Epilogue: A Reprise of the Wedding Bells

Note: I do not own the characters. None of them belong to me. That hasn't changed. The lyrics to "One" belong to U2. 'Jokesters-'R-Us' is my creation. If there is a real group with this name, my sincerest apologies. Its use was made out of ignorance, not plagiarism.

            Also note: the minister's dialogue is not mine, nor is Lila's wedding song spiel, nor is Lila, Jean's, and the Professor's 'last dance' dialogue. They all come from X-Men #36, coincidentally (or not) the wedding issue.

            I want to give a heartfelt thanks to everybody who read and reviewed. I'm glad you all liked it. It isn't perfect, but it did turn out better than I thought it would, if I do say so myself. I have many nebulous ideas for a sequel- hopefully, I can get a concrete idea very soon!

Salem Centre, NY., April 25, 2001

"This sash serves as a symbol of the matrimonial ties," the minister said as he bound Scott's and Jean's hands together. "The sacred pact you make before God, an exclamation of love, which will serve you through good times and bad. The Wedding vows to be spoken here today, have been prepared by the bride and groom themselves."

It was a bright day. The sun was shining. The set-up was perfect. The 'grounds' were perfect. There were no holes, no burn marks, and no evidence of a battle at all. Everything was a little small, but the setting made it all the more intimate. All in all, in spite of the chaos of the past few days, everything was perfect.

Charles Xavier sat in the front row of the audience, heart filled with both joy and sorrow as his eldest children were wed. Joy, because they were wed, and sorrow, because they were wed. For once in his life, he let his mental barriers down, and cast his mind throughout the celebrants, and remembered how this wedding gained a few more uninvited but most welcome guests.

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

"This place certainly does look like a war zone, sir," Steve Rogers, better known as Captain America, remarked.

"For obvious reasons," the Professor replied. Those demons that tried to flee ran into the combined forces of the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, and Doctor Strange. Very few escaped intact. Unfortunately, all of Glory's minions were in that group. Buffy could expect them to cause trouble when or if they returned to Sunnydale. Hopefully, they had learned the dangers of attacking the X-Men.

"I'm only sorry we couldn't be here to help. By the time we got back to our mansion and Jarvis gave us your message, it was too late."

"Well, we survived, but your help would have been most appreciated." Which was the truth. Despite the fact that the X-Men were often at odds with the more publicly respected and sanctioned superhero teams, there was no ill will between them. There was even some friendship.

"Speaking for us, I'm only sorry that we couldn't help you in your battle, although I suppose it was best that we didn't."

"True. I can't speak for Doctor Strange or the Fantastic Four or even the rest of the Avengers, but I would have been glad for the X-Men's help with Belasco."

"He does have a new dimension, then?"

"Unfortunately, but there is an opposition to him. They might just be able to kick him out. You're still going to have to be on your guard, though. He remembers you."

"The warning's appreciated. Thank you. And thank you for your help with the clean-up." The Professor hadn't been expecting the offer, but he was grateful for it. Everyone was helping- even Lila's band was pitching in.

"We still owe you for that last one, remember?"

"You realize I'm going to have to invite you all to the wedding for this."

"I know. Cyclops and Ms. Grey are fine people. You realize we're going to have to accept."

"I know." The two returned to the business of repairing the X-Mansion.

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

"There were times I was lost, and you found me. There were days which were heavy, and you lightened my heart."

From where she was standing as Jean's bridesmaid, Dawn took a quick moment to look out at the crowd. Her new friends and the rest of her family- minus two- were there, as were a whole bunch of superheroes. She decided that superheroes were the coolest people on the planet. Especially Doctor Strange- Willow, Tara, and to a lesser extent Illyana and Amanda, were practically hanging on every word he said.

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

"Well, young lady, it would seem that you're none the worse for your little jaunt," Stephen Strange said after he finished examining Dawn. By the Eternal Vishanti! The Order of Dagon did their work well. It took the Eye of Agamotto to reveal the girl's true nature. If not for the Eye, if he hadn't been told the truth he wouldn't have known until it was much too late.

"I thought so," Illyana grinned. She, Dawn, Ben, and the other sorceresses were in the Professor's private study, where the Sorcerer Supreme was examining Dawn, Ben, and the room in general to make sure no tears in the dimensional walls were created. Fortunately, no tears were made.

