Somewhere Between Cherubim and Seraphim 

Giles paced nervously in the small confines of his
office. He'd been the target of threats before,
nothing special there. Then why did he have such a
growing sense of dread? Perhaps because this
particular threat came from Vraeden, a three hundred
and fifty pound chaos demon.

He sighed and shook his head. 'No reason to panic,' he
told himself. He heard a loud thump outside in the
library and barely suppressed a scream. He grabbed for
his crossbow and threw open the door to the main room,
ready to meet his fate.

"Go to back to Hell evil spawn!" he cried as he leapt
forward.

"Giles!"

"Willow?" he gasped, immediately lowering his weapon.
"What are you doing here?" he said sharply, his heart
pounding wildly in his chest.

The redhead swallowed hard, picked up the book she'd
dropped and then pulled herself up to her full height,
such as it was. "I'm here to help."

"Go home, Willow," he said more harshly than he'd
intended.

Not the least bit cowed, Willow stood her ground. "No.
You need my help."

He sighed and took a step closer. He blew out a short
breath and sighed again. "If you really want to help
me, you'll go. It's far too dangerous here."

Willow started to protest, but Giles cut her off with
a wave of his hand. "Please," he continued, setting
down the crossbow and gently taking her by the
shoulders. "I really would be -- well, cranky, if
anything were to happen to you."

She smiled in spite of herself. "But -- I worry about
you," she admitted shyly.

He chuckled softly. "And I worry about you, which is
precisely why you should keep your distance, at least
in the evenings. Until Vraeden is defeated."

"But-"

"Willow, I'm asking you as a friend. How would you
feel if our positions were reversed?"

"Oh, sure. Use logic on me," she said with a small
laugh.

He squeezed her shoulders fondly and turned to
retrieve his crossbow. He didn't mention, if their
positions truly were reversed, he wouldn't leave her
side. It was just one of the many things he didn't
mention. Like how beautiful she looked today,
yesterday, every day.

He was a fool. He'd fallen in love with Willow the
moment he'd met her, but had managed to convince
himself it was a platonic love. She was so young and
eager that first day in the library. But as the months
had turned into years, and he'd watched her both near
and far, he'd given up the charade, inwardly at least.
He'd learned to control his instincts, his desires.
Willow was his, would always he be his, but only in
his heart. Some things are simply not meant to be.

He turned back to stare at the young redhead, as he so
often did. His expression masking his feelings.

Feeling the weight of his stare, Willow sighed. "I'm
going. But for the record, I don't like it."

He smiled at the hacker, touched, as always by her
loyalty. "Noted. And -- thank you."

She nodded and gave him a rueful smile, leaving the
Watcher alone.

*****

Willow looked out the sliding glass doors of her
bedroom and into the night beyond. It was so
frustrating. Giles was being so - so Giles! He'd
kicked her out of the library for her own safety. What
about his safety? Sometimes he could be so maddening.

Willow knew she had to do something to help. She
couldn't just sit at home and wait. So she did
something she hadn't done since she was a small child.
She prayed. She wasn't even sure what God or Goddess
she was addressing, but if it could help Giles...

She gazed up into the heavens. "Please, look after
Giles. He's--" She paused.

She'd had a fallen head over heels for Giles that
first day. She thought it was just a crush, but
then her dreams turned from thoughts of Xander to
thoughts of Giles. She tried not to love him, but how
could she help it? From the beginning, he'd treated
her differently. She wasn't just little Willow. She was
Willow, a person. A person who mattered. Sometimes
he even treated her like an adult, an equal. They'd talk,
not just about Slaying things, but real things. Life
things. And he'd listen to what she thought, not out
of courtesy, but because he really wanted to know
what she thought.

He was the most interesting, amazing, wonderful person
she'd ever met. She knew she'd always love him, even
if he didn't see her that way. He'd always have her heart.

She cleared her head and concentrated, trying to see
through the stars.

"I love him. He's so busy watching over everybody
else-- well, could you send somebody? Just to keep an
eye on him? I'd do it myself, but he won't let me. So,
if you're up there? Watch over him. Thanks. Sincerely,
Willow Rosenberg."

With a last look skyward, she sighed and padded over
to bed.

* * * *

The next afternoon Willow made her way down the hall
toward the library. The freedom bell had rung, and it
was like swimming up river. Just as everyone was
eagerly fleeing the school grounds, Willow and the
other Slayerettes were just getting settled in.

