Chapter Three: The Meeting, Part 2

[Cordelia]

Oz: So you were pretty close with Xander and Willow too I suppose?

[Black Eye Guy]

::Willow walked down the hall towards Giles's room, but before she turned into the corridor some medic's came into the hall wheeling a stretcher, with Giles on it, he was passed out. She ran up to them and matched the pace of the stretcher::

Giles: "Giles!, Giles can you hear me?"

::He did not answer, they turned another corner and entered the hospital wing::

Medic: “Will he be ok?”

::They came to a room in the medical centre, and the medic turned to her “You can’t come in, you’ll have to wait out here” he said, he turned and they continued on, leaving Willow standing there.”

"Giles..."

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike quickly tired of his room. He'd been reclusive lately - after the fight, after the meeting. He realized he'd been a little cut off, trying to keep himself away from the others. He sighed.

"Bloody hell. I guess I should play the social card now, eh?" He murmured to himself, sitting up in his bed.

He took a moment to study his bandages again. The blood had dried; the wound was almost healed. He snorted and tore off the stained white sheet, tossing it into the trash. All that was left of the gash was healing pink skin.

He looked at his hand with disgust, and tried not to think of why. He grabbed his duster and headed out the door.

He made his way down the twisting hallways, passing many whitecoats, who all looked, interested, in his direction. He shot them a glare as he passed.

He went down a flight of stairs, and came upon Buffy, Kennedy and Oz conversing in the hallway outside of the conference room. He locked eyes with Buffy, sending her a small smile.

"Buffy. Oz. Kennedy." He nodded at them as he passed.

He came across an opening to the medical center, and not knowing another way through, he entered.

He found Illyria staring off into space on a stretcher, her blue eyes focused on nothing.

He stopped, rolled his eyes, and sighed.

"Alright, Blue, what's got you all tied into knots? I know the floor tiles are interesting and all, but there's this whole big, bad world out there that"-

He stopped, staring at her a little more fully. If he was correct, he could detect a little bit of sorrow is those haunting blue eyes.

Spike sighed again. [Always the hero.]

He made his way to her, and carefully sat down next to her on the cot. She didn't move. Barely registered his presence. He looked at her a little longer, then asked in a quiet voice, "Is it Wesley?"

[Buffy Summers]

:: Buffy put a reassuring hand on Kennedy's shoulder. She knew how hard this exchange with Oz had to be for her, and she could understand the reason for the young girl's outburst. It was only normal. She wondered if perhaps she should have told Kennedy and Willow about Oz ahead of time - in her desire not to push anyone into a decision, perhaps she sacrificed her friends' feelings. ::

[David]

:: David straightened his dark pinstripe suit, and approached the spot where Buffy, Oz and Kennedy were standing. He cleared his throat. ::

"I'm sorry to interrupt Ms. Summers, but they've just taken Mr. Giles to the hospital wing. He's collapsed. They say he's going to be alright, but I thought I should inform you."

[Buffy Summers]

:: Seeing David, she started to smile. But the smile quickly vanished to a look of deep concern. She felt like she had been slapped. ::

"Thank you David. Kennedy, Oz I've...I've got to go."

:: Buffy rushed down the hallway, starting out at a fast walk which quickly turned into a run. She reached the medical center and pushed past the workers. She saw Giles, peacefully sleeping but hooked up to an army of machine and tubes. She pulled up a chair and sat down next to him, taking his hand and holding it in hers. Thought of her mother's death came back to her, as tears came rolling down her cheeks. ::

"Giles."

[Angels baby101]

::Illyria looked up as the half breed began to speak before quietly glancing at the floor once more.::

"Wesley is a factor in my mind he would want my essence to be part of the good fight though i do not know what i shall do here."

::She looked to the half breed agian sensing some discomfort comming off of his vibes.::

"Half breed you as well have something troubling you Perhaps you would like to share..."

[Edmund Blackadder]

::Giles walked through a magnificent forest. Trees reached as high as the heavens. All around wild mushrooms, beautiful flowers, and content creatures. Walking slower to appreciate the view, Giles finally came to a clearing. A top a rock in the distance a mighty Stag stood majestically, watching over his domain. Giles walked closer to it, something drew him to the animal.::

Stag: 'I'm lost and don't know how to be found."

Giles heard the stag answer in his mind. 'Your path is clear, you just have to look.'

::Giles turned and saw a brook. He noticed next to it a small path. If he hadn't have looked for it there, he wouldn't have found it.::

Giles heard the Stag continue 'The Path and the Brook follow the same course, until the the Brook joins the river, where many brookes have joined with one common purpose. The Path still moves along next to the brookes water, but now it has many brookes to go with .'

::Giles lay in his hospital bed, suddenly his eyes shot open::

'BUFFY'

[Lyri]

::Gwen walked down the corridor of the training camp, not really sure what she should be doing.

::Buffy had told her that if she wanted training, she could have it, but she wasn't really all that comfortable with interacting with people she didn't know. Gwen had always been a loner, ever since she was a child, and she knew her power was to blame. She had control over it now, could turn it off and on whenever she chose, but old habits died hard.

::Angel and Gunn where the only people in this place that she trusted fully, without question. Illyria was slowly making her way to that level in her mind, but Gwen knew that part of that was because she wore Fred's face. The witch, Willow, was pretty cool, and that Andrew guy, too. But they were the only two she had really talked to. Buffy was the leader of this...whatever it was, but Gwen didn't know her nearly well enough to form an opinion of her.::

Maybe when we start getting ready for this Canada, things will get better.

::For now, she resigned herself to exploring the camp.::

[Buffy Summers]

:: Buffy was startled - her eyes darting to Giles' face. She sniffed and wiped her eyes as she realized what was happening. She stood up and looked around quickly. ::

"Doctor!"

:: She put a hand to Giles' face, gently. She smiled down at him. ::

"I'm here, Giles. You're going to be fine."

:: She called out again for help as people rushed to Giles's bedside, checking him over. ::

[Mesektet Ra]

"Half breed you as well have something troubling you Perhaps you would like to share..."

Spike looked straight ahead, not willing to look Illyria in her eyes.

"It's nothing." He replied harshly, probably a little too much so. He closed his eyes, and sighed.

"Tell you what, Blue...what do you say we head to mess hall and see if they have a decent spot of alcohol, hm? Always calms the nerves."

He raised an eyebrow at Illyria, anticipating her answer.

