"Buffy are you not going home for thanksgiving?" Giles asked.

"No. Spike won't be there, he's on tour. Mom's going to my Aunts this year, so no one's going to be there." Buffy replied.

"Well, we could do something if you'd like." Giles replied.

"Sounds good. What did you have in mind?" Buffy asked.

"Oh I don't know, dinner and a show maybe." Giles replied.

"How about we make our own dinner and have Lindsay come over. Kinda more personal like a thanks giving dinner with family and friends." Buffy replied.

"That sounds like a splendid idea." Giles replied as he grabbed his briefcase. "We'll talk more about it when I get home." Giles added smiling.

"Great." Buffy said as she followed him to the door and closed it behind him.

Buffy wandered around the house aimlessly since Willow spent the night at Lindsays and Giles was at work.

She vaccumed, dusted and even did laundry. When that was all done she sat on the sofa and looked out the window at all the passing cars.

She watched as everyone started opening their umbrellas when the rain started to come down.

After awhile Buffy's eyes drifted shut as he head laid against the back of the sofa.

Buffy was jolted awake when her phone began ringing.

She jumped up and grabbed her phone quickly hitting the button and putting it to her ear.

"Hello." Buffy said as she yawned.

"Hey luv. Did I wake you?" Spike asked.

"I guess I must have fell asleep. I'm glad you called. I miss you." Buffy replied.

"I miss you too baby."Spike replied.

"Where are you right now?" Buffy asked slightly depressed.

"Actually I'm pulling into the driveway as we speak." Spike replied.

"What city are you in?" Buffy said quietly. "I kinda lost track of which city you were going to."

"Right close to home." Spike said as he climbed out and closed the door.

"What are your plans today? Sightseeing, practice maybe?" Buffy asked.

"Well I thought I'd relax in front of the fireplace. Since the place I'm staying has one." Spike said as he grabbed his bag from the trunk and then closed it. "Thanks mate." Spike said as he paid the cab driver. "As I was saying, sit in front of the fire, relax and think about how much I missed you." Spike said as he came up the walk to the building.

"Missed me. What, you don't miss me anymore?" Buffy replied as her brows crinkled.

"Always miss you pet. Even if it's been only thirty seconds since I'd seen you last." Spike replied. "Sorry luv, but I have to go. Look I'll talk to you in a few minutes alright." Spike said.

"Okay, you better." Buffy said as they hung up.

Buffy sat their holding her cell phone, waiting for it to ring. Buffy got up to answer the door when she heard a knock at the same time her cell phone rang.

"Hey, that was quick." Buffy said.

"So what are your plans for the day?" Spike asked.

"Well besides answering the door, nothing. But me and Giles are gonna make dinner tomorrow and have Lindsay over. He kinda felt bad cause I wasn't going home for Thanksgiving this year." Buffy replied as she began walking to the door forgetting about it until she heard the knock again.

"Sounds nice." Spike replied.

"Yeah, I think it will be." Buffy replied as she opened the door.

"Hello cutie." Spike said as he closed his phone and smiled as he looked at Buffy on the other side of the doorway.

Buffy's eyes began to water as she brought her hand up to cover her mouth when her breath caught in her throat.

Spike took a few slow steps through the doorway until he stood in front of her. He dropped his bag to the floor by his feet, then slowly wrapped his arms around her, hugging her to his chest tightly.

"You're here." Buffy said just above a whisper.

"I'm here." Spike replied as he caressed her back soothingly.

"So what are your plans for the day?" Spike asked again.

"Sitting by the fire with you." Buffy replied as she looked up and pulled him down until his lips reached hers in a slow and deep lingering kiss.

"I don't mean to interrupt, but my bag is starting to get heavy." Joyce said.

Buffy eyes tore open as she broke the kiss and looked behind Spike to see her mom standing there smiling.

"Mom." Buffy said as she ran over and jumped into her arms. "I thought you were going to Aunt Linda's." Buffy said as she pulled back.

"Well, I wasn't really going there. William and I thought it would be nice to suprise you and Rupert." Joyce replied.

"I'm so glad you did." Buffy replied dragging Joyce into the house.

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

"I can't believe you guys made it here. I thought with your schedule I wouldn't see you until the tour was over." Buffy said as she sipped her hot chocolate as she and Spike sat together in front of the fire.

"Well we had four days before the next show. Told Oz I was going home for a few days and I'd meet him in San Diego the day of the show. Oz was fine with it. Was gonna go whether he was or not." Spike replied with a smile. "How are classes going?"

"Fine. I'm not really having any problems in that area. It's the wedding that's killing me. Mom and Giles want a big wedding. I just wanted a small one. It's coming soon and we haven't agreed on anything except the dinner." Buffy replied.

"Well, I guess we can get that cleared up while I'm here. We can both butt heads with them." Spike said smiling.

"Thank you." Buffy said looking releived.

"Anything else? Need me to maim or kill anyone?" Spike asked with a straight face.

"Well there is this girl in Lit class that bothers me. She's always singing and smiling. At eight in the morning Spike. It's inhuman to be around all that cheer before noon.......well anytine really." Buffy said.

"Well I can't hurt a woman................but I can give Faith a call." Spike said laughing.

Buffy chuckled as she laid her head on his chest.

"Willow and Lindsay should be here soon. When they heard you were here they dropped their plans and said they'd be here around eight. They seemed so happy I didn't have the heart to say, no don't come, I want Spike all to myself tonight." Buffy replied as she rand her fingers over his abdomen.

"Really. All to yourself , what would you have done with me?" Spike asked as a smirk graced his face.

"Guess we'll never know." Buffy said smiling as she got up when she heard Willow coming through the door.

Spike grabbed Buffy by the hand and pulled her back down on to his lap, moving his hands to her thighs and digging his fingers in.

"Probably wouldn't come close to what I was planning on doing to you." Spike whisper huskily in her ear, his tongue darting out to flick her ear lobe. "Repeatedly." Spike added and smiled devilishly at her as she shifted her off his lap and stood up walking over to greet Willow and Lindsay who were just closing the door.

Buffy sat there momentarily composing herself before getting back up to join Spike.

"We brought movies and munchies." Willow said handing the bags to Spike.

"What movies?" Spike asked as he carried them into the livingroom.

"I don't know, he picked them." Willow said as she and Buffy wandered off to the kitchen talking and laughing as they went to get drinks for everyone.

"This isn't snacks, it requires cooking." Spike said as he looked into the bag.

"Well yeah. Of course." Lindsay said looking questioningly at Spike.

"You do know usual fare for movies is chips, popcorn and candy right?" Spike replied.

"Yeah, I know." Lindsay replied.

"Then why the trip to the grocers?" Spike asked.

"Okay, thing is, I had to cave when I was picking movies. There's a chic flic in there. So I figured you and me could sneak off to the kitchen and do this "for them" during that specific movie." Lindsay replied.

"Good thinking." Spike said smiling. "Just one thing. You have heard about my cooking right?"

"Yeah. I'll do the actual cooking. It's only taco's, not much too it. But you can do the other stuff." Lindsay said.

"Okay. But it still won't cover the length of the movie." Spike replied.

"True. But we'll figure something out when the time comes." Lindsay said as they took the food and start going to the kitchen to put it all in the fridge.

