Chapter 11. Give Me This Dance.

Buffy is rushed into the hospital immediately. Joyce, Giles, and Dawn wait in the lobby. When Buffy's doctor comes over to the two to calm them down, Riley decides to call Xander on his cell phone.

"Hey, Riley," says Xander on the phone.

"Xander, you need to come to the hospital right this minute," says Riley.

"What? Why?"

"It's Buffy."

"I'll be there."

Xander rushes over and meets Riley at the entrance. The two head to the lobby and overhear the doctor explain to Giles and Joyce what is wrong with Buffy.

"She fainted because of over exhaustion," the doctor explains. "All she needs is some rest and she'll be fine."

"Oh, doctor, thank you so much," says Joyce. "Can we see her?"

"Yes."

Before the doctor could show them where their daughter is being held, Riley and Xander walk over to Giles and Joyce.

"Mom, dad," says Riley. "This is Xander. Buffy's boyfriend." Both parents are in shock that Buffy had neglected to tell them that she had a boyfriend.

"Since when is this?" asks Giles.

"For a while now," says Xander. "You see, um, your daughter and I are partners. We dance together at the Hyperion hotel."

"My daughter is a dancer? Who has been taking her?" Riley tries to hide, but his parents notice it. "Riley."

"I'm sorry," says Riley. "You know how she can get. With those eyes and that face she makes." Xander smiles and agrees with Riley.

"She's been dancing non-stop, hasn't she?" asks Joyce.

"She takes breaks," says Xander. "It's not all day."

"I don't want her dancing anymore." Joyce walks over to the room the doctor told her where her daughter would be.

"Joyce," says Giles as he follows her.

"I think it was a bad idea to tell them," says Riley. "I just didn't know any other way to introduce you.'

"It's my fault, I'm the one that told them about the dancing," says Xander. "Why was she so bent out of shape about it?"

"Buffy was a great dancer until one recital put her in a short coma," says Dawn.

"What happened?"

"She lost her balance, hit the stage, rolled off the stage, and hit the ground hard."

"That's horrible."

"When she came out of it, Buffy promised she would never dance again, for mom. I guess she broke the promise."

"She's an incredible dancer. I broke my ankle three times in one week, but I still kept on dancing. I took both dance and football in high school, almost had a heart attack one night. I had to practice for both for three days out of the week. Your sister loves dancing as much as I do. We do anything to keep at it."

In Buffy's room, Joyce sits down in the chair next to her daughter and holds her hand. She then begins to cry. Giles comes in and puts his hand on her shoulder.

"What are we going to do?" asks Joyce. "I know how much she loves to dance, but I can't take another moment like this."

"Honey." Giles kneels down to her side and she stares into his eyes. "The doctor says she's going to be fine. Just a little exhaustion is all."

"What if the next time it isn't that and she leaves us? I can't take that, I really can't."

"She's going to be fine. Everything is going to be fine."

"Mom," says Buffy as she begins to wake up. Joyce quickly stands up and touches her daughter's face.

"Sweetie, it's me," says Joyce trying to hold her tears in.

"What happened?"

"You passed out in the hallway from exhaustion," replies Giles.

"Oh."

"We were very worried, Buffy. Especially your mother."

"I'm sorry I worried you."

"Is there something you would like to say to us?" asks Joyce as she wipes her left hand over the tears from her face.

"No."

"Buffy," says Giles in a stern tone. From the doorway, Riley and Xander peek in.

"I'm not working at the outdoor market like I said I was. I'm dancing at the Hyperion Hotel." Joyce bows her head and tries to not cry again.

"Buffy, you promised…" says Joyce.

"I know I did, mom, but I wanted it so badly," says Buffy. "I've been dancing all my life and you can't expect me to give it up just because I fell."

"You were in a coma, Buffy."
"I know, but I got out alright. Right now I have a chance to make the semi-finals for a dance competition. It's my dream come true."

"Buffy, we…"

"I've been working lots of hours because my job is dancing on stage and we also have to practice and give dance lessons. I was a little over worked. It's not that big of a deal."

"Yes, it is, damn it!" Giles and Buffy both stare at Joyce, startled by her outburst. "I don't want you dancing anymore."

"You can't do this to me. Tomorrow is the semi-finals. I have to be there. We made the arrangements already."

"You are not going anywhere."

"No!"

"Buffy, don't raise your voice at your mother," says Giles.

"This is why I didn't tell you," says Buffy. "I knew you'd be against it. You don't even care that I'm in the semi-finals."

"I care about your well being, Buffy," says Joyce. "When the doctors say that we can take you home, you are grounded. End of story." Joyce gets up and leaves the room.

"I'm not a little girl anymore," says Buffy to Giles. "I'm old enough to make my own decisions."

"You are not old enough to do anything of the sort if you are not truthful," says Giles and then he exits the room.

Riley and Xander enter the room. Buffy gives them both a half smile. Dawn comes from behind them and rushes over to Buffy's side.

"He is so cute," says Dawn as she stares at Xander. Xander hears it and blushes a little.

"Are you okay?" asks Xander not knowing what else to say after the fight Buffy had with her mother.

"Yeah," Buffy replies in a meek voice. "I'm glad you came."

"Riley called and I…"

"Thanks, Riley."

"No problem, sis," replies Riley. "Dawn, why don't we…"

"Yeah, I know they want to be alone," says Dawn rolling her eyes and heading over to the door. "I'm coming." Riley follows her and closes the door.

"I didn't know your parents were so against you dancing," says Xander. He sits down on the chair next to her bed. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"It's complicated," says Buffy.

"Riley told me you were in a coma one time. It was a big scare for your parents."

"And I promised them I wouldn't dance ever again."

"But you couldn't keep the promise."

"No, I couldn't." Buffy nods her head. "I don't want to ruin this for you. You can count on me tomorrow. I promise."

"Buffy…" She puts her finger over his mouth.

"Shhh. End of story." Xander gives her a half smile and then kisses her on the head.