"I was rather thinking that myself." Giles smiled as they slowly disentangled themselves. "That was a bit of a surprise."
"A bit of a surprise? You haven't lost your talent for understatement." Willow smoothed her hair which had become somewhat tangled as a result of their kiss.
"A nice surprise." Giles was quick to add as he took in the less than ecstatic expression on her face.
"Really?" Willow's face brightened momentarily before darkening once again. "It can't happen again, though."
"Absolutely not." Giles agreed. "Remind me again why it can't?" He queried.
"You're Giles, I'm Willow." Willow's argument sounded terrible even to her own ears.
"Well, that's our names sorted out, but you really should call me Rupert if we're going to do this sort of thing." Giles gestured around them, as if talking about the tea and biscuits, but they both knew he wasn't.
"Rupert. I like that." Willow ran the name around her tongue a few times. "We still can't do this again."
"Yes we can. We can do this..." Giles leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers briefly. "I hope to do a lot more besides."
"Like what?" The question popped out before Willow could stop it. Giles got a wicked gleam in his eye and was just about to answer her when she spoke again. "Never mind. I don't want to know. We are not doing anything again."
"Really?" Giles echoed Willow's earlier question. "Why?"
"Well, there are lots of reasons." Willow found herself struggling to find an acceptable one. "Buffy!" She exclaimed. Before she could enjoy her moment of triumph, however, Giles pulled her towards him and kissed her again. He smiled against her lips as she began to kiss him back. He pulled away gently.
"Objection dismissed." He announced with a smug smile.
"What about Xand..." This time Willow hadn't even finished the sentence before she found herself molded to Giles at the lips. When they broke for air, Willow smiled. "If that's your response, I'll have to keep coming up with objections."
"No more objections. Well, not other people's objections. What do you want, Willow?"
"I don't really know." She confessed. "I mean, this is sort of fast, you know, but really slow at the same time." Willow screwed up her face as she heard her own jumbled thoughts outloud.
"Slow?"
"Well, we've always got on, and everything, but just as friends."
"It's logical really. Our relationship had developed over time. That should make it stronger." Giles reached for her hand.
"Or it could ruin everything." Willow looked down at their joined hands. "You know I said I had something I didn't like talking about? It's Xander." Giles froze. Surely she wasn't still in love with Xander? "I mean, we got..." Willow struggled for the right word.
"Involved?" Giles supplied, seeing where this conversation was going.
"Involved, yeah. It ruined everything. Well not everything, but we're not as close as we used to be." Willow looked up. "What I'm trying to say is that I don't want to lose you."
"I don't want to lose you, either, Willow." Giles squeezed her hand tighter. "I can't deny that I have feelings for you, though, and I don't want to."
"Neither do I." Willow squeezed back.
"No more objections?"
"Only one."
"Yes?"
"Stop talking and kiss me." Willow withdrew her hand from his and opened her arms.
"Your wish is my command."
Part 7
Willow sighed contentedly. She and Giles were lying on the couch, entwined in each others arms. They were both silent, but it wasn't the oppressive silence of earlier in the day. Willow closed her eyes as she remembered their awkward day and its unexpected resolution.
"Penny for them?" Giles enquired as he stroked her hair.
"Just thinking about today." Willow opened her eyes and found herself staring into his.
"It has been rather strange."
"Strange?" Willow looked offended.
"I mean...er...unexpected."
"I'm only teasing, Gi...Rupert." She corrected herself hastily. "Strange is probably just about the right description."
"In a good way?" Giles asked.
"A very good way." Willow kissed the tip of his nose. "I still think Buffy and Xander are going to be upset."
"They don't have any right to be. Our relationship is precisely that - our relationship."
"The first thing Buffy will say will be 'eew', followed by, 'your possessed, aren't you?'" Willow predicted confidently.
"Or she could be mature about the whole thing." Giles looked at Willow's face. "Or maybe not." He conceeded.
"Xander will probably try to punch you." Willow screwed her face up in concern. "I think you can take him, though."
Giles burst out laughing at this. "I have no intention of fighting with Xander - unless, of course, he insults you, and of course I could take him - no doubts there." Willow looked at him in amusement as his male pride came to the fore.
"Of course." She echoed, just as the door rattled on its hinges.
"Buffy." They both announced together as Giles went to answer the door.
