The Song Remembers When

Sitting by the Christmas tree, Graham watched Willow as she finished opening the last of her Christmas Stocking gifts. He loved watching how she carefully unwrapped each little present, and then refolded the paper for future use. It was beyond adorable to him. He was grinning to himself because he knew that there was still one other present for her to open before breakfast. It was wrapped and had a bow, but it didn't lie under the tree. Leaning over, he touched her arm to get her attention and signalled for her to follow him. Helping her up from the chair, Graham handed her the crutches and started to follow her out of the room, but stopped for a quick word with Riley.

"Will and I are disappearing for awhile, can you cover?" He whispered to his friend.

"Oh, I see those nails I put in your stocking aren't going to waste?" He nudged Graham's leg.

"Just cover, okay?" Graham smirked at his smart-ass friend.

"Can we count on you for breakfast?" Riley asked, ignoring Buffy's curious stare.

"How long?" Graham asked.

"An hour and a half, give or take 10 minutes, you know my mom." Riley smiled.

"I'll set the alarm clock." Graham chuckled, as he walked away.

"Where are they going?" Graham could hear Buffy interrogating Riley.

Joining Willow in the hallway, he followed her down the hall to the stairs. Upon reaching them, he swung her tiny body up into her arms and started up.

"Uh, hum." Willow cleared her throat.

"What?" Graham asked, shocked. Had he done something in error?

"We're under the mistletoe, Mr. Miller. I think you owe me a kiss." She said, simply puckering her lips up for him to kiss.

"Oh, that's all." He sighed.

"That's all?" Came her slightly miffed reply.

"All I meant is I thought I'd performed some gross indecency." He explained, with mock formality.

"Well you did, you didn't kiss me." She huffed, playing along with him.

"I think I can take care of that. Pucker up, Rosenberg." He smiled, kissing her before she even had a chance to know what hit her.

"Nice?" He asked, breaking away from a breathless Willow.

"Oh that was more than nice! I'm just glad that Hope wasn't around to see that, cause baby that was anything but G rated." She said, before she kissed the sensitive spot behind his ear that she knew drove him crazy.

"Quit that!" he laughed "We have things to do."

With that he loped up the stairs, holding her tight against his chest. It never failed to amaze him how light she was to carry. Upon reaching the top hallway, Graham looked around to make sure that Bryan Finn was nowhere near, before the two slipped into his room, shutting and locking the door behind them. Setting her gently on her feet, he beamed at her excitedly.

Leaning against the closed door, Graham asked, "Well, Ms. Rosenburg, are you ready to open your most important Christmas present?

Glancing around, Willow couldn't see any package.

"Okay, I give, where is it?" She asked.

"Somewhere on me but you have to look for it." He said smirking. "And I guarantee you'll know it when you see it."

Pulling his jacket off, Willow searched the pockets and felt the lining but couldn't find anything unusual, just a folded handkerchief and Graham's wallet.

She stuck her hand into his shirt pocket and also found it empty, then ran her hands down his sides much like police searching for hidden weapons. Nope, nada, nothing.

Standing there, holding out her hand she said, "Okay, mister, take'em off and hand'em over."

Stepping out of his loafers Graham unzipped his pants and slipped them off. Handing them over, Willow continued the search of his pockets. Finding them empty she was rapidly becoming exasperated.

Then she thought the present might be the necklace she felt under his shirt. Grabbing the hem of the shirt she pulled it over his head. The necklace was defiantly masculine. Now Willow was getting really frustrated.

"If you think this is some sick joke..."

Graham was just standing there wearing his boxers and a big grin. Willow had a *very* determined look on her face. Reaching over, she yanked the boxers off his hips.

Everyone downstairs was surprised to hear peals of laughter coming from the second floor. Willow had tears running down her cheeks as she tried to contain her mirth. Standing there completely naked was Graham, wearing a tiny red bow tied neatly around a certain part of his anatomy.

"Oh indeed this is the best gift you could have given me!" She choked out through her laughter. The look on Graham's face was the best part, he was so proud of himself and his gift.

