While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Part 2

Author: Frau Hunter Ash
Copyright © 2003-2005 by Hunter Ash. All Rights Reserved.
Email: hunterash7@...
hunterash@...
Feedback welcome!!
Homepage Addy: http://www.hunterash.com/

Disclaimers: The characters and show all belong to Joss Whedon, Fox,
Mutant Enemy, Kuzui, and God only knows who else. The storyline,
however, is the sole property of the author. This story cannot be
sold or used for profit in any way. Copies of this story may be made
for private use only and must include all disclaimers and copyright
notices.

Lyrics: the lyrics contained in this work are copyrighted and are
used without permission but no harm is intended.

F/F romance: the story assumes a loving and sexual relationship
between people of the same and opposite gender <G>. If this offends
or is illegal for you, then please leave. Come back when you are
older, have an open mind, moved, or changed your laws.

Spoilers: This takes place somewhere in Season 6.

Summary: This is more than song fan fiction – the characters
actively use songs and the lyrics contained in the songs as messages
to each other. Hope you enjoy. Full lyrics available on request.
Buffy died and was brought back and isn't happy about it and took up
with Spike. Willow and Tara are still together though, having found
a new and interesting topic to hold their attention other than
Willow's casual use of magic. My first real attempt at straight sex.
Be kind.

Rating: R (US), 15 (UK), MA (Australian)


* * *

Giles almost expected to find Buffy waiting for him after the second
set but the Slayer was nowhere in sight and not in the club. The
Englishman sighed and turned to the whiskey once more, trying to
drown out the fear that he had already lost his Slayer on all
levels. The only thing left was for Spike to turn her or some other
vampire to kill her.

An hour later, Giles accompanied the rest of his band mates to their
cars and started the short trek back to the magic shop, guitar case
in hand. Ripper had worked hard at drowning his sorrows and his
reaction time was just a little slower than usual for the Watcher
when he looked up and saw Spike step out of the shadows of a
building.

Giles stopped with a frown.

"What do you want, Spike?" Giles growled and felt his insides turn
cold when he glanced around, seeing four vampires step into the
light behind him. He was in the alley behind the shop and there was
only the shop door, a tall fence and the opening, which was now
blocked by four vampires.

"You're the wanker she's pining after then?" Spike demanded, tossing
his cigarette at Giles' face. The Watcher flinched and held his
guitar closer.

"What are you talking about?" Giles demanded. "Buffy? She's the one
shagging you every night!"

"She may be in my bed but it's not me she's thinking of anymore!"
Spike growled and Giles felt the four vampires moving closer. He
knew Spike couldn't hurt him but the Watcher had no doubt that the
four behind him could.

"Spike, there's nothing between Buffy and me, we haven't even talked
in days," Giles protested.

"Oh, you've bloody well been in love with her for years! I just
never thought she'd give an old sod like you a second glance!" Spike
smirked. "Well, she won't after I'm through with you."

"She'll kill you for this," Giles growled, tensing his body for the
attack.

"Hell, Watcher, just another Sunnydale victim!" Spike smirked as the
vampires laughed. "I can't hurt anyone, remember?"

Giles swung the guitar as he spun to face the vampires behind him,
catching the first one across the head as the fourth one grabbed at
his jacket. The Watcher growled and ducked the punch of the second
vampire and stamped on the foot of the third one.

Ripper actually managed to pull free and put himself up against the
wall. The gothic cross on a leather thong around his neck was
quickly in his fingers, being held out as far as he could.

One vampire took a bad burn to the face as all four of them charged
the musician. Giles fell to the alley floor with a growl, swinging
and kicking as one hand struggled for his stake. A booted foot
caught his ribs and another his temple, stunning the Englishman for
a moment.

When Giles shook his head, he glanced up, realizing he was being
held up by his arms, a vampire on each side. Spike was looking at
him with contempt and pulled Giles' head back by the hair.

"A bit of a fighter there," Spike growled as the one branded vampire
whimpered, clutching his cheek. "That's alright, haven't seen a
good one in awhile. Do it boys."

* * *

Buffy grumbled and pulled the blanket over her head as the pounding
on her door continued. She tried to ignore it, knowing it was
probably Dawn wanting to borrow something for school.

"Buffy! Buffy wake up!" Willow shouted from the hall.

"Go away, just going to sleep," Buffy mumbled.

Willow frowned and concentrated on the lock, opening it after a
moment. She could hear Tara rushing Dawn to get dressed as she tried
to calm Anya down on the cell phone. The red-haired witch quickly
crossed the room to Buffy's bed.

"Buffy, it's Giles! He's hurt bad!"

Buffy sat up, blinking. "Where and how?" she demanded, reaching for
her discarded jeans on the floor.

"Anya's on the phone, the paramedics are there now," Willow
explained. "She went by to get yesterday's receipts and found him
in the alley."

"What happened?" Buffy growled, pulling on her tennis shoes.

"Vampire attack, a bad one, An says," Willow whimpered.

"Anya says they're taking him to the hospital now," Tara called from
the doorway. "His heartbeat is erratic and he can't seem to breathe."

"He's lost too much blood," Buffy said absently as she and Willow
joined Tara and Dawn in the hallway. "His heart can't pump enough
blood to keep all his organs working. Let's go!"

