"Know something, pet? It's our anniversary. We've been married a whole month already." Spike handed her one of the mugs of chocolate.

She realized with a sense of shock that he was right. She'd been so busy wallowing in her own misery that she'd had no time to think of anything else. The days had passed in a painful blur. But now...

Somehow she felt, not BETTER, but the way she'd felt when she had been sick as a child; and then started to recover. She felt...convalescent.

Spike sensed the change. He'd spent the past month trying to make himself invisible in the home they shared...giving her space while watching for any small thing he could do for her. Making sure she ate, and slept, and had time to heal. Now he relaxed, confident that she had turned some corner and was no longer consumed with guilt and regret.

She hesitated by the door to her room.

Instantly he was there by her side, anxious to help. "All right, luv?"

"Uh-huh," Buffy smiled shyly at the blond vampire. "Poor Spike, I'll try not to scream the house down anymore."

"Scream as much as you like, pet. I won't mind."

"Thanks." Buffy stood on her toes and softly kissed his cheek. Then she went inside her room and shut the door.

Spike walked down the hall like a zombie. As he lay in his bed, staring up at the ceiling, he tried to analyze why he felt so...strange. So excited and scared, all at the same time.

His bed suddenly seemed very big...and very empty.

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"You know, kitten, we should go out."

Spike had been thinking about it all day long; for some reason he'd found it difficult to sleep.

"Out where?" Buffy asked, with none of the shrinking he'd half expected.

"Choices are a bit limited in Sunnyhell, pet. I guess it will have to be the Bronze."

"Okay," Buffy agreed readily. "Oz's band is playing there, too, so we'll get to see everyone."

His sense of disappointment came as a surprise to him. It was natural she'd want to see her friends; but he would have liked to celebrate all alone, just the two of them. He told himself he was being ridiculous, but that didn't stop the feeling.

Buffy was excited to be going out again. Showered and shampooed, she stood naked in front of her closet, surveying her wardrobe with a critical eye. She made up her mind. One of the outfits selected by the concierge in Vegas had instantly won Buffy's heart, even though it wasn't the thing to get married in.

It was a long, midnight blue silk dress, with thin straps that criss-crossed over her bare back. Buffy pinned her hair up to call attention to the effect; and stepped into high-heeled sandals. "Not bad," she decided , studying her reflection. "Wonder what Spike will say?"

Hesitantly, she made her way downstairs where he waited. He glanced over at her; and his entire body went rigid. He was silent so long she grew upset.

"Don't you like it?" she faltered.

"Yes." Strange that one short word,spoken in just that tone, could ease her into glorious confidence. She smiled at him happily.

"I uh...got you this, kitten." Almost shyly he held out the red velvet box.

Buffy opened it to discver an exquisite pair of diamond and pearl earrings. "Spike," she breathed, "they're gorgeous!"

His sculpted mouth relaxed into a delighted grin. "Fancy them, do you, pet?"

"Oh, yes." Once more Buffy went up on her toes; but this time the soft little kiss landed directly on his mouth. "I definitely fancy them, Spike."

He was left speechless as she fstened them into her small ears. It was hard to know which of them was the more pleased.

Willow, Xander, and Cordelia were sitting at the table where the redhead had saved seats for Buffy and Spike.

"Whoa, Buffy, talk about heavy ammunition tonight!" Xander exclaimed when he saw her.

Spike glowered at him; he was only too aware of the number of males casting lustful glances at Buffy; and he didn't appreciate Xander joining the crowd.

But Buffy merely laughed. Oz's band began to play a slow, languorous song, and Spike reached for her.

"Dance with me, luv?" he suggested.

Uncertainty swept through him; but she stepped easily into his arms and leaned her head trustingly on his shoulder. Startled, Spike tightened his hold. She felt wonderful in his arms...so soft and warm, with the faintest scent of vanilla clinging to her skin.

Spike closed his eyes; and allowed his cheek to rest against her fragrant hair.

When the band finally quit to take a break, Spike and Buffy loosed their hold reluctantly- and faced each other in growing embarrassment. Plus- something else. Something neither of them was prepared to admit.

"Would you...like something to drink, luv?" Spike asked hastily, desperate to stop the silence.

She nodded; and watched with a curious fluttering sensation as his blond head moved toward the bar. She turned to go back to their table; and found herself face to face with Angel...and Faith.

"Hello, lover," Angel smirked.

Buffy felt her throat close.

"Lookin' good, B." Faith licked her lips. "Miss us?"

Buffy's head jerked back and she snapped, "Sure, Faith! About as much as I'd miss bubonic plague."

"Or leprosy, pet?" The cool, clipped English accent had never been so welcome to Buffy's ears.

"Spike." Angel's eyes narrowed meanly. "What are you doing back?"

Spike threw one arm around Buffy's shoulder possessively.

Faith caught the gesture...her eyes brightened with curiousity, and she looked him up and down speculatively. "Let's not be unfriendly, Angel. Maybe Spike wants in on the action."

