Title: Letting Go 2/6
Author: Wickedfox
Notes: Single quotes are thoughts. <> Represent unearthly voices.
Disclaimer: Joss, Mutant Enemy, Fox and UPN own it all. I'm mearly playing in their sandbox. No copyright infringment intended. Please don't sue me...

Wesley examined his new quarters with a critical eye. Sunlight beamed in through the window, something his eyes weren't accustomed to. Sunglasses would be a necessity for the area.

"Buffy's right next door. You might hear her from time to time," Joyce glanced in the direction of Buffy's room with a worried expression. "She has…nightmares."

"So she is physically capable of speaking?" Wesley asked.

"Yes…I hear her at night. She seems to dream about conversations she had."

"Can you tell who she's talking to?" Wesley knew who it had to be but wanted some affirmation. He saw Joyce lower her eyes to her fidgeting hands.

"I think it's…it's Mr. Giles." She turned away with a glum sighed, "I have some…uh, things to do." As she began to walk down the hall she paused to say something then continued downstairs. "Make yourself at home."

"This should be interesting," he mumbled, setting his suitcase down on the flower print comforter. He opened the case and stared at the drab colored clothes neatly packed inside. His eyes scanned the room. It was light-heartedly decorated with colorful paintings and welcoming family photos.

`New clothes…definitely!'

He closed the case and walked over to inspect a photo of Buffy and her mom. Buffy looked happy and content. Wesley found it hard to believe that the warm face in the photo was the same one that drove six previous Watchers to request position relocation.

`Six Watchers in four months. An intimidating post to say the least.'

He considered the difficult circumstances and could empathize with Buffy's illness. To loose one Watcher was hard enough on a Slayer, but to loose two was unheard of. It was far more common for a Watcher to suffer the usual fate of the death of a Slayer. They were trained to handle such hardships. A Slayer doesn't benefit from such guidance.

Buffy had to reform the bond between Slayer and Watcher twice. The trials of a third attempt could prove much too painful. It was up to him to encourage her to let him in. Unfortunately, he would have to improvise his approach since the other Council members failed so spectacularly. He hoped his youth and confidence would help him rise up to meet the challenge.

"I believe Miss Chase should be the local expert on shopping this region." He grinned and searched his pockets for his notes. He realized he didn't have them and glanced back to the bed for his case. It was gone.

`I know I set it there.' He looked around until his eyes fell on the case standing upright in the doorway. Wesley felt a chill run up his back as he returned the case to the bed. `Welcome to the Hellmouth,' he snickered and searched the contents for his notes.

******************************************************

Next afternoon…

"This should do nicely. Thank you." Wesley wandered around the spacious basement, noticing the impressive collection of weapons decorating the top of the closed cardboard boxes stacked along the walls.

"I thought you might want to inventory Giles weapons so I spread them all out. The other Watchers seemed to find that important." Willow stood beside Buffy and watched Wesley glide his fingers along the blade of a battle-axe.

She felt bad comparing him to the other Watchers. He'd already shown her how different he was from the others. Wesley had called her, requesting information on the situation shortly after the return of the first replacement Watcher. Though the conversation started out very businesslike, they talked openly for hours about their views on Buffy and how to handle the difficult circumstances. Wesley continued to check in with her on the status of Buffy and the troubles with the Council. He even talked with Oz when she was sick with the flu, discussing the intricacies of the lycanthropic lifestyle. Both Willow and Oz began to feel that Wesley cared for Buffy and for them. That was an important element missing from the other Watchers.

Now that he was awarded the position, Wesley seemed to be making the best of it. His clothes seemed more casual, relaxed-fit button fly jeans, blue v-neck sweater with a gray undershirt. Willow considered how Giles would have looked in such casual attire. She felt something drip on her hand and realized she'd started to cry. It still hurt, it was too soon.

Wesley began to turn around so she quickly wiped away the dampness, not wanting him to see the proof of her emotional outburst.

"Yes…procedure." He paused and flashed a quirky grin. "That's worked so well thus far."

Willows face fell with disappointment when she saw Buffy begin to rock, her eyes staring blankly into the shadows.

