Author: Sandra Pascoe

Rating: FRC

Pairing: B/G

Disclaimer: The characters don’t belong to me, etc. If they did I would give them smoochies …

Spoilers: Set after Grave.

Notes: Just a short little post episode fic ….

As though by unspoken agreement, they headed for the Magic Box. An overwhelming sense of peace and calm had settled upon them … there's no need to rush … everything's just fine … or so it appears, thought Buffy, unconsciously picking up her pace.

"Buffy," Dawn struggled to keep up with her sister who was lengthening her stride even more. "It’s okay … Giles is okay … can’t you feel it?"

"Oh yeah, I can feel it alright," replied Buffy, a grim determination in her voice, "but I need to see it for myself. I need to … be sure."

Don’t question me, Dawn, she thought, because I have no answers for you. I don’t know why it’s so important that I see Giles … I just know that it is. He HAS to be alive …he just has to be.

"I know," remarked Dawn quietly, trotting to catch up with her sister. I know you need him, thought Dawn, I saw how miserable you were without him. I mean, okay, I know he’s like … ancient … but he is pretty cool … and I want to see you happy too. I want to see you smile again.

They rounded the corner and Buffy stopped suddenly, her heart in her mouth as she gazed at the battered and rather fragile-looking figure leaning against the wall of the Magic Box. Dawn glanced at Buffy, smiling at the rapt expression on her face. She took a step back, wanting nothing more than to run across and throw her arms around Giles … but this is their moment, she thought … I can wait.

Buffy couldn’t move, couldn’t tear her eyes away from Giles. He’s here, she thought, he’s alive. She smiled slightly as she noticed that his eyes were shut, his head tilted up as he basked in the sun’s rays. What is it about you? How do you always make things right? How can you make me feel … alive with just a glance? When you left I realised that you were important to me … but it wasn’t until you came back that I realised just how much. Seeing you standing there … when you smiled … when you laughed with me … I felt alive somehow … I felt whole. How could I have settled for darkness when I could have had light? I wasn’t ready then … I am now.

Giles smiled slightly as the sun beat down on him. God, how I’ve missed this. Not the pain, he thought with a grimace, but the sun, the gang, the Magic Box … Buffy. I missed you SO much. I wanted to hear your voice ... see your smile. I must have picked up the phone over a dozen times ... and then put it down again. When the Coven contacted me I jumped at the chance to return ... to see you again ... even though it may have meant my death. You see, there's one thing I have realised in our time apart... and that is that life without you is really no life at all.

Giles sighed and lowered his head slightly, opening his eyes. He shifted, trying to get comfortable, smiling slightly at the sound of Anya rummaging through the wreckage of the Magic Box, trying to salvage what she could. The sound of footsteps caused Giles to look up ... straight into the smiling eyes of Buffy walking towards him. The moment their eyes met, they knew. A wordless conversation took place as each recognised the other's hopes, fears, needs, dreams and love. Giles pushed himself away from the wall as Buffy's arms wrapped around him and she rested her head on his chest. She was careful, not squeezing too hard and Giles sighed with contentment, pulling her closer into his embrace.

Alone ... they were injured, desperate, unhappy ... two wounded souls hiding, constantly on their guard but searching nonetheless ... searching for something intangible ... something they wouldn't recognise until they found it.

Together ... they find peace, comfort, happiness. Together ... their search is over, the wounds healed, their souls complete. Together ... they are whole again.