by Rob Sorenson

Faith was staring down, her face an expressionless mask.

"D-did you say..."

Xander nodded, suddenly feeling all the nerves fly away. Right now, in this moment he was dead calm. It was as if time stood still. Pipe organ music wafted from the inside of the building, and the breeze was probably messing up the hair that he'd actually taken some time to fix.

He felt and heard nothing. He saw Faith and nothing else.

Faith tilted her head slightly, as if she noticed Xander's face for the first time.

Slowly, Faith nodded her head.

"Was that a yes?"

Another slow nod.

Xander said nothing; he simply stood and took her in his arms. They stayed that way for nearly a full minute until Xander cleared his throat and backed away, taking hold of her hands with his trademark crooked grin.

He released one of her hands and turned, walking toward the small chapel. Faith felt like she wasn't in her body. Suddenly her eyes widened and she stopped.

"Wait a minute! Are we doing this now?"

He turned to her.

"Well...yeah."

"As in RIGHT now?"

"That's the only meaning of now that I'm aware of. Come on, it'll be great."

"Whoa, whoa there." Faith had dug in her heels like a spooked mule, and Xander's tugging had no effect. To anyone who might have been watching it would have been comical.

"What? Faith, I only have the tux until morning."

"Xander, I'm wearing khaki shorts and a tank top. I'm not gonna marry you wearing that."

He looked at her in amazement.

"Do you honestly believe I wouldn't think of that?"

She still wouldn't move. "Meaning?"

"Meaning, you have two hours to get ready. Plus, I've hired a consultant for you."

"A what now?"

"You heard me. Someone who's an expert when it comes to clothing, hair and makeup. Trust me, everything's going to be fine."

"Hey, I said I wouldn't marry you dressed like this. What the Hell is wrong with my hair and makeup?"

"Uhhhh...nothing sweetheart. It's just that...some women tend to be really particular about that stuff when they get married."

"Hold it. If you have this all set up in there, does that mean..."

She pulled away from him and folded her arms, bobbing her head back and forth.

"You just ASSUMED I'd tell you yes? You must think you're just Mr. Hot Shit, dontcha?"

Xander started to back up...then he stopped, seeming to make a decision about something. He stepped close to her and nodded, eyes determined.

"You know what? You're right. I did assume you'd say yes. In case you hadn't noticed, I'm a damn good catch."

She caught her breath and licked her lips.

"Well..ok, then. Have I told you already that it makes me seriously hot when you get all assertive?"

"Not now, honey. We're in front of a chapel."

"Might be wicked kinky."

"Faith...."

"Ok, ok."

She held out her hand, and allowed him to pull her along.

"So you hired a makeover consultant, huh? How much did that set you back?"

"Actually, it was a lot cheaper than you think."

They entered the little chapel; rather than go into the sanctuary he made a quick left, headed for the bride's changing room. At last they arrived, and he stepped back.

"I'm going to leave you here. I don't want to push that whole 'marriage is jinxed if I see the dress' superstition too far. Too much of it turns out to be true."

"O...kay. But--"

He nodded at the door.

"Go on in."

Before she could respond he was gone. She took a deep breath and entered...and stopped short at who she saw.

"YOU'RE my consultant?"

Cordelia shook her head in wonderment.

"Yeah, and I'm starting to regret it already. I mean..look at you. Who am I, Annie Sullivan?"

***********************************************************************

Dawn and Buffy regarded each other.

"These are a serious improvement over last time."

Buffy nodded with a grin.

"A burlap sack would've been an improvement, but yeah. You look incredible, by the way."

"Thanks. You look great, too."

"Is it necessary for you to be wearing heels at this point? I was really hoping I could look you in the eye just one time."

"Sorry. I only have one physical advantage over you and I plan to utilize it as often as possible."

She looked down at the cleavage peeking through the top of her dress. She looked back at Buffy with a smirk.

"Correction..."

"Very funny. Har, har."

"Don't worry pet. You have more than enough for me."

Buffy's cheeks colored as she turned around.

"Spike, get out of here. This is the women's...changing...."

She trailed off, mouth agape at the sight of her man wearing tailored Armani. He smiled at the reaction.

"Don't expect me to ever wear anything like this again. Throat's all constricted by the tie. Cuts off the flow of blood to m'brain."

She still said nothing. He tilted his head slightly.

"You look stunning. Here...brought your corsage. Lemme put it on you."

He moved close, eyebrows knitted in concentration as he carefully avoided puncturing her porcelain skin. They stood wordlessly after he'd finished, inches apart. After a moment, he looked down.

"Wish you 'n me could do this type of thing someday. Not meant for the likes of me, I expect."

