Chapter 1: Nightmares

Sunnydale

Buffy Summers was excited. Giles was going to let her stay the night. Maybe now she would find out what those pesky nightmares were about and seeing Giles was just icing on the cake. Hopefully she could sneak out without her mother going on the warpath. She understood where Giles was coming from, but her Mother wasn't making it easy.

Buffy was almost to the door, when her mother stopped her, "Where do you think you're going?"

Buffy sighed and faced her mother, "We've been over this." She crossed her arms over her chest in annoyance.

"You're going to see him, aren't you?"

"He's my Watcher, mom, and more than that he's the other part of my soul."

"You can't be serious."

"Why is that so hard to believe? Giles is a good man and I love him."

Joyce shook her head sadly at her daughter's declaration. "I've half a mind to move you out of Sunnydale and far away from the man."

Dawn had just walked down the stairs, but stopped at her mother's words. She couldn't stop the gasp of surprise she felt, though to her credit she did try. She watched as Buffy's eyes filled with tears. Angrily she wiped them away, "Are you trying to get me killed?"

"Buffy, must you always be so dramatic?"

Buffy's eyes flashed in anger, "I'm nearly 21, mom, you can't dictate who I can and cannot see!" Turning on her mother she left, slamming the door in her wake.

Joyce sighed and turned, only to find Dawn glaring at her. "How could you?"

"You're much too young to understand." Joyce dismissed her concerns, which only caused Dawn's anger to flare.

"I'm old enough to know true love when I see it!" Joyce sighed as she watched her youngest daughter storm up the stairs, only to hear the bedroom door slam a moment later.

Giles had been in the training room preparing for Buffy's arrival when he felt the oddest sensation. He couldn't describe it really, except that it felt as though this overwhelming sadness had permeated his entire being. Closing his eyes, he let the feeling envelope him until he knew for certain that it had come from Buffy, no doubt something Joyce had said to upset her.

Ever since they had discovered this empathic link between them, he had insisted they work on erecting shields, reasoning that at the wrong moment this type of link could have dire consequences. Taking a deep breath, he centered himself, and after sending her thoughts of love, he attempted to shield himself from the aching sadness that was slowly engulfing her.

"Giles?" Willow approached him, noticing the sadness that seemed to cling to his form. "Are you OK?"

"Hmmm?" Giles looked at Willow and saw the concern she had for him and smiled, "Yes, I'm fine."

"But…" She prompted with a small smile.

"Well, I'm…" He sighed, "To be perfectly honest, I'm worried about Buffy."

She scrunched her face up in confusion, "Huh?"

He glanced at the clock briefly, "Buffy was due here a little bit ago and well…"

"Do you feel something?" She interrupted with a tap to her head. It was no secret that Buffy had yet to master shielding and every now and then some of her feelings would leak through, especially if she were extremely distraught.

"Indeed I do. I think Joyce may have said something to Buffy and that worries me. Could you try and find Buffy? I think she could use a friend right now."

"You betcha." She smiled brightly, "What about you?"

He chuckled at her enthusiasm, "I think it's time I had a word or two with Joyce."

Giles knocked on the door and waited. This was going to undoubtedly be an awkward conversation, but hopefully Joyce would see reason. Just as he was prepared to see Joyce, he was pleasantly surprised when Dawn answered.

"Hey, Giles." She leaned in conspiratorially, "Buffy's not here right now. Mom kinda wigged big time."

"I suspected as much." He winked, before clearing his throat, "Actually I came to speak with your mother."

"Really?" She squeaked, somewhat shocked. Tilting her head to the side she regarded Giles and motioned him to enter, "You're not gonna ask her permission to marry Buffy, are you? 'Cause I think that would push her over the edge."

Giles surprised her by laughing, "I don't doubt that you're right, however this is a different matter entirely."

