Chapter 15
A/N : Hope people are enjoying the updates. Please leave your reviews! xox also I only own Bella and none of the other characters.
*Bella's POV*
The three of us had been digging people out of the rubble for hours and I was absolutely drained physically and mentally.
With no sign of Angel or Spike I was starting to lose hope, the sun was about to rise and I hoped that they were well covered.
"Hey I think we should head back to the hospital" Said Connor
I nodded and beckoned for Illyria to follow, the drive to the hospital was silent. I knew what they were thinking…Spike and Angel were gone for good this time. I felt my eyes begin to glaze over with tears but held them in, no time to cry until I knew Gunn and the others were safe.
I closed my eyes and waited til I felt the car come to a halt before I opened them again.
We walked into Gunn's room…he looked so helpless tubes and bandages all over him.
The nurse said a bunch of mumbo jumbo but all I heard was that he was stabilized and would recover.
"Connor, you should head off get some sleep" I said he looked exhausted.
He frowned "I don't want to leave you"
Illyria squeezed my hand "It's okay boy I will stay with the little one"
I smiled feeling comforted by usually scary goddesses worry for me. Connor nodded satisfied I would be looked after kissed me on the head and left the room.
"I'll be back as soon as I can ok" he said
I nodded and sleepily curled up in the large hospital chair beside Gunn's bed feeling sleep finally take over me.
Suddenly I felt myself being gently shaken and awoke with a start "Charlie! Are you awake" I exclaimed before opening my eyes properly
"It's me poppet" smiled Spike
I stared at the man who had become like a father to me shocked and finally let all the intense emotions wash over me I'd been pushing down for the last 24 hours.
"Sppike…your alive!" I sobbed as he scooped me up and hugged me comforting me "Shhhh pet, I'm ok…everything is going to be fine"
I curled up against his warm chest and felt his heart pounding…..wait his heart is pounding.
"OH MY FUCKING GODDESS" I screamed pushing away from him
Spike grinned and I slapped him "YOUR ALIVE! HOW ARE YOU ALIVE" I exclaimed shocked
"Number one..owww and number two I shanshued" he replied proudly
I jumped at him and hugged again not quite believing something good came out of this horror before it hit me…Angel must be…he must be dead.
I began to sob "My Angel…he's gone… not another one why"
"He's alive pet he is just outside" sighed Spike
I detangled myself from Spike and rushed out the room "ANGEL!" I exclaimed throwing myself at the grinning man
"Hey gorgeous!" he smiled kissing the top of my head.
I frowned "I'm so sorry you didn't get to Shanshu"
He laughed "It's fine honey I definitely got a better prize"
"Damn Straight!" said a woman's voice behind me
I swung around to see none other then the dead Cordelia!
"Holy Shit…Wow some freaky things have gone on here" I exclaimed
Cordelia laughed and smiled
Spike came out of the room and grinned "I see you two have met now hey Cheerleader"
Cordy smiled "We sure have, I really want to see Gunn though"
"Yeah he doesn't look so great" I frowned turning to re-enter the room and sit by Charlie's side.
Spike blocked the doorway "No pet you have done enough..time to go home shower and sleep"
I pouted "But I want to be here when he wakes up!"
" I promise we will come back soon, the Cheerleader and Broody will look after him I promise" said Spike trying to convince me
"Hun, time to go home for a bit I promise we wont leave his side" said Angel giving me another hug
I wriggled out of his arms "You know you guys can't tell me what to do forever!"
Spike rolled his eyes "Well we can for now!"
I started to argue when Blue came and grabbed my hand "Come home little one, I too need to clean and sleep"
That's when it hit me…Wesley was gone and Illyria still hadn't stopped to process it I squeezed her hand and nodded "OK let's go home" I said to Spike.
We got home and all of us jumped into our respective showers to wash the bloody and grime from the day's events off our tired and bruised bodies.
I was almost the color of Illyria the amount of bruises and cuts I'd accumulated…thank the goddess for quick slayer healing! I put in my favorite cupcake flannel pajamas and slipped under the blankets.
Spike knocked on the door and I beckoned him in.
He sat down on the edge of my bed "You okay pet"
I sighed too exhausted to cry anymore "I'm scared…."
His eyes flashed with pain "Why poppet? I'm here I'll always protect you!"
I shook my head "Your human now..I know you probably want to go and live a normal life…you deserve it"
He hugged me tightly "You are my family Bella, I swear to you I will NEVER abandon you"
I felt the remaining tears trickle down my face, Wesley was gone, Charlie may die…but Spike was alive and would never leave me. The relief I felt burnt in my chest.
"I love you poppet" he said kissing the top of my head and tucking me under the covers before heading to the door.
I yawned "Love you too" finally drifting into a deep slumber.