She touched his face, eyes glistening.

"I married you in my heart a long time ago."

As their lips met, Dawn slipped away and moved down the hall. Willow called from behind her.

"Dawnie, someone here wants to see you."

She turned, and her eyes lit up with joy as she rushed to him.

"OZ!!!"

He grimaced slightly as she squeezed him. "Hey. You got strong."

She held on for a while longer, then pulled back as he regarded her again, looking from her shoes to her bright blue eyes.

"Got tall, too."

She started to cry. His eyes ticked over toward Willow.

"Tall is bad?"

Dawn cleared her throat.

"Do you remember all the stupid doggy treat jokes I used to make whenever you came over?"

"Sure. I didn't find the Milk Bone you put in my backpack until the next morning. Gotta say that was creative. You were already funnier than Xander when you were eleven."

She clung to him again, resuming her crying. He ran his hand up her back gently.

"Hey...what's up? It's ok...."

He glanced at Willow again, who sent him a message with her eyes. I'll tell you later.

We can still read each other's mind, he thought. He'd actually missed the turn into the Wedding Pavilion...but turned around immediately without having to check a sign or ask for directions.

Willow had been near. He would always be able to find his Will. Always.

"So....when does it start?"

Willow smiled. "It's supposed to be in forty-five minutes, but...I don't know."

"Is there a problem?"

"We may have a homicide on our hands before then."

*******************************************************************

"Ok, we have white, white, white and more white. Buffy picked these dresses out, and miracle of miracles, they all actually look good. Still, I don't know about the wearing white thing..."

Faith clenched her fist. It'd be easy, really. I could make it look like an accident.

"But, whatever pleases Xander, I suppose. Against my better judgment, I'll ask your opinion. Which one do you like?"

The brunette Slayer took a deep breath to compose herself and pointed.

"That one is nice."

"Ahh...you like the plunging neckline." Cordy rolled her eyes. "What a shocker."

"Ok, as it happens, it is a very pretty dress and we don't have a lot of time. Luckily you've already been fitted...though I haven't a clue how Xander pulled that one off. Let's work on the hair."

"Straight."

"There's a style that might actually look--"

"I said straight."

Cordelia frowned. "This is your wedding day...you really should try to expand your--"

"Put down the curling iron or I'll put it somewhere you don't like. Just brush it out. Got it?"

The former May Queen rolled her eyes. "Fine. I swear, the things I have to do. I should have you sign a waiver that says I wasn't allowed to make you look your best. I have a rep, you know."

Faith decided it was best to speak as little as possible. Maybe it'll be over sooner that way.

"So, do you ever wear perfume? Other than Eau D' Plasma?"

"Why do you always have to be such a bitch?"

"WHAT did you call me?"

"You need me to spell it for ya?"

"I'd love to hear you try."

Faith laughed and nodded. "Ha...ha ha ha...yeah...keep doing it. Keep pushin' my buttons. You just...can't stop yourself, can you?"

"Not with you, I won't."

"If you hate me so much, why are you in here?"

"Because Xander asked me to."

"Well, let me relieve you of the responsibility. I know how to dress myself."

Cordy look at her doubtfully.

"Are you sure about that?"

Faith moved close to her.

"You just can't stand the fact that I look better in shorts and a tank top than you do in Prada, can you?"

Cordy's mouth dropped open.

"NOT....EVEN!!!"

"Truth hurts, don't it? You wanna stay in here? Fine."

She grabbed the hairbrush and slapped it into Cordy's hand as she took a seat in front of the vanity mirror.

"Brush my hair, wench. Pull any of it out and I'll break your legs."

"You're going to hurt Xander."

Faith stared into the mirror, looking at Cordy's reflection.

"Is that why you talk to me like I'm shit?"

"Well...actually I used to talk to everyone like they were shit. I've sort of grown out of that, but you've inspired me to go back to my roots."

They stared for a moment...and began to chuckle.

"I'll say one thing for you, Cordy. You got a pair. I can see what Xand saw in you back in the day...finally. You give it to people straight. He digs that kinda thing, you know?"

"Yeah."

Cordelia stepped toward her and silently began to brush.

"Cordelia, I'd kill myself before I hurt him."

She stopped; their eyes met in the mirror again.

"Ok. Just so you know, if I find out you did hurt him, I'll break a lot more than your legs."

She resumed brushing. Faith couldn't stop the grin from appearing on her face.

"Deal."

"And I happen to look better in leather than you ever could."

"We'll have to agree to disagree on that one."

*****************************************************************

Xander stood at the altar, rocking nervously from one foot to the other.

"You gonna dance around like that much longer? I'm gettin a sodding headache."

"Sorry. I'm sort of freaking."

