TITLE: Proposals
AUTHOR: Ragna (writinggoddess@aol.com)
RATING: FRT
CLASSIFICATION: Spike/Other, Giles/Other, Xander/Other, Buffy/Other, Willow/Oz.
SUMMARY: Get this: Giles is getting married, and wackiness ensues.
SPOILERS: Set in my own little universe.
DISTRIBUTION: Any sites with my fic up; you all have unspoken permission. I write it, you can post it. Everyone else just keep my name on it and let me know.
DISCLAIMER: If you don't recognize it, chances are it's my own creation. If you do, I don't own it. Joss Whedon, Kazui Sandollar, The WB, UPN, et. al. most likely do.
FEEDBACK: Please send it offlist and let me know it's feedback; I do rapid delete on my account due to a lot of spam.
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Originally, this was posted as parts 5 & 6.

***

Genevieve woke up slowly, surprised to find she was in a bed. In fact, she was surprised to be alive still. Her wounds were cleaned and bandaged, and she was wearing clean clothes, without tears. There was a lot of noise downstairs, but she couldn't quite figure out where she was.

She stood up gingerly and walked out of the room. It was then that she recognized the place. It was Alex's house, and Genevieve smiled. Nice to have friends, she thought somberly as she went down the stairs, one at a time.

There was almost a party like atmosphere downstairs. And all the people...

"Hey, Jenny!" Alex said, using her old friends favorite nickname. She came up to her and gingerly hugged her.

"Hey Ally," Genevieve responded in kind. "How long have I been out?"

"Considering you fell at my feet at dawn and it's now 5 PM, I say about 12 hours." The curtains were open, meaning it was dark outside. Alex gestured to all the people. "We're having our pow-wow here. Want to help?"

Genevieve nodded. "What type of pow-wow. Wedding or other?"

"Both," Giles said, looking up at her. "Glad to see you woke up."

"Glad I'm awake. So, what's going on? And who is everyone?"

"Allow me to make introductions," Giles said. As he introduced everyone to her, she memorized their faces.

"I'm Genevieve, but I also go by Jenny," she said, looking at the large group from the sofa she'd sat down on. "I'm related to a Watcher, and I'm also a vampire hunter." She saw the looks from Spike and Angel, and laughed. "Don't worry, you're not on my list."

"You have a list?" Angel asked.

Genevieve nodded. "Actually, there's a few vampires I'm supposed to kill while I'm here. A few of their friends attacked in the middle of the job."

"Who trains you for this?" Buffy asked, interested. Genevieve shrugged.

"My brother did, in my case. Watcher's sometimes train regular people to kill vampires as well. In my case, it's a revenge issue."

"What do you mean?" Gaby asks.

"Vampires killed all my family except my oldest brother," she said, her eyes growing cold. "My father, my mother, my sisters and brothers. I hope to see all of them gone one day, present company excepted."

"Thanks," both Angel and Spike mumbled.

"Did they have any markings or anything?" Gillian asked, getting up off the floor and grabbing a book from Alex's bookshelf. As Genevieve nodded, Giles caught a glimpse of the book as Gillian headed back to her spot.

"You have the Voguenah Chronicles, Alex? I thought they were impossible to get," Giles asked.

"It's mine, actually," Spike said. "Had it for about 100 years or so. Don't ask how I got it."

Giles shuddered at the implications of the last remark. "Don't worry; I won't."

Alex smiled. It was interesting, watching the two men she loved interact. Her uncle was very dear to her, more of a father than her own. And Spike...where to begin?

Gillian showed Genevieve the page she had found, and Genevieve nodded. "That's the symbol." Gillian passed the book around, signaling to Alex and Giles to go into the kitchen.

As the three of them entered, Gillian sighed. "I was afraid of that," she said, starting to pace. "They are assassins, hired for one reason only: to kill Watchers. They ignore Slayers unless they interfere. It might be because once a Slayer dies, she is replaced, but a Watcher can have more than one Slayer..."

Alex joined her in the pacing, though not by half as many strides. "Then I think we have a big problem."

***

After the pacing was finished, the Watchers rejoined the group and filled the others in. By the time they finished, it was nearly eleven. And Alex and Spike were starting to fall asleep. Everyone took it as a sign to leave, though it was agreed everyone leave in groups.