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

Spike was grating the cheese while Lindsay was browning and spicing up the ground beef.

"It's browning too fast, slow down." Spike said as he looked at the pan.

Lindsay reached over and turned the burner to the lowest setting.

"So how's the tour going?" Lindsay asked as he tried to make himself look busy in case one of the girls came into the kitchen.

"It's great. I like the travelling, the excitement of singing to the crowd, all of it. I jus hate being away from Buffy so much." Spike said as he slowly grated cheese.

"I'll be staying here from now on. Until I'm finished school. I won't be going back home for holidays. My fathers going to be busy and travelling quite abit, so it's better to be here. Plus Willow's here." Lindsay said shrugging his shoulders.

"Yeah, same with me. When the tours done, I'll be here until Buffy's finished school. We'll go to the states for summer, but here mainly unitl she graduates." Spike said.

"So wedding bells in December." Lindsay said.

"Yeah." Spike said smiling.

"How's Xander doing? Willow worries all the time." Lindsay asked.

Spike just shook his head. "Nothings changed." Spike said quietly.

Lindsay just looked into the pan as he gave it another stir.

After spend almost an hour and a half making taco's at a painstakingly slow pace and knowing the movie would be over by now, they called Buffy and Willow in to make their tacos.

They placed the shredded lettuce, cheese, diced tomatoes, chopped onions and sour cream and salsa on the counter along with the plate of ground beef.

They all made up their plates and went into the livingroom and put on the last movie as they sat down and ate their food.

They finished watching Matrix Revolutions and got up to clear the plates away and clean the mess in the kitchen.

"Shouldn't mom and Giles have been back already?" Buffy asked as she filled the sink.

"I would have thought so. Kinda late for dad." Spike said.

"Maybe they're making with the smoochies." Willow said smiling.

Buffy and Spike's faces paled slightly at the thought.

"Maybe not." Willow ammended quietly.

"It's late, I should go." Lindsay said as he went to grab his jacket.

"You don't have to." Willow replied.

"Yeah I do. Mom has some breakfast thing and I'm supposed to go with her. She said you're welcome to come if you like. I know it's short notice, it just slipped my mind util now." Lindsay said.

"Sure, what time?" Willow asked.

"Seven. I'll pick you up." Lindsay said smiling.

"See you then." Willow said as she kissed him goodnight.

Lindsay said his farewells to Spike and Buffy then turned and walked to the front door closing it tightly behind him.

"You guys's go to bed. I got this." Willow said lightly pushing Buffy out of the way of the sink.

"Thanks Will. Night." Buffy said.

"Thanks Red." Spike said giving her a kiss on the cheek as he walked by.

"Night guys." Willow said as she began washng dishes.

Buffy and Spike walked up the stairs and into the bedroom, closing the door quietly behind them.

Spike grabbed Buffy's hand as he walked backwards to the bed, sitting down when he felt the bed hit the back of his legs.

He let go of Buffy's hand and grpped her waist bringing her down to stradle him.

Buffy's arms snaked around his neck, while his hands ran up and down her back.

Buffy dipped her head as she captured his lips in a slow passionate kiss, causing Spike to moan into her mouth.

"Missed you baby." Spike said huskily when they broke the kiss.

"Missed you." Buffy replied as she captured his lips again. This time it wasn't slow, it was hard and full of need as they tangled their limbs together, falling back on the bed.

Clothes were removed quickly as they continued their assault on one another.

Spike's fingers dances erotically across Buffy's body eliciting gasps and moans from her as her body trembled when his lips traced kisses on her thighs coming to a halt when her reached her apex, greedily taking her in his mouth.

Buffy's fingers knotted in his hair as her hips lifted off the mattress.

Buffy's body shook as she began to orgasm.

Spike lapped up her spendings and then trailed kisses up her body as he moved into position between her legs, sliding in to the hilt slowly, filling her completly.

Once inside Spike stilled for a minute, kissing her slowly, running his finger through her hair.

Spike began to move slowly, pulling out then back in, keeping the pace slow and deep.

"Love you." Spike said quietly in her ear.

"Love you." Buffy whispered back as her nails dug into his back, causing Spike to throw back his head as he raised himself on his arms and moved faster and harder.

Buffy's legs wrapped around his waist as he raised himself more so he was on his knees and grabbing her by the waist as he slammed into her.

They're breathing became errstic as did the moans and whispers. Spike grabbed Buffy's legs and pulled them from his waist and put them on his shoulders as he thrust into her relentlessly, hitting her g-spot everytime.

Buffy's body, shook as she screamed his name as she hit her climax.

Spike thrust a few more times before finding his own release and collapsing on top od Buffy.

Spike moved his position once his breathing was under control and laid beside Buffy, bringing her to his side and carressing her thigh lightly with his fingers.

"Christmas isn't coming soon enough." Spike said as he placed a kiss to her head.

"I know." Buffy replied as she curled into him even more.

"Let me deal with your dad and mum tomorrow over the wedding. Just go along with what ever I say." Spike said.

"You're not gonna tell me anything are you?" Buffy asked smiling wondering what he was planning.

"Tell you everything luv. Right after I talk to them." Spike said.

"Okay." Buffy replied.

"Don't worry Buffy. You're going to get the wedding you want. I'll see to that." Spike said he hugged her to his side.

Buffy just smiled as she closed he eyes.

Slowly they drifted off to sleep. The first real sleep either has had since the summer.

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

Willow was dressed and waiting in the livingroom for Lindsay to pick her up.

She heard a door close outside and thought it was Lindsay, so she got up and grabbed her purse, closing the door quietly behind her.

When she looked up she saw a car pull away from the curb and drive off.

"You're ready before me. That's a first." LIndsay said as he came out of his house and crossed the driveway.

"Yeah." Willow said still watching the car.

"Mom left a little while ago, she just told us to meet her there." Lindsay said as he grabbed Willows hand and led her to the car. "Who was that?" Lindsay asked pointing to the car they was disappearing around the corner.

"Don't know." Willow replied.

"I saw the car sitting out here earlier this morning, though you had company." Lindsay said.

"No. I've noticd that car a few times now." Willow replied.

"Maybe Giles knows them." Lindsay said.

"Maybe." Wilow said as she got into the car.

"Wait, you've seen the car a few times now, but never seen who was in it?" Lindsay asked as he started the car.

Willow nodded.

"If you see it again, try and get the liscence plate. We can have it checked out." Lindsay said as he pulled out of the driveway.

"Okay." Willow said as an uneasy feeling came over her.

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

"Well I guess we really should get dressed and get back to the house." Joyce said quietly , resting her head on Giles chest.

"I suppose you're right." Giles said squeezing her tight before letting her go.

They slowly climbed out of bed, Joyce went to have a shower as Giles put his clothes on.

Fifteen minutes later Joyce came out dress as she ran a brush through her hair.

"Do you think the kids will be upset when they find out?" Joyce asked worriedly as Giles hugged her to him and placed a kiss to the top of her head.

"I think you can pretty much count on it." Giles replied chuckling slightly.

"Are you ready?" Giles asked as he clasped her hand in his, slowly leading her to the door.

Joyce took a deep breath and nodded.

"Let's go face the music shall we." Giles said as he opened the door to their motel room and heeaded to the elevator.

