Warnings and disclaimer in chapter 1. Enjoy.
The day passed quickly. The night was chaotic as group after group of demons tried to get into the hospital, but with Spike, Faith, and Daniel there were very few that managed to get past them. The few who did manage to get inside the hospital were quickly dealt with by a very upset Scooby Gang, who let all their frustrations out on the hapless demons. By the time morning came about everyone was exhausted, but nothing managed to step foot inside the room.
Once the sun had risen Gregory took Joyce and Giles off to the side and began teaching them what they would need to know when Buffy returned home. They decided that Joyce would be primarily responsible for Buffy's day to day needs, while Giles would work on her movement and exercise needs. After some awkward conversations they decided on a plan that would work best for them, covering everything from eating and going to the bathroom to exercising her upper and lower body.
"We'll start with the feeding tube," he told them, leading them back into the room. Anya walked over and stood behind them with uncensored curiosity. Willow and Tara put down the books they were reading and scooted closer, keeping a more respectable distance.
"Anya?" Joyce asked.
"This is information we will need to know if we are ever needed to care for her," Anya replied bluntly. Joyce sighed, realizing Anya was right. She looked over at Willow and Tara, who hurried forward with a subtle nod in their direction.
"Are you sure?" Gregory asked, slightly distracted by the girls' presence. "Usually these matters are considered private and are not discussed outside of the caregivers and family."
"We are family," Anya told him. "Besides, we had these same discussions about the twins. I don't see how it would be any different for their mother." Gregory was dumbfounded.
"Just go with it," Giles recommended.
"Right," he said, turning back to Joyce. "The feeding tube was inserted while she was in the coma when her pregnancy was discovered. The children needed more nutrition than they could give through an IV."
"But she's not pregnant anymore," Joyce pointed out.
"But she's also awake and not eating for herself," Gregory countered. "She is using more calories than she is receiving, even just lying there. Plus, the more active she becomes the more she calories she burns."
"I get the picture," Joyce said. "So how does this thing work?"
"It's quite simple," he told her. "Very much like the twins' bottles." Anya looked smug at that comment while Gregory shook his head trying to get that picture out of his mind. He grabbed a prepared bottle from the refrigerator and carefully showed them how to attach it to the tube. They watched morbidly as the liquid diet slowly drained out of the tube. "The main thing to remember is the mixture can't have a thick consistency. You can make whatever you want, you just need to puree it into a thin, water like consistency. If anything becomes clogged, you will need to bring her to the hospital to clear it up, don't try to unclog it by yourself. That usually leads to infections or irritation."
"What do we do when the meal is done?" Joyce asked as the last of the food drained into her daughter's stomach. She glanced up at Buffy's face, wondering what her daughter thought of this procedure, only to find her staring at the ceiling. Gregory reached for another, smaller bottle and quickly traded them out.
"Distilled water," he told them, "to wash away all the food residue." The second bottle drained much faster, leaving the feeding tube clear once again. "Once both are finished you clean the tube input with an alcohol wipe and cover the input." He quickly demonstrated the procedure, finishing with taping the tube securely to Buffy's stomach. "If ever the site becomes red or irritated, or it appears that the tube is getting dirty or stained, bring her in immediately." They all nodded at the instructions. He put down his supplies and opened her chart. "We have her on a scheduled feeding once a day right now, but as she becomes more active we will likely be increasing that to twice a day or even more."
"How long until we can lose the feeding tube?" Joyce asked, feeling the greatest sense of Deja Vu.
"That depends entirely on her," the doctor said, closing her chart and putting it back in the slot. "When she starts eating and drinking for herself we can reevaluate the situation, but disconnecting both the feeding tube and the IV is relatively simple. The good news is she had no problems swallowing, but she did find the experience extremely traumatic."
"I remember," Joyce said, thinking back to the day in New York where they forced Buffy to swallow some food to check her reflexes. She was shaking so hard by the time they were done they needed to sedate her in order to calm her down.
"The other good news is she has the feeding tube so there's no need to rush her or force feed her. When she's ready she'll let you know. But remember she is a Slayer and has a Slayer's metabolism. Even when she starts eating for herself, she may not be getting enough calories to cover what she burns."
"So we'll just have to play it by ear," Giles said, paraphrasing what he told Joyce earlier when she was going through her withdrawal. Joyce glanced at him and gave him a quick smile before returning her attention to the doctor.
"Yes. Her weight will be key in indicating whether she needs more or less food. You will need to monitor it very carefully. One of the items we recommended to Xander is a scale large enough to fit a standard size wheelchair on it. Place her in the chair and place the chair on the scale and you will have an accurate weight to gauge how much food she needs. Are there any questions?" Anya raised her hand.
