The sounds of weapons clashing in the empty room broke her concentration. Concerned, she moved quickly toward the source of the battle, ready to defend whoever was in trouble if she had to.
She stopped, watching Giles and Faith training with Quarterstaffs. Unnoticed, she dropped her bag on the floor, moving closer to the other two. They looked good together. And Giles seemed to be holding his own. At that moment, Faith twisted her weapon, bringing it under Giles', forcing it to flip out of his hands and over his head.
"Well done. I told you it was easy."
"Yeah. After twenty times maybe."
"Hey." They turned toward the intruder.
"Buffy." He seemed surprised to see her. And not very happy. She was getting used to that though. "Hello."
"B". Faith didn't even try to hide her hostility.
"I'm sorry I'm late. I got caught....."
"That's - that's alright. We were just finishing up anyway. Although I doubt if Faith has expelled much energy with me. Why don't you two practice together for a while?"
"Oh. Okay." Retrieving his quarterstaff off the floor, she suppressed her disappointment. "What was that move you two were working on?"
"Oh nothing."
"It's something Giles has been showing me. He's full of tricks." They shared a smile, making Buffy feel even more left out.
"You never showed it to me."
"You didn't seem interested in the Quarterstaff. Thought it was old-fashioned." His voice held disapproval. At least to her it did. "Perhaps, if you're so interested, Faith can teach you."
The two slayers nodded at each other, before taking their battle stances. They made defensive moves at first, testing each other's mettle, and strength. Suddenly, finding a gap, Buffy lunged, trying to break through Faith's defenses. In a move so fast, she didn't even see it, Faith countered and disarmed Buffy, leaving her standing there feeling like a fool.
"See. Sometimes it isn't about strength, but knowing your enemy." Giles moved away from the girls. "I have some work to do. Why don't you two continue to train until you're ready to patrol?" With his back to them, he smiled. He was glad Faith had defeated Buffy. Sometimes his slayer was too cocky. Besides, it would boost Faith's self-confidence. He paused, waiting until he heard the renewed sound of battle before moving into his office.
The next afternoon, Buffy arrived for her training session on time. She stopped at the sight of the slayerettes at the library table. It was hard to tell who was more surprised.
"Buffy? What are you doing here?" Willow looked up from the book she was reading.
"Training."
"But you're early."
She sighed. "No I'm not Xander. I'm on time."
"That's what I said. You're early."
"Will you guys stop it? I'm not always late, you know." They looked at her expectantly. "Well sometimes I make it on time. Where's Giles?" She looked around expectantly for her Watcher.
Xander and Willow looked uncomfortably at each other. "H-he had to go out for a while."
"Yeah. But he thought he'd be back in time to train you. He hoped."
"Out?"
"He said that if he wasn't, then you should start warming up." Willow looked at her friend with concern.
"Out where?"
Xander wondered why he had to be the bearer of bad news. He just knew she wasn't going to like it. "He had to meet Faith. They were going to do - something."
"I see." Just who's Watcher was he anyway? "Well, I better go start warming up. He'll probably be here any minute."
"Oh. I'm sure he will."
Willow nudged Xander under the table to prompt him. "Right. He'll be walking right through that door wondering why you haven't started training." They all looked at the door expectantly. "Any minute now."
"Right." Buffy looked wistfully at the door once more, before moving to the training area.
Giles watched with pride as the slayer disposed of yet another vampire. Although she still tended to charge into battles, her technique was improving. With time and training, she'd be almost as good as Buffy.
His smile faded. After the phone call he received earlier, he came to find Faith. He felt he should tell her immediately. But, when he finally caught up with her, he found he couldn't. She'd come to trust him finally. To rely on him. Yet what was the alternative?
And therein lay his problem. There was an alternative. One he wouldn't have even considered months, even weeks ago. Would in fact have been shocked if anyone had suggested it. But now, today, he had considered it. Even thought out the pros and cons. He had a choice to make. And somebody was going to get hurt.
"Hey G." At his admonishing look. "Sorry. Giles. Should you be here? Aren't you meant to be somewhere else?"
"Hmm?"
