Buffy looked at the waiter and shrugged. "I'm not ready to order yet. I'm waiting for a friend. You haven't seen a blonde come in, have you?"

"I've seen many blondes come in. Is there anything in particular about the one you're waiting for?"

"He's male. He has blue eyes and talks with an English accent."

The waiter looked around the room. "I do not see him, mademoiselle."

Buffy sighed, stood up, and headed towards the restroom. He was a no show. And they were supposed to head to Chicago to meet with a Watcher who knew about the demon they were about to fight, that goddess Glorificus.

It was his idea to meet at a stupid French restaurant, she thought, sighing as she looked in the mirror. She fingered the two plane tickets in her purse as she reached for her lipstick, first class all the way to O'Hare.

A knock at the bathroom door surprised her. "Madame? You man is here, the one you were waiting for."

Buffy steeled her nerves and went out into the dining area, seeing Spike sitting at the table she'd occupied for the last hour dressed in a suit and not his normal wear. "Buffy," he said quietly.

"You're late."

"I know," he said. "I went to the airport."

"You were supposed to come here."

Spike shook his head. "I sent Dawn on an airplane to Australia. The farther she is from here the easier it might be to defeat Glorificus. Xander and Anya went with her."

Buffy sighed. "So, are we still going to Chicago?"

"Yes; we still need to fight Glorificus." He looked at the menu and waved the waiter over. "Two filet mingons, please. Mine will be extra rare."

"I can order for myself," Buffy said.

"Did you want to order snails or frogs?" Spike said, raising his eyebrow slightly.

"Good point."

"So," Spike began.

"How'd you afford to send her?" Buffy asked.

"I had some money saved up. Not much, and it was hard to get to, but this was important. I didn't want you worrying about her when we needed to concentrate."

"Have I ever mentioned you're actually decent?"

"No. Never."

"Spike, you're a decent guy sometimes."

Spike pulled the menu up to cover his smile. "I'll take that compliment and raise you one. You look gorgeous tonight, Buffy."

Buffy blushed slightly. "Thank you."

"Not a problem. Decent chaps do that everyone every once in a while. Give compliments, I mean."

Buffy started out the window, watching the street. Maybe, with Spike at her side, things would work out just fine.