Chapter 17

Angelus was driving like a mad man, searching for all the places he thinks Buffy would be at. No place was left unturned. He was speeding, probably breaking all legal limits out there but he was getting desperate, worried out of his mind.

"Dude, slow down."

Angelus ignored Xander's request and continued to speed, beating the traffic lights.

"Angelus! Slow down!"

"I can't!"

"We don't even know where we're going and I'm sorry but I'd like to stay alive, please!"

"She could be in danger, Xan."

"We don't know that. You saw the pictures and you don't think that perhaps…"

"I don't care!" he swerved to the shoulder and slammed the brakes.

He took a deep breath to calm himself before continuing, "I know how the pictures look but I know her. All I need to do is look into her eyes and I'll know. If she is cheating on me, I would know and my gut is telling me that there's no way she would…"

"I pray to god that you're right but Angelus, you've been wrong before. Maybe love blinds you from the truth".

"Xander, what Buffy and I have isn't even remotely close to what I had with Darla or anyone! What we have, the dreams we share, the hopes we want, everything we do is for our family. God, she's the mother of my son. There's no way she…"

His mobile suddenly rang, cutting his words. He looked at his phone, the unfamiliar number making him frown. He slides the answer button half a ring later.

"Hello?"

Xander could vaguely hear the caller's muffled voice.

"Speaking", Angelus says again.

Angelus' face changes while listening to the caller.

"Where?"

And the muffled voice continued speaking.

"I'm coming", Angelus replied hastily, ending the call.

Before Xander could ask him who the caller was, Angelus was back speeding on the road. He only answered 'it's Buffy' and thereafter, opted to ignore his friend's continuous questions, focusing to get to his destination faster.

The moment he reached, he parked haphazardly, not caring he could get fined or inconvenience a fellow driver.

Yes, he was selfish at the moment but he does not care.

He was running to the reception, vaguely hearing Xander calling him out to lock his car but he did not care.

His car could get stolen but he does not care.

"Buffy Summers" he told the nurse currently on the phone. She replied him with an index finger, the universal sign of asking one to wait.

Angelus doesn't have time to wait so he slams the counter causing the nurse to abruptly stop, staring at him with anger but Angelus wasn't deterred and glared back before repeating her name. The nurse looked at him for a few more moments before she backed down and began typing on the computer and told him where she was.

He raced to the stairs taking two steps at a time, Xander trying very hard to keep up. This felt all too familiar and Angelus was brought back to a time when he was in a similar plight approximately 3 years ago, fearing for the love of his life. He silently prays that like the other time, she would recover this time too.

The moment he reached the floor, he breezed through the corridors, looking for the room. When he found it, he pushed his way in, ignoring the nurses and staff telling him that he's not allowed there. What he saw brought him almost to his knees. Laying there was an unconscious Buffy, looking frail and pale. His feet moved towards her uncontrollably, wanting to be close to her but suddenly, he found himself held back by the nurses and staff. Only then did he register that the room was filled with medical professionals hovering over her, trying to figure out what was wrong.

"Get him out of here!" said one man who Angelus believed could possibly be the doctor.

Angelus wanted to resist but a nurse tried to reason with him, make him understand.

"Sir, we need you to wait outside".

"But…"

"We're trying to help the patient and we're doing all we can but you need to leave so please let us do our job".

"She's…"

"Sir, please".

Xander came in moments later and tugged his arm, "Angelus, come on man".

"Xand, she's hurt".

"I know and they're helping her but we need to go. Come on."

After much tugging and pulling, they managed to push Angelus out of the room. Defeated, Angelus slammed his fist against the wall before slumping down to the ground.

"They're doing their best. She'll be fine", Xander consoled him.

"I can't lose her Xand. I can't!" Angelus mumbled desperately.

"You won't. They know what they're doing. Just let them work".

For the next few what felt like hours, Angelus morosely stared at the door, his mind in a state of nothingness as he anxiously waits for someone to walk through it to tell him that she was going to be okay.

"Angelus", Xander touched his shoulder gently.

He looked up to see Xander and a serious looking tall, blonde woman.

