Disclaimer: Don't own or claim rights to Buffy

~~~~~

“No.”

“But, Buffy,” Willow whined.

“Giles,” Buffy appealed to her Watcher.

Giles looked up, distracted, and launched absently into a rehearsed, or at least oft-repeated, speech. “Willow, while Mr Gates may or may not be evil, he is still a human, and therefore outside the Slayer's purview."

Willow slumped down into a chair, and huffed.

“You know, Will, even I know that speech by now,” Xander commented idly. “Even with the 'purview'. Not quite getting the accent, though.”

“Wish to God you'd stop trying,” Giles muttered, almost inaudibly.

“I'm not that bad, am I?” Willow whimpered.

“Um, yeah, you are,” Xander nodded.

Oz reached over and took her hand. “Sorry, babe,” he murmured.

“But...”

“No,” the rest of the room chorused.

“Sigh,” she murmured plaintively.