"Can I unwrap my present?" She chuckled, finally able to pull herself together enough to move.

"Little Graham's been waiting all morning." He answered.

Kneeling down, Willow carefully untied the bow and gave 'little Graham' a big kiss to show her appreciation for his thoughtfulness. Little Graham's response was immediate.

Pulling her back up, Graham wanted to personally unwrap his present. With every article of clothing removed, he stopped to kiss her and wish her a Merry Christmas. There were a countless number of Christmas greetings made between them.

Picking her up, he carried her to *their* special chair. Wrapping her legs around the chair's arms she rocked back and forth to ride him; since Graham's position in the chair offered limited ability to thrust into her. They tried hard to keep their activity quiet because of the comings and going of people throughout the house, not to mention the fact that passing little feet had a tendency to have big ears.

Each time one of them started to express their satisfaction too loudly, the other would capture their mouth in a passionate kiss, literally stopping any noise. Overall, they remained fairly quiet, and yet enjoyed every minute of their private celebration.

"So is this all I'm getting, cheapskate?" she laughed, folding her hand around his gift.

"Oh no, there's much more under the tree, but I didn't think this one needed to be opened in front of the kids and Bryan." He groaned, as he heard the alarm clock go off.

"What's that?" she said, slightly irritated by the interrupting.

"Breakfast." He sighed.

<><><><><><>

"I know it's Finn tradition to open up all gifts after breakfast, but this is one I think you should open now, since we have time to kill till breakfast is served." Buffy said, pushing a huge box over to Riley who'd moved to sit on the floor with the girls.

"What is it?" he asked, as the kids excitedly bounced around waiting for him to open the box.

"Won't know till you open it." Buffy said, leaning back on her heels to watch his face.

Riley ripped the bow of the top of the box, followed closely by the wrapping paper.

"Faster Daddy!" Tristan bounced, how the little girl had managed to keep this secret Buffy would never know.

Pulling open the top of the box, Riley was met with a Cherry Wood covered photo album. Carefully lifting the book out of the box, he looked at the engraved plague.

"To Riley, Love Buffy and Evan.

Sean Evan Riley Summers 2000 to 2002"

Opening the book he flipped through the book quickly to see baby pictures of Evan. Closing the book Riley lifted his head to look at Buffy and Evan.

"Thank you. This is the best gift I think anyone has even given me." Riley said, blinking back-unexpected tears.

"I thought you might like this. It's the only way short of turning the clock back to having you be part of Evan's life." Buffy smiled through her own tears as she reached out to kiss Riley lightly on the lips.

"Can you all excuse me, I think I'd like to be alone as I look through these." Riley asked, putting the album back into the box.

"You go son, we'll call you for breakfast." Kate Finn said, moved by her son's emotions.

"Thanks for understanding." Riley mumbled, as he walked out. He didn't want to offend anyone but he really needed to look at album in private. Buffy didn't follow him. She meant this gift to be very personal and knew an audience would be the last thing he'd want.

Bryan Finn crossed the room to stand in front of Buffy, and before she had a chance to react she was engulfed in a huge hug.

"That, my girl, is the most precious gift I think you could have given my son, thank you." Bryan Finn said pulling back. Yes, Riley had found himself another gem, and Bryan just hoped that Evan would pull through the transplant cause turning his back on this girl would be hard.

Climbing the stairs, Riley quickly went into his room and shut the door. Sitting down on the couch, he opened the first album labelled "Evan 2000 - 2002." On the first page were pictures of Buffy in the delivery room, going through labour. One picture clearly showing pain etched on her face as she experienced a contraction. Her beautiful hair was damp with sweat and plastered to her forehead. Willow was standing beside the bed coaching her.

On the second page were several pictures of an exhausted Buffy holding a tiny bundle in her arms. One picture was the hospital's newborn photograph of Evan dressed in a cotton shirt and stocking cap, his eyes were squeezed shut and his lips pursed. Riley chucked softly when he saw that, it was almost identical to Jordan's newborn picture, which sat on the dresser next to identical ones of her younger sisters.

