Expect the Unexpected. Part One: Chapter Fifteen.

It took a total of two days to clean up the mess and recalibrate the systems all over the grounds of the Banzai Institute. Papers had been refiled. Furniture had been reorganized. Spills were cleaned up. Experiments and their research had been cleaned up and put back the way they were, or would begin over again. Repairs had been made. The plants and shrubbery replanted. Technology recalibrated and reset. Injuries taken care of and in the process of healing.

And thankfully for the Hong Kong Cavaliers, the recreation room and the garden had been left untouched in the attack.

-/-/-

Three days after the attack, those of the Banzai Institute- both resident and intern- all sat in the cafeteria, enjoying a breakfast prepared by Mrs. Eunice Johnson and her kitchen staff, just like they did every morning. Peggy Banzai, Lady Gillette, Penny Priddy, Big Norse, Mrs. Johnson, Pecos and Rainy Day all sat together at one of the tables. The interns and residents all began to leave the cafeteria to start their jobs and studies all at nine that morning, but the women all stayed in place. When Peggy tried to retreat from the table, the girls all pulled her back down into her chair.

Peggy glanced around at the woman she sat with questioningly. "What's going on?" she asked hesitantly.

"We all have a surprise for you today," Pecos stated simply.

Peggy frowned, disappointed. "I'd love to spend time with you girls, but me and Buckaroo had plans-"

"Oh, you two still have plans today," Lady Gillette interrupted, "But not what you two planned."

"We're taking you to get a new dress!" Big Norse squealed happily.

"A new dress? I don't-"

"That's ok," Mrs. Johnson reassured, "You'll get it soon. Now let's get going."

Before she could attempt to protest any more, Peggy was whisked away before she could even blink.

-/-/-

"Buckaroo Banzai!"

The man in question jumped, uncharacteristically, startled by the calling of his name. He had been in his lab, dissecting a braid that had been diseased by a brain tumor; unfortunately for the former owner of the brain, the tumor had been cancerous. The scientist and doctor jumped where he stood at the examination table, knocking over the microscope in front of him, unintentionally throwing his pen from his hand behind hand, and hitting his head on a nearby wall cabinet.

"Oooh," Perfect Tommy cringed, "That backfired."

"No kidding," Reno Nevada scoffed, back-handing the younger man's shoulder.

Buckaroo took off his glasses, let out a deep breath, and began to rub his head in an attempt to soothe his injury. "To what do I owe the displeasure of this painful meeting, gentlemen?" he asked, the sarcasm obvious in his voice.

Perfect Tommy frowned. "I don't appreciate that tone, considering what we're doing."

Buckaroo glared for a moment. "And I don't appreciate the bump forming on my head."

The younger man's cheeks turned pink, but he quickly recovered as if nothing happened. "We're having a Dude's-Morning-Out!"

"I'll translate," Red River Daddy cut in, "We're spending the morning and afternoon together to help you prepare for something we've all planned for tonight."

"Look, guys," Buckaroo tried, "Even though I don't fully known what you're all planning, I appreciate the thought. But I wanted to finish my research this afternoon before I go out with Peggy later on."

"Well," Rawhide mused, "This involves Peggy. Not till later, though."

"You pretty much have no choice in this," Pinky Carruthers interjected.

Before he could utter another word of protest, Buckaroo was dragged away from his work and out of the lab.

-/-/-

Throughout the morning and the afternoon, both Buckaroo and Peggy were dragged around by their friends. She'd been taken to a shop that sold wedding dresses, as well as gowns for bridesmaids. He'd been taken to a store that sold and rented suits and tuxedos accordingly. Neither quite knew why they were there, but both decided to just go along with it all and humor their friends; Peggy chose a simple wedding dress with a layer of lace for decoration over the skirt and torso, a sweetheart neckline, and laced sleeves that ended just at her forearm; Buckaroo chose a three piece tuxedo with a fire engine red vest, a matching red tie, navy blue jacket and pants, and a white shirt. The bridesmaid equivalent dressed were a toned down red, while the groomsmen wore red button up shirts with navy blue vests and ties.

