**

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Silence descended over the two men as the walked. Liam's mind was reeling from Giles' monologue, the startling revelations overtaking him. That had all happened? Why wasn't Giles insane?

Liam had asked for everything, and Giles had obliged. And by everything, Liam meant everything- no detail was spared, nothing was sugar coated.

Liam was half-wishing he hadn't asked. He knew things now, things no one should have to know or go through. He respected Giles a lot more now; he knew the history behind the man. Liam mulled over everything. Rupert Giles was hidden in the public eye, no one knowing his true identity. The stern image that was projected to the world was just a hard outer shell. No one knew Giles. And Liam was ashamed he'd never cared until now.

The two men came upon the castle walls, and Giles and Liam, bearing the seal of the Royal Buffonian Guard, bypassed the guards without incident. The massive stone wall was a formidable sight; one of the castle's few barriers against outside attack. Liam thought it funny how a country with so many enemies, so much destruction in its wake, could have such lax security. He remembered having at least twice the amount of guards at the old palace in Galway, all lethal killers. Still, they hadn't stopped King Henry when he came calling.

His father had been foolish. He'd always thought so, but even more so today. He looked at the guards around the inner courtyard, cheerful and carefree, and snorted a sound of regret. It would have been so easy… But no, his father was King Connor, the fool. Harm no one. Liam found it odd, that as Connor lay bleeding on the cold stone floor, he so quickly ordered revenge. Liam guessed that being stabbed did that to you. Liam did his best to calm the fury in him… How could these people live so happily? But they did, and Liam realized long ago there wasn't much he could do about it without killing himself in the process.

Giles and Liam entered the castle, and passed through the Great Hall. Liam looked on in awe at the beauty of the palace. He sometimes missed his home, but the dull ache in his chest had lessened, and he barely thought of his sister's pale and lifeless body anymore. But being in the palace brought many of those memories back to Liam, he was almost overwhelmed. Another memory of this very room, where he had been dragged and kicked to Buffy's feet, his hands and feet bound tightly with the chains of slavery. He never properly thanked the Princess for what she did. He was sure she knew how thankful he was, but he had never outright and said it. He'd never thanked her for his freedom.

Giles left Liam in search of the Queen and he was free to wander around the large palace, his memory taking him back to the days when innocence reigned true and darkness was only in his imagination.

Princess Elizabeth smiled a strained smile, grinding her teeth. "Of Course," she agreed with a smile, not quite sure of exactly what she was agreeing to. William had gone on and on about some inane topic, and she had immediately lost interest. She wished she could be Buffy again. Elizabeth was so… boring. Passive and demure, just a Princess should be. Buffy had a spirit, not a fading smile.

She sat in the luncheon, staring at William as he talked, oblivious to her inattention. She stared at the wall, her gaze drifting. God, she wished to get out of here. Out of these formal clothes. Her gown was beautiful, but restricting, its large skirt did nothing but hinder her movement.

It would be horrible attire for slaying… Elizabeth immediately struck those thoughts from her mind. She was not the Slayer, or whatever Giles had said. She was just imagining everything…. None of that happened last night. It didn't. It didn't, she told herself. It didn't.

William paused in his monologue, obviously expecting a response. He looked as if he thought he should be commended for something. Elizabeth snapped out of her denial daydream.

"Why yes, of course, William. That's wonderful," Buffy said, faking an answer. He looked satisfied, and he took her hand across the table and brushed a gentle kiss upon it.

"What would I do without my flower?" he asked her, taking that sweet tone that Elizabeth hated with a passion. She smiled cheekily. "You'd be lost," she said boredly.

She hated this William. She hated the regular William the Bloody, the harsh and cruel killer who had conquered nations alongside her father. But even worse was the annoying, fake and sweet William, who said he was completely devoted to his 'little flower.'

Buffy snorted. Like she hadn't heard the rumors. William was anything but devoted to her, she'd heard that woman Druscilla had been seen coming in and out of his rooms. Buffy didn't know her, but apparently she was very beautiful and hung around with Darla. She'd heard of Darla, of course, she had laughed until she cried when she heard of Liam's troubles with her.

But that was before. Now she was just mad at Darla… nobody messes with Liam. He was her boyfriend. He was hers and hers only. Maybe she could use some of her Slayer strength…

Stop it! Buffy yelled at herself. The Slayer was not real. The. Slayer. Was. Not. Real.

She looked over at William who had begun talking again, but her eyes were caught elsewhere. A brilliant smile spread over her lips as she saw him, standing by the doorway. She tried to hide her sudden change in demeanor before William noticed, but found she could not. She had to excuse herself immediately, or William would see who was standing in the doorway.

"I'm sorry William, I'm not feeling very well right now. I must retire," she said hurriedly, exiting the room as fast as her feet would carry her, William left sputtering in her wake.

"B-But Princess!" he called after her, to no avail. She was already gone.

Liam watched in amusement as Buffy became away of his presence. He watched her fly away from the table, and laughed as William was left behind, confusion evident in his features. He couldn't help the jealousy that burned in him form seeing the two together. Intellectually, he knew he had nothing to worry about, but that didn't stop the doubt that threatened to overwhelm him.

Buffy catapulted herself into her Angel's arms, happy just to be with him. After being forced to sit with William for an hour, he was a welcomed relief.

She pushed him against the wall of the stone corridor and kissed him deeply. His hands entangled in her hair as they kissed, and she smiled truly for the first time in a while. This was so much better than sitting with William and being insufferably bored. Much, much better.

They broke apart briefly for air, as they searched for a private place to talk. As the kiss resumed, Buffy was doubtful as to the amount of talking that would go on.

**

END CHAPTER ELEVEN

A/N-- I'm so, so, so sorry for such a long delay between updates and this short chapter. I've been really busy, but things are calming down, so probably more updates soon. Thanks to anyone who reviewed last chapter- to TK, Kendra, and SlayerChic503. Much love.

New chapter coming soon! PLEASE review! I'll give you a hug! Or a cookie. Or both :)

Sundevil009@yahoo.com