__A Secret? What Secret?__
By Catherine



At the Bronze:

"Whoah, Will, I can't believe it. He killed her, he used her and hop, like that."

"I know, Buff, it's horrible. How can he do that, and to her? She was so nice and..."

Buffy and Willow were totally in tears, sobbing, they said, "Oh men" when Spike took a seat near Willow.

"Hey, Red. Red, are you all right?" he looked at her and saw her crying.

"Bloody Hell, Luv, what's happened? You're hurt? Tell me, please, talk to me love."

Spike was literally worried by the look from his Willow. And more worried when he saw the face of Buffy. *If the slayer is like that, it's not good.* "Okay, you two, talk. Tell me why and who is the cause of your state and I will kill this bastard."

"Oh, Spike, he... he..."

"What, Love, speak!"

"He killed her," Willow said between sobs.

"Right, so who killed who and why, a vampire, a demon?"

"NOOOOOOOOO, Igor killed Maria."

"Oh the son of the... wait, I don't know an Igor or a Maria, do I?"

"Igor and Maria are the characters of the last Jonas McWitness' book."

"WHAT? Wait... You two scared me to death."

Two pairs of eyes blinked at him.

"I know, I'm already dead. So, what did I say? Oh yeah, you scared me, I thought you were hurt, or more... and it's just because of a BOOK?!?"

"Spike," said Buffy. "We're hurt. It's horrible, and it's not just a book."

"Yeah, Buff, right." Willow looked at him with an outraged stare.

"Unbelievable," mumbled Spike. Looking at them, he prayed they didn't hear his remark. *All right, they scare me a little.* He seemed more and more uncomfortable to be near of them.

"Hey, Spike."

"Hi, Xander, Anya."

"Hum," answered Anya.

Xander looked at Willow and Buffy, but didn't say anything to them.

"If I can give you advice..."

"I know, Spike, believe me, I know."

Buffy and Willow looked at Anya who said, "You read, right?"

"Yeah," said softly Buffy. Willow nodded.

"Oh men," Anya said, looking angrily at Xander and Spike.

Well, in fact, it was three pairs of eyes looking at the two men. Xander and Spike didn't move a muscle.

Spike tried to say, "But it's not our fault if-" but was stopped by the furious stare of the three girls.

"It will be a great evening," whispered Xander to Spike, who didn't want to say an another word, just nodded.

* * * * *

It was a nice evening, and Giles was sitting at his desk, typing on his laptop.

*I wondered what the others would say if they knew that I use it,* thought Giles, smiling to himself.

Buffy told him, unless there was a big, big, big problem, she wouldn't pass after her patrol. She wanted to return to the Bronze with the rest of the gang, and, surprisingly, she invited him. Suspecting it was just a polite invitation - *Wait, since when did she give me a polite invitation?* - and wanting to do what he wished, he declined it. During a moment, he thought to see a deception in her wonderful eyes, but pushed back immediately this idea. *You're dreaming, old man...*

"Good, I think I need a break," and with that he went to the kitchen to prepare an another cup of tea.

Before he sat, there was a knock at the door. *I wonder who it could be. No one I know knocks!*

He opened the door and found Buffy.

"Buffy?"

"Hi Giles."

"I thought you were at The Bronze. Have you had a problem during the patrol?"

"No, Giles everything is good. I just want to wish you a Good Night."

"Really?" He was very surprised.

"Would you like to come in?"

"No, I don't think so. It's late and tomorrow morning I have class."

"Buffy, are you all right?" The worry was evident in his voice.

"Yes, like I said, I just wanted to wish a Good Night to my wonderful..." she hesitated for a moment, and added "... watcher." She grinned.

*Not watcher, but wonderful man in my life,* she thought.

"Okay, but I think you're acting strange."

"More strange than normal?" she teased.

He smiled at her comment.

"Believe or not, yes."

"Well, I'll go now. So Good Night, Watcher-mine."

"Good Night, Buffy."

* * * * *

The next afternoon, at Giles':

Giles was sitting in his living room, waiting. He was so lost in his mind.

*What could I do? If he died; no, no, no...it won't be credible *

"Hey G-man."

"Hum? Oh, you're here. Sorry, I didn't hear you."

And he heard three "Hi, Giles!"

