“What are you going to do about the redhead?” Gunn asked his friend as the pair of them stood guard outside Angelus and Buffy’s room. 

They’d alternated who stood guard with who slept, but didn’t trust any other of the Royal Guards on duty while still in this Realm. It wasn’t so much they didn’t trust the guards as, well…no it was exactly that. The Firsts just got their Ancient and King back, their queen hadn’t yet killed him, and it didn’t look like that was in the offering anyway. The princess was happy to finally meet her father, and it looked as if Angelus was returning to the kingdom with them. 

Why take the chance? 

“Willow?” Oz asked, frowning. 

“Of course, Willow, what other redhead do you know?” 

“What about her?” Oz knew what his friend was asking, but didn’t have an answer for him. 

Sighing his aggravation over Oz’s elusive non-answer, Gunn spelled it out for him. “You want her, don’t deny that. She’s interested in you. Tara thinks she has great potential and will be advantageous to your kingdom.” He said then spelled out slowly the pivotal part, “Are you going to ask her to return with you?” 

“No.” 

“What?” That wasn’t the answer Gunn expected. 

“I mean, I want to,” the normally well-spoken elf tried to explain. “But I don’t think she’ll come with me.” 

“Do you want her to?” 

“Yes.” 

“Have you asked her?” 

“No.” 

“Why not?” But Gunn knew why not. 

As First to the Queen and Ancient, Oz’s primary duty was, always to Buffy. It was a problem in the past (when they both had outside relationships, ah those were the days) their significant other was always jealous of the time spent working. Broken dates, missed appointments, Buffy and Angelus always came first; it was the reason Oz and Gunn were chosen as Firsts. The title wasn’t arbitrary. 

“She’d spend most of her time either alone,” Oz said what they both already knew, “Or in the Elfin Kingdom studying with Tara. I’d rarely get to see her. Plus, I don’t even know if she has an interest in me.” 

Gunn snorted in laughter but continued to look straight ahead. “She’s interested, my friend,” he said with a decisive nod. “Oh, she’s interested. Ask her,” he advised. “You’ll regret it for the rest of your life if you don’t.”
~~~~~~~~~~
He was supposed to be sleeping. 

His duties for the next three hours required him to do nothing but catch up on some much needed sleep. He wasn’t. Instead, Oz sought Willow out, intending to convince her to return with him to the Lands. That was twenty minutes ago and things weren’t going as smoothly as he’d hoped. 

“Come back with me,” Oz had urged. He didn’t want to lose Willow, even if the amount of time they knew each other was short. Gunn was right, the elf realized. If he didn’t try, regrets would plague him forever. 

“What?” Willow had asked, shocked. “No, I can’t, my friends…” And it was downhill from there, the two of them going around in circles. 

“Come back with me,” he repeated, more desperately now. “I don’t want to lose you, Willow. If you stay here, the Watchers will continue to hunt you down. They want you for a reason, even if that reason is because we want you, too. Come with me, please.” 

“But…we’ve only known each other days!” She’d never been in a position where she needed to choose. Despite the fact her life was fraught with danger and most days the chances of her surviving to the next day were slim, Willow never really did anything. She didn’t go on dates, she didn’t get to know people outside her small circle of friends, most certainly didn’t leave her world to run off with a guy she’d met days ago! 

Big steps like this were simply unheard of for the shy, logical woman. No matter what her heart told her. 

“Willow,” Oz said in a quiet voice as he drew her closer; she didn’t resist and he took that as a good sign. “You belong with us. Tara has much to teach you, she’s one of the strongest healers among us and she’d never lie about that. Your destiny is with us.” His voice dropped again and he looked into her beautiful hazel eyes, “You belong with me.” 

That stopped Willow and she felt her heart skip a beat. Oh, wow, she never thought to hear those words. It was short lived, as all her insecurities resurfaced almost immediately. What if things didn’t work out, could she leave and return here? What if she hated it there, what if she didn’t like what Tara taught her – Willow didn’t see that happening, but as long as the unreasonable panic was there, it was shouting full force. What if she found she and Oz really didn’t have anything, that he ended up hating her because she was human. What if she was lousy in bed? Her one sexual experience with Riley’s friend, Graham, hadn’t ended well and it was still something she cringed over whenever she thought of it. 

“But what if I get there and I’m not this powerful whatever you think I am? What if I get there and things don’t go smoothly between us? Am I supposed to stay there? If time really does move differently, then it’ll probably be years here and everyone I knew would be…” 

She trailed off when Oz kissed her, silencing her rambling with his mouth. Shocked, Willow could do nothing but kiss him back. It was amazing, this kiss, and things Willow never thought to feel before welled within her. Her brain, for once in her life, shut down, completely going numb with Oz’s kiss. Wow, she thought with her last coherent synapse, wow. 

“Try it,” Oz urged when he pulled away, “Come with us, take a year. See how you like it.” 

Willow left without giving him an answer, still dazed, but longing for two things; the things Tara could teach her, and more smoochies with Oz. Because…wow.
~~~~~~~~~~
It didn’t take Doyle long to arrange things with Judge Wilson. 

