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Rip in Time Ch. 01

By: badgirl298



Rip in Time1: Nocturnal Omissions

The blond man grinned at the young woman. “You look beautiful today, luv.” He brushed his lips against hers in a soft welcoming kiss. She wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned against him as she gave him a feather-light kiss.  His tongue sought entrance to her mouth and she welcomed him eagerly. The man slid his hands under her sweater. As he traced small circles on her back, she pressed more intimately against him, settling between his thighs. “I want you so much.” He gasped against her open mouth.

“I want you, too.” She cried as she tugged his white shirt from the waistband of his tight jeans. He helped her pull it up and over his head. Then, he returned the favor by helping her remove her sweater. They slid to the floor in a pleasurable jumble of arms and legs. “Oh, Willow.” He moaned.

“Oh, Ripper.”

“Oh, bloody hell!” Giles cried as he came awake abruptly. He had been dreaming about Willow and himself as a young man. Willow and Ripper writhing on the floor in ecstasy and he had just been about to. . . “Brandy. Need brandy.” He whispered.

Giles clumsily made his way downstairs, still troubled by his erotic dream. And its ramifications. He retrieved the bottle and poured himself a generous portion. He placed one trembling hand to his brow, seeking to make sense of his chaotic emotions.

“Rupert? You awake in there?”

“Yes.” Giles snapped. He was in no mood to deal with his captive vampire.

“Glad to hear it. From the sound of that dream were having. . .well, let’s just say I’m relieved you aren’t sleep-walkin’ with me all chained up and helpless in here.”

“Just when I think we’ve reached the lowest point in our conversations you cheerfully drag us deeper into the muck.” Giles said this from the doorway to the bathroom.

“They’re your dreams, Rupert, not mine. Besides, with the way all of you treat me, I feel like a redheaded stepchild.” He paused meaningfully. “But, I guess I shouldn’t feel too bad. You like red-haired children, don’t you?”

“Spike, so help me if you reveal-“

”Don’t get your knickers in a twist, Watcher. Tell you what, I’ll keep my knowledge of your pedophilic tendencies to myself, if you do me a small favor.”

“I’ll tell you what, why don’t I get a stake and put it through your black heart?”

Spike wasn’t impressed. “And miss out on all this information in my noggin about those tin soldiers? I don’t think you’d do that. Lets just make this very simple, shall we? You just give me free reign of the house and we’ll call it even.”

Giles was about to argue when he saw the determined gleam in Spike’s eye. “Fine, but you keep your beak shut or I’ll stake you no matter what kind of information you have.” He turned to storm out of the room.

“Giles?”

“What?”

“Are you going to untie me?”

“I’ll do it tomorrow. I’m going to try to go back to bed.”

“Giles?”

“What now?”

“Sweet dreams.”              *********

Willow juggled a bag full of magickal supplies and a box of donuts from the local bakery. She knocked on Giles door.

It was swung open quickly. “W-Willow. How nice to see you, uh, bad choice of words. Not that I was. . .looking. What are you doing here?”

“Truth spell, remember?

“Oh, yes. The truth spell. Wait. . .didn’t you say that you had a class? You shouldn’t skip classes just to help me out.”

“It was canceled. Are you going to let me in?” 

“Oh, of course.” He stepped back from the doorway, he was avoiding eye contact with her.

“Spike!”

“What are you shouting at, Red?”

“He’s free Giles.” She pointed to the vampire who was currently lounging on the couch. He gave her box of donuts an appraising glance.

“I know. He can’t bite. And I’ve got an . . .understanding with him. It’s fine.”

“Well, I guess its okay if you think its safe.” She scowled at the vampire for good measure, though. Willow went to the kitchen and started brewing a pot of tea. She chose Earl Grey tea because Giles favored it. She placed a jelly donut on a napkin for him and he blushed when he took it from her.

“Th-thank you, Willow.” He turned crimson.

“Can I have one too, pet?” Spike asked as he came to stand beside her, hovering over the donut box.

“Sure.”

“Mmm. Glazed donuts, my favorite.” He snatched one up and put it around his index finger. He proceeded to eat his way around the circle on his finger.

She walked over to the coffee table and sat down beside Giles. He looked uncomfortable. Willow wondered if it was because Spike was roaming around his home. She began laying out the ingredients for the spell. “Where’s the spell book?” He pulled it from a stack of books which were on the floor. “Giles, is something wrong?” She whispered. “Are you angry about something? Is it me? I probably came at a bad time, do you want me to leave?’

“Want. That’s an interesting word.” Spike drawled.

Giles glared at Spike before answering Willow. “No, Willow, I’m not upset with you. Let’s just perform the spell.” And then you can leave before I do something to embarrass myself.

Spike sat down in a chair and crossed his arms behind his head. “Work your mojo on me, luv. I’m sure we’ll find out all sorts of interesting things.” He smiled at Giles.

Giles nearly choked on his donut. “I’ve changed my mind, Willow. We won’t be doing that spell just yet.”

“But I bought all the ingredients. And I got up early to come over here even though I could have slept in. And-“

”My decision has been made.” He said sternly. He hoped she would give in.

She pursed her lips but didn’t argue with him further. “Fine.” The Watcher had not been himself lately, his mood swings were becoming more and more exaggerated. Willow was also worried that he might be abusing alcohol. 

“So, uh, shouldn’t you be going back to your dorm? You said you had gotten up early. Why don’t you take a nap?”

She frowned. “Because Riley was coming over. Buffy and he are probably flirting and maybe even smooching and. . .”

“That’s disgusting, Red. I don’t want to hear about the slayer’s love life.” He put a hand to his throat. “I think my donut’s backing up on me.”

She ignored him. “Giles, can I stay here? I can do some research, I’ve got my laptop in my backpack.” She gave him an overeager grin. Willow didn’t want to be alone but she couldn’t sit there and watch two people fall in love. It was just too painful after Oz’s swift departure.

Giles correctly interpreted her emotional state. “Of course, Willow. Why don’t you get on that infernal machine of yours and try to find out more about the soldiers?” Willow beamed at him before she went to get her computer.

“Do you two need some alone time?” Spike asked. “I can always make myself scarce.”

Willow frowned. “Why would we-“

”Spike.” Giles said sharply. Willow shook her head and looked down at the screen. He picked up a stake from his arsenal of weapons and made a stabbing motion in the air.

Spike put his arms out in defeat. He smirked at Giles before he sat down next to Red. The Watcher frowned at him and his close proximity to the young witch. In truth, Spike thought Willow was quite beautiful. He could understand Rupert’s infatuation with her. Lately, he’d been entertaining thoughts about her as well. Spike draped an arm around her back. Willow was oblivious, intent on her work. Giles wasn’t, he glared at the vampire.

Spike stood up and whistled a jaunty tune as he went to get some blood from the fridge. He’d had a bloody good 24 hours. He was free to roam the house. Imagining what Giles dreamt about was better than watching the telly. Even Passions! And teasing him about his fixation was just as amusing. His unlife was starting to look up.

Giles stared at the object of his lustful dreams. He had an awful suspicion, he was beginning to think that those weren’t just dreams. Giles was afraid that those were repressed memories. 

Rip in Time Ch. 02



Chapter 2: Hard Day's Night

Willow was busy perusing a government website, looking for references to the "Initiative". So far, there wasn't even a mention of it. Giles looked up from the book he'd been reading about Tract demons. "Willow, I was just wondering something. Have you , by any chance, been doing some spells lately?" Ones that make older men lust after you?

"Of course! Nothing serious though, I know that with my concentration a little strained because of. . .you know. . . that wouldn't be a good idea."

"A wise decision, Willow." He said thoughtfully. Maybe it was Ripper. In the past, he had somehow gotten a time travel spell. Spell books that contained that type of magick were scarce. Partly because it wasn't wise to visit the past, changing the slightest thing could alter the universe. They were also notoriously unreliable. Though, that wouldn't have scared his younger self in the least. Damn that boy! 

"Why do you ask?"

"I have been having these. . ." he needed her assistance to get to the bottom of this, but he didn't want to tell her the nature of these dreams. ". . .dreams about my younger self in this time period. I think that they might be memories, Willow."

"Wow! What were you doing in the dream?"

Spike, who was sitting on the chair across from them, seemed to find that question amusing. "Hold on, you were dreaming about yourself as a whelp?" Spike had a mental image of a pimple-ridden tweedy nerd shagging Willow and almost fell to the floor. 

"Talking." They did speak to eachother before they. . . it wasn't a complete lie. 

"About what?"

"That's not the issue." He said. "I need your help, Willow. Can you look up references to time travel magick?" 

"Of course." She crossed over to his formidable library of books and pulled out some likely candidates. *******

"This is getting us nowhere." Willow said closing yet another book. They had spent most of the day researching and had found nothing.

"I'm afraid you're right about that." Giles closed his eyes. He was contemplating writing the Watcher's Council. He knew that they had cast him out but he had a very real problem. 

"Giles, can I call it a day?" Willow said, standing up. "I promised to meet Buffy at The Bronze."

"That's fine. You have a good time, Willow." He said, reaching for another book.

"Bye, Spike." Willow said.

"Bye, pet." He called, not even raising his head, he was glued to the television.

"Willow, let's keep this to ourselves for now. I don't want to get Buffy involved unless its necessary." She nodded as she scooped up her belongings and headed for the door. ********

At The Bronze, Willow spotted the gang at a table. They all gave her tentative smiles, she could see they were in "Cheer up Willow mode". Sighing, she went to the bar and ordered an iced mocha before going over. "Hi." She said, hoping that they wouldn't ask any direct questions about what she had been doing today. She was a terrible liar.

"So, Wills, how are you feeling?" Xander asked.

"Fine. I get a little better every day."

He smiled and put a brotherly arm around her shoulders. "I'm glad, I was worried about you."

Riley looked over at her. "How's your term paper coming?"

"It's going really well. I'm doing it on treatments for depression." He smiled back at her and Buffy threaded her arm through his. It was plain to see she was falling for him.

Buffy smiled at Willow. "It's good to see you out here again."

"Can we dance now?" Anya asked.

"Anya, we're talking to Willow-" Xander began.

"No, really guys, it's fine. Go dance! I've got my mocha and its not such a bad day for me." She just didn't want to see any more of their pitying looks.

They all went to the dance floor and Willow settled back in her seat, looking at the crowd. There were a lot of familiar faces. That's when she saw him. He seemed out of place but unconcerned about it. He was leaning against the wall smoking a cigarette. He wore tight blue jeans, a white shirt and a black leather jacket. Willow could see the young man was watching her as well. He crushed out the cigarette on the bottom of his boot and slowly walked over to her.

"Hello, luv."

"Hi." Goddess! He sounds just like Spike, come to think of it, he looks a little bit like him too. Of course, his hair was more blonde than white. And he was a touch taller. But there was something in his attitude, in the way he walked, something not quite safe, that reminded her of Spike.

"What's a pretty thing like you doing all alone?"

She blushed a little, fiddling with her straw. "Would you like to join me?'

"Why don't you join me, on the dance floor?"

She was captivated by the young man. "I'd love to." He pulled her on to the dance floor as a slow song was playing and wrapped his arms around her as they danced. "I forgot to ask your name. I'm Willow."

"Willow, like the tree." He said softly. He thought a moment, before he answered her, not sure if he should give his real one. . . considering the circumstances. "I'm Ringo."

"Ringo." She repeated. Like Ringo Starr? Something about the expression on his face when he had been thinking a minute ago struck her. There was something familiar about him. The clothes, the accent, the stupid alias. . .Ripper. He was here in Sunnydale doing Goddess knows what. She glanced over at her friends but they were absorbed in dancing and Giles edict to keep this quiet echoed in her mind. She was on her own and she could see only one way out of this.

