__Interlude__
By Jolene Beasley
The last few weeks of school passed in a blur of activity, studying, tests... and slayer training. Faith was showing real promise, her enthusiasm for the job becoming tempered with Giles' careful instruction. Buffy grudgingly admitted that her 'new bestest little sis' was amazing. She never seemed to tire of the cat-and-mouse game of tracking and outguessing her nemesis, and she was dead accurate with a crossbow.
Buffy even talked her into trying for her GED at the city college. Giles was overjoyed, enthusiastically making all the necessary arrangements through Faith's old school in Boston. He offered his tutoring services as well. Buffy imagined them studying long after dark in one of Sunnydale's many cemeteries, combining work with... well, work.
It worked for me, she thought with a smile.
The last day of school came and went, and the gang gathered in the library one last time, as if bidding farewell to an old friend. And that was exactly how it felt. The room held so many memories, some wonderful, some too painful to contemplate.
Giles was packing the last of his vast personal library, with Willow and Xander helping, when Buffy walked in. She stopped in the doorway, trying to capture the scene permanently in her mind's eye. It was the end of an era. Willow was going to Tech in the fall on a full scholarship, something Buffy knew was a dream come true for her best friend. Xander was going to try the city college scene first so he could work and, hopefully, move out on his own. His home situation had not improved, and Buffy knew he longed to put it all behind him. She and he were the only ones staying in Sunnydale... at least, for school. Giles was going to keep his apartment and commute the 15 miles or so to teach at the University. She had to admit, she was relieved at his decision to stay in town. Oz was already gone... his band left on a state-wide tour two hours before the last bell sounded. 'Leave it to Oz to find one last way to skip school.' She thought with a smile.
Everyone was growing up and moving on.
Her gaze fell upon Giles, looking mussed and dusty as he placed books into a cardboard box. He paused to clean his glasses, the familiar action bringing a lump to her throat. She cleared it, and moved into the room, her smile a tiny bit forced.
Everyone looked up and called their respective greetings to her. She walked over to the cage and started helping with the packing. Of course, the weapons were already gone, taken away quietly late last night. The place was rapidly becoming barren and unfamiliar. She sighed, plopping her load of books into a waiting box. "So, this is the big good-bye, right? No more pencils, no more books, no more teachers' dirty looks... until college, that is." The others nodded soberly. "So, we should celebrate, right? Relax and Recreate! What say we hit the new club in Fairfield tonight? I'll be designated driver!" She smiled her brightest hopeful smile.
Xander looked horrified. "No, no, no, don't threaten us with that! We'll be good, we promise! Totally soda only for me!"
Willow immediately came to Buffy's defense. "She's not that bad a driver, and she's getting better every day. Why, she didn't even run over the curb coming out of my driveway this morning!"
Giles, despite trying to keep in the background, snickered at that.'Traitor.' She thought at him, and he grinned back.
He cleared his throat, and began taping up his box. "Will you have time to patrol before you all... go out on the town?" He looked at Buffy expectantly. "Or shall I ask Faith to take both shifts? It's all right, you know. You can have an evening off... now and then."
"You don't have to say it twice! Okay, Faith can cover for me, if she wants. I promised these guys a Scooby Gang night out, so I better pay up, right?"
She could sense his complete lack of resistance. He really meant for her to go and have a good time. She smiled at him, sending her thanks nonverbally, fastening her eyes on his. As their eyes locked, a warm stirring began in her belly, and she broke the gaze before she forgot where she was... again.Xander wagged a finger at her. "Watch that Psychic-Hotline stuff, Buff. It's rude to talk behind people's backs, even if you're in front of them when you do it."
"Sorry." She smiled at him, and he smiled back, forgiving her instantly.