As soon as the guests left, Alex crawled on the couch. Spike soon joined her. "If that neighbor does that same thing tomorrow..." she said, yawning.

"You'll hurt him, I hope. Paralyze him or something," Spike said, wrapping a blanket around Alex, then another around him. Vampires do occasionally get cold, and Spike was no exception.

"Possibly. But right now, all I want is a decent night's sleep," she replied, moving over slightly.

"Think you can get upstairs, or should I carry you?"

Alex would normally have made a joke, or a teasing comment, but tonight she was just exhausted. Instead of saying anything at all, she just held out her arms. Spike smiled and picked her up.

"My God, if I didn't know any better, I'd say this is the only reason you love me," he said with a sarcastic voice.

"Nope. Only reason I love you is because you're the perfect guy for me," she muttered as she nuzzled his neck and fell asleep. He finally got into the room, laid her on the bed, and changed her out of her clothes.

Slipping her under the covers first, he stripped to his boxers and climbed in next to her, hoping to talk for a few minutes, but she was already asleep. He kissed her forehead softly and went to sleep himself. His last thought that evening was, "It's scary how much we act like a married couple already. What's even scarier is that I enjoy it."

***

The four visitors had their own place to stay. Cordy and Rebekah shared a room, as did Whistler and Angel. Saved money, which none of them really had much of anymore. At the moment, however, all of them, plus Xander and Gaby, were roaming around Sunnydale, hunting for the killers.

It had been decided that the Watchers would leave their houses as little as possible at night, and the new meeting place would be Alex's house. So now, with more people around to help slay, that meant less work for everyone else.

Xander and Cordelia were very quiet, while an interesting conversation between the two demons and the two Slayers revolved around them. Xander held on the Gaby quite a bit, and Cordelia seemed to get the message.

"So you immediately trusted them?" Gillian asked Rebekah, indicating she was talking about Angel and Whistler.

"I should. They saved me in a fight I was in. The vamp was a nasty piece of work, but they pulled him off me and tossed me a stake. I guess that was the best way for me to trust them. How did you trust Spike?"

"I had to. Alex pretty much sat all of us down and explained what they were. She's the Helper and Spike is the Decider. They're supposed to fight an evil worse than the ones we fight. Anyway, after a while, it was evident they really cared for each other. It was solidified when her, him and his dead ex-girlfriend--"

"Drusilla's dead?" Angel and Whistler asked. "How?" continued Angel.

"Ummm...killed by a demon after Spike. Named Laigos or something," she said. Looking at Rebekah, she continued. "Anyway, Drusilla was the Seer. The three of them were chosen to be these fighters, so they started fighting what's known as the Dissenter. Dru sometimes helps from beyond, but it was mainly Spike and Alex. In fact, that's why he has a soul again."

"To help kill a demon?" Whistler said, and Gaby nodded.

"I wonder if anyone would ever do that for me," Rebekah mused, then shook her head. "It'd be nice, but it'll never happen."

"You mean, almost lose their life for you because they love you? Trust me, it happens," Gaby said, looking at Xander. Only then did she realize how silent he'd been. They were nearing their apartment, and Gaby had some rather important news to share. They said good-bye and went inside.

"That was awkward," Xander said finally as they walked around, doing various things before going to sleep. Suddenly, Gaby stopped moving.

"Well, tomorrow may be even worse," she said. "You might want to sit down for this."

They sat down and Gaby looked at Xander. "I...I...how do I say this?" she muttered. Taking a deep breath, she smiled. "I have some good news. I got offered a job, working as a webpage designer. But it means I'd be working for the competition of Alex's company. And I'm not sure if I should take it."

"Have you told her yet?" Xander asked, knowing what their relationship meant. Neither sister liked having the other mad at them.

Gaby shook her head. "No. But I think she would want me to take it. I hope."

Xander nodded. "Ask her tomorrow, then. That's the best idea." He seemed a little distant, and Gaby was worried. "Gaby," Xander said, looking straight at her. "I'm sorry I'm not myself today. Just, with Cordelia around..."

She shook her head, signaling she didn't want to talk about it. "I'm fine with it, I promise. I know you love me, so nothings wrong. Okay?"

"Okay." He headed towards the bedroom, and Gaby followed. Neither of them said much, but both knew that their relationship depended on how Xander dealt with Cordelia.