He smiled as he held her closer, she felt so good in his arms. He was quite clever for coming up with that name, its not like The Beatles would still be remembered. This was turning out to be fun. . .he'd see himself as an old man, have a few laughs, and maybe a good shag if he was a lucky bloke. 

"Uh, Ringo?"

"Yes, luv?"

"What are you doing this evening?" She had to find some way to make him come with her. Giles needed to find out what he had done. 

He smiled slowly. "What ever you want me to, pet." He pulled her even closer, letting her feel the evidence of his interest in her.

She gave him a weak smile and closed her eyes briefly. Think Vamp Willow, Rosenberg. When she opened them, she said. "Why don't we go someplace we can be. . .alone." She winked at him.

"I like the way you think." He shook his head in delight and wonder. "Lead the way, luv." *******

By the time, they had reached Giles' apartment, Ripper had grown impatient. He pressed her against the door and kissed her. The he began whispering the most. . .wicked things in her ear. She slipped out of his hold and knocked on the door. "Do you have a roommate, pet?"

The door was swung open by a harried looking Giles. "Willow, do you have any idea what hour it is because-" he broke off when he saw Ripper, standing behind her and holding her too close. He reached out and yanked the young man inside by his ear.

"Bloody hell, Willow. You didn't tell me your dad was living with you."

"I am your future self, imbecile." Giles ground out, finally releasing the young man's ear. 

"What? I was about to shag my own daughter?" Ripper looked a little green.

"Did somebody say shag?" Spike asked, coming down the stairs. He had been listening in upstairs. He looked at Ripper and frowned. "Hey, you aren't tweedy."

"I'm not Willow's father and you weren't about to, uh, shag anyone." Giles blushed, he hoped he had stopped that from happening at least! He looked at Willow for confirmation. 

"I had to get him here somehow. He just kissed me. That's all!" Willow flushed and looked away. She realized that Giles would probably eventually 'remember' that all he had done was kiss her.

"You have a lot of explaining to do, young man." Giles said. 

Ripper looked at Giles bathrobe, glasses, and disheveled hair. " No, I think you have a lot of explaining to do, old man. What the hell happened to me?"



Rip in Time Ch. 03



Chapter 3: Wild Child

"You are very fortunate to turn out like me you ungrateful whelp." Giles said. He was on edge. Thinking back, the memory came to him. He had only kissed her. But he had been intending to . . . . He gestured impatiently for Ripper to come further into the apartment and have a seat.

Ripper took in his surroundings with disdain and disappointment. He was hoping that he would be a wizard, maybe live in nice digs. Nope. He was old, acted like his mother, and dressed funny.

"Why aren't you tweedy?" Spike demanded again. He looked from Giles to Ripper with a confused sort of fascination. It was like watching a Firebird turn into a serviceable mini-van. 

"I have never worn tweed, mate." Ripper sounded offended. He looked at Spike's leather duster with an appraising eye. "Nice coat. Where'd you get it?"

Spike smiled, ready to launch into another bout of bragging. It's not like many other vampires had the audacity to hunt down and kill a slayer. Let alone steal her bloody coat and wear it on a nightly basis.

Ripper's eyes narrowed. "You're a vampire." His head whipped to Giles. "So, you still like vampires, eh? Maybe you aren't so bad after all." He gave his older self a knowing smile. "Though the switch to male is a change . . .sort of."

"You liked vampires?" Willow said in tone that suggested Giles might want to have a mental tune-up. "As in blood-sucking fiends from beyond the grave?" She sat down on the couch and clasped her hands, waiting for his reply. It never came.

"Hey!" Spike shouted. 

"Shut up, Spike." Giles said wearily. "What are you doing here, young man?" Giles sat down in his arm chair. 

"Why should I tell you?" Ripper sat down on the couch with a huff. 

"What ARE you doing here?" He repeated, anger seeping into his tone.

"Well, I was about to tell you when you so rudely inter-"

"No, you weren't. But you are going to tell me. NOW."

Spike came to sit on the arm of the couch next to Red. He leaned over to whisper in a deceptively blasé voice. "What's this about shagging?" She gave him an icy glare.

"It's not like I planned this, Rupert." Ripper said with a self-satisfied smile. He emphasized his much hated given name. The man who sat in front of him, was no longer the Ripper.

"You expect me to believe you just fell into a hole that transported you here?"

"Well, no." Rupert wasn't going to give this line of questioning up. "Alright. I found this book on time travel magick. I was kicking back with Ethan, draining a few pints and smoking a little grass when I thought it seemed like a good idea. Been going through a bit of a rough patch lately. But I guess you know that." Giles eyes clouded with remembered pain. " Ethan suggested I take a little look-see at my future. Y'know, find out if it all works out for me? "

"Ethan Rayne. Bane of my existence. Do yourself a favor and get rid of him when you get back."

"He's my best mate!" Ripper shouted. "And you can't tell me what to do!" Then he closed his mouth, embarrassed by his display. It was like having a row with his father again. Oh no, he'd turned into his father. The glasses, all these bleedin' books in piles, that studious expression. . .

"Well, you are going to undue the spell this minute and go home." Giles said.

"That might be hard to do."

"Why?" A terrible thought occurred to him. "This spell didn't involve a sacrifice, did it? Did you have to kill someone?"

"Are you daft? You and I both know I would never kill someone." Giles raised his eyebrow. "For the sake of a spell." Ripper snapped. "I was high, and I don't remember the rest of the bleedin' spell."

Spike laughed and reached over to slap Ripper on the back. "I've been on some benders, mate, but at least I never sent myself into the future when I was drunk." 

Giles shook his head. "Fine. We'll hit the magick shops in town first of all and then we'll go from there. Can you at least remember the title of the book?"

"It was about this thick." He indicated the width by pinching his thumb and index finger. "And. . .dusty. . .and I think it was red."

Giles winced. He had been a librarian long enough to get patrons asking for a book by its physical description or saying "its about this guy who went fishing. . .". "Thank God, I'm a librarian and I know where to look. Do you think if you saw it again you might recognize it?"

"I'm a LIBRARIAN?" He gasped in despair.

Spike chuckled "Nope. Not anymore. You are a retired librarian and an ex- Watcher."

"I'm a WATCHER?" 

"No, an ex-Watcher, mate. Aren't you paying attention? You still high?"

"Yeah, a little bit." He admitted and then he winked at Willow. She frowned.

"Do you think you'd recognize it?"

"What?"

"THE BOOK." Giles shouted.

"Probably." 

"That's not good enough, you stupid boy."

"Well, it'll have to do."

"Alright. If worse comes to worse we will go to some of my more, uh, unethical sources for some information on a time travel spell. I only hope that your absence in the past won't effect my future."

"Like that would be such a bloody shame." *******

Spike watched in amusement as Ripper twisted his way out of the ropes that his elder self had used to tie him to the chair. Giles had insisted on restraining the lad as the new memory of showing up on his own doorstep formed in his head. He wasn't about to give the scamp he used to be the chance to take advantage of Willow. Consequently, he and the young Ripper had ended up tied to opposing chairs in the living area for the night. "Hey, mate. How about teaching me that trick?"

"Sorry, mate. I don't think so."

"Why not? You know I could call out and give your game away." Spike said.

"Well, for one, how do I know you won't bite me if I let you go?" Ripper tossed the ropes down onto the chair. "And for two, I didn't like the way you were looking at Red earlier."

"I can't." Spike muttered. He wasn't even going to respond to the comment about Willow. That was none of his business.

"What's that?" Ripper walked over to where the phone was and picked up a black book sitting beside it.

"I can't . . .y'know. Not anymore."

"You're kidding?" He found the name he was looking for in the book. "Healthy immortal like yourself can't enjoy any young girls?" Ripper was horrified. He wasn't sure what sex was like as a vampire, but it sounded like this bloke had exhausted himself. How awful.

"Nope. No young girls. Not even an old guy."

"You like old guys?" Ripper was beginning to worry about this vampire. How long had they been holding him captive? And for what purpose? "You need to get out, mate. Before it's too late. I couldn't even imagine not being able to shag . . ."

"Hey! Who said anything about shagging? I was talking about biting! I can shag just fine, thank you very little." Spike was outraged. He might not be much of a vampire anymore, but he was still a lady-killer, by Devil! Well, not literally. Not anymore.

"Oh!" Ripper shook his head. "That's good to hear. I was beginning to worry." Ripper headed for the back door. At the last minute, he turned around. "Tell you what, you don't give me away and I'll teach you that trick before I go back home. Deal?"

"Done. Say, where you goin', mate?"

"It's the future. I'm curious to see what its like." Ripper lied easily.

Spike grinned as he watched the younger version of Giles hasten out the door. Upstairs, Rupert was blissfully unaware. **********

Willow turned over and groaned. She just couldn't sleep. She kept thinking about dancing with "Ringo" at the Bronze. Then she kept thinking that he was really Giles. Then she would get really grossed out. Sure, she'd had a crush on Giles when she was younger. He was smart. And once when she had stayed late after school to do extra-credit work she had overheard him singing and practicing the guitar. Everybody knew she loved a guy in a band. It was kind of like the Slayer's thing for bad boys. It was just an innocent crush. Not something that anyone in their right mind would ever act on. Then she had met Ripper. And all he seemed to do was act.

Suddenly there was a soft knock at her door. It must be Buffy back from her late night patrol. She must have left her keys behind again. Buffy, the Chosen One, the one girl on the whole planet with the power to thwart the armies of darkness, managed to lock herself out of her dorm at least once a month. Too bad she wasn't chosen to thwart the armies of locks. She hopped out of bed, paying no attention to her flannel pajamas with the little witches on them. She opened the door without thinking. 

It was at about the time that the handle left her hand, that she realized that she had made the same mistake when Spike had paid her a late night visit. At least she hadn't issued an invite. She blurted out, "If you're not Buffy, you're not invited in."

"Sorry, luv. That only works on vampires. I should know." *********

Giles sighed. Spike was tied up. Ripper was tied up. Willow was safe in her dorm room. There would be no more of those dreams to bother him. His problem was solved. Sighing once more in contentment, Giles nestled into his pillow and drifted off to sleep. . . .

He smirked at the redhead in front of him. "Nice pajamas, Red." He stepped into the room. "Though I had hoped you'd slept in a little less than the full arsenal." He had nearly driven himself crazy on his long, cold walk over here. He imagined her greeting him at the door in all sorts of revealing outfits. He'd even toyed with the idea of her sleeping in the buff. Actually, the modest outfit made her all the more appealing. Made him want to corrupt her.

"Ripper. What are you doing here?" Willow took a step back.

"Why, visiting a new friend." He pulled the door shut behind him. "Aren't you glad to see me?"

"Umm, yes. I mean, no! I mean, couldn't you have waited until morning?"

"Hmm. No." He took another step towards her. "Though I can stay until morning if you like."

"I'm not so sure that's a good idea."

"Do I make you nervous?" He tilted his head to the side, studying her as she tried to shake her head 'no'. "I rather think I do."

Willow tried to think. She would just try to picture him as Giles. Surely, that would keep her from thinking . . .what she was thinking."So, um, when did you meet Ethan?"

"A while ago."

"And y-you're good, uh, good friends, right?"

"Best mates." He confirmed, still walking towards her, slowly. The backs of her knees hit the bedframe and she sat with a thump.

"W-why . . .uh . . ." She scrambled for another question, one that might give him a moment's pause. He stopped directly in front of her, his knees brushing hers. He reached down and stroked the side of her face with the back of his knuckles. "Why do they call you Ripper?"

Abruptly his entire face darkened, taking on an almost menacing air. Then he grinned at her. Angelus would have been jealous. He tucked two fingers beneath her chin and lifted her face, forcing her to meet his gaze. He leaned down until only a breath separated their lips. "Would you really like to know?"

She nodded. His mouth lowered to brush hers, when the door burst open. Buffy stood framed in the doorway. "Willow, are you okay? I heard a strange voice . . .oh." Buffy blushed. "Sorry to interrupt."

