Title: Unforeseen Circumstances 16/27
Author: Jadedragon
Rating: R
Spoilers: Season 4 up until Bad Beer, Angel Season 1, in my verse, Doyle didn't die!
Paring: B/G, B/P mentioned
Summary: Buffy has to face the consequences of her night with Parker
Notes: <> denotes thoughts
Thanks: Sandra, thanks for such a quick beta. Great work, as usual.

Willow looked over at Tara, confusion and worry clouding her feelings. They had become very close very quickly and Tara seemed to fill a void in her life that she hadn't realized was there. Willow's feelings for Tara were the same as those she had for Oz, but she had never been drawn to a woman in this way and was very bewildered and complicated. She felt more than friendship for Tara, but was scared to say anything. Willow had been examining her feelings over the last couple of weeks, searching for clarity

When Buffy and Giles had left to go to the Cherokee Reservation, she and Tara had begun to spend more and more time together. The more time they had spent, the closer they had become. The first time that Tara had shyly taken her hand, had at first shocked Willow, but as she felt the love from Tara she realized she felt the same. Still, it seemed strange to be falling in love with another woman. She wondered what her friends would say. Would they be able to accept this relationship? Would she be able to accept it? As she questioned herself and the beliefs that she had always held, she found her thoughts changing, realizing that love comes in all forms and is too precious to deny. But still she was confused. How could she let Tara know how she was feeling and what would she do if Tara didn't feel the same? Willow fell asleep pondering these questions.

**********

Ethan sat in Rupert's living room watching over his brother. He had been here for almost four hours and his patience was wearing thin. Would Nathan be all right from the scan? Rupert had survived intact but would Nathan? Ethan continued to think about his brother and the possible consequences of the Truth Scan. He was so lost in his thoughts and almost didn't hear his brother's moan as he started to awaken. Quickly he called out for Rupert and moved even closer to his brother.

Slowly Nathan opened his eyes. He realized that he was still in Rupert's home but he was surprised at who was leaning over him.

"Ethan?" he queried.

"Yes Nathan, I'm here," answered the man he never thought he would see again.

"Ethan, can you forgive me?" he asked his brother.

"Nathan, you were under an evil spell cast by an evil man. There is nothing to forgive," Ethan assured him.

"You must be taken to the Council Headquarters to be examined. There we can determine if the scan has damaged you and we can further question you regarding the years you spent under Travers' spells," Reginald told the man lying on the couch. "Ethan would you like to accompany us?"

"Yes, I would," he replied.

Within five minutes only Giles and Buffy were in the condo. They turned the lights off and went to bed, knowing that tomorrow was going to be a tough day.

**********

Willow, Buffy and Giles sat waiting for Dean Buckley to arrive. Across from them was a man in his early fifties who they assumed was Parker's father. Parker was suspiciously absent. Dean Buckley arrived about fifteen minutes later, apologizing for his lateness; he had gotten hung up in traffic. He immediately noticed Parker's absence and called for security to find him and escort him to his office.

"Please, come into my office," he invited the four people waiting for him.

When introductions were made he recognized Giles. "Sir, are you the Dr. Rupert Giles who applied for the Directorship in the Antiquities Department?"

"Yes," Giles answered, self-conscious of being recognized.

"Why are you here?" The Dean asked wondering how he knew Ms. Rosenburg and Ms. Summers.

"Ms. Summers and I recently became engaged," Giles answered.

"Then this is your child, not Parker's?" William asked, hoping this would be the situation.

"No, but I think Buffy should explain the situation concerning Parker," Giles replied to the man who he felt couldn't control his child.

"Let's all sit down and discuss the situation while we wait for Mr. Abrams to join us," the Dean said as he pointed to the chairs arranged before his desk. "Ms. Summers, how did you meet Mr. Abrams."

"I was on my way to lunch and he let me break in line. We started talking and he seemed so nice and now, looking back, I realize that he was just telling me what I wanted to hear. He came across as sad and sincere."

"What do you mean, sad and sincere?" the Dean asked.

"He told me that his father was dead and it had been hard for him to cope with his death," Buffy said as she looked at William.

"He told you I was dead?" William asked in shock.

