Chapter 4
Ripper paced, the book forgotten. The dried flowers in the bag were turning to powder, his hands were clenched so tightly. As much as he enjoyed the Dark Arts, he wasn't going to tolerate a novice witch meddle anymore than she already had. She had no clue what she was doing anymore, and they all knew it. Well, the adults did anyway. Even Spike knew it.
"Circle, I summon thee. Bind the witches magic. Chaos, I invoke thee. Show the Rosenberg witch what it means to dabble in the dark." he said in a sharp voice. The air around him crackled with power. "Through the darkness, show the darkness." he hissed, eyes narrowed as he saw the Dark Magic swirl before his eyes, just like it had when he'd been younger.
Slowly, the magic receded, the air returned to normal. He paced. After a while, he heard Dawn enter the house. He growled, but didn't go up the stairs. Giles went into the kitchen and quietly heated the kettle while getting a mug from the cabinet. After the tea was heated, he poured a cup and headed up the stairs, just a quietly. Daw had on headphones and didn't hear him.
He pushed open Buffy's door, slipped in, and shut it. He made his way to the side of the bed and sat down the mug. Buffy was curled into a ball, the stuffed pig clutched to her chest like a lifeline, tear streaks running down her face. Giles frowned in worry and Ripper growled with anger. He sat on the bed and ran his knuckles across her face. Her eyes slowly opened and she gave him a ghost of a smile.
"Hey." She looked around. "How did we get here?"
"I carried you here." he said. She frowned and sat up.
"Are you alright?" He cocked an eyebrow and thinned his lips at the question. "What?! I was only asking." she said, crossing her arms and huffing. Her eyes fell on the mug as she scanned the room, and it was her turn to raise an eyebrow, and he shrugged.
"I though you might want some."
"What is with you British and tea?" she asked, picking up the mug never the less.
"It is a custom we've carried on through the ages." he said while polishing his glasses. Buffy rolled her eyes and sat it back down. "Are you feeling better now?"
"No." She smiled slightly at his worried look. "I'll never feel better about what they did Giles. Never. But at the moment...I'm not homicidal angry." He smiled in relief and placed a hand on her face. She nuzzled his hand. Ripper grinned.
"Dawn was out. She returned minutes before you awoke." The Slayer groaned.
"Way to kill the mood." she said while putting a pillow over her head. She removed the pillow and glared. "I think I may have just changed my mind." Ripper smirked and leaned down, pressing his torso into hers.
"Looks like I'll have to change it back." he said before capturing her lips in a bruising kiss. Her hands romanced as he possessed her mouth. When they surfaced for air, her hands rested on his shoulders. "Do you know how much I love you?" he asked, puncturing each word with a kiss. She pretended to consider the question while smiling and following his lead.
"As much as I love you." she said before pulling her head out of his reach. She stroked his forehead. "We should stop." she whispered. Through the walls, they heard Dawn get up and leave her room. Buffy heard the bathroom door shut. "She was gone at least an hour."
"And what are you going to do about that?"
"Hand her to the others? Ok, mabey not." she added at his glare. She sighed. "Giles, I don't know what to do."
"What happened to the Buffy who always enforced her own rules?" he asked with a playful grin. "I distinctly recall a tempered girl who went by no one else's rules, consequences be damned." She sighed.
"Her mother died, leaving her with a ball of energy sister, who was used to almost suck the world into hell. Then the girl died, and the ball of energy sister lived to take on her sister's rule problem." she said, looking at the ceiling. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and opened them again.
"You are amazing." he said. She looked at him and smiled.
"Thank you very much." she said.
"Now go and punish the little chit." he said. She snorted, but did as she was told. Except she yanked him from the room also. He shook his head and went down the stairs, oblivious the glare she used to put holes in his back. Buffy leaned against the wall opposite the bathroom. A few minutes later, Dawn exited the room. She looked at Buffy, startled.
"Where did you go?" Buffy asked, not leaving the wall.
"What?"
"When you went out, where did you go?" she repeated, arms folded across her chest. Dawn looked around nervously. "Well?"
"No where. I stayed here." she lied. Buffy pushed off the wall and was in her face in a few steps.
"Do NOT lie to me right now Dawn. Now, tell me where you went." she said, placing a hand by the side of Dawn's head. When Dawn didn't answer, she sighed and her hand instantly shot into her jacket pocket.
