TITLE: Cruel & Unusual Punishment
AUTHOR: Ragna (writinggoddess@aol.com)
RATING: FRT
SPOILERS: None, unless I miraculously get hired to write for the show.
DISTRIBUTION: Sure, just tell me!
DISCLAIMER: Everything except what comes out of my pretty little head belongs to Joss and Mutant Enemy.
FEEDBACK: Wanted. Needed. SEND IT!
***
"This special Watcher's Council meeting will come to order," Arthur said, throwing a stern look at Alex, who just stuck her tongue out at him. "We have a very important topic to discuss. Alexandra Giles has flagrantly thrown all the rules out the window by consorting with this vampire," he continued, pointing to Spike.
"He has a name. Use it," Alex said, glaring at Arthur. He blanched a bit.
"Very well, then. Spike, a known killer, has only recently gotten a soul, but he is nonetheless a vampire. And Miss Giles is a Watcher. The type of acceptable relationship between vampires and Watchers is only that of allies; anything else is unacceptable. Therefore I move--"
"Let her speak on her own behalf," Spike said through clenched teeth. Arthur turned white as a ghost, and motioned for Alex to approach the podium. She approached quietly and with a hard look in her eyes.
"Let's get one thing clear. The relationship I have with Spike should be my own business, and not yours. When a Giles screws up, even in the slightest, you move to fire them or kill them. Guess what, folks? Neither are happening in my case. I will continue to live with whomever I choose, and you can't stop me."
She motioned for Spike to come up to the podium with the supplies, then reached over and held his hand. "And so what if I love him? Let me be happy. Spike is paying for his deeds with a soul, which he accepted willingly; neither of us need to have you pass judgment on us. Besides, there have been other Watchers who have loved vampires. In fact, Arthur, your grandfather was one of them, if I remember history correctly."
She let the Watchers gasp before continuing. "And I want to point something out. You did a grave act without a full council vote. That was sending my sister to Galway. And guess what? She's now in the 1400's." She set up her spell and transferred it's power to the globe. It started to glow emerald green, and then a scene was clearly visible. "The three there are my sister, her boyfriend, and their guide. The woman standing in the doorway, I'm assuming, is Elizabeth, the slayer at the time."
The Council members gasped again. "I can call out various rules you idiots have broken by approving this action without a full vote. Might I point out that if I had been notified, I would have voted against it? And that, though I am her Watcher and sister, you cannot discriminate against my vote on the basis of a personal bias? It has happened only once before, with the Watcher being present."
The Council looked from the two at the podium to Arthur. George Gooding, a Watcher representing Norway, stood up. "Sir, if what Miss Giles is saying is true, why are you so adamant about removing her from the council?"
Arthur looked like a deer trapped in headlights. "I...I...I..."
"He doesn't have a bloody good reason other than fear and dislike," Spike said. "From what I understand, a lot of you are bloody hypocrites. You say one thing when everyone's looking and do another when you're alone. At least Alex is honest, especially when it counts. And if she does make a mistake, she's open about it."
"Thanks," she whispered to him. "He has a point," she said a bit louder for the benefit of the council. "I make a motion that Arthur be removed as head of this council to be replaced by the next in line, Mr. George Gooding. Arthur has misused the power of heading this council by trying to get me expelled for his own personal amusement."
"What about you two?" Emma Neill, the Australian watchers representative, said.
"The last case, with Arthur's grandfather, resulted in no expulsion from the council, and his grandfather was allowed to live with the vampire. Or did you neglect to mention that part, Arthur?"
Arthur did not answer. Instead, he turned and ran. Spike caught up with him rather quickly, though, and tackled him to the ground, his game face appearing. "Give them an explanation!" Spike said severely.
Arthur passed out instead.
***
"Not again," Patricia said after looking up from the phone.
"What?" Buffy asked.
