Giles sat in his office, flipping though the book that Jenny gave him, thinking about that last conversation they had . “She loved me too,” he thought. “Angel’s turning must have hurt her deeply. I have to find a way for Buffy to beat him before it is too late. I can’t fail her again.”
He was angry at his loss of control after Jenny’s death, that he almost got himself killed. He was angry that he almost left Buffy alone to fight Angel. He was also very concerned for her, because Angel was no ordinary vampire. Not only was he one of the most viscous and unpredictable vampires on record, but he had once been her lover, and knew her much better than she knew this demon. He knew her intimately.
Giles wasn’t sure how much longer he could prevent Buffy from learning that Angel has fought and killed several Slayers before. As much a danger that Spike posed to Buffy, he appeared tame in comparison. And the worst of it all, was that Spike was still out there, and apparently Druscilla was healthy again. Three of the most dangerous vampires on the planet, all out to destroy all that he knew and loved. To lose both Jenny and Buffy? That was a thought best not contemplated.
He was startled out of his thoughts by a loud thump from in the library. As he raced around the corner he remembered that Buffy was trying to show Willow some self defense moves while they were waiting for Oz to pick Willow up after his band’s practice. It appeared that Oz had arrived, but at the wrong time.
“Oh my God! Oz, are you OK?” Willow practically squealed.
“What happened?” Giles asked.
“I showed Willow how to flip an assailant who sneaks up on you from behind. You can guess the rest,” Buffy explained.
“I think I’m OK. Although I was worried about the danger starting after dark.” Oz said, rubbing the back of his head while still sitting on the floor.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to do it. But I did it right, though. Right, Buffy?” Willow said, mixed with sorrow for hurting Oz, but happy for flipping him correctly.
“Yeah, Will, you sure did it right.” Buffy smiled back at her.
“Willow, maybe we should get going now, the movie starts in a little while.” Oz said as he got to his feet.
“Oh, yeah. OK, bye!” Willow said as she walked with Oz out of the library.
“Later,” said Oz.
“Bye guys.” Buffy said.
“Be careful out there.” Giles advised.
“Yeah, try not to hurt him too much,” Buffy said under her breath as the door closed behind the red haired couple. “So, did you find out anything useful?”
“What? Oh, no,” Giles said, but his eyes were far away. “I was looking, but I didn’t see anything particularly helpful.”
“It’s OK, Giles. I’m here for you if you ever need anything,” she offered.
“I think I’ll be OK. Thank you.” He replied. “Is it that obvious?”
“Yeah, you’ve got that look in your eyes when you’re thinking of her. I know that look.” And as she spoke those words, he saw that look mirrored in her eyes.
“It’ll be dark soon, let’s prepare for the evening.” Giles said. “Let’s start with some warm up drills.”
“OK, I’m ready. I hope we get lucky tonight.” Buffy said as she began to stretch out.
“Better sooner than later. OK, let’s start with kicks.” Giles instructed, as he led her into her training routine
Angelus sat at the table in the new lair awaiting sunset. He was playing with a rose that Druscilla had left on the table for him. He was trying to decide if tonight would be the end of Cordelia, or if this would simply be the set-up. He so enjoyed toying with his prey before the kill. Building the fear and tension in his victims ‘til they were just about to die from fright. Play with them until there was nothing else left to do but go for the kill. No, if all went well that evening, Cordy would never see another sunrise. It would be an added bonus if Xander were to be there. Oh, to have him watch as he slowly drained the life from her body. “Now that’s entertainment,” he thought aloud.
Just as he spoke, a small alarm went off.
“Show time,” Angelus laughed as he stepped out into the newly arrived darkness.
