Title: Room Service
Author: Karen Jephson
Rating: G
Disclaimers: Joss's characters. Joss's original idea. My loving plagiarism.
Spoilers: Once More With Feeling
Feedback: Just let me start running first.
Characters: Giles, about Buffy, with a smidgeon of B/G.

Comments: I've never done a songfic before, nor written a song. I also had a problem of having Standing In The Way running through my head at the inappropriate times. Not to mention I'm musically impaired. Hope you enjoy anyway.

He sat on the chair, resting the guitar against his knee. The silence of the hotel room was beginning to get to him, and he felt like adding some noise. It had been impractical to remain on Buffy's couch, and he really needed his space, but he missed the sounds of the girls as they moved around the house. He even missed Dawn's mumbling as she was forced to get up in the morning. The hotel was standard tourist fare. Better than the rundown motel Faith called home, but still within his current slightly strained finances. He didn't begrudge giving Buffy the money, but it wouldn't make things very easy for him in the next few months. He began strumming the guitar strings, trying to find a tune that suited his mood. Finally something hit. He wasn't sure he remembered the song, but it seemed familiar somehow. He began humming along:

'Torn once more from my home
How long must I continue to roam
Living in her shadow, waiting for her warmth
yet she chills me with her icy embrace.

She thinks she fools us all with her smiles
yet I'd long ago learnt to look through her wiles
Does she think that I don't see in her eyes
We haven't said the last of our goodbyes'

The tempo picked up slightly, the tune adjusting as he allowed himself to flow with the words

'After all these years she still doesn't know
What it cost me to stay and help her grow
How many times have I given up my life
Followed her from the light and into the night
How many times must I change who I am
Before I'm given the chance to be just a man'

He changed to a rock beat as he remembered his youth

'As Ripper I ruled London town
At my word they would've burnt the place down
I coulda been a rock and roll star
With my talents they said I'd go far
Brought forth the dark magics and watch the flames fan
yeah, I could have turned out stronger than Ethan'

Giles paused, giggling at the thought of wanting to be like Ethan. But the song kept calling. He chose a more classical theme.

'Accepted back into the fold
Forgiveness can be so cold
But for her I would do it and more
To make amends for what went before
How many times must I change who I am
Before I'm given the chance to be just a man

Lost in the comfort of leather and ink
Surrounded by old friends to comfort and warm
Give me a job to keep me from harm
How could they know it was where I wanted to be
Hide myself where nobody could ever see
Till they came and ordered me away
To this land of sun and endless day
How many times must I change who I am
Before I'm given the chance to be just a man'

Hearing a knock at the door, Giles placed his guitar against his chair and rose to answer it. The sound of an orchestra continuing the strains of the song barely registered as he opened the door. Two room service waiters entered with a trolley cart, performing a ballet that only they understood. Moving about the room in co-ordinated actions they prepared the table and pushed a chair in front of it. While one of the waiters uncovered the meal, the other stood beside Giles as the tempo of the music increased and the Englishman began speaking, his words in tempo with the music.

'She never wanted me here
Kept me away from fear
Wanted to lead the team in a cheer
Before she even drank the beer
Led me a merry dance
Wanted a life of her own
That I gave up mine she didn't care
Why did I ever leave there'

The waiter presented Giles with a receipt as he listened to the Englishman's words in sympathy. Giles signed for the meal as he continued his lament

'Once I was all she had
When her Angel went bad
She needed me then
Way back when
Doesn't it make you sad
Now I'm just handy
wants me to play Daddy
While she plays with the vampire
Can't keep from the fire
She's already tried it with the sire'

The two waiters nodded and then high kicked out of the room. Giles closed the door then sighed. The music changed again, becoming more melancholy.

'And yet I'm exptected to stand and wait
Hoping one day she'll look my way
I'd play father, son, and more for her
If only she saw me once as a man'

He moved toward the table, pulling the chair out.

'I know I live in a fool's paradise
I feel her pain and it feeds on my own
She has a new role for me to play
And no is the one word to her I can' t say
How many times must I change who I am
Before I'm given the chance to be just a man'

He sat down, staring morosely down at his meal. The music rose to a crescendo before a few final notes were played.

'How many times must she change who I am
Before she gives me the chance to be just a man'

THE END

He sighed once more, lifted the fork, and began eating.