"The operator keeps cutting me off, but I don't think he's at home. Time to page Alex." She dialed all the necessary codes for a long distance page and typed in the school's number. "Pray this works."
The page went through, because the phone rang about five minutes later.
"What's up?" Alex asked. "Hold on. Spike, wake him up. Okay, I'm back."
"What's going on?" Patricia asked panicky as she put Alex on speaker phone.
"Arthur's being a jerk, tried to get me off the council, fainted after Spike changed. Not much really. He's almost been demoted; we just need to wake him up."
"And she says that's not much," Giles groaned, looking at the ceiling.
"I heard that. We're coming back in five days, by the way."
"That's good," Giles said.
"How'd you persuade the council not to fire you?" Willow asked.
"Brought out some skeletons in the Council's closet. Like rules they broke and past mistakes made. All pointed to the fact that Arthur was using his post to get me out of the Council. Why'd you call?"
"Actually, we need a spell. The one to transfer information from one Book of Shadows to another," Patricia said.
"He's a bit busy at the moment, but let me ask around." Alex pulled away from the phone and asked loudly. "Any Wiccans, especially those who know the Book of Shadows transfer spell come down here now. Don't be afraid; he won't bite." She set the phone down, and after a long pause, said. "Great!"
"I wonder what happened?" Oz asked.
Alex got back on the phone. "I sent the spell through e-mail. Willow, check your inbox."
Willow went to her laptop. "It got through!" she said loudly enough for Alex to hear.
"Great. I'll call back later" Before she clicked off, they could all hear her say, "Good, you're awake."
"I am so glad I'm not there," Buffy muttered.
***
"So am I," Gaby said, looking at Elizabeth.
"Really? I thought there could only be one," she replied looking back at her.
"There is supposed to be. In fact, I'm one of two slayers now. Well, in my time."
"Wait. In your time? Are you not from here?" Gaby shook her head. "Are you a witch?" Elizabeth asked, looking shocked.
"Not a good one, no." Gaby stood up. "I am a Slayer, and I was sent here to do a ritual when you slay a demon this week. In the future, you neglected this rite, and a Hellmouth developed here in Galway, under a nearby alley."
Elizabeth slowly nodded, letting everything sink in. "And you're here to stop the Hellmouth from forming?"
"Exactly."
"Well, I have no place to stay, fearing Jeremy."
"Who's he?" Tom asked.
"The man I was betrothed to. I truly despise him," she said simply.
Xander whispered to Gaby. "Wasn't that your sister's ex-boyfriend's name?" She nodded.
"You may stay here, and I...I mean, we will protect you," Tom said.
"Oh great," Gaby muttered. "He likes her."
"It looks mutual," Xander replied as Elizabeth looked at Tom with a unique look on her face. He cleared his throat. "Well, now, shouldn't we get some rest?"
"That is an excellent idea," Elizabeth said. "Who is occupying the bed?" she asked.
"We are," Gaby said, pointing to Xander.
"Are you married?" she asked, her eyes wide.
"No," Xander replied, and Elizabeth looked shocked. "But in our time, it's allowed."
She just nodded and looked toward Tom. "And where do you sleep?"
"Until you leave, on the floor. You may have the couch," he said. She nodded, laid down on the couch and promptly fell asleep.
"My, aren't you being a bit gallant?" Gaby asked Tom.
He shrugged. "Yes, but I think she's pretty. Can I help it?"
***
"Dear, don't be too mean to him," Alex muttered to Spike, looking at the other Watchers, some with amused looks on their faces. "He is technically still the head of the council."
George stood up. "I say we hold the vote. Since it is between Arthur and myself, neither of us shall vote. Majority wins. Alex, you brought the motion up, so you're in charge."
She stood up and walked to the podium. "Okay, everyone, take your seats. Being distributed is two different colored marbles. Everyone agrees that black is no and white is yes?" There was a murmur of agreement. "Very well. I will walk around with a box. If you believe Arthur should be impeached, put the white marble in the box. If you do not, put the black marble in the box."
