a.n. This is the first story I've ever had the courage to publish. I hope you all enjoy it, constructive criticism is welcome! 

This story rewrites the end of the episode 'Passion' and goes on from there.

Passion Corrected

Giles paused in the door of the computer lab, taking a moment to gaze at Jenny engrossed engrossed in something on her computer and unaware of the beautiful picture she was presented illuminated by the light from the screen and the moonlight streaming in through the windows.

"Hello." He said quietly, immediately feeling bad for startling her as she spun around.

"Rupert, hey!" she said as she quickly typed a few strokes on her keyboard before looking back at him.

"You're working late." He observed and Jenny smiled a little, hearing the question in the statement.

"Special project." She replied, then changing the subject smoothly continued, "I spoke to Buffy today."

Hope lit his eyes.

"Oh…" he moved further into the classroom and perched on the edge of her desk.

"Mmm," her dark eyes glittered up at him, "she said you missed me."

Embarrassment flooded through him and he glanced down.

"Well she's a meddlesome girl." Jenny smiled at him again, wondering if he realised just how adorable he looked when he was embarrassed.

They were silent for a moment, both contemplating how their relationship had changed over the last weeks.

"So, this is awkward." Jenny finally observed with a rueful smile, breaking the silence of the room.

"Y..Yes I suppose it is a..a little. Jenny I'm, I'm sorry."

"Rupert you don't need to apologise…" she began but he broke in rising to pace agitatedly in front of her.

"Yes I do! I, I've treated you badly over the last few weeks."

"You had every right, I lied to you and anyway you were protecting Buffy, that's understandable."

"Yes I, I was protecting Buffy to an extent but there were other reasons too, less noble ones."

"Such as?"

"I was angry you didn't tell me, didn't trust me enough to tell me your secret. But more than that I was scared, scared that your involvement with us, with… with me…was just a… convenient… part of your mission…"

"Rupert no!" Jenny stood up, distressed and moved to him, tears filling her dark eyes. "That was never a lie. I was drawn to you for who you are. I didn't even know you knew anything about Angel or even vampires until the night Buffy defeated the master and then I wanted to help you. And I never lied to you about my feelings for you Rupert, I do love you. Before Eyghon I was all set to take the next step in our relationship and that's something that means a lot to me, regardless of what you might think." She broke off, biting her lip and then looked up at him with pleading eyes. "Believe me? I'm not asking for your forgiveness or affection but please believe me."

"I do." Rupert soothed with a half smile, his reassurance causing Jenny to give a soft sob of relief. "Yesterday when you told me you had fallen in love with me I knew you were telling the truth, that you hadn't lied about us." He reached out to touch Jenny's cheek which she suddenly realised was damp with tears which had fallen without her volition. "Please don't cry Jenny, I never meant to upset you."

She gave a tremulous smile and replied'

"Okay."

Smiling down at her Rupert asked gently.

"Could you leave your project for now? We could go and have a coffee and talk. I, I think we need to clear the air and talk about what happens now. Besides, it's not very safe for you to be working so late alone in a public building with Angel on the loose."

Jenny glanced over her shoulder at the computer.

"I guess I could do this at home," she replied, "but I want to keep working on it." At the look on Rupert's face she took his had and pulled him over to the computer, pulling up the translation program. "Rupert, look," she told him, "It's Angels curse, I've been translating it and I think I'm nearly there. If this works…" she looked up at him, eyes hopeful.

"We could restore the curse…" Rupert replied in wonder, "restore his soul!"

"Even now I'm not 100 sure it'll work," Jenny explained quickly, "that's why I haven't told you, I didn't want to raise Buffys hopes too high, but there is a good chance.

Looking up at him once more, she tried to gauge his reaction, she hoped he wouldn't be angry at her for concealing more things from him.