After the work day had ended the scientist had wanted nothing more than to go home and unwind. Though once she had gotten her wish she quickly found it hard to actually relax. She was just antsy; but she dismissed it as sign she needed to drink less coffee more or get more sleep.

The brunette curled up on her couch- drew the blanket up to her shoulders and closed her eyes. u Nova /u was on the TV, a special on galaxy formation but the scientist paid little mind. Her body and mind were exhausted and all she wanted to do was sleep.

It felt like she had only closed her eyes for a second but in actuality she fallen asleep for a few hours. The dreams had been intense and when she woke up she woke up with a violent start. Her whole body was covered in sweat and her heart was pounding - as if she had just been running for her life. In a way she had been; memories haunted her mind. Images of death and destruction lingered even in her waking state- images of Pylea. It had been months since she had even thought of that place and longer since she had dreamt of it. Lorne used to make her remember. Just looking at his green face made her have nightmares. Not anymore- she no longer saw him as a Pylean- he no longer troubled her sleep.

She sat up and looked at the TV screen. An infomercial was playing and she flicked the set off. The scientist could not explain it but suddenly she had an overwhelming desire to call Edward. She had only spoken to him once since she had left Pylea and even then she had been extremely reluctant. Her parents were rather insistent though; Edward had helped them pay for the detective that ultimately tracked her down. 'Edward had been worried about her', her Dad had repeated, 'he would appreciate knowing your alive.'

The phone call had been short and painful- it was hard to talk to people who only had known her before. She still had problems with that idea- that was the reason Fred not gone back to Texas despite her parents subtle and not so subtle hints that she should.

Without any concern for the time difference Winifred picked up the phone and dialed the number to Edwards home in London.

"Whoever this is I am retired now- couldn't this wait?" Ed asked his voice tired but kind.

"I.. well… no I just have a quick question." With that the girl closed her eyes and swallowed back her fear. "I know a guy name Rupert Giles right? I met him before you left and I left.. right?" There was a long pause.

"Oh Winifred- it's you; that explains a lot… and yes you do… why is this so important?" His voice was calm and measured but he was worried.

"He came to my work today and… he knew me but I did not know him but I guess I do but I had forgotten." Her voice squeaked when she spoke. "Sorry I should just hang up."

"Wait- he took you for a drink it had just been a day. He is a watcher like I was but you never knew that. Listen if your dealing with the council in anyway than I am not sure I want to know what work you are in but be careful. Now I am going back to bed but call me again if you need help." She nodded dumbly and nearly hung up but stopped.

"Wait before you go I need a big favor…"

Thankfully his number still worked but he had not been there when she called. Andrew had answered his cell and offered to schedule a meeting. Winifred was unable to think of a good excuse to warrant a meeting so the scientist lied. She said that a blood sample had been taken and the slayer had some medical problems-blahblahblah and she would need to see Rupert Giles right away.

Her other lie was that she could not meet him at work but would gladly wait for him at the bar in the hotel that evening. It was public and liquor would be served two things that made the meeting somewhat less scary. The only flaw to the plan was the liquor and the fact she had started to drink before he was scheduled to meet her. The fact that the senior watcher was late only made things worse.

"Sorry I was busy with coordinating a time to meet the slayers and…" He found her at the table sucking on a lime looking down at her latest empty shot.

"Déjà vu all over again?" She smiled and encouraged the watcher to take a seat. "I guess it's different, I am the drunk one and neither of us are feigning a limp."

"You remember?" His voice was soft and full of concern.

"What? Kind of- yeah. It was a long time ago and so much has happened." Fred was starting to crack, at least her voice was.

"What happened? I never found out where you went- did you run away?"

"What? No I had just… typical story really. Girl meets boy, boy is her physics teacher, girl finds book, girl opens book and is sucked into a hell dimension and is made a slave for five years. Girl is rescued, girl kills boy, and girl works for evil law firm." She smirked and picked up another lime to suck on.

"Angel- I assume he saved you." She nodded oddly overwhelmed with the memories.

"Yeah my hero… I just never thought I would see you again. Well not just you but everyone and every time I do see you and those I knew before it's like it hurts all over again. I remember how hard it had been and can't…"

"You lied about the blood sample didn't you?" The watcher asked certain he knew the answer. Winifred just nodded unable to meet his gaze. "I should go.." He made a move to stand but Winifred would not have it.

"No! No you have to stay you really have to stay. I can't… please." He sighed and signaled for the bartended.

"Alright- one drink." He ordered a scotch and then returned his attention to the girl. "How much have you had to drink?"

"Just a shot…" It was a lie and they both knew it but the number had little consequence since it was clear to Giles that she as drunk.

"So what do you need from me?" The question was harmless enough but it put the scientist on edge.

"What? Nothing- why can't I just ask you to sit down with me? I thought of you a lot- all the time even though after a while it stopped being you." Words tumbled out her mouth- she was unable to censor herself.

