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Part One

Buffy struggled with the lock to Giles' apartment. "This thing…" she said as she tried jiggling the key again. Willow reached across and took it.

"You just need to pull back on the door, like this, then turn the key," she said as she pushed it open.

"Oh, sure," Buffy said bustling past her. "I loosened it all up for you."

Willow smiled and closed the door behind them. "Giles?" she called out although she already knew he wasn't there. The girls shrugged and flopped down onto the couch.

"What do you think this is all about?" Buffy asked. " I mean, did he tell you anything?"

"Nope. Same as you. Just to meet him at his place at three. And here it is three and here we are and he isn't." A small worried frown creased her forehead. They sat in silence for a few minutes.

"Well, we could watch TV," Buffy suggested, looking for the remote.

"It doesn't work," Willow said softly, a soft blush creeping up her cheeks.

"Since when?"

"Since I tried that new translocation spell."

Buffy's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Wills!"

"I blew out most of his appliances. He was really sweet about everything. I mean, a lot people would have gotten all mad and screamed, but he just laughed and pried the toast out of the ceiling."

"Wills, you black magic woman!"

Willows blush was interrupted by a loud knocking on the door. Buffy got up to answer it and found a breathless Xander.

"Sorry I'm late, but there was this busload of schoolchildren and a nun and - "

"He's not here," Buffy said.

"Oh," Xander said, now magically breathing at a normal rate. "Then, got any food?"

The girls smiled. The bottomless pit strikes again. "There's some left over pizza in the fridge," offered Willow. Xander and Buffy gave her a look.

"And you know this how?" Buffy asked.

Willow's blush returned. "I broke the stove too."

"I definitely missed something. But I'm pretty sure I heard the word pizza." Without missing a beat he crossed into the kitchen and helped himself.

Buffy and Willow heard a car pull up and peaked out the window.

A large black BMW sedan drew appreciative whistles from the girls which stuck in throats as Giles stepped out of the driver's side.

He looked back admiringly at the car, rubbed a speck of dirt off the hood and made his way up the walk.

Buffy threw open the door. "Giles! Mucho fabu! That embezzling scheme finally paying off?"

"Hmmm? Oh, it's a rental."

"Oh," she said a little let down that this wasn't the new Gilesmobile.

"Hello, Willow," Giles said with gentle smile. Where Buffy was all sound and fury, Willow was the calm in the center of the storm.

"Hi, Giles," she replied with a soft smile.

"Hey, Dhg-ghahn," Xander mumbled through a mouthful of pizza.

"Xander." Giles tore himself away from Willow's smile and motioned for everyone to take seats. "I imagine you're al wondering why I've asked you here today."

"I know!" Xander exclaimed dramatically. "Because someone in this room is a murderer!"

Giles sighed.

"It's not something bad is it?" asked Buffy. "Cause I'm full up on bad. No room for bad."

"No, no. Just… unusual." He frowned and started to pace, but it was a casually, he was enjoying their anticipation. He looked at Buffy, her face a mixture of worry and childlike expectation. Xander was folding his pizza slice in a attempt to get even more of it in his mouth at once. Willow was simply smiling at him, willing to let him play it at his own pace. He couldn't help, but smile in return.

"I received a most interesting phone call this morning…" he continued. "From Angel."

Buffy jumped out of her seat. "Angel? My Angel? I mean, Angel?"

Giles chuckled. "Yes."

"How is he? Is everything okay? Did he ask about me?"

"He's quite well and yes, he did ask about you. But the reason for his call was something else entirely."

"Oh," she said as she sank back into her chair.

"Let me guess," quipped Xander "He's giving you cryptic guy lessons and wanted to see how you're getting along. I'd say B plus.. Ladies?"

Giles ignored him and composed his thoughts. "It seems we've been invited down for… for a visit."

"Really?" said Buffy as she bounded out of her chair again. "Us?"

"Yes, all of us. It's all rather confused, but there's an acquaintance of his that would like to meet us."

"Fan, huh?" Xander said.

"There you go again with the us. Which is who exactly? You mean us 'us'."

Giles gave her a confused stare. "You, Xander, Willow and me. Us."

"You mean, we're road trippin' to LA?" asked Xander.

"To see Angel?"

"And Cordelia?' added Xander.

Giles sighed. "Yes." He stole a glance at Willow, who had said nothing. She was smiling faintly, pleased for her friends, but it was obvious something was bothering her.

"Woohoo!" Buffy and Xander yelled before high-fiving. Eventually, under Giles' disapproving gaze, they calmed themselves.

"That sounds…. Great," offered Buffy trying unsuccessfully yo mask her excitement.

"Yeah. Great," Xander said formally, but neither could really contain themselves. "When do we leave?"

"As soon as possible. I've already arranged for the car."

"Sweet!"

"I've gotta go pack. Oh God. What am I gonna wear? How long are we gonna be gone?" Buffy asked.

"I'd plan on a few days at least. Fortunately, things have been quiet on the Hellmouth. I think we can afford…"

Buffy and Xander didn't wait for him to finish and bolted out the door, each chomping at the bit at the prospect of LA smoochies.

Giles shook his head and closed the door after them. He turned to face Willow. "You've been awfully quiet."

"Who wants to meet us? I mean, why us?"

Giles sat down next to her on the couch. "I'm not sure really," he admitted. "Angel wasn't very forthcoming. Just that it could be quite important for us to meet."

Her brow furrowed in thought. "And this someone paid for the rental car?"

Giles smiled. She's so bright. He loved her quick mind and…

"Yes," he muttered watching her small hands clasped in her lap.

She bit the inside of her lip. "What's wrong, Willow?" he asked concern making his voice huskier than normal.

"Oh, nothing, I guess. I don't know." She looked up at him a bit startled by how close he was and how intently he was looking at her. "Nothing. Free trip to LA's a good thing. It'll be fun. I mean Buffy gets to see Angel and Xander gets to see Cordelia."

He took her small hand gently in his. He could see the hurt in her eyes, although she'd never admit it. He recognized the loneliness. He felt it too. Except of course when he was with her, as he had been so often these days. Between research for the Slayer and Willow's magic lessons, they spent a great deal of time together. She was wonderful company, eager yet temperate. She excelled at the abstract, but never at the cost of the immediate. He looked at the young woman next to him and wanted to… wanted to what?

"And what about you, Willow? What do you get?" he asked tentatively.

She smiled up at him. "I get you," she answered softly. His heart skipped a beat. "And all of LA," she continued. God, I really need to think before talking. Think then talk. But her thinking became muddled sometimes with Giles. Like now. She looked down at his hand covering hers and thought about it warm it felt, how safe. But this is Giles, she reminded herself. A friend. A dear friend, but still… "There's a lot to see in LA, you know. It'll be fun."

For a moment he thought she'd looked at him with… he smiled ruefully at her. Why had he taken hold her hand? She seemed so sad and he instinctively wanted to comfort her, to touch her. Yes, well, instincts you better curtail, old man. "Yes, I hope so," he said with sweet smile.

He didn't know how to sort out the feeling he had for Willow, so he did what he'd always done, tried to ignore them. He stared at her delicate hand, so small in his. He knew he should let it go. He should, but he didn't.

"Well, you should probably.. ah… make any necessary arrangements," Giles said still entranced by her soft, slender fingers.

"Hmm?" Why didn't I let go of his hand? Just sitting here holding hands was so… no… not holding hands. Giles and I are not holding hands. I mean there are hands and there is holding, but this isn't... Is it?

"Oh, yeah," she managed to say pulling herself back to reality. "Okay. Yeah. I'll go… and get ready." Tripping over her tongue she stumbled away from him and somehow managed to get to the door.

Giles watched her go, cursing himself for his lack of restraint. He'd obviously embarrassed her. He should try not to touch her. But… he sighed. But what? What indeed.

He found himself touching her more and more often. Just a simple brush of the shoulder or when he felt bold, he would hold her hand. She didn't seem to mind, really. But then why should she? It didn't mean anything. It was just familiarity. Friends who feel comfortable with each other. Nothing more. Then why did he feel a little empty each time she left? Why did he sit closer than he should? Why did he want her to look at him with…

He sighed. It was going to be an interesting trip.
 

Part Two

"Couldn't you have gone before we left?" Giles asked tiredly.

"I didn't have to go then," Buffy replied.

"At this rate, we won't arrive until well after midnight."

"I can't help it. When a gal's gotta go a gal's gotta-"

"Yes. Yes." Giles sighed as he pulled off into a service station yet again. "Do hurry."

"Like the wind." Buffy slid out of the car. "Coming Wills?"

"Hmm? Oh, yeah," Willow answered pulling herself out of her reverie. She'd been staring at Giles most of the trip. He wasn't wearing his usual tweed, instead he looked… well, different, in a casual pair of slacks and dress shirt, no tie. Travelling clothes, she mused. Really must travel more often.

"Anybody want anything to eat?" Xander offered. "I sense a corndog in my future."

"Good God, Xander. Again?" Giles couldn't see how he did it.

Xander just shrugged and dashed off into the quickie mart.

A few minutes later, Buffy and Willow reappeared with wrinkly noses. "I think I'll just hold it," Buffy said.

Thankfully, Xander returned without much delay and they were back on the road. Less than an hour later they had finally arrived in Los Angeles. Their hotel was just off the Sunset strip in Hollywood.

After checking in they followed the bellboy up their suite. And what a suite it was. The main room was huge, with high ceilings and large foyer. Each of them would have their own bedrooms adjoining the living room.

Buffy made a beeline for the nearest restroom.

"Here's your kitchen," said the bell boy in his usual patter. "It's well stocked, but if there's anything special you want, just call the concierge." He handed Giles four keys and set about placing the bags in the various bedrooms.

Willow and Giles exchanged looks of surprise. "This is pretty fancy," Willow said.

"Yes," Giles agreed with a bit of a frown.

"Wow!" Xander yelled from his bedroom. "There's a mirror on the ceiling. Wills, you gotta check it out."

Willow giggled and Giles cleared his throat.

Buffy reappeared. "There's a TV in the bathroom! That is so cool."

"Yes, well, it's late. I suggest we all get some rest," Giles offered.

"But shouldn't we call Angel. Just let him know we got here alright?" Buffy asked hopefully.

"I suppose we should."

"Will there be anything else?" asked the bellboy as he prepared to leave.

"No. No thank you," Giles said as he reached into his pocket for a tip, but the bellboy raised a hand to stop him.

"Already taken care of, Mr. Giles. My name's Eddie, if you need anything, just let me know. Enjoy your stay." He smiled and made his exit.

"Let's order room service," Xander suggested.

"Xander, please," Giles sighed as he took the phone from the young man. He noticed the red message light was blinking. He punched in the code and listened or tried to listen to the message.

"Is it Angel? Did he ask about me?" Buffy buzzed.

Giles tried to shush her, but she ignored him.

"Is he coming over? Where is he?"

Giles finally hung up. "Yes, it was Angel. Seems he has some business to attend to tonight, so he'll contact us in the morning."

Buffy face fell. "Don't worry, Buffy," Willow offered brightly. "It's almost morning already."

"Yes, and on that note… Goodnight." Giles said with finality.

Buffy sighed, but nodded and headed off to her room. "Goodnight."

"Night," yawned Xander as he made his way to his bedroom.

"Goodnight, Giles," said Willow with a sleepy smile.

"Sweet dreams, Willow." He watched the door to her bedroom close and allowed himself one last sigh. Sleep, he told himself, perchance to dream.

The morning came too quickly as they always seem to do. Giles showered and dressed and found Willow drinking tea and eating a scone.

"Blueberry or cherry?" she asked cheerfully.

"Blueberry, please," he answered, joining her at the table. "Where are the others, still sleeping?"

"Nope, gone."

"Gone?"

"Cordelia, came by early. Tea?"

"Y-yes, please. Cordelia? Early?"

Willow poured him cup. "Surprised me too. I guess she's changed a little."

"I should say."

"She was going to take Buffy to see Angel and then take Xander shopping. Fashion emergency."
"Ah, there's change and then there's change," he chuckled. "And what of us?"

"Hmm?" Willow noticed that Giles wasn't wearing tweed again… and no tie. "Oh, us… uhm, Angel said our 'benefactor' will contact us sometime tonight."

"I see. Well, that leaves us to our own devices, doesn't it?" he said with a smile. "What would you like to do today, Willow?"

"Well, there is one place I've been meaning to go, but no one ever wants to go with me. But I'm sure you'd like it. I mean, if you don't want to go, that's okay too."