"Giles?"

"Yes, Xander."

"Is it an apocalypse or something like that, because you seem to preoccupy?" asked Xander.

Buffy had a questioning look, as well as Willow and Anya.

"No, no, it's nothing, really. No apocalypse. No end of the World."

Buffy didn't seem to be convinced, "I swear, Buffy."

"So, what's the big deal, Watcher-mine, because, you didn't notice what Xander called you, and it's a first time."

"What? Oh," and looking at Xander, "I already told you, don't call me like that."

*If it's not a prophecy, why does he look like something's bothering him?* Buffy asked herself, *Maybe a personal problem? or... No, it's not that! If it's that, I will kill him! So, it's not that, I decided, and for his health, it's better. If he has a problem, I must help him, and for that I must know what the problem is. Research will be necessary.* She grinned at herself.

"Buffy, Buffy?"

"Giiiles" she answered, surprising.

"Are you all right? You seem-"

"I... I'm fine, Giles." she said, blushing.

"You always think that, what's her name already? Miria-"

"Maria, Xander, and don't joke. It's not funny," warned Willow.

"Yes, Xander, how would you feel if we joked about your little secret, like-"

"Anya, please," begged Xander.

"Could someone tell me what you're talking about?" asked a perplex Giles.

"Good for you, you weren't at the Bronze last night, Giles. You're really a brain man."

"What?" Giles asked, still confused.

"and lucky. Believe me."

"Xander!"

"Sorry Will. But it's the truth. I was so glad that Spike was there. It was horrible."

When he was telling at Giles the nightmare of the last evening, someone with a blanket, and a light smell of fire, come into the flat.

"Spike!"

"Love, feeling better? You... you don't want to stake me anymore? Right?" he asked her, a little uncertain.

"Silly vamp!" Willow said, kissing him.

"Willow wanted to stake you? Spike, what have you done to her? If you hurt her I swear-"

"Calm down, Giles." It was Buffy. "It was just... well, it's stupid, really. And because of a book," she finished in a little shame.

"Yeah, we had, maybe, a little over reacted." said Willow.

"A little?" Two voices raised. "You think, Love?"

"Yeah," added Xander.

"A book?" asked Giles.

"Yes, Giles. A book." said Buffy.

"Could you explain, please?"

"Well, Giles, in fact it's this author, whoah, he's just amazing, his name is Jonas McWitness. His style is so, whoah, well, his books are just... double whoah-" Willow said, rambling.

"So, whoah, you threatened to stake me, and Xander... well, at least Anya would have stopped to talk about their sex life!"

Giles put a hand in his face. "I don't bloody believe it," he whispered, and a little louder, "All about this, and it's because of a stupid book?!?"

"Euh, Giles, be careful, you could get yourself in big trouble." said Xander with Spike nodding.

"Do you want some tea?" Giles asked.

"I'll help you," said a joyful Buffy.

In the last few weeks, Buffy hadn't missed an opportunity to be with her watcher. Giles didn't miss this fact either and wondered why. He was very skeptical.

"With pleasure, Buffy," he said her.

"A little enthusiasm will be fine, Giles," she teased him.

He chuckled, and added "But with you I'm always enthusiastic, Buffy."

With that they went to the kitchen to made the tea. It was their game, and the gang didn't' miss it either.

"Okay, is it just me, or is that very, very weird?"

"Xander!"

"What, Will, in the last few weeks it's like they... they-"

"They want to have sex."

"Anya, honey, I know that, but it's not necessary to tell me."

"I wanted to help." she shrugged.

"I'm sure it's more than that; I mean the sex part-" said Willow.

"They're in love, Will." Xander said.

"I agree." said Spike.

"Me too." added Anya.

* * * * *

In the kitchen:

Buffy and Giles were preparing the tea, but Buffy hadn't forgotten her research on her watcher.

"So Giles, what's happened? Because you were really lost in your thoughts when we came. A problem, I mean, you already said that it's not an apocalypse, or the end of the world. So, what is the big problem in your mind, watcher-mine? Maybe I can help."

*Okay, good show, Buffy, now I'm totally in rambling mode. How can he say one word if I don't let him?!?*

Giles looked at her. He was waiting until she finished her speech. Seeing an opportunity, he wanted to tease her. "That's right, Buffy, but I didn't tell you it wasn't a prophecy," he said with calm.

