1994

Buffy got out of the car in front of the white house with the long front porch, and slowly started up the steps. Her knees almost buckled as she staggered along, stiffly clutching a tissue in her hand. Giles dropped the bags and hurried after her.

"Buffy," Giles called, "wait a minute, dear."

He took her arm gently and led her up the steps to the front door and opened it. "Home sweet home," he announced.

She entered and sat down on the sofa in the living room heavily, a fresh batch of tears welling in her eyes. He dropped to his knees in front of her, grabbing the tissue he’d found he’d needed to keep handy since they’d returned from the funeral.

"Uncle Giles, why did they have to die and leave me?" Her lower lip trembled and the threatened drops spilled as she burst into tears again. He pulled her to him and gently rocked the sobbing girl.

"My dear, I don’t know why. They’re gone and you must make do with me now. I know I’m a poor substitute for a mother and a father, but I love you, Buffy, and I’ll make sure you have a good home here. Just let it out."

He was ill at ease with how to comfort his young niece. He knew so little about adolescent girls, and though he’d always been fond of his niece, he’d visited in their home infrequently, mainly because of the frequent troubles of his half-sister and her husband.

Joyce and he had not been that close, as their shared father had left Rupert’s mother in England for Joyce’s mother in America when Rupert was still a young child. He’d then managed to leave her and find a third and fourth wife before finally dying of a heart attack. Strangely, his exes had bonded at the funeral and his only two offspring had kept in contact over the years. He had been pleased at the prospect of a niece when he’d learned Joyce was expecting with her husband Hank, who was some type of software developer.

The marriage had been a troubled one though, not aided by the sudden wealth they’d amassed after one of Hank’s designs had been used as the basis for a major operating system. The sudden fortune had fractured the already troubled marriage, and Giles was sure that Buffy must have been aware of it. She’d quickly become one of those poor little rich girls, heavily surrounded by servants, nannies, and tutors, but not allowed to interact with anyone her own age. Her father’s infidelities and her mother’s drinking had grown and the fights became epidemic.

Giles remembered the previous Thanksgiving. Hank and Joyce had patched things up once again and he’d received and accepted their invitation for the holiday, extended during one of the more peaceful stretches in their relationship since Giles had accepted a position on the faculty of UC-Sunnydale nearly three years before. But when he’d arrived, it was clear things had fallen apart again, as he’d accidently walked in on Hank in flagrante with one of the maids and found Joyce drinking heavily. Poor Buffy hadn’t come down from her room until the official dinner and he’d tried to talk to the quiet 12 year old who’d seemed withdrawn from most of the world. She’d responded quickly to his queries and he figured that with her parents’ problems, she was likely just starved for affection and attention.

He’d tried to drop her e-mails regularly after that and she’d always written back eagerly, showing a quick mind and wit. He’d grown quite proud of his little niece and when Joyce had called about changing their wills, he’d consented to be named as Buffy’s guardian. He hadn’t thought much of it at the time, since he was older than Joyce and Buffy would be of age in a few years.

And then, two weeks ago, he’d gotten the call. There’d been an accident in L.A. and he needed to come. It had turned out the accident wasn’t really that. It was a combination of Hank and Joyce’s vices. She’d found out about one of his many affairs, and had burst him in on him and his mistress. She was already well over the legal limit and had apparently continued drinking from the bottle she’d carried with her as they’d fought. The police weren’t even sure how she’d ever made it to the hotel. There had been a fight, a very ugly scene, and then Joyce had tried to leave. Hank had jumped in the car as she drove away and they’d continued to fight until she lost control of the car. Both were killed in the accident.

Giles first thought had been for Buffy, all alone in the big mansion. He’d gone straight to the house and had been admitted though the swarm of reporters to find her crying, curled in her room. He’d stayed there for the next two weeks, as arrangements for a quiet and discreet funeral were made, media attention was deflected from the very wealthy couple’s untimely deaths and the lawyers began the process of sorting through the estate.

Giles realized he was now Buffy’s guardian, but he hadn’t expected that he’d also be named the trustee of her inheritance. Hank had good lawyers, and they had set up a trust that would support Buffy very comfortably until she turned 23, then she would have full access to the principle. There were various terms and conditions with the trust, but Giles had a fair amount of discretion. He was given a stipend for managing the trust, along with a bank in L.A. that would handle the actual investing.

He realized that he had to take care of a very wealthy little girl and he worried about what would happen once people found out. He saw what kind of life Buffy had in L.A., and he’d resolved that he would make her life in Sunnydale as normal as possible. The fact that she was wealthy was something no one needed to know for now.

He was jolted from his review of all he’d recently had to absorb as he continued to sit on the couch letting Buffy cry, when he heard he heard a soft knock at the door.

"Giles, are you back?" He heard Jenny call out softly and he gently disengaged from Buffy to go answer the door.

"I’ll be right back, dear," he told the still weeping Buffy and hurried from the room.
He opened the front door to find Jenny, his next-door neighbor, and her nephew William standing in front of him.

"Rupert, is everything OK? Can I help?" He looked so tired standing in front of her, Jenny knew the last two weeks had been hard on him.

She’d seen him usher the little girl into the house and had rushed over, hoping to help. She owed Rupert a debt of gratitude. He’d been a tremendous help to her with William, who’d been with her for three years now.

The similarities with what Giles and Buffy were now facing were striking. Her brother had fallen in love with a woman in England while studying abroad in college. They’d had a whirlwind courtship, married and were together long enough to conceive a son. Before his child was born however, her brother had been killed in a commuter plane accident. Jane, William’s mother, hadn’t remarried but had continued to live in London with their son. Jenny was his only living relative, so when Jane died from an aneurysm, she’d taken the moody 11 year old she’d only met twice, who’d proceeded to give her hell.

William had hated America. He missed his friends, missed England, missed his mother who Jenny could never substitute for. She’d thought she would never be able to bridge the gap between her and the angry little boy who glared at her with his mother’s eyes and father’s mouth.

And then her new neighbor, Giles, had noticed her frustration as she returned home from picking up William from school for fighting once again. They’d been friendly in the few months he’d lived there, exchanging small talk, but Jenny had been so preoccupied with William she hadn’t had a chance to get to know the distinguished new professor.