Once they wer off the elevator they went to the underground parking to their car.

Then climbed in and took another steadying breath and started the car and headed for home.

Buffy, Joyce and Willow all sat down in the livingroom having a cup of coffee and light conversation, while Spike, Giles and Lindsay did the clean up.

Their dinner was held the next day since the news of the wedding ended any kind of celebration the day before. But wishes of happiness was given to the newly married couple during the dinner. Buffy and Spike along with Willow and Lindsay had gone out early that morning and had done a little shopping and presented them with wedding gifts before the dinner.

Since there was nothing Giles or Joyce really needed they opted for gift that would give them some enjoyment.

They all chipped in together, money from their savings and had gotten the couple a four day/3 night trip to Cuba for their honeymoon.

Giles and Joyce were already planning when they would go.

"This is so different then when I married your father. Didn't matter if I cooked the meal or not, it was always my job to to when it came to the clean up afterwards." Joyce said.

"Well Giles isn't like that." Buffy replied.

"Like father like son. Spike isn't like that either." Willow said.

"Yeah, and I don't see Lindsay out here sitting down either." Buffy replied.

Willow just smiled.

"So are you gonna go with a band or just a DJ for your little party on the beach. An idea which I totally love." Willow said smiling as she sipped her coffee.

"Actually we haven't decided. I'm thinking just a DJ, but Spike may want a band. We still have a little while to decide that yet." Buffy said.

"Oh honey, I was talking to Faith this morning and she said she'd be happy to film the wedding for you. It'll save you some money having her do it." Joyce said.

"That's a good idea. I don't know why I didn't think of that before. I'll have to call her tomorrow and let her know I'd like her to do it." Buffy replied.

The girls all winced and looked towards the kitchen when they heard another plate crash to the floor and break, followed by a string of curses from Spike and Giles.

"How many is that now?" Willow asked.

"Not sure, but we may have to go buy a new set of dishes now." Buffy replied.

"Maybe we should go in there." Joyce said.

"They would just tell us to come back out and say they have everything under control." Buffy replied.

Then a glass dropped and smashed on the floor.

Joyce just got up and went straight to the kitchen.

"One..............two.................three..........four............five.............six. Six seconds Will." Buffy said when she saw her mom coming back to the livingroom.

"I figured at least ten." WIllow replied.

"So we'll go shopping tomorrow for some new dishes. Maybe an outfit or two." Joyce said as she sat down.

Buffy and Willow started chuckling.

"My spending days are over for awhile. Have to save up for the wedding and to furnish the cottage." Buffy said. "But I can still come and help you pick something out." Buffy said.

"I'll pay for the wedding Buffy. Traditionally it's the parents who pay for the wedding." Joyce replied.

"I know, but Spike and I want to do this on our own." Buffy replied.

"Okay, I won't push, but if you need help, let me know." Joyce replied.

"I will. Thanks mom." Buffy said as she picked up her cup then took a sip.

"I should ask you when do you want me fitted for the dress?" Willow asked.

"Actually this being a very non traditional wedding, you won't be fitted for one. Just go out and pick one that you think is suitable and you actually like." Buffy said.

"Really? Cause I've seen some of the dresses that are worn at weddings and I was pretty worried." Willow said releived.

"I couldn't do that to you Will. No one should have to go through that kind of torture." Buffy said shuddering as she remembered the dress she had to wear to her cousin Anya's wedding.

"So what are you birds on about?" Spike said as they came in from the kitchen.

"Just discussing the wedding." Joyce replied.

"DJ or band?" Buffy asked.

"DJ I think would be better." Spike replied.

"That's what I thought too." Buffy said as she wrote it down.

"Would anyone like another coffee?" Giles said as he picked up Joyces cup.

"I would, thanks Giles." WIllow said.

"Your welcome dear." Giles replies as he picked up her cup.

"No. I'm fine thanks." Lindsay said.

"None for me thanks dad." Spike said.

Giles headed back to the kitchen as Buffy watched him intently.

"I'll be back in a minute." Buffy said as she got up and followed Giles.

Spike watched as his brows furrowed questioningly.

Giles started pouring the coffee as Buffy came into the kitchen.

"Giles, can I talk to you for a minute?" Buffy asked as she came over to him.

"Of course Buffy." Giles said putting the coffee pot down and giving her all of his attention.

"Buffy, what is it." Giles asked concerned when her saw how agitated she was.

"Nothing bad. I just wanted to ask you something." Buffy replied taking a deep breath. "Almost since the first day we met, Ive felt close to you. Like a father. I'm closer to you than I am my own father. I love you very much and I was wondering if you would give me away?" Buffy said as she looked at him nervously.

Giles brought his hand up and cupped her cheek. His head tilted to the side as he looked at her with love in his eyes.

"I am truly honored that you asked me to do this. Nothing would make me happier than to walk you down the aisle. I love you Buffy. I've always loved you like a daughter, and soon you will be." Giles said as he brought her to his chest and embraced her.

Spike watched from the doorway with a small smile , before turning away and going back to the livingroom unnoticed by Giles and Buffy.

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

"Thanks Faith. Oh and can you hire tha DJ for us too?" Buffy asked.

"Sure thing B." Faith said. "I still can't beleive they got hitched." Faith said chuckling.

"Yeah. Me and Spike are the ones engaged here, and so far you and Angel, now mom and Giles get married." Buffy said.

"Everything comes in three's B. It's either you and Spike next..............how's Will and Lindsay getting along these days?" Faith said.

"Don't even think it." Buffy replied.

"Just kidding. I'll see you at Christmas. Don't worry I'll have everything ready." Faith said.

"Okay. Thanks again Faith." Buffy replied as she hung up the phone.

"Everythings a go I take it." Spike said.

"Yeah. Faith is shooting the video and taking care of the DJ. They're all going to work on getting the cottage and everything set up if we can't get there in time to get it started. Well Cordy's doing the decorating, they'll just be putting it where she tells them too." Buffy replied.

Spike started to chuckle.

"All we really have left to do is to get our outfits and show up." Buffy said.

"I think I can handle that." Spike said.

"Cordelia wasn't too thrilled with the idea of us doing a pot luck for the dinner so our gift from her is the caterer. She just asked what kind of food we had in mind." Buffy said shrugging her shoulders.

"So what do you want to do today?" Spike asked.

Buffy curled into his side knowing this was his last day and that he'd be leaving in the morning.

"Just be with you." Buffy said quietly.

"That I can do." Spike said wrapping his arms around her and pulling her onto his lap.

Spike lowered his head and captured her lips in a slow teasing kiss, pulling back slightly and smiling.

Buffy grabbed the back of his head and pulled him back down in heated passion filled kiss causing him to moan into her mouth.

His hands fisted the back of her shirt pulling her in tighter.

Spike shifter her weight and stood up slowly, never stopping the kiss as he walked to the stairs.

He releades her lips as he climbed the stairs, still carressing her as she nibbled on his ear and placed kisses on his neck as he continued to climb the stairs.

Once inside the room Spike closed the door, still holding Buffy he leaned her against the door and ground his hips into her and he bagan sucking on her neck, trailing kisses across her chest before capturing her lips again.

Buffy's legs wrapped aound his waist tightly as his hands roamed his her skirt.

