Thanks again everyone for the wonderful reviews. I may put up the next few chapters in the next few days. I will be on vacation after that and unable to post anything for a week. I think this story will have about 30 chapters when I am done. It's long, but I have a lot to cover. I don't want to leave out important events I had planned and cut it short. Thanks to those of you still with me.
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Chapter 20 The Clock is Ticking
Xander and Oz arrived at the Magic Box in record time. They had talked about what information they had and decided that researching the book might not be just as good as having the actual book in hand, but it was a lot safer.
As long as the book was making people vanish they couldn't chance touching it. Surely Giles would have something at the magic shop that would help them figure this out. Oz could do a little Internet research on this Mr. Hargis as well and maybe they could get an address. They were greeted by Anya when they entered the shop.
"Hi Xander. I'm glad you're back because I need some things from the basement and I can't leave the counter. Besides they are very heavy and that is man's work, right? Could you go down and get them for me please?" It was just like Anya to be oblivious to the situation they had discussed this morning. He loved her, but sometimes she was in a world of her own.
"Honey, sorry but I don't have time for that now. Oz and I have some researching to do. Do you know where Giles keeps the prophecy books?" Xander was looking behind the counter now and seemed a little frantic. Oz took a seat at the research table and pulled out his laptop.
"What's wrong now Xander? Didn't you find what you were looking for at the library?" Anya was a little put out that Xander didn't want to get her supplies from the basement for her. He was supposed to be her boyfriend. He should be helping her.
"I don't have time to explain right now Anya. Can you tell me where the prophecy books are or do I have to search the whole store?" He was a getting annoyed now and didn't have time to coddle Anya and her needs.
Anya sighed and pointed to the loft. "Giles keeps the important books up there away from the customers. If we have it, it would be up there." With that she stomped out of the room and proceeded to the basement to get her supplies. Oz just watched silently trying to stay out of the way. Sometimes their arguments could get ugly and he didn't want to get caught in the middle.
Xander started to call after her and decided that he didn't have time. He would apologize to her later after he found his friends. She would understand and forgive him. He climbed the ladder to the loft in search of the books he needed.
Giles kept the books with information on prophecies and ancient stories in the far right section. He found them after a few tries. He grabbed the books and headed downstairs to where Oz was still typing away on the laptop.
"I think I have found some we can start with. It shouldn't be too bad. There are only 5 or 6 books it can be in. Hopefully we find something about it in one of these." Xander laid the books on the table. They were rather thick with small printing but between the two of them it shouldn't be too hard. After all, they had done this kind of thing before. Of course, if Giles were there it would be a lot easier.
"Are you sure about this Xander? Maybe we should just go to the library and get the book. This looks like it could take awhile man." Oz was looking at the table of very large books and scratching his head.
"I'm sure. It won't do us any good to get transported to wherever they are without any answers. Don't worry. Wherever Willow is, Buffy and Giles are with her. At least they are together as far as we know. I am sure that they will take care of each other. They need someone at this end to help them and that would be us." Xander wasn't sure about anything but this was the plan. The boys starting looking for whatever they could find about the king and Mr. Hargis.
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Willow and Giles were hungrier than they thought. They hadn't eaten in awhile and the walk to the castle this morning had given them an appetite. The food the servants brought was delicious and they had practically eaten every bite.
"Well, it certainly seems that the prince is a likeable fellow. I didn't want to botch anything up by asking about Buffy. I assume you thought the same?" Giles was standing now and looking around the room for clues.
"He seemed nice enough. I figured you didn't ask so I kept quiet. You said to follow your lead dad. A good daughter does what her father says." Willow was chuckling a little now. Giles had made them father and daughter and it did make sense. The prince didn't seem suspicious of them and she wasn't sure why. He acted almost as if he was expecting guests.
"Yes, well, it was all I could think of at the time. It seems as if it worked well enough. Maybe we should try to search the castle for further clues. I am sure the prince won't mind if we have a look about. He can't expect us to keep cooped up in these rooms all day." Giles was gesturing and removing his glasses again. He had such strange habits.
"I guess a look around is in order. I could go for a little snooping. Maybe we will find Buffy while we are looking." Willow and Giles proceeded to the door and out to the hallway. They reached the large steel outer door they had passed through before only to find that it was locked. Giles tried the knob again and then frowned.
