Part Nineteen-

As the long days wore on, I forgot about the dream. It always touched the edge of my mind and the moment I tried to remember it, it fluttered away, leaving me confused and frustrated. I was ordered to stay at the hospital for another week. The extents of my injuries were severe, but not critical. I had fractured my arm during the fall, along with two broken fingers, and three dislocated ones. I had torn several ligaments in my knees that required them to do surgery. I had smacked my head against the stairs and my brain had swelled, resulting in my two-day coma. The gravel I had landed on had scraped up the right side of my face and arms. I was told it would scar without cosmetic surgery.

I was a mess.

The doctor took my quiet brooding and withdrawal as depression and prescribed my some antidepressants.

Needless to say, I wasn't depressed and I didn't take any.

Faith played the role of the big sister to the T. She doted on me at the hospital. She gathered stuff I would need from the house and brought it to the hospital. And, when it was time for me to go home, she was there. I think that she felt guilty for being dead drunk the night everything happened.

As we drove home, the heavens wept sheets of heavy rain. That didn't help my mood one bit. I was in haze of pain and medications and the cold rain made everything worse. Faith drove carefully and slowly down the traffic jammed highways because it was nearing winter and almost cold enough to freeze everything.

I laid in the back seat, my right foot propped up by pillow. Surgery had made it raw and painful. I had to wear a heavy brace. I needed my knee kept straight and elevated whenever possible. I wasn't supposed to walk, but the nurses had given me crutches anyways.

My left arm was in an itchy cast and throbbed dully. I had gauze taped over the deep abrasions and cuts on the right side of my face and arm. Heavy bandaging covered the stitches on the back of my neck.

I was still a mess.

I must have been too quiet because Faith met my eyes in the review mirror.

"Hey, Doll?" She asked. "You ok?"

I tried to say something, but my voice was scratchy and breaking. "I-I have a headache." I mumbled after clearing my throat.

"Bet ya do." She murmured only slightly accusingly.

I closed my eyes and didn't open them until the car was parked and Faith was out. She opened my door and I slowly eased myself out of the car. I ignored my bruised pride and leaned on Faith as we walked into the hotel.

It was business as usual. Clients littered the lobby. Cordelia was answering phones, Willow sitting at the computer, and Xander arguing with Anya. Angel was no where to be found. Spike was coming down the stairs and he rushed to help as soon as he saw me. He gently eased me off of Faith. Faith narrowed her eyes at him, but didn't say anything.

"Go get some sleep, Faith." He tenderly told her.

She nodded slowly, as if half asleep, and left us. Spike wrapped his arm around my waist and carefully led me to one of the rooms on the first floor. I was told by the doctor that I had to stay off of my feet. That meant no stairs.

"How're you?" He asked me as I got situated.

My foot was propped up by pillows as was my back.

"Fine." I answered. "Considering it all."

He nodded, handing me the remote to the television and the phone.

"Is there anything else you want?" He asked me.

"Can I have an aspirin and some water, please?" I requested, hating that I could not get it myself.

He nodded once again and left.

I flicked on the TV and tried to wait patiently for Spike. But, my leg started to throb and I got angry.

"Spike!" I called hoarsely, trying to get up.

I couldn't move around very well and tears of frustration watered my eyes. I moaned angrily and felt a hand on my shoulder.

I looked up and couldn't believe who was standing in front of me.

It was Wes.

He was home.

*

I just sat there looking at him in shock. Then I leaned forward and hugged him fiercely.

"Hello, darling." He murmured into my hair.

I then pushed him away from me, making him stumble.

"You asshole!" I screamed at him, my eyes burning.

"I see your vocabulary grown more defined since I've been gone." He dryly replied.

"You've been gone for weeks. Weeks! And, I've gotten no word that you're alright, even alive. And, the day I leave the hospital, you come back. Coincidence? I don't think so. Gee, feeling guilty there, Wes? That you dropped me with people I didn't know, much less trust?" I took a deep breath, suddenly feeling tired. "What do you want?"

"My leads, my connections, they were all wrong. I was given various tips about where Quentin could be. I followed them all sheepishly. When all the time, he was right under our noses, watching your every move."

"He was here." I said emotionlessly.

"Yes." Wes sighed. "He was."

"I'm a sitting duck now. I can't walk on my own, much less run. What's stopping him from swooping in here and taking me?" I asked, myself more than him.

"He can't set foot in here." Wes said assuredly.

