Hello! I once again want to remind you of the English to Italian via Google Translator disclaimer. So if it doesn't make sense, sorry.

Chapter 13

Buffy woke with a groan. Her back ached. She tried to move and stretch, but something was pressing her down. Opening her eyes she saw a mess of wavy hair laying on her chest. Giles arms were wrapped tightly around her back, like he was hugging a pillow. Something he must have thought she was. His head was on her chest while the rest of him was on top of her and stretched between her legs. No wonder her back hurt. Though his was probably worse.

She ran her fingers through his hair. Though she ached, she wasn't quite ready to wake him up yet. It was such a peaceful, cozy moment. She racked her nails along the back of his neck and he moaned. He slightly moved his head and his stubble scraped against her. The sensation caused her to chuckle. He turned his head slightly more and kissed her chest a few times before looking up at her. He gave her a sleepy grin. "Good morning." he said in a husky voice.

She smiled back. "Good morning. Sleep well?"

He chuckled. "Mmm. Not every morning I wake up between the legs of a beautiful woman."

"Pity."

"Indeed." She flicked his ear. "Ow! Not as nice."

She giggled. There was a small knock at the door. "Buffy?" Willow asked softly. "Are you awake?"

Giles tensed but Buffy just gently rubbed his back. "Yeah, Will. Not dressed though. What's up?"

"We were going to head out to the Isle of Palms for the day. Want to come?"

"Sorry, Will. I've got some sight seeing plans with Giles already. But we will definitely bond at the bachelorette party tonight, promise."

"Do you know where Giles is? Andrew has been looking for him and he isn't in his room."

Giles looked up at Buffy with a curious expression. "I just woke up," Buffy replied. "Unless you think Giles is in here, how would I know where he is?"

"Well, if you see him, let him know Andrew is looking for him. He is coming with us to the island. Are you coming down for breakfast?"

Giles hung his head. He loved Willow, but couldn't she just go?

"Yeah, just give us-ME!" Giles head shot up. "Just give me a few minutes." Buffy bit her lip.

If Willow had heard anything odd, she didn't point it out. "Okay, I'll save you a seat."

Buffy heard Willow head down the stairs. "Smooth," Buffy mumbled. She looked at Giles. "Hey, by the way, Andrew is looking for you."

"Really? Well, thank you for telling me." He smiled at her and she giggled. He tried to get up and froze. "Oh good god," he groaned.

"Doesn't seem the best way to wake up now, does it?"

Buffy headed out first to make sure the coast was clear. She waved Giles out and he rushed to his room to change and freshen up. Buffy went downstairs to meet Willow for breakfast.

It was just Willow and Portia in the dining area when Buffy got down there. "Where is everyone?" Buffy asked.

Willow spoke up. "Mandy and Alex are out cruising on a golf cart around the grounds. Andrew is off playing 'Where in the World is Mr. Rupert Giles?' who still has not been located. Hope he is okay."

"I'm sure he's fine," Buffy stated. "Probably just went out for a walk or ride or something."

"Or something," Portia said with a grin. Willow looked oddly at Portia and Buffy's eyes went wide. The smile slipped from her face and she cleared her throat. "Probably a walk, yeah."

Willow looked between the two. "Am I missing something?"

"No," but replied in unison.

"Okay, now I know I'm missing something," Willow shifted in her seat out of intrigue. "Spill it. What's going on?"

Buffy sat in the chair next to Portia, opposite Willow. "It's nothing, Willow. Really."

Willow put on her resolve face. Buffy looked down at the table. Willow turned it on Portia. The woman swallowed nervously. She quickly glanced at Buffy then back. "I'm sorry, Will," Portia said. "I promised my silence."

Willow's resolve face turned to worry face. "Silence? Is everything okay? Is he ill?"

"He's not ill. He's okay," Buffy reassured.

"Then why won't you tell me, Buffy?" Willow asked, sadly.

"There's just... I can't. Not yet. I'm sorry."

"But... you will? Eventually?"

Buffy gave her a sad smile. "If I can, yes."

"You're not fighting again, are you?"

Buffy chuckled. "No, we are not fighting."

"Okay, good, cuz I don't think I can handle the stress of a Buffy/Giles knock down – drag out the rest of the week." Buffy reached her hand across the table and patted Willow's with a smile.

While she was up getting her coffee and a bagel, Giles entered the dining area. Willow lept out of her seat and slammed into him with a hug. He huffed in surprise and looked to both Buffy and Portia for an answer, but Willow spoke first.

"Where were you? Andrew has been looking for you everywhere for over an hour. We were so worried!"

"I, uh, I went for a walk."

Willow pulled back. "But you've just showered."

"And then I took a shower," Giles added. He quickly glanced at Buffy, but Willow saw it.

Willow looked between the three of them again. "This is me not knowing the thing again, isn't it?"

"What?" Giles asked, generally confused.

"Buffy won't tell me what's wrong with you!"

"Willow! I told you, there is nothing wrong with him!"

