It wasn't like Buffy didn't recognize what was going on immediatly. No, she knew exactly what had happened. She remembered.
But she didn't want to remember.
She didn't want to make the comparrisions. And most of all, she didn't want to go back to high school. All the while that had been blocked out of her memory, a forbidden zone of hurt and pain. But looking at Spike now has he collapsed to the shop floor, his duster pooling around him, her mind flashed with memories of Angel.
Angel and Spike were complete oppisites in almost every way, and she couldn't help but recognize that looking at them him now. Giles was already up, at the phone. He covered the receiver with his hand and yelled to Buffy. "Get him off the floor!" His voice brought her back from the memories.
She kneeled down beside Spike and began gathering him in her arms. "So nice... of you... to join... me, luv."
Buffy gave him a cold look, more angry at herself for the concern she felt than at him. Still, he couldn't lose the sarcasm in a time like this? She snapped the arrow and violently yanked it from his flesh. "Oww... easy now." "You want me to 'accidentaly' drop you?" He tried for a weak smile. She lifted him and made off for the couch in the training room.
He was snuggling into her arms. Even in so much pain, being close to her made him calm. It was an odd sensation for him. Comfort, peace beyond what he had felt even when he was alive, and burning desire bubbling just below the skin.
She realized how odd it was carrying him like this. How naturally he fit into her arms, his face so close to her lips. There was nothing vampirique about the way his cool skin brushed her neck. "Did I ever tell you how beautiful you are." He reached up to brush some hair out of her face. In normal surcumstances it would be harder to ignore his love confessions, but she knew he was dillusional right now. It was a good thing, or he might have noted how she tensed under his touch.
Buffy felt a wave of releif as she placed him on the couch, and put some distance between the two.