******

School had been out for several hours, leaving the halls all but deserted. Deserted, that is, except for a few janitors, one security guard and Rupert Giles, School Librarian. It wasn’t uncommon for the tall Englishman to stay in his sanctuary of books and dust, when all other’s fled for the freedom of the outdoors. When he wasn’t meeting with his Slayer, or researching some great evil force out to destroy the world, he often enjoyed the peace and quiet the Library could offer.

Not that the library was flooded with students wanting to expand their minds, during the day, but at night he knew he wouldn’t have any interruptions, or invasions into his world. Giles placed a few books down on the reading table, next to a large vase of Chrysanthemums, a friend from overseas had sent to him. It was a year since Jenny’s death, and he was still receiving condolences. Not that he really minded...the flowers did brighten up the place a bit, and it was a lovely thought...but still, he sometimes wished people would let him be on the matter.

He opened up one of the books and began to read from the text. It was a book of spells he had gotten as a gift from an old Mage. Some of the spells were what Giles so commonly referred to as Cosmetic...spells for love, fame and fortune. Child’s play really. But, as the Watcher flipped through the yellowing pages, some were more than that...much more.

One spell, in particular, caught his eye. It was simply called "Espiritu". No other description was provided, other than the spell components and command words needed to cast the spell, yet something compelled him to look into it further. If Willow was there, she would have probably yelled at him for even thinking about casting this mysterious spell. She would recite to him, what he so often told her, about the dangers of playing with unknown Magicks.

But Willow wasn’t in the Library that night, nor was anyone else who would have the gumption to stop him. They were probably at the Bronze tonight, he thought, gathering up the ingredients required. After all, he did give Buffy the night off, telling her to enjoy this rare night of quiet. And besides, he was a grown man...and could handle himself.

Then memories of his dealings with Eyhgon made him hesitate. He thought he could control the darker forces of magic, even then. And, boy was he wrong! But this was different, he reasoned, Master Jumo would never have such a dangerous spell in his possession. He wasn’t that kind of man.

So, throwing caution to the wind, he began to cast the spell.

A fine mist of sparking light filled the otherwise dimly lit Library. He watched in awe, as the light began to coalesce into a tangible form, wavering in an out of existence until finally began to take shape. Giles squinted his eyes, trying to make out the identity of the "light-being". Then words floated over his head and filled his ears with a sweet melodic sound.

"Who, has called me from the void?" the feminine voice asked, as the figure continued to come into focus.

Giles held his breath, waiting for the mysterious being to become clear enough for him to put a face to the beautiful voice, "Um...I-I did."

"You have freed me from my eternal prison...now I must repay you."

The figure of the summoned spirit finally stood before him in full demonic glory. Giles watched the being, mouth gaped...this was not what he expected. The demoness was a far cry from what her voice would have indicated. She had blue skin, two horns, and wings. Her razor sharp talons rapped on the desk with a sickening clicking noise, sending shivers down the Watcher’s spine.

She smiled a toothy grin and walked toward him, "Mmm," she said in that beautiful...yet, strangely unfitting voice, "how should I repay you?"

Giles backed up, as the two of them played this strange game of "Ring around the table", "R-really," he stammered, trying to come up with a plan of getting rid of the demoness, "t-there’s n-no need. Honestly."

"But you’re my savior," she replied circling him, like a panther stalking its prey, "I must do something. For two thousand years I have been entrapped in that void...alone...wanting for company...needing companionship..."

Giles cringed. Oh, god, she wasn’t insinuating what he thought she was. Was she?

Before he could think of an answer to his own question, the demoness lept for him, grabbing his arms. Her yellow eyes looked deeply into his, and she smiled. In a seconds time, Giles heard the tearing of fabric...and then a sudden draft. He looked down, and quickly realized he was quite naked, his clothes lying shredded at his feet.

Well, she obviously didn’t believe in foreplay!

"Ooo," she cooed, pulling him closer to her, "you are quite a specimen. This is going to be fun...for us both."

"I-I beg to differ," Giles said, backing away from her, "I don’t know h-how it is where you come from...but p-please, a little respect! Just saying ‘thank you’ would have sufficed."

"For you maybe," she said, trying to catch the fleeing Librarian, "But I need you, Human. I need you now!"

"Madame, please!" he cried out, desperately trying to avoid her reach, "I-I’m not that kind of man!" as an afterthought he muttered, "I can’t believe I just said that," he managed to duck away from her grasp, the talons narrowly missing his... "Please watch where you place those claws!"

"What," she panted, "you don’t like it rough?"

"From a demon?" Giles made another turn around the table, "I would prefer not at all!"

"Don’t knock it ‘till you try it." She purred, continuing the chase.

"Look, I’m not interested!"

"Interested in what?" A voice came from behind the demoness. It belonged to Buffy! Great! What a perfect end to this night, he thought, looking for a quick escape. She couldn’t see him, because the demoness blocked her view...but he knew it wouldn’t last forever...and then...

'Giles, are you okay?" Willow’s voice asked in concern. Oh wonderful, not her too!

"What is going on?" Buffy asked the demoness.

"This is none of you concern," he heard her reply, "It’s between the human and me."

"Well, you see,' Buffy said, "That, makes it my concern. Now, you can either get out of here, or I can beat you ‘till you bleed. It’s your call."

"The demoness looked back at Giles, who managed to grab the vase of flowers as his only means of a shield, and sighed, "Slayers...they always take the fun out of life. Keep a light burning for me honey, I’ll come back someday. And I can finish repaying you." She gave a wink, then disappeared into a cloud of smoke, leaving the Slayer, the Witch and a very naked Watcher, alone in the Library.

"Repay you for what?" Buffy gave a sly grin, "Giles, I didn’t know you where into the kinky stuff."

"I-it’s not what y-you think," Giles stuttered, his face getting redder by the moment.

"Mmm," Willow said, picking up the magic book, " ‘Espiritu’. Giles, you didn’t! And you tell me that summoning things is bad. Now look at you," she paused, suddenly realizing that he was without apparel, save a well placed vase, "Oh, god...look at you!"

She turned away, thoroughly embarrassed, as Buffy gave a soft chuckle, "Feeling a little draft, are we Giles?"

"Very funny," Giles hissed, "Now would you please go to my apartment and get me some spare clothes."

"I don’t know..."Buffy said, nudging her best friend, "I don’t think you have learned you lesson yet."

"Buffy."

"Yeah," Willow agreed, as the two walked to the doors, "I think you should think about the consequences of your actions first...until?"

"Morning," Buffy finished.

"Buffy!"

"Don’t worry Giles," Willow smiled, pushing the library doors open and stepping into the deserted hallway, "We’ll be back before the morning bell rings."

"Night Giles," Buffy said, disappearing into the night.

"Buffy!!!!"

Giles placed the vase on the table and sat down, the wood was cold against his bare bottom, "Fine ending...indeed!"