Missing Candy
Summary: The missing parts of what happened between Giles and Joyce in Band candy...with a little artistic license. ;-)
As Joyce munched on another piece of band candy, she listened to Mr.Giles say, "I really have no idea what to make of her. But then again, I rarely do. She's just so different from the other Slayers that have been called. Most of the other Slayers don't have a life other than slaying. They're not at all interested in-in cute boys, school, dancing, clothes and what not."
"Oh, wonderful," Joyce moaned softly as she offered Mr.Giles a piece of candy, which he took. "My daughter is different from the other girls because she's the Slayer, and she's special from other Slayers because she's different. I just wish I knew what to do, Mr.Giles. I know nothing about my daughter's life as a Slayer, but I do know something about what a normal girl would like in her life."
Mr.Giles looked at Joyce as he took another piece of candy out from her hands."I know what a Slayer needs and what's going on at school, but I am at a total loss at what a-a normal girl requires. And what one would want in her life."
"Too bad that we're not really one person," Joyce said as she munched on the candy. "Then we would know how to handle her. I just don't want her to feel so pressured and like she has to run away to get some space, like she did for the summer."
"I know that we're both trying to avoid that possibility as much as we can," Giles sighed as he leaned back on the couch, his arms spread out on the cushions.
Joyce sighed as she leaned back on the couch as well. Her brown eyes closed and her mind lost in the memories of what she went through during the summer, she barely noticed that her head was resting on Giles's forearm. "And I want to get to know Buffy while I still can, while there's still time before she gets ready to go to college. If she gets in."
"Right," Giles said as he rolled his head over to look at her. He absently appreciated the porcelain quality of her skin, and the gentle curve of her neck as she laid her head against his forearm.
Giles's eyes softened when he noted the slight blue bags under her eyes, the ones that never completely faded over the summer. And the quiet desperation in how she was trying to handle the fact that her daughter was the Slayer. And her softness. [Lord, she is so soft] he thought as he half smiled at her resting form. His eyes went down further.[And it looks like in all the right places, too.]
The color of his hazel eyes deepened as they followed the movements of her chest as she took a deep breath. He never allowed himself to think of Buffy's mother as pretty for some reason. But she was. Why hadn't he noticed it before? And that white cotton top she was wearing was nicely fitted, too.
"What do you think, Mr.Giles?" she asked him. Startled, Giles's eyes shot back to her face, and he thanked God that her eyes were still closed. It simply wouldn't do to have Joyce Summers catch him evaluating her nicely formed...assets. "Mr.Giles?"
His ears turning red, Giles thought quickly, trying to remember what they were talking about. Oh. Right. Buffy. College. Not a chance if she didn't bring her grades up. "About Buffy? If she gets in? It's possible."
Opening her eyes, Joyce rolled her head to look at him, her cheek resting on his muscular tweed clad arm. "You don't think that she'll get into college, Mr.Giles?"
"I think that she would if she had time to do all that she is supposed to do and what she wants to do, she would. But you mustn't worry about it so," Giles said as he brought his face closer to hers. "You'll get wrinkles on your pretty face...my, you smell nice, Joyce."
"Oh...uhm, thank you," she said as her brown eyes fluttered as she looked up at his face, the quickly looked down. His face was so close to hers. It was odd, she had spent a lot of time with him during the summer, but she had never really thought about how handsome he was. And how...fit he was. It was just hitting her now, and she blushed." Um..."
Giles lifted her chin gently to look at him, and was pleasantly surprised when he saw the faint blush on her cheeks. It made her look younger. [Cream and roses,] he absently thought as his thumb caressed the satin of her cheek." Cream and roses..."
He smiled gently as he wondered if her lips were as soft as her skin. He brought his face closer to hers to find out.
"MOM! Where's the extra shampoo? We're out!"
Joyce and Giles jumped apart when they heard that familiar voice bellow out the question from the top of the stairs. Her face red and her feet not at all steady, Joyce rushed to the bottom of the stairs. "They're where they always are, at the bottom shelf of the hall closet, honey."
"Got it. And Mom? We need more towels," Buffy called out to her after a few moments. "Else you' re outta towels for your bath tonight. And we' re almost out of bubble bath."
"Then I'll get some more, just, ah, give me a minute," Joyce called back. She turned to smile weakly at her daughter's Watcher as her face grew beet red. What on earth was she thinking? Close to kissing Mr.Giles, indeed! She was so embarrassed, he must think that she was a sex starved divorcee! [Get a grip, Joyce. A grip.] Closing her eyes tightly, she stuttered," Well,I-"
" It, ah, seems that Buffy' s ready to turn in for the night," Giles said after he cleared his throat several times.[And I should leave. NOW.]
Joyce jumped slightly when she realized how close he was to her and then coughed as she avoided looking at him. "Yes. I, ah, have to get some towels. From the dryer. And some bubble bath. Now. Um, do you want me to, ah, walk you out?"
"No. No, that's all right. You go ahead, and ah, go get your towels. Wouldn't want you to catch a cold without one. And some bubble bath. Must have bubbles for one' s bath. I like bubbles myself. I mean-you-you need to get some more bubbles for your bath. So that you can have bubbles. For your bath. Alone. I'll show myself out," Giles stammered as that imaged provoked some arousing images. Complete with Joyce amid bubbles and with only a very small towel. "So that you can-can bathe now. Alone. Uh, good-bye."
Forcing a smile, Joyce nodded and quickly disappeared down the hall. Practically flying and running from the images in her mind about him. Without a towel. Covered by strategically placed bubbles.
Giles shook his head fiercely as he strode out of the house and into his car. As he placed the key into its place, Giles leaned his head on the steering wheel. "Stop it, old man. Stop it. Stop it now. Stop imagining her in her bath. She is Buffy's mother, for God's sake! Not some woman that you can have a relationship with! Think about something else. Someone else. Anyone but Joyce Summers. You can't think of her. Think of Buffy. And how to handle her."
His thoughts finally turning from the mother of his slayer, and on to his Slayer, Rupert Giles started his car. To drive back to his lonely flat. He took another bar of candy out of his jacket pocket and started munching on it.
