Part Eleven
Willow leaned heavily against the door. She took a deep breath and tried to keep herself from flinging it open and kissing him again. She closed her eyes to better remember and let the memory of his kiss linger.
She'd dreamt of his kiss for longer than she really wanted to admit. It was a childish fantasy in high school that had somehow miraculously become a reality. Sure, it took six years, but she wasn't complaining. Not now.
He'd kissed her.
She sighed again, a dreamy smile on her lips as she pushed away from the door, looking forward to climbing into bed and letting her dreams take her.
She'd been so lost in her thoughts that she hadn't noticed the flicker of the television in the dark apartment. As she crossed to turn it off, she saw Buffy and Xander asleep on the sofa. They'd obviously tried to stay up and greet her when she got home from her date.
She giggled softly and covered them with a blanket.
Xander sat with his legs stretched straight out, one arm around Buffy, his head tilted back, mouth open. Buffy leaned on his shoulder, her legs curled under, one hand gripping the remote and the other lost inside a bag of Doritos.
Willow smiled fondly at her best friends before retiring to the bedroom to thoughts of what pleasures tomorrow might hold.
*****
Giles wasn't sure how he managed to walk back to his car; he didn't remember walking down the stairs or crossing the sidewalks. All he could remember was the feeling of her lips on his, the small hand against his chest, and the promise in her voice.
He sat dazedly in his car for a while, leaning against the steering wheel gazing back at Willow's building. He couldn't stop remembering the feel of her lips on his. Abruptly, his view was obscured as a pair of students passed by looking suspiciously into his car.
Realizing he did look a bit odd just sitting there staring, he sat up straight, trying to pull his thoughts back to the present. But it was useless. He pulled on his bow-tie, letting it fall about his neck and undid the top stud, loosening his collar.
His gaze fell to his passenger seat. Empty. He started his car and slowly drove home to his empty apartment; his thoughts never straying from the woman he hoped would fill the emptiness.
*****
The light filtering through the thin curtains of the living room fell on Buffy's face, warming it and gradually waking her. She sighed sleepily and opened her eyes. She blinked a few times to try and place herself. On somebody's shoulder?
She sat up and was relieved to see Xander. Good old Xander's shoulder. They must have fallen asleep waiting for Willow.
"Willow!" she said suddenly concerned, jumping to her feet.
"Wha---?" Xander mumbled, as he was startled awake.
Buffy glared at him. "Willow. Where's Willow?"
"On a date with the G-Man," he said sleepily.
"Hello? It's morning and no Willow!"
Xander frowned and then his eyes widened in dismay.
"Exactly!" Buffy cried.
"But, they wouldn't -- well, you know--" Xander suggested weakly.
"No, they wouldn't. Not on a first date. Would they?" Buffy said her eyes going wide.
They turned quickly toward the bedroom at the sound of a drawer being slammed. "They--" Buffy stammered. "They wouldn't--" she swallowed nervously. "--here? Would they?"
Xander was speechless, his mouth hanging open at he image of Giles and Willow in bed in the next room.
"I can't stand it," Buffy said suddenly as she moved to the bedroom door. She took a deep breath and motioned Xander to come with her. He could only shake his head.
She knocked softly on the door. "Wills?"
"Yeah, come on in, " Willow said.
Buffy looked nervously back at Xander and covered her eyes before opening the door. "Uhm, hi," she said trying desperately not to peak between her fingers.
"Hi Buffy," Willow said happily.
"Where's Giles?" Buffy said, quickly turning her head away from the bed.
"Uhm, in bed?" Willow offered.
"Oh my God," Buffy rasped. "Wil-low!"
"What? Why are you covering your eyes? Is everything okay?" Willow said as she anxiously went to her friend. "Do we need to phone Giles?"
"Phone?" Buffy said softly as she carefully lowered her hand and dared to look at the bed. She looked back at Willow, a blush rising in her cheeks. "No, nope."
Willow suddenly realized what was going on. "Buffy!" she scolded. "You didn't really think--?"
"Me? No. It was— it was Xander," she said pointing accusingly into the living room. Willow smiled and let the giggle escape her lips.
