Buffy just ran at first, as if she could run away from the entire situation if she could just go fast enough or far enough. Finally she slowed down and just walked quickly, no particular destination in mind, not that she could have had one even if she wanted one. She had no idea where she was, what there was around to see.
Finally she found a small park and finding a bench she sat down. Giles was in love with her. And he had found it so horrible that he had essentially chosen not to exist any more. The Buffy Summers charm continued. She thought Riley had gone far away but he was an amateur compared to Giles.
She didn't know where to start. Nothing about this felt good to her. It would be different if Giles were waiting for her in his apartment. If she could hold him and rest her head on his chest while she worked this through. If she could feel his arms hold her closely, listen to him breath, his chest rising and falling. Have him try and stutter his way through an explanation. It would be so easy then. They'd work it through, eating their jelly donuts, him making them tea. But he wasn't. The only one making tea back from where she had just fled was Zurvan.
Buffy tried to remember the last time she had really touched Giles. Certainly when he had first returned from England. Those few minutes while he had held her had been the safest she had felt from the time she had been brought back to now. She certainly hadn't felt safe in Spike's arms. She hadn't been able to let her guard down for a second. Buffy hadn't felt safe at all except that night, and the night she'd been with him and he'd given her that money. The night she had told him that having him around was like having her mom back. Buffy let out a rueful laugh. If only she'd known.
But what if she had known? What if that night he had told her that instead of being a rakish uncle that he wanted to be her lover? Buffy felt a moment of sadness when she had to honestly admit that it would have made her angry. It would have felt like one more expectation, one more thing that somebody wanted her to do, to be, when all she wanted was to rest, to be in heaven again, to be free of all responsibility.
Giles had been right. She hadn't been in any shape to discuss it, to even hear it. And yet, nothing had made her more desolate than him leaving. Was it just about being safe? Is that all he meant to her? She knew the answer to that was no, but she wasn't sure how to define what he was to her. She wasn't sure what he could be.
And he'd know. He always knew when she was off. There was no way she could go back and tell that him that she loved him and she wanted him and for him to come out, not unless she meant it. Besides, if she did that and it was a lie, and she hurt him like that, she'd throw herself out the window and save Ethan the trouble. That would be beyond cruel.
She knew she longed to touch him. Ever since he had held her that night in the Magic Box, a part of her had wanted to be in his arms. And after he had left she thought about it all the time. Buffy tried to imagine him touching her. Engaging in…mating rituals. Buffy blushed but she stuck with it. It was easier than she thought it would be. It was much easier than imagining herself with Spike again. It would be weird but it wouldn't be bad. In fact, it might be nice. It might be nice to have someone touch her that knew her so well, someone who accepted her for what she was.
She felt an unexpected warmth pool in her lower body as she thought of Giles' hands and what they might do to her, and as she thought of him lying on top of her. She felt a longing to be next to him, to be as close to him as she could be. To feel his gentleness coupled with his strength, to see a smile on his face, to see him smile at her, for her. To see him happy.
But would it make her happy? Would this be enough for her? Could she take him home and commit to him, deal with what the gang might say, what Dawn might say? With a flash of anger she realized that she didn't give a shit what any of them said. If this were what she chose to do they'd have to deal. Besides Buffy was pretty sure that Dawn would be secretly delighted to have Giles back. Of course, Giles would need to deal with Dawn. But that didn't really concern Buffy too much, not now that she knew why he had really left. Taking care of Dawn had been a convenient excuse but she guessed that he'd probably resented it more because Buffy had treated him like her personal slave because somehow she had known she could. Which she still might, but now he'd get something out of it.
The whole thing felt so cold and clinical to Buffy for a minute. Is that all there was to it? She'd offer him what he wanted and he'd come home with her? For that he'd choose to live again? She shook her head. She was missing something. Buffy reviewed Zurvan's words. Giles was in love with her. Love.
Suddenly it all snapped into place and Buffy almost laughed out loud. There had been something else she had felt when he had held her. It wasn't just about being safe. It was about being loved, and loving back. Giles loved her, and she loved him. That's what it was about. With that thought came the emotion, rich and pure, cleansing her, filling her with hope and faith in a future she could believe in. Energized beyond belief she started running back, as fast as she could.
***
Buffy burst back into the apartment. She sought out Ethan and when she saw him she smiled at him, really smiled at him. "I can do this."
