Story Notes: ObDisc: Sadly, any characters, dialogue or plots you recognise do not belong to me. (Episodes pilfered so far include but are not limited to "School Hard" and "Halloween". Don't bet against future thievery.) I will, however, look after the characters, and make sure I put them back (almost) as good as new when I'm done  It massages the timeline a little, but mainly relies on a couple of changes and how that ripples into the rest of the episode.
 
The eagle-eyed will spot that Spike references a famous line from Andrea del Sarto by Robert Browning: "Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp,/Or what's a heaven for?"
 
Because of the nature of when the story happens, there's some inevitable Bangel and Sprusilla. Bangel will be as minimal as possible, Sprusilla leading into Spuffy is the point of the story 
 
with many thanks to the following people for various contributions:
nikkilou Sunalso maryperk bewildered DarkVoid116 medievalchic - special shoutout to Sunalso for being a wonderful beta for the whole thing  it takes a village... 
You all rock 
Any remaining imperfections are, of course, all on me 
  
Calling it a song fic is stretching the definition, but it does reference/was semi inspired-by the song playing in the Bronze the first time Spike encounters Buffy, Stupid Thing by Nickel. If you haven't listened to the words of that song, well... you should. FORESHADOWING AHOY!