While My Guitar Gently Weeps

Author: Frau Hunter Ash

Copyright © 2003-2009 by Hunter Ash. All Rights Reserved.

Email: hunterash@sti.net

Feedback welcome!!

Disclaimers: The characters and show all belong to Joss Whedon, Fox, Mutant Enemy, Kuzui, and God only knows who else. The storyline, however, is the sole property of the author. This story cannot be sold or used for profit in any way. Copies of this story may be made for private use only and must include all disclaimers and copyright notices.

Lyrics: the lyrics contained in this work are copyrighted and are used without permission but no harm is intended.

F/F M/M M/F romance: the story assumes a loving and sexual relationship between people of the same gender, different genders, and may even include 3 at the same time .

Spoilers: This takes place somewhere in Season 6. Rating: R

Summary: This is more than song fan fiction the characters actively use songs and the lyrics contained in the songs as messages to each other. Hope you enjoy. Full lyrics available on request. Buffy died and was brought back and isn't happy about it and took up with Spike. Willow and Tara are still together though, having found a new and interesting topic to hold their attention other than Willow's casual use of magic.

Rating: R (US), 15 (UK), MA (Australian)



* * *

"Please tell me again why we're out clubbing?" Buffy sighed. "I want to get back to Sp slaying, I need to patrol."

Willow and Tara both caught the slip but chose to ignore it. Buffy hadn't confided in them that she was having sex with the vampire and neither witch wanted to confront her with it. They were both afraid of pushing Buffy even further away than she already was.

It hadn't been an easy month for any of the Scooby Gang, Willow reflected. Not even for Spike, although she was quickly losing any sympathy or friendship she had once felt for the neutered vampire.

Willow had tried to be patient and understanding, especially after finding out that they had resurrected Buffy not from some hellish dimension but from somewhere peaceful. The red-haired hacker was beginning to lose that patience though. Instead of reaching out to her friends, Buffy had turned to Spike and was even having sex with him.

Tara had argued that Willow shouldn't make faces or go "ewww" when they discovered Buffy's sex life with the vampire. They had arrived home very late one night after doing some research at the Magic Box and saw the Slayer and vampire having sex on the kitchen table. Tara pointed out that Buffy had been with a vampire before and Willow had been with a werewolf.

Willow had threatened to materialize a balloon full of water above Tara's head if she brought that up again. She frowned at the thought of Buffy with Spike. "Resolve Rosenberg face" had brought about endless nights of discussion, arguments and self-examination of their lives all around the Scooby Gang.

Anya had been uninterested in whoever Buffy was having sex with, Xander had nearly taken an axe after the vampire, however. Shouting between Xander and Willow had ensued with him pointing out how Spike had tried to break them all up before so he could get to Buffy.

Willow and Tara had countered that they didn't care if she slept with Spike, what worried them was that Buffy wasn't getting better emotionally, even with the relationship. She was still distant from the gang and drifting further away.

Then Anya had pointed something out that had stuck with Willow for several days. There was another member of the Scooby Gang missing from the meeting: Giles.

Tara admitted that Anya had been very insightful in pointing that out and the fact that Giles was becoming almost as distant emotionally as Buffy.

Willow promptly set about discovering what was causing their friend to pull back. Buffy being distant, Willow could almost understand that, but Giles was another story. He was their rock, their mentor and friend but ever since Buffy's death he had been lost, as if just passing the time.

The red-haired witch resorted to waiting outside the Magic Box, where Giles had been sleeping on the sofa in the back ever since returning from England. That in itself had bothered Willow, as if he was unwilling to commit to being back in the States and was just waiting to leave again.

Willow talked Tara into waiting with her in the laundry mat across the street and both sets of eyebrows rose when Giles locked up the shop with guitar case in hand.

"He's playing again?" Tara asked, remembering the time they had stumbled across him performing.

"Must be," Willow nodded, watching her mentor head towards the northern part of town. "One, that was an electric guitar case; I've never seen Giles with an electric guitar. Two, he was wearing jeans, t-shirt, leather jacket and tennis shoes. What's wrong with this picture? Was that Ripper or Giles?"

"Ripper? Is that the time you told me about with that sorcerer Ethan and candy that made the adults turn into teenagers?" Tara asked, trying to keep all the stories from the Scooby Gang sorted in her mind.

"Yeah. Let's see where he's going," Willow urged.

# # #

I should be patrolling, Buffy repeated. Im here why?

"Because we haven't seen enough of you lately," Tara said, answering Buffy's question. "This is a new club and we thought you might enjoy a night out."

"I've got things to do," Buffy frowned, looking towards the door.

"Buff, you've been neglecting us and, I for one, am feeling it," Xander said, adding a smile to ease the sharpness of the words. "I think I might even have to buy a round of drinks for everyone because of my sorrow."

Anya giggled at Buffy's exasperated expression and the Slayer let herself be led to a table with the others, effectively surrounded by her friends.

Buffy wanted out of the crowded place. She was uncomfortable being around people, even in dim lighting. Ever since returning the only time she felt comfortable was being alone at night. Not even the sex with Spike made her feel better, Buffy thought to herself, it just made her "feel" but it was worth it if she could feel something for just a few minutes.

Most of the days and nights were spent just getting through the minutes for the Slayer. Buffy knew what was happening around her; she was efficient, responsible and almost mechanical in everything, even Slaying.

If she had talked it over with Giles, Buffy might have recognized the same reactions when she had been forced to kill Angel to save the world. She had shut down her emotions and had run away. This time she wasn't physically running away but emotionally she was just as shut off.

Willow and Tara gave up trying to draw Buffy into conversation after five minutes although Xander still gave it a good shot until the house lights dimmed and the stage lights went up. The new curtains pulled back to reveal a modest stage with a band already set up to play.

Willow managed to resist breaking into a grin as she took in the sight of Giles in the lead singer and guitar position as Xander, Anya and Buffy began to figure it out as well. Tara squeezed Willow's hand tightly under the table, warning her girlfriend not to give it away that she and Willow had anticipated Giles onstage.

Ripper was dressed in well-worn black jeans that were faded almost grey. His Doc Martins were also well broken in and looked almost natural on the lean body. A black t-shirt, leather wristband, and dark biker sunglasses completed his look. Anya sat with open mouth as she took in her business partner. Willow glanced over and giggled to herself as Xander almost dropped his drink.

The one that caught Tara's eyes, however, was Buffy. The Slayer looked stunned and mesmerized at the sight of her Watcher in anything other than tweed and a button down shirt.

Giles apparently didn't notice the gang among the crowd as the band did a quick check of their instruments and growled as he approached the microphone.

"Welcome to the Cellar, enjoy, mates!" Ripper smirked. "Here's an old one by MC5. Right now it's time to 'Kick Out the Jams'!"

Ripper slammed his guitar pick over the strings as the drummer crashed his high hat and snare, opening the set with the hard rocking tune of band life.

Xander managed to complete the action of dropping his drink and Buffy nearly fell out of her chair at the screaming guitars and her her Watcher?

The band slipped right into Limp Bizkit and even Willow was surprised almost into choking. When the hell did Giles listen to heavy metal/rap or whatever it was? She had anticipated something more along the lines of Free Bird or something old, not the modern stuff that even gave her a headache most of the time.

The crowd seemed to enjoy the high energy the band was putting out and a dance area was quickly forming in front of the stage. Tara wondered it if was going to disintegrate into a mosh pit if the band kept this kind of music up.

Hearing Giles do Metallica's "King Nothing" had Xander convinced that they had either entered some demon dimension or the place was haunted and he was living a nightmare. Giles did not know Limp Bizkit and Metallica, his brain protested.

Tara, meanwhile, having put up with heavy metal all her life from her brother Donnie, was watching Buffy; they had been hoping that something would draw the Slayer out of her shell and back to them. Now the blonde haired witch blinked in surprise at the obvious interest and what?

The band opted for a short break to repair a mangled guitar string and the gang watched, open mouthed, as Ripper turned and grabbed a bottle of whiskey and drank straight from the bottle before handing it to the bass player to share. Giles/Ripper pulled a bandana out from a back pocket and rubbed it over his face before turning to talk to someone yelling for his attention off stage.

"Oh God!" Xander exclaimed. "Tell me this is so not happening! Thatthat he's possessed!"

"Well, it certainly is different than singing in a coffee shop," Anya agreed. "The music is louder and more intense."

"He'she's" Buffy stammered.

"Possessed!" Xander shouted.

"Xander, calm down," Willow said impatiently. "He's just playing in a band, not dealing drugs or raising demons or something."

"Playing in a band? At his age?" Xander squeaked.

"I remember someone wanting to see the Rolling Stones this year," Willow countered. "How old are they? Mummified like one of your girlfriends?"

"You dated a mummy?" Anya asked with a frown.

"It's not like I knew she was a mummy!" Xander protested as Willow smirked, having diverted him.

Tara squeezed Willow's hand and slightly nodded her head in Buffy's direction when she caught her lovers attention. The hacker's eyes narrowed as she took in her best friend watching Giles on stage. She realized Buffy was seeing her Watcher in something of a new light and seemed fascinated by it.

"We'll be back, girl break!" Willow announced, dragging Tara to her feet.

"I don't want a girl break," Anya protested. "I want to know about Mummy Girl! First jackals and now mummies?!"

"Hyenas, I was a hyena, not a jackal!" Xander complained and Buffy continued to watch Giles, ignoring the witches.

Willow and Tara took advantage of this to slip away from the table and outside the club for some fresh air and to talk without the pounding decibels.

"Am I imagining things?" Tara asked softly as they stayed close to the door. They might be powerful witches but it was still Sunnydale and something could always attack in the shadows faster than they could cast a spell.

"Buffy's paying attention to something other than going through the motions! " Willow nodded. "And it's Giles? That is kinda weird."

