Email: leslieketchum@hotmail.com
Rating: Pg-13 maybe eventually R
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
~Part: 11~
Willow felt a magickal tingling at the back of her mind. It was stronger than the one she felt the morning Polly was murdered. She turned from William's gaze and tried to concentrate on where it was coming from.
"What is it?"
"I feel an energy like the one I felt the morning we met but I can't tell where it's coming from." Willow racked her brain trying to remember where the body was going to be found. Suddenly it came to her. Spitalfields. Annie was found on Hanbury Street in Spitalfields. She discretely looked at her watch and saw that it was 4 in the morning. I'll never make it to save her but maybe I can catch Jack or at least catch a glimpse of him.
Willow got to her feet, "I gotta go. I think I know where it is."
William followed close on her heels, "Red, wait up."
"Go back. I don't think you'll be able to make it back before sunrise. I'll be fine."
William grabbed her elbow and pulled her to a stop, "You're not going anywhere without me. If this is as powerful a vampire as you think, you'll need my help."
Willow let her power escape so he could feel it, "You forget, William that I have a lot of power myself. I'll be fine." As a demonstration she lifted him so he was a foot off the ground and suspended there.
~~~~~~~
George Lusk was on his way home from a night of celebrating at Ten Bells. As he turned the corner he stopped and rubbed his eyes. He thought he saw a slight red head with her arms raised and a man suspended in mid air about a foot off the ground. He shook his head to clear it and moved into the shadows.
Willow slowly lowered William to the ground. "Will you quit usin' your magick on me?"
"I wouldn't have to if you weren't so stubborn."
"You were the one that asked for Angelus and me to help you. If you didn't want our help why'd you ask?"
She sighed, "I do need your help but it's almost sunrise and I think you need to get back. I'll be fine on my own this time, William."
William looked to the sky and saw the very edges of pink. He brought his arms around her and leaned down for another kiss. When he pulled back he whispered, "Fine but we will continue this another time."
Willow smiled and caressed his lips with her thumb, "You can count on it."
George watched the gentleman walk away and wondered what the witch had been up to.
~~~~~~~
Willow watched William walk away and then turned to make her way to Hanbury Street. When she got closer she heard a yell, "Men come here." She picked up her pace and saw a small group gathered around 29 Hanbury Street. Willow noticed the police Inspector had already arrived.
"Oh miss, this isn't for your eyes." A kindly gentleman was trying to steer Willow away from the gruesome sight.
Willow smiled and turned like she was leaving but instead went around to the other side of the yard. There she saw Annie Chapman lying on her back. Her legs were drawn up and her dress pushed above her knees. That was when Willow noticed the intestines were still connected to the body and were lying above her shoulder.
Willow turned her back on the sight and took deep gulping breaths. Reading about the victims and seeing them in living color were two different experiences. She was more determined than ever to find and kill Jack the Ripper. She didn't care whether he was human, demon or vampire . . .he was dead.
Willow heard some noises behind her and turned back around to the scene. The police and some helpers were putting a cover over the body so it wouldn't be disturbed. The surgeon arrived shortly thereafter and they took the body to the mortuary.
There wasn't anything that Willow could do so she turned to leave. Out of the corner of her eye she thought she saw someone but when she turned there was no one there.
~~~~~
George had followed the witch to a murder scene. He saw the kindly gentleman try to turn her away but he noticed she snuck around to the opposite side of the yard to watch. He shook his head in disgust, another murder had happened in the East End. He was determined to catch whoever was killing these women in Whitechapel. Maybe he could get a group of people to help the police. They certainly couldn't solve this especially if the witch was involved. He knew she was up to something. The conversation with the other man proved that. This must have been what she needed their help with. There was no way she could have done this on her own she was too small.
He would have to keep his eye out for her and the man she had been with. He knew sooner or later the third would show up and he would be there with his group to catch them. He didn't want any more murders in his part of town.
~~~~~
Ethan had left Malcolm when he began to cut the woman open. She had struggled some when Ethan came up behind her and slit her throat, but the magick Ethan used had left her listless so she wasn't able to put up much of a struggle. When she fell to the ground that was when Malcolm went into action. He pulled her skirt up over her knees and Ethan smirked. It wasn't until Malcolm pulled out a knife and started cutting her that he realized what Malcolm intended to do.
"I'll leave you to it, then." He said and left Malcolm's side. He was getting concerned for Ripper's sanity. It seemed now that he wasn't interested in killing the women for food but for pleasure and pain. He was in it far too deep to be able to just walk away now. He knew Malcolm would never let him go.
Ethan walked aimlessly for several hours thinking of how he could get out of the predicament he found himself in. Turning into a park he sat under a tree and relaxed. He looked around at the landscape and tried to figure out where he had seen this before. It wasn't until he saw a carriage go by that he realized this was where he and Willow landed so many weeks ago.
WILLOW! That was the perfect solution to his problem. He needed to get Malcolm to go after Willow, after all she was stronger magickally than he was. This would be very hard to do and needed to be done very carefully for it to work. Ripper had to think it was his idea and that Ethan had nothing to do with it. Plus, he had to do it so Ripper wouldn't kill him just to get him out of the way for him to have Willow. He needed to think long and hard on how this plan would come together. He would go along with Ripper for now but would look for any opportunity to put his plan in motion.
~~~~~~
Willow wearily made her way home as the sun was rising higher in the sky. It had been a confusing morning. William's kiss had been wonderful. Just the memory of it brought tingles to her stomach. But the gruesome scene of Annie's death kept repeating over and over in her mind.
It seemed the Ripper was getting angrier at each murder. Willow remembered the worst was the very last one of Mary Kelly. She couldn't remember much about the double murders but she seemed to recall that each murder was more gruesome than the last.
She wondered if that meant that the Ripper was falling further and further into madness. She had no idea how she would stop him but she was more determined than ever to do so.
~Part: 12~
George Lusk had kept a look out for the slender red head but hadn't been able to find her. It had been two days since the death of Annie Chapman and in that time he had been able to organize the Whitechapel Vigilance Committee. There had been a lot of outcry to find the person or persons that had committed these evil acts. With the police and Scotland Yard seemingly overwhelmed George had easily gotten volunteers to join his group. He had been elected President of the Committee by a landslide and he was going to put it to good use. He couldn't come right out and say he thought a witch was involved they would haul him off to Bedlam but he could drop hints about the man that he had seen with her.
Helping his cause along was the rumor of a reward. Just this morning there had been notices put up all over town. A man named Samuel Mantagu was offering a reward of 100 pounds for the capture of the murderer.
~~~~~
Willow couldn't believe it when Hannah handed her the paper that morning. A man named Samuel Mantagu was offering a reward of 100 pounds for the capture of the murderer. This would confuse the police and Scotland Yard further.
She was afraid that there would be so many false leads for them to follow that the real killer would get away. 100 pounds was a lot of money especially to people that were living paycheck to paycheck.
Hannah had tried to comfort Willow by pointing out the fact that a Vigilance committee had been formed in Whitechapel. Surely they would be of help to the police and Scotland Yard. Willow certainly hoped so. She just remembered that paranoia had gripped the times and everyone seemed to be suspect.
~~~~~
Angelus looked at the sketches he had done of William's witch. Each one showed a different facet to the red head. She was at turns innocent and dark. The darkness seemed to call to him. She has such potential. He had let her think that he would wait until the capture of the other vampire before turning her but he wouldn't. He knew that obviously she may be part of his family in the future but she wasn't a literal part since she was a breathing witch. He didn't really care if he changed the timeline, time was irrelevant to a vampire.
He had visions of her power as a witch combined with her power as a vampire. They would make an unstoppable team. He was getting tired of following Darla anyway. Soon he would have her out of the picture.
