Disclaimer: I don’t own Buffy and Spike...sad but true.

Author’s note: Thanks for the wonderful reviews!
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Chapter 9: Weird Weird Dreams

Her last thoughts before slipping off to sleep was a wish to have been able to see what he was like when he was human.
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Miss Elizabeth Sumner, of Vale Manor, Kent, is to be presented into society this season.

Buffy read the card with astonishment. Some how she knew this to be her. She looked around at her surroundings. The lavish house, the ornate grounds she could see our the window were all familiar to her, somehow.

Buffy put down the invitation to her coming out ball and left the drawing room, taking a moment to discern what she was wearing. She looked like she had stepped into Gone with the wind, he skirt was huge! She walked down the gallery of her house, yes this was her house. On the gallery walls were all the portraits of her family, past and present. There were pictures of her father, mother and sister all she ever remembered them.

“Beth!” called Dawn from behind her, “Cook wants a word about the menu for tomorrow when you have a moment.”

“Thank you,” said Buffy stiffly. Buffy tried to add more, but she couldn’t force her mouth to move.

“I don’t know how you do it Beth, all the responsibilities that accompany the role of mistress of Vale Manor. I am glad that you were born first,” said Dawn.

“Responsibilities indeed,” said Buffy. Damn it! I wasn’t going to say that! She was talking like the decor.

“Are you excited for your ball? It is a shame that I cannot go. I am sure that you will meet dashing young men there though. Perhaps you will fall madly in love with a Colonel, who will take you to far off and exotic places.”

“Please...” said Buffy trying to make her sister stop.

Dawn rolled her eyes and breezed by her.

Buffy walked to her room. Somehow she knew the way, like she had lived there all her life. Her room was filled with trinkets and embroidery. There was a portrait of her mother, and a jewellery box on her armoire. She opened the box to reveal a small collection of crosses on chains. Buffy rolled her eyes. What exactly was there to do here?

Buffy flopped down on the bed. If only she could figure out how she got here in the first place. A weird had happened.

“Miss Sumner?” asked a voice in the doorway.

An older woman stood hands folded waiting to be asked in.

“Yes,” said Buffy with a forced smile.

“I have two sample menus from the cook for your ball. Perhaps you would be so good as to give your opinion of them?” said the woman stretching her arm out with two slips of paper.

Buffy read the two menus.

“This one is acceptable,” came the words from Buffy’s mouth. In fact normally, wouldn’t she have said something like Yummy or something? “Is there anything else?” asked Buffy, unaware that anything needed to be said.

“Yes, Miss Sumner. I am aware that you are lately without a lady’s maid. Could I be so bold as to present my niece for the post?”

“Your niece?” said Buffy thinking, “Very well I will meet her.”

“Thank you Miss Sumner. Is now a good time or are you engaged?”

“No, I’m not engaged,” said Buffy smiling. This woman had planned this.

The woman stepped aside and into the doorway stepped Willow.

“Allow me to introduce my niece, Willamina Rose, Miss Sumner,” said the woman.

Willamina bobbed a curtsey looking down, her red hair creeping out from under her puritan cap.

“I am very pleased to make your acquaintance. I am delighted. We shall become very great friends indeed, I would be honoured if you would become my ladies maid.” said Buffy happily, wondering why her tongue managed all those words. Too many words for ’you’re hired,” Buffy thought.

“I’ve never worked as a ladies maid before Miss Sumner, but I will endeavour to improve myself.”

“Good, no doubt your aunt will tell you just what duties you are to perform.” It was then that Buffy noticed that she was speaking in a British accent. And she had been unconsciously doing it too. “I am away to London after my ball, you shall come with me of course.”

“Yes, Miss Sumner,” said Willamina.

