This is a sweet moment I always hoped would happen in the show, well it didn't quite happen, but here you go!
I do not own Buffy the Vampire Slayer
"Buffy, are you alright? Buffy!" Giles was waving his hand in front of her face, she could see the terrified expression in his eyes.
Buffy tried to sit up, "I'm fine," she mumbled slowly.
"No you certainly are not," Giles held her down with a firm hand on her shoulder, "What is it?"
Buffy looked into his wise eyes, eyes that told a thousand stories, "I can't fight them Giles, I can't see or hear them. I can't get to that suction thing in time. I-I could die this time. It's different than the assention. This is less…visible. I can't do it."
Giles had an understanding look, "I understand Buffy, but it's-"
"It's what? My destiny? I'm tired of this destiny stuff Giles. I've already died once. His time it
may be permanent. I know you may be so easily willing to risk my life, but I'm not!"
Giles appeared shocked beyond reason, he was baffled. When he did regain his thought process, he was angry, "Buffy Anne Summers, what did you say?"
This threw Buffy off guard, she didn't know what he was talking about, "What part?"
"The part about me wanting to place you in danger. What on bloody Earth made you think I would ever want that Buffy?" His grip on her shoulder got steadily tighter, "Buffy, I would never ever want you in danger! I don't know what made you think of that Buffy," Giles was definitely angry now.
Buffy was surprised and a bit confused, "I-I… It made sense, because you're a watcher, you should want-"
Giles interrupted, "No Buffy. I'm not a watcher any longer. I am telling you that you must fight these demons before they kill you. I am trying to keep you out of harm way," He pulled Buffy up to a standing position, "Buffy, I would never want any harm brought to you. I love you. You are the daughter I never had. I probably won't ever have one, but I think of you as what I would want her to be, if I ever did," He pulled her into a tight hug, "It frightens me beyond anything to see you in a tight battle. I can't breathe until you're out of it alive."
Buffy didn't know what to say, she slowly wrapped her arms around him to complete the hug. She felt awful. She was trying to figure out something to say that would make it all better, but she just couldn't.
Giles pulled away, moisture filling his eyes, "Buffy, I know that the terrible loss of your father is traumatizing. I also want you to know I am not trying to replace him. I never will want that. I just want you to know, I will always try to protect you any way I can."
Buffy's throat was tight with emotion, "I know Giles, I'm sorry. I-I'm just so… so-"
"Depressed?"
Buffy sighed, "Yeah, which makes this a whole lot worse."
Giles put a hand on her back, " You're not alone In this, you have people beside you, all the way."
Buffy smiled, "I know. Thank you Giles."
