Title: Bring Me Into the Light (28/?)
AUTHOR: Mistress Ace & Em
E-MAIL: rosewood@inreach.com & vicedragonv@msn.com
FEEDBACK: Is the butter on our bread. We write because the story begs to be told. Feedback lets us know if we struck a chord with you.
DISTRIBUTION: Our site, for the moment. When we post fully edited chapters, those can be posted elsewhere. RATING: NC-17
CATEGORY: Story: Romance, Angst
SPOILERS: As You Were
PAIRINGS: B/R/Sam, m/f, f/f
DISCLAIMER: Don't own the characters at all. (More's the pity) They belong to the Great God Joss Whedon et al. We are just borrowing them for a little bit. That's all. No BtVS characters were harmed in the writing of this fic. Well, maybe just a little.
SUMMARY: Not back for long enough. Not nearly long enough and there were too many things left up in the air. But isn't that the purpose of fan-fiction?
 

Chapter 28

"Buffy, I love you," he murmured in his sleep. Happy, they'd been so happy that weekend. Dawn was sleeping over at a friend's house. The Scooby's were under strict orders not to call or drop by unless the Hellmouth was actually opening. And her mom was in Chicago.

They made love in the dining room first. Right there on the table with the remains of dinner on one end and their clothes scattered around the other. He'd made a pillow of his jacket, slipped it under her head before kneeling on the floor. Most pleasant hour he'd ever spent on his knees.

The dining room led to a kissing and wrestling match on the stairs. One he wasn't sure who won. Not that it mattered. For the next two days, they only left this bedroom to use the bathroom and find something to eat or drink. Otherwise, they were naked and either sleeping or talking or making love.

"Mmmm... love you too, Riley." More than half asleep, she'd still heard him. And in her not quite conscious state, her words weren't trapped by her conscious hang-ups. Her mind drifted into the past, sent there by his voice. Back to the summer they'd spent together, to a sparkling memory of a day on the beach. He'd stared at her in her sparkly blue string bikini, amazed at her when she actually dove into the ocean.

He'd followed her, played with her, frolicked in the waves as they splashed and teased. Hot kisses in the water, on the sand. Sunlight dazzling their eyes, a pure blue sky overhead. Picnic lunch, sandcastles near the shore. Sitting in the sand, snuggled together, watching the sun set over the ocean. It had been a dream come true for her, a joy-filled day spent in the sun like a normal girl and her boyfriend.

He'd given that to her, and she had never been able to thank him enough for it.

Kitchen chores done, Sam looked in the fridge one last time and shook her head. If they were going to have anything to eat before their shopping expedition, she was going to have to order it. There was a menu for a Chinese delivery place held in place by a magnet. Removing it, Sam dialed the number and ordered lunch, which was promised in forty-five minutes.

A quick glance at the clock confirmed that would give her sleeping lovers a good hour and a half nap. Not quite enough to completely refresh them but certain enough to keep them from being too groggy to function.

She poured two glasses of water, left one in the living room and carried the other upstairs. Riley was curled protectively around Buffy, his face buried in the hollow of her shoulder and they were both fast asleep. With the burden of command off his shoulders, he looked his age. Barely twenty-five and there were worry lines on his brow, etched deep by night after night of keeping their squad alive and the rest of the world safe.

Sam set the glass down on the nightstand for them if they woke up. She knew they were each dehydrated but right now sleep was more important. Her husband stirred slightly, pulled Buffy in closer and sighed. Buffy in turn, stretched and a tiny sound escaped, a happy sound of contentment. Sam was tempted to join them, very tempted.

Buffy stirred, her eyes fluttering open. She blinked and looked up at Sam, a sleepy smile forming as her mind emerged from the cloudy haze it had been in. "Hi Sam," her whisper was barely audible. "Joining us?" One arm wasn't trapped by Riley's hold on her; she held that hand out to Sam in invitation.

Yes, very tempting. It probably wouldn't hurt to lie down for a minute. Especially if she stayed dressed.

Sam took the invitation, kicking off her shoes and settling down on Buffy's other side. Between them, the Finns cradled Buffy. Riley nuzzled her hair briefly before drifting back into deeper sleep while Sam stroked her shoulder and kissed the nape of her neck. Warm, the room was warm and she was so tired. Sam's eyelids drooped and then closed.