* * *

"Miss Summers?" the doctor asked an hour later as he walked into the
waiting room of the emergency area.

Everyone blinked and sat up, attentive.

"I'm Buffy Summers," Buffy said softly.

"Mr. Giles said that he doesn't have any relatives here and you all
are his friends," the doctor said, sitting down in a chair to face
the small group of five females and one male. "He gave me
permission to tell all of you what's happened."

"Is he okay?" Willow asked, unable to hold back any longer.

"Not totally," Dr. Paul Roberson said slowly. "He lost quite a bit
of blood but I don't foresee any last affects from that. It's the
other injuries that had us most worried. He sustained several broken
ribs which collapsed his lung. Mr. Giles can recover completely from
that, it'll just take time and rest."

"What's wrong?" Buffy snapped. "He has to be okay."

"Well, I believe the concussion he sustained is mild and the other
injuries are mostly bruises and cuts from the beating," Dr. Roberson
explained. "It's the hand that worries me. It's not life threatening
but it is serious."

"His hand? What's wrong with his hand?" Buffy demanded.

"His left hand was crushed by someone wearing heavy boots," Dr.
Roberson said softly. "They left an impression of the sole on his
hand, they stomped it so hard. Several bones are crushed and we've
called in a bone specialist. He may lose some use of the hand."

"His left hand?" Willow squeaked.

"Giles is left-handed," Buffy muttered, feeling a familiar feeling
of shock overtake her.

"He is?" Xander questioned.

"Of course," Anya nodded. "Whoever attacked him knew that."

"The police want to ask you if Mr. Giles has any enemies that you
know of," the doctor nodded at Anya's observation.

"Can I see him?" Buffy asked, ignoring his question.

"Only for a moment, he'll be moved to a private room in a few
minutes. We've got him pretty sedated to keep him quiet and still,"
Roberson explained.

Giles' eyes were closed and his chest was rising and falling in a
regular rhythm with the help of a respirator. Buffy whimpered as
she took in the blackened eyes, gashed forehead, bruises along his
ribs and the bandages surrounding his hand. She also saw the fang
marks on his neck and counted three pair.

"Giles? Can you hear me?"

The Watcher didn't respond.

"Giles, do you know who did this?" Buffy asked, leaning down to
whisper in his ear.

The Watcher opened his eyes slowly and Buffy could see the drugs
working as his eyes lost their focus and began to close. "Giles!"

Giles held up his right hand and moved it slowly. He repeated the
action twice until he saw recognition in Buffy's eyes. He was
forming the letter "S" in sign language.

"Spike set this up?" she demanded.

Giles nodded and closed his eyes.

Buffy left without explaining to her surprised friends and family
what was wrong and where she was going.

* * *

Buffy sighed as she walked in the back door of the house. It was
nearly sunrise and the Slayer didn't expect to find anyone awake and
was grateful. It had been a week since the attack on Giles and now
her Watcher was recovering in Dawn's room while her sister shared
Buffy's room. Giles had been there two days and she still hadn't
gone in to see him.

The Slayer had intentionally stayed away from the house and let
everyone else take care of the injured man. Buffy didn't think she
could ever face him again, this felt almost worse than when Jenny
died, she thought. Because she hadn't killed Angeleus, Jenny was
dead. Now, because of her, Spike had shattered her Watcher.

Buffy had confronted Spike and the vampire had admitted setting up
the attack and watching. The guilt was that Buffy hadn't killed him
right then. His laughter as she stumbled from his tomb still rang in
her ears.

The vampire had disappeared the next night but the Slayer heard
rumors that he was still in town, she just wasn't looking very hard
for him. Buffy couldn't face Giles and tell him that because she
couldn't even explain it to herself.

Why did she let Spike live, she demanded from herself. She should
have dusted him when he tried to attack Willow after being chipped
or when he sided with Adam, or half a dozen other times. The attack
on Giles should have ensured his painful death at the hands of the
Slayer but Buffy hadn't done it.

Buffy looked at the large paper bag on the kitchen counter with
Giles' name on it and couldn't resist looking inside. Slowly the
Slayer pulled out a bottle of Jameson whiskey and heard several more
rattling in the bag. Buffy glanced at the delivery receipt and her
frown deepened when she saw that Willow had signed for the bottles.

"He ordered them," Willow said from the kitchen doorway.

Buffy jumped slightly and put the bottle back and turned to face her
friend. Willow was dressed in pajamas and robe and looked like she
may have been waiting all night for the Slayer.

"You didn't have to accept them," Buffy growled.

"Why shouldn't I?" Willow snapped. "He's an adult and can kill
himself if he wants. I'll sit with him, hold him when he cries, wake
him from his nightmares but I can't stop Giles from drinking, Buffy."

"Crying?" Buffy asked softly, wishing she could escape this
conversation.

Willow's eyes hardened as she watched her best friend. "You are so
dense at times, Summers," she complained. "Nightmares of three
vampires sinking their fangs in his throat while Spike laughed at
him. Nightmares of one of them slapping him conscious from the
feeding so that he'd feel his hand being crushed and Spike
congratulating the vampires on their job well done while Giles
screamed."