[buffetofsporks]

:: Andrew raised his pencil from his notebook and looked around at the now empty meeting room. He guessed he was so entranced with the doodle he was ... doodling, that he lost track of time. Andrew looked down at his two-headed duck with rocket launcher and, after a few seconds of intense scoping, he folded his notebook and exited the room. After a few seconds of walking he noticed Kennedy and the new guy, Oz, talking. Andrew began to approach the couple and felt that this was as good a time as any to introduce himself. ::

Oz: Hi, I'm Andrew. I'm afraid I didn't get to introduce myself earlier. I guess you could say I've just been so swamped with ... evil ... that I've just been, you know ... tired.

:: Andrew said this with a fake sense of security but came off sounding as if he was badly constipated. He ended it with a cheesy smile. ::

[Angels baby101]

::Illyria looked at spike as he spoke harshly not looking at her till he was through::

"Alcohol?"

::Illyria staired at him blankly then scooted her self off the cot and stood along side of the half breed::

"Alcohol sounds interesting.."

::She started toward the door, stopped in her tracks::

"Its about that little blonde headed human that was talking alot earlier, Your body warms in her presents, You love her though you wish not to admit it."

::Illyria turned back to spike then back to the door and walked out it starting down the corridor to the mess hall::

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike screwed his face up, looking chagrined.

"Should've known better than to fool the ancient." He murmured.

He jumped off the cot, and followed Illyria to the mess hall.

[Angels baby101]

::Illyria turned as Spike walked behind her catching up to her::

"The other half breed warms to her as well you know...Its so dirty... theses feelings that dwell inside the human body."

::she looked to spike and smirked slightly::

"I feel them course through my body as well... These humain feelings, Love... saddess... its sickening. It grows more each day that i am inhabitted in this shell... each day i walk amoungst your groups, Fred knew some of these humans, They look at me as though i am her. Perhaps i should change to her full form and pass as her though the other Broodier half breed would look down apon that as well as you.."

::she finished her sentance as they entered the mess hall the smell of food cooking, and pies being baked.::

[Winifred Burkle]

Kennedy: "Yeah, we were all good friends. In a town like Sunnydale, you end up going through a lot more than most together. Tends to bond people, kinda like war vets."

::Oz replied when David came up and said Giles had collapsed. He glanced at Buffy as she rushed off, then at Kennedy.::

Kennedy: "I'm gonna... are you?"

::He nodded in the direction Buffy went, indicating he wanted to go see if Giles was going to be alright.::

[Anita Blake]

::Xander chanced another look at Giles before turning back to Faith::

Faith: ''Yeah, I think we should. I need to sort myself out, find out what I need to do''

::And he began to slowly move off::

::Faith watches Xander start to move slowly off and smiles to herself::

(Even with a broken leg and one eye, he's still gung-ho...)

Xander: "Allright, well I'm going to head for the conference room and then see where to go from there. You coming, or are you heading somewhere else?"

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike contemplated Illyria's musings for a moment. He cocked his head to side, walking side by side Illyria as they got into line.

"You know...I've been around a long time. Been dead most of it, yea, but that's not the point. And the only time I've ever learned something worth all this-" he gestured to the mess hall around him, and the girls milling about, chatting - "is in the company of those buggering 'mortals', as you so lovingly call them. They try. They give this entire bloody mess some sense."

Spike peeked behind the counter and noticed a full bar in the back. He grinned. [Oh, God, yes.]

He looked over at Illyria, gaging her reaction. "You get me, Blue?"

[Angels baby101]

::Illyria looked at Spike and staired blankly::

"You haven't been around that long half breed. Maybe if you were around the time we ruled this world you would understand more of these feelings, The other old ones would look down on me for equalizing myself to you and your friends. It bothers me how much i Mourn for Wesley, Giving his life for the possiblity of slowing down evil's plans. I shall try to be more mortal for wesley. Though i dont know what they will use me for here."

::Illyria looked to the shot glass Spike handed her and watched him pour a dark liquid into it... She picked it up and examined it for a moment before looking at Spike.::

[Edmund Blackadder]

::After the medics ahd done their blasted prodding and poking, they had informed Giles of the problem. During the battle, he had suffered a small arterial breach, causing internal bleeding.
Luckily this was not that serious, though it had given him pause for thought.
Maybe it was time for Giles to consider his place in the Scheme of things.::

Nurse 'Could you please inform Ms Summer's what had been the problem, and tell her i wish to speak with her, when she is available.'

[Buffy Summers]

Giles must be more out of it than I thought.

"Giles, I'm right here."

:: Buffy sat back down on the edge of his hospital bed. ::

[Winifred Burkle]

::Oz got there, but was sort of locked out of the room, so he sat down outside the building to wait and see. He knew he should probably rest a little, but somehow he couldn't think of sleep at the moment. There was too much going on in his mind. Between Giles' little outburst, to how much things had seemed to change since he was last with these people. He was okay with things, but there was still a lot to process.::

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike grinned at Illyria as she examined the shot glass. He raised his in pseudo-toast.

"Bottoms up."

He tipped the glass back and slammed it on the table, feeling the familiar alcohol burn down his throat. For a brief moment it warmed his cold body, and he grinned a little bit wider.

Illyria choked on her liquor, coughing as the amber liquid slid down her throat. Spike bit back a laugh.

He sighed a bit, content. He reflected upon what Illyria had said, and took a moment to reply. "Well, Blue..." He poured himself another shot and knocked it back, feeling the weight of the conversation beginning to bear down on him. "You fight for whatever reason you like. I..." He trailed off again, studying his empty shot glass. "I've got my reasons."

He poured himself another shot.

[Black Eye Guy]

::Willow turned and was about to leave the medical centre when Oz came through the other door and tried to go into where they had taken Giles. When he could not get in, he sat down out-side. She walked over to him::

Willow: "Oz..., Hi"

[Angels baby101]

::Illyria watched as spike poured him and her another shot, she quickly threw it back and slammed down her glass::

"I will fight for Wesley, Its what he would want."

::Illyria watched spike throw another drink down, she looked around the room and groaned.::

"I liked fighting you and winning, It was enjoyable. Now i wish to fight the other half breed, or the smallish blonde that you love.."

[VisionGuy]

:: Connor and Dawn arrived at the cafeteria. It has been a very long time since Connor ate anything. Ever since before the fight with Hamilton. He just hadn't had much time with all the commotion in the alley and then coming here to patch up. Not to mention the meeting. He grabbed a tray and smiled at Dawn.

Dawn: "So what was that you were saying before about you being made of some mystical energy stuff?"

:: Dawn is the only friend Connor made in this place and he wanted to get to know her better.

