SHS Library
Rupert Giles sits up to the computer keyboard in the SHS library with an expression faintly equivalent to a deer caught in headlights. You think it's very cute and are slightly amused, watching as you approach him. "Now what do I do?"
"Use the mouse to click onto your e-mail account."
"Right. Um, and that would be...this thing here?" Rupert pokes at the white plastic device like it may bite him.
"That's your mouse." You try to suppress a smile as you stand behind him and lean down over his shoulder.
"I don't know why they couldn't have just phoned."
He sounds like he's moments from a panic attack. Buffy, Willow, Xander, Cordy, and Oz are all away on a weekend school trip and Willow made all of them vow not to contact Giles in any manner other than e-mail via her laptop to force him to learn. You agreed to help and are beginning to wonder how much longer he will remain calm and Rupert-like about the whole thing.
"Now use the mouse to move the arrow over the mailbox icon," You say softly in his ear, your chin resting on his shoulder. "Good, now click the button." He does and the screen changes.
"Is it supposed to be doing that?"
"You're doing fine," His hair smells really good and you're resisting the urge to run your fingers through it. He doesn't need to be made more nervous than he already is right now.
"Now what?"
"We're going to send a practice letter to my e-mail address and then I'm going to go into the stacks and finish your shelving for you. You're going to stay here and read and reply to your mail in private."
Rupert takes a deep breath. "Right. Right. Okay, show me." You lead him through it step by step and notice with no small enjoyment how Mr. Technophobe's eyes light up when the sent graphic flashes onto the screen. Without another word you kiss him on the cheek, climb the steps to the upper stacks and shove the cart full of books back into its depths.
After an hour, the cart is empty except for one large book. You drag the wooden ladder over to the shelf and pick up the book. It's a heavy tome and of course it has to go on the very top shelf. The old ladder creaks with every step up and you cringe as it wobbles when you place the book onto its shelf. As you step onto the third step from the bottom, you hear a loud snap as it gives way beneath you.
You don't even have time to scream as you feel yourself plummet. You close your eyes, anticipating impact. Instead, strong arms catch you around your back and behind your knees. You open your eyes to see Rupert. You wrap trembling arms around him and lean your head onto his shoulder. He carries you out of the stacks, down the stairs and into his office. He lays you on the loveseat in the corner.
Rupert kneels beside you on the floor, leaving his arm behind your back but moving the one from underneath your legs to capture your hand and hold it against his chest. "Are you okay?"
"Yes," you say unconvincingly. He continues to look at you with deep concern. "It just, it just scared me is all." He leans in and kisses you. As he pulls away, you slide your hand into the back of his hair and gaze into his amazing eyes. He removes his glasses, sitting them on the table behind you and rises from the floor. He sits on the edge of the couch and presses his chest to yours, stroking your hair as he kisses you again...
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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. |