~Part one~ by Salice

Willow walked out of the classroom, and sighed. *Finally. I may be a school nerd, but that was just bland as hell.* Walking quickly from the school, she headed towards home. *And spending the weekend relaxing. Bath salts, here I come.*

*****

Pulling the jar herbs down from the shelf, the lone witch sighed, and grabbed some incense and candles.

Putting the candles in the right position, she placed incense by a candle to the left. casting her circle, she finally sat in the center, and grabbed the bowl, she had, the herbs, and a picture of someone.

Putting the herbs into the bowl, she looked at the picture. It was a picture of Willow. placing the image in the bowl, she started to whisper.

lord hear my plea.
Come grant this wish too me.

A Falling star,
A moonlit rose,
A dream from afar,
Never shows.
Choosing when it should fall,
I dream this wish to call.

Come to me!
So I may see
What lies in past,
To truth be told
And soul behold.

Come to me so I may see.

So mote it be.

She took a lighter, and lit the picture and herbs. Watching the picture curl, and burn, a light enveloped her, gold and blue flames swirling around her. As soon as it started, it vanished, leaving a mark where the flames once were. Looking towards the ceiling, the Witch took the cloak which was covering her. Tara's face was suddenly illuminated, her face the only think visible in the dark room.

*****

Willow sighed, as she walked up the steps and to the door. fumbling the key into the lock, she heard a click and opened the door. Stepping inside, she went to put her bag down, but looked at the large Grandfather clock.

Suddenly flames erupted around her, blue and gold swirled around her, Willow screamed, but the flames were to loud against her voice. A loud crack filled the room, and Willow dissapeared. The room was the exact same, but now there was a mark where the flames once were.

*****

Willow fell to the ground, and looked around, she seemed to be in an ally.

"Shit." She mumbled. Spying that there was barely anyone around, and saw an empty building, and ran in there quickly. Looking out a window, she saw a man and woman dressed in clothes that were old fashioned. *2 centuries ago, old fashioned. Where am I?* Looking down, she saw a newspaper. Picking up the newspaper, she looked at the date.

April 5, 1880.

*April 5th, 1880!!! What!!!* Willow let her head fall, and noticed her bag, which was still on her shoulder. going through it, she picked out some candles, incense, and other ingredients. Quickly casting some spells, she got a dress, some money, and some undergarments. *Someone had to have cast a spell on me. That has to be the explanation.* She got dressed quickly, and stepped out of the huge building. *Or this is one HUGE joke.* She reasoned.
 

~Part two~ by Susanne

Willow stepped out on the cobbled pavement. The dark slate stones were uneven beneath her feet making her stumble slightly as she clutched her
bag close to her Whoever did this is going to be oh so sorry she muttered to herself as she squinted in the early afternoon sunshine. She looked up
and down the streets, nothing was familiar to her, everything was old, it was as if, . as if - "No it can't be?" She exclaimed. "How can I time travel?"
She stepped out of the shadow of the building she had just vacated and was almost run over by the passing horse and carriage.

"Watch where you're going lady!" the man shouted as he drove past only sparing enough time to glare at her and for his horse to drop his thought
on the matter. Willow stepped around that little parcel and on to the pavement. There was brick and stone all around making the place look darker
than it was, the light only hit few places. The stench of rotten vegetable and other things that she didn't want to think about filled her nostrils as
she pulled her blue shawl closer around her and turned left.

'Ok this is really freaky' she thought to herself as she tried not to look at the people for fear that they would know that she didn't belong there.
Fear was beginning to set in, she longed to be able to turn the next corner and see a doorway marked 'Way out' to open the door and be free of
this crazy dream. But nothing she had ever dreamt of before had been this real, the smell alone told her that. There were things that she was
seeing that she knew she would never dream of, of children in rags begging on the side of the streets, of people so filthy that they had infected
themselves with disease and were now left to roam the streets and infect others. Of people actually paying with the little money that they had for
the rotten vegetables that ordinarily Willow would have been loathed to touch without rubber gloves on. It was all too real. It couldn't be a dream.
In fact she corrected herself, she wasn't even asleep when she got here, she had been walking home from school, she was looking forward to a nice
relaxing bath, a thing that nearly everyone here could do with, she thought as she cast her eyes slowly to her right and saw all the filthy people
hanging back in the shadows as if they were afraid of the sun.

