"Hey, Ethan?" Billy asked, "You need some help?"

"Not now. I may have found something" Ethan said, smiling at the shy boy.

"Whatcha got?" Angel asked.

"A spell. It seems that it may be the answer to our prayers."

"What's it say?" Dru asked, sitting next to Angel. She felt Billy's eyes on her and smiled at her best friend before turning her attention to the handsome man next to her.

"A lot of things that don't make sense" Ethan confessed.

"Sounds perfectly wonderful" Darla said sarcastically.

"Hey, knock it off. If Ethan says it will work, it will work" Angel said, defending the watcher. He grinned, "We hope."

Billy laughed, "What do we need to do?"

Ethan smiled at the children, "It goes like this...."

*********

"I love summer" Buffy said, sitting down on the couch next to Riley.

"They are nice" Willow agreed. "No school, no homework."

"Sounds like my life anyway" Xander said, grinning as she threw a pillow at him.

Willow looked around at the odd group assembled in her living room. It was Xander's birthday. Angel and Cordelia had come in from LA after the girl had had a vision that something murky was looming over Sunnydale. So far, it had been a week and nothing. Willow had been pleasantly surprised to see those two looking at each other romantically. Buffy and Riley were there as were Xander and Anya. Giles had finally made it and even Spike sat there glaring at them all. She let her eyes linger in Spike, her pulse racing as it always did when she looked at him. She tore her eyes away, catching the knowing smirk on Buffy's face. "Anyone want some ice cream?"

"Oooh...chocolate chip cookie dough?" Xander asked, licking his lips.

"Of course" Willow said, smiling at her oldest friend. They had not been hanging out as much since she had started college but that was changing. She had almost lost her best friend and that scared her. So, they were slowly rebuilding their friendship, with Anya included of course. Willow rather liked the girl once she got past the bluntness.

"I'll help" Spike said, knowing they would leave it to Willow to carry in everything. The way they took his Red for granted irritated him to death. He stood, glaring at Angel's knowing eyes.

Before the two could go to the kitchen, a bright light flashed flooding the living room in whites, blues and golds. Willow felt arms go around her as she was pulled into Spike's comforting embrace. She felt as if they were falling before it all went black.

**************

"Mistress, is everything ok?"

Anne looked at her daughter and smiled, "Yes Bethie...things are fine. Where is Alex?"

Beth smiled, "Playing with the humans, as usual. Would you like me to fetch him for you?"

"No" Anne gestured, "Let him enjoy his games."

"Anne?" a deep voice said from the doorway.

Anne pushed her red hair from her face as her green eyes regarded the man standing there. "Yes Ripper?"

Ripper smiled, "The watcher is trying something. Calling for help."

Anne laughed, "He's scared. He should be. I don't like that blonde bitch slayer or her silly little friends."

"She is a tad annoying" Delia said, kneeling at her sire's feet.

"I want her dead." Anne said simply.

"She will be Mistress" Ripper said, sitting down. "Her blood will be yours."

"And then there will be nothing that will stop us from taking over Sunnydale" Beth said.

Anne smiled playing with the light brown hair of her daughter. "You're right Elizabeth. Nothing will stop us." She pulled the girl's head down, claiming her mouth as her children discussed the silly slayer and her group of idiots.

********************

Ethan looked around the room and then back at the book. He heard a sigh and looked at his slayer. "Um, maybe it takes a bit."

Darla rolled her eyes, a smile lessening her harsh words, "It probably didn't work. Nothing ever goes right for us lately."

"Don't be so negative" Dru scolded her friend.

"Don't always be so positive" Darla shot back, leaning back in the chair. "That witch probably has some sort of spell over the town or something."

"She isn't a witch" Billy said softly, his blue eyes looking disturbed for a moment.

Angel snorted, "She's an evil, witchy bitch that wants us all dead. Why you decide to get a crush on her is beyond me."

"I don't have a crush on her" Billy defended, scarlet covering his cheeks. "I uh, just well, she saved me. How could she want us all dead if she saved me?"

"She's playing with you, Billy" Dru said softly. "Trying to mess with your mind. She's pure evil...you've read the diaries about her...about what she's done."

"People can change" he said, looking sad as he looked into Dru's eyes. He sighed, running a hand through his light brown hair. "I know...I'm pathetic. I'd never choose her over you guys though...you know that don't you?"

Darla smiled, "We know where your loyalty is, Billy. But, be careful. Has she approached you again?"

He shook his head, "No. It was probably just bad luck. I doubt she even knew I was your friend, Darla."

"She knew...she knows just about everything" Angel said, his tone disturbed. "That's why it is impossible to fight her."

"Nothing is impossible." Ethan corrected, hating seeing them all giving up. "Who knows? Maybe things will finally go right for once and this plan will work."

Faith entered the room, snorting as she overheard Ethan's last comment. "Pul-leez. One of your plans going right? That I'd love to see."

Dru rolled her eyes as Faith said that. "Way to boost morale, Faith."

"Sorry D" Faith said, smiling. "I call them like I see them. Hey babe" she kissed Darla, pulling back from her girlfriend. "Did I miss anything?"

"Nope. A botched spell. Some pep talk. Nothing much" Darla said, smiling.

"Maybe I translated wrong" Ethan admitted, re-reading the spell. Before he could continue, a bright light flashed in the library. He stood as did the others. They looked around, freezing as man appeared kneeling on the floor.

Angel shook his head, wondering what the hell had happened. He stood up, glancing to where Cordelia had been. He saw Spike appear in a cloud and frowned. He heard heart beats and looked to his right, freezing as he looking into a familiar face. Into several familiar faces.

"What the bloody hell is this?" Spike demanded, looking at scared teenager with brown hair and bright blue eyes. Looking at himself as he had looked at seventeen. He stopped talking when he saw Drusilla and Angelus and Darla....all no more than seventeen.

"Where are we?" Angel heard Anya ask behind him. He couldn't take his eyes off the boy that had stolen his face.

"My god....." Ethan said, sitting shakily on the table as he stared at a two men that looked like just his slayer's friends only older. He heard a gasp behind him as the boys realized that were looking into the faces of their twins almost. "The spell worked...help has arrived."

********************

"Where are we?" Angel asked, staring at the human version of himself in wonder.

"This is Sunnydale" Ethan said.

"Fuck" Spike said, glaring at the man. "No duh. We know where we live, damn it."

"What the hell is going on?" Anya demanded, stepping from behind Angel. "My god, they're baby yous."

"Shut up" Spike said, rolling his eyes at the human teen wearing his face. "Where are the others?"

"Others?" Darla asked, wondering what her watcher had done this time.

"God...my head" Riley said, stepping from the smoke. He glanced up, before sighing. "What the hell has the hellmouth done this time?"

"We did a spell...asking for help." Ethan explained.

"We're the help?" Spike asked, laughing. "You guys are out of luck. I don't help."

"Why does he look like me?" Angel asked, looking at the older version of himself.

"They're vampires" Darla said, her eyes still watching them warily.

"All of them?" Billy asked, shocked at the bleached hair his double had. He ran a hand through his own soft brown hair, wondering if he should dye it. He looked pretty good with blonde hair.

"No...those two" Darla said, pointing to the dark haired and blonde men.

"They sent vampires to help?" Dru asked, groaning. "Just great."

"Shh, babe. There has to be some explanation" Angel said to his girlfriend.

"My fucking luck...even here you get Dru" Spike said, cursing his sire.

"Spike" Angel warned, wondering where the others were. He looked at Darla, surprised to see Faith beside her. "Faith? Where the fuck are we?"

"How do you know me?" Faith demanded, not liking the look of disgust in the handsome vampire's eyes.

"I know you all" Angel said, sighing loudly.

"I don't" Anya said, "But I bet know the names."

"That's Drusilla" Angel said, pointing to the pretty girl whose mouth was open in surprise. "You know me and Spike of course. Faith you met. The blonde is Darla."

"Your sire, Darla?" Riley asked, curiously looking at the girl.

"Sire?" Darla said, her mouth hanging open.

"The man" Angel went on, avoiding Anya's question, "Is Ethan Rayne."

"Giles' Ethan?" Anya asked. She snorted, "And these are the good guys?"

"Who are the good guys?" a soft voice asked, stepping forward. Buffy froze, seeing who was in the room. She immediately went into a fighting stance.

"We're the good guys" Xander said, sneaking behind Anya. He too froze in surprise as he looked at the kids surrounding the table.

"Oh my god!" Darla said, standing. "What the hell did you do?"

"Ethan?" Giles asked, his face confused as he looked at the kids seated around the table. "Angel, where are we?"

"I have no idea, Rupert" Angel said, making a face. He saw the scared looks on the kid's faces and frowned, "Why are you frightened?"

"Them" Dru said, looking at the newest people. "Ripper....Alex...Beth...oh my god, Delia!"

"Angel...my head hurts" Cordelia said, moving to her lover. She looked up, a grimace crossing her face. "Damn...I'm seeing double yous."

"Ws?" Xander asked, frowning. "Oh...I get it. Double Angels. Man, you're right. There are two of him...and two Spike's too."

"Spike?" a soft voice spoke, catching his attention. He turned, a look of relief crossing his face.

"Willow" he said, pulling the girl into his body. He breathed in the scent of her hair, thrilled that she was ok.

Willow pulled back, smiling shyly at him. She glanced at the people staring at her in fear. "Where are we?"

"Fuck" Ethan said, dropping his book as he looked into familiar red eyes captured in a young girl's face.

"Anne" Darla hissed, her hand reaching for a stake.

********************

Willow looked at the blonde, recognizing the woman that had killed Jesse. She saw the stake and heard her hiss the name Anne. She looked at Giles, "What happened?"

"Darla, put the stake down. She's breathing" Ethan said, staring at the pretty redhead in surprise. "Is your name Anne by chance?"

Willow shook her head, "No. It is my middle name though. I'm Willow."

"Willow? Pretty name" Ethan said, confusion crossing his face. "This makes no sense."

Giles cleared his throat, evaluating the situation. "I would take it that you are the watcher? I believe the blonde, Darla, is the slayer. Am I right?"

Ethan looked at the man and nodded, "Yes. I take it that you are a watcher and that the blonde is your slayer?"

