it was to no avail. She pried her lids open, looking at the clock on the night stand. They had only gone to sleep two hours before.
 

The knocking continued and she sighed, sliding out of Spike's embrace. She donned the plush, terrycloth robe, belting it around her waist, then left the bedroom for the small living room type area. The nice room had a small couch, table, four plush chairs and a coffee table. Floor lamps sat on each end of the couch, and a television sat across from it. Buffy went to the door and peered out the peep hole to see Xander, Faith and Cordelia standing in the hall. She opened the door and plastered a tired smile on her face. "Hi, guys."
 

"Buffy!" Xander exclaimed, making her wince from his exuberance. He swept her up into a large hug, planting a loud kiss on her cheek. Faith mimicked Xander's actions, minus the kiss and Cordelia smiled at her.
 

"We're glad you're not dead," the former cheerleader said as Buffy closed the door to the small suite.
 

"I'm glad I'm not dead, either," Buffy replied, gesturing for them to take a seat. "Let me go throw some clothes on."
 

"Wait, where's Spike?" Cordelia asked.
 

"Sleeping," she said, moving into the bedroom. She shut the door behind her and quickly changed into a new pair of Capri pants and cropped pink sweater. She went into the bathroom to freshen up, then returned to the bedroom to see Spike peering at her with one eye. "Faith, Cordy and Xander are here," she told him, leaning down and kissing his forehead.
 

"Tell them to go away," he mumbled, trying to pull her back into the bed with him.
 

"I can't," she replied, backing away from the his reach. "Remember the plan?"
 

"Bugger the plan," he growled. "I want my wife back in bed with me."
 

She smiled, her whole face lighting up at his words. "Well, your wife wants to be in bed with you, too, but she can't. You can join us or go back to sleep."
 

He rolled over onto his back and pressed his hands on his eyes, sighing dramatically. "I'll be up in a minute."
 

"Ok. I'll order up some coffee," she said, exiting the bedroom, closing the door behind her. She smiled at her friends, going to the window and making sure the heavy curtains were shut completely. "Do you guys want some food? I'm calling room service."
 

"Food?" Xander said, eyes perking up.
 

Buffy laughed. "I'll take that as a yes." She dialed the well used number and ordered, then sat on a plush chair next to Cordelia. Faith and Xander sat close together on the couch, his hand on her knee. Noticing this, the Slayer arched a questioning eyebrow. "So, what have you guys been up to since I've been dead?"
 

"Little bit of this, little bit of that," Faith replied, her eyes dancing. "And a whole hell a lot of the other."
 

"They've been rutting like pigs," Cordelia said, tactless as always. Xander blushed and Faith glared at her. "What? It's true."
 

"I take it you two...talked?" Buffy said to Faith.
 

"Oh, yeah," Faith said, giving Xander a quick grin. "And everything's five by five."
 

Spike came out of the bedroom, wearing a pair of tan khakis and a green, button down oxford which he left untucked, his feet bare. He walked over to Buffy, picked her up and settled her on his lap, her back pressed against his chest. He let his head fall forward to rest on her shoulder, eyes closed.
 

The three friends looked at Buffy and she gave them a small, embarrassed smile. "Uh, Spike? You could say good morning," she said.
 

"Morning," he grumbled into her back, not moving.
 

"Buffy, is there something you wanted to tell us?" Xander asked. "Like why Son of Deadboy is using you for a pillow?"
 

"And where'd he get those great clothes?" Cordelia added. "I thought he only had one set."
 

"We went shopping last night," Buffy started to reply. There was a knock on the door, and the Slayer climbed off Spike to let room service in. She signed the check, grinning like an idiot at the sight of her new last name, and turned to the cart full of goodies. "Dig in."
 

Xander needed no second prompting, quickly getting to his feet and descending upon the donuts and fruit with abandon. Buffy laughed, pouring herself and Spike some coffee. She handed the grumpy vampire his cup, then sat in a chair next to him. "So, have you guys decided how to use our 'deaths' yet?"
 

"Angel is going to send a message that he wants to meet her," Cordelia said. "When they meet, Xander, Faith and myself will stay visible to her..."
 

"And you two pop out of no where and dust her," Xander finished.
 

Cordelia glared at him. "Actually, you'll stay hidden and try to cap her off with crossbows," she said.
 