She went to the back and slowly walked over to each Watcher. About an hour later, she was done. "Very well. I will count the marbles as everyone watches. Transcriber, make a note of each and tally the results." She began pulling marbles out of the box. For every white there was five blacks.
When she was finished, she said, "Transcriber, read the totals."
A middle aged woman at a stenographer typewriter stood up. "100 white, 500 black."
Spike turned a vicious grin towards Arthur. "Afraid you don't have a bloody job anymore, mate." He dropped Arthur into a chair and went to Alex, picking her up and swinging her around. "You did it!" he said happily.
"Lemme go, Spike," she said laughingly. He obliged and set her down lightly. Some members of the Council and other Watchers looked overcome with guilt at trying to persecute the two of them.
George walked up to the podium. "Thank you, ladies and gentleman. My first piece of business is to drop the motion for Alexandra's removal from the Council. Furthermore, I would like to apologize to both her and Spike for this unjust action."
Spike looked at him. "Thanks." Alex nodded, her arms still around Spike's waist.
George smiled. "My next motion is that this meeting be adjourned. Second?"
"Second," Emma said.
"Motion accepted." Watchers started to file out of the room, and Emma came up to Alex and Spike. "What will you two do now?"
"Go home, I guess," Alex said. Emma hugged her good-bye. "Look, let me give you my e-mail address. Let me know how you are doing when you get back to the States ." She scribbled out a short address and handed it to Alex.
"Thanks." She looked at Emma, who was leaving. "Wait a sec. How old are you, anyway?"
"25. You had me beat by a few years at the youngest Council member ever." Emma smiled and then left.
"Now what?" Spike asked as they stood alone in the empty room.
"We get some sleep, among other things."
***
"What other things?" Oz asked.
"Yarrow root and lavender, both of which should be in my apothecary bag," Giles said.
"I really think that this is a weird idea," Willow said, "but I'm willing to try anything to get them back in one piece."
"Of course it's weird. It wouldn't be witchcraft if it wasn't," Patricia said.
Willow laughed. "I still have so much to learn." She was looking at her inbox when an instant message came from Alex. Hey girl, what's going on?
Arthur's no longer leading the Council, and George Gooding is taking over.
Wow. How big was the margin you won by?
We got 500 votes out of 600.
Cool. We're doing the spell now.
E-mail me a copy of it. I have some information in my book she needs.
Willow opened up her e-mail and forwarded the message. How'd you get the spell here so fast, anyway?
Someone has a digital Book of Shadows. Cut, paste, send.
No wonder it wasn't your e-mail address.
Yeah. The Council won't be doing anything to me or Spike. It was a long meeting, so I have to get some sleep.
Sure. And I meant that sarcastically. Bye!
Willow! You and--never mind. Bye.
Willow got offline. "Alex just IM'd me," she said looking at Giles.
"IM'd? What's that?"
"She sent an instant message. Arthur got impeached, and he's been replaced. The Council's going to leave her alone."
"That's good," Giles said. He looked at Patricia. "Ready?"
She nodded and began reciting the spell. The words in her book glowed for a moment, then went back to their original state. She repeated it on every page she wanted to send.
"That's it?" Buffy asked.
"Not a spectacular spell, but it gets the job done," Patricia replied. "Let's just hope she got it."
***
"You got it?" Xander asked, as someone knocked on the door.
"Yes, but I don't know who'd come here this late," he muttered, opening the door.
"Sir, Jeremy is here looking for Elizabeth," the barmaid said. "I'd suggest you get her out of here."
"Thank you," he said, handing her a gold coin. "Go back to sleep now." She curtsied and left. "Well, what do we do now?" he asked towards Xander.
But Xander didn't hear Tom. He was looking at Gaby's book. He shook Gaby lightly. "Gaby? Your book is glowing."
