Chapter 12: Help
Spike ran through the hospital doors, Willow and Xander close behind, he ran straight to the reception to be greeted with a concerned looking nurse
"You have to help her" his voice was anxious and begging, he was terrified that something would happen.
"Ok, but first you have to tell me what's wrong" the nurse was patient seeing how upset the man in front of her was
"Oh, I think" he tried hard to come up with an excuse, he couldn't ell the whole truth or her mom would find out and he wanted to avoid that if possible "I think someone spiked her drink, I know there was ecstasy going around the club where we were" he had to tell her that much or they couldn't help, Willow and Xander wore distressed looks on their face as soon as drugs were mentioned, but they would have to wait for Buffy to better. It was her place to tell them.
"Ok, well, these firms need to be filled out" she handed him a clipboard. He didn't know many of the details and told the nurse so, but he added something else
"Also, her mum is gone for the weekend on business, is there any chance you can wait until she's awake let her tell you."
Willow nudged him "She usually keeps those details in her purse" she said quietly, Willow who was holding her bag rummaged through, finding the relevant information. He quickly filled them out, handed the clipboard back to the nurse and waited
"Ok, this way. We'll get her seen to" the nurse directed them down the hall to a room with a lot of machines. From Spike's viewpoint it was scary and intimidating. She was laid out on a hospital bed, Spike stayed by her until a doctor came in a few minutes later. The nurse spoke to him, explaining the details. The doctor spoke directly to Spike then
"Ok, you'll have to wait outside" the doctor didn't wait for him to leave, he set about putting a tube down Buffy's throat
"What are you doing?" Spike asked anxiously
"We have to pump her stomach. Now please wait outside" more nurses were coming in now and Spike could tell that the doctor was becoming impatient. He let himself be ushered outside, where Willow and Xander were now waiting.
"What's happening?" Willow asked him as soon as he came through the door. She was worried. Buffy was her best friend, she couldn't even want to think about anything happening to her.
"They're pumping her stomach" he didn't explain any further and they didn't ask. They waited outside the door in silence. Silently praying that everything would be okay. Numerous thoughts were running through Spike's head, but one suddenly took over. Joyce.
"Joyce, we have to call her, what are we gonna say?" he was panicking, how was he supposed to explain that her daughter was in hospital because she had taken drugs. More importantly, how could he tell her that he had saw her and not done anything to stop her. That was when the guilt overtook him, if he hadn't been so determined that he had to let her live her life and make her own decisions, maybe she wouldn't be in hospital. The thought was present in his mind until Willow broke through the haze
"I already called her" she saw the Spike looked at her, a look that was hoping she hadn't told her what happened "II told her that Buffy was staying with me because she and Angel got into a fight and he went back to LA"
"Thanks Willow" the relief was evident in his words. He could figure out everything else later. Once he knew she was okay.
He leaned back against the wall, letting his guilt overtake him again, Willow noticed straight away and placed a hand on his arm "It wasn't your fault Spike"
Spike only looked at her, shaking his head in disagreement "I saw her, I saw him give them to her and I didn't stop her. I thought I had to let her make her own decision because she's not mine anymore" his voice was hoarse, tears threatening to spill.
"No Spike, she's not. I know that hurts but at the end of the day you couldn't have stopped her anyway. You should know by now that if Buffy wants to do something then she does it. It's not your fault" she couldn't say anything else to reassure him. Words didn't always work. So they went back to waiting.
Forty- five minutes or so after she had been taken in the doctor emerged from the room
"She's still out. We're going to move her to a room now, then we just have to wait until she wakes up. Only one of you can stay with her" he told them. It was strictly business, he didn't let any emotion into his voice. He went back inside and followed behind the nurses as they wheeled her bed to a room. The three others following them.
When they were outside the door Willow as the first person to say anything
"You should stay Spike"
Spike disagreed "Don't think it's appropriate Red, not my place. You're her best friend you should stay."
Xander however seemed to be in agreement with Willow "She's right Spike, you should stay. I have a feeling she's going to need you when she wakes up" his voice was solemn, but insightful. Spike couldn't help but think the boy had a lot of wisdom inside of him. He didn't say a word, just nodded.
After Willow and Xander had been in for a moment to see her, Spike was alone. Standing outside the room door, almost afraid to go inside. He slowly turned the handle and stepped inside. Tears flooded his eyes when he saw her lying there. Looking so frail. He went over and pulled a seat over to sit beside her, grasping her hand he laced a soft kiss on her knuckles
"Get better, luv" he pleaded "I need you. I need you around, care too much about you to lose you." A tear crept down his cheek as he continued to utter soft words to her
"You better wake up, I don't want to have gone to the trouble of tutoring you for months for it to be a waste of time. Maybe I can do it again" the words he was saying was anything to make her wake up. They weren't working, he laid his head on her chest and cried.