*****
When morning finally hit her right between the eyes, she grumbled at the sun."Go away. I want to sleep."
"Mom! I'm late for school! I need a ride!" Buffy shouted as she entered her mother's room and bounded towards the bed. "You gotta get up now so that I can get there on time.! Mom!"
Joyce Summer tried to snuggle deeper into her bed." Go away, honey, I want to sleep."
Frantic, Buffy started pulling at the covers. "Mom! Please! Before the little troll finds out that I'm late!"
"Oh, now you're being responsible," Joyce grumbled as she flung back the covers. "I wish you'd make up your mind when you're going to be one or the other, so that I can at least get some sleep."
Buffy looked at her mother, stunned. "What?"
"I mean it, Buffy. I need sleep, so stop having sudden teenaged mood swings. I'm too old to keep up," Joyce yawned as she shook her head. "Give me some notice on when you're going to be responsible and when you're not."
"Oh, all right. Just let me then consult my hormonal calendar and I'll let you know," Buffy retorted as she nudged her mother towards the bathroom. "But can we save the mom lecture until we're actually inside the car and on our way to school?"
When she was alone in the bathroom, Joyce yawned as she started to take off her night shirt. "Damn. There goes that dream of Mr.Giles in the bubble bath. Jeez. When did I get suck a pushy kid? Wonder if we have anymore of that band chocolate somewhere?"
*****
Giles yawned as he dried his hair. It was a restless night filled with strange and wonderful dreams about a blonde haired woman with deep brown eyes, a roses and cream complexion, and soft lips. Too bad that he couldn't remember half of them, but then again, considering how closely he was hugging the pillow this morning and how... aroused he was feeling, it might have been beneficial for his sanity. Actually, that might have been of the good, to " Buffy. Else he might have taken a colder shower than he had right now.
Giles looked at himself in the mirror, and smiled grimly. His hand came up to stroke at his receding hair line. Seemed like his head of hair was getting thinner every day. And more wrinkles in his face because of age, worry and the Hellmouth. And, oh, yes, a certain Slayer that liked to have her way when she did not have her way.
Thank God that her mother was also having problems in trying to schedule a life for her daughter..."That's it! Why do we have to schedule two separate lives for her daughter? Especially now when Joyce knows that her daughter is the Slayer? I am sure that we can work something out now. Together! Both Joyce and me! And if I get to the gallery at about lunch time, I can take her out to eat as we organize Buffy' s life."
As that happy thought hit him, Giles bounded out of the bathroom. "I think this calls for a celebration. No tea for me this morning, I feel like having chocolate!"
*****
Joyce sighed as she looked at the load of crates that had arrived at noon. She looked down at the delivery forms, and sighed again. "I don't want to do this. I don't feel like doing this inventory."
" Yeah, you and me both, Joyce. But what the hell, ya gotta do what ya gotta do, and with you, it' s signing those delivery papers," said a voice behind her. Joyce smiled at him as she turned around.
" You are, unfortunately, right, Tom," she said as she signed the papers with some flourish." And that is the last of the energy that I plan to be spending right now. I plan to go get some coffee and a bit of something sweet before I tackle the dirty job of uncrating this mess."
Tom smiled at her as he took the clipboard from her, then took out a bar of chocolate he bought from his neighbor' s kid. Joyce Summers, he liked her. He really liked her. She was a pretty woman with a kid, nice figure and she always treated him as if he was more than a work horse or an imbecile, like most of the managers in the artsy fartsy galleries he delivered crates for." Sounds like an idea. Want some chocolate, Joyce?"
Joyce smiled as she broke off a piece. Tom continued as he pointed to the crates with the chocolate in his hand. He stepped closer to her as he smiled hugely at her." Never thought the band would actually sell good chocolate before. Anyway, it looks to me like you need a hand in helping you take these things out."
"Looks like it," Joyce agreed coyly as she broke off another piece of chocolate."Too bad that it's Warren' s day off. And Lisa and Amelia are the only other ones here. No one around to help me open these dratted things."
Tom smiled again as he looked at her and offered her another piece of chocolate that she took." Well, now, I can help you. By the way, did I tell you want happened to Roman over at Wonders Gallery?"
*****
Giles whistled as he parked near the gallery, and then looked in the mirror to check if he looked presentable." Now, Rupert, old boy. You want her to be open to this suggestion that we both work on a schedule for Buffy. You don' t want to get her back up, make her think that you' re overstepping your bounds...let her think that it' s her idea that the two of you work together."
Giles to talk to himself as he walked briskly out to the sidewalk as he headed towards the gallery." After all, she is a reasonable and attractive woman. Mayhap this meeting would go on to an early dinner for the both of us...Damn, should I have brought some flowers? No, no. No, this is an official meeting between the two main adult figures in Buffy' s life. Not a date. Though it could be one if we both were inclined to think of it that way..."
Then stopped as he looked through the glass pane to see if Joyce was in...and saw an overgrown delivery blighter leering at Joyce." What the..."
Giles was stunned when he saw Joyce smile coyly at the pillock when she took a piece of chocolate from him. Then he was furious when he saw Joyce throw back her head and laugh, and the bloody pillock was leering at her nicely rounded breasts in that fitted dress she was wearing. His blood boiling, Giles swung open the door and marched in with clenched fists into the gallery.
*****
" Oh, Tom. I just cannot believe that," Joyce giggled as she wiped a tear from her eye and Tom guffawed." I cannot believe that Roman would mistake a-"
" Joyce."
Still smiling widely, Joyce turned to see Mr.Giles standing near the door. His hands were clenched into fists. Her smile died as she saw the tenseness of his stance, the coldness in his eyes. " Mr.Giles..."
Giles' s lips tightened when he saw the smile slowly die from her lips, and dismay replace the laughter in her voice. His eyes met hers and he was caught off guard when he saw her brown eyes were wide...with fear? [Joyce is afraid of me?]
