~Title: When William Met Elizabeth

~Author: LuckyStarz

~Email: PunkPrincess41@insightbb.com

~Disclaimer: None of the characters of BtVS belong to me. I’m just a poor high school student with a lot of free time and a very creative imagination! :)

~Summary: AU. Set sometime in the 1800s. Buffy wakes up on her 19th to find she’s betrothed to a Count in England who only wants to marry her to inherit his father’s fortune. And, of course, things get wacky from there!

~Pairings: Buffy/Spike

~Category: Drama/Romance

~Rating: PG-13

~A/N: This is the last time-hopping chapter...except for the epilogue. It takes place about a month after “Hope.” I’m basically tying up a few loose strands and preparing for the last two action-packed chapters before the epilogue. At least, I hope they’re action-packed! Anyway, thanks for the reviews again! I will always cherish them!! Also, one last thing: I wasn’t able to get a hold of my beta for like two weeks, so this chapter has not been beta-edited. Please excuse any grammatical/spelling errors!

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

~Chapter Seventeen: A New Accomplice~

Oz headed toward Angel’s room, a handful of papers in his fist. He gritted his teeth as he saw the name on the first sheet: Edmonton.

‘Doesn’t Angel know when to quit?’ he thought irritably. ‘I mean, how long is he going to keep trying to negotiate William Edmonton’s land?’ A worse thought popped into his mind, and he cringed. ‘When are his peaceful negotiations going to stop being so peaceful? He’s already tried getting Drusilla in the middle of William’s marriage, and that didn’t work. How much further will he go until he has everything he wants, and who will he end up hurting along the way?’ The smiling face of a beautiful redhead with glittering emerald eyes flashed across his mind, and Oz shook his head forcefully to dispel the image.

He was about to turn back around and forget about giving the papers to Angel, perhaps “accidentally misplacing” them on his way, but the hushed whispers coming from his boss’s room made him hesitate. Heart beating frantically, Oz shuffled forward and bent his head closer to the door to listen.

“He’s come back with her, Daddy,” Drusilla whispered in her childlike voice. “I can see them together...laughing. Make them stop.” She began whimpering, clutching her doll, Ms. Edith, closely to her chest.

Angel paced around the room. “I’m thinking, baby, just shut up for a second.”

Dru pouted but said nothing more. She had learned never to talk back to her daddy. He got mean when he was angry. Unconsciously, she gently trailed her fingertips over the bruises he’d left on her arm after she’d failed him. She definitely didn’t want to get in his way again.

“You know, I really thought when Buffy went back to America, he’d finally give up,” Angel muttered to himself. “I didn’t even plan that one, but I knew I couldn’t have set it up better if I’d tried. Yet *still* he won’t quit. You’d think after his wife moved away that he’d want to go be with her, but no, he has to bring her back *here*. At the very least, I thought maybe he’d be so grief-stricken he just wouldn’t care anymore, but damn is he stubborn! It’s getting a tad annoying.”

The pacing stopped, and Oz held his breath, fearful that Angel had heard the pounding of his heart from the hall. He exhaled a tiny puff of air when his boss resumed pacing, but his heart continued its frenetic tempo.

“What more can I do, Dru?” Angel asked, whirling to face his lover. “Do you know something that I don’t? Can you see anything?”

An evil smile curved Drusilla’s red lips. Stroking Ms. Edith’s curly hair, she whispered, “Take her away, and he’ll be lost without her.” She ripped out a chunk of her doll’s hair and giggled. “Poor little Spike, my lost little lamb. Nowhere to go, no one to love him.”

Angel stared at her for a moment. “Her? Who are you talking about, Dru? Take who away?”

Dru glanced up at him briefly and then fixed her rapt attention on the fistful of Ms. Edith’s hair clutched in her hand. She held it up to the light, examining the strands carefully before saying, “The girl with the pretty blonde hair. Ms. Edith is jealous of her because her hair shines like the sun.”

“Buffy?” Angel asked. “Do you mean I should take Buffy away from him?”

“Yeah,” Dru replied, her lips curling in a viscous smile. “Take her away so I can rip out her pretty hair. Then Ms. Edith won’t be jealous anymore.”

