(Untitled)

[oh_dear]

The flight was long. And I swear it got longer every time I took it. Or maybe I was just getting old. Strangely, even Xander was quiet on this trip. We didn't go via normal lines, we took the Council plane. Mostly because we needed things that might not go through customs

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[the_golden_girl]

"I get it Giles, I do." Afterall, I had done it once. Even if those were completely different circumstances. Angel wasn't someone who asked to have his presence still secret from everyone, I knew. Tara did. It had been Tara's wishes to keep her life from us. For whatever reasons they were, they were her own. Giles keeping them was a burden, I know.

I just don't get why I couldn't know. It was one of those situations where you did see eye to eye, and then kinda didn't.

Or I don't know! Maybe that's just the blonde in me.

"So, airport it is then. I'll be there in a few. Just don't go expecting any signs or banners that stick out." I didn't need to tell him to stay in well lit and busy areas. He knew the way it always would be here or anywhere else in general. "See you in a bit, Giles." Hanging up, I looked to the others as I told them the deal. That I alone, was going to the airport and that they had to stay here. Well, I told Tara and Dawn that. Joyce and Jane seemed to be MIA. Weird.

With my jacket slung over the bend of my arm, I made my leave. Stake safely in pocket and cross hanging from my neck. Oh, I really wanted a fight. Just not right now. I didn't need Giles to be left waiting on.

Thankfully, I never ran into anything that would keep me delayed. Arriving at the airport and checking arrival gates.

Finding the needed one, I kept my own excitement at bay. Not waiting to startle Giles into thinking it stemed from bad news, and not that I was just overjoyed at being able to see him.

[oh_dear]

"Buffy!" Xander yelled for her first. Even with one eye, he had remarkable vision.

Then again, I'm wearing trifocals now.

I held out my arms, ready to hug the daughter of my heart. And to find yet another way into Sunnydale, a place it seemed none of us could ever abandon, even after we blow it up.

[the_golden_girl]

I don't think I recall having my name shouted by such welcomed people as I had it done for me today. Turning around I spotted the two men. Instantly my smile widening. "Xander! Giles!" I hollared back over the crowded airport. My feet instantly racing me towards them. Grabbing Xander into a hug first.

"Giles must seriously be working you." Squeezing his upper arms after pulling away I winked. He was definitely not the same Xander by looks as he was from high school. He was a man now. And speaking of another man... My body pivoted towards Giles on the balls of my heels and instantly I wrapped my arms around him. Clinging for dear life.

"I missed you." I whispered just as the tears started to well up in my eyes.

[oh_dear]

"I missed you too. More than I can ever say." I put my arms around her, cane and all. She wouldn't let me fall. "You're still so very strong."

[lack_of_cool]

I laughed at the little joke. "No kidding. I have to lift him up four times a day, just to stay this way." He glared at me, and I laughed. It was good to be home, even though it was the place of some of my worst nightmares.

Not all of them though. Again, it made me almost wish Anya were here. I've missed her so much. I made a mistake, way back when, and never got a chance to fix it.

I looked at Giles and Buffy. She missed him so much. He's been a father figure to us all. But there was something else. He looked grey.

"Buffy, I think we better get daddy dearest here back to the hotel. He looks like he's going to drop any minute." I held a slight joking tone in my voice, but I was serious.

I bet Giles didn't tell her how sick he was. That he had leukemia, and was not as strong as he appeared to me. He'd sworn me to secrecy. Didn't want to worry them, he said.

Doesn't matter. If it comes to it, I'm going to tell them. We help each other. That's what Scoobies do.