He couldn't suppress a chuckle. "And where would that be, Willow?"

"The Huntington."

"The Library? I'd have thought you'd had your fill of libraries."

"Well," she smiled shyly. "I like them and anyway, this is place is special."

Her blush was so beautiful. A lovely young woman who wanted to spend the day with him… A friend, he reminded himself. A lovely, young… very young… friend.

"The Huntington it is," he pronounced.
 

Part 3

"D-d-do you know what this is?" Giles asked virtually bubbling. "It's the Ellesmere manuscript of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales!"

Willow's grin grew even wider, if that were possible. It was so wonderful to see him like this. A giddy Giles was truly a sight to behold.

He practically ran to the next display case. "Oh. Willow! Come see!"

"Shhh!" demanded another patron. Giles was sufficiently embarrassed, but his spirit couldn't be dampened. Willow, pleased beyond words, made her way to his side. He maneuvered her in front of him.

"This…" he whispered. "This is the double-elephant folio edition of Audubon's Birds of America."

"Mmmm… birds," Willow mumbled. She'd almost heard him, but what she really did was feel him. Giles was leaning against her, his chest pressing gently on her shoulder and back. His warm breath brushed against her cheek, his hushed tones, forcing him to lean in ever so close. She swallowed and took a deep breath, only to be assaulted by the spicy scent of the cologne he wore. She closed her eyes and a soft moan escaping her lips.

"Willow?"

Why does he have to say my name that way?

"Willow?" Why does she have to be so soft? So near? So… He cleared his throat and ducked his head nervously, finally stepping slightly away. "A-a-are you alright?"

"Fine." Was that my voice?

His green eyes clouded with concern. "P-p-perhaps some fresh air?" He gently took hold of her upper arm and gave her what he hoped was a solicitous, decidedly not aroused, grin.

Again with the touching. Touching is okay. This is Giles. Giles! Breathe. Walk. Breathe. Giles. Trip.

"Willow!" He grabbed her other arm for added support. More touching. Good lord, how… steady. He could do this…. "Are you alright?" I am a man, not an animal. This is Willow, for Christ's sake! Willow…

She struggled out of his grip. "I'm fine. Clumsy, but fine." Does he have to look at me like that? Willow quickly brushed past him and scurried to the exit. Finally, she emerged into the sunlight on the north patio. The gleaming white marble reflected the late morning sun, giving the entire area a stark clarity. Clarity good.

She took a few breaths, the rose garden was near, and the aroma heady.

"There you are. Feeling better?" Giles asked as he came to her side.

"Much." She turned and gave him a smile. She really did feel wonderful. The sun was warm on her skin, a slight breeze lifting the varying fragrances across the wind. And Giles. Giles…

He cocked his head to the side, wishing he could read her mind. She wore that special smile, the one that went straight to his heart. She can be so mercurial, so close and yet so far away.

"Would you like to see the gardens?" she asked. "They're the best part."

"Yes, I would."

She leaned in, her tone conspiratorial. "Don't tell the books I said that."

"I promise," he swore solemnly.

They made their way down the small staircase that led the first of many winding paths. Willow knew where she wanted to go and Giles let her direct their course.

"It's a bit of a walk," she said.

"I don't mind," he replied companionably.

"Good." Suddenly emboldened, Willow held out her hand. Perhaps it was the was the sun, or the trees or maybe… just maybe, it was something else entirely.

With a shy smile, he took the offered hand and held it gently. He eased his stride to match hers. For once, there was no rush, no need to hurry to the next destination. Here, time was unearthly, languid, mild. Here, there was only the journey… and it was enough.

They walked hand in hand, a tender silence their only companion. Soon, the small path opened into a large expanse of lush green lawns. Stone statues lined the edges, each representing allegorical and mythological figures. A great baroque Italian fountain lay at the far end of the north vista.

"Not bad," Willow said, breaking the spell.

He squeezed her hand and looked at her with deep affection. "Not bad at all."

She dipped her head, the weight of his gaze too much. She tugged on his hand. "Come on, Giles. There's so much more."

He chuckled softly and dutifully followed.

They left the great lawn as Willow lead them down another small, winding path. "This next one is good for thoughts… deep thoughts," she said with a giggle.

"You're sure you've never been here before?"

"Nope, never. I feel like I have though." She stopped abruptly and turned a serious look in her eyes. "Have you ever felt that way?"

"Yes," he said simply and without elaboration. He had felt that way, did feel that way. But not about a place, or a garden or a view, but about a woman. This woman.

She wanted to press him, but knew that Giles wasn't someone you forced things from. When he was ready, he'd give you what he had. She nodded with an understanding she didn't feel and they continued down the path.

Again he followed, unsure of where she was leading him, unsure what lay around the next bend, and not caring in the least, the hand in his banishing all other thought.

In all of our lives there are defining moments. Times when we choose one destiny over another. Choices… Each with its own hazards, each with its own rewards.

And for Rupert Giles, this was one of those moments.

He wouldn't realize it until much later, but here….now…

He chose her.

There on a nameless path in the midmorning sun, Giles had made his choice and lay claim to his future.

Hand in hand they walked.
 

Part Four

The rest of the day passed easily, swiftly, beautifully. Apart from the world, each letting the enchantment of the gardens guide them.

With the first long shadows came a sort of melancholy that often follows paradise. The sun dipping onto the horizon, reminding them of their places, of their burdens. The day was ending and night soon to begin. The night was a haven not just for vampires and monsters, but fear and doubt.

The drive back to the hotel was quiet, each lost in thoughts of the day gone by. Giles stole a glance at Willow. The hazy late afternoon sun gave her skin a warm glow, accenting her fiery hair. Her small mouth lifted in a gentle smile as she watched the buildings pass.

What had this all meant? Had they reached a crossroads?

The car turned up Sunset and soon they reached their hotel. Mumbling shy words of thanks they retreated to their rooms. Dinner with the gang was scheduled for 7:30, giving them just over an hour to shower and dress.

Half an hour later, Giles sat on the edge of his bed, afraid to go into the living room. This is absurd, he thought. We spent the day together, nothing more. Even if it did feel like something more, it's folly to think it.

Normally he wouldn't allow himself even to entertain thoughts of Willow as anything more than a friend. The idea had occurred to him, the dreams, the fleeting images of her as... But he had always quashed them, quickly. Strangely, it wasn't so much that she was beyond his grasp that kept his heart at bay, but it was their friendship. He needed her as friend. If he was honest with himself, she was the only person in his life he saw with any frequency who treated him as an equal.

Xander and Buffy were friends, more than that... they were family. But there had always been a special quality to his relationship with Willow. She thought of him as librarian, Watcher, mentor, but also as Rupert Giles. A person. A man. In fact, she probably saw him that way more often than he saw himself. The burden of his duty tended to keep him detached from life, but she was always there to anchor him. She had comforted him, scolded him, supported him and defied him. This littlest one had bravely faced his worst demons and even won their affection.

She's far too good for me, he thought not for the first time. You'd probably be a pathetic drunken sod, if not for her. You need her friendship too much. Don't muck it up.

Having reached a decision of sorts, he straightened his tie and moved to the living room.

Willow sat on the sofa staring off into space. She tried to be mature, she tried to put away her girlish fantasies, but... they were sooooo good.

"Willow?"

"Hmmm? Oh! Hi." She smiled awkwardly wondering if he'd known what she was thinking.

Willow was wearing a short green dress, simple and very flattering. Giles tried not to notice her long legs and the way the dress set off her hair. Friend...

"Y-you look lovely," he said. Oh jolly good! Why not just drool on her shoulder?

"Thank you," she said with a coy smile. "I guess we're meeting them downstairs. Are you ready?" She stood and brushed back her hair.

"Y-yes." The dress was very flattering indeed. Without being too revealing it managed to show off the curves and dips of her slim figure. He cleared his throat and frowned.

"Something wrong, Giles?"

"No," he said a bit abruptly. "No... shall we go?" He offered her his arm. Have I no control over my body? Friend....

Buffy, Angel, Cordelia and Xander were already seated as the maitre d' led Giles and Willow to the table.

Giles held her chair and then took his own.

"You see," said Cordelia. "A gentleman holds a lady's chair."

"Why?" Xander asked, lost in thoughts of her lips. "Is your chair creaky? We can put sugar packets under one of the legs... sugar."

"Xander," she sighed.

"So, did you guys have a good day?" Willow asked. Four huge grins were her answer.

"What did you do all day?" Giles asked innocently. Four blushes answered this time. Giles cleared his throat. "Ah, yes... well..."

Willow giggled. Buffy was the first to recover. "What you about you Wills?"

"Oh, we went to the Huntington Library. It was great!"

"The library!" Xander snorted. "Wills, if I'd known, I would have... I would have..., well... the library?"

"Tell me you two weren't researching all day. Even if you have to lie.. tell me," Buffy added.

"It's not that kind of library," Giles explained.

"Thank God!" Buffy exclaimed.

Giles and Willow shared knowing smiles, which went unnoticed by the rest of the group, save for Cordelia. Something is different with those two, she thought. I'm gone for few months and suddenly Willow and Giles are in love? Life on the Hellmouth.

Willow felt her gaze and started to blush.

"You okay, Wills?" Xander asked.

Cordelia came to her rescue. "She's probably just starving. I mean, don't they believe in waiters in this place?"

"That's my, Cordelia," Angel said.
"Ah, my Cordelia, Dead Boy," Xander intoned. "You get the Slayer, I get the... what are you anyway?"

"Too good for you!" Everyone laughed.

The dinner was wonderful. The group reminisced and listened to Angel and Cordelia regale them with their LA adventures.

Giles tried to pump Angel for information about their mysterious benefactor, but to no one's surprise Angel was somewhat elusive on the subject. About the only useful piece of information was the man's name - Steve Diamond.

For the better part of the evening, however, Angel and Buffy were lost in their own world. Xander was off in Xanderland - doing whatever it is that Xanders do (mostly stare at Cordy). While Cordelia, although she was thrilled to see Xander, couldn't help, but stare at Giles and Willow. One thing she'd learned in LA was how to watch people, to look past the façade and see them for what they really were. Giles and Willow were a wonderful show. The ultimate un-couple couple. Much to her surprise, she thought it was sweet, not that she'd ever admit it, but...

"So, what's next? I've got a wicked sugar high to work off?" Xander asked.

"What about the Smash Club?" Angel suggested.

Cordelia rolled her eyes. "That place is so over. Where have you been?"

"Working," he replied.

"Oh."

"Sounds good to me," Buffy added. "No Bronze, so we Smash. It'll be like old times, except... new."

"I just hope I don't see anyone I know. Not that anyone I know would go there anyway... Okay, I'm in," Cordelia reasoned.

"I think I'll just stay at the hotel," Willow said.

"No way, Wills. We'll dance, we'll laugh. Well, I'll dance and you'll laugh... but I promise it'll be just like having fun," Xander said as he threw his arm over her shoulder.

"Only, if Giles comes too."

"Oh, no. T-hat's not..." Giles sputtered.

"You need to expand your horizons. Come on, put a little funk in your G-funk," Xander quipped.

Giles shook his head. "No. I think I should wait here for... uhm, Mr. Diamond."

"Don't worry about Diamond," Angel suggested. "He'll find you. It's all part of the game."

Giles made a disapproving face. Willow tugged on his sleeve and pulled him close. "Please, Giles. I already feel like a fifth wheel. If you come, at least I won't be alone."

Looking into her eyes, how could he refuse. "Alright," he sighed. "For a time."

"Party train leaving the station! Please keep your arms and legs inside the car at all times," Xander said.

The Smash Club was like most other Hollywood clubs - dark, loud, sticky and crowded.

Somewhere in the mass of bodies Angel and Buffy were dancing, Cordelia was trying to pretend she wasn't dancing with Xander, who was doing something with his body. He called it dancing, but the jury's still out.

Giles and Willow sat a corner table, sipping club sodas and tried to talk over the din of a particularly loud disco remix.

"This place is really popular!" Willow yelled.

"What?"

"I said, the place is really popular!"

He shook his head and shrugged. The noise was deafening. Willow smiled and nodded her understanding. She turned her gaze back to the dance floor and tried not to feel like a fool. Her view was quickly obstructed by a pair of black pants. She looked up and found they were attached to a very attractive man. He was somewhere in his thirties, dark complexion and stunning pale blue eyes, and he was smiling down at her.