"And, why is that?" I asked tiredly.

"I've gotten magical wards around this whole building. And, around wherever you are." He said.

I just looked at him and laughed hollowly. "It won't stop him, Wes. You and I know it. He'll come. And, when he wants me, he'll have me." I paused. "But, until then, he won't stand a chance."

Wes looked at me and smiled. He leaned over and hugged me, his own emotion sweeping over me.

"Know that I will always protect you." He whispered to me as I closed my eyes.

His words rang in my head as I drifted away, but I had to wonder, were they true?

*

Weeks went by like the wind until the accident seemed further and further away. It could have been a nightmare, had my physical and emotional scars not been there to remind me.

It had been complete pandemonium when I had returned to school. Everyone had wanted to know what had happened. Even complete strangers would come up to me. I told everyone that asked that I had been mugged. Keith had put a stop to everyone's constant questions. Every time someone asked, I was bombarded with memories of myself losing it, fearing that voice. It always drained me, no matter how much I tried to make myself forget it. Keith had seen it. He suspected more had gone on, but didn't press. I was so very grateful for that, for him. He hovered around me at school, protecting me.

My white knight.

I began to grow closer to him, having no one else, really.

Angel had pulled away from me. He was convinced that it was his fault. I saw it every time I looked into his eyes. He was shutting me out, leaving me alone. He didn't know how much that hurt me. I stopped trying to reach him. I stopped caring.

If Angel didn't want me…that was fine. As much as it hurt, I was not going to wait around for him forever. I wasn't strong enough. Though, I hated using Keith, I found myself slowly falling for him. Maybe someday I could love someone like him. Maybe.

I was slowly healing. I had found out that whatever had happened to my had affected my healing capabilities. I had had many severe injuries, my body wasn't capable of healing them all, I suppose. My arm was still in a cast, and my leg was still in a brace. The stitches were healed, though I had a long scar on my face. With the right makeup, it was barely noticeable.

Wes was always busy. He was trying in vain to keep Quentin from me. Or, me from Quentin, depending how you looked at it. I think he was also avoiding Angel and myself. I had heard them arguing late one night. They were not on the best of terms. And, that was putting it lightly.

*

"I left her in your care! I thought you would protect her." Wes had hissed to Angel.

"I did. She's alive. She's safe!" Angel yelled.

"Barely!" Wes laughed. "Do you know what she went through in Quentin's care? I don't think so. You, know nothing, when it comes to her." Wes paused. "She's not Buffy. Do not turn her into Buffy. Do not make her fall in love with you!"

Angel was deadly quiet. "Do not talk about her. Do not talk about her! Do NOT say her name!" He growled.

*

I had left after that. I didn't want to hear it. Didn't care to listen. If they wanted to kill each other, more power to them. I did not want to get involved. I couldn't choose sides.

Faith had been acting strangely, as of late. She had been super moody and apparently had the flu. I chalked it up to Spike and PMS, but, then again, this was Faith we're talking about.

With no one really to talk too in the hotel, I gave more of my attentions to Keith. He was my escape. With him, I wasn't a warrior. I wasn't a girl without a past. I was just me. A girl. I loved being with him. It was new. It was a blast of fresh air to me. I felt free with him.

We were going on our fifth date tonight.

Keith was a gentleman. He treated me with respect and kindness. He was protective of me, but not possessive. He didn't push me to do anything I didn't want or feel ready for. It seemed, right now, he was the only thing I had to look forward too in my life.

"Ohh, someone's daydreaming. About a guy." A singsong voice called from my doorway.

I looked up, my face flushing. It was Faith.

She smiled as she came into the room.

"Excited?" She asked me.

"Yes. Of course." I paused. "Nervous too."

"Why?"

"Everybody's going to meet him tonight." I said, a fluttery feeling entering my belly.

"So?" Faith asked.

"I want everybody to like him. I don't want everyone to hate him because 'Our-little-Anne-is-growing-up'." I mocked.

Faith snorted. "You've been watching too many movies." She said, shaking her head. "Shouldn't you get ready?"

I looked at the clock. I had a little more than an hour until he came.

"I should." I sighed, gazing into the mirror and myself. "What am I going to wear? I look horrible." I sighed.

"No, you don't." Faith said, shaking her head. "Doll, you're beautiful. Look past the brace and the cast. You had an accident, they won't be there forever." She met my eyes in the mirror. "'Sides, if this Keith is as much of a gentleman as you say, hon, you ain't got nothin' to worry about."