"I'm Detective Lockley with LAPD. I'm sorry for what happened", she said, extending her hand for a shake.

Angelus shook her hand and thanked her but uncertain as to why she was here and offering compassion to him.

"I understand that this may come off and inappropriate but if it's possible, do you mind if we talk for a little while?"

"What is this regarding?"

"Do you perhaps wish to take a walk with me?"

"No, I would like to stay here in case...whatever it is, you can say it here".

The detective looked a little unsure but said, "Very well".

She took a seat next to Angelus and began her questions.

"Ms. Summers was brought in by Mr. Mrs. Sanders who said that she was in a daze. She was running in the middle of the road and stopped their car, asking for help, insinuating she was in some sort of danger so as a precaution, the hospital advised the Sanders to call the police."

"What?"

"Do you know where she was tonight?"

"She said she was going to be in the office".

"And where is her office?"

"1127 Spring Street. She's a lawyer with Wolfram Hart. Wait…you said she was in a daze?"

"Yes and she was found almost 20 miles away from Spring Street."

"What?"

"Do you know the reason why she would be in that area?"

"No, she told me she was going to be working late. If anything, perhaps she's there to meet with a client."

"Right…Mr. Callahan, do you know a Scott Hope?"

Angelus frowned recognizing the name as the long lost friend of Buffy who recently reconnected with her.

"Yes, he's Buffy's friend from college. I mean, I've never met him but Buffy mentioned him a few times. Why do you ask?"

"Mrs Sanders said that in her daze, Buffy said Scott Hope was after her. Do you know what she means by that?"

"What?...after her?..no."

"She seems panicky and disoriented, telling the Sanders to call for you".

Angelus was enraged.

"Are you telling me that Scott Hope attacked her?"

"I cannot be certain but from the accounts of the Sanders, it is likely that something happened between Ms Summers and Scott Hope. The only person who can tell us what really happened is Ms. Summers herself".

"What do you need from me?"

"At this moment, nothing but it would help if you could give us a number we can reach you on so if we have further questions or updates on the case, we'll let you know."

Angelus merely nodded and provided his mobile number to the detective who also provided her number in return should he have any further questions. She offered her condolences once more and informed that they will be in touch.

Angelus collapsed onto the nearest chair, clearly overwhelmed by the turn of events. Never having seen him in such a state, Xander found himself praying for the sake of his best friend's sanity. He prayed hard.

It seemed like forever but when the doctor walked out of the room 6 hours later, Angelus was on his feet immediately, looking at him hopefully.

"She's stabilizing. Her vitals are still low but I think she's out of danger. Her body shows a high dosage of drugs and from the tests it seems that the effects would have taken over a period of time. I'm sorry to ask this but is she a user?"

"What? No", Angelus was angered by his accusation.

"Could it be you were unaware that she's…"

"She's clean", Angelus insisted firmly.

The doctor nodded before continuing, "We've pumped all that we can out of her, but it will take time before the rest of it is completely out of her system. Someone must have been feeding her gradually for that sort of amount to be inside her. We'd like to keep her here for a few weeks or at least until the drugs are completely out of her".

"How long would that take?"

"It's hard to say. The dosage is potent. We'll take it one day at a time".

Angelus nodded sadly.

"There may be some complications while she is recovering".

"What complications?"

"She may replicate symptoms of an addict. This means, it's highly likely she will crave the drugs but we have ways and steps to help her with that. I'm just letting you know because as much as it is going to be hard for her, it'll be difficult to see a loved one in that state. But with enough support and effort, it's highly likely that she'll be okay."

"I'll do whatever it takes".

"Good. She will need a tremendous amount of support at this point of time".

Angelus nodded and thanked the doctor who told him that he can visit Buffy in about a half hour once she's been transferred to the normal ward.

"She's going to be okay", Xander said encouragingly and patted his shoulder.

"Yea", he said blankly.

Xander frowned at his friend's reaction briefly before brushing it off as exhaustion to the roller coaster he was facing the past few hours.

Little did he know Angelus' mind was actually racing, planning to get in touch with contacts and connections who could help him find Scott Hope. Scott and he were going to have a little chat.

