This is an AU future story. Take Angel post-Angelus and Hell, Spike pre-chip and Buffy from somewhere in-between all of that. This story picks up somewhere in the midst of a relationship between the three, which Buffy's family and friends know about and accept.

his story picks up about a year after "Fated." I suggest reading "Fated" first for everything to make sense it can be read alone. Just know that Buffy, Spike and Angel are mated to each other. The "plot" will make more sense once the Fated prequel is complete.