Kübler-Ross.

Fandom: Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Characters: Spike (William Pratt) and Drusilla Keeble.

Set In: pre-canon, 1996, just after the pair escape from Prague following a mob attack which leaves Drusilla mysteriously unwell.

Genre: Romance, hurt/comfort.

Rated: T for mild sexual suggestion, infrequent, mild cussing and moderate depictions of violence.

Summary:It is said that there are five stages of grief. Watch everyone's favourite sociopathic vampire tear through them Spike style, as he tends to Drusilla in her weakened state.

Thank you very much for reading, I hope you enjoy. All reviews- positive or negative- are much appreciated. All criticism welcome. Thank you!

I do not own the characters or anything else in relation to the wonderful Joss Whedon's Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Stage One: Denial.

"There's no need to sulk, Pet. We're out of Prague now, that piss pit. I'm not going to let anyone- or thing for that matter- hurt you, you know that. I just don't get why you're acting so pouty all of a sudden, you barely ever seem to be up for a hunt anymore. Don't say that. Dru, we can't get ill, we're vampires. You need to get out of bed. A nice slaughter will get you back to living colour, I promise. Well, ok, not living colour, but-That's not possible. I know they hurt you Baby, but you should've healed by now; you coughed all that soddin' holy water back up, right? I don't know why it's taking so long for you to feel better but…Come on. There's some nibblets just outside town; a whole bleedin' orphanage just waiting for us. That should do you nicely…You needn't be so glum, Pet."

Stage Two: Anger.

"Drusilla? Sweetheart? I'm home. Sorry I took so long I was bashing a copper's head in. What? No, I didn't feed off him. I just didn't feature him breathing all that much. Took a while too. Oh bloody hell; you've been waiting for me. Stupid puissant, keeping me from my baby. He should know better than to get his eyes gouged out when my princess needs me. And the selfish buggers in this town, none of their blood is making you any better! It's all their bloody fault! …Oh God baby I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to break her, I'll get her fixed. You have other dolls. I didn't mean to. I didn't mean to."

Stage Three: Bargaining.

"Darling…If you get out of bed I promise I'll get you a new doll. I'll get you fifty dolls. A hundred. I'll rip necklaces right off a queen's broken bloody neck for you if you. Just let me help you out of bed. I'll be gentle, help you walk. You know the poems I used to write you, back in my poofter days? How you keep telling me I should read them to you again? I'll do that. And I'll read you those stories you like, with the princess and the knight in viscera-soaked armour and what-not. I'll kill anything you want, point and its done baby. Sure, sure, I'll do that too. I'll do anything for you. All you have to do is get out of bed. Please."

Stage Four: Depression.

"What's that love? Can't hear you over the alcohol poisoning."

Stage Five: Acceptance.

"Shh, don't cry Princess. I'm here. I know it hurts, but I got you. There, that's better isn't it? I know you're…Delicate now. And I'll get you well again. If that means I have to kill that new Slayer then that'll just be a fun bonus for your Spike. You'll get strong again, and the Hellmouth will be all yours, my wicked little plum. What? Well of course I'll take the pain away. Anything for you, Pet. Just tell me where it hurts and I'll kiss it better. Everywhere? This'll take a while then…"