Title: Rip in Time Series

Title of this portion: Future Imperfect

Author: Cyndy

Email:

Rating: NC-17

Spoilers: Post "Flooded". Be warned: anything after it might be up for grabs if it fits in my story line. Season 6 Spoilers!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pairing: W/S, W/G, W/E

Disclaimer: Everything belongs to Joss. All hail Joss!

Feedback: Is very much appreciated. It keeps me going!

In the Past. . .

Ripper watched his older self and Willow practice some spells together. He had his arms wrapped around her as the two of them attempted to strip the petals from a rose. His left hand rested on her abdomen and her hand lay over his, keeping it close to her. The magick swirled around them, creating a small vortex around the rose. It was a test of synchronicity and skill. They did it beautifully. It was so natural, their minds were in complete harmony.

Ripper sighed. She was perfect. Perfect for him. It was too bad he had to wait until he was older to be with her. Though, it did give him some peace to know that they would one day be together. He looked at his pet vengeance demon. "I wish to go further along. Send me to a time a year from now."

"Granted." The demon said, his face turning veiny and red.

***********

Changed Season 2. . .

Giles was debriefing the gang on Spike and Drusilla, the newest threat in town. All of them sat around the big oval table, watching him. Willow looked attentive, her chin was cupped in her hand and she was watching him with a small dreamy smile. It was easy to see that she wasn't paying attention to a word he said.

After he finished, the other got up from the table to set about their respective tasks while she sat immobile in her chair. "Have a nice dream, luv?"

"What? I wasn't dreaming. " She flushed. "I was. . .thinking. Thinking about what you said. I was in contemplation."

"I don't believe you." He said with a grin as he watched the others file out of the room. "Feel up to doing some more research with me?"

"I was hoping we could do something. . .else." She said, her eyes lighting with a wicked thought.

"Willow. . " He chastised, trying to stop the traitorous tide of warmth that slid through his body.

"What?" She said, getting up from her chair and invading his space.

"We can't." He insisted but he didn't move away. "We shouldn't."

" I think we should." She reached out and plucked his tie from his inside his coat. She pulled him by it until he stepped forward awkwardly.

"Don't you think it's wrong, Willow?" He protested weakly. "You're a student."

"All I want is a kiss." She said. They'd been doing that often, sneaking into the stacks to kiss. But it was all that he permitted himself. He told himself that it was alright as long as it didn't go any further than that.

"Yes, luv, but when you're done kissing me, I'm left wanting more. Much more."

She ducked her head, her sexual bravado gone. "I'm sorry."

He wrapped his arms around her. "Don't be, luv. We'll take this slow and easy. Kissing you makes me feel alive. Whole." He stopped and stroked her hair. "The rest will come letter.

They heard a noise from down the hall and broke apart quickly. It was Xander and Buffy , they had raided the vending machines again. "Yes, well then." Giles said, trying to sound Watcherish. "Let's tackle that research."

***********

Ripperized Season 4

"J-Jenny?" Giles gasped, standing up. "Is it really you?"

"Uh, yeah." She said, giving him an odd stare. "What's up? Sorry I'm late for the Scooby meeting."

"Oh, Jenny." He ran towards her and threw his arms around her, holding her tight. "It's you! You're alive. You're alright!" He proceeded to kiss both of her cheeks and brush the hair away from her face reverently. "You're here. Do you have any idea how I've missed you?" Willow's head lowered miserably, the look on his face when he saw her again was unmistakable. Not that she wasn't glad Miss Calender was alive. She was thrilled that she was here once more. But did he have to look so damn happy about it? Or touch her so much?

"I'm fine." Jenny shook his hold on her off. She stepped away from the circle of his arms and regarded at him with concern. "Are you alright, Rupert? Did you get hit on the head?" She tried to hide her impish smile and failed. "Again? Because they must have hit you hard this time."