"Yeah, well. Cut it out."

"Not that simple, man."

"Sure it is. You love her?"

"Of course I do."

"There you go. Pretty obvious she loves you. Wouldn't have got this far otherwise. You already got the yes out of her. Hard part's over now, init?"

"I read somewhere that staying married is the hard part."

"Right. Got me there. Still...don't think I've ever seen anyone have so much fun together. With one exception, of course."

Xander stopped bouncing and faced him.

"You make Buffy happy."

Spike raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"I try to. Best I can, and all."

"You know why Wills is on the other side of the aisle this time?"

"Thought about that. She was your best man last time, right? Figured you wanted to shake things up a little. Change your luck."

"The truth is Willow and Buffy are the best friends I could ever ask for. This time I wasn't going to choose one over the other. Plus, it's more accurate this way. There's nothing manly about either one of them."

"No argument here."

"What I'm trying to say is, you're the best man I know. So I figured that should be your title."

Spike didn't know what to say as Xander abruptly turned away from him, resuming his nervous movements as he finished.

"Well, that and I didn't want you creeping out the back door with some skank like last time."

"Don't believe I was the only one who went out the back."

"Details."

********************************************************************************

Cordelia stepped back. "Ok...a touch up on the lips and you're good to go."

"Any shade but harlot."

"Huh?"

"Nothing."

Faith sat with her arms folded, grudgingly allowing Cordelia to apply the shade of her choice. After finishing, she stepped back once more.

"Don't ever repeat this."

"What?"

"You look great."

Faith gave her a smile.

"Thanks. For helping me. I know you didn't wanna. You mean a lot to Xand...even if you make me wanna go back to jail."

"Most of that was nice, so..."

A knock came at the door, causing the Slayer's stomach to roll. Cordy held up her forefinger.

"Right back."

She went out the door, and Faith was alone. She turned back around and stared into the mirror.

She laughed out loud as the door opened again, then frowned as the mirror still reflected only her image.

"Something funny?"

She turned to a smiling Angel, holding a bouquet.

"Well, I WAS laughing at how bizarre I looked. Now I'm thinkin' about laughing at you. Ya know, the bouquet and all. Cordy making you be the bride?"

"Actually, I'm supposed to give this to you before we walk down the aisle."

Faith blinked. "You're gonna..."

"Xander said it should be me."

Her eyes filled and she looked down. Angel crouched in front of her and handed her the bouquet. Faith cleared her throat.

"Armani really works on you, by the way."

"That's what Cordy said."

She chuckled and stood, smoothing her dress as best she could.

"Guess we should get this show on the road."

"Have I mentioned how proud I am of you?"

She stared at him as he continued.

"There's supposed to be some prophecy that says I'll become human someday once I've redeemed myself...whatever that means. I mean, I try to do the right thing for people. Help them as much as I can but...things aren't specific in our world. It always has to be complicated. At least, it was until I spent time with you. I've seen a lot of you in the last few years...good and bad. You've come so far, Faith. You're everything I could have hoped for."

He took her hand and smiled as he finished.

"Thanks to you, now I know what redemption looks like."

Faith threw her arms around him and whispered.

"Thank you. For everything."

"Ready to go get married to a geek?"

"God help me...I think I am."

***************************************************************

Xander's bouncing had continued even as the rest of his family came up the aisle...

Then it stopped as Faith came into view on Angel's arm.

He swayed slightly, wondering if he was about to pass out. Suddenly there were two familiar presences flanking him, one holding his left forearm while the other clamped to his right.

Angel frowned as he and Faith began to walk in time with the Wedding Processional. Xander was shaking his head and rolling his eyes.

"Why are Buffy and Willow holding on to his arms like that?"

Faith smiled at him.

"I think it's a 'you aren't running away this time' joke. Kinda funny, actually."

"O...kay."

They finally reached the end. Buffy and Willow slipped back into their positions on Faith's right; Buffy had touched her hand briefly as they walked by. The minister began to speak.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today..."

"I am," he heard Angel say, giving Faith's arm a squeeze before he stepped back and took his seat next to Cordelia.

The minister continued speaking, delivering a message about fidelity and devotion. No one paid too much attention; the man didn't know the half of it when it came to this group.

It had come time for the vows. Xander didn't even attempt to write anything down; he figured he'd just go with his gut. He looked into her eyes and looked for the words.

"I can't imagine what my life would be like without you in it. I want to wake up in the morning and see your face. Then I want to go downstairs and have some breakfast. You can't cook at all, but that's cool. I'll just have cereal. I don't even need milk. Knowing that you're going to be there with me is enough to make dry Corn Flakes with no sugar taste good.

