Buffy opened her eyes. She must be dreaming. She had never seen such a beautiful sky and the grass she was laying on was like carpet. Grass? What was she doing laying in the grass? This must really be a dream. She sat upright and pinched herself. "Ow…..no, not a dream. That hurt."
"Ohhh"…..Buffy heard moaning from next to her only to look down and see Spike laying in the grass as well. "Now I know I must be dreaming because it is daylight and Spike isn't becoming a big pile of dust". "Spike, wake up. Something has happened to us and I am certain it is all your fault!"
Spike opened his eyes because he was sure he heard the slayers voice. He looked up to see one pissed off slayer staring down at him. Well, if this was a dream it certainly wasn't one of his better ones involving the slayer. "Bloody Hell" Spike yelled as he grabbed the corner of his coat to cover his face. "It's bloody light outside slayer. Are you try'in to kill me?" "What's goin' on? Where's the library?"
"Calm down Spike. If you were going to burst into flames you would be…well…flaming already. You have been lying here in the sun for awhile. We both have."
Spike inspected himself and came to the conclusion that the slayer was right. He wasn't on fire and everything seemed to be fine. The sun was shining and he was standing in it. Wait, did that mean he wasn't a vampire anymore? Was he dead? Or still undead? This couldn't be happening.
"Quit looking so surprised Spike. You are fine. This is obviously another dimension where the sun doesn't burn vampires. Or maybe you aren't a vampire anymore. Wouldn't that be a laugh. Can you get all bumpy?"
Spike concentrated and his game face came forward. Bumps and all. Yep, still a vampire. Well, at least one thing was going his way.
"Looks like the not a vampire theory is trashed so I guess we are back to some other dimension where the sun isn't the actual sun". Buffy was pleased with herself. She didn't usually figure these things out so quickly.
Spike was not in the mood for her gloating. "Well, wherever the bloody hell we are it isn't Sunnydale and this is certainly all your fault. I told you not to mess with that book. It has some sort of magic and magic never ends well. Now what do we bloody do? How are we gonna get back?"
Buffy was frustrated. How did she manage to get herself into these situations? Not only was she in a foreign place but she now had Spike to contend with. This day was just getting better and better. Wait until I see Giles, she thought. He is going to get a piece of my mind.
"Let's walk around and see if we can find someone". Buffy was tired of sitting here arguing and if memory served her she also didn't get to sleep any before tackling another day. Yes, it did seem to be some strange place but it was daylight all the same. No sleep equals one grumpy Buffy so the quicker we walk and find someone the quicker I get home to my bed.
"Come one Spike". "Quit griping and start walking or I am just going to leave you here and you can fend for yourself." There, that was telling him. Stupid vampire.
"Right, like I can't fend for myself." "I wasn't the one who went all touching the sparkly book and getting' us in this god forsaken place." "Yeh, you sure are the smart one."
They continued to walk and bicker until they came upon a huge castle in the clearing. It looked really old. Buffy looked around for demon guards of some sort just in case. These castles always had guards.
Spike stopped to take in the view of the castle. He took out a smoke and lit it. He inhaled deeply and blew smoke in the direction of the castle. "Who do you think lives here, love?" God, why did he always have to do that. He knows I hate it she thought. He calls me that just to piss me off.
"I am not your love, for the hundredth time." "And it seems to be a castle. Anyone could live here Spike. I don't know who. Do I look like a psychic?"
"No….you look like a slayer who is out of her element and bloody well doesn't know what she is doin'." "For all we know this could be the enemy. It's a big castle, looks like it could hold a hell of a lot of bad guys." "But hey, don't listen to me. I am just the one who has been around for a bloody century."
He was really starting to irritate her. Buffy held her temper and decided to take another approach. Play the game Buffy. If he was going to be difficult, then just play the game.
"Well, if you are too scared to check it out than I understand." "I can go by myself and make sure the coast is clear." "After all, I am the slayer."
"Right…..the slayer. How could I forget. You only remind me a hundred times a day. We are not gettin' anywhere standin' here arguin' about it. Let's go. I can always say I told you so when you are dead."
********************
Giles was beginning to get worried. It had been several hours since he had sent Buffy to the library, and she had yet to return with any information. Maybe keeping information from her wasn't the best idea. If she was hurt he would never forgive his self.
Just then Willow burst in. "Hey Giles. How's it going? You look a little concerned. Things not going well with the Magic Box?"
"No, no…business is just fine. I am just rather tired I guess. Working long hours and all. I really must get an assistant."
Willow look at Giles again and decided he did look very tired. He also looked very worried. She could usually spot these things, but she would take his word for it for now. "Have you seen Buffy today?" "Is she out patrolling and keeping Sunnydale all safe and everything?"
Giles hated lying. Especially to Willow. But this couldn't be helped. Until he knew what was going on and what Buffy had found out from the library he couldn't chance telling her.
"Yes, I suppose she is patrolling. She left a little while ago."
Willow walked to the back table and sat down. "Ok. I am going to do a little research for a paper due this week if you don't mind. It's always quiet here. Except when Anya comes by and bugs you about hiring her. Oh….you did say you needed an assistant."
"Yes, I did say that. It is just that Anya means well but she is so blunt with the customers. Money isn't everything you know. She just doesn't understand everything quite yet. I suppose I could give her a chance. I don't have anyone else knocking down my door for the job. The Magic Box doesn't have a history of healthy employees."
"Right, with the death and blood and all." Willow had to laugh at the look on Giles face at the mention of death and blood. He had been doing this for years and we still didn't know everything about him. She had the feeling that they wouldn't like everything they might find out. Giles was a good man. She knew that.
Death and blood. Yes, that was certainly the key theme around here. Giles removed his glasses and sat down next to Willow. He hoped that she didn't suspect anything and that he was a good enough liar. A liar. What a fitting name. He had lied to Buffy and now to Willow. This certainly was not his finest hour. I certainly hope that Mr. Hargis knows what he is talking about, Giles thought. He didn't like this at all. No, not one bit.