Title: Birthday Wish
Author: Savage
Pairing: B/G
Rating: R
Disclaimer:All belonges to Joss
Author Note: the Song, If U see Him, isnt mine , its brooks and dunn and reba's ;-) Also I havent posted in a long,long time if i forgot any rules or did something wrong me is very sorry ;-) Plus , those who know me, know i cant remeber anything, lol, so i not sure if this was betaed or not

(Summers Home - Living Room)

Buffy sat in the living room as Her eyes scanned the people moving around there. Dawn had called all of Buffy's friends over and thrown a huge bash for her birthday. Even though Buffy asked for a quiet night at home, her sister thought this was better for her. She'd been too depressed since Giles went back to England. Hopefully seeing all her old friends, would take her mind off him and his absence, if only for a few hours.

Everyone she ever knew seemed to be there, Buffy thought as she sat on the couch, alone, watching them all laugh and have fun with each other. Many were catching up on old times while others where catching up on, Dawn? Dawn was getting hit on by a 23 year old? (oh he is so dead) Buffy growled as she stood and saw Dawn turn around to the guy.Smiling, Dawn ever so clearly, told him to bug off. Buffy grinned. Her sister was becoming more and more responsible as the days went by. She was so proud of her. Buffy looked around the room at the friends in her life. She was indeed, a very lucky girl. So why did she still feel so sad? And alone?

It wasn't that Buffy didn't appreciate all this, she did, and she liked seeing all her old friends, but, it ust seemed, that something was off. That something was, missing. She started to make her way through the crowd and walked passed Xander giving Anya a combative game in *tonsel hocky*. She made a frown wondering how they were even breathing, then made her way to the kitchen. Where she took a seat on a stool at the counter. There in front of her, sat the cake Willow, Tara and Dawnie made. In hopes of cheering her up, they shaped in the form of England. Or what was supposed to look like England but came out looking like, well, something else completely different. But she loved them for trying so hard. Hmm, maybe that was the wrong pun to use at the moment.

Starring at the cake, Buffy couldn't help the small chuckle that escaped her. How could they not noticed what it looked like? Or maybe it was just her and her perverted mind. That and maybe she just missed Giles so much. She has been pretty bummed lately since he left. And nothing seemed to bring her out of it. She traced her index finger through the icing on the side and tasted it. Cookies and cream icing, her favorite. Gotta love my friends, she thought and sighed heavily. Giles use to bring her cookies and cream ice cream when she was depressed. Sometimes even rocky road and cookies and cream. She missed him. Missed his laugh, his smile, his voice, his gentleness, his...everything.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard a song coming from the living room radio, drifting into the kitchen. It was Their song.hers and Giles. Well, not that they HAD one, but when he left, she heard it as she sat in her room, thinking about him missing in her life. So it kinda stuck in her head. So at last, everytime she heard it, it reminded her of him. Buffy closed her eyes and listened.

If u see him, tell him i wish him well
how am i doing, well sometimes its hard to tell
i still miss him more than ever
but please don't say a word
if u see him, oh if u see him

(Outside Buffy's Home - Back Door)

Giles stood by the back door, looking in, watching Buffy. The door was cracked open to allow the night air in, to cool off the home. He watched her as he heard the song in the other room. Buffy looked so ... relaxed, and peaceful. What if coming back was the wrong thing? Maybe Dawn was exaggerating, maybe Buffy didn't miss him as much as he did her.

If u see her, tell her I'm doing fine
if you want to, say that I think of her from time to time
ask her if she ever wonders where we both went wrong
if u see her...

The words to the song filled him. He wished he could tell her those very same words so much. His heart had been so shattered being away from her. Though he knew leaving was for her own good, it wasn't for his. Being away from her for so long was torture. He missed her. Her laugh, her smile, her...touch. Though it was little, it was something, and he missed it.

oh I still want her
and i still need him so
oh i don't know why we let each other go

As the chorus played, he watched Buffy drop her head, she was staring at her hands. She seemed to be deep in thought now.He wanted to walk in and give her a big hug and her present, but she seemed to be struggling with something, and the song seemed to be reminding her of that struggle.

if u see her, tell her the lights still on, for her
nothings changed, deep down the fire still burns for him
and even if it takes forever, say I'll still be here
if u see him
if u see her

Buffy was enjoying the sounds playing over her body as memories of Giles flooded her. They really had been through everything together. And even though she never told him much, she really did appreciate him.