She blinked nervously and swallowed. He leaned over and looked directly into her eyes. "Would you like to dance?" he asked, his voice somehow not sounding strained. It was smooth and moderate.

"Me?" she squeaked.

His smile grew wider. "Yes. Would you like to dance with me?" he asked again, this time extending his hand.

A wave of panic washed over her, followed quickly by furious blush. She turned anxiously to Giles.

If looks could kill... Giles stared at the intruder with a cold glare. He clenched his jaw and tried to swallow down the urge to say something very un-Giles.

The other man cleared his throat and met Giles stare. Not the least bit cowed by it and perhaps a little amused, he said "You don't mind, do you?"

Giles looked hurriedly at Willow. My God, she's beautiful. He wanted to tell her that. He wanted to tell this man leave... but he didn't.

"It's not my decision," he said without emotion.

Idiot! Don't let this bugger near her! I have not right to interfere, I have no claim on her. Damn! I'm such an ass.

Willow was stung by his words. She knew it was silly. She had secretly hoped he'd.... he'd what? She tried to see what was in his eyes, but he wouldn't look at her. She was on her own.

"Well then?" the young man asked. "Shall we dance?"

"Okay," she said weakly. Oh, God.

If the music hadn't been so loud the young couple would have been shocked to hear the profanity that tumbled from the Watcher's mouth. As it was, they left Giles alone at the table and took their place on the dance floor.

The man smiled at Willow, a genuine pleasurable smile. It was encouraging and gentle, exactly what Willow needed. His blue eyes were gazing at her with attraction and affection and gave her wellspring of courage. She relaxed into the music, letting her body move at its own whim. It was a strange, intoxicating feeling. She liked it.

Giles watched her dance. At first she was tentative, unsure and then suddenly... Sweet Jesus, Willow... and then all rational thought left him.

She was wriggling, gyrating... legs, hips, breasts... It wasn't anything unusual, she was dancing not unlike everyone else, but this was Willow.

Ripper was becoming aroused and taking Giles along for the ride. The throbbing beat, the sweat... the sex of it. It was obscene. Delightfully obscene. He wanted to take her right there. And he might of, if watching her hadn't been so appealing. He felt his body start to react, the blood rushing through his veins, the shortness of breath, the ache in his groin. The growing jealously he felt only served to stimulate him even more. He groaned audibly as he saw her reach out and touch the man's chest. Giles felt sick... and wonderful... a delicious torture.

With each passing moment, she seemed to grow more bold. Touching her partner more often... and he was growing hungrier for her... desire flashing across his face. Willow idly wondered if there were magic involved. She felt strangely powerful... and at the same time wildly out of control.

The press of bodies obscured her from Giles' view and he felt a wave of panic, only to have it pushed aside by a raw sort of lust as she circled back around the man.

And then it was over. The music abruptly changed to a slow melody. All the courage drained from her body in an instant... leaving her once again, shy and terribly ashamed.

The man smiled with understanding and reached out for her hand. She hesitated for a moment and then accepted the offer, feeling very vulnerable.

Giles cursed himself as a pervert and quickly downed the rest of his club soda, hoping to put out the fire that burned in his chest.

The man escorted her back to table. Neither Willow nor Giles could bear to look at the other.

He must think, I'm some kind of tramp. What was I doing?

"Thank you for the dance, Willow," the man said with a smirk.

"H-how... I...I never..." she stammered.

Instantly, Giles was himself again... alert for danger. He stood and took Willow by the arm, moving her safely behind him.

"I think you have us at a disadvantage," Giles said thinly.

The man laughed. "Oh, yes. That I do."

Giles was not amused. The man smiled amiably and extended his hand. "I'm Steve Diamond. It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Mr. Giles."

Rupert was momentarily frozen with shock, but recovered quickly and reluctantly shook the proffered hand.

"I'm sorry for the charade," he said to Willow. "I hope you'll forgive me."

Willow looked down shyly, but he seemed sincere and that put her at ease. "It's okay."

"Good." Diamond turned his attention back to Giles. "I'd like to speak with you, but not here." Giles nodded in agreement, thankful beyond words to be on familiar ground. "I have an office not far from here. Shall we?"

"Of course," Giles answered and then turned to Willow. "If you'll find Angel, I'm sure he'll take you back to the hotel."

"I'm going with you," she said simply.

"No, I think it's best if Mr. Diamond and speak privately."

"Actually, I would prefer it if she came too," Diamond said.

I bet you bloody well would, Giles thought.

"It's settled then," Willow added in full resolve face.

Giles sighed. He knew better than to argue with her when she'd made up her mind. And after all, as long as she wasn't alone with Diamond... there shouldn't be any problems. But he couldn't shake the uneasy feeling. Was it the way Diamond looked Willow, or was it the way she looked at him?

Without realizing he had done it, Giles put his arm possessively around Willow's waist. She looked up at him with surprise, but didn't pull away.

Suddenly Angel appeared. How does he do that?

"I see you've already met," Angel said.

"Yes, we're just on our way out," Diamond answered.

"Would you make sure the others get back to the hotel safely?" Giles asked.

Angel nodded and tried to hide his surprise at the way Giles was holding onto Willow.

Diamond grinned and said, "Follow me." Giles and Willow fell in behind him.

"That was strange," Angel said to himself.

"What was strange?" Buffy said arriving at his side and kissing him on the cheek.

"Oh, nothing," he said with a smile. "Giles and Willow... have gone to meet with Diamond. Looks like we're on our own."

"Darn," she said with a mischievous grin. "Well, let's hope they have as much fun as we do."

"It'll be interesting, that's for sure," Angel said quietly. "Very interesting."
 

Part Five

The office was well appointed and stylish. Movie posters and photographs of celebrities covered the walls.

"Is that you and Harrison Ford?" Willow asked excitedly.

"Mm-hmm," Diamond answered enjoying her star struck expression. "The hotel, the car... I take it they meet with your approval Mr. Giles?"

"Very generous. In fact, too generous."

"There's no such thing," Diamond replied sincerely. "Can I get you a drink? Scotch, isn't it?"

"N-no, thank you," Giles answered suspiciously. This man knew far too much.

"Willow, can I offer you anything? A glass of wine?"

"No," answered Giles firmly.

Willow glared at him, but knew he was right. "No, thank you." She sat down on the large leather couch.

"Please, Mr. Giles. Make yourself comfortable." Diamond gestured to large overstuffed chair next to sofa.

Giles frowned and sat next to Willow instead. "I think I'd feel more comfortable, Mr. Diamond, if you'd tell us what this is all about."

"Of course. First, let me say, I've been an admirer of your for quite sometime. Anyone who told the Council of Watchers to..." he then affected a very accurate impression of Giles... "'take their bloody rules and shove them up their ruddy ass'... Is okay by me."

Giles ignored the flattery. "That was said in a private phone conversation."

"Yes," Steve said simply.

"You've bugged my phone?" Giles said, not keeping the anger from his voice.

"Good lord, no." Diamond said quickly. "We bugged Travers."

Giles snorted. "I see."

"Unusual circumstances. Travers was, and is, I'm afraid a bit of a lose canon. But that's a different story. Normally, we leave the Council alone and they, well... they try to pretend we don't exist," he said with a smirk.

"And who exactly is we?"

"Defenders, Incorporated."

"The production company?" Willow asked obviously confused as to what their connection to the Council could possibly be.

"And how did you know that?" Diamond asked.

"It's on one of those movie posters," she said, pointing to the far wall.

"Ah, ever the observant one," he said. "Impressive, but then I'd expect no less from you, Willow."

She blushed, but wasn't put off. "I don't see what a movie production company has to do with the Council."

"Nor do I," Giles intoned.

"Nothing actually. It's a cover and a very good one. You throw a few parties, buy a few scripts, have meetings and no one really cares if you actually make a movie. LA's a wonderful place."

"I'm still confused," Willow admitted. "A cover for what?"

"I suppose I should start at the beginning. You sure I can't get you a drink? Brandy maybe? Anything?"

"Just getting to the point will suffice," Giles said impatiently.

"Fair enough." Diamond sat on the edge of his large oak desk. "Okay. Reader's Digest version...When America was first being settled by the British, the Council sent a group of young, somewhat disposable, Watchers to keep an eye on the colonies. Left to their own devices for the most part the men realized that without a Slayer, they had little chance to combat the Vampires and the rest of the bad guys."

"Where was the Slayer?" Giles asked, interested in this new wrinkle in history.

"She was in France of all places. Friggin' Council strikes again! But, it wouldn't have mattered anyway. One Slayer can't be everywhere."

"So true," mumbled Giles.

"The young men lobbied the Council for help, but between the bureaucracies and the distance, the group knew they were pretty much on their own. They did their best, but as the people began to settle new regions of the country, they realized they needed help. Badly. So they recruited civilians. This, as you know from experience, went over like a ton of bricks."

"Understatement," Willow added.

"The Council told them to stop operations immediately. The group did the only thing they could... Told the Council to sod off!"

Giles couldn't help but laugh.

"They broke from the Council and formed their own organization... the Defenders. They rejected the notion that only a certain, preordained, chosen few could fight the evils that surround us. It was a much more American approach. Find people with special skills, put them together and kick some evil butt. They had their growing pains, but all in all they got it right. As the country grew, so did the Defenders. Today we have offices in seventy-five different cities. I'm in charge of the LA bureau and have seven teams at my disposal."

"Teams?" asked Giles.

"That's the way we do it. We recruit people who have skills appropriate for fighting vampires, demons and the like... Then we match them into teams. We try to have a little muscle, a little brain and little magic in each." With this last he turned to Willow. "You're quite the burgeoning witch, aren't you?"

"I dabble," she said nonchalantly.

"Ah, dabbling with gypsy curses, soul restoration... we should all dabble like that." He looked at her very seriously. "Don't sell yourself short, Willow. We know how much potential you have, surely you sense it?"

She nodded. "I do."

This exchange frightened Giles in more ways than one. These people knew seemingly everything about them and Willow, he was afraid, was somehow at the center of it.

"You still haven't explained what this has to do with us," Giles interrupted.

"Oh, I thought that was clear," Diamond said and then leaned in very close to Willow. "I'm trying to woo you."

Giles cleared his throat, he was growing very agitated and this blatant attempt to seduce Willow was pushing him close to the edge. "How do you mean?" Giles asked sharply.

Diamond straightened and smiled. "I'm sorry. I thought you... are you two seeing each other? There was nothing in the reports about that."

"N-n-no," Giles stammered and looked pleadingly at Willow and then a thought occurred. "Reports? What reports?"

"Oh, we've been watching you for some time, even before you broke with the Council. A rebel Watcher, a magnificent Slayer and an unauthorized group of civilians... how could we not? Oh, and by the way, Scooby gang... love that."

"Hmmm?" Willow said, stewing over Giles quick denial that there was anything between them. "Oh, thanks."

"Y-you've been spying on us?" Giles wouldn't let this drop so easily.

"Yes," Diamond said frankly. "And may I say, Willow, that Halloween outfit... very becoming."

"See here! I don't know who you think you are, but invading our privacy-"

"We did no such thing. You were observed, yes, but always from a distance. Always in public. I mean, it's not like we put a camera in girls bathroom or something."

Willow giggled, but Giles missed the humor in it.

"Please, Mr. Giles. We meant no harm and as you damn well know information is everything in this business. We like your style.. even use some of it in training tapes. The mayor's attempted ascension is now required viewing at our academy."

Still not pleased, but somewhat mollified, Giles relaxed a little.

"You mean you guys were there for graduation and just watched? You didn't get involved?" Willow demanded, this time she was angry.

"Who said we didn't? We lost a few that day too, Willow."

That caught her off guard. She sat back feeling a little ashamed of her outburst.

"So am I to understand that you want us to join you? Become Defenders?"

"Exactly," Diamond said.

"We've done very well on our own, " Giles countered. "Why should we change anything?"

"Well, for starters, we pay very well and secondly our health benefits plan will cover all those MRI's you've been raking up."

"Pay?" This did not compute.

"Of course. I think you'll find we're more than generous with our teams. And one of your stature... well, the sky's the limit."

"Where does the money come from?" Willow asked, ever practical.

"We have some long term investments that have done well, but mostly from corporate sponsors."

"Corporate sponsors? Good lord..."

"It's not as bad as it sounds. We realized, after a minor financial setback in the seventies that we would be better off fiscally, if we incorporated. During that process we came across quite a few powerful business men with... well, problems of a supernatural origin. So, for a fee, we take care of it. If a Nike plant in the Philippines is having a small demon problem, we send a team... they send a check."