"You had a crush on him," Tara pointed out.

"I had a crush on Giles, not Ripper," Willow clarified. "One geek to another."

"You think Buffy's attracted to him?" Tara asked, leaning against the wall as several club goers slid past them down the stairs to the main entrance. "I could never tell but I thought he felt that Buffy and all of you were like his children, not sexual like."

Willow frowned. "I don't know. Maybe Buffy needs the element of danger in her boyfriends and Giles certainly looks it tonight. We know he isn't functioning well without Buffy needing him. Could it be more? How do we find out?"

"I've got an idea!" Tara grinned. "Tell me something, love, is setting up our friends so we can spy on them evil?"

"Nope," Willow said cheerfully. "We're working towards the betterment of our Slayer and Watcher, that means being sneaky and underhanded is allowed."

* * *

The next set the band chose was a little less intense in speed and volume, ranging from Led Zepplin to Nine Inch Nails.

Willow was feeling good about bringing Buffy to the club and her obvious enjoyment in seeing a new side of Giles. Then the witch frowned, Giles was hitting the whiskey bottle regularly between songs and it didn't seem to be fazing him. The witch wondered how long he had been drinking this time, having seen a weakness for it in the past with Giles.

Ripper went through Ozzy Osbourne's "Mr. Crowley" easily, smirking to himself that Sunnydale was actually an appropriate place for a song about a notorious sorcerer. Then the singer caught a glimpse of familiar red hair and looked closer through the crowd.

"Oh God," he muttered as the bass player, Tim, grabbed the whiskey bottle from Ripper.

"What, old girlfriend?" the younger man teased, using a bar towel to try and dry his hair.

"No, just unexpected," Ripper growled. "Go into that song we rehearsed earlier this week."

"I thought that was just kicking around," Tim shrugged. "You're the boss, Ripper."

Ripper returned to the microphone, feeling a little more vulnerable knowing his kids were watching him, but the dark sunglasses helped counter that.

"This one is for a rogue wolf I know," Ripper growled into the microphone.



"Broken doll baby and she says that life is a waste It doesn't have to be that way. Dad threw away her mom, her mom gave up his name. Crucified by their words, nailed by shame. She stares into the sun, self inflicted pain She sees that they are blind, why does she take all the blame?

The rhyme has changed compulsion rules. Mary's little lambs are now raised by wolves A voyeur with wings flashes a cure. She knows forbidden things, they have a lovely lure

It's alright, its okay, welcome to this life killing time watching the grass grow It's alright, its okay, welcome to this life Don't worry, sweet baby, because it's over before you know

Persecuted, she's not normal, I envy her strange ways 7 deadly sins. Seize the hour, seize the day Her ideas need expression, her wounds never bleed Her beauty lives in my eyes, too bad she can't see She doesn't try, I watch her spirits die, but giving up the ghost would feel so good A voyeur with wings flashes a cure, she knows forbidden things, they have a lovely lure

It's alright, its okay, welcome to this life Just killing time watching the grass grow It's alright, its okay, welcome to this life don't worry,

Crumbling Camelot, idle teardrops, cloudy diamonds Freebase fun house, expecting to fly but she's just standing still Every time she gets it up she just can't close the deal So she gives herself another way out and walks the dog for the 50th time And files her nails until they bleed and cries how she doesn't have to try

It's alright, its okay, its alright It's alright, its okay It's alright, its alright

It's Alright, It's Okay - Leah Andreone)



Ripper moved away from the mic, refusing to glance Buffy's way to see if she caught any of the meaning in the lyrics. A slamming guitar twang led the band into Papa Roach's "Last Resort"

Xander groaned and leaned on Anya's shoulder. "Tell me Giles does not know the 'f' word, that can't be Giles up there singing Papa Roach, it just can't."

* * *

Buffy grumbled to herself as she worked her way backstage. Like most clubs, the "backstage" area consisted of a small area with cases of beer stacked to the ceiling, discarded amps and lots of wires.

"How the hell did I let them talk me into this?" she complained to herself as she moved past one band member and then another.

"Hey, sweetheart, why keep walking? Wanna see my sticks?" the drummer suggested.

"Only if I get to shove them up your ass," Buffy growled.

The drummer laughed and wrapped his arm around a young woman who had also worked her way backstage to meet the new band in town.

"Where's Giles?" Buffy demanded.

"Who?" the bassist frowned.

"Ripper?" Buffy guessed.

"Right, he's settling with the manager for the week's pay," Tim grinned, realizing this must be the young thing that had his bandmate nervous. Tim could see why, she was stunning. Well, he corrected, maybe a little too thin. "Go on through, he'll be around back in a moment."

Buffy nodded and continued in the subdued lighting until her feet caught on some electrical cord, almost sending her to the floor.

"Thanks," she said automatically to whomever's strong arms had caught her. The hands pulled her upright and Buffy found herself standing almost against and looking up at Ripper without his sunglasses. "I, uh"

Ripper himself wasn't thinking clearly. The pounding from the amps was still ringing in his head and the generous amount of whiskey he had consumed onstage in the bright lights was beginning to take serious affect. Giles resisted pulling his Slayer closer and bit the inside of his lip to keep from moaning as he looked down at her thin blouse and short skirt.

"I, uh," he stammered as well.

"We, uh, came to see the new place," Buffy tried to explain, leaning into him, against his chest and closing her eyes, taking in his previously hidden strength through the t-shirt. "A a ride, we wanted to offer you a ride!"

Buffy blinked and stepped back, blushing.

Ripper growled and started to follow her but stopped and ran a hand through his hair. "Uh, yeah, of course! Is there room?"

"I, uh, think we can make room," Buffy said softly, refusing to look in his eyes.

Ripper looked down at his boots to avoid looking at his Slayer as well and put his sunglasses back on.

Willow and Tara, having cast an invisible spell on themselves, silently cheered and squeezed each other's hands as they watched the Slayer and Englishman interacting.

* * *

"Where the bloody hell were you?" Spike demanded as Buffy entered the graveyard where his crypt was. The vampire stepped out of the shadows of a tree with a snarl as Buffy pretended to ignore him.

"None of your business," Buffy complained.

"It bloody well is my business since you were supposed to be here with me last night! Candles, wine, the whole romantic thing, remember?" the vampire snapped as they walked along.

"Give me a break, Spike," Buffy said slowly. "What we have is not romantic, anything but."

"What?" Spike growled, grabbing Buffy's shoulder and spinning the Slayer around to face him. "Tell me you don't feel something for me, Buffy. You know you do."

"Spike, we've been through this," Buffy growled, knocking his hand away. "We are not doing it again! You were convenient! That's all!"

"Bloody hell that's all!" Spike growled back, backhanding the Slayer only to have Buffy hit him solidly with a right cross. In a flash they were exchanging blows until Buffy had Spike pinned to the wall of a crypt.

Instead of staking him the Slayer began kissing him desperately, just like their first night together. Spike moaned and began pulling at Buffy's jacket as she ripped his shirt open. The vampire managed to pull the Slayer along as clothing began to be pulled or ripped away. He got them inside the tomb just before she dropped his trousers around his ankles and he took her to the floor.

"Oh Goddess, I did not want to see that!" Willow hissed, regretting her idea of following Buffy now.

"Me either, sweetie," Tara agreed, starting to pull Willow back out of the graveyard when both of them stopped and ducked behind a tombstone.

Willow chanced a glance around and saw that the movement that had caught their eyes was Giles stepping out of the shadows of a tall oak tree. The Watcher apparently hadn't seen the witches but Willow had a good idea from the expression on his face that Giles had seen Buffy and Spike.

When he reached the gate of the cemetery, the Watcher pulled out a flask and took a very long drink from it before glancing back towards the crypt. The witches watched as he shook his head and moved away back towards the Magic Box.

* * *

"Hey, Ripper," Gerry, the owner of the bar, called out as Giles headed backstage to set up his rig for the nightly performance. Since Buffy hadn't asked any of the Scooby Gang for help in Slaying since coming back from the dead, Giles had busied himself with finding a band that wanted his hidden talents. Nightly gigs were a blessing to a Watcher who was no longer needed. Giles grumbled to himself, the only thing he was watching lately about his Slayer was her sordid affair with a vampire.

"Yeah, Ger?" he asked, walking over to the bar with his guitar case in hand. Like most guitarists, he might leave an amp behind at the bar, he might leave his PADs and other equipment but the guitar didn't leave his sight.

"I got this request list today from some pretty young thing that said two of her friends were having problems connecting and would be here, wanna look?" Gerry asked, waving a neatly folded piece of binder paper under Ripper's nose.

"Sure thing," Giles muttered, snatching the paper from the man with incredible speed that left Gerry blinking. The Watcher unfolded the paper and glanced at the songs. "Hmmm."

"Melissa Etheridge, the Police, Duran Duran," he muttered. "I think we can handle most of these. It's a Monday, slower night."

"That's what I figured," Gerry nodded. "Save the banging stuff for the younglings on Fridays and Saturdays."

"No worries then, mate," Ripper grinned as Gerry handed him a bottle of Jameson Gold Irishä whiskey.

"Expensive taste there, Ripper," Gerry commented. "You're the only one that drinks that stuff."

"I can afford to kill myself with it," Ripper shrugged, taking his bottle and guitar backstage.

Giles was surprised when he glanced out at the crowd later to find Buffy sitting near the front. It had been two nights since she had been at the club and they had all crammed into Xander's little car, Buffy practically on his lap. Ripper had been more than aware of how close she was and how good that felt. The alcohol, the high from performing, and his endless desire for his Slayer had made the ride very uncomfortable.

