Title: Healed Heart
Author: Ness
Contact: sessa1_2@yahoo.com
Spoilers: Season 6 just to be safe
Summary: A sequel to "Wounded Heart". If you haven't read that one, this one's gonna confuse you.
Rating: NC-17 just to be safe
Feedback: Um--please? With sugar on top?
Distribution: Anyone that already has permission. Anyone else, please ask
first.
Disclaimer: We all know who owns 'em and it ain't me. Joss and Co. are gods
in their universe, I'm just a peon in mine. Please don't sue.
A/N 1: Thanks to Gail for the beta. And thanks to Ewie. She knows what for.
A/N 2: This is to all the people *cough*Kerrie*cough* that harassed me until
they got what they wanted. ;-)
Giles sat and watched as those he cared about most in the world danced at his wedding reception. His mind drifted back to the ceremony. Buffy had been beautiful as she wore her mother's wedding dress. He couldn't remember anything other than she looked absolutely ravishing. He had nearly lost his breath as Xander walked her down the aisle. She had wanted to kneel beside him, and he had understood what she was trying to do, but he refused to bring that proud, beautiful woman to her knees for *any* reason--even their wedding.
"Whatcha doing, husband-of-mine?" Buffy asked as she sat down in his lap.
"Thinking back on this day--and how amazing you are," he answered truthfully, wrapping his arms around her.
Buffy kissed him softly before leaning her forehead against his. "I think you might have that backwards," she said as she smiled at him.
He chuckled as he tightened his arms around her.
"Hey--the groom and bride are supposed to be mingling--not hiding in a corner," Xander teased them as he walked up.
"We're not hiding--we are strategically positioned," Giles countered playfully.
Willow laughed as she came up behind Xander. "He got you that time, Xander."
The younger man just shook his head as he looked at the man who had been more of a father than he had ever thought to have and the woman who was like a sister. Life was good--he had all his family together, he was even feeling calmer about his engagement to Anya. He had been afraid he would get cold feet and do something stupid like leave her at the alter. Giles had calmed him down. The fact that the Watcher'd told him that he would find him and drag him kicking and screaming back to the church if he did something like that, didn't hurt. 'Cause he knew G-man--he would do it--even from a wheelchair.
"Well, if you can tear yourself away from your strategic position, you still need to throw the garter and Buffy's gotta toss the bouquet." Xander had done double duty as both the person who walked Buffy down the aisle and Giles' best man. He took both duties seriously.
Buffy nodded and left the circle of Giles' arms. They both felt the separation keenly.
****
A short time later, Giles was slowly removing the garter--with much cheering and comments from the gathered crowed; as he prepared to throw it, he paused. He looked at his wife and then at the expectant throng. He tucked it into his shirt pocket and grinned. "Not today, lads. I think I'll keep this little souvenir for myself."
There was good-natured groaning until someone yelled for Buffy to throw the bouquet.
She obliged them, laughing all the while.
Giles and Buffy had decided to stay overnight in Sunnydale before leaving for their honeymoon the next day, so they gathered their things and prepared to be escorted to the hotel in a limo that had been rented for the occasion.
****
Buffy watched Giles as he sipped a glass of champagne on their way to the hotel.
"Do you have any idea how much I love you?" She asked him softly.
Giles' eyes rose to meet hers, filling her with a warmth that had nothing to do with the chilled drink she was enjoying and everything to do with the man beside her.
"I believe I do since I adore you with a breadth and passion that astounds me," he answered just as quietly.
Buffy blinked back tears as she scooted closer to her husband. Oh, how she liked the sound of that! Her husband. Just the thought of knowing that he was hers in the eyes of the world gave her a thrill that she'd never felt before.
She captured his lips with her own and staked her claim in a most nonverbal way. She didn't cease until they had to surface for much-needed oxygen.
"How much longer to the hotel?" She whispered against his lips.
"No soon enough," he said as he gently nipped at her bottom lip.
Buffy groaned and started to deepen the kiss when she felt the limo stop.
"We'll finish this later," she promised.
"Oh, I'm sure we will," her husband agreed.
****
Buffy took a slow look around the room as Giles wheeled himself into the room and waited for the busboy to leave their bags. He gave the young man a generous tip and asked him to put the do-not-disturb sign on the door on his way out.
"I can't believe you just did that," she giggled.
"Why?"
"Because I just didn't think you'd do something like that."
Giles wheeled over to her and pulled her into his lap.
"You'd be surprised what I'm capable of when it comes to getting my lovely wife alone and without disturbance."
Buffy started to giggle again, but it was lost in the hot wetness of his kiss.