She had needed him to go with her when she met with the Master. If he hadn't been in France, Angelus might have thought that the Master was the one responsible for Willow's predicament, he was strong enough. He planned on keeping Willow away from the Master for as long as possible. With the potential that Willow had, the Master would want her for himself and Angelus was too greedy for that to happen. He was going to have a hard enough time keeping William from turning her.
"Who is that, Angelus? You're latest obsession?" Darla asked.
"No one in particular, just a girl William introduced me to. He's thinking of turning her. What do you think? Would she make a nice addition to our family?"
Darla picked up the sketch on top. It was the one that Angelus had been looking at when she walked in. It showed the darkness of Willow just below the surface. "Oh yes, my darling boy. This one has potential."
~~~~~
Willow packed a day dress in her carpetbag. She planned on spending the day in Whitechapel looking around to see if she can find anything that would lead her to Ripper. Maybe she would be lucky enough to spot Ethan and she could kick his ass until he told her what she wanted to know.
She was going to go to Spitalfields under the guise of charity work for the church but she didn't think people would talk to her about the murder. But, if she went as one of them they would be more likely to open up. She walked with Hannah as far as the vicar's house and then they parted ways. Willow found a place where she could change her clothes unnoticed.
Willow entered a pub and hoped she would find out something there. She sat off to the side and ordered lunch. The pub was fairly quiet for that time of day. The barmaid stopped by and Willow asked, "I heard another body was found around here."
"Yeah, down by Hanbury Street. Laddy said she was a real mess."
"Laddy?"
"Poor Laddy, he lives not too far from where it happened."
"Oh, that must have been horrible."
"Probably was, but he's been able to drink off the story for a few days now." She said with a wink.
She left to tend her other customers and Willow rose to leave. Maybe she could find Laddy and see if he heard or saw anything. Though she couldn't quite ask him if he saw a vampire over the body, she thought ruefully.
Willow made her way to Hanbury Street. On the way there she overheard people saying that the police let slip that Annie Chapman had been asking a dark haired man for money not long before her death. Of course they didn't have the technology to pinpoint time of death and it had been a chilly morning but they saw her with the man at a little before 4 and that was when Willow had felt the magick. Maybe Albert with his connections could get more of that story.
Willow saw the courtyard where Annie Chapman's body was found. The harsh light of day did nothing to dull the memories that were playing themselves out in Willow's mind. A voice behind her brought her out of her memories.
"It was awful. I had to go to the mortuary and see her." A feminine voice said.
"Oh, Amelia that must have been awful."
"I shall have nightmares for months I'm sure. It was a few hours after she died that I had to identify her." Amelia shuddered.
Willow watched as the two women walked away. On one hand she was fascinated that she was right in the middle of History happening but on the other hand it was frightening that she was in the middle of an insane vampire's rampage through Whitechapel.
Willow found a pub around the corner from the murder scene. As she entered she heard a man telling a story. Must be Laddy, she thought. Willow sat nearby so she could listen without being noticed.
"I was comin' home from this very pub when I spotted poor Annie. She was talkin' to this gentleman askin' him fer some money. I didn't really pay much attention to them. It wasn't until that morning when I saw Annie that I knew I must have seen her murderer."
"Cor, you mean you walked right by the murderer? I hope he didn't notice you."
Laddy seemed to gulp at the thought that maybe HE might be in danger now. "Oh, I'm sure he took no notice of me."
"What'd he look like, Laddy?" Willow was glad someone asked that one. It was hard to keep quiet listening. She had so many questions.
"Well, lemme think. He was sorta tall, 'bout your height. He was thin with dark hair. He was dressed like a gentleman. He had a walking stick and bowler hat."
Cripes, Willow thought that could describe at least 100 men. How did they find criminals in these days without fingerprinting, DNA testing and all the modern equipment?
Laddy seemed to puff up a bit. "Police asked me this morning to sit with an artist so they could sketch the man I saw."
Hmmm, maybe Albert could get a hold of that sketch or at least let me look at it. Willow rose to leave the pub. She had to meet Hannah back at the vicar's house and she still needed to change back into her other clothes. She left Laddy still telling his story to the rest of the customers in the pub.
~Part: 13~
William and Drusilla walked the back streets of London. Drusilla's tummy had been all growly so they went out for a bite to eat. Dru finished draining her victim and seemed to be listening to an inner voice. She turned to William, "The air is strong with secrets. The moon whispers to me. Psss, psss, psss."
"What's that, Dru?"
"The moon whispers to me, my William. It tells me all sorts of secrets."
"What's it say, pet?"
"Our family is going to change."
"I know that, Dru. Remember me telling you that I was going to bring Red into the family?"
"Mmmm, Red. Such darkness in her but also light. She will change our family. So many voices speaking to me, I don't know which ones to listen to."
"Who are all the voices?"
"So many different times and different ways. It's very hard to choose the right one. Will and Red, Angel and Darla, Angel and Dru, Dru and Darla which way is true?" she started twirling in a circle.
"What about you and me, Dru? You don't see us in the many different ways of our family being together?"
Drusilla stopped twirling and wagged her finger at William, "Oh I see you and me in one of the ways but that time has gone. No more, no more, no more."
William was confused about what Dru was babbling about. Usually he could interpret her ramblings but he didn't understand why he and Dru's time had gone and they were no more. He thought they were still close, sure not as close as they had been. But he still cared about her. He was captivated with Willow but he still wanted Dru in their family. He wanted to spend eternity with Dru AND Willow. He didn't really care if he spent eternity with Angelus or Darla.
They walked under the moonlight in silence for a while. Dru turned to William, "Don't be sad, my William. Everything will turn out how it's meant to be, you'll see."
"But you and I aren't meant to be now?"
"No more, my love. But we shall see what the stars have in store for us."
William thought about this. He wasn't sure if he was relieved or sad. He loved Dru but being with her could be draining. His Red was exciting, the combination of light and dark. It was thrilling to watch her walk the fine line of the two. He was no fool he knew that Angelus was just as captivated. He would have to think of a way to get Willow away from Angelus.
~~~~
Robert James Lee woke up in a cold sweat. This was the third night he had these nightmares, or were they visions. When the murder of Annie Chapman made the paper he had been horrified. He had dreamt that very thing two nights before it happened. Now he was dreaming about madmen killing again. He never got to see their face but he has seen the face of the victims. He thought about going to the police but knew they would laugh at him.
Robert got shakily out of bed and went to the washstand to wipe his face. He splashed water on his face and looked at his reflection in the mirror. He was waging an inner battle with his conscience. Should he ignore the vision like he had the other two?
He thought about his vision and what he had seen. He saw a woman getting her throat slit by one man and another man pulling out a knife after she had fallen to the ground. There was a shout and a red haired lady running down the road with another man close behind. They caused the first two to leave. That was when he woke up.
~~~~
Albert brought Willow to Scotland Yard to take a look at the sketch the police had done from Laddy's description. She couldn't believe she was actually sitting in the halls of Scotland Yard. This was so cool. If it hadn't been for the terrible circumstances Willow would be enjoying her time in Victorian England.
"Are you ready, Willow?" Albert asked.
She smiled and nodded. She rose from the chair she had been sitting in waiting for him to return from his talk with the Commissioner of Crime, Sir Thomas Winter.
"Sir Thomas is doing me a great favor letting you see the sketch. I told him that you heard one of the maids talking about a dark haired man at the scene and since you do charity work down there you thought you might have seen him."
"Thank you, Albert. I really appreciate this."
Albert opened the door to Sir Thomas' office. "Sir Thomas, may I present Miss Rosen."
He stood and nodded his head, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Rosen."