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike narrowed his gaze at Illyria, cocking his head to the side. "You know, I could take you. Big bad primordial evil, yea, but I could take you."

He grinned at her, and watched her knock back another drink.

"And if you kick the sh-t out of the trotting hairstyle, can I watch? That would be...brilliant. Bloody brilliant." He laughed quietly to himself.

The alcohol was making its way into his head now, clouding his thoughts. He realized he was grinning like an idiot at Illyria, damn near giddy with his thoughts. He wiped the grin off of his face and poured himself another shot, watching Illyria as he did so.

[Angels baby101]

::Illyria knocked back another shot spike poured this time it was bourbon, She quickly glanced at all the bottles they had put on the table to drink from there was Bourbon, Vodka, Jack Daniels, Rum All Illyria knew was that they were what spike called Alcohol.::

"You think you could take me? Before wesley took my powers, i could have killed you with out thinking twice half breed, though i wouldn't have much pleasure walking around at all since wesley has gone. Just like i could have killed the "trotting Hairstyle" as you call him Though it would not please the others."

::Illyria grabbed the vodka bottle and turned it up into her mouth, taking a few swigs before setting it back down she closed her eyes and then reopenned them to find spike grinning rather childish at her, Illyria never smiled, she always had basically the same angry or curious look about her, she tried to mock spikes smile, though she wasn't sure how it looked, she quickly went back to her stubborn angry look::

[Wanabee-slayer]

::Angel stayed back in the Conference room contemplating what joining this mission would mean. He had yet to say he was going along but was sure that Buffy already knew the answer::

To himself "Better let them know I'm coming just in case they don't already."

::And with that he headed out the door to find Buffy::

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike watched Illyria's expression change from giddy to stoic. She had twisted her face into a horrendous facsimilie of a smile, like she didn't know quite how to pull it off. Spike roared with laughter.

"You know, Blue, human isn't a good look on you. Stick with the classics."

He grinned and grabbed his shot glass, draining the rest of the bourbon. He knocked back his shot and relished the warm drunk feeling that was quickly gaining on his cold body.

[Angels baby101]

::Illyria looked annoyed at spike's laughter, before turnning her back for a moment::

"So if i wasn't human enough before what about now..."

::She turned to face spike, only it wasn't illyria looking back at him instead she had changed her form to reflect more of Fred's before smiling agian, Still alittle off but not as frightening::

"Wiliam the Bloody...Mayhem, Slaughter, right along side "The walking hairstyle" Angelus..."

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike's smile melted off his face in seconds. His laughter cut into a look of complete horror. He stood, knocking his chair backwards as he did.

"Change back." He ordered. He was breathing hard on air he didn't need. "Illyria, this isn't bloody funny! CHANGE BACK!" He roared at her, full of rage and disgust for the creature sitting in front of him.

[Angels baby101]

::Withen seconds she changed back to her more likable form::

"How dare you raise your voice to me!"

::Illyria turned and walked to the other side of the room looking at the wall breathing heavily, she didn't know if she should feel bad or if she should be truely angry at him for yelling::

"I trust that you dont like me portraying your precious fred..."

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike sighed. People in the mess hall were staring at him and Illyria as she marched off. He turned and glared at all of them. They looked away quickly.

Spike followed Illyria to the other side of room. He stopped halfway, staring at her back. [She's acting like a bleeding child.] He thought snappishly.

"You're bloody right I don't!" He bit at her, not at all wary of his tone or volume. People began to stare again. "Fred was someone special to me. You don't go around wearing her skin like she's...like she's a goddamned SHELL!"

Spike knew he was denying the truth out loud, but he kept his mouth shut about it. Still seething, he lowered his tone and stepped closer to Illyria, so only she could hear him. "You might be all big and bad scary blue Old One, but I'm not afraid of you. This is NOT your sodding world. My FRIENDS aren't going to be treated like f-cking puppets. Leave whatever's left of Fred to rest in bloody peace, or I'll..."

Spike shook his head, and stepped away. He raised his hands in surrender. "You know what? Bugger that. I'm out of here."

He turned and stomped angrily from the mess hall, leaving Illyria in his wake.

[Angels baby101]

::Illyria looked angerly at spike as he marched out::

(Its no longer my world because your kind ruined it. You and your humain sickening emotions ruined the world i once knew.) she thought bitterly to herself

::Illyria hit the wall with her fist angry that spike had raised his voice at her, She turned back around and started in search of finding something else to put her energy towards::

[Winifred Burkle]

::Oz looked up to see Willow standing over him, and he smiled gently.::

Willow: "Hey, is Giles going to be okay?"

::It was what was on his mind right now, he wasn't going to dive into something with Willow without at least asking if she knew about Giles condition.::

Willow: "Did they miss checking him out after the fight or something?"

::He'd been informed of the fight in LA, but his plane didn't arrive in time to help with it.::

[Wanabee-slayer]

:: One of the center's employees told Angel that Buffy was in the Hospital wing visiting Giles and he thought that what he had to say could wait. So Angel wandered the halls alone::

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike marched forward, intent on leaving Illyria and her little mind games behind.

[Every BLOODY time I think I've gotten to a hold on this whole death deal, something ALWAYS buggers it up. Goddamn her, her little bloody MIND GAMES. F-ck her.]

Spike growled, clenching his fists in rage. He ached to hit something. His body called for violence.

He spun, eyes roving for the whitecoats. He spotted on, and stopped him on his frenzied trip.

"'Ey! The training center. Where is it?"

The man gave him and exasperated look. Spike lowered the lids of his eyes and stared at the man darkly. "I don't have time for your BLOODY games, Whitecoat. Give me the SODDING directions." He growled, quiet.

The man's expression changed from exasperation to fear. "Um...take a left at this hallyway here, and keep going until you pass the conference hall. Take a right at the next hallway, and that should bring you to the training center."

Spike nodded, and turned away.

[Cordelia]

Kennedy: "Yeah, we were all good friends. In a town like Sunnydale, you end up going through a lot more than most together. Tends to bond people, kinda like war vets."

::Oz replied when David came up and said Giles had collapsed. He glanced at Buffy as she rushed off, then at Kennedy.::

Kennedy: "I'm gonna... are you?"

::He nodded in the direction Buffy went, indicating he wanted to go see if Giles was going to be alright.::

Kennedy followed Oz to Giles. She wondered how much the older man could take. He'd been doing this for so long with no super powers but his intelligence. She began to worry.