***

The next morning was freezing, almost. Which was rather unusual for summer. But anything unusual in Sunnydale usually signaled an upcoming threat. And that did not sit well with the many people trying to stop it.

"What council news were you able to get?" Patricia asked Giles as he was getting dressed. Surprisingly, instead of the usual outfit he wore, he changed in jeans and a sweater, He was noticeably more relaxed now, and it was a good change.

"Not much. Many of them are still upset with Alex, but they're also out of session for a month. Customary when the head of the Council dies." He sat down on the bed and looked concerned. "Something's not right...why would the assassins come now? And who could have hired them?"

Patricia put her brush down on the vanity and sat next to Giles. "Rupert, unfortunately, I don't think we'll be able to know. But most likely, it's Alex. Or you."

He looked over at her. "Are us Giles' so very dangerous?"

Smiling she shook her head. "No. It's just that the three of you can pass your traits...the Ripper personality, the pure power, the Watcher or Slayer destiny." She reached over and grasped his hand. "If one child ends up with a combination of the first two and is either a Slayer or a Watcher, the world is indeed in for something interesting. Alex has that combination, and it scares a lot of people."

"I think I see what you're suggesting," he said. "And I'm a threat because I have two of those characteristics."

"Which means, if I ever have a child, there's a very good chance they could have all three traits. He or she could be a Watcher or Slayer, have your personality and Alex's pure power. It can skip around, after all. I believe you once said something about how gentle you brother was?"

Giles smiled. "Yes, that I was a lion and he was a lamb. It was so very true. But he might have been a wolf in lamb's clothing, now that I've found out more about him."

"Such as..."

"He literally abandoned Alexandra at times. No wonder she looks up to me as much as she does! And Gabriella, poor girl...she never even knew who he was until she was in middle school."

"At least you're not like that, and see how different they were before coming here?" Patricia said, standing up and leaving the room, heading for the kitchen.

"I don't think I had all that much to do with it," Giles said as he followed her downstairs.

"You underestimate yourself, Rupert. I think the only ones that helped as much are Xander and Spike. But you loved them unconditionally, and they appreciated it. It shows."

Giles kissed her lightly. "Than that makes it better, now. Thank you."

"No problem. But I expect it back, you know. I may not have something to do with saving the world, but--"

"You do, though," Giles said. "You save the people who live in it. You actually do just as much, or more, than we do. You just get to avoid the demons and such."

"Not when I marry you, I won't," Patricia replied with a wry smile on her face.

***

"Did you paralyze him or something?" Spike asked Alex, who was still in bed.

"You'll never know if you don't let me sleep," she replied, rolling over. Unable to get back to sleep, she sat up. "Yes, actually, I did. Temporarily, until noon. Happy?"

"You're not serious, are you?" he asked.

Alex smiled despite herself. "No, but I made him forget his idea that I was a vampire. That's all. I really hate having neighbors. They get on my nerves."

"I could have sworn you have nerves of steel," Spike said, walking away from the closet.

"Me? Never," Alex replied, slowly getting out of bed, and kissing Spike on the cheek. "I had a dream last night," she said slowly, knowing that the information she was going to reveal might be shocking.

"About what, love?"

"My death." That made Spike stop what he was doing, which was getting dressed.

"Prescient or other?"

"Prescient. I know that. I saw...I saw my beaten body in an alley, and I could feel myself dying. Someone found me and got me to the hospital, but it was too late." She took a deep breath. "There's more. The doctor's say I won't live out the night, and that you should take me home so I die here."

Spike listend, getting more and more worried. "What else?"

"You don't turn me, and I die. Then you wait for the sun to rise...outside." Alex looks at him. "You will turn me, if it happens, won't you?"

Spike sat back down, thinking. Finally, he said, "I promised you I would. So I will."

"You better, or I'll haunt you."

"You have any idea when it will happen?" he asked, and she shook her head. "Oh, love, don't worry," he said as he saw her turn away and her back shake a bit. "I love you. You know that, and if I promised you I would turn you, then I will."

"I needed to hear that," she said. She wiped her few tears away as the doorbell rang. "I guess we get to start again," she said, smiling a little.

"I just hope it all ends soon," he said, not realizing his poor choice of words until after Alex had left the room.

