Hi, Everyone:)

And the angst rolls on. But, on the bright side, it will let up quite a bit with Saturday's chapter. Sorry if I haven't given you a cheery one in a while, but it *is* coming.

Please enjoy the chapter and let me know how you feel!

Happy Halloween!



*Cheery Vibes*, Nimue

"As sick as it sounds, in my little head, there's a little Sunnydale, and a widdle Buffy, and a widdle Spike, and Spike wubs Buffy." James Marsters 14 July 2002



Title: Promises (Time - Chapter Seventeen)

Author: Nimue

Rating: PG -13

Pairing Buffy/Spike. Most major characters included.

Feedback: Yes, please

For instant notification of fic releases, straight to your mailbox, please visit Always_Everyday@yahoogroups.com

Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, UPN, Fox... Just Borrowing. (with, of course, the exception of Emma and William, who belong to Buffy and Spike)

Summary: Set simultaneously with Abandoning the Cause. Spike leaves Buffy to try and help bring William back, but a new problem presents itself. Emma has a stand off with her captor and her powers begin to be realized. Spike discovers that his daughter is no longer with Dawn and the others.



Promises

She lay there limp in his arms. Exhausted and drugged and drained. Little fists pressed against his chest. But she was still, her face buried in his shirt. Her body finally ceasing to tremble in his arms. He could feel her breathe, the slight threadiness of tears unshed caught in her chest.

"You still with me, Love?" Spike whispered, kissing the top of her head. He could feel her nod a reply, but she didn't say a word. "Try to be strong. You're always strong. Have to be far too often. But we'll suss it out. Get him home. And we can rest, Pet."

Buffy's voice was barely a whisper. "Do you believe that, Spike? That we'll get him back?"

Spike pushed her away enough to look at her face. "Have to. Can't give up."

Her eyes were like shimmering emeralds beneath water, barely containing tears. "I'm so tired, Spike."

He smoothed her hair away from her face, letting his thumb trail over her cheek. "We always fight best when we're tired. Besides, you've another little person who needs you to be strong till we've got her brother home."

He paused, watching her fade into herself. "Once all's said and done, four of us can head out to the shore and watch the sea. Let Emma play a bit. Let you heal in the sunshine."

Buffy tried to smile. "Get sand between my toes."

"If we find some time alone, we can get sand in all sorts of unsavoury places, Love," he whispered slyly into her ear.

He felt her smile and her tears against his cheek. It was always a bit of both. "I want them with us," she said softly.

"They will be," Spike answered, nuzzling her ear. "Promise." His word. Something he was terrified he would one day have to break. But a promise he would die to keep.

"Can I see Emma?" Buffy asked softly. "I mean, I'm sure that William..."

"Best you can't go to him yet," Spike interrupted. "You need to rest. But if you'd like the Mite round, that I can arrange." He shifted, moving to pull himself from the bed.

"Please don't go." Her voice was full of fear and anguish.

Spike stopped in his tracks, his hands weaving though hers. "Love, last thing I want is to leave you. I need you now. I don't want to face this without you." He sighed, biting his lip, forcing himself back together. "But I need... I need to do something to help."

She stared at him, her face raw honesty. "He's going to die, isn't he?" She held back the roar. The anger. The torture. And waited for a response.

"Love, don't give up on him. Not now. Please." He could feel the sting of tears behind his eyes. "We have to believe. *I* have to believe. He's our son..."

Buffy nodded, her lips drawn together as if containing a sob.

"I promise you, I'll be back, alright? I'll send the Mite in to keep you company and I'll come back soon. But I have to try," Spike whispered, his voice edgy and desperate.

He could hear Buffy screaming 'Don't go!' in his head, but her lips remained closed. Pursed in an expression between torment and anger.

Slowly, Spike stood. "I love you, Buffy. Always."

Buffy looked up at him with tired, angry, sad eyes that broke the shattered remains of his heart. She didn't answer him. Just stared. Alone. Afraid.

It tore Spike's heart out to turn around. But he had made a promise. A promise he intended to keep.

*****

"Do you know who I am?" The woman asked as she buckled the baby into the back seat of the Jeep. She still wore Takina's skin. Takina's smile. Emma nodded her reply. "Your auntie Takina," the woman cooed, ruffling the girl's blonde locks and closing the door with a bang. Quickly, she trotted around the car, climbing into the driver's seat, starting the engine. She turned briefly, to check on her cargo.

"You're not," Emma said quietly, kicking her feet as they dangled over the edge of the car seat.

Takina stiffened, changing back into Sam's form before the child's eyes. She backed from the parking space, starting through the lot before she spoke again. "Smart one, are we?" Her tone oozed the sickly sweetness of those that put up with others only because they have to.

"You are *She*," Emma muttered, still staring at her fluttering feet.

"She, hunh?" Sam quipped, pulling out onto the road. "Silly name, isn't it?"

Emma looked up, staring the creature in the eye. "*She* is evil." Emma's eyes glowed unearthly white as she spoke. Sam shuddered, turning her face back towards the road.

"I'm not evil, silly," Sam answered, her tone uneven.

"You put Will'em in Forever," Emma continued. "I *see* you."

Sam's head spun and she almost crashed into a tree. The child's powers were growing faster than anticipated. "I did no such thing," Sam replied restlessly.

Emma sighed. "He will find right. He is us."

Finally, Sam snapped, eyes glowing red as she turned to face the girl. Emma stared back at her, her own eyes never wavering. The woman's voice was ancient, cracked, arid, when she spoke again. "Even if he does find the path, only you can release him. You will be dead."

Emma did not move. Did not blink. "One will win. You will end. I will find."

With that, the girl focused again on her kicking feet, her shoulders slumping. In an instant, she went from ageless to three again. Waiting patiently for fate to arrive.

*****

Spike looked exhausted as he emerged into the waiting room. Dawn and Willow looked up at him, wincing at his drawn face. His pained expression.

"She OK?" Willow asked, compassion shadowing her features.

Spike shrugged. "Don't really 'spect her to be."

"Are you?" The Red head asked. Spike shook his head, blinking. For an instant, he was no longer a century old Vampire. He was a lost child. His son.

Slowly, Dawn rose, walking to him, catching his gaze. He looked like porcelain a moment before it hits concrete. About to shatter into a million pieces. Dawn wrapped her arms around his neck, laying her head on his shoulder, hiding him from Willow. From the world. Letting it look like he was comforting her. All the while, his tears streamed into her hair and his sobs hitched against her chest.

"Can't do this, Nib," Spike whispered into her ear.

"Sure you can," Dawn replied quietly. "Not like we have a choice."

"Buffy." Spike gulped, swallowing the thought. "So angry. Blames me."

Dawn pulled back, looking at him with a confused and frustrated expression. 'It's not you, Spike. Never you again. It's good she's angry, though. It's when she's numb that we worry."

Spike nodded, pulling himself together. "Think she'd do better with the Mite back there." He looked about the room. "Where *is* Emma?"

Dawn furrowed her brow. "T...Takina came and said she was taking her back to you."

"Takina?" Spike asked, shaking his head. "She see Will?"

"She said he was resting." Dawn looked flustered, feeling the weight of the world closing in.

Willow spoke up. "Maybe she took Emma to see William first. I mean, Emma does have the whole bring people back vibe..."

Spike's eyes flashed to the redhead. "Did you see her?"

"No," Dawn interrupted. "She came while I was waiting for Willow."

"Right," Spike replied, cornered between rational thought and utter panic. "I'll go check upstairs. Someone needs to stay with Buffy."

"We'll go," Willow whispered, collecting the laptop and pulling the strap to her bag over her arm. "I'm .. I'm sure Emma's fine."

"Nothing's *fine*!" Spike snapped, sorry for the outburst as soon as it slipped from his lips. Willow nodded her understanding. "Just don't leave her. Not a minute. I'll be back."

Spike fled through the outer doors before either could respond. Dawn looked at Willow wide-eyed and terrified. Somewhere she knew. Somewhere they both knew that another child was lost.

*****

Giles jumped, startled, as Spike burst into the ICU waiting room. "Where's Takina?" The Vampire asked, stalking about the room and trying to peer around the blinds on the windows.

The Watcher stood. "She hasn't made it back yet. Xander is out looking for her. What's wrong?"

Spike stopped, spinning on a heel towards Giles. "She never came down here?"

"No," Giles answered. "Dr. Lawrence came back out to let us know that nothing had changed, but no sign of Takina." He paused a moment. "Spike, what's going on?"

The look on Spike's face could only be described as horror. "Emma," he whispered, eyes fluttering about the room, hoping she would just appear and it was all a big mistake.

Cyrus stood, approaching the pair. "Spike, what of Emma?"

Spike spun to face her Watcher. "Dawn was minding her while I talked to Buffy bout William. Said Takina came by and suggested that she take Emma back to Buffy."

"And Dawn let her go?" Cyrus asked.

"It was Takina, " Giles defended. "For goodness sake's Cyrus, she's known Emma since she was a week old. Dawn would have no reason not to trust her."

Spike looked back and forth between the two in panic. "She hasn't been here? You haven't seen Emma?"

Giles' eyes softened. He put a hand on Spike's shoulder. "No. She hasn't been here. But Spike, if she's with Takina, I'm sure she's fine."

"Gotta find her," Spike gushed, his body beginning to move nervously about. Hands clenching. Feet shuffling. "Buffy. Asking for her, Mate. Gotta find my girl."