"Right." Ripper forced a tight grin as he stood impatiently. He didn't know who this blond girl was, but he wished that she would shut up and go away. However, if Red was friends with her, he'd be polite. For now. "So, you're Red's roomie? Good to know. We were busy. " 

"No, we're not!" Willow leaped off the bed. "Why don't you come meet my new friend, Buffy? We met at the Bronze and . . . "

"He followed you home?" Buffy shook her head, chuckling. Way to go, Willow. "Before you ask, Wills, you're not allowed to keep him. This dorm has a no large pets policy." When they both just stood there, she elbowed Willow. "Does he have a name?"

"YES! Yes, he has a name. Of course he does. Why wouldn't he have a name that I could just tell you . . .right now. . ." Buffy stared at her friend. Could it be possible that Willow had brought him back here to . . . without asking his name? Willow looked over at Ripper. She couldn't say his name was Ripper, Buffy knew who that was. She couldn't say 'Ringo'. She had no choice but to ask for suggestions. "What's your name again? I'm sorry, uh, I forgot."

Buffy's eyes widened, she was lying. It was true! Willow! I always thought she had a bad side. Ever since I saw that Vamp Willow, but I had no idea that regular Willow was so . . .bad. "Willow!"

"It's ok. It's Rin–"

"NO!" They both turned to stare at Willow. "Don't say it. I remember now! You're name is . . ."

"Morrison. Jim Morrison." He interrupted. He wasn't about to let Miss Flannel Pajamas name him. No matter how beautiful she was. Willow slapped a hand to her forehead, fighting back a groan. Jim Morrison? "And you, ducks? What is your name, again?"

"Buffy Summers." She replied politely. "Wow. Jim Morrison. Your parents must have been hippies, huh? Cool accent too."

"Uh, right. Hippies." He winked at her. "Smoked a lot of grass. Y'know what I mean?" This Buffy girl was certainly easy on the eyes. Had he not met Willow before her, he would have been interested. He hated to be interrupted, but he might as well make the best of the situation. "Why don't I take you two out for a drink?"

They nodded in agreement. Buffy headed for the bathroom to freshen up, and Ripper waited outside while Willow changed into a pair of jeans and a UC Sunnydale sweatshirt. Ripper helped Willow into her coat, then, putting an arm around each of them, proceeded to escort them to one of the campus bars. . . .

Giles sat straight up in bed. "Oh, God, no." It was bad enough that he was dreaming about Willow. Now Buffy, too? He reached for the decanter of brandy next to his bed and took several healthy swallows. Surely he had not been that jaded. He would not try to seduce two girls at once. A sound drifted up from downstairs. 

"Rupert! Put that brandy down. We got to save Red from your bloody lecherous self!"

"Spike?"

"NO, it's the tooth fairy. I have been shouting at you for ten minutes. Get down here and untie me. NOW, LET'S GO!" Spike snickered. "Unless you want to see a whole new side of your slayer."

"Bloody infinite hell." Giles took another strong swallow. "You're driving." ********* 

"I really shouldn't have any alcohol." Buffy said. 

"Nonsense, ducks. A pint or two never hurt anyone." Ripper insisted.

Buffy, thinking back to the "caveslayer" incident couldn't agree less and smiled at him and said. "I'd like a ginger ale." Ripper shrugged.

Willow looked at Ripper, this was a rare opportunity. "What are you going to have?"

"Beer. What should I get you, pet?"

"I want a margarita." Willow had wanted to try one since the movie, Practical Magic, came out. She loved the midnight margarita scene. "Are you old enough to buy alcohol?"

"How old do I look, luv?"

"I don't know. . .20?"

"I'm 23." He grinned. "Plenty old enough. I'll be right back, luv."

He returned shortly with their drinks. Ripper placed himself in between the two young women. "There you are ladies." 

Buffy was watching the young man intently. There was something vaguely familiar about him. She couldn't quite put her finger on it. "Do you go to school here?"

"Uh, no. I'm passing through Sunnydale."

"I see." Buffy said. So, she hadn't seen him at school, maybe she'd seen him in town before.

"How long have you known Willow?" Ripper asked.

"Oh, a few years now. We went to high school together." Buffy said. "She's my best friend." 

Ripper put his arms around both of them, though his hold on Willow was a touch. . .friendlier. His hand grazed her upper arm and skimmed her breast lightly. This wasn't how he had intended the evening to end, but there were worse fates then sitting between two beautiful girls. 

"Get your hand off of her!" Spike yelled out, screeching to a halt in front of their table.

"Sod off, mate! Can't you see I'm busy?" Ripper said. 

Giles came up behind Spike. "Rip-" He stopped himself in time. 

"You remember Jim, don't you?" Willow said.

"Jim? Oh, yes. Jim. Can I have a word outside with you , Jim?"

"No. I'm quite comfortable here, mate."

"You know this guy, Giles?" Buffy said. 

"Uh. Yes, quite well." Giles said.

Spike rounded the table and pulled Red out of the human's grasp. "We'll be in the car." Willow was too stunned to do anything but go with him as he led her to the car.

Ripper removed his hand from Buffy's shoulders, continuing to glare at his overbearing older self. He was so involved in this staring war he was only vaguely aware of Willow's departure. "What's your problem?"

"You. You've always been my problem." 

"Uh, Giles? What's going on?" She leaned around Ripper to stare at her Watcher.

"Buffy, this young man is–"

"His nephew." Ripper smiled. He wasn't ready to explain who he was. He wanted to have a good time. Just then it occurred to him that Willow was gone. That bloody vamp must have up and run off with her.

"I thought you were an only child." Buffy quirked an eyebrow. She couldn't believe that Giles had kept this from her. Still, it explained why the young man seemed so familiar. He did look like a young Giles. 

"It's late. Why don't we discuss this later, Buffy?" Giles turned to talk to Ripper, but he only caught the tail end of him. Running out the door. After Spike.



Rip in Time Ch. 04



Rip in Time 4: Once Bitten

Spike and Willow sat on the hood of his Desoto. It was a little chilly, and he had wanted to sit inside, but Giles had taken his keys. That Watcher was very perceptive. “Y’know pet, I’ve heard you have a wild side, but I never thought you’d be one for a threesome.”

“A WHAT? What are you talking about?” She stared at him.

“You, Slutty and the Un-tweedy.” He wagged an reproachful finger at her.

“You think that–“ She burst into laughter. “No, he just asked us if he could take us out for a drink. We were just . . . “

”I know what you were just . . . “ Spike replied grimly. Suddenly Spike had a mental image of the Grinch. Spike had an idea. A wonderful, *awful*, idea. “ I know all about it y’know.”

“All about what?”

“About what he was intending to do.” Spike thought back to Giles’ sleep- talking. “Y’know, about showing you why he was called the Ripper. Said something about your roomie, too. I’m telling you it was all in his plan.”

Willow wasn’t buying it. “A plan?”

“And you had no idea, luv. You don’t know the Watcher as well as you think you do. He plays the guitar, y’know.”

“I knew that.” 

“And he’s the one that got me hooked on Passions.”

“Really?” She had a hard time imagining Giles watching that show.

“And he has dreams . . .”

“What kind of dreams?” 

“You know what kind of dreams, luv. Why do you think he wouldn’t let you do that truth spell on me? He didn’t want you to find out.”

“How do you know?”

“I live with him. I hear things. . . “ He scooted closer to her. He knew exactly how to convince her to believe him. “I wouldn’t lie to you about this. What possible reason would I have?”

“Because you’re a demon?” She said, though she didn’t know of any reason why he would lie to her about this. Willow tried to grasp what he was telling her. “Who exactly are these dreams about?”

“Well, from what I heard? You ,” He decided to throw in the kicker. “And Buffy.” He grinned. He hadn’t told her they were memories. So he hadn’t exactly broken the deal he had made with Giles. And besides, what did Rupert expect? He was evil.

Willow looked like she was going to be sick. “You have to be kidding. You’re not serious. He’s been having those kind of dreams about us.” She bowed her head. “Giles wants to. . .with. . .both of us? At the same time? Ewww.”

“Look, pet. You can’t tell Giles I told you this. He’d be humiliated. Then he’d stake me.” Spike put his arm around her. “He can’t help it. He’s just sick. They’ve been going on for quite a while. Long as I been staying with him. I just wanted to warn you about what you’re dealing with.”

Willow leaned into him. This couldn’t be true. Poor confused Giles. Spike stroked her face with a cool hand. “I’m sorry I had to be the one to tell you about this, luv.” She just continued to shake her head and look at her feet. What would she say to him when she saw him again? How could she look him in the eye when she knew this? “Willow? Are you ok?”

“Yeah, I just don’t know what to do about this.” She turned to face him. “Don’t worry. I won’t say a word to him about it.” He knew Red wouldn’t rat him out.

“Good. “ Spike sighed. “ I don’t think you should hang around that Ripper fellow, either.”

“Why? He’s not too old for me.” Besides, Willow kind of liked the attention she was getting from him, even if he did come on a little strong.  A little flirtation never hurt anyone, right? And she’d hadn’t felt good about her appearance in such a long time. When she was dating Oz, he used to watch her all the time with that admiring expression on his face. It made her feel so beautiful. 

“He tried to seduce you and your best friend at the same time. And we both know what his older version was dreaming about.” Spike argued.

“I’m telling you it was perfectly innocent.  Buffy just came along to make sure I was safe with him.”

“First smart move the Slayer ever made.” Spike needed a new take on this. “How do you know he wasn’t moving on to your best friend?”

“I know.” She said, blushing. It had been obvious which one Ripper preferred. But she wasn’t about to explain to Spike why. “Why are you so concerned anyway?”

“Just looking out for you.” He hedged.

“But why?”

“Well not for the reason you’re thinking. It’s not like I’m jealous or anything. I just hate to see anyone taken in by that poncy bugger.” He was nearly babbling. Just then, he saw Ripper come out the back door. Seeing his face brought back the fury he had felt when he had overheard Giles’ dream. For a moment, he vamped out. Then, shaking his head, his human features reappeared. What could he do to get back at Ripper for leaving him tied to a chair while he went out for a night of debauchery?  Willow hadn’t spotted Ripper. “Ah, to hell with it, Red. I won’t pretend anymore!” He announced dramatically. Then he grabbed her by the waist, pulled her into his lap, and kissed her soundly.

Ripper stared at the vampire making out with his new girl on the hood of a really ugly car. Well, it was a groovy car but he wouldn’t admit that just now. “What do you think you’re doing, mate?”

Willow pulled back to look up at Spike but he was meeting Ripper’s gaze. She had sometimes wondered what it must be like to kiss the bleach blond, and now she knew. Wow. It was every bit as good as Ripper’s kiss. Bad Willow! She scrambled off his lap. There must be something seriously wrong with her. She had made out with both Giles. . .er Ripper and Spike in the same night. Vamp Willow would have been proud. Willow was mortified. Next thing she knew she’d be buying leather pants.

“What’s it look like I’m doing, Ripper?” Spike said, pleased with the anger and indignation on the human’s face. “You must be more like Giles than I thought. You need me to explain the birds and the bees to you?”

“Why don’t you get the hell away from my girl?”

“Your girl? How can she be your girl already? You only showed up here tonight.”

“She’s yours?” Ripper scoffed. “She’s not the vampire type. She’s too good for the likes of you. You blood-sucking bastard.”

“And here I thought you liked us vamps. By the way, would you care to explain that a little more to me? I haven’t quite figured out what it is you do with vampires yet.” Though Spike had a pretty good idea. 