Ethan was taken aback at her smile, at the genuine affection and delight on her face. "What can you do?"
"I can love him. I love him." She laughed.
Ethan felt some hope begin to rise within him. "You mean…?"
She nodded. "I mean." She walked over to Zurvan and she frowned. Somehow she had forgotten. Somehow a part of her had been thinking that Giles would be here. Buffy had forgotten that any declarations of love would have to be made to, well, to Zurvan. Hesitating she glanced at Ethan. "I…"
"Tell him."
She grimaced. "I can't. Not with you watching." She gestured at Zurvan. "I can hardly bear to do it with him watching." Buffy grabbed Zurvan's hand. "Come on."
"Where are we going?"
"In the bedroom. I need some privacy for this."
"Buffy."
Buffy turned back to Ethan and she smiled softly at him. "I'll call for you. If he comes out I'll tell you right away, I promise."
Ethan let out a breath and nodded. He watched her as she dragged Zurvan into the bedroom and then he went and fixed himself a drink.
***
Buffy turned to Zurvan and screwed her mouth up, thinking. She pushed him down to sit on the bed. Then she pulled him back up. She stepped up close to him and then she backed away. Letting out a small mewl of frustration she stared at him, trying to find a way to pretend this was Giles. Finally she told Zurvan to get on the bed and lean against the headboard. Buffy got on the bed too and sat near him, facing him. Zurvan watched her, his face curious. She looked at him. "Is this weird for you, knowing that if I do this, if I bring him out, that you won't be here anymore?"
He shook his head. "No, do not worry about distressing me. Please proceed."
Buffy scrunched her face up. "You have to shut your eyes." Zurvan complied and Buffy felt better immediately. It would be much easier to pretend this way. Buffy decided she better explain. She touched him and he opened his eyes. "I'm going to talk as if he's here. I'm going to tell him things, and maybe I might…I might touch him. I need you not to say anything. I need you not to touch me back. I need to know it's him touching me if that happens. Okay?"
"How will you touch me?"
Buffy blushed. "I might…um…lean against you, or touch your hands or your face, maybe kiss you. I mean him."
"I understand. Are you planning on telling him that you are also in love with him?"
Buffy nodded. "Yes."
"Ah, well perhaps I can also try and communicate that, inside, while I remain still for you."
Buffy's eyes grew bright and her voice was shaky. "Thank you."
Zurvan just nodded. "I will close my eyes again now."
Buffy closed her eyes for a second too, willing herself to just see Giles. When she opened them she reached out and took Giles' hands in hers. She brought them to her lips and she kissed them and then opening them she pressed them against her face. "Giles. I need you to come back to me." She blew out a breath, trying to get past the lump in her throat. After a few moments she spoke again. "I just discovered something. I just discovered that I don't want to live without you either."
She looked at his face. And she loved him. Buffy pulled his hands from her face and brought them down. Keeping one of his hands in hers she began to trace his face with her other. She touched the crinkles at the sides of his eyes; with feather light touches she ran her fingers over his eyelids and down his nose. "Giles, I wish I could let you see inside of me. I'm so bad at this stuff. I'm so bad at saying what I mean. And it's never been so important for me to make someone believe what I'm saying." She ran her fingers over his lips. Leaning forward she very softly pressed her lips against his. "I want to kiss you, but I need you here for that. I want to hold you but I need you to hold me back."
She let her hand drop to his chest, resting it over his heart. "I know that you love me. That you're in love with me. Zurvan told me. What I didn't know was that I love you too. That I'm in love with you too." She lifted the hand she was holding and brought it to her lips again to kiss. "Giles, I need to see you looking at me. I need you to tell me that you love me. Suddenly nothing feels as important to me as that."
She shifted closer to him and she rested her head on his chest. "Please, come back to me. Please hold me. Please don't leave me alone." She rested against him for a minute and then she pulled away.
Buffy felt a moment of hopelessness. She had no idea if he was hearing her, if he was even aware of her. She didn't want to ask Zurvan, she didn't want to stop pretending that this was Giles. Pushing down her despair she touched his face again, this time running her fingers along his jaw. "We belong together, I see it now. I'm sorry I didn't understand before. I'm sorry things got so bad. But I'm here now. We're together now." Buffy leaned in and kissed him again. This time her lips lingered, she gently bit his lower lip, and then pressed her lips full against his.