"Spike, calm down," Giles reassured, trying to steady him, but he shook off the Watcher's grip.

"Calm down? Calm *down*?" Spike snapped, scanning the room, still waiting for the little girl to appear. "Will's trapped inside of himself and might never come back. Emma's missing. Buffy's laying up there in that bed counting on *me* to make it right again and *you* tell me to calm down? Bloody brilliant, Watcher. Why don't you just stay right here and look like you're helping out while I go find my girl and figure a way to save my son!"

Giles stared at him a moment, swallowing the venom in his words. Trying to separate the anger from the fear. "Spike, I've put in a call to the Council. They will call me as soon as they find something. Anya and Tara are trying to figure out a locator spell in case William's problems are of a mystical nature. Cyrus and I will help you look for Emma. It *is* possible that Takina just took the girl for something to eat or some fresh air. If not, then we will find her. But panic is not going to help. Alright?"

Spike stood stock still, trying to regroup his reeling mind. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes. "Three floors, right? I'll go back to Buffy's floor. Cyrus, you search this floor. Rupert, take the parking lot and first floor, alright?"

"Good," Giles answered. "I'll alert hospital security to keep an eye out for her as well."

Spike nodded. "She has on... orange pants. Little sunflower shirt. S'er favourite outfit." The tears fought with the anger and panic for control.

"We'll find her," Cyrus said, starting out the door.

"We have to," Spike responded, taking off towards the second floor.

*****

"Whoa!" An annoying, wholesome voice called as Spike flew through the stairway door into the second floor corridor. Riley jumped back away from the flying door. "Where's the fire?"

Spike spun, grabbing Riley by the throat and slamming him into the wall. "Where is she? You seen her?"

Riley's face slackened, looking at the Vampire curiously. "S...seen who?"

"My daughter, you idiot. Where is she?" Spike hissed.

Riley shook his head. "Dunno, Spike. Everything OK?"

Spike let him down and the soldier dropped back to his feet with a thud. "She's gone missing. Dawn said she gave her over to Takina."

"The doctor?" Riley asked, rubbing his throat and staring down at Spike.

"Right," Spike answered.

"Last I saw her, she was in the waiting room with Dawn and Willow. Then I left to call HQ. Wanted to see if they knew anything about William's condition.."

"You what?" Spike asked, about to go after Riley again. Just because he had *anything* to do with Spike's life.

"Whoa!" Riley erupted again, backing away. "Easy. Just trying to help."

Spike backed off, swallowing his pride. "What did they say?"

"Running it through the government database. They''ll call me back if there's a hit," Riley answered. "In the meantime, do you want some help looking for Emma? I mean, it is my job and all."

Spike's blood boiled at the idea that it could possibly be *anyone*'s job but his to look after his daughter. Bad enough having a Watcher breathing down their throats since she was an infant. But, truth be told, he could use the help.

"Fine," Spike hissed. "You find her, bring her straight to me. No bonding moments. No stopping for a bloody cola. Just bring her to me."

"Will do," Riley said smiling.

"Cyrus has third floor. Giles is downstairs..."

"Why don't I check the cafeteria and any of the secured areas. I do have clearance..." Riley suggested, flashing a badge that hung on his belt and was hidden by the oversized flannel shirt.

"Fine. Just... find her," Spike snapped, tearing off down the hall.

*****

"Buffy, talk to us," Dawn whispered, her voice nervous and shaky. "Please."

Buffy was silent, staring at the ceiling, her eyes teary and blank. Willow sat down on the bed opposite Dawn and took her best friend's hand. "Buffy, I'm sure that Takina just took Emma down for something to eat or for a walk. She's been cooped up inside all day."

Dawn looked over at Willow, terrified. Buffy didn't move. She hadn't since they had come back without Emma. They explained what had happened. That Takina had taken her. But Buffy hadn't bought it. Maybe because, when it came right down to it, neither Willow nor Dawn felt right about it either. Something was wrong. It wasn't like Takina to say she was going to do one thing and then do another, especially without telling anyone. The doctor was honest and kind and very courteous, especially when it came to her friends. Still, they had no real *reason* to believe anything was wrong. Just nagging doubt.

"Y...yeah," Dawn contributed. "Spike went to find her. She's probably just downstairs."

Buffy didn't move. Not even her gaze. As if she had crawled back inside herself and hid. If there was nothing she could do to help, then she wanted asylum from the nightmare. She wanted somewhere safe. But even locked inside herself, she could only feel desperation and loss and loneliness.

"It'll be alright, Buffy," Willow comforted. "Emma's fine. She's just getting fed or something. William is doing well, he's just dreaming some. That's not so bad. But Giles called the Council to see if they knew anything. And Tara and Anya are working on something in case there is some mystical aspect. Even Riley called his boss to see if the government database has anything on William's condition."

Buffy flinched at the sound of the soldier's name, almost coming out long enough to question Willow. But it wouldn't change anything. Wouldn't bring William back. Wouldn't find Emma. It wasn't worth the words.

Willow looked at Dawn a moment, a flash of something spreading across her face. "Dawnie, stay here for a minute with Buffy. I've got an idea." Dawn nodded, reaching up to brush Buffy's hair back from her still face.

*****

The nurse hovered over Buffy, taking her pulse. Gently, she changed the bandaging on Buffy's stomach, eyes flying open at the speed at which the incision was healing. "Do you think you can sit up a bit?" The nurse asked, turning towards her patient.

Buffy stared at the ceiling, no words escaping her lips. Her eyes were the only things that spoke. They screamed volumes about torture and pain and loss. But Buffy never said a word.

"Because if you*can*, I think you are well enough to go see your son. Of course, you'll have to go in a wheelchair.."

Suddenly, Buffy's head turned towards the nurse. "They'll let me see William?" She asked, her voice a harsh whisper.

The nurse nodded. "Not for long. And you need to know that he has a lot of machines hooked to him so we can monitor how he's doing, but if you'd like to see him, I think you're well enough to go up there."

"Please," Buffy gasped, choking back a sob. "Please let me."

The nurse reached behind her on one side, Willow on the other, and helped her upright. The pain coursed through her as the wound stretched beneath the bandages, but she didn't wince. She didn't want to lose the chance to see him. To know he was there.

"You OK?" Dawn asked as the nurse and Willow lowered her sister into the wheelchair.

Buffy nodded, scooting herself painfully upright in the chair. "Fine," she whispered. Dawn picked up a blanket and spread it lovingly over Buffy's lap.

"You can go the back way, up the patient elevators," the nurse directed, helping them out of the room. "Take the elevator one floor up. One of the ICU nurses will let you in through the staff entrance in back. Just ... I know you'll want to stay there all night, but she needs to be back here in a half an hour or so, OK?"

Willow looked over at the nurse. "Thank you," she answered, smiling. "We'll have her back in no time. But she needs this."

"I know," the nurse answered, loading the three of them in the elevator. "Keep an eye on her pulse and blood pressure for me."

"Will do," Willow called back. "Thanks."

The doors closed behind them.

To be contd.

Good afternoon, All:)

Well, here is the last of the William flash forward chapters. Well, sort of. It was so monstrous, I divided it into two. Chapters eighteen and twenty.

Good news, this is an angst feel installment. I can feel the rejoicing already! No chocolate or kleenex needed, so please just enjoy as entertainment alone. Just a look into another possible path of William's future.

The next chapter will be out on Monday. I do hope you will tell me how you feel about this one:)

Thanks and happy weekend to you all.



*Cheery Vibes*, Nimue

"As sick as it sounds, in my little head, there's a little Sunnydale, and a widdle Buffy, and a widdle Spike, and Spike wubs Buffy." James Marsters 14 July 2002

Title: The Hero - Part One (Time - Chapter Eighteen)

Author: Nimue

Rating: PG -13

Pairing Buffy/Spike. Most major characters included.

Feedback: Yes, please

For instant notification of fic releases, straight to your mailbox, please visit Always_Everyday@yahoogroups.com

Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, UPN, Fox... Just Borrowing. (with, of course, the exception of Emma and William, who belong to Buffy and Spike)

Summary: Set immediately following Promises. This is the last of the William flash forward chapters and had to be divided into two parts (the parts are slightly smaller than usual, but the whole would have been gigantic). William follows yet another path into the future. But where does this one lead? And is there anything he can do to change their destiny?



The Hero

They were pretty this time. Sparkly and new and fluttering happily about him. The lights almost illuminated the way. Not quite. He was still falling. But this time, he could almost make out where he was going. And this time the landing wasn't quite as bad.

"Will, you OK?" Her sweet, musical voice. He opened his eyes and looked up at her from his spot on the floor. Underneath of him were pillows. She smiled.

"Butt hurts," William responded, caught in the way only a four year old can be, between crying and laughing hysterically.

Emma walked over to him, scooping him off the pillow on the floor and sitting him on the bed. "See? Big sisters are smart sometimes. You *always* fall out of bed, goofy."

William looked at her, grateful and embarrassed at the same time. His eyes were bright, but there was always that fear behind them. That feeling of knowing something that you didn't want to know. Slowly, he crawled over to her and climbed into her lap.

"Have another nightmare, Will?" Emma asked, cradling him against her like their mother did when he was scared. She could feel him nod into his chest.

"Mommy and Daddy," Will whispered. "The dark takes us. We die."

