The next day after school, Giles walked into St. Stephen's. The priest, an average height, somewhat stocky black man, saw him and smiled. "Mr. Giles?" he asked, approaching with his hand outstretched.
Giles took it. "It's kind of you to see me, Father Joseph."
"Please, it's Joe to you. Anyone that Luka sends me is a friend already. Might I call you Rupert?"
Giles coughed. "Actually, my companions usually just call me Giles. You are welcome to do that as well."
"Fine. So, Giles, come into the study with me - would you like a cup of tea? Milk, no sugar? Right. - and sit down. So what's this project all about?"
Giles removed his glasses and began compulsively cleaning them. He cleared his throat. "Well, uh, first of all, how much do you know about vampires?" he asked bluntly.
Joe's eyebrows shot up. "More than you'd think, actually," he said guardedly. "One of the boca del infierno fringe benefits, I guess. Why?"
"Well, have you ever heard of a vampire called Angelus?"
The priest was even more wary. "Yes," he said shortly. "Go on."
Giles explained in detail what had happened to Angel regarding the gypsy curse and its loophole. He felt a little as if he were betraying Buffy's trust, but he never mentioned her name, or that she was the slayer. He explained what he thought Angel's ultimate fate had been, at Buffy's hands. At the end of the story, Joe sat still, regarding Giles with unreadable dark eyes.
"So that's your project?" he finally asked. "Getting the nice vampire out of hell and making him human again?"
Giles flushed to hear his goal referred to in such a cavalier manner. "In a nutshell, yes." He leaned forward. "Do you think you can help me, or not? Luka thought you might, but if not then I'll just leave now and not bother you again."
Joe's sudden broad smile lit up his face. "Relax, Giles. I might be able to help. I'm sorry, but I was sort of testing you. I had to find out how much you knew, and how serious you were. I apologize." Giles leaned back in relief. "Yes, I'll try to help. I'll have to get back to you in a couple of days, though. Where can I reach you?"
Giles wrote down his home phone and the number at the library and handed Joe the paper. "If there's anything I can do…" he said.
Joe grinned. "Don't worry. There will be! I'll be in touch in a few days, and I'll talk to you then."
Giles left the church with a feeling he thought he had lost forever: hope. After he left, Joe crossed himself and turned his attention skywards. "Dear God, You heard the whole thing." he said, "And Lord, if Angel has even a slim chance of regaining his humanity, please show us the way! You know he's like a son to me, and I'd really like to be able to invite him over for dinner. Without becoming it, that is." He shook his head with a sad smile and went back to his study.
Exactly three days later, Xander and Willow were eating lunch in the library with Cordelia and Oz, when Giles' phone rang. He jumped up to answer it, and a moment later stuck his head out. "Uh, Willow? May I see you for a moment?" She bounced up and went into his office. "Willow, this is that Father Joe that Luka referred me to. Do you think you can meet with us tonight at St. Stephen's? Joe thinks there's a chance for success, but we may need your help."
"Uh, sure," Willow said. Giles finished and hung up. She asked, "Giles, do you think we can tell the others yet?"
He gazed at her sympathetically. "No, I think, um, best not. If it works they'll find out then. If it doesn't, why raise their hopes?" She nodded reluctantly and joined the others.
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