As she was nearing the double doors to Giles'
sanctuary, she noticed a new person. Just a custodian,
staying out of everyone's way, blending into the
background. No one else took any notice of the man,
but having been no more than ambient noise to most
people, Willow had learned to observe well. The man
was in his late fifties, ordinary. The only thing out
of place was the missing "J" in the word "Janitor"
embroidered on the back of his coveralls. Logging the
information like one of her computer files, Willow
bounced into the library.

The afternoon passed without incident. Willow and
Giles tending to the research while Buffy and Xander
put in the legwork on Vraeden. Sadly, none of them had
any luck.

As evening neared Giles grew tenser. The setting sun
was always seen with a sense of foreboding, but the
notion that a demon was out there with his name on it
added to an unusually heightened sense of dread. He
was finally able to chase Willow from the library.
He'd often regretted letting her become involved in
the world of the Slayer. It was at times such as this
that he wondered if it hadn't been for his sanity as
much as Buffy's sake that he let her linger. Whenever
she wasn't there things seemed somehow duller,
the lights dimmer, and the future darker.

Willow scurried down the halls; she'd have to
hurry, if she wanted to get home before dark. She
almost didn't notice the janitor as he mopped the
floors. But there was something strange about him. She
stopped and watched him for a moment and blinked, sure
her eyes were playing tricks on her. From her vantage
point it looked as thought the mop was moving across
the floor by itself. 'Just like Cinderella,' she
thought. 'Or was it Snow White?'

"Excuse me?' she called out. The man turned and the
mop clattered to the floor. He quickly gathered it and
began furiously pushing it across the linoleum.

Willow shook her head. It couldn't be. She watched the
man for a few more moments, finally chalking it up to
her over-active imagination.

* * * * *

As the most responsible and some would say, gullible,
person in the school, Willow found herself perched
high atop a ladder in the school gymnasium. She'd been
recruited to the Homecoming Dance Decoration
Committee. In fact, she *was* the Homecoming Dance
Decoration Committee.

She sighed and stretched to straighten some of the
streamers. She was alone in the gym, except for the
new janitor who was busy polishing the bleachers on
the far side of the room.

Willow climbed up another rung and reached out as far
as her small frame would allow. She leaned a bit too
far and lost her balance. The ladder slid out from
under. She screamed and looked down at the floor
rushing up to meet her.

Instead of splattering into the ground, Willow felt
strong arms around her. "Oof!"

She looked up into the face of her savior and found
the kindly, if somewhat strange face of the janitor
staring back at her. His eyes kind of sparkled, like
there was a always a smile just behind them, like
he could see something beautiful that nobody else
saw.

"Gotta be careful, that first step's a doozie," he
said.

"Th-thank you," she sputtered. She looked up at the
teetering ladder and saw the bleachers in the
background, way in the background. "How did you--? I
mean you were over --" She fixed the man with a
curious gaze. "Who are you?"

He smiled and shrugged, gently setting her down.

"Willow?" Giles said worriedly as he pushed open the
doors. "I thought I heard a scream." He eyed the man
next to her suspiciously. "Is everything all right?"

"I'm fine. I just--," she bit her lip. "I'm fine."

Giles narrowed his eyes, she was terrible liar, but
seemed unharmed. "You're sure?"

She nodded and gave him her best smile. "But I think
I've had enough decorating for one day."

"I'll clean this up for you, Miss," the janitor said
kindly.

She frowned, but nodded. "Thanks, I'll come by to get
the stuff later."

"As you wish," he replied with a grin watching the
librarian escort the girl to the door.

* * * * *

Willow could hardly wait for the end of the next
school day. She knew there was more to the janitor
than met the eye so she'd done some research last
night and was anxious to confront the new custodian.
She found him at the vending machines and judging from
the wrappers, he was polishing off a third helping of
Ho-Ho's.

"Anitor?" she asked quietly.

"Yeah?" he said turning to face her. A flicker of
surprise and chagrin crossed the man's face. He
chuckled. "The, um, J fell off," he said pulling the
missing letter from his pocket.

"But your name is Anitor, isn't it?" she insisted.

He glowered at her, clearly upset at her discovery.

"I wasn't sure, but then I looked you up on the
Internet," she continued her eyes round with
amazement. "You're an angel."

"I'm on the Internet? Really?" he asked skeptically.

She nodded quickly. "Cross-referenced even."

He shook his head and stuffed a leftover Twinkie into
his pocket. "Technology."

"You are him, aren't you? An angel, I mean?" she asked
excitedly.

