TITLE: Merry Christmas Mr. Giles 2/4
SERIES: Virtual Ripper Series
AUTHOR: Anne
RATING: this part PG-13
PAIRING: this part no pairing but there is a souvenir of Giles/other character(Giles' first love.)
FEEDBACK: Oh yes please!
E-MAIL: bookmangal@yahoo.fr
SUMMARY: Giles spends Christmas' holidays in France.
SPOILERS: "Passion"
TIMELINE: season 7 (BtVS.) Season 1 (virtual) of "Ripper"
DISTRIBUTION:. VSS; ODD. GRB; GN; The BG Zone; lost in the Stacks; Tweedybookguy; WatcherGirls. HardRayne. Anyone else ask first please.
DISCLAIMER: The characters are the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Sandollar Productions, Kuzui Enterprises, 20th Century Fox Television and the UPN Television Network. The story is written for the pleasure of the author and readers, and has no lucrative purpose whatsoever. Please don't reproduce this story anywhere without the author's consent.
WARNING: none.
THANKS: I want to thank Caz my wonderful beta reader.

***
NOTE:#1 "Ripper" (virtual season) second episode.
NOTE #2: Challenge fic. Lizz on the HardRayne list wrote: the ripper show will be out september 2003, possibly earlier. Now, I dont know if that's true, but it did give me an idea: who's up for a little challenge? It's simple: "Ripper Virtual Season". Only, not too seriously because I don't feel like archiving and managing a real virtual season. But if people want to write stories taking place in the new show, going places with it, from serious joss-style writing, to weirdass parodies, go with it! flow with it! and why, you ask, does this belong on an Ethan list? well, my dears, because we all know Giles moves back to England because of Ethan. what other reason is there? (no, dont answer that). It does *not* have to be g/e (believe me, its hard to say that). But it does have to include Ethan Rayne. People want?
NOTE #3: fic written in response to The Annual Wencheriffic Giles- centric Holiday Challenge as follows: Pairing: Giles/Anybody. Genfic, threesomes and orgies also more than welcome. Timeline: Past/Present/Futurefic all welcome. Rating: Anything goes from G to NC17. But please, if there is graphic sex involved, make sure all participants are over the age of 18 and consent fully in advance to whatever sexual activity they participate in. ALL of the following are required: a holiday tradition connected to any of the following holidays: Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Solstice, Saturnalia, Giles drinking something other than tea or whiskey, an unexpected phone call or guest, someone thanking Giles for something he did for them in the past. At Least THREE of the following are required:
chocolate, someone other than Giles singing, a stray cat or dog, someone taking a photograph, someone putting blue nail polish on Giles' toenails while he's asleep, A happy memory of any of the following deceased characters: Joyce, Jenny, Tara, Gay Larry, Principal Flutie, Randall.

December 23rd

Ripper crossed the gate of the castle of Fontenac and for almost half an hour he followed the path, which led there. The sight of vineyards which extended on each side up to the horizon recalled bad memories… Edward was a rough and surly man who made him work in the vineyards which he hated, preferring to play football with his mates, read and especially to flirt with Catherine the most beautiful girl in the village of Castellac, his girlfriend. He spent his holidays in the castle, was there to rest and to have fun and not to work as a slave from morning til evening. One day, he had had enough and had said no to his uncle. He remembered it…

[… Edward Giles stretched out the clippers to his young nephew. "Take the clippers Rupert."

The teenager shook his head. "No. I don't want to cut the grape. I hate to do this!" He turned on his heels. "I'm going."

"Rupert, stay here!" The wine grower thundered.

Rupert stood still. He felt the powerful hand of his uncle gripping his shoulder. He quivered and spun round.

"You are going to help us." Ordered the old man.

Rupert raised his eyes towards him. "No, I have other thing to do."

Edward Giles snorted. "It is not in your books that you will learn to take charge of a vineyard."

"Why should I learn it? I am destined to be a Watcher. Now I want to go. And I'm going."

Catherine his girlfriend had already had to wait for him impatiently by the river. Rupert went away and farther down the road, which ran alongside the vineyards, he met his cousin Peter who made him trip. He fell heavily on the ground his face first. He got up swearing then threw himself into Peter's legs who fell over backwards and sprawled out in a big puddle. The boys rolled around in the mud until Peter was on top and hitting Rupert's face with his fists. Edward Giles hurried forward and pulled his son away from his nephew. He got up reluctantly. Rupert got up too, dabbing at the blood dribbling from his nose and opened lower lip.