She pulled back and touched his lips again with her fingers. "Your lips are so soft. I wish you would kiss me." Buffy sighed. "I don't blame you if you are finding this hard to believe. I'm finding it a little hard to believe and I know it's true." She paused trying to find the words, trying to find the way to convince him.
"Remember when I told you that having you around was like having my mom back? I meant that in a way. But, now I get what I really meant. What I meant was that when my mom died that it left a hole in my life that I didn't ever think could be filled again. I missed her so much and I felt lonely and afraid of dealing with my life. But that night, when you gave me that money, when you sat there and looked at me, and loved me, what I felt was the hole filling in. What I felt was not alone, what I felt was that I didn't need to be afraid if you were with me."
Buffy started to cry. "I need you to come back to me now because if you don't then that hole will be back but it will be so much bigger, it will be so big that I can't face it." She leaned again against his chest. "I don't know how to live without you anymore." Buffy just sobbed against him, her tears soaking his shirt. "Giles, come back to me." As he continued to just sit there Buffy's heart began to break and she sobbed even harder.
Buffy didn't even notice it at first. She was too lost in her misery. But then it slowly started sinking in. His arms were around her and he was stroking her hair. Buffy's heart began to race. Was it Zurvan? Had he been unable to ignore her crying? She could hardly bear to look. Buffy lay there for another minute, just enjoying the touch. Finally she had to know. Her voice still hiccupy she spoke his name. "Giles?"
His answer was soft. "Yes, it's me."
Buffy let out a cry and she pulled away, having to see his face. "It's you? You're back?" She could see his eyes; Giles was looking at her. She touched his face with her hand.
He smiled sadly. "Not completely. Zurvan is still bound in this body. He is allowing me to be in control."
"So unbound him."
"Buffy."
"No, Giles, just do it. Don't leave me again."
"I can't…how…?" Giles turned his head away, unable to say what he needed to say.
Buffy said it for him. "How can you know this is real?" Giles nodded, his eyes vulnerable. Buffy smiled at him and then she leaned forwards and kissed him again. He stayed still at first but Buffy persisted. She shifted even closer to him and snaking a hand behind his head she pressed him against her. Touching his lips with her tongue she invited him to open to her. When again he hesitated she spoke softly. "Giles, kiss me. I want you to kiss me."
With a groan Giles' lips opened and he met her tongue with his own. Buffy let out a cry and kissed him with all the love in her heart. Their arms were wrapped tightly around each other and Buffy thought her heart might burst in her chest. She started to laugh.
Giles pulled back looking down at her in some confusion. "Why are you laughing?"
"I'm happy. I'm happy again. You make me happy." It felt like such a foreign emotion to her, like a bubbling well in a desert.
Giles looked at her face, and saw the Buffy he used to know. Before her resurrection, before her death, before Glory. The Buffy who used to be happy, and filled with life. "Oh, Buffy." He touched her face, his eyes filled with wonder.
"Are you back? Are you staying?"
"I still need to say the spell."
"Say it. Do you know it?"
He shook his head. "I need one of my books." He started to rise.
Buffy yelled out. "Ethan, get in here."
Ethan was in the door so fast she wondered if he'd been standing outside. Ethan knew, he knew as soon as he saw her face, the happiness on it. He looked at his friend. "Rupert?"
Giles smiled a small smile and nodded. "I need my spell book, well, your spell book."
Ethan almost tripped over his own feet he turned so quickly. Grabbing the book he brought it back in and handed it to Giles. While Giles flipped through the book Ethan grinned at Buffy and he fought off the urge to hug her. She grinned back. They both looked up as Giles started an incantation. When he was done Giles shut the book and Ethan took it from him. He gave him a second to let his disorientation pass. Then he spoke. "Are you back now?"
Giles nodded. "Yes, I'm back."
Ethan laid the book down on the bed and then hauled back and punched him. "If you ever do anything like that again I will bloody well kill you." Buffy's eyes were wide as she stared down at Giles, now sprawled on the floor. Ethan extended a hand and helped him up pulling him into a hug. Ethan held him so tightly Giles grunted. "You scared the shit out of me. I thought I'd lost you."
Buffy felt like she loved Ethan right then. Giles hugged him back. "I'm sorry, Ethan, I'm sorry."
"You better be sorry." Ethan stepped back and put up an admonishing finger in Giles' direction. "We are nowhere near done with this conversation."
Giles put his hand on one side of his face as he shifted his jaw from side to side. "Are we done with the hitting part of it?"