"Wait. You're telling me that Bethie and Ripper are a slayer and watcher?" Darla demanded.

"Yes. And the name is Buffy" she said, glaring at Darla.

"Buffy? Good god." Faith said, rolling her eyes.

"Damn, Faith's even a bitch in this world" Xander said, leaning against a table, Anya in his arms.

"Shut up, Alex" Faith said, having practice at dealing with the vampire.

"The name is Xander." Anya said, adding this to the list of why she hated Sunnydale.

"This Anne? I take it she looks like Willow?" Angel asked.

"Yes. She's older but it definitely is her" Dru said, staring in wonder at the pretty young redhead.

"She's evil?" Willow asked softly, remembering the evil skanky version of herself.

Angel snorted, "Just a bit. She's the master here. Controls them all."

"She's not evil" Billy said softly, not removing his eyes from Willow's face. The resemblance was remarkable, but there was not an edge in this girl as there was in Anne.

Spike saw the way his human likeness was looking at Willow and tightened his hold on her. "She's the reason we're here?"

"All of them are" Darla said. "They're too powerful. I've fought strong vampires, but these guys? Man, they're too much."

"Ripper, Bethie, Alex, Anne...Did I hear you mention Delia also?" Giles asked.

"Yes. Delia is the seer. She's nuts but Anne's favorite. Bethie and Ripper are mated. Our Ripper is only in his early twenties though he does looked a lot like you" Ethan said, motioning to Giles. "Alex is close to Delia but he's one of Anne's favorites also so he gets to pretty much do whatever he wants. I believe he is her oldest childe. But, Anne protects all of her family. She keeps her favorites close and loyal. They would all die for her without even thinking about it. That also makes it a bit more difficult. But, it is her and Delia that are the most feared."

"That plus the magic" Faith said, shaking her head. "She and Delia are powerful witches. Besides that, they always seem to be able to read our minds and anticipate our moves."

"God....sounds terrible" Buffy said, her face growing serious. She couldn't imagine fighting an entire gang of vampires that were so powerful without help.

"What can we do?" Angel asked, standing behind Cordelia, holding her as she found out she was a powerful witch and a favorite of Anne in this world.

********************

"You think of him, don't you?" Delia asked, running her cool hand over Anne's face.

Anne's eyes flashed, "You know me well."

"He thinks of you also" Delia said, moving to sit opposite her sire. "You cloud his thoughts and dreams."

Anne's lips quirked, "He is not frightened of me....I wonder why...."

Delia laughed, the sound tinkling throughout the empy sitting room. "He sees his future in your eyes."

Anne laughed, "Future? With a human? I think not. He does intrigue me though. Remind me again why we are here?"

"Because you want to be" Delia said simply, moving to kneel at her sire's feet. She laid her head on Anne's lap, her eyes clouding over. "I feel something in the air, Mommy."

"As do I, love" Anne said, brushing Delia's dark hair with her fingers. "The watcher has sent for help. There was a change in the atmosphere. Did you feel it?"

"Yes" Delia said softly. "I feel fear and confusion. They are frightened. Is that good, Mommy?"

Anne sighed, her green eyes looking to the fire. She wasn't sure how to answer her daughter. Moving to Sunnydale had been her idea. She had wanted the challenge of taking over an active Hellmouth and had been a bit bored in Rome. Now, she felt as if she had started something she could no longer control. She hated not having control. And then there was young William. Billy, she remembered hearing him called. She found herself drawn to him in a way she hadn't been to a human in over two hundred years. She felt Delia's dark eyes looking at her, seeing too much as always. She smiled softly, hearing the others arriving back at home. She nodded, "Yes Delia. Fear is always good. Do not mention our suspicions to the others. Not until we know more."

"Of course Mommy. It will be our secret" Delia said, moving up to kiss her sire. She whimpered as she felt Anne shift against her. She smiled, forgetting the change in the air and concentrating on satisfying her lover.

********************

Willow sat on the sofa, glad that she was finally alone with her friends. During the evening, the other group...this world's slayer and her friends, had stared at her with hate and fear. She didn't like that. All except Billy. His eyes had held things she could barely comprehend. Love and desire and intrigue. She had known that first moment she had shared a look with him that he loved her in this world. Anne, as she was called. She wondered if Darla and his friends were aware of his feelings for their enemy. Somehow she doubted that they realized the extent of them.

"I don't like this place" Anya said, summing up everyone's thoughts in five small words.

"I'm evil here" Buffy said, her expression disbelieving.

"You're mated with Giles here" Xander added, causing the entire group to shudder in distaste.

"I can't believe I'm some psychic witchy vampire" Cordelia said, glancing at Willow, "And that you and I are well...doing that."

Willow looked away, "I know. They're scared of me. I kept praying that Darla wouldn't stake me."

"Darla and Faith? How sick is that?" Xander asked.

"So, she's your sire?" Riley asked Angel, having heard the man's story.

"She was....in our world." Angel said. He glanced at Spike and saw his childe watching Willow as though she might vanish at any time. He sighed, seeing what neither of them would admit. He had seen it in the human's eyes...in Billy's eyes as he too had looked at Willow. In this world, he had Drusilla as was friends with Darla and Billy. What was it about them that continued to stay linked no matter where they were? The same was true for Buffy and her friends. He couldn't ignore now that things seemed to be destined no matter which world their souls were in. The scenery and specifics changed, but the rest was the same. "What do you suppose we are supposed to do?"

"Help" Giles said, running a hand over his face. He was still trying to deal with finding out that not only was he Ripper in this world and a vampire, but he was mated with the vampire version of his own slayer, a girl he thought of as his own daughter, and one of Willow's children. It was all just a bit much to accept so easily. What was even more impossible for his mind to comprehend was that this world was defended by the very people they fought so hard against in their world. Ethan was a bloody watcher, he thought in disgust.

"How?" Cordelia asked, letting Angel hug her tightly as she tried to forget what she was in this world.

"Guess that's what we need to figure out" Spike said, rolling his eyes. He moved behind Willow, sitting down beside her as close as he could get without drawing suspicion. He missed the looks of amusement at his suave attempt from the others, concentrating instead on Willow. "Anyone have any ideas?"

********************

Willow was on her way to the library to meet the others. It had been decided that it would be better for the humans in this world if she stayed away as long as possible. Well, it had been decided by her, much to the others dismay. They had argued, well Spike and Buffy had argued, that she should stay with them. But, she had told them she couldn't think productively with Darla and her friends caressing stakes and glaring at her. Which was true. She also wanted to see what this Sunnydale was like. So, she had been wandering around surprised to see how much was the same. She had even seen the Bronze standing, a bit more developed than their own.

She looked at the sky, enjoying the feel of the sun on her face. She had been walking for hours and was still no closer to a solution. It seemed that Ethan had no idea why Anne was even in town and what she hoped to accomplish. From what Willow had heard, the threat from the vampire so far had only been heard and not seen. Darla said that the death rates were still about the same, Anne keeping her childer under control. Willow assumed it was the thought of what Anne and her group could do that scared Darla and the others. She understood that, remembering Angelus. Of course, he had killed people they knew and enjoyed it. She wondered how Darla would deal with facing someone as sadistic as him. Probably end up dead, Willow thought.

She walked down her home street, recognizing the houses. She wondered who lived in her old house, if it was even there. She kept walking, surprised by how large the houses got when she turned the corner. This development definitely didn't exist in her world. She looked at the houses, trying to think of some way they could help this world's slayer so they could get home. She stopped by a large mansion, leaning against the fence as she thought. She looked at the sky, wondering if their interfering would mess this world's time line up or if it was what was intended. She sighed, her hands pulling at the iron bars behind her as she stretched. She finally decided that she couldn't think of anything without knowing more. It was impossible.

She pulled away from the fence, her eyes glancing at the large house before she continued on her way. She stopped again at a mansion that looked like something out of Gone with the Wind. She laughed rolling her eyes as she turned around and headed back towards the school. She frowned as she stumbled against the sidewalk, falling to her knees and skinning them. She stood, grimacing as she tried to stand. Stupid rock, she kicked it. She chewed her bottom lip into her mouth, trying again to walk towards the library. She stepped on her ankle and again cursed aloud. She didn't feel like she had twisted it but she knew she must have sprained it or else hit it hard enough to hurt like hell. She finally started up the walk to the closest house, deciding she would call Buffy to come get her.

She pushed the doorbell, glancing at the beautiful gardens that surrounded the house. Someone definitely spent time with those roses, she decided. She heard the door open and turned, smiling, "Hello....hello?" She frowned as she looked into the house. No one was there. She hesitated, calling out again, "Hello? Can I use your phone? I fell and need a ride...."

She frowned, turning to look back at the street and then into the house. She finally sighed, stepping into the house. "I'm coming in to use the phone....Just to use the phone...." She stepped into the room, seeing the phone. She started for it, jumping as the door slammed shut. She froze, her eyes taking in the man standing there. She heard a noise beside her and turned, looking into the surprisingly familiar faces of her friends. She gulped as her eyes became caught by green eyes caught in her own face. "I'm so fucked...."

********************

Anne stared at the young human girl that had her face. She moved closer, surprised that there was little fear in those familiar green eyes. "Who are you?"

"She's you" Delia said softly, awed by the twin of her sire. She moved closer, needing to see if the girl was real.

"She's a human" Alex spat out. His eyes raked over the redhead, his cock hardening at the similarities between her and his sire. "But she's delicious. Can we keep her?"

"Yes, may we?" Bethie asked, leaning against Ripper as they surveyed the human version of their sire.

"Shut up" Anne said softly. She brought her hand to the girl's face, pulling it back after she touched the warm flesh. "You're real."

"Can we say duh?" Willow asked softly, trying to keep her voice strong. She couldn't allow them to frighten her or she'd be dead.

Anne looked at her before she started to laugh. "Spirited. I like that. We may just have to keep you."

"I smell the slayer on her" Ripper said, watching the human carefully.

"What?" Willow asked, looking at a younger rather handsome Giles. Her eyes widened as she remembered Angel saying once why they usually smelled other scents on humans. "Oh no....I love her to death but she and I have not...I mean, never....can I just say eeew?"