"Will, don't, please," Buffy begged, turning away from her friend.

"Buffy, we love you so much that we all risked our souls to bring
you back," Willow said, a little more gently. "But right now, I'm
trying to keep Giles from killing himself quickly. The woman he's
finally admitting to love doesn't care if he lives or dies. The job
he trained half his life for has passed him by and his Slayer no
longer needs him so he turned to his music, now your vampire lover
took that from him."

"He's not…" Buffy stammered but trailed off, unable to deny it or
explain her relationship with Spike. "I do care about Giles."

Willow shook her head. "That's why I'm the one there at night
instead of you? Tara and I take turns taking care of him while Anya
keeps the shop running."

"Will," Buffy tried to begin and hesitated, wrapping her arms around
herself. "I'm falling apart inside and I don't know how to stop it."

Willow quickly crossed the small space and pulled Buffy into her
arms as the Slayer began to finally cry. The witch held her friend
for several moments as Buffy's soft tears turned into full weeping,
the two ended up on the floor as Buffy clung to her friend.

"A-at first I-I couldn't feel anything now I don't know what I'm f-
feeling," Buffy cried.

Willow gently rocked the Slayer as Buffy's tears slowed to gentle
sobs.

"Buffy, I need to show you something, okay?" Willow asked softly,
stroking Buffy's hair.

"Is it gonna hurt?" the Slayer's voice sounded small and vulnerable.

"Maybe a little," Willow nodded, helping the Slayer stand. The
witch led them to the den and Willow made Buffy sit behind the
desk. "I found this earlier while looking for one of my notebooks,
it's Giles' and he's been listening to song lyrics."

Willow turned several pages in the simple black notebook and Buffy
recognized Giles' careful writing and then frowned. There was also a
bolder, more loose writing as well, mostly notes about things,
especially songs and music throughout the notebook.

Some were dated and Buffy focused, realizing she could track when
Giles first started at the new club and played with song lyrics to
get messages through to her. She could track his thoughts, from
confusion about his feelings for her, to acceptance and rage, the
feeling of hopelessness and terror. Then they seemed to move onto a
hopeful tone.

Then a crash apparently.

"That's the night he saw you and Spike together," Willow said. "That
night he wrote those lyrics out."

"I see my red door and I must have it painted black
maybe then I'll fade and away and not have to face the facts
its not easy facing up when you're whole world is black
no more will my greens will turn a deeper blue
I could not foresee this thing happening to you
if I look hard enough into the setting sun
my love will laugh with me before the morning comes

I see a red door and I want it painted black
no colours anymore, I want them to turn black
I see the girls walk by, dressed in their summer clothes
I have to turn my head until my darkness goes

I want to see it faded, painted black
black as night, black as coal
I want to see the sun blotted out from the sky
I want to see it painted, painted, painted black
(The Rolling Stones – Painted Black)

"Oh God, he saw us?" Buffy whispered and Willow nodded. The Slayer
didn't even question how Willow knew that Giles had seen the vampire
and Slayer together.

Willow leaned over the desk and flipped to the last page. The
writing was jagged, as if by a child learning to write.

"His hand, he's left handed," Buffy muttered to herself, realizing
Giles must have written these lyrics with his right hand.

it's been awhile since I could hold my head up high
and its been awhile since I first saw you
its been awhile since I could stand on my own two feet again
and its been awhile since I could call you

you're everything I can't remember, it's the passing of time
it seems
the consequences are rendered, I've stretched myself beyond
my means

and its been awhile since I could say that I wasn't addicted
and its been awhile since I could say that I loved myself as
well as
and its been awhile since I went and fucked things up just
like I always do
and its been awhile but all that shit seems to disappear
when I'm with you

and you're everything I can't remember, it's just passing me
by it seems
the consequences that I've rendered, I've gone and fucked
things up again
why must I feel this way
just make this go away
just one more peaceful day

its been awhile since I could look at myself straight
and its been awhile since I said I'm sorry
and its been awhile since I've seen the candles light your
face
and its been awhile but I can still remember just the way
you taste

you're everything I can't remember, it's the passing of it
seems to me
I cannot blame this on my father, he did the best he for me
its been awhile since I could hold my head up high
and its been awhile since I said I'm sorry
(Staind – It's Been Awhile)

should I stay or should I go now
should I stay or should I go now
if I go there will be trouble and if I stay it will be double
so come on and let me know

this indecision's bugging me
if you don't want me, set me free
exactly whom I'm supposed to be
don't you know which clothes even fit me
(The Clash – Should I Stay or Should I Go)

but I'm the only one who'll walk across the fire for you
and I'm the only one who'll drown in my desire for you
it's only fear that makes you run, the demons that you're
hiding from
when all your promises are gone, I'm the only one

please, baby, can't you see I'm trying to explain
I've been here before and I'm locking the door and I'm not
going back again
her eyes and arms and skin might make it go away
you'll wake up tomorrow and wrestle the sorrow that holds
you down today
(Melissa Etheridge – I'm the Only One)

Willow flipped the page and Buffy read the barely legible notes:

"Flight 7375 for Heathrow Airport, United Kingdom?" Buffy
squeaked. "Leaving LAX Friday 9am? This Friday? As in four days from
now?"

