What If

Author: RosewindStar

Rating: PG-13

Distribution: William fic (if people take an interest in it)

Disclaimer: You guessed it, not mine. I just wish they were

Summary: What if William met a vampire before Dru? What if he got bit, but not killed or turned? What if they fell in love? Answer? Scroll down!

Chapter One

She wore a necklace of garnet stones, that seemed black against her white skin. Her eyes were pale, green, with hints of aqua in them. Her hair was the crown jewel of her appearance, red and curly. It reminded him of fine, red wine, and caught the light like the stones around her neck. Her hair was piled elegantly on her head, and she wore a gown of blue and white silk. She didn't seem to be too happy with what was happening, and glared at the people around her. She caught his eye from the far part of the room, giving him a sad look. She finally couldn't take it anymore, and disappeared out of the crowded room. She left behind her a cluster of angry, young women, irritated with their companion's actions. He gave the man holding his work one last pleading look, before he turned and left.

He sat alone on the balcony of the great mansion, his curly, brown hair fell in his eyes, hiding his tears. He'd been busily writing another poem for *her.* Again, like so many other times, he'd been brutally scrutinized, and his hopes that *she* would ever love him were shattered. He sat alone now, looking out over the city below and the thought occurred to him to jump. He had nothing holding him there, but he didn't. He knew deep down it wasn't because he was afraid, it was because the small spark of hope still flickered. He didn't know how many times this made, how many times he stood alone contemplating death…contemplating hope.

"Hello." said a voice. It startled him, causing him to jump and quickly wipe away his tears. He turned to face whoever it was, and was startled all over again to find the girl from before standing there "What's wrong?" she asked. Her voice was cultured and sweet, and she was obviously from a rich background.

So very innocent. Her eyes sparkled, and were round with questions, making him smile. He looked her up and down again, something about her wasn't right.

"Nothing's wrong, miss." Was his answer. She raised her eyebrows and shook her head, making her curly, tendrils shake.

"I'd recognize the look of heartache a mile away." She said, stepping closer to him. "I didn't like how they taunted you in there. Those 'civilized' people should no better. I'm sorry."

"My dear, 'tis nothing for you to be sorry. You've done nothing wrong, ma'am. Twas not you who took the paper, nor did you laugh."

"No, but I didn't stop them either, and for that I am sorry." She said, and then turned to go. "My name is Garnet, by the way."

William stared after her, wishing he'd been a little more social. She *was* rather pretty, and she didn't seem to have any sort of mean streak in her, unlike *her.*

Chapter Two:

Garnet sat in her bedroom, enjoying the feeling of the brush running through her hair. Her servants were catering to her every whim, yet she didn't seem comfortable. A tall dark man appeared in the doorway, looking almost cross.

"What's wrong?" she asked, smiling.

"I understand you haven't eaten anything in two days." He said.

"Yes, and?" there was a growl, signaling the servants to disappear, which they did.

"Listen to me, youngling, you're going to dust yourself if you don't feed!" he said, grabbing her by the throat. He was fully vamped out, and looked terrifying to mortal eyes.

"Calm down, Angelus, I'm working on something. You should know better than to question my art." She snapped.

"I did not turn you, so you could waste away!" he shouted.

"And I did not ask you to turn me so I could waste away!" was her reply.

"Angelus, leave her be. Her style is delicate as a rose. She'll do what she pleases when she pleases." said Darla.

"Thank you, grandmother. Honestly, father, I don't see why you should care what I do. You have your Drusilla, and soon there shall be a fifth member of our little family." said Garnet, smiling. Angelus released his hold on her throat and stalked over to the fireplace.

"I've never heard of such a thing. A vampire starving herself…" he muttered.

"Don't question her, Angelus. The girl will learn." said Darla.

"Daddy, what's wrong with sister?" asked Dru.

"Nothings wrong, dear. Go back to your dolls." said Angelus. "Let me ask, Garnet, what are your plans for this evening?"

