Chapter 16: Dinner and a Show

"No, I'm staying here."

"Just get dressed so we can have dinner."

"I don't feel like going," said Dawn. She groaned and pulled a pillow over her head. "Just bring me a to-go box of something."

Buffy sighed and rolled her eyes. "Fine, stay here and mope. Maybe you'll be in a better mood when we go home tomorrow."

"Not likely."

Checking herself in the full-length mirror, Buffy tugged on her dress, adjusting and smoothing the silky fabric over her hips. She pushed some hair from her face, fluffing it in the back and double-checking her make-up. Dawn watched covertly from the bed, careful to keep her eyes hidden from Buffy's view.

"Just try to rest or something, ok Dawnie?"

"Oh my god, go! I'll be fine."

"Okay, okay, this is me going!" Buffy glared, grinning, at her sister as she collected her wallet and room key. "And maybe instead of to-go you decide to have room service or something, huh?"

Dawn snatched the pillow of her head, sitting up. "Anything I want?"

"Anything but booze. Go for it," said Buffy. She winked and left the room, making sure the door pulled closed behind her. Giles stepped out of his room next door just as she raised her hand to knock.

"Hey," she said, stepping back.

Giles' brow furrowed as he looked past Buffy to her room. "Where's Dawn?"

"She didn't feel like going out."

"Is she ill?" he asked, closing his door.

"Yeah," Buffy said, sighing. "Fatal case of teenage mortification. She's a goner for sure."

Giles chuckled and took in her appearance for the first time. Her sleeveless maroon dress had a high neck with black trim, the long, flowing skirt ending just above her ankles. A simple black wrap adorned her upper arms. His surprised appraisal had Buffy looking down, running her hands along the fabric again.

"Did something get on my dress?"

"N-no, it's just… You look lovely, Buffy."

She smiled and nodded, looking him over, and said "Thanks, you don't look so bad, yourself."

"Well then, shall we?" he asked, offering his arm. She rolled her eyes and chuckled, tucking her arm in his.

"Let's shall."

The hotel restaurant was more intricate and beautiful than Buffy had ever seen before. Inlaid wood and leaded glass windows. All she could do was stare at everything, containing her commentary as they were escorted to their table. Subtle lighting and carefully chosen artistic pieces splashed the walls with color and warmth.

"Your servers will be Justine and Thomas. Our specials this evening include a fruit and cheese appetizer with a light garlic aioli, raspberry braised duck with rosemary and a miniature crème brûlèe assortment for two with flavors including cappuccino, vanilla chai, chocolate and vanilla bean."

Buffy and Giles thanked the host and he smiled before taking his leave.

"Okay, I don't care how amazing this place is, I can't eat a big dinner because that desert sounds to die for."

Giles chuckled and opened the menu. "It appears they change their menu on a weekly basis. Everything on the menu is fresh from local markets except a few rare imported cheeses and wines."

"I don't care where it's from as long as it tastes as good as they make it sound."

Two uniformed servers approached and introduced themselves. They unfolded the linen napkins and placed them on Buffy and Giles' laps. She thanked Justine and offered an awkward smile. The servers stepped back and Thomas opened the wine list while Justine spoke.

"We have a few featured wines tonight, each a compliment to the specials for the evening. Do either of you have questions about the menu?"

"No thank you, I think we're ready to order," said Giles, closing his menu. "We'd like the specials and do please make sure to include the desert for two."

"Yes sir." Justine smiled and picked up the wine bottle on the table, pouring a glass for each of them. "Your appetizer will be out shortly."

Buffy took a tentative sip after they left and wrinkled her nose. "It's not cold."

"Give it a chance. Some things are best served room temperature."

"Like cheese?" Giles smiled and nodded. Buffy grinned and then straightened her features into complete seriousness. "I wear the cheese, it does not wear me."

Giles did laugh then, covering his mouth to keep the noise down. "I'd nearly forgotten about the cheese man."

They shared a fond look and moved on to other topics, carefully avoiding anything too dark or mundane. After a glass of wine, they were both relaxed and Buffy began grilling Giles about his family and growing up in England. She was surprised to learn about his family ranch and his love of horses and dogs.

"You never said anything about animals before."

"We've never really talked about such things before."

"Well now we have to go riding."

"You ride?" he asked, taking another sip of wine.

Buffy nodded and popped a piece of cheese into her mouth, chewing it carefully to savor its flavor. "Yeah, Dad loved to put me through all kinds of lessons when I was younger. Nothing really did it for me until I learned how to ice skate."

"When was that?"

"Ten. For my birthday that year Dad took me to the ice show." She smiled down at her glass, running a finger along its rim. "All those figure skaters, doing such amazing things. Jumps and turns and landings, and they went around the rink so fast! I had to learn how to do that."

"How long did you stay with it?"

Buffy sighed and frowned, her shoulders slumping slightly. "Until I started having the slayer dreams. About fourteen." Her eyes darted to his then away again. "I was training for nationals and had to drop out because I couldn't get the rest I needed. Couldn't focus. It… that kind of distraction is too dangerous on the ice."

Giles sighed and reached across the table, covering her hand with his own. "I'm sorry, Buffy."

She shrugged, watching his thumb gently rub the side of her wrist. "It's not your fault. Anyway, I probably would've quit at some point. High school is so crucial when you're popular."

He didn't know what to say to that, and they sat in silence for a moment, hands joined on the table. The pianist started a new song, a soft piece with a pleasant melody and Buffy shifted, looking up at Giles with a grin.

"Hey Giles, wanna dance?"

He looked around the room; although there were only a few other couples present, most were eating or talking softly. No one seemed interested in dancing.

"Stop over thinking it, Giles."

Giles grinned and nodded, standing and offering his hand to her. They walked to a patch of floor big enough to simulate a dance floor. The pianist perked up and carefully segued into a more appropriate tune. Giles nodded at the man and stood straighter, locking an arm around Buffy's shoulders and connecting his left hand with her right. Gently, to make sure he didn't embarrass her, he started a simple waltz.

"What is this, Ballroom 101?" she asked, giggling softly. Giles chuckled and widened his steps, Buffy following his lead effortlessly. Soon they were floating around the meager dance floor, laughing and talking as the music carried them along.

When the final notes of the song caught his attention, Giles slowed them to a stop, dipping her slightly, Buffy pointing her toe to keep balance. He brought her back up and on impulse kissed her knuckles. Buffy blushed and ducked her head, a little surprised by his actions. Just as quickly her gaze flew up to his, bright and excited.

"Do you know how to Tango?"

"Well, I – um, it was part of my lessons, but –" he swallowed.

"Can you show me? It can't be much different from the flamenco stuff, can it?"