Ethan let out a half laugh and shook his head. "Yes, we're done with the hitting part of it."
Buffy interjected. "Speak for yourself."
Ethan laughed again. He turned to Buffy. "Don't get used to it because I'm sure it will fade but I actually kind of like you right now."
"Color me overwhelmed." Despite her sarcastic words she smiled at Ethan and he smiled back.
Picking his book back up he brandished it at Giles. "I'm taking my book back and I'll thank you to leave my magic books alone." Taking another long satisfied look at Giles he spoke one last time. "I'm going home. I'll call later." With one last look at Giles and a wink at Buffy he sauntered out.
Giles looked at Buffy who was still on the bed, giggling. "What's so funny?"
"Ethan scolding you about getting into his magic books. It brings back memories. Willow would have paid money to see that."
"Ha bloody ha." He made a face at her and then grimaced holding a hand up to his jaw again. "Ow."
Buffy came up off the bed. "Come on, let's put some ice on that." She dragged him out to the kitchen. She opened the freezer and pulled out some ice cubes. Finding a plastic bag she placed the ice cubes within and then very gently put the bag against his jaw. "He's stronger than he looks." She touched her own jaw. "Trust me, I know."
Giles' eyes narrowed. "Did he hit you?"
"Only because I told him to. But I don't think he hated it."
"Why did you tell him to hit you?"
"To see if it would get your attention."
Giles' lips tightened. "Buffy, I'm sorry. I didn't mean for you to get hurt."
Buffy glared at Giles. "You didn't mean for me to get hurt? Because Ethan punched me? But it never crossed your mind that letting a demon take over your body might upset me a little?" Giles didn't respond and just looked at the floor, interested suddenly in the tile pattern there. Buffy's eyes filled with tears. "You didn't think I'd care, did you?"
Giles glanced at her quickly and then away but not before she saw the uncertainty and vulnerability there. "You didn't seem to want anything to do with me. You wouldn't talk to me. I knew you were with…" Giles turned his head away.
Buffy looked horrified. "You knew? Oh God. That is so over. It was over before I knew anything had even happened to you." Giles just nodded briefly but he again didn't respond or look at her. Buffy sighed. "Giles. The only reason I didn't talk to you was because I wanted you to know I was mad at you."
Giles let out a sad laugh. "Well, it worked."
Buffy felt a lump in her throat as she heard the sadness in his voice. She needed to do something to make things better. Moving over to him she touched the other side of his jaw. "How's it feel?"
"It's a little sore but I'll live." He smiled a little at his choice of words.
Buffy stood on her tiptoes and brushed her lips against his. "Does it feel good enough for me to do this?" Giles looked at her. Again she rose. "Or how about this?" She kissed him a little more firmly this time. "Or this?" She bit the side of his neck, then soothed it with her lips and her tongue, and then moved up to nibble on his ear.
Giles let out a groan. "Buffy."
She looked up at him and laid a hand on his face. "Giles, what happened in the bedroom, those things I said? They were the truth. I didn't just say them to get you to come back. I said them because I meant them. I love you." She nodded her head at him, her eyes pleading with him to believe her. "You, Rupert Giles, Watcher, older than me guy, book guy, tea guy, I love you. And you're stuck with me. And you're never leaving me again, ever." Pulling his head down this time she again pressed her lips against his.
Giles threw his bag of ice in the sink and with another groan he wrapped his arms around Buffy and pulled her up tightly against him. He repositioned his head so he could better access her lips. He kissed her with months of pent up passion and Buffy felt her body grow weak with desire. She lifted one of her legs and curled it around him to try and move even closer. Giles cupped her bottom, lifting her and she wrapped her legs around him. Holding her tightly he moved them back into the bedroom. Resting one knee on the end of the bed he slowly laid her down. He stood there watching her, lying on his bed.
She waited for him to join her but he didn't. She cocked her head to the side. "What is it?" She patted the bed. "Come here."
Giles let out a small laugh. "I'm feeling a bit disoriented. You don't know how often I've fantasized about having you here in my bed. And now that you're here I think I'm afraid that I'm still just imagining it." He sat beside her on the bed. "How long have I been gone?"
"Two days, I think, maybe three." The difference in time zones was muddling her.
Giles' eyebrows rose. "Two days? That's all?"
"How long did it feel like to you?"
"A long time, centuries. I don't know."
