TITLE : WHEN WILL YOU SEE ME ?
PART : 9/?
AUTHOR : Catherine
DISCLAIMER : Joss owns all
FEEDBACK : Absolutely, Please. Love it

This part is dedicated to editcat ; you know why, you're the responsible for that *g*

I hope you'll like it.

Many thanks to Phen, I'll try to "bother" you soon ;) Thanks for your kind words and support : )

All the gang was outside, with Xander blocking the entry.

"Xander, can you go in?" Willow screamed at him.

"No way, Will. I don't want to see what they're doing!" he shook his head.

"Xander!" she said in an alarmed voice, "go in that flat, now!" she ordered him. "Spike is burning!" she pointed at him.

"And?!? I'm sure what there is in that flat is more-"

"Xander!" Willow said in a dangerous voice.

With that Spike forced the way and came in the flat.

"Bugger, Xander!" Spike yelled.

"What?"

"What?!? You're asking me what?" Spike exploded.

Xander shrugged his shoulders in defeat, and sighed an "It's not my day."

"Xander, it's your own fault. Going into the cave like that!" said Willow.

"My fault?!? How I would have known that?that?Ya know!"

While all that 'tragedy' occurred, Buffy and Giles had 'looked' at the scene without saying a word.

"Hey, all" Buffy waved. Giles added "Good morning everyone. May we have the pleasure of knowing what is going on here?"

Before one of the four answered, Buffy pointed, "Dawn's not with you?"

Willow answered first, "No, she refused to come. She's still very angry about?"

"About?" repeated Giles, wanting Willow to finish.

She whispered, uncomfortably, "You."

Buffy felt the hurt in Giles; Giles and Dawn had always had a strong relationship. Giles loved Dawn--for her he could be like an authority figure, but also a confident, a friend. Buffy was sure that Dawn loved Giles almost as much as she did, and the feeling was reciprocated by Giles.

Buffy sighed.

"Well, do you want some tea?" Giles asked. "And then, maybe you could explain to Buffy and myself why it is not Xander's day?" he tried to smile.

They nodded, and with that, Giles went to the kitchen to prepare the tea while everyone sat, well, tried to sit, between the books "Seems the watcher began the search," said Spike, pointedly looking at the books.

"I'm sure he will ask us to arrange what he has done!" added Anya.

Xander nodded, Willow wanted to say something, but before that Anya said, shrugging her shoulders, "All right."

They were all here, except Buffy, who wanted to be sure Giles was really fine.

"Hey," she grinned, "Are you all right?" she asked, taking him into her arms.

He put his chin on her head. "Yes," he answered in a little voice.

"Liar."

"Just a little. It's just-"

"She's stubborn, but don't ever, ever doubt she loves you."

"Yes." he sighed.

THE SUMMERS' HOUSE

"Dawn! I can't understand you!"

"Me? It's all of you I can't understand, Mom! After?it's only his fault if?if Buffy?without saying it, things would have been worse!"

"It's unfair Dawn, unfair for Rupert, and you know it. Seriously, I don't know why you're so upset!"

"She would have died!" screamed Dawn.

"Dawn-" Before Joyce added something, there was a knock at the door.

"A minute please," said Joyce, and then looking at her daughter, "We'll finish that conversation later."

When Joyce opened the door, it was to find?Olivia.

Seeing who the visitor was, Dawn said angrily, "Great, the only thing missing was her!"

"Dawn Kate Summers!" exploded Joyce. Turning to Olivia, she said, "Sorry about that. Please come in."

"I'm going to go upstairs," said Dawn coldly.

"It's not his fault, you know." Olivia had surprised Dawn saying that.

"No, it's not only his fault." Dawn said, with intensity in her eyes.

"Dawn, that's enough," said Joyce.

"Why? She knew?she knew, knows that Giles, he's the only who could have helped and prevented what happened to Buffy. But she let him, knowing the consequences!" insisted Dawn.