Giles made an attempt to soften his harsh voice." Joyce...I-"
Giles was again caught off guard when she flung herself into his arms. He barely caught her, and his mind hardly registered the words." Is it Buffy? Is she in trouble? Is there something wrong? I just saw her this morning, she was fine-"
" Buffy' s fine, she' s all right as far as I know," Giles soothed as he cradled her closer to him. He breathed in her floral perfume as he massaged her shoulders. She smelled like lavender today. And she was trembling like a leaf. He repeated his words to her, over and over again as he hesitantly touched her hair. " She' s all right, Joyce. Buffy is all right, Joyce...she' s all right...shh...easy now, love. She' s all right..."
Joyce sighed a breath of relief as she rested her head on his shoulder as she let the words flow through her. His cheek resting on the side of her head, Giles smiled gently as he stroked her soft hair, then sent a very masculine look at the buffoon that was watching them. Giles smirked coldly at the other man as he brought her body closer to his.[Oh, she is a nice, soft handful..]
[Get a calm grip, Joyce. Buffy' s all right. She' s fine. Mr.Giles said so...He' d tell you if something was wrong. He promised. But he came in looking so-so damn furious...]Joyce lifted her head from his shoulder. Leaning away from him, yet not out of the circle of his arms, she glared at him." Don' t do that to me again."
" Do what?" Giles asked bewildered. He glanced at the buffoon behind Joyce, he was now grinning broadly." What did I do?"
Joyce smacked Giles on the shoulder, hard." You very well know what you did. You came in here looking so-so-so so! Ohhh! I thought that something was wrong with Buffy!"
" Oh, I' m sorry, Joyce. I didn' t mean to worry you," Giles said contritely as a flash of relief washed through him. She didn' t lose her smile because she wasn' t happy to see him, she thought something was wrong with Buffy from the way he strode in. He leaned his forehead on to hers, then kissed her on the nose." I promise I won' t do it again. Whatever it was I did."
" Good. Now why are you here?" Joyce asked curiously, pulling her face away from his as her hands resting on his shoulders. As long as Buffy was fine, all was right with the world. And she could get on with her life as a gallery manager. When she heard a throat clear from behind her. [Oh, right. Tom is here.]" Oh, sorry, Tom."
When she twisted back to look at him, she remembered that she was still in Mr.Giles' s very comfortable arms. What that on his arms that was making her tingle?" Uh, Mr.Giles? You can let go of me now..."
His face slightly red, Giles gave her a sheepish grin as he reluctantly dropped his arms. As long as she was nearer to him that the overgrown gorilla, he guessed that it was fine to let her soft form go.
[But then again, not completely] Giles thought as he covertly eyed the gorilla who was raking his eyes over Joyce' s soft form. He still held her soft hand." I came because I just wanted to speak to you about something..."
" Is it very important? Tom and I were about to get some coffee at the cafe," Joyce said as she smiled at Tom. She looked down at her hand. It was still being held by Mr.Giles, when she gently tugged at it, he still wouldn' t let go." Then we were about to uncrate these things...Mr.Giles-"
Tom smirked at the bookworm as he stepped closer to Joyce." Yeah, we were going to grab a bite before I helped her open these things. She needs a man' s hand..."
"I need to speak to you about Buffy...and her other job," Giles said curtly to Joyce as his hand started to grip hers tighter, bringing her closer to him. He had quite enough of the buffoon." It is very important..."
"Oh, all right. Let' s go into my office," Joyce said immediately. She looked at Tom apologetically. And sighed away those nice muscles. But then again, she was going to be with Mr.Giles, who was wrapped in all those layers of tweed she always wanted to peel away. [Whoa! Back pedal, Joyce. You'll get all worked up again like last night. And there' s no cold shower here.]" I am sorry, Tom. This is a bit important...and it might take some time before I' m able to uncrate those boxes..."
"I can help you after I' m done with my rounds," Tom offered generously. He struck a body builder' s pose and showed her his muscle." I can help you open those crates in no time. I got the muscles for it."
Not liking the way her eyes roamed over the steroid-laden Neanderthal' s body, Giles interrupted before Joyce could answer." No, it' s all right. I'll help Joyce when we' re through. I' m fairly good at opening crates myself. *And* I believe that I can help with the cataloging as well. Something you might not be able to do, given your limited expertise."
Giles let her go when he saw Joyce frown at him and start to pull away from him as she caught his thinly veiled insult towards the Neanderthal. He nearly choked as he added," But I' m sure that you can help all that you are able to...Joyce, it really is important that I speak to you about Buffy. In private."
After another quick frown at him, Joyce sighed as she halfway turned towards her office. " All right, then. My office is this way, Mr.Giles. See you on the next delivery, Tom. Alright? This way, Mr.Giles."
Giles nodded as he started to follow her. Tom grabbed Giles' s arm as he went by and hissed at him."You think that you' re so smart, don' t you? Using her kid to get her attention, that' s low."
Giles yanked his arm away from the Neanderthal, then stepped up to the muscle-headed buffoon' s face, forcing the man to lean back a bit." Point in fact, old man, I do have to talk to her about her daughter. Not that it' s any of your business, ah, Tom. So now run along with your truck."
"Yeah, you go about your business, geek. Won' t matter. Joyce-"
"Joyce is a sophisticated woman with delicate sensibilities. And I won' t have you making your moves on her," said Giles as he whipped off his glasses and looked coldly at the man. He smiled so dangerously that Tom took an actual step back." Joyce is off limits to you. Here. Now. Forever. I see you near her, and I' ll rip out your bollocks and make sure that you choke on them. Got that?"
"You think that you can threaten me?" Tom blustered as he doubled up his fists, then threw out a right fist." You just want to try and get under her-oof!"
Giles grinned as he side stepped the fist, grabbed it then pulled Tom into an arm lock. Tom went down on his knees as Giles grinned at him." I can't have you talk about Joyce that way, Tom. Isn't gentlemanly. Find another gel to like, Tom. Joyce isn't for you."
With that, Giles let Tom go amiably. Turning, Tom glared at Giles as he rubbed his sore shoulder." Yeah, well, she isn't for you either. She' s too sweet and nice for you, limey. Any man that' d use her kid just to get her attention doesn't deserve her. Joyce has too much class for you. You probably couldn't keep her attention without using her kid as an excuse to see her!"