"Are you sure you two can stand to be apart a whole night?" Willow asked, her face the picture of concern. "You might start having withdrawal symptoms, or something. Anyway, Giles should come with us, if he wants to. He's one of the Gang, if you ask me, although an older..." She stopped, afraid she would hurt his feelings. "Um, I mean, well, I meant a slightly more... mature part. Y'know, keeping us in line and all." She looked up at him, catching the glimmer of interest on his face, and pressed the issue. "C'mon Giles, you hardly ever take time to relax. You can handle it, it's easy."
He silently acknowledged Buffy's subvocal agreement before answering. "All right, then. If you insist. But anytime you feel the need to be free of adult supervision, let me know. I can make myself scarce."
"And wear something a little less... librarian-ish, okay? I have a rep to maintain, y'know." Xander puffed out his chest, stretched, and clasped his hands behind his neck. Willow smirked and poked him in the stomach, causing him to collapse forward with a loud "Oof!"
"I shall endeavor to 'fit in', Xander." Giles smiled a slightly wicked smile. Buffy gave him a surprised and pleased look.
This was going to be an interesting night!
********
Giles paced back and forth in front of the closet, disgusted with himself. He had less than half an hour to get ready and get to the club, and here he was, still in his underwear. He couldn't very well show up in his shorts, now could he? He shook his head sternly. "Pull yourself together, you idiot. It's just a casual evening out." He looked at himself in the mirror, frowning. "Right." He strode again toward the closet, trying to think 'relaxed.'
Suddenly, he turned toward the dresser and began rummaging through the drawers, muttering to himself. "They must be here... somewhere... Aha!" Triumphantly, he held up a pair of black denim jeans. He'd only had them on once before, when he tried them on at the store. Once he got them home, he had put them away, deciding their purchase was a residual effect of the band candy spell. He pulled them on, wincing slightly. They were quite snug. He stepped back, looking at himself in the mirror. He nodded at his image in satisfaction. They certainly fit the definition of 'casual dress.'
********
The club was noisy, dark, and crowded. There was a smoky haze hanging in the air, reflecting the laser lights that played random patterns on the floor. The three friends entered, then stopped, looking for a place to sit. Buffy took in the scene, mentally checking it for fun value. "Score seems fairly high so far..." she said to herself.
Xander quickly commandeered a table close to the dance floor. "I have graduated! I want to dance!" He yelled, using a silly accent.
Buffy smiled at her memory of Xander's version of modern dance. Unique, by any description! They rounded up four chairs and sat down to watch the dancers and wait for the latecomer to arrive.
********
A search of the back of his closet yielded another prize... a dark blue silk shirt still wearing store tags, a present from Buffy not long after they discovered the Bond between them. When Giles asked her what the occasion was, she shrugged and kissed him on the cheek. "No reason. I liked the color. I thought it would look good on you."
Giles pulled the tags off and put the shirt on, marveling at how soft and sensual the material was. It was a perfect fit... Buffy had an eye for clothes. A smile tugged his lips upward as he did up the front. Tucking the shirt in, he once more evaluated his reflection in the mirror. "Not bad."
He started to turn away, then changed his mind. Deliberately, he undid the shirt's first and second buttons, and told his reflection, "There, now, that looks more relaxed." His heart quickened as he thought of Buffy's reaction. She was constantly unbuttoning his shirts anyway. Tonight, he'd meet her halfway. The smile never left his face as he added the finishing touch... one even Buffy would not expect.
********
Willow shouted to make herself heard above the music, "Where's Giles? I thought he was gonna meet us here. You think he backed out?"
"You mean chickened out?" Xander added.
"No, probably just running late. He'll be here." Buffy couldn't wait to see what he finally decided to wear. She smiled to herself in anticipation.
"Probably busy picking out a relaxing tie." Xander couldn't help himself.
"Xander! He's just late, that's all. He'll show."
"Or, maybe he's out buying some tweed jeans. I hear they're the new thing."
Buffy silenced him with a warning look. She was beginning to get a little worried. Giles was hardly ever late for anything. She glanced at her watch... fifteen minutes late! That was unheard of!
Since Willow was facing the door, she was the first to see him, and a shocked expression took over her face. Xander turned halfway to see what Willow was looking at, and swallowed, suddenly feeling intimidated... and slightly envious.
