#they also provide a reason for why angel is welcome in giles' home

[jannacalendar]

I've fished out a load of old Buffy novels from the attic and have stumbled across a bit of a Calendiles goldmine in How I Survived My Summer Vacation. It's a series of short stories set between the first and second seasons about the gang spending the summer slaying while Buffy is visiting her dad. I don't know how many of you own or have read these books, so the highlights include:

« Giles' heart skipped a beat when Jenny glided into the courtyard. »

Upon seeing Jenny, Giles starts reciting Byron’s She Walks in Beauty to himself. This goes: She walks in beauty, like the night / Of cloudless climes and starry skies; And all that’s best of dark and bright / Meet in her aspect and her eyes…

Xander and Willow, across the short stories, taking it in turn to make little comments of varying degrees of discreetness about whether something is going on between the two of them. Willow enquires about whether Giles needs two tickets for an event because he's taking Ms. Calendar, while Xander is more blunt: « You two have been busy. Alone. Teacher’s in lust, I think. »

Giles being greatful Jenny hasn't disappeared on her « New Age be-in or whatever they were called these days » because he's enjoying getting closer to her.

« Her nearness was intoxicating and distracting. »

Giles gets injured and Jenny refuses to leave him despite all the vampires and the fire around them: « Her dark eyes were all he saw as thick smoke swirled around them both. ‘I love her… I cannot let her die.' »

Despite the Master's bones being stolen, Jenny's first priority is going to Giles in the hospital. She's also taking care of repairs and insurance claims at his apartment while he's admitted. When he's finally discharged they're holding hands.

Jenny and Giles decide to keep Willow and Xander out of harms way over the summer and take over slaying duties for themselves.

Giles has mixed feelings about this because, for as brave as Jenny may be, she's inexperienced and he is distracted by his feelings towards her. He wants to patrol alone to keep her out of danger, which Jenny does not take kindly too: « The macho look does not become you. »

Something appears. Jenny wants to split up and investigate. Giles doesn't. Jenny does anyway: « His brain said he should go left, complementing her action. His gut said he should protect Jenny at all costs. His brain never even stood a chance. »

They are dealing with a shapeshifter and Jenny, Giles, and Angel cannot trust each other. When a second Angel appears? « Instantly, Giles and Jenny moved closer together. »

Jenny tries (and succeeds) to get Giles to go to a fourth of July celebration with her.

« A corner of Jenny’s mouth lifted in a pretty smile, and despite himself, Rupert felt his resolve weakening. »

Giles is being cranky but is simultaneously unable to hide how happy he is to be spending the day with her.

Giles is so used to the Scoobies not caring about his research and ramblings that he is shocked that Jenny actually cares to listen to him.

« She was just so… delightful that sometimes he actually became speechless. »

Jenny calls Giles a stick in the mud then kisses him on the cheek. She later calls him handsome and kisses him.

Also the final story focuses on a travelling theatre troupe that go on murder sprees to match the plays they are putting on and I love that concept, what a fun idea to play with.