Willamina Rose, Beth Sumner, strange how everyone was the same but different. Whenever they were, it was clear that they had to conform to the time and place. Or maybe it was just her. Perhaps she was trapped in this Beth Sumner’s body. And maybe Beth Sumner was trapped in her body. Scary thought. She just hoped that Spike realized who was who before he freaked out Beth. Spike. Maybe he was still human then, now, whatever. she must find him. God what was his last name? She was going to London, but how was she to find him? Certainly she couldn't look for every random William in the phone book. God there wasn’t a phone book!

“Mrs Rose, I will have my tea in the garden,” said Buffy all at once and walked out of the room.

Angel would be a vampire at this point, no doubt Anya a vengeance demon. Perhaps Anya could...no it was probably best to keep the vengeance demon away from Beth. If only she could find a way back to her own body.
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Buffy stood motionless in the middle of the ball room, waiting fro the music to start. She had been asked to dance by an extremely handsome Colonel named Clearwater, while she had been scanning the room for people she recognized. Colonel Clearwater was nice enough, but she didn’t really think that Beth and he had a future together. The look on her father’s face when she had accepted his hand was priceless, like she had stepped in something bad. The dance was complicated. Buffy was very glad that the body she was inhabiting was good at this kind of thing.

Dawn of course was upstairs watching from a balcony. She wasn’t permitted at the ball. Willow...uh...Willamina was there too. A ladies maid could not be expected to attend society functions.

As she danced she caught sight of Xander. Her loyal Xander. But this guy, had both eyes and a bit more of a mean look to him. Her dance partner must have noticed.

“Mr Alexander Harrison is a scoundrel. I should pity anyone who does business with that man.” said Colonel Clearwater.

“He lives not far from here,. He is a frequent guest of my father,” said Buffy with a smile.

“Pity,” said the colonel as they danced on.

Buffy rolled her eyes. How much longer could this night last. No wonder so many people she knew became vampires, there was nothing to do.
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When at last that dance was over, Buffy headed for some chairs near the back of the room. She wasn’t tired, bored was more like.

She was only steps away when she was accosted for yet another dance. Politely she begged to be allowed to rest for one set. Buffy settled into a chair with a sigh for relief. No one would bother her now for two dances. But how did she know that? Observing her surroundings Buffy made the discovery that she was seated fairly near a young man with brown hair, facing away from her. He was ready from a volume of poetry.

“I sincerely hope that the words you read give you greater enjoyment than this ball gives me,” said Buffy in his direction.

“Sorry?” he said looking up from his book.

As his eyes met hers she drew in a breath. The face was so familiar. Spike. Buffy smiled.

“I’m afraid we’ve not been properly introduced, Mr...?” Buffy heard her voice say.

“Mr. William Graves, Miss Sumner, at your command.”

“Mr Graves, you may regret placing yourself at my command,” said Buffy in a flirty way, “And what brings you here to by coming out ball Mr Graves. I trust it was not poetry?”

“Oh, no, Miss Sumner. I am a junior partner in your father’s business in London. I came on errand this afternoon, and was persuaded to stay the evening.”

“How very inviting of my father.”

“I hope you do not think ill of your father for the invitation, Miss Sumner.”

“Oh indeed no, for now I have met you Mr Graves and am delighted by the acquaintance. But you must tell me of yourself Mr Graves I am intensely interested,” said Buffy. It was true she was. She wanted with all her being to kiss him, but her body held her back.

She listened how he told her that he had worked for her father for over a year now and how his mother was very sick.

“I sadly know the pain of losing a mother to illness,” said Buffy reaching out to place her hand on his.

His hand was warm. He was human. She smiled.

“I am to escort you to town tomorrow,“ he said looking down at her hand.

“That would please me very much indeed Mr Graves. Perhaps you could share with me some of that poetry that so enchants you this night. Goodness know I should like o leave the monotony of this ball as well.”

He smiled. God she loved him. Buffy’s insides screamed to take his hand and run outside and tell him everything. That she was from the future and his girlfriend, then she could warn him about all the things that would happen to him. But then history would change and things would turn out differently. No, she couldn’t do that, but what was she here?

