Part 14:
A/N: I've been having serious writers block, so bear with me here. I'm not entirely sure how this chapter will be turning out, so I'm letting whatever inspiration I might have take over. Once again, thanks to all who reviewed last chapter! Please keep them coming, I appreciate anything, as long as it's constructive…
Disclaimer: I own nothing...I don't make any money off of it, so don't sue!
Buffy, Angel, Cordelia and Xander sat in the waiting room, waiting for further news on Giles' condition. For the last hour, the group had been catching up on what had been happening in the last few months. Angel had caught himself several times, about to spill the beans about the lost day. So far, Buffy and Xander knew nothing of it, and that was how Angel wanted it to stay for the time being.
"So, Buffy, your roommate...how do you like her?" Cordelia asked the Slayer.
Buffy smiled and replied, "Willow's great. Just like living with my sister."
Cordelia blinked in confusion. "Wait. I thought you were rooming with someone you hadn't met before. You know, the lottery thing?"
"I did that too." Buffy smiled at her very confused friend. Angel just took everything in, knowing that Buffy would get to her story when she felt like it. "I did have a different roommate at the beginning of the year. Her name was Kathy, and I have never met anyone more obsessive-compulsive than she was. She measured her pencils, kept a phone log, and labeled the food in the refrigerator! Oh! And, she ironed her jeans! Honestly, I thought I was going to go insane."
Cordy shook her head in sympathy. "She ironed her jeans? I know I care about how I look, but that's taking it a bit far."
"Tell me about it. Not mention the fact that she was spinnin' the divas around the clock. I like Cher as much as the next person, but I can only take so much of her." Buffy paused momentarily. "So then I start having these dreams involving a demon, a scorpion and some blood. I won't go into detail, it was pretty gross. Well, Kathy is having the same dream! Not only does she follow me out on patrol, she's horning in on my dreams! I knew she had to be stopped. It was very clear in my mind that Kathy was a demon. I guess I went a little overboard-"
"A little overboard?" Xander chose this moment to interrupt. "You took her toenail clippings and measured them, for goodness sake! You were completely off your rocker."
"You measured her toenail clippings? May I just say, eww!"
Buffy blushed and looked down. "Ok, so I went a lot overboard. But she was sucking my soul in my sleep! I didn't have any control over what happened! It turned out that Kathy was from a different dimension, and she wanted to run away and go to college. Be a normal girl. Honestly, I can relate to that. But her father was looking for her, and he'd be able to know who she was by the whole 'I don't have a soul' thing. Thus the reason for trying to take mine. They'd know that I didn't have a soul and take me back with them. Thank God Giles realized what Kathy was and reversed the effects before it was too late. Daddy dearest found his lovely daughter and to home they went. So now Willow is my roommate."
Angel shook his head in amusement. "Life is never dull with you, is it Buffy?"
"Can't say that it is," She replied softly. "I'm just full of adventure."
Cordy and Xander sat up abruptly as Wesley came into the waiting room. "Hello Buffy."
"Wesley." Buffy greeted her former Watcher cordially, somehow feeling that if she treated him warmly she would be betraying Giles.
"I've just come from Giles room. He's doing much better, as would be the case since he isn't in a coma now. We've been discussing your vision, Cordelia. And between Giles, Merrick and myself, we have concurred that something big is about to happen in Sunnydale. Why else would actual Angels show up here?"
"Do we know what the something big is, Wes?" Angel leaned forward, already in battle mode.
"Giles seems to think it has something to do with Adam and the Initiative. He's filled me in, but I don't believe Angel and Cordelia know the details. Buffy, would you care to fill in the blanks?"
She nodded slowly. "There's a lot to go over..."
(A/N: I could end the chapter here, but it's kind of short, so I'll keep going...We're jumping to another place in the hospital, to get back to Willow.)
After Buffy had ran out of Giles' room, Willow had quietly gotten up from her seat and headed to the bathroom. She was too choked up with emotion right then to talk to her best friends and needed the time to think on her own.
The redhead made to the bathroom before the tears finally started to fall. They had come so close to losing Giles, the one person who really brought them all together. In hindsight, they never really would have found out about Buffy if Xander hadn't been in the library that day so many years ago. Maybe Giles didn't bring them together consciously, but he had indirectly affected their paths in so many ways. They weren't ready to let him go. They would never be ready, Willow reflected.
It was funny. Buffy was the only one who didn't have a father physically present in her life. Yet each one of them would claim Giles as a father if they were asked. Xander because his dad was a drunk and beat his son. Willow, mostly because her parents never really took the time to really care about their only daughter. Sure, they loved her, but only because they had to. It was an obligation. So that left one person. Someone they all had in common. Someone who united them and made them a family. Rupert Giles. In his own way, he had taken them into his home and heart and become a surrogate father to all in the Scooby gang.