He rolled his eyes and sighed heavily in resignation.
He looked at the young woman before him and nodded.
"Oh, are they gonna be po'ed," he groaned.

"Who?"

"The Powers That Be," he said frowning again. "It
isn't supposed to go like this."

"So you are!" she squealed. He winced, and she lowered
her voice. "You're Giles' guardian angel."

He nodded with a frown.

"This is so cool! I mean, I wasn't sure, sure that
you'd come. I wasn't even sure you existed. But, here
you are. So you did and you do."

He looked at her affectionately. "But this is our
little secret, right? No one else can know. Promise
me, Willow."

She nodded, and then her expression grew grave. "This
must really be serious. I mean your coming here and
everything. Where did you come from?"

"Not far," he replied cryptically.

"I thought, maybe cause I'm Jewish, it wouldn't work."

"We're an equal opportunity service," he said with a
smile.

"So what kind of angel are you? I mean, do you have
your wings or what? Are you an archangel?" she asked
brimming with excitement.

He snorted. "Archangels get all the press," he
grumbled. "No. Me, let's just say I'm somewhere
between cherubim and seraphim." His brow furrowed in
thought. "Usually I'm pretty stealthy. Must be this
damn Hellmouth."

"You shouldn't say that!" she scolded him.

"What?"

"Damn," she whispered.

He laughed. "Must be this earthly plane gettin' to me.
The spirit is pure, but the flesh is weak," he added
with a wink.

She blushed and frowned disapprovingly. "So, I guess
that explains the junk food."

"You mortals don't know how good you've got it. A
Twinkie is a beautiful thing."

Willow giggled. "You sound like Xander."

"You don't have any cigars, do you?"

She crunched up her face and shook her head.

"Had to try," he said sadly and then a smile grew on
his face. "You are a pretty little thing, aren't you?"

Willow blushed again. He might be an angel, but he had
definitely had a bit of the devil in him.

His grin grew wider at her discomfort and he chuckled
softly. "Don't worry, little one," he assured her as
he touched her cheek fondly. "I can do you no harm."

* * * * *

Giles was beginning to worry about Willow. She was
late for their afternoon research session. It was very
unlike her. He knew he worried too much about her, his
thoughts should be of the Slayer, but this was Willow.

Since his first days at the school she'd wound her way
into his heart. The quick mind, the sweet smile. The
brave little toaster, Xander had called her. She was
so many things. An innocent with wisdom. A gentle lamb
with the heart of a lion. A girl becoming a woman. He
shook his head, clearing it of dangerous thoughts.
Thoughts best kept buried. She's just a child, isn't
she?

Glancing up at the wall clock, he decided to make a
quick check of the grounds. Just in case.

He found her down the hall talking to that new
custodian. Nothing obviously amiss. Giles started to
turn away, when the man reached out and stroked
Willow's cheek. 'What the bloody hell?'

Giles set his jaw. The way the man was raking his eyes
up and down her body was indecent. Just as he was
about to intervene, Willow turned and smiled, saying
her good-byes. Suddenly, feeling uneasy, Giles hurried
back to the library.

Moments later, Willow bounced in. "Hi, Giles," she
said brightly.

"You're late. Where were you?" Giles asked sharply.

"I - I was just talking to a friend. I'm sorry."

Giles grunted and resumed pacing. He'd started to
brood about Willow and the custodian, his mind racing
through unseemly scenarios. Abruptly, he stopped
pacing and fixed Willow with a piercing stare. He
opened his mouth to speak, but frowned and snapped it
shut.

"I really am sorry, Giles," Willow offered.

He shook his head. "It's all right," he sighed. "I-
I'll be right back." Without explanation he stormed
out of the library and down the hall.

"You! You there!" he called out as he strode toward
the janitor.

"Can I help you?"

"Stay away from Willow," Giles said firmly.

"I'm sorry?" Anitor said in confusion.

"She's just a child for God's sake!" the Watcher spat.

"Is she?"

Giles was flustered. "Of, of course she is. You - you
just stay away from her. I'll -- I'll be watching."

"Of course you will," Anitor said calmly.

"What-- what's that supposed to mean? Now see here,"
Giles said lowering his voice. "Stay away from her."

"I'm afraid I can't do that," Anitor said with a shake
of his head. "Anymore than you can." Giles was
disconcerted - how did this man manage to take his
words and turn them back on him?

"I - You - Just -- Just leave her alone," Giles said
lamely as he stalked away.

Giles burst back into the library and looked at Willow
angrily. "Go home, Willow."