Buffy nodded. "Makes sense. What do you think, Spike?"
 

"We'd have to get to the meeting place ahead of time," Spike replied. "And we should have a backup plan. I don't want to be stuck in another bloody hole in the ground." He lifted his mug to take a sip of the hot brew, but paused, turning his head to look at Buffy. "Then again, it wasn't all that bad."
 

She blushed slightly and looked down at her coffee. "So, when does all the fun begin?" she asked, returning to the subject of conversation. When no one answered, she raised her head to see Faith, Xander and Cordelia staring at Spike's hand, gape mouthed. Puzzled, she leaned forward to see what captured their attention. "What are you guys looking at?"
 

"Uh, Buffy," Xander said. "Please tell me the Mr. and Mrs. thing is a disguise."
 

Buffy comprehended the fact that they were looking at the gold wedding band on Spike's left hand, which was plainly visible as he held the mug near his mouth. "Um...no." The looks on their faces made her start to giggle, then laugh as Spike winked at her, his blue eyes twinkling.
 

"I guess the honeymoon's over, pet," he said. For some reason, the fact that it was no longer a secret made him feel proud and happy. He knew he loved shagging the blond Slayer, fighting with her, talking with her, but he thought that was the extent of those feelings. He now realized he was wrong.
 

Xander had turned to glare at Faith. "I thought it was a joke," he said, referring to their earlier conversation.
 

"I meant it as a joke," Faith defended herself. "Don't go all postal on me!"
 

"Oh, look, their first fight," Cordelia said conversationally. "Isn't that cute?"
 

"Eat me," Faith snapped at her.
 

"Rude much?" Cordelia replied.
 

"Faith, knock it off," Xander said. "You, too, Cordy."
 

"Screw you!" they said simultaneously. Silence filled the small room, then they burst out laughing. Buffy and Spike watched with amusement until they settled down and returned their attention on the newly married couple.
 

"So, when did'ja do the deed?" Faith asked. "And is he any good in the sack?"
 

"Faith!" Buffy and Xander exclaimed. Spike almost choked on his coffee at the brunette Slayer's question, then smirked, turning to face his wife with a raised eyebrow, waiting for her answer.
 

Buffy blushed bright red, then mumbled something about going to the bathroom and quickly left the room. Spike shrugged, then looked over at Faith. "Want to find out yourself, ducks?" he asked, giving her a cocky grin.
 

"Hey!" Xander said, putting a possessive hand on Faith's thigh. "This is my woman. Stick to your own, you undead woman stealer."
 

Cordelia gave her former boyfriend a pitying look. "You really told him off, lame-brain." She turned on Spike. "And you. Buffy would kick your ass if she heard what you just said."
 

"Probably," Spike replied, not caring. "But then we get to make up." He gave her a leering grin.
 

Cordelia rolled her eyes, then stood. "I'm going to talk to Buffy."
 

"Ditto," Faith said, standing as well and following the brunette into the bedroom. The two men heard the sound of the bathroom door opening and closing, then looked at each other, Spike with a small smirk and Xander with trepidation.
 

"I hate to ask," Xander began, looking slightly nervous. "But why did you two get married? And don't give me any crap about loving her, because I you can't."
 

"And how do you know that?" Spike asked in amusement.
 

"You don't have a soul," Xander pointed out. "This is just some big elaborate plan of yours to kill her, isn't it, soul-less boy?"
 

"Bugger, you figured it out," he replied, acting defeated. "Now what the bloody hell am I going to do?"
 

"You can start by drinking holy water," Xander sneered. "Then follow it up with a nice, thick, wooden stake to the heart."
 

"Don't threaten me, mate," Spike warned. "I haven't eaten yet."
 

"Alright, Buffy, spill," Cordelia said, leaning against the double sink. Buffy was sitting on the edge of the large, Jacuzzi bath and Faith hopped up to sit next to the cheerleader.
 

"Yeah, B, talk," Faith said. "Is he as tasty looking without his clothes on? We only got a preview the other day."
 

"Guys," Buffy blushed again.
 

"What I want to know is when did you get married?" Cordelia said. "And, more important, why?"
 

"It was kind of an accident," Buffy explained, not looking at the two girls. "We went out shopping and saw some of Virginia's goons. Since we're suppose to be dead, we ducked into the first place we came to and it ended up being a wedding chapel type thingy."
 