Giles' s jaw hardened and his eyes glittered and stepped forward when he heard Joyce' s voice call out." Mr.Giles? I thought we had to speak about Buffy?"
Giles smiled at her and forced himself to relax." Quite right, Joyce. Just talking a bit with Tom here. See you old fellow."
"Yeah. Later," Tom groused. He looked at Joyce, then at the lethal geek that walked over to her and was firmly planted beside her and sighed." Be see you, Joyce."
Joyce smiled coyly as she walked Tom to the door." Bye, Tom. Do you want me to walk you to the truck?"
With a possessive air around Joyce, Giles cleared his throat. Loudly. Tom glared at him, then looked down at Joyce and gave her his best grin." Nah. See ya next delivery day, Joyce."
Joyce watched curiously as Tom left the gallery quickly." That' s odd. We usually have to throw him out of the gallery. He tells the funniest stories... and he' s such a nice man. Very educated as well..."
"Is he?" Giles said politely. His eyes narrowed as he watched Joyce moon over Tom the Steroid Trucker when entered his truck.
As Tom turned to wave at Joyce, Giles discreetly put his arm around her waist and shifted to lead her away from the window before she could see him and wave back." I guess that' s a bit hard to see..."
Lead by his arm, as she turned away from the window, Joyce looked at Giles, puzzled. "Why? Because he's a trucker? It' s part of his business. That' s what he does. His company specializes in shipping art all around the country. He' s really into trucking art."
Giles looked at Joyce as his lips tightened. He did *not* want her to talk and moon over Tom the Muscled Trucker who told her funny stories. He wanted her to talk and moon over Giles the Wonderful Watcher that took care of her and her daughter. He wanted her to talk about them. Not her talk about Tom." I would assume so, being that he drives a truck."
" He made a nice niche for himself in the art community. He' s the best deliverer of art, and very well known," Joyce said enthusiastically as she stopped walking to look at him." He knows all the dealers, who' s getting what. And all that. He was enormously helpful when I took over the gallery. Usually talks until I have to remind him how busy he is. Or I am. I usually have to throw him out the gallery."
Savagely beating down his jealousy, Giles shrugged as he gave Joyce a small smile." Well, you didn't have to this time. And I believe he shan't bother you again. Shall we, ah, talk about Buffy now?"
" Oh, Tom never bothers me. I like talking to him," Joyce said blithely. Then her eyes widened when she heard Mr.Giles start to grind his teeth. Catching his annoyance and assuming it was because he wanted to go back to work, Joyce looked at him warily." Sure. Sorry to waste you time, Mr.Giles. Let' s go. Now what did you want to say about Buffy, Mr.Giles?"
Inwardly, Giles groaned as he heard her formal tone of voice. The one she uses when she tries to put as much distance from him as she could. Well, that wasn't going to work. He was going to get as close to her as he possibly could. Like a good Watcher should. For her own best interest.
" Er, ah. Why don' t we go into your office now," Giles suggested as he looked at her workers that were hovering by. Joyce nodded and headed towards her office, Giles following her. And his eyes glued to the way her hips gently swayed as she walked.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Joyce sighed as she entered her small office. Then she cleared out the papers on the chair across from her desk. It was always a mess on delivery days. Paper all over the place, even on the guest chair. Then she grabbed her chocolate from the desk, took a bite and started moving the papers around. "So, Mr.Giles, what did you want to say about Buffy?"
Giles, distracted by the pleasurable sight of Joyce showing him her nicely rounded bottom, made a nondescript noise. Joyce turned to look at him quizzically. "Mr.Giles? Are you all right?"
Shaking his head, Giles looked at her blankly."I-ah, that is, I was a bit distracted there for the moment. Sorry."
"No problem, Mr.Giles,"Joyce replied as she was fascinated by the sight of the tips of his ears grow red. She gave him a soft smile."Didn't mean to embarrass you by catching you off guard."
"Oh, no. You didn't, Joyce,"Giles said as his ears grew redder. He cleared his throat."Was there anything you wanted?"
"I thought you wanted to talk about Buffy, Mr.Giles,"Joyce said, bewildered. She leaned against the edge of her desk. She took another nibble from her chocolate. "That is why you came, wasn't it?"
" Ah, yes. Buffy. Of course," Giles said as he cleared his throat. He leaned on the edge of her desk, right next to her." It is about her, of course. But it' s more about you and me."
" You and me?" Joyce repeated, her heart beating faster. [Down girl. Down.]She managed to give him a puzzled look, barely. He was silent as he leaned over and broke off a piece of her candy." What do you mean 'It' s more about you and me', Mr.Giles?"
" Joyce, when are you going to start using my first name?" Giles demanded suddenly." It' s been over three months since Buffy came back and you have yet to use it, and I have yet to hear it coming from your lips."
" Oh,um," Joyce stuttered as her face reddened and the tip of her pink tongue darted out to moisten said lips. Looking at her hands, Joyce missed the darkening of Giles' s hazel eyes as he watched that pink tongue dart in and out. " Well, I-It' s that I-um...that' s a good point that you brought up."
Giles stepped closer to her as his voice deepened huskily." It' s not as if we' re total strangers, Joyce. Especially with the amount of time we spent together this summer. You and me, Joyce."
Joyce' s head shot up.[How did he get so close to me? And he smells so good...just like chocolate…]" I, ah, yes. We-we went through a lot together this summer.... Mr.Gi-Rupert..."
"Yes, Joyce?" Giles whispered as his face lowered to hers and she lifted her face to his.[She smelled so nice...like lavender and chocolate...]
"Hey, Joyce! You in here?" shouted out a voice from the doorway. Joyce squeaked as she looked at the semi-closed door." Joyce?"
Turning away from her, Giles scowled as Joyce went towards the door to answer the voice back. [This was just getting to be too much! How was he supposed to have a moment alone with her when all these-these pissants were showing up?]
"Hey, Joyce! You up for some lunch, babe?" said a man as he popped his head into the office. The man looked like an overgrown baby as he grinned at Joyce. " There' s a great special going on in the diner next block over. And I got just the thing to drink! Kaluah! Your favorite!"