What he was feeling now for the young woman was a mixture of grief and anger. Giles knew he was losing Buffy, that she wasn't the same since returning but he had never expected her to start sleeping with Spike. Giles felt a familiar disdain for himself. It had been obvious to himself for awhile that Buffy didn't need him, now it seemed to be obvious to everyone else as well, no one seemed to miss him for Slayer duties or at all actually.

Giles frowned to himself and Ripper turned away from the curtain with a snarl. "Rather have a walking corpse, would you?" he growled. "Hey, set it up for the latest Papa Roach."

"Uh oh, Ripper's fangs are out tonight," the drummer smirked. "It's going to be a rocking night."

The curtain opened and Ripper, dressed in tight Wrangler jeans, black cowboy boots, tight white t-shirt, leather wrist bands and dark sunglasses, approached the microphone, no longer worried that Buffy or the others might be there. They didn't need Giles so Giles was gone. Ripper was here to work out some issues.

"This one hits a little close to home, enjoy or not," he growled.



When I see her eyes, look into my eyes then I realize that she could see inside my head so I close my eyes, thinking that I could hide disassociate so I don't have to lose my head this situation leads to agitation, will she cut me off? will this be amputation?

I don't know if I care, I'm the jerk life's not fair fighting all the time, this is out of line she loves me not, do you realize I won't compromise she loves me not

over the past five years, I have shed my tears I've drank my beers and watched my fears fly away until this day she still swings my way but it's sad to say sometimes she says she loves me not I hesitate, I tell her I hate this relationship I want out today, this is over

She Loves Me Not - Papa Roach)



Buffy frowned as the energy of the crowd around her began to build. She hadn't really been interested in whatever Giles and his band were playing earlier that week or tonight until he commented on the song being close to home. The Slayer listened to the lyrics for the first time and felt her face blushing.

Ripper refused to glance her way as the band moved into Steppenwolf's "Magic Carpet Ride," and the Slayer wondered who exactly the song was meant for in Giles' life. The more she thought about the less Buffy liked it.

"Goddamn, self righteous jerk!" she growled. Buffy watched as Ripper grabbed a quick pull from a whiskey bottle and she frowned. She knew that the Englishman had resorted to drinking when he was depressed before and wondered if that's what he was doing now. "Why should he be depressed?" she suddenly demanded as Willow and Tara walked up to the table with their drinks.

"Huh, what?" Willow stammered, surprised at Buffy's furious expression so soon after just getting there.

"Him!" Buffy shouted over the music. "Look how he's drinking!"

"Well, maybe he's feeling left out of things or s-something?" Tara suggested.

"Of what? I asked him to help, you know, like with figuring the finances and stuff and how to handle Dawnie," Buffy complained.

"Have any of us helped you with Slaying or anything?" Willow countered, feeling her patience falling a notch. "Buffy, do you know where Giles is sleeping?"

"Sleeping?" Buffy looked confused.

"He's sleeping in the Magic Box, its like he's not staying!" Willow said, her expression one of exasperation. "You're not training with him, you haven't asked for help in researching anything, and you haven't asked any of us to help you with slaying anymore."

"Its my fault he's drinking again?" Buffy squeaked. "I've been doing fine with the slaying and why should I put any of you in danger?"

Or let us interfere with you and Spike, Willow thought bitterly. "We've been doing this since I was 16, remember? We also held it together and did the nightly slaying thing while you werewere"

"Dead, yeah, I get it," Buffy snapped, turning to watch the band. "So I'm doing the Slayer thing and I'm getting flak for it?"

"Can I talk to you f-for a moment, Buff?" Tara asked shyly.

"Huh? Why?" Buffy demanded as Willow frowned, looking slightly worried.

"Please?" the blonde witch asked softly.

Buffy shook her head but stood up and headed for the door as the band cut into several rocking classics. The Slayer turned with her arms crossed as the door shut behind them.

"What up?" she demanded.

"Buffy, you're g-getting flak because your f-friends are falling apart around you and you h-haven't noticed," Tara said calmly even though she was trembling inside. She and the Slayer hadn't talked much or bonded before Buffy's death. They had barely spoken since Buffy's return.

"What do you mean?" Buffy asked, uncrossing her arms.

"Giles is drinking and slipping more into whoever h-he was when h-he didn't like himself with that other guy," Tara tried to explain.

"With Ethan," Buffy said thoughtfully.

"Xander and Anya h-have set a date for the wedding and Xander is terrified," Tara continued. "H-he doesn't know who to talk to either. I c-can't get it out of him and Anya doesn't see it. I d-don't know why he's scared."

"Take a look at his parents and everyone else's parents," Buffy muttered. Her eyes and tone softened, as she looked at her friend in a new light. Tara was right; Buffy had missed the changes in her friends. "What else?"

"D-dawnie," Tara stammered. "I love her, I wish she were my sister but s-she's not handling well either. S-she's stealing anything bright and shiny she can get her hands on. Like a little kid or a bird or s-something. Andand Willow"

"What about Will?" Buffy urged.

"S-she's so hurt," Tara said loudly, tears filling her eyes. "Okay, we know you're not happy to be alive again but she went t-through hell to bring you back and you won't talk to her. Just s-surface stuff. S-she's hoping if she gets better at the magic that you'll need her again and it's becoming too easy, too tempting."

The shy witch ducked her head, afraid of the response from the Slayer.

"Oh God," Buffy muttered and leaned against the wall, feeling like she had been hit over the head with a board.

Both women were quiet for several minutes.

"I don't know how to fix it," Buffy admitted finally, her head lowered. "I I can't feel anything inside, Tara. It's like Im still dead. I get up, take care of things, get through the day until the night. Do my Slayer thing and then, maybe, I can"

"What, Buff?" Tara asked, hoping the Slayer would admit to her strange relationship with Spike.

"I don't know," Buffy dodged. "I dust vampires and feel nothing, I see someone I didn't save and feel nothing. I see Dawn lighting fires in her trash can and feel nothing."

"You felt something the other night when you saw Giles onstage," Tara said, taking a chance.

Buffy frowned and looked thoughtful.

"Let's go back inside," Tara suggested after a moment. Think about it awhile and well talk over cocoa late one night?

* * *

"Must be lucky when you find the kind of wind that you need, come and show me all the light and shame that made your name. I know you've got it in your head, I've seen that look before. You've turned your refuge into captive, all the same

because you're lonely in your nightmare, let me in and there's barren in your garden, let me in because there's heat beneath your winter, let me in

because you're so lonely in your nightmare, let me in and there's cold out on the stone range, let me in because there's heat beneath your winter, let me in"

Lonely in Your Nightmare - Duran Duran)



The band was just finishing up the Duran Duran tune when Ripper saw Buffy and Tara walking back through the crowd. His Slayer was frowning and looked up at him with an expression that Giles just couldn't read, as if she were trying to peer into his mind for answers to something.

Ripper snarled, caught up in his own pain and anger, turning away from the Slayer as he took another drink of whiskey.

He leaned into Tim's ear and the bassist nodded as Ripper went to the mic again.

"I call this one the Watching song, it's rather obsessive," Ripper smirked.



every breath you take, every move you make every bond you break, every step you take I'll be watching you

every single day, every word you say every game you play, every night you stay I'll be watching you

oh can't you see, you belong to me how my poor heart aches, with every step you take every move you make, every vow you break every smile you fake, every claim you stake I'll be watching you

since you've gone, I've been lost without a trace I dream at night and I can only see your face I look around but it's you that I can't replace I feel so cold and I long for your embrace I keep calling for you, baby, baby, please

oh can't you see you belong to me how my poor heart aches with every step you take every move you make, every vow you break every smile you fake, every claim you stake I'll be watching you every move you make, every step you take I'll be watching you

(Every Breath You Take - The Police)



Buffy's frown deepened as Willow and Tara stared at Ripper and his band.

Ripper almost growled visibly at the Slayer.

"And a personal favorite of mine," he growled and broke into the opening chords of the Who.



no one knows what it's like to be the bad man to be the sad man behind blue eyes no one knows what it's like to be hated to be fated to telling only lies but my dreams they aren't as empty as my conscious seems to be I have hours only lonely, my love is vengeance that's never free

no one knows what its like to feel these feelings like I do and I blame you no one bites back this hard on their anger none of my pain, woe, can show through but my dreams they aren't as empty as my conscious seems to be I have hours only lonely, my love is vengeance that's never free

when my fist clenches crack it open before I use it, lose my cool when I smile, tell me some bad news before I laugh and act like a fool and if I swallow anything evil, put your finger down my throat and if I shiver, please give me a blanket, keep me warm, let me wear your coat

no one knows what its like to be the bad man to be the sad man behind blue eyes

(Behind Blue Eyes - The Who)



"Tara, honey, is he sending messages to her?" Willow whispered urgently.

"I think so and it doesn't sound good, I I think h-he's giving up," Tara pondered.

If Buffy had been watching her friends rather than Giles, she would have recognized "resolve face".

* *

Ripper sighed as he put his feet up on top of a stack of beer cases and took a long pull from the whiskey bottle during the band's break backstage.

"What are you doing?" a voice demanded.

Giles sat up, almost falling out of his chair as Willow stood over him, hands on her hips.

"What?" he snapped back.

"You trying to drive her away?" Willow demanded.

"Who? Buff? I don't have to try, do I then?" Ripper growled. "She doesn't care about any of us since she came back. Hell, she doesn't care if the world ends tomorrow. Going through the motions, that's all she is now. What do I care?"

"You're just going to give up, right? Let her go on with that bleached blonde 80s reject?" Willow snapped. She found herself against the wall and Ripper standing over her, hands on either side of her head.

"How the hell do you know about that?" he growled.

"We saw them one night and I know that you've seen them," Willow said, trying to remain calm as Giles' blue-green eyes bored into hers. "That's not making her happy and you know it."

