a/n the first two pages are a spoiler for SPN season 4 episode In the Beginning, the one where Dean 'time travels'. If you don't want the spoiler, skip down to the line of *******.
John checked on Dean several times during the night. Although for the most part his son seemed all right, John couldn't help but worry. He noticed that Sam was worried, too. It took a long time for his youngest to give up watching Dean sleep and finally fall asleep himself. In the morning, John placed a call to Buffy, hoping she'd be willing to meet him. The coffee house where she chose to meet wasn't the type of coffee shop John Winchester normally patronized. If the new age music and the walls covered in what he supposed was art weren't enough, it took a while to find that he could order plain black coffee.
"Thanks for meeting me," John began as he handed Buffy a frapa something that he wasn't sure was even coffee. He noticed she looked nervous and that only added to the stress he was already feeling. Hoping to calm her he added, "Dean's fine. He was still sleeping when I left. Today's might be rough for him, but Sam will watch over him, force him to take it easy. Don't worry."
Buffy nodded, "Good. Giles told me Spike and Drusilla left town so we've got that going for us." She squirmed uncomfortably in her chair.
John nodded in return, then sighed. There was no easy way to begin this conversation, so he thought he should just barrel on through. "I haven't told Dean anything about you; I gave you my word I wouldn't." It was John's turn to shift in his seat. "But, I think it's time you did." Seeing Buffy's eyes go wide, John continued with his argument. "I told you about Dean's mom, what happened to her, but not the whole story." John paused, it had been years since he told anyone what he had learned about his wife.
"Mary and I were high school sweethearts," John smiled slightly at the memory. "We stayed together through my stint with the marine corps and we were planning to get married." He cleared his throat and shifted again in his chair. "The night I was about to propose, I was attacked and her parents were killed." Buffy gasped slightly. "At the time, I didn't know what was going on. But, I think if I would have, if she would have trusted in me, or in us, enough, our lives would have been different."
Buffy looked confused. "What do you mean? How different?"
"About eight years ago I found out Mary was a hunter, from a family of hunters," John began and Buffy's eyes grew wide again. "I can't help but think if she had told me everything, together, we could have stopped the demon before it got in Sam's nursery. Stopped it from killing her."
"Would you have believed her about ghosts and demons and monsters in the dark? I mean, most people think it's crazy to believe in this stuff.." Buffy leaned forward to whisper.
John breathed out a heavy sigh. "Truth?" Buffy nodded. "I don't know. I probably would have thought she was creatively trying to dump me," he chuckled. "But, Mary, could be quite persuasive when she wanted. She would have found a way to prove it to me." He paused and drank his coffee. He looked at Buffy. "And I loved her. She was everything to me, so I would have wanted to believe."
Buffy could see he was uncomfortable sharing this with her, she was uncomfortable hearing it. He wasn't the touchy feely type, obviously. "Why didn't she tell you?"
"I think she wanted out of the lifestyle. After what happened to her parents, I think she thought she was keeping me safe by not telling me. Or maybe she thought I'd think she was nuts," John shrugged. "Whatever her reasons, it didn't stop the demon from attacking my family and taking her from me."
John continued, "Look Buffy, I can tell Dean is crazy about you. Usually, I don't know the boy is dating, but he didn't even try to hide it this time. I've told him not to get attached to people in the towns we visit, because we don't stay long."
"You're leaving?" Buffy's heart might have stopped. She didn't want to think about never seeing Dean again.
"Yeah, eventually. I still have some work to do here, but it's not like Sunnydale doesn't have it's own guardian angel," John smiled weakly and put his hand on hers, but she still looked like she was about to cry. "What I'm trying to say is that Dean already knows what's out there. He'll feel a hell of a lot better knowing you can take care of yourself. I know you want to be a normal high school girl, but this is the hand you were dealt. And the thing is, Dean was dealt a very similar hand."
Buffy had been looking away from him and sighed heavily when he finished speaking. "Well, thanks for hearing me out," John continued. "I'm gonna get going home and check on the kid. Think about it, okay."
Buffy nodded, fighting back tears not able to look at him.
A couple hours after meeting John Winchester for coffee, Buffy was knocking on the door to his house. "Hi, I was wondering if Dean was up for visitors," Buffy looked hopeful as John let her in.
