Save the Last Dance for Me
(We Belong #1)

Giles climbed down the footstool and handed the paper lantern to Mrs. Brookhill, the freshman English teacher. "Thanks Mr. Giles. It's just that you're so tall and with these heels and everything..."

"Not at all, my pleasure." He retrieved his tuxedo jacket from the back of a chair. As he slipped it back over his shoulders, he spotted a vision in pink re-entering the doors. Giles smiled at her. She returned the smile a little half-heartedly and crossed the floor amongst the last two or three couples still dancing.

Giles sat at the table and soon, Buffy joined him. "I um, thought you and Angel left?"

"Nah. Angel and I are still of the past. I was just walking him out. And thanking him for showing."

"I'm sorry."

"No. You're not."

"Pardon?"

"You're not sorry. You're relieved, and that's okay. You knew all along it had to end like this. I guess I did too...really. I just didn't want to believe it."

"Well, I'm sorry it's hurting you so much."

She put her hand on his and smiled warmly. "Thanks." Buffy looked at him again. "You look fantabulous in a tux by the way."

He grinned. "Well, I must say, you were absolutely breathtaking tonight, Class Protector."

"That was very cool."

"So why did you come back?"

She smiled. "Cause I forgot something."

"Oh yes." He handed her a little golden umbrella from the table top. She stood, set the umbrella back down on the table and held out her hand to him. "Buffy?"

"I saved the last dance for you."

He looked down, nearly blushing and smiling uncontrollably. "I-I don't know about..."

"Come on. I defeated the hounds of hell. I got all dolled up. I had a little class recognition happiness. Got to have my dance with Angel. It's been almost a perfect night. Don't ruin it?"

Giles took her hand and stood, letting her lead him to the dancefloor. Giles held her, very properly, at arms length as one song ended and a new one began. Buffy grinned, rolled her eyes and replaced his hands around her waist, hugging him closer herself. "You don't have to hold me like I'm glass Giles. I am the Slayer, remember?" She leaned her cheek against his chest as they began to move to the music. Giles sighed and rested his cheek atop her vanilla-scented hair.

The song ended and the lights came up, signaling the Prom's official end. They pulled apart slowly, Buffy's smile beaming up at him. Giles cleared his throat and tried, unsuccessfully, to keep himself from grinning. "So I um, I understand the American tradition for Prom Night is to stay out all night long? Did you have plans with the others?"

Buffy shook her head. "Will and Oz want some alone time. Xander wants some Excedrin and to not get a speeding ticket getting Anya home." Giles laughed. "I'm footloose and fancy free. Why? Feel like a little Prom Night patrolling?"

"No." He walked her back to the table, smiling as she retrieved her umbrella, opened it and held it behind her shoulder. "I thought maybe we'd go for that ice cream I promised you."

"Really?" He offered her his arm. She took it. "And then what?"

"Then, whatever you'd like."

"Maybe a drive? To the beach?"

He smiled gently. "If you'd like."

"I'd very like. I want to watch the sunrise. And I'd like to watch it with you." He opened the door for her. "Can I drive?"

"Isn't the Ascension a close enough doomsday for you?"

"Hey!" To Buffy's amazement, her Watcher giggled. "Just for that, triple scoops!"

"It's a deal."

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