"And what would? A bullet to the brain?" Ripper growled, moving back away from the witch. "Buffy doesn't want life, she wants death now."

"Got that in common do you?" Willow snapped, storming off towards the front of the club again.

Giles frowned as Ripper drank.

* * *

Ripper seemed more withdrawn during the second set and Willow had just shaken her head when Tara had asked how it went with the Englishman. The red-haired hacker sat in her chair fuming. Her friends were so dense! She wanted to whack their heads together, lock them in a room and not let them out until one of them was dead or they were getting horizontal already!

"We're going to finish the night off with a special request," Ripper announced late in the evening. "It was a request from a friend but I think I'll tag along on this one and dedicate it to someone myself as well. This is by Melissa Etheridge."



The rope that's wrapped around me is cutting through my skin And the doubts that have surrounded me are finding their way in I keep it close to me, like a hole in my praise. in my desperate hour, it's better that way

So I'll come by and see you again, I'll be such a very good friend Have mercy on my soul, I'll never let you know where my mind has been

Angels never came down, there's no one here they wanna hang around But if they knew, if they knew you at all Then one by one, the angels would fall

I've crept into your temple; I have slept upon your pew I have dreamed of the divinity inside and out of you and I wanted more truth I can taste it on my breath; I would give my life for a little, a little death

so I'll come by and see you again, I'll be just a very good friend I will not look upon your face; I will not touch upon your ecclesiastical skin

Angels never came down, there's no one here they wanna hang around But if they knew, if they knew you at all Then, one by one, the angels, angels would fall Sweet angels

I'll come by and see you again and I'll have to be a very good friend If I whisper, they will know. I'll just turn around and go You will never know my sin

Angels never came down, there's no one here they wanna hang around But if they knew, if they knew you at all Then, one by one, the angels, the angels would fall There's no one here they wanna hang around But if they knew, if they knew you at all Then one by one, the angels, the angels would fall

Angels Angels would fall

(Angels Would Fall - Melissa Etheridge)



Buffy sat almost as stunned as the first evening she saw Giles onstage as she listened to the lyrics and then she frowned. "What the hell?" she muttered as the band left the stage, Ripper barely glancing their way.

"I'll be back," Buffy growled quickly leaving the table before Willow or Tara could protest or ask questions. The Slayer made her way backstage, fighting through the growing number of young women and men hanging out, wanting to grab some of the energy and the magic from the band.

The small blonde spun Ripper around as he put his guitar away in its hardcase. She wasn't surprised when he spun around with his fists clenched and drawn back defensively.

"What the hell is going on between us?" she demanded.

Giles frowned and pulled the sunglasses back on. "Last time I looked, not much."

"Giles" Buffy started but the Englishman held up his hand.

"I've had a bit to drink, I'm not in a good mood and I don't want to fight with you," Giles said firmly. The Englishman moved to tower over the small woman until she was up against the wall. "You want a map, Buffy? Want to know what's killed me for over five years?" he growled low and dangerous.

"Yes," she said softly.

Buffy started to protest or fight back when Ripper leaned down and kissed her. It wasn't a soft and hesitant kiss, not like she had always imagined Giles kissing her would be like. This was an insistent and exploring kiss, one that she fought against for a moment but then moaned and melted into.

After a moment Giles spun away, putting his sunglasses back on. "Go away, Buffy, just go away. I'm not Spike and I'm not convenient."

Buffy staggered away from the wall, overwhelmed by the kiss, the abrupt ending of it and finally by Giles' words. "You you knew?" she whispered, wanting to crawl under the stage and never see the light of day again as her Watcher kept his back to her, rejecting her.

Giles just shook his head, refusing to answer.

Buffy stumbled out of the bar, not even looking for Willow or Tara or answering their calls as she ran from the bar.

* * *

Willow and Tara spent the next three days frantically trying to figure out what was going on with their friends. It seemed that everyone was going through a melt down. Xander and Anya were arguing over little things that didn't make sense and Dawn was caught breaking curfew by lying about where she was.

The worst were Buffy and Giles, neither was speaking to anyone other than polite responses to questions. Buffy was up early and out late, relying on Willow and Tara to take care of Dawn once the precocious teenager got home in the afternoons. Giles was usually found in the back room of the shop practicing with the weapons or boxing bag or reading the books.

Not even Anya could get more than a polite response from him, even when she was being highly annoying.

On the fourth day Giles found an envelope taped to the door of the shop addressed to him in Buffy's writing. Inside he found nothing but a cassette tape and Giles frowned, hoping it wasn't a form of a runaway note. If anyone was going to leave, it would be him, damnit.

The Watcher went to the tape player/radio that Anya kept behind the counter to play soothing music and meditation tapes that they carried in the shop. He slipped the tape into the machine and pressed play.

What came out of the speakers was a combination of various songs, some with just a verse or two, others with the complete song. Giles and Ripper listened carefully after rewinding the short recorded bit. He wanted to hear the lyrics again, knowing that his Slayer was responding in kind.

First on the track was Black Sabbath's Paranoid and Giles nodded, knowing the song well.



people think I'm insane because I am frowning all the time all day long I think of things but nothing seems to satisfy think I'll lose my mind if I don't find something to satisfy can you help me? thought you were my friend oh yeah

I need someone to show me the things in life that I can't find I can't see the things that bring true happiness, I must be blind

make a joke and I will sigh, you will laugh and I will cry happiness I cannot feel, that love to me is so unreal and so as you hear these words telling you now of my state I tell you to enjoy life, I wish I could but its too late

(Black Sabbath Paranoid)



Next came one that Giles couldn't quite place but wrote the lyrics out and began to nod.



you were there like a blow torch burning, I was a key that could use a little turning so tired that I couldn't even sleep, so many secrets I couldn't keep promised myself I wouldn't weep, one more promise I couldn't keep seems that no one can help me now, I'm in too deep, there's no way out this time I have really led myself astray

runaway train, never going back wrong way on a one way track seems like I should be getting somewhere somehow I'm neither here nor there

can you help me remember how to smile, make it all somehow all seem worthwhile how on earth did I get so jaded, life's mystery seems so faded I can go where no one else can go, I know what no one else knows here I am just drowning in the rain with a ticket for a runaway train everything seems so cut and dry, day and night, earth and sky but somehow I just don't believe it

(Soul Asylum Runaway Train)



Giles knew he had caught Buffy's theme and message by the time the next song fragment came on. He knew the lyrics already to Queensryche.



I don't believe in love, I never have, I never will I don't believe in love, its never worth the pain that you feel no more nightmares, I've seen them all from the day I was born they've haunted my every move every opening hand, instead pushed and shoved no time for love, does it matter

(Queensryche I Don't Believe in Love)



"Oh God, Buffy," Giles said softly, unsure how to help his Slayer, his love.

* * *

Buffy watched the sun rising from the doorway of the tomb as Spike walked up behind her and wrapped a blanket around her naked form. He nuzzled her neck and frowned when she didn't respond.

"What's with you lately?" he demanded, pulling the Slayer back into the shadows.

"Nothing, why? I'm with you every night, aren't I?" Buffy growled.

"Your body is here but you aren't!" Spike snapped, turning Buffy around to face him. "Damnit! Why won't you let anyone in?"

"There's nothing inside to get to!" Buffy snapped back, shoving Spike back away from her. The Slayer brushed past the vampire, heading for her clothes.

"You think you're dead inside so the answer is shagging me?" Spike yelled, following her.

Buffy shrugged as she pulled her jeans on and reached for her discarded t-shirt.

"There's someone else!" Spike accused, his voice rising an octave. "I bloody well know that look! You're falling for someone? Who the bloody hell? Mr. Third Wheel Xander?"

"Xander is not a third wheel," Buffy said wearily. "Get over it, Spike. I'm not in love with you, I will never be in love with you, and I'll probably never be in love with anyone again."

"So, this is where you tell me we're over again?" Spike smirked, crossing his arms over his chest, unmindful of his nakedness but mindful of Buffy's lack of interest in it.

"Spike, I thought being with you made me feel something, anything," Buffy said slowly, walking towards the door but turned and looked at him sadly. "I was wrong, being with you is slowly killing me. I need to find the light, not more darkness."

Spike started to protest until the Slayer opened the door wide and the vampire was forced to step quickly out of the way of the bright sunlight pouring into the tomb. He looked up and Buffy was gone.

* * *

Ripper saw Buffy sitting alone at the bar watching him from the shadows and frowned. Something was different about the Slayer, as if she were fading into the darkness he was drinking himself into.

The Englishman turned to his bandmates, telling them his next choice. The drummer, Stevie, had seen the same blonde as their first night and grinned.

"You got it bad, Ripper," he teased as he brought his drumsticks up.

"Maybe," Ripper agreed as he turned to the crowd. He intentionally pulled his sunglasses off and stared into Buffy's eyes. "Dedicated to someone."



when the truth is found to be lies and all the joy within you dies don't you want somebody to love, don't you need somebody to love wouldn't you love somebody to love, you'd better find somebody to love

when dawn's lost, baby, you're dead and yes, your mind is so full of dread don't you want somebody to love, don't you need somebody to love wouldn't you love somebody to love, you'd better find somebody to love

your eyes, I say, your eyes make look like his but in your head, I'm afraid you don't know where it is don't you want somebody, don't you need somebody to love wouldn't you love somebody to love, you'd better find somebody to love

tears are running, running down your breasts and your friends, baby, they treat you like a guest don't you want somebody to love, don't you need somebody to love wouldn't you love somebody to love, you'd better find somebody to love

(Jefferson Airplane Somebody to Love)



Buffy winced and tried to turn away from her Watcher but his eyes held her almost spellbound as they slipped into other songs. After a rendition of Bryan Adams "Everything I Do, I Do For You" Ripper relented and put his glasses back on, freeing Buffy from his gaze. The Slayer turned and lowered her head as she struggled with feelings for the first time since returning from the dead.