Willow gave a small curtsey. "Thank you, Sir Thomas."
"I understand from Sir Albert that you may recognize the person that was sketched."
"I hope so, Sir. I have recently helped Lady Giles in her charity work. We have spent some time in the Whitechapel area and I thought I might be able to recognize the man. I wanted to do anything I could to help you get this horrible man."
Sir Thomas smiled sympathetically and reached for the sketch. He handed it to Willow. She glanced down at it and hoped he hadn't been able to see her initial shock. Oh my God! It was Ethan Rayne.
This was the last thing she expected. She thought it would give her a clue as to what the vampire she was hunting looked like. Was he the Ripper? She didn't think so but with time travel you never know. As much as she hated Ethan she didn't think he had it in him to do the horrible things that the Ripper did.
She didn't put it past him to help Ripper or participate in some way but not to actually disembowel the women.
"Do you recognize this man?"
Willow continued to look at it. She was terrible at lying and if Sir Thomas had noticed her recognition she didn't want to compound it by lying. "He does look familiar but I can't place where I saw him. Might have been around the Ten Bells pub area."
"Thank you, Miss Rosen. You've been a great help." Sir Thomas took the sketch from Willow and turned to Albert. "Thank you Albert for bringing her. Maybe this will lead to something."
Albert waited until they were in his carriage before talking to Willow. "You really recognized him didn't you?"
"Yes, that's the man that came with me to London?"
"From your time?"
"Yes, I really don't think he committed the horrific acts but I think he might have helped."
"Do you know where he might be?"
"No, I haven't seen him since I arrived. The picture proves he's still here though. I wish I could find him. I tried a locater spell earlier but came up empty. Too many mystical people in the London area."
"What's his name? Maybe he has relatives in the area."
Willow debated whether to tell him the truth. Would this mess up Rupert and Ethan? Not that that was a bad thing considering all the badness that Ethan brought to Giles' life. Screw it, "Ethan. Ethan Rayne."
Albert thought a minute, "I'm not familiar with anyone with that last name but maybe Hannah knows them."
They exited the carriage and entered the town house. "Ian, where is Lady Hannah?"
"She is in the library, Sir."
"Thank you." Albert led Willow to the library.
"Hello, darling. How was your trip to Scotland Yard?" Hannah rose and gave Albert a kiss on the cheek.
"It turned out very well. Willow recognized the man in the sketch. She didn't say much to the police though. It seems the man came with Willow to London."
Hannah turned to look at Willow, "He was the cause of you being sent here?"
"Yes, I told Albert that I didn't think he committed the murders but he might have helped."
"Do you know anyone by the name of Rayne?" Albert asked Hannah.
She thought and then her eyes lit up. "Yes, I think I remember a Rayne from when I was a child. Let me think a minute. I seem to recall a family not too far from our country home that had that name. They were older than me so I didn't socialize with them much. Does that help?"
"Yes and No. Too bad he doesn't have relatives in the area for him to contact. It might be too much of a temptation for him to pass up, especially if he didn't come with money. Not everyone would be as fortunate as I was to meet up with you."
Hannah and Albert just smiled at her. Hannah came over and patted her on her shoulder, "Don't worry, Willow. I'm sure everything will turn out how it's meant to be, you'll see."
~Part: 14~
Ethan Rayne watched Malcolm as he rearranged his trophies on the shelf. Next to the two trophies was a ginger beer bottle with blood in it. He had been trying to think up a plan that would put Malcolm in Willow's path or vice versa but he hadn't come up with anything yet.
As he watched the light play off of the blood he thought too bad there wasn't any way to do a newscast to get publicity. That would surely bring Willow out of hiding. He had no doubt that the goody goody that she was she would try to stop Jack the Ripper from killing the innocent women, especially if she found out that he was a vampire.
He thought about how to go about getting the publicity when an idea struck him. He would send a letter to the newspapers. Serial killers did it all the time. He grinned thinking about the reaction the letter would get not only now but also in the future. He tried to remember if Jack the Ripper had ever written to the press. He thought so but wasn't sure what he had said. Not that it mattered because the timeline had changed anyway. So who knows what was supposed to happen. He decided to send the letter to the Central News Agency.
Malcolm looked over at Ethan. He wondered what he was writing so earnestly. He glanced back at his prizes. The humans think they are so smart, he thought wryly especially his human pet Ethan. He knew that he was plotting and planning something but it didn't concern him. When it did he would take care of it. He was becoming weary of his pet anyway. Oh, he helped him with the women that he killed but sometimes he got too cocky. He would put him in his place soon. But for now, he was still useful.
Ethan looked up at Malcolm watching him. He just couldn't figure him out except that he was nuts! "Malcolm, I've come up with an idea. I thought to taunt the police and to make a joke about the leather apron rumor and that doctor rumor that is circling the area." Ethan stood and showed him what he had written.
"Jack the Ripper. What kind of stupid name is that?" Malcolm asked. "I get the Ripper part but Jack?"
"Well I thought a very common name. Your name isn't common and neither is mine but think of all the Jacks there must be in London alone." He couldn't say, well in my time that was what you went by. Hmmm, maybe he was the reason the future thought Jack the Ripper was his name. Ethan liked that idea.
Malcolm thought about it for a bit then agreed. Maybe he will cut off a bit of ear from the next one. That was a good suggestion.
Ethan re-read the letter before putting it in an envelope to send to the News Agency.
Dear Boss,
I keep on hearing the police have caught me but they wont fix me just yet. Ihave laughed when they look so clever and talk about being on the righttrack. That joke about Leather Apron gave me real fits. I am down on whoresand I shant quit ripping them till I do get buckled. Grand work the last jobwas. I gave the lady no time to squeal. How can they catch me now. I love mywork and want to start again. You will soon hear of me with my funny littlegames. I saved some of the proper red stuff in a ginger beer bottle over thelast job to write with but it went thick like glue and I cant use it. Redink is fit enough I hope ha. ha. The next job I do I shall clip the ladysears off and send to the police officers just for jolly wouldn't you. Keepthis letter back till I do a bit more work, then give it out straight. Myknife's so nice and sharp I want to get to work right away if I get achance. Good Luck.
Yours trulyJack the Ripper
Dont mind me giving the trade name
PS Wasnt good enough to post this before I got all the red ink off my handscurse it No luck yet. They say I'm a doctor now. ha ha
~~~~~
Hannah and Albert had left early in the morning to return to their country estate needing to take care of some business. They had asked Willow to accompany them but she had respectfully declined. She figured they should have some alone time and she would like some alone time as well. She told Albert to let the staff have off because she was perfectly capable of taking care of herself for the few days they would be gone. That would give the staff time off to be with their family like they would have done if she hadn't come to London.
Willow picked up the morning paper and almost dropped it again. Was this for real? She thought she remembered Jack the Ripper writing to the newspapers but was this really from Jack the Ripper or a wannabe copycat? Willow re-read the letter in the paper to see if she could get any clues as to authenticity. I guess I won't know until his next victim has part of an ear cut off, she thought. She didn't remember that in the victims' information but all she could really remember was that they had been disemboweled. That kind of fact sort of sticks in your mind more than a victim had a missing part of ear.
~~~~
William, Drusilla, Angelus and Darla made their way through the streets of London. They had abandoned the Whitechapel area because everyone was watching everyone. Paranoia was rampant there and that made it very difficult to find victims without a lot of people seeing you. Nothing like a stake to the heart or decapitation to ruin a good meal.
They entered a pub and each picked out a potential meal. They separated and went on the hunt. Darla found a handsome but not quite bright man, she tended to pick them the most often. All they saw was a pretty face never seeing the calculating gleam until it was too late.
