"Stiff Upper Lip"
Sequel to And I Am Not

Spoilers: Bargaining Parts 1 & 2; Afterlife; Flooded; All The Way; Once More, With Feeling; Tabula Rasa; & Smashed (and possibly Wrecked)

Summary: A continuation of "To Me", "Best Laid Plans", "Head Under Water", "Working Class Girl", "Tasty Little Morsel", "Out Of Character", and "And I Am Not" Ongoing, week-by-week rewrite of Season 6. My own twisted little universe. :)

Author's Note: The musical didn't happen. This is where things *really* start splitting off in continuity. I'm a little late on getting this out, just had personal issues to deal with.

Author's Note 2: Stating this right away, for any B/S 'shippers who stumbled into this fic. Well, if you've made it this far, I must suck at writing. This piece is B/X. I am a B/Xer. I state, wholeheartedly, that I do not like the idea of Buffy and Spike doing the deed together. However, I'm a tolerant person. I'm not going to go here and beat up the current characterization of Spike on the series. Nor am I going to take pot-shots at what Buffy has turned into. I simply don't like what's going on on the show, that's all. But it is what's happening on the show, and cannot be changed. I'm blathering on here a little, but all I'm trying to say is we need to practice tolerance. If you're a B/Xer, don't trash B/Sers(or any shippers for that matter). And if you're a B/Ser, and someone says they're something else or that they just don't like B/S, don't flame. This world needs a HELL of a lot more peace and tolerance, we all need to accept that people are different. Or else, we're all pretty much doomed. Harmony, people, and I'm not talking Spike's ex. I now return you to your regular fic reading.

*FADE TO: The Mall. Buffy and Dawn are window shopping.*

"Ooo, that would look cute on me!" Dawn exclaimed, pointing towards a flashy dress.
Buffy saw it, and it's pricetag, and rolled her eyes, "So would a toga, and it's a lot cheaper. I mean, hey, wrapped in a bedsheet. The 'in' fashion, I'm predicting."
Dawn put her hands on her hips, "Come on, Buffy. I see how expensive it is. I know we've got money troubles, but..."
"We don't." Buffy said quietly.
"We don't what?"
"Have money problems. Not anymore."
"Buffy, you're not being delusional, are you? I saw the bills myself."
Buffy brought Dawn over to a nearby bench, "I got some help, Dawn. The bills have been paid off."
Dawn smiled, "Oh!" Her smiled turned into a frown, "Oh... you got help? What kind of help? You didn't take Anya's idea about charging for slaying, did you?"
Buffy laughed, "No, Dawn, I'm of the sane." She paused, "Xander helped me out. He gave me the money."
Dawn was speechless, "Gave?"
Buffy nodded, "Yep, gave. He said he and Anya were making enough money now, they could part with enough to keep us in a house."
Dawn continued to be monosyllabic, "Wow."
"Pretty much my reaction, too." She gave her sister a big hug, "So... we're okay. Thanks to Xander." She smiled faintly.
Dawn looked at her, and came to a realization, "You're got fluffy feelings for Xander, don't you?"
Buffy looked terrified, "I... no... I..."
Dawn grabbed her sister's hand to calm her, "It's okay, Buffy... Anya probably wouldn't like that idea very much... but I'm cool with it. Remember my huge crush on him? Completely understanding here." She laughed, "Just kind of wondering what took you so long."
Buffy frowned, "I guess I had to die twice to find out how great he was... he was there afterwards both times..."
Dawn smirked, "I knew he was great right away, and I didn't even have to die at all."
Buffy glared at her mockingly, "So, to recap... we're okay, and we don't exactly have to do *only* window shopping. We just can't go crazy with it. Xander is a god to us now."
Dawn smiled, "Again, known that for a long time."
"You're just begging me to close the wallet, aren't you?"
"I'm doing no such thing. Just hitting the "it's about time" button over and over."
Buffy shook her head and pulled her sister up, "Let's go."

