FORAY-Part 3
CHAPTER 11
"So, how did things go with Buffy last night?" Willow said to Giles, as he sat down next to her.
"They went very well, thank you. How are you doing?" he asked.
"I had some trouble sleeping," she replied, opening a math book she'd brought with her.
"Are you alright?" Giles asked, concerned.
"Oh, I'm fine. I kissed a handsome man last night, and let's say sleep wasn't one of my top priorities," she said teasingly.
"Really. Is it anyone I know?" he asked, staring at the open section of her book.
"I think you've actually might have met him. He tall, very good looking, speaks with an English accent," she told him.
"I do believe I know the person in question. I can only say that he is a very lucky chap indeed," he said.
"Hey, don't you two have anything else to do except being cooped up in here?" Xander asked them, carrying a package under his arm. "Here you go, that was one weird book store you sent me to Giles," he told the librarian.
"Thank you Xander, if you'll excuse me, I have some reading to do. Willow, I'm sure you'll solve that math question in no time," he said standing up and left for his office. Xander took the opportunity to take his place, and sat next to Willow.
"Wills, are you okay?" he asked his best friend.
"I'm fine, why?" she replied, closing her book.
"Well, you seem distracted these last couple of days, and I hardly ever see you. When I do, you're always in here, come on, let's Bronze tonight, wadda you say?"
"Xander, I'll just be in the way of you and Cordelia," she told him.
"Oh, Cordy won't be there, she's got some shindig to go to tonight, way too formal for me. So, you'll go with me... please," he used his infamous lost puppy dog look on her. If it had been anyone else, she would have laughed, and walked away. 'I'd like to think I'd walk away, but I wouldn't' she told herself. But it was Xander, and she couldn't do that to her oldest friend.
"Okay Xander, you've talked me into it..."
"Great, I've got something's to do for mom, I'll meet you there around eight?" he asked.
"Sure, eight's fine."
"Cool, see you later," Xander said as he got up and left the library.
Willow wondered if she would always have feelings for him.
'How am I going to tell Giles?'
Getting up from the desk, Willow walked towards his office. Peeking in, she watched as he went through the books Xander had brought in. Smiling to herself, she stepped into the room, wondering how long it would be before he noticed her standing there. She decided to clear her throat, when it seemed like he wasn't going to look up at all.
"Yes, can I help you?" he said without looking up from the book.
Shaking her head, Willow moved closer to him, checking behind her quickly. Taking his head in her hands, turning him to face her.
"What's going..." he started, when she stopped the rest of the question by kissing him.
She let her hands run through his soft hair. She wanted the kiss to linger, but she released him, gasping for breath.
"On... " he finished.
Laughing, Willow moved around to the front of his desk, "It was the only way I could think of to get your attention Giles," she said. 'That and wanting to kiss you again,' she mused.
Brushing his hair back into place with his hands, he knew he should have been very upset with her behavior, anyone could have walked by and caught them.
"Willow...," he began.
"I know, I know, bad Willow," she said. "I wanted to let you know that I'm going with Xander to the Bronze tonight."
For a brief moment he thought his world had come to a complete and sudden end, until he recalled the way she had kissed him just seconds before.
"I think that a splendid idea Willow. What time are you going to meet Xander?" he asked.
"Around eight," she replied, feeling disappointed that Giles really didn't seem to mind that she went out with Xander.
"You will be careful? I wouldn't want anything to happen to you... or Xander," he added hastily.
Nodding her head, "Yeah, we'll be careful," glancing down to her wrist watch, she knew she had to hurry, if she wanted to meet Xander on time.
"Call me... please, when you get home, otherwise I shall worry myself silly," he asked her.
"It might be late... " she replied.
"Doesn't matter," he said.
"Okay. I'll call you later, bye Giles," Willow said.
"Goodnight. Willow, have a good time," Giles told her as he stood up from his desk. 'Don't let anything happen to her,' he thought to himself as he watched the woman he loved walk out of the library.
CHAPTER 12
Willow had to admit that she had a wonderful time with her oldest friend. She couldn't believe some of the questions he had asked her, but then it was Xander, and nothing he said should have surprised her after all these years.
It was well after midnight when Xanders' father dropped her off at home. Xander walked her to her door, making sure she had locked it before leaving.
Willow went to her parents bedroom, and knocked on their door. She waited until her mother told her she could come in, stepping inside, her parents asked her if she had a good time. She told them that she had, then regaled them with some of the questions Xander had asked her.
