Cordelia walked rapidly through the quiet halls, heels echoing on the tiles. She walked into the silent library, and quickly put the closed sign in the window. Her hand shook slightly as she shot the bolt on the doors. She was scared and excited.

Giles had ordered her to be here early for the rest of her punishment. His words echoed in her head. "Unless you want an audience, make sure you're there early. I want you over the table, bottom bare for the final three." Well, she was early. She doubted that even Principal Snyder would be here at this hour. Giles, however, was here. She had seen his car in the lot when she parked.

She walked to the table and pushed a chair aside. He'd still been asleep when she'd left him to rush home to shower and change. He must have awakened shortly after she'd gone. For Endless seconds, she stood by the edge of the table. She closed her eyes. She knew what she had to do. She'd get more if she hesitated.

Her fingers found her belt and loosened it. Unfastening her pants she let them fall down her long legs. Cordelia hooked her fingers around her panties and pushed them down. She lowered herself forward on the table, resting herself on her arms. She waited.

The waiting was the worst part for her. It was then that she felt the most exposed, the most humiliated, the most unsure of herself. There had to be something wrong with her for needing this. Normal girls didn't do this kind of thing. But she couldn't help it. It was like a frozen shell had settled over her with Xander's betrayal and the pleasure and pain that Giles gave her was the only thing that could break through.

She jumped slightly as she felt his callused hand run over her backside. "Beautiful marks, Cordelia."

"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir." She answered at once.

"You've kept me waiting. Two more for that, I think." He told her quietly, still petting her. "Count them."

"Yes, sir." Cordelia agreed, with a combination of hunger and dread.

She heard the swish of the cane before it impacted, cracking across the lower curve of her bottom. She cried out, tears springing instantly. "One."

The next two went an inch higher, in perfect alignment. She squealed and jumped. His hand was instantly at her back, pressing her down. The tears fell over her arms. "Two! Three!"

Giles' hand ran over her flesh again, calming her. The cane lashed again, finding a virgin spot on her thighs. She gasped and moaned, her body shaking. "Four."

"Breathe, Cordelia."

She breathed. She drew the air in deeply, centering herself. Only one more...only one, and then she was done.

The cane fell where her bottom joined with her thighs, barely a hairs-breath above the place he had marked so well last night. She screamed sharply in pain, then sobbed out the number. Giles laid the cane down on the table beside her. He gently rubbed her burning, throbbing flesh and let her sob.

"I should punish you more for flinching, but this will do for now." His words rolled over her like a caress.

"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir." She sniffled, getting her tears under control.

"On your knees, Cordelia. Thank me properly."

Cordelia lifted herself off the table and reached down for her pants. His hand on her hair stopped her. "Did I tell you to dress?"

She dropped to her knees and shook her head. "No, sir." She blushed, suddenly feeling horribly exposed before him. She lowered her eyes under his stern gaze. "I'm sorry, sir."

Reaching up, Cordelia undid the front of his trousers. She stroked him through his shorts, then pulled his erection free from the fabric. Licking him tenderly, she closed her mouth over his cock. She sucked him earnestly, wantonly, showing her passion and her gratitude. Her flanks were still throbbing with pain, but she ignored that as she concentrated on her task.

After the pain, she loved doing this for him. She pleasured him unselfishly, with no other thoughts, feeling only what she was giving and the effect of the pain she received. All else seemed cleansed away- purged by the punishment. Plus, she loved to hear him moan, feel him cradle her skull, and thrust into her hot mouth. All of this turned him on as much as it did her and that thrilled her more than anything. He came with a gasping moan and her mouth filled with his hot seed. She swallowed quickly, lifting her hands to his hips to keep him steady. Finally, he slid out of her mouth and hugged her face to his hip as he refastened his trousers.

"Get dressed, Cordelia. It's getting late. You'll want to wash before the others arrive." He said gently, releasing her.

She looked up at him with wide-eyed surprise. He'd never sent her away without...without pleasuring her, too. Not ever. Knees shaking, she rose to her feet and pulled up her clothes. "Sir..." she whispered.

