A/N : I know I'm updating all out of sequence but I'm having a pretty good day today, I've got all this inspiration rocketing around in my head for my fics, and when it comes to this one I think I'm just about as eager as you guys to get to the really wild part where we finally get William turned into Spike. Although that doesn't happen in this chapter, this will bring us right up to the edge, so next chapter the real transformation can begin. Well, that's enough ramble from me, a quick thanx to all my fantabulous reviewers; Brunettepet, Baby Girl Geller-Green, Daniel Wesley Rydell, funkydevil206, Spuffy2008, PltnmDancer, Ape18, fanficaddict, XspikeXbuffyX, boeketjebloemen, Silent Rush, Spikez-babe91, and Moluvsnumber17 - and now on with the show!
(For disclaimer, etc. see chapter 1)
Chapter 10 - The Promises
"Are you sure about this?" William asked Buffy as he pulled the car up outside the institution where his sister resided, "I mean, yesterday was..."
"Yesterday was fine" he was told in no uncertain terms, as he shut off the engine and the blonde beside him demanded his attention, "William, your sister is a great person. She says what she thinks and I respect that" she smiled, "Okay so maybe she went a little OTT yesterday and I admit I was a little freaked but that doesn't mean I've changed my mind about today" she told him.
"You are full of surprises, Buffy Summers" William smiled at her, and it bothered her a little that he was making her uncomfortable with his compliments.
"You have no idea" she said quickly, climbing from the car as he did the same.
They walked up to the front desk and were taken up to Drusilla's room by a nurse, just like yesterday. As William pushed on the door and went inside, Buffy took a deep breath and followed.
"Here they are again then" Drusilla grinned at the sight of them, "My darling brother and his pretty girl"
"Hello, luv" Will smiled as she came forward and hugged him. She seemed a lot more lucid today and that was a good sign, "How're you feeling?"
"Like I could fly to the moon and back" she giggled as she turned to Buffy, "Psst, want to know a secret" she whispered, urging the blonde to follow her across the room. Buffy smiled as she glanced at William before letting Dru lead her over to the corner.
"Love flies on fairy wings" she said seriously, "Sprinkles pretty dust on all of us, everyone of us" she smiled. Buffy looked at her strangely, wondering if what it seemed like she as saying could be true.
"Dru, is there a guy here that you like?" she asked cautiously, finding it amusing when the pale girl looked away and giggled.
"Says he'd rebuild the world the way I wanted, if I asked" she admitted, "and so pretty when he smiles" she sighed dreamily.
Buffy knew William was trying to both ignore them and hear what they were saying at the same time. She didn't know if Dru had made up this dream guy in her own head or if there really was a man in her life somehow, but she doubted Will would be to be pleased to hear either tale. Clearly his sister knew that too and that was why it was all a secret.
"Naughty Buffy" she heard Drusilla say and realised her attention had been very much taken by William, "You find my brother all too pleasing" she smirked.
"I so do not" the blonde laughed to cover the fact she wasn't really sure what to say. Thankfully Dru lost interest and wandered over to her brother. Buffy watched them for a while as they talked about nonsense, almost wishing she could have had a brother or sister to share things with. Secrets and games, that only siblings would understand. Faith was great but you couldn't talk to her about anything real. Everything was about dancing and drinking, guys and sex. Buffy hadn't realised that life was more than a combination of just these things till she'd spent some time away from that world.
Here in England, forced to live amongst refined people, people who actually cared about others, even her. It was so strange but things were starting to matter, things she hadn't thought about for years. When she picked out her clothes, she now asked herself if those around her would approve of what she wore, William in particular. What was he doing to her to make her feel like this? She had thought she was immune to men and their affections. She used them and moved on just like Faith did, except for Angel of course, he was a little more special than the rest but not enough to get too far under her skin, she wouldn't allow it.
"What are the birds singing about where you are?" Drusilla asked suddenly, right in her face.
Buffy made a startled sound and blinked several times as she came back to reality.
"You alright, luv?" William checked and she smiled.
"Sure, just kinda zoned out, no big" she covered, "Just a day dream"
"Sometimes I dream of rainbow coloured castles" Drusilla smiled as she sat down beside her new friend once again, "I'm a princess and my knight in shining armour saves me from the monsters..." she trailed off and the smile slid from her face, replaced by a dark look, "The monsters want to take me" she said softly, staring a spot on the wall that no-one else could see, "They say that I'm a bad, bad girl" she grimaced and Buffy suddenly became aware of what Drusilla was doing. The nails of one hand scratched the back of the other, already marking the skin there, "Bad girls must be punished, taught a lesson" she continued, sharp nails almost drawing blood by now. William moved barely a fraction of an inch, planning to go to his sister and stop her before she hurt herself but he never got the chance.
"But you're not a bad girl" Buffy cut in, taking hold of Dru's hands but not saying a word about what she'd been doing, "You're a good girl, a real princess" she told her, as the pale girl stared at her strangely, "It has to be true, I mean, your brother is a real prince, right?" the blonde smiled, glancing over at William and hoping he'd play along. He was too stunned to say anything.
Drusilla giggled as his dumb expression.
"Dear William, a prince among men" she said amusedly, "Proper gentleman my brother" she nodded.
William coloured at their comments and checked his watch.
"Nearly time for us to be going, pet" he told his sister, "but I'll be back next week, okay?"
"I shan't be lonely" she smiled as he came over and hugged her, "Miss Edith will watch over me til I see you again"
"I'm sure she will, luv" he said, kissing her forehead affectionately.
