Title: Texas Tea (68 of ?)
Authors: Mrsdrake and Ladyforash
Rating: FRAO
Pairing: Giles/OFC
Summary: Giles travels to Texas.
Disclaimer: These are not my characters. They belong to Joss, Twentieth Century Fox, UPN, WB & Mutant Enemy. This is purely for fun.
Jessie belongs to Ladyforash.
Spoilers: Takes place after season seven.
After Giles went to work, Jessie helped get her Pa settled in. She showed him around the grounds and then he went to take a nap after his jet lag. This gave Jessie some free time.
Yes, she had officially won the bet, but she still wanted to make Giles smile. She truthfully hadn't been that cranky about finding him that morning in the shower. It was more amusing then anything. Still, she knew he was worried about things with her Pa. She wanted to make him smile more then anything. So she went into town and bought him a special present. Now she was back waiting for him to get home from work.
Giles managed to slip out of work early without being caught by anyone. He suspected that Faith had threatened everyone into leaving him alone. With a silent promise to thank her later, he drove home almost two hours early.
Jessie was surprised when she heard Rupert's car coming up the road. She hadn't been expecting him that early. She hurried and stuck a bow on the case of the new guitar. She had it opened on the sofa so it would be the first thing he saw when he came into the room. She was pacing nervously, hoping he liked it. Emma said it was the one he'd been wanting for a long time now, but still...
Giles stopped and stared when he walked into the room. He blinked a few times before walking over to touch the guitar.
"Jessie?"
He couldn't believe it was real.
Jessie smiled. She could tell by the expression on his face that he loved his gift.
"You can keep it on the condition that you sing me a love song," she teased.
"Where did you find it?" he asked. "I've searched for years for it."
He picked up the guitar and strummed it once before looking up at her. "You didn't need to do this."
"The day we made the bet I talked to Emma and found out what kind you wanted," Jessie explained. "Then I got online and emailed Willow in Texas. She used some kind of spell to locate one." Jessie still didn't understand all that magic stuff, but hey...it worked! She smiled and shrugged. "I went downtown this afternoon and picked it up."
He leaned over and kissed her. "Thank you. It's a beautiful gift. I am out of practice, though." He put the guitar back in its case. "Is this your way of saying you forgive me?" he asked as he grabbed her up into his arms.
"There's nothing to forgive," Jessie whispered. She pulled his face down for a long, slow kiss. When she needed to breathe she broke the kiss only to say, "I love you," and then kissed him again.
When they parted, he asked, "How is your father?"
Jessie kept her arms around his neck and snuggled close against him. "He was pretty wiped out with the jet lag, so he's sleeping. I told him we'd wake him later for supper."
Giles pulled away with a grin. Sitting down, he grabbed the guitar and tested it. It sounded in tune, so he began to play.
Jessie sighed with a little smile. She was glad he liked the guitar. She sat down on the floor so she could watch him caress the strings, eager to hear him start to sing along with the tune.
He had begun playing a nonsense piece, but when Jessie seemed eager to listen, he changed the tune and began to sing.
Every night I say a prayer in the hope(s) that there's a heaven. and everyday I'm more confused as the saints turn into sinners All the heroes and legends I knew as a child have fallen to idols of clay And I feel this empty place inside so afraid that I've lost my faith
Show me the way, show me the way take me tonight to the river and wash my illusions away Please show me the way
As Giles began to sing, Jessie was touched by two things. One, he had an amazing voice. It made her insides feel squishy and warm. Secondly, the lyrics. They started off so sad, yet she was also touched by the way he looked at her. She knew he was singing just to her.
He was relieved when Jessie seemed to like the music.
And as I slowly drift to sleep, for a moment dreams are sacred I close my eyes and know there's peace in a world so filled with hatred That I wake up each morning and turn on the news to find we've so far to go And I keep on hoping for a sign, so afraid that I just won't know
Show me the way, Show me the way Bring me tonight to the mountain And take my confusion away And show me the way.
Neither Jessie nor Giles noticed Jake. He'd slowly walked into the hallway and leaned against the door frame. He crossed his arms in front of his chest as he listened to Giles sing.
Jessie wiped at a tear in her eye.
And if I see a light, should I believe Tell me how will I know
Show me the way, show me the way Take me tonight to the river And wash my illusions away Show me the way, show me the way Give me the strength and the courage To believe that I'll get there someday And please Show me the way
Every night I say a prayer In the hope that there's a heaven..... Show me the way
As the last of the music drifted away, he closed his eyes and set the guitar into it's case. As soon as he put the guitar down, Jessie moved to sit next to him. She pulled him into a hug and kissed his neck. "That was so beautiful," she whispered.
