Hi, Everyone:)
And the angst rolls on. But, on the bright side, it will let up quite a bit with Saturday's chapter. Sorry if I haven't given you a cheery one in a while, but it *is* coming.
Please enjoy the chapter and let me know how you feel!
Happy Halloween!
*Cheery Vibes*, Nimue
"As sick as it sounds, in my little head, there's a little Sunnydale, and a widdle Buffy, and a widdle Spike, and Spike wubs Buffy." James Marsters 14 July 2002
Title: Promises (Time - Chapter Seventeen)
Author: Nimue
Rating: PG -13
Pairing Buffy/Spike. Most major characters included.
Feedback: Yes, please
For instant notification of fic releases, straight to your mailbox, please visit Always_Everyday@yahoogroups.com
Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, UPN, Fox... Just Borrowing. (with, of course, the exception of Emma and William, who belong to Buffy and Spike)
Summary: Set simultaneously with Abandoning the Cause. Spike leaves Buffy to try and help bring William back, but a new problem presents itself. Emma has a stand off with her captor and her powers begin to be realized. Spike discovers that his daughter is no longer with Dawn and the others.
Promises
She lay there limp in his arms. Exhausted and drugged and drained. Little fists pressed against his chest. But she was still, her face buried in his shirt. Her body finally ceasing to tremble in his arms. He could feel her breathe, the slight threadiness of tears unshed caught in her chest.
"You still with me, Love?" Spike whispered, kissing the top of her head. He could feel her nod a reply, but she didn't say a word. "Try to be strong. You're always strong. Have to be far too often. But we'll suss it out. Get him home. And we can rest, Pet."
Buffy's voice was barely a whisper. "Do you believe that, Spike? That we'll get him back?"
Spike pushed her away enough to look at her face. "Have to. Can't give up."
Her eyes were like shimmering emeralds beneath water, barely containing tears. "I'm so tired, Spike."
He smoothed her hair away from her face, letting his thumb trail over her cheek. "We always fight best when we're tired. Besides, you've another little person who needs you to be strong till we've got her brother home."
He paused, watching her fade into herself. "Once all's said and done, four of us can head out to the shore and watch the sea. Let Emma play a bit. Let you heal in the sunshine."
Buffy tried to smile. "Get sand between my toes."
"If we find some time alone, we can get sand in all sorts of unsavoury places, Love," he whispered slyly into her ear.
He felt her smile and her tears against his cheek. It was always a bit of both. "I want them with us," she said softly.
"They will be," Spike answered, nuzzling her ear. "Promise." His word. Something he was terrified he would one day have to break. But a promise he would die to keep.
"Can I see Emma?" Buffy asked softly. "I mean, I'm sure that William..."
"Best you can't go to him yet," Spike interrupted. "You need to rest. But if you'd like the Mite round, that I can arrange." He shifted, moving to pull himself from the bed.
"Please don't go." Her voice was full of fear and anguish.
Spike stopped in his tracks, his hands weaving though hers. "Love, last thing I want is to leave you. I need you now. I don't want to face this without you." He sighed, biting his lip, forcing himself back together. "But I need... I need to do something to help."
She stared at him, her face raw honesty. "He's going to die, isn't he?" She held back the roar. The anger. The torture. And waited for a response.
"Love, don't give up on him. Not now. Please." He could feel the sting of tears behind his eyes. "We have to believe. *I* have to believe. He's our son..."
Buffy nodded, her lips drawn together as if containing a sob.
"I promise you, I'll be back, alright? I'll send the Mite in to keep you company and I'll come back soon. But I have to try," Spike whispered, his voice edgy and desperate.
He could hear Buffy screaming 'Don't go!' in his head, but her lips remained closed. Pursed in an expression between torment and anger.
Slowly, Spike stood. "I love you, Buffy. Always."
Buffy looked up at him with tired, angry, sad eyes that broke the shattered remains of his heart. She didn't answer him. Just stared. Alone. Afraid.
It tore Spike's heart out to turn around. But he had made a promise. A promise he intended to keep.
