The Chosen

E-mail: narcoleptic73@hotmail.com

Rating: PG16 – not a fluffy fic

Couple: Willow / Spike

Disclaimer: Joss owns all, of course (Joss = God). I own nothing. The characters are not mine, and so on and so forth Feedback: Please…….

Summary: After the death of her parents Willow moves to London where she is discovered by William the Bloody

Notes: Totally AU (set in the late 1800’s) Please don’t expect this to be historically correct - I’m too lazy for that kind of dedication. Also please be aware that aside from the way they look and their names, the characters are not necessarily true to the way we know them now.

Status: Complete.

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Willow took a deep and shuddering breath and clutched her sole traveling bag tightly in one small fist. Looking around with wide eyes at her unfamiliar surroundings, Willow found she had to suppress rising panic.

She had never traveled outside of her small village before much less on her own to London Town. Foul smells assaulted her nostrils; a muddled din rang uncomfortably in her ears and the people! So many; all pushing and shoving their way through the mud and slippery cobbled paths. This was so different to the sleepy little hamlet she hailed from with friendly villagers and green meadows stretching as far as the eye could see, the smell of sweet hay and baking bread as thick in the air there as the stench of rotting garbage was here.

Quickly wiping a tear from her pale cheek, she made her way down the cobbled path clutching the rough directions she had been sent for dear life. She was looking for the Old Trafford Inn where she would find her one remaining relative, an aunt who had been a sister to her much loved Mother.

One month had passed since the death of her parents who had perished after the cart they had been riding in had flipped after the horse took fright, crushing them and throwing Willow clear. That was how at 20 years of age, Willow had found herself alone without a home. That had been taken by Lord Stanley who had informed her of her Father’s debts to him, a fact she had been unaware of. The debt had been incurred when her Father had sought a loan from Lord Stanley to send his only daughter to a Ladies College. It seemed her Father had hoped she would gain a governess position and hopefully live comfortably on that modest wage until she married.

That would never happen now, Willow thought sadly as she approached the Old Trafford Inn. With both parents gone and no home, employment and lodgings with her Aunt at the Inn was to be her new life in London Town.

It was a large building, not grand by any stretch of the imagination, but well patronized nonetheless, if the people streaming in and out of the heavy wooden door was any indication. Having never set foot in such an establishment before, Willow approached the door with trepidation.

Once inside she was again overwhelmed by the strange mix of not too pleasant smells and noise. Smoke hung thick in the air and the appearance of some of the women and the language being used by some of the rough looking men had her blushing furiously and trembling nervously. How could any sister of her gentle and graceful Mother live in such a place, much less own it?

William’s steady gaze had settled on the door automatically as it had opened. His eyes narrowed on the new arrival as she stepped haltingly through the entrance. She didn’t belong in this place – that was his first thought as he took in her modest, almost prim dress of cornflower blue buttoned securely to her neck. She looked painfully out of place here. He grinned absently as her wide green eyes darted nervously around the crowded room before settling on the floor.

It wasn’t just the school teacher’s dress that made her stand out, the dramatic and obviously clean red hair piled neatly on top of her head and that innocent blush was certainly making it obvious she was not from this side of town, that is, if she was even from this town at all – which he doubted. William would have bet money on her being some farmers’ daughter from the north somewhere.

Taking a generous swig of ale before flicking his observant eyes back to his drinking companions, William noted the ageing proprietor’s wife slowly approaching the young woman. It appeared as though a question was asked and answered before the usually silent and meek woman enveloped the new comer in an enthusiastic embrace. He noted in amusement that the older woman appeared to be crying. William frowned slightly as the new comer was quickly ushered up the narrow staircase by the older woman and out of his sight. Interesting, maybe she was a long lost relative.

"You are so kind Aunt Kitty. I..I don’t know how to thank you for taking me in." Willow said in her usual soft voice as her Aunt fussed about the small room fluffing pillows before returning them to the narrow bed.

"Nonsense, child. I loved your Mother dearly, though I had not seen her for years." Kitty sighed and smiled sadly at the young woman standing quietly in the corner. She was so much like her beautiful Mother it almost broke Kitty’s heart to look at her. "I know this is not what you are accustomed to, and God knows you deserve better, having being raised and educated as I know you have been, but its not so bad lass. You will adjust over time and at the end of it all you have three hot meals each day and a roof over yer head."

Willow nodded unable to speak past the sudden lump in her throat. She tried to smile but felt it came out more like a grimace. Truth be told, she was utterly terrified of this place and she wasn’t sure how she was going to manage living here.

"Get some sleep, it won’t look half as bad tomorrow and we can get you started on yer first day."

If Willow’s Aunt Kitty was a kind and compassionate soul, her husband was not. Waking early and making her way down the stairs to the kitchen, Kitty introduced Willow to John Peters. ‘Uncle’ John had merely grunted and ignored the hand Willow had extended to him at introduction. "No good putting on airs and graces here brat, you’ll bloody well work hard same as everyone else and no complainin’ mind."

Willow had dropped her eyes and nodded swallowing nervously. She had never been spoken to in such a manner before and she was at a loss as to how to respond. John was a frightening man, not just for the manner in which he spoke but also in his appearance. He was a giant with dirty graying hair tied back at the nape with a frayed string; he had a straggly, unkempt, beard and faded breeches and dirty shirt. It was taking every ounce of courage she possessed not to run screaming from the Inn and her first day had only just begun.