The dance changed and Buffy’s time with her Spike had gone. Instantly she had three gentlemen begging for her hand to dance,. She wished Spike had asked her instead.
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She met him again that morning in the carriage that was to take Buffy, Willamina and William to London. Buffy was going to stay at the house of her cousin, Mr John Sumner to get out in society more. Buffy had a sneaky suspicion that all this dancing was supposed to get her married post haste. Buffy really had no idea exactly how old Beth Sumner was supposed to be but clearly it was time for her to move out. Buffy smiled as she entered the carriage.

“Mr Graves, a delight to see you as always. This charming young lady is my maid, Willamina,” said Buffy.

“Hello, Miss Willamina,” said William.

“And what rather large text are you entranced by today Mr Graves?” asked Buffy.

“Shakespeare’s sonnets,” he said shyly.

“I trust that there is some young woman in town that will benefit from all your study.”

William did not reply. Clearly there was though. Buffy was slightly startled by the fact. She knew that he had been sired by Drusilla, but not much else. Buffy resolved to learn as much about him as possible. She tried to draw him out during the carriage ride. Clearly he wasn’t the same Spike she knew, He was too shy. Obviously years of being a vampire had changed him,. All she knew was that he was not her Spike. This man loved another woman.
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“I’ve planned a dinner party for your arrival cousin,” said Jane her cousin, sister of John. “Some very fashionable people, of course no one who will be presented at court you know but fashionable just the same.”

“Will Mr Graves be there?” asked Buffy.

“Of course, though he is an odd fellow. Off in his own little world. No wonder he hadn’t found himself a wife yet.” Jane Laughed.

“Who else will be there?”

“Oh the Underwoods, the Paghams, Colonel Clearwater. Miss Chase, the actress, unfortunately could not attend, she has the funeral of her uncle to attend in New Castle as is enroute. So disappointing.”

“Mr. Giles?” asked Buffy hesitantly. Buffy was startled that her own voice had asked the question.

“Goodness no. Mr Giles and I are through. I have decided at last that I shall not marry any man who studies the occult. Imagine what kind of questions one would have from our dinner guests.”

Obviously this Giles was a watcher too. It was a family thing. Perhaps he could help her find a way back into her own body in the future. Problem was that she wasn’t in control of this body. How could she get a message to him?

“You must tell me how your sister Danielle does. Has she grown much since the spring?”

Danielle? Buffy wondered. Dawn’s name was Danielle?

“I have noticed no growth in anything but the ability to irritate,” said Buffy.

“I suppose that is the trying age, thirteen,” said Jane.

“Indeed,” said Buffy with a sigh. Would that make Beth eighteen?

“It is a pity that your father waited so long to put you out into society. It should have been done two years ago. But I suppose he just wanted to keep you a little girl. All fathers do,” said Jane.

Stake me now, thought Buffy.
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The dinner party was a success according to Jane anyway. Buffy had another thought: boring. Buffy did have the opportunity to meet Mr Grave’s love interest, Cecily Underwood. She was pretty, but she was sickly sweet and clearly trying to gain Colonel Clearwater’s affections. Poor William, Buffy thought. Buffy hid from view as he tired to get up the courage to speak to Miss Underwood.

“You know Mr Graves, a girl would begin to think you did not care at all if you continue to talk to that plant,” said Cecily coming out from the opposite doorway.

“Miss Underwood” stammered William.

“Miss Sumner,” said Colonel Clearwater’s voice to Buffy.

Buffy smiled sweetly. “Colonel Clearwater, I trust you are enjoying yourself this evening.”

“I would be enjoying the evening more if you were on my arm Miss Sumner.”

Buffy felt her face blush.

“It is a terrible loss to the party when you are not there for all to see and converse with my dear Miss Sumner.”

This last part Colonel Clearwater said with resonant clarity. Cecily took a glaring look at Buffy. Beth Sumner was competition and it was clear to Buffy that William Graves was just going to be strung along for the ride.

