Chapter 19: revelations
Title: A new beginning.
Author: Nikka
Author notes: Hey everyone, If you need to know about summary, rate and all the rest it's all in chapter 1 I'll just remind you that **English is not my native tongue** I want to thank Kelly for all the great works she's done, and to welcome aboard Nisus who from now on will be reproofing my fic. As it is you may still find some spelling & grammar mistakes. You're more than welcome to let me know about them but remember you may find them while you read the story. Have fun.
A special thank you to Nisus for reproofing my story. As of that the upload of the chapters may take longer. And to Kelly get well soon.
Feedback: I love love love reviews and I'll be sure to mention it at the end of every chapter.
***
As soon as they reached the hospital Spike sneaked away looking for familiar faces. It didn't take long for him to find Lorne in the waiting area in the ER.
"Hey." Spike sat next to Lorne.
"Spike, you're back?" Lorne said surprised. "What happened? Angel didn't tell me much before he ran out with..."
"Angel?" Spike asked surprised. "Angel was here?"
"Was and actually heading back here again." Lorne replied.
"And he's not a pile of dust?" Lorne was puzzled at Spike's question.
"A pile of dust? Why would he be...?"
"Never mind." Spike cut him off. "Why are you here?"
"I'm on watch duty till everyone gets here." Lorne explained.
"So how is she?" Spike asked, referring to Cordelia.
"Not too well." Lorne replied regarding Buffy, not knowing Spike didn't mean her at all. "The doctor hasn't given us the info yet, but Connor may be able to give you more details, he was the one that brought her in."
"So you think it will be awhile longer? Cause I really need to talk to her." Spike said.
"I don't think she's able to talk at all right now." Lorne replied a bit surprised by Spike's reaction. From the reading he gave Spike earlier, Lorne sensed he had strong feelings towards Buffy. He thought he'd act differently.
"Does been pregnant makes her mute as well as huge." Spike giggled.
"Pregnancy...?" Lorne didn't follow at first but than it hit him. Spike was talking about Cordy, he had no idea it was Buffy lying in that hospital bed. "You think Cordy is delivering?" Lorne asked just to be sure.
"Isn't she?" Spike asked confused. If she weren't, why would he be in the hospital? And who was the 'she' Lorne talked about? "Loren? Who's in there?" Spike asked pointing at the doors of the ER?" Lorne quitted down, knowing his reply will send Spike on a collusion course. With what?... he wasn't sure. "Lorne!" Spike snapped at him. Fear slowly sneaked in. "Who's in there?" His voice trembled slightly.
"It's... a... Buffy." Lorne whispered, unable to say it out loud. But Spike with his vampire hearing heard him loud and clear. A shocked expression spread across his face. His eyes shimmered as images came to mind. "What...?" He stammered. "What's wrong with her?"
"She's been...."
"Lorne!" He turned to see the entire gang, Scoobies and A.I, rushing towards him.
"Where is she?" Angel asked nervously.
"What's her condition?" Willow asked as well.
"Can we see her?" Dawn tried to squeeze in a question. One by one they showered poor Lorne with questions. No one even noticed Spike standing on the side, all shaken up.
Lorne tried controlling the crowd, "People please... if you could just let me explain..."
"Hey! What's going on here?" Everyone stopped talking and looked to the side to see an angry nurse staring back at them. "This is a hospital in case you forgot." She scolded them. "Now, who are you looking for...?" Before she had a chance to continue they all jumped in, talking at her simultaneously. "Hey!" She raised her voice. "Only one, and I repeat one, gets to ask the questions." They all stared at each other trying to decide who should speak, when suddenly...
"Buffy summers." Spike's voice caught everyone off guard. "What's her condition?"
"Are you a family member?" The nurse asked.
"I am." Dawn steeped forward. "I'm her sister. But they're like family so you can tell us."
"Okay." The nurse nodded as she looked at her pad. "Right now she's still in with the doctors. It could take awhile. So why don't you sit down and wait..."
"What happened to her?" Spike who was uninformed asked.
"She was stabbed." Connor, who came from behind him, said.
The nurse turned around to leave but was stopped by Cordy. "My friend Xander Harris? What's his condition?"
The nurse looked at her pad. "Wait here I'll page the doctor." She said and turned away.
***
"Connor?" Angel was glad to see he was safe. "Are you...?"
"I'm fine." Connor said.
"And Buffy? How is she?" Spike asked wanting to know more.
"I don't know, she didn't look all that good when we came here." Connor tried to avoid eye contact, especially with Dawn.
"What happened?" Dawn took a few steps towards him.
Connor had no choice but to look up and see those big shiny brown eyes looking back at him. He couldn't bare it so he looked at Angel, as if he was talking to him and not to her. "I smelled this scent and followed it." He began to explain. "I found her laying on the ground the demon was standing next to her. I wanted to fight it, but when it saw me it took off, leaving her behind."
"You said she was stabbed?" Willow asked.
"Yes." Connor replied.
"Oh god." Dawn was scared; she had a bad feeling to begin with and it only grow stronger.
"Lets not jump into any conclusions." Giles tried to be the sound of reason and calm. "Buffy is strong and she survived worse injuries..."
"This is all my fault." Angel mumbled to himself, as Giles continued his encouragement speech. "Damn it." He walked away from the crowd out to the parking lot, thinking they're all too busy to notice that. They all were, except for one.
"Why is it your fault?" Spike, who popped out from behind him, asked. "And come to think of it, why are you here and not in vampire's with a soul haven?"
"I was spared." Angel replied, not really wanting to get into details.
"Spared? Just like that? How convenient." Spike commented.
"And what is that suppose to mean, Spike?" Angel turned to face him.
"It means Angel, it makes no sense that after all the trials we went through to reach the other side, you suddenly got a free pass, just like that." Spike replied with a bit of sarcasm in his tone.
"Well I did, okay?" Angel said and turned around, his hands in his pockets.
"No, not okay." Spike raised his voice as he reached out and grabbed Angel's shoulder and turned him around. "It doesn't make sense, it's not how the omnipotent powers work. You said it yourself."
Angel looked at him with an angry stare. "I said a lot of things." he took away spike's arm. "And now I'm saying this; back off Spike before you get hurt."
"Is that a threat Angelus?"
"For you William." Angel had his face inches away Spike's face. "It's a promise."
***
Cordy looked around noticing Angel was missing in action. "You guys? Where's Angel?"
"And where's Spike for that matter?" Willow, who noticed he was also gone, added.
"I hope they're not arguing again." Cordy sighed.
"If they are, at least this time they had the sense to take it somewhere else." Willow said in relief.
"Mr. Harris's family?" A call from the other side of the hall caught their attention.