"Dawn? Who was at the…" Joyce came around the corner and upon seeing Giles her smile evaporated, "door?" Glaring at him, she crossed her arms angrily, "Dawn, go to your room." When Dawn made no motion to leave she added, "Now!"

"But, mom…" She looked first at her mother and then at Giles.

"Don't you dare look at him; I'm your mother; you will do what I say."

Giles winked and grinned at Dawn, showing that he could deal with Joyce. Grumbling, she stormed up the stairs leaving Giles with her mother. Losing the grin, he regarded Joyce with stony eyes, "I think it's time we stop beating around the bush and discuss this."

Joyce considered Giles in silence. She had to admit, albeit grudgingly, that her daughter was in love with the man. It was also clear that he loved Buffy as well, so what was her problem? Why was she fighting this so strongly? Turning abruptly, she made her way to the kitchen, expecting Giles to follow.

"You can't avoid this."

"Rupert, what do you want me to say? It's clear that my daughter loves you, but she's still so young and you're more than twice her age. I'm not sure I can deal with that."

"Joyce, I love your daughter with every fibre of my being." Giles placed his palm against his chest, before continuing, "True love strikes when you least expect it and I believe that Buffy and I were meant to be together."

After having said what he came to say, Giles left the kitchen, but turned to face Joyce once more, "All I ask is that you think about what I've said and please be mindful of Buffy's feelings in this."

Whatever Joyce had been expecting that certainly wasn't it. Despite his shortcomings, Rupert really was a good man and he cared a great deal for Buffy. She just wished that he wasn't old enough to be Buffy's father, however he does give one something to think about.

Buffy angrily wiped the tears from her eyes. Her mother made her so angry sometimes. How could she not see the love they had for each other? Looking at her watch, she knew she was late for training, but she couldn't bear for Giles to see her like this. She tensed as a shadow fell across her form, but relaxed as Willow waved.

"Hey."

"Hey, Wills." Buffy sniffled slightly as Willow plopped down next to her friend.

Willow pulled Buffy into a hug, "I'm sorry." That seemed to make her cry even harder.

"Why can't she understand?"

"Your mom?"

"Yeah," Buffy looked at Willow, the tears still in her eyes. "She just doesn't understand. I love Giles more than I've loved anyone."

"Even Angel?"

"I know," Buffy smiled slightly, "It doesn't seem possible, does it? But Giles completes me. If I lost him, I'd feel like a piece of me died. I've tried talking to her, but she's not listening."

"Maybe Giles'll have better luck."

"Huh?" Buffy's eyes widened. Giles wouldn't do that, would he?

"Don't worry, Buff." A smile tugged at her lips, "He just went to talk to her. He said it was long overdue."

Somehow that didn't reassure Buffy, "Why would he do that?"

"Isn't it obvious? He would do anything for you. He just loves you so much." Willow dreamily gazed out as she finished, "It's so romantic."

Buffy's giggle brought her back to reality. Willow flushed happily, realizing that she had accomplished her goal. Nudging Buffy's shoulder, she stood and helped Buffy to stand. "Come on, I'll walk you to Giles'."

"That's OK, Will. I'd like some time to myself for a bit."

Willow watched her friend walk away hoping that she would see the silver lining. With any luck Buffy and Giles would be together for a long time to come.

Buffy stood before Giles' door wondering if she should knock or just enter. Her question was answered when he opened the door. The worry etched on his face was enough to start her crying again. She couldn't believe she still had tears left to cry. This had been an emotional rollercoaster of a day and it wasn't over yet.

Giles wrapped her in his arms hoping to chase away her fears. When her tears quieted slightly, he relaxed. "Perhaps we should stay in for the rest of the night?"

He could feel her shaking her head, "No, I can't. I still have to patrol."

That was the last thing Giles wanted her to do, especially in her emotional state. He eased her out of his arms, "Not tonight." When he felt her start to resist, he cupped her cheek using his thumb to wipe her tears away, before reverently moving his palm to cup her chin. He slowly raised her face so that she could look into his eyes. "Please, Luv?" he lowered his mouth to capture her lips in a scorching kiss.