"Don't wanna wait." Buffy said lustfully as she reached down and undid his jeans, pulling him free.

Spike shoved her panties aside and positioned himself at her entrance. He rested his head on her chest as he slid into her completely filling her.

Buffy's head leaned back against the wall as her eyes closed and she moaned.

They clung to each other tightly and breathed heavily as Spike moved in and out.

The encounter didn't last long, only a few minutes. But they were both satisfied as they leaned into each other, carressing each other as Spike moved and carried her to the bed, laying her down gently.

Spike laid down beside her and cradled her in his arms lovingly.

Stroking her gently, slowly building the desire as his lips trailed kisses over her shoulder and neck.

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

"Giles?" Lindsay said as he came through the back door into the kitchen. e looked around and saw no one so he continued on through the kitchen and into Giles study.

"Giles?" Lindsay said lightly tapping on the door.

"Yes. Oh Lindsay. Come in." Giles said as he put his cup of tea down.

"I was wondering if I could talk to you and Joyce for a few minutes." Lindsay said as he came to stand in front of the desk.

"Of course. Joyce will be here in a minute, she's just making us a snack." Giles said moving his arm to offer Lindsay a chair.

"Thank you." Lindsay said as he nodded and sat down.

"By the look on your face this isn't pleasant news." Giles said as he took a sip of his tea.

"Not really." Lindsay replied shaking his head.

"What is it?" Giles asked.

"I'd really rather wait until Joyce is here too." Lindsay replied.

"Alright." Giles said concerned.

The two sat in silence for a few more minutes until Joyce came in with a plate of sandwiches.

"Lindsay. Nice to see you again." Joyce said as she came in and sat down beside Giles.

"Nice to see you too." Lindsay replied.

"Okay we're both here." Giles said sitting forward in his seat.

"I was just wondering how much you thought through how your marriage will impact on Spike and Buffy's future." Lindsay asked.

"What do you mean? They're fine with us being married." Giles and Joyce said in unison.

"Yes they are. But they don't know the law. I do. You two getting married.............makes it illegal for them to marry or even be in a relationship. They are now legally considered siblings. Just them being together right now is breaking the law." Lindsay said as he looked at Giles and Joyce.

They both fell back into their chair as they looked at Lindsay.

"Oh my god." Joyce said quietly as she closed her eyes.

"Just thought you might not have known. I haven't told anyone else." Lindsay said.

"I hadn't thought this would have any repurcussions on their future." Giles said as he lowered his head as clenched his jaw.

"I know." Lindsay replied quietly.

"Well I guess that leaves us with only one thing to do." Joyce said quietly.

Giles nodded his head knowing what she was going to say.

"My Uncle runs the Wolfram and Hart law offices in L.A. He knows some very influential people. I can get it taken care of quickly and quietly. It can be done with in a couple of weeks." Lindsay offered.

Giles and Joyce nodded solemnly in agreement.

"How soon can you get it started?" Giles asked.

"All it takes is a phone call to get it in motion." Lindsay replied.

"Make the call." Giles said softly.

Lindsay nodded as he stood up. "I really am sorry. You are able to re - marry after they do." Lindsay said trying to help.

"Well, I guess we'll have the wedding we should have had the first time around." Giles replied.

"Let's keep this from Buffy and Spike. They don't need to know what's going on. I don't want to ruin this for them. If they know we're divorcing so they can marry, they might cancel everything." Joyce said.

"Right. They shouldn't know about this. Don't tell Willow. You know she tells Buffy everything." Giles added.

"I know. I'll go and make that call." Lindsay said as he stood up and quietly left the room.

Giles and Joyce nodded as they watched the door close quietly behind him.

Joyce laid her head on Giles shoulder and closed her eyes.

"What if somehow they find out before we get this taken care of?" Joyce said fearfully.

"The only ones that know are you and I as well as Lindsay. Neither of us are going to say anything. I know Lindsay won't. They'll never know this has happened." Giles said reassuringly.

Joyce just leaned in closer relaxing into his embrace.

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

Willow slid into the diningroom quickly and quietly when Lindsay got up to leave.

She heard him close the door to the study, then the back door closing quietly.

Willow leaned against the wall as she took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

She knew she had to keep quiet. If Buffy and Spike knew about this, they would give up getting married, give up each other for their parents, but at the same time would never forgive them either.

Willow left the diningroom and slipped out the front door unheard.

As long as she kept quiet and acted normal around them they would never guess anything was wrong.

Lindsay, Giles and Joyce were taking care of the situation. Willow just wondered what to do about her situation.

She decided to go for a coffee and do some thinking and possibly come to a solution on how she was going o break the news to Lindsay.

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

Buffy lay asleep in Spikes arms, content and dreaming happily of their future together.

Spike gently stroked Buffy's arm as he began to drift off with the same thoughts going through his mind.

Smiling softly as sleep finally over took him.

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

"I can make this marriage look like it never took place. But you're going to owe me something in return."

"What do I have to do?" Lindsay asked his uncle with a sinking feeling in his gut.

"I'll be in touch when it's time to return the favour. As of now, the marriage never happened."

Lindsay hung up the phone when the line went dead. He sat there looking at the phone with trepidation. He'd heard about his uncle's dealings, how shady some of his clients were.

Lindsay closed his eyes hoping what his uncle would was something he could live with.

Lindsay climbed out of the hot shower and dried off, putting on a change of clothes.

After the phone call, he thought a hot shower might make him relax.

It didn't. He still had the same thoughts and couldn't seem to calm his fears.

He went to the kitchen to make a tea when he heard a knock at the door.

"Willow. Hey honey, come in." Lindsay said putting on a smile as he pulled into the house and placed a gentle kiss to her lips.

"Hey baby." Willow said quietly as she allowed Lindsay to guide her to the sofa.

They sat there for a minute before Willow got to the point of her visit.

"Lindsay. We need to talk. There's something you need to know." Willow said quietly.

Lindsay scrunched his brows in worry. "You know you can tell me anything." Lindsay said trying to put her at ease.

Willow just nodded as she looked up to face him.

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

Joyce opeed the drawer on the phone table looking for a pen and noticed all the mail that had piled up for months.

Joyce grabbed the stacks of mail out of the drawer, some of them falling to the floor.

When she bent over and started picking them up her eyes fell on one envelope in particular.

Her eyes widened as she grabbed the mail and ran to Giles study.

"Rupert." Joyce said as she ran through the door. "When was the last time you read your mail?" Joyce asked frantically.

"I don't really. All my bills are paid automatically through the bank. There's no need for me to look at the bills." Giles said as he watched Joyce throwing his mail on the desk.

"Look at the one on top of the stack." Joyce said worriedly.

Giles looked at the mail and his eyes widened as he tore the envelope open.

"Oh dear god." Giles said as he closed his eyes.

"Will honey, you're worrying me. What's wrong?" Lindsay asked watching her intently.

Willow took a deep breath as she looked p to meet his eyes.

"I'm pregnent." Willow said quietly. "I just found out for sure a couple days ago, but with everything going on, I just wanted to wait until I had some time to think about what to do."

"When you first thought you might be, why didn't you come to me right away?" Lindsay asked slightly hurt.

"I was hoping I was wrong. Just being paranoid." Willow answered softly.