*****
"Do you know who I am?" The woman asked as she buckled the baby into the back seat of the Jeep. She still wore Takina's skin. Takina's smile. Emma nodded her reply. "Your auntie Takina," the woman cooed, ruffling the girl's blonde locks and closing the door with a bang. Quickly, she trotted around the car, climbing into the driver's seat, starting the engine. She turned briefly, to check on her cargo.
"You're not," Emma said quietly, kicking her feet as they dangled over the edge of the car seat.
Takina stiffened, changing back into Sam's form before the child's eyes. She backed from the parking space, starting through the lot before she spoke again. "Smart one, are we?" Her tone oozed the sickly sweetness of those that put up with others only because they have to.
"You are *She*," Emma muttered, still staring at her fluttering feet.
"She, hunh?" Sam quipped, pulling out onto the road. "Silly name, isn't it?"
Emma looked up, staring the creature in the eye. "*She* is evil." Emma's eyes glowed unearthly white as she spoke. Sam shuddered, turning her face back towards the road.
"I'm not evil, silly," Sam answered, her tone uneven.
"You put Will'em in Forever," Emma continued. "I *see* you."
Sam's head spun and she almost crashed into a tree. The child's powers were growing faster than anticipated. "I did no such thing," Sam replied restlessly.
Emma sighed. "He will find right. He is us."
Finally, Sam snapped, eyes glowing red as she turned to face the girl. Emma stared back at her, her own eyes never wavering. The woman's voice was ancient, cracked, arid, when she spoke again. "Even if he does find the path, only you can release him. You will be dead."
Emma did not move. Did not blink. "One will win. You will end. I will find."
With that, the girl focused again on her kicking feet, her shoulders slumping. In an instant, she went from ageless to three again. Waiting patiently for fate to arrive.
*****
Spike looked exhausted as he emerged into the waiting room. Dawn and Willow looked up at him, wincing at his drawn face. His pained expression.
"She OK?" Willow asked, compassion shadowing her features.
Spike shrugged. "Don't really 'spect her to be."
"Are you?" The Red head asked. Spike shook his head, blinking. For an instant, he was no longer a century old Vampire. He was a lost child. His son.
Slowly, Dawn rose, walking to him, catching his gaze. He looked like porcelain a moment before it hits concrete. About to shatter into a million pieces. Dawn wrapped her arms around his neck, laying her head on his shoulder, hiding him from Willow. From the world. Letting it look like he was comforting her. All the while, his tears streamed into her hair and his sobs hitched against her chest.
"Can't do this, Nib," Spike whispered into her ear.
"Sure you can," Dawn replied quietly. "Not like we have a choice."
"Buffy." Spike gulped, swallowing the thought. "So angry. Blames me."
Dawn pulled back, looking at him with a confused and frustrated expression. 'It's not you, Spike. Never you again. It's good she's angry, though. It's when she's numb that we worry."
Spike nodded, pulling himself together. "Think she'd do better with the Mite back there." He looked about the room. "Where *is* Emma?"
Dawn furrowed her brow. "T...Takina came and said she was taking her back to you."
"Takina?" Spike asked, shaking his head. "She see Will?"
"She said he was resting." Dawn looked flustered, feeling the weight of the world closing in.
Willow spoke up. "Maybe she took Emma to see William first. I mean, Emma does have the whole bring people back vibe..."
Spike's eyes flashed to the redhead. "Did you see her?"
"No," Dawn interrupted. "She came while I was waiting for Willow."
"Right," Spike replied, cornered between rational thought and utter panic. "I'll go check upstairs. Someone needs to stay with Buffy."
"We'll go," Willow whispered, collecting the laptop and pulling the strap to her bag over her arm. "I'm .. I'm sure Emma's fine."
"Nothing's *fine*!" Spike snapped, sorry for the outburst as soon as it slipped from his lips. Willow nodded her understanding. "Just don't leave her. Not a minute. I'll be back."
Spike fled through the outer doors before either could respond. Dawn looked at Willow wide-eyed and terrified. Somewhere she knew. Somewhere they both knew that another child was lost.
*****
Giles jumped, startled, as Spike burst into the ICU waiting room. "Where's Takina?" The Vampire asked, stalking about the room and trying to peer around the blinds on the windows.
The Watcher stood. "She hasn't made it back yet. Xander is out looking for her. What's wrong?"