"You're wrong. I didn't know," said Olivia softly.

"You're lying!"

"Dawn!"

"What? She's lying, and you let her, Mom. I don't believe you, Olivia! Mom and Spike heard you at your last visit, and they told us. You knew!" she pointed her finger at Olivia.

Olivia shook her head, "I assure you and your mother that I didn't? remember. At that moment, I remembered some parts, but not everything." she admitted softly.

For Dawn, it was surrealistic; she couldn't believe what she had heard. "Of course! It's so practical," she said sarcastically.

"Dawn! I already told you, that's enough." Joyce stopped her, then turned to Olivia. She invited her to sit, and poured some tea.

"Olivia," began Joyce, "you said you didn't remember. How?"

Dawn looked at her angrily, a thing that didn't (really) frighten Olivia. She couldn't blame her, she understood her reaction towards her and Rupert; but she needed Dawn to listen to some explanations? and for Dawn and Rupert to mend their relationship.

Olivia began her story. "After the death of James, I was destroyed, and, without Rupert's help, I-" it was painful to continue, but she had decided to tell them, with hope Dawn could understand, that she wasn't her enemy, at least not like at the beginning.

"Olivia, are you alright?" asked Joyce

Olivia nodded softly.

"You're not obligated, Olivia." said Joyce.

"Thanks. But I want to,? Olivia responded. Taking a deep breath, she continued, looking more at Dawn than Joyce. "Dawn, I understand why you're so angry towards Rupert and me; nevertheless, you should understand. Because of my past actions, Rupert feels responsible of me--my protector."

Dawn was always angry, but seeing Olivia, hearing how painful it was for her, she listened; she was almost sure that it would help her to stop being angry towards Giles. Dawn looked at her, giving a signal that she could continue. Olivia understood it and, spoke again.

"At that time," it was useless for Olivia to say to which 'time' she referred, "Rupert's help was important, even if his sorrow was as strong as mine, but contrary at me, he tried to continue, to accept. I, no. His help, support was very important, but not enough. His death was already insurmountable, and knowing about vampires, demons and others things was something I couldn't face anymore." She paused, taking a sip of her tea. "So, one night, I looked at a James' magic book where I know I could find a spell which could block a certain part of my memory. But, that spell was only temporary, and with some effects. You can?t forget; it's impossible."

Dawn and Joyce looked at her questioningly; Joyce was the first to ask, "What do you mean Olivia? The spell didn't work?"

Olivia shook her head, "The spell worked, I remember James and Ripper, but as for the rest?"

"You said it was temporary?" Dawn asked. Her anger was finally gone, apparently; hearing Olivia?s story, seeing how difficult that seemed, Dawn tried to understand.

Olivia nodded, "Yes, at the beginning everything was fine, but my conscious memory was blocked--my unconscious, not really. Sometimes, in my dreams or nightmares, my memory finds a way to reach my consciousness. And the facts that are a part of James' life?my memory came back little by little. That morning, before I came to your home, my memory had almost come back; and, learning, realizing Buffy was the slayer and Spike?a vampire, all that were the last push for my memory. Now, I remember everything."

Even if she wasn't angry anymore, Dawn didn't want to let her know that fact. "Great story! But I don't see what that changes," she said coldly.

Olivia chuckled lightly, "You're really her sister. You don't want to let things be so easily. Like her, you're stubborn, even when you see there is no reason to stay in your position."

Understanding the teasing, Dawn smirked.

Joyce watched them, and decided it was better to not intervene. Trusting Olivia enough, she saw that she really wanted to help; trusting her daughter too, Joyce knew Dawn could see and understand what Olivia said.

With greater seriousness, Olivia added, "I know it's not an excuse, and I can't change what happened. Dawn, you must believe me when I tell you that I didn't want to hurt Buffy, and in doing so, Rupert. It was not his intention either, and I'm sure, like everyone else, you know that the fact that Buffy is hurt, hurt him too. More than you can imagine. He?s feeling responsible for that. He was lost. And feeling responsible for me too. It was a situation that wasn?t easy for him?but now, things must change, and he mustn't feel like my protector and responsible for me anymore. That's why I need your help."