That Night

Buffy's eyes snapped open. She had no clue as to what had awakened her, but knew that something had. Craning her neck she looked around, realizing she was in Giles' bedroom. Sitting up, she turned to look at his sleeping form. The first thing she noticed were the worry lines on his forehead, as though even in sleep he got no rest.

She had just reached out to touch his forehead when she felt a searing pain shoot through her mind. Jerking her hand back she gasped. He must be having a nightmare.

The sweat glistened off his chest and a slight glow emanated from his hands. "Giles!" she called desperately. She didn't' know why, but she knew that she had to wake him up and soon.

His eyes snapped open and he lurched up in bed in one fluid motion. Looking at Buffy, he could see the slight fear and worry in her eyes and felt ashamed to have put it there. "Buffy?"

Tucking her feet under her form she turned to face him, "Will you tell me?"

Giles flushed guiltily, knowing he should tell her, but finding the concept to be rather difficult. "I…uh…the nightmares are nothing new." He couldn't meet her eyes.

Sensing his reluctance, Buffy cupped his face, noticing that he moved into her touch. "Giles?" he allowed her to raise his face up, so that he could look into her eyes. "I'm just worried about you. Your hands were even glowing."

Tilting his head to the side, he regarded her in confusion, "Glowing? Are you sure?"

"Yep, and it totally freaked me out." She confessed.

"I'm sorry, Luv. It was never my intention to worry you."

"Just tell me what to do, Giles. Let me help you. Please?"

"I…" Giles licked his suddenly dry lips as the tears started to form. It touched him deeply that Buffy wanted to help him, but every time he tried to tell her he found himself incapable of doing so. He felt fear grip him; it wasn't rational fear, he knew, but it still prevented him from speaking with Buffy candidly on the subject.

"I'm sorry, Buffy." He felt the first tears trail down his cheeks. She reached out and wrapped her arms around him. He collapsed as the tears continued to fall, "I'm so sorry."

Buffy didn't know what could reduce her Watcher to tears, but she did know fear when she saw it. He was terrified, but no more. He would have to realize that he was not alone in this. As she held Giles close, she vowed to be with him every night and help him the only way she knew how.

Otherworldly Dimension

Malfoy scowled. This was taking too long. That witch, Eliza, she called herself, had promised him that this would work. However, she had neglected to inform him of the amount of time it would take. He would ask, to be sure, and every time she said the same thing, "Dream manipulation is a complex art." One day, he would have her show him how it was done and then he would dispose of her once and for all.

Eliza was in a deep trance, the sweat cascading down her forehead. This was harder than she had thought it would be. She had attempted to do this once before, but had been thrown out of the dream realm. Hopefully this time she would fare better. The dream she was attempting to infiltrate was fighting, but she was determined to get through and when she did they wouldn't know what hit them.

Ethan Rayne would help her bring down the Watcher and his Slayer.

Chapter 2: Where the Heart Lies

Halliwell Manor

Dan was silently fuming as he watched Piper leave with Leo. He growled; Piper was his…not Leo's and the sooner she realized it the better. He was about to follow them, at a discreet distance, of course, when he was grabbed from behind, roughly turned around and slammed up against the brick wall at his back.

Eyes wide, he found himself staring into the face of a monster, "I've been looking for you." He growled.

"Who…" Dan stuttered, "Who are you?"

The man grinned and allowed his face to contort back to his human visage. "Your new best friend."

Dan sat staring at the man, whom he was rapidly deciding to be insane. After all, vampires aren't real, are they?

The man stopped pacing and glared at Dan's silent form. Stepping in close he demanded, "Do you want the witch?"

Dan's face contorted with rage and he shoved the bemused vampire up against the wall, "Don't you dare speak about her like that."