"Well, I've found a nice, tender young man. He's low in self-esteem, and seems to be smitten with a girl who doesn't return the sentiment. I shall lure him into our world, father dear, and make him mine." She said, smiling.

She lifted the skirt of her pale blue dress and spun around the room, like Dru had been known to do. She was laughing, allowing her fellow vampires to take in her plan. "Tonight he shall love me, though he does not know it. He'll be mine before the sun comes up."

Chapter Three:

William stalked through the streets of London, feeling sorry for himself all over again. He'd tried to woo the girl of his dreams, but had been shot down again. How many times would he allow this to happen? His thoughts wandered to Garnet, and he smiled.

He'd found himself thinking of her a lot, lately. Her shimmering curls, her lovely pale eyes everything about her made him smile. He wanted to see her again, but doubted he'd ever get the chance. He was so caught up in his daydreams that he didn't notice the girl in front of him. He bumped right into her, and quickly apologized.

"Pardon me, sir." She murmured. He caught sight of wine-colored tresses poking out of a fancy hat, and almost grabbed her by the shoulders.

"Garnet?" he asked, timidly.

"Yes?" she replied. She looked up and smiled. "William, I didn't recognize you!"

"What brings you to this part of town?"

"Oh, I'm just taking in the night air."

"Ah. Have you eaten yet?" she nearly laughed out loud. What a question!

"No."

"May I buy you something?" he asked.

"Are you always so forward?" she replied. He looked taken aback, and apologized in his clumsy but sweet way.

"I'm sorry, I did not mean to offend you-"

"You didn't. I simply asked if you were always so forward. I hope not…because then I wouldn't be special." He smiled, an act he found himself doing a lot with her, and offered her his arm. She accepted it, and they walked into a tavern.

"Are you sure this is where you-"

"Trust me, William, this place is just fine." She said, cutting him off. They sat down and ordered some food, while not speaking much more than three words to each other. The silence was weighing down on her like the time she'd had to dispose of a body herself.

She still resented that. Angelus shouldn't have made her do it. She was a cultured lady of the times, and she'd had to get rid of her own kills. He'd said, never kill in the house. Garnet thought it was because he was afraid Darla would be angry that she hadn't shared, but the more she saw of the two the more she came to realize that they liked to live like humans. Darla liked a place with a view, Angel liked fine silks to sleep in, and Dru liked a warm fire to read to her dolls by.

What bothered her was that she'd been a member of the family for the same amount of time Dru had been, and no one ever once asked her what she liked. She liked the sun, but could never see it again. She liked being near the earth, surrounded by trees and flowers and close to the sea, but no one wanted to dirty their hands in anything other than blood.

The idea mad her growl, and she almost showed her true colors, out of sheer frustration. Not yet, she told herself firmly. She'd have this boy, and they'd go off together. They'd leave behind her selfish sire, and his two whores wrapped in silk and satin.

"Is something wrong?" asked William. She jumped, lightly, and smiled.

"No, I'm sorry. My dull mind was rot with things past." She replied.

"You've read Shakespeare?" he asked. Read Shakespeare? She'd committed the works to memory!

"Some." The dinner passed with quiet chit chat, most of the time it was William who spoke. She listened, enjoying the sound of his voice, and hearing him talk about poetry and art. He was a fine gentleman, who'd make an even finer vampire. After they'd eaten they went for a stroll.

"Oh my, it's getting horribly late. Shall I walk you home?" he asked, after checking his watch.

"Oh, it's not so late. I doubt my father will care much what time I get home. Come with me, I wish to get away from this city." She said. She took his hands and led him to the park. It was the closest thing to the forest she'd get. He smiled, and watched her prance around the starlit place.

She was actually *frolicking* through the trees and well tended flowers. Tonight is the night! She thought, smiling. She stepped up to him, a sensual grin plastered on her crimson lips and…

Chapter Four

At first she kissed him. William had kissed girls before, but this was different. Garnet had a way with herself that was completely different from any girl he'd ever met, and feeling her cold lips against his only made it more painfully obvious. He should have pulled away, it wasn't proper for him to be engaging in such activities, especially in a public place, but he didn't.

