Chapter 27 - Friday, Standard Reality
Buffy was recovering fast. The only thing wrong with her when she arrived at hospital had been blood loss and that had been remedied quickly. Willow's warning that she needed to recover before seeing Spike had been heard, but by early next morning, after a good night's sleep, she was keen to get moving. The early morning routine of the hospital was already underway. Breakfasts were served. Blood samples taken and drugs distributed. Blood pressure was measured and temperatures taken.
When it was at last over, Buffy got up and pulled open the cupboard containing her clothes. Stuffing them into a bag, she pulled on the hospital issue dressing gown she had been given and shuffled off to the shower room. Once there, behind locked doors, she had a quick, reviving shower and dressed. Peering out of the door to check the way was clear, she left the shower room and walking as confidently as she could, left the hospital. Once outside, she broke into a run. The only thing on her mind was to get to Spike. She had seen how badly he was hurt, and she had to get to him.
When Willow rang the hospital to check on Buffy's condition, she was told she had gone. Immediately worried and unsure what to tell Spike who was anxious for news, she paced the hallway. Relief flooded her expression when Buffy came through the door looking a little flushed from her run but otherwise well.
Stopping only to smile reassuringly at her friend, she continued up the stairs and into her bedroom. She stopped at the doorway, suddenly unsure of what she'd find. Looking at her bed, she saw him. His legs had been rather crudely splinted and what she could see was a mixture of bruising and barely healing skin. He was partly covered by a sheet, and she could see he was wearing only a pair of boxers which she knew weren't his. Seeing her eyes on them, he looked a little embarrassed.
"Borrowed them from Xander. Tara's been in and out with herbal infusions and to reinstate her healing spell."
Buffy had remained at the doorway as he spoke, but now walked slowly to her bed. She seemed unsure of what to do, so Spike held out a hand, wincing slightly as he moved his arm. It was a lot less painful but it still hurt. Seeing his wince, Buffy moved closer, sitting gently on the bed beside him.
"I don't want to hurt you," she began, softly. In truth, she wanted to hold him so tight, it would have been painful even if he wasn't injured.
"Most painful thing, was not being able to touch you last night," he admitted, an encouraging smile on his lips.
That was all she needed. Stripping to her underwear, she lifted the sheet and slipped in beside him, pulling a sheet over them both, her arm lying gently around his waist.
When Tara looked in later, the two were still lying together, Buffy's arm around Spike's waist, and they were sleeping peacefully. Smiling to herself, Tara closed the door. It didn't look as if Spike needed another of her healing spells to help him to sleep. All he needed was Buffy beside him.