Disclaimer: Legal stuff, don't own characters, haven't made any money, this is for entertainment purposes, no profit earned, lawyers go away. –kisses-

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POV: Shifts Perspective

Spoiler Alert: There are tidbits from past episodes and Spanderverse: stories.

Notes: Tenth story in the Spanderverse-universe, following "Old Friends". Everything from the television series through the defeat of Adam also occurred as depicted, in the Spanderverse.

People's thoughts are depicted in italics. You'll find emphasis depicted with an underline.

More Notes: BIG thanks to Joss, the ME creative team and the crew of one of the best shows on television. WE MISS YOU!

Thanks to the authors of Fanfiction, wherever you may post. It's probable that I've read at least one of your stories somewhere. I apologize for recycling concepts inadvertently from the plentitude of stories I've read.

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Hospital Visits:

Ch 1 – Fear

Buffy stared at the phone in Riley's apartment, tears in her eyes. She didn't know what to do next. Picking up the phone again, she called home to let Joyce know that she was alright. She decided to do a quick sweep to see if she could locate Riley. She wouldn't do a regular patrol; not in her current condition, but she had to make an effort to locate him.

She wandered Sunnydale's streets looking for any sign that Riley was lurking around. Every so often, she would grab at her abdomen, heavily taped and bandaged. The pain was bad, but the bleeding had stopped completely. The bleeding from her head had stopped and was already itching as the cut began to heal over. By tomorrow morning, she guessed, there would be little more than a bruise and a thin scratch. The hole in her gut would take a bit longer, but her Slayer healing should keep away any infection.

Buffy hoped that Riley hadn't run into one of the cemeteries looking for vampires to stake or worse, after Adam. She just wasn't in any shape to get her self into another battle tonight. Even so, her Slayer senses remained alert for the signs of any vampires among the thinning groups of people on the streets. She caught herself looking for fang-gang members to dust, despite her not wanting to get into another fight. Once a Slayer, always a Slayer, she thought darkly to herself. She hissed breath between her teeth as another wave of pain caught her off guard. She was going to have to cut the search for Riley short. Tomorrow she'd put the gang on alert, but for now, she needed to rest.

As Buffy passed through the poorer district of Sunnydale and away from Riley's neighborhood, she decided to check the warehouses in the area. These would be the more dilapidated warehouses; all of the nice ones were on the far east of the town near the coast. There was no particular reason to think he'd be there, but it was on her way and she was going to feel guilty as it was for calling it a night, anyway. Maybe the voice in her head telling her to do more, to save more people, to push herself harder would give her a break if she put in an effort.

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Riley sat in Willy's enjoying the dark quiet of a corner booth. It was in the back and allowed him a clear view of the other patrons. Not that there were many. Excluding him, there were only twelve drinkers tonight. Of those there was a group of eight that were Ma'Kash juveniles. He knew from his Initiative work that even the adults were only mildly offensive. The youngsters wouldn't be out causing trouble later, he was reasonably sure. The other four were sitting at the bar, several bar stools separating them from each other. They looked human, so were probably vampires, though they had alcohol rather than blood in front of them.

Like Riley, himself, they appeared to just want to drink quietly and be left alone. He went over in his mind the things that had happened that night, trying to understand how he could have treated Buffy so badly. Sure he'd been angry, and yes, things had been building for a while toward a blow out. But the things he'd said? The way he'd acted? He was supposing it was something to do with the adrenaline rush he'd been feeling. It was a fact that it could heighten aggression. That rush was past now and though he still felt his muscles tight and aching, his extra bulk had disappeared again. Now he was just tired and embarrassed. And guilty. Let's not forget about the big guilt, he thought while staring down into his nearly empty beer.

I'll have to apologize to her, of course. But words ain't going to cut it. I'll need to pick up something. Something nice and romantic. Maybe take her out somewhere expensive. That Italian place from before was really good.

Riley was just waving the bartender for another mug, when Sandy approached his table. She was wearing pearl earrings with a white dress of heavy denim. Over this she wore a white sweater. The dress hung down to her knees and she wore white toeless shoes with short heels. She had also forgone make up tonight, but her cheeks were nicely pinked.

Riley chose to believe it was from the cold outside. He didn't want to imagine that maybe she'd been out drinking anyone.

"Riley Finn. It's nice to see you, again. And in a 'not staking and biting way', too. What are the odds?"

"Hello, Sandy. Sit down; let me buy you a drink?"

"Well, thank you kind, sir," she curtseyed. "It's been quite an evening; a drink would do me good. A snifter of brandy, maybe?"

"A rough one out there? You haven't been going around attacking folks, have you? I kind of like you and wouldn't want to have to follow you out and dust you."