"So, you decided to get hitched?" Faith asked.
 

"No, like I said, that just sort of happened," Buffy replied. "We weren't really listening to Mr. Thompson. We were too busy looking over our shoulders at the vamps outside, hoping they wouldn't see us. Before we knew it, we were married."
 

"Well, if you didn't have sex, you can get an annulment," Cordelia told her. When Buffy didn't reply, she eyed the Slayer. "I take it that's null and void."
 

"Back to my all important question," Faith said, smiling widely at the blond. "Is he any good? Does he give you that stomach churning, toes tingling feeling?"
 

"Throw in mind-blowing," Buffy replied, a small smile playing on her lips. "With a dash of fireworks on the side."
 

"You go girl!" Faith said.
 

"What about you and Xander?" Buffy asked the other Slayer.
 

"Oh, yeah," Faith replied. "All of the above. His virginity has been shucked like an ear of corn."
 

Buffy snickered. "About time. I swear, he had to be the world's oldest male virgin," she said. "Did you tell him you loved him?"
 

"In so many words," Faith said, smiling happily.
 

"Not that I really care," Cordelia said, then smiled. "But I'm glad he's finally found someone."
 

"Thanks, C," Faith responded.
 

"Well, Buffy," Cordelia said, turning the subject back to her marital status. "If you need a good divorce lawyer, let me know. Daddy knows some who will get you half of everything he has."
 

Buffy looked startled. "A divorce?"
 

"Unless you want to stay married..." Cordelia trailed off.
 

"You're in love with him," Faith said to Buffy, noticing the pained look in her eyes at the mention of a divorce.
 

"No. I'm not," Buffy said defensively. "I can't be. Not with Spike. He's a vampire. Without a soul. He kills people. I'm a Slayer. I'm not suppose to love him, I'm suppose to kill him."
 

"But what about the fireworks? The mind-blowing sex?" Faith said.
 

"Good sex does not equal love," Buffy replied, sadly. "Besides, he's still mourning for Drusilla. He probably is pretending I'm her."
 

"Does he call out your name when he orgasms or hers?" Cordelia asked.
 

"Um...mine," she said. "But that doesn't mean anything."
 

"Yes, it does," Cordelia said. "It means when he's with you, he's with you, not thinking about the loony."
 

Buffy sighed. "Can we not talk about this any more?"
 

"You know what?" Faith said. "I'm gonna go out there and ask him point blank what he feels for you."
 

Buffy stood and tried to stop her, but the other Slayer was already out the door, heading for the living room. "Faith, don't!"
 

Faith ignored her. "Spike, is it all humping or something more?"
 

Spike looked up from the television he and Xander had turned on so as not to kill each other. "What?"
 

"Faith..." Buffy begged, running into the room with Cordelia close behind.
 

"Is it just sex or not?" Faith demanded.
 

"He told me he's only screwing her until he decides to kill her," Xander said, glaring at the vampire seated in the chair.
 

Buffy gasped, staring at Spike with pain filled eyes. She turned and ran to the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.
 

"You stupid pillock!" Spike yelled at Xander, losing control over his demon. His face vamped out and he grabbed the young man off the couch. "I'm going to rip your throat out for that!"
 

Faith punched Spike in the lower back, causing him to let go of Xander. He turned, snarling at the Slayer and received a punch in the jaw. He blocked her next swing, throwing his own punch at her face. Her head reeled with the blow, but she did not stagger. Dropping into a fighting stance, she lashed out with her foot, kicking him in the stomach. He stepped back, hitting the chair with the back of his legs. She sent a side kick to his face and he ducked, grabbing her leg in the process and knocking her to the ground.
 

Xander jumped off the couch and charged at the vampire, tackling him to ground. The chair went flying over, hitting the heavy curtains, causing them to part. Sunlight streamed in through the six inch gap, bathing the two on the floor in its bright rays. Spike let out a viscous roar as he started to burn, throwing Xander from him with all his strength. The young man flew halfway across the room, smashing into Cordelia who was watching with fascination. She went down as the vampire leapt over her, tearing into the bedroom and slamming the door shut.
 