Emma looked down at him, part of her wanting to run for the hills, part of her wanting to laugh, part of her so terrified that he was right, she couldn't move. Something about this one nightmare, the one he had all the time, rang a warning in her little mind. Like maybe they ought to listen. Weirder things had happened than someone's bad dream coming true. Even her little brother's.

"Did you tell Mum and Dad about your nightmare, Will?" Emma asked, stroking his hair. He shook his head, looking up at her with wide and innocent eyes. Tears stood fast behind them, held off only by the arms around him. "I think you should."

"I don't want them to go," Will said softly. "Not ever. Not you either, Emmy."

Emma pulled him closer, standing. "Well, then maybe we should do something about it. We'll fight the nightmares like they fight the demons."

"With swords?" Will asked, a big grin spreading across his face as she carried him through the door.

Emma giggled. "Very tiny William-sized swords, " she answered. "I can't even pick up mum's and I'm like fifty times your size." She began down the stairs.

His expression contorted into the best scowl that such a nearly angelic little round face could make. "Not long, Emmy. I'll be bigger than you."

"In your dreams, pipsqueak," she joked back, making him even more indignant. He kicked his feet, catching her in the bottom. "Ow"

"I kick like dad," William stated proudly.

"Heard that," Spike called from the dining room. Emma made her way down the stairs and turned towards the voice.

"He kicked me," Emma tattled.

"You can hold your own," Spike answered, smiling at them. He was hunched over a table full of books, looking for yet another demon that had made it's way into their den. "So," he breathed, sitting back in the chair. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"

Emma walked over, sitting next to her dad and handing her brother over as if he had suddenly grown horns. "Will," she began, "Is having nightmares."

"What kind of nightmares?" Buffy asked from the doorway. She had followed the sound of gentle arguing down the stairs.

Spike pulled William up onto the table, sitting him on the books so that they were face to face. "So, what do we have? Fyarl demons? Slimy toad monsters? Giant Bunnies?" Spike asked the little boy.

"Shadows," William responded quietly, looking down at his feet. Buffy scooted Emma out of the chair next to Spike and sat down, pulling the girl back into her lap.

Spike quirked an eyebrow. "Shadows. They make us die," William continued.

Buffy reached out to stroke the boy's arm. "Will, we're not going to die. At least not soon. We hope..."

Spike shot her a sidelong glance warning her she wasn't helping and her mouth snapped shut. "Will, we all die someday, but no time soon, alright? Know it looks bad some nights. Most little boys..." Emma kicked his shins. "And little girls...:

Emma sighed, "Big now, hello?"

"Most children," Spike corrected, "Don't see their mum and dad come in all hacked up and covered in nonsense. But we are all right. Been doing this since long before either of you."

"Not now," William corrected. "Late."

"Late?" Buffy asked. "You mean when we're older?"

William nodded at him mum. "When I'm big."

They were quiet a moment. Buffy could feel Spike mulling over the question in his head. Something we need to be looking into? Slayer dream inherited? Little boy's nightmare? This was the Hellmouth. This was them. This was a Vampire and a Slayer and their daughter the saviour of Peace. Not far fetched to think the boy might be onto something.

"Right then," Spike said. "What do they look like?"

"Dark. Big. Changes." Will answered.

"Do they look like people?" Buffy asked. She chuckled to herself. "Or like dad?"

Spike spun his head and smirked. "No," Will answered. "Just dark."

"Could you draw them for me?" Spike asked, toying with the little boy's shoe. He nodded. "Then why don't you make me and your mum a picture? Then we can suss out what we need to do to make them go away." He stood the boy on the floor. "Emma?"

"Got it," she whined, grabbing William's hand and leading him back up the stairs.

"What are you thinking?" Buffy asked, climbing out of her chair and sliding into Spike's lap. He cradled her gently against him, burying his face in her hair.

"Dunno, Pet," Spike responded, picking up her hand and letting his fingers wind through hers.

"Feel like we need to listen. I mean, how did it feel like when we were kids... OK, or when we weren't adults.. mature adults.. and..."

"Point, being?" Spike prodded, smiling.

"If no one had listened to us when we said that all this stuff that happens here was real?" Buffy blurted, looking up at his endless blue eyes.

Spike was silent, feeling her all around him. She was right. He just didn't like to give up that easily. "I can understand why they thought you were sack of hammers. Me, on the other hand..."

Buffy smacked him playfully with her free hand. "*So* getting you back," she whined.

"Like to see you try," Spike teased. "But, before this degenerates into teenage banter fest.."

"Followed closely by teenage hormonal sex having?" Buffy asked, raising her eyebrows.

*That* made him suddenly agreeable, she thought as he picked her up. "You are completely right about listening to Will. Was bout to say that myself before you beat me to it."

She shook her head, smiling as he walked. "Where we going?"

"Didn't you say we had some laundry to do, Pet?" He winked, sweeping her down the stairs into the basement.

*****

The lights seemed almost like an amusement park ride of sorts. Dodging and weaving in front of him, daring him to chase, to fight, to follow. Like streaking bright snowflakes or white fireflies dancing in the night.

"I've been studying this volume on Noirset demons," Giles called from the bench in the training room. "Quite enlightening, really."

"What'd you find? Ooof. Good one, Will," Spike asked as William caught him with a roundhouse to the gut. He fended the boy off a moment, then spun in time to block Emma's right hook.

"Do you really need to fight both at once while we research?" Giles sighed. "Can't they fight each other? Where's Buffy?"

"Yes. No. And had to go to the school. Parent/Teacher conferences," Spike answered, turning back to Will and parrying a left jab, right hook and straight kick in rapid-fire succession.

"Didn't want you to threaten to rip Ms. Green's throat out again?" Emma chided as she let loose a barrage of fists against him. He let her make contact on a few. She may not have had her mum's power, but her speed and balance were nearly impeccable.

"Never did that," Spike said sheepishly. "More push behind your left."

"What did you say?" William asked.

"Told her she didn't know the difference between Shakespeare and Poe and the thought that she was allowed to actually try and teach anyone literature was a travesty," Spike responded, grabbing William's ankle with one hand and blocking a right hook to the jaw from Emma with the other.

"Dad, I'm only in eighth grade," William answered. "Not supposed to be all-knowing literature geek like you."

Emma chuckled, backing away. "That's it, you've met your end now," Spike snarled, going at a mocking full force after his son. Giles sat, shaking his head and watching the two fight. William was nowhere near as strong as his parents, but he was turning into the best fully human fighter the Watcher had seen. Not to mention that, despite his father's disdain for the American school system, William was turning out to be near brilliant as well. Little bobbles with math, but nearly every other subject was a breeze for the boy.

They ended in a heap on the floor. A tangle of black jeans and razor cheekbones and flashing blue eyes. William was laughing. Spike was trying not to. Worked well, really. Considering the kinds of things these two particular children had grown up seeing, it was a wonder that they were as happy as they were.

"Can we get back to the Noirset demon anytime soon?" Giles asked as Spike stood, pulling his son back to his feet.

"Right," Spike continued. "What've you got?"

"They're shadow demons," Giles began.

"But we've found *scores* of shadow demons..." Will interrupted.

"None are like the ones in Will's nightmare," Emma continued.

"Let the old man finish," Spike corrected, watching Giles look indignantly up at him.

"Why I help you," the Watcher mumbled. "The Noirset demon is an ancient creature. To be honest, some of the scrolls from the original prophesy of the One mention such a demon. That is what drew me back. That it may be connected to both you and Buffy and to Emma's fate."

Spike sat down next to Giles on the bench, looking down at the text. "Alright, got my attention."

Giles sighed. "I'm ever so grateful," the Watcher snarked. Will and Emma stretched out on the mats, listening. "Based on the information William gave me, and on his own research, Anya and I went back through some of the more ancient texts.... Did you know she can read Babylonian? Only person I know other than you..."

"Know you love her brainy ways, Watcher," Spike snarked. "Back to the story."

"Right," Giles continued, pulling off his glasses. He still wiped them every time he was knocked off balance. "Well, they are actually not demons at all, per se. They are manifestations of darkness. Spirits of hell themselves."

"Not sure I follow," Emma said, looking up at him with her pretty summer sky eyes.

"It's like they aren't creatures *from* Hell," Will said, piecing it together in his mind," But hell itself?"

"Exactly," Giles answered, smiling at the boy. Only his own child was dearer to him than these two, and his pride in their accomplishments made him beam like a grandfather.

"So, you're saying, based on Will's nightmares, we're to be fighting Hell itself?" Spike asked, his head tilting, questioning the man.

Giles nodded. "Basically, yes."

"Alright," Spike sighed. "So how do we go bout killing it?"

"There's the rub," Giles replied. "I haven't quite figured that out yet."

Spike was silent, wanting to snap at the Watcher for not having it sorted, but knowing they weren't doing any better on their own. Spike had no idea what these creatures were, and that bothered him as much as not knowing for sure that they were coming. "Will," he asked, looking at his son. "How much time do you say we have to suss this all out?"

Will looked at Emma, and then back at himself. Judging based on the bits he could remember. "A few years yet, I'd say. In the nightmare, I'm full- grown. Think Emma's out of school."

"We'll get there," Giles said softly, patting Spike's arm. "You should know by now that I won't just let you and Buffy face something you are doomed to fail."

Spike looked over at the Watcher, his eyes tired and somehow frightened. "Not me I'm worried bout, Mate. Gotta keep them safe," he said softly. "And Buffy."

"We'll be fine dad," William chimed in. "What can't we face if we're together?"