Angel chuckled and grabbed her roughly around the waist, crushing her body against his. “Soon, Dru.” He dipped his head to kiss her, but a gasp from the hall made him jerk upright again.

Oz hadn’t even realized he’d made a sound until the door was flung open. Angel stared down at him, his dark brown eyes narrowed suspiciously. Clearing his throat in an attempt to hide his surprise, Oz handed his boss the handful of papers. “You said you wanted these.”

Angel barely glanced at the papers. “Are these all of them?” he asked.

“All the ones on the list you gave me,” Oz replied.

“Good,” Angel said before he turned on his heel and shut the door in Oz’s face.

Staring at the closed door, Oz’s mind raced with the information he’d just heard. Apparently, Angel hadn’t given up on getting William’s land. Although he hadn’t been able to hear the details of their plan (Angel and Drusilla had deftly switched topics now) Oz had a bad feeling his boss’s peaceful negotiations had just come to an end. The redheaded woman flashed across his mind again, and Oz whispered her name before whipping around and racing out of Angel’s estate.

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

Buffy sat at her window, the breeze softly tousling her golden curls. She stared out at the great expanse of green before her, marveling at the feeling of peace that settled deep within her bones. It sometimes amazed her that she felt so at ease here in London. The manor had slowly begun to feel like home and adjusting again had been surprisingly easy. Now it almost felt as if she’d never left, although a tremendous amount had changed.

William was by far the biggest of these changes. He was very much the protective and loving husband Buffy had sometimes dreamt of him being, not to mention an incredibly caring father to Hope. He constantly reaffirmed his love for her, but he never expected anything in return. He had said he would wait, and so he did. That didn’t mean he couldn’t use a bit of gentle persuasion now and then, however. Not that she minded...

Sharp rapping on her door startled Buffy out of her pleasant thoughts. She turned away from the window just as Willow entered, flushed and out of breath. Buffy cocked a curious eyebrow at the redhead. “Something chasing you, Wills?”

Willow shook her head. “Oz is here!” she cried.

Buffy frowned, confused. “Oz? The guy who works for Angel?”

The redhead nodded.

“What’s he doing here?”

“I-I don’t know, but Buffy, there’s something I have to tell you,” Willow whispered, looking around as if making sure no one else could hear.

Concerned, Buffy took a step closer and placed a comforting hand on her friend’s shoulder. “It’s okay, Wills. What is it?”

Eyes locked on the ground, Willow scuffed the toe of her shoe into the carpet. “W-well, it’s about Oz...and me.” She chanced a look up at Buffy, who nodded in encouragement. “We’ve been...sorta seeing each other...secretly...since you left.”

A huge grin broke out on Buffy’s face. “Wills, that’s great!”

“You think?” Willow asked, raising her eyes to meet her friend’s. “I mean, no, that’s bad! Very bad!”

“Why is it bad?”

“He works for Angel, Buffy!” the redhead cried. “Count William would *kill* me if he knew I was seeing someone who worked for his mortal enemy!”

“Well, that’s why you were right with the secretly part,” Buffy replied.

Willow shook her head emphatically. “No, I-I’ve been lying to everyone. I went behind their backs and...I lied to you!” She reached for Buffy’s hands and held them tightly. “Oh, Buffy, I wanted to write to you and tell you, I really did, but no one knew where you’d gone, and I was afraid. I didn’t want William to find out, and Oz didn’t want Angel to find out. We c-couldn’t tell anybody. I’m so sorry, Buffy.”

“Whoa, calm down, Willow,” Buffy soothed patiently. “Look, you did what you thought was best. I can understand where you’re coming from, and I’m not angry with you, okay? So just calm down and start from the beginning. How did this whole thing start?”

Taking a deep, steadying breath, Willow began, “We were all so upset when you left, Buffy, but William was the worst of all. He barely spoke to anyone, not even Xander or Giles. He locked himself in his office all day, burying himself in paperwork. News traveled and somehow Angel heard that you’d left, and he doubled his efforts at negotiating the land. Oz was over here constantly, trying to persuade William with the fancy deals his boss offered but nothing worked. I...ran into Oz a couple times, and we talked briefly. I was really upset about you leaving, and he was always so kind to me.” She blushed a little and ducked her head shyly. “One thing just kinda...lead to another, I guess.”