"Yes." Willow raised her hand waving to the doctor, while the others gathered around her. The doctor came towards her.
"Are you a family member?" The doctor asked.
"Well actually, I'm..."
"His cousin." Cordy completed the sentence for her. Willow just gave her a funny look.
"Okay." The doctor nodded and looked at his papers. "Would you like us to talk somewhere else, more privately?" The doctor suggested when noticed the crowd surrounding her.
"It's okay they're like family." Willow nodded and the doctor kept on.
"For now we did all that we can for him, but he's still in intensive care."
"Is he's going to be alright?" Cordy asked
"Look Miss...? The doctor looked at his papers trying to find her name.
"Chase." Cordy helped him out.
"Miss Chase. He came in with a broken arm a fractured leg, cracked ribs, torn spleen..."
"Oh god." Cordy had no idea his condition was that serious.
"But that's not what we're worried about." The doctor continued.
"Then what?" Willow asked.
"All those things are... well... fixable, but his head injury, that's another story."
"What kind of head injury?" Giles asked worriedly.
"He came in with a severe concussion. We did a head ct. and there's some swelling in that area.
"I'm sorry I don't..." Willow's voice cracked. Cordy reached out and took her hand. "I don't understand what does it mean? Is he going to be okay?"
"I'm sorry, but we just don't know. With head injuries..." The doctor paused for a moment. "We just have to wait till he wakes up and do some more tests."
"Wake up?" Wesley asked surprised. "Is he in a coma?"
"No, not a coma. We imagine once the swelling goes down he'll regain his consciousness." The doctor smiled slightly trying to look positive.
"Can we see him?" Dawn asked.
"Yes, but only a family member at a time. And no more than five minutes each." The doctor replied.
"Thank you." Willow said, when Suddenly the doctor's pager biped.
"I'm sorry I have to go, if you have any more questions just ask the nurse to page me."
"Doctor?" Dawn reached out and touched his arm. He turned around. "My sister, Buffy Summers, she was brought in about 30 minutes ago and we still haven't heard anything about her condition..."
"I'm sorry miss. You'll have to wait for the doctor who admitted her." The doctor smiled and took off in a hurry. Dawn sighed in despair.
"It's okay Dawnie." Cordelia tried assuring her. "I'm sure we'll know something soon enough."
"Then what?" Dawn asked scared. "Xander's unconscious, Buffy's fighting for her life. There's a death-squad of warrior demons on our tail..." She sighed, "Can it get any worse?" And just as she said that they heard the nurse calling for security due to a fight that broke out in the parking lot.
"You don't think...?" Fred asked.
"Oh yes I do." Cordy said as she headed outside followed by the rest.
***
"I don't owe you any explanations." Angel raised his voice.
"Bloody hell you don't." Spike shouted. "Last time I saw you, you were two minutes from deep fired and your hand was nailed to a table by a big pole. And now look at you, alive with no bruises to show."
"Your point?" Angel asked, knowing his point but no wanting to go there.
"You gave them something in return and I want to know what it was." Spike looked at Angel trying to figure out on his own what was the price for his freedom. "I know they like to play games, so I'm guessing they pulled a lets-save-you-in-the-nick-of time-thing." Spike spoke out loud as he paced back and forth.
"You know what?" Angel said angrily. "I don't need to hear your Nancy Dru theories. You play the detective, don't let me get in your way." Angel turned to the hospital entrance.
"I have a right to know." Spike raised his hand placing it on Angel's shoulder. He wasn't shouting or been violent in any way. He was sincere and almost honest.
"Spike." Angel turned to face him. "What purpose will it serve, except pain? We can't change the way things are right now." Angel tried reasoning with him.
"Pain? Why me knowing what happened would cause pain...?" Suddenly it daunted on him. "You said it was your fault, and Lorne said you just showed up at the hospital." Spike started backing away realizing what have happened "You bastard..."; Spike walked backwards leaning against the wall. Every inch of his body wanted to leap forward and kill Angel with his bare hands. "Tell me you didn't. Tell me you weren't that selfish. But than again you are Angelus." Spike's eyes were filled with anger and pain.
"You stupid little excuse of a man." Angel walked towards him. "Do you think I wanted this? I didn't do this to save my own skin." Angel said in anger. "I did cause if I didn't, they'd both be dead."
"So you choose the cheerleader over the woman you claim, is the love of your life." Spike chuckled in disgust.
"I made a choice and love had nothing to do with it." Angel replied, still trying to control his rage.
"Obviously." Spike derided him. So what? Did you draw straws or just went iny-miny-moo?"
"That's it." Angel leaped forward and pressed his arm against spike's troth, pinning him to the wall. Spike pushed him away. Why?" Spike yelled in a shattered voice.
"What answer would satisfy you?" Angel shouted back. "If I tell you I did it cause I loved one more than the other, would that satisfy you. It must, cause than you can run to Buffy and tell her I don't really love her, while you really do."
"She's dieing." Spike shouted as he advanced towards Angel with a raised finger. "Do you really think I'm that petty?" Spike paused for a moment. "Wait, don't answer that of course you do. You can't imagine me loving Buffy, or her loving me in return."
"She doesn't love you." Angel cut him off.
"No she doesn't." Spike replied. "She stills loves you, the man who choose to let her die so he can save his latest one night stand." and once again Angel punched Spike who punched him again.
***
The extended gang reached the parking lot to find the two vampires pummeling each other. "Stop it!" Cordy yelled at them, but they didn't hear her. "Gunn...?" She turned to him for help. Gunn didn't waste a minute and with the help of Giles and Wesley tried to break them apart. Finally they managed to pull them away from each other, each of them lying on opposite sides of the concrete ground.
"What's wrong with you?" Cordy yelled at both of them "Two of our friends are fighting for their lives and you two are playing who's the man."
"Uh no luv, we're playing a whole new different game." Spike replied.
"Spike, Shut up! Leave her out of this." Angel said in anger.
"Come on Angel don't you think they deserve to know, what you did to their beloved Buffy?"
"Buffy?" Dawn asked confused. She looked at Angel who had a guilty expression on his face. "What did you do to my sister?"
***
"I asked you a question!" Dawn raised her voice.
"Nothing. Spike is just been an idiot as always." Angel stood up.
Dawn looked at Spike, who by now was standing as well. "What did you mean?"
Spike paused for a moment, looking at Angel, then at the group, who was staring at him, especially at Cordy, who looked, as if she was about to deliver this instance. Knowing what he knew, what the powers told him. He couldn't take the risk, not now. If something happened to her, just cause he wanted to make Angel suffer... no he couldn't let that happened."
Spike?" Dawn's voice snapped him back.
"Nothing." He said coldly. "Just like he said." And with that he turned around and headed back into the hospital.
