Title: Addiction Ch.4
Author(s): Jerri Cocke and Jon Dale
Summary: How do you deal with an addiction, what is the most
important thing to you, or in this case, to Willow?
Spoilers: We are now totally A.U.
Disclaimer: Joss owns all, I own none. I do try not to break them
too badly before I return them.
Distribution: If you have, take. If not, ask. My site
http://geocities.com/lochnoir The Nekkid Shipper, Fire and Ice,
Willow's Lil Secret
Feedback: It gives me a happy.
Dedication: As always to our wonderful betas, Kari, Micki and Naomi.

Author's Notes: We've taken some libereties with Oxford geography
for the sake of the story and we hope you'll forgive us. The route
from the train station to Oxford proper does not pass Magdalen
College, but we needed them to see it, so...

Willow winced slightly as the car entered the traffic circle. Goddess, I just thought California drivers were suicidal. "Giles, you worked hard on keeping me alive for six long years, is there a reason you're trying to kill me now?"

Giles' warm laugh filled the small car. "You'll get used to roundabouts. This is a relatively quiet one. Not a lot of traffic, besides they do actually work from time to time, you know. Although to the uninitiated they do seem to be a bit ... daunting."

The train had been crowded, but not uncomfortably so and the trip had been quickly over. Giles and she had talked the entire ride. She had given him the low-down on everyone and everything, though she hadn't told him her suspicions about Buffy and the whole Spike thing. Somehow, she just didn't think he'd take that very well.

The elaborate preparations for Xander and Anya's wedding had amused him. He'd laughed over the seating charts and on-going arguments on where to put her demon acquaintances and Xander's family and friends. Giles had wryly commented that all of Xander's friends knew about demons, so that only left his family.

He was concerned about the problems with Dawn, but he observed that without Willow to distract Buffy, perhaps she would be more inclined to deal with Dawn's problems. I certainly hope so, ran through Willow's mind.

Giles drew Willow's attention back to the present as he exited the intersection. "We're approaching Magdalen Bridge. I think you will find it quite beautiful. And just past the bridge on High Street is Magdalen College."

"This is beautiful, though I think I could have done without the extra laps of the ... roundabout, you called it." Willow was a bit breathless as a result of her introduction to England's infamous traffic system. "Which of the colleges did you attend?"

"Magdalen as it happens. A wonderful school for ancient history and the classics. It has wonderful grounds."

"Oh, then I'll look at it when I'm arranging to transfer here."

"You're going to attend University here? I wish I'd known, I'd have made arrangements for you to have the necessary appointments for your interviews while you are with me. And to have brought the completed examples of your work that they might require. The admission standards are quite stiff."

"Well, I brought my transcripts."

"Willow, I fear that you are in for a small shock. It is much harder to gain admittance to University here. The requirements are very stringent. In fact, I'm afraid there might be problems with financing and the like."

"But, I was accepted to Oxford, when I was a senior. I brought the letter they sent me. And, I have scholarships, lots of scholarships. And why is the financing such a problem? There shouldn't be a major hold up. It might take a bit after the start of the term for it all to come through, but it will."

"I'm afraid you don't understand, you haven't lived in England for three years, so you will be subject to the overseas student rates, which are quite high. In addition, you have to pay for the term in advance and you have to present letters from parents and bankers proving you have the where withal to pay all living expenses. That is if you can get in at this late date."

The redhead looked slightly overwhelmed. "They sure do make it hard to go to school here. Though, I'm not worried. School I can do." A small smile graced her lips, "Of course, they do have a reputation to protect."

"Quite. At any rate, we are approaching the centre of town. My flat is there. I hope you don't mind sharing the spare room with my books. I've ensured that the only texts there are the research volumes. The magical tomes have been removed to my parents home."

Astonished green eyes stared at him, "You have parents?"

"Yes Willow, I have parents, in fact I have a matched set. You shall no doubt meet them while you are here, though I should give you fair warning that my father will be stuffy and disdainful of your colonial upbringing and my mum will make an attempt to ... ah, put meat on your bones."

"Wait until I tell the gang, you have parents. Why didn't you ever tell us you had parents? Were you ashamed of them? Or, oh Giles, were you ashamed of us? I mean, I know that we didn't behave the way you expected us to. And lots of the time we ignored you completely, but were you really ashamed of us?" The note of pathos in her voice was almost heartbreaking.

"No, Willow, I am not now, nor have I ever been ashamed of you. Xander, on the other hand ... " His voice trailed off as he realised that hadn't got the giggle he was trying to elicit. "Willow, listen to me. I am very proud of all of you. My parents just never came up when we were facing the various apocalypses that living on the Hellmouth engendered."

The car pulled to a stop in front of an ornate building. "Be it ever so humble, welcome home, Willow."

It only took a few minutes to unload the bags and reach the door. It swung open to reveal ... oh Goddess, it was home. Books occupied every empty space in the spacious flat. The antiques that had seemed out of place in Sunnydale were right at home here. The soaring ceilings complemented the striped pine floors, covered with richly coloured oriental carpets.

"Kitchen, bathroom, my room, and ..." the door was opened on a book filled heaven, "your room. Please get settled and we'll get started on the rest later."

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