Buffy was silent for a while, allowing Willow’s words to sink in. Finally she said, “I’m sorry I left without telling you. There were...circumstances, and I just...I just had to leave right away.”

“Oh, no, Buffy! I’m not saying this is your fault,” Willow said quickly. “I wouldn’t have gotten closer to Oz if you hadn’t left. Not that I’m glad you left. It would’ve been better if you had stayed, *and* I’d gotten closer to Oz. Not that I’m blaming you for leaving...”

Chuckling, Buffy pulled her friend into a hug. “I understand, Wills. I’m glad that you and Oz are together.”

Willow pulled away slightly. “But what about William? What will he say when he finds out?”

“Why don’t you just leave that to me,” Buffy suggested, smiling. “Besides, we don’t even know why Oz is here. You might not have to worry at all.”

“I can’t keep this up much longer though, Buffy. I don’t like keeping secrets from everyone.”

“Then we’ll tell them when the time is right, but right now, we need to find out what Oz is doing here.”

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

William entered the study where his guest was patiently waiting. Shaking his hand in greeting, he said, “Heard you have some interesting news for me.”

Oz nodded. “It’s about Angel.”

Taking his seat, William gestured for Oz to do the same before asking, “What might that be then?”

“I know this sounds strange coming from one of Angel’s employees, but I think you and your wife might be in danger,” Oz explained as he took his seat.

Eyebrow raised suspiciously, William inquired, “And just what is this great danger we’re in?”

“I’m not sure exactly,” Oz replied. “I heard Angel talking to Drusilla this afternoon about you. I think Angel’s finally tired of peaceful offerings. He was talking about how he’s been trying to take your land, but nothing seems to work. He asked Dru what more he could do, and she told him that if he took Buffy away, you would be lost.”

William chuckled, leaning back and folding his hands behind his head. “So, Peaches is still out to get my land is he? And now he wants to bring my wife into the mix? That’s dash cunning of him, I must say.”

Oz stared at him. “You don’t believe a word I’m saying, do you?”

“Can’t really see why I should,” William retorted. “After all, you do work for the poof.”

“Why would I come all this way just to tell you some asinine story?” Oz asked in annoyance.

“You tell me,” was William’s casual reply.

Sighing, Oz dragged a hand through his hair. “I’ve been seeing Willow,” he mumbled.

William frowned. “You’ve been what?”

Looking William straight in the eye, Oz repeated, “I’ve been seeing Willow...secretly...for a while now.”

As if on cue, Buffy strolled in at that exact moment, Willow close at her heels. Both women froze upon seeing Oz, Willow from embarrassment, and Buffy for effect. Her eyes widened comically as she told her husband, “You didn’t tell me we had company, William.”

Rolling his eyes, William stood and introduced Oz to his wife. As Buffy came forward to take the newcomer’s hand, William snaked an arm about her waist and drew her to his side. After she had greeted their guest properly, he bent his head near her ear and whispered, “What’re you up to, pet?”

She flashed him a charming smile. “Whatever do you mean, dear?”

“Buffy...” he warned, tightening his grip on her.

A small pout formed on her lips as she whispered, “I came to see what Oz was doing here.”

“And?” he prompted, knowing there had to be more.

She turned to face him fully, giving him her very best puppy-dog eyes as she explained quickly, “And I know about Oz and Willow, so I came here with her so she could explain everything to you, and please don’t be mad at her because she can’t help who she loves.”

He smirked at her before turning his attention to the shy redhead still standing in the doorway. “Red, Oz here informs me that you two have been seeing each other secretly for some time now.”

Willow nodded slowly, her gaze dropping to the floor.

“Then you’ll be happy to know he’s our new accomplice,” William informed her. He winked at Willow as her head flew up and continued, “It seems the poof is still annoyingly determined to get what he wants, and according to our new friend here, he’s forming a plan to do just that. Now, we don’t know what his exact plans are yet...” he continued rambling on, going pretty much unnoticed by Willow and Oz, who were too busy beaming at each other to listen.

