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The doorbell tinkled merrily as Buffy entered the front door. She frowned and sighed at Giles' insistence in ignoring her advice about safety and security. If he'd just lock the door.
"Giles? Where are you?" A thrill of fear tangled briefly with her spine until she heard a scuffling sound from deep inside the store.
"Buffy! I didn't expect you until four." The man in question poked his head around the back room doorway, his face smeared with dirt and dust.
"Back up and start over, Mister. That's not the reception I was hoping for."
A sheepish grin broke out over his face, and he came fully into the room. He had obviously been moving things around in the back. his dark gray T-shirt was ringed with sweat and grime, and his jeans were streaked with dust. "I'm sorry, love." He cleared his throat. "Buffy! How lovely to see you! Come give us a hug!" He advanced on her, holding out his arms in exaggerated affection.
She started laughing, pushing him back. "No way! You're one giant dust bunny. But the welcome was nice."
"I'm so glad I've made amends. Now, come and see what I've done with the upstairs."
She followed him up the narrow staircase, grinning. "There's a second floor? Wow, Giles, you bought more square footage than I realized. Way to go!" They stepped into the dimly lit room, and Buffy's face lit up. "Wow. You've been busy. This looks great. very homey."
Giles had found more practical, if slightly battered, furniture to join the old couch taken from the downstairs study corner. There was a small octagonal dining room table with four chairs, a comfortable looking armchair for reading, several more bookcases full of ancient volumes, an ancient Persian rug, and various lamps. It looked like a comfortable living room--it still had a few unopened boxes in it, true, but it was a livable space.
He nodded proudly. "That's not the entire surprise. Apparently, some of the owners actually lived up here. There's a small kitchenette and a washroom with a shower."
She peeked her head into the tiny bathroom and grimaced. "Maybe, at one point in time, this was a shower. Now it's a biological experiment gone horribly wrong."
"Yes, well, it does need a bit of a scrub, but I think it will do nicely. Once it's done, we'll be able to clean up properly after training."
"Ooh! And when we kill slimy demons, we can get the goop off before we go home! Great idea!" She bounced back into the room, happy with the prospect. "Mom doesn't want Dawn seeing all the grossities associated with Slaying, even though the kid knows all about it. I wish she'd stop pampering her."
Giles almost asked why Buffy was so harsh with Dawn lately, but decided against it. No use ruining Buffy's good mood. "So, I gather this arrangement meets with your approval?"
"Definitely two thumbs up. I'm not sure I wanna see the kitchen right now, though, if it's anything like the shower. The mold count back there." She pointed back to the small bathroom. ".probably registers on the Weather Channel."
He chuckled at that. "That's one pop culture reference I actually understood."
"Only because you spend the last year flipping back and forth between 'Local Conditions' and 'Passions'."
"I asked you never to speak of that!"
Her laughter filled the room. She sauntered up to him, a saucy look on her face. She toyed with the hem of his T-shirt as she asked, "Soooo. where's the bedroom in this little love nest?"
His eyes twinkled merrily. "Right this way. if one doesn't mind sleeping in a closet."
She gawked at the small, bare room. "You weren't kidding. this is tiny!"
"A regular mattress and a night stand will fit, but that's about all. Reminds me of the loft."
"Super cozy, huh? Good for snuggling. You gonna move in here? That'd keep the vamps away, at least."
"It's a possibility. I may have overextended my resources a bit in purchasing this place. Having one payment in place of two would help a great deal."
"It's not as wide open as your apartment, but it's not bad. Once we get it all cleaned up, it'll be nice." She leaned up and gave him a careful kiss. "Ugh. you taste like spider webs."
"Why, thank you. I'm surprised I'm not trailing several long, white strands as I move from room to room. The place was an absolute fire hazard."
"You'll get it all fixed up, sweetie. You're Mister Organization."
The front doorbell jingled, and an unfamiliar male voice drifted up the stairwell, "Hey! Are you open yet?"
Giles called down, "Next Monday! There'll be an ad in the paper!"
"Oh, okay! Sorry!"
"Not at all! Thank you for stopping by!"
The door jingled again, and silence fell.
Giles knew the minute he looked back at Buffy that he was in trouble. He turned and headed down, hoping to distract her by suggesting they start training early. It didn't work, of course. She followed him down, the frown never leaving her face.
Once they were back downstairs, she grabbed his arm. "That happen often? People just waltzing in through the front door while you're in the back, or upstairs?"
"Well, no, not often, but occasionally."
"Rupert Giles! I can't believe you! People could steal you blind, and you wouldn't even know it!"
"Buffy, I'm going to be here by myself most of the time anyway when the store opens. unless you're volunteering to work here in your spare time."
"That's not the point! You're not taking the proper safety precautions! You're supposed to lock your doors when you're not open! And have a stake behind the counter. you don't have a stake behind the counter right now, do you?"