The next day

'Beep…beep…beep', ugh..that annoying sound, Buffy thought when she opened her eyes.

She squinted, her eyes finding it hard to adjust to the bright lights that seemed blaring to her. She was suddenly reminded of the hospitalization episode over three years ago. Her mind was muddled, too busy trying to calibrate her senses and send signals to her limbs so she could move her hand and squeeze her forehead to ease the ache.

She slowly sat up and immediately fell back down, the scent of the hospital's medical disinfectant aggravating her headache. She closed her eyes, wishing that she was back into the land of the unconscious, the pain becoming a little too unbearable for her. But of course, it wasn't going to happen so she opened her eyes again to try and call for a nurse to give her some medication to help with the pain.

That was when she saw a mass of dark hair laying by her hand, the man asleep. Seeing him soothe the ache almost instantly and she smiled, relieved to see the man she loves. Her fingers threaded his hair lovingly. The man who was usually a heavy sleeper stirred at her touch, his neck aching from his uncomfortable position. He wonders what woke him before immediately remembering that he was at the hospital. He snapped his head to her, surprised to see her awake.

"Hi", Buffy says weakly.

Angelus immediately leaned down to peck her gently on her lips, careful not to disrupt the tubes connected to her nose to aid her breathing. He caressed her hair and returned her smile.

"Hey beautiful. We have to stop meeting like this", he joked.

She let her smile widen. Angelus' face lost the humour before carefully studying her features, his eyes slightly teary seeing her sunken eyes, pale face and weak outlook.

"I'm okay", she assured him, knowing the racing thoughts in his mind.

"You better be", he cupped her face, his thumb brushing her cheeks.

"I can't live without you", he confessed brokenly, imagining her dazed self running helplessly on the road asking for someone to save her, shaking him to the core. Over the last few hours, he thanked the Powers repeatedly for sending the good Samaritans as her saviour.

Touched by his confession, she signalled him to lean close and latched onto his lips, giving him a long and deep kiss telling him the mutual significance he was to her wordlessly. After they break away, Angelus nuzzles his face against hers, wanting to stay close, seeking her warmth and love, assuring himself that she was here with him. Buffy cupped his nape, caressing it, equally needing him and partly wanting to comfort him.

After some time, Angelus stood up and said, "I'm gonna see if I can get the doctor to check on you" but Buffy held his wrist telling him she just needed him and not some doctor.

"I just want to make sure that you're okay. It'll just take a sec", he assured her.

Buffy hesitantly let him go and huffed. She knew he was probably right but all she wanted was for him to cuddle her. He was always her best medicine. Moments later, Angelus walked in with a man she assumes was the doctor.

"Nice to see you awake, Miss Summers. I'm Doctor Giles, your physician. How are you feeling today?"

"My head feels like a tonne of bricks and it's about to explode. Can you give me something for the pain".

"Let me assess you and after that we'll give you something for the pain".

After doing the necessary, the doctor calmly explained to her that he will not be giving her any medication to help with pain.

"What? Why?"

The doctor looks at Angelus as though asking him if he should tell her or should Angelus. Angelus took a deep breath and held her hand.

"You've been drugged", he began.

"What?"

"When they found you, you had large amounts of drugs in your system. It was as though you've been using them for some time".

"What! That's not true", she denied vehemently.

"Shh, I know. That's what I told them but that's what the results show."

"Which is why I'm not prescribing you any medication at least for today until I'm sure what sort of drugs have been fed to you. The lab should return with the results this evening", Dr. Giles continued.

Buffy laid there in shock, trying to understand how the drugs got in her.

"For now, try to get some sleep and I'll tell them to give you some oils to help with the pain."

Four days later

Buffy was fidgeting, restless and annoyed. Her pain was still there and with each day that passed, it seemed to aggravate. The oils were useless having minimal or no effect on her. Angelus walked in to see her pacing, internally shaking his head at how stubborn she was.

"Should you be standing and walking about?"

"Angel, I need something stronger for the pain. Tell them to give me something".

