With a bored sigh, Buffy glanced once more at her watch, surprised that an hour and a half had gone by since she and her friends had started explaining things to Alex. So far, they had only covered the backgrounds of the people he called friends, as Alex kept throwing an endless stream of questions about this at them.
Finally, Buffy got tired of it and went to the phone to dial her apartment, leaving further explanations to Willow. She expected Angel to pick up after a few rings, but no answer. Buffy puzzled over this momentarily, then decided he must have taken Ivory out for a walk. With that thought, she returned to the living room, taking a seat next to Stefanie.
Alex took a deep breath. "Cordy's a vampire in this world?!" he asked in disbelief.
Willow nodded. "But she's one of the good ones," the redhead replied in a perky tone. "She helps us the way Darla helps you."
"Okay. I'll buy that," he replied after a brief moment. "Man, I cannot believe how different this world is."
Giles leaned forward at this, deeply curious. "Why don't you tell us about yours? For starters, how did you meet Cordelia?" he said.
Once more, Alex took a deep breath. "In college, like I said... I had just been discharged from the army after a year, where I had seen two of my friends die in combat. Willow was the only person I had left besides my family, although I was estranged from them. I asked her to marry me within two months of coming home.
"It wasn't long after we got engaged that Willow and I met Cordelia. Our first impression, or at least what we'd heard, was that she was a troublemaker. She was described as promiscuous, always sneaking out of the dorm at night. It wasn't until months later that I discovered why. And by then, it was too late."
Alex looked skyward a moment, suppressing tears. "One night, Willow and I were out walking through the campus when we heard the sounds of fighting. We went to see what was going on, and we found Cordelia. That was the night we learned the truth about her and about vampires... It was a lot to deal with.
"If Cordelia hadn't seen us watching, maybe Willow wouldn't have become what she did... But right after, we got dragged into Cordy's secret world, as she felt the need to explain to us." Alex paused a moment. "Afterwards, Willow and Cordy became good friends, always hanging out with each other. Maybe that's how Angelus knew of her existence, because he had seen them together.
"It wasn't long before Willow began acting strange, more distant and more secretive. So one night, I followed her and I found she'd been meeting Angelus in secret... He played the romantic without fault and did pretty well at seducing her. It took everything I had not to kill him right then... I probably would have if I'd known what he was.
"Then, finally one morning, Willow didn't come home. I went to Cordelia, asking if she'd seen her. And during the conversation, I brought up Angelus' name. I still get shudders remembering the way Cordy turned as white as a sheet. She told me the truth, and I felt like my heart was just being torn to shreds."
Alex wiped a stray tear from his face. "She took me with her to where Angelus and his gang were holed up, praying that it wasn't too late to save Willow," he continued, his voice heavy with sorrow. "Both of us had no problem holding our own against the rookies, and I even slayed two of them myself. Then, Willow arrived on the scene, and I knew we'd lost. Even in her vampire guise, I still recognized her.
"Angelus moved in while I was still in shock. Cordelia shouted a warning, but it was too late. The bastard had already given me a remembrance of that day," Alex said, rubbing gently at his scar. "Anyway, Cordelia fought him back and helped me escape. We've been in league ever since."
"Which is why you married her afterwards?" Willow asked, feeling weird about hearing what happened to her other self. *It isn't every day you find out you're a vampire,* she thought absurdly.
Alex nodded. "It was purely platonic at first," he said. "It wasn't until after we got married that Cordelia and I developed deeper feelings for each other. That's why my obsession with Angelus worried her so much. That's why she allowed Ethan to keep me in the dark about certain things... The latest one was, Angelus had moved Willow and the rest of his gang to Sunnydale. Cordelia and Ethan followed a few weeks later, courtesy of Darla, and Cordy told me explicitly to stay away, because she didn't want me getting hurt. But I didn't listen..."
"And thus you wound up here," Buffy finished.
Alex nodded. "But I don't know why, don't know who sent me here. If I had to guess, I'd say Angelus, but it could also easily be one of his followers."
"Why?" Buffy asked. "What would they have against you?" She paused. "Actually, that raises a better question. Who is working with him?"
