Once in a Lifetime
by Karen Jephson
Rated NC-17
"You didn't tell me?" Pain and anger laced Rupert's words. He pushed himself from the table, rising stiffly. "You kept Angel's return from me; from him? God, how that must have destroyed him."
Buffy lowered her eyes, blinking the tears back. "I-I didn't know what to do. Angel was still crazy. I was trying to protect Giles."
"Lies! You were trying to protect yourself and your precious lover!"
"Hey!" Xander jumped up, halting the other man's agitated pacing. "You weren 't there! Well, maybe you were. But it was a different you. And Buffy paid for that decision. We all did."
"Yes, I can see how you did!" Rupert's arm swept around the room, indicating the differences between their world and his. "By that one selfish act, she."
"That's enough!" Willow's words rang sharply in the strained air. "Our Buffy made one choice, yours another. It was years ago. You only know part of our world. There could be some things that are better because of what happened. We knew that something happened to make things different between us. You have no right to tell Buffy off now because of a decision she made when she was a child."
Rupert pulled himself up, a look of shock on his face. "You're right. I'm sorry." He turned toward Buffy. "Buffy, please forgive me. I had no right to react the way I did. My only excuse is that I remembered the pain I felt upon hearing Angel had returned, and realizing how much worse it was for your Giles."
Buffy nodded, not yet ready to speak as she felt the guilt and pain battle within her. Anya leaned forward. "I just thought it was an excuse so you didn't have to eat any more of this dinner Buffy prepared." Dawn tried to hold back a giggle. She was unsuccessful, and was soon joined by Rupert. Willow and Xander followed suit. "What? What did I say?" Finally, Buffy couldn't resist. Wiping the tears from her eyes she began to laugh too.
* * * *
"It must have hurt. When you realized she'd lied to you." The two of them were now in the living room, enjoying a quiet cup of tea. The others had left, wanting to give them a chance to discuss things more. After Giles' shock revelation, nobody had wanted to share past experiences any more, and the meal had continued in a more subdued manner. Finally, even Dawn had decided she'd had enough, and bid them goodnight a few minutes before.
Giles nodded, enjoying the peace of having Buffy to himself for a while...even if it wasn't his Buffy. "At first. Especially as I found out from Xander. I'm not sure how much longer Buffy would have kept it quiet. But I did understand, you know. There is no saying how I might have reacted. And doing the wrong thing would have done the world a great disservice."
Buffy nodded. "I know. He's doing good in L.A. I think he's even saved the world a couple of times."
Giles smiled. "How did your Rupert react?"
She shrugged. "He was very quiet at first. I think he was afraid of what he' d do if he confronted him. But then Angel saved me from that Jekyll and Hide guy. Rupert realized that he might still be saved. We kept him chained and cared for him until we were sure he could be trusted." She sighed, obviously back in that time that had changed her destiny.
Giles hesitated, not wanting to break into her memories, yet curious about where her life had led from there. "And when you and Angel started seeing each other again?"
Buffy looked up in surprise. "Oh, we didn't. At first, I was confused about how I felt about Angel. And the others kinda conspired to keep us apart. We' d all take turns sitting with him." She shrugged, then smiled. "Xander so hated that. Then Rupert and I started spending more time together, so..." she trailed off.
"That's when the two of you started seeing each other?"
"God no! I was still a kid!" Buffy giggled. "Rupert did everything to make sure we 'followed propriety'. I wondered at first why he made sure Willow or Xander were always with us during training and research. I didn't realize you see, until Quentin Travers dropped that great big anvil on my head."
* * * *
"Travers?" Buffy giggled at the thought of the stuffy head of the Watchers' Council playing cupid. The other four who'd had the pleasure of meeting Quentin Travers smiled with Rupert.
"Yes, well, it wasn't intentional on his part. I'm assuming your Giles went ahead with the Cruciamentum?"
Buffy nodded, her giggles dying as she remembered that time. "Oh, yeah. It was part of the year of 'Let's see how much Buffy and Giles can hurt each other'.me with Angel.him with the Cruciamentum. We only survived that because he chose me in the end."
Rupert nodded. "As did I, after almost getting my Buffy and her mother killed. My only excuse is that I was trying so hard to prove how much I didn 't love her that I wasn't thinking clearly."
"Enough of that." Anya had heard of the Cruciamentum, but obviously wasn't interested in anything she wasn't there for. "How did this make you realize you loved Buffy?" She didn't notice the speculation passing between Xander and Willow.
"After it was over and Quentin was congratulating Buffy. He then informed me I had failed and that I was fired. Accused me of loving Buffy."
"Like a father." Buffy nodded. "That's what happened here too. But how did that make you realize?"
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Not Rupert, me. As soon as the words left Question's mouth I realized the truth. Whatever Rupert Giles felt for me, it wasn't fatherly love. Made me wonder what it really was." Buffy smiled as she sipped her tea.
Giles returned the smile. "And you are, if nothing else, persistent."