"You still took one hell of a risk, young lady," Amanda told her, a little angry. When she first discovered Illyana's plan… it was not pleasant. And for good reason- taking the Key out of its home dimension risked bringing down the dimensional barriers, thereby doing Glory's work for her.

"I said it before, and I'll say it again: if Glory got Dawn, it was either kill her, or move her. Should I have killed Dawn?"

"No, of course not," Tara broke in, before the argument could escalate. "In fact, a-all things considered, it was a pretty good plan, but you did take a big risk- two, actually. I mean, even though she was seriously de-powered, Glory was still a god. How did you know you could take her?"

"Being a ruler of a dimension is like being a Sorcerer Supreme in that it confers certain… power upon one, Tara," Doctor Strange told her. "Believe me, I know." His expression was wry. Oh, he had power, but much responsibility too.

"I bet you could teach us so much!" Willow suddenly exploded. She had been silent most of the time. Xander could keep Lila Cheney, and Angel was welcome to Alison- she had Stephen Strange here, and oh God, but he must think I'm a little idiot.

"Perhaps," he smiled. "But you may well have a chance to find out soon enough."

"Oh?"

"Yes- there are still all of Glory's victims in Sunnydale. I want to see if I can help them. Would you and Tara be willing to help me?"

Willow made dolphin noises.

"The dolphin-noise means 'yes, I'd love to,'" Tara smiled. "And she speaks for both of us." She took her girlfriend's hand as Willow calmed down.

"Shutting up now," Willow muttered.

"Do you really think you can help them, Doctor?" Ben asked, face solemn for the first time since the Doctor cleared him, confirming that Glory was no longer a problem. Somehow, being teleported into another dimension separated Glory from Ben somehow- obviously- but Doctor Strange didn't know how or even why. Ben didn't care, though- the bitch was gone, never to return, and that was all he needed to know.

"I hope so."

"Of course you can," Amanda told him. "You're the Sorcerer Supreme!"

"I thank you for your faith in me."

"Well-deserved," Illyana added.

"Please- stop before my head swells," the Doctor laughed.

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

"Through it all, since the day we met, there was you for me and me for you. That hasn't changed. That will never change."

Buffy looked from Scott- sweat, silly grin and all- and Jean- who was managing to remain calm, although she privately confided to all her bridesmaids that she was a wreck- to Dawn, who was watching Scott and Jean. Dawn had proven herself- she stayed calm and cool when by all rights she should have been a wreck. She had also proven sneaky- many of the X-Men, the New Mutants, the investigators, and even the Scoobies had made a point of pulling Buffy aside during the clean-up and repair to tell Buffy how wonderfully Dawn had held up and how she should teach Dawn how to fight and/or let Willow and Tara start teaching her magic. She sensed her sister's hand in those messages, somehow. And that wasn't the only thing Buffy was told.

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

Buffy was doing various jobs repairing the grounds, and was only half concentrating on it. She was paying more attention to the conversations in the background. She was working hard- really!- but since the X-Men insisted on repairing their home themselves- which she got- and not by magic, like Doctor Strange offered, and with the other heroes abiding by their wishes, there was really no way for the grounds to be repaired by tomorrow. It would be a miracle to even get the gates up and running by then.

"I cannot believe I was taken out so easily!" Peter groaned for the umpteenth time.

"Thou hast never faced a golem before, friend Colossus," Thor- the Thor!- told him. Apparently the Professor had put the word about the fight with Glory out to the general superhero community, and no one responded because they were all fighting a battle in another dimension. However, because some of them owed the X-Men a debt for a save that no one was mentioning. They decided to help clean up the mansion and the grounds for the big event the next day. "Do not be too hard on thyself."

"With all due respect sir," Sam told him, "it's easy for you to say. You've never been sucker-punched before- or sucker-gassed, or- ah, you know what Ah mean!"

"I do, young Cannonball, and actually, I have been 'sucker-gassed' as thou put it, if not by a golem. 'Tis not a story I am proud of."

"But 'tis a very funny one," Hercules- yes, that Hercules!- laughed. The two Avengers had something of a friendly rivalry going on, or so it seemed. They were able to work together though- proven when they verbally tag-teamed Anya, who had a few encounters with them in her 1200 years of life. They weren't too cruel, but they were smug- apparently, she really pissed them off in the past, somehow.

"Really?" Roberto asked, intrigued.

"Watch thy step, friend Hercules, or I shall have to start telling tales of my own- say, for instance, about thee and those enchanted harpies and the black lotus patch."

