__Lessons__
By Amy
"So, is the packing almost done?" Buffy asked regretfully.
Wesley nodded quietly and Giles hefted one of the last boxes. "Yes, I should believe so," Giles murmured. "The moving van has filled rather quickly." He looked at Wesley. "Rather too quickly if you don't mind me saying so."
Wesley looked down. "No, I don't mind. Thank you."
Giles lifted his head, regarding the other man and then walked the box out of the door. Wesley began putting the last of his books and baubles in a small brown box. After a moment of silence, Buffy spoke up.
"You know, Wes, you really don't need to leave. I mean, we could probably use your help..." She trailed off uncertainly.
Wesley's mouth quirked. "Yes, because I assist so much in battle, I suppose."
"Well, okay, you suck and fighting," she gave. "But you're about as good as Giles is in researching things. And who knows when the next apocalypse is going to arise? It could be today for all we know, and you'd be on a plane to England, forgetting about us."
"I doubt that's possible," he said with a smile. "And I thought I had explained it so that you understood. Buffy, I'm quite flattered that you wish me to stay, but my place is with the Council. And now that you've renounced them as your guide, I really don't see what use I'd be here."
She laid a hand on his arm, stilling him from packing further. "Look, when I said that, I said it partly to get back at you. It wasn't fair of them to not give us any help just because Angel's a vampire. You have to realize that, right?"
He sighed. "Yes, I realize that. But they're all I know of life. I've lived at the Estate for as long as I can remember, and they are calling me back. I have to admit that I long to see the misty streets of my home again."
Buffy rolled her eyes. "Whatever. I can't convince you?"
"I don't think so, not at this point. Perhaps I'll come back for a visit in the future, if you'd like," he said, starting to pack again.
"Yeah, it'd be nice. Well, is there anything I can do for you before you leave?" she offered.
He paused, looking out over his empty apartment, a picture frame in his hands. Blinking suddenly, he shook his head. "Ah, uh, no. No. Thank you. No."
Buffy grinned slowly. "What was that?"
He shook his head again, vehemently. "Nothing."
Buffy nodded. "Uh huh. I'd believe you, except that I don't. You were thinking something there. Listen, if you need help with something, really, I'm up for it."
Wesley coughed, surprised, and looked away from her. "It's not the sort of thing that one asks someone who is..."
"A Slayer?" Buffy prompted.
"So much younger," Wesley supplied, looking oddly at her.
Buffy groaned. "Okay. Because I can save the world, but not do whatever it is that you want? I could probably carry eight of those bulky boxes at once, and you're refusing my help. That's what I never understood about the drinking law," she said suddenly, "You have to be twenty-one to drink, but you can die for your country at eighteen. That's not fair."
Wesley smirked as he placed a small paperweight in the box. "I really wouldn't equate it with dying," he murmured, looking up.
She was smiling.
"So, if you're not asking for my death, then what is it?" she demanded.
He stopped, trapped. "I don't..."
"I could kick your ass if you didn't," she reminded him.
"I'm not a very good kisser, I think," he burst out.
Buffy stared at him. "What?"
Wesley could feel the heat rising in his neck and face, and he looked down at his fumbling hands. "I... I didn't... Well, ah, when I... Miss Chase and I, we spent a moment...." He stumbled around for words, blushing feverishly, and Buffy leaned against the wall, grinning.
"You and Cordy kissed?"
"Yes, quite. Twice. And each time, I got the feeling that... Well, it didn't seem that pleasing to her." He glanced up, his eyes glassy, and then rushed on. "As I've been in the company of Watcher's all my life, I haven't had much opportunity for... I suppose one could say romance. Oh, there was a girl when I was sixteen or seventeen, and another one a few years later
that I dated, but..." He trailed off, his eyes fixed on a point behind her.
Buffy leaned forward. "Are you a virgin?"
He sputtered. "Why, I don't think that's at all appropriate for us to discuss!"
She gave a small laugh and then sat down on the carpet beside him. "Okay, so I won't press you on it. Besides, I think that was answer enough for me. But you're saying you need kissing lessons?"