I have already told you that I don't want you both fighting!" Edward exclaimed angryly.

"He started it!" Rupert said.

Peter showed an innocent air. "Your lying Rup! You stumbled. It's you who began the fight… I won." He smirked then looked up at his father. "It's him who began it dad, not me."

"No, it is not true!" Rupert screeched indignant. "He lies!"

Peter pushed Rupert away chuckling. Rupert groaned and kicked him in the shin.

"That is enough!" suddenly Edward exploded. "You have some work to do Peter. As for you Rupert because you like studying so much, return home and go to your room! And stay in it until dinner!"

"No. No!"

"I told you to return home and to go to your bedroom."

"No."

Edward Giles became red with anger. He caught his nephew by an arm and shook him like a plum tree.

"Let me go!"

The teenager fought to get free of his uncle's hand, in vain. It was impossible.

"I am going to teach you to obey me Rupert." Grumbled the wine grower. "And I'm going to phone your father! I'm going to tell him you're an undisciplined boy!"

He pulled Rupert behind him towards the castle where he was going to be confined in his bedroom for the rest of the day… ]

Ripper abruptly stopped his walk when the ghost of Peter Giles suddenly appeared from nowhere in front of him. He gave a shout of surprise and placed a trembling hand to his heart.

"I hate when you do that!" the Watcher scolded.

Peter smirked. "What? Suddenly appear from nowhere like a ghost? Rupert I am a ghost you know?

Ripper growled out. "You could have chains like the other ghosts? At least you would make noise and I could hear you coming."

The ghost giggled. "I had no chains around my wrists and ankles when I died in bed Rupert."

"What are you doing here Peter? I always believed that ghosts were visible only at night."

Peter very serious said: "No, we can come and go during the day. It is the vampires, which go out only at night. You should know it Watcher."

"Yes, it's true."

Ripper and the ghost burst out laughing then side by side they walked up to the drawbridge located three kilometers farther, which allowed crossing the moat, dug around the vast and high XVth century building. They had the time to tell briefly all which had happened in their life (non-life as regards Peter) since their separation seven years earlier. Once they reached the drawbridge Peter stopped.

"I am going to let you go alone to see Liz now Rupert, she dying from impatience to see you." He said.

Ripper was very surprised. "You don't want to see her?"

"Rupert I "live" with her. I love her so much I chose to stay near her as a ghost until she dies in her turn. You also forgot ? Oh! You've become old."

Ripper got indignant. "I am not old, Peter!"

Peter smirked. "You do not have a mirror at home? You have white hair and lots of wrinkles. Conclusion: you are old."

"I am very tired Peter and my poor brain does not work any more at 100 %."

"Then rest. We shall see each other again later Rupert. I have ghosts friends to visit."

He saw the ghost of his cousin turn on its heels and go to the medieval garden, which extended over the right-hand side.

"See you later Peter. "

*

Ripper rang the bell hung near the door of the main building. It opened one moment later revealing a woman dressed in a yellow dress with red flowers. She had a pleasant face framed by curly greying brown hair and her blue eyes sparkled with life.

"Rupert! You are here!" She exclaimed smiling broadly. "Finally! The train was late, as usual." She pulled Ripper to her and hugged him. "I am so happy to see you again!"

"Me too, Liz."

Elisabeth stepped back and took Ripper by his shoulders. She observed him from his head to his feet. "Mon Dieu! You are still so very beautiful Rupert! … And still so unmarried too I suppose?"

Ripper grinned. "Yes."

"For how long we did not see each other? Six years? Seven years?"

"Seven years. The last time I came here, was before leaving for Sunnydale."

"How is your Slayer?"

"She's fine."

"Let us go inside shall we?"

They entered the large hall then the dining room on the right. Giles glanced at the room; nothing had changed: a big wooden table, surrounded by eight chairs, occupied it. The ceiling was decorated with beams. The floor was made of black and white tiles forming a checkerboard. He remembered having played chess e against his father with big wooden pieces whom he had sculptured himself then painted. He had won all the parties. A big Christmas tree had been raised in the end of the room near the big fireplace. Elisabeth had decorated it soberly with golden festoons and red balls. The smell of the fresh sap reminded Ripper of his past Christmas holidays at home or here, or in Sunnydale.