She woke up and opened it. Quickly, she scanned the glowing pages. "Get her out of here now or we all die!" she said quickly, motioning to Tom. He nodded, scooped Elizabeth up in his arms and went out of the room.
"What did it say?" Xander asked.
"That she was murdered, as well as three companions, in an inn by her demented ex-fiancee. We would have been those three companions."
***
As soon as Tom left, someone pounded at the door until it broke open. A large man with a thick neck and a red face came in and drew his sword.
"There you are, Elizabeth!" he yelled as he tore the sheet and blanket off the bed, exposing Gaby.
"I believe not, sir!" She then screamed until the innkeeper arrived.
"Sir, that is not who you are looking for. She is a traveler from England. Let her be!" Jeremy reluctantly placed the sheets back after he leered at Gaby for a bit.
"Let her be," Xander said through clenched teeth. The man, which both Americans guessed was Jeremy, looked taken aback. "She's my wife," Xander continued.
Jeremy nodded and left the room without another word. The innkeeper glared at him and then glanced at the tenants. "I'm sorry, sir. I didn't tell him she was here. I wouldn't want my niece marrying that ogre if her life depended on it," the innkeeper said. "Let me move you to another room. And refund a bit of your money."
Xander shook his head. "Keep the money. It wasn't your fault. But another room would be a good idea." The innkeeper nodded and left the room.
"I feel sick," Gaby said, and Xander put his arms around her and comforted her. "You were brave, though."
"Yeah, but I was totally scared, too. And I'm sorry about the wife thing."
"Well, you're supposed to be my husband for this. It's permissible."
"But still...I felt uncomfortable."
"But you got him out of here, didn't you?"
***
"I did?" Tom said the next morning. Him and Elizabeth had returned to the new room after being in the kitchen for an hour or so.
Xander nodded. "Just in time. The ass broke in here and took the bed stuff off, accusing her of being Elizabeth."
"I'm so sorry about that, Alexander," Elizabeth said. Elizabeth had taken to calling them by their full names.
"It's not your fault. We just need to keep you out of his sight for a while, until you can kill the demon and we can do the ritual." Gaby looked at her Book of Shadows, at the new pages added last night. The information had changed slightly, saying that Elizabeth had gotten killed many years later.
"Well, you'll be safe for a bi--" Gaby stopped as she glanced down at another part of the diary. There was a small footnote about the ritual. "Guys, listen. 'However, other help at the ritual was, unfortunately, killed. A young time traveling girl, Gabriella, was the only survivor. Her two companions and an unnamed assailant did not survive.' We're in trouble, I think."
***
The cold air in London bothered only one of the two people walking by the Thames River. The joyous feeling of the evening before was replaced with melancholy and worry, but the Thames was as close to a beach as they could get, and the beach always seemed to calm Alex.
"Not helping, pet?" Spike asked gently as he wrapped his cold arms around her.
Alex shook her head. "Nice idea, though. I'll give you that much." She lead him over to a bench, and the two of them sat down. "I really hate not being able to do anymore than feed information to her."
"Did you send her the spell to transfer information?" Spike asked. Alex looked up and straight at him. "That way, she can send some back to you as well."
"You're brilliant!" she said, kissing him soundly. "God and Goddess, I don't know what I'd do without you sometimes."
"It's what I get for being almost 200 years old, love, and being that old, I know what you'd do. You'd survive."
Alex leaned back into Spike's embrace, with a look of contentment on her face for the first time in days. "Yeah, but survival's not the only reason to live."
"Since I don't live anymore, tell me some of the other reasons."
She closed her eyes and thought about it for a moment. "Love, most definitely, and passion as well. Not just passion for someone else, but passion for anything. Of course, faith is another reason. Faith that there is something you have to do. And then there's greed."
Spike looked at her skeptically. "Greed? As a reason to live?"
Alex nodded. "Yeah. Think about it. When someone thinks they're going to die, what's usually the first thing they pray for?"
"God to spare their life."