"Giles!" Buffy exclaimed, seeing the twinkle in his eyes, but she was laughing.

"You're a teaser!"

"And you like it."

"Yes, very much." She said looking at his eyes.

She heard Giles gulp.

"So, watcher-mine, what is it? I can help, you know, I'm not just the slayer when there is a problem,... I mean-"

"I understand, Buffy. You don't need to worry, in fact, it's a, well, a personal problem."

"You mean, personal like personal... or personal like girlfriend personal."

She said the last part in a whisper. She couldn't believe she said that but she needed to know; Giles couldn't either. He was surprised and felt very happy when he looked at her, seeing her expression. *She really sees me in that way. Our 'little game' the last few weeks is real.*

Buffy looked at him, blushing, and with something in her eyes, like 'Please say no Giles, no girlfriend...' Giles didn't miss this look.

"No Buffy, it's not a girlfriend."

Before she said something, he added, "And I haven't a girlfriend... for the moment," looking in her eyes, he added "but maybe later..."

Now, it was Buffy to gulp.

"Good, I mean, not the part no girlfriend, but... I think the tea is ready."

"Yes."

*Coward.* Two people thought at the same moment.

* * * * *

The next afternoon:

*So here I am.* thought Buffy as she stood in front of Giles' door. She hadn't forgotten 'her research,' that seemed a good moment like Giles had told her, and... right, at the others too; he should go for the entire day.

This fact had increased her curiosity and insecurity, because he hadn't wanted to tell them where and why.

He assured her that it wasn't a 'Hellmouth thing.' *Don't worry Buffy, he'd said. Yay, sure!* she thought, *He is more and more mysterious. I don't like it! Yes, why? After all, he has a right to have a life... without hiding something from me!*

With that, she entered in the flat, *OK, so where am I going to begin?*

While she walked, her attention was caught by his desk. There was a pile of documents, but underneath... there was a laptop.

*A laptop!?! How long has Giles had one? Or since when did he know that they exist? And he knows to use it?*

"It gets stranger and stranger..." she said.

She was very perplexed with her new... no strange discovery, *Giles is more enigmatic than I thought.*

"Should I open it? Or... Well, if I want to help him I must open it. Yeah, it's my duty of Slayer to help, protect my Watcher... and, no, it's not by curiosity!" she told herself.

The decision made, she opened it.

When she looked at the screen, what was her surprise when she read the title of one of the files... "What?" she exclaimed. "Giles is a fan of Jonas McWitness, too!" She grinned. "And he said it was a stupid book. With what I read, he's not just a fan but a mega super fan. All the books are... wait a minute. I... I don't know this title. In fact, I never heard of it!"

She opened this file, began to read it and what was her surprise (again) to see that 'this book' wasn't finished. *Duh! How is that possible? The only reason for that could be...* Lost in her thoughts, she didn't hear the door open.

What was his surprise when Giles opened his door of his flat to see his slayer sitting at his desk, looking at his laptop. It was obvious by her expression, that she was totally absorbed by her discovery. *Seeing her face, she has found the file,* Giles thought.

Panic was his first reaction; then anger; finally, a grin passed on his face, thinking about a little game. *It would be only fair, if...*

Buffy was so monopolized by her thoughts; she didn't hear Giles say her name. "Buffy!" he tried again. This time she jumped and got up from her seat.

"Gi-Giles," trying to said it more naturally and failing lamentably, "I... I didn't hear-"

"...me coming." he finished for her. She nodded.

"I believe I understand that fact." he answered, sarcastically.

*Hmm. He's so sexy when he is like that,* thought Buffy, *He's always there, but he seems a little angry. Oh!* looking at him without real guilt or embarrassment. *After all, he has some explanations to give me.* She was sure of herself -- well, she tried, crossing her arms on her chest. Looking at him, trying to be angry at her; Buffy thought of a certain way of action.

"Giles, how do you manage to do that?"

"What?" he said 'innocently' sure that she was talking about her find, and pursuing together.

"To be so sexy," said Buffy.

"I know it's a big shock to learn that I-" then he stopped, blinking, "Sorry? You said I'm sexy?"

