Title: Eavesdropping
Author: Michelle
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Buffy/Giles, Willow/Xander
Summary: Willow and Xander learn a lesson in eavesdropping.
Disclaimer: These are not my characters. They belong to Joss, Twentieth Century Fox, UPN, WB & Mutant Enemy. This is purely for fun.
Spoilers: Takes place after Chosen, but only minor spoilers.
Distribution: If you want it, you can have it. Just tell me where to find it.
Feedback: I love it, want it, and need it.
Warnings: None
Website: http://www.drakeleather.com/bripper/index.shtml
The bell above the door rang as Xander walked into the magic shop. “It still amazes me.”
“What amazes you?” Willow asked from behind the counter.
“The store and how much it looks like the old Magic Box,” Xander said.
Willow started to say something, but he cut her off. “I know what you’re going to say. I know I helped design and build it, but seeing it always brings back memories. I almost expect to see Anya cleaning the cash register.”
“She was big with the money. You’d have thought it was her favorite thing in the whole world.”
“It was - if you don’t count sex,” Xander said with a smile.
“You miss her a lot, huh?” Willow asked.
Before he could answer, they were interrupted by a noise from the back room. “Giles and Buffy in the back?” Xander asked.
“No. At least they’re not supposed to be. Buffy said they’d meet us here later.”
“So, who’s in the training room?”
Willow shrugged as they crept towards the back room. Xander put his ear to the door.
“Do you hear anything?” Willow asked in a whisper.
Xander backed away from the door. “No. Maybe we imagined it.”
“Both of us? Come on, Xander. How likely is that?”
They started walking back to the counter but stopped when they heard a familiar voice.
“Giles, I’m telling you it won’t fit that way.”
“You haven’t even tried. If you just lean forward and brace yourself. . .”
Xander shared a wide-eyed stare with Willow, and they crept back towards the door.
“See, Buffy. It fits. It just took a little work.”
Buffy giggled. “But now you’re stuck. How are you going to get out?”
“If you’d be so kind as to give me a hand.”
“Oh no. You got yourself in there; you’re going to get yourself out.” Buffy giggles turned into laughter.
“Buffy, this isn’t funny. I’m really stuck.”
“I can see that.”
“Please help.”
“But it’s so much fun watching,” Buffy said through fits of laughter. “I didn’t know you were that flexible.”
“If you help me, I’ll show you just how flexible I am.”
Xander backed away from the door. “We shouldn’t be listening to this. We should leave.”
“Xander,” Willow whispered. “It’s probably not what it sounds like.”
“I hope not. ‘Cause the mental images I’ve got are not good.”
“Well, there’s one way to find out,” Willow muttered quietly. She grabbed the doorknob and turned it. Slowly, she pushed the door open a crack and peeked inside. After a moment she closed the door.
“Well?” Xander prodded.
“They’re not having sex,” she said as she knocked on the door. A laughing Buffy opened the door. “Is everything all right? We heard strange noises.”
“We were just moving furniture,” Buffy said. “What’s up?”
“You wanted us to help get the store ready. Ya know, stocking, organizing. You didn’t forget, did you?” Willow asked.
“What? No. I just lost track of the time.”
“Buffy,” Xander said, “there’s this new thing you can wear on your wrist, and it tells time. So, you always know what time it is.”
“Buffy,” Giles called out. “I’m still stuck.”
“I really should go help him.”
“What happened?” Willow asked.
“Giles wanted to put the desk in that space in the corner. I told him it wouldn’t fit. He made it fit. Now he’s stuck between the desk and the wall, and the desk is stuck too. Even I can’t move it.” She sighed. “I really need to help him.”
“We’ll just go start stocking the shelves and leave you alone.”
* * * * * * * *
“I haven’t heard anything from the back room in a while,” Willow whispered to Xander. “Maybe I should go check on them.”
Xander tried to stop her. “Willow, wait.” Before he could catch her, she had opened the door and just stood there.
Xander bumped into her. “What’s going on?” he asked, peering over her shoulder. “Oh.” Buffy and Giles were asleep on the training mats. “You’d better not say ‘It’s not what it looks like.’ ‘Cause that looks like-”
“They had sex. That’s all it could be. With the no clothes and cuddled together like that. They’re kinda cute. Kinda how I imagine we’d look, except you’re not that tall, and my hair is red.”
“Huh?” Xander said.
Willow spun around. “Did I say that out loud?” Xander nodded. “Oh. I didn’t. . . I mean. . .” Willow walked to the table, sat down, and buried her head in her hands.
Xander closed the training room door and stared at Willow. “I thought you were. . . you know. . . gay?”
“Not completely.”
“Oh.”
* * * * * * * *
Buffy stretched. “Did you hear something?”
“Just Willow and Xander,” Giles answered. “They are in the store.”
“Sorry. I forgot.” She propped herself up on an elbow. “You do that to me. Make me forget about everything except the two of us.”
Buffy leaned down and ran her tongue along his lips. “I love you.”
“I love you, too, Buffy.” Giles snaked his hand behind her head and pulled her down for a kiss.
“We really should get dressed and help Willow and Xander,” Giles admitted.
“Do we have to?”
“Do you really want to leave the store the way Xander would organize it?” Giles asked.
Buffy’s eyes widened. “Good point.”
* * * * * * * *
Buffy and Giles stole another kiss before opening the door. It was their turn to be shocked.
“Okay. Maybe we have time for more smoochies,” Buffy whispered to Giles. “I really don’t think we should interrupt their make out session.”
“Somehow, Buffy, I don’t think they’d notice.”
“I know, but I don’t want to watch.”
Giles quietly closed the door.
“How does she do that, anyway?” Buffy asked. “How does she always manage to start floating around the room?”
“I could show you,” Giles said with a Ripperish gleam in his eye.
*******
The End
*******
My assignment: Two years after "Chosen," Xander and Willow find out that Buffy has become involved with Giles. How do they react and wrap their heads around the concept? One firm request: No character bashing. One optional, but you don't have to go there: does Buffy and Giles inspire Xander and Willow to take a look at their relationship (or lack there off) in a new light.