Then came a song Buffy wasn't sure she had ever heard before.



a gypsy wind is blowing warm tonight, the sky is starlet and the time is right but still you're telling me you have to go before you leave there's something you should know, something you should know babe

I've seen you smiling in the summer sun, I've seen your long hair flying when you run I've made my mind up that it's meant to be someday, lady, you'll accompany me

someday, lady, you'll accompany me, out where the rivers meet the sounding sea you're high above me now, you're wild and free ah, but someday, lady, you'll accompany me someday, lady, you'll accompany me

some people say love is a losing game, you start with fire but you lose the flame the ashes smolder but the warmth's hidden and gone you end up cold and lonely, on your own I'll take my chances, babe, I'll risk it all I'll win your love or I'll take a fall I've made my mind up that it's meant to be someday, lady, you'll accompany me

(Bob Seager You'll Accompany Me)



Buffy wasn't aware of the tears streaking down her face as she listened to Giles.

# # #

Giles almost expected to find Buffy waiting for him after the second set but the Slayer was nowhere in sight and not in the club. The Englishman sighed and turned to the whiskey once more, trying to drown out the fear that he had already lost his Slayer on all levels. The only thing left was for Spike to turn her or some other vampire to kill her.

An hour later, Giles accompanied the rest of his band mates to their cars and started the short trek back to the magic shop, guitar case in hand. Ripper had worked hard at drowning his sorrows and his reaction time was just a little slower than usual for the Watcher when he looked up and saw Spike step out of the shadows of a building.

Giles stopped with a frown.

"What do you want, Spike?" Giles growled and felt his insides turn cold when he glanced around, seeing four vampires step into the light behind him. He was in the alley behind the shop and there was only the shop door, a tall fence and the opening, which was now blocked by four vampires.

"You're the wanker she's pining after then?" Spike demanded, tossing his cigarette at Giles' face. The Watcher flinched and held his guitar closer.

"What are you talking about?" Giles demanded. "Buffy? She's the one shagging you every night!"

"She may be in my bed but it's not me she's thinking of anymore!" Spike growled and Giles felt the four vampires moving closer. He knew Spike couldn't hurt him but the Watcher had no doubt that the four behind him could.

"Spike, there's nothing between Buffy and me, we haven't even talked in days," Giles protested.

"Oh, you've bloody well been in love with her for years! I just never thought she'd give an old sod like you a second glance!" Spike smirked. "Well, she won't after I'm through with you."

"She'll kill you for this," Giles growled, tensing his body for the attack.

"Hell, Watcher, just another Sunnydale victim!" Spike smirked as the vampires laughed. "I can't hurt anyone, remember?"

Giles swung the guitar as he spun to face the vampires behind him, catching the first one across the head as the fourth one grabbed at his jacket. The Watcher growled and ducked the punch of the second vampire and stamped on the foot of the third one.

Ripper actually managed to pull free and put himself up against the wall. The gothic cross on a leather thong around his neck was quickly in his fingers, being held out as far as he could.

One vampire took a bad burn to the face as all four of them charged the musician. Giles fell to the alley floor with a growl, swinging and kicking as one hand struggled for his stake. A booted foot caught his ribs and another his temple, stunning the Englishman for a moment.

When Giles shook his head, he glanced up, realizing he was being held up by his arms, a vampire on each side. Spike was looking at him with contempt and pulled Giles' head back by the hair.

"A bit of a fighter there," Spike growled as the one branded vampire whimpered, clutching his cheek. "That's alright, haven't seen a good one in awhile. Do it boys."

* * *

Buffy grumbled and pulled the blanket over her head as the pounding on her door continued. She tried to ignore it, knowing it was probably Dawn wanting to borrow something for school.

"Buffy! Buffy wake up!" Willow shouted from the hall.

"Go away, just going to sleep," Buffy mumbled.

Willow frowned and concentrated on the lock, opening it after a moment. She could hear Tara rushing Dawn to get dressed as she tried to calm Anya down on the cell phone. The red-haired witch quickly crossed the room to Buffy's bed.

"Buffy, it's Giles! He's hurt bad!"

Buffy sat up, blinking. "Where and how?" she demanded, reaching for her discarded jeans on the floor.

"Anya's on the phone, the paramedics are there now," Willow explained. "She went by to get yesterday's receipts and found him in the alley."

"What happened?" Buffy growled, pulling on her tennis shoes.

"Vampire attack, a bad one, An says," Willow whimpered.

"Anya says they're taking him to the hospital now," Tara called from the doorway. "His heartbeat is erratic and he can't seem to breathe."

"He's lost too much blood," Buffy said absently as she and Willow joined Tara and Dawn in the hallway. "His heart can't pump enough blood to keep all his organs working. Let's go!"

* * *

"Miss Summers?" the doctor asked an hour later as he walked into the waiting room of the emergency area.

Everyone blinked and sat up, attentive.

"I'm Buffy Summers," Buffy said softly.

"Mr. Giles said that he doesn't have any relatives here and you all are his friends," the doctor said, sitting down in a chair to face the small group of five females and one male. "He gave me permission to tell all of you what's happened."

"Is he okay?" Willow asked, unable to hold back any longer.

"Not totally," Dr. Paul Roberson said slowly. "He lost quite a bit of blood but I don't foresee any last affects from that. It's the other injuries that had us most worried. He sustained several broken ribs which collapsed his lung. Mr. Giles can recover completely from that, it'll just take time and rest."

"What's wrong?" Buffy snapped. "He has to be okay."

"Well, I believe the concussion he sustained is mild and the other injuries are mostly bruises and cuts from the beating," Dr. Roberson explained. "Its the hand that worries me. It's not life threatening but it is serious."

"His hand? What's wrong with his hand?" Buffy demanded.

"His left hand was crushed by someone wearing heavy boots," Dr. Roberson said softly. "They left an impression of the sole on his hand, they stomped it so hard. Several bones are crushed and we've called in a bone specialist. He may lose some use of the hand."

"His left hand?" Willow squeaked.

"Giles is left-handed," Buffy muttered, feeling a familiar feeling of shock overtake her.

"He is?" Xander questioned.

"Of course," Anya nodded. "Whoever attacked him knew that."

"The police want to ask you if Mr. Giles has any enemies that you know of," the doctor nodded at Anya's observation.

"Can I see him?" Buffy asked, ignoring his question.

"Only for a moment, he'll be moved to a private room in a few minutes. We've got him pretty sedated to keep him quiet and still," Roberson explained.

Giles' eyes were closed and his chest was rising and falling in a regular rhythm with the help of a respirator. Buffy whimpered as she took in the blackened eyes, gashed forehead, bruises along his ribs and the bandages surrounding his hand. She also saw the fang marks on his neck and counted three pair.

"Giles? Can you hear me?"

The Watcher didn't respond.

"Giles, do you know who did this?" Buffy asked, leaning down to whisper in his ear.

The Watcher opened his eyes slowly and Buffy could see the drugs working as his eyes lost their focus and began to close. "Giles!"

Giles held up his right hand and moved it slowly. He repeated the action twice until he saw recognition in Buffy's eyes. He was forming the letter "S" in sign language.

"Spike set this up?" she demanded.

Giles nodded and closed his eyes.

Buffy left without explaining to her surprised friends and family what was wrong and where she was going.

* * *

Buffy sighed as she walked in the back door of the house. It was nearly sunrise and the Slayer didn't expect to find anyone awake and was grateful. It had been a week since the attack on Giles and now her Watcher was recovering in Dawn's room while her sister shared Buffy's room. Giles had been there two days and she still hadn't gone in to see him.

The Slayer had intentionally stayed away from the house and let everyone else take care of the injured man. Buffy didn't think she could ever face him again, this felt almost worse than when Jenny died, she thought. Because she hadn't killed Angeleus, Jenny was dead. Now, because of her, Spike had shattered her Watcher.

Buffy had confronted Spike and the vampire had admitted setting up the attack and watching. The guilt was that Buffy hadn't killed him right then. His laughter as she stumbled from his tomb still rang in her ears.

The vampire had disappeared the next night but the Slayer heard rumors that he was still in town, she just wasn't looking very hard for him. Buffy couldn't face Giles and tell him that because she couldn't even explain it to herself.

Why did she let Spike live, she demanded from herself. She should have dusted him when he tried to attack Willow after being chipped or when he sided with Adam, or half a dozen other times. The attack on Giles should have ensured his painful death at the hands of the Slayer but Buffy hadn't done it.

Buffy looked at the large paper bag on the kitchen counter with Giles' name on it and couldn't resist looking inside. Slowly the Slayer pulled out a bottle of Jameson whiskey and heard several more rattling in the bag. Buffy glanced at the delivery receipt and her frown deepened when she saw that Willow had signed for the bottles.

"He ordered them," Willow said from the kitchen doorway.

Buffy jumped slightly and put the bottle back and turned to face her friend. Willow was dressed in pajamas and robe and looked like she may have been waiting all night for the Slayer.

"You didn't have to accept them," Buffy growled.

"Why shouldn't I?" Willow snapped. "He's an adult and can kill himself if he wants. I'll sit with him, hold him when he cries, wake him from his nightmares but I can't stop Giles from drinking, Buffy."

"Crying?" Buffy asked softly, wishing she could escape this conversation.

Willow's eyes hardened as she watched her best friend. "You are so dense at times, Summers," she complained. "Nightmares of three vampires sinking their fangs in his throat while Spike laughed at him. Nightmares of one of them slapping him conscious from the feeding so that he'd feel his hand being crushed and Spike congratulating the vampires on their job well done while Giles screamed."

"Will, don't, please," Buffy begged, turning away from her friend.