"Then they're being greedy."
Spike was about to argue but laughed instead. "You're right, if that's how you look at it."
Alex looked back at Spike as she settled in his arms and leaned against him. "How does it feel to die?"
He looked a bit taken aback at that question, but he shrugged. "It depends on how you die. If you're asleep, then it doesn't hurt at all. If you die in a violent way, it hurts. You stop breathing, and you feel as though your lungs will burst. Sort of the way you feel if you're underwater too long. Then your heart stops and time just stands still."
She shivered a bit, and he tightened his embrace. "How did it feel when you died?" she asked him quietly.
"It hurt. Quite a bit, actually. I could feel my life ending, and the pain was unbearable. But remember, sweet, I was being turned. Death itself wasn't so hard. It was the period after that hurt. What's with the sudden interest?"
It was her turn to shrug. "Not much. Just...in case..." A tear fell silently down her cheek and fell on his bare hand.
He suddenly understood. "Don't cry, Alex. I promise you, they'll be fine. They're smart enough to live, and they've got all the reasons to live." He nudged her up and they started walking back to her apartment, all the while Spike holding her next to him.
Climbing up the stairs, they were both completely silent. And stayed that way for the next three hours as Alex sent the spell to Gaby and read various Watcher's Diaries. Spike watched from the darkened bedroom. He laid down on the bed and closed his eyes.
No amount of anything will make Alex happy again until her sister comes back. And I feel so helpless. He opened his eyes as Alex walked in and slowly changed out of her clothing. Watching her, Spike was overcome with a sense of awe, and of love. I hope she never has to feel this way again. I love her so much, but I can't help.
Alex laid down next to him, carefully erasing any space between them. "I heard every word, Spike," she said quietly. "And just by being there, it's helping. But I'm not going to be the same person I was before this happened, either. Before any of this happened. I'm not going to be--"
Their skin touched, and he turned his head so he was facing her. Even in the dark, he could see her hazel eyes catch what little light there was, and he could feel her warm breath against his skin. "I know," he said. "But I'll love you anyway. I've never met anyone like you before, and I'm not about to let you go without a bloody fight. Much as I may not like it sometimes, you're a part of me."
He could tell she was starting to fall asleep, so he quietly added, "You have a piece of my soul inside you. You always have."
***
"No word yet?" Buffy asked eagerly that evening. It had been three days since they had heard from Alex about the council meeting and four days since Gaby and Xander went back in time.
Patricia reread the passage slowly and shook her head. "No, just that Xander and their guide die, as well as an unnamed attacker."
Giles was pacing, very nervous and very tense. The slightest things have been setting him off. Willow's laptop beeped "You've got mail!" and he stopped. "Willow, open that, will you?"
She scrambled out of the chair she'd been sitting in and opened her mail. "It's from Alex!"
Everyone in the room crowded around her laptop. The message wasn't very long, but it was interesting.
"I've heard of her. Very skilled," Giles muttered.
"Yeah, she probably would," Oz said, laughing a bit.
"I'll send it straight to her book," Patricia said.
"At least we know that Gaby can get to us too, now," Buffy said, looking at her watch. "Oh. Gotta go patrol. See ya tomorrow?" She waited for a response while gathering her supplies.
"Umm...yes. Most definitely," Giles said. Buffy nodded and left the room. "You might as well go home too," he said motioning at Willow and Oz.
They gathered up their things and left the library. Giles sighed and slumped into his chair. Patricia came out from the office. "You look exhausted," she told him
"I feel drained," he replied, not moving his head from his hands, where he was resting them. Patricia walked up behind him and put her arms around him.
"You love your nieces quite a bit. But you do need to stop worrying as much." He turned around to look at her. "Not that you can't worry. Just...Gaby is 18 and Alex is 23. They need to live a little on their own. And all this worrying is hurting you." Taking advantage of him looking at her, she kissed him lightly. "Go home and get some sleep. Doctor's orders."