At the bottom of the page were two photographs of Buffy. One, holding a telephone in her hand while looking hopeful with her fingers crossed for the camera. The second picture was of her crying and being held by Willow. Riley felt as if his heart was being ripped out. He knew this was Buffy's final attempt to contact him and he had refused to talk to her, literally slamming the door shut in her face. Why she'd enclosed this picture he wasn't really sure at first. Had she included it in the book to show him her attempt or was it to cause him guilt? No matter why, he'd missed out on the birth of his own son. Reaching out he ran his finger over the side of her cheek that rested against Willow's shoulder.

"God, what a fool I was, the pain I caused you." He said speaking to the picture. Shaking his head in dismay, a lone tear dropped, splattering onto the plastic film, which covered the photographs.

Turning the page revealed several pictures of Evan in different poses. Buffy changing his diaper, Evan sitting on the kitchen floor crying, and one of him sitting in his highchair being fed. This last picture drew Riley's attention because it wasn't Buffy feeding Evan. It was of a tall man with brown hair, covered in baby food and laughing. Riley knew instantly who he was, Lindsey McDonald, the man who controlled Buffy's life and Evan's heart.

Jealousy reared its ugly head as Riley stared down at the man who over the years had supported Buffy and helped raise Evan. Having taught Evan how to play sports, Lindsey attended all of Evan's games and did everything a loving father would do with his son. Everything Riley had walked away from.

Turning the pages, he saw every important event in Evan's first 2 years of life. His first steps were taken with a high-speed camera, so he was seen wobbling across the living room. Finally losing his balance, Evan plopped down on the floor. Riley remembered being told Lindsey had taken these pictures and he hated him for it.

Evan's first birthday with his hands covered in frosting and chocolate cake smeared across his face and hair. Gaily colored balloons were tied to his high chair. Everyone was there celebrating, including Buffy's father. Everyone that is, but Riley.

Riley noticed Lindsey was present at every important event in Evan's life, often holding the boy in his arms as Buffy looked on smiling happily. Riley's jealously tore at him, he wanted Lindsey's image removed from the album; replaced with his own. Shaking his head, reality sunk in, for Riley knew that he could never turn back the hands of time.

For the next half- hour he perused the albums showing Evan growing into a strong, handsome, healthy little boy. Riley saw pictures of him riding his first tricycle, bicycle, and in-line skates. Evan horseback riding, taking jumps over low hurdles. In his bathing suit playing on the shore with waves crashing around him. Annual school pictures, from Kindergarten through 4th grade. Copies of report cards indicated he was a straight A student, attending advanced classes and starting to master several foreign languages, much like his Uncle Kevin. Riley was so proud of his son's accomplishments that his face absolutely beamed.

The final two albums covered the past six months. Opening up the first album Riley noticed a note in Buffy's handwriting, "Dear Riley, I just wanted you to see everything in Evan's life, and I'm sorry if these next two albums cause you pain. If you need to talk, remember I'm here for you. Love Buffy."

Taking a deep breath Riley turned the page and saw several envelopes lining the pages. Opening them up Riley noticed the contents were copies of Evan's medical records and rejection letters indicating Buffy, Joyce, Dawn and their father did not match Evan's bone morrow type. On the last page of the album was the final letter from the national donor bank, looking at the top, Riley noticed it was dated just days before Willow's call to him. Reading the letter several times, all Riley could think about was the pain she must have felt at reading these words, all those months ago. Seeing the words in bold face, type jumped off the page at him 'no donor match could be found'.

Riley could only imagine Buffy's despair, her hope rapidly slipping away. It was obvious that she was forced to turn to the last source for a possible donor, to the man who walked out on her all those years ago. With the back of his hand Riley brushed away the tears that cascaded down his cheeks as he thought of her pain and suffering.

The final album pictured all that Evan went through during treatment. Bald spots forming on his head as his hair fell out from the chemotherapy. Wearing a baseball cap after his head was shaved to hide the bald spots. Standing arm in arm with Mason and another boy, all with shaved heads and wearing baseball caps.