"Not this slayer" Alex said, sniffing. "Damn, it almost smells like you Bethie."

"What?" she asked, moving closer. She saw the girl look at her and smiled, "I don't remember playing with you, honey.....I think I wouldn't forget....."

"Bethie" Anne said, "Stay back. It isn't you. It's a slayer but not this blonde bitch. Who are you, my pet?"

"Willow" she said, knowing she would have to answer questions before she could try to run away. There were so many of them. She jumped when she felt a cold hand on her leg. She looked into too familiar brown eyes as Cordelia or the girl that looked like Cordelia in this world began to rub her leg. "Help!" she squeaked, moving backwards. She lost her balance on her bad foot and fell to the floor. She landed on her butt in front of almost half a dozen vampires. Way to go, Willow.

"Don't be scared" Delia said, moving closer to the girl. "I can hear your heart beat racing. You like my touch, don't you?"

"Delia" Anne said softly, moving towards her lover.

"Please don't" Willow said softly, her foot throbbing where she had twisted it more upon her graceful fall.

Delia smiled, "You do like my touch." She frowned suddenly, "That's what scares you." She touched the warm leg and brought her hand down to the girl's foot. She saw the girl flinch in pain and understood, "You hurt yourself. Poor kitten. We shall have to fix this and make you better."

"Willow" Anne said, watching as green eyes flashed to meet hers. "Where are you from? You don't smell of this world."

Willow snorted, cursing herself for having wandered off alone, "You wouldn't believe me if I tried."

"Try us" Alex said, watching her pretty face. If Anne did not allow them to keep her, maybe he could at least play with her before they let her go. Even better, maybe Anne would join them both. He smiled at that thought.

"Ignore him" Anne said, hearing the girl giggle softly.

"That's what I always say about Xander" Willow said, glancing down at where Delia was still caressing her foot. She looked at Anne and sighed, "I doubt you understand this anymore than I have, but I'll give it a shot."

"Please do" Anne said. She suddenly stood, "Ripper, carry Willow into the drawing room. We shall be comfortable for this story. Bethie, fetch a glass of water for the girl." She turned to Willow, "We shall get you settled then you shall share the story."

********************

Spike pushed back from the table, any pretense of listening to the watcher, either of them, was forgotten as he began to pace restlessly. He felt eyes on his back and turned, seeing his sire watching him. "What?"

Angel frowned, feeling the tension in his childe. "I think I should be asking you that."

As the others heard their quiet exchange, a dozen sets of eyes looked up and listened. Darla narrowed her eyes as she watched the vampires, still suspicious of them and not understanding how a slayer could not only be around a vampire but be friends with one. It didn't make sense to her.

Spike bristled under his sire's words. "I don't know what your problem is."

Angel knew Spike well enough to know that something was bothering the blonde. "Spike, talk to me."

"Sod off" Spike shot back, his eyes skittering away from his sire's look.

"William" Angel threatened, his voice almost growling, catching the others by surprise.

"Angel, drop it" Cordelia said softly, glancing at this world's humans and seeing them watching.

"Yeah, Peaches. Listen to your woman." Spike shot back, smirking.

"That's it" Angel said, his eyes flashing yellow.

Darla tightened her grip on her stake as she saw Buffy straighten. They watched as the dark vampire moved faster than she had ever seen. He had Spike in a grip, his large hands holding the blonde's collar. She listened, a bit curious despite herself. She had never witnessed anything like this so closely.

"William, what is wrong?" Angel demanded, his yellow eyes burning into Spike's yellowing eyes.

"Leave me be" Spike said, mad that his sire was choosing now to become hands on after years of ignoring him.

"Spike?" Angel said, his voice softening slightly. Something was bothering the blonde.

"She's late" Spike spat out, glaring at Angel. "Happy now? I'm worried."

Angel frowned, loosening his grip. "She?" He suddenly let go, a small smile crossing his face, "Willow."

"Yeah, Willow" Spike said, pulling free from his sire. He patted his shirt, trying to find a cigarette. He found one, lighting it instantly. He frowned, "She should have been here now."

"He's worried about Willow?" Drusilla said softly, glancing at Darla and her friends.

Darla let go of her grip on the stake as she saw the true worry in his blue eyes. "He cares about her," she said in an amazed tone.

"She's probably just wandering" Buffy said, surprised that Spike was worried about Willow. She knew they were friends but she hadn't realized they were that close. She smiled as she realized she didn't mind.

"No she isn't, you stupid bitch" Spike said, glaring at her. "She should have been here by now."

"I'm not a bitch" Buffy said, sticking her tongue out at him. "Why are you so certain?"

Spike shrugged, feeling like an idiot. "I just know."

"Are you certain?" Ethan asked, butting into the conversation.

Spike glared at the watcher, his eyes narrowed glints of blue. "Pretty fucking certain."

"You don't seriously think she's in trouble?" Cordelia said, looking towards the other watcher.

"She isn't used to this world" Anya said, thinking about it. "She may have gotten lost or something."

"She was hurt" Spike said softly, turning from them.

"Hurt?" Xander asked, having caught the vampire's soft words.

Angel watched his childe shifting uncomfortably and smiled slightly as he realized that Spike really cared about Willow. "Why do you think she was hurt?"

"I know, ok?" Spike said, groaning loudly. "Why must you all ask so many bloody questions?"

"It's our job" Riley said, his arm around Buffy's shoulders.

"She and I are linked, ok?" Spike spat out, glaring at them all.

Giles straightened, "Linked?"

Spike rolled his eyes, "Not like that, you dirty minded wanker. She fed me a few months ago. Got it?"

"She's fed you for more than that" Anya said, not flinching as he glared at her. "Come on, you can't be linked from one nibble."

"It's not strong, but I can feel her pain" Spike said, not answering Anya's claim.

"She fed you?" Buffy said, wondering how she had missed that.

"You people are pretty fucked up" Faith said, shrugging as they glared at her. "What? You got a two vampires in love with humans, a slayer that condones it, an ex-demon in love with a human. And you think we're messed up?"

"I'm not in love with anyone" Spike denied, glaring at Angel as his sire's lips twitched. "Oh, shut up, Peaches."

"Ahem, if you are all through?" Ethan said, causing them to look at him. "We have Willow who Spike has claimed has been hurt and who is not here yet, though she did say she would be here over an hour ago. Not only is she missing, she happens to be practically a twin to the Master of Sunnydale. Now, if no one else besides Spike finds this worrisome, I'll just be quiet."

"Fuck" Spike said, running a hand over his face. "What should we do?"

"We hunt" Darla said, looking at the vampire with reluctant respect. He cared about Willow, that was obvious. He couldn't be that dangerous. "And if Willow's in trouble, we kick some ass."

Spike smiled at the blonde slayer that looked like his grandsire. "I think that's the best plan I've heard since we got here."

********************

"Bloody fuck."

Willow jumped slightly at the loud curse and looked at Ripper. She smiled slightly, "Sorry, but it's true. You're the watcher."

"Don't be so pissy, honey" Bethie said, making a face. "I'm a damn slayer."

"At least you two do something" Alex grumbled. "Sounds like all I do is make jokes. What a terrible world."

"And you?" Anne asked, looking towards Willow. "What are you?"

"A hacker. I also like magic but never can quite pull it off" Willow said, grimacing.

"I'm a hacker and a witch" Anne said, nodding. "Why are you here?"

"I have no idea" Willow said honestly. She had been with the vampires for two hours now, answering questions and asking some of her own. They were not like the vampires she was used to. At times, she had almost forgotten they were even undead. She honestly didn't know if it was just this world or maybe their ages. From what she had gathered, the youngest was even older than Angelus. They had lived as a family for more than three hundred years according to Alex. She shifted underneath Delia's look, still finding it odd that the girl seemed attracted to her. She knew that it was because of her resemblance to Anne, but it still bothered her slightly. She wondered if she would be able to be around Cordelia without worrying that the girl might attack her, as Delia seemed likely to do.

"So, you and your little group of do-gooders was sitting around your Sunnydale then woof, you were here. Yet, no one seems to have any idea why?" Alex asked, making sure he was following it all.

"That sums it up" Willow said, wondering if this Xander was smarter or if she had just never allowed her Xander to be smart. If any of them had allowed that. It was definitely something to think about, she realized.

"You will get home safely" Delia said, her fingers dancing across the bottom of Willow's foot. "Need not worry, Willow. Your arrival here was intended. You shall help and then go home."

Anne looked at Delia closely, "What do you know, honey?"

Delia looked at Anne and smiled, "The stars tell me what they wish me to know. Willow is safe. She will help."

"But will she help us or them" Ripper asked, stating their obvious worry. Was this girl that they rather liked a friend or an enemy?

"She will help make things as they should be" Delia said vaguely.

"Well, then, we shall not worry" Anne said, nodding. She looked at Willow and smiled slightly as she settled back against the couch, "Tell me more about this Spike that you love."

********************

"Oh my" Willow exclaimed softly when she saw the time. She looked up at the vampires and said, "I'm late. I was supposed to be there over two hours ago."

"So?" Alex asked, not understanding the problem. "You got delayed."

"They will be looking for you" Anne said, knowing what the girl meant. "They care about you?"

Willow smiled, "As much as your family cares for you."

"You had better go" Bethie said, knowing what she would do if she feared that Anne was in danger. "If she is anything like me, she'll be pacing the floors."

"They are worried" Delia said, smiling. "But they have not begun a search."

"Do you ever get used to that?" Willow had to ask, looking at Anne. "Her ability to see things like that? I know Spike always complained about how nutty Dru always seemed."

"I'm not nutty" Delia defended quietly.

"Delia has been with me for over three hundred years. Over that time, I learned to understand her." Anne said, smiling softly at the brunette.

"You learn to ignore it" Alex said, laughing as Delia stuck her tongue out at him. "Come on, Red. I'll walk you back."

"Um...is that wise?" Willow asked, looking between them all.

"You hurt your foot. I may be an evil bastard, but I am not going to watch you hobble back three miles to that damn library" Alex said, winking. "Besides, in your world, I'm your best friend. That means you have excellent taste and like to surround yourself with quality people."