"Hey!" Dawn said, trying to pull away. All Buffy had in her hand was a string with a tag on it. A price tag.
"Hmm. What is this to?" she asked, dangling the tag. She turned and went into Dawn's room. The teen followed, alarmed. "Tell me where the thing is Dawn, or so help me, I will tear this room apart." she snarled. Dawn went over to her jewlery box, pulled out a bracelet, and handed it over. "Are you sure this is it?"
"Yes." Dawn snapped. Buffy narrowed her eyes.
"You snuck out, and got this where?"
"I didn't leave." she said. Buffy closed her eyes against her anger.
"So help me Dawn, if you tell me one more lie-" she broke off and took a deep breath. "Where. Are. The. Other. Items?" she asked, slowly and pointedly. Dawn knew there was no point in denying it any longer. With a sigh, she went back to her jewelry box, opened it and pulled out the top holder. He handed the box to Buffy.
The Slayer was in shock. She recognized some of the items from the Magic Box. "Those are Tara's earing!" she cried, shifting through the contents. "Dawn, how could you?!" Dawn ran from the room and made it to the top of the stairs. Still clutching the box, Buffy went after her, jumped and landed in the center of the stairwell. Giles came from the kitchen when he heard the thump caused by the Slyer's landing. He found Dawn a few steps away from Buffy, her expression one of fear.
"Buffy, what on earth is going on?" he asked, cleaning his glasses. She turned her head and looked at him. She threw the box down. He caught it with a lifetime's worth of reflexes. Dawn watched in horror as Giles lifted the lid. She was petrified to the spot as Ripper replaced the lid, anger written all over his face.
"How DARE you steal! It's not bad enough that-" He broke off, eyes blazing. "We watched you, all summer. Every last one of us took care of you!" he roared. Dawn was attempting to back up the stairs, but the Slayer grabbed her wrist.
"You're going to take that box, and we're going to the Magic Box, and then to the other places those things came from. You're going to return the items then work everything out with the owners to work off the debt. Understand?" she stated, growling the last word. Dawn nodded, eyes glossing with tears. "And crying won't help." Buffy snarled before going down the stairs. Dawn winced when she heard the basement door slam. Ripper glared.
"Go into the living room." he commanded. She went. He turned and made his way into the basement. Buffy was bitting her nails, something she NEVER did, and pacing. She flicked her gaze to Ripper and stopped.
"I know I'm a bad parent, but-" she broke off, tears forming, as she looked away from him. "I didn't see how bad things had gotten between Dawn and me. I thought she was just upset because-" she hiccuped and locked gazes with Giles. Even as she struggled not to, she was close to crying. Her calming attempts broke and she cried. Buffy rushed over and threw herself into his arms. He held her.
"You're not a parent Buffy, you're a sister. You shouldn't have to take care of Dawn alone. I know Willow and Tara could-no should be helping." he said as she cried. "And as for Dawn herself, she could learn to leave tings where they are." She laughed wetly. He pulled away slightly, and wiped away a tear.
"Why can't it all be that simple?" she asked. He cupper her cheek. She wiped her eyes and kissed his hand before stepping away. She turned and headed up the stairs, everything clamped down. Ripper growled and Giles sighed, following her up the stairs and into the livingroom.
"Buffy?" Dawn asked, standing.
"Let's go." was all she said before going to the door, grabbing her keys and jacket, and heading for the car. Dawn bowed her head and followed. Giles was behind the girls, locking the door.
The ride was silent. Buffy was looking out the passenger window, Giles was concentrating on the road (although his knuckled were a little white from his grip) and Dawn was looking at her shoes. They arrived at the Magic Box, and the couple's tempers flared at seeing the Scoobies inside through the window.
"Dawn, I want you to take this and go inside. You're going to return everything to them." Buffy instructed, handing over the box. "Then, you'll talk with Anya about working off the debt and we'll go anywhere else, got it?"
"Yeah." Dawn said, clutching the box and opening the door. Giles unbuckled his seatbelt and cupped Buffy's cheek at her questioning gaze.
"I'm going in with her. You should stay out here."
"Make sure she doesn't say I'm out here." she instructed as he got out of the car. He flashed her a smiled and followed Dawn. Buffy leaned back into her seat with a sigh, and waited.