He lifted his hand and touched her face. "Yes, my dear?"

"Sir, please." Her voice was thick with need. "Please, make me come?"

"No." Giles leaned against the table and drew her into his arms. "Not yet."

She stared at him, eyes filled with hurt. Why was he doing this to her? What had she done wrong? He put a fingertip on her lips to silence her.

"You need to feel, don't you, Cordelia? And this helps you." He smiled softly at her as he reached around her and cupped her throbbing bottom. "You're already going to have trouble sitting still today. You're going to feel the pain I've given you all day long." She lowered her eyes, embarrassed. "Well, I want you to burn a little for me, too. I want you to be wide-awake with your need. For a while, I want you to be mine utterly." He raised her chin and kissed her slowly, sensually, taking her breath away. "I'm being selfish with you. Come to my office at lunchtime. I'll pleasure you then. Go on, now. You'll want to fix your face before classes."

Cordelia obeyed, confused and longing. She went to the girls' locker room and got out her toiletry bag. She washed her face and brushed her teeth. It helped her feel a little better. After glancing around to make sure she was still alone, she went to the full-length mirror and lowered her pants and underwear. She looked at herself. There was a wide mark on her upper thighs, where the parallel marks of the cane had overlapped and bruised her. There were a few more on her bottom, but not as many as she thought. He was very careful with her. The fresh marks stood out, red and angry against her pale skin. She ran her fingers over them, hissing in pain, but still feeling a fresh flood of desire.

She could make herself come. Just lean back against the wall, push her fingers down and make herself come and come. She didn't have to wait on him. But that's not what she wanted. She wanted him to give it to her, carefully, perfectly, the same way he gave her the pain.

She thought about what he'd said. He was being selfish. He wanted her to burn. He wanted her to be his. It frightened her, what it might mean. It made her more vulnerable than when she was naked over that table.

Outside, she heard a door opening. Quickly, she jerked her pants up. Returning to the sink, she repaired her makeup, making sure nothing showed.

***

Cordelia burned all morning.

She sat still, perfectly still, to keep from squirming. She struggled to pay attention to what the teachers were saying, and failed utterly. She barely registered Buffy taking the seat next to her, and couldn't make herself saying anything more cutting than, "Hi Buffy."

She didn't know which was worse, the aching throb of her bottom, or the ache between her legs. She felt short of breath and her hands shook.

"Cordelia?"

She looked up at Ms. Binchy, and could tell by the teacher's expression that this wasn't the first time she'd been called upon. Cordelia had no idea what the question was.

"Are you alright? You look rather feverish."

Cordelia had to fight back a laugh. That's one way of putting it. "I'm okay, Ms. Binchy."

"You look like you're coming down with something. Maybe you should go to the nurse's office after class." The teacher turned her attention to the rest of the class. "Anyone else? Willow, yes?"

As sharp and heightened as it all felt, Cordelia was scared. Scared of being consumed again. Scared of feeling so much. It would use her up, and there wouldn't be anything left. She couldn't bear that. She was torn to pieces as it was.

The bell rang and she made herself get up. Only a little while longer, and Giles would release her this time...she hoped.

As soon as the lunch bell rang, Cordelia fought the tide of students to head to the library. To her horror, Xander and Willow were there at the table. Holding a book in his hands, Xander was sitting at the same spot on the table she'd been leaning over to await her punishment.

I'm going to faint. I'm going to faint or giggle hysterically. Or burst into tears. That's it. That's what will happen and then they'll call an ambulance.

Willow was sitting in a chair, holding open the same text as Xander, eating a sandwich. Obviously, they were doing some studying together. Of course, Xander didn't have her to study with anymore, and of course Willow would volunteer. And what better place than the library. Great. That timing was just so perfect.

She didn't drop her books, and her voice sounded amazingly calm. "Where's Giles?"

Xander looked up, like he was shocked she was even remotely speaking to him. "He's in his office. Anything up?"

"No. I just wanted to talk to him. Nothing remotely spooky." She made herself sound light, ordinary, like a regular girl, like she once had sounded all the time. She walked over to the closed door and knocked.

"Yes?"

