Giles stood outside the hotel room. He was a few minutes early. If he knocked now, she would probably see it as eagerness. And he wasn’t eager for this interview. The opposite in fact.

"God, Rupert. When did you become a coward?" He half expected an answer. Then he would have proof that he had gone insane. Living on the Hellmouth, being involved with the Slayer and her Slayerettes, he often wondered when he would lose his sanity.

The thought of Buffy and her friends had a calming effect on his nerves. She had left not long after their talk. He had promised to return to the library this afternoon, and report on this meeting. He had a feeling she didn’t trust him. That he was too much of a gentleman to let Sylvia down.

That may have happened, if it weren’t for the telephone call he’d received this morning. Now he knew. Why Sylvia had turned up, and why she wished to enforce the betrothal. And he found himself a little disgusted with her. The strongest emotion, however, was pity. And it was that which tempered his anger. Checking his watch, Giles realised he’d dawdled enough. Time to beard the lion.

The door was opened a few seconds after his knock. She had obviously been expecting him.

"Good morning Rupert. Won’t you come in?" One thing about Sylvia. She always looked perfect. Today, she presented a more casual image, but everything about her still bespoke chic and poise. He couldn’t help comparing her to Jenny. In his mind, perfection didn’t necessary mean - perfection.

They moved into the living area. "I trust you are in a better frame of mind? We have so many plans to make."

"Sylvia.." How to start. She looked at him expectantly. "I know the truth. I.I know why you came here."

"I came here to organize our wedding Rupert."

"I know about the baby!" God, he hadn’t meant to blurt it out like that. She just annoyed him with her lack of emotion.

"Oh. Well, that’s in the past now. Don’t worry. I can still produce more children for you."

"That isn’t what concerns me." Didn’t she have any feeling left? Why wasn’t she angry, or upset? "Tell me. Did you love him? The father, I mean."

"Yes. I did. But that’s over now."

"Sylvia. There was someone for me. I.I lov.."

"The computer teacher, you mean? Yes. I know all about her. But she’s dead now. So that is no longer an obstacle."

"What about passion? Don’t you want that any more?"

"I’ve had that." Bitterness. That was a start. "So have you. Where did it get either of us? We can have companionship. As well as shared interests. Our relationship will be comfortable. Plus, of course, I know about your sacred duty. I will be of assistance in that area, and not a hindrance."

"I want passion, Sylvia. After experiencing it with Jenny, I want to experience it again."

This said gently.

"Oh, I can give you passion." With this she stepped up to him, and placed her lips against his. At first she was gentle, almost searchingly. But then she became bolder. More aggressive. It wasn’t until she tried to force her tongue through his lips that he pulled away. "See, Rupert. But after the passion fizzles out, there has to be something more. That’s what I’m offering you."

He stepped back and turned away from her. He wasn’t sure why he’d allowed the kiss. Curiosity, perhaps. But now he’d given her the wrong impression. And, unfortunately caused some more turmoil in himself. She certainly knew how to kiss. He turned back to her.

"A few years ago, what you offered would have been more than enough. But, now, I’ve experienced true passion. And love. I want to experience that again. I.I can’t settle for second-best. I’m sorry, Sylvia."

She was obviously not expecting that. "I see. Well, if that’s your final decision."

"It is. I truly am sorry." Again, pity rose inside of him. She was a beautifully, intelligent woman. She could have achieved so much. What a waste.

"If you don’t mind, I’d like to stay a few days. Perhaps see some of the local ‘sites’."

"Oh. O-of course. Although the sites of Sunnydale could be covered in one hour."

"Well, it isn’t often one gets to visit the Hellmouth. Don’t worry. I don’t expect you to accompany me. Go back to your Slayer."

"Very well. It was good to see you again Sylvia." He moved toward the door. "Oh. And don’t forget to make sure you’re..."

"Inside before it gets dark. I will. Goodbye for now, Rupert."

As he left the room, Giles felt a weight lift off his shoulders. That had gone much easier than he’d thought.

Sylvia Milson leaned against the door. When she’d first seen her ‘betrothed’, she’d been disappointed. He was nothing like the rebellious youth she remembered. But, just now, she’d felt a spark. Seen a little of what their future together could be like. A calculating look surfaced on her face. She had some planning to do. And not long in which to do it.

...................................................................................................................

Buffy was just walking down the stairs when someone knocked on the front door. She had an idea who it was. Unfortunately, not the person she wanted it to be. As she opened the door, her hunch proved to be correct.

"Hey, Buffy." Willow had listened to her complaints the previous day, and knew she was confronting Giles that evening. Now she’d come to find out what happened. She looked worried. Whether it was for herself, or Giles, Buffy wasn’t sure.

"Hey. Come on in." What she hadn’t counted on was Willow not being alone. "Xander. Cordelia." As they moved into the family room, she gave Willow a look. What are they doing here? Willow’s answering shrug made her none the wiser.

"Buffy. So. How’d it go?"

"What?"

"He wants to know if you beat up Giles."

"I do not. I know she wouldn’t do that. Even if he did betray her, again. And keep secrets from us again."

"Yeah. That’s why you wondered how he would look with two black eyes."