His drink finally arrived and he sipped it trying to take it slow.

"Right… why me?"

"Well it was either you or Seidel and you had the nicer accent… plus you had/have such a nice face and hands…" She closed her eyes thinking that she was being seductive but opened them when she heard him laugh.

"Dear lord you're clearly drunk if you're hitting on me. Come on I will call you a cab." He stood up and she did as well- grabbing onto his arm and leaning into him for support. The watcher turned slightly and wrapped his arm around her waist to offer support.

"I think we should have sex." She had tried to say it quietly but a few people turned to look at her so she doubted that she had succeeded.

"Right; I'm definitely sending you home." The senior watcher replied a blush coloring his cheek.

"No no no… I am not a child if I decide I want to have sex with someone it's my right."

"So I don't get a say in this?" He was beginning to look angry, or at least that is what Fred read his face as.

"No… I mean yes… I mean…" She kissed him suddenly tasting of tequila, lime and orange. He tasted of whisky and mint- at first he did not kiss back but slowly his mouth opened to hers. She was unsteady and he had to hold her close to keep her from loosing hr balance. The feel of her pressed so tightly to him was overwhelming- he wanted more.

"My room- lets go to my room." She nodded and let him lead the way. They kissed again as they waited for the elevator-inside the elevator- and when he was fumbling for the key. With every kiss the need became more intense and the scientist became more certain that this was what she needed; this would make it all better.

They stumbled into the room, fumbling with each others clothes, trying to negotiate gravity, their hands, and their lips. She explored his hot mouth with every kiss- feeling his teeth and stroking his tongue with hers. His hand caressed her breast through the thin blouse and ran his thumb over her hardened nipple.

Giles' guided the brunette to the wall- letting it support her for once while his hands and mouth did other things. His lips dropping from her to her neck his hands caressing her flesh as he moved to his knees in front of her. He pushed her skirt up slowly kissing and stroking the pale flesh that had been hidden until now. She writhed under him- her breath ragged and strained. Fred whimpered and flinched when his pressed his lips and dipped his tongue to the dampened material.

He slipped his fingers under the band of her thong gently lowering the material until he revealed a mass of dark curly hair. He kissed her there letting his tongue slide between the folds of her sex tasting her- nibbling her musky flesh as she withered beneath him.

Just as she was close though- just as she was nearing release he stopped and immediately pulled her panties back up and let her skirt drop down. Fred was confused and frustrated and watched the Brit as he gently smoothed the material and kissed her softly on the stomach before rising to stand.

"What? What happened…" her words slurred a little but she had sobered up a bit.

"I … I can't this… this is not right." His expression was tormented- his eyes dark.

"Please... it is right. It was perfect." Giles caressed her face and kissed her cheek.

"Let me…"

"If you say call a cab I am going to scream…"

"Let me lend you a shirt so you can have something to sleep in." Fred nodded as she bit her lip and fought back tears.

"It's the age thing isn't it?" Right then Rupert sighed and shook his head.

"No- no it's not. I thought it was but it is not. Winifred your sweet and your drunk- I would be taking advantage of …"

"What? No no no no… god I am not a child I know what I want."

"Really you think so? I am not the man you think I am. We met once and that was a life time ago. You're infatuated with the idea of me but you have no idea who I really am." His voice was light and gentle.

"No no no.. it's not just that. I am … I…" She closed her eyes and nodded. "It made so much sense. Maybe if you took me home that night I never would have gotten lost. A butterfly flaps its wings and… you could have saved me."

"So you blame me?" The watcher tried to keep his voice calm but he was offended.

"No! No I am not saying that. I am saying that…just saying." She covered her face in her hand and her words became soft and impossible to understand.

Unable to simply witness the young girl before him fall apart the senior watcher gathered her in his arms and started to rock her hoping to soothe her pain.

"Shhh how about we go to sleep- just hush." Then Rupert led her to his bed and drew her into bed with him. He did not undress or draw the comforter back but simply lay down holding the young woman too him and waited for sleep.

"Rupert you look like death." After weeks of pestering the Head Watcher agreed to meet his old friend.

"Thank you Edward- I see that retirement agrees with you." Giles was in no mood for a lecture but wanted to enjoy his precious little free time.

"Hmm I would agree- sleeping in late, long hours catching up on my writing and reading, and even gardening with Silvia." Edward replied taking his tea from the pretty young waitress.

"Hmm how is Silvia? Is she finally getting used to the idea of actually having to deal with her husband everyday?" Rupert asked with a touch of acrimony in his voice. He had heard of the problems often experience once they had to actually spend time with each other.

"Honestly she loves it. When I was a watcher she never complained but I knew she was upset by my total absence." The silence lay ever between the two men until Edward took it upon himself to break it. "So Rupert you really do look miserable- how much sleep do you get a night."

