Title: Missing 5/7
Author: LadyForASH
Rated: FRAO
Pairing: Buffy/Giles
Spoilers: Everything. This takes place after Chosen.
Disclaimers: I own nothing. Joss is the bomb. Everything is his and I'm just taking out these wonderful characters and playing with them for awhile. Please don't sue.
Summary: Willow is missing!

They could see the huge complex in the distant horizon. It was much more than just a mere warehouse. Brooks had to stop the jeep at a gate and put in a special code. There was no one around. It seemed to be deserted as the huge gate rolled open and Brooks drove them inside. He stopped by another keypad and a gigantic automatic door rolled open so they could drive inside one of the facility's buildings.

After using the restroom and eating some lunch, the foursome began to transfer their supplies into a huge truck. It was practically a semi, Xander thought, only it was built for off road travel. Brooks explained they'd also be sleeping inside of it at night. "Two will sleep while the other two tend to the fire and are on guard," he said. "The fire will keep the animals away."

Brooks had made a phone call when they first arrived. Buffy had thought he had called Charlie, but actually he'd phoned another contact, and that person would actually find Charlie and send him to the complex. Buffy and Xander were afraid they'd have to wait for hours for Charlie to arrive, but they'd barely loaded the weapons into the truck with their other supplies when a buzzer went off. "That will be Charlie," Brooks explained. "Please excuse me. I'll return as soon as I can and we'll head off."

They finished with the gear and then looked around at each other. Xander saw a table and plopped himself down. "We could play some strip poker. Anyone have a deck?"

Giles rolled his eyes and Buffy smirked. She looked up at her Watcher. "Too bad. That sounds kinda fun."

"Ha ha," Giles snorted. Still, he gave Buffy an appreciating look and then stepped behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close against his chest. They both looked at Xander. He gave them a momentarily unsettled look and then shrugged, turning away from them to study Brooks' map that was laid out on the table's surface.

Buffy relaxed in Giles' embrace. He leaned back against the side of the truck, holding her close.

"I hope he doesn't take too long," Xander mumbled. "I have a bad feeling about this."

"We'll find her," Giles insisted. His breath mingled in Buffy's hair and made her shiver. He held her even closer, knowing her shivers were not because of the scorching desert heat. It was cooler inside the warehouse with a gentle air conditioning, but it wasn't that cool.

Giles kept his eyes on Xander. He didn't want to hurt the young man. He wanted Xander's support when it came to his feelings for Buffy. He was touched that Xander was worried about him, but he wasn't going to let this chance with Buffy pass him by.

Giles was worried about Willow and would do anything to find her and bring her home. But a small part of him would never forget that she'd tried to destroy the world. She'd tried to kill him, and Buffy.

Willow had also resurrected Buffy from the grave. How could he not forgive her everything? Buffy, his slayer, his heart... was alive again. And now she was in his arms.

He sighed and started to rub his fingers gently on her sides. He felt Buffy press against him, and the heat between them turned up a notch. He hugged her closer and saw her close her eyes, as if to savor the moment. He moved his hands in gentle circles on her stomach through her shirt. He swallowed and moved his hands up to just beneath her breasts. Then, emboldened by her body's reaction to his, he covered them with his palms. They fit perfectly, and he could feel her nipples harden in his hands. Slowly he began to massage them, the cotton of her thin shirt barely separating their skin. He knew he was playing a dangerous game, but he couldn't help himself. Buffy was melting in his hands. She was so willing and wanted him! It was such a turn on, and made him want to cry out her name in joy!

"Did you hear that? Is that Brooks?" Xander cocked his head.

Giles froze at Xander's voice, but he didn't release Buffy. His hands gripped her breasts, hugging her close. He wrapped his arms around her and felt her whimper.

"Sorry, luv," he whispered in her ear. His voice was husky. He nipped at her earlobe. "I can't help myself."

"Never stop," Buffy whispered back.

"What?" Xander turned and saw them. His face turned red. "Hey, I'm glad you two are... you know... but please..."

"You're right," Giles said. He loosened his grip on Buffy, but he didn't let her go. His hands rested lightly on her hips. She made him feel like a teenager again. He couldn't keep his hands off of her.

They were here to find Willow. Instead, Giles and Buffy were finding themselves in each other. It was rotten timing, but it also couldn't be denied. They both knew that now.

A buzzer sounded and then they heard the door roll up again. Brooks was back. His face was pale when he approached. Buffy immediately stepped out of Giles' embrace towards Brooks. "What did you find out?" She glanced around to see if Charlie had come with him, but he appeared to be alone once again.

