Title: The Rules Have Changed - part 4 of ?
Author: Michelle
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Buffy/Giles
Summary: Giles is attacked and has an unusual way of dealing with it.
Spoilers: Set after the finales of Buffy and Angel.
Feedback: I love it, want it, and need it.
Website: http://www.drakeleather.com/bripper/index.shtml
Distribution: If you want it, you can have it. Just tell me where to find it.
Disclaimer: These are not my characters. They belong to Joss, Twentieth Century Fox, UPN, WB & Mutant Enemy. This is purely for fun.
Author's note: This is written for the Ripper ficathon.
Many thanks to Elizabuffy and Beadtific. You helped a lot.
Buffy walked aimlessly through the house. She didn't realize she'd ended up in the kitchen, until she heard the glass crunch under her foot. With everything that happened, she had neglected to clean up the broken wine bottle.
Without thinking, she knelt down and started picking up the broken pieces of glass. Soon drops of blood mixed with the spilled white wine. She didn't even notice. She just threw the pieces into the waste basket that sat nearby and reached out to grab a large piece of glass. A hand on her shoulder stopped her.
"Buffy?"
"Go away," she said quietly.
"No."
"I don't want to talk to you."
"At least let me help you. Then, if you want to be alone, I'll return to my room."
Buffy didn't answer, just moved out of Giles' way. She didn't even look at him as he cleaned up the mess. When he finished, she finally spoke to him.
"Help me," she whispered. "My hands. . ."
He helped her stand and took her to the bathroom. Gently, he washed and bandaged her hands.
"Are you all right?" he asked as he walked her to her bedroom.
Buffy nodded. She sat on her bed and looked up at him. "I'm sorry."
"Buffy, we don't need to talk about this tonight. It's late. Get some sleep, and we'll talk in the morning."
"It can't wait. There are things I need to tell you."
"All right," Giles said as he sat on the bed beside her.
"I'm sorry I overreacted, but the thought of you being turned scares me. How would I know if you have a soul or not? I saw Angelus and never knew."
"Buffy, you didn't know about the curse. There was no way you could have known his soul was gone."
"I should have known something was wrong." Buffy took a deep breath to keep from crying again. "But that's not what scares me the most. I'm afraid that I will notice, and I won't be able to do anything about it."
"If that happens, I'm sure you will be able to do whatever is necessary. You shouldn't need to, though. Willow will be ready with the curse."
"Do you really think that anyone, even Willow, would be able to use a spell to restore your soul? With your knowledge of magic, you would prevent it, and I don't think I'd be able to kill you."
Giles drew her into his arms. "I'm sorry, Love. I should have talked to you sooner."
Buffy leaned against him and started to cry softly. He held her tight, rocking her gently. Soon, she felt herself drifting off to sleep.
* * * * * * * * * *
Buffy woke to find Giles lying on her bed with an arm draped over her.
"Good Morning," he whispered in her ear. "Are you feeling better?"
"Shouldn't I be the one asking that question? You were the one who was unconscious."
Giles laughed. "I suppose you're right. I am feeling better today, but I'm still worried about you."
"I'm fine. Slayer healing. Remember?"
"That wasn't what I meant."
"I know. I'm sorry. It's just that I can't imagine my life without you. I don't know what I would do if things didn't go right."
Giles stretched and sat up in bed. "Would you like to tell me about the plans you had for us last night?"
Buffy sat up and leaned against him. "Plans? I don't know what you're talking about."
"You brought home a bottle of wine," he said.
"Oh that. I was going to cook dinner for you. I thought it would be romantic. Then I thought we could have dessert in your room." She felt the blush beginning to color her cheeks.
"Dessert? What kind of dessert?" He teased.
"I was trying to be subtle," she admitted. She turned to face him. "So, do you really want to have kids with me?"
"Absolutely." He studied her face for a moment. "Buffy you don't have to. . ."
"I want to. Yesterday afternoon, I was all ready to move our relationship to the next level. Then when I learned about the cancer and your plan, I began to doubt myself. I wasn't sure about it anymore."
"Buffy?"
"Let me finish. Please." He nodded. "I had a dream last night about us. We were together, and we were happy. We also had children. I couldn't tell if you were a vampire or not, but that doesn't matter. The two of us together, that's all that matters to me. If things go wrong, and you don't have a soul after you're turned, I'd like to have some good memories of us together. A baby would be nice, too." She leaned up and gently kissed him.
"So how about a romantic breakfast?" he asked with a mischievous smile.