Of fact and fiction - Chapter Three
by Angel Eternal
email: angel_eternal_01@yahoo.com
silver_moon_07@yahoo.com
Rating: PG-13 (just for Spike's potty mouth!)
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!
How Buffy managed to get that meal was beyond her. They all ate like pigs. Grabbing
food, and stuffing it into their mouths, their fingers greasy and revolting. Of course
Spike fit in perfectly. Why wasn't she surprised?
Buffy had now shed the violet gown, and after exploring, found a pair of leather pants,
of course it was crude compared to what she had back home, and a simple white shirt.
She also found a beautifully crafted dagger that she tucked away, feeling much safer
with the weapon.
Swiftly she strode out to take a walk. No one questioned her and no one seemed overly
surprised at what she was wearing.
She had to clear her head. None of her questions had been answered and she feared that
she would never find her way back. Not wanting to think about that possibility, she pushed
the thought aside.
Maybe she could find someone here that would get her back...
* * *
Spike leaned out of the window as a flash of white caught his eye. He easily saw her
slim form. She was moving fast, but he could see that it was purposeless. Spike knew
that she was restless, anxious, just as he was.
Spike didn't know what to think about this place. The people here were the people
in his world - only not quite.
Little Danica tore his un-dead heart out. She looked so much like Dawn and every time
he saw her, he thought of Dawn. He also knew instinctively that she had not been
treated well in her sister's absence. However Buffy was here now.
He slipped out of his room, and ran to catch up with the Slayer.
* * *
She was itching for a fight. She needed to relieve this tension, and she knew that the
best way to do that was to fight - attack something. She found herself wishing for a
vampire population in this dimension.
The thought brought her up short. What was she thinking? She had been in effect given
a reprieve from her Slayer life. Hadn't she always been complaining that she wanted a
normal life? Wasn't this 'normal'? Well, as close to 'normal' as she could ever get?
Buffy moaned and buried her head in her hands. She just wanted to go home. Go
home to her friends and family.
"Slayer."
Buffy spun around, and relaxed when she saw Spike approaching. She noted that
he was still dressed in the tunic.
"Spike...what are you doing out here?"
Spike stopped a few paces away from her, "I was going to ask you the exact same
question."
Buffy sighed, "I needed to take a walk - you know clear my head."
Spike nodded, "What are we going to do now Slayer?"
Buffy flinched, she didn't want to answer that question - she didn't know how to
answer that question. "I don't know...we have to find a way...we need to..."
Spike strode to her side and took her hand, "'Salright pet, we'll figure something
out."
At the touch of his hand, Buffy stilled. She fell silent as Spike gently stroked her
hand, offering her comfort.
She didn't know what she would have done if he hadn't been with her. She looked
up at him. "Thank you Spike."
Spike was surprised, never had ne thought to hear such words from her.
"What for pet?"
"For being here."
* * *
"I found something..."
Dawn looked up. She didn't want them to find a solution - not yet! Things were
just beginning to look up for Spike...
Xander frowned, "It's about being sucking into a book..."
The Scooby gang huddled around Xander's find. Eager to find a way to get
Buffy back.
"There's a spell to pull them out - think it will work Wills?"
Willow studied the spell. "I don't know." her brow furrowed in concentration. "I'm
not sure Xand. I mean the circumstances of how they got in are different..."
"A-and this says that the people were pulled into the existing story - not like
Buffy and Spike who are creating a story..." Tara pointed out.
Xander frowned. "We have to at least try."
Giles nodded, "Agreed - we have to try."
Dawn frowned, but decieded not to say anything, and went back to reading.
"Come on Spike..." she muttered, "She's weakening - kiss her - all romantic
under the moonlight stuff..."
"What did you say Dawn?" Xander asked, frowning at her, unsure of what
he heard.
Dawn shook her head, "Nothing!"
She settled down again, this time egging on Spike mentally.
* * *
"My lady?"
Buffy groaned, she was hoping that she could just skulk around the castle until
sunset - hoping that no one expected her to do anything.
She turned, and saw Winona standing behind her. "Yes?"
"My lady, Laird Angus is here..."
Buffy blinked, thinking of nothing else to say, she simply said, "Oh?"
Winona nodded, she frowned, "He's the first in the long line of suitors my lady." she
snorted indelicately. "A Highlander - thinking he could court you my lady? The impertinence."