"Yep. Handsome, gorgeous."

Giles couldn't believe his ears and didn't know how to act.

"You're... you're spying!" he said, blushing. His false Ripper's face totally gone.

"I was worried! You didn't want to tell me what was going on!" she nodded firmly.

"Buffy! I told you it's wasn't a Hellmouthy thing. Do you ever listen to me?"

"Naturally. All the time. It's just that I was-"

"Curious." Giles finished for her, "I think it's a better word."

"All right, I admit it," she said on the defensive. "But sometimes it's a good thing. No?"

Looking at him, "Are you angry?"

Giles sighed, then answered, with calm, "That depends." he said with an half-smile.

Buffy raised an eyebrow at him, "Of what?"

"Do you like it?" he asked, pointing his head toward the laptop.

Buffy was stunned. Not only Giles didn't seem angry, even if he tried to manage a not-happy face at the beginning, without success, but he asked for her opinion.

"About?" she tried 'innocently'.

Giles chuckled, "About your readings, Buffy. Or rather about the 'end' of it."

"How do you know I'm at that point?"

"Your expression." He was very confident of himself.

"Duh!" she opened her eyes wide.

"Don't look so surprised. It was evident."

"Double Duh!"

"Buffy, it's unfinished and at a very critical moment. I saw your expression at the screen and concluded you were almost finished reading." he finished with a twinkle in his eyes.

Buffy was perplexed and delighted by him, then smiling completely, "Oh you! You're terrible!" she giggled and patted his arm.

"I didn't know you were complaining about that."

They were flirting again, but Buffy was determinate to not let him or herself go away. Each time, it was a little flirt, and the fear appeared; but not this time! *All right, Mister, you want to play at that... but now, it will be real and with The End.*

Giles didn't miss her look of determination. *Oh Dear Lord... I think I'm in big trouble.*

His impression was accentuated by the fact that Buffy hadn't taken away her hand from his arm. If he had again some doubts, they were had disappeared by now, feeling her caressing his arm.

"Buf... Buffy?"

"Yes, Giles."

"What-" he cleared his voice, "What are you doing?"

"What do you think?"

"I... I don't think."

"So... feel," she answered her lips just at some inches from his one.

"Bu-"

She cut him off by placing her fingers on his lips.

"Giles. Maybe you don't think, but I do."

"And what do you think?" he managed to ask.

"I think it's time. Our little game for the past week was nice, but now, I think we need to pass at the higher speed. Well, in fact even the higher higher... You know, the next next step. I think I'm becoming impatient," she finished in a grin.

"I see. And, for you, what is the step we should do?"

"To be together. I mean really together. Take the things in hands."

Hearing her, Giles gulped. But it was not only about what she said, or the voice she employed, sensuous, seductive; but especially by the fact, when she was talking, her hand had moved from his arm to caress his chest, stomach, finally to go to his groin.

"Buffy?"

"Yes," she said suggestively.

"Before... before you do... Are you sure?" he finished breathlessly.

"Like ever. And you?" she pouted.

"I can't be more sure. I lo-"

"Love you," she anticipated.

"Yes." He chuckled.

Pursuing her exploration, she couldn't help giggling when she touched him. "Oh Giles! Another big secret?" she said, licking her lips. "What a bad boy, with all his secrets."

"You have no idea," he murmured, his lips close to hers, then captured her mouth for an incredible, hungry and very passionate kiss.

Pulling away, looking constantly at each other, Giles took her in his arms and went upstairs.

* * * * *

Much Much Later:

They were lying in the bed... exhausted. "Wow, Giles... you're really full of surprises."

"Good surprise, I hope?"

"Oh definitely super, great, extraordinary, good." she grinned at him.

After some silence she asked, "Giles?"

"Yes, Love," answered a sleepy Giles.

"About... why... I wonder why-"

"I didn't tell you," he finished for her.

"Yes."

"Well, you know, Buffy, I didn't know how to tell you that I was a God in bed."

He chuckled.

"Giles!" she exclaimed. "I didn't... well, in fact, I should have ask you, cause..." she was totally blushing. "Anyway, it wasn't really what I was thinking, but-"

"why didn't I tell you I was that fabulous author Jonas McWitness?"

