( RIPOSTE ][ A Watchergirls Archive )

__When You Least Expect It__
By Ness

Giles stepped into the motel room and dropped his bag as he closed the door. He leaned back against it as a wave of exhaustion, both mental and physical, swept over him. "Just my bloody luck," he thought. "I'm trying to get out of the blasted country and my flight is delayed until tomorrow."

He had rented the motel room after finding out about the delayed flight.

Wearily, he pushed himself away from the door and made his way to the bed. Sitting down, he began removing his shoes, all the while trying not to think of Buffy and the pain, anger and betrayal that had been in her eyes when he had told her he was leaving. The pain and anger had torn at his heart. But the look of betrayal had torn at his soul. It was a look he remembered all too well from her eighteenth birthday.

He had left without saying goodbye. He hadn't wanted to see the betrayal in her eyes again. It hadn't done him any good. He saw it every time he closed his eyes.

Suddenly, he was too tired to do anything but stretch out on the bed and try to sleep. He was hoping not to see her face in his dreams, but something told him he would.

He was right.

****

Giles woke from the nightmare with a scream lodged in his throat. As he tried to calm his racing heart and quell the fear that still coursed through him, he tried to remember what he was dreaming. Bits and pieces of the nightmare began to come back to him. He dreamed that Buffy had died again. This time he had the power to save her but hadn't been there. Rationally, he knew that the dream was merely his subconscious displaying his feelings of guilt over leaving Sunnydale. But, that did not make the dream any less vivid or any less painful.

He began to feel cold from the effects of the air conditioner on his sweat-soaked skin. Slowly, he moved from the bed and made his way to the bathroom to shower and dress in order to make his flight on time.

As he picked up his suitcase and prepared to leave the motel he wondered, yet again, if he was doing the right thing.

He didn't know the answer to that. But the one thing he did know was his life would never be the same.

****

Giles made his way to the airport counter. At first he did not hear the person calling his name. By the time he did, there was a definite note of impatience. Cordelia Chase came striding toward him.

“Hey Giles,” she greeted him with a smile. “I didn’t think you were going to stop for a minute there. Where are you going in such a hurry?”

“Hello Cordelia, I am waiting for my flight to London to board. What are you doing here?”

“I was seeing a friend off,” Cordelia replied, “Wait a minute, what do you mean flight to London? Why aren’t you in Sunnydale? I thought for sure you’d be permanently attached to Buffy, what with her coming back from the dead and all.”

“I’m going home, Cordelia. I’ve seen Buffy but I think it’s best if I return to England at this time.” Giles responded.

“What do you mean ‘it’s best if you return to England’? Why are you leaving Giles? What happened?”

“I simply believe it’s best for Buffy if I am not quite so accessible.” Giles explained. “Returning to England seems to be the best alternative.”

“I understand giving her some room. But don’t you think leaving the country is a bit of overkill.” Cordelia asked in a puzzled tone. “I mean if you wanted to get away from her all you had to do was move to L. A.”

“I did not leave Sunnydale to ‘get away from her’ as you put it.” Giles was beginning to lose patience. “I did what I thought was best for her”

“Okay, okay. Don’t get bent out of shape. I was just making a comment. Anyway, are you planning on coming back?”

“I don’t know Cordelia, at this time I would have to say no, but I just don’t know.”

Cordelia couldn’t help but notice how sad Giles seemed as he said that. The only time she had seen him this down was when Buffy had run away that summer. It broke her heart to see him so sad.

“I’m sorry Giles. You know that Buffy and I have never been each other’s biggest fan. I just hate to see you move so far away. Tell you what, I’ll give you my number and you can call me and tell me how it’s going in Merry Olde England. And I can let you in on what’s going on here.”

Giles hesitated, “I don’t know Cordelia--”

“Come on Giles.” Cordelia persisted. “Geez it’s not like I’m asking you to marry me. Just give me a phone call every now and then.” Cordelia paused for a moment before continuing in a cool voice. “Unless, of course you’d consider it too much of a chore.”

“No, of course not.” Giles sighed. “I’d be happy to call you every now and again for a friendly chat.”

“Great. See now that wasn’t hard at all was it?” Cordelia’s tone warmed again.

Giles chuckled, “No, I suppose it wasn’t at that.”

At that moment he heard his flight number being paged.

“Well, I must be going--”

“Wait, let me give you my number.” Cordelia said, digging in her purse for pen and paper.

As she watched him walking away after exchanging telephone numbers, she made a vow to herself. She would keep in touch with Rupert Giles. She would not let him get pushed aside like so many times before.

With that thought she headed back to the office.

****

Giles was sitting at his desk, studying the invoices of several artifacts that had just been received from Cairo, when his office intercom buzzed.

“Mr. Giles, you have an overseas call from a Miss Cordelia Chase.”

“Thank you Miss Thompson. Please put it though.”

As Giles waited, he thought about the unlikely friendship that had sprung up between he and Cordelia Chase. If anyone had told him that he would look forward to these weekly telephone calls three months ago, he would have sent them to the nearest psychiatrist with all due haste. As it was, these calls were becoming the highlight of his week. It seemed that Cordelia Chase had matured and when she claimed you as her friend, you stayed a friend. His phone buzzed to indicate the incoming call.

“Hey Giles, how’s my favorite British museum guy?” Cordelia greeted him cheerfully.

“Cordelia, I’m your only, as you put it, British museum guy.” Giles chuckled.

“I know, but if I had more than one you would be my favorite.” Cordelia countered with a giggle.

Giles couldn’t help but laugh, “You’re sure of that, are you?”

“You bet. ‘Cause I don’t think I have the patience for more than two stuffy British guys. You and Wes have used up my quota, probably for life.”

“Oh, my. I believe I hear hearts all over England breaking at that statement.”

“Oohh, you think you’re funny don’t you? Just for that I think I should just hang up right now.”

“Now Cordelia, if you hang up now, you know you’ll miss out on telling me something that you’ve been dying to tell me for a week.” Giles said.

“That’s true. I hate it when you know me so well.” Cordelia let out a mock-sigh.

Giles leaned back in his chair to ease some of the kinks in his back and to make himself more comfortable. “Things in L.A., how are they?”

“Good. Connor keeps getting bigger and bigger. The other day he looked right at me and smiled. Wesley tried to say that he had an upset stomach, but I know that he was smiling at me. He’s trying to talk, not saying much, but he’s trying. Everyone’s coaching him, trying to get him to say their name first. Of course, you know that I would never do that.”

Giles could hear the laughter in her voice at that last statement.

“Of course not, you would be above that, wouldn’t you?” he chuckled.

“Anyway, Fred and Gunn are an item now,” she continued. “I feel sorry for Wes, he liked her a lot too. But he seems to be taking it all right.”

“I’m sure he’ll be fine.” Giles agreed. “It’s hard to see someone you care about with someone else, but he has friends so I’m sure he’ll get through.” Giles changed the subject. “Have you heard any news from Sunnydale?”

She noticed that neither of them had mentioned Angel. That was the one uneasy point in their weekly conversations. He loved to hear about Wesley, Gunn, Fred, Connor, even Phantom Dennis on occasion. He said that they seemed as real to him now as the people in Sunnydale. Even though he had never met any of them, except Wesley. And he said that it didn’t sound like the Wesley he knew, so in a way, he was a stranger to him too. But they never mentioned Angel.

She knew that even hearing the vampire’s name was painful to him, so they never talked about him.

“Well, I don’t talk to them much,” she answered. “But I’ve heard that the wedding plans are coming alone fine. I got an invitation in the mail a few days ago.”

“Yes, I know. I received mine yesterday.”

“You did? You’re coming back for the wedding, aren’t you?” Cordelia asked excitedly.

He hesitated, “I’m not certain. I don’t think that Buffy would really want me there. She was very angry at me the last time we saw one another.”

“What do you mean?” Cordelia didn’t like what she was hearing. “Giles, please tell me that you’ve talked to each other since you left Sunnydale!”

“No.”

“Why?”

“There just didn’t seem to be a right time.” Giles defended himself. “You didn’t see her, Cordelia. She was so hurt and angry and feeling so betrayed.” Giles sighed heavily. “I don’t know that she would even talk to me.”

“Have you even tried?” Cordelia persisted. “Have you even picked up the phone and called her?”

“No,” he replied tersely.

Cordelia took a deep breath, “Look, I know that Buffy and I haven’t been exactly what you would call best friends--”

Giles had to laugh at that.

So did Cordelia.

“As I was saying,” she continued. “We’re not best friends, but I understand her being angry. But it’s also been three months. You wanted her to grow up. Don’t you think it’s time to see if she has?” Cordelia asked gently. “I mean the worst she can do is hang up on you. And honestly, I don’t think she’ll do that. You were a very important part of her life for a lot of years, Giles. You owe it to her, and to yourself, to see if she’s forgiven you. Besides how are you going to go to Xander and Anya’s wedding if you can’t even talk to Buffy? And you have to come back for the wedding!”

“Why, Cordelia?” he asked curiously.

“Because--I want to see you,” she answered softly. “You’ve become one of my best friends. These phone calls are nice, but every now and then I’d like to see you in the flesh, so to speak. Promise me Giles. Promise me that you’ll give Buffy a call.”

“Very well, I’ll give her a call. But if she doesn’t want me there. I won’t force my presence on her.”

“Good enough. Now, do you have time to hear about everyone else?”

“Of course. How are Willow and the others?”

“Dawn’s doing okay. She was having a hard time for awhile, but she says she’s okay now. I talk to her as often as I can. I may not have always gotten along with everyone else, but Dawn’s a good kid. I’ve talked to Xander a couple of times. He seems to be very happy with Anya.”

“Does that bother you Cordelia?”

“What?”

“That Xander is engaged to another woman.”

“No! No, Giles.” Cordelia reassured him. “I’m over Xander. I’ve moved on in so many ways that I can’t count them. I’m not the same spoiled girl that went to high school in Sunnydale. I’m happy that he’s found someone. I just should have known that it would be an ex-vengeance demon. I mean, that boy sure can pick ‘em.”

“How are Willow and Tara getting alone?”

“Well, they hit a rocky patch a while back. Tara was concerned about Willow getting too deeply into magic, what with her bringing Buffy back and all. But as far as I know, they got through it and are still together.” Cordelia finished her Sunnydale report. “So, I’ve got you caught up on everything here, how are you doing over there?”

“I’m doing well,” he replied. “I’m helping a friend of mine here at the museum. He’s the curator. He’s offered me a job, but I don’t know that I want to tie myself down here. So right now, I’m here as a consultant. It’s working out for me. And it leaves me free to pursue other projects if I so desire. And you?”

“I’m good. Taking care of Connor and trying to figure out all of my demony aspects is keeping me hopping. That’s not counting when a vision hits. But it’s been kinda quiet on that front lately. At least it’s giving me a rest. I’m enjoying it for however long it lasts.”

Giles still couldn’t quite fathom how she dealt with the fact that she was part demon. But she didn’t have a problem with it so he tried not to as well. He did worry about her though. He felt that she pushed herself entirely too hard.

“Well, make sure that you rest properly. I would be quite distressed to learn of anything happening to you. You know that if you need anything, research material, someone to listen, anything. All you have to do is call me.” Giles wanted her to know she count on him.

“I know Giles.” Cordelia smiled at his concern, “If I need anything, I’ll be sure and call you.”

He cleared his throat, “Well, I would love to chat with you longer, but I’m afraid that if I don’t get these invoices done, I shall lose even my consultant job with the museum.”

“Well, we can’t have that. You need a job if you’re going to come for the wedding. I’ll talk to you next week, Giles.”

“Very well. Have a good week, Cordelia”

“You too, Giles. Bye”

“Goodbye, Cordelia.”

He heard a dial tone. He stared at the handset for a moment more before he hung it up. Maybe he would give Buffy a call. He would really like to see everyone again. Especially Cordelia.

With that thought, he turned his attention to the invoices laying on his desk.

