"Mr Giles?" Willow said disbelievingly, her eyes growing wide as none other than Giles opened the door. "Have I come to the wrong place?"

"No Sweetie." Came Tara's gentle voice. Willow craned her neck to see past Giles and sure enough, there was Tara with her lovely smile and bright glittering blue eyes.

"Tara. Would you care to fill us in on what's going on here?" Giles asked, whipping around to face his daughter.

"I.. I d-didn't kn-know you two kn-knew each other…" Tara started slowly.

"Willow's my best student." Giles said proudly, causing Willow to blush a little as a small smile formed on her lips.

"Thanks."

"Now Willow, we can't leave you standing out there all night. You'll catch a cold. Now please, come on in." Giles ushered Willow inside, an uncertain smile forming on her face.

"I don't mean to be rude but we are expecting a guest."

"Dad, she is the guest." Tara spoke up suddenly.

"Dad?" Willow repeated questioningly, staring at Tara.

"Willow's the…" Giles said, his mouth hanging open and his eyes wide.

Tara nodded, blushing as she came closer. "Well, now we don't have to keep it secret anymore do we Dad?"

"No I guess not." Giles said, wiping his glasses on his shirt.

"Wait on, so Tara's your daughter, Mr Giles?" Willow asked, looking wide eyed at the school librarian, her favourite teacher.

"Yes."

"And Giles is your father?" She asked turning to Tara who nodded, sadness in her eyes.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner Willow." Tara said solemnly, gently squeezing her hands. "Dad, he wanted to keep it a secret. He didn't want anyone to judge me."

"Mr Giles." Willow said, her voice raised slightly as she looked over at him. "Mr Giles you know I would never judge anyone that way! Never."

"I know." Giles smiled apologetically. "But I didn't realise. I didn't know that you were 'the girl'. I didn't even realise the two of you were friends."

"Tara, why didn't you just tell me?" Willow asked, turning back to her girlfriend. "Sweetie, you know you can tell me anything."

"I know. But I didn't want to upset Dad and I didn't realise you two were close let alone really knew each other at all."

"Well," Giles said, standing up, "I think we all know the truth now, correct? Tara's my daughter, Willow, you're her girl…" The two girls laughed at his struggle.

"Girlfriend." Tara finished for him.

"I know, I'm sorry. I'll get used to it." He said, wincing, "and Willow's my best pupil."

"Yep." Willow agreed, the brightness returned to her eyes and the smile to her face. "I think that covers it."

"So, lets get to dinner than shall we?" Tara asked, rising from her seat. "It'll go cold otherwise."


"Mr Giles, are you sure you're ok with this?" Willow asked, her eyes brimming with concern. "I mean with me. Tara being your daughter and all…"

Giles chuckled, breaking the tension. "Willow, I couldn't imagine anyone better for my little girl." Tara blushed and Giles looked over at her. "I know I haven't known you that long Dear, but I'm your father. I'm allowed to scrutinise your dates. Make sure they're perfect. It's my job, and with Willow here. Well…" He shrugged. "You've certainly found a wonderful girl. But Willow, if you hurt her…" He said seriously, turning to face the redhead and causing his daughter to blush wildly.

Willow laughed lightly. "I'll have you to answer to, I know Mr Giles. Of course, I wouldn't expect anything less."

"Dad.." Tara complained, her face getting closer in colour to that of her girlfriend's hair.

"It's ok Sweetie." Willow said, resting a gentle hand on Tara's knee. "That's what fathers do. He's just doing his job."

Giles smiled, satisfied. "See? Thank you Willow."

"Anytime Mr Giles."