"But we have--"

"Just go," he said curtly.

She looked so hurt as she gathered her things, he
wanted to kick himself. It wasn't her fault that --
That what? He sighed. She would be much safer away
from him, away from the demon, away from his own
demons.

* * * * *

Willow had tried to argue with him, but to no avail.
They had managed to discover that Vraeden would strike
sometime that night. Giles was brooking no arguments
from her, she had to leave. Even though she knew
Anitor was watching over Giles, Willow wished she
could be there by his side. Just in case. After all, Buffy
and Xander were out trying to stop the demon before
it ever found Giles. He'd be alone.

'No, not alone,' she assured herself. 'Anitor would be
with him.'

She sighed and looked out her window, straining to see
something, anything that might signal the danger had
passed. Her heart rose in her throat. Anitor was
leaning casually against a lamp post, gazing at her
room.

In a fury, she ran out into the street. "What are you
doing?" she demanded. "You're supposed to be with
Giles!" Suddenly, she realized that Giles was alone.
"Oh, Goddess, " she gasped. "Giles!"

Before Anitor could explain, she ran as fast as she
toward the library.

* * * * *

"Bloody hell," Giles rasped as his consciousness
faded. "Not again." How many times can a person
get knocked unconscious before they don't wake
up again? He looked past the demon towering over him
and barely made out the image of Willow running into the
library and calling out his name.

"Willow," he croaked out before the darkness claimed
him.

"Giles!" she screamed as she saw the fallen Watcher.
The demon, about to deliver the deathblow, turned at
the sound of her voice. Leaving Giles sprawled
awkwardly on the floor, he made his way toward Willow.

"You-you leave him alone, you bastard!" she cried out,
mindlessly charging at the demon. She stumbled on
chair that had fallen over during the battle with
Giles.

With a horrifying roar the demon leapt at her, but was
rebuffed by some unseen barrier.

"Begone, foul dwimmerlaik," a deep resonant voice
pronounced. Anitor raised his hand and swept it
through the air. An explosion of light swallowed the
bellowing demon, casting him back to his own world of
chaos.

Anitor stood proudly and looked down at Willow. A
broad, satisfied smile covered his face. "I always
wanted to say that," he said as he offered her a hand
up.

Willow still breathing hard with fear, ignored his
hand and fixed him with a hard glare. "Some guardian
angel you are! What the hell were you doing at my
house? Giles could have been killed!" she fumed.

He cocked his head to the side and watched her
curiously as she got up and ran to the Watcher's
side. "You still don't understand, do you?"

He looked at her and smiled gently. "As Giles'
guardian angel, I protect the thing he loves most --
you."

Willow's breath caught. She blinked a few times,
unbelieving. "He loves me?"

The angel's eyes were soft. "I wouldn't be here if he
didn't. Your love for him and his for you is true and
pure. We love symmetry."

Willow looked down at the man she loved and shook her
head.

"Be patient with him, little one," Anitor said gently.
"He'll come around in time."

Overwhelmed, Willow gently stroked Giles' cheek, and
he began to stir.

"Watch over each other," the angel said as a flash of
light engulfed him, and he was gone.

Giles moaned and opened his eyes. "Willow" he gasped.
"Are - are you all right?"

"I think so," she said gazing at him. "If you are."

He shook his head and sat up grabbing her by the
shoulders. "Willow, what are you doing here? I told
you not come. You could have been killed." His eyes
went wide with the memory. "Vraeden!" he cried
struggling to his feet, pulling her behind him.

"It's okay, Giles." She turned him to face her. "He's
gone."

"Gone?" Giles whispered. Her emerald eyes shining up
at him, his voice seemed to fail him. "You--- I saw
you--"

She reached up and put a finger on his lips to quiet
him. Her lips followed close behind. She kissed him,
gently, a fairy's touch. Giles stood still in shock,
unable to move, afraid to touch her.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"For what?" he said softly, unsure if this was just
another dream. "You saved my life."

"Actually, it was Anitor."

"Anitor?" Giles mumbled, his mind still fixated on her
soft kiss.

Willow shook her head. "Doesn't matter," she
whispered, kissing him again, unable to resist.

"W-willow," Giles stammered as he tried unsuccessfully
not to return the gentle caress.

"Yes?" she said, her face bright with a smile, her
eyes lit with a love he'd seen only in his dreams.

"W-w---" he shook his head and smiled back. "I d-don't
understand."

Her smile grew wider and she stroked his cheek. "You will."

The End