That evening, Rupert Giles paced around his apartment nervously. He was expecting company, and he wasn’t looking forward to it. He ran his hand through his hair again. What was he going to do? What could he say, to make her understand? Oh well, she probably wouldn’t be here for a little while longer. Plenty of time for another cup of tea. He would have preferred something stronger, but now was not the time to have a fuzzy head. He thought back to the meeting that afternoon in the library.
After Sylvia’s announcement, Buffy had looked at him with such hurt in her eyes. She had then run out of the library, without saying another word. He wanted to run after her, but knew he couldn’t. He turned to Willow. Her mouth was hanging open with shock. "Willow?"
She suddenly realised what he wanted. "I’ll, er. I’ll go after her. We’ll talk later, right?"
"Right, yes. Right." The girl slowly walked out of the room. Backwards. As if she were afraid they would both disappear.
Finally alone, the two adults turned to look at each other. For a while, neither spoke. Just took in the changes the past few years had made.
"What are you doing here Sylvia?"
"I thought it was time. Neither of us is getting any younger. Besides, you know what is coming up."
"I know. But, why? You must have known how she would react."
"How was I to know you wouldn’t tell your Slayer about me? Most men do mention their fiancees to the people they work with you know."
"I do wish you’d stop saying that."
"Why? It’s the truth."
"I can’t deal with this right now. Where are you staying?"
"I take it your apartment is out of the question?" At the look of frustrated anger on his face, Sylvia allowed herself another smile. "Ever the gentleman Rupert. Very well. There is a small, but reasonably clean hotel here in town. Not up to my usual standards, but adequate until more permanent arrangements can be made."
"Tomorrow isn’t a school day. I shall call on you then. About 10?"
"Very well. Don’t worry Rupert. She’ll come around."
Around to what? He still wasn’t sure what was going on. After Sylvia had left, he had made some phone calls. He was hoping to have some answers before his meeting with her in the morning. Meanwhile, he had another, more painful meeting to look forward to. How does one explain to one’s Slayer about traditions, and not being completely honest? He just knew she wouldn’t understand.
......................................................................................
Buffy stood just outside Giles’ door. She had done some patrolling. But her heart wasn’t in it. She was hurting too much. How could he not tell her? She thought they kept nothing from each other. Not after all they had been through. And yet, he had this whole other life. She wondered if he’d had any intention of ever telling her.
There was only one way to find out. All she had to do was raise her hand and knock. Suddenly, she didn’t want to. She may not like what he had to say. It might have been better not to know. But now it was too late. Now, she needed the whole story. Quickly, before she could change her mind, she rapped on the door.
A few seconds later, Giles’ eye appeared at the peep-hole. When he saw who it was, he opened the door. "Buffy."
"You seem surprised to see me."
"No. No. You’re just earlier than I thought." They continued to look at each other, she questioningly, he apologetically. It took a few moments to realise they were still on his doorstep. "Oh. Come in."
She followed him into the living area. They stood. Waiting for the other to begin. Not knowing where to start.
"Why didn’t you tell me?"
"It’s rather complicated." Giles’ turned half away. Running his hand through his hair. He had thought it would be easier when she was facing him. It wasn’t. Where to start?
Buffy turned her back to him. "Did she know?" She wasn’t sure why she had asked that. It wasn’t what she wanted to know.
It took Giles a moment to understand what she was asking. "Jenny? No. No, she didn’t."
That hurt a bit more. He wasn’t honest with any of them. She tried to hold back the tears. "Why not? I mean. If you were my...my lover" God how that hurt "well, I’d want to know if you had proposed to somebody else."
"I didn’t."
"What?"
"I didn’t propose to Sylvia." Buffy was even more confused. And Giles just didn’t know how to start, where to start. "Look. Do you want a drink, or something?"
"A glass full of that Scotch you keep in your drinks cabinet would come in handy." At Giles’ lifted eyebrow, she found a smile hovering at the edge of her lips. She felt even better to see his adorable grin appear too. Just then a kettle could be heard whistling in the kitchen.
"How about a cup of tea instead? I was just preparing a pot."
"And then we talk?"
"And then we talk."