Spike stopped, spinning on a heel towards Giles. "She never came down here?"
"No," Giles answered. "Dr. Lawrence came back out to let us know that nothing had changed, but no sign of Takina." He paused a moment. "Spike, what's going on?"
The look on Spike's face could only be described as horror. "Emma," he whispered, eyes fluttering about the room, hoping she would just appear and it was all a big mistake.
Cyrus stood, approaching the pair. "Spike, what of Emma?"
Spike spun to face her Watcher. "Dawn was minding her while I talked to Buffy bout William. Said Takina came by and suggested that she take Emma back to Buffy."
"And Dawn let her go?" Cyrus asked.
"It was Takina, " Giles defended. "For goodness sake's Cyrus, she's known Emma since she was a week old. Dawn would have no reason not to trust her."
Spike looked back and forth between the two in panic. "She hasn't been here? You haven't seen Emma?"
Giles' eyes softened. He put a hand on Spike's shoulder. "No. She hasn't been here. But Spike, if she's with Takina, I'm sure she's fine."
"Gotta find her," Spike gushed, his body beginning to move nervously about. Hands clenching. Feet shuffling. "Buffy. Asking for her, Mate. Gotta find my girl."
"Spike, calm down," Giles reassured, trying to steady him, but he shook off the Watcher's grip.
"Calm down? Calm *down*?" Spike snapped, scanning the room, still waiting for the little girl to appear. "Will's trapped inside of himself and might never come back. Emma's missing. Buffy's laying up there in that bed counting on *me* to make it right again and *you* tell me to calm down? Bloody brilliant, Watcher. Why don't you just stay right here and look like you're helping out while I go find my girl and figure a way to save my son!"
Giles stared at him a moment, swallowing the venom in his words. Trying to separate the anger from the fear. "Spike, I've put in a call to the Council. They will call me as soon as they find something. Anya and Tara are trying to figure out a locator spell in case William's problems are of a mystical nature. Cyrus and I will help you look for Emma. It *is* possible that Takina just took the girl for something to eat or some fresh air. If not, then we will find her. But panic is not going to help. Alright?"
Spike stood stock still, trying to regroup his reeling mind. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes. "Three floors, right? I'll go back to Buffy's floor. Cyrus, you search this floor. Rupert, take the parking lot and first floor, alright?"
"Good," Giles answered. "I'll alert hospital security to keep an eye out for her as well."
Spike nodded. "She has on... orange pants. Little sunflower shirt. S'er favourite outfit." The tears fought with the anger and panic for control.
"We'll find her," Cyrus said, starting out the door.
"We have to," Spike responded, taking off towards the second floor.
*****
"Whoa!" An annoying, wholesome voice called as Spike flew through the stairway door into the second floor corridor. Riley jumped back away from the flying door. "Where's the fire?"
Spike spun, grabbing Riley by the throat and slamming him into the wall. "Where is she? You seen her?"
Riley's face slackened, looking at the Vampire curiously. "S...seen who?"
"My daughter, you idiot. Where is she?" Spike hissed.
Riley shook his head. "Dunno, Spike. Everything OK?"
Spike let him down and the soldier dropped back to his feet with a thud. "She's gone missing. Dawn said she gave her over to Takina."
"The doctor?" Riley asked, rubbing his throat and staring down at Spike.
"Right," Spike answered.
"Last I saw her, she was in the waiting room with Dawn and Willow. Then I left to call HQ. Wanted to see if they knew anything about William's condition.."
"You what?" Spike asked, about to go after Riley again. Just because he had *anything* to do with Spike's life.
"Whoa!" Riley erupted again, backing away. "Easy. Just trying to help."
Spike backed off, swallowing his pride. "What did they say?"
"Running it through the government database. They''ll call me back if there's a hit," Riley answered. "In the meantime, do you want some help looking for Emma? I mean, it is my job and all."
Spike's blood boiled at the idea that it could possibly be *anyone*'s job but his to look after his daughter. Bad enough having a Watcher breathing down their throats since she was an infant. But, truth be told, he could use the help.
"Fine," Spike hissed. "You find her, bring her straight to me. No bonding moments. No stopping for a bloody cola. Just bring her to me."
