Chapter 23
As Drusilla's two week sleep began, the world seemed to change around her.
Spike, who was not as strong as he would've liked to think, went off on a drunken binge. No one had seen him for days. Angel put Wesley in charge at Wolfram & Hart, while he and Phoebe stayed by Drusilla's side. Leo was with the Elders much more than he usually would be, as they watched for signs of danger from the underworld, when the knowledge that a Charmed One was carrying a child by the former Source of all Evil, began to spread.
And that was because of Cole, who acted very much like the happy, father to be. He did not reappear in the manor, and Wesley and Paige were trying to find out just what Cole was up to. But then suddenly, he too disappeared.
Paige, who had not worked steadily since she was a Social Worker, took a job at Wolfram & Hart, working with Wesley. She also found herself listening to Harmony's woes, as she cried over the loss of Angelus, and what a great boyfriend he had been. Piper, who had her hands filled with Wyatt, who for some unknown reason, began using his powers in more annoying ways, took up much of Piper's time, as she had to fix the messes he caused with his magic. But in between those times, Piper went shopping for Drusilla. She bought two cribs anyway, with the hope that both of Dru's daughters survived, and baby clothes.
But while it appeared Drusilla was sleeping throughout this, she was not. And while she was not aware of her surroundings, her own world had become an alternate reality of sorts. One that she did not quite understand, nor know why it was occurring. For she was very much awake, and living a different life....
Drusilla's first conscious thought, was that this was another eerily realistic dream about Angelus. But, for some reason, she didn't quite remember ever being in this spot.
She stood at what looked to be a train station, carrying a bag. She was also dressed for travel, from what she could deem. Where was she? Was she still in London?
The more she looked around, the more she realized that yes, while she was in London, at a train station, she had never been to this one before. What was going on?
Drusilla willed herself not to panic, when she looked around and saw a sign held up that read, 'Drusilla Pressley'. Drusilla kept her eyes on the sign, not particularly noticing who was holding it.
When she approached the sign that had her name written on it, the first person she saw was the elderly lady, that smiled at her in a motherly fashion.
'Hello, dear. You are Ms. Pressley? I'm Mrs. Thurston. And this is...'
But Drusilla tuned her out and just nodded, staring hard at the woman. She was somewhat fashionably dressed and had a kind face. But that wasn't really why Drusilla was staring at her. She looked oddly familiar, but Drusilla could not think why.
'Ms. Pressley? Ms. Pressley, are you ill? William, hurry and get her bag! She looks as if she may faint!'
And that was when Drusilla finally noticed the man with the elderly woman, who had been carrying her sign. Good bloody hell! It was Spike! Only, it wasn't really...had he looked like that once?!
Drusilla searched her memory for when she had first met him. Yes, his hair had looked like that....and she guessed he had had glasses....but it was not his appearance that surprised her so much as his demeanor. Quiet and unassuming. Not the rowdy vampire she had loved for hundreds of years.
William Thurston took her bag from her, setting down the sign.
'Forgive my manners, Ms. Pressley.' he said, taking her bag from her. He had been staring at her, for she looked similar to his beloved Cecily.
Drusilla let Spike or 'William' take the bag from her, not knowing if there was really anything in it or not. What was going on?! Why was she here with these two?
'Ms. Pressley? Ms. Pressley?' Mrs. Thurston kept asking.
Drusilla blinked hard and decided to play along with whatever this was, for now.
'I...uh, forgive me Mrs. Thurston. You were quite correct about the trip. It was not to my liking.' she managed to say.
'Train rides can be difficult if you are not seated among your own. Your mother wrote me and said that you would be seated in first class, did an undesirable slip in?'
WHAT???? Drusilla thought wildly. Who cared?! She hadn't really been on a train anyway!
But she took a deep breath and answered the woman. What she really needed to know is WHY she was being picked up at a train station by Spike and his mother!
'Uh, something like that.' she said, looking around. Her eyes met Spike's, but he looked away shyly. They all began walking. Spike began to speak.
