TITLE: "Renewal"
AUTHOR: ASH Watcher/Slayer Watcher
FEEDBACK: Yes please???
PAIRING: B/G
RATING: PG-ish
SPOILERS: Season Five
SUMMARY: Buffy & Giles renew an old love, and discover new things about each
other.
DISCLAIMER: I own the fic but none of the character's, well, except
Chrissy.<g>
BETA READ: Yes, thanks to Mols. :)
DISTRIBUTION: GRB for now.
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Hank and Joyce Summers re-married, and they live in LA with
Dawn. Joyce didn't die, Riley didn't happen(cuz I say so) and Buffy was able to
finish college and retire as the Slayer. This is in response to Gileswench's
Monday Mini-Challenge on GRB: Children.
*********
Buffy was sitting at the bar waiting for someone, and yet not waiting for
someone at the same time. Her thoughts drifted to thoughts of her friends and
how they were doing. It had been four years since her mother had nearly died
from a brain tumor. Her father, surprising everyone involved, had come to
Joyce's side when he'd found out about her needing surgery. He hadn't left since.
Dawn, now 17, was in her last year at Hemery High. Buffy, now 24, was a
Self-defense instructor on the weekends, and during the week, she was a Forensic
Scientist. Her specialty being Blood Spatter Analysis and was living in
Texarkana,Texas.
Giles had stuck around town, just until Buffy had graduated from college.
She and Giles had done the "sex as friends" thing for around four months, but
had broken it off before she'd graduated. He was rumored to be living in
Australia, with some cousins of his. She had her jobs and had even dated a few
men, but none seriously. She hadn't realized it, but having Giles as her lover, had
ruined her for other men. The reason for their breakup...well that was between
her and Mr. Gordo. (But if you keep reading, all will be revealed, I'm
sure.<g>) So she continued to sit at the bar, nursing a Gin and Tonic, and wondered if
anyone would be hitting on her tonight.
She didn't have to wonder for long, because a few seconds after she'd decided
to order a different drink, someone sat down on the vacant stool to her
right. Hoping that by ignoring them, the person would go away, Buffy remained
quiet and didn't turn to acknowledge the newcomer.
"Do you come here often? Oh, right, I'm certain that's a very old and
cliche'd line, isn't it?" the guy said. Buffy's whole body had instantly tensed,
upon hearing the first words spoken by the all- too-familiar cultured voice.
She cleared her throat, then decided against speaking, and instead she left
her bar stool. She headed out the doors and made her way to the parking lot.
Being followed by him, but not caring enough to try and evade, or tell him to
bugger off. Buffy found her car, and since the keys were already in her hand,
she unlocked and opened the door. Then she got in, but before she could close
the door, his hand stopped her. Not having the choice to ignore him further, she
finally looked up and swallowed hard when she saw the familiar green eyes.
"Buffy," was all he said. It was enough, and without warning, she began
crying. Giles groaned in anguish at seeing his beloved Buffy cry. He reached
down and urged her to stand beside him. Pulling her into his embrace, he held her as
she wept. He made soothing noises and rubbed her back, until she was able to
calm down a bit. Neither of them could forget how right they felt holding each
other. And neither of them could also forget how and why their affair had
ended. A shouting match - complete with throwing objects and throwing harsh,
hurtful things from their individual pasts into each others' face.
Buffy had never told anyone, least of all Giles, why she'd taken the
initiative to end things with him. It had been a pregnancy scare, of all things.
She'd forgotten a Pill and they'd not used any condom...and she wound up three days
late. Being like clockwork in that area of her life, she'd immediately
suspected she was pregnant...but instead of being secure enough in their
relationship, Buffy had began pushing him away. And then she'd nearly passed out
during one of her classes at UCLA. Her roommate,Chrissy, had driven Buffy to the
doctor.