"What have you decided?" Lindsay asked gently taking her hand in his.

"I'm not ready to be a mom. I still have school to finish. How would I support a baby and still go to school." Willow replied.

"Do you want to have this baby?" Lindsay asked quietly.

"I don't know how to answer that question." Willow said as she lowered her head.

"Look at me Willow." Lindsay said bringing his hand up to her chin and lifting her head until their eyes met. "No matter what you're decision, I'll support you. I'll be there for you. I'm not going anywhere." Lindsay said trying to put her at ease.

"I don't know if I want to have the baby." Willow replied. "I'm so scared my parents are going to find out."

"You're parents will only find out when you make your decision, depending on what your decision is." Lindsay replied.

Willow laid her head on his shoulder when he pulled her to him.

Lindsay closed his eyes as he held her comfortingly as his mind reeled with worry and doubt. Keeping his thoughts to himself he laid back against the sofa and continued holding Willow.

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

"The time went by too fast." Buffy said quietly as she leaned in to Spike's embrace.

"Yeah, it did." Spike replied as he held her tight.

They just stood in silence as everyone else around the airport hurried to get to their destination.

"I'll call as soon as the plane lands." Spike said as he placed a kiss to the top of her head.

Buffy just nodded but said nothing.

"It won't be forever Buffy. Just another month and then we'll see each other again. For our wedding." Spike said smiling.

"I know. I just hate being so far away from you." Buffy replied.

"I don't like it either. But we both made choices, you to go to school here and me to join the band. We knew this was going to happen." Spike replied.

"Yeah I know that too." Buffy replied solemnly.

"Didn't think it would be this hard did you?" Spike asked.

"No. Thought we'd see each other more than this." Buffy replied.

"I was hoping we would." Spike said.

"How do you do it?" Buffy asked.

"Talk to you as often as I can. Drive my mates crazy by talking about you all the time. Watch the videos that Faith took of all of us over the summer." Spike replied.

"And it helps?" Buffy asked.

"Not really. But then when we're together it makes it worth it. Keeps it fresh in my brain how lucky I am to have you and how I never want to let you go. That I want to be with you forever." Spike replied as he brushed the hair from her eyes. "I love you Buffy."

"I love you too." Buffy replied softly.

Spike lowered his head and captured her lips in a gentle loving kiss.

"William, your flight was just called." Giles called from behind him.

Spike closed his eyes and hugged Buffy as if she were his lifeline.

"I'll see you soon." Spike whispered as he placed another kiss to her lips before pullig back and grabbing his bag and walking to his gate.

Buffy leaned against Joyce as the tears flowed down her face.

Spike turned and smiled slightly before going through the doors that would lead him to the plane, and back to the states.

"Come on sweetie." Joyce said as she led Buffy out of the airport and to the car.

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

"So what are you going to do mom?" Buffy asked as she and Joyce sat in the back yard.

"About what sweetie?" Joyce asked slightly puzzled.

"Well.......are you moving here or is Giles movng there? If you move here what are you going to do with the gallery. If you stay there, what's Giles going to do for a job?" Buffy asked so fast that Joyce had a hard time separating all the questions.

"Well.........we........hadn't really decided that yet." Joyce replied with a smile somewhat nervously.

"You should hurry and decide. You're married now, normally couples think about it before hand." Buffy said chuckling, not noticing Joyce's nervousness.

"You're right. Don't worry, we'll figure it out soon. I should get in and get supper started." Joyce said as she stood up and slowly went in to the kitchen, closing the back door behind her.

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

"If you need anything or just want to talk, pick up the phone or come right over." Lindsay said as he kissed Willows forehead.

Willow just nodded and watched as Lindsay made his way down the steps and over to his house.

Willow took a deep breath before grabbing the door knob and turning it.

"Excuse me?"

Willow jumped slightly as she turned to see a woman standing on the street at the bottom of the steps.

"Yes?"Willow asked a little shakily as she tried to calm her nerves.

"Is this the Giles residence?" The woman asked as she looked to the livingroom window.

"Yes. Can I help you?" Willow asked as she watched the woman cautiously.

"Actually maybe you can. Is he about?" The woman asked smiling.

Her smile actually sent shivers up Willows spine.

"Uh....no he's not. I'll tell him you stopped by. And you are?" Willow asked.

"That's alright dear, I'll stop by again at another time. Thank you." The woman replied as she turned and crossed the street and climbed into the backseat of a black car. Willow looked at the liscence plate and got all of it this time. It was the same car and now she had a face to who was watching the house.

Willow went inside quickly and locked the door behind her.

"Buffy." Willow said coming into the livingroom.

"What's wrong?" Buffy asked when she heard the worry in Willow's voice.

"The car was out there. It's a lady that's been watching the place. She came over and asked about Giles." Willow said.

"She know's Giles?" Buffy asked as she went to the window, but saw nothing.

"Yeah. Buffy, she kinda gave me the creeps. I mean serious creep factor here." Willow said as she shivered slightly.

"Did she do anything to you?" Buffy asked worriedly.

"No, nothing like that. Just her eyes, they looked ...........evil, dark. Even her smile." Willow shivered again as she sat down.

"We'll have to talk to Giles when he gets back." Buffy said as she sat beside Willow. "Don't worry, Giles will figure it out."

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

Giles sat in his car looking out the window to the street ahead of him.

Giles shook his head as he started the car and ground his teeth.

"You couldn't have known." Joyce said as she laid her hand on his shoulder.

"That's the thing, I should have known. If I had checked my mail, I would have." Giles replied angry.

"Should have, could have's are not going to make the situation any better. Nothing may even come of it. We went to the authorities and took the proper precautions. What we have to do is to remain calm and not to worry everyone." Joyce replied.

"I think I should tell him."Giles said quietly.

"Look, why don't we wait and see if anything happens first." Joyce replied.

"Alright. If something happens or even looks suspicious I'm telling him." Giles replied.

"Okay." Joyce agreed as they drove down the street heading towards home.

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

Spike dropped on to the couch in the dressing room, draining the bottle of water he had in his hand.

"Did you see the crowd tonight, they were going crazy." Jason the drummer of the band commented as he sat down in the chair trying to unwind.

"They were in a good mood." Oz replied as he grabbed another bottle of water.

"I can't beleive you made us do three encores."Jason said shaking his head to Spike.

"They paid to see us play. You wanna keep fans, give them a little extra." Spike replied shrugging his shoulders.

"Good show guys." Faith said as she came into the room with the camera going.

Faith rolled her eyes and shut off the camera when Jason started making obscene gestures.

Spike and Oz chuckled as they watched the two bicker back and forth.

"Hey dead boy, how was the vacation?" Faith asked smiling.

"It was alright." Spike said smiling as he looked down to the floor.

"I got the DJ taken care of and Cordy is all over the food." Faith replied as she sat down.

"So I just show up in my monkey suit then right?" Spike replied.

"Well............is Buffy wearing a gown? Is it formal?" Faith asked.

"Uh............I just thought............I don't know." Spike finally replied as he shook his head in defeat.

"I think you better talk to Buffy. Not much time left." Faith said shaking her head and smiling.

"Yeah, I think you're right." Spike agreed.

"Well, let's get things moving. Have to be on the road within the hour." Jason said as he started to stand.