Buffy's smile widened as she lowered her cup. "And you are stubborn. It was an interesting couple of weeks."
"And you won?" Giles didn't notice that in the intimacy of the darkened room, the two of them had leaned closer to each other. He could smell the sweetness of the tea as it lingered on her lips. Listening to this young woman explain how she'd fallen in love with him on another plane was intoxicating. He drew his breath as he waited for her answer.
Buffy nodded slowly, her eyes never leaving his. "Oh yeah. We both won." They leaned closer at the same time, their lips almost touching.
Giles pulled back in shock. "I-I'm sorry. I don't."
"Giles, it's okay. Really. We both kinda got caught in the moment." He looked down where her hand rested against his arm as she restrained his effort to rise. He felt his body warm as he remembered the events of the previous evening. He lifted his eyes to hers once more, aware she would be able to see the passion in them. The blush that covered her cheeks told him she had. "Oh. Maybe we should take a break for a while. I need to get some sheets for your bed."
Giles nodded, putting physical distance between them by standing and moving toward the fireplace. "Yes. It can be tiring, reliving the memories."
"That's one word for it."
* * * *
Rupert grabbed the jacket Xander had brought round for him earlier. "I appreciate you taking me."
The other man nodded. "No big. You sure you don't want to stay with me?"
Rupert shook his head. "No. I think I need some time alone. It's a lot to take in."
"I know. I figure it'll take a while for us to get over the whole you and Buffy marrying thing." The two men smiled. Xander glanced over his shoulder, making sure none of the women were near enough to hear. "One thing Willow and I were wondering..."
"Yes?" There was a wariness to Rupert's query, as if he knew what the question was.
"You talked about when Buffy realized she was in love with you. But you didn 't say when you fell in love with her. We were wondering because."
"No, I don't think Janice would find this all cool. Especially on a school night." Buffy joined the two men as she responded to Dawn's request. "And you better be in bed when I get back from patrol."
"Nag."
Rupert laughed. "I see some things are the same." He glanced down at the slayer. "Will you be careful out there?"
Buffy nodded, sensing this was a ritual he followed every night. "Are you sure you want to spend the night alone in a hotel room?"
A smirk slipped across Rupert's lips. "Alone, no? But as there's no alternative..." He trailed off, before letting her off the hook and changing the subject. "Besides, it will give me a chance to go through some of Giles' things. Try to learn some more of this man who is your Watcher, then isn't."
Buffy dropped her eyes, the blush gracing her cheeks for both his innuendo and his comment about Giles. "It isn't all his fault, you know?"
Rupert nodded, brushing her cheek with his hand. "I know. But I would like to get to know him better. So, on that note, shall we go?" This queried of Xander.
At the younger man's nod the two of them made their way to the front door. Buffy held it open as she watched them climb into Xander's car. She raised her hand in farewell before releasing a sigh.
* * * *
Giles shifted once more, trying to find a more comfortable spot on the sofa. He'd forgotten how uncomfortable this particular piece of furniture was. Past experiences showed he'd get very little sleep this night.
He froze at the sound of a footfall on the stairs. Holding his breath, he waited to see what she would do. He was not aware that she'd come toward him until he felt her moon cast shadow fall over him. "I guess we can play the 'you're really asleep and I don't want to disturb you' game, or we can quit wasting time. After all, we don't have that much time together."
Giles smiled as he turned to look toward Buffy. "How did you know?"
The petite blonde shrugged. "I can tell the difference between awake Rupert and sleeping Rupert. He's more relaxed. 'Sides, you snore."
"I do not!" Giles spluttered as he rose to a sitting position.
"You do! Just a little. Sort of more like deeper breathing." Buffy perched herself on the coffee table, bringing them to a more equal height. "You gonna ask what I'm doing here?"
Giles smiled. "I was working up to that. I'm not sure if I want to know."
Buffy dropped her eyes. "I couldn't sleep. I was thinking about you and your Buffy. A-and how much it must have hurt. And I thought that maybe." She leaned forward as she spoke, her intent obvious to the man before her.
Giles leaned back, shocked at her forwardness. "Buffy! What do you think you 're doing?"
"Well, last night."
"Last night was a mistake." He paused at the look of hurt on her face. "I'm sorry. But you thought I was your husband, which I need remind you I'm not. And I thought.. Well, never mind what I thought. Last night was a mistake. But tonight would be you cheating on the man you profess to love."
"With himself?" Buffy stood up, obviously agitated. "Oh, I know it doesn't make sense. And I know most people would think it was wrong. But I don't think Rupert would. And I guess I thought I'd give you a good memory of what it could have been like. To ease your hurt."
Giles gentled his expression as he understood the gift she was offering him. "Except I'm not your Rupert. A-and Buffy and I never had that kind of relationship."
