Chapter 25: Home

Dumbledore's Office

"You should be resting, Rupert." Dumbledore admonished as he took in Giles' haggard appearance.

Giles wasn't in the best of shapes, but he was determined to get Buffy home to her family, no matter the cost. "I have been resting," he sighed and rubbed his forehead, "but, really, we must get back to Sunnydale. Buffy's mother must be frantic at this point."

"I'm not sure you're strong enough to make the trip." Dumbledore observed, his eyes crinkling with worry. "Why don't you just call Mrs. Summers? I'm sure she won't mind and I'll feel better if you waited a few more days."

Ethan snorted, but remained silent. Buffy glared, but he just grinned back unrepentant, before regarding Dumbledore, "It's not that simple. Even if I called her, it wouldn't be good enough. Giles is right, we have to leave and soon."

Dumbledore sighed, knowing that this argument was one that he wouldn't win, "I still don't think you should be apparating."

"Then we'll fly." Giles replied, daring someone to object.

"That may not be any better." Ethan remarked.

"Then what do you suggest?"

"Angelika should take you." Snape replied, "Her mode of transport is not so draining. Besides, I know she wants to see Spike."

"Then it's settled. We leave tonight."

"What about me?" Giles laughed at Ethan's indignant tone as they exited the office. They were finally going home. Giles hadn't felt this good in a very long time.

Sunnydale: Summers' Residence

Joyce Summers was pacing. It had been a week since the children had returned, but Buffy and Giles still had not. She was slowly going crazy with worry, if her dreams were any indication. "What could be taking them so long?"

"I'm sure they're fine, mom." Dawn had been saying that a lot lately, if only her mother would believe her.

"Then where are they?" Joyce flopped down on the couch in frustration, just as the door opened admitting Xander and Willow, followed by Cordelia, Wesley, and Gunn.

"Any word?" Xander asked, much the same way he did every day.

"No, nothing, and it's driving me crazy." Joyce snapped. Everyone looked at each other, not sure what to say, it seemed as though Mrs. Summers was finally at her wits end.

"Don't worry, Mrs. Summers." Willow sat down next to Joyce, "Giles will protect Buffy."

Joyce sighed, "I'm sorry. I just wish I knew what was taking so damn long."

As if her words were a command, the air shimmered with magical energy revealing Buffy holding a bedraggled Giles. Joyce jumped up immediately, and went to her daughter's side.

"I'm fine, Luv. Really, no need to fuss."

Joyce's eyes narrowed in anger at Giles' words. Something was definitely going on between her daughter and her Watcher. That was unacceptable; she had to find a way to stop it. Hopefully her daughter wasn't completely under his thumb and would see reason.

"Giles, you are not fine. Now sit down." Buffy demanded as she helped him to the couch, and proceeded to sit next to him, noticing that Angelika was already gone off looking for Spike. Hopefully, she'd remember to be careful, but no matter. Buffy really couldn't worry about that. Not with her mother staring at her with a look of pure anger. She had never seen her mother look quite so mad before.

"Hey, mom." She smiled slightly, hoping to ease her frazzled nerves, while trying to appease her mother's anger.

"Don't you dare, Buffy." She warned, "Where the hell were you?"

Before Buffy could respond, Giles interrupted, "Joyce, this really isn't Buffy's fault."

Joyce's anger then turned on Giles, "You're right. I blame you and that damn destiny."

"Mom!" Buffy was on her feet in an instant. "Giles needed me. I couldn't just leave him." She was near tears now, but she stubbornly held them at bay.

Joyce, ignoring her daughter, turned on Giles once more, "I think you should leave. Now." No one spoke as they all waited to see what Buffy would do.

"What? No!" She practically screamed at her mother. "It's still dark out. I won't take that chance."

"Buffy, I won't be spoken to in that manner." Joyce replied firmly. "We need to talk and I won't have that man here listening."

Giles reached out and grabbed Buffy's hand. Turning to face him, she could see his signature smile and it warmed her insides. "You really should talk with your mother. Why don't I wait for you on the back porch?"

