Thanks to Spuffyluvr, CelticGirl264, wicked-angel3, Jane, iluvglorfindel, and Weeza for the latest reviews! Your encouragement is what inspires me to write. There's a little bit of Spuffy in this chapter and a lot more on the way. As usual, don't forget to review!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Spike caught the injured witch as she fell and inhaled sharply when he saw the severity of her wound. There was blood, so much blood. It flowed freely from her stomach at the spot where wood pierced skin. The smell was intoxicating. It sang to him, filling his head with suggestions and desires. For a moment, Spike didn't know if he could control his demon, but then he thought of Buffy. This was the slayer's friend, and if anything happened to her, Buffy would be heartbroken. He could never cause her that much pain.
Xander stood in shock. He dropped the crossbow and stared dumbly at Willow's motionless body. "I....I didn't see her Giles. I swear...I didn't..."
The silent watcher didn't seem to hear the younger man's words. He couldn't take his eyes off the sight before him. Spike had removed the wooden arrow from Willow's stomach and was now desperately trying to stop the flow of blood. He cradled her in his arms and rocked her slowly from side to side. "Wake up Red. You have to hang in there. I'm not going to let you die. I promise. I won't let you die."
Tears formed in Xander's eyes, blurring his vision so he could no longer see Willow's pale, lifeless face. His best friend was dying and it was his fault. Or was it? No. It was Spike's fault. The arrow had been meant for him, not Willow. Once again the infuriating vampire had managed to hurt one of Xander's friends. He had to be stopped.
With shaky hands, Xander knelt down and picked up the crossbow. He quickly loaded a new arrow and was about to aim the weapon at Spike when two strong hands jerked it from his grasp. Startled, he looked up and met Giles's furious glare. The watcher glanced down at the crossbow in his hands before throwing the vile weapon to the ground.
"What are you doing?" cried Xander, ignoring the salty tears that were now streaming down his cheeks. "Look what he did to Willow! He has to die! I want him to die!"
"No," said Giles. It was only one word, but that single syllable was enough to send chills down Xander's spine. "We were wrong," continued the watcher. He looked down and locked eyes with Spike. The vampire saw something strange in the older man's eyes. It looked almost like compassion.
Giles averted his gaze and turned back to Xander. "Spike was never the enemy."
The brown-haired man could barely contain his anguish anymore. Some small part of him knew that Giles was right. None of this had been Spike's fault, though he hated to admit it. From the moment the watcher's council arrived, the vampire had only been trying to help and how had they repaid his kindness? By trying to kill him, that's how. Xander suddenly felt very sick.
He wiped his eyes and knelt a few inches away from where Spike held Willow. The vampire looked up and growled menacingly, warning the younger man to keep his distance.
Xander fought back a sob and took a shaky breath before asking the question he was dreading. "Is she...Is Willow..."
"She's still alive," interrupted Spike, his words filled with malice. "Her pulse is faint but it's there, no thanks to you."
Xander couldn't respond. He hung his head in shame.
"We must get her to a hospital," said Giles, wiping a tear from his eye. "Spike, can you carry her?"
Spike carefully lifted Willow's fragile body, not bothering to respond. The three men hurried off in silence, each hoping with all his heart that Willow would survive.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Buffy shoved the last of her meager belongings into the backpack Joyce had left for her earlier that day. A small smile played at the corner of her lips. She was going home! After much pleading, Buffy had convinced the doctors to release her as long as she promised to go straight home and rest. She snickered under her breath, remembering her promise. When did she ever have time to rest?
After double checking that she had all her medication, Buffy slung the backpack over her shoulder and went out into the busy hospital corridor. She glanced around, hoping to see her mother in the crowd, but Joyce had apparently not arrived yet. Finding an empty chair, she sat down and took in the chaos around her. Two doctors met in the hallway, a few feet away from Buffy.
"There's a girl in the ER," said the older doctor with a frown. "She was shot and they had a heck of a time stopping the bleeding. Looks just like my Jane: red hair, late teens. It makes me sick to think they didn't catch the shooter."