Even with her back turned, Buffy felt him approaching. She basked a short moment in their empathetic connection, then she could stand it no longer. She turned. She looked... and let out a low whistle.
A tall figure was making his way toward them. "Oh, wow..." was all she could manage to say. She took in the perfectly fitted black jeans, midnight blue silk shirt she had given him, a hint of chest hair peeking out above the open buttons, and black jacket slung carelessly over one shoulder. He wasn't wearing his glasses, but seemed fully at ease, winding his way through the crowd. As she stared at him in open admiration, she noticed the finishing touch... a silver loop earring in his ear, not too flashy, just very sexy. She was completely in thrall.
It was exactly the reaction he was hoping for.
He stopped at the table, enjoying the moment for all it was worth. He smiled at Buffy, then Willow, and winked at an astonished Xander. "Any room left for me?" He asked, somehow able to make his voice heard over the din without straining in the slightest.
No one moved for several seconds, then the group snapped out of it and rearranged themselves so Giles could sit between the girls. He leaned over to Buffy and whispered into her ear, "Well, do I 'fit in' to your satisfaction?" She beamed up at him, then answered his question by pulling him into a toe-curling kiss, running a hand through the hair at the back of his head. When she let him go, he remembered to breathe again. "I'll t-take that as a 'yes.'" He gasped, then smiled a quick, self-conscious smile.
Xander's jaw dropped. Willow giggled and reached over and put her hand under his chin, closing his mouth for him, since he obviously couldn't do it himself. After the initial shock wore off, conversation resumed at a lively pace. They had never felt uncomfortable with Giles' presence, and they weren't about to start now. They found, however, that the usually staid and proper librarian had a keen sense of humor, a quick smile, and a laugh that ranged from a grumbling chuckle to a rapid high-pitched giggle. Xander and Willow had rarely heard him laugh before tonight, and they were drawn to his good humor like a magnet. They spent the evening dancing, munching on junk food, and generally acting like this was their last night together. For all they knew, it might be.
It was late, and the jukebox was playing a slow song. The crowd had thinned somewhat, and there were only a dozen or so couples on the dance floor. Xander and Willow had bowed out and sat down, still not totally comfortable dancing together after their 'fluke' before homecoming. They sat and watched, a little melancholy, as Buffy and Giles slow danced, their two silhouettes blended together into one.
Buffy did her best not to think... just feel. His arms were around her, and she felt secure. Her head rested against his chest, her hands curled comfortably around his neck. The slow movement soothed her. Nothing mattered but the feel of his heart beating strongly under her ear. She moved against him, trying to get as close as possible. His arms tightened in response, hugging her, and she felt loved. Any residual barriers she had fell, one by one. At last, she was fully open to him, and the Bond sang with their shared emotions.
It was almost more than Giles could bear... to think, at long last, he was not alone. He had someone to share his life, with no pretense or secrecy. He felt at turns possessive, then tender, then protective, his feelings swirling around them and joining hers, achieving a oneness that was almost palpable. His Slayer. His Love. His Life.
Watching them, Xander couldn't contain himself any longer. "Will, This is still sorta weird. I don't know if I can get used to Buff and Giles all lovey-dovey kissy-kissy. I want to, I mean, I think it's great, but..." He made a weighing gesture with both hands, and shrugged.
"Why not? I think they're cute. And they're all happy and glowy, and that's not something you see every day, is it? Two happy, glowy people, all... glowy and happy. So what if Giles is... older... a lot? He's not acting old tonight! Being with Buffy makes him feel younger, and happy..."
"And glowy, yeah, I got it, all right? I'm just an insensitive clod. Call me Mr. Insensitive. I just think it's weird, that's all." He pouted slightly, and Willow tapped his nose affectionately, changing the pout into a grin. The song ended, and Buffy and Giles sighed in unison. He looked down at her with just the ghost of a smile on his face. Her smile was a mirror image. Slowly, he slid one arm away from her waist while pulling her to his side with the other. They moved to join their friends, still gazing at each other.
