All The White Circles (Part 1)

Jennifer

"Take all the white circles
From a deep dark blue background
Throw them into the air
Just to see where they come down
I said there was emotion
I didn't get specific
I'm told cowgirls know
When to sing and when to listen "


Part One

"So where do we take him?" Xander asks as we set Riley in the back seat of Giles' car. "I mean, he's been munched on. I'm not sure we can explain that."

"I know," I say looking down at Riley. His head rests gently in my lap and I find myself stroking his hair lightly. His consciousness has left him for the time being and I'm really afraid.

"He's lost a lot of blood Buffy," Willow says. "We can't give him what he needs."
I know that. And as much as I want to, I know that I can't. "The hospital then. We have to take him to the hospital."

"How do we explain it?" Xander asked.

"I don't know. I'll think of something."

We bring Riley into the emergency room for his injuries, where he is admitted immediately so that treatment can begin. Since none of us are next of kin, we are excused from any further information, and asked to locate someone who could fill out the necessary paperwork.

"I hate hospitals," I say as I head for a payphone. When I get a free once, I stick in my quarter and dial the main phone at Lowell House. I get an answer and then ask for Forrest.

"Anything new?" He asks, totally in the dark as to what I've been doing for the last twenty-four hours. He sounds concerned and I realize that he is really a good friend to Riley.

"I found him." I say.

"What?"

"I've got him in the hospital. He's pretty bad, Forrest. I need you to get in touch with his next of kin and get them here as soon as possible."

I hear him breathing heavily before he says thanks and then hangs up rather rudely. I then return to my friends who are still in the waiting area outside the doors that Riley last went through.

"I've got to get back to your place," I say to Giles. "You guys stay here. Get whatever information you can out them. I'll be back here in an hour."

"Buffy," Giles begins,

"Giles, I have to meet Spike there. We have a deal."

"Right, right. I understand."

I leave the hospital, my reservations about not being there for Riley, heavy in my heart. But I let love get in my way once. I vowed then that I'd never do it again.
 

Spike checks in at Giles' place a half and hour after I get there. Part of me is surprised he lived up to his word and part of me feels just a little bit like I know him better. Twice now, we fought on the same side. If he wasn't so damned egotistical we could probably cohabitate. But no. I know as soon as he's able, it will be back to business as usual for us.

I return to the hospital two hours after I leave. I make my way quickly to the same waiting room I left them in when I went to check on Spike.

"Hey," I say as they all turn to me upon my entrance.

"Buffy," Giles greets me.

"So how is he? Is there any word?" I ask.

"Buffy," Giles repeats my name almost gravely.

"Come on. There has to be some information."

"Buffy," Giles repeats my name yet again.

"What is it Giles? They have to talk to us, right. I mean I am his girl-"

"Buffy." His voice floats into the air around me.

I turn my head slowly toward the sound. My eyes meet with his and I'm hit with a million emotions all at once. "Angel."

"Hi," he nods stepping from the shadows.

"What are you doing here?"

"Cordelia had a vision about Spike and Drusilla. So I-"

"Well you're too late." I cut him off then. " So just turn around and," I stop when I see his face cloud painfully. "You said Cordy had a vision?"

"Yeah."

"Since when does Cordy have visions?"

"It was a gift from a friend."

"Oh like your other friend? What's his name? Lloyd?"

The shadows cross his face once more. "His name was Doyle. And the gift came from him."

"What did Cordy chase him away already? Really Angel, I don't-"

"He's dead Buffy. Doyle, my friend, is dead."

I step back. Shame creeps into my face in a hot flush. "I'm sorry. I didn't know."

"I know. It doesn't matter."

I go to him then feeling his pain. God, why does this happen! Why does this have to happen! I embrace him tightly and feel the agony in his soul. "I'm sorry Angel. I'm so sorry."
He's holding me so tight and I know I can't let go. Not until he's ready.

"I know." He backs off and looks at me.

God forgive me, I love him. "How is Cordy?" I ask him.

"She's fine. The visions are painful but she's learning to cope with them. It's what she has left of him."

I nod slowly.

"She had a vision about Spike and Dru a few days ago. I debated whether or not I should come. I debated for two days. Until I couldn't stay away any longer."

"A few days?" I ask him. "A few days?" I repeat it in my head. Maybe if he had come, then Riley... Riley. I turn to Giles again. "Has there been anything new?"

"We have a situation Buffy." Giles tells me.

"What kind of situation?" I ask.

"When we asked about him, they said they didn't admit Riley Finn..."

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