The results of the drugs in her system came back with a mixture of depressants such as Lorazepum, Zolpidem and Alprazolam which are commonly used to treat anxiety and insomnia but with exceeded use would mean hazardous to the consumer. Due to this, the doctor only prescribed her with Nitrous Oxide and recommended essential oils over regulated time and controlled dosage to help with the pain which in Buffy's state of withdrawal doesn't seem to be enough. Almost always, the pain would come back before it was time for the next dosage.

"You know they can't".

"God, I'm going crazy. My head hurts, my heart is beating out of my chest and I can't sleep, I can't eat. I just…" she stopped and began to cry.

"Shhhh…shhh", Angelus drew her in his arms, holding her tight.

"It hurts…it hurts, Angel…please….I need more…please", sobbing against his chest.

"Shhh…it's okay...shhh", he carried her and laid them both on the small bed with her cuddled on his chest. She held onto him tightly, sweating profusely despite the cold hospital ward.

Angelus' heart broke seeing her like this. The past four days were the longest of his life. The day after she woke up, the withdrawal symptoms kicked in like a freight train. Her body started craving for the opioid that has polluted her system. The doctor gave the gas which helped slightly but when evening came, the symptoms came crashing into her even stronger that she had a meltdown.

Staff of the hospital suggests restraining her but Angelus vehemently refused, telling them that he'll stay by her side and assure that she's safe with him. Although hesitant, the nurses could clearly see the calming effect the dark haired man had on her.

Angelus rubbed her back soothingly as he hears her breath hitching, knowing that she was moments away from a restless sleep. He wrapped his arms around his precious woman tightly and let silent tears fall, feeling helpless and despair at her plight. Despite her predicament, Buffy had continuously asked for Connor, wanting to see her son having missed him tremendously. Angelus promised to bring him but didn't have the heart to let their boy see her in this state.

Looking down, he saw that she was finally dozing and he was relieved but he knew it was short-lived. She would wake a few hours later and the craving would kick in again and he would once again be required to calm her. She hasn't been able to sleep peacefully and neither has he but he would fight this battle with her. Even if it takes weeks or months, he vowed to stay right by her side.

Two days later

"Daddeeeeee", Connor's voice pulling him from the paperwork on his desk.

He turns to see the boy running into his office with Willow trailing not far behind.

"Hey buddy", scooping him up in his arms.

"Did you have fun in school?"

"Yes, I made this!" he shoved the paper in his hand.

Angelus opened the half folded sheet and saw the 3 clumsily drawn stick figures representing him, Buffy and Connor.

"Good job, bud. This looks awesome".

"Can I show this to mummy?"

"Of course you can. Why don't you keep this nicely so you can show her when she comes home".

He nodded his head vigorously in excitement before looking down sadly.

"When is mummy coming home?"

"Soon, Con".

"I miss her", the boy said unhappily.

"Me too, squirt…me too", kissing his forehead, feeling his heart ache for his son.

"Hey Con, why don't you show Uncle Bob the picture you drew?" Willow suggested to the waiting red head now standing by the door.

"Come on buddy. I have a surprise for you", Robert said jovially.

The boy smiled, his unhappiness seemingly vanished at the thought. Uncle Bob was fun to be around and always gave nice surprises.

"Daddy, can I?"

"Of course", he said, letting him down.

He nodded to his assistant thankfully who gave him an understanding smile. Willow ruffled the boy's dark hair as he walked past her.

"Thank you for fetching him from school today", Angelus said to her once they were alone.

"No problem. What are friends for?"

After learning about Buffy, both his and her friends rallied around them offering help and support in any way they can. Angelus was deeply grateful at their kindness not just towards him and Buffy but with Connor too. With Angelus spending most of his time with Buffy, all of them rotated in caring for the 3-year old, making sure that the boy wasn't overly affected by whatever that was going on.

"How is she today?"

"Better. She's with Cordy now. I'm trying to finish up fast so I can go back to the hospital and relieve Cordy. She's done enough overtime".

"You need to stop doing that."

"Doing what?"

"Say stuff like that like it's a job for us. It's not".

"I didn't mean…"

"I know you don't but you need to stop using words like relieving or overtime. We do this because we're family."

Angelus smiled at that, very thankful for all that they've done.