destructo-girl.com

"One Thing Leads to Another "

Author: Pamela
Contact: destructo-girl@cox.net
Notes: This hasn't been beta read... please ignore any mistakes.

"Did he say what he wanted?" Riley asked as she and Buffy approached Giles's apartment.

Buffy shook her head. "Just that it was imperative we have a Scooby meeting as soon as possible."

"Well, that's sort of odd. We haven't all had to get together for anything since I have been back."

"I know. I don't think we've had one since we got rid of Glory," she replied. "It must be big."

"Whatever it is, we can handle it," Riley smiled and put his arm around Buffy. "Maybe I should have called Graham and had him join us. We may find the extra manpower and weapons helpful and if we use them, we have to go through Graham anyway."

"Oh… we shouldn't drag Graham into this until we know that it's a big deal," Buffy quickly told him. It had been over a month since they had gotten engaged and she and Graham had done their best to avoid each other the entire time. "Besides, Giles can be a total drama queen. The grocery store could have run out of his favorite kind of tea."

She and Riley chuckled as they entered Giles' apartment and found the rest of the Scoobies hanging out while Giles paced back and forth with his nose in a book.

"Great, Buffy's here. Can we get this over with? Xander and I had plans for tonight," Anya complained.

Everyone in the room had little doubt as to what their plans were so in an effort not to hear any details about said plans, Giles quickly interrupted.

"Yes, very well, everyone take a seat! I have come across a prophecy that will come to pass tomorrow night. We haven't much time to prepare!"

"There they are!" Riley hissed at the rest of their group as they trekked through the cemetery.

Looking in the direction where he was pointing, Buffy saw a small group of Zaffate demons gathered around in a circle, preparing to begin their ritual to bring forth their leader – in the form of a twenty-foot-long serpent. In her years on the Hellmouth, Buffy had learned to *hate* snakes.

As planned, they moved closer to the demons before Buffy attacked, effectively distracting them from their task temporarily. Her friends took advantage and joined in the fight. Both Buffy and Riley were able to kill several demons each on their own fairly quickly as the rest of the group worked in teams.

When only four demons were left, Buffy and Riley both took one on alone while Giles and Willow fought another and left the fourth to Xander, Anya and Tara. The slayer and her fiancé killed their respective foes a moment before the team of three defeated theirs. With triumphant grins on their faces, they turned to help Giles and Willow dispose of the last demon when Giles, going for the kill with a sharp knife pointed at the demon's heart, was grabbed at the wrist by the demon.

A loud crunch was heard by all as the bone snapped. Despite the sudden pain, Giles didn't back down and used the last of his strength to shove the weapon into the demon's chest before clutching his injured wrist against his body.

Giles nodded and grimaced, "I'll be fine. But would someone mind driving me to the hospital?"

Despite his protests that it wasn't necessary, they all went with Giles to the hospital, even though they had to do so in two separate cars. Two hours, several x-rays, four pain pills and a bone setting later, Giles was released from the hospital with a broken wrist.

Their group was walking towards the exit, trying to decide who would take who home, when Riley spotted one of the men he worked with hurried over to see him.

The other man, just a bit younger than Riley, was surprised to find his senior officer in the hospital emergency room, but knew that now was not the time to ask questions. "Miller was hurt during patrol. He hit his head pretty hard and we were worried and didn't want to chance it. We brought him in."

"Is he okay?" Buffy asked, standing beside Riley with a concerned look on her face.

"Uh, Cal, this is Buffy Summers, my fiancée," Riley introduced the two of them. "He's really okay?"

"Well, we aren't sure yet. The doctor is waiting on some test results, but he seems optimistic," Cal answered.

"Hey Riley, how about I take everyone home? You and Buffy can stay here and make sure Graham is okay," Xander offered.

Still worried about Graham, Buffy gently squeezed Giles' good hand. "You take care. I'll come see you tomorrow, okay?"

Once they were gone, Cal led the two of them to the room where Graham was in bed, a large bump on his head. However, he was conscious and appeared to be doing okay, all things considered.

"Man, the things you will do to get out of a patrol," Riley teased his friend as the three approached Graham's bed.

Graham smiled up at him, then immediately noticed Buffy and felt his heart skip a beat. "I was just feeling lazy, I guess."

They made conversation for a few moments until Riley walked Cal out so that the other man could return to headquarters, leaving Buffy alone with Graham.

She stood next to her former lover's bed and took his hand in hers. "You're really okay?"

"I'll be fine. I'm sure at the worst it's a concussion," he assured her, then added with a wry grin, "And probably the worst headache of my life."

She nodded, "When I found out you were hurt patrolling, so many horrible scenarios ran through my mind."

He couldn't help but feel a thrill at hearing that. Buffy cared about him. Granted, she was engaged to another man, but it felt nice, knowing she cared.

Buffy smiled a bit brighter this time and brought his hand to her mouth, kissing the back of it. As soon as she realized what she had done, she awkwardly moved both their hands back down to the bed. She felt like a fool, fawning all over him when he just saw her as a friend.

"Good news, Graham. The doctor says it's just a mild concussion. He'll be releasing you soon," Riley informed his friend as he came into the room. Though he didn't comment on it, he did notice Buffy's little slip a moment earlier. It had at first seemed a little odd to him, but he knew Buffy and Graham were friends, so it was only natural for Buffy to worry about him and show affection.

"Great, I can't wait to get out of here," Graham replied, pasting a smile on his face as Buffy moved to Riley's side and wrapped her arms around him.

"Just be patient," Riley told him, "Buffy and I will wait with you and take you home. That's okay with you, right honey? You didn't need to be home soon?"

As Graham and Riley started talking about work, Buffy settled into a chair and wondered how she was ever going to get through the rest of her life being married to the best friend of the man she was truly in love with.

"Buffy and Riley, look where you guys are standing!" Denise, one of Riley's co-workers exclaimed.

They both looked up and found that they were indeed standing beneath the mistletoe that was hanging from the ceiling. The couple grinned and gave each other a kiss, earning a round of applause from several other partygoers.

As soon as Graham entered the crowded home, he spotted Buffy and Riley kissing. Immediately, he regretted coming to the Christmas party… or at least coming without a date. Unfortunately, he didn't really have a choice. He just wasn't very good company for any females that could be potential dates when he was already in love with someone else.

He was already trying to figure out how long he would have to stay before he could make his excuses and go home when Jack approached him.

"Hi," he replied, almost forgetting that Riley was even there. She looked so beautiful in her sleeveless red velvet dress that hugged every curve, her hair curled into ringlets and framing her face perfectly.

"Oh, I was just telling Graham that it's cool we're here stag. We don't need dates. We're in the love 'em and leave 'em gang, right Graham?" Jack grinned.

