Title: From Miles Away 9/18
Author: Adele
Disclaimer: The characters are the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Sandollar Productions, Kuzui Enterprises, 20th Century Fox Television, the WB Television Network, and whoever else may have a hold on them. I do not mean to infringe upon any copyrights.
Although Buffy knew she was being irrational, she couldn't help envying Li Wei. And Li Wei had been sure Buffy was going to be arrogant and act like her worst teacher, with an "I know best, I am the Chosen One" attitude.
Both women shook hands with a little apprehension in their eyes and were pleasantly surprised to find each other . . . well . . . kind of cool. From that point on the first meeting between Li Wei and Buffy had gone well. Despite cultural differences they had a lot in common, and in no time Giles and Frederico were being completely ignored at lunch for the sake of a Slayer bonding session.
After their meal Frederico suggested they all walk to their training studio, instead of taking a cab, so the newcomers would see more of the city. Soon enough, Buffy found herself walking by Victoria Harbour next to Giles at a leisurely pace a few feet behind the others.
She had to hold back a laugh as she saw how taken the other Watcher and Slayer seemed to be with each other. She gave Giles a nudge and said in a quiet humorous voice. "Looks like you aren't the only Watcher who's smitten with his Slayer."
To her devastation, Giles snorted. "I am not *smitten* with my Slayer."
When he saw the hurt look on her face, he took a hold of her upper arm to make her stop and look at him.
"Buffy, I am not smitten with you. This is not some kind of schoolboy's crush." He stepped closer to her. "To be completely honest, I am very close to falling head over heals in love with you."
For a short moment he was worried he had revealed too much, but his fear evaporated when Buffy gave him a huge happy smile. She took a hold of his suit lapels and pulled him close.
"You can't say something like that and expect me not to kiss you."
He glanced quickly at Frederico and Li Wei, who were completely oblivious to the fact that their guests had stopped, and pulled her into a hug. He placed a kiss on her cheek.
"Soon enough." he whispered.
With a long look, full of unspoken promises, Giles nudged her to turn around so they could catch up with the others. Both had been so engrossed with each other they had completely missed the wide-eyed stare of Frederico, who had turned around just as they hugged to make sure they were still following.
******
The sparring session between Buffy and Li Wei was most interesting. Both Giles and Buffy could tell that, although Li Wei had immense potential, she was inexperienced and clumsy. Buffy held back on much of her strength as well, something she was sure that Giles would notice. They trained for hours, testing multiple weapons and fighting styles, until finally Frederico called a halt.
Giles suspected Frederico hadn't appreciated Buffy trying to teach Li Wei the importance of sassing the vampires. With a frantic interruption he had cut Buffy off mid-sentence, and distracted her with the suggestion they meet later for dinner. Giles could tell Buffy immediately saw through Frederico's defences, but with a warning look from Giles she relented and happily agreed to dinner.
*****
The remainder of the day Giles and Buffy took in as many of the tourist sites of Hong Kong they could manage. Since Giles had been in Hong Kong before, he had vast knowledge, and he revelled in the fact that Buffy seemed to hang on every one of his words.
He wasn't sure whether she was actually listening to what he was saying, or just watching his mouth move. Either way it didn't matter, he just loved spending some alone time with her, and when he felt Buffy lose her focus, he brought her back by putting *her* mouth to use.
*****
They returned to their hotel late in the afternoon, and when they stepped out of the elevator on their floor, Giles found himself dragged into Buffy's room.
"Buffy, I thought you said in the elevator you were planning on using the spa before we met Li Wei and Frederico for dinner?" Giles asked breathlessly in between her enthusiastic kisses. Buffy pushed him down on the bed, and launched herself at him.
"True, but you haven't seen my room yet, and that simply wouldn't do."
He laughed against her lips when she brushed them against his. "But I am not seeing your room. I am completely unable to keep my eyes open when you kiss me - it is just too delightful."
Buffy pulled back and straddled his waist. As if she was showing him one of the bedrooms at the Taj Mahal, she dramatically opened her arms and asked playfully. "Seen enough?"
Before he had a chance to respond she lowered her face to his and took his mouth with gusto. He barely managed to mumble "sod your room", before rolling her over so he could return the pleasurable kiss. Within minutes his shirt was gone, and one of his hands was beneath her top, covering one of her breasts. When Buffy started tugging on his pants, Giles reluctantly pulled away.
"This is not the time or place, luv."
Buffy stroked his hair back from his forehead and answered in an intimate whisper that sent shivers down his back. "I know, but like I told you on the plane, you are very hard to keep my hands off of."
He dropped his mouth to hers so he could have another quick taste of her. "So are you." When he had had his fill, he brushed his nose with hers and gave it a quick peck before rising.
"Come on, you have a date with the spa, and I am planning on trying out the gym downstairs." At her playful pout he pulled her into a hug and placed a small kiss on her neck. "And I am sure after dinner, we can resume some of these delightful activities. I mean, I still haven't really *seen* your room. I may need to do some exploring later."
Seeing his wicked grin, Buffy couldn't help but respond with one of her own. "Anything to keep the Watcher in you satisfied."
With a growl he crushed his mouth to hers, but before she was able to change his mind about doing the exploring later he managed to pull away. "I'll see you later, luv."
*****
When Buffy returned to her room after getting a manicure and pedicure, she found a note from Giles taped to her door. He suggested, no, practically ordered, her to take a nap so she would be fully rested for ALL of their evening activities, and noted he would meet her in the hotel bar at seven thirty.
With a mischievous smile, she figured it was time for payback. Rupert Giles would regret the day he almost told her he loved her and then denied her a kiss! And she had the perfect dress to punish him with.
******
Giles was nursing a scotch as he patiently waited for Buffy to get ready. The vision he suddenly saw coming towards him almost made him choke on his drink. Her smoky red silk dress stopped just above her knee, with a short split on one side. It hugged every curve of her slim figure, but not indecently so. He had never seen anything more beautiful and sexy in his entire life.
He muttered, "Blast it," as he rose form his seat. When she was near enough to touch, he pulled her close and let his hand stroke her cheek as he brushed her mouth with his.
"Giles, what are you doing?" She worriedly asked, glancing around the bar to make sure no one saw them.
He gave her another soft kiss and murmured. "You can not show up looking like that and expect me not to kiss you."
She laughed and met his lips briefly with hers before she took a seat next to him. "Well, now I guess you know how it feels." She said smugly.
For the next half hour they fully enjoyed each other's company, and reluctantly left when it was time to meet Li Wei and Frederico. Ever since they had started this new phase of their relationship there seemed to be constant interruptions, and right now all they wanted was to be alone.