Fic: Subterfuge (17/?)

[inell@xxxxxxx]

Title: Subterfuge
Author: Inell
Email: Inell@xxxxxxx
Disclaimer: Joss owns them all
Distribution: My site, Kiss or Kill, 
http://members.fortunecity.com/kissorkill Anyone that has permission, take. 
Otherwise, just ask.
Rating: R
Pairing: Willow/Buffy
Happy two year writing anniversary to me!


SUBTERFUGE (17/?)


Giles looked up when he heard the soft knocking on his door. He glanced at 
the clock, frowning when he saw how early it was. He closed his book after 
marking his place, setting on the table as he stood and moved to the door. 
His steps were rushed, a slight frown of concern on his face as he wondered 
what might have happened to draw a visitor this early. When he saw Willow 
standing on his door, his worry increased. He unfastened the lock and opened 
the door, watching as the redhead faced him, her eyes focused on some point 
behind him. He understood with sudden clarity that something was indeed 
wrong. "Willow?"


"Hey Giles," she said, giving him a bright smile, "I hope I didn't wake you 
up, but since you're dressed and all, I guess I didn't. Unless you feel 
asleep in your clothes, but they're not really wrinkled so I guess you were 
awake."


"Willow," he smiled softly as he stopped her babbling, "come inside."


"Thanks," she said softly. She followed him inside, listening as he closed 
the door. Why did that sound so ominous? Because, she didn't have a chance to 
run now. She couldn't let her fears at what he would think of her overpower 
her common sense and force her into running. No, she would do this, no matter 
how humiliating it all was. Goddess, what if he hated her? What if he blamed 
her for what Glory had done to Buffy last night? He wouldn't be able to lie 
to her. She'd know if he thought negatively about her. The thought of Giles 
being angry with her was horrible. She didn't like it one bit. He had become 
a father to them all over the past five and a half years. She'd hate it if he 
looked at her with distaste instead of affection. This was for Buffy, though. 
She'd have to take that chance to help the slayer. 


"Would you like some tea?" he asked, knowing it would be best to wait for 
Willow to tell him what had brought her to him. 


"Guess you don't have any coffee, huh?" she asked, glancing at the kitchen.


"I believe there is some instant," he said.


"Tea is fine," she decided, "I can get it."


"I believe there are some leftover doughnuts from research the other day," he 
offered, "they may still be edible."


"No thanks," she smiled at him, "Xander ate all the good ones. Besides, I'm 
not very hungry."


"I really should toss them out," he decided, throwing the white box in the 
trash. "Would you care for some lemon?"


"This is fine," she said, taking her cup and moving back into the living 
room. She handed Giles a book she had been carrying, "I brought you your book 
back."


He took the book she offered, recognizing one she had borrowed months before. 
He moved to his bookcase, "Thank you, Willow."


"I was cleaning and found it. Thought you might want it back," she said as 
she moved to sit down, glad to be off of her shaky legs.


"Has something happened?" he finally asked after Willow sat on his sofa, her 
attention now focused on his coffee table. He moved to sit in the chair 
beside the table. When she failed to respond, he asked, "Is everything OK?"


"No," she said softly, looking up at him, "it's not OK."