"Great." Dawn said in snappy voice and walked in as well, Followed by the rest. Only Cordy stayed behind waiting for Angel, waiting for answers. She knew there was more to it. More than the two let on, and she wanted to know what it was.
***
"Spike." He turned to see Giles. "Can I see you alone for a moment?"
Spike was a bit surprised that Giles actually wanted to talk to him alone, but he imagined this was going to be one of his you're-a-selfish-irresponsible-vampire-and-you-better-stay-away-from-Buffy- Speech. "If you want to rag me Rupert you can do it here as well, if not better with an audience."
"No, it's not that. It's something else." Giles looked serious and sincere.
"Okay." Spike said and followed Giles to a secluded corner away from the group. "Well?" Spike was getting impatient when Giles seemed reluctant.
"I want to know why you fought with Angel?" Giles finally got to the point.
"Buffy, what else." Spike replied shortly.
"Normally I would believe, or better yet not care at all. But for some reason I have a feeling the fight you and Angel had, had something to do with the reason Buffy is now fighting for her life." Spike was impressed, although he didn't let it show. Giles was more observant that he gave him credit for. "You said something outside, about Angel doing something to Buffy. I want to know what you neglected to tell the others, from whatever reason."
"I told you, it was nothing. Just me rumbling on, as always." Spike for some unknown reason, even to him, kept protecting Angel's dirty little secret. Maybe he realized no good could come out of everyone knowing the truth. It's not like it could change what happened. All it would do is cause heartbreak, mistrust and a rift between the two groups, who have finally started to work as one.
"Spike." Giles took a step towards him. "I have a right to know. I deserve to know." Giles paused for a moment as he stepped back. "I promise I'll keep to myself, but as her watcher, as her... I need to know!"
Spike looked at Giles. He saw the pain in his eyes, knowing he wanted someone to blame for what happened to his slayer. He couldn't just accept the fact that she was injured in battle, as she has many times before. This time it was different. This time he wasn't there; he wasn't in the loop of things. They were away from home on a different turf, and he needed somewhere to place the blame. And right now in Giles's eyes it all pointed to Angel.
"He wasn't supposed to live." Spike began to explain. "I kept on to find the answers we were looking for, while Angel stayed behind waiting for his death, which was suppose to come a few minutes after I left."
"But he's alive." Giles said confused.
"My point exactly." Spike said cynically. "So I confronted him about his miraculous recovery and his impeccable timing in saving Cordelia." Spike paused for a moment. "I knew he stroke a deal with the powers, he gave them something in return for his life and Cordelia's life."
"Did he tell you what it was?" Giles asked anxiously.
"No, but I figured it out and he didn't deny it." Spike replied. "Apparently they gave him a choice; choose one and save her or choose none and both die including you, so..."
"He had to choose between Cordelia and Buffy." Giles finally realized what Angel did. Spike nodded "And he choose to save Cordelia, while knowing Buffy will die."
"Yes." Spike said sadly.
"I see." Giles had a serious expression on his face.
"That's it, aren't you mad? Aren't you angry as hell? Because of him she's in there." Spike pointed towards the ER.
"No. She's there because she did her duty. Angel had to make a choice, it was the sensible thing to do." Giles explained.
"You've got to be kidding me. You actually support his decision?"
"What would you have him do, Spike?" Giles raised his vice slightly. "Choose Buffy over Cordelia?"
"Well..." Spike shrugged.
"He couldn't. It wouldn't have made any sense. On one end you have a defenseless pregnant woman who carries a very precious and special child we've all been fighting to protect, including Buffy. On the other end, you have a skilled slayer, who is more than capable of taking care of her self, and who has super healing abilities. He did what was most logical."
"What are you a Vulcan?" Spike was getting angry. "Logical this, logical that. This is Buffy we're talking about."
"And that is why I'm saying he did the right choice." Giles stayed firm in his opinion.
"He did it cause he loves Cordelia." Spike lashed out at Giles.
"Maybe. But that's beside the point. What would you have done?"
"Save Buffy." Spike replied quickly without hesitation.
"And let Cordelia die?" Giles asked.
"Well... I guess..."
"You see." Giles smiled. "It's not so easy when the choice is up to you." Giles sighed. "Think of the burden he has to carry, think of the guilt he must be feeling. Angel loves Buffy, I know that for a fact." Giles's words ran deep. "And choosing not to save her must have killed him inside, probably still does."
"He's ashamed that's why he keeps it away from everyone." Spike said in disgust.
"Maybe. But above all he doesn't want to cause any more pain. Imagine how Cordelia would feel if she knew, She's alive on Buffy's expense." Giles walked passed Spike his back facing him. "Choices are never easy Spike. You should know it better than anyone else." And with that he turned and walked away.
***
The doctor finally came out to see Dawn who was waiting impatiently. He gave her the grim news, informing her sister was fighting for her life. He was surprised she made it at all, but Dawn wasn't nor was any one else.
"Ca we see her?" Dawn asked in a whispering tune.
"Only family members and not more than...
"5 minutes, we know." Dawn said.
The doctor just nodded. Dawn knew he felt sorry for her. She didn't want his pity; she didn't even want to be here. She hated hospitals, nothing good ever happened to her in hospitals. As the doctor walked away Dawn made her way to Buffy's room followed by Angel.
The gang stayed behind debiting their next move. Spike and Giles were still talking somewhere.
"So you want me to run away and hide?" Cordy asked rhetorically "Just creep under a rock while my friends are in the hospital because they were trying to save me? Huh?" She was pissed.
"Well, when you say it like this." Fred wasn't sure what to say.
"I can't go, not now. Xander and Buffy are..."
"In danger as long as you're around." Wesley steeped in. "Right now, and do take it in the nicest way possible, you're a demon magnet."
"Xander was a demon magnet once. Didn't end well." Remarked Willow.
"If you stay here," Wesley kept on ignoring Willow's little remark. "You'll brig every demon who's after you there, where Buffy and Xander are defenseless."
"He's right, come to think of it." Willow got up from her chair and joined the conversation. "You'll be putting them in grater risk."
"I just want them to be okay." Cordy slowly sat down with the help of Gunn. "If I'm causing more harm than good, I should go."
"Then we better go tell Angel." Wesley said quickly before Cordy had a chance to change her mind. "Where is he, by the way?"
"He's with Buffy." Said Dawn, who came walking down the corridor from Buffy's room. "He just went in."
"Good luck Wes." Fred smiled and patted him on the shoulder.
"No way. I am not going over there." Wesley shook his head rapidity. "You're his co-workers, his friends, you should tell them. I'm still the black sheep. Remember?" Wesley tried joking about the whole Angel-tried-to-strangle-me-issue, but neither Fred nor Gunn found it amusing.