He’d knocked on her door that night and offered to help with William. She’d been taken aback by the offer at first. Why would this stranger want to help her? And then she’d noticed the sadness in his eyes and he’d explained about his own fatherless childhood and misspent youth. She’d agreed to let him be a big brother of sorts and it had been the key to breaking thought to William. Giles had taken William out to games at the University, tutored him for school, reminisced with him about the mother country and commiserated about the crazy Yanks. Most importantly, he’d been a neutral ear that William could talk to about his mother’s death. Gradually, William had warmed up and worked through his grief and had become a relatively typical American teen, other than the fact he seemed quite unwilling to lose his accent.

Jenny knew if there was anyway she could do for this little girl what Giles had done for William, she would. She’d talked with him on the phone before he’d returned from L.A. and he’d confided in her the sordid truth behind the deaths of Buffy’s parents. She hadn’t told William everything, but enough that he understood what the girl was going though.

William tried to peer past Jenny and Giles to see this little girl whose sobs he could hear. He still remembered the day he’d found his mom laying on the sofa in their London flat, almost as though she were asleep. He’d been so horrified and alone. He knew the pain she was feeling and resolved to help her if he could.

Giles had opened the door and let Jenny and William in, then they’d all proceeded to comfort Buffy as best they could.

2001

Buffy shifted in her seat as she stared out the window. She remembered that first day she’d come to Revello Drive and the weeks following. She’d been comforted by these two strangers who’d arrived at Giles’ house almost immediately after they’d gotten there. The woman Jenny and the boy William.

1994

As Jenny and William entered the living room, she’d struggled to get her emotions under control and not be a sobbing mess on front of these strangers. If there was one thing she’d learned from her parents, it was that appearance mattered. They’d talked with her, soft greetings and condolences, and gradually she’d gotten control of her emotions. She was a little surprised by William. He wasn’t very tall, barely the height of his aunt, with sandy blond curls and glasses hiding his blue eyes. He was somewhere in that boy-man stage where he was somehow awkward and yet adult. He’d stayed beside her on the couch and introduced himself gravely. She returned the introduction, surprised by his accent, but she’d liked it, it had reminded her of Giles’ comforting tones a little. He’d promised to introduce her around the neighborhood the next day and she’d agreed.

After they’d left, Giles had told her what had happened to William’s parents and she’d understood a little more about why he’d been kind to her. She wasn’t that used to teenage boys, but she suspected that most weren’t that sensitive.

He’d kept his promise. The next morning, about nine, he’d knocked on the door, grinning at her pigtails she still wore. He’d tugged on one and told her she looked like Golidlocks, and she smiled back at his teasing. They’d started down the walk, as he gave her the brief lowdown on the small street. There were six houses total, and each had children near their age, he’d told her as they neared the first house. Giles had warned her and William that it would be easier if people just knew her parents had passed away in an auto accident, but not the details. She’d agreed and so William planned to introduce her as Giles’ niece who’d come to live with him when her parents died. He warned her that most of the neighborhood was expecting her, since news of any kind traveled fast among the group.

The Rosenberg’s house was to the left of Giles, while Jenny’s was to the right, so they’d started there. The bright red hair had been the first thing Buffy had noticed when the door opened. Then there was the squeal, "You must be Buffy!" Her enthusiasm was catching and Buffy had been instantly cheered. As soon as green eyes met hazel, she knew she’d had found a life-long friend. Willow had instantly joined their rounds, joking with William about something from their movie night the previous week, obviously a regular tradition,

The next stop had been directly across the street at the Chase house. Cordelia turned out to be a little more snobby than Willow, but William dutifully introduced her. Cordelia was tall and slim, and clearly more cool than Buffy, but she’d welcomed her and insisted she’d be over soon to help Buffy with fashion advice for the new school year. In fact she’d suggested a makeover, a comment which earned an eyeroll from William and Willow, she’d noticed. But she couldn’t help but be a little excited at the thought of girly sleepovers and fashion accessorizing that she’d never had the chance to do.

The third house was the O’Connors. William had mentioned that Angel lived there, so she was a little surprised when the door had opened to a guy. And what a guy. Her little 13 year old heart had tripped a beat at the sight of the studly Angel. He and William were in the same grade and were both 15, just about to start high school, but he looked older to her. He was tall, with dark hair and deep chocolate brown eyes that had caused her to melt, and she knew a major crush had started. She’d tried to hide her swooning and William had let loose with another eyeroll as he’d noted her reaction but he’d let it slide without comment.

Angel had been nice, welcoming her to the neighborhood and inviting her to the next movie night, which was apparently being held at his house, before turning to ask William about some touch football game they were supposed to play later. William had finalized the arrangements and then led the slightly dazed Buffy away to the final stop.

As they walked towards the Harris home, Xander had been out the door before they could reach the steps. He was also cute, Buffy realized, but quickly noted Willow’s reaction to the brunette. Xander had goosed Willow, joking with her and she’s turned beet red, an odd combo with her flame hair. Buffy had deduced the crush rather quickly, but noticed that much like William and Angel, there was very much a big brother vibe from Xander towards Willow and Cordelia, and she suspected towards her now as well. She’d been pleased in a way. As an only child, with no close friends, the though of an almost ready-made family that seemed accepting of her seemed like a fresh start. She’d felt the pain and aloneness that had been squeezing her heart since she learned of her parents’ death begin to ease.

2001

And so Buffy remembered how she’d become a part of that Revello Drive gang. It was a nice address, a pretty decent part of town. Not the richest, not the poorest. The Chases’ had aspirations, Willow had explained to her, but most of the others were content. Somehow, this suburban neighborhood had become paradise to Buffy after her previously less than normal existence and she’d felt like she had come home.

Over the years, as she, Willow and Cordelia had finished junior high and started high school, the group dynamic had shifted some. Cordelia had gotten more into the cool clique in high school but still hung with them on the weekends. Willow and Buffy had remained best friends, constantly at one another’s home. Xander, William and Angel still hung out, their various interests had diverged. Angel had become a football player, and Buffy’s secret crush had grown deeper as she’d watched while he’d scored the big touchdown his senior year. But the three guys continued to treat the girls as their younger siblings, looking out for them in school.