Willow yawned deliberately as they approached. "I sure am gettin' tired. Aren't you getting tired, Xander?"
She kicked him sharply under the table.
"Oh! Yeah, tired. That's me. Bushed." He stretched and stood, moving away from Willow's side to avoid more bruises. "Would you look at the time? It's nearly two-thirty. I think Will and I are going to bail on you guys. You think you can find a ride home, Buff?" Ignoring Willow's admonishing stare, he winked at Buffy, and slapped Giles on the back, none too gently. "So, we'll see ya 'round, I guess." He grabbed Willow's arm and headed for the door. Noticing her angry stare, he said, "What? I'm just lettin' them have some alone time, is that a crime?" They argued all the way out.
"So, are you too tired to buy me ice cream?" Buffy slid her hand along the smooth surface of his shirt, caressing his chest, teasing him, causing him to catch his breath.
He pulled her tighter against him, and laughed. "I'm not too tired... for a lot of things."
Two frozen yogurt cones later, they found themselves walking along the lakefront, hand in hand, reluctant to let go of the night. Their feet echoed on the boardwalk as they strolled by closed shops and restaurants. Only a few hardy souls were out... mostly cleaning crews and couples much like themselves seeking solitary places to be together. They stopped, leaning on the safety rail, and gazed out at the water, listening to the soft sounds of waves against the pier below them.
"It's a pretty night." Buffy leaned against his arm and looked up at the stars.
"Usually, I don't get much chance to look at the sky. Even here in the city, the stars look amazing."
A pang of guilt came from Giles, and she turned to look at him. His eyes were sad. "I'm sorry your childhood was taken away from you, Buffy. Sorry that you have be on guard every minute, that you couldn't just be a normal girl in a normal town." He bowed his head, and felt a warm kiss on his cheek. "I wouldn't trade it, Rupert. I wouldn't take a thousand lifetimes worth of 'Normal Life'... if it meant I had to give you up." She moved around to face him, and kissed him again, gently. "If I didn't have you, I'd go stark raving crazy." She kissed him more deeply, feeling his emotional response even before he moved to embrace her tightly. "I need you..." She murmured, between kisses. "I love you, Rupert Giles."
"And I love you, Buffy Summers." His voice broke slightly. "So very much..."
They stood for what seemed like hours, kissing, comforting each other, basking in the invisible force that laid bare every emotion and drew them together like magnets. They began to understand that the Bond did not create artificial emotions. Rather, it permitted them to share their true feelings on a level that was beyond mind-reading, beyond empathy. They shared truth.
Finally, they drew slightly apart, still holding each other. Giles found himself struggling with his rising passion, wanting her with a fierceness that surprised them both. When they had been under the influence of the secondary spell, when the Bond first manifested itself, Buffy had been the primary aggressor, and Giles had been the voice of reason. Tonight, free from any artificial impulses, it was far different. He wanted to climb down with her to the beach, to lay her down on the sand and make love to her and fill his ears with the sounds of water and ecstacy...
"I think... I-I'd better take you home." He said breathlessly, reaching for her hand. He turned toward his car, pulling her gently along with him. He didn't want to rush her, to make her uncomfortable after such a marvelous night. He sensed her reluctance, then her acceptance, and finally, her understanding as she gripped his hand tightly.
"It's okay, really. I don't think I'm ready for anything more, right now. When I think about how horny I was under that stupid spell, I could kick myself, even if it wasn't my fault. Or yours. I just want to be with you. It might be nice to actually, you know, date for a change. We've got plenty of time for... whatever, when we're both ready for it."
He shook his head as he opened the car door for her. She never ceased to amaze him. There was a deep well of strength hidden by that slender frame. He drew on that strength, calming himself, and got in the car. They drove away, toward Sunnydale, home and duty. Their time would come, soon.
And, when that time came, he knew it would be magnificent.
* * *