Title: Keeping It Simple
Author: LadyForASH
Spoilers: It's after Chosen, but is an AU version. Anya left sometime after Hell's Bells.
Disclaimer: I am writing this solely for pleasure. Nothing is mine, I'm making no money, Joss is a god… la la la.
Rating: FRM
Summary: A lot of Giles/Anya stories I've read seem to be about Anya taking care of him. This time, it's Giles that searches out and cares for Anya. It seems to start out Anya centered, but I promise you it is just as much about Giles. We all know how much I :heart: him.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. I own nothing and make no profit.

The warming sand felt wonderful on Anya's toes and bottoms of her feet. She sat on a log outside her little beach front apartment with her cup of coffee and a muffin, watching as the sun came up. She had a long and busy day ahead of her in her shop. It was the start of tourist season. Of course she loved the bustle of the day, selling her magical and spell goods to serious and skeptical customers alike. She bit her tongue when the tourists laughed and pointed and joked around with her wares, but she grinned when she took their money. All money spent the same, after all.

But this was one of Anya's favorite times of the day. A morning such as this, in beautiful Oregon on the beach, watching the sun rise. It was peaceful. She loved the sounds of the waves and the occasional seagull flying overhead. It was almost like meditation, she thought. She'd take deep breaths, centering herself, preparing herself for the day, relaxing her mind and spirit. It was on mornings such as this that she never regretted being truly human. Yes, there was intense pain, loneliness, and heart ache. Being human could be so very complicated. But there were also mornings such as this.

Anya finished the last of her muffin and washed it down with one more swallow of her coffee. She stood up and brushed the sand off her feet before slipping her sandals back on.

She'd often wondered if the California beaches were as peaceful as here. Why hadn't she taken more beach trips when she lived in Sunnydale? Maybe because it was a Hellmouth and she was always trying to please Xander and everyone else more than herself. If it hadn't been for the Magic Box she would have been a wreck. She smiled sadly as she thought of Rupert. He'd been a most excellent business partner, even if he did drive her crazy sometimes with his odd notions of business. She'd never understood his filing system. How many times had they argued about it? But, thankfully, she always won.

Of everyone, Anya missed him the most.

She could have stayed in touch. Before Sunnydale went `boom,' she had phone numbers and addresses and emails. Anya could have called or written. But a clean break was best. Best for her heart. Xander had turned it into a million pieces. The funny thing was, even before walking down that aisle where he'd leave her, she'd known. It hadn't been right between them even before he'd proposed. But just as always, Anya was doing what she thought she was suppose to do. When you dated someone, you were supposed to love them. When they constantly corrected you and criticized you… especially when you were newly human, they were doing it for your own good. And when they asked you to marry them, well… that was the dream, right? Even if at night you thought of another man's arms around you, that sexy British accent, the charming smile, the glint of glasses, the smell of scotch and tea… No, Anya left without a word or backward glance. Her heart couldn't take any more pain from them. It was better to be alone and relish her patrons and her shop, and enjoy a morning cup of coffee on the beach. Think simple, she told herself. Peace and happiness was found in the simple things. Complications brought pain. She'd had enough pain in her several lifetimes, thank you very much.

After a quick shower and change of clothes, Anya walked the short blocks to her shop. "Good morning, Frank!" She waved and smiled at the retired fisherman as she unlocked her door.

"Hello, beautiful." He gave her a wink and sucked on his pipe. Every morning about this time he went into the pancake house across the street from Anya's `Charms and More.' It was one of the simple and predictable things in this life that Anya enjoyed. She didn't mind being called beautiful either, even if Frank called everyone that. And for some reason, she found his wooden leg sort of charming. He'd lost it years ago in the war, he'd told her. She'd laughed and said it made him look like a true sailor, kind of like that Captain Hook guy. He'd teased her that Hook had no arm. That of course made her think of pirates, which made her think of Xander, which made her cry. Xander had been a pirate for Halloween that one year.

Frank had been a wonderful shoulder for her to lean on, and it was almost as if he was her guardian angel here in Cove City. In some ways, his quiet and gruff behavior reminded her of Giles. She supposed that was why she'd opened up to him. That and it had hurt too much to keep it inside any longer. That was years ago. Now, it was simpler.

As per routine, after unlocking the doors, Anya went straight behind the counter and turned to her computer. She'd check her emails for orders, sign on to Ebay to monitor her ever expanding business there, and also return any messages requiring her to do so. Mornings were generally quiet in her shop, but by afternoon she'd barely be able to keep up. There were times when she thought about placing an ad or hanging up a Help Wanted sign just to help her out during the tourist season and on busy weekends and holidays, but… that complicated things. She'd rather just do it herself. Besides, no one could have ever compared to Rupert, and that's the partner she really yearned for. A true partner, not just… a boy.

The doors swung open followed rapidly by giggling teenage girls. Anya tried not to wince and plastered a smile on her face. "Welcome to Charms and More!" But the girls basically ignored her and went straight for the candles.

"Look at these, Lavern. Slug candles!" They all burst into more giggles, but they also filled their hands with candles, trinkets, and harmless spell potions. Anya knew the type. They didn't know what they handled or what the potions were capable of, but even if they did, the worst that could happen was their hair would turn bright green. Anya sometimes wished that would happen, just for fun. But she knew what could happen with wishes. Complications!

