It was like a night a million years ago. The sky, clear of smog. The moon, still virginal, hung low and full in the sky. What a night, Giles thought. The perfect night. The best night he could choose. It had been hard hiding the truth. But after tonight, there would be no fear of being caught. He would finally have what he had longed for since coming to Sunnydale. Since the first time he'd laid eyes on her.
Just a few more preparations and he would be ready to make the call. He needed to remember not to sound desperate. He needed just enough alarm in his voice for her to come. Drama class had indeed come in handy these last few months. He had never actually liked the class when he was younger. But it had been the perfect way to meet girls due to the 1:2 ratio. And again he was trying to get a girl. One half his age even.
That had bothered him, the difference in their ages, until he thought about her peers. Xander and Anya were technically over a millenium apart, age wise. And Angel was no spring chicken at 240. Of course, they appeared to be younger than him. But he knew Willow would be more concerned with what was inside than with the age difference. He had seen her watching him before. Very stealthy, that one, but he had seen. And enjoyed. He placed the uncorked wine bottle on the table and smiled to himself.
The dinner was going to be fantastic. He knew she loved Italian food, thanks to their games of 'Anywhere But Here', and hoped he would be a worthy substitute for John Cusak. The food would be ready soon, so he placed the call.
~*~*~*~
Of course she would be right over. She knew Buffy was out on patrol and he was staying home to catch up on some much needed research. He had told her earlier that day that he might need her assistance this evening.
Giles took another look around, to ensure everything was in place for the evening. The table was set, wine ready to be drunk. Flames flickered from the candles placed around the apartment and the gently crackling fire. He knew she would look beautiful in firelight.
There was a knock at the door and Giles made sure he had the small jewelry box in his pocket before he opened the door. Willow was putting her cross and stake into her bag as he opened the door. "Hi Giles!"
"What are we dealing with--um, am I interrupting something?" she asked when she saw the candles and table.
"No, the dinner and candles are actually in your honor."
"Why? It's not my birthday or any holiday. I'm not missing an important Wiccan holiday, am I?"
Giles smiled. "No, I just wanted to make dinner for you. Come in, please. Dangerous out there."
She came in and set her bag in its customary place. He had been right; the firelight made her look more beautiful than he could ever have imagined. She was peeking into the kitchen to see what dinner was and said, "Giles, you didn't have to do this. But I'm not complaining. How did you know I liked Italian food?"
"'Anywhere But Here.' You've mentioned it several times. I hope you like it." His eyes hadn't left her since she walked in. "Sit down, and I'll bring it right out."
"Okay," she said as she sat down. Giles went into the kitchen and brought back the dinner plates setting them down carefully. He caught her scent as he set her plate down in front of her. Soap and shampoo, the same as always, but there was a hint of the perfume he smelled on her the nights she went out with Oz after research sessions. She had done something special for him this evening. He felt his whole body relax slightly.
He sat down and poured the wine for the two of them. She sipped it timidly, but smiled. "You don't like the wine, Willow?"
"No, I mean, yes, I like it. I'm just not used to drinking it. Except on special occasions. Is this a special occasion, Giles?"
She was on to him and a small smile curled his lips. "There is no research to do, is there," she continued.
"No, no research. I wanted to spend some time with you, Willow. Alone with you. Not doing research. I'm sorry I lured you here under false pretenses."
"It's okay. This is nice. Very nice. We should do this more," as she sipped more wine.
"We could, if you wanted to."
She smiled and he fell in love with her all over again. "I think that would be do-able." Then she shivered slightly. "I'm sorry, I must have caught a chill on the way over."
"Would you like to sit by the fire for a bit and warm up?"
She nodded, and they headed for the fireplace. She sat on the sofa while Giles added another log to the fire. He moved them around a bit first so she wouldn't think he was stalling. When he looked back at her, the fire danced in her eyes and he wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her, but he restrained himself. He settled himself on the floor at her feet.
"I have something for you. And something to tell you."
"What is it, Giles?"
"Willow, I love you. I am in love with you. I have been for a long time."
He could see the surprise in her face. The way her eyes searched his face for evidence of his teasing her. The way her jaw dropped slightly. The way her small chest pushed forward as she inhaled sharply. He loved everything about her. "Are you disgusted, Willow?"
"Oh, um, no, no, not disgusted. Surprised, flabbergasted, flummoxed, these are words I would use to describe what I'm feeling."
"But, do you feel anything toward me?"
She looked level into his eyes and said, "Yes. Since the first day I met you."
He brushed her cheek with his hand, and she leaned into the touch, looking into his eyes. He placed his lips tenderly over hers and pressed them to her. She responded by deepening the kiss and pulling him closer to her. Giles didn't want things to go to fast. He still had the gift to give her, so he pulled back a bit and broke off the kiss.
"Wait, I said what I had to tell you. I still have something to give you." He reached into his pocket and pulled out the felt covered box. He slipped it into her small hands and smiled up at her. "I hope you like it."
She slowly lifted the top of the box and inside was a necklace. "Oh, it's beautiful, Giles. Thank you. Okay, I know this symbol, but I can't think of it right now. Help."
"It's an ankh, Willow. The ancient Egyptian symbol for eternal or everlasting life. Can I put it on you?"
"Please," she said and he stood behind her to fix the necklace around her slender neck. He kissed her ear and neck a bit before finally joining her on the sofa.
"It really is cold in here, Giles. Your hands are like ice. Maybe we could sit on the floor in front of the fire?"
"Anything you wish, my dear." They got comfortable on the floor and Giles took Willow's hand again. "Better?"
She nodded and he smiled. "There is one more thing I have to tell you. But I want you to remember that I love you, okay?" Again she smiled and nodded. "I gave you that specific necklace for a reason. That specific symbol. I want to be with you forever. Eternally."
He leaned forward and kissed her lips, then trailed his lips up her cheek to her neck and slid his fangs into her jugular vein. He felt her stiffen in his arms and tasted her fear in her blood. It really did give it a better flavor. She struggled against him but was no match for his strength. Finally she stopped fighting. Giles opened his wrist and put the bleeding skin to her lips. She drank hungrily, looking into his eyes as the light slowly went out in her own.
Now he only had to wait. The vampire could come from none or from dirt.