Buffy finally awoke early next morning, she felt a heavy weight on her chest and looked down. She saw a flash of blonde hair and memories of the night before came back to her. Taking the pill, being cheerful one minute and then dizzy. That was the last thing she remembered. She nudged his head weakly. He hadn't been in a sound sleep so it was enough to rouse him, his heart leapt when he looked up and saw her eyes open and the tears fell again. Tears of relief
"Luv, thank god you're okay" he said, reaching out to stroke her cheek. She gave a small smile to him, then tried to speak, her voice hoarse
"What happened?"
"The ecstasy you took was dodgy" he told her. His voice held no judgement in it. Buffy was glad of that
"How did you know?"
"I saw you. I wanted to stop you but I couldn't it wasn't up to me" his eyes lowered, they were full of sadness, and also anger at Angel
"Did you bring me?" she asked
"Yeah, wasn't letting that wanker drive you while he was high" this time his voice was dripping with venom, Buffy burst into tears. He got up and sat at the edge of her bed wrapping his arms around her
"shh, luv, it's ok." He whispered in her hair "everything's gonna be ok"
"I'm so sorry" she cried "my mom will kill me"
"She doesn't know. And I noticed on your insurance details that your dad deals with it still so she doesn't have to know" he thought that might make her feel better, but she only cried harder. He felt helpless, no longer knowing how to comfort her. His old instincts towards he began to kick in however and soon he was soothing her the way he had all those months earlier
"Shush, baby, it's ok. Tell me what's wrong" his voice was pleading
"Help me Spike, please" she begged
"How can I help you, tell me what I have to do"
"I don't want to be like this. I took the drugs in LA, to hide the pain, but then I couldn't stop. It's only when I'm out but, I don't want to do it anymore. Help me" she sobbed into his chest after she finished, he ran a hand soothingly through her hair
"Of course I'll help you. You know I will always be there for you" She looked up upon hearing his words and their eyes connected, his breath caught in his throat, he saw the girl he fell in love with and he still loved her, he knew he shouldn't but he couldn't help it. He lowered his head and caught her lips in a kiss, it was soft and slow and healing. They broke apart quickly. They fell back into another kiss, more passionate this time. Seeking comfort and the feelings that had been there before, neither could deny feelings still existed. They were interrupted by the door creaking open and Spike jumped up. The doctor came in
"You're awake, good. I'm just going to do some checks"
After he was done the doctor looked at them in turn and then landed his gaze on Buffy again
"Ok, you should be able to go soon. I just have to get the relevant papers filed." He told them before leaving again.
Buffy and Spike looked at each other
"This can't happen" Spike said finally "we said we were moving on. I don't want to hurt Dru" he explained
"Yeah and I have Angel" she said softly
Spike was incredulous "You're staying with him?" She lowered her eyes "I know he's not perfect but he does care about me. I just need someone. I want to give him one last chance. But please say you'll still help me. Tart tutoring me again, having you to talk to might help"
He stepped closer "I said I would help you and I will, no matter what" he kissed her on the head and then looked at her "Now get dressed so we can leave soon" She nodded and got out of the bed, going towards the small toilet in the room. Spike waited in the room while she changed. A knock came on the door and In walked Angel
"What are you doing here?" he asked angrily, he was desperate to hit him, but not with Buffy just a few feet away
"I'm here to take my girlfriend home" he emphasised the word 'my' but Spike only laughed in his face
"Don't think so mate" he looked at Angel preparing to say something else when Buffy came out of the bathroom
"Angel" she said when she saw him. He went over and hugged her whispering sorry's in her ear. She didn't accept in words in fact she didn't respond at all, but Angel was willing to accept that as forgiveness.
"You ready to go?" he questioned
"Not yet and I think Spike should take me home"
"Why?" he was irritated, he didn't like Spike, didn't trust him
"Well my mom thinks that I'm staying at Willow's and you are back in LA" Spike had explained this to her by yelling through the door while she changed. And honestly she wasn't sure yet how to deal with Angel. Angel was obviously unhappy, but he didn't say it
"Ok then" he kissed her, hard on the lips, claiming his territory. Spike couldn't help the small smile, he had gotten there first, and he had already kissed her this morning. Angel smirked at him as he said goodbye to Buffy and left.
The doctor came in straight after telling Buffy she could go. After he was gone Spike turned to her
"Ready to go?" he asked
"Yeah" She followed Spike out, walking beside him through the halls. The kiss was playing on her mind and she didn't even think about what she was doing when she reached out and grasped his hand when they reached the parking lot, nor did Spike when he clasped them tighter together.
