Part 1

Willow tucked her red hair behind her ears as she crossed the courtyard near the west wing of the manor house. Walking past here always gave her the chills, like a thousand cold eyes were watching as the wind rustled through the trees and the abandoned section of the house. It was always dark and gloomy in that courtyard but Willow managed to gather her courage and her skirts to hurry past, back into the bright sunlight. Willow breathed a small sigh of relief as she once again survived yet another treacherous crossing of the courtyard. She weaved her was through the familiar path between the trees and shrubs until she was finally at her destination, the rose gardens.

Settling down on a low bench amongst the roses, Willow pulled a small worn book from her pockets. She remembered the first time she had found the small garden, quite by accident. It was her first week as a serving maid at the manor and she was requested to go and find the young master of the household. She had looked everywhere and inadvertently gotten lost. After wandering around aimlessly she had crossed through the gardens, admiring the flowers as she went by and entered the courtyard. When she arrived back at the house she had found the young master Alexander sitting on the front steps awaiting her arrival. He had bowed to her and apologised for being the cause of such bother and headed back into the house with a smile. She had commented to the cook about the rose gardens and was told that no such thing existed. After then Willow had never again mentioned the little rose garden and kept it as her own personal hideaway. But she knew that someone else must have known about it because ever since then it was always well kept and watered.

The mistress of the house, Joyce Roberts was a kind-hearted woman. As part of the running of the household she allowed every servant to have at least an hour off every afternoon. These breaks were staggered so that there was always someone around for assistance if need be. Willow was amazed at this woman's generosity as staff at any other household could never dream of such luxury. The staff at the house were always a pleasure to work with, Jenny the cook had taken Willow under her wing the moment she stepped into the house. Willow now saw Jenny as the mother she never had, seeing as she was orphaned at the age of twelve. Jenny was always filled with wild fairy stories from her homeland about gypsies and curses. Willow had already learned to read and write English so Jenny was teaching her to speak Latin some evenings, claiming that it was an important language for someone such as Willow to learn.

As well as teaching Willow to speak Latin, Jenny was also teaching another serving maid, Anya proper decorum. Willow smiled remembering how the young maid was always getting into trouble for speaking out of place and Joyce had kindly advised that she learn some manners if she still wanted her job at the house. She had become close friends with Anya as there weren't many other servants their age. Willow was quite fond of the girl's bluntness and humour and didn't know what she would do without her. Both girls had also been friends with the young master Alexander. Even though it was highly inappropriate for them to even speak with one another, Alexander has always insisted that they were stupid rules and done so anyway. He also insisted that everyone dear to him call him Xander, that included Willow and Anya. Willow even suspected that Anya had a crush on Xander but never spoke her mind on the matter.

Anya having a crush on Xander would be quite unacceptable seeing as he was already betrothed to Miss Cordelia. Miss Cordelia's father Wesley Windnum-Price was a close friend with Giles Roberts, master of the household. In true fact Xander hated the girl, saying that she was too stuck up and acted exactly like his spoilt brat of a sister Buffy. Willow had to agree with him there on that point Buffy had given Willow a headache from the first moment she set foot in the house. Buffy always wanted to be waited on hand and foot and couldn't do anything for herself. The thought of Buffy always made her feel ill. Willow decided to turn her attention away from the spoilt Buffy and back to the small book of poetry she had found lying about.

Willow had no idea where the small book had come from and had found it lying in a garden one morning while she was helping Anya with the washing. She had shown Jenny who simply said, 'Finders keepers'. Willow loved the poetry that was written inside, it always managed to cheer her up and chase any thought even remotely related to Buffy far away. The poet's warm words and emotions caught her heart and she imagined that the words were written for her. She knew very well that they weren't but it still made her feel special anyway. The constant use of the word 'effulgent' by the poet always made her smile, showing her that he must have had a very complex mind and great knowledge. In the distance Willow heard a familiar ringing sound, the bell that told her she had a few minutes left on her break. She stood and placed the book back in her pocket and smoothed her skirts before heading back in the direction she came. As she crossed the courtyard she felt the familiar feeling of eyes upon her and quickened her pace. From the safety of the shadows a lone figure smiled and watched as the little redhead hurried back to the main part of the house.
 

Part 2

Spike walked back inside the mansion and headed towards the large sitting room. He pulled a twig from inside the fire and lit a cigarette. Spike was still amazed at how oblivious the humans of the manor house were. They didn't even have a clue that someone, well a whole lot of someones, were living in the abandoned West Wing. They weren't exactly quiet and smoke could be clearly seen comng from the chimeny but still the humans didn't notice. It was either that or the humans knew what was good for them and preferred to ignore their vampire squatters.