She and William had remained especially close over the years, even as time passed, their bond of parental loss, the closeness of Giles and Jenny, and their next-door neighbor status forming a connection that growing up hadn’t severed. As Buffy had gone through braces and graduated from training bras, somehow William was always around, teasing her, giving her advice, being the big brother she would never have.

He’d been her protector throughout high school. She suspected he’d been a little overprotective at times, not many guys were willing to approach her and she knew he had warned them away. But she was ok with that. It was nice having someone to watch out for her, and she was so wrapped up in her crush on Angel that she didn’t mind the lack of dates.

She’d made the JV cheerleading squad after William had helped her practice and critiqued her tryout cheer for hours, though he’d groaned about the "bloody short skirts" her uniform has consisted of, insisting it was indecent and looking only slightly abashed when she’d pointed out his rapt attention to the varsity cheerleaders at football games.

She’d been his personal cheering section as well, going to all of his swim meets as he made it all the way to the state finals his senior year. Somewhere along the way, the changes in William from the slightly geeky 14 year old had started to register. But she was so firmly convinced, after years of adulation, that Angel was her soul-mate, despite the fact he showed her only passing attention when the gang hung out, that she hadn’t actively notice.

She distinctly remembered the first time it had hit her. She’d been sitting with Willow, Xander, Cordelia and Angel in the stands at the final swim of the year. William had already swam his first heat and was poised to begin the next race. She’d blinked as she stared at his body, glistening with drops of water, taller, leaner, more well-muscled than the boy she’d first met. He was hot. He was very, very hot. She’d felt herself flush and scolded herself for those thoughts. She felt weird noticing William’s body, it was like ogling Giles, he was family. Briefly, she’d wondered if he had ever noticed that she’d grown up to. But she’d dismissed those lustful thoughts into the back of her mind, knowing that she was just his little sis, his Goldilocks.

Not long after that meet, as her junior year had drawn to a close, and Xander, William and Angel had graduated from Sunnydale High and prepared to start college at UC-Sunnydale, Giles had sat her down to tell her about her parent’s will.

She’d known her parents had a lot of money, but she’d never really questioned where it had gone when she’d moved to Sunnydale with Giles. They were comfortable here, she had a decent allowance, but she’d had to work as a babysitter when she’d wanted extra stuff. She enjoyed being just a normal girl, with no one treating her differently. She hadn’t realized that she was the heir to a fortune and Giles was pleased she hadn’t made the connection, that he had succeeded in giving her a normal adolescence.

She remembered the serious look on her face as he’d talked with her that day, knowing he was going to change her world forever.

"Buffy, I need to tell you about your parents’ will. You know that your father was a very wealthy man and you will one day be entitled to a great deal of money. However, there were very specific instructions in the will regarding part of your education which we must fulfill for you to come into your inheritance."
He’d paused, then continued.

"Apparently it was your mother’s wish that you complete your education in England, at a boarding school, so you know more about where your grandfather was from."

She’d immediately begun to protest, the though of leaving her home, her friends, the man she viewed as her father and being all alone again gripping her in a near panic.

Giles has calmed her, then continued with his solution.

"I hesitate to do this Buffy, but it is one of the conditions of your inheritance. However, I have investigated the funds set aside for your maintenance and schooling and I think that it’s possible that we could pay for Willow to go with you, if you want and her parents agree."

The Rosenbergs had been thrilled at the chance for their daughter to attend a fine English boarding school and so Buffy and Willow had left together, after tearful goodbyes with the gang and their families, not realizing how long it would be before they came back.

Willow had blossomed in the more academically challenging school they had attended, attracting quite a bit of attention with her academic powress and had been accepted at Oxford for university. She’d decided to start college there, but Buffy had been undecided about what to do. She’d acquitted herself well academically, but she missed home.

Late in her senior year, Giles had called her with the news that the book he’d been working on was done and he was going to be doing a book and lecture tour throughout Europe. Her parents’ will had required her to do a European tour as well and so they’d combined the two, with Buffy accompanying Giles on his tour. Willow had joined them whenever she’d had a break in her schedule.

The final year abroad had been spent back in England. Giles had offered a visiting professorship at Oxford and UC Sunnydale had agreed to extend his leave for another year to accept this post. So Buffy had started at Oxford a year behind Willow. She found herself still missing California though and she hadn’t gotten close with many of her peers. She and Willow remained roommates and she knew the redhead missed home as well. So as Giles finished his year commitment, they all made plans to return home.

The car pulled into the drive of the house. Giles had rented it out while they was gone to another visiting professor, but it now stood empty and ready for their return.

It had seemed a lot like old times. Xander had made with the funny. Cordelia had been her frequently shallow but somehow engaging self. Angel had been hotter than ever. But Buffy felt like something had changed as she crawled into bed, exhausted, after everyone went home. She couldn’t quite put her finger on what had been different, but somehow she knew it was connected to William, or Spike, rather. It was more than just the new look and name. He’d just seemed different to her somehow. Too tired to ponder further, she pulled her covers over her head and feel asleep.

Angel had walked back across the street, whistling softly as he returned to his mom’s house. He was living at the frat, but he’d crash here tonight because he was too tired to drive back to campus. He had been glad to hear the girls were coming back. He’d been pleasantly surprised when he’d seen them as well, they’d both turned into quite the lookers.

He’d known Buffy had a crush on him for years. It had been too cute in high school, how she’d shyly hung around, his own silent little groupie. He’d never really dared take advantage of it, because Spike had always been so protective of her. Not that he couldn’t take Spike if he’d wanted to, but it wasn’t worth the effort, he had plenty of female attention anyway.

He’d never really figured Spike out. He’d hadn’t really been cool in high school, he’d always been a bit of a loner outside of their little group that hung out here at home, but he’d been tough and no one messed with him. He’d been surprised when Spike and Xander had both pledged the same frat he did. Xander was cool and good for a laugh, and he knew he’d get in.