"Buffy, we love you so much that we all risked our souls to bring you back," Willow said, a little more gently. "But right now, I'm trying to keep Giles from killing himself quickly. The woman he's finally admitting to love doesn't care if he lives or dies. The job he trained half his life for has passed him by and his Slayer no longer needs him so he turned to his music, now your vampire lover took that from him."

"He's not" Buffy stammered but trailed off, unable to deny it or explain her relationship with Spike. "I do care about Giles."

Willow shook her head. "That's why I'm the one there at night instead of you? Tara and I take turns taking care of him while Anya keeps the shop running."

"Will," Buffy tried to begin and hesitated, wrapping her arms around herself. "I'm falling apart inside and I don't know how to stop it."

Willow quickly crossed the small space and pulled Buffy into her arms as the Slayer began to finally cry. The witch held her friend for several moments as Buffy's soft tears turned into full weeping, the two ended up on the floor as Buffy clung to her friend.

"A-at first I-I couldn't feel anything now I don't know what I'm f-feeling," Buffy cried.

Willow gently rocked the Slayer as Buffy's tears slowed to gentle sobs.

"Buffy, I need to show you something, okay?" Willow asked softly, stroking Buffy's hair.

"Is it gonna hurt?" the Slayer's voice sounded small and vulnerable.

"Maybe a little," Willow nodded, helping the Slayer stand. The witch led them to the den and Willow made Buffy sit behind the desk. "I found this earlier while looking for one of my notebooks, it's Giles' and he's been listening to song lyrics."

Willow turned several pages in the simple black notebook and Buffy recognized Giles' careful writing and then frowned. There was also a bolder, more loose writing as well, mostly notes about things, especially songs and music throughout the notebook.

Some were dated and Buffy focused, realizing she could track when Giles first started at the new club and played with song lyrics to get messages through to her. She could track his thoughts, from confusion about his feelings for her, to acceptance and rage, the feeling of hopelessness and terror. Then they seemed to move onto a hopeful tone.

Then a crash apparently.

"That's the night he saw you and Spike together," Willow said. "That night he wrote those lyrics out."



"I see my red door and I must have it painted black maybe then I'll fade and away and not have to face the facts its not easy facing up when you're whole world is black no more will my greens will turn a deeper blue I could not foresee this thing happening to you if I look hard enough into the setting sun my love will laugh with me before the morning comes

I see a red door and I want it painted black no colours anymore, I want them to turn black I see the girls walk by, dressed in their summer clothes I have to turn my head until my darkness goes

I want to see it faded, painted black black as night, black as coal I want to see the sun blotted out from the sky I want to see it painted, painted, painted black

(The Rolling Stones Painted Black)



"Oh God, he saw us?" Buffy whispered and Willow nodded. The Slayer didn't even question how Willow knew that Giles had seen the vampire and Slayer together.

Willow leaned over the desk and flipped to the last page. The writing was jagged, as if by a child learning to write.

"His hand, he's left handed," Buffy muttered to herself, realizing Giles must have written these lyrics with his right hand.



it's been awhile since I could hold my head up high and its been awhile since I first saw you its been awhile since I could stand on my own two feet again and its been awhile since I could call you

you're everything I can't remember, its the passing of time it seems the consequences are rendered, I've stretched myself beyond my means

and its been awhile since I could say that I wasn't addicted and its been awhile since I could say that I loved myself as well as and its been awhile since I went and fucked things up just like I always do and its been awhile but all that shit seems to disappear when I'm with you

and you're everything I can't remember, it's just passing me by it seems the consequences that I've rendered, I've gone and fucked things up again why must I feel this way just make this go away just one more peaceful day

its been awhile since I could look at myself straight and its been awhile since I said I'm sorry and its been awhile since I've seen the candles light your face and its been awhile but I can still remember just the way you taste

you're everything I can't remember, its the passing of it seems to me I cannot blame this on my father, he did the best he for me its been awhile since I could hold my head up high and its been awhile since I said I'm sorry

(Staind It's Been Awhile)



should I stay or should I go now should I stay or should I go now if I go there will be trouble and if I stay it will be double so come on and let me know

this indecision's bugging me if you don't want me, set me free exactly whom I'm supposed to be don't you know which clothes even fit me

(The Clash Should I Stay or Should I Go)



but I'm the only one who'll walk across the fire for you and I'm the only one who'll drown in my desire for you it's only fear that makes you run, the demons that you're hiding from when all your promises are gone, I'm the only one

please, baby, can't you see I'm trying to explain I've been here before and I'm locking the door and I'm not going back again her eyes and arms and skin might make it go away you'll wake up tomorrow and wrestle the sorrow that holds you down today

(Melissa Etheridge I'm the Only One)



Willow flipped the page and Buffy read the barely legible notes:

"Flight 7375 for Heathrow Airport, United Kingdom?" Buffy squeaked. "Leaving LAX Friday 9am? This Friday? As in four days from now?"

"I asked and he refused to talk about it," Willow nodded.

"What do I do, Will?" Buffy asked softly, fresh tears filling her eyes.

"Figure out how you feel about him, Buff," Willow said gently. "Either love him or let him go and never see him again. He can't be your Watcher with things like this between the two of you and Spike took his music. Giles is dying slowly. "

* * *

Giles sat up in the bed, clutching at his hand. It took him a moment to realize it was in a cast and he wasn't in the alley being beaten, bitten and nearly killed again. The Watcher swung his legs over the side of the bed and rubbed his hand over his face.

The Watcher spun, reaching under his pillow for a cross.

"It's just me, Giles," Buffy said softly from the doorway.

"I, uh, I'm not really up for visitors right now, Buffy," Giles said softly, his voice wavering.

"Nightmare? I've heard you've been having them," Buffy asked gently, moving into the room and sitting on the bed behind him.

"Please, I don't want to see you right now," Giles growled, refusing to turn and face her.

Buffy firmly pulled Giles back onto the bed and wrapped her arms around him. He started to struggle with a whimper.

"Shhh, just sleep," Buffy urged, stroking his forehead. "Let me be close, please."

"Why? I'm not Spike," Giles muttered but stopped resisting.

"I don't want Spike," Buffy said softly. "I thought it was helping me feel something, I was wrong."

"You don't want me, you want Ripper because he's like Spike," Giles complained while moving closer into her arms.

"I want you and Ripper, I think," Buffy whispered as Giles' breathing became steady and he slipped back into sleep.

The Slayer spent a sleepless morning evaluating her feelings, physical and mental, as she lay next to her Watcher. His strong body was becoming too thin, she decided as she ran her hands over his ribs.

Shortly after noon Buffy came downstairs with a determined look. She found Willow, Tara and Dawn eating a lunch of roast beef sandwiches and soup. "Roast beef?" the Slayer stopped, momentarily distracted.

"Yeah, you should try coming home for dinner sometimes," Dawn quipped. "Tara's the best cook! The roast beef was hot last night."

"Yeah, well" Buffy hesitated, what could she say, that she had been avoiding the house because she felt guilty over Spike attacking Giles and couldn't face him? "Uh, Will, think you could show me how to put songs onto a CD thing?"

"Sure, what's up, Buff?" Willow asked, looking a little tired around the edges.

"I need to find some songs," Buffy said softly, letting Willow stare in her eyes for a moment.

Finally the red haired witch nodded. "Grab some lunch while I set up the burner and Kazazz."

"Burner?" Buffy asked as she grabbed the bread to make a sandwich.

Willow smirked as she grabbed her plate and mug of soup to take upstairs. "The program that puts songs onto a blank CD, it's called burning. My best program is on the computer in our room."

Dawn raised her eyebrows in question to Tara but the blonde witch looked as puzzled as the teenager.

* * *

Giles frowned at the note and CD he found taped to his door when he finally woke up about one in the afternoon.

"Meet me at the Cellar tonight, have Willow drive you or something. Please. Buffy."

Giles slipped back into the room to Dawn's stereo system and looked at it, his frown deepening.

"Need some help?" Willow's voice offered from the door.

"I can set up an entire band and their equipment," Giles complained. "Full stadium set up and can I figure out a teenager's stupid stereo equipment? No!"

Willow smiled and took the CD from the Watcher and set it up for him. "You want the headphones for this?"

Giles' eyes narrowed. "Why do I get the feeling you know what's on this already?"

Willow tried to look innocent and then laughed. "I don't know what she picked, I just showed her how to make the CD for you."

"You're encouraging this," Giles complained.

"Yes," Willow nodded, answering calmly. "Giles, I see my two best friends are unhappy and I think they'd be happy together. I see them want to be together and don't understand why they aren't. I'm willing to help that along."

"I'm too old for her," Giles muttered.

"No you're not," Willow shook her head. "You're both adults and you've loved her for years."

"Press play," Giles said after a moment.

The ex-Watcher sat down on the bed and nodded absently as Willow joined him, pulling his pad of paper into her lap to take notes for him. "You've been reading my writing?"

"No one can read your writing," Willow complained.

"You try writing with your other hand," Giles mumbled as the music began.



"I kept the right ones out and let the wrong ones in had an angel of mercy to see me through all my sins there were times in my life when I was going insane trying to walk through the pain when I lost my grip and I hit the floor thought I could leave but couldn't get out the door I was so sick and tired of living a lie I was wishing I could die

it's amazing, in the blink of an eye, you finally see the light its amazing, when the moment arrives that you know you'll be alright its amazing, and I'm saying a prayer for the desperate hearts tonight

that one last shot, one last vacation and how high can you fly with broken wings lifes a journey not a destination and I just can't tell just what tomorrow will bring

you got to learn to crawl before you learn to walk but I couldn't listen to all that righteous stuff I was out on the streets just trying to survive scratching just to stay alive

(Aerosmith Amazing)



"I follow that one easily," Giles said softly.