"I asked and he refused to talk about it," Willow nodded.

"What do I do, Will?" Buffy asked softly, fresh tears filling her
eyes.

"Figure out how you feel about him, Buff," Willow said
gently. "Either love him or let him go and never see him again. He
can't be your Watcher with things like this between the two of you
and Spike took his music. Giles is dying slowly. "

* * *

Giles sat up in the bed, clutching at his hand. It took him a
moment to realize it was in a cast and he wasn't in the alley being
beaten, bitten and nearly killed again. The Watcher swung his legs
over the side of the bed and rubbed his hand over his face.

The Watcher spun, reaching under his pillow for a cross.

"It's just me, Giles," Buffy said softly from the doorway.

"I, uh, I'm not really up for visitors right now, Buffy," Giles said
softly, his voice wavering.

"Nightmare? I've heard you've been having them," Buffy asked gently,
moving into the room and sitting on the bed behind him.

"Please, I don't want to see you right now," Giles growled, refusing
to turn and face her.

Buffy firmly pulled Giles back onto the bed and wrapped her arms
around him. He started to struggle with a whimper.

"Shhh, just sleep," Buffy urged, stroking his forehead. "Let me be
close, please."

"Why? I'm not Spike," Giles muttered but stopped resisting.

"I don't want Spike," Buffy said softly. "I thought it was helping
me feel something, I was wrong."

"You don't want me, you want Ripper because he's like Spike," Giles
complained while moving closer into her arms.

"I want you and Ripper, I think," Buffy whispered as Giles'
breathing became steady and he slipped back into sleep.

The Slayer spent a sleepless morning evaluating her feelings,
physical and mental, as she lay next to her Watcher. His strong body
was becoming too thin, she decided as she ran her hands over his
ribs.

Shortly after noon Buffy came downstairs with a determined look.
She found Willow, Tara and Dawn eating a lunch of roast beef
sandwiches and soup. "Roast beef?" the Slayer stopped, momentarily
distracted.

"Yeah, you should try coming home for dinner sometimes," Dawn
quipped. "Tara's the best cook! The roast beef was hot last night."

"Yeah, well…" Buffy hesitated, what could she say, that she had been
avoiding the house because she felt guilty over Spike attacking
Giles and couldn't face him? "Uh, Will, think you could show me how
to put songs onto a CD thing?"

"Sure, what's up, Buff?" Willow asked, looking a little tired around
the edges.

"I need to find some songs," Buffy said softly, letting Willow stare
in her eyes for a moment.

Finally the red haired witch nodded. "Grab some lunch while I set
up the burner and Kazazz."

"Burner?" Buffy asked as she grabbed the bread to make a sandwich.

Willow smirked as she grabbed her plate and mug of soup to take
upstairs. "The program that puts songs onto a blank CD, it's called
burning. My best program is on the computer in our room."

Dawn raised her eyebrows in question to Tara but the blonde witch
looked as puzzled as the teenager.

* * *

Giles frowned at the note and CD he found taped to his door when he
finally woke up about one in the afternoon.

"Meet me at the Cellar tonight, have Willow drive you or something.
Please. Buffy."

Giles slipped back into the room to Dawn's stereo system and looked
at it, his frown deepening.

"Need some help?" Willow's voice offered from the door.

"I can set up an entire band and their equipment," Giles
complained. "Full stadium set up and can I figure out a teenager's
stupid stereo equipment? No!"

Willow smiled and took the CD from the Watcher and set it up for
him. "You want the headphones for this?"

Giles' eyes narrowed. "Why do I get the feeling you know what's on
this already?"

Willow tried to look innocent and then laughed. "I don't know what
she picked, I just showed her how to make the CD for you."

"You're encouraging this," Giles complained.

"Yes," Willow nodded, answering calmly. "Giles, I see my two best
friends are unhappy and I think they'd be happy together. I see them
want to be together and don't understand why they aren't. I'm
willing to help that along."

"I'm too old for her," Giles muttered.

"No you're not," Willow shook her head. "You're both adults and
you've loved her for years."

"Press play," Giles said after a moment.

The ex-Watcher sat down on the bed and nodded absently as Willow
joined him, pulling his pad of paper into her lap to take notes for
him. "You've been reading my writing?"

"No one can read your writing," Willow complained.

"You try writing with your other hand," Giles mumbled as the music
began.

"I kept the right ones out and let the wrong ones in
had an angel of mercy to see me through all my sins
there were times in my life when I was going insane
trying to walk through the pain
when I lost my grip and I hit the floor
thought I could leave but couldn't get out the door
I was so sick and tired of living a lie
I was wishing I could die

it's amazing, in the blink of an eye, you finally see the
light
its amazing, when the moment arrives that you know you'll be
alright
its amazing, and I'm saying a prayer for the desperate
hearts tonight

that one last shot, one last vacation
and how high can you fly with broken wings
lifes a journey not a destination and I just can't tell
just what tomorrow will bring

you got to learn to crawl before you learn to walk
but I couldn't listen to all that righteous stuff
I was out on the streets just trying to survive
scratching just to stay alive
(Aerosmith – Amazing)

"I follow that one easily," Giles said softly.

