Who are you?

Willow yawned and opened her eyes. The sun was streaming in through her bedroom window, and outside she could hear little birds chirping. She smiled. Days like this were her favorite kind. The sunny and cheerful ones. Willow got up and out of bed and stretched. Glancing at the clock, she smiled. She was supposed to be meeting the Scooby�s in a couple of hours. That gave her just enough time to try out the new spell she'd read about last night. It looked like it would be very exciting. She felt it best, however, that she not tell the others about it. They didn't like her to mess around with magic unsupervised, and she wanted to do this one on her own, so it had to be her little secret.

As she prepared her ingredients and placed the candles, Willow went over the spell in her mind. It was a kind of teleportation spell, only through time. It would allow her to back in time, but only as an observer. She wouldn't be seen or heard. She wanted to go back to when her grandmother was alive. Her grandmother had been a Wicca as well, and she wanted to observe her techniques. Finally, everything was ready, and she began to recite the words to the spell. She could feel the magical energies swirling around her. Just as she is about to conclude the spell, the telephone rings, and her concentration is shattered. She feels the power dispel to places unknown, and the spell itself turn and twist into something unrecognizable. "Uh-oh...� she cries. She glances at the phone, and then picks up. "H...hello?"

"Hello Red."

"Spike?" Unbeknownst to her, the unseen magical forces enter her mind, and center in on him.

"Yeah, it's me. Buffy asked me to call you and get you to come to her house instead of the shop."

"Wow, she's got you playing secretary now?"

"Ouch Red."

"Sorry... I'll be right over." She hung up and headed towards Buffy's place. When she arrived Spike opened the door. Suddenly, a strange, dizzy feeling came over her and she passed out.

"Red? Willow...?"

When she opened her eyes, she was laying on a small, old-fashioned bed, with a soft quilt pulled around her. She looked around and found herself in a luxurious, yet old-fashioned room. She sat up, wondering where she was. Just then, a pretty woman in a long, old-fashioned dress came in.

"Oh, you're awake! Wonderful. We were beginning to wonder if you should ever awaken." The woman had a sweet voice, with a distinct British accent. "Would you like some tea? I can have a servant bring some."

Willow struggled to make sense of the situation. "W... where am I?"

The woman smiled. "You're in my home. My name is Catherine. Catherine Sutherland. You fainted quite away outside our estate, so we brought you inside. Are you ill? Would you like us to call for the doctor?"

Willow shook her head. "I... I don't think I'm sick... Oh, and my name is Willow."

The woman glanced at her. "Pleased to meet you. Do pardon me, but I can't help noticing your rather... different way of speaking... are you from one of the colonies? The Americas perchance?"

Willow nodded. "Um, yes. I'm from Sunnydale." Realization shoots through her. She's traveled back in time, but not as an unseen observer. She's really there. But where? And when?

"Oh lovely. So, how do you like England then? Pretty country isn't it?" asks Catherine.

"Oh yes. Just beautiful. Um... I know this may sound weird, but could you tell me the date? With the year?"

"Why, it's August 3rd, the year of our Lord 1851. Bless us, I do believe I SHOULD call the doctor..."

"Oh no, please don't... I'll be ok...� Just then a small child appeared in the doorway.

"Mummy, I�m hungry..." He meandered over to Catherine, who scooped him into her arms. He had tiny blonde curls and big blue eyes. Willow smiled. He was really adorable. The boy looked at her.

"Oh, it's the lady's awake. Hi lady..."

Willow laughed. "Hello there. What's your name?"

The child grinned. "William Eric Sutherland." he stated proudly. "I'm 4."

Catherine smiled. "Yes, this is my son. Who ought to be in bed." She added with a look at the child.

"Oh but mummy..."

"No, no buts young man. Back to bed you go." The boy pouted, puffing out his bottom lip.

"But I want to see the lady..." he said, yawning. Catherine just smiled.

"Tomorrow my lamb. She'll be here. Come now, mummy will take you back to bed."

The boy nodded. "Alright mummy... 'Night lady...� His eyelids drooped.

Willow smiled. "Good-night William. Sweet dreams." When the two left the room, Willow got out of bed and looked down. She was wearing a long white nightgown, made of cotton. "How did that happen?" She wondered. A long green dress and a corset lay on a chair, beside the bed. "I was wearing a corset? Eeep... that means I have to wear it again in the morning...." She yawned. "Oh well... I'll figure it out later..." She climbed back into the comfortable bed and fell fast asleep.