Not stopping, Spike smashed into the bathroom door, knocking it from its hinges and onto a startled Buffy. He jumped in the shower stall, turning the water on full strength, letting it douse the burns. Pain radiated from his face, neck and hands where the sunlight had hit. A moan penetrated his infuriated brain, and he looked out of the open shower curtain to see Buffy laying on the ground under the heavy, wooden door.
 

"Buffy!" Spike exclaimed, almost slipping on the wet puddles he made rushing to her side. He quickly pushed the door off of her, examining her for injuries, finding only a gash on her head.. Her eyes fluttered open and she looked up into Spike's frightened, burned and wet vampiric features. She gasped, bringing a hand up to touch his cheek.
 

"You're hurt," she said, worry in her eyes.
 

"It's nothing," he said dismissively. "Are you ok?"
 

"I will be if I don't drown," she teased as the water on his wet body dripped onto her face. He didn't smile. "Boy, tough room," she muttered, watching as his golden eyes changed to blue as the human mask dropped back into place.
 

"You didn't bloody believe him, did you, Slayer?" Spike asked quietly, the shower still running behind him.
 

"I...don't know," she replied just as softly. Her eyes filled with confusion and vulnerability. "I have no idea what you feel for me, if anything at all. For all I know, I could just be a notch on your bedpost. Or...or a substitute for Drusilla."
 

Spike closed his own eyes at the mention of his Black Queen. He searched for the pain that accompanied his thoughts about the female vampire, but it was overshadowed by the pain he felt caused by the young woman in front of him. "You're not a substitute for Dru, Slayer," he said as she sat up. "And you're not just a notch on my bedpost."
 

"Then what am I?"
 

He opened his eyes and stared intently into hers. "You are my wife." The emotions churning in his gaze burned Buffy with their intensity. She felt herself falling into them, her breath catching in her throat, her heart hammering in her chest. "I love you, Buffy Masterson, and I intend to never let you go."
 

Part Fourteen

"What do you think they're doing in there?" Faith asked, gesturing at the closed door.
 

"He's probably killed her," Xander said sullenly.
 

"We would have heard fighting if that were the case," Cordelia said. "Anyway, by his reaction to what you said, I doubt he wants to do that."
 

"We'll give them another minute," Faith said. "Then I'm gonna kick some serious ass." But before the minute was up, Buffy came storming out of the bedroom and slapped Xander across the cheek.
 

"Hey!" Xander exclaimed. "What the hell was that for?"
 

"That was for burning my husband, you dickhead," Buffy said through clenched teeth. She turned on Faith. "I'm mad at you, too, but since you were protecting Xander, I'll let it slide. Tell your boyfriend he owes both of us an apology."
 

Faith stared defiantly at Buffy for a moment, then faced Xander. "B's right. Apologize," she told him.
 

Xander was about to protest, but at Buffy's furious glare and Faith's uncompromising one, he relented. "Sorry, Buffy," he mumbled, looking at the floor. "I just didn't want him to hurt you." He brought his head up and saw Spike behind the blond. "Sorry to you, too, Spike. But if you do hurt her, I will kill you."
 

"If I hurt her," Spike said. "You have my permission."
 

Buffy gave a final glare to Xander. "Good. Now that everything's settled, I'm going back to sleep. We'll meet back here tonight, as soon as you know when and where the meeting with Virginia is going to take place. Don't get followed." She turned on her heel and went back into the bedroom.
 

"I guess that's our cue," Cordelia said, picking up her purse.
 

Spike stopped her as the others headed for the door. "Tell Angelus..." he trailed off, unsure of the message he wanted to convey to his sire about Buffy.
 

Cordelia nodded, understanding. "I will. Take care of her. I don't want my boyfriend to have to kill his last childe."
 

Angel's jaw about hit the floor. "They're what?"
 

"Married," Cordelia repeated.
 

He stared at her in disbelief, then looked at Faith and Xander, who both nodded. "It's true, Deadboy," Xander said. "Buffy's gotten hitched to your demon's spawn."
 

"When...how..." Angel tried to get out a complete thought.
 

"Last night," Faith told him, then grinned. "By accident."
 

Cordelia covered her own smile as Xander and Angel looked at Faith in confusion. "How can you get married by accident?" Xander asked, having not heard the story.
 

"Ever see I Love Trouble?" Cordelia asked. He nodded. "That's how."
 

Xander looked at her in disbelief, then started to chuckle, turning into a side clenching laugh as he pictured their faces when the minister pronounced them husband and wife. Faith and Cordelia joined in, while Angel just shook his head in amazement.
 

