Title: Tomorrow 1/?
Author: Madsdog
Disclaimer: If I just owned Willow's body, Dawn's hair and Giles' voice to sing me to sleep... okay... none of it's mine- those bits belong to the actors and the rest is Joss' and Marti's (Tara-killers) and Love Letter #1 belongs to Red
SPOILERS: UP UNTIL THE END OF 'TWO TO GO'
Notes: (Lots of these) Okay, this is my response to Red's Love Letter #1, although it's more of an 'inspired by' piece than an actual sequel. I do refer to the letter, and even use parts of it, but in this Willow and Giles had already been an item at the time it was written, so obviously I conveniently ignore bits- like a fanfic of the fanfic!
More notes: Due to crappy UK scheduling (and refusing to give Rupert Murdoch my money) please bear in mind I've only seen S1 of Angel, and have no idea what Fred's really like- for some reason I think she's a cross between Willow and Anya, but I'm sure I'm wrong- and although I've had a friend record S6 of Buffy (if you're not a Brit don't ask- it's too complicated) I have no idea of when seasons actually ran (and can't be bothered to work it out), so flashbacks are dated in terms of seasons instead of years. Also I don't see Grave until Saturday, and for the first time in my life am trying to remain spoiler free (so apologies to anyone who hasn't received feedback cos I'm scared I'll get spoiled by their fics) so I'm setting all this up until "I'd like to test that theory." Also posting may happen after I've seen Grave but mainly cause I hand write everything and can never be bothered to type it up. So bear in mind I'm still really excited about "I'd like to test that theory," "and now Willow's a junkie" and "We'd all be happier without your constant whining" at the time of writing.
Dedication: To Chris for giving me something by a Brit to beta and for being so easy to please, to Danyelle for nicking my sig. to AM Glass for being a good enough beta to get it through my damn, thick, stubborn, proud, stupid skull that bits DID need changing. To Kits for being the biggest prick of a little sister ever, to Sab just to prove that not everything I read/write/watch/do is vampire porn- some of it's people porn. And finally to Red for being an amazing writer and inspiring me with her piece enough to write this, and to anyone that reads this (especially if they send feedback) and to anyone still reading after all that. Okay I think that's it, although I could go on...
Damn, I think that's it... s'pose I gotta let you actually read this at some point... so here goes...
'I need you Giles, I am in love with you Giles,
Willow'
Laying down her pen, Willow allowed a single tear to make its way down her cheek. This was the third letter in two months that she'd written, the first in the college library, the next two here in 'her' room at the Summers' residence, each several pages long, spilling out her heart to the man she loved. The man who'd left. The tear had evaporated by the time it reached her chin and she calmly wiped up the evidence of its descent before slipping the letter to the back of her drawer with the two others. She couldn't send them; she was too proud, and... he didn't want them.
***
Anya smiled and looked up as the bell jangled above the entrance of The Magic Box, announcing the arrival of a new customer.
"Good morning, and... or not." The 'selling' smile fell from the ex-demon's face as a decidedly gloomy looking Willow walked towards her. She always seemed moody recently, but this expression was even worse than usual
"Xander and Buffy aren't here."
"I know."
"So, why are you here? I have customers." Willow looked around "Well I could have in a minute."
"Anya, you and I- we're friends aren't we?" Anya sighed and moved to turn on the Scooby Gang kettle. She had a feeling that this was going to be a long, very human, conversation
"I should hope so- you're going to be best man."
"If I tell you something, ask for your help with something, can you keep it to yourself?" She was genuinely puzzled now,
"Of course, Willow, what is it?" And concerned, don't forget concerned. For Willow- she'd never felt that before. What could Willow want from her that she couldn't get from either Buffy or Xander? She sat opposite the redhead and handed her the white unsweetened tea she favoured above the usual sugary American coffee. Slowly the head in front of her rose to reveal a tear stained face
"Willow, what's happened, what's wrong?"
"I screwed up- I'm so stupid, but- why now?"
"I don't-"
"For three and a half years it could have happened and been perfect, but now- why now?"
"If you don't explain, I can't-"
"I'm pregnant. Goddess help me, I'm pregnant."
*** SUMMER AFTER SEASON 2 ***
"Isn't there, like, a location spell or something I- we could do?"
"Willow please. You know I don't like you doing spells and things."
"But you refuse to tell me why."
"Things can go wrong- nasty." The pair held eye contact across the table, the intensity of wills blazing anything in the surrounding area. Over the library table, Oz and Xander exchanged a look. This was the fourth of these 'arguments' between Willow and Giles in as many days. No heated words were ever spoken, but unless someone broke the eye contact, it was as if they were in a war no one else could hear. And it gave Xander the creeps
"Guys can we focus here?" There was no reaction from either party, "No, not there, HERE!"
"Sorry Xander, did you have something to add?"
"Yes. Buffy's been gone for a month and a half now. I'm guessing she's not coming back in a hurry. Either with Angel or without. She doesn't want to. She doesn't want to be found."
"Maybe you're right, but, I just want to know."
"We all do Will, and we will, I promise."
***
"Giles?" Willow poked her head around the office door. The librarian looked up, startled
"Oh! Willow, come in." She stepped into the doorway but stayed out of the room itself.
"I- we're just going. The boys are out at the van. I just wanted to apologise. Again."
"Apologise? What for?"
"Earlier, y'know, bringing up the magic thing again."
"It's okay- I realise I must seem a bit... restricting at times, but I am only trying to protect you."
"I know- and I'll run anything I do past you first, I promise."
"Does that mean you'll listen to what I say?"
"Now that I didn't promise- well, I'll listen, just then make up my own mind despite your opinion." The two smiled at each other, sharing the joke... and something else that only the two of them could understand. Giles averted his eyes to a piece of paper in front of him, and Willow, following his gaze, stepped into the office
"What's that?"
"I just got a phone call. There's a council member in a village outside New York who thinks he's seen a girl fighting demons up there."
"Giles, I was thinking about what Xander said- I think we're going to have to wait."
"I can't just leave it, what if..." Willow took the three steps to the swivel chair Giles was in and knelt before him
"What if you get up there and it was her? She'll have moved on by now for sure. Don't you see? She's running... running from us, from what she is- she won't be stay anywhere, and if she does, it'll be in DC, NY, Chicago, maybe San Francisco or New Orleans- somewhere big, anywhere where she can blend into the crowd, be another nameless face."
"You're right, but..." She placed her hand on top of his on the chair arm
"But nothing." Willow tried to think of reasons to get him to stay, anything believable, "You go up there, you'll be on your own, we'll have no one to let us into the school, we'll all feel alone." silently she pleaded with him 'I'll be alone, I'd miss you' "We should all stay together."
"She's my slayer-"
"Giles, please stay. For me. I need you here." His head shot up, and he met her gaze at last, the two looked at each other for a minute before he turned his hand over to grip hers and gave her a half smile.
"The Hellmouth'd be overrun by the time I got back, wouldn't it?"
"Definitely." Silence passed for a few minutes more until footsteps were heard entering the main library. Squeezing his hand, she stood,
"You're staying?"
"I'm staying." She grinned
"I'll see you in the morning. Sleep tight."
"You too."
"Will, you coming?"
"Sure. Tomorrow Giles." Their eye contact was finally broken as she turned to smile at Xander, before following him out. Giles stared at the empty doorway for a moment longer than was necessary
"Tomorrow," he whispered to the space.