Not once he explained the absolute direness of the situation. Judge George W. Wilson III met Cordelia when the gang saved him several months ago and understood Doyle’s extreme…nervousness. Cordelia was definitely a unique woman. He never knew that demons existed, let alone were interested in the goings on of the human court system. It made a lot of sense, when George thought about it, but only after the fact. 

It was, the judge decided as he stood in the ornate lobby of the hotel, something to think on later. He was a little nervous; there were several dozen people who stared at him with looks varying from outright hostility to boredom. The ones he remembered from his ‘rescue’ looked distinctly the worse for ware; whatever happened to Riley, he looked like he was inches from death. From the look Angel gave the other man, George had a feeling he knew what caused the bruising. 

“Everyone ready?” George looked around the motley group. A beautiful golden-skinned woman leaned on Angel, a definite strangeness in an already strange wedding. No one had ever, so far as he was aware, chose to stand with the best man during someone else’s wedding. But as no one else said anything, he wasn’t going to either. George caught Angel’s glare as he stared at the woman next to the other man and immediately looked away. 

Best to get this wedding underway. 

Buffy wanted to sit down in one of the chairs that lined the short aisle leading to the judge. She wanted to sleep, actually, but since Angelus was here, standing as Doyle’s second – though what the practice of this best man was she had no idea, if Cordelia thought she was getting Angelus if Doyle should die, the human had another thing coming – Buffy decided she should attend as well. Plus, she felt she owed Doyle a debt for the help and friendship he’d given her husband over the years. 

‘You’re twitching,’ Buffy laughed as she leaned further into him. She may not want to show weakness, but leaning against her husband was better than collapsing into an undignified heap on the marble floor. And she had no desire to sit in a chair near those who tried to kill her, even if they had a slight change of heart at the end. 

‘Doyle’s making me nervous; the man keeps grinning like a simpleton and he’s moving more than I. I know I wasn’t this nervous when we married.’  

Angelus glanced at his wife and couldn’t help but appreciate the outfit she wore. It wasn’t the leather that adorned her body since arriving in LA, but a soft flowing gown like she used to wear. A gentle green color that matched her eyes, formfitting and low cut enough to show off her mate’s mark and accentuate her curves, without revealing anything else. She was breathtaking in the outfit, and she enjoyed it. 

Angelus was a jealous husband; he knew it and made no excuses for it. But he couldn’t help but adore the fact that she looked beautiful in that outfit. She’d made the clothing change because it was Doyle and Cordelia’s wedding, though where the gown came from, he hadn’t a clue. It certainly wasn’t in her travel bags when he searched through them, looking for more suitable clothing than the tight leather she wore. 

‘Ah, but we didn’t marry with forty vampires and elves in attendance waiting to kill your friends.’ Buffy snickered with a glare to Riley, Wesley, and Xander who were sitting perfectly still despite their injuries, Xander excluded, the coward. 

Buffy suspected Angelus had something to do with their quietness, but he hadn’t said anything; she’d quiz him later. Andre and Ariana across the small aisle from the three humans, with William and a fully recovered Drusilla beside them. The glares the two men kept giving the traitors were enough to keep everyone in line. 

‘Are you sure you’re well enough for this?’ Angelus asked instead, ignoring the strange looks Judge Wilson continued to give them. What was the man staring at, anyway? Hadn’t he ever seen a beautiful woman before? ‘Are you sure Ariana is?’ 