Sighing Willow continued, she tried to ignore all the strange glances that were thrown her way. She wasn't sure if it was a normal thing, or because
she was trying to walk in all the sunny spots, to try and warm her because what she was seeing was chilling her to the bone, or simple because she
was clean, she wasn't covered in muck or rags like the others. Turning a corner she suddenly knew why. There before her was a completely
different scene. People talking and laughing and moving about freely, smiling, dressed in beautiful gowns and suits, the women held parasols up over
their heads to protect from the sun, the men wore top hats and tipped them every time a lady went past them. Willow, now suddenly felt
underdressed to be with these people. Horses and carriages travelled back and forth, the clatter of the hooves on the cobbles sending vibrations
through he body as she stood there gaping at them. The class divide was evident, these people knew that they were someone, they had the money
to prove it and they were afraid to show it. Willow stood, she noticed the little glares that were thrown to the lesser fortunate people as they scurried around trying
to eek out a living.

After a number of minutes passed Willow shock her head, trying to shake the whole scene away from her. She opened her eyes and found that she
was still in the exact same spot as she was in before. She was going to have to find another way out of this place. Maybe she could find this
generations' slayer and watcher? If they were supposed to be as old as time then they had to be here - only, she quickly reasoned to herself, they
didn't have to be here in England, but, she smiled as the thought occurred to her, the watchers council would be, they was based in England, in
London.

A near by shop caught her attention as she turned her head. Slowly she walked over to it. It was a general store, but the writing booklet in the
window interested her, she felt that she had to record everything that was happening her, she knew that if - *when* she got back Giles would be
interested in all that she had seen. She rummaged around in her bag and found her purse, and smiled again when she realised that her money had
change also when she changed her clothes. Opening the door and hearing the small bell chime above it made a small giggle escape her lips, it was
so quaint, so unreal, in so many real ways. Suppressing her giggle she closed the door quietly and let her eyes adjust to the dimness of the shop.
Holding her bag close to her afraid that she may knock something over Willow began to wander around small shop marvelling at it. The weighing
scales where everything was weighed out, nothing bought in the modern day convenient packets, the lack of selection of foods and the fact that
this one shop stocked a bit of everything. Everything that a person could need for a basic living was in this store. Seeing the writing paper she picked up and looked at the price, she didn't even recognise the pricing system, what was a 'd'? Didn't England use pounds and pence? She wondered. Biting her lower lip and turned she suddenly found herself walking into someone.

"Oh, I'm so sor." the words died on her lips as she looked up and into the face of "Spike?"
 

~Part three~ by Angel S.

"Pardon me?" William asked. "Did you ask me if I had a..." his voice trailed off as he looked into the most beautiful green eyes he'd ever seen. He blushed as he tried to regain his composure. "I'm terribly sorry."

"No, don't be." Willow said. Only it felt like someone else was making her speak.

William continued to stare at this red head beauty. {Her hair alone is worth me writing a hundred poems. Cecily can't begin to compare to this
goddess.}

Willow was starting to get uncomfortable under his gaze. She wondered why this Spike was looking at her with amazement and wonder, while the Spike from her time barely notices she's in the room.

"May I escort you somewhere, madam?" William asked.

"Huh? Oh, um, I really don't have anywhere to go." She replied, trying hard to not look into his eyes. With his hair this darker color, his eyes were more bright and beautiful.

"Well, I insist you come with me at once." Willow looked at him, surprise displayed on her pretty face. "Oh dear," he continued as he blushed again. "I meant, that I could show you to an inn, if you like."

"That would be very kind of you, sir." Willow replied with a shy smile. "My name is Willow. Willow Rosenberg."

"William," He answered. "I am William Langley. It is truly a pleasure to meet you Miss Rosenberg."

"Willow, please." She said. William smiled. Willow knew it probably wasn't of the good to spend time with Spike pre-vamped, but she just couldn't resist the opportunity.

"Willow," he said. "Would you mind telling me what a lady like yourself is doing unescorted in the streets of London?"

"It's a really long story." She said. "And extremely unbelievable, if you want to know the truth."

"Oh, but I do," he answered enthusiastically. Willow chuckled. "How's your imagination?"

"William, who is this lovely young lady?" A voice said from behind them.

"Oh, hello Rodney." William replied. Willow as shocked by his lack of self-confidence. What really made her angry was the way this Rodney asshole was taunting him. "This is Miss Willow Rosenberg. She is from America."

"What an honor, Miss Rosenberg. Why don't you let me escort you towards shelter?" Rodney took her hand and kissed it. William was about to turn away when Willow reclaimed her hand.

"Sorry Rodney, but William is my companion." She replied as she laced her arm in his. Rodney tried to hide the look of surprise on his face, but Willow saw it and smiled. "Shall we, darling?" she asked. William nodded his head and the two of them walked arm in arm away from a stunned Rodney. Once they were a good distance away, Willow began to giggle. "I'm sorry. That wasn't very nice of me."

"Actually, I was going to thank you."

"Really?"

"Yes. Is that alright?"

"Of course William." The two continued walking as Willow enjoyed the feel of being close to him. {How can he and Spike be the same person?}

"Miss Rosenberg-erm, Willow, I was wondering if you would, erm like to accompany me to a party tomorrow evening." He asked as his cheeks turned
the color of Willow's hair.