"Yeah, maybe she's realizing she turned to the wrong one to get her through the trauma lately," Willow agreed.



"I want your sex, I want your love I want your sex, I want your sex its playing on my mind, its dancing on my soul its taken so much time, so why don't you just let me go I'd really like to try, I'd really love to know you tell me you're gonna regret it, then I tell you I love you but you still say no

I swear I won't tease you, won't tell you no lies I don't need no bible, just look in my eyes I've waited so long, baby, out in the cold I can't take much more, girl, I'm losing control

(George Michael I Want Your Sex)



"Oh boy," Willow whispered as Giles began to blush.

"Yes, quite," Giles stammered.



oh the night is my world, city lights, painted girls in the day nothing matters, it's the night time that matters in the night, no control. Through the walls, something's breaking wearing white as you're walking down the street of my soul

you take my self control, you got me living only for the night before the morning comes the story is told you take my self control another night, another day goes by I never stop myself to wonder why you help me to forget to play my role you take my self control

I, I live among the creatures of the night I haven't got the will to try and fight against the new tomorrow so I guess I'll just believe that tomorrow never comes night, I'm living in the forest of a dream I know the night is not as it would seem I must be losing something so I'll make myself believe it that this night will never go

(Laura Brannigan Self Control)



Giles frowned, "Bloody well dedicated to Spike, don't you think?" he muttered.

"Sounds like she knows she's been lost with him," Willow countered.



"nylons are melting down my legs, your heart is pounding at my throat I can't catch my breath, I lost it when your finger tips ran down my leg and up my leg, your kiss makes me feel like this

I'm so hungry for your sex, I'm so hungry for your sex I got an appetite for love tonight I want to taste your sweet thing I want to feel the sting of your sex of your

my body all painted lipstick red, we ripped the sheets right off the bed fingernails left fiery tails across your back, oh tell me baby how did you like that, a little pussy cat scratch

I'm so hungry for your sex, I'm so hungry for your sex I got an appetite for love tonight I want to taste your sweet thing I want to feel the sting of your sex of your I'm so hungry for your sex hungry

I'm so hungry for your sex, I'm so hungry for your sex I got an appetite for love tonight I want to taste your sweet thing I want to feel the sting of your sex of your I'm so hungry for your

I gotta have your I gotta have your sex I gotta have your sex, I'm so hungry

(Lita Ford Hungry)



Willow's eyes widened and Giles pulled his glasses off and looked at them, unable to clean them with only one hand.

"I, uh, think I'll go now, Giles," Willow said quickly.

"I, uh, think so," Giles agreed, feeling flushed at the thought of Buffy singing that last song to him or more. "Thank you for everything."

Giles hit the button to play the CD again, thinking about the approaching night. He listened to the music carefully. Now that Buffy had apparently made up her mind that she wanted him, Giles wasn't certain he was feeling the same.

There was the problem of Spike and Buffy's obvious lack of control around the vampire, even to the point of not killing him after the attack on Giles. There was also the fact that Giles was tired and didn't want to go back and forth with his former Slayer any more.

Ripper frowned and began pulling out his clothes for the evening, unable to forget the Lita Ford song.

* * *

Buffy paced nervously backstage with the band. Tim grinned as he watched the gorgeous young female. He could certainly appreciate the scenery, he thought. Buffy was dressed in a leather wrap around skirt that came to the girl's knee but was open to the hip, showing a teasing flash of thigh whenever she moved. The black sleeveless t-shirt was tight and showed that the woman wasn't wearing a bra, causing most of the band members to swallow and become very interested in their instruments.

"Relax," Tim urged. "You've practiced this all afternoon, you'll be fine."

"Oh God, is that before or after I throw up?" Buffy squeaked, peaking out between the curtains.

"Ripper's a great guy, I hope this works for you guys," Tim smiled. "Try the shades, they work for him."

Buffy nodded, her throat suddenly dry when she spotted Giles, no, Ripper entering the club and looking around for her. The Slayer quickly closed the curtains and tried to remember to breath. She slowly peered back through a small opening at the man she had discovered she had more than a few warm fuzzys over.

Ripper's arm was still in a cast but the rest of him registered dangerous as he walked to the bar. He was dressed in tight jeans that left Buffy doubting if her ex-Watcher was wearing boxers or briefs, she didnt think either at this point. She blushed at the question of who might have helped him get them on without underwear. Motorcycle boots were a new touch, Buffy noticed, as was the button down dress white shirt. Somehow he made it look rebellious with a leather vest and leather tie. The sleeves were rolled up to his forearms, showing off some of the muscles he usually kept hidden in tweed.

"He's there, isn't he?" Tim smirked. "I can tell by your expression. Just hang back until it's your number. Walk out, look only at him and go for it. If you freeze, I'll back you up."

"Thanks, Tim," Buffy said gratefully and moved back off stage.

Giles knew when Willow, Tara, Xander and Anya entered the club and wondered where Buffy was. He was beginning to believe that Buffy had dived out at the last minute. He watched the gang watching him as they took up seats at a table. He growled, hating being the center of attention unless he was on stage behind a guitar, and so turned to his drink.

"Evening everyone!" Tim yelled from the stage. "Tonight, I'm kinda filling in for our lead singer until he gets off his ass and comes back. Later this evening, we've got a special singer coming in just for one song that's dedicated to our own Ripper. Hang loose, buddy, and don't disappear. This set is a special request."

Ripper growled and put on his sunglasses as all the Scooby members turned to look and see his reaction.

The band ripped into a KISS tune that Giles didn't recognize right away, then he found himself blushing. He suddenly knew who had requested the songs and wondered where the hell she was.



"I look at you and my blood boils hot, I feel my temperature rise I want it all, give me what you got, there's hunger in your eyes I'm getting closer, baby, hear me breathe you know the way to give me what I need

feel my heat, taking you higher, burn with me heaven's on fire paint the sky with desire, angels die heaven's on fire

I gotta fever raging in my heart, you make me shiver and shake baby, don't stop, take it to the top. Eat it like a piece of cake you're coming closer, I can hear you breathe you drive me crazy when you start to tease, you could bring a fella to his knees

feel my heat taking you higher, burn with me heaven's on fire paint the sky the desire, angels die heaven's on fire heaven's on fire heaven's on fire

I'm getting closer, baby, hear me breathe you know the way to give me what I need

feel my heat taking you higher, burn with me heaven's on fire paint the sky with desire, angels die heaven's on fire feel my heat taking you higher, burn with me heaven's on fire paint the sky with desire, angels die heaven's on fire

(KISS Heaven's on Fire)



"Hope you liked that one," Tim grinned at the rancorous applause and shouts the song had brought about. "We'll slow it down just a touch with an old Peggy Lee number. You guys probably know the Madonna version better. One thing remains the same, everyone's got Fever!"



never know how much I love you, never know how much I care when you put your arms around me, I get a fever that's hard to bear I get a fever when you kiss me, fever when you hold me tight fever, in the morning, fever all through the night sun lights up the daytime, moon lights up the night I light up when you call my name and you know I'm gonna treat you right you give me fever when you kiss me, fever when you hold me tight fever, in the morning, fever all through the night

everybody's got the fever, that is something you all know fever isn't such a new thing, fever started long ago

Romeo loved Juliet, Juliet she vowed the same when he put his arms around her, he said Julie baby you're my flame thou givest fever when we kisseth, fever with thy flame in you fever, I'm on fire, fever, yea I burn forsooth

Capt Smith and Pocahontas had a very mad affair when her daddy tried to kill him, she said Daddy oh don't you dare he gives me fever with his kisses, fever when he holds me tight fever, I'm his missus, daddy won't you treat him right

now you've listened to my story, here's the point that I have made chicks were born to give you fever, be it Fahrenheit or centigrade they give you fever when you kiss them, fever if you live and learn fever until you sizzle but what a lovely way to burn what a lovely way to burn what a lovely way to burn

(Peggy Lee Fever)



Giles felt Willow move up beside and looked at her over his dark sunglasses. "Yes?"

"Where is she?" Willow shouted over the music of Siousxie and the Banshees "Spellbound."

"I don't know," he admitted.

"You don't think she's the singer he mentioned, do you?" Willow asked, her eyes widening at the thought.

"One, we know Buffy hates stages," Giles smirked. "Two, we know Buffy doesn't think she can sing; three, I'd have a heart attack."

Giles looked up and glared at Tim as the band slipped into "Sunglasses at Night" by Corey Hart, knowing Tim was teasing him.

The band took a break and Giles began watching very carefully, hoping for a glimpse of whatever surprise Tim and Buffy had in store for him, hating surprises most of the time.

Tim stepped out on stage and grinned right in Giles' direction. "Give it up for our special guest. It's her first time in front, so be kind or I'll rip your lungs out. Ripper, you better grab this one, dude, or you're an idiot."

Giles almost fell off his barstool when Buffy walked out onto the stage. Her hair was pulled up and her makeup was perfect for the lights of the stage and bar. His eyes trailed down her body and he felt his skin flushing in reaction to the leather skirt and knee high boots.

The Slayer was obviously nervous but smiled at Giles and put on a pair of sunglasses, just like his and walked up to the microphone.

"This one is for someone special who I almost let slip away," Buffy said softly into the mic. "I hope Im not too late."

Giles sat on his barstool, not even hearing Willow move away back towards the table to rejoin Tara and the others. A quick glimpse told the ex-Watcher that Xander was in about as much shock as he was at seeing Buffy behind a microphone and about to sing to to him?



