Summary: As before

Angel desperately wanted Buffy to go out today. He wanted her first trip to be in sunlight where she would both be and feel safer.

Unfortunately he couldn’t take her and Willow was involved in hacking into various different banks.

He wondered if she would go alone but discounted that idea. Even if she was willing she shouldn’t have to go alone. Angel received a possible solution around lunchtime when Giles called. Angel answered the door.

"Buffy. I was worried." Said Giles as he saw her in the hall. "I’ve been calling but all I’m ever told is that your OK and I shouldn’t visit. Well I held off as long as I could but… I had to make sure you were alright."

Buffy took a deep breath. "Giles, something happened the other night." Giles looked confused but didn’t interrupt. "I… I was attacked. I couldn’t fight them off." Buffy looked at Giles to see he still looked befuddled. "I was raped."

"I… Oh dear god. Buffy… I’m so sorry. Are you alright?"

"Fine, for now. We’re trying to trace who did it."

"Buffy." Said Angel. "Why don’t you and Giles take a walk together. Maybe get some coffee, some fresh air."

Buffy looked towards the opened front door. "I don’t really feel like a walk right now."

Angel took her hand and led her to the kitchen, leaving Giles alone in the hallway.

"Buffy, you know you can do this. You’re the strongest person I’ve ever met, and I don’t mean physically."

Buffy sighed. "I know. I know it’s daylight. I know I’ll be safe. But the fear is so strong. I know it’s not rational or logical but it is real."

Angel put his hands on Buffy’s shoulders. "You can do this. I believe in you. You’ll have Giles, you’ll be safe. Think strong. For me?" he kissed her forehead.

"Your right. I can do this." Buffy took a deep breath, turned and walked straight out of the front door, calling for Giles to follow.

"Uh, where are we going exactly?" asked Giles as they left.

Angel stood beside the front door, watching them go. He was worried. He knew she would be safe but he wanted to be with her, just in case.

Once they were out of site he reluctantly left the door and went to see how willow was getting on.



Buffy and Giles walked silently for a while.

For his part Giles wasn’t sure what to say. He had never encountered this before. Death, demons, mayhem, those he knew. This… Well, he just didn’t know how to make it better.

Buffy was nervous. It was a glorious day, nothing amiss, the trees were beautiful, the sky clear. But she still didn’t feel comfortable. Her eyes moved nervously over the faces of everyone she saw, looking for him. She knew he was a vampire, he couldn’t possibly be out now. But still she looked.

Eventually Giles decided he had to speak. "Buffy. I’m totally at a loss here. I don’t know what to do to help you."

"Nothing. There’s nothing you can do."

"I was afraid of that."

"Don’t be. I’ll get over this Giles. And when I’m strong again, I’ll kick that vampires ass back to hell."

"Yes. I dare say that would be very therapeutic." He paused briefly to consider the statement. "Strong again?"

"Yeah. He’s been feeding me that crap the council developed to make me weak."

"Dear lord!"

"We’re using it against him. Angel had Xander watch for someone going into our room to tamper with our food. Xander followed him and got a license number that they’re using to track this bastard down."

"Well, you do seem to have things remarkably under control considering the circumstances."

Buffy formed a wry smile and laughed. "I wish."

"Buffy you must give yourself credit here. I… Well I couldn’t imagine anyone being able to bounce back as quickly as you seem to be."

Buffy sighed and sat on the nearest wall. "It’s not me Giles. It’s Angel. He’s the one looking into all this. I can barely stand to take a bath."

Giles sat down next to her but didn’t say anything. Buffy put her face in her hands.

"I know I have to face this bastard Giles but I don’t think I can."

Giles rested his hand on Buffy’s shoulder. "I think you under estimate yourself Buffy."

Buffy looked at him, tears shimmering in her eyes. "No. I just cant. Even if I’m strong enough physically again I cant look at him. I’ll just… Freeze. I…"

Giles took Buffy in his arms.

"Don’t worry Buffy. We wont do this until your ready. And we’ll be there with you."

Buffy nodded and pulled away, wiping her tears away. "I know. I…" she sighed. It was just too complex to vocalise. "Come on. I want that coffee."

They began walking again.