"Thank you for your business. Please come again." Anya smiled and handed them their bagged purchases. The girls thanked her and wandered back out into the bright morning sun.

It was a couple hours later when Anya looked up from her sales register and saw Frank standing there with a Subway bag and a soda. "Lunch time, beautiful."

Anya smiled. She glanced around the shop and noticed that there were only a handful of shoppers at the moment, and none looked serious. She walked over to the side table and sat down with Frank. "Having a good morning?" he asked her with a wink.

"Yes. I'm quite happy with my sales receipts. And I made a big sale online earlier." Anya grinned and bit into her club sandwich.

"Excellent. Sounds like an ice cream and old movie night then." Frank tipped his hat at her and sipped from his own soda.

* * *

"Giles?" Willow poked her head into his office and gave him a nervous smile. He barely looked up from his research, grunting instead and lifting a hand to wave her inside.

She could tell he was in the middle of something so she shuffled on her feet for a moment before anxiously settling into the chair across from his desk and holding the file folder full of papers on her lap.

"One more minute," he murmured. Then, "Ah, okay." He put down his pen and glanced up at her with a tight smile. He rubbed at his temples for a moment before giving her his full attention. "Your message said you found something?"

Willow nodded and her tongue flicked out to the corner of her mouth in another nervous gesture. Her fingers held on tightly to the file folder.

Giles' eyes narrowed. Willow was never one to hide her emotions and it was obvious she was unsettled. "And?" he prompted once again.

Willow exhaled and then opened the folder. She glanced down at the print outs one last time before looking back up at Giles. "I found that charm you've been looking for. The one for the Tinting spell?"

"Wonderful!" Giles smiled. He'd been searching for the charm for many weeks. It was rare indeed, and he knew he'd have to pay an ungodly amount for it, but if it helped the restoration of some of the Council books, it was worth any price. "Don't worry about the cost. Many of those books were priceless."

"No, it's not that," Willow said slowly.

Giles frowned again. "Something about the seller then? Where did you find it?"

Willow nodded. "Yes, something about the seller…" Willow sighed and set the folder down on his desk. "I found it online." She pointed at the logo.

"Charms and More?" Giles shrugged, noting the address was somewhere in Oregon. "I've never heard of them. Do they have poor references?"

"No. All excellent. Actually, Tilly uses her all the time for her magical needs." Tilly was one of the Coven members in Devon, where Willow now spent a great deal of her time.

"I'm not sure I understand the problem then," Giles said, studying the print out. The price was actually more reasonable then he'd thought, including the shipping fee. He'd never heard of the `user name' either. "Simplicity," Giles shrugged. "Obviously one of those fake name things." He waved his hands up in the air. He was still very clueless about computer things. That's what he had the others for. He preferred his books. Of course, in this day and age he knew the internet was very helpful with Council needs and such. That's why he put Willow in charge of that department. "You said, `her?' And Tilly recommends her?"

Willow nodded and locked her eyes on Giles. "Tilly's never met her, but they do correspond once in awhile, all business. But Tilly has her personal email and… Giles, its Anya."

Time froze for a moment. Neither moved. Giles appeared to not have heard at first. Then his eyes sort of shrunk in and his fingers gripped the print out. His expression seemed to tighten and he looked back down at the papers in the file. "Anya," he whispered.

Willow cleared her throat. "I thought maybe instead of ordering it online, you'd want to… purchase it in person?"

Giles was quiet for a full minute. He'd never spoken of his feelings for Anya, but Willow somehow knew. She could be very perceptive when she wanted to be. She'd even asked to help find her, after Sunnydale ended, but Giles had shaken his head. If Anya wanted to be lost, he didn't want to interfere with her needs. Even if all he wanted was her.

Slowly he closed the file, but still didn't look up. "Yes, thank you, Willow. Perhaps I'll do that."

Without a word, Willow reached into her pocket and pulled out an airline ticket. She placed it on top of the file. "Your plane leaves at three."

* * *

Cove City, where Anya was living and working now, was a little coastal town that was barely on the map. It definitely did not have a nearby airport, so Giles had to fly into the valley in Eugene, Oregon, and then rent a car and drive about two hours. It was around noon when he reached the little town. He was tired, jet lagged, and hungry, but way too nervous and wound up to think about anything but finding Anya.

Slowly he drove the rented red Mustang down the street. It was a little windy but he had the top down, enjoying the salt air. It wasn't cold and he could literally smell the ocean. Sand floated on the breeze and hovered on the sidewalks and between the buildings. There wasn't a single traffic light, only a few stop signs here and there.

Still, he was surprised to see so many people out and about, walking the sidewalks or heading for the beach. Depending on the street, he could see the ocean or the beach. It wasn't like the California beach. There were no lifeguard stations or sun bathers, but there was lots of driftwood and walkers, dogs fetching balls or Frisbees, and kids sitting in the sand building castles. It was quaint and simple and touristy, but nothing like on the level of Santa Cruz or L.A. Giles immediately understood what would keep Anya here. It was quite peaceful.

