A/N: This is all based on episode 6x17 'Normal Again'. The idea appealed to me and as a result I wrote this. The chapters span the Buffy seasons from 1 through to 7, and I hadn't finished watching the series while I was writing this.
I play with some different ideas of what could have been really happening in 'Normal Again'. I don't really come to a particular conclusion, but I hope it is enjoyable anyway.
Institutionalised
Prologue
The doctors at the mental institution had noticed something about the patient known as Buffy Summers. This particular patient had built her own fantasy world to live in where she was the hero with super powers, surrounded by her friends who each, in their own way, also had super powers. She had even created for herself a sister – the magical key – that she could look after and protect. All of these characters were imaginings of her mind, her own creation. All but one.
There was another patient at the institution who was called William. William the Impaler he called himself. He believed he was a vampire. He developed a rapid, almost unhealthy, fascination with the girl who called herself the Slayer. The doctors tried to keep the two apart for fear of the trigger they may be. Despite their best efforts however Buffy and William met very early on in her incarceration. She had already begun building a life for herself in Sunnydale and was in the process of defeating the one she called The Master. During her encounter with the Master however Buffy died…
Chapter 1: Prophecy Girl (1x12)
Buffy woke up.
She was lying on a bed.
It was white. That was her overriding thought. White.
Last thing she remembered was a cave.
It was dark.
She'd been bitten. Her hand lifted tentatively to her neck. Nothing.
No pain. No marks.
Where was she? A hospital? Who had taken her to hospital? She was supposed to be dead.
The thought hit her like a train and her eyes widened.
She might be dead. She didn't feel dead. She didn't feel right though. She felt…icky…like her mind was filled with soap bubbles.
Slowly she sat up and looked around the room. It was plain. Blank.
White.
"Buffy?" She looked. A nurse. Face kind but voice surprised.
"Where am I?" she asked, her voice small and dry, as though she hadn't spoken for a while.
"Oh my God!" the nurse gasped and disappeared into the corridor. "Doctor!"
Buffy heard the yell and frowned, puzzled. She didn't feel like she needed a doctor. She felt fragile, weak, but that was normal when you'd had your blood drained, right?"
Carefully she moved herself off the bed. Her fingers brushed the restraints and she felt a searing jolt of panic. Sick.
Quickly she looked away and got to her feet. They were bare. How silly. She'd get cold. Who took her shoes?
The doorway was there. She'd ask.
With slow uncertain movements she got there and peered into the corridor. There were people. Dazed and confused mostly. There was a man watching her though. His hair was bleached blond. His eyes fascinated her. He stared at her with undisguised intent and she stared back. He wore the same thing she did.
White.
The corner of his mouth curved into a smirk.
"Morning Slayer."
British then.
"I heard you were awake."
She didn't respond. Didn't know what to make of him. Fascination and fear in mixed parts. He called her Slayer. No one knew she was the Slayer.
"Thought it about time we made acquaintance." He glided towards her, eyes alight. "Name's William," he offered a smile. "William the Impaler."
Her eyes widened. Doctors were striding around the corner; she could see them on the edge of her vision. "Buffy!" they called but her whole attention was on the blond with the British accent. "William, stop!" They were too far away and he knew they couldn't get to him in time. He cast them a look of cunning and scorn and they broke into a run. It was too late.
"I'm a vampire."
Flash. She was back in the cave. It was dark. She couldn't breathe…no wait…she could.
Flash. There were doctors and nurses all around her, harrying, calling her name. "Buffy." She was being guided back into her room. "Buffy. Stay with us."
Flash. Dark, cold, wet, a breath of air. Coughing.
Flash. A snatch echoed towards her, "Why was she left unattended?"
"She was never expected to wake up."
A commotion. Confusion. William forcing his way to her. They tried to stop him. Too late. His voice reached her.
"Take me back with you." His hand closed around her arm and…
Flash. She was hacking up water onto a cold rock floor and she still had a world to save.
A few weeks later Spike crashed into the 'Sunnydale' sign.
