A/N Credit BMS for an explanation in this fic for Giles' treatment of Faith and near obsession with Buffy. After he suggested it, I started researching it, many of the symptoms actually do fit Giles' behavior.

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Rupert Giles was trying to figure out why he kept forgetting about Faith. He knew she existed, he knew he had a responsibility to her and yet he'd never lived up to that responsibility, not unless forcibly reminded to by others or when trouble reminded him that there was a second Slayer available to help with the problem. Magical tests revealed no spells on him, which suggested possibly spells on Faith. He subtly questioned Wesley and discovered that Wesley had done something that he, himself, should have done, but never had.

"I completed a standard magical evaluation of Miss Lahaine the day I observed her display of her skills in the gym, Mr. Giles. It is a standard requirement for a Watcher to have a baseline done of their Slayer and periodic evaluations done, just like a baseline physical examination is done by a doctor with a new patient and yearly exams are done, as well as when any magical event occurs to determined the effect of the Magic on someone."

Yes, it was standard practice. Rupert Giles remembered, shocked that he'd forgotten and horrified when he realized, he'd never once done an evaluation of Buffy, nor any of the others, all of whom had been subject to Magic. Amy being body jacked by her mother and her mother casting spells through her body, Amy casting Magic herself. Xander possessed by the Hyena and the soldier version of himself, which left very obvious effects. Magic being done on Buffy by Catherine Madison, being possessed at the same time Xander was, as well as the ghost. Willow casting that damnable soul spell. Xander being transformed into a techno vampire by vengeance Magic. All of which requires a magical exam and he had forgotten to do it each and every time. Why did he forget? Was it related to his reasons for forgetting about Faith? If there were no spells active on him or Faith, than it followed that Magic was unlikely to be the cause, although he couldn't rule that out because Magic trace did fade. And damage would still be done and cumulative. Cumulative, Xander had mentioned that word a few months back when Willow was kidnapped. Xander had commented that Giles should see a neurologist because he'd had more concussions than all of them combined and head trauma could be cumulative. He'd never gotten around to it. Could he have cumulative head trauma and could that explain why he seemed to forget Faith existed unless forced to remember her? It was an avenue worth exploring, so he wrote a note to remind himself to make an appointment.

However a more immediate problem presented itself when an angry Joyce Summers and subdued Buffy arrived in the Library and informed the two Watchers that Joyce now knew everything Buffy had kept secret from her, kept secret at his urging, which surprised Wesley when he heard it.

"Why would you encourage her to keep silent about being the Slayer or Slayer related activities?" Wesley asked, confused.

"Because the Slayer works in secret, for security." Giles reminded him.

"Which doesn't include their family. It never has. Granted most Potentials are raised by their Watchers, but that's usually with the parents knowledge. It's so they can concentrate on training, the better trained a Potential is, the better their chances of surviving longer as the Slayer. It's never been policy to keep their status from their parents."

"Really?" Buffy exclaimed, annoyed. "Because my first Watcher, Merrick, insisted on it too! Of course he also told me that he and I had both been reincarnated for the express purpose of fighting Lothos, the Master vamp and minions I burned the gym down to take out. So maybe Merrick was crazy? Doesn't explain why Giles insisted on everything being a secret, though. Maybe all that crap last year wouldn't have happened if I'd had Mom's help to see just how messed I was getting."

"It was my understanding that secret identity included everyone, at least as is feasible." Giles protested.

"Which keeping it from the parents isn't." Wesley pointed out. "I have no idea how you could justify keeping it from her."

"I thought it kept her safe."

"That's a load of bull, Giles!" Buffy said angrily. "While I was telling Mom about everything I had to tell her she'd been attacked by a vampire and didn't even know it. One she invited into the house! Because she didn't know she wasn't supposed to invite them in! I trusted you! You said she'd be safer if she didn't know and I could have lost her! I could have lost her at any time! Why did I trust you?!"

"Which brings me to asking you why you not only trusted Angel, but allowed her to be in a relationship with him?!" Joyce demanded. "You knew what he was! What he was capable of and you still allowed it! She's terrified her choices will result in her going to jail, but you not only allowed those choices, you made them possible in the first place. You're the adult, the one in the position of authority, of responsibility. You made her depend on you and encouraged and allowed harmful choices! I want you prosecuted to the full extent of the law!"

"Excuse me," Wesley said. "who's Angel and what bad choices?"

"Giles has been covering for me, for him and not giving you complete reports." Buffy informed him. "Which is why I told my mother everything that's been going on. You're in danger because of lack of knowledge and our choices. Angel is a vampire, cursed with a soul by gypsies. I fell in love with him and broke the curse. And I let Angelus, the demon, go repeatedly. Because all I could see was Angel. People died, I have no idea how many. I'm confessing because I can't bear the thought of someone else dieing because of my choices. Go ahead and report me to the Council, Mr. Wyndham-Price, it'll be a relief to finally start washing the blood off my soul."