"Will do," Riley said smiling.
"Cyrus has third floor. Giles is downstairs..."
"Why don't I check the cafeteria and any of the secured areas. I do have clearance..." Riley suggested, flashing a badge that hung on his belt and was hidden by the oversized flannel shirt.
"Fine. Just... find her," Spike snapped, tearing off down the hall.
*****
"Buffy, talk to us," Dawn whispered, her voice nervous and shaky. "Please."
Buffy was silent, staring at the ceiling, her eyes teary and blank. Willow sat down on the bed opposite Dawn and took her best friend's hand. "Buffy, I'm sure that Takina just took Emma down for something to eat or for a walk. She's been cooped up inside all day."
Dawn looked over at Willow, terrified. Buffy didn't move. She hadn't since they had come back without Emma. They explained what had happened. That Takina had taken her. But Buffy hadn't bought it. Maybe because, when it came right down to it, neither Willow nor Dawn felt right about it either. Something was wrong. It wasn't like Takina to say she was going to do one thing and then do another, especially without telling anyone. The doctor was honest and kind and very courteous, especially when it came to her friends. Still, they had no real *reason* to believe anything was wrong. Just nagging doubt.
"Y...yeah," Dawn contributed. "Spike went to find her. She's probably just downstairs."
Buffy didn't move. Not even her gaze. As if she had crawled back inside herself and hid. If there was nothing she could do to help, then she wanted asylum from the nightmare. She wanted somewhere safe. But even locked inside herself, she could only feel desperation and loss and loneliness.
"It'll be alright, Buffy," Willow comforted. "Emma's fine. She's just getting fed or something. William is doing well, he's just dreaming some. That's not so bad. But Giles called the Council to see if they knew anything. And Tara and Anya are working on something in case there is some mystical aspect. Even Riley called his boss to see if the government database has anything on William's condition."
Buffy flinched at the sound of the soldier's name, almost coming out long enough to question Willow. But it wouldn't change anything. Wouldn't bring William back. Wouldn't find Emma. It wasn't worth the words.
Willow looked at Dawn a moment, a flash of something spreading across her face. "Dawnie, stay here for a minute with Buffy. I've got an idea." Dawn nodded, reaching up to brush Buffy's hair back from her still face.
*****
The nurse hovered over Buffy, taking her pulse. Gently, she changed the bandaging on Buffy's stomach, eyes flying open at the speed at which the incision was healing. "Do you think you can sit up a bit?" The nurse asked, turning towards her patient.
Buffy stared at the ceiling, no words escaping her lips. Her eyes were the only things that spoke. They screamed volumes about torture and pain and loss. But Buffy never said a word.
"Because if you*can*, I think you are well enough to go see your son. Of course, you'll have to go in a wheelchair.."
Suddenly, Buffy's head turned towards the nurse. "They'll let me see William?" She asked, her voice a harsh whisper.
The nurse nodded. "Not for long. And you need to know that he has a lot of machines hooked to him so we can monitor how he's doing, but if you'd like to see him, I think you're well enough to go up there."
"Please," Buffy gasped, choking back a sob. "Please let me."
The nurse reached behind her on one side, Willow on the other, and helped her upright. The pain coursed through her as the wound stretched beneath the bandages, but she didn't wince. She didn't want to lose the chance to see him. To know he was there.
"You OK?" Dawn asked as the nurse and Willow lowered her sister into the wheelchair.
Buffy nodded, scooting herself painfully upright in the chair. "Fine," she whispered. Dawn picked up a blanket and spread it lovingly over Buffy's lap.
"You can go the back way, up the patient elevators," the nurse directed, helping them out of the room. "Take the elevator one floor up. One of the ICU nurses will let you in through the staff entrance in back. Just ... I know you'll want to stay there all night, but she needs to be back here in a half an hour or so, OK?"
Willow looked over at the nurse. "Thank you," she answered, smiling. "We'll have her back in no time. But she needs this."
"I know," the nurse answered, loading the three of them in the elevator. "Keep an eye on her pulse and blood pressure for me."
"Will do," Willow called back. "Thanks."
The doors closed behind them.