But Spike - fraternities and brotherhood hadn’t really seemed his thing. He’d learned later that Spike was a legacy, his dad, who had died before he was born, had been in KET before he’d gone to England and met Spike’s mom. Jenny had urged Spike to join to connect with part of his dad’s past and his Uncle James, a doctor, had also encouraged him for the networking and contacts in his future career.

They’d all made it through the hazing together and Spike observed the formalities, attended the required meetings. But he’d never moved into the house like Angel and Xander, he had some weird little attic apartment on the edge of campus over a professor’s house. He’d said he’d liked the solitude, while the others had accused him of wanting a pad to take chicks too, and often borrowed Spike’s keys for that very purpose.

Angel had wondered about Spike for a while. He’d never been that into girls, though he’d had his own little swim groupies in high school as well as in college, where he’d continued to swim competitively. And the whole rock start gig had brought in the chicks as well. But Spike had seemed pretty much indifferent, always hanging with Buffy and Willow in a fairly platonic way, until they left. Then there’d been Drusilla.

Angle had to admit, she had been the looker. Big beautiful eyes, long dark hair and a come hither smile. Spike had fallen hard for her that first year on campus, and he’d relentless pursued Dru. She’d eventually slept with him and he’d become her devotee. What Spike hadn’t known, or maybe hadn’t wanted to know was that she was also sleeping with at least two other guys besides him at any given time. She’d seen men as toys and Angel was a little ashamed that he’d been one of her conquests. He’d eventually warned Spike that Dru was not as faithful as he might think, without sharing exactly how he knew.

But at least Spike had some warning when he’d walked into his apartment and found one of his frat brothers, Riley, going at it with Drusilla in his bed. Angel had heard later that he hadn’t said a word, he’d just turned and walked out. Spike had gone on quite a bender and when Angel and Xander had finally found him and sobered him up, he’d never spoken of her again. Dru had transferred away not long after that and Riley had apologized to Spike, explaining he hadn’t known they were a couple, he’d just borrowed Spike’s key to find a private spot. Things had always been a little tense between Spike and the guys at the frat after that and he’d spent more time with the band and hung out with them less.

Angel still wondered why Spike hadn’t gone after any other girls since them though. Dru had been cold in using him that way, but there were other fish in the sea just waiting to be caught. But Spike had seemed disinterested, focusing on the band, his classes, his swimming and helping his Aunt Jenny at her art gallery. He had the whole bad boy attitude, but he was actually quite chivalrous beneath his exterior. He was the one who kept an eye out at their parties and made sure the couples disappearing upstairs appeared to both be willing participants. The guys had acquiesced to his little interrogations because nobody wanted date rape accusations leveled at them in this day and age, but it seemed a weird role for Spike.

So he wondered if Spike would be a problem for him with Buffy, because she was old enough now that big brother Spike wasn’t going to keep him away from her - no way, no how. She was one hot little lady and if the rumors about her trust fund were true, quite wealthy as well. It was about time he thought about settling down, he was going to be a senior after all, and Buffy Summers would make a pretty piece of eye candy on his arm. Musing on his strategy, he opened the door to his house, "Mom, I’m crashing here tonight."

Spike lay in bed staring out the window. He couldn’t see her window unless he sat up in the bed, but he could see the soft glow of light and then the darkness as she settled down. He wasn’t sure what to think. He knew he was glad she was back, knew he wanted to help her settle in just like he had when she’d first come to Sunnydale. His brotherly instincts to make her readjustment once again a positive were all there.

But he knew there was more to it than that. He was in love with her. Even in that whole debacle with Dru, he’d known he never loved her like he had Buffy. Dru was bewitching and sexy but he’d known on some level that she was a tramp. But he hadn’t wanted to die a virgin and he’d gotten rid of that little burden pretty quickly with her, along with any inhibitions he had about sex.

He’d been in the same zone all throughout high school, since he was old enough to notice and finally cool enough for girls to pay attention. It had been all about Buffy, her little fifteen year old form just showing the first curves of womanhood. He’d felt like a perv, knowing she was too young for him to think of her that way and besides, she was like his little sister.

He laughed and been chased around the house by her as he’d found her first real bra, complete with a little extra padding that he’d teased her unmercifully about. He’d even held a heating pad to her stomach one night as she’d had cramps, when Giles and Jenny had gone to a function at the college and she’d called him so sick she’d thought she was going to die. He’d been there through it all. He’d also seen the adoration she had for Angel ever since that first day he’d shown her around the neighborhood. So he’d kept his feelings deep inside about Buffy, but just hadn’t wanted to be with other girls while she was around.

Then Giles had taken her away. He’d known why, he’d heard Giles and Jenny talking about the will. But he’d missed her so much, his best friend, his confidant, his biggest fan, his Goldilocks.

He remembered the night before she’d left. They’d sat in the swing on the porch after the others had said their goodbyes and gone home. He’d given her advice on England - phrases she might hear that would be strange, customs, foods, etc. He’d known he wouldn’t see her again before she left, Giles was taking them to the airport to catch the plane at 4:00AM. So he’d given her his goodbye gift then, two little bears, one holding the star and stripes, the other the Union Jack, She’d giggled and named the bears after them. Buffy and William. And then he’d kissed her.

It hadn’t been the kind of kiss he’d want to give her for longer than he could remember. The kind where she’d open her mouth and he’d slide his tongue inside her moist cavern and they’d explore the taste and texture of each other until they ran out of breath and then start all over again. Instead it was a soft kiss, just a light brush of lips against lips before he’d pulled back and dropped a second kiss on her forehead. He’d pulled her to him tightly and murmured, "Take care, Goldilocks." Then he’d walked away.

He hadn’t looked back. He hadn’t want to make a fool of himself, Mr. Big Bad soon to be college guy, about to cry his eyes out over her leaving.

But now she was back. He’d watched her with Angel tonight and seen the sparks of interest in his eyes. Angel wasn’t entirely a bad guy. He was arrogant, and thought he was God’s gift to women, but he could be a good guy when he wanted. If he knew that Angel was what she still wanted, after all these years, he didn’t want to get in the way. But he couldn’t help but wonder if she’d hadn’t looked at him a little differently too. Something in the moment out by the car, before everyone else showed up, had felt different to him. Or maybe is was just wishful thinking on his part. He just wished he knew if he had a chance.