"Sure, Buffy, he's in his room," John nodded towards the hallway. She gave a small wave to Sam, then went towards Dean's room.
"I'm fine, really. Just a scratch and a couple a bruises." Buffy heard Dean's voice through the door. "Sam's been keeping me under lock and key. Barely even let me out of bed." Dean listened for a moment and laughed. "Totally different, he had a fever." Buffy opened his door quietly, but sucked in a breath when she saw him. Dean was slouched in bed, with the covers only up to his waist not wearing a shirt. "He's got me doing homework." He paused, "Yeah, right, since when has knowing the causes of the Boxer Rebellion saved anyone's life." When he saw Buffy, Dean sat up giving her a huge grin. He moved over in his bed and patted it for her to sit by him. "Bobby, thanks for calling, but my friend just showed up so I gotta go." Buffy sat by him, 'friend?' she thought, though Dean had grabbed her hand and intertwined their fingers when she sat. "Yeah, it's a girl." Dean admitted with a roll of his eyes, "Cuz I knew you'd give me shit about it. Bye, Bobby." Dean disconnected and dropped his phone. "Hi," he breathed before he put his free hand behind Buffy's neck and pulled her in for a kiss, not giving her a chance to say anything.
By the time Dean broke the kiss, Buffy had forgotten all about the 'just a friend' comment. She felt lucky to remember her name. "Thank god you're here. I couldn't take being stuck in this room anymore." Dean put both of his hands on her back and tried to maneuver her even closer to him and began to kiss her again.
Buffy put her hands on his chest and pushed back gently. "I wanted to see how you were doing," she said not taking her eyes off his. She lightly traced his bruised cheek.
Dean took her hand from his face. "I'm great now," Dean went in to kiss her again.
"Wait, I wanted to know if you were up for doing something," Buffy began.
"Oh, I'm up for doing something," Dean grinned and turned so that he and Buffy were facing each other on the bed. This time as he kissed her, he didn't hold back. When his tongue entered her mouth Buffy moaned giving him encouragement to let his hands start wandering. Dean groaned when she gasped and allowed his hand to find her breast. He started kissing his way down her neck.
Breathlessly Buffy asked, "Dean, what about your dad?"
"Don't worry, I'll hear the car," he tried to pull her in for more.
"Dean, he's home! He let me in." Buffy sat up. She didn't really feel like stopping, but she definitely didn't feel like being stopped by John Winchester.
Dean stared at her wide eyed, "My dad's home? Shit." He quickly moved a bit away from her, "Um, yeah, better stop." Dean felt a bit of panic. His dad would kill him if he caught him and Buffy going at it. Part of him wondered why his dad had allowed her into his room in the first place. He caressed her cheek, "I'm really glad you decided to check on me."
The way Dean was looking at her made Buffy blush. "Well, I wanted to know if you could go for a walk or maybe go see the Dingoes practice. I understand, though if you have to stay in bed." Keep your mind out of the gutter, she told herself.
The corner of Dean's mouth curled up. "I'd stay in bed if I didn't have to be alone. But," he sighed, "since that isn't an option." He gave her a quick kiss. "Let's see if the warden will let me out for a while."
Dean and Buffy found John in the living room reading the newspaper, Sam was reading a book. Dean cleared his throat. "Dad, um, can I go out with Buffy?" he suddenly sounded like a little kid.
John looked at him over the top of the paper. "You feeling up to it?"
"Yeah, I told you guys before, I feel fine. Geez, what do I have to do to prove it to you, turn cartwheels?" Dean huffed.
Sam looked up from his book and grinned, "You do cartwheels?"
John caught Sam's grin, "Cartwheels would do it."
"I'd love to see you turn cartwheels," Buffy joined in the teasing.
Dean rolled his eyes, "Bunch of frickin' comedians. C'mon, I've been under house arrest for two days now. We're just going to the park or to see Oz. Nothing dangerous."
"Right, that worked out so well for you, yesterday," Sam said not hiding his sarcasm. Dean shot him a look that made Sam sink into the couch.
John watched the exchange and figured he better separate the boys for Sam's benefit. "Yeah, Dean go ahead, but don't stay out long," John went back to his paper.