"Do you want some tea Rupert?" Elisabeth asking tearing Ripper away from his recollections.

He nodded. "Yes, with pleasure."

"Earl Grey or Darjeeling?"

"Earl Grey Liz, thank you."

Elisabeth left the room to go in the kitchen. Ripper sat in one of the armchairs of the dining room and closed his eyes and relaxed. He was so very tired. He was looking through the window, his glance fixed somewhere on the medieval garden, lost in his thoughts when Liz came back with a teapot and two cups. She suddenly noticed a light happy and nostalgic smile came to float on his thin and hard lips. She noticed too that his eyes were glistening with pleasure then with desire. His cheeks lightly colored with rose. Another proof of boiling hormones.

"How is she?" Liz asked Ripper.

Ripper blinked. "What?"

"How is she?" Repeated Elisabeth.

"Who?"

"The woman you're thinking of."

Ripper raised an eyebrow, surprised. "How do you know that I was thinking of a woman?"

Elisabeth answered him: "You had the "I'm in love" face Rupert. I already saw it when you fell in love with Catherine, and of course I saw it on Peter's face the first time he saw me in the village."

Ripper smiled. "I remember it, I was with him. We would have said that he had seen an angel. Buffy is …"

Elisabeth was stunned. "Buffy? You are in love with your Slayer? Oh! Rupert! That's wonderful! Have you been in love with her for a long time?"

Ripper released a sigh. "Since the Prom … She was so beautiful, so radiant. Since then she occupies my thoughts, all the time, day and night. It is magnificent and boring at the same moment because I do not manage to concentrate anymore on whatever it is. My brain is paralyzed. It is the first time such a thing has happened to me. I've been in love several times, but never was I in such a state. Never."

Liz nodded and poured hot Earl Grey tea in the cups. "It is because you found the one who is intended for you, Rupert. The one who is and who will be your only real love. You know, Peter was in the same state as you, when we began to see each other. It is difficult to believe, but it is what happened. He was so perturbed, that he did not think of his invaluable vineyards nor the next grape harvests. When I said yes to him after he asked me to marry him, he became again himself. Have you made love together?"

Ripper nodded. "Yes, It was… absolutely wonderful. I so love her Liz… And I so miss her."

"Hmm. So why are you here? You should be with her. Something bad happened between you and she?"

"No nothing, no. We still love each other, but she has to stay in Sunnydale fighting evil forces."

"And you came here to see your family and your childhood friends, and to rest a little."

"Yes, I did. I really appreciate being here, yes. But I miss her…"

The bell of the front door rang suddenly. Elisabeth went to open the door and returned in the dining room a bit later, accompanied by a tall, thin woman, with short cut fair hair, with roguish blue eyes. She wore clothes of equitation, which highlighted her perfect form. Ripper felt his heart contracting at the sight of the woman which formerly he had so much loved, before she met Philippe, fell in love with him, dumped him like an old paper tissue and got married some weeks later. He had naturally forgiven her, later, after that the sorrow and the bitterness had gone and he had been happy that she found happiness with her husband, they had become good friends. But at the time, he had been devastated: he had drowned himself in alcohol then had tried to commit suicide with his uncle's hunting gun. Peter had prevented him from it in- extremis. He had then returned to London and had chosen to barricade his heart, to never have to suffer from the sorrow of love. The wall which he had built around his heart had fallen when he had met Jenny, so beautiful, so sweet, so kind, so teasing … Nostalgic he smiled remembering the kiss which Jenny and he had exchanged in the library …

[… The bell announcing the beginning of the first class rang making the two lovers jump. Lips parted reluctantly.

"I have to go away, Rupert. I have a class." Jenny said stepping back from Giles. "But I shall just come back here, at the end of it and we shall continue to kiss each other. I promise."

Giles smiled broadly his eyes lit up like a child's on Christmas morning. "I'm looking forward to it."

"Me too."

The Librarian watched Jenny going away his heart full of joy. He so loved her. He was blissful.

Buffy entered the library some seconds later, grinning and asked her Watcher: you love her don't you?"

Giles blinked. "Who?"

"Miss Calendar. I saw Miss Calendar and you kissing through the door window two minutes ago."

Giles frowned upset. "Buffy! You spied on me!"

Buffy shook her head. "No, I wanted to come see you, to ask how your patrol yesterday evening was and I saw you both kissing … It was an accident, Giles. I shall never spy on you both, no."

