Title: The Rules Have Changed - part 9
Author: Michelle
Rating: FRAO
Buffy watched silently as Angel entered the room and shut the door behind him.
"Buffy, maybe you should leave," Angel said, casually.
Before she could respond, Giles said, "I want her to stay." His glare dared Angel to challenge him.
'If looks could kill, they'd both be dead,' Buffy thought before stepping between them. "Guys, I'm staying." She glanced at Giles. "You need me." Turning to face Angel, she waved a finger in his face. "And you . . . do you really think I'd leave you alone with him?"
"I just thought that you would be uncomfortable being here when . . ." his voice trailed off when he saw the look of determination on her face.
"Look, Angel. I know what happens. I may not like having it happen to the man I love, but I know it's necessary. I won't abandon him at a time like this." She waited a moment to make sure he understood. "Now. Get over it."
She stepped away from Angel and took Giles' hand as he sat on the bed. "Ready?" she asked softly.
He gave her a weak smile and nodded. "I'm ready."
A moment later, Buffy had to fight the urge to stop Angel as he bit Giles. This was why he was here, but all her instincts told her to stop this. Instead, she tightened her grip on Giles' hand and watched as the color drained from his face.
Just before he drank from Angel's wrist, Giles whispered, "I love you, Buffy. Nothing will change that."
"I love you, too," she whispered.
* * * * * * * * * *
Buffy avoided looking at Angel as she asked, "How long will it take?"
"I don't know," he told her. "It's always different. It could be a few hours or a few days." He grabbed her shoulder. "You should get some rest."
She pulled out of his grip. "I'm staying here. I won't sleep until he wakes up."
"Buffy, we don't know if the spell worked. If it didn't-"
"If it didn't work, then I should be here to stop him."
"He'll need blood when he wakes up."
"I know." Angel started to protest again, but Buffy stopped him. "Angel, there is no way you can change my mind. You did what we asked. Now leave."
Angel left, slamming the door shut behind him, but Buffy barely noticed. She was too focused on Giles.
'How will I know if the spell worked?" she asked herself. "There has to be a way for me to know."
* * * * * * * * * *
Lying by his side, pretending to sleep, she waited for him to wake. Then the bed shook, and she fought to remain still.
He called her name.
She feigned sleep.
He caressed her cheek and leaned over, brushing a soft kiss to her neck. "Buffy," he called again, sounding worried. He knew she was a light sleeper.
She didn't respond.
He leapt from the bed. "If they're responsible, I'll kill them."
Opening her eyes, she saw him in full vamp face. "Rupert, don't. It was a test. I had to know if you still had your soul," she said before she stood and kissed him. She cried as she pulled away. "I'm sorry."
He put his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. "You thought I would take advantage of you if the spell hadn't worked?"
She nodded. "When you didn't bite me, I knew it was okay." She pushed away and looked up at him. He was still in vamp face, and she began to wonder if she'd made a mistake.