"Wrong with me?"

"Then why the secrets? Is he dying? Are you dying?!"

"Buffy?" Giles asked, not knowing what was happening.

"Ugh! We kissed, okay? Giles and I kissed. Alex saw us the other night and then last night on the boat. Are you happy now, Willow?!" Buffy stormed off leaving three shocked faces in her wake.

The three stood there in silence for near a minute. No one really knew what to say.

Except Willow.

"So... you're not dying, right?"

Buffy rushed up to her room and shut the door. She couldn't believe she just blurted that out in front of everyone. Well, Willow, Portia, and Giles. And even then Willow was the only one who didn't know. At least she hadn't mentioned they had slept together. She was in such trouble.

She jumped at the knock on the door. "Buffy? Can I talk to you, please?" Willow softly spoke through the door.

Buffy sighed. She reached out and turned the knob, revealing her sad looking friend on the other side. She stepped back. "Come on in, Will."

Willow walked in and Buffy shut the door behind her. "I'm sorry, Buffy. Really. I... I don't even know. I got so worried and... We had no warning with Xander. It just... It just happened. And... Giles..."

Buffy crossed her arms over her chest. "I told you there was nothing to worry about. That everything was fine."

"I know. I'm sorry. I'm sorry." The two friends stood apart and watched one another. Buffy was the first to look away. Willow stepped slightly closer. "Are you okay?"

Buffy nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"No," Willow said, stepping closer and putting her hands on Buffy's arms. "I mean... are you okay?" Her eyes stared into Buffy's trying to convey her exact meaning. Buffy's bottom lip slightly started to tremble. Willow wrapped her arms around Buffy as her friend silently cried. "Oh, Buffy." She stroked her hair until Buffy pulled away, wiping a tear off her cheek. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"I wouldn't even know what to say."

"Well... was it a nice kiss?"

Buffy chuckled. She sat down on the edge of the bed. "Yes. It was a nice kiss."

Willow sat next to her. "How many times have you kissed? Just the two times?" Buffy bit her lip and looked to the floor. "Okay, more than twice. Don't need specifics. Did you..." Willow trailed off and Buffy squeezed her eyes shut. "Did you break up with Tony?"

Her head shot up to Willow's gaze. "No!" She wasn't sure why she was so adamant about that.

"Oh. Are you going to tell him?"

Buffy slightly shook her head. "I don't know, Will. I don't know what's happening. I don't know what I'm doing. I don't know what I'm feeling... I just don't know." Buffy stared at the floor. "Actually, I do know something. I know that I like this... whatever it is, with Giles."

"Do you love him?" Buffy's eyes went wide and she looked panicked. "Okay! Okay! Question too big. Nevermind. Nevermind. How about Tony? Do you still love him?"

"I do," she whispered. She looked at her hands. "God, I'm screwing everything up."

"Buffy..."

"No, I am. Someone's going to get hurt. At least that I know." Her phone started to ring. Buffy stood and walked to the vanity where her phone was laying. She chuckled sadly as she read the screen. "Speak of the devil," she muttered. She lifted the phone to her ear. "Hey, Tony."

Giles stepped out onto the porch. The air was already thick with humidity. It was like walking into wool. He stood at the top of the steps and put his hands in his pockets, looking out across the yard. He wanted to go to Buffy and comfort her, but knew that now was not the time. Willow was up there and that was enough. He knew if he himself could not help, Willow would. Portia had not said anything to Giles. She gave him a small sad smile and a hug, but that was all. She had left after that, presumably to go find Alex.

"Mr. Giles!" Andrew came rushing up from around the house. "Where have you been? I have been looking for you everywhere!"

"Sorry, Andrew. Just needed some fresh air." At the look on Andrew's face, Giles tensed. "What is it?"

"We have a little situation."

"How little?"

Andrew looked around to see if they were alone. Unsatisfied, he grabbed Giles arm and began leading him down the steps and away from the house. Half way between the house and the garden, Andrew spoke quietly. "Wesley sent Carl and Trish to check on Giselle. With orders for a full check out."

"What? Why?"

"He was concerned there was no report on the incident. He wanted to be sure she was okay."

Giles sighed and ran his left hand through his hair. "So much for keeping it quiet," he muttered.

"It gets worse." Giles gave him his full attention. "Tony was less than thrilled with the situation."

"I would imagine so."

"He didn't want her to go. He kept insisting she was fine. Trish eventually talked Giselle into consenting, even against Tony's will."

"Why would he not want her checked out?"

Andrew shrugged. "As far as we know, there's nothing wrong with her. I mean, they are waiting on blood test to come-".

"Blood tests?! Good god, Wesley! No wonder he's upset." He sighed. "When are the tests due back?"

Andrew started to answer but did a double take to the porch. Willow was standing there with her arms crossed, staring at the pair of them. "Umm... I..." he was distracted by the glare Willow was sending.

Giles looked behind him to see what held Andrew's attention. Upon seeing Willow, his chest tightened. "This isn't going to end well." He started towards her and she to him. They met half way and stood in front of one another. "Willow," he stated simply.