"Hmm!"

"So Giles, how was your patrol yesterday evening?"

He sighed. "Jenny came to join me in the Restfield cemetery for… it doesn't much matter. A vampire attacked me and Jenny took a crossbow from my bag. She fired and the bolt hit me in my back. I extracted it and with it I dusted the vampire. Jenny then drove me to the hospital. The doctors kept me a part of the night."

Giles burst out laughing. "Gee Giles! You know how to entertain Miss Calendar!" Seeing that Giles was not amused, she calmed down and seriously asked him: "Were you very hurt Giles?"

Giles smirked. "I'm fine enough to be able to train you with a quarter staff this evening. Do not plan to go to the Bronze."

Buffy pouted…]

Beautiful and sweet Jenny. He had so much loved her and he continued to love her, would continue to love her. A small part of his heart was reserved, dedicated to her. The other part of his heart, the biggest belonged to Buffy with who he was desperately in love. He so wanted her that his hormones were boiling constantly and were satisfied less and less by his numerous hands jobs …

"Rupert? Hey! Earth to Rupert!"

Ripper blinked. "Yes Catherine?"

Catherine Pennac smiled. "I said hello Rupert."

"Hello Catherine."

Elisabeth smiled too. "I'll leave you both. You certainly have many things to tell each other."

Catherine took Ripper by his hand and pulled him against her. "You've missed a lot my beautiful Englishman. You should come here more often."

"Yes, I know, but I am … "

Catherine nodded. "Very busy, yes. Liz is right, we have many things to tell each other, and I suggest going outside for a long walk. We're lucky, it's sunny today."

"Good idea."

"Did I say you that you were very beautiful?"

Ripper blushed this time. I remember that you called me "my beautiful Englishman". So you said it." "Tell me Rupert why certain men become absolutely handsome, gorgeous, sexy, etc., etc. when they become old, older forgive me, while all the women fade and become ugly?"

"What are you talking about? You are very beautiful Cat, and your beauty is not faded believe me."

She giggled. "Smooth talker!"

*

One and a quarter hours later, they walked by the river, in the shade of the big willows. Ripper remembered t was there that he had fallen in love the first time

[… Peter intercepted the football, took it in his hands and kept it. Furious, Rupert ran towards his cousin.

"Give me my ball, at once!"

The older boy shot and sent the ball on the other side of the river, which ran at the foot of the hillside covered with vineyards.

"If you want it Rupert, fetch it."

Rupert glared at his cousin, cursed him and spun to get back his ball. He sat down by the river, took off his shoes, his socks then entered the water with precaution. The bottom of uneven level was covered with slippery pebbles. He had almost reached the other bank when he stumbled against a stone and fell heavily forward in the river. When he got up, dripping, he heard his cousin burst out laughing and wanted to strangle him.

"Is it cold Rupert?" Asked Peter before launching pebbles in the water, just to wet him a little more, if it was still possible.

Rupert climbed on the bank, took his ball and suddenly noticed a young woman walking in his direction. His heart stopped beating then. She was an angel. The young woman smiled to the boy - a brilliant, warm, sensual smile - and asked him:

"Bonjour, comment t'appelles-tu?"

« Rupert. »

She raised an eyebrow. "C'est un prénom anglais. It's an English first name. Are you English?"

"Yes I am.

"Rupert I would like to have a guide to visit the neighborhood."

Rupert beamed. "You found him. I know the neighborhood by heart."

"You are on holidays here?"

"Yes. My uncle lives not far from here. He is the owner of the castle of Fontenac."

"Oh! … Very well, I will engage you as my guide Rupert. So where do we start?" "By the village. Then, we shall go through the vineyards by small paths. I know magnificent places."

He felt his heart begin pounding in his chest. He was going to spend the afternoon with her.

"Rupert, my name is Isabelle de Ré and I come from Paris."

"Paris?... I like Paris. I once went there. It is a magnificent city."

"Yes, it's true."

"You like the wine?"

"Yes, I like the wine, especially the white."

"My uncle makes both, red and the white. I shall take you to the castle, if you want. I'm sure that uncle will be delighted to offer you a glass of white wine and a bottle after."

"All right. I follow you Rupert."

