The Bells Toll

The next time Ethan regained consciousness he found himself in a darkened room. He looked around as best he could to see Angel sitting on the couch, reading a book.

"Going to kill me, are you?"

"Not yet."

"You think she'd let you?"

"From what I hear, she's not so fond of you either. Don't think she'd be too broken up about it."

"Then why am I here?" Ethan asked.

"Because it doesn't look good if people see we've got our very own hostage during school hours."

"I'm not going to help you get the Slayer back. Doesn't bother me one bit if you get her back or not."

"Oh I think you're going to find it bothers you a lot, Ethan. You seem to forget what I can do to people that I really don't like."

"You're just blowing smoke. You aren't going to hurt me."

Angel set his book down and stood up. He reached over to the table beside the couch and picked up a length of cloth.

"You're right. I might not hurt you right now...but I sure as hell wont' have to listen to you talk all day." He bent down to gag to man.

Ethan struggled against the vampire's grip but it was useless. Aside from Angel's innate strength, Ethan was still weak from the beating the night before. Angel gave the man a shove against the back of the chair, making him grimace in pain as his shoulder blades twinged from the sudden movement.

Back at school, Giles returned carrying donuts and coffee. Oz walked in behind him.

"Donuts. Giles you're the best," Willow said, taking the box from his arms.

"Oh, well thank you, Willow."

She caught sight of Oz and smiled. He gave her a smile back and handed her a cup of coffee.

"So, how goes the search?"

"Well we know who sent her back in time...and sort of how. We're just stuck on the why and how to get her back parts."

"Who did it?"

"Ethan Rayne. The guy that made everyone turn into their costumes last Halloween."

"Oh right...you wore that cute number.."

"Oz." She blushed.

"I don't know about you guys but I'm beat," Faith said.

"Yes...you should go and rest. We'll call you when the sun sets," Giles assured her.

"Peace. I'll check you guys later."

The others waved goodbye and watched her leave. Oz slid into the seat beside Willow.

"So...we've got no idea why this Ethan guy sent Buffy back in time."

"Well I believe he had no intention of sending her. I believe he was targeting me," Giles explained.

"Weird."

"No...it's just something Ethan would pull."

"So, where is he?"

"Angel's watching him for the day."

"Doesn't he usually you know...sleep during the day."

"He's tied to a chair," Xander interjected.

"Oh...hostage."

"For lack of a better term," Giles sighed.

Just then the doors to the library opened and Cordelia walked in. She saw the group sitting around the table and slowly moved further into the room.

"Something I can help you with, Cordelia?" Giles asked.

"Yeah...I need a book for history class." She did her best to avoid looking at either Willow or Xander.

"Any particular book?"

"Yeah." She handed him a slip of paper.

"Alright...just a moment." Giles headed up to the stacks, appearing very grateful to be out of the line of the awkward glares.

"How...how've you been?" Xander asked.

"Fine."

"That's...that's good."

"So...where's Buffy?"

"In 1884," Willow replied.

"Ok...yeah...because that makes a lot of sense."

"It's true...some crazy guy sent her there with a spell," Oz added.

Giles returned and set about checking it out for Cordelia. "Here you are. Due date is inside."

"Thank you, Giles." With that, Cordelia gave the group a disgusted look and turned on her heel.

"She's extra cranky today," Willow grumbled.

"Maybe she just woke up on the wrong side of the bed," Oz commented.

Both Willow and Xander looked at him with raised eyebrows.

"What? It happens...usually after a full moon...but it happens."

"No sweetie. Usually you wake up with no clothes on after a full moon."

"And in a cage," Xander added.

"Ok...I think I'm going to class now."

"See you later," Willow called.

Oz waved a hand back at them and disappeared from view. Giles picked up a cup of coffee and took a large drink. He needed the caffeine if he had any hope of functioning today.

"So...I guess we should go to class," Willow muttered.

"Yes...I think its best. I'll continue searching for any spells we can use to bring Buffy back to the present."

"We'll see you for free period," Xander said.

"Yes, alright."

Xander and Willow finished their donuts and coffee before heading to class. They walked slowly through the halls, as if they were the only ones there.

"I don't see why Giles doesn't trust me to come up with a spell," Willow groaned as they reached English.

"Because it's something dark and bad and he doesn't want you to see it."

"I get that...I do but I can do something to help. I am a witch. I can do this."

"Will...I think maybe we should listen to Giles this time. I mean who knows what could happen...or even if Buffy would want to come back. "

"Xander don't say that. Of course she would want to come back. She doesn't know anyone there. She's got no family, no friends."

"We don't know that...I mean...we can't. We aren't there. And like Ethan said...it's been like four years in the past. She could...oh God she could be dating somebody."