Mrs. Rosenberg laughed out-loud, and Willow could hear her father muttering something like, "I don't know about him." She kissed them both goodnight, and went to the bathroom to brush her teeth.
Walking into her room and closing the door, Willow sat on her bed and stared at the flowers.
'I still can't believe he gave them to me,' she sighed. They were very beautiful, the dark red petals glistening with the water she had added to them before she had gone to school that morning.
She reached over for the phone, and dialed Giles telephone number while she kicked-off her shoes.
"Hello?" a male voice asked.
"Giles?" Willow responded.
"Yes. Willow is that you?"
"It's me. I just got home a few minutes ago, are you alright? You sound different."
"I'm fine, I fell asleep. Buffy and I were training tonight, and I believe I may have over done it," he replied.
"Oh, Giles, I didn't mean to wake you..."
"That's quite alright, I did ask you to call me when you returned. How did your evening with young Mr. Harris go?" he asked her.
"It was fun, I'm glad I went. We haven't spent that much time together, not since he and Cordelia, you know," she said.
"Willow?"
"Yes."
"Would you like to go out tomorrow, perhaps a picnic? There is a spot that I go to, whenever I need to take a break, I think you might like it," he asked her.
"A picnic, I'd love to go with you Giles," she replied.
"Um...if... if you'd like, you could... could call me by my Christian name. It seems silly to have you use my surname all the time," he said.
"Okay, Rupert," she said, smiling.
"Thank you."
"Would you hold on a second?" she asked.
"Of course," he replied. He listened as she placed the receiver down, he thought he could hear... 'Don't go there old man, get your mind out of the gutter.'
"I'm back," she said.
"That's quite alright, you didn't take long at all. I don't mean to pry, but may I ask you a question?"
"Shoot," she replied.
"You weren't perhaps... um, changing your clothes just then, were you?"
"You've got good ears Rupert, I didn't have a chance before I called you," she told him.
"Oh," he muttered.
"Is there something wrong?" she asked, thinking she might have offended him somehow.
"No, nothing... nothing at all. It's just that I'll have that mental image to contend with while I'm sleeping," he replied.
"Rupert, I had no idea," she said.
"It's alright, the truth of the matter is, I find you very attractive, and well, without sounding forward, this will um... will give me... it'll give me something to dream about," he told her.
"Really?" she asked, pleased for some reason she couldn't name.
"Yes, really," he answered, as his mind began racing, a grin appearing on his face as he thought about the hacker standing in front of him, slowly undressing...
"Rupert?"
"Um... I'm sorry, did you say something," he replied, shaking himself out of his daydream.
"No, I... I wanted say, um, I've thought about... well... actually, I've dreamt about us," she couldn't continue without feeling embarrassed.
"It gives one hope," he replied.
Willow could feel a smile grow on her face.
"I should let you get some sleep. I'll call you later, we'll discuss the picnic then, alright?" he asked.
"Okay, talk to you later, pleasant dreams Rupert," she said.
"Pleasant dreams Willow, goodnight," he replied. 'I love you,' he added silently. He waited until she hung up before doing the same, locking his fingers behind his head, he sighed as he thought about her.
"Gosh!" Willow exclaimed. Getting into bed, she reached over and turned off the light, and let her mind wander, not surprisingly on Rupert Giles.
CHAPTER 13
Willow found herself in Rupert's arms, as he was carrying her across the room. He pushed the door to his bedroom open, never taking his eyes off her. Walking into the bedroom, he sat down on the edge of the king sized bed, Willow's hand had not been idle in the brief time it took them to arrive in the room.
She was busy caressing his smooth chest, his body radiated heat, his strong and steady heartbeat skipping whenever she happened upon a sensitive area. She decided to test her theory by running her fingernails over the spot in question.
'Oh... yeah,' she sighed to herself, when she felt his heartbeat increase once more.
Rupert leaned forward and captured her lips with his, her arms went around his neck, keeping him firmly in place. In the back of her mind, she noticed an increase in her own body temperature. She gasped out-loud, pulling back from him, when she felt his hand move slowly from her waist, until he reached the curve of her breast.
He stilled his hand, he wanted to make sure that this is what she wanted before he continued his exploration. Willow looked at him, trying to convey with her eyes the absolute trust she had in him.
Rupert was transfixed, her beauty shone through, unlike anything he had ever experienced before, or likely ever would again.