Spike regarded her with distaste. A biker babe who looked like a session in a steam bath would only improve her...how could Angel ever bring himself to touch her? Soul or no soul, his sire had always craved innocence...

"Is that what you want, Spike?" Angel asked coldly.

"Hardly, peaches," Spike smiled maliciously. "I'm a married man!"

The effect on Angel was extraordinary.

With an enraged growl, he grabbed Spike's arm, forcing it up to examine the gold ring.

"I'll tear your head off for this," he hissed loudly.

"Get some new threats, peaches," Spike sneered, pulling away. "That one's died of old age."

"Any trouble?" The bouncer was standing there frowning.

Faith regained her aplomb. "Hey, we're cool. C'mon Angel." She moved to pace her hand on his shoulder; and he batted her off as casually as a fly. Faith fell heavily to the floor.

"That does it!" The bouncer said angrily. "Get out...right now, or I call the cops!"

Faith jumped to her feet. "It's five by five....I tripped! Let's go, Angel!"

Buffy held her breath, but with a long, smoldering look, Angel allowed himself to be pulled toward the door.

"This isn't over, Buff," he warned. "It's just beginning."

Faith snapped her gum. "Later, B," she promised, following Angel out.

Spike drove them home in grim silence.

Buffy glanced at his rigid profile. "They seem so...so...evil."

Spike's mouth tightened. "That they are, pet. Evil, and deadly."

"He isn't anything like...like the Angel I loved," Buffy said consideringly.

Spike stiffened. He knew, of course, that she had loved his sire...but he hated being reminded of it. "Hardly, luv. And what he's doing with that Slayer... the girl's a slut, and shop-soiled at that. If he still had his soul, he'd be sickened by her."

Buffy gasped. Did he mean...could he mean...that she was a slut, just like Faith; and that he found her sickening? She practically raced down the hall to her own room.

Spike stared after her in astonishment. What had he said? She was upset to meet her attackers again- or...was it seeing Angelus with Faith? Did she still love his sire, in spite of everything?

He clenched his fists and strode to her door. He was about to knock when he heard it...a stifled sob that seemed to reverberate through him. Impulsively he burst through the door.

Buffy lay face down on the bed, weeping quietly into her pillow. Spike hesitated, then sat down beside her.

"Luv?"

She rolled over, her face streaked with make-up and tears, and stared up at him.

"Oh baby," he breathed, "don't do that. He isn't worth it. Baby...HE ISN'T WORTH IT!" He wanted, so desperately, to take away her pain...he bent and lifted her gently, carrying her down the hall to the bathroom. Carefully he cleaned her face, then urged her to take the pins from her hair and brush her teeth.

But she fumbled so helplessly that Spike took over, undressing her and helping her, not into her own bed, but into his.

"Just for tonight," he murmured, turning away to strip his own clothes off.

Buffy's face fell. She'd felt so much better when Spike had carried her down the hall; but he'd made it clear that this was a one-time thing. Still, when he slid in next to her and put his arms around her, she couldn't help snuggling closer. Maybe this was only for one night...but Buffy decided to enjoy every minute.

Tentatively she reached up and clasped her arms around his neck. She loved the sense of being held like this...she drifted happily to sleep.

Spike stared down at the unconscious Slayer in his arms...he knew she was asleep, but forced himself to wait until her even, regular breathing indicated she'd be unlikely to waken easily. Only then did he allow himself to relax...to stroke her silky hair...to kiss and caress her.

He was almost ashamed of his own actions, but he'd resisted for so long....and he'd never wanted anything so much as the child-woman who'd become his wife.

His wife.

Did Buffy think of herself that way? As his partner, his...mate?

Someday, when he was feeling braver, Spike decided he would find out.

When Buffy finally woke up, she blushed to find herself clinging to Spike's waist. Delicately she disentangled herself and went off to shower.

She stared into the bathroom mirror, and for the first time in over a month she recognized the girl she saw.

She found she was hungry, and fixed herself some soup and crackers, marvelling at the way Spike had carefully stocked the pantry. Buffy was touched by his consideration for her; even if he didn't want Angel's leavings, he still cared enough to supply her needs.

She was remembering (and smiling) over the many times he had brought her ice cream, when she heard the phone ring.

"Hello...oh, Giles? Yes...ok. Right away!"

Buffy slowly replaced the receiver; Giles had said to come at once. Frowning, she went to wake up Spike.

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Giles looked grim. "I've learned why Angel and Faith went to New York. There's been a theft at the Metropolitan of a rare Egyptian artifact."

"Faith and Angel decided to steal a mummy?" Xander asked.

"Not a mummy. A Pectoral, with a scarab inset," Giles explained.

"What does it do, Giles?" Willow asked with interest.

"Legend has it...it can bring someone back from the dead," the Watcher replied.

"The Mayor wants to bring someone back?" Buffy was startled.

"His wife. Amelia," Giles said.