Jenny slowed walked back downstairs, wanting a few minutes with Rupert in private if she could find him. For all her relationship advice to Buffy, she wasn’t sure where her own love life stood at this point in time.

To say that Giles was a little cautious about relationships was to put it mildly. She’d felt sparks between them from the first day they’d met, but no opportunity had arisen to act on that attraction before William had arrived and changed her life. After Giles had begun to help her with William, they’d become good friends, sharing meals, talking frequently, the three of them going on outings together. The relationship had been a comfortable friendship, and neither had pushed things as they focused on helping William adjust.

As thing had improved and life had settled down again, Jenny had become Giles’ steady "date" at faculty functions. He’d been busy settling in and doing research on a potential book when he’d first moved to Sunnydale, so combined with his time spent with William and her, he’d failed to get into the dating scene. They’d joked about their dates, but had remained completely platonic in their interactions for a while, enjoying their friendship.

Then one night, the summer before Buffy had come, something had changed.

They’d gone for a walk around campus after a faculty dinner, enjoying the balmy early summer air and moonlight. The conversation had been light and Jenny had felt content. As they’d walked, he taken her hand in his, a relatively innocent gesture. But that light contact, coupled with the romantic setting had seemed to ignite the fire that had been simmering between them for some time.

As they’d paused beneath the shadow of a large tree that shielded them from view, Giles had taken her face in her hands and softly kissed her for the first time. After the initial touch, they had exploded, suddenly groping and fondling each other like two teenagers alone for the first time. The passionate makeout session had continued for some time, until at last they’d pulled apart from their clinch. Jenny remembered leaning her head against Rupert’s chest and feeling the rapid beat of his heart mirroring the racing of her own. He laughed lightly and murmured that that had been a long time coming, and she’d agreed.
They’d walked back to the car then, silent. As they’d driven home, the silence had lengthened, but Jenny hadn’t been sure how to break it, where to start. Had the kiss meant he had feelings for her? Was it a product of the moonlight and the earlier wine at dinner? Had they both just been alone for so long they were just looking for some touch? The silence grew heavier between them, until Giles pulled into his driveway and walked her to her door. He’d briefly dropped a kiss against her cheek, his standard goodbye on their little "dates," murmured he was sorry, then quickly walked away before she had a chance to say a word.

The next day, he’d been over to take William to a game and they’d both pretended as though nothing had happened. Somehow, the passage of a night and the light of day, with William staring at their strangeness, made discussion impossible and the subject was dropped. Only a few days later, the call about Buffy’s parents had come, and Giles had left town.

Then Buffy had come and somehow the reality of, in effect, having two teenagers had dampened any potential relationship that might or might not have been beginning. Jenny sensed that Giles was reluctant to pursue a relationship with her partially because of the roles they played in their respective charges life. If they began something serious and things fell apart between then, it would be awkward for Buffy and William, two children who needed them both.

She understood and agreed with that reasoning, but sometimes, she felt like she would scream from being so close to him, playing mommy in their unusual version of a nuclear family, without the perks of actually having daddy to curl up with at night. She thought he might feel the same way, because she’d occasionally catch him looking at her with a predatory gaze that would make her flush and wish for a cold shower.

Things had finally changed when William had left for college and Buffy had gone to England. With the kids finally out of the nest, the passion that had simmered between them for years exploded and she was soon frequenting his bed and he hers. It had been an almost idyllic year. They had been so close for so long she wasn’t sure who knew they were now truly a couple. She’d sometimes wondered if William had picked up on the vibes, but he’d been pretty distracted his first year of college, so she didn’t know if he saw the difference.

But then, Giles had begun to pull away again. She’d known he had a book coming out soon, he’d let her read some of his chapters as he’d written, to get her impression, but she hadn’t realized the magnitude of what this would mean for his academic career. The book had made a quite a stir and the tour and lecture post had opened up, wonderful opportunities for his career and a perfect chance for him to tour Europe with Buffy.

As time grew closer for him to leave, he’d grown more distant from her. He’d insisted he didn’t want her to wait around on him, that she shouldn’t feel tied to him while he was gone. She’d been stoic about it in the midst of her confusion. She’d thought they’d had something special, but his insistence that they be free from each other while he was gone gave her pause, so she’d let him go without protest.

She’d tried dating a few other men, but she’d soon realized that her heart was already gone by that point. She just hoped that now that he was back, she could convince him that what they had was real and that she wasn’t going to play games anymore. She’d done a lot of soul-searching while he was gone and she intended to put the advice she’d given Buffy to use. She wanted the whole thing this time, not a relationship for the sake of a relationship, not just a friend, not just a lover, but an equal life partner and she was determined to get it.

She knocked on his study, hoping to find him.

"Come in."

She swung open the door to find Giles unpacking a box of books he collected.

"You and Buffy both made quite a haul over there from the looks of it," she smiled.

He grinned back. "Yes, though I must say our tastes differ considerably. If I saw one more leather shop, I’d have screamed. Sometimes I think that child is channeling a biker gang or something with her infatuation for leather garments."

She moved around the desk, a little unsure of how to make the first move in this first time alone since he’d returned. She was preparing herself to give her little speech about relationships and not settling when he surprised her by meeting her halfway and throughly kissing her.

Jenny broke the kiss and looked up at him, pleasantly surprised but throughly confused. Giles pulled her to the sofa and sat down, tugging her with him.

"Jenny, I need to ask you a few things, and then I need to tell you a few things. Will you let me do that?"

She nodded, eyes wide.

"Are you seeing anyone right now? Is there anyone else in your life?"

"No, Rupert, there hasn’t been anyone serious since you left."

"Good." He smiled as she bristled a little at his smugness. "I haven’t seem anyone else either," he said, to her relief.

He preceded to his next question. "Have your feelings changed about our relationship since I left, or do you feel much the same way?"

Bolstered by the assurance of his kiss, she admitted she still cared for him, then insisted he answer the question as well. His face lit up and he reached for her hand.

"I’ve though about us the whole time I’ve been gone, Jenny, and I’ve reached a conclusion."