'You will like teaching at the Duvenshire school, Ms. Pressley. You come highly recommended by the headmaster. I teach English there, and your classroom will be right next to mine.' William said, thinking that her bedroom would be next to his as well. He colored at the thought.
Drusilla did not notice how red Spike was turning, as she wondered why the hell she was dreaming about being a teacher? Mrs. Thurston began talking.
'We are honored that you will be living with us, Ms. Pressley. Only people of character are asked to teach at such a prestigious school such as Duvenshire. That is why I am so proud of my William!'
Drusilla looked at Spike, who was blushing!
'Oh, Mother! Stop it now! You are embarrassing me and....'
Spike stopped speaking suddenly, and looked straight ahead. A girl, dressed quite fancily, was being helped out of a carriage. Mrs. Thurston squeezed Drusilla's arm.
'That is Cecily Addams. Oh, but William is sweet on her. I do wish he would get up the nerve to properly court her.'
Drusilla watched as 'William', tentatively approached her and a few other people that surrounded her. They snickered and didn't appear to acknowledge his greeting. Spike looked crestfallen, but tried to play it off, as he headed back towards them.
'They really had to be on their way and didn't have time for idol chatter.' Spike said in a cheery sounding voice. Drusilla felt bad for him. She knew him. His feelings were hurt, especially by that Cecily bitch!
'Yes, they do look to be in a hurry. Though I would think that Cyril or Sally could've stopped to say hello.' Mrs. Thurston murmured.
Drusilla snuck a peek at Spike. He looked at a loss of words, as if he desperately wanted his mother to believe that those people really hadn't had the time to stop and chat, instead of the truth: they didn't want to especially talk to her William.
'Yes, they did look to be in a great hurry, Mr. Thurston. I am feeling quite winded...'
William looked at her gratefully, pushing up his wire rim glasses as he took her arm.
'Here, Ms. Pressley. Lean on me.'
'Why thank you, William' Drusilla said, smiling at him and taking his arm. For the briefest moment, something Angel said to her, popped into her head. He said that he thought for the most part, 'Spike liked being a vampire, since his life wasn't so great back then', or words to that effect. Drusilla did have to wonder how great Spike's life could be, living at home with his mother still?
The Thurston's had a maid, who fixed them a dinner of lamb. Mrs. Thurston had a coughing fit and Drusilla watched as Spike doted on his mother.
But her eyes began to stray, as she looked around the house, her eyes taking in photographs of people that probably meant something to Spike. This whole dream she was having was beginning to unnerve her. It was all very vivid and real.
Spike put her luggage in her room and left Drusilla to sleep. But she could not. What would she be teaching? She tried to sleep, thinking she would wake up in the last place she remembered, the Haliwell house, but when she opened her eyes, some time later, she was still in the Thurston house.
Drusilla sat up. There was no avoiding it. She would have to ask some questions of Spike, without looking like an idiot! She got up and walked to her door, easing it open. She then stuck her head out into the hallway.
The door to her right was ajar, and she heard Spike's soft spoken voice reciting something. Who was he talking to?
'For you see, each day I love you more....' Spike was standing in the middle of the room, reciting those words off of a piece of paper, when he noticed Drusilla's presence.
'Uh, hello. I see that you are feeling better?' he inquired.
Drusilla smothered a grin and walked into his room, closing the door. William's eyes widened slightly. They were alone in his room! He was even more perplexed, when she came and sat down on his bed, in a very casual and carefree manner.
'Yes, much. What is that you have there?'
Spike shrugged and set the paper aside on a nightstand.
'It's nothing. What can I do for you?'
'Was that some sort of love poem?' Drusilla inquired politely.
William nodded slightly, eyeing her.
'Uh, yes. But....'
'For that ill-bred girl at the train station?'
Spike's eyebrows knitted together angrily!
'Cecily is not ill bred, I'll have you know!'
'No?'
'No! She was in a hurry.'
'Oh. Well I didn't mean to insult you. I actually came to double check what it was I was teaching.'