The shop was not hard to find. He parked on the street across from her place and stretched as he got out of the car. He ran his fingers through his hair, trying to tame it in the breeze. It had been a long trip here and he was anxious. It was more than a charm that brought him all this way. It was Anya. It was… the piece of his heart that had been missing for a long, long time. He took a sigh, hoping he wasn't just a foolish old man, and crossed the street to enter the shop.

A little bell above the door rang, announcing his presence. He smiled as he glanced around. It looked very much like the Magic Box. His eyes scanned the space until he saw her, then his vision zoomed in and locked on.

She was sitting at the table near the counter eating her lunch. She was laughing at something a grizzled old man had said, sitting next to her. They seemed quite friendly with each other. Giles frowned.

Finally she looked up, almost as if an after thought. The sandwich paused midway to her mouth. She froze. He swallowed and took a step closer inside the shop.

"Rupert," Anya almost whispered. She dropped the sandwich and flung out of her chair, almost tackling Giles in the middle of the room. She hugged him so hard, and he grinned and hugged her back, almost rocking on his heels.

"Anya," he gasped, closing his eyes and relishing the feel of her in his arms. For a moment, nothing else existed.

Too soon, Anya seemed to realize what she was doing. She stiffened for a moment and pulled back. "You're really here? You found me?"

Giles smiled. "I did." All his fears suddenly went out the window. He tucked a strand of her dark, curly hair behind an ear.

"How? How did you find me?" She still had her arms around him, even though she'd stepped a bit away from his embrace. Yet his smile tried to suck her back in. He had the best smile, she thought. He'd always been so handsome and strong and loyal, and… a man. He was a man and Anya, as a woman, could appreciate him in many ways. It wasn't that she hadn't noticed before. Especially after Willow's spell when they'd all forgotten themselves.

But Xander had left her, and Anya didn't know what was right and wrong anymore, which side was up or which side was down. Human life was so complicated.

"We were looking for a charm," Giles began to reply. "Willow actually found you on that blasted computer of hers."

Frank sat at the table and took in the scene. When he saw Anya's face and saw the strange man smile at her, it suddenly all made sense. He smiled to himself and munched on his sandwich. Maybe Anya would find some joy in her heart now, he hoped.

A part of Anya wanted to laugh and tell Giles it had taken him long enough to find her. But the other part of her was screaming inside, `This Is NOT Simple Anymore!'

"Let me show you my shop," Anya said, pulling herself completely out of his arms. It was as if a wall suddenly went up. Giles sensed it, and Frank recognized it. Both men's eyes met for a moment, and they both frowned for different reasons. Then Frank stood up and began to gather the lunch remains.

"Anya, dear, I'll get out of your way."

"Wait, Frank." Taking a deep breath she nodded at Giles. "This is Rupert Giles. He was my business partner when I lived in California. He introduced me to the joys of retail." She gave Giles a momentary glowing smile.

Giles blushed and held out his hand. "Pleased to meet you, Frank, is it?"

Frank limped over on his wooden leg and took Giles' hand. "Yes, Frank Moore. Your Anya here is nice enough to entertain this old fisherman, and shares her lunch with me on occasion."

Giles' heart actually skipped a beat at Frank's wording. `Your Anya.' He smiled at the older man. "Pleased to meet you."

"Thank you for lunch again, Frank, but I think I may be missing for ice cream and our movie night."

Frank nodded and smiled. He gave Giles a knowing wink. "Take care of our beautiful girl here." Then he turned and left the shop.

Anya wondered if she should protest at being spoken of in such a manner, but for some reason butterflies were going bonkers in her stomach. Besides, she thought, Frank was just a crazy, kind, crazy old man. Yes, crazy twice, she thought with an affectionate smile.

For the next hour Anya showed Giles around the shop. It really was very similar to the Magic Box, but Giles didn't mention it. Although his lips did quirk upwards when he noticed how she had displayed the incense table. Anya caught his look and exhaled, putting her hands on her hips. "Yes, yes, so for once in your life, you were right. It does look much more inviting that way and I can barely keep it on the shelves. You are allowed to say `I told you so,' but only this one time."

Giles chuckled and put down the ribbon he'd been holding and turned back to fully face Anya. "I've missed you."

She blinked and swallowed the lump in her throat. "I've missed you too."

For a full minute, they stood and stared at one another. They could both feel the powerful connection. They'd always felt it, but Anya had been with Xander and there had been evil battles to wage against, so they'd always ignored it. But Giles didn't want to ignore it anymore. He missed her. He'd ached for her. He took a step towards her when the moment was disturbed by the bell over the door.

Anya blinked and then turned, plastering her professional smile on her face. "Hello! May I help you?"

Giles continued to wander the shop as Anya tended to her customers. Noticing the tea behind the counter, he caught Anya's look and nodded towards it. She gave him a smile and return nod so he went and helped himself to making tea. Thankfully there were also some muffins nearby. He made sure they were not enspelled merchandise before helping himself. The last time he'd eaten was that bloody awful plane food.

"Here," Anya said, a short time later. The customers had all left and she found Giles with his fingers running over the beautiful leather spines of books she kept behind the counter. She smiled and held out her hand.

"The Tinting Charm." Giles smiled and reached out for the charm. "This will be invaluable in restoring the Council's books."

Anya quirked an eyebrow at him. "Invaluable? Oh, I think I can come up with a value for it." She grinned as he looked at her over the top of his glasses.

