Title: 20-20 Hindsight
Author: S J Smith
Rating: Teen
Disclaimer: Joss Whedon owns all. I just write fanfic.
Summary: Giles realizes he made a mistake, far too late to rectify it. (Crossover with Angel.)
A.N.: Post AtS's "Not Fade Away"
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Giles stared at the images coming out of Los Angeles. He'd never dreamed when Angel had called, the vampire was telling the truth. Perhaps he should've listened more closely to the clues in Angel's voice. He remembered the request, replaying it in his mind as he viewed the carnage on the television screen. Had Angel sounded desperate? All he knew for sure was he had disregarded the request, ignoring it.
And look at the lives lost. The invasion, for it could be considered nothing else, took up every channel. There was no escaping it. He wondered briefly if Riley's unit might be gearing up in an attempt to stem the tide, if they might already be on the scene, in the beige uniforms seen in the corners of some camera angles. He wondered what Buffy and Faith would say, when they found out he denied any assistance.
Closing his eyes, Giles pressed his hands to his face. He'd ignored the warning signs, the prophecies of something dire building up to happen on the West Coast. He'd brushed off a request for assistance in regard to this attack. All Hell had literally broken loose, and perhaps, he couldn't have stopped it, but the Slayers might've been able to contain it a little better.
The telephone rang, startling him out of his thoughts. He let it ring twice more before picking it up, stuttering out a hello. Buffy, her voice taut and worried, asked, "Giles? What's going on in L.A.?"
He took a deep breath, wondering how he should answer.
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