'I beg your pardon?' William asked. Now that he was getting to know this Ms. Pressley, he realized that looks was as far as it went, when it came to her resemblance to Cecily. There was just something off about her....
'What will I be teaching tomorrow?' she asked.
'I believe it's mathematics.'
Drusilla tried to keep her mouth from dropping to the floor! She knew little to nothing about math! This was definitely some sort of nightmare she was in!
'Oh, well. Good luck with your love poem.'
'Ms. Pressley, is we are to get along, it will behoove you to mind your own affairs.' William sniffed. Drusilla appraised him. She was tempted, oh so tempted, to seduce the bloody hell out of 'Little William' here! Maybe sneak into his room in the middle of the night, ride him like a stallion rode the wind, then make him say her name in a voice that didn't sound like the one he spoke in now... as if he were still going through puberty!
But, that would be naughty. And she didn't want to do anything that might keep her from waking up. So she just bit back a nasty response.
'I'm sorry, William. You are right. I will stay out of your affairs.' she said with a straight face. Drusilla then turned and left the room, closing the door behind her. She went back into her room, closed the door, then flopped down onto the bed. Her eyes fell upon her luggage. She sat up and opened the bag.
Inside were clothes that she had never owned in her life! Drusilla set the bag aside and began to will sleep to come. Surely everything would be normal tomorrow, wouldn't it?
The next day was the strange same day it had been before. Duvenshire School was only a short walk from the Thurston house, and Drusilla and Spike walked it. Spike chattered on and on about various, boring things...one of them being this Cecily girl.
Drusilla scarcely listened, as she looked around the crowded, London streets. Could her life have been like this, if she had never been turned into a vampire? Would she have wanted a life like this?
'Ms. Pressley?'
Drusilla snapped out of her trance and looked at Spike.
'I'm sorry, William, did you say something?'
'Yes....Ms. Pressley....'
'Please, call me Drusilla.'
Spike smiled. Drusilla noticed that a bit of his hair was sticking up. The poor thing!
'Drusilla. I must apologize for my less than courteous behavior from the other evening. I was just so startled to find a young woman in my room.'
I bet! Drusilla thought wickedly. But she kept a straight face.
'Of course. I'm sorry for being so nosy. You know, I could give you some pointers.'
'Pointers?'
'Tips on how to get Cecily for yourself.'
Spike's eyes glittered with excitement!
'Really? You would do that Ms....Drusilla?'
'Of course. Your mother and you have been so kind to me. It's the least I can do for you.' Drusilla answered, and began to walk again. She did not note the look Spike was giving her. He was not used to females speaking to him, unforced, and in such an easy, carefree manner. How odd this Drusilla was, yet, he thanked God for her. If she could help him in any way with Cecily....'
'Well hello there, Mr. Thurston! Who's the pretty lass you have with you?'
Drusilla sucked in a breath! It was Angel! No, Angelus! No, he was out in the sunlight....
'Liam Ashby, this is...'
'Liam', shoved Spike back, then picked up Drusilla's hand, kissing it. Drusilla had to admit, her heart did skip a beat. He was dressed in a shirt and breeches, and smelled slightly of liquor, but that only served to give him a more earthy appeal. His hair was long and his grin was wicked!
Spike managed to get himself up and dust off. He pulled on Drusilla's arm.
'Ms. Pressley is new to Duvenshire. I suggest you get back to work.' Spike said coldly, as Liam let go of Drusilla's hand and winked at her. Drusilla couldn't help grinning back, as Spike pushed her into the building. Once inside, Spike gave her a stern warning.
'Drusilla...'
'Maybe you should call me Ms. Pressley while we're here at school. I'll call you Mr. Thurston.'
'Oh. Oh yes, of course. Ms. Pressley, I must warn you to stay away from Liam Ashby. He is a no account drifter from God knows where, and the groundskeeper for this school. He has seduced many a young teacher here, causing their dismissal.'
'Their dismissal? Then why is Mr. Ashby still here?'
Spike looked confused.
'I don't follow you, Ms. Pressley.'