The man burst out laughing in response, not phased in the slightest. "You mean, you don't know?" He chuckled again as Dan let him go. "You'll learn."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"If you're smart, you'll shut up and listen." He waited until Dan stopped pacing to continue, "I can give you the strength to defeat your foe and win her heart."

"Why would you help me?" Dan narrowed his eyes in suspicion.

"All I ask is for a favor…" He smirked suddenly, "When the time comes."

Dan didn't know why he was even considering this, but truth be told he wanted Piper back and he was willing to go to any lengths to see that it happened. He held up a hand to stem the man's advance. "At least tell me you name."

The man's face twisted into that of his vampire self, "Riley." He responded before lunging at Dan.

Sunnydale: Two Weeks Later

"What's the what?" Xander plopped down at the table, followed by Willow.

"And why are we meeting here?" Willow asked, flushing slightly, "Not that I mind…or anything."

"Giles has a set tonight. I promised I'd come listen." Buffy had asked them to meet her at the Espresso Pump, but now that they were there she was finding it difficult to tell them her worries. Almost as if voicing them would make them more real.

"Oh." Willow smiled, but Buffy seemed to not hear her. She just continued to studiously play with her hands. A sure sign that she was worried about something. "Hey, what's wrong?"

This is so stupid. Buffy sighed. She knew Giles may not like what she was about to do, but she had to do something. They all loved Giles and together they could help him. She was certain of it and damn the consequences. "I'm worried about Giles." She confessed in a whisper.

Xander and Willow looked at each other. They hadn't noticed anything overly worrisome about him, except for the fact that he seemed a bit sidetracked lately. Turning back to face buffy, they waited for her to continue.

Buffy sighed, they didn't see it. Figures, Giles is always so good at hiding things when he wants to. "It's these nightmares he's been having."

"Nightmares?" Willow inquired. She knew, as they all did, that Giles had nightmares, but never had they had a meeting concerning them before.

"He's been having them ever since Snape left." Buffy explained.

"Wait," Xander interrupted, "Snape was here?"

"To see Giles?" Willow added.

"Yes, to discuss business. But that's not important right now." She waved her hand in annoyance, "Over the past two weeks his nightmares are getting worse. He has them almost every night."

"Hang on a sec, you stay with him every night?"

"Yeah, I mean, mom's not thrilled, don't get me wrong, but I wasn't about to leave Giles hanging. Not when he needs me."

"They're just nightmares, Buff."

"You don't understand." She narrowed her eyes at Xander, then looked at Willow begging her to understand, but only seeing a concerned friend gazing back at her. "He screams in his sleep."

"Screams?" Willow whispered, shocked.

Buffy nodded her head rapidly, "Not out loud, neither. Through my mind." She tapped the side of her head

Willow was thoroughly shocked and more than a little worried about her friend. "That's even worse."

A hush fell over them as they watched Giles make his way to the stage area. Looking around, he caught Buffy's eyes and smiled shyly, before lightly stroking the guitar strings.

She listened silently as Giles began to play one of the most beautiful songs she had ever heard. She didn't know the name, but she made a note to ask Giles later. She turned to find Willow staring at her with a small smile. "What am I gonna do, Wills?"

"Guys, aren't you taking this a little too far?"

"Xander," Willow admonished, "Buffy's right. Something's wrong. Maybe Snape said something to him?"

"See? Now that's what I thought." Buffy agreed, relieved, "But whatever it is, I think he's too scared to talk."

"Scared?" Xander sounded skeptical, "Giles?"

"Not just scared, Xand. These nightmares are leaving him terrified." Buffy confessed in a whisper, then cursed herself. She really hadn't meant to say that out loud, but dammit, she was really worried about Giles.

"Don't worry, Buffy. Why don't we all meet at the Magic Box tomorrow?" Resolve face firmly in place she stated, "It's time he realized that he's not alone in this."