"I'm fine." He whispered, he looked at the others. Buffy and Xander had big but bewildered grins on their faces. Spike looked bored. He glanced at Willow but she wouldn't meet his eyes. He felt his heart clench. Oh, God. He'd made an ass of himself. What must she think? He had almost ravished her just a few minutes ago and her he was holding another woman. Not that he had any romantic designs on his newly resurrected girlfriend. He'd just been thrown by seeing her again. He'd make amends later. He turned to Jenny. "How did you get here?"

She pulled her car keys from her pocket and dangled them in his face. "In a car."

"A car?" He repeated dumbly.

"Yes, its this newfangled machine. It takes you from point A to point B."

"M-machine? They have cars in heaven?" Giles asked, confused.

"Heaven? I live in Sunnydale." She said, brushing past him to take a seat at the table. "What's wrong with you, Rupert? If I didn't know better I'd swear you've taken up smoking pot again."

He blanched. "N-no, of course not."

Xander reached out and touched her arm fast and then pulled it away. "You were dead." He touched her again. "You feel warm though."

Jenny pulled away raised an eyebrow as she sat back in her chair. She crossed her arms over her chest. "I don't think so. I'm very much alive." She eyed everyone in the room. "Okay, so what spells have you guys been doing? Because it's obviously made you all crazies."

"I knew there was a spell!" Xander cried. He jerked a thumb at Willow and Giles. "First, those two are sucking face and then you show up here." He made a flourishy gesture with his hands. "Somethin' freaky is goin' on. We need to grab some books and get crackin'."

Jenny let out a shout of laughter. "Yeah, like those two need a spell to do that." She gave Willow and Giles a fond look. "They're supposed to be like that. After all, they're going to be married in two weeks."

"Married?" Willow squeaked.

"I knew it!" Xander said, nudging Buffy. "Those two have been doing it for years."

Buffy shrugged, still staring at Jenny.

"They bloody well aren't!" Spike said, finding his voice.

Jenny frowned. "Hey, why do you guys have a blood sucking fiend in here? I thought we didn't like vampires."

"We don't." Xander said pointedly to Spike.

"Yeah, well I don't bloody well care for you either, git." Spike said, stalking over to Jenny. He pointed to Willow. "Me and Red here are the only ones getting married. Got it?"

"You want to marry me?" Willow asked, an 'awww' look on her face.

"Hold on just a minute!" Giles interjected. "No one is getting married here."

"You're calling the wedding off?!" Jenny asked, pressing a hand against her chest. "What happened?"

Xander leaned down and turned her face towards him and spoke loudly, with emphasis. "No. Willow. Is. Not. Marrying. Giles. Because. That. Is. REALLY. NASTY." Buffy nodded in agreement. "I've seen him in just a sheet and let's just say it ain't pretty."

Giles scowled.

Xander looked thoughtful. "Well, I've seen him from the backside, actually. He's in pretty good shape for a man of his age."

Jenny looked alarmed.

Buffy gave Xander a look. "No, it wasn't like that! No naked fun with Giles! Well, he was naked but I couldn't say that it wasn't fun. There was a sheet and then it was gone. It was this whole big thing."

"That's right." Willow agreed. "NONE of us have done anything with Giles."

"Well, SOME of us have." Xander sniffed. "But they just won't admit it."

"Hey, guys, what's up?" A small voice said from the doorway. Everyone turned to see a young dark haired pre-teen with a slight resemblance to Buffy, holding a book bag.

Everyone looked at her blankly.

She rolled her eyes. "I get it. I'm not included. Again. Fine, have your little Scooby meeting. See if I care." She tossed her hair of her shoulder and strode through the room into Giles' bathroom. "I'll just play with the British guy's hair products. Who knew he liked mousse that much?"

Everyone looked at each other.

Xander was the first to speak. "Uh, who was that?!"

**********

The youthful Ethan Rayne watched his fellow sorcerer slumber peacefully on the dilapidated couch. The past few days had just worn him out. His lips twisted, well. . .that and the sleeping pills he'd slipped in his ale. His eyes settled on the vengeance demon who was held by his power. "I have a few wishes I would like to make."