Buffy closed her eyes again with a happy sigh. She snuggled between her lovers and let her thoughts wander, but she didn't fall asleep again. Instead, her mind drifted over the past day, the events that had occurred and how it changed her life completely. The two wonderful, special people who cradled her so gently had completely changed her life. They'd lifted her out of the darkness and into the light again.

Something she'd never thought anyone could do, or that they would. She'd given up hope of anyone recognizing her plight and helping her with it. Until yesterday.

Warm, so warm. And soft. Familiar scent, familiar feel to the body next to him. Riley drifted upward through the layers of sleep, drawn upward by a noise. Something that sounded like the front doorbell.

He opened his eyes and found himself nose-to-nose with Buffy. Who was wide awake and just as clearly puzzled by the doorbell ringing as he was. Apparently she hadn't been expecting anyone and he could tell by the angle of the sun that it certainly wasn't time for Dawn to be home. Besides, Dawn had a key.

Buffy whispered softly, "You stay here with Sam. I'll get the door." She crawled carefully out from between them, placed a soft kiss on Riley's lips before heading out of the room. She stopped in her room for a t-shirt and pair of shorts, shimmying into them before running down the stairs and peeking out the window in the door. She took in the delivery boy and nodded, then darted back up the stairs.

Ducking back into the bedroom, she whispered to Riley, "I think Sam ordered lunch. Do you guys have money with you?" Buffy bit her lip, knowing that Sam wouldn't have ordered food and expected her to pay for it - since it was obvious that she couldn't - but she still felt odd about asking.

"Sure. Let me get my wallet." Very Sam to order them food. Especially after her comment about his blood sugar level. Riley eased out of bed and tried to remember where his jeans were. Probably on the floor of Buffy's room. It was the last place he remembered seeing them. One last glance at his slumbering wife and he was up and moving.

Found his wallet in a matter of minutes and pulled his jeans on, not bothering with the boxers. Even managed to get the zipper pulled up without catching anything important in it. Riley padded down the hallway with Buffy in tow. Bare-foot and bare-chested, he trundled down the stairs and pulled the door open.

The delivery boy stood there, blinking at the big guy who filled up most of the doorway. He'd gone to school with Buffy, was a couple of grades behind her and still had a big crush on the strange but beautiful blond. Heard she'd blown up the school, which made her even cooler in his eyes. When he'd gotten the address and the order, he stopped long enough to comb his hair and change his shirt, wanting to make a good impression.

Now there was this unknown guy at the door. Unknown, huge guy wearing nothing but jeans and holding the door open while Buffy hovered behind him. Her hair all mussed and looking like she'd just jumped out of bed. Which she probably had. So much for that crush. Her boyfriend looked like he could snap him in half.

"Hey," Riley said, riffling through his wallet. "What do we owe you?" Nice enough kid, little skinny and clearly scared about something. Riley guessed it might be him. That impression was confirmed when he caught the kid looking at Buffy, then back at him. Admiration when he looked at Buffy, terror when he looked back at Riley.

The delivery boy peered at the order stapled to the bag and tried to talk. The first word came out as an undignified squeak. "Uhhh... Twenty-four sixty-five?" Sounded like he was going to choke if he tried to say anything more.

**Jesus, am I that intimidating?** Riley resisted the urge to laugh as he counted out thirty dollars and handed them to the boy. "Keep the change."

Buffy smothered a laugh and decided to give the kid a cheap thrill. She recognized him from her high school, though he'd been a few years behind her. She gave him a smile and stepped around Riley to take the bag of food from him. Her fingers brushed against his as she took the bag, and he stared at his hand with an expression of awe. She smothered another laugh and ducked back inside, headed for the kitchen for plates and silverware.

She set the bag down on the island and went to the cabinet for plates. All of a sudden she glanced around and realized that the kitchen was spotless. Sam had been busy! The dishes were washed and put away, the stove wiped down and the island too. The place almost sparkled in the sunlight... Buffy was completely amazed.

Recalling herself, she took out plates and silverware, setting places at the island for the three of them. She also got out glasses and filled them with water, setting them out as well. She was about to head upstairs to wake Sam when she realized how thirsty she was; she drained one glass in about three seconds and refilled it, finishing half of it in another mouthful.