Hi Giles." Buffy announced brightly, pushing past him. "Have you seen Willow? I need some help, and I can't find her...oh, hi Willow." Buffy's expression was slightly puzzled.
"Buffy." Willow smiled at her friend.
"Where were you today?"
"I've been away." Willow stood up as she prepared for Buffy's interogation.
"Away? Where, why, when?" Buffy flung out the questions as they occurred to her.
"Just out of town, I needed a change of scene, yesterday." Willow answered the questions in the order they were asked.
"Oh, okay." Buffy gave Willow the 'this conversation is not over look'. "Lets go then, I need your help with that paper."
"Sorry, Buffy, I can't." Willow looked at Giles and he nodded. "I'm staying here tonight."
"You're staying here tonight? Why? Is there some crisis I should know about?"
"No. It's just that Gil...Rupert and I have...er...started seeing each other." Willow finished with a nervous smile as Giles came over and took her hand.
"YOU'VE WHAT?" Buffy voice was so loud that the two of them winced. "That's freaky. You're possessed right? You only think you like each other, really. It's like me and Spike. It has to be. It's just eww." Buffy ran out of breath.
"Told you." Willow turned to Giles with a smug grin.
"You said the 'eww' would come before the possessed!" Giles protested.
"Details, details." Willow said airily.
"Excuse me?" Buffy was lost.
"Sorry, private joke." Willow smiled at Buffy. "No, we're not possessed. We just enjoy each others company, a lot."
"I have to go now. I have to go be violent to a vampire." Buffy shook her head as she backed out of the door.
"You were right, then." Giles said as he shut the door.
"I usually am!" Willow exclaimed, taking off at a run as Giles began to chase her.
"We'll see, We'll see." He muttered before tackling her and beginning to tickle her mercilessly.
Part 8
"You do realise, don't you, Rupert, that you haven't even taken me out on a date yet?" Willow attempted to untangle herself from Giles. They had landed in an exhausted heap after the tickling, and the floor was uncomfortable.
"Allow me." Giles moved his leg and pulled himself up before holding out a hand to Willow.
"Date, Rupert." Willow reminded him.
"Ah, yes. I suppose it is conventional." Giles stooped to pick up his glasses.
"Never mind."
"No. Of course I'll take you out. I want to take you out. You've got no choice in the matter." Giles kissed her gently on the forehead.
"When, where?" Willow's anticipation made Giles smile.
"Tonight?" Giles asked.
"Tonight? I've got nothing to wear!" Willow looked horror stricken.
"Tomorrow?" Giles hastily asked.
"No. Tonight. I can do tonight. Where are we going?" Willow rearranged her clothing.
"I thought perhaps dinner?" Giles was having difficulty judging Willow's mood.
"Great." Willow reached up and kissed him. As he moved to deepen the kiss, she pulled away. "I've got to go get ready."
"I'll pick you up at seven thirty." Giles held the door for her.
"No car, remember?" Willow smiled at him. "You never got around to calling for a tow."
"I was somewhat distracted." Giles returned her smile.
"I'll pick you up then. Seven thirty?" Willow queried.
"I'll get us reservations for eight." Giles kissed her again. "Let me walk you to the car." Giles shut the door behind them, and smiled as Willow slipped her hand into his. They walked hand in hand towards the car.
"Till tonight." Giles kissed her as he opened the car door.
"Bye." Willow started the engine and smiled at Giles as he shut the door. As she moved off she glanced in the mirror and saw him staring after her.
The short drive was over in a flash. As Willow let herself into the dorm room she was desperately trying to think of something to wear, running through various options in her mind. As she stepped into the room she stopped short. Buffy and Xander were in the middle of a heated discussion.
"Willow!" Buffy looked around Willow to see if Giles was stood behind her. She smiled when she saw that he wasn't. "I thought you were staying with Giles." Her smile grew. "It's over isn't it? I knew it wouldn't last!" Buffy gave Xander a look that said 'I told you so'.
"Buffy!" Willow's tone knocked the smile off Buffy's face. "I came home to get ready - Rupert and I are going out tonight."
"Rupert and I?" Xander questioned. "So Buffy's telling the truth, then?"
"Yes. Rupert and I are seeing each other, and no, we're not possessed!" Willow was getting sick and tired of explaining herself.
"Okay." Xander decided not to risk Willow's wrath. "I can deal." Xander shrugged his shoulders at Buffy and gave her his best apologetic smile.
