Chapter 13

Buffy walked downstairs and into the kitchen, where she found Giles. She gave the older man a smile. "Hey, Giles. Have you seen Spike?" Giles looked at her and nodded.

"Yes, he's running a few errands for me. Take a seat, Buffy. I want to talk to you." Buffy nodded and sat down, dreading what he would tell her. "I don't know everything that has been going on in your life, Buffy. I only know what I have seen and I'm deeply worried about you." He explained.

"I'm really sorry, Giles. I didn't mean to cause so much trouble. I've talked to Spike and I'm really gonna try to do better. I don't want to worry anyone." Giles nodded in acceptance and gave her a small smile.

"Your mother was a very dear friend of mine. I actually met you once before. You were so young then, I don't suppose you would remember. She would sometimes talk to me about everything, including the problems that she would have with your father. I do know that your mother was very proud of you." Buffy tried not to cry at what he said.

"There was nothing for her to be proud about." She said sadly and Giles shook his head.

"I don't believe that. I have something for you." He said as he went into his pocket and took out a silver necklace. Buffy got a better look at it and noticed that it was a locket, it also looked really familiar to her. "Your mother gave this to me after she found out that she was ill. She made me promise to give it to you if anything was to happen to her and I'm not one to break promises." He said as he handed her the locket and after staring at it for a few seconds, she took it and couldn't help the tears from forming in her eyes when she remembered that her mother used to always wear that locket. She opened it up and found a picture of Joyce and Buffy when she was only about 6-years-old. It was one of her favorites. She put the locket on and then looked at Giles with teary eyes.

"Thank you," she said quietly and he nodded. Giles had more he wanted to say.

"I should be thanking you." Buffy wasn't sure why he would want to thank her, when he decided to explain. "I wanted to thank you for what you've done for my son. I don't believe I have ever seen William this happy since his mother passed away. I know most of that is because of you." Buffy blushed at what Giles was saying.

"I didn't really do anything." Giles shook his head.

"You have done more than you think. I only know that his attitude has been getting better and his grades have improved. I just wanted you to know that we are both grateful that you're here." Buffy felt touched and for the first time in her life, she actually felt like she really was wanted.

"I'm grateful to be here, too." She said and was starting to believe it. Giles just gave her a smile, when Spike then walked into the house. He placed the bags down that he was carrying and looked at both of them.

"Did I miss anything good?" He wondered and Buffy shook her head.

"No, we were just talking." Spike nodded and accepted her answer as he started to put stuff away. Giles left them alone a few minutes later and Spike went over to Buffy when he was finished.

"How are you?" He asked with concern in his voice and Buffy gave him a smile.

"I'm good; I think I'm finally starting to believe that." Spike smiled also and placed a kiss on her lips.

"Glad to hear it, love. Why don't we go out this weekend? Have ourselves a proper date?" Buffy nodded at that idea.

"Sounds like a plan. What did you have in mind?" She said and Spike shook his head.

"That would be a surprise. Just be ready on Saturday night and leave everything to me." He told her.

"Should I be worried?" Spike took her hand in his and gave it a kiss as he looked in her eyes.

"Just trust me to take care of you, Buffy. Can you do that?" Buffy looked into his eyes and nodded.

"Yeah, I trust you." Spike smiled and kissed her lips again.

"You won't regret it." She smiled back at him.

"I know I won't." She replied and for the first time, she knew she would have no regrets. She would trust this man with her life.