"Oh" Drusilla complained as Buffy stood up, "I wasn't done with her yet, and you're taking her away" she said, sending a look her brothers way. He shared a look with Buffy and was more than a little stunned when she sat back down on the bed and looked seriously at Dru.
"Tell you what, next time Will comes to visit, I'll ask him to bring me with him if you want" she asked, "That sound okay?"
"Perfect" the raven-haired girl grinned, "We shall be very good sisters you know"
Buffy didn't say anything and William too shied away from the implications of that particular comment, but then much of his attention was still taken by the very fact Buffy was being kind to his unbalanced sister. He was almost certain there was probably a beautiful person underneath the more obvious external beauty of this girl but the more time he spent with her the more he felt that even he might have underestimated her.
They both said goodbye to Drusilla and walked back to the car in silence. It was only when they started to drive back towards the hotel to pick up their bags that William decided on the words he wanted to say.
"Buffy" he said suddenly, somewhat startling her since the silence had gone on so long until now, "Did you mean what you said to Drusilla?" he asked her, glancing between her face and the road.
"I dunno" she shrugged, trying to be nonchalant whilst knowing she really had meant what she'd said, just a little wary of him thinking she might actually care.
"Oh" he sounded too disappointed and Buffy shifted uncomfortably in her seat, fiddling with the radio so she could concentrate on something else.
"I guess if you want me to go with you to see her again" she said quietly, "That'd be okay" she told him, not looking at him at all as she finally tuned the radio to a station she was happy with.
William smiled but didn't say another word on that subject.
"So, we pick up our bags and then on to London, I suppose" he said as they drove on down the road.
"That was the plan" Buffy grinned when she remember their bargain, "Ready to go wild, Will?" she asked with a look. He hardly dare glance at her for fear of losing concentration and crashing the car, because he knew that suggestive look was on her face again.
"Er, yes" he said, trying to sound much more confident than he felt, "I think so"
The lights of London as they drove down the streets were what held Buffy's attention. She looked like a kid in front of a Christmas tree for the first time in her life, and William was sorry he had to keep his eyes on the road instead of looking at her. He was naturally a little wary of where this trip would end up going, not so much destination-wise as in a wild kind of way.
On the way to the hotel Buffy had pointed out various clubs that they might check out and William dare not admit that the very idea petrified him. He'd agreed to this trip, this 'wild' adventure and he would see it through, if only to please his companion. The girls eyes had gone comically wide when they'd arrived at the hotel. It was a little grander than she'd assumed apparently, and the way she stared at everything like a small child in awe of it all was quite amusing and endearing too.
"This must be costing you a fortune" she'd commented almost guiltily as they were shown their rooms. Altogether the two bedrooms and adjoining bathroom were larger than any of her friends apartments back home and almost as big as the rooms in Giles' House.
"Not in relative terms" he'd told her, regarding the money, making it clear he didn't want to talk about it anymore.
It was an hour later when she knocked on his door and let herself in when he called that she could.
"Hey" she smiled, "So, we going out or what?"
"I suppose" William answered with his back still to her.
When he turned and saw her he was stunned. Though he'd seen her in clothes like these before she was never so, well, glamorous perhaps was the word. Her top looked black from most angles but sparkled with silver glitter when the light caught it just so. Her black pants looked practically painted on and William did his best not to stare too obviously but it wasn't easy. He wasn't entirely certain, when he looked up at her face, why she over-did her make-up like that. She was so pretty without anything added. Though he'd never tell her he didn't like the way she looked with all that stuff hiding her natural good looks.
"Um" she bit her lip as she observed him, "You're going to change, right?" she checked and he looked down at his sensible attire.
"I confess I'm not certain what I should change into" he said uncomfortably, "or even if I have anything at all that would be suitable"
"Hmm" she said stepping towards him, circling him like a predator. He felt rather embarrassed and not at all comfortable. She soon switched her attention from him to the contents of his bag, pulling out various things and frowning before throwing them to one side.
"Do you even own a T-shirt?" she asked incredulously.
"I...that is to say..." he stumbled over his words, feel terribly out of place and uneasy, "I'm not certain I like you going through my things" he said, encouraging her to stop, "I, I really think this was a bad idea" he told her, almost physically pushing her towards the door.
Buffy frowned before realising what his problem was. He was embarrassed, he was almost ashamed of not being the guy she knew he could be given the chance. When they'd arrived at the hotel there'd been a guy outside. He was hot and clearly interested in her, but whilst Buffy had graced him with a smile she'd barely paid him any attention. Clearly though, even the small look of vague interest had not escaped William's notice. He was insecure and unsure of himself. Buffy didn't like to see those feelings in him, though in others she found it amusing. He was so strong for his sister, and for her when she needed him to be. Now he had to learn to be strong for himself, to be the person she knew he was inside.
"William" she said as she stood by the door, "Do you trust me?" she asked, not sure whether she'd consider him a fool or not if he said yes.
"Yes, I believe I do" he told her solemnly.
"How about we postpone the club trip till tomorrow night?" she said, a smile forming on her lips, "If you can trust me, and spare a little cash, I guarantee that by then you'll be begging me to take you out"
William considered her suggestion, but was as yet unsure as to whether he fully understood what she was proposing.
"I could make you over" she explained, noticing his bemused expression, "Let the inner Will out, bring your wild side to the surface just like I promised" she grinned, "What do you say?"
With more confidence than he really felt, the young man nodded.
"I say... yes" he agreed, "I'll do it"
To Be Continued...