"Thank you Xander." Willow moved over to him and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"You can deal?" Buffy's anger flashed in her eyes.
"It's not really my business, is it? I mean, it's a little bit freaky, but if it makes Willow happy..." Xander was cut off by Willow.
"Freaky? Oh gee thanks Xander." Willow began to frantically search through her clothes.
"I didn't mean it like that!" Xander protested. "Look, I'm sorry. I'm meeting Anya, I'll talk to you tomorrow." Xander patted her on the shoulder awkwardly before letting himself out.
"Is this a rebound thing?" Buffy asked as Xander shut the door behind him.
"No. It's not. I really enjoy being with Rupert, and he likes being with me." Willow grabbed her bag and moved to the door. "I'm going for a shower."
The warm water helped Willow to calm down, and she tried once again to focus on her evening with Rupert. She headed back to the room refreshed.
"You should wear this." Buffy held up Willow's green dress.
"I don't have any shoes to match." Willow shook her head.
"You can borrow these." Buffy held up a pair of sandals. "They'll match."
"Thank you." Willow smiled as she took the sandals from Buffy's hand. "I didn't mean to get mad at you."
"No. You were right. I'm sorry. It's just I love both of you, and I don't want to lose you." Tears were streaming down Buffy's face as she spoke.
"You're not going to lose either of us." Willow dropped the sandals onto the floor and hugged Buffy. They both held each other until their tears subsided.
"I've been a terrible friend." Buffy hiccupped.
"We can make up for it." Willow assured her. "Will you do my hair?"
"Of course, and your make-up. You'll knock his socks off!" Buffy wiped her tears and grabbed Willow's hair brush. Willow smiled nervously, imagining what exactly Buffy was going to do.
Part 9
Willow pulled up outside Giles's apartment five minutes early. She studied herself nervously in the rearview mirror. Buffy had used much more make-up than Willow ever did normally, but Willow had to admit that it looked quite good. She was just contemplating going to let Giles know she was there when she saw him walking towards the car. She leaned over and opened the door, smiling at him as he got in.
"You look beautiful." Giles leaned in to give her a kiss, but stopped short. Willow gave him a puzzled look. "I don't want to ruin your make-up." He explained.
Willow laughed. "You mean Buffy's make-up."
"Buffy?" Giles raised an eyebrow.
"It's a long story." Willow started the car again. "Where are we going?"
"Gianni's."
"Oh good. I love Italian!" Willow turned and gave him a big smile before focussing on the road once again.
"I'm glad it meets with your approval." Giles returned her smile. "I'd claim credit for knowing your tastes, but it was the only place that wasn't fully booked."
"At least you're honest." Willow reached across and squeezed his hand briefly before putting hers back on the steering wheel.
"We're here." Willow pulled up about a block away from the restaurant. Giles got out of the car and came around to Willow's side. He opened the door for her and she slipped out. She looked at Giles and saw that he was staring at her feet. She followed his gaze and gave a little "eep" as she saw her sneaker clad feet. She dived back into the car and reached over into the back, offering Giles a sheepish smile as she held up Buffy's sandals. "I couldn't drive in them." She explained as she sat on the seat and hurriedly changed her footwear.
"Are you sure you can walk in them?" Giles's tone was one of amused concern.
"I don't know. These are Buffy's as well." Willow stood up cautiously. "You can always carry me." She teased. When he didn't respond, she looked up at him. "Rupert?"
"Oh...Sorry." Giles's brain had stopped processing conversation as images of Willow in his arms began to dance before his eyes.
"No problem!" Willow said brightly. "Shall we?" Willow locked the car and pushed the keys into her purse.
"Yes." Giles held out his arm for Willow and she slipped her arm through it, hugging his to her side. Willow peered into the dark. "You have got a stake, haven't you?"
"Of course. You don't see a vampire, do you?" Giles was suddenly on high alert, his hand moving to his pocket for the stake.
"No. Just making sure." They both came to a stop ouside the restaurant.
"After you." Giles pushed the door opened and held it as Willow moved inside.
"Thank you." Willow smiled back at him.
"Table for two, sir? What's the name?"
"Giles."
"Ah, yes. Follow me sir." The manager led them to a table in the corner. It was quite secluded, but offered Willow and Giles a nice view of the other diners.