****

Giles looked at the phone with some trepidation. He had promised Cordelia that he would speak to Buffy. He also had to admit that Cordelia made a valid argument. How could he expect Buffy to behave as an adult if he made no effort to treat her as one? That made it no easier to face her, or talk to her, as the case may be. He vividly remembered her anger and disappointment when he told her he was leaving. He wasn’t sure he was ready to face that again.

However, nothing was being accomplished by avoiding her. So he took a deep breath and picked up the receiver. As he waited, he thought about what he would say. And kept coming up blank.

He held his breath as he waited.

“Hello?”

“Buffy?”

“Giles? Giles, is that you?” Buffy sounded surprised.

“Yes. How are you Buffy?” Giles asked quietly.

“Do you really care?” she snapped before she could catch herself. “Wait, I didn’t mean to say that. I promised myself, if you called, I wouldn’t get angry. So this is me not getting angry. What can I do for you Giles?” she asked as calmly as she could.

“You’re upset with me.” Giles told her. “You have every right to be, but I just couldn’t continue to distance myself from you.”

“Why is that?” Buffy asked stiffly.

“I had a friend remind me that if I expected you to act like an adult then I needed to treat you as one. Also, I’ve missed you terribly.” Giles sighed. “You have no idea how much I’ve missed you.”

Buffy’s tone softened, “I’ve missed you too.”

“Buffy--?” Giles hesitated.

“What, Giles?”

“Would you mind if I returned to Sunnydale for Xander and Anya’s wedding?”

“Why are you asking me?” Buffy didn’t expect that.

“Because if my presence makes you uncomfortable, I’ll send my regrets to Xander and Anya,” he answered truthfully.

“Would you really do that for me Giles?” Buffy asked curiously. “If I said that I didn’t want you here, you would stay away?”

“Yes. Because even though I would like to be there. I won’t do it at your expense. I know you don’t believe me, Buffy.” Giles was surprised at how badly that hurt. “But you are, and you will always be, my slayer. Your wishes will take precedence in this matter. Whatever you decide I will abide by.”

“If you want to come, I won’t stop you.” Buffy refused to make the choice for him. “But, I’m not going to lie to you Giles. It’s been three months since you left and I’m still feeling abandoned. I understand why you did what you did, a little. But that doesn’t make it any easier to deal with. I know I was leaning on you too much and letting you make way too many decisions,” she admitted. “Especially letting you be the heavy with Dawn. But you didn’t even give me a warning first. You just left. I mean, I’d like to think that I might have been able to change. But you didn’t even give me a chance.”

Giles’ heart broke at the pain in his slayer’s voice, but before he could say anything, Buffy was speaking again.

“I’ll tell you what--you come to the wedding and we’ll go from there. How does that sound?”

“That sounds wonderful. Thank you, Buffy.” The relief was evident in his voice.

“You’re welcome. I’ll see you then. Bye, Giles.”

“Goodbye, Buffy.”

That had actually went much better than he had originally thought it would. His slayer may not have forgiven him, but at least she was willing to talk to him. He left his office feeling much lighter than he had in a very long time. He was going home.

****

When Giles stepped off the plane, he marveled at the difference in his feelings. The last time he walked through this airport, it was on the assumption that he would never set foot in America again. Now, he was returning to the one place that he considered home. He would always miss England. But Sunnydale was his home. Everyone who meant anything to him was there. Well, almost everyone, he corrected. Cordelia was living in L. A., working as a part-time secretary and full-time seer to a souled vampire. The friendship he had with her was one for the record books. She had been the reigning queen of Sunnydale High, “Queen C” as it were. And he had been the school librarian. But even when she had frayed his nerves to the end, he had admitted that there was more to this young girl than met the eye.

When she had moved to L. A. to pursue an acting career, no one really expected to hear from her again. But it seemed that the Hellmouth, or the Powers-that-be as she called them, did not release the ones that knew of their secrets easily. If he had ever questioned the existence of fate, the fact that Cordelia had ended up working for Angel would have put paid to those doubts. He still wasn’t as certain of Cordelia working for Angel as she seemed to be. But then again, he had never told anyone what Angelus had done to him. Not the details anyway. He had made himself a promise. If Angel showed signs of hurting anyone he would stake him and risk Buffy’s wrath. But, if he hurt Cordelia, he would do more than simply stake him.

At that moment, he heard his name called out. When he turned, he had an odd sense of déjà vu. Then his arms were full of Cordelia. He didn’t realize how happy he was to see her, until he had picked her up off her feet in a huge hug. As he realized where he was and who he was holding, he hastily released her. But she hung on a moment longer.

Then she backed up and took a long look at him

“Hey, Giles,” she grinned. “You’re looking good. Have you been working out?”

He couldn’t help it, he laughed.

“Hello, Cordelia. As a matter of fact, I have. I found that I was becoming out-of-shape without a slayer to spar with.”

“Well, I don’t remember you looking this good when you *were* sparring with a slayer,” she said as she hooked her arm through his. “Are you ready?”

“I just have to retrieve my bags and I shall be.” Giles answered through his chuckles.

“Good, let’s get this show on the road. I borrowed Angel’s car.”

Giles hesitated, “Cordelia, you didn’t have to do that. I’m more than capable of renting a car and driving myself.”

Cordelia just shook her head, “See, I knew this was going to happen.”

“What?”

“You were going to tell me ‘Don’t bother Cordelia, I shall get to Sunnydale on my own’.” Cordelia did a passable imitation of Giles’ accent. “Then I would have to argue with you until you saw it my way. Make my life easier and just agree with me. You know you’re going to in the end. Just save yourself, and me, the hassle and give in now. I’m taking you to Sunnydale and I’m not taking no for an answer,” she finished with a grin.

Giles stared at her a moment, “It’s frightening how well you know me. Very well, let me gather my things and you may take me to Sunnydale.”

“Great! See, I told you you’d see it my way,” she said cheekily.

Giles was laughing as he went to get his luggage.

As he and Cordelia were leaving the airport, a middle-aged gentleman approached Cordelia.

“Cordelia Chase? Is that you?”

Cordelia stiffened when the man called to her.

“Mr. Carlson,” she answered, without any enthusiasm. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m picking up my wife. How have you been? I haven’t heard from you or your family since--,” he stopped abruptly.

“You mean, since my parents left the country?” Cordelia said in a matter-of-fact tone. “I moved from Sunnydale. I haven’t been back so I haven’t kept up with anyone.”

“I’m sorry Cordelia, I didn’t mean to--.” he let his sentence hang again.

Giles interrupted, “Cordelia, aren’t you going to introduce us?”

“Oh, yeah. Giles this is Mr. Carlson. Mr. Carlson this is Rupert Giles.” Cordelia didn’t want to have to make nice with the little toad. But it seemed she didn’t have a choice. “Mr. Carlson was one of Dad’s ‘friends’.” Giles could hear the sarcasm in her voice.

Apparently, so could Mr. Carlson.

“So, Mr. Giles, where do you know Cordelia from?” he said, changing the subject quickly.

“I was a teacher at Sunnydale High School when Cordelia was a student. We became friends after she graduated.” Giles answered politely. “She graciously agreed to meet me here today.”

“Did you become friends with all your students, Mr. Giles? I saw when Cordelia greeted you. It looked very--friendly.” Carlson said. The censure in his voice was evident.

Giles, feeling his anger rising, was about to speak when Cordelia beat him to it.

“What are you implying, Mr. Carlson?” Cordelia asked evenly. “Are you implying that there might be something improper going on between Giles and I? Because if you are, then I have to say, I don’t really think that it’s any of your damn business.” Cordelia was furious. “And if I really wanted to point out that you have no room to talk, I might mention the affair you had with your daughter’s college roommate.” Cordelia regained control of herself with an effort. “But, since I don’t want to point that out, I don’t think I’ll mention it. I think you’d better go, Mr. Carlson. I see your wife coming, and I *really* don’t think you want to have this conversation with her here, do you?”

“How dare you?” Carlson spluttered, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I was just trying to stand in for your father, I’m sure he would be concerned about this--”

“Don’t.” Cordelia interrupted coldly, “He wouldn’t have any more room to talk than you do. And I don’t answer to my parents any longer. What they do is their business and what I do is mine. Goodbye, Mr. Carlson. Next time you see me--don’t speak. I think we’ll both be happier that way.”

Cordelia turned on her heel and headed towards the door.

Giles hung back a moment,

“Mr.--Carlson, I believe it was?” Giles asked.

The man nodded.

“I want to make something perfectly clear.” Giles continued. “There is nothing between Cordelia and I other than friendship. However, if I hear of you saying otherwise--to anyone--I will make sure that you are held responsible for spreading such scandalous lies. Do I make myself absolutely clear?” Rupert simply held Carlson’s gaze until he nodded a shaky assent. Rupert smiled coolly, “Good, I knew we could settle this like gentlemen.”

With that, he turned and followed Cordelia.

About that time, Mrs. Carlson walked up. “Was that Cordelia Chase I saw leaving just now?” she asked curiously.

Carlson shuddered, “No. No, it wasn’t.” He knew that he wouldn’t be repeating this conversation to anyone. The man hadn’t threatened him, per se. But there was no doubt in his mind that if he spoke ill of Cordelia Chase, Rupert Giles would pay him a visit. And he didn’t ever want to see him again.

****

Outside, Giles was standing by Angel’s car talking with Cordelia.

“Cordelia, would you like for me to drive? I understand if you’re upset--”

“Upset? What about?” Cordelia looked at Giles in confusion.

“Cordelia, I’m sure the insinuations that man made about us have upset you.” Giles was a bit upset himself.

“Giles, I’m not upset,” she reassured him. “Now, if you say pissed off, I’d have to say that you’re right. But not because he thought you and I were a couple. That didn’t bother me. It was the fact that he thought that he had the right to pass judgement on me.” Cordelia unlocked the door. “I mean, he’s supposed to be one of my father’s best friends and the minute everything with the IRS broke you couldn’t find him--or any of dad’s ‘other friends’. And he really did have an affair with his daughter’s roommate.” Cordelia stated matter-of-factly. “So who was he to look down his nose at me even if I had decided to get involved with you? Uh, not that we’re involved or anything, you know, other than friends.” She stopped suddenly, running out of verbal steam.

“So it didn’t bother you that he thought you and I were romantically involved?” Giles asked seriously.

“No. I mean, come on, why would I be ashamed of you?”

“Oh, I don’t know?” Giles answered wryly. “Perhaps the fact that I’m twice your age springs to mind.”

“Giles, I know that I was shallow in high school but--.” Cordelia began.

“Cordelia--.” he interrupted.

“No, you asked the question, let me finish,” she broke in. “If I cared about you, I would have no problem with your age. You may not think it, what with Buffy and the others, me included, going ewww all through school, but you’re a very handsome man, Giles.” She began to click off his finer points on her fingers. “You’re intelligent, well-mannered, cultured and, might I mention again, good-looking. You’ve always been a gentleman with me. And trust me, there’s not that many of you out there. So no. If I cared about you, the age thing would be so far down on my list of problems that it wouldn’t even be a problem. Now the fact that you live in England, are a watcher to a slayer or, hey, the fact that I’m part-demon. Now those are problems. Your age….not one,” she finished firmly.

He was quiet for a moment, “I don’t quite know what to say--.”

She grinned at him, “Don’t say anything. Just get your butt in the car so we can get to Sunnydale. I told Xander that I was bringing a guest to the wedding. I can’t wait to see their faces when I show up with you.”

“They know I’m coming to the wedding Cordelia.”

“I know, but they don’t know you’re coming with *me*,” she grinned mischievously. “Buckle up. Sunnydale, here we come.”

Giles shook his head in amusement as Cordelia pulled away from the curb.

****

As Cordelia drove to Sunnydale, she kept sneaking glances at Giles. Right after they had left L.A., he had dozed off. He didn’t look like he had been sleeping very well. She knew the situation with Buffy had been bothering him and he had seemed better since she had made him promise to call her. Buffy had made him feel guility for leaving and that bothered Cordelia. No matter what Buffy had done, Giles had always forgiven her.