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

Angel slammed into his bedroom, startling his sleeping lover. “Oz is gone,” he growled. “I *knew* he heard something when I caught him outside my room this afternoon. Why the hell didn’t I do something?”

“Shh,” Drusilla whispered, placing her index finger to her lips. “They’re coming for you soon.”

Glaring at her, Angel spat, “What the hell are you blabbering about, Dru? Can’t you just for *once* say something straight instead of always speaking in stupid riddles?”

She shrunk away from him, pressing her back against the wall behind the bed. Whimpering, she pleaded, “Don’t be cross, Daddy. Princess will be good.”

He sighed heavily, forcing himself to calm down. “I’m sorry, baby. This is just...not going the way I had planned.”

Dru slid off the bed and came to him, resting her head on his chest as she sang softly, “Run and catch, the lamb is caught in the blackberry patch.” She raked her nails lightly down his arm and whispered, “We have to hurry or they’ll catch us, too.”

“Is William going to catch us?” Angel whispered back, tangling his fingers in her raven hair. “Is that who you see?” At her affirmative nod, he grinned. “Well then, we’d better get moving if we want to accomplish anything today.” He took Dru’s hand and led her to the stables where he hitched up a buggy. “You remember what I told you earlier? This is very important, Dru, you can’t make any mistakes.”

She nodded solemnly. “Leave it to Mummy, my Angel.”

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

TBC....
 

* * * * * * * * * * *

~Chapter Eighteen: Kidnapped~

“So,” William concluded, looking around the room at the somber faces of Xander, Giles, and Oz, “suppose it’s best if we all head on over to Angel’s before this wacky idea of his goes too far.”

Nodding their heads in agreement, the three men stood. William had gathered them and explained the situation, with the aid of a somewhat stoic Oz, and they had come to the conclusion that Angel presented too great a risk to ignore. They had all been witness to his devious deeds, and knowing that, none of them felt too safe with the threat of him hanging over their heads. Of course, having no idea what that threat *was* exactly and not having any clue what they were getting themselves into also contributed to the knots in all of their stomachs.

As they filed slowly out of the study, they were met by the anxious faces of Anya, Willow, and Buffy. The three women hadn’t been allowed in the study while the men had devised their plan, instead left straining to hear what they were saying through the heavy wooden door. Tara had quietly left them to their own devices, heading upstairs by herself to take care of Hope. Still, even as she scooped up the small child, she wondered what would happen.

Anya, ever speaking her mind, was the first to voice all their thoughts as she latched onto her husband. “What’s going on?”

Xander gave her a reassuring smile and kissed her on the cheek. “Nothing. We’re just going to take care of a little unfinished business.”

Her brow knit in confusion. “Going where? What kind of ‘unfinished business?’”

“We’re heading out to Angel’s place,” William informed them as Buffy came to his side. “Don’t know what he’s planning, but if we leave now, hopefully we’ll be able to stop it.” Having said that, he turned his attention to his wife, drawing her closer to him before he kissed the top of her head. “Don’t worry, luv. Shouldn’t take too long. Angel’s a wanker, I doubt he’s gotten far.”

“You said ‘hopefully,’” Buffy said softly, staring up at him, concern in her hazel eyes.

He frowned. “What do you mean, pet?”

“You said ‘hopefully we’ll be able to stop it,’” she repeated and dropped her gaze to the buttons on his shirt. Fingering one idly, she asked, “Does that mean there’s a chance that you *won’t* stop him? A chance that something could happen to you?”

He smiled gently at her concern and tilted her chin up to look him in the eyes. “There’s always a chance something could happen, Buffy, but ‘m gonna do everything I can to see that it doesn’t.”

She rolled her eyes. “That doesn’t inspire much confidence.”

William chuckled and pinched her side, eliciting a high-pitched shriek from her lips. “Minx,” he whispered as his mouth descended on hers in a sweet, chaste kiss.

As William pulled away, Giles said, “P-perhaps we should head out. The longer we wait, the more danger we could conceivably be in.”

Oz turned to Willow and flashed her a quick grin. “I think it’s safe to say that I no longer work for Angel Donnovan.”