**Sam was right, I am dehydrating,** she thought as she set the glass down again. Then she left the kitchen, headed back upstairs with a curious glance at Riley, who was still by the door.

Courage finally came, spurred on by the inescapable fact that she'd touched him. Touched him even with the big guy looking on. So maybe he wasn't her boyfriend. Maybe the coast was clear and this guy was a member of the family or an older friend. Glint of gold on his left hand, definitely a wedding ring. "So, you a friend of Buffy's?"

"You could say that," Riley drawled, quietly amused by the kid. Had to give him points for bravery, if not for intelligence. Here he was faced with a guy twice his size. A guy who obviously just crawled out of bed and more than likely had been balling the girl he was interested in and he still had the guts to speak up. To try and find out if his suspicions were correct.

Sunnydale didn't breed them to be smart. There had to be something in the water. "Why do you ask?"

"Curious about her. We went to school together but never hooked up, you know." He was watching Buffy go up the stairs. Long, slim legs barely covered by that long t-shirt and shorts. He wished the shirt were shorter, wanted to see more of her. Distracted, he craned his neck a little more when she hit the top of the stairs. Tried to keep her in sight as long as possible. "Heard she was single. Thought I'd try my luck."

*****

With another glance downstairs, Buffy went into the bedroom. She sat on the edge of the bed and watched Sam quietly for a few moments. She slept peacefully, and Buffy hesitated about waking her up. Still, lunch was downstairs getting cold, so Buffy reached out and touched Sam's shoulder gently. "Sam, love," she called to her lover softly.

"Mmmm-hmmm... Please, Riley. Five more minutes." Quiet plea into the pillow, her face still buried there. Tired, she was so tired. There were things to do, important things and the hand on her shoulder stayed there. Sam blinked slowly and then looked up. "Buffy, hey. Something wrong?"

*****

Amusing became annoying in about thirty seconds flat. Especially when Riley figured out the guy watched Buffy's trim little behind as she went up the stairs. His tone went from warm to ice-cold. "Well, you heard wrong. Buffy's dance card is full. Believe me."

Okay, so maybe he read this all wrong. And maybe that wasn't a wedding ring. Or maybe it was and he hadn't heard that Buffy got married. Anyway he looked at it, there was probably a beating in his future. "Oh. Sorry... Uh, I better go."

"Wise move on your part," Riley agreed, watching the guy as he backed away. It wasn't that the kid was mean or that he'd really done anything wrong but Riley had to admit it - he was the territorial type. "Thanks for bringing the food."

"Sure. No problem. Any time." Didn't turn his back until he was down the steps. Down the steps and the big guy had closed the door. At that point, he clutched at the porch railing and took in a few shaky breaths. Nothing like a shot of adrenaline to get the blood pumping. Maybe he'd better change his pants before he got back to work.

*****

Buffy shook her head, smiling again for Sam. "No, nothing wrong. You just looked tired... didn't want to wake up, at first. You hungry? Lunch is here... downstairs, in the kitchen." Another smile. "Thanks for ordering it."

Poor Sam. She'd done so much, been strong for both herself and Riley. She hadn't slept much more than either of them had, and she'd cleaned up downstairs while the two of them had slept. She looked like she could use the rest, and Buffy hated to have woken her.

"Mmmm. Chinese food. Hope you like it." Sam brushed the hair out of her eyes as she sat up. Turned her head just so and popped her neck, then her back. It had been good to sleep, even if only for a few minutes. She felt pretty refreshed. "Where's Ry?"

Obviously not in the bedroom and the clothes he'd been wearing earlier were scattered everywhere. Sam wasn't too worried about his whereabouts. If something was wrong, she was sure Buffy would tell her. He was probably downstairs, getting lunch on the table.

"I love Chinese food, thanks. And Riley's downstairs. Dealing with the delivery boy; the kid went to my high school and I think he had a crush on me." Buffy giggled, remembering the look on the kid's face when she touched his hand and the likelihood that Riley had gone possessive over her. It was quite amusing.

"Oh lord. Did he flirt with you? That could be bad." Sam was laughing too, although she felt a little jealous twinge herself. If she felt it, she could just imagine how Neanderthal Riley had become. They'd be lucky if the guy wasn't scattered across the lawn in several pieces.