*CUT TO: The Magic Box. The gang is gathered for an announcement by Giles.*

"So, G-Man... what's the what?" Xander queried.
"I... I need just a moment longer, Xander."
He emerged moments later carrying a medium-sized, closed box. He placed it carefully on the research desk, immediately smacking Xander's hand as he tried to open it.
"What's with the present, Giles?" Buffy asked.
He stuttered a little, "I-its not exactly a present... in the strictest sense, Buffy." He sighed, "I supposed I should get straight to it, right?"
"Straight to what?" Willow squeaked mousily.
"The point." Giles replied grimly, "I believe it would be to our advantage for me to go to England in search of a solution to this problem. I have many more contacts there than here in the States, and many of them need me to show up in person. So I've brought you all here to tell you what I plan to do."
"You're going to England to look for clues? Cool, that's a great idea, Giles." Willow cheered.
"Yes, it is..." He looked down towards the box.
Tara picked up on his discomfort, "T-that's not all, is it?"
"No, Tara, that isn't all. I'll be going to England for my contacts, but..." He paused dramatically, "I won't be coming back."
"What?" The group chorused.
He looked slightly annoyed, "I thought I made it pretty clear there. I'm going back to England, for good."
Buffy jumped up, "Giles! You can't, I need you! You can't just leave."
He sighed, and pulled her to him in a hug, "Buffy, I can't go back and forth to England forever... it's incredibly expensive, and it's not fair to you or me. As much as I love you, Buffy... as much as I love you all... You're all grown up, and all my presence here does is stand in the way of you becoming adults. My going is the best thing I can do for you all."
"But... but... Giles! Don't leave me!" Anya jumped up and wrapped herself around him. After a few moments, Xander stood up and peeled her off him. She looked around, semi-confused, "I... I don't know where that came from."
Everyone proceeded to quickly ignore her outburst, and Xander spoke up, "Giles, I agree with your reasoning. There's a time when every parent needs to let go... but, I don't agree with your method. What happens if we encounter something really big? Something that your expertise would be helpful with?"
Giles smiled faintly, "I'll only be a phone call away, from any of you. I simply need to do what I need to do." He halted further conversation on the issue, and moved to open his box. First he pulled out a small, intricately designed dagger. Looking to Anya, he handed it to her, "I believe you'll recognize the language inscribed on it... since you were likely around when it was in use... It is a series of words meant to instill financial stability and growth."
Anya looked at the gift with astoundment. Not waiting for a response, he moved on to Dawn. A small pendant was her gift. She looked at it gratefully, "What's this represent?"
He laughed, "Nothing, actually, I just thought it was beautiful and that you'd like it." Dawn smiled in reply, and Giles moved on.
He stepped to Xander next, pulling out a wicked-looking, albeit short battle axe. Xander made a grab for it, but Giles held him off, "I know that sometimes, nerves were assaulted often between the two of us..." A small laugh was exchanged, "But never let that cloud your judgement so much that you think that I don't love you, like a son I never had the privelege to have. I certainly hope this weapon will aide you in protecting all that you hold dear, just like I trust you to do." He held the axe at an awkward angle, in order to display a small button in the handle of the weapon. Upon pressing it, the axe extended approximately another foot and a half in length, making it look adequately devastating. He pushed the button again, retracting the axe and offered it to the young man.
Much to his surprise, Xander stood up and pulled the man into a crushing hug. Tears could be seen in Xander's eyes, a rarity which Giles knew the immensity of, and caused Giles to pause a moment as Xander took the weapon from him. Xander hoarsely let out, "Thanks, Rupert." Another laugh was exchanged.
Giles continued giving gifts to his charges, his ability to withold his dire need to cry weakening with each one. When he was finished, they'd each had an item from him... including Spike, who Giles had jokingly given a stake to drop himself on. Spike had exited the shop shortly afterwards, not much one for a joke, apparently.
They all bid farewell for the night, promising be there when his flight left in a few days. All except for Spike, of course. Unless he wanted to become food for a dustbuster. Xander had to stifle his encouragement of that plan.

