26:00
AN: Sorry for the wait, I injured my hand and was unable to even type - frustrating! But now I'm back :)
Buffy had serious issues in staying awake. While the others tried to convince her that Angel's condition was unlikely to change she only argued that he would wake up and she had to be there when he did. The result of this was that Buffy had been by his side for nearly eight hours without moving, not even able to take her eyes off his to read a magazine.
Giles had taken the liberty of calling Joyce who upon hearing what had happened, called Hank and rushed to LA. The both of them had been given the rundown of the past twenty four hours (with a few minor omissions to Hank) and neither of them had been able convince Buffy of how unhealthy it was for her to be holding a vigil by Angel's side.
Buffy felt her head begin to fall, determined to stay awake she picked up the jug of iced water by the bed and tipped the majority of it over her head. When the water running down her face hit Angel's arm, it jerked away from her. Buffy sat up in amazement.
"Angel?"
She ran her hand over his eyes and watched as they fluttered and slowly opened.
"Buffy?" Angel whispered. Buffy stared in shock as what she had been told was impossible became a reality.
"Buffy, what's wrong? What…Why am I in a hospital?"
Angel looked around the room in confusion, upon noticing how many machines he was hooked up to began to try and get out of it. Buffy came to her senses and realised that the heart monitor was still beeping quite slowly. She stopped Angel from pulling out any more needles and cords and held his hands together.
"Buffy, wha…"
"I can't believe you're awake."
"What, I'm feeling a little confused right now. Want to explain to me what's going on?"
"You don't remember?"
"Remember what? Buffy I…"
"Angel what is the last thing you remember?"
"Okay I'll play…I was watching you watch TV. I remember thinking how much I love you. I remember starting my Tai Chi exercises."
"And then?"
"And then…Well actually nothing I must have blacked out."
"You did more than that. Angel you suffered a heart attack. You fell down and I tried CPR but it didn't work and the nurse I swear was The First then you were brain dead and you didn't wake up and they said you never would…but you did even though you wouldn't and you are."
Buffy's eyes started to well up again. Almost three years of communication with high school kids enabled Angel to decipher rather rapidly what Buffy had said. He took her hand and with great effort (and strength on Buffy's part) pulled himself into a sitting position. He moved over enough and pulled Buffy to him. She curled into his chest and cried for what seemed the millionth time that day.
"Oh Buffy, I'm sorry. Baby don't cry, I'm here see."
"But I thought you weren't ever going to be and then because you wouldn't I couldn't be with you even though I could and I'm going to kill Quentin for not telling us but now we can and time doesn't matter."
"Hang on Buffy, now I'm lost. What are you talking about?"
"We thought we couldn't be together but we could have. The test was just a cover for a whole big scheme to turn you human. We could have been together the whole time and I was worried I wouldn't ever be able to again."
Angel was even more shocked at what Buffy had told him but upon realizing he may in fact suffer another heart attack, calmed himself and waited till Buffy had calmed down before talking again.
"Buffy, so much has happen over the past day, its amazing to me that only a day has passed. I've been turned human, I've watched more television than I ever thought possible, you finished an assignment and I became enough of an Internet junkie as to make Willow cry. I had a heart attack, I was brain dead and I realised that absolutely nothing in this world could make me leave you.
"I don't know what my condition is, I don't know what happened but I do know that nothing is going to stop me from being with you."
Buffy kissed him gently but so much emotion was conveyed in that one kiss as to assure Angel that Buffy felt the same. Buffy pulled back and made a motion as if to leave.
"Hey, where are you going?" Angel held onto her waist
"To get a doctor. You've been awake for nearly fifteen minutes, and the fact that you are awake is probably going to headlines in the national inquirer."
"Oh don't go. A doctor or nurse or someone will come by eventually, Just stay with me."
Buffy was torn but the look in his face quickly over ruled any sense of his health and she allowed herself to be pulled back into her original position.
"So I guess if I'm staying around…and you'll have me of course, I may have to make the mansion a little more hospitable."
Buffy thought for a while before replying "It needs a mirror."
Joyce handed her house keys over to Hank who was making the two hour drive to Sunnydale to get some of Both hers and Buffy's things. Giles took his place at the door of Angel's room. He had been moved to a private room in a private ward.
