Chapter IV - A civilization can be measured in Starbucks.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
By the time Xander and Spike got on the way, that last vestiges of sunlight clinging to the tree tops released their hold on the forest and the world was plunged in to darkness. Spike had decided to follow the river downstream because the walking was easier and there was likely to be a town on the river if they walked far enough.
Xander was following Spike. The vampire looked like he knew where he was going, even though Xander could see through the false bravado, if he trusted himself. But he didn't. Trust himself, that is. After all, he did tend to make things up just because he wanted them to be true. That's not being perceptive. That's living in a fantasy. Or so his dad said,
anyway.
Spike could hear the boy struggle with the rough terrain behind him, but he was keeping up. He could tell because Xander was humming softly to himself.
"Aargh!"
Spike spun around and not seeing Xander anywhere felt his heart lurch. # what's wrong with me? #
"Whelp?!"
A soft whimper came from behind a rock. Spike appeared at Xanders' side the next instant with something akin to worry on his face. The slayerette was expecting to be laughed at any second now. He must have looked funny sliding slowly down the rock face.
Relief had quickly turned to anger. At himself, but he didn't have to admit that.
"what in blazes are you doing?!"
# well at least he's not laughing #
"knitting a sweater. Ouch."
Spike helped Xander up off the rock.
"you alright?"
Xander looked up form dusting himself off.
"umm . . . yeah. I slipped." # how uncharacteristically clumsy of me. #
Spike smiled. Xander couldn't see very well in the dark so the vampire endeavored to stick to an easier path along the rocks. He didn't want the whelp to break his neck. Buffy would kill him.
The route ahead was going to get rough. Spike could see a sudden drop where the river cascaded in a series of small waterfalls. It would take ages to walk around it and the vampire figured that if they just took it slow it shouldn't end in splatsville for either of them. While he was figuring this, Xander, who had up to this point been behind him, took the lead.
"Stick close, pet. It's gets a bit bumpy up ahead."
Though the vampire could see quite well by the silvery moonlight, bouncing off the water, he imagined Xander would be heaving difficulties.
"hey, I can still walk!"
Xander was offended. Well, embarrassed really, but he could pretend to be offended.
Truth was he couldn't see two feet in front of him, but that only meant he didn't know he was about to walk off a cliff.
"Just because I don't have super strength or special powers, doesn't mean you have to,"
"Xander, STOP!"
The only thing that saved Xander from a long vertical trip was Spikes' lightening reflexes. Before he knew what was happening he found himself hanging off a rock face by an arm.
"aarrgh. Help."
Xander whimpered as he was pulled to safety. His limbs felt like Jell-O and he collapsed in to the vampires' arms. His brain was still recovering from an adrenaline high.
"w would t this be a g good time to mention, I'm afraid of hights. . .?"
Spike found himself holding the shivering boy, sitting on the edge of a 20ft drop cast in moonlight, with the sound of the waterfall below whispering to the night. The scene may have been quite romantic, # where did that come form? Dru must be rubbing off on me. #
"shh, pet. I've got you."
The sound of Spikes' voice was oddly comforting, and Xander felt his heart rate slow. There was a nagging feeling at the back of his mind though. A moment later he realized what it was. # Argh! Is it too late to jump of that cliff?! I'm never gonna live this down! # He disentangled his hands from Spikes' shirt and tried to get up. How much could vampires see in the dark? Surely he must be turning ten shades of red!
A blush crept over Xanders' face. Spike held on to his shoulder to steady him.
"no more suicide attempts?"
"Only if you promise to never mention this, ever. . . .thanks."
Smirking, Spike felt around his pockets until he produced a Mars bar and handing it to
Xander continued pretending to look for his cigarettes. The vampire decided to book a long counseling session with Jerry Springer as soon as he got back, to have his behavior explained to him. He sure as hell didn't want to think about his lack of homicidal tendencies lately. Thank hell for ADD.
"FOOD! Why didn't you say you had food?! I'm starving!"
Spike was heaving odd tingly feelings as the chocolate induced joy Xander was experiencing.
"didn't know I still had it."
Spike lied. Actually, he had noticed how after Xander mentioned he was hungry in the morning, he hadn't brought it up again, being that there was nothing he could do about it.