"The door seems to be locked. Maybe the servants who brought the food locked it in error." He was looking at the door intently and then to Willow. She was concerned as well.
"Maybe they did and maybe they didn't. The door was locked when we arrived but I don't see why they would lock it when they know we are here. Unless, of course, the prince means to keep us from something, or someone. This isn't right Giles." Willow tried the knob as well in frustration.
"Yes, quite right. Maybe the prince isn't the good fellow we thought he was." Giles and Willow stood looking at each other and thinking of their next move.
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Buffy awoke and found herself in bed next to Spike. She must have fallen asleep. She got out of bed and pulled the curtain a little. The sun was still high in the sky so it must be close to noon. That's if this sun is on the same time table as the one in our world, she thought. She couldn't have slept too long.
Spike was still cooler and he appeared to be sleeping. She tried to wake him up by shaking his arm a little. She bent down closer to his face and said his name a few times. He stirred and moaned a little and then opened his eyes.
"Spike, wake up. Are you still with me?" He was waking up a little more and Buffy was glad that she was able to wake him.
"Still here love. Can't say as I am do'in too well though. Lot's of pain in my head and my gut hurts. I don't think I am gett'in any better pet." His voice was low and weak. He was struggling to talk.
"I know. I am afraid that you aren't getting any better Spike. Are you strong enough to sit up?" He shook his head yes and she helped him to sit in an upright position, using the pillows for support.
"Who bloody did this to me slayer?" He was aware enough to ask that question. She didn't know who had done this, but he wouldn't want to hear that.
"I am not sure yet. I think someone poisoned the blood you drank this morning. I don't see why Julian would do that. He has been so nice to us." She was looking at his eyes now, weary from the sickness. They didn't have the same blue luster that they usually do.
"Bloody Julian. I knew it. He just wants to get in your pants. Kill the sodding husband and get the girl. Old story new players." He was coughing a little now and holding his stomach.
Buffy didn't like to think so but Spike could be right. She couldn't worry about that now because Spikes illness was more pressing. "I think I know a way that could make you better. I think you just need some good blood; slayer blood to be exact. It worked for Angel and I think it might work for you."
Spike was sick but he heard exactly what she said. He also very pointedly heard the name Angel and it made him angry. He didn't like to be reminded that she loved the ponce. He didn't like to be reminded about anything that concerned Angel.
"No, I won't do it. There has to be another way. Angel might have been weak but I'm not. I'll take my chances." He was looking at her now with pride in his eyes. He was being stubborn.
"Don't be ridiculous. This has nothing to do with weakness. My blood can probably save your life and right now it's the only thing I can do for you. I don't know of another way Spike. Believe me if I did I would try it. I can make you well. I feel it. Let me do this for you." She was mad and pleading at the same time.
He shook his head again. He didn't like this plan at all. He had been going along with everything she asked so far but this was too much. He doubled over in pain again and almost passed out.
"We have to do this Spike before you pass out again. Please just do as I ask. I'll be fine." She sat down on the bed and put her hands on his shoulders to help support him. He was getting weak again and she could tell the pain was getting worse.
He looked into her eyes and could see she had made up her mind. She might be right. This might be the only way and he didn't want to leave her in the place alone. If he died she would be here all alone. He couldn't bear that. He didn't know what the prince had up his sleeve but it couldn't be good. He shook his head again and agreed.
She looked at him intently as if to reassure him that it would be ok. "Good. All you need to do is change and then bite me. Do you have enough strength to do that Spike?"
"I think so love. I don't want to hurt you. What about the chip? I'm not sure I will be able to take the pain it will cause." She hadn't thought about that. Maybe if he didn't intend to hurt her it wouldn't fire. Maybe it wouldn't work in this world. They had to take that chance.
"Tell yourself that I want this Spike. You aren't hurting me, I'm helping you. Hopefully the chip won't fire. It's our only chance." She lifted her hair from her neck and Spike could see the marks there from her previous bites. It disgusted him and he turned his head away.
"Spike, please." She was pleading with him now. He looked back at her and she had tears in her eyes. The slayer was crying for him. He shook his head and the demon came forth. He put his mouth to her neck and bit down. Nothing would ever be the same.