Willow stared at Xander. How come I never thought of that? How could I have overlooked it?

It's okay, you were worried about Buffy. I'm sure you would have thought of it sooner or later. Xander reassured her.

The two friends now sat in the dining room with a cup of hot cocoa each. Xander had brought up a question he had been asking himself since the storm began. How come there was no hurricane warning? Knowing what it was that Sunnydale sat on, and knowing the town's history, it was not hard believing the storm was occurring and that there was no warning. The question was why was it occurring?

I don't mean to worry anybody, Will. But considering this is the land of the dark and mysterious, I just thought that maybe the storm is here for a reason and isn't it our job to find that reason and take care of it? Xander stared into his hot cocoa.

You're right to worry, Xander. It could be anything and Buffy's out in the middle of it! We have to find out what's going on. I'll do some research on the net and see if I can come up with something. Maybe you can go hit the books and see if u can find something. Poor Buffy! We should have known! Willow got up and moved to the other end of the table where her laptop sat ready and waiting.

Xander nodded and left the room to find some books. He couldn't help but think he should have said something sooner. Maybe Buffy was out in the middle of it while her friends sat nice and cozy at home! If there was a way to make the storm stop, they should have tried it already!

***

Buffy, pet, stay with me now. Spike gently patted the slayer's face with one hand as his other kept pressure on her wound. She had been slipping in and out of consciousness for almost an hour and ever time she fell unconscious, it took her longer to come back. Spike wasn't worried about Buffy anymore. He was terrified!

Buffy tried to open her eyes and look at his face again. It was blurry but it was him and he was comfort. she mumbled. She couldn't even remember why she was hurting or why she felt like she was going to throw up. She just knew that where Spike was, there was comfort. She struggled to call his name again but could not move her mouth enough.

Spike watched as Buffy's eyes fluttered and heard her mumble his name. That's right, slayer, open your eyes. I'm right here, luv. Spike saw Buffy's eyes open and look at him. Suddenly her eyes flashed with pain and she squeezed them shut as she yelled out in agony. Buffy! What's the matter! Buffy--no--don't leave me--Buffy! Spike cursed as the slayer's body went limp again and she fell into unconsciousness. He knew how much pain she was in but she had to stay awake!

Spike now realized he was shaking inside. This was all wrong! The storm. The slayer. Everything. Tonight was bad, he could smell it strong. Looking at the blood in his hands, he felt as helpless as a new borne babe. The woman he loved more than anything was dying, and he couldn't help her.

Dammit, Angelus! Where in bloody hell are you!

***

Angel saw the hospital and was flooded with relief. The muscles in his arms and legs hurt from fighting the wind. He was soaked to the bone and old tears had frozen to his face. He had seen Buffy's house and desperately wanted to drop by and tell Buffy's friends that she was okay. However, there wasn't any time to spare. Buffy wasn't okay and he needed to get help now!

The wind blew something huge past him but he ignored it and headed for the red light of the Ambulance bay. If he could get there, someone should let him in and he could get help to Buffy. Angel suddenly thought of his other problem, how was he going to get help back to Buffy? He was a strong vampire and just barely made it to the hospital. There was no way a human could make it back. We'll just have to try!

Finally reaching the glass Ambulance bay doors, Angel pounded as hard as he could. After pounding for what seem like an hour, a blonde woman with a white jacket on and a large brown haired man in blue scrubs came towards the door. Both looked at Angel with confusion and worry on their faces.

The girl, probably a doctor, and the intern unlocked the doors and let Angel in along with a ferocious gust of wind and a torrent of rain. Angel helped the doctor and intern shut the doors behind him.

The tall vampire stood staring at the two confused medical personnel. The two people were not quite too sure what to make of the crazed man dripping on their recently cleaned floor.

Can we help you, sir? asked the girl. The intern just stared at Angel.

I need help, Angel spoke. My friend's been shot and she needs help.

The doctor got a weird, yet concerned, look on her face, Where is she? Why didn't you bring her in? ---How did you get here? There's a hurricane out there, sir!

I know. She's in the cemetery with a friend. Angel saw the look the intern gave him and he swallowed. N-no! Some guy shot her and we were caught in the storm! We had to take cover in a crypt!

The doctor smiled in understanding at Angel, It's okay, sir. We're not accusing you of anything. You did what you had to in order to keep safe. There is nothing wrong with that.

You have to come with me, Angel spoke hurriedly.

I'm sorry, sir. The hurricane is too strong. You are going to have to wait until the storm subsides before we can go anywhere. Let's get you to the cafeteria for some hot coffee. You must be soaked to the bone. Let's get you dry and when the storm settles we'll see what we can do for your friend. The doctor smiled comfortingly and reached for Angel's arm.

Angel pulled his arm away viciously and stared unbelievingly at the doctor. She needs help now! We can't wait until the storm dies! She will die if we don't get to her soon! Angel had begun to yell without realizing it. His yelling attracted some of the nurses and other doctors who now stood watching him.

I understand how you are feeling, sir, but we can't just send an ambulance out into that. It would not be able to make it far before being overturned or worse. The doctor spoke calmly to Angel but her eyes were full of worry. Then we would have more casualties. As a doctor I couldn't make that choice.

I'm not asking for an ambulance, I'm asking for a doctor! Angel spoke desperately. Buffy is bleeding to death in a crypt in a cemetery! She deserves better than that! Angel yelled.

You want me to go out into that? Sir, it would be impossible---

We have to at least try! We can't leave her out there to die if we haven't even tried to save her! She is better than that and she is better than us! Angel felt new hot tears tumble down his cheeks as he thought of Buffy lying, bleeding to death. All because of him and his stupid idea! He thought of Spike kneeling next to Buffy, his hands covered with her blood, and more tears fell. he begged. Don't make me do this.

The intern looked at the soaked man and suddenly felt fear. The man's face was changing into something horrific! Oh-Oh my god! What the hell is that?

The doctor saw Angel's face change but didn't run or scream. In fact, she suddenly looked as if she understood something a teacher had be trying to explain to her for weeks-as if something clicked in her brain. A vampire, she said.

Angel looked at the doctor with surprise and slipped out of his vamp form. Confusion stampeded his brain.

I'll get some supplies and we'll go help your friend. The doctor didn't even wait for the words to register. She turned on her heel and sped off.

The intern turned towards the disappearing doctor, You're what?! Taking one more look at the vampire, the intern took after the doctor. The crowd of people had taken off as soon as Angel's face changed.

Angel just stared at the large puddle growing on the floor beneath his soaked existence. His head hurt.