Until We Meet Again

Chapter 14

Buffy’s sobs shook her body. Giles tightened his hold while his heart beat furiously in his chest. He tried to calm her with soothing strokes down her back, while his mind tried to digest the news he’d just heard. He swallowed past the lump in his throat and kissed the top of her head.

“Buffy, what happened? Is your father alright?”

She nodded into his chest and took a couple of deep breaths before raising her head. Her eyes were red, and Giles brushed the tears from her cheeks. He stroked her hair away from her face while she collected herself.

“Yeah, he’s ok. He’s in the hospital, and the doctors said he’ll be alright. Dawn is staying with Willow, and Xander is there too.”

Giles wrapped the sheets around her shoulders and held her closer as she continued to talk.

“He took Dawn out to dinner yesterday, and during the meal he suddenly gasped and grabbed his chest. Dawn thought he was choking. When he tried to stand he dropped to the floor.” She gulped in some more air. “God, poor Dawn, hasn’t she been through enough?”

Giles kissed her cheek, while silently thinking that it applied to her as well.

“The doctors said he would be alright, but I need to go back and take care of Dawn. Dad’ll be in the hospital at least for another week, and when he gets back he won’t be able to take care of anyone for a while.”

Giles closed his eyes and crushed Buffy against his chest. He was relieved to hear of her father’s positive prognosis, but he couldn’t help but be desolate that their heavenly dream had been interrupted. He had hoped they could shut out the world a bit longer before it interrupted. He should have known from experience that they wouldn’t have as much time as they’d planned.

Buffy sighed, looked up at him with a sad smile and said in a small voice. “I’m sorry, I ruined our weekend.”

Giles immediately frowned and looked deeply into her eyes. “You did no such thing, Buffy! Don’t ever think that. It has been a wonderful weekend. I have never been happier, and we will have many more.”

Buffy sniffled and gave him a tight hug. Both drew strength from each other’s embrace. After a while Giles let her go and kissed her softly. “Go pack and shower, I’ll make arrangements for our flight.”

Buffy nodded weakly, and climbed out of the bed. She was half way to the bathroom when she suddenly froze, and Giles looked at her with concern. She slowly turned around with big eyes.

“You’re coming with me?” she asked in an incredulous voice.

“Of course I am, Buffy. I am not going to let you deal with this on your own.” He said with a soft gaze.

The next thing he knew, Buffy had tackled him. They fell on the bed, Buffy kissing him soundly. He gasped, not completely prepared for her attack, but then reciprocated fully, elated that she seemed to agree with his decision. It hadn’t even crossed his mind to let her fly home alone, but as soon as the words had slipped from his mouth, he had worried he’d been rather presumptuous.

Buffy released his mouth and stroked his cheek. “I can’t ask this of you, Giles. What about work?”

“You didn’t ask anything of me, Buffy. Did you honestly think I was going to let you go now that I’ve found you?” That earned him a big smile and kiss that left him breathless.

When he caught his breath he continued. “As for work, I have so many vacation days saved up, I can easily take some time off. Pierre can do very well without me.”

Buffy hugged him tight and murmured into his neck. “I love you so much, Giles.”

“And I you, love” he murmured back.

*****

It was with a heavy heart that Giles stood in the departure lounge at Charles de Gaulle International airport, waiting for Buffy to get done in the bathroom. Never had he felt as miserable as he did at that moment. He glanced at his watch while sighing heavily, contemplating the day’s turn of events. What had started out as a blissful morning had gone quickly disastrous, and then the situation got even worse.

He lifted Buffy’s bag onto the bench nearby him, and sat down, resting his elbows on his knees.

Earlier that morning, after arranging tickets on the earliest flight possible, he’d been packing his belongings when his cell phone suddenly rang. He wondered who would call him that early, and for a moment he worried it was Dawn with even worse news. But Buffy hadn’t given his number to Dawn, and checking the caller ID he was surprised to see Pierre’s name blinking in the display.

The second distraught caller of the day had been on the line. There had been a break-in at the Louvre, and a valuable shipment had been taken, leaving the heads of the museum in a rage. All hell had broken lose, and Pierre’s and Giles’ presence had been requested immediately.

