Disclaimer: Joss owns everything, I own nothing.

Chapter 8: Black & Blue

:: Meanwhile, at the Los Angeles General Hospital, inside Joyce Summers' room, Joyce and Buffy were in the midst of a mother-daughter

conversation.::

Joyce:: "Why don't you spend time with your father. You never see him anymore."

Buffy:: She smiled. "Because I would rather be here with you."

Joyce:: "That's nice honey, but really I'm fine."

Buffy:: "Can't a daughter spend time with her mom? Is that such a crime?"

Joyce:: Suddenly her mood changes, which hasn't been uncommon lately. "I'm tired, go away."

Buffy:: An overwhelming feeling of sadness came over her. "Alright mom." She stood up from her chair and leaned over her mom and kissed her on

her forehead. She then walked out of the hospital room and into the hallway. Almost as soon as she stepped into the hallway she bumped into

an older man, also known as Holland Manners. "Oh I'm sorry."

Holland:: "Watch where you're going...Buffy Summers."

Buffy:: "What?" A perplexed look came across her face as she had no clue who this man was.

Holland:: "You are Buffy Summers correct?"

Buffy:: "Yes. Are you my mom's doctor? Will she be OK?"

Holland:: "You hurt Lindsey."

Buffy:: It then dawned on her. Probably some pissed off lawyer or some shit like that. "Let me guess...brown hair, suit, hot but cocky? Is that your boy?"

Holland:: "You have a sense of humor. I like it."

Buffy:: "Can you please just get to the fucking point. Pardon my French but I'm just really not in a talking mood right now."

Holland:: "You're being watched little lady. No one can help you, not even him.

Buffy: "Him? Him who? Could you be a little more vague? Look I don't care if you people are watching me, or coming to pay me back for defending

myself. The only thing that concerns me is being here in this hospital with my mother." She then brushed past him heading towards the waiting

room.

::Meanwhile...::

:: A dark figure strides into the Hyperion Hotel. He's adorned in dark jeans, a black shirt and a long black duster, with a cigarette in hand.::

Cordelia:: She looks up from her desk, her eyes meeting with the figure that has entered the lobby. ::

Spike:: "Hi Honey, I'm home."

Cordelia:: She glances over to Wesley. "Well look what the cat dragged in."

Spike:: "Did I scare you?"

Cordelia:: "Hmm..let me think for a second about that. No."

Spike:: He inches towards her. "Well its seems to be that I need some help."

Wesley:: "And why should we help you?"

Spike:: "You guys take cash right? I've got cash."

Cordelia:: "Cash sounds great!"

Angel:: He suddenly emerges from the shadows behind Spike and grabs him by the throat, then pins him against the wall. "What do you want Spike?!"

Spike:: His head bangs against the wall hard, giving him quite a case of whiplash. "Take it easy mate!"

Angel:: He tightens his grip. ::

Spike::"I'm...looking..." He coughs. "...for Buffy."

Angel:: He lets Spike go, remaining completely focused on the other vampire. "You think I would help you? Or even let you? You're a pest Spike.

She has too much going on in her life right now than for you to be messing that up."

Spike:: "It's not your say mate. I see her with or without your help."

Angel:: "Not if I can help it."

Spike:: "To hell with you then. I don't need your help. I'll find her eventually. There's only so many hospitals in this city." He turned and started to walk

towards the door. He paused and turned around for a final remark. "Oh yeah, you might not want to do the whole following and lurking in the

shadows thing around her. I would hate for you to walk in on our...nevermind." He chuckles then walks out.