[Black Eye Guy]

Oz: "I don’t know, I was heading towards his room when I saw him being taken here, I have no Idea what happened"

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike entered the training center. Girls were practicing their moves against others; Spike saw the familiar faces of Vi, Chao-Ahn and Rona as they showed the other girls the motions of combat.

The three girls he remembered stared at him in shock as he walked somberly past, searching for a secluded corner of the training area where he could vent his frustration.

He found such a spot, in an empty off room in the middle of the center. Various weapons fanned the walls - crossbows, battle axes, quarterstaffs, swords, etc. Spike grinned devlishly as he surveyed the the massive array of weaponry.

A wooden sparring dummy stood in the middle of the room, silent and still, arms outstretched like those of a scarecrow. A more modern electronic torso sat several feet to the right, equally as still.

Spike took in the silence of the room, and breathed a moment. He closed his eyes and allowed his body to relax, his senses to become alert. He shed his duster and walked wordlessly to the wall, where he pulled down a broadsword. He hefted it, feeling the weight of it in his hands. The cool metal felt like bliss against his skin.

He spun suddenly, sword outstreched, his eyes narrowed at the wooden dummy. He started to flow into a series of moves, darting and striking as though the dummy were a real opponent.

He jumped into a swing that would've decapitated the dummy's head, only the sword was rejected by a blue eldritch energy field. The energy shocked him all the way up his arm, and he roared in surprise and landed flat on his back.

He coughed, feeling embarassed at himself, and looked at the dummy. The field crackled, and became invisible once again.

"Nice, Red." He bit. "You think you could tell a bloke about something like that?"

[Winifred Burkle]

::Oz stood up and looked around a moment, silent.::

(Okay, this is just weird and insane. Willow and I standing here in silence. We've been through too much together for things to be so weird. We're adults and we should be able to still be friends.)

Willow: "So, am I correct in assuming that Kennedy is your new girlfriend?"

::He glanced from Willow to Kenndey who had infact followed him to the med building.::

[Black Eye Guy]

::Willow was a little bit taken aback by Oz's bluntness, but it was kind of nice, he obviously wanted to try and be friends, she could work with that. She look at Kennedy::

Oz: "Yeah, we have been together for over a year, she's a Slayer"

Kennedy: "Kennedy, Oz ans I used to date"

::She decided to take the same approach as Oz had::

[Anita Blake]

::Watching Xander wheel away she shrugged an headed in the general direction of the conference room::

(Well, I guess I'll just go off by myself...its not like anyone is even worried about me...I hope Giles is allright.)

::Reaching the conference room she noticed that it was completely empty::

(Great. Now what?)

::Hearing the now familiar sounds of training slayers, she followed the noise down the hallway to the open doorway of what was obviously the complex's main training room::

(Well, maybe I can knock a few heads around, that'll cheer me up.)

::Seeing Rona was the closest slayer that she recognized she walked up to her. Watching as she put some newbies through some intricate fighting moves, she grinned slightly::

(They're doing good, but they've still got a ways to go. Rona's looking better though. She finally looks like her arm is up to scratch.)

Rona: "Hey, anything new going on?"

Rona looked at Faith in surprise. "Long time no see. Ummm, did you know that Spike is alive?"

::Seeing the shock and surprise in the younger girl's eyes she smiled::

Rona: "Yeah, long story. Maybe I'll tell you someday, but how did you find out?"

::Thinking for a moment she scowled and placed her hands on her hips::

Rona: "It was Andrew wasn't it? He can't ever resist gossip. He's worse than an old woman..."

"No, it wasn't Andrew." Smiling at the thought Rona shook her head. "He just walked through into that room over there. He looked really upset."

(Hmmm, I wonder what set Blondie off now...)

Rona: "Ok, well I'm going to go check on him. You keep up the good work."

::Walking off she called back to Rona without looking around::

Rona: "And tell the girl on your left that she keeps dropping her right shoulder."

::Spotting the closed doorway that Rona pointed out, she walked over to it and turned the knob. Opening the door she was just in time to see Spike get hit with a blue energy bolt and land on his butt::

(Man, he must be upset about something to be caught so off guard...)

::Grinning at that humorous sight of Spike flat on his back she crossed her arms and leaned against the door jam::

Spike: "Getting beat up by practice dummies now, are we, Captain Peroxide?"

(He looks like he's itching for a fight and I'm in the mood to oblige him...)

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike flipped to his feet at the sound of the voice.

He spun, and lowered his guard at the sight of Faith, who was grinning madly at him. He tried to assauge his wounded pride by saying, "Protective field. Red's all about the protection, and doesn't seem to give a damn who she tells about it."

Faith was still grinning. Spike sighed and pointed to the the dummy with his sword. "Shut your gob, alright? It's not like I bloody well knew it was there!"

[Winifred Burkle]

::Oz nodded and smiled at first Willow, then Kennedy.::

Willow: "Cool. Um, just wondering, what happened to Tara?"

::He remember Willow and Tara had been pretty intense, he wondered what had happened that they weren't together. If Tara had become another victim of Sunnydale, or if it was a break up, or what. He didn't want to drag bad stuff up, but the girl had seemed nice, and had cared about Willow, and thus was someone worth his caring about.::

[Black Eye Guy]

Oz: "Tara...Tara was...eh...she was murdered by a human, he was tiring to kill Buffy with a gun and one of the bullets went stray and hit Tara..."

[Anita Blake]

Spike flipped to his feet at the sound of the voice.

He spun, and lowered his guard at the sight of Faith, who was grinning madly at him. He tried to assauge his wounded pride by saying, "Protective field. Red's all about the protection, and doesn't seem to give a damn who she tells about it."

Faith was still grinning. Spike sighed and pointed to the the dummy with his sword. "Shut your gob, alright? It's not like I bloody well knew it was there!"

::Hearing how she was riling Spike she smirked and sauntered closer to him::

Spike: "Awww, is the big bad vampire embarrassed to be caught on his back by the itty bitty slayer? Poor baby..."

(Man, what is eating him...)

::Walking over to the wall she pulled a sword identical to the one Spike held off of it. Turning towards him and twirling it slightly she smiled::

Spike: "So, Blondie, what brings you here? Looking to work off a bit of repressed anger? Or are you looking to be beat up by a dummy?"

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike grinned wickedly at Faith, raising his sword. He dropped his feet into a defensive position. "You think you can take me?" He bounced a little on his feet, relishing the pre-fight adrenaline that was coursing through him. "Let's have a go, shall we?"

He lunged.

