Title: Stay
Author: JBG
Premise: They've survived the ultimate Evil. Now what?
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my imagination (and the characters I made up.) Joss Whedon, WB, Mutant Enemy and/or a bunch of other people own everything else in the Buffyverse...
Timeline: Theoretically, after the end of Season 7
Pairing: B/G, of course!
Archiving: Anyone who wants it!
Author's notes: Hopeful future fic. Just to confuse everyone, Buffy's direct thoughts are between single * asterisks and Giles' thoughts are between double ** asterisks.

Rating: PG-13

"It's over," Buffy announced. She raised her glass triumphantly.

Dawn nodded her agreement and added, with all the scornful emphasis a teenager could manage, "Oh, yeah, it is sooo over."

Xander quipped, "Until the next Apocalypse blows into town."

Willow's need for explanation prompted her to say, "Not that we're expecting evil to... well, we are, because it always does, realistically, but... we can just hope for goodness between the badnesses."

For once, Anya was on Willow's side. "I agree. We're all alive. Badly cut and bruised, but alive. I, for one, think we should be grateful for that."

As far as Buffy was concerned, they were all right.

Of course, the only opinion that really made a difference to her belonged to the one person missing from their 'I survived the First Evil' victory table. He'd financed the feasting and the festivities and then melted into the background as always, watching them from a quiet corner.

Buffy could sense his presence. It oozed off him, tantalizing her senses with his proximity. The magic from the coven, the power that had enabled them to dismantle Willow the Doomsday Machine, had not completely dissipated, but it was more than that. There was something unique about his aura. It called to her in a way that made her distinctly uncomfortable. She squirmed in her chair, fighting the urge to swing around and rest her chin on the back of the chair. To stare at him. Feast her eyes on her... what? Friend? Watcher? Lover?

*You wish,* she thought to herself.

The Slayers-in-training were chattering away at one end of the crowded table. Their young, excited voices rose and fell as they rehashed every detail of the final battle, basking in their first experience with a real live epic battle. Kennedy had maneuvered around to sit next to Willow, something that didn't surprise Buffy one bit.

After a few minutes, Giles left the room. She sensed the loss, frowning for a moment and shaking her head as she tried to focus in on the conversation that swept around her. She murmured appropriate nonsense when addressed, but she soon realized her attention was definitely elsewhere.

She caught Dawn's eye and nodded in the direction Giles had gone, making a 'stay here' motion as she quietly got to her feet.

He hadn't gone far. He was seated on the middle step of the back porch stairs with his back against the railing, looking up at the clear night sky. His face was turned away from her, but she could see moonlight reflecting off his glasses. She wondered if he missed the constellations that marked the skies of his homeland. She thought she might, if she ever got to go somewhere that wasn't California.

His low voice startled her. "Despite all the efforts of all the evil creatures since the dawn of time, the world continues to turn."

She grinned as his words brought back fond memories of fighting the Hellmouth underneath the school library. Not that she was fond of the fighting, but rather of the closeness that went with it.

Back when she and Giles were inseparable. When they were THE team.

She snorted, then covered her vagrant thoughts by commenting, "Stubborn old world."

"I believe you're at least as stubborn," he teased lightly.

"That's me, Stubborn Girl. Not to say mule-headed, selfish, Me Only Girl."

"Buffy," he protested instantly, turning to face her. His features slid into shadows and suddenly she couldn't bear not seeing his eyes. She reached behind her and turned on the porch light, making him blink.

"You could add So Stupid She Thinks Boffing Vampires is a Good Idea Girl to that list, too." She flopped down across from him, her feet sliding between his. "Face it, Giles. You have a totally whacked-out Slayer on your hands."

He shook his head and reached across their knees to capture her hands in his. "What I have on my hands is the finest, bravest, most powerful Slayer in history, and I'm inordinately proud of her."

She ducked her head, fighting tears due to both embarrassment and gratitude. "You're just saying that so I won't spoil everyone's victory party with my stupidness."

He tugged a little at her wrists until she looked up. "I'm saying it because I mean it with all my heart."

