"My God!" Rupert stood in awe of the library he had just been appointed to care for.

"Isn't it heavenly?" Willow asked. "And this is just the main library. There's a smaller library in the science building, the little reference only library in the arts building, and, of course, the rare book room. When do you get your official tour?"

"Any moment now," he said absently, still soaking up the expanse of his new work home. It gave him the same feeling the massive, old libraries at Oxford had given him: so much knowledge, so little brain.

"This is so cool, it'll be just like old times," Willow said giggling.

"Hey newly-employed man," Buffy said coming up behind them. Giles did not turn to face her.

"Giles?" Willow said staring at his face.

"Huh?"

"You're drooling."

He snapped back to the present and wiped the saliva away with his handkerchief. "I'm sorry."

Buffy noticed at his clothes. "Look, the tweed is back!"

"Well it is all the rage this fall," Willow said.

"I actually have to study," Buffy said moving off. "I'll see you around."

"See ya," Willow said waving. "I have to be going too. I know you'll love it here."

Giles smiled, looking over Willow's shoulder. "I'm sure I will."

Willow turned to see what he was looking at. Emma, in all her gothic glory, was coming towards them. "That's not what I meant," she whispered smiling and walked away.

He noticed Emma was holding a clipboard with several papers on it. She was apparently the one giving him the tour. "Hello, Misterrrrrr," she looked at her clipboard, "Giles. I'm Emma Adler. I work in the old and rare book room," she extended her free hand.

'Alright, if this is how she wants it.' He took her hand and kissed it. "Hello Miss Adler. My, you look awful young to be a member of the regular library staff."

"Why thank you," she turned her back to him and started to walk away. "Just follow me."

After he had been shown around Emma took Giles to his new office. It was completely closed in, no giant windows for prying eyes to see into. He entered and sat behind his mahogany desk.

"I'm sorry."

"For what?"

She looked down. "For being so stupid and selfish. You're not a boy anymore, Rupert. I'm sure you've moved far past me. I've carried a torch for you for over twenty years, isn't that pathetic?"

"Emma."

She looked up.

Giles made the come-here motion with his index finger.

Emma stayed where she was. "You're a free man."

He patted his knee and she finally sat in his lap. "What's this really about?" He kissed her pale neck.

"About us."

"What about us?" He put one hand on a knee and the other just under her breast.

"Rupe, you're making this hard." She anticipated his comeback. "Don't...go there."

Rupert leaned back and smiled. "You're the one who did all this. You're the one who wants to rekindle the relationship."

She pouted. "You don't want to?"

"Yes, I do, but...Emma...why did you do all of this if not to have us together?"

"You needed a job."

He chuckled.

"And like I said before I'm stupid and selfish and though you would still have feelings for me."

"I will always have feelings for you. You were the first woman I ever loved, and you loved me back." He nuzzled her neck.

"But," she sighed, "I want you to know you don't owe me anything. You don't have to try to make up for anything."

"I wish I could," he said softly. "I wish I could make up for him hurting you."

"I don't blame you, I never have. I blame Ethan."

He took her into his arms and held her close to him. She wiped away a tear running down her cheek. "Are you busy tonight?" he whispered.

"No. Why?"

"I was hoping we could go out on a date."

"Really?" She snuggled closer to him.

"Yes. It would give us a chance to talk."

"You're not embarrased to be seen with me?"

"No, of course not. Why would I be?"

"I'm not pretty like other girls," she mumbled.

He sighed. 'That's what this is about.' "Emma."

"Huh?"

"Who told you that?"

"Nobody," she was picking at her green nail polish.

"Then why do you think that you aren't pretty?"

"I haven't been asked out since I came here, to America. Guys usually like me, not in a sexual way, at least not that I know of, but the guys here think I'm ugly and fat. And I am."

"I don't think you are."

"Well you...," she had almost said 'don't count', but he did count, he was the only one that counted, "you're biased."

"Yes, I am," he whispered into her ear. He moved his hand onto her right breast.

She gasped and jumped up out of his lap. "Rupert! Shame on you."

He giggled and blushed like a schoolboy.

"I'm going back down to my part of the library. You stay here and...learn your new job." She turned and left the office.

He knew she wasn't really mad, just shocked. He shifted in his chair to ease the tension in his slacks. 'She probably hasn't...well, I suppose that would make a woman feel unattractive. But then I'm not exactly the shag king myself, am I? Just as well, too many diseases.' He switched on the computer at his desk and leaned back in his chair. 'And really, she's not that kind of girl.'

Emma looked down the entire walk to the basement. She felt so hideous. How could any man love her? She unlocked the door to the rare book room, entered, then locked it again. She sat in her chair and had a good cry. Her cat quietly rubbed up against her legs. "Good Cat," she said sobbing. She picked Cat up and pet him. "You love me don't you?" Cat purred loudly and rubbed his head against her chin.