And She truly did, does, care for him. Love him... But now she guessed it was too late for any hope of letting Giles know how she felt. Again she let her finger slide across the icing along the bottom of the cake and licked off. Just as Spike walked in...

"Hey Slayer,ohhh nice," he smiled as she growled.

"Drop dead Spike."

"Oh, someone's awfully snippy. Aren't you like, supposed to be all happy and giddy. I mean it is YOUR birthday after all."

"And my birthdays always end badly. Very badly, its like a tradition with me or something."

Spike sat next to her as he watched her take her finger, run it through the icing again and lick it off. Spike cleared his throat and asked...

"Yeah, well, ya know, one can always break those things. So, what were thinking about when I walked in. You looked deep in thought."

"Giles."

"Giles?! Why would you be thinking about him when you could be thinking about me?"

Buffy rolled her eyes and sighed.

"What do you want Spike?"

"Well, a lot of things actually-"

Buffy looked at him and he smiled with mischief in his eyes. She glared, amsument not showing in hers.

"All right. No teasing. I can see you're not up for it."

Buffy took another lick of her finger removing the remaining icing and saw Spike fidget. Her eyes went to is crotch and back to the cake.

"Maybe not, but you seem to be."

"What can I say? You turn me on slayer-"

"That's nice Spike, thanks for coming."

"Hey, You can't kick me out! I got you a present and everything!"

"Spike, please."

Buffy looked at him with sadness shining in her eyes and Spike gave up.

"He didn't even know, did he?"

"No. And not a word about his age or-"

Spike held his hands up in a defeated motion.

"I wasn't going to say anything-"

"That's a first."

"You know, you're making it very hard for me to supportive here."

" Yeah, well, I didn't ask for your support, so-"

"No, you didn't. But you sure as bloody hell take it, don't you?!"

Buffy sighed and laid her head on her arms that she folded on the counter. Spike had seen her depressed before, but since Giles left, she pretty gave up on everything that took too much effort.

"Why don't you just call him?"

"Because he deserves to have a normal life."

"Maybe he doesn't want one? Maybe he just said that to make it easier on you?"

"And that makes sense how?"

"How the bloody hell should I know? What I look like Dr. Ruth?!"

"I cant believe he forgot my birthday. He NEVER forgets my birthday."

"Buffy..."

"Spike, please-"

"That wasn't me!"

Buffy lifted her head and look past Spike. But no one was there.

"Over here Buffy"

His voice was soft and gentle. Maybe even a little raspy. She turned slowly, almost afaid that once she did, she wouldn't see what her heart had been hoping for. That it was her mind was just playing a cruel joke on her. But when she finally turned completely around, she came face to ace with him. It was who her heart had been hoping for. It was Giles. He was there. Standing right in front of her with a sad smile on his face.

Buffy tried to say hi, she really did, but for some reason her motor skills stopped and she briefly thought her lungs did as well. He looked so good. A black leather jacket hung off his torso, while black jeans hugged his hips. A green shirt, matching his eyes helped the gold loop in his ear shine. Those wonderful, peacefully, caring eyes. It was really him....

Giles stepped forward as Spike knew when he was beaten. This had been a long time coming and though he loved Buffy to, he knew watcher and slayer were a force to be reckoned with. Turning, Spike left his gift for Buffy on the table and went searching for Dawn.

"Evening Buffy."

His voice was low as he watched her. She looked so surprised to see him. Finally, Buffy found her voice and whispered...

"Hi." A smile spread across his face as Giles sighed and sank his hands into his pockets.

"How, um, how have you been?" he asked as he tilted his head to one side, as he usually did when he knew something was wrong or off, with how Buffy was acting. Concern shone in his eyes as Buffy swallowed and reached behind her. When she felt the stool with her hands, she dropped on it. Giles stepped closer, removing his right hand from his pants pocket, and laid it to her shoulder.

"Buffy? A-are you all right?"

"Why...why are you here?" she asked softly. Hurt flashed across Giles' eyes.

"Y-your right. I-I should have called you first-"

"That isn't how I meant that. I meant... I meant that..."

A frown formed across Giles forehead as he took a seat in front of her and put a gentle hand to her knee.

"You meant what?"

"I meant..." Buffy looked down at his hand and Giles pulled it back.

"I-I'm sorry Buffy. I -"

"No. It's all right." Her eyes went to his and for a long moment neither moved nor talked.

"What did you mean Buffy?" His question was but a whisper to her.