"Yes, sir," when he didn't say anything else, she continued. "He told me he majored in history because if we didn't understand the past and our failures, we would repeat them. He said it was alright to make mistakes. I thought it was sweet until I realized that he was playing me, later after he had dumped me."

"Ms. Rosenberg said that you overheard him talking to another student on campus. Would you tell us about this conversation?"

"I had just discovered that I was pregnant. I was upset and didn't know what I was going to do. My friends were very supportive and when Willow and I saw Parker on campus, I thought I should tell him. I thought he should know that he was going to be a father. As we got closer we overheard the conversation, we heard him tell his friend that he was being forced to marry another girl that he had gotten pregnant, his father's partner's daughter. He also said that he would continue with his romancing of students, that what his wife and father didn't know wouldn't matter. He didn't care about her child, why would he care about mine? I was in shock and Willow helped me to Rupert's condo. Rupert had been very supportive. When I discovered that I was pregnant, he said would help me in every way that he could. I know you will ask so I'll go ahead and tell you. I have known Rupert Giles for over four years and in that time had come to love him very much. I soon discovered that he loved me too," she finished.

"So your relationship started after you realized you were pregnant?" the Dean asked.

"Our romantic relationship, yes," she replied.

The conversation was interrupted by the arrival of two Security Guards with Parker Abrams between them. He looked very angry to be forced to come to a meeting that he didn't want to be at.

"So Mr. Abrams, now you grace us with your presence," the Dean said in a tight voice, as Parker sat beside his father, the only seat left in the room.

"So the child isn't his. How can you be sure that it isn't another man's?" the Dean continued to question Buffy after Parker had taken his seat.

"Sir, it's been over two years since I was in a sexual relationship," Buffy answered in a slightly embarrassed tone of voice. "My child can only be Parker's."

"But we used a condom!" Parker interrupted.

"Is that true Ms. Summers?" the Dean inquired.

"Yes, he did use a condom, but it broke. He then told me that he was sterile from a childhood accident."

"He said what?" William asked looked at his son in disgust.

"Mr. Abrams, I realize that you are upset, but I have some information to add to this discussion," the Dean said as he tried to get everyone's attention. "Last night I contacted as many of the girls who have made complaints against your son as possible. In every case they described the same methods that Ms. Summers has related. And every time once he had gotten them into his bed, he dropped them and went to the next one. One of the ladies in question also became pregnant but she had an abortion."

This news brought everything to a stand still. Parker looked even angrier if that were possible. Mr. Abrams looked furious that his son could be so callous and unfeeling about his actions. Giles was glad that Buffy never really loved the cad who had left her pregnant. Willow couldn't believe that anyone could be so unfeeling about his children.

"Mr. Abrams, I have come to my decision. You may finish this semester as there is only one week left. But then you will have to find another school to attend. And I will inform each school of your actions on this campus. Your behavior is reprehensible and you are banned from this campus after your exams. I don't want to see your face again," the Dean concluded.

"May I say something?" William asked.

"Yes, Mr. Abrams."

"Ms. Summers, I'm sorry for the actions of my son. If you need anything, please let me know. Also, I would like to know when you give birth so I could meet my grandchild," he said to Buffy.

"Mr. Abrams, I don't know. Rupert and I want to raise this child as our own. We'll have to discuss this between us. Can I call you later?" Buffy asked him.

"Yes, here is my card," he told her as he handed her his business card and got up to leave the Dean's office. "Dean Buckley, I'm sorry for the problems that my son has caused you. Parker, you're coming with me!" he said as he took Parker from the office with him.

"Ms. Summers, again I am sorry for what happened to you and to you, Ms. Rosenberg. Such actions on this campus will not be tolerated. Dr. Giles, we have reviewed your application and were going to call you to set up an appointment sometime next week to discuss it with you. Could you get with my secretary before you leave and make an appointment?" the Dean asked.

"Certainly, I'll be glad to set an appointment with her," Giles told the Dean as he shook the man's hand before leaving his office with Willow and Buffy.

**********

Parker followed his father to his car and got into the passenger side when his father directed him.

"What did you think you were doing? The very idea of my grandchild being raised by those two is ridiculous. My grandchild should be raised by you and your wife."

"But," Parker started.