Willow returned his smile with a hesitant one. As he turned to follow Giles out of the manor, she grabbed his wrist. When his gaze collided with hers, she forgot the tender words she had wanted to say and instead babbled out, “I th-think William might be in need of some extra help around here...in case you’re interested.”

His gaze swept over her form. “You know, I think I am interested.” He let the double-meaning in his words hang in the air, watching as the rosy red blush began creeping up her cheeks. He smiled then, leaning in for a quick kiss before hurrying out of the manor as well.

She watched him go, placing a shaky hand to her tingling lips as a grin spread over her face.

Xander turned just in time to see Oz leave. “Well,” he said to Anya, “that’s my cue. Time for me to be heading out.”

Anya folded her arms over her chest. “I don’t see why you have to go with them. I’m sure they can handle Angel without you.”

“Ahn, I told you why I have to go,” Xander explained patiently, wrapping his arms around her waist. “They might need me. Angel’s dangerous, there’s no telling what he might do. Not only that, but he might have Drusilla with him, and we all know what a nut-case she is. I have to go.”

She frowned, arms still crossed. “What am I supposed to do while you’re gone? I’m only going to worry about you, and you know how I hate that feeling.”

He nodded. “I know, but I’ll be fine. William, Giles and Oz will all be there with me, watching my back. There’s nothing for you to worry about, so just try to relax, okay?”

Exhaling deeply, Anya nodded. As he started to pull away, she flung her arms around his neck and blurted in a panic, “Don’t die, Xander, please.”

Xander chuckled and held her a little closer. “For the last time, Anya, I’ll be okay. Now relax.”

“Kiss me,” she suggested. “That always helps me relax.”

He grinned down at her rakishly. “Well, if it’ll help...” he teased as he leaned in to kiss away her fears.

Buffy watched the good-byes around her with a heavy heart. She knew she was probably overreacting, that this upcoming confrontation with Angel wasn’t as dire as she imagined it would be, but she just couldn’t shake the feeling that something terrible was about to happen. It seemed like every time something was finally starting to go right in her life, another problem would arise and dash all her hopes to pieces again. Since she had returned to London, her life had suddenly seemed so perfect, but in the back of her mind, she was only waiting for the back-lash. She knew it was all too good to be true, and here was her proof at last.

“What’re you thinking, pet?” William asked her, studying her face carefully. She looked too pale to him, the color almost completely absent from her normally rosy cheeks and lips, and her face was lined with worry.

“I’m thinking this is not a good idea,” Buffy answered truthfully, her gaze swinging to his. “I know it’s only Angel, but you saw what he did to you last time! What if something happens to you again? What if...” she trailed off, unable to finish the thought.

He stroked her cheek with his thumb, soothing her as he prodded, “What if what?”

She closed her eyes, leaning into his hand. “What if you don’t come back to me?” she whispered.

“Look at me,” William demanded softly. He locked eyes with her as he said fiercely, “‘M not going *anywhere*. You think I could just leave you and Hope like that? Buffy, I love you more than anything. You and Hope, you’re my world.”

Big pearl tears rolled down Buffy’s cheeks at his words. She was scared of what might happen, but she believed William. She knew he meant every syllable of what he’d said, and she trusted that, no matter what, he *would* come back to her. As his lips crushed down on hers, she wound her arms tightly around his neck, pulling him in closer. She poured everything she had into that kiss, greedily drinking in all that he offered her in return.

William’s heart swelled as she clung desperately to him. He had meant everything he’d said, and he knew she believed him. He was touched by the fact that she was so terrified of losing him, and it only strengthened his resolve to sever any ties he had left with Angel so that they could live without having to worry anymore.

As their passionate kiss continued, he thought of how wonderful it felt to be in love. A while ago, he would have never imagined ever feeling so strongly for anyone, and now, he couldn’t imagine life without feeling this way. He knew he had to leave, but he kept wishing that time would stop and they would be caught in this moment forever.

Eventually, he knew their time was up. Xander had already gone outside, so they were just waiting for him before they were on their way. He pulled back slowly, breaking their kiss as gently as possible. As her eyes fluttered open again, he smiled and traced the outline of her swollen lips with the tip of his finger. “Have to go now, luv,” he told her.

