Disclaimer: All characters portrayed in this story belong to Joss Whedon and not me.

"And you're sure you can manage all this? Because if you can't then I won't-"

"I'll be fine." Giles interrupted. "I'm a grown man," he laughed. "I can manage the store and a teenage girl."

Buffy smiled. She trusted her Watcher like no other. "If Dawn gives you any trouble...."

"She won't." Giles replied.

"Ok, well I should be going. Bye Giles." Buffy said while she picked up her suitcases and started for the door.

"Have a good trip!" Giles shouted as the door slammed to the Magic Shop. He went to the window to watch his friends go off on a nice vacation that they so richly deserved. It was too bad that Giles had a business to attend to. He wouldn't be having a fun relaxing time like the rest of them. No, he would stay in Sunnydale to watch over Dawn, who still had school, and the Magic Shop.

He turned away from the window and looked intently at his store. He had come a long way since being a librarian at Sunnydale High. Now he owned his own business and was making a decent living. Although that living included fighting demons and every imaginable monster on a weekly basis. Giles sighed.

"So what do you want to do?" asked Dawn as she came bounding through the door.

"I trust you saw your sister off?" asked Giles.

"Yeah. I waved til my arm got tired. Never had so many hugs in my life." Dawn said.

"I suppose we could go to the local malt shop for some ice cream?" Giles said as he cleaned his glasses.

"Earth to Mr. Giles. I'm not a baby. I am almost an adult now you know." Dawn replied.

"Well it's either ice cream or you can help me categorize a few books in the back of the shop." Giles said.

"Ice cream." Dawn was quick to say. Giles looked at her and gave her a smile. "Get your coat." he said as he started to lock up the store. "I suppose we could walk?"

It was a cool day. The leaves were starting to fall. "Oh my, what a beautiful da-" Giles was interrupted before he could finish. "Hey Dawn!" came an adolescent voice. A group of teenagers ran over to Dawn and her older companion. "Hey Dawny, what's up?" asked one of them. "Um, nothing." Dawn stammered. "Hey who's the old guy?" came a voice. Giles quickly started looking for the owner but was unsuccessful. "Um this is my friend, Mr. Giles. I'm staying with him until my sister gets back."

"We were gonna go see a movie. You want to come?" asked the first boy who had spoken.

Dawn looked up at Giles with a please let me go sort of look. Giles just looked at her and gave a nod. She instantly looked back to her friends. "That'd be great!" The group began to walk. "Bye Mr. Giles!" Dawn shouted as she ran to catch up.

"You're getting too old Rupert." Giles began to talk to himself. He kicked a little rock and put his hands in his pockets. "I don't know why I even try anymore."