He saw Willow nod her head, giving him permission to touch, in his mind, a living work of art.
Willow's breath increased ten fold as he fondled her gently, his hand leaving trails of fire each place he touched.
She let her hand stray down his body, mapping it, each plain, and curve. She felt him shudder when she moved closer towards his waist. He stared deeply into her eyes, Willow had reached the top of his briefs, she slid her hand lower, ever so slowly...
"NO!" the teenager shouted, as her alarm clock shattered the dream, grabbing the offending device, she hurled it across the room, hitting the wall, and falling to the floor in a broken heap. "AGhhh, I don't believe it," she shook her head. 'I was SO close,' she thought.
"Willow, are you alright honey?" Mrs. Rosenberg asked through the closed door.
"Um, I'm fine mom. I was having a dream, that's all," she replied, embarrassed by her actions."Oh, I hope it wasn't a bad one?" she said though the door.
"Mom, you can come in, it's okay. No, it wasn't a bad dream," Willow said.
Mrs. Rosenberg opened the door and stepped in, sitting on the edge of Willow's bed she looked closely at her teenage daughter, and saw the flush on her cheeks.
"Well, I came in to let you know that your father and I are going out. We probably won't be back until late this evening, will you be okay?" Mrs. Rosenberg asked, already knowing the answer.
"Sure mom, I'll be okay. I'm going out later too," she replied, not realizing the smile she had on her face.
'I wonder who it is, Xander?' Mrs. Rosenberg thought.
"Well, be careful young lady, and don't stay out too late, you know how we worry. Say hello to Xander for me," she told her.
"Um, sure, if I see him, he's probably out with Cordelia today," she answered.
"Okay, bye honey," Mrs. Rosenberg said, as she gave Willow a quick hug and kiss before getting up. She walked towards the bedroom door, only to turn around when she heard her daughter voice.
"I love you mom, have a good time, tell daddy I love him too," she said.
"I will, we love you too sweetheart, see you later," with that she closed her daughter's bedroom door, and brushed away the tears that had fallen on her cheeks.
She wondered to herself who on earth her daughter had been dreaming about, especially since it seemed that Xander was seeing Cordelia. Could it be the same person who gave had given Willow the roses she'd seen on the night stand?
Sighing, Willow thought about going back to sleep, then just as quickly tossed the idea aside. She knew she had a snowball's chance in Hell, to get back to the dream exactly where she had been so rudely interrupted.
As she laid on her bed, she went back over the parts of the dream she could remember, blushing. Suddenly, she threw her blankets off and quickly went to her computer, she typed out what she recalled, as it slowly drifted from her memory. Reading it over for the third time, the young woman knew her feelings were changing towards Giles.
'Rupert,' she said to herself.
How far they went, was still somewhat of a mystery to her, she glanced over to the phone, wondering when he would call. Hoping it wouldn't be while her parents were still in the house. She heard the car horn, and walking to her bedroom window she watched as her father backed the car from the driveway and down the street.
Unfortunately for Willow, nature called before Rupert did, as she made a mad dash to the bathroom.
CHAPTER 14
The phone rang as she stepped out of the shower, so she rushed over to grab it, water cascading down her shoulders.
"Hello?" she answered breathlessly.
"Willow, it's me Rupert, I didn't interrupt anything did I?" he asked, hearing her catch her breath.
"No, I was coming out of the shower. I had to run to get the phone before the answering machine did. It's no problem. So, what time are we going to the picnic?" she asked, sitting on the edge of her bed, drying her hair.
"Um," he cleared his throat, "What about one o'clock?" he replied. 'Shower, she had to say shower.'
"One's fine, where do we meet?" she asked.
"I'll pick you up around twelve-thirty, if that's alright?" he inquired.
"Great, that will give me some time to take of some things here first," she replied.
"I'll see you then," he said.
"See you soon Rupert," she told him as she hung up.
"I do believe I need a cold shower," he said out-loud.
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"Rupert?" Willow asked when she opened her front door.
"Yes, it's me," he answered.
"You look.. different," she said.
"Tweed isn't exactly what one would wear for a picnic, don't you agree," he replied.
"Would you like to come in?" she asked. Willow was still in a state of shock, her mind hadn't come to grips with how young Rupert looked, dressed the way he was. He was wearing faded blue jeans that hugged his hips, and a white long sleeved shirt that was tucked into his jeans, his hair following the dictates of the gentle breeze in the air.