"Sorry," Buffy said in a small shamed voice.
Willow just shook her head and kept giggling.
Xander then burst into the room, his hand covering his eyes. "Good God! Haven't you two done enough!"
"Xander," Willow chided him.
"What?" He carefully lowered his hand and looked around the bedroom. "I was kidding."
"So," Buffy asked with a waggling eyebrow. "How was it?"
Willow blushed a little. "I'm not one to kiss and tell but--" With a big dreamy sigh, she fell backwards onto her bed arms flung out to the sides.
*****
Giles woke up slowly, rolling over and putting his extra pillow over his face. He stayed for a few minutes in that wonderfully soft place between sleep and wakefulness.
He was having the most wonderful dream about Willow. He'd run his fingers along her soft skin, finally pulling her into a deep kiss.
"Willow," he sighed, the sound of his own voice pushing the last remnants of sleep sway.
For a moment, a wave of fear passed over him. Was it only a dream?
He looked around his room and saw his tuxedo jacket hanging on the back of a chair. He sighed in relief. It had been gloriously real.
She'd kissed him.
It had been better than any dream - the feeling of her in his arms, her lips touching his. The silent promise of so much more.
'Slow down, old man' he chastised himself. 'It was just your first date.' He smiled to himself. 'And what a way to start.'
Part Twelve
As the day wore on, Giles' thoughts seldom strayed far from Willow. He'd tried to call her, but only got her answering machine. He wanted to ask her out to lunch. Actually, he'd wanted to ask her over for breakfast, but had thought that might be pushing it.
He swore to himself he was going to take things slowly, didn't want to frighten her away. His feelings for her ran deeper than even he had realized.
He wanted to court her, to treat her the way she deserved - with tenderness and adoration. He wanted their courtship to be special. He wanted her to know how very much he cherished her, their friendship and their new relationship.
He set down the cup he was washing and frowned. Relationship? Did they really have a relationship? He was suddenly struck with a sinking feeling. They'd only gone out once, perhaps he was getting ahead of himself.
She was still young, maybe she wanted to date other men. Giles clenched his jaw. What if she was out with another man right now?
'Get a hold of yourself,' he told himself, but the seeds of doubt had already been planted. It would only be normal for her to want to taste more of life. It was foolish to think she could be ready to love only him - forever. He felt his chest begin to constrict.
Years of experience and loss had taught him what he wanted.
He wanted Willow.
He wanted her to be his forever. But --- But to a young woman, really just entering the world, her life was ahead of her. How could he expect her to feel the same way as he did?
He thought he'd seen it in her eyes, felt it in her kiss. Perhaps it was no more than a spell cast by the splendor of the evening.
The clothes, the wine, the music - conspiring to create a dream world. It had been so easy to feel the power of romance in that setting, to see things as more than they really are. But now in the harsh light of day, what would she see when she looked at him?
Heaving a despairing sigh, Giles leaned against the counter and felt the hope that had lifted his heart just moments ago, slowly fading away.
*****
Lunch was wonderful. Not because of the food, Willow hardly touched a bite, her stomach was filled with dancing butterflies. Heck, she felt so good; the sidewalk was wonderful.
Buffy and Xander had carried most of the conversation. Willow kept drifting off, sometimes in mid-sentence, a dreamy little smile coming to her lips. Like right now. She was staring into her iced tea, stirring it with the long spoon and sighing happily.
"And that is why the elephant sat on the fuzzy little bunny," Xander said. Willow didn't even react. "Wow, she has got bad. Reference to fuzzy-bunny-cide... no response."
Buffy giggled and smiled at her friend. It was so nice to see her this happy, even if it did make her a little jealous. Not that she wanted Giles or anything as ew as that, but when she looked at Willow, she remembered how great it felt to fall in love. And Wills had definitely fallen hard. It was all over her. The glazed look in the eyes, the way she kept making little circles on everything with her fingers. And then there was the way the waiter looked at her - like she was cherry pie. Why is it, as soon as you don't need them to look, guys start looking?
Xander tried to smile, but it came out a bit crooked. Not that anyone noticed. Willow was busy sighing, and Buffy was busy sighing at Willow's sighing. Women!