Inside the shop, the four were still at the table.
"We're closed." Anya called, not looking up.
"I'm not here to buy something." Dawn said, going towards them. Giles stood by a table with crystals, arms crossed, scowling at the five people. No one looked him in the eyes.
"Then what are you here for?" Anya asked. Dawn walked forward, put the box on the table, and stepped back. Both away from the group and Giles. They pulled themselves out of their self-pity and anger to look at the box. Willow opened it and frowned.
"It's your jewelry box, so-" she broke off, looking at the contents. Her eyes widened. "Dawn!" she said, throwing the down the box and standing. The items spilled all over the table. Anya was quickly scanning the things. Most of it belonged to the group, only about six items were for other stores.
"This is how you repay me?!" she demanded, scooping up the things. "I helped you, I cared for you!" Xander grabbed her arm.
"Dawn, this is serious." he said. Tara picked a pair of earrings from the large pile about to fall from Anay's hand.
"My-my earrings. These were my grandmother's." she said, looking at the stones.
"Dawn." Willow said angerly. Giles suppressed a snort and kept watching.
"I'll work it off." she said in a low voice. Anya placed the things on the table and Xander released her. She went over to the teenager.
"You will do more than work it off!" she snapped. "I work hard to keep the money coming back to this store." The ex-vengeance demon stormed to the back room, slamming the door. Xander glared at Dawn before following. The witched turned to her, on in anger, one in disappointment. She broke down in tears.
An hour later, Giles walked to Buffy's station wagon. Dawn had begun working off the moeny immediately. It was almost $300. He shook his head. It was disgusting. With a sigh, he continued to make his way to the car. He was about to open the driver's door when he saw Buffy was asleep. With a smile, he quietly climbed in and watched her. His smile changed as she whimpered.
"Buffy?" he asked, gently shaking her. He shifted and looked her over at the pained expression on her face. Only then did he notice the way her hands were moving on the seat; they were like cat claws, extending the nails and raking them back. She jerked, the dream having complete control on her. Suddenly, she awoke, her hands instantly racing out to understand where she was. More importantly, where she wasn't.
"Buffy?" he questioned. She saw it was Giles and blinked back tears. He could see the naked terror in her eyes and pulled her close. "Oh my dear." he breathed, rubbing her back.
"I-I can't sleep anymore." she whispered, refusing to let the tears fall.
"You've slept since I've seen you." he replied, stroking her hair. She laughed, some what cruelly.
"I've been able to sleep this past week, that's it. Nightmares don't bring rest Giles." she said, staring off into space. He wondered what she saw. Her eyes dried and hardened, the vulnerability of pain burnt away by her resolve. He sighed and sat back in his seat, starting the car.
"I do know that Buffy. I've spent years having nightmares, decades actually." he said, not looking from the road.
"I know." she said softly. He locked gazes with her in the mirror. She looked away, blushing slightly. "I-I went to your place a few years ago. I didn't want to wake you, since you'd been up for more then a few days strait, researching. I heard you. It sounded horrible. You-you didn't respond to me trying to wake you, so I stayed until early morning, then left. I'd never felt so helpless or useless." she said. His heart wept. He never knew. He removed a hand from the steering wheel, and squeezed her hand.
"It wasn't your fault Buffy. There was nothing that could wake me from those nightmares short of a demon attack." he assured her while replacing his hand.
"What were they about?" she asked quietly after a few minutes. He frowned and she sunk into her seat a little. "I'm sorry-"
"No, no, it's alright. It's just that... My nightmares contained things even you haven't faced Buffy." She nodded, knowing it wasn't good for either of them if he told.
"So you still have them?" she asked as he turned a corner.
"Not those specif nightmares; at least, not all the time. Although, I believe my current nightmares would be-are a relief in comparison to yours." he amended. She wrapped her arms around her chest, then forced them down. They arrived at her house. Buffy headed up the stairs, and he followed her. When he realized she was going to her room, he stopped. She beckoned him in.
"Sorry about the mess." she muttered. He shook his head and waited as she went to her hidden weapons chest and pulled out a sword. She carried it over to him. "Found this on patrol a couple of days ago."
"Hmm. I'll have a look at it later." he said while taking a quick glance at the item to be sure it wouldn't cause them immediate danger. He looked at her and noted the dark circles under her eyes. For some reason, the low lighting of the room caused light to shine through the makeup on her face. He took her hand and lead her to the bed. "You need to sleep."