"Well don’t just stand there ya dozy cow!" He yelled at Kitty, "Put the little chit to work"

So began Willow’s first day. She spent the morning in the kitchen with Kitty cleaning crockery and cutlery from the evening before and making preparations for the coming day’s meals. It was hard and hot work, but Willow didn’t mind it too much, at least she was hidden safely in the kitchen and not out at the bar or amongst the patrons’ tables. Even the regular abuse John hurled at the women as they toiled was preferable to having to mix with the scoundrels and scarlet women in the bar.

The days progressed in a similar fashion as the week wore on. Willow would rise just before dawn and begin work in the kitchen after a quick breakfast. In the afternoon, Kitty would briefly join John in the bar, then they would work through until late evening before consuming supper and retiring for the evening. Willow was terribly pleased to learn that she would have Sundays to herself. Apparently the Inn was opened only to a group of men whom John knew and all employees stayed well away from these meetings, it fell to Kitty to provide the service necessary to this mysterious group.

On her second Sunday at the Inn, Willow was just preparing to leave for another stroll to the park then the library as she had done last weekend, when someone thudded loudly on her door.

Willow opened the door to find John standing impatiently on the other side. "I’ll be needin’ ya to work this afternoon girl. Bloody idiot wife of mine is poorly and can’t get up."

Willow felt her stomach turn nervously at the thought of working alone in the bar with her tyrant uncle and sinister characters who were the patrons on these Sundays. Pushing aside her alarm she questioned John "Can I help Aunt Kitty? Should I go and see to her now?"

"No, you just make sure you’re in the kitchen by 5.00 this afternoon. Don’t care what you do till then."

Willow nodded and gently closed the door on her Uncle’s retreating back. Oh well, at least she would have a few hours to get to the library before she had to be back at the Inn. It was a small consolation in her otherwise barren life and she knew to take full advantage of her too brief hours of freedom.

Fixing her apron carefully around her small waist, she smoothed her olive green dress to release some of the wrinkles. While not as proper as the dress she arrived in, this one was almost nun like in modesty compared to the outfits most other women wore to this establishment. Short green sleeves finished with sturdy cream lace at the elbows leaving her forearms bare. Buttoning at the front, the fitted bodice was complimentary without being indecent with the neckline plunging no lower than her fine collarbones. Checking again that her hair was firmly secured in its demure French roll; she headed down stairs to the kitchen, not wanting to be late.

Without a word of greeting John began to instruct her "Now these are important customers. I want you to keep your mouth shut and yer eyes down. You will not discuss anything you see or hear this afternoon with anyone!" He paused to make sure she had understood him before he continued "Bring em what they ask for and then get the hell back into the kitchen and stay there until they call for you again. If you annoy anyone there today they’ll have me bloody guts for garters!"

John disappeared back into the front of the Inn where Willow could hear him greeting the first arrivals for the afternoon. Looking down she noticed she had balled one end of her apron in a shaking fist and she dropped it quickly smoothing her suddenly clammy palms along the side of her dress.

Were these men really so threatening that their mere presence warranted the closure of the Inn and her normally terrifying ‘uncle’ to tremble at the very thought of displeasing them?

She almost squealed when John shoved his head in through the kitchen door "Bring a loaf of bread and cheese girl, and make haste!"

Willow quickly gathered a fresh loaf and set a block of cheese on a wooden board with a knife, scooping all the required items together she took a deep breath and entered the main floor of the Inn. All she had to do, she reminded herself, was stay out of the way and be as unobtrusive as possible, eyes down and mouth shut.

William raised one hand as the girl entered and the room was immediately silent. Ignoring everyone else he narrowed his eyes suspiciously on the young woman.

Although she was not looking directly at the men sitting about one of the long trestle tables, she was well aware they were all staring at her. She fought a sudden urge to drop the food and flee, instead she took a deep calming breath and continued her slow approach to the table on shaking legs.

She set the bread and cheese down quietly on the table, willing her traitorous hands to stop shaking as she did so. Just as she was about to step away from the table and retreat quickly into the kitchen as she had been instructed, a large, cold hand shot forward and clamped firmly about her wrist. The sudden action caused her to cry out and she made an instinctive attempt to snatch her wrist away, but she immediately ceased her struggle and kept her eyes on the table when the grip on her wrist tightened painfully for a brief moment.

"Explain this, John" A deadly calm voice demanded in an even tone.

Willow didn’t dare look up at her uncle, but she could hear the fear in his voice well enough to know what his face might look like at that moment "The wife is poorly Sir…this is my niece"

"What’s yer name, girl?" the same calm voice requested quietly.

Without moving her eyes from the table she responded obediently. "Willow"

"Do you live here with yer Aunt and Uncle, Willow?"

She paused for a moment. The question was highly inappropriate but she knew that she was not exactly dealing with men who held social graces in any regard. She nodded gently hoping he might return her wrist before the inhabitants of the room noticed the furious blush creeping up her normally pale cheeks.