*****

Every once in a while, the lights were still aggravating, although he'd come to see them as comfort. A chance to change it all. Still, they were dizzying and somewhat annoying when they wanted to be.

William wrapped the towel around his waist and headed into the locker room. It had been a good day. A on his English Literature test. Was pretty easy when your father was a walking Cliff Note. That and making the Varsity Soccer team at fifteen. He was the only freshman and was quite proud of it.

As he rounded the corner, he heard them. The football players. Especially that annoying bloke who threw the ball through the air and spent the rest of the time lying on the ground writhing in pain. Wuss.

"You have *got* to be kidding man," the little quarterback said. "The Windsor girl? Damn fine piece of.." The football player was distracted by William opening his locker door. "Hey, aren't you the kid who made Varsity today?"

"Yeah," Will answered, never looking back at the boy as he pulled jeans from his gym bag.

"Too bad it's in that pussy sport," the quarterback chimed. "Still, pretty good. Anyway," he continued, turning back towards his little group of wankers, "The chick is *fine*. I was thinking of asking her to Homecoming. I hear she puts out, man, and her parents are freaky superheroes or something, so I bet she has some powers of her own, if you know what I mean."

Will could feel his blood boil in his veins as the Quarterback spoke. Slowly, he turned, facing the boy. This piece of trash is the one that Emma had been talking about. The popular boy. The one who's name she wrote over and over in her notebook in study hall. Stupid girl. When she gonna learn that it's not the popular ones that'll treat her right. "Who are we talking about?"

The quarterback eyed him with amusement. "Completely out of your league, freshman," the wanker called back. "But if you want to go lube the can with her, Emma Windsor."

Will shuddered at the disgusting thought. "Cheerleader?" Will asked, stepping towards the player. "Bout this tall. Blonde. Blue eyes?" He questioned, coming ever closer to the larger, but somehow weaker football player.

"That's her. See you've already had your little underdeveloped imagination..."

"Nothing bout me is underdeveloped," Will snapped, grabbing the boy's throat and slamming him back into the lockers. The rest of the group stepped back, watching. "And *she* is my bloody sister."

The quarterback looked terrified, staring at the wild blue eyes and feeling the grip of a man twice William's age and twice William's size around his neck. "Look, man... I didn't know.."

"Shoulda thought a that before you mouthed off," William snarled, banging the boy'ss head back into the lockers. "She's a person, mate. Not some trivial piece of meat."

"Not what I hear," the now angry football player snarled.

Will's grip around the boy's neck tightened and he lifted him off the ground, pushing him hard into the lockers. "Listen to me," William began calmly. "You go near my sister, you say another *word* bout her, you say another *word* to her, and I'll let the entire school know that you're hung like a chipmunk."

The football players behind them snickered. Will smiled at the quarterback. "Not to mention, not one satisfied lady in this school has visited your bed. So, before you start destroying the reputations of those round you, might want to think of what I can do to yours. Not to mention your face."

With that, William banged the boy's head into the lockers one last time and dropped him. They all stared at the barefoot, shirtless boy in front of them with a sort of frightened curiosity. "Got something to add?" William asked, looking at the other boys.

"No, dude. I think your sister's nice," one of them said as the quarterback took off out the door.

"Good," Will answered. "Guess we have an understanding."

"You've got nuts, Windsor," one of the older Soccer players announced as he watched the scene from the corner of the room. William spun, adrenaline still coursing through his veins. "Welcome to the team."

To be contd.

Good evening, All:)

Well, not quite as happy as the last chapter, but not quite as angsty as those before. The action is about to come to a head and we're about to figure out what is really going on in real time.

I think you will like where this goes, but, as always, let me know:)

The enxt chapter will be out on Thursday.

Enjoy!



*Cheery Vibes*, Nimue

"As sick as it sounds, in my little head, there's a little Sunnydale, and a widdle Buffy, and a widdle Spike, and Spike wubs Buffy." James Marsters 14 July 2002

Title: Findings (Time - Chapter Nineteen)

Author: Nimue

Rating: PG -13

Pairing Buffy/Spike. Most major characters included.

Feedback: Yes, please

For instant notification of fic releases, straight to your mailbox, please visit Always_Everyday@yahoogroups.com

Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, UPN, Fox... Just Borrowing. (with, of course, the exception of Emma and William, who belong to Buffy and Spike)

Summary: Set simultaneously with the Hero. Spike, Giles, Cyrus and Riley look for Emma with no success. Riley gets a phone call from Sam regarding Draconius's whereabouts. Spike agrees to go with him. Riley departs for the location to track him down for Spike. Tara and Anya cast a spell to find out if William has been trapped by mystical powers. Spike goes to tell Buffy but she is gone.

Findings

"Any luck?" Giles panted as he caught Spike jogging down the corridor of Buffy's floor.

"Looked in every *crevice* on this floor. No sign of either of them," Spike gushed, his eyes nervously scanning the hallway.

"Talked to the guards and they haven't seen Takina nor a little girl," Giles continued. "They've got their entire staff looking for her. Cyrus has had no luck either."

Spike stopped, a resigned terror blanketing his face. "Don't think she's here anymore, Mate," he said softly, more in shock than anything. "She's gone."

Riley scampered up the hallway, cellular phone tucked in his big farm boy hand. "Any sign of her?" He asked, skidding to a halt in front of the two men. Spike's eyes flashed his dislike, but he held his tongue. They needed all the help they could get.

"No," Giles said softly. "Spike seems to think that she's no longer here. I hate to say it, but I'm in agreement."

Riley sighed, looking at his feet. "I was afraid of that."

"Afraid of what?" Spike snapped, turning towards the tall soldier.

Riley raised his eyes to the men. "Just got a call from Sam. Seems that Draconius has made his way back into town...."

"What?" Giles and Spike gasped in unison.

Riley clutched the phone, white knuckled. "It has to be him. The girl isn't here."

Spike's eyes grew wide, fury boiling along with fear in his veins. "You sure?"

"Sam was positive," Riley answered, his face earnest and sincere.

"But Dawn saw her. She said Takina took Emma," Spike said, knowing it didn't matter. Appearances never mattered. Had to find her. Had to get her back.

"The woman. The Witch," Giles muttered.

"Who?" Riley asked, a confused expression on his face.

"Draconius is not really a person, nor even the spirit of a person. He is an evil essence. When he embodies a human form, he tends to find a female counterpart. One which he imbues with a portion of his essence. Marks her. Makes her his."

"The shifter," Spike continued. "Woman from the caves..."

"Right," Giles answered. "She can take on any appearance she'd like. Anything that would suit her needs. Draconius' needs."

"So she chose the doctor," Riley gasped, pretending a light bulb just clicked on over his head. "So, this woman, is she dangerous?"

Giles looked at the boy, shaking his head. "She is part of Draconius. Together, she and the male are nearly the equivalent of the One. The counterpoint in darkness."

"So, only the One together can defeat Draconius and his mate?" Riley asked, trying to hide a grin. Buffy wasn't going anywhere anytime soon. But it would be nice to knock of the Vampire in the meantime.

"Correct," Giles responded, pulling off his glasses and wiping them on his shirttail.

"Do you think we can hold him off a while?" Spike asked. "Is there any way to transfer the entire essence into me?"

Giles looked at Spike with compassion. "Other than death, the essence will remain evenly divided between the two of you. That was the plan at the First, so that no one being carried that weight alone."

"Well, then I had better figure a way to fight them myself," Spike said, beginning back towards the rooms. "Now."

"Where are you going?" Giles called after him.

Spike stopped, turning back to the Watcher. "Need to talk to Buffy Tell her what's going on. She needs to know," he answered, his voice full of panic and rage.

"Maybe I should head out to where Sam said he might be hiding. Try to stake the place out. If we can catch one of them alone, maybe we can fight them. Find Emma. Although I would bet she's there."

Spike debated a moment. Rather have the pathetic-in-combat Harris by his side than this wanker, but he did have info and a bit of training. "Right. Give me the address."

Riley repeated it, reading it off the inside of his palm. Spike committed it to memory. "Going to see Buffy, then I'll collect weapons and meet you there."

"I've got some weapons in the car," Riley answered. He smiled shyly. "It'd save time."

"Just go," Spike snapped, bolting through the doors.

*****

The women sat facing each other on the floor of a broom closet on the third floor. They had talked the janitor into leaving them alone in there for a while. He thought it was kind of kinky, but the fifty dollars Anya plied him with made him find another place to keep his mop for the moment.

Tara had very limited supplies with her, but Anya, being a fully accredited and teleporting Vengeance Demon managed to disappear and within seconds reappear with a candle, some thyme and a small flat stone. On the stone was carved the rune for finding lost souls. A stone that Tara had only heard about but Anya produced with only a moment's hesitation.

They made a ring around them with salt pilfered from the cafeteria, containing their power. Tara walked the circle thrice, chanting, calling the Goddess, asking her with more politeness and love for her help than she would have asked her own mother. And that was saying a lot. She missed and adored her mother. But this was the Goddess. Her lifeline. Her love.

Slowly, she sat back down to face the demon. "Can't break the circle now," Tara whispered, grabbing her hands.

"Done this before," Anya retorted, a quirky smile spreading over her features. Tara returned it warmly.

"I know the spell, but you will have to anchor me and I will have to take a lot of your power," Tara whispered, studying Anya's face. She needed to trust the woman to do this. If Anya let go, if she even moved her hand outside the circle, then Tara would be lost as well.

