The meal was a bit uncomfortable for everyone as Giles was very stiff and formal.

Robin had arrived and met Jay and was very cordial. His only remark was, "Hey, you think Giles is tough, wait until Angel comes for a visit." Causing Buffy to close her eyes and groan, and Faith to laugh hysterically as she walked out the door for her date.

Jay looked at her in confusion, "Ok, I'll bite. Who's Angel?"

Now everyone looked in amazement at Buffy who looked a little guilty. Jay rested his elbows on the table and regarded his very uncomfortable lover. His raised his eyebrows and smiled, "Let me guess, former lover?" causing her to moan, dropping her red face into her hands.

Dawn laughed and leaned forward conspiratorially. "He's like a big brother with fangs." She said.

Xander snorted, "Oh for cryin' out loud! He's a vampire. It's not like it's a big secret everybody." he said impatiently.

Giles eyes opened wide as he took in the non surprise on the Colonel's face. Buffy had already entrusted this man with her secret.

Jay looked at Buffy with gentle laughter in his eyes, "A Slayer and a Vampire? Isn't that a no no or something in the Slayer rules and regs?" he asked.

Giles was the one who snorted this time, "Indeed, you'd think so." He said.

Jay looked over at the watcher and smiled wryly. "The military doesn't overlook stuff like that, believe me." He said.

Buffy opened her eyes and looked over at Jay with interest, "Oh yeah? Who weren't you supposed to get close to?" she asked and he blushed.

"Busted!" Xander laughed.

Jay sat back and said primly, "I'm sorry. That is classified information." Everyone at the table broke up in hysterics. Buffy crossed her arms and raised her eyebrows and Jay knew he wasn't off the hook.

He stood carefully, minding the sore rib "Willow, thanks for the excellent meal. I need to go to the hotel."

He turned to Buffy and her mouth was open in dismay, "Hotel?" she asked.

Jay looked around and gestured, "Uh Buffy. You have a house bursting at the seams." He protested.

Willow half stood and got his attention, "We do have a spare room." Her eyes moved to Giles hesitantly, but he shook his head. "This is Buffy and Dawn's house too, it's their decision." He said.

Buffy stood and placed her napkin on her chair. "Stay." She asked quietly, and he looked over at Dawn.

She held up her hands, "Hey, don't look at me. This is the happiest I've seen Buffy in a very long time. I want you to stay." Dawn said firmly, "Now I need to finish my homework." With that she raced up the stairs.

Jay was resting on the double bed in the spare room, thinking deep thoughts. Everyone else was either in bed, or in Faith's case on slaying duty after her date. He felt like he was living in a sorority house, except for Giles.

Jay got up, dressed in boxers and a t-shirt, dog tags clinking quietly, and went out to the kitchen for something to drink. He looked around at the kitchen and saw signs of a recent remodeling. He grunted, and thought to himself, 'Nice work, must be Xander.' He looked at the new windows, noting they were double paned, insulated glass and heard a noise behind him. He turned and saw Giles standing there quietly, watching him snoop.

Jay smiled guiltily, "I'm a closet remodeler, I noticed that there was some done recently. Xander's work?"

Giles nodded and said, "He can get items at cost. We suffered severe damage from assorted demons this past year and Xander keeps us patched together." He walked by Jay and started to make some tea.

Leaning against the counter by the sink he looked at the other man. "So, any questions for me?" Jay asked, deciding to beard the lion in his den.

Giles looked around at the other man, noticing the military bearing, and the weariness in his eyes.

"Yes, alright. How old are you?" Giles asked.

Jay cocked his head thoughtfully, "I'm 36, single, no seriously disfiguring marks, financially secure and honestly employed by the U.S. Air Force." Giles carefully made his tea and sat down at the bar facing the kitchen.

"You seem to be old enough to have been married before." Giles said.

Jay shook his head no, "I was almost married once but my fiancé couldn't handle military life. My engagement didn't survive either. I've had a couple of other relationships but nothing serious."

Buffy, dressed in a t-shirt with Spongebob on the front and shorts, stood on the stairs as she shamelessly eavesdropped.

Giles looked at Jay, "You understand that Buffy has suffered a lot of loss and the only thing I want is her happiness. Has she told you that the average Slayer lives only 19 years? Buffy's life is always on the line in the fight between good and evil." He said.

Jay nodded, " I understand. Because it's classified I can't tell you much, but believe me when I tell you that my team and I have been in dangerous situations before. We encounter unimaginable dangers and Buffy knows I may not come back. I realize I am older than her, but her happiness is my only concern as well. If she decides that I'm not worth it, I'll leave and not whine." Jay said sincerely, and Giles nodded.

"We understand each other then."

Jay looked toward the stairs, "You can come down now Buffy. We're not going to duel over you." He said, amusement in his voice.

Buffy walked down, "Well color me embarrassed. How did you know I was there?" she asked, hopping up onto the counter beside Jay.

He shook his head, "I'd be a lousy commander if I didn't listen and observe, now wouldn't I?"

Buffy looked at him, "Didn't answer my question."

Jay looked down at his toes, arms crossed over his chest, "I walked inside your house and immediately calculated all of the ways to get out in an emergency. I listened as people walked up the stairs and heard the 6th one creak every time. I'm telling you I heard you Babe."

Buffy laughed and rubbed his back gently, "Amazing."

They both looked at Giles who stood and stretched. "I'm going to stay up until Faith comes home. Good night." And he walked down the hall to his room and quietly closed the door.

Jay stood listening for a moment and then turned and stood between Buffy's legs and kissed her gently.

"Hey, come to my room." He whispered against her mouth. Buffy nodded quietly and he walked her to his room and closed the door. They proved to each other how much they missed one another in the darkness of his room.