Title: A Not-so Blind Date
Author: Jen
Email: Supermom11200@yahoo.com
Disclaimer: I don't own them. Wish I did. If I had my way, Giles would have swept Buffy off her feet after graduation and never let Riley within 20 feet of her. I have Riley issues.) Joss & the usual suspects do.
Rating: Let's go ahead and say G. I know, you want smut, but this just doesn't call for it.
Pairing: B/G
Summary: No Slayers or Watchers. Buffy & Willow were college roommates at Northwestern. Giles is friends with Willow. How do we get our favorite duo together? A blind date, of course!
Spoilers: None
Setting: Complete AU
Feedback: Please. Good or bad. Distribution: Headquarters, ash_watchers, WatcherGirls, BGWM, ODD (ah hell, whoever. Just take the damn thing.)

Note 1: For the challenge by ggtheslayer on her group page. Gretchen sent me this in an email and I jumped at it immediately. I really hope that someone takes on the other challenges that go with this one. (A Wedding Story and A Baby Story) Neat little trilogy, huh?

Note 2: I am writing this as if they are talking to the camera so, very little background noise. Dedication: Gretchen, thanks for the bunny. As always, Jamie. All stories go through her first (except for one). I stole her Muse and ran for the hills. Mwa haa haa!

* denotes voiceover and thoughts

The Challenge: A Dating Story

Willow Rosenberg has two friends who she knows would just be *perfect* for each other.
Buffy Summers and Rupert Giles. Willow explains for the viewers, how she knows Buffy and Rupert. Maybe she knows Buffy from college or work and she knows Rupert from work or somewhere else....
Anyway, plan a date for Buffy and Rupert to go on. Have each person of the couple, tell the viewers what they hope for before the date happens...and what they think upon first seeing their potential mate. Have fun with this challenge and don't forget to have each person of the couple, tell everyone "watching", what they thought of the person and the date and if they'll be willing to have a second date with that person.
*Don't* forget the "epilogue", filling in the viewers about whether or not the couple *did* go on a second date. :)

Willow's Story

"Hi, my name is Willow Rosenberg. I have been trying to set up two of my friends for a while. They know about each other, have seen pictures of each other, but they've never met."

"See, Buffy Summers was my roommate at Northwestern. I grew up in New York. She's from California. We're nothing alike but that's what makes us best friends, the differences, you know? I majored in Computer Sciences. She majored in History and Art."

"My guy friend is Rupert Giles. He owns a bookstore and consults for a museum. See where I'm going with this? He's from England and went to Oxford, two doctorates. He's a brain with feet. He worked for the British Museum before he moved here."

"I've tried to get them together for a year. That was when I met Giles. Yeah, he prefers to be called by his last name. I was doing a favor for a friend and set up a new computer system and database in his store. We started talking about one of the books on his desk. He thought that I knew a lot about art, but I told him that most of what I knew came from Buffy. He seemed interested in talking to her, but the times never meshed. Finally, I called you guys, put on my `Resolve face' (you'll hear more about that later, I'm sure) and told them that they were going to dinner."

"Oh, that went over great with Giles. See, he's kind of shy and all-Britishy. He's wanted to meet her for a while but... Oh! I forgot. He's older than she is. He's like in his forties and she's twenty-six. He thinks that people will call him cradle robber. I've tried to tell him that Buffy has no use for stupid boys. She admits that she likes older men because they don't treat her like arm candy. Well, some do. They don't last long. She's very pretty, almost beautiful. But most men don't see past the looks to the quick and smart brain or the iron will she has. Giles will see it and appreciate it."

"Buffy, on the other hand, loved the idea. She's very outgoing. She always has a joke or a smile for everyone. She loves people, just being around them."

"Anyway, that's my part in this. I really hope they like each other. They are great people and great people should be together, don't you think?"

Giles' Story

"Hello. My name is Rupert Giles. My young friend, Willow, has coerced me into participating, not the date, mind you, but the televised part of it. Oh well, I might as well make the best of it."

"I am forty-five years old. I am from London. I am a graduate of Oxford University with two degrees, Dead Languages and Art. I moved to Chicago ten years ago. I was looking for a change, really. I opened the bookstore and occasionally consult with local museums."

"My hobbies are what one might expect. I enjoy horseback riding, fencing, jogging, and martial arts. I realize that I sound terribly stuffy for someone of Buffy's outgoing personality and age. But, Willow assures me that she prefers men of experience. Oh dear, that sounds rather bad, doesn't it (laughs). I guess I mean thoughtless young men. Although, some men, older than me, are thoughtless as well."

"As to what I hope will happen for this date, I hope that even if a romantic relationship fails, a friendship is built. "

"Buffy seems to be a lovely person. Willow has told me a great deal about her. I, uh, really don't know what else to say. Only that I hope that we enjoy ourselves."

Buffy's Story

"Hi! I'm Buffy. Willow, my roomie from college, has been trying to set me up for a while now with Giles... but we could never manage to get together. She's told me a lot about him, though. I think he sounds great."

"Let's see... I'm twenty-six. Born and raised in Southern California. I graduated from Northwestern with a degree in Art and a Master's in History. I have a wonderful job at a gallery and I really love it."