But she also admitted that she was always harder on Buffy than anyone else. To them anything Buffy did was okay. Because, hey, she was the slayer and could die young. But in Cordelia’s mind that was a possibility for any of them. Their deaths just weren’t written down in some prophecy.

Cordelia was happy that Giles was here and she could spend some time with him. She had gotten very close to him. She had told him things that no one else knew. If someone had told her five years ago that her best friend would have been the school librarian, she would have told them they were nuts.

Her thoughts turned to what had happened earlier at the airport. For that jackass Carlson to judge her because he thought she was sleeping with Giles still pissed her off. She hadn’t told Giles, but Carlson had hit on her when she was still in high school. What had really hurt was her father hadn’t believed her when she had told him about it. He had said that she must have misunderstood. Right after that everything had fallen apart and they had left the country. She hadn’t see Carlson again. Until today.

Her thoughts turned to Giles. He really was a handsome man. And the fact that he was such a gentleman was a real turn-on for most women. And the fact that he could sing and looked sexy in leather and an earring didn’t hurt.

Whoa. She shook herself mentally. Where did that thought come from? She didn’t think about Giles like that. He was just a friend. Granted, a good-looking friend, but a friend nonetheless. Angel was good-looking, but she hadn’t thought about him like that for ages. In fact, if she thought about it, she was surrounded by fine men. She chuckled to herself. If Carlson had seen the men she worked with, his nasty little imagination really would have gotten a workout.

She saw she was approaching Sunnydale.

“Giles. Wake up. We’re almost there.” Cordelia gently shook him.

Giles slowly opened his eyes. He blinked, trying to focus and everything was still blurry. He felt Cordelia shake him again.

“Sorry, I forgot that I had taken off your glasses when you fell asleep. I didn’t want anything to happen to them.”

He looked down and saw her blurry hand holding his equally blurry glasses. He slipped them on and everything came into focus.

“Thank you. I’m sorry I fell asleep.”

“Don’t worry about it, I figured you needed the rest. I just wanted to wake you up before we got to Buffy’s.” She turned her attention back to the road. “I meant to ask you, but you fell asleep on me. Do you have a place to stay? The wedding is in two days, but you’re gonna need a place to stay until then.”

Giles looked sheepish, “Actually, I hadn’t thought of that. I sold my flat when I left here. Perhaps I can book a hotel room?”

Cordelia grinned at him, “Actually, you can’t. They’re having a convention in town and there isn’t a room to be had. But, thanks to me, you’re in luck,” she informed him playfully. “When I booked my room, I got you one too. I didn’t want to take the chance you’d forget. So, we can either go and check in now. Or go to Buffy’s. Your call.”

“I think I would like to see Buffy now.” Giles decided.

“Okay.”

“And Cordelia--.”

“Yeah?”

“I seem to be saying this quite often to you. Thank you.”

“No problem.”

Giles felt the butterflies begin in his stomach. The closer to Buffy’s they became, the more active they were. He wasn’t sure what to say to her or any of the others. He felt Cordelia lay her hand over his clenched fist.

“Don’t worry, Giles,” she reassured him. “Everything’s gonna be okay. They’ll understand. And if they don’t, I’ll just kidnap you and we’ll spend the weekend in Vegas.” She grinned impishly.

“I don’t know Cordelia.” Giles chuckled. “If we did that, Angel and the others might think I’ve corrupted you.”

“Nah,” she giggled. “They’d just say that I’ve finally corrupted you.”

As they pulled up in front of Buffy’s house, Cordelia became serious once more.

“Are you ready?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be, I suspect.”

“Well--.” she hesitated. “Say the word and we’re outta here. I mean it. If you’re uncomfortable, we’ll leave.” Cordelia finished firmly.

He smiled, touched by her concern.

“Don’t worry. I’ll be fine.” Giles reassured her.

They made their way to the front door.

“Well, here’s goes nothing” Cordelia said as she rang the doorbell.

Dawn opened the front door.

“Giles!” she shrieked. She threw her arms around him, almost knocking him off balance.

“What are you doing here? How long are you staying? Does Buffy know you’re here?”

Giles smiled, “Take a breath and I’ll answer your questions”

Dawn stopped and took a deep breath.

“That’s better. Now, I’m here for the wedding. As for how long I’ll be here. I’m not sure. Buffy doesn’t know I’m here. She knew I was coming, but she didn’t know exactly when I would be here.”

Dawn pulled on his arm.

“Well don’t just stand there. Willow, Tara, Xander and Anya are here. Buffy’s at work, but she’ll be home in about 15 minutes.”

At that moment, she noticed Cordelia, who had been standing off to the side grinning like a Cheshire cat. Dawn’s welcome was the best thing that could have happened to Giles. This way he knew there was at least one person in Sunnydale that was glad to see him.

“Cordelia!” Dawn said. “I didn’t know you were coming.”

“I came for the wedding too. I got the weekend off from Angel and decided to stay a few days. I met this guy at the airport and decided to take pity on him and give him a ride.” She grinned at Giles.

About that time, Willow appeared at the door.

“Giles! What are you doing here?” she asked in surprise.

“I came for the wedding, Willow.” Giles answered. “Didn’t Buffy tell any of you that I was coming?”

“Well, yeah.” Willow stated abruptly. “She told us, but we kinda thought you’d call before you showed up. You know what I mean?”

“Yes, well. Perhaps I should come back at a later time? We still need to check into the hotel. We could do that and come back later.” Giles offered.

Cordelia heard the hurt in his voice and stepped in.

“If you want to go to the hotel, we can do that now.”

Willow’s eyes widened, “Cordelia, what are you doing here? And what are you doing with Giles?”

Cordelia kept her tone was just this side of freezing. “I came for the wedding. I *was* invited.”

“I know.” Willow said hastily.

“I picked Giles up from the airport and we drove here together.” Cordelia continued. “We’ll just go to the hotel, get checked in and then we’ll come back.”

Willow looked at them strangely, “You’re staying at the same hotel?”

“Yeah, so?” Cordelia asked with a hint of challenge in her voice.

“Nothing, it’s just--well, I didn’t think you two knew each other all that well. I mean to drive from L.A. and then stay in the same hotel--.” Willow’s voice trailed off.

Giles spoke first as the statement sunk in.

“We are just friends, Willow,” he explained. “Cordelia was kind enough to make reservations for me. She knew that rooms would be in short supply this weekend and booked one for herself and one for me. Now, was there anything else before we leave for the hotel?”

“No…No I don’t think so.” Willow said stammered.

“Fine. When Buffy returns, tell her that we will come back by in about an hour or so.”

“Okay.”

“Giles.” Dawn spoke for the first time since Willow had come to the door.

“Yes, Dawn?”

“I’m really glad to see you and Cordelia.” With that she gave him a quick hug and went back into the house.

As Willow closed the door, Giles and Cordelia headed back to the car.

“Are you alright?” Cordelia didn’t attempt to hide her concern.

“I’m fine.”

“Are you sure? Because I know that wasn’t the welcome you were looking for--well, except from Dawn.” she added.

Giles looked at Cordelia after he had gotten into the car.

“I’m fine, Cordelia. I knew not everyone would be happy to see me and to be quite honest, I expected Willow to be one of the ones that wouldn’t be overly thrilled.”

“Why?”

Giles took a deep breath and slowly released it before replying, “Let’s just say that she and I had a rather large disagreement before I left the last time.”

“It was about the magic she used to bring Buffy back, wasn’t it?” Cordelia guessed.

“Yes, it’s just one more mistake I have to rectify.”

“Hey, hold on.” Cordelia said in exasperation. “I’m tired of you assuming that everything is your fault.”

“Cordelia, if I had been here the first time, Willow might not have dabbled in the powerful magic that she has gotten into.” Giles protested.

“And maybe, she would have.” Cordelia shot back. “You forget, she purposely waited for you to get on that plane before trying that spell. You can’t take the blame for her mistakes, anymore than you can take the credit for what she does right. She’s old enough to make her own decisions, Giles.” Cordelia had had enough of him blaming himself. “I’m sure Willow knew exactly what she was getting into. And if she didn’t--that was her own fault. She’s done enough research over the years to know how to find out what the risks are. If she didn’t, that’s her fault. You can help her all you want, and all she’ll let you, but don’t you dare try and take the blame for anything that comes out of this.” She looked at him for a moment, “Are you listening to me?”

“Yes, Cordelia. I’m listening to you.” Giles was warmed by her concern. “I’m just trying to figure out when you became so wise.”

“It comes with age,” she said loftily

“With age, does it?” he said as he laughed, “You’re all of what? 20?”

“I beg your pardon,” she said, trying her best to sound offended. “I’m 21.”

“I stand corrected.” he chuckled. “You must have gotten it because of your age.”

“Hey, are you callin’ me old?!?”

With that, they both dissolved into laughter. When they had gotten themselves under control, they left for the hotel.

****

Cordelia went directly to her room to freshen up. She put her bag on the bed and began to unpack.

The way Willow had treated Giles had infuriated her. How dare she? Cordelia wasn’t sure if the others would react like Willow. She didn’t think Anya would, if anything, she might be a little protective of the Magic Box. But other than that, she would be glad to see him. Xander was another problem altogether. He had always went along with Buffy, except about Angel. If Buffy rejected Giles, there was a good possibility that Xander would as well. Surprisingly, the thought that Xander might side with Buffy didn’t bother Cordelia. She would hurt for Giles, but any pain that Xander could cause her was in the past. With that thought, she grabbed the clothes she had decided to wear and headed for the bathroom.

Next door, Giles was doing the same. He had put away his clothes and, having showered, was shaving. His thoughts drifted to Willow. He was very much afraid that she had gotten herself in trouble with her magic. He could almost smell it on her. He smiled at Dawn’s reaction to his appearance. At least one Summers woman was eager to see him. He was actually looking forward to seeing Anya. There were times that she tried his patience, but she had a good heart. She tried, albeit with some grumbling, to help as best she could. She was a good girl (even if she was an 1100-year-old ex-vengeance demon).

He glanced at his watch, he needed to hurry if he wanted to meet Cordelia on time. They had decided to get a bite to eat before heading back to Buffy’s.

They met in the lobby of the hotel.

“Where would you like to eat?” he asked.

“There’s a deli not too far from here. We could eat and go back to Buffy‘s.” She didn’t sound eager at the prospect.

“Cordelia--are you all right?”

“I’m fine. Why do you ask?” She cringed inwardly, how lame could you get? She didn’t even convince herself with that one.

“Cordelia, if you would rather not return to Buffy’s with me, I would understand. I’m sure you have people that you would like to see.”

She smiled wryly. “Giles, at this point in my life I probably have fewer people to see in this town than you do. I didn’t like how Willow treated you. I’ll get over it. I will tell you this, if she is rude to you again--well, let’s just say that she’ll meet Queen C again.”

“Cordelia, there’s no need--.”

“I know there’s no *need* Giles.” Cordelia interrupted. “You’re my friend. I *do not* like when people are rude to my friends. I tend to take it personally.”

He stared at her as he slowly shook his head, “Remind me to never get on your bad side.”

“Don’t worry, I will,” she grinned. “Now, let’s get something to eat. I’m starved.” Cordelia was already pulling him out of the hotel.

One hour later, they pulled up in front of Buffy’s house. The butterflies in Giles’ stomach had graduated to eagles. He was aware of Cordelia standing next to him and it seemed to calm him. Buffy opened the door before he had a chance to knock.

”I’m glad you’re here Giles,” she said as she hugged him. “I know we need to talk, but I’m glad you’re here.”

Giles released a sigh of relief.

“I’m glad to see you as well.”

Buffy noticed Cordelia standing to the side.

“Hey Cordelia.” Buffy greeted her. “Willow said you were with Giles. How are you?”

“I’m good.” Cordelia said slowly, “How have you been?”

“As well as can be expected.” She stepped back to let them in. “Come in. Everybody’s here.”

Giles stepped into the living room and saw Anya at the same time she saw him.