"The waiter will be over to take your order shortly, sir, madam." The manager nodded at both Willow and Giles before retreating.
"This is nice." Willow sighed as she glanced at her menu.
"It's the company that makes it special."
"That's so sweet." Willow reached over the table and took Giles's hand in hers. They gazed into each others eyes until the interruption of the waiter forced them to concentrate on the menus again. Their hands remained tightly clasped together.
"Are you ready to order?" The waiter smiled at them.
"Willow?" Giles smiled at her.
"Um, I'll have the lasagne." Willow offered the waiter a small smile.
"Same for me, too, please."
"Wine?" The waiter asked.
"Just water for me." Willow returned her gaze to Giles.
"Water, yes, that will be fine." The waiter took their menus and moved over towards the kitchen.
"You could have had some wine, I'm driving." Willow pointed out.
"It didn't seem very fair." Giles squeezed her hand. "Besides, I want to enjoy this evening, and be able to remember it tomorrow."
"Oh, I don't think I'll have a problem remembering." The two of them shared a silent moment, interrupted only when the waiter returned with their water. Willow waited until he had gone before turning back to Giles. "Can you believe that so much has happened in a day?"
"Well, I believe it was last night that you said how easy it was to fall in love with me." Giles cursed himself as Willow's face flushed.
"I was under the influence of alcohol." Willow protested, before realising how that sounded. "Not that that's the only reason anyone could fall in love with you, 'cause that's not true..." Willow saw the amused expression on Giles's face and stopped her ramble. "You know what I mean."
"I do." Giles confirmed. "I'm glad you said what you did. If you hadn't, we might not be here now."
"But we are, so we should just enjoy ourselves." Willow removed her hand from his as the waiter set their plates in front of them.
"You never did tell me how Buffy ended up doing your make-up." Giles reminded her.
"Oh. When I got home, Buffy and Xander were in the dorm room discussing our relationship." Willow tried to gauge his expression, but all she could see was curiosity. "Anyway, Xander thinks it's 'freaky', but as long as I'm happy..." Willow broke off as Giles began to laugh.
"I'm sorry. It's just that Xander is dating an ex-demon, and he considers you and I 'freaky'." Giles shook his head in disbelief.
"Well, Buffy's okay with us now. She had some...er...issues about losing us."
"She had issues? Why didn't she just talk to us?" Giles took a sip of water.
"I don't know. That's the mystery that is Buffy." Willow shrugged, and Giles laughed outloud.
"I love you." He said the words before he even realised what he was doing. Willow's breath caught, and her fork dropped from her hand and landed with a soft thump on the table. "I'm sorry Willow. I don't want to rush you..."
"I love you." Willow said the words with such tenderness that he had no doubt of their sincerity.
"Lets go home."
Giles felt a shiver go through him as she said 'home'. He called for the cheque without taking his eyes off her. He paid no heed to the curious glances of the staff as paid the bill. The two of them had been in the restaurant less than an hour, but he didn't care. They made their way out of the restaurant, melting into each others embrace as soon as they were in the street. Reluctantly Giles pulled away and they made their way back to the car in silence, neither of them willing to speak and risk breaking the spell between them.
Part 10
Giles fumbled with his keys as he attempted to open his door. Willow's hand was resting in his, so his attempts were hampered by the fact that he could only use one. Willow placed her other hand on top of the one containing the keys, steadying it. Together they turned the key and opened the lock. The door swung open and they walked through it together, neither of them willing to let go of the other's hand.
"Tea?" Giles's question filled the silence.
"Not right now." Willow sat down on the couch. Giles sat next to her, still refusing to let go of her hand. He raised his other hand and stroked her hair. It was short now, but still incredibly soft and bright. Willow leaned into his touch, her eyes closing. She let out a small gasp as she felt Giles's lips on hers, and he used the opportunity to gently touch her tongue with his. Willow responded immediately, her tongue tracing the contours of his mouth, running over his teeth. Giles moaned, his tongue sweeping into her and stroking the roof of her mouth. Willow pulled away, desperately sucking air into her lungs.
"Shall we go upstairs?" Giles asked her, enjoying the passion he could see in her eyes.
"I don't think I could, in these." Willow pointed to her feet. "You might have to..."