'I mean, isn't Mr. Ashby equally at fault?'
Spike still looked as if he didn't understand. Drusilla sighed. She had forgotten how low on the rung women were back in the day. They were damned near property!
'Never mind. I will heed your warning and stay away from him.' Drusilla answered. Spike smiled.
'Good girl. Now, let's get you settled into the class room. Oh, and I must warn you about the Chadwick girls.'
'The Chadwicks?'
'Yes, Peyton and Posy Chadwick. They stir up much trickery whenever they are together in a classroom. They have been separated this year, but it seems that they're both equally as bad mannered.'
Peyton and Posy? Drusilla said nothing, but could not get those names out of her mind. Why?
As they walked down a hallway, shouting stopped them both. Soon, a well dressed woman shoved past them! She knocked Drusilla into Spike and he shouted after her to watch where she was going! The woman turned around and Drusilla almost gasped! It was Darla!
'I'll have you, and your little school know, that my money is just as good as anyone's! All I wanted to do was contribute a little something...'
Darla then choked back a sob and began to run out! Drusilla started after her, but Spike pulled her back.
'Ms. Pressley, where do you think you're going?!'
'That woman....she's upset...'
'That woman is Priscilla Rejoice...I can't even refer to her as a Ms.....she's a woman of the night.'
Drusilla looked from Spike, to Darla's retreating back. Both Darla and Angel were born hundreds of years before either her or Spike! Yet, they were here, in her dream, as if they belonged in this time!
Spike touched her elbow.
'Come, Ms. Pressley. The children await.'
Drusilla and Spike continued down the hallway, never seeing Cole, who stepped out of the shadows. Through a spell, he had had entered into Drusilla's alternate reality dream, to make sure that his child lived, and Spike's died.
To everyone at Duvenshire, he would be the Head Master, although he knew Drusilla would recognize him. And while he was here, he was going figure out whether Peyton or Posy Chadwick, was his child with Drusilla. Once Cole figured out which twin was his, he would just kill the other one....
As Drusilla's two week sleep began, the world seemed to change around her.
Spike, who was not as strong as he would've liked to think, went off on a drunken binge. No one had seen him for days. Angel put Wesley in charge at Wolfram & Hart, while he and Phoebe stayed by Drusilla's side. Leo was with the Elders much more than he usually would be, as they watched for signs of danger from the underworld, when the knowledge that a Charmed One was carrying a child by the former Source of all Evil, began to spread.
And that was because of Cole, who acted very much like the happy, father to be. He did not reappear in the manor, and Wesley and Paige were trying to find out just what Cole was up to. But then suddenly, he too disappeared.
Paige, who had not worked steadily since she was a Social Worker, took a job at Wolfram & Hart, working with Wesley. She also found herself listening to Harmony's woes, as she cried over the loss of Angelus, and what a great boyfriend he had been. Piper, who had her hands filled with Wyatt, who for some unknown reason, began using his powers in more annoying ways, took up much of Piper's time, as she had to fix the messes he caused with his magic. But in between those times, Piper went shopping for Drusilla. She bought two cribs anyway, with the hope that both of Dru's daughters survived, and baby clothes.
But while it appeared Drusilla was sleeping throughout this, she was not. And while she was not aware of her surroundings, her own world had become an alternate reality of sorts. One that she did not quite understand, nor know why it was occurring. For she was very much awake, and living a different life....
Drusilla's first conscious thought, was that this was another eerily realistic dream about Angelus. But, for some reason, she didn't quite remember ever being in this spot.
She stood at what looked to be a train station, carrying a bag. She was also dressed for travel, from what she could deem. Where was she? Was she still in London?
The more she looked around, the more she realized that yes, while she was in London, at a train station, she had never been to this one before. What was going on?
Drusilla willed herself not to panic, when she looked around and saw a sign held up that read, 'Drusilla Pressley'. Drusilla kept her eyes on the sign, not particularly noticing who was holding it.