“Why don’t you come over here then, and I’ll show you? After I’m done kicking your ass, Red and I can have a good laugh for before we sh-“

“I’ve had it!” Willow shouted, shattering their little argument. “You know what? I want nothing to do with either of you. Understand? You’re both disgusting, blond, British jerks. So, you can both stay the hell away from me. Okay?” She marched off in the direction of her dorm, head held high, muttering something about men and how they only thought with ‘one thing’ and it wasn’t their brains.

Spike got up, about to follow her. There were still vampires lurking about, he wanted her to get home safe. She turned to glare at him, but he backed off, shaken by the force of her stare. He pitied any vampire who had the audacity to bother her this evening.

“This is all your fault.” Ripper accused.

“Mine? You were the one sneakin’ out to shag the Slayer and Red.”

“The Slayer? That blond bird is my Slayer?”

“You didn’t even chat them up before you tried to get them in the sack? “ Spike was disgusted. 

“I’m only interested in Willow, not Buffy. Why would I want that bit of fluff when I have the beautiful redhead?”

Spike was still hung up on what was said earlier. “ At least I talk to them. My ex was crazy and I didn’t understand her all the time. Well, most of the time. But I always talked to her and I pretended to understand. It’s just polite, y’know?” 

“I told you, I’m only interested in Willow.” Ripper said.

“Yeah? Well, she’s taken mate. So back off, alright?”

“Really? I didn’t see your mark on her.” Ripper said slyly.

“How do you know about that?” Then, the reason smacked him in the face. “Bloody hell! You’ve been with a vampire before, haven’t you?” He crowed. The soon- to-be watcher had been giving a ‘how’s your father’ to a bloody demon. The Watcher’s Council would excommunicate him or whatever the bloody hell they did to bad watchers.

“That’s none of your business, mate. And, as I said. . .no mark. . .no claim. The lady belongs to me.”

“She’d rip you a new one, Ripper , if she heard you talking about women that way.” He frowned, he probably should have let the whelp say something like that in front of Red. She’d go off on one of her diatribes about men and how they oppressed women. Then she’d call him a chauvinist. Spike had been on the receiving end of more than one of those speeches. “Haven’t you ever heard of women’s lib?”

“Yeah.” He said defensively. “But-“

”Bloody hell, here comes the Watcher!” Spike pulled Ripper behind his car where they crouched on the ground. “ Tell you what? I don’t fancy spending the rest of the night locked up, do you? It’s been ages since I had a little fun. If you still want to fight we can do it later. Why don’t we go to a bar and get pissed for now?” 

Ripper shrugged, not really wanting to fight anyway. “Sure. Why not?” They both snuck off into the alleyway behind them.

“Spike? Ripper? Where did you two run off to? Bloody Hell!” Giles pocketed Spike’s keys, he was far too inebriated to drive or to walk home alone with Sunnydale crawling with vampires. He was having the most wretched night.

Giles had just had to lie to his Slayer to keep her from knowing the truth. Given the nature of time spells, Giles wanted to make sure that hardly anyone knew. He wasn’t sure what kind of implications even the most innocent action might have on the present or the past. There was another reason too. Giles and Buffy hadn’t been that close of late either. She was becoming a young woman, building a place in the world for herself. Giles was afraid that his part in her new life was going to small indeed. He didn’t want to worry her unnecessarily, she had enough on her plate for now. He jogged around the side of the building. “Buffy?” He spotted her retreating form. “Wait up.” She did and they walked to his home in a companionable silence.              

 *******

Ripper and Spike sat at Willy’s bar. Spike had already drank four real ‘bloody’ bloody mary’s and Ripper had worked his way through five beers. They were by no means drunk, both of them having high tolerance levels for alcohol. Neither one of them had spoken to the other since they had entered the bar. But both of them were calm enough now to talk.

“Look mate.” Spike began. “Its silly to fight like this.” Under normal circumstances Spike would have just torn his throat out. But, with the chip and all he decided to be logical about the whole situation. Besides, Spike kind of liked the brash young man. Reminded him of himself.

“How do you figure?” Ripper asked as he ate a beer nut.

“Well, Red’s her own person. She’ll just choose one of us. We can settle this like adults.” And since Ripper was leaving soon, Spike knew that he was the perfect choice.

“So, may the best man win, eh? ‘Cept one of us isn’t a man a’tall.” And Red was a smart gel, she wouldn’t want anything to do a with a demon. Ripper knew from personal experience that those relationships never worked out.  He held out his hand for Spike to shake. They shook hands, in a silent contest of wills.



Rip in Time Ch. 05



Rip in Time 5: Jack

"Tell me about this vampire chit you had a thing for.” Spike asked as he spread his legs out on the front seat of his car. He and Ripper had walked out of the bar when it closed with a bottle of whiskey filched when the barkeeper wasn’t looking and broken into his car which still sat in the alleyway. The sun was almost up but Spike was unconcerned, all his windows were painted black.

“What vampire?” Ripper said from the backseat. He wasn’t drunk but he felt slightly euphoric. He passed the whiskey to Spike.

“The vampire.” Spike’s tone held a little bit of a whine. “The one you had an affair with.” He tilted the bottle back to drink.

He leaned against the cool window and closed his eyes, drifting in thought. “She was beautiful. Still can’t believe she chose me. Though, we just had a biting thing. But, it was amazing, I’d never felt anything like that before or since.” He rubbed his eye with the back of his hand. “She said that’s all we could have because she was in love with someone else.  Some bloke named William. She told me that I reminded her of her of him.”

“The first night I met her, I’d gotten stinkin’ drunk with my mates and we were looking for something new and exciting to do. So, we went to one of these “vampire bite dens.” I mean, its easy to get shagged, but I’d heard that being bit by a vampire was better than that. I just had to know what it would feel like.” Ripper glanced at Spike to see how he was taking the news but the vampire was curiously silent, intently watching him.

“Anyway, we went to one of the higher end places. I didn’t want to get bit by some nasty minion. Only a master, well, mistress vampire.  Y’know, just vamps out looking for a thrill. No blood whores for me. Must be fun for a change, instead of stalking and killing an unwilling human they get one eager to give ‘em their blood. It’s a whole different vibe. You just pay a hefty sum at the door for the privilege.” He smirked, though he got his money from robbing a market. “She noticed me first thing. Right when I walked in the door. “

”What did she look like, mate?”

“Tall and slender. She had long dark hair and mesmerizing eyes but she had a childlike way about her. I don’t think she was all there, if you know what I mean.”

“Her name?” Spike asked in clipped tones.

“Drusilla.” 

“Bloody hell!” Spike reached over the seat and grabbed the dazed human. “ I should have known. You’re him!” Spike changed into game face and tilted the young man’s throat out of habit. He lunged and then doubled over in pain. Spike slumped back into his seat. “You’re Jack.”

“Right you are, mate.” Ripper said with a grin. “What’s wrong with your noggin’? I thought you were gonna rip my throat out there for a second.” He seemed unconcerned. 

“I’ve been chipped.”

“Chipped? So, they found a way to neuter vampires in the future.”

“I’m not neutered. The bleedin’ government gave me this damn bit of tin in my brain, and I’m the only vampire that I know of that has one of these nifty bits of metal.” Spike harrumphed. “Be a cold day in Hell before I’m pay any more taxes.  I’ll tell you that much. “

Ripper chuckled before he grabbed Spike by the back of the neck. “You ever touch me again, mate, and I’ll dust you.” He said this quietly, without a trace of anger.

Spike scowled at him. “Fine.”

“Fine. Now, do you wanna hear the rest of this bloody story or not?” He released the vampire.

“I already know the whole story, mate. She only hooked up with you in London, cause I was busy stalking a Slayer in New York. Killed the bird and took her coat too.” He smoothed his duster as he smiled at the memory. “She hated being around when I did that. Said I didn’t pay enough attention to her. So, she went to have a spot of fun in London.“ Spike looked at the young man fiercely. “And that’s all you were, Jack, just a light o’ love, or blood as the case may be.  You were a toy while she waited around for me.  My dark goddess confessed everything to me eventually.”

“I never knew that. She said that you could never find out. To be honest, I was surprised she didn’t kill me the night you came back to London or that you didn’t kill me.”

“She told me that I had to let you live. Because you were going to be a bleedin’ Watcher and important in my life one day.” He pulled out his pack of smokes and offered Ripper one. They lit it them with the car’s cigarette lighter. “She could probably see what would happen to me, all the way back then. Knew I’d need you when I got chipped.” Spike said quietly.

“She told me it was my destiny to be a Watcher.” Ripper said. “I knew it all my life, knew it was my bleedin’ duty to be one. But I don’t want to. Y’know, I think it gave her some sort of perverse pleasure to bite a soon-to-be Watcher, especially because you were chasing after a Slayer.”

“Poetic justice.” Spike agreed. Strangely, he didn’t hate Ripper. Though, it shocked him that he had this close of a connection to Giles and he had never said anything. Ripper watched over his princess while he was busy and only had a blood relationship with her, he could live with that. “So, how’d you get that bloody awful name?”

“Jack? She gave it to me after I started helping her hunt. Like Jack the Ripper hisself. I used to find victims for her.” He bent his head in something that resembled shame. “But they weren’t good people. Pickpockets and what not.” He took a deep breath. “I was only a kid and high to boot! What the hell did I know.”

“So, you go by just Ripper now?”

“She called me Jack but my mates called me Ripper.”

             *******

Willow opened her eyes as the sunlight touched her face. She rolled over to find Buffy watching her. “Morning, Buffy.”

“Morning, Wills.”

Willow raised up on her elbow and yawned. At least she wasn’t angry anymore, her walk home last night had cooled her temper off a bit. Though, she hated the way Ripper and Spike were fighting over her, like she was property they wanted to claim. She’d just find a way to make them pay for that and they’d be even.

“Did you eat breakfast yet?” Buffy was sitting on the side of the bed and was wearing her slippers. The two girls often got breakfast while still in their pajamas. Their designated cafeteria was downstairs and they lived in an all girl dorm.

“Nope. You want to go with me?”

“Sure.” She stretched her arms out wide and yawned as she sat up. Pushing her feet into her slippers and grabbing her keys, she followed Buffy out the door.

As they were seated, eating pancakes and sipping coffee. Buffy asked the question she’d wanted to ask Willow since last night. “So, how do you feel about this Jim guy?”

“Jim?”

“You know. Tall, blond, blue-eyed, and looks fantastic in tight jeans.” The Slayer smiled. 

“Oh, ‘Jim’. I don’t feel anything about him. I just met him last night.”

“Wills, I know he looks yummy, but don’t you think he’s a little. . .um. . .well, not your type.” Buffy had seen the way the young man was looking at her best friend last night. She was worried he was trying to take advantage of her. Like Parker.

“My type?”

“Yeah. You’ve been all lonely since Oz left you and this is the first guy who shows you some attention.” Buffy watched Willow’s face for her reaction. 

Willow correctly guessed her friend’s concerns. “Buffy, he’s not Parker. I’m careful, I know I’ve been kinda wimpy lately but I won’t be taken in by him.” Especially because he grows up to be my high school librarian. No matter how good he looks in jeans. Or the fact that his kisses make my knees weak.               *******

Giles opened the door to see Spike rushing in, smoke billowing from his duster. Ripper calmly walked in behind him. “Where the hell have you two been?” Giles shouted.

“Out.” Ripper said, sitting on the sofa. 

Giles sighed in exasperation. He really couldn’t believe this is what he used to be like. He was a royal pain in the ass. “How did you to get home? I have Spike’s keys.”

Spike grinned at the Watcher. “Ripper hot wired my car, taught me how to do it too.” He sat down on the couch looking very pleased with himself. He’d just found a new means to piss off the Scoobies. Maybe he’d move all their cars around town to different places. Places frequented by demons and the like. His smile grew wider. 

“Where’s Red?” Ripper asked.

“I assume you’re referring to Willow.” Giles said stiffly. “You will stay away from her from now on.”

“I’m not going to do anything to her, we just-.” 

