Title: Music
Author: BuffyRipper
Pairing: Buffy/Giles
Rating: Sadly, I have to say PG.
Disclaimer: Ther’ no mine. I have 27 cents. In pennies. Please don’t sue. The Joss-God owns all he sees. Damn it all.
Spoilers: Pretty much AU from the get-go. Brief mention of season 5…
Dedication: Wow… This one is for Jen. For encouraging me to write, knowing that my muse abandoned me… and for having it work. You’re a special person, and I love you for it.
Distribution: Whoever wants it… just let me know. I have to tell my friends where they can find it.
Notes: * * Depicts thoughts
Summary: A night of music leads to so much more.
In a busy place like the Bronze, it’s hard to notice all of the comings and goings. At least, that’s what a petite blonde was hoping. As she slid into a chair at a corner table, she briefly wondered what possessed her to come on a Tuesday night.
Before she could form an answer, the house lights dimmed. Looking up at the stage through the dim lighting, her mouth fell open in shock.
“Giles?!” she gasped quietly.
Quickly, she looked around, afraid that someone had heard her. Noticing that no one was paying attention to anything but the stage, she breathed a sigh of relief. Once again, her attention was drawn to the men onstage.
“Tonight, we have something a bit different for you. Ladies and gentlemen… Rupert Giles.”
With that, the unknown man left, and all that was left was Giles… holding a guitar. Without speaking, the Englishman sat on the lone chair that graced the stage, and began playing.
Though she didn’t recognize the song, Buffy found herself entranced by the smooth guitar, as well as the soft lyrics her reserved Watcher was singing.
Too quickly, the night passed. Buffy found herself walking home, dazed. She could not stop thinking about Giles. As if on autopilot, she unlocked the door and let herself in quietly. Stealthily, she crept up the stairs, and readied herself for bed. Her last thought before sleep claimed her was of him.
The next day at the Magic Box, Giles waited for his Slayer. Earlier, she had called and asked how he felt about some training. Surprised, but pleased, he had readily agreed.
“Anya, I’ll be in the back if you need me.”
Not bothering to wait for an answer, he hurried into the back to change into his workout clothes before Buffy arrived. A few minutes later, the front door alerted everyone to a new presence, it’s brass bell ringing merrily.
“Where’s Giles?” the perky blonde asked without preamble.
“He said he was going to the back room.”
“Thanks.”
Trying to appear casual, Buffy made her way to the training room. Without hesitating, she opened the door and walked in… to a view of naked Watcher butt. Swiftly turning around, her cheeks aflame, she could only think of one thing to say.
“Oh, Jeez! I’m SOOO sorry, Giles!”
Mortified himself, he could only mutter under his breath about knocking.
“You know… locking doors is a good way to avoid people walking in on you. Especially handy while you’re changing clothes. Still horribly embarrassed, Giles (who, by this time had finished dressing) could only glare at her back.
“You wanted to train?” he asked pointedly.
‘Oh, yeah. I know it’s been ages, but… Um… I can tell I’m getting sloppy. Last night, a newbie ‘lived’ way longer than expected.”
“You caught him eventually, yes?”
“Dustbusted.”
“Good. Ah… what would you like to work on first?”
“Well, I was thinking about that. I couldn’t seem to land many punches, so I was thinking hand to hand, if that sounds good to you. Maybe quarter staffs later, depending.”
“That sounds fine.”
The duo spent the next few minutes stretching and warming up before squaring off.
“How exactly were you sloppy?”
“He ahh… he lunged at me, and I couldn’t-“
Before she could finish, Giles lunged at her. Moving with a mystical grace, she smoothly sidestepped her Watcher, adding a light tap to his back directly over his heart, which sent him sprawling to the mat.
“Your reflexes certainly seem fine to me. If I were a vampire, I’d be dead…. Provided you had a stake in your hand.”
Realizing her mistake, she tried to think of an excuse.
“Uh…I guess I thought about it so much last night, I solved my problem.”
“I hardly think so. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing?”
“Nope. Not a thing.”
“Buffy… clearly, you have something to talk about. Instead of beating me to a pulp unnecessarily, why don’t you just say what’s bothering you?”
“I... it’s you.”
“Me?”
‘Yes. Last night, I went to the Bronze.”
“Ah. I take it you caught me?”
‘Yeah. So… what gives?”
“I don’t understand.”
‘You... what gives? Mr. I’m-so-sexy-with-a-guitar. Oh, God… please tell me I didn’t just say that. Please?”
“Sexy?’ he managed to squeak out.
“Crap. Yes, if you must know… sexy. And what was that first song you played, anyway?”
“Always on My Mind. Why?”
“It was pretty. “
“You really thought I was sexy?”
“Ok, can we just forget me saying that, please??” She flopped down on the mat next to Giles, who hadn’t gotten up from his fall earlier yet.
“Sorry.”
“I mean… what’s with you nowadays? You’re all…. Mid-life crisis-y.”
“Mid-life crisis? I’ve been playing before you were thought of.”
“Then why didn’t I know about it?”
“Perhaps because you never asked.” With that, Giles got up, and left the room.
A few days later, Buffy was starting to get worried.
“Willow, I tell you, Giles just doesn’t disappear like this. Something’s got to be wrong.”
“What exactly happened during training anyway?”
“It... I … he… I don’t know. We were talking, and he got up and left.”
“And you haven’t heard from him since?”
“Nope. Nothing… I went by for a demony report, and he wasn’t home. Something must have happened to him.”