"I'm not tired." she growled. His eyes widened, but he didn't retreat. He set down the sword. She watched him, wearily. She'd quickly gotten used to the other's smothering-wanting her to be better, faster, with no complications, don't whatever they could to make it happen-but that didn't mean she like it.
"Buffy, you're exhausted. You'll need to patrol tonight, and you're in no condition." he said, placing a hand on her shoulder and looking at her tenderly. Her being softened with emotion before snapping back.
"Didn't we establish that I don't like sleeping?" she snarled, but staying put. He could have growled, and vowed to give the group a very long lecture.
"Yes. I'll stay right here." he promised. He walked towards the bed and gently pulled on her hand, which was not being held in his. "Lay down and rest." he said. She sighed and kicked off her shoes. If anyone cold get her to do something, it was Rupert Giles. After she climbed into bed, he closed the blinds, shut off the light, and took a seat in her vanity chair. She turned to look at him.
"Giles." she said softly, eyes hooded. He looked her in the eyes. "You need rest to." He shook his head.
"I'm fine Buffy."
"No you're not." she retorted. "Come here." she said in a low tone. He tilted his head. "Please?" she added. He kicked off his shoes and went to her. She opened her arms and he laid next to her on the small bed. "Thank you." she mumbled into his chest.
"Rest Buffy, rest." he said, stroking her hair. She sighed again and allowed herself to drift off. He wrapped his arms around her and soon followed her into sleep.
A little over a month went by. Buffy wasn't talking to the group, save Dawn, Tara and Willow had a heated argument about the resurrection spell, but made up, and Willow and Giles had an even worse argument when she realized her magic was bound.
Giles was in the Magic Box, reading. Buffy was at the Sunnydale Fitness Center applying for a self-defense or couching job. Willow walked into the shop, slamming the door.
"Hey! Willow, don't damage the door." Anya commanded with a scowl. Willow stormed over to Giles.
"What did you do to me?" she demanded, eyes stormy with anger. He calmly shut the book and stood.
"I bound you." he said simply.
"Why? How?" He smiled darkly.
"You're abusing the powers given to you. And as for the how...Chaos it such a wonderful thing." he said with a smirk that was pure Ripper. Willow screamed in rage and "borrowed" magic from the people of the town.
"Lanzar!" she said, making a back handed arch. Ripper just grinned and reflected the spell right back to her. She was sent fling and almost landed on a table of crystals, but stopped inches form landing by a wave of his hand. He was by her side.
"Never underestimate the powers of the gods and goddesses. Never underestimate the knowledge of those older and far more studied in the arts of magic. And never underestimate me." he said, voice softening the entire time. He released her after moving her away from the table. She fell to the ground.
"How DARE you?!"
"I dare because you need to learn respect for the forces of nature." he growled, taking a step towards her. She backed away and he smiled darkly once more. "What is the matter Willow? Are you afraid now?" he taunted. She snarled, her hand flying. He grabbed her wrist, and pinned it behind her back as he spun her around, her back to his chest. "Don't ever try that again, or I shall show you the meaning of dark magic." he said before walking out the store.
Giles and Buffy told Dawn that they were together-or rather, Buffy told Dawn then almost lost her hearing to the high-noted squeal. Dawn was on the couple's side of the fight with the Scoobies. Spike was still helping Buffy, and his stalking/harrassement was to a very minimum. Anya and Xander were married, the demon had been killed before he even talked to Xander, since Buffy had been on alert. It was Sunnydale after all.
Giles looked across the table at Buffy. She was working on a schedule for her self-defense class. Well, appearing to anyway. In reality, she was tapping the pen on her other hand, and staring at the paper.
"Buffy." he called for the third time. She looked up, smiling. There was distant gleam in her eyes, the same haunted look she got after a nightmare.
"Yeah Giles?" she asked.
"Are you alright?"
"Fine." she said, her eyes sparkling instantly with love.
"What are you thinking about?" he inquired.
"Nothing." she said, averting her gaze. He stood, walked over, and sat in the chair next to her. He took her hand.
"You don't have to talk to them."
"Willow and Tara live here." she said with a sad sigh.
