The Coven
Giles drew in a deep breath, sighing it out through his nose as he stretched his legs and slowly let his eyes open. The air in the room was fresh, but cool, after the previous night's rain showers. Jenny was spooned against his front still fast asleep, and he kissed along her shoulder before slowly easing back and getting out of bed.
The shower was his first destination, and he let the steam and hot water soothe his tired muscles. It had been a week since they'd relocated to Westbury, and though a lot of the tension from living in Sunnydale had ebbed away, Giles still had a few lingering regrets over how he had left things with his Slayer.
Part of him felt as though he should have made more of an effort to smooth things over with Buffy before he and Jenny left. She had been through so much recently, so much pain and suffering. He was loathe to the be the cause of more. Then again, he was also aware that Buffy was quite stubborn. If he had tried to make amends, chances are it wouldn't have made things better before he left. She'd still be pouting angrily at him, insisting that he should stay. She had to come to terms with this on her own. He just hoped that someday, they could mend their relationship.
For now, he decided it was best to look toward the future. Today, he and Jenny would be meeting with the Coven. Jenny had contacted Agatha Harkness before they'd left to inform her of their return to England, and had been told there was still a spot open for her should she wish to join them.
And Giles had spoken briefly with the Council, letting them know that he and Jenny were back in the country. The Council was basically keeping him 'on retainer' at this point, utilizing him for research purposes whenever it was needed. Until then, he was a free man. He only hoped he wouldn't grow as bored and restless as he had in Sunnydale. They couldn't afford another sports car.
Once his shower was through, Giles returned to the bedroom to change, pausing in the doorway at the sight of Jenny sprawled across his side of the bed now, still fast asleep and clutching his pillow. He smiled, shaking his head lightly at her, before going into the closet for a fresh set of clothes. After he'd changed, he then went downstairs and grabbed his guitar.
It was a lovely morning for late fall in Westbury, so he wanted to take full advantage. He brought his guitar and a cup of tea out onto the terrace, sipping at the hot liquid and enjoying the warmth spreading through his chest before he tuned his guitar and began to play a soft melody.
The shower was his first destination, and he let the steam and hot water soothe his tired muscles. It had been a week since they'd relocated to Westbury, and though a lot of the tension from living in Sunnydale had ebbed away, Giles still had a few lingering regrets over how he had left things with his Slayer.
Part of him felt as though he should have made more of an effort to smooth things over with Buffy before he and Jenny left. She had been through so much recently, so much pain and suffering. He was loathe to the be the cause of more. Then again, he was also aware that Buffy was quite stubborn. If he had tried to make amends, chances are it wouldn't have made things better before he left. She'd still be pouting angrily at him, insisting that he should stay. She had to come to terms with this on her own. He just hoped that someday, they could mend their relationship.
For now, he decided it was best to look toward the future. Today, he and Jenny would be meeting with the Coven. Jenny had contacted Agatha Harkness before they'd left to inform her of their return to England, and had been told there was still a spot open for her should she wish to join them.
And Giles had spoken briefly with the Council, letting them know that he and Jenny were back in the country. The Council was basically keeping him 'on retainer' at this point, utilizing him for research purposes whenever it was needed. Until then, he was a free man. He only hoped he wouldn't grow as bored and restless as he had in Sunnydale. They couldn't afford another sports car.
Once his shower was through, Giles returned to the bedroom to change, pausing in the doorway at the sight of Jenny sprawled across his side of the bed now, still fast asleep and clutching his pillow. He smiled, shaking his head lightly at her, before going into the closet for a fresh set of clothes. After he'd changed, he then went downstairs and grabbed his guitar.
It was a lovely morning for late fall in Westbury, so he wanted to take full advantage. He brought his guitar and a cup of tea out onto the terrace, sipping at the hot liquid and enjoying the warmth spreading through his chest before he tuned his guitar and began to play a soft melody.