"Yeah, maybe she's realizing she turned to the wrong one to get her
through the trauma lately," Willow agreed.


"I want your sex, I want your love
I want your sex, I want your sex

its playing on my mind, its dancing on my soul
its taken so much time, so why don't you just let me go
I'd really like to try, I'd really love to know
you tell me you're gonna regret it, then I tell you I love
you but you still say no

I swear I won't tease you, won't tell you no lies
I don't need no bible, just look in my eyes
I've waited so long, baby, out in the cold
I can't take much more, girl, I'm losing control
(George Michael – I Want Your Sex)


"Oh boy," Willow whispered as Giles began to blush.

"Yes, quite," Giles stammered.


oh the night is my world, city lights, painted girls
in the day nothing matters, it's the night time that matters
in the night, no control. Through the walls, something's
breaking
wearing white as you're walking down the street of my soul

you take my self control, you got me living only for the
night
before the morning comes the story is told
you take my self control
another night, another day goes by
I never stop myself to wonder why
you help me to forget to play my role
you take my self control

I, I live among the creatures of the night
I haven't got the will to try and fight against the new
tomorrow
so I guess I'll just believe that tomorrow never comes
night, I'm living in the forest of a dream
I know the night is not as it would seem
I must be losing something so I'll make myself believe it
that this night will never go
(Laura Brannigan – Self Control)


Giles frowned, "Bloody well dedicated to Spike, don't you think?" he
muttered.

"Sounds like she knows she's been lost with him," Willow countered.


"nylons are melting down my legs, your heart is pounding at
my throat
I can't catch my breath, I lost it when your finger tips ran
down my leg
and up my leg, your kiss makes me feel like this

I'm so hungry for your sex, I'm so hungry for your sex
I got an appetite for love tonight
I want to taste your sweet thing
I want to feel the sting of your sex
of your…

my body all painted lipstick red, we ripped the sheets right
off the bed
fingernails left fiery tails across your back, oh tell me
baby
how did you like that, a little pussy cat scratch

I'm so hungry for your sex, I'm so hungry for your sex
I got an appetite for love tonight
I want to taste your sweet thing
I want to feel the sting of your sex
of your…
I'm so hungry for your sex

hungry

I'm so hungry for your sex, I'm so hungry for your sex
I got an appetite for love tonight
I want to taste your sweet thing
I want to feel the sting of your sex
of your
I'm so hungry for your…

I gotta have your… I gotta have your sex
I gotta have your sex, I'm so hungry
(Lita Ford – Hungry)


Willow's eyes widened and Giles pulled his glasses off and looked at
them, unable to clean them with only one hand.

"I, uh, think I'll go now, Giles," Willow said quickly.

"I, uh, think so," Giles agreed, feeling flushed at the thought of
Buffy singing that last song to him or… more. "Thank you for
everything."

Giles hit the button to play the CD again, thinking about the
approaching night. He listened to the music carefully. Now that
Buffy had apparently made up her mind that she wanted him, Giles
wasn't certain he was feeling the same.

There was the problem of Spike and Buffy's obvious lack of control
around the vampire, even to the point of not killing him after the
attack on Giles. There was also the fact that Giles was tired and
didn't want to go back and forth with his former Slayer any more.

Ripper frowned and began pulling out his clothes for the evening,
unable to forget the Lita Ford song.

* * *

Buffy paced nervously backstage with the band. Tim grinned as he
watched the gorgeous young female. He could certainly appreciate
the scenery, he thought. Buffy was dressed in a leather wrap around
skirt that came to the girl's knee but was open to the hip, showing
a teasing flash of thigh whenever she moved. The black sleeveless t-
shirt was tight and showed that the woman wasn't wearing a bra,
causing most of the band members to swallow and become very
interested in their instruments.

"Relax," Tim urged. "You've practiced this all afternoon, you'll be
fine."

"Oh God, is that before or after I throw up?" Buffy squeaked,
peaking out between the curtains.

"Ripper's a great guy, I hope this works for you guys," Tim
smiled. "Try the shades, they work for him."

Buffy nodded, her throat suddenly dry when she spotted Giles, no,
Ripper entering the club and looking around for her. The Slayer
quickly closed the curtains and tried to remember to breath. She
slowly peered back through a small opening at the man she had
discovered she had more than a few warm fuzzys over.

Ripper's arm was still in a cast but the rest of him registered
dangerous as he walked to the bar. He was dressed in tight jeans
that left Buffy doubting if her ex-Watcher was wearing boxers or
briefs, she didn't think either at this point. She blushed at the
question of who might have helped him get them on without underwear.
Motorcycle boots were a new touch, Buffy noticed, as was the button
down dress white shirt. Somehow he made it look rebellious with a
leather vest and leather tie. The sleeves were rolled up to his
forearms, showing off some of the muscles he usually kept hidden in
tweed.

"He's there, isn't he?" Tim smirked. "I can tell by your expression.
Just hang back until it's your number. Walk out, look only at him
and go for it. If you freeze, I'll back you up."

"Thanks, Tim," Buffy said gratefully and moved back off stage.