"Are you sure?"

"Very. In fact, perhaps Dawn could keep me company?" Buffy smiled at Giles. He really was too good to be true and he took such good care of her.

That was how Giles ended up on the back porch with Dawn, while Buffy was having a heated discussion with her mother in the kitchen.

"Mom, you need to relax."

"Don't tell me to relax, young lady. Just what is going on?" Joyce narrowed her eyes in suspicion.

"I fell in love." Buffy sighed dreamily as she thought of Giles.

"What about Riley?"

"He didn't understand, mom." Buffy tried to explain it, but her mother just didn't get it.

"And Rupert does? Buffy that man is more than twice your age." Joyce couldn't believe her ears. How could her daughter claim to love a man more than twice her age? A man that she herself had been with?

"So? I'm the Slayer, mom. I may not get another chance at happiness and I love Giles. Why can't you just be happy for me?"

"Don't worry, Giles. Mom'll come around."

"I've no doubt that she will." Giles smiled down at Dawn and placing his arm around her shoulders he kissed her forehead.

"What is it?" Dawn asked as she felt Giles' back stiffen, before he stood.

"Hopefully, nothing. You should stay back." He cautiously took several steps and stopped as if he could sense the malevolent force. That was when several men jumped out and attacked.

Dawn watched frozen in fear as Giles attempted to fend them off. Giles knew he couldn't hold them off and casting was out of the question as his strength was still too low for that type of excursion. Blocking a punch, he grunted as another man nailed him in the side of the head and down he went.

"Giles!" Dawn started to cry in earnest. She wanted to go to him, but that would be stupid; there were too many of them. She would be captured and then where would they be? No, she had to play this smart. Buffy. I have to get Buffy. She'll know what to do.

Joyce was regarding her daughter in silent speculation. And to be honest, Buffy was grateful for it. She wished her mother would understand, but knew it was a lost cause. "I'm sorry this bothers you, but I can't change how I feel. I won't."

Joyce reached towards her daughter and started lightly rubbing her arms. "How do you know that what he feels for you is…" She shrugged not really sure how best to phrase it, then settled on, "love?"

Buffy looked at her mother in shock. How could she even think that? "You think he's what? Using me? Get real." She was fuming; her mother had gone too far.

Buffy! The voice was not her mothers, but it invaded her senses and was spoken softly almost as if it were uttered involuntarily. Perhaps a reflex of some sort? It was gone so suddenly, that she couldn't be sure if she had heard anything at all. "Did you hear that?"

Joyce tilted her head as she regarded Buffy.

"Buffy!" Dawn's voice interrupted them and sent a chill down Buffy's spine. That was when she knew something was wrong. She started to run passed her mother or tried to, at any rate, but was stopped by Joyce clutching her arm. "Where do you think you're going? We are not through here."

Buffy wrenched her arm free. "Yes, we are. Giles needs me."

Without another word she turned and ran into Dawn.

"Dawn?" Buffy grabbed her sister's arms to hold her in place, "What's wrong? Where's Giles?"

By this point, Xander and Willow had entered the kitchen to find Dawn crying uncontrollably. "I…I couldn't…I'm sorry, Buffy. They took him."

Buffy wiped a stray lock of Dawn's hair behind her ear, "It's not your fault, Dawnie. Did you see who grabbed him?"

"No, it was too dark." Her tears had started to quiet some. "I let him down." She whispered as the shock started to set in.

"No, Dawnie. You listen to me." Buffy ordered, "Giles would be the first person to tell you that it wasn't your fault. And deep down you know it too." Buffy kissed her sister's cheek, "Don't worry, we'll find him."

"You got that right." Xander announced with a grin, "No one messes with the G-Man and gets away with it."

Chapter 26: Riley's Vengeance

Sunnydale: Warehouse District

Giles groaned and slowly opened his eyes. He was chained against a wall in what appeared to be one of the dingiest warehouses. Testing the restraints, he swore when he realized that he was not yet strong enough to break free. "So nice of you to join us."