"Yes!" Dean grinned. "Stay right here,' he said to Buffy. I'll go change."
"Does this mean no cartwheels?" Buffy called after him.
Dean and Buffy joined Willow in Oz's garage. The band was messing around and not even playing whole songs. "Dean, check this out," Oz called then he began the opening riff to Sweet Child of Mine.
"Awesome."
Oz stopped, "Yeah, too bad Devon can't sing it."
"We're supposed to be alternative, not metal," Devon retorted. "Call Tommy again maybe the results are in." Finally, seeing Dean he added, "Dude, you look like shit. What happened?"
Buffy tensed up and Dean shrugged, "Wrong place at the wrong time."
Devon nodded, "Yeah, it happens. Don't hit on chicks in front of their boyfriends." He pointed at Dean like he had the same experience.
Buffy shook her head and turned to Willow, "Results?"
"Battle of the Bands. The Dingoes competed yesterday and we're all waiting for the final results," Willow answered. "They finished in the top five and two of the bands get to perform at Harvest fest next Saturday."
"Cool."
"Yeah, we're just the opening act, but it should be major if we make it," Oz said before playing the opening of some song Dean didn't recognize .
After just twenty minutes of listening to the band 'practice', Dean was ready to go. He was more interested in quality alone time with Buffy. Leaning close so that only she could hear, Dean whispered, "Let's get out of here."
Buffy stood, took his hand, and waved to Willow. "Is something wrong?" she asked once they left.
"Not really. It was kinda giving me a headache, I just wanted to be alone with you." Dean looked around, "Wanna go to the park or the mall or something?"
"Park," Buffy answered and she began to lead the way.
Walking along the path that overlooked the beach, Dean stopped to take in the view, "God, I love it here. I can't believe it's late October but still warm enough for people to go to the beach. A year ago at this time, I was in Wisconsin and it snowed." He shivered at the thought.
"Really? Snow, in October?"
"Oh, yeah. And that's nothing. Once, when we were in Minnesota for Halloween, trick or treating was cancelled due to freezing temperatures and ice storms. Let me tell you, that really sucked. Sammy was so disappointed. He had a costume all picked out and everything. Poor kid never got a chance to wear it."
"What was he going to be?"
"Bart Simpson. Easiest costume ever. He borrowed a skateboard, had an orange shirt, blue shorts, sling shot, and I was gonna spike his hair." Dean shrugged. "The next year, he didn't even want to go out."
"Where were you then? Still in Minnesota?"
"No, Iowa. No, wait, Ohio, yeah, outside of Cleveland. Dad had a lot of work there. We were there for months." Dean hopped up on the wall and began to walk along as if on a balance beam. Buffy watched nervously, praying he didn't fall the wrong way down the steep hill toward the ocean. Then he turned and did it backwards, his eyes on Buffy. Smirking at her nervous face, Dean jumped back down and landed right in front of her. Buffy breathed a sigh of relief. "So, guess it's good we're not going to homecoming since I look more like a Halloween costume."
"Dean, that's not true. By Saturday, that bruise will be that lovely greenish yellow and I would have gotten a dress to match."
Dean laughed. "Are you saying you'd rather go to the dance? 'Cause to tell you the truth, I was a little surprised. You look like a cheerleader and homecoming would be your type of thing."
"No, I was a cheerleader at my old school, but tryouts here didn't go so well." Buffy made a face at the memory. "Anyway, the guy I'm seeing doesn't dance so why would I want to go to homecoming when I can hang with my friends at a festival?"
Dean looked at her skeptically. "So Oz tell you I wouldn't want to go or Xander?"
"Both."
"Guess I owe them," Dean smiled.
"Nah, none of my friends are going, and besides, I don't need to see Cordelia in some designer dress crowned homecoming queen."
"Ooh, maybe I'll change my mind," Dean said teasingly earning him a slap on the arm. "Just kidding, Princess. But, I bet you'd look beautiful." He turned to her and brushed her hair back. "I mean I'm crazy about how you look in sweats, I'd probably lose it if you got all dolled up." He kissed her lightly. "It's getting late, I should walk you home."