Angelus found himself a barmaid. She was very pretty, small and blonde. Not too bright and she easily fell for his glib tongue. She didn't see the Machiavellian mind under the handsome face.
William left the pub to follow his meal out the door. As he left he passed Drusilla smiling shyly at a man in the corner. He winked as he walked by her.
William's meal made his way down the road and turned into a courtyard. William tapped him on the shoulder and the man turned. "Yes, may I help you?"
"Actually mate you can." He vamped and the man gasped. "Mmmmm, I just love the smell of fear."
William quickly drank the heady fear filled blood. Nothing like fear to add to the intoxicating taste of blood. He dropped his victim and turned to leave.
As he turned to leave the courtyard he stopped and sniffed. He thought he smelled Willow. Her scent always reminded him of his mother's garden after a spring rain. At first he had chosen her for a meal because of her scent but now all he thought about was Willow when he smelled it. He didn't think of his family at all.
Following the scent he came to a townhouse close to where he had introduced her to Angelus. He made his way to the back and there she was. There were no lights except for the soft light of the street lamp further down and the small light from a window. He watched the moon reflect off her white skin. She was beautiful.
Willow turned when she heard a small sound behind her. William! Where had he come from and how did he find her? She slowly smiled. She really didn't care, she was just happy that he was here.
"Good evening, William. How did you find where I was staying?"
"Fate again, Willow. Darla, Angelus, Dru and I were at a pub a few blocks over. When I came out for a stroll I thought I smelled you."
She wrinkled her nose at him, "Are you saying I stink?"
He laughed. That was the first time Willow had heard him genuinely laugh and she discovered that she liked it. "No, love. You have a very distinctive scent and I thought I smelled it in the breeze."
He moved closer and took her in his arms, "I think it's time we finished our discussion."
"Oh is that what they call it in these times? See, where I come from it's called making out."
"What is making out?"
Willow smiled as she reached her arms around his neck, "This." She pulled him closer and leaned up and kissed him. She ran her tongue over his lips until he opened for her.
"Mmmm, I think I like this making out."
"Gets better." She said as she pressed herself even closer.
William walked backwards with Willow in front never taking his lips from hers. Finally he hit the wall he was aiming for. He turned them around until Willow's back was against the wall. His hips rocked into hers and she moaned into his mouth. Goddess, he felt so good. His lips left hers and trailed down her neck. She let her head fall back to give him better access. "Don't even think about biting."
He chuckled and inhaled her scent. "I don't think I can think much at all right now." He continued kissing her throat and moved lower. Willow's hands left his neck and started exploring his chest and back. She grabbed his butt and pulled him closer until the only thing separating them was a thin layer of clothes. She felt his erection at the junction of her thighs and rocked into it. She was pretty much cursing the stupid long dresses of the era. She wanted to wrap her legs around his waist and she wasn't able to. "William, please."
"Yes, William please."
Willow and William stopped instantly. That voice was as effective as someone throwing a bucket of cold water on them. William didn't move from Willow. He turned to face him with Willow behind.
"What do you want, Angelus?" He all but growled.
"You didn't have to stop on my account." Angelus smirked and looked at Willow. "I like to watch."
Willow narrowed her eyes at him. She was really close to forgetting that Angelus becomes Angel. She was very tempted to send a fireball up his ass and watch him explode.
This time William did growl and flashed yellow eyes. Angelus held up his hands, "Now, now boy. Don't do anything hasty. Dru was just concerned that you hadn't returned to the pub. So out of the kindness of my heart I went searching."
William's eyes slowly returned to ice blue. "How did you find us?"
Angelus pretended to sniff for a scent. "Love was in the air." He winked at both William and Willow.
William turned and gave a quick kiss to Willow, "I should go, love." He whispered in her ear, "Next time we won't be interrupted."
She smiled and returned his kiss. William walked passed Angelus and onto the street. Angelus got close to Willow and whispered in her ear, "You ever want a taste of a real man and not a boy, I'll be here."
The fireball was looking better and better with each word that Angelus uttered.
The letter in my fic is allegedly from Jack the Ripper. It has been debatedby scholars whether it was a hoax or real, no conclusions have ever beenmade.
~Part: 15~
A few days later Willow met William at a pub on the corner of Fairclough and Berner Streets. It was crowded and noisy but your typical Saturday night. Tonight would be the double murder and Willow wanted to be there and at least be able to see Jack the Ripper. She had resigned herself to the fact that she wouldn't stop any of the murders.
William scooted closer to Willow on the bench and rested his hand on her stomach. As they talked his hand began making slow circles on her stomach.
Willow closed her eyes and just felt the sensation. Why were they here again? Oh yeah, murder. "Let's go."
William smirked, yep she wants me.
"Where to, love?"
"Berner Street to catch a killer."
Damn. He followed Willow out of the pub.
They walked out of the pub and turned to Berner Street. They could hear singing and laughter coming from the International Workmen's club all the way down to where they stood. They started down the road and William stopped.
"What's wrong?"
"Vampire nearby. I feel him strongly."
"Ripper?"
"Might be."
Willow took off. "Wait!"
She didn't slow down just told William to come on. With his preternatural speed he was next to her in an instant. Damn, those vampires are fast.
Willow and William ran toward the International Workmen's Club and stopped.
"Hey!"
She saw two men fleeing the area. She ran toward the gateway entrance to the club and saw a woman lying there. Her throat was cut but that was all.
"Come on, luv. You can't help her now and they'll get away." William wanted to get the man that had wanted to harm his Willow.
Willow reluctantly left her and followed William down the road. They passed a carriage and Willow saw it stop at the gateway. As they rounded a corner she heard someone yelling for the police. At least they stopped them from disemboweling her.
She just knew Ethan was the other man with Ripper. Not that she had been able to see him but she just knew.
William stopped in the middle of the street and looked around like he was searching for something. "I can't feel him anymore. I don't know which way he went."
Willow concentrated and tried to see if she could feel Ethan's magick. Nothing. "I don't feel magick either. How do they disappear like that?"
"There are so many warehouses, empty buildings and side streets that it's easy to just disappear."
"Can vampires fly or teleport or anything like that?" She didn't think Spike and Angel could do that but that didn't mean other vampires couldn't.
"Not that I've heard of. Really old vampires can fly and do transmutation. Actually the only one I've heard of that did that was Dracula."
Willow stopped for a moment. Oh yeah, Dracula. Hmm wonder if he could be behind this? She didn't remember him being all insane, 'course she didn't really pay much attention past his looks.
William watched the expression on Willow's face turn from curiosity to delight. He narrowed his eyes at her, "You know Dracula?"
"Hmmm, what? Oh, no. Well, I did meet him once. Tried to kill a Slayer." Not even going to mention she's my friend.
"Tried, huh? Didn't succeed?"
"Nope, She didn't kill him either. It was kind of a stand off."
That must be a powerful Slayer to even get to a standoff with Dracula, William thought.
~~~~
Ethan watched as Malcolm chose his next victim. They had made their way to Mitre Square after hearing carriages and a woman yell. They had to leave the first woman after all the commotion. He thought Malcolm was brilliant for picking the area where to hunt his first victim. He picked an area right outside the Workmen's club with people inside singing and laughing and not paying any attention to what was going on outside. Of course, the magick spell that he had put on the woman so she wouldn't yell might have helped.
Malcolm had been angry at the interruption at the last place but had calmed down once he realized he would really confound the police with two in one night so close in time to each other. He stopped when he saw his next victim. He smiled, motioned for his pet and followed her. He would start with a nick to her ear so the paper would know that the letter in the paper had been right.
~~~~~
Willow and William came upon Mitre Square about the same time that the police surgeon arrived. This time instead of leaving she followed them to the mortuary. Willow wanted to know what they would find out, since there wasn't a computer to hack into and she didn't think they would let her sit in on the inquest.
