Title: Rewriting History

Author: RoyalSapphire

Summary: Learning that The First still has plans for him, Spike decides to take himself out of Buffy's life for good. Traveling back in time, he sets his sights on killing the fledgling vamp William the Bloody, before he becomes the infamous Spike. Post "First Date." S/B

Notes: Spoilers up to and including "First Date."

Feedback: Yes, it would be greatly appreciated. So please, please, please R/R!

Distribution: Please just ask

Disclaimer: Joss owns everything, I'm just borrowing it.

***

Chapter One: The Decision

Spike couldn't live with himself, or actually unlive with himself. He had caused her too much pain and suffering throughout the years. Now, he had to live with his latest disaster, The First using him to destroy her. His soul couldn't deal with the reality of it. He loved her, actually loved her with the whole of his unbeating heart. He had to find a way to make things right. He knew he would always be beneath her. He never doubted it. He also knew that they could never be together in the end. She deserved so much better. Hell, she didn't even want him soul or no soul, chip or no chip, he was evil. Yes she had told him that she believed in him. But that wasn't the same. And now that The First had plans for him to help with the upcoming apocalypse, it was all just too much.

It was in his musing that the thought struck him. What if . . . William the Bloody had never been turned? What if he could stop it from happening? He couldn't kill Dru! She meant too much to him. She had made him who he was now and he loved her for it. He never would have met Buffy if she hadn't turned him all those years ago. But it would save the love of his unlife from so much pain. Then it dawned on him that if he killed Dru, he'd still have Angelus to deal with. Angelus would take revenge on anyone that harmed his childe, leaving Spike's own human mother to Angelus' wrath. No, it was better to go back and kill William, after he was turned. That would end all of Buffy's suffering at his hands.

Now, to find the right spell, or amulet to open a time portal. A week before he was turned would be good. It would give him enough time to put his affairs in order. Actually, it would probably take him a week just to see his solicitor. He'd make a few investments, to keep his mother in comfort for the rest of her life. It was a good plan, he thought. Now, how was he going to go about finding a way to do it? He'd need some very strong Magic. He couldn't go to Red, she'd run and tell Buffy the minute his back was turned. Where to look?

Spike had "borrowed" a few of Giles more potent magic books. He felt guilty about it, but he'd make sure they were returned to him.

Spike had been going through them for over three weeks. He had stashed them in his old crypt, now Clem's new home. Clem didn't seem to mind him hanging around reading or doing anything else for that matter. Spike spent every free moment there. He barely ate, or did much else other than pour over the texts. He had even let his hair grow out. When Buffy noticed it, he only shrugged. He hardly spoke to anyone, so intent was he on his new mission. Though, after one of Xander's comments on how much he 'stank', and Buffy's confirmed agreement with it, Spike did finally decided to take a shower. He left his hair though, he needed to fit in back home, and everyday he was looking more and more like his old self; William the Bloody Awful Poet.

Spike went back to some of his old haunts. He had to find what he needed. He was trying to avoid Willy's. Too many people there knew about his soul. Only of course, that is where the one demon that might know something was supposed to be. "Gacar," Spike said as he walked up to the hairy demon at the bar, at Willy's.

"Spike! You reek of humanity!" The demon answered, before turning around and ignoring him completely.

Spike grabbed the demon's chest hairs, and pulled him around to face him. Spike went into game face, his eyes glowing he growled, "That won't stop me from ripping your bloody head off! Now, I hear you have some information for me." He hated the way he was forced to act to get information. He hated the soulless demon he had been. But it was his only hope to save Buffy.

Gacar made a gurgling noise, then, "You heard wrong."

Spike yanked a tuft of the demon's hair out, as he threw him across the room. Gacar crashed into the wall and landed on top of a nearby table. The large table gave way and splintered into multiple pieces. Spike came to stand above him, dropping the handful of hair on top of Gacar. "I can start your hair removal anytime now. Just say the word -or not-, as the case may be. It's up to you mate." Spike had a hard time backing up his threat. He didn't want to hurt anyone. Only he kept reminding himself that he was doing this for her.

Gacar must not have liked the threat of being hairless. He growled as he rose. "Spike you demon bastard!"

Spike stood his ground. He couldn't back down. Not now! Not when he was so close.

Willy stepped between them, "Now, now I run a nice establishment here."

They both looked at him as if he were crazy.

Willy stepped toward Spike and in a low voice he said, "Hit me!"

Spike was confused for just the briefest of moments. He didn't want to hit anyone. But then he took a swing at Willy. The man crashed to the floor with a hard thump. Willy looked up at Spike bewildered. It dawned on the vampire that Willy didn't know he had his chip removed.

In a mumbled voice, Willy spoke through his swelling jaw. "Riglartra. You want to get it from Monllon. It's what you're looking for isn't it?" He had to get Spike out of his bar before he destroyed the little that was now left. He knew he wouldn't be very popular with a number of demons for telling. But what the hell, he had the only decent bar in town. Even in its current state.

Spike had heard that name before. It was very familiar. He pulled Willy up by his shirt front. "Where can I find this Monllon?"

Willy hadn't been this nervous around Spike since before his chip. "I . . . I don't know! Really!" he stammered.

When Spike realized what he found himself doing, he dropped Willy and left the bar.

He entered his crypt some time later and began to go through the books once again. He was certain the name was familiar and must be in one of the books he had been going through. Clem came in a little later, with what Spike suspected was a female demon of some kind. "Spike, you're still here," Clem said, in a surprised tone.

"Yeah, looking for some information." He returned his gaze to his studies.

Clem led his date to the chair, and then went over to Spike. "Listen, I know this is really your crypt and all. But, it's hard for me to get any girl to come back with me. Especially one as fine looking as Bulhanly. Can't you come back tomorrow to finish up?" Clem's eyes pleaded with Spike.

"Oh fine. There's nothing in these bleedin' books about the Riglartra amulet or Monllon anyway!" Spike was completely exasperated. No one would talk about Monllon or where to even find the demon.

"Monllon? Why are you looking for Monllon? And what's she have to do with the Riglartra amulet?" Clem asked in wonderment.

Spike's head came up. He could tell from the tone of Clem's voice that he knew something about this demon. "She has the Riglartra amulet. Clem old mate, what do you know about Monllon?" There was a hint of excitement in his voice as he held an unneeded breath.

"We used to date a while back, but she became too demanding. Didn't like me eating my Bugles." He sounded almost lovelorn over her.

Spike jumped to his feet. "Clem, I need to see her right away. It's a matter of life and death."

"I don't know. She can be pretty nasty. I once saw her rip an Antora Demon's head off, all because he said "Hello." You really don't want to go messing with her Spike. Believe me, you're better off finding some other way to time travel."

"Look, I don't have much time. The amulet's my only hope. Haven't I done you a huge favor by letting you keep my crypt after I came back? It's got cable and a fridge." Spike gave him a look that said he was being ungrateful by not helping him in his time of need. "Bloody hell Clem, I have to have the amulet. Now!" Spike couldn't deny the desperation in his eyes, the amulet truly was his only hope at this point.

Clem's date completely forgotten, he said, "All right! I'll take you to her. But don't say I didn't warn you."

They were walking out the door, when Clem stopped short. "Bulhanly, pop a tape in the machine and I'll be back in a bit. I'll pick you up some of those nice mice you like to eat." He smiled at her. She just grunted something in her demon language, but Clem seemed to understand. "Women," he said, once the door was closed behind them.