He laughed a bit. "I really do worry too much, don't I?"
Nodding, she walked over to his coat and books, picked them up and handed them to him. "Lock up and go home."
For the first time in over a week, he smiled.
***
Gillian Streep sat nervously at the Watcher's Council meeting that evening. At 24, she was a sight. Long blond hair and violet eyes, as well as a slender physique which got the attention of most males. But underneath the pretty looks lurked a very quick wit and bright mind.
"Are you ready?" Alex whispered impatiently. The girl sitting next to Gillian was nothing like the one who, only a week before, had stormed into the Council meeting and frightened Arthur to death. This girl looked pale, and had dark rings under her eyes.
Gillian nodded. "Yeah, I'm ready. I hope I don't mess up too much, though."
"Just come back alive with them and we'll all be happy," Alex said, smiling wanly.
"How much sleep have you been getting?" Gillian asked, concerned.
"In the last two days, about 8 hours." She yawned, and quickly glanced over at George, who was setting up the spell. It was a different one than the Druids used, one that would allow them to leave immediately afterwards, if needed.
"Girl, go home and get some sleep!" Gillian said a little louder. Spike, who had been sitting nearby, leaned over towards Gillian.
"If she goes home, I can almost guarantee she won't get any bloody sleep," he said.
Gillian jumped a bit but regained her composure quickly. "Sorry. You startled me. I'm surprised you don't make her sleep."
Spike smiled a bit, illuminating his face. "If I tried, she'd hurt me."
Alex glared at him. "Would not." Lack of sleep made her very cranky.
Gillian smiled at them. "You two act like you're married."
"In a way, we are," Alex said. "We're just not legally."
George cleared his throat. He'd been motioning for Gillian to come up to the podium so he could cast the spell.
"Wait a minute," Alex said, undoing her Titanic necklace from her neck. "Wear this. Gaby will recognize it. Trust me; she saw Titanic fifteen times."
Gillian took the necklace and placed it around her neck, fumbling with the clasp. "Thanks. I was wondering how I'd get her attention." She approached the podium.
George looked over at Gillian, who was dressed in the fashions of the time. "You know what to do?"
"Yes, I do," Gillian replied. Alex quickly cast the same language spell used on the others, and George finished the waiting time travel spell.
When the last word left his mouth, Gillian was gone.
***
Wandering towards the inn, Gillian stumbled and fell. A young man, about 20 or so, was nearby and helped her up. Looking at the necklace, he asked, "See Titanic much?"
She stood up. "I saw it once, and that was enough. Watching a boat sink more than once won't change the outcome of the movie."
He smiled at her. "I'm Xander. Since you know about the movie, I assume you're from the nineties?" She nodded. "You must be the Watcher that was being sent here."
"I'm Gillian. Gillian Streep." She curtsied a bit, then stood up. "Take me to see Gaby."
Xander grasped her elbow and lead her to the inn. Upon entering, they headed straight up the stairs towards a room in the back. Xander opened the door and Gaby stood up.
"Who is she?" she asked, walking up and seeing the necklace. "Are you--"
"I'm a Watcher from 1999, yes. I've been sent by the council to help with the ritual and to get you out of here before you die."
"That's good. I was hoping someone would do that," Tom said, looking up from his discussion with Elizabeth.
"Another person from your time?" Elizabeth asked. Tom nodded.
"What's your name?" Gaby asked.
"Gillian Streep," she replied looking towards a chair. "May I sit down?"
"Any relation to Meryl? Just kidding. Go ahead," Gaby said, smiling.
Gillian sat down and looked at the others. "Gaby, I believe you owe your sister a great deal of thanks."
"Why?"
"She told the council you were here, and she persuaded them to send someone here. She would have come herself, but that vampire boyfriend of hers wouldn't let her. They actually got into an argument in the middle of a council meeting." She laughed a bit.
"What's so funny?" Xander asked.