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

Giles observed his new domain. The day had passed uneventfully, so the rest of the library staff had plenty of time to help him get acquainted with the rules and procedures and the library itself. Some of the English and Library Sciences faculty had stopped by to welcome him. One of the Literature professors was a fellow ex-patriot. Doctor Amanda Burke was from Northfordshire and specialized in Romance literature and poetry. She seemed very delighted to have a countryman around. She had left him her extension in case he needed help of any sort. He found that quite kind of her.

He sat at the front desk going over some papers when the door alarm went off. Someone was trying to take books from the library that had not been checked out. A hurried looking young woman dashed to the desk and dropped her books practically in his lap. "Sorry, don't need 'em," she said and bolted out the door. He ignored the incident as an honest mistake and went back to his papers.

Anna ran to her car. The sun was just starting to set, but she liked to be home in plenty of time before the change happened. The first wave of pain went through her as her foot crossed her threshold. She slammed the door shut and leaned against it, waiting. Bolts of pain shot through her face. She locked her door after the transformation was complete.

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

"What's wrong?" Willow asked while writing in her journal.

Buffy was squirming around when she was supposed to be reading Psychology. "Something's up."

Willow thought for a moment. "Funky vamps?"

"No."

"New demon?"

"No."

"Someone else achieving Ascension?"

"No, nothing like that. I can't place it. Just...the spider sense acting up."

"Whatever it is you'll find it."

"Yeah." She closed her book. "I'm goin to Giles', see if he's heard anything. Then out to patrol."

"Stay safe."

She grabbed her supply bag. "Will do." She left the room and Willow continued writing in her journal.

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

"It's just...a feeling," she said.

Giles took off his glasses and bit on one earpiece. "New vampires?"

"No, nothing like that."

"Concentrate on the feeling. Does it show you anything?"

Buffy concentrated. "No."

Giles sighed. "Is it a particular person who is in danger?"

"Yes, but, I don't get a face or anything."

"Well it's a start. Try to notice those around you, see if any of them trigger the feeling."

Buffy nodded. "Gotta slay now," she said getting up.

"Take care."

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

Anna tried to study, but it was hard when her eyes were almost popping out of her head. She covered her face and cried. Why did this happen to her? Had she done something to deserve it? She had tried thousands of times to think of what she might have done that would merit such punishment. Sometimes she felt like God was punishing her, but she didn't know why. But then God can do pretty much whatever He likes, being God and all, she figured. It was her burden to bear and she would simply have to get used to it, but knowing that didn't make it any easier. 'It will all be over in the morning,' she reminded herself.

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

Giles knocked on Emma's door. "Come in," she said without opening the door first.

"You really shouldn't do that," Giles chided as he entered. She was out of sight. "What if I had been a vam..."

She entered the living room. Her hair was fixed and her dress was magnificent. "I guess I'd be in a lot of trouble right now."

"Emma," he whispered. She was stunning.

"What?" she whispered back.

He carefully walked to her, as if she were an apparition that would disappear if he startled her.

"I tried," she said, referring to her appearance.

"You succeded."

He took her to the only 'nice' restaurant in town. She was quiet as they sat waiting for their food, her eyes downcast. He could only look at her, feeling the way he had when he first saw her. She was full of mystery, inviting despite her strangeness.

"Rupert?"

He turned to see Doctor Burke. Emma looked up.

"Hello Amanda," he said smiling.

"Well, fancy meeting you here," the doctor said. "And this is your..." she said waving a hand at Emma.

"You don't know Emma? She's the rare and old book room librarian."

"Oh, no, I don't have much need for those," she said never taking her eyes off of Giles. She tossed her hair back and smiled. "Nice of you to take her out," she said touching his shoulder. "I'm sure you're a wonderful date."

He smiled sheepishly. "Haven't had much practice lately."

Amanda chuckled. "It's good to start small, then work your way up," she winked at him and went back to her table, where her date was waiting.

"What did she mean by that?" Giles asked, then looked at Emma.

Emma fought hard against the tears straining to flow. She could only shrug.

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

Emma did not show up at work, so Giles called her. The phone rang several times before she finally answered, or rather picked up the receiver.

"Hello? Emma?" Giles asked.

"What?" She sounded like she had been crying.

"Are you alright?" "I don't feel good."

"Oh, well, alright then. Take care of yourself and...I'll be by later to check on you."

"No. I'll be fine. Don't bother."

"Very well," he lied. "Goodbye."

She hung up without saying replying.

He feared the worst. Something was different about her now, and it wasn't just the time that had passed. There was a great sadness in her eyes. Was it all because she felt she wasn't pretty? He knew women placed great deal of importance on appearance, but he still didn't understand why exactly. It seemed like the whole beauty thing was something women do to each other more than something men did to them. Granted, there are vain, shallow men who only care about apperances, that Parker bastard, for example. But those aren't the kind of men that you want anyway. He personally had never found one kind of woman more beautiful than another, except maybe for a fondness for dark hair and eyes. And Ripper hadn't exactly been picky, not that he had reached Parker lowness. Things were different back then and a girl knew when she was in it for just a night of pleasure. In any case, he resolved to prove to her, as much as he could, that he found her attractive, even if no other man did.

"Giles!"

He looked up to find Buffy staring at him with very concerned eyes. "I'm sorry."