She stared at him, suddenly realizing her little speech was never going to get heard, but feeling all right with that.
"Jenny, I love you. I know we’ve been apart for two years, but we’ve been together for a long time now, in one form or another. I realized when I was away from you that a little piece of me was missing. I’m sorry I’ve kept you at arm’s length for so long, but I know now that I want you in my life permanently. I can only hope that you want that as well."

He had barely finished his sentence when she threw her arms around him and launched herself into his lap. "Oh, Rupert, that’s exactly what I want. I’ve missed you so."

His lips met hers and they settled in for a welcome home greeting that both were throughly enjoying when a brief knock on the door of the study was followed by Spike walking into the room, closely followed by Buffy on his heels. Both of their eyes grew large as they took in the sight of Giles and Jenny intertwined on the couch with tousled hair, swollen lips, disarranged garments and generally guilty expressions.
Buffy and Spike exchanged glances and then Buffy tapped Spike’s arm. "You owe me $20 and move-in help. I told you it’d be less than 24 hours."

Spike reached into his pocket and shoved the bill at her as the pair on the couch continued to gape, before turning his attention to the couple, smirking slightly.

"Way to go old man, took you long enough. Just treat her right and we won’t have any problems, all right, mate?" Spike directed the question to Giles, who nodded silently. Buffy and Spike descended on the couple, hugging the pair they’d been betting would be together for years now, happy to see them united at last.

Before long, Spike and Buffy left, to "give them some time to catch up" with various winks and nudges about how they intended to be gone for the entire afternoon. Giles sighed contentedly as he pulled Jenny back onto his lap to cuddle as they simply enjoyed each other’s presence after the long separation. Between kisses, they discussed their children. Both were happy at their positive response, though a little chagrined because they’d assumed they had been quite stealthy in their feelings for one another. Gradually the talk shifted to what was coming up for Buffy and Spike in the next year.

Jenny filled Giles in on the particulars about Spike, and how his applications to medical school were progressing. She told him about her talk with Buffy upstairs and how he’d been right about her interest in the art gallery. She mentioned the discussion of Angel and her concerns about him and Buffy as a couple.

"I don’t know Rupert, I just had always hoped that William and Buffy would end up together. They’ve got the ground work for a wonderful relationship, we know they’re compatible and I’m sure he loves her. Do you remember the way he used to watch her when they were still in high school, when he didn’t think she knew he was watching? He was head over heels back then, and I saw that same look last night when we were all talking in the kitchen. He’d be good for her, and she for him."

"I know, dear, I agree. William is a fine man, even if I did help raise him and he’s exactly what I want for Buffy. I worry about her. I don’t think she knows what danger she’ll be in once she’s comes into all that money. I wanted her to have a normal life, but sometimes I think I tried to shelter her too much. Maybe we all did. She doesn’t really comprehend that people will use her, I don’t think, because she’s had true friends who didn’t, especially Willow and William."

Giles sighed and tugged Jenny closer. "I know we can’t force them together, but I hope maybe now that they’ll be around each other again, they’ll see each other in a new light. Maybe she’ll open up to William and see him as more than her big brother, and maybe he’ll let her."

Jenny snuggled in and kissed up his jawline. "Mr. Giles, I’m fairly certain the house is empty now, how bout we check out your bedroom and I’ll welcome you back properly?"

He greeted her suggestion enthusiastically and after making sure that Buffy and Spike had in fact left, they retreated to his room to reacquaint themselves with all they’d missed in the last few years.

The chat obviously over, Cordelia departed and Buffy and Willow settled in for a few hours of sleep before heading out to party.

Buffy was still breathing hard as she made her way down the hall. How dare he jump on her choice of clothing? It wasn’t indecent. She wasn’t exposing anything important. Half the girls here were wearing less than her. She realized as she calmed a little that he hadn’t really criticized her, just seemed a little too protective as usual. She knew part of her anger was probably due to the fact that she was frustrated that he never saw her as something other than someone to be looked after, a little girl. She pushed the thoughts aside, plastered a happy smile on her face and joined her friends grooving away on the crowded dance floor.

The band was pretty good and she soon found the rhythm as she gyrated with abandon. She laughed at Willow, trying to dance with Xander. Xander was many things, but a dancer, he was not. She watched the couple, trying to see if there were any signs of more than friendliness in his demeanor as he and Willow bounced around each other, but she couldn’t be sure. Suddenly, she was startled as she felt a hand slide round her waist and a warm body slide in behind her. She swivelled her head to see Angel smiling down at her.

"Hey, Buffy."

She couldn’t hear him clearly over the music, but she figured it was a greeting and she mouthed a reply as she turned toward him and they danced closer. She laughed as they continued to move to the music, exhilarated to be here, in this place, with the wild beat and Angel, tall, handsome and much desired, dancing with her. She caught the envious looks from several of the other girls as Angel pulled her hips back against his. She could feel his erection against her and smiled, enjoying the power as she shimmied back and draped her arms around his neck, arching herself against him . As the dance finally ended, the band segued into a slower number and he turned her around, as she stared up at him.

"Care for another dance?"

He smiled down at her and Buffy felt a little weak in the knees. Here was a man who could appreciate her and not treat her like a child. She nodded and tucked her head under his chin as they swayed together.

Spike entered the main room, finally relieved of his key duty, ready to look for Buffy and try to make amends for his earlier comments. Maybe if he could just explain to her, she’d understand and he could...well he wasn’t sure exactly what, but he felt he needed to clear the air.

He suddenly stopped dead at the sight of Buffy nestled in Angel’s arms, a contented expression on her face as he held her close. He would have sworn he could feel actual pain in his heart at the sight of her blonde head so close to his dark one.

*That should be me. I’m the one that loves her, damn it. He just wants a quick fuck, a one night stand. I can’t let this happen. I can’t.* Spike stared at the couple as his thoughts raced and he fought to keep his temper in check.

He realized he was still staring and that the song was coming to an end. He couldn’t bring himself to look away though, as the pair broke apart and Angel looked down at Buffy, planting a soft kiss on the tip of her nose and murmuring something in the quiet created by the lull as the band left the stage for a short break.

