Title: Top Speed
Author: Karesia
Pairing: Giles/Buffy
Rating: FRT
Spoilers: Set after end of Season 6 "Grave"
Summary: Giles is about to take Willow to the coven in Devon. He and Buffy have spent a lot of time talking and confessed feelings for each other. But how do you leave a relationship when it is just to start and how do you start one when you may not be quite ready?
Thanks: To Gaknar, my wonderful beta.
Dedication: To Gileswench, who always tells me to try and find some time to write. To Gail, my partner in crime when it comes to being a sucker for romance. And to Ro, for being such a pilar of strength and such a support to me despite her own RL battles.

"How long do you think you'll be gone?"

Giles noticed Buffy's shift of discomfort and head held down. A sure sign over the years that told him either she was uncomfortable with the discussion or afraid of something. He placed a calming hand on over hers, resting in her lap.

"Well, that will all depend on Willow. The Coven has a lot of ways they can help her that I can't. But I can't just drop her off there either. She's asked me to stay with her; she's pretty scared and confused Buffy."

"I know, it's just…" Buffy sighed heavily.

A smile played lightly across Giles' lips and he allowed the his hand to leave hers and move up to her chin, one finger lifting her head up to look him in the eyes.

"Leaving you again isn't easy for me either. After everything we've talked about. All you've been through…"

"I'll be fine Giles. So long as I know you are coming back, I'll be fine. Things are different now. I feel like I am beginning to really see the world again. For the first time since I was brought back… it's like I am taking my first breaths again."

"That's wonderful Buffy. You have no idea how glad I am to hear you speak in such a manner."

"Yeah, it's kinda cool. Giles…?"

"Yes?"

"Where does this leave us?"

Giles turned inward towards Buffy more. "Well, I suppose we take it one step at a time. See how things are when I return. You've been through a lot emotionally Buffy; I don't want you to rush into anything you aren't ready for. For now, I suppose I am satisfied in the knowledge that you've finally shared everything with me about what has happened since I've been gone and about your emotional turmoil about being brought back to life."

"Don't forget we both admitted to feeling something of the major between us."

"Yes, yes we did." Giles chuckled and placed his hand against Buffy's cheek, his thumb moving ever so slightly in circles on her cheekbone. "I do so love you Buffy."

"I love you too, Giles."

The air in the room seemed to still and the tension became thick. Ever so slowly two pairs of lips came together in a light, feathery kiss. A first, tentative kiss – almost as if neither had ever kissed anyone before. The second was a bit firmer, a bit more pressure and Giles' hand moved from Buffy's cheek into her hair. When Buffy's lips parted, Giles' tongue slipped between searching for hers, deepening the kiss with passion he had so far held back. It was like heaven to him. And then it was gone.

"Giles… I'm sorry.. I…"

"Don't. You don't have to say a word Buffy. You're not ready. That's completely understandable."

"Giles, I want to... it…" she moved towards him, an effort to restart the kissage. But her body language betrayed her and if nothing else it was a language Giles could read easily.

"It's ok Buffy. Someday your heart will let them go and you'll be ready again. After what Spike did to you… I still don't feel comfortable leaving you knowing he could return."

"It's not like that Giles, it's not that I'm not over them, it's just… And don't worry about Spike returning. Slayer here, remember?"

Giles grinned. "Yes, but so far your track record when it comes to slaying Spike is less than exemplary."

"Yeah well, those days are over. He's evil, chip or not."

"Glad you understand that finally."

"I just need time, ok. Please don't…"

Giles interrupted her. "I don't hate you for not being ready to move our relationship into something new. It'll be there. *I'll* be there, when you are ready. Right now my touch only seems to bring back the pain. I don't want that, I want you to feel safe, loved and wanting to be touched with love and desire. That's something worth waiting for."

"I don't deserve you."

"Bloody nonsense."

"When will I know?"

"You'll know love, you'll know. You are just starting to live again. The bad memories will begin to fade as you embrace life again. When you feel you're ready to embrace love you'll know."

A comfortable silence fell over them. Neither of them wanted to part, yet both of them knew deep down that Giles needed to go with Willow to England and Buffy needed to spend some time finding herself again.

"I should probably see if Willow is ready to go." Giles said standing up.

Buffy got up and threw her arms around him. "I promise to let you know when I get that feeling Giles. I can call collect, right?" she said into his chest.

Giles placed a kiss to the top of her head. He reached into his shirt pocket for the extra plane ticket to England and placed it in Buffy's hand.

"As soon as you get that feeling, the instant you are sure…. Run to me love. Run to me."

Buffy looked at the ticket, than at the hazel eyes looking at her with a love she'd never seen directed towards her before. She kissed his lips and murmured against them; "Top Speed."

END