"Hey, Harold. No thanks, I' m, ahm, in a meeting right now," said Joyce as she smiled apologetically at Harold as he came in with a bottle in hand.
Harold scowled at her." With another artsy-fartsy guy? You want to talk with an artsy-fartsy guy instead of having linguine and clam with Kaluah?"
"No, not with another artsy-fartsy guy," Giles snapped back as he quickly turned and stood to his full height, then scowled at the much smaller man." I have never been called an artsy-fartsy guy in my life, and I have intention of being called one now.And you are interrupting a meet Joyce and I are having, so you will leave. Now. Is that clear?"
"As crystal," Harold squeaked as he took in the other man' s height and blazing eyes." Joyce, be seeing ya!"
"Wait!" Giles commanded as he walked over to him. Harold froze, his eyes wide. Giles walked over to him and plucked the bottle of Kaluah out from his hand. With a royal nod, Giles gave the smaller knave leave. " Now you may go."
The smaller man squeaked a good-bye and slammed the door shut. Hefting the bottle from hand to hand, Giles allowed himself a small amount of satisfaction when he hard a choking sound from behind him.[Bloody wonderful, Ripper. You just made her upset at you.]
Ready to be contrite, Giles turned to look at Joyce, who had her hand covering her mouth and her brown eyes wide. He sheepishly looked at her." Joyce..."
A burst of laughter bubbled out of Joyce' s throat then she nearly doubled over from amusement. When she wiped her eyes and saw Mr.Giles' s bemused look, she laughed harder." Oh, Mr.Giles! You should have seen his face!"
As Joyce burst into more laughter, Giles chuckled as he relished the sight of the smaller man' s fright. Joyce leaned a hand against Mr.Giles' s hard shoulder as he stepped closer." I shouldn't laugh like this, but Harold has been bugging me to go out to lunch with him since I started here! And I have to keep on thinking of excuses to say no...I think the Kaluah was supposed to be the bribe...."
His hands that had been caressing her shoulder and bringing her closer to him, stopped. Giles lost his smile when he heard that." What?"
"Oh, God...I don' t think that I've laughed so hard as I just did just now," Joyce gasped as she grabbed his arms for balance. Joyce looked up at him, beaming." I know that it' s nasty of me to laugh, but...Oh, that was priceless..."
"It was, wasn't it," Giles murmured as he looked down at her face.[This is how she should look...happy, laughing,]he thought absently as his hand moved a stray curl from her small face. With his hands on her hips, his head moved lower, and hers tilted up...
*Brrring*
The two jolted apart when the ringing of the phone startled them. Joyce started to answer the phone, but was stopped when Mr.Giles refused to move his hands. She looked at him confused." I need to answer that..."
*Brrring*
"No. Come on, let' s get out of here," Giles suggested. He was shocked at the idea, but it was rapidly appealing to him. He grinned at Joyce, who was undecided." I know a place where we both won' t be bothered by delivery men, Harolds or phones. We can talk there all we want, about us...about Buffy..."
*Brrring*
"I don' t know," Joyce hesitated as she looked at the still ringing phone. She looked up at him. Since when did his eyes turn a deep shade of green? And when did it get that wicked twinkle in there?" I have to-"
*Brrring*
"Joyce, is there anything that can' t be put off until tomorrow? Will the gallery fall apart if you don' t stay here?" Giles coaxed in a low, rumbling voice. Joyce shivered slightly as goose bumps rose on her skin. When did it get so hot in here?" We can be together, and talk fast...Come on, Joyce. Let' s play some hooky...and have some Kaluah!"
*Brrring*
As Giles gave her a coaxing smile and waved the bottle enticingly in front of her, Joyce' s brown eyes danced." Are you trying to bribe me with Kaluah?"
"Would it work?" Giles grinned hopefully.
*Brrring*
Joyce tilted her head and gave him an impish smile." Maybe..."
"Play hooky, Joyce," Giles leaned over to whisper at her ear, his eyes dancing devilishly." Have some Kaluah with me, love. You know that you don' t want to do inventory on *such* a nice day..."
*Brrring*
Joyce bit her lip as she looked at it, then at Giles. He was looking at her with his devilish eyes, and suddenly, she felt reckless." Oh, hell. Come on, let' s go before I change my mind."
Joyce giggled as he grabbed her hand and they ran like children through the gallery and out the door.
*****
Joyce jumped out from her car and met Mr.Giles on the curb." Where are we? We look like we' re at your place."
"Here, you can hold the bottle. We are," said Giles grabbed her hand, leading her to his flat. Joyce was flying after him, one hand in his and another around the neck of the Kaluah bottle." We won' t be disturbed here. Not unless one of the children is playing hooky."
"Like we are," Joyce giggled as Giles pulled her into his flat." We are going to be in so much trouble if we' re caught."
"Who' s going to catch us? We' re the adults. We can do even this!" Giles said as he lifted her into his whirled her around. Joyce shrieked with laughter as she held on tight to his neck. His eyes sparkled as he slowly set her down, breathless. The rose was back on her cheeks again."There. You look better now."
"So does that mean I looked horrible before?" Joyce asked saucily as she tilted her head up at him.
Still hold her hand, Giles pulled a strand of hair away from her face and gave her a quick peck on the nose. "Never that. Not in this lifetime."
Her face blushing with the compliment, Joyce pulled away even though her hand was still in his." Oh, I. Thank you. So what now? You wanted to talk about Buffy? Before or after the Kaluah?"
[She' s afraid of me?] thought Giles as he frowned a bit when she pulled away." Buffy. Oh. Yes. This might take a while. I have to call the school. Tell them that I' m not coming back to cover the study hall."
"Sounds like an idea to me," Joyce said as she dimpled at him. She wanted to look around his place, but he still wouldn' t let go of her hand. When he lead her over to the settee, she had to stretch to put the Kaluah on the side table as he still held on to her hand tightly. Teasingly, Joyce looked at him and asked," So, when are you letting me have my hand back?"