Willow shot a side glare at Andrew. He visibly swallowed. "I'm... just gonna go... anywhere else." He took off for the house.

Willow shifted her attention back to Giles. "What are your intentions?"

"My intentions?"

"Yes. I know you aren't a fan of Tony's. And right now I'm almost positive he isn't a fan of yours. Are you just trying to break them up?"

"Break them... no! Of course not!"

"Then what are you doing? Do you actually care for her or is this just acting out some repressed fantasy?"

Giles gasped. "Willow! God no! How could you think that of me? Of course I care for Buffy. I always have, you know that."

Willow reached into her pocket and pulled out Giles' tie from last night. He swallowed at the sight. "What's your endgame, Giles?" He tried speaking but didn't know what to say. "Buffy is my best friend," she whispered. "I love her and you dearly. But by goddess, Giles-."

Giles took her hand holding the tie in between both of his. "I care for her more than you know. I would do anything to protect her. I don't want to hurt her."

Willow looked into his eyes. She knew that he believed what he was saying. She gently pulled her hand free of his, leaving the tie in his grasp. "You already are." She turned and headed back inside.

"Hey, Tony." Willow's eyes widened at the greeting. Talk about awkward timing. Buffy's expression changed and Willow's subconsciously mimicked it. "Tony... Tony, I... Stop! Rallenta! You know I can't understand you when you talk to fast."

"Are you with Giles?"

Buffy froze. "What?" she whispered.

"Giles. Is he there with you?"

"He's here, yeah, but not here here right now. Why do you ask about Giles?" Willow's eyes went wide again.

"He sent people after Giselle."

Buffy's brow creased. "What does that mean?"

"Two of the council came to take Giselle."

Buffy was silent a moment. "I still don't understand. Giles wouldn't just-".

"He is the one in charge of the Council, is he not?" Tony was getting louder with each sentence.

Buffy turned her back and Willow looked away. Something on the nightstand caught her eye and she cocked her head.

"No," Buffy replied. "I mean, yeah, he is, but he's here. Wesley's running things right now."

Willow glanced over her shoulder at Buffy who still was not facing her. She slowly reached out her hand and picked up the tie off of the nightstand. She studied it and her eyes widened. It was Giles' tie from last night. She remembered the very pretty shade of blue. She suddenly understood Buffy's predicament just slightly better. She put the tie into her pocket and got up to leave the room.

"He was behind it and I know this."

"Behind what exactly? I still don't understand." Buffy turned at the click of the door and saw that Willow had left. "Where did they take Giselle?"

"They took her to get checked. Did you tell him Giselle was injured?"

Buffy felt as if she had done something wrong but she couldn't be sure what. Well, besides the obvious. "I mentioned it, yeah. He asked why you weren't here. I said you were concerned about Giselle and he didn't know anything about it. Didn't you turn in a report?"

"Why would I do that?!"

"Umm, because she was injured."

"The Council does not need to know every little thing that happens with MY Slayers. I am sure Giles did not report every time you sneezed."

"That's not fair! It was different back then and you know it! Plus, Giselle was injured badly enough for you to be concerned so, yeah, I thought you actually wrote it up!" Buffy yelled into the phone.

The other end stayed silent. If it were not for his heavy breathing, she would have thought he had hung up. After moments of silence, Tony spoke. "Mi dispiace. I should not have yelled at you." His voice still sounded strained.

"Is she okay?"

Tony sighed. "She is good."

"So I will still be expecting to see you this weekend, right?"

"Si," he said with a smile. "Saro li."

Buffy smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Grande. I'll see you soon. Ti amo."

"Ti amo, Buffy."

Giles sat on the steps, looking down at the tie he held in his hands. Everything was going to shit. The sound of gravel crunch caused him to look up. The town car parked in front of the inn and Christian got out of the driver's seat. He gave a big smile. "Good morning, Mr. Giles! Are you ready for today?"

"What exactly are we doing today?" Giles asked.

"Don't you tell him!" Buffy's voice called out from inside. She was just pushing the screen door open to emerge. She had on a little pair of linen shorts and a cute tank with dressy sandals. Giles couldn't help but think she look gorgeous. "It's a surprise, Christian. Don't spoil it."

"Wouldn't dream of it, Ma'am."

"Ugh," Buffy groaned. "Please don't with the ma'am. I am not that old."

Giles stood to greet her. "Everything alright?" he asked.

Buffy sighed and placed her hands on her hips. "Yeah. I think. I don't know." She pressed her hand to her forehead and looked across the yard. "So," she dropped her hand and met his eyes, "we are going to be out for the day. Got everything you need?"

"It would be helpful to know where I am going precisely."

"Out," she said with a nod.

"Out where?"

"Out there!" she flourished her arm out to the vast open.

"Well, at least you aren't being vague about it."

"Trust me, Mr. Giles," Christian said as he held the door open for them. "You'll love it."