Title: Waiting 3/4
Author: Morrwen
Rating: PG – 13 (language)
Pairing: B/G
Distribution: Gabi (if she wants it). Anyone else…just ask. :)
Disclaimers: All for Joss and the network of the month club.
Spoilers: Season 5 through ‘Forever’
Feedback: Yes! Am willing to grovel for it. <G>
NOTE: I know nothing about medicine. So I hope the medical stuff at least sounds possible. Lol
The silence in her head was almost as deafening as the pounding had been. On the outer edges of her awareness, she thought she heard people talking, possibly talking to her.
She stood up and walked away from the sounds threatening to seep into her skin.
She took the broken glasses out of her pocket and began trying to bend the twisted frame back into shape only to thrust them back in her pocket in disgust.
It was no use. It was too late. Too late. Repeatedly those words grew louder and louder.
Reproaching her.
Too late. Too late. Too late.
The thought was so loud now that she responded to it verbally and in anger.
"No, it’s not too late. I will not let it be too late."
"Of course it’s not too late Buffy. He’ll be okay. Buffy…Buffy…?" Willow was trying to stay calm in the face of Buffy’s apparent break from reality.
"Willow, she’s…she…why won’t she answer?’ Dawn was just as frantic as the others were. Buffy was all she had right now. Willow wrapped her arms around Dawn and brushed back her hair, shaking her head, not knowing quite what to say.
Unexpectedly, Buffy turned to face the doctor, who was regarding her uncertainly.
Her voice steady, "I have to be with him. Where is he?"
"He should be on his way to the CCU. He is not allowed visitors at this time, however."
Buffy looked coldly at him. "That’s just too bad. Because unless you plan to have me physically restrained, which I wouldn’t recommend, I am going to be with Giles. Now…where is the CCU?"
"Ms. Summers…."
"Doctor, please, can she go?" Willow wanted to keep things from getting too far out of hand.
"I…I know she seems a little…strange right now, but believe me when I say, seeing Giles is the best things for her and for him. He will know she’s there. Please."
The doctor glanced at Willow before turning back to face the steely gaze of Buffy.
The doctor sighed and capitulated. "I’ll phone up and tell them to expect you. But…if you in any way interfere with his treatment, you will not be allowed back in. Is that clear?"
Buffy nodded her agreement and said softly, "Thank you."
As the doctor left, Buffy turned to Dawn. "I’m sorry Dawny. I know this is hard for you too. I just…I have to go to him. See; right now he needs me too. Can you let Willow and Tara take you home?"
Dawn nodded slowly. Buffy looked to Willow and Tara. "You will stay with her won’t you?"
Willow gave her a tight hug. "Of course we will. We’ll check back on you later. Can we bring anything here for you?"
"No."
Buffy kissed her sister goodbye while Willow and Tara said goodbyes to Xander, Anya and Angel.
‘I love you Dawny."
Dawn rolled her eyes and smiled. "Please stop calling me that. I’m not five anymore."
Dawn walked to meet Willow and Tara but said over her shoulder, "Love you too."
Xander put his arms around Buffy’s neck. "Hey space girl. Welcome back.’
Buffy grinned and mock punched him in the ribs. "You guys go on too. Giles won’t be happy if the store is closed all day."
"I told him that."
"Yes, Anya, I know you told me that."
Xander kissed Buffy on the cheek. "Tell Giles we decided to have a ‘buy one, get two free’ sale. That’ll surely wake him up."
Buffy only nodded.
"We’ll come back after closing. Call if there is any change, okay? I’d hate to be worrying for no reason."
"I will, I promise.’
"Later Dead-boy," and Xander and Anya left.
Angel grunted. "I hate it when he calls me that."
"He knows. That’s why he does it."
"Buffy…."
"No. Really, it’s okay. See, I’ll tell him…and everything will be okay."
Buffy looked up at him. Her eyes were clear and focused.
"Goodbye Angel. Thank you for tonight. I…I was glad you were there."
Angel smiled. "I’m glad I was too. "
He touched her face one last time.
"Cordy and Wes are waiting for news. I guess I’ll go give them a call before I head back to L. A. Have someone call us with news."
Before Angel had gone more than a few feet, he turned back to Buffy.
"I…I still love you so very much. I…goodbye Buffy."
And he turned and left.
Tears in her eyes, Buffy whispered, "Goodbye Angel."
"Ms. Summers?"
Buffy turned to the nurse standing, smiling at her.
"Yea, that’s me."
"I’m Nancy Radner. Dr. Steins asked me to take you up to CCU. Are you ready?"
Buffy turned to look once more, toward where Angel had walked away.
"Yes, I’m ready. I’ve been ready. I just didn’t know it."
"What was that?"
Buffy turned back. "I said ‘yes, I’m ready’."