"You little babies." Cordy got up again with Gunn's assistance. "I'll go."
***
He took the chair that leaned against the wall and dragged it to the bed. He sat down taking her hand raising it carefully, not to rip any tubules, and placing it on his cheek. Caressing it gently with his fingertips. Bringing her hand to his lips and kissing it softly. He lowered his head still holding on to her hand, as if it was a lifeline. "I'm so sorry." He whispered. "It's all my fault.
***
Cordy reached the room and slowly opened the door, not wanting to barge in. She saw Angel sitting by the bedside holding her hand. She felt a tiny pinch. It hurt her to see them like this, to see the love and concern he had for her. She knew she had no right, especially now, but she couldn't control what she was feeling. She had every intention backing away and leaving, but as she was about to close the door Angel said something that got her attention, and despite her better judgment she decided to linger.
"It's all my fault. I'm so sorry Buffy. I try to convince myself I had no choice. But then again, a choice is what brought us here today." He paused looking at her bruised peaceful face. He tucked a stray hair behind her ear.
Cordy stayed completely still, even the pain of standing on her swollen feet didn't matter right now.
"If only I knew... they told me this would happened, but conceited as always I thought I could defy the mighty powers. That I could do both, save you both. God, if only I could." Warm tears formed at the edge of his eye. "I didn't do it to save my own skin, although that's Spike's version of the story. I did it cause I had the chance to save a life. I couldn't just do nothing and see you both die. I had to try, to defeat the odds, the powers..."
Cordy gasped and quickly placed her hand on her mouth, hoping Angel didn't hear her. It finally daunted on her, the reason he was still alive, although according to Spike he was suppose to be dead. The reason he showed up just in time out of nowhere to save her. The reason Buffy was dieing was because Angel was given a choice, to save either her or Buffy. And he chose her. She wanted to kick herself for feeling, even for a brief moment, happiness that Angel chose her. That he proved he truly loved her. As if it mattered right now, as if winning his heart was the most important thing. She hated herself for thinking that. She hated the fact that she was alive and kicking on the expense of Buffy's life.
"I made a choice." Angel voice cut her reverie, "based on who had a better chance to survive. and as always you won. You hate losing, right? Especially losing to Cordelia." He chuckled.
**A chance to survive?** She thought.
"My choice had nothing to do with love, I mean, a question of who I love, or love more?" He smiled slightly.
Suddenly her heart dropped. As if a truck just drove over it. She tried pulling it together, but it was too much for her. She could blame it on the hormones; blame it of her guilt over Buffy's condition. Heck, she could almost convince herself. But she knew why warm tears ran down her cheek. Of course all the reasons she ran in her mind were true and valid, but above all stood the reason of her love. She cried over her shattered heart.
"Go figure." She heard him say. "You blamed me for loving you both, not been able to choose. And now I'm apologizing for choosing."
Cordy wanted to leave but her feet refused to move. As if she enjoyed the torture, she stayed put, listening to his every word.
"You know it can't be a question of love. I always loved you and probably always will... If I could do it all over again maybe I would have...."
"Cordy?" She turned to see Fred standing behind her. "What happened?" asked Fred, when noticed the tears and red eyes.
"Nothing." Cordy mumbled and walked away.
"Cordy wait!" Fred called out to her and was about to run after her when suddenly she heard Angel's voice.
"Who's there?" He asked.
"It's me Fred." She replied peeping from behind the door.
"How long have you been standing there?" Angel asked in suspicion.
"I just got here. I wanted to know what was keeping Cordy..."
"Cordy?" Angel cut her off. "She was here?"
"Yeah, I just saw her before she ran off. She was suppose to call you so we could..."
"Uh no." Angel realized she probably overheard everything he said. "I have to find her." He said as he got up and walked towards Fred who stood at the doorway. "Where did she go?"
"I didn't see. I was too busy answering you." Fred didn't get Angel behavior. "Look Angel, it's understandable that Cordy should feel this way, with the hormones and the stressful situation..."
"It's not that Fred." Angel looked around trying to find her.
"Then what Angel?" Fred was getting aggravated.
"Never mind. Right now we need to find her, before she does something stupid." Angel replied.
"Stupid like...?"
"Like taking off on her own without telling anyone where she's heading." said Angel and ran down the corridor towards the waiting area, followed by Fred.
***
She walked out of the hospital and crossed the road. She wanted to get away from there as much as possible, but her legs couldn't go any further, she needed to sit and the dinner across the street seemed like the best gateway for now. She stood on the sidewalk about to climb the few stairs that lead to the dinner when suddenly she felt a pinching pain; she grabbed her belly and bended trying to take in the pain. A woman walking by saw her and came to her aid. "Are you okay." Asked the woman.
"I'm fine." Cordy filtered throw grinned teeth. The pain passed and she straightened up. "See it's all gone no....awwwww." Cordy cried out as another sharp pain pierced her body.
"Lets go." The woman said and took Cordy's arm.
"Go where?" Cordy was still in denial faze.
"Where do you think?" The woman looked at the hospital.
"No I can't." Cordy resisted.
"Listen." The woman said firmly. "I had 3 children and I'm telling you this baby is coming whether you're ready or not. And as a suggestion, you'd want to be around doctors and medications when that happens. The woman smiled." Cordy wanted to resist but the pain was too much. It kept coming; each time was painful than the other. The woman grabbed Cordy's arm with one hand and supported her back with the other. It was just across the street but to Cordy it seemed like forever. They finally made it through and as they were about to enter the hospital Cordy kneeled down, screaming in pain.
"I can't." she cried. " I can't take another step." She leaned down placing her hands on the ground screaming with each contraction.
"Wait here." Said the woman and ran inside.
"As if I can go anywhere?!" Cordy said sarcastically. A few moments later the woman came running out followed by a nurse and an orderly willing a willing chair. The orderly with the help of the nurse put Cordy onto the chair as she huffed and puffed and willed her in quickly.
"Is there's someone we can call miss?" the nurse asked her.
"No. No one. I'm alone in this." Cordy replied as she went inside the delivery room.
***
TBC
Hi ppl,
I know, it took me awhile to post the next chapter, but in my defense I can say it wasn't my fault completely. So here it is. I hope you enjoyed it. It's longer than usual, so it means it could take awhile for me to update again, so be patient as always.
I hope you like the last one, cause I didn't here much from you... So, please drop me a line this time, you know it's the season to be... reviewing lol, lame I know. The things you have to do to get a review. I think I'll write a book about it one day. :-))))))
Any way to all have a great holiday, whatever it may be...
Nikka.
P.s
This chapter was not reproof by Nisus but by yours truly, I hope the mistakes are not that many, and not that bad. I did my best.