‘Yes,’ Buffy sighed as she looked up at her husband. ‘We both are. But the sooner we leave here, the happier I’ll be.’ 

Doyle seemed to hear her silent words and nodded at the judge’s question, looking towards the stairs as music wafted through the room. That silly grin he’d had for the past day was back on his face. He was getting married. He’d never admit it, but he was down right giddy. 

The ceremony was short, to the point, covering all the bases, and leaving an extremely happy couple in its wake. The fact that Cordelia already called three caters and two wedding planners about prices and availability dates for the lavish bash – if small, they didn’t really know that many people they’d invite to their wedding – she planned meant nothing to the pair as George happily pronounced them husband and wife. 

A brief buffet was served, with special provisions for half the unwitting guests, before Doyle found Angelus. 

“Thanks, Angelus,” he said as he clasped the vampire’s hand, wanting to draw his friend into another hug. He resisted, knowing that to do so was somehow against their laws. Fuck it, this was most likely the last time he’d see his vampiric friend, and Doyle could hug him on his wedding day if he wanted to. 

Still, in deference to Angelus’ station and the many guards around, it was a quick hug. “You don’t know how much this means to me.”

For a moment, Angelus said nothing as he looked between Doyle, Cordelia – who was positively glowing – and Buffy. “Actually, Doyle, yes I do.” 

“When are you leaving?” There was a note of sadness in Doyle’s voice that Angelus heard clearly. 

“As soon as the sun sets,” the vampire admitted as Buffy walked up to them. The sun set in another four hours, and it was entirely too long to wait as far as he was concerned. 

“Doyle,” the elf said with a smile, reaching out to clasp his hand. “I wanted to thank you before we left. You’re a good friend.” 

Doyle nodded, tears clogging his throat but he smile broadly. “Anytime, ma’am,” he said and kissed the back of Buffy’s hand. “I’ll miss you, Angelus, and if you should decide to write, you know the address.” 