"I don't think they trusted us." Willow looked back at Wesley.

"The Council never appreciated what a genuine asset you were and are. You've been a great help Willow."

Wesley saw the young lady shrug off the compliment and concentrate on Buffy once again.

"Has she said anything to you?"

"Not yet but it's only been a couple days. These things can take time." He walked over and sat down in front of Buffy. "I think I need some time alone with her. Would you mind?"

Willow shook her head, understanding the request but not wanting to miss the moment when Buffy broke form her haze. She hesitantly began to walk upstairs. "Just holler if you need anything. I'll be in the kitchen with Buffy's mom."

Wesley watched the door close and felt a little more at ease. It was the first time he was left alone with his Slayer, his first Slayer. Buffy showed no interest in him and continued to stare off into space.

`Now what?' Wesley thought and glanced at some knifes beside her.

"Which weapon do you favor? I find myself gravitating to the crossbow but I do enjoy the occasional broadsword." He stood up and casually explored the variety of tools displayed around the basement. He paused with notice of a particularly handsome crossbow and reached out to touch it. A whizzing sound passed by his ear followed by the sound of cracking brick. He looked over at the wall to spy the handle of a throwing knife protruding out from the old brick at eye level. Swallowing down his intimidation, he removed the knife.

"I see…impressive power." He said and scanned the weapons collection for the knife's proper home. He glanced over at Buffy expecting to see her facing him with a grin on her face but found her still positioned in the same direction; facing away from him. She continued to rock and stare into the shadows but there was a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "I've never been good with these myself." Wesley decided to act casually and searched for the knife's place.

<"I'll remember that!">

`Nice shot but aren't you cutting it a bit close?' Buffy smiled, watching the shadowy figure approach her.

<"What so you mean? I intended to hit him."> Giles emerged from the dark and crouch down beside her, noticing the worry in her eyes. <"You seemed troubled. I-I mean…um, m-more than normal.">

Buffy pulled her legs up and wrapped her arms securely around them. She lowered her head to her knees and watched Wesley examine all the tools of her trade.

`He was going for your favorite…" she glanced quickly at Giles and looked away, "…your crossbow."

<"I wasn't going to hurt him, love. I'm just joking…really."> Giles placed his hand on her knee and she slid her fingers under it, entangling her fingers with his.

`I know.' She couldn't help but smile at his concern and tenderness. They had grown so close over the last few months, closer in death than they ever were in life. She tickled her fingers along the back of his hand, still amazed by the sensation of Giles ethereal touch. Rather than tactile contact, it seemed more like an extra sense, an impulse blanketing her skin with a tingling cold. It upset her to think how she neglected having such a bond with him during his life.

"There, all better. I wouldn't want to upset Willow's hard work." He turned to Buffy and saw her hand trembling on her knee. `She could be having an episode. Need to keep her focused.' He walked over and joined her on the boxes.

"It's quite chilly in here. Perhaps I can acquire a space heater." He wrapped his hands around hers. Shocked at how cold they were to the touch, he rubbed them gently, trying to warm them up.

Buffy stared curiously at the young man as he worked on her as if preparing her for a prizefight. His hands were manicured and smooth, unblemished by battles or any hint of labor work. It was an odd show of humanity by an inhuman machine of the Watcher's Council.

Giles clenched his teeth and stood up, obviously shaken.

<"That's twice now! He's touched you twice in as many days."> He began to pace around the basement.

`So?' Buffy smiled and saw Wesley pause at her expression.

<"It's not…proper."> Giles stopped and glanced at Wesley who pulled his hands away.

"Um…that should do the trick. Get the blood flowing and all." He stood up and stepped backward to the stairs. "I think that'll be enough for today. Start slow and all." He tripped awkwardly on the first step and turned around to catch himself from falling. Once Wesley had composed himself, he began to climb the stairs. "I'll send Miss. Ros…Willow, I'll have Willow come get you in a moment." He closed the door behind him.

`What was all that about?' Buffy looked to Giles for an answer. She saw him standing still in the center of the basement, looking distraught at the basement door.

`Giles?'

He glanced at her and lowered his head, obviously bothered by something.

