Opening my eyes was a big mistake from the moment the thought even entered my mind. I should have known that the heat would kill me if I let my naked eyes be exposed to such strong radiation. I saw Angel's worried glare turn into almost a full smile as he saw my eyes open; and something started moving in my gut. Something that would kill me if Angel didn't stop looking at me like he was now.
"Hey," I say. Making the first move...but towards what?
"Hey, Sleepy-head. We were worried about you." He tells me as he moves a piece of stray hair from my forehead; searing my skin more with each graceful movement of his hand.
"We. We who?" I ponder out loud.
"Everybody. The whole gang. Dawn, Cordy, Wes, Anya and Xander...Willow. Me. Spike." He almost growls the last part; and I can hear the uncertainty in in his voice as to why Spike would care so much as to well...care.
"How long have I been out?" I question. He tells me I've only been down for about 13 hours. Yet, it feels as if a lifetime has passed me by. Maybe it has. Maybe this was a whole new life waiting to happen.
"What happened, Buffy? Do you know why you...."
"No," I lie. "I just...I just sort of fainted. It *WAS* really hot outside. And I was pretty tired, it uh. It could have been the combination of the two." I scramble through the words; making sure they don't sound like too terrible of a lie. It *was* hot out. That *could* have been some fuel for the fire. Such a deep, searing fire.
"I came as fast as I could. You scared me so much...I didn't know...." and he trails off.
"Didn't know what?" I ask.
"I didn't want to lose you again, Buffy. We just got you back. Stick around for a while, okay?" He says with a grin. Almost mockingly.
"I'll try my hardest. Slayer's honor." I reply, giving him that same enticing smile he was giving to me.
"Buffy!" I hear Dawn squeal as she runs into the room; followed by the rest of the current Scoobies and some former members behind them. "Are you OKAY?!" She asks, still squealing a little. "What happened. Hey. Guess who's here. Look, it's *Angel*"
"I can see, Dawnie. And yes. I'm fine. Just had a little black out is all. I'll be okay." I tell her. Trying not to let the fear in my voice show. Fear that I would never be okay again. But for now...
"Good. Hey, Cordy came to. And they brought Wesley. and Presents!" She says. Still squeaky.
"Hey Buffy." Cordelia said. "We brought clothes and food. Figured you could use both; seeing as how they both suck at hospitals." She tells me.
"Thanks," I say, giving her my best Buffy smile.
She nods her head in acknowledgement and hands over the goodies. I don't get a chance to dig through the bag. A doctor and her student come walking in at that moment.
"Ah, Ms. Summers," She says as way of greeting. "I see you've decided to join us in the world of consciousness. Welcome back. I'm Dr. Borowitz, and this is my student assistant, Cawood Fitzhugh. You don't mind her observing us here today, do you?"
"No, not at all." I say, wishing I had the nerve to say 'Yes I do mind, Dr. Borowitz. And I mind that I have to be here anymore. I'd like to go home now, if that's alright with you. Thank you.' But I don't have the nerve so I just smile.
"You had your young friend there in quite a frenzy. You're very lucky to have someone like him." She tells me, eyeing Angel.
"Yeah...." I say very quietly.
"So, feeling up to par this morning?" She asks, getting down to business. Finally.
"Yes, I feel very well. Good to go. If I could just sign the papers I'd love to..."
"Oh no you don't." She tells me with a wry grin. "I have been very well informed of your dislike for hospitals; and warned in advance that you'd try this. We'd like to keep you for another day, Buffy. Your tests aren't quite clear and you're blood pressure is still very high. We need to keep you for observation; make sure this won't happen again."
I shoot Angel a look. And he turns away. I know who informed her; and I wanted to hit the big piece of manly heaven. I wanted to tell the doctor that my blood pressure would stay high for as long as Angel was burning me; but of course, I didn't .
"Okay." I give in. Like I had a choice in the first place.
"Good. Now, nothing hurts? Nothing at all?" She asks.
'Everything hurts!' I wanted to scream. 'Everything's on fire!' "No." I say. "Everything's fine."
"Good." She says with a smile. "I'm going to go check on your lab tests, and I'll be back shortly. As for the rest of you..." She starts, glaring around the crowded room. "I think it would be best if we left Buffy alone for awhile, let her get her strength back. Hmm?" She says, and the occupants start to file out of the room, waving and smiling at me as they retreat. When Angel braces himself on the arms of the chair about to get up; I reach out to his leg, ignoring the fire.
"No. Stay with me. Please?" I plead with my best attempt of a sad puppy.
"Sure," he says. "If it's okay with...."
"Fine." Dr. Borowitz remarks, with an evil grin. "You two love birds don't do anything brash now, you hear?"
"We're not..." I start, but she's already gone. And Angel's still here. Looking at me like I've wanted/feared for him to do ever since he left. He was looking at me with love. And the pain started anew.