"Library. Other slayer."
"Oh. Training. Buffy." He looked at his watch. "Well, it's too late now. She was probably late anyway. If she...."
"If she even bothered to turn up." Good. He was beginning to see the bitca for what she was.
"That's not fair Faith."
"That's what you were gonna say."
"No I.." He paused sheepishly. "Well, I was wrong to say it. And so were you. You promised, remember."
"Yeah. I try. But she doesn't like me either. And I find it hard to like somebody I don't trust."
And there lay the rub of it. Faith didn't trust Buffy. And neither did he. Not any more. She'd betrayed him, lied to him, too many times. He just didn't know where he'd failed. "Buffy would never shirk her duty."
"Just her friends."
"That's enough Faith!"
She knew she'd overstepped the mark. "I'm sorry." She pouted. "I'll be good from now on. I promise."
He smiled reluctantly. "Good. You can show me how good you can be when we get back to the library."
She groaned. At his look, she held up his hand. "All right. I promised. Let's go be nice to Buffy."
She heard them come in. Taking a deep breath she moved around the corner, watching as they laughed at some shared joke. "Hey."
Giles' smile faded, then disappeared. "Hello Buffy."
"You're late." He looked enquiringly at Xander. "Well you are. And Buffy was on time." Four sets of eyes glared at the hapless teenager.
Giles turned to Buffy. "I'm sorry. There was something I had to do."
"With Faith." Her tone was half accusing, half inquiry.
"Yes." He resented her attitude. She had no right to expect to know everything. "Actually, I need to speak to both of you."
"Should we leave?"
"What? No Willow. I suppose you two should know also." They all waited expectantly. "I, um, I received a phone call today. We're to expect a visitor."
"Ooh, sounds ominous." Xander rubbed his hands with glee. When he earned four more glares. "What? You think I didn't know that word?"
"Yes, well." Giles removed his glasses and began rubbing them. All four teenagers became worried. That was a tell-tale sign of real trouble. "A-actually, it's somebody from the Watcher's Council."
"Giles, are you in trouble or anything?" Willow hoped not. She didn't like this council much already.
"No. No. Nothing like that. He's a Watcher. More like a Watcher-in-training, and he's come here to um.." Faith looked at him expectantly. "..to um..." Buffy's interest deepened. ".. observe, a-and learn." He knew he was being a coward, but he couldn't say anything to them. Not yet.
They all waited, until it was obvious that he wasn't going to speak again. Buffy decided it was time to probe a bit. "So. How old do you have to be to become a Watcher -in-training?"
"And how cute is he?" The two slayers exchanged a grin. One thing they were in complete agreement on. A cute new addition to their group would be welcome.
"I believe he's quite young actually."
"Our age?"
He frowned at Willow. "I mean he's younger than me by a few years. In his late thirties. As for his - cuteness - I wouldn't know. I haven't met him."
Buffy successfully suppressed a giggle at the thought of her Watcher checking out the talent at the next Watcher's convention. "So, when's the big day ?"
"Tomorrow."
"Mr. Giles?"
Giles looked up from his book, to meet a pair of startling blue eyes. "Yes?"
"I'm David Reardon. The Council sent me."
"Ah. Yes." He accepted the outstretched hand. "Welcome." Inspecting his visitor, he decided that David would pass the girls' cute test. Just an inch shorter than himself, the other man was lean with a classically handsome face, his blonde hair forming an almost angelic frame for high cheekbones and a full mouth.
"Do I pass muster?"
"Oh. Sorry." Giles felt himself blushing. "The, um, girls wondered how cute you were."
"Girls? You mean the Slayers? I hope I won't disappoint them."
Giles smiled. "No. I don't think you will."
"Do they know why I'm here?"
"No. Not yet. I, um, I thought that I'd give them a chance to get to know you better before either of them had a reason to resent you."
"Have you decided yet?"
"No. It isn't that easy."
"Perhaps you'd better explain....."
"All I know is Harmony said this gorgeous guy is roaming the halls of Sunnydale High...." Willow stopped, blushing as she realized Giles wasn't alone.
Buffy looked at the stranger. The handsome stranger. "Hey."
