Golden Slumbers  

Giles pulled the sash to his robe tighter around his waist as he tried push
away the last vestiges of sleep as he stumbled his way down stairs.

"Coming!" he called out between yawns.

He peered through the peep hole and quickly pulled open the door. "Willow!"
he cried as he pulled her inside. "Are you all right? What's wrong? Were you
attacked?"

"Can't sleep."

Giles frowned and shook his head to clear it. "You can't sleep?" Surely there
was something else.

"Yup," she said almost happily as she made her way into his living room.

"Willow. What's going on? It's nearly three o'clock in the morning."

Willow turned toward him and frowned. "It is?"

"Yes," he said in frustration. He strode across the room and looked at her
more closely. Her eyes were bloodshot and she had deep circles under her
eyes. She was more pale than usual. "What is it?" he asked softly.

"Can't sleep. Really wanna sleep. Used to sleep. No sleep now."

Giles nodded in understanding and reached out and took hold of her shoulders.
"How long has it been?"

"Don't remember. Three days... No four, I think." Her little face squinched
up as she tried futilely to remember.

"Oh, Willow," he said sadly. He frowned deeply and looked away for a minute.
Had he been so blind? He'd seen her just yesterday, but had been so caught up
with his research he didn't notice what now seemed so obvious. "I'm sorry.
But why did you come here? You shouldn't be out at this hour."

Willow was too far gone and simply ignored his questions. "I've tried
everything. Warm milk, hot baths... I even took some sleeping pills...
Nada... Although I did fall down a lot... that was something at least," she
said with laugh. She lifted her leg a bit wobbly and showed him her rug burn
as proof. "See my booboo?"

Giles smiled and reached out to steady her. He knew too well how frustrating
it was not to be able to sleep.

She looked at him sheepishly. "I even tried a spell--"

"Willow!"

"But I couldn't do it... I couldn't concentrate and..." She looked up at him,
her emerald eyes begging him to help. "I'm so tired."

Giles gathered her into his arms and held her for a moment. "Shhh, I know."

Willow just leaned against him. He felt so good and she felt so safe in his
arms.

"I think I might have an idea," he said softly.

"You do?" she asked, her eyes brimming with hope.

He nodded. "You go up to my room and get into bed, I'll be up in a minute."

She looked at him nervously. He just smiled and touched her face tenderly.
"Go on."

She smiled shyly and nodded, before heading up the stairs.

*****

True to his word, a few minutes later Giles came up the stairs carrying a cup
of tea.

He sat down on the edge of the bed and handed Willow the tea. "Drink a bit of
this."

Willow wrinkled her nose as she leaned over the steaming cup.

Giles chuckled. "Go on... it's just a bit of lemon, honey... and perhaps some
whiskey."

Willow grinned and took a sip. It wasn't half bad. She let the warmth of the
cup caress her hands as she inhaled the odd aroma.

"A bit more," he prompted.

She complied, taking a few more sips before Giles took the cup from her hands
and set it down on the nightstand. "Now snuggle down," he said softly.

Willow blushed, but slid down under the dark sheets, loving the way they
smelled of Giles.

"Now, close your eyes," he said.

Willow looked at him skeptically.

"Go on," he said with a grin.

She smiled and closed her eyes. Ever so softly Giles began to sing.

Once there was a way to get back homeward
Once there was a way to get back home
Sleep pretty darling do not cry
And I will sing a lullaby

She opened her eyes in surprise, but Giles kept singing and reached out to
gently close them again, his hand running tenderly down her cheek.

Golden slumbers fill your eyes
Smiles awake you when you rise
Sleep pretty darling do not cry
And I will sing a lullaby

Once there was a way to get back homeward
Once there was a way to get back home
Sleep pretty darling do not cry
And I will sing a lullaby

His voice was so soft and so warm. Willow finally felt what she'd longed
for... safe and loved.

Giles saw her breathing even out as she started to drift off to sleep.

He finished the song and gazed down at her fondly. He leaned over and brushed
a soft kiss across her lips. "Good night, love."

The End

"Golden Slumbers" was written by Lennon/McCartney