Their eyes locked. Magic swirled around them, earth magic mixed with something more basic and human. He was the first to become self-conscious, and he dropped his eyes. Clearing his throat, he gently placed her hands back on her knees and slid his back into his lap.

Buffy bit back a sigh of disappointment. It wasn't like she didn't expect his reaction. *Poor Giles. He's afraid he'll say something improper. He's probably going to start stuttering any minute.*

"Um... don't y-you think you sh-should, um, that is, the others... they're probably... looking for you."

She beamed at him. Dear Giles. "I gave Dawn the Signal. She'll keep them occupied."

"The... all right, I know what a signal is, in its proper context. I'm not at all sure what *you* meant." "I told her I was going to check on you."

"You told her... with a signal? Why?"

"Well, not 'tell', told. More like special hand signs and head nodding. You know... the Signal. It's a sister thing."

"Ah." He gave her a piercing look. "And the why?"

"Ah," she mimicked. "That's my little secret."

"Buffy." His soft voice was tinged with exasperation. "Don't play games. I'm too tired."

**I'm too old and gross,** he thought bitterly. His face hardened at the thought.

*Oh, no, bad thinking... you're so not going there, Giles.* She shifted around until she was sitting just above him on the top step. She bumped his shoulder slightly and leaned against him.

" You're going frown-y, Giles. Makes me feel bad."

"I'm sorry," he apologized automatically.

"I mean, I came out here to cheer you up, and thanks to my efforts you're all stand-offish and grumpy now. Way to go Buffy."

He let out a reluctant chuckle. "I don't mean to be grumpy."

"Well, you are, so stop it."

"All right." He deliberately smoothed his features and turned to look at her. "Better?"

She reached up and traced one of the deeper lines that crossed his forehead. His sharp intake of breath gave her courage. "Getting there."

**It's time I told her. I don't want her to think it's her fault I'm leaving again.**

"Buffy, I want you to believe that I am proud of you... so very proud. You've exceeded by far every expectation I've ever had."

*No! This is the 'goodbye, I'm going back to Jolly Old' speech! I can't listen to this!*

She shook her head stubbornly, fighting tears. He paused, telling himself that it was for the best, but he knew in his heart that he was deserting her again.

"I wish I could stay and help you get back on your feet, but I've suddenly become the senior Watcher in England, perhaps in the entire world. I have to..."

"Stay." Her voice was soft, but there was no pleading in it.

"Buffy, I can't just..."

"Stay. Yes, you can." She raised her eyes to his, letting him see her heart in her eyes. "Stay. With me."

"Oh, God, how I wish I could..."

"Stay," she stated firmly. "You said it yourself. You *are* the Council. Start it up again... right here on the Hellmouth. The building in England is gone. The fancy-schmantzy library is gone. All the research, the books, the tradition... gone. So, start over. Here."

"Buffy, if I..."

"Stay," she interrupted, almost smiling. "Between you and Wesley you've got the best library on things that go bump in the night... or daytime, even... left in the world. Angel's in LA, and he's always willing to help... especially after Wesley's Watcher-type info saved his butt again. Your friend Robson is on his way here right now. The potential Slayers are here, and they don't want to leave. They need training. They need a Watcher. They need you."

"That's... actually several very good points, but I don't see how I can..."

"Stay, Giles. It's simple. We need you. *I* need you."

"That was the very reason I left in the first place," he said shortly, hiding his reaction to her words behind irritation.

Buffy took a deep breath to avoid snapping back at him. Getting angry certainly wouldn't help her case. "No, you left because I was letting you do everything for me. That was a different kind of need. The current one is less 'I can't take this, you be the grownup and I'll be a little kid again,' and more 'I have a lot of grownup stuff to do. Would you like to do it with me?" She blushed at her unintentional innuendo, but didn't back down.

He gave her a surprised smile that faded slowly into confusion. "Buffy, what *are* you trying to say?"

"I think I've made it pretty plain, Oh Stubborn One. Stay with me. We belong together. Not just in a Watcher/Slayer way, but personally. We mean something to each other, something that no one else in the world can ever mean. I'm not good with the mystic mojo mumbo-jumbo, but if you're feeling like I've been feeling lately, it can only be of the good."