Riley also witnessed the deterioration in Evan's health. From the robust little boy wearing a baseball uniform to the thin frail little boy in a hospital gown after a bout with illness. The little boy lying in the bed didn't even resemble the little boy downstairs at this moment; instead he looked more like a prison camp survivor.

The final page held two items, the medical report with Jordan's test results showing she and Evan were perfect matches and the Christmas picture of all the kids smiling happily with Santa Claus. At the bottom of the page, embossed in gold lettering Buffy had written the following, "Forever a bright and happy future." Riley's emotions came bursting through and he cried uncontrollably. This beautiful, loving woman had given him a second chance to be the father Evan needed and deserved. Riley knew he'd move heaven and earth to become that father.

Wiping at his tears, Riley placed the last album on the coffee table as he got up off the couch and crossed to the bed. Lying down on the mattress, he pulled his knees up against his chest and let the sobbing continue. Who he was crying for he wasn't too sure, maybe he was crying for all of them. Lost in his tears, he didn't feel gentle hands rubbing his back.

"It's okay, Riley. Ev's gonna be fine now, we're all gonna be fine now." Buffy whispered into his ear. Turning on the mattress, he huddled into her lap, seeking the comfort she could give him. In her arms he let go of every ounce of pain those pictures had caused him. Pain of regret that he hadn't been there for her and Evan.

After he stopped crying, he laid silently in her arms, marvelling at her strength. She may not be the Slayer any longer, but he'd never seen her stronger. Riley didn't know what he'd done right, but being allowed back into Buffy's life was like being given a reward.

"You hungry? Breakfast should be ready." She asked, caressing his cheek.

"Starved actually." He yawned.

"Wanna nap?"

"Honestly? I'd love one, but it's not in the cards today. Haven't you seen Kathleen Finn's Christmas agenda on the refrigerator door?" He laughed.

"Yeah, I did, and if I remember, I thought I saw a space for private time." She said, kissing him lightly.

"Let's go eat." He said, sitting up.

"Okay, but you know if you want to talk about the albums.."

"I know, you're here." He interrupted her, reaching for her hand as he pulled her off the bed towards the door and the noise of Christmas morning.

<><><><><>

Everyone in the room was talking excitedly, the kids ripping gift-wrap of packages and throwing it onto the floor. Snippets of conversation could be heard through the thank you's and the ooh's and ah's.

"Daddy, look what Santa gave me, a Barbie penthouse." Said Tristan.

"And it took Santa hours to put it together too." Riley whispered into Buffy's ear.

"Thank you, honey." Said Chris to Kevin, kissing him as he helped fasten a diamond bracelet around her wrist.

"Coffee anyone?" Joyce offered, as she picked up the pot from the warmer and poured herself a cup.

"No, thanks." Said Buffy.

"No." Said Willow, "I've had enough to float a boat."

"I'll take some, please." Said Bryan, handing her his cup.

"Anyone want another Danish?" Asked Riley, passing around a plate full a various fruit topped pastries that passed for dessert after breakfast.

"Oh god no! I'll weight 500 lbs. if I don't get back to L.A. soon. I don't think I've ever eaten this much in my life." Cordelia laughed.

"I know what you mean." Buffy said, patting her own stomach.

"I'll take another." Said Marc, reaching for the plate.

"I asked, do you want another Danish, not do you want the whole plate? I swear after what you inhaled at breakfast, I'd be concerned about putting weight on." Riley laughed at his brother.

"But I'm a growing boy." Answered Marc taking one, "I need my carbs. I'll take Cordy and Buffy's too."

Evan lovingly fingered the antique sled Riley had given him. It was a family heirloom passed down from father to son for seven generations. It was brought from Ireland when Bryan came to the U. S. Evan saw Bryan's name carved on it, Riley's, and right below that was his own. He was so happy, none of them knew what it meant to him to have a father and be a member of a family. Someday he hoped to carry the Finn name too, but he didn't want to hurt his mother's feelings by asking to have it changed. Besides his dad would want him to have it too, but this sled symbolised the first step for him belonging to the Finn family.

"Travis look 'Twisted Metal Platinum' for Sony Play Station 7." Myles said, holding up the disk.

