Warnings and disclaimer in Chapter 1. Enjoy.

"Buffy?" Giles knocked quietly on the open door. "May I?"

"Sure," she said, not getting up from her position reclining on the wall. Giles joined her, sliding down the wall until he was next to her. He glanced up to see Daniel perched comfortably on the bed.

"That was an impressive speech you gave," he told her, stretching out his long legs in front of him. Buffy just shrugged. "You know Azeroth extremely well," he said, not asking a question but making a statement.

"For years he was the only one that would talk to me," she told him. "Never as an equal, of course. I would crave his presence. It became another way to break me." He was quiet for a few minutes before turning his head to look at her.

"Have you ever heard the term 'Stockholm Syndrome' before?" he asked delicately. Buffy laughed.

"Relax Giles. I'm not worshiping him or secretly in love with him. I got over him a long time ago. Now there's nothing but burning hatred."

"I am relieved to hear that," he told her truthfully, "but I feel it would be foolish to enter into combat against him and his Horsemen without at least acknowledging that he has hurt you in the past. That he has some hold over you. Even if it's just to yourself." Buffy nodded, his words making her think about their past relationship.

"It was Daniel," she said out of the blue. "When he was just a child he would sneak into my cell and we would just talk. His innocence, even in that place, reminded me of home. It loosened whatever hold Az had on me to a point I don't think he realizes."

"Then you have my thanks," Giles told the young man. Daniel just nodded. They sat together for a long time, Giles shifting uncomfortably, until Buffy finally huffed.

"What is it Giles?" He didn't answer right away and instead looked to Daniel.

"Would you mind giving us some privacy?" he asked him kindly. Daniel nodded, leaving the room and quietly shutting the door behind him. He turned and saw his Slayer looking him in the eyes. "I am concerned."

"About me," she finished.

"Spike told me how he defeated the other Slayers he fought. He told me about the…"

"Death wish," Buffy finished. Giles nodded.

"Do you have one?" he asked after a few minutes. Buffy sighed.

"Maybe," she admitted. "I mean, I don't think so, but then you really can't know until you are in the middle of battle." He frowned.

"Buffy. If you are not completely committed to returning from this battle then you won't."

"But I am," she insisted. "At least I think I am." She growled, banging her head against the wall in frustration. "It's all coming out wrong. Blame my lack of social skills on my near constant isolation for the last twenty plus years."

"It's okay," he said, putting his arm around her shoulders slowly. When she didn't object he pulled her closer to him, letting her lean on his chest. "Go slowly and start at the beginning." He felt her nod.

"I don't really remember being rescued," she admitted. "The last thing I remember is the ritual. There are a few flashed here and there, mostly feeling scared and trapped and in pain. The next thing I remember is seeing you and mom right after I drank from Daniel. God. I never wanted you guys to find out about that."

"We don't look down on you for that," he reminded her. "It's not your fault."

"And I know that," she told him, "I just can't feel that. Not yet. It's too soon."

"Give it time," he said knowingly. She nodded.

"Coming back was hard," she admitted. "I did want to die for a minute there, but you and mom kept me going. And it started getting better. I relearned or remembered things I didn't even know I forgot. I'm not saying things are perfect or anything, but it's much better than it was and I know it will only get better. So I don't think I have a death wish. Does that make sense?"

"It does," he told her.

"Giles?" she asked suddenly.

"Yes?"

"If something does happen to me, will you be okay?" Giles frowned.

"I thought we agreed you didn't have a death wish?"

"I don't," she quickly reassured him, "but this will be a very dangerous battle and despite doing everything I can to make it out alive I might die. I've lived the Hell that's trying to create. And if I can stop it I will, even if the cost is my life."

"Buffy," he groaned.

"I'm not saying I won't try my hardest to come back safe and sound. But Slayers have a short life span for a reason. This might be my final battle."

"You mustn't think like that," he admonished her. She grew silent again before turning her head to look him in the eye.

"Will you?" she asked again. "I'm not being morbid or anything. I just need to know. Willow has Tara. Xander has Anya. Mom has Dawn. But you're by yourself."