"Hi." David smiled at the three teenagers. Only the young man didn't return his greeting. "Who's Harmony?"
"Oh. One of the students here. One of the 'in crowd'. And, I believe, the resident cute guy radar." Giles smiled at the reaction of the teens. Just as he'd expected. "I'd like you all to meet David Reardon. He's the gentleman I was telling you about. David, this is Willow Rosenberg. The sullen young man behind her is Xander Harris. Both are valuable members of our team." He smiled fondly at the two as they responded to his praise. "And this is Buffy Summers."
David moved forward, taking Buffy's hand in his. "It is a true pleasure to meet you. I've heard so much about you and your exploits."
Buffy looked worriedly toward Giles. "You shouldn't believe everything everybody tells you."
David laughed. "Well, if only half of them were true, you are a truly exceptional young lady. And if I'm half the Watcher Mr. Giles is here, then I'd be satisfied."
Giles felt uncomfortable at the look of pride on Buffy's face. "Yeah. He's something isn't he? So, Mr. Reardon, how long are you stopping for?"
"Please it's David. And only a few days." Giles watched as they left the library together. They seemed to get on well. Better than he and Buffy had when they'd first met. He suppressed the twinge of jealousy. He supposed he'd half hoped she'd hate David on the spot. Then, his decision would have been so much easier.
Faith hated him. She didn't care how cute he was, or how friendly. He just rubbed her up the wrong way. She knew he was trouble. Besides, it was obvious he and Buffy already liked each other. That meant he wasn't worth her time.
David waited patiently with his hand outstretched. He decided that Faith was an extremely rude young woman. And spoilt. And somebody should give her a good spanking. But she wasn't going to win this round. He could wait as long as her.
"Faith." Giles' gentle admonishment prodded the young woman into movement. She reluctantly took David's hand for the briefest of moments, before dropping it as if it was covered in acid.
"Pleased to meet you."
"Likewise I'm sure." He was not going to let her win. "I'd heard so much about the two active slayers, I was looking forward to meeting you both. You're WARM greeting has made my journey worthwhile."
Faith had the decency to look embarrassed. Buffy tried to hide a smirk, but wasn't very successful. Willow and Xander looked uncomfortable in the tense atmosphere. And Giles was disappointed. He'd hoped for better behavior from all of his charges.
"So, David. What would you like to do tonight? Watch us slay some vamps, or banish some great demon out to destroy the world?" Buffy put as much enthusiasm in her voice as she could. If Faith was going to act sullen, she was going to make their visitor feel welcome. And, who knows, if Giles saw her with another Watcher, he might realize how much he'd been ignoring her lately.
"Have you forgotten Buffy? You and Faith both have to train in small armed combat tonight."
"What Giles means is that we have to learn some more methods to stake a vampire." She smiled her most winning smile at David.
He responded in kind. "Well, that I would like to see. The two of you in action without the danger."
"Scared of a few vamps?"
He looked at Faith. "No. Just don't want to attempt anything I'm not ready for."
"Yes. Good idea. Well then, shall we proceed? Xander? Willow?" The slayerettes looked at him expectantly. "Why are you still here?"
"Because....." Willow looked toward Xander.
"Because it's a school night, and we aren't allowed to Bronze, and our folks think we're studying at each other's house."
"Then I suggest you get studying. And what are you two waiting for?" David smiled as the four teenagers rushed to do Giles' bidding. And he hadn't even had to raise his voice. He knew a few parents who would have liked to know Giles' secret. He would like to know the other man's secret in handling Faith.
It was late. The teenagers had left. Xander and Willow were in their respective beds, and Faith was probably finishing her patrol. Buffy had said she'd do one last patrol, before going straight home. He hadn't believed her. He was sure she'd stop by to see Angel. By the look of resentment on her face, she knew what he was thinking.
He and David were packing away some of the weaponry. The slayers had decided to put on a show for their visitor. He supposed they were lucky that neither of them had drawn blood. It had come close a few times.
"I know all about her history, but that doesn't excuse her rudeness."