"She's finally asleep then." Giles questioned.
"About fifteen minutes ago. She is exhausted. She reached for the jug of water but was asleep before she could grab it."
"And obviously no change in his condition."
"No. Rupert, what happened? I know you didn't tell me everything due to hank being around."
"The doctor who was in an hour ago is actually a Council member. From what we are able to understand, Angel suddenly making use of his heart which before this was a dead organ has put much strain on both it and his body in general. As well as this, it would seem that Angels demon was not completely expelled from his mind. And as best that we can attain from his brain patterns, there is an internal battle being fort. Until either he or his demon wins there is little hope of him regaining consciousness. And add to that the amount of time his human self was starved of oxygen…it is completely unknown what is to happen. Giles concluded.
"I'm worried as to the effect this is going to have on Buffy. Having him lost to her last year was bad but even then she was able to hold to the belief of him coming back to her."
"And Willow in a coma last year almost had her in a state of unreason." Giles eyes reflected her concern
"And for Angel to be once again gone from her, the one person on this earth who was always there for her, in a worse state than Willow…"
"It could destroy her." Joyce whispered.
"I believe her to be strong enough to get through it but it may still be a while before she can accept the inevitable."
"We just have to be there for her." Xander finished as he came up. "I called Willow, she'll be here in a few hours, she has to wait for Oz to get un-wolfy and then she'll be here."
"Maybe it wasn't the best to call her at this tine, what with the time of the month, Oz…"
"Actually it was probably the best time. She likes distraction round the full moon. And who knows she may know something that could help."
Xander avoided looking at Joyce in fear of re-hashing memories of burning Buffy at the stake.
"I know what you're talking about, and while I am still having a few issues with it. I know it was a demon provoking me that time. And who knows, you may be right. Maybe it will help."
The trio looked once again at Buffy who was still sound asleep, dreaming an impossible dream
17:40
Reviews
Thanks guys, as always for the support
WarmTea: lol, poor thing. My friend is a nurse also and she often vents 2 me over the same thing.
buffstuff500: Dangerous Territory...I laugh in the face of danger, then i hide till it goes away :p. i'm glad u liked, makes it all worth it :)
buff: thanx heaps
blink49: lol, and this chappy was an even longer wait. stoopid hand, still. hope this one made up 4 it...prob not :p
Carol: and what if i don't :p
BloodThirstyGoddess: He doesnt HAVE 2 be okay, maybe i'll make him comatose 4eva. mwahahahahaha :p or not.
Veronica: Oh i can, and who knows. maybe all my chappys will be cliffhangers :p
never look back: lol, i like to keep people guessing :p if it was all predictable then it would take the fun out of it :)
crystalix: i'm glad ur enjoying this so much, i only hope i can continue 2 everyones expectations :)
nascarisdalejr: tru that. at least they got a kiss in the final episode drinks all round!
yummy0o0: dunno :p
Buffy and Angel forbidden Love: maybe maybe not, all shall be revealed in due course
Ali: yea, no one was expecting that, not even family :p
Anaïs: pushes u off so Buffy can get ready for next chapter hehehehehe
JadedTruth: Oooo, ass kicking, maybe you should get ready for it winks
Yelo: Cliffhangers yesyesyesyesyes. they amuse me :p
Agora: Ahhh, a newbie 2 the fandom Welcome, be prepared for laughs, tears (many boxes of tissues went into the 7 seasons and 5 of Angel) and much in the way of Fan Fic Therapy...thats how i got through :p
Slayer2005: Wow thanx :)
Jessica: I seem 2 be the cause of many tears and deaths lately...Oops :p but i see it as a positive towards a better fic :)
spikestar: Yea maybe, but maybe not!
Kathrine212: There is a high chance as i have never yet NOT had a happy ending, but meh, always a 1st time :)
Rachel: i'm also hanging out for what happens 2 him...oh wait, i do know :p
marion: Oh yes i can, and i did. sorry bout it all :)
FeralElektra: I am evil. I am harsh and you had every right 2 ova react :p lol, least i know ur all getting in2 it :D
Isabel Bay: Thanx heaps. ur one of the luckies who didnt have 2 wait as long for an update :D