She nodded. “I know.” A heavy sigh escaped her throat. “I wish you didn’t have to.”

“Me, too.”

He couldn’t leave. He knew he had to, but he just couldn’t leave her looking like that, with her big beautiful eyes pleading with him to stay, and her entire body just begging to be touched again. He closed his eyes against the sight of her, willing himself to move. Slowly, almost painfully, he took a step backwards, his arms falling away from her warm body. His eyes opened gradually, but he found his minute adjustment hadn’t made the situation easier. She still looked so helpless and sad, and he hated himself for having to leave her. But he steeled himself against it, knowing that if he didn’t leave now, he might be too late.

“I love you,” he said, his voice deep and rich with emotion.

Buffy’s mouth opened to say something, but his lips were upon hers before she knew what was happening. Her eyes slid shut as her entire being sang at his touch, and her mind completely wiped away anything that wasn’t connected to the kiss. Then, as quickly as it had happened, it was over. She felt his mouth leave hers, and she whimpered softly in protest, her eyes flying open to find him gone. Suddenly feeling cold, she wrapped her arms around herself and sent up a silent prayer that he would be okay.

Outside, William brushed past his men, ordering a sharp, “Mount up, mates!” before swinging himself up into his own saddle. He was a little angry with himself for running off so abruptly and not allowing her to speak, but he knew if she said something it would only make him want to stay. He would have a lifetime to be with Buffy, but right now, he had more pressing matters to attend to. Her safety was on the line, and he could never forgive himself if he let something happen to her. Besides, the sooner he finished with Angel, the sooner he could come home and see her again.

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

Buffy paced back and forth in front of the French windows in the entrance hall of the manor. Occasionally, she cast sidelong glances outside, hoping to see a glimpse of her husband returning. Of course, it had only been a few minutes since he’d gone. Willow had gone upstairs to help Tara shortly after the men had left, and Buffy was now all alone, save for Anya, who sat at a table in the corner. She felt trapped and apprehensive...two feelings which did not sit well with her.

“Would you stop pacing already?” Anya grumbled in annoyance. “I’m trying to relax over here, and you’re making it very difficult.”

“Sorry,” Buffy mumbled in apology. She stood still in front of the window and stared out blankly as the anxiety built steadily in her system. Her hands wrung nervously in front of her, and her foot began a rapid tapping on the marble floor.

Anya let out an exasperated sigh. “Oh, for heaven sakes, just resume your pacing!” she cried, pressing her fingertips to her temples to still the beginnings of a headache.

Flashing her an apologetic smile, Buffy said, “I’m sorry, Anya, I’m just nervous. The last time William came up against Angel, he got his head smashed into a mirror. I don’t want anything to happen to him again.”

“Well, you know, it’s not just *your* husband out there,” Anya retorted. “Xander could be getting the living daylights beaten out of him as we speak!” She shook her head. “I think this relaxing thing would work better if I go home. You’re starting to make me nervous.”

“Sorry,” was Buffy’s lame reply. She watched as Anya left before continuing her pacing, not even bothering to see if the door was bolted shut after her departure. Her thoughts were so fixated on the horrible things that could be happening to William at that very moment, that she didn’t even hear Tara enter the room until her name was called for the third time. Spinning to face the blonde woman, Buffy forced herself to smile in greeting.

“W-Willow and I were just thinking that m-maybe you could take a bath or something to help you relax,” Tara explained quietly. “We’ll take c-care of Hope, so there’s no n-need for you to worry.”

Buffy was about to say that she’d rather just stay put and await William’s return, but a bath was suddenly sounding like a heavenly idea. The steaming water had always had a way of calming her. She grinned at Tara. “A bath sounds wonderful, thank you.”

Tara smiled back. “Willow’s already drawing one for you,” she said as she led Buffy upstairs and helped her undress. When Buffy was in the tub, Tara gathered her clothes and set them on the bed, then quietly left.

In the steaming water, Buffy rested her head back against the tub and closed her eyes. She forced all her worries away and concentrated on seeing William again. A grin spread across her face as she thought of what she had been about ready to tell him. It would be a very pleasant way for him to come home, she thought as she drifted off to sleep.