He stared at her, trying to read her face. **Could she mean what I think she means?**

He was quiet so long she began to get nervous. "Giles, talk," she pleaded. "I'm already beyond embarrassed and heading towards mortified. You know I'm no good at the soul baring. Help me out."

He cleared his throat and automatically reached for his glasses. Her hand stopped the habitual gesture before he could complete it. She placed his hands on his knees and held them firmly. "Talk to me."

"I... I'm not sure what you... want me to say, Buffy." He looked at her hands, pressing lightly on top of his. **I know what I'd like to say.**

Very deliberately, she said, "I want you to say you want to stay. That's pretty much it." *Oh, and if you could confess your undying love, that wouldn't suck.*

His head snapped up suddenly, his face firm with resolve. "All right, you've convinced me. If it means that much to you, I'll stay. We shall have to use your home for a base of operations until I can look into Council finances and see..."

Her fingertips against his lips silenced him instantly. "That's not what I was looking for. See previous comment."

His forehead wrinkled for a moment, then smoothed out again. "Ah. You want to be sure I'm staying because I want to. It's no hardship to admit I miss you, that I think of you all the time, wonder what you're doing and how you're feeling. I do want to stay."

She turned and knelt in front of him, sliding between his knees. She ignored his raised eyebrows, her face completely serious. "Good, but still not great. I'm looking for more."

"M-more?" **This can't be happening! I'm old and gross, remember?**

*He's getting it... better move fast before he panics.*

She leaned forward and kissed him softly.

********

"I'm telling you guys... we're not supposed to go out there," Dawn whined. Nobody was listening to her. She'd been able to keep them occupied for about ten minutes before they started getting antsy about Buffy's disappearance. Not one of them had asked where Giles was. That just made her mad. "Look, I already told you! Giles went outside and Buffy went to check on him! They're probably having an important Watcher/Slayer talk. We'd be interrupting them!"

Willow held up her pointer finger. "We won't be interrupting. We'd be sneaking into the kitchen and peeking through the screen door. That's non-interrupting." She waggled the finger at Dawn.

"She'll think I sent you guys in there to spy on her," Dawn said through gritted teeth. "Geez, it's like raising children. You tell them the stove is hot, but they've just gotta see for themselves."

"There's a difference between taking your word for something and sneaking around to see for yourself," Anya explained. "We're very literal people. We want to see things. Literally see. You see?"

"Well said, An," Xander praised with a smile.

Anya preened while Dawn blew out a frustrated breath. "You're so not going in there," she warned again.

"I am," Willow said shamelessly. She and Anya stood at the same time.

"Me, too." Xander jumped up and beat them all to the door. The Potentials gave them all strange looks, but continued on with their conversations. They didn't think Buffy being outside with her Watcher was a big deal.

Dawn gave up and threw her hands into the air. "Just... be quiet!"

"Mouse-like," Xander said in a low voice, pressing his finger across his lips.

The three of them disappeared into the kitchen. Dawn got up and reluctantly followed them.

"Oh. My. God," she heard Xander say as she pushed the door open. The three of them were sneaking covert glances through the back door.

"What? What?" Dawn began to get worried about her sister and Giles. She tried to find a good viewing spot, but Xander was in her way.

"I knew this day would come," Anya stated with very little emotion.

"But... but..." Willow stammered, her face as red as her hair.

"What?" Dawn said louder, wincing as everyone shushed her.

"It's the end of the world," Xander said brokenly.

Anya shrugged. "I don't see why. Personal issues have never stopped the world before... even when I wanted them to."

"Well it's the end of MY world, then!"

Willow slapped his arm. "Stop it, Xander. You're just jealous."

"Am not!"

"Are, too!"

"Am not! I'm just... completely freaked!"

"Will you all BE QUIET!" Dawn bellowed. She realized instantly what she'd done, and clapped her hands over her mouth. Her eyes communicated very well though. Xander and Willow dropped their heads in shame. Anya continued to watch Buffy and Giles.

Dawn straightened and dropped her hands to her sides. Six firm steps took her to the back door. She stood to one side and peered through the screen. She gasped sharply and covered her mouth again. She turned and looked at Xander, then Willow, then Anya.