“Giles!”

She was across the room before he could say anything. She stopped suddenly as she reached him. If he didn’t know better, he would swear she was nervous.

“Hello, Anya. How have you been?”

“I’ve been okay. The Magic Box is making lots of money. I’ve sent you the financial reports. Have you been reading them?” she said in a rush.

“Yes, I have. You’ve been doing very well.” Giles complimented her. “How are the wedding plans coming along?”

“We’ve got everything planned.” Anya answered excitedly. “Xander says he’ll be glad when it’s all over, but I like planning weddings. I never thought I’d get a chance. I mean, when I was a vengeance demon, it’s not like I saw the best of marriages. But with Xander, I get to see why people would want to get married to begin with. It is a lot of work though.” She informed him. “Keeping up with who sits where and who sits with who. I wanted to ask you, since I don’t have a father to walk me down the aisle, would you do it?”

It took Giles a moment to process the question. He had learned that sometimes Anya could leave him in the conversational dust.

“You want me to give you away?” He asked uncertainly.

“Well, not give me away.” Anya corrected. “I mean, I’m not yours to give away. But I would like you to walk beside me down the aisle.”

“I would be honored to walk you down the aisle, Anya” Giles was pleased that she had asked him to be such an important part of her wedding.

“Good. That’s settled. When Buffy told us that you would be here for the wedding, I told Xander that I was going to ask you. He said that was all right with him.”

“Hey G-Man.” Xander chose that moment to speak.

“Hello, Xander.” Giles was so delighted to see Xander that he didn’t bother to correct the bothersome nickname. “How have you been?”

“Good. I’ll be glad when the wedding is over. I’m also hoping that my family doesn’t do something that will totally embarrass me,” he grinned sheepishly. “I’m not holding out much hope, though. I mean, we are talking about *my* family.” He then turned to Cordelia.

“Hey, Cordy.”

“Hello, Xander.”

Just then, Willow and Tara came downstairs.

Tara saw Giles and smiled.

“Hello, Giles.”

“Hello, Tara.”

Willow nodded a hello, but didn’t speak.

Giles decided that as important as his conversation with Buffy was, he needed to have a talk with Willow first.

“Willow, may I speak to you in private?”

Willow looked as though she would refuse but then seemed to change her mind.

“Sure Giles.” She agreed, a little sullenly. “Where would you like to go?”

“The kitchen?”

She nodded and followed him to the kitchen.

The others were left in silence. Dawn was the first to speak.

“What was that all about?”

Cordelia smiled, “I think Giles is tired of Willow being rude.”

“What do you mean rude?” Xander asked in surprise.

Cordelia shook her head, “Xander, when we first got here, Willow wouldn’t even let Giles in the door. Not to mention making a snide remark about the fact that we drove here together. And just now? She didn’t even speak to him.”

“What do you mean ‘snide remark’?” Xander asked.

Cordelia sighed, “She just couldn’t understand why we would drive from L.A. together or stay at the same hotel. Like spending time with Giles is a chore.”

“You’re staying in the same hotel?” This came from Buffy.

“Look, he forgot to rent a hotel room.” Cordelia explained impatiently. “Sometimes he forgets the basic stuff ‘cause he’s worrying about everything else. So when I made reservations for me, I made one for him. That‘s all.”

“Wait a minute.” Buffy interrupted. “How do you know what he forgets or doesn’t forget?”

“Because I’ve been talking to him for weeks.” Cordelia informed her. “You all may have forgotten about him, but I didn’t. I met him the day he left for London and talked him into calling me. We talk about once a week. Not that it’s any of your business.” Cordelia added.

“How has he been?” Tara asked softly.

“He’s tired, worried about everyone, and blaming himself.” Cordelia answered.

“Blaming himself for what?” Dawn didn‘t know what Giles was blaming himself for.

“He thinks that Willow wouldn’t be so deeply into magic if he had been here.” Cordelia responded. “He’s worried that maybe he made a mistake in leaving Buffy and Dawn. Basically, every mistake that you made since he’s been gone, he’ll find a way to take the blame for.”

“He’s not responsible for our mistakes.” Buffy said.

“Try telling him that.” Cordelia looked at Buffy. “He will always feel responsible for you, Buffy. Even though he thought you needed to take more responsibility for yourself, and Dawn, he will always see you as *his* slayer.” Cordelia didn’t understand why she was having to explain this to them. “He’s spent his whole life preparing to take care of you. Everything he’s done for the last six years has been with you in mind. Even going back to England. He will never believe that there wasn’t more he could have done for you. That maybe, if he’d been smarter or braver, he could have spared you some of your pain. *And* he will never admit to his pain. He doesn’t allow himself the luxury.”

Buffy looked at her, a little stunned.

“How do you know all of this?” Buffy asked a little defensively. “When he’s never told any of us this.”

“Because I took the time to ask. And to listen.” Cordelia took a deep breath. “I’m going to go outside for a while. I am in sudden need of fresh air.”

As she reached the door, she turned back to Buffy.

“Don’t hurt him again, Buffy. He doesn’t deserve it.”

****

“She cares very deeply for him.” Tara’s voice was soft in the silence following Cordelia’s exit.

“How can she think she knows him so well?” Buffy asked petulantly. “She hasn’t even been here for the last three years. How can she know what he’s done or not done?”

“Because she *cares* for him.” Tara said again, “We all love him. But--we lean on him. Maybe, just maybe, with Cordelia he felt he could lean on *her*.”

Buffy looked as though she wanted to argue the point, but then took a deep breath.

“Okay, apparently there are a few people that know my watcher better than I do.” She said with a small smile.

Tara smiled back at her.

“Okay, I hate to break up this understanding-the-watcher fest. But what I want to know is--what’s going on with him and Willow?” Xander asked.

Buffy’s smile faded, “I don’t know. But I have a feeling it’s not all sweetness and light in the kitchen right now.”

******

Giles leaned back against the counter,

“Would you like to tell me what the problem seems to be?” He asked softly.

Willow folded her arms across her chest, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Come now, Willow. You were very rude to both Cordelia and I and you seem to have a problem with the fact that she and I are friends. But I don’t think that’s what is bothering you.”

“Come on, Giles.” She said, ignoring his last comment. “You have to admit that you and Queen C being friends is a stretch.”

“I’ll admit, four years ago, the idea of Cordelia and I being friends would have been somewhat-- odd. However--.” he continued before she could interrupt, “people change. They grow and, hopefully, mature. Cordelia is not the same person I met all those years ago.”

“She couldn‘t have changed that much.” Willow insisted.

“Actually, she has changed a great deal.” Giles contradicted. “She has grown into a most remarkable woman. She has gone through changes that would have destroyed a lesser person. She has come through them stronger and more compassionate than even she realizes.”

Willow was shocked by the vehemence with which Giles defended Cordelia.

“Giles, you haven’t seen her for three years, how can you know what changes she’s gone through?”

“Cordelia and I have become friends.” Giles explained. “Long-distance friends to be sure, but friends nonetheless. She has told me of the changes in her life. Just as I have told her of those in mine.”

“So now, you’re her biggest defender?” asked Willow sarcastically.

“Willow, I will defend anyone I consider a friend if I think they are being judged unfairly. You know nothing of Cordelia now. You are basing your assumption of her on the Cordelia Chase you knew before. That person no longer exists. She has changed, just as all of you have changed.” He paused for a moment. “Why don’t you tell me what‘s really bothering you.”

Willow turned away before answering him.

“There’s nothing wrong.”

“Willow--.”

Willow turned to face him.

“Giles, even if I told you everything that’s going on. It’s not like you could do anything about it. You’ll be going back to England after the wedding.”

“Why don’t you tell me the problem and let me decide if I can help.”

“Can you teach me magic from England?” she asked heatedly. “Because that’s the problem. When I raised Buffy, I felt like I opened this deep well of power inside me. There’s so much I want to do and I don’t know how. There’s this guy Amy introduced me to, Rack. He says he’ll teach me. But I don’t trust him. Tara doesn’t either. She and I got into an argument about this. I don’t trust him, but I’m ready to go to him just so I can control this. I’m scared, Giles. I can feel it and I’m afraid I’ll hurt someone if I don’t learn how to control it.” Willow sounded on the verge of tears.

“Have you told any of the others?” Giles asked quietly.

“No.” Willow shook her head. “With your leaving and Dawn acting up, Buffy‘s had enough to deal with.”

Willow saw Giles wince at the mention of the pain he had caused his slayer.

“I’m sorry, Giles.” Willow apologized.

“No, that all right, Willow I did make things harder for her.” Giles admitted.

“Anyway,” Willow shrugged. “I haven’t told Buffy. Xander is my best friend, but I didn’t want to spoil his wedding with this.”

“What about Tara? It would seem to me that she would be the logical one to talk to about this. She is a witch *and* your partner.” Giles asked curiously.

“I have told her some. That’s what the fight was about, me wanting to get Rack’s help. But I haven’t told her about how scared I am,” she confessed.

“Why?”

“I’m not sure. I’m afraid she’ll think I really am addicted to magic. I know that’s what they’ve been thinking. I’m not though. I’m just scared.”

“You need to tell them, Willow.” Giles knew she had to be honest with everyone.

“I know.” Willow agreed. “I had already decided to do it after Xander’s wedding. I just need someone to help me.”

“Well, contrary to what you’ve been thinking, I may be able to help you.”

“How? You’ll be in England. How would we do it, over the telephone?”

“No. I’ve been thinking about returning to Sunnydale.”

“You have? Since when?”

“It’s been on my mind since I decided to return for Xander and Anya’s wedding. I have to find out Buffy’s reaction to this, but if she and I can get past our problems, I would like to return.”

“Well, if you don’t mind me asking, why?”

“Because I miss it. I miss everyone here. You all have become an integral part of my life. A part that I find I’m having a great deal of difficulty living without.”

“When would you move back?”

“As I said, much would depend on Buffy. I left her so she could begin living her life on her own. She may not want me back. If that is the case, I will stay in London.”

“Even though you want to come back?” Willow asked curiously.

“Yes. For all of the changes that have taken place, she is still my slayer. I will do what is best for her.”

“If you come back, will you train me?” Willow pleaded. “Not just the stuff you think I’m ready for but everything. I need help, Giles. I don’t think I can do this on my own.”

“Willow, I promise you. Even if I do not move back. I will find a way to help you.” Giles told her soothingly. “You have unleashed a great deal of power. We will find a way to deal with it. I will not leave you alone.” He paused, “You could have called me about this. I would not have denied you.”

“I know.” Willow hung her head. “I think I was ashamed to call you and ask for help after the way I treated you when you were here before.”

“Well, I could have handled the situation better as well.” Giles touched her shoulder. “I was worried about you and that caused me to be a bit more tactless than I could have been. I know something of regrets, Willow. I was worried about you because I see so much of myself in you. You want to learn and you barge in before finding out just what the dangers can be.”

“An arrogant amateur.” Willow recalled the words with bitterness.

“I apologize for those words.” Giles knew they had been a mistake when he had said them. “It was harsh and unproductive. I want you to learn, Willow. I would just like for you to learn safely. I want your soul to be intact at the end of the day. I carry guilt and pain because I wouldn’t listen to anyone. I will carry them until the day I die. I want better for you.”

“How do I learn if I don’t try?” she asked plaintively.

“By researching, studying, learning.” Giles wanted her to understand that there was other ways of dealing with this problem. “You don’t have to do, to learn, Willow. Odds are, there are others that have been there before. Learn from their mistakes, as well as their successes. Then build upon that.”

“I’ll try.” Willow was willing to try anything at this point.

“That’s all anyone can ask of you.”

“What are you going to do now?”

“Find my slayer and have that talk she and I have been putting off.”

“Well, she’s right here so you won’t have far to look.” Buffy spoke from the doorway, “I came to make sure everything was okay. You two looked kinda intense when you came in here.”

“We’re fine.” Willow said, as she headed for the door. “Looks like your turn now.”

“Willow?” Giles’ voice stopped her.

