Anya’s bluntly voiced line of reasoning instantly compelled everyone into total silence.  When the initial shock wore off, a sudden burst of chaotic remarks followed.  
 
“Anh!”
 
“Xander, doesn’t she have any tact?”
 
“Oh, dear Lord.”
 
Buffy watched the Scoobies loudly commenting to one another, but no one paid attention to the main reason for their rants—William.
 
She saw utter confusion rapidly change his features.  His cheeks drained of what little color they once held, and his eyes lost focus.  However, before Buffy unleashed her own disparaging remarks against the inconsiderate Scoobies, William beat her to it.
 
“That is quite enough!” 
 
William stood hastily from the couch, displacing the sensibly placed napkin from his lap and caused it to land at his feet.  His unexpected outburst stunned the others back into silence, their attention now fully focused on him.
 
“William, we—” Willow’s voice was shaky as she tried to explain.  William interjected, not giving her a chance to continue.
 
“Miss Willow, to be brutally honest, at this precise moment I am unconcerned regarding the group’s thoughts on this matter.  Despite the sheer madness and the utmost certainty that these discussions of time travel would surely have one committed to Bedlam, I wholeheartedly entertained the possibility.  However, what I cannot abide is the deceitfulness shared amongst you.  It took a complete stranger to inform me of the group’s true theories of how I came to be here and the disconcerting belief that I am a…a revenant.” 
 
William ended his reprimand abruptly, rounded the couch, and passed by each speechless Scooby until he reached the door.  With the door slightly ajar, he turned and addressed the group before departing.
 
“This I cannot nor will I abide.  I am a God-fearing man, not an instrument of the Devil.”
 
The closing of the door snapped everyone from shocked stupor.  After another round of muddled questions, Buffy’s voice rose above the din.
 
“Giles let me go after him.  We kinda bonded yesterday during his little intro to the twenty-firstcentury.  Hopefully, this will at least buy me tagging along privileges while he wanders around the not so safe streets of Sunnydale.”
 
“I agree, Buffy.  Keeping William safe is at the very least we can do.”  Giles removed his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose, as he closed his eyes briefly.
 
Without delay, Buffy slid on her jacket, pocketed several stakes, and turned to give instructions before she left.   
 
“Okay, while I’m gone, research what Toth’s whammy stick did to Spike and how we can reverse it.  We need to fix this ASAP.”   With a parting nod, Buffy headed out, eager to find William before the sun set.
 
It took no time at all to locate him.  William had only gone as far as the courtyard’s fountain.  When she gradually approached him, she noticed his slumped shoulders and bowed head with a curtain of bleached curls concealing his downcast eyes.  Not wanting to crowd him, she stopped a slight distance away. 
 
“There you are.” 
 
When he didn’t react, Buffy stepped closer and tentatively reached out to touch his shoulder.  She was startled and drew back her hand quickly when an unexpected throaty sneer preceded his words.       
 
“Ah, yes, here I am.  Despite my intentions of making my dramatic departure permanent, there was one major flaw—I do not know where I am.  You may say I am irrevocably lost.”
 
His low, melancholy voice slightly trembled with each word.  His apparent sadness stirred dozens of feelings inside Buffy, causing her heart to actually ache for him.  This ache triggered the overwhelming need to comfort him. 
 
An image of gathering him into her arms, gently guiding his head to lie against her chest, before she began rocking—just as her mother had done for her and Dawn as far back as she could remember came to her mind.  The motion of Joyce’s innate-motherly sway and the steady cadence of her heartbeat always seemed to chase away the demons and make everything all right.  
 
Buffy knew full-well she couldn’t do that, so she settled on sitting close and offering some reassuring words.
 
“I’m sorry, William.  I know that doesn’t really help in the grand scheme of things, but I am really sorry you’re going through all of this.” 
 
Buffy gently laid her hand on his shoulder while hoping he didn’t mind her closeness. Thankfully, she felt him leaning toward her slightly, appearing to take solace in her touch. They remained like this until she removed her hand, which seemed to break the comfortable silence between them.
 