Buffy's heart started pounding. It couldn't be Willow. It just couldn't be. She jumped up, startling the two doctors, and ran towards the stairwell. By the time she'd reached the ER, she was out of breath and cursing the fact that she didn't have her slayer powers. She froze at the sight before her.
"I already told you!" Spike was shouting at a dark-haired nurse. "I don't need to see a bloody doctor! I'm fine!"
The nurse shook her head, somewhat taken aback at Spike's angry tone. "Sir, you were hit in the head and may have suffered a concussion. You also appear quite pale."
A low growl formed in the vampire's throat and the startled nurse took a step back. "Of course if you'd rather not, that's your decision," she said quickly before turning around and dashing away.
Buffy was horrified at Spike's condition. His hands and arms were covered in dried blood and a purple bruise covered half his forehead. Her first instinct was to go and kill whatever creature had done this to him, but then she remembered Willow. What if her best friend was here somewhere, bleeding and frightened? The thought terrified Buffy.
"Spike," she called softly.
The vampire spun around and locked eyes with Buffy. She couldn't help but notice the beauty of his crystal blue eyes, even when the rest of him was a mess. A strange thought crossed her mind. If anything ever happened to Spike, a piece of her would die as well. 'Where'd that come from?' she wondered with surprise.
Taking a shaky breath, she ran over to the peroxide vampire and threw her arms around his neck. Spike stared at her a moment in disbelief, fearing that he had fallen asleep and was dreaming, but when he felt the beating of her heart against his chest, he knew she was real. A small grin lit up his face. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close and burying his head in her lavender-scented hair.
After a moment, Buffy pulled back and put a hand to his face, worry evident in her eyes. "Spike, who did this to you?"
Spike didn't answer but his eyes flickered to the right, reflexively landing on Xander. Buffy turned her head and was surprised to see Xander and Giles seated at the opposite end of the room. She looked back at Spike and shook her head in confusion. "I don't understand. Why are they here? And why is your head bruised..."
The truth suddenly hit her and she stumbled backwards, a wave of nausea rushing over her. She regained her balance and stared at Spike with watery eyes. "They tried to kill you...didn't they?"
Spike nodded his head and reached for her hand, knowing he had to tell her the rest. "Red..." he began and almost choked when the tears in Buffy's eyes started to fall. "Red tried to save me and she...she was shot Buffy."
Buffy closed her eyes, fighting back the sobs that threatened to overtake her. Spike pulled her close and rested her head on his shoulder, gently running a hand through her golden hair. When Buffy opened her eyes, she saw that Xander was now standing beside them. His eyes were red and his cheeks sticky and stained with tears.
"Buffy," he began, all the while staring at his shoes. "I'm so sorry. You know I didn't mean to hurt...We were wrong and I'm so sorry."
Buffy straightened her shoulders and crossed her arms in a defensive position. She was in no mood to give sympathy. "Where's Willow?" she asked, managing to keep her voice fairly calm.
Xander glanced up, but upon seeing Buffy's angry glare, he quickly averted his eyes. "The doctors just told us she's stabilized, but..." He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "...she's in a coma. They don't know if she'll ever..." His voice trailed off but Buffy knew what he was going to say.
"Wake up," she finished. They stood in silence for a few moments, each contemplating the possibility of Willow never waking up. Buffy observed her surroundings, taking in the sight of doctors and patients and friends crying over the death of loved ones. The place was filled with so much pain, so much death and she felt like it was trying to suffocate her. She'd been strong for a while but this was just too much. She couldn't stay here any longer. She didn't have the strength.
Buffy turned to Spike with desperation in her eyes. "Get me out of here, please?"
The vampire sensed her anxiety and nodded his head. "Where to luv?"
"Anywhere. Just not here."
Without another word, Spike took her hand and led her swiftly towards the hospital exit.
"Buffy!" cried a hurt and bewildered Xander. "Buffy, where are you going? You can't just..."