*****

Much as though he hated to admit it, his exchange with the delivery guy had been... fun. In a wholly possessive and very caveman way. A boundary had been stepped over and he'd dealt with it. If the kid hadn't been so obvious in his admiration of Buffy's body, Riley would have gone a lot easier on him.

It wasn't so much the admiration that he minded, she really was quite the hottie. It was the lack of respect. Lack of respect for her and hell, lack of respect for him too. Buffy was with him, anybody with half a brain could've figured that one out.

Buffy laughed and shook her head. "No, he didn't. Didn't even speak to me. But I teased him a bit, brushing his fingers when I took the bag. He looked like he was gonna swear to never wash his hand again. I ducked inside right away again, and went to take the food to the kitchen. But they were still standing there when I came upstairs."

"Think we better go check on him." Not really a question, more a statement. Sam swung her legs over the edge of the bed and got up. A moment later, Buffy was standing beside her, reaching for Sam's hand. Their fingers intertwined and without another word, they went to do just that.

To check on Riley.

Who was standing at the bottom of the stairs, one hand clenched into a tight fist. The front door was closed and it looked like he was poised between climbing the stairs or heading outside. Riley looked up and a smile lightened his features. "Hey. You two hungry?"

"Hungry, yep." Free hand going to her hip, Buffy tapped her foot on the step. "Riley Finn, you didn't hurt that boy, did you?" She didn't really think he had, but he looked like he'd wanted to.

Teasing, he knew she was teasing. It felt good to see her so happy, to see her acting... well, normal. "Depends. Is breaking both legs considered hurting them?"

Did her husband just say that? And in that dry tone of voice that clearly meant he was kidding. Sam covered her hand with her mouth, trying not to laugh out loud. That would encourage him.

Quite familiar with Riley's playful side, Buffy merely rolled her eyes. She wasn't about to support, even in jest, such a testosterone-poisoned act. "Well, gee, I dunno. Maybe, yes?" Her eyes sparkled, but she kept her mirth internal, enjoying this exchange with him.

"Damn. There went that idea." Riley tried to look thoughtful but couldn't keep up the facade. He grinned at both of them. "No. I didn't hurt him. Scared the hell out of him though."

"Oh boy. This I gotta hear," Sam tugged on Buffy's hand leading her downstairs. "Why don't you tell us the story while we eat? Breakfast was a long time ago."

"So you're not mad at me for teasing the boy?" Buffy shot another teasing glance over her shoulder as she followed Sam to the kitchen. She grabbed a couple of large spoons for serving food, then crossed over to the island and set them down beside Sam, who was unpacking the bag of containers.

Tantalizing aromas rose from the covered containers, and Buffy decided Sam must have ordered a bit of everything in order to find something everyone would like. Sam needn't have worried, though; Buffy loved Chinese, and would eat almost anything on the menu.

"Not mad at you anyway," mild statement considering how upset he'd actually gotten. Riley waited until all the containers were open before digging into one of them. Sam had gotten all his favorites. Mu-shu Pork, Peking Spare-ribs, Hot and Sour soup, Lemon Chicken. It all smelled great.

"So who are you mad at?" Sam asked as she ladled some of the soup into bowls for each of them. Both Buffy and Riley looked like they hadn't eaten for a week. Her husband waited politely until Buffy loaded her plate, he even added a few extra items to it. Which earned him a giggle and a quick hug from their lover.

Riley started to fill his own plate with food as he tried to work out who he was mad at. The kid? Well, yeah... that went without saying. But he was also mad at the situation, at the fact that he really couldn't stake out his turf. Not in the conventional sense. "Him, a little bit. Buffy, you didn't see the look he gave you when you went up the stairs."

"Didn't need to. He was looking at my butt and probably near to drooling." She shook her head and smiled a bit. "You think I don't know the kind of looks I get, dressed in something like this? I almost never wear shorts, but a short skirt isn't much different. And he's a young one, and not too bright. Not really hard to impress..." She tossed a wink at Sam. It was fun to provoke Riley, really it was.

The hand running through his hair was a clear warning bell. That and the way his jaw tightened. Sam was about to warn Buffy when Riley set his plate down. Set it down and looked at both of them. "Excuse me," he said, perfectly controlled and perfectly polite.

