ALL OF THAT AND MORE

By Ladyforash
Rated G
B/G
Set sometime in the future

* * *

Now that she was here, Buffy didn't know what she'd been thinking. At the moment, she figured herself quite the fool. What was she going to say to him when he opened the door anyway? "Hi Giles. I realized that something's been missing in my life. You. You complete me." Argh, that was Jerry Maguire, not Rupert Giles.

Except, to Buffy, it was the best way to describe how she felt about her Watcher…the love of her life.

She'd tried calling him. That had been just as foolish. She'd quickly hung up the phone at the sound of his voice. Of course she'd forgotten about the damn caller ID. He'd called right back, wondering if there was something wrong. She'd lied and said it must have been Dawn, accidentally hitting speed dial.

Yeah, it had been lame.

That was two weeks ago. Whatever had compelled her to get on a plane from Rome to be here now, at his front door?

Love. Hope. Passion. Grief from missing him. A hole in her heart where he belonged. All of that and more.

Now she stood there with her hand up, hesitating before knocking on the door. Her knees were weak. Her mouth was dry. Her eyes stung. Would he laugh? Would he be shocked and dismayed and worried? Would he tell her to be strong…on her own?

Her hand turned into a fist and she lowered it from the door. Would he slam the door in her face, just like she'd done back in Sunnydale?

It was in that split moment of indecision when the door opened. Buffy gasped. So did Giles. He had a briefcase in one hand, and a coat thrown over his arm. His face went slack with shock when he saw her. "Buffy?"

Buffy swallowed. She started to smile, and then at his frown and look of grave concern, her smile crumpled into something else. Her eyes cleared and her head tilted back, chin out. Somewhere deep inside of herself she found the courage and the strength…and her confidence kicked in. She didn't say a word. Instead, she opened her arms wide, and pulled him into a hug. She pressed her face into his neck when he bent down towards her. He dropped his briefcase and his coat on the ground without a thought. His arms went around her and he held her close. To say he was beyond confused was an understatement. That confusion turned into joy in the next moment, when her soft lips found his.