"Hello, Mr. Spikely." Nurse Sherry came into the room, "How are you feeling this morning?"
"Alright I suppose." Spike sat up on the edge of the bed as the nurse pulled fresh bedding from the small closet.
I'm going to change your sheets now, okay?" She smiled at him as he moved to the chair. "This isn't any of my business, I know. But I couldn't help but notice your hair."
"My hair?" He raised his hand to head.
"Yes sir, I know you can't see it, no mirrors in here. But ...um...you bleach it right?"
She fluffed the pillow as she put a new case on it.
"Yes.....roots, my roots are bad? I know the hair is grown quite a bit." He frowned, would have been nice if someone had told him before.
"Well, yes. But my sister Sunni, she could come in and fix that for you. She's just finished beauticians school and I know she could do your roots for you. She does my hair." Sherry smiled as she touched her soft curls.
"It's a lovely do, when can she come in?" Spike asked with a smile.
"I'll call her later, bet she could do it tonight when she leaves the shop." Sherry finished the bed and turned to leave.
"Thanks." Spike called after her.
"Your welcome." Sherry replied, "Dr. Dawson will be in shortly to see you."
"The doctor that Dr. Lavery mentioned?"
"Yes, he and Dr. Lavery alternate call time. I'll see you later." Sherry waved as she left the room.
A short time later there was a knock on the door and a middle aged man with salt and pepper hair stepped into the room, "Mr. Spikely, I'm Dr. Dawson." He extended his hand to Spike who grasped it in a firm shake. "Dana...Dr. Lavery has filled me in on your special case."
Spike nodded at him, "Everything?"
"Yes, everything." Dr. Dawson nodded.
"And you beleived her?"
"Dana had an experience in LA that made her believe in lots of strange things, but me, hey I'm from Sunnydale and even though most people here turn their head - I've learned to accept just about anything." Dr. Dawson grinned, "So you're story - not so hard to believe. Dana is your primary doctor but I did want to introduce myself and if I can help in anyway, let me know." Spike watched as the doctor left the room, couldn't put his finger on it but there was something about the man that didn't sit well with him.
Dr. Dawson went back to his office nodding at Dana as he met her in the hallway. She may trust her vampire, but he didn't, tonight when he was on call, the so called Mr. Spikely would be in restraints. Dana didn't know what a valuable specimen she had here, but he did not plan on letting this opportunity pass.
Dr. Lavery soon entered the room, "Up for an early round of chess, ready to finish that game?" She asked as she handed him a warm mug.
"Actually I've been thinking, that it really is time for me to go." He sighed.
"Oh...so last night, I hit too close to home. Best to run away instead of face it?" She stood beside the dresser looking at the chess game.
"No... well..." Spike shook his head trying to come up with an argument.
"Anyway Buffy really wants you to stay a bit and she is bringing Dawn tonight." Dana turned towards Spike, "And Sherry says her sister is coming to do your hair." She smiled at him.
"Oh yeah. Guess I better stick around at that." He ran his hands through the unruly curls.
"So, shall we talk or play?" She pulled the other chair next to his.
"Rather play later if I can't sleep tonight." Spike ran his hands over his face, "Guess we'll talk."
"Good. Now where were we last night?" Oh...right here." She pulled out the notebook.
"Buffy...I think we were discussing your using your instability as an excuse to not have to actually deal honestly with her."
"Yeah.." Spike frowned, "I think that's where we were."
"Does everything depend on her acceptance of you?" Dana asked her expression serious.
"Well.....I want her approval that's true. Doesn't seem like there is much reason to go through all of this if she hates me." He was quiet for a moment, "You don't think she'll ever really care for me? His words were soft and vulnerable.
" I think your getting better, it needs to be for you first." Dana smiled at him and patted his arm, "As for Buffy, I think she's never really had a great romantic experience from the little bit she told me. Everyone she loves seems to leave her."
Spike thought about her words, "I guess I've never thought I was worth getting better for."
"You are." Dana smiled again.
He squirmed in the chair uncomfortably, "Buffy has rotten luck cause she always chooses the wrong bloke."
"Except you?" Dana questioned.
"Well, I wanted to think I was the right one. But let's face it our relationship as it was - was not about romance, as much as I wanted it to be. It was about raw emotions, Buffy needed to feel, I helped with that. And then......after I'd done my best to show her that "I" was the only one for her....I betrayed her too. I'd take back that night in a second if I could."