Riley was across the room in a minute. Across the room and out the back door. Had to get out and calm down before he said something he regretted. There really wasn't anything he could do about the way he was feeling. Probably couldn't even put it into words.

The sound of the door closing left a pall over the room. Sam stared at it, not completely surprised by his reaction. She knew jealousy when she saw it and Riley was jealous. In a big bad way.

Buffy frowned and glared at his back, out the door. This wasn't the first time he'd taken issue with her clothing and the way guys reacted to her. It irritated the heck out of her because she enjoyed the attention. Couldn't he be secure enough in their relationship to want her to look good, even when he wasn't around? And he had been around, today. It wasn't like she'd given him any reason to be jealous...

*****

Stupid, he was being stupid. Riley combed his hand through his hair again and his wedding ring caught the light. There was the problem. With Sam, it was understood that he was with her. Matching rings, matched hearts - right out there for anybody and everybody to see. Sure, they each got hit on from time to time but they were secure in their relationship.

He wasn't secure with Buffy. Never had been. Angel cast a big shadow, bigger than anyone ever suspected. That shadow started his whole insecurity problem, that and the fact Buffy didn't tell him about Angel until he'd irrevocably thrown his lot in with her.

Deserted the Initiative and walked away from his career. Only then had she taken him into her confidence and told him about the vampire she'd loved. About him and his curse and the things he did after the curse was broken. Even then she didn't tell him the full truth.

No. He had to learn that from Xander. One of the worst moments of his life when he realized that what gave Angel his moment of true happiness was what gave him the same. Buffy. More specifically sex with Buffy. Making love with Buffy. The shadow was not only in her heart but in their bed.

That revelation damn near destroyed him. Hurt worse than any of the bruises Angel left on his body that night. That was the beginning of his whole jealousy problem. It wasn't the clothes she wore or the fact that guys admired her body. He admired it so how could he fault any guy for looking at her? She was beautiful and sexy and smart and he was still hopelessly and completely in love with her.

Had to trust her. Had to trust that the love she felt for him was real. That she didn't need to bear his mark to belong with him. Riley shook himself, shook himself and shook off the melancholia that weighted his heart. There were enough obstacles they had to work around without his throwing more into the mix.

*****

Sam was anything but stupid. Riley was hurt and angry and so was Buffy. The best thing she could do was step in and try to fix things. Before they were broken beyond repair. "Buffy... I don't think he's mad at you. It's something else." She was pretty sure she understood what caused this. And it had nothing to do with Buffy's clothes or lack of them.

"Did I do something wrong, Sam? Did I give him a reason to be jealous or insecure? That's really more my line... I'm the one with the history." Buffy sighed, picking at her food absently. She wasn't really hungry anymore, but she knew she needed to eat something.

"You do have the history. But he does too." Her normal brusqueness wouldn't work here. This was a problem that wouldn't be solved with a few choice words or the use of a weapon. Sam moved behind Buffy, wrapping her arms around her lover's stomach. The bracelet on Buffy's wrist caught the light as did Sam's ring. She knew about the bracelet, Riley had described it to her.

Final piece of the puzzle. Simple really, when you had all the facts. The only problem was how to tell her.

Buffy sighed, setting down her fork and leaning back against Sam wearily. "Am I going to lose him over this, Sam?" Fear made her voice tremble, the thought dispelling her irritation. She fingered the bracelet on her wrist, wondering if it was going to find a home in her dresser drawer again. "I don't understand, Sam. I don't. And he never talks to me... never tells me anything until it's too late..."

"No, you won't lose him over this. When he figures out the words, he'll come back in. Buffy... would you? I know this is a lot to ask." Sam kissed her cheek before letting go. She moved until they were looking at each other. "If he gave you the ring... would you wear it?"

"Yes!" Emphatic, resolute, and without even a moment's hesitation. "God, I'd do anything, if only he asked me, Sam." And she would. Wear his ring, perform a ceremony, take vows, anything he wanted.

If it would make him feel better, she'd do it. "I'd do it happily, Sam. And honestly, it would make me feel better. I'd have something really with me, to help me believe. Promises are so easy to break when there's nothing to tie you to them I know that, it's the story of my life. Blood ties, promises of love, sacrifice... people can walk away from them. "

"But he can't walk away from you, or your marriage. Just to have something remotely like that, I'd feel more secure." Hard to admit, tears in her eyes. But she did it, she told the truth.