"Well then Willow, sorry to have startled you but I want you to understand very clearly that I won’t tolerate loose tongues" He laughed gently before continuing "I wouldn’t spoil a face as pretty as yours, but I’d cut yer Uncle John’s out of his ugly head in a heartbeat if you gave me reason. You won’t go disappointin’ me now will ya?" He asked with a smile in his voice.

Willow was incapable of speaking at that moment and shook her head a little desperately instead realizing absently that whisps of hair were coming loose as she did so and falling about her pale face.

"Very good" the man purred softly raising her wrist to his mouth and kissing it gently before releasing it.

The shock of his cold lips on her wrist caused her to snap her eyes up to his face. It was at that very moment she knew that she was about to do something extremely stupid, because she had found herself looking into the face of one of Europe’s most feared men. William the Bloody.

With a small whimper, the room appeared to tilt alarmingly. Willow realized through her panic that she was going to faint. The moment before the darkness closed in she was dimly aware of falling forwards and being caught in strong arms before she could strike the stone floor.

"Oh you poor, sweet, child. I’m so terribly sorry"

Willow frowned slightly before opening her eyes. She was relieved to find herself lying on her little bed, safe in her little room, drab and austere though it was. Her Aunt bent over her still form worriedly running a cool cloth across her clear forehead.

"Aunt Kitty?" She croaked weakly "I’m sorry, did I get Uncle John in trouble?"

Kitty shook her head "No, no, not at all child. Women fainting at his feet does wonders for his villainous reputation. He was highly amused, the scoundrel! Imagine handling a lady in such a manner."

Willow swallowed and squeezed her eyes shut "So it was him wasn’t it Auntie?"

Kitty’s hands stilled for a moment "How did you know, child?"

Willow opened her eyes again before she answered. "Please don’t think ill of me Aunt Kitty. I…I read about him and saw his picture in a newspaper."

Kitty gasped "Child! You know very well that any lady who can read, does not concern herself with newspapers, that’s men’s business."

"I know, I just get so curious. Don’t you?"

Kitty shook her head a little sadly "I have more than enough to keep me occupied here." She smiled gently and in that instant she reminded Willow of her Mother "You must not speak of this to anyone. He is a dangerous man, but he also ensures we are ‘looked after’ here Child, we cannot afford to betray him. Do you understand?"

Sadly, she did understand. William the Bloody, for whatever reason, had decided to use the Old Trafford Inn as his meeting place – who in their right mind would say ‘no’ to such a man, who in their right mind would refuse any request such a man made of them? Only someone willing to meet a painful death. Only someone who was prepared to see his or her entire family slaughtered. No one defied or betrayed this man and lived to tell the tale. No one.

John had snapped and snarled at her even more than was usual for the rest of the week but no more came of the incident. Apparently William the Bloody had quite a sense of humor. A rather macabre one, Willow thought as she opened the package a messenger boy had been sent to deliver to her the next day.

Opening the package she found two bejeweled hairclips, of exquisite French design. A note accompanied the gift:

My apologies, Willow.

Of course she would never dare wear such extravagant jewellery, she was sure that the clips were worth more than her family’s home had been just as she was equally sure he had come across the gift via devious means.

Kitty had urged her not to tell anyone, especially John, that she had received such a gift. The Inn, Kitty had said, was crawling with thieves none the least of which was John.

As the next Sunday arrived Willow made sure she escaped the Inn as soon as the sun rose in the morning and she fully intended not to return until the sun had set in the evening. The very last thing she wanted was to be present at the Inn when William and his men arrived for their meeting.

William sat quietly in his usual corner of the Inn, not too far from the door with his back to the wall. This place was one of the few where he and his men could go without fear of any of the patrons sneaking away to inform the authorities of his presence. Not that would necessarily matter, the authorities had yet to come close to catching him and even if they did they would have no idea of what they would be really dealing with. But he did enjoy a beer and he liked to consume them without the bother of perpetrating a slaughter between his sixth and seventh round.

He snarled quietly as he noticed that sniveling idiot proprietor coming his way, the man was an annoyance and William knew the day was fast arriving when he would tear the his throat out.

"It’s an honor to have you and your men here this evening. Can I fill your glasses again?" John asked, hating the fear the young man’s presence always caused him, but respecting it nonetheless.

William’s men knew better than to answer a question their boss had been asked so they all kept their mouths shut and waited for his response – all hoping he would say ‘yes’.

"I don’t think we want to see the bottom of our glasses this evening bar keep. But before you rush away old man." William stopped mid sentence making sure John was listening "Bring Willow out. I think we would all prefer our drinks served by her, don’t you agree men?"

The question was greeted with much good-natured ribbing and joking.

John gulped "As you wish".

"Uncle John? Where am I to take the jug?" willow asked anxiously. He had come to the kitchen earlier and told her she would be required on the floor this evening.

"Second table from the door, and keep the drinks coming, understand?" He snapped at her angrily.

Willow made her way steadily through the crowd on the floor. The Inn was very busy for a Tuesday night and seemed louder than normal too. She had been so busy trying to avoid colliding with drunken patrons that she didn’t look up from the jug of ale until she had placed it on the table. It was lucky that she hadn’t because she would have dropped the jug if she had seen the steady blue gaze of William the Bloody staring back at her, as she did now.

