Started and Finished: September 24, 2003
Last Episode Seen Before Writing: B:tVS: Chosen, A:tS: Home
Pairing: Fred/Giles
Rating: PG
Category: Romance
Spoilers: Chosen
Summary: Giles offers to help Fred with her languages, but they end up doing more than talking.
Disclaimer: I do not own them!
Author's Note: Dedicated to the wonderful Ria, who gave me the character names…though I'm not sure she knew I was going to ship them together. Heh, hope you like it! And mucho thanks to the great Tonnie for her help with the beta!
Language Studies
"Wow, you're like a fountain of knowledge," Fred gushed, leaning close to Giles to look at a book that was sitting between them.
Giles took his glasses off, clearing his throat at the compliments. "Yes, well, I've spent years acquiring the knowledge."
Fred beamed. "But you don't even need the books, do you?"
Giles smiled, shaking his head. "No, I really don't. Part of being a Watcher, I guess."
"But you're not a Watcher anymore," Fred pointed out, then grinned. "Now, you're here, with us."
"I haven't been a Watcher for a long time, Fred," Giles countered.
Fred blushed. "Well, you know what I mean. What with the end of the world, and all, and Buffy on permanent Slayer vacation, you don't need to be… Okay, well, you do because you're here, helping us now. Which is great. More than great, and we're happy to have you. Especially me, because some of these older text go right over my head and it's nice to have someone who-"
"Doesn't Wesley know ancient languages?" Giles asked, watching the girl.
"Oh, he does. He knows a lot, but between you and me, he'd rather be out there with Angel doing the hands-on demon fighting, and leave me here to do the book work. Which is fine with me, but I'm not exactly up on my languages like I should be. My studies kind of took a backseat with the whole Jasmine thing," she said, lowering her voice when she said Jasmine's name.
"Yes, of course," Giles said, smiling at how Fred seemed to ramble on and on. She had a certain Willow-like quality to her, yet was completely different at the same time. "I'm glad I can be of help. I could aid you with your language studies if you'd like."
Fred practically beamed. "Would you? That would be great. Thank you!" she said, instinctively leaning in to kiss Giles to show her appreciation. When Giles stiffened, Fred realized what she had done, and she pulled back, blushing. "Sorry, kind of got carried away."
Giles got flustered, his eyes glued to Fred's pink lips. "Yes, well, it's quite alright. I understand how you could have-" he gave up on saying anything at all, and leaned forward to kiss Fred again.