"Did they...?" Angel started to ask, giving his girlfriend a pointed glance.
 

"Play the Newly Wed Game?" Faith said, catching his look. "Dollars to donuts they're at it right now. In fact, I think they've been doin' it since the fire."
 

Angel squeezed his eyes shut and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm getting a headache." He sighed and shook his head. "Did they go for the plan?"
 

"Yes," Cordelia answered. "We're to go back there tonight once you set up the time and place."
 

He nodded. "Ok. I'm going to try to get some work done. We'll leave at 9:00."
 

The foursome arrived at the Yorkshire at 2:30 am after making sure they were not being followed. Angel had met with one of Virginia's lackeys, who relayed the messages back and forth, deciding on a place and time to meet. Once settled, the vampire with a soul returned home, then they set off for the hotel.
 

"Hey, guys," Buffy said, answering the door in a much better mood. "Come on in."
 

Spike was sitting in front of a garbage can, whittling a stake, the burns on his face and hands already healed. On the table was a small pile of the deadly weapons. "You guys have been busy," Faith commented, picking one up and twirling it in her hand.
 

Buffy nodded, returning to her seat next to the blond vampire. "I take it we have liftoff?"
 

"Tomorrow at the old Carlisle theater on fourth street," Angel said, looking uncomfortably at the pair. "Midnight."
 

"Not very original," Buffy commented. She gestured to the couch. "Take a seat, guys. I don't bite."
 

"But Mony Mony does," Xander said, looking at Spike. Spike sent Buffy an exasperated glance, then returned to work.
 

"He won't, either," Buffy reassured her fried. "Well, not you, anyway." She grinned devilishly.
 

"Ooh, a naughty Slayer," Faith said, plopping down on the couch, dragging Xander with her. "Haven't you learned that you're not suppose to let them chew on you?"
 

"Spike, can I talk to you?" Angel asked. Spike raised his head to his sire, then nodded, standing. They went into the bedroom, shutting the door behind them.
 

Cordelia sat in an empty chair across the table from Buffy. "Angel's been a pain all afternoon," she told the blond Slayer. "I was ready to bash him over the head with my industrial size hairdryer." Buffy laughed.
 

"So, B, tell us," Faith said. "Have you admitted to yourself that you love Blondie?"
 

Buffy ducked her head, a small smile on her lips. "Maybe," she replied.
 

"Are you toying with Buffy?" Angel demanded as the bedroom door clicked shut behind the two vampires.
 

"No, you twit," Spike said, crossing his arms over his chest. The ring on his left finger caught the overhead light. "I am not."
 

"Then what are you doing to her?" Angel said.
 

"Loving her," Spike replied.
 

"You can't love her," Angel told him.
 

"And why the bloody hell not?"
 

"You don't have a soul," he answered.
 

"I loved Dru for over a century," Spike pointed out.
 

"That's different," Angel replied.
 

"How? Because she was a vampire? Because someone needed to take care of her after you left?" Spike said.
 

"Is that what this is? You getting back at me because I left?" Angel asked.
 

"No, you stupid ninny, it's not," he said, angrily. "This has nothing to do with you, or Drusilla, or any other bloody thing you can think of under that poofy hair. I love Buffy, and I'm married to her, and there's nothing you can do about it!"
 

Angel paused, looking at him thoughtfully. "That's the first time I've ever heard you call her by name."
 

"Who?"
 

"Buffy," Angel replied. "You always call her ‘Slayer' or ‘pet' or one of your other endearments."
 

"You're point?" Spike said.
 

"What name did you get married under?" he asked. "Spike?"
 

"No, William," Spike replied. "But what does it bloody matter? I don't even remember the ceremony, we were too busy watching our tails."
 

"Tell me what you do remember," Angel requested.
 

"Why?"
 

"Because I asked you to," he sighed. Spike glared at him. "It's important, alright?"
 

"The old bloke said that we were husband and wife, I sort of spaced out, the Slayer said my name, I turned to her…" Spike said, his speech slowing down as the memory surfaced. His eyes grew distant and a genuine smile crossed his lips. "And she had all these little bits of colored paper on her, in her hair. Her eyes were so wide, so damn bloody beautiful my heart pounded in my chest…."
 

