"Wow, Giles, it's so... pretty... out here." Shielding her eyes from the glare of the early afternoon sun, the blonde looked up at the Englishman walking beside her.
"Mm-hmm." He simply murmured a quiet agreement as he walked, enjoying the almost-relaxed atmosphere between them. They continued to amble along the otherwise deserted footpath in companionable silence for several moments until Buffy spoke up once more, her soft voice startling him out of his thoughts.
"Giles?"
He halted as he sensed her stopping, and turned to find her watching him with an unreadable expression. "Yes, Buffy?"
"I, uh, I just wanted to say... well... thanks." She offered a small smile. The smile grew as she watched him respond with a warm smile of his own.
"I believe that's the fifth time you've said that since we left. And for the fifth time, you know you're more than welcome." He made to step forward again, but was stopped as her hand hesitantly reached out to brush against his arm.
"No, really."
Turning back to her, his smile took on a bemused quality. "Really... what?"
"Really... um... thank you." She paused for a minute, and then commented, "Yep, that makes six. Just... I guess..." A soft puff of air escaped her parted lips in a small sigh as she floundered for the right words. "I just wanted you to um, to know that... well, that I'm not just saying it, you know? I wanted - I want - you to know that I mean it. I promised myself a while back that I wouldn't be 'Takes-Everything-For-Granted-Girl', anymore... that I wouldn't say important stuff like this unless I mean it. I admit, I haven't been doing too well with that, but figured now would be a good time to start over... and I'm rambling, aren't I? Which so isn't what I meant to say, 'cause it sounds like I'm trying to prove a point when all I really wanted to say is just "Thanks", you know? 'Cause you do so much for all of us and we never thank you enough and what you're doing this weekend - giving it up to spend time with me and to fix whatever it is that's broken with us - is really special and deserves some sort of thanks so thanks... and I'm still rambling. Please, shut me up." She looked up at him, her eyes silently pleading with his sparkling ones as she noticed a smirk playing on his lips.
"Giles, please! This isn't funny, I'm trying to be straight with you here - something that's, like, way overdue. Laughing at me right now is so not the way to fix things."
"I'm sorry, Buffy." He attempted a sincere apology, but he couldn't stop his mirth from spilling out. In between giggles, he managed to get the odd word or two out. "It's just... it's good... to see you... like this... even... rambling." His giggles quieted as he reflected, "It's been quite some time since you've done that... it reminds me of how you, er, we, used to be."
Her expression became thoughtful as she considered the truth in his words. "Maybe it's the effect of this place."
"Do you really believe that?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Okay," she corrected herself, "What I meant is that, it's just you and me, here. I kinda feel relaxed 'cause there's no pressure to be slay-gal or ideas-gal or big-sister or substitute-mom... I can just be... well, me. Plus, there's the whole you and me getting to spend time together thing - which is always of the good. It's just..." Her sentence trailed off and she found herself sighing again, not quite ready to confront the issues that had created the enormous gulf that separated her from the man beside her.
"Buffy?" He prompted and was surprised when she turned glistening eyes up to him. "What...?"
"Look, can we just... not do this now? Things are going okay between us. Let's not wreck it. I'm gonna head back and get some lunch instead. You coming?" Without waiting for an answer and hoping and praying that he would let the matter rest, Buffy turned around and started moving back toward the lodge, stopping after several paces when she realised he was still rooted to the spot.
"Giles?"
She watched him for a moment then jogged lightly back to him. He stood as still as a statue, arms now crossed against his chest while his head bowed as if deep in thought.
"Giles? A hungry Slayer is a cranky Slayer, remember?" She teased, hoping to draw out any small sign of life from him. There. She saw the tiniest of smiles flit across his lips as he at last broke from his stance. The smile was gone as quickly as it came, his eyes now filled with concern as his gaze settled on her.
"Believe it or not, Buffy, I'm not half as stupid as I look."
A small sound of protest escaped her lips, but he continued before she could interrupt him.
"I know that something's bothering you - and that it has been for quite some time. Don't insult my intelligence by pretending otherwise. In fact, I could probably guess what it is, if I wanted to, and the chances are that I'd be right, but I won't. That's for you to tell me in your own time - I only suggest that we make it sometime soon - while we have the opportunity to be alone and uninterrupted. Which brings me to -"
"Giles, I -"
"Buffy, please let me just say this one thing."
Her eyes widened at the steady, but commanding tone in his voice and she meekly nodded her accord.
There was a brief moment of stillness as Giles drew a deep breath, ignoring the increase of his heart pounding against his ribcage.
"I... I miss y-" he coughed awkwardly, before correcting himself. "I, uh, what I mean to say, is... the, er, the closeness that we used to share... that's what I miss... and I'd like it very much if we could restore that. But, I can't do it alone. I want you to want it, too -"
"I do!"
Ignoring her outburst, he added, "But I can't force you to - especially not when you keep pulling away. I'm afraid that until we talk this through, we'll remain in this position o-of... uh... well, whatever it is that we're in and that's not good for either of us - or those we care about. You hold the key, Buffy. It's up to you to make things happen."
He fell silent at last, patiently awaiting her response. He didn't have to wait long.
"If... if you buy lunch, now, I promise we'll talk tonight. That a deal?"
Despite the concern still in his eyes, Giles nodded, accepting the temporary truce. "Deal." He affirmed with a nod.
"Cool." Eager to break the tension, she offered up a small but cheeky grin. "Race you to the dining room." She took off at a fair speed and glanced back at him moving slowly up the hill behind her. "Come on! Last one there misses out on dessert!" She ran off again, this time not glancing back as she used her slayer-speed to her advantage; leaving Giles jogging slowly in her wake, all the while grumbling good-naturedly about not being in a hurry to spend more money.