When she approached the sign that had her name written on it, the first person she saw was the elderly lady, that smiled at her in a motherly fashion.
'Hello, dear. You are Ms. Pressley? I'm Mrs. Thurston. And this is...'
But Drusilla tuned her out and just nodded, staring hard at the woman. She was somewhat fashionably dressed and had a kind face. But that wasn't really why Drusilla was staring at her. She looked oddly familiar, but Drusilla could not think why.
'Ms. Pressley? Ms. Pressley, are you ill? William, hurry and get her bag! She looks as if she may faint!'
And that was when Drusilla finally noticed the man with the elderly woman, who had been carrying her sign. Good bloody hell! It was Spike! Only, it wasn't really...had he looked like that once?!
Drusilla searched her memory for when she had first met him. Yes, his hair had looked like that....and she guessed he had had glasses....but it was not his appearance that surprised her so much as his demeanor. Quiet and unassuming. Not the rowdy vampire she had loved for hundreds of years.
William Thurston took her bag from her, setting down the sign.
'Forgive my manners, Ms. Pressley.' he said, taking her bag from her. He had been staring at her, for she looked similar to his beloved Cecily.
Drusilla let Spike or 'William' take the bag from her, not knowing if there was really anything in it or not. What was going on?! Why was she here with these two?
'Ms. Pressley? Ms. Pressley?' Mrs. Thurston kept asking.
Drusilla blinked hard and decided to play along with whatever this was, for now.
'I...uh, forgive me Mrs. Thurston. You were quite correct about the trip. It was not to my liking.' she managed to say.
'Train rides can be difficult if you are not seated among your own. Your mother wrote me and said that you would be seated in first class, did an undesirable slip in?'
WHAT???? Drusilla thought wildly. Who cared?! She hadn't really been on a train anyway!
But she took a deep breath and answered the woman. What she really needed to know is WHY she was being picked up at a train station by Spike and his mother!
'Uh, something like that.' she said, looking around. Her eyes met Spike's, but he looked away shyly. They all began walking. Spike began to speak.
'You will like teaching at the Duvenshire school, Ms. Pressley. You come highly recommended by the headmaster. I teach English there, and your classroom will be right next to mine.' William said, thinking that her bedroom would be next to his as well. He colored at the thought.
Drusilla did not notice how red Spike was turning, as she wondered why the hell she was dreaming about being a teacher? Mrs. Thurston began talking.
'We are honored that you will be living with us, Ms. Pressley. Only people of character are asked to teach at such a prestigious school such as Duvenshire. That is why I am so proud of my William!'
Drusilla looked at Spike, who was blushing!
'Oh, Mother! Stop it now! You are embarrassing me and....'
Spike stopped speaking suddenly, and looked straight ahead. A girl, dressed quite fancily, was being helped out of a carriage. Mrs. Thurston squeezed Drusilla's arm.
'That is Cecily Addams. Oh, but William is sweet on her. I do wish he would get up the nerve to properly court her.'
Drusilla watched as 'William', tentatively approached her and a few other people that surrounded her. They snickered and didn't appear to acknowledge his greeting. Spike looked crestfallen, but tried to play it off, as he headed back towards them.
'They really had to be on their way and didn't have time for idol chatter.' Spike said in a cheery sounding voice. Drusilla felt bad for him. She knew him. His feelings were hurt, especially by that Cecily bitch!
'Yes, they do look to be in a hurry. Though I would think that Cyril or Sally could've stopped to say hello.' Mrs. Thurston murmured.
Drusilla snuck a peek at Spike. He looked at a loss of words, as if he desperately wanted his mother to believe that those people really hadn't had the time to stop and chat, instead of the truth: they didn't want to especially talk to her William.
'Yes, they did look to be in a great hurry, Mr. Thurston. I am feeling quite winded...'
William looked at her gratefully, pushing up his wire rim glasses as he took her arm.
'Here, Ms. Pressley. Lean on me.'