Giles knew when Willow, Tara, Xander and Anya entered the club and
wondered where Buffy was. He was beginning to believe that Buffy had
dived out at the last minute. He watched the gang watching him as
they took up seats at a table. He growled, hating being the center
of attention unless he was on stage behind a guitar, and so turned
to his drink.

"Evening everyone!" Tim yelled from the stage. "Tonight, I'm kinda
filling in for our lead singer until he gets off his ass and comes
back. Later this evening, we've got a special singer coming in just
for one song that's dedicated to our own Ripper. Hang loose, buddy,
and don't disappear. This set is a special request."

Ripper growled and put on his sunglasses as all the Scooby members
turned to look and see his reaction.

The band ripped into a KISS tune that Giles didn't recognize right
away, then he found himself blushing. He suddenly knew who had
requested the songs and wondered where the hell she was.


"I look at you and my blood boils hot, I feel my temperature
rise
I want it all, give me what you got, there's hunger in your
eyes
I'm getting closer, baby, hear me breathe
you know the way to give me what I need

feel my heat, taking you higher, burn with me
heaven's on fire
paint the sky with desire, angels die
heaven's on fire

I gotta fever raging in my heart, you make me shiver and
shake
baby, don't stop, take it to the top. Eat it like a piece of
cake
you're coming closer, I can hear you breathe
you drive me crazy when you start to tease, you could bring
a fella to his knees

feel my heat taking you higher, burn with me
heaven's on fire
paint the sky the desire, angels die
heaven's on fire
heaven's on fire
heaven's on fire

I'm getting closer, baby, hear me breathe
you know the way to give me what I need

feel my heat taking you higher, burn with me
heaven's on fire
paint the sky with desire, angels die
heaven's on fire
feel my heat taking you higher, burn with me
heaven's on fire
paint the sky with desire, angels die
heaven's on fire
(KISS – Heaven's on Fire)


"Hope you liked that one," Tim grinned at the rancorous applause and
shouts the song had brought about. "We'll slow it down just a touch
with an old Peggy Lee number. You guys probably know the Madonna
version better. One thing remains the same, everyone's got Fever!"


never know how much I love you, never know how much I care
when you put your arms around me, I get a fever that's hard
to bear
I get a fever when you kiss me, fever when you hold me tight
fever, in the morning, fever all through the night

sun lights up the daytime, moon lights up the night
I light up when you call my name and you know I'm gonna
treat you right
you give me fever when you kiss me, fever when you hold me
tight
fever, in the morning, fever all through the night

everybody's got the fever, that is something you all know
fever isn't such a new thing, fever started long ago

Romeo loved Juliet, Juliet she vowed the same
when he put his arms around her, he said Julie baby you're
my flame
thou givest fever when we kisseth, fever with thy flame in
you
fever, I'm on fire, fever, yea I burn forsooth

Capt Smith and Pocahontas had a very mad affair
when her daddy tried to kill him, she said Daddy oh don't
you dare
he gives me fever with his kisses, fever when he holds me
tight
fever, I'm his missus, daddy won't you treat him right

now you've listened to my story, here's the point that I
have made
chicks were born to give you fever, be it Fahrenheit or
centigrade
they give you fever when you kiss them, fever if you live
and learn
fever until you sizzle but what a lovely way to burn
what a lovely way to burn
what a lovely way to burn
(Peggy Lee – Fever)


Giles felt Willow move up beside and looked at her over his dark
sunglasses. "Yes?"

"Where is she?" Willow shouted over the music of Siousxie and the
Banshees "Spellbound."

"I don't know," he admitted.

"You don't think she's the singer he mentioned, do you?" Willow
asked, her eyes widening at the thought.

"One, we know Buffy hates stages," Giles smirked. "Two, we know
Buffy doesn't think she can sing; three, I'd have a heart attack."

Giles looked up and glared at Tim as the band slipped
into "Sunglasses at Night" by Corey Hart, knowing Tim was teasing
him.

The band took a break and Giles began watching very carefully,
hoping for a glimpse of whatever surprise Tim and Buffy had in store
for him, hating surprises most of the time.

Tim stepped out on stage and grinned right in Giles'
direction. "Give it up for our special guest. It's her first time
in front, so be kind or I'll rip your lungs out. Ripper, you better
grab this one, dude, or you're an idiot."

Giles almost fell off his barstool when Buffy walked out onto the
stage. Her hair was pulled up and her makeup was perfect for the
lights of the stage and bar. His eyes trailed down her body and he
felt his skin flushing in reaction to the leather skirt and knee
high boots.

The Slayer was obviously nervous but smiled at Giles and put on a
pair of sunglasses, just like his and walked up to the microphone.

"This one is for someone special who I almost let slip away," Buffy
said softly into the mic. "I hope I'm not too late."

Giles sat on his barstool, not even hearing Willow move away back
towards the table to rejoin Tara and the others. A quick glimpse
told the ex-Watcher that Xander was in about as much shock as he was
at seeing Buffy behind a microphone and about to sing to… to him?


