The next day was a bloody bright, sunny day that gave me a headache as soon as I stepped outside. I'd had two blood-packs the night before, I was that hungry, and now I was just tired from a full-stomach, not sleeping well because I'd been too busy fussing over Giles and insisting he get to bed at a reasonable hour.

So when Giles and Buffy and I started walking across the courtyard, I hung back a little so I could keep my head down and just follow their lead so I wouldn't have to look up and tolerate the horrific brightness of California sunlight.

"I can't face them." Buffy was saying, terrified at the idea of seeing Xander and Willow again.

"Yes, you can." Giles replied gently.

"What am I supposed to say?" she asked, "Sorry I almost got your throat slit, what's the homework?" she sighed and took off her sunglasses. How her eyes didn't melt from how bright it was, I'll never know.

Bloody humans, showing off.

"Punishing yourself like this is pointless." Giles told her.

"It's entirely pointy," Buffy argued, "I was a moron."

"At least you can acknowledge it," I piped up, "at least you're learning from the mistake."

Buffy sighed, not exactly feeling better about herself.

"My best friends in mortal danger," she continued, "on the second day of school."

"Well what are you going to do, crawl inside a cave for the rest of your life?" Giles asked, pausing in the shade to turn and face Buffy, who assumed a pouting position while I moved deeper into the shade.

"Does it have cable?" Buffy asked.

"Buffy, you acted wrongly, I admit that," Giles said, "but that was hardly the worst mistake you'll ever make."

I looked up at him, ready to laugh. Buffy looked crestfallen.

"Uh," Giles said, realizing his mistake, "that, wasn't quite as comforting as it was meant to be."

"Well," Buffy said, "points for effort."

The bell rang and she turned, starting to walk inside when I caught up to her and made her wait a moment.

"Buffy," I said, "I know this isn't going to be easy, but I don't think it's going to be as bad as you think."

"How do you know?" she demanded.

"Because I know Willow, and I know Xander." I answered, "Yes, you made a mistake. Yes, you acted like a poorly-behaved child and it nearly cost you dearly. As I said before, however, you can acknowledge that. You know what you've done, you know it was wrong, and you know it was stupid."

"Is there a point in there?" Buffy asked. I smirked.

"The point is, Xander and Willow knew it before you did," I said, "if you just admit fault to them, then they'll be fine with it. Odds are they're already willing to repair what damage has been done to your relationship. They love you, Buffy. Faults and all. Just give them a chance to show it, and don't hide. Hiding your feelings and hiding your fears is what got us into the mess to begin with."

She paused, thinking it over for a moment before looking up at me. Her gaze had softened and she looked grateful, which surprised me.

I half expected her to be embarrassed.

"Thanks, Marge." She said, "I'll do better."

I nodded.

"I know you will." I answered, then impulsively gave her a very quick, brief embrace .

She laughed, sounding like her old self again.

She turned again to go inside, while I turned to go back to Giles.

"Hey, Marge?" she called after me, I turned back, eyebrow raised.

"I forgive you for throwing me into a wall." She said, smiling. I laughed at that and dipped my head in thanks.

She returned the laugh, and then trotted inside, hurrying to get to class.

"You threw her into a wall?" Giles asked when I rejoined him.

I shrugged.

"Discipline." I answered, then winced and pointed at the sky.

"Ah," Giles said, understanding, "of course, sorry, I forgot."

Once inside the library, and I had found a corner to curl up in to re-read A Tale of Two Cities, only then did Giles try to speak to me again. He learns quickly, that man. And he came bearing tea, bless his darling heart.

I took the mug from him while he leaned against the wall.

"What you said to Buffy," he began, and I raised my eyes to meet his.

"Hmm?" I answered.

"Do you think it'll be that easy?" he asked.

"I think so, this time." I answered after a pause. "Xander and Willow are good people. They've been through a great deal with Buffy. I think they'll understand. She was traumatized, not acting like herself, we've dealt with worse. This may have hurt more, but at least this time the instigator is willing to make it better."

Giles thought about that, then nodded, satisfied.

"What do you think is going to happen next?" he asked.

I shrugged.

"The Anointed One is still out there," I answered, "so nothing good is going to happen next. But…" I sighed and looked at him, "we'll deal with it. As always."

He nodded.

"As always," he agreed.