Car Shopping
You pull up outside of the fourth car lot you've been to that day. You turn to Rupert with a stern look as you put your car into park. He looks about, nervously. "What?"
"Don't play innocent with me."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Are you going to really look for a car this time, or should we just go home now?"
"I have been looking for a car. All afternoon in fact."
"Yeah I know, I was there remember? What I'm saying is, you haven't been open to finding one that you like. I know you miss the Citroen, but your period of mourning is over and you need to move on. So if you're not going to really look, we might as well head back to your place."
He sighs. "Well I can't promise that I will find something I like here." You move your hand to cover the keys in the ignition. His hand covers yours. "But I can promise to try."
You smile at him. "Thanks." You both exit the car. You walk around and he takes your hand as you enter the den of sharks known as the Sunnydale Used Car Palace.
A tall young brunette man approaches wearing a smile. He extends his hand to Rupert. "What can we interest the two of you in today?" He appraises you together. "Maybe something in a Mini-Van? Makes toting the young ones around so much easier."
Rupert slides an arm around your waist. "We don't have any young ones."
You turn and whisper where only he can hear, "Not yet. Play your cards right when you get home..." He gives you a sly smile.
"Oh, well um...we have some nice smaller cars for the two of you."
You smile. "It's not for the two of us. It's for the one of him. I have a car."
"Oh." The salesman eyes Rupert. "We have a killer selection of convertible sportscars."
Rupert looks confused. "No, that would be entirely impractical for my needs."
The salesman sighs. "Well what exactly are your needs? You're not a family. You're not looking for a mid-life crisis car."
Rupert bristles at that last part. You grin. "Are you by any chance related to Cordelia Chase?"
The salesman blinks. "She's my cousin. Why?"
"Just noticing the family resemblance. Listen why don't you just let us look around on our own a little? We'll call you when we need help." He looks reluctant. "We're friends of Cordelia's. We'll make sure to come to you if we find something so that you get your commission."
The man leaves and you take Rupert by the hand, leading him through the maze of slightly shiny cars of different colors. "All right, let's be practical about this. What exactly do you need? Best case scenario."
"Well...something with room for weapons, room for the others. But not so bulky it's not easily maneuvered."
"So four doors rather than two?"
He nods. "Dependable. Sturdy. Automatic clutch if possible."
You smile and hug against him. As you look up, you see his eyes gain interest in something. "What?" He leads you across the lot and comes to stand before a blue 1966 Mustang Coupe. "You're serious? Rupert, it's older than the Citroen."
"Sorry?"
You smile again. "So much for practicality." At his quizzical look, you supply. "You're practically drooling."
"I have always always wanted one of these." He pops the hood and looks inside. "It's in good shape too." You suppose he'd know. He somehow always managed to keep the Citroen puttering along. Rupert closes the hood and smiles at you. "Come on, get in with me."
He gets behind the wheel and you get in the passenger side. As soon as you are inside, the salesman reemerges and hands Rupert the keys through the window. He starts the car up and takes a deep breath. "Do you hear that? It actually purrs."
The salesman smiles as Rupert shuts off the motor. "You like it?"
He nods. "I'll take it."
"You will?"
"Absolutely. Go start the paperwork." He hands the salesman the keys. "I'll be in."
When the man heads for the office, Rupert turns to you. "You don't approve?"
"Well it's just that it sort of doesn't fit anything you said you were looking for. You see this car and all rationality flies out the window?"
"What can I say, beautiful things have a way of overriding my better judgment. Isn't that what happened when I saw you?"
"Um, is that a compliment or an insult?" He cups your face and kisses you. Rupert pulls away for a moment to roll up his window and then turns back to you, embracing you and nuzzling your neck. "What are you doing?" You smile.
"I believe it's called a test drive." Once more, his mouth is on yours as he leans you back.
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| The character of Rupert Giles and the show Buffy the Vampire Slayer were created by Joss Whedon and are © Fox. No infringement is intended and no profits are being made. |