Giles was aghast. "You're mercenaries."

"Occasionally. But it allows us access to things you could only dream of. For one thing, we can consult with the best minds in the world. Willow, how would you like to study with Kai O'Trakan?"

"The Kai O'Trakan?" she gulped.

"Author of Demonology & Curses of the Samarain Codex... one in the same. Or Mr. Giles, say you have a problem with nasty chaos demon from the fifth realm, wouldn't it be nice to talk to Omar Sandaval?"

"I see your point. But still..."

"Rest assured, we haven't lost sight of our purpose. We are here to defend the innocent. It's what we do best, but the other allows us the tools to do our job... and do it well." Diamond stood. "I know I've dropped a lot on you in one night. Why not let it all sink in and we'll talk again tomorrow."

Giles nodded and stood. "It's all a bit surprising. But... I'll consider what you've said."

"That's all I ask." He turned to Willow again. "Well, that and would you join me at my house for a small party tomorrow evening?" He looked to Giles. "All of you?"

"I'll mention it to the others," Giles said evenly.

"And Willow, " Diamond said softly. "I have a special proposition for you."

She was dumbstruck. He chuckled and stepped away, Giles was getting a decidedly feral look in his eyes. They might not be a couple, Diamond surmised, but the Watcher's definitely got a thing for the witch. Better tread lightly, at least in front of him.

"We'll talk tomorrow," Diamond amended.

"Come along, Willow," Giles said. Brooking no opposition, he took her by the elbow and led her from the room.

"I'll be in touch!" Diamond called after them. He went around his desk and poured himself a snifter of brandy. A satisfied smile grew across his face.

"To possibilities," he said raising his glass in a private toast. "So many possibilities."

Part 6
 

I could definitely get used to this, Xander thought as he looked around the party.

Diamond's house was a palatial estate nestled in the hills of Bel Air. The Spanish style mansion sat atop a small knoll, acres of land reaching out, gentle rolling grassy lawns, tennis courts and pools were scattered across the grounds. Currently, roughly 300 of his closest friends were enjoying his hospitality.

Xander tried to look cool as he leaned against one of the larger fountains and waited for Cordelia.

"You're from Sunnydale," said a seductive voice from behind.

Xander turned and found not one, but four incredibly beautiful women. He gasped for air, unable to string letters, much less words together. He managed a quick, bobbing nod.

The raven haired goddess spoke again. "My name's Niki. This is Sasha, Inga and Natalie."

He swallowed hard as he looked from one gorgeous woman to the next. "Ma...ma..." He laughed nervously. "X-Xander... me Xander." He touched his chest and left his hand there, sure his heart was going to explode.

"We're the Fembots," Sasha said with a seductive smile.

"Fa-fa..." he laughed again, a high-pitched embarrassing laugh. He cleared his throat. "F-Fembots? Y-you're not r-robots are you?"

Sasha stepped close to him, brushing her long slender fingers across his cheek. "Oh, no," she whispered. "Flesh and blood."

Xander's breathing increased and his face flushed. A small bead of sweat formed on his upper lip.

"We're Denfenders," Niki explained. "That's our team name... The Fembots.... Do you like it?" She stroked his other cheek.

"I.... I like."

"It's a rush, isn't it?" Sasha said. "The fighting.. the thrill of the kill. It gets me sooo hot."

"The-the..." Xander blew out a long breath and swallowed again. "Hot is good."

"Xander!" That voice was familiar.

"Hmmm?"

"Xander!"

He turned with a frown to face the new annoying voice. "Cordy! Hi... I was... I was... Hi."

He pulled Cordelia close and she arched an eyebrow.

"I think this one's a little small for you." Cordeila said, with a serious expression. "Why don't you throw him back?"

Niki smiled. "Maybe you're right." Then she turned her attention back to Xander. "Come back in a few years, honey."

The Fembots glided into the crowd.

"Cordy, Cordy, Cordy. I missed you!" He hugged her fiercely.

She just rolled her eyes. "Are Giles and Willow here yet? Diamond was looking for them."

"Haven't see them. Is it just me or is G-man a little uptight lately?"

Cordelia gave him a blank stare.

"I mean more uptight than usual."

"No," Cordelia said. She wasn't about to tell Xander that she thought, no knew, there was something going on between Giles and Willow. After all, to Xander, Willow was still his little Wills. She sighed. Is everyone completely blind?

************

Her skirt was far too short.

"Your skirt is far too short," he said.

Willow looked down and smoothed out the material. She squished up her face and sighed. "I know, but try telling Buffy."

It was still far too short.

"Buffy said that if I wanted to fit in, I had to 'sex it up a little'," Willow added with a frown.

Giles groaned inwardly. Mission accomplished. It just gets worse and worse. He'd been dreading this party all day. He wasn't much for large gatherings to begin with... too many factors... too many things could go wrong. Secondly, Diamond was sure to approach Willow... and Willow was looking immanently approachable.

Giles prided himself on being a logical man. The sort of man who prepared for any situation and met each moment with a calm reserve. Recently, however, more and more often, hefound himself flustered and distracted. Where Willow was concerned, he was quick to anger and slow to reason. His mind drifted from his duties, daydreams and random thoughts of Willow taking hold. No good would come it, he was sure. And yet...

He couldn't help but sneak another peek at her. She sat in the passenger seat of the BMW tugging at the hem of her skirt. It rested about mid-thigh. Her legs were slender, shapely... and exposed. The blouse she wore was more modest, but being so only drew more attention to her legs. Giles gripped the steering wheel tightly.

"Wow," Willow said as they approached the main gate. There were two over-worked valets running up the driveway toward the front. "Some house."

"Just remember this is business, Willow."

"Come on, Giles. It's a party. We... I mean, I never go to parties... not like this. It'll be fun."

"Somehow, I doubt that," Giles grumbled as he pulled the car to a stop.

The inside was even more impressive than the outside. A huge crystal chandelier hung over the large entryway. Party guest milled in and out.

"Willow!" Diamond called from across the room. He excused himself from his other guests and swiftly crossed to join them. He was wearing a smart black suit that set off his pale blue eyes.

He reached out and took both of Willow's hands, pulled her close and kissed her on the cheek. "I'm so glad you're here."

Oh, this *is* fun, Giles thought through the beginnings of headache.

Diamond released Willow and shook Giles' hand. "Welcome to my home."

"Diamond," Giles said evenly.

"This is your idea of a small party?" Willow asked.

"Well, yes," Steve answered amiably. "The usual crowd. A few teams I'd like you to meet. But let's not talk business, we'll have plenty of time for that. " He looked appraisingly at Willow. "We have all night."

Giles cleared his throat. Diamond ignored him. "May I say, Willow. You look beautiful."

Willow giggled shyly and Diamond took her hand and kissed it. "She's just too good to be true, isn't she?" he asked Giles. Rupert forced his frown into a smile. He glared significantly at the offending hand that still held Willow's. The man's familiarity was galling.

Giles couldn't stand it any longer. First, the kiss, now this. Enough.

"Willow, we should find Buffy and the others," he suggested.

"Oh, right."

"Would you excuse us?" Giles asked as he took Willow's hand from Diamonds and put it in his own.

"Of course." Diamond smiled at Willow. "We'll talk later?"

"Sure," she replied with an innocent smile. Diamond grinned, then nodded and disappeared into the crowd.

Giles sighed heavily. "Willow..." She looked up at him with wide eyes, bright with excitement and anticipation. My God, why does she have to be so beautiful? He shook his head slightly and frowned. It was going to be a very long night.

"Giles?" she asked. He looks so sad.

"Let's see if we can't find the others," he said. Afraid to keep looking at her, he led them further into the house.

**********

"They should have been here by now," Buffy said annoyed and a little worried.

"Relax. There they are," Angel told her, pointing to the stairs leading to the back patio.

Buffy scanned the crowd, but didn't see them. "Where?"

"Right there. On the stairs."

Buffy looked again, all she saw were couples... and one of them... wait a minute. Oh. Giles and Willow were coming toward them, holding hands. Giles and Willow holding hands and looking pretty couply. Buffy looked at Angel, her eyes wide with questions, but found him watching the two approach with a rare gentle smile on his lips.

"Hey, Buffy. Some party!" Willow exclaimed.

Buffy tried not to stare at their hands. Her mind was racing with possible scenarios. Glue. Probably a random glue stick accident.

"Skirt looks great, Wills." Buffy's eyes never left their clasped hands.

"Thanks," Willow said beaming, oblivious to any strained undercurrents.

"Have trouble finding the place, Giles?" Buffy asked.

"No."

"Okay, I can't stand it. What's with the hand holding?" Buffy blurted.

"What?" Giles was confused, until he followed her gaze. He quickly released Willow's hand. "Oh... the... the... there was quite a press at the entryway... didn't want to get separated."

Buffy nodded, seeming to, at least tacitly, accept this explanation. Only Angel saw the flicker of pain that crossed Willow's face.

"Can I get you something to drink, Willow?" Angel asked hoping to change the topic to something less charged.

She smiled faintly. "No thanks." Funny, when most vampires ask you that, it's a loaded question.

"Hey, Wills!" Xander called out as he and Cordelia joined the group. "Isn't that skirt a little short?"

"Nice to see you too."

"Is this a rager or what?" Xander said bopping to the music. "Isn't this Savage Rain's new song?"

"Oh, I love this one," Buffy added.

"Thanks babe," said a voice with a strong southern drawl.

A group of four motley looking rockers passed by and Buffy and Xander's jaws dropped.

"T-that's Savage Rain," Xander stuttered.

"This is too cool. They are so cool," Buffy said as she watched them drift out onto the lawn.

"Not much for the music," Angel said. "but they make a pretty good team."

"Are you crazy? They're... team? You mean they're Defenders?"

Angel explained. "Ash, the lead singer is the weapons expert. Tag, the lead guitar is the brains. Chaz is base player and muscle. Raven's the warlock drummer."

"Warlock drummer. I love this town!" Xander exclaimed.

Giles was somewhat less enthusiastic. "Yes, well. Doesn't their, uhm... music... interfere with their job?"

"Not really. It's a great cover. They have the Hollywood beat, so they're usually at a club nearby if anything breaks. Don't let the way they look fool you. They're damn good at what they do."

Giles looked skeptical, but he trusted Angel on this sort of matter. Maybe there was more to consider here than he'd initially thought. He knew he had to try to separate his feelings for Diamond personally and professionally. Certainly, money was an issue, now more than ever. Virtually unlimited resources would be a welcome change, but... at what cost.

"Enjoying yourself?" Diamond asked as he appeared out of the crowd.

"Great party!" Xander said.

"I'm glad you like it, Xander. We try to have a little fun now and again. The Defenders has a more liberal attitude than some other groups."

"I like your thinking," Buffy added. "You see Giles, slaying and fun can mix."

"Perhaps," Giles answered noncommittally.

"Willow," Steve began. "If you have a few minutes. I'd like to speak with you."

"Sure," she said.

"Alone, if you don't mind." He noticed her start to fidget nervously. "No secrets. You can tell the others everything later if you want."

"Okay," she said with shy grin.

This was one of the situations Giles had prepared himself for. He had no intention of letting Diamond get Willow alone. "Willow, I think I should go with you?"

"Why?" she asked sharply. Her eyes were hard as they met his and his resolve began to melt into a puddle of confusion.

"I just think..." he stumbled.

"I think I can make up my own mind," she said tersely. "Would you excuse us?" She took Diamond's arm and with one last significant look back, left.

"I wonder what that's all about," Buffy said.

"I guess we'll find out later," Xander added. "And until then, we par-tay!"

"Right on, Xandalicous!" Buffy said, forgetting about Willow and remembering the handsome vampire at her side.

Xander pulled Cordelia toward the outdoor dance floor. Buffy did the same with Angel.

Standing alone, Giles stared off toward the house, wishing he'd never heard of Los Angeles.

Part 7
 

Willow looked around the old fashioned study. Volume after volume lined the dark wood shelves. Large comfortable leather chairs sat invitingly under the glow of reading lamps. It was a wonderful room. Giles would love it. Giles. Why had it bothered her so much when he'd let go of her and blanched under Buffy's scrutiny? She knew she was being childish again. It's time to grow up, she thought. You can do it.

She turned to face Diamond, a new calm supporting her.

