The Taken Care Of Series

Taken Care Of – Three

Taken Care Of – Part 9


Story: Taken Care Of Series

Author: Bek Allen

Title: Taken Care Of 3

Chapter: 9/16

Author's Note: I understand, that, in the show, Giles said he was living in Bath. But, for the story's sake, I've moved him to Worcestershire, mostly because it's one of the only two postcodes in the UK that I know and I didn't want to offend anybody. I also understand, that, in the show Dawn was the one who gave Buffy the leather jacket for her twenty-first birthday, but again, for story's sake, I'm changing it. A) Because I can. and B) because I'm evil that way.

~*~*~*~

“Hmm?” Willow looked up from one of the books that lay open in front of her.

Buffy smiled as the door closed behind them. “We've got something to tell you. All of you.” She turned to look at Tara who smiled shyly.

“Uh, er, y-yes we do have something t-to tell you all.” Giles stepped up and wrapped his arm around Buffy's shoulders.

“What is it?” Willow rose and moved around the table. “Do we have something…bad to fight?”

“Oh God, are you going to die… again?” Anya came out from behind the cash register.

“Buffy?” Xander stood up and looked at the pair. “Is everything okay?”

“Everything is great. No, I'm not going to die…again. And no, we don't have anything bad to fight.” Buffy turned to smile up at Giles. “Actually, Giles and I are, well, we're… together.”

“Yeah, we know Buff. Slayer, Watcher, it kind of promotes a togetherness.” Xander sat back down, confusion written all over his face.

“I don't think she means that kind of together Xander.” Willow whispered, sitting on the edge of the table.

Dawn turned to Tara and the pair shared a secret smile. “What d-do you mean B-Buffy?” Tara looked towards the smiling couple.

“Oh God.” Anya moved closer. “Is Giles giving you orgasms?” She looked closely at their faces. “Well, is he?”

“Uh, n-n-no Anya.” Giles turned a deep shade of red as the former demon continued to analyse them with her eyes.

“Dear Lord.” Xander's jaw dropped to the floor.

“Mouth looks better closed Xander.” Willow stood up straight. “You guys are… with the… and… you're happy right? The pair of you?”

At Buffy's excited nod, the redhead threw herself into her best friend's arms. “We are, and yes, and I've never been happier.” Buffy looked up to a dumbfounded Giles. “And, I think he's pretty happy too.”

The young witch threw her arms around his waist in a warm hug. “I am so happy for you guys. We all are, aren't we?” She turned around and looked to the others.

“What? Oh, oh yeah. Congratulations G-man and Buffy.” Xander stood up and gave both of them large hugs. “Just, no more dying okay? And you, no more trips to England. It does not bode well with the rest of us Scoobies.”

Anya smiled happily as she gave each of them a hug. “Now we all have orgasm friends.” She grinned. “Well, except for Dawn, maybe she should…”

“Over my dead body.” Buffy exclaimed, silencing Anya with a glare.

“Yes, congratulations Slayer, Watcher.” Spike smiled as he walked in, his hand extended, ready to shake. “Although, I don't have to inform you, that, if you hurt her, Joyce will come back from the afterlife and kill you.” He smiled sheepishly as Giles mock glared at him.

The past months had proven Spike a worthy ally and friend. His lack of soul, seeming to be no problem with the way he interacted and befriended each one of the Scoobies.

“No, no you don't.” Giles shook his hand and smiled. “I'm well aware of the consequences should something happen to Buffy. Not that I'm going to.” He turned to look at the love of his life as she moved around the shop, looking at the selection of candles carefully.

“What about me Buffy?” Dawn spoke up so softly she almost went unnoticed. “What about what I have to say about this?” They all turned to face the brunette, concern written across their faces.

“What do you think about this Dawn?” Buffy began to look worried.

The younger Summers got up from her place on the ladder to the prohibited area. “I think…” She began to pace, an action that Buffy and the others had come to learn as Dawn's think mode. “I think, that, I don't… know why you didn't get together sooner!” She flung herself into her sister's arms before turning and doing the same to Giles. “For someone who is suppose to watch things, and someone who is suppose to spot a vampire at sixty paces, you sure are the two most blind people I've ever known.”