"You've been watching the little tree again haven't you?" A sweet voice echoed around the room. Spike still didn't know where she'd come up with the `little tree' nickname for the red headed beauty but he decided to go with it as usual.

"Yes as a matter of fact I have Dru." Spike replied, paying little attention as the vampiress giggled and danced around the room.

"The little tree knows the words, they're in her heart." She whispered. "In her mind..." Spike sighed, Drusilla had been carrying on about Red knowing some words but she didn't know the words existed. Well something along those lines, Drusilla wasn't exactly one to be specific.

"Dru, would you quit it with the bloody words, you've been going on about them for weeks now." He snapped. Drusilla immediately began to whimper and hugged Miss Edith even tighter.

"Miss Edith, Spike doen't love his princess any more, the little tree's wrapped around his heart." She sobbed. "Maybe we should wrap our hands around her throat to fix it all better." She spat venomously.

"Whoa Dru, isn't that a bit drastic? We can't have Spike mooning over a lost love again." Angelus smirked. "Remember last time, the sobbing, the poetry, it was really quite pathetic don't you think?"

"Oh just sod off will you!" Spike yelled. "And for your information Angelus, the poetry wasn't that bad."

"Oh that's right I forgot," Angelus said dramatically, "The little redhead likes it, and that's all that matters. Tell me Spike my boy, why haven't you claimed the little thing yet?"

"Because it isn't the time yet and is none of your concern." Spike snapped.

"Spikey's right Daddy, the stars say we must wait and then I shall have a little grand-daughter." Drusilla nodded sagely and clapped with glee. "The little tree must learn that she has the words before she can play in the dark."

"Again with the words." Spike muttered.

"Hey Dru? How about we leave little Spike with his thoughts and do something a little more fun?" Angelus said, more of a statement than a question. Drusilla giggled and jumped into Angelus' arms.

"Can we play some games? Let me be Daddy's little Princess forever?" She cooed.

"Forever and then some baby." Angelus replied, sweeping them both out the door.

"Bloody hell." Spike muttered, throwing his spent cigarette into the fire. He rubbed his brow trying to figure out what to do. He'd been captivated by his Red since the first day he'd caught sight of her. Through one of the windows he'd seen her weaving in and out the shrubs until she'd stumbled upon the old rose garden. He remembered the look of awe as she'd spotted the roses. He'd tidied up the garden in hopes that she'd return, she did everyday, like clockwork. Ever since then he'd go out every night to water the garden and catch her lingering scent. Occasionally he'd wander over to her quarters at night to catch a closer glimpse of her sleeping form.  She was beautiful and highly intelligent from what he'd seen. From his
observations he knew she could already read and write and that one of the other women in the house was teaching her Latin. Spike had gotten
a strange vibe from this other woman and knew that there was something more to her. She wasn't a threat to his Red, he felt that, he guessed that she may be the one to teach Red whatever she needed to learn. Teach her whatever Drusilla had been prattling on about.

Spike felt drawn to her and ever since Angelus had managed to get rid of his soul that the gypsies had cursed him with he'd felt left out. Drusilla never really gave him a second thought because she was too busy with her `Daddy'. Darla hadn't even been around for a long time, from what he'd last heard she was corvorting around with `sophisticated' vampires trying to open a Hellmouth somewhere. Angelus knew he was smitten with her and managed to rub it in every second he could. Drusilla went from being insanely jealous to over protective of the little red head. He had to make his move soon, to at least talk to the girl. So far he hadn't even learned her name and had been calling her Red to the others. Red, it seemed fitting it matched her hair and the delightful shade she turned when she was reading some of his poetry. Tonight, he'd make contact with her tonight. Now all he had to do was wait until sunset. Spike started pacing, he never was very good at waiting.
 

Part 3

Willow flopped down on her bed in her quarters. It had been a very exhautsing day, she had been run off her feet ever since she returned to the house that afternoon. She'd had to put up with one of Buffy's frequent tantrums and was feeling drained and upset. She was about to undress and change into her nightgown when there was a knock at her door.

"Willow dear?" Jenny's voice called out "I really hate to do this to you but Miss Buffy requests your prescence upstairs." Willow closed her eyes as Jenny opened the door.

"What on earth does she want? Hasn't she bothered me enough already today?" Willow moaned, sitting up slowly. Jenny smiled and laughed.

"Probably, but you know her royal highness." Jenny mocked. "Come along Willow, you don't want her to have something else to complain about. I'll make you a nice hot cup of tea afterwards if you like." Willow smiled faintly.