Dawn looked at her with surprise. "My help? For what?"

Taking a box from her purse, she gave it to Dawn.

"Give him that, please. He'll understand."

Dawn took the box and looked at her, the question in her eyes.

Olivia, who didn't want to hide anything, answered her silent question; "It's a ring. James' guide ring. It goes back to Rupert more than me. It's time."

Dawn nodded. "I'll give him it."

"Thanks," Olivia said simply.

Joyce smiled at them; looking at her watch, she realized it she needed to go to the gallery. "Olivia," she began, "I'm really sorry, but I need to go."

"Don't be sorry, and I want to thank you for letting me explain some things."

"No, it's me who should be thanking you for your help."

"Us," corrected Dawn, "it's us who should thank you," and turning to her mother, she asked, "Do you have the time to leave me at Giles', Mom?"

"Sure." answered Joyce, "Olivia, come back anytime you want. You'll be welcome."

"Thanks. I think I need to go, too."

With that, they left, and Joyce drove Dawn to Giles?.

Giles and Buffy were still in the kitchen; Willow looked intently at them. Spike saw the concern in her eyes. "Luv? Something's wrong?"

Willow looked at him, and then nodded, "Haven't you noticed?" she asked, before returning her attention to the kitchen.

"If you're talking about the fact that they are together, as a couple, yes, Will, we noticed," said Xander, who finished with a "And I prefer not to think about-"

"Like what Luv?" Spike cut him off with a 'glare'.

"Well, she immediately noted the absence of Dawn, without hesitation. I mean, I didn't really pay attention on the moment; but thinking about it, that seems…strange."

"Your special training works," said Xander.

But Willow shook her head, "No Xander, it's not that. She knew it…it was like she, she-"

"Really saw it," Spike finished.

Willow nodded.

"But that's impossible," said Anya.

"What is impossible?" asked Giles as he entered with a tray followed by Buffy. "So?" Giles asked while he and Buffy sat.

Anya, Xander and Spike looked at Willow, "Well," she began, a little uncomfortable; it wasn't an easy situation to talk about that. "It's just that I noticed, well, not that it's really important and a big thing, and I could have made an error, after all, it's impossible…and-"

"Luv, get to the point," Spike said.

Giles looked at Willow, so…Buffy.

"Yes, you're right. Like I said," continued Willow, "I'm sure its my-"

"You wear Spike's clothes!" Buffy pointed out.

"Humm? Yes," Willow blushed.

"Oh please!" begged Xander.

Then, thinking about it, "Buffy?" Willow was perplexed, "How…I mean-"

But Buffy cut off her, "You and Spike had…ya know. And you haven't said anything to me." Buffy pouted.

"Buffy," Willow blushed, "it was this morning…okay that night and-"

"Yes, unfortunately for me," groaned Xander.

"Xander, we already told you. It's your own fault. Walking into the cave like that." Spike replied to him.

"How would I have known?" Xander shouted.

"I sleep in the Summers' cave since Buffy…well, to protect them." Spike had turned to Giles to explain to him.

"But I didn't know Willow did too!" Xander exclaimed.

"They had sex," said Anya with her usual calm and tact.

"Thanks for that precision, Anya," Giles smirked.

"You're welcome," she answered with a smile.

Giles rolled his eyes, while Xander made an "Eiww, An."

"So, you and Spike are all the couple-y thing, now. It was about time!" smiled Buffy.

"Euh…Thanks," responded a blushing Willow.

Buffy approached Willow and whispered something to her; she nodded happily before said to Buffy, "Same for you, Buff." Willow grinned, while Giles and Spike looked at each other, not really reassured.

"Love?" asked a 'worried' Giles.