“Maybe he went back to England… ooh, maybe someone was sick or something.”
“Like who?”
“Maybe his mom or dad?”
“Are they still alive?”
“I don’t know. He doesn’t talk much about his family.”
“He doesn’t talk much period.”
“Oh, that’s not true… well, ok, it is, I guess.”
“We have to find him. He could be hurt or… or...”
“No. Don’t think like that. You can’t You have to think positively. If he is hurt, then you’re going to find him. That’s all there is to it.”
“You’re right.”
“Of course I am.”
“How are we going to find him?”
“I don’t know yet… Scooby meeting tonight?”
‘Yeah. Make it my house… 7pm.”
“Ok, I’ll let Xander and Anya know.”
“So, what’s up?”
“Has anyone seen or heard from Giles lately?”
Buffy scanned the faces, the negative shakes and low murmurs steeling her resolve.
“Then we have to assume something’s happened.”
“Who was the last to see him?”
“I was. We were training, and he walked out.”
“What did you say to him?”
“Why does everyone ask me that? I didn’t say anything to him.”
“Buffy, this is Giles. He wouldn’t just leave. Not without letting us know, at any rate.”
“I know that Xander… that’s why we’re here. We need to find him.”
“What if he doesn’t want to be found?”
“What are you saying? He just left? No so long… no forwarding address?
“Obviously, something happened while you were training. Since you don’t want to tell us what, what else are we supposed to think?”
For the first time in days, Buffy wasn’t sure. She couldn’t think of anything she had done wrong, except….
“Oh, God. I drove him off.”
“You what?”
“I drove him away… I made him leave.”
“How?”
“I… I told him I saw him singing at the Bronze, and that it was kinda sexy. He must hate me or something.”
“Buffy…”
“Well, what else could it be? He must be disgusted with me.”
“No. I’m sure it’s not that.”
“Will… I think I may be in love with him. I don’t think I could deal if he hated me.”
“Buffy, he doesn’t hate you. I’m sure of it. Surprised, maybe… wigged even. But he doesn’t hate you.”
“How do you know?”
“OK, oblivious girl… here’s a clue. After 6 years of fighting together, why do you think he never left?”
“Duty. I was nothing more than a job.”
“If you believe that, then maybe it’s best he left.”
“Willow!”
“Well, it’s true. He has been devoted to you, and to keeping you alive, even if it meant him dying instead. That’s not something you do for duty. That’s’ something you do for love.”
“Love? Oh, sure… like a father loves his daughter.”
“Buffy… think for a minute. Your mom fought against you being the Slayer, but did she ever try to go FOR you?”
“No. She had Dawn to take care of.”
“Before last year, Dawn didn’t even exist. No offense.”
“None taken. It’s true. Even I can see it.”
“Buffy, Giles loves you. “
“Then why did he go?”
“Did you say you loved him?”
“No… I only just realized it myself.”
“So he didn’t know?”
“No… he couldn’t have.”
“But, you did tell him he was kinda sexy?”
“Yeah. You’ve seen him sing.”
“Oh, I’m not disagreeing with you… I’m just collecting facts.”
“I think maybe the G-man just needed some time to himself. I’m sure he’ll be back in a couple of days”
“I think you’re wrong. And don’t call me that.”
“Giles!” Unable to control herself, Buffy flew across the room, and leapt into his arms, kissing him soundly.
“How long have you been there?”
“About 10 minutes… Did you mean what you said?”
“About me loving you? Yes. I don’t know how I didn’t see it before, but yes, I love you. I think, in some way, I always have.”
“Oh, Buffy.”
Suddenly realizing she was sill in his arms, she let herself down slowly. She didn’t really want it to end, ever, but since she didn’t know how Giles felt, she didn’t want to push him into anything.
“If… I know this is a surprise to you. It is to me too. I’ll understand if you don’t feel the same way. “
“I think that perhaps we should take this to a more private place.”
“Oh! Ok, yeah.”
Back at Giles’ apartment…
“Giles, say something… please?”
“What would you like me to say?”
“How you feel. Where you’ve been. Whether you hate me or not.”
“I feel fine… a bit tired, perhaps. I was in LA visiting an old friend. Whyever would I hate you, Buffy? You say things without realizing what you’re saying, and have no thought for anyone but yourself.”
“You do hate me. I’m sorry. I’ll just go … now.”
Tears shining in her eyes, but chin set against them; she turned, and started for the door.
“Buffy, wait. I’m sorry. That was a bit uncalled for.”
“No, it wasn’t. You’re right. I don’t know what I’m doing… all I know is that before, when I thought something happened to you, I couldn’t cope. I had this picture of you… lying in a ditch, as corny as that sounds. Or, that something had gotten to you. It… I shut down inside, Giles. I can’t imagine living without you in my life. I swore I wasn’t going to push, and I’m not. I can’t make you feel something. That’s why I’m going to go. The only thing I ask… Can you not go? Even if you’re just here as a friend… I need you, Giles. I need to see you, and know you’re ok.”
“You stupid girl.”
“What?”
“If your friends can’t convince you, maybe this will.” And with that, he stalked over to her, and kissed her. Not one of those light, teasing kisses. Certainly not one you give a friend. This was a kiss alive with passion. The kind that makes toes curl, and knees weak. Which, it did… Buffy realized with a start. * If it weren’t for Giles holding me, I’d be a goo puddle on the floor. *
When the kiss finally ended, both pulled away slightly, shaken.
“Now, how do you think I feel?”
After that, no words were necessary.
~Fin~