She nodded.

"Oh I don't know, I think the 'eiww' factor and the 'but you're too old to do that Giles!' " he said mimicking some people known.

"Okay, I get the message. Even if you were wrong. Evidence of that, when I learnt it I didn't say anything. And one for Buffy, zero for the secret-man," she said with a big smile and her arms in the air.

"Right, I'll grant you that. I was wrong, and I should have trusted you. Like you trust me. I observed it when I came in."

"I thought you weren't angry anymore," she pouted.

"And I'm not, not after what you did to me," he laughed.

Buffy blushed more and more.

"Buffy, seriously, if I told you that I write books, books you enjoy reading, without talking about Willow and Anya, how do you think you would have reacted?"

"I don't know when I began," she said shamelessly, "but, now, I'm very pleased and... proud. After all, my man is Jonas McWitness."

"Yes... Your man."

"Yes," she said shyly, "Well, I mean, if you're alright with that."

"On one condition."

"Which is?"

"If I'm your man, you're mine, too."

"Deal. Even if I always belonged to you."

"Me too, Love. Me too."

And with that, Buffy in his arms he began to sleep, well, it was without count about her.

"Giles?"

A "Hmm" half-sleeping came from him.

"Why Jonas McWitness? I mean how do you find the name?"

He sighed. After a deep breath to wake up a little, he explained, "In fact, it was easy. Jonas is my middle name. And Witness, because I'm a watcher, I thought it would be ironic. For the Mc part, it's in reference to my Scotland origins."

"Rupert J. Giles," Buffy said, "Love it. And you're such a teaser with the 'Witness' part." She was laughing. "You really thought about it all."

"Yes, except one thing - a very curious and stubborn slayer." He smiled happily, now totally awake.

"Giles."

"Yes, Love."

"Time to sleep."

"What? Buffy, it's you who first-" he didn't finish, seeing her, peacefully sleeping in his arms.

* * * * *

The Next Morning:

They were deeply sleeping, when they heard some noise from downstairs.

"What the bloody hell is that?" grumbled Giles.

"I think it's the gang, baby." answered Buffy, half-sleeping too. "We should get up. If not, I'm afraid we won't have breakfast. I heard Xander," she told him.

With a twinkle in his eyes, Giles said her, "I have all the breakfast I need."

"Gi-" With that he captured her mouth and they began their own breakfast.

* * * * *

While this time, Downstairs: All were here. Buffy didn't show at the dorm. She had said to Willow, with a large smile, she would like to stop by Giles. Willow hadn't made any comments, but her expression at that moment said a lot about her thoughts.

Buffy had just closed the door behind her, she rushed herself to see Spike and told him that and to the others when they met at The Bronze.

All were grinning.

"Do you think it's normal?" asked Anya.

"What Honey?" Xander muttered, the mouth already full of food.

"Well, it's almost noon, and apparently Giles doesn't get up."

"I bet he has had an exhausting night," Spike said grinning, before returning with his find, the Weetabix.

"All the night?" said a perplex Anya. "It's not reasonable for a man of it's age.", then, shrugged her shoulders, "I hope he's not dead."

Everyone looked at her with a horrified expression. Xander had even stopped eating.

"What?" she asked.

"No I'm not dead, thanks, Anya, for your preoccupation with my health," said a voice from the stairs, "and, if you want to know, I'm not that old and can completely do... it all night," he said with a gesture of his hand some exasperation in his voice.

"I agree. I could even add, he has no difficulty." grinning a happy Buffy.

"Too many secrets revealed here. No need," pleaded Xander.

Nobody paid attention to Willow. When they entered in the flat, something drawn her attention. With discretion, she turned toward it.

"Giles, you're my boss. If you're dead, how will I have money?

"Any-"

"Oh my god!" screamed Willow. Everyone turned to look at her. She was in front of the desk, reading the laptop's screen which was opened, like Giles had put it in charge the last afternoon before he went out.

"Love, what is it?" asked an almost worried Spike.

Giles, who was looking at Buffy who shrugged her shoulders with a grin, bent his head, putting a hand on his face, shaking his head and with a sigh, "Bloody hell."

Willow looked at him. "You... How... I mean, it's wow... double wow... and wow." She was speechless.

* * *