Alex bit his lip, thinking. "Well, let's see... Besides Willow, there's a bad-tempered vamp by the name of Drusilla, who seems to be on neither Angelus' side nor ours, but still hangs with him. There's Spike, who, at times, doesn't seem to be all there. But he is a sort of clairvoyant... Oh, plus he and Dru can't stand each other; the only reason they live under the same roof is because of Angelus. And then, there's the many nameless vampires who just come and go."
"One big happy family," Buffy said, half joking. "So what do..." She cut off then, interrupted by a knock at the door. Willow started to get up, but Buffy stopped her. "I'll get it," she said, heading for the door and opening it without a thought, expecting who, she wasn't certain.
However, looking up into her fiance's dark brown eyes, Buffy had a sinking feeling that things were about to go from bad to worse. She shut the door slightly so Alex couldn't see, then whispered, "Angel, what are you doing here?!" Glancing down at his empty arms, she added, "Where's Ivory?"
"She's with Cordelia," Angel replied, also in whispers. "You were gone so long, I was getting worried. Have you found Xander yet?"
Buffy hesitated a moment. "In a manner of speaking, yes... Look, Angel, you can't..." Her warning came too late though, as he started to make his way inside. She tried to shove him back out, but it was too late. Alex had already seen him.
"You!" Alex yelled, getting to his feet, his face turning red. "What are you doing here?!"
Angel stared across the room at Alex, taking a step forward. "Just came to see how you and Willow were," he replied, failing to notice the scar.
Alex shook his head. "It just doesn't stop with you, does it?" he said, unconsciously moving to stand between Angel and Willow. "We were fine before you came into our lives! How dare you come here pretending everything will be alright!" With that, Alex crossed the distance between, catching Angel off guard with a strong right hook that sent the vampire toppling to the floor.
Alex was producing a stake from his jacket next, prepared to strike when Buffy grabbed him, wrestling to get him off Angel. "Stop it!" she screamed. "This isn't what you think!"
"Oh, no!" Alex snapped. "How can you defend him? He took the woman I loved and turned her into a monster!"
Angel looked up at the two of them, dazed. "I would hardly call her a monster," he said calmly, exchanging a glance with Buffy.
"You wouldn't!" Alex said hurtfully. "But the facts are the same. Willow is a vampire thanks to you!"
Angel blinked his eyes, staring at Alex at confusion, then looked at Buffy. "Did I miss something?" he asked, standing and rubbing at the back of his head.
Alex, too, was confused, figuring out now that something was off. "What the hell...?" he started.
Buffy smirked. "Say hello to Angel," she told Alex. "Who is my fiance and my sire."
"Your what?" Alex said in disbelief, watching as Stefanie took Angel aside, probably to explain things to him.
"You heard me," Buffy replied. "Try to remember that this isn't your world. Nothing is the same here!"
Alex considered this a moment. "So, basically, you're saying that Angel is on your side here?"
"That covers it," she confirmed. "He's not a bad guy once you get to know him."
Meanwhile, taking into account what Stefanie was telling him, Angel looked at everyone in the room in turn, trying to imagine a world where they were either evil or simply absent. Then, his gaze rested on Alex, and a wave of pity and remorse washed over him.
*How odd,* Angel thought, *that the demonic side of me still exists somewhere. If only there were a way to make up for it...* Out loud, he said, "It probably doesn't mean much, but I'm sorry for what happened to Willow in your world."
Alex sighed. "It's not your fault," he said wearily. "There was nothing you could have done, nothing any of you could have done, to prevent it." He returned to his seat, looking extremely tired. "It's just something I have to live with, and I will continue to do so as soon as we can figure out a way to send me back."
"Sounds good," Buffy said after a moment. "Giles? Any suggestions?"
Her Watcher leaned forward, addressing Alex. "The spellcaster... the person who did this would have to be found and forced to reverse the spell. Only then can things return to normal... I'm afraid, given what you told us, that it is solely up to Xander and your friends to do just that."
