Disclaimer: These characters and environments are copyrighted by Warner Brothers, Mutant Enemy, Red Lobster, and various actors, writers, managers, bartenders, and servers. Don’t sue me, as I will return them in pristine condition when I’m done with them. (Except for the Red Lobster. You’ll see...:)
Lyrics owned and copyrighted and stuff by the band Taproot. The CD is called gift. Atlantic Records, #83341-2. The song is called “Now.”
I’m back...did you miss me?
I’ll miss you while I’m gone but here now is where I belong
“Finally,” Willow Rosenberg removed her mortarborne and shook out her mop of copper curls. She sighed relievedly and shrugged out of the forest green gown. Her pale creamy skin, set off by her favorite little black dress, shone in the dim twilight. “Buffy, can you believe we’re graduated?”
“I know, it’s really weird!” Willow’s best friend, Buffy Summers, exclaimed brightly. She too had removed cap and gown, and her honey-colored hair fell around her shoulders in a state of total disarray. Willow grabbed a hairbrush and began to help her straighten the mess. “And you’re going to go to Cal Tech to get your master’s. And I’m going to stay here and be the Slayer.”
“What about that teaching job they offered you?”
“Oh, I took it.” Buffy grimaced as the hairbrush hit a snag. “I can’t believe they’re reopening Sunnydale High.”
The two women were lounging in their apartment above the local magick shop, getting ready to meet the owner, and their mentor, Rupert Giles, at his apartment. He’d said a night out on him was part of their graduation present. They’d been speculating on what the rest was for weeks and weeks.
“Is Giles gonna be the librarian there?” Willow asked.
“No.” Buffy said. “He’s already my Watcher and has a business to run. Even with Anya’s help that’s a lot of work. And with you leaving, it’s going to be difficult for research.”
Willow sighed. “I’m only going to be in Los Angeles for a year.”
“I know,” replied her friend. “But I’m going to miss you.”
“I’m gonna miss you too,” Willow said a touch sadly. “There. Finished.”
She had swept Buffy’s hair back into a loose but complex four-strand braid. The color of her tanned skin and hair were complemented by a lace-trimmed lemon yellow sundress and strappy sandals. Buffy turned around and hugged her best friend tightly. “I love you, Will.”
Willow hugged her back, then let go and turned around. “Okay, your turn. Make me beautiful.”
Buffy grinned and went for the hairbrush. “So, did Giles tell you what he got me?”
“He wouldn’t.” Willow grunted as Buffy worked out a tangle in her long red hair. “He won’t tell anyone.”
Rupert Giles grinned at his handiwork. Two gifts sat, boxed and wrapped, on his living room floor.
He adjusted his tie and looked over to his companion, who paced back and forth across the room.
Giles smiled. “Stop that, Xander. They will be here soon.”
“I know.” Alexander Harris shrugged self-deprecatingly. “I can’t wait to see their faces when they see what we got them.”
“Do you think they’ll like them?” Xander’s wife Anya chewed her lip. “Xander worked for a very long time on them.”
“They’ll love them, Xander.” Joyce Summers called from the kitchen. Reaching into one of the cabinets, she pulled out a few glasses and set them on the counter. “Anyone for a drink?”
“I’ll have one,” her adopted daughter, Dawn, said from the sofa.
“If it’s all right with Rupert. You’ll have to ask him. It’s his house.”
Dawn’s long brown hair swung around her head as she turned a pout the older man’s way. “Please? Pretty please?”
Giles shook his head and smiled. “It’s fine.”
Glasses of Riesling were distributed just as the front door opened. The two young women entered smiling, accompanied by a flurry of congratulations from their friends and family. “Hi, guys.” Willow said, shrugging off her shawl and tossing it over the back of a chair. She and Buffy each accepted a Riesling as well as Xander shouted. “Present time!”