"I won't let you down," Anya said quietly. "My idea, remember?"

Tara nodded, closing her eyes. "Great Goddess, come to me. Bring me forth and take me to the lost child of your Warriors. The flesh of your flesh. Blood of your blood. Lead me to the lost soul."

A strong wind blew through the circle and Tara rocked back against Anya's grip. She felt herself leaving her body, flying above it, streaking out of the hospital like a bolt of lightening soaring on air. She saw the trees . The parking lot, a roadway. Tara felt confusion. The baby had never left the hospital. He was still, lying in the incubator, caught inside himself. But there was no control over where the Goddess led her, so she watched the roads whip past. The cars. The box houses with shingled roofs until her light stopped abruptly over an large old house.

She felt herself flutter down, almost to the Earth, following the sidewalk up to a black door. Through the mail slot. Into the house. It was dark. Cold. She fluttered around the room until she reached another door and passed through.

Emma sat, tied in a chair, her feet dangling over the edge.

Tara could hear her body speak as though it was a million miles away. "Emma!"

The little girl looked up at the light, unafraid. She smiled when she saw it. And her eyes began to glow a soft, angelic white. Emma reached a hand towards the light and Tara felt herself fall into the child's palm. "Find Will'em," she said softly. "And send them back for me."

'How?' Tara thought. 'How do I find him?'

"Follow," Emma whispered, blowing the little ball of light from her hand. As the child's breath blew out, a trail of dark smoke appeared in front of Tara. She felt herself look back at Emma. But Emma was a child again. Staring at her feet with teary frightened eyes.

There was nothing she could do from here. But she would send them back.

Tara followed the smoky trail, bobbing and weaving through the house. She saw Sam. A shroud of blackness eating away at her soul. The smoke grew black when it reached her. Tara fluttered down and felt herself diving into the blackness. Falling into the abyss of the Evil's soul.

The trail was dark and wide, but nearly incomprehensible. Faces Tara knew flooded past her. Older. Younger. It was easiest with Emma and what she thought to be William. One second they were babies. The next they were in high school. Then babies again. Another girl. She looked like Takina. But a child. Then a teen. Death. Horrible, bloody death. Then rebirth and the children were small again. It repeated over and over. Not resolving but changing every time. It started with the babies and ended with Death. Every time. Over and over and over. Tara could feel it pulling her in. Reaching towards her to trap her. But Anya held fast, pouring her power into the Witch.

Finally, it stopped. There were babies. Then teenagers. Then she stopped dead in front of a white door. A huge one. Five stories high. It glowed in front of her in beauty and glamour. Tara imagined it to be the Goddess's chamber. But she didn't dare ask. And there was no knob. No way to go inside. But the dark smoky trail banged into the door and stopped.

It wasn't a *place* that William had been sent to. He was trapped in Time.

"Go back now," a sweet, lyrical voice whispered from the air. "You have seen enough."

"But how do I find him?" Tara asked, her human form now standing in front of the door. She was dressed in a white gown. Glowing like Emma's eyes had glowed.

"He will have to find his own way here," the voice answered. "When he does, my emissary can open the door and reclaim him if she desires him."

"Your emissary?" Tara repeated. She stopped, looking around. "Emma?"

"She is us," the voice responded. "Now go back, my child. It is out of your hands."

Tara felt herself begin to shimmer and fade. Or maybe it was the room. But everything became less real. Less solid.

And then it was gone.

*****

The ICU nurse met them at the staff entrance of the ward, helping the three of them from the elevator. She smiled kindly at Buffy. "You sure you're up to this?"

Buffy nodded. "I need to see him."

"We aren't supposed to let you," the nurse said, smiling as if she was sharing a big secret. "But Willow helps out a lot. So we thought we'd try and sneak you in."

"Thanks," Willow responded smiling.

"Now, Buffy, remember, he is doing well, physically. But he has a whole lot of monitors hooked up to him and he's being fed through a tube. So, it's going to look a little scary. "

"He's my son," Buffy whispered, her eyes tearing again. "Nothing about him is scary to me."

"Just want you to be prepared," the nurse said softly, patting Buffy's shoulder. "You ready?"

Again, Buffy nodded. The nurse opened a set of double doors and Willow pushed the wheelchair into the ward, Dawn following close behind. There were no other babies in the room. Just empty incubators. All but one.

Willow walked slowly towards him. Buffy could feel her tears as she read the sign on the outside of the box. His name. Spike's. The little yellow balloons. She hid the onslaught of sobs, knowing that the nurse and Willow wouldn't let her stay if she got too upset. So, she bit her lip and rolled ever closer to him.

The wheelchair stopped right in front of him. Buffy's hand pressed against the heavy plastic, peering inside. She ignored the pain ripping through her belly and leaned forward so that her face blew warm circles on the box.

"Will?"

The baby was still. Not just sleeping still, but completely motionless. Not a twitch. Not a blink. Not the little sucking face he had made at her just hours earlier. She ached to hold him. To feed him. To pull him back to her. But he was still.

The tears began to roll as she watched him. He didn't look peaceful. That was the worst of it. He looked lost. Like he wanted to be there but he couldn't. Her fingers slid along the outside, trying to reach out to him, but the walls were in the way. There was always a wall. A door. Something.

"You OK?" Dawn asked, crouching beside the wheelchair.

Buffy tried to nod, but she couldn't. She wasn't. Nothing was OK about this. Willow stroked her hair tenderly. "Do you want to go back to your room?"

It was almost too quiet to hear. "No."

"OK," Willow answered, trying to comfort her. To hold her together. "We'll stay with him a while. OK?"

She pulled a chair over next to Buffy and took her hand. Dawn pulled another to Buffy's other side and wrapped her arm around her sister. Buffy just stared straight ahead. Stared at the boy. Watching. Waiting. Hoping. She could control the sobs, but not the stream of tears that rained down her cheeks. Still, she didn't speak. Just hoped.

Find him.

*****

The ward seemed empty. Spike scanned the rooms, but there wasn't so much as a nurse inside the sterile green walls. Slowly, he made his way through the doors. No one was even on the inside. Must be some other woman with some other family to be tending to, Spike thought as he made his way through the deserted hall.

Her door was closed. Spike hoped that she was asleep. That he could just walk in and kiss her and hold her a moment but not have to tell her that another child was missing. That he'd let her down again. It would be so much better if she never knew and by the time she woke up, he'd have returned with Emma and a way to bring William back.

But life was never that easy. It was living.

Spike pushed open the door and walked into the darkened room. The blankets were balled on the bed. "Buffy?"

He flipped on the switch, looking around. "Buffy?"

She was gone.

He walked over to the bathroom door, knocking. "You alright?"

No answer.

Slowly, he pushed open the door and the shiny tiled room was as empty as the rest. "Buffy, you here?"

Nothing.

Where the bloody hell did she go?, He asked himself, as he performed all manner of irrational acts like checking beneath the bed and the on the window sill, panic seizing control. They were all missing. She was no where.

"Buffy?" It was almost a scream now. She can't get up on her own. Can't be gone. Can't.

Everything about him was torn. He wanted, needed, to tell her where he was going. Hell, needed to find her. Needed to tell her that he wasn't leaving her. But every minute he left Emma missing was a minute too long. He glanced around, finding a pen and the envelope to a get well card on the table. Quickly, Spike jotted a note.

"Be back soon, my Love. Tried to say goodbye. You weren't here. Please be safe. I love you Always. William."

He didn't think about the signature much. It's how he signed everything.

Spike looked once more around the room, kissed the note gently, and set it on the beside table, bolting back out through the door.

To be contd.

Good evening, All:)

Here is chapter twenty of Time. This is the last of the William flash- forward chapters. I do hope you enjoy it. Also, it will soon tie into everything else you have seen. But there are definitely some surprises in store.

The next chapter will come out on Saturday. Please enjoy this one and let me know how you feel. I'm getting lonely without feedback!

Thanks, as always, for reading!



*Cheery Vibes*, Nimue

"As sick as it sounds, in my little head, there's a little Sunnydale, and a widdle Buffy, and a widdle Spike, and Spike wubs Buffy." James Marsters 14 July 2002

Title: The Hero Part Two (Time - Chapter Twenty)

Author: Nimue

Rating: PG -13

Pairing Buffy/Spike. Most major characters included.

Feedback: Yes, please

For instant notification of fic releases, straight to your mailbox, please visit Always_Everyday@yahoogroups.com

Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, UPN, Fox... Just Borrowing. (with, of course, the exception of Emma and William, who belong to Buffy and Spike)

Summary: Set immediately following findings. Continuation of Chapter Eighteen. The last of the William flash-forward chapters. But will he have any luck this time?



The Hero

It was almost pleasant, the way the lights danced around him. Comforting. Sweet. They touched him with the same jolt of electricity that one finds when brushing against their true love. That pleasant, shocked feeling.

"Wake up, Sleepy," that sweet voice whispered in his ear. One blue eye flickered open and scanned the interior of the car. Back seat. Car not moving. Scent of apples and shampoo. Well done, William, he thought to himself.

"Get up, lazy," a more sarcastic tone came from the front seat. Emma. Dammit. Ruin a perfectly good fifteen-year-old fantasy.

"Whhhhaaattt?" William whined.

"We're here," Emma answered, getting out of the car. William sat up to find his head had been resting in River's lap and he'd fallen asleep in the short trip from school to the Magic Box. He looked up at her, a sly smile on her face.