He looked away from her smile. "I suppose that's what I *was* saying, though now I'm sure that..."
"I'll do it."
"What?" he asked blankly.
She shrugged. "I'll do it. You need lessons, I'll give them. You were my Watcher, after all. It'll be nice to teach you something for a change."
"Thank you," he conceded stiffly. "Maybe you could just tell me... instead of..."
She shook her head. "Don't be silly."
With surprising quickness, Buffy was suddenly grasping his head with both of her little hands. He looked at her, astonished, as she guided his mouth to hers. As soon as their lips touched, Wesley pressed the disadvantage to give himself the upper hand, kissing her with more pressure.
Buffy pulled back, wiping her lips. She exhaled. "Ohhhkay. It's not a fight. It's supposed to be nice. Something nice?" She looked around for inspiration. "Like you think that tie is."
He nodded, reddening. "O- Of course. I'm sorry."
"Not to worry," she said confidently. "We'll get it covered. Okay, this time, tilt your head-- leave it here-- and just relax your mouth." She gently tilted his head to the side and he smiled compliantly. "I'll kiss you, and you just sort of wait... I don't know. I'd say watch me, but I
want your eyes closed. Blink once if you understand."
"Very droll," he said, smirking.
"Then lets start."
She got onto her knees and leaned for him, placing her mouth tentatively over his. Kissing him lightly at first, she brushed her lips across his and then gently locked there. Her hands drifted up to tangle through his short hair and Wesley gave a small gasp at how pleasant the feeling was. Buffy applied more pressure to his mouth, opening hers a little bit and darting her tongue out to lick at his lips.
Wesley tried not to squeak.
At length, she pulled back, a little breathless. "There. Better?"
"Yes, very much," he said after a moment.
Buffy's hands settled primly on her knees. "Now, you do me."
"Pardon?"
"Kiss me. Like I just did you," she instructed.
He blinked his large eyes and then gave a quick nod. "Oh. Of course." He grasped her waist in his with a small grin and lifted her easily, ignoring her shocked intake of breath. He placed her in his lap. "I thought it might be easier this way," he explained. Buffy nodded mutely, and let him pull her head down to his.
The kiss this time was warm, heating quickly. His mouth pressed against hers with a hungry pressure, building the tension of the kiss. Sinking his tongue into her mouth, he licked at the hot contours he found there. Buffy wriggled on his lap and gave a small sigh, touching his face as he hugged her tighter to himself. He squrimed at her wiggling and realized that his lap might not have been the safest place to put her. She lapped at his tongue eagerly, her
mouth exploding in little tingles as they toppled to the floor.
Wesley pulled back for a moment, his eyes glazed, and looked down at her. Her face was flushed and her eyelids were lowered contentedly, her blond hair spread out on the carpet like golden waves that excited the sand. His mouth burned and he lowered it again to hers, like her kiss was a soothing balm.
"What the bloody hell is going on here?!"
Wesley bolted off of Buffy at the sound of Giles's indignant voice. He looked up guiltily, wondering how much the other Watcher had seen. "I was just... and then it was..." His voice cracked. "Perfectly innocent."
Buffy sat up, breathing heavily. "Yeah, it was just kissing lessons!"
"WHAT?!" Giles exploded.
She laughed. "I was kidding, Giles. Geez, you've been my Watcher for three and a half years and I've never made a move on you. Chill out, I just tripped over one of the boxes and Wesley was making sure I was all right."
"Yes!" Wesley cried, blessing her for having such a quick mind. "That's what happened!"
Giles narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Are you sure, Buffy?"
"Duh. You think I'd kiss someone at this stage in my life?" She nodded confidently and Giles finally sighed. Wesley glanced at her sideways, silently grateful that she hadn't said that she would never kiss him, although he didn't know why.
Wesley hopped up, clearing his throat. "Well... I'd better get this box out there. Yes."
He started to walk out the door, facing them with an awkward smile when he caught Buffy's eye. She winked at him, blowing him a little kiss, and Wesley burst out in a loud chuckle before he caught himself and fled from the room.
"Buffy?" Giles asked.
"Yeah?"
He smirked at her. "I saw that."
* * *