“Miss Buffy, all of these events are a mystery to me.  I cannot begin to fathom how I came to be here.  I question if this is but a dream.  However, I have awakened several times, and yet I still remain here.”
 
“Curiouser and curiouser…” Buffy muttered softly, as she tried to decide the best way to explain everything without sounding completely crazy.
 
“I beg your pardon?” William shifted and turned toward Buffy, their knees now almost touching. 
 
“Oh, it’s nothing.  This just kinda reminded me of the movie, Alice in Wonderland, that I used to watch with my sister when we were little.  It was about a girl who fell down a rabbit hole and ended up in a strange place, surrounded by all these weird people, but in the end she realized it was just a dream.”
 
“I do remember a book by Lewis Carroll, yet the title was slightly different.  It was called Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.  However, the story followed the same premise, so I do believe they are one in the same.  Miss Buffy, if I am to make a bold assumption, are you comparing me to Alice?”  A soft smile touched William’s lips, causing Buffy to return one of her own.
 
“Yeah, you’re Alice.  Well, without the dress and the being a girl part.  Giles can be that freaky caterpillar being all smart and talking in a way nobody really understands.  Xander and Anya can be Tweedledum and Tweedledee—don’t tell them I said that!  And Willowisthe Dodo bird ‘cause she’s always trying to make things fair and better for everyone like he did during that race.”
 
“Miss Buffy, I find the characterizations of your friends are quite enlightening.  So might I inquire which character you relate to?” William’s smile broadened appearing caught up in Buffy’s enthusiasm.  
 
“I’m definitely not one from the Mad Hatter’s tea party.  Or the Queen of Hearts…” She stopped for the moment then asked with less certainty, “I’m not the mean queen, am I?”
 
“No, Miss Buffy, you are far from being the Queen of Hearts.  If I might be so bold to say, I believe you are the Cheshire cat.”
 
“How am I the creepy, smiling cat?” Insecurity laced her voice as her brow furrowed slightly.
 
“If I am Alice you are certainly the Cheshire cat.  As did the cat with Alice, you have engaged me in amusing yet vexing conversations that at times exasperate and bewilder me. Yet I find them exciting all the same.  In addition, despite all the madness and uncertainty, you have uplifted my spirits with your words and radiant smiles.”  William bowed his head on his last word, suddenly appearing shy.
 
If Buffy didn’t know any better, she would have believed that William was trying to flirt with her.  Yeah, it was hard to tell with all the high-scoring Scrabble words he just used, but maybe this was flirting stuffy-British-style.  Whatever it was, she found it kinda cute. 
 
Then her mind quickly changed gears. Despite how cute this was, she had to focus.  It was going to be dark soon, and she needed to get him inside before his demon came out to play. 
 
“William, I can’t begin to say how sorry I am that we weren’t exactly truthful.  It’s just things are really complicated, and we tried making it easy—”
 
“By being deceitful?”  When he lifted his head it was evident all shyness was gone, replaced by a mixture of hurt and anger blazing in his eyes.
 
“To be honest, yeah.” 
 
She watched William’s jaw tighten before he stood.  Buffy placed her hand on the crook of his arm to stop him from leaving.
 
“Wait!”  He shook off her hand and turned toward her, clearly thoroughly agitated.
 
“Please, I’ll tell you the truth.  Just please, will you sit down?” 
 
With a heavy, resigned sigh, he sat and his gaze met hers.  She took in a slow breath then going for broke, started her explanation. 
 
William remained completely quiet as she told him about his “family” and the condensed version of the past few years.  Even though his silence allowed her to explain everything quickly, his silence, at the same time, unnerved her. 
 
When done, she waited for a response.  When none came, she decided prompting him to talk. 
 
“So…” Buffy felt her own mind spinning from her narrations; she couldn’t image how William felt.
 
“Um…yes, this is quite overwhelming.  I can understand your concealment of the truth. Despite all you have told me, I have but one question.  Am I truly this Spike fellow?”
 