***

No one could possibly believe it. The wedding was the next evening, and everyone was just getting the finishing touches. It had finally been settled, all of it: the dress, the location, the time. Now all that was needed to be done was relax.

Easier said then done.

The assasins effectively shut out the night meetings, meaning everything had been jumbled together. And Alex's house had been buzzing with activity. For almost a month, the days were spent planning one thing or another, and the nights were spent worrying, and with good reason.

Gaby had almost been killed, but Whistler had been trailing behind and managed to save her. Buffy had gotten a broken arm, and was now wearing a cast, effectively ruling her out of hand-to-hand combat. And even the Watchers had had a few run-ins with the assasins.

And then, the night before, they had fought and killed the demon Rokna. It was almost an ambush. Twelve of them against forty or so vampires. But they won, thanks to a lucky crossbow shot from Buffy...and a curse from Gillian, Willow and Alex.

And now, if was almost time for a wedding.

And what a wedding it would be...

***

The people who would actually be in the wedding were gathered at Alex's house. They looked more like Vietnam vets than people who would be put into formal wear. Gaby had bruises and a black eye. Xander was walking with a limp. Buffy's arm had had to be rebroken and recast due to damage from when Rokna threw her against a rock wall. She also had her ribs taped.

Gillian and Alex were a bit better off. Alex had stitches up her arm from a fight with a wannabe samurai, and both her knees were encased in braces. Gillian had a broken wrist from deflecting a magic bolt. Willow had a few scrapes, but nothing major.

The worst to have been hurt was, surprisingly, Spike and Angel. Both had been knocked out because of a spell Rokna used. The girls had been able to curse Rokna before any permanent damage had been done, but both vampires had been out cold for almost six hours, not waking up until well after dawn.

It had been a long fight, but they had won.

"As maid of honor, aren't you supposed to throw a bachelorette party?" Buffy asked Alex.

"I'm supposed to, but Genevieve's doing it. Patricia asked her to be in the wedding as another bridesmaid when her sister couldn't make it. I'm too tired and too stressed." She glanced at her stairs to see if Spike was ever going to get up. He was in a lot of pain; she knew that. "I'm going to get him something to eat. Plug your noses when I come back out." With that, she walked over to the kitchen, and then to the utility closet.

"I heard Giles asked Angel and Spike to be ushers. Are they going to be able to do it?" Xander asked. "And I know I should have planned a bachelor party, being the best man and all, but..."

"It's cool," Genevieve said as she walked in the door. "My God, you guys look like hell!"

"Nothing a little formality and a lot of make-up can't fix," Buffy said as Mike came in from the kitchen with fruit and pancakes. He and Joe had been making breakfast for everyone.

"Well," Alex said as she came back out, "I need to go check on Spike. Be back soon."

"If you're not back in an hour, we'll know he's fine," Gaby said, and Alex threw a pillow at her sister.

"Bite me." She said as she walked up the stairs to their room.

***

Spike slowly sat up and groaned, his body feeling as though it had been folded up, thrown in a dryer and then run over by a truck. A big truck. He could tell it was day because the light leaked through the blinds.

He hobbled over to the door as it was opening. "Dammit, Spike. Lay back down!" The love of his unlife admonished him and almost pushed him back on the bed. Had he been at full strength, he might have put up a fight.

Might have. But probably wouldn't have.

"You hungry?" Alex asked as she laid down next to him. He nodded, noting how much his neck hurt as he did that. "Then you'll want this," she said, handing him a mug and scrunching her nose.

"You shouldn't have," he said, drinking it slowly.

"Are you sure you feel okay?" She looked over at him, concern on her face.

"I'm fine, love. I just need to rest. How's the poof?"

"He's okay. He got hurt, but not as bad as you did. He's moving around, but he's in a bit of pain." She curled up a bit against him. "Everyone else is downstairs, except Whistler and Rebekah. They're taking care of Angel."

"That's good." He finished the contents of the mug, and rolled over a bit, wincing as he did. "I missed you last night."

"Spike, stop moving around!" she said, and then she kissed him lightly. "I missed you too."

"I feel a bit better now. Having breakfast helped," he said, smiling a bit. "Pet, I thought I heard you last night. Did you have that dream again?"

The small smile disappeared from her face. "Yeah. It's not like the dream itself is scary. It's just that I...I feel everything. I even feel myself die. And I feel everyone's sadness. It hurts."

