The Taken Care Of Series

Giles' Letter

Taken Care Of Series – Part 8


Title: Taken Care Of Series – Giles' Letter

Author: Bek Allen

Chapter: 8/16

Feedback: Yes please. Although, flames will be given to my cat to play with as she sees fit.

~*~*~*~

Giles watched as Xander, Anya, Willow and Tara all climbed into Xander's car and drove off. Smiling, he turned to Buffy just as Dawn disappeared upstairs. Moving quickly, he pulled Buffy close to him and pressed a soft kiss to her lips.

“I won't be long, but, if I don't return here before sunset, I'll definitely meet you at the Magic Box.” He ran his fingers gently down her cheek. “You'll be okay won't you?”

“We'll be fine, Spike's here in case we need help, and Xander and Anya are just a phone call away. Go and enjoy your walk.” She leant up and kissed his cheek as he stepped out onto the patio.

He grinned to himself as he heard Dawn run back downstairs and bounce onto the couch. He wasn't going to lie to him self; he had truly missed being in Sunnydale. Not so much the demons and unspeakable evil that flocked there, but the family and friends he had left behind, and the love he had left unspoken. He raised his hand to his pocket as he turned from Revello Drive and onto Deacon Parade, heading for Weatherly Park. The envelope was safely tucked away; he'd read it when he got to the park.

As he wandered the street, he looked down Crawford Street towards the mansion where he had been imprisoned and tortured all those years ago. Turning onto the street, he noticed that things seemed different now that a young family had bought the mansion; he smiled as he walked past and saw children playing in the front yard around their family car. As he passed several smaller sized mansions, he noticed that a great many of the houses on this street were for sale. He stopped in front of one of the larger mansions and stared at its ‘For Sale' sign. It was larger then Angel's mansion. Thirteen bedrooms if he remembered correctly from the last time he had Willow pull up the property list for this street.

The eaves were old and it held a certain Georgian charm, there were plenty of windows on the lower floors, and only four on the top floor. He smiled as it made him think of England and his father's home. He longed for his father to meet his beautiful, powerful slayer who had stared death in the face twice and still continued to fight night after night. Pushing himself on, he thought about buying the mansion. Sure, it would be large, but he could utilize the space. He would finally be able to take his own personal collection of books and place them in a library; he'd be able to retrieve his personal belongings from England and the storage space where he'd been keeping them for so long. He couldn't go on living in Buffy's house forever; it was just starting to become too cramped.

As he entered the gate to the park, the sounds of childish laughter rang out. It always surprised him, how, during the day, Sunnydale would seem vivacious and full of light and life, and then, only a few moments after the sunset, would it become the hunting ground for the most vile of demons and monsters that the children currently playing on the swings could only imagine in their darkest nightmares. Sitting on a bench under the shade of an elm tree, Giles reached into his jacket pocket and retrieved the letter it was now or never. Opening the envelope slowly, he pulled out the folded sheets of paper and began to read.

“Dear Rupert.

Thank you for accepting the Gallery, I know you will take great care of it. I also know that, it will not phase you to run two businesses at once, Anya has done really well this last year in managing the Magic Box, so, it would not surprise me if you spent more time organising the gallery then organising the Magic Box.

Nevertheless, I completely understand the need for you to be close to your Slayer, even though, you have only just returned from England. So, please, feel free to send Belinda on buying trips as you see fit, for all of her nosiness, and narrow mindedness, she has quite a marvellous eye for great art.

Now, let us dispense with the pleasantries and get down to business. Rupert, I understand that you love Buffy with your entire being. There are things, such as slaying and two hundred year old vampires that you can keep hidden from mothers, but, love like the love you and Buffy have for each other, while, it can be hidden from each other, can not be hidden from a mother's eyes.

Tell her Rupert; let her know how you really feel. Chaste kisses and stolen moments are not what she needs, and you know that as well as I do, it was the reason Pike, Angel and Riley all left. Stolen moments in the dark is the last thing Buffy needs when her whole life is darkness and shadows. She needs someone who can walk with her in the sun, someone who, not only understands her plight, but someone who shares that plight. She needs to be shown the lighter side of life Rupert, and we both know that you are the one to do it.”

Giles looked up at the smiling children running and playing in the afternoon sun.