He appeared smiling crookedly at her and suddenly Willow found herself wondering I she had ever seen another human being with cheek bones as sharp as his, or chin as strong – and how did he get that scar on his right eyebrow?

"Hello Red"

She opened her mouth to answer but the words wouldn’t come out so she closed her mouth again and nodded once instead before spinning on her heel and fleeing back across the floor with the men’s laughter ringing in her ears.

Willow was absurdly relieved that the remainder of her visits to the table to bring more ale were completely ignored for the rest of the evening. Although she did not manage to calm her nerves until the inhabitants of that particular table finally left the establishment after William pressed an obscene amount of money into her hand and thanked her for her gracious service.

Remembering her Aunt’s advice about thieves, Willow was careful to conceal the money in her apron until retiring to her room for the evening where she pondered just what to do with the money and just what, if anything, it meant.

Over the next few weeks she had occasion to study William and his followers. They were at the Inn at least once during the week sometimes twice and of course always on Sundays, although she never saw them then.

She noticed how most other patrons gave them a wide berth and how some of them, her Uncle and Aunt included seemed openly afraid of them! There had only been one incident that allowed Willow an insight into their influence. One rainy Thursday evening a man who was not a regular patron but who had spent all evening drinking ale caused an altercation with one of William’s men who had been standing at the bar participating in a most lurid conversation with a bar maid. A verbal slanging match had quickly escalated to the point of physical violence.

Willow who had been standing next to William’s table clearing mugs turned to see William’s man holding his attacker aloft, one hand wound tightly about his throat. She swore she heard a low growl that sounded distinctly feral before his eyes appeared to almost flash yellow. Willow gasped and dropped the two mugs she had been clearing from William’s table before flinching visibly when from behind her William roared "Enough".

The entire Inn became silent and William’s man released his hold on his attacker who dropped unconscious to the floor. It was Willow’s Uncle who broke the silence by ordering two of the barrel boys to "Get rid of that bloody fool!"

It was a beautiful day. Willow did not want it to end. Having agonized over what to do with the growing pile of money William had been tipping her for the last month, she finally decided to buy a new dress. She did need one – the hard physical labor at the Inn had taken a toll on her small and modest wardrobe. Using the money for a necessity also eased her misgivings a little.

So she had purchased a very modest, yet pretty dress of midnight blue. The skirt was fashionably narrower than any of her other dresses and the material was much finer although not silk or any other such extravagant or exotic fiber. She wore the new gown out of the shop and felt almost like a real lady as she strolled to the library, a satisfied smile on her face.

She spent the remainder of her afternoon immersed in archived newspapers, pouring over stories of one of two men dubbed ‘The Scourge of Europe’. Knowing her Aunt Kitty would faint if she knew Willow was not only reading newspapers but specifically stores about the mysterious ‘William the Bloody’ did not dissuade her one bit. Despite being scared silly of the man, she was also terribly curious to know more about him, but the details in the papers were frustratingly sparse.

He was suspected of committing the most awful crimes and apparently reigned in terror across Europe. However, witnesses were scarce and proof against him was apparently non-existent. She did find one article that postulated ‘William the Bloody’

As being some supernatural fiend. She had laughed to herself at that before recalling a flash of yellow eyes she had been sure she had seen that evening at the Inn. She pulled her shawl about her and shivered before deciding to stop scaring herself by reading such rubbish and return home before it go dark.

Alighting with cat like grace from the carriage, William smiled his predator’s smile as he caught a glimpse of the red headed girl hurrying down the street looking mildly panicked, towards the Inn.

He could just imagine what she was thinking as she rushed along, a pink flush staining her pale cheeks. Probably berating herself for getting caught up so late so that now she had to make her way home in the dusky sunset unescorted. Focusing on her approaching form he could hear her wildly pounding heart and knew that aside from the physical exertion of her brisk pace, she was clearly frightened.

Willow hadn’t realized how very dark it got so very quickly! She had never stayed out this late before and now she was sorry that she had. She had to restrain herself from running home as she imagined the perfect target she had made of herself for thieves and other villains. Young ladies should not walk alone in the dark and certainly not in London

She almost screamed when a dark figure stepped soundlessly from an adjacent doorway into her path.

"Good evening Willow." William smiled his most charming smile and bowed slightly to her. Looking steadily into her wide green eyes he saw a mixture of fear and relief flick through them.

"Mr..Mr..hello" Willow gasped clutching her parcels painfully tight against her chest. She realized that she had no idea of his last name, she hoped that didn’t make him angry!

She almost sighed in relief when he smiled "Call me William. May I escort you to the Inn Willow? That is where I am heading."

"Th…thank you, yes" she stuttered nervously hesitating momentarily before taking his proffered arm. It would have been rude to refuse and she noted with relief, they were in sight of the Inn.

"Allow me to compliment you Willow, that gown is very fetching is it new?"

Willow stumbled slightly and blushed furiously. To describe her attire as ‘fetching’ was uncomfortably familiar, but she realized with a mental sigh, the few times he had engaged her in conversation he had made inappropriate comments, however she doubted whether she would have the nerve to reprimand him and she had the distinct impression he made such comments purposefully. "Yes it is."