Buffy felt an ache deep in her chest. Graham certainly did love her and leave her and she couldn't even be mad about it. She'd known how it was the whole time.

"I could go for one," Graham replied, deciding that would be the best way to get through this party. Hopefully he could get drunk enough not to care that Buffy was there with Riley.

"Hey Buffy, did I tell you how pretty you look tonight?" Graham grinned as he found the blonde in the bedroom that was being used to hold all the party guests' coats.

"Well, as long as you're having fun," she said, finding both Riley's coat and her own.

Graham sighed, "Not as much fun as the last time I was this drunk. Remember that?"

"Graham…" she blushed, recalling all too well what had happened the last time he had been in this condition.

"I know – never happened. Or at least, as far as anyone else knows, it never happened," he said, slowly moving closer to her until they were face to face. Gently, Graham moved his hand to the side of Buffy's face and stroked her cheek. "But nobody else is here right now, Buffy."

"I'm pretty sure I'm about to kiss you," he smiled, then leaned down and pressed his lips to hers.

Buffy just took a second to get herself together and pushing Graham away. As much as she missed kissing Graham – and doing all the other stuff they did before Riley's return – this was wrong. She had made a commitment to Riley and, unlike before, this *would* be cheating.

Besides, it wasn't a big ego boost that it took Graham getting completely drunk to make a move on her.

"What's going on?" Riley asked, standing in the doorway of the room, shocked at the sight of his best friend and fiancée in what appeared to be a passionate embrace.

Buffy's head darted to the doorway to find her fiancé staring at her in a very compromising position with his best friend.

Graham looked down, sobering up a bit and feeling incredibly embarrassed and ashamed of his behavior.

Riley was a bit skeptical, but since he had walked in to see Buffy forcefully stop the kiss, obviously not into it, he believed her. Still, he couldn't believe his friend, drunk or not, would kiss *his* fiancée.

"I'm sorry, man. I don't know what I was thinking. I was… joking and then… took it too far."

"Okay," Riley accepted. After all, Graham had never given him any reason not to trust him. "Buffy, are you ready to go?"

"Yeah," she replied, giving him a small smile and holding up their coats and then walking over to him.

Riley put his own coat on and helped Buffy into hers before looking at his friend again. "You shouldn't be driving, Graham. Would you like to give us a ride?"

Graham felt his guilt multiply at his friend's concern for his well being after what he had just done, or at least tried to do. What he would have done had Buffy not stopped him. However, there was no way he could stand being around the couple right then.

"Sure," Graham nodded. As they turned to leave, he spoke up, "Guys? I really am sorry."

Buffy granted him a small smile while Riley just nodded before putting his hand on her back and leading her out of the room.

Alone, Graham sat on the side of the bed and put his face in his hands. What had he done?

"Riley, can I speak to you in here for a minute?" Graham asked, poking his head out of his office the following Monday.

The day before had lasted forever, as Graham had spent the entire time running the events of the night before through his head over and over. He was embarrassed, ashamed and felt absolutely horrible. Especially since a part of him felt very *not* horrible about kissing Buffy again. He knew that nothing would ever be "right" again between he and Riley, since he was in love with Riley's wife-to-be, but Graham hoped he still stood a chance to make things right in Riley's eyes. Which meant he needed to make it clear to his friend that he truly was sorry. As hard as it was seeing Riley with Buffy, Graham didn't want to lose him as friend.

"What did you need?" Riley asked, not appearing angry, but he wasn't as affable as he usually was either.

"To apologize again. I was a complete ass. I really owe Buffy an apology too, because what I did was completely out of line, but as your friend, for me to do something like that with your girl… it was *so* wrong."

Riley sighed, "It was wrong, but you were drunk and not thinking clearly. I keep reminding myself that, but this whole thing does bother me. I mean it was the last thing I would have expected you to do. I *know* you aren't the kind of guy who is into hitting on 'unavailable' women and I really wish I could forget this whole thing. But I do forgive you, Graham. Just give me time and the weirdness between us will pass, okay?"

Graham nodded, feeling yet another twinge of guilt. He didn't deserve a great friend like Riley. "I still want to apologize to Buffy again."

"That's probably a good idea," his friend nodded, "I'm fine with you calling her or going by her house to do it in person. Or, if you want, you can just tell her when you come over for dinner Christmas."

"I wasn't sure if that was a good idea," Graham said. "You know, under the circumstances."

After the incident, Riley hadn't been sure that he had still wanted his friend to come over for the gathering as they had been planning for weeks. He and Buffy had talked it over and she had said she would be fine with whatever he decided, but that she truly believed what happened with Graham was a one-time mishap that they should all try to forget. He wanted to just agree with her, but he couldn't shake this feeling of uneasiness. Things still weren't perfect, but he knew now that as a good friend, he couldn't let Graham spend the holiday alone.

"So have you two put any thought into where you might like to go on your honeymoon?" Hank Summers asked before taking a bite of the turkey his daughters had prepared for Christmas Eve dinner.

Buffy shook her head. "We haven't had a chance to discuss any wedding plans at all for the most part."

"It's pathetic, honey. We should at least start looking at dates," Riley smiled at his fiancé, affectionately rubbing her back.

Dawn rolled her eyes as her sister smiled at him, playing the part of the blissful fiancée perfectly. The teen seemed to be the only one who saw right through it.

Buffy and Riley shot her looks, knowing exactly what she was trying to say, but her little jab went right over Hank's head.

"Sweetheart, there are only twenty-eight days in February, twenty-nine in a leap year."

"Anyway, the reason I asked was that wherever you two decide to go, I want to take care of it. Plane tickets, the hotel, everything," Hank informed them.

"Nonsense! Believe me, I can afford it. And it would make me so happy to pay for something that my little girl deserves so much. You too, Riley, for making her happy."

"What about me? Are you guys going to let me have free reign of the house while you're gone?"

"Actually, Pumpkin, I was thinking that you and I could go on a little trip of our own. Or just spend time together here or in LA. Whatever you wanted, just you and me."

Dawn felt a pang; that sounded really nice. She couldn't count all the times over the past few years she wished she could spend some bonding time with her father. But even something as great as that wasn't enough to make her be happy about Buffy and Riley getting married. It was best that she didn't get too excited, anyway, because if she had her way Buffy would never go through with it and there would be no honeymoon!

Against his better judgment, Graham went into the kitchen when he knew Buffy was alone in there. After what had happened, especially so soon after, it seemed like a bad idea to purposely be in a room alone with her, but apologizing to her in front of Dawn or one of her friends would require him to explain what he had done, and this was best left between Buffy, Riley and himself.

Buffy turned around from the open refrigerator door, surprised to find Graham in the room. Smiling, she asked, "Did you need something?"

"Uh, yeah, I guess. I needed to apologize. I am *so* sorry about what happened."

