Chapter Two - Stay
Giles watched her, amazed that the most beautiful woman he had ever known slept there in his own bed and frustrated that he could not lie beside her and hold her, touch her, comfort her. Never had he ever imagined that, in reality, this woman would be in his bed. He had dreamt it a million times, but never thought it was an actual possibility. He looked at her, and even through the cuts and bruises, she was beautiful. And he knew, under different circumstances, this would be sheer torture. He knew it was wrong to think that way. Her chest rose and fell in even breaths, and she looked so peaceful. Giles would never let anything disturb her. He leaned back into the chair and got as comfortable as was possible. He couldn't bring himself to leave her alone. He would watch over her tonight.
Buffy stood and walked to the chair where Giles sat watching her. She knelt in front of him, keeping her balance by placing one hand on each of his knees. He tensed at her touch. She looked straight into his eyes, never faltering. There was a depth to her eyes that Giles had not noticed before. When he looked into them, he could see her very soul. He saw her strength and bravery, her weakness, her insecurities, her fears. He could see her pain, and her happiness. But he saw that something was missing there. She was yearning for something. But what?
"Buffy, why did you come to me tonight?" He asked the question honestly, hoping that she would not take offense.
"I'm safe here." Buffy answered. Giles wasn't sure if it was supposed to be a statement or a question.
"Yes, of course."
"You would never hurt me, Giles." Buffy pouted again. That look always got to Giles. It gave him butterflies in his stomach and made his knees weak.
"Never, Buffy." He cupped her face in his hands and looked deep into her eyes. "I would die before I let anything happen to you."
"Giles, do you love me? Because, I really don't know."
Giles looked at his slayer dumbfounded. Had she really just asked him that? Of course he loved her. How could she doubt that?
"Giles? I need to know. Show me." She pleaded with him.
"I…uh…"
Giles rubbed his eyes trying to orient himself with his surroundings. He was aware that he was in his chair in his room. He was aware that his slayer was sleeping in his bed. But that sound. What was that sound? Once he was more alert, he recognized it instantly. Buffy was crying. Unable to tell if she was sleeping or not, he went to her.
He sat on the side of the bed looking down at her. She whimpered quietly. He gently stroked her cheek and placed his hand on her shoulder, in an attempt to comfort her while being careful not to wake her if she was still asleep.
Buffy turned sleepily to face him. "Giles." She said, barely above a whisper and took his hand in hers. "I'm scared."
"You were dreaming." He said, trying to soothe her back to sleep.
"Giles, I haven't slept longer than ten minutes. You've been sleeping in that chair, while I hog your bed. And I can't even sleep."
"Yes, well, I suppose I should go downstairs then. Give you some space. Maybe you will be more comfortable then." Giles, for the second time that night, said goodnight and got up to leave the bedroom.
"Giles?" Buffy did not release his hand. She was wounded, but still strong, and did not let him pull away. "Please stay."
"Very well." He said and turned back to his chair.
"Giles." Buffy paused until he turned back to look at her. She had pulled the covers back and looked at him expectantly. "Here. Stay here."
"Buffy, I-" He tried to protest, but his words stuck in his throat. His voice would not work, and he felt the power she had over him drawing him to her. He sat on the bed next to her. His heart was racing and his hands were shaking. How could this be? She pulled him back, in a way soothing his nerves and comforting him.
"Will you just hold me?" She asked as she moved closer to him.
"Yes, well, of course." Giles stammered uncomfortably, but he allowed her to curl up into his side. She fell asleep there, with her head on his chest.
"I do love you, Buffy. So very, very much." He whispered into her hair and placed a delicate kiss on the top of her head. He was certain that she was deep in her dreams. Giles didn't fall asleep again until the sun had already begun to rise. He just lied there, and watched his slayer get some much needed rest.