They went away under the shade of the big trees, which lined the river, the multicolored butterflies fluttering around them… ]

Ripper raised his eyes. The sky was blue. The air was sweet and felt good. He stayed a long moment, immobile there, to listen to the lapping of the river, the rustle of leaves, the songs of some birds. A piercing shout made him raise his eyes again. He perceived a buzzard gliding over him carried by the light and sweet wind. He approached the old willow, slid his hand on its bark and saw him again diving down in the river from the tree, and saw himself again swimming…

[…"Eh! Rupert!" He stopped swimming the crawl and saw Catherine on the bank. She looked at him, a smile on her lips.

"The water is good?" She asked.

"It is cold."

She undressed completely and dived into the river. In some movements of breaststroke, she joined him and they embraced with one arm, using the other one to stay on the surface. The contact of their naked bodies warmed them and excited violently their respective hormones.

"You came to see me, Cat?"

She nodded. "Yes. I couldn't stop thinking of you all night long … In fact, I think of you all the time." They kissed each other. I want you, Rupert. Let's make love on the bank."

Rupert grinned. "What, there, on the bank? We could be seen."

Catherine giggled. "Who? Birds and squirrels? Come on!"

They swam up to the bank then lay down there on the grass on their side's, face to face.

"You are magnificent, Cat."

"Thank you. And you're beautiful Rupert."

She pushed him on his back and moved on top of him. She began to rub herself against him… ]

Catherine embraced Ripper, leaned her head on his back and the Watcher returned then to the reality.

"Let's go home Rupert. I am cold and you look completely exhausted."

Ripper nodded. "I am exhausted, yes. Oh! I'm an idiot, I forgot to ask you news of your family."

"Oh! They are fine. Paul entered the University of Bordeaux. He studies modern history. "

"Oh! He wants to be a professor of history like his father?"

Catherine nodded. "Like father like son, is it not Rupert?"

*
* *

Ripper was going to enter the living room when he suddenly had a dizzy turn and his legs threatened to shy away under him. He had to lean against the frame of the front door not to fall.

"Rupert!"

He managed to stand up. "It's nothing, Liz."

Elisabeth took Ripper by his hand and pulled him inside the dining room. "Come sit down."

"I am fine Liz."

"Let me doubt it. You are quite pale, you're soaked with sweat and you can barely stand up. You are sick, Rupert."

Ripper shook his head. "No, I am just a little tired, that's all."

"No, you are exhausted Rupert." Corrected Catherine. "You are about to collapse. You have to sleep."

Ripper shook his head again. "No, no, I do not want to sleep… It's going to be all right, I assure you."

Elisabeth took the Watcher by his arm and frowned. "I would believe Peter! He also refused to rest when he needed it. He finished in the same state as you and I was obliged to force him to go to bed and sleep. Once I had to make the doctor come so that he could give him a sedative. It has to be so with family! Now go to bed Rupert! And no discussion! You need to rest."

The two women accompanied Ripper to the first floor. They followed a corridor decorated with ancient furniture and penetrated into the west wing. Elisabeth pushed the first door on the left and Ripper entered his former bedroom. He felt his heart squeezing up in his chest. The last time when he had slept in his bed, it was the night, which had followed the funeral of his cousin. He remembered that he had not slept that night, spending it crying, his mind invaded by happy recollections.

Ripper slumped at the edge of the bed, exhaled a long sigh and buried his face in his hands. He was trembling with exhaustion. Elisabeth closed the shutters then switched on the small bedside lamp.

"Now sleep, Rupert." She said before kissing him on his head. "Have nice dreams."

Liz went away. Catherine sat down near Ripper and as he had no strength to take his clothes off, did it for him. Once the man was in his boxers, she slid him between the sheets, propped up a pillow under his head and pulled the cover over him.

"Thank you Cat." Giles breathed.

He closed eyes and fell asleep immediately. Catherine examined the room with attention. She had not returned there for a very long time. Nothing seemed to have changed: it was a vast square room. The big ancient, rustic bed, of the same style as the cupboard and the chest, occupied an angle. The white walls were occupied in the bottom by shelves on which were hundreds of books and models of fighter planes. She remembered Rupert wanted to be a fighter pilot when he was a boy, before his father broke his dream by saying to him that he would be Watcher, like him and his grandmother before him. The height of walls was decorated with navies painted by Rupert, which were next to posters of planes. The desk, placed in the center of a big carpet held the middle of the room, with on top of it colored pencils and paintbrushes.

Catherine kissed Ripper on his cheek, switched off the bedside lamp and went away in her turn.

NEXT