::blushes:: Just realised that I've made no mention of when this is set - my bad -
S5 - after Intervention.
Oh and thanks for all the reviews!
Of fact and fiction - Chapter Two
by Angel Eternal
email: angel_eternal_01@yahoo.com
Rating: PG-13 (just for a little swear word here and there, could anyone
write about Spike without swearing???)
Disclaimer: Buffy the Vampire Slayer is owned by Joss Whedon, several
companies and God knows who else. One thing is certain - I don't own
any of it! Nothing - zip - nada!
Buffy and Spike both looked up at the sound.
"Horses?" Spike asked, a bit confused.
Buffy clapped her hand over his mouth, "It might be those knights - the ones who are
after Dawn. Shut up."
Spike stared up at her, keeping still, but revelling in the feeling of her hand on his mouth.
He could almost taste her on his tongue - the feel of her on top of him...
He silently groaned, things were bad enough as they were without his mind wandering in
that direction!
"What is this?"
Buffy leapt off Spike, and stared up at the man seated on the horse. He had nothing on
his forehead, so that shot that theory to hell. Too bad - she was really itching for a fight.
Spike leapt up, as well, "We're umm - lost."
Buffy whipped around to stare at him, but Spike ignored her. Something was wrong, he
could feel it. The air felt different...
Spike thought quickly, "We are weary travellers..."
"Lady Elizabeth!"
They all turned as another man rode up on a horse. He slid down, and grabbed Buffy around
the waist. "Lady Elizabeth - we weren't expecting you for another month!"
Buffy stared at him, her mouth dropping open. Who was this man who treated her so familiarly?
Who was 'Lady Elizabeth'?
Spike glared at the man, hating how close he was holding his Slayer. He wondered what
damage he could do before the chip would activate. Surely snapping the man's neck
wouldn't take too long and would be damn worth the pain...
The man turned and noticed Spike, he quickly stepped away from Buffy and bowed low to
Spike. "Lord William! How fortunate you and the beauteous Lady have happened upon each other!"
Spike stared at the man as if he was insane.
But before either Buffy or Spike could say anything, the man spun around and ordered the first man
to hurry back to the castle to inform them of the Lady Elizabeth's and Lord William's arrival.
As soon as the man was gone, he turned back to Buffy.
"My gracious Lady, where are your escorts?"
Spike answered for her, "We were set upon by a gang of ruffians, both the lady and I have lost
our escorts."
He nodded understandingly. He murmured something about the problem with theives which both
Buffy and Spike ignored.
Spike noticed that Buffy was too stunned to say or do anything on her own accord, he decieded
to take action. "I'm sorry my good man, but your name is?"
The man bowed, "Sir Raymond at your service Lord William." he turned back to Buffy, "Your
sister would be happy to see you."
Buffy finally gained her voice, "My sister?"
Raymond nodded, "Yes, the Lady Danica would be ecstatic to see you. You have been far from
home for a long time gracious Lady." he bowed his head, "May I be the first to say that your
mother would be greatly missed. Fear not Lady Elizabeth, the Lady Joylyn suffered no pain..."
At the mention of her mother, Buffy recoiled. Logically she knew that he wasn't speaking about
*her* mother, but logic could not rule when her own mother's death had happened so recently.
She didn't hear his other words but was spun back to another time. She saw her mother lying
so still...
Spike saw her pull away from Raymond, and without thinking about it pulled Buffy into his arms,
murmuring into her ear, and stroking her hair, "Hush pet - it's ok..."
Raymond watched stunned as William embraced Elizabeth. This was something that was completely
unexpected. But wonderful. With the Lady Joylyn gone, Elizabeth as the heiress was expected to
marry - and soon. How fortunate that something might develop between Elizabeth and one of
England's richest and most powerful duke.
* * *
Willow bit her lip, the story was definitely different - same setting - in the same social circle as the
original story, but it was different. She couldn't help but smile at how Spike was treating Buffy.