"How does she go to the bathroom? The twins use diapers right now. Does she use a diaper?" Gregory got his uncomfortable look back. He looked to Joyce for guidance, who gave him a nod.
"No," he told her. "As of right now there is no bladder or bowel movement at all. For bladder output we have her hooked up to a catheter. It essentially allows urine to flow from her bladder into an ostomy bag attached to her inner thigh." He pulled back her gown enough to show them the bag. "The bag is emptied as needed. As for bowel movements, that is a bit more complicated.
"The hospital in New York decided the best course of action is a Bowel Program, which they have been doing since she was admitted there seven months ago. Essentially you administer a suppository rectally, which will loosen the bowel muscles enough to allow the waste to flow out. I see no reason to change the procedure now. It is done nightly at approximately 7 P.M. We will be going over that procedure later tonight Joyce," he told her. "You all are more than welcome to attend." The witches shrunk back slightly but Anya just shook her head excitedly. He sighed, obviously hoping that would scare the ex-demon away but it didn't work out like he hoped it would. "If she regains any feeling or control in these areas we will rework our plans, but right now I think that these are the best options."
"What about bathing?" Joyce asked.
"You always have the standard sponge bath, which is what she's been getting here, but Xander is quite talented when it comes to design and is giving you a bathroom many people would die for." Anya beamed, looking around proudly. "It will include two options that I find rather exciting. The first is an extra-large tub which will allow Buffy to lie down completely or, with an additional attachment, be able to be propped up in. It also features Jacuzzi jets which can soothe tired muscles, so I hope you all take advantage of it. The other item is a walk in shower that comes complete with an installed shower chair that can be moved while inside the shower. Now while she won't be able to effectively use either one by herself for a while, once she has sufficient upper body strength she should have no problem getting in and out of the shower, though she may still need some help with the bathtub." He turned to face Giles.
"The exercise portion is just as essential to her wellbeing as her daily needs. As a Slayer her muscles will atrophy more quickly. It will be essential to keep them stretched out and limber as much as possible. For her upper body you might need to help her with some of the motions until she is able to complete them herself, but for her lower body you will need to do all the movements for her." He quickly demonstrated the exercises she will need on both her upper and lower body. Giles watched intently, nodding his understanding with each movement. "Normal patients need these exercises once a day. I think she'll need them twice daily, if not more. Again we'll just have to play it by ear."
"Just like her normal training schedule," Giles commented. Gregory nodded.
"You will both need to be on the lookout for bedsores. If she stays still for too long her skin will develop lesions. Once she gets moving in and out of a wheelchair that shouldn't be much of a problem, but you will have to watch her carefully."
"You speak as if you know she's going to recover her upper body mobility," Joyce pointed out. Gregory smiled reassuringly.
"Nothing's ever one hundred percent sure in the field of medicine, especially in the field of spinal injuries, but if a patient demonstrates some ability in a certain area, there's a high chance of regaining most if not all of that area back. She's already moved her arms and shoulders. That's a good sign for upper body mobility."
"But nothing below the waist," Joyce sighed dejectedly.
"That doesn't mean it won't come back," he reassured her. "She's a Slayer. It might just take longer. Plus, we don't know exactly where she loses feeling. She may be able to feel below the waist and simply cannot move her body. That is a possibility as well."
"It would be so much easier if she could just tell us," Joyce sighed. Giles looked thoughtful for a moment.
"I know it's frustrating," Gregory told them, "but she's making incredible progress."
"But she still isn't speaking," Joyce said discouraged. "I just want to hear her say something. Anything."
"And she will, but she has to do it on her own time." Gregory tried to reassure them, but he knew it helped very little. He sighed. "I have her scheduled for an MRI in the morning. Hopefully we'll be able to figure out what's going on inside that head of hers."
"Good luck," Giles said off handedly. Gregory nodded and left the room, giving the family time alone.
"What are you thinking Giles?" Willow asked.
"Something that I really shouldn't," Giles admitted. "I'm thinking of trying to help her with spells."
"Giles," Tara admonished. "You know medical and magical don't go together."
"Not like that," he told her. "Buffy is recovering extremely well physically. I was more concerned with her mental wellbeing. If she can't speak maybe there is a way to still communicate with her." Tara frowned but didn't object further. Joyce decided it was time to intervene.
"Let's see what twenty first century medicine can do before we start casting spells on my daughter." They let the conversation drop as a nurse came in to tend to Buffy. Gregory had obviously spoken to her because instead of pulling the privacy curtain she encouraged the others to watch and ask questions.