Willow laughed, still finding it odd that he could seem so much like her Xander and yet be so different. She vowed to spend more time with Xander when they returned to their world. She suddenly felt guilty that she had somehow hindered his growth by not forcing him to recognize his full potential. Even now she rarely let him do anything, rather pushing him to just sit and wait for them to do everything. She hadn't been fair to him in so long. "Thank you Alex. Seeing as I can barely stand, help would of the good. As long as you are sure that it won't complicate anything?"

"We shall all go" Ripper said, standing. "Between the lot of us, we should be able to get you back safely and avoid detection."

"Would it be so bad if they knew I had been with you?" Willow asked, honestly not sure if she wanted to keep it a secret. She had enjoyed her time with them, honestly not seeing why they were so feared. They seemed to love each other completely, not going out of their way to bring harm to anyone. Sure, they hated the slayer as any vampire would, but that didn't make them the enemy.

"For you? Yes" Anne said seriously. "That damn bitch slayer would not let it go. They'd think you were on our side, as if there are any sides. It would not be pleasant, Willow. Until you understand why you are here, do not tell anyone." Anne smiled slightly, "Well, maybe your Spike just because I would hate to have the omission come between the two of you."

"He isn't my anything" Willow protested, blushing under Anne's knowing gaze. "But I won't tell anyone. I'm sure you're right. They wouldn't understand. My friends? They would understand."

"Come along. Are we going or not? It's just now dusk" Ripper said, whining slightly.

"Hold your horses" Bethie said, smacking his arm. "We're talking to Willow before she joins the land of the living again."

"I really should get going" Willow said, struggling to stand. "Thank you for not killing me."

Anne laughed, "Why do you all always think I will kill you? Billy said the same...." her voice drifted off as she realized she was about to say something stupid.

"Billy?" Willow said, smiling softly. The human that looked just like Spike. Remembering the way he had defended Anne, she suddenly understood. There was something between the two of them. "Well, I do hope to see you again. Maybe not when I'm in such pain...."

"I shall hold you to that" Anne said smiling. "You can bring Spike to visit."

Willow just laughed. Anne was persistent for certain. She got to her feet and cringed as her bad ankle took her weight upon it. She yelped when Alex suddenly swept her into his arms. She laughed, her arm going around his neck as they headed out of the house. "Bye Delia. Bye Anne. I will see you soon."

She smiled when she saw Alex carrying her towards a car. She laughed, "What happened to walking?"

Alex looked at her like she was crazy, "Walking? After the invention of the automobile, why on Earth would any normal person walk? I've got wheels, baby. Ready to head back to reality?"

Willow laughed as he placed her in the back seat. Bethie got in with her, the girl looking her over with a similar look to Delia. Willow saw Alex get in with Ripper as the car started. They drove towards the library as Willow listened to the vampires tell her about their lives with Anne.

********************

Spike looked up as Willow walked into the library. "Where the hell have you been?"

Willow grimaced at the accusing look in his eyes. She started to walk slowly, hesitant to put weight on her hurt ankle. "I fell."

"Are you ok?" Buffy asked, "We were worried."

Spike stood and moved across the lobby of the library. He swept her into his arms, trying to ignore the feeling of her warmth against him. He carried her to the table and set her in a chair. He then knelt in front of her, taking her injured foot in his hands. "What happened?"

"I was walking around town and tripped on a break in the cement" Willow said softly. "I think I twisted my ankle. It doesn't hurt unless I walk on it."

"You walked all the way back?" Xander admonished, "You should have phoned. I'd have come and gotten you."

"I didn't know the number" Willow said, smiling at her dear friend. It was funny how spending the time with Alex had given her more insight into her Xander. "Besides, I didn't have to walk. Someone gave me a lift."

"How bloody stupid" Spike said, glaring at her. "Accepting a lift from some stranger."

"It wasn't a stranger" Willow said without thinking. She saw this world's group look at her expectantly. She had goofed. "I mean, it was someone that I met in the park...while walking. An old lady with a dog. A cute puppy. She was completely harmless." Well, Anne was very old and she did have a dog at the mansion so it wasn't a complete lie, Willow thought.

"Appearances can be deceiving, luv, especially on the Hellmouth" Spike said, gruffly. "You should know that."

"Sorry Dad" she said cheekily, "I promise never to accept a ride with a stranger again."

"Good" he said, his lips twitching slightly. "We were worried."

"So, what's this about you feeding Junior?" Xander asked, watching her eyes widen.

"Huh?"

"Fang told us" Darla said, still finding it hard to trust the girl that wore the face of her enemy. "Some bond and such?"

"A bond?" Willow said, looking at Spike. "We're bonded?"

Spike stood, avoiding her eyes. "In a way."

"Oh" she said softly. Looking at the others, she shrugged, "I let him feed from me in exchange for his help. We need him and I have plenty of blood. It was my idea and all....."

"I don't like it" Buffy said, grimacing. "Letting him feed from you...Yuck."

"Luckily, it's me he's feeding from then" Willow said sharply. "Don't worry about it. Have you been able to determine why we are here and how we get home?"

"No" Giles said, glad to stop his slayer from demanding explanations. Any fool could see the attraction between Willow and Spike. "There is nothing."

"I think we're here to set things right" Willow said, remembering Delia's words. "Make things as they are supposed to be. When that's done, we get sent home."

"Where did you hear that?" Angel asked, frowning slightly. It sounded like something Drusilla would have said. His eyes glanced at the human version of himself seated beside Dru. He looked back at Willow and saw her blushing slightly. He could also hear her heart beating rapidly. She was hiding something, he realized.

"Just came to me when I was out walking" she said weakly. "I might be wrong."

"It's at least something" Ethan said. "A start."

"Yeah, a start" Willow echoed softly. She was going to tell Spike the truth about her visit with Anne as soon as she could him alone. She even had an invitation for him to visit the vampires so maybe he could figure out what was happening.

********************

Willow watched the slayer of this world and her friends leave for patrol. It had been decided that it would be more wise if the other world inhabitants stayed at the library and continued to research. That would prevent them from being harmed and ruining the balance of their world. She was actually glad to not have to walk around the town. It had been just two days since her fall outside Anne's house. Her foot was feeling much better but it still had just a hint of pain when she walked for very long. She also hadn't wanted to run into Anne or one of the others for fear that she would slip up and admit to having not only met them but actually befriended them.

She couldn't understand why Darla and her friends were so threatened by Anne and her family. From what she had heard, there had been no immediate threat from Anne yet Ethan had been so worried he had cast the spell bringing them there. And, after meeting Anne and the others, she didn't see why there was such a horrible fear. Sure they were vampires, but from what she had seen on her Hellmouth they were practically harmless. No, that wasn't the right word. She had seen the power and strength in them. They were just intelligent enough not to risk their lives for food. In her opinion, she'd much rather have Anne's kind around Sunnydale than what she and her group usually faced.

"I think I want a soda. Anyone else want?" Willow asked, standing and stretching.

"I'll take one" Buffy said, smiling.

"I still have some" Xander said, "but if you see any food, I'd take some."

"I'm fine" Cordelia said, leaning against Angel.

"I'll take something" Riley said.

"None for me" Giles said, shaking his head.

"I want something diet" Anya said, turning the page in the book she was reading.

"Ok. So three sodas, one diet. And food if there is anything good" Willow said, repeating the orders.

"I'll go with you" Spike said, starting to stand.

"That's ok" Willow said, smiling. She did love Spike but he had been suffocating her the past two days since her accident. She almost hoped it meant he cared for her, but realistically she knew it was probably the bond. He was feeling her pain and such so he wanted to make sure she didn't do anything else that stupid. "I got it. Besides, I could use a stretch."

"Fine. Whatever" Spike said, finding a cigarette in his pocket and lighting it. She was keeping secrets. He didn't know about what, but he could tell in the way she was avoiding his eyes. She also seemed to be thinking about something, going into these trances where she seemed more relaxed and would sigh softly. He watched her leave, turning back to the book in front of him.

******************

Willow put the money in the machine, hitting the button and waiting for the soda to fall. She looked into the food machine, trying to decide what Xander would want. She finally decided to get him the cheese puffs, knowing he would often eat them during research sessions back in high school. She fished in her pockets, trying to find money. She heard some being dropped and smiled, figuring Spike had followed her. "Thanks."

"I'd get the cheese puffs" an amused voice said.

She looked up, her eyes widening slightly. "Alex? What are you doing here?"

He smiled, "You sound surprised to see me, Red?"

"Well, I am. This is rather dangerous isn't it? Coming here into the slayer's lair so to speak."

"Eh, what can I say?" he said, smiling the crooked smile she knew so well. "I live for danger."

She had to laugh, punching in the code for the cheese puffs. "Well, these are what I had decided to get Xander so I guess he'll like him."

"I would" he said, taking them from her. He took one of the sodas and began to juggle the chips and canned drink. "So, what wonderfully exciting thing are you doing tonight, Willow mine?"

"If you drop that, you have to buy me another" Willow said, giggling. "I think I'll give that one to Riley."

"Who's he?" Xander asked frowning, not recognizing the name.

"Buffy's boyfriend" she said, leaning against the coke machine and talking to him.

"Ripper would eat him up alive" Xander said confidently. "So, this Spike of yours still hasn't made a claim....."

"Um, nope" she said, watching him quit the juggling. His dark eyes looked at her face as he smiled what she could only describe as a predatorial smile.

"His loss" Alex said, staring at the younger version of his sire. He heard her heart beating and smiled. She wasn't scared of him. He hadn't been able to get her out of his mind since they had met. There was just something about her that reminded him of his Anne. She was supposed to be in his life, of that he had no doubt. So, if this Spike was too stupid to claim her, well, no one had ever accused Alex of being an idiot.

"Alex" Willow said, using the tone of voice she used for Xander when he was annoying her. "Quit teasing. Why are you here? Did something happen to Anne or the others?"

He chuckled, his admiration going up yet another notch at her refusal to be drawn into his game. "Of course not. Don't be silly. Anne can take care of herself. So, your blonde vamp still the one in here?" he asked, putting his hand on her heart, letting his fingers caress her breast slightly.

"Alex" she said, groaning as she laughed at his antics. He was very like her Xander but his confidence and strength were something he was very comfortable with. "You'd better leave before someone sees you. I don't really want to answer a ton of questions tonight."

