Reunited

One

SUMMARY: Buffy returns to Sunnydale after spending months in LA, Giles is really happy to have her back. PWP really. Thanks 'THE GIRLS' for the whole group thing we got. To Anthony for the banging playlist to write to. To Sabs for the constant Tony content.

DISCLAIMER: I own none of the characters, just nicking them for a short while. They belong to whoever, Joss or whatever.

ALSO NOTE: I am UK based. The legal age of consent here is 16, so there is absolutely nothing wrong with this in my eyes. Also, Giles is British so, he would be used the whole 16-year-old age of consent too. I am acutely aware of the ramifications of Buffy not being 18 yet during this, and I do not condone this kind of behaviour in normal situations. BUT Buffy is THE SLAYER, she is fictional, in a fictional world, none of this is real so...get over it. (Sarah Michelle Gellar was 18+ during this time...)

Reunited:

The nightmares had been the worst part of the last few months for Rupert Giles, and as he leaned against the worktop in his kitchen, he wondered if Buffy had experienced the same nightmares. Rupert took off his glasses and looked down into the teapot as it was brewing, fascinated by the swirling brown mixing with the clear water. He swallowed hard as he stared into the pot, trying to get rid of the lump in his throat that was building the more he thought about Buffy not being in Sunnydale. He couldn't believe that she was finally back, after all the dead ends he had followed in the search for her. She had come back to Sunnydale, back to him, and he hadn't realised until this moment how empty his life was without her.

He continued to distract himself in the kitchen, plating up various biscuits and a collection of teacups for the teenagers. He knew he couldn't stay in the kitchen forever, so with a nervous sigh he placed his glasses back on his face and picked up the tray. He went back into the lounge and smiled as he set the tray down on the table. He poured himself a tea and took a seat opposite Buffy, taking his time to drink her in and feeling a calm wash over him. She seemed taller, bigger, stronger than he remembered. She had left Sunnydale a girl but returned as a woman.

He knew he didn't need to tell Buffy just how happy he was that she was back, and he knew he shouldn't tell her how hard he had worked to find her. The fact that she had returned of her own accord meant that she had come back without feelings of guilt or resentment. He had only ever wanted to be there to support Buffy, to guide her, to watch out for her, the last thing he had wanted was to guilt or trick her into making decisions that she wasn't ready to make.

Willow and Xander didn't stay too much longer, having wanted to give Buffy some time alone with Giles. They had a lot to work out, where would they go from here? Giles had a lot to work on with Buffy, to help her through her emotions and, adjust back to life in Sunnydale.

"I'm sorry" Buffy mumbled, finally breaking the silence, and stared down at her knees.

Giles let out a sigh and shook his head "You don't need to be sorry Buffy, you're here now and that's what's important to me."

"I should have told somebody where I was, you all must have been real worried."

Giles stood from his seat and closed the space between them, sitting beside her on the couch. He placed his hand on her knee and squeezed it. Though he didn't speak, giving Buffy time to articulate what she wanted to say.

"I killed Angel. He wasn't Angelus." She started, leaning back and closing her eyes "The worst part was I didn't feel guilty. He deserved it." She laughed once "I thought I loved him, but I'm not sure I know what love is."

"Buffy...I...I..." Giles stuttered and pulled off his glasses, patting her knee softly "I don't know what happened, between you and Angel, and lord knows I don't want any details. I'm just glad you're home."