"I got Madden 2010." Travis answered, smugly.

"Ooh." An excited Mason jumped in. "Can we play them later?"

"Sure."

Riley sat beside Buffy and handed her a brightly wrapped gift. "Open this." He said, placing it in her lap.

Pulling off the wrapping paper and opening the box she found a black blindfold. Quickly closing the lid, she turned to look at Riley perched on the arm of the couch.

"Riley!" she hissed in embarrassment, after the other night, any reference to sex should have been left in the bedroom.

"Put it on." He said, opening the box. He pulled out the blind fold and handed it to her.

"Oh yeah, Mom, you have to put it on!" Evan shouted excitedly to his mother.

"Yeah Buffy, put it on!" Tristan jumped to her feet, followed closely by her oldest sister Jordan.

"Okay, if you promise me it'll all be okay." She laughed apprehensively.

Taking her arm, Riley led her out of the den and down what she figured was the front hallway. From the noise behind her, she knew the whole tribe was following behind them.

"Do you think she needs her coat, Joyce?" Riley asked.

"I think she'll be fine." Joyce said, looking out the window at the freshly fallen snow.

Buffy heard the front door open, and felt the cold crisp air drift into the hallway.

"Riley if this is your way of throwing me into a snow bank, I'll kill you." Buffy laughed, worried now that she didn't know what was waiting for her outside that door. Trusting Riley, she let him lead her out onto the front porch.

"Okay, take off the blindfold." He whispered into her ear.

Pulling off the blindfold, Buffy let out a shriek. There, sitting in the circular front drive, was a black convertible Porsche Boxster.

"Oh my god, Riley." She babbled, as she brought her shaking hands up to her mouth. In all her years, nobody had given her a present so expensive.

"Isn't it great Mom!" Evan exclaimed from his place on Xander's back.

"Oh baby, it's the best."

Turning to Riley, she asked, "How did you know I wanted one of these? Everyday I'd drive Evan to school, I'd see one of these dropping some kid off, and I'd dream of having one."

"Evan told me. I asked him, if I could give you anything what would it be, and he told me this." Riley was so proud of himself at that minute, cause he'd just made one of her dreams come true.

"But you shouldn't have." She blushed.

"Well, I had to give you something to go with this." Riley said, holding up a chain with a pendant hanging from it.

Taking the chain in her hand she looked down at an antique key that hung from it. Upon closer look she noticed the chain was inlaid with diamonds and emeralds.

"This is the key to my heart, and I thought who better to give it to now, than the woman who'd always held it." Riley smiled at her and in that moment the entire world fell away and it was just the two of them as she jumped into his arms.

"I love you, Riley Finn." She said, as she kissed him within an inch of his life.

"I don't know 'bout you guys, but I know there's more presents in there with my name on it, so I'm going in." Kevin said, knowing perfectly well his brother would want some private smooching for a bit, judging by the kiss Buffy had just laid on him.

Herding the rest of the clan into the house wasn't as easy as they thought it would be, all the women wanted to stay to watch, but with gentle coaching they followed the rest of the family. Back in the den, they took their seats and continued with the noisy Christmas morning unwrapping.

Graham had spent so many Christmases in the arms of the Finn family, but thanks to the amazing red head sitting behind him on the couch, he finally felt like he finally had a family of his own. Earlier that morning they had sworn their undying love of sorts to each other, and now Christmas seemed perfect. For the first time in a long time, Graham felt like he had someone of his own to hold onto.

"Do you like the books?" She asked, leaning over his shoulder to see him staring at the first additions of the Great Gatsby and Great Expectation he held in his hands.

"They're amazing. How'd you know they were my favourites?" He asked, grateful this woman was his.

"I remembered from years ago. You told me a long time ago they were your favourite books. I just have a good memory." She beamed down at him.

"Obviously." He smiled, touched that she remembered their conversation from over 10 years ago.

"I love you." She said, kissing his neck.

"Love you back." He said, turning his head so he could return her kiss.

"Let's see what else Santa brought." He said, starting to get up off of the floor.

