WDWG - Chapter 26: Quarrel

After showering and getting dressed, Buffy found Giles sitting on the leather sofa in the library with his feet propped up on the table and his MacBook resting on his lap, trying to type right handed.

Taking a seat next to him, she asked, "Watcha doin', Watcher-mine?"

"Chatting with Willow. Dear Lord, she babbles even when typing. I have trouble keeping up at the best of times, but here I am at a huge disadvantage." Giles sighed in modest frustration.

"Do you want help?"

"No, we're wrapping up now. Ironically enough, she has her meditation session starting in ten minutes, so she has to go. I did ask her if it were possible to have Anna come for a visit to study the scythe, though. She replied that she is leaving next weekend to meet Kennedy in Barcelona and they are going tour Spain for a couple weeks, but suggested they could set something up upon their return."

"Seems they're still friendly despite the change in relationship status."

"It would appear so."

"Since I talked to Dawn last night, the only one we're missing is Xander. Have you heard from him?"

"Just a quick email saying the coffee was good in Seattle, but he was confused by all the different ways to order the, and I quote, 'beanie beverage-y goodness'. He sends his love."

Buffy giggled as Giles relayed Xander's words, "Do you have any idea how much I love you?"

He gave her one of his wide grins as he closed his laptop and set it down on the table. Pulling her in close, they cuddled on the couch. "I missed you today."

"How much did you miss me?" Buffy asked, nuzzling her nose against his cheek.

"Mmm, it was as though the sun was shining, but there was no warmth." He whispered before brushing his lips along hers and nibbling up her jawline to her earlobe. Combing his good hand through her hair to the nape of her neck, the Watcher gently drew her closer to him.

The eager Slayer fisted her hands into his shirt as she melted into him and he again claimed her lips, exploring her mouth with his tongue. Unable to resist touching him, Buffy drew her hands down his torso brushing his hardening nipples and he broke the kiss abruptly gasping at the intimate touch. "Are you warming up now?" She asked in a sultry voice, her face smug.

"Children, the library is a place for reading and studying, and sometimes to take tea. Will you join me or do you have more pressing matters to attend to?" Sebastian chided good-naturedly, entering the room with his two hounds.

Giles jumped back on the couch and immediately went beet red having been caught out like a randy teenager making out with his girlfriend in his parents' home. Buffy, however, didn't miss a beat as she relaxed back into the cushions and armrest, and smiled at the older man, "Nope, definitely time for tea. We're having those yummy little sandwiches again, right? I'm starving after the ride and missing lunch."

"There will be plenty of goodies to keep starvation at bay." The older man replied, laughing and taking a seat in the large leather chair she had occupied the previous evening. Ivey, the wheaten wolfhound laid down next to him, relaxing at her master's feet, while her brother ambled his way over to the Slayer, taking a place next to her. He leaned in and rested his head on her shoulder, and her demeanor immediately softened as she curled up against him.

"I see Seamus has adopted you. He's usually rather wary of people he hasn't met before." Sebastian observed conversationally before switching subjects. "So, is your partner in crime joining us shortly?"

Snuggling with Seamus and absently rubbing his neck, Buffy replied, "Anna? No, she gave me a physical today and now she's heading back to her lab. With all the tests I took, I half expect her to clone me," she grumbled amiably. "Anyway, she's hoping to be back for dinner, if not, then for some rollicking fun pub games."

"Oh, well at least it's in a good cause then. I am sure she will find everything in order." Turning towards the door, the earl caught his butler's attention, "William, we'll take tea now, thank you."

Giles stood up, shoved his uninjured hand in his pocket, and started to pace before stopping to address his fiancée, "Did Anna find any traces of residual spells on you?"

"Nope, so far so good. She did say that my magickal thrum seemed okay, though." She responded.

"Magickal thrum?" The Watcher repeated with interest.

"Yeah, something about all Slayers having some sort of energy radiating from them. Since she's never met a Slayer before she wasn't sure what it was supposed to be like, but it was definitely coming from me and wasn't wrapped up in my aura or something, so things are fine. Did I ever mention how much I hate this mystical stuff?"