Spike a duke? Willow wanted to laugh at the image of Spike prancing around in a tunic and tights.
"How is it?"
Willow looked up and smiled at Tara, "It's...um...interesting."
Tara frowned, "Is that good or bad?"
Willow laughed, "It's good." she snuck a glance at Xander who had his head buried in a book.
"Just depends on who you ask."
* * *
"Buffy!"
Buffy looked up and was stunned to see a dark haired girl run into her arms. Buffy pulled back a
little and studied her face. No, it wasn't Dawn, but the similarities were striking. Her eyes were
perhaps more larger, and her lips not as full, small details that told Buffy that this wasn't her sister.
But she had called her...
"Buffy..." the girl whispered.
Tentatively Buffy stroked her hair, struggling to remember what Raymond had called her sister,
"Danica?"
The girl nodded, a smile gracing her features.
A woman ran up to them, and pulled Danica away from Buffy, "My apologies Lady Elizabeth!
The little lady has been quite distraught lately..."
Without further explanation she started to haul Danica away.
"Buffy!" the girl howled, obviously in pain, as she struggled against the woman's punishing grasp.
Buffy stepped forward, "No! I want her to stay with me..."
The woman stared at Buffy as if she had grown another head; she relaxed her grip on Danica's
shoulders and Danica ran to Buffy's side.
"Buffy..."
Spike walked in after them, he had been outside surveying the castle, well, as well as he could by
moonlight. He and Buffy had silently agreed that they were no longer in Sunnydale.
He stopped short when he saw a dark-haired girl in Buffy's arms. "D..."
"Danica." Buffy looked up, quickly slipping in the name. "This is my sister Danica."
Spike took the clue, and bowed to the girl. The girl looked up at him and smiled gleefully.
"Spike!"
All the people who had quietly gathered to welcome the mistress back gasped in mortification.
All gazes swung to Spike, awaiting his reaction.
Spike smiled, he had been uncomfortable being called 'William'. It reminded him too much
of a past that he wanted to forget.
"Yeah Nibblet - it's Spike."
The room sighed their relief. The duke was not opposed to being called the awful nickname.
A slender young woman stepped forward; she had coppery hair falling down to her
waist, and highly slanted green eyes. Buffy for a month thought it was Willow, but there was
a hardness in those green eyes that Willow's never possessed.
"Lady Elizabeth, you must rest and allow us to prepare for the feast tonight."
She gently led Buffy away, with Danica still clutching her arm.
Danica smiled at the girl, and reached out to stroke her hair, "Fire - Winona - fire..."
The girl smiled, and for a moment her green eyes softened, "Yes little lady."
Spike watched them walk away, he turned and beckoned to Raymond. He had already
summarised that whatever this was - he was a guest, not a permanent fixture of this household.
Raymond came up to him, bowing low, "Yes Lord William?"
Spike grimaced at the name, but decieded not to say anything, "I wish to talk - where's the
library?"
Raymond nodded and lead the way. Once they were in the stuffy library,
Spike turned to face him.
"Tell me about the Lady Elizabeth."
Raymond thought for a moment. "Well as you know her mother died, and she was the heiress.
That places her in line for the throne - of course she is but a woman. Soon the Lady Elizabeth
would have to marry." he sighed, "That would be a difficult task - for the lady is much opposed
to it."
Spike snorted, "That's not the only thing she's opposed to."
Raymond continued on as if Spike hadn't spoken, "I know the lady has many...
eccentricities, but surely her beauty, wealth and position would overcome such protests from
potential suitors..."
Spike stopped him, "Eccentricities?"
Raymond ducked his head, "Understand Lord William, we love her for them - it is what makes
her unique...but others..."
Spike growled, patience never being a virtue of his, "Spit it out man!"
Raymond flinched, "Well you must know Lord William..."
"Pretend I don't..."