Willow stood, walking over to Alex with a strong sympathetic light in her eyes. "Until then, you're welcome to stay here," she said softly. "The most I can offer is a roof to stay under."
Alex looked up at her, smiling sadly. "I never expected to hear such kind words from you again... Thank you," he whispered, reaching for her hand. His heart ached to know that this wasn't real, that his Willow wasn't back to stay, but it would be good while it lasted...
In Alex's World
Cordelia shook her head in disbelief as Xander finished relating his story, amazed by all he had told her. "It's hard to picture a world like the one you describe," she said, taking a moment to stretch. "I never met the Buffy Summers in this world, but Ethan tells me she was quite... ambitious. She worked alone for the majority of her time, operating out of a shut down factory where she and her Watcher lived. All I know about her trainer was that he wasn't this Rupert Giles you mentioned."
"And Stefanie Marks?" Xander asked. "Do you know of her?"
Cordelia shook her head. "As far as I know, she never existed, at least not as a Slayer. Ethan gave me a list of all the different girls there were dating back to the 1920s... So I could study their methods and their techniques. And her name wasn't on it."
"So, in other words, no," Xander added when she remained silent, trying to imagine a world without his ever-so-wise friend. "Unbelievable..."
Cordelia sighed, checking her watch and surprised to see that half a day had gone by already. With a groan, she got to her feet, stretching to work out the kinks in her back. "Well, now that we've covered everything... Did you want me to fix you something before I head out?"
"Actually, I have one more question," Xander said, gesturing to his bandaged head. "Who did this?"
Cordelia smiled. "Darla, actually. She's read a lot of medical journals over the years, including an at-home emergency one. She'd make a great physician if she were human!" The brunette paused, then grew serious. "Well, I really need to be going. Ethan's expecting me."
"Okay," Xander said after a moment. "Well, you go ahead. I shouldn't have trouble finding anything when I raid the fridge."
Cordelia gave him a strange look, grabbing her bag of weapons from underneath the counter. "Just try not to eat me out of house and home," she said, grabbing the wallet from her purse and removing a fifty dollar bill. "And this is for if you get bored. Just don't go out after nightfall, whatever you do."
"Yes, mother," Xander joked, following her as she went for the front door.
Cordelia stopped. "Xander, I'm serious," she chided without turning to face him. "You go out, you risk getting yourself killed... I told you how obsessed Alex was with Angelus. Well, it works the other way too. If he or his followers see you and get their hands on you..."
Xander sighed. "I've been around Buffy, remember? I know the risks," he reminded her. "And if I run into any of the rookies, I'm sure I could handle it."
Cordelia sighed, seeing that nothing she said was going to make a difference. If Xander wanted to go out, she certainly couldn't stop him. All she could do was pray for his safety. "Either way, be careful," she told him on her way out.
Xander watched her go with a deep sigh, then turned and headed for the kitchen, ready to begin the raiding. He was startled to find a few blood packets shoved onto the second shelf, then determined that they were probably for Darla. "Why wouldn't she keep these at her own place though?" he questioned aloud. However, he only puzzled over it for a moment, then grabbed an orange and went to watch TV...
***
If there was one thing Angelus hated, it was to be disturbed while he slept. He was lounging in a giant padded wicker chair, with Willow curled up beside him, when he became aware someone was shaking him from his slumber. With a snarl, Angelus opened his eyes and struck out at the intruder.
However, Drusilla caught his arm before it connected with her face, growling at him in turn. Without bothering with an apology, she stated, "Must you always be so difficult to wake up?"
Angelus sat up slightly, issuing a soft moan from Willow as he moved. "What do you want, Dru?" he grumbled.
Drusilla grinned sardonically. "Oh, it's not what I want," she replied, moving aside to let him see the vampire behind her. "It's what your dimwitted visionary here wants... Well, go ahead, Spikey! Tell him what you told me."
Spike took a step forward. "The spell worked," he informed Angelus. "As of last night, Alex was sent away from here."