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

Drusilla watched covertly from her hiding place as Anya left the house. Her dark eyes skirted to where Buffy stood pacing in front of the window, completely ignoring the now unbolted door. A sly grin crept over her mouth at the thought of how easy this was turning out to be. She watched as Buffy ascended the stairs with Tara after a brief chat, and then counted to one hundred before quickly heading up the stairs to the door. Pushing it open carefully, she paused and waited to see if anyone had heard the sound. Satisfied that she was safe, Drusilla entered the manor and closed the door silently behind her. She soundlessly made her way up the stairs and stopped in the hallway, listening. From the room just to her right, Drusilla could hear the muffled sounds of two female voices. She listened intently for the familiar tone of Buffy’s voice, but the ones coming from the room were strange to her. Quietly, she moved down the hall, her ears straining to catch any tiny sound that would indicate where her target was. As she came to nearly the end of the hall, Drusilla heard a faint splashing from a room on her left. She stepped closer to the door and gripped the knob, pausing for a second before wrenching it open.

“Tara?” came Buffy’s voice from the bathroom. No answer. She frowned. “Willow?” Still no answer. Heartbeat quickening, Buffy reached for a towel and stood up in the tub, wrapping it around her body as she stepped out of the water.

Just as her feet landed on the floor, the bathroom door was flung open to reveal a tall, dark-haired woman on the other side. A malicious grin twisted her ruby red lips, and dark penetrating eyes stared across the room at the petite blonde.

Buffy’s mouth opened to scream, but the woman was upon her before she had even taken a breath. A hand was pressed firmly to her mouth as Drusilla grabbed her around the waist. Her eyes widened in fear as she felt the cold metal of a blade pricking the sensitive skin of her throat, and she struggled to breathe.

“Come now, dearie, none of that,” Dru whispered in her ear. “Can’t make a scene, can we?” Her eyes skimmed around the little bathroom, searching for Buffy’s clothes. She spied them on the bed in the main room and roughly shoved Buffy in that direction, her hand still covering the other woman’s mouth. “Grab those,” she ordered, and Buffy reached out to take the garments. Noticing the blue robe on the end of the bed, Drusilla snatched that as well, wrapping it around Buffy’s shoulders as she said, “Don’t want you to catch cold, do we? Although, I suppose it doesn’t matter. You’ll die anyway if Angel has his way.” She grinned malevolently as Buffy’s already large eyes widened to the size of saucers. “Don’t worry, darling. If you’re good, he’ll make it quick...*after* I’ve ripped out all your pretty hair that is. Ms. Edith simply won’t be happy until the sunshine dies.” She giggled to herself as she ran her fingers through Buffy’s long blonde locks. Then, suddenly turning sober, she pushed Buffy toward the door. “Best get a move on,” she mumbled. “Can’t keep Daddy waiting; he hates to be kept waiting.”

Buffy was careful to keep silent and still as she walked slightly ahead of Drusilla, the blade still pressing into her neck. Her eyes darted to the nursery where she could hear Willow and Tara playing with Hope, but she quickly looked away as Drusilla softly clucked her tongue and dug the knife a little deeper, breaking the skin just barely so that a tiny droplet of blood oozed out.

“Naughty thoughts, Buffy,” Dru scolded. “You know they can’t help you, so you best leave them out of it.”

That was the last she said as the two women silently made their way downstairs and out into the back of the manor. Buffy’s eyes nearly popped out of her head as they neared the bushes, and she made out the form of Angel sitting atop a buggy. Tears sprang to her eyes as she wondered what he’d done with William, but she refused to allow herself to cry in front of her captors. She wouldn’t dare give them the satisfaction.

Drusilla grinned up at Angel. “I did it, Daddy, just like you asked me to!” she cried happily.

Angel barely glanced at her as he fixed his cold gaze on Buffy. “How nice to see you again, Mrs. Edmonton,” he whispered in a deadly voice. “I hope you enjoy the ride.”

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

TBC....

~A/N 2: Just a quick little note-- I know that the way Dru captured Buffy was probably a touch unrealistic, but I had a little trouble coming up with a way for her to do it, so please don’t flame me for that! I put a lot of Spuffy in this chappy to make up for it!