__Wind Beneath My Wings__
By Angelwakes
Giles was walking towards his front door when the sound of a soft knock made
his breath catch. He opened the door to find his hearts' desire standing on
the other side. He schooled his face into its usual friendly visage, not a
trace of his previous thoughts and emotions showing as he let his Slayer into
his home.
Buffy's heart fluttered at her first sight of Giles as the man she loved. "Hi Giles, I need to
talk to you, okay?" At her softly spoken words his brow creased with concern. "It's of the
good, I promise Giles." His Slayer smiled reassuringly as she walked through the door. He
shut it, following her to sit in the armchair as she sat on the sofa opposite.
#It must have been cold there in my shadow,
to never have sunlight on your face.
You were content to let me shine, that's your way.
You always walked a step behind.#
Buffy took a deep calming breath and then let it out slowly before she spoke, rushing to get her
feelings out before she chickened out. "First I just wanted to say that
I'm glad you are my Watcher again. I've said it before and I'm gonna
say it again. I really mean it, Watchermine. I can't do this without you.
I don't think I could have done half the things I have with out you by my
side. I love you Giles. You're the best partner I could have ever
hoped for..." She paused, gathering up the courage to take that final step
towards what she hoped would be the love of a lifetime.
#So I was the one with all the glory,
while you were the one with all the strain.
A beautiful face without a name for so long.
A beautiful smile to hide the pain.#
Although his heart leapt to hear those words pass her lips, Giles was not fool enough to
interpret them as a declaration on her part. He knew that she valued him as a friend and as a
Watcher. Simply wishful thinking on his part wanted it to be more. He gave an inward sigh in
admission that he had to keep up the façade of friendship. "Y-you know I love you too. You are
a r-remarkable, dear girl. A great f-friend a-and an extraordinary Slayer..." '...and the beloved
of my heart.' He added silently.
#So I was the one with all the glory,
while you were the one with all the strain.
A beautiful face without a name for so long.
A beautiful smile to hide the pain.#
'A friend! I need more than that! Try again Buffy. You can do this; Take-Charge Girl, remember?'
Giles was startled when she reached out to take hold of his hands. With an almost
desperate look in her eyes she tried another approach. "I'm sorry for all
the times I hurt you Giles. I will try my best to never hurt you ever again.
I want to be there for you like you are for me."
#Did you ever know that you're my hero,
and everything I would like to be?
I can fly higher than an eagle,
for you are the wind beneath my wings.#
'She is killing me with her kindness.' He tried to diffuse the rapidly approaching
intimacy with a small smile and a light joke. "Thank you, Buffy, that will
be a great help with the research." 'Good going Rupert, keep your mind on
your Slayer's needs, not your own foolish dreams'
#It might have appeared to go unnoticed,
but I've got it all here in my heart.
I want you to know I know the truth, of course I know it
I would be nothing without you.#
'God, Giles, don't interrupt, I keep forgetting where I am when
you do.' She carried on, anxious to make him understand. "This is so hard
to say, but you are more important to me now than anyone else in my life has
ever been. Do you understand, Giles? I'm....." The bright smile on his
face made her heart skip a beat and her speech faltered. He cut in before she
could continue.
"Thank you, Buffy. That means so much to me. I thought after this last year you didn't need
this poor old man anymore. I'm very happy you think so much of me and I will endeavour to be the
very best Watcher I can for you, my dear girl." He was glad to get the sentences out without a
betraying stutter or blush.
'Giles....?' She felt her stomach tie itself into tiny little knots of worry. These
continuous interruptions were starting to alarm her.
'Oh, Buffy, don't look at me like that. You are breaking my heart, I love you so much and you
just need me for support and friendship.' He let her hands go and pulled
off his glasses for a moment in an attempt to hide what he was sure would be
showing in his eyes.
'He's not in love with me, he's so controlled and calm. When he was with Miss Calendar he was
so cute and stammery and shy, with me he's all friendly and professional.' At the realisation,
her heart shattered into fragments of pain at her feet.
#Did you ever know that you're my hero?
You're everything I wish I could be.
I could fly higher than an eagle,
for you are the wind beneath my wings.#
'I will be whatever he wants me to be, I will be the reflection of him, I love him
and I'm *not* gonna let him down.' With a 100watt - she hoped - smile
Buffy took his hands again and gazed into those expressive eyes. "Thank
you for being so wonderful Giles, ...thank you for being you." The smile
reached her eyes and her last words finally broke his heart. "I'll be
'Super Slaygal' with you as my Watcher."
#Did I ever tell you you're my hero?
You're everything, everything I wish I could be.
Oh, and I, I could fly higher than an eagle,
for you are the wind beneath my wings,
'cause you are the wind beneath my wings.#
'Oh my dearest, whatever you are is enough for me. You are the other part of my soul and I
will always cherish you and keep you safe, I love you.' He fought to keep
his emotions in check and replied, "I know you will, Buffy, I have every
faith in your abilities and I will do my utmost to assist you in you duty."
#Oh, the wind beneath my wings.
You, you, you, you are the wind beneath my wings.
Fly, fly, fly away. You let me fly so high.
Oh, you, you, you, the wind beneath my wings.
Oh, you, you, you, the wind beneath my wings.#
Their still joined hands fell apart, mirroring their hopes
and dreams. With a small smile for her Watcher, the petite Slayer left to get
some sleep before classes the next day.
#Fly, fly, fly high against the sky,
so high I almost touch the sky.
Thank you, thank you,
thank God for you, the wind beneath my wings.#
Giles' heart was aching at the all to brief memory of his Slayers' touch. He wanted to clasp
her close to him and never let her go. Instead, he simply closed the door after her,
and stood, lost in his empty home. Buffy walked back to the dorm
despondently, her feet dragging as tears silently rolled down her cheeks
her heart left in pieces behind her.
* * *