Title: Junior
Author: BuffyRipper
Pairing: B/G
Rating: Gonna go with PG-13 for language.
Spoilers: I'm saying it's set sometime er… well, lets be safe. Seconds after Chosen credits rolled.
Disclaimer: As much as I wish, pray, and bribe, I do not own them. Hail the Almighty Joss!! Oh, and M.E., Fox and whoever else.
Note: I know I was s'posed to bring him to Sunnydale, but seeing as how it's gone now please forgive. Also, this has been beta-ed, but only by me. Please forgive. It's also not very good, but I had half an idea from the challenge, and I had to get it out.
Distribution: Want it, go for it. Just lemme know where you're hiding it, so I can brag to my friends.
Dedication: Hrm… Trish for posting something that my brain work overtime. Jen and Coll for telling me to post my stuff. Warner… just for being you. SMOOCHIES!
Summary: Buffy makes Giles face his Dad.
In response to a challenge posted by Trish:
(#8 - Between Father and Son Challenge)

"Giles, is your dad still alive?"

"What?!"

"Is your dad alive?"

"What on earth why do you want to know?"

"Well, I was thinking about what I'm gonna do now. Where am I gonna go? And I was thinking that Dawn and I could go to Dads for a while. That got me thinking about what you're gonna do, and it made me realize that you've hardly said a word about your dad. Is he still alive?"

Giles sighed and looked down. <You always said she was bright. I should have expected this sometime, I suppose.>

"Yes, Buffy, he is alive and well, or so I last heard."

Buffy couldn't help but notice that when he looked down, that he looked so sad. It took everything she had not to hug him and make him feel better, it tore at her so.

"Well, what are you going to do? You could visit him or something"

Suddenly, Giles turned around and looked at the rest of the group.

"Well, everyone, shall we make our way back onto the bus, so that we can go?"

<Well, that was weird>

Later, after arriving at Rock Canyon, the gang was sitting in a hotel room, worrying about Giles.

"He didn't say anything at all?"

"Will, were talking about Giles. Mr. I'm-so-secretive himself." Turning to Buffy, "You said he looked sad when you asked him?"

"Yeah, like someone kicked his puppy or something. It was strange."

"I wonder what happened?"

"What do you mean, what happened? I just told you."

"Not then, Buffy what happened to make him sad whenever he thinks about his dad."

"Well, he said he was alive and well, so"

Slayer senses kicked in then, and Buffy heard Giles walking towards the room.

"Oh, speak of the Watcher, here he comes now."

"Well talk more later, ok?"

"Yeah."

Next morning, after breakfast.

"Xander, I have an idea. Its kind of risky, though."

"Sounds like fun. What's up?"

"I need you to distract Giles for a few minutes, while I get something from his room."

"Wait, you want me to just what are you planning?"

With a twinkle in her eyes, she started explaining. When she finished, Buffy asked him what he thought.

"Well let's see. You want to get his phone book so you can call his dad, who you know nothing about, and get him to fly here, even though he doesn't know you, and force a confrontation? Is that about right?"

"Well, yeah. Y'know, it sounded better last night. Its just that I wo-"

"No, Buffy, you misunderstand. It is risky, yes, but I'm thinking that it's about the only way. Ill help."

"Really? Great. Thanks, Xand."

"Should I tell Willow to breakout the net power?"

"No much as I love her, she can't keep a secret to save her life. Were on our own on this one."

"Okay."

With that, the conspirators went their separate ways to fulfill the mission set before them.

Lunch.

"Did you get it?"

"Mission successful. I didn't grab the book, though. I figured it would be way too noticeable, so I just wrote down a couple of numbers. I just hope I got the right one."

"Well there's only one way to find out. Find me phonage."

"I think the payphone outside would be best. Lets go."

Twenty minutes later

"Yes, ma'am. Um, see, we were trying to find someone. No, we can't look in the book, were in America. No, ma'am. His name... hold on a sec, will ya? Buffy, do you know his dads name?"

"His name? No. I was kind of hoping you did."

"Damn. Ok. Ma'am? I'm sorry. We don't know. Yes, I know how hard it is to find someone in another country when you don't know his name. I'm doing it right now. Well, were trying to find a friends father no, we can't ask our friend. He's... he's in a coma, and we wanted to let his dad know. Uh huh. Giles. Rupert Giles. Yes, thank you."

"What's she doing?"

"Looking Giles up, and seeing how many of them there are maybe we can track him down from there. It's not likely, but it's our best shot. Yes? Oh, hold on. Where does Giles live?"