"Is that a threat, Asgardian?" Hercules boomed.

"Nay, 'tis a promise, Olympian," Thor boomed back.

"Ah, quiet, both a ya! It's brewski time!" came the Thing- for the third time yes, that Thing- who came over, carrying a case of beer.

"Break time already?" Logan asked "Good. I could use a cold brew right about now!"

"Yup." The Thing started tossing cans- to Thor, Logan, Hercules, Peter, and even Sam and 'Berto.

"But we're to young ta drink!" Sam reminded him.

"Kid, yer old enough ta fight demons," Logan told him. "I think yer old enough fer a brew."

"Can't argue with that logic, Sam," 'Berto grinned.

"Guess not," he agreed, with a face full of plainly false reluctance. Both their eyes turned to Peter who mock-sighed.

"Fine, fine- my lips are zipped."

Buffy snorted. Men! What was it with them and beer? It probably had something to do with those little heads on their-

She heard arguing behind her. She gradually moved toward it. Moira MacTaggart stormed off past her. She looked, and Giles was hanging his head.

"Problem, Giles?" she hated seeing her second father looking so- so down.

"What- no, no of course not, Buffy."

"Giles," she said warningly.

He was still silent.

"Giles!"

He sighed.

"You remember Eyghon?" he asked.

"Like I could ever forget." Okay, Ripper story.

"Well, I used to date Moira at the same time I was… experimenting. She didn't know what I was really doing, but her younger brother Robert did. In fact, I brought him into our little fold. Well, Robby didn't have the same kind of defences that the rest of us had."

"So Eyghon wouldn't get out when he was supposed to."

"No. It waited until one of us was weak enough for it to fully possess, and-" his voice broke, "and I handed it Robby."

"What happened?"

"After possessing Robby a few times, Eyghon chose him as its vessel. It didn't leave when it was supposed to. It took Robby's body, and it… tormented Moira. The rest of us stopped Robby by shooting him. The Watcher's Council covered the entire affair up, and I went with my father. Robby's death is what finally caused me to embrace my destiny as a Watcher."

"Who actually shot him?" Buffy had a sneaking suspicion she knew exactly who it was, and it wasn't Giles.

"It was Ethan."

"Thought so. So that's what came between the two of you, huh?"

"Yes. Ethan had… done things before that, but I could always rationalize them. After he shot Robby, he said he did it because it was the easiest thing to do. Not the best, but the easiest. I saw his true self, then."

"And Moira?"

"That night was the last time I saw her until I came here. I tried to look for her after I became a full Watcher, but I could never find her."

"So there's a lot of unfinished business between you two, huh?"

"To put it mildly."

"Did you really care for her?"

Giles smiled sadly.

"You remember how I felt for Jenny? I felt much the same for Moira."

Oh, man. Buffy hugged him briefly. Giles returned it, awkwardly.

"She'll come around," she said after they broke their embrace.

"Perhaps. One day." She could tell that Giles didn't believe it.

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

"Times have been good, and times have been bad, and still our love has endured and triumphed. I take Scott Summers to be my lawfully wedded husband. I take Jean Grey to be my lawfully wedded wife. Through pain and passion, through sorrow and hope, through death and through life. No matter what tomorrow may bring, we will face it together." Jean took her ring from Joey's pillow, and placed it on Scott's finger. "I now pronounce you husband and wife," the Minister finished as Scott took his ring from Joey's pillow and placed it on Jean's finger. The minister gave a mischievous smirk that would have done Kurt proud. "Let's see a kiss now."

Scott and Jean leaned in close. She wrapped her arms around him and pulled him down, and they kissed. Xander would later quip that if the kiss was any hotter, they would have ignited. Many people applauded warmly; those closest to the bride and groom cheered.

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

The dance floor was beautiful in its simplicity- the 'lawn' itself. Scott and Jean took their positions, and waited.

"The wedding song chosen by the couple will be 'Hyperactive,' by Thomas Dolby," Lila proclaimed. Several heads turned to look at her- those people obviously didn't know her very well. "Hey, juuusst kidding there, folks. The song is 'One,' by U2."

The music of the song, simultaneously sorrowful and uplifting, rose, a Scott and Jean began their dance.

               "Is it getting better Or do you feel the same Will it make it easier on you Now you got someone to blame." Lila's voice was beautiful, matching the tone and mood of the song perfectly. But she had a guest singer as well.