"Too late for that, pet" Spike said, his tone not amused as he lit his cigarette. His blue eyes narrowed as he watched her look at him, her eyes wide as she chewed on her bottom lip. "Who the fuck is this and why was he touching you?"

********************

"Spike!" Willow couldn't believe he had snuck up on her. "Um. Well, this is Alex."

"This is Spike?" Alex said, his eyes raking over the other vampire. "This bleached blonde doof?"

"Alex, be nice" Willow scolded, seeing the anger in Spike's eyes and really not wanting to watch them kill each other. "He's the version of Xander in this world."

"I can see the similarities" Spike said dryly, not liking the way Alex casually put his arm around Willow's shoulders. "Same moronic look in the eyes, same goofy smile."

"Listen here, kid" Alex said, "I like my smile...so does Willow. She told me so. Said it reminded her of her home."

"How do you know this jerk?" Spike asked, definitely not liking the way this vampire spoke to him. Kid? Who the hell did he think he was?

"When I got hurt that day? I ran into Anne and her family" Willow confessed softly. "I spent a few hours with them. Alex is the one that brought me back here."

Alex grinned, "I got to play doctor with her, Blondie. Jealous?"

"Sod off" Spike shot back, realizing that the damn prick was like Xander. Trying to bait him intentionally for a reaction. And he'd walk right into his trap a few times already. "You hung with the enemy, pet?"

"They aren't the enemy" Willow said, looking at Alex's hand that was caressing her shoulder and then at the dark haired vampire. "Ahem. Hands."

"Oh, sorry. My bad" Alex said, winking at her as he kept his hand where it was.

She had to laugh, moving his hand from her shoulder. "Quit playing, Alex. Spike could kill you without blinking."

"Confident that he'd win?" Alex said, glancing at the blonde and smirking. "I don't know....I just can't see that young pup getting the best of me."

"Want to try me?" Spike asked, his eyes flashing yellow as he saw Willow touch Alex's shoulder as if she had done it a dozen times. Jealousy shot through him as he realized he was close to losing her to some smart assed, loudmouth vampire version of her best friend.

Alex had to smile, nodding in satisfaction. "Nope. I can see what I needed to. You'll take care of our Willow. I just had to make sure she was in good hands."

"Alex!" Willow squeaked, her face flushing.

"Oh, come on Wills" Alex said, giving her the puppy dog eyes. "You're one of our family now according to Delia. And that daft bitch usually gets things right. I had to look out for you, little sister. I wanted to make sure this Spike character was good enough for you. If he hadn't been, well, I'd have staked his ass and fucked you like mad, true, but that isn't the case. He's a good one. He'll take care of what's his."

"Don't give me that little sister bullshit" Willow said, tapping her foot, choosing to ignore his blatant flirting and his words connecting her and Spike together. "You and Spike just had to see who had the biggest..."

"Enough" Spike said sharply. He wasn't going to allow Willow to give this damn punk any new ideas. "What do you mean that they aren't the enemy? They are who we were brought here to fight, correct?"

"I guess so" Willow said, looking into his eyes and seeing the look of impatience and anger in them. "But, well, you just have to meet them all. They are so not an enemy. They haven't even been fighting and Darla is still going after them."

"Sounds like the damn bitch" Spike said, still not liking his grandsire no matter what world they were in.

"Isn't she obnoxious as hell?" Alex commented, hating the blonde bitch slayer himself.

"You got that one right, mate" Spike agreed.

"If the bonding is over, I had better get back to the library before Xander sends out a search party for his food" Willow said, rolling her eyes. She'd have a confrontation with Spike later. Of that, there was little doubt. "See you later Alex. Give Anne and the others my best."

Alex watched her walk away, whistling softly. "What a woman."

"She's mine" Spike said, his eyes narrowing.

"Nope. As I see it, she's open territory. No claim and all that rot" Alex said, smirking. "But, since I'm such a lovable guy, I'll give you a chance before making a move. You got two days, boy. If she's still unclaimed then, well, I'm not a moron like you. I'll snap her up before you can blink."

"You won't be touching her" Spike said, his tone low and threatening.

"If she's free then, try stopping me!" Alex said, smiling as he winked. "Happy claiming, Blondie. Better run along before she gets pissed. I'd hate to see her mad."

"Bastard" Spike said, growling as he moved to the library. He heard laughter behind him and realized that the stupid moron must be destined to make his life miserable no matter what world they were in. He was being forced to claim Willow, something he'd wanted to do for months but had put off because he didn't want to admit to caring about her. Now, he had no choice. If he didn't claim her, that stupid prick would. He pushed the library doors open, glaring at everyone because he had just been played, rather well, by someone other than his sire. He didn't like the feeling. He glanced at Willow, giving her a look that told her they would be discussing everything later. He felt himself harden as he realized he was planning on claiming her soon. He had to smile, realizing that it felt right somehow.

********************

Anne watched him from the shadows, her eyes drawn to him. She felt rather foolish and was very glad that her children were off hunting elsewhere. If they saw her acting like some schoolgirl she knew she'd never live it down. Reduced to skulking in the bushes just for a glimpse of him. She couldn't understand the attraction she felt for him. She had met many men that were far more handsome. Hell, he was still a child in so many ways. Yet, he intrigued her more than she had ever believed possible. She simply loved watching him.

Was she growing soft in her old age? She rather liked to think it was simply maturing. Her entire family was past the entire 'let's kill for fun and scare people' thing and had been for over a hundred years now. No, they were more into the survival aspects of feeding. She, in fact, hardly ever fed anymore. She knew that the others rarely did either. Alex, of course, still loved scaring people but even he usually only fed, rarely killing his victims unless they deserved to die. He would never admit it, but she knew he often chose the humans that were evil. Those people scared her far more than any of her kind ever would. She watched Billy stop, his beautiful blue eyes searching the area.

"Hello?" he called out softly, feeling her. He knew she was there. He could always feel her when she followed him at night. "Anne?"

"How did you know it was me?" she asked quietly, stepping into the clearing.

He shrugged, his eyes drinking in the sight of. "I just knew."

She nodded, accepting his vague answer. It the same way with her. She could just know when he was near, the feeling always with her. "How have you been?"

"My name is William" he said, for some reason not wanting her to call him Billy like the others. "I'm doing ok. Shouldn't you know?"

"William" she repeated, liking that more than Billy. She frowned, "Why should I know?"

"You follow me" he said simply, a small smile crossing his lips.

"I uh" she was taken aback at his utter lack of fear in calling her on it. She nodded, "Yes, I do."

"Why?" he asked, wondering if her dreams were haunted by him as his were haunted by her. Ever since they had met that night she had saved him, he couldn't get her out of his mind.

She shrugged this time, almost rolling her eyes at how stupid she felt. This human, this scrap of a boy, knew she was obsessed with him. Yet, looking in his eyes, she saw something that rather startled her. "Why do we continue to play these games?"

"What games?" he asked frowning.

"All of this" she gestured around her. "You are good friends with a slayer that has chosen to consider me an enemy. Why would you want to speak to me? Want me?"

Billy looked at the ground, unsure how to answer. "That first night, when you touched me? I felt this connection. I can't explain it. Hell, I don't even understand it. It's just there, between us. I don't want Darla to kill you or your family, but I don't want my friends dead either."

"I don't want to kill your friends!" Anne said, irritated that the slayer would assume because she came to town that her goal was domination. "I should never have come here."

"Don't say that" he said softly. "If you hadn't, we'd have never met."

Anne snorted, "Like that's doing us any good." She sighed, catching his eyes, "I want you, William. I want to take you to my bed and teach you the many ways of pleasuring a woman. I just honestly don't think that once I got you there, I'd let you leave."

"You want to make me like you?" he asked, trying to erase the vivid image from his mind that her soft words had caused.

"Good lord no" she said, shaking her head. "Not yet at least. I like your warmth....your soul....your compassion. Changing you would not take all of that away unless I allowed you to teach yourself, but I do not want a childe. I want a mate."

"Oh" he said, not able to look away from her.

"Yes, oh" she repeated sadly. "It will never be yet I find myself dwelling on it, following you and watching you."

"Why won't it ever be?" he asked, rather liking the idea of becoming her mate. She was so beautiful and he loved the way she looked at him.

"Because, you are friends with a slayer and I am her enemy" Anne said simply. She glanced at the trees, "I must go. My family will be looking for me."

"But" he started to protest her statement. He wanted her...loved her. Not Darla or his friends. He'd choose her over them.

Anne looked at him, seeing the look in his eyes. She smiled softly, "I care for you too much to make you choose, sweet William. I must go now."

Before he could respond, she was gone, vanished into the trees. He sighed, turning and continuing on his way home. He thought about her reasons that they couldn't be together and realized that they were important but rather weak excuses. He stopped, slowly smiling as he realized what the problem really was. She was scared. Scared of maybe falling in love with a human. That he could work around. He did care about his friends, but, after meeting Anne, he had begun to believe in Drusilla's theories of soul mates and love at first sight. Anne was the other half of him, even if she wanted to deny it. Nothing would change that. They belonged together. It was as simple as that.

********************

Willow walked into the library, not missing the scowl that Spike shot her way. She knew he had wanted to speak to her the night before but, luckily for her, Buffy and Cordelia had wanted her to go with them and Anya to shop. Shopping of all damn things. Normally, she'd have told them no but she had wanted to hide from Spike so she had gone. It had all been so silly, she realized now. Only Cordelia would use the stress of being in a different universe as a reason to shop. But, it had kept her away from Spike. They had not gotten back to the place they were staying until late. There had been no way for Spike to get her away from the others so she had not had to answer any questions. Now, she had decided to just take him to visit Anne and the others and let him see for himself what she had tried to explain.

Billy looked up as Willow came into the library. He saw her glance at Spike and recognized the look that Anne had given him. He sat back, realizing that even in that world, he and Anne were together. It was fate, as he had started to romantically believe. He listened as his friends decided who was patrolling where. He spoke up, "Actually, I have an assignment to work on tonight so if it's ok, I'd like to just stay here for a couple hours and head home."

Darla nodded, "Not a prob. We have enough. Faith and I will head south. Ang, you and Dru head North."