Sandy giggled, "Alas, no. Just the usual sucking-for-money evening. Nothing fatal."

"Guys actually pay you to drink from them? That just seems so…uh…"

"Disgusting is, I think, the word you're struggling not to say. I suppose it may be. On the other hand, is it any worse than sex for money? And as long as I can do this, I don't need to attract you do-gooder's attention by victimizing anyone. It's a win-win."

As the drinks were delivered, this time by Willy himself, Riley took the break in conversation to look over Sandy the Vampire. She seemed decent, in an undead way. Much more decent than Spike, anyway, and if Buffy let that loose cannon survive then he supposed that they could let Sandy slide. After all, what she was doing wasn't causing any bodies and it was consensual.

"So, Mr. Finn," Sandy drew his attention from his musing, "This is the second time I find you here, alone, and drinking. Anything you'd like to share? I'm not licensed, but once upon a time I was going to be a school councilor."

"Eh," Riley shrugged. "I'm just having some issues, that's all. I'm, uh. I'm not sure that me and Buffy are working out." Riley took a huge swig of his beer, draining half of the glass before setting it down again.

"I'm sorry to hear that," Sandy commented, reaching her hand out to place it lightly on one of his. "Well, not really. I mean she's the Slayer and I'm a vampire, so any heartache in her life is a good thing. But I am sorry that you're upset."

Riley suppressed the involuntary impulse to yank his hand away from her. He must have shivered or perhaps something crossed his face, however, because Sandy pulled her hand away. Her eyes cast downward toward her untouched brandy. She looked a little lonely to Riley.

"I'm sorry," she said, "I didn't mean anything by the gesture."

"Huh?" Riley was confused a moment, before realizing that she must have thought he was repulsed that she had touched him. "Oh, no, it's okay. I mean, I didn't mind. It's, uh, your hands…they're a bit cold."

He found himself feeling better when she laughed that delightful giggle. "Sorry! I've gotten so used to being air temperature that I forget how cold it can come off to you 98.6-ers. So, why don't you tell me what has been bothering you? Maybe I can give you some womanly advice."

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Buffy made a circuit around an older five story building. It was, at one time, a storage facility for Calax Research and Development. Now it mostly housed empty space and boxes and boxes of those spongey popcorn thingies that people packed in gift boxes. And while those little things were evil, they weren't Slayer-duty type evil. She checked the bottom windows and the doors, but everything was locked securely. She sighed to herself in irritation. This was a waste of time. There were way more probable places Riley would be if he was just hiding out and not actively stalking demons. The old high school; the 314 labs or whatever was left of them after the military got done; the warren of tunnels surrounding where the Initiative used to be…he knew his way around all of them and more places besides.

Buffy was startled by a bright light in her face as she was leaving the property. Shielding her eyes momentarily, the light was thankfully moved down toward the pavement. When she looked again, she saw a regular guy in a security officer uniform. He was shaking his head at her and clucking with his tongue.

"You know you kids aren't supposed to be wandering around here. If you're looking for the rave, it was last night, and we ran them out."

"Oh, yeah, silly me," Buffy said, "The kids will be so disappointed. It was my turn to bring the dip."

The guard laughed in a friendly manner. She noticed he had a gold cross dangling over his tie. Wow, someone else not in denials-ville. Good for you, buddy. His name tag said 'Goodmore'.

"Well, Mr. Goodmore, guess I should take off, then."

"You know," he said, "if it were up to me, I'd let you guys in and party all you want. It's not like this place is doing anything but taking up space, anyway. Not unless you count keeping Styrofoam peanuts safe as something worthwhile."

"Well," Buffy said, again walking away, "You take care."

Buffy had just gotten beyond the unsecured gate, when she heard the guard run up behind her. She swung around, ready to go into a defensive posture, but he was only trying to hand her something. She tried to ignore the painful yanking at her abdomen's wound but felt a little more fresh blood wetting the taped padding around her middle.

"Hey, missy, don't forget your little glow-ball. What's a rave without one of these, huh?"

Buffy looked at the thing and took it from his hand. It was a round orb that reminded her of burnished copper. Except, it seemed semi-transparent and from within there was a warm and golden glow. Buffy turned it over in her hands, deciding whatever it was supposed to be, it wouldn't end up being a glow-ball.

"Uh, thanks," she directed at Mr. Goodmore. "Listen, you have yourself a safe night, okay. Kinda be careful out here?"

Mr. Goodmore raised one hand almost unconsciously to finger the crucifix. Then he smiled at her, "Ah, nothing ever happens around her except for you kids. You watch yourself on the way home. Sometimes…well, sometimes, it seems like Sunnydale has as much violent crime as L.A., you know?"