“Yeah, Giles?”

“We will work this out.”

She smiled, “Thanks.”

Buffy looked as Giles as he watched Willow leave.

“What was that all about?”

“Willow has a problem and I believe I can help.”

“What did she tell you?”

“I think I’ll let her tell you that. Now, would you like to have that talk here or would you rather go somewhere else?”

“Here’s good.”

“Very well.”

****

Giles gestured toward the kitchen table. He couldn’t tell what Buffy was thinking and that worried him. She was usually very open about her feelings. This time she wasn’t and he wasn’t sure how to proceed.

“So, who starts?” Buffy interrupted his thoughts.

“Would you like to tell me what you’re feeling?” he asked uncertainly.

“Don’t psychoanalyze me, Giles.” Buffy snapped. “If you want to know how you’re leaving affected me, just ask.”

“All right,” he said slowly, “How did my leaving affect you?”

“Well, for one thing. You promised me that you would never leave me.” Buffy reminded him. “I think flying to England qualifies as breaking that promise. Don’t you?”

“Buffy….”

“Nope,” she interrupted. “You asked and now you’re gonna get your answer. I wasn’t sure how I felt about being brought back from the dead--being ripped out of heaven.” Buffy paused to collect her thoughts. “I was at peace there, Giles. I had my mom back. For the first time in God-knows-how-long, I didn’t have the fate of the world as my responsibility. I’m not going to lie. It felt good. I missed everyone. But overall, I would have preferred to stay there.” Buffy looked at her watcher. “The problem is, I wasn’t given the choice. Now I know that wasn’t your fault. Hell, you didn’t even know about it until waayyy after the fact. Doesn’t change the fact that I was confused, sad, and just a little bit angry. When you got back, it felt like I had the one constant in my life back. It made so much of this bearable.”

Giles didn’t know what to say to that.

Buffy walked over to the sink. Now that they had started this, she couldn‘t control the nervousness that was overwhelming her.

“Now I know I didn’t handle the whole thing that great,” she continued. “Dawn was a handful and I ignored that. The fact that I didn’t tell anyone but Spike where I had been was beyond stupid. I let everyone think that I was rescued from hell. That meant I had to act grateful when all I really wanted to do was scream at the top of my lungs, ‘PUT ME BACK’. Maybe if I’d told you where I had been, it would have been easier. I don’t know. I can’t change how I handled it. But you didn’t handle it great either. I mean, you made this decision to leave me. Only problem was, you didn’t even give me a chance to try and change your mind. If I was leaning too heavily on you, you should have said something. You’re word-guy remember?”

“Buffy, I’m sorry.”

“I’m not finished,” Buffy said, not unkindly. “I love you, Giles. You’re the closest thing to a father that I’ve had for a long time. Whenever I’ve needed someone, you’re the one I could go to. . You’re my friend, my mentor. Willow and Xander are important to me. But, you--you are the one that, no matter how badly I screwed up, was always there. The one who let me know I wasn’t alone. No matter what I did, you were there. I know I took advantage of that. But I was *never* ungrateful for you. Even if you didn’t always know it. When you left, it felt like I had lost my anchor to the world.” She had to stop because the tears were threatening to overflow. She took a deep breath before continuing. “That’s not an excuse for anything I did. I just trying to make you understand how I was feeling.”

Giles interrupted, “May I say something?”

Buffy nodded, “Go ahead.”

“When I left, I truly thought I was doing what was best for both you and Dawn.” Giles defended himself. “I felt you were counting on me to make all your decisions.”

“But--.”

“As you said--I’m not finished.” Giles moved to stand behind her. “Perhaps I made a mistake in not talking to you first. I’m not infallible, Buffy.” He laid his hands on her shoulders. “I make mistakes. All I could see was you weren’t taking responsibility for anything. That worried me on many levels, but I think it worried me most because you had never been that way before. If you needed me, you came to me for advice. But you made your own decisions. It scared me that you seemed to lose that capacity. On a personal level, you had to be able to care for yourself and for Dawn. On a slayer level, if you lost the ability to think on your feet, you lost the ability to win. One of the reasons you have been such a success as a slayer is because you have the uncanny knack for doing what no one expects. You’ve never been predictable. Even when I might wish it otherwise.” He smiled ruefully, “If I had to leave in order to give that ability back, I was willing to do that. I refuse to lose you. If I had to bury you again, knowing-- not thinking-- knowing, that I could have done something to prevent it, and didn’t. Well, I couldn’t live with myself. That’s why I left. Not because I didn’t want to help you. You mean the world to me. I have defied my family, the Council, *anyone* that has told me to leave you. I ignored them because I felt my place was with you. When I left, I thought I was doing what you needed, if not what you might have wanted.” He stopped, waiting for her reaction.

Buffy turned to look at him. “My turn?”

He inclined his head.

“Maybe you’re right about my not taking responsibility, and not thinking for myself. I admit that. The problem I have with you is you didn’t even talk to me before you decided to leave.” She held up her hand to stop his interruption. “You just told me you were going and then you left. That hurt, Giles. That hurt almost as bad as when I lost mom.”

“I’m sorry I hurt you.” Giles didn’t know what else to say. “I could apologize for the rest of my life and I don’t think I’ll ever let you know just how sorry I am. Truthfully, one of the reasons I didn’t talk to you first is because I knew, given the chance, you would convince me to stay.”

“Would that have been such a bad thing?” Buffy asked tearfully.

“At that time, in my mind? Yes.”

“What about now?”

“Now--I would like to return”

“Why do I sense a ‘but’ in there somewhere?” Buffy eyed him suspiciously.

He smiled slightly, “Probably because there is. Things would have to change, Buffy.” Giles was firm about that. “I will help you all I can, but you must help yourself. I understand this has been hard for you, but you must start taking responsibility for yourself and for Dawn. For all intents and purposes, you’re all the family she has left.”

“Yeah, we couldn’t even find Dad to let him know Mom died.” Buffy said bitterly.

“He still doesn’t know?” he asked incredulously.

“Nope. At first he was in Europe on a business deal and now his *new* secretary told me he’s on honeymoon in Europe with his *old* secretary, and I still haven’t been able to track him down.”

“That’s outrageous!” Giles was furious

“It doesn’t matter.” Buffy didn’t really care what her father was doing anymore. “He hasn’t been here for the last six years. Why should this be any different?”

“Buffy, I’m so sorry.” Giles wanted to strangle Hank Summers.

“It doesn’t matter, Giles. If you come back, I have the important man in my life back anyhow. Dad hasn’t been an important part of my life for a long time. You have. Things’ll change. I’ll do what I need to do to have you back.”

“We’ll do this together,” he assured her.

“Sounds good to me.” She thought for a moment, “Giles, where are you going to stay? I’d offer you a place here, but we’re full. Willow and Tara got Mom’s bedroom. You could sleep on the couch.”

Giles laughed, “I don’t think that will be necessary. I sold my flat when I left, but I don’t believe it will be hard to find another. I have an inheritance from my grandmother that will tide me over until I find a place and a job.”

“What are you going to do about a job? Are you going to run the Magic Box again?”

“No, I gave it to Anya. I won’t take it from her just because my plans have changed. Actually, I have had a museum in Los Angeles. that has shown an interest in me.”

“You would live in L.A.?” Buffy sounded disappointed.

“No. I would live here in Sunnydale. It would be about a two-hour commute, which was what I had in London. It would be similar to what I am doing now. Consulting on different artifacts and any other questions they might have that my expertise would cover. It would give me a flexible schedule and allow me to carry out my responsibilities as your watcher.”

Buffy grinned. “So, it settled. You’re coming home.”

Giles liked the sound of that, “Yes, I’m coming home.”

Buffy grabbed his arm and headed for the door.

“Let’s go tell the others.”

She stopped as something occurred to her.

“Uh, you might want to go out to the front porch.”

Giles gave her a puzzled look.

“The front porch, whatever for?”

“Well, Cordelia is sorta out there.”

Giles gave her a long, level look.

“Buffy, why is Cordelia on your front porch instead of the living room with everyone else?”

Buffy gave a sheepish smile, “Well, she kinda got upset at how Willow snubbed you and she didn’t like the way we were treating you, I guess.”

“What do you mean, ‘you guess’?” Giles didn’t care for the sound of that.

“Look, she’s protective of you, okay? She took up for you. She even told me not to hurt you again.” Buffy shook her head wonderingly at that. “She cares about you and she got angry at us. It happens. Especially with me and Cordy. Anyway, she wanted some fresh air.”

“I need to see if she’s all right.”

Buffy tilted her head and looked at him, “You two really are good friends, aren’t you?”

“Yes, we really are. And right now, I need to check on my friend. Tell the others I will be there in a few minutes, will you?”

“Sure thing. Giles?”

“Yes, Buffy?”

“I’m glad you’re coming back.”

“So am I.”

****

Giles opened the front door and paused. Cordelia stood with her back to him, looking out into the night. He could tell she was uncomfortable. He really shouldn’t be able to read her body language. They were no more than acquaintances before he left for London. But, they had become very close over the last few months. It seemed that the phone calls gave him insight into her that translated into reading her physically. It was amazing really.

“In or out, Giles.” She said without turning. “Didn’t your mother ever teach you not to hold a door open.”

“How are you?” He asked softly, closing the door quietly. “Buffy said you were upset earlier.”

“I was. I’m over it now--mostly.” Cordelia replied.

“What was wrong?”

“I’m worried about you.” Cordelia turned to look at him.

“Me? Why?”

Cordelia just shook her head. Giles truly didn’t understand why she was upset.

“I’m worried that, for all the talk of growing up and changing, you’ll get hurt again.” She told him honestly.

“Cordelia, you’re the one that suggested I treat Buffy as an adult.” Giles reminded her gently.

“I know. I think I may have made a mistake.” She paused, and sighed, “No, that’s not right. I think you should, I’m just feeling helpless right now.”

“Why?”

“Because if you move back and get hurt again, there won’t be anything I can do. It’s not like I can tell them off.”

Giles chuckled, “Just for the sake of curiosity, why not? From what Buffy told me, you‘ve already done it today.”

Cordelia didn’t smile.

“Because if I do, it will drive a wedge between us. You would see it as an attack on them and it would start an argument between us.”

“You seem sure of that.”

“I am. You’re protective of the people you care about, Giles. And, better or worse, you care about everyone in that house. If you had to choose, I know *who* you would choose”

Giles cursed everyone that had ever let this girl down. That she should think so little of herself was heartbreaking.

“You’re right. I do care about everyone in that house. However,” he continued before she could interrupt. “I also care about the person standing in front of me. I may not agree with your opinions concerning Buffy and the others. But I would never turn from you or take my friendship from you because of those opinions. Buffy is my slayer. I’ve spent a good portion of my life preparing for her. However, we are in territory that few watchers have ever had to deal with.”

“Because slayers die young?” Cordelia speculated.

“Precisely.” Giles knew Cordelia would understand. “Buffy and I have to find a new way to relate to one another. She is an adult. We will have to find a new path for our relationship. I have let her, and Willow, know that I will be treated with the same respect that I afford to them. I will let the others know as well.”

“Do you think it’ll happen?”

“It has to. I will not tolerate anything less. You must understand something, Cordelia. I’m returning to Sunnydale for more than just Buffy.”

“Why else would you come back?”

“Because somewhere along the way, Sunnydale became my home. I acquired a family. A strange family, at times. But that only makes them more precious to me.” He smiled at her, “I’ve also acquired a very good friend. A friend that can be somewhat tactless on occasion, but a friend nonetheless.”

“Hey! I can be tactful,” she exclaimed. “I just don’t see the reason most of the time.”

“As I said….tactless on occasion.” He laughed as she swatted his shoulder.

“Cordelia, when I returned to England, I felt as though my entire world had fallen down around me. Those weekly telephone calls you and I shared helped me retain my sanity,” he told her seriously. “I would no more deny what I feel for you than I would deny what I feel for the others. You are a part of my life, Cordelia. One that I do not wish to do without.”