"Thank you Jenny, I'd really appreciate that."  Willow replied, "Well I'd better be off, like you said."

"You come by the kitchen later if you want that tea. If not I'll see you in the morning." Jenny smiled as they headed back up to the main house.

Willow knocked lightly on the door to Buffy's room. "Miss Buffy, it's Willow. May I come in?" Willow asked softly.

"Hurry up then, make sure you shut the door behind you." Buffy's voice came from behind the door. Willow opened the door and closed it gently and turned around to face Buffy.

"What may I do for you Miss?" Willow asked politely as she curtsied. Buffy calmly rose from her sitting chair from next to the fire and walked slowly over to Willow. She had a strange smile upon her lips and she circled Willow as she spoke.

"My dear Willow I seem to have a little problem and seeing as you're such a nice sweet person, as lowly as you may be, I thought you could be of some assistance." Buffy paused for a moment. "You see I have a baby green frog sitting in my drawer and I thought seeing as you're so fond of animals that you wouldn't mind taking it back into it's natural habitat." Buffy smiled sweetly. Inside Willow fumed, Buffy knew of her fear of frogs and was doing it deliberately. Willow took a deep breath, it was only a baby frog, she could handle it. If she didn't Buffy could just as well get her fired. Willow couldn't let that happen.

"Sure." Willow said softly and started towards the drawers. Buffy smirked and pointed to the drawers.

"In there." She grinned. Willow closed her eyes as she pulled open the drawer. Opening her eyes agin she saw the two slimest, biggest frogs she had ever seen. She jumped back and did the only thing she could do, she screamed.

"Buffy what is it?" Xander burst through the door his eyes darting around for danger. He noticed Wilow sitting on the floor sobbing.

"Wills? Hey are you alright?" He asked softly hugging the sobbing girl. Willow latched on to Xander for dear life and nodded slightly.

"Oh Xander it was horrible! Willow and I were talking and she was going to do my hair. She went to the drawer to grab a brush and there was this frog in the drawer." Buffy said with false sincerity. Willow was unable to speak, she couldn't believe Buffy could be this mean to her.

"It's alright Wills how about we get you some tea?" Xander offered helping Willow up.

"No, I'll be alright on my own." Willow said, before running out the house and into the night.

When Willow stopped running she found herself in her little rose garden. She sat down on the little bench and put her head in her hands and started to cry.

"What did I ever do to her?" Willow sobbed. "And, and then she just goes and does that and even lies to Xander about it." Willow knew that she shouldn't be out at night alone, anyone or anything could be lurking around in the darkness. But she didn't care, she just wanted to be away from everyone and felt safe in her little garden. It was her sanctury so she sat there and sobbed.
 

Spike had been on his way to the servants quarters to check on his little red head when he saw a figure streak past him a few feet away. He turned and saw her red hair streaming out behind her and knew that this girl was unmistakably his Red. He followed her quietly until she reached the rose garden and sat down on the bench. He watched her for a few minutes as she cried until he couldn't take it any longer. She was so beautiful sitting in the moonlight, the light reflecting off her hair and smooth skin. Here she was sitting right in front of him, in tears, Spike could never help not helping a damsel in distress. Ususally he would have  put an end to her misery and ate her but this time his intentions were fairly honest.

"Why the tears pet?" Spike asked, sitting down next to the little redhead and putting an arm around her. Willow jumped slightly but was too upset to really notice exactly what was going on.

"Buffy, she deliberately scared me and then made like it was an accident." Willow sobbed. "I've never done anything to her but she always tries to make my life unbearable. Just because she's supposed to be better than me, she thinks she has the right. If I was ever a young mistress of a household I would never so such a thing." She babbled. Spike thought it was sweet and added it to his list. Beautiful, intelligent, kind-hearted, innocent, blushes a lot, babbles... He still did need to find out her name.

"There there luv, it'll be alright she's not worth tears. Spoilt little chit that she is." Spike soothed. Willow looked up sharply.

"You shouldn't talk about her in that manner, why you could get yourself fired." She said quickly. She'd never seen this man around the manor before and he wasn't dressed as a servant would be dressed, her mind whirled.

"Never was hired in the first place." Spike smiled. Willow's heartrate sped up as she lept up and backed away quickly.

"Then who are you, Sir and what are you doing here? She stuttered. The little book of poetry falling from her skirt pockets as she moved further backwards. Spike mentally kicked himself. Idiot, don't bloody well scare her off. Damn, need a distraction...

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