Disclaimer: The only character I lay claim to is Angelika, who won't appear for a few chapters. All other characters belong to Joss and J. K. Rowling; I'm just borrowing them for my own amusement and hopefully the amusement of others.

Chapter 3: Where the Heart Lies

Summers' Residence

Buffy was at the Magic Box training, as per usual. She was surrounded by her friends and family. They were watching as she fought Giles…no a vampire; one that looks an awful lot like Giles. But she pushed that thought aside. Concentrate on the fight, Buffy. She ordered herself, as she got slammed to the ground.

The room went black and the vampire disappeared. When she looked up she saw Giles slowly walking towards her. He held out his hand to help her stand, all the while staring deeply into her eyes, straight to her soul. "Giles," she whispered, but was caught speechless as his lips captured hers in a deep and sensual kiss. He pushed her down onto a bed, and as soon as they were wrapped into each other he released his hold on her mouth and bared fangs. With one thought in mind he plunged down towards her neck.

"Giles!" Buffy woke up screaming.

Buffy looked around, noting that she was safe in bed. At least Dawn and her mom weren't home to hear her screaming. She closed her eyes, reliving the dream. It had felt so real. Regardless of how the dream had turned out, Giles had kissed her. She found herself needing to feel him. Perhaps they could train this afternoon…but first she had to see Willow.

As she was about to leave, the phone rang. "Hello," she found herself hoping it was Giles.

"Hey, Buffy." No such luck, it was Riley.

"Riley…what's up?"

"Did I catch you at a bad time?" was it just his imagination or was Buffy annoyed. She certainly sounded irritated with him, and not just lately. It seemed she was always trying to get rid of him lately.

"Um…no" she lied.

"I thought maybe we could get together later. You know, so we can talk." Riley was hoping she wouldn't blow him off. They really needed to get some things clear.

He knew he was reaching, but Buffy seemed so distant lately. All he heard about was Giles; Giles that, Giles this, Giles said…it was making him sick. Riley grinned. Once they spoke, he felt confident that she would always be his.

"Oh…I wish I could, but I can't. I've got to train and I promised Willow a girl's day out."

"You're always training." Riley sounded bitter as he continued, "And you see Willow every day."

"What do you want me to say?" It seemed whenever they spoke they always argued. She was getting tired of it. "Maybe we should just stop seeing each other. You know, go our separate ways."

"What? Why?" If possible, his voice went up two octaves. "Is it Giles?"

"This has nothing to do with Giles. All we do is argue; I hate to say it, but Giles is right. You don't understand." Before Riley could respond, Buffy hung up and walked out the front door.

UC Sunnydale Dorm

Buffy walked as fast as she could through the halls until she reached Willow's room. After knocking once, Willow answered the door. She could tell something was bothering Buffy and motioned for her to enter.

Buffy walked through the door and turned to face Willow, "I have a problem." Willow sat next to Buffy and listened as she recounted the dream.

"Wow…" was all Willow could say; she was speechless. Giles as a vampire was a scary thought. Not to mention it was one of Buffy's worst fears, especially now that she was starting to fall in love with him.

"You're telling me." Buffy took a deep breath before blurting, "I broke up with Riley this morning."

"Huh?" Willow couldn't see how that was connected, but then again this was Buffy…Buffy, who wanted to feel Giles' touch. No wonder she finally broke it off with Riley.

"I woke up craving Giles' touch. And I finally realized that he was right; Riley doesn't understand." Buffy sighed like she was deep in thought, "I just…I don't know what to do."

"Talk to Giles." Willow saw her friend tense up and her eyes go large, "Hey, don't worry…I'm sure everything will work out. You'll see."

"You think?" She smiled slowly, the thought of Giles made her stomach do flip flops. She didn't even want to think about it.

"Absolutely," Willow answered with a big smile. "Now, come on. Let's go out and have some fun." Willow dragged a giggling Buffy out the dorm room.

Late Afternoon; Magic Box

Buffy walked through the doors of the Magic Box to find Xander and Giles sitting at the table. "Hi, guys." She walked up to them making Xander jump.

"Geez, Buff; cool it."

"Sorry," Buffy apologized for her affect on Xander.

Giles gave her a warm smile and her stomach tightened. She could feel the butterflies soar through her center making her even more nervous. "I thought maybe we could train a little?"

"Of course," Buffy followed Giles to the back room while mentally going through her options. Perhaps she should just talk to him, but then again actions speak louder than words. She just wished she knew what to do; how to go about telling Giles.