Raymond sighed, "I'm sure you must know that the Lady Elizabeth is a warrior - the King's best."
Spike smirked. Figured.
"As a result she abhors wearing dresses - and prefers clothing she designed herself...She also
happens to be very temperamental. My Lord..."
Spike sighed, and nodded. "What about her position?"
Raymond stared at him oddly, wondering why the duke was asking such questions - the answers
were common knowledge. "She is very close to the King - she is the King's niece."
A princess. That would make Buffy a princess. Spike absorbed this information. Who knew how
long they would be staying here?
* * *
In her rooms, Buffy was busy grilling the girl for all the information she could have.
Hazarding a guess, she called out to the girl, "Winona?"
Winona came back into the room, "Yes Lady?"
"What do you know about S...Lord William?"
Winona grinned at her, "Aside from the fact that he is devilishly handsome?"
Buffy rolled her eyes, Danica was falling asleep where she sat by Buffy's feet. Buffy gently pulled
her up and made her slip into the large bed. "Winona - you know what I mean."
Winona smiled, and started to brush Buffy's hair. "Well, as you know he is the Duke of Norrith,
third in line to the throne. He earned the nickname 'Spike' as Danica called him, and 'William the
Bloody' for his ruthless tactics on battlefield. Surely you must know all that."
Buffy nodded absently, highly amused at the fact that Spike still had a bloody reputation wherever
they were.
"His wife, the Lady Desdemona died five years ago - very tragic, Lord William adored her. However
she was..." Winona glanced at the sleeping Danica, "Impaired in the mind."
Buffy noted that glance, and wondered if Danica was insane.
Winona continued. "But Lord William could never stand a disparaging word said against his dark
beauty. He indulged her every whim - the stories I've heard." Winona shuddered.
Now Buffy was curious about Desdemona. "Tell me."
Winona hesitated, but Buffy prodded. She lowered her voice. "I heard that she loved to drink...
blood. That she had a room specially made for it. She drank the blood of criminals and such."
Somehow, Buffy wasn't surprised, "I'm sure that wasn't true."
Winona shrugged lightly, "Who knows - except for the Lord William. You have to admire his
dedication to such a creature."
Winona held up a dress for Buffy, "What do you think Elizabeth?"
Buffy stared at it in horror and at all the trappings that went with it.
Winona saw the look and sighed, "Please Elizabeth - we have such an honoured guest with
us tonight. Please?"
Buffy sighed, and knowing that she really didn't have a choice, allowed Winona to slip the
dress on her. Briefly she wondered how she was expected to walk with so many things
under the voluminous skirt.
* * *
"Ooooh - she's getting dressed? Can I read that part???"
Willow snapped the book close and glared at Xander. "Aren't you supposed to be
researching?"
Xander pouted, "That's not fair, you get to read about her getting undressed and dressed
and all that!"
Anya heard the remark and scurried to his side, "Who's getting undressed?"
Xander grinned sheepishly at his girlfriend, "No one An!"
One dark eyebrow rose, "Xander..."
Xander led her away, assuring her of his love and devotion.
Willow grinned and went back to the book.
* * *
Buffy walked downstairs with Winona by her side. She had to find Spike. They haven't been
able to talk at all since they got here, and she desperately had to talk to them.
Winona walked on ahead, and Buffy hesitantly followed her, but from the shadows someone
jerked on her arm.
She fell against whoever it was, and as soon she regained her senses she realised it was Spike.
Her senses were highly attuned to him, and for once she was grateful for his presence. She
relaxed against him, and she felt his arm tighten around her waist.
Spike had watched her descend from the stairs, a vision in a gown of deep purple. The bodice
moulded itself to her form, and the skirts fell in voluminous waves to the ground. The top of the
bodice was studded with amethyst and diamonds and fell open to reveal creamy shoulders. Her
golden hair had been piled on top of her head, allowing the soft waves to drift down to caress
her shoulders. In short she was stunning.