Angelus nodded and led Buffy away; they still had packing to do, if he did decide to take anything back with him. He’d miss Doyle, that was true, but it was simply another part of his past, and one that, while he’d treasure, belonged right there, in the past.
~~~~~~~~~~
“Are you going with them?” Faith asked as she and Willow stood with Cordelia by the buffet table, sipping champagne. They were celebrating in their own way, the three best friends toasting to the future. Whatever that might bring. 

“Who?” The brunette asked, having no idea what her friends were talking about. She’d been planning her wedding, or, well, squealing as Doyle told her he really had pulled it off and they were getting married the day after that horrible battle as he promised. It was virtually the same thing. And legal despite the short amount of time allowed for preparation, and that was really all that mattered. 

“Oz,” Willow said quietly. “He asked me to join him.” 

Cordelia froze with the flute half way to her lips. Quickly swallowing the rest of her drink in one gulp, she hastily refilled her glass before asking, “And are you?” 

“No,” Willow whispered but it was clear her heart wasn’t in the answer. 

“Why the hell not?” The bride demanded, freshly manicured nails tapping against her dress-clad hip. It wasn’t the dream dress she’d envisioned, but the silken cream-colored dress suited her perfectly. Faith and Willow spent an hour getting her hair atop her head, and she did her own makeup. She looked good and she knew it, but Cordelia didn’t care; it was her wedding day to Doyle, and she wanted to remember only that. And, well, she wanted to look good in the few pictures they’d managed to snap, too. 

Startled Willow looked up at her friend. “It’s complicated.” When neither said a word, but continued to stare at her Willow felt the need to explain…or was that validate? “What if I hate it there, the only human among demons. What if things don’t work out between us; we’ve only known each other a handful of days. What if it’s all a trick and I’m sold into some kind of human slavery ring?” 

Faith snorted as Cordelia refilled the slayer’s glass. It wasn’t often they had this kind of situation, and that was saying a lot. Weddings, leavings, comings, goings, betrayals, the works. Oh, yeah, it was definitely a Champaign night. “Slavery ring? Really, Willow, you need to tone down that imagination some.” 

“What? It could happen,” she muttered. 

“So basically,” Cordelia said as she eyed her friend, “You’re saying that you’re afraid to take the chance on something because you don’t know how it’ll turn out.” Willow nodded eyes still downcast. Well, when you put it that way… 

“Right then,” the bride said in her no-nonsense manner. “Don’t make me tie you up and toss you into the waiting limo – and can you believe Angelus has the money for private limos and airplanes and never shared?”

They ignored her tangent and she went on. “Willow, dear, you’re one of my closest friends, hell, you were my maid of honor!” Well, one of them, Faith was the other; Cordelia had a limited number of female friends – two – and wanted them both to participate in the ceremony. 

“I’ll miss you terribly, but take this chance. You’ll hate yourself forever if you don’t.” 

Faith toasted the two of them. “I agree, Willow. You have this great opportunity to see new things, to get away from this hell we live in. To be with a man who wants you by his side. Who knows that he does after only knowing you for a few days. Trust me,” she said as her eyes drifted to Riley, “That’s something you don’t want to let go.” 

“But-” Willow started. 

“But nothing,” Faith interrupted. 

“Do you at least care for Oz?” Cordelia asked even as her eyes sought out her husband. Husband, she thought with a soft smile, wow. God she loved that man. 

“Yes.” 

“And do you want to learn more from Tara about these magicks inside you?” Faith quizzed like she and Cordelia were a tag team. It was one of the many benefits of a long friendship. 

“Well, yes, of course.” 

“Then what’s the problem, already?” Cordelia asked. She really wanted to begin that honeymoon. 

“I’ll be leaving you guys. You’re my family; you’re all I have. And this whole time thing, it moves differently there…” 

“So what? That just means that you’ll live longer,” Faith said. 

“And believe us, that’s not something to complain about.” 

“But-” 

“Why are you trying to talk yourself out of this?” Faith huffed, already planning on learning more about this Oz. 

“I’m not…” they just stared at her and Willow sighed, defeated. “I don’t want to leave you guys. I’m scared about what’s out there, what may or may not happen with Oz.” 

“We’re going nowhere, Willow,” Faith assured her friend but there was a slight bitterness to that all too true statement. “We’ll always be here.” 

Cordelia knocked back the rest of her Champaign and set the flute on the table. It was time to find her man. “Yeah, if things don’t work out, we’ll be here for you, we always were, we always will be. But get out while the getting’s good.”

She kissed Willow on the cheek, hugging her tightly. “I’ll miss you, keep in touch, okay?” There were tears in her eyes she’d never let anyone see, but Willow understood. 

Without another word, Cordelia left her friends and went to find her husband. It was time to start the honeymoon.
~~~~~~~~~~
“I have two questions for you,” Faith said with no preamble as she stopped in front of the handsome First. 

The fact that she all but helped Cordelia convince Willow that the redhead’s fears were unfounded meant little to the slayer as she confronted Gunn. If her best friend was about to leave the planet and go off with an elf, Faith wanted assurances. Angelus was nowhere to be found, though from the position Gunn was in, it seemed he was upstairs someplace, and Faith didn’t trust anyone else. 

She wasn’t sure she trusted Gunn, but he hadn’t harmed her yet. That was something, considering the pain her own loved ones caused her, that was definitely point worthy in her book. 

“Will Oz treat Willow right?” 

“Yes,” Gunn said seriously. “Yes he will. His first duty is always to our Queen,” he cautioned, “But he cares for Willow in a way I’ve never seen before. He’ll protect her as fiercely as he does the Queen.” 

Faith looked into his eyes for a moment, weighing his answer. No, Gunn didn’t have a soul, that spark that was evident in Angelus’ eyes the first time Faith met the other vampire wasn’t there in his guard’s. But there was loyalty and integrity, an honesty that came with not caring one way or the other. He was soulless, but he was an honest soulless vampire. Why lie when it didn’t matter? 

“If she decided to remain in contact with us, or someday return, she’ll be allowed to?” 

“Of course,” and now Gunn sounded offended, as if Faith really was accusing him of running a human slavery ring. 

“Last question,” Faith said and shifted closer. They were already talking in low voices but she didn’t want to take the chance of being overheard. 

Smirking, Gunn said, “That was already two.” 

Faith laughed but asked anyway, her eyes deadly serious. “Do you think there was ever a chance for us?”

