Giles entered the library an hour later. Snyder had wanted to go over the stocklist. Find out what the book funds were being spent on. Fortunately, he’d been able to pass some of the demonology books off as cook books and history tomes. He wondered of the fool had an ounce of intelligence.
He pulled up short to see his Slayer seated at the library table. "Buffy?"
She turned to look at him. Was this her friend? Or her betrayer? "Hello Giles."
Her listless voice worried him. "B-buffy. What is it? What’s happened?"
"Sylvia was sorry she couldn’t wait any longer."
"What was she doing here?" And then it dawned on him. "Wh. What did she say to you?"
"Not a lot. She just wanted a chat. About things."
He moved forward. The pain she was feeling was almost a physical entity. He hadn’t wanted this. He gentled his voice as he neared her. "What things?"
"Angel for starters."
That pulled him up. "Angel?"
She stood up. The pain couldn’t be held any more. "Did you tell her? About Angel?"
"No! Of course not. I would never.."
"Then how did she know!"
"I don’t know. " He had a sudden premonition. "Who came into the library first? You or Sylvia?"
"She did. She was in your office when I came in."
He removed his glasses. "Of course. That must be it. It’s the only answer."
"Giles. What? How did she find out?"
"My Journal. She must have read
it."
"Your Journal? You wrote about me and Angel in your Journal?
For other people to read?!" Now she didn’t hurt. She
was angry.
He had a feeling that wasn’t what she wanted to hear. "A-at first, um, I made observations about Angel. And his willingness to help us. Th-then, when he lost his soul, I felt future Watchers and their Slayers had to be warned." At her continued belligerent stance, he became annoyed. "I’m a Watcher, Buffy. That’s what I do. Observe and diairise."
"Sure. Slaying stuff. Techniques. But not the personal stuff. I thought we were friends!"
"We were. We are. I haven’t betrayed any confidence. I just recorded the necessary facts."
She knew he was right. And that she was being illogical. But this was her life they were talking about. Not ancient history. "I’m sorry. I’m overreacting. I just - Sylvia talked about something else."
He accepted the change in subject. "What was that?"
"A ceremony. For the Watcher and his life-mate. Why didn’t you tell me?"
He was really going to have to do something about that woman. "Because it isn’t important."
"Not important? We’re talking about your future here. You only have a few months."
"You mean years."
"No, months. Sylvia told me you only had until your birthday."
"Yes. My 44th birthday. That’s a few years away yet."
"It is?" The relief washed over here. There was still time.
He smiled. "Yes. Besides, I meant what I said. It isn’t important. I-it’s one of those trite ceremonies passed down through the generations. I’ve seen Watchers perform the ceremony, and be miserable for the rest of their lives. My grandmother didn’t. And she was extremely happy with my grandfather. If I do perform the ceremony, it will only be with the right person."
"The right person?"
"My true life-mate."
"Oh." The look in his eyes. Was that for her?
Giles looked away. They were treading on dangerous ground here. "Sylvia is a bit of a pest. But some of the things she says do make sense."
"What?" Buffy couldn’t believe what he was saying.
"A-about the stability of marriage. A-and the requirements of the Watcher council."
"We have stability. Who needs more? And who cares about a bunch of old men a million miles away?"
"I do. We need them. I have to think what’s best for you."
She let her rage wash over her. "You’re not thinking about me. You’re thinking about everybody else. Especially yourself!"
"No. That’s not..."
"Don’t lie Rupert! If you want to marry her, fine. But don’t use me as an excuse! If it’s so important to keep in with this council of yours, do it. Go on. Marry her. Make her happy. Make the council happy! They’re obviously more important...."
He tried to control his anger. But it was too much. He grabbed her arms and pushed her against a bookshelf. "Stop it! You don’t understand!"
"Don’t I? Be careful Giles! What would your betrothed say if she saw us now? What would the council say?"
She’d pushed him over the edge. "To hell with them! To hell with them all!" He leaned into her, trapping her body with his. She looked up at him defiantly. He lowered his head and captured her lips with his own.