"You are forgetting that we are all a family," he reminded her. "I have everyone you just named, just like they all have me. If our family was to lose any of its members, we would grieve as a family and help each other through it." He could feel her muscles relaxing as she started drifting off to sleep.

"Tell me a story," she asked sleepily.

"What do you want to hear?" he asked her, his fingers starting to comb through her hair.

"Hmmm. How did you become my Watcher?" He chuckled lightly.

"Quite an intriguing and scandalous tale," he started. "Are you sure you want to hear it?" She nodded. "Very well. At the Council Headquarters in London there is a book."

"There's always a book," Buffy couldn't resist adding.

"Oh but this one is Magical," Giles told her. "A list of names on one page with a blank page on the other. Whenever a Slayer is called her name is added to the list. There is a spell the Council has that will pair a Watcher with the Slayer. The name or names of the best suited Watchers for the Slayer appear on the opposite page."

"There's more than one name?" she asked.

"It's not an exact science," he told her. "Finding the right Watcher is key to a Slayers success and sometimes it takes more than one try. If the Slayer was one of the potential Slayers the Council already found there is usually just one name, the name of the Watcher raising them. The bond is already there and it is rarely disrupted. If the girl Called was not discovered by the Council there's usually three to four names listed."

"How many names did I have?" she asked.

"One," he told her. "That didn't sit to well with Quentin. Do you remember my darker past?" Her brow furrowed but after a minute she nodded her head. "Quentin wasn't too keen on letting me back in and he vowed never to give me a Slayer. When my name was linked to yours he was put in a very tough position. He chose to ignore the spell, as it had been wrong before, and instead assigned Merrick to be your Watcher."

"Why?" she asked, feeling slightly more awake as he talked. "I mean from what I can remember Merrick was okay and all, but I don't think we ever connected. Not like we have."

"You might have, had he lived longer. Quentin justified his decision by deciding that an untrained Slayer needed a more experienced hand than I had. Merrick's reports to the Council confirmed Quentin's justification. Then something unexpected happened."

"He died because of me," Buffy said sadly.

"He died for you," Giles corrected. "As Watchers we understand eventually our Slayers will die and we will live. It is the natural order of things and the heavy burden we must bear. For a Watcher to sacrifice himself for a Slayer is rare."

"Why did he do it?" she asked, snuggling closer to Giles.

"He saw something in you," he said proudly. "They say his final report to the Council was extremely unexpected. I have yet to see it myself. I believe Quentin expected you to die fighting Lothos, but you ultimately won. They performed the spell again and once again my name was the only one to show up. He couldn't think of a reason not to send me that time and so reluctantly he assigned me as you Watcher."

"And the rest is history," she yawned loudly. He carefully picked her up, placing her on the bed she had yet to sleep in. "We make a pretty good team," she said dreamily.

"Yes we do," he said as he pulled the covers over her body, tucking her in securely. She reached out and grabbed his hand as he pulled away.

"If something happens to me what will you do?" she asked curiously, but without the sense of despair she had earlier. "Will you be a Watcher to another Slayer? Maybe Faith? Will there be another Slayer called if I die?"

"I don't know. Having two Slayers is unheard of. I don't know if another will be called when you die or if the Slayer line lies with Faith now. Personally, I don't think I could ever be a Watcher to another Slayer. It would be too painful. Too many memories of you. And Faith," he shook his head slightly. "We have too much bad history for me to ever fully trust her like I trust you."

"Would you quit the Council?" she asked, her eyes starting to close. "You're too good to lose."

"Tell you what. If you die a natural death, then I promise I won't quit the Council."

"Deal," she said as her eyes finally closed. He carefully tucked her hand under the blanket before opening the door. He was expecting to find Daniel lurking in the hallway, but was shocked at the sight of Faith casually chatting with him.

"She's asleep," he told them quietly.

"About damn time," Faith said, just as quietly before glaring at the Watcher. "You don't think we would make a good team?" she asked.

"Do you?" he countered. Faith thought about it for a moment then grinned.

"Nope. Too much bad blood there." She then got serious for a moment. "But if I ever needed a Watcher I could trust…"

"You can always call me," he reassured her. "Day or night. I can't work with you on a day to day basis, but I will never abandon you to your fate."

