"Anya," said Buffy, taking a deep breath. "Get Tara out of here. I’m going to help Giles."

Anya nodded and began dragging Tara towards the door. Buffy took a step forward, biting her lip. She quickly ran through Anya’s explanation in her mind. Love, she thought, love is the key … Anya said Giles was focussing on the love inside him … can I do the same? Buffy dropped to her knees beside Giles. Well, Watcherman, she thought, I hope you’re strong enough to deal with the shock I’m about to give you. Buffy reached out, clasping Giles hand. Her other hand snaked up, gently drawing Giles’ head down to face her. Concentrating hard, Buffy gazed deeply into his eyes, willing him to see the love that was shining brightly, lighting up her face. They both gasped as their eyes locked, minds and memories surging together. Buffy no longer knew where she stopped and Giles began, they were linked together, their love for one another shining like a beacon. Giles felt the influx of strength from Buffy, felt her love bathe and heal his battered mind. God, she loves me, was the one rational thought that ran quickly through his mind before he gathered their combined strength, pushing it out in wave after wave. Hutchings screamed in pain and terror, his body crashing to the floor as he withered under the assault. He writhed in agony, his mind in pieces, blood streaming from his eyes and his ears. He curled up, trying to protect himself but the agony was never-ending. One final convulsion shook his body before he suddenly went limp, his eyes open and gazing blankly at nothing. Buffy felt the link between herself and Giles dissipate as Hutchings died. She mourned it’s loss, wanting to stay there for a few minutes more, not wanting to leave the deep sense of wonder and delight she’d felt. She gazed at Giles, seeing the surprised yet ecstatic expression on his face. Buffy giggled.

"Hey there," she said softly, raising an eyebrow at the weary smile that crossed Giles’ face. Buffy grabbed Giles’ other hand. "I love you."

Giles’ eyes rolled up and he pitched forward, crashing against Buffy. A brief panic surged through her until she felt his heart beating against her. Typical man, she thought with a smile, her arms snaking around him and holding him close, falls asleep as soon as it’s over. She rocked gently, kissing his forehead, one hand caressing his hair. A sharp intake of breath caused her to look up. She smiled as she saw the four stricken faces at the door.

"He’s asleep," she whispered and then held up one arm. "Anyone know a locksmith?"

Giles slept for two days, during which he was never alone. Tara had devised a shift system so that there was someone with him at all times. Giles woke on the third day, immediately getting cranky when Anya refused to let him get up. Giles had fallen back to sleep mid-argument, thereby quite effectively proving her case. Willow had burst into tears when Giles awoke on her shift. Her heartfelt apologies had quite tired him out again and Giles had drifted back to sleep to the accompaniment of Willow’s excited babbling about how busy the Magic Box was. The next time Giles awoke he opened his eyes to see Buffy smiling down at him.

"Hey there, big guy," she said softly. "Think you can manage to keep your eyes open for a little while?"

Giles tried to speak but nothing came out except a dry croak.

"Hang on," said Buffy, heading for the door. "I’ll get you some water."

Giles sighed and shifted himself into a sitting position. He groaned as he felt his muscles protesting against the movement and then Giles glanced down, reddening in embarrassment as he realised that he was naked. He pulled the covers up, fervently hoping that Xander had undressed him and put him to bed. He glanced up as Buffy re-entered the room, carrying a glass of water. She sat on the bed, holding the glass up to his lips.

"Sips only," she admonished and Giles rolled his eyes. Buffy tried to keep the smile from her face but knew she was fighting a losing battle. Giles looked like his old self, his eyes were bright and face was full of colour. In short, she thought, he looks alive now … he looked almost dead a few days ago.

"Hello to you too," said Giles softly when he’d finished the water. Buffy grinned, putting the glass on the bedside table and reaching out, gently touching his face. A smile crossed Giles' face and he sighed with relief.

"What?" Asked Buffy, raising an eyebrow.

"I thought I may have dreamt it," he replied. "You know … that you … I …well…"

Buffy giggled. "You know I quite miss that cute, blushing, stuttering you."

"Oh, he's still here, love," grinned Giles. "You have a tendency to bring out that side of me rather well."

"Goodie," a wicked smile crossed Buffy's face. "Does that mean you still have the tweed?"

Giles chuckled, leaning back against the pillows. Buffy gazed down at him, feeling the inevitable tingling in her stomach. God, she thought, he just looks so cute.

"Giles," Buffy's voice had a serious tone and Giles glanced up at her, frowning.

