As always, much thanks to my faithful reviewers & readers! You words are so very encouraging.

Thanks to Meli for her work as a beta! :) She says this chappie is sad, so you have been warned!

**Hugs**
Opal

---

*Banner By Ariel Dawn*
Thanks AD! Hugs~Opal

Story Dedicated to Meli!
Thanks for being a great Beta. Hugs~Opal


Single Quotes = thoughts to oneself or between Buffy & Spike


Chapter 31 - Icy Cold Hands


William sipped on his cocoa while attentively listening to Joyce explain what the Powers That Be had in plan for him.

“Now William, they will send you back in time to stop your mother’s death. You must remember that even though you will save her in the graveyard; that does not mean the threat is over. The Council will still be aggressive in it’s pursuit to kill Buffy, and Glory will still be a constant threat to both of my girls.”

“So, what’s to say I’m not going to bollocks things up again?” William replied.

Joyce gently reached her angelic hand out to William’s pale cheek.

“I know you won’t. With my heart, and my soul, I know you will succeed.”

William smiled at his grandmother’s kind words, but he was still not confident things would go well.

“William, there are some changes in the rules this time around. First, you will be able to be in the same presence as your infant form without causing a paradox. Second, the Powers are bestowing the means upon you to create a safe haven from the Council and Glory. I cannot tell you what it is, but when the time comes you will know. Finally, this is the last time you will be able to travel through time. When your task has been completed, you will receive no warning of your return to the rightful period in your life.”

“But what if my job isn’t done? What if they need me longer,” William asked.

“We live life on life’s terms William; well I should amend that to be ‘on the Power’s terms’. So you will have to accept that when they choose for you to return, it is for the best.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“I just know. It’s one of the perks of being a messenger for the Powers That Be.”

“What if I fail? What if I don’t stop them in time?” William whispered.

Joyce looked at her grandson with pity. The poor boy had only done what he thought would be right. Now his diminished self-confidence could cost the Powers the only chance they have at setting things right.

“William, you just get off the pity-pot right this moment young man. This isn’t a time to be wallowing in whether or not you’ll be able to make the mission at hand. This is a time for action. Your father would be very bitter if you he knew this is what had become of you.”

Joyce reached down and grabbed William’s hand. She pulled him up off the couch and towards a new room in the cavern. Before he knew it, Joyce had pushed him right into the room.

He could hear her yelling that she loved him, but he had to jump in now or it would be too late. Eventually her voice faded, and then finally his consciousness.

____ ****

Drusilla was sitting in her hotel room at the Hyperion. She had been stocking up on all of the magical accoutrements that she could get her diminutive hands on. She had been able to feel a moderate shift in the earth’s energy over the past few days.

Something was going to happen. Something big.

She could not quite put her finger on what it was though. It was difficult, since her grandchilde had left. She felt she was missing part of herself. Angel had even tried to do ritual with her that would restore her enthusiasm for the undead life.

It failed. Nothing could fill the space the missing family member had left. She decided though that if she were feeling a shift in the air, it would have to be the result of strange happenings down at the Hellmouth. She quickly threw on her clothes, packed a bag, and then snuck down the back steps so she could take the motorcycle and drive to her family in Sunnydale.

Her mission would be sans Angel; in fact, any way she could get away from the broody wonder would make her happy. He had been lavishing attention on her day after day as if he had nothing better to do. She felt smothered and felt she had to behave according to same rigid restrictions Angel had imposed on himself.

She had a feeling things were not like that in Sunnydale.

She slipped on to her bike and slowly let it roll away from the Hyperion for a good quarter mile before turned the bike’s engine. Before she could start the bike moving, she suddenly filled with a feeling of completeness she had not felt in weeks.

William was home again.

****~~~~

Buffy had started her patrol without Spike. She just did not get why he was so overprotective of her. She was the Slayer, could take care of herself. Besides, it was just one night of patrol without him and someone had to watch the baby. Therefore, Spike was left with baby watching duty, because he had totally lost their argument. She hoped that they had not left too much of a mess for her to deal with when she arrived home from patrol.

She absently twirled her stake in her right hand as she made her way towards some of the more popular demon cemeteries. If there was one thing she was always craving at night, it was the thrill from the slay. It was most certainly on the top of that list. That and some ice creamy goodness she decided as she walked alongside the local ice cream shop. She reached into her tight leather pant’s pocket and pulled out a ponytail holder to pull her hair back. Then she popped into the little ice cream store to get her self a nummy treat.

The slayer was unaware that the entire time, she was being followed.

**!!!!

Buffy had finished her ice cream cone before she had reached the gates of Restfield Cemetery. It seemed unusually quite. She walked past Spike’s old crypt just to see if he had been there lately or if he just happened to be waiting in there for her. She turned around and slowly began to open the door.

Then let out a bloodcurdling scream when she felt icy cold hands grasp hers and pull her into the darkness of the crypt.