*CUT TO: The Summers' front porch. Buffy, Xander, Willow, and Tara are sitting around moping.*

"This isn't fair." Buffy grouched.
"Just as unfair as the other ten times you've said it, I know, Buff." Xander smirked. She gave him a sour face.
"How can he just abandon us?" Willow demanded.
"He's not abandoning us, Willow." Tara softly replied.
Xander jumped on the bandwagon, "Tara is right, you two. Giles is just doing what anying loving parent has to do... there's a time when you have to just let your kids go. That's what we are to him, his children. His big, dysfunctional children."
Buffy frowned, the point striking home, "I've already lost one parent, Xander. My mother." The comment came out bitingly, causing Xander to flinch, "I don't want to... *can't* lose another one. I need Giles. We *all* need Giles."
Xander sighed, giving Buffy a side-hug. "Giles is a person, too, Buffy. With thoughts, and feelings, and wants... when was the last time we saw Giles do something he wanted to? I mean, *really* wanted to." Tara intoned wisely.
They were all speechless for a few minutes, before Willow whispered, "Olivia."
Xander chuckled slightly, "And that presents an interesting visual. Tara is right again. We've basically been running Giles' life since Buffy parted with the council. He has the right to live and love, like any of us. He hasn't spoken to Olivia since your Freshman year. Other than her, the only thing he had was us. And we were basically living vicariously through his every waking moment."
"We took over control of his life? He... he didn't seem to mind." Buffy responded feebly.
"Buffy, he's British." Willow pointed out, starting to understand where her two friends were coming from.
Buffy sighed, "Right... Stiff upper lip and all that other stuffy crap. Just... I love him. He's the closest thing to a father I've had for a long time, and I don't want to lose him. I don't know if I can make it on my own."
"Don't you see, Buffy? Giles wouldn't leave if he didn't have the utmost faith in your abilities. He knows you can do it, because you *aren't* alone. We're here to help you, just like you're here to help us. I'm getting married, you think I'm not already recruiting you for decorating and other stuff I'm too much of a guy to handle?"
A slight chuckle passed around them, one that was not shared by Buffy. The subject was quickly changed, "So... what are you all getting me for Christmas?"
This time they all laughed, "You've got a one track mind, don't you Xander?" Buffy joked.
He smiled mockingly, "Me, me, me."
Buffy smiled, before asking, "Wills, any leads on how to get rid of our... uh, Thermo-genesis, or whatever?"
Willow reluctantly shook her head, "There isn't much information about *how* it brings spirits from this plane into the person... or how to get them back out safely. I'm kind of hoping Giles' sources have more information for me to use."
Buffy sighed and nodded, "I suppose it's time for me to do patrol... anyone want to help me wander around in hopes of running into and staking Spike?"
Xander threw his hand up, "Ooo, ooo! Me, me!" His shoulders suddenly slumped, "Aww, I can't, though... Anya and I are going out to dinner." He got up and collected his things, "But bring me a bag of ashes if you get lucky, please?"
After he left, Buffy looked to Willow and Tara. Tara was the first to speak, "I-I will, if you want. I haven't been on patrol since you first c-came back. It might be fun." She looked to Willow, who she could see looked worried, "I-if it's all right with you, sweetie."
Willow realized she'd had a worried look, and shook her head, "No, no, you can go... just try to be careful?"
Tara smiled, "Always." With that, they left and Willow went back inside.
She walked up the stairs quietly, hoping to avoid waking Dawn. She went into her and Tara's room, and shifted a bookcase out of the way. She quietly whispered, "Revele!" The wall behind the bookcase warped, until it revealed a small door with a combination lock. Apparently a safe Joyce Summers had built into the wall to keep things safe.
Willow didn't even bother with the combination, whispering more words to do it for her. The door swung open, to reveal a few of Joyce's remaining possessions, as well as some thick books. Willow pulled out the books, closing the safe again, and pulled herself back against the bed to read. Instead of turning on the lights, she conjured a small floating light nearby to aid her task.