“I know what you were planning on doing to her. Keep your hands to yourself!”

Ripper’s jaw fell open. “You mean, you can-“

”Yes, I can! I saw the whole thing in my blasted dream. I remembered the way you were looking at her, barging into her dorm room with only one thing on your mind. And we both know what that was. Listen to me very carefully.” Giles said as he jerked his younger self to his feet by the shirt.  He fixed his own blue eyes with a menacing glare. “Leave her alone. She’s been hurt very badly and she doesn’t need you to add to the pain.”

“Who hurt her?”

Giles released his shirt.“That is not your affair. Now, you and I are going to look for that blasted spell book you used and we are going to get you out of Sunnydale.”

“What if I’m not ready to go?”

Spike smirked at them both, watching their argument avidly. He actually hoped Ripper didn’t go so soon. He was curious about him, wondered what other information he could get out of him about Giles. 

“That’s too bad. Now, come along.” Giles snapped.

Ripper swayed on his feet. The whiskey he’d shared with Spike had gone right to his head. He grimly followed the furious Watcher outside into the overly bright sunshine. He wasn’t going home anytime soon. Ripper also had no plans to stay away from Willow either.                 



Rip in Time Ch. 06



Rip in Time 6: Kiss is Just a kiss

Willow knocked on the door to Giles’ apartment. “Giles! Are you home?”

“He’s not here, but you can come on in, luv.”

“Ripper?” Willow hoped her voice didn’t sound too wishful.

“Bloody hell! No. It’s Spike.”

“Oh.” 

Spike bristled. Was that disappointment in her voice? “I’d open the door for you, but the sun’s kinda in the way. I’m not in the mood to burst into flames. You don’t mind, do you, Red?”

“Oh. No, of course not.” She hesitated. Did she want to be alone with Spike? A couple of days ago, she might have been afraid of him. But after last night, a whole new component was added to their bizarre relationship. She wasn’t sure she was ready to see him again. 

“Look, are you coming in or not?”

“Of course.” She said airily. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

She walked in to find the blond vampire relaxing on the sofa. He had a bowl of popcorn on his lap and mug of blood on the coffee table. “Want some popcorn?”

“No thanks.” She reached into her backpack and retrieved her laptop. “I thought I’d do some research for that spell book.”

Spike moved closer to her. “Mind if I look over your shoulder, pet? You being a hacker and all, I thought I could get a few computer pointers.” And sit close to you while I do it.

“Uh, sure.” She said, trying not to show her discomfort. His shoulder brushed her own. “So, what did you and Ripper do last night?”

“Talked a bit, that’s all. You still mad at me?” She gave him the “duh” look.  “Well, really you should be mad at him because he started it.”

Just because the two of you treated me like a piece of meat? She didn’t feel up to an argument. “No, I’m over that.”

“Glad to hear it, pet.” He put his head on her shoulder. “Mmm. This feels nice, doesn’t it?.”

“What are you doing?” She was trying to ignore the shock of excitement that went through her body at his touch. 

“I’m only being friendly, luv.” 

“We’re not friends. Until yesterday you never even noticed me. Why are you doing this?’

“That’s not true at all. I’ve noticed you for quite a while, luv.”

“Whenever you’re hungry. You keep telling me that I’m the first one you’re going to kill when you get the chip out. But I don’t think that counts.”

“No, pet. Well, yes, I want your blood. But that’s not all.”

“Ewww. So you want to. . .snuggle before you kill me? Is that supposed to make me feel better or something?’

“What did I say to you when I visited you in the dorm room?”  

“I think you said ‘I’m going to kill you.’”

“No, I offered you a choice. I said that I could kill you and let you stay dead or I could sire you.  I was just being polite though, I was going to turn you no matter what you chose. There was no way I could part with you.”

“So you’re saying you lied to me?” Willow was flattered that he wanted to turn her but was uncomfortable expressing it, so she lashed out instead. 

Spike sighed. “No, I’m saying I wanted. . .want you for a childe. I’ve never turned anyone, luv. You’ll be my first.” A devilish grin spread over his handsome face. “Know how long it’s been since I’ve said that to a girl?”

“Really?” She couldn’t help but smile. 

“Really.” He put one cool fingertip on her neck to trace the path of her blue vein. “I bet a vampire’s never given you his kiss before.”

“Actually, and I’ll be darned if I know why, I must be like the Snapple of blood, made from the best blood types on earth, but I get bit a lot, it hurts-“

”No, pet, a kiss.” His voice lowered as he pressed his thigh between hers.  Then he leaned down to put his mouth to her neck. “It’s a sharp kiss.” He tongue darted out to lick the pale expanse of her throat and she shivered. “And it’ll hurt, but it’s a good pain. Soon, that line between pain and pleasure will be blurred, both sensations feel good to you. And after that happens, only ecstasy. You’ve never felt anything like it in your life. I can promise you that, pet. “ His blunt teeth nipped at her, he could feel her life’s blood humming through the tiny vein. 

He ached with the need to bite down, taste her hot blood, and make her his.  Her heartbeat increased in both fear and anticipation.  He moaned as his demon’s mask covered his face. Maybe he could bite her. If she wanted it. . .and he knew she definitely wanted it. She was lying in his arms, her neck tilted at just the right angle, a slight moan escaped her lips. Perhaps his chip wouldn’t go off, if he brought her pleasure. He scraped one fang along the vein.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?!?” A voice roared from the open doorway.

“Xander!” Willow screeched. She scooted away from Spike and stood up. “We were just, he was, uh, I think I need to-“

”No need to explain, Willow. He’s had this coming for a long time.” Xander grabbed a stake from his back jeans pocket and advanced on the vampire.

“Now, hold on just a second you sod. Red and I were -“

”You were thinking about making a meal out of my best friend. I know you’re chipped and that you can’t do it right now. But I don’t really care at this point. I’ve had all of you I can take. Move Wills.” Xander gestured with his free hand.  

A knife appeared at Xander’s throat. “I think you better put that down, mate.” Ripper closed the door behind him as he stepped inside. “Now, I don’t know why you’re so upset with my chum here, but I just can’t let you stake him without a proper explanation.”

“Who the hell are you?” Xander had never heard a sound. His first hint that someone was behind him was the steady touch of the cool blade.

“Giles’s nephew.” Xander dropped the stake. “That’s better.” He lowered the knife and gave the shook up young man a moment to step away and collect himself. Then he tucked it back into his boot. “Now, how ‘bout telling me what’s going on here?”

Xander turned and looked at Ripper. This was Giles’ nephew? Since when did Giles have family? And what kind of messed up gene pool was this? The young man stood at Giles’ dimensions, perhaps a tad heavier on the muscled side. He had the same face with less wrinkles and no worried expression. There the similarities ended. He was dressed in jeans, a white tee-shirt with cigarettes rolled in the sleeves, and boots. The way he stood. The look in his eye when he wielded his blade. The way he winked at Willow . . .he just winked at Willow! 

“Hello, luv. Have you missed me?” Ripper crossed the room at a leisurely stride that was somehow savage. Willow backed up quickly but ran into the breakfast bar. He stopped with the tips of their shoes brushing. “I know I missed you.” He threaded his hands into her luxuriant hair and leaned in to kiss her.  Xander and Spike both looked for weapons to kill humans that might be lying about.

Willow could barely breathe. She shouldn’t be enjoying this. It was Giles! But, different. She hoped Spike or Xander didn’t kill him before he kissed her. Then three things happened all at once. Their lips met, Xander picked up an expensive vase (Giles’ nephew, my tookus!), and a very loud voice yelled, “Hold it right there!”

Xander, who had been programmed to listen to the command inherent in that particular voice, put the vase back. Spike smirked, and sat on the couch. He was only going to threaten the young human. Ripper however was not the kind to listen to orders, no matter who gave them. So he kept kissing Willow. Willow never heard the voice. Giles strode across the room, in a different version of the cocky stroll Ripper had used, grabbed said young man by the back of the neck and propelled him across the room through the doorway they had just entered. “I said stay away from her.”

Giles peered down at Willow. “Are you okay?”

“Uh-huh.” she squeaked. Then she turned bright red as she realized that Giles could remember in detail every moment of that kiss. Giles’ eyes widened and he turned away quickly as he remembered kissing her. He walked over to Ripper.

Willow turned and backed toward the couch, keeping her eye on the confrontation between the Watcher and the man he had been. She sat down on the couch. Well, actually, she sat down on Spike who was sitting on the couch. “Hey!”

Willow jumped up and stared accusingly at him. Spike shrugged. “Hey, what? You sat on me, pet. It’s not like I was the one trying to make out with you in front of everyone right in the middle of Giles’ apartment. Of course, then, in a way, I guess it’s Ripper’s apartment, too.”

“Spike . . .” Willow reprimanded. Xander was looking very interested in their conversation..

“Ooh, that was interesting. Getting ready to show us that infamous bad side of yours?” Spike grinned.

Ripper looked up from the stare down he was having with Giles. “You have a bad side, luv?” He gave a disbelieving chuckle. “I’ll believe it when I bloody see it.”

Willow frowned and turned, she had to get out of there. “Xander, will you take me home?” Xander jumped at the chance to talk to Willow alone. 



Rip in Time Ch. 07



Rip in Time 7: Temptation

"Woah, so it was Giles that just held a knife to my throat?” Xander shook his head as he pulled into Willow’s driveway. “Intense.”

“Yeah.” Willow pursed her lips and nodded. Xander had attacked her with questions the minute they got into the car. They hadn’t even turned the radio on. At first she wasn’t going to tell him anything. After all, Giles had said that anything Ripper did could have consequences on their present, and she knew from personal experience how different a shift in time could make things. So she had pinky-sweared him into secrecy. He wasn’t even allowed to tell Giles that he knew.

“Hold on a second here. You were making out with him.” He scrunched his face up. “Ew.”  He twisted around in his seat. “Uh, why? Why would you do that?”

Willow rolled her eyes. “I’m not talking about this with you.”

“I’m your best friend, right?”

“Of course!”

“But, I mean its Giles. I realize that he’s got this whole cool, dangerous look going, but he turns into Giles.” Xander said this slowly, just in case she wasn’t putting two and two together.

Willow took a deep breath and counted to ten. “So what? Giles is so. . .I mean, I used to have a crush on him when we were in high school.” His jaw dropped. “Well! He’s so smart and he’s funny.” Xander snorted. “Well, in a sarcastic British way. And he sings!”

He looked over at Willow for signs of mental illness but saw none.  Xander shrugged. “I blame all of this on Oz.”

Willow smiled impishly. “I’m okay with that.”

“Good. Are you sure I can’t tell anyone? Of course you are the first person I would tell, but not even Anya?”

“Xander, we discussed this. Not a soul. You pinky-sweared!”

“And I will hold true to the most sacred of all vows, but Anya and I have sex, I can trust her-“

”Ok, three things. I know. Ew, yourself. And, no.” She put on her “resolve face”. “Xander, do you remember VampWillow?”

Xander grinned. “Oh, yeah. Do I!” He shook his head and put on an upset expression. “I mean, oh yeah. That would be bad.”

“Bad.” Willow’s tone held an element of wonder. “She was very bad. You might even call her my ‘bad side’.”

“Yeah . . .Willow, where are you going with this?”

“Xander, as soon as we get inside call Anya and Buffy. I’m going to need some help. I just got a wonderful, awful idea.” Willow rubbed her hands together in a perfect Grinch imitation, that would have made Spike proud. Didn’t have a bad side? Believe it when he saw it? He’d see it.              ***********

Giles glared at his younger self. He really couldn’t have been this stupid. “Do you remember ANYTHING else about the spell? Did you use any herbs? Or some candles, perhaps?” 

“I told you! It’s all a blur to me.” Giles resumed his pacing and Spike and Ripper met eyes. 

