Giles leaves for a real reason/ Dawn is still the Key by pfeifferpack +17
Responses: 0
Categories: Season 6
Characters: Andrew Wells, Buffy, Dawn, Ensemble, Giles, Jonathan Levinson, Spike, Warren Mears
Summary:

I hated the character assassination of Giles by having him bail on Buffy after her resurrection. The "reasons" never made a bit of sense and there were a slew of other ways they could have written the actor out without destroying the character of Giles that way.

While making a comment on another story I thought of one and believe it would be a good story in and of itself.

I always thought it insane to think that after a wee bit of Dawn's blood being shed in opening that portal on the tower that suddenly Dawn was nothing more than an average, normal, teen-aged girl. Why should her basic nature change? Her Key abilities (later explored a bit in the comics) should have remained. I never understood why Giles didn't investigate further.

It would have been a perfectly understandable, reasonable, reason for Giles to go back to England after Glory...to research the Key. It would have been in character as opposed to the character assassination they did to Giles by having him leave the way they did when Buffy needed him so much. Even Buffy would have felt he needed to check into her sister's possible abilities and vulnerabilities through research at the Council!

Perhaps Giles asks Spike to be Buffy's support (at least with the patrols and things of that nature. Maybe even basic research) while he is in London. This would fit with Xander's dream post-Adam of Spike becoming a Watcher. It might draw Buffy and Spike closer and in the open. It wouldn't be Giles' intention to have it bloom to romance but would likely work that way.

Obviously, the story needs to be Spuffy too so either they get close during the course of the tale or are established as a couple as part of the story.

Must have:

Giles keeping in touch while researching. The information on Dawn and her abilities should be more than just a plot device to get Giles out of the picture. 

The Scoobies being frustrated with the seeming approval by Giles for Spike being present and involved with Buffy. Tara and Anya should be supportive and point out the benefits.

Can have: 

The Trio if you want them. Would be good to have them dealt with without any skinning or Dark Willow 

Tara not dying. If shot, it shouldn't be fatal. Willow could go off the spool in that event but not lethal, end-the-world off the spool.

The Trio can discover the possibilities of Dawn's abilities and kidnap her trying to find a way to use her.

Extra points if you can work in Lorne and Wesley into the story. Perhaps Lorne could "read" Dawn and confirm she is still the Key and Wesley might help either in Sunnydale or assist Giles. It would keep those two out of Angel's mess in LA

Can't have:

Destructive Spuffy. If you get them together sexually it shouldn't go to the unhealthy relationship they had in canon. Doesn't have to be fluffy but at least healthy.

No AR like in Seeing Red. IF you choose to have Spike get his soul for some reason it should come from a positive POV, not punishment or a feeling of lack (maybe to appease Willow and Xander who aren't happy with him being with Buffy?) Lots of ways to have him earn the soul through trials without going to Africa...Angel did trials right there in LA after all! The issue of the soul is irrelevant to the challenge however. Spike can go for it or not but if he does it cannot involve the AR.