Giles had been shocked and at a loss what to do. His immediate response had been to say that he needed to be with Buffy, but she had disagreed with him vehemently, saying that his job was more important. Her father was alive and well, and Giles was needed elsewhere. He had tried reasoning with her, but she had been adamant that he deal with the crisis in his own life. Reluctantly, he had agreed to stay behind and come to her as soon as things at the museum had calmed down. Still, he couldn’t deny how wrong it felt to let her go. Even if it was only for a short time.

Pierre had managed to rent a car and came to pick them up at the hotel, so they could get back to Paris as quickly as possible. Giles had been forced to go to the museum immediately and had to leave Buffy waiting at his apartment until her departure time. Several hours later he managed to snatch a moment to follow her to the airport. Unfortunately, he was expected to return to the museum immediately thereafter.

It was almost boarding time, and Giles felt Buffy’s presence slipping through his hands like sand as every second passed.

Two loving arms draped themselves around his shoulders. He straightened and leaned back in his seat to allow Buffy to make a seat for herself in his lap. His arms tightened around her, while he buried his head in her neck.

“First boarding call was just announced.” Buffy whispered into his skin.

Giles pressed a kiss into her neck. “I heard,“ he murmured.

Neither was eager to let each other go, so they stalled for time as long as they could. Giles finally lifted his head and brushed his lips against Buffy’s.

“You’ll be on my mind the entire time you’re away.”

Buffy gave him a sad smile. “You’ll be on mine. You’re doing the right thing, Giles. Don’t worry about me, I’ll be alright.”

Giles nodded reluctantly and rested his forehead against hers. “I know you will, but I want it to be stated for the record my heart is very reluctant to let you go.”

Buffy desolately sighed. “I know. I feel the same way.”

She kissed his forehead then murmured against his ear. “It’s sad, you know. This goodbye should be somewhat lighter than the last, but it’s so much harder.”

“I know, dear heart.” He pulled her firmer against his chest. “But this is not a goodbye. It’s merely an ‘until we meet again’.”

Buffy sobbed suddenly against his neck. “That’s what it was supposed to be last time!”

Giles felt like his heart was breaking and he fought back tears as he embraced her tightly while whispering. “I promise you, I will come to you as soon as I can. Nothing can keep me away from you. I’ll be there before you know it.”

“Promise?” Buffy asked in a small voice.

Giles nodded and raised his head to meet her sad eyes. “I promise, Buffy.”

She sighed heavily and leaned in to rest her cheek against his. “I’ll miss you, Giles. How am I going to let you go again?”

Giles suddenly got a flashback from the last time they had been in this situation together and gave her a small smile as he repeated the words, spoken two years ago, while tapping her chest above her heart.

“I’ll be right here Buffy, just as you’ll be in mine.” He then placed her hand on his chest above his heart, covering her hand with his.

Buffy smiled sadly, recognizing his words, and repeated her words in a whisper. “It’s a pretty poor substitute.”

Giles couldn’t help but pull her back into his arms and whisper. “Yes, it is.”

The last boarding call was announced and Buffy clung to him.

“I love you, Giles.” She whispered fiercely.

Giles kissed her cheek. “And I love you, my dearest.”

He brushed his lips against her forehead softly, and then let her stand up, following her to the security check-point.

They embraced. Their mouths met in a heady kiss; they let their tongues slowly and thoroughly tangle with each other, heedless of where they were or who might be watching. When they were pressed for air, Giles let her mouth go and hugged her tightly.

“See you soon, Buffy. I promise.”

Buffy nodded meekly, brushed her lips against his again, and walked away with her head low. With a last sad smile she turned around and waved before disappearing from his sight.

Chapter 15

Giles nervously drummed his fingers on his knee while sitting in the cab on his way to Willow’s house, where Buffy and Dawn were staying while their father recuperated. Dealing with the break-in at the Louvre had taken longer than anticipated, and although he had spoken to Buffy each day since she left, it had been a poor substitute. He was beyond eager to see her again.

He hadn’t told her he was coming, and a flutter of nervousness settled in his stomach when he thought about how she might react. He told himself she would be happy. Not a day had passed where she hadn’t expressed how much she missed him and how she couldn’t wait to see him again.