Ok, Spike had some hopes of running in to a Starbucks out here, but it seemed that even the hardiest weed of the fast food industry couldn't survive the lack of clientele. That was worrying. The vampire figured that Xander would need all the energy he could get now, if they hoped to get anywhere before dawn.
"why do you have a Mars bar anyway? Unless there's something in the contents I don't know about.. . ."
"I like the taste. . . repeat that to anyone and I'll rip your guts out through your nose."
"wanna share?"
Said Xander, ignoring the death threat. He was busy unwrapping the chocolate as if it was the lost ark.
"I think you need it more than me pet. Besides, I had a big lunch."
Spike was all too aware that if they didn't get out of there soon, he'd be a lot thinner. He couldn't help but smile at Xanders' selflessness though. Somehow he felt it meant something that he would be willing to share his only sustenance with an evil undead vampire. # getting sentimental in your old age, William? # Their town better have a blood bank.
"um, how long can you go without blood?"
Xander asked in all seriousness suddenly.
"a lot longer than you can without food, now come on. I think we're getting close."
Xander finished eating and got to his feet. How could Spike tell they were getting anywhere? Must be a vampire thing, he told himself.
"where do you think we are?"
Ahh. The very question Spike had asked himself more than once today.
"New England, probably"
"well at least one of us feels at home.. . ."
"as in Main."
"Oh." # I knew that. #
The implications of that suddenly hit Xander. There were forests in Main. Big ones. And, for all they knew, they could be walking to Canada. Or Alaska. It was cold enough. . .
"except . . . it smells funny."
Spike didn't know how else to describe the odd feeling he got from this place. Even more so now that he could hear sounds of civilization ahead. Or rather lack there of. Didn't these people have cars?
Xander just looked at Spike for a moment trying to decide what to make of the strange statement. Then nodded and started to walk.
One of the things Spike liked, # or rather didn't find repulsive # he told his ego, about Xander was the fact that the boy didn't feel the need to question everything. He would usually sit there and work it out for himself which gave him an unbiased, naïve quality. Often he didn't trust his own conclusions though, hence his happy-go-lucky doughnut boy image. # enough with the deconstructing Xander thoughts! Think about something else.. . I am Henry the eighth I am. . .#
Spike decided to try and avoid further discourse, especially where the whelp was the topic of conversation as his brain and his ego seemed to have a vastly different opinion of him. And listing to those to argue all day could drive a fellow round the bend.
Spike was sure that they were getting close to a town of some sort. he could smell it from here and they were still a good half a mile away. Fortunately finding in wouldn't be hard now, seeing as how most of the denizens seemed to avoid sanitation like a rabbit dog.
". . . you of all people should respect others' right to mutilate their hair."
Oh, and they were talking about peaches.
"ha. You're one to talk, mate!"
"Whaat. . . ?"
Said Xander as he ran his fingers through his overlong hair. It promptly fell back over his eyes and tangled with his overlong eyelashes. Spike was transfixed for a moment. The Slayerettes' insecurity had led to a bout of blinking that probably started a hurricane somewhere. # ok, so he is a nummy treat. # Spike was willing to concede. # and he hasn't a clue about it # yeah, but that didn't mean anything # and he's sweet as a kitten # gross, my point exactly. . . # and you want him # NO I DON'T # oh yeah, so explain the ogling # I WASN'T ogling. I was thinking about all that wonderful blood and all these sharp rocks. . . # that's not how you want him and you know it. . . # I AM HENRY THE EIGHTH I AM, . . . # oh not this again. . . #
"Spike?"
Uh oh, he'd been caught. Um, caught thinking thoughts of a murderous nature that is.
How's that for convincing. . .
"shhh!"
Spike said ominously, and started to make his way forward as if following some sound only he sound hear. Xander once again got that feeling that if he could just dwell on it he would figure out what was really going on. He shrugged and followed.
@------;--- ---;------@
Ugh, that girl! You'd think the devil himself sent her to try my faith!
"Mary dear, you are not to leave home this late. 'Tis not proper for a lady to be out alone in the dark."