'Why thank you, William' Drusilla said, smiling at him and taking his arm. For the briefest moment, something Angel said to her, popped into her head. He said that he thought for the most part, 'Spike liked being a vampire, since his life wasn't so great back then', or words to that effect. Drusilla did have to wonder how great Spike's life could be, living at home with his mother still?
The Thurston's had a maid, who fixed them a dinner of lamb. Mrs. Thurston had a coughing fit and Drusilla watched as Spike doted on his mother.
But her eyes began to stray, as she looked around the house, her eyes taking in photographs of people that probably meant something to Spike. This whole dream she was having was beginning to unnerve her. It was all very vivid and real.
Spike put her luggage in her room and left Drusilla to sleep. But she could not. What would she be teaching? She tried to sleep, thinking she would wake up in the last place she remembered, the Haliwell house, but when she opened her eyes, some time later, she was still in the Thurston house.
Drusilla sat up. There was no avoiding it. She would have to ask some questions of Spike, without looking like an idiot! She got up and walked to her door, easing it open. She then stuck her head out into the hallway.
The door to her right was ajar, and she heard Spike's soft spoken voice reciting something. Who was he talking to?
'For you see, each day I love you more....' Spike was standing in the middle of the room, reciting those words off of a piece of paper, when he noticed Drusilla's presence.
'Uh, hello. I see that you are feeling better?' he inquired.
Drusilla smothered a grin and walked into his room, closing the door. William's eyes widened slightly. They were alone in his room! He was even more perplexed, when she came and sat down on his bed, in a very casual and carefree manner.
'Yes, much. What is that you have there?'
Spike shrugged and set the paper aside on a nightstand.
'It's nothing. What can I do for you?'
'Was that some sort of love poem?' Drusilla inquired politely.
William nodded slightly, eyeing her.
'Uh, yes. But....'
'For that ill-bred girl at the train station?'
Spike's eyebrows knitted together angrily!
'Cecily is not ill bred, I'll have you know!'
'No?'
'No! She was in a hurry.'
'Oh. Well I didn't mean to insult you. I actually came to double check what it was I was teaching.'
'I beg your pardon?' William asked. Now that he was getting to know this Ms. Pressley, he realized that looks was as far as it went, when it came to her resemblance to Cecily. There was just something off about her....
'What will I be teaching tomorrow?' she asked.
'I believe it's mathematics.'
Drusilla tried to keep her mouth from dropping to the floor! She knew little to nothing about math! This was definitely some sort of nightmare she was in!
'Oh, well. Good luck with your love poem.'
'Ms. Pressley, is we are to get along, it will behoove you to mind your own affairs.' William sniffed. Drusilla appraised him. She was tempted, oh so tempted, to seduce the bloody hell out of 'Little William' here! Maybe sneak into his room in the middle of the night, ride him like a stallion rode the wind, then make him say her name in a voice that didn't sound like the one he spoke in now... as if he were still going through puberty!
But, that would be naughty. And she didn't want to do anything that might keep her from waking up. So she just bit back a nasty response.
'I'm sorry, William. You are right. I will stay out of your affairs.' she said with a straight face. Drusilla then turned and left the room, closing the door behind her. She went back into her room, closed the door, then flopped down onto the bed. Her eyes fell upon her luggage. She sat up and opened the bag.
Inside were clothes that she had never owned in her life! Drusilla set the bag aside and began to will sleep to come. Surely everything would be normal tomorrow, wouldn't it?
The next day was the strange same day it had been before. Duvenshire School was only a short walk from the Thurston house, and Drusilla and Spike walked it. Spike chattered on and on about various, boring things...one of them being this Cecily girl.
Drusilla scarcely listened, as she looked around the crowded, London streets. Could her life have been like this, if she had never been turned into a vampire? Would she have wanted a life like this?
'Ms. Pressley?'
Drusilla snapped out of her trance and looked at Spike.
'I'm sorry, William, did you say something?'
'Yes....Ms. Pressley....'
'Please, call me Drusilla.'
Spike smiled. Drusilla noticed that a bit of his hair was sticking up. The poor thing!