But Buffy didn't hear the rest. She and Spike were already crossing the hospital parking lot and heading to a place unknown.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Spike caught the injured witch as she fell and inhaled sharply when he saw the severity of her wound. There was blood, so much blood. It flowed freely from her stomach at the spot where wood pierced skin. The smell was intoxicating. It sang to him, filling his head with suggestions and desires. For a moment, Spike didn't know if he could control his demon, but then he thought of Buffy. This was the slayer's friend, and if anything happened to her, Buffy would be heartbroken. He could never cause her that much pain.
Xander stood in shock. He dropped the crossbow and stared dumbly at Willow's motionless body. "I....I didn't see her Giles. I swear...I didn't..."
The silent watcher didn't seem to hear the younger man's words. He couldn't take his eyes off the sight before him. Spike had removed the wooden arrow from Willow's stomach and was now desperately trying to stop the flow of blood. He cradled her in his arms and rocked her slowly from side to side. "Wake up Red. You have to hang in there. I'm not going to let you die. I promise. I won't let you die."
Tears formed in Xander's eyes, blurring his vision so he could no longer see Willow's pale, lifeless face. His best friend was dying and it was his fault. Or was it? No. It was Spike's fault. The arrow had been meant for him, not Willow. Once again the infuriating vampire had managed to hurt one of Xander's friends. He had to be stopped.
With shaky hands, Xander knelt down and picked up the crossbow. He quickly loaded a new arrow and was about to aim the weapon at Spike when two strong hands jerked it from his grasp. Startled, he looked up and met Giles's furious glare. The watcher glanced down at the crossbow in his hands before throwing the vile weapon to the ground.
"What are you doing?" cried Xander, ignoring the salty tears that were now streaming down his cheeks. "Look what he did to Willow! He has to die! I want him to die!"
"No," said Giles. It was only one word, but that single syllable was enough to send chills down Xander's spine. "We were wrong," continued the watcher. He looked down and locked eyes with Spike. The vampire saw something strange in the older man's eyes. It looked almost like compassion.
Giles averted his gaze and turned back to Xander. "Spike was never the enemy."
The brown-haired man could barely contain his anguish anymore. Some small part of him knew that Giles was right. None of this had been Spike's fault, though he hated to admit it. From the moment the watcher's council arrived, the vampire had only been trying to help and how had they repaid his kindness? By trying to kill him, that's how. Xander suddenly felt very sick.
He wiped his eyes and knelt a few inches away from where Spike held Willow. The vampire looked up and growled menacingly, warning the younger man to keep his distance.
Xander fought back a sob and took a shaky breath before asking the question he was dreading. "Is she...Is Willow..."
"She's still alive," interrupted Spike, his words filled with malice. "Her pulse is faint but it's there, no thanks to you."
Xander couldn't respond. He hung his head in shame.
"We must get her to a hospital," said Giles, wiping a tear from his eye. "Spike, can you carry her?"
Spike carefully lifted Willow's fragile body, not bothering to respond. The three men hurried off in silence, each hoping with all his heart that Willow would survive.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Buffy shoved the last of her meager belongings into the backpack Joyce had left for her earlier that day. A small smile played at the corner of her lips. She was going home! After much pleading, Buffy had convinced the doctors to release her as long as she promised to go straight home and rest. She snickered under her breath, remembering her promise. When did she ever have time to rest?
After double checking that she had all her medication, Buffy slung the backpack over her shoulder and went out into the busy hospital corridor. She glanced around, hoping to see her mother in the crowd, but Joyce had apparently not arrived yet. Finding an empty chair, she sat down and took in the chaos around her. Two doctors met in the hallway, a few feet away from Buffy.
"There's a girl in the ER," said the older doctor with a frown. "She was shot and they had a heck of a time stopping the bleeding. Looks just like my Jane: red hair, late teens. It makes me sick to think they didn't catch the shooter."