“Is that a compliment or a criticism?” Giles looked up at Buffy, releasing his hold on Dawn.

“Both… I think mate.” Spike smiled

“Just, one thing.” Dawn looked between her sister and Giles. “Don't spoil this. Please?”

Giles crossed the space between Buffy and himself, enfolding her into a bear hug. “Promise.” He smiled as he kissed her slowly.

“Ewww.” Dawn gagged. “And, can you at least save the PDA's for somewhere that's not so public?” She walked back over to the candle display and giggled.

“Maybe.” Buffy smiled and went to stand by her sister. “We've got lots of stuff to do tonight, so, mount up, cos, I'm calling big group patrol and Dawn and I have to stop by mom's grave.”

“Yeah, I meant to ask last week Buffy, what's with the needing of specific coloured candles?” Willow slid a stake inside her jacket pocket along with a vial of holy water.

Buffy looked to Dawn. “We're family now Buffy, they should know about our weird habits.”

“You m-mean, there are more habits? W-worse then the one's you've already got?” Giles dodged a black candle as it was thrown at his head.

“It's more like family tradition on my Mom's behalf.” Buffy began. “You see, for as long as I can remember, on the anniversary of a family member's death, we take a candle, preferably in our favourite colour, light it and set it on the grave. Whispering our tiny prayers of love. Mom's great-grandmother started it. And, ever since, we've carried it on.” Buffy picked up a thick, light blue candle, while Dawn picked out a thick lilac coloured one.

“That sounds like a fantastic tradition Buffy.” Willow smiled as she stepped up beside her friend. “Maybe we could all leave a candle? I mean, she was like a mom to us too, and we miss her a lot.”

“That'd be nice Will.” Buffy smiled through her tears. “Dad never did anything like this, he said it was a waste of money and time.”

“Well then,” Xander swung a small battleaxe before reaching over and picking up a dark blue candle. “Let's go shall we? The night's a-waiting, and the undead are not getting any younger.”

They all trooped out of the shop after they'd each picked up a candle, Tara reassuring Willow that the groceries in the back of Xander's car would be okay until he returned to pick it up after patrol.

~*~*~*~

They had dusted several vampires on their trek to Shadyhill Cemetery. The time between leaving the store and fighting vampires had been filled with discussion about school and work and the upcoming wedding of Anya and Xander. The main topic of discussion when talking about the wedding was the bridesmaid dresses that still hadn't been chosen and the flowers that had not been ordered.

Now, the group stood around silently. Gazing at the marble headstone with Joyce's name emblazoned across the top. Each one of them, nursing their own private thoughts about the woman that lay buried beneath their feet.

“So, Pet. You gonna tell us how this is done?” Spike looked to Buffy who had her arms wrapped around Dawn's shoulders.

“Simple, you light the candle, say why that colour, say what you want. And leave the candle sitting on top of the headstone.” She held her hand out to Spike. “Lighter please.”

He placed it gently in her palm, gripping his own candle tightly in his other hand. “Sounds simple enough.”

“Guess, I'll go first.” Buffy lit the wick and stepped closer to the head stone. “Sky blue, for the skies of the heavens where you spend days in happiness. I love you Mom.” She set the candle on top of the marble slab and stepped away, giving Dawn the opportunity to step forward.

“Purple,” She said as she used Buffy's candle to light her own. “Because it's my favourite colour. Thank you for giving me a great family Mom.”

One by one, each of them lit their candles and gave Joyce their thanks and love, until the top of the headstone was a blaze with bright colours and flames, dancing in the light breeze. Yellow for Tara, dark blue for Xander, a rich green for Willow, a light pink for Anya, red for Spike, and finally, gold for Giles.

“Thank you for giving us the greatest gift of all,” Giles whispered as he set the candle on top of the headstone, “the chance to love and be loved by one another.”

Dawn was crying softly now, along with Willow, Tara and Anya. Spike had moved to the back of the group, he was fumbling with his lighter and an almost empty pack of cigarettes, Xander stood to the left of Giles, his hand gently on the older man's shoulder, Buffy stood to his right, her arm around his waist. Silently, she bent down and pressed a soft kiss to the cold marble before turning and wrapping her arms around both Giles and Xander in a tight embrace.

