Title: Impassioned 2/6
Author: TweedEmpress
Rating: PG
Pairing: Giles/Jenny
Genre: Angst/Romance
Summary: Reworking of ‘Passion’. Jenny isn’t killed, but Angelus has his eye on another target.
**WARNING: CHARACTER DEATH**
Timeline: Season Two, spoilers up to ‘Passion’
Disclaimer: I own nothing to do with BtVS (unfortunately). Some dialogue is lifted from ‘Passion’. Any original characters and ideas are mine.
Distribution: FanFiction.Net, ODD, Mystic Muse, Ms Calendar’s Site
Notes: Huge thanks to my fabulous beta reader Marissa and Luisa. Not only did she correct my occasionally hilarious mistakes, she also provided amazing inspiration. The story wouldn’t be half what it is without her.
Dedication: To everyone on Ms Calendars Group – for keeping the flame alive!
‘I can’t feel him anymore,’ Buffy said sadly, her fingers tracing the lettering on the bronze plaque. ‘I used to – here.’
She placed one hand at the back of her neck, just at the base of her skull.
‘And here…’
Her hand moved to a spot roughly over her heart.
Xander and Willow exchanged glances: it was going to be one of those nights. Ever since Giles’ death, this was where Buffy ended up most nights after patrol. The little bronze plate outside the school library; that was about the only thing in Sunnydale to say that he had ever been there. It hadn’t been Snyder’s idea: he would have been quite happy to pretend that Giles had never set foot in the place, but the rest of the staff had insisted.
And so there it was. His name, his dates, and that was it.
It was a focal point for their grief. But not just theirs. All around the plaque, notes had been pinned; some were just single sentences scrawled on a scrap of paper and others were almost essays. Students who had barely set foot inside the library suddenly found themselves missing the elegant librarian with the gentle voice and the impenetrable sense of humour.
And this was all there was.
The Council representatives had appeared to claim the body and despite Buffy’s pleas for him to be buried in Sunnydale where she and the Scoobies could watch over his grave, they had taken him. His family – his real family, the Council had stressed – were waiting back in England. There had been no funeral, no memorial service. They had simply arrived, removed various books and weapons from the library and who knew what else from his home, informed Buffy that a replacement would be sent, and then left. And a little over a week later, one of their number had returned to Sunnydale to take up duty as Watcher. But somewhere in that time, Ms Calendar had left. She had told the Scoobies that it was only for a little while and that she would be back. Buffy had broken into her apartment and confirmed that all of her things were still there. Willow received the occasional e-mail from her, but they didn’t know where she was.
Willow shifted uncomfortably as she watched her friend lean her forehead against the cold metal, murmuring something under her breath.
‘D-do you think we should get Wesley?’ she asked uncertainly.
Xander snorted, rolling his eyes.
‘Somehow, don’t think that would help things much. Unless you think a good demonstration of squealing would do Buffy some good.’
He blew out a breath, trying not to think about Buffy’s so-called Watcher. The guy came waltzing in, thinking he could just replace… He wasn’t Giles. He could never be Giles. Xander felt a suspicious prickling behind his eyes and cleared his throat.
‘C’mon, let’s get her out of here.’
He had barely stopped talking when he heard Willow emit a small squeak and followed her gaze up the corridor. Two vamps, in game face, were approaching. It had become something of a challenge with the local demon population to steal something from the late Watcher’s domain.
‘Buffy!’
Her spidey-sense, coupled with Xander’s frantic cry, roused Buffy and she tore herself away from the vigil. The raiders didn’t last long against the wild-eyed Slayer and she was soon standing, panting, over two piles of dust.
‘You guys okay?’
‘Yeah,’ Willow replied weakly. ‘A-at least they don’t come in big groups anymore.’
‘I’m gonna go by Giles’ place,’ Buffy stated grimly. ‘Just in case any of them have been there.’
She started down the corridor and her two friends exchanged another worried look before following.