Then Spike asked, "Why do I have the impression that we will be the subject of their next discussions."

"Hey, I want all the details, too!" exclaimed Anya.

"Anya," pleaded Xander.

"What?" she looked at him, and added, "I told her, so-"

"Not only her," whispered Giles.

"And we hadn't asked for it," Spike muttered.

After that, there were some jokes, some…well, a lot of teasing, especially from the girls to their men, which produced some comments such as "Oh dear Lord!", "Bugger!" and "I don't want to hear that!" Everything seemed to be normal; well, at least for them. They forgot the last weeks and enjoyed the company of each other, with some light talk, and laughter, until there was a knock at the door.

"A knock? That's new," smiled Xander.

"Yes, maybe you should try it sometime," replied Giles, trying not to smile.

"Ah! Ah! Very funny, Giles!"

"That could be a great idea," winked Spike.

"Arghhh…No!" Xander grimaced," And to think that I managed to erase that…that thing from my mind."

Everyone was laughing hard, except Xander who put his head in his hands.

When Giles opened his door, it was to find Dawn.

"Hi Giles," she said shyly, then looked at the others, "Hi all."

"Dawn," began Giles.

She looked back at him, and "Giles, I…well," she was uncomfortable.

Understanding that, Giles smiled at her and opened his arms. She smiled back and, accepting his invitation eagerly, she was in his arms.

"I'm sorry, Giles. I…I love you."

"I know, Dawnie. I love you, too."

She raised her head, "It's the first time that you've called me that, Giles."

"Yes, I…I never thought that-" Giles stammered, but was cut off by her.

"I like it," Dawn said with a large smile.

Giles sighed happily; in some way until then, he had been afraid to show his feelings towards them. They knew that they were important to him, and Giles knew that the others loved and appreciated him, but they never talked about that. Not really. During those days when he couldn't talk to them, especially to Buffy, he felt very lonely, even lost. And when he learnt about Buffy, everything around him collapsed. He thought that he had lost her, that she could never forgive him; how could she? When he couldn't forgive himself. He had felt such guilt, such failure that it almost made him crazy. But she went…no, came back to him. She had forgiven him without a doubt, and to have her in his arms was the best gift he could receive. *I'm here honey* she 'told' him, *Buffy.* A wave of love went across him. And now…he had another gift, Dawn was in his arms.

He knew that she had been very angry with him, but now, she was in his arms, and he had called her Dawnie. Several times, he would have liked to call her like this, but was afraid to let open his heart; if he had opened his heart who knew what he could have say to Buffy, too...He had wanted to keep up his guard, to not lose Buffy. It was a horrible thing; he almost lost her. If that demon-- *No, don't go here* he thought, but the paradox was that he had pushed away Buffy 'that' day because he wanted her to realize that he was a man too. And with that, he had lost not only Buffy, but the others too, especially Dawn.

But today was a new beginning, and Giles had decided to let his heart have a word.

He smiled happily, when he looked at Dawn, and said, "I thought it was about time."

"Yep." Dawn grinned.

"I'm here, y'a know. I mean, girlfriend here!"

Giles and Dawn turned their head to Buffy at her comment, and her comment wasn't missed by Willow.

"Yes, love. A problem?"

"Nope, it's just that even if Dawn is my sister, and I'm really pleased that you two are friends again, you never hugged each other as long."

Giles blinked before asking her, "Are you…are you jealous?"

"No…well, you know me, I'm a little possessive," she blushed, and finished almost in a whisper, "and jealous."

"Aww, Buffy," Dawn said, "Are you crazy? Giles is too old!"

"It was a long time," Giles shook his head, but smiled.

"He's not!" Buffy exclaimed.

Dawn looked at Giles who was still smiling and smiled sheepishly to him.

He kissed her hair, whispering, "Thank you."

When Dawn looked at him, he said, "Look at Buffy's reaction," He winked.

"Giles." Now, Dawn was giggling.