"Are you sure?" She raised her hand to stop him arguing. "Rupert and I were having one of those silly moments. You know, the kind that only people in love can. And I was telling him the exact moment I realized I was in love with him." She paused, remembering. "You do fill a tuxedo out very nicely, Mr. Giles." She sighed, then shook to clear her head. "But he couldn't tell me when he fell in love with me. And I was so hurt. But then he explained to me you see." She sat down on the coffee table again, leaning forward in her eagerness to make him understand. "He said he had definitely fallen in love by the time I was seventeen. But it had started before then. Things I did or said, certain glimpses of what was to come. His words not mine." She smiled sheepishly. "He began falling in love with the potential almost from the moment we met. He wouldn't have done anything about it on his own. In fact, most of the time he convinced himself it wasn't happening. But I made the first move you see."
"Yes, I understand that. But Buffy, what does this have to do with me?"
"I realized when I was lying up there in that big, lonely bed. Rupert started falling in love with me before the Cruciamentum. Before even when Angel came back from hell. So if Rupert loved me back then, you must have loved.." She stopped, halted by the shocked look on his face.
Giles sputtered, trying to deny the obvious. "I didn't. I-I'm not. I would never." He stopped, running his hand through his hair. He felt trapped, both physically and emotionally. The air closed in around him, adding a feeling of suffocation to the panic rushing through his body. Finally, he realized there was nowhere to run. He closed his eyes in defeat for a moment, then opened them to look at her. "Nobody knows. I never told anybody. She wouldn' t appreciate it you see. Being made to realize I was more than the dependable adult she pictured me as. And so I pushed it down. Pretended that what I felt was the love of a parent."
Buffy lifted her hand, wiping the tears that had begun to trail down his cheek. "Bet you've been choking on that for the past six years."
Giles emitted a half chuckle, before grasping her hand in his. "Yes it has. Thank you."
She smiled at him. "So, I thought that maybe."
Giles shook his head. "To go back to her thinking of me as an old man? A eunuch. Thank you for your offer. But even I'm not desperate enough for a pity fu."
"That's not it!" Buffy jumped up, angry that he would think such a thing. "I just wanted." She paused, her head bent away from him. "I'm scared. Tomorrow night it'll all be over. Either Rupert will be back, and we'll get back to normal. Or it won't work, and I'll lose him forever. Just for tonight, I wanted.."
Giles closed his eyes, pained at the look of vulnerability on her face. He hadn't thought how this was affecting her. And of the fears she would be experiencing about the actions the following day. He sighed, realizing that, for him, there was no choice. As always, he would put his Slayer's needs first. Even if she was only his for a few days.
Giles rose, moving closer to Buffy. Taking her hand in his, he led her toward the stairs. "That sofa is horrendous. If I'm going to spend the night making love, I'd rather concentrate on the person I'm with than count the number of lumps digging into my body."
Buffy giggled, a look of gratitude on her face. "Oh, I can guarantee the last thing you'll be thinking about is lumps. Well, those kinds anyway." Her impish grin was too wicked to resist. He lifted her hand, placing a kiss on the knuckles. "And it'll be different tonight. I mean, I practically raped you last night." She stopped, a look of horror on her face. "I didn't did I? I mean you tried to fight me, but.."
Giles placed another kiss on her hand before turning it over. He pressed his lips against her palm, enjoying the salty taste of her. "I tried to fight us both. I can resist my own temptations, but added to your attention, I was already lost. I'm afraid, Buffy, that I'm not as much of a gentleman as I pretend to be."
She giggled. "Rupert said the same thing after our first night." She moved beside him, and the two of them continued up the stairs side by side.
* * * *
Buffy lifted her hand to knock on the door, only to hesitate. Again. She'd been standing outside his room for several minutes arguing with herself about whether to disturb him or not. She had very logical reasons for being there. After his last comment she wanted him to know that she was okay after the patrol. And she wanted to make sure he wasn't still angry with her. And it had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that she couldn't forget the night before. Or what he'd made her feel.
Buffy sighedg in frustration at herself, then lifted her hand and knocked quickly before she could change her mind. There was no immediate response. "Must have gone to bed." She turned, ready to walk away, when she heard a door handle turn.
Rupert stood in the entryway wearing Giles' glasses, a book in his hand. Buffy recognized it as one of her Watcher's personal diaries. In the room behind him she could see several other journals scattered on the furniture and floor. With his spectacles on, he looked so much like her Giles, it made her heart ache. "Buffy, what.?"
She pasted a bright smile on her face. "Just wanted to let you know everything went fine. So I'll go on home now. Night."
"Wait." He took her hand before she could leave. "Please come in." Rupert stepped back, granting her entry into his room.
"You know you should be careful on the whole invite thing. You never know in vamp central."
Rupert smiled. "Normally, I would. But I doubt you would have been turned in the two hours since we talked."
"Oh." She hesitated, unsure where to sit, or what to do.
"Why did you really come here?" His abrupt question surprised her.
"What? I told you. I wanted to check in."
"Do you 'check in' with Giles after every patrol?"
"Yes." Her response was too quick and too sharp. "No. But you seemed so worried before."