Still, as the car drove through the dark streets, taking him closer and closer to Willow’s, he wondered if his hasty decision to show up unannounced would be alright. Their reunion would now be in front of their friends, who as far as he knew, knew nothing of their new relationship. He’d also made a rather rash decision a few days prior to leaving, and he wasn’t sure how Buffy would react to the news. As the cab pulled up to the house, he ran his fingers nervously through his hair.

Taking a deep breath he paid the cab driver, grabbed his suitcase and walked up the driveway. His finger trembled slightly as he rang the doorbell, and sweat formed on his back when he heard Xander’s muffled voice announce that he would answer the door.

Buffy had told him that Xander had been sharing a house with Willow since the demise in Sunnydale, seeking comfort and support from his best friend who knew exactly what he was going through. However, Xander was the only one Giles hadn’t spoken with, and he wondered how the young man would react to not only his arrival, but also his disappearance all those years ago.

The door swung open, and if he hadn’t been as nervous as he was, Giles would have laughed out loud at the shocked expression on Xander’s face that greeted him.

“Giles?” Xander said in an incredulous whisper. Before Giles had a chance to respond he found himself in a tight hug, that he reciprocated fully.

“Hello, Xander.” He said, relieved at the delight in Xander’s voice. “Were you expecting someone else?”.

Xander laughed and let him go, resting his hand on Giles’ shoulder. His eyes were suspiciously bright and Giles had to look down and break eye contact, so his eyes wouldn’t tear up as well. Xander swallowed hard, then slapped Giles’ shoulder in a typically manly gesture.

“Just the pizza guy. And I never thought I’d say this, but this totally surpasses pizza.”

Then Xander drew closer and looked at him with a scowl on his face that made Giles think about stepping back in alarm. “Don’t you ever do that again, you hear me?”

Giles was slightly confused until he realized that Xander was talking about his disappearance two years prior. He pulled Xander back into a hug.

“Never again, Xander.” He promised in a firm voice.

Xander patted his back in an awkward gesture and then stepped back, a huge smile plastered on his face. Giles was relieved that apparently no more words were needed.

“Does Buffy know you’re here?” Xander asked. “I mean, she told us you’d visit, but she didn’t know when.” Xander gestured Giles inside while spekaing in a hushed voice, “She’s been really mopey ever since she got back. Willow says it’s because of her dad, but he’s doing great, and this Buffy-gloom reeks of man trouble if you ask me. Tell me, Giles, did Buffy meet up with some Pierre or Francoise while she was visiting you in the land of cheese?”

Giles had to hold back a grin and act oblivious, while searching for an appropriate response. Luckily, he was saved by loud squeals and the next thing he knew he was attacked in a bone crushing hug by both Willow and Dawn.

“Oh my god!!” was their elated cry and Giles couldn’t help but laugh as he hugged them back, while begging them to let him breathe. The next thing he knew he was pulled into Willow’s living room, with the girls attached on either side. They pushed him down onto the sofa, and immediately a million questions were fired at him.

Giles laughed, and held up his hands in mock surrender. “Girls, settle down. At least allow me to get my bearings!”

They quieted down, but it was amusing display to watch them squirm on the couch, like little kids on Christmas morning dying to open their gifts.

Giles tried not to be too conspicuous as his eyes roamed his surroundings, looking for the one person he was dying to see. She was nowhere to be found, and his heart clenched with disappointment.

He looked back at his friends, and was slightly startled as he was met with three sets of eyes staring at him, with big smiles on their face. He cleared his throat, and gave Willow a soft smile.

“What a lovely house you have Willow.”

Willow immediately burst into tears and threw herself against his chest, Dawn soon followed. Giles gave Xander an alarmed look, but he merely grinned and rolled his eyes indicating he had no clue how the female psyche worked.

“I’ve missed you so much, Giles.” Willow sobbed into his shirt.

Giles kissed the top of her head and placed his arm around Dawn’s shoulders, noticing with dismay that a ball had formed in his throat, preventing him from speaking. After swallowing a few times, he managed to reduce it considerably. He was about to respond, when he was distracted by the sounds of footfalls coming from upstairs.