"Guys!" Those two bickered less when they were mortal enemies. Another reason why they shouldn’t be dating.

"Sorry, Buff."

"How do you know....?" She turned to Willow.

"Well. Xander saw Giles’ betrothed.." Willow couldn’t help the giggle that escaped. Until she saw Buffy’s face. "And he wanted to know who the ‘babe’ was." This time Xander was the recipient of the ‘I’m disgusted with you’ look.

"Well. She did look like a babe. In an old woman with no emotion but lots of money way."

"So you told him?"

"Not straight away." Willow was sorry she told Xander. But Buffy knew she couldn’t keep secrets well, especially from her friends.

Buffy flopped onto the couch. Xander sat beside her, turning toward her, with his elbow on his knee. "Come on. Give. All the juicy details. And don’t leave a thing out."

"Geez. And they talk about girls." Cordelia sat in one of the chairs opposite, disgusted with her boyfriend. True, she wanted all the details too. But she wouldn’t have gone about it the same way as Xander.

"There’s not much to tell. It was one of those arranged thingies."

"Oh. One of those." Willow hoped she sounded as though she understood more than she did.

"Their parents betrothed them when they were kids. That’s all."

"So he’s really gonna marry her?" After Miss Calendar died, Willow wasn’t sure if Giles would find happiness again. She wasn’t sure, though, if she liked the idea of him finding it so soon.

"No. There was a let-out clause. He was going to see her this morning to tell her he isn’t interested. Then we’re meeting at the library."

"Should he?" The three girls looked at Xander with shock. "I mean, he’s not getting any younger. And it isn’t as though he has a big choice of women round here. Maybe this is his last chance. Maybe he shouldn’t let it slip away."

"He’s not old!" Buffy couldn’t understand why she was so angry. But what Xander said really annoyed her. "He deserves better than just marrying somebody because they’re handy! He has as much right to happiness as we do."

"Allright Buffy. It was just a thought. I’m sorry." She realised she had overreacted.

"No. I’m sorry. It’s just that woman. She made me so angry. Anyway, I’m going over to the library."

"We’ll go with you." She wished they wouldn’t, but couldn’t find a diplomatic way to say so. She didn’t think Giles would be as forthcoming with them there.

.........................................................................................................

Giles had been at the library for over an hour. He knew they weren’t to meet until after lunch, but he hoped that Buffy would arrive earlier. He looked forward to seeing her after their conversation the previous night. Their relationship had taken a new turn. He was looking forward to finding out which way it would go next.

Although the meeting with Sylvia had gone quite well, he couldn’t help feeling a blanket of heaviness from all he’d found out. He realised how lucky he had been, with his family, and his friends. And Jenny. It didn’t hurt any more to think of her. There was still guilt, and regret. For the moments lost. And mistakes made. But the wrenching pain was gone. And he had the joyous memories. Plus the knowledge that someone saw beyond the tweed and stuffiness, and into the human being underneath. The man. He would always be grateful to her for showing him a glimpse of heaven. Another reason to reject Sylvia. He wouldn’t have been true to Jenny’s love if he’d settled for less.

His inward musings were interrupted by the sound of the library door opening. His greeting smile dimmed a little as he realised his Slayer wasn’t alone. And, by the looks of things, he was in for some intense grilling from the Slayerettes.

"H-hello. What are you all doing here?" He looked at Buffy. She gave an apologetic shrug.

"Come on now, Giles. Don’t be shy. Tell Uncle Xander all." Sometimes he despaired of that young man.

"F-for a start, you are nothing like my uncle. For another, you’re at least a generation too young. And what makes you think I would confide anything to you?"

"Oh, come on, Giles. Don’t get defensive. We’re just concerned about you."

"Xander’s right." That surprised him. He thought Willow would respect his privacy. "I mean, if it was any of us, you’d want to know. And you were obviously shocked yesterday when your ‘betrothed’.." she just couldn’t help that giggle. "When Miss Milson turned up."

"There is nothing to tell. When we were children, our parents signed a betrothal agreement. Now we’re adults, we have decided we won’t suit. So the betrothal is off."

"Yeah. Like she flew thousands of miles just to say, ‘Hey, Rupert let’s not get married’."

"That’s enough Xander." He knew he meant well, but this was beginning to annoy him.

"What happened between Miss Milson and myself is private. Su-suffice it to say, the engagement is off."

Buffy felt sorry for her Watcher. She knew how much he preferred privacy, and keeping himself slightly apart. Unfortunately, she and the others wouldn’t let him. She decided to give him a gift.

"At least you were able to sort everything out. When’s she leaving?"

"I’.I’m not sure. She said she wanted to look around first. I won’t be seeing her again though. We said all that was needed this morning." Buffy saw the promise in his eyes. When they were alone, he would tell her everything. "Now. If we’ve finished dissecting my personal life, Buffy I would like to do some extra training today. We didn’t get around to it yesterday."

Xander opened his mouth, but a jab from elbows either side of him persuaded him to close it again. Besides, the Watcher and Slayer had moved off to begin their training. He and the girls exchanged looks of suffering, turned, and exited the library. As such, they missed the gentle squeeze their friend gave to her Watcher’s arm.

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