"I'll get her one Uncle Graham." Travis said, moving to the gaily-decorated tree to pull out a present.

Picking up a gift packaged in a shirt box, Travis carried it across the room and handed it to Graham.

"Wow, Travis, this is heavy." Graham said, surprised by the weight of the gift. Looking at the card he noticed it said 'To Willow'. There was no indication who the gift was from but the handwriting was neat and powerful looking so it had to be from a man. Probably Xander since he and Willow had been friends since childhood.

Turning on the floor, he set the package in her lap.

"My God, what's in here, gold bricks?" She asked, laughing when she picked it up and started to rip off the red and green wrapping paper.

Lifting off the top revealed a large rectangular marble plaque turned face down.

"Xander what the heck did you give me?" Willow asked, as she picked up the slab to turn it over.

Looking over her shoulder to see what she held in her hand, Xander answered. "Not from us Will, we gave you the Vivian Leigh "Gone With The Wind" costume".

"I wonder..."

Everyone froze in their seats when they heard the blood-curdling scream coming from the couch. Sitting with the marble plaque on her lap, Willow sat crying hysterically. Everyone ran over to see what had terrified her so. They noticed the plaque had an unusual design, the front was engraved like an old style tombstone and worded "Here lies Willow Rosenburg, Porno Queen 1981 - 2010."

Willow threw the tombstone down in disgust. Hitting the stone work of the hearth, the slab snapped in two. It had been glued together from two hollowed out pieces. Lying in the slab's cavity was a butcher's knife with the blade bent, chipped, and covered in dried blood.

Graham pulled her shaking body away from the damaged weapon and its offensive case.

Buffy, wanting to get it out of Willow's sight, ran over to pick it up.

"No, don't touch it!" Riley yelled, grabbing her hand before she could touch the stone.

"Marc, go up to Jordy's bathroom, and under the sink there's a box of latex gloves." Riley ordered.

"I'm on it." Marc said, running out of the room.

"Buffy, Giles, please get Willow and Graham out of here." Angel said, his heart going out to the couple. Here they thought they were safe. Willow was in hysterics with tears pouring down her face, and Graham was so close himself that it was sad.

Everyone sat quietly in their chairs, too shocked to move. The seriousness of the situation began to settle in, there was a stalker outside somewhere that could reach inside a well-guarded stronghold any time he wanted to. The thought of how vulnerable they actually were terrified them.

"Hey guys, lets go try out those new games that Myles and Travis got?" Chris said, looking at her sons then at the door.

"Yeah, come on, Mason, I'll race you to the games room." Myles said, scrambling out of the room with Mason on his tail.

"Ah, Xander, can you help with Evan?" Anya said

"Sure thing. Piggy back or fireman carry?"

"Fireman carry." Evan laughed, only Uncle Xander would give him a choice like that.

"Come on, sweetheart, Aunt Cordelia's gonna need your help with the babies." Cordelia said, ushering Tristan out

"Jordan, Hope, can you grab some of the twins toys?" Cordelia called over her shoulder, as Hope and Jordan grabbed stuff and followed Cordy.

"We've got to get her out of here, she's not safe." Riley said, stalking around the room once he was sure the kids were out of earshot. "The bastard, not once, but twice has had access to my house and her."

"Riley, please calm down." Buffy said, but she knew exactly how he felt at the moment, helpless.

"No, he's right Buffy. This asshole has not only invaded Willow's life, but Riley's family as well." Angel said, his demon flashing as he spoke.

"Somehow this got into my house and I want answers!" He yelled, as his fist connected with the fire place mantel.

Marc walked into the room and stopped next to Angel, startled by his normally calm older brother's outburst.

"How's Willow and Graham?" Buffy asked him.

"Dawn and the mothers are with them. They're both a mess. He keeps apologising to her for not keeping her safe. Rye, he's blaming himself." Marc said, running his hand through his hair. This gave a new meaning to family Christmas.

"No, it's my house, and if it's any one's fault it's mine. We should never have had that Christmas party last week." He seethed.