For the first time in days, Buffy felt a sense of relief. Her friends understood and were behind her all the way. Together they would solve the mystery and help clear up the dark cloud that's hanging over Giles.

Giles gazed at her lovingly, before closing his eyes as the melody took him away. He couldn't deny that singing was his passion and hopefully in the coming struggle, he wouldn't lose that. He knew the nightmares were scaring Buffy, but he was finding it difficult to put what he was thinking or even what he was feeling into words. The only solace he seemed to find was in his music. Buffy understood, he knew, better than most, but it still saddened him to cause her this pain. Perhaps when this was over he would sing just for her. He smiled, that was something to look forward to.

The next day Giles entered the Magic Box to find Buffy, Xander, Willow, and Tara sitting around the table. Anya was, of course, walking around the store and studiously ignoring the other four people, who were now looking at him. He sighed, as he approached the table. He should have seen it coming. They had all been looking at him as though one wrong move and he might either meltdown or blow up. So why did this surprise him?

"Hey, G-Man, wanna tell us what the sitch is?"

"Xander, must you insist on using that ridiculous nickname?"

Xander flushed, guiltily, "Sorry, I just can't seem to resist."

"Come on Giles, give. We know something went down when Snape was here. Why are you shutting us out?" Willow looked at him imploringly.

"Giles? I'm worried about you…we're worried about you. Please, talk to us?"

Giles removed his glasses and tossed them on the table. Then he loosened his tie and sighed as he sat down. He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose as he briefly wondered what he should tell them.

Finally he opened his eyes and glanced at each of them, knowing that they were waiting with baited breath for him to offer up some sort of explanation. He supposed that he did owe them that much. "Severus came to warn me."

"What did he say?" Willow asked, when Giles didn't continue.

Before he could respond, Buffy interrupted, her finger pointing at Giles, "His exact words, Giles."

Cocking an eyebrow at her, he shrugged before responding, "His exact words, I believe, were, 'she stirs'."

"She stirs?!" Buffy parroted, incredulously, "That's it? He calls that a warning?"

Giles chuckled at her indignant tone. "He also warned that Dumbledore is messing with things he ought not to."

"Come again?" Xander was thoroughly confused.

Replacing his glasses, Giles explained, "Dumbledore likes to play games. Apparently he's been in possession of a prophecy for quite some time now. According to Severus he's been manipulating various people and situations to ensure that the prophecy goes into effect sooner rather than later." He rubbed his forehead as though plagued by a headache. "It's all quite irritating."

"No kidding." Xander snorted, "But what about this whole she stirs crap?"

Giles was silent for several moments, weighing his options. "Giles?" Buffy's hand on his arm brought him back to the present. "You know who she is, don't you?"

"Her name is Eliza. She's a very powerful sorceress."

"A witch?"

"No," Giles shook his head, contradicting Willow, "A sorceress."

Willow scrunched her face up in confusion, "What's the difference?"

Surprisingly it was Anya who answered, "A sorceress is more powerful than a witch and they tend to be evil, whereas witches, although not as powerful, tend to strive to be pure of heart." She glanced at Giles, "Wasn't she banished, though?"

"Yes, nearly thirty years ago."

"What about the Council?" Giles glanced sharply in Xander's direction causing him to gulp audibly, "I mean, don't they have more resources or something? Why won't they help?"

Giles gave a mirthless laugh, before replying quite seriously, "I haven't called them. I won't."

"So, you're searching for a way to banish her again?" Buffy concluded.

"Or keep her where she is?" Willow added.

Giles balled his hands into fists and stood in one swift motion, "No." He growled, "I'm looking for a way to kill her." Everyone could see the anger even though they were staring at his back, and even Tara gasped as Giles' aura changed dramatically, the energy crackling along his skin.

Buffy stood slowly and reached out to touch him, but pulled back afraid of startling him when he was so angry. "Giles, you can't just murder someone." She pointed out gently.