“I care about you too, Giles. I guess that’s why this is so hard. Always before, if I’ve had an opinion about someone, I just said it. I don’t want to do that now. I don’t want to be the cause of more pain for you.”

“You won’t be. Just be yourself, Cordelia. I don’t expect you to do, or be, any less.”

She stared at him, a little stunned.

“You mean that.”

“Yes, I do. You are who you are, Cordelia. If you change for my benefit, you are not longer the person I care about.”

Her smile was like the sun coming out from the clouds,

“You are an amazing man, Rupert Giles.”

“Hardly,” he replied dryly, “I just know when I’m well off.”

“Whatever,” she waved off his protest, “I know I’m right. You really should just learn to agree with me.”

He grinned at her.

She grinned back.

“That’s a good look for you.”

“What look?” Giles gave a slightly puzzled look.

“The grin. Makes you look really good. I bet I could get you a date if you smiled more often.” Cordelia teased him.

“Cordelia! I don’t think I need you to help me with my love life.”

“Well, somebody needs to. It’s not like you have one. Unless you got one while you were in England--.” She looked at his expression, “Nope. You didn’t. That’s okay, when you move back, I’ll fix you up.”

“The thought of you playing matchmaker fills me with a terror I have never before experienced. I think I would rather face vampires and demons.”

“Hey! See, I was trying to be nice, and you make fun of me.” Cordelia pouted.

Giles saw the twinkle in her eyes.

“I apologize, Cordelia. I didn’t mean to make fun of you.” Giles teased.

“Yeah,” she said with playful sarcasm. “I can tell you’re just overcome with remorse.”

“Oh, but I am.” Giles said through his laughter, “If I make you angry, heaven only knows what type of woman you will find for me to date.”

Cordelia put her hand on her hip, “Just for that, I may get Anya to help me look.”

Giles stopped laughing.

“You wouldn’t do that, would you? Cordelia? Cordelia?”

She didn’t answer him as she went back into the house.

“I think I may have made a grave tactical error.” Giles muttered to himself.

****

Giles and Cordelia made their way back into the house. As they neared the living room, they heard Xander’s voice.

“So what’s the deal with G-man and Cordy?”

“They’re friends, Xander.” Buffy answered him.

“Giles and *Cordy*?” Xander sounded skeptical. “Come on, since when would Queen C be friends with the school librarian?”

“I guess they’ve been friends since he left for England.” Willow replied. “He mentioned something about being long-distance friends, so I guess they talked on the telephone.”

“I just don’t get it.” Xander repeated. “*Cordy*?”

“Yes, *Cordy*.” Giles said as he stepped into the room. He could feel Cordelia tensing beside him. “Cordelia and I are friends, do you have a problem with that, Xander?”

Xander was saved from answering Giles’ question by Buffy.

“He didn’t mean anything by it.” She was trying to keep Giles from saying anything he might regret later.

She then turned her attention to Xander.

“Xander, you may not understand their friendship,” she told him firmly. “It doesn’t really matter. They’re friends. That’s the end of it.”

She looked at Giles and grinned, “See, I told you I was growing up.”

He smiled at her, “So I see.”

Xander spoke again, “But, come on Buffy. Cordelia?”

Giles looked at everyone in the room.

“I had not planned on having this talk with all of you this soon. But since this came up, I might as well get it over with. I have talked to Buffy and Willow, and I think they understand. But now I’m telling everyone else.” He pinned Xander with a stern look. “I am returning to Sunnydale. However, there will be a few changes. I will not tolerate the constant disregard of my personal privacy. By that, I do not mean coming to my home. You will always be welcome there. By that, I mean, I will not tolerate these constant remarks on how I live my life. They are disrespectful and I will no longer tolerate them. I made allowances for you before because you were children. That is no longer the case. You are adults and I will expect you to act accordingly.” He paused, “As for my friendship with Cordelia, I fail to see that is any of your concern, Xander”

“But, Giles.” Xander protested, “You have to admit. It’s strange. What could you possibly have in common with her?”

Before Giles could answer, Cordelia stepped closer to Xander and answered for him.

“What could I possibly have in common with him?” she asked him coldly. “Let’s see, when he went to England, none of you called him. You didn’t write to him. You have a bad habit of ‘out of sight, out of mind’. I didn’t really mind it with me. I mean, I left Sunnydale to get away from everything here. But, the fact that none of you could be bothered to pick up a phone and call him is inexcusable.” Cordelia looked at Xander with disdain. “You claim to love him, but you didn’t even check on him. I understand Buffy being reluctant. But what about you, Xander. You told me, more than once, that he was more of a father than the one you grew up with. Is this the way you treat him?”

“Hey! You don’t have to right--”

“Oh, I think I do.” Cordelia didn’t wait for Xander to finish. “You want to pass judgment on our friendship. Let me tell you about our friendship. This man looked like his whole world had been destroyed when he left here. I talked him into calling me because I didn’t want him to be alone. That’s how it started. But now.” She smiled softly, “Now, I have never had a better friend. He listens, he cares and he doesn’t judge, no matter what I do. He and my family in L.A. are the only people that have ever been that way with me.”

“What family?” This came from Buffy.

“Maybe I’ll tell you about it later.” Cordelia said. “But right now, I have a few questions for Xander.”

“What?” He asked warily.

“If you hold me in such contempt, why did you invite me to your wedding. Why did you bother even letting me *know* you were getting married? Don’t bother answering--I’ll save you the trouble. I’ll just go back to L.A., and you get married without me. How does that sound?”

She stopped and looked at him and Anya.

“I really do hope you have a good life, Xander. Even with everything that’s happened, I still want you to be happy.”

She handed the car keys to Giles.

“I’ll leave you the car. I feel like walking.”

She left before he could stop her.

“How dare you?” Giles asked in a frosty tone. “How dare you pass judgment on the friendship Cordelia and I share? How dare you invite her here and then proceed to insult and belittle her.”

“Giles--.” Xander began.

“No,” Giles interrupted him, “I will not listen to anything else you have to say about Cordelia. You have no idea what that young woman has done for me. When I left here, I felt as if my entire reason for being was gone. *Everything* I had worked for my whole life was being left behind. I didn’t know what to do. She saw me at the airport and bullied me into calling her after I got to London.” He smiled at the memory, then sobered. “She is the reason I am here. She convinced me to call Buffy. She is the reason I am whole. Without her, I would have, no doubt, dove into a bottle and not come up for air. When I first returned to London, those phone calls were the only thing I looked forward to. She would keep me up to date on what was happening. Always using her wit and humor to make me laugh. She is a compassionate and caring person. I consider it a honor and privilege to call her my friend.

He turned to Buffy.

“Buffy, I am sorry. I wanted to take everyone to dinner. As a way to catch up on everything that has happened here. But, I need to find Cordelia.”

“That’s okay, Giles.” Buffy nodded understandingly. “We have plenty of time. We’ll catch up later. Go find Cordelia.”

“See, needing to be rescued. Just like always.” Xander said snidely.

Giles rounded on him so quickly that Buffy was afraid she would have to get between them.

“Not another word!” He said though clenched teeth. “Or I may just forget that you and I are friends.”

He turned and left without another word.

“Way to go, Xander. Why did you say those things about Cordelia.” This came from Dawn.

Dawn wanted to see Cordelia. When Buffy was having problems, Dawn could call Cordelia and she would listen when nobody else would.

“Yeah, Xand. You were kinda harsh to her.” Willow seconded Dawn’s opinion.

“Hey! When did everyone jump on the ‘Cordy’s great’ bandwagon? When did I become the bad guy?” Xander protested.

“When you started acting like a jerk.” Buffy answered.

“A jerk?!?”

“Yes, Xander.” Tara replied. “You’re acting like a jerk.”

“Xander, I know that you and I haven’t always had the best luck with Cordelia.” Willow told him quietly “But, Giles says she’s changed. Maybe she has. I mean, she didn’t take one shot at you, other than to defend Giles. And Goddess knows, you gave her plenty of ammunition. I’m willing to give her the benefit of the doubt. Why won’t you?”

Xander started to speak, then closed his mouth.

“I screwed up.” He sighed. “I don’t know what it is about me and Cordelia. I didn’t mean to insult her. It just seems like--like my mouth is off and running before I have my brain saddled up, ya know. It’s always been that way with me and her.” He sighed again, “I guess she grew out of it.”

“Yeah, well. You’d better grow out of it, too.” Buffy said in a stern voice. “I don’t think Giles is too happy with you right now. And I don’t think he’ll let you do it again.”

“Oh, man. How am I gonna make this up to him and Cordelia?” Xander moaned.

“First, you find Cordelia and apologize. Then you apologize to Giles.” Willow told him.

“I’d wait.” Tara put in unexpectedly.

“Why?”

“Because right now, I think Giles is talking to Cordelia and the last person they’re going to want to see is Xander.”

Xander groaned.

“Sorry, Xander.” Tara apologized. “But it’s true.”

“I know. I just don’t know if they’ll forgive me for being such a prime jackass.”

Buffy patted his hand.

“Just grovel a lot. They’ll forgive you--eventually. I mean, you were just being Xander.”

“Gee, thanks.” Xander said dryly.

****

Giles had looked for Cordelia as he drove to the hotel. No luck. He approached the desk and asked for his key.

“Excuse me, have you by any chance seen the young lady I checked in with?” He asked the desk clerk.

“No, sir. I haven’t seen her since you left together earlier.”

“Thank you.”

“You‘re welcome, sir.”

He still couldn’t believe the gall Xander had shown. He didn’t know what had gotten into the boy, but it was unforgivable. He knew that Xander and Cordelia had a history, but he thought all that was in the past. Now, as far as Xander was concerned, he wasn’t so sure.

He went into his room and knocked on the door that connected their two rooms. He knocked softly again. When he didn’t receive an answer, he sighed. He had no idea where she would be. But he had to find her. The others may not have been able to tell, but he knew she had been deeply hurt by Xander’s words.

He was about to leave when he heard her door open. He knocked on the adjoining door again.

“Cordelia? Please open the door, I would like to speak to you.”

The silence that greeted his request made him think that perhaps it was the maid service. Just as he was about to leave, the door opened slowly.

Cordelia stood at the door and looked at him without a word.

His heart broke. She looked lost, almost broken. Damn Xander Harris for reducing her to this.

“Cordelia, are you all right?”

She stood to the side, so that he might enter her room.

“I’m fine, Giles. I should be used to the contempt that Xander and the others feel for me. I mean, it’s not like I don’t deserve it.”

Giles gripped her shoulders and turned her to face him.

“Don’t.” He spoke softly, “Don’t take the blame for what that pillock Xander said back there. You don’t deserve his harsh words or his low opinion of you.”

“Why not? I mean, I was Queen C in high school. I wouldn’t have been caught dead talking to you back then.” Cordelia was perilously close to tears. “The better question is, why would you want to be friends with me?”

Giles pulled her into his arms and held on. After a moment, he pulled back so he could see her clearly.

“Actually, I think the best question is, why would I not want to be your friend?” Giles gently wiped a single tear that had slid down her cheek. “You have proven yourself to be loyal, compassionate and caring. I could not ask for anything more in a friend. As for what you were in high school. Cordelia, you were a teenager. You made mistakes, as have we all. I’ve made more than my share, and they were much more serious. If the biggest mistake I had ever made was to snub the librarian, I would consider myself lucky,” he finished with a crooked smile.

“Giles, we’re not talking about you.” Cordelia objected. “Besides, we both know I’ve made more mistakes than just snubbing you.”

“Cordelia, do you see me condemning you for your past?”

“No.”

“And I wouldn’t. My past is much darker and much more serious than yours. I would never judge or condemn you.”

“I know that.”

“Then know this.” Giles tone was firm. “Xander’s opinions are just that, his opinions. I do not hold to them and from what I could see before I left, the others don’t either. If he can’t deal with the person you are now--well, he’s not worth the effort. You are a great deal more than you were. We all are. I will also tell you what I told them before I left. I count it an honor and a privilege to be your friend. Nothing will change that.”