After a short moment, at least for Dawn and Giles, Dawn pushed herself away a little from him. "I almost forgot; Olivia gave me this for you."

She took a little box from one of her pockets of her jeans and gave it to him.

He took it, and looked at it puzzled, then realized what it was when Dawn said to him, "Olivia wanted you to have it."

Suddenly, a rush of emotions was crossing him; Buffy felt it and at once she was at his side.

"Giles," she said softly, putting her hand on his arm, "what is it? What is that?"

Giles was still staring at the little box, "It's…" He tried to collect his emotions. He blinked, took a deep breath, and explained, "It's James' guide ring."

"James?" Willow asked.

Suddenly, they became aware of the presence of everyone. Dawn, Buffy and Giles went to sit back down.

He opened the box, and touched the ring, which was placed there, delicately.

"James was your magics guide, right?"

Giles raised his head to look at the person who had asked the question, before he answered, "Yes, Anya."

"Magics guide? What is that? You have a guide?" It was Xander.

"I did. He's…dead," He said painfully.

Everyone stayed silent, Giles looked at them carefully and knew that he wouldn't be forced to tell everything, but he wanted to.

Then Giles began to relate them the story about Watcher and Sorcerer, about James and him…

At the end of his story, everyone, except Anya--as she said, she had been in the business long enough to know all about them--seemed surprised by his revelations and what they learnt.

"Wow!" Willow exclaimed, "I never suspected that."

"Me neither, Will," added Xander.

Spike and Dawn nodded.

"And, in fact, we know one of them," declared Buffy.

"Seriously? Who?" Dawn asked with curiosity.

"Angel."

"Angel is what?" frowned Spike.

"A sorcerer guide," pointed Buffy.

"Yes, Buffy is right. He's the guide sorcerer of Wesley," added Giles.

"Wow! Strange; how a vampire could be that?" Willow asked.

"Yes, Giles. As you said the magic guide is very powerful," said Buffy.

"It's not a little…dangerous?" Xander managed to ask, a little worried.

Giles sighed, before he explained, "In fact, his powers are asleep."

Xander frowned, "Hmmm…and that means?"

"Exactly what I said." Giles replied with a smirk, then he pursued, "When Darla turned him, his powers were instantaneously asleep. That's a security measure from the PTB. If a sorcerer guide is turned, he loses the capacity to use his powers. In a some way, he lost them with the fact that they were immediately sleeping."

"Does that means that now, his powers are returned; I mean, awake?" Dawn asked.

"No," Giles shook his head, "it's true that his soul is came back, but the demon is always inside him. Nevertheless, he has found the capacity to help guide Wesley. But without his magic powers."

"Acathla!" Willow exclaimed.

All turned to look in her direction at her loud comment.

"Sorry," she blushed.

Giles smiled to her, he was proud of her, "Yes, Willow. You guessed right."

"I know that I will speak for everyone when I say: Huh!?!" Xander said.

Giles looked at her, and with a nod, encouraged her to explain to them.

"That explains why it was his blood; I mean why it was Angel's blood that was the key to open Acathla," Willow clarified.

Some "Ah"s were said by all, then Spike said, "I always wondered why it was him."

"Yes, why dead boy and not peroxide boy," Xander grinned.

"Hey!" Spike shouted.

*************

After a moment, Willow looked at Buffy and Giles then said, " So you two, are we going to tell us what happened between you, or not?"

"Willow," grinned Buffy, "I thought it was obvious."

"Love!" exclaimed a suddenly very red Watcher.

"You know exactly what I mean," Willow added, a little exasperated.

"What?" Dawn asked.

"Okay," said Buffy, "we're going to tell you. Giles, tell them."

He looked at her with surprise.

"See, they're really a couple now; she gives him orders." Anya smiled.

"It's a type of change," mumbled Giles playfully.

"So, Giles what is it about?" asked Xander impatiently, "The suspense is killing us; well, except peroxide boy of course," he grinned at Spike.

