__Fun With Fireworks__
By GG The Slayer



"Um, Giles? I was wondering...would you like to join Willow, Xander and I for some Independence Day festivities?," Buffy asked, while practicing her invitational speech n the bathroom mirror.

"Ugh, could that *sound* any more lame? C'mon, Buffy, think!!," she demanded to her reflection.

After a few more attempts, she gave up and left the bathroom. Only to begin pacing up and down the hallway by the bathroom.

"Okay...what about, "Giles, I have a thing, I *think* you have a thing, maybe we could have a thing together?" <groan> Why is this so hard? I mean, it's not like he'd already *have* plans for tomorrow, right? Oh no! What if he does? Waitasec! What if he doesn't even *want* to celebrate the Fourth? I mean, he's British and they don't celebrate that over in England, do they?" she ranted, still pacing.

Unbeknownst to her, Giles had arrived at her house and was smiling in amusement, as her heard her talking to herself. It seemed like she was rehearsing something. And when he suddenly heard her say his name, he became even more intrigued.

"Oh screw it! I'll just flat out ask him to the picnic tomorrow and be done with it! There, easy...I'll just walk up to him, and say, "Giles, would you like to come to a picnic tomorrow?" He won't be ab--," she started to say.

"And I'll say, "Why Buffy, I would love to come to a picnic tomorrow!" And I'll thank you for the invitation, too," he suddenly said, making her squeak in surprise.

She blushed, when she saw him...and blushed even more, when she realized that he had probably heard her whole hallway speech.

"W-when did you get here, Giles?"

"Why just a few minutes ago. And like I told you, I'd love to attend a picnic with you tomorrow. What time and where at? Oh, and do I need to bring anything?"

"1:30 and my backyard. Xander's bringing the buns and burgers. Willow's bringing Potato Salad and Deviled Eggs. I'm making the dessert and you can bring stuff to drink?" she told him.

He nodded and then the two of them went downstairs to research a recent demon sighting.

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The next morning, Buffy got out of bed and got dressed...in the appropriate colors, of course. Red tanktop, white shorts, and blue sandals.<g> She called Willow and Xander and made sure they'd be to her place in time for the picnic. Then she left to run some errands.

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At 1:30PM on the dot, Giles, Buffy, Willow, and Xander, were in Buffy's backyard. They'd set up a picnic table, complete with a tablecloth in a red, white, and blue theme. Buffy had put little American flags around her yard and everyone told her how nice they looked. She smiled and told them thank you.

As they began to finish lunch, Buffy pulled Willow inside, using a "get more drinks" excuse.

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

"What's up, Buffy?"

"Um, well...I kind of need your opinion on something."

"Okay, ask away, for today and today only, I am "Miss Opinion Girl"."

They giggled a little bit, then calmed down, so Buffy could ask what she needed to ask.

"I was thinking of....askingGilesonadate," she blurted.

Willow looked at Buffy strangely, then grinned at her.

"You want to ask Giles on a date?"

Buffy nodded.

"Okay, and you want my opinion about whether or not you *should*, right?"

Again Buffy nodded.

"Hmm....well, let's see....how can I put this..."

"Willow, just spit it out, PLEASE!"

"Okay, okay, ask him. He'll accept, I promise."

Buffy looked at Willow like she'd grown an extra head.

"You..you think I should ask him? *And* that he'll say "yes" ?"

At Willow's nod, Buffy gave her a stern look.

"Why do you sound so sure that IF I ask Giles out, he'll accept? Has he been saying things?"

"Not really...I mean, no, not at all!" Willow stammered.

"Okay, spill it, Willow! What things has Giles been saying? And how long has he been saying them?!"

"A...a few weeks....maybe longer."

"What?! Weeks of longer?? *What* has he been saying?"

"J-just that he t-thinks you're the m-most beautiful woman he's ever known. A-and that he doesn't think you'd ever want to b-be with him...other than just as friends. But that's all I can tell you!" Willow swore.

"Wow....I...I didn't have a clue that he felt like that. And about me, even. Um, thanks for your opinion...and for telling me what he's been saying lately."

"You're welcome....are....are you okay, Buffy?"

"Huh? Oh...oh yeah, I'm okay. We should probably, um, get back out there, before Xander says something to make GIles throw him in the pool."

Willow agreed, then they each grabbed some more cans of soda, and went back to the picnic.

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

About an hour after it got dark, they all brought out some fireworks that Buffy had bought earlier in the week and Xander was put in charge of setting them off. They all "ooh"ed and "ahh"ed over the bigger ones.

Then Buffy grabbed two Sparklers lit one off the other and kept one but gave Giles the other one. They exchanged smiles and began twirling them around in the air to make pictures and stuff. Before they dies out, she quickly lit two more and again gave him the extra one.

As the fireworks drew to an end, Buffy took Giles over to a secluded spot in the yard. Then she stood on her tippy toes and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. He froze, in surprise, but then leaned in and kissed her this time. It was a kiss full of hope and love. She eagerly returned it and their kissing went on for a little while. Finally he pulled away and looked at her in amazement.

"B-Buffy...does this mean what I think it does?"

"If it means that I want to become more than just friends with you, then yes, it does mean what you think it does."

He grinned boyishly and then in a burst of sudden giddiness, picked her up and swung her around in his arms. She squealed, then began to laugh in delight and happiness. Putting her back down a few moments later, the two kissed again.

Then, they put their arms around each other's waist and walked back over to where their friends were.

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