Title : Best Friends Forever 3/3
Author : Catherine
email : catzen20@aol.com
Disclaimer : Joss owns all (BTVS characters).
AT GILES'
When Buffy and Xander entered the flat, it was to find Willow and
Giles pick up the rest of the cup.
"What happened?" asked Buffy.
"Just a bit of clumsiness," Giles replied quickly.
"Yes, my fault. I told him about your wish to go parachuting," Willow added with a grin.
"Duh!" was the first reaction of Buffy, and before she had the time to add something Xander spoke too excited.
"I protected…No, saved Buffy. I fought and killed a demon alone. He didn't know who kicked his ass." Then to Willow, he said, "Baby, you should have been seen your man…" Seeing her reaction, he realized what he was saying.
"Euh…I mean, Willow. Willow…my best friend, since always. My Will!"
Looking around him, he saw Buffy's reaction. She was grinning…happily.
"Buffy?" he began with a questioning voice, "Why…Why aren't you like G-man?"
They looked at Giles, who still had his mouth lightly opened, with the broken cup in his hand.
"Well," he tried to recompose himself, then put the rest of the cup on the table, "Xander! Don't call me like that!" he said, trying to be outraged.
Xander turned to Willow, and in almost accusatory tone, "Willow! You told her!" It was a statement.
"Yes," she answered.
"'But I thought we decided that for a time we will keep that between us," Xander said.
"I know," Willow replied, "But…but Buffy's my best friend. I can't hide things from her. It's impossible. Not in the best friend's code." She said fiercely.
"Thanks!" grinned Buffy.
At the realization of the implication of Willow's words, a thought crossed Giles' mind.
"Buffy?" He inquired.
"Hey, G-m…Giles. Why are you so blank suddenly?" asked Xander.
"Yes?" Buffy answered in a little voice.
"Did you…did you tell her?" Giles asked, but almost sure about the response.
"She's my best friend," she pouted.
"Buf…Buff," Suddenly, Giles remembered his earlier conversation with Willow.
"You knew. So everything you told me was some…joke!"
"Yes. Sorry, Giles. But I couldn't help myself," Willow answered, slyly.
Buffy who was as confused as Xander asked, "Willow, what have you done?
"It was really fun. You should have seen him. It was hilarious."
But the almost Ripper's glare stopped her.
"Maybe, not so hilarious…now," she said in a whisper.
Buffy went to Giles and put her hands in his waist. "My poor baby. Don't worry, I will console you later."
"Yes?" he asked boyishly.
"Yes." And to prove that to him, she kissed him.
"Feel better, now?" she asked.
He grinned, "Yes…until later." He smiled sexily, and she returned his sexy smile.
Xander put his arms around Willow too, and kissed her temples, whispering, "I love you."
"Love you too," she said, and then they kissed.
"Okay, so now everything is clear. No secrets," exclaimed Xander.
"In some ways, I would say it was maybe time," added Giles.
Willow and Buffy nodded.
"By the way Willow, it was your day for the classes' notes."
"No, Buffy. It was yours." Willow shook her head.
"What? No…" Buffy reiterated.
"Buffy, you haven't verified your agenda, again!!! Already last week- " But Willow was cut off by Xander.
"Wait. Don't tell me you two, that you have a sort of…planning for-"
"Oh dear lord!" Giles put his face in his hands.
Buffy and Willow looked at each other, then to them they shrugged before said, with natural, "Of course!"
"We couldn't miss the morning's class so often otherwise," Buffy answered them, "I mean, we could miss the class, but not the notes."
"So, Buffy and I thought it was a better, well…to organize-"
"No need to continue!" Giles raised his hand.
"I agree with that," added Xander.
Giles and him were…red.
Watching them, Buffy and Willow giggled softly.
"Oh come on, guys!" Buffy rolled her eyes, "We didn't say it in that sense."
"Yes." Willow nodded, a little red.
In the seconds after that, there could be heard two soft exclamations of "Women!" and two equally soft of "Men!"