"It's Cordelia. Can I come in?" Her heart was going a mile a minute.

"Of course."

Her damp, sweaty hand found the knob and slid slightly before getting the door open. Giles was at his desk. "Close the door, would you, Cordelia?"

She shut the door, and put her books and purse down on top of a case. She barely registered the squeak of his chair as he rose a second before he had her in his arms. Her gasp of surprise was lost in his mouth as he kissed her passionately. He pushed her back, against the wall by the door, his tongue ravishing her moist mouth. His hands ran over her body, cupping her breasts hungrily.

"Giles!" she whispered urgently. "We can't!"

His hand slipped between her thighs and pressed down. She bit her lip to keep from moaning. He moved closer and his teeth found her ear, running around the edge. "Yes, we can. And we will. It's perfect. He hasn't destroyed you, Cordelia. You're right here with me now. Experiencing all the passion he can't take from you. I know you want it."

She almost sobbed and flung her arms around his neck. "I've wanted it all morning. I haven't been able to think of anything else."

He kissed her roughly. "Neither have I." His hands found her belt and quickly opened her pants. They slid down her legs and pooled at her feet. His fingers twisted around the elastic of her panties and pulled them down. "Step out of them," He whispered.

Legs trembling, she obeyed. He kissed her again, and pressed against her. She could feel his erection straining against the wool. He pressed something into her palm. She looked. It was a condom package. He wanted her to put it on him. He meant it. He was going to take her, right here, right now, with Xander and Willow on the other side of the door.

She tore the packet open with her teeth. She held it in her mouth as she got his pants open and freed him. He was so hard, so hard for her. She smoothed the latex veil on quickly. Kissing him hungrily, she leaned her shoulders back against the wall and spread her thighs. He used one hand to brace himself and the other to lift her bottom so he could enter easily. With a hard thrust he pierced her. She was so hot for him, he slid in smoothly.

It was harsh and fast. It took all of her will not to cry out with everything she was feeling. Their mouths came together, but they didn't kiss, just breathed, ragged and sharp. She could just hear the murmur of voices on the other side of the wall, but they were soon lost to the sound of the blood pounding in her ears. She lifted a leg to tighten around him, wanting it all. She'd never been taken so roughly before. Her cunt was going to be as sore as her ass. Burying her face into his shoulder, she screamed silently into his shirt as she came. His hands tightened involuntarily on her bottom and stars of pain exploded behind her eyelids. He made no sound as he came, only exhaled roughly and held her as tightly to him as he could.

Finally, he pulled free of her. Pulling the condom off, he wrapped it in a tissue and threw it away. Getting some more tissue and anti-bacteria hand gel from his desk, he cleaned them both up. She looked around for her panties. He found them and looked at her. With a wicked look, he put them in his pocket and kissed her passionately. Lifting her pants, he helped her dress. After that, he sat in his chair and pulled her on his lap. She flinched a little as she sat. Her arms went around his neck.

"I'm sorry I hurt you more, 'Delia." He whispered with a kiss.

She didn't answer, just kissed him. She'd never felt so spent in her life. They didn't talk, just held each other tenderly. He stroked her hair. She loved it when he did that. He reached up and stroked her cheek. She kissed him.

Though every part of her resisted, she made herself get up. Going to her bag, she pulled out her mirror and repaired her face. She looked over at Giles', who nodded his approval. Reaching in his case, he pulled out a book and put it on top of her stack. Gently, he kissed her forehead.

She opened the door.

Willow and Xander were still at the table. They automatically looked up when the door opened, but nothing more than that. Buffy had joined them at some point, worrying over the same text. Everything normal here, right? Right.

Buffy looked at her, concerned but not wanting to seem overly so. "You okay, Cordy? I think Ms. Binchy's right. You look like you've got a fever or something. Doesn't she, Giles?"

Giles lifted a hand and pressed it against her forehead for a moment, looking concerned. "She might be right, Cordelia." He moved a little so his back was to Buffy and Cordy could see the sparkle in his eyes. "Perhaps you should go home and rest."

She smiled a tiny smile at him. "Maybe I should."