[Anita Blake]

::Faith quickly parried the blow and then slashed at his stomach which he dodged with easy efficiency::

They continued to trade blows neither one giving or gaining ground.

:: Dodging another of Spike's blows she grinned::

(Its been awhile since I've fought with someone nearly my equal...)

Spike: "Nice to see that being dead hasn't runied all of your skill, Spikey..."

::grinning Faith leapt over Spike's head to try and knock him off his feet by getting behind him and surprising him::

[Edmund Blackadder]

::Giles stayed in bed, he had begun to focus now, the woman he thought a nurse was actually Buffy::

to Buffy, 'Buffy, i'm rather sorry to be in this predicament. Please forgive me.'

::Still feeling rather odd, Giles fell asleep, back to the dream land of before::

[Buffy Summers]

:: Buffy placed a cool hand gently on Giles forehead. She smoothed the sheet covering him in his hospital bed. She got up to go, then, after pausing to look at her mentor for a second, left the hospital wing.

Seeing Kennedy, Oz and Willow in the hallway, she spoke, a solemn tone to her voice. ::

"I don't think Giles is going to be coming along for this fight."

:: She started down the hallway, then turned back to the three. ::

"We better start getting ready."

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike spun as Faith lept over him, parried her blow, and sent a foot sailing in a clean aerial towards her face. She dodged, and Spike landed, swinging the sword around in an arc to meet squarely with Faith's.

Spike nodded in approval. "You're good, Slayer." Quick as lightning, taking advantage of her gloating, he dropping to the the ground and sent his foot around to take her legs out from underneath her.

She landed square on her back, not unlike Spike was moments before. He grinned a bit wider, and pointed the tip of the sword at her throat as she tried to rise. "But not that good."

[Anita Blake]

::Looking up at Spike and the pointy sword he was holding to her throat she frowned at him before swatting his sword away from her with her own::

(What the hell happened?)

::Kicking her legs out she jumped up and landed lightly on the balls her feet::

Spike: "Lucky move, Vampire. But I'm not really in to the fight 'cause you're just not worth really hurting now that you have a soul and you're all broody like Angel..."

(That ought to do the trick...)

::Throwing her sword into a theatrical spin in the air she deftly caught it and arrogantly motioned Spike to come at her::

[Winifred Burkle]

Willow: "I'm sorry to hear that, she seemed sweet. Far too many good people became victims of that town."

::Oz shook his head, truly sad to hear that. Then looked up when Buffy arrived.::

[Angels baby101]

::Illyria walked the halls in silence mostly mumbling about the arrogant human behavior the half breed demonstrated earlier, she held her head down mostly, she turned the corner and bumped into angel she looked at him angrly and pushed past him::

"Watch it half breed!"

::She looked back for a moment then continued to walk, and check rooms. She walked into a small room with books no one seemed to be in there so she took a seat in the corner of the room, Pulling a book off the shelf and flipping through it quickly::

[Lyri]

::After exploring every inch of the training camp, Gwen grew bored. She remembered seeing Spike and Faith sparring in one of the training rooms and headed in that direction.

::Taking a deep breath, she pushed through the door and stood at the entrance, watching as they trained.

::Having been alone for most of her life, Gwen found it hard to mix with people she didn't know well, and felt uncomfortable with just walking up to the two warriors and asking to join in.::

You're such a spaz, Gwen.

[Black Eye Guy]

::Willow smiled at Oz, in apparition. Then Buffy walked up to them, ("Won't be taking part in this fight, I hope he is ok") She started walking after Buffy::

Buffy: "So how serious are we talking about for this fight, obviously its serious enough to bring all of us together. Are you gonna need anything 'Magicky'?"

[Buffy Summers]

"We don't know exactly what we might find when we get there - I wouldn't mind having a little supernatural backup...just in case."

:: Buffy smiled as she glanced at her old friend. ::

"I have a feeling this is going to be bigger than any of us know."

[Black Eye Guy]

Willow: "Well that’s creepy, but it will be ok, if we get into trouble we will activate all the potential slayers all over the world - oh wait, we did that last time!"

::She smiled at her own joke::

Willow: "Well you can count me in, whatever you need"

[Buffy Summers]

:: Buffy laughed. ::

"Thanks Will - I knew I could count on you."

:: She glanced behind her. ::

"Everything okay with the- ?"

:: She gestured, meaning Kennedy and Oz. ::

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike narrowed his eyes. "I am NOT-"

He lunged, swinging the sword in an arc that would've gutted her, but she jumped back, grinning all the way. "-ANYTHING like-"

He looked at the sword, and Faith's smiling face, and growled. "-that SODDING-"

He spun and kicked the sword out of Faith's defensive hand. She looked shocked. "-NANCY-boy-"

He looked at the sword again, this time straight-arming it in Faith's direction. Faith ducked and the sword landed in the wall with a resonant clang. He moved back and forth on his feet, this time all fists and fangs. He sent a fist at her face that connected, rocking her. "-trotting BLEEDING hairstyle!"

He panted with the exertion. He looked at Faith, and then at her sword laying on the ground a few feet away. He walked over to it, and stomped it, hilt-first, into his hand. He looked at her over his shoulder. "Alright?"

Motion at the door caught Spike's attention. He looked up casually, seeing Gwen standing the doorway, looking a bit sheepish. "Well, if it isn't Static herself." He looked a Faith, who was holding her jaw, and back to Gwen. "Would you like to join in on festivites, pet? We're having a bit of a party. The more the bloody merrier, I say."

He stood and waited for her answer.

[Black Eye Guy]

Buffy: "Yeah, actually, I think it is. You know when you are expecting something to be way worse then it is, well that’s what I was expecting. But we are grown ups and we can handle mature situations.

What about you? you seen Spike and Angel yet?"

[Anita Blake]

::Faith glaring at Spike and holding her jaw gingerly::

(Ouch, that hurt! I think I might've struck a nerve...Well, duh Faith!)

Spike: "If you weren't all soul-having and if it wouldn't make Buffy and Dawn all upset, you would so be meeting the pointy end of a stake right now."

::Pulling back her arm she let it fly and clocked Spike on the side of the head::

Spike: "Ha, now you can be in pain too."

::Looking over at Gwen, she crossed her arms::

Gwen: "What? He so deserved it. By the way, I don't think we've ever really been introduced. I'm Faith."

[Wanabee-slayer]

::Angel went looking for Connor there was alot that they needed to talk about. He wandered the halls trying to catch Connor's scent. Which eventually lead him to Connor and Dawn::

Both:'Hi"

Connor:'Sorry to interupt but I think we have a lot to discuss."

