Giles raced down the street, Xander lagging somewhat behind and clutching his side as he ran. They had been unable to get a cab, and the only public phone they had passed had been vandalised. Vandalism and vampires. Sunnydale had it all.
"How much further?" Xander panted, almost doubling over as they stopped at a corner.
"You should know, you've lived in Sunnydale your whole life," Giles responded, searching in vain for a cab.
"But exercise, or any kind of physical exertion," Xander began, "it stops me thinking."
"Any kind of exertion?" Giles asked as he resumed running.
"Yeah," Xander fell behind once again.
"That explains his bizarre choice of girlfriends," he muttered to himself.
"What?" Xander called from behind.
"It's just up ahead!" Giles answered
"Thank you Lord!" Xander stumbled over a curb and just about managed to keep on his feet. A crowd of girls, none of them more than fifteen, gave him a round of applause.
"I'm here same time tomorrow," he told them.
"Xander!" Giles called.
"Coming!" Xander started running again.
"He's not coming, is he?" Willow sobbed onto Buffy's shoulder as they went round the block for the third time.
"I'm sure he is," Buffy did her best to sound cheerful.
"He must have changed his mind," Willow clung to Buffy. She was feeling more and more insecure as the minutes passed.
"He loves you, Will." Buffy was sure of that, at least. As time ticked by, however, she was preparing to seek out Giles and give him some punishment. "Here we are," Buffy forced a smile as the car pulled up outside the museum.
"Cordy?" Buffy asked as she opened the window.
"No," Cordelia answered shortly in response to the unasked part of Buffy's question.
"Rupert," Willow sobbed.
"Go round the block again," Cordelia instructed.
"No, I want to go home," Willow told her.
"Willow!" The shout came from across the street. Cordelia turned around, and Buffy stuck her head out of the window.
"Giles!" Buffy exclaimed in relief.
"He's here?" Willow tried to pull Buffy out of the way, but to no avail.
"He's here," Buffy confirmed. "Where's Xander?" She asked no-one in particular, just as Xander came running up the street.
"What happened?" Cordelia asked as Giles came up to the car.
"The car broke down." He ran a hand through his hair in an attempt to tidy it. "Can I see Willow?" He asked Buffy, who was blocking his view.
"No!" Willow shouted from behind Buffy. "I look a mess," she finished. Buffy took a quick peek behind her, and hurriedly shut the window.
"She'll see you inside," Buffy told him just as the darkened glass obscured his view of both of them.
"Cordelia?" Giles appealed to her for help.
"Um?" Cordelia was busy searching her purse. "Got it!" She announced, pulling her mascara out.
"I'll just go inside," Giles suggested as more and more make-up made an appearance.
"Good idea, G-man." Xander had finally recovered enough breath to speak as the pair of them made their way inside.
Part 27
"Do you think she's coming?" Giles asked for the tenth time.
"I'm sure she's coming," Xander assured him. "They're just doing 'girl things'." He lowered his voice as he said the last two words.
"It's been ten minutes," Giles pointed out, waving the wrist with his watch on in front of Xander's face.
"You want me to go and look, don't you?" Xander asked, more than slightly terrified by this idea.
"That's a very good idea, Xander." Giles patted his shoulder.
"It is?" Xander looked shocked. Whether at the idea of finding the women, or at the fact that he had had a good idea, was anybody's guess.
"Yes, run along," Giles replied absently, his eyes on the door the whole time.
"Fine," Xander grumbled as he made his way out of the room.
Giles began to pace, his hands buried in his trouser pockets. Every little noise made him snap to attention, and his head whirl round to face the door. After a few minutes it opened, Xander flew into the room.
"Well?" Giles asked, impatiently.
"It was horrible." Xander shivered dramatically.
"Why?" Giles was getting more and more worried by the second.
"Girls, and dresses, and hair, and make-up," Xander reeled off his long list.
"Those do tend to belong together," Giles told him.
"But they were in the girls' bathroom," Xander finished with an anguished wail.
"You went in?" Giles was incredulous.
"Only in the line of duty," Xander was quick to defend himself. "That's why I'm the best man."
"I knew there was a reason," Giles muttered.
"Rupert?" Christopher stood in the doorway.