Spike crossed his and was gratified to see the young human suppress a smile. If he had to listen to the Watcher grill himself anymore he’d go insane. “Rupert, don’t you remember anything?”

“What?”

“About the spell?” Spike prompted. “You were bloody there, right?”

Giles took off his glasses and tried to recall such an incident. “Nothing. How much marijuana did you smoke you imbecile? How could you do this to me?” They had checked all the magick shops in town. Willow had found nothing on the web, this was quickly becoming hopeless. 

Ripper smirked. “Don’t you mean me?” 

“Enough. I’ll call tomorrow and make some inquiries.”

“In the meantime, why don’t I go see if Willow has managed to find anything else out?” Ripper started to get up. Giles stepped in front of him and with one hand pushed him back.

“Don’t.” He turned towards the phone. “I’ll call her and see.” He dialed a number and waited. Finally, he slammed the phone down. “Damn. Where could she be?”              **********

“Alright, Will. We’re ready for the ‘test drive’ anytime you are.” Buffy called up from downstairs. She and Anya had arrived an hour or so ago with all the make-up and leather they possessed. Willow had decided that she needed to get back at Spike and Ripper for arguing over her like two dogs over a bone. And talking to Xander she had realized exactly what, or rather who, could help her with that. She knew better than to actually bring VampWillow back, but with a little glamour, she could impersonate her. The fact that Buffy, Xander and Anya had their doubts only spurred her on.

“Give me five minutes.” She called out the door. She closed it behind her and sat down in front of her mirror. On her left were three rosebuds floating in rain water. On her right were three red candles. She lit them with a stick of lavender incense, then set the stick in a burner in front of her. She stared in the mirror and called on Venus to empower her. “This is to feel, this is to see. Make it look real, so mote it be.”

The power flowed through her. Her candles flared and a burst of red lights sprinkled over her. Her skin glowed a shade paler than usual. Her green eyes shone with a new light. Her hair darkened to a blood red. She rolled her neck luxuriously and grinned at her own image. Willow licked her lips, the power still rushing through her veins. This was addictive. She reminded herself that this was just Glamour, but it was hard. A part of her was very much like VampWillow, whether she admitted it to the others or not. And that part was ready for a night out.

She picked up the red lipstick Anya had give her. It was called “temptation”. She slicked it over her lips and smiled again. Oh yeah. More than just ready for a night out. “Alright, ready or not,” she whispered as she walked to the door. “Here I come.”               ********

“What can be taking her so long? I thought Glamour was rather simple for a witch of her strength.” Anya was bored. She wanted to go home so she could have sex with Xander. Not to mention, thinking about VampWillow reminded her of her past vengeance demon days. She walked over to Xander and put her arm through his.

“Now, An, I’m sure it takes a while to completely change yourself into a –Oh. My. God.” Xander stared open-mouthed at the creature descending the stairs. The last time he had seen this, he had thought his best friend in the world was dead.

Willow slunk down the stairs. She was wearing leather pants and boots, a skin tight red shirt and a leather lace-up vest. She had straightened her hair and it waved about her face in crimson strands. She tilted her head to the side and sighed. “Bored now.”

“Um, Will? That was just Glamour, right? You didn’t accidentally bring her back, did you?” Buffy asked, concerned.

Willow didn’t answer, she just crossed the living room towards Xander and Anya. Willow had a grace to her walk. But this walk was distinctly predatory. Every step was a sexual invitation. Xander’s eyes grew wide. VampWillow had been into naughty touching. He didn’t think that would be a good thing in front of his girlfriend. “Wills?”

She stopped in front of them and stretched out her hand. He dropped Anya’s arm and moved to back away. But Willow didn’t touch him. Instead, she stroked her hands through Anya’s hair. “Pretty.” Then she ran the back of her knuckles over her face. Anya smiled. She had used a new conditioner today. Evidently it was noticeable, and did make her hair super shiny and manageable. Xander didn’t know what to do. He knew that Willow had said her alter ego was kind of gay, but he had never thought . . .well, he’d never thought of this. 

Willow smiled. “We’ll play later. I’ve misplaced all of my toys.” She pulled a pack of smokes she had pinched off Spike at Giles’ today. She lit a cigarette. Xander was terrified. What if they couldn’t get the real Willow back?

Willow exhaled, turned and walked over to Buffy. She put her arm around her shoulders. “Ready now.”

Buffy let out a smile of relief and smiled. She could feel the warmth of her friend’s body. This was Willow. She was just a better actor than they had thought she could be. “Then to the Bronze we go.”

Xander didn’t move an inch. He was still in a little bit of shock. He knew Willow backwards and forwards. But he didn’t know about this. Anya touched his cheek, confused. “Xander, what’s wrong. You like leather on me.”

“Wills?” He swallowed hard. If he had known that she could be like this, so confident, at ease with the effect she could have on men, there would have been ‘fluking’ a lot sooner. And a lot longer.

“It’s ok, Xander.” Willow said, though she couldn’t keep a slight purr out of her voice. She was terribly impressed with how well she had pulled this off and with the reactions that she was getting. She would make Faith look like Rebecca of Sunny-dale Farm. “It’s me. Really.” She sounded confident and calm. Inside, she trembled. Yes, it’s me. The real me. And it feels so good, it’s scary.               ********

“Mate, why are we going to the Bronze? Rupert said there was very little chance that Red would be out dancing when there was work to be done. And I’d have to say that I agree with him.” Spike looked at Ripper out of the corner of his eye.

“Trust me. She wasn’t at any of her friends’ houses. She wasn’t at the library. She wasn’t home. How many places are there to hang out in Sunnydale?” Ripper smiled. Not to mention after that comment I made, I’m sure she feels like being unpredictable.  He couldn’t wait. He would walk into the Bronze and she would be sitting alone, at a table, sipping coffee she didn’t like, watching her friends dance to a song whose lyrics she didn’t get. She would see him, they would dance and that would be that. He would just recreate the magic of their first encounter. He looked at the vampire beside him. Spike didn’t stand a chance.

They walked through the double doors. For a moment they stood, scoping the crowd, the band and the bar. The band was taking a break, so a D.J. had stepped in for a moment, the crowd was pumped and in full dance mode, the bar was busy. Ripper searched the tables, but couldn’t find his favorite red head. Still, he was enjoying the music. They were playing a remix of Steppenwolf’s Magic Carpet Ride.

“Holy Hell.” Spike breathed.

“What is it . . .it can’t be.” Willow was in the center of the dance floor. She was dancing with two guys and a girl, her arms twisting above her head in abandon as she sang along with the music. Every other beat or so, she would reach out to stroke the face or hair of one her companions. They kept trying to touch her, pull her close, but she would squirm away and shake a finger at them. And she was decked out in leather.

“Told you she had a bad side, Rip.” Spike patted him on the back and went to the bar to get them some beers. It looked like it was going to be a long night. He looked over his shoulder. Ripper had sat down at one of the tables. No longer did he look bewildered, though. He was studying the girl intently. A crafty grin spread over his face. An interesting night indeed.

Spike turned to the bartender. “Two beers, mate.”

“Make it three.” A husky voice whispered in his ear. “I’m thirsty.”              *********

Giles sat down in his favorite chair. He was exhausted, but he just couldn’t sleep. He didn’t know how to send Ripper back to where he had come from. He had thought it was devastating when Buffy had first found out about his past. Now she had the chance to meet it. This was not good. He didn’t want to face the youth he had been. Because every time he did, he was tempted. 

Inside of him, a voice was whispering.  You can fool them. But you’ll never fool yourself. This isn’t the real you. And you know it.  Giles shook his head and downed another brandy. He wouldn’t listen. He had enough blood on his hands. He didn’t want to think about what would happen if Ripper were turned loose with the power and experience of an adult. The Hellmouth not only brought out the worst in people, it also presented one with unique opportunities. Give up. You are who you are. And you cannot change. You cannot hide forever. Dangerous animals will not stay trapped forever. And you are dangerous. You have the bloodstains to prove it.  Giles clenched his fists. He would not give in. He could hold onto his control. But the voice didn’t go away. 

Ripper . . . 

Giles stood up and walked to the door. He was going insane locked up in his house. He rubbed his tattooed bicep. He needed to take a walk; he could patrol tonight. He had some frustrations to work off. As he walked out of the door, he pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket and wiped his hands.              ***********

Willow threw her head back and chugged down the beer. “Thanks. I needed that.”

“Luv? What are you doing?” Spike met her eyes as he sipped his beer.

“Dancing. With you.” She took his beer, threw it back, then took his hand and tugged him out onto the dance floor. She felt a little dizzy as the alcohol hit her, but she ignored it. The music was pounding around them, lights were flashing, and bubbles of glitter were being released over the crowd. She clasped her hands behind Spike’s neck and pulled him closer. “Dance now.”

Ripper was enjoying the spectacle his little Red was making. All the way up until she started dancing with Spike. He glared at the two. “Bad side. Huh.”

“You should have known better than to provoke her.” It was Buffy. She was tired and hot, so she had decided to take a break when she saw ‘Jim’ seated at a table, staring daggers at the dance floor.

“Tell me about it, Betty.”

“Buffy. It’s Buffy.” Wow, he really was smitten. 

“Sorry.”

“So, you’re kind of like a young Giles, huh?”

“How’s that, pet?” He turned to her. Did she know?

“Well, I know that Giles was kind of wild and crazy when he was young. I kind of got to see that side of him once. He ate too much chocolate–it’s a long story. But the point is, he was kind of like you. “

”What are you saying?” He asked carefully.

“That you remind me of Giles. I can see the family resemblance. That’s all.” Buffy reassured him. “It’s ok. I know you don’t like being compared to your uncle. But don’t worry. We’re all kind of fond of him around here. Even Willow.”

Ripper let out a sigh of relief. She had no clue. Now, he had to get back to more pressing concerns. Like how to get Willow away from Spike. She may be dressed in leather, but she was still Willow. He was sure that he could intimidate her into backing down.              ***********

Spike swayed with Willow to the music. She grinned as she brushed her hips against his in a provocative manner. She trailed a finger down his chest. “Luv, do you know what you’re doing?”

“Shush now.” She leaned up and licked his lower lip. “Or I’ll get cranky.”

Spike fought against the urge to vamp out. He couldn’t believe this was his shy little hacker. He knew she had a bad side. He had seen her whack demons with a vengeance. He had seen her take control of situations. And he knew the power she had as a witch. But this, this was beyond his imagination. He took her hand and spun her so she couldn’t face him. Then he wrapped his arms around her waist and cuddled her to his chest. 

Willow nestled into the vampire’s body. She ignored the stares from Xander and Buffy. Goddess, this felt good. Spike was nuzzling behind her ear, and as he pressed her closer she could feel how much fun he was having. But she couldn’t stay long. The idea was to teach him and Ripper a lesson. Not bump and grind with vampires. Spike’s lips touched the outer shell of her ear as he spoke again, “Aren’t you worried about what your mates will say when they see this?”

“Bad puppy. I said shush.” She shrugged. “Bored now.” She spun and pushed him away hard enough to knock him off balance into another dancing couple. Then she nonchalantly walked off the dance floor. She walked over to the bar. Ripper was claiming the beer that Spike had bought him earlier. She smiled.

“Willow.” He acknowledged, trying hard not to show his shock as he saw her up close. “Like the leather, pet. Suits you.”

She smiled and tilted her head to the side. She remained silent. He started to feel a little nervous. But he knew better than to show it. She stepped closer to him. He held still and held her gaze. She reached behind him into his back jean pocket and pulled out his pack of cigarettes. She placed one in her mouth and looked up at him expectantly. Gamely, he lit it for her.

She inhaled twice. Then she cupped his face in one hand. She took a hit off the cigarette, then pressed her lips against his and exhaled. He took the hit and blew the smoke to the side. He went to reach for her and she twisted away. She backed towards the dance floor, crooking a finger at him. He followed her the way Spike had. “Something you want, luv?”