Xander was jealous. Okay, not really, really jealous, just enough in lots of little ways to make his heart ache. He'd never been able to make Wills look like that. Even when she was completely puppy-loving him, she never looked like she did today. Today, she wasn't a girl with a crush. Today, she was a woman in love.
Willow smiled at bit self-consciously as she noticed her friends staring at her. She met Xander's eyes and he grinned. "The Willow has landed. Quick, Buff, before we lose her again."
Willow giggled. "I'm sorry."
"No you're not," Buffy said playfully.
"Okay. I'm not," Willow said as her smile got even wider. "What do you think he's doing right now?"
"Knowing the G-Man as I do. I'd lay odds he's got his nose buried in some book."
"You think so?" Willow said dreamily.
Xander snorted. "Only you Wills. Only you would be turned on by a guy reading a book."
Willow blushed.
"Depends on who's reading. Dylan McDermott reading a book - sexy," Buffy offered.
"Salma Hayek reading a book - definitely sexy," Xander agreed.
"Harrison Ford - skimming through a magazine - sexy," Buffy suggested.
As Xander and Buffy traded sexy readers, Willow drifted off again, her thoughts on one particularly sexy reader.
*****
Knock. Knock.
Giles got up from his brooding spot on the sofa and answered the door. "Buffy?" he asked in surprise, his eyes immediately looking for her companion.
"Hi, Giles," Buffy said brightly as she walked past him into the apartment. She noticed him lingering at the door. "Willow's not with me, if that's what you're looking for."
"Oh, no I was --" Giles started, but was too fatigued for pretense. "Where is she?"
"School."
"School?"
"You know-- readin' writin', rithmatic," Buffy said as she plopped into a chair.
"On a Sunday?"
"You know Wills. Something about.. what did she call it? Oh yeah, studying."
"Oh, yes. Of course, " Giles said with a shake of his head as he closed the door. "Is there something you needed?" he asked when something odd suddenly struck him. "Buffy? You-you knocked? Are you feeling quite well?"
Buffy laughed and nodded. "I'm fine thank you. Just trying to get in the habit. I don't want to walk in on anything. If you know what I mean," she added with a wink.
Giles sighed and sat down heavily. "I wouldn't worry about that too much, " he said softly.
Buffy sat forward, concerned. "Giles, I may not be the sharpest fork in the drawer--"
"Knife," Giles interrupted.
"Knife?"
"Knife in the drawer."
"Oh, right. Anyway, I've seen happy floaty people before, in fact, I just left one. And you look nothing like that."
Giles just sighed.
"What's wrong? I thought everything was great last night?"
"It was," Giles said sadly. "Perfect."
"And that's a problem?"
Giles looked at his Slayer. "It was too perfect. I'm afraid -- Once Willow sees me as I am -- as I really am --" He shook his head ruefully.
"She'll love you all the more," Buffy said honestly. "If that's even possible. Giles, if there is one thing in the world you can count on it's the way Willow feels about you."
Giles looked at her, a spark of hope lighting his eyes. Buffy reached out and took his hand.
"I just don't want to screw this up," Giles confessed with a self-deprecating laugh.
"You won't," she said giving his hand a reassuring squeeze. "Or I'll kick your ass."
Giles laughed and nodded. "That's very helpful, thank you. My feelings of inadequacy have somehow vanished," Giles said sarcastically.
Buffy laughed. "Glad to be of service."
Part Thirteen
Giles sat in the courtyard of his apartment building, trying to enjoy the quiet respite of a Sunday afternoon. He looked at the paper as he sipped his tea, but the words blurred before his eyes. He sighed and snapped the paper open again, hoping to be able to actually read the article he'd been staring at for the last twenty minutes.
He fought the crease for a minute, punching and pulling at the damned thing, finally getting it to behave. He folded the paper over and heard a soft giggle. Slowly, he lowered the paper.
Willow stood on the other side of the small table, a smile in her eyes. "Hi, paper giving you a hard time?"
Giles chuckled and nodded a bit sheepishly. "I-I thought you were at school," he said slowly standing. He wanted to touch her, but felt incredibly awkward.