Angel watched the play of emotions on his childe's face, saw the love and tenderness in his expression as he spoke of Buffy. *Spike really loves her,* he thought. He held out his hand, breaking into the other vampire's memories. "Congratulations. I mean it."
 

Spike accepted the handshake warily. "Thank you, Angelus," he said. "I think."
 

Angel gave him a half grin and turned, looking around the clothes strewn bedroom. "Looks like Buffy went shopping."
 

"You'd never believe how much that girl can bloody spend," Spike said. "And look at me. I ask you, do any other vampires dress like a Gap ad?" He gestured to his dark green khakis and untucked, button down, navy oxford. "She even had the nerve to throw out my other clothes!"
 

Angel laughed, the tension in the room relieved. "Cordy did the same thing to me," he said with camaraderie as they opened the door to rejoin the others. "I was lucky she let me pick out my own new stuff."
 

"Talking about me again, Angel?" Cordelia said.
 

"Always," Angel replied, smiling at her.
 

"Now that your guys' bonding session is over," Buffy said. "Don't you think we better get to work?"
 

Spike picked her up, took her seat, and pulled her on his lap, just like earlier that morning. "Anything you say, Mrs. Masterson. You wear the pants in this family. At least, until I take them off."
 

Buffy blushed bright red as the room filled with the laughter of friends.
 

Part Fifteen

Buffy and Spike left the hotel at 3:00 p.m., while the sun was still high in the sky. Luckily for the vampire, the entryway to the Yorkshire was covered, and the valet parking brought his spray- painted car to them. When they arrived at the theater, Buffy pried a door open, then Spike jumped out of the car and quickly entered the dark, old theater. The Slayer hid the car, then joined her new husband.
 

"Split up or stick together?" Buffy asked quietly as they made their way backstage.
 

"Split up," Spike answered. "I'll take the lobby, control booth and catwalks. You take backstage, the auditorium and downstairs." Buffy nodded and the two parted ways, creeping stealthily in order to slay any vamps Virginia had positioned at the theater already.
 

A tiring hour later, Buffy sat at the edge of the stage, bag of weapons beside her, waiting for Spike to return. She let her thoughts turn to Xander and Faith, happy that her two best friends were finally together. After the battle was over, she'd have to have a long talk with the other Slayer and squeeze out all the details.
 

A spotlight suddenly went on, bathing Buffy in its bright, white glow. She raised her hand over her eyes, trying to see who was in the catwalks operating it. "Gilbert and Sullivan anyone?" she called out.
 

"I was thinking more the lines of Gypsy Rose Lee," Spike called back to her.
 

"I take it we're all clear," she yelled back. "And this is going to get old, real fast." The light shut off and she could see the vampire walking along the metal, his footsteps silent despite his hard shoes. Soon, he joined her on the stage, sitting down and taking her hand in his.
 

"Have I ever told you I love the theater?" he asked, intertwining their fingers. "I used to go at least once a week in London. Sometimes I'd even bring Dalton along."
 

"Dalton?" Buffy questioned.
 

He frowned. "I don't think you met him, pet. He was a bookish vampire, short, glasses, lots of humanity in him. I guess that's why Dru gave him to the Judge as a snack."
 

"Oh, I saw him!" she replied, remembering back five years. "He was playing Tomb Raider, though he looks nothing like Laura Croft. Now what did he take?" She screwed up her face in concentration as Spike smothered a laugh. "A decoder ring."
 

"A what?"
 

"That's all I can remember," she confessed. "But I guarantee you had something to do with it."
 

"Who me?" he replied, acting innocent. "Why, I have always been a model citizen."
 

"And I'm Miss America," Buffy said sarcastically.
 

"Uh, luv? That would have to be Mrs. America," Spike pointed out.
 

Buffy shook her head and chuckled. "Ok, enough of this pathetic conversation. We have roughly two hours before the sun sets and the baddies start to arrive. We need to find a place to be. Angel said they'd be sure to meet here in the center of the stage."
 

"We can pop up to the side catwalks," Spike said. "And pull up the ladders behind us."
 

"Don't you think they'll want to use the spotlights?"
 

"Those are on the main catwalk, pet," he replied. "The side ones control the props and give access to the lighting grids so the bulbs can be changed."
 

"Wow, you really know your way around a theater," Buffy commented.
 

