Expectations

It was perfect. Giles glanced proudly at the room: he'd successfully turned the old library into an adequate training room. More importantly, it was done in such a way that nobody noticed. Principal Flutie had even commended him for his initiative!

Everything was ready. He had gone to great pains to gather these books and weapons, but the effort was worth it if he was prepared to welcome his charge. Giles smiled; this was exactly how he'd hoped it would begin.

So what if his Slayer was taking a bit too long in coming? He just had to have faith.

Resignation

It was discouraging.

Sweet Willow had murdered his Jenny not a month ago; Anna and Xander had disappeared last weekend and poor Daniel had found his best friend's body tucked cruelly in his van's driver seat.

How to keep his faith when the list of the fallen got longer every night? Giles didn't even have the heart anymore to give speeches to the amateur fighters, how to lecture about the victory of good when evil was preying on them?

Giles looked at the small army – at the kids - and wondered which face he wouldn't see this time next week.

Hope

If Cordelia's world came back the last months would disappear, the countless loses in California and the world wouldn't be anymore. But there was a price; that precious awareness that had awakened through humans would be gone. They'd go back to blind ignorance.

But this awareness was born from attacks too merciless to be ignored. Was it really worth it?

Giles took the necklace. This was a war, a living nightmare that had lasted too long. He wouldn't - couldn't - pass a chance to right everything. Before the light engulfed him, Giles felt something like faith finally reclaiming him.