She overheard them talking that the kidney and uterus were taken. Her face had been disfigured, not only the ear but also the eyelids, the nose and the mouth. From their descriptions it sounded like the Ripper was angry when he did this.
Willow couldn't help but think that maybe she and the carriage had caused him to be so angry with this victim. Willow sadly left the shadows and returned outside.
"What's wrong?" William asked.
She knew that he wouldn't understand her guilt over this. To him humans were food and that was all.
She smiled sadly at him, "Nothing, I'm just a little frustrated that I never seem to catch a glimpse of the vampire or Ethan."
William kissed the top of her head, "Don't worry, luv. You'll find the man and the vampire you're looking for. Angelus has heard a rumor that a vampire by the wharf is doing these killings. He went tonight to check it out."
Willow brightened at that. Maybe they would be able to find out who is doing this besides Ethan. She still couldn't figure out why Ethan had chosen her to send back in time.
~Part: 16~
Angelus made his way to the area where the vampire was supposed to have his lair. He couldn't feel any presence around so he entered the abandoned building on the wharf. He looked around the building until he came to a shelf in the corner. There were two jars with what looked like body parts and a ginger beer bottle with blood. Angelus thought, now why would he keep the blood? Why not just drink it up? He understood the body parts in jars. There was a time when he would torture his victims and he would take parts of their body to remind him of happier times.
Angelus would have admired him if he hadn't been involved with the man that wanted to harm his witch. Looking through more things he found a journal and opened it.
August 6, 2004
Today I set in motion my plan to meet Jack the Ripper. I have been waitingfor this time since I felt Willow's power. I needed her power added to mineso I could meet Jack the Ripper. When I read the journal that he had seenthe red head and realized it was Willow, I knew the plan would work. Hadalready worked. Time travel tenses are really confusing.
There is a little known legend that the heart of his last victim holds greatpower. No one had been able to find the heart and if I can follow him,become a protégé, maybe I'll be able to steal the heart. I just don't knowwho the last victim is. I know from the journal he continued after MaryKelly.
Angelus closed the book. So the power lies with the last victim. He'd have to find this Ethan Rayne and ask him what the power was. Angelus smiled in anticipation. It had been a long time since he had tortured someone.
~~~~
Robert Lee opened the morning paper with trepidation. Ever since he had these visions about the women being killed he dreaded reading the paper.
There had been a double murder on the 30th. The first victim had their throat cut but the second one was viciously murdered. They were no details but from the description of the first victim it sounded like what he had seen in his vision.
He left to make his appointment with Sir Albert Giles. He was to transcribe some of Sir Albert's research for him. He enjoyed working with Sir Albert and today they were to meet at his home instead of Oxford.
Albert rose when Ian brought Robert into the library. "Robert, glad you could make it. Ready to get started?"
Robert took the seat that Albert had indicated. "Where would you like me to start?"
Albert brought him a stack of papers. "Thank you for meeting me here instead of Oxford. Lady Hannah and I were late getting back from Devon. We'll start transcribing these."
Albert took half the stack and returned to his desk.
~~~~
Willow and Hannah were enjoying the garden. "Albert's clerk Robert Lee is helping him transcribe today. We were so late getting back from Devon that he asked him to meet him here instead of Oxford. I think you'll like Robert Lee. There is a mystical quality about him. I feel it every time I meet him. It is the same feeling I get when I'm around you."
Willow looked around before responding, "Do you think he has magickal abilities?"
"That I am not sure about but he does have something. I thought we would all have tea together here and you can see for yourself."
Willow smiled at her friend, "So you want me to use some magick to see if your feelings were correct?"
Hannah smiled, "I have no doubt that my feelings are correct I just wanted you to meet a nice young man."
She rose when Ann brought out the tea. "I'll go get Albert and James."
Hannah knocked on the library door and waited for Albert to answer.
"Come in."
Hannah entered, "Good afternoon, Robert."
"Good afternoon, Lady Hannah."
Hannah turned to Albert, "I thought you and Robert would like to take a break. Ann has brought tea and biscuits out to the garden for us if you'd like to join us."
Albert rose and kissed his wife on the cheek, "That would be lovely. Shall we?" He indicated Robert to follow them.
Walking into the garden he noticed Willow sitting by the table. "Miss Rosen may I present my clerk Robert Lee."
Willow nodded her head in greeting. Hannah was right she felt his magick. It was small but it was there nonetheless.
Robert was speechless. It was the red head from his vision. Gathering himself together he replied, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Rosen."
Willow was surprised at his response to her introduction. She knew she wasn't the type that inspired men to be speechless so why did Robert have that reaction. Could he feel her magick? She didn't think so. His own magick was so small he probably wasn't even aware of it.
They all settled down around the table and Hannah poured the tea.
Robert kept giving Willow surreptitious looks while everyone was enjoying their tea and biscuits. Who was Miss Rosen and why did she appear in my vision? Had she been there the night of the murders or was it something else? How could he find out?
Willow noticed Robert giving her curious looks. Why is he so interested?
Hannah noticed Robert's interest in Willow. She knew Willow had to go back to her own time but it would be good for her to meet nice men while she was here. She caught Albert's eye and motioned toward Willow and Robert.
Albert caught his wife's eye and looked toward Robert and Willow. Well, he seems interested. He keeps looking at her. He stood, "Robert, if you'll excuse us for a moment. Lady Hannah and I need to take care of something we'll return shortly."
Willow watched as Hannah and Albert left. Well that was as subtle as a sledgehammer. She turned to Robert maybe subtle didn't work, "Is there something about me that bothers you?"
"Bbbeg your pardon?"
"I'm sorry, I just couldn't help but notice you keep giving me curious looks."
Robert closed his eyes and swallowed. She's going to think I'm nuts. "I apologize. You just look familiar and I can't place where I saw you. You don't happen to belong to the Workmen's club do you?" There that ought to tell me if she's been there before.
Willow stiffened, oh just great. Someone saw me with Spike while trying to find Jack the Ripper the other night. "No but I was there with a friend the other night." Willow looked into his eyes trying to gauge his reaction.
"Were you there the night of the horrible murder?"
"Yes, it was terrible. We were too late."
Robert's eyes bored into Willow's. "Too late?"
"We were walking up the road when we saw two men running away."
"Just like my vision" Robert mumbled.
That got Willow's attention. "You have visions?"
"Wwwhat?"
"You said, just like my vision."
Robert looked at Willow's reaction but saw only curiosity not skepticism. He sighed, "I've been seeing things these last few months and I think they are the Ripper's murders."
"Have you gone to the police?"
"And have them send me to Bedlam? No, I haven't gone."
"But you should, at least to Scotland Yard. I mean what if you saw something that could catch this guy. You should offer your services even if they do laugh you out of the place. Can you live with yourself if you didn't try everything possible to at least help?" She took a deep breath, "Sorry, I'll get off my soap box now."
Robert smiled ruefully, "No, that is all right. I've had the same discussion with my conscience since this began. You just reminded me of it. I think I will go to the police tomorrow."
Willow smiled, "It'll be okay. Even if they do laugh at you, you'll know you did everything you could."
~Part: 17~
Malcolm looked at his most recent trophies and an idea came to him. His pet had written a letter to the newspaper to taunt the police. He thought about taunting George Lusk, the President of Whitechapel Vigilance Committee. He would send him a piece of his latest trophy. He smiled as he took down the jar that housed the kidney, he carefully cut it in half.
He took a small cardboard box and placed the kidney in it. Where was his pet to write the letter? Shrugging, Malcolm went in search of a meal and a writer. Leaving the wharf area he found his meal and writer nearby.