"No, it's not. I was such an ass and I put you in a horrible position. I can't express how much I regret it."

"I know you do. I know that if you were sober, you never would have done it. And I think you know that I understand how out of character a person can behave when they have too much to drink."

"Maybe," he nodded, doubting he could *ever* feel better. Not unless Buffy suddenly decided Riley was completely wrong for her and *he* was the one she wanted. And what were the odds of that?

"Oops, am I interrupting?" Dawn asked as she came in the room with an empty glass that she had intended to refill with Mountain Dew for herself.

"Oh, okay. I just thought maybe you two were in the middle of a heavy make-out session," Dawn smirked, retrieving the two-liter of Mountain Dew from the refrigerator and pouring it in her glass.

"What?" her little sister asked innocently, then sighed. "Look, I told you I would keep your secret. It's not like Graham doesn't know already."

Buffy frowned, but Dawn ignored her, practically skipping out of the room with a smug look on her face.

Buffy shook her head. She already knew where Dawn stood as far as she and Graham were concerned and didn't want to give her any more ammunition. Besides, it wasn't like she was exactly proud of being the girl guys went after when they were too drunk to know better.

"No way, are you crazy? Dawn and secrets are dangerous. She, um… she saw us. On the couch in the living room."

"I know, but she's kept this one so far. She makes pointed comments to Riley and I, and lets us know every chance she gets that she doesn't like this, but she never even hints at what happened in front of him."

Graham shook his head. Despite the fact that a part of him almost wanted everyone to know the truth, just so he wouldn't have to live with the burden of the secret anymore, he didn't want Riley to find out through Buffy's little sister. He deserved better than that.

"Look, I know that getting a third party involved makes this a lot more risky, but what choice do we have? I didn't tell her. She *saw* the two of us making out with your hands up my shirt with her own two eyes. I couldn't deny it. What else can we do besides hope she keeps her word?"

"Nothing," Graham agreed. Buffy was right; they couldn't do a damn thing except cross their fingers and hope nobody ever found out. Instead of getting better, it seemed like things just got messier.

Riley turned around to find a familiar face from his past standing a few feet away in the busy bookstore.

"Hey," Audrey Simmons grinned, walking over to him. "I can't believe I ran into you here, of all places. Do you live in Sunnydale?"

"Yeah, how about you?" Riley replied, still shocked to see Graham's ex-girlfriend.

"You've got to give me his number. It's been years since I have talked to him," Audrey grinned.

"Buffy's amazing," Riley smiled as he got an idea. "How about we all get together? I can call Graham and see if he is free tonight. If he is, the four of us can have dinner together. Buffy and I were planning on going out, anyway, so I know she is free."

Audrey and Riley talked for a few more moments before exchanging numbers and saying their goodbyes. With an extra bounce in his step, Riley found the book he had been looking for and took it to the front of the store to make his purchase.

It had been several weeks since the incident at the Christmas party and despite his best efforts, Riley had been unable to forget what had happened. He had tried to assure himself that Graham had just been drunk, but he was starting to notice that his friend tended to behave a bit strangely when it came to Buffy. He was quiet when Riley spoke about something they did together or the wedding plans, even by Graham's standards of quietness. But what really got to Riley was the way Graham looked at Buffy.

He didn't want to be the over-jealous, possessive type, but Riley couldn't shake the feeling that Graham had a thing for Buffy. So this reappearance by Audrey couldn't have come at a better time. Despite the fact that she and Graham had broken up, it had been completely amicable. She'd been transferred to England, and the couple had decided that they would rather see other people that try to deal with a long-distance relationship. Now that she lived so close, perhaps they could give it another shot.

"So how long ago did she and Graham break up?" Buffy asked from the passenger seat as Riley drove them to the restaurant.

"About four years ago," Riley answered. "But like I said, they were both totally cool with it, so we won't get stuck in the middle of any huge argument or anything."

"I think it will be fun. She's really nice. I don't know her *that* well – I only spent time with her when Graham brought her along for some function – but she seems really cool."

"I'm sure she is. This will be nice – a double date," she smiled at him, all the while feeling an ache in her stomach. It was ridiculous, really. Here she was, engaged to Riley, sleeping with him and pretending to be in love. What right did she have to worry about Graham having a girlfriend? She was a hypocrite!

"So Audrey, what do you do?" Buffy asked the pretty redhead sitting across from her.

"I'm an art director for an advertising company. I create designs that are used in commercials and magazine ads and all that," Audrey replied.

"That's great. I still have no clue what I want to do with my life, but I hope I end up with a career I love," Buffy told her.

"Don't worry baby, you will," Riley assured her with a smile before leaning over and kissing her forehead.

The uncomfortable look on her face did not go unnoticed by Audrey, nor did the pained expression on Graham's. As soon as Audrey had met Buffy and seen the way her ex-boyfriend had acted around the petite blonde, she had known that something was going on. In the half hour since, she'd realized that the river ran both ways. Buffy certainly tried to be Riley's adoring fiancée, but Audrey saw right through it. She prided herself on being a good judge of character, very intuitive and observant. Something was going on between Buffy and Graham.

Once Buffy and Riley had said their goodbyes, everyone agreeing they would have to do this again sometime, despite the fact that half their little group had been uncomfortable for the entire meal, Audrey persuaded Graham into joining her for a drink in the restaurant's bar. She knew it was really none of her business, but she *had* to know what the deal was with him and Buffy. If she didn't know Graham like she did, she would think that he and Buffy were sleeping together, maybe even in love with each other, but certainly not acting like the best friend and fiancée of Riley. And that didn't add up. Graham was loyal, he would never dream of stealing another man's girlfriend, especially not Riley's. And while she barely knew Buffy, she didn't seem like she was the type to do that either.

"Sometimes I wonder if we ever should have dated," Audrey commented lightly, knowing that if she wanted to extract information from her ex-boyfriend, she had to catch him off-guard. "We're great at being friends."

"I know," Audrey sighed. "But you know, that's pretty much all we ever were – friends that slept together. When I look back, I see that."

"We were a *little* more than that," he disagreed before realizing she was right. "But not much. I don't think I could ever get along with you like this if we'd had this big, great love."

"I know. And he loves her very much, I can tell. She seems to love him too, but I don't know her very well."

"Graham, I know you. It may have been four years, but I can still read you like a book. I saw the way you were looking at her all night. I saw how miserable you looked whenever she and Riley kissed or cuddled. I saw the envy, the pain, the look that screamed that you wished it were you and not him."

"Yes I do. Don't insult me by lying," she warned. "Face it. You want Buffy and you know it. *I* know it. Just admit it and save us some time."

"Fine," he sighed, "I have a thing for Buffy, who is engaged to Riley. It doesn't even matter."