"Won't you have a seat?" he asked. He paced for a few moments, reminding her of a certain librarian. Bad Willow. Don't think about Giles. You're here. So BE here.

He stopped moving and fixed his gaze upon Willow. She sat patiently, a gentle smile on her face.

"Now, Willow," he began. "I want you to hear me out before you make up your mind. I want you to carefully consider everything I say, alright?"

"Okay."

"Good... As I told you last night, we've been keeping tabs on you. All of you, but especially you."

"Me? I mean, Buffy I understand... and Giles too, but.. I'm just a Slayerette."

Diamond's face was intense and serious. "You are not *just* anything, Willow." Hi blue eyes were piercing, hypnotic.

"I... I don't understand."

"We would very much like Buffy and the others to join us, to become a Defender team."

Willow nodded.

"But not you," he added. She was dumbstruck. She had never even considered this possibility.

She managed a weak "Oh."

Diamond moved closer. "You would be replaced by another wicca, possibly a warlock."

Why not just squish me and be done with it. "I see," she said. Inside, she was near panic.

"No, you don't," he continued. "Not yet."

He sat on the small table in front of her chair and looked deeply into her eyes. "You're special, Willow. Very special. Someone with your natural abilities is very rare."

"Me?" she said shaking her head in denial. "I'm just a dabbler. I told you, I dabble. I'm definitely not whatever you think I am."

"Willow. I can see it in your eyes and I'm not even gifted. You're being wasted."

"I am not!"

"I didn't mean that the way it sounded," he apologized. "It's just that you have the potential to be so much more." He stood and walked back to his desk. "We want you to join us. To come and study for a time. We have the people who can train you, help you reach your full potential."

"I still don't understand."

He sighed. "Tell me, when you cast... you feel the magic don't you? You don't think it. You feel it."

She nodded. She'd never really thought about it that way, but was it true. She clasped her hands in her lap and looked at them thoughtfully.

"Kai O'Trakan would like to take you on as his protégé. That is, until you surpass him."

"Surpass him?" she choked. He was only maybe the greatest living sorcerer.

"Limitless potential, I think is what he said about you."

This was really crossing the border into the surreal. She could never be as powerful as Kai... could she? What an amazing opportunity it would be to study with someone like him.

"I know this a shock, but deep down, you must have had some idea," he said.

"I don't know. I mean, I've dreamed of it, but I thought that's all it was. Just a dream."

"There's no such thing as just a dream, Willow," he said kindly. He walked over to her and sat down next to her. "Selfishly, I hope you agree to join us. I'd like the chance to get to know the woman I've read about for so long."

She blushed and he chuckled. "You're even more beautiful when you blush."

She shifted nervously in her seat. He took mercy on her and moved away. "I can assure you, you'll be well treated... financially and otherwise. As your sponsor, I'd, of course, keep a close eye on your progress."

She smiled faintly. Her head was spinning. "I need to think about this. I mean, I'm not even sure if I believe you."

He laughed gently. "You are very wise, Miss Rosenberg. But, rest assured, it's all true."

She nodded.

"Why don't you go back out and enjoy the party?" he said as he opened the study door. She stood and walked out on shaky legs. He put his arm around her waist for support. "You alright?"

She took a deep breath. "Yes," she smiled. "Just a little stunned."

He returned her smile. "Have some fun.. but save me a dance or two," he whispered with a suggestive leer. She giggled. He kissed her cheek and gently pushed her out the door.

**********

Giles couldn't shake the feeling of quiet desperation slowly overtaking him. He knew that he'd started to lose Willow...

"Scotch rocks," he told the bartender.

Losing Willow. Not that she was ever mine, really. Nonetheless, that's how he saw her. His. He'd never tried to claim her. He told himself Willow wasn't the type to be possessed, not by anyone. But really, it was because he was too damned much of a coward to try. He couldn't bear the thought of her not being near, so he kept himself at arms length. Ironic, in a truly pathetic sort of way.

He'd managed to keep her in his life, to spend time with her, comfort and be comforted, but it was never enough. There was always a distance, an unseen barrier. He told himself it was to protect her and for propriety's sake, but wasn't it there to protect him as well. To keep her safely away from his wants and desires... and him away from her... her everything.

She wasn't a child anymore, far from it. She was an adult now and yet her availability only made her seem more unattainable. The paradox was slowly driving him mad.

Here, tonight, he'd only made matters worse. Instead of keeping her away from Diamond, he'd virtually pushed her into the man's arms.

She was with him right now. The bastard was probably seducing her at this very minute, while I stand here in all my pathetic glory.

Adding salt to the wound was the horrible realization that Willow might actually welcome Diamond's attentions. After the way she'd danced with him at the club! Giles felt a sudden wave of jealously, arousal and anger. She'd never behaved like that before, although God knows I've fantasized about it often enough.

Diamond was young, handsome and rich... a triple threat. He touched Willow, held her hand, kissed her cheek, told her she was beautiful - all the things Giles wanted to do, but wouldn't allow. Diamond had not such restraints. He wanted Willow and he was openly pursuing her, while Giles sat on his hands for fear of accidentally brushing her shoulder, for fear of the quivering heat that even such a fleeting touch would bring.

Gods, am I so far gone that just the mere thought of touching her makes me aroused? He sighed and threw back the remainder of his drink. As he turned to ask the bartender for another, he saw them standing in the doorway of a dark room. His heart jumped into his throat. Her face was flushed and Diamond's arm was around her waist. He was leaning in whispering something that made her laugh and then he kissed her cheek. Fuck! She was an innocent waiting to be taken by this wolf. Finally, he released her and she drifted, lost in thought.

Unaware that he'd even moved, Giles was suddenly at her side. He grabbed her arm sharply. "Willow?"

"Oh. Hi, Giles," she said still stunned from her conversation with Diamond.

"Willow?" he said again, shaking her.

"Giles, what?" She looked up at him. His eyes were too bright and he smelled of scotch. "Have you been drinking?"

"Yes." He let go of her arms. "I have."

"Why?" Willow knew when Giles drank something bad inevitably followed.

"Does there have to be a reason?" he said irritably.

"No, but there usually is. What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong. What could possibly be wrong? We're at a lovely party. Having fun, right? You are having fun aren't you?" he said his voice laced with innuendo.

"Giles..."

"Is he finished with you already?"

"That was rude."

He snorted dismissively.

"What's wrong with you?" she demanded. "You're acting like an ass."

"Am I?" he said angrily. The tenuous grasp he had on his control was slipping away.

She was frightened but she'd dealt with angry Giles before, so she pushed on. "Why are you doing this?"

He couldn't stop himself. He heard the words leaving his mouth and he couldn't stop them. "I know you're not stupid, Willow. Stop acting like it."

"Giles!"

"Are you really so naive, or is this just an act for my benefit?"

She didn't know what to say. Giles had never been purposefully hurtful before.

He leaned in close. "You know what he wants, don't you?" His breath was hot on her cheek. "He wants you."

"G-Giles. Stop this. This... this isn't you."

"Oh, no? Who is it then?"

"I don't know, but I know you and -"

"You don't know me at all," he hissed as he stood away from her. Shame and anger warring in equal parts.

"Maybe I don't," she said quietly.

She looked so hurt and afraid. He closed his eyes, unwilling to bear witness to what he'd done to her. Have I gone completely insane? He took a deep breath. "Willow, I'm..." He opened his eyes, but she was gone.

He wanted to rush after her, apologies brimming to the surface, but he didn't move. His legs were like iron his body suddenly exhausted. He leaned heavily against the wall.

What the hell had just happened? How could I have said those things? Yesterday, he'd been walking in paradise and now he stood in a hell of his own creation.

Of all the people to hurt... oh, God. The twisted logic of a breaking heart. Fear and love make you do strange and horrible things. He couldn't bear the thought of losing her, so he pushed her away. Hurt the most gentle soul in the world, to save your own miserable hide.

Bloody hell.

********

What on earth was that all about? Giles had never, ever spoken to her like that before. Instantly, her hurt turned to concern. Her mind raced through all the possibilities, never once considering it might be her. Something had upset him and he was just taking it out on her. But what was it?

She saw him walk down the steps. Angel was there. Good. As long as he wasn't alone. She saw them speak for a few minutes. Then they scanned the balcony, probably looking for me, she thought. She didn't want to be found, not just yet, so she ducked back inside.

Her mind was reeling. As if the conversation with Diamond hadn't been enough, Giles had to go blow a gasket on her.

I just need some time to think.

She saw the bar and realized that her mouth had gone dry. She approached the bartender.

"What'll it be?" he asked.

She smiled faintly, "Iced tea, I guess."

"Long Island?"

She frowned. "No, I'm from Sunnydale."

He laughed at her apparent joke and set about mixing her drink. What's so funny about being from Sunnydale, she thought.

A few moments later her handed her a tall glass. It was a warm night and she could use a little something to help cool down.

"Thank you." She sipped it. It tasted funny, good, but not like the iced tea she was used to. Must be an LA thing, she thought and took another sip.

Mmmm, this is good. Is it just me or is it getting warmer in here?
 

Part 8
 

"Mr. Giles?" asked a deep rumbling baritone.

"Hmm?" Giles mumbled as he pulled his eyes up from the ground.

The large barrel-chested man extended his hand. "I'm Carson Vail. Mr. Diamond suggested we meet."

Giles stood and reluctantly shook. "Friend of Diamond's, are you?" he said suspiciously.

The man laughed easily. "Well, associate. We don't always see eye to eye. I'm what he calls old school, I'm afraid."

Giles nodded in understanding. "I must admit... all of this is a bit much for my tastes."

"Diamond tends toward excess, but he' s a good man."

Giles bit back a wicked repose, but his expression gave him away. Vail raised an eyebrow, but said nothing, his attention quickly drawn away. "I'm afraid I see someone I need to speak with. I would like to talk to you about our organization. Give you the old school point of view, as it were."

Giles smiled.

"I'll call you tomorrow at your hotel, if that's alright?" Vail asked.

"Of course. I look forward to it."

"Good. Enjoy the rest of the party," Vail added as he drifted into the crowd.

Giles sighed and fell back into his chair. Where the devil is that girl?

*********

"Nice tree," she said rubbing her fingers over the rough bark.

Somehow Willow had wandered out onto the grounds. She drank the last sip of her "tea" and dropped the glass. She bent over to retrieve it and sat heavily (aka fell) onto the ground next to it.

"So sleepy..."

Sometime later she was having the strangest dream. Two men and a very nice tree were having an odd conversation.

"Just make sure she's there," said the southerner.

"Don't worry," replied the deep voice. "She'll be there."

"She better be. I can't handle it alone, you know."

The tree was suspiciously quiet.

"I'll be there for back up. You worry too much, Raven."

Oh, one of the men was a bird. I wonder if he's sitting in the tree.

"Damn straight, I worry. Summoning a demon like that... I don't know." The southern bird was getting cold feet.

"Just do it. Leave the rest to me," assured the deep voice. "Eight o'clock tomorrow. Understood?"

"Yeah, I'll take care of it."

"Be sure you do."

And then the dream faded and darkness overtook her.

"Willow?"

"The tree speaks," she mumbled.

He laughed.

"The tree laughs. Funny tree."

"Willow?"

She opened her eyes and saw Diamond standing over her. "Oh, it's you. Hi, Steve. You know you're kinda blurry. Are you feeling okay?"

He helped her sit up. "I was going to ask you the same question."

"I'm fine. Fine, fine, fine, fine." She smiled goofily and then suddenly pouted. "Except Giles is being a pill."

"He is?" he asked sitting down next to her.

"Yes, a big, British pill."

"He's a pill," Diamond agreed with a smirk.

"Hey! He's my pill. I can say bad things cause he's mine. You can't, so don't."

"Sorry."

"S'okay."

Diamond found her empty glass and took a sniff. "This yours?"

"Was. All gone now."

He studied her carefully.

"I feel funny.... Wavy-like... I think that bird put a spell on me... a wavy spell."

"You, my dear Willow, are what we in know call... plastered."

"You mean, drunk? I am not! I have never had a drink in my life!"

"Then what's this?" he asked.

"That was my LA tea. Iced tea that makes you hot. Are you hot? I'm hot." She tugged on her blouse.

He sighed. "Oh, Willow. What am I going to do with you?"

She tried to stand, but a wave of dizziness stopped her halfway. She grabbed onto the tree. "Nice tree." Diamond stood and held her steady. "Nice Steve."

"I think you need some coffee."

"Oh no!" she said aghast. "Coffee makes me act all crazy!"