(Living Room - Around the corner from the kitchen)

"Move over !" Dawn said in a harsh whisper as she elbowed Xander.

"Hey! I don't even think you're old enough to be listening to this, much less watching it!"

"Oh please! I've seen and heard worse! Besides all they're doing is sitting there! Staring!"

They continued to talk under their breaths as Willow, Tara, Anya, Xander and Dawn watched Buffy and Giles in the kitchen. Then Xander caught what Dawnie said and asked..

"Worse? What worse? And seen?! Seen what, young lady!"

(Kitchen)

"I meant, why are you back?" Buffy said as she looked down at her hands.

"Well, for your birthday, of course."

"Of course" the slayer whispered, a touch of disappointment in her tone.

(Living Room)

"Wrong answer big guy," Xander whispered as Dawn shoved him over more to watch. "Hey!"

"Shhhhhh!"

"Will you two keep it down! How are we supposed to hear them having orgasms if you're talking?" Anya snapped as the scoobies looked at her and frowned.

"Ewwwwwwwwww! Anya!" Dawn squealed, keeping her voice low though."They are NOT, I repeat NOT having orgasms! They're just talking!"

"Well, maybe they might! If you people leave them along long enough!"

(Kitchen)

"Buffy, I-I'm sorry I didn't ring before just showing up. But Dawn-"

"Dawn?!"

(living room)

"Uh oh. The jig's up kiddo. You are so busted!" Xander smiled as Dawn slammed her foot down on his, causing Xander to open his mouth to howl. Dawnie covered it with her hand.

"Don't you dare! Shhhhhhh!!!! And NO I AM NOT" Dawn whispered harshly.

Xander whined as Anya went to him and cooed softly, "Aww baby, did little Dawnie hurt your footsie?"

Willow looked at them as Xander glared.

"Not a word!"

(kitchen)

"Yes, she called me a few days ago and asked if I was going to be here."

"So, you weren't?"

"I wasn't what?"

"Going to be here. If Dawn hadn't called."

Giles thought for a moment. How could he answer this without revealing too much of his emotions and causing hurt to his slayer.

"No, Buffy. I wasn't."

Buffy felt her heart stop. She didn't think it was possible that just four little words could hurt her so much. She stood quickly, turning from him.

"Excuse me."

As she made her way to the dinning area, the gang scattered like flies. They went off in every direction, Willow and Xander even colliding into each ther as they went the same way. Buffy walked out the front door with Giles not too far behind her.

"Buffy! Wait! Please!"

Giles was startled when Xander and Willow were in his way, trying to escape themselves. They smiled shyly at him as he sighed.

"Hello you two-"

"Oh! Hey Giles! Look everyone its Giles!"

"Giles!" Willow exclaimed happily "You're home! Yay!"

"Yeah, yay!" Xander said as Giles frowned at them.

"I don't know what you two are up to, and frankly I don't have time to find out. Please excuse me, I'll be right back!"

He took off after Buffy as Willow and Xander sighed. They were thankful he didn't notice they were watching and listening to his conversation with Buffy. Tara, Anya and Dawn looked at Willow and Xander, shaking their heads.

"What?!" they both asked.

"Remind me never to include you two on any James Bond missions," Dawn said and turned around, only to bump into Spike. He smiled and handed her a drink of punch.

"Hey little bit."

(Outside, In front of Buffy's Home)

Buffy held back the tears as long as she could. He didn't want to see her? Not even for her birthday?! How could he be so cruel?

"Buffy!"

Giles called to her to stop but it only made her walk faster.

"Buffy please!!"

Again the slayer picked up her pace as Giles called once again to her.

"Buffy, why are you-"

Giles was cut off as he landed on the ground, face first. His head slammed into the concrete so hard, blood poured from his forehead. His glasses shattered on impact. Buffy heard the commotion behind her as Giles grunted and tried to stand, only to be knocked down again, with a vampire straddling his wasit. She turned and saw the vamp sink its teeth into Giles neck as her watcher tried to fight it off, but was still to stunned from the fall. She raced back to him, calling out his name as the Vamp sat up, sliced its own neck and placed Giles face to the open wound.

Buffy screamed...

"Noooooooooo!"

She ran faster and jumped on the vamp, knocking them both backwards and into the street. The slayer and demon fought viciously as Giles wiped the blood from his mouth.