Billy watched them go, turning to the others. "So, what are we looking for?"

"Some idea of why we've been dragged here" Cordelia said, sick already of reading these books.

"Do you think our world is going on like normal and we've been missed or that we completely don't exist there right now or that it just sort of paused, waiting for us to return?" Xander asked, this question having been on his mind for the past week they had been at this place.

"I honestly have no idea" Giles said, having thought of that himself.

"I hope it's all on pause" Riley said, "I'd hate to get back and find out that it's been like two weeks that we've missed. That would just be nuts."

"Actually, we will most likely go back exactly where we were when this spell happened" Anya said, "I am speaking from experience of course."

"Ah, yes. The ex demon thing again" Buffy said, rolling her eyes but smiling. Over their time here in this world, they had all grown much closer together. She had even gotten used to the idea of Angel and Cordelia together, accepting the obvious love between Spike and Willow easier after that.

"What is it like in your world?" Billy asked. "I mean, a slayer that is good friends with not only two vampires but an ex demon."

"We aren't friends" Spike said, rolling his eyes. "Slutty and I can't stand each other."

"Yeah, Fang's a pain in the ass" Buffy agreed, smiling. "But you gotta love him."

"I think I may be sick" Angel said dryly, amusement in his eyes.

"That's nothing like here. I mean, Darla and the others believe all vampires are evil and out to destroy mankind. They aren't all like that" he said, his eyes softening slightly.

"No, they aren't" Willow agreed, catching Spike's eyes. She stood, stretching. "William, you want to give me a tour of the town? Show me everything I might have missed?"

He shrugged, a bit surprised at her suggestion. He heard a growl and looked at Spike, "Um, you can come too. Just don't bite me, ok?"

"I think I'll accept that invitation" Spike said, smirking at his human self. "Not to bite you of course."

"See you guys later" Willow said, moving between the vampire and the human as they left the library.

"Does anyone else think it is rather strange that Willow just left with two hunks that could be twins?" Anya asked, her imagination vividly painting some images about that.

"Add to it the fact that they are probably on their way to see this Anne chick, who supposedly looks just like Willow, and I'd say strange doesn't even describe it" Buffy said, grimacing.

"Why does it not bother us that Willow is hanging out with the vampires that are supposed to be the big enemy?" Xander asked, laughing. "I mean, normally I think I'd have already chained her up to keep her away from them. But, here, I don't know. It doesn't bother me."

"Maybe because, compared to what we've faced, this Anne chick doesn't seem all that evil?" Cordelia said.

"I wonder when Willow is going to decide it's time to tell us she's friendly with that vampire family" Giles said thoughtfully.

"Probably when she realizes that we either already know because Angel saw her with one of them or when she feels it is time for us to know" Buffy said, laughing. "At least, knowing Willow, that's when I figure."

"So, we calling out for pizza again or hitting that deli?" Xander asked, "Damn, I wish that place was back in our Sunnydale. I could practically live there."

"Aren't you already, honey?" Anya said, smiling sweetly as she patted his stomach.

"Hmmm...I wonder if when we go back, all the weight we've gained will be lost" Xander said, starting his questions again as the other continued chatting.

********************

"Where are we going?" William asked, following behind Willow.

"I have some people I want you both to meet" Willow said, looking back at them. "Just some friends of mine."

"That prick?" Spike asked, thinking of Alex.

"Yes, Alex will be there I'm sure" Willow said softly, chewing her bottom lip. She had brought William because she knew he needed to speak to Anne. Thinking of Delia's words, she had to wonder if that was what she was supposed to make right. Getting Anne and William together. If so, she'd happily do that, especially if it meant they could finally return home.

"You can't go in then" Spike said, taking hold of her arm.

"Why not? Good grief, Spike. I don't want Alex. He looks just like Xander for pete sake." Willow said, rolling her eyes. "Besides, what would it matter to you if I did want to shag him like mad?"

"You're mine" Spike said, tightening his hold on her.

Willow snorted, "Yeah right."

She turned, opening the gate and walking up the sidewalk, her arm still throbbing from Spike's tight hold. She was on the second step when she felt hands on her shoulders. She was turned as arms tightened around her and lips met hers. Spike was kissing her was the only thought that went through her mind before she whimpered and pressed against him. William smiled slightly, wondering how long that particular kiss had been brewing. He moved past them, knocking on the door to Willow's friend's house. He wondered who she could possibly know around here, straightening as that familiar feeling in his stomach began to take hold of him. He turned to look at the yard, knowing that Anne was near.

"Yeah?" a voice said, drawing his attention.

William turned, stopping when he saw a slightly older version of Xander. What was going on? "Um, I'm with Willow."

Alex smiled, his eyes taking in the kissing twosome on the porch. "Ah, how sweet. They finally kissed. Darn, and I don't have my camera. Ma, do you have a camera?"

Delia giggled as she walked up behind him, her eyes taking in the redhead and the blonde. "He wouldn't show up anyway, silly."

"Darn, and here I wanted to remember this for eternity" Alex said dryly, laughing when he saw one slim finger on the blonde's hand showing at him. "Sorry, babe. You aren't my type or I would fuck you."

"You!" Delia said, seeing the human boy. "I've heard so much about you from the stars. And you're finally here. Oh, Mum will be so happy."

"Stars?" William said, looking puzzled.

Alex laughed, "Just don't ask. Accept and move on or we'll be out here all night trying to listen to the damn things. ANNE! We have company" he called out, moving back into the house.

"Anne?" William smiled suddenly as Willow pulled back from Spike's embrace.

"Um, why did you do that?" she asked Spike.

"You're mine" he said, his eyes flashing yellow as if he dared her to refuse his possession. "Remember that, luv."

"I won't forget" she whispered, licking her lips as she turned to follow William inside Anne's house. Spike had kissed her. She was either dreaming or her life was finally getting to be perfect. Either way, she decided to enjoy it all when she felt his arm around her waist as her body was pulled into his.

********************

"So, you're Spike?" Anne said, slightly taken aback as she realized he was an older version of William. With bleached blonde hair.

"And you're Anne" he replied, seeing what Willow was going to look like in about five years. Truly beautiful.

"I must say, this is a bit awkward" Anne said, looking at Willow and William and then back at Spike. "We seem to look like each other."

"Enough alike to be sisters or brothers" Beth said, shaking her head in wonder. "This place really is fucked up."

"Damn, and if there isn't an annoying version of the slayer" Spike grumbled.

Beth laughed, "Don't you start that now too. I've had to hear Ripper call me that since Willow told us the other night. I should spank you for mentioning that" she said to Willow, her eyes sparkling as she saw the girl blushing.

"Well, maybe not so annoying" Spike said, looking over the clan of vampires. He could feel their strength and power easily, wondering how on Earth old they all must be to possess such an aura. "And she doesn't dye her hair either."

"Hey now, who are you to talk about chemical treatments, Blondie?" Alex said, winking at Willow as she laughed.

"I know I promised not to kill that annoying Xander, but this isn't him. Can I kill this one? Please?" Spike asked, his eyes begging.

Anne laughed, trying to ignore William's presence. "There shall be no killing in my home. Now, maiming should be fine which I will allow if Alex doesn't quit pestering you both."

"But, Ma..." Alex grinned, knowing that his taunting had pushed the blonde into finally making that move Willow had been waiting for.

Ripper came down the stairs, his eyes on Spike's head. "Good God. What happened to his hair?"

Spike rolled his eyes, "What a bunch of fucking comedians you have here Anne."

"Don't grumble, love. It isn't becoming" Willow said, patting his shoulder. "I for one love your hair."

"Hey, so do I" William said, his hand going to his own plain brown locks. "Been thinking of getting my done like that. Looks pretty damn good."

"It brings out the color in your eyes" Delia said, moving to where Willow had sat down. She kneeled on the floor, her head laying on Willow's lap as she watched the blonde vampire the redhead loved.

Spike looked at the girl that resembled his sire's lover laying on the floor at Willow's feet and almost laughed. He felt like he had stepped into the twilight zone or something. These people were the more fun version of the annoying humans he knew. "Thanks, pet."

"Oooh, I love his voice. It's so sexy" Beth said, leaning against Ripper. "Rather like yours, dear."

"I think I might puke" Alex volunteered, sharing a look with Ripper.

"I brought William here to speak with you" Willow said, laughing at their antics. She ran her fingers through Delia's hair as she felt herself pulled against Spike's chest, his hand possessively on her shoulders. She wouldn't doubt that any time now he'd growl and say Mine if Alex so much as looked at her. Typical male.

"Why?" Anne asked shortly.

Willow shrugged, "It just felt right."

"He is the one, Mother" Delia said, purring as she moved against Willow's hand. "The one the stars told me about. Do not be frightened. Things will work out perfectly now."

"Wish I could feel that confident, honey" Anne said, her eyes meeting William's. She sighed, "Fine. Come upstairs. We'll speak."

He nodded, following her up the stairs. Willow spoke softly, "I wonder if this is what I was supposed to do. And if so, why did everyone come along for the ride?"

Spike shrugged, having seen the way those two had looked at each other. "Maybe it was get nine for the price of one, luv."

"A special on other world spells or some such?" she asked, laughing softly.

"Maybe it was all just meant to be" he replied, looking at the others. "So, why don't you all tell me why I should like any of you more than I do your human counterparts."

********************

Beth watched Spike's hand caress Willow's shoulder and smiled. It was obvious to her that they wanted each other. It was also obvious that they had not been intimate. She looked up at Ripper and smiled, almost able to read his thoughts after so many years together. She leaned up and brushed her lips against his before facing the others. "So, would you like to see your room?"

"What?" Willow squeaked, moving so suddenly she dislodged Delia's head from her lap.

"Well, you are staying over," Ripper said, shooting Alex an amused grin.

"Yeah, can't have you wandering around this early in the morning. Besides, the kid there might go poof," Alex said, motioning to Spike.

"If I make it out of this world without killing him, I expect something very very nice when we return to Sunnyhell," Spike said to Willow.

"I am in awe of your restraint," Willow said, her lips twitching as she tried to remain serious.

"If you're not, I am," Alex said. "I mean, being around you for more than a day and not claiming you? He's either an idiot or he's crazy."