"I always worry when my Buffy has to face evil. Something that started from the moment we met."
"Oh." Buffy ducked her head, her hands playing with one of the buttons on her overcoat.
"Shall I ask again?" His voice was gentle as he sat on the bed. "About your real reason for being here?"
"Well, I um, I was just.."
"Curious?"
"God, no! Is that all you men think about? Sex?"
Rupert smiled. "What makes you think I was talking about sex?"
Buffy's face heated as she felt a blush rise. "Well, I assumed. Because you' re a man. And."
Rupert laughed. "Oh Buffy. One thing that hasn't changed between our worlds. Your stubbornness and unwillingness to admit defeat."
She shrugged. "It's just. I mean last night was.but you're Giles. Even though you're not. And he'd never."
He lay back, resting his head on his hand. "He might, given the right incentive. I could show you a few, um, sensitive spots if you like. Should you ever wish to take the initiative."
Buffy knew it was wrong. He was talking about teaching her how to seduce her Watcher. Giles deserved better than that. She shook her head no as she verbalized her answer. "Okay." Rupert smiled. Then she remembered. "Oh wait. You're married. To me. And I wouldn't appreciate."
"You may not. But she'd understand. Knowing my Buffy, she's probably making a few moves herself."
"On my Giles!? How dare she, the."
"Careful. That's my wife you're talking about, as well as being yourself." He smiled as she stopped in confusion. Holding out his free hand, he beckoned her to him. "For this one night, we'll pretend I'm your Giles, and you're my Buffy. A moment in time, a madness never to be repeated. And tomorrow, after everything is returned to the way it should be, we'll all continue as we had before. What do you say?"
Buffy chewed on her lip, thinking about his offer. In the end, it wasn't his words that won her over, but the physical effect they had on her. Her body remembered his touch from the night before, and how his passion had ignited her. Throwing all caution to the wind, she stepped forward and grasped his hand, allowing him to pull her down beside him.
* * * *
He moved his mouth across hers, encouraging her to open up for him as his tongue trailed along her lips. He rolled so his body half covered hers, his left leg resting across both of hers. Eventually, he sighed against her mouth then raised his head, looking into her eyes.
"I'm sorry." Buffy felt embarrassed and pretty stupid. "I want to, but I guess I'm."
"Nervous?"
She shrugged. "More like scared. Last night was," she moved her hands up, rubbing them along Rupert's chest, "last night was one of the most intense sexual experiences of my life."
"You're frightened tonight will be a letdown?"
"I'm frightened tonight will be even better." She smiled as he began giggling. "And I guess I'm still confused with the Giles, yet not Giles married to me thing."
Rupert sighed again before rolling off her. He rose gracefully from the bed, turning toward a carton on the floor near one of the walls. "Turn over."
"What?" Confused at his actions, Buffy couldn't hide the trepidation in her voice.
He bent down, removed something from the box, then stood again before answering her. "Turn over." He turned to face her again, showing her the vial in his hand. "Onto your stomach. I'll give you a massage."
"Oh." Colour flooded her cheeks at the almost normalcy of the request. She did as he requested, resting her arms by her side. She jumped as she felt his hand lightly trail along her spine.
"You're still tense. It's only a massage, Buffy. I'm sure your Giles has given you several before. Now take off your top."
It was Buffy's turn to giggle. "Gotta admit, he's never given me that particular order before." Turning her head to see he was looking away, she lifted her torso as she pulled her top over her head. She sniffed the air as she lay her head facing away from Rupert. "What's that?"
The bed dipped slightly, causing her to tense again as she realized he'd sat beside her. "I'm not sure of the name. I suspect Giles had it blended personally. From the aroma, I'd say the ingredients definitely include Cloves, perhaps a dash of Cinnamon? Also just a hint of Lavender and.", a pause as the scent grew stronger. She then heard the sound of skin briskly rubbing against skin. Blind as she was, Buffy assumed Rupert had poured some onto his hands, then rubbed them together to heat the liquid up, ".yes. Well, that's interesting."
Curiosity piqued, she turned her head. "What?"
A bare knee came into her periphery as Rupert shifted closer to her. The warmth of his hands combined with the heat of the oil as he touched her bare back was somehow surprising. He began to firmly massage her exposed shoulders and spine. "I think Giles may have had this made up for you. The ingredients have several purposes, including assistance in relaxation of the muscles. Perhaps he used it after training exercises or a particularly trying battle?" The last was a question rather than a statement.
"Hmm?" Buffy succumbed to his ministrations, her body becoming fluid under his talented fingers. "Can't remember smelling this before. It's nice." The strong aroma of cloves filled the room, the spiciness invading her senses. There was a hint of something else mixed in, something that seeped into her pores, relaxing her, yet drawing heat from where he touched her. The mixture of heightened senses and physical lassitude was almost heady. "What was the other ingredient?"