"Excuse me sir, could you do me a favor. I need someone to write a letter for me. I'll give you 6d for your troubles."
The man blearily looked up at the man talking to him. Why would he need someone to write his letter? Who cares, he could use the 6d. "Whot do you want me to write?"
Malcolm just smiled and gave him paper and pen. As the man settled to write, Malcolm dictated.
The man looked warily at Malcolm. "Are you sure?"
"It is a joke for a friend of mine. He will recognize my handwriting."
He just shrugged and continued writing. When he had finished Malcolm walked up behind him and rested his hand on his shoulder. "That looks just fine." Grabbing his head and pulling it to the side to get better access, his fangs descended into the man's neck.
Humans are so stupid, Malcolm thought. He carefully placed the letter in the box and dropped it in the mail.
~~~~~
George noticed the mail on his parlor table. Besides some letters there was a small cardboard box. He didn't know who would be sending him anything. He brought the mail with him to his favorite chair.
Deciding to open the box first he pulled out the letter.
>From hell.
Mr Lusk, Sor I send you half the Kidne I took from one woman and prasarved it for you tother piece I fried and ate it was very nise. I may send you the bloody knif that took it out if you only wate a whil longer
signed Catch me when you can Mishter Lusk
George looked into the box and there was what looked like a kidney. He quickly gathered the items up and went to the local police station.
Constable Dickenson took the items from Mr. Lusk. He couldn't tell if the items came from a human or an animal. He brought them to his supervisor, who in turn gave them to Dr. Openshaw.
Dr. Openshaw ran tests on the human kidney. From what he could tell it was similar to the one removed from Catherine Eddows. The kidney that was sent to George Lusk was from a female between the ages of 30-45. They couldn't prove that the kidney was Catherine's but the fact that Catherine's kidney was removed hadn't been made public yet.
What was stumping the police and Scotland Yard was the fact that the first letter to the Central News Agency was written differently from the letter sent to George Lusk. Yet, they both contained clues from the Ripper.
~~~~~
Angelus smiled when he saw a thin dark haired man enter the abandoned building alone. He felt some magick from him but not near the amount that he felt from Willow. This must be Ethan. He was looking forward to a good torture.
Stalking up behind him in the darkened building he quietly got behind him. With his arm he quickly encircled his neck and put him in a chokehold. Ethan quietly slipped into unconsciousness.
That was too easy, Angelus thought. Oh well, I hope he screams. I love to hear the screams. He picked him up and made his way to his lair.
~~~~~
Hannah looked up from the diary that she had been reading. It was an old book that belonged to someone in the Watcher's council whatever that was.
What caught her attention was an entry about a vampire named Malcolm. This vampire was from the 1500s. As a human he had taken pleasure in killing women and as a vampire he had been particularly sadistic.
She quickly went in search of Willow.
"Ian, have you seen Miss Willow?"
"Yes ma'am. I believe she was in the garden."
Hannah found Willow sitting on a bench in the garden. "Willow, come with me to the library. I think I've found something that will interest you."
Willow rose to follow Hannah into the library. Hannah shut the door behind them and went over to the wall sconce. Oh, must be in her private library, Willow thought.
As the bookcase opened to allow them entrance to Hannah's private collection, Willow marveled at her luck at finding Hannah and Albert Giles. She didn't think she would have made it without their help. Especially being able to bounce ideas off Hannah. It was like being with Rupert. God, she missed Rupert, Buffy and Xander. She hoped she would see them again and that she hadn't screwed up her time with them. She hoped they were one of those meant to bes in all the timelines.
She followed Hannah into the private room and the door shut behind them. "Willow, Albert recently brought me this diary that he had found. I was curious enough to begin reading it when I saw a mention of a vampire named Malcolm. Here read this."
She handed Willow the diary opened to the part about Malcolm.
Willow read the diary and looked up at Hannah, "In my time he would be what is called an amoral psychopath. It's a person who kills without empathy or remorse. If he was turned into a vampire who sees humans as food I can't even begin to imagine what kind of monster he became."
"From the description in this diary of what he did to his victims I think this must be your vampire, Willow."
"I'm afraid you might be right."
Hannah turned to the front of the diary and showed it to Willow. "This is a diary from someone in a Watcher's Council. I don't know what that is, do you?"
Crap, crap, crap, crap. Should she tell Hannah and maybe this is why Giles becomes a Watcher or should she play dumb and this is why Giles becomes a Watcher? Seeing the intelligent curiosity in Hannah's eyes so like her own she knew she probably wouldn't rest until she found out about the Watcher's Council.
"I think you should sit down for this."
Hannah just looked at Willow, the Watcher's Council must be bad if she wanted her to sit.
"In every generation . . . ." Willow began the story.
"The Watchers from the Council are assigned to the Slayer?" Hannah asked.
"Yes, the Council is in charge of the training of the Slayers. I don't know for how long but probably since the first few Slayers."
"And you're friends with the current Slayer?"
Willow smiled thinking fondly of Buffy and Xander. "She's by best female friend. Xander is my best friend since forever."
Hannah looked at Willow and smiled, "You are very lucky to have such friends to share in your adventures. Albert is wonderful in helping me research but it has been really amazing helping you in this adventure."
Willow rose to give her a hug, "I couldn't have made it here without you and Albert. But especially you. You have helped me more than I can say with 'my adventure'."
George Lusk did receive the package and letter in my fic. Medical reportscarried out by Dr. Openshaw found the kidney to be very similar to the oneremoved from Catherine Eddowes, though his findings were open to doubt.
~Part: 18~
Ethan awoke slowly trying to get his bearings. The last thing he remembered was walking into the building on the wharf. The pain in his arms forced him all the way awake. He realized he was tied to a chair with his arms tied behind him and his legs tied to the legs of the chair.
"Well, you're finally awake. I thought I would have to start the party without you."
Ethan lifted his head towards the voice. Out of the shadows walked a tall man with his hair tied back in a ponytail. He had no idea who he was or why he had him tied up. "Who are you?"
"Let's just say, I'm a man that needs something from you."
"What have I got that you want?"
Angelus walked further into the light. Oh he could hardly wait to turn Willow and watch her exact vengeance on this man. He'd have to make sure he kept him alive enough for that. He brought out a long thin bladed knife that he had found in the building where he had captured Ethan.
"You have information that I want."
"I don't know anything."
"Hmm, let's see if I can refresh your memory . . . There is a little known legend that the heart of his last victim holds great power. No one had been able to find the heart and if I can follow him, become a protégé, maybe I'll be able to steal the heart."
Ethan paled. If he knew about that he knew about the time traveling and that Malcolm was the Ripper. Ethan was dead either way. Malcolm would think that he told this man and kill him. He had a feeling whoever this man was he would kill him just for the pleasure of killing him.
"Ah, I see it's coming back to you." Angelus took the knife and lightly skimmed it down Ethan's cheek leaving a little trail of blood. "Ready to tell me what the power is?"
Ethan thought quickly, maybe he would let him go if he did tell him the power or make up something. He would never know if he was telling the truth or not. He still had no idea who the last victim was so he couldn't help him there. Hopefully he would be long gone before this man found whoever's heart it was.
Angelus morphed his features into a vampire hoping to give Ethan incentive to tell him. He moved around so Ethan could see him clearly. He leaned in to lick the blood that was trickling down Ethan's cheek, "Mmm fear always makes the blood taste better. Now, I'll ask you one more time, what is the power?"
Oh my god, he's a vampire. Ethan knew for certain he was dead now. His time with Malcolm taught him that. Hmmm, an idea began to form in his mind.