Every time I see your face, I'm taken to a place
where your crystal mind and magenta feelings take up shelter
in the base of my spine, sweet like chic-a-cherry cola

I don't need to try to explain; I just hold on tight
and if it happens again, I might move so slightly
to the arms and the lips and the face
of the human cannonball that I need to, I want to

come stand a little bit closer, breathe in and get a bit
higher
you'll never know what hit you when I get to you

Oh, I want you, I don't know if I need you
but, oh, I'd die to find out
Oh, I want you, I don't know if I need you
but, oh, I'd die to find out
Oh, I want you, I don't know if I need you
but, oh, I'd die to find out
(Savage Garden – I Want You)


Giles really didn't hear the rest of the lyrics as Buffy entranced
him. Watching her move to the music slightly, gripping the
microphone, becoming comfortable with herself up there, Giles felt
his body responding in ways that made him shift on the barstool and
grip the edge of the bar.

The song ended and Buffy turned and nodded to Tim. Giles saw his
band mate grin and nod to the rest of the band.

"This one says what I want, Ripper," Buffy growled into the
mic. "Listen close."


"she's your adolescent brain, schoolboy stuff, sticky sweet
romance
and she makes you want to scream, wishing you could get
inside her pants
so you fantasize away, while you're squeezing her, you
thought you heard her say
good girls don't, good girls don't
but she'll be telling you, good girls don't but I do

so you call her on the phone, to talk about the teachers
that you hate
and she says she's all alone and her parents won't be coming
home until late
there's a ringing in your brain because you could've sworn
you thought you heard her saying
good girls don't, good girls don't
but she'll be telling you good girls don't but I do
(The Knack – Good Girls Don't)


Giles wasn't really aware that he had begun moving closer to the
stage as most of the people in the place watched, fascinated by the
playing going on between the young woman on the stage and the
popular guitarist and singer.

Ripper jumped up on the stage, standing over the Slayer as she
nervously waited his response. Giles moved over to Tim and
whispered in the young man's ear. At first Tim shook his head but
finally nodded and whispered to the other band members. Giles moved
up next to Buffy and took the microphone from her hand as the band
began to play a new tune.

He looked down at the Slayer as the guitar players showed off their
considerable skills, breaking into the blues like the sound of a
popular Tracy Chapman song.


give me one reason to stay here and I'll turn right back
around
give me one reason to stay here and I'll turn right back
around
said I don't want to leave you lonely, you gotta make me
change

I don't want no one to squeeze me, they might take away my
life
I don't want no one to squeeze me, they might take away my
life
I just want someone to hold me and rock me through the night

this youthful heart can love you and give you what you need
I said, this youthful heart can love you and give you what
you need
but I'm too old to go chasing you around, wasting my
precious energy

give me one reason to stay here, yes, and I'll turn right
back around
give me one reason to stay here and I'll turn right back
around
said I don't want to leave you lonely, you gotta make me
change my mind
(Tracy Chapman – Give Me One Reason)


Buffy hesitated and then reached up, wrapping an arm around the back
of Giles' neck and pulled him down to her lips. The kiss wasn't
tentative or soft but demanding and promising heat and more.

Giles and Buffy weren't even aware of the cheering going on around
them as Tim started the band into a rendition of Modern
English's "Melt With You." Buffy pulled back and leaned into his
strong chest, breathing heavily.

"Take me home, Ripper," she said softly, pulling her sunglasses off
and removing his, letting his eyes see the desire in hers.

"Yes?" he asked, bending down to nip her neck lightly, causing her
to jump in his arms and breathing to quicken even more.

"Oh God, yes," Buffy exclaimed. She turned to wave to the crowd and
her friends and pulled Giles backstage, both blushing a bright red
at the public scene they had just made.

Giles moved Buffy against the wall, almost pinning her. "What about
Spike?" he demanded.

"I don't want Spike," Buffy said firmly, pulling Giles' body closer
to her. "I didn't know what I wanted. I thought he was helping me
feel something other than dead inside but I was wrong, it was just
more emptiness."

"And me?" Ripper growled. "Am I substituting as well? Do you want me
because you suddenly think I'm dangerous? A little leather and
anyone can grab your attention? If so, then walk now, Buffy. I'm
not here for a quick sexual romp across a graveyard and have you get
bored."

"Giles, I didn't SEE you until I saw Ripper on that stage but I know
who I want and what I want," Buffy said firmly, running her hands up
his back under the leather vest. "I want both of you, all of you!"

"And the others?" Giles pressed, struggling to hold back as her body
drove him to distraction. "I know Willow approves but Xander?"

"I'm not marrying Xander," Buffy growled. "I am marrying you if
you'll shut up long enough to make love to me and then drive to Reno
or Vegas."

"Married? You'll marry me?" Giles asked, his voice reflecting his
disbelief.

"Yes, I want to live, Giles," Buffy said firmly. "I don't want the
darkness with Spike, I want you. I want Ripper, I want Giles, I want
Rupert, I want the entire package! Sex, marriage, kids, a future. No
more death and darkness."

"Buffy," Giles choked just before the Slayer pulled him to her lips
again, shutting him up. The Englishman struggled out of his sling
as Buffy moved him against the wall and cases of beer, he wanted
both arms around her as the kiss intensified. "We'd better stop or
charge admission," he growled.

"Don't care, want you!" Buffy growled back, her hands going to his
belt as his hands went under her shirt.