To be contd.
And the angst rolls on. But, on the bright side, it will let up quite a bit with Saturday's chapter. Sorry if I haven't given you a cheery one in a while, but it *is* coming.
Please enjoy the chapter and let me know how you feel!
Happy Halloween!
*Cheery Vibes*, Nimue
"As sick as it sounds, in my little head, there's a little Sunnydale, and a widdle Buffy, and a widdle Spike, and Spike wubs Buffy." James Marsters 14 July 2002
Title: Promises (Time - Chapter Seventeen)
Author: Nimue
Rating: PG -13
Pairing Buffy/Spike. Most major characters included.
Feedback: Yes, please
For instant notification of fic releases, straight to your mailbox, please visit Always_Everyday@yahoogroups.com
Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, UPN, Fox... Just Borrowing. (with, of course, the exception of Emma and William, who belong to Buffy and Spike)
Summary: Set simultaneously with Abandoning the Cause. Spike leaves Buffy to try and help bring William back, but a new problem presents itself. Emma has a stand off with her captor and her powers begin to be realized. Spike discovers that his daughter is no longer with Dawn and the others.
Promises
She lay there limp in his arms. Exhausted and drugged and drained. Little fists pressed against his chest. But she was still, her face buried in his shirt. Her body finally ceasing to tremble in his arms. He could feel her breathe, the slight threadiness of tears unshed caught in her chest.
"You still with me, Love?" Spike whispered, kissing the top of her head. He could feel her nod a reply, but she didn't say a word. "Try to be strong. You're always strong. Have to be far too often. But we'll suss it out. Get him home. And we can rest, Pet."
Buffy's voice was barely a whisper. "Do you believe that, Spike? That we'll get him back?"
Spike pushed her away enough to look at her face. "Have to. Can't give up."
Her eyes were like shimmering emeralds beneath water, barely containing tears. "I'm so tired, Spike."
He smoothed her hair away from her face, letting his thumb trail over her cheek. "We always fight best when we're tired. Besides, you've another little person who needs you to be strong till we've got her brother home."
He paused, watching her fade into herself. "Once all's said and done, four of us can head out to the shore and watch the sea. Let Emma play a bit. Let you heal in the sunshine."
Buffy tried to smile. "Get sand between my toes."
"If we find some time alone, we can get sand in all sorts of unsavoury places, Love," he whispered slyly into her ear.
He felt her smile and her tears against his cheek. It was always a bit of both. "I want them with us," she said softly.
"They will be," Spike answered, nuzzling her ear. "Promise." His word. Something he was terrified he would one day have to break. But a promise he would die to keep.
"Can I see Emma?" Buffy asked softly. "I mean, I'm sure that William..."
"Best you can't go to him yet," Spike interrupted. "You need to rest. But if you'd like the Mite round, that I can arrange." He shifted, moving to pull himself from the bed.
"Please don't go." Her voice was full of fear and anguish.
Spike stopped in his tracks, his hands weaving though hers. "Love, last thing I want is to leave you. I need you now. I don't want to face this without you." He sighed, biting his lip, forcing himself back together. "But I need... I need to do something to help."
She stared at him, her face raw honesty. "He's going to die, isn't he?" She held back the roar. The anger. The torture. And waited for a response.
"Love, don't give up on him. Not now. Please." He could feel the sting of tears behind his eyes. "We have to believe. *I* have to believe. He's our son..."
Buffy nodded, her lips drawn together as if containing a sob.
"I promise you, I'll be back, alright? I'll send the Mite in to keep you company and I'll come back soon. But I have to try," Spike whispered, his voice edgy and desperate.
He could hear Buffy screaming 'Don't go!' in his head, but her lips remained closed. Pursed in an expression between torment and anger.
Slowly, Spike stood. "I love you, Buffy. Always."
Buffy looked up at him with tired, angry, sad eyes that broke the shattered remains of his heart. She didn't answer him. Just stared. Alone. Afraid.
It tore Spike's heart out to turn around. But he had made a promise. A promise he intended to keep.