"Oh bloody hell!" Giles exclaimed.
"I thought he didn't love me," Willow confessed as Cordelia attempted to re-apply the mascara that had made its way down Willow's cheeks earlier.
"Would you keep still?" Cordelia entreated. "I can't do my best work in this light anyway, and with Xander barging in, but if you keep moving about..." she left the sentence hanging.
"Sorry," Willow said meekly, before abruptly turning to face Buffy. "He does love me, doesn't he?" She asked.
"He won't get the chance if you don't let me finish this," Cordelia chastised. "The ceremony is already twenty minutes late."
"Oh goddess, you don't think they'll cancel it, do you?" Willow twisted her hands nervously, but managed to keep her head still.
"Anya went to explain," Buffy comforted her. "It's not like there's another wedding tonight," she soothed.
"Xander said Giles feels terrible," Cordelia added, as she finished the first eye and started on the next.
"So he should," Buffy snorted in a very unladylike manner. "How many times have we told him he needs a new car?"
"Every time you have to go anywhere in it," Willow confirmed.
"I have a feeling he'll listen to you after this," Cordelia finished the mascara with a flourish and threw it back into her bag.
"Are we ready?" Buffy asked.
"We're ready," Willow affirmed.
"Let's go get you married, then," Buffy held the door and they trooped out, Willow at the back.
"What are you doing here?" Giles hissed as he moved closer to his brother.
"Xander rang me," Christopher explained. "He said you changed your mind. That you wanted me here."
"Oh, he did, did he?" Giles swung round to face Xander, who was sliding along the wall in the hope of escaping unnoticed.
"It was for your own good, G-man," Xander claimed. "He's your brother, and I'm the best man, and heck, we've all been in love with Willow..." As soon as the words left his mouth, he realised that that was probably not the best thing to say. "I'm just gonna go and get my foot out of my mouth," he said to no-one in particular as he finally found the door.
"I take it you didn't say that, then?" Christopher asked.
"Not in so many words, no," Giles began to pace again.
"So you don't want me here, then?" Christopher pressed.
"I didn't say that," Giles frowned, and ran a hand through his hair.
"What exactly do you want, then?"
"Well, I'd like none of this to have happened," Giles snapped. "But we can't all have what we want, can we?"
"No. You can't have that, and I can't have Willow," Christopher watched his brother closely.
"You've finally realized that, have you?" Giles stopped his pacing in front of his brother.
"Yes, I have." Christopher lowered his gaze. "I'd like very much to come to your wedding, Rupert, if you'll let me?" He finished on a question.
"I'd say you we're already here," Giles turned back towards the door. "Now all we need is the bride."
"One bride present and correct, Giles," Xander came back into the room cautiously. "Will's been groomed, and everything's ready to go."
"You make her sound like a horse," Giles complained.
"Just come and get married will you?" Xander asked, in an exasperated voice. "This wedding is giving me grey hair."
"I know just what you mean," Christopher concurred.
"I'm the one getting married!" Giles protested as they filed out of the room ahead of him.
Part 28
"We thought you'd changed your mind," Ira Rosenberg told Willow as they waited for the ceremony to begin.
"Rupert's car broke down," Willow told him.
"That's what that girl said," Ira waved a hand in Anya's general direction. "But we thought..."
"Well, you thought wrong," Willow fought to retain her composure.
"It's not too late, honey." Ira patted her hand. "Your mother and I can take you home right now, and then perhaps we can go away..."
"Dad!" Willow wrenched her hand away from his. "I'm marrying Rupert, and I don't care what you and mom say!"
"Willow, we're starting now," Buffy interrupted the tense moment.
"Good," Willow kissed Buffy's cheek before turning back to her father. "Dad?"
"If you're determined," Ira held out his arm. Willow slipped her's through his, and watched as the bridesmaids filed into the ceremony room.
Giles shifted nervously from foot to foot. Xander stood beside him, looking equally as nervous. After what seemed like hours, the door at the back of the room opened and one by one Buffy, Anya and Cordelia made their entrances. Giles gave Buffy a small smile, before returning his gaze to the doors. They opened again, and there was Willow, standing with her father. Ira looked less than ecstatic, but at least he wasn't scowling. As they began walking towards the front, and Giles, Willow looked straight at him and gave him one of her most dazzling smiles.