“What the hell, Xander?” Came Buffy’s grumbling voice. “I told you how much Dawn and Willow hated anchovies! You just couldn’t resist could you? Once again, a peaceful Friday ends in …”

Her words suddenly trailed off as she came around the corner and caught sight of Giles sitting on the couch.

“Giles.” She whispered in a stunned voice, coming to a dead stop in the doorway.

He drank in the sight of her, noticing with sadness the dark circles under her eyes. His heart, body and mind ached to take her in his arms, but he found himself unsure how to react, acutely aware of the presence of their friends.

He gently released Willow and Dawn from his hold, and stood up from the couch, approaching her warily.

“Hello, Buffy.”

His apprehension concerning her reaction to see him was slightly reassured as he saw the happy sparkle in her eyes. Her eyes were filled with love, but he noticed the nervous flicker of her gaze, darting between him and their friends.

He needed to touch her so badly. . .

Giles decided that a hug wouldn’t be so uncharacteristic that it would raise suspicions, and he opened his arms while smiling at her reassuringly.

She immediately stepped into his embrace, hugging him, albeit briefly, tightly enough to eradicate any remaining doubt about how happy she was to see him. The loss of her body when she stepped away was almost painful, but he reassured himself there would be plenty of time for more later. Their eyes met briefly, the yearning for each other evident in both, until they were interrupted by Xander’s elated voice as the doorbell rang.

“The pizza’s here! I’ll get it. Giles, you hungry?”

Dawn and Willow had managed to stop their tears, and both announced they would get plates and utensils from the kitchen, and bolted out of the room.

“Starving.” Giles murmured in a low voice, eyes resting on Buffy, his meaning quite clear. He watched as a blush spread across her cheeks.

With the others safely out of sight, Buffy stepped closer and put her hand on his chest.

“God, Giles. I’ve been miserable without you.”

He couldn’t help but cup her cheek, gently brushing his thumb over the soft dark skin underneath her eyes.

“Me too, love. Have you not been sleeping well?” He asked in a concerned voice.

Buffy gave him a rueful smile. “Kind of hard when you’re not there next to me. You’re very addictive you know.”

Giles smiled in return and tugged her closer. “Oh, is that so?”

He completely forgot where he was, leaning in towards her, when suddenly Dawn’s excited voice made them step hurriedly away from each other. “We’re back!”

He had to suppress a groan at the young woman’s bad timing, but figured it was for the best. Had she and Willow been just a few seconds later she would have gotten an eyeful.

Xander trailed behind them, dropping the pizza on the table, and they all settled down to feast. Giles was barely allowed to eat by the others as they had a million question about the break-in. Finally, Buffy interrupted them with a hiss. “Guys! Come on, let the man eat!”

Giles laughed at the chagrined looks on their faces and smiled at Dawn, who handed him another slice. He glanced at Buffy, who had been quiet during dinner, seemingly content to just soak up his presence. He handed her his slice, and gave her a pointed look. Much to his surprise she accepted it with a wide smile, tucking in, while Dawn handed him another. The piece Buffy had disappeared with an alarming speed, and Giles merely shrugged at Dawn as he began to hand Buffy the remains of his second slice. He had eaten on the plane anyway, and Domino’s Ultimate Deep Dish pizza left a lot to be desired, in his opinion.

Buffy smiled and bumped his foot with hers in a playful manner, seemingly fully aware that he was trying to fatten her up. Giles’ eyebrow rose in a challenging gesture, and Buffy finally caved, snatching the half eaten pizza from his hand with a playful scowl that made Giles laugh. Both were unaware how silent it had gotten in the living room and how three sets of eyes were watching them with curious expressions.

After taking a bite, Buffy suddenly noticed the lack of noise. “What? Do I have something on my face?” Using the napkin in her lap, she wiped to catch possible escaped tomato sauce.

“Yeah, a happy expression.” Xander said. “It’s been a while since we’ve seen one of those.”

Buffy ducked her head and glanced briefly at Giles, who couldn’t help but give her a soft smile. She returned it before rising from her chair. “Who wants ice cream?”

Giles recognized that Buffy’s offer was more of a diversionary tactic than an act of graciousness, and had to laugh as three arms shot in the air. He forced himself not to follow her retreating form out of the room with his eyes, and instead settled on asking Dawn about Hank.