Spike breathed in the scent of her, grateful for this opportunity, but her voice pulled him back to
the present.
"So what have you learned?"
Spike swallowed, "Well basically pet you're a sword-wielding princess who has to get married
soon."
Buffy blinked. "A princess? Are you sure? I mean won't I be addressed as 'Your Highness' or
something?"
Spike shook his head, "Your mother - the King's sister married against his wishes - married
someone far lower then her in social standing. But you're still a princess; don't get your hopes
up about the throne though. You're a woman. But trust me, watch the door and see how many
guys would be lining up for you - that would be a change."
Buffy frowned, diplomatically she decieded to ignore most of his comments "A sword-wielding
princess?"
Spike grinned, "Figures huh? Apparently you're a weirdo – not much has changed if you ask me."
Buffy frowned and this time she punched him then hauled back up again. "What else?"
Spike winced, as he rubbed the arm that she had punched, "That's about it - what about
you?"
Buffy shrugged. "You're still William the Bloody. Basically the story of your life without the
whole vampire thing. Tragic love story with your wife Desdemona who died five years ago.
From what I hear, she's exactly like Drusilla."
Spike smirked.
Buffy sighed, "What is this Spike? I mean is this history? Would our being here change history?
Why are we even here?"
Spike sighed, "I don't know luv, but I don' think this is the past. Smells different."
Buffy frowned up at him, "What do you mean 'smells different'?"
Spike shrugged, "Just that pet - it doesn't smell like good ole Earth."
Buffy groaned, falling back against the wall, "Are you telling me I'm stuck probably in some
alternate universe with you?!"
Spike frowned at her, "Hey ducks, what are you so stressed about anyway? I'm sure one of
your damned Scooby gang has probably figured out what happened and working out someway
to get you out - probably Red - lots of brains in that little thing."
Buffy scowled at him, "You think they could leave you here?"
Spike grinned at her, "Wouldn't mind it luv - think about it. Here I'm a bloody duke!"
She snorted, "And how do you explain not being able to go out in the sun?"
Spike shook his head, "Shows what you know pet - I can be a weirdo just like you!"
Buffy growled, ready to rip into him, when a voice called out to her. "Buffy?"
Only one person called her that in this dimension, "Danica?"
Danica stepped forward; she looked so forlorn. Buffy went to her side instantly.
Spike stared at the girl. She looked so much like Dawn...
Danica peered into the shadows, "Spike?"
Spike slid out of the dark, "Yeah pet?"
Danica smiled at him, and held out her hand. Spike took it hesitantly. Danica pulled him close
to her, then turned and grabbed Buffy's hand and slid it into Spike's loose grip.
"Buffy and Spike."
She stood back, grinning at them.
The feel of her hand in his preoccupied Spike; he swallowed, "They're expecting us."
"Yeah..." Buffy nodded, staring up at him, she had never noticed how blue his eyes were.
Then she wondered why she was thinking about his damned eyes.
He took a deep breath and tucked her hand into the crook of his arm, and walked towards
the well-lighted dining hall. Danica following them with a happy grin on her face.
* * *
"Willow, what's happening? Anything of significance?"
Willow sighed, and put the book down. "Not much, kinda just explaining everything.
Buffy's like a princess, only not and Spike's a duke."
Giles frowned, "Ah - well - yes - is there any information about how they can get out of there?"
Willow shook her head, "No - nothing."
Dawn took the book from Willow, Willow pointed out where she left off, and let Dawn settle
into the seat. Privately Dawn was rejoicing that her sister and the vampire was stuck in some
alternate universe. Maybe now Buffy could open her eyes and really look at Spike. Maybe
Buffy would see what she saw.
She smirked to herself - Spike a duke? Buffy a princess? Yeah - definitely not in the realm
of reality.
Dawn settled down to read, eager and hoping that Buffy wouldn't be so narrow-minded.
Buffy really had to realise that there were such a thing as shades of grey, that life wasn't and
never has been black and white.