"Was, but done my duty and now I've got the rest of the afternoon off," Willow said with a bright smile.
Giles opened and closed his hands in an effort to keep them off her. "Uhm, would you like some tea?" he asked abruptly, hoping to have something to actually do.
"Sure, sounds nice," she said easily.
He nodded gratefully and gestured spasmodically toward his apartment. "I-I'll just go and put the k-kettle on. F-for your tea."
Willow smiled gently. "Okay."
Giles smiled back and felt like a complete dolt. A school boy without an ounce of self-control, grinning stupidly at a pretty girl.
"Is everything all right?" Willow asked as she followed him inside.
"Oh, y-yes. Fine."
"That was --- not very convincing," she said plainly, once they were in his kitchen.
Giles set down the kettle and sighed. He turned to face her. "I'm sorry, I'm--" He shook his head. "I'm--"
"Did I do something?" Willow asked nervously.
Giles took an unconscious step closer to her. "No. No. You - you're perfect." He frowned, feeling like a fool again.
Willow reached out and laid a hand on his arm. "What is it? I know something's bothering you."
Giles shook his head and did his best to dispel his insecurities. "It's nothing. Really."
Willow accepted his answer for now and grinned. "Okay." She just kept smiling. "I got your message. I'm sorry I missed you."
"I'm sorry too." Giles said before regaining himself. "I understand you had nice lunch with Buffy and Xander though."
"Yeah, I guess."
"Was something wrong?"
"No," she said softly. "But my heart wasn't really in it."
"No?"
"No," she said, feeling suddenly bold. "It was somewhere else entirely."
Giles felt his pulse quicken. "It was?"
"Yup," she said with coy smile as she took a step closer.
"Anywhere I know?" he said in a voice tinged with hope.
Willow nodded and closed the remaining space between them. Giles breath was short, his eyes beginning to dilate.
Willow reached out and placed a hand on his heart. "I think so," she said softly.
"Willow, I- " Giles said his, voice hoarse. He shook his head and took her face in his hands, pulling her to him. His lips melted against hers softly. The kiss was gentle and sweet.
Reluctantly, Giles released her. He gazed down at this amazing woman, her emerald eyes sparkling.
The tea kettle whistled, interrupting whatever might have come next. With a sigh, Giles turned to remove it from the flame.
Willow stepped back and leaned against the counter and just watched him for a minute. "Thank you for last night," she said finally. "It was wonderful."
Giles turned to face her. "If it was, you made it so."
Willow blushed and Giles grinned, loving the way it traveled down her cheeks to her neck and-- ahem.
He cleared his throat, if not his mind, and poured the hot the water.
"I was wondering if-- What are you doing tomorrow?" she asked suddenly.
"I-I don't know, but don't you have class?"
Willow's grin widened. "Just an early one. I'm out by eleven."
Giles' grin matched hers. "Did you have something in mind?"
"A picnic. Unless there's somewhere else you'd rather-"
Giles shook his head. "There is nowhere on God's green earth I'd rather be than with you."
Willow laughed lightly and took a small breath. "Good."
Part Fourteen
Willow had insisted on taking care of all the preparations. She'd bought, borrowed and/or pilfered items from friends and family. It had turned out to be a lot of work, and she loved every minute of it.
She loved thinking out what he might like, what he might want, what would tempt him most. She loved just thinking about him - period.
It had been so long since she'd been happy - really, truly happy. And she'd never felt exactly like this before. Not with Xander, not with Oz.
Her heart raced at the mere mention of his name.
Even now, as she sat on the front steps of her building waiting for him to pick her up, her pulse was quicker, and her stomach was full of butterflies.
She nervously fiddled with the basket, re-checking, again, to make sure everything was perfect. She sighed and told herself to relax. It was a beautiful day, perfect weather for a picnic.
Letting the sun soothe her, Willow leaned back against the steps. She closed her eyes, smiling at the prospect of the afternoon to come, tilted her head back and finally managed to relax.
*****
The morning had gone by with excruciating slowness. He'd checked his watch, wound the clocks, even dialed up time. He'd paced, tried reading, and eventually settled on cleaning the kitchen.
No matter what he did, his thoughts always drifted to Willow, a small smile inevitably coming to his lips.