"Yes it does, it matters very much. Especially since I think she has a thing for you. She may really try to be Riley's happy fiancée, but when she doesn't think anyone is paying attention, she looks at you like she wishes you had put that diamond on her finger."

"You just said it yourself; you don't know her. I don't know how you come up with this stuff."

"Oh, I was just being modest before. I know people and I am positive that she doesn't just see you as Riley's best friend," Audrey insisted, leaning closer to him. "Did you and she have an affair? This is more than the two of you having a crush on each other."

Graham sighed and decided to just tell her. She would just harass him until he confessed, anyway, and he knew that this would remain between the two of them. "We had a sexual relationship for several months."

"Really?" she asked, her eyes wide. "I mean… well, in a way I can absolutely believe it but… she's Riley's fiancée, I never would have thought that you would do that."

"She wasn't Riley's fiancée at the time. She wasn't even his girlfriend," he explained. "They were together for about a year and then Riley left, because they had problems. That was last December. He came back in August. It happened while he was gone. I came back to Sunnydale and ran into Buffy in May. We got drunk and slept together and then we kept sleeping together, despite the fact that we were just friends. It was just sex. But as soon as Riley came back, our sexual relationship ended."

Audrey smiled, "It wasn't just sex for her, trust me. I see how she looks at you, Graham. I don't know why she is engaged to Riley she when wants you, but then I also don't understand why you aren't fighting for her if you love her."

"Riley's my best friend. How is he going to feel if I tell him that I want Buffy?"

"Ah, so that's it. You two are ignoring what *you* want for Riley's sake. So neither of you are happy, but he is?"

Graham shook his head. "That's not true. *I* love Buffy, but she loves Riley. When he proposed to her, she ran to me to first make sure I wouldn't tell him."

"Well, no… I don't remember exactly what she said, but basically, she came to me and asked what she should do."

"Yes! God, you are clueless. She went to you because she wanted you to tell her that you wanted her, but instead, you pushed her to Riley."

"I'm not, Graham. Look, if you don't want to believe me, at least agree to keep an open mind. Entertain the idea that she loves you. Look at things with a different perspective, especially when it comes to her behavior. When you see her, instead of seeing the person you love who loves someone else, see her as someone who could love *you*. You might be surprised," Audrey said. "Promise me."

Graham sighed, knowing it was pointless to argue… and kind of wishing she was right. "Fine, I will consider it a possibility. But even if she did love me, it wouldn't change the fact that if Buffy and I become a couple, it will break Riley's heart."

"Right… so in order to protect Riley's heart, Buffy is supposed to marry the man she isn't in love with and you are supposed to just sit by and watch? Graham, get real. You are miserable. Buffy is miserable. And if Riley is married to a woman who wishes she were with someone else he won't be happy in the end. So, in my opinion, your choice is to either hurt Riley now before he gets even more invested… or drag this out, mess things up. Ooh, maybe Buffy can have his kid and screw their life up when she gets divorced – and, regardless of your presence, she will."

Graham took a swig of his beer, taking in her advice. He had to admit… she had a point.

As Riley drove them both home, Buffy stared out the passenger side window, wondering what Graham and Audrey were doing, then admonishing herself. It was none of her business. Graham was free to do whatever he wanted with whomever he wanted and he had made it clear that he didn't want to be with her.

They came to a red light and Buffy turned to look at her fiancé. How could she be with someone as wonderful as Riley and not be happy with him? Graham was an equally great, but he didn't want her. Riley did. And if she didn't appreciate what she had, she would end up a fool with nothing.

Buffy returned the smile and leaned over, placing her hand on his cheek as her lips met his. After a second, she pulled back. "You don't have to be at work tomorrow, do you?"

Hearing a honking, they realized that the light had changed and laughed before Riley hit the gas. He held her hand in his own, gently stroking his thumb over the back of her hand as they exchanged promising glances for the rest of the ride.

"You look blissful," Dawn said sarcastically as she entered the kitchen to find Buffy sitting at the kitchen table, staring off into space with a mug of coffee sitting in front of her. "I guess this is what the rest of your life will be like, marrying someone you don't love."

"Dawn," Buffy sighed, rubbing her forehead with her hands, "not today, okay? Just don't start."

She was tempted to tell Dawn that Graham's beautiful ex-girlfriend was currently in town and, that she had last seen her by Graham's side, so maybe Dawn would get it that Buffy's engagement to Riley wasn't what was stopping her from being with Graham. But she was pretty sure that if she had to say it out loud, she would end up in tears.

Buffy went back to staring into space, as she tormented herself with images of Graham and Audrey, together again. With her luck, they'd all have a double wedding. She was starting to have serious doubts that she would ever be happy if she married Riley. The night before, they'd made love numerous times as she had tried to rid herself of the jealousy and pain she felt over Graham. But it never worked. Riley was a generous lover; she'd felt pleasure. But in her heart, all she felt was sadness.

It was also very frustrating. She kept reminding herself that Riley was going to marry her. Riley, who had a good job and would never be some loser who would sit around and watch daytime TV all day while she worked. Riley, who knew all her faults and loved her anyway. Riley, who treated her like *he* was the lucky one. Most women would kill to have a guy like him. And what did she do? Wish that she could be with his best friend who didn't love her. But despite all that, despite her fears that if she weren't with Riley she would spend her life alone, she couldn't be happy. She just couldn't be glad to have what she did.

Dawn wasn't in the mood to even pretend to be civil, so she simply grunted in response. Riley rolled his eyes, quickly growing tired of the teen's attitude problem, but at a loss for what they could do to make her change her mind. He could only hope that Dawn would get over it. At the very least, once he and Buffy got married and their lives settled down, Riley figured Dawn would accept her new life. Otherwise, with any luck, she would go to college out of state.

Sitting down beside his fiancée, he set his mug down on the table and reached over to squeeze her thigh. Buffy jumped, obviously completely oblivious to his presence, before giving him an embarrassed smile.

"Oh, nothing," Buffy lied, then stood up. "I just realized that the paper is still outside. I'll go get it. Then maybe I can make us all breakfast?"

"I am already eating," Dawn spoke up, gesturing to her cereal. She looked at her sister with concern, realizing that something big was definitely going on in Buffy's head.

As she left them alone, Riley and Dawn – who forgot to be sullen and angry for a moment – exchanged looks as they both wondered what was going on.

"Thanks for dinner, it was delicious," Buffy smiled, kissing Riley on the cheek as they settled into his car after their meal in a restaurant.

"You're very welcome. I'm glad you liked it," Riley replied, starting the car. "You know, I was thinking that maybe we could invite Audrey and Graham here, try another double date."

"Oh? They're dating again?" she asked, trying to ignore how fast her heart was suddenly beating and appear casual.