"No, it's okay. I'm half way there. Why don't we just go home from here?" Buffy didn't want Dean to over do it, and she also knew she should get a quick patrol in before getting home. "My mom would probably freak if she saw you and get all over concerned. You know how she is."
"Right," Dean replied although he didn't believe her. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow." Before he let her leave, Dean cupped her face and kissed her. When he went to pull away, Buffy brought him back in for more. When they finally decided to break the kiss, they were both breathless.
Monday morning brought Dean unwanted attention. His bruised face and bandaged neck made several students point and whisper. Cordelia , of course was never one to whisper. "Dean! Ohmygod, what happened? You did not look like that when I left you at the beach!" She practically laughed at Buffy. "That comes from hanging out with her. She's dangerous. I never would have let anything happen to you and that gorgeous body of yours." With a smile and a hair flip she went on her way.
Dean felt Buffy tense at his side, "Buffy," he whispered and took her hand. "Don't -"
"You were at the beach with Cordelia?" Buffy whispered and pulled her hand away and stormed off. Dean slumped against the low brick wall.
"I'll talk to her," Willow offered and ran after her.
"Why is Cordelia such a bitch!" Dean said through gritted teeth.
"That's like asking why the sky is blue, my friend. That is the way of life," Xander responded. "Look, Buffy'll be all right. She's just mad you got hurt, and she's sick of Cordelia."
"It's not her fault I got hurt. I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. She had nothing to do with it," Dean replied.
"Yeah, well, Buffy just always feels responsible for her friends. Go with it, trust me," Xander patted Dean on the back. Oz, Dean, and Xander began to walk to class, staying a good ten feet behind Buffy and Willow.
Larry and some other jocks stared at Willow and Buffy walking away. Larry bit his fist and came over to Oz. "Man! Oz, I would love to get me some of that Buffy and Willow action, if you know what I mean," Larry laughed.
Oz and Xander both noticed Dean curl his fists. Oz tried to diffuse the situation with humor, "That's great, Larry. You've really mastered the single entendre."
Larry leaned into Oz a bit and asked, "So, Oz, man, what's up with that? Dating a junior? Uh, let me guess. That little innocent schoolgirl thing is just, uh, just an act, right?"
Dean rocked back on his heels. Oz bumped his arm in an attempt to let Dean know not to get upset. "Yeah. Yeah, she's actually an evil mastermind. It's fun," Oz answered the gibe.
Larry laughed and gave Oz a slight shove. "I mean, she's gotta be putting out, or what's the point? What are you gonna do, talk? Come on, fess up. How far have you gotten? Have you gotten both of them?"
Neither Oz nor Xander were quick enough. Dean grabbed Larry's arm, twisted up behind Larry's back and shoved him up against a locker. "What the hell's your problem, Winchester?" Larry sneered.
Xander and Oz attempted to pull Dean off of Larry. "Dean, he's not worth it. Snyder could be here any second," Xander stressed to him.
Dean didn't listen and twisted Larry's arm up even higher until Larry yelped. Dean shoved him a bit harder into the locker before he listened to Xander and let Larry go.
"This isn't over, Winchester," Larry sneered.
"Yeah , it is Blaisdell," answered Xander.
Dean didn't answer, he just pushed passed him, Oz, and Xander and stormed down the hall. "Yeah, you better run before I mess you up more!" Larry called after him.
Xander shook his head, "Dude, you are such a dick. He was kicking your ass."
"Whatever, man," Larry walked off with a couple of the other jocks.
After class, Xander put an arm around his shoulder, "Dude, you were totally killing Larry."
Dean shrugged off Xander's arm, "I should have just let it go." He leaned against the wall.
"What were you fighting about anyway?" Willow asked.
Dean gave her a blank look and then looked at Xander for help, but got none. "Uh, Larry said some stuff I didn't like and I lost it." He rubbed a hand over his face. "I'm such an idiot." Willow touched his arm to comfort him, when Buffy walked up. Seeing Dean's obvious state, she tried to offer a smile. "Better get to class," he mumbled.
"So what happened?" Buffy asked as they left Xander and Willow and made their way down the hall.
