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Part One; The Invitation
Willow wiped tears of happiness from her eyes as her best friend, Buffy Summers, finished her toast to their other best friend, Xander Harris, on the occasion of his engagement to his now fiancee, Anya Spencer. Squeezing his betrothed's hand, Xander held out his arms for a hug from the Slayer; who obliged with a rib cracking one, wetting his shoulder with tears. Before she sat back down, she gave Anya a hug too, whispering in her ear, "Guess your part of the gang now." Anya nodded, her eyes glistening.
Giles, who stood in the kitchen getting some major action with his girlfriend, Olivia, broke the kiss at the group's whistles and catcalls. He walked into the living room of Willow's house just as her computer beeped.
"Red, your tops making that noise 'gain," Spike complained as he nibbled Cordelia's back. "Bite my what, Spike?" the hacker said laughingly as she opened up her laptop. The familiar AOL 'you've got mail' voice chimed and everyone broke up into giggles.
"Better check it, Wills. Might be important," Cordelia said, impatiently swatting at Spike's 'Roman' hands. The bleached blond quit, but managed to get a parting shot off at his girlfriend. "Like what, pet? Gettin' the daily 'oroscope and hot off the runway fashions?" Ducking, he was able to avoid the hand that flew at the back of his head, unfortunately, he landed on the floor in front of Willow. He waggled his eyebrows as he stared at her. "Fancy meetin you, here, Red."
Willow joined the group in full out laughter, no longer just chuckles hidden behind coughs. Even Giles had to crack a smile at the scene. Cordelia huffed and sat back in the chair, her arms and legs crossed as if to ward off a battalion called Spike. Shaking her head at the unusual pair, Willow clicked on the new message, then the attachment when she saw nothing written there. She frowned. "I don't recognize the email addy." Her mouth dropped open in undeniable shock. "Oh my god..." she whispered, scanning the card that comprised the email.
"Willow?" Giles asked, coming to crouch and read over her shoulder. "What's Moulin Rouge?"
"OH!" Cordelia's face lit up. "I know! It used to be this really hot club in Paris in the 30's, but it got shut down. The owners disappeared mysteriously or something. There was a huge scandal. Joseph and Charles, I think their names were."
The group stared. "WHAT? I can't have the knowledge sometimes?" the former cheerleader said indignantly.
"Well, yeah, ok Cordy. I guess it's a club again, cause I got an invitation to it's grand opening. In two weeks. In Paris. How the hell am I supposed to get to Paris?"
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The rest of the night was spent making plans, first for Willow's, then the entire gang's trip to the City of Lights. Still blown way by the whole thing, Willow excused herself early, leaving the others to talk and drink, staying or leaving as they chose.