This had been going on ever since that time she was late coming home from tea with Cilia, and now her mother insisted that any little thing she did was not proper!
"it is hardly dark, mother. I will be back in a little while."
Said Mary Anne Wilson, putting on her overcoat. The slightly worn red velvet with fur trimming was a status symbol, and besides, it was getting cold. It wouldn't do for the daughter of the first family in New Brimmsville to die of consumption now would it?
"Besides, I am sure that that nice Mr. Leavings will escort me home."
Mary was out of the door long before her mothers' indignant protests reached her ears.
# that girl will be the death of me! #
Mary walked down the muddy street at a brisk pace. Maybe it was a little dark. Besides, she was sure that she had heard something a moment ago. It may have just been some critter in the woods. She wasn't scared. No. She just liked to walk fast. Ahh! Were those footsteps?
"hey! Wait, um hold on!"
Oh no. Bandits. # Lord, forgive me for my sins, in thy infinite mercy. . . #
Turning around very slowly she tried not to picture all the horrible things that could happen to her. She had seen neither of the strangely dressed men before. One of them, the pale one with white hair had stopped some distance down the road and was looking at her strangely. The other, with dark hair and even stranger clothes approached her with a big smile on his face. They did not look like bandits. . .
"oh thank God! Hi! Me and my friend are kind'a lost, d'you know what town we're in? of course you do! you live here right? I like you dress. . .let me guess, costume party? " Strange accent. Perhaps they were from over seas. Well at least they weren't killing her yet.
"please sir, do not harm me, my father is the head of the village, he will reward you handsomely. . ."
now they were both looking at her strangely. Surely it was not uncommon for victims to plead for their lives. Unless they were not bandits. . .
"um, . . . huh?"
# oh they must think me insane to greet them in such a manner! #
"and um-huh to you too. I am ever so sorry, but one cannot help but assume certain things about strangers in the night. Did you say you and your friend were lost?" She looked at the blond man once more. He seemed rooted to the spot, and the look on his face had gone from suspicion to shock. Was it something she said?
"yeah, me and Spike are trying to get back to Sunnydale, so if you could just point us to a bus terminal. . ?"
# bust erminal? Surely they did not mean. . . oh my. #
"I do not know any such place, but perhaps you would like to rest after your long journey? There is an inn in town. You gentlemen will be welcome."
~~~~~~~~~~~~
# oh no. not again. This wasn't happening!! #
Suddenly the strange feeling he had all along made perfect sense. If seemed familiar somehow.
Xander had been so happy that they had finally found a town that he had gone ahead. In the dark, the wooden buildings resembled any other in a backwater village, but Spike knew better. His suspicions had just been confirmed when he saw the girl in the circus - tent dress scurry away from Xander. He stopped dead, no pun intended, and stood watching in mute horror as the boy asked her for directions.
@-----;---- ----;-----@
Spikes' brain was telling him to intervene before the girl started to think that Xander was touched in the head, but for the longest time his feet just wouldn't move.
Meanwhile, it seemed that the whelp had gotten some useful information out of her. They would need a place to stay, for the next century or so!
"you mean like 'Holiday Inn' ? yeah, that would be great!" Xander intoned, prompting Spike in to action.
"Spike?"
# Alright William, what would one say to get out of this predicament? # . . . oh God, 'one' ? Spike could almost feel his alter ego reassert it self. Any second now he would start to stutter.
"Good evening, miss. . . ?"
"Mary Anne Wilson"
Said the girl, offering her hand with a curtsey. Spike could almost hear Xanders' jaw hit the ground when he bowed and kissed it.
"A pleasure. William Wordsworth at your service."
"Charmed." # am I, ever! #
Spike kept up the smile and the eye contact, but inside he shuddered at how fast everything was coming back to him. It hurt. He didn't want to be him again.
"I beg the Ladies' pardon for the imposition, but I have an urgent matter to discuss with, Alexander here. Would you excuse us?"
Xanders' jaw found a lower place. What the heck was Spike doing? # I must have passed out. . . # Spikes' odd behavior wasn't foremost on the list of things to be astounded by though. The accent! # oh my God, but that was sexy! # . . . # I DID NOT just think that. # Spike had just slipped it on with the same casual air of someone putting on a coat. Ok, so the girl was a little strange but. . . # Hey! # Xander found himself being dragged off by Spike.