She hadn't noticed as his hands began to wander. They swept under the band of her pants, trailing along her hips, then moved upward, grazing the exposed sides of her breasts. She sighed as he shifted again, straddling her before resting his weight on her thighs. It took her just a moment to realize he was completely naked. She didn't notice that he hadn't answered her as his hands increased their wandering, stroking the parts of her fron t that weren't pressed against the bed. She groaned at the sensations now starting to hum through her body.
His voice low, he finally answered her question of several minutes earlier. "I believe your Giles may have had a few fantasies concerning his slayer. There were five or six ingredients in the oil, but four base ones. Some of them have dual purposes. Relaxation for one, but mixed with other oils and heated, they can also be rather.arousing. Lavender has these qualities. So does the fourth ingredient. Ylang Ylang."
He shifted back, drawing his hands down until they rested at her waistband. Pausing for just a moment, he moved toward the front of her body, first releasing the button, then pulling down her zipper. Her only response was a small gasp and a tensing of her body, before she relaxed once more. A dip in the small of her back told her that he'd poured some of the oil onto that sensitive spot. She then felt a tugging at the cuffs of her pants. Lifting her torso slightly, she allowed him to remove that article of clothing. Dressed now only in the thong that did little to hide her body from him, she rested her head against her now folded arms and closed her eyes.
His fingers dipped into the oil against her skin, then trailed onto her exposed buttocks. Using the pressure of his hands, he rubbed the rapidly heating fluid into the flesh, his thumbs grazing against her inner thighs. Her legs opened almost involuntarily for him, giving him greater access to the peaks and shallows hidden there. He moved up, his hands rubbing her shoulders as she felt the heat of his body before he covered her. He moved his massage to the sides, and underneath, encouraging her to raise herself slightly. His arousal rested against her thighs, her automatic reflex to push back against him. His hands finally found their target, covering her breasts with their breadth, before tracing their shape with his fingers. His thumbs flicked against her hardened tips before he pinched them and rolled them between his fingers.
She was panting now, overcome with the feel of his body pushing against hers as the combined aromas of the massage oil, and their arousal, invaded her senses. She whimpered as one of his hands left her breast. It trailed down her chest and rested against her stomach, before urging her to change her position. Soon, she was resting on her hands and knees, as he rose behind her, his penis still pushing against her exposed thighs. His hand continued its journey before stroking against her damp core through the material of the thong. Moaning she pushed against him and tried to open herself more to his fondling.
"Rupert.please!" Her voice was husky with her arousal as she begged him to remove the final barrier between them. Bending to kiss her shoulder, he obeyed her command. Grabbing onto the flimsy material, he twisted then yanked until the sound of tearing material rendered the air. Throwing away the fabric he returned to her mound, his fingers dipping into the wetness at her sex before rubbing against the exposed nubbin. Almost crying now, she pushed down on his hand, trying to follow the rhythm he set. "Rupert!"
Shifting slightly, Rupert pushed further against her, guiding the tip of his penis to her waiting opening. He used both hands to support her upper thighs, then pushed fully into her until his balls pressed against her ass. She sighed as he filled her, her muscles squeezing against his swollen cock. With his hands holding her still, he withdrew slightly before sliding back in. He repeated the action, increasing his pace, while not allowing her to join the rhythm. Her head arched back, Buffy relinquished the last of her control and her fear, willingly allowing Rupert full authority over this coupling.
The sound of skin slapping against skin was all that broke the silence as he moved faster in and out of her. Her panting increased as she felt the pressure building within her. She could feel him as he prepared for his own orgasm to arrive. She didn't notice when one of his hands moved, and jumped when she felt his hand searching for and once more finding her clit. Now with some freedom, Buffy joined him in his rhythm as they both strove for the end they so desperately needed. She felt her orgasm build from her core, moving outward in a wave, then opened her mouth in a silent scream as it broke through the surface. Finally, toppling into her climax, she screamed his name. A warm flooding inside her told her he'd followed her soon after.
She collapsed panting upon the bed, her body still in thrall of the intensity of her release. His arms enclosed her as he pressed against her back. Wrapped in the safety of Rupert's arms, Buffy closed her eyes and savored the moment of joy.
* * * *
He bent his head, brushing her lips with his own. She lifted her hands to his head, holding his mouth still against her own as they deepened the kiss. His own hands rested against her waist, pulling her to his length as their mouths molded to each other. She wrapped her arms around his neck as she drew his questing tongue into her mouth. Their movements were slow, knowing they had all night to learn each other.
Eventually Giles pulled back, entranced by the dazed look in her eyes, and by her wet, swollen lips. He stepped out of her embrace, grasping her hand as it dropped, and led her to the double bed. They sat on the edge together, their knees almost touching. As one, their heads moved forward, repeating the heated kiss they'd shared earlier. As they separated Giles smiled at her.
"I've been meaning to ask: how did you know I wasn't your Rupert?"
Buffy's eyes dropped momentarily, then rose to meet his own. "Last night.last night was like our first night together. Actually, more like our second," a frown marred her forehead, "or maybe our third."
