mike meets with buffy possible husband

While Joanna introduced Buffy to the staff and patrons of the Stepford Salon and Boutique, another meeting of great importance to her life was taking place in the Stepford Men's Club. Mike opened his humidor of Havana's finest cigars and offered them to his guest. "So nice to meet a like minded gentleman. So please tell me, where did you hear of our little community, mister... Rayne, isn't it?"

Ethan Rayne smiled as he accepted both the cigar and the light offered by Stepford's main visionary. As he swirled the brandy in his snifter, he replied "Quite right mister Wellington. You might say I have friends in low places... very low indeed. This new woman you have here, young miss Summers, she is very important to me and I think my talents might also be useful to you. I'm sure that your mastery of technology is supreme, but there is an aspect to this world that you are quite open to attack from."

Just last summer, the town had a run in with something science could not explain; creatures that appeared to be vampires. Few citizens were harmed, but Mikes own wife had been one of them. If not for the simple feats of magic the man in front of him had already performed, he would already be on their way to reprogramming, but Mike was intrigued. "So, Mr Rayne, you will protect our fair town from the demonic forces of evil. How magnanimous of you! And to what do we owe this gift from above? What could we technologists possibly have to entice your services?"

The man before him exuded confidence "Please call me Ethan. Why, I simply wish to join your community. I will admit that there are people that are less than enchanted with me but I am not the one that will bring them to you beautiful town. Your latest acquisition has friends and enemies that will stop at nothing to find her and as I so aptly demonstrated, finding the lovely Buffy is not that hard or those who know how to look. I can help you improve your defenses and all I ask is my own place in the humble hamlet."

Mike listened long enough to know that this man was one that would need to be watched, but all things considered, they did need him for the time being. "Well, Ethan, now you just feel the need to find a bride and settle down with us?"

"Oh I have found my bride Mister Wellington," Ethan replied with a smirk. "I believe you are the gentleman I need to ask for the hand of the fair Buffy Summers?"

Mike returned his adversaries smile. "Please Ethan, now that you are joining our family please call me Mike."