Thank you N170017! I wrote this chapter before your review, and was about to say, anyone there? And then you reviewed, and I smiled =D


The room was silent except for the beeping of the machines that surrounded Buffy lying on the hospital bed, still. The worried face of her mother watched on as her chest slowly rose and fell, the only sign that she was still alive.

"Oh Buffy," Joyce said, gripping her daughter's hand. "If I had only been home, you wouldn't be here. It's all my fault."

"It's not Joyce," Giles said from behind her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Buffy knew the dangers, but she was willing to take the risk. She's strong, and she's been through worse, she'll pull through, don't worry."

"Thank you Giles," she said. "You've been such a good influence. I'm so glad that you formed a relationship with Buffy."

"She's a good girl," he said, smiling. "I'm glad that I got to know her."

Joyce only nodded and turned back to Buffy. Her eyes were closed, and cuts around her face were covered by bandages. Bruises were present in the places that weren't covered, and her body was so fragile.

Giles hated himself for not checking up on her, for not staying with her. She wasn't ready to take on such a strong and ancient creature. But who was I kidding? he thought. It's Buffy.

"Is she ok?"

Giles and Joyce turned to the doorway when they heard someone rush in. Angel rested against the door, looking concerend and out of breath.

"Angel, what are you doing here?" Joyce asked.

"I heard you on the phone outside the apartment... I-I couldn't help it. I had to come and see her," he said, walking inside.

"Is she ok?" Willow asked, appearing in the doorway, the whole gang behind her.

"She's in bad shape," Giles said. "But she's alive."

"Wait, aren't you our... Librarian?" Spike asked.

"I found her," Giles said, looking down. "Joyce, why don't we go get some coffee and leave them alone with Buffy for a minute? I'm sure they'll let us know if there's any change."

Joyce nodded and kissed Buffy's forehead before following Giles out of the room. Angel walked slowly over to her bed, sitting beside her. He ran his hand softly down her cheek, not wanting to hurt her.

"She'll be fine Angel," Faith said.

Angel turned to look at Faith for a second, then back at Buffy. His eyes widened when he saw that she was beginning to stir.

"Fred, go get the nurse," he ordered. "She's awake."