"No buts! You will do what I say and forget about your extra curricular activities, or you will find yourself cut off without a dime. You will marry Mary this Saturday, then take her on a wonderful honeymoon. Once you get back we will discuss how to handle this Summers woman." William told his son, the anger in his face unmistakable.

**********

"Giles I didn't know you had a doctorate." Willow commented as they left the Administration building after the meeting.

"Several, actually," he told the witch.

"Why don't you use the prefix?" she asked.

"It's just not done in proper British society. It's considered pretentious, unless you're a medical physician," he explained to his friend as he walked with her and Buffy to his SUV.

"Rupert, what are your doctorates in?" Buffy asked.

"Ancient History, Comparative Mythology and Comparative Archeology, plus my occult studies which also equal a fourth doctorate."

"Wow, I knew you were bookguy, but I didn't know you were Dr. Bookguy!" Buffy stated as they reached the vehicle.

Giles gave his lover one of his patented stares guaranteed to stop any questions, then he turned to Willow.

"Can we give you a ride anywhere?"

"No, I'm headed to Tara's room. We're studying together for the psych exam tomorrow. Thanks though." Willow said to the couple a she walked toward the dorm where Tara lived.

"Rupert, why didn't you tell me about your doctorates?"

"It never really came up. It's not like I was hiding it from you."

"I guess, there's just so much I don't know about you, but you know everything about me."

"Buffy, there's so much in my past that is very painful to me. I'd rather just forget most of it ever happened."

"Don't you trust me?" she asked with pain filled eyes.

"Of course, I trust you. I trust you with my very life. I want to tell you everything, just please be patient with me. There are a couple of things that I need to do first, then I want us to go away for a long weekend somewhere we won't be disturbed so we can talk. Then I'll tell you everything. I just hope you still love me once you hear just what sort of I man I really am."

"Rupert, look at me," Buffy said as she took his face into her hands. "The past is just that, past. Your past helped to make you the wonderful man you are today. Nothing you tell me will stop me from loving you!" she said as she held him closely.

Giles felt surrounded by his Slayer's love and was comforted. He knew that he had to talk to his father and put that behind him as soon as possible. He also needed to talk to Ethan, but that could wait, talking with his father about his mother's death was more important. He only hoped that Reginald would soon return from London.

**********

Willow looked around Tara's room as she entered. She had gotten back before Tara and she sat down to think about her feelings toward the shy witch. As she thought about Tara, she felt a peaceful serenity settle around her. As she examined these feelings she knew that this was a deeper love than she had ever experienced and knew that she had to let Tara know how she felt. She had to take a chance even if Tara didn't feel the same way; she had to tell her. Willow was so scared; this wasn't supposed to be happening to her.

When Tara entered her room, Willow was sitting at the window deep in thought.

"Willow, how d..did the m..meeting go?" she asked.

"Parker has been banned from campus after he finishes his exams this semester," Willow replied in a voice that sounded far away.

"Is B…buffy ok?" Tara asked, wondering what was wrong.

"Yes, she's fine. Dean Buckley had talked to some of the other women who had made complaints against Parker and they had told the same story. Parker's father even offered Buffy any help she needed."

"His f..father was there?" Tara asked.

"Yes. Tara, do you ever think of love and who you'll spend your life with?" Willow asked quietly.

Tara was unsure where this conversation was going, but she could tell something was bothering Willow. "I think about it, e..everyone does sooner or later. Why do you ask?"

"For a long time, I thought that I would be with Oz, that we would marry after college, but when he left it was such a shock that I didn't think I would ever get over it. Then life went on and I found myself changing. We got to know each other and became friends." She said as she turned to Tara. "You have made everything so much better. It was so hard for me, all these changes, not knowing who I was, finding that I wasn't who I thought I was. Tara, I'm falling in love with you and it scares me."

"W..why does it s…scare you?" Tara asked, wanting to comfort the woman she loved.

"I've never loved a woman before and I don't know how?" Willow told her, tears in her eyes.

"W..willow, if it helps, I l…love you too." Tara said as she looked into Willows lovely green eyes, reaching to hold the woman she loved for the first time. "We can f…figure it out t…together, if you w… want."

Willow looked into Tara's eyes and saw there the love she felt reflected in her own. She brought up her hand to stroke Tara's hair away from her face. Slowly they bent their heads together for their first kiss.

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