"Oh William, I would be honored." She answered with a coy smile. The way his eyes lit up made Willow decide that this little trip back in time wasn't as horrible as she originally thought.
 

~Part four~ by Susi

"Here we are," said William and reluctantly let go of Willow's arm when they came to a halt before a lovely white house near St. Paul's Cathedral. "Lady Witherspoon is a nice old Lady who run a private hotel. After the death of her second husband, a Lord with a tendency to drink and play cards, she decided to stay alone. He bequeathed her his whole property and so she's normaly very choosy with her guests, but we know eachother for a long time and she trust in my discernment." He used the knocker and almost immediately a butler, with an arrogant expression on his old face, opened the door.

When he recognized who stood before him, his features smoothed and a small welcoming smile appeared on his distinguished face. "Master William, it's a long time since you have been here. Mylady will be very pleased to see you."

"Thank you, Jives," William let Willow go first and then followed her through the door into the entrance hall where he let Jives have his jacket.

After Jives had put the jacket aside, he indicates the two to come along with him. "Would you please follow me, Mylady is in her library this morning for her correspondence." He crossed the great hall and, after a soft knock, he opened the big oak door. "Mylady, Master William and a young Lady wish to speak to you." A soft pleasant voice answered Jives and he let Willow and William enter the room. Before he closed the heavy door again, he added dutifully. "The tea is served in a few moments, Mylady."

At first Willow couldn't see anybody in the dimmed light, heavy brocade curtains covering the windows and only a few candles and the fireplace lit the room. William pressed her hand for a second and then went to the big oak desk.

With a graceful smile, Lady Witherspoon arose from her seat behind her desk and went to greet her favourite nephew. "Will, you rascal, where have you been?" William sent a shy apologizing smile in Willow's direction before he was embraced in a cloud of lavender satin.

After William was released, he admitted a bit hesitatingly, "I was a bit... distracted lately." Lady Witherspoon shook playfully her finger at him, "Say no more, it's certainly this stuck-up person Cecily, isn't it?" Before William could defend himself, his aunt curiously looked behind him and studied Willow's appearance. "Well, William, who's that beautiful young Lady behind you? Where are your manners, please, introduce us."

William felt the blood rose to his cheeks and hastily introduced the two ladies. "Miss Rosenberg and I had a little accident earlier this day and she told me that she has no accommodation. She is from America," added William with a dreamy look in his soft blue eyes.

"Aah, I see, and now you think I should give her a room." When she saw how William's shoulders droped in misery, she sighed and squeezed his hand. "How long do you want to stay, Miss Rosenberg?"

When all the attention suddenly laid on her, Willow focused her gaze back from the books. A bit insecure, she said, "I don't know, maybe a week?" Willow's mind ran at full speed, she really didn't know what to answer this nice people. Especially Spi-, no William, she corrected herself mentally, intrigued her more and more. He was so shy and sometimes almost clumsy, she really couldn't see how this nice young man could fall into the hands of Angelus and his 'family' and be transferred into the coldblooded vampire he now was.

"Where do you come from?" asked Lady Witherspoon into Willow's thoughts. Some of her best friends now lived in the so called 'New World', hoping to make their luck there and by the description in their letters, it was a land of barbarians.

Willow frowned slightly, not really knowing what to say, but she was rescued at the moment by the servant bringing the tea. After half an hour with tea, warm bisquits and a pleasant conversation, Lady Witherspoon rose from her chair and rang for the servant.

"So, Miss Rosenberg, I know quite the right rooms for you and your personal maid. Where can pick up my coachman her and your luggage?" When Lady Witherspoon saw Willow's suddenly pale face, she reached for her hand and asked alarmed, "My dear, don't you feel well?" William as well, was in an instant at Willow's side and took one of her cold hands. "Willow, what happened?" Not seeing the amazed look from his aunt when he used only Willow's first name, William stroked gently her hand.

<Think Rosenberg, think, let your imagination run free> Willow racked her brain, when suddenly a story formed in her head. "My passage was really horrible," Willow began with a faltering voice, "My lady's maid left me in the last harbour and then we came into a great storm. Our ship ran full of water-" she stopped for the effect and the other two murmured their dismay. "The captain let throw all dispensable things overboard... I could save only my money, an extra gown and an old family-book." Theatrically Willow wiped with her free hand over her eyes and thought instantly how proud Cordy would be of her performance.

"You poor thing," said Lady Witherspoon sympathetically. "But that's no problem," she added resolutely. "Tonight I will lend you my maid and tomorrow we will go to my dressmaker and buy you a whole new wardrobe."