"I lost my temper. Larry pissed me off so I went off on him," Dean admitted. "I'm sorry, Buffy. You had just walked away before I could explain about the beach and I just couldn't stand listening to Larry run his mouth." He stopped walking and pulled her arm to stop her. "The beach thing with Cordelia was nothing. We just happened to be there at the same time, that's all. She's just making it sound like more." Dean tried to get her to look him in the eye.
Buffy gave him a slight smile, "Dean, it's ok. I wasn't really mad about that. I just don't like Cordelia flirting with you." She looked up at him. "You must have been pretty mad."
A corner of Dean's mouth turned up into a smile, "Yeah, I was. The jerk shouldn't talk about my girl or her friends."
"Were you protecting my honor?" Buffy teased making Dean laugh as they entered their class.
Classes at Sunnydale High were interrupted that day for an assembly welcoming several foreign exchange students. Harmony and her friends were looking at pictures of students. "That's Sven, he's the one that's going to be staying with Cordy," Harmony informed her crowd. "Isn't he beautiful?"
Dean leaned into Buffy, "What is she talking about?"
"Cultural exchange program. Students from all over the world come to Sunnydale to bask in it's -" she paused. "Well, they bask in Sunnydaleness, I guess."
"Mmm," Dean nodded
"I think it's great," Willow said. "We get to learn from other kids just like us from all over the world. Xander is even hosting one. Aren't you Xander?"
"Sure am Willow. Just don't know who, yet. We got a packet, but the information was unclear. First name was Asha. So, I guess I should look for an Asha," Xander went to look at the wall of pictures where Harmony had been standing.
Dean leaned back in the bleachers and smiled. He looked like a lion with his choice of easy prey. "What's got you in such a happy mood?" Buffy inquired.
"Love foreign exchange students," Buffy followed Dean's eyes to see the group of students from the exchange. Eighty percent of them were girls, very pretty girls.
Buffy pouted, she was not enjoying Dean's new found interests, "You looking to exchange me for one of those foreign models."
He put his hand on her knee, but was still looking at the exchange students, "No, babe, just looking. I have some good memories of exchange students." Dean was wearing a sly grin and a faraway look.
Buffy elbowed him, "Better stay memories."
"Ow," Dean mumbled and got up, "I'm gonna go help Xander find his 'Asha'." Dean left Buffy and Willow in the bleachers and met up with Xander who was still looking at the pictures and names. "Dude, which one's yours?"
"I don't know. There is no Asha. I've got Alexander and Natalia from Russia. That's where my Asha is supposed to be from, so which one is it?" Xander kept looking at the names then the pictures.
"Dude, when in doubt, go with the hot chick," Dean took Xander by the elbow and led him to Natalia. Xander stared opened mouthed, Natalia greeted Dean with a warm smile, and Dean gave her one of his most charming in return. "Natalia? Hi, I'm Dean. This good looking guy is Xander Harris. He's lucky enough to be your host." He nudged Xander who held out his hand.
"Hello," Natalia's accent was enchanting and she smiled shyly at Xander while taking his hand.
"Humgph," Xander stuttered forgetting to let go of her hand.
"He means hello," Dean interjected breaking their handshake while Xander nodded. "He is just getting over a sore throat, doesn't want to over work it." Xander nodded again and Natalia gave him a sympathetic look. "Xander, why don't you escort the lovely Natalia to the stage and then join us in the stands?" Dean steered Xander to offer his arm, which a grateful Natalia accepted.
Dean returned to the stands to find that Oz had joined them. Buffy was still giving him a skeptical look. "So, make friends with Asha?" Buffy raised a brow in Dean's direction.
"Nope, no Asha. I decided to help Xander and introduced him to Natalia," Dean answered pointing to the beautiful girl Xander was leading to the stage.
"That helps Xander how?" a still annoyed Buffy inquired.
"Well, Oz has the beautiful Willow, and you, princess, have the adorable me, I figured Xander needs someone to take to this Harvest Fest thing, right?" Dean acted innocently. "But," he teased, "if you'd rather go with Xander and I'll go with Natalia, I could try to -"
Buffy elbowed him again, "No," she said firmly. "We're going together. Xander can get his own date." Dean's grin didn't go unnoticed.
Xander made his way to them in the stands wearing a dopey grin. "Dean, I love you, man." Xander nearly collapsed between Willow and Dean. "Natalia is gorgeous."