This was very peculiar, Mary thought as she stood watching the charming blonde, William, was it, haul off his friend a ways down the road. Being helpful, she decided to wait for the two to finish their conference. After all, she couldn't just leave the poor, handsome dears all lost and alone now could she? She was brought up better than that. All the same, she couldn't wait to tell Cilia about this!
~~~~~~~~
Xander watched Spike pace frantically while looking for cigarettes he knew weren't there and mumbling to himself. The brunette could discern only some of his tirade. Among the less colorful exclamations were death threats to Willow in many festive variations.
"Spike, what is it?"
Xander tried. He was starting to panic. Whatever it was had to be bad or Spike wouldn't have cracked like this. In fact Xander was glad to be stuck with the vampire because he trusted Spike to get them back. # does that mean I'm really smart or really, not. . . ? # The Slayerette looked around. There was the girl. She must have something to do with this because before they ran in to her everything was normal. # now, there's a word that never applies! # So, what.. . . ? They got transported to a place where people act like the cast of a Jane Austin movie? Well, maybe that was panic worthy. . .
~~~~~~~~~
Spike stopped panicking long enough to watch Xander work out what was becoming painfully obvious.
Xanders' brain went in to overdrive. What was he missing. . .? of course!
"everyone's turned in to their costumes again, just like on Halloween!"
From the raised eyebrow he guessed that wasn't it. But the only other option his brain was able to offer was outside the realm of possibility. No way were they actually in the past.. .
And there it was. The look of understanding that blossomed on Xanders' features he'd been waiting for.
He nodded in affirmation and tried to ponder the implications.
"well this is just. . ."
"neat."
Xander finished for him. His voice was embarrassingly close to a squeak.. His heart rate increased dramatically and he began to shiver. Feeling his stomach clench as spots danced in front of his eyes the younger man leaned up against the side of a building and then abruptly jumped back up, as if touching it would meant the situation gained a foothold in reality.
"Xander, breath."
All traces of panic now gone, Spike was focused on the shivering boy in front of him. He wasn't taking this well. To Spikes' relief Xander drew in a shaky breath. He wasn't going to pass out at least. A pair of soulful eyes met his and the vampire could read his every emotion in them for a second.
"are you sure. . . ?"
It was less than a whisper. The prerogative of someone who already knows the answer but asks the question anyway to kill the last spark of hope part of them is clinging to with fierce determination.
Spike winced and nodded and saw that spark fizzle out and die.
"Xander this is temporary. I've lived this once already and there's no way in hell I'm doin' it again, got it? Just trust me and play along. You with me?"
Spike hoped that his tone of voice would snap Xander out of his catatonic state, but was apparently out of luck. Instead he probably frightened the distressed youth and was now thinking of some way to make it alright again, but nothing sprang to mind.
"Spike?"
"I'm here, pet. Just stick with me, for now."
Spike coaxed Xander away from the wall he was once again leaning on and gave him a questioning look. Seeing Xander nod he took a step towards the girl hoping Xander would follow. He did, but then stopped suddenly with a sharp intake of breath.
"Spike, what are you gonna eat? You, you can't. . ."
# leave me! # Xander was going to say, but caught himself just in time to not sound that pathetic. # calm blue ocean, calm blue ocean, calm. . . not working!! Ok, ok, don't panic. What would Buffy do? #
Spike did a double take. Had he heard that right? Despite everything, a weird feeling filled his unbeating heart. The first thing that came out of Xanders mouth after his panic attack was concern for his welfare! # Those friends of his take the boy for granted. #
"don't worry luv, we'll be long gone by lunch time. Could stand to loose a few pound anyway. . ."
That drew a smile.
Spike was trying to make him feel better?? Xander had to smile at that. his heart fluttered at the thought. # great. A heart attack would make my day complete! # though somehow that seemed preferable to the alternative explanation for the fuzzy feelings at the moment.