"On numerous occasions." Giles answered absently, his brow furrowed.

"What are you thinking, Ru?" Buffy asked with some concern.

Giles turned to his uncle, glasses in his free hand, "This thrum, as Anna puts it, could it be the natural vibration the Slayer emits once she's been activated?"

"I believe so. She's probably picking up on it since it is mystical in origin." Sebastian suggested.

"So, nothing to be worried about?" Buffy prodded.

"I wouldn't think so, my dear. It's as Rupert says, a natural vibration." The nobleman added with a confident tone.

Giles was lost in thought, staring at a shelf of old leather-bound books. The Slayer gave the wolfhound a quick scratch behind the ears, got up, and walked over to him. Gently laying a hand on his arm, she prodded, "You have your 'Watcher look' on."

Her touch pulled him from his thoughts, "Hmm? Oh, I was just thinking that I used to be so in tune with your vibration, but I can't remember when the last time it was that I was even aware of it."

"Maybe it's like white noise." She suggested. "After a while you get used to it and you don't notice it anymore. Do you feel it now?"

Giles hesitated before responding, "Yes, but it's ... different from what I remember."

"I'm different now. Older, and definitely wiser," Buffy joked before continuing, "Maybe it changes as the Slayer does. Anna didn't seem worried about it, Ru. Let's not make a big deal out of it. We're supposed to be relaxing, and as I said, so far so good, okay?"

"Perhaps you're right. I've not seen much written on the subject of the Slayer vibration. There have been only a handful of past active Watchers who possessed enough magick to have been aware of it." He conceded, drawing her into a reassuring hug, and pushing his worry to the back of his mind.

Looking over at the couple, Sebastian could see that both of them were uneasy despite trying to comfort the other and it tore at his heart. Neither one needed additional stress after all they had been through. Projecting an air of confidence, the older Watcher cleared his throat and insisted, "Alright, let's not go looking for trouble where there may not be any, you two." He watched as they shifted their attention to him and then added, "Ah, excellent! The tea has arrived. Now, how do you take yours, my dear?"

Moving out of her lover's embrace, the young woman took his hand, led him to the couch, and answered, "Cream and extra sugar, please."

"So, I have another sweet tooth in the family. Tell me, Rupert, do you still sneak an extra spoonful into your tea when no one is looking?"

Buffy giggled, and Giles, looking indignant, protested, "I have no idea what you are talking about, Uncle."

Sebastian winked at Buffy who was helping herself to a couple of sandwiches and a scone, "No matter, my boy. Now tell me, have you thought about this wedding of yours?"

"Some. We want to have it at All Saints and-"

"We were thinking ascots, morning coats, big hats and lots of family and friends, weren't we sweetie?" The bride-to-be babbled, interrupting her fiancé and giving him a big smile.

"Buffy-" Giles started.

"You know, the traditional English to-do that we Americans get introduced to in Brit-flicks." Buffy continued, turning back to the older man and ignoring the look of complete confusion clouding Giles' face.

"If you hadn't thought about it and would like to, you are more than welcome to use our chapel and have the reception here." His Lordship offered.

"Thank you, Uncle, but that's not necessary." Giles politely returned as he leaned back into the sofa, crossed his arms as best he could with the splint still on his hand, knitted his eyebrows together, and focused his best glare in Buffy's direction.

"I think it's important for both of us that we tie the knot in Ru's church." She added in support, feeling his eyes bore into her.

William interrupted the discussion when he entered the room, offering apologies and whispering something in his employer's ear. "Pardon me, but I have a call I must take," the older gentleman said, getting up from his chair, immediately followed by Ivey. Seamus watched his master leave but made no effort to go after him, lying on the floor next to Buffy's feet.

The moment the earl left the room, Giles pounced, his voice slightly amplified, "What the hell was that about?" The wolfhound raised his head and growled at him in warning, but the irritated Watcher gave the dog a stern look, and lowered his hand in a gesture for the dog to lie down. Seamus obediently settled back down with a snort, crawling slightly forward to place himself between the two. "I thought we agreed on a small ceremony."