Oz said nothing but stood up and started getting his stuff together.

"I'll give her a call once we get on the road." Spike said. "You and peaches coming with us or do you have your car?"

"Nah, we have the car. We'll meet you guys at the next show." Faith said as as she grabbed her bag. "He was going to come back, but wanted to get the car pulled around back."

"Right. Are we all still on for dinner when we meet up?" Spike asked as he put his jacket on.

"Always, gotta keep up with tradition. Well we missed dinner this time, but you didn't arrive until just before the show." Faith replied.

Spike chuckled slightly.

"Well, I'm out, catch ya on the flip side." Faith said as she left to go meet Angel.

Spike nodded absently as the door closed and turned to grab his cigarettes from the table.

Spike grabbed his lighter and turned to the door.

"Everything's already being loaded so I'm gonna grab a coffee across the street. Want anything?" Spike asked as he opened the door and started to leave.

"Coffee would be great." Jason said as he finished putting his jacket on and grabbing his bag.

"Could use some caffine, I'll join you." Oz replied.

"Okay." Spike replied looking around. "Where's Clem?" Spike asked as his brow furrowed.

"He'll be along. He's out front charming the ladies." Jason said as he rolled his eyes.

Spike and Oz snickered and shook their heads. "You coming or do you want us to bring it back?" Oz asked as he turned to Jason.

"Nah, I'll come." Jason said shrugging his shoulders and following them out the door.

"Clem is a great guitarist, but he's kinda odd. Where did you meet him?" Jason asked.

"Well I somehow ended up at a poker game with Xander over the summer, met him there. Kept in touch, hung out. When Tyler left, thought he might be interested so I ran it by Oz. He accepted, then there was Clem." Spike said shrugging his shoulders. "He's a decent enough bloke."

"What's with his skin? Is it contagious?" Jason asked a little worried.

Spike started chuckling as they continued to walk to the back alley.

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

"Come on. I don't think mom and Giles will be back for awhile yet. There's a sale on at Rutgers. Maybe we'll find a dress for the wedding." Buffy said as she stood up and grabbed her purse.

"Alright. So you're not doing the white wedding dress thing?" Willow asked as she grabbed her purse from the chair.

"White, maybe. But the big gown, not a chance. I want it simple. I don't think one of those would suit a beach wedding." Buffy replied.

"You got a point there." Willow said agreeing with her.

"Who knows, we may find exactly what we want there." Buffy said.

"True. Oh, I forgot Chermains has a sale on too and that's just around the corner from Rutgers." Willow said.

"Sale. Don't you just love that word." Buffy said smiling as they locked the door behind them.

"What about shoes? What kind of shoes do you think will go?" Willow asked.

"Actually, I won't be wearing any." Buffy replied.

"Barefoot. We're all going barefoot?" Willow asked.

"Only if you want to." Buffy answered.

"Well what's Spike wearing?" Willow asked.

Buffy smiled as she turned to look at Willow. "Definately not a tuxedo. I was going to go that way, but I really want to tone it down to casual." Buffy replied.

"Is it something you're gonna have to fight with him about to get him to wear it?" Willow asked.

"Nah, he's worn clothes similar before." Buffy replied.

"Black jeans and tee's?" Willow said.

"Okay similar as in the fact he's worn pants and shirts." Buffy answered.

Willow's brows crinkled as she looked at Buffy.

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

"Here's the information you asked for.'' The dark haired woman said as she slid the folder across the desk to the other woman sitting on the other side of the desk.

The woman snatched the folder and started leafing through the contents.

"You said there's two young women living in the house. Who are they?" The woman asked.

"That's not what you asked me too find out now is it?" The other woman replied.

"I paid you for this information Ms. Talbot." The other woman replied through gritted teeth.

"Yes you did. The information you're holding in your hand. You asked no more, no less. Yo get what you pay for." Ms. Talbot replied with a smile.

''Very well." The woman sneered disgustedly at Ms. Talbot. "How much will it cost?" She asked clenching her jaw.

"You can look at me with disgust all you want. But when you think about it. Whose worse. The one who does this.........or the one who seeks our services. If there wasn't a demand for what we do, we wouldn't be here." Ms. Talbot replied.

"How much?" The woman asked again.

"Same as before." Ms. Talbot replied.

"Very well. When?" She asked as she began to stand.

"Give me a few days. I'll be in touch." Ms. Talbot answered as she watched the woman turn and begin to leave. "Nice doing business with you Mrs.Lethbridge."

Mrs.Lethbridge turned and glared as she opened the door, then turned and left, closing the door loudly behind her.

Ms.Talbot watched the door for a couple of minutes before taking a drink of her coffee.

Something didn't sit right with her about this client. Something inside of her thought it was a mistake to take this job.

"I think maybe I should do a little digging on Mrs.Lethbridge. Who in the hell are you?" Ms. Talbot said to herself as she looked back to the folder she had hiden under a stack of papers from her clients sight.

Ms. Talbot had already found out the basics about the Giles. Where they lived, worked, went to school and even the what city young Mr.Giles band was playing. She never delved into the history of the family, it wasn't what she was being paid for. The way she looked at the photo's of William made a chill crawl up her spine. It was a territorial look, could almost be descibed as obsessive. What ever was going through Mrs. Lethbridges mind, she wasn't sure if she wanted to know.

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

"And you say she asked about me?" Giles asked as he sat down and ran his figers through his hair.

"Yeah, she knew you lived here." Willow replied as her and Buffy sat across from Giles and Joyce at the diningroom table.

"From the description you gave me, she doesn't sound like anyone I know." Giles replied.

"Are you sure?" Buffy asked worriedly.

"I think I would recall someone with dark hair, black like the sky, black evil eyes and a big creep factor." Giles replied using Willow's description.

"Okay, maybe the desription was a little lacking." Willow said as she squirmed slightly.

"I'll call the police and have them run the liscence plate, see what they can come up with." Giles said as he stood up and went to use the phone in the kitchen.

"Don't worry. We'll get it sorted out." Joyce said with a small smile.

"Who in the world would be watching Giles? He works in a museum. It's not like he has an alter ego where he has to defend the world against evil." Buffy said.

"No.......at least I don't think so." Willow said slowly. "Hey.....a scorned lover perhaps." Willow said brightening up a little.

"I doubt it Will." Buffy said smiling at Willow.

"Yeah, you're right. Well I'm gonna shower and get ready for dinner." Willow said as she got up and left the room.

"You don't think it could be that do you? That it could be her?" Buffy asked worriedly as she turned to face Joyce.

Joyce just closed her eyes.

"It might not be that honey." Joyce said trying to calm Buffy down.

"But it might be." Buffy replied. "You didn't deny it. What the hell is going on? What do you know?" Buffy said demandingly.

"We didn't want to say anything until we knew if something was going to come of it." Joyce replied.

"Come of what mom?" Buffy said angrily.

"Don't take that tone with me." Joyce said a little louder.

"What are you hiding?" Buffy said louder.

"Rupert got a letter in the mail notifying him that his ex-wife, Williams mother was being released." Joyce replied quietly.

"When?" Buffy asked quickly.

"Six months ago." Joyce said as she closed her eyes and lowered her head slightly.