“Yeah, you’re Spike, and you’re a—“
 
“Revenant—an animated corpse returning from the grave to frighten the living! A vampire!” William’s composure seemed to crumble right before her eyes, as his outrage became evident with each word until he was nearly shouting. 
 
“Yes.”  In spite of his apparent anger, Buffy remained calm. 
 
Without warning, William grabbed her by the upper arms.  His eyes were wild and unfocused. 
 
“Then explain why can I walk in the sunlight? Why do I require breath? Is not my flesh warm, and my heart beats within my chest?”  He released her upper arm and grabbed her hand, roughly placing it to his chest.  She felt the steady tempo of his heart beating frantically under her palm.  “How do I not desire to feed upon your blood, even though I crave all of you?  Answer me this, Buffy!”
 
Like a violent storm, she felt trapped by his torrent emotions.  She was especially enraptured by his overwhelming desire and need for her.  She desperately wanted to be consumed and give in to all their desires.  Yet she knew she couldn’t let this happen. Pulling away from his grasp, she stood and moved away.
 
“Look, I can’t explain the whys.  All I know is that I need to find Toth and fix this.” 
 
William stood and approached her.  He moved within arm’s length, and even though he didn’t touch her, the radiating heat she felt from his body scorched her. 
 
“Tell me Buffy, why do you want me back to being a creature you so clearly loathe?” 
 
His poignant question startled her.  Her mind buzzed with a dozen answers, but one explanation rushed to her mouth before she could stop it.
 
“I don’t, but that what’s right.”
 
Buffy watched as William recoiled as if her words had taken form and struck him.  Even though he had only just learned of his alter ego, he clearly understood and took to heart her obvious dislike for what he once was. 
 
She felt an instant pang of regret, seeing how her words appeared to hurt him deeply. However, before she could explain or apologize, Giles’ apartment door opened, and he stepped out into the courtyard. 
 
“Ah, Buffy, I see you’ve found William.  Since the hour is getting late, we should—“
 
Buffy broke from William’s fixed gaze and turned toward Giles.
 
“Giles, I told him everything.  He knows he’s really Spike and that he’s a vampire.  I also told him about Toth’s bonus blast that makes him human during the day and only fangy at night.” 
 
“I see.  So William, you are in agreement to remain tied up during the evenings until we are able to reverse this spell?”  Giles voice was gentle but firm.
 
“Giles, I don’t think that’s ness—“ Buffy’s protest was cut short by William’s bitter voice.
 
“No need for objections, Miss Buffy.  I am a monster, after all, and is it not an acceptable measure subduing a creature such as I by binding its limbs?  Now, you must excuse me.” 
 
William passed Buffy without giving her a second glance and headed into Giles’ apartment.  When he stormed past her, she felt as if all the air had been sucked out of her lungs, and the beginnings of hot tears stung her eyes. It took all her power not to give in to all her feelings and follow after him to try to explain. 
 
Even with all her warring thoughts and emotions, the Slayer inside took charge.  She knew she had a job to do.  Taking in a steady breath, she told Giles of her plans.
 
“Giles, with all that’s been going on, I’ve been slacking on patrolling.  While I’m out, keep researching Toth and make sure you guys don’t let William out of your sight.  I’ll be back in the morning to get the skinny on what you find.” 
 
Without another word or waiting for Giles’ response, Buffy turned and left the courtyard, heading toward Restfield Cemetery.            
 
Giles shook his head and proceeded inside.  Even though he was perplexed regarding the heated conversation he’d purposefully interrupted, he decided now wasn’t the time to talk to his Slayer about the precarious relationship forming between her and the magically altered vampire.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Author’s Notes:
 
Revenant: “…animated corpse that was believed to return from the grave to terrorize the living.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revenant_(folklore)
 
Lewis Carroll’s book was called “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” (1865) 
 
Disney’s 1951 movie adaptation of “Alice in Wonderland” was mainly based on “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” Disney had used the characters Tweedledee and Tweedledum, even though these characters weren’t actually introduced until Lewis Carroll’s second book, Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There. (1871)
 
 Big thanks to my amazing betas: Sanityfair and Diebirchen.  Happy Halloween all!!!