"I think that's what he wants. What he needs. And yeah... I need it too." Sam took Buffy's hand in hers, golden ring pressed against pale skin. "Need that permanence. Nothing in our lives is certain. Nothing but each other. He'll ask, Buffy. When he finds the right time and the right words, he'll ask."

The tears drew her in. Sam kissed Buffy's cheek and then her mouth. Knew she shouldn't do it, knew she should wait for Riley. But life was short and Riley's courage sometimes was worn thin. "Buffy... marry me. Marry us," whispered into her mouth, lips sliding together before her lover could answer.

Buffy twisted in Sam's arms, wrapping her arms around her lover as she returned the kiss. She poured her emotion, her answer into the kiss. A resounding "yes" of the nonverbal type. A very happy yes; it was what she wanted, more than anything.

But part of her needed to hear it from Riley, to know that he wanted it too. Sam said that he did, and Buffy believed her, but she needed to hear it from him directly in order to fully believe and accept it. It was important to her. If only Sam asked and Riley never did, she would still do it but part of her would always wonder if it was really what he wanted, or if he had accepted it because it was what they wanted.

*****

When he opened the door, Riley found them kissing. Which really didn't surprise him at all. It was what he'd rather be doing than dwelling on the crap running through his head. That's what it was. Old-fashioned male posturing. As an educated man, he should be above it.

He watched for a few minutes, grateful to not have walked back into anger. Or accusation or even hurt feelings. His leaving had been juvenile. Buffy had been teasing him, her bright sense of humor emerging from the gloom that had marked her since her return from the dead, probably. And he'd been an ass about it.

Buffy knew when Riley came into the room; she heard him, and the door, and she could feel him watching them. With a soft sigh, she gently broke the kiss she and Sam shared. But she needed a moment to control her emotions. She rested her forehead on Sam's shoulder and closed her eyes, breathed deeply a few times. When her emotions were under control, she turned in Sam's arms to face Riley, all but the last faint traces of tears gone.

She rested her arms on Sam's, wanting her to stay where she was if she would. She really didn't think this was going to be easy for any of them... she didn't know what kind of mood Riley was in, or what he was thinking. She just couldn't tell.

Sam stayed with her, looked straight into her husband's eyes but kept her arms wrapped around Buffy. Felt their lover tremble and held her tighter. Waited for him to speak.

"Buffy," his voice was low, rife with apology as he closed the door behind him. "I'm sorry. I was out of line." For some reason the memory of Parker Stevens came to mind. The smug look on the bastard's face when he started to make a crude joke about Buffy. A joke that resulted in his fist meeting Parker's face and Parker ending up on the floor, whimpering like a baby.

The way that kid leered at Buffy reminded him of Parker. Which was probably why he wanted to deck him too. "For the record, I love the way you dress. Quite the hottie, remember?"

Buffy nodded slowly and some of the tension and fear drained from her body. Her trembling eased and she leaned back against Sam, but her other concerns were still there. "I remember." Her voice was soft, carefully controlled and almost devoid of any hint at her emotions. She was halfway through a retreat into the emotional shell that had allowed her to survive these past months of being alive again.

She knew she wouldn't stay there this time, but it gave her a strong control over how much of her emotional state anyone saw. And it built a barrier between herself and the hurt she feared might be coming.

So much damage. He'd done so much damage. Added on top of what her friends and her other lovers had done to her. He'd forgotten just how fragile she was. Riley was used to the tough Buffy, the one who let nothing phase her. The one that had taken Adam on and defeated him.

That girl was long gone. He'd loved her, loved her with all his heart but she was gone. The girl was gone but the woman who was left behind was even more precious to him. Because she could be hurt, because she knew doubt and wasn't a stranger to pain. Any more than he was.

Moving forward, Riley didn't stop until he was in front of her. To both Buffy and Sam's amazement, he sank to his knees before them. "I'm sorry. I promised myself I wouldn't hurt you and I just did. Over something stupid."