"Oh. My. God," she squealed through her fingers.

********

"We have an audience," Giles murmured, unwilling to take his lips from hers.

"Mmm, don't care." She scooted closer and let him wrap his long arms around her.

"It's a bit... disconcerting... with all the gasping and cries of astonishment."

Buffy giggled, breaking contact. She buried her head against his shoulder with a deep sigh. "And that's just Xander. Wait'll you hear the gagging sounds that will come from Dawn."

"Do you think it will bother her that much?" he asked with concern.

"Heck, no, Giles. That's her standard reaction to any boyfriend I'll ever have, no matter how cute and smart."

He chuckled and kissed her head. One hand slipped from around her and began stroking her hair. "Then it's a normal... thing."

"Umm hmm."

"Ah. Also, the cute and smart comment was appreciated." He was quiet for a moment, then he asked hesitantly, "I'm your... um... boyfriend now?"

"What, you mean just because we kissed?"

He nodded uncomfortably.

"No, you're my boyfriend... man friend... whatever... because I love you. Every stubborn inch of you."

He laughed out loud, a sound of surprised delight. "You love me?"

"Well, duh!"

"And you, I suppose, are my girlfriend." He pulled her closer, kissing her firmly.

"Again with the duh."

"I've never figured out just what that meant."

She gave him an impatient glare. "Right now it means, 'we were smooching and you quit, you big meanie.' Now come here."

He complied, and his efforts were such that she found herself breathless and tingling by the time they moved slightly apart.

"Wow. I figured you could kiss, and other stuff, because of Mom and Olivia, and all, but... wow. Golly jeepers. Wow."

He chuckled again.

"You didn't say it back."

"Say what back?" he asked innocently. He giggled at her frustration, then yelped as she grabbed him. They wrestled for a few moments, with Buffy quickly gaining the upper hand. She gave him a triumphant smile and started tickling him.

"Ah, Buffy, no... ow... okay... all right... uncle... I was teasing, Buffy...!"

She relented, but he was still flat of his back on the porch floor. Buffy straddled him, holding his arms and legs immobile. He was breathing heavily, the corners of his mouth still curling uncontrollably.

*Wish I'd known how much fun he is. Training would have ended a lot differently.*

He looked up at her, his eyes soft with unspoken emotion. "I do love you," he admitted with a smile. "Although, in retrospect, the sentiment might mean more if I wasn't pinned to the ground."

"I'm not letting you go until I get some satisfaction, mister."

His eyebrows shot up. His grin turned wicked. "Just what would it take to satisfy you, hmm?"

"Say you'll stay. Because of this... because of us."

"Because I'm being manhandled by my Slayer?"

"Because if you don't, you'll NEVER be manhandled by your Slayer."

He giggled again. "I've already said I'll stay, love."

She sighed and slid down until she was lying on his chest. His arms closed around her and held her tight against him.

"I know, I just wanted to hear it again. Emotional reassurance."

"Be reassured, then. I never wanted to leave. Everything in me wanted to give you anything you desired."

"You have my permission to start that up right now."

He tilted his head to look down at her relaxed face. "And what is it you desire, my dear?"

She surprised him by getting to her feet. He stared at her, bewildered, until she smiled and held out her hand. "Come with me and find out, Watcher Mine." She pulled him to his feet with minimal effort.

"Well... it is a bit noisy out here." The grin on his face broadened, and he held the door for her as they went back into the house.

"G'night, guys," Buffy said airily, sliding her arm through Giles'. They walked right by the four astonished eavesdroppers. Eight wide eyes with four gaping mouths followed them as they turned down the hall towards the staircase, avoiding the busy dining room.

Dawn's voice rose from the kitchen just as they started to climb. They paused to do a bit of their own eavesdropping. "Okay, Xander, you owe me fifty bucks!"

"Xander! You bet on Buffy and Giles getting together?" Willow sounded offended.

"Don't even start, Willow Rosenberg. You owe me twenty!"

Giles started giggling again, and Buffy squeezed his hand. "I think they're gonna be all right with us, don't you?"

He nodded and leaned down to kiss her. "Not nearly as all right as we shall be."

The End