"Um. no. not at the moment."
She ran a finger around the neck of his shirt, looking for a chain. She found none. "And wear a cross at all times, and have holy water handy, and ward the place against big bad demons!" Her voice was rising alarmingly. "Just the other day, that thing came in here in broad daylight! You know stuff, Giles! Use it!"
He was taken aback at her vehemence. "Buffy, what's wrong? You're normally not this. protective."
"I am now! Giles, you got to be careful. More careful than you have been, or something's gonna get you."
"I'm fine, love." Suddenly, he realized the source of her anger. "I'm not going anywhere, I promise."
She threw her arms around him, ignoring his dusty state. "You can't promise not to be killed by nasties. especially if you don't lock your front door!"
He gave up trying to win the verbal sparring match, and just held her. She was shaking. He rubbed her back soothingly. "Buffy? Love? Please don't worry so. I've taken some precautions already. they're just not visible to the untrained eye."
"But that glow-in-the-dark thing got in."
"He won't a second time. He's been destroyed."
"Not reassuring. You gonna wait until I've killed every monster in the world? It just takes one first time to get you." She held him tighter, sniffling against his chest.
"Or, I could get struck by a car on the way to the post office. Buffy." He held her away, looking deep into her troubled blue eyes. "I can't promise you I'll live forever, much as I wish I could."
"I know." She sniffed again, and smiled as he handed her a spotless handkerchief. "It's just. well, every time I find something good it blows up, in a nuclear blast, with a mushroom cloud the size of Arizona."
"Not this time," he said firmly. "This time, we're going to beat the odds soundly." He leaned down and gave her a tender kiss. "It's flattering to hear you think I'm 'something good.'"
"Well, you are. You're good and I love you."
"Oh, Buffy." The second kiss was passionate, reassuring her somehow with its intensity. She curled one leg around his, pulling him closer. He released her lips slowly and held her back, studying her face. "Better?"
She gazed up at him adoringly. "Getting there."
"Then, would you object to helping me move these boxes? If I strain my back, I won't be much use in training later."
"I'm more interested in what comes after training." She waggled her eyebrows at him, causing him to chuckle. "Okay. I'm heavy-lifting girl. Show me the mountain, Mohammed."
Joyce pushed the door of the Magic Box, surprised to find it unlocked. Didn't Mister Giles worry about thieves cleaning him out? "Hello? Anyone here?" She took a few tentative steps into the darkened interior, trying to make out the unfamiliar shapes around her. This was a strange place, but it suited the owner pretty well.
She wandered around for a minute or two, looking for a back entrance. When she found it, she pushed the door open and said timidly, "Hello? Mister Giles? Are you here?"
She was surprised into bolder action when she heard her daughter's voice. What was Buffy doing here? She strode purposefully into the back room.
********
"What's in this crate, Giles? Feels like it's full of lead."
He paused in his inventory, pencil and clipboard in hand, looking so much like Librarian Giles that Buffy could've kissed him right then and there. He peered at the small label on the crate. "Let me see. a suit of armor. It isn't lead, but it's certainly close."
"To quote a certain Brit who fancies himself a comedian: 'Ha bloody ha.' Where do you want the White Knight, then? You oughta take him out of the box and put him in the front window. He might be good luck."
"That's a splendid idea, Buffy, although I don't know if armor is lucky or not, except perhaps for the man wearing it in battle. I'll get a crowbar, and we can take a look. If it's in good shape, we'll display him."
Buffy waited a few minutes while he rummaged around for his tools, then got bored and ripped the crate open with her bare hands. "Never mind, I got it."
Giles joined her, grinning. "You're certainly handy to have round, you know."
"In more ways than one."
Giles ignored her innuendo and eyed the armor with a critical eye. "It seems to be in acceptable shape."
"Yay! Let's put it in the front!"
"It needs to be polished first."
"Polishing? Ick! Get Xander to do it."
Giles gave her a knowing stare. "I thought you'd volunteer, since it was your idea."
"Well, you thought wrong. I don't do windows and I don't polish armor."
"Even if I asked nicely?" He stepped closer, his eyes smoldering.
"Well. you could try, but I'm not making any promises."
He leaned forward to kiss her.
"Buffy?"
The two dusty workers jumped apart violently as Joyce came around a stack of boxes. Giles plastered a pleasant look on his face, trying not to look like a man having a heart attack. A few seconds more and Joyce would've seen something they certainly weren't ready for her to see.
He smiled and stepped towards the newcomer. "Hello, Mrs. ah, Joyce. We didn't hear you come in."
Buffy glared at him with 'I told you so' written all over her face. "Hey, Mom. What's up?"
"Nothing, I just thought I'd come and see Mister Giles' new store. Dawn is at the ice cream shop a few doors down, and I felt like taking a walk."
Buffy brushed her dirty hands on her jeans and smiled knowingly at her Watcher. "So that's why you wanted this place, Giles! You're in it for the ice cream!"