He reached over for her and slowly, gingerly, embraced her. "What do you think about me getting up and joining you downstairs, sweet?"

"I think it's a bad idea but I know you're going to do it anyway," she said, still sounding a bit glum. He touched her arm, and it was her turn to wince.

"How many stitches do you have?" he said, looking at her arm. It was bandaged from her shoulder to her elbow.

"Too many. The entire length that's bandaged has stitches." She got up and helped him stand up. "You should see how everyone else looks, though. Good thing we didn't have to all go to the hospital."

"Why?"

"They would have jumped to some pretty weird conclusions," she said as they left the room and headed down the stairs.

***

The day went by quickly, all of them staying at Alex's house. The bachelorette party was going to be there, and Patricia was staying over to get ready the next evening.

At sunset, all the males, save Spike, left for the bachelor party. Spike, on the other hand, went to where Angel and the others were staying. Alex was going to miss the party and watch the two of them while everyone else enjoyed themselves.

"Love, you don't have to do this," Spike protested, but she shook her head.

"I don't want to be there," she said, in a tone of voice that told him to drop the subject. The wedding was still a touchy subject with her, but she was getting used to it.

"Alright." Spike knocked on the door and Angel opened it. They were going to be the only ones there as everyone else was partying.

"Come in," he said, allowing Spike inside. The two walked in and Angel looked at them. "Isn't the maid of honor supposed to throw the party?"

"Not this time," she said, cutting him off. "I have to go get something. I'll be right back." She turned around and left the room.

"She was affianced once. The man was killed by a vampire, and she never got the chance to be married. So she resents the whole wedding problem," Spike said as he went over to one of the two beds in the room. "I actually got to see her, in the dress and everything. She would have been quite a beautiful bride."

Angel nodded. "When Buffy and I were together, sometimes it came up. What would happen if she lived past 18 and was an adult. She couldn't get married or have children. Not with me, anyway." He sighed a little. "I'm actually glad she's with Mike. He's a nice enough guy."

"Glad to know you two love us, though," Alex said as she walked in. Angel looked confusedly at her. "I'm a telepath. Any thoughts about me, I pick up on." She set down her bags and kissed Spike softly. "Thanks, by the way."

"For?" he asked.

"For thinking I would have been a beautiful bride." She sat down next to him and put her head on his shoulder, looking at Angel. "I'm starved, and since what you guys eat would make me sick, I think I'll order a pizza."

"Not a bad idea," Angel said. "So...what are we supposed to do?"

"I have no bloody idea," Spike said as Alex was on the phone. "I do know we're going to be the subject of a spell, though."

"Which one?"

"One that will let us go out in the sun for a few days. I've had it done before. I'll tell you, the sun is awfully bright these days."

"Yeah, and I get to snag a lock of hair and some blood from both of you," Alex said as she hung up. "I hope the guy hung up. Anyway, fork it over!"

They dutifully did as she asked, and she did the spell. It was a good thing they were both lying down. Just as she finished, her food arrived. "Okay, so now what?" she asked.

***

The next morning, the hotel room looked a bit...like it had been in a hurricane. Once Spike and Angel actually started getting along, the three of them had started to have a good time. At nine, the three of them walked outside, and Angel quickly put on the sunglasses Alex had handed him.

"When you said it was bright..."

"It was an understatement, I know." Spike grinned as he put his own pair on. "So what's the plan for today, sweet?"

"I drop you guys off at Giles' apartment and you leave us girls alone. We're getting pampered!" She laughed and handed Spike a cell phone. "Don't be afraid to use this, my favorite technophobe."

"I thought that term was lovingly applied to your uncle," Spike muttered, recieving an elbow in his slightly bruised ribs. Both of the vampires were moving around better, and their bruises were a lot less visible.

As they approached the apartment, which was within walking distance, Angel did something unexpected. He stood in the street for a few moments, just looking around.

"Angel, come on. You're going to get hit by a car if you don't move," Alex prodded.

He finally started moving towards them. "It's just...I haven't been outside in the sun in almost 250 years. I don't want to waste any of it inside."

"Tough luck, mate. Maybe Alex here can give you a copy of the spell...did you ever think of that?" Spike said as they walked up to the door. The inside of Giles' apartment looked worse than the hotel room.