               "You say One love One life When it´s one need In the night It´s one love We get to share it It leaves you baby If you don´t care for it," Lorne sang, with a heartbreakingly sorrowful voice.

               "Did I disappoint you? Or leave a bad taste in your mouth? You act like you never had love And you want me to go without" Lila continued.

               "Well it´s too late Tonight To drag the past out Into the light We´re one But we´re not the same We get to carry each other Carry each other One," Lorne sang.

               "Have you come here for forgiveness Have you come to raise the dead Have you come here to play Jesus To the lepers in your head Did I ask too much More than a lot," Lila's voice rang out like a bell.

               "You gave me nothing Now it´s all I got We´re one But we´re not the same We hurt each other Then we do it again," Lorne flawlessly continued from where Lila left off.

               "You say Love is a temple Love is a higher law Love is a temple Love is a higher law You ask me to enter But then you make me crawl! And I can´t be holding on To what you got When all you got is hurt," the two sang together, voices blending- merging- until it resembled both of them and neither of them.

               "One love One blood One life You got to do what you should One life With each other Sisters Brothers One life But we´re not the same We get to carry each other Carry each other One One."

        Stunned silence followed for a few seconds after they finished. Their rendition would have done Bono himself proud. Then, the assembled guests broke into wild, heartfelt applause as Lila and Lorne bowed. All that is, except Scott and Jean, who held each other still, staring into each others eyes. The song was over, but the reality was finally sinking in. One love. One blood. One life. With each other. They kissed. One thought passed between them.

               *I can't wait.*

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

               Apart from the others, Xander held Anya. Xander was nervous, and kept thinking about the little surprise in his pocket. He was going to do this when Giles interrupted them with his desperate phone call, but he kept it with him anyway. Now was as good a time as any. Mustering his courage, he began to speak.

               "Ahn?"

               "Yes, Xander?"

               "This wedding is beautiful, isn't it?"

               "Yeah. I wonder how much the Professor is forking out?"

               Xander laughed. Anya was Anya, after all, and that was why he loved her.

               "I dunno. Think our wedding will be this nice?"

               Anya stiffened in his grasp. What the hell was Xander talking about? They weren't even engaged.

               "Xander, what the hell are you talking about? We're not even engaged."

               "I know, and I want to change that." Xander stepped back, and pulled a small black box from his pocket. Anya's eyes widened.

               "I- I had a little speech ready, but I really can't remember it right now, but I know you'd want me to just come straight out and ask you, so I will: Anya Christina Emmanuella Jenkins, will you marry me?" He opened the box. A beautiful ring was inside. Anya's jaw dropped.

               "I know it's not very big, but don't worry- your wedding ring will be bigger."

               Anya didn't hear him. She was staring at the ring. She took it, put it on, and looked up at him, tears in her eyes.

               "Yes, Alexander Lavelle Harris," she whispered. "I will marry you." And then she grabbed Xander's shoulders and pushed him into the 'bushes' and proved it.

               Xander's last coherent thought was of how realistic those 'bushes' were…

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

               Everybody was gathered on the front lawn of the Xavier Institute for a picnic supper- a sort of thank you to all the non-inhabitants for their hard work in rebuilding.

               "If I may have your attention please," the Professor said. Within- relatively- short order, all eyes were on him.

               "Firstly, I would like to congratulate all of you for the wonderful job you've all been doing repairing the mansion and grounds." This of course, was met by applause.

               "But it seems the damage was even more extensive than it seemed at first. As some of you know, Cyclops and Jean Grey were to be married here tomorrow." A general cry of "congratulations" and even a few "well it's about time's' (from people who knew the X-Men the longest, like Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch).

               "Yes, yes, I agree. But the mansion is really in no condition to be used to host a wedding. So if anyone has any suggestions of a place that can be booked quickly, I'm all ears."

               Silence reigned for a moment.

               "Umm, excuse me Professor," Fred said.

               "Yes, Fred?"

               "Well, Henry here-" she gestured to Hank, who really hit it off with Fred- "was telling me a bit about your facilities, and it seems to me that you've already got a place you can use- that is, if you let people in your Danger Room."

               The Danger Room? No one had thought of that!

               "Hmm… a good idea, Fred. A very good idea! The Danger Room may prove to be a bit cozy, but it may just fit everyone."