Title: A new beginning.
Author: Nikka
Author notes: Hey everyone, If you need to know about summary, rate and all the rest it's all in chapter 1 I'll just remind you that **English is not my native tongue** I want to thank Kelly for all the great works she's done, and to welcome aboard Nisus who from now on will be reproofing my fic. As it is you may still find some spelling & grammar mistakes. You're more than welcome to let me know about them but remember you may find them while you read the story. Have fun.
A special thank you to Nisus for reproofing my story. As of that the upload of the chapters may take longer. And to Kelly get well soon.
Feedback: I love love love reviews and I'll be sure to mention it at the end of every chapter.
***
As soon as they reached the hospital Spike sneaked away looking for familiar faces. It didn't take long for him to find Lorne in the waiting area in the ER.
"Hey." Spike sat next to Lorne.
"Spike, you're back?" Lorne said surprised. "What happened? Angel didn't tell me much before he ran out with..."
"Angel?" Spike asked surprised. "Angel was here?"
"Was and actually heading back here again." Lorne replied.
"And he's not a pile of dust?" Lorne was puzzled at Spike's question.
"A pile of dust? Why would he be...?"
"Never mind." Spike cut him off. "Why are you here?"
"I'm on watch duty till everyone gets here." Lorne explained.
"So how is she?" Spike asked, referring to Cordelia.
"Not too well." Lorne replied regarding Buffy, not knowing Spike didn't mean her at all. "The doctor hasn't given us the info yet, but Connor may be able to give you more details, he was the one that brought her in."
"So you think it will be awhile longer? Cause I really need to talk to her." Spike said.
"I don't think she's able to talk at all right now." Lorne replied a bit surprised by Spike's reaction. From the reading he gave Spike earlier, Lorne sensed he had strong feelings towards Buffy. He thought he'd act differently.
"Does been pregnant makes her mute as well as huge." Spike giggled.
"Pregnancy...?" Lorne didn't follow at first but than it hit him. Spike was talking about Cordy, he had no idea it was Buffy lying in that hospital bed. "You think Cordy is delivering?" Lorne asked just to be sure.
"Isn't she?" Spike asked confused. If she weren't, why would he be in the hospital? And who was the 'she' Lorne talked about? "Loren? Who's in there?" Spike asked pointing at the doors of the ER?" Lorne quitted down, knowing his reply will send Spike on a collusion course. With what?... he wasn't sure. "Lorne!" Spike snapped at him. Fear slowly sneaked in. "Who's in there?" His voice trembled slightly.
"It's... a... Buffy." Lorne whispered, unable to say it out loud. But Spike with his vampire hearing heard him loud and clear. A shocked expression spread across his face. His eyes shimmered as images came to mind. "What...?" He stammered. "What's wrong with her?"
"She's been...."
"Lorne!" He turned to see the entire gang, Scoobies and A.I, rushing towards him.
"Where is she?" Angel asked nervously.
"What's her condition?" Willow asked as well.
"Can we see her?" Dawn tried to squeeze in a question. One by one they showered poor Lorne with questions. No one even noticed Spike standing on the side, all shaken up.
Lorne tried controlling the crowd, "People please... if you could just let me explain..."
"Hey! What's going on here?" Everyone stopped talking and looked to the side to see an angry nurse staring back at them. "This is a hospital in case you forgot." She scolded them. "Now, who are you looking for...?" Before she had a chance to continue they all jumped in, talking at her simultaneously. "Hey!" She raised her voice. "Only one, and I repeat one, gets to ask the questions." They all stared at each other trying to decide who should speak, when suddenly...
"Buffy summers." Spike's voice caught everyone off guard. "What's her condition?"
"Are you a family member?" The nurse asked.
"I am." Dawn steeped forward. "I'm her sister. But they're like family so you can tell us."
"Okay." The nurse nodded as she looked at her pad. "Right now she's still in with the doctors. It could take awhile. So why don't you sit down and wait..."
"What happened to her?" Spike who was uninformed asked.
"She was stabbed." Connor, who came from behind him, said.
The nurse turned around to leave but was stopped by Cordy. "My friend Xander Harris? What's his condition?"
The nurse looked at her pad. "Wait here I'll page the doctor." She said and turned away.
***
"Connor?" Angel was glad to see he was safe. "Are you...?"
"I'm fine." Connor said.
"And Buffy? How is she?" Spike asked wanting to know more.
"I don't know, she didn't look all that good when we came here." Connor tried to avoid eye contact, especially with Dawn.
"What happened?" Dawn took a few steps towards him.
Connor had no choice but to look up and see those big shiny brown eyes looking back at him. He couldn't bare it so he looked at Angel, as if he was talking to him and not to her. "I smelled this scent and followed it." He began to explain. "I found her laying on the ground the demon was standing next to her. I wanted to fight it, but when it saw me it took off, leaving her behind."
"You said she was stabbed?" Willow asked.
"Yes." Connor replied.
"Oh god." Dawn was scared; she had a bad feeling to begin with and it only grow stronger.
"Lets not jump into any conclusions." Giles tried to be the sound of reason and calm. "Buffy is strong and she survived worse injuries..."
"This is all my fault." Angel mumbled to himself, as Giles continued his encouragement speech. "Damn it." He walked away from the crowd out to the parking lot, thinking they're all too busy to notice that. They all were, except for one.
"Why is it your fault?" Spike, who popped out from behind him, asked. "And come to think of it, why are you here and not in vampire's with a soul haven?"
"I was spared." Angel replied, not really wanting to get into details.
"Spared? Just like that? How convenient." Spike commented.
"And what is that suppose to mean, Spike?" Angel turned to face him.
"It means Angel, it makes no sense that after all the trials we went through to reach the other side, you suddenly got a free pass, just like that." Spike replied with a bit of sarcasm in his tone.
"Well I did, okay?" Angel said and turned around, his hands in his pockets.
"No, not okay." Spike raised his voice as he reached out and grabbed Angel's shoulder and turned him around. "It doesn't make sense, it's not how the omnipotent powers work. You said it yourself."
Angel looked at him with an angry stare. "I said a lot of things." he took away spike's arm. "And now I'm saying this; back off Spike before you get hurt."
"Is that a threat Angelus?"
"For you William." Angel had his face inches away Spike's face. "It's a promise."
***
Cordy looked around noticing Angel was missing in action. "You guys? Where's Angel?"
"And where's Spike for that matter?" Willow, who noticed he was also gone, added.
"I hope they're not arguing again." Cordy sighed.
"If they are, at least this time they had the sense to take it somewhere else." Willow said in relief.
"Mr. Harris's family?" A call from the other side of the hall caught their attention.