"Buffy...be carful! " Giles tried to stand as he reached into his jacket and removed a stake. "Here, catch! " Giles threw the stake to his slayer. She was fast enough to catch it, but not to use it, The Vicious vamp knocked her to the ground and straddled her.

"No! Buffy! Get up!" Giles yelled to her as she slugged the vamp.

"Trust me! I'm trying!" she called back as Giles sucked in a deep breath and went to his slayer. He got the stake out her hand and thrust it in to the vampire's heart. The demon yelled out in agony, then turned to dust. Giles went to his knees as Buffy sat up and place his face in her hands. Concern filled her eyes.

"Did you drink?!"

Almost out of breath, his head throbbing from the attack he sighed...

"No"

"You sure?!"

"Yes. I-It touched my lips, but-"

"You didn't swallow any?" she asked with a smile, as Giles grinned, "Right, I didn't swallow."

Buffy sighed in relief and then noticed the blood.

"Wow, that looks bad."

"Oh, I don't know. I'm kinda of use to them now."

Buffy smiled.

"Well, I guess you're officially home now," she said as she removed her shirt and placed it on his wound.

"What? And ouch!"

"Sorry, and you've been here less than an hour and all ready you were knocked out."

"I was not!" Giles said defiantly as he closed his eyes and swayed. Buffy pulled his head to her chest and he sighed. Neither moved for a few moments as Giles' breath returned to normal.

"You know, we're in the middle of the street. This isn't exactly the safest place to be taking care of you."

Giles smiled and as much as he was enjoying Buffy holding him, he sat up.

"Right, you are," he flinched as his head started to spin.

"Are you all right? Maybe we should go the ER?"

"No. No I'm fine. Trust me, I've been knocked on the head enough to know, I just need to lay down and rest."

Giles stood with Buffy's help as he then noticed she was standing there in her bra. His eyes went wide and his lower body came awake.

"Good lord Buffy! You're naked!"

"What? I am not!"

"Yes you bloody well are!"

Giles removed his jacket and placed it over her shoulders.

"Pfft, Giles, please, I've worn less - "

Giles stared at her as Buffy thought now was a good time to be quiet.

"Never mind. Come on, lets get you back inside and cleaned up."

Buffy slid her arm around Giles and felt his body tense. She was sure it was because of his adrenaline and not her close proximity to him.

(Bathroom)

As Buffy cleaned the wound on his head, Giles averted his gaze from her cleavage as he sat on the edge of the bathtub. He tried to avert his eyes a few more times, but only found them going back to her chest.

"See something you like? " She teased. Giles almost had a heart attack right there. Good Lord! She caught him looking at her!

"I-What? You- I wasn't -uh - "

Buffy chuckled.

"Just kidding Giles, sheesh. Like you would ever think of me that way, " Buffy joked. Only deep down she really wasn't laughing. She wished he thought of her as a woman and not a daughter. Catching her off guard, Giles stood, and placed his large hands on her tiny waist, lifting her off her feet. Instinctively she wrapped her legs around his waist as he held her close to his body. Exhaling he explained.

"You would be surprised in how many ways I think of you Buffy. And I don't know if it's the knock on my head or the nearly dying tonight that is giving me this courage but, Buffy, I love you. And my God have I missed you in my life!" The emotion running through his voice caused her heart to tighten. With his declaration of love, there was no doubt about how he felt for her.

"Buffy, please. Say something."

Fear filled his heart. He was so bold as to not only touch her but tell her of his feelings, but now he was suddenly getting weak in the knees. What if he read her wrong? What if she didn't love him, that way? The way he loved her, cherished her.

Buffy smiled brightly and started to laugh, joy filled her heart.

"What, why are you laughing?"

"Because, my wish came true!"

Buffy giggled and placed her lips to her watcher's and kissed him with all the passion and love in her body for him. Laughter and Woohoo's filled the air out side the door as Xander and gang cheered for their friends.

"About damn time you two!" exclaimed Xander as Anya smiled.

"Now she'll be happy again. And stop snapping us for having orgasms when she wasn't getting any!"

Buffy and Giles stopped kissing, and after sharing a warm, sweet smile, looked towards the gang hovering towards the door and frowned.

"Do you mind-" Giles stopped mid sentence as he saw past Willow, Dawn and Spike Kissing. "Dear Lord! how long-"

"Dawn Summers! Get your lips off that vampire right NOW, young lady!!!"

Buffy was already off Giles and heading to kill Spike as Xander sighed happily.

"Its so nice to have things back to normal again"

The End