"She did everything from threaten to throw him out in the sunlight to stake him herself. And he just stood there with an odd look on his face, saying 'You wouldn't' over and over to every threat. Finally, she threatened to leave one night when he was asleep and he said 'Go. But I don't expect you'll make it far.' She asked why, and he told her to look in her bag."
"What was wrong with it?" Tom asked, listening to the conversation.
"She usually carries her laptop and Book of Shadows in it. Both were missing."
Gaby smiled. "He would do that. What happened next?"
"He stepped up to her, handed her a stake, and said, 'Go ahead. But you'll never learn where I put your bloody book and laptop if you do.' She dropped the stake, laughed in his face and kissed him. It was sweet."
"How come you never do anything like that, Xander?" Gaby asked.
"Threaten my own life? Or tell you to try and kill me?" he replied.
Gaby smiled. "No, stop me from doing something that may hurt me."
"I'm older. You still need to learn some stuff."
A knock on the door interrupted the conversation. Tom got up and cautiously opened it. Then he opened the door fully to reveal Elizabeth's Watcher.
"Child, it's nice to see you again. It's time for the slaying."
***
They approached the field with anticipation. Soon it would all be over, and the time travelers could go home. Except...
"I don't want to leave," Tom said on the way out of town.
"Why?" Fredrick, Elizabeth's Watcher, asked.
"I think I'm in love. With Elizabeth," he said. The look in her eyes showed she felt the same way about Tom.
"Well, you probably can't stay, but...she may be able to come to our time." Gillian said.
"Oh, I would love to!" Elizabeth said happily.
"Let's just get through this evening in one piece, okay?" Gaby said.
***
"The field where the fight was to be waged sat in the middle of a dark forest," Giles read, describing the events in the diary. He scanned some more. "It sounds as though they fought, won and the ritual was completed. But there's something missing. Something isn't quite right."
Willow looked up from her laptop. "How many went to the field that night?" she asked.
"The Watcher, his Slayer, Tom, Gaby, Xander and another Watcher, Gillian. The one Alex was talking about."
"And how many left?"
"All of them."
She typed in some things in her computer. "Um...guys?" Everyone looked at her. "I have some bad news." She turned her laptop slightly so everyone could see.
It was a small footnote. "In the late 1400s three women and two men were charged with being witches. Only two were able to escape. The others, known only as Thomas, Alexander and Gillian, were burned at the stake. That was the beginning of the persecution of witches and the first known case of them being burnt at the stake. Charges were brought up by Duke Jeremy of Galway."
"Oh, dear," Giles said.
***
"Oh, no," Alex said as she read the message from Willow. Spike, asleep in the bed, turned over as Alex crept out of he room and the house, grabbing her Book of Shadows on the way out. She had a cab take her outside the London limits, and finally she had the cab stopped at a small field. She cast a spell for clothing, and quickly cast the language spell. The sun was about to rise.
As the sun finally rose up above the hills, Alex was gone.
***
Spike woke up later in the afternoon. The flat was silent, but he couldn't find Alex anywhere.
Slowly making his way towards her kitchen, he saw the note.
"Spike, I know you may never talk to me again, but I had to go. I'll only be gone for a day. There was no way could get the information to them unless I told them. Spike, some of them are going to be burned at the stake. I'm sorry, and I love you."
Silently, he cursed as he walked towards her phone.
***
"She WHAT!!!!" Giles yelled. "Sorry. She left in the middle of the night?"
"I woke up and she was gone," Spike said simply. "Check the footnote to see if anything changed."
Willow went to her laptop and pulled the site up on her bookmark. "Yeah. It's gone."
Giles sighed with relief. "Give her a day. Then yell at her as much as you want when she comes back. It'll probably mean more coming from you."
"Don't worry. I will." The phone clicked, meaning he'd hung up.
"And now you see why I worry about my nieces so much," Giles said, looking straight at Patricia.