As Buffy bounded out of her room in the morning, she was greeted by a grumpy Giles. "Whoa, what's with Mr. Frowny Face?" Giles made something like a sound as he stumbled to the bathroom. 'Guess the jet lag hasn't completely worn off!' Buffy thought.

Buffy, however, was feeling wonderful. She knew it had everything to do with Spike. Even the worry and fear that gnawed at her stomach when she thought about it all too much didn't dampen her mood. She decided she was going to push doom and gloom out of her head for at least one day. She was going to have one good day if it killed her. And, for the first time in a while, she sincerely hoped it didn't.

She was absent mindedly humming a jaunty tune when Giles made his way into the kitchen. He sat down at the island, still a bit groggy. She set out some cereal for him, along with his customary cup of tea. He raised his eyebrows at her mood, but couldn't help but smile, nonetheless. His Slayer was elated. For whatever reason, she was happier than he had ever seen her. He didn't know why, and at the moment it didn't matter. He was just enjoying her joy.

When she noticed him eyeing her curiously, she walked around behind him and gave him a hug. "Life is good," was all she said. Giles nodded in concurrence as she practically skipped out of the kitchen.

***

Buffy spent the day going over financial issues with Giles. Her mother had a very good amount of life insurance, but it wouldn't cover all of the household expenses. First of all, the house still belonged to the bank. Secondly, a big house like that required upkeep. And while Xander was very handy, there were some things even he couldn't fix. Giles had proposed using her mother's life insurance to pay off the house. Or what was left after her mother's medical bills were covered. It would pay for the house, but that was all. Giles had a second suggestion, one that would take some work. He was going to try and get the Watcher's Council to offer some payment to Buffy. This was very unorthodox, but seeing as her 'chosen' status(and college drop out status) didn't allow her to get a job that would actually pay the bills, it was something to be considered. Giles was sure he would not be able to get a steady salary out of the Council, so he was proposing something in the lump sum category. He was going to ask the Council to equal the amount of Joyce's life insurance. The money was to be invested, and hopefully produce some dividends that Buffy could live off of. Not in high style, but perhaps at least in comfort. It was going to be a fight, but Giles was up to the task. It would require him going back to England, as he was sure this was not something he could accomplish with a phone call. It would take weeks of prodding, and possibly intimidating, the right people. The Council was not happy with him or Buffy since she had strong armed them into reinstating Giles and had been very secretive about the whole Glory mess. It was going to take tact and connections, of which Giles had plenty. But it wasn't going to be easy.

"Giles, I don't want you to go! You just got here!"

Giles smiled. "Buffy, it will only be a few weeks. A month at the most. I can't just go demanding, I'm going to have to go about this gently. The Council doesn't take kindly to having demands thrown on them. I'm going to have to endear myself to Travers again, as much as the very thought sickens me. In the mean time, I've made a rather substantial deposit in your mother's, well, *your* bank account. It should keep you afloat until we can get things squared away."

Buffy hugged him tightly. "Thank you, Giles. I don't know what I'd do without you."

'We'll see, won't we?' Giles thought as Buffy hugged him a bit too tight for his ribs' sake.

***

Buffy enjoyed a quiet dinner with Giles. He was actually a very good cook, for a British guy. He told her all about England, about where he grew up and where he returned to after she had gone from them. He told her about some of his favorite pubs in his old hometown. She could tell he missed it. More now that he'd returned for a short while than if he hadn't been back at all. It made Buffy sad that he had to be here with her, instead of home where he wanted to be. She wanted him to stay in Sunnydale forever, to guide her and be her father figure. But she could see that he wanted to be back in England. It was his home, where he belonged. 'No, he belongs with *me*. He's *my* watcher. He can't leave me.' Buffy was pretty certain that his next few days in Sunnydale might be the last he spent on the Hellmouth. She hoped not, but she couldn't tell if her hold over him was as powerful as his homeland.

Giles had been very happy to hear that Buffy was going to go patrolling again. Less happy about the Spike part, but he knew it was something he would have to accept. A little after 10pm she headed out.

Spike was smoking outside his crypt, waiting for Buffy. His face lit up when he saw her approaching. Right on time, like he knew she would be.

When Buffy saw Spike leaning casually against the crypt, a cigarette hanging from his mouth('Damn, how does he make something so ugly so sexy?), she couldn't help but notice that warmth again. It started in her stomach and spread out to the rest of her body. And seeing his reaction to her made her smile even wider.

"So, I see your other girl didn't keep you too late," Buffy teased.

Spike shook his head and sighed. "Wouldn't let me leave, either." He opened up his duster to reveal a little kitty stuffed in the inner pocket. "Had to take out my favorite flask too!"

Buffy giggled, "You're taking her patrolling?"

"Don't have a choice, do I? Came home last night from your place and the little bit had torn up my bed! My nice, new, nicked sheets had all these little scratches and holes in 'em. And then she's just layin' there like nothin' had happened! She's a balsy little thing, I'll tell you that much." Spike looked down at the cat. "Not too long ago I'd have cashed you in. You better be a bit more appreciative of my hospitality!"

Buffy scoffed and took the cat gently out of his pocket. "Don't listen to him. He likes to think he's still the Big Bad, but I bet if we give him our best sorry eyes, he'll melt. Whaddya think?" Buffy turned the kitten to face Spike and gave him a look she knew he couldn't help but fall for.

Spike sighed, "Oh, not you too." He took the kitten and placed her back inside his coat. "Did we come here to make Spike melt or to kill things?"

"Hmm, I vote for both." Buffy's eyes danced at his faux shock.

"Right, but first we kill things. You're out of practice, luv. Maybe you and I should spar a bit first?"

Buffy considered this, then shook her head. "No, I'm ready. I just want to get back into it. Well, not really, but I need to. Can't have you doing my job forever!"

"Pet, you know I'll do it as long as you need."

"I know, but I need to get back to my life again. Slaying and all. Time go give some demons their presents."

"Presents?" Spike looked at her strangely.

"Oh, didn't you hear? Death is my gift. I think it's time for a little gift giving!" Buffy started walking toward the heart of the cemetery.

Spike frowned and opened his coat. "Dunno, she doesn't seem quite right to me. What do you think?" A little 'meow' was all he got in reply. "Yeah, that's what I thought you'd say."

** TBC