Then, everyone laughed at 'that' situation. The good mood and joy in the atmosphere could be felt.
The rest of the evening passed very quickly and peacefully. Xander explained in exacting detail how he managed to defeat the horrible, big demon. When Buffy added that there was some luck to his lack of equilibrium, he smirked at her and with pride, he informed them that it was very calculated…At that, the others couldn't help laughing. Xander tried to take offense at that but failed and joined the laughter rapidly.
Willow and Giles spoke about what Willow had called the little 'fun' conversation. Buffy was laughing harder at the image of Giles' face about the parachute. He tried to impress her with his glare but knew that it didn't help. Between sobbing laughter, Buffy told Willow, "Oh Willow! You're evil!"
Some hours later, they decided it was time to call it a night.
"Buffy, I thought it's unnecessary to ask you if you want to come with us." Xander grinned.
Giles, behind Buffy, put his arms possessively around her waist and added with a devilish grin, "No, she stays with me."
She looked at him, with the same look of love and desire.
"Well, I think that answers too much of my question," Xander shook his head.
"You're the one responsible for that. You asked," Willow teased him, and kissed him on his cheek.
Suddenly, Willow said with some excitement, "I have an idea."
"Which one?" Buffy inquired.
"Why don't we go out together?"
"Duh!" was Buffy's reaction.
"Yes, it's a very interesting and so new idea, baby," Xander joked.
"Willow, what have you in your mind?" Giles asked, ignoring Xander.
"We could get out as couple, I mean as two friends of couple. After all, everyone knows now. I thought that could be a good idea." Willow finished in a blush.
Buffy thought for a moment, looked at Giles who nodded softly at her.
"Will, I…we think it's a great idea." smiled Buffy.
Xander agreed too, and said, "Hey, there is the new restaurant."
"Why, I'm not surprise that he knows that," smiled Willow.
"Because the surprise would be that he doesn't know," grinned Buffy.
"The new restaurant?" asked Giles.
Buffy and Willow looked at each other, and laughed.
"What?" Giles smirked.
That time it was Buffy who said, "And yet I'm not surprised that he doesn't know about it."
And Willow, "Because if he knew, there would be the surprise."
Giles and Xander looked at each other, smiling.
"They know us." beamed Xander.
"Without a doubt." Giles nodded, happily. Then, asked, "So, about that new restaurant?"
"It's located beside the Antiquities store."
"Where I brought my new lamp," Giles said with enthusiasm.
"New is a big word, Giles," Buffy teased him.
"But you said that you like it," he pouted.
She gently kissed his nose. "And I confirm it," she grinned.
"Wait! Buffy has gone to an Antiquities store." Xander began, "There was some demon's activity there, all right."
"Nope. Just some antiquities," she shrugged.
"So, you went to…Why?" he asked incredulously.
"I couldn't refuse it," she winked.
"Okay. No need to explain. Already too much information," said Xander.
"So, don't ask." replied Willow, shaking her head.
And it was the truth; she couldn't have refused it to him. When she proposed to Giles to do something he wanted, she hadn't had the faintest idea that it would be to go there. She had thought that maybe he could think of some things more 'private' but that…She had looked at him with a surprised expression, said, "Are you sure?" He had nodded eagerly with joy. Realizing that she wasn't really enthused by that idea, he had played the card that he knew she couldn't fight…His card.
He had looked at her with his puppy-eyes, saying in a little voice, "But you said we could do what I would like to do." She was lost; and knew it.
Even if she hadn't admitted to him, at least at the beginning, she had really enjoyed their time there.
They decided to dine at the restaurant the next evening. Giles would make the reservations…and maybe a phone call to the Antiquities store, just to find out if they had received any 'new' inventory.
Buffy giggled, knowing exactly what he had in his mind. At that, he asked innocently, "What?"
"Nothing," she said, and she kissed him.
Then, Buffy looked at Willow, and in chorus they said, "Tomorrow, shopping!"