"You've really got to sleep more," River joked.

"Sleep best when you're around," William retorted, sitting up, his face just inches from hers.

She chuckled. "I think we're about seven years past slumber party days and about forty before my dad doesn't care what I do."

He smiled, leaning towards her, brushing her cheek with his soft lips. "Can't blame me for trying" he whispered in her ear. She felt her body buzz with the onslaught of teenaged hormones.

"Will," she breathed.

"Will," Emma mimicked, opening the back seat. "Get out of the car before somebody's dad comes out here and ..."

"Fine," Will said, winking at River and sliding out onto the sidewalk, lending a hand to his lady. River latched on and forgot to let go as they made their way up the walkway towards the shop.

"Well, there's a motley crew for you," Cyrus called as the three of them jingled into the store. It was bigger now. And actually busy since Anya and Giles had diversified a bit. Amazing what could happen when people realized that the stuff they saw in this town was real, Emma thought.

"Hi, Cyrus," Emma chirped, tossing her arms around his neck. "What have you got for me today?"

"Training," Cyrus answered. "I believe Buffy is going to take you and River on a little field trip."

"Field trip?"

"You should know better than to ask such questions when it concerns your mum," Cyrus answered, smiling. Spike chuckled.

"Where you been?" Anya asked the group as she walked out from behind the counter. "You were supposed to be here an hour ago."

"I found these two lovebirds sleeping together outside the school," Emma remarked, shooting a 'got ya,' smile back at her brother.

"And to that I say WHAT?" Xander asked, standing up. "Spike, I swear if that boy so much as brushes her hand playing Go Fish I'll cut it off."

"Will?" Spike quirked an eyebrow at his son. William sighed, shooting a glare back at Emma.

"Sleeping, dad," William said. "You know. That thing you do when your eyes are closed."

"Eyes closed! Closed eyes!. No, no. You're going home and to your room until you're like *fifty*", Xander shot at River, walking towards her.

She chuckled, shaking her head. "Relax, dad. Would ya?" She leaned up, tossing her arms around his shoulders. "Will was reading for a test tomorrow. I stopped by and sat down with him and before you know it. Bonk. Sleep."

"Not a good word," Will whispered, in her ear, suddenly realizing that he was still holding her hand and dropping it just as suddenly. Anya chuckled.

"Bonk?" Xander gasped. "No.. no bonk."

"Dad," Will sighed. "You've got the old Vamp senses. Are we telling the truth?" William asked. His father walked over to them, sniffing the air. Smelling shampoo and a whole lot of innocence.

"Harris, nothing to fret yourself about,' Spike pronounced. "Will wouldn't take advantage of such a pretty girl now would he."

River blushed, leaning forwards to kiss Spike's cheek. She'd never told Will this, but his father was her first crush. Followed closely by William. "Thanks, Spike."

Spike winked a crystal blue eye at her and sauntered back to the table. "Spike, I'm telling you. I don't care if they smell good, if they do *anything* at all beyond swing sets... no... climbing trees and... no... patrolling..." Spike raised an eyebrow. "World of no... If they do anything at all, I am personally blaming you." Xander gushed.

"You would anyway," Spike sighed. "Ladies, I believe Buffy is waiting for you."

As Emma brushed past, Will grabbed her wrist. "I am *so* going to get you for that. He's not going to let me see her for a month."

Emma smirked. "How come I *know* you'll find a way? What fun would it be to just let it slide?'"

William let go of her wrist and she trotted after River into the training room.

*****

He barely noticed the lights this time as they danced around him. Too much to do. Too little time. It had to be now. They had to know. Had to go.

Xander, Cyrus, Giles, Spike and William sat around the table, perusing books as they had three days a week for years now. Another book. Another scroll. Another search. Very few answers.

Will sighed, slamming shut a text written in an ancient African dialect that he had learned from his father. "We aren't going to find it this way."

"There has to be an answer, William," Giles said.

William ran his hands through his sandy brown hair. "There does," he agreed. "But it's not in these books."

"What do you mean?" Spike asked, looking at his son. He was grown now. Eighteen. A bit taller than Spike had made it. Lean. Muscular. With those same stunning eyes and the same poet's heart. He'd never left River's side. Never dated another girl. Like his dad, he knew what he wanted. He stood by her.

"It's not here because this doesn't exist," William snapped, frustration getting the better of him.

"You mean it's all a nightmare?" Xander asked. "Because I think we passed up on that idea when you were, oh, *three*."

"Not really," Will answered, confusion spreading over his face. "It's just never *been* before, so there is no *record* of it."

Spike leaned back in the chair, crossing his arms over his chest. "So, where do we go? Can't find it in a book. You've told us that we can't just rush in and kill the blighters," Spike asked, looking round the table. "And we don't seem to have much time."

Will leaned back as well, mimicking his father. "We're going to have to figure it out on our own."

"Thought that is what we *were* doing," Xander retorted, shutting the Dungeons and Dragons manual in front of him. Hey, it was as good a place as any.

"No," Giles said, as if he finally understood. "A new tact."

"Like?" Cyrus asked, leaning forward onto the table.

"The creatures are shadows. Darkness, Correct?" Giles asked.

"Right," Will answered. "Hell."

A look of recognition flashed over Spike's face. "And how does one fight darkness? Hell?"

Will looked at his father, following his eyes. Knowing. "Light. Heaven," the boy said quietly.

"Heaven?" Xander asked. "I mean, I thought you told us Emma glowed and it didn't help."

"Right," Will said, his voice becoming excited. "But there was only one of her. There were hundreds of them."

"So, you are saying we get more?" Xander asked, his hands offering up in utter confusion.

"Yes," Spike responded, looking at William. "We get more."

"How?" Giles asked, staring at the Windsor men. Were it not for the hair, they were almost identical. It helped that the One had slowed the aging process for both Spike and Buffy, but even with the extra years, William and Spike were almost clones.

"I think I know," Will answered, grabbing his jacket from the back of his chair and getting up. "Dad, I'll be back, but you'll have to trust me on this."

Spike nodded. "Haven't I always?"

William smiled back at him, turning and running out the door.

*****

"Aunt Tara," William hollered, knocking on her office door. Classes were over for the night, but he knew she kept late office hours at the University. "Aunt Tara?"

The door opened softly, and she stepped into his line of sight like an angel. "Will?" She whispered, smiling. Kissing his cheek. "Come in. I was just hiding for a few minutes from the galloping hordes."

"Theology has gained in popularity?" Will quipped, stepping into the pretty office. It was soothing. All pinks and peaches and whites.

Tara smiled. "I know you aren't here for the curriculum. Sit." She gestured at a plush chair and sat in the one directly across from him. She was older now, but so delicate. Her smile that of a teenager. Her demeanor as soothing as Emma's when Emma was working.

"No," Will sighed, looking at his knees. "I need your help."

"Anything," Tara answered, taking his hand in hers. "What is it?"

Will looked at her, fear and excitement battling it out in his eyes. "Do you remember the story you told me about how you followed me when I was a baby and I was sick?"

"Yes," Tara replied, her face questioning him. "Emma showed me the way."

"I think there was a reason for that," William said softly. "You said you came to a door and it was closed. And that Emma had to retrieve me from that door."

"Yes," the Witch said again. "I could not go inside."

"But you spoke to them there, didn't you?" William asked. "The powers. The ... Goddess."

Tara looked at her knees, and then raised her eyes back to the boy. His face was so innocent, but tired far beyond his years. "I did."

"I need you to take me there. I need her help. Their help." His eyes were full of innocence and desperation.

"William," Tara sighed, standing, pacing over to her desk. "I don't know if I can. Even if I was sure, I don't know if I should."

"Why?" He screamed, his eyes filling with tears. "Why? This thing... it's coming. You can feel it..."

"Yes, I can," Tara answered, her skin crawling just thinking of it.

"And I think I can stop it," William shouted, banging his fist on the table. "But we need their help. Her help. Please Aunt Tara. If we don't. We'll all die. All but me. And I can't...."

William broke into sobs, his head falling into his hands. Tara crouched in front of him, letting her small, soft hands touch against his jeans. She felt his agony. His pain. Coursing out of him in dark waves. "All right," Tara finally whispered. "Lock the door."

*****

The lights had faces now. Like fairies or angels or pixies. Pretty. White and palest pink and blue. Flurrying around him like they were very late for a very important date. He followed them. Running through the darkness. Feeling them in front of him. Behind him.

"Will!" His father's voice. Will snapped upright on the couch, River falling onto the soft fabric. The sound of a movie playing in the background. Feet thundered down the staircase. "Will!"

"Dad?" His voice was dazed. Sleepy.

"Did Emma come home?" Spike asked, running down the staircase, covered in the ooze of some demon he must have killed on patrol. Normal sight on this particular house. Buffy ran up from the basement.

"No," Will said, panic striking him. "I... She was out with..."

Spike traded a glance with his son. Buffy felt it like electric passing between them. "It's now," Buffy said, flipping open the weapons chest and grabbing a broadsword. She tossed Spike another sword. William leaned over, grabbing a battle axe, River at his heels.

"No," Will said, turning towards the girl. "Stay here."

River looked up at him, her eyes filled with fear, but oddly resolved. "I'm not leaving. I'm not running. We started together. We'll finish it together."

Buffy looked at them a moment, and then handed the girl an athame. "C'mon River. We need to go *now*."