"That's it," Spike said, glaring at the vampire wearing the moron's face.

"Spike, sit down. Alex, behave," Beth said, her tone leaving no room for discussion. She looked at Willow and rolled her eyes, "Boys. What can you do?"

"You can't live with them and you can't kill them," Willow said, amusement in her eyes as she watched both male vampires obey Beth's orders. Buffy had never gotten than much respect.

"You could beat me, though, Red," Alex said, winking at her.

"Alex," Beth said, glaring at him. He smiled sheepishly before shrugging.

"Sorry, Bethie," he said, standing. "I think I'll go grab something to eat. Anyone want?"

"Do we have any more of those cheese doodles?" Ripper asked, having become addicted to junk food in the past few decades.

"I dunno. Come with and find out," Alex said, walking towards the kitchen. Ripper stood and briefly kissed Beth before following.

"They eat normal food?" Spike asked, wrinkling his nose in disgust.

"You do too, so hush," Willow said. She looked back at Beth. "What were you saying before everything went crazy?"

"Your room. You are both staying over, so would you like to see it or wait awhile?" Beth asked.

"Oh, you can have the room next to mine," Delia said, clapping. She smiled, "I don't mind all the noises. I'm used to them."

"Noises?" Willow asked, frowning.

"From you and Spike, silly. Love noises," she said, watching Willow blush.

"Uh, no...there won't be any of those," Willow protested. "Spike and I...we don't share a room."

"Sorry, you're going to today," Beth said, smiling innocently. She saw Spike look at her and smile as she winked. "Only have one room unoccupied. Besides, if he sleeps out here, Alex would stake him as he slept. If you sleep out here, Alex would molest you as you slept."

"Would not!" Alex called from the kitchen. "Molest her, that is. Him, I'd stake in a heartbeat."

"We can always go back," Willow said.

"Can't luv," Spike said easily, liking these vampires more every moment. "Sun would be up before we got half way." He sighed dramatically, "Guess we'll have to bunk up today."

Delia giggled, watching them stare at each other as if frozen in time. She looked at Beth and whispered, "You're so naughty, Beth."

********************

Willow looked at the bed and then back at Spike. She sighed, sitting down in the chair and putting her hands over her face. "Why me?"

"Why you, what pet?" Spike asked, frowning as he realized that sounded rather stupid.

"Why do I have to share a room with you?" Willow said, looking at him. "No offense."

"Am I that horrid?" he asked, irritated.

"No," she said, sighing. "That's the problem."

"You're confusing me," he said, almost growling.

"Well, good. Cause you confuse me too," she said.

"How?" he asked, sitting down and watching her face.

"How what?" she asked, frowning.

"How do I confuse you?" he asked patiently.

"First one minute you're flirting and smiling. The next you're angry and cross. It's hot and cold and it gets damn annoying," she said, glaring at him.

"Oh really?" he said, slightly amused.

"Yes, really!" she repeated in an impression of his tone. "I think you might be going to finally kiss me, and you yell. You yell then you kiss me senseless. And then you ignore me for the rest of the damn night! Can't you make up your mind?"

"Oh, trust me, luv. My mind is made up," he said smoothly.

"It is?" she suddenly looked at him, her eyes wide and her tone breathless.

"Yes, it is," he said lazily.

"And?" she whispered.

"And what?" he asked innocently.

"Spike! I'm tired of being a yo yo. Just tell me what you decided," she said. Frowning, she added, "Wait. Why is it your choice? I mean, I might not want you. Alex is funny and smart and has the cutest grin and he has no problems making up his mind! Maybe I'll just find his room and shag him..." her words were caught by his mouth.

Spike kissed her harshly, wanting to punishing her for thinking about Alex and shagging in the same image. He pulled back, watching with satisfaction as her eyes looked at him in arousal, her lips wet from his kiss. "As I was saying, there was never any doubt pet." With those words, he lowered his head again and claimed her mouth as he pushed her towards the bed.

********************

Anne moved restlessly around the room. She felt his eyes on her, could hear the beating of his heart. She turned to face him finally, asking, "Why are you here?"

William shrugged, "Willow brought me. I didn't know we were coming here until I saw you."

"You should leave," she said sharply.

William frowned, "No. We need to talk."

"If you stay here, talking will not be what we are doing," Anne said, her voice warning.

Billy smiled, "I wouldn't complain about that either."

Anne groaned, "Yes you would. In the daylight, when you faced your little friends and they knew who you had been with...saw my mark on your neck...you'd hate it."

"Why do you feel that I need you to tell me what I will or won't feel?" William asked.

"Because you don't seem to know," Anne said.

"You're scared. Scared of loving me, of dealing with the problems. I'm not. I love you Anne," William said.

Anne laughed harshly, "You don't know me! How could you love someone you've only spoken to a few times?"

"I just do," he said softly. "And you can't tell me that you don't feel the same way. It was meant to be, Anne. Why can't you just accept that?"

"Because it won't work," she said. "You're a human. I'm a vampire. Relationships like this don't work, William."

"Maybe ours will," he responded. "I mean, it looks like Spike and Willow are making theirs work. Why can't ours?"

Anne sighed, "Nothing I say is going to convince you that this is wrong, will it?"

"It's not wrong," he said, moving towards her. "I want you. I love you. I want to be with you. That's not wrong."

"It is," she protested softly, her eyes on his. "It's so very wrong."

"If my friends don't accept it, then they weren't very good friends in the first place," he said, moving closer to her.

"William," she started, "we can't do this. You'll hate me if you lose your friends. And you will lose them. A slayer could not accept that one of her best friends was involved with a vampire, especially one that she is convinced has some evil plans for the town."

"I could never hate you, Anne," he said sincerely. "I love you."

"Damn it. I love you," she whispered, her hand moving behind his head as she kissed him. She pushed him towards the bed as they laid down, their mouths still joined.

********************

Willow looked up from the kitchen table and smiled when she saw William. "Morning."

"Hi," he said, pouring a cup of coffee. It seemed weird to look at her and see the face of his lover.

"We match," she said softly.

"Huh?" he asked.

"Our bites," she gestured to the deep one on the side of her neck and then to the one on his. "We've been marked."

"You ok?" he asked, taking a sip of coffee.

"Fantastic," she said, blushing slightly. "You know, I'd never imagined being with a vampire would be such a roller coaster."

He laughed, nodding, "I know. Tender and gentle then rough and hard. I have bruises and bites all over my body, but she never hurt me."

"Me too," Willow said smiling. "He didn't hurt me either. He said that his demon is in love with me too so the idea of pain for pain sake hadn't entered his mind."

"Are you happy?" William asked.

"Yes," Willow said. "I mean, I've loved him for what seems like forever. All of my friends tease me about the crush so I know they won't have any problems with it."

"I wish I could say the same thing," he said quietly. He saw her look at him and smiled, "Darla won't be happy. That's the main reason Anne didn't want us involved. She knew that my friends would hate it...hate me...probably come after her. I'm worried, but I don't want her to know that I am."

"I'm sure it will all work out," Willow said softly. She turned her attention back to the newspaper as she began to think. She had been sure that getting William and Anne together had been their reason for coming to this Sunnydale. Now, though, it appeared they were still here. There had to be something they were supposed to do. She really liked Anne and her family, but she wanted to go home. She thought of Spike and smiled, deciding that there was another bonus to having come here. She had finally confessed her feelings to him. So, it wasn't all bad.

********************

"Hey guys," Willow said in greeting as she walked into the library.

"And where have you been young lady?" Buffy asked, smiling.

"As if we don't know by that bite on your neck," Xander said, rolling his eyes.

"Oooh, you fucked Fang. Was he good?" Anya asked.

"Could we please not discuss the details about Willow and Spike's coupling," Giles asked, "I have just eaten."

"And the watcher makes a funny," Cordelia said dryly. She looked at Willow and smiled, "Isn't making it with a vampire the most fun?"

"I bet Spike is all playful and rough," Buffy said, laughing as Willow began to turn bright red.

"Guys, leave her alone," Riley said, smirking as he added, "She's probably worn out from last night."

"If you all don't hush, I won't tell you what I figured out!" Willow said.

"You know something?" Angel asked, eager to leave this place. He didn't trust Darla, going on his past with his Darla. He kept expecting to find a stake in his heart when they had their joint meetings. That and the human with his face was bothersome.

"I might. It also could be completely wrong, but it sort of makes sense, in that weird way that only works on the Hellmouth," Willow rambled.

"What is it?" Giles asked.

"Not here," Willow said, "it doesn't concern the slayer or her friends. Will you all trust me?"

"Of course," Buffy said, gathering her stuff. "Do we get to finally meet the mysterious Anne?"

Willow smiled, "I figured y'all knew where I was going. And yes, you do. Let me warn you though, you're going to be seeing vampires that look a whole lot like you."

"Really?" Xander asked, grinning.

"Yes, really. In your case, he could be a twin almost. He's a couple years older but you look so much alike." Willow said. She looked at Buffy, "Beth is older than you and her hair is a natural brown. Ripper looks like you did when you were about 22 I figure," she told Giles. "And Delia is a couple years older too."

"Two Xanders?" Anya asked, her mind filling with images of sex with them both.

"Yes, in looks," Willow clarified. "Their personalities are not the same. They're older, all over two hundred. There are other differences too, but you'll figure them out. It won't be too tough knowing who is who."

"That's good. All these twins are giving me a headache," Buffy said. "So, let's go meet these vampies."

********************

Willow sat down, smiling as her old friends met her new friends. She could just imagine that she had looked the same way when she had first stumbled upon Anne. She felt Spike's arm around her shoulders as her lover sat on the sofa next to her. Delia smiled at her as she moved to sit at her feet. She was growing used to the vampire's habit of laying with her head on her lap. It seemed almost natural now.

"OK. I am not going to say a word," Buffy said, wrinkling her nose as Beth and Ripper sat together. She glanced at Giles and shrugged, "No offense, but eeeew."

"I quite agree," Giles said, amazed at the vampire that looked like he had during his school days at Oxford. Luckily, Beth did not resemble his slayer enough to permanently scar his mind.

"Do I really look this goofy?" Alex whined to Willow.