Then they both heard a soft clapping. Jake came into the room and smiled. "I have to agree," he said gently.
Giles looked up and met Jake's eyes. He pulled away from Jessie and stood. "I don't play often," he said quietly. He looked back at Jessie. "But she inspired me."
Jessie blushed. Her father nodded and gave Giles a half smile. "Her mother used to inspire me to do many things, so I can understand." Then he cleared his throat. "I was wondering if I could cook supper tonight? I thought I'd make you all a real home made Texan BBQ, if you're agreeable."
Jessie smiled. She could tell her Pa was really making an effort, and she hoped Giles could see that he really was liked by Jake.
"Only if you allow me to help in some way," Giles said. He helped Jessie to her feet and put his arm around her. "If she begins having cravings, I ought to know how to feed her."
Jake chuckled and nodded. "Alright, that sounds fine. I believe Emma was going to go shopping for supplies earlier, so why don't we check out the kitchen?"
Jessie went over and kissed her Pa's cheek, then decided to excuse herself. "I'm going to go take a short nap while you guys bond over ribs. Wake me when it's time to eat." Jessie also wanted to check out the computer for wedding vows. The wedding day was almost here and she was starting to stress about not having found the perfect vows yet!
Giles followed Jake to the kitchen. Emma had laid out everything they needed.
Before they started. Giles stopped Jake with a hand on his arm. "Why the sudden change?" he asked.
Jake's eyes narrowed, but then he relaxed. "Several reasons, but I suppose the most important one is that I realize that what you and Jessica have is real. I wasn't sure, before... I worried that once she got here, reality would set in for either one of you. Now I realize I was wrong, and that you do make her truly happy. That's all I want for my daughter, for her to be happy, and safe."
Giles nodded. "That's what I want for her as well." He turned to the sink and began washing his hands. "How long will you be staying? Have you decided?" As he dried his hands, he said, "Jessie would love it if you lived here with us."
Jake began looking over the groceries and grunted. "Did Jessica say she for sure wanted to move here, permanently? And what about your school in Texas?"
"Jessie loves it here, but I don't think she would be happy without you here as well. She does want to stay here until the baby is born. After that I don't know." Giles sighed. "As for the school, I can send someone else to run it. Jessie thinks I work too much anyhow."
Jake started gathering his ingredients so he could take everything out to the bbq out on the back patio area. "If Jessica decides to live here, then I can see myself living between the two places. There are times I'd have to be in Texas to oversee aspects of the ranch, but I could spend the other parts of the year here." He looked over at Giles. "Are you sure you'd want that? You'll have a child, a new wife...I'd hardly think you'd want a father-in-law around.
"I wouldn't dream of keeping you away," Giles said. "Besides, you get along so well with Emma."
Again Jake grunted. It was his favorite form of communication, and one that drove Jessie crazy.
He started up the bbq and instructed Giles on how to marinate the meat. He glanced up towards the house and nodded at Giles. "How is Jessica feeling? Has she seen a doctor yet?"
"She's doing wonderfully, and she has seen a doctor." Giles watched Jake a moment before adding, "She's made many new friends here."
Jake put the various meats on the grill. "She didn't have many friends back home," he commented. Then he gave Giles a funny look. "What was that about a Harley?"
Giles blushed bright red. "She won a bet." Jake continued to stare. "We decided to abstain from any sexual activity until after the wedding. She bet me that I wouldn't make it until then." He felt his face grow hotter. "She won. I lost. She wanted a Harley if she won."
Jake just continued to stare at Giles for a moment longer, and then he burst out laughing. He laughed so loudly that the birds flew out of the trees. He clapped Giles on the back. He was proud of the younger man for actually telling him the truth. If he'd tell Jake about something like that, he could probably be trusted. "Son, you should know by now that Jessica rarely loses. Trust me on that." He was still chuckling when he turned back to the meat. "A Harley huh? She does have expensive tastes, I'm afraid."
Then Jake paused as he flipped over a steak. "How did you actually lose this bet anyway?"
Giles groaned. He couldn't believe he was having this conversation. "She caught me masturbating in the shower," he mumbled.
"Ah," Jake said with a smile and a nod. "Well, you'll be married the day after tomorrow. I assume the bets off then." Jake was still chuckling when he pulled the meat off the grill. "The potato salad is already in the fridge. Why don't you go wake up Jessica and we'll eat soon." Jake would set the table and find Emma while Giles brought down Jessie.