I shrugged.

"Oh, stop. Be happy. You're knight in shining armor is about to take you on the date of your dreams. Let's get you ready." Faith said.

I raised an eyebrow at her. Keith hadn't told me where we were going. But, I suspected he had told Faith so she could get me ready.

Faith led me to her closet and pulled out a long black dress. She held it up against me and smiled.

"This should fit." She murmured, more to herself.

She helped me slip it on, gently pulling it over me and maneuvering my bad arm through the tiny straps.

It was as if I had instantly transformed. The dress was long, with a subtle slit reaching my knee. It had a heart-shaped neck, gently accenting the swell of my breasts.

"Sit down." Faith told me.

I did and she went into her closet and pulled something out. My eyes widened when I saw it. It was a smaller walking brace for my knee. Instead of going straight to my thigh, like my current one did, this one just covered my knee and helped it bend, without putting pressure on my torn ligaments.

"Oh my God." I murmured. "When did you get this?" I asked her.

"I picked it up today." Faith smiled. "Doc said that it's ok for you to use it, but not extensively. Don't wear yourself out. Can't put too much stress on your knee, blah, blah, blah."

We put it on over the bruised, swollen flesh that once was my knee. Faith did my hair, pulling it into an upsweep with a black clip. Long curls and tendrils fell on my back. My makeup was subtle black eyeliner and some gloss for my lips. When I looked into the mirror, I was a different person. I smiled. I felt beautiful.

Faith handed me a pair of low heels. "The last touch." She smiled.

I nodded and put them on.

The transformation was complete. And, not a moment too soon.

Keith was here.

*

When I came down the stairs, what I saw amused me. And, angered me. Angel had been scarce in, my life for weeks now. I barely ever saw him. But, as fate would have it, he didn't make time for me. No. He made time to come up from his little bat cave to antagonize and glare at my boyfriend.

I avoided his eyes as he became aware of me. I did not dress up for him. Angel did not deserve me. This was not his night. It was mine and Keith's'. Angel had forfeited everything.

I smiled at Keith, meeting his sparkling eyes. He looked at me with awe and walked to me, hugging me.

"You look gorgeous." He whispered into my ear.

"You don't look too bad yourself." I smiled, tugging on his tie.

I could feel Angel's gaze burning into my back. But, I would not let him get to me tonight.

Not tonight.

"We need to go." Keith said. "We don't want to be late."

"What time are you coming back?" Angel asked loudly.

I shot him a deadly glare. "We'll be back, when we get back." I bit out.

"I need a time." Angel said.

"Angel!" Faith called form the landing. "Let them go. They're responsible."

"Remember, kiddies. No drinking, no drugs, or other recreational activities. Always use a rubber!" Spike called gleefully from the den.

"Oh my god…" I mumbled, mortified beyond the telling.

Keith laughed and rubbed my back.

"I'll have her back at a reasonable time, Mr…Angel." Keith smiled.

Angel glowered and said nothing.

"Have fun!" Faith called as we walked out.

I buried my face in Keith's shoulder. "I am so sorry you had to meet them."

Keith kissed the top of my head. "It was amusing." He murmured.

I scoffed. "Yes, amusing to you. You're not the one they were trying to embarrass."

Keith laughed softly and opened the door of his car and helped me in. He shut my door, like the gentleman he was. He got into his side and started the car.

"Where are we going?" I asked his as we pulled out.

I idly checked the rearview mirror and could see Angel's reflection staring back at me from the second story window. I narrowed my eyes and turned my attention to Keith.

"Well?" I asked him.

"It's a surprise." He told me, smiling.

"Can I have a hint?" I pleaded, pouting.

"No way."

*

As it turned out, Keith had a big night planned for us. He had parked the car in an unmarked lot and had taken out a blindfold.

"Put it on." He had said.

"Excuse me?" I eyed him, wondering just what this was for.

He looked at me and laughed.

"Get your mind out of the gutter, Reynolds. I promise, the blindfold is just for you eyes, and only your eyes. No matter how tempting anything else is." He assured me.

The full meaning of his words made me blush and I carefully tied the blindfold over my head, hating the fact that I was vulnerable in this state.

Keith carefully took me by the elbows and led me wherever we were going.

After my heel slipped on the rocks for the fifth time, Keith sighed heavily and let go of me.

"What are you doing?" I panicked, as I groped through cold air to find him.

