Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon, WB and ME (Mutant Enemy). <I really do just like to say that. If they belonged to ME, things would be a whole lot different. Well for Giles and Buffy, anyway ;)>
Pairing: Buffy/Giles
Rating: FRAO I can't keep Giles in clothes too long, or I break out in hives.

Distribution: Solo-84 and Abby if they want it. Anyone else, just ask :)
Spoilers: Up to the Prom. As far as the whole Graduation/Acension thing, I'm only guessing.
Feedback: Yes, please. Just don't hurt me.

Summary: Sent: Friday, May 14... Subject: Re: [WatcherGirls] The Prom, Gorgeous Brits in Tuxes, and Of Things to Come ... In a message dated 99-05-13 22:29:21 EDT, you write: Giles' green card in jeopardy...Buffy on the outs with Angel...do I sense a "marriage of convenience" in the offing? Hmm? <g> Okay. That idea is just too good to pass up. Somebody else write it fast before I get side tracked with yet another unfinished story. Joy Lee

I think that sums it up...

Archivist's Note: Well, Holly was right, and bless her for it. Nakedness ensues; consider this one rated NC17

Buffy was in the Library, training with Wesley. She was less than enthusiastic. Not only was Angel gone, but Giles the dependable was nowhere to be found. He wasn't here. He practically lived here. And, he wasn't at his house. She had called. With Giles, there just weren't that many places he could be. Buffy didn't want to admit it, but she was worried. Almost worried enough to ask Wesley again, what he knew. Due to her extreme distraction, Wesley managed to get in under her guard and whack her on the side of her head.

She looked at him, furious. He took a step back, and she took a calming breath and spoke, "Wesley, where's Giles?"

"I told you. He said he had an appointment. That's all he said."

"Not even a hint as to...?" She was interrupted as the Library doors flew open. Giles stormed in, and went immediately to his office and slammed the door so hard the hinges rattled. Buffy and Wesley exchanged wary looks. She broke the silence, "that's new. Do you think we should...?"

"No," he replied firmly. "He did not appear to be in the mood to share."

Buffy hated to admit that Wesley was right. But she was at a loss, she had never seen Giles like that. Not even when Ethan was around. "I think we should probably leave. Just for a little while, give him some privacy."

"Agreed," said Wesley. Buffy left a short note for Giles, explaining that would be back later, and that she hoped he was feeling better. She and Wesley left.

A little over twenty minutes later, Giles came out of his office. He found the note. He hadn't even realized that they had been here. He started to pace, trying to think of a way out of this mess.

That's how Buffy and her Slayerettes found him, pacing around the Library. Buffy and Willow went straight to him. Buffy spoke first. "Giles? Are you all right? Is there any thing you need?'

Then Willow, "Buffy said that you seemed really upset about something. Angry?"

He rested a hand on each girls shoulder. "Yes. I was... am very angry. Buffy I'm terribly sorry about earlier." He hesitated. "Perhaps you should all sit down."

"That bad, huh?" Said Xander with his usual insight.

Giles didn't speak until everyone was seated. He spared a look at Wesley, and a longer one at Buffy. Then he took a deep breath and spoke. "My Green Card is being revoked." They looked at him blankly. Except Wesley, who understood just how serious that was. "My status as a resident alien. The Card allows me to be in this country. The Watchers Council has withdrawn their support. There is no need, as far as our respective governments are concerned, for my continued presence here."

"They can't do that!"

"Buffy, they can, and they have." Her eyes looked at him as if he'd betrayed her. "Buffy, I never said I was leaving you. Merely that officially I can't stay. I may have to leave officially. But I'll not stay away. You have my word."

"How will you manage?" Asked Wesley.

"Well, I thought I'd start with a long talk with Angel. You'll not convince me that he has a Green Card. Then I officially go home, and obtain alternate transport back."

"You'll not be able to find a decent job without papers. You know that."

"I'll manage." He answered Wesley firmly.

"Maybe there's another way. Don't you just need to convince them that you offer something unique?" Said Willow.

"Like what?" Asked Cordelia. "He can't just go and say, 'hi, I'm an Ex-Watcher to the Vampire Slayer. I really need to stay in this county.' That would really get him deported." The others just looked at her. "What? Oh that tact thing again, right? Look, I don't want Giles to leave, either. He is important, and we all know that. I'm just saying that, he'll never be able to convince 'them' of it." She looked thoughtful . "Of course, he could always marry an American citizen. That's what they do in the movies. Too bad you're not dating anyone Giles."

"Oh!"

"Yes Xander?"

"We could hire someone. You know, to marry you."

"I see. Let suppose for a moment that I would marry such a person. How exactly do we explain things to her? Also, I believe that we need to convince Immigration that it's a 'real' marriage. That would entail cohabitaion, and a certain about of knowledge about each other. If I tell her the truth, we're all in danger. If I don't the she most certainly would be." He stopped there, having made his point.

"Oh." He thought again. "Then it would have to be someone who already knows." Encouraged by the fact that no one had dismissed this out of hand, he continued. "Who do we know, that knows, and might be willing?"

Willow got a pad and pen for a list. They all sat for a minute, no one speaking. Then Willow spoke. "Giles, name some women that you know." She looked at him expectantly. He drew a breath to speak, then let it out.

"Bloody hell. I....." He sat down, realizing that the only females he knew any more were the girls. And, of course, Joyce. He surpressed a shudder. After the whole Band Candy incident, he and she couldn't even be in the same room. She was not an option. He caught Buffy's expression and realized that she had the same thought.

Oz, who had been his usual quiet self spoke up. "You really only know us, and that Ethan guy. Here, anyway. Right?" At Giles' embarrassed nod, he continued. "Then, if that's the way we're going, it will have to be one of the girls. They all know the situation. And it wouldn't be forever, just until immigration gives you citizenship."

Wesley spoke, "are you willing to give up British citizenship?"

"I hadn't thought that far ahead. Would I have to?"

"Leave that to the Net Girl." Willow moved to the computer, while the others exchanged nervous looks. One of them marry Giles? He just sat there with his eyes closed, thoughts in turmoil. Finally, Willow returned.

"Based on what I've found, you shouldn't have to give up your British citizenship. But you would probably have to return there for several months a year to retain it. You could just have resident alien status indefinately. If that's what you want." Now they were all sitting akwardly, trying not to be the first to say anything.

"Well, nobody even needs to look at me. No offense Giles, but I would never marry you, even for a little while."

"Cordelia, you've broken my heart." He replied dryly. The others just rolled their eyes. Then one by one everyone except Giles looked at Buffy. She felt their eyes, and hers widened. Her mouth opened, then shut. He was staying for her. How selfish was she that she would ask one of her friends to do what she wasn't willing to do. Her shoulders slumped. She nodded. Giles followed everyones stare, and spoke firmly. "Absolutely not." Her head came up, happy for the reprieve then oddly hurt. "We'll find another way. Perhaps Ethan knows someone who could...."

"I would not trust Ethan, or anyone he recommends."

"Buffy," he said gently. "There aren't a lot of options."

"No." She was adamant. "If we can't come up with someone, or something better, then... I'll do it." She said the last in a rush.

Wesley sputtered. "Absolutely not. I forbid it." Buffy's chin came up and her eyes flashed.

"Bloody hell, man. Why didn't you just offer to give her away?" Giles was acerbic. He realized that Wesley had just sealed their fate. Knowing Buffy, nothing would change her mind now. And he knew that there was no way he could live with her, and not show himself to be the worst kind of fool.