Two faces lit up, and gifts were opened forthwith. Each graduate received a beautifully built bookshelf from Xander, and books to fill it from Giles. For Willow, beginnings of an arcane library, with seven rare volumes on demons and conjuring, two books of prophecy, and a multitude of other books that she had relied on while doing research at the magic shop. Buffy got a full set of brand-new encyclopedias, and a tall pile of history texts for classroom use next year.
At the bottom of Buffy’s gift box, there was a small, white tissue-wrapped package. “Hello, what’s this?”
“Open it.” Giles said.
It was an ancient, leather-bound book, written in Latin. “The Codex?” Buffy asked.
“I thought you should have it. It’s mostly about you, and since you can read Latin now, I thought you might want to translate it.” Her Watcher answered.
“Just call me prophecy girl.” She said, moving over to him and giving him a soft hug and peck on the cheek. “Thank you, Giles. This really means a lot to me.”
Willow’s head was still in the huge box of books she’d received. Squeals of delight came out as she pulled out one book after another. “These are so cool!” Her head popped out of the box, and she got up and ran over to her mentor, barreling past Buffy and flying into his arms. “Thanks, Giles!”
Xander peered over at his best friend hugging the librarian and then shook his head imperceptibly. “Hey, I hate to interrupt the lovefest, here, but our reservation is at seven. Which is, in like, ten minutes. We should go.”
Everyone began to move towards the door, and Giles began to pull away from Willow. She held on for a moment to brush his cheek with a kiss. “I mean it. Thank you.”
He smiled down at her rosy face and suddenly noticed her very soft curves pressed closely against him. His skin flushed slightly as it always had and abruptly, he pulled away. “You’re welcome, Willow.”
He began to move towards the door, but was stopped by her hand on his arm. She called to the rest of the extended family, “There isn’t enough room for us all in the Buffy’s-Mom-mobile, is there?”
“Probably not.” Joyce shrugged.
“We’ll clean up here and follow you in a minute. Okay, Giles?” She said, subtle brief eye contact flashing at him her famous ‘resolve face.’
His eyes widened in acceptance, and then he nodded and moved around the room picking up wrapping paper bits. “We’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”
Buffy smiled at them as she shut the door. "See you there then.”
Willow picked up the empty wineglasses around the room and took them over to the sink to wash them. Giles finished cleaning up the torn paper and joined her in the kitchen. She refilled two glasses, this time with red wine, and handed him one. “Why do you always do that?” She asked before taking a tentative sip.
“Do what?” He asked as he went out into the living room.
She followed him and set her glass down on the coffee table. “Every time I hug you, you pull away.”
“Willow...”
“I’m leaving tomorrow morning. I’ll be gone for at least a year. Maybe more if I decide to get my Ph.D. You can tell me now. No, you *should* tell me now.” She shook her hair out with one hand and then crossed her bare arms over her chest. “I think after seven years of friendship and mutual life saving I feel comfortable enough to ask you. I also feel I deserve an answer.”
He looked at her, intrigued. “Oh is that so?”
“It is.” She frowned at him. “You know, I don’t know if you’ve noticed this, but I’m an adult now. I can talk to you like an adult. You can do me the same courtesy.”
He appeared surprised, than paused, thinking. “You’re right,” he said. “I apologize.”
“Thank you.” She took a sip of her wine and looked at him expectantly. “So tell. What’s up with that? You’ve been doing it for years.”
“Doing what?”
“Pulling away.”
I’m so me around you so me around you
Xander started up his uncle Roary’s old vehicle, a beautiful blue 1957 Bel Air that he had purchased and rebuilt after a horrible drunken crash. Thankfully, Roary had survived, and finally gotten help with his addiction. One of his steps to recovery had been selling the car, and helping his nephew repair and detail it. The two men discovered they worked very well together and eventually opened a now thriving mechanic shop a few doors down from the Magic Box.
He smiled and revved the engine up, savoring the feel of the seats as it purred contentedly underneath. “I love my car.” Pulling a lever, he began to let the top down.