"Oh not this again." The watcher replied. "Can't we please talk about something else?"

"What? What is more important that your health old man? I know you I bet you barely reach three or four hours of sleep a night." Edward eyed his old friend and saw a flicker of annoyance in his friends pale blue eyes and knew instantly he was correct. "Fine we will talk of something else. Howe was your meeting with Winifred."

The question shocked Giles causing him to nearly loose his tea. This had been the reaction Ed had hoped for which is why he had waited for his friend to take a sip before asking it.

"Bloody hell." Giles' muttered trying to save his dignity. "Yes thanks- fine… the meeting had been fine. How did you know?"

"Hmmm I wondered why you had not mentioned it to me earlier. Really Rupert it just makes you look guilty." Edward responded dryly his eyes searching Rippers face.

"Dear Lord- nothing happened and if something had she is of age it was not like I was molesting a child." Giles retorted miffed by the accusations.

"Really? Not from what she told me." Edward was holding his cards tight to his chest enjoying watching his friend squirm.

"What? What did she tell you?"

"Hmm the poor girl did not go into details, for which I am grateful for, but I know the meeting was more than just a friendly encounter. Don't ask why she feels the need to call me and inform me of her broken heart but she does. Not even the enormous long distance phone rates seem to deter her. I told her to leave you alone to rob another cradle."

"I am not a cradle robber. Ok maybe Winifred is younger but she is thirty years old, very mature for her age and… I don't need to defend myself."

"You don't need to get my approval, dear friend; after all you did the right thing and ended it. Her heart was broken but I am sure she will find someone else." Edward enjoyed himself, Giles was truly worked up now and fuming.

"We barely knew each other it would have been irresponsible to sleep together. Age had nothing to do with it." Giles was firm; he had turned the girl down to save the girl not for something arbitrary like age.

"Right so why don't you get to know her? Rupert you need a break. Your going to kill yourself with your job, take a vacation let someone else take the helm. Though I still would not advise you have sex with her. I doubt your heart could take it." After a moment the watcher cracked.

"Fine I will take a bloody vacation if you promise not to mention this again." Giles replied hoping to save some dignity.

"You forget Rupert I am retired and have been happily married to the same woman for nearly thirty years- this will get mentioned again because you owe me."

Rupert told himself that his vacation to Los Angelus had nothing to do with Winifred. The weather was simply marvelous this time of year, there were friends he could see, and his last visit had simply been too brief. However the fact that his first stop (after the hotel to drop off his luggage) was Wolfram and Hart made his need to see her hard to deny.

When Giles saw Fred she was in her office her face was buried in a book her expression one of total concentration.

"Winifred?" He asked- announcing is presence and trying to get her attention at the same time.

"Oh… Mr.Giles what are you doing here?" Her formal greeting made the Watcher flinch but he did not let it bother him.

"You can call me Giles and I am here to see if you would be interested in working for me." The lie surprised even the Head Watcher but he decided it might be the best tactic.

"Oh um really? What would I be doing?" She was surprised too but Fred's poker face was a marvel.

"Well- perhaps you could help attend to the physical needs of the girls- the slayers. Give them full checkups and keep track of their health." Fred appeared to consider this but shook her head.

"Sorry I really don't have a medical background though I am sure you can easily find someone who does. There is a medical school in town that has some of the most gifted students that you can check out while you're in town." Fred smiled and turned her attention back to her book but Rupert was not ready to give up.

"Yes I am sure, though I am positive that your talents will be just as needed at the Watchers Council as it is needed here."

"Oh you need a physicist?" Fred asked with a raised brow. "What kind of work will I be doing?"

"All kinds- I should not discuss this now how about tonight? We can have a quiet meal and I can tell you all about it."

"Oh well I can't tonight- I have a date." Fred replied not bothering to look up from her book.

"Really? With who?" Rupert knew he was loosing his distant cool manner but he was having a hard time maintaining the act.

"Oh someone you know- kinda." Fred replied seemingly oblivious to the change in the Watcher's tone.

"Wesley?"

"No of course not, we are just friends."

"That boy that works with you in the lab?"

"Knox? No- no one who works here."

"Really than who is it?" His voice was terse and even Winifred could not pretend not to ignore it.

"Rupert! You're jealous." Her smile was kind but there was vindication in her eyes.

"No I'm not I just wonder who I can know that you would date and that does not work here."

"Fine fine fine, if you want you can meet us for a meal. You can play chaperone if you're so curious." With that Fred wrote down the information on a sheet of paper and placed it in the watchers breast pocket. "See you tonight."

Rupert debated if he should go for several hours. He did not want to intrude on a date and he knew if he saw another man with Fred he would loose his mind. Jealousy would not even be the worst of it. Pain and regret would also haunt his mind.

Still he had nothing better to do and if there was even a small chance that he could still win the scientist back he would take it. If there was not he would at least know she was happy.