William grinned to himself. He wondered when she would finally chastise him for his provocative conversations. Judging from the fleeting frown he had watched flash briefly across her flushed face it wouldn’t be too much longer.

Willow stole a quick glance up at her companion becoming distinctly annoyed at the smug smile he had on his handsome face. "Do you do this on purpose?" She asked in her usual soft tone.

Raising his eyebrows questioningly at her as he looked down into her serious face he asked "Do what exactly, Willow?" He almost laughed out loud when she stopped abruptly to scowl at him. He couldn’t remember the last time anyone had had the nerve to scowl at William the Bloody!

"Bait me with your inappropriate turn of phrase"

This time he couldn’t help himself, he threw back his head and laughed loudly before recapturing her hand, which she had snatched away and replacing it on his arm in preparation for their continued ‘stroll’ back to the Inn. "I apologize most sincerely but I must answer honestly and say that I do indeed ‘bait’ you deliberately! I do so enjoy your blushes!"

Willow continued on with him biting her bottom lip in frustration. How could she possibly respond to such a frank admission? She remained silent instead.

"Well here we are my lady, safe and sound!" He grinned charmingly opening the door of the Inn for her and ushering her inside with an exaggerated bow.

Willow noticed to her embarrassment that all of William’s men seemed to be present and waiting on their boss so that when she stepped in to the Inn they all turned to stare expectantly at her and William. Not missing the amused expression on their faces at William’s ostentatious display of chivalry, Willow blushed furiously again and almost ran across the floor to the stairs studiously avoiding making eye contact with John who she was sure would be glaring at her.

The next evening Willow and Kitty were working hard in the kitchen preparing meals. Both women were flushed with exertion and looking rather bedraggled after a very long day over the oven. It seemed to both of them that John had been particularly mean today and Willow suspected it was all her fault, with the display William had made the previous evening. John had after all, practically forbidden her from speaking or even looking a the scoundrel and his sidekicks.

They both looked up warily when the kitchen door crashed open wondering what he would shout at them for this time. Their identical long suffering expressions quickly disappeared to be replaced by wide eyed surprise when they both saw who had followed John to the kitchen and was now lounging menacingly against the door frame.

Willow felt a sharp stab of fear at this unexpected appearance and she wondered momentarily if her outburst yesterday evening had caused problems for her Uncle with William. Flicking her eyes nervously from John to Kitty in an attempt to gauge the situation she felt her unease increase when she noted Kitty’s pallor and John’s seeming inability to return his wife’s fearful gaze.

All three started visibly when William spoke "Yer a lucky young lady this evening, Pet" He said quietly, icy blue eyes fixed unwaveringly on Willow. "Yer uncle has agreed you need a night off and he gave me no objections when I said you’d be dining with me."

Willow’s mouth dropped open before she shook her head slightly, but it was her Aunt Kitty who broke the uncomfortable silence first "John..you..Willow really shouldn’t-"

For the first time since he’d entered the kitchen John raised his head to glare at Kitty. "Close yer mouth you silly bint!" turning on Willow he snapped "Well mover yerself girl!"

"Quite right Mrs Peters, of you to be concerned for your niece’s welfare. However, I assure you she will be perfectly safe in my company and I am sure that knowing my…reputation… as you do and being the direct beneficiary of my custom you will not object?"

Although having no experience with such things Willow recognize his statement for what it was, a threat and a warning. He was not asking her guardians if she could dine with him – he was telling them that that would be the case.

Feeling fearful for her Aunt who she knew was wanting to protect her, Willow did the only thing she could think of to ease the tense situation. "I..I’ll go an get ready then. Un…thank you Uncle for your…generously in allowing me the evening off…I’ll be sure to make up the time tomorrow."

Shivering slightly at the slow smile that spread across William’s face she quickly untied her apron with shaking fingers.

"Excellent. I will call for you in half an hour." He stated evenly before spinning gracefully and exiting the kitchen.

Sitting quietly opposite her in his carriage he took advantage of her insistence on staring fixedly out the window to study her carefully. She was wearing another modest gown of pale lilac. It was not a fashionable garment but it suited her well enough. She had looped her fiery locks carefully atop her head leaving her smooth place neck and shoulders deliciously bare, but not indecently so.

He noted with a tight smile that her eyes were unusually luminescent and he suspected she was fighting back frightened tears. He was not at all surprised to see her jerk violently when he spoke "you look lovely again this evening, Willow."

He frowned when she chose not to answer him directly but to nod her head slightly instead before dropping her gaze to her hands that were nervously twisting a handkerchief in her lap.

"Have you dined out in London before?"

Again no answer just a shake of her head. He was fast losing patience with her. Leaning forward across the carriage William placed on long pale hand on the bench seat either side of his dinner guest, his face inches from hers. "I had hoped you would prove a far more entertaining guest. I’m sure your parents would expect more from a daughter they deemed worthy enough of an education."

Willow jerked her head round to face him when he’d leant forward. Now she found herself trapped still against the carriage cushion unable to tear her somewhat frightened eyes away from his stony blue stare. The silence stretched between them until Willow felt like screaming. Giving herself a mental slap instead she reminded herself of the power he held over her only remaining family. "W..where are we dining this evening?" She whispered eyes locked still.