“She's different from the other Slayers Rupert, she has been since the day she was called. She has not only held hands with Death twice, but she's averted it dozens of times. How many Slayers can admit the same? Some didn't even make it past their eighteenth birthdays. I understand now, that, not only is Buffy The Slayer, but she is also Buffy. Buffy who needs to be held and cared for and loved. Buffy is going to change the world and the Council; we know she will, it's been prophesised. Written down in the books, in history.

But, for her to do that, she's going to need you, all of you. Not just the Watcher, not just ‘Knowledge Guy', but you. Rupert Giles, the man who would lay down his life for the woman he loves. You can't shelter her from everything Rupert, we've both tried and we've both failed. I used to think it was the shelter from the demons and vampires she needed, now I know that it is guidance she needs, and not protection.

Take care of her for me Rupert. She's going to need a firm hand to help her these next two years. And, don't be afraid to show her the real you. The one that's hidden beneath the man in tweed and old books, the one who isn't Ripper, yet isn't Giles. Show her Rupert. The gentleman, the lover, the father, the friend, the man who is stalwart and true.

And please, when Buffy is choosing names, tell her that Joyce is never suitable for a child growing up. Pick something nice, sweet; you'll know the kind.

Your friend,

Joyce.”

Giles was now crying silent tears, through the blur and haze of his over run emotions, he did not notice the tiny little blond girl and boy that had run up to him to see what was wrong.

“Excuse me mister.” The little girl of about seven spoke softly, “Are you okay?”

“Pardon me?” Giles looked up and wiped his eyes.

“Bekky, we aren't spose to be talking to strangers.” He brother tugged on her arm.

“Matthew if you don't stop tugging my arm I promise I will bite you.” She turned back to Giles and smiled sweetly. “You look sad Mister and you've been crying, did you loose you or hurt yourself?”

“Uh, no. I didn't. But, thank you for asking.” He smiled down at the little face of freckles.

“Oh, well, I'm Bekky, and this is my brother Matthew.” She shoved her brother in front of her. “Hold out your hand Matthew, just the way Daddy showed you.”

The boy reluctantly held out his hand, giving his twin what only could be described as an icy glare of death. “We aren't allowed to talk to strangers.” Matthew scowled as Giles politely shook his small hand.

“Well, I-I'm Mister Giles.” He smiled into the bright brown eyes of the two children. “And, your brother is right, you shouldn't be talking to strangers.” He held his hand out to the little girl and just barely managed to contain his laughter as she gave it a firm shake.

“Oh, it's okay, Mommy and Daddy said that if we were ever lost, we could always find a nice person to take us home. And don't you stick your tongue out at me Matthew Leigh Wilson.” The tiny girl reached over and gave Matthew's hair a quick tug.

Before it could get any worse, Giles rose quickly. “Well, it was very nice to meet you, but I have to be going now maybe you should return to your parents.”

“We can't.” The little boy said, continuing to glare at his sister.

“And why is that?” Giles looked around, his heart beginning to quicken.

“Because she,” He pointed to Bekky who was now looking up at Giles with sad, brown eyes. “Decided it would be fun to go on a ‘venture. And now, because she is such a dumb dumb head, we are lost.” The little boy sat down on the bench, his arms crossed over his chest.

“Is that so?” Giles asked, bending down to be eye level with the both of them.

Their nods were mirror images of blond curls and sad faces. “I didn't mean to get us lost.” Bekky said, barely above a whisper.

“No no, of course not.” Giles said as he straightened up. “Well, it is not very safe to walk around without an adult. No doubt your parents are very worried about you right now. What about I walk you home.” He looked around for the nearest houses, searching to see if any panicked parents were looking for their lost children.

“You can't.” Matthew wailed as he burst into tears.

“Yeah,” His twin wrapped her arms around him as he cried, “you don't know where we live.”

Giles sighed, this was complete new territory for him, vampires, demons, Gods, unspeakable evil he could handle. Two, tiny, frightened children he could not. “Well, why don't we go over to that ice cream man over there,” He pointed to where a vender was selling ice creams to a bunch of teenagers, “ and then, after I buy us all an ice cream, you can tell me what your address is, and I will take you both home to your Mummy and Daddy?” Giles held out his hands to the now sniffling children.

“But Mommy says we shouldn't accept anything from strangers.” Matthew wiped his nose on his sister's sleeve and grinned when she smacked him in the back of the head.

“That was so gross Matthew.” She stood up and grabbed a hold of Giles' hand.

“Okay Matthew, how about you and I make a deal?” Giles bent down again to look into the frightened little boy's eyes. “I promise, that I'm not a stranger, you even know my name now, and, if you tell me where you live, I promise to take you straight home.”