Xander and Giles looked at each other; Giles asked, "Why?"
"Duh! Giles," answered Buffy, "new restaurant, new dress!" she said as if it were only natural.
"Of course!" added Willow.
"Yes, of course, Giles." Xander grinned.
"What I was thinking!" chuckled Giles.
They said their goodnight and agreed with the fact that Giles and Xander would pick Buffy and Willow at their dorm room. Like that, they could be prepared for the evening, but especially, they could keep the 'secret' about their future new dresses.
THE NEXT MORNING
Buffy and Giles woke up as usual, wrapped in each other's arms.
"Morning, love," Giles said.
"Morning, you," Buffy responded.
Then, they kissed, Giles hold her tenderly and seductively. When the kiss ended, Giles pursued his soft kisses along her cheek, chin, and neck.
Gently, Buffy pushed him and said, "You know that I have rendezvous with Willow."
"Hmm," was his only response, before resuming his 'assaults'.
"Gi…iles!" Buffy tried to speak, "we-you need to stop. If not, I will be late."
"Stop what?" Giles said mischievously.
"You know perfectly what, mister," Buffy replied.
He raised his head to look at her and pouted.
"Useless to pout or try to play your card," she warned him.
"I don't know to which card you are referring," he said innocently.
"Hmm…Anyway, I need to prepare myself."
And with that, she got up.
Giles stayed in the bed, looking at her, "Buffy, I'm sure you have everything you need for the evening."
She kissed him, and said, "But I want to be exceptional."
"Love, you are exceptional."
"You know what I mean."
"Yes," he sighed, "everything is good for shopping."
"Yep." she grinned at him.
"But tonight, my dear, I assure you that you won't need some new dress to be exceptional. I prefer you without."
"Oh, Rupert!" she exclaimed playfully. "But I remember that you like to unwrap too."
She kissed him again.
"Yes, very much."
"So-"
"So, go to buy your bloody new dress."
After a last kiss, she left the bedroom and got herself ready for the day of shopping with Willow.
*****************************************
"Xander, I really need to get up."
"Why?" But Xander knew exactly the reason.
"Remember," Willow said, "shopping with Buffy for tonight."
"You know, you don't have to do that," he said between soft kisses, "You will be perfect for tonight like that. I really like the way you are."
"But…I'm naked!" she hit his arm playfully.
"Yes," he smiled sexily.
"Xander…I really want to go with Buffy today."
He sighed, "Where is the Willow who didn't think about her appearance, about new dresses and other stuff." He wanted to tease her, but Willow took his words very seriously.
She sat on the bed, and "Do you…Do you miss her?" she asked with insecurity.
"What?"
"Do you miss the time where I-"
"Willow," he cut her off, "No and yes. We've grown up, and we've grown up together. We had always loved each other, and now, we're in love. We've changed, it's normal."
He held her softly, then added, "It's all right, sometimes maybe I miss her, but what I have now is so much better. I love you, and not just in a friendly way. I love you entirely. I always loved you, who you were; I love who you have became. I will love the you of tomorrow, and after tomorrow. I will love you forever. But now, I know that you are my Willow, totally mine."
She stayed silent; the emotion was too powerful.
After a moment, Xander spoke again, "And you; do you regret the Xander I was? The Xander who liked to chase after you with a rubber snake?" he grinned.
"Xander," she laughed, "that was last week!"
He didn't say anything, just smiled at her. She nodded. "I understand. I think sometimes, I miss him too."
She kissed him tenderly.
"Try the rubber snake again, and that will be a real danger that will pursue you," she warned him.
"I would prefer it was you who pursue me," he winked at her.
After a moment, Willow got up and prepared herself to join Buffy.
AT GILES', SOME MOMENTS LATER
Xander entered in the flat.
"Giles?" he was calling.
"In the kitchen," Giles responded.
Xander went to the kitchen.
"Do you want a tea?" Giles asked.