Giles smiled. Faith had certainly made an impact on David. Just the wrong kind. "It's her protection, you see. She's been hurt so many times. Real and imaginary betrayals. Including the deaths of her mother and Watcher. Been lied to. Added to that is her natural rebellious nature, and too much time on her hands. Any authority figure is a danger to her."
"And she doesn't see you as an authority figure?"
"She, um, she didn't trust me at first. Oh she put on a big act, but everything was designed to scare away those who would come close to her. Her resentment of Buffy stems from the fact that she wants everything Buffy has, but doesn't know how to get."
"Including her Watcher?"
Giles decided to let that slide. "When she realized I wasn't going to order her around, or try to force her to change her lifestyle, she relaxed around me. And, in a way, we're kindred spirits. We've both lost love ones. Been..." a spasm of pain crossed his face. "...betrayed. S-so I understand her pain and anger. And her defenses. It took a while, but she's come to trust me."
"And you don't want to break that trust."
"No. No I don't."
"Which leaves Buffy. Why do you keep pushing her away?"
"What?"
"Every time she came close to you, you put up a wall against her. And I saw that last exchange between you. You didn't believe her."
Giles shifted uncomfortably. Was he that obvious? "There has been a - problem. But we're over that now."
"Are you?"
"Drop it David. Why don't you tell me of your assessment of the girls instead?"
"Faith has an attitude problem. Anybody in authority would have a problem with her. She disobeys orders, and does what she wants. She's a brat."
Giles couldn't help himself. He laughed. At the other man's confused look he explained. "That's pretty much what I thought about Buffy when I first met her."
"Buffy? She's a lovely young woman. Mature. Dedicated. And she does all this.." he waved a hand at the weaponry "....and still manages to live a normal life. Amazing."
"You like the idea that she has a normal life?"
"Well, to tell you the truth Rupert. I'm a bit of a rogue according to the Watcher Council. I believe a slayer shouldn't be dedicated to just her calling. The more well-rounded she is, the better chance she has of survival. And I'm not alone. There are more of us feeling this way. Buffy's example is living proof that our theory may be right. You're a bit of a hero back home, you know."
Giles felt himself blushing. "Yes, well. It wasn't entirely by choice, you know. She already had her 'life' before I came along. Nothing I could do to change that." He smiled at the younger man. "A rogue, hmmm?"
David grinned back. "In fact, the last thing old Drummoyne said was 'Let him go. He and that rebel Giles will get on well together.' Something about you and the theory of Brinton."
Giles laughed. "He never forgave me for disproving his pet theory. Almost brought down the whole society." He sighed. "Well, we're done here. Might as well go home." They walked amiably toward the exit, exchanging witticisms about the Watcher's Council. One thing Giles was sure of. Whatever his choice, David would be a good Watcher.
"Giles."
He looked up at Willow's voice. "Hmm?"
"Why is David really here?"
He shifted uncomfortably, before looking around the library. They were alone. "I told you, he...."
"No. Why is he really here? Have they sent him to replace you?"
"No! Well, no, not replace me."
"What then?"
"Willow, have you been worried about this?"
"Well, I don't trust the Watcher Council, and suddenly David turns up, and if he isn't here to replace you, then he must be here to..." she stopped, an arrested look on her face "..to.."
"Willow."
"Which one Giles? Faith. It has to be Faith. Because they wouldn't separate you and Buffy.."
"Willow. I don't know which one."
"What do you mean?"
"I, um. I have to choose which one. And I don't know..."
"How can you say that!" She was visibly angry now. "Buffy's your slayer! How can you even think of leaving her!"
"It isn't that easy..."
"Sure it is. Either you stay or you abandon her. Abandon us all." She started to step away from him.
"Willow. Willow!" He called after her retreating back, but she'd already run out of the library. He sighed. Well, the cat was out of the bag now. He'd better prepare himself for a visit from a very angry slayer.
She didn't come storming in. That was a worry in itself. She just calmly walked up to the table. "Hey."
"Hello." His voice was gentle. Understanding.
"I hear you may be leaving me."
"Buffy...."
"God Giles! Do you hate me that much? Am I that bad a person?" Now she was obviously upset. Not angry. Upset. Defeated.