"Bath. At least, I think that's what he said."

"Bath. There's two there? Can you give me a number? Oh, that's my friends number what about the other one? Could you connect me? Uh huh. Yes, ma'am. Thank you."

"Well?"

"She's connecting me now. There are only two of them there, and they live relatively close to each other. Maybe it's his dad."

"Ok."

"Hello? Is this the Giles residence? It is? Ok, are you related to a Rupert Giles by chance?"

Inside the hotel restaurant

"Dawn, have you seen Xander or Buffy around lately?"

"Not since breakfast, why?"

"I was going to see if the plan for shopping was still up or not. We all kinda could use some stuff, what with Sunnydale being destroyed and all. We sorta forgot to pack."

"Um if I see either of them, Ill send them your way."

Back at the payphone

"What do you mean you're Rupert Giles? No, sir, I'm not calling you a liar, but I know Rupert Giles, and he's here Here's in California. Yes."

Buffy looked at her best guy-friend and saw a look of shock.

"What is it? What's wrong?"

"Yes sir. Uh, no. No, nothing like that. Well"

"Xander! What is it?"

"I think we just found Giles, SR."

Couple of hours later.

So, it's all set. He said he'd be here sometime tomorrow evening, possibly the next morning. Depends on how soon he can get a flight."

"So, he's really coming?"

"He's really coming."

"Who's really coming?"

"Willow!! Uh, no-one."

"Guys, c'mon. You can tell me. I thought wed agreed no secrets."

"We did, but it's not a secret to be kept from you. It's a surprise. For Giles. And we don't want to spoil it, so were not telling anyone. Not even you."

"But-"

"No, buts, Will. You'll get to know as soon as he does."

"Ok, I guess. But, it had better be worth it."

"I sure hope it is."

7:45am, the airport.

"I don't know about you, but I feel kinda dumb holding this sign up."

"How else are we s'posed to know who he is?"

"Yeah, I know, but I guess I'm afraid Giles is gonna show up and wonder what were doing here, holding a sign with his name on it."

"Oh, I think I see him."

A tall man, with snow white hair was rapidly approaching them.

"Are you sure?"

"Is that Giles?"

"Wha-???"

"Hello. I assume you are the young people who called me?"

"Mr. Giles?"

"Yes."

"Uh, I'm Xander, and this is Buffy."

"Yes, Ms. Summers I've heard about you."

"Uh oh. Uh, whatever it was wait. How'd you hear about me? I thought you didn't talk to Giles?"

"Unfortunately, I don't. No, I heard from a few friends on the council. They kept me informed as to Juniors business, which happens to be you, my dear."

<He has friends on the council?>

"Junior?!"

"So, would one of you mind terribly telling me why I'm here?"

Back at Rock Canyon, but a different hotel.

"You say he looked sad?"

"Yes, sir. I just don't want him to hurt. After all the pain I've caused him, I think it's about time I tried to fix something."

"Really?"

"Uh, yeah."

"Is that all?"

"Well, its Giles. I guess some things became clear in the past couple of weeks. I mean, he's always been there for me, even when I wasn't there for him, and I guess I just don't like seeing him hurting. Not if I can stop it, anyway."

"Well, I think it's an admirable idea, but what if he doesn't want to see me?"

"He doesn't get a choice. I don't know what happened between the two of you, but I'm not going to let him carry around all that pain everyday. He's a good person, and I care too much to let him suffer. It might hurt now, but when all is said and done, hell be better off."

"Well, we better be getting back. I don't want anyone to become suspicious."

"Yes, of course. I shall wait here, then. Just give me a ring when you get everything set up, yes?"

"Yep. Thank you again for coming."

Dinner.

"Did everyone get what they needed today?"

"Yeah. I think were all taken care of. Oh, Giles"

"Yes?"

"I'm having a hard time getting hold of my dad could you come help me look at some apartment guides later? I'm thinking that living out of a hotel isn't a good long-term plan, and who knows when hell get around to calling"

"Of course, Buffy. Ill stop by your room in, say, two hours?"

"That'd be great, Giles. Thanks."

One hour later.

"Giles?"

"Yes, Dawn?"

"Are we moving to a different hotel?"

"No, why?"

"Well, I saw you, Buffy and Xander at the Baymont earlier today, and I figured we were switching or something."

"But I wasn't at the Baymont. I was at the store with you How did you see"

"Well, its across the street I went outside to find Buffy and I saw you three going inside only I guess it wasn't you three, it was them two and someone who looked a lot like you, only with white hair."