Angelus waited a moment to see if Spike would continue, then said, "That's it? That's what you woke me up for?!" He carefully stood so as to not disturb his redheaded paramour, facing his two allies in annoyance. "You're lucky you're prone to having those visions, Spike. Otherwise, I wouldn't hesitate to do you in." To Drusilla, he added, "And you, fortunately, are valuable in the sense that you always bring food home to us, so I can't very well kill you either."
Drusilla combed her fingers through her long dark hair, her green chiffon mini-dress rustling softly. Crossing her arms, she said sarcastically, "What a prince you are! However, Spike has more to share." She reached over, wrapping her fingers in Spike's bleached blonde hair in a way that was sure to hurt him. However, it was the only tried and true way to get him to talk uninterrupted. "Come on, psychic boy! Spill it!" she said harshly.
Spike winced slightly. "There was a side effect we didn't count on," he said, a painful note in his voice. "Someone was sent here in Alex's place. His counterpart in another world, who knows of our existence and who has fought our kind before... He could very well be a threat to us."
Angelus raised an eyebrow, clearly interested. He threw a quick glance at his lovely Willow, then said, "What can you tell me about our new arrival, Spike?"
Spike paused. "He calls himself Xander, and he knows a Slayer as well where he's from... Plus, and this is very interesting, he happens to be married to the mortal counterpart of your girl here."
Angelus gave a chuckle at this, a devious plan beginning to take form in his mind. Without a word, he went and kneeled next to the chair, reaching over to stroke Willow's cheek. Then, to Spike and Drusilla, he added, "Leave us."
He waited until he heard them depart, then gently woke Willow, smiling as her brown eyes alighted on him. Angelus leaned over to give her a passionate kiss, then said, quite secretively, "How would you like to play a little game with a former boyfriend of yours, my love?"
A cruel smile came to Willow's face, her lips forming Alex's name. "No," Angelus told her. "Not Alex. But someone just as good." With that, he began to fill her in on the unexpected turn of events, thinking it was worth it to see how her eyes lit up with thoughts of malice...
The day passed fairly slowly into night, and Xander conked out on the couch out of boredom. His sleep was filled with dreams of Willow and the remembrance of how Angel had betrayed them. But it didn't last long and faded instantly when he awoke.
Xander blinked against the bright light filling the room, then began to rub at his eyes. A moment later, he froze, thinking, *I didn't leave the lights on.*
Panicked, Xander sat up, looking around with wide eyes. But, much to his relief, he found it was only Darla. She stood in front of the fridge, clothed in a two piece black spandex outfit, with her back to him. Shamefaced, Xander had to admit he found it, found her, quite attractive.
Xander stood quietly, taking a step towards Darla. "Hi," he said aloud, surprised when she jumped and turned to look at him.
Quickly, Darla dropped the demonic visage she wore, wiping at her mouth to remove all traces of blood and acting much like a kid who'd been caught sneaking in an extra cookie. "Oh, God, I'm sorry," she stammered, throwing the empty bag in the trash. "I didn't mean to wake you, Xander." A pause, then, "I should go."
"Please don't," Xander said abruptly, surprising himself. "I mean, I could use the company, if it's not too much trouble."
After another pause, Darla nodded in agreement. "What can I do for you?," she added.
Xander took a step towards her. "I got Cordelia and Ethan's stories down, but I'm a little fuzzy on yours... How did you get cursed instead of Angel?"
Darla sighed. "He was still the one to kill that Romani girl, he just set it up to make it look like I had... The elders found me with her and immediately set about performing the soul restoration spell. It was their hope that I would destroy myself out of guilt afterwards, but I surprised them by doing the opposite."
Darla paused, then looked up at him. "After telling them the truth, that they had cursed the wrong vampire, I made a deal with them. I promised to take down Angelus for them, and in return, they would make me mortal once again... The only problem was, I could never find the opportunity to do what I had promised. At least, not until I met Cordelia."
"What happened then?" Xander asked, very interested.
"It was around the time Willow was killed... Cordy and Alex had come gunning for Angelus and his team to avenge her," Darla said, partly lying. "I arrived just in time to see them escape. That's how I learned that Cordelia was the Slayer. I approached her a week later, slowly getting her to trust me. I helped her thwart his plans several times since... And now, she and I are both ready to take down him, Spike, and Drusilla once and for all."