Buffy's jaw dropped in disbelief as she looked at Joyce.

"You've known for six months and you never thought to warn Spike about it." Buffy said dumbfounded.

"No honey. We found the letter just the other day. It was in the stack of mail in the drawer. We've already been to the authorities, taken the proper precautions. All we can do is wait and see if she plans on doing anything." Joyce replied.

"Shouldn't we warn Spike just in case?" Buffy asked when she sat down at the table, frustrated.

"No. If nothing happens, then he doesn't need to know." Joyce replied.

"I know you're looking out for him honey, but it might do more harm than good if he were to know." Joyce replied.

"Maybe." Buffy said as she played with the ring on her finger.

"Don't worry. Rupert will get to the bottom of this and find out what's going on." Joyce replied.

"Okay." Buffy replied. "But the minute we find out anything, if she has anything to do with it, I'm telling him everything." Buffy said matter of factly.

Joyce nodded in agreement and looked over when she saw Giles come back into the dining room.

"They're running a trace on the licence plate. They'll call back as soon as they find out who the owner is." Giles said as he sat down heavily into the chair beside Joyce.

"Who do you think it is?" Buffy asked. "If it's not her, who would it be?"

"I have no idea." Giles said pinching the bridge of his nose.

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

"Well , that's it. No tux." Spike said smiling as he put his phone away.

"So what are you wearing then?" Angel asked as he sat across the table from Spike.

"Don't know." Spike said shrugging his shoulders.

"You didn't ask?" Faith asked laughing.

Spike shook his head laughing. "Don't care really. I'll wear whatever she wants, as long as she's marrying me, I don't care what I'm wearing." Spike replied.

"Sure, you say that now." Angel said.

Spike dropped his french fry and looked at Faith and Angel. "You don't think she'll make me look like a nancy boy do you?" Spike asked a little worriedly.

"I thought you'd wear anything." Faith said chuckling.

"I will, but you don't think it's going to be poncy do you?" Spike asked again.

"Relax Spike. I'm sure Buffy will pick out something nice that you'll like." Angel replied.

"If Buffy wanted to make you look like an idiot, I doubt she'd choose her wedding day to do it." Faith replied.

"Yeah, you're right." Spike said as he started eating his fries.

"Besides she already did that when you passed out at that one party over the summer." Angel started chuckling.

"Yeah, you looked pretty with all that make up on......clean shaven legs." Faith said laughing.

"Yeah well, Peaches and didn't look any better." Spike said laughing.

Faith laughed even harder.

"Well, my eyebrows grew back..eventually." Angel replied grimly. "And how come Xander came out unscathed?" Angel added as an after thought.

"Because him and Oz were the only guys who didn't pass out. If you two hadn't been trying to out drink each other, you probably would have lasted the night." Faith replied.

"It was still a good night regardless." Spike replied.

"Yeah it was alot of fun." Faith said agreeing with Spike.

"How's Buffy and Will doing?" Faith asked as they accepted another cup of coffee from the waitress.

"Good. They're doing really good. Red and Lindsay are joined at the hip these days." Spike said smiling.

"When I go back after the tour, you should come. Check out some clubs, have some fun." Spike replied.

"Sounds good." Faith replied.

"When do your classes start?" Spike asked Faith and Angel.

"Actually, we went and spoke to the admissions and since we'd already paid for the year, we asked if it could be used to start classes next fall. We wanted to take this year and tour with you and spend time together before going back to school." Faith replied.

Spike just nodded.

"How's Cordy adjusting?" Spike asked quietly.

"She's adjusting. She doesn't go visit Xander as much as she used too. I think she's starting to loose hope." Angel replied.

"He's still the same?" Spike asked.

"Yeah. We stopped in to see him a few times while you were back home. Nothings changed." Faith replied.

Spike looked down into his cup of coffee as he stirred it slowly.

"Did Cordy still put off her classes or did she go back?" Spike asked.

"Nah, she decided not to go back until January." Faith replied as she drained her cup.

"Has his parents been by at all?" Spike asked.

"Just once that Cordy knows of." Angel replied.

Spike just shook his head, knowing if it was him in the hospital, his father would be there every minute of the day if he could.

They continued talking for abit before getting up and heading to the car.

"Almost show time." Faith replied as she climbed into the car.

"Yeah, kinda cuttin it close." Spike said glancing at his watch.

"You'll be there on time." Angel said winking in the rearveiw mirror as he stepped on the gas.

"I won't bail you out if you get arrested again. You can make nice to Big John and be his bitch." Spike replied casually as he looked out the window.

Faith rolled her eyes and chuckled to herself as Angel sped up even more.

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

Giles came into the dining room carrying a piece of paper, putting his glasses back on, looking very upset as he came to stand beside Joyce.

"Where's Buffy?" Giles asked quietly as he looked around the room.

"She went up to have a soak in the tub. What did you find out?" Joyce asked keeping her voice low.

"The car belongs to a Ms. Talbot, a private detective.They questioned her, she said she was hired to find me and William. She wouldn't name who hired her. But they did find out where my ex wife is living. The police are on their way there now. I'm heading there myself." Giles replied as he grabbed his jacket.

"I'm coming with you."Joyce said as she got up and grabbed her jacket from the closet.

"Very well." Giles said knowing he wasn't going to talk her out of it.

"Where are you going?" Willow asked as she came down the stairs.

Joyce and Giles turned to face Willow.

"Thought we might go out for a quick bite." Joyce said quickly.

"We'll bring back something for you and Buffy." Giles said as he opened the door.

"Okay." Willow said shrugging her shoulders as she moved into the living room and sat on the sofa.

"We won't be long honey." Joyce said with a small smile as she closed the door behind them.

Giles pulled out of the driveway and turned left, rounding the corner.

The car was silent as they made their way through the city streets, anger and frustration filling the air.

They saw the police cars as they rounded the final corner bringing them to her door.

When they pulled up to the curb and parked the car, they got a better view of what was happening.

"This is a police scene, you can't come through." An officer said blocking the entrance to the house.

"I'm the one who notified the police. She's my ex-wife." Giles said. "Where's Inspector Lawson?" Giles asked looking around.

"I'm Inspector Lawson." A man said as he came out of the front door to the tiny house. "Rupert Giles?" Inspector Lawson asked.

"Yes." Giles replied.

"Normally you wouldn't be allowed on the crime scene." Inspector Lawson said as he lowered his head acknowledging Joyce. "Can you follow me please?"

Giles nodded as he and Joyce began to follow behind him.

"Just Mr.Giles." Inspector Lawson said as he stopped and turned to look at Joyce. "I'm sorry miss, but this isn't the place for you." He said as he turned and proceeded on.

"I'll be right back." Giles said as he left Joyce standing by picket fence.

Joyce nodded as she watched Giles disappear into the house behind Inspector Lawson.

Inspector Lawson went through the living room into the kitchen. Inspector Lawson led Giles over to a door on the far side of the kitchen.

Upon entering he brought a handkerchief up to cover his nose and mouth, the smell was over bearing. He could see shelves lining each wall. Food stored on some of them. It was obvious this room was nothing more than a pantry. But when Giles eyes finished scanning the shelves they looked down to the floor. Giles eyes widened in disbelief as he fell back slightly and supported himself by using the door frame to hold his weight.

