__It's Delightful__
By Monique and David Barton




My Love,

It's delightful to start a letter that way, you know?

You mentioned a patrol and a demon? I trust everything is in
hand? I sincerely hope Buffy is patrolling again… And just so
you are one hundred percent certain, running away from a
demon guy, as you put it, is no sign of a lack of courage. More
a healthy disposition, towards keeping oneself among the living.
Which is a very good thing.

And while he may be the best serial writer the English language
has ever known, I think it is more than likely Dickens was merely
average in the forty-yard dash. In actual fact, the phrase "run
like the dickens" comes from the fact that he often worked on commission
for newspapers, writing chapter after chapter of work when he
could finish earlier, so as not to deprive himself from these rather
lucrative deals. ? And of course, it is from these that he would,
eventually and with very little editing, form his great novels. The true
mark of Dickens statue and craft as a great writer, is when we
analyze his work, and see it is clearly over length, yet when
read it never seems so… Of course there is an alternative
interpretation of the saying as being related to the devil. Which ...
would ruin the entire point... So well just ignore that, shall we?

…Forgive me for boring you to death this morning. I seem to
be having a little difficulty switching off from teacher mode, as
it were. The new job is going quiet well… I seem to be having
more fully conscious students at the end of each class, than I
expected. Much better… I of course quietly await my downfall,
now I have claimed competence.

Oh, just to ... satisfy your curiosity...? I have brought up some
tweed suits. They seemed rather fitting given the weather, and
the setting. As much, as I in most ways regret taking this job, I
suppose in some regard it is a good idea ... the funds were running
rather low, after a somewhat ... eventful retirement. And this way,
there is a possibility no matter how slim, that I may be able to
transfer to Sunnydale U, sometime in the future. Which would
be good, wouldn't it? I mean, you would still like me to come back to
Sunnydale, wouldn't you?

I'm glad you enjoyed my last letter ... very, very glad. I always enjoy
yours…and I must confess to shedding some tears too, when I
have read them.

Actually, I have your last letter here with me, right now… I have
been taking it to school with me, keeping it on my person ... it
may sound silly ... but it makes me feel lucky. And loved. ? I have
the rest of your letters too, of course. I keep them together,
in a box. Near the kettle, in case you wondered.

Oh, and just so you know ... there is nothing you can ever say
to me, that will end up making you look like an idiot, in my eyes ...
and that includes acting like an idiot. These loving eyes are biased.

And by that of course, I don't wish to imply that you would or
indeed have ever, in any way acted like an idiot. Because in
my opinion you never have, and never will… Which, of course ...
all goes to prove my last point ... and also that if any of us are in
the line for the idiot moniker ... it is I.

… I'll take stock for a moment, I'm confusing myself. Have I
mentioned that I love you yet? Because, I do Willow. I love you
very much. ? And I very much want to kiss you too. I think about it...
try to imagine it, what it would be like ... and I dream of it, but
then, I think I already told you that.

You dream of me too? … Really? Well… I'm very pleased they
are having more ... satisfactory endings now. I had a few myself
where I ended up somewhat ... humiliated. They are, as of course
you know, not fun. Now, however, my dreams are better. Much.

Oh, of course I would love you to come visit me! Assuming
funds are available, and you will not be leaving yourself short ...
and of course it doesn't interfere with your college studies,
or your other duties…

Willow, I would love you to come visit me ... and if you are willing
to make the trip, I couldn't be more delighted than to see you.
You would be willing for me to help you on the financial side,
yes? What do you need?

I hope your job isn't too arduous, and that your good nature isn't
being taken advantage of… Professor Dante sounds quiet ...
peachy. A very paragon of saintly virtue. Perhaps, if I were to
transfer to Sunnydale U, I would be your second favourite
professor after all?

…And what exactly does a college professor require a personal
assistant for, exactly? ? Why do you know where his house is?
Have you been there? Why? I know it isn't against any rules per
se, but I am pretty sure that a professor taking some of his
younger students to his house, is at the very least ... somewhat
suspect. I mean, surely a personal assistant's duty is to assist in
the office? Additionally I must admit, I maybe being over
protective, but I find the fact that he lives adjacent to the cemetery
rather disturbing, frankly. Please be careful, love. I know you are
a very kind, trusting person, but something you are going to have
to learn, love ... is that there are people ... especially men, who
would take advantage of that sweet nature.

Love, there is something I should tell you. There was something
about your "Professor Dante" So I did some background
checking ... and I'm afraid I found out something distressing.
He was fired from his last position, in the University of Michigan,
due to a sexual harassment case, levied by one of his students.
Willow… I have tried in my head to dress this up, find a better
way to put this, but I do not want you working for this man. I can
understand that you need money, and that the flexible hours must
be handy, but I will not have you jeopardizing yourself to the influence
of some kind of pervert. I'm sure he seems very charming, and
very nice, but then the other girl probably thought the same,
didn't she? I do wish you had been more careful, before you took
him up on his offer ... still, that can't be helped. And now, of course ...
he shouldn't be a problem.

There is something I should tell you ... it isn't really important, I
wouldn't have mentioned it, but it just come to me, so I will…
not sure why, really. Guess who I bumped into on campus the
other day? Olivia. Isn't the world a small place? She teaches a
course somewhat similar to mine.

Love, I am going to have to cut this letter short… I'm going to
try to call you again tonight. I left a message, last night. I assume you
were ... working.

Perhaps I will catch you now you have more free time.

Yours, for as long as you want me.
Rupert Giles.

***

Dear Giles,

Pervert?

Okay. You are so off the mark here. You're like in Quebec here,
Giles. I didn't want to tell you about this cause I thought you'd be
upset. But Richard is so not what you think he is.

Over the holidays, there was a big party for New Year's and well ... there
was this guy who'd had a few ... dozen ... too many ... and
he was being sort of grabby, and who stepped in and set him
straight? Your "pervert". That is how far off you are about him.

And as to the firing from U of M.. he explained that was all just a
misunderstanding. And I believe him. I know I can just hear you.
I'm being naive, I'm being stupid. Well... patooey on you and your
"everyone is guilty and has to be proven innocent". I don't know how
you do it over there, but this is America ... and well ... okay... I like
to see the good in people. Is that so wrong?

Richard has been nothing but considerate, polite and a complete
gentleman. He treats me like an adult, not some child who doesn't
know her butt from a bag of elbows! If you think I'm so immature
and have such bad judgment in people then what on earth do you
see in me?
I thought you saw me as a woman. A woman who has her own
mind and work for whoever she pleases, thank you very much.
Are you the boss of me? I don't think so.

So you can take your Cro-Magnon attitude back to the cave,
buddy. I am woman, hear me roar.

And another thing... I hope you and Olivia are very happy. Take
long lunches and get "reacquainted". Professor Dante and I have
a very professional relationship. Can you say the same for you
and Olivia? Don't even answer that.

Here I am blissfully... blah blah blahing my way through life ...
thinking you love me ... you trust me ... and then KABLAM! News
flash! Giles thinks you're a fool who can't tie her own shoes.

Do you think so little of me? I don't even know what to say.

Maybe you're right. Maybe I am a bad judge of character. I thought
you were different. I thought you would see the best in me. I thought
you respected me. I guess I was wrong.

-Willow


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