*****
"Do you know who I am?" The woman asked as she buckled the baby into the back seat of the Jeep. She still wore Takina's skin. Takina's smile. Emma nodded her reply. "Your auntie Takina," the woman cooed, ruffling the girl's blonde locks and closing the door with a bang. Quickly, she trotted around the car, climbing into the driver's seat, starting the engine. She turned briefly, to check on her cargo.
"You're not," Emma said quietly, kicking her feet as they dangled over the edge of the car seat.
Takina stiffened, changing back into Sam's form before the child's eyes. She backed from the parking space, starting through the lot before she spoke again. "Smart one, are we?" Her tone oozed the sickly sweetness of those that put up with others only because they have to.
"You are *She*," Emma muttered, still staring at her fluttering feet.
"She, hunh?" Sam quipped, pulling out onto the road. "Silly name, isn't it?"
Emma looked up, staring the creature in the eye. "*She* is evil." Emma's eyes glowed unearthly white as she spoke. Sam shuddered, turning her face back towards the road.
"I'm not evil, silly," Sam answered, her tone uneven.
"You put Will'em in Forever," Emma continued. "I *see* you."
Sam's head spun and she almost crashed into a tree. The child's powers were growing faster than anticipated. "I did no such thing," Sam replied restlessly.
Emma sighed. "He will find right. He is us."
Finally, Sam snapped, eyes glowing red as she turned to face the girl. Emma stared back at her, her own eyes never wavering. The woman's voice was ancient, cracked, arid, when she spoke again. "Even if he does find the path, only you can release him. You will be dead."
Emma did not move. Did not blink. "One will win. You will end. I will find."
With that, the girl focused again on her kicking feet, her shoulders slumping. In an instant, she went from ageless to three again. Waiting patiently for fate to arrive.
*****
Spike looked exhausted as he emerged into the waiting room. Dawn and Willow looked up at him, wincing at his drawn face. His pained expression.
"She OK?" Willow asked, compassion shadowing her features.
Spike shrugged. "Don't really 'spect her to be."
"Are you?" The Red head asked. Spike shook his head, blinking. For an instant, he was no longer a century old Vampire. He was a lost child. His son.
Slowly, Dawn rose, walking to him, catching his gaze. He looked like porcelain a moment before it hits concrete. About to shatter into a million pieces. Dawn wrapped her arms around his neck, laying her head on his shoulder, hiding him from Willow. From the world. Letting it look like he was comforting her. All the while, his tears streamed into her hair and his sobs hitched against her chest.
"Can't do this, Nib," Spike whispered into her ear.
"Sure you can," Dawn replied quietly. "Not like we have a choice."
"Buffy." Spike gulped, swallowing the thought. "So angry. Blames me."
Dawn pulled back, looking at him with a confused and frustrated expression. 'It's not you, Spike. Never you again. It's good she's angry, though. It's when she's numb that we worry."
Spike nodded, pulling himself together. "Think she'd do better with the Mite back there." He looked about the room. "Where *is* Emma?"
Dawn furrowed her brow. "T...Takina came and said she was taking her back to you."
"Takina?" Spike asked, shaking his head. "She see Will?"
"She said he was resting." Dawn looked flustered, feeling the weight of the world closing in.
Willow spoke up. "Maybe she took Emma to see William first. I mean, Emma does have the whole bring people back vibe..."
Spike's eyes flashed to the redhead. "Did you see her?"
"No," Dawn interrupted. "She came while I was waiting for Willow."
"Right," Spike replied, cornered between rational thought and utter panic. "I'll go check upstairs. Someone needs to stay with Buffy."
"We'll go," Willow whispered, collecting the laptop and pulling the strap to her bag over her arm. "I'm .. I'm sure Emma's fine."
"Nothing's *fine*!" Spike snapped, sorry for the outburst as soon as it slipped from his lips. Willow nodded her understanding. "Just don't leave her. Not a minute. I'll be back."
Spike fled through the outer doors before either could respond. Dawn looked at Willow wide-eyed and terrified. Somewhere she knew. Somewhere they both knew that another child was lost.
*****
Giles jumped, startled, as Spike burst into the ICU waiting room. "Where's Takina?" The Vampire asked, stalking about the room and trying to peer around the blinds on the windows.
The Watcher stood. "She hasn't made it back yet. Xander is out looking for her. What's wrong?"