“My dear Colonel Clearwater,” said Cecily, ignoring William. “Perhaps you will delight the party with your latest tale of heroism. I myself have heard it already, but I would love to hear it again from your own lips,” Cecily smiled.

As Colonel Clearwater and Buffy headed towards a seat nearer to Cecily, the Colonel whispered in her ear, “She seems determined to catch me, but I am determined to catch you.”

Buffy blushed again. At the same time she couldn’t help but notice William’s pained expression as Cecily paid more attention to Colonel Clearwater than him.

Oh how she wanted her own Spike back. This was so incredibly boring. She’d much rather be fighting vampires than listen to a wind bag twice her age tell about his heroic exploits of ordering soldiers to their deaths.

Later that evening she found William outside the house clearly disappointed in love.

“Mr Graves, I trust you have enjoyed some of your company this evening. I dare say some of the guests are dull in their conversation. Mr Pagham speaks of nothing but his horses and Colonel Clearwater his less than heroic exploits,” said Buffy.

“I agree with you Miss Sumner.”

“Thank you Mr Graves. I trust that you are coming to firmer conclusions about Miss Underwood? She is a nice girl, fortune too. You would be extremely fortunate to secure her hand. We should all meet very often.”

“I should like to keep up your acquaintance Miss Sumner.”

“How kind of you Mr Graves. I cannot wait to hear of your approaching nuptials. I have already decided on your wedding gift.”

“You speak as if you know already what she would say.”

“I do not pretend to know Miss Underwood’s inner thought Mr Graves. However, I do know that should I have been so fortunate to capture your affections, I should not turn them down at any cost,” said Buffy turning to leave.

How could she say such a thing? Did Beth not see how Cecily used him, how she cared nothing for him at all. It would end by breaking his heart, she knew it and he would turn to Drusilla.
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The next party was at the Adams’ home. Buffy was firmly entrenched with Colonel Clearwater as much as she hated it. Buffy secretly knew that at some point this evening William would declare his feeling for Cecily. She had to listen in. She stole away from the Colonel during one of his long recitations of his heroic dead and into a back parlour where she suspected that William and Cecily were sequestered.

She heard Cecily’s voice come clearly through the doorway.

“You are beneath me.”

Buffy’s hand flew to her mouth. She had once said that to Spike. She regretted it now of course, but she had said it. William flew out of the room in her direction.

“Mr. Graves!” said Buffy shocked, “What haste!”

He breezed by her. It took her several minutes of wondering and waiting before Beth’s body followed William out into the street and to the stable. She hid behind some straw. He cried. Buffy felt herself cry. A tear trickled down her cheek for his pain. She took a step forward but stopped when she saw another woman in the barn with him. Drusilla. Buffy screamed to her body to get out of there. Drusilla was trouble, but she could not make herself move. Intently she listened to their conversation. He had been monumentally hurt by Cecily. Buffy knew what was about to happen, as William moved closer and closer to Dru. Buffy averted her eyes then ran out of the stables and into the Adams’ home. Buffy hid herself in a closet and cried.

Buffy herself wasn’t sad. She knew this was going to happen. Beth didn’t though. It slowly dawned on Buffy that Beth was in love with William. Weird love triangle thing, thought Buffy actually a square really. Buffy wondered what would have happened had Dru not been there. Would Beth and William have gotten together? What was going to happen now? Now that William was dead. Who would Beth marry? She really hoped it wasn’t that Clearwater guy. What was clear to Buffy was that she might be in Beth’s body, but Beth was still here too.
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Now with William Graves being William the Bloody, Buffy/Beth moped around Cousin John’s house. There had been no mention of William Graves’ death in the stables, perhaps no one had found him yet. Or maybe Dru took the body. John mentioned that he had not been at the offices for days.

It was clear however to Buffy that Beth still thought about him. She watched as Beth poured out her feelings into her diary and talked with Willamina about him and his disappearance.

“I must speak with him,” Beth told Willamina one day. “I will go to his house perhaps talk with his mother.”

Bad news, thought Buffy, Very Bad news.