"Quite," he finally said, smiling a little himself. "And how much?"

Anya tilted her head and put a finger to her chin. She made a great display of being lost in thought before Giles finally rolled his eyes. She cracked a smile then and shrugged. "You'll have to suffer through my pot roast." Without letting him answer she walked over to the front door and flipped the Closed sign around. "And a nice bottle of Cabernet I've been saving."

"Anya, that isn't necessary. I mean, wine and dinner would be lovely." His stomach growled. "But I insist on paying for the charm."

Anya shook her head. "No, Rupert. Please let me do this, okay? I wasn't there when you all saved the world once again. Accept the Tinting Charm as my token. Please."

Giles sighed and slipped the charm into his jacket pocket. He didn't want to argue with her. "Thank you, Anya."

He waited for her to count the register and reconcile the receipts before locking up. "My car is over there. Shall I follow yours?" He glanced around, wondering where she'd parked.

Anya laughed and pointed. "See that little cottage there? Mine. We walk." She looped her arm around his. "Let's grab your luggage. I assume you have, what… four or five suitcases?"

He blushed at her recollection of his packing habits. "One must be prepared for any and all occurrences."

"Rupert, I'm glad you haven't changed. That much, anyway. You're a little greyer around the ears, of course, but don't get me wrong. I find it very handsome and dignified."

Giles paused and stared at her for a moment before smiling. "Anya, I've really missed you."

* * *

Anya poured them each a glass of wine and then insisted that Giles sit at the table and give her a running commentary about everyone since the end of Sunnydale while she finished making their dinner.

"I can see that Dawn would make an excellent Watcher in training," Anya agreed. "After all, she watched Buffy make all those horrendous mistakes, and she can learn from them to help any of the new slayers." She turned quickly to look at Giles, afraid she'd said the wrong thing, but he just smiled at her over his wine glass. She relaxed and checked on the meat one more time before turning to lean back against the counter with her own wine.

"Okay, so, I know Willow is practically your right arm running the Council and is entrenched with the Devon Coven, I know Andrew is playing at being Mr. Cool Watcher boy and actually is surprising you with his ability, Buffy is in London helping train and trying to have a bit of a life, and Faith stayed in Cleveland with some guy named Robin Wood. But you haven't mentioned Xander."

Giles gave her a nervous frown that made her smile a little.

"I'd like to know about him as well, Rupert. But not because I love him. Or loved him. I mean, I did love him in a way, but not… not enough. And he never loved me enough. That's why it didn't work. Even before the Wedding from Hell, there were signs. I just… I thought I was supposed to do the right thing, and I thought getting married to him was the right thing. It wasn't, and I understand that now. It hurt for him to leave me like that, but… What is Xander doing?" She quickly took an almost too big gulp of her wine to cover her own nerves. It was very hard to explain human feelings. Feeling them was one thing, but trying to explain how jumbled and confusing everything inside felt was… complicated.

"Xander is in Africa," Giles began. "He had been doing a lot of travelling as he searched and brought in new slayers to the Academy. But when he was in Africa he said he felt home there. He found some peace, and so he's stayed there and formed a little training facility of his own with his slayer."

"His slayer?" Anya made a little grunting noise and sipped from her wine. "I bet he's good at being a Watcher too." Sadly she held the wine glass with both hands in front of her chest. "Africa. I guess he couldn't get far enough away from me."

Before she knew what she'd said Giles was there, standing before her. He took her wine glass out of her hands and placed it on the counter, and then pulled her to him in a comforting hug. He didn't say anything. He just held her. Anya's heart melted.

"I'm sorry," Giles said softly.

"Why are you sorry? You aren't the one that asked me to marry him only because he thought the world was ending, and then when it didn't end, didn't tell any of his friends or family. And you aren't the one that embarrassed and humiliated me by leaving me there all alone at the altar."

"Xander was a pillock," Giles grunted.

Anya smiled against his chest. "You always know the right thing to say."

He chuckled at that and pulled back a little so he could look at her. Their eyes met. Anya knew then that they'd have sex later. And it would be good. And then, come morning, Giles would leave her. He'd come for his charm, and yes, to see her. She did believe that. But then he'd have to leave and go back to England. He had a Watcher's Council to run, after all, and his Slayer and all his friends lived there.

Giles bent his head and captured her lips in his. It was a soft and gentle kiss and fire curled inside of Anya. It was passionate, but controlled. He was giving as well as receiving pleasure. It wouldn't just be sex, his kiss told her. He'd make tender love with her. Anya whimpered.

Her hands moved to splay across his back. He moved closer, pressing her against the counter, and deepened the kiss. His tongue stroked against hers until she fully opened for him. When his hands began to roam she pulled back and moved her hands to his chest, pushing him back a little. "The pot roast is going to burn. I have to feed you first, then… then we'll…" She frowned a little. She was going to say, "we'll have sex," but that was the old Anya talking, and she also had a pretty good idea that it wouldn't be just sex. Not with Rupert. "We'll go to bed," she said instead.

Giles smiled at her. He cupped her face gently for a moment and then nodded. "Yes."