S5 - after Intervention.
Oh and thanks for all the reviews!
Of fact and fiction - Chapter Two
by Angel Eternal
email: angel_eternal_01@yahoo.com
Rating: PG-13 (just for a little swear word here and there, could anyone
write about Spike without swearing???)
Disclaimer: Buffy the Vampire Slayer is owned by Joss Whedon, several
companies and God knows who else. One thing is certain - I don't own
any of it! Nothing - zip - nada!
Buffy and Spike both looked up at the sound.
"Horses?" Spike asked, a bit confused.
Buffy clapped her hand over his mouth, "It might be those knights - the ones who are
after Dawn. Shut up."
Spike stared up at her, keeping still, but revelling in the feeling of her hand on his mouth.
He could almost taste her on his tongue - the feel of her on top of him...
He silently groaned, things were bad enough as they were without his mind wandering in
that direction!
"What is this?"
Buffy leapt off Spike, and stared up at the man seated on the horse. He had nothing on
his forehead, so that shot that theory to hell. Too bad - she was really itching for a fight.
Spike leapt up, as well, "We're umm - lost."
Buffy whipped around to stare at him, but Spike ignored her. Something was wrong, he
could feel it. The air felt different...
Spike thought quickly, "We are weary travellers..."
"Lady Elizabeth!"
They all turned as another man rode up on a horse. He slid down, and grabbed Buffy around
the waist. "Lady Elizabeth - we weren't expecting you for another month!"
Buffy stared at him, her mouth dropping open. Who was this man who treated her so familiarly?
Who was 'Lady Elizabeth'?
Spike glared at the man, hating how close he was holding his Slayer. He wondered what
damage he could do before the chip would activate. Surely snapping the man's neck
wouldn't take too long and would be damn worth the pain...
The man turned and noticed Spike, he quickly stepped away from Buffy and bowed low to
Spike. "Lord William! How fortunate you and the beauteous Lady have happened upon each other!"
Spike stared at the man as if he was insane.
But before either Buffy or Spike could say anything, the man spun around and ordered the first man
to hurry back to the castle to inform them of the Lady Elizabeth's and Lord William's arrival.
As soon as the man was gone, he turned back to Buffy.
"My gracious Lady, where are your escorts?"
Spike answered for her, "We were set upon by a gang of ruffians, both the lady and I have lost
our escorts."
He nodded understandingly. He murmured something about the problem with theives which both
Buffy and Spike ignored.
Spike noticed that Buffy was too stunned to say or do anything on her own accord, he decieded
to take action. "I'm sorry my good man, but your name is?"
The man bowed, "Sir Raymond at your service Lord William." he turned back to Buffy, "Your
sister would be happy to see you."
Buffy finally gained her voice, "My sister?"
Raymond nodded, "Yes, the Lady Danica would be ecstatic to see you. You have been far from
home for a long time gracious Lady." he bowed his head, "May I be the first to say that your
mother would be greatly missed. Fear not Lady Elizabeth, the Lady Joylyn suffered no pain..."
At the mention of her mother, Buffy recoiled. Logically she knew that he wasn't speaking about
*her* mother, but logic could not rule when her own mother's death had happened so recently.
She didn't hear his other words but was spun back to another time. She saw her mother lying
so still...
Spike saw her pull away from Raymond, and without thinking about it pulled Buffy into his arms,
murmuring into her ear, and stroking her hair, "Hush pet - it's ok..."
Raymond watched stunned as William embraced Elizabeth. This was something that was completely
unexpected. But wonderful. With the Lady Joylyn gone, Elizabeth as the heiress was expected to
marry - and soon. How fortunate that something might develop between Elizabeth and one of
England's richest and most powerful duke.
* * *
Willow bit her lip, the story was definitely different - same setting - in the same social circle as the
original story, but it was different. She couldn't help but smile at how Spike was treating Buffy.