"Has the rescue party got you out of that thought yet?"

"It's just...Emma."

"Oh," she said flatly. "I wouldn't worry about her."

"Buffy, I need you to help me."

"Can't."

"What?"

"Gotta find the troubled person."

"Oh, yes, how's that coming along?"

"It's not. Hence I must work on it."

"Oh, yes, I see, well, you go do that."

"Bye," she turned on her heels and left.

Giles sighed deeply and thought.

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

Buffy cased the campus. Walking around Jensen Hall, the all-girl freshman dorm, she saw someone sitting on a bench that made her spider sense kick in. She was a normal looking young woman, obviously not a vamp as she was out during the day. Buffy walked up to her. "Hi."

Anna looked up. "Hi."

"I'm Buffy. Are you in trouble?"

"I'm Anna. What are you talking about?"

Buffy sat beside her. "I just get this feeling that you have a problem. Maybe a very unusual problem. I'm...kinda psychic."

Anna sighed. "If I told you, you wouldn't believe me."

"Try me."

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

Emma's phone rang five times before she answered. "What?"

"Emma, it's Rupert. I need your help."

"Why?"

"Well...there's a girl...she's apparently under some kind of spell."

"Willow can't fix it?"

"I don't know. I think it's very strong. Please, come to my place just before sundown and see."

She sighed. At least she was good for something. "Ok," she hung up. Sundown was a couple of hours away, enough time to clean up and eat a little something.

Rupert brought a pile of books to the coffee table and sat them in front of Buffy and Anna. "Now tell me again when this started happening."

"It was the night of my sixteenth birthday. I didn't have a party or anything, but my parents ordered pizza. My face started to hurt, and then my mom screamed."

"You've never dabbled in magic?"

"No."

"Have you ever known a witch or warlock before?"

"I don't think so."

"But it's possible she knew one and just didn't know it," Buffy offered.

"Yes."

"Why would someone do this to me?" Anna asked, almost crying. Buffy put her hand on her shoulder.

"Any number of reasons. The witch most likely saw you as a rival, perhaps for a boy."

"But I've never had a boyfriend."

"Jealousy doesn't depend on reality. If she saw you as a potential threat, that would be justification enough."

Anna looked outside. "It's almost time."

There was a knock on Giles' door. He opened it. Willow and Emma stood outside. "Hi, witch crew here."

"Come in," Giles said stepping back. The two came in. Giles looked at Emma. She had taken steps to make her outsides presentable, but he could still see her inner turmoil on her face. She went right to Anna.

"It's all over her," she said studying the girl's face.

"So it is a spell?" Giles asked.

"Worse," she took Anna's face in her hand and looked her over. "It's a form of possession. We won't be able to get rid of it, it needs somewhere to go."

"So we brought this," Willow said taking out an ornate handheld mirror. "Just in case. Good thinking Emma."

The older witch did not respond, instead she held out her hand and the mirror flew away from Willow and to her. Emma tucked it under her arm and opened a brown paper bag she had been carrying. She took out a beauty magazine and rolled it up as she talked. "The vital thing here is once the spell starts to leave, what's your name sweetie?"

"Anna."

"Anna, you MUST cover your eyes. It will look for eyes to go in to. I suggest everyone leave the room, but I can't make you."

Anna cried out.

"Here we go," Emma said lighting the magazine. "Hear me, tormenting spirit. Leave this vessel," she waved the burning magazine around Anna. "Wrongly you have taken her. Now make right the deed and begone."

The change continued as Emma went on. Finally the spirit, manifesting as a thick yellow cloud, slowly oozed out of Anna, her face returning to normal. Everyone covered their eyes, including Emma, who held out the mirror. The angry spirit whirled and glowed, then rushed into the mirror, knocking Emma down. She held the mirror face down to the floor and scrambled for the velvet pouch they had brought it in. Only after she tied the string of the pouch did she tell everyone the coast was clear.

Anna touched her face. "Oh my God, it's gone." She laughed, then cried.

"What about the mirror?" Giles asked.

"It has to be destroyed," Emma said. "I know how to do it. I'll take care of it."

"Thank you," Anna said through her tears. "Thank you so much."

Emma smiled and nodded.

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

Monday morning a package was sitting outside Doctor Burke's office. She picked it up and put it on her desk. She read the note attached to the outside. 'Let your true self be revealed.' She did not recognize the handwriting, nor could she tell if it belonged to a woman or man. She opened the package and lifted out an inner box. She carefully opened the box. "How lovely," she said removing the velvet bag from the mirror and gazing at herself.

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

A single red rose sat in a thin crystal vase on Emma's desk when she arrived at work. She looked for a card but didn't find one. Of course she knew it was from Rupert, but a confirmation would have been nice.

"I know you don't like flowers," he said stepping out from between some open cases, "but it is the symbol of love." He sat a small boom box on a nearby table. "May I have this dance?"

"There's no music."

He pushed the play button on the tape deck. "There is now."

She walked to him and slipped one hand over his shoulder. Her other small hand she placed gently into his. The song started.

'You are so beautiful to me...'

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