Spike stopped, spinning on a heel towards Giles. "She never came down here?"
"No," Giles answered. "Dr. Lawrence came back out to let us know that nothing had changed, but no sign of Takina." He paused a moment. "Spike, what's going on?"
The look on Spike's face could only be described as horror. "Emma," he whispered, eyes fluttering about the room, hoping she would just appear and it was all a big mistake.
Cyrus stood, approaching the pair. "Spike, what of Emma?"
Spike spun to face her Watcher. "Dawn was minding her while I talked to Buffy bout William. Said Takina came by and suggested that she take Emma back to Buffy."
"And Dawn let her go?" Cyrus asked.
"It was Takina, " Giles defended. "For goodness sake's Cyrus, she's known Emma since she was a week old. Dawn would have no reason not to trust her."
Spike looked back and forth between the two in panic. "She hasn't been here? You haven't seen Emma?"
Giles' eyes softened. He put a hand on Spike's shoulder. "No. She hasn't been here. But Spike, if she's with Takina, I'm sure she's fine."
"Gotta find her," Spike gushed, his body beginning to move nervously about. Hands clenching. Feet shuffling. "Buffy. Asking for her, Mate. Gotta find my girl."
"Spike, calm down," Giles reassured, trying to steady him, but he shook off the Watcher's grip.
"Calm down? Calm *down*?" Spike snapped, scanning the room, still waiting for the little girl to appear. "Will's trapped inside of himself and might never come back. Emma's missing. Buffy's laying up there in that bed counting on *me* to make it right again and *you* tell me to calm down? Bloody brilliant, Watcher. Why don't you just stay right here and look like you're helping out while I go find my girl and figure a way to save my son!"
Giles stared at him a moment, swallowing the venom in his words. Trying to separate the anger from the fear. "Spike, I've put in a call to the Council. They will call me as soon as they find something. Anya and Tara are trying to figure out a locator spell in case William's problems are of a mystical nature. Cyrus and I will help you look for Emma. It *is* possible that Takina just took the girl for something to eat or some fresh air. If not, then we will find her. But panic is not going to help. Alright?"
Spike stood stock still, trying to regroup his reeling mind. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes. "Three floors, right? I'll go back to Buffy's floor. Cyrus, you search this floor. Rupert, take the parking lot and first floor, alright?"
"Good," Giles answered. "I'll alert hospital security to keep an eye out for her as well."
Spike nodded. "She has on... orange pants. Little sunflower shirt. S'er favourite outfit." The tears fought with the anger and panic for control.
"We'll find her," Cyrus said, starting out the door.
"We have to," Spike responded, taking off towards the second floor.
*****
"Whoa!" An annoying, wholesome voice called as Spike flew through the stairway door into the second floor corridor. Riley jumped back away from the flying door. "Where's the fire?"
Spike spun, grabbing Riley by the throat and slamming him into the wall. "Where is she? You seen her?"
Riley's face slackened, looking at the Vampire curiously. "S...seen who?"
"My daughter, you idiot. Where is she?" Spike hissed.
Riley shook his head. "Dunno, Spike. Everything OK?"
Spike let him down and the soldier dropped back to his feet with a thud. "She's gone missing. Dawn said she gave her over to Takina."
"The doctor?" Riley asked, rubbing his throat and staring down at Spike.
"Right," Spike answered.
"Last I saw her, she was in the waiting room with Dawn and Willow. Then I left to call HQ. Wanted to see if they knew anything about William's condition.."
"You what?" Spike asked, about to go after Riley again. Just because he had *anything* to do with Spike's life.
"Whoa!" Riley erupted again, backing away. "Easy. Just trying to help."
Spike backed off, swallowing his pride. "What did they say?"
"Running it through the government database. They''ll call me back if there's a hit," Riley answered. "In the meantime, do you want some help looking for Emma? I mean, it is my job and all."
Spike's blood boiled at the idea that it could possibly be *anyone*'s job but his to look after his daughter. Bad enough having a Watcher breathing down their throats since she was an infant. But, truth be told, he could use the help.
"Fine," Spike hissed. "You find her, bring her straight to me. No bonding moments. No stopping for a bloody cola. Just bring her to me."