"Ha! Bloody ha! Xander," retorted Spike, before he could add something else, Willow said, "Enough, kids. Now, let Giles talk."

Hearing her, and her tone, two small voices, like two little boys, said "Okay."

"Good," grinned Willow, "Giles, we're listening to you."

"Thank you, Willow." *Wow, between her and Buffy, we need to be careful.*

*I heard that.*

At this voice in his head, he looked at Buffy, a little worried, and then tried to regain his posture.

"Well, yes," Giles began, " I don't know if you have perceived this, but since the beginning, slayer and watcher have a special relationship, a special link."

At that, there were several comments, sarcastic comments to be more precise, "Really!?!", "No Kidding?!?", "It's difficult to miss that," "Sincerely?", "Surprising!"

"Pardon?" Giles was surprised, whereas Buffy was giggling.

"If I understood, you have always guessed that fact." Giles smirked.

"I think yes, honey."

"Yes," he chuckled.

"Well, as I was saying it-"

"I see!" Buffy cut him off.

"Love, this is my explanation!" he shouted.

She patted his arm in comfort, "Next time, promise."

"Wait," Willow was the first to speak after Buffy's comment, "You…you see? How?"

All were under the shock at that revelation.

"In fact, my eyes still don't work."

"So…"

"I'm seeing by Giles."

"I think I can restate everyone's question by Huh?!?" Xander said.

"What Buffy tried to say, and I would have explained you with my explanation-"

"Long explanation," added Buffy, with a smile.

Giles sighed, "Yes, love. Anyway, Buffy and I are bonded."

"Bonded?" Dawn asked.

"Yep. Cool, No?" Buffy grinned.

"What sort of bond?" asked Willow.

Giles hadn't had the time to answer, when Buffy said, "Telepathic, visual, sound, we hear and see what the other hears and sees, feelings too, thought of course and…well, it's the total," Buffy finished with a large smile.

"Right, now I remember that I have heard about that." It was Anya.

"Ah yes?" Spike said, "I never have."

"You didn't pay attention. And we weren't in the same business. We listen to people; you, you eat them."

"You were a vengeance demon!" shouted Spike.

"And? I listened and saw what was around me," Anya said proudly.

"Difficult to believe," Giles whispered.

"Yes, and you haven't changed." Dawn rolled her eyes.

"Right." Anya grinned.

"Well, sorry to stop an interesting discussion, but as we said, Buffy and myself are bonded. Though it would be wiser if we had the training to learn how to use it, so we could beat the sense demon."

"So, another special training; I'll plan it," Willow said with trepidation.

"Giles, you couldn't please her more," Spike said, putting his arms around his girlfriend, kissing her forehead.

"Apparently," Giles smiled.

"Nevertheless, we still have a problem. To defeat the demon, we need to know where he is."

"Willow's right," Dawn added.

"We will do a locate spell," Giles said simply.

"No, Giles. We searched and found that a locate spell doesn't work for that type of demon," explained Willow.

"We won't do a locate spell for the demon, but a locate spell for Buffy."

Some "Huh?"s were expressed.

"Hmm, Giles…I thought you're the best person to know that Buffy's here."

"I know that Xander…But the demon has a part of Buffy, a part of her essence."

"Of course," exhaled Willow excitedly, "It's perfectly logical."

"What?" asked Buffy.

"Buffy, the demon has stolen one of your senses; like Giles said, he stole a part of your essence. So, with a locate spell about you, we will know where that demon is, too."

"You mean that in a way, I'm at two different places at the same time."

"Exactly."

"And they said that that's impossible." Xander grinned.

"We will begin it tomorrow. Today was full of emotions, and I suggest that we try to have some rest," said Giles.

Everyone agreed happily at that. They were glad, feeling a feeling that they hadn't had much lately.

Now, they had regained hope and real happiness.

End Part 9
TBC...
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