Lilac Wine (Part 9)
Jennifer
Part Nine: Riley/Buffy/Riley
I can't open my eyes. I'm too tired. I'm too weak. But I can hear her. Well I think it's her anyway. She's grunting and I can hear thumping and crashing. It sounds like a fight. But I've smartened up on that too. I've thought it out too many times what a rescue would be like. And everytime I dare to hope reality isn't playing a trick on me, I get bit, literally.
I wish I could open my eyes.
There's shouting and more thudding. There's more crashing and yelling. I think I hear Willow.
Why would I dream about Willow? Someone is yelling at Spike. Spike? Where have I heard that name? It's all drowning together. Jumbled in my mind and fusing in my dying heart.
Then just as quickly as it seemed to start, it stops.
Her hands are on me, working their way to the shackles above my head. I can't stand. I'll crush her if I fall.
"Riley. Riley, it's Buffy." There's anxiety in her voice. Fear. For me?
Please God, let me open my eyes. Let me see her.
Her hand moves from the shackles for a moment. I will myself one more time to open my eyes.
Head bowed, I look at her as her head presses to my chest. She's listening. What is she listening to?
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My first impulse is to undo the shackles. I reach for them and actually start the process. But the weirdest feeling comes over me and I stop. I move down and slowly and very gently so as not to hurt him, press my head to his chest. Against my ear, I can feel it pound inside of him, however slow it may be, it's there. I listen to his heartbeat for one more moment and then return to his shackles.
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When she takes her head away from me, she makes even quicker work of removing the shackles around my wrists.
"Riley," She's whispering soothingly. "It's okay now. We've got you."
I'm afraid to crush her so I try to stand but find no strength in my legs.
"Xander," I hear her call. "Help me."
I feel more hands on me now. Strong hands. Men's hands. They help her hold me up. They position between them, one arm around each of their necks. I can't believe they actually did it. I force myself to say her name, "Buffy,"
"It's okay Riley. Shhh," She continues to walk.
Almost deliriously, I ask, "Spike?"
"Yes, Riley. Spike. I promise to tell you about it when you're better." I hear her chuckle. I'm not sure if it's out of relief or what but I can sense she's calmed immensely as they lead me out into the coming the dawn.
The End.
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