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike held the heel of his hand against the right side of his head. "You...little...bitch!" He grinned and shook his head. He felt the rage and fire building up inside of him, choking him. The demon inside of the man fought wildly for freedom from its shell.

In the blink of an eye, he roared, and let his face slide from man to monster. He whirled on Faith, and attacked her with a flurry of blows to her head and neck.

Faith staggered from the onslaught, and if she hadn't been a Slayer she would've fallen. But she stayed upright as Spike backed off, his face melting back to human.

"Now whose turn is it to be in some pain, love?"

He looked back at Gwen. "By the way-" Spike twirled the sword theatrically and pointed it in Faith's direction to keep her from advancing. He never looked in Faith's direction once as he did so. "I'm Spike."

[Buffy Summers]

:: Buffy had been so caught up in her preparations and Giles that she had forgotten...Spike and Angel. She sighed. That was a complication she didn't really want to have to deal with right now. She'd seen them in the alley, and nominally in the meeting...but she hadn't really spoken to them. She stopped walking and turned towards Willow. ::

"I - No. Not really."

:: She looked down at her crossed arms for a second, then back up at Willow. ::

"It's like, I have to be responsible for everyone and everything else...I don't have time for that sort of thing right now. I don't have time to waste making sure it's not weird between us, you know? I'm just not that person anymore - I can't pretend I'm a normal girl who's accidentally bumped into her exes."

:: She paused. ::

"Vampire exes. Vampire exes with souls."

:: She made a face, realizing how that sounded. ::

[VisionGuy]

:: Connor was having a good time talking to Dawn. He actually got to know her a little more. He was able to tell her almost about his whole life story. While they were talking, Angel came along. He said he needed to talk to Connor.

Angel: "Um, okay. Have a seat."

:: Connor was a little nervous. The last thing Angel wanted was for Connor to get involved in all of this.

[Black Eye Guy]

::Willow laughed at Buffys comments::

Buffy: "Yeah, who knew it was going to be such an 'ex fest' around here, But you will have to come up against that complication eventually, and it would probably be better if you got to them before they jump you. But I agree with you it is possible to get along with your exes, it doesn't have be all end of the world."

::Willow paused and smiled coyly::

Buffy: "Where you kill one, or the other dies for you"

[Anita Blake]

(Ouch. Damn moody vampires...)

::Shaking her head to clear it a bit, Faith glared at the back of Spike's head::

Spike: "Blondie, what the hell didn't you understand about the pointy stake + vampire thing? Equals dust right?"

::Warily eyeing the sword pointed at her and realising that Spike wasn't even really listening to her or paying attention to her at all, she decided to use it to her advantage::

(Don't you know that if you attack a slayer not to turn your back on her afterwards unless she's down? Hmmm, guess not.)

::Moving towards him quickly, Faith put herself right at the corner of his vision. When Spike turned to defend himself, she ducked under his sword and used her feet to knock his legs out from under him. Jumping up quickly she grabbed her sword up from the ground and stepped on Spike's chest while he lay on the ground. Positioning the point of her sword so the tip rested on his throat, she grinned down at him::

Spike: "Who's the bitch now?"

::Not looking up from Spike but knowing that Gwen was watching them she spoke to her::

Gwen: "So, you want to join the fun? Or are you just gonna stand there all day?"

[Creature of the Night]

::All this time, Xander had been milling about the complex, thinking to himself, mulling over things in his head. He then nodded his head, probably to reassure himself that he could more than anything, then got up out of his chair. He was alright on his leg, it still hurt a little, and he had a limp. But he could walk alright. Now to see if he could fight. He walked to the training room, though he still limped. He saw Gwen, and Faith, with a sword at Spike's throat. He laughed.::

All: Hi guys, up and about quicker than you thought, huh?

[Lyri]

::Gwen laughed as the two champions continued to fight, although their joust was becoming a little more heated. She let the door swing closed behind her as she entered the room proper.::

Faith: "Don't wanna interrupt. Not really sure what to do with myself. I'm Gwen, incase you haven't heard."

::She grinned at the blonde vampire.::

Spike: "I like the nickname, by the way. I think 'Static' pretty much sums me up."

::She walked towards them, becoming more comfortable in their presence with every step.::

Faith and Spike: "If it's okay, I'd like to join in. Promise I won't zap you."

[Wanabee-slayer]

:: Angel sat down across the table from Connor. Nervously thinking of what to say. Among other things he wanted to talk Connor out of going on this mission the last thing he needed was seeing someone else he cared for hurt::

Connor: "Look I don't want you coming on this mission."

:: It sounded more harsh then Angel wanted it to but Angel didn't know how to say it any other way::

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike looked shocked at Faith. [Damnit. Testy little bint.]

He looked at Gwen, who was standing there, giving him a small wry smile. He stared at her. "Are you going to help me or just let me lay here?!" He barked.

[VisionGuy]

:: It was no surprise that Angel didn't want Connor to go on this mission. He was a little reileved that Angel didn't scold him for being in the alley in the first place.

Angel: "I'm sorry Dad but I'm coming along. These people might need my help. I know I can do a lot of good here."

:: Connor looked at Dawn who was still sitting at the table with him. Then turned to face Angel again.

Angel:: "Besides, I didn't come all the way down here to turn around now just because you told me so. Do you think I'm just gonna sit back and let you guys have all the fun?"

[Lyri]

::Gwen looked at Spike, where he lay on the floor. Faith stood above him, sword pointing at his throat.::

Guess I could have some fun.

::Spinning quickly, she used a move she stole from Angel and knocked Faith's feet from under her. She landed on her back.

::Knowing the warrior wouldn't hold it against her, Gwen offered the vampire a hand.::

Spike: "I think I could get used to this place after all."

[Anita Blake]

::Staring up at the ceiling from where she was lying on her back, Faith started laughing::

(Man, I let my guard down for 1 second and WHAMO!)

::Sitting up, still lauging she saw Xander in the doorway::

Xander: "Come on in. It's a party!"

Gwen: "Don't you know its not nice to get between a slayer and vampire while they are fighting. You're liable to get caught in the crossfire. But good moves though..."

Spike: "I so would've won if Sparks there hadn't interfered."

::Standing up, she stretched her arms above her head::

(I hit the ground hard, ouch. Girl's got skills.)

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike looked at Gwen, taking her hand.

He stood and brushed himself off. "Much appreciated, pet." He nodded in thanks to her.

He turned, noticing Xander in the doorway. He grinned, and tsked at Xander. "All you need is a parrot now, eh? The limp's a nice accent."