A few minutes passed and Buffy still hadn’t come back from the kitchen so Giles rose and announced to the others he would go and see what was taking her so long, elated at the chance of steeling a moment alone with her. Entering the kitchen he found Buffy staring out of the kitchen window, apparently in deep thought.

“Buffy?”

She spun around and ran her hand nervously through her hair and straightened her shirt. “Hi!” She said breathlessly. “What took you so long?”

Giles approached her slowly, his heart beating faster at the thought of holding her in his arms and kissing her the way he longed to. “I’m sorry, I am a bit out of practice when it comes to stealing romantic moments.”

Buffy stepped into his arms and replied saucily. “Good thing you’ve got me to practice on, huh?”

Mesmerized by the feel of her body pressing against his, Giles was unable to find his voice and merely hummed his agreement. Her breath brushed against his lips in a soft whisper. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close, and both let out content moans as their mouths finally greeted each other.

At first their lips brushed softly against each other, getting reacquainted with the taste and feel of one another. But after a while, Giles felt the need to deepen the kiss, and his hands wrapped themselves around her waist and pulled her closer. Buffy’s hand snaked around to rest on the back of his neck, her fingers playing with his hair. The touch of her skin on his was electric, and Giles tightened his hold on her, greedily exploring her mouth.

“You have been sorely missed, Miss Summers.” He managed to rasp when their lips parted and he got his breath back.

Buffy grinned and opened her mouth to respond, but she was prevented when Dawn’s voice drifted in from the living room. “And don’t forget the chocolate syrup, Xander!”

Their eyes widened with horror and both stepped away from each other in a rush, straightening hair and clothes, barely making it in time as Xander stepped into the kitchen.

“What is taking you guys so long? I thought you came in here to help, Giles, not delay Buffy further!” Completely oblivious to their flushed faces, Xander continued to grumble good naturedly as he collected the ice cream and other required condiments from the refrigerator. “You’ve got to learn how to share, Buffy. You had him all for yourself in good old France, now let us get our piece.”

Giles’ eyes widened at Xander’s unintended faux pas, and he glanced at Buffy only to find she had turned away, her shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter. When he glanced back at Xander he was greeted with an impatient look.

“Well, what are you waiting for, G-man?” He indicated the bowls and spoons that Buffy had placed on the counter with a mischievous grin. “Make yourself useful for once.” Giles gave him a hairy eyeball just for old time’s sake, glanced quickly at Buffy, who looked like she could use a few more seconds to collect herself, and grabbed the bowls.

As Xander stepped out of the kitchen, Giles leaned back in through the door and growled. “Oh and, Buffy? To be continued.”

Buffy gave him a thumbs up and followed him while murmuring. “Oh, I’m counting on it.”
*****
Giles grumbled as he twisted for the umpteenth time, trying to make himself comfortable on the pull-out couch. “I’m counting on it. Ha!”

He was beyond tired, but his mind didn’t seem to want to let him fall asleep, and he knew perfectly well why. After ice cream, his jet-lag had caught up with him, and when a humongous yawn had escaped him, Buffy had announced that they would all head to their rooms early so Giles could get some sleep.

A look from her had been a clear message that she would sneak down to him after making sure Dawn was asleep, since she was sharing a room with her sister. However, neither had counted on Xander offering to help him with the couch, and Giles had realized the young man desperately needed to talk with him about Anya. As tired as he was, he was unable to deny the silent request in Xander’s eyes, and after they had made the bed, they had settled down in the kitchen with a drink.

Xander was still in a great deal of pain, and had poured out his heart for a long time, receiving much need comfort from Giles. Finally Xander had decided he should let Giles get some sleep, and made his way up to his room. Bu then, Giles suspected Buffy was sound asleep, and had crawled into bed miserable and alone.

He sighed deeply and closed his eyes tightly, trying to find some reassurance in the fact that there would be plenty of time for the two of them to catch up the following day. He was so lost in his gloom that he jumped when his bed suddenly dipped and an arm snaked across his torso. Giles opened his eyes with a smile, and found Buffy leaning over him.

“Can’t sleep, handsome?”