"Do you want them to continue living here?" he asked, stroking the back of her hand with his thumb.
"I-I don't know. I'm not really mad at Tara, because I know she didn't want to do it. I knew-I saw them arguing about it." she shook her head. "Willow scared Tara, not that I blame Tara. And Willow always went on and ON about my being in hell. She squashed the-" she broke off.
"'Squashed' what Buffy?"
"The others, Xander and Tara, they suggested once, that I may not 'ave been in hell. Willow wouldn't hear it. She always had her way." She looked into his angry eyes.
"That is no excuse. She didn't have to do the spell."
"She was worried. Come ON Giles, you know more about magic then I ever will. You know that Willow would have been really hurt if she tried that damn spell with three people. Or herself."
"Buffy... There is nothing I can say to justify what was done. I wouldn't have done it. But you're here, with me. I'm very happy for that." he said, placing a hand on her cheek. "I love you Buffy."
"Love you too." she said, leaning in for a kiss. They brushed lips before resting their foreheads together. Giles' watched beeped, signaling it was three. She laughed softly. "You've got a meeting-go." He gave her smile, a quick kiss, an left. The Sunnydale Museum found out he used to be the Curator of the British Museum and began calling him for consults. He made good money. Buffy sighed, knowing he was going to be gone for hours.
A few hours later, Buffy was patrolling the town. She'd caught the Geek Trio attempting to execute a plan for robbing an armored (bank) truck heist. After stopping them, and calling the cops, she went on with her patrol.
"Slayer." a vampire growled from behind her. She instantly did a back-flip, causing her to land behind the demon. It turned and threw a punch. They fought and she blocked his kick.
"How hard are you going to kick when you're dust in the wind?" she asked before staking him. The vamp managed to jump and kick her into a headstone before turning to dust. She stood, holding her back. "That was rhetorical." she said with a groan. The blond woman made her way to Revello drive, holding her back. She went up the stairs and began drawing a bath, wondering what Giles was doing...
An hour later, that's where Rupert found her, in the tub. He'd searched the house, worried, when she hadn't answered him as he called her name.
"Buffy?" he asked, knocking. He turned the knob and entered the bathroom, taking in the shocking screen immediately. A torn shower-curtain, misplaced bath-rug, fallen shelves and Spike's duster on the toilet.
"Hey Giles." she said, not looking up. He heard the hoarseness in her voice and knelt beside the now bubble filled tub.
"What happened?" he asked, touching her cheek with his fingertips. She flinched but didn't pull away. When she looked up at him, he saw her bloodshot eyes, swollen from crying.
"S-Spike stopped by." she said, averting her gaze. His eyes hardened.
"What did he do?" Buffy sniffed and clutched his hand, trying to steady her own shaking hand.
"He-he-" She cried, unable to tell. He tried to sooth her. After a few minutes, she regained her composure. "I'd just came in from patrol..."
..The bathroom door opened. "Are you hurt? You're not movin' so well." Spike asked. He shut the door she went over by the sink.
What now? "Get out." she said, looking into the basin of the sink.
"We have to talk." he said, moving away from the door. She turned around, shaking her head slightly.
"I really don't."
"Well, this isn't just about you...as much as you'd like it to be." he stated. Buffy crossed her arms. She was tired and hurt.
"You spoke, I listened. Now leave." she commanded.
"I'm sorry. Not that it matters anymore, but I needed you to know that."
"Why?"
"Because I care about you." Fucking liar. her mind sneered. "You should've let him kill me." Spike said softly, looking at the rug. Buffy averted her gaze momentarily. She knew he was referring to the Initiative.
"I couldn't do that."
"Why?" he asked as she went over to the tub and shut off the water.
"You know why."
"Because you love me."
"No, I don't." she said, voice strong. God, this is pathetic. He knows I'm with Giles
"Why do you keep lying to yourself?" he asked, moving towards her. His voice sounded strange, but she brushed it off.
"Why do you keep lying to yourself?" It's pointless Buffy. you know he doesn't care about you except for being his Slayer
"How many times–I have feelings for you, I do. But not love." Her voice takes an angry and disgusted edge as she spits out the words.
"Spike please stop this." she asked, rolling her eyes heavenward.
"Let yourself feel it." he almost whispered, moving right in front of her. He grabbed her left wrist and right hip in a very hard grip. She pushed him away slightly.