They streaked out the door. As Will led the way, Buffy ran, speed dialing the rest on a cell phone. Not even speaking. Just calling them. They would know. They had all been waiting.

The alley was black. Not just dark, but black. The four of them nearly bounced off the thick shadows when they reached the opening. "Emma?" William called.

"Will." Her voice was soft. Lyrical. Almost ghostly. William looked at his dad. Spike nodded. The two of them raised their weapons, diving into the fray. Hacking the shadows, their blades snicker-snackering through the darkness.

Buffy followed, commanding River to wait for the rest. The three of them made their way through the blackness, not doing much to loosen the hold of the seething black tongues, but carving a path through to where their blood, their flesh, glowed along the back wall. "Emma!" Will called again. She looked at them and her brightness grew, lighting the way.

It wasn't long before there were more swords. More warriors. Familiar faces. Xander. His beautiful wife. Aunt Willow. Dawn. All of them crashing through the darkness. William made it to his sister first, positioning himself in front of her. His father to his left. His mother towards his right. The darkness closing in.

Then Will heard it. Tara's voice in the distance. "Illuminati" She chanted over and over. River grabbed her hand, joining it. "Illuminati." Anya on the other side, hanging tight to the other two. "Illuminati"

A flicker of darkness made it past Buffy. She turned, her sword swinging towards the darkness, but it caught her, pulling her into the Earth.

"Buffy!" Spike screamed, running towards his love. He glanced back at William. Will nodded.

"Buffy?" Spike screamed again, diving at her, grabbing her hand before she disappeared over the edge.

"'Spike," Buffy called. "Emma."

Spike turned his head, catching sight of his son battling the closing darkness. His head turned back to Buffy, a torn look on his face.

"Dad!" William called back. "Don't let go!"

Suddenly, a moonbeam cascaded into the alley, bright and glowing and warm. As Will looked at it, he saw them. They had faces now. Like fairies or angels or pixies. A river of angels pouring into the alley. They had come to help.

The shadows screamed, howling, shrinking into the darkness. The angels glowed like sunshine in the darkness, covering them, driving them down into the buckled Earth. Will jumped, grabbing Emma's hand, holding on. Pulling her back into the light.

It didn't hurt much. Not really. He was glad for that. The darkness shot up in a dying gasp at Emma. He jumped in front of her. It burned as it dug into his belly like a flaming sword. He felt Emma's arms under his shoulders as he fell to the pavement. Holding onto him. And the light.

All the light. And River's voice.

"Will!"

*****

"Am I dead?" William stood in front of a door, several stories high. He had been here before. They were there. He couldn't see them, but they were there.

"Dead?" The male voice asked.

"Did I die?" William asked. "In the alley. Is that why I am here?"

A feminine voice chuckled. "No, child."

William was silent, his hand over where the wound in his stomach should have been. "Then why?"

"Why what, William?" The man asked. Will could feel the warmth of them. The light.

"Why am I here?" He felt like a child. He was to these timeless, ageless beings.

The woman stepped forward, a beauty untold in all the world. Her hair hung in spun gold waves. Her perfect golden skin set off by her light, glowing blue eyes. Perfection. Love. "You saved our emissary." She said kindly. "You were willing to die for her."

"She is my sister," William answered, falling to a knee as if it was the only reaction to have in front of such perfection. She leaned down, an impossibly soft hand wrapping around his and pulling him to his feet in front of her.

"Yes," she answered. "But you are her hero. We owe you a debt, child."

"W...why?" William asked.

The man stepped from the light. "Because, son, you had no duty. You had no reason to protect her. No calling. No power. But yet, you did."

"I.. I had too. Emma... I couldn't let her... Is she OK? My mum?" William stuttered.

"They all survived," the woman smiled. "Because of you. What can we do to repay you?"

William looked at them wide-eyed. "I want to go back to them. I want to be with them again."

"Nothing else?" The woman asked, her face kind and gentle.

William thought for a moment, then smiled. "River." he sighed. "If we could have half the love that you gave to my parents...."

The woman smiled. "You already have that. You already have it all." She held his hand, nodding at the door. "Come with us. Rest."

The door opened slowly into hazy soft light. He followed them. Holding on to Heaven.

To be contd.

Good Afternoon, Everyone:)

Hope everyone is enjoying what is a glorious weekend in my corner of the world. Not me of course. I'm stuck inside typing! I really need to get a laptop:) But, then again, it's not so bad being stuck in my widdle mind.

Here is chapter twenty-one of Time. It is back to real time for the rest of the story. There is angst in this chapter, but also some action and a heck of a plot twist (of the non ME variety). Let me know what you think!

Thanks, as always for reading and I look forward to your reviews!



*Cheery Vibes*, Nimue

"As sick as it sounds, in my little head, there's a little Sunnydale, and a widdle Buffy, and a widdle Spike, and Spike wubs Buffy." James Marsters 14 July 2002

Title: Illusions (Time - Chapter Twenty-One)

Author: Nimue

Rating: PG -13

Pairing Buffy/Spike. Most major characters included.

Feedback: Yes, please

For instant notification of fic releases, straight to your mailbox, please visit Always_Everyday@yahoogroups.com

Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, UPN, Fox... Just Borrowing. (with, of course, the exception of Emma and William, who belong to Buffy and Spike)

Summary: Set simultaneously to the Hero-Part Two. Xander returns from an unsuccessful search for his girlfriend. Tara and Anya explain what Tara saw while looking for William. Spike goes to the safe house to rescue Emma from Draconius. But what he finds nearly ends him. Xander discovers Takina's whereabouts, but is he in time?



Illusions

"She's not at home," Xander panted, as he came into the waiting room of the ICU. "Not anywhere. I paged her, called her, ran laps around her building."

The panic on the boy's face was sharp and clear as glass. Giles stared at him a moment. "Well, I'm afraid we have bad news all around then," Giles sighed.

Xander's face slackened. "No... not William."

"The baby is holding his own," Giles answered, pulling off his glasses and wiping them nervously. "But it seems Draconius is back. And Emma is missing."

"What?" Xander's eyes flew open. "Does he have her?"

"I'm afraid that's the likely answer ," Giles replied, voice calm but eyes portraying his fear. "But there is no way to tell."

Xander looked at Giles, panic boiling again. "Where is he? Where is Spike?"

"Sam called Riley with a location. Riley and Spike went after him," Giles answered.

"Spike and... Riley?"

"Petty differences seem quite insignificant at time like this," the Watcher sighed.

Xander nodded, glancing nervously around the room. "What are we doing? Where did they go? I'll go help them..."

"I am waiting for Tara and Anya," Giles commented, a strained look passing between the two at the mention of her name. Giles took a deep breath. "They're trying to assess whether or not William's condition might be mystical. "

Xander nodded. "What should I do?"

"For now, see if you can locate Takina. Maybe talk to the staff and see if you can trace her steps. Spike needs us to find a way to help William. Hopefully, he and Riley can hold off Draconius and find Emma. Once the girls are through, I will see if there is any sort of protection spell they can put on Spike while he searches for Emma."

"Right," Xander said, looking around the room. "Willow?"

"She and Dawn are with Buffy," Giles responded. "From what Spike told me, the last time he saw Takina, she was taking William back down to the ICU from Buffy's room. The baby made it here, so perhaps start with the ward nurse?"

Xander's eyes closed and he took a deep breath. "This isn't like her, Giles. She's... she's everything I'm not. Mature. Responsible. She wouldn't just leave William..."

Giles laid a hand on his shoulder. "All the more reason for you to look for her."

*****

"Dammit," Spike cursed, searching the pockets of his jeans for the keys. Gave them to Cyrus, he screamed at himself. Without a second thought, he punched through the side window, unlocking the door, ignoring the blood dripping down his arm, and climbing into the car. It didn't take long for him to rip out the steering wheel assembly and hotwire it. And they say the newer models are theft proof, a little part of him chuckled as he tore out of the parking lot, heading out onto the road.

The address Riley had left was a few miles away. It felt like a hundred as he gunned the engine, running stop sign after stop sign, genuinely glad there didn't seem to be much traffic nor any pesky police that he would have had to knock out rather than be slowed down. Thoughts of his little girl suspended above the fires in that cave when she was a tot battled it out with photos of his son in a barren plastic wasteland with tubes and wires sticking from every square inch. And underneath it all was the look on Buffy's when he left. Grief and rage and hurt and anger.

The car moved faster.

*****

"What did you find?" Cyrus asked as the two bedraggled women came back into the waiting room, leaning on each other for support. Giles rushed to them, sliding an arm behind each girl and helping them into chairs.

"It's a spell," Tara panted, her face ashen. "Someone trapped William in Time."

"I'm not sure I understand," Giles said quietly, crouching down in front of the girls.

Anya sighed, brushing hair from her face with the back of her hand. "It's an ancient spell," she began. "It won't kill him, but he will never get out on his own. He has to be retrieved."

"Retrieved?" Cyrus asked.

"Once he has cycled through the paths of time and found the correct one, he will move on to the Queen's chamber," Anya continued.

"The Queen of the Sky," Giles said, sudden recognition of what he had assumed to be a fairy tale passing across his face.

"Right," Anya replied. "Once he makes it there, he will rest very peacefully, indefinitely, until he is released by an emissary of her court."

Cyrus nodded. "An emissary of the Powers," he said, standing. "I am One. A part of them."

"Yes," Anya answered. "But you were raised to that level. Only one who was born into their graces can enter the Queen's chamber."

