"Is it possible that you have feelings for him?"

Buffy nibbled on her bottom lip as she gave real thought to the question. "I might," she admitted.

Buffy handed Tara a bowl of popcorn before sitting back down with one of her own. The last few minutes had been pretty quiet while the girls collected some comfort foods. "So, what do you guys think?"

Willow tugged on the strings of he pajama bottoms. "Well, you already knew there was something hinky about the Initiative. Look what they did to Spike."

"Not exactly complaining there," Buffy interjected. "A harmless Spike is a good thing."

"True," Willow said with a grin. "What this boils down to is, can you trust Ethan?"

Buffy looked at them both, wishing she knew how to explain her feelings so they would understand. "He knew what kind of salad dressing I like," she said softly. "He knows my favorite flower. He bought me ice cream because I was upset. He was sweet and attentive and a complete gentleman."

"I-it seems to m-me, the real question is, do you w-want to have a relationship with th-this man?" Tara asked.

Buffy looked at them worriedly. "Would you hate me if I said yes?"

Willow looked at Tara questioningly. The shy young woman nodded with a small smile. "Well, since we're being open about relationships, I have something to tell you."

Buffy was immediately on alert. "Oz?"

Willow shook her head and took Tara's hand in hers. "Tara and I are dating."

Buffy's jaw dropped and she stared at the two women for a long moment. After several seconds she closed her mouth and swallowed. "Oh."

"Oh?" Willow repeated. "Just 'oh'?"

Buffy blinked a couple of times. "Well, it explains a lot."

Tara looked at Buffy worriedly. "Are y-you mad?"

The Slayer shook her head quickly. "No! Of course not! Surprised. A bit wigged that I didn't notice before. But mad? Why would I be?"

"Because I'm gay now," Willow suggested.

Buffy rolled her eyes. "You're also Jewish and a witch. I'm the Slayer with a vampire ex-boyfriend. Xander attracts female demons like an ice cream truck attracts kids. Giles raised a demon and owns half the tweed in the country. Your ex is a werewolf. I'm pretty sure none of us have room to judge."

Willow jumped off the bed and threw her arms around Buffy's neck tightly. She sobbed loudly into her neck. "I was so worried all of you would think this was just a phase or experiment!"

Buffy hugged her tight and gave Tara a gentle smile. "I love you, Will. You're my best friend. I'll always support you." She looked across the room at Tara and held out her other arm. Tara shyly moved forward to hug them both. "Besides, I like Tara. She's one of us."

Tara gasped softly in wonder before sinking fully into the hug. She thanked the Goddess for bringing her to Willow.

Ethan expected a visit from Ripper. Of course, he expected his old friend to burst in and beat him to a bloody pulp. He didn't expect Ripper to knock calmly and walk in with a pizza and six pack of beer. "This almost looks like a friendly visit." he said sarcastically.

Giles set the pizza and beer on the Formica table and sat down on a chair. "Why Buffy?" he asked, getting right to the point.

Ethan's expression closed off. "What do you mean?"

Giles snorted. "Now is not the time to prevaricate with me, Ethan. What are you up to with Buffy?"

Ethan stared at Giles, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "You know me, Ripper. Anything for a laugh."

Giles stared at him in shock. "Dear lord! You love her!"

Ethan sputtered angrily. "Are you daft? She's the bloody Slayer! A goody two shoes!" He began pacing between the bed and table with quick steps. "Always getting in the way! Screwing up my fun!" He stopped and pointed a finger at Giles. "And self-righteous to boot! Plus, she's a child! Half my age!"

Giles leaned back in the chair and crossed his ankles. He reached for a beer and opened it, taking a sip. "You've got it bad, my old friend."

Ethan glared at Giles for several seconds before grabbing a beer, opening it and downing half of it's contents in one gulp. He dropped down into the other chair and sighed heavily. "How did I come to this?" he grumbled. "Bloody chit works her way under a bloke's skin without even trying. Like an itch you can't scratch away. She's such a fighter. Not just physically. She puts everything she is into it. She risks not just her body, but her mind and her heart."

Giles nodded and sipped his beer as he reached forward and opened the pizza box. "It's impossible not to love her. She is everything good and true in a world full of cruelty, evil and pain."

"How did you escape it?" Ethan asked. "How did you not fall for her, as well?"

Giles gave a bark of laughter. "Who says I did escape? I love her. More than my own life. But I have the comfort of our bond on my side. A true bond between watcher and slayer is paternal in nature. I am able to funnel the love I feel for her through that bond. Buffy is more than my Slayer. She is my daughter in all but blood or legality."

"Then you're the lucky one," Ethan said, picking up a slice of pepperoni pizza. "So, is this where you warn me away from her? Tell me I'm not good enough? Because I already know that, my friend."

Giles shook his head as he chewed. "No. Tonight we reminisce about good times and share a few laughs. Without turning me into a demon, thank you."

"And tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow is for you to deal with."

Ethan chewed silently as he thought about what Ripper had said. "You know she let me go, right? Helped me escape from the soldier boys."

"I know. I also know you gave her your mother's cross."

He pulled it from under his dress shirt. "She gave it back. That hurt, strangely enough."

Giles sighed and looked at Ethan calmly. "I don't know what to tell you, Ethan. I'm not sure you can be trusted. I believe you love her. I'm just not sure that will keep you from hurting her."

Ethan finished his beer and reached for another. "Neither am I," he admitted weakly.