Spike smiled back and walked up the road, trying not to think about his own fears. Because he was Spike, slayer of slayers, master vampire who didn't have any fears. To think about. Nope.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
By the time Xander and Spike got on the way, that last vestiges of sunlight clinging to the tree tops released their hold on the forest and the world was plunged in to darkness. Spike had decided to follow the river downstream because the walking was easier and there was likely to be a town on the river if they walked far enough.
Xander was following Spike. The vampire looked like he knew where he was going, even though Xander could see through the false bravado, if he trusted himself. But he didn't. Trust himself, that is. After all, he did tend to make things up just because he wanted them to be true. That's not being perceptive. That's living in a fantasy. Or so his dad said,
anyway.
Spike could hear the boy struggle with the rough terrain behind him, but he was keeping up. He could tell because Xander was humming softly to himself.
"Aargh!"
Spike spun around and not seeing Xander anywhere felt his heart lurch. # what's wrong with me? #
"Whelp?!"
A soft whimper came from behind a rock. Spike appeared at Xanders' side the next instant with something akin to worry on his face. The slayerette was expecting to be laughed at any second now. He must have looked funny sliding slowly down the rock face.
Relief had quickly turned to anger. At himself, but he didn't have to admit that.
"what in blazes are you doing?!"
# well at least he's not laughing #
"knitting a sweater. Ouch."
Spike helped Xander up off the rock.
"you alright?"
Xander looked up form dusting himself off.
"umm . . . yeah. I slipped." # how uncharacteristically clumsy of me. #
Spike smiled. Xander couldn't see very well in the dark so the vampire endeavored to stick to an easier path along the rocks. He didn't want the whelp to break his neck. Buffy would kill him.
The route ahead was going to get rough. Spike could see a sudden drop where the river cascaded in a series of small waterfalls. It would take ages to walk around it and the vampire figured that if they just took it slow it shouldn't end in splatsville for either of them. While he was figuring this, Xander, who had up to this point been behind him, took the lead.
"Stick close, pet. It's gets a bit bumpy up ahead."
Though the vampire could see quite well by the silvery moonlight, bouncing off the water, he imagined Xander would be heaving difficulties.
"hey, I can still walk!"
Xander was offended. Well, embarrassed really, but he could pretend to be offended.
Truth was he couldn't see two feet in front of him, but that only meant he didn't know he was about to walk off a cliff.
"Just because I don't have super strength or special powers, doesn't mean you have to,"
"Xander, STOP!"
The only thing that saved Xander from a long vertical trip was Spikes' lightening reflexes. Before he knew what was happening he found himself hanging off a rock face by an arm.
"aarrgh. Help."
Xander whimpered as he was pulled to safety. His limbs felt like Jell-O and he collapsed in to the vampires' arms. His brain was still recovering from an adrenaline high.
"w would t this be a g good time to mention, I'm afraid of hights. . .?"
Spike found himself holding the shivering boy, sitting on the edge of a 20ft drop cast in moonlight, with the sound of the waterfall below whispering to the night. The scene may have been quite romantic, # where did that come form? Dru must be rubbing off on me. #
"shh, pet. I've got you."
The sound of Spikes' voice was oddly comforting, and Xander felt his heart rate slow. There was a nagging feeling at the back of his mind though. A moment later he realized what it was. # Argh! Is it too late to jump of that cliff?! I'm never gonna live this down! # He disentangled his hands from Spikes' shirt and tried to get up. How much could vampires see in the dark? Surely he must be turning ten shades of red!
A blush crept over Xanders' face. Spike held on to his shoulder to steady him.
"no more suicide attempts?"
"Only if you promise to never mention this, ever. . . .thanks."
Smirking, Spike felt around his pockets until he produced a Mars bar and handing it to
Xander continued pretending to look for his cigarettes. The vampire decided to book a long counseling session with Jerry Springer as soon as he got back, to have his behavior explained to him. He sure as hell didn't want to think about his lack of homicidal tendencies lately. Thank hell for ADD.
"FOOD! Why didn't you say you had food?! I'm starving!"
Spike was heaving odd tingly feelings as the chocolate induced joy Xander was experiencing.
"didn't know I still had it."
Spike lied. Actually, he had noticed how after Xander mentioned he was hungry in the morning, he hadn't brought it up again, being that there was nothing he could do about it.