"Were you aware at all? Could you tell what was going on around you?"
Giles shook his head. "No but then I didn't want to." His lips tightened. "I just wanted to be gone." His eyes took on a distant look.
Buffy got a little nervous. "But you don't feel that way now, right? I mean, your conjuring days are through, right?"
Giles let out a long breath and then he unexpectedly grinned at Buffy. "It's like I conjured you, right to my bed. I said an incantation to lose myself and then I find you in my arms." His grin faltered. "Am I really out? Am I imagining this?"
Buffy prodded him in the jaw, not too hard. "Feel that?" He grimaced. Then she placed her hand over his crotch and caressed his penis. "Feel that?"
Giles thrust against her. "Yes, I feel that." He covered her hand with his own and helped her to stroke him, both of them feeling him grow hard.
Still stroking him she spoke softly to him. "So, you fantasized about me?"
Giles let out a moan and closed his eyes, nodding his head. "Yes."
"What did you fantasize about? What were we doing?" Buffy grabbed one of Giles' hands and placed it between her own legs.
Giles shifted his body so he could fully cup her. He leaned down and bit one of her breasts, teasing the nipple through the thickness of her clothing. He grinned. "Nice shirt."
Buffy grinned back and then put her hand over his to make him press harder. Instead he rolled so he was lying on top of her, and he thrust against her. Buffy groaned. "We have way too many clothes on."
Giles ran his hand over her breast. "I like you in my shirt." He rolled off of her. "Do something for me?"
She looked at him, her brow furrowed. "What?"
"Go in the bathroom and take everything off but leave on this shirt."
She grinned slowly at him. "Something you fantasized about?" He nodded. She looked down at herself. "This shirt?"
"That shirt's fine."
"No, tell me. Was it this shirt you saw me in?"
Rising he went to the closet and after searching for a minute he pulled out a soft gray shirt. "This one."
"I gave you this shirt."
He smiled. "I know."
She grinned again and rose. "I'll be right back." Then she frowned at him. "And I want you out of those clothes, mister."
He looked down at himself. "All of them?"
"All of them. No I take that back. Just take off your shirt. I think I want to get you out of those jeans."
"Then hurry, because they're feeling way too tight right now."
Buffy giggled in delight and took the few steps to the bathroom. "I'll be right back." She shut the door behind her.
Giles stripped off his shirt and lay back on the bed. Another feeling of disorientation swept through him and he panicked for a moment. With almost a sense of desperation he got up and walked to the bathroom, straining to hear her within, almost expecting that he would hear nothing, that she wouldn't be there. When he heard her movements in the bathroom he let out an enormous sigh of relief and with his arms braced against the doorjamb he waited anxiously for Buffy to open the door.
In a minute she did. "Here I come, ready…" She stopped, surprised to see him standing right here.
Seeing her standing there in his shirt, seeing his fantasy of her come alive Giles felt his body flame with passion. He pulled her roughly into his arms and lowered his face to claim her lips. His mouth slanted over hers as he begged her to open her mouth under the onslaught of his tongue. Buffy felt as if he was consuming her and she opened herself up to him, responding to his need. His hands swept under his shirt and he touched her, finding her wet and ready for him.
As he entered her with his finger Buffy let out a cry and parted her legs, allowing him easier access to her. He inserted a second finger and her head fell back against the doorjamb at the sensation. He got down on one knee and as he continued to slowly move his fingers in and out he found one of her nipples with his mouth and began to suckle, the shirt growing dark with the moisture from his mouth.
Buffy had both her hands on his head, trying to remain standing. His head began to move lower and pushing the tails of his shirt aside he tongued her soft curls, teasing her clit with little flicks of his tongue. Buffy let out short cries every time he teased her. Trusting that Buffy could keep her balance Giles removed his hand from her hip and used his fingers to open her more fully so he could taste her.
Buffy parted her legs further, awash in the sensations he was causing in her. And then, as he sucked on her clit again she exploded into an orgasm. Feeling Buffy's vagina pulse around his fingers made him want her even more. He slowly pulled his fingers out and he stood. Taking her hands he put them on the waistband of his jeans. "Take them off. Take them off now."
Buffy had to shake herself out of her daze but when she realized what Giles was asking her to do she started to work on his jeans. When the button seemed to be denying her access she just ripped it open and pulled down his zipper. She wanted to feel him, get him inside of her and with an almost frenzied haste she backed him up and pushed him down on the bed so she could pull his jeans off.