"But he said she'd grown old, and senile," Buffy protested.

"Love is...well, it goes beyond the physical condition," Giles said gently. "Word is that the Mayor wants his wife back; apparantly, he truly did love her."

"That's kind of sweet," Willow put in.

"Hardly." Giles was blunt. "He'll need a physical vessel in order to restore her..."

"You mean... a warm body?" Cordelia asked.

"They'll go after someone we know," Buffy said quietly. "It's what Angel- and Faith- will do."

Giles closed his eyes in dread. "Please...be extremely careful."

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Cordelia was bored. Nobody interesting was at the Bronze. She chatted with Aura and some of her old crowd, but no longer had much in common with them. And there was no sign of Buffy, or Willow, or...Xander.

Not that she wanted to see them. In fact, Cordelia assured herself that she would be only too happy if she never saw any of them again. But after another hour of pretending to have fun, she gave up and started for home.

She never got there.

Cordelia woke up in..a cell?

"That's right, it's a cell." Mayor Wilkins' genial voice was the most unwelcome sound Cordelia had ever heard. "You're in the old jail in the basement of City Hall...hasn't been in use for years, though. Not since we built the new police station in '79. But- the bars still work fine!"

Cordelia sat up on the narrow cot, glaring at the three on the other side of the bars: the Mayor, Faith, and Angel. "If you're using me to get Buffy here..."

"We aren't." It was Angel who spoke. "For once, you're not the bait, Cordelia."

"Then why am I here?"

They told her.

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It was Oz who discovered that Cordelia was missing, when he phoned her with Giles' warning.

"We've got to get her back!" Xander clenched his fists. "They'll kill her to use her body for their restoration."

"Yes, I'm afraid they will," Giles said darkly.

"Unless...we get there first," Buffy suggested.

Oz shook his head, "They'll be expecting us."

"Then...let's not disappoint them," Spike murmured.

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"You look nervous, Cordelia," Faith smiled maliciously. "Don't worry, it won't hurt much...after the first couple of hours. Unless, maybe...you figure B and her little helpers will show up and rescue you?" She shook her dark head.

"Maybe not, Cordy. They're not that fond of you, you know. You're not Buffy."

"Neither are you," Cordelia pointed out coldly.

Faith gave a short bitter laugh. "Oh, I know THAT. If it came to a choice- me or Buffy- I know which one they'd want left standing!"

Cordelia looked at her in disbelief. "Well, duh! Of course. They love her, and they don't care about you."

"Ouch!" Mayor Wilkins winced. "You really believe in calling a spade a spade, young lady!"

Cordelia shrugged. She'd never admit it to Faith...or to the Mayor, but she was terrified. If there was just something she could use as a weapon! Or...a way out?

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"I think it'll work," Buffy said firmly.

Spike scowled. "I don't like it..."

"Neither do I," Giles admitted, "but it offers our best chance of saving Cordelia AND stopping Angel and Faith."

Spike grabbed Buffy and yanked her aside. "I think I should stay with you, Slayer. You can't fight Faith and Angel together..."

"I don't intend to. I'm sure Faith will stay close to the Mayor...and the others will need you to save Cordelia."

"While you act as bait for Angel," Spike snapped.

Buffy met his gaze steadily. "He'll come after me, you know. And then...I'll kill him."

"Will you?" Spike raised his eyebrows.

"What do you mean?" Buffy frowned.

"You heard me."

Buffy's eyes widened in dismay. "You CAN'T think that after what he did to me, I'd hesitate to stake him now?"

"You're still pining for him," Spike snarled. "Still wanting him, still...loving him!"

"Noooo..." Buffy whispered.

He laughed harshly. "Oh no? We've been married a full month and you haven't stopped dreaming of him?"

Buffy put both hands on her hips. "Those were NIGHTMARES! You can't think I still want him!"

"Then, why did you never..." his voice trailed off.

But now she was angry. "Never what?" When he didn't answer, she pressed "Never WHAT, Spike?"

"Come to me!" he yelled, enraged.

Her jaw dropped. "You...you didn't want me! You said no one would want Angel's..." she couldn't finish.

It was his turn to be shocked. "Are you crazy? You thought...I was talking about YOU? I meant Faith! I couldn't understand how he could bring himself to touch her, even with no soul."

"Yeah, you called her shop-soiled," Buffy said icily. "Well, what's the difference, Spike? What's the difference between Faith and me?"

His blue eyes hardened. "You'll have to answer that one for yourself, Slayer. But there's a big difference between me and your ex. If...you were mine, really mine...mine to keep...I'd never share you with anyone!"

Spike strode out of the room, leaving her standing in stunned stupefaction.

"Man, he's jealous," Xander commented softly to Oz. "I thought I was the only one who hated Angel that much."

"Prioritize, everyone!" Giles ordered. "This is no time for personal disputes."

They moved out together, a lethal phalanx making their way through the maze of tunnels beneath Sunnydale....