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

               Later, the party began to break up. But not before one last, special dance was called.

               "Excuse me for one minute folks… if we could all gather 'round," Lila called. "To close the festivities, the bride has requested one last, very special dance."

               Jean approached the Professor, and stretched a hand out to him.

               "Charles," she asked solemnly, "would you do me the honour?"

               "Jean, I- you know I can't-" he replied, very surprised.

               "My mother taught me to save the last dance for the man who brought you to the ball. And that man, dear Charles… would be you." The Professor was suddenly lifted out of his wheelchair, and straightened by Jean's telekinesis. The guests all gasped, but not all for the same reason. Many smiled. A few even beamed.

               "Jean," the Professor began, warningly, "some of the people here- they don't know about us-"

               "Most of the guests have left," she retorted as they began to dance. "And what if they did know about us Charles? That I'm a mutant? Or that I'm a woman who wants to celebrate the best day of her life? If dancing with you is what makes me happy- and being a mutant gives me the opportunity to do that- then there's nothing in the world I'd rather be… than a mutant. And I'm proud to dance with the man who taught me that- that being one should in no way limit the happiness I can enjoy- or the love I might share- with those I'm blessed to call… my family."

               Those close enough to hear her words had tears come down their cheeks. Even some of those out of earshot were crying.

               Buffy was in earshot. She looked out at her own family and friends. Dawn. Scott. Alex. Jean. Lorna. Giles. Willow. Xander. Angel. Tara. Oz. Cordelia. Anya. Wesley. She even felt close to Angel's newest associates- Gunn, Lorne, and Fred- as well as to the X-Men and New Mutants. She didn't remember what her life was like before the monks made Dawn, but that past didn't matter. If not for the monks, this day wouldn't be quite what it was. She thanked them, wherever they were (and she hoped it was a good place), for that.

               She looked up at the fake 'sky.' She could see a small star begin to shine. She frowned. The Professor had programmed the Danger Room to be an exact replica of the X-Men's backyard (shrunk to proportion as needed), and even set it up to follow the sun and weather patterns. Buffy knew what dusk was like. That star was just a little too early.

               -Just accept it, Buffy- she heard, or thought she did. Her eyes widened. The star brightened a little bit, then faded away.

               "Mom," she whispered, then began to cry. She knew her mother would make it, somehow. Tears streaming down her cheeks, Buffy joined in clapping when the last dance was over.

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

               New York, N.Y., April 27, 2001.

               The combined teams spent the next day finishing the repairs to the mansion, and the day after that was spent resting and relaxing. That night, it was time to say goodbye.

               The Scoobies and the investigators were going to spend a few more hours with Scott and Jean, as the couple managed to postpone their honeymoon until the mansion was repaired. They were on their way to Hawai'i, with a stop at Los Angeles where the AI crew would get off completely and the Scoobies would get on a connector to Sunnydale. Alex and Lorna were going with them- there was a connector from Sunnydale back to their home, where they would set their affairs in order, and return to New York as soon as possible. They had come to a decision- they were going to return to the X-Men.

               Buffy was hugging the Professor.

               "Thank you, Professor," she whispered. "For everything."

               "It was truly my pleasure, Buffy," he whispered back. They broke the embrace.

               "Now please call us when you arrive, just so we know you arrived intact."

               "Will do."

               "And Buffy?"

               "Yeah?"

               "If you ever need anything, anything at all, call me."

               Buffy smiled.

               "Will do- but only if you do the same."

               "Consider it a deal," the Professor smiled. Buffy went to hug the others.

               "Now you've got all our e-mails?" Xi'an asked Dawn.

               "Yup," Dawn replied, and to prove it, she rattled them off.

               "It was great meeting you all," she said as she hugged the eldest New Mutant, a hug which quickly became a group hug.

               "Now please remember to keep in touch," she reminded them.

               "But SelfriendDawn," Warlock said, "there many of us and only one of you. Isn't it more likely that you would forget?"

               Dawn laughed. As did the others. Warlock eventually joined in. He didn't know what was so funny, but he was used to his friends laughing at some of his most logical statements by now.

               Xander felt incredibly happy. Not only was he engaged to the woman he loved, but he got the autographs of every superhero at the wedding.

               "So, if I use lilac and marigold instead of rose and marigold…" Tara and Ororo were talking about magic. The demonstration of non-evil sorcery at the wedding, particularly Tara's earth-based spells, sparked Ororo's interest in the magic biz. Xander didn't really get magic.