Beth set out on foot the next morning to see him, the house was not far. Beth knocked to see him, and at last was allowed in. The servants at the door looked terrified. Beth was shown into the parlour. The curtains were drawn and there was hardly a stream of light in the room. Buffy/Beth seated herself on a sofa and examined a few books and some embroidery lying on a table. At last he came in.

Yep, he was vamped all right, thought Buffy. Still had brown hair, but his face looked dead. Beth smiled as she saw him.

“Mr Graves, it is good of you to see me, I trust I have not interrupted anything?” asked Beth.

Probably interrupted him and Dru doing the nasty, Buffy cringed.

“Miss Sumner, what can I do for you this morning?” he said circling her.

“I come to inquire after you. I had heard that you have not been to the offices of Sumner and Graves in days. I am thankful that I find you well,” said Beth.

“Your kindness has always brought a smile to my face, Miss Sumner,” he responded sickly.

“A pleasure Mr Graves. I am also come to issue an invitation to another dinner party at my cousins’ house. Miss Underwood will not be invited I assure you. Anyone who treats my friends so contemptibly shall not have my company. Do say you will come. I fear that the whole affair will be deadly dull if you are not there.”

“I fear Miss Sumner, that I shall not be able to attend.”

“A great pity. I shall be extremely sad for I must confess that I find every day I do not see you deadly dull. I trust I have not offended you.”

“Oh no, Miss Sumner,” he said walking towards her. “Never once did you offend me. You were always kind and sweet. If only there was something I could do to repay your kindness.”

“Oh Mr Graves,” said Beth. William was so close now. He would be going in for the kill soon. “Perhaps someday you could recite one of your poems to me, by the pale moonlight. I now I should appreciate it more than she did.”

“Miss Sumner...” said William stroking her hair, “Beth...”

“William...”

What the hell is going on here! Buffy inwardly screamed, He’s going to kill you! don’t make moon eyes at him!

William began to kiss her and Beth kissed back. William started down her throat then. Yes here it comes. A stabbing pain as William bit her and started sucking the blood out of the wound. Buffy recalled hitting the floor in Beth’s blue taffeta gown her high collar now stained with blood.
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Buffy/Beth woke to an incredible feeling of hunger. Opening her eyes Buffy noted that she was in a room she had never seen before.

“This must be Victoria’s room,” said Beth to the room.

Buffy had no idea who Victoria was. Beth got up and stood by the closet, inspecting the gowns that resided inside.

Maybe Victoria was Spike’s sister? Did he have a sister?

Beth pulled a lilac dress out of the wardrobe and pressed it up against her body, then turned her head looking for something. Beth rushed to a mirror to see...Beth gasped.

You are a vampire you ninny! thought Buffy. You don’t have a reflection!

Beth backed up from the mirror in fear. Turning, she grabbed the door handle and flung the door open, to reveal William.

“William! There is something wrong with the mirror!”

“No, pet, there is nothing wrong with the mirror. I’ve made you like me, a vampire.”

“No!” she gasped.

“It is true. We can revenge ourselves now on all those that made us feel inferior.”

“I’d like that” she grinned. “But right now, I’m hungry.”

“Of course you are pet.” William exited the room for a few moments and came back dragging one of the servants.

“Your dinner, pet,”

Buffy felt Beth change into game face and dreaded what was going to happen next.

Beth plunged her fangs into the pour servant girl’s neck.
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“So, you are my Sire, then?” Beth asked cautiously. They were lounging on a bed, bodies littered the floor.

“Yes, pet,”

“Where is your Sire then? You were made only a few days before I came to you.”

“Drusilla has gone out hunting with her Sire.”

“I see. William? Why did you make me a vampire? Please don’t think I am ungrateful at all. I love this feeling of power. I cannot wait to kill that windbag, Clearwater. And Cecily! You should make her pay for what she did to you.”

“All in good time.” William began to run his hands up and down the arms of her dress.

