Giles shifted and slid to his back, enjoying the soft cotton of his sheets on his skin. He felt so much better than he had the night before. He stretched and realized he was naked. It was a bit unusual. He tried to keep decent in case his slayer needed him. He heard a noise and a whispered curse. He sat up and panicked when the sheet slipped down his body. He snatched it up to his chin and looked up to see his slayer smiling broadly at him.
"I'm so glad to see you awake. Don't worry about the whole naked thing. I found you in all your glory last night, even bathed you. No reason for the Victorian maiden routine." She gestured with the tea tray clutched in her hands and blushed becomingly.
"Thank you for that embarrassing news," he groused and felt a bit of shame at her suddenly sad expression. She had cared for him quite competently if his current condition was any indication. He looked down at the buttered toast and tea arranged on the tray she slid gently on his lap. She had cut the toast into triangles and fanned a strawberry between the stacks. He looked up at her with a raised eyebrow.
"What? I can't make a pretty plate? I am more than just a slayer you know. I don't just kill things." He watched as she collapsed in his reading chair with a pout firmly affixed. This was not going well.
"I've been a bear this morning. You helped me tremendously and I haven't had the good grace to thank you. I am sorry, Buffy." He watched as she blinked back tears and clutched her hands together in her lap. He took a sip of his tea and grinned. She always made it a tad too sweet, but this morning he wasn't going to complain.
"It's no big. Ethan caused it. He showed up saying all sorts of crazy things and even seemed to be helping, but I figured it out. Beat him up and, well, you're all better now." She blushed and dropped her gaze to the floor, disappearing behind the curtain of her hair.
"I'm sorry you had to deal with that pillock again." He watched as she shrugged. There was probably more to the story, but pushing his slayer never worked. He sat back and took a bite of his toast.
"It wasn't a big deal, Giles. You used some magic while you were all feverish, managed to make pretty flowers. What's all that about?" She looked up at him with a smirk on her face and he felt his cheeks flush under her scrutiny.
"I was indisposed and really can't say." He took a deep breath and tried to remember. She just nodded. "Did I do or say anything else of a questionable nature?"
"Not really," she muttered as her face flamed. He closed his eyes and schooled his features into a passive expression. So, he had embarrassed her. He clenched his fists in the sheet and wished for his glasses. "You were just so sick. I was really worried. I can't lose you. I mean I really can't, okay?"
He forced his eyes open and watched his slayer examine her shoes. He loved her, had known it for some time. Really, since that damned test. Confronted with losing her, his heart had been laid bare. It wasn't paternal, and he was afraid to ask her what he had done and said in the throes of his magically induced fever. What if her determined statement was a warning? He rubbed his hair back from his forehead and pinched the bridge of his nose. It was his torch and he would carry it quietly.
The sudden burst of noise from the room below made Buffy wince, but he felt a surge of relief. Their much needed buffer had arrived.
"I've got jelly infused pastries of the donut variety," Xander called. Buffy smiled and shook her head.
"Let me take the tray down and assure them you are all better. It'll give you some time to get dressed. I really don't think Willow is ready for you in all your glory." She touched his cheek with her fingertips. He looked up and was awed by the tenderness in her gaze. The moment was lost in a quick burst of slayer speed. The tray was gone and he was alone once more. All that was left of her was the scent of flowers and vanilla. He tossed back the sheets and stretched. The day was calling him.
He could hear the quiet murmurs of familiar voices in the main room of his flat, and he smiled. They were such a wonderful group. He fought back the urge to whistle. He hadn't felt this relaxed or well in years. Even his hands felt good. There was none of the arthritic pain to which he had become accustomed since Angelus' toyed with him. He heard a burst of laughter from below and headed for the stairs. He flicked his hand back and the bed made itself as he left the room.
Buffy was rubbing her arms and looking exhausted. Guilt pummeled him. How had he not noticed how drained she was? She needed rest after taking care of him the whole night. Willow and Xander looked thrilled to see him, and he smiled.
"Good to see you up and about, G man." Xander smiled and popped a piece of donut into his mouth with a flourish.
"Please resist using that odious name." Giles forced a scowl to his face before smiling at the younger man.
"So, it was Ethan after all." Willow looked glum. "I thought he was really helping."
"Yeah, he seemed to be worried." Xander said as he flopped down on the couch.
"He was worried, worried we would catch him." Buffy shrugged. "He won't be back for a while. I'm pretty sure I scared him."
Giles plucked a jelly from the box and smiled it was going to be a good day.