               He looked over to find Anya, and saw her, Giles, and Warren in an intense discussion. He sighed. During the wedding- after the Professor and friends broke up the couple's private festivities- Anya found Warren and started talking business. He was politely disinterested, and tried to make her go away… until she unveiled the Magic Box's financial statement (Xander still didn't know how she managed to conceal it in the dress she bought for the wedding). Needless to say, Mr. Worthington became very interested.

               Buffy, Cordy, Lorne, and Ben (who would be returning with them to repair his life as best he could) were talking to some of the X-Men, Dawn was with the New Mutants (and Kitty), Angel, Spike and Gunn were talking to Logan, and Willow was talking animatedly with Fred and Hank about computers. Ugh- techno-geek babble.

               The only free person was Bobby, also watching the compunerds.

               "Don'tcha just hate it when people speak in tongues you can't follow," he asked Bobby.

               "Especially when one of them's your best friend," Bobby agreed. "I know a bit about computers, but I cannot follow this. You?"

               "I dunno. It's all Geek to me." 

               Bobby laughed. Xander knew he'd appreciate it- they seemed to have the same sense of humour. Bobby turned to Xander, eyes twinkling.

               "I heard this joke on the net. 'Two Geeks walk into a leather bar-'"

               "'I'll have two more just like them,'" Xander gave the punch line, surprised. He only consistently frequented one website on the internet, a Group called Jokesters-'R-Us. That joke was a private members-only joke, told to people upon joining. Bobby's eyes widened, too. Xander decided to try.

               "'A midget and a fat lady went to the beach-'" Xander began.

               "'Scuba diving suits,'" Bobby finished. They just stared at each other.

               "Jokesters-'R-Us," Bobby asked.

               "Uh-huh."

               "Shpedoinkle," they breathed.

               "I'm Jokeydale900," Xander said. "You?"

               "No way! You're Jokeydale? I'm Jokeman3000!" Bobby replied.

               "Hey!" Xander enthused. They man-hugged.

               "I can't believe it! What are the chances of meeting somebody in the flesh? I mean-"

               "Yeah, I know! It's freaky, isn't it?"

               A throat cleared behind Xander. He turned to see the source.

               "I didn't know you two were so close," Anya said.

               "We met online, actually," Bobby told her.

               "How long have you known each other?"

               "Ah-" they looked at each other- "over a year, I think."

               Xander thought back to when he first discovered the group, and got Willow to help him join.

               "Sounds about right."

               "Okay. Are you two trusted friends?"

               A bit of a tough question. They'd talked online for over a year, exchanging life experiences along with the jokes- even if those experiences were highly sanitized and scrubbed of any unbelievable elements such as Sentinels and vampires- and they had fought together to save the world…

               "I guess so."

               "Yeah, " Bobby agreed.

               "Good. How does a threesome sound?"

               Xander's blood ran cold. Bobby's blood ran… colder than usual.

               "Remember Xander? When I suggested we find a guy for a threesome, you said you'd only consider doing it with a trusted friend, and now you've got one, and he's pretty cute. Besides, I've heard that tawdry sex in airport bathrooms is both common and fun."

               Xander and Bobby thought they were going to die- and that was before they heard the laughter. Sure enough, Murphy's Law took effect- Anya had been overheard. Giles was wiping his glasses, and the Professor appeared mortified. Some of the Scoobies were shaking their heads, but were snickering. Some of the New Mutants were embarrassed. The rest were laughing their heads off.

               They were saved by the first call to board. The vampires and Lorne had decided to fly in baggage again ("Lot's more room and no annoying passengers"), so they had to leave right then. The travellers made their last farewells and went their separate ways.

               "So Bobby, how does a threesome sound?" Hank asked straight-faced.

               "Yes," Warren added, equally straight-faced. "You're a trusted friend, and tawdry sex in airport bathrooms is both common and fun."

               "OH SHUT UP!" The two old friends began to guffaw at their younger friend's embarrassment.

               When the plane finally took off, Buffy Summers, who somehow got a row to herself and chose the window seat, looked out the window at the land below. She had made some new friends in New York, and also renewed some old friendships. She knew she'd see them again, though- but hopefully, an apocalypse wouldn't be involved. Of course, if it was, it was now officially her fault.