Teeth showing just a bit as she bit her lower lip, Buffy reached out to Riley. Her hand smoothed over his hair, fingers brushed down the side of his face. Then she sighed and replied, "I'm sorry I'm so easy to hurt. More so than I used to be, even. Perhaps at one time, this wouldn't have been a problem... we'd have just put it behind us. It'll take some getting used to, is all... that things aren't like they used to be. It's easy to fall into old patterns, old habits. I'm sorry if I upset you with my teasing... I just wanted to try to fit into the easy relationship you two seem to have. But I guess I shouldn't have."

"No. You should. Buffy, Sam and I've had almost a year to get to this point. A year of being constantly in each other's back pocket. You should've seen us when we first started." Riley looked up at his wife and smiled, the deep dimple in his cheek appearing for a moment. "Not that we hated each other..."

"No, I wouldn't call it hate. But it wasn't love either." Sam's reply was soft and Buffy could feel each word as she said it, her lover was holding her that close. "It took awhile to adjust to each other's... quirks."

"Well, I guess we're a step ahead of that... though we never lived together, either." Buffy shook her head and the faintest hint of a smile touched her face. "I didn't think you liked me much after our first run-in in the bookstore...” Six or seven heavy psych texts accidentally knocked off the shelf. Riley's poor head. And he'd seemed more interested in Willow then, anyway.

"Well, there was the concussion and all. Knocked the sense out of my head. You sure you weren't trying to kill me?" His smile deepened and there was a light in his eyes again. Riley rubbed the back of his head in memory. It had stung, getting hit with that many books and when his eyes cleared and ears stopped ringing, he'd found himself looking at the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen. So, true to form, he talked to her companion instead.

"Yep, I'm sure. They just shouldn't put those books so high up! I mean, come on, it was like two feet over my head." Well, maybe not quite two feet. But too high for her to reach for. Or Willow either, for that matter. Okay, so Riley didn't have a problem reaching them. But he was way taller than either of them, and he hadn't appeared that much taller when he was crouching near the lower shelves.

Besides, what kind of helpless girl would people have taken her for if she'd asked for help without even trying to reach them?

Instead of replying immediately, Riley laughed and leaned forward. Kneeling he was almost her height, all he had to do was tilt his chin up and their mouths met in a soft kiss. Simple touch of his lips to hers, silent declaration of his love for her.

While they kissed, Sam stepped back. Only to have her hand grabbed by Buffy and her arm by Riley. They held her in place until the kiss ended. Riley turned his head and placed a warm kiss in the hollow of her elbow. His way of not leaving her out of anything.

Buffy wrapped one arm gently around Riley's neck and the other went behind her back and around Sam as best she could. Sam was her reassurance; the reason that she believed Riley also wanted her to be a part of their marriage and not just part of their lives. Buffy badly needed to hold on to the belief he wouldn't walk away from her again, and Sam's nearness after their conversation earlier really did help.

But even so, Buffy knew she wouldn't broach the subject with Riley. She needed to know that he wanted it too, and wouldn't just agree to what she and Sam wanted.

Bracelet on the back of his neck, warmed by Buffy's skin. Sam's ring against his ear as she leaned over to kiss him, equally as warm. The marks they wore, his marks. Buffy's was subtler while Sam's was out there for the world to see.

Riley wished he could do the same for Buffy. Wished he could put a ring around her finger and give her what little protection that symbol afforded in modern society. It wouldn't stop everyone who had designs on her, but it would stop many. Riley knew it was an old-fashioned concept, knew it to the depths of his soul but that didn't keep him from considering it.

**Hello to the caveman mentality, Finn. Thought you outgrew that. Guess not.** He pulled back from their embrace, pulled back and found Sam's hand with his own. Rubbed his thumb over her ring and looked up into her eyes. Apologized silently for what he was about to do and hoped it wouldn't bring their house of cards crashing down.

She couldn't ask him to do it, couldn't push the issue. But there was something in his eyes. A warning or a plea for understanding or something. Sam waited, curious and breathless. Waited for him to speak his mind.

Buffy watched Riley find Sam's hand and play with her ring for a moment. It was an unfamiliar gesture, and she wondered if it was something that he did a lot when he was thinking. She looked over her shoulder at Sam, but found her expression unreadable. Glancing back at Riley, she watched a look pass between her two lovers and wondered what was going on. She bit her lip worriedly; something was going on, and she couldn't tell what.

