Title: The Journey Home

Author: Niki-chan

Disclaimer: Please Joss, since you're not using them anymore?

Buffy sighed as she washed the blood from Angel's face. It was rare to see him this weak. She had only witnessed it twice. After he had returned from hell, and when Faith had poisoned him before graduation.

But somehow this was worse.

This time he was broken. His bones were cracked and shattered in more places than she could tell. He was covered in bruises and gashes, his face almost unrecognizable.

She sighed again, putting the washcloth down. He had been like this for almost two days now. He wasn't healing, probably because he wasn't eating. She had sent Spike to the butcher and had tried to force some into his mouth, but he barely swallowed any.

He had taken more damage than anyone. Had he been human he'd have been dead only moments into the fight. Buffy placed her hand on his cheek, gently stroking it. He stirred slightly, but never opened his eyes.

"How is he?" Spike asked when Buffy emerged from Angel's room. After the battle they had taken Angel to the Hyperion hotel. It had remained abandoned since Angel had left, and it was the only safe place Buffy could think of.

"I don't know," she said honestly, taking a seat with Spike at the table. "He's not getting better."

"He will," Spike assured, placing his hand on hers. She smiled weakly at his attempt at reassurance. Spike smiled back. They drifted into an awkward silence, as they had done since Buffy had shown up to help. Spike hated the silence. "How did you know?" he said finally, unable to stand it.

"I dreamt it," she whispered. "I saw the battle, and I saw him... I knew it wasn't just some dream. I knew it was real. I knew if I didn't stop it, then Angel would…" she drifted off, unable to say it. "I had to come."

She was just thankful she had arrived in time. She had left Rome the next morning. She didn't have time to explain it to Dawn before she had her on a plane to England. Giles hadn't asked questions, he simply agreed to pick Dawn up when her flight came in.

It hadn't been hard to gather the other slayers. She brought a few with her from Rome. Others were already close. Well, closer. She had called Faith in Cleveland, who agreed to gather as many as she could and meet her in L.A.

They had lost a few dozen battling the Black Thorn. Buffy hated herself for it, but she didn't regret putting their lives in danger. She knew they would lose some. They were young; inexperienced. But she knew Angel needed her. It was a price she had to pay.

"I have to admit," Spike chipped, snapping Buffy back to reality. "I was more than a little surprised to see you."

"Funny," Buffy said slyly, "I was about to say the same thing about you."

Spike stuttered a little before deciding what to say.

"I wanted to tell you," he said truthfully. "I just… I figured it was more dramatic the other way. You know, you thinkin' I was a hero and all." Buffy smiled.

"You are a hero."

"Ya, guess I am. Who'd of thought?"

Buffy laughed slightly, squeezing Spike's hand.

"I missed you."

"I know, luv."

"Good," she whispered. She smiled meekly at him again, sorry that she couldn't love him, and guilty knowing he would always love her.

"Don't worry 'bout me, pet," he assured, as if reading her mind. "It's good that you're here. He needs you. Almost as much as you need him."

"Spike, I-"

"No need to explain," he interrupted. "I've come to terms with things a long time ago. I know I'm a fool, but I'm not completely daft."

"You're not a fool."

"Only when it comes to love," he said with a smile.

"Aren't we all," she whispered, turning her head to Angel's door.

Notes: Feedback please! Next part will probably be up in the next couple of days!