He could see tears glistening in her eyes again.

She tried to speak, had to take a deep breath before she tried again.

“I kinda like you too.” She smiled at him.

They were interrupted by a knock on her door.

When she opened it, she was sorely tempted to slam it shut again.

Xander must have been able to see that, because he started talking--fast.

“Please, don’t slam the door. I came to apologize. Well, actually, I came to grovel, beg, you name it and I’ll do it.”

Giles had moved to the door at the sound of Xander’s voice. He simply stared at Xander.

Now Xander knew what the word ‘glare’ meant. But he thought that Giles made it look even meaner than it sounded.

“Look, I’m sorry. I’m *really, really* sorry. One minute I was fine and the next, I was standing back watching as my mouth made me look like an idiot. I didn’t mean what I said. I don’t think the idea of you two being friends is that crazy. I mean, not anymore than Giles being friends with any of us.” He took a deep breath. “Cordy, I really don’t know what came over me. I guess it’s a throw back to when we were in school. I couldn’t seem to help myself back then either. I acted like an ass. I can’t apologize enough.”

He stopped to breathe.

“Can I get a word in?” Cordelia asked.

He nodded, slightly afraid of what she would say.

“You hurt me, Xander. I thought we had gotten past everything. I don’t expect us to be best buds. But I thought we could at least be civil. You invited me to your wedding, for God’s sake. I saw that as a peace offering. Was I wrong?”

“No. No, you weren’t wrong. It was a peace offering. I’m telling you, I don’t know what happened.” Xander desperately wanted them to understand. “By the time my brain was in gear, my mouth had already done the damage.”

He paused, not quite sure how to go on.

“Cordy. I would really like you to come to the wedding.”

“I don’t know, Xander.” Cordelia shook her head. “I’ll have to think about it.”

He nodded. “Sure--I understand. I really have missed you.” He hesitated, “Cordy?”

“Yes, Xander.”

“I want you to be happy too.” Xander’s voice was quiet.

“Thank you.”

“Well, I guess I’ll be going now.”

“I’ll walk you down.” Giles opened the door.

“Uh, okay.” Xander knew Giles wouldn’t do anything to him--maybe.

Giles was silent as they walked to the elevator. They stepped in and he pushed the button for the lobby. He pushed the emergency stop button about halfway down.

Xander swallowed nervously.

“Xander,” Giles began quietly.

“Yeah, Giles?”

“I want to have a discussion with you. Man to man, as it were.”

“Okay.” Xander was getting more nervous. ‘he won’t hurt me, he won’t hurt me’, he kept repeating it , hoping to convince himself.

“I know you are sorry for what you said to Cordelia earlier.” Giles continued softly. “However, I want you to understand a few things.”

“What?” Xander asked apprehensively.

“If you ever, *ever* hurt her in such a fashion again. I will be forced to take, shall we say, unpleasant action. Do we understand one another?” He gave Xander a cold smile that made him understand how Giles could have gotten the nickname “Ripper”.

“Umm, hurt Cordelia again--unpleasant action.” Xander gulped. “Got it.”

“You’re sure?”

“I’m positive.” Xander squeaked.

“Very good.” Giles smiled again. “I’m glad we could have this conversation.”

He then pushed the button to start the elevator again. When the doors opened at the lobby level, Xander made his way off on wobbly legs.

“Oh, and Xander?” Giles called to him.

Xander froze. “Yeah, Giles?”

“Please let Buffy and the others know I will be over later.”

“I’ll let them know.”

“Thank you.”

“No problem.” Xander said.

He breathed a huge sigh of relief outside the hotel. He didn’t know what was going on between those two. But he’d bet it was more than friendship--even if *they* didn’t know it yet. He thought about telling the others his theory. Then he shook his head, nope he wasn’t gonna say anything. His mouth is what got him in trouble to begin with. He wasn’t gonna give it anymore chances. Next time, Giles might do more than just scare him.

****

Two days later, Giles stood at the bar, enjoying the reception. The wedding had gone smoothly. Which, he had to admit, was something of a miracle for this group. He watched as Xander’s parents began to argue. It seemed that Xander had been right. It was too much to hope that his family wouldn’t embarrass him. Giles set his drink down on the bar and made his way over to where the Harris’ were beginning to get quite vocal.

“Is there a problem here?” Giles inquired politely.

Xander’s father looked at Giles with bleary eyes.

“Who are you?”

“I’m acquainted with your son .”

“Well, there’s no problem here.” Xander’s father was belligerent. “My wife and I were just talking.”

“Are you certain?” Giles said in the same polite tone. “Because it was becoming quite loud.”

“Look, it’s none of your business. So why don’t you just butt out.” Mr. Harris ordered rudely.

Giles leaned in and spoke quietly.

“It is my business. I happen to think your son deserves to have a peaceful wedding day. Do not force me to escort you outside for a more in-depth discussion.”

Xander’s father leaned back so he could see Giles better. Whatever he saw convinced him to turn back to his wife.

“Let’s get out of here.” He said in a sullen voice. “I’m ready to go home.”

With that, they were out the door without further mischief.

Cordelia met Giles as he returned to the bar.

“Gee, Giles.” Cordelia watched Xander’s parents leave. “Are you running off the guests now?”

“Yes, Cordelia. I’ve become, what is the term?--oh yes, a bouncer.” Giles replied dryly.

“Oohh, can I watch when you throw the next person out?” Cordelia batted her eyelashes at him.

“It is my sincerest hope that there won’t be another.”

“What did you say to Xander’s father?”

“I simply reminded him that Xander deserved a peaceful wedding day.” Giles answered.

“His parents were starting to fight, weren’t they?”

“Yes.”

“Poor Xander.” Cordelia frowned. “They won’t even give him any peace on his wedding day.”

“You seem to be feeling more charitable towards him.” Giles was thankful she was feeling better. “Care to tell me why?”

“I thought about what he said,” she admitted. “He was right. He and I were always at odds with one another in school. We were either all over each other or we were fighting like cats and dogs.

How can I expect him to believe I’ve changed if I don’t give him the same chance?”

“Have you told him any of this?”

“Yeah, I told him this morning when I gave him and Anya their wedding present.”

“What did he say?”

“He didn’t really say anything. But he seemed kinda relieved. I could have sworn he said something about ‘Ripper not coming after me now’. You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you?” Cordelia arched a brow as she asked this quesiton.

Giles gave her his best innocent look, “I wouldn’t have any idea what he meant by that.”

“You’re sure?” Cordelia pressed. “Because the only ripper *I* know is *you*.”

“Cordelia, why would Xander think I was going to ‘come’ after him?” Giles asked mildly.

“I don’t know. But he sure seems to look at you differently since that elevator ride you two took together.”

“I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He said, trying to sound offended.

Cordelia just tilted her head to the side and gave him a long look.

“You know, eventually I’ll find out what this is all about. And when I do--you and I are going to have a talk.”

Just then a song began playing, Giles took the opportunity to distract Cordelia.

“Would you care to dance?”

Cordelia smirked at him.

“You won’t get out of it that easily. But, I would love to dance.”

He took her hand and led her to the edge of the dance floor. He began to lead her in the elegant steps of a waltz. She surprised him by following his lead quite well.

“I didn’t realize you knew how to waltz?”

“I’ve known how to waltz since I was eight. My grandmother felt that a young lady needed to know how to dance, among other things.”

“What other things?”

“Oh, how to greet your guests, what fork to use and how to deal with rude people.”

“How did she deal with rude people?”

“She didn’t. That’s what she taught me. Never deal with someone that isn’t worth your time. If they’re rude, they’re not worth your time.”

“Did she ever feel--?” He paused, not sure how to ask the question.

“What? That I was rude?” Cordelia finished for him.

“Did she?”

“Tactlessness and rudeness were two different things to her. Who do you think I learned it from? She was a pro at it. No, to her rudeness was doing something to intentionally hurt someone. Or to use your position to hurt them.” Cordelia let out a little sigh. “I do think I was a disappointment to her.”

“Why?”

“Because when I was in school, I did hurt people. I didn’t always mean to, but I never tried to fix it when I did. Look at Willow and Xander. I was so mean to them.”

“Is your grandmother alive?” He asked, trying to steer her away from hurtful memories.

“No, she died about a year ago.” So much for that idea. “She was living in Florida when everything happened with the IRS. Thank God. I don’t think she could have dealt with the shame if she had lived here. As it was, she was well off in her own right, so she didn’t have to worry about money. Even after they took all of ours.”

“Did you speak to her after you graduated?” Giles had never heard her talk about her family.

“I talked to her all the time. I wanted her to be proud of me. I told her about the work I was doing with Angel.”

“You told her?!?” He asked incredulously.

“Well, not about the demons and vampires and stuff.” Cordelia laughed. “Geez, Giles. If I had told her about that part of it, she would have had me locked up in the loony bin. No, I just told her that I was working for someone that was helping people.”

“How did she feel about that?”

“She said that she always knew I would do good things.” Cordelia smiled at the memory.

“She sounds like she knew you quite well.”

“Well, at least someone in my family was proud of me.”

“Have you heard from your parents?”

“No. When they left the country, they didn’t leave a forwarding address and I haven’t heard from them since.”

She tried to say it matter-of-factly, but Giles could tell it bothered her that her parents hadn’t called her. He didn’t understand them. They had left their eighteen-year-old daughter to fend for herself and hadn’t bothered to check on her. It was a testament to her strength that she had survived and coped as well as she had.

“When do you plan on returning to Los Angeles?” He asked, trying to find a more pleasant subject.

“I’m not sure. Probably first thing in the morning, but it depends on you.”

“Me? Why?”

“Well, unless you’ve decided to just leave everything in London, you’re going to have to go back,” she reminded him. “I wasn’t sure if you had a way back to L.A. or if you wanted me to take you.”

“I will most likely let a friend of mine settle everything there.” Giles explained. “I would very much like to get on with the business of finding a place to live and getting a job.”

“Will this friend know what to do?”

“Yes, he and I go back to our school days. He will know what to do with anything I don’t want shipped to me.” Giles shrugged. “Really, other than my books and few other odds and ends, there’s not much that I wish to have. I hadn’t really begun to settle in.” He smiled wryly, “Which seems quite ironic, since that was my childhood home.”

“You really did miss this place?” She asked softly.

The music had changed, as they were talking, and he began to move her in the steps of a Rhumba. Noticing as he did, that she had no more difficulty with this one than she had had with the waltz. This woman was full of surprises.

“Yes, I really did.” He answered.

“If you like, I can call Angel and take a couple more days off?” Cordelia offered. “You know, help with the apartment hunting.”

“Can you do that? What about your visions?”

“I can do what I’ve done this weekend.” She held up her cell phone. “If I get one, I’ll phone it in.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m positive. I got one this morning, before I came here. I talked to them not too long ago, they had taken care of the big nasty and told me to have a good time at the wedding. If anything major comes up, they’ll call me. Oh, and Fred wanted me to tell her what everyone was wearing. I think I’m finally starting to rub off on her.” She grinned.

He smiled back at her, “I would be very pleased if you stayed to help me.”

“Good, I’ll call Angel and let him know my plans have changed.” She hesitated, “After this dance is over.” She leaned back into his arms.

****

Giles was meeting Buffy for breakfast at a small outdoor café he had discovered right before he had left town. He had made plans with Cordelia the night before to have lunch and begin the process of hunting for a new flat. He had called the museum in Los Angeles after he had left the reception yesterday and made an appointment to talk to the curator in one week. That would give him time to make arrangements for his things in London and also to find a place to live. The café was in walking distance of the hotel so he was saved the problem of transportation. That was yet another issue that must be addressed.

He saw that Buffy was already there when he arrived.

“Buffy! How long have you been here?” He glanced at his watch to make sure he wasn’t late.

“You’re not late, Giles.” Buffy grinned at him. “I had to get Dawn off to school. So I decided to get here before you. What a switch, huh?”

“Quite.” He smiled at her exuberance.

“So, what do you want to eat? Cause I’m starved.” She said as she moved to take her seat.

