"All you'll get from me is my support - and my respect."
Buffy squeezed her eyes shut. After a long moment, she said, "Angel said I wasn't good. I know he was trying to manipulate me, but... what if I was? Bad?" She didn't dare open her eyes, couldn't bear to see Giles' discomfort at her question. He would be disgusted, she just knew.
Giles paused. "Buffy, I know what it's like to doubt yourself in romance or even in bed. The important thing is whether it was a positive experience for you. Disregarding the repercussions, do you think it was?"
Buffy hesitated. "Yes," she whispered, a lump in her throat.
The Watcher smiled. "Then you have nothing to doubt. I know you have confidence within you. It's alright to use it - just as it's alright to be lost sometimes."
Buffy opened her eyes, a few tears streaking her face. "Thanks, Giles," she said softly. "Would - would it be okay for me to stay at your apartment tonight? I don't feel like I can go home right now."
Giles nodded. "Of course, Buffy. You could, perhaps, phone your mother to let her know you won't be home?"
She took a deep breath."Yeah. Probably a good idea."
Giles led Buffy upstairs, taking her emergency bag from beside his dresser and handing it to her. His Slayer always kept a change of clothes, a first aid kit, and a few other necessities at the apartment in case she was injured badly enough to need to stay with Giles. He looked around.
"You can take the bed, if you'll let me grab a few things." Buffy stood still, a somewhat vacant look on her face. Giles set a hand on her shoulder. "I'll be back in a few minutes to check in." He turned to go downstairs to the bathroom to change.
Buffy automatically put on pajamas and climbed into bed, her mind numb. Sure enough, a few minutes later, Giles knocked and came in, clad in plaid pajamas. He sat on the edge of the bed, taking Buffy's hand and rubbing circles on it with his thumb.
He looked her in the eyes. "Buffy, I know this is going to be hard. But we will solve it. It will be okay." After a minute of her silence, Giles stood up to go down to the couch.
Buffy caught his wrist in her grip. "Don't go," she whispered. "Please don't leave me. I can't - I can't wake up alone again." Giles sighed inwardly, then moved around to the other side of the bed and lay down next to her. Buffy curled up on her side, resting her forehead against his chest. Giles stroked her hair, listening to her breathing even out as she fell into slumber.