"Yes, please," answered Xander, "With some cakes too," he finished in a grin.
"Of course," Giles smiled.
They went to the living room and sat.
Something hit Giles. Xander hadn't really spoken since his arrival.
"Something on your mind?" asked Giles.
Xander whispered a little "Hmm…"
"If you want, I'm here. Do you want to talk about it?" Giles asked.
"In fact, yes, Giles."
"I'm listening."
"It's about Willow," Giles looked at him, before he said something, Xander continued, "Everything is perfect. In fact, it's more about me." He took a breath. "Giles, I'm afraid that one day she will realize that I'm not what she needs. I mean, she might realize that maybe it was an error."
"But you've known each other since always. She knows you. And I'm sure Willow is not someone who gets involved with someone and then changes her mind."
"I know that, Giles. It's just that…well, you, you are all the knowledge, the book guy, Buffy is the slayer, Willow has her magic powers. But me; what do I have?"
"Your heart. You bring, like Buffy, Willow and I, something. No doubt about it. You're necessary and useful. And I saw the way Willow looks at you; full of love." Giles tried to reassure him, even if he knew that it wasn't really the real problem.
"But if it's not enough. Willow is so very intelligent, what can I bring her? I so want her to be proud of me; to be with me. What if one day she thinks that I'm stupid or-"
"Old," Giles cut him off without realizing it.
"Huh, Giles?" Xander looked at him, then, Xander understood that Giles too had some fears, "Why do I have the impression that we aren't only talking me?"
"Sorry?" Giles said.
"You too; you have some fears."
"Yes," Giles sighed.
Suddenly, Xander laughed; Giles was perplexed.
"What a pair we are!" Xander exclaimed, shaking his head. "Giles, I also saw how Buffy looks at you. Believe me, she loves you. There is no doubt about that, and I don't think she will ever think of you, at least now, as old. Believe me, I wouldn't want to be the guy who would suggest that to her." He smiled.
Giles chuckled too; Xander was right. "Well, Xander, I think we need to accept that they love us. And stop with foolish thoughts and fears which exist only in our mind."
"I entirely agree."
They were glad to have had that conversation together. They had realized that they could had similar fears and helped each other to overcome them. They were friends.
The rest of the day was quick. Giles had made the reservation at 7 pm; he hadn't had much difficulty making it. Xander asked him how he had managed to do that. At far as he had heard, it wasn't very easy to have a table there. Giles shared with him his little secret. The antique dealer was in reality the father of the owner of the restaurant.
"Giles, you're the best." Xander grinned.
At almost 6 pm, the time when Giles and Xander were supposed pick up them; Buffy and Willow hurried up to finish getting themselves ready for their date.
"Willow, I already told you but you're absolutely beautiful. That dress is perfect on you. Xander will love it." Buffy smiled to her friend.
"Thanks, Buff. And I'm sure Giles will lose his tongue when he will see you," replied Willow.
"I hope." Buffy winked.
At 6 pm, exactly, there was a knock at their door. When Willow and Buffy opened it, it was to find on each side of their door two handsome men in tuxedos, each with one of their favourite flowers.
"Wow!" said Buffy and Willow as one.
"Willow, you're absolutely stunning," Xander managed to say, giving her the flower.
Giles hadn't said a word yet; his eyes were on Buffy. "Buffy, you're breathtaking, my love," he said, giving her the flower.
After a moment, and some soft kisses, Giles said, "Ladies, maybe we should think about going."
"Yes," added Xander.
The restaurant was really incredible. When they entered in, they could hear soft music.
Their table was really nice, with two bouquets, which were waiting for Buffy and Willow.
"Oh, Giles. They are beautiful," said Buffy with a kiss.
"Not more beautiful than you, my love."
"Xander; thanks. It's so wonderful." Willow kissed him.
"No, it's you who are wonderful, my Will."
Before they began to eat, Buffy, Willow, Giles and Xander raised their glasses, and said, "To us. Best friends forever."
The End
May 31st, 2005