“Thank you so much… You have no idea how much this means to both Dawnie and me.” She squeezed tighter.

“Breathing, becoming an issue Buff.” Xander whispered, his voice carrying the faintest hint of laughter.

“Oh, sorry.” She smiled and stepped back. “All of you, thank you. Your words, they were all, beautiful. I'm sure mom is sitting high on her star somewhere smiling and totally feeling the love.” She grinned as Dawn stepped up beside her.

“Totally.” She smiled.

“Okay, now, homeward people. We've got a birthday to celebrate.” Buffy smiled and grabbed Giles' hand.

“We've gotta go back and get the car Buffy.” Willow motioned to herself, Xander, Anya and Tara.

“Sure, you guys head back to the car, but be careful.” She waved as they walked away.

“The Niblet and I have to go and get something from my crypt Slayer.” Spike nodded in the direction of his ‘home'.

“Yeah, it's a present for you Buffy, so. Go away.” Dawn grinned and grabbed Spike by the hand and started pulling him in the direction of his crypt.

“Remember Dawn… Over My Dead Body!” Buffy called as the pair disappeared into the night.

“Yeah, yeah Buffy. Rule number two, no breaking rule number one, that way leads to badness.”

Giles pulled Buffy to him as Dawn's voice faded into the slight evening breeze. “We should get moving. Maybe we can have some alone time at the house, while everyone is off doing other things.” He smiled as she leant up to kiss him softly.

“Nice try big guy.” She leant her head on his shoulder as they walked out of the cemetery. “We'll have plenty of time for that. Right now, I just want to be another normal couple on a nice normal night, walking down a nice normal street. Besides, Willow and the others want to surprise me when I walk in the door.”

“H-how do you know a-about that? It's suppose to be a secret.” Giles looked at her.

“We've been a tight knit group for how long now? And you still haven't figured out that a) I can hear you when I'm three rooms a way… slayer hearing. And b) Willow can not lie to save her soul.” Buffy giggled. “When I asked what was going on, it was like someone had brought her ten double mochas and she was so jittery and nervous, I could just tell that you were all planning a surprise for me. I just… have to figure out what that surprise is.” She looked up at him expectantly.

“Well my dear, you are out of luck I'm afraid. Unlike Willow, I can keep a secret without getting nervous and jittery.” He smiled and continued walking. “And don't even think about pouting Buffy, because it most definitely will not work…this time.”

The walked on in silence, enjoying the peacefulness of the night and the light breeze that was blowing in from the ocean. As they neared the house on Revello Drive, Buffy noticed movement in one of the windows of the house next door.

“We've got an audience.” She whispered, raising her hand to wave at the window.

“Hmm?” Giles looked to where she pointed and smiled as twin heads of blond curls were seen dodging back and forth from the curtain. Giles smiled as he waved back to them. “We shouldn't be encouraging them you know. They'll get in trouble with their parents.”

“But they are the most adorable little kids Giles.” Buffy smiled as she waved a final time and Bekky and Matthew disappeared behind the curtain.

Slowly, they climbed the porch, before Buffy had a chance to open the door, Giles had pulled her to him in a fierce hug. “Happy belated birthday Miss Summers.” He bent his head to capture her lips in the softest of kisses.

“Thank you Mr. Giles.” She kissed him again, tilting her head to deepen the kiss.

“Oh God, can't you like, save that for the bedroom or something?” Dawn's voice sounded through the door.

“Way to break a mood little sister.” Buffy mumbled as she pushed open the door and led Giles inside.

“Surprise!” The gang jumped out at her from the dining room.

Buffy grinned, they'd set up the living room and the dining room to look like a high school gym the rugs had been rolled up and set somewhere out of the way. Silver paper stars hung from the ceiling, soft lights had been placed in the ceiling lights to give the room a romantic glow. A stack of presents had been assembled by the couch, next to a camera on a tripod along with a video camera.