               She looked back into the plane. Dawn was seated in the aisle across from her, talking to Fred about all the cool taco places in Sunnydale and how there were bound to be lots in Los Angeles. Of all the things to miss about the world- then again, if Buffy were enslaved in another dimension for five years, she'd probably be afraid that ice cream was no more. Giles, Wesley, Alex, and Lorna were seated a few rows away. She couldn't hear them, but she knew they were talking about Pylea, the dimension where Lorne came from and where Fred had spent the past five years as a slave, as well as all the places Alex and Lorna had been as part of the X-Men. Behind her, she could hear Willow, Cordy, and Tara talking about Cordy and her visions- what they were like and how much they hurt, and stuff like that. Buffy was glad her own 'messages from beyond' didn't come with pain- at first. In front of her, Gunn and Anya were carrying on a conversation about demons, moderated by Xander, Scott, Jean, and Ben. That was a strange group. Gunn was a pretty cool guy, and he actually chose to fight demons without being chosen or anything. Anya, a human that became a demon, should have been his worst enemy, but apparently, his association with Lorne and Angel mellowed him out- a bit. Maybe his encounters with Warlock, Hank, and Kurt, helped too. They must have, because Jean and Scott were comparing the demon subculture with the mutant subculture, with Ben's help- he was unsurprisingly knowledgeable about demon life in a human world- and no one started shouting. From the walkie-talkie she had been given, she could hear Angel and Spike argue about which was better- Dark Shadows, or Passions- while Lorne tried to keep them apart. Apparently, the truce only lasted until Dawn was definitely out of danger, because those two were back at it.

               The Slayer leaned back in her seat, and let contentment seep over her. The Hellmouth awaited, and the vampires, demons, and diverse forces of darkness had gone too long without a Slayer to keep them in check. But that was a worry very much for the later. Now was the time to relax and be happy, surrounded by so many of her kith and kin, or maybe she should take a nap- she must be tired to actually use the phrase 'kith and kin.' She set her watch alarm for an hour- so that when she awoke there would still be time to talk- and closed her eyes.

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Epilogue 2: An Ominous Closing Note

               Re-constitution was an utter bitch, but it was possible. Anything was possible for a being of her might and power. Actually, the brat may have done her an unwitting favour- if she decapitated her while she was still tied to Ben, Her spirit may well have followed his into death. As it was, it was damned difficult to re-constitute into a body. She had come close to the final death many times during the process- the bitch did her job well enough for that, she reluctantly admitted- but that was behind her now. Now, she was not only free, but in a plane that was, while not completely suited to her magnificence, was close enough that she didn't even need to prey for sustenance.

               Finally, finally, she had something resembling a corporeal form. It wasn't beautiful, not by any standards, let alone hers- it may have even given her minions nightmares- but it was strong and functional.

               She moved about her new surroundings. She soon found what she sought- a natural denizen of Limbo.

               She grabbed it by its throat. It's eyes widened- even in her crude form, it recognized this being for what she was.

               "Now tell me, dearie," she rumbled, "who's in charge here?"

               "The Lady Illyana," it hissed, fearful for its life, as well it should be.

               "I'm not talking about the sorceress!" She snapped, then regained her composure. "I'm talking about the top demon."

               "That- that would be S'ym."

               "Then, be a good little imp and go to S'ym. Tell him that Glorificus the Almighty grants him an audience," she proclaimed in her most imperious tone. Well, the most imperious tone this form could muster.

               The little creature laughed in her grip.

               "S'ym won't come to you."

               Glory gave her nastiest smile. That was something this form excelled at.

               "If he is resistant, tell him that Glorificus is willing to help him overthrow the human bitch. Tell me, she doesn't allow you your pleasures like Belasco did, does she?"

               The imp's wide-eyed expression gave her an answer.

               "Well, tell S'ym that Glorificus will." She let the imp go, and it flew off.

               She reclined back into the rock. She knew how imp's mind's worked. One way or another, S'ym would be coming to her, and when he did… oh, but she had one hell of an offer for him. So, the little bitch kept the demons reigned in, did she? Well, that made her job easier- and gave her the perfect line to sucker S'ym with. She had a plan for Illyana Rasputin, one that S'ym was bound to approve of, if he was a self-respecting demon at all.

               "Your will be done, bitch?" she asked the absent sorceress. "Well not for long. My will be done. Forever and ever and ever." And then she laughed and laughed and laughed…

THE END… OR… THE BEGINNING?