"The power is immortality", that part was true. "The Ripper will take the heart of his last victim and with it he achieves immortality. I don't know who his last victim is so you'll have to find Malcolm and take the heart away from him when he gets it." Ethan thought this vampire was match enough for Malcolm. He could kill two birds with one stone. Literally, maybe they would kill each other.
He brought the knife down Ethan's arms leaving more blood. "Nice try but I know Malcolm is a vampire and I'm obviously a vampire why do we need immortality?"
"Oh, Ripper doesn't know the heart contains immortality. He just gets it for his trophies. It will make anyone immortal, even vampires. You'll be able to go out in the sun and holy objects won't have an effect on you." Ethan had no idea if this was true or not but he hoped this man believed him.
Angelus thought about what Ethan said. He didn't trust him.
Seeing the vampire set the knife down, Ethan let out a sigh of relief. Angelus smiled and turned to Ethan, "Oh we're not done here. I've only begun."
"But why, I told you what I know."
Angelus got eye to eye with Ethan, "Oh you've told me what I want to know about the power."
"Then what?"
Angelus quirked one side of his lips in a smile, "You haven't told me everything I want to know."
"I don't know anything else that might interest you."
"Oh, I don't know . . . How about why you want to harm my Willow?"
SHIT!!!!
Angelus smiled at his reaction. Time to see how loud he screams.
~~~~~~
William made his way to the pub where he was going to meet Willow. Willow had told him that there wasn't going to be another murder for almost a week. He planned to use the time to seduce Willow, starting tonight. He wasn't going to be interrupted by Angelus or anyone else.
He waited in the shadows outside the pub. He had no intention of them ever going inside. He smiled when he caught her scent on the breeze behind him.
He turned and watched her walk towards the entrance to the pub. He waited for her to get near it and walked up behind her. He reached his arms around her waist and then found himself thrown through the air and landing with a thud.
Willow turned with a smile, "You should know better than to sneak up on me, William."
He just smiled at her and thought, well we'll certainly have some interesting times.
He stood up, dropped his arm around Willow's shoulders and steered her away from the pub. "Ready, luv?"
"I don't know . . . ready for what?"
"A night of excitement. I've got the night all planned."
"It doesn't involve torture does it?"
He wiggled his eyebrows at her, "Not unless you want it to."
She raised one corner of her lips, "Maybe later."
He wasn't sure if she was kidding or not. Yep, they'll have some interesting times.
He had the perfect place to take Willow. He couldn't very well take her back to the lair Angelus, Dru or Darla would probably interrupt them. Especially Angelus.
William escorted Willow to a waiting carriage and he gave the driver the address. Willow was getting her skirts out of the way to sit on the bench opposite William when he put his arms around her waist and settled her on his lap.
He began to nuzzle her neck just below her ear, "Appetizer".
"I hope you don't mean that literally", she moved her hair out of the way to give him better access.
He moved his hand from around her waist and began loosening the bodice buttons to give him better access to her throat and shoulder. His hand slipped down and lightly caressed her breasts. Willow arched into his touch. She wanted his hands on her and his lips.
The rocking of the carriage stopped abruptly and William tightened his hold on Willow so she wouldn't slip from his lap. "I think we're here."
Willow quickly did up the buttons that William had loosened. By the time they straightened their clothes the driver opened the door and helped Willow down.
They stood outside a cottage in the woods. William led Willow up the steps and into the cottage. Since he could go in without an invitation she guessed the cottage was abandoned. "What's a vampire need with a cottage?"
"Don't. I saw the owners leave it a few nights ago and no one's been back since." No need to tell her that Darla killed the owners a few nights ago.
William led her over to the fireplace, "Light a fire?"
"Sure." Willow waved her hand and the log in the fireplace caught fire. William chuckled. He had meant it as a question if she wanted him to light a fire in the fireplace.
He stood for a moment just watching her in the firelight, "You are beautiful."
He stepped closer and pulled her into his embrace. His hands gently caressed her back from top to bottom. He pulled her closer and rocked his hips into hers.
She moaned into his mouth and moved her hands to begin unbuttoning his shirt. She needed to feel his skin about as much as she needed to breathe. When she had exposed his chest she bent her head to place a kiss in the center of his chest where his heart would have been beating. He tilted his head back and reveled in her touch. He gently pushed her back and they began removing each other's clothes layer by layer. Willow was really cursing all the layers that both genders wore in this time.
They finally stopped and gazed at each other. Simultaneously, "You're beautiful."
"A man can't be beautiful, pet."
"OK, you're beautiful in a manly way. Better?"
He pulled her back into his embrace. The feel of his cool skin was soothing next to her overheated body. He gently lowered her to the floor and braced himself on his arms above her. Her thighs gripped him and she sighed against his lips. Her eyes met his and she whispered, "Please."
~Part: 19~
Ethan awoke with a scream. Memories of what the vampire had done to him last night kept playing through his mind. He had finally been released only to have a dark haired female vamp drink but not drain him. He lay huddled against a building cradling his broken hand. He had made his escape in the early morning hours just as the sun rose. He had no doubt that the vampire that tortured him let him escape. Ethan didn't think even the sun would have stopped him from following him if he hadn't wanted Ethan to leave.
With every scrape of the knife and finger broken Ethan finally agreed with his father about Willow in their conversation that seemed years ago . . . "I could feel the power just radiating off of her. I just wouldn't want to see what would happen to you if you pissed her off."
He had well and truly pissed Willow off. If not Willow, he had definitely pissed off her protector. That puzzled him. How could Willow have gotten such a vicious vampire to be her protector? Maybe she wasn't the goody, goody he always thought. ~~~~
Angelus slowly awoke with the knowledge that he would turn Willow tonight. He had waited long enough. He smiled at the memory of how he had gotten the information that he wanted from Ethan. It was time to turn Willow and watch her exact her revenge on both Ethan and Malcolm. Then they could begin their eternity together.
"Where's William?" he asked Darla.
"He took his witch and went to the cottage where we ate that lovely couple a few days ago."
Well, he wouldn't be able to turn her without William now. He'd have to think of a way to get him out of the cottage so he could turn Willow without interference. He could handle William's reaction after the fact.
~~~~
Willow turned in William's embrace and saw him watching her. She smiled and leaned in for a kiss. "Hi"
"Hi yourself. Can I ask you something?"
"Um, sure."
"Why'd you call me Spike earlier?"
She hadn't thought he heard her when she had moaned his name. She should have known better. Think, Willow. Her hand was caressing his stomach, which was getting a response lower. She smirked and brought her hand lower. "Mmmm, Spike."
He brought his hand down to cover hers. "Spike, huh? Think I like that."
Willow was trying very hard not to laugh. Who would have thought that time travel Willow had given Spike his nickname? With a twinkle in her eye she rolled on top of Spike, "Think I like that, too."
~~~~
Angelus approached the cottage where Willow and William were staying. He backed into the shadows as he saw William go outside and quietly made his way in.
"Willow", he whispered right before he grabbed her from behind.
Spike had seen Angelus enter the cottage and wondered what he was up to. He saw him grab Willow from behind and waited with a smirk to see him go flying like he had the other night.
Willow rolled her eyes and with a thought sent Angelus flying a few feet and landing with a thud. "Like I told William, you should know better than to grab me from behind."
Angelus morphed. "Good, you want to play rough."
Spike began to growl deep in his chest but he knew that Willow could take care of herself.
"Freeze!" With that Angelus couldn't move.
In the shadows, Spike had been hit by the freeze command as well.
Willow walked around Angelus muttering, "You know, I've really tried to remember that you become Angel eventually but you keep working on my last nerve. I don't think I'm gonna wait ten years for the gypsies to curse you."
She looked up into Angelus' eyes and raised her arms with her palms cupped. An unnatural breeze filled the cottage and Willow's hair began to blow with the magickal current.