"But, I finally get it, Giles, I really do-"

"Then please fill me in because I'm not following." Giles stood up quickly, startling the protective wolfhound, who immediately jumped up, guarding Buffy. "Oh, call your dog off!" He grumbled in an exasperated tone.

"Seamus, down!" She commanded, and he immediately dropped to his belly, but kept his alert eyes trained on Giles.

"I've known that dog since he was a puppy two years ago and here he is acting as though I'm a threat to you."

"It's definitely weird." Buffy acknowledged, rubbing Seamus' head. "Listen, sweetie, I've been thinking about the wedding and we should just go ahead and do the whole shebang. You were right to begin with. There are certain expectations, and traditions should be followed."

"And you were going to discuss this with me when exactly?"

"Later. Look, I wasn't the one who brought up wedding plans. That was your uncle, if you remember, and I think he'd like to see someone he's brought up like a son get married with all the pomp and circumstance befitting your title."

"He's not my father!" Giles answered angrily.

"No, he's not, but he might as well be. God, I feel like I've had this discussion before. Oh wait! I remember ... with my father, about you and Dawn."

"You've decided what's best, then? Is that it?"

"Hang on! You were the one who wanted the traditional wedding to begin with. I wanted to go to Vegas!" Buffy started to get worked up and she could feel the wolfhound's muscles tense beneath his skin.

"And now, all of a sudden, you are the defender of English upper class tradition?" The baronet growled through clenched teeth.

"Jesus, Giles! What is your problem? So, I didn't have a chance to discuss this with you. I apologize. I just want to do what's right. Forget it. Find me when you've calmed down." She got up and headed out of the library followed by Seamus, leaving the Watcher alone with the tea and snacks.

He watched her go clenching his jaw and running a hand through his hair, not quite understanding how he'd let his emotions get so out of control.

XxXxXxXx

Buffy found herself wandering through the kitchen garden with her faithful shadow trailing a few feet behind, the smell of the herbs calming her. She stopped and turned to face the wolfhound, "What's your deal, pup? How did we become such fast friends, huh?"

The giant dog sidled up next to her and leaned against her in a show of affection, almost knocking her over. Steadying herself, the Slayer felt her blood pressure lower a bit and leaned over to hug the giant hound around his strong neck. "I need to stretch my legs. How about you?" She asked congenially. Seamus looked up at her in anticipation and she stood tall, grinned, and took off on a jog, the dog loping a few feet behind to keep watch over her.

After half an hour of running and touring the gardens, they ended up at the stables where Buffy filled a bucket with water and set it down for her new friend before going over to the stalls and checking out the horses. There were six living in the stables, two of which were huge black draught horses. She stopped at the enclosure of the horse she rode earlier in the day and the chestnut gelding came over to her demanding affection. Reaching up, she petted his forehead, recalling how much she had enjoyed her ride with Anna. She sighed. If she could only remember how all the tack went on, she'd take the horse out again. Her jog had done her some good, but a gallop would definitely help clear her head. When she heard Seamus growl, she turned and crouched into a battle stance before laying eyes on Giles.

"Quiet, Seamus!" She ordered, relaxing her posture. Her companion looked at her, obeyed her command, and sat wary of the Watcher standing before him. Not knowing what to say, she shoved her hands into the pockets of her jeans and offered a quiet, "Hi."

"Hello, Buffy." Giles returned, equally hesitant. "I suppose I've sort of invaded Pooh's Thinking Spot?"

"I dunno," she said, shrugging unhappily. "I just ended up here."

"I find the horses are good listeners." He recommended, rubbing the back of his neck, looking adorably chagrined.

"I can go-" She muttered, removing her hands from her pockets and moving past him only to feel him lightly touch her arm.

"Love, please, wait."

"No. I think I need to go. I'm ... I'm not quite ready to talk this out just yet..."

He tried to make eye contact, but she kept her gaze trained on the floor. "Buffy, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to lose my temper. I just-"

Quickly looking up at him, she pleaded, "Please, let me go. We'll talk later."

Downhearted, Giles removed his hand and watched her leave. When she got to the door, she called the dog and he dutifully followed her, pointedly ignoring the Watcher on his way out.