I felt as if I was going to fall. That is, until Keith swept me into his arms. He held me carefully, as if I was spun of glass, his grip tight to keep me from jostling in his arms.

"What are you doing?" I laughed as he held me.

I assumed we went into a building because a blast of warm air hit my cold self.

"Almost there." Keith assured me.

I could hear a smile in his voice and began to feel nervous. Butterflies swarmed in my belly, making me giggle softly, anxiously.

"Now, I'm going to set you down. Don't panic, or you'll totter right off the heels you're wearing." He joked.

"Haha. Funny." I scoffed playfully. "We'll see who's laughing once you have on the blindfold."

He gently set me down and made me jump when he whispered into my ear.

"I hope we'll get to the mutual blindfold stage, soon." He whispered, all teasing and joking gone from his voice.

I sighed wearily, my mind suddenly drudging up all kinds of strange scenarios that I could be in at this moment and not know it.

Keith took the blindfold off gently and I opened my eyes, squinting in the dim candlelight.

I gasped once my eyes had adjusted. We were in a small, yet classy restaurant. Keith had gotten us a corner table, away from all of the hustle and bustle. There were six long stemmed white roses in a vase in the middle of the scarlet covered table. Two long red candles burned for us.

I felt my heart swell and I met Keith's eyes, trying not to lose myself in my emotion.

"Oh my goodness." I breathed out softly, a smile stretching out across my face. "Keith, this is beautiful." I whispered and reached to hug him. I wrapped my arms around his neck and sniffled softly. "No one has ever done anything like this for me." I murmured. "Never."

Keith pulled back, his crystal-like eyes searching mine. "You really like it?" He asked me.

I gave him a watery smile. "I love it."

I pulled him to me and kissed him softly.

*

Dinner had been…magnificent. There was no other way to describe it. I was in awe at the lengths that Keith had gone for tonight. If one thing was made clear, it was that Keith had very strong feelings for me. And I, I thought that I just might be growing feelings for him, too.

Our dinner was wonderful French cuisine with names that I could just not pronounce.

"Anne, I have to confess something." He had suddenly said after dinner, when we were stopped in the driveway of my home.

"And, what might that be?" I asked him.

"I told you that when I first saw you, you intrigued me." He said.

I nodded, remembering how he'd said he wanted o know more about 'the girl with the British accent'.

"And I've told you how much that you mean to me. How much I care about you." He said. "It seems absurd to say this, but that doesn't change the truth in my words. Anne, I think I'm falling for you." He whispered.

A small smile set on my face, I leaned slightly forward. "Thank you." I told him sincerely. "Thank you so much." I repeated softly. The look on his face was puzzlement and I decided to clarify. "You don't know a lot about my past. About how I was raised." Or, lack thereof, I added to myself. "Cliff Notes Version? Not like most children. I don't know my parents. And, there are a handful of people that I truly trust in this world." I paused, thinking carefully about how I should proceed. "I've never really known love. I've always read that it's this powerful emotion that takes over your senses that leaves you prisoner to it's own desires. I truly don't know if that's what love is. But, I think your showing me." I paused, sniffling. "I'm not like other people, you know that. I'm not popular. I'm not a supermodel, nor do I want to be one. People don't understand me and half of the time, I feel like I don't even know who I am. But you," I said, looking at him. "You're still here. Even after all of these weird occurrences," I gestured to my arm. "You're still here. That's got to mean something." I laughed self-consciously. "Listen to me. Blathering on and on, and you probably do even know what I'm trying to say."

"Go on." Keith said softly.

I sighed and tried to compose myself, my cheeks burning. "You accept me for me. No questions asked. No explanations needed. You're here for me when I need you. Which is a lot more than I can say for other people." My mind flashed briefly to Angel, before I pushed him away. My eyes were tearing and I dabbed at them, trying not to smear my makeup.

My eyes were wide and watery as I met Keith's gaze. His eyes were intense and his smile purely happy. I laughed a small, breathy laugh as his mouth descended to mine. This was unlike any other kiss I had experiences. I could feel something that just might be love radiating from his body to mine. His lips were soft and warm on mine.

I sniffled and he smiled.

He kissed my forehead and we softly said our goodbyes. He waited in his car until I was at the front door and I turned back, waving slightly.

I went in, and he left.

I would always remember this night.

Especially after what was to come.

TBC

(I realize that I may get flamed for this part being mostly about Anne and her boyfriend. But, B/A fans, don't worry. As the old saying goes, things aren't always as they seem.)