Never forget that

AUTHOR: Gabriele Schulz
EMAIL: gabi@gschulz.de
RATING: G
DISTRIBUTION: Solo84, Cap, Dria14, Jess, Eskalade. Others please ask first.
SPOILERS: up to Revelations
FEEDBACK: Always welcome
SUMMARY: What if Buffy didn't just leave after the others found out about Angel.
DISCLAIMER: The characters are the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Sandollar Productions, Kuzui Enterprises, 20th Century Fox Television, the WB Television Network, and whoever else may have a hold on them. I do not mean to infringe upon any copyrights.
NOTES: The scene between Buffy and Giles after the others tell her what Xander found out is so wonderful. Though it is quite sad it shows how much these two mean to each other. But I couldn't just leave it as it was, so here is my version.
It is not really shippy, but it does deal with their love for each other.
DATE: 10/12/99

He waited for her to leave, but instead felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Giles..."

He didn't react. She removed her hand from his shoulder.

"I... I'm sorry. I know you feel betrayed."

He laughed shortly, but didn't turn around.

"What...?"

"Jenny said the same thing to me once."

"And what did you tell her?"

"I... I already had forgiven her. But that wasn't important. I told her that she had to ask *you* to forgive her."

"And what do you tell me?"

"There's nothing to tell you. I think everything is quite obvious. When it comes to Angel, I - or anyone else for that matter - cannot expect loyalty from you."

"That's not... I..."

"You put Angel first no matter what. He has your heart and he is most important to you."

"You are *all* important to me."

"Yes, I suppose we are. And still you couldn't tell us. I can't understand why. Why couldn't you trust me? What horrible thing did you expect me to do? I am always on your side. I assumed you knew that, but obviously..."

"I was afraid."

"Of what?"

"That you would..."

"Kill him?"

"No. That you would ask me to do it."

"Buffy, if he really has his soul back, I could never ask this of you. I would never tell you to kill the man you love more than anything - or anyone."

"Stop saying that."

"Why should I? It's true."

"No, it's not! Giles, I can beg for forgiveness, but if you insist on making this a I-only-love-Angel-and-no-one-else matter, then we can't even talk. Yes, I love Angel and probably even in ways I shouldn't anymore, should never have started to love him, but... Giles, what do I have to do to make you believe that I don't love him more than I love you?"

He suddenly turned around to her stunned.

She stepped closer to him and put a hand on his shoulder again.

"I was wrong. It was a mistake and I'm sorry, but I can't turn back time."

"No, you can't."

"Do you think you can ever forgive me?"

He looked at her for a moment, then sighed.

"As if I could *not*."

"But I don't just want it because you can't stay mad at me for long. Giles, I want - I need you to trust me again."

"I trust you, I respect you and I even understand you, but it hurts nevertheless."

"I respect you more than any other person I know. Don't ever think that I don't appreciate you. Even if I never say so, I..."

He looked at her expectantly then sad again, when she didn't go on.

"I love you, Giles. Never forget that."

He smiled at her.

"I-I know that it was a difficult decision for you. Just... come to me the next time. You can trust me with everything."

"I know, Giles, I know. Are we friends again?"

"We always were. We just had to get over... this."

She hugged him and he reluctantly put his arms around her as well.

"I'm glad we did," she whispered into his ear, before lightly kissing him on the cheek.

Then she withdrew and smiled before going away. When she reached the door Giles called after her.

"Buffy?"

"Yes."

"I love you, too."

"I know."

They smiled at each other for a moment, then she left the room.

END