There was a ten minute gap in between the return of both groups to the Banzai Institute, one that was planned. As each group took their outfits to their own areas of the Institute, both Banzai's finally questioned their friends what in the world was going on.

It was Rawhide and Mrs. Johnson who explained to Buckaroo and Peggy what was happening.

Since their original wedding day hadn't gone quite as planned, they'd all arranged a new ceremony and reception at the Institute for them. It was more like a ceremony of renewing vows, since they were still technically married cause she'd never actually passed away like they originally had thought she did, and since he never remarried. Either way, they deserved a makeup wedding and ceremony in celebration of their love and their union of marriage, no questions asked.

And with that, both were willingly whisked away to finish getting ready for their wedding.

-/-/-

Buckaroo stood at the top of the aisle with his hands folded in front of him. Professor Hikita stood with him, a smile on his face. A small band of interns had been organized to play the music for the march; one sat at a keyboard piano, one stood with a guitar in hand, another sat at a small drum set to keep time. The trio played "Since I Don't Have You".

The wedding party began its procession up the aisle. First up was Pinky Carruthers and Big Norse; then Red River Daddy and Lady Gillette; Reno Nevada and Pecos; Sidney "New Jersey" Zweibel and Penny Priddy; Perfect Tommy with Rainy Day on a pair of crutches; and finally, Rawhide as the best man walked with Mrs. Eunice Johnson as the maid of honor. Khonsu-Ra sat with Billy Travers and Yvette in the first row.

When Peggy stood at the opposite end of the aisle as the crowd who watched stood to see her, Buckaroo felt his eyes began to tear up a bit. He cleared his throat as he tried to keep his composure, but he let his smile stay and grow. She felt her face glow red as she smiled and began to walk up the aisle to stand at his side.

During the ceremony, those of the wedding party chose to sit down in the front row, rather than stand with them the entire time; it was mostly due to Rainy Day sitting to help heal her leg, and them not wanting her to feel bad about being the only one of them sitting. Nearly every intern, resident, and Blue Blaze Irregular (who could make it) occupied the seats. Despite not knowing the bride quite as well as they did the groom- for understandable reasons- each guest knew the story of their original wedding, and felt joy and happiness that filled the air of the room.

"And now," Professor Tohichi Hikita said toward the end, "Would the bride and groom like to share any words or vows?" Both nodded. He looked to Buckaroo. "You may go first."

"Peggy," Buckaroo tried to begin, a smile on his face as he did so, "My Queen of the Netherlands. These years without you seem like a bad dream, and like I woke up and they never happened. Either way, you came back to me, and I'm not quite sure if you'll know how much it actually means to me that you're back. And, as pointed out by a dear friend and colleague-" He shot a quick glance at Mrs. Johnson. "-I shouldn't question it, but rather savor and cherish this second chance that I have with you. I promise to keep you safe; to love you; to take care of you; and to never let you go again. And I'll try not to keep you awake at night working on theories, experiments, songs, or anything else of the sort."

Peggy chuckled at his last statement. "Buckaroo," she sighed happily, "I can't even begin to say how much you've done for me all these years. In college, you encouraged me to keep going; you helped me to do all I could and not give up when it got too hard. You taught me what it's like to love, and what it's like to be loved. These last couple of years have not been easy, but knowing in my heart that I'd come back home to my friends and my family, and knowing that you'd be here waiting for me- that's what kept me going. I promise to love you with all of my heart, even when it seems hard- which, when you're working so much, is common. I promise to support you in all your endeavors; to be there when you need me, and even when you don't feel like dealing with me for whatever reason. I promise to keep hold of you like my life depended on it, and to never leave you again. And I'll try not to get so mad when you do keep me up at night while you work."

Professor Hikita smiled at the vows exchanged by the two. "You may now exchange rings. Rawhide?" The cowboy stood from his seat and gave the rings before returning to his seat next to Big Norse. Buckaroo and Peggy did as instructed. "With that, I pronounce you Man and Wife. You may kiss your bride."

Buckaroo quickly took Peggy in his arms. She cupped his chin, while he placed his hands gently at the back of her neck. Their lips met, causing clapping, cheering and whistling to be heard from the guests.

End of part one.

Stay tuned for part two, coming soon.