"Yes." Willow raised her hand waving to the doctor, while the others gathered around her. The doctor came towards her.
"Are you a family member?" The doctor asked.
"Well actually, I'm..."
"His cousin." Cordy completed the sentence for her. Willow just gave her a funny look.
"Okay." The doctor nodded and looked at his papers. "Would you like us to talk somewhere else, more privately?" The doctor suggested when noticed the crowd surrounding her.
"It's okay they're like family." Willow nodded and the doctor kept on.
"For now we did all that we can for him, but he's still in intensive care."
"Is he's going to be alright?" Cordy asked
"Look Miss...? The doctor looked at his papers trying to find her name.
"Chase." Cordy helped him out.
"Miss Chase. He came in with a broken arm a fractured leg, cracked ribs, torn spleen..."
"Oh god." Cordy had no idea his condition was that serious.
"But that's not what we're worried about." The doctor continued.
"Then what?" Willow asked.
"All those things are... well... fixable, but his head injury, that's another story."
"What kind of head injury?" Giles asked worriedly.
"He came in with a severe concussion. We did a head ct. and there's some swelling in that area.
"I'm sorry I don't..." Willow's voice cracked. Cordy reached out and took her hand. "I don't understand what does it mean? Is he going to be okay?"
"I'm sorry, but we just don't know. With head injuries..." The doctor paused for a moment. "We just have to wait till he wakes up and do some more tests."
"Wake up?" Wesley asked surprised. "Is he in a coma?"
"No, not a coma. We imagine once the swelling goes down he'll regain his consciousness." The doctor smiled slightly trying to look positive.
"Can we see him?" Dawn asked.
"Yes, but only a family member at a time. And no more than five minutes each." The doctor replied.
"Thank you." Willow said, when Suddenly the doctor's pager biped.
"I'm sorry I have to go, if you have any more questions just ask the nurse to page me."
"Doctor?" Dawn reached out and touched his arm. He turned around. "My sister, Buffy Summers, she was brought in about 30 minutes ago and we still haven't heard anything about her condition..."
"I'm sorry miss. You'll have to wait for the doctor who admitted her." The doctor smiled and took off in a hurry. Dawn sighed in despair.
"It's okay Dawnie." Cordelia tried assuring her. "I'm sure we'll know something soon enough."
"Then what?" Dawn asked scared. "Xander's unconscious, Buffy's fighting for her life. There's a death-squad of warrior demons on our tail..." She sighed, "Can it get any worse?" And just as she said that they heard the nurse calling for security due to a fight that broke out in the parking lot.
"You don't think...?" Fred asked.
"Oh yes I do." Cordy said as she headed outside followed by the rest.
***
"I don't owe you any explanations." Angel raised his voice.
"Bloody hell you don't." Spike shouted. "Last time I saw you, you were two minutes from deep fired and your hand was nailed to a table by a big pole. And now look at you, alive with no bruises to show."
"Your point?" Angel asked, knowing his point but no wanting to go there.
"You gave them something in return and I want to know what it was." Spike looked at Angel trying to figure out on his own what was the price for his freedom. "I know they like to play games, so I'm guessing they pulled a lets-save-you-in-the-nick-of time-thing." Spike spoke out loud as he paced back and forth.
"You know what?" Angel said angrily. "I don't need to hear your Nancy Dru theories. You play the detective, don't let me get in your way." Angel turned to the hospital entrance.
"I have a right to know." Spike raised his hand placing it on Angel's shoulder. He wasn't shouting or been violent in any way. He was sincere and almost honest.
"Spike." Angel turned to face him. "What purpose will it serve, except pain? We can't change the way things are right now." Angel tried reasoning with him.
"Pain? Why me knowing what happened would cause pain...?" Suddenly it daunted on him. "You said it was your fault, and Lorne said you just showed up at the hospital." Spike started backing away realizing what have happened "You bastard..."; Spike walked backwards leaning against the wall. Every inch of his body wanted to leap forward and kill Angel with his bare hands. "Tell me you didn't. Tell me you weren't that selfish. But than again you are Angelus." Spike's eyes were filled with anger and pain.
"You stupid little excuse of a man." Angel walked towards him. "Do you think I wanted this? I didn't do this to save my own skin." Angel said in anger. "I did cause if I didn't, they'd both be dead."
"So you choose the cheerleader over the woman you claim, is the love of your life." Spike chuckled in disgust.
"I made a choice and love had nothing to do with it." Angel replied, still trying to control his rage.
"Obviously." Spike derided him. So what? Did you draw straws or just went iny-miny-moo?"
"That's it." Angel leaped forward and pressed his arm against spike's troth, pinning him to the wall. Spike pushed him away. Why?" Spike yelled in a shattered voice.
"What answer would satisfy you?" Angel shouted back. "If I tell you I did it cause I loved one more than the other, would that satisfy you. It must, cause than you can run to Buffy and tell her I don't really love her, while you really do."
"She's dieing." Spike shouted as he advanced towards Angel with a raised finger. "Do you really think I'm that petty?" Spike paused for a moment. "Wait, don't answer that of course you do. You can't imagine me loving Buffy, or her loving me in return."
"She doesn't love you." Angel cut him off.
"No she doesn't." Spike replied. "She stills loves you, the man who choose to let her die so he can save his latest one night stand." and once again Angel punched Spike who punched him again.
***
The extended gang reached the parking lot to find the two vampires pummeling each other. "Stop it!" Cordy yelled at them, but they didn't hear her. "Gunn...?" She turned to him for help. Gunn didn't waste a minute and with the help of Giles and Wesley tried to break them apart. Finally they managed to pull them away from each other, each of them lying on opposite sides of the concrete ground.
"What's wrong with you?" Cordy yelled at both of them "Two of our friends are fighting for their lives and you two are playing who's the man."
"Uh no luv, we're playing a whole new different game." Spike replied.
"Spike, Shut up! Leave her out of this." Angel said in anger.
"Come on Angel don't you think they deserve to know, what you did to their beloved Buffy?"
"Buffy?" Dawn asked confused. She looked at Angel who had a guilty expression on his face. "What did you do to my sister?"
***
"I asked you a question!" Dawn raised her voice.
"Nothing. Spike is just been an idiot as always." Angel stood up.
Dawn looked at Spike, who by now was standing as well. "What did you mean?"
Spike paused for a moment, looking at Angel, then at the group, who was staring at him, especially at Cordy, who looked, as if she was about to deliver this instance. Knowing what he knew, what the powers told him. He couldn't take the risk, not now. If something happened to her, just cause he wanted to make Angel suffer... no he couldn't let that happened."
Spike?" Dawn's voice snapped him back.
"Nothing." He said coldly. "Just like he said." And with that he turned around and headed back into the hospital.