"Why? You seem to be able to move even when I' m holding it, now shush, I' m calling the school," Giles said as he took the phone in the other hand and started dialing the school' s number. He tightened his grip as Joyce gave her hand a half-hearted tug. Then gave up when he just would not let go.
Joyce gave him an amused look as Giles gave her a wink when he heard someone pick up the phone. "Hello? Mrs. Anderson? This is Mr. Giles. Something came up, I cannot return for the rest of the afternoon. I am not feeling at all well, must have been something I ate."
Joyce giggled softly at his excuse. Giles winked at her again, then abruptly pulled her against his body when her giggles grew louder. He heard her gasp and saw her large brown eyes grow wide when she felt his free arm wrap around her waist. Lord above, he was right. She was soft. Very soft, indeed.
Every part that she was in contact with him, her nerves went haywire. [I' m short circuiting] thought Joyce as nervously licked her lips. She saw his hazel green eyes darken as his eyes focused on her mouth. At least, she thought he was looking at her mouth, wasn't he? He wasn't looking at her chin, was he?" Mr. Giles? I mean, Rupert? I think that-"
"Shhh, love. Yes, Mrs.Anderson. I had to monitor seventh period study hall, and that was my last class for the day," Giles said as he suddenly pulled Joyce closer to him. He breathed in her scent deeply. She still smelled like lavender and chocolate." Yes. Yes. No. Yes, Mrs. Anderson. I know that seventh period started twenty minutes ago. I' m very sorry for the inconvenience, Mrs.Anderson. Thank you. Good-bye."
As Giles spoke on the phone, Joyce steadied herself by placing her hand on his chest.[My, he has a nice hard chest. Must be because he trains with Buffy. A *very* nice chest. Much better than Tom' s. What else has he covered up under all this tweed?]
Joyce' s brow knitted in concentration as her one hand gently roamed over Giles' s tweed clad chest while the other wrapped around his waist. She never really noticed that he had hung up the phone until he wrapped both his hands firmly around her waist, pulling her lower body closer to his. Startled, Joyce looked up, her brown eyes wide.
" You have a better chest than Tom' s," Joyce blurted out. When she realized what she said, her face flushed, then she promptly buried it under his chin. Giles could barely make out her muffled voice." I did not just say that."
" You most certainly did, Joyce. I heard it quite clearly," Giles chuckled as a hand came up to stoke her soft hair." You said that I had a better chest than Tom' s."
He laughed as Joyce groaned louder. Under his chin, Joyce smiled as the rumble of laughter tickled her ear, her fingers played with the buttons on his vest." You weren't supposed to hear that."
Giles cheerfully chuckled as he held her closer."Too late, love. I already did."
Giles let out a laugh when he heard Joyce groan louder as she buried her face deeper into the chest she just admired. He lifted her chin up to look at him and smiled when he saw her cheeks pink with embarrassment. "So what else do you like about me? Joyce?"
"That you have the strangest eyes,"Joyce said shyly as she lifted her hand to caress the side of his face gently.
Giles quirked an eyebrow at her."Really? I have strange eyes?"
Noticing the slight frost in his voice, Joyce smiled."Oh, yes. You do. When I first saw them, I thought they were brown. But they're not. They're like Buffy's eyes, hazel. But that small brown patch in this eye that makes your eye look brown. I've never seen that before, but I like it."
"It's not that common,"Giles said as he moved his face towards Joyce's palm."But it does run in the family. My paternal grandfather has eyes like mine."
"They're nice eyes, I like them,"Joyce smiled as he kissed the her palm."Even if they are a bit strange. Honestly."
"And I like the shape of your lips, even if they are a bit strange,"Giles said with a solemn nod."Honestly."
Joyce's lips twitched as she recognized her own words."Is that so? I really have strange lips?"
"Oh yes, you do. Your bottom lip is a bit plumper than your upper lip,"Giles added seriously."It makes me wonder if your lips actually work."
A smile dancing on the lips he just criticized, Joyce quirked an eyebrow at him."I can assure you that my lips work just fine."
Giles pretended to think about it, then slowly shook his head."No, I'm sorry to say that they don't."
"Oh really? And why is that?"
"Because they have yet to say my name the way I want it to be said,"Ripper sighed seriously as he shook his head. Feeling young, he smiled recklessly at her."Now, repeat after me. Say 'Ripper', Joyce."
Joyce looked at him blankly. "I thought your name was Rupert?"
"See? They don' t work right at all. I prefer to be called 'Ripper'. Now, say 'Ripper' for me, please."
"Ripper,"Joyce said obediently. Ripper frowned at her."What?"
"That's not the way to say it,"Ripper said as his eyes focused on Joyce's lips."We have to do something about it."
Giles's intense stare at her lips made her a bit breathless."Like what?"
"Let's see if this can do anything,"Ripper said as his head dipped and he caught her mouth briefly with his."Now say my name again..."
"Ripper,"Joyce said, slightly breathless. Ripper shook his head at her. "What?"
"You're still not saying it right, Joyce,"Ripper admonished gently as his teeth caught her lower lip and he started nibbling on it gently. "Let's try it again."
When Ripper broke off the kiss, Joyce sighed,"Ripper..."
His eyes studying her flushed face and half-closed eyes, Ripper shook his head again. "We're still not saying it right, Joyce, but we are closer. Let's try this again, but maybe with a different approach..."
"Like what?"Joyce asked as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Ripper lowered his head to her mouth again, staying there to let his tongue duel with hers before he removed his mouth to pepper nipping kisses along her jaw, his hands cupping her bottom and bringing her softness closer to him."Oh, Ripper...."
"Almost there, love,"Ripper whispered back hoarsely as his mouth moved down to her throat and he sucked strongly at the throbbing pulse. Joyce moaned loudly as her knees buckled, and he caught her, then settled her on the couch.
As Joyce laid on the couch, Ripper looked at his handiwork. Her lids were half closed, her cheeks were flushed, her lips were plump from his kisses and her neck was sporting his mark. Joyce sat up slightly." Is something wrong?"
His hands cupping her face, Ripper shook his head as he leaned over to kiss her gently, his body half on top of hers." Nothing at all, love."