"Just wondering. I think a second double date sounds good, though," she lied. In truth, spending the evening with Graham and Audrey while pretending to be perfectly happy with Riley was about as enjoyable as a root canal without any anesthesia.

Riley noticed as his fiancé became lost in thought again. Over the past week he had noticed that she was doing that more and more. He'd be talking and realize that she hadn't heard a word she said; her mind was elsewhere. And he had his suspicions as to what exactly she was thinking about – Graham.

At first he had thought he was just paranoid. He was just letting the fact that he thought Graham wanted Buffy bother him too much and worrying that she wanted him back. Buffy was engaged to *him*, she made love to *him*. She told him she loved *him*. But whenever the topic of Audrey and Graham came up, Buffy would grow quiet and get a far-off look on her face. The few times they had been around Graham, she would give him looks that made Riley feel uneasy. He wanted to believe he was just jealous and insecure, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something was going on. His mind kept going back to that night in the hospital and Buffy kissing Graham's hand. He had dismissed it at the time, but now he kept wondering if there was more to it.

Desperate to prove to himself that he *was* only paranoid, Riley decided to give Buffy a little 'test'… and perhaps something to remind her of what they had together. "You know, Buffy, we really need to start making plans for the wedding. We don't even have a rough date. You know, this summer or winter or next spring?"

Buffy quickly drew her attention back to him. "Uh, yeah. We need to sit down and really talk about this."

"There is no sudden rush. We've been engaged for over two months and we haven't even discussed a single thing about the wedding. What are we waiting for?"

"I'm not upset!" he insisted and then sighed, "I'm sorry, it's just… do you want to get married?"

"It seems like you don't want to think about the wedding. Most brides are so excited, it's all they think about."

"I know," he smiled despite himself. She was one of a kind, which was a big reason why he loved her so much.

"Things are just so busy. Between work, Dawn, you, slaying and the house, I don't seem to have time for much else."

"Well, none of that is going to change," Riley pointed out. "You're always going to have all this stuff going on."

"You're absolutely right," Buffy nodded, the looked over at him and gave him her most endearing smile. "I tell you what. You and I will find a time when we are both free to sit down and not get up until we have made some definite plans, at least figure out around when we want to get married."

He wanted to believe her so much, and she seemed to really want this. Ignoring the doubts in his head, Riley leaned over and kissed her softly on the lips. "Sounds wonderful to me."

"Thanks for the ride," Buffy told Giles as he pulled up in front of her house after a particularly tiring night of slaying vampires at good old Restfield Cemetery.

"You're quite welcome," he smiled. "Now go get some rest, I will talk to you soon."

"I wouldn't miss it for the world. Even if I must endure loud, throbbing music that just might cause my ears to bleed," Giles joked.

Buffy grinned, "I'm turning twenty-one, I have to go to the Bronze so I can legally buy alcohol."

"Perhaps we could go out for dinner Friday evening? A little more quiet, intimate."

"That would be great, but I already promised Riley we would sit down and talk wedding plans over dinner. I doubt you would enjoy it."

Giles raised his eyebrow and decided now was a good time to broach the subject he had avoided since her engagement announcement. "It doesn't sound like you're looking forward to it. Isn't it custom for the bride-to-be to be enthused?"

He nodded, "All right. Buffy, please forgive me for intruding, but I just want you to know that no matter how great Riley is, you don't have to be in love with him. He can be the smartest, nicest, most handsome man in the world but it doesn't mean you *have* to love him. You love who you love and you can't help it."

She was quiet for a moment, pondering what he said, trying to decide if she should keep up the act or just tell him the truth. In the end, she found she was too afraid to be completely honest. "I know all that. But it doesn't matter, because I do love Riley."

Giles sighed, but knew better than to push. Buffy was stubborn and it would likely end badly. "Good. I wouldn't want you marrying him otherwise."

Buffy forced herself to look up at him again and smile. "I'll see you Saturday, okay?"

Giles sat and watched until Buffy was safely inside her home before he pulled away from the curb and continued on his way home. As he drove, he prayed that she would come to her senses. There was little doubt in his mind that if Buffy married Riley, she would always regret it.

"Spike, what are you doing here?" Buffy asked, surprised to see the blonde vampire at the Bronze the following Saturday.

"Sorry," she smiled apologetically. "I didn't mean it like that. I'm just surprised to see you. You haven't been around lately."

They both knew that Spike ardently disagreed with her decision to marry Riley. He didn't even think she should be *dating* him, so marrying him was absolutely insane. However, he also knew that Buffy wouldn't listen if he tried to talk her out of it and since he couldn't sit around and *not* say something, he'd made himself scarce for the past few months.

"Anyway, I couldn't miss your big day. It would have disappointed Niblet," he smiled.

Buffy had no doubts that he wasn't just there for Dawn, but smiled anyway. "Thank you."

They left the birthday girl standing alone and moved to the dance floor. It had been a strategic move on Dawn's part, not to Spike's surprise. They were free to talk out there and had a better chance of not being interrupted.

"I'm so glad you came. All my co-conspirators to break Buffy and Riley up have abandoned me," she told him, "I wish you had been around more lately."

She frowned, feeling sympathetic for the vampire. He truly did love her sister. She might not even mind if Buffy got together with Spike instead of Graham. However, *Graham* was the one Buffy loved and belonged with.

"Nothing. I don't know what happened, but Buffy's always in la-la-land and I think Riley knows *something* about what happened with Graham. He doesn't like them being near each other unless he is their human barrier."

"Yup. He's also getting impatient because Buffy really doesn't seem inclined to do the actual getting married thing. They finally started talking wedding date last night and, fortunately, it wasn't the smooch fest I dreaded. Buffy was just telling Riley to set it whenever he wanted and he seemed mad that she didn't act like she cared."

Graham took a deep breath and tried to summon up the courage to knock on the door in front of him. He'd been standing there for ten minutes already and if he didn't get it together soon, one of Buffy's neighbors was bound to call the police.

He had barely gotten any sleep the previous night. It had been two weeks since Audrey had first confronted him about his feelings for Buffy. She had definitely given him something to think about, as he recalled certain things Buffy had said and done during the time they had been sleeping together and since Riley had returned. He had to admit, they weren't quite normal for a woman in love with another man. He had also studied her with a new perspective the few times they had been around one another since. Perhaps it was wishful thinking, but he thought he had noticed her giving him looks that gave him hope that she just might feel the same way.

The night before, it had taken all his resolve not to walk up to her at her birthday party and kiss her with all the love and passion he felt. It had definitely been neither the time nor place. For one thing, nobody else would have taken it very well if he had kissed his best friend's fiancée – especially said best friend and possibly fiancée. Furthermore, it just wasn't appropriate for him to tell a woman who was engaged to someone else that he loved her when she was supposed to be celebrating her birthday, surrounded by friends. A private setting seemed much better.

