Chapter Two

"Listen To Me"

"What do I have to do?" Buffy asked, arms crossed over her chest. The doctor shrugged and motioned toward the door he had come out of.

"He'll be out of it for a while. We had to drug him pretty good."

"Is he alright? I mean...did you...?" she couldn't find the words, but the doctor knew what she meant. He smiled.

"He's fine, ma'am. The operation went as planned." the doctor smiled again and crossed his own arms. Buffy tried her best to smile back, but her face showed only worry. Why was she so worried? It was Spike. The Bounce-Backiest of all Bounce-Backers. The ultimate evil pain in her ass. And yet she worried.

"If you'd like, you can take him topside in about a hour or so. He should be alright by then." the doctor offered. "I'll have some of the guys escort you back."

Buffy nodded her thanks and uncrossed her arms. Her palms were suddenly sweaty. Nervous? God, why was she nervous?

"Can I...um...is he O.K?" Buffy motioned toward the door, just as the doctor had done. After a moment's hesitation, he nodded and opened it for her. She smiled slightly and headed through. As she walked into the little room, the doctor took her by the arm, making her jump.

"Ma'am, just...don't say too much. He isn't really comprehending anything quite yet." he informed her, glancing at the vampire on the gurney. Buffy shot him a worried look and he shook his head. "It's nothing like that. It's just the drugs. Like I said, we had to give him quite a bit."

Buffy looked at Spike and walked to his side. He look helpless, just laying there. He look vulnerable and he looked dead. He reminded her of all the dead bodies on CSI and ER. The ones that weren't supposed to get up...

Spike sighed softly, shifting briefly as his eyes opened. He must have sensed her. But, then again, if he was so drugged up, how could he sense anything at all? His eyelids fluttered for a moment, almost as if he were in panic mode. Blue eyes darted around the room as best they could and when they landed on her, he squinted.

"Hey." she said softly, reaching out and touching his arm lightly. He didn't move. "You O.K?"

He turned his head gingerly, as if testing the muscles in his neck. Confusion crossed his face and a weak hand reached up from his side to touch his head. Quickly, Buffy reached out and caught it before he could reach his target.

"Hey. Don't do that." she whispered, his eyes back on her again. "Just rest, okay?"

"Buffy..." he mumbled, eyes searching her face for something. She wasn't quite sure what it was. He look momentarily lost, though. "What's happening?" he tried, voice cracking from lack of use.

"Don't worry about it yet. Just trust me." she replied. She heard the doctor say something. She didn't know what he said. Spike still looked confused and, quite frankly, stoned. He didn't understand. She needed to ground him before the panic started up again.

"Spike?"

His eyes snapped to her face.

"Do you trust me?"

After a moment's pause he squinted. Was he trying to see her better? Then, he nodded very slightly.

"Yes."