Buffy's heart started pounding. It couldn't be Willow. It just couldn't be. She jumped up, startling the two doctors, and ran towards the stairwell. By the time she'd reached the ER, she was out of breath and cursing the fact that she didn't have her slayer powers. She froze at the sight before her.
"I already told you!" Spike was shouting at a dark-haired nurse. "I don't need to see a bloody doctor! I'm fine!"
The nurse shook her head, somewhat taken aback at Spike's angry tone. "Sir, you were hit in the head and may have suffered a concussion. You also appear quite pale."
A low growl formed in the vampire's throat and the startled nurse took a step back. "Of course if you'd rather not, that's your decision," she said quickly before turning around and dashing away.
Buffy was horrified at Spike's condition. His hands and arms were covered in dried blood and a purple bruise covered half his forehead. Her first instinct was to go and kill whatever creature had done this to him, but then she remembered Willow. What if her best friend was here somewhere, bleeding and frightened? The thought terrified Buffy.
"Spike," she called softly.
The vampire spun around and locked eyes with Buffy. She couldn't help but notice the beauty of his crystal blue eyes, even when the rest of him was a mess. A strange thought crossed her mind. If anything ever happened to Spike, a piece of her would die as well. 'Where'd that come from?' she wondered with surprise.
Taking a shaky breath, she ran over to the peroxide vampire and threw her arms around his neck. Spike stared at her a moment in disbelief, fearing that he had fallen asleep and was dreaming, but when he felt the beating of her heart against his chest, he knew she was real. A small grin lit up his face. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close and burying his head in her lavender-scented hair.
After a moment, Buffy pulled back and put a hand to his face, worry evident in her eyes. "Spike, who did this to you?"
Spike didn't answer but his eyes flickered to the right, reflexively landing on Xander. Buffy turned her head and was surprised to see Xander and Giles seated at the opposite end of the room. She looked back at Spike and shook her head in confusion. "I don't understand. Why are they here? And why is your head bruised..."
The truth suddenly hit her and she stumbled backwards, a wave of nausea rushing over her. She regained her balance and stared at Spike with watery eyes. "They tried to kill you...didn't they?"
Spike nodded his head and reached for her hand, knowing he had to tell her the rest. "Red..." he began and almost choked when the tears in Buffy's eyes started to fall. "Red tried to save me and she...she was shot Buffy."
Buffy closed her eyes, fighting back the sobs that threatened to overtake her. Spike pulled her close and rested her head on his shoulder, gently running a hand through her golden hair. When Buffy opened her eyes, she saw that Xander was now standing beside them. His eyes were red and his cheeks sticky and stained with tears.
"Buffy," he began, all the while staring at his shoes. "I'm so sorry. You know I didn't mean to hurt...We were wrong and I'm so sorry."
Buffy straightened her shoulders and crossed her arms in a defensive position. She was in no mood to give sympathy. "Where's Willow?" she asked, managing to keep her voice fairly calm.
Xander glanced up, but upon seeing Buffy's angry glare, he quickly averted his eyes. "The doctors just told us she's stabilized, but..." He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "...she's in a coma. They don't know if she'll ever..." His voice trailed off but Buffy knew what he was going to say.
"Wake up," she finished. They stood in silence for a few moments, each contemplating the possibility of Willow never waking up. Buffy observed her surroundings, taking in the sight of doctors and patients and friends crying over the death of loved ones. The place was filled with so much pain, so much death and she felt like it was trying to suffocate her. She'd been strong for a while but this was just too much. She couldn't stay here any longer. She didn't have the strength.
Buffy turned to Spike with desperation in her eyes. "Get me out of here, please?"
The vampire sensed her anxiety and nodded his head. "Where to luv?"
"Anywhere. Just not here."
Without another word, Spike took her hand and led her swiftly towards the hospital exit.
"Buffy!" cried a hurt and bewildered Xander. "Buffy, where are you going? You can't just..."
But Buffy didn't hear the rest. She and Spike were already crossing the hospital parking lot and heading to a place unknown.