"Thanks Giles. Now maybe you should get some sleep too."

"Giles?" Buffy asked timidly, stepping into the library where Giles was researching. It was early the next morning. Everybody else was either out patrolling or in bed.

"Yes?" he asked casually, though he could see the sweat on her forehead and the slight tremor in her hands. She looked at him expectantly before sighing.

"I need some more," she admitted, hanging her head in shame. He got up and took her hands in his, lifting her chin with a finger until she looked at him.

"There is no shame in that," he told her gently. He held her gaze until she nodded. "Come on." He led her into their makeshift hospital room and over to the locked refrigerated units.

"You keep this stuff under lock and key?" she asked as Giles took out a bag.

"It is extremely dangerous," he told her as he measured out her next dose. "I don't want anyone to accidentally drink any."

"Or intentionally drink too much," she responded. He merely raised an eyebrow as he held out her drink. She took it and closed her eyes before chugging it. "It tastes awful."

"Do you want it to taste better?" he asked amused. She shook her head. He handed her a glass of water, but she made no move to grab it. "You need more," he said after a few minutes when her shaking didn't subside. He measured out another amount, but this time mixed it with the water before giving it to her.

"You're evil Giles," she said, but she reached out to take the watered blood. She slowly sipped the water. "What were you researching?"

"The Bloodsharing Ritual Azeroth was using." He searched her face carefully for any hint of distress, but she just watched him.

"I knew you'd figure it out."

"Do you want me to share it with the others?" he asked carefully. She shook her head.

"Not until they figure it out. Or at least some of them. From what I remember you might have to explain it to Xander." He laughed as she finished the last of her water, her shakes finally diminishing. She held the glass out to him.

"Do you need more?" he asked, watching her carefully. She shook her head, but continued to stand there after he took the glass back. "Was there something else you need?" She shuffled her feet uncomfortably.

"Do you think we could train?" she asked after a minute. He looked at her critically.

"Do you think you're up for it?" She shrugged.

"I'm getting restless," she admitted, "but I don't think I'm up for patrolling yet." He watched her for several minutes before relenting.

"Fine, in the morning after you've gotten at least five hours of sleep, I'll ask Xander to hang the bag."

"Five?" she asked before rolling her eyes at the unreasonable demand. "Fine. But that goes for you too."

"Fine," he told her, closing the book and tucking it under his arm. She shook her head.

"You take that book up and you're not going to sleep," she said knowingly.

"Would you rather I left it here for Wesley to find in the morning?" he asked.

"Oh. Good point," she said, following him up the stairs. He led her to her room, which she reluctantly entered. "Giles." She reached out to grab his hand as he turned to go to his own room. "Can you stay with me? Just until I fall asleep? Maybe you can read your book in here?"

"Nightmares?" he asked knowingly. She looked down at her feet but nodded her head. "Of course," he told her, following her into the room. He noticed Daniel asleep in the corner.

"Beds are still new to him," she said, tugging off her top. He turned to give her privacy, but she didn't even care. Her pants quickly followed, but Giles didn't turn back until he was sure she was decent. Once he heard her climb into bed he kicked off his shoes and joined her, staying on top of the covers while she climbed underneath. He turned on her bedside light and settled down to read, surprised when she curled into him. He put his arm around her and held her while she slept. He didn't realize he fell asleep until he felt her leave the bed. He sat up groggily.

"Good morning," Daniel said from the corner.

"What?" he asked before he looked at his watch and groaned. "Did Buffy at least get some sleep?"

"Some," Daniel told him. "For the most part she just laid in your arms. She must really feel safe with you. I don't know anyone else she would do that with." Giles nodded, stretching out his muscles. "She asked Xander to hang the bag," he told the Watcher.

"What?" Giles asked. "How did Xander get in here?" Daniel pointed to the open doorway. Giles groaned as he realized everyone who walked down the hallway saw him in bed with Buffy. Grumbling, he got off the bed and made his way to his own room. A quick shower and a change of clothes and he felt slightly more human again. He went downstairs to find Joyce making breakfast. He cringed when he realized she undoubtedly checked on her daughter during the night and would have seen them together.

