Disclaimer in part 1.
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Xander paced around the interview room. They’d finally promised to let him see Giles. After two hours of grilling and ‘subtle’ hinting, he gave them what they wanted. It was the only way they would let him see the Watcher.
He turned toward the door as it opened. Giles was led in by two police officers, his hands cuffed in front of him. The look of genuine relief on the Englishman’s face made the past couple of hours worthwhile.
“Xander!”
“Hey Giles.” He looked at the policemen. “Do you mind?”
“We’ll just be outside the door. Call if you need anything.”
“Yeah, right. Thanks.” He waited until they were alone, before sitting at the table. Giles sat in the seat opposite. “How’re you holding up?”
“I-I admit I’ve had better days? I-is, um, everything allright?”
Xander knew Giles was asking about the diaries. “Yeah. Everything’s cool. Listen, um, Giles. They only let me talk to you because I told them I could get you to tell them the truth.”
Giles couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “W-what?”
“They just want to know where Buffy is. Her mom’s really worried. That’s why you’re here. So just tell them what you know. Then you can go home.” He hoped the other man understood what he was saying.
Giles stood up and moved away from the table. He needed to think. What was Xander trying to say? “I’ve told them all I know. About Buffy. And the - the murders.” Buffy. Her mother. “I understand Mrs. Summers is concerned. We-e all are. I don’t blame her for anything. She isn’t to blame”
Then who was? “So what we need is for Buffy to turn up about now.” At the sudden speed that Giles turned around, he knew his message had been received.
“No!” He turned toward the door. Nobody entered. “No. It would only cause more questions. Now would not be a good time for Buffy to reappear. Wherever she is, I’m sure she’s safe. Perhaps once this has died down. When the person responsible for this mistake has seen the error of his ways.”
Great. Buffy was on her way to save him, and he didn’t want to be saved? Now what? “You need help.” He was running out of time. “The things you think you’ve seen. The things you talked to us about. They can’t be real. Talk to somebody. We ALL want to help you.” Was it enough? Did he understand?
“Perhaps it’s because of something that happened in my past?” Giles said it as if in joking. He hoped his young friend realised the truth. The others were there. Ready to help. And Buffy was home. He felt easier than he had in a long time. Now to take care of Ethan. “I doubt if they would believe me, Xander. In fact, I’m quite sure of it. I’m sorry. Sorry that you’ve turned against me. You and the others. Abandoned me. You have disappointed me.” Forgive me. I don’t mean it. Please understand.
The door opened. The two police officers reentered the room. It was obvious they’d been listening. “Time’s up. Sorry son.”
“Giles. We’ll be thinking about you. And praying.” I understand. Hang in there He watched as they dragged their prisoner out. Now all he had to do was remember everything Giles had told him. Hopefully, the others will understand what he meant.