He helped her set the table. She was amused to find her hands shaking a little inside the oven mitts. It had been a long time since she'd felt this way. It was just sex, she told herself. She'd had plenty with Xander. But something told her being with Rupert was going to be much more powerful and… complicated, than that. Sex was simple. What Rupert Giles was doing to her insides was anything but simple. Maybe she should shove him out the door quickly after dinner?

"This smells wonderful, Anya." Giles smiled and flipped his linen napkin over his lap before filling their wine glasses.

Anya smiled. "I like to cook. Usually it's just for me, of course. Or Frank."

"Frank, he's the older chap in your shop this afternoon? He seemed… friendly."

Anya chuckled. Giles sounded almost jealous. "He was one of the first people I met when I got settled here. I went into the Lighthouse Bar and had a beer and we struck up a conversation. I think he's sort of adopted me as like his daughter, and since I didn't know anyone else… it just developed into a good friendship. I think he gets lonely sometimes." She shrugged. Giles had a feeling Anya got just as lonely. He knew he did, even surrounded by all those slayers. His heart felt a pull and a tug as he listened to Anya talk about her lunches with Frank, how she'd shared some of her Xander stories with him, and how he always supported and defended her.

"Then he's also a very wise man," Giles said softly. He wished it had been him giving Anya comfort all this time, but he was glad she had someone. Besides, his feelings for Anya were definitely not fatherly.

After finishing the meal Giles helped her with the dishes. Neither rushed. It was as if they were both savoring the anticipation of what was to come. He was bemused at how quiet Anya was, however. She had changed. Pain had a way of shaping someone, he knew. All he wanted now was to take her in his arms and take her pain away, forever.

Anya closed the door on the dishwasher and pushed the start button. "There. All done. Thank you for your help."

"Thank you for a wonderful meal," he told her. He looked at her and smiled, and again that silence descended. It was that place where everything else slipped away and it was just them in existence, together. Anya held out her hand and Giles slipped his fingers into hers, clasping her close. She turned and walked him into her bedroom.

Anya could hardly believe this was happening. She'd spent many hours dreaming of Rupert Giles. Even before her break up with Xander, she'd wondered how Giles would feel and taste and touch. After Willow's spell, she'd gotten an idea, and it was way better than she'd ever imagined. There had always been something between them, connecting them, urging them, but for different reasons they'd both denied it. At least for the moment, all those denials were set aside.

Giles closed the door behind them and quickly pulled her into his arms. Maybe he could feel her nervousness or was afraid she would flee, so he grabbed her close before she could even think it, let alone act. His kiss was hungry and full of need, but at the same time it was giving. She whimpered again in his strong embrace and hardly noticed when her back fell on the bed and he covered her body with his own.

He took his time kissing her. At first his hands were on her neck and face, and then he threaded his fingers through her hair. But when he felt Anya's hands under his shirt and pressing against his back, he groaned. Shifting them somewhat, he centered her on the bed and moved his mouth down her neck. He eased up and she took his shirt off. Her hands roamed over his chest, curling in the coarse hairs there before her fingertips massaged his nipples. "Christ," he whispered at her touch.

Anya smiled. "You have a very nice chest."

Giles took off his glasses and threw them on the side table. Then he took her hands in his and again covered her body with his. As he kissed her thoroughly he moved their arms beside them on the bed. His fingers twined with hers. She gripped his hands hard and focused on his mouth on hers. But other feelings were beginning to overload her senses. She could feel his cock pressing against her. Her hips arched up against his, and he pressed down into her. His body slowly rocked and rubbed against hers. She could feel his chest hairs through her shirt, tickling her aching nipples. She wanted to claw her fingernails down his back and rip his pants off, but she couldn't move as his hands held hers and his mouth assaulted her in a very good way. Giles had waited years to touch her and taste her, and he was damn well going to take his time and make sure they both enjoyed it. Anya was worth the wait.

Anya could never remember, in her very long demon and human life, ever being kissed like this. If he took this long and was this thorough in just kissing, her mind almost exploded at the possibilities of things to come.

Finally he released one of her hands. She felt his fingers at her blouse. He undid the buttons with one hand and trailed his hot mouth down her neck again and over her collarbone. Soon he sat up and pulled her blouse off. His breathing was coming in gasps. "My God, darling, you are so beautiful." His eyes took her in after he unclasped her bra and let it fall to the floor. He gathered her closer and that talented mouth of his captured one breast. He lathed the sensitive skin all around but avoided the taut, aching nipple for now. Anya's hands were on the back of his head, pulling him closer. "Please!" she finally begged, and was rewarded by his tongue swirling over the now painful nub. She cried out, pulled him closer, and felt an intense pleasure shoot out from her breast all the way to her center.

When he was satisfied, he moved to the other breast and again had her squirming and begging before he moved to the peak of her nipple. He smiled as he heard her cursing his name in a loving tone. He moved his mouth to kiss her again, rubbing his chest against hers. "Patience, darling," he whispered.

"Rupert, if you don't-" But her argument was cut off when his mouth again covered hers.

This time when she moved her hands to his jeans, he didn't stop her. He rolled to the side and helped her dispatch both his jeans and his boxers, and then he quickly tore off her Capri's and panties. He'd decided patience was overrated.

Kneeling at her feet, his eyes followed a trail from her cute little feet, up her legs, and her glorious womanhood before moving up the rest of her body and lighting up her face. "So beautiful," he said hoarsely.