"Are they wishes about the redhead?" Ethan nodded. Erik glanced down at Ripper. "Not that I care, but don't you think you're friend will mind?"

"Not at all. Once I fix this grand mess of his, he'll never even know that he wanted her for himself. She'll be mine and he'll have his usual amount of contempt for me."

"What is your wish?" The demon asked, unconcerned about the ramifications. These two could probably unravel time between them. He'd let the pieces fall where they may. It wasn't like he had anything to lose anymore.

"I want you to take me forward in the original time line. Take me to a place where our dear Willow has been wronged by Ripper. "Make it a point in time where she is vulnerable."

************

Season 6.....

He still had the power to hurt her. Willow had gotten over her crush on Rupert Giles two years ago but he still had the ability to rip her into little shreds with a few well chosen words. Tonight he'd chosen them very well indeed.

The conversation still played in her head. He blind sided her with his criticism. She had been expecting an admonishment about going into a dark realm of magick but then she expected praise. After all, she'd given him Buffy back. Isn't that what he wanted most in the world? To see his Slayer alive and well? Wouldn't that stop the endless flow of grief and guilt he'd been swimming in since her death? Instead, she'd earned his contempt."You're a very stupid girl." He'd said.

A tear streaked down her face. Giles had never talked down to her that way. This was the tone previously reserved only for Xander in his more obnoxious moments. Or Spike when he was. . .well, whenever he was around. Giles just didn't like him. The Watcher had been worried about her before. But never scornful. "Do you have any idea what you've done? The forces you've harnessed? The lines you've crossed?"

Yes, she did know, but she didn't give a damn. She said it aloud. "Do you hear me, Giles? I don't give a DAMN!" It was that simple. Willow had known it would be risky, but she was willing to lay her life, her very soul, on the line. Buffy was all that mattered. She couldn't bear the thought of Buffy being trapped in a hell dimension.

Because Willow had done the spell that restored Angel's soul, she'd been partly responsible for his stint there. Instead of sending the jaded demon that inhabited his body to perdition, Buffy had to send Angel in his place. She couldn't forgive herself for that. Wouldn't forgive herself for that.

Her thoughts went winging back to Giles. "What a . . .what a. . ."

"Pratt?" Ethan supplied, coming into step with her. "Git? Pillock? Take your pick."

"Ahhhh!" She screeched, coming to a standstill. "Ethan Rayne!" She backed away a couple of steps.

"Well, now, that wasn't very polite." Ethan said, wagging an admonishing finger at her.

"Oh, forgive me. " Willow said sarcastically. "But I'm not usually polite to people who've tried to kill me or me friends. I'm quirky that way."

Ethan held up a hand to her as if she were a toasty fire. "Mmm, I feel power."

"Long as that's all you're feeling." Willow said, stepping back further. "How did you get here? I thought you were put in an Initiative rehabilitation center."

"Funny thing, that." He said conversationally. "The old boys ran out of funding at the end of last year. They had to release me."

"That is a shame." Willow said. "I wouldn't have come here if I were you, Ethan. Buffy's going to-"

"What? Beat me to a bloody pulp?" He said dissmissively. "That bit's tired."

"I never quit getting a kick out of it."

Ethan managed to laugh, liking her moxie. And other things she possessed too. "So, that's what you're going to do then? Fetch the Slayer? Does she do all of your fighting for you?"

"No, of course not." Willow said, standing straighter. "I can take care of myself."

"It doesn't look like it, luv. Depending on doting old Ripper, floozy of a Slayer, and that stupid boy? I'd wager that is exactly what you do."

"Well, you're wrong." Willow clenched her hands at her sides. "For your information, I just brought Buffy back from the grave." Her eyebrow rose, expecting his admiration.

And she received it. Ethan's eyes widened and his mouth dropped a little. "I must say, I'm impressed. Clever girl. However did you do it?"

Willow almost felt like crying. Finally. She was getting the praise she should have received from Giles. Someone had recognized her achievement. "It involved an urn and I had to call Osiris. And-"

Ethan listened to her go on, delighted by the display of anger and endearing petulance. He was even more delighted by the shockwave of dark power that emanated from her. She was truly unequaled. He'd never met anyone her age that could possess that much power and still remain human and sane. She was perfect for him. Just perfect.