Brooks nodded at the table. "Sit down, all of you, and I'll explain."

Xander groaned. "I knew it. Something is wrong!"

Brooks swallowed and his eyes met Giles' as they all eased into the chairs. "As I explained before, Charlie is actually a member of the tribe that is holding Willow. He told me what they want with her." He splayed his hands out and then pointed down at the map. "We aren't too far from their location."

"I thought you said the tribe resided in the center of the desert," Giles said.

Brooks nodded. "They do, however they've removed Willow from that location." He pointed on the map. "They are holding her here. Barring anything unforeseen, we could reach that location sometime tomorrow in the late evening."

"Are you familiar with this place?" Buffy asked, studying the map.

Brooks shrugged. "Not exactly. They say it's a magical place. Unless you are a tribe member, you are not permitted. No one I know of has ever even attempted to trespass. The stories and legends of dark magics have kept everyone away."

"Stories? What kind of stories," Xander asked.

Brooks glanced at all of them and then shrugged again. "The stories really are not important. What is important is what they are planning to do to Willow. Charlie said the ritual is to take place tomorrow at sunset, so we don't have much time."

Buffy abruptly stood up. "Are you going to tell us or do I have to beat it out of you?" She was getting angry and tense.

Giles made a soothing sound in the back of his throat. "Buffy..."

"Sorry, I just don't want to play games. Just tell us what is going on, and what we need to do. How do we get to Willow?"

Brooks pulled out a canteen he had stashed near the table and took a long drink of water while Buffy spoke. He handed it to Xander and nodded. "The tribe feels that your Willow took something from them. That she abused a power that belonged to them. According to Charlie, she took their power and... gave it to a bunch of girls. `Where there was one, now there are many,' is the way Charlie put it."

Giles took a drink and handed the canteen to Buffy. "Willow's spell turned all the potential slayers into their power. Now Buffy is not the only slayer."

Brooks nodded. "Yes, and apparently, the tribe wants their power back. They intend to do just that. They are going to perform some kind of ritual that steals all the power from the slayers back, by turning it around and forcing it into Willow. It will not only kill Willow, but..." he glanced at Buffy now, "It will drain and kill all of the slayers in the world."

Giles paled and looked at Buffy, but other than the fact her hands fiercely gripped the canteen, turning her knuckles white, she displayed no emotions.

Xander jumped up. "We need to go then. Why can't we just go straight on, why must we camp tonight? Can't we just get there?"

Brooks shook his head. "No. There are the animals to worry about, true, but there are also magical barriers. We need daylight to travel there. The magic is decreased in the sun, and we will be safer from the natives as well as the animals. We do it my way, if you want to get there in one piece and save your friend." Brooks stood up and started to fold up the map. "Shall we then?"

They all nodded and stood up. They double checked they had all their supplies. As they were getting into the truck Giles reached out and took Buffy's hand. "Are you alright?"

She nodded but she wouldn't look at him. "We just have to get her back." She squeezed his hand and then got into the truck.

They made better time in this larger vehicle, and before they knew it, the sun was beginning to set.

Brooks explained to them how to settle the camp. No one was to wander from sight, and once the sun was down, they either stayed inside the truck, or sat by the fire. The fire would be just behind the truck, only a few steps away. At the merest sound of danger or caution, the two on guard were to wake the other two inside the truck, and weapons were to be kept with each other at all times. The Scoobies didn't like guns, but Brooks said it was the bests defense against a wild animal attack, so they were to keep one close at all times.

The guide got a roaring fire going and soon he was frying bacon with some baked beans and corn bread in a skillet. They were all quiet, anxious and worried now. Buffy kept blaming herself for what had happened to Willow. Xander was blaming himself as well. He'd brought her right to the lion's mouth, so to speak. Giles was no better. He blamed himself also. If he hadn't left and distanced himself from all of them, this probably never would have happened in the first place. There was a lot of blame to go around, it seemed.

"You and Buffy take the first watch," Brooks said. Xander frowned when the guide grabbed his arm and pulled him towards the truck. "Wake us in three hours and we'll spell you." Brooks smiled and gave Giles a small wink.

Giles smiled shyly and threw another log on the fire. It was quite cold in the desert once the sun went down. He watched Buffy holding a stick and poking at the fire. "Too bad we don't have any marshmallows," he said, giving her a gentle smile. She just shrugged.

"Talk to me?" he asked softly. "It's not your fault, you know. I know that look."

Buffy snorted. "Back at ya, Watcher mine." She sighed and threw the stick into the fire. "At this point it doesn't matter who is to blame. We just have to get her back. But Giles, their magic... it's not going to be easy. I'm scared," she admitted.