Every time I see your face, I'm taken to a place where your crystal mind and magenta feelings take up shelter in the base of my spine, sweet like chic-a-cherry cola

I don't need to try to explain; I just hold on tight and if it happens again, I might move so slightly to the arms and the lips and the face of the human cannonball that I need to, I want to

come stand a little bit closer, breathe in and get a bit higher you'll never know what hit you when I get to you

Oh, I want you, I don't know if I need you but, oh, I'd die to find out Oh, I want you, I don't know if I need you but, oh, I'd die to find out Oh, I want you, I don't know if I need you but, oh, I'd die to find out

(Savage Garden I Want You)



Giles really didn't hear the rest of the lyrics as Buffy entranced him. Watching her move to the music slightly, gripping the microphone, becoming comfortable with herself up there, Giles felt his body responding in ways that made him shift on the barstool and grip the edge of the bar.

The song ended and Buffy turned and nodded to Tim. Giles saw his band mate grin and nod to the rest of the band.

"This one says what I want, Ripper," Buffy growled into the mic. "Listen close."



"she's your adolescent brain, schoolboy stuff, sticky sweet romance and she makes you want to scream, wishing you could get inside her pants so you fantasize away, while you're squeezing her, you thought you heard her say

good girls don't, good girls don't but she'll be telling you, good girls don't but I do

so you call her on the phone, to talk about the teachers that you hate and she says she's all alone and her parents won't be coming home until late there's a ringing in your brain because you could've sworn you thought you heard her saying

good girls don't, good girls don't but she'll be telling you good girls don't but I do

(The Knack Good Girls Don't)



Giles wasn't really aware that he had begun moving closer to the stage as most of the people in the place watched, fascinated by the playing going on between the young woman on the stage and the popular guitarist and singer.

Ripper jumped up on the stage, standing over the Slayer as she nervously waited his response. Giles moved over to Tim and whispered in the young man's ear. At first Tim shook his head but finally nodded and whispered to the other band members. Giles moved up next to Buffy and took the microphone from her hand as the band began to play a new tune.

He looked down at the Slayer as the guitar players showed off their considerable skills, breaking into the blues like the sound of a popular Tracy Chapman song.



give me one reason to stay here and I'll turn right back around give me one reason to stay here and I'll turn right back around said I don't want to leave you lonely, you gotta make me change

I don't want no one to squeeze me, they might take away my life I don't want no one to squeeze me, they might take away my life I just want someone to hold me and rock me through the night this youthful heart can love you and give you what you need I said, this youthful heart can love you and give you what you need but I'm too old to go chasing you around, wasting my precious energy

give me one reason to stay here, yes, and I'll turn right back around give me one reason to stay here and I'll turn right back around said I don't want to leave you lonely, you gotta make me change my mind

(Tracy Chapman Give Me One Reason)



Buffy hesitated and then reached up, wrapping an arm around the back of Giles' neck and pulled him down to her lips. The kiss wasn't tentative or soft but demanding and promising heat and more.

Giles and Buffy weren't even aware of the cheering going on around them as Tim started the band into a rendition of Modern English's "Melt With You." Buffy pulled back and leaned into his strong chest, breathing heavily.

"Take me home, Ripper," she said softly, pulling her sunglasses off and removing his, letting his eyes see the desire in hers.

"Yes?" he asked, bending down to nip her neck lightly, causing her to jump in his arms and breathing to quicken even more.

"Oh God, yes," Buffy exclaimed. She turned to wave to the crowd and her friends and pulled Giles backstage, both blushing a bright red at the public scene they had just made.

Giles moved Buffy against the wall, almost pinning her. "What about Spike?" he demanded.

"I don't want Spike," Buffy said firmly, pulling Giles' body closer to her. "I didn't know what I wanted. I thought he was helping me feel something other than dead inside but I was wrong, it was just more emptiness."

"And me?" Ripper growled. "Am I substituting as well? Do you want me because you suddenly think I'm dangerous? A little leather and anyone can grab your attention? If so, then walk now, Buffy. I'm not here for a quick sexual romp across a graveyard and have you get bored."

"Giles, I didn't SEE you until I saw Ripper on that stage but I know who I want and what I want," Buffy said firmly, running her hands up his back under the leather vest. "I want both of you, all of you!"

"And the others?" Giles pressed, struggling to hold back as her body drove him to distraction. "I know Willow approves but Xander?"

"I'm not marrying Xander," Buffy growled. "I am marrying you if you'll shut up long enough to make love to me and then drive to Reno or Vegas."

"Married? You'll marry me?" Giles asked, his voice reflecting his disbelief.

"Yes, I want to live, Giles," Buffy said firmly. "I don't want the darkness with Spike, I want you. I want Ripper, I want Giles, I want Rupert, I want the entire package! Sex, marriage, kids, a future. No more death and darkness."

"Buffy," Giles choked just before the Slayer pulled him to her lips again, shutting him up. The Englishman struggled out of his sling as Buffy moved him against the wall and cases of beer, he wanted both arms around her as the kiss intensified. "We'd better stop or charge admission," he growled.

"Don't care, want you!" Buffy growled back, her hands going to his belt as his hands went under her shirt.

Ripper hissed as her hand worked past his belt and zipper. He stood up and spun the Slayer around, sitting her on the edge of the beer cases as his teeth went to her throat and his hands between her legs, urging them apart.

"Oh God, yes!" she whispered urgently, pulling him closer.

Ripper moaned when he discovered that the Slayer wasn't wearing any underwear and she was highly aroused as his fingers touched her wetness for the first time. Buffy whimpered and clung to him, one hand fumbling between them until she was guiding him inside her.

"Oh God, not too fast, luv," Ripper begged as Buffy moaned and wrapped her legs around him, pulling him in.

"Need you now!" Buffy insisted, "Slow, wonderful and gentle later!"

Giles was only vaguely aware of the band continuing to play onstage as he set his own rhythm with Buffy and she matched him, meeting him and demanding more until all conscious thought was gone and nothing existed but her and pleasing her.

* * *

The rest of the Scoobys grinned when they left the club and found Buffy and Giles necking by Buffy's jeep.

"Get a room you two!" Xander yelled, half joking as Willow and Tara giggled. Xander frowned at the thoughtful expression on Anya's face. "What?" he demanded as Buffy and Giles pulled only slightly apart and faced the group.

"I just never thought of him as so sexy until this last month," Anya whispered.

"Giles? Sexy?" Xander squeaked, trying to keep Willow and Tara from hearing them. "I am in hell!"

"He is very sensual, especially now," Anya protested and Willow smirked.

"Glad to see you two worked this out," Tara smiled as Giles wrapped an arm around Buffy's shoulder and she leaned into him, interlacing her fingers with his.

"More than worked it out, tell Dawn I won't be home until tomorrow night," Buffy smiled.

"Where are you two going? The back of the shop?" Anya demanded. "That is so not romantic and we'll have customers during the day time! The sounds of you two having many orgasms will not help sell merchandise!"

"An!" Xander squeaked, wanting to throw his hands over his ears to block the conversation from his mind.

"No, not the Magic Box," Giles smirked. "We're driving to Las Vegas tonight."

"I asked and he said yes," Buffy grinned.

"Married? You're gonna marry him?" Xander gasped and Buffy lost her smile.

"Want me to marry Spike?" she countered and nodded when Xander began blushing.

"No, of course not it's just that that it's Giles!" he protested. "Father figure, librarian! And what about Spike? You and vampires getting horizontal? What is it about Giles?"

"If I ever see Spike again, he's dust. As for Giles, musician, magician, bachelor, and incredibly sexy rogue," Buffy growled. "He's also great at sex, well, so far anyway."

"TMI!" Xander shouted. "Way TMI! Father figure!"

"Trust me, Xander," Buffy smirked. "I never wanted to make it with my father in the back of a night club on beer cases."

Xander shook his head and covered his ears as he moaned.

Willow laughed and hugged both Giles and Buffy at the same time.

"Drive safely and we want a ceremony here!" the red haired witch insisted.

"Thanks for everything, Will," Buffy smiled and hugged her friend.

"You bet! Take care of her, Ripper!"

"The rest of our lives," Giles promised as they climbed into the jeep. "Tell Dawn what happened then?"

"You bet!" Willow grinned as Buffy started the jeep. "See you guys tomorrow night."

Buffy leaned over and kissed Giles again before shifting the jeep into gear. "Buckle your seat belts, it's gonna be a bumpy night," she promised and Ripper grinned.



Dont wantcha for the weekend - dont wantcha for a night Im only interested if I can have you for life - yeah Uh, I know I sound serious - and baby I am Youre a fine piece of real estate, and Im gonna get me some land

Oh, yeah So, dont try to run - honey, love can be fun Theres no need to be alone - when you find that someone

Chorus:

(Im gonna getcha) Im gonna getcha while I gotcha in sight (Im gonna getcha) Im gonna getcha if it takes all night (Yeah, you can betcha) You can betcha by the time I say "go," youll never say "no" (Im gonna getcha) Im gonna getcha, its a matter of fact (Im gonna getcha) Im gonna getcha, dontcha worry bout that (Yeah, you can betcha)

You can bet your bottom dollar, in time youre gonna be mine Just like I should - Ill getcha good

Yeah, uh, uh Ive already planned it - heres how its gonna be Im gonna love you and - youre gonna fall in love with me Yeah, yeah

Oh, yeah So, dont try to run - honey, love can be fun Theres no need to be alone - when you find that someone

Repeat Chorus

Yeah, Im gonna getcha baby - Im gonna knock on wood Im gonna getcha somehow honey - yeah, Im gonna make it good Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Oh, yeah So, dont try to run - honey, love can be fun Theres no need to be alone - when you find that someone

Repeat Chorus

Oh, Im gonna getcha, Im gonna getcha real good Yeah, you can betcha, oh, Im gonna getcha (Im gonna getcha) just like I should, Ill getcha good Oh, Im gonna getcha good!

(Shawnia Twain)

Enter content here

Enter supporting content here