Spike a duke? Willow wanted to laugh at the image of Spike prancing around in a tunic and tights.
"How is it?"
Willow looked up and smiled at Tara, "It's...um...interesting."
Tara frowned, "Is that good or bad?"
Willow laughed, "It's good." she snuck a glance at Xander who had his head buried in a book.
"Just depends on who you ask."
* * *
"Buffy!"
Buffy looked up and was stunned to see a dark haired girl run into her arms. Buffy pulled back a
little and studied her face. No, it wasn't Dawn, but the similarities were striking. Her eyes were
perhaps more larger, and her lips not as full, small details that told Buffy that this wasn't her sister.
But she had called her...
"Buffy..." the girl whispered.
Tentatively Buffy stroked her hair, struggling to remember what Raymond had called her sister,
"Danica?"
The girl nodded, a smile gracing her features.
A woman ran up to them, and pulled Danica away from Buffy, "My apologies Lady Elizabeth!
The little lady has been quite distraught lately..."
Without further explanation she started to haul Danica away.
"Buffy!" the girl howled, obviously in pain, as she struggled against the woman's punishing grasp.
Buffy stepped forward, "No! I want her to stay with me..."
The woman stared at Buffy as if she had grown another head; she relaxed her grip on Danica's
shoulders and Danica ran to Buffy's side.
"Buffy..."
Spike walked in after them, he had been outside surveying the castle, well, as well as he could by
moonlight. He and Buffy had silently agreed that they were no longer in Sunnydale.
He stopped short when he saw a dark-haired girl in Buffy's arms. "D..."
"Danica." Buffy looked up, quickly slipping in the name. "This is my sister Danica."
Spike took the clue, and bowed to the girl. The girl looked up at him and smiled gleefully.
"Spike!"
All the people who had quietly gathered to welcome the mistress back gasped in mortification.
All gazes swung to Spike, awaiting his reaction.
Spike smiled, he had been uncomfortable being called 'William'. It reminded him too much
of a past that he wanted to forget.
"Yeah Nibblet - it's Spike."
The room sighed their relief. The duke was not opposed to being called the awful nickname.
A slender young woman stepped forward; she had coppery hair falling down to her
waist, and highly slanted green eyes. Buffy for a month thought it was Willow, but there was
a hardness in those green eyes that Willow's never possessed.
"Lady Elizabeth, you must rest and allow us to prepare for the feast tonight."
She gently led Buffy away, with Danica still clutching her arm.
Danica smiled at the girl, and reached out to stroke her hair, "Fire - Winona - fire..."
The girl smiled, and for a moment her green eyes softened, "Yes little lady."
Spike watched them walk away, he turned and beckoned to Raymond. He had already
summarised that whatever this was - he was a guest, not a permanent fixture of this household.
Raymond came up to him, bowing low, "Yes Lord William?"
Spike grimaced at the name, but decieded not to say anything, "I wish to talk - where's the
library?"
Raymond nodded and lead the way. Once they were in the stuffy library,
Spike turned to face him.
"Tell me about the Lady Elizabeth."
Raymond thought for a moment. "Well as you know her mother died, and she was the heiress.
That places her in line for the throne - of course she is but a woman. Soon the Lady Elizabeth
would have to marry." he sighed, "That would be a difficult task - for the lady is much opposed
to it."
Spike snorted, "That's not the only thing she's opposed to."
Raymond continued on as if Spike hadn't spoken, "I know the lady has many...
eccentricities, but surely her beauty, wealth and position would overcome such protests from
potential suitors..."
Spike stopped him, "Eccentricities?"
Raymond ducked his head, "Understand Lord William, we love her for them - it is what makes
her unique...but others..."
Spike growled, patience never being a virtue of his, "Spit it out man!"
Raymond flinched, "Well you must know Lord William..."
"Pretend I don't..."
Raymond sighed, "I'm sure you must know that the Lady Elizabeth is a warrior - the King's best."