There was something else, something different about him. "You're not wearing your glasses," she said, unaware she had spoken out loud.
Giles walked into the Rosenberg residence, replying, "No, I have contacts on today."
Closing the door behind her, Willow brushed past Giles on her way to the living room. "Can I get you something to drink, or are we in a hurry?" she asked, over her shoulder, showing him into the living room.
"Could I have some water please?" he replied. "No, we're not in any hurry."
"One water coming up, why don't you have a seat, I'll be right back. Would you like some ice?" she said.
"Yes, thank you," he answered, as he watched her head to the kitchen. He looked around the room, it gave off a sense of comfort, in the corner, he saw a piano and wondered if Willow played.
"So where exactly is this place you're taking me to Rupert?" Willow called out, taking the ice tray from the freezer.
"It's about half an hour out of town," he replied, entering the kitchen.
"AHH," Willow cried out, dropping the tray scattering ice cubes on the floor.
"I'm terribly sorry Willow, I didn't mean to startle you," he stated as he bent over to help pick the cubes up.
They bumped heads.
CHAPTER 15
"Ouch," Willow said, rubbing the area where they had collided.
"Are you alright?" he asked rubbing his head.
Nodding, the teenager took the ice cubes from Rupert, and tossed them into the sink. She felt his hand on her shoulder, turning her to face him slowly. She gazed into his face, seeing the concern etched on it. Closing her eyes, she tilted her face towards him, anticipating what might happen.
Instead of feeling his lips on hers, her eyes flew open as she felt herself suddenly being lifted up and placed on the kitchen counter top. She was no longer looking up to him, she was in a position where he would have to look up to her.
"I LOVE you Willow," he divulged before he kissed her.
'Oh,' she thought.
The growing intensity of the kiss drove all rational thought from her head. Her arms wrapped themselves around the back of his neck without a second's hesitation, as if she had done this countless of times, and not only in her dreams. She felt his lips part, he traced the outline of her mouth, she parted hers, Giles moaned when he felt Willow's tongue explore his mouth.
Willow had heard the moan coming from him, and wasn't sure whether or not she had hurt him somehow. When he moved up, his arms went to her waist, drawing her body closer to his. She knew then, the moan must have meant something good.
'Good is good,' she mused briefly, as she hooked her legs around his waist, trying to mold her body into his. Giles unexpectedly broke off the kiss, leaving them both breathless.
"Noo.. don't stop!" she pleaded.
"Willow, we must. Lord knows I don't want to, I don't want to do anything you might regret later. Please tell me you understand," he asked as he gazed into her eyes.
"I understand Rupert, I may not like it, but I understand," she detached herself sluggishly, letting her hands drift slowly over his chest, without realizing the impact it was making on him.
"Willow, um... if... if you keep that up, I may not be able to control myself..." he told her, reveling in the pleasurable contact.
"I'm sorry," she said, as she ceased her movements.
Shaking his head, he told her, "There is NOTHING to be sorry about, I LOVE you so much Willow," he told her, hugging her tightly, kissing the top of her head. "You could never do anything wrong."
'He said it again!' she thought. "I guess we'd better get going, huh?" she asked, not wanting to break the contact with Rupert just yet.
"Yes, I believe so. Come on," he said as he lifted her up and off the counter top. He smiled inwardly when he saw that she had some difficulty standing on her legs for a brief moment or two.
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Although Willow had lived in Sunnydale her entire life, she didn't recognize the area Rupert had been driving through. After twenty minutes or so, he turned onto a dirt road, where he drove for another five minutes before he finally stopped. Stepping out of the car, Rupert went around and opened the door for Willow.
"We'll have to walk, it's not very far from here. I hope you don't mind," he said, as he reached for the picnic basket and a blanket from the back seat.
"No, I don't mind," Willow replied, as she took the blanket from his hands, "I'll carry it."
"You don't have to Willow, I can manage," he said, closing the car door.
"I know that," she replied, as she looked up to him. "I.. um, I wanted to hold hands, if that's okay?"
He smiled, "I'd like that," Rupert said as he took her hand in his, giving it a reassuring squeeze, "Shall we continue?" Nodding her head, they walked side by side in a comfortable silence.
"It's beautiful here Rupert," Willow said as she looked around.
"I'd like to think so," he replied. "I found this place quite by accident, now I come here whenever I have the chance," he explained.
Part 4