It was odd how much things had changed in so short a time. He'd kept his feelings for her in check for so long, he hadn't realized that once they were released, it would be like opening floodgates.
They were more powerful than he'd dreamt, and it was more than a little frightening. What had been important now became paramount. Wants had turned into needs. Before he'd been able to put his feelings for her away, tuck them neatly under his duty and responsibilities, but now--- Now, they couldn't be ignored, even for a second.
Whether she was actually there or not, she'd become his constant companion - in his heart. And it felt wonderful... and terrifying.
Finally, the time arrived. Giles drove happily toward Willow's apartment, pulling up exactly on time. He shut off the car and spotted her sitting on the steps. His heart skipped a beat. Gods, she was beautiful.
He swallowed hard and started toward her, entranced by the grace of her body and the gentle smile that warmed his heart like the sun warmed the day. He stopped a few paces short and just watched her for a moment.
Willow felt him, felt his eyes on her. Her smiled widened before she opened her eyes. He was just standing there staring at her, unashamed of the naked emotion in his face.
His eyes softened as they met hers. "Hello, love," he said before thinking that was probably a bit forward. He looked away nervously and didn't see her approach. He felt her small, sun-warmed hand slip into his.
He looked down into her emerald eyes. "Hello, love" she echoed just as softly, before standing on tiptoes to brush a light kiss across his lips.
Giles sighed in grateful delight and squeezed her hand. He reached down and picked up the basket as Willow gathered the blanket.
"Ready?" he asked, his voice still a bit unsure.
Willow nodded. "Very."
Giles grinned, and they walked back to his car, placed the items in the boot and started off for the park.
It was a short, silent drive to the park. Giles' free hand had found hers as soon as the car started. The touch of their hands spoke the words neither could quite find yet.
The park was practically empty, with only a few scattered mothers and small children.
Giles set down the basket and took the blanket from Willow. He spread it out in the dappled sunlight under a large tree. He took her hand and gently eased her down onto the blanket.
Taking in a deep breath of the fresh air, Giles knelt down in front of her. He looked like he was about to say something, but then just smiled and sat down beside her.
"Hungry?" she asked innocently.
Giles pushed down the surge of desire he felt and managed a nod.
"Good," she said brightly. "Since I didn't really know what to bring, I brought a little of everything."
Giles chuckled and watched her scoot over to basket, rising up to her knees. Her sundress was made of a thin, flowing material that came to rest just above her knee. But as she had maneuvered herself toward the basket and rested on her heels, the hem had slid up her leg, stopping slightly above her mid thigh.
Giles found himself staring at the creamy skin exposed by the short dress. He frowned a little, knowing he either had to look away or say something, and found he could do neither. Knowing he shouldn't, but unable to resist, he reached out and touched the soft skin of her leg. Willow gasped at the unexpected contact and looked down at his hand.
His long fingers took the hem of her dress and slowly pulled it back down, covering her leg. His hand barely brushed along her skin. The soft touch along her leg made Willow's heart race. A little breathless, she looked into his eyes not quite sure what had just happened.
How could he explain it to her? He couldn't tell her he had to do something, or he'd lose control, throw her onto her back, and ravish her right there in front of God and country.
How could she let him know that his simple touch set her blood on fire? And the shy way he was looking at her now - how it made her want to climb on top of him and...
"I'm sorry," Giles mumbled. "Y-your dress was -" He waved his hand a little, and Willow frowned a bit before the dawn broke.
"Oh!" she smiled shyly. "Thanks."
"My pleasure," he said in voice that was supposed to be calm and composed but the memory of her skin made it came out husky instead.
Willow took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. She turned back the basket and closed her eyes.
Giles watched her turn away and chastised himself. One touch of her skin, and he was starting sweat. How was he ever going to survive this day?
Part Fifteen
Giles had somehow managed to keep his hands on the food and off Willow, for the most part.
They ate lunch and talked casually, not staying too long on any one subject. They just drifted along, letting the afternoon take them wherever it might lead.
When the meal was finally over, Giles stretched out - his long legs extended, crossed casually at the ankles, as he propped himself up on one elbow. A drowsy sort of contentment made him look like a cat.