<"I'll tell you later."> He mumbled and dissolved into the shadows.

**********************************************************

"I don't agree with this." Xander objected as Wesley walked with Buffy along the darkened path of the cemetery. "This is too soon. You've barely been here a week."

"We are not patrolling. I'm simply walking with her. Trying to get acquainted with my Slayer." Wesley explained plainly. "Besides, I'm getting sick of talking to a wall. I needed a change and Buffy could use some exercise."

"She's not you're Slayer." Xander felt his stomach twist in knots at the young Watcher's words.

"Miss Summers doesn't seem to be bothered by my acceptance of the role. Why should you?" He smiled at Buffy who continued to walk with her all too familiar blank expression on her face.

"Giles is her Watcher." Xander grabbed Wesley's arm and swung him around, eyes quivering with anger.

Wesley's expression saddened, "Not anymore my friend. It's time you face that reality. The sooner you can come to grips with that…the sooner we can get Buffy back." Wesley tried to pry Xander's fist from his arm and felt his grip tighten.

"I'm watching you…Watcher!" He motioned to his eyes and pointed a threatening finger toward Wesley, finally releasing his hold. The Watcher swallowed hard as he watched Buffy's young friend run to catch up with her down the path.

"I wouldn't have it any other way." Wesley whispered and allowed the space between them to continue as they headed back to the house.

**************************************************

Buffy sat on her bed with her back against the headboard. She stared out the window, wishing she could be out in the night, hunting.

<"You miss it, don't you?"> An eerie mist encircled the chair in the corner of her room. Buffy smiled as it coalesced into the benevolent figure of Giles. He seemed different to her. His dress was more casual rather than the formal tweed suits she was used to seeing him in.

"I miss you!" she looked at him and bowed her head shyly, `I don't miss it…I crave it. Like chocolate.'

Giles smiled. <"You want chocolate?"> He stood up and joined her on the bed. <"I'll go possess some prat and get you some.">

"You know…you don't act like I remember." She examined his brown leather coat, blue sweater and jeans and felt a bit disappointed. Gazing into his welcoming eyes, she spoke softly, "You're more like… um, like an evil Giles. Like you should have the little black mustache and beard."

<"Well, far be it from me to have a little depth of character."> He flashed a grin and saw she was being serious. <"Death brings to light a certain simplicity, Buffy. Somehow the responsibilities of human existence seem trivial in the thick of it all.">

"I miss the old you. Where's my Watcher Giles? My bookman…my nervous twitchy tea-guy?" Buffy's smile faded.

<"He's here, love. Never could leave you."> He placed his hand on hers and his face grew solemn.

"What's wrong?" Buffy's forehead creased with concern.

<"What do you think of this new Watcher chap?">

"Seems nice. Very confident. Kinda cute in a suppressed, stiff- lipped way." Buffy saw Giles eyes sadden.

<"You like `em then?">

"Sure…we're running off to get hitched tomorrow." She snickered. Giles glanced out the window and she directed his chin back to face her. "He's no Giles…Giles."

<"We'll see."> He mumbled.

"You remember that time when we were patrolling in the northern path of the Roseyhill Cemetery?" Buffy giggled.

Giles lips spread into a smile and he settled back against the headboard, wrapping his arm comfortably around his Slayer. He'd heard this tale one many times but loved her telling of it.

"I was checking out an empty crypt when two vampires jumped you. You were caught completely off guard. I heard your call and ran as fast as I could to find you. I found you trouser-less, gagged with your own tie, hanging upside down from an oak tree with two very hungry vampires ready for a tasty treat." Buffy giggled.

<"It's not funny!"> Giles said sternly but was unable to mask his smile. <"It could have ended badly. For both of us."> He tried to look serious for a moment and let out a little giggle. <"Luckily for us they were too busy mocking my apparel to get down to business."> They laughed together at the memory.

"How bout that time in Breakers Woods." Buffy offered.

<"Christ! Do you have to bring that one up every time?"> Giles shook his head.

Buffy and Giles reminisced through the night, unaware that Buffy was being overheard.

Wesley heard Buffy's giggles echo through the hall. It was a lovely sound but one which disheartened him. He knew she was delusional and feared that she may be too far-gone to rescue from the inevitable fate of a stricken Slayer.

