Author: M. Jade
Title: Birthday Wishes
Email: m_jade34@hotmail.com
Summary: Title says all, except that it's W/G
Rating: G
Feedback: Bring it on…
Disclaimers: Joss is Buffy's papa. I am like some visiting
relative
he doesn't like, and John Rzeznik wrote "Iris".
Distribution: Strange Brew, the W/G list, Bite Me…Please?,
slayerette.org, anyone who asks.
Notes: Short fic written in about half an hour. If it sucks, I'm
sorry. As always, {} denotes lyrics
Dedication: To Andrea, who deserves many happy birthday wishes.
Also, to Derek, who remembered mine.

**********************************************************************

"Thank you," Giles told the Expresso Pump audience as he
finished his
lastest song. "I do have one final piece that I'd like to
play.
This is for Willow. Happy birthday, dear heart." As he began
the
song, Willow could feel her eyes mist up. The song he had chosen was
quite a meaningful one.

"Wow, Wills," Xander whispered as he realized what song Giles
had
chosen to play.

{And I'd give up forever to touch you}
{Cause I know that you feel me somehow}
{You're the closest to heaven that I'll ever be}
{And I don't want to go home right now}

His voice rang out clear and true, and it dripped with the emotion he
was feeling. It had been just two short months since he had admitted
his feelings for the redheaded hacker. It had been in the aftermath
of a nasty breakup with Tara. The two witches had gone their
separate ways, and it was Giles who picked up the pieces and healed
Willow's heart. Now he wanted to let her know what the past two
months had meant to him.

{If I could taste is this moment}
{And all I could breathe is your life}
{Sooner or later it's over}
{I just don't want to miss you tonight}

They had spent so much time as friends, and now they were more.
Buffy and the others had given it a curious eye, but had quickly come
to accept the couple.

"That is so sweet, Will. God, Riley, why can't you do
something like
that for me," the Slayer joked. Riley's face got red.

"Well, if I could sing for you, Buffy, I would…"

"Could you guys cut it out. I want to hear the song," Anya
chastised
them.

{And I don't want the world to see me}
{Cause I don't think that they'd understand}
{When everything's made to be broken}
{I just want you to know who I am}

Even in acoustic form, the song held it's simple elegance and
sentiment. It had been one of Willow's favorites, and that's
why
Giles had chosen to surprise her with it. By now, she was in full
blown tears.

"Oh, Rupert," she said softly. He gave he a wink and a smile
from
the stage.

{And you can't fight the tears that ain't coming}
{Or the moment of truth in your lies}
{When everything feels like the movies}
{Yeah, you bleed just to know you're alive}

They had spent so long hiding from the truth, denying their feelings
for each other. Once they dared to look further, it was all to clear
what they held between them. Their love had grown strong without
them even realizing it, and they only found it got better with each
day they spent together.

{And I don't want the world to see me}
{Cause I don't think that they'd understand}
{When everything's made to be broken}
{I just want you to know who I am}
{And I don't want the world to see me}
{Cause I don't think that they'd understand}
{When everything's made to be broken}
{I just want you to know who I am}
{I just want you to know who I am}
{I just want you to know who I am}

The audience clapped enthusiastically as Giles finished the song.
Willow came forward and gave Giles a tight hug through her tears.

"Was that my birthday present, Rupert," she asked softly.
"It was
beautiful."

"Perhaps. You'll have to wait for tonight and see," he
answered with
a grin.