He smiled approvingly at her before answering her stuttered question. "You will be my companion this evening at the home of a very good – friend – of mine"

"Oh. Is this dinner to mark a special occasion?"

He nodded, not removing his hands from beside her. "yes. To celebrate his return to London. He’s been seeing to business in Europe for quite some time. You may be familiar with his name, since you seemed to know mine even before introductions were made." He was pleased at the blush his last comment caused "Tell me Willow, have you been perusing newspapers checking up on me?"

Willow’s mouth dropped open in surprise "How dare you suggest…just what are you suggesting?" She demanded in outrage.

He laughed easily and leant back in his own seat to study her with an amused expression on his face. "Oh, I believe we will have an interesting evening after all."

A short time later the carriage pulled to a stop. Stepping down to the path Willow realized she was in a part of London she was unfamiliar with and the home William was escorting her to was the grandest she had ever seen.

A sudden attack of nerves had her pulling gently on William’s arm. "William? I can’t possibly allow you to bring me to this house for dinner" She whispered urgently.

He stopped frowning forbiddingly "Why ever not, Pet?"

Willow’s eyes swept upwards to take in the buildings façade "It’s so….I’m not dressed….it wouldn’t be appropriate for someone of my standing to be here." She squeaked sweeping one thin arm about indicating the residence before them.

"I’d bloody well take you to dinner at the bloody Palace if the fancy took me and I can assure you no one would question me for it, at least no one would live if they questioned me for it. Now make haste Pet, its rude to be late." He snapped in annoyance ignoring the intoxicating aroma of her fear as best he could. He hadn’t intended on doing any more than showing her off at dinner but she was quickly affecting him in a way that had him contemplating how sweet she would taste.

Despite her rising panic at his last statement she stumbled along beside him as best she could not wanting to lose her footing but afraid she would do exactly that as she struggled to match his long stride. He didn’t stop to knock on the door but simply pushed it open and swept into the entrance foyer with a flourish of his long black coat and pulled her none too gently in behind him.

William smiled evilly as the girl stepped unconsciously closer to him and clutched his arm tightly in both her small hands. Taking a moment to consider the familiar surroundings from her perspective he understood her unease. To mortal eyes the large marble entrance was cold and perhaps even dark with very little illumination. Heavy velvet crimson drapes and huge forbidding art works hung down the towering walls and to her ears the residence probably sounded as quiet as a tomb – an apt description.

"Is no one here William?" She whispered fearfully. She couldn’t hear any movement in this monstrously large home and no servant had appeared to greet them as would be expected in a house of such obvious grandeur.

"Of course someone’s home Pet, in the dining room I’d wager." He replied in a loud confident tone the volume of his voice startling her in this silent place. "Come."

He led her into a large dining room lit only by the fire that was currently crackling in a huge fireplace. Dominating the room was a long and high table of some kind of dark wood with 12 huge high backed chairs placed about it the overall impression was forbidding and formal and Willow shivered nervously. "Ahh, here you are William" Willow jumped unaware that another person was even in this dark room until the voice had spoken.

"Light some bloody candles mate, my lovely guest here would like to see who she is meeting" William ordered easily.

Willow blinked as her eyes struggled to adjust when William’s request was met. She clutched William’s arm nervously as she studied the tall dark stranger now standing before them. Like William his skin was unusually pale, but instead of blue this man’s eyes were almost black and no less intense in their scrutiny. He was slightly taller than William, which made him very tall indeed and Willow detected a slight Irish lilt in his speech.

"Willow, meet Angelus"

Willow’s eyes widened at the mention of his name. This was the second of the two men dubbed the ‘Scourge of Europe’ , and she would be dining with them both!

Angelus smiled charmingly and bowed low before taking her trembling hand and placing a cold kiss on her palm in a gesture reminiscent of William who had dome something similar when he had first met her.

Licking her suddenly dry lips she replied quietly "Nice to meet you" before stepping cautiously away from the dark man and back towards William who she couldn’t see was grinning insanely at Angelus.

Willow was surprised that the evening had not been as trying as she had thought. The meal served by a rather severe looking manservant was exceptional although nerves prevented her from eating much. William had been on his best behavior amusing her with stories of his travels across Europe with Angelus. Angelus for the most part had remained unnervingly silent smiling in a supremely satisfied manner throughout the evening making Willow think he had some kind of earth shattering secret. His manners were impeccable and she knew that unlike William who was undeniably charming, Angelus had been raised in a home with a family of some import. She almost forgot how these men had earned their popular tag of the Scourge. Almost.

By the time the carriage pulled to a stop outside the Inn Willow was battling to keep her eyes open. It was late and the day had been a long one. The dinner had left her drained despite the excellent behavior of her hosts and she had spent most of the evening dancing somewhere between blind terror and extreme nervousness.

William smiled lazily at the young woman sitting across from him in his carriage. Dinner had gone very well, Angelus had been most pleased with his selection of a dinner guest, and William had taken an arrogant delight in informing Angel of his intention not to share. Last thing he wanted was for Angelus to spoil the girl by driving her insane as he had Dru. Willow herself had unwittingly reinforced his claim by retreating from Angelus to William’s side on each occasssion he had approached her. As inconspicuously as possible of course, she was a well-mannered lady after all. Here was a woman who had been largely unaffected by the sophisticated Angelus and William thought with a broadening of his smile that that particular fact coupled with her obvious preference for William would be driving his old sire mad!

