__The Choices We Make__
By Galen Skye
He hadn't intended to end up caught in the rain several miles from home, walking. Really, he hadn't. It just happened that his car, his new car, the one that should bloody well work instead of falling apart twenty blasted miles out side of Sunnydale, had died. Only on the Hellmouth, Giles muttered in irritation as he pulled his soaked coat back around his shoulders attempting to at the very least shield himself from the wind. And only on the Hellmouth would he be stranded on a road where few cars had traveled and none had dared to stop. Hitchhikers were not welcomed travelers in a town where the population decreased nightly.
Earlier today, Giles had desperately needed to get away from Sunnydale. He needed to think, to ponder what he should do next. Everything reminded him of her. Her scent permeated the air of her apartment and ever since she'd returned, he had found it far more difficult to push aside his feelings for her. It was not that he couldn't control himself, just merely that he no longer wanted to. He *wanted* her to see him as a man, and there had been times, more recently, that he'd thought perhaps... He let that thought trail off as a sneeze took hold of him and he staggered.
The 'Welcome to Sunnydale' sign loomed up ahead of him, and relief cast through him as he quickened his pace. He needed to get home, and get out of his clothes, shower and get some sleep. The weather was strangely cool for California and he'd been drenched for more than 4 hours. His teeth chattered and he clenched them tightly in order to stop.
Finally, just as dusk settled, he turned on to his street. His small apartment looked so welcoming, a light glimmered through the front window. His heart beat a bit faster. Buffy? Was she wondering where he'd gone?
He stumbled toward his door and fumbled for his keys only to have the door swing open. Willow? . He suddenly remember that they were to meet tonight over tea and cookies. Chagrin fell over him.
"Giles!" Willow Rosenburg stood hands on hips glaring at him, until she took in his bedraggled appearance. Concern quickly replaced fiery irritation as she reached out and helped him inside.
"W..w Willow." Giles stuttered and attempted to smile at her.
Willow quickly shut the door behind them, and ushered him into the room and down the hall toward the bathroom. She grabbed for towels at they entered the bathroom. "What happened?" She asked as she started peeling off his jacket, looking for any wounds as she wrapped a towel around his shoulders and pushed him to sit on the covered toilet.
"C--ca-r died." Giles stated through chattering teeth. "Ha-had to walk."
"Why didn't you call me?" Willow asked softly, she shook her head at him, then reached down and started unbuttoning his shirt. The past few months, ever since she had spent time in England with him, they had developed a bond of friendship. She knew a side of him, that the others had yet to see. Rupert hid so much of himself and yet at the same time it was all right
there in front of you if you took the time to look. Willow frowned realizing that was the crux of it. No one ever took the time to look.
"No one would pick you up, hrmm?" She said as she pushed his shirt off and tossed it int he corner of the bathroom with his jacket.
He chuckled through his chattering teeth. "N-no." He smirked. "D-do you b-blame them?"
Willow laughed. "I suppose Ripper might scare your typical driver." She grinned then reached around him to turn on the water in the tub. "We need to warm you up, Rupert." She said quietly offering him her hand. "Why don't you shuck the slacks and take a shower." She smiled at him, wrapping the towel around his shoulders a bit more tightly. "I'll make some tea."
Giles nodded, a small smile teasing his lips as he pulled himself up to stand. "Thank you, Willow." He said quietly.
She just turned and looked at him for a moment. Something flickered across her face, but was gone before he had the chance to decipher it or make comment. The door closed behind her and he looked over at bathtub. A shower sounded heavenly, he thought as he reached in and turned the knobs, then stepped into the inviting warmth.
Willow paused just outside the bathroom door, listening to him get into the shower. She wanted to make sure he didn't need any further help. Sighing softly, she smiled then moved down the hallway and walked toward the kitchen area. She found herself suddenly very glad that she'd waited around after he missed their weekly meeting.
One of the habits they had established when she'd returned was talking via the phone once a week. It gave her the chance to talk about what she was feeling with someone who understood the pull of magic. When he'd returned, it had seemed natural to turn those weekly conversations into a chat over tea and cookies.
"Tea ready?" His voice rumbled forward as he walked into the room clad in only a towel wrapped around his waist.
Willow grinned at him. "Almost." She motioned to his lack of dress. "Since when have you walked around like that in Sunnydale."
Giles chuckled. "I found it was easy to fall back into the habit of being immodest when I stayed with the coven."
Willow nodded. "Very easy." She smiled with remembrance. "Just make sure I'm here the first time you do that in front of Xander."
Giles laughed and reached around her for a cup. "Indeed." He said as he poured his tea, then looked over at her. "I am sorry I was not here for our meeting, Willow."
"Oh Rupert, I know I was irritated at first, but that was gone the minute you walked in the door."
"Yes, but I know that it worried you, and that you find solace in our chats." He yawned slightly. "I am afraid, however, that I would not be able to stay awake if we were to start now."
Willow reached over and squeezed his arm. "I know... how about over breakfast." She said cheerily."
Giles nodded. "Breakfast would be perfect." He looked at her for a moment. Something in her eyes seemed... almost haunted... much like she looked when they'd first arrived in England. "Are you alright Willow?"
"I will be," She said softly... "She's just been on my mind lately."
He nodded, reach over to give her a quick hug. "Blankets and your pillow are next to the couch." He said, knowing that when Tara was on her mind she had difficultly sleeping in the Summer's house.
Smiling up at him in both relief and fondness she nodded. "Thanks." She leaned up and kissed him on the cheek, then padded out of the kitchen and toward the bathroom. "Good night Giles." She called over her shoulder.
Giles watched her retreat as he finished the last of his tea. "Good night." He said softly, then shook his head and set the cup in the sink before making his way to the stair and up to his loft. Within moments of falling into bed he was asleep.
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