"Even though it pushed you into your 'soul search'?" Dana was writing in her notebook again, "I mean I have to say despite everything that's happened I think you're in a much better position with Buffy then you were before."
"Suppose so." He nodded.
"So do you think it's possible for you to go on strictly for 'you'?"
"I think I might be ready to try." Spike gave her a half smile.
'Good enough for now. I'll talk to you later." Dana stood and smiled as she left the room.
Spike ventured out into the tv room and was delighted to find an older lady there watching Passions. They spent the next two hours discussing the show and it's plots. The conversation brought back the memory of Joyce discussing the show as they sat in his crypt together.
"Oh, there you are, Mr. Spikely." Sherry entered the lounge.
"Just Spike." He answered.
"Okay, Spike. My sister got off early and she's come to do your hair if that's okay." The nurse took him back to his room where a girl with the same soft curls stood holding various grooming implements and bleach. "This is Sunni."
"Nice to meet you." Sunni held out her free hand, "Sherry said you needed some hair help."
"I appreciate the help." He smiled at the girl and she beamed.
"Lets go in the bathroom and get started." She led him to the small room.
An hour later he emerged with a trim and and no roots. "I left it a little long cause I liked the curls." Sunni giggled as Sherry surveyed her work.
"I like it." Sherry told him, "If you want you can run down to the shower room and look in the mirror there."
"I trust you. I'll look later." Spike smiled at the women, "Thanks."
"No problem. Here's my card." Sunni flashed a grin at him as she and Sherry walked out.
Spike smiled to himself as he heard the younger sister say, "You were right, he's cute!"
****
"You ready?" Buffy called upstairs to once more, "This is just Spike not the Miss America pageant, he doesn't care what you wear."
Dawn frowned as she entered the living room, "I haven't seen him for awhile, I wanted to look right."
"You look fine. Let's go."
The sisters arrived at the clinic with a bag of goodies for Spike. Dawn had insisted on bringing some spicy wings for him to snack on along with his usual liquid nourishment. He could smell them as soon as the girls hit the hallway to his room, he stood up and went to his door to investigate. He was soon attacked by Dawn as she launched herself at him embracing him in a tight hug, "Spike!!" She squealed as he picked her up and twirled her around.
"Niblet!" He replied just as enthusiatically.
Buffy shook her head and laughed at the site of Spike, who was thankfully wearing boxers, his gown flowing behind him as she twirled Dawn who appeared to be all legs and flowing hair. "If you sit her down, you can have what's in the bag."
She waved the bag in front of him.
"Ah...is that really wings?" He asked gently setting Dawn down on her feet.
"Yes, you can thank Dawn for them." She handed him the bag with a large smile.
Spike took the bag and sat down on the edge of the bed pulling the table in front of him. He opened the bag slowly,
enjoying the aroma.
"Just open them Spike!" Dawn told impatiently.
"Just wanted to savor the scent, been a while since I've had these." He fully opened the bag then and removed
a wing, he bit into it and closed his eyes, "Mmmm delicious."
"Told Buffy you'd like them." Dawn smirked at her sister as Spike dove wholeheartedly into the wings.
"Those were wonderful!" He sighed when he finished.
"Wait a minute, you've got a bit of sauce on your chin." Buffy leaned over and using a tissue scrubbed at his chin, she then ran her hand through his hair, "And the hair! I like it."
Dawn watched her sister carefully, was she actually seeing Buffy be caring towards Spike?
"Sherry, the nurse, her sister Sunni came in and did it for me. Bit longer then usual, but it's okay?" He asked
suddenly worried about it.
"Yeah, it looks really good." Dawn assured him as he watched Spike watch Buffy.
"I like it a little longer." Buffy smiled at him.
"So, Niblet how are you?" Spike turned his attention towards the younger Summer's girl.
"I'm great. School's started and we're in the new school, " Dawn paused, "But I guess you knew that, huh?"
"Yeah, it's okay?" Spike smiled, "Made any new friends? Maybe someone to replace Janice, she seems to steer you towards trouble."
Dawn rolled her eyes at him, "Yes as a matter of fact, I've met some new people, unfortunately we were being terrorized at the time."
"Good ole' Sunnydale High." Buffy shook her head.
Dawn and Spike talked a bit longer and she promised to come back to visit as soon as Buffy would let her. "Soon, I promise." Buffy told her as they stood to leave. She put her hand on Spike's, "I'll be back tomorrow."