Noting her almost closed eyes he allowed himself to lean towards her slowly. Inclining his head slightly he placed one cool hand on her neck shuddering in ecstasy at the feel of her pulse beneath his fingers and the sound of her blood pumping steadily through her veins, it was all he could do to stop himself slipping into his game face. The blood lust had him firmly in its grasp when her eyes snapped open at his touch so that when she cried out in alarm and attempted to open the carriage door he reacted on pure instinct, with the preternatural speed of a vipers strike he swung into action wrapping one hand around her mouth and yanking her backwards so that she was trapped with her back pressed firmly against his hard chest.

Although he could hear her pounding heart and smell her terror, she didn’t struggle against him, she remained deathly still instead with her eyes squeezed shut. He was glad she had settled so easily, any struggle at this point would have him tearing into her neck and draining her life right there in the carriage. He remained as still and as silent as she for a moment, in an attempt to get his demon firmly under control.

"Shhh" he purred softly into her ear, stroking her hair gently in an effort to calm her. She was shaking so badly he thought she might actually cause herself an injury and he removed his hand slowly from her mouth and wrapped it carefully across her shoulders instead. Using one hand to tilt her head to the side while retaining his hold on her, he lowered his mouth to her exposed neck. "I don’t want to hurt you" he reassured her when she whimpered before placing a gentle kiss on her neck just above the pulse, before withdrawing his hand from her hair and leaning away from her a little.

Willow sagged in relief when she felt him withdraw his cold mouth from her neck. "I…I saw your eyes, William!" she whispered quietly, tears beginning to spill down her pale cheeks. She was glad she couldn’t see him now as she remained trapped against him. She jumped at the sound of his voice behind her.

"Yes"

"P..please let me go. I want to go home." She cried softly hiccupping slightly and hitching in uneven gasps of air.

"I’ll come for you tomorrow evening"

Willow shook her head a little wildly "N..no, I can’t. Please leave me alone. I …I have to work_"

"No"

She began to sob in earnest then, realizing there would be no escape from William the Bloody who held lives carelessly in his hands. She had seen his glowing yellow eyes. He was some kind of monster, not a man, he would not be reasoned with.

William began to stroke her hair again. "Shh" he soothed smiling indulgently down at her bent head. She was an intelligent woman who had recognized the reality of her position almost immediately. He would allow her tears this evening. She would accept her fate soon enough. "I don’t want to hurt you" he repeated, lifting her gently from the carriage and carrying her to the door of the Inn before depositing her just inside. "Tomorrow" he said evenly taking her face in his hands and locking her eyes with his – which he knew were still yellow, before turning and closing the door quietly behind him.

"John we have to get her away from this place before he comes for her again." Kitty had raised her voice and was shaking the box that had arrived earlier that morning for Willow.

"Are you insane woman? He’d slaughter us, gut us like pigs, if we were to do such a thing. If he says he’s coming for her tonight then she’ll be here waiting for him and wearing any bloody costume he cares to send along." John shouted thunderously jerking his head in Willow’s direction and ignoring her sobs.

"I can’t stand by and allow this! She is my sister’s only child and I promised I would keep her safe." Turning her back on John she faced Willow "Quickly child, gather what you can, we need to get you safely out of the city before nightfall!"

"But Kitty, John’s right. He’ll kill you, I’m sure of it. He…he’s not human. I can’t leave you." Willow sobbed miserably "He’d murder you both and then burn down the Inn, or something equally diabolical."

Kitty was shaking her head firmly. For the first time in her life she would stand up to John. She would not, could not, allow that monster free access to Willow whenever the mood took him. He would destroy her, he was evil. "We will tell him we believed you unwell and confined to your bed, we will tell him we had no idea you had left. Now hurry Willow, we are running short of time."

"Kitty-"

She spun angrily on John and cut him off with a deadly glare "You must have know there would be a price to pay for consorting with the very Devil himself, John Peters! Well that debt is yours and mine to bear, it does not include Willow. If we are to pay with our lives then so be it."

So Willow had found herself in a carriage with four other travelers headed to a town in Scotland she had never even heard of before. Kitty apparently had an old friend there who she had been certain would help Willow acquire lodgings upon her arrival.

Shivering miserably, Willow pulled her shawl more tightly about her and returned to her depressing ponderings. In the space of three months she had gone from the warmth and security of a decent home to an Inn at old London Town and now she sat alone going to a country she had never been to, fleeing a monster, the most feared ‘man’ in Europe who was probably murdering her only remaining family right at this very moment! She brushed tears away angrily and stared intently out the window.

Suddenly there was a great shuddering and the coach drier drew to a rapid halt, jostling the passengers about. "My word, what’s going on now!?" One of the gentlemen travelers called up to the coach driver.

"Sorry Ladies and Gentlemen, one of the horses has a problem with a shoe, I’ll se to it presently. We should be on the road again in an hour." The coachman called back to the carriage inhabitants as he lifted the front leg of one of the horses.