Which is how he ended up on her front porch the next day, intending to tell her that he loved her and despite how much he didn't want to hurt Riley, he wanted to be with her. He knew that Riley was at work and Dawn had told him she'd made plans with a friend of hers, so Buffy should be alone.

"Come on man. Do you want her or not?" he whispered to himself before finally knocking firmly on the door.

He walked inside the home and into the living room, wringing his hands as he tried to recall the carefully planned speech he had come up with.

"Yeah, it's fine. I mean, I hope so. I mean," he rambled. "It's fine. Nothing is wrong. I just needed to tell you something."

Buffy nodded and sat down on the couch beside Graham. She looked at him expectantly; extremely curious as to watch this was all about. She'd never seen him so twitchy before.

"Buffy, I lied to you," he began. "When I told you that I thought of what we had before as just physical, it was completely untrue. I… I am completely in love with you."

"I love you. I love the way you laugh and fight and put other people first. I love your eyes and the way they sparkle when you're happy. I love your smile and how it can never fail to make me feel better, no matter how upset I am. I love talking to you and kissing you and making love to you and just being with you."

"I love you, Buffy. And if you'll have me, I want to be with you. I want to take you to dinner and go see movies and hold hands and dance and do it all in front of everyone. I want everyone to know that I love you."

Graham sighed, "I know. I feel like the worst friend in the world. I don't want to hurt Riley. That's why I lied to you before. It's why I kept my feelings a secret until now."

"And why are you telling me this now? Why didn't you say anything when we were sleeping together or when Riley came back or when I came to you and basically asked you to tell me not to accept his proposal? Why did you wait until *months* after I get engaged to tell me this?"

"Because I was scared that I am not good enough for you. I can't compare to Riley. I just couldn't believe it would be possible that you would ever want me when you have him," he explained, "And I didn't want to hurt Riley. He's my best friend."

Buffy softened at his admission. How could he ever not think he was good enough for her? He was such an amazing person.

"Audrey talked to me. She could tell that I had feelings for you and… she thinks you have feelings for me too. I told her it was impossible, but she insisted. And then I thought about it, really thought about it and maybe I'm just being overly optimistic or an idiot, but maybe there is a chance you feel the same way," Graham said, "And this *will* hurt Riley and I would give anything if I could spare him pain, but as Audrey pointed out, if you marry him I will be miserable for the rest of my life. And if you feel the same way, so are you. And then Riley will be too, because he can't be happy if you're not."

"I know and I'm sorry for being such a coward," he apologized. Graham truly did feel bad for putting her in this situation, but at the same time, if she didn't feel anything for him, this wouldn't bother her so much. That was encouraging.

"Of course. This is a big deal and I know that. I'm just grateful that you are willing to even think about it," he said, giving her a small smile.

"Right," Graham replied, breaking into a full-blown smile. "I'll go away, then. Let you think."

He resisted the urge to kiss her and went to the door, giving her one more look before leaving the home and his heart in her hands.

"Well, well, well… this is a surprise," Spike smirked as Buffy entered his crypt.

Buffy sighed and shook her head, "I don't know what I was thinking, coming here."

She turned and went to leave, but Spike quickly grabbed her arm and pulled her around to face him. "Sorry, Luv. Forget about that. What did you need?"

Biting her bottom lip, Buffy reminded herself of her reasons behind this visit. As much as she hated to admit it, Spike was the only one she could come to for advice about Graham. Riley was obviously out of the question, Dawn was fifteen and completely inexperienced in love and she was too scared to tell her friends, even Giles, the truth about her and Graham. But Spike already knew and Buffy never felt like she had to live up to any expectations for him.

Spike quirked his eyebrow, surprised to hear this. Gesturing to a chair, he said, "Have a seat."

"Sorry, um… Graham came to see me the other day. He told me that he loves me and that he wants to be with me."

He resisted the urge to smirk, knowing he had been right. How could anyone find heaven between the Slayer's luscious thighs and not love her?

"Well, that works out perfectly then, right? You love him, he loves you… now you can get together and be sickeningly sweet."

"Oh, you've got to be kidding me! You aren't serious. You are actually considering not being with the guy you love, who loves you back, because you don't want to hurt little Riley's feelings? He's supposed to be a man! He can take it!"

"Spike, put yourself in Riley's shoes," she told him, figuring this was the best way to get Spike to feel something akin to sympathy.

Spike saw her reasoning and nodded, then smiled at her. "I tell you what. Forget both of them and stay with me. We'll have lots of fun. There is something to be said for a vampire's stamina."

Buffy chuckled and took his teasing for what it was before sobering up again. "What am I going to do?"

"Make yourself happy. I know you care about Riley, even though he doesn't deserve it, and I know you don't want to hurt him, but you can't *marry* him to spare your feelings. I think you know as well as I how special it is to love someone and have them return the feelings. You can't ignore that."

"Hi," Riley said as Buffy opened her front door and found him on the other side of the threshold.

Buffy was somewhat surprised to see him, since they hadn't made plans or anything, but just smiled, "Hi."

After kissing her on the cheek, Riley walked into the living room. "We need to talk."

"I'm not sure," he replied. "You have been acting really strangely for a while now. At first I just gave you space and figured you would come to me when you were ready. But you haven't and you are acting more and more distracted. When I first came back, we both agreed things would be different. And they were, for a while. But now you're back to your old habit. You aren't letting me in."

Buffy sat down on the couch and sighed; she had been putting off telling Riley, despite the fact that she had decided to do so nearly a week earlier. She knew that now was the time, there was no good mood to spoil, no bad mood to make worse… Riley wanted answers and he wanted them now.

"I have been keeping something from you. I had my reasons, but it's not fair to you."

Riley could tell by her expression that whatever she was about to tell him wasn't good. "What is it?"

"When Graham came back to Sunnydale, and you were still gone, we ran into each other and spent a lot of time together. You already knew that, but what we didn't tell you was that," she paused, taking a deep breath, "we slept together."

"We acted like we were friends for everyone else, but when we were alone, we… we slept together."

She nodded, "For several months. But it ended as soon as you came back. We said that we didn't love each other, that is was just sex, and it was over."

"I can't believe this. Of all the guys you could have picked, you had to screw around with my best friend?"

Riley laughed humorlessly. "For months, you were drunk? That's *if* I believe that you guys actually stopped. That you two haven't been sneaking behind my back for the past six months."

"We couldn't seem to stop. We tried, we really did, but we just needed each other so much. And you and I were broken up."

"Yeah, we were broken up, but Graham was my best friend, he's off limits. If you didn't think it was wrong, why didn't you tell me the truth as soon as I came back?"

"I knew it would hurt you. I figured if I kept it from you, I was protecting you."