Giles huffed slightly. "I don't believe which time it was like really matters."
"Oh but it does," she lifted her hand to rest against his chest, rubbing against the cotton of his pyjama top as she tried to make him understand. "Last night was fantastic. Making love to Rupert has always been like that. But.," she paused, as if trying to find the right words, "our first night together wasn't like our second night. And that wasn't like our third. Which was nothing like."
"Buffy, if you say your fourth I think I shall scream!"
She giggled. Her fingers had begun undoing the buttons, exposing his warm flesh to her touch. Neither mentioned it. "I was going to say it was nothing like the way it felt once we knew each other. After we found out what drove the other person crazy, and what was a complete turnoff."
Understanding finally dawned. "You knew how to 'drive me crazy', but I had no idea what was a turn off or a turn on for you."
Buffy nodded as she released the final button. Her other hand rose to join its partner as the material was brushed to one side. "Exactly. It was mind blowing, but you didn't use any of Rupert's tricks on me." She began kneading his skin, her nails grazing against his hard nipples.
Giles rested his hands on her thighs, closing his eyes against the sensation. "Well, I hope you'll show me some of those tricks tonight." He felt her hand against his shoulders as she pushed the material back. He lifted his hands for a moment, allowing the top to fall onto the bed.
"Definitely. Later. But now," he felt her breath against his sweat dampened chest hair a moment before her open lips sucked some of the salty fluid off him, "this time is for Giles and me. No tricks."
His breath hitched at her words. He lifted his hand to hold her head against him as he dropped a kiss onto her crown. Waiting only until he'd been able to bring some sort of control to the emotions she'd let loose with her words, he lifted her face up to his.
The kiss was different this time. Leisurely, but deeper, the giving and taking of more than just a taste. His hand slid down, resting on her shoulder for a moment before continuing to the hem of her nightie. Grabbing the edge of the material in his fist, he lifted it up and over her body, breaking the kiss to drop it beside his pyjama top. Wrapping his hands around her back, he pulled her to him, wanting to feel her breasts pressed against his chest. The sensation was more than he could have dreamt.
As one they shifted sideways, tilting until they lay on the bed. Their kisses eased as they explored each other's bodies. Giles watched her face, basking in the lust in her eyes, and the increase in tension of her muscles as he aroused her more. Stroking the curve of her breasts, he gathered them into his hands, then dipped his head. He pulled the first nipple into his mouth, teasing it with his teeth and tongue, feeling Buffy's moan hum through them both, as the nubbin hardened in his mouth. He then turned to its partner, giving it the same treatment.
He released her breasts and pressed gently against her hip, rolling her onto her back. He rose slightly and he began pressing open kisses against her flesh, reveling in the taste of her, as the musk of her arousal scented the air, before pausing for a moment at her sensitive stomach to dip his tongue into her navel. Then, grabbing the edges of her panties, he pulled them down her legs, exposing her to him. Pushing the material off her legs, he ignored it as it fell to the ground, wishing to concentrate instead on the vision before him.
She lay with her hands by her side, no embarrassment in her nakedness in sight. Her legs were open slightly, allowing him to see beyond the tuft of curls covering her sex. Dipping his head, he kissed her at the apex of her thighs, then dipped his tongue to taste her. They both moaned at the sensation. Accepting the invitation of her opening legs, he moved further down, lathing her lips with his tongue before searching out her clit. Finding the hidden treasure, he drew it into his mouth, pressing gently on it with his teeth. The bucking of her hips told him the success of his ministrations, but the tugging of her hand at his hair warned him to stop.
Lifting his head, Giles looked up at her quizzically. "This isn't a one way trip. We both go together." Smiling, he bent to kiss her core once more, before laying beside her again.
Buffy's hand pressed against his chest, before trailing down to the elasticized waist of his bottoms. His muscles clenched automatically as her fingers brushed against his stomach. They paused a moment before slipping underneath the cotton material. His erection rose, eagerly awaiting her touch. At the feel of her nails scraping against the fold covering his tip, he groaned and automatically jerked back. Her hand followed him as it moved lower until he was grasped tightly in her palm. He automatically began pushing against the channel created by her grip. He grabbed her hand, knowing how close he was to the edge, the cotton material between them. "If you want us together, you should stop about now."
Buffy smiled, then kissed him gently on the mouth. Releasing his erection, she pushed the dampened material from his body, then pulled it over his thighs and legs. Once the bottoms were below his knees, he took over, kicking them off fully. They paused, looking deeply into each other's eyes, then smiled simultaneously. Giles moved forward as Buffy lifted her leg onto his thigh. When he felt himself pressed against her, he dropped his hand, finding her opening. His eyes opened as he felt her hand on his penis. Together they guided themselves to their joining, their hands releasing their prizes and grasping each other as he entered her in one stroke.