"Yes?" He asked with a touch of trepidation.

"I do love you, you know," she smiled. "Just in case you missed my earth-shattering announcement by falling asleep."

"I think it was your 'announcement' that caused my brain to finally give up the ghost and gracefully withdraw."

"Was it really that hard to believe?" She asked softly and Giles sighed.

"Yes," he replied, "right up to the moment I looked into your eyes."

"Well, in my defence," said Buffy with a smile, "I never knew how you felt until I looked into your eyes as well."

Giles frowned. "But Anya…"

"All Anya said was that you were using the love that you had inside of you … she never said that you were in love with me."

"Well, in that case, I really think you should hear it properly … I love you."

Buffy felt her eyes tearing up. "Giles, I…"

Whatever Buffy was about to say was interrupted by a rumble from Giles' stomach that was so loud it almost caused the windows to rattle. Giles reddened and Buffy giggled, delighted to see the redness extend to his chest.

"I'll get you something to eat," she chuckled. "We can do all the lovey-dovey stuff later … I'd better give you time to recover your strength or I'll have you falling asleep on me again."

The next day, Giles was feeling more or less like his old self again and he walked jauntily towards the Magic Box, a noticeable spring in his step. It's really amazing, he thought, how your life can completely turn around in the space of a few days. He put his hand in his jacket pocket, fingering the two packages there and smiling broadly. I hope they like them. Still smiling, he opened the door of the Magic Box, eyes widening in surprise. Willow had told him they were busy but he wasn't prepared for the gaggle of people in the shop. He glanced towards the counter, grinning as he saw that Willow, Tara, Anya, Buffy and even Xander were serving … well, amended Giles, getting in each other's way and snarling at one another would be closer to the truth. He made his way to the back of the shop, smiling and nodding at various acquaintances before taking his place at the counter and trying to establish some order amidst the chaos. By the time lunch approached, Giles was feeling quite tired and, aware of the concerned glances Buffy was casting his way, decided to close the shop for an hour. He sighed with relief and sat at the table, watching with a smile as Buffy ushered the final customer out of the door.

"You okay?" Asked Buffy, walking towards him. Giles nodded, smiling broadly as he felt her hands on his shoulders. She massaged gently, leaning down to kiss the top of his head.

"Okay, I need food," remarked Xander, sitting down. "Are we going to order out or what?"

"You never think about anything else, do you?" Smiled Willow.

"Yes, he does," piped up Anya, "he thinks about sex."

Giles couldn't help giggling. "Anya," he said, reaching into his pocket and drawing out a small package. "This is for you."

Anya regarded it suspiciously. "What is it?"

"It's a gift," Giles held it out patiently. Anya glanced towards Xander who grinned encouragingly at her. She reached out, snatching it from Giles and tearing off the paper. Opening the velvet box, she grinned and looked up at Giles.

"This is for me?"

Giles nodded, watching with a smile as Anya carefully took the gold bracelet out of the box. She frowned at the inscription.

"What does this mean?"

"They're runes," replied Giles. "They stand for 'friendship', 'loyalty' and 'trust'. Virtues that you've shown in abundance over the last few days."

"Cool," replied Anya with delight. "So I get a present every time I do something right … I like that."

Giles raised an eyebrow and glanced towards Xander.

"I'll explain it to her later," he replied.

Giles nodded and turned his attention to Buffy, who had wrapped her arms around him and was enthusiastically kissing his ear and neck.

"Buffy," said Giles softly, extricating himself from her embrace and standing up. He held out a package towards her. "This is for you."

Buffy's eyes lit up. "So," she grinned, "I get a pressie as well."

Buffy didn't need to be asked twice. She quickly ripped the paper off, dropping it casually to the floor and receiving a glare from Giles in the process. Buffy merely smiled at him and then opened the box. She took a sharp intake of breath, eyes widening in delight.

"Come on, Buffy," Willow was bouncing in anticipation. "What is it?"

Buffy carefully took the ornate gold locket out of the box and held it up for the others to see. The girls all ooed and ahhed over it whilst Giles and Xander looked on affectionately.

"So, what does 'Omnia Vincit Amor' mean?" Asked Buffy, frowning at the engraving on the front of the locket.

"Turn it over," replied Giles softly, grinning as Buffy read the inscription on the back. Buffy glanced up at him, tears in her eyes.

"Love conquers all things," she quoted, moving forward and wrapping her arms around him. She leant her head on his chest. "You know," she said softly, "I'm beginning to believe that it does."