Beth turned in for a kiss. Beth raised her hand to caress his cheek. William started to kiss down to her neck, as he had done the night he sired her.

“Oh William!” she whispered, as he licked his mark on her neck.

Suddenly he rolled on top of her and ripped her dress from her body, corset and all.

Beth gave a giggle as she saw her taffeta dress ripped to shreds join the bodies that littered the floor.

William smiled and then set about attacking her exposed breasts with his lips. Beth let her head fall back and moaned. William worked his way down her torso with his lips and settled down between her thighs. He pushed her legs back and sunk his tongue into her moist recesses. Slowly he dragged his tongue across her opening and flicked her clit a few times before closing his lips over it. He removed one of his hands from her thigh and slowly penetrated her with two fingers. He stroked her slick passage, adding another finger.

“William...oh goodness!” responded Beth, breathless.

William broke off what he was doing and bite into her thigh, drinking in her blood. She moaned in pleasure.

William raised himself up and undid his trousers. Buffy groaned as Beth watched William strip. This was like voyeurism to the second power. It was way wigging her out.

William crawled up the length of Beth’s body, positioning himself at her slick entrance.

“Please, William..” she begged.

Slowly, William entered her, penetrating her barrier and causing Beth to scream.

Wililam smirked at her pain.

Beth wrapped her legs around his waist, pushing him deeper into her.

“Beth, darling. I want you to belong to me,” he said thrusting in and out of her passage.

“Oh yes William,”

William growled, increasing the pace of his thrusts. Beth started clawing at his back, as she neared her climax.

The room was filled with dual roars as the vampires came together, each sinking their fangs into the other’s shoulder.

“Mine,” growled William.

“Yours,” she agreed.
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Beth had put on the beautiful lilac dress she had been coveting earlier and started putting pins back into her hair.

William reached around and planted a kiss on her neck, where he had bitten her. Beth’s face broke into a smile.

“Oh William, let’s go and make some fun.”

“Of course pet.”

From down stairs the pair heard the someone enter the house.

“Mummy’s home!” came a female voice.

Buffy knew at once that it was Drusilla. Buffy cringed to think what Dru would do if she knew that William had taken a mate.

William took Beth’s hand led her down stairs to present her to Drusilla.

“Sweet William’s been naughty and turned one of his little friends,” was the first thing out of Drusilla’s mouth.

Drusilla approached Beth. Suddenly she pointed to Beth’s bite wound.

“She’s been claimed! William, naughty! Bad dog! Mummy wants you all to herself.”

Beth didn’t take her eyes off of Drusilla until she had moved away from her.

“William you aren’t going to let this, poor insane woman dictate with whom you are going to spend eternity, are you?” pleaded Beth, turning to William with tears in her eyes.

It appeared to Buffy that Beth had realised what Drusilla had meant. Drusilla was going to dust Beth.

William stood motionless. Beth grabbed his hand once more.

“Please, William!”

Drusilla moved towards the couple, now holding a stake in her hand.

Beth dropped William’s hand and looked around the room, looking for a way out, but Drusilla had backed her into a corner.

“William!” begged Beth, as Dru positioned herself directly in front of the now sobbing vamp.

Buffy felt the stake enter Beth’s heart and the curious sensation of crumbling to dust.
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Buffy opened her eyes. She was home, in her own bed in Cleveland staring at the ceiling in her darkened room. Her hand flew to her neck. Yes this was her own body she could move it freely. Buffy leapt out of bed and threw back the curtains. She must have slept the whole day, but it was just one day.

“Buffy are you up yet?” asked Dawn from the kitchen, “You’ve slept the day away. Man you must have been crazy busy last night...I mean with the patrolling.”

“Ya, feels like I’ve been asleep for days.”

“Well, I have supper for you in the fridge. It’s spaghetti, please read the label, cause in your sleepy state I can just imagine the nastiness of finding out your just heated up blood.”

Buffy grabbed herself a muffin and changed her clothes before heading out to Spike’s crypt.
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tbc...