He got up and moved next to her, putting his arm around her shoulders and pulling her against his side. "I'm scared too, but I believe in you."

"Thanks," she said. "I believe in you too, but this is going to take more than just slaying skills. They made the slayer, Giles. I denied them once, but this is different. I refused their powers, I don't think they'll just listen to reason and let me have Willow."

"No, it's going to be a battle," Giles agreed. "Reasoning with them won't work. And if Willow isn't able to use her magic, I'm not sure I'll be able to use mine either. We'll need to surprise them, somehow."

"That's what I was thinking. Maybe they'll just have guards on her that I can take out, and we can grab her and run and not have to even deal with the ritual. If she's not there, they can't do it, right?"

"I would assume so." Giles was quiet for a moment. "I don't know if her magics will be easily restored, however."

"You'll find a way," Buffy replied firmly. "Or we can take her to the coven. They can help her, don't you think?"

Slowly Giles nodded. "Perhaps."

They heard a noise and both tensed. Buffy's eyes went wide and she pointed. "L-look," she whispered. "Is that..."

"A lion," Giles whispered. It was amazing and horrifying all at once. He threw another log on the fire, as if to shoo it away.

All of their supplies were locked in the truck. There was nothing to attract the animals except the fire, and the scent of the humans. "So much for them being more scared of us then we are of them," Buffy muttered.

Giles took up another log, one end on fire, and stood up to shake it at the lion. "Go on! Go away! Shoo!" He did a little hop and Buffy burst into a giggle. "I don't think the Hokey Pokey will work with him."

He gave her a mocking glare over his shoulder. The lion's tale swished and it gave them both a baleful look before turning and running back into the darkness. "See?" Giles said smugly.

"My hero," Buffy teased. She patted his seat, coaxing him to sit back down.

He grinned and put the log back on the fire before settling into the chair. Buffy leaned her shoulder against his. "You are, you know?" she said softly. "My hero?"

Giles' heart melted once again and he pulled her close. "And you are my everything." He saw her eyes sparkle and how her skin glowed in the orange colors of the fire. He leaned in and kissed her softly before pulling back and rubbing his nose against hers. "Later, yes?"

She nodded and touched his face. "Oh yes."

They saw a few more animals but nothing too scary, and they saw no humans. Buffy was trying not to yawn from the boredom when Brooks and Xander both emerged from the back of the truck. Brooks looked fresh as a daisy, or at least as fresh as an ancient looking senior citizen could look, mused Buffy, but Xander was rubbing his eyes and his hair was poking up in all directions. He looked asleep on his feet. "Coffee?" she quirked an eyebrow at him. He nodded and Buffy put the water canister on the fire for him.

"Sleep well," Brooks told them. Buffy and Giles glanced at each other and both blushed in the darkness.

"Thank you, Brooks. We'll see you in three hours." Giles held the door open and helped Buffy into the truck.

Buffy waited for him to shut the door. The truck was large enough that they could both stand in the bed. Sleeping bags were already rolled out for them. Buffy studied all this almost shyly when she felt Giles' hand on her shoulder. "Are you tired?"

Buffy looked up at him and smiled. She didn't feel scared or worried or anxious when she was with him. There was a fluttering in her stomach, but it was due more to an anxious excitement than from fear. She reached up and touched his face.

"If it's too soon, tell me," Giles said softly. "I can wait if you aren't ready."

She held a finger to his lips to quiet him. "I want to be with you. It's just... "

Giles pulled her down onto the sleeping bags, sitting across from her and holding her hands. "We should wait until we have Willow home safely."

Buffy looked at him fiercely then and shook her head. "No. If... I don't want to wait, Giles. If something does happen... I don't want to wish we had." She cupped his face again. "Being with you now isn't wrong. It's the only thing right about all of this."

Giles moved his hand over hers. "But the setting, in here, Brooks and Xander out there..."

Buffy still shook her head. She wanted this to happen now. She wanted him. She kissed him softly. He groaned and kissed her back before pulling away slightly. "Can you be... quiet?"

She grinned. "Sure of yourself, aren't you?"

Giles grinned back. "I am at that." He moved his hands to her back, moving his fingers up and down her spine. She shivered. "I'm just not sure I can stay quiet myself," he told her. "I've wanted you for so long. I love you, Buffy, and I don't care who hears. I want the world to know." He crushed his mouth against hers and pressed her back onto their makeshift bed.

All he did for several long moments was devour her mouth and her lips, tasting every bit of her as he could. Her tongue stroked against his and she moaned. Finally, when they needed oxygen, he broke the kiss and moved his lips and tongue to her neck. "God, Giles... I love you too. Don't stop. Please... don't stop."