When she opened her eyes the next day, a big pair of blue ones was looking right back at her.

"Auggghhhhhhh!!!!!!" She cried.

"Yaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!" Cried a little voice. Then it sunk in that she'd been looking at William.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry...." She hugged the child. "Did I scare you?"

"No, I'm not scared of anything. Except Fluffy..."

"Fluffy?"

"Yeah. She's a naughty kitty."

Willow giggled. "I see."

"Mummy said it's time for breakfast."

Just then, Catherine hurried in. "Oh dear, did he startle you? I'm terribly sorry... I was going to let him come up with me, not by himself." She sighed. "He can be a little devil."

Willow smiled sweetly. "He doesn�t look like he can cause that much trouble."

Catherine let out an amused sigh, scooping him up quickly. "Looks can be deceiving young Willow. Don't let him fool you."

She motions towards the door. "Now come quickly before breakfast is over. Cook gets quite agitated if he has to reheat anything."

"Mummy, is it porridge again?"

"Yes pet, it is."

"Yuck!"

She gently taps the little fellow on the bum.� Now William, you know to be thankful that we have food in such desperate times. There are those who have none."

A shy smile erupted from his tiny face. �Yes mummy. I'm sorry.� He scampered off down the stairs ahead of the two older women.

Catherine sighed. "It�s been a bit rougher around here since his father took ill. I can't very well work the mill. Since he�s been off I've had to let almost half the staff go."

But enough about such sad things. The Lord will prevail for us. Now get dressed and hurry yourself downstairs." Catherine leaves Willow alone with her thoughts.

Willow can't help but feel so sorry for the family. They seemed so nice, and the little boy was so sweet. She pulled on the corset and slipped into the dress. "Wow... so not comfy..." She headed down the stairs.

After descending a long winding staircase, Willow happened on an even more extravagant hallway. There were four ways to take and she didn't have a clue as to which one to take.

Finally seeing a passing servant she asks. "Which way to breakfast?" The tiny old lady pointed to the farthest hallway and scurried away.

Willow thought it strange as she continued on, that the lady didn't speak. She only motioned.

In the dining hall there say little William, kicking his legs wildly at his chair pushing his porridge around on the plate.

Cheerfully Willow greeted him. "Hey there, aren�t you hungry?" William looked up at her and frowned. "Mummy says I can't get down till I finish."

He looked at his food and back at Willow.� Its yucky." He whispered.

Willow giggled. "I think you should still eat it... don't you want to get big and strong?"

"I am big." He made a tiny muscle. "See?"

Willow held back a smile. "Oh, I see. Well, ok. Then just do it to make your mommy happy."

The boy cocked his head and looked at her. "Ok." He began to eat.

Catherine walked in with a wicker basket lined with fine linen, piled high with scones. She offers to Willow.

"Oh thank you...these look great."

William jumped out of his seat and hurried over to his mother. He held up his hands and said "Please" In that adorable 4yr old voice. His mother could not resist the huge blue eyes smiling up at her. "Of course, now sit up and finish your breakfast."

"Yes Mummy."

Willow gazed at the child, trying to place the face. It seemed so familiar. The little boy saw her staring and cocked his head at her. Then it clicked. This was... SPIKE?

An elderly lady servant came running in the dining hall. She mumbled something to Catherine and the two women hurried off in a flash.

William seemed unaffected by the events. Willow questioned him "Is there something wrong?"

Busy pulling at his scone, concentrating hard on it he just said, �Daddy is sick. That�s all. He�s always sick." He looked at her and made a sad face. "I bet he will go live with the angels soon."

Willow looked at him sadly. "I'm so sorry..." she hugged him.

"Mummy says heaven is pretty, and the angels eat cakes. I want to go with Daddy. Can I go to heaven too?" He asked looking up at her.

Willow's mind darted back to the Spike she knew. The demon. She bit her lip. Just then, there came a loud wail from the master bedroom.

Little William just sat there sadly. "Its daddy again." He hops down and pads into the room where his mother is weeping hysterically. The blankets on the bed are drawn up over a human form, covering the face, and all the servants in the room are hanging their heads.

Catherine pulls the little boy close to her.� William, your father" She sobbed kneeling to his level. "He went to live with the angels honey, just like we talked about"

The little boy hugged her. "Don't cry mummy. Heaven is a nice place. Daddy will be happy."

Catherine squares her shoulders and fights to be composed. Gently taking the little boys shoulders in her hands she tells him "You are quite right. Now you know this makes you the man of the house?"

