A/N: Okay, this is a super short chapter, but I may not be able to upload for awhile so I figured I'd post it. Thanks to everyone who has reviewed, I LOVE YOU!!

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Everything in the room seemed to freeze. Hope remained half standing, her eyes wide in fear as she leaned one hand against the wall for support; Willow and Dawn remained in the doorway, slack jawed, wide eyed, lacking words; and Spike and Buffy remained absolutely still, eyes locked. Buffy would have fallen to the ground had it not been for the metal bar thrust through her stomach and out her back.

"Spike…" The Slayer's voice came out in a strangled whisper as her eyes began to gloss over and her knees gave out, leaving her gripping the bar protruding from her stomach like it was her last ties to this earth.

Spike's eyes remained locked with hers, confused. It was as if he had no comprehension of what was going on. "Buffy?" He questioned softly, following her eyes downward as they drifted closed. That's when he saw the metal bar, the blood, and his hands. He had done this. It was like a slap in the face. "Oh God…" He panicked, backing quickly away and jerking the bar from the Slayer's middle as he did so. They both fell to the ground, Spike dropping his weapon and sliding to his knees, his hands clutching at the sides of his skull, and Buffy unconscious.

Hope could feel her eyes welling up as she watched the scene play out in front of her. Buffy was lying on the ground, half dead, and Spike was sitting a few feet away, rocking back and forth as he cried. He was crying. He was himself again. It took all she had in her not to run across the room and envelope him in a hug, but it would have to wait. Buffy needed help, and soon.

Pushing away from the wall, she stumbled over to the Slayer and fell to her knees beside her. The movement seemed to have waken Dawn and Willow from their daze, as they both quickly made their way over to the fallen Slayer's side. Hope had brushed her matted hair from her face and placed her ear near her mouth, listening to her breath. Her other hand was over her stomach, blood oozing from between her fingers. "We need to get her out of here…"

"Oh God…" Was all Dawn could manage, her wide eyes scanning over her sister's mangled form.

Willow opened and closed her mouth a few times, struggling to find words. "Uh… the hospital… it's about six blocks away…we need to call an ambulance…" She managed, her voice coming out in small squeaks.

Hope felt her stomach fall. There was no time to call an ambulance, besides, where did they plan on getting a phone? She felt her eyes drift shut, tears slipping between them. She didn't know what to do. She was fourteen years old, trying to keep someone her best friend had just attacked form bleeding to death.

"…I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry…"

For a moment, they all forgot about the dying Slayer as they turned to Spike. He was clutching at his hair, progressively getting louder as he rocked back and forth. Hope shook her head, trying to ignore him. She turned her gaze back to Willow and Dawn, who were watching him intently. "Willow, the house isn't too far from here. Run back, get your car and get back here. Dawn, get out of here and try to find a phone. Call for an ambulance. If Willow gets back first she'll take her to the hospital, meet us there."

"Uh, right, car…" Willow muttered, climbing to her feet. Dawn didn't move.

"Dawn!"

The brunette jumped when Hope snapped at her. She closed her eyes and climbed to her feet. "Yeah, phone…"

"Hurry…" The blonde added, watching as the two girls disappeared back out into the storm. She readjusted her hold on Buffy, resting the Slayer's head on her leg as she continued to hold her hand over the wound in her stomach. It wasn't helping. Blood continued to seep between her fingers. She suddenly regretted discarding her sweatshirt, at least that would have stopped the blood flow a bit better than her hand. Her eyes went back over to Spike, who was still muttering to himself. "Spike?"

"…Oh God, Buffy. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to. Oh God, Oh God…"

Hope scowled. "Spike, you sorry piece of shit, shut the hell up and help me!"

He shut up and stopped rocking, slowly pulling his hands from his head and peering over at her.

Her face softened a bit when she saw his red eyes and the tears scorching down his face. She swallowed before continuing softly. "I need your shirt, Spike. We have to stop the bleeding…"

He continued to stare at her for a moment, then down at Buffy. He clenched his eyes back shut quickly, turning his head away. There was so much blood.

"Spike…" Hope prompted, trying to regain his attention. She sighed in relief as he slowly stood, pulling the sleeves of his jackets from his arms. But then, to her surprise, he didn't take his shirt off. Instead he stalked over, knelt down, and pulled Buffy from her grasp. "What are you…"

"She needs a doctor." He said simply, wrapping his jacket around her limp for and hefting her into his arms.

"Dawn went to call an ambulance." Hope stated, standing back up as he did. "And if that doesn't work Willow went to get the car."

"No time." He stated, adjusting his hold on the girl as he stalked towards the door.

"Spike." Hope jogged after him, stopping when he stopped inside the door. She drew in a long breath before looking up at him. "Hurry."

TBC…