"Riley, it's not your fault, believe me this guy has got more balls then you can shake a stick at. He's gotten so close to her, and she's been absolutely surrounded by security. No, he's good, or he has help." Wesley spoke up for the first time.

"Help?"

"How else can he be everywhere? Or know her schedule." Wesley added.

"Makes sense, it's the most logical thing I've heard yet." Marc said, thinking of the redhead crying upstairs at the moment.

"But who?" Buffy asked.

"Someone on the inside? Or they know how to speak to people." Kevin offered, just as Xander came back into the room.

"You mean money." Riley sighed, knowing there was no way he could protect her if this guy was paying people to do his stalking for him.

"Speaks every language." Angel sighed.

"Yeah, even a few I understand." Xander mused.

"Well, we've got to get this outta here and checked for fingerprints." Riley said, taking command of the situation. "Don't anyone touch anything. We don't want this thing contaminated any more than it is now."

Walking out of the den, he strode purposely towards the kitchen. A few minutes later, he re-emerged and came back into the den carrying a large kitchen garbage bag. Putting on a pair of latex gloves, Riley carefully placed the broken slab and knife back into the shirt box and slipped everything into the plastic bag.

"I called the police and they'll be here in a few minutes. I'm gonna take these down to the guards out front and the police can pick them up there." Riley said, carrying the bag out of the room."

"Daddy, is Aunt Willow okay?" Jordan said, shaken by what had just happen.

Riley turned to see his daughter had just witnessed his angry outburst. Quickly collecting himself, he put down the bag and went over to her, pulling her into his arms. Yes, once again this maniac had gotten close to Willow, but that also meant the man had been close to his children. Closing his eyes, he thanked the heavens that no harm had come to his children.

"She'll be fine baby, she just didn't like the gift that she got from someone."

"I don't think I'd like a knife either. 'Specially one with blood on it." She said, resting her head on her father's shoulder.

"Sweetie, why don't you and I take the rest of these toys to Cordy?" Dawn said, coming over to put her hand on Jordan's shoulder. Where Dawn had magically come from he'd never know, but he was grateful for her sudden appearance.

"Yeah honey, you go with Aunt Dawn, okay?" Riley said, kissing her forehead. This was not the way he wanted his children to remember their first Christmas together.

"Rye, what's going to happen now?" Kevin asked, as Riley stepped back into the den. He'd never been in the middle of an investigation before.

"The police will take the pieces down to the lab and dust them for prints, then send the findings out to L.A. and probably the FBI to see if there's any match in their data banks."

"I'll call Kate and give her a head's up they're coming." Angel said. "Maybe she can check with UPS, Fed Ex, and the Post Office and find out some information."

"Who'd want to harm that beautiful little lady." Bryan asked, nothing like this would ever happen in Huxley, but then again he'd never met a movie star before.

"Some sex-crazed sicko." Answered Riley.

"But why? She's just the sweetest girl?" Bryan was confused as to why someone would want to hurt someone that one of his sons loved. Though his last name was Miller, Bryan and Kate thought of Graham as their son.

"I don't know, Dad. Just some stalker, that's been following her career for awhile now. He apparently has a thing for Willow." Riley said, knowing exactly how his father felt.

"Angel, can you handle things down here? I'm gonna go check on Wills and Graham. Marc can you take this out to the police when they arrive, and don't let it out of your sight. Right now I don't trust anyone, but the people that are in this house. Buffy, you wanna come with me?" Riley said, holding out his hand to Buffy.

Riley had been concerned about Buffy's reaction to all this. The last thing she needed right now was to worry about Willow's stalker. Buffy seemed pale and jumpy, so Riley wrapped his arm around her protectively.

"Are you okay?" He asked, stopping in the hallway outside of the den. Wrapping his arms around her trembling form, he pulled her to him.

"Yeah, just freakin' a little. Riley, it feels like he's getting closer and closer all the time. I don't know what I'd do if I lost Willow, she's more than just a friend, she's...." Buffy struggled for the right word.

"Family?" Riley offered

"Yes."

"Don't worry, nothings gonna happen to her ever, I promise you. I can guarantee you, Graham will protect her with his life." Riley said, kissing Buffy's forehead.