She sighed into his mouth and thanked her lucky stars for him.
She pulled back after a moment to study him.
"Are you hungry?"
He pretended to think about this question before nodding. "Yes, I think I am."
Buffy smothered the hot rush of disappointment; the last thing she wanted to do was share him with a room full of people, but if he wanted to go eat, she would.
"And I have my banquet right here in my arms, how convenient," he continued, interrupting her thoughts.
Buffy snapped her gaze to his and laughed at the sheer devilment in his eyes.
"You had me going for a minute," she said as she looped her arms around his neck.
"No," he corrected. "But I will."
Buffy's breath hitched in her throat at the desire shimmering in his green eyes. God, how she loved him!
She pulled him closer for a hard, hot kiss before hopping off his lap.
"I'll be right back, I'm gonna get ready for bed."
Giles watched her saunter across the room, well aware of what she was doing to him with that come hither sway of her hips.
He used her time away to prepare himself for the night.
He wanted her with a force that would have frightened him if it hadn't gone hand-in-hand with a love deeper than anything he'd ever known. Nothing in his life had felt like this before and he wasn't sure he would ever fully believe that she was as in love with him as he was with her. But love him, she did, and he would never doubt the existence of a higher power again. Because only a miracle would have given him his Slayer to protect and love. He intended to do both for the rest of his life.
****
Buffy took her time in getting ready. After all, a girl only had one wedding night--well, okay--a girl could have more than one wedding night. But Buffy only intended to have one, because she never planned on letting Rupert Giles go again.
She brushed out her hair and slipped on the nightgown that Willow had given her at her wedding shower. The red-head had told her that she and Tara had picked it out for the Slayer and Giles. Buffy had looked a bit puzzled by the Giles part until Tara giggled and said that she imagined that Giles would enjoy this present as much as Buffy did.
Buffy let the material glide over her skin like a lover's caress before turning to observe herself in the mirror. The gown hugged her curves in all the right places and had a slit that stopped on her upper thigh. That part alone would please her husband, she knew, since he was definitely a leg man. She took one last look in the mirror before opening the bathroom door.
She didn't know why she was nervous, she only knew that all of a sudden, a whole squadron of giant butterflies had taken up residence in her stomach and her hands had never felt so clammy before.
She took a deep breath and stepped out.
****
Giles watched her come out of the bathroom and saw her nervousness.
He held out his hand to her.
Buffy crossed the room and took his hand in her and sat down on the side of the bed.
"There's nothing to be nervous about," he told her gently.
She blushed slightly, "I know.it's stupid. I mean, it's not like we've never done this before."
Giles squeezed her hand before laying a gentle finger on her lips.
"That's very true, but we've never done this as husband and wife. That adds a new element that you and I aren't familiar with."
Buffy was swamped by the compassion, understanding and love in his eyes and thanked God, again, for letting her have this oh-so-special man in her life. She didn't know what she'd done to deserve him, but she'd spend the rest of her life showing him just how thankful she was for him.
She slid into bed beside him.
He'd propped himself up against the headboard and she laid her head on his shoulder and idly caressed his chest.
Giles felt the tingle begin from her questing fingers. He had no feeling below the waist, but that didn't mean he didn't enjoy her ministrations where he *did* have sensation. He began to comb his hand through her hair while he slowly inched the strap down her shoulder and bent his head to kiss the side of her neck.
Buffy looked up into his eyes to see the desire she felt kindling in her starting its own fire in him. She shifted until she had straddled him.
They had found that this was the best way for her to touch him and vice versa. They had talked a lot about this--it took some of the spontaneity out of making love, but the benefits of a little beforehand conversation outweighed any lack of surprise.
Giles slowly lifted the gown, revealing her body to him, inch by beautiful inch, until he pulled it over her head and tossed it to the floor.
"You sure didn't spend much time admiring Will's present," she teased him.
"I'd much rather admire what is underneath," he told her as he slid his hands down her arms and went back to nibbling her neck..
Buffy moaned as she braced herself on his chest and leaned in to give him better access.
He kissed his way down to her collarbone and nibbled on it for a bit while his hands began to roam on their own. Buffy's soft sighs and moans told him she was thoroughly enjoying his efforts.
He skimmed his hands up her side, relishing the feel of her. He'd never get enough of her. Her scent, taste and texture was like the finest wine. He was intoxicated and knew he always would be.
Buffy was lost in the sensation her husband's hands were causing. She had never known pleasure like this before. She leaned forward more to lean her forehead against his shoulder. She drew in a deep shuddering breath before she lightly licked at his damp skin. He tasted of salt, cologne and something that was distinctly Giles.