"Riley?" It was indeed the young soldier standing before him. Although, he doubted Riley's own mother would recognize him at this point. "What's the meaning of this?"

Riley shrugged his shoulders, "The vampires want you. Can't imagine why. Can you?" Suddenly he grinned and Giles knew that he was in trouble. Riley was no longer the rational man that had joined the initiative so long ago.

Summers' Residence

"I have to do something." Buffy was paving. She hated feeling helpless.

"You can't go off half-cocked." Joyce stated vehemently. Buffy looked as though she was about to run out the door.

"Your mom's right, Buffy." Willow pointed out gently.

"I know, I know. It's just…" Buffy sighed and resumed pacing, "He needs me, Wills."

"What about his magic? Can't he do a spell or something?"

Buffy stopped to consider Cordelia's question. It was a valid point, however Giles was still so weak. Shaking her head, Buffy tried to explain, "He's still feeling the effects of that last spell. I don't think he's strong enough for any casting. No, we have to find him." She growled in frustration.

"Easy, Buff." Xander cautioned, "Let's think about this. Could they've taken him to the mansion?"

"Angel's there," Cordelia reminded him.

"So? Maybe he's in on it."

"Please, after Giles saved his life? No way would Angel leave him hanging."

Xander flushed in embarrassment, "OK, so that's out."

Buffy… The voice was whisper soft, followed by a scream so profound it had Buffy on her knees. Joyce was there in an instant helping her daughter to stand. "What is it? What's happened?"

"Giles…" Buffy wiped the tears from her eyes, "They're torturing him."

"You can't possibly know that." Joyce insisted.

"What did you see?" Despite Joyce's reservations, Willow knew that the bond between Buffy and Giles was strong and ran deep.

"It was more of a feeling…" Buffy closed her eyes, trying to concentrate. There had to be more to it than that. Snapping her eyes open she regarded her friends, "Vamps. They have him in the warehouse district." There was an edge to her voice as she went to the door. "Let's go." She opened the door and nearly ran into Ethan Rayne.

"You feel it too. Don't you?"

"What the hell do you want?" Xander scowled, as if this night could get any worse. Now they had to deal with Ethan Rayne.

"Xander, don't." Buffy held up her hand to forestall any arguments. "Can you track him?"

"I can." Ethan looked smug, but Buffy didn't care as long as he could find Giles. Finally her breathing relaxed. With Ethan's help, they would save Giles; she was sure of it and with that surety, she felt a cold determination course through her veins.

Warehouse District

"What happened to you?" Giles whispered, not really expecting an answer. Riley had so far stayed in the shadows while the vamps prowled around restlessly.

Now Riley stepped forward showing his true visage, that of a monster. "I grew up." There was a fierceness to his eyes, as they glowed yellow in the darkness.

"Why, Riley? You know Buffy will just kill you like she will you friends."

"Not if we have you, Watcher!" A Vampire snarled before punching Giles on the side of his face. He could feel his head slam back against the wall and a trickle of blood trail down his cheek.

"So, what? I'm bait?" Giles snorted, "She won't fall for it."

True to his word, Ethan had led them to Giles. Buffy was now sporting a crossbow and several stakes. Xander and Anya, Willow and Tara were all on the room with Buffy and Ethan watching as Giles taunted the Vampires below. The others were hunting for another way to enter the warehouse unnoticed. Their only chance was if they could even the odds.

"What's he doing?" Xander whispered urgently.

"Trying to stay alive." Ethan responded with a grimace as they saw Giles being punched in the gut.

"By taunting him? How's that work?"

"He's buying us time, Xander." Buffy continued to look around for an entrance. She motioned for Ethan to help her raise the windowpane, so that she would have a clear shot with the crossbow. Incidentally now they could see and hear better.