"Xander...come on. This is Buffy...the only guy she's ever dated sleeps all day and drinks blood."

"Oh God....what if she's dating Angel...in the past?"

"Xander stop it. Besides, Angel didn't get his soul until 1898. So she's got a few years."

--

Two weeks had gone by since William had proposed to Buffy. Thankfully, the Council seemed to heed Buffy's warning and kept out of their business. They had already arranged the date with the priest and invited a few guests.

"It will be a small ceremony," William commented as they finished supper.

"I know...but that's the way it should be right? I mean our closest friends."

"Yes. You are right." He grew silent for a few moments.

"William?" Buff prompted.

"I...I am sorry, Anne. I just...it is hard...not having mother here to see us wed."

Buffy reached across the table and took his hand in hers. "You believe in heaven don't you?"

"Of course."

"Well just think, we'll be in a church and she's watching us from heaven. She'll be there in spirit."

William's frown quickly began a smile and he gave her hand a squeeze.

"Very right. No sense moping about. This is a happy occasion.

"Very happy indeed," Buffy agreed.

They finished their meal and set about washing the dishes together. Buffy stood, elbows deep in dish water while William dried the now clean pots and pans.

"We must go shopping tomorrow for your gown."

"Ok...but you can't see it until the ceremony. It's bad luck to see the bride in her dress before the wedding."

"As you wish, my love."

Buffy couldn't stop smiling the rest of the evening. She was getting married in less than a week. The Slayer, getting married. If only Giles could see her now. He wouldn't believe it. Neither would Willow or Xander.

"Things on your mind?" William asked as they sat in the parlor.

"Just happy thoughts...of us. We're really getting married."

"You will make a beautiful bride."

"You're so sweet."

Morning dawned and Buffy was up at first light. She snuck down the stairs so as not wake William and prepared breakfast. She wanted to surprise him. She hadn't done that in quite some time. By the time he woke up, Buffy had laid the meal out on the table.

"Anne, this looks amazing."

"Thank you."

"Has there been some important event I've forgotten?"

"No. I just felt like making you breakfast. As your wife that's my job."

"it looks delicious."

"Well sit down and eat. We have a lot to do today. I want to get to the shops early. I thought we could spend the afternoon in town."

"Anything you want." He picked up his fork and took a bite of the eggs and biscuit on his plate. "Wonderful," he complimented.

Buffy grinned as she too took a bite. It wasn't bad. She hadn't ever considered herself a decent cook. Luckily, expectations in the 1880s weren't that high. They finished the meal in silence, both their minds whirring with thoughts of their upcoming nuptials.

"Are you ready to go?" William asked a short time later.

Buffy looked around to make sure she hadn't forgotten anything before she nodded. They walked out to the coach and headed into town.

"Are you certain you do not want me to accompany you inside?" he asked as they approached the dress shop.

"I'm sure. I promise." She leaned over to give him a kiss on the cheek before walking inside.

"Good morning, Miss. May I help you?" the shop keeper asked.

"I need to buy a wedding gown."

"Oh...well you've come to the right place. Please follow me."

Buffy followed after the woman to the back of the shop. Rows of white dresses hung on delicate hangers. Buffy couldn't help but run her fingers over the fabric.

"They're all so beautiful," she gasped.

"What are you looking for, Miss?"

"I...I'm not sure. I'm getting married at the end of the week. Which do you think would look best?"

The woman looked around for a few minutes, running her fingers over the dresses before pulling two off of their hangers.

"Try these." she said, handing them over.

Buffy took them and tried them on. She had gotten used to the corsets but the first dress was just too tight.

"I'll take this one," she said.

"Very good, Miss." The woman took the dress and wrapped it in soft paper before accepting payment.

"Thank you," Buffy called as she went to join William in the coach.

"Did you find something?" he asked.

"I did."

Morning turned to afternoon and afternoon quickly turned to four days later. Buffy stood in the back of the church, trying to keep calm. She had asked one of the women she knew from church's older sons to walk her down the isle. In an ideal world Giles would have done the honors.

"Ready?" the young man asked, offering his arm.

"As ready as I'll ever be."

The organ began to play to processional and Buffy walked down the isle. William stood at the front of the sanctuary. His mouth hung open when he caught sight of her.

"You look radiant," he whispered as the young man handed her off.

Buffy simply blushed as she and William clasped hands. The first few pews of the church were filled with their guests and all grew quiet as the priest began to speak.

"We are gathered here today to join these two in holy matrimony. If anyone objects to this union, speak now or forever hold your peace."

No one spoke. Buffy did her best to keep from crying as the priest continued the ceremony.

"Do you Anne take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?" he asked.

"I do."

"And do you William take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

"I do."

"By the power invested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife."

William gently lifted thee veil that covered Buffy's face and gave her a swift kiss on the lips.