Title: "Dominoes"
Spoilers: After the season finale, "Graves". Set in the beginning of season seven.
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Joss, Mutant Enemy, Greenwolf, and UPN own the show and it's characters. So there. For this chapter, I don't own the characters Loraine and George either.
Summary: B/S (and others) and post-"Graves" fiasco, set in season 7. My first fanfic. Ever.
*italic text indicates thought and stress in dialogue.
Feedback: Very much encouraged. :)

Note: I went and made a splash for "Dominoes", located here: http://angel.racharoni.com/dominoes.jpg . Hope you like. :D


The English man's face drenched of irritation as he drove the vehicle towards Buffy's home. Two beats passed before he decided to talk some sense into the boy.

Giles: "You know Xander, I really don't understand what's become of you."

His voice drenched of determination and authority at this point.

Giles: "During the entire duration of my stay in Sunnydale, you annoyed me intensely and seemed to be the precise opposite of myself."

Xander: "I--"

Giles: "Yet you still overcame all that was riding against you and became a true hero. I was always proud of you, as if you were my own boy."

Xander: "Reall--"

Giles: "Now that I've returned, however, you appear to have abandoned your role entirely."

..

..

Xander: "I don't know if I should hug you or slap you, ya big lug."

Giles: "Neither will suffice, thank you."

..

Giles: "Perhaps you've forgotten that you aren't the only hero here. Contrary to the hundreds of movies I wouldn't hesitate to wager you've seen, there are always more than one hero. You happen to be lost in a sea of them, but your love has you floating above all this. All you see is Buffy."

..

Giles: "Come back down, Xander."

At that, he turned off the engine and exited the vehicle parked on the driveway of a one Buffy Summers: Vampire Slayer.


Buffy returned to her conversation with Spike.

Buffy: "What do you mean no?"

Spike: "I mean.. no. I mean.. I wouldn't want to tell.. you.."

He shot a quick glance at the gawking bystanders sitting by them. They caught on quickly enough; Dawn grabbed the nearest magazine and read intensely something about boating, Willow began staring at her manicure, and Anya instinctively teleported herself to the kitchen (as indicated with a few loud clangs).

Buffy: "Fine. I guess this does kinda merit some one on one time, but don't get your hopes up."

She had a would-be angry face on as she whispered the words, clearly afraid of whatever she was feeling.

Spike: "Alright then. Ur.. um.. how's about some patrolling?"

Dawn: "But Giles said--"

Buffy: "Sure! I mean um, it wouldn't heard to do a quick sweep. Just in case. It's my job anyways."

She tried to control the natural blush on her cheeks. All in vain, however, as Giles and Xander entered the house.