Morning
1630 Revello Drive
The morning came quickly, too quickly in Buffy's opinion. She slowly opened her eyes looking straight out the window watching the sun slowly rise over the houses from across the street. She stared at the warm coloured sky brighten into day. She released a heavy breath that weighed in her chest and rolled over onto her back.
Her eyes moved from the blank white ceiling to the man laying beside her. Graham was just as awake as she. He only slept for a few short minutes each hour. He had an irrational feeling that Buffy would do something—anything to find a way to cure her mothers illness or perhaps go off and try to kill Glory only winding up hurt or worse, dead.
To ease his fears, he stayed up and watched her sleep. Though he knew she struggled to sleep during the night despite how relaxed he had made her feel. It wasn't enough and Graham knew it. Little by little, Buffy's world fell apart and Graham tried desperately to help her keep it together.
"Hey," Buffy turned her head to Graham catching the thoughtful expression on his handsome face.
"Hey," Graham draped an arm over Buffy's midsection.
Buffy snuggled deep into his embrace, holding his arm tightly around her. She ran her finger down his chin and throat, "Surgery day."
"I know." Graham said.
Her eyes turned up to his face, "I'm scared." Buffy admitted.
Graham met her shaky stare and nodded his head slightly, "I know."
"I—I can't do this…" she said with a frail childlike voice. It was a voice Graham had never heard before. It was voice of fear that chilled him to the bone. "… The weight… its too much. I don't know if I can do this." Buffy sat up in the bed holding the thin sheet around her naked body. She covered her face with her hands then dug her fingers through her hair. "I don't know if I can fight this Hell demon and be there for Mom and Dawn—I'm supposed to have all the answers—"
"— No," Graham sat up behind her holding his hands around her shoulders, "Buffy, nobody expects you to have all of the answers."
"That's just the thing," she turned her eyes over her shoulder to him, "they do. I'm the Slayer. I'm the one who has to keep everyone grounded and be in control. I have to be strong. They're counting on me."
"Shh… " Graham wrapped his arms around her body and rested her back against his chest. Buffy shifted in his arms slightly and laid her head over his chest burying herself into him. "Everyone understands the stress you're under, Buffy. It'll be okay. Your mom will survive the surgery and kick the tumor's ass back to Hell. And then we will find a way to defeat the demon bitch. You'll win… you always do." Graham held his hand around her cheek tilting her head to look at him. "But you can't control everythin' at once… As much as you want to, you can't."
"I'm the Slayer."
"You're human." Graham ran his hands over her soft blonde hair. "You have to take this one at a time. Otherwise you're goin' to drive yourself insane and that's how you make mistakes."
Buffy squeezed her teary eyes shut for a moment then opened them realising the truth in his words. "How do you do that?"
"Do what?"
"You always know what to say. How do you do that?"
A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips, "Its easier when you're in love with the person you're sayin' it to." He kissed the top of her head. "Be there for your family, that's the first thing. Once your mother's out of the woods, then focus your energies on the demon. You're not alone in this, babe."
Slightly, Buffy lifted her head to meet Graham's mouth and kissed him softly. "Thank you."
Graham tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear then leaned forward pressing his mouth against her forehead. Buffy released a heavy breath though the tension in her shoulders had not worn off. She laid her head back down over Graham's chest and listened to the comforting rhythm of his heartbeat, trying not to think about anything just for a little while longer.
Sunnydale General Hospital
In the visitors lounge, the Scoobie gang sat anxiously in waiting. All eyes stared at the closed surgical wing doors.
Buffy reluctantly tore her eyes from the doors to Dawn. Dawn laid outstretched on the chairs across from her near between Anya and Willow watching the small television above.
The doors slid open suddenly, the group straightened up to see the doctor appear but was disappointed when it was only Graham and Xander retiring from the adventure of finding coffees and snacks.
Graham passed styrofoam cup to Giles, who sat beside Buffy. "Thank you, Graham." The Watcher said.
"No problem," Graham took a seat on the other side of Buffy and placed her a cup of coffee into her hands. Buffy looked down at the black liquid suddenly not very thirsty. Her head slowly laid her head on Graham's shoulder unable to endure it wait any longer.
Graham placed his free hand over her knee and kissed the top of her head.
With a heavy frustrated sigh, Buffy picked up her head again and slouched forward. "I can't stand this anymore." Her eyes turned down the hall to the surgical doors. "What's taking so long?"
"No news is good news." Graham quietly told her not wanting to cause her anymore grief. "If they were quick, it would've probably meant they couldn't do much or somethin' terrible happened."
"You're right." Buffy released a heavy breath.
The surgical doors opened and out came Doctor Kriegel. As he drew nearer, he took off surgical cap. His expression was weighted with a frown which sent a sinking feeling in Buffy's stomach.
Buffy jumped to her feet almost spilling the coffee in her hand, luckily, Graham was able to catch the flying cup of hot liquid before it caused any damage. As this went ignored by Buffy, she took long strides to the doctor in the centre of the waiting room.
"What happened?" Buffy immediately asked, "Is she alright?"
"Your mom… is in recovery." The doctor began, "It was possible to visualize and locate the tumor completely. Which means I was able to get all of it. So baring any complications during recovery," Buffy stared at the doctor desperately to keep her hopes down until he said it. He needs to say it. "I think your mother's going to be just fine."
Dawn jumped into Giles' arms with happiness. Xander and Anya exchanged kisses. Willow and Oz hugged while Graham simply placed his hands on Buffy's shoulders. She stood frozen staring at the doctor. She heard his words but her mind was unable to grasp them. Graham's hand touched her shoulder and gave it a squeeze.
"Thank you." She said desperately trying to contain the overwhelming emotion that was threatening to burst.
Doctor Kreigel nodded with a polite tight smile, "Really, it was my pleasure. Your mom's going to be in recovery for a while. You should all go home and get some rest." His eyes went to Buffy's, "You can relax now."
Buffy gave him a bashful half smile then turned eyes to Graham.