"White hair? Oh, dear lord. Dawn, I need you to do me a favor"

Same time, different part of the hotel.

"So, he said about an hour from now. Uh huh. OK, Ill see you then. Oh, room 314. Ok, bye."

Another hour later

"Xander I don't think you're gonna want to be here. I'm not saying you can't stay, but when Giles finds out, he'd gonna be pissed. I just don't want him to be mad at you, too."

"Too late."

"Giles!"

"Buffy, how could you? You knew I didn't want to talk about my father, and yet you go one step farther and BRING him here? Why can't you leave well enough alone?"

"Because she cares, Junior."

"Father."

"Don't be mad at her, son. She's just trying to right a wrong in your life. Personally, I think it's about time, too."

"She knows nothing about it. Yet, she sticks her nose where it doesn't belong."

"Buffy, I think we should go."

"Yes, go. Both of you. Well talk later."

Both decide to leave, and the two Giles are alone.

Outside, in the hall.

"What do you think they're talking about?"

"I dunno, Xand. At least, they're not killing each other. At least, I don't think they are."

Back inside the room

"Junior, settle down."

"Sir"

"No. Now, I don't know why you think you have to cut yourself off from me, but its over. Twenty plus years is long enough to ignore your father, and I wont have any more of it."

"Ignore Sir, I haven't been ignoring you. I've been following your direction."

"I don't understand."

"You said that if I was to walk through the door, that I would not be welcomed back. You said that I would cease to exist in your world. I did, and I've not tried to bother you. If Buffy had minded her own business, you wouldn't have been troubled now. I do apologize."

"Junior all these years. What fools we've been."

"But-"

"Junior, I was talking to the dog."

"The dog?"

"Yes. I was trying to train him not to run outside when the door was opened."

"But-"

"But, you thought I said that because of that fight we had? I knew you didn't want to be a watcher neither did I when I was your age. I also knew you, boy. I knew you would come back and fulfill your destiny. It's not in you to shirk your duty. Were more alike than you'd care to acknowledge, son."

"All these years, I thought you wanted nothing to do to me, and it was because of the dog?"

"Well, when you name yourself after the dog, it does tend to be confusing."

"Hey, I liked that name. Ripper had just the right amount of… of…"

"Rebelliousness?"

"I suppose."

"Anyway, enough about this. We've dwelled on the past long enough. Tell me about your slayer."

"What would you like to know? You have had access to the council records all this time. You could have looked it up."

"I did. I'm sorry, tell me about Buffy. I want to hear the things that didn't make it into the records."

"Oh, well"

Hall, again.

"Its gotten quiet. Should we go in?"

"Lets knock."

Room

<Knock, knock>

"I guess that's her now, making sure we didn't kill each other."

"You know, she reminds me of your mother."

"Mum? How?"

Rupert SR walked over to the door and opened it.

"Buffy, I hate to ask, as I can tell you're worried, but could we have a few more minutes, dear?"

"Oh, sure. I- it got quiet"

"Were almost done, I promise."

"Alright. Well be here."

"Thank you."

He shut the door and walked over to the couch where his son was sitting.

"How does she remind you of Mum?"

"Her eyes. They get the same look when she talks about you as your mothers did when she looked at me."

"Nonsense."

"Is it?"

Twenty minutes later

Buffy stood as the door was opened. Giles SR walked through and shut it quietly behind him.

"He wants to talk to you."

"Ok. Is he really mad?"

Eyes twinkling, he grinned.

"I managed to calm him down, but you two do need to talk. Young Xander, would you care to accompany me to the restaurant for a snack?"

"Ooh yeah. That sounds good. You gonna be ok, Buff?"

"She'll be fine."

Room

"Your dad said you wanted to talk to me."

"I do indeed. Please sit."

"Ok, if you're still mad, lemme just say that I know I did a dumb thing, but I couldn't stand to see you sad, and-"

Giles stopped her tirade with a kiss. Buffy was too stunned to do anything, including close her mouth.

"If I knew that was a way to quiet you, I'd have done it years ago."

"Giles?"

"Bugger it. Buffy I love you. I have since the first day I met you. I just couldn't act on it. Then, I was afraid you didn't. Especially after Olivia. But, as I have always trusted my fathers judgment, and he said I should say my piece, well I have."

"Giles. I wow. Well, I kinda like your dad, and if you trust him, than I do, too. So I love you, too. I don't know when, but somewhere along the way, you got to me, and stole my heart."

"We've wasted enough time. Marry me?"

"Yes."

END