Spike ran through the hospital doors, Willow and Xander close behind, he ran straight to the reception to be greeted with a concerned looking nurse
"You have to help her" his voice was anxious and begging, he was terrified that something would happen.
"Ok, but first you have to tell me what's wrong" the nurse was patient seeing how upset the man in front of her was
"Oh, I think" he tried hard to come up with an excuse, he couldn't ell the whole truth or her mom would find out and he wanted to avoid that if possible "I think someone spiked her drink, I know there was ecstasy going around the club where we were" he had to tell her that much or they couldn't help, Willow and Xander wore distressed looks on their face as soon as drugs were mentioned, but they would have to wait for Buffy to better. It was her place to tell them.
"Ok, well, these firms need to be filled out" she handed him a clipboard. He didn't know many of the details and told the nurse so, but he added something else
"Also, her mum is gone for the weekend on business, is there any chance you can wait until she's awake let her tell you."
Willow nudged him "She usually keeps those details in her purse" she said quietly, Willow who was holding her bag rummaged through, finding the relevant information. He quickly filled them out, handed the clipboard back to the nurse and waited
"Ok, this way. We'll get her seen to" the nurse directed them down the hall to a room with a lot of machines. From Spike's viewpoint it was scary and intimidating. She was laid out on a hospital bed, Spike stayed by her until a doctor came in a few minutes later. The nurse spoke to him, explaining the details. The doctor spoke directly to Spike then
"Ok, you'll have to wait outside" the doctor didn't wait for him to leave, he set about putting a tube down Buffy's throat
"What are you doing?" Spike asked anxiously
"We have to pump her stomach. Now please wait outside" more nurses were coming in now and Spike could tell that the doctor was becoming impatient. He let himself be ushered outside, where Willow and Xander were now waiting.
"What's happening?" Willow asked him as soon as he came through the door. She was worried. Buffy was her best friend, she couldn't even want to think about anything happening to her.
"They're pumping her stomach" he didn't explain any further and they didn't ask. They waited outside the door in silence. Silently praying that everything would be okay. Numerous thoughts were running through Spike's head, but one suddenly took over. Joyce.
"Joyce, we have to call her, what are we gonna say?" he was panicking, how was he supposed to explain that her daughter was in hospital because she had taken drugs. More importantly, how could he tell her that he had saw her and not done anything to stop her. That was when the guilt overtook him, if he hadn't been so determined that he had to let her live her life and make her own decisions, maybe she wouldn't be in hospital. The thought was present in his mind until Willow broke through the haze
"I already called her" she saw the Spike looked at her, a look that was hoping she hadn't told her what happened "II told her that Buffy was staying with me because she and Angel got into a fight and he went back to LA"
"Thanks Willow" the relief was evident in his words. He could figure out everything else later. Once he knew she was okay.
He leaned back against the wall, letting his guilt overtake him again, Willow noticed straight away and placed a hand on his arm "It wasn't your fault Spike"
Spike only looked at her, shaking his head in disagreement "I saw her, I saw him give them to her and I didn't stop her. I thought I had to let her make her own decision because she's not mine anymore" his voice was hoarse, tears threatening to spill.
"No Spike, she's not. I know that hurts but at the end of the day you couldn't have stopped her anyway. You should know by now that if Buffy wants to do something then she does it. It's not your fault" she couldn't say anything else to reassure him. Words didn't always work. So they went back to waiting.
Forty- five minutes or so after she had been taken in the doctor emerged from the room
"She's still out. We're going to move her to a room now, then we just have to wait until she wakes up. Only one of you can stay with her" he told them. It was strictly business, he didn't let any emotion into his voice. He went back inside and followed behind the nurses as they wheeled her bed to a room. The three others following them.
When they were outside the door Willow as the first person to say anything
"You should stay Spike"
Spike disagreed "Don't think it's appropriate Red, not my place. You're her best friend you should stay."
Xander however seemed to be in agreement with Willow "She's right Spike, you should stay. I have a feeling she's going to need you when she wakes up" his voice was solemn, but insightful. Spike couldn't help but think the boy had a lot of wisdom inside of him. He didn't say a word, just nodded.
After Willow and Xander had been in for a moment to see her, Spike was alone. Standing outside the room door, almost afraid to go inside. He slowly turned the handle and stepped inside. Tears flooded his eyes when he saw her lying there. Looking so frail. He went over and pulled a seat over to sit beside her, grasping her hand he laced a soft kiss on her knuckles
"Get better, luv" he pleaded "I need you. I need you around, care too much about you to lose you." A tear crept down his cheek as he continued to utter soft words to her
"You better wake up, I don't want to have gone to the trouble of tutoring you for months for it to be a waste of time. Maybe I can do it again" the words he was saying was anything to make her wake up. They weren't working, he laid his head on her chest and cried.