"It isn't that simple. You aren't the only one I have to consider."
"Faith. It always comes down to Faith. You've made it obvious you prefer her...."
"Stop being so damned selfish!" She jumped at his display of anger. "For once look at things from somebody else's perspective. Yes, I have to consider Faith. She's just started trusting me. She's been abandoned and betrayed so many times, how can I do it to her again?"
"So you'd rather abandon and betray me?"
"No. But I can understand how she feels."
"Because that's how I made you feel?"
"Yes." He said it quietly, but it was even more devastating for that. "You never understood did you? Everything you did since leaving Sunnydale was a direct cut at me. An insult to my position in your life. Yet I never condemned you once. Never judged you, even when everybody else was doing nothing but. And then you added the final insult by not telling me about Angel. If you'd deliberately planned to hurt me, you couldn't have done it better."
"I didn't mean to. I was trying to protect you."
"I know. And I know you truly believe what you're saying. But the truth is, you were trying to protect Angel." He looked at her sadly. "He was always your first consideration."
"I'm sorry."
He nodded. A change of subject was necessary. "I thought you liked David."
"As a visitor, yes. But not as a Watcher. I already have a Watcher. The best."
"No. No, I'm not the best. At least, perhaps not the best for you. Perhaps you need a different approach."
"You've made your mind up then."
"No. Not yet."
Faith found him sitting on a gravehead. He was obviously waiting for her. "Hey."
He stared at her as she sat beside him. "Who told you?"
"Xander. I think Willow was too upset, and Buffy probably didn't want to gloat."
"Gloat?"
"Well, I'll be leaving with my new Watcher. And she'll get you all to herself again."
"Faith, I haven't decided if David should become your Watcher."
"What? But Xander said he was here to be a Watcher."
"Yes." He waited for realization to dawn.
"You'd do that? For me?" She whispered the words, awed at the sacrifice he was willing to make.
"I have to decide what's best for both of you. And if that means, that you and I remain together, and David becomes Buffy's Watcher, then yes."
She smiled. "Oh man. She's gotta be so pissed."
"No actually. She isn't. She's - sad. But it's as if she wants it."
"D'uh. Come on Giles, she doesn't want to lose you. She loves you."
He looked down. "Perhaps. We shall see. A-at least she likes David. You and he s-seem to clash."
"Clash?" She stood up, dusting her hands off. "You mean the way you and Buffy clashed when you first met?" She moved away before he could respond.
Giles followed the slayer with his eyes, surprised at her insight.
"Hello Willow."
Willow glanced up at the intruded before continuing her work on the computer.
David sighed. "I'm not the enemy, you know."
"Aren't you?"
"No. No matter who came, he'd have to decide sooner or later."
"There shouldn't be a decide. It should be Giles and Buffy. No decision."
"In an ideal world, I'd agree. But you know it isn't that simple. They have - problems."
"You don't understand. It isn't just about the four of you. It's about us too. We'll lose one of them. That isn't fair to us." She felt her tears forming again.
"I know. I'm sorry. I can tell you this much. You won't be losing Buffy. Faith will be the slayer that leaves. And, if Giles does go with her, that means you and I will have to work together. Don't you think we should be friends?"
"You'll never replace him."
"I wouldn't want to even try." He tried his most winning smile. "But that doesn't mean I can't find my own spot in the Scooby gang, does it?"
She smiled reluctantly. "It still hurts. But it isn't your fault."
"Thank you."
"But don't be hurt if I say I hope we don't have to accept you into the Scooby gang."
"You know, in a way, so do I."
"Giles."
That hated voice coming out in the night stopped him at his door. He refused to turn around. "What are you doing here?"
"I heard you were leaving."
"So she did lie about not seeing you."
"No. I have - other sources. Buffy hasn't tried to see me since I became better. I swear."
"And, of course, I'd believe anything you have to say." His harsh voice rasped out the bitter sentence.
"Please. I never intended to come to see you. But, you can't leave her."
"Can't?"
"She needs you. I'll leave. You'll never...."