Ok, Spike had some hopes of running in to a Starbucks out here, but it seemed that even the hardiest weed of the fast food industry couldn't survive the lack of clientele. That was worrying. The vampire figured that Xander would need all the energy he could get now, if they hoped to get anywhere before dawn.
"why do you have a Mars bar anyway? Unless there's something in the contents I don't know about.. . ."
"I like the taste. . . repeat that to anyone and I'll rip your guts out through your nose."
"wanna share?"
Said Xander, ignoring the death threat. He was busy unwrapping the chocolate as if it was the lost ark.
"I think you need it more than me pet. Besides, I had a big lunch."
Spike was all too aware that if they didn't get out of there soon, he'd be a lot thinner. He couldn't help but smile at Xanders' selflessness though. Somehow he felt it meant something that he would be willing to share his only sustenance with an evil undead vampire. # getting sentimental in your old age, William? # Their town better have a blood bank.
"um, how long can you go without blood?"
Xander asked in all seriousness suddenly.
"a lot longer than you can without food, now come on. I think we're getting close."
Xander finished eating and got to his feet. How could Spike tell they were getting anywhere? Must be a vampire thing, he told himself.
"where do you think we are?"
Ahh. The very question Spike had asked himself more than once today.
"New England, probably"
"well at least one of us feels at home.. . ."
"as in Main."
"Oh." # I knew that. #
The implications of that suddenly hit Xander. There were forests in Main. Big ones. And, for all they knew, they could be walking to Canada. Or Alaska. It was cold enough. . .
"except . . . it smells funny."
Spike didn't know how else to describe the odd feeling he got from this place. Even more so now that he could hear sounds of civilization ahead. Or rather lack there of. Didn't these people have cars?
Xander just looked at Spike for a moment trying to decide what to make of the strange statement. Then nodded and started to walk.
One of the things Spike liked, # or rather didn't find repulsive # he told his ego, about Xander was the fact that the boy didn't feel the need to question everything. He would usually sit there and work it out for himself which gave him an unbiased, naïve quality. Often he didn't trust his own conclusions though, hence his happy-go-lucky doughnut boy image. # enough with the deconstructing Xander thoughts! Think about something else.. . I am Henry the eighth I am. . .#
Spike decided to try and avoid further discourse, especially where the whelp was the topic of conversation as his brain and his ego seemed to have a vastly different opinion of him. And listing to those to argue all day could drive a fellow round the bend.
Spike was sure that they were getting close to a town of some sort. he could smell it from here and they were still a good half a mile away. Fortunately finding in wouldn't be hard now, seeing as how most of the denizens seemed to avoid sanitation like a rabbit dog.
". . . you of all people should respect others' right to mutilate their hair."
Oh, and they were talking about peaches.
"ha. You're one to talk, mate!"
"Whaat. . . ?"
Said Xander as he ran his fingers through his overlong hair. It promptly fell back over his eyes and tangled with his overlong eyelashes. Spike was transfixed for a moment. The Slayerettes' insecurity had led to a bout of blinking that probably started a hurricane somewhere. # ok, so he is a nummy treat. # Spike was willing to concede. # and he hasn't a clue about it # yeah, but that didn't mean anything # and he's sweet as a kitten # gross, my point exactly. . . # and you want him # NO I DON'T # oh yeah, so explain the ogling # I WASN'T ogling. I was thinking about all that wonderful blood and all these sharp rocks. . . # that's not how you want him and you know it. . . # I AM HENRY THE EIGHTH I AM, . . . # oh not this again. . . #
"Spike?"
Uh oh, he'd been caught. Um, caught thinking thoughts of a murderous nature that is.
How's that for convincing. . .
"shhh!"
Spike said ominously, and started to make his way forward as if following some sound only he sound hear. Xander once again got that feeling that if he could just dwell on it he would figure out what was really going on. He shrugged and followed.
@------;--- ---;------@
Ugh, that girl! You'd think the devil himself sent her to try my faith!
"Mary dear, you are not to leave home this late. 'Tis not proper for a lady to be out alone in the dark."