'Drusilla. I must apologize for my less than courteous behavior from the other evening. I was just so startled to find a young woman in my room.'
I bet! Drusilla thought wickedly. But she kept a straight face.
'Of course. I'm sorry for being so nosy. You know, I could give you some pointers.'
'Pointers?'
'Tips on how to get Cecily for yourself.'
Spike's eyes glittered with excitement!
'Really? You would do that Ms....Drusilla?'
'Of course. Your mother and you have been so kind to me. It's the least I can do for you.' Drusilla answered, and began to walk again. She did not note the look Spike was giving her. He was not used to females speaking to him, unforced, and in such an easy, carefree manner. How odd this Drusilla was, yet, he thanked God for her. If she could help him in any way with Cecily....'
'Well hello there, Mr. Thurston! Who's the pretty lass you have with you?'
Drusilla sucked in a breath! It was Angel! No, Angelus! No, he was out in the sunlight....
'Liam Ashby, this is...'
'Liam', shoved Spike back, then picked up Drusilla's hand, kissing it. Drusilla had to admit, her heart did skip a beat. He was dressed in a shirt and breeches, and smelled slightly of liquor, but that only served to give him a more earthy appeal. His hair was long and his grin was wicked!
Spike managed to get himself up and dust off. He pulled on Drusilla's arm.
'Ms. Pressley is new to Duvenshire. I suggest you get back to work.' Spike said coldly, as Liam let go of Drusilla's hand and winked at her. Drusilla couldn't help grinning back, as Spike pushed her into the building. Once inside, Spike gave her a stern warning.
'Drusilla...'
'Maybe you should call me Ms. Pressley while we're here at school. I'll call you Mr. Thurston.'
'Oh. Oh yes, of course. Ms. Pressley, I must warn you to stay away from Liam Ashby. He is a no account drifter from God knows where, and the groundskeeper for this school. He has seduced many a young teacher here, causing their dismissal.'
'Their dismissal? Then why is Mr. Ashby still here?'
Spike looked confused.
'I don't follow you, Ms. Pressley.'
'I mean, isn't Mr. Ashby equally at fault?'
Spike still looked as if he didn't understand. Drusilla sighed. She had forgotten how low on the rung women were back in the day. They were damned near property!
'Never mind. I will heed your warning and stay away from him.' Drusilla answered. Spike smiled.
'Good girl. Now, let's get you settled into the class room. Oh, and I must warn you about the Chadwick girls.'
'The Chadwicks?'
'Yes, Peyton and Posy Chadwick. They stir up much trickery whenever they are together in a classroom. They have been separated this year, but it seems that they're both equally as bad mannered.'
Peyton and Posy? Drusilla said nothing, but could not get those names out of her mind. Why?
As they walked down a hallway, shouting stopped them both. Soon, a well dressed woman shoved past them! She knocked Drusilla into Spike and he shouted after her to watch where she was going! The woman turned around and Drusilla almost gasped! It was Darla!
'I'll have you, and your little school know, that my money is just as good as anyone's! All I wanted to do was contribute a little something...'
Darla then choked back a sob and began to run out! Drusilla started after her, but Spike pulled her back.
'Ms. Pressley, where do you think you're going?!'
'That woman....she's upset...'
'That woman is Priscilla Rejoice...I can't even refer to her as a Ms.....she's a woman of the night.'
Drusilla looked from Spike, to Darla's retreating back. Both Darla and Angel were born hundreds of years before either her or Spike! Yet, they were here, in her dream, as if they belonged in this time!
Spike touched her elbow.
'Come, Ms. Pressley. The children await.'
Drusilla and Spike continued down the hallway, never seeing Cole, who stepped out of the shadows. Through a spell, he had had entered into Drusilla's alternate reality dream, to make sure that his child lived, and Spike's died.
To everyone at Duvenshire, he would be the Head Master, although he knew Drusilla would recognize him. And while he was here, he was going figure out whether Peyton or Posy Chadwick, was his child with Drusilla. Once Cole figured out which twin was his, he would just kill the other one....