Buffy shook her head and looked out of the opening back into the living room of the house. She could barely, due to her enhances senses, hear two distinct familiar voices. “What do you think they’re talking about?”
“Unrequited lust.” Xander answered seriously.
Buffy turned to look at him questioningly. “Isn’t our reservation at seven-thirty?”
Xander smiled wryly. “You see through my petty charade.”
“She’s had a crush on him since the day I met her.” Buffy said.
“He probably feels the same way, Buffy. Haven’t you ever noticed it? He always sits next to her.” Xander pursed his lips. “Who’s always the first person he rushes to protect? Certainly not me. And, you can take care of yourself.”
“And all of you.”
“And all of us.”
“I never saw that all.” Buffy said. “I just figured it went away after Oz. And Tara. And that once with Spike.”
“Just because you never saw it didn’t mean it wasn’t there.” Xander backed out of the driveway and onto the street. “I’ve finally figured out just now what my function is in the Scooby gang.”
“What’s that?” Buffy asked. Her hair blew softly in the wake of the windshield. She was suddenly thankful for the braid Willow had made. It was comfortable, but it would stay put for sure if Xander decided to speed. “What exactly is your job?”
“It’s my job to point out the obvious.”
“I don’t understand.”
“To everyone, Buffy. Think about it. I’m the guy who makes sure all the gears are oiled and working right. When something’s broke, I fix it.”
“You’re Freddy.”
Xander laughed. “But you’re Scooby.”
“I get it. You’re captain reality check. A most favorable yet most intangible position, I agree. So check me.” Buffy became serious again. “What the blankity blank are you talking about?”
“Giles was the one who figured out that Willow was in Spike’s thrall. He was the one who ran to get her out of his tomb while you were fighting him. He saved Willow the time the school was haunted. Remember that? With the locusts? That time there was a vampire Willow, when we found out she was alive, he hugged her harder than we did. She danced with him at homecoming, okay? And what about the magicks? How much time have they spent together since Tara died?” Xander punctuated each question with an extended finger, point after point.
Buffy continued his tirade, counting on her fingers. “She hasn’t dated anyone since then. He hasn’t either. She works full-time at the shop as a tarot reader. She stays there late and does her homework. She has high tea with him twice a week at least. I see what you’re getting at.”
“So they have about twenty minutes to decide where she’s sleeping tonight. Or if she’s sleeping, for that matter.” Xander swung the boat-sized car into the Red Lobster parking lot. He pulled the lever to put the top down as he parked, then shut off the engine. “Tell me again why you guys wanted to eat here.”
“Margaritas and cheesy biscuits, baby.” She said. “We’re all about them.”
“Well, who isn’t?” Xander got out of the car and walked over to her side to open the door.
“Do you think they’ll work it out, Xander?” Buffy asked after she got out.
Xander closed the car door and offered her his arm. “I hope so.”
“Where do you think she’ll be tonight?” She took his arm and they began to walk towards the restaurant, slowly looking around for her mother’s truck.
“I don’t know.”
Buffy stopped for a moment and turned him to face her. “You know I love you, right, Xander?”
“I know.”
She smiled and led him inside.
will you wait around for me? well I hope so because without each other we’re wrong
“I’m not sure what to say, Willow.” Giles too his glasses off and wiped them with a green silk handkerchief she’d given him. He seemed to realize it after a moment and looked up. “I think we should sit down.”
“All right.” She sat on the green leather chair and took a deep breath.
“I don’t suppose this can wait until later? I thought not.” He sat on the opposite chair. The chessboard was set, and he picked up a white pawn, and moved it to begin a game. “I watched you grow up, Willow. That more than any other reason should be enough for me to care for you.”
Her auburn curls swayed as she reached for a black pawn and moved it. Leaning back, she said. “But there’s more. Isn’t there?”
He moved a knight, and the game began in earnest. “There is.”
“What’s the more part?” She moved another piece.