Anya was beyond words. She'd never felt so worshiped before. She held her hands up to him, and again his fingers twined in his. Then he pushed her arms up and back against the headboard. He held her hands as his body settled over hers. He kissed her once and then pushed himself deep inside her. They both gasped at the sensation when his body filled hers. Slowly he moved again, deeper, deeper. He held her hands tight above her head as his thrusts became harder and faster. Her legs moved around his waist to pull him as close as she could as her body matched each of his thrusts. "Rupert… Rupert…" Her words turned into moans as everything built to a raging peak inside, until everything exploded outwards and inwards in the most intense pleasure moment either had ever experienced.

He kept moving as long as he could. Even after the crash he kept kissing her. Their arms fell limply to their sides. His hands caressed her sides and her hands stayed on his back as he kept kissing her. Eventually he rolled on his side and gathered her close. He kissed the top of her head. "My Anya," he whispered, holding her close as sleep finally overcame him.

Anya, however, couldn't sleep. Her body was sated and weak, but her mind and heart were in a gigantic struggle of epic proportions.

When Giles awoke in the morning it was to an empty bed. His arm reached out, but when he found nothing but an empty mattress, he sat up and frowned.

He took a quick shower and then pulled on his blue jeans and nothing else. He made his way out into the main part of the house but didn't hear or sense Anya. When he went into the kitchen he saw the coffee pot with an empty mug left out for him on the counter. The kitchen faced the beach and he could see her sitting on a log with her bare feet in the sand. Smiling, he filled his cup and went out to join her.

"Anya?" he said softly. He came up behind her. "Is this seat taken, darling?" When she patted the log beside him without turning around, he became a little concerned. He sat down and set the mug down so he could put his arm around her shoulders and gather her in close to his side. "What's wrong? Are you alright?"

He watched her face for a moment. For one that had always been so blunt and clear, she was really starting to worry him. Her expression seemed wary and he could feel how tense she was. Was she sorry about last night? Sorry about him? She seemed… sad.

"You're going to leave me," she said so softly he could barely hear her over the waves. "Leave you?" he asked in confusion. "Anya." He turned around and got up off the log to kneel in the sand before her. He cupped her face in his hands. "Anya, I'm not going to leave you. Don't you know that I love you?"

At his words, Anya looked stricken. A panicked expression came over her face. She stood up so fast Giles almost fell over backwards. "No… no, you don't love me. You can't. You mustn't!" Before he could recover she fled, just bending to grab up her shoes before running pell mell down the street to her shop.

After sitting there stunned for several moments, Giles finally got to his feet. He picked up their coffee cups and went back inside. He washed out each cup and then finished getting dressed. He wasn't sure what was going on, but he was certain that Anya returned his feelings. Obviously she was scared. He'd just have to show her that her fears were unfounded.

He walked slowly up the street to her shop but paused when he saw Frank waving at him from across the street. The retired fisherman had been waiting for him, and waved Rupert over. "Care to join me for some breakfast?"

Giles hesitated and glanced over his shoulder towards Anya's store. "She'll be fine a while longer," Frank said. "I think we should talk."

They didn't do any talking until their orders were taken and both men had full cups in front of them. Frank had coffee, and Giles had tea.

"Why do I feel as if I'm being confronted by the father of the girl I've just asked to start courting?" Giles finally asked.

Frank smiled. "Relax. I'm on your side."

Giles' eyebrows went up. "My side?"

"Yup." Frank sipped from his coffee. "I've known Anya a few years now, and I've heard all her stories about Sunnydale. Xander, Buffy, Willow, and you. In many ways, I learned most about you. In everything Anya didn't say, she said the most about you."

Giles shifted uncomfortably in his seat for a moment before clasping the coffee cup in both of his hands and leaning forward. "I care for her very much."

"And she cares for you."

The pancakes arrived and Giles watched while Frank dressed his with much syrup before picking up his own fork.

"She's scared," Frank said, pointing his fork at him. "This Xander was just a boy, but you… you're the one, and that scares her. She could recover from losing him. She could never recover from losing you."

"Why does everyone keep saying she'll lose me?" Giles slammed his fork down on the table. "I told her this morning that I love her, and she just ran away."

"Like I said, she's scared." Frank looked at Giles like he was an idiot.

Giles sighed and picked his fork back up. "I know she's scared."

"Anya's life is simple here," Frank continued. "Every day is the same. She wakes up, watches the sun rise with her coffee, and then works all day in the shop. We share lunch together, and on good days, we have ice cream and watch movies. We're two lonely souls that found each other and give each other comfort, but that girl… she needs more. She needs you. And that's going to make her simple life different. I think she's afraid to risk what she's found here. She knows you live in England and that you have a life there." Frank swallowed a bite of his pancakes. "You'll just have to prove to her that loving you is worth the risk."

Giles wasn't so sure he knew how to do that. Maybe Anya's life was better without him.

"Hey now, don't even think that for one minute." Frank was jabbing his fork at Giles' face again and glaring at him.

"How do you know what I was thinking?" Giles asked.

Frank rolled his eyes. "Is she worth the risk, or not? If you love her, than what else could be simpler?"

