Found

Buffy woke first as the sunlight streamed over the bed. She was lying on her right side, facing Gilesis ais arms and legs were still wrapped around her, holding her tenderly. She planted soft kisses on his lips as he awakened, and they stared into each other’s eyes.

“Good morning, lover.” Buffy softly whispered to him. He smiled and kissed the tip of her nose. “Good morning, love.”

“Promise me something?”

“Anything Buffy.”

“Promise me that from this moment on we will always wake up together like this, in each other’s arms?”

“Whenever it is in my power to do so, I promise we will.”

He stretched lazily, rolling onto his back and pulling her to his chest. “One more hug, and then I should jump in the shower downstairs before we are….uh..discovered here..”

For now it probably was best if this stayed between the two of them. It was a private matter, a secret connection for now. In time they would tell the others. It’s not that they wanted to hide, but there were too many other things to focus on now. Besides, it was new and fresh to them, and they weren’t ready to let anyone else in the circle yet.

Eventually Giles got up out of the bed and threw his jeans on, clutching the rest of his clothing in his arms. He bent down and softly kissed Buffy on the mouth. “You look so beautiful just lying there.”

“You’re pretty handsome yourself. I wish I could join you in the shower.”

He smiled at her, and told her not to tease him. “We have plenty of time for that later, love.”

“Well, you better hurry, before the natives get restless. I should make sure Dawn is awake soon anyway.”

Reluctantly Giles turned and opened the door. After careful inspection of the hall, he reasoned it was safe and crept downstairs to the main bathroom off of the living room. He hated to leave the cocoon of love that Buffy’s room had provided, but the smile didn’t leave his face, regardless. He still couldn’t believe that his dreams had come true. Buffy did return his love. No matter what the future held, his heart would always remain warm because of that fact.

Buffy pulled on her robe and went to wake up Dawn before jumping in the upstairs shower herself. As she dressed and went downstairs she heard Willow and Giles talking warmly in the kitchen. Giles was making tea, and Willow was putting on her tennis shoes.

“Good morning Buffy.” Willow smiled as she tied up her laces. “Did you sleep good?”

“Never better.” Buffy said, and smiled with a wink at Giles. He smiled back, looking into his tea cup as a blush crept up his face. That made Buffy giggle. Willow looked up at her friend and was about to ask what was so funny when the front doorbell rang. “I’ll get it.” She said, leaving Buffy and Giles in the kitchen.

“Tea?” Giles asked with a smile.

Buffy snorted and poured herself a glass of juice instead as Dawn bounded in. “I’ll take some of that too Buffy.”

Willow was still contemplating the looks between Buffy and Giles when she opened the door, and stopped dead in her tracks, her mouth gaping open.

“Hey,” said the young man on the porch.

“Oz? Oz! Is it really you?”

He smiled. “Yup, in the flesh.”

Willow squealed and pulled him in for a hug. He hugged back. “Willow, do you think I could come in?”

“OH! Sorry, please, do come in” and she dragged him into the kitchen. “Look, Oz is here!”

The group exchanged hugs all around and greeted their old friend enthusiastically.

“It’s great to see you, Oz!” Said Buffy, pouring him a glass of juice. “What brings you back our way? Whatever it is, it is wonderful to see you.”

Everyone nodded their approval as Oz swallowed his juice before answering.

“I was in L.A. and stopped in to visit with Angel. He told me about Tara, Willow.”

The group got silent and contemplative, and Willow looked at her shoes. “Oh” she said almost inaudibly.

“I wanted to make sure you were okay.” Oz said. “You look good. I mean, Angel told me everything that has happened and he said you were doing great now, but I just had to see you for myself.”

“I’m doing fine, Oz. Thanks for your concern. But really, my friends here have been really supportive. And, you know, Hellmouth and all, keeps us all pretty busy.”

She know sooner said that then the doorbell rang again.

“That must be Xander. I’ll get him.” Dawn exclaimed and ran out to let him in. He too greeted Oz warmly. “Are you here to help us with Deidra?” he asked.

“Deidra? Who’s Deidra?” Oz asked.

“We’ll fill you in on the way to the Magic Box.” Buffy said. “Where’s Anya, Xander?”

“She’s waiting in the car with the donuts. We better hurry if we want any jelly ones.”

“Race you!” Buffy quirked at Giles, and raced for the car, the rest of the gang following closely behind.


TBC