Giles stared out into the darkness as Buffy, curled against his body, with one arm thrown protectively over his chest, slept soundly. An insomniac all his adult life this wasn’t an unusual situation, but after more alcohol than he’d drunk for a while, and Buffy’s alternative to a bedtime story he’d felt tired enough, yet now it was hours later and he was still awake. Listening to the birds, waiting for the sun to rise so he could get up and feel less guilty if he accidentally awoke Buffy.
His earlier encounter with Vix kept running through his mind. It had been foolish to confront her like that in such a public place but she was drunk and he was desperately afraid that her mouth was going to run away with her.
‘Why don’t you go home? I’ll get you a taxi,’ he’d offered.
‘You’d like that wouldn’t you?’ she spat. ‘You’re not getting rid of me that easily.’
Giles paused and forced himself to stay polite.
‘You’re embarrassing yourself, Vix. Go home - sleep it off.’
‘All you care about is whether I embarrass you,’ she waited a beat for effect, ‘in front of your wife.’
‘Leave Buffy out of this,’ he ordered.
‘So pretty isn‘t she? I mean really stunning. I bet everyone thinks she’ll eventually run off with someone more her age don’t they? Deep down that’s probably what you believe too.’
Giles’ facial expression offered no indication of his thoughts.
‘It’s funny really. If only they knew that it’s actually the other way around and you’re the one whose, not run off exactly, run about, with someone much, much younger.’
‘I’m warning you, if you think that you can threaten me o-over a moment’s indiscretion…’
‘Oh come on Rupert, let’s at least be honest with each other. Three months is not a moment.’
Normally reserved, Giles knew that he possessed the ability to be intimidating when he needed to and he used that now to full effect.
‘I have told you before and this is the final time. It is over,’ he gave her a glare that was pure Ripper. ‘And if you try to cause a stir or in any way threaten my family, worthless though you are, I shall ensure that the consequences for you will be terrible.’
It worked. Vix backed off, looking deeply shaken, almost as if she might cry. Giles started to relax but then she rallied and replied:
‘Worthless I may be but that just means I have nothing to lose. When you go home to your wife and Alissa…’
‘Alice,’ he couldn’t stop himself from correcting her.
‘Alice, such a cutie,’ Vix flashed him a false bright smile then continued.
‘When you leave your oh so prestigious job and go home to your wife and Alice. Why don’t you ask yourself what you’ve got to lose, Dr Giles.’
Then she laughed, she’d actually dared to laugh in his face before walking off. The problem was that she was right and they both knew it. Vix may well try to make things difficult for him professionally, could even cry sexual harassment as she had previously threatened to do, but much as he disliked it, the museum had a long history of turning a blind eye, and no doubt such an ignoble tradition would work in his favour. Even if it didn’t, and in a worse case scenario he was forced to resign that loss would be nothing compared to the effect his infidelity would have on his marriage.
It was already beginning to take its toll, Buffy was simply unaware of the cause. They’d always been what Xander with typical frankness had deemed ‘a fighty couple’, that pattern of behaviour had persisted from the first few days of their meeting, as often they’d stood in the high school library arguing the toss, each frustrated by the other’s unwillingness to back down. Usually as soon as a row was over it was forgotten and they took great care to ensure that Alice remained unaware of any tensions. But now worn down by the stress and guilt of his affair Giles was far less patient with Buffy than normal - they were rowing more often, and the repercussions were lasting longer.
Alice was obviously disturbed by it all. She was less sure of herself and upset at night. Drunk though he had been, it hadn’t escaped his notice that her first assumption on his return was that he and Buffy had had a fight. He made a mental note to check with Buffy to see if Alice had asked her the same question.
Buffy moved a little. It was now light enough for him to see her face clearly, she appeared utterly at peace. Many times he’d wanted to tell her, risk the consequences of whatever her reaction may be to rid himself of the burden of deceiving her, but he just couldn’t summon the courage. He’d been weak and given into temptation and now he was being a coward, Giles hated himself so completely he felt that he would lose his mind if Buffy learned the truth and began to hate him too.
The truth was that he’d cheated on the love of his life with someone whom he didn’t even particularly like. She had been attractive, highly seductive and convenient there was nothing else to it. He’d foolishly given in to her believing it would be a one-off occasion, immediately feeling ashamed and guilty. When Vix had indicated her willingness, no insistence that they carry on, barely hinting at what might happen should he ignore her Giles had acquiesced, telling himself that he couldn’t feel any worse. How wrong he had been.
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