"No, actually, I'm in it for the cappuccino. They have twenty flavors. It' s marvelous."
Buffy giggled a little, but stopped at Joyce's inquisitive look. "So, what do you think of the storage room? I'll admit, it could use a few doilies and a throw pillow here and there, but it's not bad."
It was Giles' turn to glare at Buffy. She was babbling, and that was never good. Her mother's sudden appearance had frightened her as badly as it had him. They weren't ready for public scrutiny yet. their relationship was too new and precious. He rescued her by redirecting the conversation slightly. "Actually, I plan on having a grand opening next weekend. Buffy was helping me move crates and unbox the larger items. this large area is ideal for training, and I want to clear the rest of this lot out to make more room." He looked around with a satisfied air. "I think it's coming along rather nicely."
Joyce could only see clutter and dust as she surveyed the place, but she nodded politely, noting what they'd just uncrated. "Nice suit of armor. Actually, the place looks pretty good already, a little cluttered, but. never mind." She shook her head, dismissing her gallery-owner opinions of Giles' display choices. "Good luck on your grand opening. I'm sure you know all about this. stuff." She examined the armor closely, curious as to its origin.
Giles must have read her mind, because he countered, "Thank you. As far as the merchandise, I do, but I'm afraid I'm hopeless when it comes to putting things in their best light. I may have to come to you for advice. Your gallery always looks wonderful."
Making sure Joyce didn't hear, Buffy whispered, 'Way to suck up, Giles.'
He gave her a defiant smirk and turned his attention back to Joyce.
"I'm sure you'll be fine, but I'd be glad to help. Just give me a call at work any time." Joyce handed Giles her card to prove she was serious. The place could definitely use a professional touch.
"That would be a great help, thank you again. Buffy and the others seem to be skeptical of my chances of success." He pocketed the card, reminding himself to call as soon as he was ready to start putting things out.
"It's not that we're skeptical of you, Giles. It's just that we're skeptical of the survival rate of the average magic store owner in Sunnydale." Buffy instantly realized she'd put her foot in her mouth as her mother's face tightened in disapproval. She tried to backtrack. "Even though Giles is way better equipped to protect himself than the others. He' s Knowledge Guy. He won't let stuff sneak up on him."
Joyce snorted. "You mean, like I just did?"
Giles dropped his head, stung by the truth of her words. "Y-you're right, Joyce. Buffy's been berating me for not being more careful. I've been so caught up in getting things situated I haven't taken the proper precautions." He looked up at the two women, suddenly noticing how much alike they looked at that moment. They both were worried about him, albeit for different reasons, of course. "I shall rectify that oversight at the earliest convenience," he promised.
Buffy relaxed slightly and moved beside him to pat him on the shoulder. "There, see? It's so much better when you listen to your Slayer."
"I have very little choice. You've set everyone you know on me. I haven't a chance."
Joyce observed the two of them with a critical eye. Dawn's accusations seemed groundless at the moment. Buffy had always treated Giles with special attention, whether it was to tease or to show concern. He was her Watcher, after all. She felt slightly uncomfortable, but it was nothing she could put her finger on. Maybe it was her decision to 'keep an eye on things' where Buffy and Giles were concerned that was making her feel that way. "I guess I'd better go get Dawn. Are you coming home for dinner, Buffy?"
"What time?"
"Seven, as usual, if I can drag your sister away from the video games at the ice cream shop."
"Okay. We should be done by then."
"Okay, honey, I'll see you later." They exchanged a quick kiss on the cheek. "Bye, Mister Giles."
"Goodbye, Joyce. I'll give you a ring about the displays."
She waved and let herself out, smiling as she saw Buffy marching Giles right behind her to lock the door.
********
"I'm going to the Radio Shack and get a motion detector thingy you can put on your doors. You need one on the back door, too."
Giles sighed. Joyce's untimely visit had intensified Buffy's worry. "Those things seldom work as they should, and I detest that beeping sound."
She ignored him and grabbed her purse. She planted herself in front of him and held out her hand. "Money, please. It's your alarm system."
Defeated, he handed her his wallet. "Do try and leave me enough to eat on the rest of the week, love."
She gave him a quick kiss and turned towards the door. "I'll leave enough for you to take me out to dinner after we get the place all fixed up, too." She bounced away, pleased with herself and surprised she'd won the discussion as easily as she had. The door jingled as she let herself out.
He sat down to wait, but it wasn't long until he spied a box that needed unloading, so he returned to his unloading and cataloging, humming happily.
As he worked, his thoughts drifted back to Buffy. He smiled to himself, picturing her studying on the couch upstairs, exercising to some annoying music in the training area, and generally brightening his life by being in it.
Her friends were his family and her calling his life's work. She was his world. He couldn't imagine it any other way.
He smiled in anticipation of their future life together, and waited for his Love to return.
The End