"This isn't about you! It's about Buffy and I. And whether or not she does need me. I've seen no evidence of that lately."
"Of course she needs you."
"For what?"
"To train. To track down prophecies and texts. To..."
"Yes. She needs a Watcher. But that Watcher doesn't have to be me."
"To be there for her. To accept her. To remind her that what she does is important, and that she is a good person."
Giles bowed his head. "What if it isn't enough?"
Angel turned to look out onto the street. He'd already destroyed enough of this man's life. He had to stop him from making a terrible mistake. "It's all there is. For any of us. And what about you? What about what you need?"
Giles lifted his head, then turned to face his nemesis. There was nobody behind him. Angel had fled into the night.
"Has he told you what he's decided?"
"No." Buffy sat dejectedly at the table. Xander and Willow watched their friend in sorrow. It was like she'd already given up. "But I guess we all know it's a foregone conclusion. I get me a new Watcher."
"You don't know that for sure." Willow wished she could reassure Buffy.
"If it was that easy, he would have said so by now."
"It's alright Will. Really it is. I've only got myself to blame. I pushed him away."
"No you didn't. He's just not thinking straight that's all."
"Xander this is Giles. All he does is think." Her smile faded. "I just don't know how I'm gonna cope without him."
"Have you told him that?" At Buffy's shake of her head, Willow pressed on. "Well, perhaps you should."
"What difference is it gonna make?"
"You won't know until you talk to him. And now's your chance." Buffy turned toward the door. He stood there, just looking at them. And she knew. Suddenly she got angry. She was not going to lose her Watcher without a fight.
"Would you guys mind leaving? Giles and I are going to have a talk."
The other two jumped to their feet, and moved quickly to the door. "Willow. Xander....."
"Later Giles. When you and Buffy have had your talk."
He turned toward her as the others left. "You want to talk?"
"Yeah." She got up. "Before you decide. I mean, before you tell us your decision, there's something you should know." She took a deep breathe. "I need you. I know I don't always show it. And I know I've hurt you badly. I wish I could undo the things I've done to you. But I can't. And you're right about one thing. I am selfish. Selfish enough to want to have you stay. I don't know if I can do this without you Giles. Please. I need you so much." She waited. This was crunch time. His head was bent, so she couldn't see his expression.
Giles lifted his head, his eyes full of sadness and pain. "I know. And I wish I could say that after that wonderful speech I've decided to stay. But I can't Buffy. You see, I'm being selfish too now. I have to decide what I need. I'm so tired Buffy. Tired of the Hellmouth, and battling demons and vampires day after day. Tired of burying people I love. And I'm tired of fighting you, and fighting for you. And, feeling this way, I'm not sure that I'm going to be of use to you. You need a Watcher who can give you his all. I don't know if I can do that any more."
She looked at him for a moment, seeing the lines of worry on his face, the dullness in his eyes. She nodded and moved past him. He was right.
"Buffy." She stopped at the doors, their backs now to each other. "I will make my final decision tonight. Come here. Your Watcher will meet you." She walked out the doors without a word.
The three of them waited. Buffy wandered around the room, touching his books, his pens. She smiled as she found a handkerchief that he'd left on one of the shelves. She sometimes forgot how absent-minded he really was. This room was so full of his presence. Yet now it felt empty.
"We're assuming the worst. He may walk through that door any minute now." Willow paused at the irony of it. Xander had said those very words just a few nights ago.
"No he won't. He has no reason to."
"Buffy..."
"It's alright Xander. Really." She tried to reassure them. "I've accepted worse things. I can accept this." The trouble is she didn't think they believed her any more than she did. "Do me a favour? Let me find out on my own."
They nodded in understanding, before collecting their things and leaving. For several more minutes, she wandered around, remembering. It was silly really. They'd be leaving High School in a few weeks, and she'd never see this room again. But right now, it was so much a part of him, she wanted to cling to it.
Her back was to the door, as she flipped through one of his journals. It was only the breeze of it opening that alerted her to the fact she wasn't alone. She lifted her head, listening to the silence. Closing her eyes for a moment, she took a deep breathe. She turned to face her Watcher.