On rewriting

I've been reminded of a few things. One is despite my best eforts my grammar hasn't gotten better. I've just learned to use a beta. The next chapter is the sex and I still fade to black after the kiss but then you guys know that. The last thing is I now recall that after 8 chapters of this I was so sick of hearing feedback with the word cute in it I wanted to kill puppies and small children- in my next story ;). I've decided I'm over my aversion to the word cute and if that's the only thing you can say about this one I'll be happy to have 20 comments with only the word CUTE! in them. This isn't my first time around anymore, or the story's, so cute will do.

The next chapter's actually all new. The first time around the reason that Giles and Anya end up as housemates was pretty flimsey. It still is this time but it is a little more romantic. It will probably be posted in a couple days. Even when I need to more or less scrap a chapter this is going fast. I guess it's like having a detailed outline. Anyway, I'm not going to leave you all hanging waiting for an update or the end on this one. And I do think it'll help with my failure to end my WIPs. {at least I hope so.}

Take Me: Take Two 2/9

TITLE: Take Me: Take Two 2/9
RATING: FRT for the fic overall but this one is safe for everyone.
PAIRING: Giles/Anya
SUMMARY: The summer between season 3-4 This one is shiny and new because the old one was too lame for words. This is still lame, but doesn't defy words.
A/N: This is a rewrite of the first long fic I ever wrote. Back then I was Melanie Dawn so if it looks familiar I’m only plagiarizing myself.


Giles read once that, the condition of someone’s living space reflected his emotional wellbeing. He couldn’t decide if the mess indicated mild depression or impending mid-life crisis. His apartment was a maze because of boxes the books and weapons he’d gotten out of the library before blowing it up. While he was trying to figure out where to start putting it all away when Anya came in the door. “Anya, so good to see you!” He greeted her, happy to be able to put the job of unpacking off.

“It is?”

“Yes, I haven’t heard from you since Graduation. I was afraid you didn’t make it.”

“Oh, I’ve though of you a lot since the prom. I would’ve gotten in touch but I was sort of embarrassed. I only managed to dust a few vampires and started running for my life pretty early. I’m used to a higher death count. I don’t think should let my work ethic slide just because I’m working for the competition now.”

Giles was impressed that she even decided to stay considering how afraid she’d seemed of the Ascension. “You’re working for the competition now?”

“Well, not really ‘working’ in the true sense of the word. I’m not a hero or a champion with special powers. I’m just mortal and I helped with the vampires at graduation so I figured I qualify as a good guy. So you have to help me. Right?”

Anya had same look in her eyes as she did when she was trying to convince him to take her to the prom. So this could be interesting. “What do need my help with?”
“I need a place to stay my Mother threw me out.” when Giles sent her a questioning look over the air quotes around Mother she explained, “See, I made this deal, with Lloyd the classic mother’s curse isn’t usually my department but Lloyd wanted to attend his Sister’s wedding and I’ve owed him a favor all century so I couldn’t say no. He had a client in Sunnydale who wished her daughter would know what it was like to raise a teenager just like her. Cordelia needed me at the high school so I thought I’d economize power, I’d use the persona of the daughter of Marie Jenkins while I did my own work ‘till Lloyd got back to really grant the wish. Lloyd was a sweetheart about it, made the arrangement permanent when he came back and saw what happened, but Lloyd did too good a job at the glamour to make me seem awful and Mom just threw me out.”

“So, you want to stay here? With me? That’s out of the question. Neither of us would be very comfortable.”

“Why not? I’d get a job to help with expenses and I could give you a hand getting this place in order. You have a habit of covering every flat surface with books. Isn’t there any where to sit? ”

“Oh, sorry. I’m unpacking…”As Giles cleared off a chair for her he imagined always underfoot, smelling of fresh air and flowers. Filling his quiet home with her bright clear voice always saying the unexpected. He was almost in love with her already. He didn’t think his life needed another complication. “I’m used to my privacy.”

“If I stayed here we could have sex.”

The casual offer made him angry. He might not want complications but any relationship he had with Anya wasn’t going to be part of rental agreement. “It’s not a good idea to barter with your body.”

“I was bartering with my potential income and my organizational skills. I wanted to have sex with you because you’re attractive and heroic… And I can’t stop thinking about how good it felt to be in your arms when we danced . But I think I’ve changed my mind. You’re acting like a stupid man.” While Giles was trying to absorb this Anya got up and started to make her way back to the door. “Maybe I’m better off sleeping at the bus depot with the other vamp snacks.”

Giles went after her and barked his shin on a box. When he cussed she stopped and turned to him again. Once they were toe to toe at his door he said, “You’re just trying to manipulate me, Anya. You wouldn’t be so stupid.”

“I can be just as stupid as you can.”

“No you can’t.” He laughed and shushed her retort with a finger on her lips. “If you get me thinking and win this argument you’ll spend the night at the Sun Spot Motel instead of my bed.”

“Giles, could you put your mouth where your finger just was?” Giles didn’t bother to answer her. He just did what she asked. He had a feeling he’d be doing that a lot.