She crawled up his body and she took him in her mouth. Giles let out a groan and his hands fisted in her hair as she tasted him and used her tongue to drive him crazy. Finally when he could stand it no longer he flipped her over and parting her legs with his he positioned himself and drove himself into her. Buffy let out a cry of satisfaction as she felt his hard length enter her, pierce her. She sobbed his name out and found his lips.
Giles was lost in her. Thrusting his tongue in her mouth he thrust his cock into her body. Pulling back he grinned at her, a fierce look of joy on his face. He slowed his pace down and found her hands. Pulling them to her front he spoke, his voice harsh. "Rip it open. Let me see you."
She let out a moan as he slowly pulled out of her and then entered her just as slowly. "This shirt? You want me to rip it off of me?" Giles nodded. Buffy ran her hand over the shirt, touching her breasts, teasing her own nipples. "You want to see me?"
Giles rammed into her and smiled as Buffy groaned. "Now, do it now."
Buffy fingered the edges of the shirt and taking hold she ripped the shirt apart, buttons flying. She lay there under his gaze, loving the hungry look in his eyes. Giles caressed her breasts, suckling first on one and then the other. As Buffy's fevered panting grew more frantic and her cries increased Giles began to thrust hard again, his pace growing as she began to climax. Thrusting a few times more he found his own release and they clung to each other as they rode out the storm.
In time their heartbeats and their breathing began to calm down. Giles would have moved off of Buffy but she protested so he remained, content to feel her underneath him, knowing her strength could withstand it. She ran her hands up and down his back, making little happy sighs. Giles finally pulled his head back and looked at her. She grinned. "Was that as good as your fantasies?"
Giles let out a half laugh and touched her face. "Buffy, in my fantasies, you weren't here. So I'd say that it would be impossible to compare. But allow me to reassure you that you are better than any fantasy could ever be."
She looked down at herself. "I kind of liked the shirt thing."
Giles grinned. "So did I."
She allowed a mock sad look to form on her face. "I'm afraid the shirt is toast, though."
"I don't mind. I can buy another one."
"You may have to buy a few."
Giles leaned down and kissed her. "I'll buy a dozen of them." He touched her face, reverently. "I love you so much."
Buffy's eyes grew bright. "Say it again."
"I love you."
Buffy let out a happy sigh. "I love you too." Her eyes lit on the bedside table and she frowned. "But I have a bone to pick with you mister."
Giles' eyes opened wide. "What are you talking about?" Buffy rolled them until she was on that side of the bed. She opened the drawer, pulling out the envelope. Giles stilled when he saw what she had. "When did you find those?"
"Last night." She opened it up and pulled out the pictures. Finding the one she was looking for she held it up. "My yearbook picture? Could I look more horrible? You so cannot keep this." She flipped through the pictures again. "And this one, look at my hair. Look." Giles started to grin. She didn't even notice. "The first thing we're doing when we get back is getting some real pictures done. Pictures of you and me." She glanced up to find him grinning at her, this delighted look on his face. "What?"
"It just suddenly hit me that you're really here. In England, with me."
"Because I'm looking at these pictures?"
He nodded. "Never in any fantasy of mine did you pull those pictures out and start complaining about how you look in them." He started to laugh. "Only you, the real you, would do that."
Buffy grinned at him as he lay on his back and laughed. She had made him laugh. The satisfaction of that raced through her. Buffy decided then and there that she'd make him do that as often as she could. It looked good on him. She put the pictures back in the envelope and rolling to her side she replaced them in his drawer and then she snuggled into his side. She ran his fingers through the hair on his chest. "So, you are coming back to Sunnydale with me, right?" When he didn't answer right away she leaned up on her elbow and glared at him. "I wasn't really asking you, you know."
He smiled softly at her. "I know."
"You need someone to take care of you." She kissed him. "That would be me."
Giles touched her cheek. "The last time I checked you weren't taking particularly good care of yourself."
"I know. But you did. So, I'll take care of you and you'll take care of me, and together we'll do all right." She asked him again. "So, you'll be coming back with me, right?" She nodded her head, encouraging his answer in the positive.
He grinned. "Right." She let out a satisfied sigh and lay back down. Pulling the blanket over them Giles wrapped his arm around her and nestled together they gently fell asleep.