He wanted more, he craved it. He pulled his arms around her, deepening the kiss. Why was her body so cold? It was a warm night, yet her body was like ice. When she ended the kiss it was only to move down his neck. He didn't stop her, enjoying the feeling of her lips against his skin.

Suddenly there was pain, but a good pain. He could feel something sharp on his neck and someone sucking out of the holes. It only lasted for a moment, but it was enough. She pulled away, her lips slightly redder than before.

"Did you enjoy that, William?" she asked. He couldn't form words so he just nodded his head. He ached to know what she'd done, and if she'd do it again.

She pulled him closer to her, forcing his eyes to remain on her face. Slowly it changed, becoming distorted and bumpy. Her eyes were yellow now, somewhat like a cat's.

"W-What are you?" he asked. He wasn't afraid, somewhere deep in the back of his mind he knew what she was, but fear was the last thing on his mind.

"I think you already know, dear one. I'm a vampire, a rather young one at that, who's taken a liking to you. You have something inside you, a light brighter than the sun, only it doesn't hurt me. I want you to tell me something. Depending on how you answer, I'll go away and leave you alone. Are you afraid of me?" her face had morphed back into its human form, and her green eyes probed his own.

"I don't want you to go away. I don't fear you, love. I can't, you've done nothing but show me happiness in the time I've known you. I wouldn't fear you, no matter what you are." He said. Garnet smiled up at him and kissed him. This time she didn't seem so cold.

From a distance two pairs of eyes watched the young couple. One pair belonged to Angelus, and the other belonged to Darla. They were pleased that their daughter had found someone.

"She's fed off him." murmured Darla. She smiled, inhaling the smell of blood on the air.

"He's still alive. What's she waiting for?" demanded Angelus, growling.

"Let her have her fun. She'll eat him when she's ready. Speaking of eating, let's go find something tender and sweet." The blonde vampire moved away from her lover, sliding her hands over the tree trunks. Her mind wasn't on Garnet right then. She was hungry and there were children in the area.

Chapter Five

Cecily paced around her bedroom with an angry expression on her lovely features. She'd seen him with *her* from her window. She'd been awake, somewhat saddened by her actions toward William when she'd seen him last. She was rather unnerved by her feelings toward him as of late.

She'd not wanted him when he wanted her, but now that this Garnet girl had his attention Cecily was very attracted to him. She looked at the couple, now kissing in the moonlight, and felt her cheeks flush with anger.

"Whore." She muttered, turning away. She began pacing again, furious that she'd been outdone by some tramp. She narrowed her eyes into slits and gritted her teeth, in a desperate attempt to keep from crying out. Her whole world was changing. She was used to having the attention of every man in the city, and now that one of them had someone knew to fawn over she was sick with anger.

At the Park

William was on cloud nine. He was in love, in love with a vampire, but still very much in love. She cared for him back, and that was the miracle. He'd never thought he'd be able to love anyone as much as he loved Cecily, but here was proof he was wrong. They walked through the darkened streets, hand in hand, taking in all of the sights that could be seen at night.

He wondered what his parents would say if they saw him now. They'd probably disapprove. She didn't have a rich family, as far as he knew, and her name was probably something that her sire, as she called it, gave her.

She danced in the moonlight, free and untouchable by all save him. She laughed when people stared at her, and thrived on silent music. She said that he was making music with the beat of his heart, and that it was beautiful.

"William, come with me." she whispered. Garnet grabbed him by the wrists and moved quickly over the dark streets. They found their way into an ally, dark and damp. She smiled again, licking her crimson lips. "Love, I want you to meet my family."

William's eyes widened. She wanted him to meet her family? He was almost positive that she didn't have a family…

"I-I would be honored." He whispered back.

She grinned and threw her head back in a hearty laugh. She slid his arms around her waist, guiding him with both her human and vampire senses and kissed him. She kissed him like she had before, only this time he was ready.

