__Reminder__
By Gabi
"I'm sorry."
Xander looked sadly at her again then left closing the door behind him.
Giles stood silent not knowing what to do.
Anya didn't move at all for a long time. Then she slowly turned around to him. Her eyes were full of pain and hate. Why had she ever let herself trust a man, when she knew them so well? Humans. They were all the same.
She looked at Giles, who stood helpless.
They were all the same. Love, friendship, bla bla bla. But in the end? She went to the counter to pick up her things and leave, when Giles stopped her.
"What?!"
She stared at him coldly.
"I..." He had meant to say 'I'm sorry', but somehow he knew that it would mean as little as Xander's words after breaking up with her. So he simply pulled her into his arms.
She tried to push him away at first. What the hell did he think he was? He wasn't even a friend. And she didn't need comfort. She didn't allow herself to get all touchy and feely. Xander was just a man. No need to cry over him.
And yet, she realized suddenly, she had started crying. Giles held her closely and she had her arms tightly around him.
Damn him. Damn him for being a good man. Damn Xander for making her feel human. Damn herself for giving into the feeling and feeling better in a man's embrace.
When her sobs had subsided, Giles pulled out a handkerchief and dried her tears.
"Why don't you take the rest of the day off."
She nodded.
"I'll see you tomorrow."
She looked at him. Yes, she would come back. What did she care about Xander? This was her job and she was good at it! And it wasn't as if Giles could handle things without her for a single day. She smiled slightly at him.
"Yes."
She grabbed her bag and went with a little nod at him.
Giles watched her go. A smile crossed his face.
He didn't blame Xander. It was not his fault he had fallen in love with someone else. And this time he hadn't acted on it before settling things with his girlfriend at least.
He thought of Cordelia. About the visit he had paid her in the hospital after she had fallen through the stairs in the mansion. How fragile. How hurt. How beautiful.
She hadn't wanted to be a part of their family any more. But he had let her know that he would always be there for her if she needed him. She had never taken the offer, but just the same he knew that it had meant very much to her.
He wouldn't let Anya drift away as he had Cordelia.
And perhaps it wasn't too late...
*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*
"Hello?"
"Hello Cordelia."
"Giles?"
"Yes."
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, I just... how are you?"
"Oh God, what is it? A prophecy? Who's going to die?!"
He chuckled a little.
"Cordelia, calm down. It really is nothing. I was just wondering, if you would mind, if I came up to LA for the weekend and visit you. Unless of course you have plans. It really isn't important. I could understa-"
"I'm free!"
"Oh. Good. Then I will drop by Angel Investigations on Saturday at 12 to pick you up for lunch, if that is all right."
"Sure. I'll be there."
"Great. Good then. I'll see you on Saturday. Good-bye."
"Bye Giles."
He hung up and Cordelia looked at the receiver for a second raising an eyebrow and shaking her head. Then she put it down and stood up, looking for something to wear on Saturday. A wide smile was on her face...
* * *