"I'm not even going to ask, Uncle Rupert," Alex muttered as she kissed her uncle on the cheek and got in her car, which was parked in the driveway.

***

"This is the life," Patricia said as they were getting their facials and such done.

"Too bad you don't get this a lot," Gaby said and she walked out of the steam room. Wrapped only a towel, she waltzed over to the small refrigerator and got a bottled water.

"Why? Do you think I need it?" Patricia asked.

"No. It's just...this is luxury." Buffy replied in Gaby's place.

"Where's my other niece to be?" Patricia muttered as the clay mask on her face hardened some more.

"I'm right here." Alex walked in and looked around. "Enjoying yourselves?"

The people in the area nodded. "This was a good idea. The party was awesome. You missed a lot," Genevieve said.

"Well, I had fun last night. Can you believe I had Spike and Angel being civil to each other for almost nine hours?" Alex went over to a small set of lockers and began to strip to her bikini. She was going to get a tan at the tanning booth.

"How'd you do that?" Gillian asked.

"Agreed to play strip poker." She stuck her head out and laughed. "We played quite a bit, and I only got down to my bikini top. When they both got down to their underwear, we stopped."

"Impressive. A card shark for a niece," Patricia said. "What else did you do?"

"Not much. I had pizza and we watched some movies and TV and stuff. And had a small pillow fight.The guys were getting anxious, so I handed them each a pillow and said go for it. They hit me first." She walked out. "It wasn't all that bad, actually. Not bad at all. I'll be back in a bit," she said as she walked away.

"Wish we'd thought of that last night," Cordy said.

***

"Giles, they don't fit!"

"Oh no. What do you mean they don't fit?"

"Exactly what I said," Joe said. The tuxedo place was almost empty, except for a few employees helping the men get fitted at the last moment. Well, almost. The ceremony started at four, and it was already 10.

"Oh bloody hell," Giles muttered. But Joe was right. All the tuxes, save for Xander and Oz's, didn't fit. And they were all too small.

"Wait a minute, Giles," Mike said as he looked over at Joe and Angel. "Angel's a bit taller than you, and you're a bit taller than me. Joe, give me yours, and Angel, give yours to Joe."

After they found out those two fit, they just needed to get larger ones for Spike and Angel. While that was going on, Xander went to the florist to check on the bouquets. He came back rather quickly.

"Giles, we have another problem."

"What now?" Giles replied as he waited for the employee to find two more tuxedoes.

"The florist is closed. And it says that they won't open again for two more days."

"Damn!" Giles was looking rather stressed. "Is this some sort of torture every groom goes through?"

One of the employees looked up. "Normally, the wedding coordinator deals with all of this. But if it helps, every groom has some problem the day of the wedding. Yours just happens to be bigger."

While they were conversing, Spike dialed a number on the cell phone. It rang twice and was picked up. "Hello?"

"See, I can use this infernal thing. Do you know anything about the bouqets, love?"

"Yeah. There was a famliy emergency," Alex said. "The other florist is taking over our order. The flowers are being delivered to our house. We'll be back there by two, but Samantha's there in case they get there earlier."

"Okay."

"Any other problems?"

"Two of the tuxes don't fit."

"Let me guess: yours and Angel's?"

"How'd you know?"

"Just pure luck. I have to go, dear. I love you."

"Love you too." Spike hung up. "Don't worry about the flowers. It's already been settled."

"Who'd you call?" Oz asked.

"The wedding coordinator," he replied, shrugging. "Now, any luck with what we have to wear tonight?"

***

"Wow! You look great!" It was three o'clock and female had retuned to the house in time to rig the bouquets. Each one had a stake hidden in it in case vampires decided to attack Each of the men had a bottle of holy water with them, and everyone who could was wearing crosses. Even the Druid and the Wiccan. In one hour, the wedding was to start. It was being held outdoors, by a resort at the beach.

Patricia turned around once again in front of the mirror. "Are you sure?"

"Would we lie to you?" Buffy said. All of the women who had long hair, which was everyone but Alex and Willow, had their hair in French Twists with ringlets around the face. Alex and Willow simply had their hair curled and styled.

"I'm not sure...I'm just really nervous," Patricia said.

"You look fine," Gillian assured her. "And so do we." The dresses everyone else wore were pale blue, with a Cinderella-like look to them. They even had on black velvet chokers and white elbow length gloves.