“Yeah. Want to be naughty.” She placed a hand on his chest. “Want to help?”



Rip in Time Ch. 08



Rip in Time 8: Human in Vamp Clothing

Want to be naughty? The words hung in the air, causing him to grin like a schoolboy. So many enticing possibilities. Ripper almost lost his infamous cool. He managed to form a coherent response. "What do you have in mind, pet?"

She led him to the center of the dance floor and wrapped her arms around him. There was barely an inch between them as they pressed their bodies together. Her catlike green eyes glittered as she pulled him down for a deep openmouthed kiss. The music was slow and seductive as they ground against each other to the beat. Willow threw her head back in wanton enjoyment.

Spike growled as he witnessed the near sex act occurring in the middle of the Bronze. The vampire knew this had to be payback for their proprietary treatment of the witch. He just couldn’t believe that his redhead was doing this. He turned to stare at the Scoobies who didn’t seem that upset about it. What the hell was going on here? With a disturbingly practiced flourish, she withdrew a silk scarf from the valley between her breasts. Ripper wondered how she had managed to keep it hidden from his view in the low cut top she was wearing. She danced around him, stroking his thigh, his jean clad backside, and his shoulders with the soft material. Without warning, she grabbed his hands and bound them with the silk. When she stood in front of him again, she was in full demon face. Ripper's mouth fell open in shock. He stumbled back from her and into the secluded shadows near the stage. The inhabitants of the nightclub didn't even blink at her appearance. This was the Hellmouth, it was a regular night as far as they were concerned. There were always a few vampires around. "Something wrong?" She asked in her little girl voice. The sweet tone was destroyed by the blatant look of hunger she gave her now helpless victim.

"N-no!" He said, sounding like Giles.

"Hungry now." She purred, pushing him against the wall. She snarled at him. Ripper was mesmerized, feeling a rush of the same dark excitement he'd felt with Drusilla. “What are you. . .how did you? I-“

”Shhh.” She whispered placing one slim finger to his lips. “Play now.”

Tilting his neck to the right angle she grazed his neck with her fake fangs. He gulped. It wasn’t clear to her whether he wanted her to bite him or he wanted her to stop. She pulled back to question him with her eyes. 

“Please.” He whispered.

“Please what?”

“Don’t.”

She looked at him quizzically. His eyes were clouded with lust and a twinge of fear. And grief. Willow didn’t understand. She shook her head and her human face reappeared. It was time for the game to end. She placed a hand to his cheek. “See? I’m warm.”

“You just fed?” He asked, regarding her carefully.

“No.” She smiled. “It’s called a glamour. I just made myself look like a vampire, let you have a look at my bad side.”

A grin lit his face as he understood what she had done and why she had done it. 

“Of course! You’re a witch.” He shook his head. “You are a bad girl.” He tsked. “ I thought you were about to drain me!” He pulled his hands out of her silk prison and drew her close. “I’m so glad you’re still human, luv.” He looked down at her. “I learned my lesson.”

She let her demonic visage appear again to tease him. “So, wanna tell me about Giles and vampires?” She licked her lips. He abruptly pulled her hips flush with his.

“No.” His lips were set in a firm line.

She smirked at him. “You look like Giles already.” Willow turned on her heel and marched to the dance floor.

“I do NOT look like that. . .that LIBRARIAN!”

“Ex-librarian.” A voice said. Spike caught the redhead just as she reached the dance floor and stared down at her, noting the ridges on her forehead. He leered at her. 

“And I thought the leather was extreme, pet.” Spike stroked her forehead and let himself change. Softly growling, he rubbed his ridges against hers. “You wear it well.” He slid his hand to her heart. “But I’m glad this is still beating.” He rose one knowing eyebrow. “Well, actually it’s starting to race now.” 

   *********

Giles sat down on a wide tomb stone. Vampire ashes still blew in the wind. He pulled out a pack of smokes he’d pinched from Ripper earlier and lit one. He closed his eyes as he inhaled, enjoying the influx of toxins into his lungs. He felt reckless tonight. And recklessness was a bad thing for Rupert Giles, the bleedin’ Watcher. He was anxious for Ripper to go back to the past where he belonged. Having him here was causing Giles to confront things he didn’t want to examine. 

“Would you like to make a wish?” Giles looked up into the face of a young man. He was bent over so as to be eye-level with the Watcher as he sat on the grave marker.

“Umm, no?” Giles was puzzled. Great. The ranks of the Vampires and the Drunken Youth. My lucky night.

“Are you very sure? I am usually not so direct, but I’m in the middle of a crisis.” The young fellow leaned in closer. “I was fairly certain you were in need of a wish. In my vast experience, happy, satisfied men do not sit in the middle of graveyards on date night covered in the remains of the undead.”

“I’m certain.” A thought occurred to Giles. What if he was insane? “Are you feeling well? Do you need help?”

“Yes. I need for you to make a wish!”

“I don’t want to make a wish.” Giles looked at the young man crossly. Normally he would scold the young man in a very librarian-ish way. Right now, he wasn’t in the mood. “So piss off.”

The green-eyed young man pressed his lips into a firm line and stalked off into the night. The Watcher stood up and made his way home. 

Giles staggered back inside his apartment still coated with vampire dust. He rolled his neck, enjoying the feeling of utter physical exhaustion. He had lost count of how many vampires he’d dusted. It had been along time since he had let himself enjoy the kill. Usually it was a routine now. Get the job done. Tonight, he had drawn out the fight as long as possible every time. A voice inside him was whispering of the dangers of taking pleasure in such acts. But, it was so hard to think in this state and he was grateful for that. Tiredly, he walked into his kitchen and poured himself some cognac. He drank it down, enjoying the burning sensation in his throat. 

With a sigh, he dragged himself upstairs, throwing off his clothes as he went. In the bathroom, he stepped into the spray of a hot shower and groaned as it uncoiled the tension in his muscles. Giles wanted to regain his focus once more, approach this Ripper problem from a new angle. He’d get him back to the past if was the last thing he did. 

Giles slid his robe off and climbed into his bed nude. Something he hadn’t done since his Ripper days. It seemed as though his younger self was bringing back all sorts of traits in him. The need to smoke. The need to steal. The need to kill. He threw off the thoughts as he lay down. Giles new he must find a solution. Quickly. Giles was so physically and emotionally drained, he didn’t even stop to think about where Spike and Ripper were.     



Rip in Time Ch. 09



Chapter 9: Friends in Low Places

In the back of the Bronze, unnoticed, sat a young man with bright green eyes. He kept reaching up to his neck as if searching for something that wasn't there. His eyes were narrowed and focused, as most of the male and some of the female eyes were, on a particular redhead in leather. Most Sunnydale inhabitants were so used to seeing vampires that they didn't even register the play of ridges across a familiar face. The other thing they didn't notice were the waves of magick coming off of this particular girl. But he wasn't like them. And he did notice.

Erik was eight hundred years old. He was a vengeance demon. Well, 'was' being the operative word in the sentence. He'd been having a stroke of bad luck lately. It wasn't easy being a vengeance demon for men. For one thing, they weren't very creative with their wishes. They had no mind for true pain and devastation. It was usually blemishes or funny odors or bad luck with their next boyfriend. And lately, he kept messing up. Finally he'd lost his job when he'd mistaken a girl for her sister while exacting revenge. They were twins for Christ's sake! 

He had thought about bending time to get the amulet back, but that wouldn't be good enough. He was likely to make the same mistakes all over again. No, he needed to become more powerful. Then, when he had completed a few spells, proven his worth again, the amulet would be offered to him on a gold plate. The only problem was where he was going to get this power. His eyes settled back on the little red-haired witch. He laughed to himself. Strangely, he was feeling very optimistic. Aside from the vampire, the witch was the only one with power at that table. It would be so easy. He smiled wider. Where there's a will, there's a way.

*********

Ripper met Spike's eyes over the top of the witch's head. He raised a brow as if to say, are you game for a little revenge, mate? The answer was an unequivocal yes. Slowly Spike took one step closer to Willow, effectively blocking her. Then Ripper stalked forward carefully pinning her up against the vampire and settling his hands on her hips. Spike took her hand, pressed it to where his heart should have been beating and pulled her toward the dance floor, Ripper never missed a step or lost contact. Willow swallowed hard and hoped that she was up for whatever these two had in mind.

Spike and Ripper began to move to the beat of the pulsing music in near perfect sync. They had moved so close together now that sometimes the mens' hands brushed as they touched Willow. She was trapped in between them, and Goddess help her, she didn't want out. She had no choice but to move with them, and enjoy as much as she could. A slow heat began to burn low inside her. It pulsed and throbbed to the beat of the music, too. At the same time, they each ran a hand along her shoulder up to her neck, brushing away her hair. Then they bent their lips to her neck and earlobe and gently began nibbling and kissing their way across her skin. Willow could barely breathe.

"Red? Do you like this?" Spike whispered. Then his mouth descended over hers, his tongue gently exploring. The taste of her was addictive. He could almost forget that he was competing for her attentions. She moaned into his mouth. Abruptly, Ripper spun her away from Spike to face him.

"Red? You're not answering." He slid his hands down to her waist and roughly pulled her against him. And then his tongue was in her mouth, her body flush to his. Spike pressed in from behind her, nipping the nape of her neck with blunt teeth.

"What exactly did you two have in mind?" She asked when they came up for air. Spike put a hand on Willow's waist and looked at Ripper and raised an eyebrow, Ripper looked back at him, put his hand over Spike's and grinned.

*******

Giles lay in his bed, arm thrown over his eyes. He was in a deep sleep, his chest rising and falling in an even manner. To an observer, he looked passive and peaceful. In his mind's eye, he was anything but. The erotic memory he was indulging in was better than most of the countless nights he'd spent as a misbegotten youth.

Truth be told, he'd had some wild adventures as a college boy. One of the more risque things he'd done was share women with Ethan. Of course, whenever he'd done this he'd been under the influence of a powerful spell that inflamed erotic stimulation not to mention whatever drug Ethan had supplied for the night. All in all it was decadent existence and incredibly seductive. 

Giles rolled in his sleep, hugging the pillow to him as he held Willow in the dreamworld. She was pinned between him and Spike. They had both persuaded her to go with them into the alley behind the dance club. She had followed them readily, eager for more of their kisses and caresses. They could still hear the thrumming of the music as they kissed and caressed their willing captive. The sound pounded through the thick brick walls and it hummed against their bodies . Giles saw his younger self, kneel in front of Willow, bringing his mouth flush with her pale stomach which peeked from beneath her shirt. Ripper smiled to himself as he watched Spike concentrate his efforts on her crimson mouth. 

Ripper had more elusive flesh to pursue. He slid his warm hands under her shirt, baring her skin to him as he pressed his mouth against her navel. Surprisingly enough, she was an "innie". He took the opportunity to trace her bellybutton with his tongue before delving inside. Willow squirmed as she delivered a frantic message to his shoulders by squeezing them. All the while, Spike continued to steal the air from her lungs with his ardent kisses. 

Spike entwined his fingers in her hair as his mouth dropped to the side of her neck. He was fascinated by her collar bones, his mouth brushed along once, delivering stinging nips and soothing kisses. When he reached the V of her neck, he laved it with his tongue. Willow gasped and the vampire stared down at Ripper who winked at him before he continued his carnal assault on her once more. Spike continued on to other collar bone. 

Ripper, maneuvered his hands from her belly to her ribcage, slowly sliding his body up hers until he stood on his feet once more. He let his fingers play over each rib as he sought his ultimate goal. When he reached the underside of her demi-cup bra, he flipped her shirt up and Spike caught it deftly, pulling it up and over her head. One set of cool hands and another set of warm ones descended on her sensitive flesh. They easily flicked open the hooks and eyes. Both young men murmured their appreciation as her breasts were revealed to them. Before they could bend their heads to worship her with their mouths, the sound of a throat clearing caught them off guard.