"Giles…I had another dream last night."

"Really?" He turned to face her, not really sure where she was heading with this. He knew the dreams were about him, but in what context. What could she be thinking? He wanted so desperately to reach out and kiss her, but that would be wrong. If only he knew what to do; what she could be thinking.

Buffy nodded, "It was really intense." She looked up before continuing, "Also, it was the first time I woke up wanting…no, needing…" She blushed and looked down, not meeting his eyes. "It's stupid…never mind." She tried to brush it off, but Giles would have nothing of it.

He slowly walked over to her and placed his hands on her arms as if he were holding her in place. "Buffy, please look at me." He sounded so calm and gentle that she couldn't resist. She looked into his eyes and what she saw there made her breath catch with wonder. "It's not stupid or, or juvenile. Dreams can be very powerful. It's not uncommon to want or act on something from a dream."

"Really?"

She sounded so unsure, he just wanted to wrap his arms around her and take all her worries away. "Yes, really." She felt the knot in her stomach loosen at his words.

Being this close to Giles sent her nerves into overdrive. She craved his touch. Now she knew without a doubt that she had fallen, and fallen hard. She took a deep breath and plunged in. "I woke up needing to be close to you." She glanced down as though embarrassed. "To feel your touch…"

She trailed off, not sure what else to say. Had he heard her right? He couldn't be sure; only one way to be certain. He reached out to cup her cheek and slowly raised her face to look deep into her eyes. Before he could talk himself out of it, he lowered his face towards hers. Buffy could feel her stomach plummet down to her knees. Is this what love felt like?

Giles closed the distance giving her a sweet, undemanding kiss. He could feel Buffy responding to his touch. When he broke the kiss, Buffy wanted more with a fierceness she had never known. Passion enveloped them as Buffy put her arms around his neck and leaned in to give him a deep sensual kiss.

"Riley, stop!" Willow's scream broke through the air, forcing them to release each other. He ignored her and stormed into the training room, to see Buffy and Giles part. He was followed by Willow and Xander. Xander glanced at Willow noting the smile playing at her lips. He was too shocked to even begin to comprehend. He hadn't even seen it coming.

"What the hell are you doing?" Riley was furious. At his words, Willow's smile disappeared. Riley was really digging a hole now.

"What's it look like?" Buffy's anger rose like heat on the air.

"I can't believe you." He spat at her. Giles narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest. Clearly he was getting angry.

"Um, Riley…" Xander started, glancing around nervously at Giles, "I'd tread carefully if I were you. You don't want to make Giles mad. Which, clearly you are."

"Oh, really." Riley scoffed at Xander, clearly Unimpressed.

"Yeah, you haven't met Ripper, yet." Xander glanced at Giles, whose eyes had gone dangerously dark. "Trust me, you don't want to."

Buffy saw Xander fidgeting and glanced back at Giles. He was definitely approaching Ripper status. She lightly touched his arm, noticing that he relaxed instantly. His eyes lightened as he looked down at her. She whispered something in his ear.

Riley couldn't hear her, nor did he care. In one quick stride he was standing by them and reached out to yank Giles away from her. Buffy saw him out of the corner of her eye and pushed him back. "Leave my boyfriend alone!" She ordered.

"Boyfriend? He's just an old washed up Watcher, nothing more." He waved his hand in Giles' direction.

Buffy went from irritated to angry instantly, "Don't you ever talk about Giles like that! You don't have the right." She crossed the distance between them and hit Riley square in the chest, making him fly across the room.

He hit the wall and landed with a thump, clearly he was unconscious. Buffy backed away in shock as the tears began to flow.

"Geez, Buffy, what were you thinking?" Xander walked up to where Riley lay.

The tears started to flow readily. She glanced at Giles before running out the back.

"Xander…do you really think that was called for?" Giles glared at him and received a look that said, 'What?' He sighed, "Please…just stay here and make sure Riley's going to be fine. I've got to…" He trailed off while looking towards the back door.

"Go, Giles…she needs you." Willow told him and he retreated out the back door.

Giles walked out to find Buffy sitting on a bench and crying silently, "May I?" Without waiting for a response, he sat down next to her.

"Giles…what's wrong with me?" She immediately burst into a new set of tears.

"Nothing…Buffy, emotions are running high right now." Giles placed his arm around her, hoping to calm her fears. He chuckled slightly, "Besides, in my opinion, Riley was asking for it."

She sniffed, a small smile playing at her lips. She leaned into his embrace, relishing in the feel of him. "Giles, is this even normal?" She sighed contentedly, dreading his answer.