"No!" He moved back to her.
"You love me." he said, grabbing her upper arms, shaking her as she tries to make him let go.
"Ow, no, stop it! Spike, quit it!"
"You love me." His face is red as he grabbed part of the bathroom.
"Spike, stop! Ow! What are you doing? Ow!"
"You love me." he said again, trying to convince her. They continue, him grabbing at her robe, she trying to get away. Buffy slips, tries to grab the shower curtain and hits her injured back on the tub. There's a cracking sound.
"Ow! Oh!" she grunted, pain racking her body. Spike grabs her, pressing his forehead to hers and trying to kiss her. She continues struggling.
"Let it go. Let yourself love me." Buffy continues grunting on pain as she tried to fight him off. He keeps grabbing for her flailing arms. "Buffy, Buffy."
"Spike, no! Ow, I'm hurt." she cried out in protest. He kept trying to kiss her. She fell to the side, towards the door. He gets atop her, grabbing and her thigh and back, then flipped her over. She really protesting now. "Ow! Don't! No!" The Slayer is now just a woman fighting for her dignity as he pined her wrists to the floor, straddling her. She cried in pain as he hissed. "Stop! Ow! Stop it!" she pleaded, chocking.
"You felt it, beforehe came back."
Buffy grunts in pain, tears running from her eyes. "No! No!" she kicks him away and crawls a little before he grabs her ankle ans yanks her back to him, resuming his position from before. "Please, please! Spike, please stop." she cried, half sobbing. She can't even think, except that she knows what's going to happen.
"You'll feel it again Buffy-"
"Please don't do this!" she sobbed, renewing her struggles.
"-I'll make you feel it again!" he said, snatching her robe and tearing it, exposing her breast.
"Stop!" she screamed. With a last burst of Slayer strength, she kicked him off. he flew into the sink. realization passed over his feature.
"Oh, god Buffy-I didn't-" She stood, clutching her torn rob in place.
"I don't love you. I never have. I love Rupert Giles." she said, tears running down her face. He ran from the bathroom. Sobbing, the blond got into the tub...
Her sobs renewed as she told the story. He put a lid on his anger and put his arms around her, regardless of the water.
"Oh my dear." he sighed. He rubbed her back, attempting to soothe her. "Dear, sweet, heart." he whispered. After ten minutes she quieted and pulled from his embrace. He cupped her face in his large hand. She shivered and he noticed the water was cold. "You should get out Buffy. You're going to get a cold." Buffy nodded but didn't move to get out of the tub.
"Well?" she asked, looking pointedly at him then the door, eyebrow raised. He flushed and stood.
"Quiet." he mumbled to himself while shutting the door. Buffy smiled sadly and gripped the edges of the tub and hoisted herself out. She hissed as she straitened. There were bruises on wrists, thighs and back, which were the worst because of the graveyard injury and hitting the tub. Steeling herself, she stepped over the edge and went to where the long bath-towels were kept and wrapped one around her.
The door opened and Giles ceased his angry pacing, head snapping to look at her wet face. Ripper growled as he looked her over, eyes narrowing as he found her wrists. She put them behind her back.
"Better luv?"
"I will be." she said, heading towards her room. Ripper followed and was almost hit in the face when the door was shut behind him. He paced once more. On the other side of the door, Buffy went to her closet and pulled out a long sleeved turtleneck along with a pair of dark jeans that were loose. After dressing, she went back outside, his pacing driving her mad.
"Buffy?" he asked, head titled to the side. He knew she understood the unasked question. They communicated without words, as a good pair of Slayers and Watchers do.
"I'm right here." she explained. "But, I don't know, not for sure." Her eyes filled with tears, but she didn't let them fall. "Did I do something wrong Giles? Something do deserve that?" He instantly had his arms around her, holding her tight.
"NO Buffy, never think that." he said fiercely. "There is nothing you could do that would ever warrant what Spike d-tried to do." he corrected.
"He can hit me." she said, sounding like a small child. It was one of the things she'd kept from him. "When the nerd squad stole the diamond, we had a fight. He can hit me without his head exploding." She hiccupped and looked at him, slightly frightened. "I thought about asking Tara but..."
"Oh Buffy..." He couldn't scold her, not then. Mabey later. "My dear." he sighed. The front door opened and closed, but they paid it no mind. Dawn came up the stairs, grumbling.