Willow shook her head trying to clear it of the libidinous thoughts that came to mind as he lay back. 'Second date,' she told herself. 'Only the second date.'
Giles took her hand and urged her to join him. Slowly, she eased down, mirroring his pose. For a long moment, they lay there just looking at each other. Eventually, Giles released her hand and then trailed his absently up and down her bare arm.
Willow's eyes traced the length of his body. His handsome face, his tender eyes, concentrating solely on her. His broad shoulders led her down to his long arms and the warm hand that brushed lovingly along her skin. The snug fit of his jeans on his hips gave her pause. She swallowed and continued down his body, along his legs and then back up.
Giles lay mesmerized by the feel of her. She was so incredibly soft. His eyes followed the path his hand made along her arm, but his mind strayed. He wanted so much to touch her, all of her. To feel her pressed against his body, warm and soft. 'Easy old man,' he warned himself. 'Second date. Just the second date.' Even so, his mind couldn't help but wander.
The afternoon was quiet, the birds softly sang and a gentle breeze rustled through the trees. Lost in thoughts of the other, the world around them started to fade.
"Sandra!" a woman called out in a beleaguered voice. The world came back.
Giles and Willow both sat up at the sound and looked across the small area of the park they'd staked out. A young mother, not much older than Willow, was standing and calling out to her daughter as her son scrambled about at her feet. The girl, about three years old, had started to totter off at a quick pace to the swings, completely ignoring her mother's call.
The young woman cast a worried glance at her son, perhaps two, as he crawled around the grass.
Willow stood up. "I'll watch him," she offered, sensing the mother's indecision. The young woman smiled gratefully and dashed off toward the playground.
Giles stifled his sigh. He surely didn't want to be interrupted, but what could he do? Willow's offer was thoughtful and he smiled at her as she crossed to the boy.
Seconds after he noticed that his mother had left his side, the boy began to cry.
Giles watched as Willow gathered the child into her arms. She sat down on the grass, cradling him, whispering soothing words and gently caressing his brow. Slowly, the tears subsided, and the crying died away.
Giles felt his chest tighten. The image of Willow comforting the child stirred feelings he'd long since buried. The dream of having a family had been just that - a dream. Until this moment. Suddenly, he wanted to make it a reality. Desperately.
Willow smiled down at the boy and said something that made him giggle. The mother reappeared with her daughter in tow. She thanked Willow, who smiled graciously and gently handed the boy back to her.
Giles watched Willow walk back to their blanket, her hips swaying slightly, her dress flowing about her legs. The sun shone upon her hair as her green eyes met his. She'd never been more beautiful to him. Giles felt a wave of desire crash over him, unlike any other - passion infused with a powerful sense of true love. The need to share his life with this beautiful woman and to have a family with her became as basic as his need for air.
Willow noticed the change in his expression. As she lay back down on the blanket next to him, she cocked her head to the side. His eyes were dark and searching.
"Rupert?" she asked softly, her voice tinged with concern and confusion. He shook his head and placed a long finger against her lips.
He moved closer to her, his hand touching her shoulder, gently laying her back - his dark eyes never leaving hers. He wanted to spill his heart, to release everything he had for her, but couldn't speak.
He didn't have to. Everything about him spoke of his love. His eyes, his face, his body and finally his lips - his wonderful, warm lips as he leaned down and captured her mouth with his. One hand slid around her waist, pulling her closer to him, as the other gently stroked her cheek. He kissed her tenderly, barely restrained desperation just beneath the surface.
The kiss at the party was passionate - a realization. The kiss in his kitchen was tender - a promise. This kiss was something so much more. She could feel it, taste it. This kiss was his love - deep and abiding and it belonged only to her.
She reached up and caressed the back of his neck, giving silent permission to let go whatever it was he was holding back, to release the things he was afraid of and to claim the others.
As if he could read her thoughts, Giles pulled away slightly, breaking the kiss. It was overwhelming - the power this woman had over him. Finally, giving in to the torrent, he let it sweep them both away.
A universe unto themselves, two hearts, two souls - on a lazy Monday afternoon in the park - became one.