Decernere, Part Ten: Giles

Author: Batdz Angel (0/)

Disclaimer: I do not own Buffy the Vampire Slayer or any of its characters. They are the property of Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy. This is just a way to honor them. And the song belongs to Yellowcard.

Rating: PG-13

Pairings: Spuffy. Mentions of Tara/Willow, Anya/Xander, Spike/Dru, Dru/Angel, and Angel/Buffy.

Summary: After Spike's death at the hands of Glory, Buffy, Angel, and their friends find themselves learning about vampires and slayers. And the reason an insane vampiress chose a quiet, shy poet for her Childe.

Season: Alternate Season Five ending/Season Six.

Author's Note: For some reason, Drusilla started talking when I was writing a completely different story. So, here's the result of a moment that was supposed to be a fluffy Spuffy ficlet but wound up being something else entirely.

He opens his eyes to find Anya staring down at him with worry written on her face. Relief flickers on her features as she says, "Oh, good! We thought you were going to sleep the night away!"

He sits up with a grimace and says, "What-?"

"Spike's back," Anya interrupts him briskly. "Unconscious but back. The others are waking up too so you're not the only one who was knocked unconscious, although I suspect you're probably used to it by now."

"Yes, well," Giles manages after a moment. "Anya, if you could make some tea..."

"Done," Anya says cheerily. "Although serving it to you is another story." She turned and left the room, Giles blinking in confusion. Sighing, he got to his feet, wincing at the throbbing behind his eyes. Going into the kitchen, he smiles warmly at Tara who had a cold compress on her neck.

The blonde Wiccan smiles in return and says softly, "How are you feeling?"

"I'll be perfectly fine," he says. "With some tea and aspirin. It's you I'm worried about."

"I'm fine," Tara says softly. "I'm just tired. That was a lot more power than I thought."

"You did wonderfully though," Anya says as she sips at a cup of tea. "Willow would have screwed it up."

"Where is, uh, Willow?" Giles asks and Anya shrugs, her expression calm. "She and Xander left after they woke up. I'm staying here with everyone else. Spike is upstairs in Buffy's room with Angel, Dawn, and Buffy. Cordelia's asleep in Dawn's room."

"Ah," Giles blinks. "I see." He sits down and the three sit in silence as the evenings events caught up with them. Giles looks up as Angel enters the kitchen, his face drawn with exhaustion. Rubbing a hand across his eyes, the dark-haired vampire says wearily, "Well, he's asleep. Finally. Buffy's staying with him for the night."

"Is that wise?" Giles asks. "Isn't he in a feral state?"

"No," Angel says. "He's just tired. Like everyone else. Good night all."

As soon the vampire leaves, Giles wanders into the living room and sits down on the couch. He stares at the wall and thought about what had happened since Spike's death. Buffy had become quite lax in patrol only going out every now and then, leaving him and the others to take up the slack. He had supposed it was her way of handling grief but he knew that with the bleached vampire's return, she would be able to return to her duties...

At least he hoped so. He didn't really know what His Slayer thought or felt, especially since she had killed Ben.

With a tired sigh, Giles pulls the spare blanket over himself and falls into a restless sleep for who knows what is to come?

End Part Ten