"Hey Buffy, Giles." she said, going into her her room. Her head popped back out, followed by her body. She made her was to the couple. "What's wrong Buffy?" she asked, noticing the tearstains and red eyes.
"Nothing munchkin. Go get ready for bed." Snorting, Dawn did as she was told. Holding onto her elbow, Giles helped Buffy down the stairs and they went into the living room. She sat on the couch, back to his chest. He gently pulled her into his lap. Dawn came down the stairs, peeked in, smiled, and went into the kitchen.
"I think I'll talk to Tara." she said once she heard Dawn clanking around in the kitchen.
"If you're sure..." he said. "You don't have to."
"I want to." She looked at him. He was holding her in a loose embrace. "You'll stay with me right?"
"Of course." he said, placing a soft kiss on the top of her head.
"Buffy, we're out of peanut butter, bananas and Coco Pebbles!" Dawn called from the kitchen. They both snorted.
"Then don't use them all on those disgusting peanut butter quesadillas." she called back before coughing slightly. Giles looked at her worriedly and she shook her head.
"Hahaha." Dawn said sarcastically while carrying a large bowl of ice-cream into the living room and sitting in an armchair, feet tucked under her. Buffy looked at the bowl.
"Gimme." she said, reaching towards Dawn, who hugged the bowl to her chest in mock protectiveness.
"No way. Mine."
"Just a taste." Buffy whined, causing Giles to snort. She glared. "Please?" she asked, drawing it out. Dawn sighed, stood, and handed her the bowl. Actually true to her "just a taste" statement, Buffy only took a spoonful before handing it back.
"Are you sick?" Dawn asked while sitting in her chair again. "You usually scarf down the bowl." Buffy mock glared and settled back int her comfortable position on her honey's embrace. A knock sounded as she closed her eyes. Buffy and Dawn had a staring contest for who was going to open the door. The younger female sighed and got out of her chair, grumbling about Slayer abilities.
"Hey Danwie." Dawn didn't reply, but just shut the door and returned to the living room, in a foul mood. The visitor followed her and stopped in the archway. "Hi Buffy, Giles." Xander said. Despite the fact that Dawn was talking to him and the others, she held a grudge. A major one. She'd gotten satisfaction when they'd figured out Buffy and Giles were together.
"Xander." Giles said in a very British way. Buffy didn't even look at him. "Is there something you require?" Xander sighed.
"It's all over the news. How Warren and Jonathon and Andrew tried to rob the truck. One of the camera's got a shot of you being sent into a brick wall. You alright?" he asked Buffy. She finally looked at him, mask in place.
"Fine, that all you want?" Xander sighed.
"Alright then, I'm sorry if I was worried about you. The others are worried too you know." he added. She didn't respond and looked away. Xander sighed, temper going up a notch. "You know what, everything could be easier if you'd at least talk to us. But I guess that's to much to ask." That did it. Buffy stood swiftly and walked over to Xander. She stood less than a foot away.
"You have NO right to talk about worry Xander. I worried for months about all of you. I watched you deal, and I watched you all let Willow continue with the magic. You want to worry now? Worry about Dawn. Worry about Giles. Worry about yourself. But do NOT come up to me and say you worry about me. I don't need you to, and I don't want you to." she said, whispering the end. Dawn had abandoned her ice-cream and raised from her chair. Giles laid a hand on Buffy's shoulder.
"What happened to ou Buffy?" he asked. She raised an eyebrow. "What made you turn against your friends like this?"
"The betrayal. Not what you did to me, I'm getting over that. But what you did to Giles and Dawn. I know that Willow shot down every objection, but there were three of you besides her. You could have NOT gone through with it. You could have told Giles and Dawn, or at least asked what they wanted." Xander looked at her with an unreadable expression before shaking his head.
"I'm sorry Buffy. WE'RE sorry."
"Sorry's not enough Xander." Giles said, squeezing her shoulder. She leaned into him, everything catching up to her. "But it's a start." Xander raised his head and looked at the older man before nodding and leaving. Once he pulled form the driveway, Buffy sighed and slumped.
"I want to go to bed." she said softly. He nodded and took her hand. They went upstairs while Dawn put her bowl in the kitchen and locked up.
A.N. Any comments? Please review.