"You know, you're right." Buffy gasped as she recognized Riley's voice, "Perhaps I'll just cripple you and leave your broken body for her to find." He motioned for a vampire with a knife to approach the Watcher. "That should settle a few scores, don't you think?"

That was it, Buffy couldn't wait any longer. Taking aim she let the crossbow bolt fly. With a whoosh, the knife wielding vamp burst into dust and all hell broke loose. Buffy could hear Ethan start to chant and vaguely wondered what mischief he was up to, but quickly dismissed it. She had other problems to deal with.

The vampires knew they were outnumbered and attempted to flee, only to be shot down by Buffy's crossbow. She let sail half a dozen bolts, each one nailing their target, before dropping down into the warehouse.

Ethan's spell having worked its magic caused the remaining vamps to be frozen and unable to fight back. Buffy left the others to deal with them while she went to Giles' side. He was barely conscious and there were cuts all along his chest and arms.

"Oh, Giles…" She whispered, while caressing his face. It was all too much and she started to cry quietly.

"Please, don't cry." Giles moved into her palm, loving the feel of her hands on him. The pain having lessened a bit with Buffy now by his side.

Buffy smiled. Even in the midst of his pain all he cared about was her. That made it all the more heartbreaking and she kissed him lightly.

"Sorry to interrupt, you love birds." Ethan walked towards Giles, "but I thought you might want to get out of here."

Sunnydale General

Angel and his crew had left for LA. Something about a big bad heading their way. Buffy couldn't really remember. She was just glad that Giles was back, safe and sound. There was still no sign of Riley and when Buffy found him she vowed to destroy that monster in the most painful way possible.

Buffy was pulled out of her musings when Giles groaned as if in pain. Reaching over, she trailed her fingers through his hair and whispered, "Shh, Giles. I'm right here. You're safe." She kissed his cheek and smiled as he settled down.

The next morning, Buffy's mother walked in determined to speak with Rupert Giles. She just didn't count on her daughter standing in her way.

"Can't this wait, mom?"

"No, Buffy, it can't." Joyce sighed as she took in her daughters form. "I know we don't always see eye to eye, but this is something that I must do. Please, respect that."

Buffy opened her mouth to give a scathing retort when she felt Giles grasp her hand. "Luv?" She glanced down at him and smiled at the endearment. "Your mother's right. We should talk. Don't worry," he smiled for good measure, "It'll be fine."

Not caring that her mother was there, she leaned down and gave him a sensual kiss that took his breath away. "I'll be right outside if you need me." With a final look to her mother, she left the room.

Joyce regarded Giles in silence, not really sure where to begin, but knowing that they had to talk. Finally, she settled with: "My daughter loves you."

"I know." Giles responded softly, "I've often wondered what I did to deserve such a wonderful, courageous, and striking woman such as Buffy love me."

The reverent way in which he spoke of Buffy brought a tear to her eye, but her job was to take care of her daughter and this man just wasn't good enough. "Rupert, Buffy is still so young." She sighed, "This whole thing feels wrong."

"Joyce, I understand you reservations." Giles paused to catch his breath and then looked directly in her eyes, "I love your daughter…more than anything. I'm sorry if this causes you distress, but I can't just stop loving her. She completes me, like no other."

It was clear that even such a short speech tired him out as he closed his eyes and his breathing grew shallow. Buffy ran passed her mother to check on Giles' condition. She grabbed his hand and was relieved to see his breathing return to normal. Turning to her mother, she glared, "You need to leave, mom. Giles needs to rest."

Joyce regarded her daughter with solemn eyes, "Buffy, "I only ever wanted you to be safe."

"I am safe, mom." She glanced at Joyce briefly, before gazing at Giles in adoration, "Being with him makes me feel safe and protected." She trailed her fingers down his cheek.

Looking at them, Joyce sighed, they appeared to be in their own little world. Knowing now was not the time to show Buffy that this relationship was doomed, she slowly eased back towards the door. Before closing the door she could hear buffy whisper, "I love you." To which Giles smiled before pulling her down for a kiss.