Ripper turned abruptly, shielding the hapless Willow with his body. "Who the bloody hell are you?" The tall, lean man leaned against the wall, his lips curving in a smile the three could not see in the darkness of the alley, he opened his mouth, but before he could answer, Ripper clenched his jaw. "I changed my mind. I don't give a damn. Leave. Now. " He turned away from the intruder.

The spell had been broken. Willow clutched her clothes to her suddenly naked chest. Dear Goddess, she'd almost had sex with two men. Correction. . . one man and one vampire in an alley. No, not even. One vampire and one guy who'd become her highschool librarian. She cast a furious look at both of the perpetrators before turning her back on them. "I can't believe I did this! No, I can't believe you two did this!"

"Willow, pet, don't put those on. Things were just getting interesting, maybe we should–"

"Should what? Shag in an alley?! I don't think so." Willow screeched, near hysteria. She looked over their imposing shoulders at the stranger. "Why the hell are you still here?" She peered through the inky darkness. "Goddess. I can't believe this. Just perfect."

"Pet, what's the matter?" Ripper asked gently, wincing slightly at her tone. "That's not your dad is it?" Ever since the episode where he had first met his former self, and Willow had informed him afterward that meeting her real dad would have been much, much worse, he had begun to have this abiding fear of it actually happening. What kind of man allowed himself to be named Ira?

Spike, looking closer could just make out the man's features. He didn't recognize him, but Willow certainly did. He took up a menacing pose in case the man meant her harm. "Who is it, luv?"

"Ethan Rayne." 



Rip in Time Ch. 10



Chapter 10: Oh Sheet!

"This is too much." Willow fumed, her fingers still fumbled while pulling her clothes back on. 

"I don't get it, Red, you said his name but who is this tosser? " Spike asked, confounded by her odd behavior.

Ripper continued to stare at the man. He guessed that he was oddly familiar, the nose for instance. He squinted in the darkness . .that knowing smirk. Ripper chuckled as he finally recognized the man. "Bloody hell! It is Ethan! What have you been up to, mate?"

"Nothing as interesting as you." Ethan drawled, eyeing Willow. She gave him a forbidding scowl. "I must say, it's nice to see you again, dear girl."

"Go to hell." Willow said with false sweetness as she finally managed to put her clothing to rights. She slipped out from behind Ripper and Spike and walked determinedly down the alley.

"Where do you think you're going?" Ripper called.

"Away from all of you!" She huffed, not even turning around to speak to them. Like errant school boys they filed in behind her, following her to the destination of her choosing. She stopped and swung around. "What are you doing?"

"Following you, pet." Spike said amicably. 

"Just wanted to make sure you were safe." Ripper added.

"Truthfully, I was hoping you might take off some more of your clothes." Ethan said with what she supposed was rakish charm. It didn't work.

"Listen up! If you're British and blond, get the hell away from me! 

"Uh, Red?"

"Bleached blond counts, Spike."

"Ducks? I'm not a blond." Ethan insisted.

She looked at his hair, he was right. "Okay, if you're a lech then."

"I beg your pardon!"

"Yes, you should! Actually, all three of you fall into that category!"

They all looked at the ground sheepishly, not following her further. "Thank you! And goodnight!"

Willow stomped her way to the end of the alley. As she started to round the corner, a green-eyed young man jumped out from behind a dumpster. "I've been looking for you!" He announced in what he hoped was a booming confident voice.

"Really? You may have to take a number." Willow eyed the young man. He stood with his hands on his hips, legs spread wide. He felt it was a very imperious stance. He failed to recognize the that it was also a poorly balanced one. Willow corrected that misconception. She planted one hand in the middle of his chest and pushed, sending him onto his haunches. She grinned as he looked up at her, stunned. She reached inside where her glamour was still in effect and flashed him her vampiric features over her shoulder as she strolled out of the alley. "Bored now."

*********

Giles gasped as he finally woke up. Good Lord! Ripper and Spike and Willow. Then Ethan showed up. . .Christ! And he'd actually seen Willow's . . . "Oh dear!" He said with feeling. Can I even look at the girl again without blushing? 

"Giles? Are you here? I really need to talk to you." Willow cried as she shut his apartment door behind her. 

He could hear her footsteps echoing on the steps that led to his bedroom."Uh, y- yes, Willow. I-I'll be right th–"

"Giles!" She wailed as she entered his bedroom and sat down next to him on the bed. She was so disturbed by her own behavior that she failed to recognize his state of undress and obvious agitation. "It was horrible! Well, not all of it, but. . .never mind. Ethan Rayne is here and he was. . .looking at me. It was eww! And scary at the same time."

Giles clutched the sheet to his obviously naked body. This was almost more than he could bear. "I can see you're upset, Willow. If you would give me a moment, I could–"

"He's making me act this way, I'm not normally like this. We've got to send him back!" She said as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"I couldn't agree more." He said as his hand groped for a t-shirt that was flung on the chair by his bed. Giles was so unnerved and Willow was so upset, they failed to notice the door opened again and the sound of two sets of footsteps. "Willow, I need to get dres–"

Buffy and Xander had followed Willow, Ripper and Spike out of The Bronze but failed to locate them. They had finally noticed Willow coming out of an alley. They had called to her but she looked very angry and didn't seem to be in the mood to talk. Wisely, they had followed after her at a discrete distance. Now, they could make out the sounds of a muffled argument. 

"I mean, who does he think he is? Groping me in some. . ." She stared at the bed suddenly. "Oh, God! You know, don't you? Ack! You've seen me naked! Naked in front of Giles!"

"Well, because Ripper is me, the young me that is, so I was rather–"

"You felt me up, Giles! How could you?" She screeched. Willow was actually angry at herself but she needed someone to blame. Spike couldn't be held accountable, after all, he was a vampire. Shagging in an alley was probably a dull night for him. Ethan hadn't touched her, but she'd like to slap that arrogant smirk off his face. Ripper wasn't here but his older counterpart was.

Xander and Buffy had just arrived outside the door and had pressed their eager ears against the surface, listening intently. 

"How could I? You were the one dressed like a trollop, pressing yourself against me. Can you blame me for taking what you offered?"

"What I offered?! What you were dying to have from the moment you met me. And I'm not a trollop, pervert!"

"I didn't say you were one, I said you were dressed like one!"

Xander and Buffy stared at each other in open-mouthed horror. Giles and Willow had been having an affair for years! "It must have started in high school." Buffy whispered, still in shock.

"Blech!" Xander groaned. He'd known that Willow had been messing around with younger, cuter Giles. . . but tweedy, old Giles? "She's lost her mind."

Giles was speaking again. "I'll admit it, I pursued you but you were willing! You wanted me as much as I wanted you."

"I'm gonna be sick." Xander mumbled. 

"Me too!" Buffy agreed, leaning against the door, clutching her stomach.

"Think about it Buffy." He did a quiet Giles impersonation. "You have such a brilliant mind, Willow. I need you to look some stuff up on the computer for me, Willow. Why don't you let me take you home from the Scooby meeting, Willow." He shook his head in disdain. Then put his hand over his mouth to stifle an 'Ah ha!' "Remember when we thought she was dead? The way he hugged her? It was a little too friendly, don't you think? We were fools! All the signs were there."

"How could I think straight?" Willow yelled. " You and Spike were all over me! I had some alcohol, I didn't know what I was doing!"

"No, you were too busy rubbing up against us." He glared down at her legs. "And let's not forget the leather!"

"Spike too? I mean Giles is at least. . .well, it's still yech. But Spike? I know she was dancing with him in the club. They looked too comfortable together, didn't they?" Buffy surmised. "She must have been having an affair with Spike too."

Xander did a full body shiver. "Ewww! Oh!" He snapped his fingers. "Oh, no! He's been tied up in Giles bathroom. The three of them must have–"

"With the handcuffs and the chains and. . .hey. ..why does Giles have handcuffs and chains lying around anyway?" Something tugged at her mind. 

"Well, I could suggest something but then we'd have to go to the bathroom to toss our cookies and that would mean actually touching something in that place. We can never again use the facilities again here. Ever. It's a Den of Icky."

"Iniquity." Buffy corrected. "You know what? My mom thought he made love like a stevedore. Do you know what a stevedore is?"

"Spanish for 'yuck'?"

"Sounds about right to me."

"Feel free to keep knowledge like that to yourself, okay?"

"Sorry."

"And just why are you friends with Ethan anyway? What other disgusting little things did you two do together? The man practically groped me with his eyes." Willow accused.

"She was going to sleep with Ethan?" Buffy grumbled. "Jeez, is there anyone else we've left out?"

"This can't be Willow." Xander insisted. "Not my Willow." His eyes looked wild. "It's VampWillow!"

"VampWillow? Do you think she somehow came back here? Maybe VampWillow, Giles, Spike and Ethan have been having a secret affair." Buffy suggested.

"That's too weird. How could he keep that from us? Why would he do it?" 

"Hey, the guy has chains and he lives on the Hellmouth. Maybe the pressure got him."

"He has been knocked on the head a lot." Xander agreed.

Willow's anger had all but dissipated. "Giles, I don't want to fight anymore. I'm tired."

Giles took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, Willow. Some of the things I said we're rude and uncalled for."

"Me too. This isn't any of your fault. I think I was mad at myself."

"Don't be, Willow. It's only natural to experiment. I should know." He laughed softly. "Any young man would be lucky to have you, you're a beautiful, intelligent young woman."

"Thanks." She whispered, shyly. "You're not so bad yourself." She leaned forward and embraced him in a warm hug. She laid her head against his chest. His naked chest that was sprinkled with hair. She looked at him closely, for the first time. Earlier, she'd been under the influence of anger and outrage. "Oh my God! You're naked! Naked Giles! I'm touching a naked Giles!"

"Like that's never happened before!" Xander clapped a hand over his mouth. "Oh no! They're gonna do it again, aren't they? Run, Buffy! We' ll be scarred for life if we hear this!"

"Don't you think we should try to stop them?"

"Do you want to manhandle a naked Giles?"

"No, thanks. A retreat is in order." They were both about to stand up when the door was opened, knocking both of them in the head. They both moaned in pain. 

"Buffy! Xander! What are you two doing here?" Willow breathed.

"Buffy and Xander are out there?! Bloody Hell!" Giles called. He brought the sheet around his waist and went into the hallway. "What in the bloody blazes were you two doing out. . .you were spying on us!"

"It's true then!" Xander shrieked. "You and Willow are doing the nasty!"

"The nasty what?" Giles face flooded with color. "Dear Lord, you mean that we. . .it just isn't true! You must believe me!"

"And you!" Buffy pointed to the strangely quiet Willow. "Don't think we haven't figured out who you are!"

"Uh, Willow?" The red haired witch said, trying to figure out what was happening. 

"No, you can't fool me, VampWillow!" Buffy triumphantly pulled a spritzer bottle of holy water from her back pocket and sprayed some on Willow's forehead. 

The young woman stood there dripping. "Buffy, that d-doesn't hurt. I'm Willow."

"You're really Willow?" Buffy looked at the label, it still said 'holy water'. She sprayed Willow again. Nothing happened. "Dammit! This makes it worse."

"It's Willow, Willow?" Xander asked.

"Yep."Willow grasped the end of Giles sheet and wiped her forehead. 

"Hey!" Giles groused, pulling the sheet tighter to his lower half. 

Buffy held up her hand to shield her eyes from the disturbing scene in front of her. "Why don't' you get some clothes on, Giles?" 

"Yes, why don't you get some clothes on, old chum?"A smarmy voice asked from the bottom of the staircase. Ripper, Spike and Ethan stood there looking up at them with confounded expressions.

Giles lost it. "Doesn't anyone around here knock?!"