"Really mummy? I'm the boss? Well, I say no more oatmeal!" Catherine gave him a stern look.

"William Eric Sutherland. Have some respect." The child hung his head.

"Sorry mummy..."

"Mother, you must eat."

Catherine looks at her son. "Oh William... I don't know how we'll manage... I'm afraid that I may have to... to marry Mr. Folke after all..."

William set the tray down. "You can't! He's a brute mother... You'd be miserable."

"That's not important darling. What's important is that you and your sister are taken care of. You're a good boy, and I know that you could learn to live with Mr. Folke. And as for your sister, she wasn't born until 7 months after your father died, so she is long overdue for a father, don't you think?"

"I don't like it mother. He drinks too much, and he has a terrible temper..."

Catherine sighed. "I know pet, I know... but I have no choice...� She sighed. "Could you please go and get your sister from Angela's house? I've not got the strength..."

"Of course mum... be back in a jiff..." The boy walked quickly out of the house and headed down the street. Willow found herself standing on a boulevard nearby. Just then, several bigger boys surrounded William. The leader of the group sneered at him.

"Where is it you're going' Billy-boy?" William tried to walk away, but they surrounded him. "Hey now, it's not nice for little beggars like you to ignore us boy." The leader gave him a hard shove and he tumbled to the dirt. As if on cue, the other boys all fell upon him, punching and kicking. Willow gasped and ran over to help.

"Stop that! Get away from him!" They boys looked at her, then at William. The leader grinned.

"We'll see you later kid." With that they ran off. Willow crouched beside him, touching his arm "Are you alright? William got up quickly and yelled at her. "I've got enough trouble with them, why'd you go and yell at them?" he brushes off the dirt, frowning at a tear in his jacket pocket. Willow looked hurt. "I'm sorry "She began. William just looked crossly at her. "Honestly, a girl fighting my battles for me! Now the next time they fancy playing kick the William, around, it'll be worse. Thanks for nothing" He walked away in a huff. Leaving Willow to feel sorrier by the minute for the boy, and the man who she knew back home. A short while later, she saw him pass by with a small girl, who looked quite a bit like him, in tow.

She followed them to his home, wondering if Catherine would remember her, maybe she could help. Willow went to the door after waiting but a few moments after the two children went inside.

Catherine opened the door and stared at her. "Goodness... is it you Willow?" Willow shuffled her feet. "Yes, its really me. Can I... can I come in?" Catherine shook her head as though she forgot something. "Oh yes dear, where are my manners."

Just then, William spotted her. "Oh, you again.." Willow looked sheepish while Catherine looked embarrassed. "William, where are your manners lately? Really I thought you knew better." Willow tried to say it was all right but there was no chance. A big strapping man came barging in the door.

"Hello Catherine m'dear" he boomed. "I'd be more than willing to help you with little Billy here. I'll teach him his manners."

William glared at him. "Hello Mr. Folke..." The man slapped William on the back, "Hello there William, minding your manners around the women folk I expect. Fragile little things that they are, gotta mind them you know."

William was clearly irritated, but nodded all the same. "Yes sir Mr. Folke..."

Folke turned to Catherine. "So m'dear, I've come to see if you've had a change of heart. If you've decided to marry me."

Catherine looked at the floor. "Yes, I will marry you Clifford." she murmured. William's face fell. "Mother you can't! He�s a rotten man!"

Catherine took a look of shock in here eyes. "William, hold your tongue!" "I will not! Think about Emma! Emma is not well and she does not need more stress right now."

Mr. Folke struck out at William, knocking him down. Catherine made a move to help him up, but stopped when she saw the look in the man's eyes. "You'll mind your tongue around your mother boy!" William lay on the floor rubbing his jaw. "Your an evil man, I hate you" "Hate me or not William I am going to be head of this house. So things will be my way, or the highway. Understand?"

William looks at him with venom, but nods. "I understand..." *gets to his feet, then storms out to the garden* Willow just stands there in shock. So this is maybe where some of that anger comes from? he had a terrible childhood so its going to seem.

Clifford turned and looked at Willow. "And who are you little miss?" She was caught off guard and stuttered "I'm...uh none really, just visiting from uh...Sunnydale. "

"Well, my fianc�e and I would like some time alone, so why don't you go chat with the boy?" With that, he pushed her out and closed the door.

She stared after William who ignored her promptly. He had picked up a book and quickly tried to become engulfed in it. Finally, when he realized she wouldn't go away he looked at her.