"Buffy, please let me in. I've precious little time. I need your help." He pleaded in the direction of the giggles. `No sleep for me tonight!'

********************************************************

The Next Morning…

Wesley knocked at Buffy's bedroom door and waited for a response.

"Miss Summers? Are you awake?" He waited. After a moment of silence, he turned the knob and peeked in. Buffy sat upright in the center of her bed, fully dressed in a sweatshirt and sweatpants.

"Oh, I see you are ready for calisthenics today." He breathed a sigh of relief at the first hint of a normal routine he'd seen from his new Slayer. "Shall we then?" He motioned toward the door. When Buffy stood up and exited the room, he smiled at his quick progression with her. `I knew I could get through to her,' he thought as he followed her down the stairs.

Joyce came out from the kitchen and noticed Wesley's workout attire.

"I'll warn you, she can be a handful." She warned.

Wesley grinned, "Mrs. Summers, a Watcher must undergo vigorous physical and mental training to be rewarded with the duties of a Watcher. I believe I can handle a simple morning jog."

"Ok, " she smiled and tossed him a cell phone. "Call me when she loses you!"

"I assure you, she will not lose me." He insisted.

<"Bloody hell! Did I sound this pompous when you first met me?"> Giles formed beside Joyce.

`No…you were just weird.' Buffy smiled. `You were all…'This is what you're looking for' and wigged me with that vampire book.' She stepped outside and took a deep breath of the crisp fall air.

<"Came on a bit strong, did I?"> He followed.

`Yep. Major wiggins. If it hadn't been for Willow, I would have never set foot in that library again!'

<"Right. Point taken!"> He began to run and Buffy followed.

Wesley realized she'd started without him and he struggled to catch up. "Miss Summers, please."

Joyce yelled out the door, "Phone number's on speed dial. Number one!" She chuckled as she went back into the kitchen to continue her morning ritual.

<"Swing those arms! How many times must I remind you that the momentum…">

`Shut up, Giles. I'm swinging already.'

"Buffy, you're pace is perfect. You're rhythm is flawless." Wesley praised and she smiled at the compliment. "A slight suggestion, though. Don't bring the arms up so much. We're running…not swimming."

Giles clenched his jaw and hissed through his teeth. <"Now…lose this wanker!">

He grew impatient when Buffy didn't follow his order.

< "Buffy? Lets show this amateur what you're made of."> He moved in front of her, running backwards as he directed her.

`Not yet. Let's give him a chance.' She changed direction, leaving Giles faltering at an intersection as Wesley kept pace with her every stride.

"Much better Miss Summers. You'll find you're legs carry you better without such top heavy motions." Wesley said as Buffy allowed him to run up beside her.

Giles evaporated from his location and re-appeared beside Buffy.

"My training regimen will follow that of Mr. Giles until we've expended all the notes he'd left. Then I plan on pressing on into new territory. We'll delve into the fighting arts with emphasis on weaponry." He grinned as he explained his outlook to her. "Most of which will be old hat to such a seasoned Slayer as you. But I do feel that we must reaffirm the strong foundation Mr. Giles built before exploring new directions in your training. Is that alright with you?" He ran swiftly beside her, waiting for a response. He got none.

`He uses too many words…like you!' Buffy thought with a smirk decorating her face.

<"Not as eloquently as me."> Giles concluded. <"Blokes riding on my bloody coat tails.">

`Later!' Buffy smiled and her legs exploded with a burst of power and speed, leaving the phantom of Giles and her new Watcher rapidly falling behind.

< "Yes!"> Giles declared with a taunting finger at Wesley < "It's about time.">

"Amazing young woman." Wesley wheezed, as he stumbled to a full stop.

<"You haven't seen anything yet my friend."> Giles smiled proudly at his departing Slayer. His smile faded upon further consideration. <"She's a miracle.">

Wesley's eyes darted around to investigate his surroundings. He already knew that Mrs. Summers warning had been realized. He shook his head and swallowed his pride as he dialed the Summers residence for a ride to his temporary home. "Simply amazing!"

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