“Why don’t I start out with a cup of coffee and then have a look at the menu?” he suggested.

“You? Coffee? Since when?”

“Buffy, I’ve always liked coffee. I just happen to like tea as well.”

“Okay, okay.” She put up her hands in mock surrender, “I was just curious.”

The waitress brought his coffee, and refilled Buffy’s, along with a menu.

“Would you like to order now, ma’am?” She asked Buffy.

“No, thanks. I’ll wait for him.”

“All right. I’ll be back in a few minutes to take your order.”

“Thank you.” Giles replied.

“So, did Xander and Anya get off all right?” He asked as he looked over the menu.

“Yep. I think he was as relieved to see his family leave as he was to have the wedding over. I saw his parents leaving early--right after you talked to them. Did you have anything to do that?”

“I may have reminded them that it was Xander’s wedding day.”

“And?” Buffy prodded.

Giles looked slightly uncomfortable. “I may have invited his father outside to discuss the situation.”

“Giles!” Buffy put a hand over her mouth to stifle her laughter. “You threatened Xander’s father?!?”

“I didn’t ‘threaten’ Xander’s father.” Giles protested. “I simply gave him the choice of location for our discussion.”

“I don’t believe it.” Buffy giggled. “My mild-mannered watcher threatened Xander’s dad to make him behave.”

“Buffy, please do not make more of this than there is.” Giles said in a pained voice

Buffy sobered. “It is a big deal, Giles. You shouldn’t have had to take up for him. But you did. That means a lot to him. Probably more than you’ll ever know.”

She watched at her watcher turned red.

“I’m sorry, Giles. I didn’t mean to embarrass you,” she paused. “I mean--I sorta like to embarrass you. It makes up for you knowing more than me. But I didn’t mean to about this. This is important and you deserve to know what a difference you’ve made in Xander’s life. All our lives, if the truth was told.”

Giles turned an even deeper shade of red.

Buffy laughed.

“Okay. No more mushy talk. You look like you’re about to explode. How would I explain that?”

The waitress came to take their orders, giving Giles time to recover. They ordered their food and continued their conversation.

“So--can I ask you a question?” Buffy said tentatively.

“You may ask. I won’t guarantee I’ll answer it.” Giles smiled at her. “But you may ask.”

“What’s the deal with you and Cordelia? Wait, wait, wait.” She said quickly, trying to stave off his objection to the question. “I’m not downing on you about your friendship. I just--I talked to Xander and he told me what happened at the hotel.”

“It seems that Xander is incapable of keeping a conversation private, I see.” Giles said in frustration.

“Giles. You went all Rippery on *Xander* for Heaven’s sake. I think that entitles him to be a little shook up, don’t you?” Buffy asked reasonably.

“I did not, as you say, go all rippery on Xander.” Giles retorted. “He and I had a discussion about how he will treat Cordelia in the future.”

“Okay, that’s my question. When did you become her protector? I’m not criticizing, I’m just curious.”

“I am not her protector. I simply felt that she was being treated unfairly and I didn’t want it to happen again. You didn’t see how hurt she was, Buffy. Cordelia puts on a brave front for the world, but she has feelings, and they can be hurt. Regardless of what most people seem to think.”

Buffy nodded in understanding.

“I know she has feelings, Giles. She and I may not have gotten along, but when Mom died, she called.”

“She did?”

Buffy paused as the waitress returned with their food. After the waitress had left, she continued.

“Yeah, she said she wanted to pay her respects. She couldn’t leave L.A. but she wanted me to know that she thought my mom was nice and she was sorry for my loss.” Buffy stopped for a moment. “Then she told me I was lucky.” she continued. “When I asked her why? She told me that I had had Mom for twenty years. She said some people don’t get a loving parent at all. At least I had the memories of a parent who cared about me and loved me.” Buffy shook her head at the memory. At the time, the fact that Cordelia would call at all stunned her. “After I thought about what she said, I realized she was right. I mean, Mom used to drive me nuts about the rules and everything. Especially when she didn’t know I was a slayer. But, at least she cared. Willow and Xander’s parents didn’t know where they were half the time. And Cordelia--I’ve heard that her parents haven’t even called her since they left the country.”

“They haven’t.” Giles replied quietly.

“How can a parent treat their child like that?” Buffy was angry on Cordelia’s behalf.

“I truly don’t know, Buffy,” he sighed.

“What did she mean when she mentioned her ‘family in L.A.’? Does she have family we don’t know about?”

Giles smiled slightly, “Something like that. I think I’ll let her explain them to you.”

“I hate when you’re secretive. It means that you know some juicy gossip and you won’t spill.” Buffy pouted.

“That won’t help you, Buffy,” he admonished her. “Cordelia said she would tell you and she will. In her own time.”

“That’s just mean, Giles.”

He only smiled as he continued to eat.

****

After the meal, he promised to call her to let her know how his plans were progressing. He bought the paper and continued on toward the park. He checked the time and discovered he had several hours before he was to meet Cordelia for lunch. He found a vacant bench and opened his paper. He tried to read but couldn’t seem to concentrate. He found himself watching the people as they played or simply picnicked. When he had first moved to California, what he had missed most about England was the damp, foggy mornings. When he returned to London, he discovered he missed the sun-drenched mornings of California. He shook his head and laughed softly, apparently he was hard-to-please. When he had one thing, he wanted another. No, he wasn’t hard to please. His ideal had changed. He glanced at his watch and discovered that he had been in the park for almost three hours. He gathered his things and headed for the hotel.

****

Giles saw Cordelia as soon as he entered the dining room. It had excellent food and had the added advantage of being close at hand. He frowned slightly when he saw a young man talking to her. The talking wasn’t what bothered him. The man looked as though he was trying to occupy the same space as Cordelia. And she didn’t look happy. He quickened his step, trying to save the man from one of Cordelia’s famous tongue-lashings.

He got to them just as Cordelia has reached the limit of her patience. She was about to set this guy straight when she felt an arm slipped around her waist. She knew it was Giles. Along with other abilities, her demonness gave her a heightened sense of smell. Nothing like, oh say, a *vampire’s* sense of smell. Which was something Angel was always teasing her about. But it still enabled her to know when someone she knew was near. Giles had a very unique scent. She had picked him out almost as soon as he had walked in. Which was one reason she had been trying to get rid of this clown. He was an old classmate and he seemed to think that she actually should, would, or could remember him. She had--finally--after much reminding on his part. Then he proceeded to hit on her. That was about the time Giles had walked in. She felt Giles’ arm tighten on her waist just as he began to speak.

“So, Luv. Aren’t you going to introduce us?” Giles asked in a low, seductive voice.

Giles knew the man was hitting on Cordelia and felt the quickest way to rid themselves of his presence and continue with their lunch was to give him the idea she was unavailable. He glanced down at her and almost burst out laughing. She had the most flabbergasted look upon her face.

Cordelia was having a hard time keeping her jaw from hitting the floor. Did Giles just call her luv? And did he step just a little bit closer as he waited for introductions? She resisted the urge to look around for the cameras or listen for the twilight zone music. She finally found her voice and made the introductions.

“Um, sure. Giles, this is Thomas Ford. I went to school with him. Thomas, this Rupert Giles. He’s a--friend.” She wasn’t sure how to introduce him. He *really* was her friend, but that wasn’t the impression Thomas was getting.

Giles held out the hand that wasn’t wrapped around Cordelia. “It’s nice to meet some of Cordelia’s friends.”

Thomas looked stunned. He held out his hand in reflex. “It’s nice to meet you. Hey wait, weren’t you the librarian when we were in school?” he asked in surprise.

“Yes, I was.” Giles squeezed the hand he still held .

“Uh, okay. Just thought I recognized you.” Thomas stammered. “Look, Cordy. It was nice seeing you, but I’ve really gotta be going.” With that he hurried off holding his hand.

Cordelia moved away from Giles. She stared at him for a moment and then said, “Okay, now that you’ve convinced him we’re sleeping together. Would you like to tell me just what the *hell* you’re doing?”

Giles stepped back from the furious tone in her voice.

“Cordelia, I was just trying to rid you of an irksome person,” he explained patiently. “Leading him to believe that you and I are a couple seemed to be the easiest way of doing that without causing a scene.”

Cordelia stood up, the anger was flowing off of her seemed to be a tangible being. She knew that her temper was frayed--badly. With everything that had happened in the past three days, she had had more than her fair share of angry moments. She also knew that a public place wasn’t the place to deal with this. For one thing, she refused to make a scene in public. For another, some of her more demony attributes had manifested themselves during high-stress periods. If she was going to get into an argument with Giles, she preferred it to be in private--just in case.

She took a deep breath and deliberately unclenched her hands.

“Giles, let’s postpone lunch,” she said in a calm, quiet voice. “I would like to speak to you and this restaurant is not the place. I’ll meet you back at my room in five minutes.” She turned and headed toward the ladies’ room. She was hoping she could cool down a little before she talked to him.

****

Giles paced the confines of his room as he waited for Cordelia to return to hers. He went over what had happened in the restaurant and cursed himself for being an idiot. He didn’t know what came over him. He had seen the man doing everything but kissing Cordelia and it had made him furious. He had went over there and made a bloody fool of himself and embarrassed poor Cordelia. No wonder she was furious at him. He didn’t have time to analyze just why the idea of a man finding Cordelia attractive bothered him so much. He was saved from that particular self-analysis by Cordelia’s arrival in her room. He left his room and knocked on her door. He could have used the adjoining door, but somehow, he didn’t think she was be thrilled with him taking that liberty right now.

She opened the door and gestured him in. He walked in and turned to face her. She closed the door and looked at him. Just looked at him, until he became slightly nervous. Now he knew how Xander had felt.

“Cordelia, I--.”

She held up her hand, “Stop.” She began to pace. “I don’t know exactly what you think you were doing down there. But--my personal opinion--I think you’ve lost your mind. Why did you have to make him think we were a couple? I didn’t need your help.”

“Cordelia--.” Giles began again.

“Giles, if you wanted to save me from making a scene. Why didn’t you just come over, tell me our table was ready and allow me to excuse myself. That’s all it would have taken. I mean, it’s not like the guy was trying to drag me out of the building.” She paused. “Well, aren’t you going to say anything to defend yourself?”

Giles took a deep breath. He understood that Cordelia was angry, but he was beginning to feel that way himself.

“Cordelia, I understand that you’re angry.” Giles had a slight edge to his voice. “I will also admit that I may not have handled the situation as well as I could have--”

“That’s the understatement of the year.” Cordelia said with a heavy dose of sarcasm.

“As I was saying,” he continued as though she hadn‘t spoken. “I could have handled the situation better. The only thing I can say in my defense is, I saw him acting like a crass fool and it made me angry. I’ve watched as people have treated you with little or no regard for the past three days and , frankly, I’m tired of it.“ Giles began to pace. “I went overboard, I admit that. If I had it to do over again, I would, no doubt, handle it differently. *But* I will not apologize for wishing to come to your aid. I know you are not a shrinking violet in need of protection. But I do care about you and when I see you in a situation I can help you with, I will. If you cannot, or will not, accept that as part of our friendship--perhaps we should rethink the entire thing.” He stopped abruptly. The moment he said it, he knew he was treading dangerous ground. Cordelia did not take well to ultimatums.

“Are you saying, if I don’t accept your treating me like a damsel-in-distress--on occasion, that you’ll stop being my friend?” Cordelia asked slowly.

“I’m saying that if I see you in a situation where I believe you could use my help, I will help you.” Giles said carefully. He couldn’t tell what she was thinking and, with Cordelia, that could be dangerous. On many levels.

She narrowed her eyes and stared at him for a long moment.

Then she sighed, “Well, I guess I’d better get used to you butting into my business, huh?”

Giles slowly released the breath he had been holding. He risked a small smile.

“Am I forgiven?”

She just shook her head.

“I suppose so,” she said returning his smile. “If you pay for lunch.”

He grinned. “Done.”

“You do realize one thing.”