"Great." Dawn said in snappy voice and walked in as well, Followed by the rest. Only Cordy stayed behind waiting for Angel, waiting for answers. She knew there was more to it. More than the two let on, and she wanted to know what it was.
***
"Spike." He turned to see Giles. "Can I see you alone for a moment?"
Spike was a bit surprised that Giles actually wanted to talk to him alone, but he imagined this was going to be one of his you're-a-selfish-irresponsible-vampire-and-you-better-stay-away-from-Buffy- Speech. "If you want to rag me Rupert you can do it here as well, if not better with an audience."
"No, it's not that. It's something else." Giles looked serious and sincere.
"Okay." Spike said and followed Giles to a secluded corner away from the group. "Well?" Spike was getting impatient when Giles seemed reluctant.
"I want to know why you fought with Angel?" Giles finally got to the point.
"Buffy, what else." Spike replied shortly.
"Normally I would believe, or better yet not care at all. But for some reason I have a feeling the fight you and Angel had, had something to do with the reason Buffy is now fighting for her life." Spike was impressed, although he didn't let it show. Giles was more observant that he gave him credit for. "You said something outside, about Angel doing something to Buffy. I want to know what you neglected to tell the others, from whatever reason."
"I told you, it was nothing. Just me rumbling on, as always." Spike for some unknown reason, even to him, kept protecting Angel's dirty little secret. Maybe he realized no good could come out of everyone knowing the truth. It's not like it could change what happened. All it would do is cause heartbreak, mistrust and a rift between the two groups, who have finally started to work as one.
"Spike." Giles took a step towards him. "I have a right to know. I deserve to know." Giles paused for a moment as he stepped back. "I promise I'll keep to myself, but as her watcher, as her... I need to know!"
Spike looked at Giles. He saw the pain in his eyes, knowing he wanted someone to blame for what happened to his slayer. He couldn't just accept the fact that she was injured in battle, as she has many times before. This time it was different. This time he wasn't there; he wasn't in the loop of things. They were away from home on a different turf, and he needed somewhere to place the blame. And right now in Giles's eyes it all pointed to Angel.
"He wasn't supposed to live." Spike began to explain. "I kept on to find the answers we were looking for, while Angel stayed behind waiting for his death, which was suppose to come a few minutes after I left."
"But he's alive." Giles said confused.
"My point exactly." Spike said cynically. "So I confronted him about his miraculous recovery and his impeccable timing in saving Cordelia." Spike paused for a moment. "I knew he stroke a deal with the powers, he gave them something in return for his life and Cordelia's life."
"Did he tell you what it was?" Giles asked anxiously.
"No, but I figured it out and he didn't deny it." Spike replied. "Apparently they gave him a choice; choose one and save her or choose none and both die including you, so..."
"He had to choose between Cordelia and Buffy." Giles finally realized what Angel did. Spike nodded "And he choose to save Cordelia, while knowing Buffy will die."
"Yes." Spike said sadly.
"I see." Giles had a serious expression on his face.
"That's it, aren't you mad? Aren't you angry as hell? Because of him she's in there." Spike pointed towards the ER.
"No. She's there because she did her duty. Angel had to make a choice, it was the sensible thing to do." Giles explained.
"You've got to be kidding me. You actually support his decision?"
"What would you have him do, Spike?" Giles raised his vice slightly. "Choose Buffy over Cordelia?"
"Well..." Spike shrugged.
"He couldn't. It wouldn't have made any sense. On one end you have a defenseless pregnant woman who carries a very precious and special child we've all been fighting to protect, including Buffy. On the other end, you have a skilled slayer, who is more than capable of taking care of her self, and who has super healing abilities. He did what was most logical."
"What are you a Vulcan?" Spike was getting angry. "Logical this, logical that. This is Buffy we're talking about."
"And that is why I'm saying he did the right choice." Giles stayed firm in his opinion.
"He did it cause he loves Cordelia." Spike lashed out at Giles.
"Maybe. But that's beside the point. What would you have done?"
"Save Buffy." Spike replied quickly without hesitation.
"And let Cordelia die?" Giles asked.
"Well... I guess..."
"You see." Giles smiled. "It's not so easy when the choice is up to you." Giles sighed. "Think of the burden he has to carry, think of the guilt he must be feeling. Angel loves Buffy, I know that for a fact." Giles's words ran deep. "And choosing not to save her must have killed him inside, probably still does."
"He's ashamed that's why he keeps it away from everyone." Spike said in disgust.
"Maybe. But above all he doesn't want to cause any more pain. Imagine how Cordelia would feel if she knew, She's alive on Buffy's expense." Giles walked passed Spike his back facing him. "Choices are never easy Spike. You should know it better than anyone else." And with that he turned and walked away.
***
The doctor finally came out to see Dawn who was waiting impatiently. He gave her the grim news, informing her sister was fighting for her life. He was surprised she made it at all, but Dawn wasn't nor was any one else.
"Ca we see her?" Dawn asked in a whispering tune.
"Only family members and not more than...
"5 minutes, we know." Dawn said.
The doctor just nodded. Dawn knew he felt sorry for her. She didn't want his pity; she didn't even want to be here. She hated hospitals, nothing good ever happened to her in hospitals. As the doctor walked away Dawn made her way to Buffy's room followed by Angel.
The gang stayed behind debiting their next move. Spike and Giles were still talking somewhere.
"So you want me to run away and hide?" Cordy asked rhetorically "Just creep under a rock while my friends are in the hospital because they were trying to save me? Huh?" She was pissed.
"Well, when you say it like this." Fred wasn't sure what to say.
"I can't go, not now. Xander and Buffy are..."
"In danger as long as you're around." Wesley steeped in. "Right now, and do take it in the nicest way possible, you're a demon magnet."
"Xander was a demon magnet once. Didn't end well." Remarked Willow.
"If you stay here," Wesley kept on ignoring Willow's little remark. "You'll brig every demon who's after you there, where Buffy and Xander are defenseless."
"He's right, come to think of it." Willow got up from her chair and joined the conversation. "You'll be putting them in grater risk."
"I just want them to be okay." Cordy slowly sat down with the help of Gunn. "If I'm causing more harm than good, I should go."
"Then we better go tell Angel." Wesley said quickly before Cordy had a chance to change her mind. "Where is he, by the way?"
"He's with Buffy." Said Dawn, who came walking down the corridor from Buffy's room. "He just went in."
"Good luck Wes." Fred smiled and patted him on the shoulder.
"No way. I am not going over there." Wesley shook his head rapidity. "You're his co-workers, his friends, you should tell them. I'm still the black sheep. Remember?" Wesley tried joking about the whole Angel-tried-to-strangle-me-issue, but neither Fred nor Gunn found it amusing.