He found that question a bit odd, but given everything that's happened, not all that unexpected. "Who's to say what 'normal' is?" Buffy smiled as she glanced up at Giles, "There's that smile." At the risk of sounding mushy he added, "The sun always seems to shine brighter whenever you smile."

Buffy's eyes misted over as she smiled up at Giles. He kissed her gently on the lips, then she settled back down in his arms with a yawn. "I love you, Giles." Buffy whispered as sleep overtook her.

"I love you too." Giles grinned, knowing that whatever came their way, they would tackle it together.

Chapter 4: Love…?

Giles carried a sleeping Buffy into the Magic Box, where everyone was waiting. "Giles, what happened?" Willow stepped forward, followed by Tara.

"What?" Giles paused for a moment, "Oh…nothing, she's just sleeping." He smiled at Willow's concern.

Willow nodded, knowing that Buffy needed her rest, "That's good."

"What about Riley?"

"I think he just has a bruised ego. Otherwise, he'll be fine."

"Yeah, he just got up, looked at us…then left." Xander chimed in.

"Good, that'll make Buffy happy." Giles replied.

"Will it?" Xander snapped, before softening his tone, "I mean, she wouldn't of done that unless she wanted to, right?"

"Xander, Riley said some things that really seemed to upset Buffy." Willow defended her friend.

"Yeah, right." Was Xander's sarcastic response.

"W-Willow's right." Tara stuttered in agreement with her girlfriend.

"Just, go with me here," Xander started, "Those things were said about Giles." He glanced in Giles' direction, "Why didn't you do anything?"

"I don't have to defend myself to you." Giles stated, while walking to the front of the store.

After a moment, he noticed no one following. He glanced back at the stunned faces of their friends, "You coming?"

They glanced at each other, clearly uneasy, but followed him regardless. Giles glanced out the window, noticing how dark it had gotten and cursed quietly, "We'd best head to Buffy's…"

"Why?" Anya demanded of Giles.

He sighed exasperatedly, before responding, "There's been a lot of vampire activity lately. Buffy has informed me that they're hunting in packs. Since it's after dark, it only makes sense to stay together. So, let's grab some stakes and go."

"Oh…alright," Anya relented. It was clear that she had other things on her mind.

Buffy felt at peace in the arms of the man she loved. Giles was kissing her deeply, the rest of the world forgotten. Buffy's spider sense started tingling and she reluctantly ended the kiss. In the next moment, they were surrounded by vampires.

Buffy pulled out a stake and prepared for the attack that would surely follow. The first few vampires were no match for her, but as time wore on she grew more and more tired. It seemed she would dust one vamp and another would be there to take its place.

In the end, the vamps had gotten what they were after. Giles was gone and with him, the rest of the vamps disappeared.

"No!" Buffy screamed as she fell to her knees, "I love you…" She whispered as she paused out. When she awoke she found Giles standing over her.

"I was waiting for you." He knelt down by her side.

"But, Giles…they took you. I know they did." She protested feebly.

"No, Buffy." Giles grinned at her startled look. "It was just a dream." Clearly she didn't believe him.

"No!" She screamed at him, "I know what's real and what isn't!" She pushed at him.

His expression grew dark, "Suit yourself." He stood and turned his back on her.

As she watched him walk away, she saw a glint of yellow in his eyes and a feral smile, "No…"

A voice sounded as if from nowhere and everywhere, "Soon Slayer, your time will come. You will feel the pain of being killed by the one you love." The voice faded away.

"No! Giles!" Buffy screamed…

…as she jerked awake, falling from Giles' arms.

"Buffy…" Giles knelt down by her side.

"Good, we don't have to wake you." Xander responded to her outburst by throwing her a stake.

She caught it without thinking as she looked around them, "Giles…what's going on?"

"Vampires." He helped her to stand.

"Oh…" I SO don't need this right now. Buffy thought as she prepared for a fight.

The vampires were fairly weak, clearly they were newbies. The Scooby gang made quick work of them. A few punches and a stake through the heart later; they were dust.

Once they were alone, they headed to Buffy's house in silence.

The Summers' Residence; Kitchen

"So…am I going crazy?" Buffy had just finished telling Giles about her latest dream.

"Ah, no…" He grinned and walked towards her, "At this point, they seem to be leaning more towards fears of what could happen…but it wouldn't hurt to research it some." He proceeded to give her a hug to help console her fears.

