DeeBeth - Without You 03

Title: Without You 3/?
Author: DeeBeth
Feedback: there are worse things in life then flames, and not many better things than praise, but I'll settle for professional criticism. Distribution: Want, Take, Have! But please let me know where its going!
Disclaimer: all characters, except the few I will make up as the story progresses, belong to UPN, The WB, Mutant Enemy, and of course Joss Whedon, not to mention the countless others that I don't know or have never heard of. The only thing I know for sure is that the shows (BtVS & AtS) aren't mine and I have no control over what the characters do, no matter how hard I wish, pray, and dream!

Rating: PG
Disclaimer: the song "Without You" belongs to Tammy Trent and her people.

While on the ungodly long flight from New York to London, Buffy had worked her plan around Giles' schedule. He played at a pub every Friday night at 9:00pm. If Buffy planned everything perfectly and a bigger IF everything ran perfectly she could be at the pub before him and activate her best defense.

The lady that sat beside her on the plane had been listening to a CD it had a song called "Without You" on it and it was perfect, it conveyed everything Buffy felt about Giles. So the song was woven into the plan and now she was actually going to sing it herself. On paper or in theory it sounded good, but now that Buffy was at the pub and talking to the manager, a Mrs. McFery, she was having serious second thoughts. "Exactly how many people come to see him sing?" Buffy asked looking at the already gathering crowd.

"Rupert attracts all kinds we get nearly a hundred head every Friday night due to him." Mrs. McFery said watching the number of patrons grow over the young blonde woman's shoulder. "I can't believe I'm helping conspire to make him leave us, but what can I say, I'm a romantic. And what you're doing is definitely romantic." The manager said leading Buffy in the back to help her set up, noticing Buffy's hesitation she added, "don't worry darling you'll do fine. You said the song is about you two right?" At Buffy's nodded she continued, "there you go, you sing it from the heart and he'll hear you, the real you, okay?" Mrs. McFery asked.

"Its not that really, I know I can sing, I mean I have sang by myself and in front of my friends…just recently actually. But never in front of a hundred strangers and never to Giles before." Buffy said pacing the back stage room anxiously.

"I'm sorry I wish I could talk more but I just saw the man in question come through the door, I've got go break the news about his set time being changed." Mrs. McFery said squeezing Buffy's shoulders in a quick side hug before running to catch up with Giles. "This isn't going to be pretty." She whispered under her breath just as she neared the tall musician who was now having his customary beer.

"Hello Eleanor, how's the crowd looking tonight?" Giles asked gesturing with his bottle to the loud and bumbling group of people behind them.

"Same as always Rupert, uh I've got some news about your slot, I-I let a newbie take it." As a mixture of shock and anger showed on Giles' face she rushed on, "now don't get all hurt or huffy I promise it'll be worth it. She's a one time only appearance and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to have her here, please understand Rupert I have you up right after her okay?"

"So some girl is replacing me for only one night? Do you think your clientele will want me back after they get a taste of a woman singer?" Giles asked in surprisingly good manners.

"Of course darling, the woman in this pub out vote the men every night, you'll always be welcome here, and you know it," Eleanor answered breathing a sigh of relief. Rupert had apparently decided to take this in stride instead of pushing the issue.

"Will I be meeting the girl who stole my spot or will I have to wait until she's on stage?" he asked sounding slightly more irritated at the prospect than he had a few seconds ago.

"I-I'm sure she'd love to meet you but she's about to go on now see…" Eleanor pointed to the girl walking out onto the darkened stage awaiting the lights to illuminate her and expose her soul.

"Look I think I'll go for a walk, and be back when MY set is over than I'll play the poor mans set at 12:00 got it." Giles threw out as he started to work his way around the many tables. But before he even made it past the first table a very strong hand took hold of his arm and hauled him back to the stage. "Good lord woman I thought you didn't use your strength in public." He hissed.

"I don't, unless for good reason. Now you are going to stay here and watch this lady sing or I'll make it so you can't leave if you want to. Do you understand?" Eleanor asked in the same tone Giles had used before, her eyes flashing a bright purple before returning to their normal gray.

"Yes, ma'am I'll just sit here and drink my beer and watch the new girl, what ever you say McFery." Giles answered obediently wondering what had gotten into his boss, she never showed that much of her true self in public and never toward him. Just then he heard a voice, her voice starting to sing. Giles looked up at the now brightened stage and saw the most beautiful sight imaginable. Buffy.

I was walking in the shadows
To avoid your light
Stumbling footsteps along the way
Knowing that I need to turn back
So I close my eyes
Scared that a tear would appear
And you'll see I'm afraid

Over and over and over again
I pushed away
But you reached out and touch me so
I tell you
Over and over and over again
I've made mistakes
But you never let me go
So its time to let you know

Giles was paralyzed by her presence, her voice, her words. Had she really been aware of all he had done? He had been so sure she didn't notice his efforts or cared what he thought of her.

Without you I can't dream
Without you I can't see
Don't want to live my life without you
Here with me
Without you I'm not me
Without you I won't be
Don't want to live my life without you
Without you here with me

Did she really feel that way? Was it more than wanting him to fix everything? Yes it had to be, she had a good job and Dawn was behaving she had met her goals and she still wanted him!

I was hiding in the silence to escape you voice
Some how my heart heard you call my name
So tomorrow in the distance
And I had no choice
All of the walls disappeared
And my tears fell like rain

This revelation left Giles in a state of rapture as he heard Buffy, his Buffy pouring out her heart and soul to him and a hundred other strangers. If he had contained the power to look away from his love he would have noticed that almost every eye in the place was wet with tears for this beautiful young woman. It was as if they could all since that she really felt the words she sang them.

Over and over and over again
I lock you out
But you held the key to my soul
I tell you over and over and over again
I have no doubt that you'll never let me go
No there's nothing you don't know

Buffy had locked eyes with Giles after the second line of the first stanza and had held it steady never wavering. She tried to convey every thing she felt every bit of her love for him. He held her gaze in return almost causing her to gasp at the magnitude of love she saw reflected in his eyes.

Without you I can't dream
Without you I can't see
Don't want to live my life without you
Here with me
Without you I'm not me
Without you I won't be
Don't want to live my life without you here with me

At that verse Buffy slowly raised her right hand to Giles and walked to the edge of the stage.

Life is like a dream when you are here with me
Never thought that I could feel this happy

Slowly curling her fingers into a fist and drawing her hand back to her heart she continued singing, a few unbidden tears slipped down her cheeks. She closes her eyes breaking contact with him for the first time that night.

Now I know that its simple as just a prayer
I close my eyes suddenly there you are holding me
Holding me

She opens them slowly and finds he is moving closer to her, his eyes locked onto hers.

I don't want to live without you
Can't do without you
Can't do without you

My heart won't beat

She starts to descend the stairs in front of the stage, silently thanking God that the microphone was cordless.

It seemed as though the short 15 feet had taken them eons to cross but she was now in front of him. Before either could think Buffy's arms were around his neck and Giles was kissing her like she was his lifeline. The kiss held an almost desperate quality to it, as if both were afraid of loosing the other.

By the bar Eleanor McFery wiped I lavender tinted tear from her eye and blinked quickly she always was a romantic.

TBC...
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