"You'll need to show us you're able to properly do all of this before we let you take her home," the nurse explained as she expertly changed out the ostomy bag. "Ask any questions you have right now. Tonight you'll actually help me with her care." Anya needed no further invitation and peppered the nurse with questions left and right, asking the questions nobody else seemed comfortable with. The rest of the group watched, intrigued by the answers Anya was getting.
"Wait!" Giles commanded toward the end of her routine. The nurse paused, her hand on the spent IV bag.
"She still needs an IV, Sir," the nurse explained as she unhooked the empty bag.
"Stop!" Giles ordered again, but his eyes were not on the nurse, but on the crystal that was glowing a faint red. Anya immediately went to restrain the nurse, who thankfully didn't resist. She put the empty bag on her cart and backed away into a corner.
"I'll get Gregory," Tara said, exiting the room quickly. Everybody kept glancing between the nurse and the crystal. A few minutes later Tara brought both Gregory and Ben back with her.
"What's going on?" Gregory cautiously asked.
"I was changing the IV when Mr. Giles stopped me," the nurse said from her position along the wall.
"The crystal started glowing," Giles said. Gregory and Ben looked at the second crystal, which was still faintly glowing.
"Did you do anything different Abby?" Ben asked. The nurse shook her head.
"Nothing I haven't been doing since she arrived," she told him, "and the only difference was I was letting them watch and ask questions."
"But the crystal didn't start glowing until later," Giles said. "When she went to change the IV." Gregory frowned and picked up the bag. He examined it thoroughly before shrugging. He approached the bed, intending to hang it himself, when the crystal glowed again. "I don't understand."
"What's going on?" Faith asked as she and Daniel entered the room. They obviously had just woken up and were blinking sleep from their eyes.
"I was just changing out the IV," the nurse stated again. Gregory backed away from the bed and the crystal's glow faded. Daniel reached for the bag, studying it intently.
"Ben," he asked carefully. "Do any demons work at the hospital?"
"No," he answered. "I think there's a few who work for our laundry service and pick up soiled linens, but none that actually interact with patients. Why?"
"A demon handled this recently," he told everyone. Ben immediately turned to the nurse.
"Where did you get the supplies Abby?"
"From the storeroom on this floor," she told him. If she was shocked by their talk of demons she didn't show it.
"Take the bag out of the room please Daniel," Gregory said. Daniel nodded, leaving the room. As soon as he did the crystal's glow faded completely.
"Well now we know what that one does," Willow said shakily. Ben turned back to the nurse.
"Go get a bag from one of the other floors," he told her. She nodded and quickly left the room. "I'll take that bag down to the lab. Let's see what was really inside." He followed them outside.
"I guess I get to do some daytime Slaying," Faith said, trying to cover up how shaken she was.
"Daniel should be able to track the demon," Giles told her. Faith nodded and left the room. A few minutes later Abby returned with a new bag. She offered it to Gregory, but he smiled and shook his head, letting her finish her rounds. She smiled and approached the bed, twisting her head so she could see the crystal. It remained clear. She hung the bag gingerly, again watching the crystal carefully before connecting the bag to the tubing in Buffy's arm. Once she was done she looked up at Gregory.
"Until we are certain the hospital is secure perhaps you can vary the locations where you gather your supplies." She nodded and left the room to make that notation on her paperwork. Ben came back in just as she left.
"The lab is testing it right now," he told the group. "They'll get back to me as soon as they have something." Everyone nodded as another figure entered the room.
"I'm back," Veronica said tiredly before noticing the somber atmosphere in the room. "What happened?"
"Another assassination attempt," Giles told her. "One that would have been successful if not for Willow and Tara's enchantments." They quickly told her what happened.
"This is getting serious," she said just as Faith walked into the room with Daniel following close behind. They were both covered in green goo.
"Daytime Slaying is not all it's cracked up to be," she said, "but we did get the demons who were behind this. They snuck in before Red and White did their mojo and where just waiting for their opportunity. They were trying to poison her with this." She held out a vial, which Giles quickly took.
"Nightlock," he said after examining the vial closely. "A classic demonic poison not used very often because it's antidote is extremely common."
"But if it got directly into her bloodstream," Gregory finished, "it could be deadly within minutes." Giles passed the vial onto Ben.
"I'll take it down to the lab to give them something to compare the bag to." He quickly left the room.
"I really need to hit the shower," Faith said, turning back to the door.
"Thank you Faith," Joyce said. The name jolted the other Watcher out of her trance.