Spike smirked. Figured.
"As a result she abhors wearing dresses - and prefers clothing she designed herself...She also
happens to be very temperamental. My Lord..."
Spike sighed, and nodded. "What about her position?"
Raymond stared at him oddly, wondering why the duke was asking such questions - the answers
were common knowledge. "She is very close to the King - she is the King's niece."
A princess. That would make Buffy a princess. Spike absorbed this information. Who knew how
long they would be staying here?
* * *
In her rooms, Buffy was busy grilling the girl for all the information she could have.
Hazarding a guess, she called out to the girl, "Winona?"
Winona came back into the room, "Yes Lady?"
"What do you know about S...Lord William?"
Winona grinned at her, "Aside from the fact that he is devilishly handsome?"
Buffy rolled her eyes, Danica was falling asleep where she sat by Buffy's feet. Buffy gently pulled
her up and made her slip into the large bed. "Winona - you know what I mean."
Winona smiled, and started to brush Buffy's hair. "Well, as you know he is the Duke of Norrith,
third in line to the throne. He earned the nickname 'Spike' as Danica called him, and 'William the
Bloody' for his ruthless tactics on battlefield. Surely you must know all that."
Buffy nodded absently, highly amused at the fact that Spike still had a bloody reputation wherever
they were.
"His wife, the Lady Desdemona died five years ago - very tragic, Lord William adored her. However
she was..." Winona glanced at the sleeping Danica, "Impaired in the mind."
Buffy noted that glance, and wondered if Danica was insane.
Winona continued. "But Lord William could never stand a disparaging word said against his dark
beauty. He indulged her every whim - the stories I've heard." Winona shuddered.
Now Buffy was curious about Desdemona. "Tell me."
Winona hesitated, but Buffy prodded. She lowered her voice. "I heard that she loved to drink...
blood. That she had a room specially made for it. She drank the blood of criminals and such."
Somehow, Buffy wasn't surprised, "I'm sure that wasn't true."
Winona shrugged lightly, "Who knows - except for the Lord William. You have to admire his
dedication to such a creature."
Winona held up a dress for Buffy, "What do you think Elizabeth?"
Buffy stared at it in horror and at all the trappings that went with it.
Winona saw the look and sighed, "Please Elizabeth - we have such an honoured guest with
us tonight. Please?"
Buffy sighed, and knowing that she really didn't have a choice, allowed Winona to slip the
dress on her. Briefly she wondered how she was expected to walk with so many things
under the voluminous skirt.
* * *
"Ooooh - she's getting dressed? Can I read that part???"
Willow snapped the book close and glared at Xander. "Aren't you supposed to be
researching?"
Xander pouted, "That's not fair, you get to read about her getting undressed and dressed
and all that!"
Anya heard the remark and scurried to his side, "Who's getting undressed?"
Xander grinned sheepishly at his girlfriend, "No one An!"
One dark eyebrow rose, "Xander..."
Xander led her away, assuring her of his love and devotion.
Willow grinned and went back to the book.
* * *
Buffy walked downstairs with Winona by her side. She had to find Spike. They haven't been
able to talk at all since they got here, and she desperately had to talk to them.
Winona walked on ahead, and Buffy hesitantly followed her, but from the shadows someone
jerked on her arm.
She fell against whoever it was, and as soon she regained her senses she realised it was Spike.
Her senses were highly attuned to him, and for once she was grateful for his presence. She
relaxed against him, and she felt his arm tighten around her waist.
Spike had watched her descend from the stairs, a vision in a gown of deep purple. The bodice
moulded itself to her form, and the skirts fell in voluminous waves to the ground. The top of the
bodice was studded with amethyst and diamonds and fell open to reveal creamy shoulders. Her
golden hair had been piled on top of her head, allowing the soft waves to drift down to caress
her shoulders. In short she was stunning.
Spike breathed in the scent of her, grateful for this opportunity, but her voice pulled him back to
the present.