"Thanks for letting her come." Spike told her as they turned to leave.
"No problem, see you soon." Buffy and Dawn waved as they left the room.
"Buffy." Dana called when she saw her leaving Spike's room.
"Yes?" Buffy answered.
"Just wanted to say hello. Let you know that I think we are making real progress with Spike. I would like to talk to you some more when you can." Dana turned to Dawn, "You must be Dawn?"
"Yes, that's me." Dawn smiled.
" This is Dr. Lavery." Buffy introduced Dana.
"It's nice to meet you, Dawn. Spike talks alot about you, he thinks alot of you." Dana shook Dawn's hand, "I guess I better go check on the patient. Buffy, I'll talk to you soon?"
"Sure." Buffy nodded.
"The doctor seems nice, and she's pretty too." Dawn commented as they walked out of the clinic.
'Yes she is nice, and I guess she is pretty, I really hadn't noticed." Buffy replied with a slight frown.
****
"Spike, ready to finish the game?"
"Sure, Doc." He answered as he watched her bring the board over and set it on the table between them.
" Why don't you call me Dana?" She smiled, "Did you think about our conversation from earlier, about getting well for you?" She asked as she moved her chess piece.
"Yeah, some. I think you're probably right, need to do it for me and then worry about the whole Buffy thing. But it's not that easy." He contemplated a moment before moving his next piece.
"I met Dawn, she seems sweet."
"Yeah, Niblet is a great girl. Been through a lot, been my friend when no one else was." Spike nodded.
The rest of the conversation was mostly Dawn stories from the summer without Buffy. He told Dana of how they
would sneak out and go for walks when she needed to talk or when she wanted ice cream at one a.m., he would go get it for her. How mostly he had been there when she cried about missing her sister, mostly because he missed her too.
The game finished and Dana yawned, "Time for me to go, Dr. Dawson will be here tonight if you need anything. Goodnight, Spike."
"Goodnight, Dana." He called out as she closed the door.
Dr. Dawson watched as Dana walked to her car. When she was safely out of the parking lot, he called George an aid to meet him in Spike's room. "Mr. Spikely?" Dr. Dawson called out as he turned on Spike's light.
"Yes?" Spike sat up in the bed.
Dr. Dawson nodded towards the large aid, "George, the restraints, please?"
TBC
"Alright I suppose." Spike sat up on the edge of the bed as the nurse pulled fresh bedding from the small closet.
I'm going to change your sheets now, okay?" She smiled at him as he moved to the chair. "This isn't any of my business, I know. But I couldn't help but notice your hair."
"My hair?" He raised his hand to head.
"Yes sir, I know you can't see it, no mirrors in here. But ...um...you bleach it right?"
She fluffed the pillow as she put a new case on it.
"Yes.....roots, my roots are bad? I know the hair is grown quite a bit." He frowned, would have been nice if someone had told him before.
"Well, yes. But my sister Sunni, she could come in and fix that for you. She's just finished beauticians school and I know she could do your roots for you. She does my hair." Sherry smiled as she touched her soft curls.
"It's a lovely do, when can she come in?" Spike asked with a smile.
"I'll call her later, bet she could do it tonight when she leaves the shop." Sherry finished the bed and turned to leave.
"Thanks." Spike called after her.
"Your welcome." Sherry replied, "Dr. Dawson will be in shortly to see you."
"The doctor that Dr. Lavery mentioned?"
"Yes, he and Dr. Lavery alternate call time. I'll see you later." Sherry waved as she left the room.
A short time later there was a knock on the door and a middle aged man with salt and pepper hair stepped into the room, "Mr. Spikely, I'm Dr. Dawson." He extended his hand to Spike who grasped it in a firm shake. "Dana...Dr. Lavery has filled me in on your special case."
Spike nodded at him, "Everything?"
"Yes, everything." Dr. Dawson nodded.
"And you beleived her?"
"Dana had an experience in LA that made her believe in lots of strange things, but me, hey I'm from Sunnydale and even though most people here turn their head - I've learned to accept just about anything." Dr. Dawson grinned, "So you're story - not so hard to believe. Dana is your primary doctor but I did want to introduce myself and if I can help in anyway, let me know." Spike watched as the doctor left the room, couldn't put his finger on it but there was something about the man that didn't sit well with him.
Dr. Dawson went back to his office nodding at Dana as he met her in the hallway. She may trust her vampire, but he didn't, tonight when he was on call, the so called Mr. Spikely would be in restraints. Dana didn't know what a valuable specimen she had here, but he did not plan on letting this opportunity pass.
