"So we move
We change by the speed of the choices that we made.
And the barriers are all self made.
That's so retrograde"
Getting back down the stairs was a picnic. He stummbled the first few steps, but caught himself and managed to go the rest of the way without falling. He still couldn't believe she hit him. After everything...
He stopped the thought. Pity was inching in. He was playing the martyr. Can't have that.
He stummbled onto the cot, happy to be sitting again. The leg would take time. But the ego would take even longer. Spike listened as the Potentials thundered out the front door.
Wouldn't be long before they came back. He should rest until then...
Eyes fluttered open to stare into the darkness. But he wasn't alone. No, someone was standing at the bottem of the stairs.
Buffy.
He sighed inwardly and drew himself up. Already the aches had subsided. He felt like he had before she thumped him.
"So, you takin' up lurking?" he asked, resting his wrist on his drawn up knee. Buffy shrugged and stepped into what little light was in the basement.
"Came to see how you were doing." she said softly, no emotion backing the words. Spike sighed and leaned his head back against the basement wall.
"S'at right? Thought you'd come down, knock me round again." he said, sarcasm edging at his voice. The cot creaked as he shifted. Suddenly, Buffy's face resigned to a softer expression and she strode over to stand directly infront of him.
"I was proving a point, Spike," she stopped, crossing her arms. "I did what I had to."
"S'at a fact?" he shifted again. "What exactly was your point, pet?"
"That you're not ready to train the girls yet."
"I am! I mean," he stopped, closing his eyes. He was rushing. "I can be."
Buffy sat on the edge of the bed. She calmly reached out and brushed her fingers over his cheek.
"I need you, Spike." she said sternly. "Training the girls can wait. When It comes, I wont be strong enough to do this alone."
"Buffy..."
"I need you to be better. Concentrate on that. The girls are fine. And there's plenty of time to train them." she stood up with a flash of a smile.
"And when you're better, they wont know what hit 'em." she smiled again and headed up the stairs. Spike resigned his head to the wall again.
Slowly, he felt his pride begin to re-knit itself...
Slowly, he felt his bones do the same...