"It's not that," Giles said, struggling with his thoughts. "I have responsibilities, as you said."

"Ah yes, responsibilities. Buffy, your ward?"

Giles gaped for a moment, afraid of exactly what Anya had told this man. "Yes, my ward…"

"She sounds more than capable to me to take care of herself, from what Anya has said. She's also made it clear that you are the type to think of everyone before yourself. Perhaps its time you started to think of what makes you happy. Those in your life, if they really love you, they'll want that for you." Frank suddenly got a funny look on his face. "Are you okay?" Giles asked. Before Frank could answer he grabbed at his chest and slumped in his chair. Giles shot out of his own chair and called out to the waiter. "Call an ambulance!"

* * *

Anya was dusting a shelf when she heard the bell ring over the door. She turned to see Giles running into the shop. "Anya! Frank's just been taken to the hospital. I'll drive you."

"What?!" Anya threw the duster on the counter and glanced around at the few customers in her shop. "Everyone out! Now!" They gave her funny looks but all of them hurried out the door. Anya flipped the Closed sign over and grabbed her purse. "What happened? Is he going to be okay?"

"I don't know," Giles told her, guiding her to his rental car with his arm around her waist. "We were having breakfast together and he grabbed at his chest. I believe he may have had a heart attack."

Anya's face looked grim. She stayed silent on the drive to the hospital. She flew out the door before Giles even had the car parked. He hurried after her into the hospital and kept his hand on her lower back for comfort and support as she inquired about Frank at the nurse's station. They instructed her to wait in the waiting room and that someone would be out to see them soon.

Giles sat next to her and tried to hold her hand, but she had both of hers clasped tightly in her lap. "Anya," he said softly. "Look at me." When she finally turned to look at him, he cupped her face and lightly ran his fingers down her cheek.

"He's going to be okay, right? Please tell me he's going to be okay." Sitting there in that hospital waiting room reminded her of when Joyce died. Tears sprung to her eyes.

Giles moved closer to hug her when a doctor entered. "Are you Anya Jenkins?"

Anya jumped to her feet. "Yes. Is Frank dead?"

The doctor blinked. "Uh, no. No. He's had a mild heart attack and is resting comfortably. He asked for you. Let me show you to his room."

Anya turned and looked at Giles. He gave her a gentle smile and nodded, urging her to go on. She followed the doctor down the hall and into Frank's room. He looked so pale and incredibly old as he lay there in the bed, she thought. Tubes were everywhere, and he was hooked up to beeping machines that made her nervous. But she pulled the chair up closer to his bed and sat down. She wondered if his wooden leg was on, but noticed that there was only one lump in the bed where there should be two.

"They took it," Frank grunted and gave Anya a little smile when she blushed and looked up at him. "I'm sure it's in a safe place, beautiful. Don't worry about it or me."

"Of course I'm worried about you, idiot man. You're in the hospital. They said you had a heart attack."

Frank sighed and moved his gnarled hand to cover hers. "I'll be fine. Honest."

"Has this happened to you before?" Anya asked him.

He nodded. He looked tired.

"I should let you sleep," she said, but she didn't get up.

He squeezed her hand. "Anya, dear, did I ever tell you about Alice?"

"Alice? No, I would have remembered."

"She was my wife," Frank said with a fond smile.

"You were married?" Anya was surprised. All their talks, he'd never mentioned a wife.

"For three days. They were the best three days of my life." He squeezed her hand again. Anya could feel his fingers shaking, and she didn't know if it was from weakness, pain, or memories. Maybe all three. She hung on his every word. "Three days? What happened?"

"I met Alice when I was in the hospital ten years ago, after my first heart attack. She had cancer. She had a lovely smile. Her eyes sparkled. She was alone, same as I was. No family to speak of. But she had this spirit inside. She was a fighter. I asked her to marry me, and she said yes." Frank rubbed at his eyes with his other hand. "She died three days later, Anya."

Anya didn't know what to say. "Oh Frank…"

"Listen to your heart, Anya. You won't regret it." Frank forced his gaze to be serious and firm. "If you two truly love each other, nothing is more simple."

Anya pressed her cheek to his for a moment. Then she sat up and kissed his hand. "Thank you, Frank."

She left Frank's room and hurried to the waiting room. Her heart was pounding when she flung open the door. "Rupert?"

He was gone. The waiting room was empty.

* * *

When Giles entered the waiting room with his hands full with two cups of tea, he found Anya standing in the middle of the room with tears streaking her face. "Anya?" Had Frank died?

"Rupert!" Anya flung herself at him. She grabbed him in a fierce hug that almost spilled the tea. "I thought you left!"

"I went to get us tea?" He looked around before giving up and just threw the full cups into the trash behind him and then wrapped his arms around her. "I'm right here, darling. I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere." Giles rubbed her back and kissed the top of her head.

Anya got control of herself and leaned back so she could look at him. She studied his face for a long moment, as if deciding something. Then she took a deep breath. "I love you too."

Giles smiled and kissed her forehead. "I know."

Anya glared at him. "Honey, this does not mean you are always right." When his smile widened she relaxed. "But we need to talk about some things."

Giles nodded and moved her back to a chair. They sat down and turned towards each other. He held both her hands in hers. "I was doing some thinking while you were in seeing Frank. How is he?"