The small boy thought it over for a second before brightening up and nodding his head. “Okay. Mr. Giles.”

Giles grinned and led them over to the vender. “Can we please have three ice creams please?” He looked down to Bekky and Matthew who were giggling and pointing at the other children. “What flavour would you two like?”

“Vanilla.” The pair said in unison. “Thank you.” They smiled brightly as the vender handed them small cones with one scoop of vanilla ice cream in each of them.

“And I'll have, chocolate please.” Giles grinned at the young man as he handed him the money. “Now, how about this address?” He asked softly.

“1632 Rebello Drive.” Matthew said around a mouthful of ice cream.

“Revello you snot head.” Bekky smiled up at Giles, ice cream dribbling down her chin.

“You don't say?” Giles asked surprised.

“Do you know where that is?” Matthew asked seriously. “We don't want to get more lost.”

“Actually, I do.” Giles smiled and led them out of the park. “It is right next door to my very own home.”

“Really?” Bekky asked, wiping her mouth with the back of her sleeve. “What number do you live at?” She looked up at him warily.

“Number 1630.” He smiled down at her. “Did you enjoy your ice cream cones?”

Matthew nodded enthusiastically as he swallowed the last of his cone. “Thank you Mr. Giles.”

“You're very welcome.” He smiled and reached for Matthew's hand as they approached the road at the corner of Weatherly Park and Crawford Street.

“You live with those girls don't you?” Bekky looked up quizzically. “Mommy says that those girls have no Daddy and no Mommy. Is that true?”

Giles held their hands tightly as the hurried across the street. “That's um, that's…”

“That's none of our business Bekky, and you know it.” Matthew looked up at Giles. “They seem nice. Their friend, the man, he is pretty cool.”

“Ah, yes, Xander. He's a very nice young man.” Giles smiled. Looking around, he realised they had reached the far corner of Revello Drive. “Almost home now.”

“Mommy and Daddy are going to be so mad at us Bekky.” Matthew looked to his sister who just shrugged.

“I'll get us out of it Matthew, don't worry.” She pushed her blond curls back from her face and pulled her denim jeans down.

“Just how old are the two of you?” Giles asked, stopping them and making them turn to face him.

“Six.” Bekky replied, holding up her fingers. “We'll be seven soon.”

Giles nodded, “You two should be more careful when you're playing outside. It is rather dangerous.” Grabbing their hands again, he continued on down the street. “Yes Matthew?” He asked, turning to look at the little boy.

“Aren't those two of the girls you live with? Are you their Daddy?” He pointed to where Dawn and Buffy were walking towards him, their heads down as they spoke quietly.

“Umm, ah, why, yes. Yes it is. Hello Buffy, Dawn.” The girls stopped and lifted their heads.

“Whoa.” Dawn eyed the two small blonds carefully. “I didn't know the animal shelter gave away little kids too.”

“We did not come from the animal shelter.” Bekky let go of Giles' hand and stood defensively in front of her brother.

“Actually, they're your next door neighbours.” Giles pointed to where Buffy and Dawn had come from.

“Ooh, so that's what the police were doing there earlier.” Dawn nodded slowly as Matthew looked up at Giles with wild eyes.

“It's okay Matthew, she's only kidding.” He picked the child up as he began to sniffle and gave Dawn a withering glare. “Are you two headed for the Magic Box?” He asked, looking directly at Buffy.

“We were.” Dawn nodded; she was once again in a glaring competition with Bekky.

“My Mommy says you don't have a mommy or a daddy. Why?” She looked from Buffy to Dawn and back again. “And why is Mr. Giles living with you if he isn't your daddy? Is he your brother?”

Dawn's glare softened as she neared tears.

“Dawn, why don't you head on to the shop, I'll help Giles walk these two home.” Buffy nudged her sister along.

Dawn nodded. “Okay, it was nice to meet you.” She waved goodbye to Giles and Buffy and hurried down the street. Both adults could tell by the way her shoulders were shaking that she was crying.

Stooping to Bekky's eye level, Buffy smiled. “My name's Buffy, what's yours?” She stuck her hand out for the little girl to shake.

“Bekky Wilson. And that is my brother Matthew.” She pointed to the still sniffling little boy in Giles' arms. “We live at 1632 Revello Drive. And you still haven't told me why.” She crossed her arms and tapped her little foot on the pavement. It took all of Giles and Buffy's willpower to not burst into laughter at the sight of the determined little girl.