"I'll be careful. You do the same," Buffy said, as she started again for home.

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Riley and Sandy talked and drank for the next two hours. He had to keep reminding himself not to get too trusting with her. She didn't seem too demony as long as she didn't brush against his hand with her own. It seemed to be a habit with her though and he wondered idly if it was from the person she used to be.

When he excused himself for the evening to return to his apartment, Sandy walked out with him. Turning toward him, she smiled and ducked forward. Her lips were as cold as her hand against his cheek, but she pulled away quickly. Giving him an easy smile, she turned and walked in the opposite direction from the way he needed to go. He considered just briefly the idea of walking her home, until he realized how ridiculous that thought was. Not only was she preternaturally powerful in her own right, but he didn't know her living arraignments. It was possible, even likely, that she belonged to a nest; a nest which may not have her self-control when a walking banquet came calling.

As Riley walked toward home, Sandy turned around to eye his fine figure. Not all of a vampire's needs were blood related and she thought the guy was a sweetheart. Of course, sooner or later she intended to drain the idiot dry anyway, but there was no reason she had to hurry. In fact, she wondered if maybe it wasn't time for her to sire a companion.

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Buffy returned home stiff and sore. The constant tugging and pulling of her bandage had pinched and rubbed her midriff wrong the entire way. She just wanted desperately to lie down and fall into a well deserved sleep.

After checking the lower level to ensure everything was tightly locked up, she made her way upstairs. She crept as quietly as possible, so as not to disturb Dawn or her mother. But as she made her way down the hallway, light was showing from under Joyce's bedroom door.

Puzzled, Buffy went to her own room briefly to set the orb down on her desk. She'd have to run it to the Magic Box and start the Scooby research to identify it. If they weren't all too busy trying to find where the hell Riley had gone and how to help him. Sighing tiredly, she returned to her mother's room and lightly knocked before entering. "Hey, mom. Couldn't sleep," she called out.

Buffy and Joyce both glanced at the clock, its blue numerals stating it was after one. Buffy noticed a suitcase opened on the bed. As she tried to figure out why it was there, her mother folded a robe and packed it within.

"Buffy. Come in for a minute and sit down," Joyce said, looking exhausted.

When Buffy had done as instructed, Joyce sat down next to her. She took one of Buffy's hands in her own.

"Are you going somewhere, mom? And why are you packing so late? How long are you going to be gone? I mean, not that I mind taking care of Dawnie…"

"…Buffy," Joyce interrupted her stream of babble. "Honey, there's something I need to tell you. I-I haven't been entirely honest with you or Dawn." Joyce sighed; then seemed to summon her nerve. Buffy began to get scared.

"I have to go into the hospital tomorrow. Probably overnight, hence the packing of a small bag. It's nothing to panic over, but the doctors want to run a scan. An, uh, a CAT scan or MRI scan or something. It's, uh, it'll be for my headaches."

"The headaches? I knew it wasn't just tension!"

As Buffy's eyes began to tear, Joyce pulled her eldest daughter into her arms. "Hey, hey, it's going to be alright. There is nothing to worry about. It's just a test."

Buffy began to cry on Joyce's shoulder, "Mom, there's so much going on. I don't know if I can handle all of this!"

"Shh-shh. Listen to me, now. The only thing you need to worry about is getting help for Riley, alright?"

"But…these headaches…"

"…are just going to be migraines. That's all it is, Buffy." Joyce pushed her away just enough to be able to look into her eyes. "I'm fine. They are just going to be migraines and I'll get some pain killers and have to take the occasional nap in a dark and quiet room. And that's going to be the end of it. The only thing you'll need to worry about is how you're going to keep Dawn quiet during one of them, so I can rest. Something that doesn't involve you trying to kill each other, preferably."

Joyce smiled at Buffy and then returned to her packing. She would only need a few items since there was no way she was letting the hospital pressure her into staying longer than a day, two at the most.

"Why don't you turn in, honey? I'll need you to help get Dawnie off to school for me, alright?"

"Yeah…yeah, of course." Buffy wiped at her tears. "Anything you need, mom. Just let me know what I can do."

"For one, you can stop worrying. People get migraines everyday around the world. This isn't going to be a big deal."

Buffy nodded. As she left her mother's room, her mind was racing. All of the nastiest possibilities began playing themselves through her mind, but the scariest one kept claiming its attention from her. She didn't think she could live through her mother having brain cancer. She wanted to believe it was only going to be migraines, but as she lay in her bed in the dark of early morning, she couldn't stop thinking that it could be far, far, worse.

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End Ch 1