He turned and looked at Faith. "It's alright, Slayer - we're not done yet."

"Well," he started, clapping his hands and rubbing them in anticipation. "Everybody's here. Let's get this party started"

He looked at Gwen, and nodded at her, trying to communicate something to her with his eyes. He wondered if she was perceptive enough to understand him.

[Buffy Summers]

:: Buffy sighed, contemplating what Willow had said. She knew she was right, but that didn't make things any easier. ::

"Well, I guess we better go find Faith and Spike...get this show on the road."

[Lyri]

::Gwen caught the look that Spike was throwing at her. He nodded once and she figured he had something planned.::

Looks like Blondie's got a little plan up his sleeve.

::Gwen looked at Faith, then at the newcomer at the doorway. She could vaugly remember someone calling him 'Xander'.

::Catching Spike's gaze again, she gave a barely noticable nod and readied herself for whatever the vampire had planned.::

[Wanabee-slayer]

:: Angel didn't know what to say he didn't want any harm coming to his son byt he also knew Connor was a grown boy capable of making his own decisions::

Connor:" I don't want you getting hurt there have already been to many deaths in this war."

[Anita Blake]

::Faith noticed the covert glances between Spike and Gwen and decided to give them wide berth. Walking towards the door, making sure to stay well out of reach of both of them, she made her way towards Xander::

(I don't know what's going on, but I'm not about to let either one of them get the jump on me again...)

Xander: "Hey. Its nice to see you out of that wheelchair. But now I can't call you wheels anymore."

::Faith sighed dramatically::

Xander: "So, I guess I'm back to cycops or peg-leg."

::Grinning at Xander she slapped him on the arm. Looking back at Spike and Gwen she eyed them suspiciously::

(Never again.)

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike sighed and tossed Gwen a look. He shrugged, and sauntered over to the wall, where he removed his sword with a gong.

Spinning the sword by it's hilt, he tossed them all a bored stare. No one spoke for a while. He sighed again. "Well, I'm friggin' bored. C'mon-" he danced back and forth on his feet, ready to box. "I'm in the mood for some sodding VIOLENCE! Why are we all standing here?"

He grinned at each of them in turn. They all shot him annoyed glances, save for Gwen. and Spike threw is arms open. "Oh, WHAT? I came here to kick some ass. You all can bugger off if you came here to make small talk."

[Black Eye Guy]

Buffy: "want me to go find Angel, and the other as well, we going to meet up in the conference room?"

[Lyri]

::Gwen laughed as she watched Spike bounced on his feet, looking for something to do.::

I need some training. I guess the best way to train for fighting vampires is to actually fight with one.

::Gwen moved into the centre of the room, and dropped into a fighter's stance.::

Spike: "Well, come on, then. Let's see what you're made of."

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike looked warily at Gwen for a moment. Not because he was afraid, but because he didn't know a lot about Gwen. She seemed fragile to him, someone he could break.

[Girl can hold her own against an army of demons. How weak can she be?] He thought to himself.

He shrugged at her, and dropped into his own fighters stance. "Are you sure?" He looked at her through his lashes, grinning wickedly at her, trying to rile her. "Big bad vampire, here, pet. Been around a long time. You think you can take the likes of me?"

He motioned for her to come to him. "I'm right here."

[VisionGuy]

Angel: "I was raised in a hell dimension so I think I'll be okay."

:: He saw that Angel still didn't look convinced. Connor crossed his arms and said to him, "I'm staying. There's nothing you can do to convince me otherwise."

[Anita Blake]

(Okay, so I'm going to sit this one out...)

::Finding a good observation point, Faith leaned against the wall ready to watch::

(Best way to figure out just how good the girl is, is to watch.)

::Grinning slightly she decided she would try to rile Spike a bit and put him off guard::

(he looks way to smug...)

Spike: "Sure you can handle her Blondie? You've already been knocked off your feet by one girl today, can you take it from another one?"

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike dropped out of his stance and rolled his head in Faith's direction. He pointed at her. "YOU keep out of this, you crazy bint. This has nothing to sodding do with you."

He rolled his head, cracking his head, lossening his muscles. He fell back into his stance and eyed Gwen. "Well? Are you gonna kick my ass or stand there all day?"

[Lyri]

::Gwen winked at Spike again and began to circle him, trying to find a weak point.::

Weak point? Don't think this guy has any weaknesses.

::Gwen lashed out with a left fist, aiming for the side of the vampire's face. But of course he dodged, the only thing was, Gwen was feigning. As soon as Spike moved, she brought her knee up into his solar plexus.::

Spike: "Thinking maybe I'm gonna kick your ass after all."

[Anita Blake]

::Smirking at the now-very-much-in-pain Spike, she pulled away from the wall and walked towards him slightly, making sure to stay out of his range::

(He thinks that he can out talk me? Ha!)

Spike: "Crazy, huh? I wasn't the one living in the basement of a school and talking to myself...although, I've been one to act slightly insane in the past, you still take the cake, sweetheart."

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike doubled over in pain, clutching his solar plexus, mouth caught in a silent scream of agony.

He sent dagger eyes to Faith, who was smirking at him. "Oh, bugger off," was all he could come up with. He looked at Gwen, who looked triumphant.



[i]Spike remained doubled over for a moment, letting Gwen think she got the win. She lowered her guard as she thought Spike was throughly beaten.

Quicker than lightning, Spike whipped upwards, and charged Gwen. Her guard flew back up but it was to late was Spike pulled her own scheme on her - he sent a fist flying towards the right side of her head, which she blocked, and jumped into the air and spun in a beautiful aerial roudhouse that caught Gwen on the left temple.

The girl crumbled to the ground.

Spike landed on the balls of his feet in a fighting stance, ready for another attack. He looked quzzically at her, never dropping his guard. , [i]he mused. "Are you all right, pet?" He asked softly, when Gwen didn't move. He fell out of his stance and although he never dropped his guard, he walked towards her, worried about her safety.

[Lyri]

::Gwen lay fave down on the ground, the wind knocked out of her. Pain was shooting through her temple from the kick Spike had just delivered.::

Oh look, more cartoon birdies. Seen way too much of them these last few days.

::Biting on her lower lip to stop herself from screaming, Gwen tried to stand, but the pain was too much as she slumped into a sitting postion, which was all she could manage.::

Damn, that guy can kick.

