Sorry it took so long. Sometimes RL gets away from me!

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bahocean

"What about this?"

"Not if you want to be comfortable. Too hot out. What about this one?"

"It's not you. This one?"

"Oh yes. You're going to knock him dead. This one?"

"That's not going to be any fun. I'd prefer him alive. Yes, he'll love that one."

That decided, Buffy pulled on her outfit and rummaged through the bottom of her closet for the shoes that went with it. Sara, her outfit complete, looked at the Slayer. Both women looked in the mirror. Buffy pulled her freshly curled blond tresses up, leaving the curls to fall from the style. "What about this style?"

"Only if you want to beat him off you."

That settled, Buffy pinned her hair. "Who said anything about WANTING to beat him off me?"

Both women grinned. Sara grabbed the hair accessories that went with her outfit and adjusted them. She turned to Buffy and handed her the jewelry that matched HER outfit.

As they finished their toilettes, the doorbell rang. Sara made it to the door first. She checked the peephole. "It's the guys!"

Buffy looked extremely nervous and immediately grabbed for her coat. Sara stopped her and looked the younger woman in the eye. "Look at me. Breathe." Both women expelled as much nervous energy as they could, before Sara opened the door.

The two men couldn't catch their breath. Their heart's desire was standing there looking absolutely...perfect.

Sara wore a Chinese-inspired red tunic, which fell to mid thigh, and a pair of black silk trousers. Her hair was pulled back and secured with black chopsticks.

Buffy wore a blue halter top and brown suede skirt, matched up with brown flat heeled boots. Her hair was set in an updo, exposing the neck that Giles had ALWAYS had to keep himself from nibbling on.

He hoped he'd have that chance soon.

"You two look beautiful," Gil said, smiling at Buffy, but his gaze on Sara.

"I was thinking exquisite," Rupert argued, winking at Sara, his attention on Buffy. Both women laughed at the mock anger on Gil's face.
"Well, you guys look great." Sara responded, adding to Buffy's comment of "wonderful".

And they did. Gil matched Sara with a red shirt and black suit and tie. Rupert wore a green shirt with a grey suit.

Both men looked entirely edible.

"Shall we?" said Grissom, indicating the door. The other three nodded, and there was the grabbing of wraps and the adjusting of coats. The two couples parted ways at the street, Gil and Sara going south, Buffy and Rupert going north.

Buffy and Giles were finishing dessert when the waiter came up to them with the check. They'd had a wonderful evening, sharing a bottle of wine and their chocolate gateau. Buffy had wanted a seafood dish, and Giles had ordered a steak, nipping bites of the other's meal every once in a while.

It was an evening filled with the camaraderie they used to have...before their destinies got in the way.

They pulled on their coats after paying for dinner and set out for the second half of their date.

Buffy looked at her Watcher, for that was what he still was to her. She smiled and reached out for his cheek. "You look debonair with the beard."

Giles closed his eyes when he felt her hand on his face. It felt like every dream he'd ever had. "You always look beautiful."

She smiled. "Flatterer."

Giles took her hand and stopped walking. "Buffy, I meant it. Everything I've said in the last few days. Everything I've DONE."

Buffy looked at him. "I know," she said simply. "So did I. But right now, all I want to do is enjoy the company of a handsome, smart, sweet man that I have know for eight years. Can I have that?"

He looked at her. Buffy Summers had so rarely asked him for anything personal. To research, to train her, to be her Watcher, yes. To love her, she didn't have to ask. But because he loved her, pure and simple, he acceded to her request.

"Sounds good. Shall we dance?"

Buffy and Giles walked into the club. It was an "all-ages" club, so that both the young woman and the older man would feel equally at home. Giles pulled her to the dance floor at the song playing was slow and easy. He took one soft hand in his and wrapped the other arm around her waist, pulling her so close that there was no room between them.

He bumped into another couple and started to apologize, when the laugh made him look up.

Sara and Grissom looked back at them.

"Fancy meeting you here," Grissom said.

"I know," said Giles.

"Talk later?"

"Yep."

Giles turned back to his date, and resumed their previous position. When Buffy started to speak, probably to say something about their friends, Giles shushed her. "I just want to hold you. Can I do that?"

Buffy melted at the tenderness in his voice. "Yes, you can."

Later, Gil asked Buffy to dance, as Rupert asked Sara. Shortly after that, the two couples went their separate ways.

Giles left Buffy at her doorstep with a hug. He didn't want to leave her, but he had a busy day the next day and had to rest, so he ended the date.

At his hotel room, Giles kicked off his shoes and took off the jacket. Going out on his balcony, he leaned against it, looking toward the direction of Buffy's house.

"Miss her already huh?"

Giles looked over at Grissom, who from the looks of it had just gotten in himself.

"Yes. You?"

"Like I'm missing a limb."

Giles smiled. "I know the feeling."

The two were quiet for a moment, looking toward Buffy's house.

"Did you have a good time?" Grissom finally said.

"Yes. It's the best time I've spent with Buffy in a very long time."

"Same here."

They were quiet for a long time. Then Grissom broke the silence again.

"Remind me to buy Dawn a thank-you gift."

Giles started to laugh. "Maybe we should split the cost."

"Think a horse will be too much?"

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