“Oh my God, you guys! This looks, fabulous. How did you get it all set up?” She ran around, hugging everyone in sight.

“Spike put up the stars and changed the light bulbs after you left to come to the Magic Box, and, we just finished rolling up the rugs,” Willow smiled shyly at her best friend. “You don't mind do you? We just wanted it to be a birthday that didn't involve badness.”

Buffy's smile grew brighter as she gave her friend an extra hug. “It's perfect. Thank you all, so much.”

“Okay, now that all this happy sappy hearts and flowers stuff is over, can we eat?” Xander looked up as Anya smacked his arm lightly. “What?”

“Presents first, pictures second, food later.” The ex-demon grabbed Buffy by the arm and pulled her over to the couch. “This one first.” She thrust a small package into the girl's hands. “It's from me and Xander. Happy twenty-first birthday.”

Buffy smiled as she opened the package. “Oh my God, Anya, Xander, it's beautiful.” She held up a gold chain with a tiny golden rosebud charm on it. At the center of the rosebud, there was the smallest of diamonds. “Can you help me put it on?” She lifted her hair so Anya could fasten it around her neck. “This is just… it's beautiful.” She threw her arms around Anya then Xander as he came over.

“When we were looking for wedding rings, we found it. It reminded me of you.” Anya smiled proudly. “We were going to give it to Dawn last summer, to remind her of you. The rosebud is so delicate, just like you. And the diamond, well, it means strength. And, you're pretty strong.” Anya looked around the room at the shocked faces of everyone around them before turning back to Buffy. “What? Did I say something wrong again?” She looked perplexed as Buffy began to cry.

“No An, honey. You said the right thing those are happy tears. Aren't they Buffy?” Xander reached out and touched his fiancée on the shoulder.

“Mine next!” Willow called out. “Although, nothing is ever going to top that.” She smiled at Anya and Xander as she pushed a large package into Buffy's hands.

“Ooh.” Buffy tore into the wrapping, her eyes shining brightly as she lifted out a leather bound book. “It's empty.” She looked up at Willow and raised her eyebrow.

“Well duh. It's a journal.” Willow smiled and shrugged. “Watcher's have journals right? So, I figured, why can't a Slayer have a journal too, I mean, you're one of the oldest living Slayers, and, maybe, when a new Slayer is called, you know, after you've retired from the biz, she can ready your journal, and know exactly how the job is done.” Willow smiled shyly.

“That is a great idea Will, thank you.” The Slayer gave her best friend a quick hug.

“This is from me Pet.” Spike thrust a box into her hands before moving to the back of the room.

“Gee, thanks Spike.” Buffy smiled up at him, and lifted the lid. Inside was a brand new, mottled gray leather jacket. “It's gorgeous. Thank you.” She shook it out and slipped it on. “Perfect fit.” She grinned.

“Yeah, well, the other one is kinda poncey looking. You could do with a new one.” He shrugged and went off into the kitchen in search of blood.

“T-this one is from me B-Buffy.” Tara smiled as she handed her another box.

“Thank you Tara.” Buffy gasped as she lifted the lid. Inside, was a framed collage of the entire gang in various settings, surrounding a hand painted portrait of them all sitting around on the living room couch. “This is, this is great. Thank you.” Buffy rose and gave the shy girl a hug. Moving quietly, she went to the mantle, taking down a picture of her family before they moved to Sunnydale and placed the new family portrait in its place.

“Mine now.” Dawn cried with glee. Quickly, she bounced out of the room and came back in, puffing and wheezing as she tried her best to carry a box into the living room that was almost twice her size.

“What'd you do Dawn? Buy me another kid sister?” Buffy laughed as Dawn tried not to drop the box on the ground.

“Funny, ha ha.” Dawn looked at her seriously. “Just open it, and promise you'll take very special care of her.

“Okay… I promise…” Buffy looked at her younger sister curiously. “It's not a squiggly demon baby is it? Because, I don't care how cute it may have looked on Men In Black, we are not having no demon babies in this house. Never.” Buffy lifted the lid slowly.

“It's not a demon baby.” Dawn rolled her eyes. “Does everything with you have to be about demons?”