"Good morning," she greeted cheerily, a twinkling in her eyes. She handed him a cup of tea.

"Nothing happened," he blurted. She smiled.

"I know," she reassured him, "but something did happened. She didn't have any nightmares. The first time in a long time." She put a plate of pancakes and eggs in front of him.

"Thank you," he said, reaching for a fork. He looked up when the sounds of training reached him. Glancing at his watch he looked at the time. Five hours on the dot.

"She's training again," Joyce said offhandedly.

"She is getting restless," he explained. "Her Slayer side could never sit still."

"Do you think it's too early?" Joyce worried. Giles shrugged.

"It's her idea. We just have to trust her instincts." Joyce reluctantly nodded.

"I was just hoping that she would get a little break from it all," she admitted. "Get used to being a girl before she had to become the Slayer again."

"We both know life isn't fair," Giles comforted as best he could. "Once the battle is over she can get used to being a girl again. I won't push her for any more than she is willing to give." Joyce nodded and began cleaning up the plate that Giles realized he had finished. He took his tea and the book he was reading and went downstairs to watch. He wasn't the only one he realized. Faith was holding the bag while Buffy punched. Dawn, Anya, and Xander watched while Willow and Tara prepared some spells they thought would help the warehouse group.

"I gotta say B," Faith said as she held the bag still after a series of punches, "you're technique has gone to hell."

"Funny," Buffy said, throwing another series of punches.

"She's right," Giles said as he joined the group at the table. "You keep dropping your left shoulder."

"What?" Buffy asked, stopping temporarily to glare at her Watcher.

"When you throw your punch you drop your left shoulder," he repeated. "It leaves your left side completely exposed and vulnerable to a counter attack."

"I'm not training," Buffy complained. "I'm just exercising. I can drop my shoulder if I want to."

"Right," Faith said from her position behind the bag. "Whatever you say." Buffy snarled and began punching the bag again. Faith moved from her position and gave the blonde Slayer a quick jab to her left shoulder. Not hard enough to hurt her, but Buffy was forced to take a few steps back to stay on her feet.

"Told you," Giles said, not looking up from the book he was reading. Buffy huffed and went back, this time keeping her shoulder up. Faith held the bag steady, occasionally throwing out pointers she could see. Giles did the same thing, forcing Buffy to improve whether she wanted to or not. It was mid afternoon before Buffy tired out, grabbing the bag and sagging against it.

"Giles," she whispered. He was at her side instantly. He could feel the tremors racing through her body.

"I think it's a good time to take a break and get some lunch," he told everybody. They grumbled as they walked passed them to go upstairs. Faith threw them a concerned glance, but she followed his unspoken request, leaving the Slayer alone with her Watcher. "We waited too long didn't we," he told her as he scooped her up and carried her over to the couch.

"I thought I could just work through it," she admitted. He nodded, understanding her desire to just ignore what was happening with her.

"I'll be right back," he told her. She acknowledged him and he raced up the stairs and to the hospital room, grabbing the blood packs before rejoining her. He quickly measured the amount and gave it to her, surprised when she took it and drank it without any fuss. He sat down next to her and watched as her tremors slowly stopped. "Will you be able to fight Azeroth?" he asked her gently. "Will you be ready?"

"Won't matter if I'm ready or not," she told him. "He's coming and I'm still key to his plan."

"And will Daniel be ready to fight?" he asked knowingly. She smiled.

"He doesn't let his demon out very often, but when he does it's a sight to behold. The others are afraid of him, even the Horsemen. Even as a little boy they were frightened."

"He said he got a double dose of humanity," Giles told her, watching her face carefully.

"That's one way to look at it," she agreed before becoming serious again. "He knows what part he has to play and he's ready. He's ready to prove himself."

"To his father?" Giles asked. Buffy shot him a hard look.

"To his family," she finally said, "and to himself." Giles nodded before getting to his feet.

"Let's see if they left us any lunch," he told her, pulling her to her feet as well.

"I'm not really hungry," she told him, withering under the glare he gave her. "I mean I'm really hungry," she changed hastily.

"Nicely played," he said as he led her upstairs.