The green eyed monster part 4
‘Hello, Rupert. We weren’t expecting you until tomorrow night. Or are you here to seduce the lunch crowd as well?’ The waitress tilted her head and gave Giles a big smile.
‘Still strictly on evening duty, Clare. I’m simply here for the food.’ The flirtatious smile was lost on the oblivious Watcher. Clare heaved a small, disappointed sigh.
‘Ah. And to keep the fan base happy I see. Hi, Willow. And Tara, right?’ Buffy got a tentative glance, and Giles quickly introduced her. ‘Hello, Buffy. No Xander today then? I’ll go tell the chef the happy news, shall I... So what can I get you lot to drink?’
Buffy fumed silently as the waitress’ eyes roamed over Giles’ body, occasionally resting on a spot of particular interest. Her subconscious raised an eyebrow in polite interest.
So. Jealous that someone’s checking your best friend’s boyfriend out, are you? Only for Willow’s sake, okay! Yeah, right. Of course. For Willow’s sake... Buffy sulked at the jeering tone. Just shut up already! And oh God. She would really have to talk to Willow about this. Umm... She was going to talk to Willow about the waitress drooling over Giles?? Her subconscious seemed genuinely puzzled by the idea. Buffy rolled her eyes. No. And weren’t you supposed to shut up?? Besides, the talk would be more likely to concern her own drooling habits. Although she should probably not be too specific about those, right? Anyway. Maybe she could ask Willow to be a little less obvious with the whole relationship thingy? At least until she’d had a chance to adjust. 25 to 30 years should probably be enough.
Willow smirked, finding the Slayer’s flustered expression quite satisfactory. Buffy had looked ready to stake Clare on sight, and the waitress’ close examination of Giles’ assets didn’t seem to have left her any less inclined. Right now Willow was pretty sure the thought running through her friend’s mind was “If that waitress bats her fake eyelashes at my Watcher once more I am going to rip them off and feed them to her”.
The witch’s conscience was still giving her the occasional prod, but she was sure their deception was of the good. Well. Fairly sure. If it worked out two of her favourite people in the world would be truly happy. And if it didn’t... Uh... She really didn’t want to think about that. It had to work. Had to! She smiled wickedly. And in the meantime tormenting the Slayer was undeniably quite entertaining.
Giles gave her a knowing grin.
‘You really are enjoying this way too much’ he whispered.
‘Yes’ she acknowledged with a cheerful nod. ‘But did you see her face?’
Giles chuckled softly. Yes, he had seen her face. The blatant jealousy had been quite... umm… refreshing. He groaned as he spotted one of the Espresso Pump’s regulars sauntering over.
‘I just might have to kill you for this’ he muttered. Willow patted his hand reassuringly. This was even better than she had hoped for.
‘Oh, look everyone. Stella is here’ she happily informed the rest of the table. The by now very tense Giles looked around nervously, thereby missing Tara’s pitying smile.
‘What’s a Stella?’ asked Buffy, cautiously eyeing the approaching overaged, overly made up, platinum blonde.
‘Stella is one of Giles’ more... uh... affectionate fans’ Willow replied with a grin. Giles turned around and glowered at her.
‘Affectionate? Now there’s an understatement. She bloody well kissed me after last week’s gig!’ he complained resentfully.
Willow looked over at Tara and giggled.
‘We kinda noticed. She was very thorough, wasn’t she?’
‘Indeed’ he observed grimly.
Buffy gave them a confused look. Giles had been kissing other women? Why? And if he was going to kiss another woman, why hadn’t it been her?? Hey, wait a minute. He had kissed her, remember?! Her subconscious coughed expressively. Technically it was you who kissed him... Okay. Yes. Yes, she had done that. But he’d kissed her back, hadn’t he?! Her subconscious smiled happily. Ooh yes. That he had...
The three girls were attentively watching the new arrival as she did everything but sit on the uncomfortable Watcher’s lap and ask him to father her children. Buffy gave the intruder a vicious glare, feeling her patience being both tried and lacking. What the hell was going on with Giles and the women in this town anyway? Was there a spell gone awry that she’d missed?? Her stomach flipped pointedly as she met his help seeking eyes. Okay, so maybe she hadn’t missed it... And she was definitely not missing the fact that this hussy was putting the moves on her Watcher. Buffy’s temper finally snapped and without thinking she moved closer to Giles and laced their fingers together.