Buffy tried to hide her smile, "Nevertheless Winona, we must welcome him - hope
that he leaves as swiftly as he arrived. Show him to the library."
Buffy smiled to herself, she was getting the hand of talking properly.
Winona curtsied, obviously not liking Buffy's decision.
Buffy sighed, she found herself wishing that it was night - Spike would then be able
to advice her. He seemed to know what to do and say.
"Elizabeth."
She turned, and her mouth dropped open.
Angel stood by the door way, his massive frame dressed in a kilt.
He strode towards her, and clasped her hand, "My Elizabeth- I am so sorry to
hear about your mother - she was a fine woman."
Buffy struggled to find her voice - this was undoubtedly Angel. He looked
exactly the same.
He frowned down at her, "Elizabeth?"
Buffy swallowed, logically she knew that this wasn't her Angel - he couldn't be.
"Angus..."
He smiled down at her gently. "How is little Danica?"
"Fine." her voice was horribly high, she knew that it sounded forced. She
took in a deep breath to steady herself.
Angus peered into her eyes, "What about you lass?"
Buffy tried for a smile, "Fine - I'm fine."
* * *
Spike stirred from sleep as soon as the sun had set. He was grateful for the heavy
drapes that surrounded the bed, and even more grateful that all had followed his
orders and left the chamber untouched during the day.
Swiftly, he pulled on some clothes, despising them and envying Buffy for her 'alternate'
wardrobe. He made his way through the cavernous halls, searching for Buffy.
He found her in the hall. He stood by the doorway, taking the opportunity to gawk at her.
She was dressed this time in a sapphire gown, her golden hair loose around her
shoulders. She was laughing.
As he walked forward, his gaze did not stray from the vision that was Buffy.
He reached the dais that her table was placed on; he took the few steps, surprised
that she had yet to turn to acknowledge his presence. He leaned close.
"Slayer..."
She turned, and for a brief moment, her tantalizing mouth was mere inches from
his. Then she pulled back.
"William! How good to see you boy."
His head snapped up to stare at the man seated at Buffy's left. Angel.
Angus stood to offer his hand to him. Spike straightened and stared at the man,
refusing to take it.
The entire hall fell silent, watching both men.
Spike knew that this couldn't possibly be 'Angel'.
The man sighed and allowed his hand to drop, "Are you still angry about that? It was
five years ago!"
Buffy's gaze swung to Angus. Did he say five years ago? That would've been the
same time that William's wife, Desdemona, died. Could this be related?
Spike drew up tall, instant loathing for the man rolling around in the pit of his stomach.
The man sighed again, "William, you know that it was through no fault of mine -
you know I loved her as well."
Spike, forgetting that this wasn't Angel, answered, his tone cold. "That was the
problem.
Angus flinched, "William...Des...she was...it was an accident."
"So you say."
Buffy tugged on Spike's arm, drawing his attention to her.
Spike stared down at her, then flinging one last contemptuous glance at the
man, sat next to her.
Buffy blew out a deep breath. Again she prayed that she would make it through
dinner.
* * *
"Don't forget to write down everything that you take!" Anya flitted behind the
Wiccans, anxious about the saleable goods.
Xander gently took her by the shoulders, "Don't worry An - they will."
Anya wrung her hands, and threw a worried glance over her shoulder, before
letting Xander lead her away
Willow and Tara exchanged amused glances, before turning to the rest of the
gang.
"Okay - we're ready!" Willow pushed back her sleeves, showing she meant
business.
They all gathered around a single candle, with the exception of Dawn, who
was too caught up in the book to pull away.
Willow took in a deep breath, fixing the incantation firmly in her head, determined
that no more fiascos would result out of this rescue-spell.
She held out her hands, chanting the words softly, as Tara threw in the
ingredients into the circle. Tara started chanting with her. She held up her hand,
and blew in the last ingredient.
* * *
"Tell me about Desdemona."
Angus looked up from the fireplace. He stared at Elizabeth, as always caught
up by her beauty. "Desdemona...a more stunning creature you would never meet."
Why Buffy flinched when she heard that she would never know, and didn't, at
that particular time want to examine the why.
Angus however did not notice her reaction, but stared into the fire. "Beautiful -
innocent. The rumours are all false you know. Created by malicious minded
people who didn't understand."