He sucked in a breath at the feel of her lips and tongue on him. His hands slip up to tangle in her hair and pull her mouth to his to fuse in a bone-melting kiss.
Their tongues mated until they broke apart, panting. Giles touched his forehead to Buffy's and smiled at her. The passion in her was riding high and he could see it in her eyes and the flush of her skin. He slipped one hand out of her hair and trailed it down her body to reach her heat. His other hand making its own journey to caress her breast.
She arched into his hand and moaned his name as he splayed his fingers to touch as much of her as he could. He slowly inserted two fingers into her wet heat and watched the play of emotions across her face. She began to rock against his hand as he pinched the bundle of nerves that rubbed against his fingers. He increased the pressure of his hand as he saw her climax approaching, kissing her as he felt her muscles clench around his fingers. She gave a hoarse cry of release, collapsing on his chest.
He kissed her again and gathered her close as her breathing slowed and gentled.
****
Buffy caught her breath and kissed him.
"I love you," she whispered against his lips.
"And I you," he answered softly. He reached down and pulled the comforter around them.
He thought she had fallen asleep and he was preparing to do the same when she spoke into the darkness that had fallen. "I'm sorry."
He turned on a light beside the bed so he could see her eyes. He wasn't sure why her voice was so laced with misery, but it frightened him.
"Why?"
"Because."
He tilted her face up to him. "Because?"
She pulled her chin out of his grasp and ducked her head.
"Because you can't feel what I feel," she answered in a heart-broken tone.
Giles sighed. He knew that it bothered her that she could climax and he couldn't. He had assured her, time and time again, that making love to her didn't have to culminate in the physical act for him to enjoy himself immensely.
"Buffy, you know there is nothing for you to feel bad about."
She kept her head down.
"Buffy," he called to her again.
She lifted her eyes to his and he was staggered by the hurt--and guilt--that resided there.
"Oh, my love." He gathered her to him even more tightly. He knew she had been bothered by what was lacking in their sex life. He had no idea that she was feeling guilty.
"I want you to feel what I feel--and you can't--you just--can't." Buffy couldn't keep the despair from her voice any longer.
He shifted until he could hold her at arm's length and really look at her.
"Buffy, I've told you before. I would love to have the complete physical act with you. But, just because I can't, doesn't mean I don't achieve satisfaction."
"But how can you when you can't have an--?"
It was funny. They were married and had talked more about sex then she ever had before. She'd also looked at more sites on the internet that had to do with sex than she ever thought she would.but she still had trouble saying the word 'erection' out loud.
"I may not be able to have intercourse with you," he told her gently. "But make no mistake, Mrs. Giles, I *do* make love to you." He brushed a lock of hair back and tucked it behind her ear before gently tracing her eyes and mouth. "I love you, Buffy. I love you with everything I have and everything I will ever be. Being able to complete the physical act would be very nice, I won't lie to you about that. But it doesn't detract from my love for you, or the satisfaction I get from making love to you. And it never will."
She was bowled over by the absolute sincerity in his eyes. For the first time, she felt in her heart that he was being absolutely honest with her. Always before, she'd thought he was saying what he thought she wanted to hear and burying his hurt so she wouldn't see it.
"You really mean that?"
He stroked her face. "I have never meant anything more." He kissed her. "You don't understand just what you mean to me, do you?" He pulled her to once again lay on top of him. She propped herself up on her elbows, bracing herself on his chest. "I would rather be paralyzed, with the chance to be your husband and having the honor of making love to you, than be able to fully complete the act with any another woman."
Tears filled Buffy's eyes at this admission. She knew he loved her; but sometimes he would tell her something like this and humble her with just how deep his feelings were. She tried to speak around the lump in her throat and couldn't, so she settled for lowering her mouth and capturing his lips in a soft, gentle kiss.
Giles allowed the kiss to stay gentle for a few moments before he took control and deepened it.
"Besides," he murmured against her mouth, "I've told you. I *do* have feeling above the waist.and you make magic with where I *can* feel."
She looked at him and started to giggle. The giggles turned into laughs until she was helpless with them. Finally, she lay exhausted on his chest with her head tucked under his chin. He smiled as he stroked her hair.
"Feeling better?"
He could feel her nod and squeezed her tighter.
Buffy lay for a moment before raising up to look her husband in the eye.
"How 'bout we make a little more magic?"
He grinned devilishly before nodding and pulling her down to him.
FINIS
PASSIONATE INTERLUDE (Sequel)