Oh..I kinda messed up a second ago. It was supposed to be a surprise, but...I'm going to build us a house. I'm going to have a home--"

His voice broke.

"I never really had one. I know you didn't either. So let's make our own, ok? You and me. It's kind of funny, actually. After everything I've done--and occasionally I really have done some pretty cool things--I still struggle with feeling like a loser. I know that's stupid...but it is what it is, you know? It'll always be there in the back of my mind. That's the greatest thing about you. When I'm with you, I feel like I can do anything.

I love you, Faith. With everything I have. That's pretty much it, I guess."

Faith looked as if she was in a trance. The minister, having been advised of the circumstances, moved on to the portion of the ceremony where rings were to be exchanged. The Slayer, hearing this, snapped out of her reverie.

"Hey, wait a minute. Don't I get to do that too? The vow thing?"

Xander shrugged.

"I figured I didn't give you any time to prepare, and I thought--"

"Well you thought wrong."

The minister smiled.

"I'm sorry. Please go ahead."

"Ok, then."

She resumed staring at Xander, swallowing hard.

"I'm gonna start now."

He nodded encouragingly. People began to clear their throat nervously and shuffle their feet.

Xander whispered to her.

"It's ok, baby. Just say it."

And that did it. Faith immediately had tears streaming down her cheeks as she spoke.

"Everything sucked! All the time. Everything that ever happened to me hurt. I was born a nothing. I grew up as a nothing. I had men treat me as a nothing. All of a sudden I was told I was no longer that...that I had responsibilities. For a minute there it was pretty cool...but in the end it was still nothing, because I didn't know any other way. I made it into nothing. I did terrible things...but what did that matter? When people told me they were terrible, I just told them it was--you guessed it--nothing.

Then one day a guy told me I was something...and for some reason I believed him. Here was a guy who understood what it was to come from nowhere..from the bottom. He convinced me I had to go away for a while. So I did...and somehow, when I was all alone, I decided that I was gonna be something. Somebody who did good things, because that's what I was supposed to do. Stuff still hurt...some stuff is always gonna hurt...but I did it. I got out, and I became something.

Now I'm gonna be something I never dreamed of.

I'm gonna be a Harris.

People who don't know us can laugh at that; they can kiss my sweet ass. I just don't care. Being a Harris is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. They don't know what they're missing.

They're missing out on a guy who sometimes actually makes me forget how much everythng used to hurt. If they were in my shoes, they'd know just how amazing that is. How amazing you are."

It was too much; Xander looked away, but she reached up and yanked his chin back.

"Don't you look away from me! I'm gonna say it again. You're amazing. Everybody here knows it...but I get to go home with you. Today, Faith takes the prize.

It pisses me off when you say stuff like you just did. Thinking like you're a loser. From now on, I swear to you that when you start acting like that I will put my foot in your ass. I'll be there to do that because it's gonna be you and me Xander. I got your back for as long as you live. You can't stop me now. This is....forever."

She took a deep breath as the entire Scooby Gang wiped their eyes. After Spike finished, he tossed his handkerchief across the aisle for Buffy, Willow and Dawn. Faith turned to the minister.

"I guess I'm done now. Sorry about the bad words. I had to wing it."

He simply smiled and glanced down to Cordelia. She was staring reverently at the satin pillow. Angel nudged her.

"Cordy, it's time."

"One second. Look at it. Just look at it. An oval shaped diamond ring with one carat in the center with a Tiffany style platinum setting and one trillion-cut diamond on each side...and they're 15 points each. That's 1.30 carats. My God, this thing is going to make me want a cigarette if I keep looking at it."

Buffy leaned down and stage whispered.

"Cordy!! Come on!"

She frowned and thrust the pillow toward the blonde Slayer's face.

"God, some people never change. Keep your pants on already."

Buffy grimaced at her and yanked it out of her hand...and stopped, really looking at the ring for the first time with her mouth open.

The minister waited patiently. Eventually Faith regained her composure and turned to see Buffy staring just as Cordy had. She grinned.

"Hey, B. Give. That sucker is mine."

At last, Buffy snapped out of her trance and handed the pillow over, though with reluctance.

It was time for the big moment. The official cleared his throat.

"Alexander Lavelle Harris, do you take this woman, to love, honor and cherish, to have and to hold, for better and for worse, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?"

Not a second's hesitation.

"I do."

"And do you Faith--er..."

She glanced at him.

"It's just Faith."

"Really?"

"For the moment, yeah."

"All right. Do you, Faith, take this man, to love honor and cherish, to have and to hold, for better and for worse, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"

She bobbed her head back and forth and grinned wickedly.

"Five by five."

***************************The End*****************************