It was revealed that she *had* been pregnant, but had had an ectopic
pregnancy. Giles hadn't been told any of this, let alone being told about Buffy
having a DNC done immediately after Chrissy had taken Buffy into the doctor. After
that ordeal, Buffy just felt numb all over and couldn't talk to anyone but
Chrissy. Giles and Buffy had broken up two weeks later and they had spoken once
or twice a year after that. Now here they were, him holding her as she wept for
everything. For the loss of their love, the loss of the baby that had barely
begun to exist, and for all of the time they'd lost, when they should have been
together.
Giles wiped away her tears when she had mostly cried herself out.
"Buffy...would you please come to my hotel room, so we can talk
about....things?" Sighing wearily, she nodded, then got into her car and followed him to his hotel.
********************
They never did get around to talking, and instead just held each other for
the entire night. And for the both of them, that was more than enough. However,
Giles and Buffy both knew that they'd need to really talk, like civilized
adults, eventually. And the next afternoon, Baked Potato Soup and Ice Tea, they
did just that.
******************
EIGHT MONTHS LATER.....
The last few months had been rewarding, trying, happy, sad, and just over-all
much-needed. Buffy and Giles had begun by talking about the reason for the
breakup, both sobbing in each other's arms over the loss of their child. Well,
after Giles had ranted and raved about Buffy keeping him in the dark. Oh, and
him slamming the door as he stormed off, only to come back a few hours later,
completely drunk off his ass. <g>
They'd started over, and had built a very strong and solid relationship. One
based on: love, trust, honesty, loyalty, and lots of communication. She'd
truly begun to open up and blossom with his love. She didn't have to worry about
him hiding things from her, and he didn't have to worry about her keeping
secrets from him. They shared everything: money, a house, buying groceries,
paying bills, maintaining the car, their worries, and hopes and dreams for the future.
But for the last two weeks, Buffy had seen something in Giles. Noticed
something he did, when they'd be out in public anyplace. Everytime they saw a
small child, whether it be a newborn or preschooler, he'd go over and engage in
conversation with them and their parent or baby-sitter. The children loved him,
and so did the parent or baby-sitter. He'd coo and laugh and talk in baby-talk,
and Buffy was becoming intrigued by Giles' behavior.
One afternoon, after such an incident, she asked Giles, "Is there something
you're trying to tell me? Cuz if so, I'm listening with both ears." He smiled
and kissed her lingeringly on the lips. She sighed contentedly, and kissed him
back. They briefly separated, then kissed again, more passionately this time.
Thankfully, they were close to home, so they quickly headed there. Okay, more
like running, while trying not to appear like they were running. <g>
He swiftly unlocked the front door, swooped down and swung her into his
loving arms. She opened the door and he kicked it shut, all while playing Tonsil
Hockey. They went upstairs and spent the rest of the afternoon, engaged in the
pleasures of the flesh. ;) Each time they joined, it was a reaffirmation of the
wondrous and wonderful love they shared with each other...two halves of a
whole, if you will. <g>
ONE MONTH LATER........
"I'm late," she said. He blinked, confused, then gave her a once over. "What
do you mean?" he asked.
She rolled her eyes, then said, "C'mon Giles...I'm *late*, and I don't mean
"for a very important date", either."
"You're late?"
"Yes, that's what I keep telling you. So what are we gonna do about it?"
"I...I suppose we begin making plans for a nursery and such. Also, I suppose
we should tell our friends and your parents and sister." Buffy blinked slowly,
tears welling up in her eyes. Giles grew concerned at the look on her face.
"Is there something wrong, Luv?" he gently asked. She shook her head, then
crawled into his lap to snuggle her face in the crook of his neck.
"Giles...do...do you really want this baby?" she inquired softly. She knew
it wasn't very likely that he *wouldn't* want the baby, but Buffy had needed
his reassurance anyway. He didn't answer with words, only actions, as he picked
her up, and carried her upstairs to make love to her. And to soothe her fears
with his touch and loving caresses.
THE END
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