"Is your mother here?" Cordelia searched the crowd for the elder Summers woman.

"No, regretfully she had a long standing appointment at the gallery." Elizabeth shook her head. "Tonight's the night they're showing the African tribal masks."

"Is she planning a purchase?" William asked in a concerned voice.

Elizabeth shrugged. "Not sure. I certainly hope if she does, the darned thing isn't possessed or something."

"Mmm, zombies. Good times," Oz said with a grin. He, like Elizabeth and William, was thinking about the time the Jamaican tribal masks had been on display. They had attracted Kendra, a voodoo-zombie queen, to their fair city. The ensuing battle had been pretty bloodless, though blood thirsty, since the zombies were animated in a different way than vamps.

"I can handle the zombies," Elizabeth said with a shiver. "It's the insane leader I hate dealing with."

"We can handle anything, as long as we're together," William told his fiancé. Then, he tried to get the subject matter back to the matchmaking. "So, how do we get Rich and Joyce together," he asked.

"Well, the gallery's having an encore presentation of that quaint little sculptor that Mom discovered last year. She's sure to go, since it's her pet project." Elizabeth looked thoughtfully at Cordelia. "If you could get your father to go, we could officially introduce them."

"Hopefully they'll hit it off," Cordelia observed. "I'd really like Papa settled by the time Oz and I take our vows. Otherwise it's back to the drawing board."

Xander, Dawn, Wesley, and Fred joined their friends at that point. All four were breathless from dancing. Xander leaned forward, and he said softly, "I saw Cecily Underwood plotting with Meers at the bar. I didn't realize they knew each other that well."

"Bugger," William muttered. "That can't be good." Maybe Elizabeth was right, and they needed new acquaintances.

"I concur," Wesley agreed. "Cecily Underwood's pursuit of William has escalated recently."

"She already hit on William once this evening," Elizabeth growled. "God only knows what kind of plan she's cooking up with Meers. We need to keep an eye on both of them."

"I still wonder who that man was that we saw Cecily talking to earlier," Dawn said.

"He was tall, had poofy hair, and a big forehead. He looked kinda broody too." Dawn tapped her chin as she described Angelus.

"I've never seen him at any of the parties before," Elizabeth said.

"Do either of you see him now?" Wesley asked the Slayer and her sister.

"Hmmm." Elizabeth scanned the ballroom. Her eyes landed on Angelus lurking in the shadows. She pointed, and said, "There."

William grimaced at the sight. "That's one of the vamps who turned me. Angelus, I think the two females called him."

"A vamp, the Underwood bitch and Meers chatting with each other?" Cordelia looked concerned. "Papa said he noticed Meers coming out of a whorehouse over on Marshall Street."

"We need someone who can find out what's going on with those three," Elizabeth observed. "It can't be anyone here."

"Uncle Ethan," William replied. "He's got a bad enough rep to get in with those scoundrels."

"Would he be willing to help?" Elizabeth remembered Ethan Rayne. The childhood friend of Rupert Giles was a sneaky smarmy snake of a man who had rubbed the Slayer the wrong way the one and only time they had met.

"Uncle Ethan likes it when Father owes him favors." William grinned. "We'll have a go at old Rupes on the way home."

Across the room at the bar, Cecily was trying to come up with something that would bribe Meers into co-operation. Her monthly allowance from her father was already spent on baubles, clothing, and drugs.

"You must have something you can give me." Warren gave the Underwood woman a lascivious leer. "Jewelry or maybe a taste of your charms."

Cecily shuddered inwardly. The thought of Meers touching her turned her stomach, but if she was going to lure William away from Elizabeth she needed Meers' help. "Fine." Cecily muttered. "But if anyone finds out, you'll live to regret it."

"So you say." Warren smirked. "I'll expect you to come around to my quarters in two night's time. I'll have what you need, Cecily. Then, I'll expect my payment."

Cecily shuddered again as she agreed to Warren's terms. She hurried away to the cloakroom. She wanted to get home and bathe. Meers always made her feel dirty, even more so with their latest transaction. Cecily stepped out into the cool air. She took a deep breath. She wondered how the heck she could get out of her current predicament. Cecily kept her goal in mind though. William Giles would be hers.

"Since you're giving it away. I want my share." A deep voice said.

Cecily turned to find Angelus lustfully leering at her. She put a hand over her heart, and she murmured, "You gave me a fright."

"I'm so sorry," Angelus said in an insincere voice. "Pretty little thing like you shouldn't give it up for a creep like Meers." He grinned while looking the young woman up and down.

Cecily gasped in shock. "But, you want Elizabeth."

"What she doesn't know won't hurt her." Angelus grabbed Cecily's arm, and he dragged her off towards his lair with Darla and Drusilla.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Darla and Drusilla slipped aboard the ocean liner bound for England. They would visit a few 'family' members before they presented themselves to the Master's court.

The two vampiress' had gorged themselves before they started on their journey. Both women settled in for the long voyage among the other cargo.

"Do you think it'll hurt when Daddy dusts?" Drusilla asked from her spot at Darla's side.

Darla shrugged. "Probably more for you than me. I've heard losing your sire can be painful."

"We should find ourselves some pretty stars to play with then!" Drusilla licked her lips with a dreamy look in her eyes.

"Sound good to me." Darla turned to curl against Drusilla. Angelus had been a disappointing childe as of late. It was time to find a new toy to play with.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hours later, Cecily stumbled out of Angelus' lair. The male had been upset to find his lodgings vacant. Cecily shuddered as she remembered Angelus' rage and lust. She was sure she'd have bruises and bite marks littering her body in the morning.

As the place between her legs throbbed with every step, Cecily Underwood vowed revenge against all those who she thought had wronged her.

Cecily didn't see the large blue-skinned demon watching her every move. She was too busy making sure none of her acquaintances spotted her shuffling home.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"You get to break the news to Mother that we're setting her up with Cordy's dad," Dawn said in a vehement voice.

"Are you crazy?" Elizabeth muttered. "Only thing I'm telling Mom is that we're going to the exhibit, and that Mr. Chase wants to meet her."

"Oh, like she's gonna fall for that one." Dawn rolled her eyes.

"Oh stop complainin', Bit." William winked at Harris. "'Alex' here will be there."

Dawn blushed bright red. She peered at Xander from under her eyelashes. She was quite surprised to see him staring at her. Dawn instantly recognized the look on the young man's face, and she glanced at her sister who just grinned at her. Was Alex the one Elizabeth had been speaking about earlier at the dance?

Dawn glanced at William who was grinning at her too. Even Wesley and Fred were grinning like loons. Then, she noticed that Xander was blushing as deeply as she was.

"Will you accompany me, Miss Summers," Xander said as gallantly as he could.

"Of course, Mr. Harris." Dawn's smile was as bright as her namesake. "I'd be happy to."