Willow finally calmed herself down enough to go out and face the rest of the world. Looking in the mirror, she saw a girl with skin red and blotchy from crying. Her eyes, large and sad, were watered over. Turning on the cold water, Willow splashed it onto her face, hoping to look more presentable. Gazing in the mirror once more, Willow looked much more like her old self and decided to head out the door.
No sooner had she opened the door, than a pair of hands grabbed her from behind.
(Back at the waiting room)
Cordelia was nearly on the floor, her head hurt so badly. "It's a redhead...um, someone's taking her..."
(Back to Willow)
She tried to scream, but she couldn't. Her attacker was holding one hand over her mouth, the other around her waist. "Hello, love." Willow's eyes widened in recognition. Spike. She began working her mouth against his hand, planning to bite him if necessary.
(Waiting room)
"Attacker...bleach blond hair...he's cold..."
(Willow)
"Now, now, Red. None of that. I've been told to take you, and that's what I'm going to do. And you're going to come with me, all nice and quiet, you hear?"
She stomped on his foot, and nearly made it out of his grasp. Unfortunately, Spike had a pretty good grip on the Wicca and she didn't get very far. He turned her around roughly, making her face him. Willow gasped when she saw his vampiric visage. Yellow eyes bore into her brown ones as he held her tight. "I may have a chip in my head, but I can overcome the pain for a tasty treat like you. Now, you'll cooperate, or you'll die. Got it?"
(Waiting room)
"He's got her...I don't know who she is though..."
"It's ok Cordelia. You did your best." Wesley knelt beside the girl, trying to comfort her. He didn't notice Buffy's eyes widen with realization.
"Oh my gosh." (I know, that sounds pathetic. But Buffy's found God now, she wouldn't use His name in vain) Angel and Xander turned towards the Slayer, concern showing in their eyes.
"What is it, Buffy?" Angel moved closer to his beloved, seeing her fear, and the tears in her hazel eyes.
"Willow. It was Willow." Buffy collapsed in Angel's arms, trembling with fear for her best friend. The rest exchanged glances, all coming to the same conclusion. It was Adam. The games had begun.
A/N: I hope that last part wasn't too confusing. I wanted it to kind of be 2 scenes that were happening simultaneously. I had no idea where this was going to go as I was writing it, so if your surprise, so am I! Once again, a friendly reminder to r/r! No flames, por favor. (Please)
A/N: I've been having serious writers block, so bear with me here. I'm not entirely sure how this chapter will be turning out, so I'm letting whatever inspiration I might have take over. Once again, thanks to all who reviewed last chapter! Please keep them coming, I appreciate anything, as long as it's constructive…
Disclaimer: I own nothing...I don't make any money off of it, so don't sue!
Buffy, Angel, Cordelia and Xander sat in the waiting room, waiting for further news on Giles' condition. For the last hour, the group had been catching up on what had been happening in the last few months. Angel had caught himself several times, about to spill the beans about the lost day. So far, Buffy and Xander knew nothing of it, and that was how Angel wanted it to stay for the time being.
"So, Buffy, your roommate...how do you like her?" Cordelia asked the Slayer.
Buffy smiled and replied, "Willow's great. Just like living with my sister."
Cordelia blinked in confusion. "Wait. I thought you were rooming with someone you hadn't met before. You know, the lottery thing?"
"I did that too." Buffy smiled at her very confused friend. Angel just took everything in, knowing that Buffy would get to her story when she felt like it. "I did have a different roommate at the beginning of the year. Her name was Kathy, and I have never met anyone more obsessive-compulsive than she was. She measured her pencils, kept a phone log, and labeled the food in the refrigerator! Oh! And, she ironed her jeans! Honestly, I thought I was going to go insane."
Cordy shook her head in sympathy. "She ironed her jeans? I know I care about how I look, but that's taking it a bit far."
"Tell me about it. Not mention the fact that she was spinnin' the divas around the clock. I like Cher as much as the next person, but I can only take so much of her." Buffy paused momentarily. "So then I start having these dreams involving a demon, a scorpion and some blood. I won't go into detail, it was pretty gross. Well, Kathy is having the same dream! Not only does she follow me out on patrol, she's horning in on my dreams! I knew she had to be stopped. It was very clear in my mind that Kathy was a demon. I guess I went a little overboard-"
"A little overboard?" Xander chose this moment to interrupt. "You took her toenail clippings and measured them, for goodness sake! You were completely off your rocker."
"You measured her toenail clippings? May I just say, eww!"
