The knock on the door woke them both up. Buffy pulled the sheet up to her chest as she sat up. "Is someone at the door?"

"Does it matter?" Giles put kisses along her shoulder and up her neck. "It's my last day here, I don't want to share you with anyone. Can't I be selfish for once?" She purred. "Come on, I could go for a spot of tea, and no doubt you're hungry."

"Do we get to go out?"

"Well I was hoping to keep your all to myself, but if you really want to..."

"No, we can stay here. I want to soak up as much of you as I can before you leave."

They went downstairs and Buffy made the tea while Giles made lunch. Afterward they spent the rest of the day lounging on the sofa, their legs entwined. Buffy asked him more questions about his home, her family, sometimes stroking his leg or the tops of his feet. Neither of them wanted to talk to about his impending departure so instead they talked about everything else. Buffy learned more about her Watcher in that one day then she had in her entire life.

That night they both crawled under the blankets together. Buffy closed her eyes and tried to sleep. All she could think about was how the next time she fell asleep it would be alone. She turned away from him as she began to feel her tears leak from her eyes. She couldn't suppress the small sob.

"Buffy?" She didn't answer. He reached for her and gently turned her back to him. "What's wrong dearest?"

"Oh Giles, I don't want you to go!" She pressed her face to his chest, dampening it with her tears.

"My darling, darling girl." He lifted her face to his and kissed away her tears. She clutched him to her and returned his kisses. Soon he moved on top of her and gently slid into her. For the first time they made sweet, slow love. Neither of them spoke, but they stared at each other, speaking volumes with their eyes. When they were finished he pulled her to him and they fell asleep in each other's arms.

In the morning Buffy woke up and instantly realized that he would be leaving in a few hours time. She lifted his arm and from her and began to slide away from him. He moved and reached out for her, taking her hand, "where are you going?"

"I have to take a shower." Buffy gently pried his fingers from her wrist.

He sat up and tried to draw her back to him, "Don't be in such a hurry. Don't you want to do something to make that shower really necessary?"

"We don't have time Giles."

"Come on, we have hours before I have to pack and go to the airport." Automatically he could tell that he'd said something wrong and he cursed his mouth.

Buffy's smile left her face. "No I have to take a shower. I'm not used to sleeping in this late." She pushed his arm away and stood up from the bed, wrapping her robe around her as she went across the hall and into the bathroom.

Angry at himself for making such a stupid mistake he pummeled the pillows. He was wondering what it would take to bring her smile back. His first idea was to make her breakfast, but he didn't think that would do it. He decided to just apologize honestly so once he heard the shower switch on he stood from the bed and walked to the bathroom with his the sheet wrapped around him. He let the sheep drop off and climbed into the shower behind her. Gently he soaped her body and held her close to him. "Buffy, I'm sorry. Perhaps we shouldn't have done that last night."

She turned to face him, water streaming down her face, making it impossible for him to tell whether or not she was crying. "I knew you were leaving, I still wanted to." She took the soap from him, rubbing it across chest and down his back.

He brushed her hair back from her face and kissed her, "My darling girl. My sweet, darling girl." Her arms came around him and he pushed her back through the water against the wall. He was mildly surprised to find himself getting aroused again after having made love three times previously. Perhaps her youth had rubbed off on him. He pushed into her, bracing her against the wall while she wrapped a leg around him for support. As the water cascaded over them Buffy cried out as he drove into her. He was able to last longer due to their previous encounters and by the time his desire spilled into her the hot water had run out.

They toweled off silently then went back to their room to dress. Buffy held his shirt to her face and inhaled the uniquely Giles scent. She was going to miss him more than she thought she would be able to bear. She put it on feeling it's softness surround and comfort her. Once he was gone this would be all she had left of him. She followed the sweater with the softest, most comfortable pair of jeans she owned.

"I'm all packed, do you..." he stopped when he saw her sitting next to the window staring out into the yard. "I was looking for that sweater."

"Do you mind?"

"No. In fact I would take one of yours if it would fit me." They both smiled at his weak attempt at humor.

"Xander should be here soon."

"Yes, no doubt he won't be late for a free lunch." He sat behind her and wrapped his arms around her and she leaned against him enjoying their last few moments together. " When are you returning to Chicago?"

"Tomorrow I think." She hadn't actually looked into to changing her ticket yet.

"Will you let me know when you get there?" She nodded. "Are you coming to the airport?"

"I don't think I can." She sniffed, trying no to let the tears that swam in her eyes fall.

"It's okay Buffy, you don't have to, I understand," his voice was thick with unshed tears.

"I'm sorry, but I don't want you to go." The tears began to fall. "It took me so long to find you. I don't want to let you go."

He rocked her gently, holding onto her firmly. "If you really want me to stay just say it and I will."

She shook her head, "I won't be selfish again Giles."

"Come with me." He hadn't even meant to say it at first, but as soon as he did he knew it was what he wanted. He also knew what her answer would be.

"I can't, not yet; I have things waiting for me back in Chicago." A fresh set of sobs escaped her.

"Sshhh, don't worry Buffy. Whenever you're ready I'll be there." He kissed the side of her head, and they sat there until Xander knocked on the door. "I was hoping for a few more minutes," reluctantly he stood and went to the door.

"Hey G-Man ready?" Xander came in, Willow following shortly behind him.

"Umm, yes, just a moment." He came back to Buffy and pulled her into a hug. "I'll let you know when I get there."

"I'll miss you. I love you," she whispered into his shirt.

He kissed her cheeks, mindful of the fact that Xander and Willow were watching them, "tell me when you're ready and I will come for you."

"Buffy aren't you going to come with us?"

"No, I have to pack for my flight. We've said our goodbyes already." She tried to smile and he loved her even more for her effort.

"Come on you two, if we don't go soon we won't have time for me to pay for your lunch before my flight." He shouldered his carryon while Xander took his suitcase.

Willow hung back for just a moment. "Are you sure you won't come with us Buffy?"

"I think I'll just hang back Will."

"But I thought you and he, well that you two were..."

"He asked me to go with him Will. But I can't, not yet."

"Oh, okay, well, I'll see you later then."

Buffy waited until she heard Xander's car pull away before going up stairs. She sat on the bed and clutched her pillow to her chest. It still smelled of him and his aftershave and she buried her face in it. Before she could stop herself she was laying on the bed sobbing.