Must Have Been the Dress

[jforjenny]

Authors Note:This particular scene was a flashback in my old version of the "My Sweet Escape" fanfic, but has been edited out of the new version. However, I really loved this small scene and others seemed to like it as well, so I thought I would post it as a separate fanfic. So it is very short scene. Enjoy!

Must Have Been the Dress

"Can I get you something to drink?"

"No thanks," Jenny replied.

Both Rupert and Jenny were sitting down at a table talking and watching all the students dancing at the Bronze and celebrating the end of another year. Of course the Scooby gang was also celebrating the fact that they had just saved the world and defeated the Master. Other teachers that showed up at the party were sitting around in scattered groups talking about their plans for the summer. Ms. Calendar and Mr. Giles had a table to themselves off to the side.

It seemed a little weird that principle Snyder would come by and talk to them every so often, but Giles knew very well it was because out of the little friends Snyder had, he considered Giles to be one of them. It was never to clear on why that was. When things would get quiet at Mr. Giles and Ms. Calendars table, Snyder would roam away to another table and tried to make friends. At the moment, both Mr. Giles and Ms. Calendar were alone.

"So how are you doing?" Giles asked, feeling concerned and hoping that the events of that night had not scared his new friend too badly.

"Considering the fact that Willow and I were almost eaten by the hellmouth… I'm feeling pretty good. It feels good to save the world." She replied and Giles was glad to hear that she wasn't planning on avoiding him.

"Yea, I hear it's extraordinarily healthy and soothing for the soul." He said, hoping to get a laugh. He succeeded.

"You're an amazing watcher," Ms. Calendar said, "not only did your slayer die, kill the master, and save the world, but she did it all wearing a dress and still has the energy to party!"

He laughed, "Yea, I've tried before… didn't work out."

"Must have been the dress." She teased.

"That's also what I've concluded." He laughed, "Well, with Buffy, I've tried my best to train her but she really only listens to half the things I say. The Watchers Council also does nothing but insult me about it."

"What do they know?" Ms. Calendar said trying to bring Giles out of his sad little bubble. "They wouldn't be able to save the world if they tried. While they are off and hiding in England, they expect the slayer to fight it all off for them. You're different, you were going to give your life to protect your slayer. That was incredible. By the way…" She looked over at his curious eyes, "for the record, I wasn't going to let you go alone. But then Buffy knocked you out, so I decided to stay and make sure she didn't accidentally kill you."

Giles laughed and was pleased that she noticed his brave, heroic behavior. He also began to notice how funny she was.

"I'm also guessing that the Watchers council doesn't approve of the slayer having a vampire boyfriend." Ms. Calendar said watching Buffy and Angel as they danced together.

Xander and Willow were dancing a little faster and off beat with the music but they didn't care, they were having fun.

"How did you know Angel was a vampire?" Giles asked.

"Oh, um… you mentioned it earlier."

"Oh… well, the council doesn't know and I don't plan to tell them, but they don't approve of most of the things that Buffy does."

Things got quiet at the table and they watched the Scoobies dance the night away. If it wasn't for their random scratches and bruises, It would have been as if nothing had even happened that night.

Maybe I should ask Ms. Calendar to dance. Giles thought to himself. Or maybe not, why should I scare away the only friend I have that knows our little secret.

Great! Now if I don't ask her, I'm going to regret it all summer! Woah, she looks gorgeous today. Well, she does every day. Oh dear, get ready for a summer of regret.

"So you up for a dance or two?" Ms. Calendar asked looking back at Mr. Giles.

"mmm… a-a what?"

"You know, what people usually do at parties? Come on…" she stood up and grabbed Giles hand, dragging him to the dance floor. The song changed from a fast beat one, to a slower, calmer melody.

"O-o-okay." He said, struggling to get off his seat.

Ms. Calendar turned to him once they were on the dance floor and put her arm over his shoulder. Her other hand remained holding his. She slowly leaned her head against his chest and Giles was nervous. Turning pink, he hesitated putting his arm around her waist. And they danced.

Giles focused on trying not to make a fool of himself. He knew that if the Scoobs caught him dancing with Ms. Calendar, he was going to be harassed by them all summer. Yet part of him didn't really care. He was enjoying this. He was trying really hard to not accidentally step on her toes.

"Y-you… are a g-good dancer."Giles said.

"You're pretty good yourself!" She smiled. "And to top it off… you smell really good. How were you not sweating like crazy fighting that monster?"

"No clue." He laughed, "You know, you smell pretty good yourself."

"What, you mean better than a computer?"

"… and musty old books."

"Bonus!" Ms. Calendar said sarcastically.

She looked up at him, and for a moment they were lost in each other's gaze.

What are you doing Giles? He thought.

Slowly they had gotten closer, lips closing in on each other.

"Home…" Ms. Calendar murmured when their lips were about to touch.

"What?" he asked confused, almost in a whisper.

"I better get home… it's pretty late and I'm exhausted." She said not opening her eyes.

"A-are you sure? I-I can drive you home if you like…"

Ms. Calendar opened up her watery eyes and fought back the tears that wanted to roll down her cheeks.

"No, it's fine…" Ms. Calendar gave Giles a hug, which caught him by surprise and she continued, "Thank you so much for this dance."

Giles couldn't let her go without knowing if she was now officially scared away by him. He was really worried.

"M-maybe we can do this again sometime?" he asked.

"Definitely!" she smiled grabbing her coat, "I'm counting on it. How about my birthday? It's July 7th."

Giles smile erupted from excitement, "Of course. I can schedule in some time on my calendar for Ms. Calendar."

She reached out for his hand and starred out at him one last time. She savored the moments where her fingers were entwined with is, "Well, Goodbye England." She said and walked out of the Bronze.

Giles smiled as he watched her walk away.