AN: See previous chapters for disclaimer.
Previously…:
"He's waking up. I'll go get the doctor," Willow said, excited.
"Call Pete, too," Buffy called after her rushing friend.
"Got it!" Willow called. Buffy turned her attention back to the waking figure in front of her.
Now…:
Mac's eyes slowly fluttered open, and the first sight he saw upon regaining consciousness was Buffy's face.
"How you feeling?" Buffy asked.
"Head…hurts," Mac rasped out. His throat was dry. He tried to sit up, but Buffy easily held him down.
"Oh, no you don't. You take it easy. You've been out for three days. And the doctors were talking possible brain damage," Buffy said. Mac looked at her.
"Brain damage?" Mac asked.
"Yeah, but I think we ruled that out just now. Hey, you must be thirsty!" Buffy said, realizing something she had neglected until then. MacGyver's throat had to be dry from being out for so long.
"Yeah. A bit cold, too," Mac said as Buffy held a cup and straw up to his lips.
"I'm afraid that one is my fault. Some assassin decided to make his move while you were out, and I ended up flinging him out the window," Buffy said.
"What?" Mac asked when Buffy took the cup away to keep him from drinking too much and getting sick.
"Some assassin named Murdoc decided that…" Buffy was cut off abruptly by Mac's outburst.
"What? Murdoc was here?" Mac exclaimed. The doctor came in then to examine him. After he was done, the doctor straightened and smiled.
"Everything seems to be fine. I'll release you later today if the latest lab results look good," the doctor said before leaving. Mac nodded, then turned back to Buffy.
"Murdoc was here?" he hissed. Buffy shrugged.
"That's what he said his name was. Said he was a professional assassin. After I stopped him from killing you, he tried to get me to back down, and when I didn't, he tried to kill me. Then I flung him out the window by mistake," Buffy said. MacGyver groaned.
"Buffy…that really wasn't a good idea. Murdoc is a professional assassin. I'm the only blemish on his record. And since you thwarted him from killing me, he'll be after you. I'd have preferred he kill me than go after you," Mac said. Buffy stared at him.
"You truly are selfless, aren't you?" Buffy asked in awe. "Thanks for worrying, but I can take care of myself."
"I know you can, I just don't want you to worry about Murdoc when you've got Vampires to deal with," Mac said.
"Thank you for worrying. I'd better let you rest if your going home today," Buffy said, getting up, and heading out.
AN: I've decided that this is going to be the first part of a story arch (series of stories) that has been tentatively titled With the Phoenix. Please review.