"Look.... I'm sorry I was snappish... but really, you know how to get a fellow in trouble. Now they'll be after me even more." He sighed. "I don't know why me..." Willow sat beside him. "I�m sorry. If I had known that was going to happen.... I'd probably do it again anyhow. Spi... I mean William; they were pounding the snot out of you. Someone had to help."

"I appreciate the thought miss, but you don't know these blokes. They'll come again later." A shrill scream came from the bedroom. Willow cringed her shoulders hearing the sound. William leapt past her and streaked into the house like a shot. Catherine lay on the floor, blood running from the corner of her mouth. She was shuddering and crying. Above her eye was the swell of a bruise. Her eyes looked upon William and then Clifford Folke. When they returned to her only son they pleaded with him to back down. William glared at Folke, and then lunged at him, landing a pretty good punch on his stomach. The big man roared in anger and slammed William into the wall. He gave him a solid blow to the head, and William slumped to the ground.

Willow gasped. "How dare you! Look what you just did to his mother? He had every right to hit you...you bully!"

"This family will learn to respect my authority as head of the household." He gave William a blunt kick in the ribs. "Isn't that right Billy?"

William lifted his head to glare at Folke, and then passed out. Willow stared at Catherine, "How can you marry a man like this? You don't have to take this, just tell him to leave"

"My children need food and medicine. I can't pay for those things all on my own. I can barely keep things the way they are now. � Willow shook her head in disagreement. "There has to better than that. Better men I mean. Look at what just happened to Spike. I mean William...he�s� Folke stepped between Willow and Catherine. "You heard the woman, you've overstayed your welcome anyhow stranger." Folke shoved Willow roughly out the door, slamming it hard then.

Once again, Willow got a tingly feeling through her body, indicating another time shift.

A slightly older William walked down the street, moving quickly. He carried a package under one arm. Willow hovered above, watching as he entered his house. With a glance around, as though looking for someone, he slipped quietly up the stairs and into his mother's room. Catherine lay on the bed looking pale. She had a huge black eye and a split lip. He took her hand in his and kissed it.

"Hello mum... I've brought you some flowers." He opened the package and showed her 3 red roses. He set them in a vase near the bed. "It's a nice day out there. We've had snow. Maybe it'll be around for Christmas. I hope so. I know you fancy it." He walked back over to her and sat in a chair at her side. "I got some medicine too." He set a couple of bottles by the bed. Catherine looked up at him and smiled a bit.

"My Will. You're such a dear boy...,� she murmured, holding his hand. "I do wish I could talk to you somewhat longer lamb, but I am so very tired..."

"I understand mum. You should sleep for a bit. I'll come back later." He waited until she nodded off, and then slipped out the door again. He headed down the stairs and into the sitting room where he found his sister. "Hello ducks."

"Billy!" She cried running to him and hugging him. "You're home!"

He smiled and knelt down to her level. "Yeah pet, I'm home. How are you today?" When she was quiet, he frowned. "Has he been at it again? Ruddy bugger!" He spat, his features livid. "What did he do to you sweet?" he asked, hugging her. She started to sob on his shoulder. "He...he... broke Molly and Patsy in pieces." Emily was shaking in his arms. "He was drinking again. I heard mama cry again"

William pulled her close and rocked her in his arms. "There there lambie. Billy will get you a new doll. She can have pretty brown hair, just like yours. I could get her extra dresses for you to play dress up. Would you like that pet?" He gently rubbed her back, while seething in rage. "Clifford ought not to drink so much eh love?" He kissed her cheek. "C'mon. We'll go see if cook has made some scones." "No! I don't want scones; I don't want a new dolly. I want Molly and Patsy back. I want that mean man out of our lives." She cradled in his arms, sobbing uncontrollably William grew more and more angry at each tear his baby sister shed. So he picked her up and told her "I know love. I know. How about we go down to the corner shop and see about some ice cream?" Her sobbing stopped for a moment and looked into his blue eyes. "May I have a cone?" A tiny bit of joy crept its way into his sad heart. "Yes pet, a cone it is then. And then down to Baker's store for that new doll?" He ventured. She nodded so out the door they headed. William had put her on his shoulders after they closed the door behind them. Part of him stayed there behind with mum. He felt terrible being out of the house, living life while his mother lay in bed sick and visibly beaten. She kept asking the children not to worry about her, that she would be fine. The Lord was watching over them. William knew that she said that to put them at ease. He had long ago stopped his faith in GOD. If the Lord watched over them, why was mum hurting so much? She told him GOD heals things in his own time. For William and Emily, he seemed to take his own bloody time.