"He did have a heart attack. He looks really tired and really old, and they took his leg, but I think he'll be okay."

"His leg?" Giles asked in confusion.

"Yes, honey. His wooden leg? I've never seen him without it. Of course, I've never seen him in bed before either." She smiled and squeezed his hands. "What were you thinking about while you were waiting?"

Giles' heart did a little flop when she used that endearment for him. He was sure he was blushing. He gently kissed the corner of her mouth before answering her. "I've only been here a short time, but I can see why you love it here. It's peaceful and calming. I think it's just what I need. What we need. Buffy and the others don't really need me anymore, and any help they need as far as research is concerned, I could do from here. If you wouldn't mind having me stay, permanently? We made great business partners once, and I'm certain we could be great together again?"

Anya was speechless. It was as if everything she'd dreamed and hoped for had suddenly just fallen in her lap.

Giles grinned. He was quite proud of himself for rendering her speechless. "Willow can run things from there, honestly. It's time I retired and moved on to other things."

"But isn't England your home?" Anya asked softly.

"Where ever you are is my home," Giles told her, and he meant it.

Anya threw her arms around his neck and pulled him close. She kissed him until they were breathless. Giles stood up and pulled her closer. "Let's take this elsewhere, love."

He quickly drove them back to her place. She kicked off her shoes when they entered the house and then let out a surprised yelp when he turned her around and pressed her against the door, assaulting her neck with his mouth.

"Rupert? You do know that as business partners, it is still my shop. So you can stay on one condition… oh god, do that again… um… I'm the boss. At the shop. We're partners, but in the end, I have to be the boss. I'm better at it anyways… oh honey, just right there…"

Giles moved her legs up around his waist and he slowly began to back them into the room. "Fine, darling. You're the boss at work. But in bed, I'm the boss." He ripped her shirt off while still backing them into the room.

"Just in the bed?" she asked, nibbling on his ear.

"Oh good lord." Giles' hand found the clasp of her bra and he finally got her out of that before looking around and spotting the kitchen table. "No, not just the bed. Also on the floor, and on the sofa, in front of the fire, on the washing machine, and on this blasted table." He plopped her on said table and began to wrestle her pants off.

Anya quickly undid his jeans and pulled him out. He hissed and moved her hands away. Scooting her closer to the edge of the table he plunged into her. He kept his hands on her hips and adjusted the angle so he could drive her crazy with each thrust.

Anya looked up at his face. He was flushed and sweating and glorious. His eyes found hers and he stopped his frantic coupling so he could lean down and kiss her tenderly. She wrapped her legs around him again, pulling him in closer. Her hands rested on his. "I accept your condition."

Giles kissed her again. "And I accept yours." Then they lost themselves in each other.

Later they moved to the bed. Only after they'd thoroughly explored every inch of each other did they fall into a blissful sleep. Anya again awoke first, but this time she turned on her side and watched him sleep. She reached out with one hand and pressed her fingers to his chest, feeling his heart beat. It was very late and the sun was down. The moonlight cascaded in through her open curtains, however, and it gave her enough light to see him by.

"What are you thinking?" he asked her gently. He took her hand in his and brought it to his lips, kissing each finger tenderly.

"I was thinking how simple my life was just a few days ago."

He paused in his ministrations and a small frown played over his face. But Anya scooted closer and wrapped her leg around his. "I had an order and a place for everything. And I was so sad. Then you came, and you've filled me up in every possible way. I don't think I realized how sad I was until you came, and now… I'm so happy." She smiled up at him and ran her fingers through his hair. "I'm not scared anymore."

"Oh Anya." Giles rolled her onto her back and kissed her.

"I'm fine with you complicating my life, Rupert. Just don't ever leave me. Please."

Giles pulled back and looked at her carefully. "I'll never leave you. Now be quiet. I'm the boss here, remember?"

Anya's eyes widened and she squirmed a little.

"Hold still," he said, trailing kisses down her stomach. His hands moved her thighs apart and he blew on her soft curls. Anya moaned and he smiled. "I want to taste you." He ran his tongue through her wet folds. He could feel her body quiver as she tried to hold herself still. "I'll never leave you," he said again. "We'll take care of each other from now on. Love each other, eh? It's simple, really." Then there were no more words as his mouth moved to do other things.

* * *

Frank was released from the hospital a couple of days later but he was now staying in a care facility attached to the clinic. He wasn't happy about it, but Anya and Rupert visited daily. He was pleased to hear from Anya that Rupert had mailed the charm back to England and Willow had promised to send him some of his essential books and more clothing until they could make other arrangements for all of Rupert's things. He wasn't going to leave Anya even for such a short time as it would take to move his things to Oregon. Everything he truly needed he found in her.

They easily fell into their old routine at the magic shop. Anya took care of the financial end. Rupert was great with the customers and the orders. They bickered about displays and more than once Anya got jealous when she saw other women ogling her man. Giles feigned ignorance but the tables were turned when three men came in the next day and were asking about love spells. Clearly all three were infatuated with Anya. He practically growled at them when he told them to buy what they wanted, or loiter elsewhere. Anya acted upset, but inside she was glowing.

Rupert became the boss in the office on the desk during lunch.

For the most part, they were keeping it simple.

The End