He took a deep breath to reign in his anger, knowing that they didn't deserve his wrath. "It's not murder, if they're already dead." He pointed out gently, before stalking into the training room.

"That was freaky." Xander pointed out to no one in particular.

Willow nodded her head rapidly, "I've never seen him react like that before."

"Anya, you know about this Eliza?" Buffy turned on the ex-vengeance demon.

Anya smiled sadly, "I do. Not much, mind you, but enough."

"Tell me what you know." Buffy demanded.

"I can't. I'm sorry, Buffy." Without explaining anything further, Anya turned and left the gang staring at her retreating form.

Buffy sighed in annoyance and then prepared to follow Giles into the training room. He was hiding something and he would talk to her whether he liked it or not.

"Wait." Tara's softly spoken words stopped Buffy in her tracks.

"Tara? What is it?" Willow grabbed her lover's hand reassuringly.

"He…he doesn't n-need the S-Slayer, right now." She confessed quietly.

"Huh?"

"His aura…" She started and then changed tacks, "Something's wrong and the Slayer can't fix it."

It was clear that no one seemed to understand, and that was when Anya made her appearance known, "Come on, you people can't be that dense." She smirked knowingly, which elicited a glare from Buffy. "He needs his lover right now, not the Slayer."

Buffy realized with a jolt that she had been about to berate Giles for keeping secrets and demand that he tell her everything. That would not have gone over very well. Somehow she felt it rather hard to keep her Slayer tendencies dormant, especially when she needed to. "Thanks, guys." She centered herself and slowly opened the door, slipping inside.

Buffy stayed by the door for a few moments allowing her eyes to adjust to the gloom. Looking around she spotted Giles sitting on the floor with his back against the wall. He looked so still, with his knees up against his chest and his arms resting on them. As she got closer she could see his face hidden from view, as he stared down at the floor. "I'm sorry." She kneeled in front of him, placing her hands on his knees.

He looked up at her and she was surprised to see his cheeks wet from his tears. All she wanted in that moment was to remove that look of sadness from his eyes. Reaching out she lightly wiped the tears from his eyes, before caressing his cheek. He moved into her touch like a dying man begging for attention.

Buffy leaned forward just as Giles lowered his knees out, enabling Buffy to close the gap and lightly kiss Giles. Unlike their other kisses this one was purely for comfort and to show Giles that he wasn't alone. Giles had other ideas, however, and quickly deepened the kiss.

Buffy eased back from the kiss to find Giles gazing at her lovingly. In that instant everything became clear for Giles and he smiled shyly. "Let me take you out tomorrow night? For dinner and maybe dancing?"

"Dancing?" She had dreamed about dancing with him, but had never suggested it herself. So it came as a welcome surprise when he asked her. Buffy's grin widened, when Giles blushed slightly.

"I just…" Taking one of her hands in his he rubbed the back lightly with his thumb, but wouldn't meet her eyes, "I want to hold you in my arms, if only for a little while." Looking up, he saw the love shining brightly through her eyes.

"I would love to." Was the only response she could give to such a heartfelt request; how could she deny him, really?

Giles sighed, feeling increasingly alone since Buffy had left. Apparently, Joyce had wanted to spend the evening with her eldest daughter. Just to talk, she claimed. They were hopeful that she had finally seen that the love Buffy and Giles felt for each other was real.

"Anya, would you mind closing up tonight?"

Cocking her head to the side, she regarded Giles. He looked drained and not just physically either. "I know about Eliza." She informed him.

"You won't tell them?" Giles looked slightly panicked at the thought.

"Of course not." She looked mildly offended, "It's not my place, but Giles, you really should tell them."

"I know, but…" Giles stopped, not really sure how to voice his concerns.

"You really think it'll matter that much?" She shook her head, not really understanding where his fear was coming from. "Giles, what happened wasn't your fault. It's time you understood that."