"Raised?" Tara asked. "But how?"

"I was born a human," Cyrus began, "But I... I did.... something... As a reward, I was raised to the next level of being. An immortal. And an emissary of the Queen of the Sky."

"What...what did you do?" Tara asked, her eyes sparkling with interest.

"It's a long story," Giles sighed. "An interesting one, but it will have to wait until we have the children sorted."

"Of course," Tara blushed, looking as if she might fade into sleep at any moment. "So Emma," she continued quietly. "Emma can retrieve him."

Giles looked at his feet, then back to the exhausted women in front of him. "I've some bad news."

Anya's face blanked, looking at Giles. Reading the horror in his eyes. "What is it?" She asked, leaning forward to touch his cheek.

"Draconius has returned. We think he has Emma. Spike and Riley have gone to try and retrieve her but..."

"Without Buffy, Draconius and his mate are stronger," Anya sighed. "You know that. He'll need help."

"Riley went to assess the situation first. They will try to catch one of them alone, retrieve Emma and return. We'll worry about re-capturing Draconius later," Giles answered.

Tara shuddered, pulling herself upright. "It's not right. Something is wrong with... with this. Spike's not safe. Emma. They need help."

Cyrus studied the girls closely. "You don't seem to be in any condition to help them magically."

"No," Tara responded. "But I can guide the two of you."

"No," Anya repeated. "You stay here," she said to Tara. "You two, we need to figure out a way to boost Spike's power and contain Draconius."

Giles looked at Cyrus. "I think that she's right. We may not get another chance like this."

Tara looked at them. "I'll explain it to Buffy and Willow. Go,"

*****

"The last I saw her, she was signing out," the ICU nurse said, placing a clipboard in Xander's hand. "She seemed fine. Said something to the baby, signed out and headed out towards the stairs."

Xander's hands trembled as he read the sheet on the clipboard. "Anything... strange? I mean, did she seem herself?" He paused studying the paper. "Wait. Looks like she signed out twice." The signatures were close together. Almost identical. But he could feel it. The last one. It wasn't quite right.

"Yeah," the nurse commented, furrowing her brow. "I mean, it was a little odd, I guess. Just figured she was being overly protective of the boy."

"What.. what do you mean?" Xander asked, his eyes rising to meet hers.

The nurse nervously wrung her hands. "Well, she came down with William and got him settled. Then it looked like she went to change because she came back in street clothes maybe... fifteen minutes later. She went back in and tucked William in again. Then signed back out."

A look of recognition passed across Xander's face. "And is that when you found out something was wrong with William?"

The nurse nodded. "Maybe a minute or two after she left."

Xander shoved the clipboard back at the nurse in a flurry of thought and action. "You said that she had changed between visits? Put on street clothes?"

"Uh... uh, yeah," the woman stuttered, infected by Xander's nervousness.

"Where's the closest locker room?"

"Down the hall about four doors. On the left," she answered pointing.

Xander streaked out the door. Takina wouldn't have let this just happen. Something was wrong. Horribly wrong.

*****

"Buffy?" Willow soothed, rubbing the frail woman's back. She looked so small. Nothing like a superhero. Just a little girl. "We need to go back to your room now. You need rest and so does he." She nodded at the incubator where William lay still.

Buffy just stared ahead, eyes trapped on the infant. Watching. His chest rose and fell with breath, but other than that, not a movement. Not a whimper. Not a twitch. She watched his chest rise. Fall. In. Out. That was all there was.

"We have to go," Willow said again softly. "I promise I will see if they will let me bring you back to him later. But for now, he needs to be seen by the doctors. So do you."

Willow shot a nervous glance at Dawn. "C'mon Buffy," Dawn said softly. "It'll be OK . Everyone is working on a way to get 'em back. Spike won't let anything happen..."

Buffy's eyes closed at his name. She hated him for leaving. She loved him for trying. Anger, hurt, confusion all crammed themselves in her heart and fought as if they were the only emotion she had. Her hands pressed sweaty palm prints on the glass and her belly ached as if swords were being pushed into her flesh from both front and back. Nothing was safe anymore. Nothing sacred. Nothing easy. Not love. Not family. Not...anything.

Willow stood, moving her chair back to the wall and positioning herself behind Buffy. "He'll be OK," she whispered, pulling the wheelchair back. Buffy leaned forward, trying to keep her hand on the glass. Trying to feel him. Gently, Dawn grabbed her wrist, pulling her away from the incubator, settling her hand on the blankets on her lap.

"Buffy, we have to go for now, OK?" Dawn whispered. "We'll be back. He won't be alone."

Buffy didn't reply. Just stared straight ahead. Even when Willow turned around and headed back through the doorway. The only sound she made was the little gasp of tears.

*****

Spike pulled up in front of the address. It was an old house. One of those that looked as if it was magnificent in its day. Three floors. Stately. Tall. But age and lack of repairs made it barren. Gray. Devoid of emotion. Just a house. Not anyone's home.

He pulled the exposed wires apart and the engine shuddered to a halt. A black jeep was parked in front of the sidewalk. No other cars in site. Riley hadn't said what he'd been driving. Spike stopped, listening, trying to pick up a sound, a scent to show him where the idiot Farm Boy had run off to. But nothing. Not a trace.

Well, he thought, only thing left to do is to check it out for myself.

Spike alighted from the car, closing the door quietly and crept around the side of the old house, staying in the shadows. The rooms were mostly empty. Very little furniture, and what was there was covered in dustsheets and spider webs. But he could sense humans inside. Feel their blood like a beacon. Just needed to see them. Maybe catch a glimpse of Emma. Somewhere, in some utterly foreign part of his brain, he almost hoped that he wasn't too late and that Draconius hadn't taken Riley. Then again, part of him really didn't care provided the Mite was all right. Still, no one else should die at the Evil's hands.

A flicker of movement in a window towards the back of the house caught Spike's eyes. He slid himself along the wall underneath the glass until he reached the rear of the building. Slowly, he stretched himself out, standing almost on his toes and glanced in the window.

Emma sat, tied to a chair in a corner. Her head hanging and wilted blonde curls stuck around her face. His heart caught in his throat until she moved, her hand twitching and then folding demurely in her lap. Her little head rose slowly, glancing towards the window, then across the room. Good girl, Spike thought. Don't give your old man away just yet and I'll have you safe in a moment.

But there was something else. Spike followed the little girl's gaze, hearing murmuring from inside. Against the wall were two figures, almost obscured by shadows, speaking in low, husky tones that Spike could barely make out.

"Oh, Riley. You did *so* well. This is all I ever wanted. Just you. Just us."

"You are so glad that you did this," he purred, pressing himself hard against her. "This is beautiful. You, me. Who cares about the girl? You don't need the little boy. Let him rot. All we need is to be together. We were *meant* to be together."

The shadows moved and a beam of light caught the Farm Boy's face. His body rocked back as the other figure jumped, wrapping her legs around his waist. Her hands cupping his cheeks. Small, golden hands. Riley turned, pushing her to the wall for support and letting his lips crush hers. As they turned, Spike saw it.

He shook his head, blinking.

Golden hair glimmered in the faint light. The flash of pretty coral lips and the deceivingly slight build.

"Oh, Riley," Buffy moaned against his lips.

*****

Xander knocked only once before exploding into the women's locker room. It was empty. Quiet save for the whir of the ventilation system. He looked around. Names were written on masking tape stuck to the gray metal on either side of him. Like high school. Only a bit more hygienic.

He followed the line until he saw her name. Noel. Like Christmas, he thought, tracing it with his fingers. Wonder if demons celebrate Christmas?, He found himself thinking. God, gotta work on the priorities thing, he corrected. Yeah, they do, the random part of his brain debated. Spike and Buffy even had a Christmas party last year.

A speck on the floor attracted his attention away from the flurry of random questions and answers. He leaned down, inspecting it. Blood. Something he was all too familiar with at this point. Xander's heart raced, feeling it. Knowing it was hers.

"Takina?"

He stood, beginning to open every unlocked locker. "Takina, baby. You here?"

Frantically, he moved about the room, ducking into the showers. Crouching to look under benches. "Takina?"

There was a broom closet in the corner. As soon as he saw it, he could almost feel her there. Stumbling over the benches and slick, waxed floors, he ran to the closet door. There was blood on the floor under the door. Oh, God. He tried the handle. Locked.

There was a fire extinguisher on the wall. Xander grabbed it, bringing it down hard on the handle and knocking it to the cold tile with a clatter. His hand caught the lock inside the gaping hole and pulled the door open, hearing it slam into the wall.

Xander's stomach turned, his heart shattering at the site. Takina was on the floor, tied and gagged, a puddle of half dried blood behind her head. Whoever had done this to her had left her only her underclothes and Xander's rattled mind thought how cold she looked. How horribly cold.

It took everything he had to crouch down next to her. The tears were already falling. They had been since he saw the blood by the locker. Closing his eyes, he pressed his fingers to her pretty, pale neck.

Heartbeat.

Alive.

Xander stood, finding some linens and blankets on the shelves above them. Tossing them to the floor. Wrapping her gently in them and scooping her into his arms. Panic was in charge now, but he still knew he had to make her warm again. He had to help her. Had to save her.

He kicked the door to the main corridor open, carrying her limp body in his arms like a wounded child. "Help me!" Xander screamed, stumbling down the hallway, his vision obscured by tears. "Somebody, help us!"

To be contd.

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