"So what have you learned?"
Spike swallowed, "Well basically pet you're a sword-wielding princess who has to get married
soon."
Buffy blinked. "A princess? Are you sure? I mean won't I be addressed as 'Your Highness' or
something?"
Spike shook his head, "Your mother - the King's sister married against his wishes - married
someone far lower then her in social standing. But you're still a princess; don't get your hopes
up about the throne though. You're a woman. But trust me, watch the door and see how many
guys would be lining up for you - that would be a change."
Buffy frowned, diplomatically she decieded to ignore most of his comments "A sword-wielding
princess?"
Spike grinned, "Figures huh? Apparently you're a weirdo – not much has changed if you ask me."
Buffy frowned and this time she punched him then hauled back up again. "What else?"
Spike winced, as he rubbed the arm that she had punched, "That's about it - what about
you?"
Buffy shrugged. "You're still William the Bloody. Basically the story of your life without the
whole vampire thing. Tragic love story with your wife Desdemona who died five years ago.
From what I hear, she's exactly like Drusilla."
Spike smirked.
Buffy sighed, "What is this Spike? I mean is this history? Would our being here change history?
Why are we even here?"
Spike sighed, "I don't know luv, but I don' think this is the past. Smells different."
Buffy frowned up at him, "What do you mean 'smells different'?"
Spike shrugged, "Just that pet - it doesn't smell like good ole Earth."
Buffy groaned, falling back against the wall, "Are you telling me I'm stuck probably in some
alternate universe with you?!"
Spike frowned at her, "Hey ducks, what are you so stressed about anyway? I'm sure one of
your damned Scooby gang has probably figured out what happened and working out someway
to get you out - probably Red - lots of brains in that little thing."
Buffy scowled at him, "You think they could leave you here?"
Spike grinned at her, "Wouldn't mind it luv - think about it. Here I'm a bloody duke!"
She snorted, "And how do you explain not being able to go out in the sun?"
Spike shook his head, "Shows what you know pet - I can be a weirdo just like you!"
Buffy growled, ready to rip into him, when a voice called out to her. "Buffy?"
Only one person called her that in this dimension, "Danica?"
Danica stepped forward; she looked so forlorn. Buffy went to her side instantly.
Spike stared at the girl. She looked so much like Dawn...
Danica peered into the shadows, "Spike?"
Spike slid out of the dark, "Yeah pet?"
Danica smiled at him, and held out her hand. Spike took it hesitantly. Danica pulled him close
to her, then turned and grabbed Buffy's hand and slid it into Spike's loose grip.
"Buffy and Spike."
She stood back, grinning at them.
The feel of her hand in his preoccupied Spike; he swallowed, "They're expecting us."
"Yeah..." Buffy nodded, staring up at him, she had never noticed how blue his eyes were.
Then she wondered why she was thinking about his damned eyes.
He took a deep breath and tucked her hand into the crook of his arm, and walked towards
the well-lighted dining hall. Danica following them with a happy grin on her face.
* * *
"Willow, what's happening? Anything of significance?"
Willow sighed, and put the book down. "Not much, kinda just explaining everything.
Buffy's like a princess, only not and Spike's a duke."
Giles frowned, "Ah - well - yes - is there any information about how they can get out of there?"
Willow shook her head, "No - nothing."
Dawn took the book from Willow, Willow pointed out where she left off, and let Dawn settle
into the seat. Privately Dawn was rejoicing that her sister and the vampire was stuck in some
alternate universe. Maybe now Buffy could open her eyes and really look at Spike. Maybe
Buffy would see what she saw.
She smirked to herself - Spike a duke? Buffy a princess? Yeah - definitely not in the realm
of reality.
Dawn settled down to read, eager and hoping that Buffy wouldn't be so narrow-minded.
Buffy really had to realise that there were such a thing as shades of grey, that life wasn't and
never has been black and white.