Angel pulled away from her and looked up, immediately heading towards Spike as she waltzed over to her friends, to give them a bloody blow-by-blow of what is was like to be in Angel’s arms, no doubt. Spike breathed deeply, trying to get himself under control before Angel reached him. He had no right to feel this way. Buffy had made her feelings perfectly clear earlier to him and he knew she’d always been head over heels for Angel. But if he was relegated to the role of big brother, he sure as hell intended to act like one.

"Angel, saw you dancing with Buffy out there." He aimed for casual, wasn’t sure he achieved it.

"Yeah, can you believe what a fox she’s become? Guess merry old England agreed with her."

"That’s true. She and Willow have both become beautiful young women." Did he just say that? Could he sound more like Giles?

"You’re right. Willow is looking pretty hot to trot herself. Cordy told me she has quite the gossip to catch me up on later. Apparently Willow’s not the little innocent she used to be. Got into some girl on girl action. Wouldn’t you have loved to have caught that?"

Spike smiled without enthusiasm, determined to get to his point.

"Yeah mate, that would be something, gotta love those redheads. Anyway, about Buffy..."

Angel stopped him. "Spike, man, I know how you feel about her."

Spike jerked back, eyes narrowing. "You do?"

"Of course. You have been so protective of her ever since she came to Sunnydale. You had that weird little family thing going on with Giles and Jenny. It’s cool. You don’t want your baby sister to be taken advantage of. So I’m being straight with you. I like her. I want to date her. I promise I’m not going to take advantage of her or anything. I want to see if there’s something real there. I’ve played the field for a long time and I’m ready to settle down. So, I’m declaring my intentions to you. I won’t push her into anything. But Spike, as long as I’m not hurting her, I’ve got to ask that you don’t get in the way. I know you like to chase the guys off and I’m not going anywhere."

Spike nodded, burying the pain. "Angel, I’m holding you to that. If I see you pushing her or hurting her in any way, all bets are off. But you treat her with respect and I’ll stay out of your way if she’s interested in you."

"Oh, I think she’s interested." Angel smiled. "Thanks, pal, I’m glad we had this talk. I just want to make her happy. I know how much you love her, Spike."

He turned and walked away, not hearing Spike’s low whisper. "No, you really have no idea."

Buffy swiftly downed the shot she’d been holding and laughed at the joke Willow was telling. She felt a little flushed after the dancing and the alcohol probably wasn’t helping, but she didn’t care. This was like a dream come true. Angle had danced with her. He’d asked if they could dance later. He’d offered to walk them home.

She nervously reached for a second shot, and downed it as well as she looked around the room. What if he forgot about her before the break was over? What if he had already moved on to someone else? She hated the fact that Angel seemed to just bring out her insecurities, but for some reason he always did.

She realized suddenly that someone else was staring at her. She turned her head and looked straight into Spike’s eyes. *Wow, does he ever have the baby blues going tonight.* she thought. She reached for a third shot, almost without thinking, and held it as she walked over to where he was standing against the wall, almost as if pulled in by his gaze.

"Hey Spike. How are you doing?"

"Okay, pet. How are you?"

"I’m good."

She downed the final shot, shivering a little as she realized that was probably one too many. She felt a little sick, and she found Spike taking the glass from her hand and guiding her down the hallway and out the back, to sit in a small porch swing that was miraculously unoccupied.

"Whoa, a little too much. I’m not so good with the drinking, Spike."

"That’s alright pet, a little fresh air will make you feel better." He carefully sat her in the swing and then sat down beside her.

"Buffy, there’s something I need to talk to you about, but please don’t get mad at me."

He caught her chin in his hand and turned her face to his. She found herself fascinated with his eyes again, which seemed darker, more of a midnight blue now on the shaded porch. Without thinking, she blurted out, "You have the most beautiful eyes."

He blinked and pulled back slightly. Where had that come from? Oh right, she was drunk. Her head fell against his shoulder as she leaned against him, her hair tickling his neck.

"Spike, I’m sorry I yelled at you earlier, I just don’t want to be treated like I’m still fourteen."

He nodded his apology.

"I know, Buffy. I didn’t mean it that way. I just wasn’t expecting it. I’ll try to be more open to your grown up ways."

She laughed a little against his neck which she still lay curled against and he decided to try again.

"Buffy, I saw you dancing with Angel, does that make you happy?"

"Yep," she replied, squirming a little closer.

"Pet, are you okay?" He was a little disconcerted by her enthusiasm for Angel while she was practically crawling into his lap. He’d better watch her around the booze, apparently it made Goldilocks a little on the friendly side.

"I’m fine. Angel danced with me and he’s going to walk me home later. Isn’t that cool, Spike? He was a gentleman too, not too grabby or anything. Well maybe just a little, but in a good way."

Suddenly she sat up and looked straight at him.

"You’re a gentleman too, aren’t you?"

Startled, he looked at her.

"I try to be, luv."

"Well why haven’t you danced with me then? Xander danced with me and stepped on my toes and Angel danced with me. Why haven’t you danced with me?"

"Buffy, I don’t really dance well, it’s not my thing."

"Surely you can slow dance. I mean, you don’t even have to move hardly. C’mon Spike, this is kind of like a welcome home party for me. Aren’t you gonna dance with me too? Please?"

She batted her eyes at him and he knew that was it. He gave in.

"Sure, Goldilocks. Let me know when you want to dance, and you can drag me out there."

He paused. "Buffy, are you feeling better now?"

She nodded slowly. "Yeah, I’m good. Just a little too much, too fast. I’m ready to go again."

Suddenly she threw her arms around him and pulled him into a tight hug, kissing him lightly on the cheek.

"Thanks for looking out for me, Spike. I do appreciate it. And I’m holding you to that dance later."

She was up and gone as the first strains of the band starting back up could be heard. He stared after her retreating form, not sure of what he had gotten himself into.

Buffy finished out the dance as she heard the band switch to a slower tune and quickly scanned the room for Spike or Angel. She was owed dances and she needed a partner. She saw Spike standing in the doorway, watching the stairs as a tall leggy blonde who looked like she’d just been taken for a spin descended.

