Title: I Just Called…
Author: Tag
Series: Crying in the Rain (Story 3)
Paring: B/G-ish
Rating: G
Date: 14.05.02
Spoilers: Tabula Rasa s6
Disclaimer: I own nothing; the BTVS-universe belongs to its creator Joss Whedon, UPN and Fox.
The song “I Just Called To Say I Love You” belongs to Stevie Wonder and whoever wrote it…
Summary: Buffy gets a letter.
Distribution: My site, Gabi, Dee, Eli if they want it. Anybody else, just ask.
Feedback: uhm… sure if ya want to make me smile…
Dedication: To Sav and Dee, happy belated birthday to both of you and happy packing Dee ;)
Thanks: to my ever faithful beta Jac. Ohand EW for going yay more fic :)
Note from Dusty: The stories in order are...
01. Crying in the Rain
02. I Don’t Know You Anymore
03. I Just Called…
04. If tomorrow never comes
05. You to me are everything
Monday, the day from hell, had returned and it was the first day at her new job as girl messenger at the Sunnydale museum. All those years with Giles had done her good in the research department and it gave her the evenings and nights off.
It had been two weeks since she had posted the letter to Giles and she was itching to get a response.
*What if he didn’t get the letter? What if he just ripped it to pieces? What if… no gotta stop! Work now, think later!*
Working at the museum didn’t seem as bad as she feared and time flew fast. She liked her superior and the staff was kind to her, all being informed of her home situation since Joyce had been well known in the cultural circles.
She couldn’t help the thoughts going through her mind and ran home as soon as she had finished her last task for the day and said her goodbyes, hoping desperately that there would be a letter from England.
No New Year's Day to celebrate
No chocolate covered candy hearts to give away
No first of spring
No song to sing
In fact here's just another ordinary day
When she came home, Dawn emerged from the living room carrying an envelope addressed to Buffy. It looked like she had been holding it all day, ever since she got home.
Dear Buffy
I miss you too, quite a bit actually. I’m glad to hear you have taken up your responsibilities and I’m sure you will find it is not so bad. It saddens me to hear Willow might be too attracted by the dark magic, but I’m afraid there isn’t much I can do. I tried to get her to listen to me before I left but she wouldn’t hear any of it. You didn’t mention Tara in your letter, is this because Willow drove her away as well?
I have to say I don’t appreciate the way you talk about my mother country and I have no idea where you got the stereotype from, but I would suggest you came over here before you jump to conclusions!
Maybe that wouldn’t be such a bad idea. Bring Dawn along too, during the school holidays, take a little break from the slaying. Don’t worry about money for the ticket; I will let the council’s expense account cover it. The only downside to that would be you might have to pay them a visit at their headquarters in London.
We have a lot to discuss. I’ll ring you in a couple of weeks; let you have some time to consider it.
And you were never dumb. Careless, self-involved yes, but you were also a teenager and I do miss you all. Give my love to our friends and Dawn.
Love Giles
*A trip to England? Maybe the idea wasn’t so bad…*
Buffy sat for a long time rereading the letter; eventually looking up when she could feel Dawns eyes on her.
“Well?”
“He asked me to give you his love… and invited us to England…”
“He WHAT?!?!” Dawn all but shouted, not believing her ears, but at the same time planning what to bring, “You are going to accept right? Right Buffy??”
“Dunno Dawn… what about slaying? The hellmouth? I can’t just run off to merry old England just because Giles wants me to, I have responsibilities here. I’ll have to think Dawn; don’t pester me with it, okay?”
She rose and went to the kitchen where she prepared a light dinner. Dawn denied looking at her during the meal and generally avoided her for the next few days.
No April rain
No flowers bloom
No wedding Saturday within the month of June
But what it is, is something true
Made up of these three words that I must say to you
Buffy called a meeting 5 days after the letter had arrived. She needed the gangs input and wanted to know if she could count on them.
They all agreed that with Spike’s help they would be all right and she should go see Giles. The sooner the better.
Now her problem was what to say to Giles…
She picked up the phone in her room and dialled his number, praying she got the time zones and number right.
I just called to say I love you
I just called to say how much I care
I just called to say I love you
And I mean it from the bottom of my heart
He picked up after the 5th ring, just as she was about to panic.
“Rupert Giles speaking.”
Buffy hesitated not sure how to begin.
“Who’s there?” All he could hear was heavy breathing.
“Are you going to present yourself or just breathe at me? If the later is the case would it be possible for you to call me at an earlier hour?”
“It… it’s me … Buffy” she finally whispered, afraid he might hang up.
No summer's high
No warm July
No harvest moon to light one tender August night
No autumn breeze
No falling leaves
Not even time for birds to fly to southern skies
“Buffy! Is everything all right?” She could hear the concern in his voice.
“I eh, I got your letter a few days ago… we’ve… I’ve… how are you Giles?”
“I’ve been better, down with a cold, nothing a good cup of tea can’t cure. Enough about me, how are you? Really.”
“I’ve been thinking… about your letter… we do have a lot to talk about… and Dawn and I accept… we’d love to come to England.”
She avoided the question, knowing she would either break down or tell him a lie he would see through in an instant, instead choosing to let him stay ignorant.
No Libra sun
No Halloween
No giving thanks to all the Christmas joy you bring
But what it is, though old so new
To fill your heart like no three words could ever do
“You still want to see us right?”
“Of course I still want to see you. My flat isn’t large but you are more than welcome to stay here; both of you, for as long as you should desire to stay, though you have to consider your job and Dawn’s school. If you want me to, I‘ll make arrangements with the travel agency and get tickets for you and Dawn. Do you have passports?”
“Uhm... don’t think so… we’ve never been out of the country before.
“You better get that done. I don’t know where the nearest passport agency is, but the council will refund any cost as long as you have a receipt.”
“Guess Dawn and I need a trip to LA tomorrow then… don’t know how long it’ll take…”
“I’ll call you tomorrow, and then you can tell me when you are ready to leave. Do be careful at patrol.”
“Ain’t I always? Talk to you tomorrow then.”
“Have a safe trip, give my love to Dawn”
“I will. Sleep tight Giles.”
“Good bye Buffy.”
As she hung up she couldn’t help but feel a bit giddy. She was going to England, to see Giles!
I just called to say I love you
I just called to say how much I care
I just called to say I love you
And I mean it from the bottom of my heart
The trip to LA went smooth, and Buffy could happily tell Giles they would be ready to leave in 2 weeks. That gave them time to pack and make arrangements with Dawns school and her job. Neither of them mentioned the visit to the council’s headquarters.
I just called to say I love you
I just called to say how much I care, I do
I just called to say I love you
And I mean it from the bottom of my heart
Of my heart,
.... Of my heart
The End