"You little babies." Cordy got up again with Gunn's assistance. "I'll go."
***
He took the chair that leaned against the wall and dragged it to the bed. He sat down taking her hand raising it carefully, not to rip any tubules, and placing it on his cheek. Caressing it gently with his fingertips. Bringing her hand to his lips and kissing it softly. He lowered his head still holding on to her hand, as if it was a lifeline. "I'm so sorry." He whispered. "It's all my fault.
***
Cordy reached the room and slowly opened the door, not wanting to barge in. She saw Angel sitting by the bedside holding her hand. She felt a tiny pinch. It hurt her to see them like this, to see the love and concern he had for her. She knew she had no right, especially now, but she couldn't control what she was feeling. She had every intention backing away and leaving, but as she was about to close the door Angel said something that got her attention, and despite her better judgment she decided to linger.
"It's all my fault. I'm so sorry Buffy. I try to convince myself I had no choice. But then again, a choice is what brought us here today." He paused looking at her bruised peaceful face. He tucked a stray hair behind her ear.
Cordy stayed completely still, even the pain of standing on her swollen feet didn't matter right now.
"If only I knew... they told me this would happened, but conceited as always I thought I could defy the mighty powers. That I could do both, save you both. God, if only I could." Warm tears formed at the edge of his eye. "I didn't do it to save my own skin, although that's Spike's version of the story. I did it cause I had the chance to save a life. I couldn't just do nothing and see you both die. I had to try, to defeat the odds, the powers..."
Cordy gasped and quickly placed her hand on her mouth, hoping Angel didn't hear her. It finally daunted on her, the reason he was still alive, although according to Spike he was suppose to be dead. The reason he showed up just in time out of nowhere to save her. The reason Buffy was dieing was because Angel was given a choice, to save either her or Buffy. And he chose her. She wanted to kick herself for feeling, even for a brief moment, happiness that Angel chose her. That he proved he truly loved her. As if it mattered right now, as if winning his heart was the most important thing. She hated herself for thinking that. She hated the fact that she was alive and kicking on the expense of Buffy's life.
"I made a choice." Angel voice cut her reverie, "based on who had a better chance to survive. and as always you won. You hate losing, right? Especially losing to Cordelia." He chuckled.
**A chance to survive?** She thought.
"My choice had nothing to do with love, I mean, a question of who I love, or love more?" He smiled slightly.
Suddenly her heart dropped. As if a truck just drove over it. She tried pulling it together, but it was too much for her. She could blame it on the hormones; blame it of her guilt over Buffy's condition. Heck, she could almost convince herself. But she knew why warm tears ran down her cheek. Of course all the reasons she ran in her mind were true and valid, but above all stood the reason of her love. She cried over her shattered heart.
"Go figure." She heard him say. "You blamed me for loving you both, not been able to choose. And now I'm apologizing for choosing."
Cordy wanted to leave but her feet refused to move. As if she enjoyed the torture, she stayed put, listening to his every word.
"You know it can't be a question of love. I always loved you and probably always will... If I could do it all over again maybe I would have...."
"Cordy?" She turned to see Fred standing behind her. "What happened?" asked Fred, when noticed the tears and red eyes.
"Nothing." Cordy mumbled and walked away.
"Cordy wait!" Fred called out to her and was about to run after her when suddenly she heard Angel's voice.
"Who's there?" He asked.
"It's me Fred." She replied peeping from behind the door.
"How long have you been standing there?" Angel asked in suspicion.
"I just got here. I wanted to know what was keeping Cordy..."
"Cordy?" Angel cut her off. "She was here?"
"Yeah, I just saw her before she ran off. She was suppose to call you so we could..."
"Uh no." Angel realized she probably overheard everything he said. "I have to find her." He said as he got up and walked towards Fred who stood at the doorway. "Where did she go?"
"I didn't see. I was too busy answering you." Fred didn't get Angel behavior. "Look Angel, it's understandable that Cordy should feel this way, with the hormones and the stressful situation..."
"It's not that Fred." Angel looked around trying to find her.
"Then what Angel?" Fred was getting aggravated.
"Never mind. Right now we need to find her, before she does something stupid." Angel replied.
"Stupid like...?"
"Like taking off on her own without telling anyone where she's heading." said Angel and ran down the corridor towards the waiting area, followed by Fred.
***
She walked out of the hospital and crossed the road. She wanted to get away from there as much as possible, but her legs couldn't go any further, she needed to sit and the dinner across the street seemed like the best gateway for now. She stood on the sidewalk about to climb the few stairs that lead to the dinner when suddenly she felt a pinching pain; she grabbed her belly and bended trying to take in the pain. A woman walking by saw her and came to her aid. "Are you okay." Asked the woman.
"I'm fine." Cordy filtered throw grinned teeth. The pain passed and she straightened up. "See it's all gone no....awwwww." Cordy cried out as another sharp pain pierced her body.
"Lets go." The woman said and took Cordy's arm.
"Go where?" Cordy was still in denial faze.
"Where do you think?" The woman looked at the hospital.
"No I can't." Cordy resisted.
"Listen." The woman said firmly. "I had 3 children and I'm telling you this baby is coming whether you're ready or not. And as a suggestion, you'd want to be around doctors and medications when that happens. The woman smiled." Cordy wanted to resist but the pain was too much. It kept coming; each time was painful than the other. The woman grabbed Cordy's arm with one hand and supported her back with the other. It was just across the street but to Cordy it seemed like forever. They finally made it through and as they were about to enter the hospital Cordy kneeled down, screaming in pain.
"I can't." she cried. " I can't take another step." She leaned down placing her hands on the ground screaming with each contraction.
"Wait here." Said the woman and ran inside.
"As if I can go anywhere?!" Cordy said sarcastically. A few moments later the woman came running out followed by a nurse and an orderly willing a willing chair. The orderly with the help of the nurse put Cordy onto the chair as she huffed and puffed and willed her in quickly.
"Is there's someone we can call miss?" the nurse asked her.
"No. No one. I'm alone in this." Cordy replied as she went inside the delivery room.
***
TBC
Hi ppl,
I know, it took me awhile to post the next chapter, but in my defense I can say it wasn't my fault completely. So here it is. I hope you enjoyed it. It's longer than usual, so it means it could take awhile for me to update again, so be patient as always.
I hope you like the last one, cause I didn't here much from you... So, please drop me a line this time, you know it's the season to be... reviewing lol, lame I know. The things you have to do to get a review. I think I'll write a book about it one day. :-))))))
Any way to all have a great holiday, whatever it may be...
Nikka.
P.s
This chapter was not reproof by Nisus but by yours truly, I hope the mistakes are not that many, and not that bad. I did my best.