Buffy ignored the girl as she made a beeline for Spike, grabbing his hand and pulling him to the dance floor. He protested mildly but allowed her to tug him along as she pulled him into a darkened corner.

"Now people won’t see if you can’t dance," she breathed in his ear as she encircled his neck with her arms and laid her head on his shoulder.

He fought to keep himself from shuddering as her breath tickled his ear and she pressed her warm body against him, swaying lightly. He slowly encircled her with arms, letting them rest against her bare flesh as they moved together, closing his eyes and getting lost in the fantasy that this was something more than two old friends sharing a dance. The melody of the tune washed over him, a cover of a DMB tune he’d always liked.

Crazy how it feels tonight
Crazy how you make it all alright love
You crush me with the things you do
I do for you anything too

He rested his head against hers and pulled her just a little closer, almost unconsciously, enjoying the smell of her perfume and that unique Buffy scent he’d missed. She seemed to fit against him so perfectly, right at the curve of his shoulder she nestled and he realized this dance was going to torment him for a long time to come.

Lovely lady
I am at your feet
God I want you so badly

He wondered what would happen if he tilted her head up and kissed her with all the passion he had inside, if she would look at him differently or be willing to give him a chance, instead of Angel. Part of him wanted to try. But he knew she wanted Angel and Angel wanted her and he wasn’t going to get in the way as long as Angel showed her some respect. Maybe Angel was serious about wanting to just be with Buffy. He resolved to turn his brain off and just enjoy the dance and the chance to hold her like this, if only for a little while.

Lovely lady
I will treat you sweetly
Adore you I mean you crush me
It's times like these
When my faith I feel
And I know how I love you

Angel turned off the shower as he stepped out and quickly toweled off. He needed to get back to the party, but he knew reeking of sex would not win him any points with the new object of his affections. He smiled as he remembered the way she’d felt against him on the dance floor. He was glad he’d run into Darla, he had seriously needed to work off some tension.

He wondered what Buffy’s reaction would have been if he had brought her upstairs with him. He bet, when he finally got her in his bed, she’d be quite the little spitfire. He briefly checked himself out in the mirror as he finished dressing. Too bad she wasn’t just another fling, he was going to have to put some effort into this one. He threw the towel haphazardly on the rack and unlocked his door, starting back downstairs.

He had promised to walk her and her friends home, which had went over well, he thought. Her face had lit up at the suggestion and he knew she’d immediately run off to share the news with her buddies. He could almost imagine the conversation, "Angel’s offered to walk us all home, isn’t that sweet?" He could have offered to drive her home alone, but he was going for the slow buildup here. Be a gentleman, walk them all home, maybe steal a little peck at the end of the night. Light and flirtatious. He thought maybe one or two more dances with Buffy and the walk home should put their little romance in motion.

He definitely was going to wait on being intimate with her. He knew some girls really went for the hearts and flowers routine and he was pretty sure Buffy fell in that category. That way, their first time together would be "special" and really make an impact on her. Besides, it wasn’t like he wouldn’t be getting any while he was wooing her. Now this last girl, what was her name again? Dana? Daria? Darla. That was it. Quite talented and clearly interested. He’d string her along a while longer, see if he put her on the long-term list. She just might make a good little fuck-buddy if she could be discreet about it for the next few months. Which reminded him, he really needed to talk to Cordelia.

By love we'll beat back the pain we've found
You know
I mean to tell you all the things I've been thinking deep inside
My friend
With each moment the more I love you

Buffy realized with a start that the end of the song has approaching. She felt like she’d just stepped into Spike’s arms and at the same time like she’d been there forever. She felt like she’d come home. She knew she’d drank a little too much this evening and that snuggling against Spike like this probably was something she’d be embarrassed about in the morning, but right now, he felt so good. She could feel his hard chest against her as he held her tight, felt the graze of his fingertips as he lightly moved his hands across her back in random patterns. She found that her left hand had somehow intertwined itself in the hair at the nape of his neck and she savored the texture, lightly caressing the soft strands. She let her eyes drift closed again, wishing she could find a pause button and stay in this moment.

So much you have given love
That I would give you back again and again
Meaning I'll hold you
And please let me always

He pulled her close, almost in a hug and she realized they had almost stopped moving as the final chord of the song sounded. She felt him bury his face against her neck for a brief moment, then let her go as he stepped back slightly. Slowly, she raised her head to look up and meet his gaze for the first time since she’d pulled him into the corner. She couldn’t read his expression as she felt his eyes search her face, and he slowly closed the distance between them again and softly nuzzled his nose against hers. Then he kissed her, just briefly, a light brush of lips across hers, once, twice and she’d have sworn she felt the merest hint of his tongue caressing her bottom lip. Or had that been her imagination? The contact was gone before she could foolishly grab him and deepen the sparks that had flashed through her at his touch. He quietly whispered in her ear, "Welcome home, Goldilocks, you were missed."

Then he turned and walked away before she could say a word, gone from the room before she could react. She realized her heart was beating rapidly and she felt tingly all over as she stared at the empty space where Spike had just been, but she had no time to process her thoughts before Angel swept though the door, clearly looking for her.

"Hey Buff, what are you doing over here in the corner, being a wallflower? You owe me a dance, baby."

She snapped out of her daze and looked up at Angel, who pulled her to the other side of the dance floor where the rest of her friends were. Soon she was lost in the music again, pushing down her contemplation for a quieter time, but found she was quickly tiring of the scene. Not long after the next song ended, they decided to head home as the party began to wind down. Angel went to find the key to retrieve their purses and the girls followed him back to pick up their stuff.

Soon they were all walking towards the campus, Angel casually looping his arm around Buffy’s shoulder as they strolled along. Part of her enjoyed the attention, and the somewhat envious looks she was getting from Harmony and Diana. But part of her was a little annoyed at Angel’s territory marking. He seemed a little possessive for someone who’d danced with her a few times. Her mind kept drifting back to that other dance and Spike’s hasty departure. Why had he left so quickly?

They dropped the other girls off at their sorority house and made the final leg to Stevenson. Willow made a quick exit into the building, sensing that Angel wanted some "alone" time with Buffy. He called a goodnight to Willow, then turned back to her.

CONTINUED...