“I'm a Slayer, it's my duty.” Buffy lifted the lid off and closed her eyes as she peered over the top of the box.

“Uh, Buff, it works better if you actually open your eyes to see.” Xander said as he watched the girl's eyes squeeze closed.

“Sure, use logic.” Buffy opened her eyes at the sound of a soft whimper. “Dear Lord.” She whispered, reaching into the box.

“You're rubbing off on her Giles.” Willow smiled.

“Hello… you're a cute little thing aren't you?” Buffy grinned as she lifted out her present. “What's your name?” She turned the puppy around so she was nose to nose with it.

“She's a Siberian Husky.” Dawn smiled. “She's had all her shots, she's been checked by the vet, and I got her from the animal shelter, not from the pet store, so she's in desperate need for some Buffy TLC.” Dawn smiled.

“You shouldn't have Dawn.” Buffy grinned. “But I'm glad you did. The only thing is, who's going to help look after her while I'm at school and on patrol?”

“We'll all pitch in.” Willow smiled as the puppy yawned in Buffy's face. “And, it'll be really nice to have another pet around the house. Miss Kitty will have some company.”

“What are you going to name her Pet?” Spike looked up from his chair on the other side of the room.

“I'm not sure.” Buffy grinned as she rubbed her nose against the puppy's

“How about snack?” Spike smiled and ducked as Dawn threw a pillow at him, narrowly missing his head.

“How about Dust. After you Spike?” Buffy shot him an icy glare. “I actually think, “Noel' is a nice name that suits her. You know, after the Christmas carol?” Buffy looked around the room. “How about it?”

“It's a lovely name Buffy.” Giles smiled as he reached over and scratched the dog behind the ear.

Buffy smiled and set the dog down, pulling Dawn to her in a big hug. “Thank you. She's so sweet.”

“You're welcome. I figured when she gets older, she can look after the house while your on patrol and I'm not home.”

“Smart thinking. And, she'll be a great baby sitter for when I'm patrolling and you're at home doing your homework.”

The others smiled as the watched the puppy chase the shadows the stars made on the floor, Tara picking up the video camera and filming it with a soundtrack of ‘oohs' and ‘ahhs' and ‘Oh god! That is so cute!'

Giles had been sitting quietly, watching the puppy and the smile on Buffy's face get brighter and brighter. Quietly, he left the room and headed upstairs to retrieve his birthday gift to Buffy. Silently, he slipped back in before anyone had noticed he was gone.

“Happy birthday Darling.” He whispered in her ear as he handed her a small package.

“Oh! Thank you Giles! But, you didn't have to get me anything. You being here for this is enough for me.” She smiled as she careful unwrapped the present anyway. “It's a key.” She looked at him quizzically.

“It's the key to my flat in Worcester. There's also a note. You should read that too.”

Buffy picked up the slip of paper that had fluttered to the floor. “Please forward this key to Mr. and Mrs. David Jensen, in regards to flat 1207 Worthington Lane, Worcestershire, England WR25TA. Care of Robertson, Pritchard and Smyth Real Estate.” Buffy looked up at Giles, unshed tears in her eyes.

“I'd like you to post that tomorrow when you get the chance.” Giles smiled and cupped her cheek.

“I thought the idea was to give presents because you wanted them to keep them, not send them away.” Anya looked up from scratching the puppy's tummy.

“It's his house key An. The key to his house in England, he's… he's staying here, for good.”

Buffy jumped up and threw herself at him, raining kisses on his cheeks. “Thank you. This has got to be the most wonderful birthday present of all time. Thank you.” Tears of joy coursed down her cheeks as she gripped him tightly around the waist.

“You're so very welcome.” Giles ran a hand down her hair, as if he could wipe away all her pain and torment in the simple gesture.

“Food now?” Xander asked after everyone had hugged Giles, then Buffy, then Giles again.

“Yes Xander, food now.” Buffy smiled as everyone headed for the dining room to continue with the birthday festivities. Her family had finally come together, just as it should. Sitting down, she grinned happily as everyone began to talk and laugh about the puppy and more ideas for the wedding.