"Look, you go upstairs, and I'm gonna call Steve and see if he can come right over. Willow may need to be sedated again." Riley said, as they broke their embrace and headed down the hall toward the stairs.

****

Graham closed the door of their bedroom behind Joyce, Kate and Dawn as they left. Turning, he saw a once hysterical Willow now curled up on the couch, waiting for him to return. Once they had gotten up to the room and away from the terrifying scene below, she'd started to calm down a bit. Graham moved back to the couch and sat down, pulling her back into the protection of his embrace.

"Wills, sweetheart, its okay, baby. You're here with me, and it's safe. I'm not going to let anyone near you." He said, brushing the strands of long auburn hair away from her face.

"It's *not* okay Gray. H...he's coming. I can feel it. If he can get to me here in....in this fortress he can..." She whimpered helplessly.

"Shhh. He's not going to get you. He's gotta come through me first and he'll have to kill me before he gets anywhere near you."

"But how can we stop him? He knows my every move, where I go, who I see."

"Will, baby, you're safe here even though he managed to slip that disgusting piece of crap past everyone's noses. No one's going to enter the grounds, Rye and I will see to it. Not only will we have the guards posted at the gates, but we'll have them out patrolling too."

Willow tried valiantly to regain her composure. It bothered her that Graham had to take on so much responsibility, and she only added to it. Not only did he have to worry about the business and flare-ups in New Orleans, but now her psychotic stalker. She wanted *so* much to shove this unrelenting fear into a drawer somewhere and shut it away forever, but she knew she didn't have that luxury. Her stress had been building ever since the first contact with her 'admirer' and today it finally came crashing down around her. Willow was now on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

"I'd take you to my flat so we could throw him off for a while, but I can't guarantee your safety there. My building is open with public access from the street and I don't have any security system there like Riley has here at the house."

Willow could only nod her head. She understood what Graham was telling her, but it still didn't quell her near panic.

Graham, behind that calming façade, knew his lover was very close to going over the edge and he was the only person holding her back.

But Willow wasn't the only person on the verge of panic here, Graham was very much aware of the danger Willow faced and he was scared too. If she left the safe confines of the house, she'd become an open target. Even if she agreed to stay within the estate grounds, she was in danger. Someone with a high-powered hunting rifle could climb up into a tree or hid out in a dark corner and put a bullet between her eyes. These thoughts terrified and threatened to overwhelm him, but he knew he couldn't force Willow to stay sequestered in the house. Evan and Jordan were leaving for the hospital that night to prepare for the transplant procedure and Willow wanted to be by Buffy's side until she knew for sure that everything was going to be all right.

"Will, we can't block this out forever, because if we could, I would." Graham sighed, resting his chin on the top of her head.

"I know, and that's what so terrifying. The minute I let my guard down he's there...I don't know how much longer I can keep this up."

"*We'll* keep this up as long as that Bastard's out there. Willow, I've finally got you back, and there's no way in hell I'll loss you again." Graham said, tightening his arms around her, feeling his own brave front starting to slip.

"What happens if you can't." Her voice trembling.

"We will."

"But what..."

"Willow I can't think like that." He said, his bottom lip starting to quiver.

"Gray, it's a reality, and we may have to." She said, hearing the emotion in his voice.

"Well, I'm not ready to admit defeat yet, Willow. I can't." He leaned his face into her hair letting his tears fall.

"Don't you fall apart on me, I need your strength." She whispered, rubbing his back and comforting him.

"Maybe it's all gone." He almost whispered into her ear.

"It can't be, cause I need it. I need you to hold me up." She pulled back, lifting his head so their eyes meet.

"I will." he sniffed.

"Good, cause I don't think I can do this on my own any longer."

Graham and Willow sat on the couch wrapped in each other's arms until Buffy came up to ask if they wanted anything for lunch. Graham pulled Willow up and gave her a big kiss.

"Come on, we can't stay up here forever." He said.

"Why not? Sound's like a good idea to me." She said, wrapping her arm around his waist as they approached and opened the bedroom door.