"You're very handsome," she said patiently.

"Goofy? Hey! I find offense in that remark," Xander said. He watched the vampire version of himself move to sit beside Willow, having to smile when he heard Spike's growl. "Don't you just love pissing him off?"

Alex laughed, "Makes my day to irritate Blondie."

"Oh great, two morons," Angel muttered.

"As if one wasn't enough," Cordelia said.

"I could think of benefits in having two," Anya said.

"I date that?" Alex asked Willow, "When you're there?"

"You aren't too bright in my world," Willow said, laughing as Xander tried to appease Anya.

"Must not be," Alex said, shaking his head.

Anne smiled slightly, listening to them all. "Willow, I believe you said that you might have an answer to why you all are here?"

"Oh yeah," Willow said. "I might be wrong, but it makes sense. I don't even really understand it."

"What is it, luv?" Spike demanded, wanting to get back home as soon as possible. He scowled at the hand that was caressing Willow's upper thigh above Delia's hair. "Move it or lose it, moron."

Alex laughed as he moved his hand. "Always catching me, Blondie."

"About the reason we are here?" Giles prompted, feeling as if he were in a circus of some sort.

"Oh yeah," Willow said. "Well, Delia told me that I was here to make things as they were supposed to be. I thought she meant between Anne and William. It doesn't look like that was it though. I started thinking over everything that had been happening the past few weeks, in our world and then when we came here. Anne told me that she and her family didn't know why they came here really. They were just drawn to Sunnydale."

"That's right," Anne said, smiling at the human version of herself.

"When Ethan did his spell for help, we were all brought here," Willow said, trying to figure out how to explain her thoughts.

"Right. Just poof, we're here," Buffy said, snapping her fingers.

"Do you guys remember what we were doing before we came here?" Willow asked.

"My birthday!" Xander said, frowning, "Didn't even get to the cake and ice cream."

"I meant, why Angel and Cordelia had come to town?" Willow said.

"The vision," Cordelia said, sitting up suddenly. "Murkiness over Sunnydale. I saw you, Xander and Buffy fighting some strange demons. And there was such power around. Remember? We had been there a week and nothing."

"You think our coming here had something to do with Cordy's vision?" Angel asked frowning.

"I think that somewhere along the way, things got screwed up," Willow said. She chewed her lip, "I mean, I may be completely wrong here but it makes sense. Nothing else seems to, and trust me I've tried thinking of everything. Actually, it doesn't make that much sense but on the hellmouth, it does."

"You're babbling, luv," Spike said, smiling slightly.

"Sorry," she smiled. She looked at the oddball group gathered around her and continued, "I looked through some of the books that Anne has and found something that might mean a lot or might be useless. I wanted to tell you my theory to see what you all thought."

"You tend to be correct in your ideas," Giles said, frowning.

"Just not your spells," Xander added, winking at his old friend.

"Oh hush," Willow said, "Do you want to hear this or not?"

"We're all ears, Red," Beth said, curiosity in her eyes.

"Yeah, Wills. Tell us already," Buffy said.

********************

"I found a book that had a prophecy in it," Willow explained, opening a large book. "It has a bunch of mumbo jumbo with it, but this struck my interest. 'And there will come six from afar that shall aid the chosen in the fight against evil. Fifteen on the hellmouth shall keep the world safe from domination and will thwart any uprising forever more. So shall it be.'"

"Wait a minute," Buffy said. "You think we were supposed to come here to fight evil and stuff?"

"Not us," Spike said, looking at Willow with a smile. "You really think that is it?"

"Does the prophecy give a time?" Giles asked.

"Not that I could tell," Willow said. "It isn't some big earth shattering thing, but it just jumped out at me. I mean, the hellmouth and fighting evil and the chosen."

"And fifteen," William said, "There are fifteen of us."

"I don't want to stay here," Cordelia said.

"Don't you guys get it?" Willow said. "We aren't supposed to stay here."

"Then why were we sent here?" Riley asked.

Willow smiled, "I think in a way it was a mistake. In another, I think it might have been because there were only five and not the six."

"Me and Anne," William said, understanding what she meant.

"That's why we were pulled here," Anne said, seeing the logic in Willow's theory.

"Yeah. So, you see, it was a mistake," Willow said. "We weren't supposed to come here, they were supposed to come to our Sunnydale."

"At some point in the unknown future," Giles said. "There is no specific date on the prophecy as far as I can see. It could mean the fifteen of us or it could mean some people a hundred years from now."

"And we have the pessimistic view point," Ripper said, rolling his eyes.

"Why don't we try to do a spell to get back home?" Anya asked.

"Spells are bad. They mess up," Willow said, sighing. "I told you that it was a far fetched idea. It just sort of made sense. I mean, I feel this kinship with Anne and the others. It feels right."

"If you concentrate too much on the answers, you will never see the truth," Delia said softly from her position on Willow's lap.

"Can I be the first to say, Huh?" Cordelia asked, her eyes watching the rather childlike vampire that had her face. She could hear her purring as Willow brushed her hair softly. She licked her lips, wondering if Willow could make her purr like that. Startled by the direction her thoughts were going, she looked at the ground. She had thought those rather naughty feelings for Willow had gone away after graduation.

"I think she means we're trying too hard," Anne said, smiling at her lover.

"Yes, Mother. You're all thinking too much," Delia said, smiling. "All will work out in the end."

"Hey, if that prophecy thing is true, and it does involve us," Riley said, "Does it mean we are going to be the fifteen that are always fighting evil on the hellmouth or that there will just always be fifteen fighting it?"

"Add that to the endless list of questions one could come up with from the vagueness of prophecies," Angel said, shaking his head.

"I think it could be pretty cool to live forever and kick demon ass," Beth said, snuggling closer to Ripper. "Don't you honey?"

Ripper laughed, a wicked gleam entering his eyes, "Considering how horny you get after fighting, I think I could live with it."

Buffy made a face as they kissed, thankful that Ripper looked like a much younger version of her watcher. She found herself wondering if Giles had been quite that wicked when he was younger. She thought of him as her father, but Ripper wasn't her father. She could admit that he was downright sexy without feeling all eeewy thinking it was Giles. "So, Wills. What should we do?"

Willow shrugged, leaning her head against Spike's chest. "There is plenty of extra room here. I'd say we should just stay here and get to know one another. If we are stuck here, I much prefer Anne and the others to Darla and her little crew."

"Me too," Angel said, not feeling as if any of these people might stake him for fun. "I would like to understand more about you all."

"Aw, I feel so special," Alex said, "They love us. They really love us."

"There are some drawbacks," Spike said, glaring at Alex. He looked back at his sire and saw a similar look of annoyance in his dark eyes. He grinned, realizing there was finally something they had in common. Their dislike of the two morons.

********************

Willow slowly opened her eyes, lifting her head from Spike's chest. She heard music playing and frowned. She sat up, looking around. She was in her living room. She frowned, seeing the balloons and streams. She read the sign that said Happy Birthday Xander. She glanced and saw her friends laying around the living room. They were all asleep too. Looking at the clock, she saw that it was after five in the morning. She yawned, thinking over the weird ass dream she just had. It had seemed so real that she had believed it was really happening. Now, though, she realized it had to be a dream.

"Willow?" a voice spoke beside her. She turned and looked at Spike, realizing she had used him as a pillow. She blushed, thinking of the dream she had had.

"Um, Spike. Hello. I'm sorry I was sleeping on you," she started to babble.

He laughed, "Think we've been doing much more than sleeping, luv. Or don't you remember the past three nights?"

"What?" she asked, watching his eyes light with amusement.

"You've forgotten?" he asked, his face freezing when he saw the birthday sign. "We're back. How did we get back?"

"Could you two quit talking so loud," Cordelia said, sitting up. "My head is killing me."

"Wait a minute," Buffy said, looking around the room. "Weren't we just sleeping in Anne's house?"

"Yeah," Xander said, his face clearly confused. "We had just gone to sleep."

"You dreamed about Anne too?" Willow asked, "This doesn't make any sense."

"You're telling me. You are out of cheesy poofs!" an amused voice said from the doorway.

"Alex?" Willow said, as Spike and Angel both groaned. She smacked Spike's shoulder, warning him, "Be nice."

"Always, luv," he said, looking towards Alex. "Why are you here? I mean, you are here aren't you? We're not just having some nightmare."

Alex laughed, "You know Blondie, I like you. Yes, I'm really here, where ever here is."

"It's Willow's house, in our Sunnydale," Anya said.

"It's a lovely home," Delia said, moving into the room. She looked at Willow and smiled, "We've been exploring. You have a wonderful basement."

"Are you all here?" Giles asked slowly, trying to understand how they had gone to sleep and then woken up back in their world, along with these vampires.

"Yes," Anne said, coming into the room from behind Alex. William was behind her, his hand in hers. "After you all had gone upstairs to sleep, we were sitting in our living room. There was a bright light and then we felt like we were falling."

"It was scary but sort of fun at the same time," William said, sitting on the back of one of the sofas.

"Except we landed in a big heap in the kitchen," Beth said, smiling. "Red, this is a cool house. Big and empty."

"My parents are never here," Willow said, smiling. "It's not that big either. The mansion where Spike lives is huge. That's where Angel and Cordy always stay when they come to town."

"Oh no, pet," Spike whined. "I am not sharing a house with that moron."

"Spike, honey, they need to stay somewhere that is vamp proof," she said, relieved to find out that it was not just another dream. They had really had sex. He really loved her.

"Well, I guess this answered the question if we were the fifteen," Xander

said.

"We still don't know about that whole forever more thing," Riley mentioned.

"Willow!" Spike said, looking at her as her hands played with the front of his now tight jeans.

"Can they stay with you?" she asked, moving his lips over his cheek. "You can move in here with me...."

"Fuck yeah!" he said, claiming her lips in a heated kiss.

Delia looked at her sire who was leaning against William. She smiled, saying, "Things are as they were meant to be."

Alex stretched as he walked into the room. He sat on the sofa beside a still kissing Willow and Spike, his dark eyes amused as he opened a bag of chips, "So," he asked, a sly smile crossing his lips, "what mischief can I get into in this town?"
 

read the Sequal 'Best Laid Plans'

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