New Beginnings

New Beginnings

Part 3

Willow peeked around the corner, her pre-scooby gang shyness intact. "Um, e-everyone's calling it a-a night…or morning, or whatever." Her head shook slightly.

"Yeah! Sure. I'm ready to get out of here. Slip into a warm bath and…okay. Strike that last part."

"Hey! A vamp's gotta wash up sometime." A giggle slipped out momentarily, but was cut short by Buffy.

"I think we covered this already."

"Well, you gotta sleep, luv. Let's just go back to your house. Your Watcher'll have this sorted out in no time, and we'll be back to our own separate bodies before yah know it."

"You better not have done this on purpose!" Willow fully entered the room, in awe of what was happening before her. One body, having a conversation with itself, switching accents and personalities back and forth. It was a psychiatrist's dream come true.

"What!? And when did I have time for that bit of mojo? Between riding cross country in the Xandermobile and being attacked by a bunch of psycho Medieval Times wannabees, I haven't even had time for a decent spot of buffalo wings."

"I don't know, Spike. It just feels better to have someone to blame this on."

Silence.

"Did I just say that aloud?"

Spike and Willow answered in unison, "Yes."

"I-it's okay, Buff. We've already got some ideas. You guys just, um, try not to kill each other, er Spike, and we'll do the rest. Kay?"

"Gee, thanks, Red."

Willow turned to leave, but stalled, then walked back to Spike/Buffy. "Are you alright, Buffy?"

Buffy bowed Spike's head and paused before speaking. "I really don't know. On one hand, I'm glad this whole deal with Glory and her Key is over…but then there's this. I'm dead and stuck in a body rental. It's like there's never a break, you know. I seem to go from one major disaster to another and I don't think I'm strong enough to handle it." A lone tear escaped Spike's eye and blazed a path down his cheek.

"Oh, bloody hell, Slayer." He wiped his face almost violently. "We'll have none of that."

"Yeah, Buffy. There's never been anything you couldn't handle. It's not like this is the first time you died." Willow's attempt at a smile and humor fell just short of Buffy's comprehension in her exhausted state.

"Not only do I lose every one I've ever deeply loved, but now I've lost myself." Willow rushed in and embraced the crying vampire without thinking twice. She did, however, refrain from caressing his back or kissing the top of his head, as she would have done under different circumstances.

"I can't guarantee how we'll fix this, but I swear we will." Taking out a tissue, she wiped the tears away, then cupped Spike's chin in her hand and raised his eyes to hers. "I promise. See? Resolve face."

Buffy curled Spike's lips into a soft smile and thanked her.

"And, Spike?"

It was amazing, the change on the vampire's face when Spike became the one in control. That sure footed, confidence shined right through. "Yeah?"

"Take care of her, like I know you can. She doesn't need your sarcasm right now. Got it, buddy?" Willow spoke with her new found authority and strength. Whether or not she liked that feeling was still up for debate.

"You can count on me."

She really hoped so.

**********************************************************

Buffy/Spike threw off the old blanket on the way in the door, then collapsed on the Summer's couch. Not far behind was a fourteen year old, giddy to still have at least part of her family left. "So, what do we do today?" Dawn's exuberance tired Buffy just by the sight of her and the excitement in her voice.

"Well, to start with, you're sure as heck not going to school."

Dawn just stared at Spike. "That has to be Spike talking."

"Nope, all Buffy. We've all had a horrible few days, and I don't think missing the last few days of classes is going to kill you…not if Glory couldn't do it."

"Nice choice of words, luv."

"Shut up, blood-breath."

"Hey, you smell just like me."

Buffy sighed in frustration and stomped upstairs, leaving a confused sister to watch after Spike's retreating figure. "Where are you guys going?"

"To bed."

"I always knew we'd end up in bed together."

"What was that you promised to Willow? Oh yeah, NO SARCASM."

"Who's being sarcastic?"

Once Dawn heard the familiar slamming of Buffy's bedroom door, she went into the kitchen to eat the last of the available food. After all, she knew her sister wouldn't be eating much…not in her current mood and predicament.

*******************************************************

The harsh ringing of the telephone awoke Xander before the first ring finished. His sleep was fitful, considering the events of this morning. Plus, he never slept well without Anya. She would be staying at Sunnydale Memorial Hospital for a few days. Thankfully for his caller, Anya had insisted her fiancé stay home to get some real rest. It had taken some hard core convincing, but she had finally managed. A thousand years as a vengeance demon gives you a bit of an edge on arguments.

"Yeah?"

"It's me." The unmistakable English accent lofted over the phone. "I have come to the conclusion that there is no way short of murder to obtain another healthy body for Buffy."

"Giles, there has to be a way. We'll just need some rest and…"

"No! I've thought this through thoroughly. Now, what I want to do is bring Buffy's body back then replace her soul where it belongs."

"Whoa, whoa. Back up man. Her body is toast. It's drained of all the blood and has been dead for at least three hours."

"Yes, I am aware of that. This is why we have to move very quickly. I want you to obtain at least 17 units of O positive blood, and…you better write this down."

"Where the hell am I going to get…"

"Xander, I know you can pull this off. Just find a way, alright? We don't have another choice, and time is running short."

The young man considered how important this must be for Giles to sound so desperate. "I've got the pen and paper. Roll."

"Buffy's blood type is O positive, thankfully. That should make it easier to obtain the amount I am requesting of you. I'll need 10 liter bags of saline, 5 sets of IV blood tubing, and a couple 20 or 18 gauge angiocaths…er IV needles. Also, I'm going to need several amps of epinephrine, atropine, 5cc syringes and 18 gauge needles. Do you think you can get the correct items? This is very important for you to get right."

"For Buffy, anything."

"Oh, and you better bring some iodine, alcohol and medical tape too."

"Bring it all to your place?"

"Yes, thank you."

Xander had no idea Giles was so versed in medical equipment. Perhaps it was part of Watcher training. After all, that kind of knowledge and skill would undoubtedly come in very handy with a Slayer. Especially since this was nothing that a trained medical professional could do, which made taking the Slayer to the hospital way out of the question.

TBC