Memories of their ceremony, spoken hastily and over the roar of the chopper, Sam's hair eddying in the backwash from the blades. Most of the words he'd said were a blur but there one's the he remembered and would remember for the rest of his days. **With this ring, I thee wed. With my body, I thee worship.** Words that he'd said to Sam, said them and meant them. Words that he would say to Buffy, only without the sanction of the church.

Riley brought her hand to his mouth and kissed the ring. Closed his eyes and prayed for a moment. Prayed for guidance and for divine intervention should this be the absolute worst idea he'd ever come up with. Sam was right; he was the soul of caution where his heart was concerned. Normally.

All he could do was ask.

Clearing his throat, Riley released Sam's hand and took Buffy's instead. Rubbed his thumb over the ring finger. She used to wear rings, wore them all the time but now her hands were bare. Devoid of adornment, as though being cast from Heaven had stripped her of that vanity as well. "Buffy. I have something to ask."

Tightening her hand briefly around his, Buffy nodded. It took her a moment to find her voice; when she did, she spoke softly, gently, "You can ask me anything, Riley. I'm listening...” She was listening, and he really could ask her anything. She'd already said as much to Sam, and she meant it.

Straight up. The only way he knew how to be. He'd tried the other way before, going to her father figure and that had proved disastrous. So the best way was this way. No hemming, no hawing. Just lay it on the table. "Sam, forgive me. I have to do this."

Heart in her throat for just a second, fear in her eyes. For a moment, Sam felt her foundations slipping away. Until she looked into her husband's eyes and found the love that had always been there. He wasn't asking her to let him go. That's not what this was about.

He could argue that it wasn't legal, lay down all the reasons why even saying this was stupid. Stupid and arrogant and chauvinistic. But he had to do it. Had to ask and know for sure. "Buffy, I love you. Sam loves you and I really should talk to her about this first. But I'm not going to. Marry me. Marry us."

Buffy's heart began to pound in her chest, and for a moment she wondered if she was dreaming. Happy tears filled her eyes and Buffy looked up at Sam, who was smiling and urging her on with her eyes. With a soft smile, Buffy looked back down at Riley and nodded slowly. "I will. I-I love you, both of you. Yes, I will marry you." Gentle fingers brushed Riley's cheek before she leaned down and kissed him.

A wave of quiet happiness filled Buffy's heart and soul. Sam had been right, and Buffy was glad. She needed this. They needed this, it seemed. And it felt so right.

So many ways this could have gone wrong. So many ways it could still go wrong. But... God, it felt right. Felt right on every single level. Riley returned her kiss and then received one from Sam in return. Acceptance from both of them. On an issue that had the potential of blowing things sky-high. But he needed this and it seemed that Buffy and Sam needed it as well.

Had someone told her this would happen a week ago, Sam would've been writing them up a script for Thorazine. Because they would've been certifiable.

But, in the space of 24 hours, the world had changed. Her world had changed and Sam could not have been happier with the result. Not just for herself but for her husband and for Buffy. The shadows were gone from their eyes, the darkness gone as well. What had been sent askew by circumstance and one meddling vampire had finally been brought back on track.

Buffy twisted in Sam's arms to kiss her, in turn. This wasn't just about the two of them with Riley, it was all three of them together. Completely together. Buffy accepted Sam every bit as much as she did Riley; she'd accepted marriage to Sam first, because the other woman had asked before Riley did. But the order mattered not at all, and unless Sam wanted to tell Riley that she'd jumped the gun on him again, Buffy saw no reason to mention it.

There were no words that could express his gratitude. Riley was humbled by the acceptance of his request. Humbled by Buffy's acceptance and by Sam's as well.

One last kiss and Sam stepped back. She urged Riley to his feet, vastly amused that he'd actually proposed on one knee. When he'd asked her, they'd been repelling down the face of a cliff. Nice to know he did have a romantic streak in there. "Riley, When we get done with Drum tomorrow..."

"I know exactly where it is," Riley replied, already up to speed with where Sam was going. Back into the reading each other's mind mode. And finishing each other's sentence. "I'll take care of it. Thank you, Sam."

"You're welcome," her reply was soft and heart-felt. Someday she'd tell him that she'd beaten him to the punch. But not today. Not today. "Now about lunch..."

*****

 
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