Title: Once In A Lifetime 23/24
Author: Karen Jephson
Disclaimer: Not mine, unfortunately. Want to adopt and treat them better
than their owners, but I don't have enough.
Feedback: Live for it.
Note: To Trich and Gail. Thanks for your nagging, your precise beta, and your
constant encouragement.
He'd already said goodbye to the others. They'd left early, understanding that Buffy wanted to be alone at this time. He looked down at her, memorizing each feature, wanting to remember the past 48 hours in their entirety. "You look tired."
She smiled. "That's hardly surprising. You didn't let me sleep much."
He returned the smile, then bent and kissed her. "He'll come back. I promise."
The smile slipped. "Which means I say goodbye to you. How crazy is that? I'm gonna miss you Giles." She pulled him to her, putting all her confused emotions into one final, passionate kiss.
Pulling away, he stroked her hair. "Goodbye Mrs. Giles. It's been a pleasure." Turning, he left the house quickly before she could see the pain this parting was causing him.
He walked briskly, heading back toward the place where it had all started. The mist started to envelop him a few blocks from his target. This time he sensed the change in the atmosphere, the scent of majicks in the air. Just as he reached the spot of the occurrence of two days ago, the pyrotechnics began. The lightning strikes were expected, but still startling in their intensity. He looked around, trying to find that other half of him. Eventually, he saw a shadow ahead. He half raised his hand, wanting to speak to this Rupert, tell him how lucky he was. Before he had a chance, all went black.
...................
He opened his eyes to a clear sky, the stars twinkling down at him. Raising himself gently, he did a mental check for any broken bones or damaged organs, relieved the only after affects seemed a slight headache. He stood, he brushing the dirt and grime from his clothes, then headed home. She was waiting for him, silhouetted in the doorway. He moved slowly toward her, until only inches separated their bodies. They stared at each other for a moment before they moved into each other's arms. Holding his Buffy to him, he thanked whatever gods were involved for their aid in bringing him home.