Giles growled, and proceeded to pull her into his arms, his mouth eagerly seeking hers. Their lips greeted each other in a joyful reunion, and Giles rolled Buffy beneath him and enthusiastically tangled his tongue with hers. Hands roamed on both accounts, eagerly rediscovering each other’s skin. A vigorous make-out session followed, accompanied with blissful sighs and moans.

Passion flared, and they were rapidly reaching the point of no return, when thankfully Buffy pulled away. Her breathing was rapid, and her pupils were dilated with arousal. Giles was reluctant to let her go just yet, and his lips found a spot on her neck to feast on.

“Giles. . .” Buffy murmured while her hand caressed his back. “We need to stop. As much as I love you, I’m not sure I can make love to you down here for the first time in ten days. I’d wake up the entire house.” And true to her testimony, she moaned a bit too loud when Giles proceeded to nip her skin where her shoulder met her neck, a spot he had discovered in Provence to be delightfully sensitive.

Giles grinned against her neck in pure male pride, then lifted his head. He schooled his expression as he searched her face. He nodded solemnly. “You’re right. My plans for you would most definitely wake the house up.”

Buffy muffled her laugh against his chest, then swatted him playfully on his shoulder as Giles joined in her laugh. “Giles!”

She raised her head and kissed his lips softly. “I think we should tell the others about us. I don’t want to waste time and energy keeping my hands off you. It’s just too exhausting.”

He was delighted with her decision, and kissed her breathless to convey his feelings about the matter. The fact that Buffy felt no need to hide their relationship made him more confident in the decision he had taken during his last days in Paris.

“I agree, it’s time for us to come out of the closet, so to speak.”

Buffy gave him a huge smile and threatened to hug the life out of him with her crushing embrace. They cuddled close for a few minutes, until Buffy pulled away with a desolate sigh. Giles searched her face.

“Where are you going?” He asked when it appeared she was going to climb out of bed.

Buffy brushed some straying locks from his forehead. “To bed. Even though we’re going to tell them, I don’t think finding us here together tomorrow morning will be the best way to break the news, do you?”

Giles had to agree, but still felt reluctant to let her go, despite how tired he was. He gave her the most pitiful expression he could conjure and whispered in a tiny voice. “Stay until I fall asleep?”

Buffy grinned and immediately crawled under the blankets and into his arms. “Of course, you big baby.”

Giles grumbled into her hair. “Do we need to repeat the discussion about appropriate nicknames for me in bed?”

Buffy giggled into his neck, then suddenly stiffened. “Take your shirt off.”

“W-what?” Giles managed to stutter out.

Buffy sat up and placed a hand on his chest. “Take of your shirt, I want to feel your skin.”

Giles suddenly felt a spark of mischief and answered in a sultry voice. “Tell you what. I’ll see your shirt, and then raise my boxers.”

It wasn’t until Buffy broke into giggles that he actually realized what he had said with his unintended double entendre, and proceeded to blush profusely. “THAT was not what I meant.”

“U-huh,” was all Buffy managed to answer. But, to his surprise, she then tore her shirt over her head and reached down under the blanket, and after a few seconds her pajama pants was draped above the covers.

She sent him a challenging look, and Giles scrambled to get rid of his clothes, handing her his boxers with a grin.

They both started to laugh and pulled the blankets above their heads to muffle the sound as they reached for each other, pressing the lengths of their naked bodies together.

“Mmmm” Buffy hummed against his chest with her lips, and Giles buried his face in her soft hair and took a deep breath.

“I love you so much, Buffy.” He said softly, letting his hands reacquaint themselves with the lines of her body.

“Love you more.” she said, in between the soft kisses she placed on his chest, while letting her legs tangle with his.

Giles grinned drowsily and whispered into her hair. “Not possible.”

“Is too.” Came her soft reply.

Their breathing slowed, and Giles made one last hearted attempt to speak. “Not falling asleep are you?”

Buffy shook her head against his shoulder while trying to curl herself into his body. A few seconds later, they were both sound asleep.
****
Giles decided the persistent ringing of a phone was not the best way to be woken up in the morning. It took him a few moments to realize where he was, and his body froze when he felt Buffy lying in his arms.

The sound of heavy footfalls on the stairs sent his heart into overdrive and he rolled over onto his side, trying to shield Buffy should anyone look in at them. It was a futile attempt, but his sleep muddled mind was incapable of coming up with another solution.