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike noticed how Gwen was wobbling, trying to stand. He rushed to her side and and slid an arm around her waist to steady her. "C'mon. It's alright, love." He said softly, gently, feeling like a total asshole. He put her arm over his shoulders and started to walk slowly towards the door.

Her body wasn't cooperating - she was concious, but not enough to move on her own, or even with Spike's assistance. He gave up on trying to walk her and swooped her up in his arms and started to carry her.

Faith and Xander looked at little shocked at him, Xander more than Faith. Faith opened the door for him as he left, heading for the medical center.

"I'm sorry, love." He whispered to the barely concious Gwen. Gwen mumbled a little something in reply, her eyes half lidded. "We'll get you all fixed up, alright? You'll be all better again. I promise."

His stomach twisted into knots. Disgust roiled through him like a thick, heavy fog. He wanted to vomit. He felt like the worst kind of...thing, to hurt Gwen the way he did.

[Damnit. Bugger all. How the f-ck could I have let myself so something so bloody STUPID?] He thought vicously.

He looked down at Gwen, who looked as if she were half asleep in his arms. He leaned in close to her. "Stay awake for me, love. Don't fall asleep on me now."

[Lyri]

::Gwen heard Spike talking to her, telling her not to go to sleep. She tried to smile, but the pain in her head told her not to.::

Spike: "Sleep would be good right about now. Feeling kinda tired."

::She knew she was being carried by the blonde vampire, could feel the movement of rushing along, but she couldn't figure out where he was taking her.

::But for some reason, she didn't care. Deep down something told Gwen that she could trust this man with her life, that he wasn't going to hurt her. He was going to take care of her, just like he promised. She also knew that he was right. She shouldn't sleep right now.

::Gwen grabbed onto the collar of Spike's leather duster and tried to keep her eyes from closing.::

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike swallowed, hard. She was losing conciousness, and fast.

He started a slight jog, twisting through all the people in the training center, taking lefts and rights where his memory told him the medical center would be.

He dashed into the center, running full tilt through the double doors. Whitecoats turned and stared at him, and the apparent worry on his face.

A doctor pushed through the throng and ran up to Spike, nurses trailing him with a gurney. "What happened to her?" He asked.

Spike laid the half-concious Gwen gently down on the gurney. He looked brokenly at the doctor, and said, "We were training, and..." he swallowed again, not wanting to say what came next. Nervousness wracked him. He took a step away from the doctor and looked down at his feet. "I kicked her in her left temple."

The doctor nodded briskly at Spike, and waved a hand. The nurses began to wheel Gwen away behind a curtain. Spike's head shot up. "Wait, I want to -"

The doctor placed a hand on Spike's shoulder. His eyes were calming, his tone soft. "We're just gonna check her out, okay? There's nothing you can do right now. We'll send someone for you when she's able to have visitors."

Spike looked forlornly at Gwen. The girl raised her head a little and smiled a tiny, soft smile at Spike, and promptly dropped her head back down on the gurney.

Spike was touched. He smiled at her. He knew she was going to be fine.

Spike nodded at the doctor. "You'll send someone, then?" The doctor nodded. Spike nodded back at him, and tossed another glance at the retreating Gwen. "I'll be waiting outside."

[Lyri]

::When Gwen opened her eyes, the lights above her head where bright and she had to squint to be able to see. She could feel a pillow behind her head and she was lying on something soft, with a white sheet draped over her body. She noticed a nurse checking a chart at the end of the gurney.::

Nurse: "What happened?"

::The nurse explained about the blow she took from Spike, and the memories slowly came back to her. She shook her head and forced herself to sit up. The pain was still there but it wasn't as bad as before.::

Nurse: "We were training. It wasn't his fault."

::The nurse tried to calm Gwen down, telling her that she needed to rest.::

Nurse: "Where is he? Where's Spike?"

[Buffy Summers]

Buffy: "want me to go find Angel, and the other as well, we going to meet up in the conference room?"

:: Buffy smiled. ::

"Thanks, but there's no need."

:: Buffy pulled a small device from her pocket and switched it on. ::

"David, can you give me a location on Faith and Spike?"

:: She waited a second, and then a voice came over the speaker. "They're in training room 4, with Ms. Raiden and Mr. Harris." ::

"Have Angel meet us there, please."

:: She turned back to Willow. ::

"The miracle of modern technology. It's this way, let's go."

[Mesektet Ra]

Some Undetermined Amount of Time Later...

Spike was beside himself with guilt and rage. He'd almost paced hole in the hallway outside of the medical center.

He cursed himself for the nineteeth time since Gwen had been admitted. [Oh, you stupid bloody PRAT. How could you hurt the poor girl-]

Spike stopped pacing. [How could you use a poor maiden so?]

He shook his head, shaking loose the memories. He placed the heel of his hand against his head, shutting his eyes hard.

Just then, a nurse came and poked her head through the doors. "Um...Mr. Spike? Excuse me, Mr. Spike?"

Spike looked up, eyes dazed. "Oh...yea. Yea. How is she? Can I see her?" He asked quickly as he came back into himself.

He nursed smiled brightly and nodded. "Actually, she requested your presence. She's resting in the the third room over, down the the hall." She opened the doors wide for Spike.

Spike nodded quickly at the nurse and started out slowly down the hall. But his impatience and his worry overtook him, and he was in the doorway of her room in seconds.

She sat upright on her bed, looking anxious. Her head bolted upright at the sound of Spike's entrance. His face softened at her, and he entered quietly, pulling up a chair next to her bed.

He was quiet for a few moments. He smiled at her, and gently placed his hand in hers for support. "How are you, sweets? Everything alright in that noggin of yours?"

[Lyri]

::Gwen sqeezed Spike's hand as he held on tight.::

He looks so worried.

Spike: "Doc was in here a second ago. He said I got a mild concussion, but nothing drastic. He said I should stay here for a while, so that they can make sure I really am alright."

::A look of relief swept across his face and Gwen couldn't help but smile.::

Spiek: "Hey, it wasn't your fault you know. I don't balme you. Things like this happen all the time. Shoulda known I wasn't strong enough to go up against someone like you."

Well, that was a smart thing to say. Idiot. She could feel her face growing warm and she looked down at her bed, trying to hide.::

Spike: "Look, I'm going be here for a couple more hours. If you wanna take off, I can come meet you later. Or whenever."

::Gwen looked up, searching his face, looking for an answer.::

Please don't leave me.

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike smiled sweetly at Gwen, relishing her openess. She looked so eager, so small and fragile.

So much like she didn't want him to go.

He reached a hand up and gently stroked her hair. "I don't think I'll be going anywhere for a while."