Chapter 33:
Giles looked fine. Buffy had expected him to resemble some of the other human prisoners. However, except for the angry expression he wore, the librarian was in perfect health. As soon as Buffy realized that her watcher was being taken care of every muscle in her body visibly relaxed. The sight of him behind the thick glass still disturbed her, though, so the slayer was relieved when Agent Finn slid an ID card through a small slot, and the glass door opened.
Buffy rushed to meet Giles and hugged him tightly. Only letting go when his high pitched squeaks let the slayer know that air was becoming a necessity.
"I miss you so much," The slayer whispered.
"I trust you're all right?" Giles asked, taking a seat in the corner and motioning for Buffy to do the same. Spike stood, leaning against one of the walls, keeping a close eye on both Agent Finn, who was standing outside, pacing back and forth, and Buffy.
"I guess. It's just been so awful this entire week. The mayor able to do anything he wants. I mean, as long as he has you I can't do anything that he doesn't want me to. Spike and I are…trapped," Buffy said.
"I know that it seems hopeless Buffy, but you'll figure it out. The mayor might be evil, but he's a man of his word. It's remarkable really," Giles continued, taking off his glasses and cleaning them with a white handkerchief he produced from his pocket, "the mayor is such a complex character. Inherently good, polite, kind, and a man of his word, but his plans seem to be rooted in darkness."
"Seem to be?" The slayer asked. "I'd say that capturing you and holding you hostage so that Spike and I follow through with whatever he wants us to kind of puts him in the black hats category."
"Perhaps you're right," Giles agreed, smiling slightly. Spike smirked at the look that Giles was giving Buffy, one of complete exasperation as well as complete adoration. He was more of a father to her than her real father was.
"So, what do the Scoobies say about our situation?" Giles asked, not noticing the nervous look that passed between Buffy and Spike.
"They don't know," Buffy said, her voice low.
"Why not?" Giles asked in surprise.
"I don't want to put them in any danger. Spike and I can handle it. It's better this way. Spike and I will handle the mayor and the Scoobies will not know anything about it."
"Buffy, your friends want to keep you safe, the mayor may be a formidable foe, but he's one that your friends will be more than willing to help you defeat. I'm sure of it," Giles assured the slayer.
"It's not that," Buffy said.
"What is it then?" Giles asked.
After a moment of hesitation Buffy opened her mouth to speak. However, before she could, the glass doors of Giles cell opened and Riley ushered her and Spike out. Buffy looked back through the glass door at Giles as she and Spike followed Riley, back the way they came.
The three stopped on the balcony where the mayor was waiting. He dismissed Riley and then turned to Buffy and Spike.
"Is everything to your liking?" Mayor Wilkins asked
"I guess," Buffy responded neutrally.
"Do you both remember how you got here?" Mayor Wilkins asked.
"I think I do," Spike responded.
"Tomorrow after Buffy is finished with school I expect you both to report here. Professor Walsh has already explained what your duties this week will be, so I want you both to sign in by swiping your ID cards through the slot up here. Then, once you have carried out your assignments you swipe your cards through the machine once more and you are free to leave. Every few days I'll check in on you two, but for a while, that's all you'll be doing. Riley Finn will find you and take you to see Mr. Giles before you leave," Mayor Wilkins explained. Buffy and Spike nodded before exiting the initiative. It was going to be an interesting week.
I do not want to make reasons for you to stay, only reasons for you to return.
~Jonivan~