He heard Xander answer the phone in the hallway, his voice tinged with sleep as he grumbled a hello. Giles couldn’t hear the words that were spoken, and begged for it to be a wrong number so Xander would simply go back to sleep, and he could get Buffy out of bed.

He nudged Buffy with a bit more force than necessary, and she jumped awake. “What?”

Giles immediately slammed his hand over her mouth, and her eyes widened when she suddenly realized that it was morning and Xander was in the hallway.

“Get out, get out of the bed” Giles hissed in a desperate whisper.

Buffy tore his hand away from her mouth and hissed back. “Are you insane?” She asked incredulously. “I am naked, if you didn’t notice!”

Giles thought briefly and then started nudging her out of the bed. “Just hide on the side, he won’t see you then if he comes in.”

Buffy gave him a look that clearly said that it was one of his worst ideas ever, and was probably ready to give him a piece of her mind when they both froze as they heard Xander call Giles’ name from the hallway.

Giles pushed Buffy flat down on the mattress. “Stay here!”

That earned him an eye roll that he chose to ignore. He pulled the blanket above Buffy’s head, and glanced over his shoulder.

He was greeted with a bleary eyed Xander, rubbing his eyes with his fists like a small kid. “Giles? That was the airline, they said they had the rest of your bags?”

“Ah, thank you, Xander. I’ll take care of it.” He hoped the dismissive tone in his voice would send Xander away, but no such luck.

“Didn’t you have a suitcase with you when you came here last night? How much do you need? I mean, how long are you staying?”

Giles groaned silently. This was not how he had planned to tell them, and he rushed to reply. “I have decided to move back here, Xander. I sent the rest of my belongings on a freight plane.”

“You’re moving here?!” Xander yelled with delight, prompting Buffy, who had apparently forgotten that she was meant to remain hidden, to voice her own two cents on the matter. “Oh my god!”

Xander proceeded to trip on his own two feet as Buffy’s head popped out from underneath the blanket and his surprised “Gahh!” was probably heard all over the neighborhood.

He took a double take from his newfound position on the floor and shook his head as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. “Buffy!?”

Although she was still mostly covered by the blanket, it took no scientist to see that she wasn’t wearing much. And when Xander seemed to consider the implications of Giles’ naked torso he slapped his hands over his eyes yelling, “My eyes, my eyes!”

If his first yell hadn’t woken the house up, his last loud exclamation was bound to, and sure enough mere seconds later two sets of feet came rushing down the stairs. Giles grabbed Buffy’s shirt from the floor and threw it at her with a glare.

She’d just managed to pull it over her head when Willow came to a skidding halt in the room, her raised hand holding a curling iron. Dawn, slammed into her and they both tripped on the umbrella Dawn held in her hand when it suddenly opened from the impact.

Giles wasn’t sure what surprised Willow most, the unexpected umbrella attack, or finding Buffy in bed with him. Noticing her dropped jaw and startled look, he suspected the latter. He turned to Xander, whose hands were still over his eyes, noticing his fingers were now spread so he could see between them. His mouth was also hanging open.

Dawn dug her way out from beneath Willow and the umbrella and pushed her hair out of her face. “What the hell is going -.” She stopped as she noticed what the others were staring at.

“Oh,” was her only response.

Her nondescript tone seemed to bring Willow and Xander out of their stupor, and Xander eyed her with a frown.

“Oh?” He shook his head and waved his hand towards Giles and Buffy on the bed. “You find your sister in bed with her Watcher, and all you’ve got to say is OH?!”

Dawn rolled her eyes, as only a teenager could. “Yeah, ok, I really didn’t expect THIS, but guys, I’ve been sharing a room with Buffy for over a week now and let me tell you, Buffy talks in her sleep! I’ve known about this for days.”

Giles glanced at Buffy, who was blushing profusely. The blond Slayer squeaked out. “You have? What have I been saying? NO, strike that!”

Before he could censor himself, Giles said. “I’d like to know!”

Buffy shoved him, and he had to scramble for the blanket as he was almost pushed from the bed. “Oy! I’m naked under here!”