"Faith?" she said, jumping in front of the Slayer. Faith automatically took a step back, hands going into her fighting stance. "I'm Veronica Adell, your new Watcher." If Veronica notice the less than friendly welcome she ignored it and started what was clearly a rehearsed speech. "I am Rupert's sister, and while I was never formally trained as a Watcher to a Slayer, I believe that I am up to the challenges it will entail. Rupert and I have talked extensively and he has told me all about you and your checkered past, but I believe we can put that behind us and have a fresh start. I am confident we can learn from each other and build a working relationship as good as any the Council has ever known. I know I lack experience but Rupert has promised to be there for the both of us should we ever need him." She paused to take a breath, when she noticed Faith's blank look. "Rupert?"
"Oh," he said, glancing over, "you lost her. Right after saying you were my sister. Let that sink in and then try again." He couldn't keep the smile off his face as he watched the two of them.
"Oh," she repeated her brother, this time noticing the shocked look on Faith's face. Instead she turned her attention to the young man standing next to her Slayer. "I'm afraid I never quite caught your name."
"Daniel," he said, overcoming his own shock. "I would shake your hand but I'm afraid that would make a rather slimy first impression." Instead of shaking he nodded to her, before nudging Faith in the ribs. "Faith. Let's go get cleaned up." She let him lead her out of the room.
"Well that was a disaster," Veronica said, sinking onto one of the beds. Giles chuckled.
"She didn't try to kill you," he told her warmly. "That's more than some of her Watchers got." Veronica shook her head before turning to Joyce.
"Your granddaughter is at the funeral home," she said somberly. "Everything is ready for her burial tomorrow." Silence filled the room with that remark. Veronica turned and faced Giles. "Father is here as well. He insisted on accompanying me back with the casket. He's at the funeral home right now."
"What?" Giles asked. This behavior was very strange for his normally aloof father. He was about to question Veronica more when he noticed Joyce's demeanor. "Joyce? Are you okay?"
"Yes," she nodded, but turned around so nobody could see her face. Her back shook with silent sobs. She cried for several minutes before pulling herself together. Turning she faced Giles once more. "It's just… is she going to be safe?"
"She's dead," Giles gently reminded her. She shook her head.
"I know, but that's not what I'm talking about. Demons are after the twins simply because of who they are. She's part of that legacy. Even dead she's still the daughter of a Slayer. If she can't live I want to know that at least she'll rest in peace."
"Ah," Giles said, understanding what she was worried about. "As far as I know there is no reason for anyone to disturb her grave. Demons will hunt the living children of Slayers, but once they are killed the compulsion is gone. There's no record of a demon ever defiling the grave of a Slayer's child."
"If it will help," Tara said, coming up and putting a gentle hand on Joyce's shoulder, "we can put wards around her grave that will keep everything out."
"Thank you," she said gratefully. She turned to Giles. "I need to go to the funeral home. Can you watch things here?"
"Of course," he told her. "Do you want anyone to accompany you?" She shook her head.
"I think I need to do this on my own," she said, "but thanks for offering." He nodded his understanding and she slowly left the room. Anya left to go help Xander, leaving Willow and Tara in the room. Faith and Daniel came back in after a few minutes and Veronica tried her speech again, but Faith held up her hand and headed over to the twins instead.
"She just needs time," Giles encouraged his sister. Veronica nodded, and instead of pushing Faith she began talking to the various members of the Scooby Gang who flitted in and out all day long.
"So I hear I missed the big introduction," Xander said as he finally rejoined the group just before sundown. Everyone had gathered there, prepared to spend another night defending the Slayer.
"It was actually pretty funny," Willow said as she and Tara began casting protective spells. "I've never actually seen Faith shocked silent before."
"Really?" Xander asked. Faith just glared at the red haired witch. He was about to say more when Joyce entered the room again, being trailed by someone new. "And who is this?"
"This is my father," Giles announced reluctantly.
"A sister and a father?" Xander asked as the group stared at the man unashamedly. "It's like you have a whole new family you never told us about."
"Xander," Giles cautioned. "This is hardly the time to get into my long lost family. The sun is about to set and we have a very long night in front of us."
"Right," Faith said, jumping down from the counter she was sitting on. "Me and Daniel are gonna cover the hospital grounds. Spike said he would do a quick patrol through the cemeteries then join us. Hopefully the spell Red and White did will keep out most of the demons, but some got through last night so be on your guard."
"Right," Xander said as he started passing out weapons.
"Mom," Dawn said as she stepped up to her mother. "I was thinking about names for the baby who died."
"Really?" Joyce asked. Dawn nodded.