"Will do," Riley said smiling.
"Cyrus has third floor. Giles is downstairs..."
"Why don't I check the cafeteria and any of the secured areas. I do have clearance..." Riley suggested, flashing a badge that hung on his belt and was hidden by the oversized flannel shirt.
"Fine. Just... find her," Spike snapped, tearing off down the hall.
*****
"Buffy, talk to us," Dawn whispered, her voice nervous and shaky. "Please."
Buffy was silent, staring at the ceiling, her eyes teary and blank. Willow sat down on the bed opposite Dawn and took her best friend's hand. "Buffy, I'm sure that Takina just took Emma down for something to eat or for a walk. She's been cooped up inside all day."
Dawn looked over at Willow, terrified. Buffy didn't move. She hadn't since they had come back without Emma. They explained what had happened. That Takina had taken her. But Buffy hadn't bought it. Maybe because, when it came right down to it, neither Willow nor Dawn felt right about it either. Something was wrong. It wasn't like Takina to say she was going to do one thing and then do another, especially without telling anyone. The doctor was honest and kind and very courteous, especially when it came to her friends. Still, they had no real *reason* to believe anything was wrong. Just nagging doubt.
"Y...yeah," Dawn contributed. "Spike went to find her. She's probably just downstairs."
Buffy didn't move. Not even her gaze. As if she had crawled back inside herself and hid. If there was nothing she could do to help, then she wanted asylum from the nightmare. She wanted somewhere safe. But even locked inside herself, she could only feel desperation and loss and loneliness.
"It'll be alright, Buffy," Willow comforted. "Emma's fine. She's just getting fed or something. William is doing well, he's just dreaming some. That's not so bad. But Giles called the Council to see if they knew anything. And Tara and Anya are working on something in case there is some mystical aspect. Even Riley called his boss to see if the government database has anything on William's condition."
Buffy flinched at the sound of the soldier's name, almost coming out long enough to question Willow. But it wouldn't change anything. Wouldn't bring William back. Wouldn't find Emma. It wasn't worth the words.
Willow looked at Dawn a moment, a flash of something spreading across her face. "Dawnie, stay here for a minute with Buffy. I've got an idea." Dawn nodded, reaching up to brush Buffy's hair back from her still face.
*****
The nurse hovered over Buffy, taking her pulse. Gently, she changed the bandaging on Buffy's stomach, eyes flying open at the speed at which the incision was healing. "Do you think you can sit up a bit?" The nurse asked, turning towards her patient.
Buffy stared at the ceiling, no words escaping her lips. Her eyes were the only things that spoke. They screamed volumes about torture and pain and loss. But Buffy never said a word.
"Because if you*can*, I think you are well enough to go see your son. Of course, you'll have to go in a wheelchair.."
Suddenly, Buffy's head turned towards the nurse. "They'll let me see William?" She asked, her voice a harsh whisper.
The nurse nodded. "Not for long. And you need to know that he has a lot of machines hooked to him so we can monitor how he's doing, but if you'd like to see him, I think you're well enough to go up there."
"Please," Buffy gasped, choking back a sob. "Please let me."
The nurse reached behind her on one side, Willow on the other, and helped her upright. The pain coursed through her as the wound stretched beneath the bandages, but she didn't wince. She didn't want to lose the chance to see him. To know he was there.
"You OK?" Dawn asked as the nurse and Willow lowered her sister into the wheelchair.
Buffy nodded, scooting herself painfully upright in the chair. "Fine," she whispered. Dawn picked up a blanket and spread it lovingly over Buffy's lap.
"You can go the back way, up the patient elevators," the nurse directed, helping them out of the room. "Take the elevator one floor up. One of the ICU nurses will let you in through the staff entrance in back. Just ... I know you'll want to stay there all night, but she needs to be back here in a half an hour or so, OK?"
Willow looked over at the nurse. "Thank you," she answered, smiling. "We'll have her back in no time. But she needs this."
"I know," the nurse answered, loading the three of them in the elevator. "Keep an eye on her pulse and blood pressure for me."
"Will do," Willow called back. "Thanks."
The doors closed behind them.
To be contd.