‘So. Rupert. Aren’t you going to introduce us?’ she asked in what she hoped was a husky voice. He gave her a bewildered look but obediently complied.
‘Are you another of Rupert’s children, dear?’ Stella asked with a patronizing smile. Buffy’s eyes narrowed dangerously.
‘Me and Rupert haven’t discussed children yet, have we, darling?’ she replied in a mock imitation of Stella’s drawl. ‘But I’m sure we’ll want some one day. Right, sweetie?’ Giles’ eyes widened in dazed fascination.
‘I-I... umm... that is...’ His questioning gaze met hers and she gave him an encouraging grin. He grinned back, gratitude flooding his eyes. ‘Of course we will, love’ he said, lifting their entwined hands to his lips and kissing her fingertips.
‘Excuse me?’ Stella gave Buffy a hard look.
‘Oh, I’m sorry. I thought you asked if we were going to have children.’ Buffy radiated innocence as she moved over and gave Giles a soft kiss on the cheek before settling comfortably on his lap. ‘Which we are. But Rupert is a bit old fashioned. He wants us to get married first.’ She stared defiantly at the woman. Stella’s eyes darted to Buffy’s hand.
‘Really? No ring’ she observed curtly.
‘See?!’ Buffy pouted at Giles. ‘I told you we should get a ring. Rupert doesn’t want us to get married while I’m still at college’ she continued chattily while playing with his earring. ‘He says that I need to focus on my education.’ She leaned in for a quick kiss. ‘But I rather focus on him.’
Buffy could feel Giles shake with silent laughter and she carefully elbowed him in the ribs. She smiled sweetly at him when he wheezed in surprise, and then snuggled closer and closed her eyes as his hot breath caressed her shoulder. Oh God. It felt so good. She almost whimpered when his arms snaked around her waist and held her tightly against him.
‘Funny I haven’t seen you here before’ Stella noted, still suspicious and not prepared to give up on her prey just yet.
Oops. Danger. Buffy cursed her out of loopedness. So what was it Giles actually did here? A girlfriend would know this, right?
‘Oh, Buffy gets quite enough of my singing at home, don’t you, sweetheart?’ The Watcher smiled lovingly down at her. ‘I’m sure she’s happy to get a quiet evening to herself once in a while.’ Giles shrugged and nibbled delicately at Buffy’s neck. She suddenly found it difficult to think clearly. Singing, huh? So that was what Willow’s friend had been talking about? Well, that made sense. Giles had a nice voice. A very... mmm... nice... Buffy’s preoccupied mind pointed out that there was a sudden lack of Stella in the vicinity and that she probably should move. And she would. Soon. Well. Soonish.
Willow exchanged triumphant glances with Tara. By George, she’d got it! And about time too...
Buffy reluctantly opened her eyes and found herself looking straight at Willow. Oh God. What on earth was she doing? Willow was her best friend and here she was all but making out with her boyfriend. Oh God. Oh God. Oh God. Unable to raise her mortified eyes to the Wicca’s she awkwardly slid over to her own chair. She could taste the metallic flavour of bile in her mouth as her stomach reacted to the violent onslaught of guilt. And still her body craved the warmth of the man opposite her. She smiled humourlessly. Of all the Hellmouths, in all the towns, in all the world, he walks into mine. Oh God. She really had to talk to Willow. And take a shower. A very, very cold shower. And probably emigrate. Wasn’t Mongolia supposed to be nice this time of year?
Willow’s conscience gave her a nasty shove at the sight of her guilt ridden friend. Oh drat!! She felt a sudden urge to hit her head against the wall. Or - preferably - Buffy’s. Of all the stubborn Slayers... It had been so close! Perhaps it was time to give up her career as a shadchen? No. Resolve face. One more try before she surrendered and threw herself at the mercy of the Slayer. Okay. Think, Willow. Think.
‘Uh. Buffy?’
The only answer was a noncommittal grunt. Willow mulishly pressed on.