“Well Bekky, I think I like you. You're very brave.” Buffy stood up and began to lead the little girl back down the footpath. “And, your Mommy is right. My sister, Dawn and I, don't have a Mommy or a Daddy.” Buffy looked down at the small blond head as it turned up to look at her.

“Oh.” She made a face that slightly resembled Willow's renowned ‘Resolve Face'. “Why?”

“Well, my Mommy died last year and now she's an angel in Heaven. And my Daddy, ran... died a very, very long time ago.” Buffy and Bekky fell into step beside Giles and Matthew.

“Is your Daddy an angel too?” Matthew asked quietly.

“Something like that.” Buffy smiled and let Bekky lead them all up the front path to their front door.

As they approached the steps, the front door flew open and a pair of worried and anxious parents rushed out to hold the children.

“Mommy!” Matthew waved his arms as Giles set him on the ground.

“Thank you so very much.” The older woman exclaimed as she wrapped her arms around the pair in a tight cuddle.

“No worries.” Buffy smiled. “It's all part of the service. I'm Buffy Summers and this is my boyfriend Rupert Giles.” She held out her hand.

“Ah, you're one of the young ladies that lives next door. I'm Michael Wilson and this is my wife Amanda.” He took Buffy's hand, shaking it gently.

“Yep, that'd be me. I'm actually, the homeowner. The young dark haired girl is my little sister Dawn, and the red head is my best friend Willow.” She shook Amanda's hand as Giles and Michael chatted about where the children had been, and how they'd managed to come home.

“Buffy's Mommy and Daddy are angels.” Bekky spoke up loudly.

“Bekky!” Her mother chastised lightly.

“It's okay. Really, it's the truth. My mom died last year, and my dad, well, he ran out on us when my sister was only little.”

“Buffy. We really must be getting on now. It's starting to get dark and the other's will be wondering where we've gotten too.”

Buffy smiled and nodded. “Your children are really adorable.” She bent down to look at Bekky and Matthew, “You two, no more running off okay? You've given your parent's heart attacks and it isn't really safe outside. You could get hurt.”

They nodded as one, “Yes Buffy. Thank you Mr. Giles.” They flung themselves at his legs before turning to Buffy and doing the same.

“Have a pleasant evening.” Giles nodded towards Amanda and Michael, gently patting Bekky and Matthew on the head before turning and walking across the lawn with Buffy.

“Should we wait for Spike?” Buffy asked Giles softly.

“He's a big boy, I think he should be quite capable to look after himself.” Giles continued walking. “Am I really?”

“Really what?” Buffy asked, turning to look up at him.

“Your boyfriend.” He stopped and looked at her. “You said I was your boyfriend.”

“Oh, that.” Buffy bit her lip. “I know you wanted to take it slowly, wait for things to pan out, but, I just couldn't help it.”

“It's alright Buffy, I just wanted to know if you meant it or not.” Giles continued moving.

“Could there be any doubt that I didn't?” Buffy pulled him to a stop. “I love you, and, that just isn't going to change. Mom saw it, why can't you?”

Slowly, Giles bent his head to capture her lips. “I can see it. I can see it quiet clearly.” He pulled her against his side, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. “Although, I did think you were going to stake me with that stake you've got hidden in your jacket sleeve when you saw me with those two children.” He laughed as her hand flew to where she had hidden her stake.

“Well, I did think that they were yours, that you were bringing them back to my place just to spring them on me. I had images of me getting home, and those two kids jumping out of a cake, screaming “Surprise Mommy!” She looked up at his shocked expression.

“Buffy, neither of those children look anything like me. And, besides, I'm not the fathering type.” He continued talking as he crossed the road. “Well, at least not with any of my past love interests.”

“Oh.” Buffy bit her lip before turning to him with the brightest of smiles. “But, you gotta admit Giles, you looked so adorable with those two. I can so see you with a son. His little glasses, his little tweed, his little books, his little stake, his little crossbow, his little axe, his little sword…” She smiled at the image.

“His little concussion every time he gets into a fight?” Giles said dryly.

That was the last straw for Buffy; she collapsed into a fit of giggles and didn't stop until they reached the door to the Magic Box.

“I've made up my mind,” She said firmly as Giles' hand reached for the doorknob.

“And what's that?” He asked, turning to look at her.

“We're telling them. Tonight.” She pushed past him into the store. Her hand pulling him in behind her.

“Telling us what?” Xander looked up from his place at the tarot table.