Xander whimpered, and then covered his eyes again. “Oh god, oh god, oh god! I am SO still sleeping. Wake up, Xander. Wake up!” He muttered.

Willow seemed to have found her bearings and spoke. “Um, what is this? Guys? Care to explain?”

Buffy started to squirm. “Um, Giles and I have redefined our relationship?”

Dawn started to laugh hysterically. “No kidding!”

Giles groaned, wishing the bed would swallow him whole. This was not the way he had envisioned breaking the news to their friends. He felt rather taken with his pants down, so to speak, quickly realizing it was not so far from the truth.

Willow still kept looking at them with wide eyes. “When?” At Buffy’s raised eyebrows, she slapped her forehead. “Of course, Paris!”

Xander, who had come out from beneath his hands and glared accusingly at Giles. “YOU! You’re Pierre!”

All heads turned to Xander with confusion, and Buffy voiced what was on everyone’s mind. “What the hell are you talking about, Xander?”

Xander rose from the floor and gestured wildly with his hands as he spoke. “You’ve been all mopey since you got back from France, and I suspected it was man trouble, and oh my god!” He pointed a finger at Giles. “I even told Giles my theory yesterday. You’d met someone in France, and that was why you were so bummed.” Xander stepped closer to the bed and growled. “It was you who broke Buffy’s heart!”

He immediately seemed to realize the ridiculous statement, considering Giles and Buffy were actually naked in bed together, and he rambled to justify. “Or took advantage of her, or whatever.” He finished off lamely.

“Now see here!” Giles spoke up as Buffy scrambled to protest. “I did NOT take advantage of Buffy. I am in love with her for god’s sake! That is why I am moving here, so I can continue the relationship we started in France, and that I have wanted for years. Connect the dots why don’t you?!”

The room went dead silent and Giles shifted uncomfortably, oblivious to the smiles that spread across Willow and Dawn’s faces.

“Awww, you’re in love with her?” Willow asked.

Giles was distracted from answering Willow, as Buffy’s hand gripped his arm, and he turned to face her.

“You’re really moving here?” She whispered in a voice filled with awe.

Giles swallowed nervously, and nodded slowly while asking in a voice filled with dread, “Too soon?”

Her eyes welled with tears as a smile spread across her face. “About freakin’ time, if you ask me.”

Giles smiled warmly at her, and the fact that the others were still in the room was the furthest thing from his mind as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and leaned in to kiss her. Both ignored Xander’s whimper, and their lips met softly, rejoicing in their love for each other.

Buffy broke the kiss, when Dawn proceed to playfully voice her distain of their PDAs through overdramatic gagging, and she aimed a Giles-worthy glare at her sister. “Get used to it kiddo, this is the man I love, and I am NOT afraid to show it!”

Giles laughed, then noticed with pleasure that both Willow and Xander were smiling at them. Xander cleared his throat, and gave Giles a strict glare. “You hurt her, and I will kill you!”

Before Giles had the chance to respond, Xander looked at Buffy. “The same thing goes for you missy. You hurt him and I will kill you! Or at least, I’ll try, considering your Slayer strength and all!”

Buffy laughed and ran her fingers though Giles’ hair and kissed his cheek. “No need to worry, Xander, there will be no hurting. He’s The One, and Buffy is hereby declared a romance-disaster-free zone!”

Xander nodded at them both and pulled Willow to her feet.

“Now, why don’t we let these crazy kids get dressed so we can have a PDA-free breakfast together?” He motioned the girls to head out of the room and muttered silently under his breath. “In the meantime, I’ll go call my therapist.”

Giles couldn’t help but laugh, taking Xander’s quip with good nature, understanding full well that they all needed to adjust to the change in his and Buffy’s relationship. As the others trailed out of the living room, Giles stroked her chin tenderly. “What a morning.”

Buffy nodded happily. “The best if you ask me, considering the circumstances.”

She crawled into his lap and brushed her lips tenderly across his. “I love you, Rupert Giles. I can’t believe you’re home.”

Giles stroked her back while contemplating her words, then gave her a big smile. “Haven’t you heard? Home is where the heart is, my love.” He kissed her softly and whispered against her lips. “And you my dear, have full possession of my heart.”

“And you have mine.” She replied before covering his lips with her own.

THE END