Dr. Lavery soon entered the room, "Up for an early round of chess, ready to finish that game?" She asked as she handed him a warm mug.
"Actually I've been thinking, that it really is time for me to go." He sighed.
"Oh...so last night, I hit too close to home. Best to run away instead of face it?" She stood beside the dresser looking at the chess game.
"No... well..." Spike shook his head trying to come up with an argument.
"Anyway Buffy really wants you to stay a bit and she is bringing Dawn tonight." Dana turned towards Spike, "And Sherry says her sister is coming to do your hair." She smiled at him.
"Oh yeah. Guess I better stick around at that." He ran his hands through the unruly curls.
"So, shall we talk or play?" She pulled the other chair next to his.
"Rather play later if I can't sleep tonight." Spike ran his hands over his face, "Guess we'll talk."
"Good. Now where were we last night?" Oh...right here." She pulled out the notebook.
"Buffy...I think we were discussing your using your instability as an excuse to not have to actually deal honestly with her."
"Yeah.." Spike frowned, "I think that's where we were."
"Does everything depend on her acceptance of you?" Dana asked her expression serious.
"Well.....I want her approval that's true. Doesn't seem like there is much reason to go through all of this if she hates me." He was quiet for a moment, "You don't think she'll ever really care for me? His words were soft and vulnerable.
" I think your getting better, it needs to be for you first." Dana smiled at him and patted his arm, "As for Buffy, I think she's never really had a great romantic experience from the little bit she told me. Everyone she loves seems to leave her."
Spike thought about her words, "I guess I've never thought I was worth getting better for."
"You are." Dana smiled again.
He squirmed in the chair uncomfortably, "Buffy has rotten luck cause she always chooses the wrong bloke."
"Except you?" Dana questioned.
"Well, I wanted to think I was the right one. But let's face it our relationship as it was - was not about romance, as much as I wanted it to be. It was about raw emotions, Buffy needed to feel, I helped with that. And then......after I'd done my best to show her that "I" was the only one for her....I betrayed her too. I'd take back that night in a second if I could."
"Even though it pushed you into your 'soul search'?" Dana was writing in her notebook again, "I mean I have to say despite everything that's happened I think you're in a much better position with Buffy then you were before."
"Suppose so." He nodded.
"So do you think it's possible for you to go on strictly for 'you'?"
"I think I might be ready to try." Spike gave her a half smile.
'Good enough for now. I'll talk to you later." Dana stood and smiled as she left the room.
Spike ventured out into the tv room and was delighted to find an older lady there watching Passions. They spent the next two hours discussing the show and it's plots. The conversation brought back the memory of Joyce discussing the show as they sat in his crypt together.
"Oh, there you are, Mr. Spikely." Sherry entered the lounge.
"Just Spike." He answered.
"Okay, Spike. My sister got off early and she's come to do your hair if that's okay." The nurse took him back to his room where a girl with the same soft curls stood holding various grooming implements and bleach. "This is Sunni."
"Nice to meet you." Sunni held out her free hand, "Sherry said you needed some hair help."
"I appreciate the help." He smiled at the girl and she beamed.
"Lets go in the bathroom and get started." She led him to the small room.
An hour later he emerged with a trim and and no roots. "I left it a little long cause I liked the curls." Sunni giggled as Sherry surveyed her work.
"I like it." Sherry told him, "If you want you can run down to the shower room and look in the mirror there."
"I trust you. I'll look later." Spike smiled at the women, "Thanks."
"No problem. Here's my card." Sunni flashed a grin at him as she and Sherry walked out.
Spike smiled to himself as he heard the younger sister say, "You were right, he's cute!"
****
"You ready?" Buffy called upstairs to once more, "This is just Spike not the Miss America pageant, he doesn't care what you wear."
Dawn frowned as she entered the living room, "I haven't seen him for awhile, I wanted to look right."
"You look fine. Let's go."
The sisters arrived at the clinic with a bag of goodies for Spike. Dawn had insisted on bringing some spicy wings for him to snack on along with his usual liquid nourishment. He could smell them as soon as the girls hit the hallway to his room, he stood up and went to his door to investigate. He was soon attacked by Dawn as she launched herself at him embracing him in a tight hug, "Spike!!" She squealed as he picked her up and twirled her around.
"Niblet!" He replied just as enthusiatically.