"Oh, good," Joyce said as she wrapped her arms around his neck, forcing him to lie more fully on top of her as her tongue dueled with his." Oh, Ripper..."
"Joyce," Ripper moaned into her mouth as his hands brought her hips closer to his. He moaned again as she arched into his chest, then started to roll over him." Oof!"
"Hey!" Dazed, Joyce looked from her sprawled position on top of Giles' s chest. She looked at him blankly." We' re on the floor!"
"Tell me something that I don' t know," Ripper groaned so loudly Joyce started to giggle. He looked at her balefully." What' s so funny?"
Joyce looked at him and giggled again." You."
"Oh?"
Joyce giggled as she heard the frost in his accented voice again. She kissed him quickly on the chin. Then on the nose." And me. We' re acting like a couple of teenagers trying to make out, but we keep getting interrupted. Plus, your glasses are falling off your face."
"Yes, we are, aren' t we?" Ripper laughed, then winced when his head started to throb." Ow, my head."
"Poor baby," Joyce giggle as she stretched over him to kiss his forehead." Want me to kiss it and make it better?"
"If you feel that you must," Ripper murmured as he settled her body more comfortably over his." Did you know that my lips are hurting as well?"
"I suppose that I really should kiss them to make them feel better," Joyce said in a barely managed serious tone."Just in case."
"I think that' s a marvelous idea," Ripper said as he brought his face closer to hers, his hands on her waist to hold her steady.
"If you say so," Joyce whispered as she lowered her face, her hands caressing the hairs at the side of his ears. She closed her eyes when she could feel his breath on the sensitive skin of her lips…" Mmmm. You taste like chocolate."
"And you taste utterly wonderful," Ripper murmured as he rolled her underneath him, and made himself comfortable by settling between her legs. His eyes danced wickedly." I like this. A nubile nurse that tastes like chocolate."
"Just this one," Joyce giggled as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"So what do you want to do now that we' re playing hooky?" Ripper smirked at her.
Feeling playful and giving him a Mona Lisa smile, Joyce rolled him on to his back again, and brought her face closer to his, as she whispered,"You really want to know what I want to do, Ripper? Can' t you guess?"
"I have an inkling," Ripper smirked at her as his hands rested on her bottom. Joyce quirked an eyebrow at him as her brown eyes danced.
"We have the same idea then. Great," Joyce said as she kissed his nose and scrambled quickly off of him. She made her way towards her bag and rummaged through it." Now where is it?"
Ripper blinked.Then he sat up and demanded."What just happened? I thought you wanted to-"
"I thought you knew what I wanted to do,"Joyce said innocently, her brown eyes wide as she smiled at him playfully."I wanted to get some chocolate. What do you say to that?"
Looking at him as Joyce broke off a piece of chocolate and popped it into her mouth, she held the chocolate bar teasingly out to him. Not seeing the playfulness in her eyes, Ripper narrowed his own at her."I think that you're not being nice, kitten."
Joyce lost her smile when she noticed the scowl on his face."Ripper-"
"In fact, I think that you're being a naughty little kitten,"Ripper declared as he jumped up and grabbed the chocolate bar from her."And naughty little kittens don't deserve any chocolates."
Joyce's eyes narrowed as she jumped up."Hey! Give me back my candy!"
"Nope,"Ripper smirked at her as he broke off a piece and popped it into his mouth."Naughty little kittens like you shouldn't get any chocolate."
Joyce started towards him, and Ripper retreated to behind the couch. She stopped."Ripper! You're hogging all of my candy!"
"Yeah, I am,"Ripper smirked as he popped another piece into his mouth. "Want some, baby?"
"Yeah,"Joyce beamed as she came towards him then stopped as Ripper retreated backwards."Ripper!"
"I changed my mind, baby,"Ripper said as he popped another piece into his mouth."Want to try for another piece?"
Joyce started towards him again, and again Ripper stepped back, popping another piece of chocolate in his mouth. "Oops! I changed my mind again!"
Joyce scowled at him, and let out a small sound of annoyance. He was being mean. He was eating HER chocolate. All by himself. That wasn't nice. That was horribly nasty of him. As she thought of a way to get back her chocolate, her eyes rested on the Kaluah. Maybe it was time to dump him and find a guy that'd share his chocolate with her. Like Tom. She visibly brightened at the idea."Okay."
Popping a chocolate into his mouth, Ripper watched as a smile lit her small face."Okay, what, baby?"
Grabbing the Kaluah quickly, Joyce headed towards the door."If you don't want to share the chocolate with me, I'll go and share the Kaluah with Tom."
Jumping over the couch to the door, Ripper growled at Joyce as he reached over her head to slam the door shut. "Oh no, you're not! You're not going anywhere!"
Joyce turned to glare at him."Let me go, you big meanie!"
Imprisoning Joyce between his body and the door, Ripper glared down at her as her brown eyes flashed at him."What makes you think that you're dumping me to go with that pillock?"
One hand resting on his chest, Joyce glared at him as the other hand, which was holding the Kaluah, poked at him."The fact that you're eating my chocolate all by yourself and acting like a damn berk, Ripper Giles."
Poking the bottle at him again, Joyce glared up at him again as she pouted."I don't want to play with you, you're acting like Hank when you're supposed to play with me."
"Oh, really? How was I supposed to play when you changed the rules?" Ripper demanded as he took the bottle away from her."What was I supposed to do?"
"Well, you aren't supposed to eat all of my chocolate all by yourself!"Joyce glared at him, and she pushed at him. Her mouth trembled."That's one thing that you weren't supposed to do, you meanie! You were supposed to convince me to share it with you! And I'm not a naughty kitten! I just like to play!"
Ripper's eyes softened as he took in the hurt look on her face. She moved her head away as he tried to kiss her. His hand then gently cupped her face as he kissed her wrinkled brow, nose and lips as he apologized. "Oh, I'm so sorry, baby. I didn't know that you wanted to play. Forgive me?"
Lowering her face, Joyce bit her lip as she thought hard about it. Ripper wasn't Hank. For the most part, Ripper wasn't anything like Hank, the thieving, selfish, deceitful, two-timing, workaholic asshole that she'd married. But Ripper didn't like to play, and that wasn't good. She wanted someone who'd indulge her when she wanted to play and tease.