’Rupert is taking me to dinner tonight. Why don’t you and Riley come as well? Make it a double date sorta thing.’
Since Buffy was fully occupied with her guilt trip she missed Giles’ startled expression. The dinner was news to him. And double dating with Riley?? Oh joy...
She gave Willow a hesitant look. A double date? She should say no. Would do so in a minute. Seeing Giles and Willow together hurt. Truly hurt. She chewed her lower lip thoughtfully. But at the same time she wanted to be where Giles was. Just to listen to him. Share smiles with him. Kiss him... NO!! Bad Slayer!! Oh, this was wrong. She should say no. She really should.
‘That would be nice’ she finally replied in a weak voice.
Willow’s smile was tinged with relief.
*****
Buffy was curled up on her bed watching Willow prepare for the date. Go on. Talk to her!! Okay. Okay. She would. She had to. Only not right now... Yes, now! Just talk to her! She frowned at her subconscious. It was really getting on her nerves. She knew it was right, of course. But still. Very much nerve getting. Her subconscious ignored her, obstinately keeping up the chant of “Talk to her! Talk to her! Talk to her!” Buffy closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
‘Umm... Willow?’ The redhead looked up and Buffy could feel her courage rapidly evaporate. Okay, so just say it already! Jeez!! ‘Uh... So... You and Giles...’
‘Yes..?’ The Wicca’s green eyes widened in anticipation.
‘Uh... I just wanted to say that I’m happy for you.’
Coward!! Buffy was so caught up in her own thoughts that she missed her friend’s startled yelp and nervous looks. Forcing a smile on her face she unflinchingly met Willow’s piercing eyes, and after a few seconds scrutinizing the witch lit up in a relieved grin. Buffy released her breath. Good. Her poker face must be improving.
*****
Riley was not in a particularly good mood. He had been forced into a double date he didn’t want to go on, been told to dress nicely and show up on time, and now he was being ignored while his girlfriend and her best friend were fussing over a middle aged man who seemed to be going through a severe case of midlife crisis. No. Good was definitively not the mood he was in. Giles on the other hand was more than happy to have two beautiful young women fighting for his attention, even if he knew that one of them was only acting and the other... He gave Buffy a penetrating stare and she grinned affectionately up at him.
‘You’re looking very handsome there, Watcher mine.’
He shrugged self consciously. Life as a Watcher on the Hellmouth didn’t really leave much room for socializing, and he felt very uncomfortable in the unfamiliar clothes. He sighed. Trust Willow to book a table at some poncy restaurant with a bloody dress code. He found himself wondering how she’d managed to get a table at such short notice and decided that he probably didn’t want to know. Shrugging again he smiled awkwardly at his Slayer.
‘Y-you’re looking quite nice yourself’ he said hesitantly. ‘Very becoming.’
“Quite nice”? “Very becoming”?? He winced at the stilted compliments. Suave, old man. Very suave... Buffy didn’t seem to mind though. She simply beamed at him and nodded at his earlobe.
‘Still liking the earring’ she said approvingly.
His hand unconsciously moved up to touch it. He had left it in since Buffy seemed to be fond of it. Apparently a good choice then. Dangerous thoughts of her playing with it crossed his mind and he hurriedly forced them away before his body thought of acting on them. The sudden warmth in his groin told him it was too late. Damn.
‘Um. Yes. Thank you.’
Oh, brilliant. Quite the conversationalist, aren’t you? His subconscious gave a sigh of self disgust. Buffy’s eyes grew soft at his obvious discomfort. Her feelings were on the whole warm and mushy even if the bliss of basking in Gilesy goodness was tempered with guilt from lusting after her best friend’s boyfriend. Not to mention guilt for the way she was ignoring Riley. Oh God. Riley. She would have to break up with Riley!! But not now. Not yet. Admittedly it wasn’t fair on him, but she was beyond caring about that. She needed him, if only to prevent her friends from guessing her true feelings. She could do this. She was the queen of denial, right?
Riley’s temper wasn’t particularly improved by Buffy’s transfixed expression as she looked up at the ex librarian. Something was going on and he didn’t like it. At all.
‘So. Are we leaving or what?’ His sullen tone draw surprised looks from the others and he irritably glared back.