*CUT TO: Indescript sidewalk, simultaneous. Xander is walking home from Buffy's house.*

Xander kept up a quick pace, hoping to make it home before Anya had a fit. He was startled when he heard a twig snap behind him. He spun around quickly, pulling a stake out of his jacket pocket. He was surprised to see no one there when he turned around. He focused his ears to hear the approach of any adversary, before replacing the stake in his jacket and turning around to continue home.
He managed to barrell right into an unhappy looking Spike. Xander was both amused and annoyed at the vampire's presence, "Watch it, Spike, you could have had an accident there."
Spike gave no response, just continued glaring menacingly. It didn't have it's desired effect, however, as Xander knew Spike had no way to follow through. Instead, Xander used his shoulder to knock Spike out of the way, before continuing his journey.
Much to his dismay, Spike started to follow him. He didn't let it bother him at first, as Spike was only good as a stalker against humans now. It wasn't until Spike started talking that he started letting it get to him.
"You think you can just take her?" Spike put out vaguely.
Mistaking the identity of who he was talking about, Xander retorted, "That kinda comes with the deal, Spike."
"The wench loves you. It isn't bloody fair." He whined.
Xander half-turned around, "And you're just complaining about it now? Shouldn't you have voiced your... concerns or whatever the hell you'd call this... *before* the engagement? And don't call her a wench, or I'll hurt you."
Spike was confused for a moment, before realization hit, and a demented grin spread over his face, "She didn't tell you? Hah." He stopped and contemplated further, "Musta been someone else then."
While Spike lowered his head to think, Xander stalked over to him. He grabbed the vampire by his lapels, hoisting him around roughly, and demanded, "What the hell are you talking about, Spike?"
Spike just kept grinning, "Wouldn't you like to know, mate?"
He threw the vamp away from him in disgust, "It was the point of asking. Nevermind, you're a crazy vampire anyway, what should I trust about what you say?" He walked away calmly.
Spike stood confidently, "I'll find the bloke she loves, mate. I'll kill him, and then I'll kill you."
Xander just rolled his eyes, "Promises, promises."

*CUT TO: Sunnydale International Airport, afternoon. The gang, sans Spike, has collected to wish Giles off.*

They were all unsure of just what to say. They'd all done this before, well except for Buffy, and it was just as hard the second time around.
"Giles, I hope you won't mind if I come over there sometime to raid your fridge... never really thought about it, but I want to see what you stock when you're *really* home." Xander said for a laugh.
Giles did laugh, and gave him a hug, before whispering in his ear, "I wish you the best of luck in finding the path that is right for you."
Xander smiled, "Thank you."
Anya gave him an oddly long hug, and a quick peck on the lips, before blinking, "I really don't know where that came from."
Dawn gave Giles a bear hug befitting a departing father, and thanked him again for his present.
Willow and Tara gave him simultaneous hugs, and wished him the best.
It was finally down to Buffy. Her eyes were red and puffy, and she looked about to lose it again, "I'm not gonna lie, Giles. I want to kick your ass right now. But I want you to be happy, and I'll get over it... just, like Xander said, you have to promise to let us visit whenever we want... I love you, Giles." She pounced on him with a hug.
Barely able to breath, he managed, "I love you too, Buffy. I love all of you, and will not soon forget the things we've shared. And yes, you have permission to visit me anytime you want, so long as you don't show up on my door with Spike." They all laughed briefly. Giles' flight number was called, and he regretfully had to go, "Buffy, I will call you when I arrive, and I'll let you know any information as soon as I get it. No, you all have to promise not to forget me..." He had attempted it as a joke, but saw immediately it had the wrong effect. They all began crying in unity, a sight he never thought he'd see. One last group hug, interspersed with a chorus of "we'll never forget you"
Giles wandered off with his bags down the hall leading to the plane. They continued crying, all staring out a nearby window, until well after Giles' plane had taken off. They offered each other as much consolation as they could as they walked away to go home, but there was a definite hole in their lives now.