This had been going on ever since that time she was late coming home from tea with Cilia, and now her mother insisted that any little thing she did was not proper!
"it is hardly dark, mother. I will be back in a little while."
Said Mary Anne Wilson, putting on her overcoat. The slightly worn red velvet with fur trimming was a status symbol, and besides, it was getting cold. It wouldn't do for the daughter of the first family in New Brimmsville to die of consumption now would it?
"Besides, I am sure that that nice Mr. Leavings will escort me home."
Mary was out of the door long before her mothers' indignant protests reached her ears.
# that girl will be the death of me! #
Mary walked down the muddy street at a brisk pace. Maybe it was a little dark. Besides, she was sure that she had heard something a moment ago. It may have just been some critter in the woods. She wasn't scared. No. She just liked to walk fast. Ahh! Were those footsteps?
"hey! Wait, um hold on!"
Oh no. Bandits. # Lord, forgive me for my sins, in thy infinite mercy. . . #
Turning around very slowly she tried not to picture all the horrible things that could happen to her. She had seen neither of the strangely dressed men before. One of them, the pale one with white hair had stopped some distance down the road and was looking at her strangely. The other, with dark hair and even stranger clothes approached her with a big smile on his face. They did not look like bandits. . .
"oh thank God! Hi! Me and my friend are kind'a lost, d'you know what town we're in? of course you do! you live here right? I like you dress. . .let me guess, costume party? " Strange accent. Perhaps they were from over seas. Well at least they weren't killing her yet.
"please sir, do not harm me, my father is the head of the village, he will reward you handsomely. . ."
now they were both looking at her strangely. Surely it was not uncommon for victims to plead for their lives. Unless they were not bandits. . .
"um, . . . huh?"
# oh they must think me insane to greet them in such a manner! #
"and um-huh to you too. I am ever so sorry, but one cannot help but assume certain things about strangers in the night. Did you say you and your friend were lost?" She looked at the blond man once more. He seemed rooted to the spot, and the look on his face had gone from suspicion to shock. Was it something she said?
"yeah, me and Spike are trying to get back to Sunnydale, so if you could just point us to a bus terminal. . ?"
# bust erminal? Surely they did not mean. . . oh my. #
"I do not know any such place, but perhaps you would like to rest after your long journey? There is an inn in town. You gentlemen will be welcome."
~~~~~~~~~~~~
# oh no. not again. This wasn't happening!! #
Suddenly the strange feeling he had all along made perfect sense. If seemed familiar somehow.
Xander had been so happy that they had finally found a town that he had gone ahead. In the dark, the wooden buildings resembled any other in a backwater village, but Spike knew better. His suspicions had just been confirmed when he saw the girl in the circus - tent dress scurry away from Xander. He stopped dead, no pun intended, and stood watching in mute horror as the boy asked her for directions.
@-----;---- ----;-----@
Spikes' brain was telling him to intervene before the girl started to think that Xander was touched in the head, but for the longest time his feet just wouldn't move.
Meanwhile, it seemed that the whelp had gotten some useful information out of her. They would need a place to stay, for the next century or so!
"you mean like 'Holiday Inn' ? yeah, that would be great!" Xander intoned, prompting Spike in to action.
"Spike?"
# Alright William, what would one say to get out of this predicament? # . . . oh God, 'one' ? Spike could almost feel his alter ego reassert it self. Any second now he would start to stutter.
"Good evening, miss. . . ?"
"Mary Anne Wilson"
Said the girl, offering her hand with a curtsey. Spike could almost hear Xanders' jaw hit the ground when he bowed and kissed it.
"A pleasure. William Wordsworth at your service."
"Charmed." # am I, ever! #
Spike kept up the smile and the eye contact, but inside he shuddered at how fast everything was coming back to him. It hurt. He didn't want to be him again.
"I beg the Ladies' pardon for the imposition, but I have an urgent matter to discuss with, Alexander here. Would you excuse us?"
Xanders' jaw found a lower place. What the heck was Spike doing? # I must have passed out. . . # Spikes' odd behavior wasn't foremost on the list of things to be astounded by though. The accent! # oh my God, but that was sexy! # . . . # I DID NOT just think that. # Spike had just slipped it on with the same casual air of someone putting on a coat. Ok, so the girl was a little strange but. . . # Hey! # Xander found himself being dragged off by Spike.