"I think Sasha is a Russian nick name for Alexander. Maybe Asha was supposed to be Sasha." Willow said looking deep in thought.
"Shut up, Willow. I have Natalia now and I'm not changing," Xander sounded like a kid not willing to share his toys.
"Yeah, Willow, no one would put two Alexanders in the same house," Dean felt that seemed logical enough. "Right, Buffy?"
Buffy just raised a brow at him and hmpfed.
Dean looked at her in surprise. "Something wrong, princess?"
"No."
"You sure? Because you're acting like something's bothering you," Dean said in a low voice, partly because the assembly started and partly because he didn't want anyone else to hear.
"No, nothing's wrong," Buffy's whispered reply sounded like something was definitely wrong.
Dean smirked, "Good, then you won't mind if I do this," he whispered kissing her below her ear. Buffy's smile returned and Dean figured all was forgiven.
After school, Dean leaned against the locker next to Buffy's. "You need to go to the library to see Mr. Giles, now?" Dean asked.
"Well, that is where he likes to hang out, so yeah, I gotta go to the library. With Willow, she's going to help me with French and she has extra credit work she's been doing and needs to turn in to Giles," Buffy hoped Dean was buying her story.
Dean wrinkled his brow, "Mr. Giles teaches something? I mean besides how to be an uptight librarian."
Buffy laughed, "Well, no. Willow's doing computer work for him. He thinks computers are evil and are making humanity forget the existence books."
"So, you'd rather hang with Willow and Mr. Giles, than with me," Dean launched into a fake pout. "That does a lot for a guy. Instead of letting me walk you home," he leaned in and kissed her neck. "You want to," he kept his lips to her neck as he talked, "go in a stuffy library." Dean put his hands on her waist and brought Buffy tight up against him earning him a little gasp from Buffy. He put his lips up to her ear, "Want me to wait?" Dean returned to kissing her neck from her ear down to her shoulder. When he brushed back her hair, Buffy shivered.
"Oh, god," Buffy nearly moaned. "You better go. If I know you're waiting for me, there's no way I'll be able to concentrate."
Dean smiled, "So, come with me, Willow can turn in the extra credit and I can tutor you in French. Tu es magnifique." He cupped her face in his hands.
"What?" Buffy giggled and pulled back to look at Dean's big smile.
"Je t'aime," he whispered and kissed her softly.
Buffy looked at him quizzically making Dean laugh.
Willow and Oz turned the corner, both wearing huge grins of their own, "Hey, guys! Guess what?" Willow turned to Oz, "Can I tell them?"
"Sure," Oz nodded.
"Oz's band won battle of the bands and they get to play Harvest Fest this weekend! Isn't that cool!" Willow was giddy.
"Very cool," Buffy agreed.
"Awesome, you guys'll rock the place," Dean said.
"It should be good times," Oz nodded and let go of Willow's hand. "You guys gonna be there?"
Buffy smiled, "Wouldn't miss it, right, Dean?"
"Yeah, you know it. We'll be there," Dean was almost positive his dad had no plans to leave before then.
"Cool," Oz turned to Willow, "Want me to pick you up later?"
Willow was practically glowing, "That'd be good. Buffy, too?"
"Sure, Buffy want a ride later?" Oz waited for Buffy's answer.
Buffy looked from Dean to Willow and Oz. "Yeah," she stretched to kiss a disappointed looking Dean on the cheek. "I'll call you later."
"Sure, princess," he still wore the fake pout. "Hey, Willow, she really does need help with French." Dean smiled at Buffy, "You didn't understand a word I said, did you?"
Buffy teasingly slapped his arm. "No," she laughed.
Dean and Oz watched Buffy and Willow walk towards the library. "They spend a lot of time in that library," Dean muttered then turned to Oz. "Dude, give me a ride home?"
"Not a problem." Oz offered.
Once in the library, Willow asked, "So, Dean was speaking French?"
"Who knows. I didn't understand him. Probably something he picked up from an exchange student." Buffy put her bag down on the table and took out a bottle of water. "That's why I need you to tutor me."
Willow pressed the issue, "Well, what do you think he said? What did it sound like?"