"Yeah, well, instead you made me feel like the biggest fool in the world. Here I am thinking I am the lucky guy because you want to be with me and meanwhile, you're having sex with my friend behind my back. I guess you guys got a good laugh at that."

Buffy shook her head, "No, Riley. We didn't think it was funny. It wasn't about that. And I swear, it ended as soon as you returned."

"Come on!" he shouted, standing up angrily. "You can't tell me that you and Graham slept with each other for a few months just because you were *horny* and then I come back and you two suddenly develop willpower. I'm not stupid, Buffy, there is more to it than that."

"I told you, we didn't consider it wrong when you were gone because you and I were not a couple. But when you came back, we wanted to save you from being hurt, so we kept our secret and ended things because if we hadn't, it *would* have been wrong."

"So why are you telling me now? You were fine for months until… until I tried to get Audrey and Graham back together," he said as he realized there was more to it than she had let on.

She looked down, not wanting to look him in the eye. She'd wanted to spare him the pain of learning she loved Graham too.

Buffy looked up, tears spilling down her cheeks. "I love him. I don't want to, I want to love you, but I can't help it."

"You love him," he parroted in disbelief. "I love you so much, I would give *anything* for you. All I want is for you to love me back. I'm just never going to be good enough for you, am I?"

"Riley, you are *too* good for me! God, I have felt so blessed to have you and ungrateful because I wasn't *in*love* with you. I tried so hard, but I couldn't force myself to feel things."

"Well too bad… you've done it," Riley glared at her before storming out of the house, leaving a sobbing Buffy behind.

The last thing Graham had expected when he opened his door was to be punched with such force that it sent him staggering back. He managed to get his bearings fairly quickly and looked up to find Riley standing at his door, a furious look on his face. Graham immediately knew *exactly* what the punch was for.

"Yeah, everyone is sorry. Everyone feels just terrible. But it doesn't change the fact that you moved in on *my* girl when I was gone. You know how wrong that is."

"Not enough, apparently. Not enough to stop before I came back home and it was no longer just 'technically' betraying me. That's *if* I choose to believe Buffy. Going by some of the stuff I have seen, I think I have the right to feel a little skeptical."

"Forgive me if I don't find you any more honest than her," Riley muttered, then asked the question he was both dying and terrified to hear the answer to. "Do you love her?"

Graham considered lying, but figured that if they were being truthful, Riley deserved to know the *whole* truth. "Yes."

Buffy slowly trudged down the hall to Graham's apartment. Perhaps she just should have called him…

Shaking her head, Buffy reminded herself that he deserved better than just a phone call. This wasn't going to be easy for her to say, and it certainly wouldn't be easy for Graham to hear.

She knocked on the door and held her breath as she waited for Graham to answer. A wisely more-cautious Graham looked through the peephole this time before slowly opening the door, bracing himself for Buffy's response when she saw him.

"Oh God," she sighed, "I didn't even think to let you know until a while after Riley left. I'm so sorry!"

"It's okay. In a way, it feels better not having the weight of it all on me," he said, then grimaced, "Unfortunately, my eye doesn't feel my relief as well."

Buffy frowned and tenderly brushed the tips of her fingers over his black-and-blue flesh. "Have you put ice on it?"

Graham nodded and held up the makeshift ice pack in his hand before gingerly touching it to his eye. "Come on in."

She followed him inside, shutting the door behind them, before sitting down beside Graham on the couch. They sat for a moment in silence, Buffy trying to absorb all that had happened in the past two hours that left three lives irreparably changed and Graham wondering what exactly had happened for Riley to find out… and what Buffy wanted to happen next.

"So, you told Riley?" he finally asked, when he couldn't wait any more for her to begin speaking.

She nodded, "He confronted me about how I was keeping secrets from him again and I had been wanting to tell him for a while now, so I just came out with it. I guess I should have warned you first. Are you mad?"

"No," he shook his head quickly, "I told you, it feels better having the truth out there. Keeping this a secret was killing both of us. I just wish Riley didn't have to get hurt."

"I think Riley was destined to get hurt the first time we slept together. Or at least, the first time we did when we were sober," Buffy commented.

"He feels like we made a fool out of him," she said guiltily, her voice breaking as she found herself crying again.

Graham's heart sank at the sight; she still loved Riley. "Don't worry, Buffy. He is angry now, but once he gets a chance to cool off, he will see that what happened wasn't *that* bad. Riley loves you, he'll forgive you."

"It's not a matter of that; he doesn't want to be with me if I don't love him and I don't want him to either."

Buffy shook her head and looked him in the eye. "I *do* love him. But you are the one that I am actually *in* love with."

He felt like he couldn't breathe for a moment as he took in what she had just told me. It was almost like getting another punch in the face – albeit a lot less painfully and much more pleasant.

She gave him a small smile and nodded, "I do. I have for so long, but I didn't think you felt the same and I was scared."

He laughed, "God, if we had just been honest with each other and Riley, things could have been so different."

Buffy took a deep breath, "I've been thinking a lot about this. I want to be with you. But I also really want to do things right in my life. I finally have things together. I don't want to go straight into a relationship with you after being engaged to someone else. I have to be responsible and a good example for Dawn and *sure* before I start something with you."

"You're saying you *don't* want to be with me?" he asked, his heart breaking once again.

"I didn't say that, don't get ahead of me," she smiled. "I need time and space. I want to be able to clear up this whole thing with Riley and feel like that is completely over and have some time on my own to be with *me*. And then, if you still want to, we can try a relationship."

Graham sighed in relief. As much as he wanted to take Buffy in his arms right this moment and kiss her senseless, if she wanted some time, he would happily give that to her.

"It's not fair of me to ask you to wait for me, I understand that. If we are meant to be, it will happen. So if you meet someone before I feel ready…"

"Buffy, as far as I am concerned, you're the only woman in the world. I have watched you be with another man for months. I can sit by and give you time while you are single, believe me."

She smiled, "Thank you. I don't know how I managed to luck out and meet two such amazing men."

Buffy turned around and was surprised to see Riley jogging up the sidewalk to catch up to her.

"Fine," Riley shrugged, despite the fact that it wasn't exactly true. His heart was broken and he was hurt beyond words, both by Buffy and Graham, but at least he didn't feel like he was going lose it like he had a few weeks earlier when he had first found out.

"Look, I just wanted to tell you I'm leaving. I requested a transfer and I have a flight out tomorrow morning. I just can't be here anymore."

"I know it probably doesn't help, and I don't expect you to forgive me, but I am sorry. So very very sorry."

Riley nodded slowly. "I know you are. I didn't mean to come here and guilt you. I just didn't want to leave without a proper goodbye again."

Buffy slowly smiled, a genuine smile that was so bright, Riley's heart ached. Despite all the pain she had caused him, he would always have a place in his heart for her.