Giles didn't intend too. An elephant could come crashing against the sides of their truck, and he wouldn't stop.

Buffy's hands found the hem of his shirt and she pulled it upwards. He sat up a bit as she pulled it over his head and off, and then he immediately lowered his head to again assault her skin. "You taste like heaven," he whispered. Her fingers curled into the hairs on the back of his neck as his lips caressed her collar bone. He moved his hands to pull off her shirt. "Been wanting to do that all day," he muttered. His eyes dilated further and he rubbed his fingers over her soft, taut belly.

"Giles, I need you." He shushed her with another kiss and moved his hand behind her to undo her bra, adding it to their clothing. He pushed her back down and then captured a nipple between his lips. As his mouth worked the hardening nub, his hand massaged her other breast. Buffy was making soft noises of need and trembling beneath him.

She could feel his erection against her leg. She moved her thigh against him and he shuddered, his hips rocking against her body, urging her on.

Buffy had the sudden thought, `if this truck is a rockin', don't come a knockin', but her senses were too overwhelmed to giggle. When his mouth released her other nipple and his head moved lower, she groaned and bit her lip to keep herself quiet. He looked up at her and smiled before dipping his tongue into her navel. Her hips bucked and she hissed.

"Giles... please..."

"Patience is a virtue," he teased.

He pressed his face against her center. She was just wearing thin cotton shorts. "God, you're wet clear through these," he mumbled. Her heart fell into her center and heat flooded her senses. By the time he removed her shorts and panties and just looked at her, she was almost incoherent. "I can't wait to taste you. You are so beautiful, Buffy." His eyes moved to her face. She was flushed and breathing heavily. He reached up and ran his fingers over her lips. His eyes went wide when her lips parted and she sucked on his fingers. Smiling, he moved his hands down her neck, over her shoulders and breasts, and all the way down her stomach before resting them on her hips. Then he eased her thighs apart and bent to kiss her opening. He held her hips down as his tongue tasted her. He licked her from her clit to her opening, teasing both in an unpredictable rhythm until sparks fired beneath her eyelids and her body arched up off of the bed. He felt her muscles clutch at him when she came. "My Buffy, my luv," he whispered, watching her come.

While she was still breathing heavily, he sat up and pulled his pants and boxers off before crawling up her body. He settled himself between her legs and rubbed his erection against her center. She was so hot, so wet. He groaned.

Buffy recovered enough to pull his face back down to hers. She kissed him firmly, tasting herself in his mouth. She'd never had an orgasm like that before. When you loved someone, it really was different, she thought. It was... perfect. It was complete. She wrapped her legs around his waist and pulled him closer. Still kissing, he eased himself into her slowly. When he was fully sheathed inside of her, he paused, letting her adjust around him. Slowly she began to move her hips, pulling him in even deeper.

His thrusts were slow and deep at first. He moaned into her mouth and then pulled away to nibble on her earlobe. When she raked her fingernails down his back he growled in her ear and picked up the pace. Soon their bodies were colliding together, wild and frenzied.

"Come with me," Giles muttered in her ear before pressing his face into her shoulder.

Buffy buried her own face into his shoulder to muffle her cries. Her body gathered itself and then her muscles were on fire. She exploded up and out from her very center where they were joined. She felt him pulsing deep inside of her. A moment more and his hot rushing release filled her up. Their love for one another was overflowing.

Giles kept thrusting for as long as he could. Finally he slowed and kissed her once again. He turned onto his side and held her close, keeping them joined for as long as possible. He kept kissing her face, her neck, her lips, her forehead, until his head collapsed against her neck.

"W-wow," Buffy whispered once her voice recovered.

Giles smiled.

"I guess you were right to be sure of yourself. I've never... it's never... been like that before," Buffy told him.

His hands caressed her back and hips and ass, holding her close. "I love you," he said.

Buffy met his gaze. "I love you," she told him firmly. They kissed again and then he shifted, softening and pulling out of her. They both felt the loss keenly. He pulled her onto his chest and wrapped his arms around her, hooking his ankles around hers. "Sleep, my love." He pulled the sleeping bag over their spent bodies.

"You know something?" Buffy asked softly.

"What's that, luv?"

"All in all, being here like this, it's very romantic. Our first time is definitely memorable." She grinned.

Giles chuckled and kissed her again. "The first of a life time's worth, I hope."

"Oh yes," Buffy told him, kissing him once more. Then she moved her head back onto his chest. Soon her breathing slowed and evened out as sleep claimed her.

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