It was something that bothered her since her first talk with the guard. She found herself attracted to the vampire in a way she hadn’t been with anyone since Riley. Things with Riley being what they were, their on again off again relationship and now this, selling them out to the Watchers and the rebel vampire, Faith didn’t know where they stood. Angelus’ words still rang clear in her head, but the slayer honestly wasn’t sure how she felt about her lover. 

She loved Riley, yes, but was it enough? Could they make it enough? And really, the fact that she was attracted to Gunn, a vampire, freaked her. 

“I don’t know,” Gunn admitted, a sadness tingeing his voice. “I suppose there are always possibilities.” 

“Would you,” Faith stopped, licked her lips. “Would you have enjoyed the chance if things weren’t the way they were?” 

Gunn smiled then, relaxing his stance. His hand moved to trace the curve of her cheek. Such smoothness belied the strength she possessed, the strength she carried. He envied her that, but sympathized with her as well, knowing the choices she faced and the long lonely road ahead of her. The first woman he’d wanted in forever and she was unattainable. 

“Yes,” he whispered in longing. “I’d have loved the chance.” 

Faith nodded, accepting his answer for what it was. A chance, nothing more, nothing less. A chance to enjoy their time together, a chance to see what they could be. A chance. Quickly pressing her lips to his, Faith allowed all the chances between them to play out in that one kiss. It wasn’t, she figured as she walked away from the vampire, meant to be. She could accept that, really she could. She could accept it because she wasn’t sure she wanted more than a chance. 

And really, a slayer and a vampire? What kind of screwed up karma was that?
~~~~~~~~~~
“Are you ready,” Andre asked as he hovered over his betrothed anxiously. 

He’d almost lost her, held her as her life’s blood drained from her body and there was nothing he could do about it. Stood outside as Tara healed her, not knowing if she’d live or die. It wasn’t the best day of his life, and Andre Vladimir didn’t ever want a repeat of it. If he had to shadow her everywhere she went for the rest of their lives, he would, but Ariana Amira Kali was never going to be in that kind of danger again. 

He really didn’t believe that was possible, but Andre vowed to try his best. He was a stubborn man, and intended to (try to) have his way. 

“I’m ready, Andre,” Arian said with a smile. “Will you please ask my mother to join me?”
She loved that he hovered as he did, but seriously wanted some time alone. The near constant fussing was driving her mad. Still, she couldn’t wait to get home and sleep in her own bed, wrapped tightly in Andre’s arms as he continued to fuss over her. 

“I don’t think Angelus will let her out of his sight,” Andre muttered as he told Nicholaus to fetch Buffy. Within moments the queen entered the room, smiling at her daughter, relived to finally be leaving.

The wedding party broke up not long ago when the bride and groom left for their two-week honeymoon in a mountain lodge Angelus lent them. Her husband also signed over the deed to the hotel to Doyle, portions of his LA bank account to help his friend along, and gave the seer instructions on how to contact him should Doyle desire. 

The sun set nearly thirty minutes ago, but Angelus was still in his room, looking at all he’d acquired over the years. Buffy understood his need, and vowed to give him all the time he wanted; she didn’t have any fears he’d not return with her. 

“Ariana?” Buffy asked as Andre leaned against the door, giving mother and daughter privacy without actually leaving the room. Buffy applauded him, in theory, and resisted making comparisons with Angelus who nearly accompanied her here, possessive scowl firmly in place. 

Sitting on the edge of the newly made bed, Ariana asked, “Is he really coming home?” 

“Yes, Ariana,” Buffy whispered with a smile, her sheer joy at the news shining brightly from her eyes she brushed a strand of dark hair behind her daughter’s ear and said again, “Yes he is.” 

“Good,” the girl – woman – said with another smile, the last of the tension she’d carried with her these past days finally leaving her. “When do we leave?” 

“Within the hour,” Buffy promised and called out to Andre. “Will you take Ariana downstairs, Andre?” She asked, already walking to the door. “Coordinate with William for our exit, I don’t want anyone or anything left behind, no trail that could lead the Watchers to us, and nothing that could get Faith and Doyle into trouble.”

Andre nodded, but asked, “What about Wesley, Xander, and Riley?” 

Buffy paused at the mention of their names but revealed nothing of her anger towards them. “They’ve been dealt with,” she said and returned to her husband.

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