"Carry you?" Giles swept her up into his arms as he said the words. Willow let out a contented sigh and placed her arms around his neck. She pressed her lips to his jaw, and kissed down to his collar. A sharp intake of breath was her reward, and she smiled against his shoulder. Giles reached the top of the stairs and moved to the bed. He gently set her down and sat down next to her. They moved closer to each other, and began to kiss again. Giles tore his lips away from her mouth, and she mourned the loss. The protest died on her lips when his began to kiss their way down her neck. He gently pushed the dress straps off her shoulders, kissing the skin that he revealed.
"Rupert." Willow's hands were fumbling with his jacket, attempting to push it from his shoulders. He smiled at her frustration and quickly removed his jacket and untucked his shirt. Willow's hands were trembling but she managed to undue the buttons. She almost growled in frustration when she saw that he was wearing an undershirt.
"Sorry." Giles gave her an apologetic grin and raised his arms to enable Willow to slide the shirt over his head.
"Don't wear these anymore." Willow's anger was forgotten when she saw his chest. She was captivated by his muscles, and decided there and then that his clothes didn't do him justice. She jumped slightly when she felt his hands back on her arms, urging the dress down further. She tensed slightly as the dress fell to her waist.
"No bra?" Giles asked, taking in the sight of her.
"Not with this dress." Willow blushed under his appreciative stare.
"You should wear this dress more often." Giles urged her to stand. As the dress fell to the floor she stepped out of it and he laid it over a chair. "Not right now, though."
Willow unbuckled his belt slowly, more out of trepidation than a desire to tease. She drew the belt out of the loops and tossed it to the floor. Her hands came back and undid the button and fly before easing his pants down. Giles stepped kicked them off and away, anxious to be free of the confining garment. They both stood before each other, wearing only their underwear and slightly awkward smiles. In a second the awkwardness had gone and they were once again locked in a passionate embrace.
Giles lowered Willow to the bed, tenderly stroking her face. He looked into her eyes and the love he found there warmed him more than he thought possible. She reached up and hugged him to her, her breasts crushed against his chest. He moaned at the sensation before pulling away slightly and lightly sucking on her neck. It was Willow's turn to moan now. She knew he was leaving a mark but she didn't care. She wanted people to know that she was taken. His mouth left her neck and travelled along her collar bone, placing light kisses on her skin. Willow was taken by surprise when his mouth found her breast. He placed a light kiss on each nipple, watching them tighten as his lips touched them.
"Please." Willow wasn't sure what she was begging for, but she was sure that she needed something.
"I love you." Giles whispered against her breast before taking a nipple into his mouth. Willow arched up off the bed, unconciously offering herself to him and encouraging him with her moans. Giles smiled and switched his attentions to her other breast, teasing the nipple with his lips and tongue. Giles moved his hands down her body, over her flat stomach. He hooked his fingers into her panties and slowly pulled them down, his mouth still at her breasts.
"I need you, Rupert." Willow's voice was low and thickened with passion. Giles stood quickly and removed his boxers. He stared down at Willow's naked body on sprawled out on the bed. He had no idea what he had done to deserve her, but he wanted to do it again, often. Hs shook his head and reached into the nightstand. He found the condom with a triumphant grin and quickly sheathed himself. Willow was moving restlessly on the bed, desperate for his touch. He kissed her as he used his arms to support his weight above her.
"Now Rupert." Willow pulled him closer to her and he guided himself into her. He moved slowly at first, giving her the opportunity to get used to him. Soon she was thrusting up against him, setting the pace herself. The silence was broken as they both spiralled into orgasm, her with a strangled cry and him with a guttural moan. He collapsed on top of her, and she clutched him to her chest.
"Am I too heavy?" He propped up his weight on one arm, the other stroking the hair out of her eyes.
"No. I like it." Willow smiled back up at him.
"Still." Giles rolled onto his back taking Willow with him. "This is better."
"I don't mind as long as you're here." Willow snuggled against his side.
"I'll be here as long as you want me." Giles held her closer.
"I'll always want you. I love you." Willow felt tears welling up in her eyes. Not the tears of despair that had clouded her life of late, but tears of happiness.
"What are you thinking about?" Giles could see the tear tracks staining her face.
"About how wrong I was."
"Wrong? About what?" Giles was terrified that she was going to say that tonight was a mistake.
"About getting away." Giles felt relief flood him. "What I needed was right here." Willow hugged him closer and felt his arm tighten around her.
"Always." Giles affirmed.
"Always."
Sequel: Evil In Mind