Buffy finally awoke early next morning, she felt a heavy weight on her chest and looked down. She saw a flash of blonde hair and memories of the night before came back to her. Taking the pill, being cheerful one minute and then dizzy. That was the last thing she remembered. She nudged his head weakly. He hadn't been in a sound sleep so it was enough to rouse him, his heart leapt when he looked up and saw her eyes open and the tears fell again. Tears of relief
"Luv, thank god you're okay" he said, reaching out to stroke her cheek. She gave a small smile to him, then tried to speak, her voice hoarse
"What happened?"
"The ecstasy you took was dodgy" he told her. His voice held no judgement in it. Buffy was glad of that
"How did you know?"
"I saw you. I wanted to stop you but I couldn't it wasn't up to me" his eyes lowered, they were full of sadness, and also anger at Angel
"Did you bring me?" she asked
"Yeah, wasn't letting that wanker drive you while he was high" this time his voice was dripping with venom, Buffy burst into tears. He got up and sat at the edge of her bed wrapping his arms around her
"shh, luv, it's ok." He whispered in her hair "everything's gonna be ok"
"I'm so sorry" she cried "my mom will kill me"
"She doesn't know. And I noticed on your insurance details that your dad deals with it still so she doesn't have to know" he thought that might make her feel better, but she only cried harder. He felt helpless, no longer knowing how to comfort her. His old instincts towards he began to kick in however and soon he was soothing her the way he had all those months earlier
"Shush, baby, it's ok. Tell me what's wrong" his voice was pleading
"Help me Spike, please" she begged
"How can I help you, tell me what I have to do"
"I don't want to be like this. I took the drugs in LA, to hide the pain, but then I couldn't stop. It's only when I'm out but, I don't want to do it anymore. Help me" she sobbed into his chest after she finished, he ran a hand soothingly through her hair
"Of course I'll help you. You know I will always be there for you" She looked up upon hearing his words and their eyes connected, his breath caught in his throat, he saw the girl he fell in love with and he still loved her, he knew he shouldn't but he couldn't help it. He lowered his head and caught her lips in a kiss, it was soft and slow and healing. They broke apart quickly. They fell back into another kiss, more passionate this time. Seeking comfort and the feelings that had been there before, neither could deny feelings still existed. They were interrupted by the door creaking open and Spike jumped up. The doctor came in
"You're awake, good. I'm just going to do some checks"
After he was done the doctor looked at them in turn and then landed his gaze on Buffy again
"Ok, you should be able to go soon. I just have to get the relevant papers filed." He told them before leaving again.
Buffy and Spike looked at each other
"This can't happen" Spike said finally "we said we were moving on. I don't want to hurt Dru" he explained
"Yeah and I have Angel" she said softly
Spike was incredulous "You're staying with him?" She lowered her eyes "I know he's not perfect but he does care about me. I just need someone. I want to give him one last chance. But please say you'll still help me. Tart tutoring me again, having you to talk to might help"
He stepped closer "I said I would help you and I will, no matter what" he kissed her on the head and then looked at her "Now get dressed so we can leave soon" She nodded and got out of the bed, going towards the small toilet in the room. Spike waited in the room while she changed. A knock came on the door and In walked Angel
"What are you doing here?" he asked angrily, he was desperate to hit him, but not with Buffy just a few feet away
"I'm here to take my girlfriend home" he emphasised the word 'my' but Spike only laughed in his face
"Don't think so mate" he looked at Angel preparing to say something else when Buffy came out of the bathroom
"Angel" she said when she saw him. He went over and hugged her whispering sorry's in her ear. She didn't accept in words in fact she didn't respond at all, but Angel was willing to accept that as forgiveness.
"You ready to go?" he questioned
"Not yet and I think Spike should take me home"
"Why?" he was irritated, he didn't like Spike, didn't trust him
"Well my mom thinks that I'm staying at Willow's and you are back in LA" Spike had explained this to her by yelling through the door while she changed. And honestly she wasn't sure yet how to deal with Angel. Angel was obviously unhappy, but he didn't say it
"Ok then" he kissed her, hard on the lips, claiming his territory. Spike couldn't help the small smile, he had gotten there first, and he had already kissed her this morning. Angel smirked at him as he said goodbye to Buffy and left.
The doctor came in straight after telling Buffy she could go. After he was gone Spike turned to her
"Ready to go?" he asked
"Yeah" She followed Spike out, walking beside him through the halls. The kiss was playing on her mind and she didn't even think about what she was doing when she reached out and grasped his hand when they reached the parking lot, nor did Spike when he clasped them tighter together.