That smile. It made his knees go weak at the best of times, but this time he felt so light-headed he thought he might faint. The next thing he knew, Willow was standing by his side, her hand resting in his. He lost himself in her eyes, answering the questions automatically. He had lived this moment in his dreams so many times, and now that it was finally here he found that he couldn't turn away from Willow's face for even a moment.
It wasn't until they found themselves husband and wife that they looked away from each other, briefly, before reuniting in a kiss that could have gone on all night but for Xander's discreet cough, which he was forced to repeat three times. Reluctantly, they parted, and smiled as the guests broke into a round of applause. Sheila Rosenberg looked about her in surprise, and after a moment or two of hesitation she joined in the applause, earning a smile from Willow, the like of which she hadn't seen from her daughter since Willow was a toddler.
Christopher was towards the back of the room, sitting with Angel and Wesley. He clapped enthusiastically, and caught his brother's eye briefly. Giles gave him a smile, and clutched Willow's hand tighter. Christopher acknowledged his brother's possessiveness with a slight nod, before Wesley caught his attention with a comment, and the connection between the brothers was lost.
Buffy, Cordelia and Anya came up to Willow, and fussed about her dress, ready for her exit with her husband. Giles tucked her arm inside his and together they made for the exit, and the reception. As they made it through the doors, Giles pulled Willow to one side, letting the rest of the guests head out of the museum.
"What?" Willow protested as she found herself being led into the small room where Giles had waited for her earlier.
"I just wanted a moment alone with my wife," Giles drew her closer and kissed her.
"I like that," Willow said, smiling dreamily.
"I endeavor to do my best," Giles grinned, his chest puffing out in pride.
"Not the kiss," Willow explained. She saw Giles deflate, and realised what she had said. "Not that the kiss wasn't good, 'cause it was, really really good, but I meant that I like being your wife," she paused for breath here, and Giles used the opportunity to show her just how good a kiss could be.
"Wow," she finally managed.
"So that was up to standard?" He teased as he looked into her sparkling eyes.
"You could say that," Willow smiled as her higher brain functions kicked into gear again.
"Should we try again?" Giles asked. Just as they leaned in to do precisely that, the door flew open and Buffy and Xander entered the room.
"There you are...oh! Oh!" Buffy trailed off as Willow and Giles turned to face her, their hands still entwined.
"That's what the honeymoon's for," Xander chastised.
"We we're worried," Buffy had recovered enough to speak. "The car is waiting," she added as an afterthought.
"We'll be right out," Giles told her as he ushered them both out through the door and closed it on them.
"The reception?" Willow asked.
"The reception," Giles confirmed. "But first..." he let the sentence trail off as their lips touched again.
Part 29
Willow couldn't seem to stop smiling. She sat at the table with Giles at her side and her friends and family surrounding her, and she was happier than she had ever been. The food on her plate was virtually untouched, as her stomach continued to twist and turn, but now with happiness as opposed to the nervousness that had troubled her before the ceremony.
"Are you here?" Giles whispered. The feel of his breath on her ear made her stomach drop.
"Where else would I be?" She asked back, keeping her voice low. She liked the idea of having a private conversation in the midst of all the noise.
"You seemed a little distracted," Giles removed his hand from the table and brought it to rest on her thigh.
"So you thought you'd distract me some more?" She asked, her eyes wide.
"I thought it would be a welcome...diversion," he admitted.
"Very welcome," Willow smiled, turning her head to look at him at last.
"Perhaps we could sneak off for a little more diversion?" Giles asked.
"From our own reception?" Willow seemed scandalised. After a few seconds of thought, she added, "well, I suppose so."
"Really?" This time it was Giles who seemed shocked.
"If we're quick," Willow grinned. "I'll go first, and you follow in a few minutes."
"A few minutes?" Giles asked. "I don't think I can wait that long."
"Well, however long is decent," Willow told him.
"I don't really plan on being decent," he whispered wickedly.
"You don't?" Willow raised an eyebrow. "Oh good."
"Willow, you haven't touched your food." Her father's words brought Willow back to reality.
