Dancing Lessons
By Lacy

Title: Dancing Lessons
Summary: Just a lil rewrite of events leading up to and surrouding the prom. Beware, I am about to *majorly* rewrite canon!
Spoilers: Through S3, "The Prom"
Pairing: B/G, what didja think? ;) Though we get some B/A references in the beginning.
Rating: PG
Feedback: Yes!
Use: Want. Take. Have. Just tell me where it goes.
Obviously not my characters, as I imagine we'd all be a lot happier if they were! They're all owned by Joss the Evil, ME, UPN and a bunch of people I don't know. I'm just borrowing them.

Part Three: After the Prom
 

Giles started when he felt Buffy's lips brush over his. He wildly thought that any second now the men with the straightjackets were going to show up and drag him off. Or possibly the police. But, the kiss went on. Her mouth was...so soft.

Giles pulled back, cupped Buffy's face in his hand, and looked at her. He opened his mouth to say something, but Buffy put a finger over his lips.

"Giles," she said quietly. "It's highly likely we're all going to be Mayor snacks in a week anyway. Don't waste time telling me about crap like appearances."

"Buffy..." He looked at her. "I'm... just not sure that this is something..." He paused, and swallowed hard. "I don't..I don't think that I can be Angel's replacement for you. I.. I don't have it in me."

"I never asked that."

"I don't think this is really the place to talk about this do you?" He jerked his head in the direction of Willow, Oz and Xander who were headed their way. "I don't know what they saw... or what you think about it... but I don't necessarily want an audience for this. "

Buffy squared her shoulders. "Stay right here. Don't go anywhere."

She walked over and joined her friends. Willow was practically bouncing with excitement.

"Look, guys," Buffy began. "I think I'm going to call it an early evening. I need to talk Slayer shop with Giles."

Willow tried valiantly to stifle her giggles. She failed.

"Buffy..." Xander said. "Look, I know this is a tough time for you, and all, but be careful."

"Xander, it's Giles."

"I know. I didn't mean just be careful about you. Be careful with him, too."

"Call me tomorrow," Willow squeaked. And bounced again.

Buffy slowly walked back over toward Giles.

"Okay. Just us."

"What now?"

"I dunno. The prom's kind of clearing out."

"Take a walk?"

"Sure. I have a stake in my bag. Y'know, just in case."

"Now, this would be the epitome of romance, wouldn't it?"

They headed out into the school grounds together. They walked across the football field, and down the street. Neither of them said anything.

They reached a small local park, and Buffy settled into a swing, absently kicking herself back and forth. Giles leaned against the upright.

"One of us is going to have to say something eventually, you know," Giles said quietly.

"I know. I just...I don't want to say something wrong."

"Buffy.. after everything we've been through together, I don't know that you could."

She laughed. "I don't know about that...." There was another silence, then she continued. "I know...that there's a lot of stuff here that says I shouldn't want to try this. My mother, for starters. My friends. Whether you even feel anything for me... like that. But, Giles, if I've learned anything at all this year... I'm not a little kid anymore. I have to make my own choices, and figure out what I want. For me. The real me, not the me that I thought I was when I was younger.... the one that believed in fairytales and happily ever after. Now I know that fairytales don't always work out, and that love isn't all you need, and monsters are real, and about a million other cliched things that I could say." She looked down. "But... Giles.. you're still here. You've always been here. No matter how many times I treated you like crap because you saw what I *could* be, even when I wasn't."

"And.. Angel?"

She sighed. "Angel.. is something that I could never have, which I guess is why I wanted it. Something I never should have had. And it made me, in my head anyway, into this big tragic love story heroine. I thought it was how my life should be balanced... because of the whole chosen thing destiny. Romeo and Juliet. Larger than life. But... that's not how it goes at all. That's not real. It's not any more real than saying that Slaying is all that I am, and all that I can do. I'd be... Faith, if that were true."

Buffy raised her eyes to his.

"And... I don't think it's coincidence that at virtually every major turning point in my whole stupid teenage angst experience... it's you that's been there. Somewhere."

"I'm your Watcher. It's my job."

"That's not it at all, Giles." She grabbed his hand. "If that were true, then you'd be Wesley. This has nothing to do with Watcher-ing. Or Slaying. It's about you and me, and the fact that we're more than that. Wesley's part of the job. I deal with Wesley. You... you're part of my life. Of.. of me."

He brushed a lock of hair out of her face gently. "Obviously, you've guessed the deep, dark secret of my feelings about you."

"Yeah." She put her hand over his.

"It doesn't... you don't... "

"If you're asking me if it wigs me, then no."

Giles sat down on the swing next to hers. "I'm beginning to think that punch at the dance was spiked after all."

Buffy leaned over and rested her head against his shoulder. "And you didn't share. That's rude."

He laughed. "Oh, Buffy."

"Ask me to dinner." She smiled up at him.

"I think there is *definitely* a rule in the handbook that says asking one's slayer out is a bad. bad. thing."

"You gonna ask me, or not?"

He stood and faced her. "Okay. Somewhere in between stopping the Ascension, you graduating, me not managing to get fired for this, killing the mayor, and saving the world, would you like to squeeze in dinner with me?"

She said nothing, and smiled impishly.

"I meant to say, an incredibly romantic, posh dinner at the restaurant of your choice, naturally."

She got up, as well, and stood close to him.

"I'd have said yes even if it was McDonalds."

She ran her fingers down the lapels of his jacket.

"That's good to know... for future reference," he whispered.

Their eyes locked.

"Buffy...I.. "

"Dance with me?"

He wrapped his arms around her. They swayed slowly together, not really moving.

"Buffy..." he stopped. "I'm.. I've had these feelings such a very long time that.. I.."

"I know. I.. I think I may have too. Somewhere, deep down. I never... I never would have hated Jenny so much, otherwise, and... I'm so sorry for that, I swear."

He lifted her chin with his thumb.

"You think I had a lot of love for Angel hidden in the recesses of my heart? We're more than even on that score, pet."

"Can we stop with the deep thoughts, now? I just want... " Buffy stood on tiptoe, and kissed him. Her arms wrapped tightly around his neck, and he pressed her body close to his. The kiss went on for a long time before they pulled apart. He leaned his forehead against hers.

"I am very much in love with you, you know. For the record."

She kissed him softly once more.

"I know. And I get ridiculously tingly and dizzy when you touch me. It's pretty cool, I gotta admit. Giles... you're amazing. Who wouldn't fall in love with you?"

"Oh, you'd be surprised." He smiled wryly.

"It's still Prom night," she nuzzled his neck. "I'm supposed to be out drinking and making with the carousing. Fighting off the advances of some would-be suitor."

He laughed, hugging her tighter.

"There's an assortment of beverages at my house. Walk me home. Maybe I'll even let you try some of the *really* good Scotch."

"You trying to corrupt me, Giles?"

"Eh. Live a little, love."

"I intend to." She kissed him hard. "Starting right now, for as long as you'll have me."

"Get comfy. I don't ever intend to be without you again."