The rhythm was slow at first, a gentle rocking that barely disturbed the bed. Giles felt as though he had a lifetime to make love to this wonderful, giving woman. He didn't want to miss a moment of it. But their needs soon overcame their wishes, and the pace increased as they strove toward their climaxes. Giles took Buffy's mouth as he felt her orgasm begin. Drawing her tongue into him, he swallowed her scream. Her name was lost in her mouth as he followed her over the abyss.
* * * *
"So, did you get a chance to ask him?"
"Ask him what?"
Xander and Willow glanced at Dawn, weighing whether or not they should answer. It was hard to tell how much Buffy's younger sister understood, and what her reaction would be. The four of them were sitting in the Summers' living room. After she realized Buffy wasn't returning for the night, Willow had called Xander and Anya over to help her keep Dawn company. Xander finally answered. "I didn't get a chance. Buffy interrupted us just as I was leading up to it."
"Ask him what?"
"So we still don't know."
"Guys! Ask who what, and what don't we know?"
Anya sighed. "They wanted to ask Rupert when he fell in love with Buffy, to see if our Giles has inappropriate feelings for your sister."
"Oh. What? That's . actually that kinda make sense."
"So you're not wigged?" Willow stroked the younger girl's hair as she asked the question.
"Not really. I mean, look how many times he left then came back. And it's not like he moved to the next county, or even in the same country. And why else would he put up with all the crap Buffy dished."
"Wow." Xander shook his head. "I never thought of it that way."
"You know what I'm wondering?" They looked at Anya, expecting some embarrassing comment on Buffy or Giles. She surprised them all. "If Buffy didn't die, how did they defeat Glory?"
* * * *
"We ran away."
"You what? Here?"
"Just a little lower. That's the spot. Works better with your tongue though. The three of us ran away, after the wedding ceremony. Told people we were on our honeymoon."
"With Dawn? I'm sure that went well. Oh my God, how did you learn to do that?"
"Experiment. You practically broke the bed the first time. Where are you going? Oh, that's alright. Ahh yes, such a clever tongue."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Mom had just died. It wasn't like Dawn was a little kid. People understood."
"And the others? Are you alright?"
"Hmm. Yes. You're so close, just a little to the.Oh God!"
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"You are a fast learner. Always liked that about you."
"Only on the physical stuff. The rest takes a while."
"True. But it's worth the wait. Ow!"
"I didn't hit you that hard. Didn't Glory come after you? Oh, that's nice."
"Luv, I'm not that good. I can either tell you about Glory or I can continue."
"Well, tell me after. Oh God.Rupert, your tongue is so."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Of course she followed us. Rupert made us move every few days, and he put up as many wards to confuse her as he could. Ouch."
"Sorry, did I hurt you? Here, put this pillow under you."
"Much better. Hmmm. Anyway, while we were running Willow and Tara worked with the Watcher's Council to find a way to defeat her."
"I'm sure Quentin loved the fact a Watcher was marrying his Slayer."
"Oh yeah, he wanted to give the bride away. I don't think even Rupert's done that to me."
"Something I experimented with in the past couple of years. You approve?"
"Oh Go."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Eventually we worked out how Glory was going to use Dawn, and how much time we had left. Now squeeze, that's it. And start moving your fi.Ah yes. So we, um, we waited until she, argh, was almost out of, er, time."
"Having trouble concentrating, Rupert? Want me to stop."
"Dear God, no. Just slow down, that's better. We lured her into the desert. No new victims, you see."
"Brainsuck?"
"Precisely. Might have to finish this story later. Oh f."
"Don't think I've ever heard Giles use that word before."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"And you liked it?"
"Oh yeah."
"Do you know how many partners I've had who didn't?"
"Yeah, Rupert told me. So, where were we?"
"Glory. Desert. Insane. Taste so good."
"Glory?"
"You."
"Hmm. Always thought your tongue was the cleverest part of you. We didn't know about Ben then you see. The knights were 'persuaded' to co-operate, so we knew there was a human host. Just not who. It was a shock when she morphed into him."
"What did you do?"
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"That was the plan you see. Weaken the God so she hides behind her human host."
"And then you found it was somebody you knew. I never thought that would feel so good."
"It gets better. We just move slightly and."
"Oh,God. I keep saying that tonight. But you keep.Oh, God! Ben. what.?"
"We killed him."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"So that wasn't different."
"You killed Ben too?"
"Yes. After Buffy defeated Glory. I.I had to stop her you see? It was the only way. Unfortunately it was too late to save Dawn."
"Does your Buffy know? Ow! Nails!"
"Sorry. I forgot to trim them this week. Didn't know I'd be doing this tonight. No, Buffy doesn't know."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"I figured it out. Not at first, but Willow said that Ben and Glory just seemed to disappear. Nobody was too worried, because they were still dealing with me dying. But afterwards, she said Giles didn't even want to talk about it. She thought that maybe he was still grieving."
"But you knew better."
"I know Giles."
"Yes. You ready for some more?"
"There's more? I mean we've beaten the Karma Sutra already tonight."
"Ha, that's for amateurs. I thought I'd show you this one next."