**************

"Okay, so do we have at least a working theory as to what's going on?" Xander asked, eyes going around the table.

"Well, we have an idea." Giles hedged. "I wouldn't call it a theory."

"Let's go through it again. From the top, Giles." Buffy said, listening closely.

"Alright. Me. The other, younger, stupider me is messing with time."

"In the past." Willow added.

"Quiet right. In the past. Although, how he's doing that I can't say." He took a deep breath. "He's skewed the time line. Evidently, Ripper made Willow and I get, er,. . .involved. So, Jenny and I never well. . .we were merely friends." He said, blushing.

"So, Angel never killed Miss Calender because he never went evil in your time line?" Buffy asked, sighing a little.

"No, we warned you in time." Jenny said.

"But why didn't Miss Calender warn us in our time line?"

"It was my fault." Giles said, his eyes haunted. "She was afraid of disappointing me." Buffy patted his hand. He seemed to shake it off. "N-now, the time lines are running into each other. There is the way things originally happened, in the right time line. And how they are happening in his changed time line."

"It doesn't mean your time line's right." Jenny huffed.

"You're just saying that because you're dead in that one." Xander said, giving her an irritated look.

"Xander!" Giles bellowed. "Stop that."

"Oops." He looked at Jenny. "Sorry you're dead."

"Alright then." Giles said. "Where were we?"

"Even though you flunked me in Computer Science."

"Stop that! There will be no taunting of dead people!"

"But-"

"Except Spike." Giles clarified.

"Does that apply to me too?" They all turned to see Angel filling Giles doorway.

"Deadboy!" Xander said, standing up. "He's evil! He came here to kill us!"

"Angel." Buffy breathed. "What are you doing here?"

"I thought there was a Scooby meeting" He lifted a box of donuts. "I even have the jelly kind."

"Okay. Slide the donuts over the threshold and back away!" Xander ordered. "No pastries have to be hurt."

"Will you shut up?" Spike asked, standing up. "I thought this was a poof free zone. What's the matter? That little half demon pal of yours tell you about another hazy vision?"

"Who are you talking about?" Angel said, coming fully into the room. "Visions? Are you still blubbering about Drusilla?" Spike made a rude gesture. "Sorry about that fungus demon. Though, at least he didn't have antlers."

"Of course!" Buffy shouted in triumph. "Angel never left Sunnydale because he never went evil and he didn't kill Miss Calender."

"That's right. He never went evil. Willow helped me find a way to anchor his soul permanently. It took us a year and a half but we did it." Jenny explained. She smiled broadly. "You and Angel have been living together since then."

"What's going on here? None of you has made any sense since I walked in." Angel said, holding a hand to his forehead. "I think I'm getting a headache."

"You guys always give me a headache." Cordelia said, taking the box from Angel as she walked to the table like she owned the place. "I need some sugar."

"Let me guess." Xander said, looking at her carefully. "You never left Sunnydale because you are still in love with me. I never cheated on you with Willow because she was involved with Giles."

"I'm not sure what your deal is but you're half right." Cordelia said, selecting a powdered donut. "I was dating you up until three months ago. But I had to dump you when I saw that pizza boy outfit. That's when I realized you were a loser." She pondered that a moment. "Again."

"Good to know that you're still a bitch in any time line." Xander rolled his eyes.

"Then, what happened to Wesley?" Buffy asked.

"Who's Wesley?" Cordelia asked blankly. She bit into her donut.

Faith strolled in the door, a pack of weapons over her shoulder. "Patrol is done. Anyone save me a jelly donut?"

Everyone stilled. And that's when the fear and the panic began. Weapons were drawn, baffled glances were exchanged, and Willow looked for something to whack her with. During the chaos, Giles bent over at the waist with his head in his hands. He gave Jenny a sidelong glance and asked tiredly. "In that other time frame, do I have a lock on my door?"