"Still, I think -"

"My head's swimming. Do you have a pool?"

"Uhm, yes. Two actually," he said gesturing over the small hell beyond. "But I don't think you're in any condition to -"

She broke away from his gasp and started to run toward the pool. "Willow!" he called and ran after her.

*******

"Willow. Where have you gotten to?" Giles mumbled to himself as he made yet another pass through the crowd.

He felt terrible. He's behaved like an absolute boor and needed desperately to apologize. But, he'd looked and looked and there just wasn't any sign of her.

He scanned the area again, to no avail, then he saw someone emerging from the woods. He couldn't make it out, but something in him urged him to check anyway. He hurried down the steps and quickened his pace toward the grassy slope.

What he saw made him stop dead in his tracks.

"Willow!"
 

Part 9

Just cresting the hill was an image straight out of one of Giles' worst nightmares. Willow in the arms of another man. Not just in his arms... She was wearing a short terry cloth robe and much to his dismay so was Diamond. Their hair was wet and Willow clinging to him like a limpet. Steve sang "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" softly as he carried her back toward the house, but stopped short when he saw Giles.

"What the bloody hell do you think you're doing?" he yelled.

Diamond smiled nervously. "This is not what it looks like."

"Hi, Giles!" Willow said happily.

He would have killed the man where he stood if Willow hadn't been in his arms. Giles' breath came in ragged gasps as he tried to rein in his fuming anger. He clenched and unclenched his fists. This was unthinkable, and yet, here it was.

"Keep singing, Steve. I love this part," Willow babbled as she lay her head against Diamond's shoulder. She hiccuped loudly.

Giles' eyes narrowed as the realization dawned. "She's drunk!" He looked at Diamond, his eyes cold fury. "You bastard," he seethed.

"Please, this isn't-"

Giles ignored his protests and quickly closed the distance between them. His face contorted in anger, he roughly took hold of Willow. He scanned her for any injuries then held her tightly to his chest. "My God," he choked as yet another reality hit him. "She's... she's naked." He closed his eyes as - imagining the worst.

"Willow? Love? Are you alright?" he whispered softly, his face a mask of fear and worry.

"Hmm.. I'm fine. Fine. Fine....." She looked into his eyes. "Uh-oh."

Giles looked back at Diamond, murder clearly his intent.

"Steve, I'd like you to meet Ripper," Willow remarked blithely.

Diamond gulped. He'd read about this side of the Watcher and knew he was in trouble. Ripper smiled at him, a smile full of promise, the promise of pain.

"Mr. Giles, I swear to you-"

"I'm taking Willow back to the hotel," Giles said evenly.

"Good. That's a good idea," Diamond said clearly relieved.

"Then I'm going to come back here and break your fucking neck!" Giles spun away, Willow snuggling comfortably in his arms.

"Shit," Diamond said.

Holding her closely and daring anyone to get in his way, Giles proceeded to tote Willow back to the house, through the middle of the party, past the buffet line and out the front door. No one paid any attention, except for a small group gathered around the hors d'oeuvres table.

"Isn't that Giles?" Xander asked in confusion.

"And Willow!" Buffy added.

They exchanged worried looks and started to dash off after the pair. But Angel and Cordelia stopped them.

"I think they need to handle this alone," Angel suggested.

"Alone? Hello? Willow was wearing a robe, not the clothes she came in and Giles was definitely in full Ripper mode. Houston, we have a problem!"

Angel sighed and looked pleadingly at Cordelia.

"What? Am I missing something?" Xander asked.

"Oh, that's too easy," Cordelia said with a laugh. She sighed, pursed her lips and got serious. "I think we need to talk."
 

The drive back to the hotel had done little to cool Giles' anger. He'd tried to concentrate, to calm himself, but every time he looked at her, so vulnerable, his rage blazed anew.

He was going to kill Diamond. How could the man be so immoral? Willow. Sweet innocent, trusting Willow had been lured into the spider's web. If he's taken advantage of her... if he's abused her....if he's so much as touched her! She's bloody naked under that robe... what do you think happened? He could barely keep the car on the road. I should have killed him where he stood.

Giles carried Willow through the lobby of the hotel with the same ferocity he had earlier. He ignored the few who dared give him a disapproving look, intent only on Willow and getting her quickly to a place of safety.

He set her down gently on the bed and paused. He'd been a man of action up until this point. But now, looking at her small, defenseless form, he was at a loss.

He sat on the edge of the bed and gently tried to rouse her. "Willow?"

"Hmmm?" she said groggily as she opened her eyes. "Hello, Giles." She looked around the room, a small pout on her face. "We're back at the hotel, aren't we?"

"Yes. How are you feeling?" What had been anger was now concern, the fire now an aching worry.

Her pout shifted into a small frown. "I feel kind of strange. All drifty and slow. Is everything all drifty and slow?"

He sighed. "What did you have to drink, Willow?"

"Tea. Just had some iced tea."

"Long Island?"

"Why does everyone keep asking me that?"

"Did Diamond give you this tea?" he asked bitterly.

"I don't know what his name was," she said sitting up.

Dear God. Another man? "W-What do you mean?" he sputtered.

"The bartender guy. Don't know his name."

Giles breathed a sigh of relief, but it was short lived as he thought again of Diamond. "D-Did you... what I mean to say," he swallowed hard. "What did he do to you?"

"The bartender?" she asked in confusion.

"No!.. I'm sorry. No, Diamond... You were, uh, with him. Tell me what happened Willow."

"You promise you won't get mad," she said in a small voice.

"I promise I'll try."

"I don't remember."

"Willow," he sighed. "I won't be mad at you. I promise."

"It's all kind of blurry," she said through squinty eyes.

"Let's start with... where are your clothes?" He braced himself for the answer.

"Oh, I know this one! They're in the pool cabana," she said proudly.

"And how did they get there?" he prompted.

"I took them off after they got all wet."

Giles closed his eyes. The image both enraged and aroused him. "How did they get wet, Willow?"

"I wanted to go swimming, but Steve didn't want to. So I said I just wanted to look. And we did. Closely... Very closely.... Too closely." Then she dissolved into a fit of giggles.

Giles clenched his jaw and tried to be patient. "Willow!"

She stopped abruptly. "You said you wouldn't get mad."

"I'm sorry," he said as a deep painful frown creased his forehead.

Willow stuck out her lower lip and scooched closer to him. She reached out with her small hand and smoothed the lines of his brow. "Don't frown, Giles." She gently ran her warm fingers along his worry lines.

He caught his breath and then stilled her hand. Once again, he didn't release it. "Willow..."

"You frown too much," she said softly as she traced little circles on the back of his hand. "It makes me so sad to see you frown," she whispered.

A small fist clutched his heart. He tried to slow his breathing, to ignore her feather light touches and shocks that coursed through his body.

"Too many worries," she said moving even closer. "I just want to feel safe."

He dared to look at her and knew instantly it was a mistake. Her eyes were so big, so sad and so achingly beautiful.

"I haven't felt safe in so long," she breathed. "Would you just hold me?"

A wave of mild panic washed over him.

She looked so small. "I know I'll feel safe in your arms."

He pulled Willow into his lap and wrapped his arms protectively around her. "You're safe, Willow, " he soothed. "Nothing can hurt you. I won't let it."

"I know," she said softly against his chest.

He caressed her hair, and let his fingers trail down her cheek. She nuzzled against his warmth and reveled in the feel of him.

They stayed silent, lost in the embrace for a few rare precious minutes. Eventually, Giles knew he had to pull away from her or he'd embarrass them both. He tenderly disentangled himself and set her on the bed.

"Feeling better?"

She looked up at him sadly, then ducked her head. She looked down at her robe and clutched at it, realizing for the first time that wasn't dressed. She blushed furiously.

The quick color to her cheeks surprised him. "Are you alright?"

"I... I'm naked!"

He chuckled lightly. "So I've noticed." Stupid ass. "Y-you should probably change. Do... do you think you can manage?"

She nodded, suddenly shy.

"I'll wait outside," he said as he closed the door behind him. He let out a long shuddering breath. She'd felt so good in his arms, but he was so ashamed at the way his body had reacted to her. She needed to feel safe, not be the object of lust. Which promptly brought this mind back to Diamond. What had gone on between them? Oh, Willow...

Thud.

"Ow," came the muffled cry from Willow's bedroom. Giles quickly pushed the door open to find her sprawled on the floor rubbing her knee.

She looked up sheepishly. "I fell down, go boom."

"Are you hurt?" he asked.

"I'd be fine if the room would just stop spinning."

He smiled in understanding and helped her to the edge of the bed. He noticed a small abrasion on her knee.

"Let me look at that," he said pulling her hands away. "Just a scrape. I'll be right back." He disappeared out the door, but returned almost immediately with a first aid kit.

He knelt in front of her, bracing her foot against his knee. He held her calf gently and prepared to dab the wound with disinfectant. "This may sting a little," he said as he looked up for approval. He quickly looked back down. Her robe had fallen open, giving him quite a view of her breasts if he wanted it. He tried not to let the image burn into his memory, but it was far too late. Could she possibly be more exquisite? Oh, Gods.

She noticed his reaction and pulled the robe around her, but the damage had been done.

"T-This m-may sting," he repeated.

"You already said that."

"I know." He couldn't meet her eyes. Gods, just feeling the soft skin of her legs was enough to drive him to distraction, and now this...

Giles tried to concentrate on the task at hand. He gently wiped the scrape and she gave a small hiss. He held her leg still and blew softly on her knee, hoping to take away the pain.

It was the most erotic moment of Willow's life. Giles kneeling before her, his strong, warm hands holding her leg and his soft breath caressing her knee. She'd had fantasies like this, and now, here she was... alone with Giles in a hotel room.

The alcohol gave her one last burst of courage. She leaned forward slowly. "Giles?"

When he looked up, her face was inches from his. Her lips were open and inviting. He searched her eyes... Was that passion he saw? Gradually, he returned with wonder to her welcoming mouth.

And she kissed him.

Her lips barely brushed his at first. She reached out and touched his cheek, trying to urge him closer.

His heart was pounding. Every part of his brain screaming how wrong this was, every fiber in his body telling him how right.

He closed his eyes and let himself return the kiss. His lips melted into hers, endless waves of emotion pushing and pulling. She felt so wonderful, tasted so sweet. He pressed harder against her mouth, pent up passions and jealousies spurring him on. She moaned with pleasure, but the sound ripped him from this waking dream, and he pulled away.

If he'd looked at her face, he would have seen her desire, her shame, her hurt and even her love. But he didn't look. Couldn't look.

Without ever meeting her eyes, he stumbled from the room. "Forgive me." And he was gone.
 

Part Ten

Could he have run away any faster?

Willow sighed and swallowed what shreds of pride she had left and went to apologize.

He stood in the middle of the living room, facing the main door, his back tense.

"Giles?" she asked tentatively.

He lowered his head. "W-Willow...I'm," he struggled to find words and finally turned to face her. "I'm so terrible sorry."

"Why? You didn't do anything. I'm the skanky ho...Oh God, I am."

"No, no. I should never have allowed what.... I've behaved abominably tonight."

"Giles..."

"To take advantage you in your... state... You have every right to be furious with me." He shook his head. "Here I fancy myself your white knight and ..."

"Giles..."

"If I weren't so ashamed of my own behavior I'd be on my way to give Mr. Diamond a sound thrashing...Actually, I still might."

"Nothing happened," she said dropping onto the couch. Giles looked skeptical. "You don't believe me?"

"It's not that."

"Nothing happened."

"Willow, it's alright. Did he try to..."

"Giles! Nothing happened!" She sighed and added softly. "I only kissed one man tonight."

"Who?.... Oh." A paralyzing awkwardness descended. Giles was the first to recover. "Alcohol can... can make people do things that under ordinary circumstances..."

"Giles..."

"I, of course, have no excuse for my behavior."

"I kissed you!" she yelled. "I've wanted to kiss you for so long, but I was too afraid and then I just did it and I can't believe I did it, but I did. Oh, God."

"Why?" he asked softly.

"Because I love you."

Deafening silence.

"I said that out loud, didn't I?" She shrank back into cushions. "Do you think we could just forget that? Chalk it up to temporary insanity and pretend that... Oh, God... I'm just going to disappear now." She covered her face with her hands.

Once Giles started breathing again, he managed to speak. "Y-y-you w-what?"

"Could this get any more humiliating?" she whimpered.