Buffy lifted her skirts, sitting down.
"William and Desdemona married so young, but they had been in love since they
were children - meant to be. What they say about William adoring Des was
true, but no one mentions how fiercely Des loved William."
Again Buffy flinched, she knew, logically, that he wasn't talking about Spike
and Drusilla - but Angus really looked like Angel.
"Des was ill. Very ill, in fact had been ill of her life. The doctors knew no cure
for her. But William sent far and wide for physicians - the best the world has known -
all came to treat Des, but there was no hope."
"How did she die?"
Angus looked at her sharply, then looked away. "It was an accident,"
Buffy reeled. He had said the exact same thing to Spike in the dining room.
She pressed him for more information, but he refused to speak further of the
death of Desdemona, Duchess of Norrith.
Spike strode in, and stopped when he saw them.
The poof that looked like Angel stood by the fireplace, arm resting on the mantle,
staring down at Buffy. Buffy sat on a chair, leaning forward, eager to catch every
word that fell from that blasted mouth. He didn't know if Buffy could separate this
ponce from the other ponce.
They were bathed in the light of the fire, making the whole scene look surreal.
Spike felt he was intruding upon a moment, unbearably intimate.
He must've made a noise, because they both turned to look at him.
"Ah William - boy."
Spike seethed. The only person who called him 'boy' with that same leer in his
tone was bloody Angelus. He'd be damned if he'd let this prancing poof call him
that.
"Angus." the name hissed from his mouth, as he threw visual daggers at the man.
He suddenly wished that Buffy wasn't there. He would've sunk his teeth into the
smirking idiot, pain be damned, and ripped the bloody smirk off his face as he
drunk every drop from his body...
He took a deep breath and turned to Buffy. Half of her face was clothed in
shadow, and his breath caught at the sight of her.
He held out his hand to her, silently begging for her to take it.
Buffy stared at him; she saw the myriad of expressions that had crossed his face.
She knew that the loathing he felt for this man was what he felt for Angel. She just
never realised the extent of his hatred for Angel.
She looked up at Angus, and noted the tense set of his shoulders. She stood and
took Spike's cold hand. She squeezed it gently, before turning to Angus.
Spike didn't hear what she said to the poof; all he was aware of was the melodious
cadence of her voice, and her warm hand holding his. She had gone to him.
She had taken his hand.
* * *
They stared expectantly at the circle. Waiting.
Dawn looked up and glanced at the clock. She rolled her eyes, "Umm - guys?
It's been five minutes - you'd think something would've happened by now."
Willow straightened, pushing a slim hand through the red locks. "What if...what
if it already happened and we just don't know it? Th-they could be where they
last were...umm...that would be cemetery...I think...I mean that would be the
last place they were...right???" Willow gazed desperately around.
Tara straightened, ready to assure her lover, "Yes - of course - that's where they
could be..."
"Umm - guys?"
They all turned to Dawn who was still curled up in the chair. "See this?" She held
up the book. "It's still writing - they're still doing stuff. I'm sure that's an indication
that it didn't work."
Giles pinched the bridge of his nose, "You know if I didn't know better Dawn,
I'd say that you're almost enjoying this."
Dawn tried to hide her grin. "Oh - almost Giles - but almost doesn't mean I am.
I mean almost is almost. It isn't is."
Giles frowned as he tried to work out that dizzying logic.
They all stood, except for Xander, who was still bent over, staring intently at the
ingredients of the spell.
Anya knelt down next to him, "Xander? I don't think it worked..."
"Shush...you're disturbing it..."
Anya frowned. "Xander, get up - we could try out that position later."
Willow rolled her eyes, and grinned at Tara, she gestured to Xander's upturned
tush. "Doesn't it make you just want to kick it?"
Tara giggled at the thought. She turned to Dawn. "Um Dawnie? Do you want
me to take over now?"
Dawn thought for a moment, then shook her head, "Let me read this for a little
longer - it's...interesting."
Tara arched an eyebrow, "That's the exact same word that Willow used to
describe it."
Dawn shrugged. She wanted to keep reading, she was hoping that Buffy would
just kick out the Angus guy, and turn to Spike. Did Buffy ever listen to her?
Nooooo. Did anyone ever listen to her? Noooo....
Well, they should - life would be so much simpler.