"You deserve a lot better than me, Riley. And I have no doubt that someday you will get it," she told him as she gingerly, afraid he might push her away, reached up and hugged him.

Riley returned the hug, closing his eyes and inhaling the scent of her hair, trying to commit it to memory. Eventually, he pulled back and looked her in the eye. "Just promise me one thing. Whether is be Graham or whoever, don't just settle for anyone. That's the one comfort I have; that if you had married me, it would have been a mistake, so this is a good thing."

Buffy felt tears stinging her eyes, as she was touched by his words. "This would be a lot easier if you called me names and were a big jerk."

"I think I would like that," he said, giving her a kiss on the cheek before backing away. "Goodbye, Buffy."

Graham had just finished putting his dinner dishes away and was looking forward to popping open a beer and lounging on the couch for a few hours when there was a knock on his door. He groaned; it was probably one of the guys coming over to drag him out to play pool or something, and went to answer the door.

Finding Buffy standing on the other side, Graham was pleasantly surprised, to say the least.

As she walked past him, Graham couldn't help but look her up and down. Maybe it was the fact that he hadn't seen her in over a month, but she seemed more beautiful than ever.

"That's okay, I can't stay long. I have to drive Dawn and her friends to a school dance in half an hour."

Graham sat down beside her and, trying to appear calm, cool and collected, asked, "So, to what do I owe the honor of this visit?"

She laughed nervously, "I kind of feel like a jerk coming here and saying this but you will never know if I don't. Um, I've had some time on my own. I got to say goodbye to Riley and focus on my job and Dawn and, most of all, *me*. And it's been good for me. But I miss you and I want to be with you. I always did, but I really want to be with you, now. I want to go on dates and kiss and hold hands and do all of it. If you still want me, of course."

"If I still want you?" he asked incredulously. "Buffy, you could make me wait years and I would still want you. You're the one for me."

She grinned as he blushed at his own declaration and leaned over and kissed him softly on the lips, "You're the one for me too."

Graham couldn't remember ever feeling so happy in his life. Even all these past weeks, knowing Buffy loved him and would very possibly come to him just like this, he'd never allowed himself to believe it would truly happen. He'd been too scared of being disappointed.

"There is one thing, though," Buffy added. "I want to take it slow. I want a real relationship, so we should do things the way they normally happen. I want to date, not start spending every night together immediately."

Graham nodded in agreement; as appealing as spending every night with Buffy sounded, he too wanted to do all the things they'd never been able to do before.

Unable to resist each other any longer, they soon found themselves kissing passionately. They had been apart far too long, and their hormones took over. After a moment, though, they both found the resolve to break apart. Leaning their foreheads against each other, they looked one another in the eye and caught their breath.

"Yeah," Buffy breathlessly replied. "Besides… Dawn. I have to pick her up soon."

"Okay," he sighed and slowly stood up, pulling Buffy to her feet. "No offense, but you need to leave."

"Trust me, you *are* wanted. That's why you must go," he smiled. "Do you think you might want to go out tomorrow night? You know, on a date?"

"Hmm," she replied, pretending to mull it over. "If I change that and reschedule that… I guess I could fit you in."

"Great. Would it be okay if I pick you up at six? We could do dinner and a movie."

Graham loved the sound of that. A date with Buffy… life couldn't get much better.

"Oh," she turned around and smirked at him. "Just so you know? I'm planning on being easy."

And with that tantalizing statement, Buffy walked away, leaving Graham standing in the doorway with a stunned look on his face – which quickly spread into a grin.

Dawn opened the refrigerator, looking for something she could eat fairly quickly. Grabbing an individual size applesauce, she went in search of the perfect topping until she found the big bag of M&M's Buffy had hidden in a cabinet behind a roll of paper towels.

As she mixed a handful into the applesauce, her older sister entered the kitchen. Buffy froze when she saw her, obviously not expecting her.

"Gee, good morning to you too, Buffy. Or actually afternoon, since it's a quarter after twelve," Dawn retorted.

"Sorry," the blonde smiled apologetically. "I just thought you and Melinda were going to the movies."

Dawn noticed the discomfort and raised her eyebrows. "Why'd you sleep so late, anyway? And what's up with your nightgown? It looks like a man's… shirt."

All of a sudden, the teen realized that Buffy might have a man up in her room. Back when she had been with Riley, there were days where they wouldn't come downstairs until long after lunchtime. Buffy hadn't told her sister that Riley had left town, but Dawn had still thought there was no chance of her sister getting back together with him. Now she wasn't so sure.

"Yeah, um, it *is* a man's shirt," Buffy confessed, then laughed nervously, "I wanted to tell you in a nicer way than this, but I'm seeing someone."

Buffy opened her mouth to respond, but before she had the chance, Graham came into the kitchen, "Buffy, do you have any coffee? I need caffeine."

Finding that they weren't alone, Graham froze much like Buffy had. "Dawn… hi."

Dawn's eyes widened in disbelief as she realized she had finally gotten her way. When Buffy had broken things off with Riley, Dawn had kept her pleasure at the news to herself, instead being understanding and supportive. And all of the time since then, she had made a point not to mention Graham to her sister, her conscience winning out since she didn't want to push Buffy when she was vulnerable.

"About a month now," Graham answered. "We haven't told anyone because we wanted to keep the pressure off."

"But it's not like a big secret," Buffy told her. "We're dating and not ashamed of it. It's probably time for everyone to know anyway."

They hadn't exactly taken things slow, as their first date had ended with them in bed at Graham's, but they didn't sleep together *every* time they saw each other. Without the pretense of just liking each other for sex, they'd been able to go for walks, see movies, have dinner… a lot of things they had never had the chance for before. However, every time they *had* slept together had been at Graham's, but they had decided the night before to spend the night at Buffy's.

"This is so great!" Dawn squealed, running and hugging Buffy tightly before hugging Graham. "I'm so happy for you two."

Seeing the way they were looking at each other and anxious to go tell all her friends, since they'd heard all about the Riley/Buffy/Graham saga, Dawn decided to leave them alone.

"Well, I'll just go over to Melinda's," she told them, grabbing her purse off the table.

"I thought you said you didn't need to be there for fifteen minutes?" Buffy asked.

"I feel like going early," she grinned, opening the door and waving at them before rushing off to her friend's house.

"I think she wanted us to have some alone time," Graham commented, wrapping his arms around his girlfriend's waist.

Graham dipped his head down and kissed her passionately as they both found their desire for one another stirring once again.

He grabbed her hand and placed it on his hardness. "I'd say that's not a problem."

They kissed again, until their need for each other took over and they rushed up to Buffy's bedroom, eager to take advantage of having the house to themselves. Neither had ever been so happy. Their lives weren't perfect… but it was pretty close to it.