"Willow," he urged. "Please look at me."

"Can't we just pretend I didn't say that?"

"Did you...did you mean it?"

"And a new level of humiliation is discovered..." she groaned.

"Willow..."

She sighed deeply. This was a moment of truth and she wasn't going to lie. She knew she had to say it. It felt good to say it. "Yes. I meant it."

"R-really?" He couldn't let himself believe it might be true.

"Yes," she said calmly, honesty giving her the strength to forge ahead. "I think I've had a crush on you since that first day in the library."

"A crush?" he said and couldn't hide his disappointment. "It's not unusual for authority figures to elicit-"

"In the beginning," she continued. "But then things changed. I'm not sure when... No, that's a lie. I know exactly when it changed." She tried not to consider what he might be thinking. She'd started down this path and there was no turning back. She might never get this opportunity again. If she agreed to take Diamond up on his offer, she wouldn't have to worry about living with Giles' rejection, she probably wouldn't see him again...

She looked at the man sitting next to her, the man she'd fallen in love with, and tried to memorize everything about him, to lock it away for the lonely days ahead.

"It was during the summer Buffy was away. Xander, Cordelia and I were patrolling and we had that run in with Paranka, the Slugmonster."

Giles nodded and smiled, remembering the Xanderism.

"It was pretty scary, but eventually we squished him. We got covered with that icky slime stuff. You should have seen your face when we walked into the library," she said with a chuckle, but the laughter faded quickly. "You were so worried and we were being so silly. Xander was telling his stupid jokes and Cordelia was complaining about her dry cleaning bills. And we just broke down into fits of giggles. You scolded us and made that clucking sound. Then you gave us your mock look of disapproval and went back into your office."

She looked down shyly. "You didn't know it, but I saw you watching us. You looked so sad. You tried not to show it, but I know you hated it when we went on patrol. You probably felt guilty for putting us in danger and helpless that you couldn't stop it all from happening in the first place. We knew that night could have, like every other night, ended with disaster, with somebody dying." She gave a small shudder. "We just needed to blow off some steam and laughing and being silly was our way of doing it. You could have stayed and joined us, but you didn't. I supposed you didn't want us to see your pain or dampen our spirits with your worries. Or maybe you didn't feel welcome. But you were... you were always welcome."

Giles fought down the lump in his throat.

"And I watched you watch us. You were afraid to get too close, but were always there if we needed you... It was the way you watched us that night... Strong and vulnerable. Proud and ashamed. Your eyes were so full," she said, her voice choking with emotion. "That's when I knew how much I loved you."

She looked him squarely in the eyes, needing him to see the truth in her words. "I told myself that I loved you as a friend. As a dear friend, but every day you did a thousand things to remind me. I couldn't stop thinking about you, dreaming about you. When we'd be alone in the library, I'd have this strange wiggley feeling in my stomach. Here," she said as she touched just below her ribcage. "I knew I loved you... really loved you. And I... I..." She finally ran out of words.

Giles sat silently awed by her confession. He gently took her small hand in his, letting her strength stop his trembling. "Willow..."

Unsure if he could speak in such close proximity, he took refuge in the movement of pacing. He stood and prowled the room as he spoke. "The day the Council called and told me I was to have my own Slayer was... well, it's difficult to describe. My entire world changed in that instant. I went from the British Museum to the Sunnydale High School library. From reading Watcher's diaries to writing them. Everything that had been merely a theory became a reality. That day was the most important day of my life... Until today."

He wanted to tell her she was an angel, beautiful beyond measure. That she made his heart sing and filled him with a passion and a tenderness that made his knees weak. But he was too overwhelmed. He reached up and laid a hand over his pounding heart.

"My chest's so tight," he said nervously.

He stopped pacing and carefully considered his words. "I've certainly never been accused of being an eloquent man. I've always had trouble expressing my emotions, but..." He struggled, frustrated that he couldn't say what was in his heart. He crossed back to the sofa and knelt next to her. He took her hand and studied the elegant lines of her fingers, hoping to find inspiration. His chin trembled and the tears began to fill his eyes. "Willow..." He let out a long shuddering breath, the depth of his emotions too much. "I'm... I'm sorry... I can't seem to find the words."

She squeezed his hand and smiled at him through her own tears. She needed to kiss him, to let him feel her love. She pulled him closer... slowly...

Their eyes locked, expressing all the things that couldn't be said. Their faces just inches apart, their breath mingling as their lips parted in anticipation. "I love you, Willow," he whispered before taking possession of his love.

The kiss was unlike any other. Tasting each others tears, they fell into the embrace. Their first kiss had been filled with passion and heat. This kiss was draped in their love.

When they opened their eyes it was a new world that greeted them. In just a few minutes everything had changed. What had been tentative became sure. Dark was light. Day was night.

"Wow," Willow whispered.

Giles chuckled and pulled her closer. "I suppose to say this complicates things would be a gross understatement." He regretted the words as soon as he'd spoken them. He should have been able to let the moment linger.

Willow nodded, a frown coming to her face.

"I didn't meant that the way it sounded," she said hurriedly. "It's... I couldn't be happier. Really."

She smiled, but the frown shown through. "It's not that."

"What is it?"

"Diamond."

The name was like an arrow to his heart. He tensed. Instantly, the events of the evening came back to him in a rush. "Did... did he hurt you?" I'll kill him.

"No, nothing like that. He was a perfect gentleman."

"All evidence to the contrary," he mumbled through clenched teeth.

"Giles... Rupert... I was acting like an idiot. He was really very sweet."

Giles groaned. "That doesn't exactly put me at ease, Willow."

"Does this?" she asked as she kissed him again. He moaned when she pulled away.

"It's a start."

They were quiet for another long moment.

"Kai O'Trakan wants to take me on as his apprentice."

Giles' eyes went wide with surprise and then sparkled with pride. "That's wonderful. Kai... that's quite an honor."

"Yes, " she said dully.

"You don't sound very excited."

"I don't want to leave Sunnydale. Especially not now," she said snuggling against his chest.

Leave? Her words cut him like a knife. He hadn't even considered that. Of course, she'd have to move. To move away. Away. It was the opportunity of a lifetime. How could he in any good conscience try to dissuade her?

"Do you want to go?" he asked. Please say no.

"No."

Thank God.

"But, " she sighed. "Maybe I should."

He didn't know what to say. He'd finally found love and minutes later it was leaving him. More than anything in he world, he wanted her to be happy, to do what was best for her. But he couldn't imagine life without her, not now.

"I could do so much more to help. I'd be stronger. I could make a difference." She didn't want any of those things, but if her time with Giles had taught her anything it was that sometimes, oftentimes, you did what you had to do, not what you wanted to do. The fight against Evil was more important than anything else... her happiness included.

The emotional toll of the evening was beginning to weigh on her. She felt the fatigue starting to take over.

"Let's not talk about this now." she said. "I just want to pretend everything can stay like it is right now."

"It can't, you know," he said sadly.

"Let's pretend." Her eyes were deep with feeling. "Just for tonight, let's pretend it can."

He nodded, knowing this might be all they ever had. He pulled her close to his heart and kissed her gently. "Alright, love. Alright."

Part 11

"Pancakes and sausages. Oh, and bacon...gotta have bacon…" Xander was practically drooling.

"Okay, okay… We'll get breakfast, but I've gotta change first," Buffy said as she fumbled for the hotel key. "And a word to the wise, or in this case, you… Shower." She found the keycard and slid it through the slot.
"My natural manliness too much for-" The rest of the sentence died in his throat, as his eyes bugged out of his head.

"Whoa," Buffy mumbled. Giles and Willow were asleep on the couch, tangled in each others arms.
Buffy tried to close the door, but Xander stood in the way, frozen in shock and horror.

"Xander…"

"Wha…?"

"Move."

"Hmmm?"

"Move," she said as she pulled him into the room and closed the door.
Cautiously, they walked over to the sleeping couple.

"At least they're dressed," Buffy observed casually.

"Buffy!" Xander's exclamation woke Giles. He groaned and shifted his neck, working out a kink. His eyes fluttered open and fell upon the woman in his arms. A huge, sleepy grin swept across his face and he leaned in to kiss her.

"Giles," Buffy said, her voice uneasy.

He snapped to attention, realizing they weren't alone. "Buffy… Xander." A blush rose in his cheeks.

"Aren't you going to introduce us to your… oh, it's Willow," Buffy said playfully.

Giles smirked, but was incredibly relieved that Buffy wasn't beating him to a bloody pulp. Xander, on the other hand, was silent, his face grim.

Willow mumbled something in her sleep. Giles cradled her gently and stroked her cheek. She seemed to relax and drift back into a peaceful rest. He pulled her easily into his lap and without a word of explanation, carried her to the bedroom.
He set her down gently and allowed himself a moment to gaze fondly at this amazing woman. He remembered how her voice had sounded when she said she loved him. How soft her lips were. His eyes drifted over her. He really should take her out of that robe, but he wasn't sure it was proper. He loved her, wanted nothing more than to make love to her, touch every inch of her body, but that would come in time. Here, now, it felt indecent to, well, disrobe her.
With a sigh, he walked back out into the living room.

"Buffy, would you… uhm… get Willow ready for bed?" he asked.

She shot up an eyebrow, but kept her remarks to herself. Instead, she smiled slyly and disappeared into the bedroom.

Xander watched the door close and then turned on the Watcher. "Is she alright?" he asked sharply.

"I'm afraid she'll have quite a headache when she wakes. But, yes, she's fine."

"What the hell happened?" Xander demanded.

Giles bristled at the tone, but chose to ignore it. "It seems Willow had a bit too much to drink, so I brought her back to the hotel."

"And you two just ended up in each other's arms?" Xander drawled bitterly. "Didn't know you had it in you."

"Xander," Giles said, warning in his voice.

"I can't believe you! This is Willow. Willow… How could you take advantage of her?"

"I would never-"

"I ought to punch you right in the mouth," Xander steamed.

"I think you'd better calm down," Giles said evenly.

"I don't want to calm down. Cordelia said you two… God! Were you just waiting till she was drunk?"

"Xander!" Giles was getting very angry, and consciously tried to calm down. "It's not what you think."

"Oh, no? Then what is it? Cause I'd like to know."

"I love her," Giles said simply. "And much to my amazement, she loves me."

Xander's jaw set.

"I know this will be awkward at first," Giles continued. "But I was hoping you'd be a little more mature than this."

"I have a problem with this. A big problem."

"And that is?"

Xander glared at him, defiant. "I love her."

"I realize that she's your best friend and nothing's-"

"No! I mean I love her."

"And what of Cordelia?" Giles asked sharply. He was surprised at how easily his jealousy was piqued.

"I love her too. I don’t know. It's complicated. I love Cordelia. I do. But Wills… I've loved her my whole life." His brown eyes were brimming with emotion. "I just thought some day, maybe…"

"Well, you were wrong," Giles said angrily.

The younger man pulled back, stung by the comment. The more he thought about it, the more he wanted to hit Giles. He took a deep breath. "I don't want to talk about this right now," he said through clenched teeth. "Tell Buffy I went out."
Before Giles could answer, Xander had stormed out. Damn it.

A few minutes later Buffy emerged from Willow's bedroom. Giles was in the kitchen putting the kettle on for tea.
"Where's Xander?"

"He went out."

"Oh." Buffy sat on one of the stools and watched Giles. "Give him some time. Willow means a lot to him."

"Too much perhaps."Buffy raised an eyebrow. "Jealous much?"

"Buffy, please don't bait me. I'm in no mood."

"Sorry. He'll come around. Just give him time."

Giles sighed and then regarded his Slayer. "I must admit, I expected you to be the one to have 'issues' with this."

"I do, but I'll deal. I mean, who am I to say this is a freaksome relationship. I love a vampire," she said with a shrug. "And besides, I love Willow and I know how long she's wanted this."

Giles smiled shyly, secretly pleased with this news.

"And apparently, you have too… It's still kinda wiggy, but I know you won't hurt her."

"I really do love her, Buffy."

"I know. I guess I should have seen it coming, but surprise, surprise…. I can be self-absorbed sometimes."
Giles chuckled.

"If you don't mind my asking. What exactly did happen last night?" Buffy asked.

"Buffy-"

"I don't mean here. I don't want to know that stuff. Ever. I meant at the party. You made quite an exit."
He laughed again. "I suppose I did. Apparently, Willow accidentally.. got drunk."

"Accidentally?"Giles shrugged and shook his head."Leave it to Wills."