"It looks like she's been here quite awhile. We're still waiting for the coroner." Inspector Lawson said as he looked at Giles.

Giles looked at the bindings on the body's wrists that were tied to a pipe keeping her captive.

"Is that your ex-wife?" The Inspector asked as he turned to look at the decaying body.

Giles looked hard to try and identify her, but the body had been there for some time and the decay process had made her unrecognizable.

"I don't know." Giles replied slowly as his eyes travelled down the body,his stomach turning at the sight, his eyes slightly watering from the stench,his eyes stopping on the chain she wore around her neck. "That's her." Giles said quietly.

"Are you sure?" Inspector Lawson asked.

"She's always worn that necklace. Throughout our entire marriage, I'd never seen her without it. It was her grandmothers." Giles replied quietly.

Inspector Lawson nodded and led Giles away from the room.

"So it wasn't her. It was the person who did this to her." Giles said quietly as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

"That would be my guess as well. Do you know anyone who might have had a grudge against your ex-wife....and your family?" The inspector said as he led Giles out of the house.

"Against her, I don't know. Against my son and myself..." Giles said as he let out a deep breath. "I really have no idea who would do something like this."

"Go home Mr. Giles. I'll give you a ring as soon as I find out anything or if you can think of anything that might help us in any way." Lawson said as he lightly clapped Giles on the shoulder.

"Yes, if I can think of anything I'll call. Thank you Inspector." Giles said nodding as he went over to Joyce.

"It wasn't her." Giles said quietly as they climbed into the car.

"Are they sure?" Joyce asked as she buckled her seat belt.

Giles just nodded.

"She's dead." Giles said just above a whisper before starting the car.

Joyce slumped back against the seat and stared out the window as the car pulled away from the curb.

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

Willow stood in her room, standing sideways, staring into her full length mirror.

Slowly she watched as her hand caressed her flat abdomen.

"Willow?" Buffy asked as she knocked lightly.

Willow dropped her hand and went over to sit on her bed.

"Yeah, come in Buff." Willow said as she kicked off her slippers and shifted to sit Indian style.

"Hey." Buffy said softly as she came in to sit down beside her.

They sat there in silence for awhile before Buffy finally spoke.

"So, are you ever going to talk to me about what's bothering you?" Buffy asked.

"I'm good." Willow replied plastering on a smile.

"Willow." Buffy said quietly. "I know you too well. We're best friends, you know you can tell me anything." Buffy said as she shifted closer to Willow.

"I know." Willow said lowering her eyes to the bed spread. "But I can't tell you this." Willow said just above a whisper.

"I can help you. What ever it is." Buffy said with worry.

"No. You can't. I have to go."Willow said standing up and grabbing her shoes as she left the room.

Buffy sat there listening to Willow walk down the stairs, a minute later she heard the front door close.

Buffy let out a long deep breath before getting up and going to her room and closing the door behind her.

Willow closed the front door and turned to look at the street in front of her. Willow took a deep breath then started walking down the steps to the sidewalk.

Willow took three steps down the sidewalk before everything went black.

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

Giles got up out of bed quietly, leaving Joyce to sleep peacefully as he went downstairs to the kitchen and warmed himself a glass of milk.

He leaned on the counter sipping his milk as the images of what he had seen tonight replayed through his mind.

His stomach turned slightly as remembered the smell of decay as he came into that small room in the house. He shut his eyes willing the images to go away.

"You can't sleep either huh." Buffy said as she came into the kitchen.

Giles jumped at the sound of her voice, he had been so lost in thought he hadn't heard her come into the room.

"Why are you up?" Giles asked as he collected himself.

"Worried I guess." Buffy replied. "You?" Buffy asked as she poured a glass of mild.

"Same reason I expect." Giles replied quietly.

"Have you heard anything about the car yet?" Buffy asked.

Giles took a long breath before answering. "Yes, I did actually. I had planned on telling you in the morning." Giles said as he set his glass down.

"Well, what did they find out?" Buffy asked.

"The car belonged to a private detective. However, it wasn't my ex-wife who hired her. She's been dead for some time." Giles said, omitting the rest of the details..

"Why would some one hire a detective to find you?" Buffy asked.

"I haven't the foggiest." Giles replied shaking his head.

Buffy rinsed her glass then set it in the sink.

"The police are looking into it. I wouldn't worry too much dear. Everything will be fine." Giles said with a small smile.

"I'm sure you're right." Buffy said not really believing it as she moved over and gave Giles a kiss on the cheek before retreating back to her bed room.

Giles watched her until she was out of sight, his smile slowly disappearing as worry lines began to etch across his face.

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

Spike walked off stage and headed back to the dressing room.

He stopped long enough to grab his jacket and to wait for Faith who came into the room a few minutes later.

"Are you ready?" Spike asked chuckling and shaking his head.

"Yeah, think he'll be calmed down by now?" Faith said smiling.

"I'm thinkin, he'll be worse." Spike said as they left and headed to the back to go to Faith's car.

Faith pulled up and parked in front of the police station.

They slowly got out of the car and went inside up to the counter.

Faith posted bail while Spike went down with an officer to the holding cell.

"Peaches." Spike said in greeting with a wide smile.

"Shut up Spike." Angel grumbled.

Spike chuckled when he saw everyone else in the cell were on the bench along the far wall. Angel had pretty much the whole cell to himself.

"I thought I told you to make nice Angel." Spike said.

"Where's Faith?" Angel asked.

"Upstairs posting bail." Spike replied.

"Took long enough." Angel replied.

"Told you I'd leave you here. I had a show to do. You were the idiot fighting with the officer when you were in the wrong." Spike replied.

"I wouldn't have left you here." Angel replied.

Spike lifted his brow and smirked.

"Okay I would have, but not this long." Angel replied.

"You would have left me until hell froze over." Spike replied.

"Well........maybe, but that's not the point. Look, I was thinking...." Angel started to say.

"Unfamiliar territory for you. So...." Spike said as he looked over to his cell mates. "Which one is Big John?" Spike asked as he looked back at a glowering Angel.

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

Willow woke up slowly, her head pounding as the pain rang through it.

When her vision cleared she found herself in a basement, chained to a pipe, laying on a thin mattress on the cold cement floor, duct tape covering her mouth.

Willow looked around wildly as she pulled on her restraints trying to free herself.

"It won't do any good. They're pretty secure." A woman said as she stepped out of the shadows.

"I was wondering if you were ever going to come around. Thought I might have hit you too hard. That you might not wake and just die on me. Not that it would have mattered, because I intend to kill you anyway. But my way is a little more fun." She said as she slowly came to stand in front of Willow.

Willow just watched her in tears of fear ran down her cheeks.

Willow was totally at her mercy, unable to get free, unable to scream.

Willow watched as the woman picked up a knife from the table beside her and walked over to where Willows legs were ties together.

"Now this won't do, we'll have to make sure you can't run away." The woman said sneering at Willow as she squatted down, lowering the knife to Willows feet.

Willow's muffles scream stopped as she heard the woman sweat and stand up and go over to the inter com on the wall.

"Yes?" She said pushing then releasing the button.

"Delivery for Mrs. Lethbridge."

"I'll be right there." She said releasing the button and heading for the stairs.