Giles’ hand held a white bishop over the board. Setting it down, he said, “I can’t help it. And I’ve tried. I’ve tried to ignore it for years.” Willow moved a knight as he continued. “You are by far the most beautiful woman I have ever met. I would give my life to spend a night in your arms.”
She nearly dropped her rook. “What?”
“You heard me.” They continued to play in silence for a few minutes.
“I’ve wanted you for years.”
“Really?”
She smiled and crossed her legs. “Really.”
“Check. I never thought you--”
“Checkmate.” She smiled triumphantly. “Were you even trying?”
He smiled back, with a new light in his eyes. “Rematch after dinner.”
“Indeed.”
“And do you remember the love spell? I tried to kill you that time.” Willow laughed. “That was a bad one.”
“Cordelia punched you.” Buffy grinned and looked at Xander. “Didn’t Willow punch you, too?”
“I think I hit him with a shovel.” Willow answered. “And I attacked Cordie with an axe.”
Dawn added, “Didn’t Mom hit you, too, Xander?”
“No. she came at me with a knife.” Xander shook his head. “And you, shorty, locked us in the basement because I wouldn’t play with you.”
Anya looked at everyone tersely. “Why did you all hit Xander? He’s very fragile, and he’s my Xander now, so stop hitting him!”
Willow snuck her hand under Anya’s arm and took her glass away. “No more margarita, m’dear.”Tilting her head back, she downed the entire thing. “You’re drunk.”
“I am not drunk! I am angry!” She slapped her palms on the table and it shook, knocking over three full water glasses. The cold fluid, with ice cubes, landed square in her lap.
Xander took her home, where she promptly passed out. He decided to return to the party when she offered her drunken, if sweet, blessing to do so.
When he arrived back at Giles’ house, the Englishman and the two girls were just unlocking the door . As he arrived on the stoop, he asked, “Hey Buf, where’s your mom and lovely sister?”
“Dawn has school in the morning.” Giles answered, pushing open the door.
“She graduating this year?”
“Salutatorian.” Willow answered proudly.
Buffy flicked on the lights, Xander hung up the coats, and Willow put a kettle on for tea. Giles looked at each of them as they moved around his home and smiled. How like a little family they were, he reflected. Wandering into the kitchen, he said to loudly, “Maybe we should have something a little stronger. I can’t think of three better people to get drunk with.”
“Those are words I never thought I’d hear you say.” Xander said, rubbing his hands together. He opened the refrigerator and peered inside. “But all you have is Guiness. Yuck.”
“Someone once told me that raiding an Englishman’s fridge is like dating a nun.” Her eyes twinkled as she said to her Watcher, “You know, never gonna get the good stuff.”
“I beg your pardon! You all enjoyed the Riesling.” He smiled. “But I had something a little different in mind. Willow, grab some glasses. Buffy, Xander, why don’t you go sit down?”
They went into the living room. Alone for the moment, Buffy whispered, “I’m going to ask them what’s up.”
Xander appeared scandalized. “Why would you do that.”
“Because I approve. And I think you do, too. And they should know that we approve.”
“Approve of what?” Willow asked as she set down four champagne flutes.
“Um. Well.” Buffy began, then looked at Xander. He shrugged noncommittally. “You and Giles.”
“Willow and I?” Giles opened a bottle of champagne and poured. “Whatever happens between Willow and I is between Willow and I.”
“Subtext becoming text, Giles?” Buffy asked.
He smiled and handed her a glass. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
Willow giggled.
I need to caress your face with mine and I need to know that you care I’m so me around you so me around you we have to be together now now
Six hours later, two entangled bodies sleep peacefully in Rupert Giles’ bed. His hands are twined in her red hair, and her pale skin glows in the moonlight. Willow’s face is buried in his shoulder and her body covers his. Their breathing is deep, and even, and in unison.
I'm over eighteen, and I wanna read the gratutious sex scene!
I'm not of legal age, or I don't like smut, so I'm just gonna move on to chapter two...