"How about Anyamarie Tara Summers?" Everyone got quiet at her suggestion. She blushed and looked down at her feet. "I just thought it was a good idea since she named the twins with some of our names. This way that baby is as much a part of us as the twins are."
"I think it's a beautiful name," Joyce said, tears falling from her eyes. Dawn looked up at smiled shyly. She was surprised to find tears in everyone's eyes. "I think Buffy would like that." Everyone nodded their agreement.
"As touching as this moment is, we really need to get into position," Faith said, turning to face her new Watcher. "I'm really not sure what you should do," she admitted.
"I'll patrol with you of course," Veronica answered.
"No!" Giles told her firmly. They both looked over to where he was standing, holding a broadsword with practiced ease. "This is not a normal patrol. This is a baptism by fire. If you go out there in the thick of it where Faith will be you will die."
"And what about you Rupert?" she asked. She watched as he casually tucked stakes and knifes into hidden pocket of his jacket.
"I will help secure the hospital," he told her, "but I have much more experience in this than you do. Your place is here, with Joyce, Dawn, Willow, and Tara. A last line of defense between Buffy and the children and anything that wishes to harm them." He could tell she wanted to argue, but she eventually backed down. Giles turned to his father. "Your place is here as well Father."
"You dare tell me my place Rupert?" Mr. Giles challenged.
"Right now yes," he said, not backing down at all. "You are out of your league here. For once in your life listen to what I have to say." Mr. Giles glared at his son, but he too backed down.
"Impressive G," Faith smirked, pulling out her favorite dagger and loading herself with weapons. "I didn't think they would back down there for a moment."
"Wait," Veronica started, "was this a test?"
"One that you passed," Faith said as she watched Daniel load up on weapons as well. "In my experience Watchers are too arrogant, often to the point of being destructive. Knowing when to let the Slayers take the lead and make the tough calls is a hard lesson to learn, but one you have to master in order to be a part of this team. I don't need someone who holds me back by always needing to be in charge. I need someone who stands by me, right or wrong." She finished her speech and headed for the door. Daniel, Xander, and Anya following her.
"What do we do?" Veronica asked, looking toward Giles. He handed her a short sword, which she grasped clumsily.
"Kill anything that makes it onto this floor that isn't one of us," he told her, before heading to the door as well. Albert watched him go before moving closer to his daughter.
"It's been a long time since I wielded one of these," he said, reaching out and grabbing a double edged axe. He stepped back and took a couple practice swings, while Veronica did the same with her short sword. "Do you fight?" he asked Joyce, setting the weapon down and making his way over to her.
"Not usually," she said, picking up Billy and giving him his nighttime bottle, "but I can if I need to." Dawn was doing the same with Alex, but her attention was not focused on the infant but the sounds of battle they could now here coming from the street.
"We usually protect Willow and Tara," Dawn told him, putting Alex down as soon as she was done. She picked up her own short sword and stood in front of the doorway, straining to hear anything coming down the hallway.
"Witches," Albert said, spotting the two of them inside one of their circles. "One light. One dark."
"How did you know?" Joyce asked. He smiled at her.
"You don't get to be in my position without picking up a thing or two," he said lightly. "It's very rare for a light witch and a dark witch to work together."
"They do more than work together," Dawn said. "They do everything together."
"They're lovers," Joyce explained at his confused look. "They've been together for the last five years. It is one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen." She stopped when a crystal started glowing green. "Dawn!" she warned, but Dawn was already moving. Joyce put down Billy, the little boy whimpering slightly at the loss, but he quieted down quickly. Joyce drew her own sword. Dawn had already positioned herself in front of her sister, while Joyce put herself in front of the twins. Veronica and Albert drew their own weapons.
"Tara! Willow!" Dawn whispered frantically as the green crystal glowed brighter. Tara mumbled something and a green haze filled the room before narrowing on a ceiling tile. Joyce traded her sword for a spear and quickly thrust the weapon into the tile. They heared pained cries as blue blood began dripping down the shaft. She pulled it down, ready to thrust it back up when they heard the sound of the demon retreating. The crystal faded once again, leaving the quartz clear.
"I wonder why the other one didn't react," Joyce thought out loud.
"It was probably waiting for the right time to attack," Dawn said, lowering her weapon. Joyce nodded and picked up Billy who was starting to fuss again.
"Well that was some excitement for tonight," Veronica told the group, putting down her weapon. Dawn and Joyce just looked at her. "That is going to be the extent of the violence isn't it?"
"Nope," Dawn said, as the both crystals glowed, one green and the other red. "The night is just getting started."