"She won't take a pain killer." The Council's doctor came out of her room. "I'm not sure how she's still alive, but she will not go to the infirmary."
"I didn't imagine she would." Giles sighed.
"Her accelerated healing rate surpasses anything I've seen in the other girls." The doctor looked back at the door. "We should study her."
"Can't place your accent, mate. German?" Ethan raised a single brow. "The girl is not a lab rat."
"Are you implying that I am a Nazi?" The doctor drew himself up, a picture of offended dignity.
"If the lab coat fits." Ethan grinned.
"Ignore him." Giles glared at Ethan. "He likes to cause trouble."
"Yes, sir." The doctor rubbed his hands together. "I have antibiotics for her and pain killers. I doubt she will take them though. She seems uniquely determined to do this her way."
Oz nodded. It made sense. The pain wouldn't be relieved for long enough to make a difference. Why risk addiction? He caught Giles' eye and gestured toward her door, but he didn't wait for approval. She was his to protect now.
He moved quietly into the room. Buffy was cleaned up and dotted with bits of gauze. The flannel night gown she wore concealed the worst of it.
"Have they moved on to the death wish part of the discussion?" Buffy fretted with her sheets.
"No. This one would have been cool with Walsh and her set." Oz sat on the bed next to her.
"The we should study her set. I usually just slip by them all, but Giles doesn't care for my duck tape solution." Buffy shrugged.
"The pills?" He watched her.
"Not a problem, but they could be." She looked toward the picture on her nightstand. "I can't get sloppy. It's one thing to go down in a fight. It's another to do it when you're blitzed, ya know?"
Oz nodded and took her hand. She sighed and closed her eyes. He stroked his thumb across her knuckles.
"Don't let go." She squeezed his hand gently. "You being here is of the good."
"I'll stay." He pushed her hair back behind her ear. She looked so frail and small resting against the bright white of the pillow case.
"It's nice to see a friendly face. Nice to see your face. I've missed you, Oz." She smiled. "I needed a plan for the humus offensive on more than one occasion."
"Messy."
"Battles are." Buffy closed her eyes. "So, what brings you here? I mean I'm not so vain that I think it's me."
"It's you." He smiled. "Turns out I'm your curse breaker. Just haven't figured out how to do it."
"Is that why it feels better when you touch me?" Buffy squeezed his hand again. "So nice."
"Might be."
"I don't deserve to be free of it." She shifted on the bed and looked away from him.
"Do you want me to go?" He moved to leave her, but her fingers clutched at his hand.
He ignored the slight discomfort. It wasn't as bad as shifting, and the desolation on her face was far more painful for him. What had they done to her?
"You should run away from me as fast as you can. Everybody that stays winds up hurt. I'm no good." She closed her eyes and slid her hand free of his.
"We live in a dangerous world. It isn't your responsibility to save us all." He touched her shoulder. "The world is full of slayers now, but it only exists because you fought for it, because you stood up for it alone."
"It wasn't me." Buffy shook her head and rolled away. "You should talk to Willow and Xander. They can tell you."
"I don't have to hear what they have to say. I know." He took a deep breath. "I know you did everything you could. I know that you would change places with anyone that didn't make it if you could. I know you."
He stared at her back, somber minor cords filling his mind. Talking wasn't working. She didn't want to be helped, didn't believe she deserved tilted his head and took a deep breath.
Humanity complicated things. The wolf's nature was simple, pure. She needed comfort. He would provide it.
Toeing off his sneakers, he climbed on the bed behind her and spooned his body along hers. Buffy stiffened for a moment and then went limp against him. He rested one hand on her waist and tucked the other under the pillow they shared. The minor chords faded out and a bright note of triumph heralded the return of her usual refrain.
"It's gonna get better, Buffy." He felt her shiver. "I promise."
"You'll get hurt." She settled her hand on the top of his and slid it down to her hip.
"My choice to stay. I want to help you, and I'm tougher than I look." He growled softly to remind her that he wasn't human.
"I'd never underestimate you, Oz." She sighed and snuggled back against him. "I just want you to be safe. I want to have one friend that doesn't look at me in disappointment."
"If I ever do, kick my ass because it'll be some kind of possession." He rubbed her hip gently
"Oz, you can't say that." She sounded tired.
"I just did. I meant it, too. Now get some sleep."
"You're gonna stay?"
"Yes."
"Don't we have stuff to talk about?"
"Yes."
"But you want me to sleep?"
"Yes." He stroked her side with his hand.
"Will you be here when I wake up?"
"Yes, but you have to sleep now. You need it."
She nodded slowly, rolled over, pushed him over to lie flat on his back, and fitted herself to his body. He trailed his fingers through her hair and hummed. Sleep claimed her moments later.
The door opened. Oz craned his head to see Giles and Ethan standing just inside the room. The relief on Giles' face was palpable.
"She's sleeping." Giles' words escaped him, a whisper, almost a prayer.
"And they say not just anyone can become a watcher." Ethan pulled Giles from the room with a gentle hand and a wink.