"I came across her and Mr. Diamond in well, what appeared to be a compromising position." His face darkened as he remembered the scene.

"How compromising?"

"It was all quite innocent, as it turns out. But I'm afraid I assumed the worst."

"You didn't kill him, did you?"

"No, but I wanted to," he said honestly. "I'm afraid I did, however, behave rather badly."

"I'll bet."

Giles proceeded to tell Buffy the balance of the evening, leaving out, of course, the more private moments. She was, to say the least, not thrilled at the prospect of Willow's moving away. Giles heartily concurred, but unfortunately, it wasn't up to them. It was Willow's decision and they'd both support her, no matter how much it hurt.

"Do you think I should go after Xander?" Giles asked reluctantly.

"No. Let me take care of Xander."
Giles sighed heavily and ran a hand through his hair.

"Why don't you try and get some sleep," Buffy suggested. "Alone," she added with a smirk.

"Buffy!"

It wasn't hard to find Xander… where there was food, there was Xander. He was having gigantic breakfast in the hotel coffee shop. It seems nothing can ruin the boy's appetite.

"Mind if I join you?"Xander looked up and frowned. "Free country."

"Touchy."

He grunted between mouthfuls.

"He really does love her, you know," Buffy said gently.

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Okay, then let's talk about Willow."

"What about her?" he asked warily.

"There's stuff, other stuff, happening I think you should know about. Have you ever heard of Kai O'Trakan…?"

******

Giles slept fitfully, drifting between dreams and nightmares, the only constant was Willow.
One moment she was with him, smiling that beautiful smile full of so much promise and the next she was alone, far away from him. He could hear her cry out, calling his name. But no matter where he searched, he couldn't find her. Door after door, room after room…. Her cries grew more and more plaintive and his search more frantic. Then, abruptly, the scene changed. He was standing in a field of wildflowers and Willow was running toward him. Suddenly, she stopped.

"Giles?" she said.

Then the earth beneath her opened and she fell and fell and fell.
 

"Giles!" she cried.

He snapped himself awake. He sat up in bed,  sweating and breathing hard. Slowly the disorientation began to fade.

"Giles!"

His heart stopped. She was calling out to him. Stumbling to his feet he ran to her bedroom.

"Willow!" he called as he threw open the door. She was thrashing about in the bed, lost in her own nightmare. Giles stopped and tried to calm down. He stood there, panting, assuring himself, she was alright. Everything was alright.
He knelt by the side of her bed. "Willow." He gently nudged her.

She called his name again, just the way she had in his dream. "Giles!" It sent shivers up his spine.

"Willow!" He shook her more firmly. She wasn't waking and a dull fear started to grip his chest. Was there something supernatural at work? Too many years on the Hellmouth had taught him to assume the worst.

"Willow!" he yelled.

Her eyes flashed open - wide with a soul wrenching fear. She gasped and then calmed almost immediately.

"Willow, are you alright? Love?"

She noticed Giles for the first time and sighed in relief. "I guess I was dreaming."

He smoothed her hair and took her hand in his. It was cold as ice. He rubbed it gently. "Yes," he breathed. "Just a dream." He pushed down the panic he felt and concentrated on Willow. She's fine, he told himself. It was just a dream.
She swallowed and closed her eyes. Her face pinched with pain.

"What is it?" he asked desperate with concern.

"Wooo…. My head is killing me. And I think somebody put a teeny weeny sweater on my tongue," she said making a sour face.

He chuckled."Oh, not so loud," she begged.

"I'm sorry," he whispered as he gently stroked her face. "You should try to drink some water. Do you think you can manage it?"
She nodded slightly. He got her a glass of water and some aspirins, which she took with a groan.

"Sleep more if you can," he said softly.

"Sleep means nightmares," she said in a small voice.

"No nightmares. Think of something beautiful," he whispered. "I'll try."
He kissed her forehead tenderly. "I'll stay here until you fall asleep."

"I love you, Rupert."

"Oh, Willow... I love you too." He kissed her hand and breathed out a ragged sigh.
It didn't take long for sleep to claim her. Giles stayed by her side as promised, watching her and wishing her beautiful dreams that did not come.
 

Part 12

The future for Giles had always been prophecies and potential battles. He'd never really allowed himself to imagine what his life would be like years down the line. His duty had always overshadowed his personal life, what there was of it. For the first time since he was a boy, he was dreaming of a life beyond slaying. He knew as long as there was evil to fight he would do his part, but now there was more. So much more... Willow.

Ironic really, so many nights she had been his inspiration. The idea of keeping the world safe, of keeping innocents like Willow safe, had pushed him to continue when he thought he couldn't go on. And now, she was the very reason he was considering a life more ordinary.

He would always be there for Buffy, but suddenly, Giles found himself considering - daring to dream - of a normal life. Of coming home and relaxing by the fire, talking of art and literature, going for walks and maybe even travelling... with Willow.

And as fate would have it, just as he was accepting the possibility of this new life, Willow it seemed was about to embark on a different course. She hadn't spent twenty years in service as he had. She was just beginning. And she had the potential to do great things. How could he stop her from that? How could he ask her to give up the opportunity to become something, someone, so important to the cause? The cause, he thought bitterly. If he hadn't been such a stalwart, so single-minded...

For years he'd prattled on about duty and an obligation to something greater than the individual... now he was reaping what he had sewn. He had taught her to place the fight above all other things. Now the tables had turned and he was the thing being left behind.

He wasn't sure he could bear to lose this one chance at happiness, but he knew from painful experience that fate had its own ideas.

The ringing of the telephone interrupted Giles' thoughts. It was Carson Vail, the older gentleman from the party, extending an invitation to dinner. He wanted the chance to present the Defenders to Giles and the others in a way Diamond might not.

Xander and Buffy returned to the hotel room early in the evening. The tension between the two men was still palpable, but sublimated, at least for now.

The reservations were for 7:30 at a somewhat upscale restaurant not far down the strip.

Xander grumbled about having to dress up, but free food, any food, was incentive enough. "Isn't Wills coming?" he asked Buffy.

"I don't think so."

"I'm afraid she's a little hung. Best she sleeps as much as possible," Giles added.

Xander grunted but managed not to start in on Giles again.

The three arrived at the restaurant promptly at 7:30. Giles approached the maitre d'. "Excuse me, we're with the Vail party."

"Ah yes, you must be Mr. Giles. Mr. Vail asked me to give this to you. He said it was rather urgent." He handed him a small envelope.

"Thank you," Giles replied as he read the short note. His eyes went wide with surprise and then his expression grew concerned.

"What's wrong?" Buffy asked.

"Do you know where..." he consulted the note. "Griffith Park, uhm, Dante's View is?"

"Yeah, sure, but-"

"I'll explain in the car."

********

"So that's all it said?" Buffy asked.

Giles handed her the note.

Buffy read it aloud. "Having some trouble, could use your help. Please come immediately... blah blah blah..." She frowned. "What do you think it is?"

"I imagine we'll find out soon enough."

"You don't have any food do you? Cause I am really starving here..." Xander said as he scrounged the backseat for any forgotten morsel. "Oh.... Hello... Almond Joy... Sometimes you feel like a nut and sometimes you don't."

******

They found the area marked Dante's View with little trouble. Giles parked the car and they jumped out and ran to the garden's edge on the east slope of Mount Hollywood.

On the crest of a small ridge about 100 yards away stood a lone figure, silhouetted against the night sky. Closer, about 20 yards down the side of the mountain were four men. One of them Giles recognized as Carson Vail.

Vail noticed the newcomers and motioned them down. Standing with Vail were three members of Savage Rain: Ash with his shock of white hair, Tag who was tall and too thin, and Chaz who had muscles on his muscles. All three men scanned the skies, never taking their eyes off the night.

"Mr. Giles, Good. I see you got my note," Vail said hurriedly.

"Yes, what's the emergency?"

"A little demon trouble," Vail said too casually.

"Typical suit," Ash grumbled.

Buffy and Xander moved away from Vail and Giles and took up positions near the band members.

"You're Ash, right?" Buffy asked.

"Yeah. So you're the Slayer," he replied although he never looking away from the sky.

"What's with the stargazing?"

"You'll see," Tag said.

"Oh great, another cryptic guy," Xander groaned.

"Where's Willow?" Vail asked Giles.

"Back at the hotel. She wasn't feeling well."

Vail let out a small curse under his breath. "That's too bad. Raven could have used her help." He motioned to the lone figure on the ridge. "He's a good warlock, but..."

"I don't get it," Buffy said impatiently. "What are we waiting for? Where's this demon? Point him out and I'll show you guys how we do it back home."

"Wait for it," Ash said softly. All eyes looked into the night sky.

"There!" Tag said pointing due north. Far off in the distance, something flew. It circled, slowly, each pass bringing it closer to the mountain.

Its body was about the size of a man's, but it's large bat-like wings spread out a good ten feet. It moved, almost lazily, circling, ever nearer.

"I know a little magic," Giles offered. "Perhaps I can help the warlock." Vail didn't respond, but then Giles wasn't asking permission. With a look back at Buffy and Xander, he started up the hill.

"Get your weapons ready," Ash instructed.

"Uhm, we don't have any," Xander said sheepishly.

"Don't worry, I always bring enough to share." He motioned them to two large canvass bags. Buffy pulled out a crossbow and handed a spear gun to Xander.

"Alright. Spread out. Take up positions." Tag ordered.

The group split and ducked behind what little cover there was. Once they were ready, all they could do was wait for the demon to make its move. They wouldn't have to wait long.

Giles clambered up the hill. "Raven?" he asked breathlessly.

The man spun to face him, his eyes wide with fear. "Who are you? Where's the witch?"

Giles frowned. "She's not here. What are we dealing with? What kind of demon is it?"

"She'll be here soon?" Raven asked desperately.

"She's not coming," Giles answered suspiciously.

The younger man paled. "Shit. Shit. Shit." He scrambled over to a clump of chaparral and grabbed a large dark crystal. "Damnit, I need backup!" He held the crystal to his chest and started to chant.

"What can I do?" Giles offered, but it was too late.

They heard it scream. It was a horrible sound that chilled them all to the bone. Piercing the night with its high pitched wail, the demon made its strike.

"Now!" Tag yelled from down the hill. The bolts and spears flew at the creature, but it was far too agile and its hide too thick. It swerved and spun, easily avoiding nearly all the projectiles.

It stopped circling and was flying straight for the ridge at breakneck speed.

"Giles! Look out!" Buffy screamed.

Everything went into slow motion as Giles dove to the ground to avoid the oncoming attack.

He vaguely recognized the chant Raven was repeating, but couldn't place it. The younger man started to panic and lost his place.

"Get down!" Giles urged him, but Raven was frozen with fear. All he could do was stare at the demon as it flew straight toward him.

Giles tried to crawl closer, to pull the man down to safety. As he inched his way through the dirt, he noticed a pattern on the ground. There were partial symbols and the remnants of a circle. They had been hastily brushed away, but enough remained for Giles to recognize them as a summoning ring.

When Giles looked up again, the demon was there.

In a terrible instant the demon was upon them. It viscously tackled Raven, pinning him to the ground. It large body hulking over the fallen man. The creature was blacker than the night. Its eyes were like ebony, its breath was a strange green mist and its hands had large sharp talons. It cried again, that screeching wail... and plunged a clawed fist into Raven's chest.

The man was dead before the scream could escape his lips.

The creature pulled his taloned hand away and with a cry of triumph it flew skyward, disappearing swiftly into the night. The others' weapons were useless and the demon escaped. It was over as quickly as it had begun.

Giles remained prone, his face pressed to the earth. His breath blew small puffs of dirt as he panted and tried to push down the nausea that rose in his throat.

Buffy was the first up the hill. "Giles! Giles!"

"I'm here," he wheezed, coughing through the dirt he'd swallowed and stood on shaky legs.

"Oh, God. We couldn't tell who it was," she said running to his side. The others arrived shortly behind her.

"G-Man," Xander said with a grin. Giles returned the smile, but then turned grim.

Tag knelt next to Raven's body. "Holy shit."

"What the fuck was that thing?" Ash asked.

Giles gathered his wits. "My God... I-it w-was... Inneresser, I think."

"You're talkin' French, here buddy," Ash said shaking his head.

"German actually. It means... Heart Eater."

"Christ, you ain't kiddin'."

They all looked at the dead man. Raven's chest was splayed out from the force of the blow and there was a gaping cavity that once held his heart.

To be continued