Xander's eyes widened. "Spike and Dru?!" he asked in disbelief. "They're here?!"
Darla nodded, performing a quick probing of his thoughts to get a picture of these two in his world. "They're not the same as you know them either. Spike's the meek prophet and Drusilla's the fighter... I made them that way. I sired both of them instead of Angel." She paused, crossing her arms. "You don't know how ashamed I am of what I've created. And now, I wish nothing more than to see them destroyed."
Xander paused. "I don't blame you for that," he said, surprising himself once more. "You weren't yourself then."
She smiled slightly, then stood up straight. "Thanks for the vote of confidence. But I'm still not myself. I won't be until he's done for... Well, I'd better get going. It'll raise suspicions if I'm gone too long."
Darla started out, but Xander stopped her, the mystery of why she kept her blood supply here suddenly obvious. "My God," Xander said. "You're living with him, aren't you?"
Darla averted her eyes, a pained look on her face. "I had no choice. Angelus knew nothing about the curse, and I chose to use it to my advantage. If he thought for one second that I was conspiring against him, he'd kill me. As it is, I've been careful to cover my tracks when it came to Cordelia and Ethan." She looked up at Xander. "My position in all this is too precarious, which is why I have to leave... Now, if you'll excuse me," she added roughly, yanking her arm from his grasp.
Xander watched her cross the room towards the door with a sigh, then began to rub at his eyes with one hand, dizzied by what she'd told him. Then, he looked up again and froze when he saw what (or more precisely, who) was waiting just beyond the open door.
Darla gasped, stumbling back into the room. "Angelus!" she blurted out, searching frantically for an acceptable reason for being here. But her former paramour's words sent all hope flying out the window.
"Hello, lover. Hope you don't mind a few crashers to this little meeting," Angelus said with a smirk, taking a step towards her and allowing Drusilla to enter behind him. "You were wrong about one thing, Darla," he said, showing he'd been eavesdropping for a while. "Your tracks weren't as covered as you thought... Cordelia's a good Slayer and all, but there was no way she could have overthrown us so many times without an inside source helping her.
"That's why I abruptly moved us to Sunnydale and why I monitored everyone's movements like a hawk... So when you made a late-night call to Cordelia telling our whereabouts, I did some digging into what was going on with you. How inconvenient it was to learn what those gypsies had done to the Darla I knew." With that, Angelus reached forward, gripping her painfully by the throat with one hand and looking at the young man behind her. "So, this must be Xander... My God, the resemblance to my good buddy, Alex, is uncanny!"
Xander took a deep breath, somehow managing to speak despite how frightened he felt. "What do you want?" he asked, struggling briefly in Drusilla's grip.
Angelus paused, looking quite amused. "There's an old friend of Alex's who wants to meet you... In fact, she's rather looking forward to it, all eager to torture her former boyfriend's carbon copy!"
"She who?" Xander shot back, not wanting to believe the idea that was forming in his mind.
Angelus looked at Darla, who was struggling futilely against his grip on her. "Where are your manners, honey?" he asked mockingly. "How rude of you not to tell Xander the complete truth." He paused, shifting his gaze back to Xander. "Alex's Willow, your Willow, is quite the immoral vampire here. She's done some evil deeds that have even made me look halfway good!" he said, sounding quite pleased.
Xander froze. "Oh, my God!" he said in a near whisper. A moment ago, he'd thought that nothing could hurt more than what Angel had done to him and Willow. But yet, here was Angelus, confessing that he had done something so much worse. It was almost too much to take.
Stunned speechless, Xander barely noticed as Drusilla dropped a note onto the kitchen counter and maneuvered him forcibly towards the door. It wasn't long before Angelus followed with Darla in tow, holding her a foot off the ground.
"Sorry, love," Angelus said to his sire. "You lose... By the time the night is over, your precious Slayer, your key to a mortal life, will be dead, as you will be at sunrise tomorrow morning. And for good measure, I might just let Willow transform your friend, Xander, into one of us... What can I say? It's turning out to be a good day after all..."