Title: Special Delivery
Author: Cyberwulf
Rating: G
Summary: Buffy got another present, one she didn't tell the gang about. Set just after Older and Far Away.
Spoilers: Older and Far Away
Disclaimer: Characters belong to Joss Whedon.
Email: cyberwulf_1andonly@yahoo.co.uk
Author's Note 1: I'd just seen Older and Far Away when I wrote this, and I have one question for the writers: How hard would it have been to just insert one (1) throwaway line about Giles having called/sent a card/sent a present? He wasn't mentioned, not once! in the whole episode. Given the relationships on the show over the past five years, I think this is unbelievable. He'd've sent a card, or a telegram, at least, and if he hadn't, someone would've said something. Really, BtVS script writers, all it takes is one or two lines of dialogue. Stop acting as if Giles never existed. Anyway, rant over. I miss Giles, is all. *sniffs*
Author's Note 2: I almost cried when I wrote this. So, if you miss Giles too, maybe you should have some tissues on standby.

" Man, you think Giles would've sent a card, or something."

Buffy paused on the stairs and listened to the low voices coming from the lounge. Ever since Halfrek had cursed them all so none of them could leave the house, one or two of the gang had started coming by during the evenings to spend time with Dawn. Tonight it was Willow and Xander. Anya was still upset about the whole shoplifting business, which was why she wasn't there too.

" Yeah, it's weird that he didn't even call," Willow remarked. " Un-unless he did. Did he call?"

" Uh-uh," Buffy heard Dawn reply. " Not that I know of. Buffy...she didn't even seem upset."

Buffy turned away, blinking rapidly to hold back the tears that were suddenly stinging her eyes.

Of course he'd sent something. It had arrived two days early. She'd just been getting back from patrol when the postman had shown up. An envelope, and a small brown cardboard package, both covered in stamps. English stamps, with Queen Elizabeth's profile on them. Both addressed to her. She'd taken them inside and gone straight up to her room before opening them.

It was a typical "Giles" card – pastel coloured flowers, with "21 Today" printed on it in gold. Inside, under the sentimental clichéd printed poem, he'd written, `Happy birthday, Buffy. Let's hope it's better than last year's.'

She'd stared at the card for a few seconds, then ripped the tape holding the boxy package closed as best she could with her short fingernails. Buried in the bubble wrap was a small navy blue box. Her fingers trembled as she opened it.

He'd sent her a bracelet. It was real silver, with little Celtic designs engraved on the outside. She traced a fingertip along one of them, and suddenly hot tears were flooding down her cheeks.

She didn't want `Happy birthday, Buffy' written on a card in his copper plate handwriting. She wanted to hear him say it. And she wanted him to hand her the little brown package, and start stuttering as he did so, about how he'd had no idea what to get her, offering to change it if she didn't like it, apologising that it wasn't better wrapped. She wanted to thank him in person, and hug him until he gasped out a reminder about Slayer strength and its effects on mere mortals.

And then she got angry. Because she couldn't do any of that. Because he'd just upped sticks and taken off and left her, left her to deal with the mess she was making of her life and the mess Dawn was making of hers. And she'd snapped the box shut, and stuffed it and his card into her bottom drawer where she'd buried all the pictures she had of him, because it was easier to pretend he'd never existed than to be reminded that he'd gone away. She hadn't told the others what he'd sent her, or that he'd even sent her anything. She'd never even worn the bracelet.

" It's not like Giles not to get in touch," Willow was saying. " You think something happened to him?"

" Nuh-uh," Xander answered. " Anything happened to Giles, Anya would've heard something." There was a pause. " Maybe he...maybe he just forgot."

" Maybe he just doesn't care," Dawn snapped. " Maybe he never cared. Y'ever think of THAT?"

Buffy ran upstairs, choking back sobs. She burst into her bedroom and sat on the bed, clutching Mr. Gordo to her face, letting the tears fall. What Dawn said – was that how they all felt? She couldn't let them go on thinking like that – believing that Giles didn't give a damn about them, or had just forgotten all about his life in Sunnydale. Or worse, had turned out to be just like her father – who truly had forgotten her birthday. Again.

Buffy opened her bottom drawer, and rummaged around for a few minutes before her fingers closed around the little navy box. She pulled it out and stared at it. She took a few deep breaths, composing herself. Then she opened the box and took out the piece of jewellery inside. She fastened it around her wrist and then, following a quick stop in the bathroom to wash her face, she made her way downstairs.

They all looked up as she walked into the room – Willow looking guilty, Xander looking uncomfortable. Dawn just gave her a glance before returning her attention to the TV set. She was still angry.

" Hey, Buff," Xander said, going for cheerily nonchalant, and failing spectacularly. " So, what's the –" He noticed her red eyes. " Hey!" He stood up and approached her, concerned. " You been crying?"

" You guys were talking about Giles, right?" Buffy asked, looking at Willow.

Willow shifted awkwardly, turning almost as red as her hair.

" No, no, we weren't, not really..." She trailed off, then rushed in with, " Buffy, we're really sorry, we never would've if we knew you were listening and that we'd upset you, it's just..." She was starting to get worked up now. " You'd think he'd, he'd at least call you, or something, it's not like you turn twenty-one every day, and y'know I'm starting to think maybe Dawn's right about him –"

" Willow!" The witch realised it was the third time Buffy'd called her, and she broke off, mumbling " Sorry." Buffy swallowed, and looked from Willow, to Xander, still hovering anxiously, and to Dawn, who wasn't looking at the TV any more, suddenly a lot more interested in the drama unfolding in the lounge. Buffy took a deep breath.

" You guys, there's something I meant to tell you. I got a package a few days ago..."

The End
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