"Wills has told me a lot about Rupert, I mean Giles. I really don't know what to call him. From what she's told me, I think I'm going to like him a lot. Smart guys are the best. You always have something to talk about. I know she told you that I like older guys, and I do. But, I have to admit that Giles will be the oldest man I've ever been out with. But, that's okay. I really don't mind. Have you seen him? Wow! Don't get me wrong, looks aren't everything. She doesn't know this but I heard his voice on her answering machine once. I love the accent. I almost melted when I heard it and then found out it was him. His voice is what convinced me that this date was a good idea. Will was ready to use her `resolve face' on me. That's what we call the look on her face when you might as well give up and go along with whatever she wants."

"Hobbies? Well, I like doing active things...I have a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. I'm also fairly proficient with several different kinds of weaponry, like knives and fencing. I originally started because L.A. isn't the safest place to grow up, but the discipline it takes to be really good kinda stuck. I also love to ice skate. I was even a cheerleader in high school."

"I'm hoping that this date goes well... Giles sounds... Oh, how should I put this? Kind? No, that's not good enough. Oh, I don't know. He just sounds... perfect, I guess."

"Anyway, I hope that things work out between Giles and me. If not, that's okay, too. I could get used to having a friend like him."

The Date

Buffy emerged from the cab and looked at her watch. After slapping herself on the forehead, she paid the driver and headed for the door of the restaurant.

"We had a late shipment at the gallery and I had to stay for it. I mean, it would happen today. I managed to get in touch with Giles and let him know I'd be a little late. For my friends that see this, that's nothing new. I'm always late. But this time, I didn't mean to be. I asked him to meet me here at the restaurant. Our reservation is for eight o'clock. I have five minutes to go.

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

Giles sat at the bar. As he nursed a Scotch, he looked to the door every few minutes.

Suddenly, he smiled and stood, as he saw her in the entry. When he caught her eye, he waved.

Giles saw her eyes widen and an answering smile, as she started toward him.

(VO-Buffy)

*Oh, my. Look how tall he is. Wills never said he was built. He said casual, but whew! Dress slacks, silk shirt, and a leather jacket. Is that.. is that an earring? Yep, it is. Thanks, Wills. You are SO getting flowers tomorrow.

(VO-Giles)

*Pictures do not do her justice. She's so tiny. I hope I don't scare her. The way Willow described her, I expected an Amazon.

Buffy walked toward Giles and put out her hand. Giles took her hand and brought it to his lips. She sighed slightly and smiled again.

"Hi."

"Hello."

"Would you like to go to our table now, or get a drink here?" Giles asked her.

"Table, I think."

Giles motioned to the server and she showed them to their table. He pulled her chair out for her and she gave him a small smile in thanks.

"I can't believe I'm nervous. Wills had told me so much about you, but I feel like I already know you," Buffy told him.

"And I, as well. When you called, you said something about a new shipment?"

Small talk reigned as they got to know each other better over dinner

(VO-Giles)

*I must send Willow an appreciation gift in the morning. Down, old man. Let's see if she wants to go out with you again.

(VO-Buffy)

*I'd better make that two dozen flowers. He's so nice and sweet. And smart. I think I could talk to him forever.

"Do you like baseball?" Buffy asked.

"It's a little sedate for my tastes, but I occasionally go to a game. Would you like to go to a game this weekend?"

"I'd like that. I already have tickets. The Dodgers are in town."

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

"Willow told me you like martial arts," Giles commented. "Would you like to spar sometime?"

"I'd love to. I should warn you, I have a black belt."

"That's quite alright. I am a second degree black belt."

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

Soon, dinner was finished. Neither wanting the evening to end, decided to take a walk. Giles surprised Buffy by directing the cab to drive to the lakefront. She adored the lakefront and thought that this was the perfect way to end a perfect date.

Buffy and Giles strolled hand in hand in the moonlight. They talked quietly and laughed often. When they reached the end of a pier, Giles slowly bent down and captured her lips with his.

After they broke from each other, breathing heavily, Buffy said, "Wills is getting a big bunch of flowers in the morning."

Giles smiled and asked, "Can I add some chocolates to the order?"

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

The Next Day

Buffy's Reaction

"How can I describe my date with Giles? I think perfect is the word I'm looking for. I really want to slap myself for not doing this a long time ago. He's wonderful. We are going out again. He's already asked me to go see a Cubs game with him this weekend and there's a showing at the gallery that I think he'll like next week. He's said he'll be there. I'm thinking that this is really the start of something incredible. He makes me feel great. I think that I've been swept off my feet. I like the feeling. Actually, I thought of the word I need. Happy, I'm happy."

Giles' Reaction

"I must say that Willow knew what she was doing setting me up with Buffy. We are going out again. We already have two dates set up and I do believe that more will occur. She has become important to me just after one evening. I do believe that she could become the most important person in my life."

Willow's Reaction

"Well, that went great! Buffy called me when she got home last night and all she could do was gush about Giles. She gushed! I know that they are going out again. What surprised me were the gifts waiting on my desk when I got to work. Two baskets of wildflowers and a five-pound box of chocolate. I don't know how I'm getting them home, but I'll take them. I knew that they would be perfect for each other. Let's just hope that they let me help with the wedding!"

The End

A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE WEDDING