Title- The Lonely Hearts Club 3/4
Author- Veronica
E-Mail- ronisimon@hotmail.com
Rating- G
Pairing- W/G Friendship
Spoilers- Season 7
Disclaimers- Joss and Mutant own all. I'm just borrowing them.
Distribution- Want it? Take it… just let me know where.
Feedback- Always a great thing to have.
Summery- Valentine's Day is coming, and everyone has the blues. But
Willow makes it all better.
The two figures sat at the table looking through more books with eyes that really didn't see anything. Neither was actually paying attention to what the pages were telling them. Melancholy had gripped the two in its embrace, and there seemed to be no hope of it letting go any time soon. Giles looked over at Willow as silence filled the apartment, and noticed that her eyes vacantly stared at the book in front of her, and knew she wasn't seeing the words written on the page. A look of sadness in her eyes, and Giles knew what the reason for that was… Tara.
Giles understood only too well, for he too, was missing someone. He still thought of Jenny Calendar often, but had never shared that with anyone, except for Willow. The time in England had allowed the two to share some of they're thoughts and feelings that were otherwise unknown to anyone. It was comforting to both to have someone to talk to about such things, things they had kept hidden for so long.
Willow glanced up and noticed Giles studying her, and gave a shy smile at being caught day-dreaming.
"Sorry. I can't seem to keep my mind on what I'm supposed to be doing. I guess I'm not much help today."
"No need to apologize, Willow. I, too, find it difficult to concentrate today." He said, and smiled reassuringly. He knew only too well that Willow knew why.
"Valentine's Day is tomorrow." She replied sadly.
"Yes, it is." It was almost a whisper. Willow's lips turned up in a soft smile as she took his hand and held it in hers.
"I guess we're just a couple of lonely hearts." Giles chuckled and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.
"That we are, luv." He replied, feeling a little better. It helps knowing you're not alone with how you feel. Just then the door opened and Buffy strolled in, with Dawn in her wake.
"Find anything interesting yet? A new `baddie' for me to kill?"
"Sorry to disappoint you, Buff. Nothing new for ya. Just another boring night."
"Gee, go figure." Replied the blonde as a look of disappointment crossed her features.
"Hey guy's! Look at all the cards I got!" Dawn said with excitement, causing Giles and Willow to smile.
"That's great, Dawnie. How many did you get?"
"Only four so far. Tomorrow is Valentine's day, so there's still time. Who knows, I might get a few more."
"Have you got a date or anything yet?" Willow asked.
"Yeah! He's on the football team. He's not anyone waaay important like the quarter back or anything… but he's nice. What about you two? Got any plans?"
"Dawn!" said Buffy as she elbowed her little sister.
"Oh, sorry. I didn't mean… sorry Willow."
"Hey, Dawnie. Its okay… really."
"Really?" she asked, her voice sounding small.
"Really. I'm fine… I promise. Now why don't you tell me all about this guy on the football team. Do you know what you're going to do on your date yet?"
"Ugh, here we go. More talk about Hell-entine's day. Just what I need after hearing about it all morning." Buffy said as she rolled her eyes. `Here we go. Time to get the ball rolling'. Willow thought as she turned her attention to her blonde friend and placed a sour look upon her face.
"Yeah, well, maybe the rest of us are interested in hearing about it. Just because `you' chose to be alone doesn't mean you need to make everyone else feel in the dumps." Said the red head as blue eyes widened at her statement.
"Willow…"
"No, Giles." She interrupted. "It's her own fault. She has someone who loves her, but she would rather whine sulk instead of going to him."
"Willow! That's not fair…" Buffy tried to argue, but the witch wouldn't allow it.
"No, Buffy! There is a vampire out there that would do anything for you…something that he has proved over and over again, and is still willing to be with you even after you used him and threw him away when you were done! He even put his life in danger just to get his soul back so that there was a chance you might love him. He could have died, Buffy, and all you do is stand around here whine." She took a deep breath and continued. "You know, I would give up just about anything for one day… one single day to be with Tara. Just one day of happiness. If your so selfish that you can't see what's right in front of your eyes, well then… then frankly you deserve to be alone!" Willow finished turning her back to Buffy as she faced Giles. "I'm sorry, Giles. I gotta go." She said as she gave a wink that only the watcher could see. Understanding dawned as he watched Willow turn and head towards the door, but upon reaching it, the door opened to reveal Xander and Anya smiling happily hand in hand.
Xander couldn't help himself, and without saying a word he grabbed the red head in a huge bear hug, almost squeezing the life out of her. When he finally released her, Anya took her turn hugging Willow, and when she backed away, smiled sweetly.
"Thank you, for everything." Was all Anya could say.
"Congratulations." She replied happily, then squeezed between the couple and made her way out the door. Giles stood shaking his head as a smile played at his lips.