Title: Support and Respect - Part 4
Author: Michelle
Date: March 2004
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Buffy/Giles friendship
Summary: The end of season two told from Giles POV with a better ending.
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 1: This was written for the B/G Angstathon. This was my assignment:
1. lj/name: _closure_
2. season: 2
3. rating: Pg - 13
4. 1 thing you don't want: Joyce/Giles
5. 3 things you do want: Tears, Guilt and drama.
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"Surprise" written by Marti Noxon, directed by Michael Lange, transcribed by AleXander Thompson
"Innocence" written and directed by Joss Whedon, transcribed by AleXander Thompson
"Passion" written by Ty King, directed by Michael E. Gershman, transcribed by AleXander Thompson
"Becoming, Part 1 and written and directed by Joss Whedon, transcribed by AleXander Thompson
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I watched Buffy closely as I called her Mother. She stalked around the room like a caged animal. I didn't know what she might do.
"Yes, Joyce. Buffy is fine, but she doesn't wish to go home. With your permission, I'll let her stay with me for a few days. Of course. I'm sorry you had to learn about it like this. Goodbye." I hung up the phone and turned my full attention to Buffy. "Your Mother is going to call the school and let them know you won't be there today."
"She shouldn't bother," Buffy said. "I can't go back to school anyway."
"I'm sure things will be a bit rough, but you need to go to school."
"I've been expelled, Giles. Snyder found me in the library when I went back to get the sword. He told me I'm expelled."
My heart went out to her. "Buffy, I'm sorry. I should have been there. Maybe I could have done something."
"You only would have gotten yourself fired. What would have happened then? Besides it's my fault you weren't there. It's my fault that Drusilla took you, hurt Willow, and killed Kendra. If I hadn't taken off to fight Angel on my own. . ."
I stopped her with a hand on her shoulder. "You might have been able to stop her, but you might have just been killed along with Kendra." I pulled her into my arms and hugged her tight. "I couldn't have survived if you had died. The thought that you were still alive and would be coming to stop Angelus was the only thing that kept me from giving up."
"Really?"
"Yes. After Jenny died you told me not to leave you, that you couldn't do this alone. I can't do this alone either. I need you Buffy. We are a team."
She pushed me away slightly to look up at me. Tears shone in her eyes. "How did you know I was alive. How did you know Angel didn't kill me?"
"He could never kill you. With or without a soul, he loves you. He may have wanted to play some sick game or torture you, but he would never have killed you. More than that, I would have felt it if you had died. We have a bond. All Watchers and Slayers do, but ours is stronger than usual. I knew the exact instant when the Master killed you and the moment you came back."
"That must be why I was certain you were still alive." She rested her head against my chest. "So, are we okay."
"Yes, but I still want to talk about what happened earlier. Not right now, though." Reluctantly I pull away from her. "Go sit, and I'll make us some tea."
Buffy nodded and sat on the couch. When I came back with the tea a few minutes later, she was asleep. I gently lifted her legs onto the cushions and covered her with a light blanket. I watched her as I sat and sipped my tea. Our talk could wait.
* * * * * * * * * *
Over the next few days, I talked with Joyce about Buffy, trying my best to explain Slayers and Watchers. I talked to Buffy on her behalf and acted as a go-between. After a week, Buffy told me she wanted to go home.
"Are you sure, Buffy?" I asked.
"Yeah. Mom's been pretty worried, and I know that house can get lonely when you're there by yourself. Besides, I don't want you to get in trouble for letting me stay here."
She was quiet as I drove her home, until I stopped in front of her house. She started to open the car door, but stopped and looked at me. "Thank you. For everything." She leaned over and kissed me lightly on the cheek. "I don't know what I would have done without you." Before I could respond, she had left the car.
I watched as she walked to the front door and opened it to see her mother. The hugged and I knew everything would be all right.
"Now," I thought aloud. "What am I going to do about Snyder?"
* * * * *
The End
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