Meanwhile in the living room

The gang had just settled down when they heard a knock at the door. Willow sighed and stood to answer it. "Riley…"

"Where's Buffy?" He demanded, none too gently.

"I don't think…"

"Don't argue, Willow." Riley moved to push past Willow, when Tara went to stand by her side, who was followed by Xander.

"Keep your distance." Xander's threat went unsaid.

"It's all right, guys. You can let him in." Buffy and Giles walked in from the kitchen.

"We need to talk." Was all Riley said as he moved across the threshold and passed her friends.

Buffy crossed her arms over her chest, "We have nothing to talk about." She turned her back on him.

"Please, Buffy." He stepped towards her, pleading, "Don't do this…not here." He glanced at her friends nervously.

Her demeanor relaxed slightly and she lowered her arms. Perhaps they should talk in private; he did seem rather adamant. She was about to respond when Giles stepped towards her.

He glanced at Riley, whose expression darkened, before leaning down towards Buffy, "Talk to him." He whispered before placing a kiss on her cheek.

Buffy turned to face Riley, "Let's talk."

Buffy sat on her bed while Riley paced. Neither one was talking. Finally, Buffy couldn't take it, "So…talk." She requested quietly.

Riley paused in his pacing to glance at Buffy's seemingly calm form, "What the hell was that back there?" He demanded.

Buffy remained silent. "Well?" Riley growled impatiently.

This time Buffy stood, her anger wrapping around her like a shield. "When, exactly, would that be, huh? When I hit you or when I kissed Giles?"

Riley was taken aback for a moment, then his eyes widened as the realization hit him. "You what?"

"I'm not ashamed, Riley." Buffy declared quietly "I'm in love with Giles."

"You can't be serious." He scoffed at her.

When she didn't' respond, he started to doubt his strategy. "Why him?" He whispered.

"Why do you care?" She responded defensively.

"I just have to know. Please?"

"He understands." Was her cryptic answer.

"And I don't?" He couldn't believe his ears.

"Giles never asks me to be more than what I am. You expect me to break down and ask you for help, like I can't handle myself."

"I don't…" Riley interrupted, but didn't get too far.

"Riley, I'm the Slayer. I can't stop being what I am. This is destiny, Riley…mine."

She turned her back on him signaling the end of their talk. "Do you love him?" Riley just wouldn't quit.

"With all that I am."

Riley forced her to face him. He looked into her eyes to see the tears falling. Why cry over this? He knew she still loved him; her tears confirmed it.

"Just leave, Riley. Please…leave this alone." She pointed towards the door. Without another word, he walked out slamming the door in his wake.

Buffy was furious. She couldn't believe Riley. Just relax. She ordered herself. When she had calmed down, she left the sanctity of her room and slowly descended the stairs.

Her friends were whispering quietly, as though Buffy weren't there. One glance at her friends told her that something was wrong. "Where's Giles?"

Willow glanced up at her best friend. "How could you?" Willow couldn't believe what Buffy had done; so much for love.

Buffy looked confused at Willow's question. "I didn't' do anything."

"You can't lie. Riley told us." Xander accused.

"Riley?" Buffy couldn't make heads nor tails of this. What could he of said? Buffy's expression darkened, "He's so dead." She stated, while heading towards the door.

She turned back towards her friends, "One last time, where's Giles?"

"He-he left." Tara mumbled.

"What? I have to find him." She went straight into Slayer mode, forgetting the door for the moment. She raced up the stairs and to her stash of weapons. She grabbed a few stakes and took off, running with all the speed she had.

"Hey, Buff. What's with the rush?" Xander asked her fleeing form.

Giles was holding a stake and staring at the ground as he walked. He knew Riley had just been blowing off steam, but still given the differences between them…Giles shook his head to clear it. He was such a fool, but Buffy held his heart. He loved her with a fierceness he had never known, just to have his heart crushed.

So lost in his own thoughts, he never saw Spike standing in front of him until it was too late. Giles caught his composure and glared at the vampire, "Spike…"

"Watcher," Spike greeted him with a wicked grin, "Out for a stroll?"

"What's it to you?" Giles growled at him.

The grin disappeared from Spike's face, "Just watch your back." With Spike's warning in the air, he fled the scene.

Giles knew something was wrong, if Spike's attitude was any indication. Pushing it to the back of his mind, he started walking down the street. With his eyes glued to the ground, he almost missed the danger. He stopped suddenly, the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end. He looked up to see at least ten vampires surrounding him.

So much for sulking he thought as they advanced.