This was very peculiar, Mary thought as she stood watching the charming blonde, William, was it, haul off his friend a ways down the road. Being helpful, she decided to wait for the two to finish their conference. After all, she couldn't just leave the poor, handsome dears all lost and alone now could she? She was brought up better than that. All the same, she couldn't wait to tell Cilia about this!
~~~~~~~~
Xander watched Spike pace frantically while looking for cigarettes he knew weren't there and mumbling to himself. The brunette could discern only some of his tirade. Among the less colorful exclamations were death threats to Willow in many festive variations.
"Spike, what is it?"
Xander tried. He was starting to panic. Whatever it was had to be bad or Spike wouldn't have cracked like this. In fact Xander was glad to be stuck with the vampire because he trusted Spike to get them back. # does that mean I'm really smart or really, not. . . ? # The Slayerette looked around. There was the girl. She must have something to do with this because before they ran in to her everything was normal. # now, there's a word that never applies! # So, what.. . . ? They got transported to a place where people act like the cast of a Jane Austin movie? Well, maybe that was panic worthy. . .
~~~~~~~~~
Spike stopped panicking long enough to watch Xander work out what was becoming painfully obvious.
Xanders' brain went in to overdrive. What was he missing. . .? of course!
"everyone's turned in to their costumes again, just like on Halloween!"
From the raised eyebrow he guessed that wasn't it. But the only other option his brain was able to offer was outside the realm of possibility. No way were they actually in the past.. .
And there it was. The look of understanding that blossomed on Xanders' features he'd been waiting for.
He nodded in affirmation and tried to ponder the implications.
"well this is just. . ."
"neat."
Xander finished for him. His voice was embarrassingly close to a squeak.. His heart rate increased dramatically and he began to shiver. Feeling his stomach clench as spots danced in front of his eyes the younger man leaned up against the side of a building and then abruptly jumped back up, as if touching it would meant the situation gained a foothold in reality.
"Xander, breath."
All traces of panic now gone, Spike was focused on the shivering boy in front of him. He wasn't taking this well. To Spikes' relief Xander drew in a shaky breath. He wasn't going to pass out at least. A pair of soulful eyes met his and the vampire could read his every emotion in them for a second.
"are you sure. . . ?"
It was less than a whisper. The prerogative of someone who already knows the answer but asks the question anyway to kill the last spark of hope part of them is clinging to with fierce determination.
Spike winced and nodded and saw that spark fizzle out and die.
"Xander this is temporary. I've lived this once already and there's no way in hell I'm doin' it again, got it? Just trust me and play along. You with me?"
Spike hoped that his tone of voice would snap Xander out of his catatonic state, but was apparently out of luck. Instead he probably frightened the distressed youth and was now thinking of some way to make it alright again, but nothing sprang to mind.
"Spike?"
"I'm here, pet. Just stick with me, for now."
Spike coaxed Xander away from the wall he was once again leaning on and gave him a questioning look. Seeing Xander nod he took a step towards the girl hoping Xander would follow. He did, but then stopped suddenly with a sharp intake of breath.
"Spike, what are you gonna eat? You, you can't. . ."
# leave me! # Xander was going to say, but caught himself just in time to not sound that pathetic. # calm blue ocean, calm blue ocean, calm. . . not working!! Ok, ok, don't panic. What would Buffy do? #
Spike did a double take. Had he heard that right? Despite everything, a weird feeling filled his unbeating heart. The first thing that came out of Xanders mouth after his panic attack was concern for his welfare! # Those friends of his take the boy for granted. #
"don't worry luv, we'll be long gone by lunch time. Could stand to loose a few pound anyway. . ."
That drew a smile.
Spike was trying to make him feel better?? Xander had to smile at that. his heart fluttered at the thought. # great. A heart attack would make my day complete! # though somehow that seemed preferable to the alternative explanation for the fuzzy feelings at the moment.
Spike smiled back and walked up the road, trying not to think about his own fears. Because he was Spike, slayer of slayers, master vampire who didn't have any fears. To think about. Nope.