Buffy blushed and looked down. "Ok, so I went a lot overboard. But she was sucking my soul in my sleep! I didn't have any control over what happened! It turned out that Kathy was from a different dimension, and she wanted to run away and go to college. Be a normal girl. Honestly, I can relate to that. But her father was looking for her, and he'd be able to know who she was by the whole 'I don't have a soul' thing. Thus the reason for trying to take mine. They'd know that I didn't have a soul and take me back with them. Thank God Giles realized what Kathy was and reversed the effects before it was too late. Daddy dearest found his lovely daughter and to home they went. So now Willow is my roommate."
Angel shook his head in amusement. "Life is never dull with you, is it Buffy?"
"Can't say that it is," She replied softly. "I'm just full of adventure."
Cordy and Xander sat up abruptly as Wesley came into the waiting room. "Hello Buffy."
"Wesley." Buffy greeted her former Watcher cordially, somehow feeling that if she treated him warmly she would be betraying Giles.
"I've just come from Giles room. He's doing much better, as would be the case since he isn't in a coma now. We've been discussing your vision, Cordelia. And between Giles, Merrick and myself, we have concurred that something big is about to happen in Sunnydale. Why else would actual Angels show up here?"
"Do we know what the something big is, Wes?" Angel leaned forward, already in battle mode.
"Giles seems to think it has something to do with Adam and the Initiative. He's filled me in, but I don't believe Angel and Cordelia know the details. Buffy, would you care to fill in the blanks?"
She nodded slowly. "There's a lot to go over..."
(A/N: I could end the chapter here, but it's kind of short, so I'll keep going...We're jumping to another place in the hospital, to get back to Willow.)
After Buffy had ran out of Giles' room, Willow had quietly gotten up from her seat and headed to the bathroom. She was too choked up with emotion right then to talk to her best friends and needed the time to think on her own.
The redhead made to the bathroom before the tears finally started to fall. They had come so close to losing Giles, the one person who really brought them all together. In hindsight, they never really would have found out about Buffy if Xander hadn't been in the library that day so many years ago. Maybe Giles didn't bring them together consciously, but he had indirectly affected their paths in so many ways. They weren't ready to let him go. They would never be ready, Willow reflected.
It was funny. Buffy was the only one who didn't have a father physically present in her life. Yet each one of them would claim Giles as a father if they were asked. Xander because his dad was a drunk and beat his son. Willow, mostly because her parents never really took the time to really care about their only daughter. Sure, they loved her, but only because they had to. It was an obligation. So that left one person. Someone they all had in common. Someone who united them and made them a family. Rupert Giles. In his own way, he had taken them into his home and heart and become a surrogate father to all in the Scooby gang.
Willow finally calmed herself down enough to go out and face the rest of the world. Looking in the mirror, she saw a girl with skin red and blotchy from crying. Her eyes, large and sad, were watered over. Turning on the cold water, Willow splashed it onto her face, hoping to look more presentable. Gazing in the mirror once more, Willow looked much more like her old self and decided to head out the door.
No sooner had she opened the door, than a pair of hands grabbed her from behind.
(Back at the waiting room)
Cordelia was nearly on the floor, her head hurt so badly. "It's a redhead...um, someone's taking her..."
(Back to Willow)
She tried to scream, but she couldn't. Her attacker was holding one hand over her mouth, the other around her waist. "Hello, love." Willow's eyes widened in recognition. Spike. She began working her mouth against his hand, planning to bite him if necessary.
(Waiting room)
"Attacker...bleach blond hair...he's cold..."
(Willow)
"Now, now, Red. None of that. I've been told to take you, and that's what I'm going to do. And you're going to come with me, all nice and quiet, you hear?"
She stomped on his foot, and nearly made it out of his grasp. Unfortunately, Spike had a pretty good grip on the Wicca and she didn't get very far. He turned her around roughly, making her face him. Willow gasped when she saw his vampiric visage. Yellow eyes bore into her brown ones as he held her tight. "I may have a chip in my head, but I can overcome the pain for a tasty treat like you. Now, you'll cooperate, or you'll die. Got it?"
(Waiting room)
"He's got her...I don't know who she is though..."
"It's ok Cordelia. You did your best." Wesley knelt beside the girl, trying to comfort her. He didn't notice Buffy's eyes widen with realization.
"Oh my gosh." (I know, that sounds pathetic. But Buffy's found God now, she wouldn't use His name in vain) Angel and Xander turned towards the Slayer, concern showing in their eyes.
"What is it, Buffy?" Angel moved closer to his beloved, seeing her fear, and the tears in her hazel eyes.
"Willow. It was Willow." Buffy collapsed in Angel's arms, trembling with fear for her best friend. The rest exchanged glances, all coming to the same conclusion. It was Adam. The games had begun.
A/N: I hope that last part wasn't too confusing. I wanted it to kind of be 2 scenes that were happening simultaneously. I had no idea where this was going to go as I was writing it, so if your surprise, so am I! Once again, a friendly reminder to r/r! No flames, por favor. (Please)