"When you've gone to the show for two hundred years, you tend to pick up a few tidbits," Spike said, smiling at her. "Come on, kitten. Let's get settled in. I can think of a few dozen ways to occupy our time until they get here."
 

The two hidden lovers watched as vampire after vampire entered the theater, spreading out to cover all entrances and exits. As predicted, two climbed into the main catwalks and turned on the spotlights, shining them on center stage. As the magick hour approached, they still hadn't seen Virginia. Their plan hinged on the female vamp's leadership, and hoped that with her eliminated, the others would panic and disperse. If not, they were going to have one hell of a fight on their hands.
 

Angel, Cordelia, Xander and Faith strolled in, each dressed in black and no doubt carrying a full arsenal on their bodies. The three friends stood back, covering the three dividers to backstage as Angel walked to the center. None of them tried to look for Buffy or Spike. "Virginia," the soul filled vampire greeted as the blond female strode on-stage followed by four, large minions.
 

"Angelus," Virginia hissed. "So good of you to come to your own funeral."
 

"One question before we proceed to kill each other," Angel said conversationally, the cue for the team to get ready. "Why did you bother to hunt down and dust all my children? I was doing that quite well on my own."
 

"You destroyed Marcius! He was everything to me, my master, my lover, my sire. And you took him away, so I shall take all away from you, every vampire you sired, every lover, every ‘friend,'" she sneered with the word. "Until there is no trace of Angelus left on this earth!"
 

Angel cocked his head and looked at her, then shrugged. "Oh, ok," he said. "Just wondered."
 

His casual air infuriated Virginia, her face sliding into its natural demonic ridges, yellow eyes and fangs. "Prepare to die, Angelus!"
 

He sighed dramatically, then smiled. "Let's do it."
 

That was the signal.
 

Buffy and Spike let loose with their crossbow bolts, dusting two of the four vampires blocking the blond female. Angel spun on his heels and ran to stage left as planned to assist with the multitude of vamps surging onto the stage from the wings.
 

Virginia screamed in anger as two more well placed bolts entered her bodyguard, sending a shower of dust over her. She yelled out directions to her minions, and several surrounded her, forming a protective wall as the battle surged on near the edge of the stage.
 

Faith and Xander worked together against the attackers, the young man squirting holy water into vamps eyes with a gym bottle, then shoving them to the Slayer so she could stake them in between fighting. Angel and Cordelia were each holding their own, using their martial arts skills to keep back the opponents, staking them with the efficiency of years of practice.
 

Spike reloaded his crossbow as Buffy looked at her surroundings. Suddenly, she smiled brightly and stood, looping her own loaded bow over her shoulder. "What the bloody hell are you doing?" he said, taking aim and firing a bolt.
 

"What I do best," she replied. "Improvising." She grabbed a heavy rope that was attached to a pulley system for the scenery props. "I've always wanted to do this."
 

"Be careful," Spike said, both admiration and fear in his eyes.
 

"Careful is my middle name," she responded, grinning. She climbed easily to the metal handrail and balancing like a tightrope walker. "Try not to hit me."
 

"I won't," he said.
 

"I love you, William Masterson," she said to him with a wink, then launched herself off the handrail. She swung down into the group of vampires, the heavy prop rising as she fell.
 

Buffy landed lightly on her feet directly in front of Virginia, crossbow pointing at her heart. The female vampire looked at her, astonished. "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus," the Slayer said, finger on the trigger. "And this year he's giving you a nice, pointy stake."
 

The bolt flew from the bow, imbedding itself into Virginia's chest, but not deep enough to kill her. The female vampire looked shocked, staring at the Slayer gape mouthed that she had missed. But Buffy had done that on purpose. Her arms flew out, grabbing Virginia by the back of the head before any of the other vampires surrounding her could move. "This is for Spike," Buffy hissed in her ear, then shoved the wood home.
 

As the female collapsed into a pile of dust, Buffy grabbed the rope and began climbing with Slayer speed, the prop having reached the pulley, anchoring her. The vampire bodyguards who weren't picked off by Spike's bolts were watching her, unsure as to what to do.
 

"I'm not sticking around here now that the master's gone!" one exclaimed as the vampire next to him exploded into dust. He took off running in the opposite directions to the four friends who were fighting his brethren. The vamps that heard him quickly agreed, following close behind.
 