Patricia laughed. "It's been a good day. I can't believe that in less than an hour, I'll be married. And my name will be Patricia Cathryn Jones Giles."

"Long name," Alex said, and everyone laughed. "I wonder how the guys are doing?"

***

The tuxedo and flower problems had been solved, but then other ones arose. Giles' only other usher wasn't there yet, and they were on their way to the wedding site.

"Where is he?" Giles muttered, pacing in front of his apartment. The others, all looking dashing in their tuxedos, were standing around and just watching. All of a sudden, a beat up pick-up stops in front of the house, and a distinguished man steps out, tuxedo in a garment bag over his soulder.

"Sorry I'm late," Mark McDowell muttered. "My car got a flat tire outside of Sunnydale, and I had to hitchhike my way into town."

"No problem, Mark," Giles said, glad his only childhood friend was able to come at all, having a very busy teaching schedulae at Yale.

"Well, shouldn't we go? I mean, the weddings in a half-hour," Joe said impatiently.

"Right, right," Giles said. "Mark, ride with me. The rest of you, hurry."

***

At 3:55, the few guests who were there had been seated, and it was about time for the bride to make her enterance. Patricia was taking deep breaths, and Alex was doing last minute checking. The best men were Xander and Oz; the maids of honor, Alex and Gaby. Everyone else in the wedding party was an usher or bridesmaid.

At four on the dot, the wedding march sounded. The first to head down the aisle was Buffy, then Willow, then Cordelia, the Gillian, then a friend of Patricias from medical school, then Gaby and finally Alex. They took their places and turned as Patricia, being escorted by her father, came down the aisle.

The wedding guests turned and looked, and no one said a word. The ushers and best men stared in awe at not just the bride, but her bridesmaids and maids of honor. Giles, however, looked like a deer in headlights.

When they arrived, Giles whispered to Patricia, "You look absolutely beautiful."

"Thank you. Are you nervous?"

"Very." The minister began the ceremony. At the appropriate time, they said their vows, and Alex handed Patricia Giles' ring. Xander did the same for Giles. The rings were exchanged, and by the time the minister said "You may now kiss the bride," there wasn't a dry eye in the group.

They walked out and, against the setting sun, had their wedding photographs taken on the beach. There were so many posings: bride and groom, bride and groom with maids of honor and best men, entire wedding party, and couple shots. Everyone was excited and ready to party. Thank goodness the reception was at the resort.

***

"And now, time for the toasts from the best men and maids of honor," Giles said after he had made a beautiful toast to Patrica. Xander stood up.

"Giles, I've known you a long time, and only once have I ever seen you this happy. It's a good change." The people gathered there laughed at that. "And Patricia, I haven't known you long, but I'm glad I do now. So, I toast this couple for a long life together. They need it."

Oz was next. "Through all the adventures we've been through, it's nice to see two great people be happy. I toast for you to have happiness for as long as you live." Only the wedding party got the true meaning of Oz's "adventures" term.

"Well, Uncle Rupert and my new Aunt Patricia, I'm just glad you finally got married. It took you long enough," Gaby said as laughter erupted again. "So I toast you humor and grace during your entire marriage."

Alex stood up next and simply said, "There's too many things to toast, so I simply want you too to have everything you've ever wanted. I'm glad your happy, and I'm glad you're in love."

The reception continued, and before long it seemed it was just down to the Scooby gang. Giles and Patrica had left for their honeymoon, which was rather extravagent. A month in Europe, with first class travel and deluxe accomidations.

They sat around near the beach, all of them having changed out of their formal wear and into comfortable clothing. They had walked over to the pier, all of them, and were talking. When they arrived, Oz cleared his throat, catching everyone's attention. "Um...well..."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out the small box he'd been carrying around for the last four months. "Willow, I love you, and you know that. And we've been dating for a very long time. I haven't had the nerve to ask, but..." Oz knelt down on one knee. "Willow Rosenburg, will you marry me?"

Her face looked as though emotions were fighting a battle, and finally, she whispered, "Yes." Oz slipped the ring on her finger, and she smiled, leaning down and kissing him.

The moment was tarnished slightly by Alex, who looked at Spike and muttered two words that had everyone laughing until tears fell down their cheeks: "Not again!"