"What are you.? Oh God, how did you manage that?"
* * * *
He'd already said goodbye to the others. They'd left early, understanding that Buffy wanted to be alone at this time. He looked down at her, memorizing each feature, wanting to remember the past 48 hours in their entirety. "You look tired."
She smiled. "That's hardly surprising. You didn't let me sleep much."
He returned the smile, then bent and kissed her. "He'll come back. I promise."
The smile slipped. "Which means I say goodbye to you. How crazy is that? I'm gonna miss you Giles." She pulled him to her, putting all her confused emotions into one final, passionate kiss.
Pulling away, he stroked her hair. "Goodbye Mrs. Giles. It's been a pleasure." Turning, he left the house quickly before she could see the pain this parting was causing him.
He walked briskly, heading back toward the place where it had all started. The mist started to envelop him a few blocks from his target. This time he sensed the change in the atmosphere, the scent of majicks in the air. Just as he reached the spot of the occurrence of two days ago, the pyrotechnics began. The lightning strikes were expected, but still startling in their intensity. He looked around, trying to find that other half of him. Eventually, he saw a shadow ahead. He half raised his hand, wanting to speak to this Rupert, tell him how lucky he was. Before he had a chance, all went black.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
He opened his eyes to a clear sky, the stars twinkling down at him. Raising himself gently, he did a mental check for any broken bones or damaged organs, relieved the only after affects seemed a slight headache. He stood, he brushing the dirt and grime from his clothes, then headed home. She was waiting for him, silhouetted in the doorway. He moved slowly toward her, until only inches separated their bodies. They stared at each other for a moment before they moved into each other's arms. Holding his Buffy to him, he thanked whatever gods were involved for their aid in bringing him home.
* * * *
She sat in the dark, curled up on the couch. The house was silent after all the welcome home's and the sighs of relief that it had all worked out. Restless, he'd stopped in his hotel room for just a few minutes, then realized there was some unfinished business. He'd returned, knowing she would be waiting for him. Her entire body language cried of the pain she was feeling.
Giles sighed as he sat beside her. They hadn't discussed the differences between their relationship and that of the other Rupert and Buffy. With their track record, they probably wouldn't. But he felt, perhaps, there were other things that needed to be talked about. And if, in the loneliness of the night, he brought out some of those precious memories and wondered 'what if', who was to know?
"Well if we ever needed evidence that I'm a screw up, we've got it now."
"What?" That he wasn't really expecting.
"Come on, Giles. You were there. We only had Rupert telling us, but you saw it. Because of that one stupid choice I made, I ruined everybody's lives. Xander and Anya, Willow. I killed Tara."
"No you didn't."
"As good as. And you and I." Her tears were visible in the moonlit room, her voice thick with emotion. "Because of my childish selfishness I stopped any of us being happy."
"Buffy, we only saw a snapshot of their lives. We don't know all the effects of their choices. And, we don't know how I would have reacted."
"Yes we do. We saw."
"Only one option. The way I felt then, I could have easily staked Angel the moment I saw him. Especially the condition he was in at the time. The other Buffy even admitted that her Rupert struggled with that. So, there is another version of our lives where I did stake Angel. Each of our choices changes how our lives turn out, what we become. There can be no right or wrong in that."
"But they were all so happy! They had happy endings! Name me one thing in that world that was wrong!"
"Riley." His quiet response pulled her short. "You weren't there to save him from the Initiative. They didn't even know who the Initiative were, or what their real agenda was because you weren't invited into the inner circle. By the time Adam made his move, it was too late. For Professor Walsh, and for Riley. When they finally battled them, Adam had turned Riley into another human/demon hybrid. Buffy had to destroy them both."
"Oh god."
"And because Riley hadn't been taught by you the difference between evil demons, and those who were victims of their circumstances, he wasn't sympathetic when Oz was captured. By the time the gang had found out where he was and tried to rescue him, it was too late. They'd killed him with their experiments."
"How do you know this?"
"I asked. I was afraid you might feel this way, so I needed to be able to show you that all choices have consequences, and that no matter what decisions you make, they have long-reaching effects on many people. Do you really think Willow is completely happy knowing how Oz died? Or that Buffy isn't free of guilt because she couldn't save him? Or that they couldn't stop the bloodbath that happened when Adam started the final battle? Hundreds died, many of them innocent. You stopped that happening, because of your involvement with Riley. And that only came about because you and I didn 't have that relationship." There, it was out in the open. The question was, what would she do with it.
Buffy shifted, then turned so her weight leaned against his side. He froze, surprised. "I understand what you're saying. But it hurt, to see what differences one decision can make. You know?"
He sighed, bringing his arm around her shoulder. "I know. I saw you happy, really happy. Something I haven't seen in a long time. And it hurt me to know the pain you've gone through all these years, knowing I couldn't prevent it."
They sat silently for a while, content to be in each other's company. They shifted at the same time, turning to face each other. A moment passed, and then they moved closer until their lips touched.
Fini