Ripper hissed as her hand worked past his belt and zipper. He stood
up and spun the Slayer around, sitting her on the edge of the beer
cases as his teeth went to her throat and his hands between her
legs, urging them apart.

"Oh God, yes!" she whispered urgently, pulling him closer.

Ripper moaned when he discovered that the Slayer wasn't wearing any
underwear and she was highly aroused as his fingers touched her
wetness for the first time. Buffy whimpered and clung to him, one
hand fumbling between them until she was guiding him inside her.

"Oh God, not too fast, luv," Ripper begged as Buffy moaned and
wrapped her legs around him, pulling him in.

"Need you now!" Buffy insisted, "Slow, wonderful and gentle later!"

Giles was only vaguely aware of the band continuing to play onstage
as he set his own rhythm with Buffy and she matched him, meeting him
and demanding more until all conscious thought was gone and nothing
existed but her and pleasing her.

* * *

The rest of the Scoobys grinned when they left the club and found
Buffy and Giles necking by Buffy's jeep.

"Get a room you two!" Xander yelled, half joking as Willow and Tara
giggled. Xander frowned at the thoughtful expression on Anya's
face. "What?" he demanded as Buffy and Giles pulled only slightly
apart and faced the group.

"I just never thought of him as so sexy until this last month," Anya
whispered.

"Giles? Sexy?" Xander squeaked, trying to keep Willow and Tara from
hearing them. "I am in hell!"

"He is very sensual, especially now," Anya protested and Willow
smirked.

"Glad to see you two worked this out," Tara smiled as Giles wrapped
an arm around Buffy's shoulder and she leaned into him, interlacing
her fingers with his.

"More than worked it out, tell Dawn I won't be home until tomorrow
night," Buffy smiled.

"Where are you two going? The back of the shop?" Anya
demanded. "That is so not romantic and we'll have customers during
the day time! The sounds of you two having many orgasms will not
help sell merchandise!"

"An!" Xander squeaked, wanting to throw his hands over his ears to
block the conversation from his mind.

"No, not the Magic Box," Giles smirked. "We're driving to Las Vegas
tonight."

"I asked and he said yes," Buffy grinned.

"Married? You're gonna marry him?" Xander gasped and Buffy lost her
smile.

"Want me to marry Spike?" she countered and nodded when Xander began
blushing.

"No, of course not it's just that… that… it's Giles!" he
protested. "Father figure, librarian! And what about Spike? You and
vampires getting horizontal? What is it about Giles?"

"If I ever see Spike again, he's dust. As for Giles, musician,
magician, bachelor, and incredibly sexy rogue," Buffy growled. "He's
also great at sex, well, so far anyway."

"TMI!" Xander shouted. "Way TMI! Father figure!"

"Trust me, Xander," Buffy smirked. "I never wanted to make it with
my father in the back of a night club on beer cases."

Xander shook his head and covered his ears as he moaned.

Willow laughed and hugged both Giles and Buffy at the same time.

"Drive safely and we want a ceremony here!" the red haired witch
insisted.

"Thanks for everything, Will," Buffy smiled and hugged her friend.

"You bet! Take care of her, Ripper!"

"The rest of our lives," Giles promised as they climbed into the
jeep. "Tell Dawn what happened then?"

"You bet!" Willow grinned as Buffy started the jeep. "See you guys
tomorrow night."

Buffy leaned over and kissed Giles again before shifting the jeep
into gear. "Buckle your seat belts, it's gonna be a bumpy night,"
she promised and Ripper grinned.

Don't wantcha for the weekend - don't wantcha for a night
I'm only interested if I can have you for life - yeah
Uh, I know I sound serious - and baby I am
You're a fine piece of real estate, and I'm gonna get me some land

Oh, yeah
So, don't try to run - honey, love can be fun
There's no need to be alone - when you find that someone

Chorus:
(I'm gonna getcha)
I'm gonna getcha while I gotcha in sight
(I'm gonna getcha)
I'm gonna getcha if it takes all night
(Yeah, you can betcha)
You can betcha by the time I say "go," you'll never say "no"
(I'm gonna getcha)
I'm gonna getcha, it's a matter of fact
(I'm gonna getcha)
I'm gonna getcha, don'tcha worry `bout that
(Yeah, you can betcha)
You can bet your bottom dollar, in time you're gonna be mine
Just like I should - I'll getcha good

Yeah, uh, uh
I've already planned it - here's how it's gonna be
I'm gonna love you and - you're gonna fall in love with me
Yeah, yeah

Oh, yeah
So, don't try to run - honey, love can be fun
There's no need to be alone - when you find that someone

Repeat Chorus

Yeah, I'm gonna getcha baby - I'm gonna knock on wood
I'm gonna getcha somehow honey - yeah, I'm gonna make it good
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Oh, yeah
So, don't try to run - honey, love can be fun
There's no need to be alone - when you find that someone

Repeat Chorus

Oh, I'm gonna getcha, I'm gonna getcha real good
Yeah, you can betcha, oh, I'm gonna getcha
(I'm gonna getcha) just like I should, I'll getcha good
Oh, I'm gonna getcha good!
(Shawnia Twain)