"I feel incredibly stupid dressed as a cartoon character."  Cordelia tugged at the
brief top, and resettled the crown, careful not to smudge the heavy kohl eyeliner.

"Hush.  It's Willow' birthday, and what Willow wants Willow gets.  Besides, you
look cute in teal harem pants, Cordy."  Xander flourished his cape and tripped over
the curled toes of his shoes.

"It's drafty.  And the tiara keeps slipping.  And you look like a fool in a turban."

Two blocks from the library, they were joined by Aurora and Prince Phillip.

"Buffy, you look great.  The Sleeping Beauty thing works on you.  But I thought the
dress was blue."

"The Disney Store was out of blue, I had to take the pink.  I like Angel's."  She
tugged the feather in his hat playfully.  "I wonder what Giles came up with."

They entered the school.  As they approached the library, Xander decided to make a
proper entrance.  He bounced through the library door, and burst into song.
"Prince Ali, amorous he,
Ali a Babwa
Heard your princess was a sight
lovely to see.
And that good people is why
He got dolled up and dropped by.."

An accented chuckle came from the library and a wicked baritone responded
"So Ali turns out to be merely Aladdin.
Just a con,
Need I go on
Take it from me.
His personality flaws
Give me adequate cause
to send him packing..."

Giles looked amazing in the sorcerer's robes.  And the spirit-gummed twisty beard
was the final touch.  Cordelia doubled over laughing, and even Angel cracked a
smile.

"Of course, you do remember the Evil Overlord rules.  'I will not turn into a snake,
it never helps.'  I think it's #34," Xander grinned.

"Where's Wesley?"  Buffy asked.

"Hiding in the office.  He won't come out.  I think the costume rather embarrasses
him."

"I heard that, Mr. Giles.  I am not embarrassed.  I am getting into character.  And I
will never again let you talk me into something like this."

He strolled out, in the costume of the Prince from Cinderella.

"But Wes, the prince doesn't have a character.  He doesn't even have lines.  He's
scenery that moves," Buffy protested.

The old oak table was prepared.  They had brought the cake and the gifts earlier.
Now, they merely awaited Willow and Oz.  The lights were out.  They heard steps
in the hall.

As Oz opened the door, Buffy shot a quizzical look at Angel.  Were those really
bunny ears she saw?

"Time to fall down the rabbit hole, Willow," he said and flipped the switch.

"Happy Birthday!"

Willow, dressed as Alice, nearly dropped from the surprise.  She burst out laughing,
crying and  overwhelmed.  "I love you, Oz!" she managed.  He had set the whole
thing up, knowing she loved surprises and had always wanted a Disney party.

"Cake first or presents, Birthday girl?" the White Rabbit asked.

"Presents and then cake."

The cake was a three tiered monstrosity with mouse-ears atop it.

Suddenly a flash powder went off.  In the midst of the smoke, stood Maleficent, or
rather, Faith doing a very passable impression.

"Am I late?"

"A little.  C'mon, she's opening gifts." Buffy brought her over to the table.

"I refuse to pounce on a line that straight."

Willow gawked at the brightly wrapped gifts.  She was having trouble deciding
which to open first.  Finally, Xander shoved one at her.

"Here, open mine."

"How sweet.  A flamingo made of sea-shells."

"From the trip to Santa Monica, remember?  When we were 9."

"Oh, Xander."  Her eyes welled up with memories of the vacation he had taken with
her family.  She had forgotten about the souvenir shop, and him spending all of his
vacation money on the silly bird.  She hugged him hard, tears starting down her
cheeks.

Before she could break down, Giles handed her another package.  "From Wesley
and myself."

"A laptop!  Just what I needed.  Thank you both."

Buffy came next.  "Just something I thought you'd like."

Willow unwrapped the box.  "Master of Magic II!  I'll install it as soon as I get
home."  She hugged Buffy lightly.

"I saw you looking at it in the store."

Angel handed her a white box.  Inside were a dozen roses, but not red.  They were
an odd lavender color.  A second box held only thorny stems and bagged roots.

Willow looked at him.

"They're called Sterling roses.  They're as unique as you are.  Plant the rosebush
where you think it will be the most lovely.  And, they are supposed to ward
vampires."  He gave a wry smile.

"Thank you," she smiled back.

Cordelia's box yielded a sweater from the Disney store of Pooh and Piglet.

Faith produced a small box from the voluminous sleeves of her robes and handed it
to her.  Inside was a coupon.  "Good for one tattoo of less than 3 square inches or 2
piercings.  Big Bob's Body Art."

"My father will have a fit!  Jewish law forbids tattoos."

"So get your ears pierced," Faith suggested.  "Or something else."  She grinned
wickedly at Oz  "I'm sure the two of you will figure something out."

"Cake!"  yelled Xander, emerging from the office with plates and forks.

"Oh, the ice cream.  It's in the faculty lounge freezer."  Wesley darted out the door
to get it.

"A very merry unbirthday, to you, to you!   No, wait, it is your birthday, Wills."

The cake and ice cream were quickly served out, and Willow looked at the gang.

"This is the best birthday party I ever had.  Thank you all."

"Willow, I haven't given you my present yet," Oz said.  He went to the back for his
acoustic guitar.  Taking a seat on the table, he stripped off the kid gloves, adjusted
so his watch chain wouldn't be in the way and started to play.

"This is the night
and the heavens are right,
And we call it bella notte.
Look at the skies,
they have stars in their eyes
on this lovely bella notte.
Side by side with your loved one
You'll find enchantment here.
The night will weave it's magic spell
when the one you love is near.
For this is the night
and the heavens are right
on this lovely bella notte."

have wished Will a Happy Birthday.