Buffy had reached sufficient height, wrapping the rope around her legs using a trick Giles taught her so she could load and fire the crossbow. She chuckled when she saw the fleeing vampires. "Hey, dead guys! Looks like your friends are leaving without you," she yelled to those fighting with her friends.
 

It was as if someone let a skunk loose in the theater. The vampires took one look at their retreating comrades, then turned and high tailed towards the exits as well. Soon, the only ones left were the friends from Sunnydale.
 

"Well, that was fun," Buffy said to them from her perch. "We should do that again sometime."
 

"I'm officially pooped," Xander said, flopping to the floor of the stage, not caring that he was laying in vampire dust. He stared up at Buffy. "You Tarzan, me Jane," he teased.
 

"Sorry, Xand, my loincloth is at the cleaners," she replied.
 

"Pet, are you going to come down from there?" Spike asked, joining them on the stage, weapons bag over his shoulder. Watching her launch herself from the catwalk into the group of vampires had reminded him of her courage, strength and quick thinking that he'd always loved, even when they had still been mortal enemies. It had also turned him on.
 

She grinned at him, then let go of the rope, dropping cat-like to her feet. Before she could say anything, Spike yanked her into his arms, smashing her lips with his own. He pressed his pelvis against hers, letting her feel his arousal. Buffy fingers dug into his shoulders as he continued to plunder her mouth.
 

"You know, that's not a bad idea," Angel murmured into Cordelia's ear, watching the couple. She turned to say something and he pulled her to him, bending his head to capture her lips.
 

Faith and Xander looked at the two couples making out in front of them, then at each other. "What the hell," Faith said, grabbing Xander by the shirt and hauling him to his feet. "Slaying always did make me horny."
 

Epilogue

"Have you guys got everything?" Angel asked as Buffy threw yet another bag in the already full trunk of the Blazer.
 

"Yeah," she answered. "There is no way I'm letting Spike take any of this in his car. There were probably dead bodies in his trunk."
 

"I still can't believe that you two are married," he said.
 

"Join the club," Buffy replied. "I think it's going to take months before the shock wears off."
 

"How do you think Rupert will take the news?"
 

"Giles? Let's see, first he'll give me his befuddled librarian look, then take off his glasses and say ‘I see' with that cute stutter of his," she said, smiling. "Then he'll wig." Angel smiled in return, knowing she was right. She put the last bag in the trunk, then closed the back. "There, we're good to go."
 

"Can I ask you something?" Angel said, his face becoming serious.
 

"Always," she replied.
 

"Are you happy?" Angel asked. "With Spike, I mean." He watched as the corners of her mouth slowly tilted up, her eyes lighting at the thought of her new husband. He knew her answer even before she said it.
 

"Yes, I am," she responded. "If I had to relive this whole week over, I wouldn't change a thing. Well, maybe I would have gotten that green, silk jacket, but other than that…"
 

Angel burst out laughing, then pulled her to him in a big hug.
 

"Hey, now, hands off of my wife," Spike said, entering the underground garage with the other three friends in tow. Buffy smiled at her husband, stepping away from Angel and into his possessive embrace.
 

"Get a room," Cordelia said to them, a grin belaying her sharp tone.
 

"I guess we'd better get going if we want to be back in Sunnydale by sunset," Buffy said, Spike's arm firmly around her waist. "I can't believe I have to go to classes tomorrow."
 

"Did you have to remind me?" Xander said. "I probably have a ton of work to do at the frat. If it's still standing."
 

The friend's hugged Cordelia and Angel, preparing to go. "Be sure to let us know your new address and phone number," Cordelia told Buffy.
 

"That's right," Buffy said. "Slaying must kill brains cells, too. I didn't even think about it."
 

"Don't worry, pet, I'll find us something," Spike told her. "If I have any money left, that is."
 

Laughter filled the garage as they climbed into the cars, waving good-bye to Cordelia and Angel. "Think they'll make it?" the former cheerleader asked as they shut the garage door and walked together to the elevator.
 

"If any one can, it's those two," Angel replied, knowing his girlfriend was referring to Buffy and Spike. "I just wish we could be there to see the expression on Giles' face when she tells him."
 

"You will," Cordelia replied.
 

Angel shot her a puzzled glance. "How?"
 

"Faith promised to video tape it."