"But she promised me to make a drive with me in my carriage through Hyde Park tomorrow midday," replied William disappointed and then a second thought struck him. "And what is with Cecily's dinner party?" At the mentioning of Cecily's name, Lady Witherspoon pricked her ears. <So, William want to go with Ms. Rosenberg to a party of this calculating coldhearted brat. Splendid, I will present you a dream, my William, that you can't resist and Cecily will hopefully vanish from your mind forever.> "No fear, my Will, Ms. Rosenberg will definitely accompany you to this party, you have my word."
 

~Part five~ by Salice

Willow looked around the shop again, her eyes wide in wonder. These gowns were beautiful. Much to beautiful.

"Miss Willow, why don't you go with Mrs.Baily. I will wait out here, to see you try on some gowns." The older woman said smiling. Willow gave her a
small smile, and followed the seamstress to the back of the shop, where there were fittings.

Quickly getting sized up in some gowns, Willow stood on a stool of sorts. Willow looked around the shop really, instead of just at the pretty gowns.
Hats, shoes, and purses were on a far wall, It was all so dainty here, the walls creme yellow, the shelves were all wood, painted to match the color of the wallpaper. Beautiful paintings of woman in gorgeous gowns, in polished frames, magazines full of pictures of the gowns they had in this store,
corsets, and other things in the far corner of the store. Willow looked down at the seamstress, and saw her grabbing a corset to put on Willow.

*Whoever sent me back in time will die a *horrible* death. I mean bad. We're talking worse than Angelus.* She sucked in a breath, as the corset was tied, making Willow feel like they were going to crush her, under those damned stays. *God damn. How did women live at this era?* Putting on a gown, the seamstress sized it for Willow, and buttoned it up. The seamstress gave Willow a pair of shoes, and Willow put them on her feet.

"Step down dear, we will see how Lady Witherspoon takes to it." Willow stepped down gracefully from the stool, and walked, her back straight and
shoulders back, towards Lady Witherspoon.

"Willow, you look absolutely stunning. Green really does suit you." The woman said, looking at Willow's gown.

"I've never worn a gown this beautiful." Willow answered truthfully. Lady Witherspoon smiled.

"I doubt anyone has, my dear. Now, why don't you go try on another, hmm? A nice summer dress, maybe. It is rather warm today." She said, fanning herself lightly. Willow smiled, and followed the seamstress, back to the stool, to try on more gowns.

*******

Willow had gotten back from the shop. It had been hours since she had tried on her last dress. Now she sat in front of a mirror, in the first gown
she had tried on, the emerald green satin clung to her, but not to much. Her hair was up, in a fancy updo, her makeup light, but still beautiful. Willlow couldn't even recognize herself, in the mirror. She heard a knock at her door.

"Come in." She turned to greet the visitor and smiled when she saw Martha, who was her private maid, while she stayed at the hotel.

"Miss Willow, you look beautiful." Martha said, walking up behind her.

"I can barely recognize myself." Willow admitted. Martha smiled.

"Well, you look lovely. Just wait til William see's you." Martha giggled lightly. "I would love to see the look on his face when he see's you."

"Revulsion?" Willow asked.

"No! I've known William since we were young, and when he see's you, I know he's going to be speechless. You are exquisite, Willow." Willow smiled,
and looked backwards as the door opened again.

"Miss Willow, Martha, Master William is here." Said Jives, the butler.

"Okay." Willow stood up, and smoother her hands over her dress, attempting to wipe the sweat on her hands, and smooth down the dress.

"Don't be nervous. Now come on." Martha said, walking out of the room, she stood outside the door. "I'm to be doing some work, so tell me what
William does, when he see's you?" She asked, smiling.

"Of course." Willow nodded. She turned, and walked down the stairs, her heels hitting the wood. Standing outside the room, Jives came up to her, he smiled at her, and opened the door.

"Lady Willow." He announed. Willow walked into the room, her bottom lip clenched tightly by her teeth. She saw William, and smiled instantly. He
looked so handsome, wearing that suit.

William looked at Willow, a smile graced on his lips, nearly fell to the ground when he saw her. She looked beautiful, her hair swept up, off her neck, the dress an emerald green brought out the color in her eyes, and the fairness of her skin.

"Hello Willow." He faltered slightly, but still smiled. Willow smiled back, and sat down in a chair next to William.

"Willow, you look beautiful." William complimented to Willow. Willow blushed, and smiled faintly.

"Thank you William." She said, looking into his eyes. Lady Witherspoon smiled as she sasw the love making its form between the two.

"Well," Lady Witherspoon said, glancing at the clock. "You two better leave soon, the party has already started." She said. William stood up, and
Willow followed. Taking the red heads hand, he guided her out of the parlor, and to the entrance hall.

"You two have a wonderful time, I should be there a little bit after you two get there." She smiled. William and Willow walked out of the house, and
down the steps to the carriage that was awaiting for them.
 

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