***
Ethan drove Giles and Buffy to the airport. It hadn't taken Giles long to get things ready as he hadn't done much to settle in. They now stood near the security gates and it was time to say goodbye. Buffy, after a moment's hesitation, made herself scarce.
Giles smiled at Ethan. "I don't really know what to say."
Ethan shook his head. "I don't know why I put up with you." They both shared a smile knowing that for the most part it was Giles who put up with Ethan.
Giles continued the charade. "I'm glad you do." He put his hand on Ethan's shoulder. "Thank you."
"It was Buffy who brought you out."
"She wouldn't have if you hadn't asked her to help and I know that wasn't easy for you to do."
Ethan let out a small laugh. "It was worth it."
"Will you come and visit me, Ethan? Will you come as a friend? I'd like to be glad to see you instead of feeling like I need to duck."
Ethan grinned. "You may be sorry you said that."
"Why?"
"I may feel the need to visit quite often."
"You don't know how pleased I'd be if you did." He glared. "If you come as a friend."
"I always came as a friend."
"You know what I mean. No tricks, no danger. Just friends. Old friends."
Ethan gave Giles a crooked grin. "Old friends. I'll see what I can do. Besides we promised Zurvan we'd visit now and then."
Giles grinned. "Yes we did. I'm thankful he found the whole thing so fascinating and doesn't hold any sort of grudge." Buffy had been a nervous wreck but he and Ethan had conjured Zurvan again to thank him and make sure that he was all right. They had used Ethan as a vessel. Neither Ethan nor Buffy could stand the thought of seeing Zurvan staring out of Giles' eyes again.
Ethan and Giles stood there grinning at each other. Then they heard a click. They looked up to see Buffy holding a small disposable camera. She gestured to them. "Stand side by side."
Ethan and Giles both rolled their eyes but they complied. Buffy took another picture. Then she handed the camera to Ethan. "Now take one of us." Ethan took a couple of them and then handed the camera back to Buffy. She looked up at Giles. "I'm starting us a scrapbook. And this is where it starts." She looked at Ethan. "I'll send you a copy."
Ethan finally gave in to his urge and gave Buffy a hug. "Thank you, thank you for coming."
She hugged him back fiercely. "Thank you for calling. Thank you for letting me try." She pulled back out of the hug and looked at him. "I can't believe I'm saying this but will you come and visit? If you promise not to do anything that will make me have to kill you?"
Ethan barked out a laugh. "Yes, yes I think I will come and visit."
Buffy moved over to Giles and put her arm around him. "Good, you can stay with us."
Giles' eyebrows rose but he didn't say anything, choosing instead just to put his arm around her. He noted the time on a clock on the wall. "We better go."
Ethan nodded. "Let me know when you want it and I'll send on the rest of your stuff."
Giles smiled at him. Moving away from Buffy he gave Ethan a quick hug. "Visit soon."
Ethan smiled at them both, his eyes suspiciously bright and then he spun around and headed off.
Buffy looked up at Giles. "You okay?"
Giles nodded and wrapped his arms around her. "Yes. I am very okay."
She grinned. "Good. Let's go." Picking up their bags they started making their way through the security check.
Buffy asked another question, her voice as innocent as she could make it. "So, have you talked to Anya lately?"
Giles let out a gasp. "Good Lord. I sent her papers to sign giving the shop entirely over to her." He slapped himself on the forehead, appalled that he had forgotten.
Buffy started to laugh. "Don't worry. Xander called while you were out with Ethan a couple nights ago. Fortunately he was the one who opened it and once he saw what it was he called. I told him to burn it. You still own half the shop."
Giles glared at Buffy for teasing him and then he grinned. "Taking care of me?"
Buffy nodded. "Yup."
He laughed. "Good job." He kissed her softly. "I love you."
She sighed. "I love you too."
***
Hours later on the plane Giles had fallen asleep. Buffy was almost asleep herself. Snuggled in his arms she noticed a flight attendant walking by checking on everyone. Buffy stopped her. The attendant looked at her. "May I help you?"
Buffy nodded and trying not to disturb Giles she rooted around in the pocket in front of her. She pulled out her camera and spoke softly. "Will you take a picture of us?"
The woman smiled and took the camera. Buffy closed her eyes and lost herself in the luxury of being in Giles' arms. She fell asleep right away. The attendant took a picture of the two of them and then gently she replaced the camera in the pocket. Taking another look at the sleeping couple she smiled and then headed on down the aisle.
The End
January 24, 2002