She opened her eyes, stared into his, and suddenly green eyes morphed into gold ones. Very slowly she pulled away and smiled.

"I want to be with you, but you must be ready…" she said, revealing a pair of ivory fangs. Her tongue played over the sharpness of her vampire's fangs and William had never seen anything more beautiful.

"I'm ready." He said. He kissed her again, feeling her sharp teeth against his lips and tongue and pulled her against him. He'd never felt so alive. The vampire held him tighter with her super-strength to her advantage and had him in a crushing embrace. Slowly and carefully she kissed down his neck, tracing the line of his jawbone.

"There is no turning back after this. Are you sure?" she whispered. He could feel her cold lips against his ear and the light pain that was her teeth on his skin and nodded. She kissed down his neck to his collar bone and then sunk her fangs into his warm flesh.

His hold on her tightened with the sudden feeling of pain and then he felt like everything was being stolen from him. His soul was leaving him, his heart was stilling and he felt the coldness of death creep over him. Suddenly as quickly as it began, it stopped, and he opened his eyes. He'd expected to feel stronger, powerful and grand, but instead he felt weak and hurting. He looked around, but Garnet was gone. She'd stolen his blood and ran.

"HELP!" he screamed. He clutched his neck and screamed again.

Chapter Six

Garnet ran through the dark streets. Her un-beating heart was breaking in her chest, and tears of blood ran freely down her cheeks. What's come over me? she thought. She pulled the hat off of her head and threw it into the street. A carriage drove by and crushed the fine thing, with its silk flowers, under it's wheels. Her long hair fell out of its fancy up-do and she kept running.

Bursting through the doors of her mansion home and threw herself onto the floor by the fire. Darla looked away from her meal, staring at the pitiful girl now sobbing into the carpets, and shook her head. She got up and placed a pale hand on the girl's shoulder.

"What happened, Garnet?" she asked.

"I did as you said." she whispered. "I charmed him, seduced him, made him want me before all else, beyond even his very own soul, and at the last moment I ran. I couldn't do it. He loves Cecily, he loves her with a pure heart. He wanted her before me, and will want her after me. I'm so sorry, grandmother."

Darla's eyes widened and she stared at the youngling. Her white skin was streaked with crimson, her hair wild and wind-blown. Garnet was not the girl Angelus had thought she was. She wasn't able to kill a slip of a boy, she wasn't able to because she loved him. Darla knew what love was. Vampire love was different from human love, it happened quickly and burned in the bellies and hearts of its victims like swallowing fire. The blonde vampire knew what this feeling was because she'd felt it the moment she'd met Angelus.

"Garnet, don't cry. It's okay, I know." whispered the older vampire. Garnet looked up at her and smiled through her red cheeks. Darla embraced the girl like a mother would a child and let the girl cry. "You cannot help it." She added. Darla pulled something from the folds of her gown and carefully tucked it aside. Unseen by Garnet, Darla plunged the stake into the girl's heart.

"W-Why?" gasped Garnet.

"Because you could not help it. I knew you could not help being weak." answered Darla. The red-haired vampire stared at her 'grandmother' and then exploded into dust.

"Grandmother, where's sister?" asked Dru. She entered the room, holding a porcelain doll and looking afraid.

"She left us, sweety. She was weak." answered Darla. Dru smiled and nodded, handing the doll to Darla.

"Grandmother, may I have the one she left behind? I saw them together, he looked so sweet. The stars sang in his eyes and told me to make him mine." Said Dru.

"Of course, my dear. When your father returns we shall go and find him. We shall make him yours."

That night two lives changed forever. Dru found William crying over a lost love, and made him forget all about her. To this day, though, William cannot help but wonder what would have happened if he'd found her. He dreamed of her, crying in his lost love and dreamed of a world where they'd ended up together. Upon his lips where two words that would eternally haunt him, they woke him in his sleep and stopped him from truly loving Dru.

Those words are eternal to all of us, when we wish destiny would show some kindness. When we wish that our lost loves and stolen hearts would come back. Those words are: "What If…"

END

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