Two days later, Buffy had finally broke down and agreed to go with Willow to Giles' apartment for a research party. She was still not keen on the idea of Giles smooching her best friend, but Willow had managed to talk some sense into Buffy and got her to go. The two entered late that night to see that most of the Slayerettes were present. Xander and Anya were talking quietly amongst themselves on the couch, a thick book of prophecy nestled between them. Willow was glad to see that the two had managed to work out their differences, although she really didn't want to think about how they probably did it. "That's just too gross," Willow thought to herself. Spike was sitting in the armchair, also looking through another tome, and Willow and Buffy thought he was uneasily quiet. No one really liked the idea of having the peroxide blond vamp around, but even Xander had to admit that his knowledge of demons came in handy at times, even if it did give the gang the wiggins from time to time. "Go figure," Willow thought. "Who knew Spike would turn into one of the good guys. I guess that's the Hellmouth for you." The only one not there yet was Riley, who had to stay behind to finish grading papers for the new professor he had been assigned to after Maggie's death.

"So, do Xander and Anya know yet, or do I get to see the show," Buffy tried to whisper to Willow as they entered. The technique didn't have the desired effect, though, and Xander turned his attention to Buffy, as did the ex-demon beside him.

"Do Xander and Anya know what, Buff," the dark-haired teen asked. Willow looked over to Buffy, who gave her a wicked grin in return. She knew she was not getting out of this. Just as Willow was beginning to form a response, Giles came into the room from the kitchen, holding two sodas for Xander and Anya. Giles glanced over to Willow and gave her a knowing look. He had head the question all right.

"Do you know how Giles told us that the truth can sometimes be a funny thing," the hacker began. Xander gave her a perplexed nod as she continued. "Well the truth is that I like Giles. And he likes me."

"Well, Will, we all…" Xander didn't finish the thought before he realized what Willow was trying to tell him. He did a double take back and forth between the Watcher and the witch, his face full of shock and disbelief. The others in the room had their attention on the two as well. Anya snorted as she tried to take her drink from Giles and Spike had finally looked up from his book, obviously interested. "No way, Wills!" Xander couldn't believe it. "That's…" he noticed the meaningful glance they gave each other. "I should never forget that this town could always get stranger. Not to mention more disgusting," Xander reminded himself. "Eeww, Will. Just eww."

"Giles, does that mean that Willow's your orgasm friend now," Anya blurted out. Everyone else in the room nearly choked. "Someone had to say it," the ex-demon insisted. Xander looked over to his tactless girlfriend and sighed.

"Ahn, you have no idea how seriously you have just scarred me."

"I was just curious, Xander," Anya admitted. "Don't say you weren't." Spike grinned from his chair.

"Yeah, Anya's right. Red's on a roll now, Xander. First the wolf, then you, then that witch, now the Watcher. She's a regular vixen. I can't say I agree with your choices, Red," Spike said as he turned his attention to Willow, "but you've obviously got something going." Willow and Giles both blushed and Buffy and Xander gave Spike dirty looks.

"No one asked you, Blondie," Xander retorted. Spike snickered at the teen.

"Don't blame me, mate. I'm not the one doing the snogging or the shagging." Buffy and Willow had to giggle at the childishly dirty look Xander tried to give Spike in reply, which the vamp proceeded to ignore.

"All right, children. Am I going to have to separate you," Willow teased. Giles cleared his throat to get the group's attention.

"For the record, Willow and I are not sure what we are as of yet. For now, I do believe that we were researching a rather nasty Lynchiva demon that's been stalking the elementary school." The others grumbled their reply and began to get back to work. Giles stepped over to the crowded bookcase and grabbed two books for Buffy and Willow to look through. He handed them the tomes and Willow glared at him.

"How come I always get the thick one," she pouted. "I don't think you're being fair, Giles." Giles smiled at her as they both hid their amusement.

"I have a thicker one, if you'd prefer that, Willow." He thought it would serve her right for teasing him.

"That's okay. I'm bonding with this one already, see," Willow said quickly. She then proceeded to bury her nose fervently in the book, absorbed in her work and Giles soon pressed on with his own.

"I think I'm going to be sick," Xander said dramatically from his seat.

"Go back to work, Xander," Willow instructed absently, not bothering to look up from her research material.

"I'm just saying, Wills. I'm just saying." The group had continued working in silence for about ten minutes after that before the door began to open, revealing Riley, who had finally finished his work and had come to join them. He gave the group a quick smile as he entered and walked over to the Slayer and softly kissed his girlfriend on the forehead.

"Did I miss anything," the TA asked Buffy as he sat down next to her.

"Only Xander being weirded out by the idea of Willow and Giles having sex and teasing each other. Oh, and we discussed Willow's vixen factor. I think that about covers it." Riley gave the group a defeated look.

"Has anyone ever told you guys that you are beyond nuts?" Buffy chuckled at her bewildered boyfriend.

"Only you, Rye." She handed the man a book to study and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.

"I was beginning to wonder," the TA commented before he went on to his research. The rest of the group joined him and buried themselves in Lynchiva lore, temporarily forgetting their troubles.

Part Six
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