Giles came out of his office wearing thick foam pads on his arm and a catcher's mask. Buffy took in his appearance with raised brows. "Nice look, Giles. Goes well with the whole tweed thing you got going." She turned to Willow. "Jah nique."
"Jah nique?" Willow repeated.
Buffy made a face. "Something like that, but there was more. I don't know. He makes it hard to concentrate."
"Cuz he makes with the kissing," Willow added with a smiling nod.
"Yeah," Buffy sighed, "Seriously, though, I'm lucky we only have one class together or I'd really be a mess."
"Ladies, please enough with the boy talk. Buffy, we have work to do. And Willow, how much more do you need to do for that computer, um, program."
"I think I'm done Giles. I just need to run some test data through to check the results." Willow smiled at him very pleased with herself.
"Very well, here is a folder full of data you can enter," Giles handed her one of the folders John Winchester had copied for him. "And you, Buffy, need to train. You have been quite lax in practicing hand to hand combat. So let's begin." Giles takes a stance with his padded arms raised in front of him.
Buffy looks at him and shakes her head. "Giles, I'm dating Dean Winchester. All day long I'm in hand to hand combat."
After a half hour of withstanding the assault of kicks and punches to his head and body, Giles had had enough. "That's enough for now, Buffy," Giles breathed out, winded from the workout. "Tomorrow, we'll review weapons training." Giles collapsed in a chair, breathing hard.
"Giles, maybe you should take a break from this kind of training," Buffy suggested. "I could come to you in the morning for demon updates, and in the afternoon workout with Dean."
"Buffy, I hardly think that's appro-" Giles began.
"Mind out of the gutter, Giles. I mean, he's a hunter right?"
"Yes," Giles wondered where this was going. Was Buffy going to tell him about being the Slayer?
"Well, I've seen the guy fight. He was holding his own against vampires. And last weekend he ran over three miles to workout at the beach. I think he could handle working out with me," Buffy didn't want to appear too eager to be with Dean, in case Giles would see through it.
Giles stumbled out of his chair and had to grab onto the table to steady himself. "Let me get out of this gear while I think about it." He didn't think it was such a bad idea. He could stand to go a week or two without being completely bruised up.
While Giles went to his office to change out of his gear, Willow called Buffy over to her computer. "Look! I got the program to work." Buffy looked over Willow's shoulder at the screen. "It organizes all this data about storms and fires that occur six months later." Suddenly Buffy paid closer attention. "Now, in this part the city's birth records are linked and voilà - it predicts where the fire may occur." Willow was beaming, until she looked at Buffy. "Buffy, what's wrong?"
"Willow, that's awesome, but do you think you could not tell Giles about it for a while? Please?" Buffy sounded desperate.
"Sure, Buffy, but why? He's been hounding me for weeks to finish this," Willow's pride had turned to confusion.
Seeing Giles leaving his office, Buffy whispered, "I'll tell you later."
"Well, Giles? Still want me to beat you up on a daily basis? Or should I take some aggression out on Dean?" Buffy asked with a smile.
"Before I agree, does this mean you will be telling him about being the Slayer?" Giles wiped his glasses.
"I don't know," Buffy considered. "Maybe, I mean, it would make life easier. But I just don't know how to tell him."
Willow smiled, she had wanted Buffy to tell Dean forever. "Giles, my program needs tweaking. It may take a couple more days, or a week at least." Willow caught Buffy's smile.
"Very well," Giles sighed. "Buffy, workout with Dean. But I want actually work done, not just er 'make out'." Giles shuddered slightly. "Willow, please complete your computer magic soon."
The girls gathered their things and smiled their way out of the library. "So, Buffy, tell me, why am I not supposed to finish this program?" Willow asked.
Buffy sighed and shared what she knew of the Winchester family history. Willow stared at her horrified. "Buffy, that's awful! Poor Dean. Oh! Poor Sam, he was just a baby. But, Buffy, if this program will help their dad find this demon then the sooner I give it to him the better."
"Wills, I want Mr. Winchester to find the demon, I do. But when he gets that program, they're gonna leave. The demon won't come here as long as a Slayer guards the hell mouth, so there's no reason for them to stay."
Willow nodded. She wanted Buffy to be happy and that meant having Dean stay in Sunnydale as long as he could. She was torn; she didn't know what was the right thing to do.