Willow frowned slightly as she stepped out of the coach along with the other passengers. For some reason Kitty had insisted she be well away from London before nightfall, but they had only been able to book travel on a coach leaving late in the afternoon. She had also noticed the coach was not making particularly good time and now with the delay – well surely things were not looking good. She looked about the carriage but could not see much of her surroundings, night had fallen more than two hours ago.

Willow stood patiently next to the coach, unfortunately the horses shoe had taken an hour and a half to fix and they were only now ready to re-embark and continue on their journey to Scotland.

There came at that moment the sound of thundering hooves in the distance, drawing nearer. Each of the passengers turned in the direction of the approaching horseman with anxious glances. It was not uncommon for Highway Men to frequent these old roads and any rider approaching that quickly at this time of night was regarded warily. In this case, Willow realized there was more than one rider and though she could not see anything in the darkness yet, she thought it sounded more like there might easily be five. Her mouth felt suddenly dry as she shrank back against the carriage. William would have discovered her escape by now, perhaps even as early as two hours ago, more than enough time for him to catch up with this coach if he was riding as hard as this approaching mob were. Surely he could have no idea of where she had gone? Unless….unless he did something horrible and forced the information from her Aunt and Uncle.

"I think it would be prudent if you were to get back inside the coach, my lady. It appears we are to have company." An elderly man smiled gently to her opening the carriage door and urging Willow and his elderly female companion inside.

Willow and the old lady sat in the coach as directed and clasped hands nervously as the sound of the approaching horsemen was almost upon them. The old lady had pulled the carriage drapes closed and whispered "Don’t look, dear child, it may be Highway men approaching." Willow gulped and nodded her agreement squeezing the other lady’s hand reassuringly.

Their worst fears were confirmed when a loud Irish voice yelled "Throw down your weapon or meet your death!"

The sound of many men dismounting horses could be heard followed by the sounds of a quick struggle and a chilling scream which ended with a muffled thud.

"I’m not here for your paltry belongings man. Open that carriage door."

Willow was shaking and she felt as if her heart might burst as it hammered loudly in her chest, were they all about to die at the hands of thieves? She bit back a frightened sob and clutched her elderly companion’s hand with renewed vigor.

"There is nothing for you in there you scoundrel, take my purse and be away with you" Willow recognized the voice of the old man and exchanged a frightened glance with the other lady.

They both screamed loudly when the carriage door was suddenly torn clear off its hinges and hurled aside. Leering in menacingly at them was an ugly man with blazing yellow eyes and hideously elongated teeth that Willow had a terrible suspicion she had seen before. Without a word he reached forward grabbing Willow firmly by the hair before yanking her clearly up and out of the coach as if she weighed nothing.

Oblivious to the shouting about her as she landed heavily on her knees, Willow’s eyes locked onto the prone form of the coachman lying not more than two feet from her. It looked to Willow as though his very throat had been torn out and blood continued to spurt from the wound in his neck although it looked almost impossible for him to have any of the life sustaining liquid left in his body.

Icy blue eyes locked on the woman kneeling in the dirt by the carriage. She appeared unaware of her surroundings and he noted her huge green eyes had discovered the dead body of the coachman and were staring fixedly in horror. She was in shock he realized, she had probably never seen a dead body before. That would explain why she seemed unaware of the fact her traveling companions were about to follow the coachman to their own deaths. Sliding silently from his horse he approached her.

Kneeling before he took her trembling chin in his cool hand and tilted her tear streaked face up to his, smiling gently in a strange show of kindness among the slaughter he had ordered.

She blinked slowly not recognizing the man before her at first. "W…William?" She asked tearfully.

He nodded once before standing and lifting her easily to her feet. Unfortunately her legs weren’t co-operating and they buckled immediately. He seemed to have been expecting this because he caught her easily and swung her up into his arms and walked back towards his horse. Without glancing back, he knew Angelus and his minions were draining the humans, he settled her in the saddle before him and headed back towards London.

Reigning his horse in slowly he lifted her down and carried her into the house. Angelus had caught up with him half an hour after he had taken Willow from the coach and the three had completed the return journey in silence. He wondered if she had been thinking or if her mind had switched itself off in protest.

She didn’t know how many hours had passed before she recognized her surroundings. Flicking her green eyes up to the man standing by the large fireplace in Angelus’ dining room she spoke for the first time. "You killed them"

This was a statement not a question. He wasn’t sure if she was referring to her Aunt and Uncle or her traveling companions. Didn’t matter either way. "Yes, all of them" He drained the glass of wine he had been holding before placing it empty on the mantle and turned to face her. "You angered me. Don’t do it again."

"What are you?"

He regarded her silently for a moment before answering "You haven’t guessed?" He shrugged and let his game face slide on "Vampire, my love."

She wondered with almost clinical detachment why she wasn’t screaming till her voice cracked, why she wasn’t running for the door, why she wasn’t begging for her life. ‘Because it wouldn’t do any good’ she answered herself out loud and closed her eyes. "I’m tired" she sighed.

"Then you will sleep." He answered simply lifting her from the couch. Not long later she felt herself settled into something warm and soft and she immediately fell into an exhausted slumber.

Tomorrow she would grieve. Grieve for the deaths of her loved ones and grieve for the loss of her own life. Because she knew, tomorrow she would die.

The End  

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