"I'm just not hungry," Willow scowled at him. The scowl changed abruptly to a smile as she felt Giles' hand back on her thigh. "I think I'm just going to go and freshen up." She said to no-one in particular. Just as she rose from her seat, offering a huge smile to Giles, Xander stood up and tapped his fork on his glass. Willow sighed, and Giles groaned, and both of them mentally resolved to kill Xander for his bad-timing. Xander, meanwhile, oblivious to the threats to his life, swallowed his champagne nervously and searched his pockets for his speech. Relieved to find that it had stayed where he put it, he took a deep breath and began.
"Ladies and Gentlemen," his voice was unnaturally high, and he fought to bring it back down to his usual more masculine level. "And creatures of the night," he added. "And I'm not just talking about the groom here." When no laughter was forthcoming, he took another large swig of champagne. "Tough audience," he muttered. "I first met Giles when he was our school librarian, and let me tell you he was pretty scary. For a start, he wore tweed, and he lived with the books, and books, as anyone who knows me will tell you, terrify me." This raised a small laugh amongst those who did indeed know him. "Giles is certainly knowledge-guy, and that's been important on more than a few occasions. And Willow is knowledge-girl, and without her I wouldn't have graduated High School." Xander surreptitiously wiped a tear from his eye.
"What I really want to say, is that although I didn't always know it, and actually, neither did they, Giles and Willow are meant for each other." Xander raised his glass to them, and everyone else stood and toasted the happy couple. "Hey, but Willow, if things don't work out..." Xander couldn't resist the line. Willow, Giles and Anya all glared at him, and heabruptly changed topic. "Didn't the bridesmaids look lovely?" He asked the assembled guests. "To the bridesmaids," he raised his glass again, and the guests followed suit.
"Thank you and goodnight," he muttered under his breath as he drained his glass and sat down heavily.
Part 30
"Riley. What sort of name is Riley?" Angel asked Wesley, as they watched Buffy and Riley on the dance floor.
"His name, obviously." Cordelia flopped down next to them.
"Where are the happy couple?" Wesley asked, quickly, in an attempt to change the subject.
"They went to get changed." Cordelia informed them, sniffing Angel's drink suspiciously. "Is this alcoholic?" She asked.
"Very," Wesley answered for Angel, who was busy glaring at Slayer and boyfriend.
"That explains it then." Cordelia swallowed the drink in one go.
"Please," Wesley was beginning to panic. Getting a drunken Angel and Cordelia back to LA in one piece was going to be his job, and he just knew it wouldn't be one he'd enjoy.
"You three look like you're enjoying yourselves," Xander hovered around by the table.
"Where's your demon girl?" Cordelia asked.
"Hey!" Xander protested. "She's an ex-demon, and right now she's dancing with those three men over there," Xander pointed to the dance floor.
"Anya wasn't overly keen on that line in your speech, then?" Wesley looked sympathetic.
"What can I say?" Xander shrugged his shoulders. "My scripted work is not my best."
"Work?" Cordelia snorted.
"Waiter!" Xander called. "I need a drink!"
"Make that two," Angel stirred from his contemplation of Buffy and Riley.
"What about me?" Cordelia whined.
"Three drinks!" Xander shouted after the waiter.
"Why do I have to be the sober one? Wesley muttered.
"Rupert," Willow moaned as his lips played havoc with her equilibrium. "We should be going," she protested, half-heartedly.
"We really should," Giles agreed, before continuing on.
"The plane," Willow insisted.
"The plane," Giles murmured. "The plane!" He exclaimed loudly.
"Are we late?" Willow asked worriedly as she attempted to smooth her clothing.
"Not if we get going now," Giles eyed his rumpled shirt in the mirror, but decided that it would have to do.
"Where are we going?" Willow bounced excitedly as she ran a brush through her hair.
"It's a surprise."
"It was a surprise yesterday," Willow complained. "We're married now - there aren't supposed to be any secrets."
"I think our marriage will survive this one," Giles teased.
"Or not," Willow threatened, her eyes twinkling. "Just think of the rewards if you tell me," she whispered seductively into his ear.
Giles thought of the rewards, and confessed there and then.