Buffy shook her head and laughed at the site of Spike, who was thankfully wearing boxers, his gown flowing behind him as she twirled Dawn who appeared to be all legs and flowing hair. "If you sit her down, you can have what's in the bag."
She waved the bag in front of him.
"Ah...is that really wings?" He asked gently setting Dawn down on her feet.
"Yes, you can thank Dawn for them." She handed him the bag with a large smile.
Spike took the bag and sat down on the edge of the bed pulling the table in front of him. He opened the bag slowly,
enjoying the aroma.
"Just open them Spike!" Dawn told impatiently.
"Just wanted to savor the scent, been a while since I've had these." He fully opened the bag then and removed
a wing, he bit into it and closed his eyes, "Mmmm delicious."
"Told Buffy you'd like them." Dawn smirked at her sister as Spike dove wholeheartedly into the wings.
"Those were wonderful!" He sighed when he finished.
"Wait a minute, you've got a bit of sauce on your chin." Buffy leaned over and using a tissue scrubbed at his chin, she then ran her hand through his hair, "And the hair! I like it."
Dawn watched her sister carefully, was she actually seeing Buffy be caring towards Spike?
"Sherry, the nurse, her sister Sunni came in and did it for me. Bit longer then usual, but it's okay?" He asked
suddenly worried about it.
"Yeah, it looks really good." Dawn assured him as he watched Spike watch Buffy.
"I like it a little longer." Buffy smiled at him.
"So, Niblet how are you?" Spike turned his attention towards the younger Summer's girl.
"I'm great. School's started and we're in the new school, " Dawn paused, "But I guess you knew that, huh?"
"Yeah, it's okay?" Spike smiled, "Made any new friends? Maybe someone to replace Janice, she seems to steer you towards trouble."
Dawn rolled her eyes at him, "Yes as a matter of fact, I've met some new people, unfortunately we were being terrorized at the time."
"Good ole' Sunnydale High." Buffy shook her head.
Dawn and Spike talked a bit longer and she promised to come back to visit as soon as Buffy would let her. "Soon, I promise." Buffy told her as they stood to leave. She put her hand on Spike's, "I'll be back tomorrow."
"Thanks for letting her come." Spike told her as they turned to leave.
"No problem, see you soon." Buffy and Dawn waved as they left the room.
"Buffy." Dana called when she saw her leaving Spike's room.
"Yes?" Buffy answered.
"Just wanted to say hello. Let you know that I think we are making real progress with Spike. I would like to talk to you some more when you can." Dana turned to Dawn, "You must be Dawn?"
"Yes, that's me." Dawn smiled.
" This is Dr. Lavery." Buffy introduced Dana.
"It's nice to meet you, Dawn. Spike talks alot about you, he thinks alot of you." Dana shook Dawn's hand, "I guess I better go check on the patient. Buffy, I'll talk to you soon?"
"Sure." Buffy nodded.
"The doctor seems nice, and she's pretty too." Dawn commented as they walked out of the clinic.
'Yes she is nice, and I guess she is pretty, I really hadn't noticed." Buffy replied with a slight frown.
****
"Spike, ready to finish the game?"
"Sure, Doc." He answered as he watched her bring the board over and set it on the table between them.
" Why don't you call me Dana?" She smiled, "Did you think about our conversation from earlier, about getting well for you?" She asked as she moved her chess piece.
"Yeah, some. I think you're probably right, need to do it for me and then worry about the whole Buffy thing. But it's not that easy." He contemplated a moment before moving his next piece.
"I met Dawn, she seems sweet."
"Yeah, Niblet is a great girl. Been through a lot, been my friend when no one else was." Spike nodded.
The rest of the conversation was mostly Dawn stories from the summer without Buffy. He told Dana of how they
would sneak out and go for walks when she needed to talk or when she wanted ice cream at one a.m., he would go get it for her. How mostly he had been there when she cried about missing her sister, mostly because he missed her too.
The game finished and Dana yawned, "Time for me to go, Dr. Dawson will be here tonight if you need anything. Goodnight, Spike."
"Goodnight, Dana." He called out as she closed the door.
Dr. Dawson watched as Dana walked to her car. When she was safely out of the parking lot, he called George an aid to meet him in Spike's room. "Mr. Spikely?" Dr. Dawson called out as he turned on Spike's light.
"Yes?" Spike sat up in the bed.
Dr. Dawson nodded towards the large aid, "George, the restraints, please?"
TBC