Spike watched in awe as he saw his witch build her power and was very glad he hadn't been the one to bring her to this much anger.
Angelus struggled against his invisible bonds and tried to understand what Willow had meant by waiting for the gypsies to curse him.
Willow closed her eyes briefly and let the magickal energy fill her. She felt her goddess presence and knew it would turn out all right.
"Not of the dead, nor of the living. I call upon Janus to bring about this new beginning. Create a new creature where darkness and light shall dwell as one. So mote it be, my will be done."
Angelus felt a searing pain fill his body. It felt like his whole body was on fire. What had the witch done to him?
Willow felt the energy leave her body and saw the pain in Angel's eyes. "Release".
Angel fell to his knees and curled into a ball. Memories began to assault his senses. Willow rushed to his side and carefully pulled him into her embrace. She rocked and caressed him whispering that it would be all right.
She heard a whimper in the corner and turned to look. There was Spike rocking back and forth and staring into space. "Spike!" She ran to his side and knelt down. "Oh god, oh god, oh god. I'm so sorry. I never meant this for you."
She took his hand and led him to where Angel was sitting. She sat between the two vampires and laid their heads on her shoulders trying to give them each the comfort they craved.
~~~~
Darla entered the room and saw Drusilla keening and rocking.
"Dru what is it?"
"Our family is changing. The light burns Angel and William."
Darla felt the bond with Angel and William and knew they weren't dead. "What light is burning Angel and William?"
"The witch is giving Angel and William their souls."
Witch, what witch? Darla shuddered, there was nothing worse than a vampire with a soul. It is too late for Angel and William but not too late to cut her losses and go be with the Master.
"How would you like to go to France with me and spend some time with the Master?"
~Part: 20~
Malcolm was angry, each day that his pet didn't return he got angrier. He had finally given up and decided to kill the next one without the use of his pet's magickal power. While walking in Miller's Court he picked out his next victim. He tracked her into the Ten Bells pub and flirted with her. He followed her home and she invited him in. Malcolm smiled as he shut and locked the door.
Ethan hadn't known which option to choose. He had needed the days to heal before facing Malcolm, if he chose to ever face Malcolm again. He had escaped one vicious vampire and wasn't too eager to go back to another one. He still wanted to get the heart from Ripper's last victim. What he had told Angelus was the truth. The heart of the last victim could supposedly be used in a spell for immortality. But he had no idea who the last victim would be. He wasn't sure if the legend was for Mary Kelly the last infamous victim or Ripper's true last victim.
He thought about just watching Malcolm without going back as his magick user. Ethan was contemplating what to do next when he saw Malcolm exit Miller's Court. He turned in the opposite direction and decided to circle back to Malcolm's lair at the wharf and see what his latest trophies were.
~~~~
Willow had spent the last few days trying to comfort Angel and William. William was a little easier for he had only 8 years of memories and she had already helped him through his insanity of over a hundred years of memories in her time. A couple of times she had to stop Angel from going outside.
She told them tales of what they were like in her time. William seemed to like that he had still been mad, bad and dangerous to know. She told Angel about the gypsy curse but this wasn't a curse. They had been given a gift by Janus. He had gifted them with a new beginning. They were new creatures with both soul and demon blended together. She told them of being warriors for the Powers that Be and how they helped to defeat evil and apocalypses. She also told them the tale of her vengeance and struggles with walking the fine line between light and dark. They seemed to get calmer in the knowledge that someone else had gone through and is still going through something similar.
~~~~
Willow, William and Angel had returned to the lair and found Darla and Drusilla gone. Knowing that Drusilla always could tell things before they happened, Angel thought that Darla probably cut her losses and went to the Master. It's what he would have done.
Angel had taken comfort in the stories that Willow told him. He now had a purpose. He couldn't change what had happened in the past but he could move forward and put his darkness that he still felt strongly to helping those that couldn't help themselves. He would still be able to indulge his fondness for torture and mayhem. He would just torture demons and others that preyed on the weak.
Angel remembered with a small smile the torture he had indulged in recently. True, he hadn't known it at the time but torturing Ethan may have been his first step on this new path. Thinking about the torture reminded Angel of what he had found out.
"Willow, there's something I think I should tell you." Angel said.
Looking into his serious eyes she grew concerned. "Okay."
"Don't worry, it's not that bad. While I was at the wharf looking for the vampire and human you're hunting I found something. It seems Ethan Rayne likes to keep a journal."
"Did it say why he used me to go back in time?"
Angel nodded and began to tell Willow and William what he had learned from the journal and his torture. He didn't tell her how he got the additional information. Somehow he didn't think she would view his torture with as much fondness as he did.
He walked back to where he had hidden the journal that Ethan dropped in his haste to leave. He flipped it to the part that Ethan had talked about and held it open for Willow. "Ethan dropped this as he left. I think this was the passage that he saw in your time that talks about you."
William squeezed her shoulder for comfort and with trepidation Willow took the journal from Angel. William read over Willow's shoulder:
November 10,1888
I felt a strong magickal presence today. I didn't know where it was coming from until I happened to walk by a small, beautiful red head in a blue evening gown and felt her power. She holds such power and I feel a darkness in her that I am sure I can manipulate for my purposes. The man that helps me now doesn't have the magnitude of power that she does. I must find a way to meet her.
Willow closed her eyes and took a deep breath. November 10th was tomorrow. She looked at both Angel and William, "Do you think I'm his last victim?"
William clinched and unclenched his hands, "Not bloody likely."
Angel looked in her eyes, "I thought so at first and then I realized that you couldn't have gone back in time if you were destined to die in this time. It would have wiped you out." It had been that thought that let Ethan escape with his life. He knew he needed him alive to be alive in 2004 so Ethan could bring Willow back.
"Now that we know that you'll meet the Ripper tomorrow, or at least he'll see you tomorrow we can set a trap."
"We are not using Willow as the bait!" William all but growled.
"Give me some credit, boy. Do you really think I would let anything happen to Willow?"
"Sitting right here, guys. You keep forgetting that I can take care of myself."
They continued as if she hadn't spoken. She was getting ticked. Okay, granted she was small and people tended to forget that she was stronger than she looked but hey almost ended the world. Gave the Scourge of Europe his soul, twice if you count original timeline and this one. Time to teach another lesson. With a wave of her hand Angel and William were suspended a foot off the ground.
As they felt themselves leave the ground they stopped talking and looked at Willow. She looked right back at them with a raised eyebrow and her arms folded.
With a mumbled, "I'm sorry, baby" and "Sorry, Willow" she lowered them back down.
"Angel, I think your idea about setting a trap for Ripper and hopefully Ethan is a good one. You always were good at manipulating and scheming. Spike, you are really good at finding the weakness of your opponent and exploiting it. I think with me as magickal bait we'll make an unbeatable combination."
Angel looked at Willow and Spike, "Spike? Why did she call you Spike?"
Willow blushed a bright red and quickly put her hand over Spike's mouth before he could answer.
~~~~~
Albert and Hannah were concerned for Willow. They had received a note that she was spending time with some new friends but that had been a few days ago. With her investigation of the insane vampire who was on a rampage through Whitechapel they couldn't help but worry.
There were rumors that he had struck again this morning in Miller's Court and it was the worst yet. The fact that the woman wasn't red haired gave them hope that she wasn't the latest victim. The face and body had been mutilated beyond recognition. It was rumored to be someone named Mary Kelly but that was only because it was her room and she was missing.
Ian entered the library with a note for Hannah. She noticed it was Willow's handwriting and quickly opened it. After reading it she sighed in relief, Willow would be coming home tomorrow. She needed their help in putting some plan together.