Sensing that Joyce was about to withdraw from him, Ripper lifted her face towards his."I'm sorry, baby. I didn't know that you wanted to play. You didn't say anything. How was I supposed to know that you wanted to play? If you want, we can play all you want."
Biting her lip, Joyce looked at him hesitantly."But you don't want to play, Ripper. You don't like to play. Do you, Ripper?"
"I want to play with you,"Ripper insisted as he leaned closer to her. He savagely quashed his desperation as Joyce tried to move away from his kiss. Why was she always moving away from him?"I want to learn how to play with you."
When Joyce looked at him doubtfully, Ripper let out a savage curse. Then he grabbed her hand, and dragged her to the couch. Ripper then plopped the bottle of Kaluah on the coffee table, ignoring her little squeak, he dropped to the carpet, with Joyce sprawled on top of him. She looked down at him with a blank look."Let's start all over again, shall we?"
After a second, Joyce beamed at him, then settled more comfortably on top of him, and peppered his face with kisses. Then she gave him a deep kiss that left them both panting slightly."Okay."
Placing his hands on her bottom and thrusting his hips up slightly, Ripper grinned rakishly at her."So, let's play, baby."
Joyce took in a sharp breath, then smiled slowly as she ground her hips into his."Okay. Do you know what I want to do?"
"No, what?"Ripper gasped as he thrust his hips up again. He smiled wickedly at her."What do you want to do?"
"I want to have some chocolate,"Joyce declared as she scampered off him and grabbed the half-eaten chocolate bar from the couch. Sitting on her knees, she smiled at Ripper coyly as he sat up."So what do you say to that?"
"I say that you had better share that with me,"Ripper growled as he slowly crawled towards her. When Joyce beamed at him, a fierce sense of satisfaction roared through him."And soon."
“Okay.”Her eyes never leaving his, Joyce broke off a huge piece, placed it between her teeth, and leaned towards him. His eyes never leaving her, Ripper leaned in and covered her mouth with his, his tongue dueling with hers. She gave a throaty moan as her arms wrapped around his neck, and his arms pulled her closer to him. Joyce felt herself being lowered on to the carpet again as Ripper's mouth plundered hers.
The kiss broke when the need for air became too much. Her arms caressing his shoulders, Joyce looked up at Ripper and beamed at him as she wrapped her long legs around his waist."You can play."
"Oh, I'm learning,"Ripper purred as he thrust his hips into the cradle of her thighs. His eyes were hooded as he saw Joyce's eyes roll back with pleasure."I'm a quick study."
Tightening her legs around Ripper's waist, Joyce flipped him over, on to his back. She giggled at his surprised look."I'm so glad. 'Cause I want to play some more."
With her sitting on top of his hardness, Joyce's voice lowered as she nipped his chin, her hands roaming all over his chest."I want to play Buried Treasure."
"Buried Treasure?"Ripper gasped as Joyce rubbed herself harder against his groin. He gripped her thighs as he thrust his hips up."What's that? How do you play?"
Giggling, Joyce nipped his chin again, then moved her mouth lower."Simple. You stay still while I try to find the treasures you have buried under all these layers of clothes you have on."
"Sounds like fun, kitten,"Ripper gasped as Joyce latched on to his earlobe and started nibbling it."Do I get a turn to play later?"
"I'll think about it,"Joyce murmured as she lowered her head to kiss him again."I get to go first."
"Want some chocolate first?"Ripper teased as his hand reached up to caress her neck. Joyce smiled impishly at him as she reached over his head, then innocently shoved her soft chest into his face as she grabbed the half-eaten chocolate bar. She dimpled at him when Ripper groaned loudly. He watched as Joyce broke off another piece, pop it into her mouth, and held it up close to his face. He shook his head as he brought hers closer to his. "No, chocolate. I want your sweetness first, kitten."
"SEE YOU AT THE BRONZE!" shouted a familiar voice. Joyce shot her head up at that voice as Ripper groaned aloud.
"Bloody hell, Buffy' s here," Ripper groaned aloud as he rolled over, putting Joyce under him" Why the bloody hell is she here?"
Joyce looked up at him blankly."Ohmigod. Buffy. What are we going to do?"
Caressing her bottom, Ripper grinned wolfishly at Joyce."Well, we could ignore her when she rings the bell. Let her think that we' re not in. Or let her catch us and tell her to go away."
"We left the door unlocked," Joyce said desperately as she struggled to get his delicious weight off of her." Buffy can' t see us like this! She had a hard enough time dealing with Ted! She nearly killed him!"
Ripper looked at her blankly, then winced as he remembered last year, when Buffy was accused of killing Ted. He got straight up." Right then. Better get up. You sit on the couch, while I-while I go-go out."
"You can' t go out! You live here! What excuse will I have for being here?" giggled Joyce nervously as she rose from the floor." Maybe I should hide in the bedroom!"
"No!"Ripper said a bit loudly. He really should get a hold of his imagination. Lives were at stake. His life, mainly." I mean, ah, let' s think logically. You can be here, you have a right to be here. You're her mother. I am her Watcher. We' re-we' re-"
"Better think fast." Joyce advised as she sat on the couch."She' s almost here. How about we' re having a meeting? About her?"
"That' s it!"Ripper beamed at her as he sat next to her." We' re having a meeting to schedule her life. A wonderful idea, baby."
Ripper leaned in for a kiss, which escalated heatedly as her tonuge dueled with his. Joyce moaned into his mouth then moaned again when his lips moved to her ear lobe." We really don' t have time...Buffy will-"
Breathing deeply, Ripper panted." Right. Right. I'll-I'll go there. By the other side of the room..."
Ripper quickly moved towards the other side of the room, and think that he should be doing something, he opened the cabinet that held his vinyls. Joyce giggled and he turned to give her a wicked grin. Then something behind her caught his eye." Joyce! The Kaluah!"
Joyce quickly got off the coffee table and got it as Buffy opened the door. Ripper pretended to look busy as he murmured to himself." Show time..."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*